The dead sea scrolls: The greatest archaeological find of all times

How do you know that the Bible you read today is the same one that the apostles wrote? Or much less, what the prophets wrote thousands and thousands of years ago? We’ve all played the gossip story, where you tell a story to one who tells it to another person, who tells it to another person, and then seen the story changed dramatically in just a few generations. And for thousands of years, these writings have been copied, and recopied, and recopied, and so, how do you know that what we have today is anything what they wrote? If you’ve talked to very many people about the Bible, you’ve heard that kind of objection, and hopefully you have a good answer. I think there are a number of ways to approach it. But. I think that’s one of the powerful messages of the dead sea scrolls. Notes from the lecture continue below the video…..

Qumran in the West Bank, Middle East. In this cave the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. In dieser Höhle in Qumran wurden die Schriftrollen gefunden. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr. Patton is the staff Geologist for the Qumran Plateu excavation in Israel, the site that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls some 2,000 years ago. These scrolls, perhaps the most significant archeological discovery of all time, have changed the way we view the Bible. Many have been led to believe that the original text of the Bible has deteriorated over years of copying and recopying. The Dead Sea Schrolls provide a test of that hypothesis, allowing us to compare modern versions with recently discovered manuscripts written over 2,000 years ago. Dr. Patton will take you to the same scene of the original caves where the scrolls were discovered with one of the Bedouins who made the discovery. This is a fascinating story with eternal implications. Dr. Patton has a broad educational background; four years at Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL (Bible); two years at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN (Geology); two years at Indiana Univ./Purdue Univ., Indianapolis, IN (Geology); two years, Pacific School of Graduate Studies. He has worked as Geologist in US, Canada, Australia, England, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Cambodia, Israel, and Jordan. Dr. Patton has participated in dinosaur excavations in Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming and Canada. He is credited with excavating the longest consecutive dinosaur trail in North America, totaling 157 tracks, extending over 500 feet. He is a member of the Geological Society of America and was a speaker at their 1997 annual convention. Dr. Patton lectures at universities across the United States. He has conducted up to twelve Creation/Evolution Seminaries a year for twenty five years. He has participated in numerous public debates on creation/evolution including radio and TV debates. He has testified three times before Texas State Textbook Committee, Austin, TX. Presently, Dr. Patton is consulting geologist & partner in Mazada Corporation, Dallas, TX. He is a staff geologist of the Creation Evidence Museum, Glen Rose, TX, staff geologist for the Qumran Plateau excavation in Israel.

Notes from the video:

How do you know that the Bible you read today is the same one that the apostles wrote? Or much less, what the prophets wrote thousands and thousands of years ago? We’ve all played the gossip story, where you tell a story to one who tells it to another person, who tells it to another person, and then seen the story changed dramatically in just a few generations. And for thousands of years, these writings have been copied, and recopied, and recopied, and so, how do you know that what we have today is anything what they wrote? If you’ve talked to very many people about the Bible, you’ve heard that kind of objection, and hopefully you have a good answer. I think there are a number of ways to approach it. But. I think that’s one of the powerful messages of the dead sea scrolls.

It is dependable. That is, the Bible that we have today is like what the apostles wrote, and  what the prophets wrote. We understand the objection and the difficulty that people have in grasping that, because everything that we know about in this world goes downhill, it deteriorates. And so, things begin to degenerate, so why not the message that the apostles and the prophets wrote? We understand from Genesis chapter 3, the beginning of this deteriorative process, where a curse was placed on the earth.

Genesis 3:17b-19 “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

This, I think, pervades the whole universe. Isaiah speaks of this effect that we see:

Isaiah 40:7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

But then, he tells us there is an exception to this degenerative process:

Isaiah 40:8 but the word of our God endures forever.” 

That’s different. This is the promise of the word of God, and some say, “Well, but, how do you know this is true? And one of the evidences would be from the dead sea scrolls. But, we need to understand what God’s words promise, and that is that there is an exception. Jesus, Himself says in Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Now, we have radical teachers like Joseph Smith, and like Mohammad, that says the word did pass away and that’s why you have to have new writings and you have to pay attention to what they’ve written, that I believe is very different. But it doesn’t need to be replaced if it’s never passed away.

Peter is quoting from Isaiah in 1 Peter 1, when he says all flesh is like grass:

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.

…and then, Peter goes on to apply that to what the apostles have written, not just the Old Testament Scriptures:

26 And this is the word that was preached to you. (by the apostles)

Now, that’s the promise. In spite of this promise, we are told over and over again that it has degenerated, and even from religious leaders. And that it needs to be replaced. But, in spite of the fact that information that the dead sea scrolls is filtered most of the times through liberal scholars, we have very good, I believe, confirmation of exactly what Isaiah and Jesus, and Peter are promising here. And I think, that’s the primary significance of the dead sea scrolls. Let’s begin talking about the discovery of the dead sea scrolls. photo below – wikipedia - The Psalms Scroll, designated 11Q5, with transcription

The discovery of the dead sea scrolls

When it was first announced, back in the 1940′s, it was declared even in Time magazine, to be the greatest manuscript discovery of all time, by William Albright. He was considered dean of American archaeologists. We’re told that these 2 individuals, along with several others who were with them, teenagers at the time, were near the dead sea. They were shepherding sheep, goats and they had lost one of the goats. They were hunting for it, and in the process of trying to find their long livestock, they found the dead sea scrolls.

At the 6:26 minute mark, Dr. Patton shows a picture of one of the original men who was there when the scrolls were discovered and shows the entrance to the cave, which Dr. Patton visited. He tossed a rock into the opening of the cave to see if the animal was in there, and he heard the sound of breaking pots. As a result, he realized that there were pottery vases inside. He lowered himself inside and found 37 vases, He removed at least 7 of these scrolls and carried them back to his tent, where they stayed for maybe a couple of years, before they realized the significance of it. In talking to some of the ones who were there, and had them in their tents, they were aware they were very important. The parchment on which they were written was unusual, reserved for very important documents, and so they used them for important documents. Like, if they wanted to divorce their wives, they’d take some of the dead sea scrolls and write on the back of it. (photo below wikipedia- Scholar Eleazar Sukenik examining one of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1951).

But, eventually they realized that this was important enough that they can get some money for it. Through a series of intriguing events, they finally wound up with Khalil Eskander Shahin, “Kando”, who lived in Bethlehem at the time. He had a gift antiquity shop in the St. George Hotel. He was a cobbler. He thought, originally that he could use this leather parchment  material, maybe to repair some shoes. It was in excellent condition, sealed in the jars. Eventually, it came to the attention of Professor Eleazer Sukenik of Hebrew University in Jerusalem. And he understood (I am just greatly condensing the story) that these were greatly important documents, and was able to acquire 3 of them. Four of them were purchased by  Metropolitan Athanasius Yeshue Samuel, better known as Mar Samuel of the Syrian Orthodox Church. He, along with John C. Trever verified that these were very ancient documents and Mr. Samuel then advertised them in the Wall Street Journal.  Yigael Yadin, the son of the Professor Eleazer Sukenik,  who had purchased the first three, Yadin, who was also leader of the Israeli underground army (this was before just right before Israel was a state). Jerusalem was under siege by the Arabs. Bethlehem was under total control of the Arabs and Mr. Sukenik had to travel there, against the advice of his son to purchase the first 3. And now, his son goes to Mar Samuel, who has got the other 4 advertised in the Wall Street Journal. The son saw the ad in the paper, and arranged through an intermediary, because he would not have sold them to an Israeli for $250,000. So, all 7 of them came into the possession of Hebrew University and are now housed in the Shrine of the Book. The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 texts discovered between 1946 and 1956 at Khirbet Qumran in what was then British Mandate Palestine, and since 1947 known as the West Bank.

Let’s think about the site of the dead sea scrolls. The northwest corner of the dead sea, about 15 miles from Jerusalem, right on the edge of the seashore. And this was a renegade community, renegade in terms of  the way orthodox jews thought about it in Jerusalem. They thought the ones in Jerusalem were renegades. I think there’s a sense in which they were both right. We see that the temple, in Jesus’s time, built by Herod, a megalomaniac, trying to outdo Solomon with all of his building program, and as Jesus reveals in the writings of the New Testament, he was very much opposed to a lot of what was going on. They were too, though they had some pretty strange ideas in this community.

The authors of the dead sea scrolls

It was excavated in the 1950′s, and it was a very elaborate complex, probably the dwelling place of about 200 people. They weren’t married, they did not believe sex was appropriate, and somehow they survived for 300 years there, through a heavy recruiting program. They had some other unusual ideas, but they also – this is usually not revealed by the liberal scholars because these were kooks according to them- they also had some very righteous conduct and some excellent insights into the Scriptures. And, there’s some facts about them that provide some excellent evidence for us, in view of the concept of the Scripture that we have today. We can see that they had a very elaborate water system. They had engineered an aqueduct to bring water from the nearby mountains and they had all kinds of washing pools, and ceremonial baths and up to 3 story buildings, with a watchtower and then the scriptorium was at least 2 stories. Because of the insights that we gain, when we look at their attitude towards Scripture and towards the Messiah, they (liberals) want to discredit that and call it just a pottery factory. But, inside the scriptorium, the benches were made to stretch out the scrolls (13:00). The inkwells are found in the ruins. And so, they were stretching out rolls, sewing them together, writing on these benches, and I think it’s pretty obvious what they were doing. Those clay benches that were designed to roll the scrolls out, and to facilitate the copying of them have of course been recovered. Several of them are on display in the Rockefeller museum today, and some of them are in Amman, Jordan. photo below wikipedia – Qumran Scriptorium.

But, this whole community was a worshipping community, considering themselves much more orthodox and righteous, appropriate, loved of God, than any of what was going on in Jerusalem. In 66 A.D. the jews revolted against Rome. At that point, they understood that there were going to be big problems and so, they began to take all of their scrolls and hide them, sealed in jars with beeswax, in the caves. That accounts for their almost miraculous preservation. The intact Isaiah scroll is just beautifully preserved, if somewhat burned around the edges. Two years after they revolted against Rome, the 10th Roman legion marched into this area in 68 A.D. and destroyed it. They completely burned it and did set up camp there and lived there for maybe 25 years. They evidently did not find the scrolls. They were hidden in the caves in the surrounding areas. There are 11 of them that have been found. We were able to go up to those caves, when I was working as a geological consultant for the dig that was going on at that time. One of the original fellows that was there when the scrolls were found went with us to cave 1 and to several other caves and told us (speaking in Arabic through a translator)  of the events and described it for us. His grandson, Yosef, is an accomplished archaeologist and has been able to work with us at the excavations.

Cave 4 is perhaps the most important of the caves. The bedouins found, eventually, over 15,000 fragments. The archaeologists found another 40,000 . Sometimes people say, “Well, they held these things for so long that the were some kind of shenanigans going on. Well, you’ve got over 50,000 fragments. You don’t just put those together easily. They’re from over 400 manuscripts, that is, from this cave. There is a total of over 800 manuscripts from all the caves. And, about 100 from this cave (cave 4) were biblical manuscripts. But, the papyrus on which they were written, and mainly the parchment, if it’s not sealed in the jars, of course does not hold together. It does deteriorate, and it had to be pieced back together. We look inside cave 4, and you see that this is a man made cave. Perhaps, an original cave that they have enlarged and embellished. (at the 18:00 minute mark you see where most of the fragments had been collected from and found).

Dr. Patton’s dig site was on the plateau immediately adjacent to the Qumran area, and was in response to the charge that they (the community) were disconnected to the scrolls, that they were just a pottery factory. We moved a lot of dirt. It is very hot, as it is the lowest spot on earth, about 1300 feet below sea level. Even in December the temperature is near 100 degrees (F), in the summer it’s about 130. Our area was on the eastern portion, which dealt with this pre-Hasmonean circular pit. The Hasmonean era is sometimes called the period between the Old and the New Testaments. We were excavating these cooking pots. One of the things that’s obvious when you excavate remains  is that these people, in the first place, ate very well and they had elaborate clothing and wine pots.

Many people say John the Baptist came from the wilderness and was an Essene, that was here in this Qumran community. But, he didn’t dress that well, he didn’t drink, he didn’t eat that well. Locusts and wild honey is different form the feasts that we saw remains of. I see no connection at all; I see a contrast. These were rather wealthy people. They gave all their money to the community, when they joined up, and they lived well from this communal arrangement. We were looking carefully at the meals which they ceremonially buried in the pottery and found from the DNA analysis of these bones that the DNA matched the sheepskin. So, that the sheep that were used to make the skins on which the scrolls were written, matches the sheep that they were eating. They were of the same family, which refutes the idea that this was just a pottery factory. (22:20)

The contents of the dead sea scrolls

There’s a lot of misinformation. Obviously, it’s not all Scripture. Some 400 of the manuscripts- about half- are these crazy things, these pseudo apocryphal fake scripture. Books that are not inspired, that somehow give the impression of inspiration. And so, what were they doing with this, if they had so much respect for Scripture. Certainly in my library I have some commentary written by some people, that have wrong ideas, which I need to know about, so I can answer. And the fact that you find some of these squirrely books, crazy ideas, is not surprising at all.

200 of the texts are what are called sectarian texts, or manuscripts. This was peculiar to the Qumran community, the Essenes. The Book of Discipline, particularly, gives us insight into how they lived and they baptized 2-3 times a day. They really believed in baptism, and they had the pools all over the place. And they didn’t believe in marriage, and held to some other ideas. But, what was really interesting is their view towards Scripture, that we’ll talk more about. And so, about 1/4 of the library, a greater percentage were of actual manuscripts, or copies of the Scriptures. They would copy and recopy, almost wear out and retire and make new copies. But, they were very devoted religious sect, devoted to studying the Scriptures. 24 copies of Genesis were found.  33 of Deuteronomy. These were the 2 books they seemed to give more emphasis to. Isaiah was popular, 22 fragments, Psalms 39 fragments. And, actually, we find every book of the Old Testament represented, with the exception of Esther, and there is reference to Esther in some of the commentaries which indicate they thought Esther was a part of the canon, what was inspired. I think we’ll find fragments as we continue to search here, of Esther. We find whole or fragmentary copies of every book in the Old Testament, with the exception of Esther, and Esther is referred to.

Perhaps, most significant is the fact that 12 of the scrolls are written in pale0-Hebrew. One of the great challenges to faith is a theory that has overthrown the faith of thousands, some of my close friends, that says that the early books of the Bible were not written by Moses- this documentary hypothesis, as it’s referred to tells us that they were actually written after the exile, made up to look like Israel was ancient to give greater political significance at the time. And they’ve got computer analysis and very technical approaches to try to prove that. 12 of these are written in the Paleo-Hebrew, which is the style that was only used prior to the exile. After the exile, they added vowels, they changed the shapes of the letters, and it’s very easy to see the difference. Now, I don’t think these were actually written before the exile, but, they’re copies of manuscripts that were written, that proves they were in existence prior to the exile. The oldest scroll is the Genesis scroll, written in Paleo-Hebrew, dated to (Wikipedia reports the dates for them, to as early as 325 B.C.) conservatively, 300 B.C. But, in Paleo-Hebrew, which indicates this is a copy  of that which was before the exile. Here is Genesis, a part of the books that they say had to e written after the exile, that we know from the dead sea scrolls, was not (meaning it was written before the exile and pointing to Moses). And that it was in existence before the exile and that documentary hypothesis is exploded for that and several other reasons.

There were a number of interpretive commentaries which I think were very insightful. The liberals don’t like them, because the Essenes believed them and they believed the Bible. The commentaries indicate that. They believed they (the books) were prophetic and that they foresaw the coming of the Messiah, and they understood the Messiah better than the apostles did. They understood, as the New Testament writers did, that this was God’s word. But, they referred to the Messiah as the pierced Messiah. One that would die and would be resurrected. The liberals think that this idea of the Messiah that would die and then be resurrected developed hundreds of years after Christ and that the New Testament was written long after the New Testament times, and that this was just a spin that put on new ideas after they developed for hundreds of years. They got it from the Old Testament prophecies hundreds of years before Christ. This is not an oddball, developed spin on the Old Testament prophecies. This is derived directly from the prophecies, even before Christ arrived.

photo below wikipedia - Great_Isaiah_Scroll Isaiah scroll discovered at Qumran.

The great Isaiah scroll is on display at the Shrine of the Book, at that museum, is the most exciting. If you study Isaiah in seminary today, you won’t study Isaiah. You’ll study Isaiah 1 and Isaiah 2. The liberals have to split this because the second part of Isaiah has prophecies in it. If it were written in the time of Isaiah, it would have to be a supernatural prophecy. And so, they fix that: They split it saying, “Yeah, this is Isaiah 1- it was written at the time of Isaiah, but Isaiah 2 (with the prophecies) had to be written after the exile. That was made up to make it look like prophecy.” And so, when they found the Isaiah scroll, which dates to 300 B.C., and a copy of that which was before the exile, they certainly expected to find 2 different scrolls, because it’s  taught in seminary: Isaiah 1 and Isaiah 2. Not so. All, one complete intact scroll, written in Paleo-Hebrew, altogether 24 feet long. Interestingly, in the margins, you have markings of the Messianic passages, that they understood, 300 years before the Messiah arrived, they understood what this was about. You see why the liberals don’t like it and they don’t tell you about this stuff, but, they tell you about the kooky stuff. (30:40) photo of Mark 6 fragment mentioning Genesareth via bitcoladopini.blogspot.com

But, there’s much more. One of the most exciting finds involves Cave #7. And, if I was speaking to a Jewish audience in Jerusalem, you would hear big groans right now. In Cave #7, of course this is from the 1st century, we have different types of manuscripts that are written on papyrus rather than on parchment, the sheepskin, and it is written in Greek, not in Hebrew or Paleo-Hebrew. Cave #7 has collapsed. It’s sides and roof have fallen away and 19 small fragments of papyrus were found. They couldn’t read them initially, and as they continued to study, “Oh Yes,” there was a fragment from Exodus, Jeremiah and with computer analysis they could see how these letters would fit into a text. But they couldn’t read the rest of them. 17 of the 19 fragments were unread. The reason was they had to find them in the Old Testament. And they weren’t Old Testament. They were New Testament fragments. One of the most obvious is from Mark, and this particular fragment mentions Genesareth, which is a peculiar word for  the Sea of Galilee, used only in the first century, and so, this helps date it, together with the style of the letters. And this is a quotation from Mark 6:52-53, that mentions Genesareth. The way you do this is you superimpose text over this and you see if it fits (see video at 32:30 minute mark) and even with just a few letters you can identify it.

And, as they continued to analyze it, they found several other passages from Mark 4:28, Mark 6:48, Mark 6:52-53, Mark 12:17, Acts 27:38, and Romans 5:11-12, and 1 Timothy 3:16, 4:1-3 and 2 Peter 1:15, which was one of the more controversial and James were verified. And the real significance is this is necessarily before 68 A.D. when the Romans came in and destroyed all of this. The style of the letters indicates about 58 A.D. Now think about it. Now we have it verified: Jesus said, in Mark 13:2 “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.” And what happened in 70 A.D.? The Romans marched in and the stones were thrown down and the streets were pummeled by the stones. This was in 70 A.D. and it was prophesied before 68 A.D. and we can prove it(68 A.D. was when the Essene community was destroyed by the Romans and the scrolls were placed in caves to be found hundreds of years later). Now you can see why they don’t like that.

The same process that allowed them to verify Ezekiel and Jeremiah , in the papyrus from the Greek, was used to find Mark. And they accept one, but not the other, because it doesn’t fit their theological views. This is ongoing, and you don’t hear a lot about his either. They’re papyrus fragments. Hanan Eshel who is a professor at one of the major universities, there in Israel, in 2005 found a number of fragments from Leviticus. The bedouins actually found it, he in his association with them, learned that they had them. They approached him. He purchased them from the bedouins and took them immediately to the Department of Antiquities, saying, “Here is what we have found.” They fired him from his university position, they imprisoned him for over a year. You’re not supposed to buy this stuff from the bedouins. He is no longer a university professor, but he is working with us in our dig, in our efforts to gain permits. He has identified the cave from which these fragments came. We just finished a dig and we have to publish before we can apply for a new permit.

Let’s summarize the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls:

1. They reveal a sect whose approach to Scripture and view of prophecy were similar to the early church. As Paul wrote, when they received this in Thessalonniki, as it was in truth the Word of God. And, as he told the people of Corinth, “If you’re spiritual, you accept this as the commandments of the Lord.” This is the way they viewed Scripture.  
2. It destroys the idea that the beliefs of the New Testament were developed over hundreds of years, after Christ and the apostles already died, and somewhat this tradition and myth grew. No, that’s not the case at all.
3. Like John the Baptist, they believed they were in the desert as forerunners of the Messiah and arrival was imminent. They believed that it was time, and it was imminent, as John the Baptist preached.
4. Like Jesus and the apostles, they believed they were living in the last days of the Old Testament era, and that Scriptures predicted the coming Messiah. A Messiah that was a suffering Messiah and one that would be resurrected. The apostles didn’t get that during the lifetime of Christ. Finally when the Holy Spirit came, they understood it. But, these people understood it ahead of time.

The accuracy of Textual Transmission

One of the lessons that we learn is the meticulous view by which these Scriptures were copied. Interestingly, Josephus comments on this. He says, “We’ve been given practical proof of our reverence for our own Scriptures. For, although such long ages have now passed, no one has ventured either to add, or remove, or to alter a syllable, and it is an instinct with every Jew, from the day of his birth, to regard them as the decrees of God, to abide by them, and, if need be, cheerfully to die for them.” And that’s reflected in the processes of copying that we see in the records, in the manual of discipline, and in the artifacts that have been excavated. They copied every letter after they finished copying a page. And if the tally did not match, they threw it away and started over. So it wasn’t just copying, and hopefully they got it right. They had ways to check.

We now have with this, manuscripts 1,000 years older than any manuscripts that existed before the discovery of the dead sea scrolls. The oldest that we had before the dead sea scrolls were discovered were the Aleppo Codex. This was the Masoretic text, that dated to 900 A.D., talking about Old Testament text. When the King James Bible was translated, that’s the best we could do. And up until the 1940′s, that’s well over 1000 years (dead sea scrolls are) after the prophets (O T Prophets wrote them). Copying them for 1000 years, it has to produce some changes. It couldn’t be like the original. Well, now then, we have the Isaiah scroll 1000 years earlier, and so we can check. What happened between the 1000 years that intervened between the oldest scrolls and the newer ones? They compare perfectly. They are identical, word for word in 95% of the text. The other 5% involve obvious slips of the pen and spelling mistakes. There is no significant difference at all. And it is one scroll from beginning to end.

When we understand the way they did it, and how it compares there is no longer a reasonable charge. The latest Old Testament book was written 325 B.C. The oldest Dead Sea scrolls was written about 300 B.C. It is less than a generation removed from the original that we have copies today. Although we don’t have the originals, we have what goes right back to it. If you have less than a generation removed from the original, you can’t be worried about that 25 years if you look at the accuracy within 1000 years (to the Dead Sea Scrolls). If you are determined not to believe you have an excuse. I think God does that to those that are not honest. But, to honest, reasonable people it’s not reasonable to think that this is not like the original. We can get to within less than a generation. And then, with the New Testament we have that which was written during the lifetime of the eyewitnesses who saw the crucifixion, who saw these events take place. It was written then, probably about 50 A.D., before the prophetic events (Jerusalem) that occurred before 70 A.D., and we can prove that (with the Mark fragment). Now that’s significant.

Our text is dependable. Our view of prophecy is not something that was spinned hundreds of years later, but was inferred directly from the Old Testament, even before Christ. And the New Testament was written during the lifetime of the people who saw it. We have dependable text, and it’s not reasonable to think otherwise. And therefore, we conclude, just exactly what Isaiah concludes, as inspiration from God:

Isaiah 40:7-8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

There’s an exception, and it  has to be a supernatural exception, and it is by God’s promise that the word of God stands forever. And we can defend that proposition and show that it’s unreasonable to deny it.

Related articles

• The IAA Under Fire for its Treatment of the Dead Sea Scrolls (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• Rewriting and Interpreting the Hebrew Bible: The Biblical Patriarchs in the Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
• Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit times extended (wcpo.com)
• Podcast #65: The Dead Sea Scrolls (rickleejames.com)
• Museum Center hosts Ten Commandments (wcpo.com)
• Ten Commandments scroll joins Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit for final days (wlwt.com)

Two Biblical Pictures of God’s Purpose in Sin, Unbelief, and Hardening by John Piper

This is a sermon by John Piper entitled

Did Israel stumble in order that they might fall? 

Romans 11:11–16

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! 13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Before we are done I want to talk about 1) how to make Israel jealous of the fact that the people of Christ are inheriting the promises of Abraham, and 2) how the picture of God’s sovereignty in Romans 11 helps you trust in his sometimes very roundabout purposes.

Who Is “They” in the Question: “Did They Stumble in Order That They Might Fall?”

But first let’s look closely at a couple verses: Who is “they” in verse 11? “So I ask, didthey stumble in order that they might fall?” To see who it is, we read the preceding verses:

Romans 11:7-10

What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. [That's a reference to Israel as a whole corporate, ethnic Israel taken as a people who failed to obtain right-standing with God.] The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened. [So "the rest" are treated by Paul as corporate Israel: they failed to obtain a right-standing with God; in stead they were hardened. This is the "stumbling" that Paul wonders about in verse 11: "Did they stumble in order that they might fall?" This generation of Israel stumbled, except for the elect. The people as a whole are lost.]

[Now verse 8:] As it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.” [In other words, let them stumble over their bountiful table, and let them be bent down for generations, burdened by the law until the hardening is removed (11:25)] Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”

In other words, the “they” in verse 11 (“Did they stumble in order that they might fall?”) is corporate, ethnic Israel as a whole in a condition of ongoing hardness and lostness from generation to generation. As Romans 9:3 said, They are “accursed and cut off from Christ.”

Did Israel Stumble in Order They Might Fall?

So what’s the answer to Paul’s question in verse 11: “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall?” He answers: “By no means!” I take this to mean; the purpose of God in the stumbling-the hardening-of Israel is not the final abandonment of Israel as a whole. I think that’s the general idea in verse 11: “Did they stumble in order that they might fall [i.e., for the purpose of falling]?” Answer: the stumbling led to lostness and judgment in some generations of Israel, but the final lostness and judgment on the people as a whole was not the purpose of God. That was not the purpose of hardening in (verse 7).

This becomes really clear as we read on in verses 11 and 12. “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means!” That’s not the purpose of their stumbling. What was? Paul answers in verse 11b, “Rather through their trespass [=their stumbling] salvation has come to the Gentiles. . .” God’s purpose for Israel’s unbelief and hardness and rejection of the Messiah is that salvation might come to the Gentiles.

Two Biblical Pictures of God’s Purpose in Sin, Unbelief, and Hardening

I know that for many, speaking of God’s purpose in sin and unbelief and hardness is difficult. But keep two biblical pictures in your mind:

1) The story of Joseph’s abuse by his brothers, selling him into Egypt, because the point of the story in Genesis 50:20 is: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

2) The crucifixion of Jesus, because this was sinful and planned by God for our salvation (Acts 4:27). God is always doing more than one thing. Hardening yes, but Oh, so much more! By means of the hardening and the stumbling and the trespass, God is guiding history in such a way that the Gentile nations would receive salvation.

Jesus’ Teaching on the Rejection of Israel and the Salvation of the Gentiles

Jesus said this several times in his teaching. For example, after the parable of the wicked tenants, where the owner sends his own Son to get the Father’s fruit, and they kill him, Jesus said the upshot is that God will remove these tenants, and “let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons” (Matthew 21:41). Which Jesus interprets like this: “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits” (Matthew 21:43). In other words, Israel’s trespass, in rejecting the Messiah, happened so that God might give the kingdom the heritage of Israel to those who follow him.

Jesus says it again in Matthew 8:11-12. After seeing the faith of the Gentile Centurion, Jesus says to those who followed him, “I tell you, many will come from east and west [that is, Gentiles] and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom [most of Israel] will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” So Israel is hardened, and the Gentiles are coming into the kingdom. Salvation is coming to the nations.

It happened all through the book of Acts. For example, in Antioch of Pisidia the message of Paul and Barnabas was rejected, and the effect was a powerful mission among the Gentiles: “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. . . . And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:46, 48; see 18:6; 28:19-20).

What Paul makes clear in Romans 11, that may not be as clear in these other texts, is that the spill over of the Gospel to Gentiles did not just result from Israel’s trespass -as though this took God off guard, and he had no plan in it. Instead there was divine design behind it. Verse 7: It was God who hardened. And it was the hardening the trespass (v. 11b) that brings salvation to the Gentiles. “Through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles.” This is God’s unfathomable wisdom being worked out in history and shown to us in Romans 11.

The Purpose of the Hardening: Salvation to the Gentiles

You can see the purposefulness of it most clearly perhaps in Romans 11:30-32.

Just as you [Gentiles] were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their [Israel's] disobedience [that's the point of verse 11: "through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles"], 31 so they [Israel] too have now been disobedient in order that [purpose!] by the mercy shown to you [Gentiles] they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that [here is unmistakable purpose summing up the whole chapter] he may have mercy on all.

So we ask again, verse 11:

Did they stumble in order that they might fall? [Was that the purpose?] By no means! [What then was the purpose?] Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles.

The divine purpose of Israel’s hardening and trespass and rejection was to save a fullness of the Gentiles. There is a merciful purpose in the hardening. He consigned them to disobedience he hardened them that he may have mercy (v. 32).

The Purpose of the Hardening: Israel’s Jealousy and Salvation

God’s ways appear even more unfathomable at the end of verse 11. Was the purpose of their stumbling final rejection? No. The purpose was so that “through their trespass salvation [might] come to the Gentiles.” And then amazingly he adds, “so as to make Israel jealous.” Purpose upon purpose: The hardening and trespass of Israel are designed to bring salvation to the Gentiles. And Salvation to the Gentiles is designed to make Israel jealous. Why? So that Israel will return and lay claim on her Messiah, and become part of Church of Jesus Christ.

The Purpose of the Hardening: The Return of Christ and Resurrection from the Dead

And if we think that’s the end or climax of God’s design in redemptive history (salvation for Gentiles and Israel), verse 12 stuns us again with a further purpose.

Now if their [Israel's] trespass means riches for the world [which we have seen it does, by God's design], and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles [which it does, namely, salvation], how much more will their full inclusion mean!

God’s purpose in the trespass of Israel is salvation for the Gentiles. And his purpose for the salvation of the Gentiles is to make Israel jealous, so that she wakens to the greatness of Christ and embraces her Messiah. And then he adds, the purpose of the salvation of all Israel “their full inclusion” is something even greater.

Something glorious follows the full number of the Gentiles and the full number of Israel. Verse 15 says what it is:

For if their [Israel's] rejection means the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

I take this to mean that when God’s mission to the Gentiles is complete and the hardening of Israel is removed, then the Lord will come and the dead will be raised, and we will enter the kingdom with everlasting joy.

Now this is all very weighty and I am sure seems remote to some of you. So let me move toward a close with two applications for your life.

Implications for the Jealousy of Israel Because of the Salvation of the Gentiles

First, consider the implications that God means to make Israel jealous by our Gentile salvation. Verse 11:

Through [Israel's] trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles,
so as to make Israel jealous.

How can we advance this purpose of God?

I think one of the keys is to understand and make much of the fact that the Church the followers of Jesus Christ is the true Israel and that we Gentile Christians will inherit all the promises of Israel by faith in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. We have to see this and make much of this, if our Jewish friends are ever (by grace) going to feel jealousy that we inherit their promises. The whole spirit of our interaction should be like the Father to the elder brother: Come on in to the party. You belong here!

Paul explains the Gentile inheritance of Israel’s promises like this in Ephesians 2:12-13, 19:

Remember that you [Gentiles] were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise . . . 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . . . So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

By faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, we have become the true Jews (Romans 2:28-29).Galatians 3:7, “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (seeGalatians 3:16).

In this we should revel! Bethlehem, “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16)! All the covenants, all the promises belong to us and all who will one day trust the Messiah. All the promises of God are yes in Jesus Christ. And we are in Jesus Christ by faith alone. Know your Jewish inheritance and glory in it. That’s what Paul did in verse 13b – 14, “Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.” Let’s join Paul in the enjoyment of Jewish promises. When you are with Jewish people this Christmas, say: “I love the descriptions of Christ in your Bible: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his should and his name and shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6).”

God’s Roundabout Way to Provide Mercy

And the last application I would draw out is that God is sovereign even in the hardening and trespass and failure of whole peoples, and his aim in the end by his own unsearchable wisdom is mercy. None of us deserves to be saved. But God is gathering a people through faith in Christ from all the peoples of the world. And one day mercy will triumph over the Israel’s hardness, and she will come by faith in Christ to her own inheritance.

It may seem to us a very roundabout way to bring mercy to Israel and the nations. But we are not God. He knows what kind of history must take place to reveal the fullness of his wisdom and his mercy against the backdrop of his justice and wrath.

The effect this should have on us, I believe is to keep us faithful and patient, even when it looks as though unbelief has the upper hand. God is in control-unfathomably, unsearchably. And everything will work for mercy to those who trust the Christ.

B. Palm Sunday – (2/3) He (Jesus) set His face to go to Jerusalem! Palm Sunday

from Desiring God. You can listen to the audio for this John Piper sermon here.

Luke 9:51-56

Luke describes the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem at the beginning of that last week of his earthly life:

As he was drawing near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Luke 19:37, 38)

Palm Sunday: Today and To Come

There is no doubt what was in the disciples’ minds. This was the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy given centuries earlier:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations; his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:9, 10)

The long-awaited Messiah had come, the king of Israel, and not just of Israel but of all the earth. Jerusalem would be his capital city. From here he would rule the world in peace and righteousness. What a day this was! How their hearts must have pounded in their chests! And must not their hands have been sweaty like warriors in readiness just before the bugle sounds the battle! How would he do it? Would he whip up the enthusiastic crowds and storm the Roman praetorium—a people’s revolution? Or would he call down fire from heaven to consume the enemies of God? Would any of his followers be lost in the struggle? The tension of the moment must have been tremendous!

The Pharisees had a double reason for wanting this kind of welcome silenced. On the one hand, this Jesus was a threat to their authority, and they envied his popularity (Mark 15:10). On the other hand, they feared a Roman backlash to all this seditious talk of another king (John 11:48). Therefore they say to Jesus, “‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’ But he answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out!”‘ (Luke 19:39, 40). No, he will not rebuke them for this. Not now. The hour has come. The authority of the Pharisees is done for. If the Romans come, they come. He will not silence the truth any longer. To be sure the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ kingship at this point is flawed. But hastening events will correct that soon enough. In essence they are correct. Jesus is the king of Israel, and the kingdom he is inaugurating will bring peace to all the nations and spread from sea to sea. The book of Revelation pictures the final fulfillment of Palm Sunday in the age to come like this:

I looked and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9, 10)

The entry into Jerusalem with waving palms (John 12:13) was a short-lived preview of the eternal Palm Sunday to come. It needed to be said. If the disciples hadn’t said it, the rocks would have.

I like to think of all our worship in this age as rehearsal for the age to come. One day we, who by God’s grace have been faithful to the Lord, are going to stand with innumerable millions of believers from Bangladesh, Poland, Egypt, Australia, Iceland, Cameroon, Ecuador, Burma, Borneo, Japan, and thousands of tribes and peoples and languages purified by Christ, with palms of praise in our hand. And when we raise them in salute to Christ, he will see an almost endless field of green, shimmering with life and pulsating with praise. And then like the sound of a thousand Russian choruses, we will sing our song of salvation, while the mighty Christ, with heartfelt love, looks out over those whom he bought with his own blood.

Had Jesus taken his throne on that first day of palms, none of us would ever be robed in white or waving palms of praise in the age to come. There had to be the cross, and that is what the disciples had not yet understood. Back in Luke 9, as Jesus prepared to set out for Jerusalem from Galilee, he tried to explain this to his disciples. In verse 22 he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” And in verse 44 he told them, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” But verse 45 tells us, “They did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Therefore, their understanding of Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem was flawed. They saw him as a king moving in to take control. And he was. But they could not grasp that the victory Jesus would win in Jerusalem over sin and Satan and death and all the enemies of righteousness and joy—that this victory would be won through his own horrible suffering and death; and that the kingdom which they thought would be established immediately (Luke 19:11) would, in fact, be thousands of years in coming. And their misunderstanding of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem results in a misunderstanding of the meaning of discipleship. This is why this is important for us to see, lest we make the same mistake.

Jesus’ Resolution to Die

In Luke 9:51–56 we learn how not to understand Palm Sunday. Let’s look at it together. “When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” To set his face towards Jerusalem meant something very different for Jesus than it did for the disciples. You can see the visions of greatness that danced in their heads in verse 46: “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.” Jerusalem and glory were just around the corner. O what it would mean when Jesus took the throne! But Jesus had another vision in his head. One wonders how he carried it all alone and so long. Here’s what Jerusalem meant for Jesus: “I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem”(Luke 13:33). Jerusalem meant one thing for Jesus: certain death. Nor was he under any illusions of a quick and heroic death. He predicted in Luke 18:31f., “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him.” When Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, he set his face to die.

Remember, when you think of Jesus’ resolution to die, that he had a nature like ours. He shrunk back from pain like we do. He would have enjoyed marriage and children and grandchildren and a long life and esteem in the community. He had a mother and brothers and sisters. He had special places in the mountains. To turn his back on all this and set his face towards vicious whipping and beating and spitting and mocking and crucifixion was not easy. It was hard. O how we need to use our imagination to put ourselves back into his place and feel what he felt. I don’t know of any other way for us to begin to know how much he loved us. “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

If we were to look at Jesus’ death merely as a result of a betrayer’s deceit and the Sanhedrin’s envy and Pilate’s spinelessness and the soldiers’ nails and spear, it might seem very involuntary. And the benefit of salvation that comes to us who believe from this death might be viewed as God’s way of making a virtue out of a necessity. But once you read Luke 9:51 all such thoughts vanish. Jesus was not accidentally entangled in a web of injustice. The saving benefits of his death for sinners were not an afterthought. God planned it all out of infinite love to sinners like us and appointed a time. Jesus, who was the very embodiment of his Father’s love for sinners, saw that the time had come and set his face to fulfill his mission: to die in Jerusalem for our sake. “No one takes my life from me (he said), but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18).

Jesus’ Journey Is Our Journey

So Jesus sets out for Jerusalem, and it says in the text that “he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but the people would not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem.” It doesn’t really matter whether this rejection is just because Jesus and his companions are Jews and Samaritans hate Jews, or whether the rejection is a more personal rejection of Jesus as the Messiah on his way to reign in Jerusalem. What matters for the story is simply that Jesus is already being rejected, and then the focus shifts to the disciples’ response, specifically the response of James and John.

James and John ask Jesus, “Lord, do you want us to bid fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (verse 54). Jesus had already named these brothers “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). Here we get a glimpse of why. I take this passage very personally because my father named me after one of these sons of thunder. And I think I probably would have said what John did here: “Jesus, we are on the way to victory. Nothing can stop us now. Let the fire fall! Let the judgment begin! O, how Jerusalem will tremble when they see us coming!” Jesus turns, the text says, and rebuked them (verse 55). And they simply went to another town.

Now what does this mean? It means, first of all, that a mistaken view of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem can lead to a mistaken view of discipleship. If Jesus had come to execute judgment and take up an earthly rule, then it would make sense for the sons of thunder to begin the judgment when the final siege of the Holy City starts. But if Jesus had come not to judge but to save, then a radically different form of discipleship is in order. Here is a question put to every believer by this text: does discipleship mean deploying God’s missiles against the enemy in righteous indignation? Or does discipleship mean following him on the Calvary road which leads to suffering and death? The answer of the whole New Testament is this: the surprise about Jesus the Messiah is that he came to live a life of sacrificial, dying service before he comes a second time to reign in glory. And the surprise about discipleship is that it demands a life of sacrificial, dying service before we can reign with Christ in glory.

What James and John had to learn—what we all must learn—is that Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem is our journey, and if he set his face to go there and die, we must set our face to die with him. One might be tempted to reason in just the opposite way: that since Jesus suffered so much and died in our place, therefore, we are free to go straight to the head of the class, as it were, and skip all the exams. He suffered so we could have comfort. He died so we could live. He bore abuse so we could be esteemed. He gave up the treasures of heaven so we could lay up treasures on earth. He brought the kingdom and paid for our entrance and now we live in it with all its earthly privileges. But all this is not biblical reasoning. It goes against the plain teaching in this very context. Luke 9:23, 24 reads: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” When Jesus set his face to walk the Calvary road, he was not merely taking our place; he was setting our pattern. He is substitute and pacesetter. If we seek to secure our life through returning evil for evil or surrounding ourselves with luxury in the face of human need, we will lose our life. We can save our life only if we follow Christ on the Calvary road. Jesus died to save us from the power and punishment of sin, not from the suffering and sacrifices of simplicity for love’s sake.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Stiri Crestine 2 Martie 2013

Mapamond Crestin
00:00 Noul Papa Ortodox Teodor II al Alexandriei si continentului Africii despre Egipt.
04:13 Persecutia islamica in Timbutku, Mali
05:35 Rebelii Islamici la 1500 km de Moscova (Dagestan si Caucasul de Nord)unde sunt 90% musulmani
10:00 Persecutie in Uzbekistan
11:45 Joni & Prietenii – copii cu dizabilitate in Uganda
15:10 Studiu al manualelor scolare din Palestina & Israel
18:00 Biserici Internationale, Biserici care au resusit sa reuneasca credinciosi din diferite tari si continente, care au inteles ca in ciuda diferentelor de limba, culoare sau cultura, exista un punct comun in Domnul nostru Isus Hristos. Biserica Internationala Timisoara.
alfaomegatv

John MacArthur – Isaiah 53 The Riddle of Redemption – Moody Founder’s Week 2013

Watch/read D A Carson’s message at Moody Founder’s Week 2013 here - When Jesus confronts the world 

Watch/read Tony Evans’s message at Moody Founder’s Week 2013 here - There is no more important place to know Christ than the struggles of life
This is about Christ, and about knowing Christ. Martin Luther said,”There’s a chapter in the Bible that every Christian should memorize, if that Christian intends to know Christ.” The German theologian, in 1866 said, “There is the chapter of the Bible, that is the most central, the deepest, the loftiest that Scripture has ever achieved. That same chapter, others have called ‘The Gospel of all vocabulary’. There’s a chapter in the Bible that has such stirring predictions, so complex, that only God could have known them centuries before history unfolded them. There’s a chapter in the Bible that is the most comprehensive exposition of the cross in all of Scripture, the most complete description of the substitutionary vicarious sacrificial death of the Savior in all of Holy writ. This same chapter has a scope that extends from eternity past to eternity future, and gathers up a whole history of redemption by focusing on the redeemer. It sweeps from His position in the eternal trinity to His return to full glory with His redeemed in the new heavens and the new earth. There is a chapter that embraces His past glory, His incarnation, His humiliation, His rejection, His unjust treatment, His unfair trial, His mistreatment, His death sentence, His execution, His resurrection, His intercession, His exaltation, and His coronation.

What is this chapter? It is the first Gospel, and it’s not Matthew. Matthew is the second Gospel. This is a chapter that is sufficient to save sinners. In fact, it is a chapter that was used by Philip to explain the Gospel to an Ethiopian eunuch. This is a chapter that you know. It is Isaiah 53- the first Gospel.

The description of the atoning work of Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53 surpasses any single Scripture on those subjects in the epistles of the New Testament. Let me tell you about Isaiah. 66 chapters, same as the number of books of the Bible. It’s split into two parts: the first 39 and the second 27. Exactly the way the Bible is split: Old Testament 39 books, New Testament 27.

The first 39 are about judgment, much like the Old Testament. The last 27 chapters (of Isaiah) are about redemption, just like the New Testament – Salvation. The last 27 are divided into 3 – 9 – 9 – and 9. The first 9 is about the physical salvation of Israel, the last 9 are about the physical salvation of creation. And the middle 9 is about the spiritual salvation of sinners. (8) So, let’s go down into the middle 9, and the middle chapter is chapter 53, and the middle verse, essentially, is, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our inequities.” The Holy Spirit forces us right down into this incredible chapter. Isaiah 53 has been called the torture chamber of the rabbis. It has been called the guilty conscience of the Jews. And it is that. They run from this chapter like the black death.

This chapter, stepping back in history and the place that it occupies in Scripture, this chapter answers the most critical question that will ever be asked or answered, ever, by anyone, anytime. The most essential question, the most important question is answered by this chapter. Religion must answer this question correctly or it is form hell. Any religion that does not give the right answer to this question is right out of hell. What is the question? It’s the riddle of the Old Testament. Did you know there was a riddle in the Old Testament? Turn to Exodus 34. Moses comes before God and wants God to assure him, he wants God to show up and reveal His glory. In Exodus 34:5 we read “the Lord descended from a cloud and stood there as he called upon the name of the Lord.” Now, the Lord is going to introduce Himself. “The Lord passed by in front of Him and proclaimed, “The Lord God, compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth, who keeps grace, loving kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.” And, by the way, “He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” That’s the riddle of the Old Testament.

That’s the riddle of redemption. How can God be gracious and punish the guilty? The answer to that is Isaiah 53. He will punish someone else. How can God, in the words of Paul, be just and the justifier of sinners? That is the question: How can a sinner be reconciled to a holy God? How can God love and bring to heavenly glory, sinners, without violating his righteousness? That is the question. If the right answer to that question is SAVED, then every other wrong answer DAMNS. That’s why I say that whoever doesn’t answer that question accurately is from hell. One more thing to say, about Isaiah 53. Just by way of introduction, if we think about it, this is a paralyzingly sad chapter. I don’t know of a sadder moment in all of redemptive history than the moment depicted in this chapter. It is horrific, beyond comprehension. This starts out as the most plaintive lament, the most extreme expression of sorrow. It is a kind of epic dirge. It is a funeral song with massive, sweeping implications. The crushing sorrow that is depicted in Isaiah 53 has no historic parallel, exceeds all other sorrows. (13:25)

The astonishing revelation

We start back in Isaiah 52 at verse 13. And, everything about this section is astonishing, absolutely astonishing. To start, in verse 13 we come to the very words of God. This section begins and ends with God speaking. God speaks in 52:13-15 and speaks half way through verse 11 and verse 12. So, what happens in the middle is bracketed by the words of God. God introduces and God sums up what’s in this great chapter. In 52:13-15, God Himself introduces the Messiah. He introduces His servant, His slave. First, it is an astonishing revelation. By the way, this is the 4th chapter that focuses on the servant or slave of God- the Messiah- vv. 42, 49, 50, 53. All servant songs, slave songs of the slave of God. He introduces Him: Behold because it is astonishing. “My slave will succeed”. Any reader of the Old Testament knows that that’s a Messianic title. Going all the way back to chapter 42, this is the Messiah. (15:29)

He will prosper. Actually, in Hebrew it is ‘act intelligently, act wisely’, succeed. It’s important that we understand that’s how God introduces this, because when He came, it looked like He didn’t succeed. It looked to the world like He failed. Then He begins to introduce Him. He will be high and lifted up, and greatly exalted. That identifies Him. Well, you say, isn’t that just repetitious? No, in the Hebrew, here’s what it says: He will be high, He will be higher, He will be highest. And those 3 designations in combination, only appear in one other place in all of Scripture. And those three designations refer to God. They only appear together in one other place- Isaiah 6. “I saw the Lord high, and higher, and highest.” So, now we know that the slave is God.

The astonishing humiliation

The deity of Messiah is proclaimed. Verse 14 adds: Just as many were astonished at you My people, so His appearance was far more than any man.”  Now we know that He not only will be God, but He will also be man. The God man. He will be marred, that word in Hebrew means mutilated, it means distorted, it means disfigured. And, so extremely disfigured as to be literally beyond human recognition, looking like a beast, not a man. This servant is God? The eternal God: high, higher, highest. Exalted, loftiest, sitting on His throne. And, in the New testament, we know the writer of the Gospel of John tells us that the vision of Isaiah 6 is none other than Jesus Christ. He is God, lifted up and exalted. And He is man, marred, disfigured. This is the second riddle. Who is this Messiah? The Jews had a Messianic view, they had a concept of Messiah. I don’t know that they thought He would be God, but they assumed that He would be exalted. They had no sense that He would be marred, disfigured, far form it. But, that is only temporary.

His marring will be so severe, end of verse 14, that His form would be disfigured and distorted more than the sons of man. The implication of the language is- in face and form He will become subhuman. And we know that happened. All the brutality imposed upon Him. The physical distortion of His body, in all that He suffered and the distortion of His face, from sin bearing… We’re glad to get to verse 15. because the astonishing revelation, followed by the astonishing humiliation, brings us to the astonishing exaltation. (19:50)

The astonishing exaltation

“He will startle many nations.” Startle means to burst, to jump up. “He will startle many nations and Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him. What has not been told them, they will see, what they had not heard they will understand.” This is His final exaltation. So, God Himself, introduces His servant, His slave, the slave of Yahweh. the slave of Messiah, who is to come. He will be God, He will be man, He will be marred, He will be exalted. There is the career of the Lord Jesus in broad terms, from the mouth of God. This information is given to the Jews from Isaiah, 700 years before Jesus came. (21)

Isaiah 53

Now, let’s come to chapter 53. And, all of a suede something changes. Verses 13-15 ’1st person- future’. “He will be”… “He will…” Kings will..”  ”they will…”, “they will see..”. All future- speaking of the coming of the Messiah. Everything changes. This is one speaker: God, speaking of the future career of His servant. When you come to verse 1, everything changes. Everything now is in the past tense. And plural pronouns: “we”, “our”, “us”. The big question for us is, “Who is talking?” Not God. Who is speaking?

The Suffering Servant

53 Who has believed our message?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot,
And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty
That we should look upon Him,
Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.
³ He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

⁴ Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
⁵ But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.
⁶ All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
⁸ By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
⁹ His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Because He had done no violence,
Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.

¹⁰ But the Lord was pleased
To crush Him, putting Him to grief;
If He would render Himself as a guilt offering,
He will see His offspring,
He will prolong His days,
And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
¹¹ As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
¹² Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

Who is saying this? Who is making this massive confession? What group of people is this? What group of people is this? This is plural ’til you get down to verse 11, where God begins to speak again. Who is this? It is Israel.

What did we learn about Isaiah? Israel’s physical deliverance in the first 9 chapters of the second half, and Israel’s salvation in the second nine. You bore down to those 9 in the middle chapter and the middle verses- this is the prophecy, not the death of Christ. This is not a prophecy of the death of Christ, this is a prophecy of the future conversion of Israel, when they look back at the death of Christ and see who He really was. This is stunning. This leaps across the death and resurrection of Christ to the future conversion of Israel. That’s why Isaiah gave this. To give hope for the national salvation of his people.

Remember Ezekiel 36, when God promises salvation to Israel, a new heart, His spirit… you remember Jeremiah 31, the covenant passage promised to Israel, where God saves Israel. But, you might wanna think about this in terms of another prophecy. As you come to the end of the Old Testament, in Zechariah 12:10 I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn. 
And Zechariah sees the future day, when Israel has, by the sovereign purposes of God, the spirit of grace and supplication comes down from heaven and gives them life. And when God does that, they will look on the one they pierced and they will mourn. vv 11-14 ¹¹ In that day there will be great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. ¹² The land will mourn, every family by itself; the family of the house of David by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself and their wives by themselves; ¹³ the family of the house of Levi by itself and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself and their wives by themselves; ¹⁴ all the families that remain, every family by itself and their wives by themselves. What are they all mourning about? That is the future work of God, when He saves the nation of Israel. Romans 11 “So, all Israel will be saved”. That’s the future promise of God.

When that day comes, what will they say? They will recite Isaiah 53. This is their confession. That’s why it’s in the past tense. Think of it this way, as we look at this incredible chapter. Why the mourning? Why the horror? Why does everybody mourn, from the lowest to the highest? From the King, the leader, always down to the humblest family? What is all this mourning and weeping, and sorrowing? It’s obvious. In that future day, when Israel is saved, they will look back over their history and realize that everyone that came before them and rejected Jesus Christ was damned forever. The horror. All the history of holocaust, all those people are lost. The mourning will be beyond comprehension. (transcript form first 30 min)

Egypt – Bible Prophecy interpreted by Walter Kaiser

In light of the events going on in Egypt, I have decided to reblog this post which was originally posted on Feb 16, 2011. It pertains to the prophecy for Egypt in Isaiah 19, especially verses 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, and 24 which pertain to the future, as they are couched by the phrase “in that day”.

Here’s the post:

A very interesting article from Koinonia (biblical-theological conversations for the community of Christ HOSTED BY ZONDERVAN AND FRIENDS).

Posted: 15 Feb 2011

Recently I was asked by a friend who leads a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class to offer my thoughts on the recent activities in Egypt, and to comment specifically on Isaiah 19, which the class was studying. Here’s what I told the class. What do you think?

Yes, I believe the Isaiah 19 passage is most relevant. Verses 16 to 25 place the coming events “in that day” six times (vss 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, and 24).  Since the prophecies to the foreign nations are bounded by chapter on the first advent of Christ (Isa 7-12) and the second advent of Christ (24-27), chapters 13-23 fall between those two end pieces in position and apparently in time as well.  That is why I also stress the eschatological phrase “In that day.”

After the Civil Disaster of 19:2-4, the economic disaster of 19: 5-10 (as a result of the Aswan Project in 1970), and the Intellectual Disaster im 19:11-15, a bridge passage of vss 16-17 has the Egyptians afraid of Judah for the first time in her history, which cannot be other than the events of the six day war in 1967.

However, the text turns to the distant future of “In that day” in vss 18-24 and gives five new works of God’s salvation and deliverance for Egypt: (1) Revival will break out in Egypt’s five cities, one being “City of the Sun,” otherwise known as Heliopolis (18), (2) a monument will be erected like our statute of Liberty to remember the great Egyptian Spiritual Revival (19) at the country’s border, (3) the nation of Egypt will be oppressed and apparently given a cruel leader, but God will replace him with a “savior,” much as he did in the book of Judges (21), (4) God will once again strike Egypt with a plague of some sort, but he will heal them as well and the Egyptians will turn to the Lord (22), (5) there will be a highway between Egypt and Iraq (Assyria) so that Iraqis, Egyptians and Israelis will worship together in that day (23) and (6) words of blessing formerly used exclusively of Israel are now used of Egypt, “My People,” and Iraq, “My Handiwork,” and Israel “My Inheritance.”

Tremendous!! So, I expect a cruel leader to come out of this revolt some time, but God will replace him with a “Deliverer” for the Egyptians.  In the meantime, Revival will break out all over Egypt with five cities experiencing unusual blessing of God – so much so that a tourist’s memorial is set up to remind all who come to that country in days to come of the great work of God in their midst.  None of this has as yet taken place, but what a day it will be when it occurs.

Note, just as the factions fought each other in West Pakistan vs East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) with the outcome that since 1970 15 believers are now at least 500,000 !!    Will this happen in Tunesia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon?  What other nations in the Arab nations will join them?   These are days in which God is moving is sure and definite ways….

Walter C. Kaiser Jr. (PhD, Brandeis University) is distinguished professor emeritus of Old Testament and president emeritus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. Dr. Kaiser has written over 40 books, including Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching; The Messiah in the Old Testament; and The Promise-Plan of God; and coauthored An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning. Dr. Kaiser and his wife, Marge, currently reside at Kerith Farm in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. Dr. Kaiser’s website is www.walterckaiserjr.com.

Related articles

• What you don’t know about Egyptians and Jews (english.pravda.ru)
• Is Egypt Better Or Worse Off Now? (npr.org)
• Egypt is entering into a prophetic phase! (livingjourney.wordpress.com)

What implements have been made for the new Temple?

It is fascinating to watch, as the Jews in Israel await the coming of the Messiah. They have produced all of the utensils needed, in order to be able to serve in the Temple, according to the qualifications God had required in the First Temple period. The harp maker is very much looking forward to seeing King David. May the Lord open their eyes to see the true Messiah, that already came, and who showed us the Father, and through whom we have eternal life.

John 12:45 - ”He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.

John 14:9 - Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

What Solomon’s Temple looked like

http://www.esvstudybible.org/sb/objects/illustration-solomons-temple.html

For more photos and Historic Bible study from II Chronicles

click here - http://www.ccmanitowoc.org/Library

Almost two thousand years ago, after nearly two years of terrible seige, the brutally efficient legions of Rome destroyed Jerusalem and burned the Temple to the ground. Led by General Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, the Roman army completed its mission of destruction on the ninth day of Av (August) in A.D. 70.

The glorious temple, built by King Herod, was the second of the sacred temples to stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The First Temple had been built by King Solomon approximately 1000 B.C. and was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C.. The Second Temple that was built by the Jews who returned to Jerusalem following the Babylonian Captivity in 536 B.C. remains in ruins today. However, exciting developments are taking place in Israel that will result in a Third Temple being built again on the ancient foundations that Solomon put in place nearly three thousand years ago. You and I are part of the prophetic generation that will live to see a Temple of God once again stand in Jerusalem, the spiritual crossroads o the world.

The rebuilding of the Temple has profound prophetic significance equal to the appearance of the Antichrist or the forming of the pagan armies to invade Israel in the coming Battle of Gog and Magog. Many students of biblical prophecy have debated the role that will be played by the Third Temple in end-times developments. But the scriptures make it clear that just before Christ returns, the Third Temple of God must stand once more on its original location on the Temple Mount.

Preparations to build the Third Temple have progressed on several fronts in recent years, with detailed plans and practical preparations that go far beyond the awareness of most people.   (Grant Jeffries)

Yeshua (Jesus) Kadosh (Holy) ! from Rodica on Vimeo.

The Temple at the time of Jesus

photo (more on site) from - http://www.katapi.org.uk

12 - Court of the Israelites

17 - Holy Place

19 - slaughtering place

20 - altar

21 - laver

22 - Court of the Priests

23 – porch

Illustration adapted from: 4. “The Lion Handbook to the Bible” ed: David & Pat Alexander (page 567). Lion Publishing. 1973.
Illustrations (1, 2 & 3) are of the 1/50th scale model by the late Prof. Avi Yonah of the Hebrew University, in the Holyland Hotel, Jerusalem. (4) is a model of the sacrificial area by Alex Gerrard.
Temple area today: “Picture Archive of the Bible,” ed: C Masom & P Alexander, Lion Publishing, 1987.
Solomon’s Stables: “Jerusalem – die lebendige stadt,” Armon, Jerusalem, 1969.

See more photos and descriptions here -  http://www.katapi.org.uk

Lazar Gog – Perspectiva Profetica pentru 2013 – Ghicitoarea lui Samson – Cred ca Dumnezeu mi-a dat o descoperire, potrivit carei vom vedea ca anul acesta poate sa fie o parte din aceasta ghicitoare

Vezi mai jos alte predici de Lazar Gog

de la http://www.emanuelchurch.com

Judecatori 14:5-9;12-14

Iata, am intrat in anul 2013. Predictiile celor fara de Dumnezeu, cum au fost predictiile Maya, chiar daca au fost corecte din punct de vedere stiintific, astronomic, ele n-au fost corecte din punct de vedere al planului lui Dumnezeu in ce priveste vremea sfarsitului si in ce priveste destinul omenirii. De ce? Pentru ca diavolul nu are abilitatea sa cunoasca viitorul. Aceasta abilitate are unul singur, Dumnezeu. Consultati aceste pasaje scripturale: Isaia 46:10: 45:2; 48:3-6; Psalmul 33:11. Sunt specificatii din partea lui Dumnezeu, potrivit carora, singurul care stie ce se intampla inainte ca lucrul respectiv sa fie in fiinta este doar Dumnezeu. De aceea, El poate inainte cu 150 de ani ca Cyrus al Persiei sa se nasca, sa spuna, “Am chemat pe robul Meu Cyrus…” Il cheama si il numeste pe nume.

Si cuvantul lui Dumnezeu, care este temelia adevarului nu da gres niciodata. De aceea, in orice vrem sa facem, trebuie sa stam in cuvantul scripturilor. Azi am intrat in anul 2013. Sigur, intrebarea noastra este aceasta: Cum vom privi la acest an? Cum vom privi la profetiile biblice? La ce sa ne uitam? Dumnezeu mi-a pus pe inima, anul acesta, sa ne uitam impreuna la ghicitoarea lui Samson. M-a preocupat de multa vreme acest pasaj, va spun cu frica de Domnul, de cativa ani de zile meditez la el. Ani de zile, pentru ca Dumnezeu m-a facut sa inteleg ca ceva adanc, ascuns este in aceasta ghicitoare. Si nu am pretentia ca am epuizat toata cercetarea  teologica, biblica, escatologica, sau profetica in aceasta directie. Dar, cred ca Dumnezeu mi-a dat o descoperire potrivit carei vom vedea ca anul acesta poate sa fie o parte din aceasta ghicitoare.

Vazand planul lui Dumnezeu in ghicitoarea lui Samson, nu pot sa fac decat ceea ce am spus de   multe ori in aceasta biserica sa ma minunez de cuvantul lui Dumnezeu. Cine s-a putut gandi ca aceasta casatorie a lui Samson cu o filisteanca, ca omorarea leului in drum spre Timna, ca asezarea albinelor in trupul leului si miere produsa in trupul leului, in realitate este o repetare a istoriei a lui Israel care se desfasoara sub ochii nostri, in aceste vremuri din urma, dupa cum vom vedea. Si-n adevar, acesta este aspectul esential a ceea ce Biblia numeste ghicitoarea lui Samson.

Samson

Samson, ca om al lui Dumnezeu este un erou al poporului evreu. Un erou al credintei sfinte, data oamenilor odata pentru totdeauna. Evrei 11:32. Samson este un erou al culturii universale. Eminescu, in scrisoarea a III-a, o dedica in prima parte lui Samson. Biblia ne povesteste despre Samson, cum ca atunci cand dorema, taindu-i parul i-a luat toata puterea. Deci, Samson este si in cultura universala a popoarelor. Dar, pentru sfintii lui Dumnezeu, Samson este un personaj biblic, care vorbeste despre umblarea cu Dumnezeu, despre esuarea umblarii cu Dumnezeu, despre reintoarcerea din cadere si despre implinire a planului lui Dumnezeu.

Tribal, sau genealogic, Samson se trage din spita lui Dan. Judecatori 13:2. Notati aceasta pentru ca este un amanunt nelipsit de importanta profetica. De ce? Pentru ca, uitati ce spune cuvantul Domnului despre semintia tribului Dan. Patriarhul Iacov: Dan va judeca pe poporul sau, ca una din semintiile lui Israel. Dan va fi un sarpe pe drum, o naparca pe carare, muscand calcaile calului, facand sa cada calaretul pe spate. Geneza 49:16-17. De asemenea, atentie deosebita trebuie data cuvantului lui Dumnezeu despre Dan in ceea ce Moise vorbeste in profetia luiDeuteronom 32:22 Duhul Domnului vorbeste prin Moise si spune asa; despre Dan a zis: Dan este un pui de leu care se arunca din Basan. Termenul ebraic pentru a se arunca este cuvantul zanac. Insemneaza ‘a zbura peste’, a ‘nu-ti gasi locul’. Si fiti atenti. Cand Iosua a impartit tara Canaan, el a dat o mostenire fiilor lui Dan, potrivit cu semnificatia numelui lor: “I-a sarit”. Singura semintie pe care i-a sarit, a trecut peste ei la impartirea Canaanului. Mostenirea care a primit-o Dan este o mostenire impartita in doua. Si anume: O parte in centrul Canaanului, cu iesire la Marea Mediterana si avand vecini la nord jumatatea vestica a semintiei lui Manase. Efraim in vest, Beniamin in sudvest si Iuda in partea de sud. Si o parte, cea mai mare in nordul Canaanului. De fapt, din extremitatea de nord a Canaanului este proverbul ebraic “Tot Israelul, de la Dan pana la Beersheba”. Adica, din nord si pana in sud, pentru ca Dan era extremitatea nordica si Beersheba era extremitatea sudica. Judecatori 20:1. 1 Samuel 3:20.

In felul acesta, tribul lui Dan avea granita Libanul de astazi in partea de nord, semintia lui Manase in partea estica. Samson se trage din acest trib misterios. Faptele lui supranaturale vorbesc despre evenimente care urmeaza sa se implineasca. Gicitoarea pe care el a rostit-o, nu este decat o simpla ghicitoare, desi Biblia foloseste foarte multe, asa zise figuri de stil ca sa puna adevarul lui Dumnezeu in evidenta, pe care si ghicitoarea.

I. Dimensiunea istorica a stramosilor lui Samson

Am mentionat deja ca Samson se trage din semintia lui Dan. Acest Istoria acestei semintii este invaluita in mister, caci inca din timpurile judecatorilor, din care Samson a fost unul, timp de 20 de ani, (Judecatori 16:31) imdeiat dupa moartea lui Samson, descendentii lui Dan au fost impinsi din tinutul de langa mare, (Judecatori 18:1) asezandu-se in sudul Libanului, pentru ca apoi in jurul anului 1100 BC, inainte de Hristos si chiar inainte ca David sa ajunga imparat, tribul lui Dan sa dispara de pe scena Canaanului. De aceea Biblia spune ca a sarit ca un pui de leu in Basan.

Daca deschideti 1 Cronici, de la capitolul 1-8, David porunceste cunoasterea tuturor semintiilor. Si cand se intocmeste lista tuturor semintiilor, toate semintiile sunt mentionate cu descendentii lor. Singura semintie care lipseste este semintia lui Dan, pentru ca nu mai este in Israel. Tinutul lor este, dar Daniti nu mai sunt. Datorita acestui fapt, rabinii evrei au creat aceasta invatatura despre tribul pierdut al lui Israel, care este tribul lui Dan. Ce s-a intamplat cu acest trib? Unde s-a pierdut?

Legende grecesti, documente istorice leaga pe Dan de popoarele Europei si de casele regale europene ale Merovingienilor si a Hapsburgilor. Textul scripturii ne spune ca urmasii lui Dan s-au asezat in Lais, in sudul lui Liban, care insemneaza leul. Observati cum numele se apropie? Ce a omorat Samson? Leul. S-au asezat in Lais, dar au schimbat numele lui Lais in Dan. Era un obicei in tribul lui Dan, cand dadeau nume unui oras, sa incorporeze numele tatalui lor in numele acelui rau, acelui oras, acelui tinut. Judecatori 18:29. De exemplu, chiar raul Iordan este numit dupa tribul lui Dan. Insemneaza: Apa care izvoraste din Dan.

In secolele VI pana in secolele X, dupa Hristos, un imperiu ciudat s-a asezat in sudestul Rusiei de astazi. De la gura Dunarii (deci de langa noi) si pana la gurile Volgai, cel mai mare rau din Rusia. Se numea Imperiul Khazar. Ciudatenia istorica a acestui imperiu a fost cultura lor iudaica si religia lor Mozaica. Un imperiu care a durat 5 secole- 500 de ani. De aceea, uni istorici considera Imperiul Kazar din sudestul Rusiei a fost un imperiu evreiesc, format din popoarele iudaice dislocate de Asirieni, care au deportat pe evrei si au dus pe samariteni in locul lor. Rabinii evrei spun, “Nu. Imperiul Khazar a fost format din tribul lui Dan, care a disparut din istoria noastra”.

Argument pentru aceasta, Judecatori 18:29, Danitii, daca cucereau un loc ii dadeau numele dupa tatal sau. Sunt 4 rauri aici care poarta numele lui Dan. Primul este Dunarea. Numele latin este Danubius-  Raul lui Dan. Al doilea este Dnistru- Al treilea este Dniprul. Al patrulea este Donul. (20)

Imparatii bizantini, Iustinian II si in 704 si Constantin V in 732 s-a casatorit fiecare cu cate o sotie Khazara. Daca ne intoarcem la istoria tribala a lui Dan, pe vremea lui David el nu mai este mentionat ca trib, ci ca tinut. Dar notati aceste lucruri, aceste adevaruri. Documente istorice, ca Ilyiada si Odiseia lui Homer, scrise in anul 800 BC (inainte de Hristos), lasa sa se inteleaga ca Daniti au emigrat din sudul Feniciei (al Libanului de astazi) si s-au stabilit in insulele grecesti sub denumirea de Danaans, stabilind si formand un trib aparte dintre Greci, numit tribul Lacedemonienilor sau modern- tribul Spartanilor. Grecii Spartani sunt de origine Danita.

In secolul II BC (inainte de Hristos), iata ce scrie in 1 Macabee, un document iudaic, din corespondenta lor cu Spartanii. Citez: Iata copia scrisorii trimisa de Spartani din partea Imparatului Arie al Spartei, catre marele preot Onias al lui Iuda: “Arie, regele Spartanilor, lui Onias, preotul cel mare- Bucurie. Aflatu-sa in scrieri vechi despre Spartani si despre Iudei ca sunt frati. Ca impreuna se trag din neamul lui Avraam. Si acuma, de cand am cunoscut acestea, bine veti face scrrindu-ne si voi pentru pacea voastra. Si noi va raspundem cu scrisoarea ca turmele voastre si averea voastra ale noastre sunt. Si cele ce sunt ale voastre, ale noastre sunt. Poruncim drept acea, ca sa vi se vesteasca aceste lucruri si sa le cunoasteti.” 1 Macabee 12:20-23. Deci, Spartanii cunosc ca sunt de origine Danita si evrei.

Istoricul evreu, Josephus Flavius mentioneaza acest adevar in schimb de scrisori intre Spartani si marele preot Onias in cartea sa ‘Antichitati Iudaice’ (Cartea 2 capitolul 2). Iosif Flavius mai adauga inca ceva- ca scrisoarea regelui Spartei catre marele preot Onias este  era sigilata cu sigilul imparatesc Spartan, reprezentat printr-un vultur cu un sarpe in ghiarele lui. Era simbolul tribului lui Dan. Emblema lui Dan este sarpele. Dupa ce s-a construit cortul, Danitii nu au vrut sa fie asociati cu  semintia lui Iacob si atunci si-au schimbat emblema lor cu sarpelui cu a vulturului. Spartanii au un vultur cu sarpele in ghiare.

Un alt amanunt istoric despre Danitii Spartani este ca unul dintre capitanii armatei Spartane, pe numele sau, Dardanus s-a mutat cu familia sa in nordul Spartei. Mai precis, langa marea Egeie, fondand Troia. Si regatul Troiei, fiind aproape de Marea Neagra, doar o stramtoare despartea Troia de Marea Neagra. Care era stramtoarea? Dardanele, care are numele lui Dan in ea, cum era obiceiului Danitilor. Cand schimbau un loc incorporau numele tatalui lor, fondatorului lor.

Cand regatul Troiei a fost distrus, unul din printii Troiei cu numele legendar de Eneas a reusit sa scape  macelului Spartan si fugind s-a stabilit in centrul Italiei de astazi. Acolo, cei doi fii ai lui Eneas, Romulus si Remus au fondat cetatea eterna Roma si imperiul Roman. Poetul Roman, celebru, Publius Virgilius care a trait in anul 70 BC (inainte de Hristos), in celebra sa opera Eneida in 12 carti, acorda atentie speciala acestui adevar.

Cunoscand lucrurile pe care vi le-am spus pana acuma veti putea intelege mai usor originea lui anticrist. Datorita scripturii si istoriei. Anticrist poate sa aibe una din urmatoarele patru origini:

1. Poate sa origineze din Dan. Geneza 49:16-17 unde spune “un sarpe care musca”. Deuteronom 1:32:22, 1 Cronici cap 1-8, Apocalipsa 7:3-8.
2. Cand Daniel vorbeste despre antcrist, Daniel il prezinta pe anticrist cu doua identitati. Prima: (I) Anticrist este de origine greaca. Dupa Daniel, in Daniel 11:36-39, pentru ca vorbeste despre imperiul greciei, vorbeste despre Antioh IV Epifanus care a desacralizat templul  si este singurul care se aseamana cu anticrist si prezinta ca anticrist se trage din greci. Daca este din origine Danita, Antioh Epifanus a fost grec.  
3. (II)Apoi Daniel ne spune ca anticrist este de origine Romana. (de la Roma nu Romania). Daniel 9:26-27 spune ‘printul poporului care va distruge templul. Au fost Romanii care au distrus templul.
4. Mica ne spune ca anticrist va fi de origine araba, Siriana. Mica 5:5-6. Se pare ca aceasta ultima afirmatie despre originea lui anticrist va fi cea in vigoare cand el se va arata.

Anticrist va fi un sange ciudat: Grecesc, Roman, Evreu, Arab- toate combinatiile. De ce? Pentru ca Antioh Epifanus, prindescendentii lui a reusit sa ajunga la Roma. Descendentii lui au intrat in senatul Roman. Au ajuns si generali in armata Romana. Unul dintre cei mai celebri generali a fost Vitelius, care a ajuns si Cezar timp de 4 luni pe tronul Romei. Deasemenea, din descendentii lui Antioh Epifanus , printre celebritatile romane pe care au trait sunt oameni care au ajuns in casele regale europene.

II. Dimensiunea profetica a ghicitorii lui Samson

Am prezentat o dimensiune istorica pentru ca sa intelegem ca Samson se trage din Dan, sa vedem  pe unde umbla istoria. Viata lui Samson si elementele ghicitorii lui vorbesc fara echivoc despre detalii profetice  gata sa se implineasca in aceasta generatie, in acest an. Este stiut ca numerele in scriptura  au un rol important, alocat lor de Dumnezeu. Samson este al 13-lea judecator in Israel si apare in capitolul 13 in cartea Judecatori. Potrivit teologului american  J.W. Bullinger in cartea sa ‘Numbers in Scripture ed. 1926 Londra’ si a Dr. Ed Vallowe in carte sa ‘Biblical Mathematics ed. 1991 Georgia’, numarul 13 este asociat cu depravare, cu rebeliune, cu rau. Toate numelele diavolului din scriptura- diavol, balaur, satana- cand insumezi valoarea numerica, toate numele lui se impart la 13. (31)

De exemplu- O inima rebelioasa, in definitia lui Isus Hristos are 13 caracteristici:

(1) Ganduri rele, (2) preacurvie, (3) curvie, (4) ucideri, (5)furtisaguri (6)lacomie (7)viclesuguri (8)inselaciuni (9)fapte de rusine (10)ochiul rau (11)hula, (12)trufia (13)nebunia (Marcu 7:21-22)

• Termenul de balaur pentru diavolul apare de 13 ori in apocalipsa.
• Nimrod, al 13 lea descendent din Ham a zidit Babilonul, formand prima religie idolatra din lume.
• Haman, Agaghitul, primul ministru al Persiei sub Ahasveros (sau Artaxerxes cel mare) care a domnit inainte de 521 BC – 485 BC. A obtinut semnatura imparatului Persiei, ca sa nimiceasca cu desavarsire pe evrei in a 13-a zi a lunei intai.
• Din lista de 23 de fapte condamnate ale apostatilor, a 13-a atitudine este urator de Dumnezeu. Cine este urator de Dumnezeu? Diavolul.

Am spus acest lucru pentru faptul ca in Samson, prin neveghere s-a incuibarit acest element al rebeliunii, al raului, macar ca Samson a avut o chemare speciala. In sfanta scriptura, numarul 7 este un numar al desavarsirii. Menora are 7 brate. Bratul din mijloc este cel mai mare. E bratul mai inalt si in gandire iudaica se numeste ‘the servant lamp’, adica lumina slujitoare. In sfanta scriptura sunt 7 femei sterile, sterpe, care n-au putut sa aiba copii. Sara (Geneza 11:30), Rebeca (Geneza 25:21), Rahela (Geneza 29:31), sotia lui Manoah, mama lui Samson (Judecatori 13:2), Ana (1 Samuel 2:5; 1:6), Israel in dispersie (Isaia 54:1) si Elisabeta (Luca 1:7). Mama lui Samson este a patra. Samson insemneaza ‘fiul soare’, ca el in aceasta candelabra de 7 (menora) este in mijloc. El trebuia sa fie un izbavitor pentru Israel, un prototip al Domnului Isus Hristos. Fapt in care el a esuat amarnic.

Samson s-a nascut din tribul lui Dan. Rahela, care trebuia sa fie mama lui, ca stearpa, a vrut sa aibe un copil cu orice pret. Dupa teologia din Geneza 3:15 ca o femeie sfanta va naste pe Mesia (samanta femeii), este posibil ca Rahela a dorit ca sa fie ea cea care sa-L produca pe Mesia. In dorinta ei de a-L produce pe Mesia, a incercat sa faca lucrul acesta printr-un surogat- A luat pe tiitoarea ei, pe slujitoarea ei, pe Bilha si a dat-o lui Iacob. Geneza 30:1-6. Si s-a nascut Dan.

Mai tarziu, in istoria natiunii iudaice, cand pregateau uneltele pentru cortul intalnirii, Moise a numit 2 speicalisti  care sa execute uneltele pentru cortul intalnirii. Pe Betaleel din Iuda si pe Oholiab din Dan. Exod 31:6. Se pare ca dupa acest eveniment de executare al cortului intalnirii, intre tribul lui Dan si tribul lui Iuda a fost  o rivalitate continua- Cine va produce pe Mesia? Si datorita acestei rivalitati, este explicabil printre evrei ca Dan a sarit din Basan. A plecat din natiunea iudaica, s-a dus in lumea mare sa caute ei modalitati de a-L produce pe Mesia  si sa-L aduca pe Mesia pentru instaurarea unei noi ordini  internationale, bineinteles nebiblice.

Samson, din Semes trebuia sa aduca lumina in Israel, dar s-a intinat cu pacat si parasirea Nazireatului. Aici incepe ghicitoarea lui.

Ghicitoarea

Omorand leul, potrivit Judecatori 14:5-6 este posibil ca Samson a comunicat urmatoarea profetie: Iuda este leul lui Dumnezeu, ca asa au spus profetii. Nimicindu-l, Danitii vor produce pe Mesia si astfel o lume noua, o noua ordine internationala, una utopica va fi creata pentru binele omului, aparte de planul lui Dumnezeu. Albinele in trupul mort al leului sunt o reprezentare criptica, ascunsa pentru Daniti. In literatura greaca, Spartanii erau numiti poporul ursului, adica poporul care mananca miere. Albina, in gandirea antica, iudaica si babiloniana era simbol pentru cuvant. In limba ebraica ‘dabar’ insemneaza cuvant si insemneaza si albina. Ghicitoarea vrea sa spuna urmatorul lucru:

Inlocuiti leul lui Iuda cu albina Danita si aceasta va produce cuvantul dulce, mesianic al lui Dumnezeu.

Dar, ghicitoarea lui Samson are radacini in istoria  caderii omului. In mitologia babiloniana Nimrod a fost zeificat la sotia lui Semiramis. Nimrod a devenit cunoscut sub numele de Tamuz si Mitra. Reprezentarea simbolica in picturi si statui a lui Nimrod, al lui Tamuz era printr-un leu cu o albina in gura. Prin aceasta vrea sa spuna ca Nimrod, diavolul are puterea care are cuvantul divin al lui Dumnezeu. Este tocmai ce diavolul a atacat de la  inceput: Cuvantul lui Dumnezeu. “oare a zis Dumnezeu cu adevarat?” a zis el lui Eva. “Hotarat ca nu veti muri”. Geneza 3:1-4.

Diavolul se teme de cuvantul lui Dumnezeu pentru ca este puterea care il nimiceste. Matei 4:4,7:10. Subtilitatea lui Nimrod, lui Samson in cazul de fata, a diavolului peste milenii este aceea de a ataca cuvantul Domnului si bisericile cad in aceasta cursa pentru ca foarte putini si din biserici, putem sa recunoastem se indeletnicesc cu cuvantul Domnului, foarte putini. Prefera sa asculte teoriile nu stiu cui, profetiile nu stiu cui, decat sa citeasca cuvantul lui Dumnezeu. Nu vedeti ca astazi este cel mai batjocorit, negat  si divinitatea lui este calcata in picioare?

Pe de alta parte, sotia lui Nimrod  este cunoscuta si in Biblie si in istorie sub diferite nume: Diana Efesenilor, Ashtoreth, sau Astarte, Ishtar, Isis. Ea era reprezentata printr-o statuie a carui cap era incoronat cu turnuri. De aceea Diana era numita zeita fertiltatii si zeita fortaretelor. Daniel 11:37-38 spune ca anticrist, cand va veni el, nu se va inchina Dumnezeului sau ci se va inchina dumnezeilor cetatuiei, fortaretelor. Este posibil sa reinvieze aceasta mitologie pagana. Simbolul pentru Diana in lumea antica era albina, pentru ca ce vroia sa spuna, “Inchinati-va mie si eu am sa produc mierea care o sa va faca pe voi sa descoperiti adevarata dulceata.

In lumea numita astazi New Age este o intoarcere inspre Diana si spre Nimrod si spre aceste aspecte oculte. In Europa, reprezentantul cel mai de seama al Dianei pentru timpurile acestea moderne, numite crestine este Miroveg, fondatorul dinastiei Meronvigienilor 450 AD (dupa Hristos). Merovec a fost urmat la tron de Hildec I, fiul sau care a murit de tanar, la 24 de ani in 481 AD. Apoi a fost Clovis I 466-511 AD care sa increstinat in 466. Prin increstinarea lui Clovis, care a trecut la credinta crestina doar de nume, cultul Dianei a intrat in Biserica Romano-Catolica. Biserica Romano-Catolica are multe aspecte bune si frumoase, dar in spatele inchinarii ei este un misticism demonic exagerat.

Merovingienii pretind ca sa trag din Dan. In anul 1653, dupa aproape 11 secole dupa inmormantarea lui Hilderic, fiul lui Merovec, trupul lui a fost dezhumat. Spre surpriza celor din vremea aceea, mormantul a fost plin de obiecte oculte, reprezentand cultul Dianei. Trei sute de albine din aur solid au fost descoperite in mormant, pentru ca Diana era reprezentata prin albina. Mormantul arata ca un stup.

In anul 1804, cand Napoleon Bonaparte a fost incoronat ca imparat a fost sfatuit sa se casatoreasca cu Josephine, descendenta directa din Merovingieni. Dornic sa reinvie crezul merovingian al Dianei, in anul 1804, cand Napoleon s-a casatorit cu Josephine, pe haina regala a cusut toate cele 300 de albine din aur, spunand, “Voi poleniza toate casele regale europene. Voi trece oceanul si voi creea o lume utopica care va avea dulceata descoperirilor mele ca dulceata din stup.

Efortul mondial actual

Efortul mondial actual este intocmai acesta. O noua ordine internationala, fara de Dumnezeu, fara cunoasterea adevarului si o sa guste lumea dulceata acestei noi ordini.

Altceva, cand Samson a omorat leul din Timna, el a anticipat fara sa stie, a repetat istoria sfarsitului. Notati acete lucruri:

1. El a omorat leul si mancand din hoitul lui, chiar daca a mancat miere, a devenit necurat. Ca reprezentant al natiunii iudaice, actul lui a fost profetic. Deci este reprezentant al natiunii iudaice. Israel, o natiune iudaica a omorat pe singurul leu care putea sa-i dea mierea. Pe leul din Iuda. Apocalipsa 5:5 si astfel natiunea a devenit necurata, ca Samson. 
2. Samson si-a pierdut puterea pentru ca si-a pierdut parul. Israel si-a pierdut importanta si gloria  pentru ca au omorat leul.
3. Samson a fost pus la rasnita neamurilor, iar Israel ca natiune a pribegit secole la rand pe la curtile neamurilor.
4. Samson a fost judecator in Israel timp de 20 de ani, dar ineficient pentru ca a fost inchis. Judecatori 16:31 Israel, de cand a omorat pe leul, de 20 de secole pribegeste din loc in loc, fara eficienta.

Deci, ghicitoarea lui Samson are dimensiuni profetice extraordinare.

III. Samson si albinele

Am vazut leul, sa vedem albinele. Chicitoarea lui Samson are dimensiuni contemporane, bine conturate. Anul in care am intrat, 2013, este posibil sa fie un an in care albinele de care vorbeste aceasta ghicitoare sa le vedem cu ochii nostri roind, intepand. Lumea contemporana are intiparita in constiinta ei ca pacea lumii depinde de Israel si de Ierusalim. Este in constiinta oamenilor lucrul acesta. Datorita acestui fapt, lumea uraste pe Israel. Ea il vede pe Israel inexistent, ca pe  un leu mort. Israel, in scriptura se numeste Ariel, leul lui Dumnezeu. Isaia 29:1-2.
Sunt biserici evanghelice care considera si predica o monstrozitate din aceasta anti-semita: Ca bisericile inlocuiesc pe Israel; ceea ce este nebiblic. (Replacement theology).

Albinele Dianei se agita de multa vreme si sunt gata sa roiasca. Cine sunt ele? Sa vedem biblic: Sunt reprezentari reprezentate de 3 grupuri anti-semite actuale.(46)

1. Politicienii marilor puteri:

America, Europa de Vest, Rusia, China si ONU (United Nations). Deci cam toata lumea. Si uitati ce au facut. Anul trecut, in 2012, politicienii acestia (America nu a votat) au aprobat temporar un stat palestinian. Au pus albinile in trupul leului. De aici incolo, miscarea terorista Hamas, care este in Gaza, are argumente in plus sa impinga pe Israel in mare.

2. Liderii New Age -

..socialistii si umanistii timpului, care predica uitarea lui Israel si crearea unei lumi utopice, condusa de  liderii religiosi, intoleranti si de bancheri si manipulatori nescrupulosi. Pentru acestia din urma, mari promotori ai socialismului mondial, bancherii mondiali sunt mari promotori ai socialismului. Anti-semitismul este metoda de lucru. Pe vremea nationalului socialism al lui Hitler, vinovati de tot raul din lume erau evreii. De aceea, omoram leul lui Dumnezeu si creiem o lume utopica fara evrei si omenirea va avea dulceata propriei creatie. Nu se va intampla niciodata. Si ca sa se poata creea aceasta lume utopica, omorand leul, impingand pe Israel,  aruncandu-l in mare, emitem legi care sa stranga bisericile evanghelice tot mai mult pentru ca in mijlocul bisericilor evanghelice  leul lui Iuda inca este viu. Si-i deranjeaza pe politicieni. Dar nu numai pe politicieni, ii deranjeaza si pe Arabi musulmani. (50)

3. Cresterea vertiginoasa in influenta economica si religioase a lumii arabe.

Lumea islamica, araba e reprezentata in biblie prin albine. Albinele din trupul mort ale leului lui Samson sunt simbolice pentru islamismul arab. Iata ce spune scriptura: Atunci Amoritii care locuiesc pe muntele acesta, v0au iesit inainte si v-au impresurat. Ca albinele v-au batut in Seir pana la Horma. Deuteronom 2:44. “V-au impresurat, v-au urmarit ca albinele”. Cine au fost acestia? Amoritii. Psalmul 118:8-12 Mai bine este sa cauti un adapost in Domnul, decat sa te increzi in om (adica in ONU) Mai bine este sa cauti un adapost in Domnul, decat sa te increzi in cei mari (adica in America, Europa, Rusia si China). Toate neamurile ma inconjurau: in numele Domnului, le tai in bucati. Ma inconjurau, ma impresurau, dar in numele Domnului le tai in bucati. M-au inconjurat ca niste albine, se sting ca un foc de spini, in numele Domnului le tai in bucati.

Citeste aici despre Optiunea Samson la Wikipedia

Scrie- “Se sting ca un foc de spini” pentru ca v-am spus, la vremea potrivita ca doctrina militara israeleana, la ora actuala, este numita ‘Optiunea Samson’. Asta spune urmatorul lucru: Daca statele islamice arabe vor veni deasupra noastra din nou, de data asta vom folosi operatiunea Samson. Dam pe ei cu o bomba neutrona, atomica si de va fi sa pierim, pierim impreuna, dar nu pierim numai noi si sa ramana ei. Asta e doctrina militara israeleana. Vers. 13 Tu ma impingeai ca sa ma faci sa cad, (astia-s americanii cu Roadmap to Peace) dar Domnul m-a ajutat. vers 14 Domnul este taria mea si pricina laudelor mele; El m-a mantuit. vers. 15 Strigate de biruinta si de mantuire se inalta in corturile celor neprihaniti; dreapta Domnului castiga biruinta. vers. 16 Dreapta Domnului se inalta, dreapta Domnului castiga biruinta! vers. 17 Nu voi muri, ci voi trai, si voi povesti lucrarile Domnului. Israel ramane in picioare. Leul lui Dumnezeu, Ariel, va trai. vers. 18 – Domnul m-a pedepsit, da, dar nu m-a dat prada mortii. (Chiar daca m-ati impins voi Americanii, cu toate politicile nastrusnice de la Washington, Dumnezeu este cel ce ma apara). (Citeste aici despre Optiunea Samson la Wikipedia)

In textul din Deuteronom 1:44- Atunci Amoritii, care locuiesc pe muntele acesta, v-au iesit inainte, si v-au urmarit ca albinele; v-au batut din Seir, pana la Horma. este prima mentionare biblica de acest fel in biblie (ca i-a urmarit ca albinele). Amoritii erau locuitorii dealurilor si a muntilor din Canaan. A fost o populatie care a acceptat in idolatria lor sa se amestece cu demonii, devenind o rasa de Nephilim, inspaimantatori pentru omul obisnuit si pentru cei 10 spioni evrei. Numeri 13:33,  Deuteronom 1:28. Dumnezeu intervine la un moment dat si vorbeste  prin profetul Amos, in Amos 2:9 spune: Eu am nimicit din calea lor pe Amoriti, care erau cat cedrii de inalti, si tari ca stejarii; le-am nimicit roadele din varf pana in radacini. Aici nu era vorbire poetica, erau uriasi, s-au speriat de ei. Aici vorbeste Dumnezeu, El evaluaza. Uriasii acesti, ca niste albine, au venit sa  il omoare pe Israel. Amestecul cu duhurile rele, Geneza 6:1-4 a fost o realitate in lumea antica. Insa aceasta amestecare se va repeta la scara mondiala in generatia aceasta. Asa spune Matei 24:37-39. Pentru ca uriasii au fost o rasa de oameni pervertita, Geneza spune ca toate fapturile si-au stricat calea ( o expresie iudaica care se refera la pierderea genetica ADN- ului (DNA)) si Isus Hristos spune ca in vremurile din urma va fi  ca in timpul lui Noe. In timpul lui Noe au fost stricati de au trebuit sa fie innecati. Istoria o sa se repete. Pervertirea rasei umane demonic, ADN-ului uman, a spus-o Isus Hristos- se intampla in vremea sfarsitului, ca in vremea lui Noe. Ca urator de Dumnezeu, diavolul cauta mereu sa nimiceasca pe leul lui Dumnezeu- Ariel, adica Israel (Isaia 29:1-2)

De aceea, si in anul acesta, diavolul starneste roiul de albine in jurul lui Israel- lumea islamica araba si il impresoara din toate partile Psalm 118:12. Pentru lumea islamica araba, Israel este un leu mort. Ea vrea sa creieze o lume fara sionsim (Psalm 83:4,12) De aceea se agita si se incurajeaza sa impinga pe Israel  in mare, sa nu i se mai pomeneasca de nume.  Lumea araba este incurajata de puterea energetica de care dispune si prin care manipuleaza vestul, si de ura demonica cultivata si indusa in cultura islamica prin koran. Lumea araba este incurajata prin inabilitatea politica actualilor lideri mondiali. Si de aemenea de socialismul crescand in lume  si acum mai mult in Europa si in America. Arabii islamici se bucura sa vada vestul ruinandu-se prin democratie. Democratie, in care dreptul individului este deasupra dreptului colectivitatii, a natiunii.

De exemplu: In actuala politica spre socialism a Statelor Unite, predicata de actualul presedinte Obama, oameni fara numar s-au adunat in fata  bursei americane, in fata centrelor bancare si financiare, demonstrand sa puna capat capitalismului. (1:02:27) PARTEA ADAUGATA mai tarziu, DIN CONCLUZIE - La cateva zile prin ocuparea prin forta la fata acestor institutii, au aparut ca pe vremea lui Hitler- uitati-va pe Youtube la ceea ce va spun- pancarde pe care scria, “Hitler’s bankers. The Jews control Wall Street”. In Romaneste: Bancherii lui Hitler. Evreii controleaza bursa”. Haidem sa-i nimicim. Acesta este socialismul care se voteaza la Washington. De care noi am fugit si am crezut ca am scapat de el. Pe cine deranjeaza? Pe politicieni? Nicidecum. Administratia Obama vrea sa creeze o societate socialista, in care acumularile celor bogati sa fie redistribuite populatiei. Cand pun ei mana pe bani, nu-i impart ei la nimeni, nici o grija. O politica care incurajeaza mana intinsa pentru  a primi ceva de pomana vine bine celor ce urasc munca. Dar nu-i biblic. Uitati ce spune apostolul Pavel: Daca invata cineva pe oameni o invatatura deosebita (nebiblica) si nu se tine de cuvintele sanatoase ale Domnului nostru Isus Hristos si de invatatura care duce la evlavie, este plin de mandrie si nu stie nimic. Ba inca are boala a certurilor fara rost si a certurilor de cuvinte, din care se naste  invidia, certurile, clevetirile, banuierile rele, zadarnice ciocniri de vorbe ale oamenilor stricati la minte, lipsiti de adevar si care cred ca evlavia este o sursa de castig.” Munca este o sursa de castig. 1 Timotei 6:3-5. Albinele Islamice vor un Israel mort cu adevarat.

Recentul statut cu drept de observator la ONU pentru palestinieni este o stimulare pentru lumea islamica, pentru aceste albine sa-si scoata veninul. Ei n-au dulceata, au venin. Arabii islamici vad deja o lume utopica. Sa nu inteleaga cineva ca eu sunt anti-arab. Nu. Ca asa cum m-a iubit Dumnezeu pe mine, ii iubeste si pe ei. Dumnezeu sa mantuie toata lumea araba, sunt un miliard si 200 de milioane. Dar religia lor este demonica. Koranul. Va rog sa fiti atenti la ceea ce spun acuma, ca sa nu intelegeti altceva. Arabii islamici vad deja o lume utopica materialista intr-o forma de evanghelizare pe care ei o numesc Califat- unde conduce Allah. Din Iran si pana in Maroc, incluzand Europa, mierea lor este sabia, sau omorarea lor cu bucurie, a oricaruia care nu crede ca ei si neraspundere in fata legii- Sharia, care vine si in America. Psalmul 80:13 “Tu ma impingea-i,” spune aici Israel (America, Europa, China, Rusia,ONU), “ma impingea-i sa cad, dar Domnul m-a ajutat”. Se pare ca odata ce administratia americana va fi reinvestita pentru urmatorii 4 ani la putere, Israel va fi impins mai mult, pentru ca (americanii) vor sa lase o mostenire in urma. Ce mosteniri… Vor sa-l impinga pe Israel tot mai mult spre prapastie pentru acest scop destructiv al albinelor musulmane.

Creerea statului Palestinian este echivalent profetic cu asezarea albinelor in trupul leului. Ce va face Israel? (1:07:0) Albinele il inconjoara, Iranul il ameninta. Va actiona singur. Va incepe noua politica europeana si americana  sa ii impinga sa nu faca nimic. Israel trebuie sa se apere. Al cui joc il face vestul? Lumea araba islamica inca nu recunoaste existenta statului evreu. In schimb sponsoreaza terorismul. Dar marile puteri sunt doar cu numele. Ele se poarta neputincioase. Lumea araba striga peste tot: Distrugerea lui Israel! Cum ar fi ca lumea civilizata iudeo-crestina sa ceara guvernelor ei distrugerea Medinei si Mecai? Capitala sarpelui musulman din Arabia Saudita. Politic si logic n-ar trebui sa deranjeze pe nimeni. Ar fi 1-1. Voi cereti distrugerea lui Israel, noi cerem distrugerea Mecai (Mecca). Dar numai sa se faca asa ceva ca toti ar demonstra de la un capat pana la celalalt. Stiti de ce? Pentru ca albinele islamice cred ca leul lui Dumnezeu este mort. Dar nu-i mort. Dumnezeu si-a ridicat din nou leul. Ar trebui ca biserica sa vada aceste realitati si sa se trezeasca. Lumea religioasa cu capii ei adormiti si beti, precum si lumea politica vor sa produca ei miere, singuri. Albinele islamice si politicienii aduc venin si nu miere.

Aceasta este ghicitoarea lui Samson

Nu se poate miere fara leul Isus si fara Israel. Nu este miere in cuvantul religiei, a politicienilor, a socialistilor, a umanistilor si a comunistilor. Miere este doar in cuvantul lui Dumnezeu si in Canaanul lui Dumnezeu. Miere nu este produsa de albinele Amorite si arabo-islamite, nici de leul babilonian cu albina in gura de Nimrod, ci mierea a produs-o leul din Iuda, Isus. Legile Domnului sunt mai de pret decat aurul, mult aur curat. Sunt mai dulci decat mierea, decat picurul din faguri.  Aceasta albina, Psalmul 19:10, “ce dulci sunt cuvintele Tale pentru cerul gurii mele, mai dulci decat mierea in gura mea. Psalm 119:103. Ne sta in fata un an, in care albinele din jurul lui Israel s-ar putea sa roiasca. Va fi spre pieirea lor, din nefericire. Pentru ca doctrina militara Israeleana- Optiunea Samson- va spune ca Samson: Pierim odata. Cum spune Scriptura in Psalmul 118:12 “M-au inconjurat ca niste albine, dar se sting ca un foc de spini. In numele Domnule ii tai in bucati”. Domnul isi va apara leul de data aceasta.

Ne sta in fata un an in care noi fete ale socialismului se vor prezenta si aceasta incepe de aici din America. Un an de ineptitudine politica, neputinta intelectuala, ignoranta religioasa si pentru multi necunoasterea adevarului scripturii. Insa pentru cei ce se incred in Domnul, nu este un an in care trebuie sa ne temem. De ce? Razboaiele noastre sunt ale Domnului si biruintele sunt tot ale Lui. 1 Samuel 17:47; Zaharia 4:6;  2 Cronici 20:15 Nimeni nu trebuie sa se sperie, dar ochii tuturor trebuie sa se deschida.

In final, Samson si-a revenit. Nu vedeti ca Israel a inceput sa-si revina? Se trezeste leul. Si cand se trezeste, urmatorul pas pe care l-a facut Samson, a zis, “Sa mor impreuna cu filistenii”. Distrug idolatria, distrug asupritorii, albinele. Daca Israel este provocat, si lui Israel ii sta un razboi mare in fata- este Armaghedon. De data aceasta, Domnul va lupta pentru ei. Priviti in scriptura. Poate aveti alte pareri fata de cele pe care vi le-am prezentat, cu frica de Domnul, din cuvantul lui Dumnezeu. Insa, ghicitoarea lui Samson este prea actuala. Dimensiunile ei sunt prea vizibile, prea practice. Lumea noastra, vede cu ochii desfasurata istoria acestei ghicitori. In trupul lui Israel s-au asezat albine Amorite, islamiste. Este inconjurat din toate partile. Puterile din afara il imping, dar Israel le aduce aminte: Dumnezeu m-a pedepsit. Da, dar nu m-a dat  prada mortii”.

Multumim Domnului pentru puterea Lui de preservare. Multumim Domnului pentru Israel. Stiti de ce? Prin el avem legea, profetii si psalmii. Prin Israel ne-a venit Mantuitorul Isus Hristos. De aceea nu putem sa il uram, ca Il uram pe Isus Hristos, care este evreu. Sa ne rugam Domnului pentru Israel, sa ne rugam Domnului pentru Biserica Emanuel. Roaga-te DOmnului pentru biserica din care faci parte, sa fie o biserica vie. Si daca auzi pe predicatori sau pe pastori predicand ‘replacement theology’- teologia inlocuirii lui Israel cu biserica, sfatuieste-l pasnic pe acel pastor, pe acel predicator  sa faca ce a spus Domnul Isus Hristos. Cautati in cartea Domnului si cititiNu cititi in alta parte. Dumnezeu nu a renuntat la Israel, asa cum zice apostolul Pavel. Daca caderea lor a fost o binecuvantare pentru neamuri, ce va fi plinatatea intoarcerii lor?

“Doamne, trezeste-ti leul de-a binelea. Iar leul Tau Dumnezeule, Isus Hristos, sa ramana viu in Biserica Emanuel. Viu in familia mea, viu in viata mea.” Aceasta este ghicitoarea lui Samson.

LAZAR GOG – PREDICI

• Lazar Gog Interviu – Implicarea crestinilor in viata cetatii (despre implicarea crestinilor in politica)
• Lazar Gog – Crestinul, credinciosul si alcoolul
• Lazar Gog – Principiile libertatii crestine
• Lazar Gog – Disperare si ridicare – Pana cand Doamne…?
• Lazar Gog – Raspunsul dragostei
• PREDICILE de la a 44-a Conventie a Bisericilor Penticostale, Seattle 2012
• A 25-a Aniversare a Bisericii Emanuel Church of God – Pastor Lazar Gog (Partea I-a)
• A 25-a Aniversare a Bisericii Emanuel Church of God – Pastor Lazar Gog (Partea II-a)
• Lazar Gog – Ma vede Domnul
• Marturie Cristian Florea la Emanuel Church of God, Pastor Lazar Gog (90 minute)

Tentativa de Asasinare a familiei Richard Wurmbrand in SUA – Partea 1 – Documente detaliate a unui plan cu sapte puncte pentru a-l ucide pe Richard Wurmbrand in Statele Unite

Vezi PAGINA  PRINCIPALA  -

Richard Wurmbrand PREDICI si articole

To read English articles click on these links-

1. See this article in the ENGLISH version here- Part 1
2. See the follow up to this article here – Part 2
3. See the full transcript of Wurmbrand’s congressional testimony from 1966 about the state of persecution under communism in Romania here
4. Tortured for Christ VIDEO – with Richard Wurmbrand, shortly after he was allowed to leave communist Romania

De la fiul lui Richard Wurmbrand

Michael Wurmbrand, Noiembrie 29, 2012

- Traducere din Limba Engleza de A. C. -

Recent am avut oportunitatea de a cerceta peste 8 000 de pagini de documente declasificate a fostei Politii Secrete a Romaniei Comuniste ( Securitatea). Am gasit dovezi incontestabile in care  comunistii romani au decis  si pus la cale un plan pentru asasinarea lui Richard Wurmbrand.

Ceea ce urmeaza este o reproducere partiala a unui document al politiei secrete comuniste care descrie un plan de 7 puncte ca sa ne omoare. Am scris de asemenea o dezbatere a unor chestiuni pe care le-am invatat din aceste documente de importanta pentru acei ce sunt interesati de a ajuta victimile opresiei comuniste. Daca ati iubit si respectat familia Wurmbrand, daca ati fost inspirati in viata dumneavoastra de orisicare  carte sau activitati a lui Wurmbrand, va rog sa dati acestui document o cat mai larga circulatie posiblia printre cercurile dumeavostra de prieteni. Veti vedea ca citind acest document, veti ajunge la o intelegere diferita in a va proteja atat pe dumneavoastra cat si pe cei dragi ai vostri.

Un plan de asasinare cu sapte puncte

Deplasare in “Galaxia” (SUA) pt. actionare

Iata cele 7 puncte ale planului care urma sa fie dus la implinire contra familiei Wurmbrand:

1) Deplasarea in “GALAXIA” a unui ofiter, cu misiunea de a studia si creea posibilitati de actionare asupra lui “ASHAVER (Richard Wurmbrand, NT).”
(GALAXIA a fost numele de cod secret folosit de serviciul de informatie comunista din vremea aceia , pentru Statele Unite, NT)

“urmand ca prin (a noastra) agentura (ambasada, NT) sa se stabileasca:
- Programul activitatilor, traseele (luate) de deplasare, mijloacele de transport folosite, locuri frecventate, persoanele apropiate din anturajul sau. Intrucat “ASHAVER(Richard Wurmbrand,NT)” primeste la domiciliu vizita, vom folosi acest prilej pentru patrunderea legendata in locuinta a unui ofiter sau colaborator, in vederea anihilarii sale printr-un mijloc adecvat conditiilor concrete, existente.

Termenul de indeplinire(a acestei misiuni): 20 Septembrie 1974.
Raspund(persoane pentru acest plan): Locotenent Colonel Pescariu Ion, Locotenent Colonel Grigoriu

informatorii “Veron” and “Elias”

2) Prin sursele “Veron” si “Elias” (evident un nume cu cod, NT) se va stabili programul deplasarilor lui “ASHAVER” (Richard Wurmbrand, NT) in urmatoarele trei luni,urmand ca in functie de aceasta, sa se stabileasca tara care ofera cele mai bune conditii de actiune.

In acest scop, se va deplasa in spatiul respectiv un ofiter, care vor studia conditiile locale (salile in care-si tine conferintele, locurile de masa si cazare probabile), luandu-se masuri de plasare a unui dispozitiv special de otravire in patul din camera in care va fi cazat.

Termen (de infaptuire): 10 Septembrie, 1974

Raspund: Locotenent Colonel Pescariu Ion, Locotenent Colonel Grigoriu D.

3) Intrucat  lui “ASHAVER (Richard Wurmbrand, NT)” ii sunt publicate(cartile) de o editura religioasa in Geneva (Elvetia) visitata de el (in calatoriile sale), vom gasi detalii prin informatorul “HERMANN” (evident un nume de cod, NT) despre cladire, lucratori, caile de acces, cand ar putea fi cel mai probabil ca el sa calatoreasca in Elvetia, cu scopul de a folosi astfel de informatie pentru a actiona (la acest plan).

Termen (de executare): 25 Septembrie 1974

Raspund: Locotenent Colonel Pescariu Ion, Locotenent Colonel Grigoriu D.

4) Intrucat in Octombrie, anul acesta, “ASHAVER (Richard Wurmbrand, NT)” este planificat sa calatoreasca in Israel, prin urmare cu ajutorul informatorului “EREMIA” (evident un nume cu cod, NT)  noi vom stabili orasele in care el va calotori, salile in care va tine intruniri, peroanele care-l insotesc, locurile de masa si cazare cu scopul de a pregati conditiile necesare pentru a actiona asupra lui. Daca aceste masuri din acel “spatiu actionabil” va fi aprobat, un ofiter va fi plasat acolo ca sa duca planul la executare.

Termen (de misiune): 10 Octombrie, 1974

5) Informatia obtinuta recent arata ca “ASHAVER (Richard Wurmbrand, NT)” a implicat in activitatile sale pe fiul sau, un inginer, locuind in (IC, abreviere neclara, s-ar putea sa insemne in zona consulatului Roman, NT) si-l viziteaza din cand in cand. Prin posibilitatile gazdei conferintei “ABAR” (probabil nume de cod pentru consulatul local al Romaniei pe coasta de Vest a Statelor Unite si a consulului ei, NT), vom gasi adresa unde locuieste si activitatile lui, ca sa putem analiza orice oportunitate ce s-ar ivi pentru a actiona asupra sa cand el va face o vizita acolo.

Termen (de executare): 1 Octombrie 1974

Raspund: Locotenent Colonel Pescariu Ion, Locotenent Colonel Grigoriu D.

6) “Vom studia in folosirea unei persoane experimentata, in care sa putem avea deplina incredere, care, contra unei sume corespunzatoare de plata, va asigura distrugerea lui “ASHAVER (Richard Wurmbrand, NT.)”

7) Vom lua masuri corespunzatoare de a plasa un dispozitiv, capabil de o explozie detonata de la o  distanta si a unei substante chimicala, ICE (nume de cod al substantei, NT care sa fie folosita de a-l distruge.

Termen (de executie): 10 Octombrie, 1974

Raspunde: Locotenent Colonel Pescariu Ion”.

Michael Wurmbrand in a 2005 visit to Sighet prison in Romania

Romanian with English subtitles

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Partea 2-a

O scrisoare de la Michael Wurmbrand

- Traducere din Limba Engleza de A.C. -

sursa pozei Flickr – Vasile Tomoiaga

Din multe alte mii de documente secrete ale politiei comuniste am gasit ca o multime, ba chiar sute de ofiteri si informatori, care locuiau in afara Romaniei, au fost folositi ca sa puna in aplicare diferite aspecte a planurilor de a ucide familia Wurmbrand. Chiar pana in anul 1978, un numar mare ale activitatilor noastre de calatorie pe cele patru continente au fost raportate cu detalii amanuntite, locul nostru de amplasare, chiar si felul in care am fost imbracati, cele mai bune cai ca sa fim identificati, toate persoanele noastre de contact cu detalii amanuntite,  un  numar mare de materiale fotografice obtinute. Politia secreta comunista a Romaniei a incercat sa indentifice in ample detalii si daca era posibil sa aiba acces la orisicine  in lume care avea legaturi cu familia Wurmbrand.

Exista documente care arata cum atat romani, dar si oameni din presa straina, politicieni, lideri bisericesti, in efectiv chiar constient platiti sa lucreze pentru politia secreta a Romaniei, vor fi adunati ca sa puna in aplicare aceste planuri de a distuge familia Wurmbrand. De exemplu, ei au fost indrumati ca  sa arate prietenie si suport pentru mesajul misionar al lui Wurmbrand, chiar sa si scrie articole in ziare pro- Wurmbrand astfel incat sa castige increderea noastra pe timp lung.  Apoi ei atrageau prieteni apropiati, sau cine lucrau pentru Wurmbrand, in tari diferite care erau visitate, ca sa plece de acasa si sa mearga afara sa visiteze, ca ei sa poata planta in casa aparate de ascultare sau sa poata efectua perchezitii in absenta lor.

Ofiterilor din interior le-a fost subliniat faptul ca bugetului Serviciului de Informatii Externe (SIE) al guvernului comunist Roman, pentru distrugerea familiei Wurmbrand, nu i s-a impus limite. Planurile acestea nu au fost de ordin amator, ele au fost extrem de detaliate, subtile si efectuate intr-o masura ca familia noastra, care credeam ca suntem experti  cu privire la comunism si metodele comuniste, nu am suspecta deloc politia secreta. Aceste dosare au permis politiei comuniste sa descopere interesele lor, slabiciunile lor,  cum ei pot fi apropiati ideologic sau chiar imprieteniti ca sa ajute la planurile ucigasului. Se afla o multime de note informative date de catre crestini, instrumente constiente, informatori ai politiei secrete Romane.

Suna absurd dar exista documente care arata chiar si pe Billy Graham  prins in acest abject de plasa comunista. Se discuta  cum ar putea fi el folosit, el  fiind un prieten stiut al presedintelui Nixon, ca sa influenteze presedintele Statelor Unite. Familia noastra a fost urmarita desigur in Romania, dar si aici in Occident, 24/7 de numai putin de 7 persoane, in acelasi timp. Asa ca in cazul ca noi urmaream (ca sa nu ne dam seama), am fi vazut persoane diferite necunoscute umbland pe strada sau la volan conducand.

Exista documente care au semnatura dictatorului comunist din Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu si al Sefului politiei secrete aproband aceste planuri. Aceste planuri au fost discutate pe larg de catre asa numitul Consiliul Securitatii de Stat, planuri care in parte au fost semnate de asemenea si de cel mai faimos si cel mai inalt ofiter care a fugit vreodata din politia secreta comunista din toate tarile comuniste, Generalul Ion Mihai Pacepa (vezi istoria lui pe internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion Mihai Pacepa), desigur ca dinainte de  fuga sa din Romania.

Ion Mihai Pacepa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nu pot accentua indeajuns  cat de mult a fost extinsa “mana” comunista amestecandu-se in viata tuturora, celor care comunistii credeau ca aveau vreo tangenta cu familia Wurmbrand, nu numai in Romania  sau alte tari comuniste dar si in Occident. Ar dura cu siguranta luni de zile de studiere a acestor documente si reproduceri a mii de pagini pentru a documenta acest efort enorm al comunistilor de a ataca intr-un fel sau altul pe Richard Wurmbrand, familia sa si mesajul sau de pe intreaga lume de a demasca persecutia comunista a crestinilor credinciosi.

Cand Richard Wurmbrand a venit in Occident si a explicat ca intr-o tara de 20 de milioane de oameni cel putin 1 milion au trecut prin inchisorile comuniste, multi lideri din bisericile din Occident l-au acuzat pe Wurmbrand de “exagerare”. Dupa caderea comunismului in Romania, numarul oficial publicat a fost de 10 la suta din populatie si in exces de 2 milioane. Ma rog ca niciunul din cei care citesc aceste pagini, pentru binele lor si pentru propria lor siguranta, vor respinge ceea ce scriu aici ca fiind exagerat sub nici un fel. Deoarece am fost la ambele capete a acestui proces, in primul rand ca unul dintre fondatorii cu 45 de ani in urma a organizatiei misionare, cunoscuta azi sub numele deVocea Martirilor, care se opune si face cunoscut pe scara larga atrocitatile comuniste, iar acum avand posibilitatea sa obtin in mod personal informatie cu mii de pagini, de felul cum  adversarii nostri comunisti se vor lupta cu noi, ba chiar cautand sa ne omoare, as vrea sa impartasesc cu voi lectiile pe care le-am invatat, gandindu-ma ca unele din acestea ar putea fi de un real folos spiritual pentru cine le citeste si pentru cei dragi ai lor.

Nu voi da vina pe cititorii acestui material dace se intreaba cum se face ca nu am fost deja omorati in urma unui astfel de efort gigantic din partea comunistilor romani? Primul si singurul raspuns este :

“NUMAI PRIN HARUL LUI DUMNEZEU!”    Comunistii cu siguranta ca au incercat.

English: Jacques Chirac (at the time, Prime Minister of France) with Nicolae Ceauşescu during a visit in Neptun, Romania, in 1975 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sa mai intamplat asa deoarece cel mai de sus om din politia secreta comunista din Romania, Generalul comunist Pacepa a fugit in Statele Unite in 1978. Ceausescu, dictatorul comunist a incercat sa reduca la tacere pe multi din oponentii sai, omorandu-i. El a incercat sa-l foloseasca pe faimosul terorist international Ilich Sanchez, poreclit “Carlos the Jackal” (Sacalul). Este o informatie publica ca el a fost cazat si suportat financial in Romania. Fuga din anul 1978 a Generalului comunist Pacepa a avut loc, dupa explicatia data chiar de dansul, deoarece el a fost trimis ca sa-l omoare pe Directorul de la Europa Libera, Sectia Romana. In aceeasi perioada, Ceausescu a trimis un ucigas in Franta pentru a executa  un alt dezident si acest “ucigas” ofiter a fugit la Serviciul Secret din Franta (cerand azil politic}. Serviciul Secret Francez a inscenat si publicat “o omorare falsa” a dezidentului prevazut sa fie omorat. Politia secreta comunista Romana a functionat fara ca  sa aiba vreo idee de ceea ce de fapt s-a intamplat, crezand ca omorul a fost dus la capat. Francezii au mers atunci pe calea radioului, prin traficul de posta cu serviciul secret Roman, dovedindu-se ca acest episod a originat de la comunistii Romani. Presedintele Frantei a urmat apoi cu o vizita in Romania si a explicat dictatorului comunist Ceausescu ca toate imprumuturile, afacerile internationale ale Romaniei, avantajele sale proprii si chiar si viata lui va fi terminata in cazul in care un astfel de comportament va continua. Toate acestea sunt documentate. Ceausescu si-a desfintat “serviciul de ucidere” comunist.

Familia Wurmbrand a supravietuit si imi pare rau ca parintii mei nu sunt in viata astazi, acum cand tot acest material secret informativ a fost pus la dispozitia mea si  trebuie ca eu sa va transmit lectiile pe care le-am invatat.

Richard Wurmbrand (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

- Familia noastra a inceput o  munca misionara, care acum se numeste Vocea Martirilor, s-a nascut prin durere, prin credinta, prin urgenta, comparata cu o persoana aproape sa se inece agatindu-se de un pai, sau cineva grav ranit cersind macar pentru o aspirina. Noi am fost rascumparati din Romania pentru suma de10 000 de dolari si scopul nostru imediat a fost ca sa apelam la crestinii din Occident ca sa ajute pe fratii lor crestini care sunt opresati sub comunism. Adevarata lucrare crestina care asteapta miracole adevarate este de felul acesta si trebuie sa fie tinuta de felul acesta. Moise  a fost trimis in Egipt de Dumnezeu ca sa-l convinga pe Faraon numai cu un toiag de umblat. In cele din urma el si-a dat seama ca a avut nevoie si a obtinut de la Dumnezeu mai mult, 10 plagi miraculoase.

- Cand ai de infruntat un adversar care controleaza o tara sau tari lupta este neegala, deoarece:

- Cei ce sunt implicati in lupta de partea cea buna sunt poate unul sau doar cativa, iar resursele umane de cealalta parte sunt chiar de nenumarat! Nimeni nu se amageste “cu repetari de fraze” sau “exemplul” lui David luptandu-se cu Goliat, dar imaginati-va o lupta intre David si sute de Goliati.

- Cel ce se lupta de partea cea buna nu isi da seama de natura personala a acestei lupti. Unul isi imagineaza ca se lupta pentru libertatea altora, pentru principii bune, pentru o credinta adevarata, in general cu naivitate pentru conceptii demne. Adversarul diabolic se lupta in masa, nu pentru o ideologie ci pentru propria supravietuire, pentru pozitiile care le-au apucat, salariile, folosind mijloace pe care eroii cei buni in naivitatea lor nici nu si le-ar imagina! Da acesti ofiteri comunisti se luptau pentru locurile lor de munca.

- Eu am stiut ca comunistilor le-ar fi placut ca sa vada  familia Wurmbrand moarta. Chiar si atunci cand cei de la FBI au venit la mine ca sa-mi dea de stire personal ca un glont pare sa fi fost desemnat pentru mine, eu am luat numai masuri generale de precautie, dar nu mi-as fi imaginat cunoscutii mei cei mai apropiati, da mancand citeodata zilnic la masa mea, a fost o parte de platit a acestui plan pentru ca acel glont comunist sa vina si sa ma ucida. Cineva nu poate sa fie niciodata naiv despre unul sau mai multi Iuda.

Nu este deajuns ca sa ai bunavointa si chiar o cunoastere necesara ca sa fi angrenat in lupta pentru a ajuta victimele unui asupritor fara ca sa te gandesti cu seriozitate ca viata si madularele tale sunt in pericol. Familia ta este in pericol si ei trebuie sa  fie facuti foarte constienti de acest lucru. Cat despre copii, gandeste-te la istoria din Biblie despre Avraam si Isac. Aceasta nu este numai o istorisire. Avraam a fost numit un om al credintei, nu pentru nimic. Esti  gata ca in ceea ce  crezi sa-ti sacrifici copiii nestiutori? Ai o intelegere adevarata a ceea ce inseamna daune colaterale si esti dispus sa-ti asumi responsabilitatea pentru ea? Atunci cand comunistii au avut aceste planuri de moarte impotriva mea, fetita mea avea numai doi ani. M-am gandit eu la aceasta? Nu, nu m-am gandit!

Imi cer iertare prin aceasta scriere chiar daca este cu intarziere, chiar daca  nu pot face mai mult, la nimeni, pe care eu sau parintii mei am intalnit sau avut tangenta fapt pentru care au devenit tinta unui reticul din luneta comunistilor. Ei sunt documnetati cu sutele care sunt prea multi ca sa poata fi numiti. Istorisirile din Biblie, descrie cum persoanele cu lepra trebuiau sa strige pentru avertizare, “lepros”, “lepros” inainte ca sa se apropie de cineva. Ar fi trebuit sa avertizez toti prietenii, pe toti cunoscutii de ceea ce ocupatia mea si pericolele au fost. Daca te angrenezi in lupta cu astfel de inamici, te indemn ca sa faci acelasi lucru. Eu nu condamn pe nimeni, care fara explicatii, au refuzat sa aibe vreo relatie cu noi.

Din aceste documente pot sa citesc cum oameni nenumarati au fost contactati de comunisti ca sa lucreze impotriva noastra si au preferat sa se tina la distanta in tacere mai degraba decat sa comunice cu noi.

Misiunea a folosit multi crestini care doreau sa ne ajute deafara sau dinlauntrul tarilor comuniste ca sa furiseze, sau sa ajute pe altii sa furiseze Biblii si fara ca noi sa ne gandim, multi crestini din Romania si-au folosit copiii lor si au expus acesti copii nestiutori la pericole de neimaginat.

Sa vedem in continuare modul in care cei care au dorinta si mijloacele pentru a lupta impotriva unor astfel de dusmani ai crestinismului, ar trebui sa procedeze! Cand doresti sa faci un sacrificiu este bine sa te gandesti in mod serios la obiectivul pe care vrei sa-l realizezi, cantitatea de suferinta pe care tu si altii sunteti capabili de a o suporta. Dupa ce vei fi vatamat, va fi prea tarziu pentru regrete, in special atunci cand si altii, fara vreun un avertisment sau banuiala, vor fi si ei  vatamati.

Asa cum tatal meu a accentuat de multe ori, capul sarpelui trebuie  zdrobit nu sa-l gadilam pe burta. Crestinii trebuie sa atace capul raului. Dragostea de bani este radacina tuturor relelor. Motivul pentru care comunistii au vrut si au lucrat ca sa ne omoare, a fost descris de catre unul dintre ambasadorii comunisti romani intr-o discutie confidentiala: “Datorita  lui Wurmbrand, Romania a pierdut clauza de natiune favorizata cu Statele Unite, 8 ani la rand.”

In timp ce multe misiuni se  lupta cu multe feluri de rele prin programe de ajutor, nenumarate banci si oameni de afaceri sprijina raul in aceleasi locuri prin interesele lor financiare, afaceri ca de obicei (zi de zi), ca de exemplu in China Rosie, Vietnam, si toate tarile musulmane, etc. Cum poate un crestin sa fie cu constiinta impacata atunci cand se duc si lucreaza  sa ia un salariu in industria  petrolului din tarile musulmane acolo unde fratii lor crestini sunt mutilati si chiar omorati pentru credinta lor? Cum pot crestinii care in timp ce pretind ca ajuta crestinii persecutati din China, incurajeaza comertul cu chinezii comunisti?

Intregul rationament al liderilor care sunt la carma misiunilor crestine, cu privire la obiective si mijloace, trebuie  sa fie revizuite. Tot la fel trebuie revizuite si intentiile bune ale donatorilor care sa puna sub semnul intrebarii nu numai  integritatea bisericilor lor, acceptand de exemplu rele  cum ar fi homosexualitatea dar chiar si comertul cu inamicul.

Moise a intrat in Egipt, o tara din care el a fugit, ca sa ajunga fara compromisuri la Faraon cu scopul final de a solicita eliberarea poporului sau,  fara compromisuri. In contrast, in timpul comunismului in Romania, prea multi lideri religiosi din Occident din multe denominatiuni, au venit in Romania ca turisti, distractie, incercand sa atraga  liderii comunisti cu afaceri personale, etc, asa dupa cum este descris in multe din aceste documente.

Crestinii din Occident, nu numai ca sunt neconstienti de situatia fratilor lor din tarile comuniste si musulmane,  nu numai ca “dorm la volan” dar ceva si mai grav, ei dorm cu inamicul! Faca ca aceasta scriere sa-i trezeasca, si sa lupte impotriva celui mai subtil inamic, diavolul in toate formele lui!

As dori  sa pot pune aceasta scriere ca un post-scriptum in cartea de acum faimoasa a tatalui meu, Torturat pentru Christos, manuscriptul careia, dupa ce am iesit din Romania comunista, l-am scris de patru ori in anul 1966 la o masina de scris veche si greoaie, inainte ca sa apara in Limba Engleza si apoi sa fie tradusa si raspandita in 85 de limbi.

“Diavolul, da tarcoale ca un leu care racneste, si cauta pe cine sa inghita”! (1 Petru 5:8). Va rog, dragii mei frati crestini, ca niciodata sa nu va subestimati inamicul!

Marturia lui Richard Wurmbrand dupa ce a fost lasat sa plece din Romania (doar in Engleza):

 

Lazar Gog – Raspunsul dragostei

1 Samuel 18:1-4

David sfîrşise de vorbit cu Saul. Şi de atunci sufletul lui Ionatan s’a alipit de sufletul lui David, şi Ionatan l -a iubit ca pe sufletul din el. ² În aceeaş zi, Saul a oprit pe David, şi nu l -a lăsat să se întoarcă în casa tatălui său. ³ Ionatan a făcut legămînt cu David, pentrucă -l iubea ca pe sufletul lui. ⁴ A scos mantaua pe care o purta, ca s’o dea lui David; şi i -a dat hainele sale, chiar sabia, arcul şi încingătoarea lui.

In acest pasaj ne-am reamintit acea istorie in care David la biruit pe Goliat. Si dupa ce l-a biruit pe Goliat s-a prezentat in fata imparatului Saul si a printului mostenitor, Ionatan, vorbind despre Dumnezeu, despre puterea lui Dumnezeu. Si cuvantul lui Dumnezeu ne spune ca dupa ce a terminat de vorbit in fata imparatului, a curtii imparatesti, s-a intamplat ceva foarte interesant. Ionatan, printul mostenitor a aratat o bunavointa si o dragoste deosebita fata de David.

In scena aceasta vreau sa ne vedem pe noi, in legatura cu Domnul si mantuitorul nostru Isus Hristos. Cand Domnul Isus ne vorbeste, cand El ne trimite cuvantul Sau, cand El ne trimite descoperirile Lui, cand El ne reveleaza planul Lui inima noastra trebuie sa se indragosteasca de Isus Hristos, trebuie sa se alipeasca de El. Trebuie sa procedam la un raspuns asa cum David si Ionatan ne sugereaza si ne demonstreaza in pasajul de astazi.

In pasajul acesta sunt trei aspecte ale raspunsului dragostei:

(1) Alipire de Domnul

Cand dragostea raspunde la chemarea Mantuitorului Isus Hristos, de a sta aproape de El, de a fi copiii Lui, de a sta la masa Lui (la cina). Alipirea are o intreita dimensiune:

1)Alipire in intelect- Ca sa te alipesti de cineva trebuie neaparat sa gandesti ca persoana de care te alipesti. In relatia noastra cu Dumnezeu, tocmai aceasta ne trebuieste.

Diavolul stie acest aspect. De aceea, astazi cand stai in biserica lui Dumnezeu, in fata evnagheliei, in fata cuvantului, in fata Mantuitorului Isus Hristos, lucrul pe care diavolul il stie si vrea sa il exploateze este acesta: Intelectul tau, sau mintea ta sa fie abatuta de la legea lui Dumnezeu.

Cand diavolul s-a prezentat in gradina Eden la Adam si Eva, unde s-a adresat prima data? Ce a abordat prima data? Partea intelectuala: “Oare a zis Domnul?”

2)Alipire a inimii- In sfanta scriptura cand vorbim de suflet, cand este aceasta expresie, este o expresie care vorbeste despre a doua parte din componenta noastra. Suntem trup, suflet si duh. Dar, in acelasi timp vorbeste Biblia de suflet, vorbeste de inimi ca sediul al sentimentelor si vorbeste de mentalitate, de emotii. Nu putem sa stam langa Mantuitorul nostru Isus Hristos si sa nu ne alipim de inima Lui. Nu se poate sa fi invitat la masa Domnului nostru Isus Hristos si sa nu-ti bata inima.

3)Alipire a vointei- David a fost uns de Samuel sa fie imparat si profet. Samuel i-a revelat acest lucru si i-a spus: “Tu vei domni in Israel. Dumnezeu iti da tie imparatia. Pe de alta parte, cine este drept print mostenitor in Israel? Ionatan. Imaginati-va ce insemneaza vointa. Vezi 1 Samuel 23:15-17 Care-i voia lui Dumnezeu? David sa fie imparat. (Atunci) si voia mea este, chiar daca sunt printul mostenitor. Care-i voia lui Dumnezeu? Sa umblati in sfintenie. (Atunci) ma leapad de pacat, umblu si eu in sfintenie. Care e voia lui Dumnezeu? Sa traiti in pace unii cu altii. Asta este si voia mea. Care e voia lui Dumnezeu? Sa avem mila de cei de langa noi. Asta este si voia mea. Care este voia lui Dumnezeu? Sa facem bine si sa binecuvantam si sa inaltam pe Domnul. Aceasta este si voia mea.

Raspunsul dragostei presupune in primul si in primul rand presupune o alipire intelectuala, a inimii si a vointei

(2) Un legamant sacramental (sfant)

“Ionatan a facut legamant cu David pentru ca il iubea ca pe sufletul lui. ” Legamantul pe care noi il facem cu Domnul Isus Hristos, pentru ca sa Il facem pe El Domn in viata noastra sunt doua aspecte:

1) Prin Cuvantul vorbit- David si Ionatan au vorbit impreuna, sau consultat impreuna. Cu noi, Dumnezeu vorbeste prin cuvantul Sau. Nu este cuvant mai mare decat sfanta scriptura in lumea aceasta. Cartile religioase n-au nici o valoare in comparatie cu Biblia. Aceasta este voia expresa pentru omenire. Si cand Dumnezeu ne-a chemat si a intrebat: “Vrei sa fi cu mine?” Raspunsul dragostei mele a fost: “Da, vreau sa fac legamant cu Tine.” Ca ori de cate ori vorbesti Tu Doamne, vorbesti adevarul.

2) Prin sange- Expresia ebraica scrie ca David si Ionatan au ‘taiat’ un legamant. Modelul de a face un legamant cu Dumnezeu este totdeauna un model ce presupune sange. Dumnezeu l-a introdus in istoria omului. Nimic nu te obliga mai tare ca jertfa de sange. Noi am facut un legamant cu Domnul Isus Hristos nu numai prin cuvant, ci si prin sange. Nu au trebuit animale sacrificate, Isus Hristos a devenit mielul lui Dumnezeu.

(3) Convingere si sacrificiu

Ionatan a facut un legamant cu David din convingere.

1) Dezbracare de eu- A scos mantaua ca sa i-o dea lui David, si i-a dat hainele sale, chiar sabia si arcul… (v.4) Poporul l-a vazut pe David in haine de print ale lui Ionatan. Stiti ce inseamna dragoste? Cand cei din jur se uita la mine si la tine si zice: “Asta e imbracat in Hristos.” Cand El te imbraca cu neprihanirea Lui, cand te imbraca cu dragostea Lui, cand te imbraca cu sfintenia Lui, cand te imbraca cu indurarea Lui, cand te imbraca cu o inima buna ca a Lui, cei care se uita la mine si se uita la tine inteleg ce dragoste se vede in el. Se vede Hristos in el. Cati se uita la mine sua la tine trebuie sa Il vada pe Isus Hristos. Eu nu mai sunt eu si nu mai traiesc eu, ci Hristos traieste in mine.

2) Renuntare la abilitatile noastre si luarea abilitatilor lui Isus- Ionatan i-a dat chiar sabia si arcul. Ionatan era un razboinic. Stia sa manuiasca sabia si arcul. In vremea aceea, din cauza subjugatiei din partea Filistenilor, care nu i-a lasat sa faca nici o arma, doar Ionatan si Saul aveau sabie. Cand David este vazut ca are sabie si arc din nou, au zis: “Asta-i sabia lui Ionatan si arcul lui Ionatan.” Acum David are abilitatile lui Ionatan. Inseamna sa iai abilitatile, harurile, darurile lui Isus Hristos. “Cum, omul acesta?” cum ziceau despre Petru si Iacov si Ioan, contemporanii care erau super educati- membrii sanhedrinului, fariseii, saducheii, carturarii. Spune, “Cand i-au vazut si au auzit cum vorbesc au zis: “Cum de vorbesc oamenii acestia asa cum vorbesc?’” Si-au dat seama ca au fost cu Isus.

Isus ne-a pus in mana sabia si arcul. Isus ne-a dat abilitatile Lui. “Cum de vorbeste omul acesta asa? N-are pregatire” Nu el vorbeste, vorbeste Dumnezeu prin el. “Cum de canta persoana asta asa?” Nu ea canta, canta Duhul Domnului prin ea? “Cum de face omul acesta fapta aceasta?” Nu el o face, nu ea o face. Este Domnul pentru ca abilitatile pe care le avem insemneaza: El a pregatit fapte bune pentru ca noi sa umblam in ele. Abilitatile mele sunt ale lui Ionatan- ale Domnului, ale unuia mai mare decat Ionatan. David umbla in abilitatea lui Ionatan.

3) Statutul social- Cuvantul Domnului spune ca ‘i-a dat si incingatoarea lui.’ Era cea mai evidenta dovada ca Ionatan este print mostenitor. Peste haina regala, imparatii, printii mostenitori aveau o incingatoare de aproximativ 12 inch de lata. Era gacuta cu pietre scumpe, cu aur, argint. Era simbolul puterii imparatesti si se incingea peste haina. Oricine vedea incingatoarea aceasta stia: statut social- Ionatan este print.

Cine are acum incingatoarea? O are David. Cingatoarea aceasta avea deasemenea un buzunar in care era ultima arma de aparare a printului. Era un cutit cu doua taisuri. Un ‘dagger’, cum spune Limba Engleza. Ce vrea sa spuna aceasta? In dragostea Lui pentru noi, unul mai mare decat Ionatan este Isus Hristos. Ne-a incins cu adevarul. Si nu ne-a pus o arma ca sa omoram pe cineva in buzunarul care este pe cingatoare. Ne-a pus in noi ravna evangheliei pacii. Si a zis, “Mergeti in toata lumea si vestiti cuvantul meu la orisice faptura.” O sa va stea impotriva imparatii, o sa va stea imoptriva cel rau, o armata demonica. Dar, Eu sunt cu voi. Adevarul va va face liberi. Mergeti incinsi cu adevarul. Mergeti in aceasta putere. Mergeti in trimiterea Mea. Mergeti pentru ca Eu Ma duc cu voi. Nu voi mergeti, Eu ma duc cu voi. Si cand se vor uita la voi Ma vor vedea pe Mine. Vor vedea puterea Mea. Vor veeda autoritatea Mea. Vor vedea statutul Meu. Eu sunt mai mare decat toti. Eu am toata puterea in cer si pe pamant. Chiar daca voi sunteti firavi, chiar daca voi sunteti plapanzi, cand mergeti in Numele Meu o sa Ma vada pe Mine.

Si de ce credeti ca a ajuns evanghelia pana aici in 2000 de ani? Este pentru ca Domnul s-a tinut de cuvant. A mers inainte cu noi. Isus Hristos este Unul mai mare decat Ionatan. El este Printul cerului. Este Domnul Domnilor si Imparatul Imparatilor.

• Mi-a vorbit si m-am indragostit de cuvantul Lui.
• Mi-a zis ca ma doreste sa stau la masa cu El si ii raspund ‘DA’, stau la masa cu EL
• Mi-a curatat mintea, mi-a curatat gandirea si m-a imbracat cu o gandire noua. M-a incins cu un intelect nou.
• Mi-a curatat inima si sufletul. Mi-a curatat vorbirea, mi-a curatat faptele.
• Mi-a vorbit cuvantul Sau si mi-a dat abilitati din el.
• M-a dezbracat de el meu si m-a imbracat cu haina Lui.
• Mi-a dat un statut nou si noul statut pe care-l am- sunt imparat impreuna cu Isus Hristos. Sunt rege impreuna cu Isus Hristos. La masa imparatului sta casa imparatului, in primul rand. Isus Hristos ne-a imbracat sa fim regi si sa stam la masa cu El. Vrei tu lucrul acesta? Eu abia astept sa stau la masa cu El. M-am indragostit de El. Te-ai indragostit si tu? Raspunde-i.

Published on Nov 9, 2012 by Emil Muresan by Rev. Dr. Lazar Gog