And the measures and matters of The Truth of the "time" we are in ...how "man" ..."thought to change time and times ... storm city and unworthy merchants ... Dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day. The Lord is not slack to fulfil his promise, as some men count slackness: but is patient to us ward, and would have no man lost, but would receive all men to repentance. creteis@yahoo.com Behold in a nightmare of the nigh season of the season of man ...i was taken in to and shown an city and the merchants ..within ...and an horrible storm come ....
and it was like any day that might be had ...within ...in and of the world ...and peoples shopping ...for things and looking to measures of matters to increase their goods ...
and the city was an hive of activity ...and i was taken to see see an merchant ...and the merchant was talking to me ...and gesturing at me ...and writing things dowwn ..and very busy was he ..over me ...and doing ..and speaking things ..i understood not ...
and i wondered a mighty wonder before God my father and Jesus my brother and Lord ...and in an instant ...like the matters of my wondering were known afore hand ...and answer prepared before i asked ....
and was given me ...saying that this merchant "builds a billing on me" ...and that i also wondered upon ...
and again was shown me the more ...for my needs be meant nothing to the unworthy merchant ...neither did i mean anything ...no nothing at all ...
only measure of matters ...within the unworthy merchant was to ...build a billing ...on me ...make me a sorce of money for him ...no matter waht it took ...no matter what it reqired ...no matter to him of anything so long as he accomplished it ...
and of any and all "in" formation ..about me ...measures of matters ...he collected ...and used to make any money at all even the slightest amount ...sly est ...did he cunningly look to ...
and it was like ...he wanted to get me ...in ...in his system ...and spoke as much ...
and said this before i was able to buy anything ...and of truth these do this "in" between ...amongst themselves ...before the buy or sell to one another ...
Now i was sore vexed ..and left the merchants web ...and went outside and into the street ...
and behold there were storms ...and mighty winds ...like many whirl winds ...and destroying ...and destruction ...and danger ..even unto death ...
and i looked and was the more astounded ...for very few if any of the peoples ...coming "in" to the city ...could see the storm or the destruction therein ...
and i tryed to warn any ..and was mostly ignored ...and tushed ...and told to get out of their way ...their way for they were looking for a place to park ...
and i left the city and the measures of the matters of the unworthy merchants ...
and the storm raged on ...and the destruction ...yet few paid any attention ...
and the name of the city was La Cross ...
and came to back ...back to rememberance ...of the cross ...and thirty silver plates ...and Esau
the Prophet Esai 40 (Isaiah) Be of good cheer my people, be of good cheer, ( saith your God ) Comfort Jerusalem, and tell her, that her travail is at an end, that her offense is pardoned, that she hath received of the Lords hand sufficient correction for all her sins. A voice crieth: Prepared the way *for the Lord in the wilderness, make straight the path for our God in the desert. Let all valleys be exalted, and every mountain and hill layed low. What so is crooked, let it be made straight, and let the rough places be made plain fields. For the glory of God shall appear, and all flesh shall see it. For why? The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
The same voice spake: Now cry. And I said: What shall I cry? Then spake it: That all flesh is grass, and that all the beauty thereof, is as the flower of the field. When the grass withereth, the flower faileth away. Even so is, the people as grass, when the *breath of the Lord bloweth upon *them. Nevertheless, whether the grass wither, or the flower fade away: Yet the word of our God endureth forever. Moreover the voice cried thus: Go up unto the hill ( O Sion ) thou that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with power, O thou preacher Jerusalem. Lift it up without fear, and say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God, behold the Lord, even the Allmighty will come with power, and shall beare rule with his arm. Behold, he bringeth his treasure with him, and his works go before him. He shall gather the lambs together with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall kindly entreat those that beare young.
Who hath holden the waters in his fist? Who hath measured heaven with his span, and hath comprehended all the earth of the world in three fingers? Who hath weighed the mountains and the hills? Or who is of his counsel to teach him? And who hath he asked counsel, to make him understand, and to learn him the way of judgement: to teach him science: and to instruct him in the way of understanding. Behold, all people are in comparison of him, as a drop to a bucket full, and are counted as the least thing that the balance weigheth. Behold, the Isles are in comparison of him, as the shadow of the *son beam. Libanus is not sufficient to minister fire for his offering, and all the beasts thereof are not enough to one sacrifice. All people in comparison of him are reckoned as nothing, yee vain vanity and emptiness.
To whom then will ye liken God? or what similitude will ye set up unto him? Shall the carver make him a carved image? and shall the goldsmith cover him with gold, or cast him into a form of silver plates? Moreover shall the image maker, that the poor man which is despoiled, may have something to set up also, seek out and choose a tree, that is not rotten, and carve thereout an image, that moveth not? Know ye not this ? Heard ye never of it ? Hath it not been preached unto you since the beginning? Have ye not been enformed of this since the foundation of the earth was layed: That he sitteth upon the circle of the world, and all the inhabitors of the world are in comparison of him, but as grasshoppers: That he spreadeth out the heavens as a *covering that he stretcheth them out, as a tent to dwell in: That he bringeth Princes to nothing, and the judges of the earth to dust: so that they be not planted, nor sown again, neither their stock rooted again in the earth? For as soon as he bloweth upon them, they wither and fade away like the straw in a whirlwind.
To whom now will ye liken me, and whom shall I be like, sayeth the holy one? Lift up your eyes on high, and consider. Who hath made those things, which come out by some great heaps? and can he call them all by names. For their is nothing hid unto the greatness of his power, strength, and might. Now then may Jacob think, or how may Israel say: My ways are hid from the Lord, and my God knoweth not my judgments. Knowest thou not, or hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, which made all the corners of the earth, is neither weary nor faint: and that his wisdom can not be comprehended? but that he giveth strength to the weary, and power to the faint, and the strongest men fall: But unto them that have the Lord before their eyes, shall strength be increased, Eagles wings shall grow upon them: When they run, they shall not fall: and when they go, they shall not be weary.
Prepared the way *for (kjv and other bibles of man =of) the Lord in the wilderness *breath ( kjv and other bibles of man =the spirit) upon *them.(kjv and other bibles of man = it) This is the exact spelling; son. RN *covering (kjv and other bibles of man = curtain)
Matthew 27 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people held a counsel against Jesus, to put him to death, and brought him bound and delivered him unto Pontius Pilate the *deputy.
Then when Judas which betrayed him, saw that he was condemned, he repented himself, and brought again the thirty plates of silver to the chief Priests and elders saying: I have sinned betraying the innocent blood. And they said: what is that to us? See thou to that. And he cast down the silver plates in the temple and departed, and went and hung himself.
And the chief priest took the silver plates and said: it is not lawful for to put them in to the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them a potters field to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field is called the field of blood, until this day. Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet saying: and they took thirty silver plates, the price of him that was valued whom they bought of the children of Israel, and they gave them for the potters field, as the Lord appointed me. Jesus stood before the *deputy: and the deputy asked him saying: art thou the king of the Jews: Jesus said unto him: Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him: hearest thou not, how many things they lay against thee? And he answered him never a word: in so much that the deputy marvelled greatly.
At that feast, the deputy was wont to deliver unto the people a prisoner, whom they would desire. He had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. And when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them: whether will ye that I give loose unto you, Barabbas or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew well, that for envy they had delivered him.
When he was set down to give judgement his wife sent to him saying: have thou nothing to do with that just man. For I have suffered many things this day in a dream about him. But the chief priests and the elders had persuaded the people, that they should ask Barabbas, and should destroy Jesus. Then the deputy answered and said unto them: whether of the *twain will ye that I let loose unto you? And they said, Barabbas. Pilate said unto them: what shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all said to him: let him be crucified. Then said the deputy: what evil hath he done? And they cried the more saying: let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he prevailed nothing but that more business was made, he took water and washed his hands before the people saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just person, and that ye shall see. Then answered all the people and said: his blood be on us, and on our children. Then let he Barabbas loose unto them, and scourged Jesus, and delivered him to be crucified.
Then the soldiers of the deputy took Jesus unto the common hall, and gathered unto him all the company. And they stripped him and put on him a purple robe, and *plaited a crown of thorns and put upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and bowed their knees before him, and mocked him, saying: hail king of the Jews: and spitted upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.
And when they had mocked him, they took the robe off him again, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyren, named Simon: him they compelled to bear his cross. And when they came unto the place, called Golgotha (that is to say, a place of dead mens skulls) they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with *gall. And when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
When they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did cast lots: to fulfil that was spoken by the Prophet: They divided my garments among them: and upon my vesture did cast lots. And they sat and watched him there and they set up over his head the cause of his death written: This is Jesus the king of the Jews. And there were two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
They that passed by, reviled him wagging their heads and saying: Thou that destroyest the temple of God and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the high priests mocking him with the Scribes and elders said: He saved other, him self he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God, let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the son of God. That same also the thieves which were crucified with him, cast in his teeth.
From the sixth hour was there darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lama asbathani. That is to say, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said: This man calleth for *Helias. And straight way one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. Other said, let be: let us see whether *Helias will come and deliver him. Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up the ghost.
And behold the veil of the temple did rent in *twain from the top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the stones did rent and graves did open: and the bodies of many saints which slept, arose and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and came into the holy city, and appeared unto many. When the Centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things which happened, they feared greatly, saying, Of a surety this was the son of God.
And many women were there, beholding him afar off, which followed Jesus from Galile, ministering unto him. Among which was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedes children. When the evening was come, there came a rich man of Arimathia named Joseph, which same also was Jesus disciple. He went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and put it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out, even in the rock, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre and departed. And there was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre. The next day that followeth the day of preparing the Saboth, the high priests and Pharisees got themselves to Pilate and said: Sir, we remember, that this deceiver said while he was yet alive. After three days I will arise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest peradventure his disciples come and steal him away and say unto the people, he is risen from death, and the last error be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them. Take watchmen: Go, and make it as sure as ye can. And they went and made the sepulchre sure with watchmen, and sealed the stone.
* deputy: exact text: debite; from the Latin meaning to keep accounts of debts, today these are kept on the left of the ledger. Official listener to quarrels. *twain (two) *plaited: braided. *gall: bitter, poison from the Hebrew. *Helias (Elias).
and of Esau
The First Book of Moses 25 ( also called Genesis if from the Latin ) Abraham took him another wife called Ketura, which bare him Simran, Jacksan, Medan, Midian, Jesback and Suah. And Jacksan begat Seba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Assurim, Letusim and Leumim. And the sons of Midian were Epha, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Elda. All these were the children of Ketura. But Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. And unto the sons of his concubines he gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son (while he yet lived) eastward, unto the east country.
These are the days of the life of Abraham which he lived: an hundred and seventy five years and then fell sick and died, in a lusty age (when he had lived enough) and was put unto his people. And his sons Isaac and Ismael buried him in the double cave in the field of Ephron son of Zoar the Hethite before Mamre. Which field Abraham bought of the sons of Heth: There was Abraham buried and Sara his wife. And after the death of Abraham God blessed Isaac his son, which dwelled by the well of the living and seeing.
These are the generations of Ismael Abrahams son, which Hagar the Egyptian Saras handmaid bare unto Abraham. And these are the names of the sons of Ismael, with their names in their kindreds. The eldest son of Ismael, Nevaioth, then Cedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Misma, Duma, Masa, Hadar, Thema, Jetur, Naphis and Kedma. These are the sons of Ismael, and these are their names, in their towns and castles twelve princes of nations. And these are the years of the life of Ismael, an hundred and thirty seven years, and then he fell sick and died, and was laid unto his people. And he dwelt from Evila unto Sur that is before Egypt, as men go toward the Assyrians. And he died in the presence of all his brethren.
And these are the generations of Isaac Abrahams son: Abraham begat Isaac. And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebecca to wife the daughter of Bethuel the Sirian of Mesopotamia and sister to Laban the Sirian.
And Isaac made intercession unto the Lord for his wife: because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebecca his wife conceived: and the children strove together within her. Then she said: if it should go so to pass, what helpeth it that I am with child? And she went and asked the Lord. And the Lord said unto her: there are two manner of people in thy womb, and two nations shall spring out of thy bowels, and the one nation shall be mightier than the other, and the eldest shall be servant unto the younger.
And when her time was come to be delivered: behold there were two twins in her womb. And he that came out first was red and rough over all as it were an hide: and they called his name Esau. And afterward his brother came out, and his hand holding Esau by the heel. Wherefore his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was forty years old when she bare them: and the boys grew, and Esau became a cunning hunter and a tillman. But Jacob was a simple man, and dwelled in the tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison, but Rebecca loved Jacob.
Jacob boiled pottage, and Esau came from the field and was fainty, and said to Jacob: let me sip of the red pottage, for I am fainty. And therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said: sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau answered: Lo I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do me? And Jacob said: swear to me then this day. And he swore to him, and sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of red rice. And he ate and drank and rose up, and went his way. And so Esau regarded not his birthright.
the Prophet Jeremie 49 As concerning the Ammonites, thus the Lord sayeth: Hath Israel no children, or is he without an heir? Why hath your king then taken Gad in? Wherefore doth his people dwell in his cities? Behold therefore, the time cometh ( saith the Lord ) that I will bring a noise of war into Rabah of the Ammonites. Lahel shall be desolate, and her cities burnt up: and the Israelites shall be lords over those that had them in possession afore, saith the Lord. The cities of Rabah shall cry out, and gird themselves with sackcloth: they shall mourn, and run about the walls: for their king shall be led away prisoner: yee his priests and princes with him.
Wherefore trusteth thou in the water streams that flow to and fro, O thou fierce daughter: and thinkest thou art so safe ( by reason of thy treasure ) that no man shall come to thee?
Behold, I will bring a fear upon thee, saith the Lord God of Hosts, from all those that be about thee: so that ye shall be scattered every man from another, and no man shall gather them together again that be fled. But after that, I will bring the Ammonites also out of captivity again.
Upon the Edomites hath the Lord of Hosts spoken on this manner: Is there no wisdom in Thema? Is there no more good counsel among his people? Is their wisdom then turned clean to nought? Get you hence, turn your backs creep down into the deep, O ye citizens of Dedan.
For I will bring destruction upon Esau, ye and the day of his visitation. If the grape gathers come upon thee, should they not leave some grapes? If the night robbers came upon thee, should they not take so much as they thought were enough?
But I will make Esau bare, and discover his secrets, so that he shall not be able to hide them. His seed shall be wasted away yee his brethren and his neighbors, and he himself shall not be left behind.
Thou shalt leave thy fatherless children behind thee, and I will keep them and thy widows shall take their comfort in me. For thus hath the Lord spoken: Behold, they that men thought were *unmete to drink of the cup, have drunken with the first: and thinkest thou then to be free?
No, no: thou shalt neither be quiet nor free, but thou must drink also: For why, I have sworn by myself ( sayeth the Lord ) that Bozrah shall become a wilderness, an open shame, a laughing stock and cursing: and her cities shall be a continual desert.
For I am perfectly informed of the Lord, that he hath sent a message all ready unto the Heathen. Gather you together, and go forth against them: make you ready to battle, for, lo: I will make thee but small among the Heathen, and little regarded among men.
Thy high stomach and pride of thy heart have deceived thee, Because thou wilt dwell in the holes of stony rocks, and have the high mountains in possession. Nevertheless though thy nest were as high as the *Aegles, yet will I cast thee down, saith the Lord. Moreover Idumea shall be a wilderness: who so goeth by it, shall be abashed, and wonder at all her miserable plagues. Like as Sodom, Gomor, and the cities that lay there about, were turned up side down ( saith the Lord ) so shall no body dwell in Idumea, and no man shall have his habitation there. Behold, like as the Lion cometh up from the pleasant meadows of Jordan unto the green pastures of Etham, so will i drive him, and make him turn against her. But who is the young man that I will ordain thereto? Who is like unto me? What is he that will strive with me? What shepherd may stand in my hands?
Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord, that he hath taken upon Idumea: and his purpose, that he hath devised upon the citizens of Theman: The least of the flock shall tear them in pieces, and look what fair thing they have, they shall make it waste, and themselves also. At the noise of their fall, the earth shall quake, the cry of their voice shall be heard to the red sea. Behold, the enemy shall come and fly up hither, like as it were an *Aegle and spread his wings upon *Bozrah. Then shall the hearts of the worthies in Edom be as the heart of a woman travailing with child. Upon Damascus, Hamath and Arphad shall come confusion, for they shall hear evil tidings: they shall be tossed to and fro like the sea that can not stand still. Damascus shall be sore afraid, and shall flee, trembling shall come upon her. Sorrow and pain shall over take her as a woman travailing of child. But how should so worshipful and glorious a city be forsaken? Hear therefore: her young men shall fall in the streets, and all her men of war shall be taken away in that time, sayeth the Lord of Hosts. I will kindle a fire in the walls of Damascus, which shall consume the palace of Benhadad.
As for Cedar and kingdom of Hazor, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon smote down, the Lord hath spoken thus upon them: Arise, and get you up to Cedar, and destroy the people toward the east. Their tents and their flocks shall they take away, yee their hangings and their vessel. Their Camels also shall they carry away with them. Then shall come about them on every side with a fearful cry.
Flee, get you soon away, creep into caves, that ye may dwell there: O yee inhabitantors of Hazor, saith the Lord. For Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon hath holden a counsel concerning you, and concluded his devise against you. Arise, and get you up against yonder rich and careless people ( sayeth the Lord ) which have neither gates nor door bars, and dwell not together. Their camels shall be stolen, and the droves of their cattle driven away.
Moreover, these that be shaven will I scatter toward all the winds, and bring them to destruction: yee and that through their own familiars, saith the Lord. Hazor also shall be a dwelling for Dragons, and an everlasting wilderness: so that no body shall dwell there, and no man shall have there his habitation.
These are the words, that the Lord spake to the prophet Jeremy concerning Elam, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah King of Judah. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts: Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, and take away their strength: and upon Elam I will bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them against the same the same four winds: And there shall be no people, but some of them shall flee unto them.
For I will cause Elam to be afraid of their enemies, and of them that seek their lives: and will bring upon them the indignation of my wrath, saith the Lord. And I will persecute them with the sword so long till I have brought them to naught. I will set my stool in Elam, I will destroy both the king and the princes from thence, saith the Lord. But in the process of time, I will bring Elam out of captivity again, saith the Lord.
*unmete (not worthy) *Aegles (eagles) note Cap A and see Eagle in 4th Esdras and Revelation. *Bozrah note; modern day Bozrah.
the Prophet Abdy 1 (Obadiah) This is the vision that was showed unto Abdy: Thus hath the Lord God spoken upon Edom: We have heard of the Lord that there is an assemblage sent among the Heathen: Up, let us arise, and fight against them. Behold I will make thee small among the Heathen, so that thou shall be utterly despised. The pride of thy heart hath lift thee up, thou that dwellest in the strongholds of stone, and hast made thee an high seat: Thou sayest in thine heart: who shall cast me down to the ground? But though thou wentest up as high as an Eagle, and madest thy nest above among the stars: yet would I pluck thee down from thence. If the thieves and robbers came to thee by night, thou taking thy rest: should they not steal, till they had enough? If the grape gatherers came upon thee, would they not leave thee some grapes? But how shall they rip Esau, and seek out his treasures?
Yee the men that were sworn unto thee, shall drive thee out of the borders of thine own land. They that now be at one with thee, shall deceive thee, and overcome thee: Even they that eat thy bread, shall betray thee, or ever thou perceive it. Shall not I at the same time destroy the wise men of Edom, and those that have understanding, from the mount of Esau? Thy giants ( O Theman ) shall be afraid, for through the slaughter they shall be all over thrown upon the mount of Esau. Shame shall come upon thee, for the malice that thou showed to thy brother Jacob: yee for ever more shalt thou perish, and that because of the time, when thou didest set thy self against him, even when the enemies carried away his host, and when the *aleauntes came in at his ports, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, and thou thyself was one of them.
Thou shalt no more see the day of thy brother, thou shalt no more behold the time of his captivity: thou shalt no more rejoice over the children of Juda, in the day of their destruction, thou shall triumph no more in the time of their trouble. Thou shalt no more come in at the gates of my people, in the time of their decay: thou shalt not see their misery in the day of their fall.
Thou shalt send no man against their host, in the day of their adversary: neither shalt thou stand waiting any more at the corners of the streets, to murder such as are fled, or to take them prisoners, that remain in the day of their trouble. For the day of the Lord is hard upon all the Heathen. Like as thou hast done, so shalt thou be dealt withal, yee thou shalt be rewarded even upon thy head. For like wise as ye have drunken upon mine holy hill, so shall all the Heathen drink continually: yee drink shall they, and swallow up, so that ye shall be, as though ye had never been.
But upon the mount Sion, there shall a remnant escape: these shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess even those, that had afore in possession. Moreover, the house of Jacob shall be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau the straw: which they shall kindle and consume, so that nothing shall be left of the house of Esau, for the Lord himself has said it. They of the South shall have the mount of Esau in possession: and look what layeth upon the ground, that shall the Philistines have: the plain fields shall Ephraim and Samaria possess: and the mountains of Galaad shall Benjamin have. And this host shall be the children of Israels prisoners: Now what so layeth from Canaan unto Zareptah, and in Sepharad, that shall be under the subjection of Jerusalem: and the cities of the south shall inherit it. Thus they that escape upon the hill of Sion, shall go up to punish the mount of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lords.
*aleauntes=aliens ; from the roots of alienus/alius..Hebrew root "man" mortal man, incurable wickedness.
the Prophet Malachi 1 The heavy burden, which the Lord showed against Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the Lord: And yet ye say: wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacobs brother, saith the Lord? yet have I loved Jacob, and hated Esau: yee I have made his hills waste, and his heritage a wilderness for dragons. And though Edom said: well, we are destroyed, we will go build up again the places that be layed waste: yet ( sayeth the Lord of hosts ) what they builded, that brake I down: so that it is called a cursed land, and people, whom the Lord hath ever been angry withal.
Your eyes have seen it, and ye your selves must confess, that the Lord hath brought the land of Israel to great honor. Should not a son honor his father, and a servant his master? If I be now a father, where is mine honor? If I be the Lord, where am I feared? sayeth the Lord of hosts.
Now to you priests, that despise my name. And if ye say: wherein have we despised thy name? In this, that ye * offer unclean bread upon my altar. And if ye will say: wherein have we offered any unclean thing unto the? In this that ye say: the altar of the Lord is not to be regarded. If ye offer the blind, is that not evil? And if yee offer the lame and sick, is that not evil? Yee offer it unto thy prince, shall he be content with thee, or except thy person, sayeth the Lord of hosts?
And now make your prayer before God, that he may have mercy upon us: for such things have yee done. Shall he regard your persons, think ye, sayeth the Lord of hosts? Yee what is he among you, that will do so much as shut the doors, or to kindle fire upon mine alter for nought? I have no pleasure in you, sayeth the Lord of hosts: and as for the meatoffering, I will not accept it at your hand. For the rising up of the son unto the going down of the same, my name is great among the Gentiles: yee in every place shall there be sacrifice be done, and a clean meatoffering offered up to my name: for my name is great among the Heathen, sayeth the Lord of hosts. But yee have unhallowed it, in that ye say, the alter of the Lord is not regarded, and * the thing that is set thereupon , not worthy to be eaten.
Now say ye: It is but labor and travail, and thus have ye thought scorn at it (sayeth the Lord of hosts ) offering robbery, yee the lame and sick. Ye have brought me in a meatoffering, should I accept it of your hand sayeth the Lord? Cursed be the dissembler, which has in his flock one that is male, and when he maketh a vow, offereth a spotted one unto the Lord. For I am a great king (sayeth the lord of hosts) and my name is fearful among the Heathen.
* to offer defiled bread is to do anything by hypocrisy and not to the glory of God, as hath been commanded in his word, but according to the inventions and dreams of men. Oseas 9 MN * Or his word and his meat are despised.
The Fourth Book of Esdras 3 In the third year of the fall of the city, I was at Babylon, and lay troubled upon my bed, and my thoughts came up over my heart: for I saw the desolation of Sion, and the plenteous wealth of them that dwelt at Babylon: and my spirit was sore moved, so that I began to speak fearful words to the most highest, and said: O' Lord, Lord, thou spakest at the beginning, when thou planted the earth ( and that thyself alone) and gavest commandment unto the people, and a body unto Adam, which was a creature of thy hands, and hast breathed in him the breath of life: and so he lived before thee, and thou leadest him into paradise, which garden of pleasure thy right hand had planted, or ever the earth was made. And unto him thou gavest the commandment to love thy ways, which he transgressed, and immediately thou appointedest death in him, and in his generations. Of him came nations, tribes, people and kindreds out of number. And every people walked after their own will, and did nice things before thee: and as for thy commandments, they despised them.
But in process of time thou broughtest the water flood, upon those that dwelt in the world, and destroyed them. And like as the death was in Adam, so was the water flood also in these. Nevertheless one of them thou leftest: namely Noe with his household, of whom came all righteous men. And it happened that when they that dwell upon the earth, began to multiply, and had gotten many children, and where a great people, they began to be more ungodly than the first.
Now when they all lived so wickedly before thee, thou chose thee a man from among them, whos name was Abraham. Him thou lovest, and unto him only thou showest thy will, and made an everlasting covenant with him, promising him, that thou wouldest never forsake his seed. And unto him thou gavest Isaac, unto Isaac also thou gavest Jacob and Esau. As for Jacob thou didest choose him, and put back Esau. And so Jacob became a great multitude.
And it happened that when thou leadest his feet out of Egypt, thou broughtest them up to the mount Sion, bowing down the heavens, setting fast the earth, moving the ground, making the depths to shake, and troubling the world: And thy glory went through four ports of fire, and earthquakes, and winds, and cold: that thou mayest give the law unto the seed of Jacob, and diligence unto the generation of Israel.
And yet tookest thou not away from them that wicked heart, that thy law might bring forth fruit in them. For the first Adam bear a wicked heart, transgressed, and was overcome, and so be all that were born of him. Thus remained weakness with the law in the heart of the people, with the wickedness of the root: so that the good departed away, and the evil abode still. So the times past and fled away, and the years were brought to an end. Then didest thou raise up a servant called David, whom thou commandest to build a city unto thy name, and to offer up incense and sacrifice unto thee therein. This was done now many years. Then the inhabitors of the city forsook thee, and in all things did even as Adam and all his generations had done: for they also had a wicked heart.
And so thou gavest the city over into the hands of thine enemies. Are they of Babylon then better and more righteous then thy people, that they shall therefore have the dominion of Sion: For when I came there, and saw their ungodliness, and so great wickedness, that it could not be numbered: yee when my soul saw so many evil doers ( in the thirty year) my heart failed me, for I saw, how thou sufferest them in such ungodliness, and spareth the wicked doers: but thy own people thou hast routed out, and preserved thine enemies, and this thou hast not showed me.
I cannot perceive how this happeneth. Do they of Babylon then better, then they of Sion: Or is there any other people, that knoweth thee, saving the people of Israel? Or what generation hath so believed thy covenants, as Jacob? And yet their reward appeareth not, and their labor hath no fruit. For I have gone here and there through the Heathen, and I see that they be rich and wealthy, and think not upon thy commandments. Weigh thou therefore our wickedness in the balance, and theirs also that dwell in the world, and so shall your name be no where found but in Israel. Or where is there a people upon earth, that has not sinned before thee? Or what people hath so kept thy commandments? Thou shalt find, that Israel by name hath kept thy precepts, but not the other people and the Heathen.
The Fourth Book of Esdras 6 And he said unto me: In the beginning when the ground was made: before the world stood, or ever the winds blew, before it thundered and lightened, or ever the foundations of paradise were laid, before the fair flowers were seen, or ever the moveable powers were established, before the innumerable multitude of angels were gathered together, or ever the highness of the air was lifted up, afore the measures of the firmament were named, or ever the chimneys of Sion were hot, and the present years were sought out, and or ever the inventions of those that now sin, were put aside, before they were sealed that now gather faith for a treasure: then did I consider and ponder all these things, and they all were made through me, and through none other: Then answered I and said: which shall be the parting asunder of the times? Or when shall the end of the first, and the beginning of it that followeth? And he said unto me: From Abraham unto Isaac, when Jacob and Esau were born of him, Jacobs hand held first the heel of Esau: for Esau is the end of this world, and Jacob is the beginning of it that followeth. The hand of man between the heel and the hand. Other question ( Esdras ) ask thou not.
I answered then, and said: O' Lord, Lord, if I have found favor in thy sight, I beseech thee, show thy servant the end of the tokens, whereof thou showest me part the last night. So he answered and said unto me: Stand up upon thy feet, and hear the perfect voice and sound. There shall come great motion, but the place where thou standest will not be moved. And therefore when thou hearest the words be not afraid: for of the end shall the word and the foundation of the earth be understand. And why? the word thereof trembleth and quaketh, for it knoweth, that it must be changed at the end. And it happened, that when I heard it, I stood up upon my feet, and harkened: And behold there was a voice that spake, and the sound of it was like the sound of many waters, and it said. Behold, the days come, that I will begin to draw near, and to visit them that dwell upon the earth, and will begin to make inquisition of them, what they be that have hurt equity with unrighteousness, and when the low estate of Sion shall be fulfilled: and when the world, that shall vanish away, shall be oversealed, then will I do these tokens.
The books shall be opened before the firmament, and they shall see altogether, and the children of a year old shall speak with their voices: the women with child shall bring forth untimely children of three or four months old, and they shall live, and be raised up: and suddenly shall the sown places appear as the unsewn, the full store houses shall suddenly be found empty, and the trumpet shall give a sound, which when every man hearth, they shall be hastily afraid. At that time shall friends fight against one another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with them.
The springs of the wells shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run. Whosoever remaineth from all these things that I have told thee, shall escape, and see my salvation, and the end of your world. And the men that are received, shall see it, they that have not tasted death from their birth: and the heart of the indwellers shall be changed, and turned into another meaning: for evil shall be put out, and deceit shall be quenched. As for faith, it shall flourish, corruption shall be over come: and the truth, which hath so long been without fruit, shall be declared. And it happened when he talked with me, that I looked demurely upon him, before whom I stood, and these words said he unto me: I am come to show thee, the time of the night for to come.
If thou will pray yet more, and fast seven days again, I shall tell thee more things, and greater than before: for thy voice is heard before the Highest: for why? the Mighty has seen the righteous dealing, he hath seen also thy chastity, which thou hast had ever since thy youth: and therefore hath he sent me to show thee all these things, and to say unto thee: Be of good comfort, and fear not, and haste not with the times that are past to think vain things, and make not haste of the latter times.
And it happened after this, that I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfill the three weeks, which he told me. In the eighth night was my heart vexed within me again, and I began to speak before the Highest: for my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul was in distress, and I said: O' Lord, thou speakest unto thy creature from the beginning ( even the first day ) and sayest: Let heaven and earth be made, and thy word was a perfect work. And then was there the spirit, and the darkness was yet on every side, and silence: there was no mans voice yet from thee. Then commandest thou a fair light to come forth out of thy treasures, that thy work might appear and be seen.
Upon the second day thou madest the spirit of the firmament, and commandest it to part asunder, and to make a division betwexed the waters, that the one part might remain above, and the other beneath. Upon the third day thou broughtest to pass, that the waters were gathered unto the seventh part of the earth: Six parts hast thou dried up, and kept them, to the intent that men might sew and occupy husbandry therein. As soon as thy word went forth, the work was made. For immediately there was great innumerable fruit, and many diverse pleasures and desires of temptation, flours of changeable color and smell, and this was done the third day.
Upon the fourth day thou commandest that the Sun should giveth his shine, and the moon her light: the stars didest thou set in order, and gavest them a change to do serve even unto man, that was for to be made. Upon the fifth day, thou sayest unto the seventh part ( where the waters were gathered ) that they should bring forth diverse beasts, souls and fishes. And so it came to pass, that the dumb water and without soul, brought forth living beasts, at the commandment of God, that all people might praise his wondrous works. Then didest thou preserve two souls, the one thou callest *Enoch and the other Leviathan, and did separate the one from the other: for the seventh part ( namely where the water was gathered together ) might not hold them both. Unto Enoch thou gavest one part, which was dried up the third day, that he should dwell in the same part, wherein are a thousand hills. But unto Leviathan thou gavest the seventh part, namely the most, and hast kept him to devour what thou wilt, and when. Upon the sixth day thou gavest commandment unto the earth, that before thee it should bring forth beasts, cattle, and all that creep, and ( besides this ) Adam also, who thou madest of all the creatures: Of him come we all, and the people also, whom thou hast chosen specially unto thy self. All this have I said now and spoken before thee, that I might show, how that the world was made for our sakes. As for the other people which also come of Adam thou hast said that they are nothing, but be like spittle, and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop ( that falleth ) from the roof of the house.
And now, O Lord, the Heathen which have ever been reputed as nothing, have gone to be lords over us, and to devour us: but we thy people ( whom thou hast called the first born, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover ) are given into their hands and power. If the world be made now for our sakes, why have we not the inheritance in the possession with the world? How long shall this endure?
First Book of Machabees 5 It happened also that when the Heathen round about heard, how that the altar and the Sanctuary were set up in their old estate: it displeased them very sore, wherefore they thought to destroy the generation of Jacob that was among them: In so much that they began to slay and persecute certain of the people. Then Judas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea, and against those which were at Arabathane, ( for they dwelt round about the Israelites) where he slew and spoiled a great multitude of them. He thought also upon the malice and unfaithfulness of the children of Bean, how they were a snare and stop unto the people, and how they layed wait for them in the high way: wherefore he shut them up in to towers, and came unto them, condemned them, and burnt up their towers, with all that were in them.
Afterward went he against the children of Ammon, whereof he found a mighty power and a great multitude of people, with Timothy their captain. So he struck many battles with them, which were destroyed before him. And when he had slayen them, he won Gazer the city, with the towns belonging thereto, and so turned again into Jewry. The Heathen also in Galaad gathered them together, against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to slay them: but they fled to the castle of Datheman, and sent letters unto Judas and his brethren saying: The Heathen are gathered against us on every side, to destroy us, and now they make them for to come and lay siege to the castle, whereunto we are fled, and Timothy is the captain of their Host: come therefore, and deliver us out of their hands: for there is a great multitude of us slain already. Yee, and our brethren that were at Tubin, are slain and destroyed ( well nye a thousand men ) and their wives, their children and their goods have the enemies led away captive.
While these letters were yet a reading, behold, there came other messengers from Galilee, with rent clothes: which told even the same tidings, and said, that they of Ptolomaus, of Tyrus, and of Sidon were gathered against them, and that all Galilee was filled with enemies to destroy Israel. When Judas and the people heard this, they came together ( a great congregation ) to devise, what they might do for their brethren, that were in trouble, and besieged of their enemies. And Judas said unto Simon his brother: Choose thee out certain men, and go and deliver thy brethren in Galilee: As for me and my brother Jonathas, we will go into Galaadithim. So he left Josephus the son of Zachary, and Asarias to be Captains of the people, and to keep the remnant of the Host in Jewry, and commanded them, saying: Take the oversight of this people, and see that ye make no war against the Heathen, until the time that we come again. And unto Simon he gave three thousand men for to go into Galilee, but Judas himself had eight thousand in Galaadithim.
Then went Simon into Galilee, and struck diverse battles with the Heathen: who he discomfited, and followed upon them unto the port of *Ptolemais. And there were slain of the Heathen almost three thousand men. So he took the spoils of them, and carried away the Israelites, that were in Galilee, and in Arbatis, with their wives, their children, and all that they had, and brought them in to Jewry with great gladness. Judas Maccabeus also and his brother Jonathas, went over Jordan, and travelled three days journey in the wilderness: Where the Nebuthees met them, and received them lovingly, and told them every thing that had happened to their brethren in the land of Galaadithim, and how that many of them were besieged in Barasa, Bosor, Alimis, Casphor, Mageth, and Carnaim, ( all these cities are strong walled and mighty great cities ) And that they were kept in other cities of Galaad also: and tomorrow they are appointed to bring their Host unto these cities, to take them and to win them in one day.
So Judas and his host turned in all the haste in the wilderness toward Bosor and won the city, slew all the males with the sword, took all their goods, and set fire upon the city. And in the night they took their journey from thence, and came to the castle. And by times in the morning when they looked up, behold, there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other instruments of war, to take the castle and over come them.
When Judas saw that the battle began, and that the noise thereof went up to heaven, and that there was so great a cry in the city: He said unto his host: Fight this day for your brethren. And so came behind their enemies in three companies, and blew up their trumpets, and cried in their prayer to God.
But as soon as Timothis host perceived that Maccabeus was there, they fled from him, and the other slew them down right sore: so that there were killed of them that same day, almost eight thousand men. Then departed Judas unto Maspha, layed siege to it and won it, slew all the males in it, spoiled it, and set fire upon it. From thence went he and took Casbon, Mageth, Bosor, and the other cities in Galaad.
After this gathered Timothy another Host, which pitched their tents before Raphon beyond the water. Judas sent to spy the host, and they brought him word again, saying: All the Heathen that be round about us, are gathered unto him, and the host is very great: Yee they have hired the Arabians to help them, and have pitched their tents beyond the water, and are ready to come and fight against thee. So Judas went on to meet them.
And Timothy said unto the captains of his host: When Judas and his host come nye the river: if he go over first, we shall not be able to withstand him: for why? he will be too strong for us. But if he dare not come over so that he pitch his tent beyond the water: then we go over, for we shall be strong enough against him. Now as soon as Judas came near to the river, he appointed certain scribes of the people, and commanded them, saying: see that ye leave none behind upon this side of the river, but let every man come to the battle. So he went first over unto them and his people after him.
And all the Heathen were discomfited before him, and let their weapons fall, and ran into the temple that was at Carnaim. Which city Judas won, and burnt the temple with all that were in it: So was Carnaim subdued, and might not withstand Judas. Then Judas gathered all the Israelites that were in Galaadithim, from the least unto the most, with their wives, and their children, ( very great host ) for to come into the land of Israel.
So they came unto Ephron, which was a mighty, great and strong city, and lay in their way. For they could not go by it, neither of the right hand ner of the left, but must go through it. Nevertheless they that were in the city, would not let them go through, but walled up the ports with stones. And Judas sent unto them with peaceable words, saying: Let us pass through your land, that we may go into our own country: there shall no body do you harm, we will but only go through. But they would not let them in.
Wherefore Judas commanded a proclamation to be made throughout the Host, that every man should keep his order: and so they did their best like valiant men.
And Judas besieged the city all that day and all that night, and so won it: where they slew as many as were males, and destroyed the city, and spoiled it, and went through all the city over them that were slain. Then went they over Jordan into the plain field before Bethsan. And Judas helped those forward that came behind, and gave the people good exhortation all the way through, till they were come in to the land of Juda. Thus they went up unto the mount Sion, where they offered with mirth and thanksgiving: because there were none of them slain, but came home again peaceably.
Now what time as Judas and Jonathas were in the land of Galaad, and Simon their brother in Galilee before Ptolomais: Then Josephus the son of Zachary and Asarias the captains, hearing of the acts that were done and the battles that were struck, said: Let us get us a name also, and go fight against the Heathen that are round about us.
So they gave their host a commandment, and went toward Jamniah. Then came Gorgiah and his men out of the city, to fight against them: Josephus also and Asariah were chased unto the borders of Jewry and there were slain that day of the people of Israel two thousand men: so there was a great misery among the people, and all because they were not obedient unto Judas and his brethren, but thought they should quite themselves manfully. Nevertheless they came not of the seed of these men, by whom Israel was helped. But the men that were with Judas, were greatly commended in the sight of all Israel and all Heathen, where so ever their name was heard upon, and the people came unto them biding them welcome.
After this went Judas forth with his brethren, and fought against the children of Esau, in the land that layeth toward the south where he won the city of Hebron and the towns that lay beside it: and as for the walls and towers round about it, he burnt them up. Then removed he to go in to the land of the Philistines, and went through Samaria. At the same time were there many priests slain in the battle, which willfully and without advisement went out for to fight to get them honor. And when Judas came to Azot in the Philistines land, he break down their altars, burned the images of their Idols, spoiled the cities, and came again into the land of Juda.
*Ptolemais. (grk = warlike)
Paul to the Romans 9 I Say the truth in Christ, and lie not, in that whereof my conscience beareth me witness in the holy ghost that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I have wished myself to be cursed from Christ, for my brethren and my kinsmen as pertaining to the flesh, which are the Israelites. To whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the law that was given, and the service of God, and the promises: whose also are the fathers, and they of whom (as concerning the flesh) Christ came, which is God over all things blessed for ever. Amen.
I speak not these things as though the words of God had taken none effect. For they are not all Israelites which came of Israel: neither are they all children straight way because they are the seed of Abraham. But in Isaac shall thy seed be called: that is to say, they which are the children of the flesh, are not the children of God. But the children of promise are counted the seed. For this is a word of promise, about this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.
Neither was it to with her only: but also when Rebecca was with child by one, I mean by our father Isaac, *yer the children were born, when they had neither done good neither bad: that the purpose of God which is by election, might stand, it was said unto her, not by the reason of works, but by grace of the caller: the elder shall serve the younger. As it is written: Jacob he loved, but Esau he hated. What shall we say then? is there any unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses: I will show mercy to whom I show mercy: and will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So lieth it not then in a mans will or cunning, but in the mercy of God. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh even for this same purpose have I stirred thee up, to show my power on thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the world. So hath he mercy on whom he will, and whom he will, he maketh hard hearted.
Thou wilt say then unto me: why then blameth he us yet? For who can resist his will? But O' man, what art thou which disputest with God? Shall the work say to the workman: why hast thou made me on this fashion? Hath not the potter power over the clay, even of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Even so, God willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, suffered with long patience the vessels of wrath, ordained to damnation, that he might declare the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had prepared unto glory: that is to say, us which he called, not of the Jewes only, but also of the gentiles. As he saith in *Osee: I will call them my people which were not my people: and her beloved which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people: that there shall be called the children of the living God.
But Esaias crieth concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet shall a remnant be saved. He finisheth the work verily, and maketh it short in righteousness. For a short word will God make on earth. And as Esaias said before: Except the Lord of Saboth had left us seed, we had been made as *Zodoma, and had been likened to Gomorra.
What shall we say then? We say that the gentiles which followed not righteousness have overtaken righteousness: I mean the righteousness which cometh of faith. But Israel which followed the law of righteousness could not attain unto the law of righteousness. And wherefore? Because they sought it not By faith: but as it were by the works of the law. For they have stumbled at the stumbling stone. As it is written: Behold I put in Sion a stumbling stone, and a rock which shall make men fall. And none that believe on him, shall be ashamed.
*yer (before) *Osee (Oseas, Hosea) *Zodoma (Sodom)
Paul Unto the Hebrews 11 Faith is a sure confidence of things which are hoped for, and a certainty of things which are not seen. By it the elders were well reported of. Through faith we understand that the world was ordained by the word of God and that things which are seen, were made of things which are not seen. By faith Abel offered unto God a more plenteous sacrifice than Cain: by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: by which also he being dead, yet speaketh.
By faith was Enoch translated that he should not see death: neither was he found: for God had taken him away. Before he was taken away, he was reported of, that he had pleased God: but without faith it is unpossible to please him. For he that cometh to God must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.
By faith Noah honoured God, after that he was warned of things which were not seen and prepared the ark to the saving of his household, through the which ark, he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which cometh By faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called obeyed, to go out into a place, which he should afterward receive to inheritance, and he went out not knowing whither he should go.
By faith he removed into the land that was promised him, as into a strange country, and dwelt in tabernacles: and so did Isaac and Jacob heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city having a foundation whose builder and maker is God.
Through faith Sara also received strength to be with child and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful which had promised.
And therefore sprang thereof, one (and of one which was as good as dead) so many in multitude, as the stars of the sky, and as the sand of the seashore which is innumerable.
And they all died in faith, and received not the promises: but saw them afar off, and believed them, and saluted them: and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. They that say such things, declare that they seek a country. Also if they had been mindful of that country, from whence they came out, they had leisure to have returned again: But now they desire a better, that is to say a heavenly. Wherefore God is not ashamed of them, even to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham offered up Isaac, when he was tempted, and he offered him being his only begotten son, which had received the promises of whom it was said, in Isaac shall thy seed be called: for he considered that God was able to raise up again from death. Therefore received he him, for an example. In faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph, and bowed himself toward the top of his sceptre.
By faith Joseph when he died, remembered the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment of his bones.
By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months of his father and mother, because they saw he was a proper child: neither feared they the kings commandment.
By faith Moses when he was great, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, and chose rather to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and esteemed the rebuke of Christ greater riches then the treasure of Egypt. For he had a respect unto the reward.
By faith he forsook Egypt, and feared not the fierceness of the king. For he endured even as he had seen him which is invisible.
Through faith he ordained the *ester lamb, and the effusion of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born, should touch them.
By faith they passed through the reed sea as by dry land, which when the Egyptians had assayed to do, they were drowned.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with the unbelievers, when she had received the spies to lodging peaceably.
And what shall I more say, the time would be too short for me to tell of Gideon, of Barach, and of Samson, and of Jephthae: also of David and Samuel, and of the Prophets: Which through faith subdued kingdoms wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. And the women received their dead raised to life again.
Others were racked, and would not be delivered, that they might receive a better resurrection. Others tasted of mockings and scourgings, moreover of bonds and prisonment: were stoned, were hewn asunder, were tempted, were slain with swords, walked up and down in sheepskins, in goatskins, in need tribulation and vexation which the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all through faith obtained good report and received not the promise, God providing a better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
*ester lamb: this is the lamb offered at the first passover.
Paul Unto the Hebrews 12 Wherefore let us also (seeing that we are compassed with so great a multitude of witnesses) lay away all that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth on, and let us run with patience unto the battle that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him, abode the cross, and despised the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God. Consider therefore how that he endured such speaking against him of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds. For ye have not yet resisted unto blood shedding, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the consolation, which speaketh unto you, as unto children: My son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth: yee, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you as unto sons. What son is that whom the father chasteneth not? If ye be not under correction (where of all are partakers) then are ye bastards and not sons. Moreover seeing we had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: should we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spiritual gifts that we might live? And they verily for a few days, nurtured us after their own pleasure: but he learneth us unto that which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. No manner chastising for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward, it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness, unto them which are therin exercised.
Stretch forth therefore again the hands which were let down, and the weak knees, and see that ye have straight steps unto your feet, lest any halting turn out of the way: yee let it rather be healed. Embrace peace with all men and holiness: without the which, no man shall see the Lord. And look to, that no man be destitute of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness spring up and trouble, and thereby many be defiled: and that there be no fornicator, or unclean person, as Esau, which for one breakfast sold his birthright. Ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the blessing, he was put by, and he found no means to come thereby again: no though he desired it with tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that can be touched, and unto burning fire nor yet to mist and darkness and tempest of weather, neither unto the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words: which voice they that heard it, wished away: that the communication should not be spoken to them. For they were not able to abide that which was spoken. If a beast had touched the mountain, it must have been stoned, or thrust through with a dart: even so terrible was the sight which appeared. Moses said, I fear and quake. But ye are come unto the mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem: and to an innumerable sight of angels, and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men and to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood that speaketh better then the blood of Abel.
See that ye despise not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not which refused him that spake on earth: much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth, and now declareth saying: yet once more will I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. No doubt the same that he sayeth, yet once more, signifieth the removing away of those things which are shaken, as of things which have ended their course: that the things which are not shaken, may remain. Wherefore if we receive a kingdom which is not moved we have grace, whereby we may serve God and please him with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.
Back to Dreams & Visions Page