Amos 4:1-13
1 Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of
Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to
their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
BASHAN
[BAY shan] (fertile plain) - the territory east of the Jordan River and
the Sea of Galilee.
At the time of the Exodus, King Og ruled Bashan. His kingdom included 60
cities (Num 21:33; Deut 3:4; 29:7). His capital was at Ashtaroth. When
Og was defeated at Edrei (Deut 3:1-3), the territory was given to the
half-tribe of Manasseh (Deut 3:13), except for the cities of Golan
and Be Eshterah, which were give to the Levites (Josh 21:27). In
the days of Jehu, the region was captured by the Aramean king, Hazael (2
Kings 10:32-33).
A rich, fertile tableland about 490 to 700 meters (1600 to 2300 feet)
above sea level, with abundant rainfall and volcanic soil, Bashan became
the "breadbasket" of the region. Wheat fields and
livestock were abundant. But in the Old Testament, the prosperity
of Bashan became a symbol of selfish indulgence and arrogant pride.
Evil persons who attacked the righteous were compared to "strong
bulls of Bashan" (Ps 22:12). The pampered, pleasure-seeking
women of Samaria were called "cows of Bashan" (Amos
4:1).
(from
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson
Publishers)
FATHER blessed HIS chosen 'family' with so very much.
But, instead of using these blessings to help FATHER'S HOLY Plan go
forth unto others, many have used HIS blessings to help only themselves.
Therefore, FATHER likens these of HIS children, who are in positions of
authority, who use their wealth only to benefit themselves, and
who take advantage of others, unto fat cows and bulls.
In the manner of a cow or bull, they sit around doing nothing, but
chewing their own cud, while they expect others to wait on them hand and
foot (so to speak).
Can YHVH use a servant such as this?
Only as an example of that which is not good in FATHER'S
eyes.
"that are in the mountain of Samaria"
We can see the U.S. as a type for "Samaria",
in that this land had been very blessed with abundant crops, long
growing seasons, and ample rainfall, etc.
SAMARIA, CITY OF
[suh MAR ih uh] (lookout) - the capital city of the northern kingdom of
Israel.
Built about 880 BC by Omri, the sixth king of Israel (1 Kings 16:24),
Samaria occupied a 91-meter (300-foot) high hill about 68 kilometers (42
miles) north of Jerusalem, and 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the
Mediterranean Sea. This hill was situated on the major north-south road
through Palestine. It also commanded the east-west route to the Plain of
Sharon and the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its hilltop location,
Samaria could be defended easily. Its only weakness was that the nearest
spring was a mile distant, but this difficulty was overcome by the use
of cisterns.
Samaria withstood an attack by Ben-Hadad, king of Syria (2 Kings
6:24-25), but it finally fell to the Assyrians, in 722 BC - 21 BC, and
its inhabitants were carried into captivity. The city was repopulated by
people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim (2 Kings
17:24), all bringing their pagan idolatries with them. Intermarriage of
native Jews with these foreigners led to the mixed race of SAMARITANS so
despised by full-blooded Jews during the time of Jesus (John 4:1-10).
In excavations of Samaria, archaeologists have uncovered several
different levels of occupation by the Israelites. The first two levels,
from the reigns of Omri and Ahab, show careful construction, apparently
by Phoenician craftsmen. At this time, the city may have been 20 acres
in extent, enclosed by an outer wall 6 to 8 meters (20 to 30 feet)
thick, with a more narrow inner stone wall about 2 meters (5 feet)
thick. A two-story palace was constructed at the higher western end of
the hill around some courtyards. In one of these courtyards a pool about
5 by 9 meters (17 by 33 feet) was discovered. This may have been the
pool where the blood of Ahab was washed from his chariot after he was
killed in a battle against the Syrians (1 Kings 22:38).
The palace was described as an ivory house (1 Kings 22:39; Amos 3:15).
Excavations near the pool uncovered a storeroom housing 500 plaques or
fragments of ivory used for inlay work in walls and furniture.
The third level of the city, from the period of Jehu (about 841 BC - 813
BC), gave evidence of additions and reconstruction. Levels four to six
covered the period of Jereboam II and showed that repairs had been made
to Samaria before the Assyrians captured it in 6685 BC From this period
came several pieces of pottery inscribed with administrative records
describing shipments of wine and oil to Samaria. One potsherd recorded
the name of the treasury official who received the shipment, the place
of origin, and the names of the peasants who had paid their taxes.
Structures from the Greek period can still be seen in ruined form. A
series of round towers are magnificent monuments of the Hellenistic age
in Palestine. Roman remains include a colonnaded street leading from the
west gate, an aqueduct, a stadium, and an impressive theater.
The small village of Sebastiyeh-an Arabic corruption of the Greco-Roman
name Sebaste-now occupies part of the ancient site of this historic
city. Even after the Israelite residents of Samaria were deported, the
city continued to be inhabited by several different groups under the
successive authority of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. Herod
the Great, Roman procurator in Palestine (ruled 37 BC-A.D. 4) when Jesus
was born, made many improvements to Samaria and renamed it Sebaste-the
Greek term for Augustus-in honor of the emperor of Rome. This Herodian
city is probably the "city of Samaria" mentioned in the book
of Acts (8:5).
SAMARIA, REGION OF
[suh MAR ih uh] -- a territory in the uplands of central Palestine that
corresponded roughly with the lands allotted to the tribe of Ephraim and
the western portion of Manasseh. Samaria consisted of about 1,400 square
miles of attractive, fertile land, bounded by the Valley of Jezreel on
the south and Mount Carmel on the north. Its rich alluvial soil produced
valuable grain crops, olives, and grapes. This productivity was made all
the more important by the presence of two north-south and three
east-west roads. Samaria was able to engage in commerce with neighboring
Phoenicia as well as the more distant nations of Syria and Egypt.
Because Samaritan soil was considerably more fertile than the soil in
Judah, the Northern Kingdom was always more prosperous. But the very
attractiveness of the territory brought invaders, while trade with such
pagan nations exposed the people to corrupt foreign religions. The
prophets strongly condemned the wickedness of Samaria-its idolatry,
immorality, idle luxury, and oppression of the poor (Hos 7:1; 8:5-7).
In the time of Jesus, Palestine west of the Jordan River was divided
into the three provinces of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea. Because of
their intermarriage with foreigners, the people of Samaria were shunned
by orthodox Jews. Situated between Galilee and Judea, Samaria was the
natural route for traveling between those two provinces. But the pure
blooded Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9). They would
travel east cross the Jordan River, and detour around Samaria.
Also see SAMARITANS.
(from
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson
Publishers)
Amos 4:
2 The Lord GOD
hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that
he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.
These "hooks" are in
reference to 'nose rings' which are placed in the noses of animals
through piercing.
These 'nose rings' would be utilized to lead a heifer or young bull
around by a tether or rope looped through it.
"your posterity" speaks of
the future generations or the last generation of your 'family lineage'.
The "fishhooks" are used to
catch and hold a fish so it can brought into the boat.
They were also used as a way to subdue a person; the hook in their mouth
would insure that a captive would remain docile.
FISHHOOK
A special hook of bone or iron used for catching and holding fish. The
prophet Amos warned the people of Samaria that God would "take you
away with fishhooks, and your posterity with fishhooks" (Amos 4:2).
This probably referred to the common practice among conquering nations,
such as Egypt and Assyria, of placing fishhooks in the mouths of
captives to make them easier to handle. This was a clear prediction by
the prophet that the people of the northern kingdom of Israel would be
carried into captivity.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas
Nelson Publishers)
"This was a clear prediction by the
prophet that the people of the northern kingdom of Israel would be
carried into captivity."
They were carried into captivity, presently are in captivity to this
world, and, the majority will happily become captives unto Satan's 'one
world' religious/governmental beast, when the fallen angels arrive in
the sight of earthly flesh men.
Amos 4:
3 And ye shall go out
at the breaches, every cow at that which is before her; and ye shall
cast them into the palace, saith the LORD.
These "breaches" refer to a
gap in the wall.
These Christians have broken away from YAHSHUA, JESUS CHRIST, who is
their one true "Wall".
And, will allow themselves to be "cast"
into Satan's "palace".
Why?
Because they know not YAHSHUA, JESUS CHRIST, but have brought in
abominable traditions of man into their houses, and other things which
have become idols unto them.
Amos 4:
4 Come to Bethel, and
transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices
every morning, and your tithes after three years:
5 And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and
publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of
Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Our FATHER is being sarcastic in this which HE said.
HE is saying, "Go
ahead and see what happens when you come to the 'house of God' knowing
that you are in sin and in apostasy. And, like unto a whirlwind
spinning around like a wheel, your deeds of apostasy and revolt against
The LORD GOD YHVH increase immensely. And, even though you bring forth
your daily sacrifice, and your yearly tithes, three years running, you
are presenting them not to YHVH, but to encourage apostasy among
others. Your offerings are puffed up with the traditions of man,
self-pride, and distorts YHVH'S HOLY Word of Truth. You come forth
making a spectacle of yourselves, desiring that others witness your
"freewill" offering so you look good/holy."
A sincere 'freewill offering' is given spontaneously, out of the
goodness of your heart, without expectation or desire for man's
approval.
"free offerings"
OT:5071
nedabah (ned-aw-baw'); from OT:5068; properly (abstractly) spontaneity,
or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by
inference, in plural) abundant gift:
KJV - free (-will) offering, freely, plentiful, voluntary (-ily,
offering), willing (-ly), offering).
OT:5068
nadab (naw-dab'); a primitive root; to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a
soldier), to present spontaneously:
KJV - offer freely, be (give, make, offerself) willing (-ly).
(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Amos 4:
6 And I also have given
you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your
places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
"cleanness of teeth" is to
say, you have had nothing to chew or eat, therefore, your teeth stay
clean.
"in all your cities"
is to say, all your guarded places.
"want of bread in all your places"
speaks of both physical and spiritual poverty.
YHVH has brought these things about in HIS attempt to awaken HIS
children to HIS Truth, which brings great blessings.
But, have HIS children returned to HIM?
No, of course not. These would rather remain in dire straits rather than
return to YHVH.
Again, these people are under a great deception, they have been
apostatized, and would rather starve (physically and spiritually) rather
than acknowledge that they were wrong, or that they did something wrong.
Amos 4:
7 And also I have
withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the
harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to
rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece
whereupon it rained not withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but
they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the
LORD.
Are we seeing these occurring now, in these last days?
Yes. FATHER has caused these changes in temperatures and weather
patterns to occur.
As in the days of old, the children of Israel were made to go into
captivity because of a great drought.
There is no new thing under the sun...
Where there is normally good rainfall in the summer, there has been
droughts. Crops are failing.
And, where there is normally dryer weather, allowing other crops to
flourish, there has been floods. Again, crops are failing.
What will be remaining for the harvest?
There is not enough water for all, even if several cities combine their
waters.
The people have polluted the waters both physically and spiritually.
Amos 4:
9 I have smitten you
with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your
fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured them:
yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
The "palmerworm" is one of
the stages of "locusts".
The "locusts" is an analogy
for the 'evil spirits of the fallen angels'.
Rev 9:3-12
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and
unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the
earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men
which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they
should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of
a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and
shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto
battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their
faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the
teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the
sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running
to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in
their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless
pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue
hath his name Apollyon.
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. KJV
We can also see these "locusts"
utilized in Exodus, within the ten plagues of Egypt (bondage).
Ex 10:3-6
3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus
saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble
thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.
4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I
bring the locusts into thy coast:
5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to
see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped,
which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which
groweth for you out of the field:
6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants,
and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy
fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth
unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. KJV
In the Book of Joel, we are shown these different stages: "palmerworm",
"locust", "cankerworm",
and the "caterpiller".
Joel 1:3-2:1
3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their
children, and their children another generation.
4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that
which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the
cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine,
because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number,
whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a
great lion.
7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it
clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her
youth.
9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of
the LORD; the priests, the LORD's ministers, mourn.
10 The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the
new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.
11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the
wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
12 The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate
tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the
field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.
13 Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the
altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the
meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of
your God.
14 Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all
the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry
unto the LORD,
15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a
destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
16 Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from
the house of our God?
17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate,
the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered.
18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because
they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures
of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
20 The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters
are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
KJV
Amos 4:
10 I have sent among
you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I
slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made
the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not
returned unto me, saith the LORD.
PLAGUES OF EGYPT
The series of afflictions used by God to break the will of Pharaoh and
to bring about the release of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt.
After the Hebrews had been in Egypt for about 400 years, "there
arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph" (Ex 1:8).
This new king enslaved the Hebrews and forced them to labor in his
extensive building projects (Ex 5:7-19). When the Hebrews cried out for
deliverance, God sent Moses to lead them from bondage. The Pharaoh
resisted the release of the Hebrew people. The plagues of Egypt occurred
as God's action to change the mind of the Pharaoh, thus bringing the
Hebrew's freedom.
A total of ten plagues occurred. Scholars generally agree that
the first nine plagues were regular, natural occurrences in Egypt. They
were remarkable only in their intensity and in the timing with which
they happened. But this does not mean that they were purely natural
phenomena. They were miraculous in that God used natural forces to
achieve His purpose. A sovereign God can use whatever methods He chooses
to bring about a miracle. The method does not diminish the miraculous
nature of the occurrence.
The tenth plague, the death of the firstborn of Egypt, was altogether
supernatural. There is no known natural phenomenon closely related to
this plague.
The sequence of the plagues has been studied and compared with the
observations of travelers to Egypt. Many scholars point out that the
first nine plagues are logical consequences of an unusually high
flooding of the NILE RIVER. Such flooding usually occurred in July,
August, and September. Based on the best estimates that can be made from
the biblical account, the plagues probably occurred over a period of
about seven to nine months, beginning in July or August and continuing
until around April or May.
The plagues may be viewed as God's intervention to seek the release of
the Hebrew people. They also represented God's challenge to the Egyptian
religious system. To the Egyptians, the Nile River was a god. >From
it came the power and life of the Egyptian culture. They worshiped the
Nile and the abundance of resources that it provided. Since the first
nine plagues seem to be a natural progression of God's attack on the
Nile River, all of these plagues relate to God's challenge to the
Egyptian religious system.
Following are the ten plagues, as recorded in Ex 7:14-12:30:
1. The Water of the Nile Turned into Blood (Ex 7:14-25). This
first plague probably was the pollution of the Nile River by large
quantities of fine, red earth, brought down from the Sudan and Ethiopia
by abnormal flooding. The pollution of the water provided a favorable
environment for the growth of micro-organisms and parasitic bacteria.
Their presence could have led to the death of the fish in the river (Ex
7:21).
ln addition to depriving Egypt of water and fish-an important part of
their diet-the plague also had a religious effect. The Nile River, god
of the Egyptians, had been confronted by the power of the Redeemer God
of the Hebrew people.
2. Frogs Cover the Land (Ex 8:1-15). Seven days after the first
plague, frogs came out of the river and infested the land. The frogs
would have been driven from the Nile and its canals and pools by the
polluted water. When Moses prayed to God, the frogs died in the houses,
courtyards, and fields. The frogs were symbols of the Egyptian goddess,
Heqt, who was supposed to help women in childbirth. This plague was
another demonstration of the superior power of God over the gods of
Egypt.
3. Lice Throughout the Land (Ex 8:16-19). Insects of various
kinds are common in Egypt. It is not easy to identify the exact pests
involved in the third and fourth plagues. Various translations have lice
(KJV, NKJV), gnats (NASB, RSV, NIV), maggots (NEB), and sand flies and
fleas (RSV).
4. Swarms of Flies (Ex 8:20-32). Many kinds of flies are common
in Egypt. The mounds of decaying frogs would have provided an ideal
breeding ground for these pests. Some scholars suggest that the swarms
mentioned here were a species known as the stable-fly, a blood feeder
that bites man as well as cattle. This fly is a carrier of skin anthrax,
which is probably the disease brought on by the sixth plague.
5. Pestilence of Livestock (Ex 9:1-7). Either the frogs or the
insects may have been the carriers of this infection. The livestock of
the Israelites were miraculously protected (Ex 9:6-7). This was the
second time God had made a distinction between the Israelites and the
Egyptians in the plagues which He sent (Ex 8:22-23).
6. Boils on Man and Beast (Ex 9:8-12). This infection was
probably skin anthrax, carried by the flies of the fourth plague. The
festering boils broke into blisters and running sores.
7. Heavy Hail, with Thunder and Lightning (Ex 9:13-35). Egypt was
essentially an agricultural country. By destroying the crops, this
plague and the next struck at the heart of Egypt's economy. Moses'
warning gave the Egyptians a chance to save their remaining livestock,
and some acted upon it (Ex 9:19-20). The severe storm caused great
destruction (Ex 9:24-25). The flax and barley were ruined, but not the
wheat because it had not yet been planted (Ex 9:31-32). This would
suggest early February as the time of this plague. Again the Israelites
received special protection. There was no hail in the land of Goshen,
where the Hebrews lived (Ex 9:26).
8. Swarm of Locusts (Ex 10:1-20). The destruction from the
previous plague was fresh in the minds of Pharaoh's advisors (Ex 10:7).
The eighth plague must have followed the hail very closely. Heavy
rainfall in July-September would have produced conditions favorable for
locusts in March. These locusts, swarms of foliage-eating grasshoppers,
probably were driven into the Egyptian delta by strong winds. They wiped
out the vegetation that had survived the earlier destruction. Again, as
after the seventh plague, Pharaoh confessed "I have sinned"
(Ex 10:16). But again, after the plague was withdrawn, Pharaoh hardened
his heart and would not let the children of Israel go (Ex 10:20).
9. Three Days of Darkness (Ex 10:21-29). This darkness could have
been caused by a severe dust storm. For three days darkness covered the
land (Ex 10:23). This storm would have been intensified by fine earth
deposited over the land by previous flooding. This plague probably
occurred in March. Again, the Israelites were spared the effects (Ex
10:23). By showing God's power over the light of the sun-represented by
one of Egypt's chief deities, the sun-god Ra-this plague was a further
judgment on the idolatry of the Egyptians.
10. Death of Egyptian Firstborn (Ex 11:1-12:30). The tenth plague
was the most devastating of all-the death of the firstborn in Egyptian
families. The Hebrews were spared because they followed God's command to
sprinkle the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of their houses. The death
angel "passed over" the houses where the blood was
sprinkled-hence, the name PASSOVER for this religious observance among
the Jewish people. Only a supernatural explanation can account for the
selective slaughter of the tenth plague.
Some people might wonder if such a massive slaughter was really
necessary. But Pharaoh had been given ample warning (Ex 4:23). He had
seen many demonstrations of God's reality and power, and yet he had
refused to acknowledge Him. Although Pharaoh wavered at times and
promised to release the Israelites (Ex 8:8,28; 9:28), once the danger
passed he changed his mind (Ex 8:15,32; 9:34-35). Because he rejected
the power of God, Pharaoh was forced to face one final, terrible
manifestation of God's power. The deliverance of the Hebrews from
slavery in Egypt was one of the most memorable occasions in Hebrew
history. The Passover Feast was observed annually as a celebration of
God's deliverance of His people from bondage.
(from
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson
Publishers)
Amos 4:
11 I have overthrown
some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a
firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me,
saith the LORD.
12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do
this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
The events of
these last days will happen suddenly...quickly.
"prepare to
meet thy God, O Israel"
Israel has been warned, over and over again.
These will be their last warnings, for the time of judgement shall soon
be upon these children of Israel.
Remember, YHVH expects more from those who HE chose to be YAHSHUA'S
'family' in this earth age.
HE has blessed them more that any other people, therefore, they are held
at a higher level of responsibility.
Amos 4:
13 For, lo, he that
formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man
what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon
the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.
KJV
"I am who I am" ...
YHVH
"I AM"
"Yahoveh Elohe Israel" ...
LORD GOD of Israel
"YAH"
"EL"
"Glory" (Shekinah)
"King"
"Branch of Righteousness"
Father (Matt 5:16; 28:19)
Abba (Mark 14:36; Gal 4:6)
Jesus (YAHSHUA)
is known as Son (Matt 11:27)
Son of God (John 9:35)
Son of man (Matt 8:20)
Messiah (John 1:41)
Lord (Rom 14:8)
Word (John 1:1)
Wisdom (1 Cor 1:30)
Bridegroom (Mark 2:19)
Shepherd (John 10:11)
Vine (John 15:1)
Light (John 1:9)
"I AM" (John 8:12).
The Holy Spirit is known as the Helper
(John 14:16).
Plus many more ....
Dearest
brethren, my friends, my family,
Have you any questions on Amos, chapters 1 through 4?
Are you seeing those prophesies from Amos, which have already begun to
be fulfilled?
Can you also see the sequence of events that were foretold to us that
shall be completed before this earth age is finished?
FATHER has told us all things...and, HE has given us 'eyes to see' these
things, and 'ears to hear' these things.
------
Some of you may also have already been witness to FATHER bringing
"strong delusion" upon some who had once proclaimed that they
understood HIS truth.
2 Thess 2:7-13
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he
who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that
they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you
to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth: KJV
Remember: "many be called, but few
chosen".
Matt 20:16
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called,
but few chosen. KJV
What is it which would cause these, who had at one time knew YHVH'S
Truth and Holy Plan, to turn from YHVH'S Truth to deception?
It is referred to as 'apostasy'; many have been apostatized of late.
Apostasy is 'a renunciation or abandonment of a former loyalty, such as
to YHVH'S Truth'.
NT:646
apostasia (ap-os-tas-ee'-ah); feminine of the same as NT:647; defection
from truth (properly, the state) ["apostasy"]:
KJV - falling away, forsake.
NT:647
apostasion (ap-os-tas'-ee-on); neuter of a (presumed) adj. from a
derivative of NT:868; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially)
divorce:
KJV - (writing of) divorcement.
NT:868
aphistemi (af-is'-tay-mee); frm NT:575 and NT:2476; to remove, i.e.
(actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert,
etc.:
KJV - depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdrawself.
(Biblesoft's
New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded
Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International
Bible Translators, Inc.)
Some may have had so much 'self-pride' in themselves, that their
minds/spirits became open to influences by evil spirits. This is what
happened to Judas...Satan's evil spirit entered his
mind...why?...because Judas thought that he could change GOD'S Plan.
This type of arrogance will allow Satan's evil spirit and the spirits of
his fallen angels to enter into the minds of these people.
And, this is 'when' and 'how' many of them became apostatized.
How many people have you heard declaring that they are 'Elect'?
One can know that they are doing their best to serve YHVH, but no one
can say that they are of YAHSHUA'S 'Election of Grace', until the
sealing is completed. And, no one can claim to be of YHVH'S Elect
Zadok Priesthood, until their sealing is completed.
Why?
Until the specific time, in which the 'sealing is completed', according
to FATHER'S HOLY Plan and Timing, there is still room for one to fall
away from HIS HOLY Truth.
When the "sealing" is completed, then there is no one nor
nothing that can which can remove FATHER'S 'seal of approval' and
HIS 'mark of protection', except YHVH, HIMSELF.
The evil spirits of Satan and his fallen angels, entering into the minds
of prideful or uncovered people, causes the indivudual to commit
apostasy.
Therefore, these were never of YHVH'S/YAHSHUA'S "Elect", even
though they may have claimed to be.
If a servant knows YHVH'S Truth, continues in HIS Truth, brings forth
goodly works, according to YHVH'S Will, knows YHVH'S HOLY Plan and the
sequence of events (Satan coming first, disguised as 'Jesus'), and
FATHER places HIS 'Seal' upon the servant, then (and only then), can
this servant be earnestly and honestly called "Elect".
Prov 11:2
2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
KJV
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