#Balaam's prophecy

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Balaam’s First Oracle

1 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” 2 Balak did as Balaam had said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offerings while I go aside. Perhaps the Lord will come to meet me. Whatever he shows me I will tell you.” And he went to a bare height.

4 Then God met Balaam, and Balaam said to him, “I have arranged the seven altars and have offered a bull and a ram on each altar.” 5 The Lord put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you must say.” 6 So he returned to Balak, who was standing beside his burnt offerings with all the officials of Moab. 7 Then Balaam uttered his oracle, saying,

“Balak has brought me from Aram, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: ‘Come, curse Jacob for me. Come, denounce Israel!’ 8 How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced? 9 For from the top of the crags I see him; from the hills I behold him. Here is a people living alone and not reckoning itself among the nations! 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the dust cloud of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!”

11 Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but now you have done nothing but bless them.” 12 He answered, “Must I not take care to say what the Lord puts into my mouth?”

Balaam’s Second Oracle

13 So Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place from which you may see them; you shall see only part of them and shall not see them all; then curse them for me from there.” 14 So he took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah. He built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. 15 Balaam said to Balak, “Stand here beside your burnt offerings, while I meet the Lord over there.” 16 The Lord met Balaam, put a word into his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and this is what you shall say.” 17 When he came to him, he was standing beside his burnt offerings with the officials of Moab. Balak said to him, “What has the Lord said?” 18 Then Balaam uttered his oracle, saying,

“Rise, Balak, and hear; listen to me, O son of Zippor: 19 God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? 20 See, I received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it. 21 He has not beheld misfortune in Jacob, nor has he seen trouble in Israel. The Lord their God is with them, acclaimed as a king among them. 22 God, who brings them out of Egypt, is like the horns of a wild ox for them. 23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel; now it shall be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘See what God has done!’ 24 Look, a people rising up like a lioness and rousing itself like a lion! It does not lie down until it has eaten the prey and drunk the blood of the slain.”

25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Do not curse them at all, and do not bless them at all.” 26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Whatever the Lord says, that is what I must do’?”

27 So Balak said to Balaam, “Come now, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland. 29 Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven rams for me.” 30 So Balak did as Balaam had said and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. — Numbers 23 | New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE) New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved worldwide. Cross References: Genesis 12:2; Genesis 13:16; Genesis 49:9; Exodus 3:12; Exodus 4:15; Numbers 22:5-6; Numbers 21:20; Numbers 22:12; Numbers 22:18; Numbers 22:20; Numbers 22:41; Numbers 24:1 Deuteronomy 3:27; Deuteronomy 32:8; Joshua 2:10; Joshua 13:22; 1 Chronicles 15:26; Nehemiah 13:2; Job 42:8; Ezekiel 45:23; Matthew 4:8; Romans 9:6

[thestreamofconsciousness777]

I speak to them in parables, because they look but don't see, and they listen but don't hear or understand: As soon as there will have been a finishing of the dashing of the power of the holy people to pieces, all these things will come to their finish...

“A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw. Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near.

John to the seven congregations that are in the [district of] Asia:

May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from “The One who is and who was and who is coming,” and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “The firstborn from the dead,” and “The Ruler of the kings of the earth.”

To him that loves us and that loosed us from our sins by means of his own blood— and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen.

“I am the Al’pha and the O·me’ga,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”

I John, YOUR brother and a sharer with YOU in the tribulation and kingdom and endurance in company with Jesus, came to be in the isle that is called Pat’mos for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus. By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet, saying: “What you see write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations, in Eph’e·sus and in Smyr’na and in Per’ga·mum and in Thy·a·ti’ra and in Sar’dis and in Philadelphia and in La·o·di·ce’a.”

And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me, and, having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands someone like a son of man, clothed with a garment that reached down to the feet, and girded at the breasts with a golden girdle. Moreover, his head and his hair were white as white wool, as snow, and his eyes as a fiery flame; and his feet were like fine copper when glowing in a furnace; and his voice was as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp, long two-edged sword was protruding, and his countenance was as the sun when it shines in its power. And when I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet.

And he laid his right hand upon me and said: “Do not be fearful. I am the First and the Last, and the living one; and I became dead, but, look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Ha’des. Therefore write down the things you saw, and the things that are and the things that will take place after these. As for the sacred secret of the seven stars that you saw upon my right hand, and [of] the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars mean [the] angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands mean seven congregations.

“To the angel of the congregation in Eph’e·sus write: These are the things that he says who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands, ‘I know your deeds, and your labor and endurance, and that you cannot bear bad men, and that you put those to the test who say they are apostles, but they are not, and you found them liars. You are also showing endurance, and you have borne up for my name’s sake and have not grown weary. Nevertheless, I hold [this] against you, that you have left the love you had at first.

“‘Therefore remember from what you have fallen, and repent and do the former deeds. If you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Still, you do have this, that you hate the deeds of the sect of Nic·o·la’us, which I also hate. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To him that conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in Smyr’na write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life [again], ‘I know your tribulation and poverty—but you are rich —and the blasphemy by those who say they themselves are Jews, and yet they are not but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of YOU into prison that YOU may be fully put to the test, and that YOU may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: He that conquers will by no means be harmed by the second death.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in Per’ga·mum write: These are the things that he says who has the sharp, long two-edged sword, ‘I know where you are dwelling, that is, where the throne of Satan is; and yet you keep on holding fast my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of An’ti·pas, my witness, the faithful one, who was killed by YOUR side, where Satan is dwelling.

“‘Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, that you have there those holding fast the teaching of Ba’laam, who went teaching Ba’lak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication. So you, also, have those holding fast the teaching of the sect of Nic·o·la’us likewise. Therefore repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war with them with the long sword of my mouth.

“‘Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations: To him that conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white pebble, and upon the pebble a new name written which no one knows except the one receiving it.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in Thy·a·ti’ra write: These are the things that the Son of God says, he who has his eyes like a fiery flame, and his feet are like fine copper, ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and ministry and endurance, and that your deeds of late are more than those formerly.

“‘Nevertheless, I do hold [this] against you, that you tolerate that woman Jez’e·bel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her fornication. Look! I am about to throw her into a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And her children I will kill with deadly plague, so that all the congregations will know that I am he who searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give to YOU individually according to YOUR deeds.

“‘However, I say to the rest of YOU who are in Thy·a·ti’ra, all those who do not have this teaching, the very ones who did not get to know the “deep things of Satan,” as they say: I am not putting upon YOU any other burden. Just the same, hold fast what YOU have until I come. And to him that conquers and observes my deeds down to the end I will give authority over the nations, and he shall shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, the same as I have received from my Father, and I will give him the morning star. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in Sar’dis write: These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, ‘I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead. Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping [it], and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you.

“‘Nevertheless, you do have a few names in Sar’dis that did not defile their outer garments, and they shall walk with me in white ones, because they are worthy. He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments; and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will make acknowledgment of his name before my Father and before his angels. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in Philadelphia write: These are the things he says who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens so that no one will shut, and shuts so that no one opens, ‘I know your deeds —look! I have set before you an opened door, which no one can shut—that you have a little power, and you kept my word and did not prove false to my name. Look! I will give those from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and yet they are not but are lying —look! I will make them come and do obeisance before your feet and make them know I have loved you. Because you kept the word about my endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the whole inhabited earth, to put a test upon those dwelling on the earth. I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

“‘The one that conquers—I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will by no means go out [from it] anymore, and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from my God, and that new name of mine. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’

“And to the angel of the congregation in La·o·di·ce’a write: These are the things that the Amen says, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation by God, ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say: “I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all,” but you do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire that you may become rich, and white outer garments that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not become manifested, and eyesalve to rub in your eyes that you may see.

“‘All those for whom I have affection I reprove and discipline. Therefore be zealous and repent. Look! I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his [house] and take the evening meal with him and he with me. To the one that conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne, even as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations.’”

After these things I saw, and, look! an opened door in heaven, and the first voice that I heard was as of a trumpet, speaking with me, saying: “Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place.” After these things I immediately came to be in [the power of the] spirit: and, look! a throne was in its position in heaven, and there is one seated upon the throne. And the one seated is, in appearance, like a jasper stone and a precious red-colored stone, and round about the throne [there is] a rainbow like an emerald in appearance.

And round about the throne [there are] twenty-four thrones, and upon these thrones [I saw] seated twenty-four elders dressed in white outer garments, and upon their heads golden crowns. And out of the throne there are proceeding lightnings and voices and thunders; and [there are] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, and these mean the seven spirits of God. And before the throne there is, as it were, a glassy sea like crystal. And in the midst of the throne and around the throne [there are] four living creatures that are full of eyes in front and behind.

And the first living creature is like a lion, and the second living creature is like a young bull, and the third living creature has a face like a man’s, and the fourth living creature is like a flying eagle. And as for the four living creatures, each one of them respectively has six wings; round about and underneath they are full of eyes. And they have no rest day and night as they say: “Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is coming.”

And whenever the living creatures offer glory and honor and thanksgiving to the one seated upon the throne, the one that lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated upon the throne and worship the One that lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created.”

And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues. These are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brought to a finish.

And I saw what seemed to be a glassy sea mingled with fire, and those who come off victorious from the wild beast and from its image and from the number of its name standing by the glassy sea, having harps of God. And they are singing the song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the Lamb, saying:

“Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity. Who will not really fear you, Jehovah, and glorify your name, because you alone are loyal? For all the nations will come and worship before you, because your righteous decrees have been made manifest.”

And after these things I saw, and the sanctuary of the tent of the witness was opened in heaven, and the seven angels with the seven plagues emerged from the sanctuary, clothed with clean, bright linen and girded about their breasts with golden girdles. And one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls that were full of the anger of God, who lives forever and ever. And the sanctuary became filled with smoke because of the glory of God and because of his power, and no one was able to enter into the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.”

-Revelation 1-4 & 15, NWT

Bad Men: You Do Not Know You Are Miserable and Pitiable and Poor and Blind and Naked

[gastonjerry]

ADULT STS LESSON 109 BALAAM’S COVETOUSNESS AND PROPHECIES

MEMORY VERSE: “And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed” (Numbers 22:12).   TEXT: Numbers chapters 22 to 24 The defeat of Og, king of Bashan and Sihon, king of the Amorites with their people at Edrei and the possession of their lands by the children of Israel, brought distress to the Moabites. When the Israelites proceeded in…

[kdmiller55]

A God-Ordained Glimpse Into Israel’s Future

15 And he took up his discourse and said, “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,     the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 16 the oracle of him who hears the words of God,     and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty,     falling down with his eyes uncovered: 17 I see him, but not now;     I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of…

[lordgodjehovahsway]

Numbers 24: God Gives Balaam His Third Message For Balak

1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. 

2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him 

3 and he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,     the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

4 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,     who sees a vision from the Almighty,     who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

5 “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob,     your dwelling places, Israel!

6 “Like valleys they spread out,     like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord,     like cedars beside the waters.

7 Water will flow from their buckets;     their seed will have abundant water.

“Their king will be greater than Agag;     their kingdom will be exalted.

8 “God brought them out of Egypt;     they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations     and break their bones in pieces;     with their arrows they pierce them.

9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down,     like a lioness—who dares to rouse them?

“May those who bless you be blessed     and those who curse you be cursed!”

10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. 

11 Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but the Lord has kept you from being rewarded.”

12 Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 

13 ‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the Lord—and I must say only what the Lord says’? 

14 Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you of what this people will do to your people in days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Message

15 Then he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,     the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly,

16 the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,     who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty,     who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

17 “I see him, but not now;     I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob;     a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab,     the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

18 Edom will be conquered;     Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,     but Israel will grow strong.

19 A ruler will come out of Jacob     and destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Fifth Message

20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and spoke his message:

“Amalek was first among the nations,     but their end will be utter destruction.”

Balaam’s Sixth Message

21 Then he saw the Kenites and spoke his message:

“Your dwelling place is secure,     your nest is set in a rock;

22 yet you Kenites will be destroyed     when Ashur takes you captive.”

Balaam’s Seventh Message

23 Then he spoke his message:

“Alas! Who can live when God does this?

24     Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber,     but they too will come to ruin.”

25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak went his own way.

[eretzyisrael]

WORDS OF THE PROPHET

In parsha Balak, the Moabite King Balak becomes concerned that the Israelites are too numerous and will defeat Moab like they defeated the Amorites. (Num. 22:3) Balak hires Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet, to curse the Jewish people. God speaks to Balaam and says, “You must not curse that people, for they are blessed.” (Num. 22:12) Balaam explains to Balak that despite the massive reward offered for proclaiming curses on the king’s perceived enemies, the prophet can only say what God wants him to say. 

Used to getting his way, Balak insists that Balaam curse the Jews and takes the prophet to the top of a mountain overlooking the Israelite settlement. Balaam tries three times, from three different vantage points, to pronounce curses on the Jews, but each time he showers them with blessings instead! Although Balaam himself despises the Jews, his blessings, channeled directly from God, have become some of the most treasured lines in Jewish liturgy. One of Balaam’s most famous blessings is said when a Jew enters synagogue: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, Your dwellings, O Israel!” 

Medieval commentator Rashi explains that Balaam, looking down from the mountaintop, is amazed by the unique way the Israelites set up their tents. Although arranged in an orderly format, no tent faces any other tent, giving each Jewish family privacy. Rashi posits another possible explanation for Balaam’s poetic reference to the Israelites’ goodly tents. He may be describing the Mishkan - the portable Temple where God’s presence dwells in the wilderness. In fact, both explanations are intertwined because a Jewish home is considered a mini-Temple. When we fill our living places with Torah and mitzvahs, with family harmony and holiday celebration, we bring God’s presence inside to create a home of holiness. 

Image: Balak’s Sacrifice and Balaam’s Prophecy by August Hirschvogel, 1548

[meltorights]

this is just like when balaam prophecies to balak in the book of numbers

[childofchrist1983]

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. - NumberS 24:15-17 KJV

As we look at this Bible passage from The Book Of Numbers, Balaam is mentioned in Apostle Peter's second letter as a man who loved being paid for wrongdoing but was stopped on his journey by an angel who appeared to him. However, he did not see the angel, but his ass did. Only because God allowed his donkey to speak, were Balaam's eyes opened to see the angel. Those who were waiting for Balaam wanted him to curse the Israelites, but God only allowed him to speak God's words. After three tries to get him to do what they wanted him to do, they let him go and Balaam returned to the camp.

Although this passage is not mentioned anywhere in the New Testament, it is considered a Messianic prophecy. It is thought that the Messiah is the star that will come out of Jacob and the scepter that will rise out of Israel. I'm sure that this is why it is included in the Advent readings. In reading about Balaam and his oracles, it made me wonder how often our eyes are closed to the actions of God and what must it take for us to finally see. I doubt that we will have an animal speak to us to let us know what God wants us to do, but I do believe that He sends people into our lives to open our eyes and hearts, waking us up to the presence of God in our lives. I know that there have been times when a chance meeting or a brief conversation has stopped me in my tracks and made me reexamine what I thought I knew. We always need to be open to see and hear the messages God wants us to know, or that God wants us to share with others. God sent an angel to Balaam and changed the course of his life. May we be open to God and the angels He sends to us so that we may follow the destined path He has in mind for us. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[apocrypals]

Hey big fan of your podcast, using it as a secondary source for the reading I'm doing with a friend.

In Numbers 24-24 in the 4th Balaam prophecy there's a reference to the ships of Kittim. My study copy notes that this was maybe people from Cyprus? but also in the dead sea scrolls represents the Romans. I was wondering if you knew anything about that or could point me in a direction of another source that might?

Yeah! We talked about this on an episode but I would never in a million years remember which one.

Kittim did indeed originally refer to the island of Cyprus, but over time it got expanded to mean all Greek civilization, and by the time apocalyptic literature was on the rise, it more or less meant all of Europe, including and especially Rome. In fact, the Septuagint translates the word Kittim as Romans (Ρωμαιοι).

I don’t imagine you’ll have trouble finding sources on this one, but here’s one to get you started:

Thanks for the great question and thanks for listening!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Famous stories in the Bible

The top ten favourite Bible stories

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2.1–7 and Matthew 2.1–12)

Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6.9–9.17)

The Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25–37)

The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus (Mark 15.20–41; Matthew 28.1–21)

The Exodus (Exodus 14.1–31)

David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17.1–58)

The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5.1–22)

Jesus feeds the five thousand (Mark 6.31–44)

Jesus turns water into wine (John 2.1–11)

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5.1–7.29)

The 100 best-known stories in the Bible

From the Law collection

Creation and the fall (Genesis 1–3)

Noah and the flood (Genesis 6.9–9.17)

The tower of Babel (Genesis 11.1–9)

The call of Abraham (Genesis 12.1–9 and 17.1–8)

Three visitors to Abraham (Genesis 18.1–15)

Joseph the dreamer (Genesis 37–45)

The birth of Moses (Exodus 1.8–2.10)

Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3.1–15)

The ten plagues (Exodus 7.6–11.10)

Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 13.17–14.31)

Manna and quail (Exodus 16)

Exploring Canaan (Numbers 13.1—14.12)

Balaam’s donkey (Numbers 22.21–38)

The Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5.1–22)

The death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34)

From the Historical books

Entering the Promised Land (Joshua 3)

The fall of Jericho (Joshua 5.13–6.27)

Deborah leads God’s people (Judges 4–5)

Gideon fights the Midianites (Judges 6–7)

Samson and Delilah (Judges 16)

Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1–4)

Israel asks for a king (1 Samuel 8)

God chooses David as king (1 Samuel 16.1–13)

David kills Goliath (1 Samuel 17)                      

David becomes king (2 Samuel 5.1–12)

David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)

Solomon and the wise judgement (1 Kings 3.16–28)

Solomon builds God’s temple (1 Kings 6)

Israel rebels against Rehoboam (1 Kings 12.1–24)

Elijah and the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18.16–46)

The still small voice (1 Kings 19)

Elijah is taken up to heaven in a chariot (2 Kings 2.1–12)

Judah is taken into exile in Babylon (2 Kings 24—25)

The people are allowed to return from exile (Ezra 1)

From the Major Prophets

Isaiah's vision of God (Isaiah 6.1–8)

Isaiah’s prophecies about a Messiah (Isaiah 7.10–17)

Isaiah’s message of comfort (Isaiah 40.1–11)

The suffering servant (Isaiah 52.13—53.12)

Jeremiah and the potter’s house (Jeremiah 18)

Jeremiah and the new covenant  (Jeremiah 31.1–34)

Ezekiel’s vision of a chariot (Ezekiel 1)

Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones (Ezekiel 37.1–14)

Daniel and the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)

Daniel and the lions’ den (Daniel 6)

From the Minor Prophets

Hosea told to marry a prostitute (Hosea 1)

Joel’s vision of the future (Joel 2.28–32)

Amos’ condemnation of the king (Amos 7.10–17)

Jonah (Jonah 1–4)

From the Gospels

The birth of Jesus is promised (Luke 1.26–38)

Mary gives birth to Jesus (Luke 2.1–7)

The shepherds and the angels (Luke 2.8–20)

The visit of the wise men (Matthew 2.1–12)

Jesus is taken to the temple (Luke 2.22–40)

Joseph, Mary and Jesus escape to Egypt (Matthew 2.13–23)

Jesus gets lost in the temple (Luke 2.41–52)

John the Baptist announces Jesus (Matthew 3.1–12)

Jesus is baptised (Mark 1.9–11)

Jesus is tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4.1–13)

Jesus calls the first disciples (Mark 1.16–20)

Jesus changes water into wine (John 2.1–11)

Jesus heals a paralysed man (Mark 2.1–12)

Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman (John 4.4–42)

Jesus calms a storm (Matthew 8.23–27)

Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5.21–43)

John the Baptist is beheaded (Matthew 14.1–12)

Jesus feeds five thousand people (John 6.1–15)

Jesus walks on water (Matthew 14.22–33)

Peter recognises Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 8.27–30)

The transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9.28–36)

Jesus rescues a woman caught in adultery (John 8.1–11)

Jesus heals a man born blind (John 9)

The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10.25–37)

Mary, Martha and Jesus (Luke 10.38–42)

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11.1–44)

The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15.11–32)

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16.19–31)

Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19.1–10)

Mary anoints Jesus’ feet (John 12.1–8)

Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13.1–30)

Jesus has a last supper with his friends (Mark 14.12–26)

Jesus is arrested in the garden of Gethsemane (John 18.1–13)

Peter denies Jesus (Luke 22.54–62)

Jesus is crucified (Mark 15.20–41)

Jesus is buried (Matthew 27.57–66)

The resurrection (Matthew 28.1–15)

The road to Emmaus (Luke 24.13–35)

Mary meets the risen Jesus (John 20.1–18)

The great commission (Matthew 28.16–20)

Jesus forgives Peter (John 21)

From ‘The Good News Spreads’

Jesus ascends into heaven (Acts 1.4–11)

The Holy Spirit is sent to the disciples (Acts 2.1–13)

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5.1–11)

The stoning of Stephen (Acts 6.8—7.1 and 7.54–60)

The conversion of Saul (Acts 9.1–19)

Peter’s escape from prison (Acts 12.1–17)

The council in Jerusalem (Acts 15)

Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16.16–40)

Paul preaches in Athens (Acts 17.16–34)

Paul is shipwrecked (Acts 27.1—28.15)

Paul preaches in Rome (Acts 28.16–31)

[hiswordsarekisses]

2 Peter goes on in more detail about these false teachers and false prophets. One of the main characteristics about them is their view on money and wealth. And the fact that, in Jude’s words, they run in the way of Balaam’s error and the sons of Korah’s rebellion. You won’t have to dig too deep to discover that there was money involved for a prophetic word with Balaam. I was pretty shocked to see how easy it was to find this out, yet how boldly people do this in so many churches these days. Many have been warned, yet they keep right on doing it. Just a study in 2nd Peter and Jude will get someone’s attention really fast, but they have no love of the truth. According to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, it is the love of the truth that would save those who are being deceived by the lie that is coming on the whole world. To love the truth will lead one pray for God to reveal it to them even if it’s not what they want it to be. The love of the truth will still want the truth even if they know it may prove them wrong.

You will hear it more and more as the end draws closer and closer of how the Bible is not enough, and how it’s got errors - and you will even hear of people adding to it. I couldn’t see how it could be possible 10 years ago even - but now it’s just right in our faces. The ones who are not grounded in the written word of God are falling for anything and everything. And we have all of the warnings and prophecies right there in print and all we had to do is read it and study it and we would not fall for any of it. The devil does not even have to be sneaky when there is no foundation there to protect them. Especially when people get to thinking they are too “spiritual” to be deceived - that they are “above deception” - because as soon as they reach that point they have already swung the door wide open and invited it in.

“Direct those people to the law and to the testimony! If their teachings are not in accord with this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

“Peter testifies to the God-given origin of Scripture and affirms that all the prophecy contained in God's Word originated from God, not from humans. This assures us that God's message is infallible (i.e., incapable of mistakes or failure, never wrong, completely true and effective in its teachings) and inerrant. (i.e., free from error, falsehood or deceit).

Infallibility and inerrancy cannot be separated, for the inerrancy (i.e., incapable of any error) of Scripture is the result of the infallibility (i.e., incapable of mistakes or being wrong) of God himself and his own Word. (2 Sam. 23:2; Jer. 1:7-9; 1 Cor. 14:37)

Peter affirms here about the God-given origin and authority of the prophecy recorded in Scripture is true about all things in his written Word: “men spoke and wrote from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." Believers must maintain a strong uncompromising view of Holy Scripture as inspired (i.e., given directly by God through Holy Spirit-led people of his choosing) and authoritative (i.e., completely reliable, backed by solid evidence and established authority). There are several reasons for this. (1) It is the only way to be loyal and true to what Jesus Christ, the apostles (i.e., those he personally authorized to deliver his original message) and the Bible itself teach about Scripture. Psalm 119 is a really good place to start.” (M.Hendrickson)

The Holy Spirit repeatedly warns that there will be many false teachers within the churches. These warnings against destructive beliefs and teachings among God's people began with Jesus (see Matt. 24:11, and were continued by the Holy Spirit through Paul in 2 Thess. 2:7, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 1 Peter 1:1-22). Also John (1 John 2:18; 4:1; 2 John 7-11), and Jude (Jude 3-4, 12, 18). Once you start digging you will find even more. But the best thing to do is study - first praying for not only “truth” but for a “love of the truth” and pray for understanding, insight and revelation.

[seahgreenhorn]

(via The Millennium: A Blessing To Humankind)

The Millennium: A Blessing To HumankindThe Millennium, start counting after marriage of the Lamb. For He's a King now reigning, though his enemies ruin the land. But this tragedy is ending and peace earthwide he'll restore. We know this cause of prophecy of the 'last days' and prediction of global wars, pestilence and anger, widespread famine and enmity, haughtiness and love of money, surely you can't disagree with what you see: this sign of one world ending. And another to begin. Raise your heads all you of nations, clap your hands you humble men and women grateful. For salvation is at hand! The Devil's facing jail time, 1, 000 years to be exact. And God's initial purpose for the universe and man will finally be intact, after His Last War impending removes all who oppose his rule. His Kingdom from heaven established will man perfect. It would be fool- ish to resist this beautiful arrangement based on love. Although, a majority are stubborn, supporting Satan. Wiser was Balaam's mule who recognized an angel God positioned as a tool. During this appointed time glorious everyone will have a place. A land producing plenty. And stresses totally released. Minds will be cleansed of badness. Hearts will be refined too. The work done there enjoyable, as intelligence, each personal, is used to work everyone together. As villages, or townships whose purpose is to glorify their Creator and his Son who both demonstrated Great love and sacrifice for all who chose obedience to Jehovah the Almighty from above. Originally written here: https://allpoetry.com/poem/12285370-A-Blessing-To-Humankind-by-Seah-Ray See also: The Resurrection—A Sure Hope! https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2020680#h=1:0-29:733 SPECIAL CAMPAIGN How Can the Bible Help You? Find out with our free interactive Bible study program. GUIDED BIBLE STUDY COURSE Enjoy Life Forever! https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/guided-bible-study-course/ In this free interactive Bible course, you will get answers to such questions as: How can I find happiness in life? Will evil and suffering ever end? Will I ever see my dead loved ones again? Does God really care about me? How can I pray and be heard by God? Contest in 2015: Any type of poem about what you think the 1000 year reign of the Messiah here on earth is for.  Will be judged on poem quality and the truth of the poem about the subject. This is my first contest. Any poem not about the subject will be rejected. Daniel 2:44; Revelation 4:1; 11:18; 20:4; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 11:33-36; Isaiah 11:9; 33:24; 35:5, 6; 65:21, 22. © 8 hours ago, Lucretia McCloud   society • sad • teen • spiritual • hope • love

[bills-bible-basics]

PUT MY WORDS IN THY MOUTH -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Christian #BibleStudy #Verses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, ‭Is‭ not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, ‭even‭ he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God." Exodus 4:14-16, KJV "And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus." Numbers 23:16, KJV "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him." Deuteronomy 18:18, KJV "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou ‭art‭ my people." Isaiah 51:16, KJV "Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." Jeremiah 1:9, KJV "But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;‭ And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.‭ ‭‭But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.‭ ‭‭For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Matthew 10:17-20, KJV "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Mark 13:9-11, KJV "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist." Luke 21:12-15, KJV "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake ‭as they were‭ moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:20-21, KJV "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/put-my-words-in-thy-mouth-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=193481&PUT%20MY%20WORDS%20IN%20THY%20MOUTH%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[pastorhogg]

Balaam's Final Prophecy

Analyzing Numbers 24:10-25 Verses 10-14: Balaam’s Final Prophecy Then Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. Therefore, now flee to your own place. I said, ‘I will certainly honor you,’ but the Lord has held you back from honor.” And Balaam said…