The Lord’s Day

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet Rev. 1:10 

right_handThe first commentary I ever read on The Revelation, went to great lengths to explain that, “The Lord’s Day” was Sunday the first day of the week. The second commentary I read went to equally great lengths to explain that it was the seventh day of the week or the Sabbath.

After many years of study it has occurred to me that these attitudes are born on both sides of anti-Jewish sentiment, and general ignorance of the Torah. For the rather obvious truth is that it is Yom Kippur/The Day of Atonement, which can fall on any day of the week. The reasons for this are plain as day.

First, the Lord presents Himself as the Ancient of Days with the right and power to judge. [Dan. 7:9; Rev. 1:14]

Second, the seven church’s for whom the letter was intended are warned of their short comings. [Rev 2-3]

Third, There are 24 elders all dressed as High Priests on Yom Kippur. They are wearing white and have golden crown and golden censors. [Lev. 8:9; Lev. 16:4, 12 Rev. 4:4; Rev. 5:8]

The rest of the book is about God’s judgements, on those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and those who is not. [Deut. 29:20; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 20:15; 21:27]

The entire book is one great call to get right with God for today is the day of salvation, today is Yom Kippur/the Day or Atonement. Its point is, that it is always Yom Kippur before the throne. The final sacrifice has been made. The way to the throne is open to all on this day, and it is always this day before the throne.

However at the end of the day, the offer of Salvation will be withdrawn, the gates will be closed, and there will be those left outside. [Rev. 22:15]

The Last Days

shottingstarFor all of church history everyone has thought they lived in the “last days.” However when one actually looks at this phrase in the Text, it really doesn’t mean what we think it means.

The “last days” verse are used over and over without their context to fortify the idea that we are in the “last days” of our time. However if one carefully examines them in their context, they are not speaking to”our times” at all.

‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. 2 Tim. 3:1  

. . . but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Heb. 1:2

Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure for the last days. James 5:3

First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions 2Pet. 3:3

Continue reading

The Day of the LORD

john-martin-1789-1854-great-day-of-the-lordThe day of the Lord is said to be an event at the end of time. The dispensationalist will take you to the verses that say it is “near” and explain that the writer really meant futuristically.  It is all very convoluted and confusing, and it contradicts one of the preeminent rules of hermeneutics, in that, the plain reading of the text is to be preferred above all others.  Look methodically at the passages in question and figure out where and when this “Day” is or was to happen.

Be careful because there is also that nagging problem of those pesky translators, who are often inconsistent with their translations, so that the non Hebrew reader thinks something special or different is being said, when nothing of the kind is even being inferred.   The first three verses in the Bible with this phrase   “The day of the Lord” or “Yom YHWH”, are a prime example.  They translated “today” instead of “the day” where in the Hebrew it is “the day”. Continue reading

The LORD of Hosts

holy-angelic-hostsThe title LORD of Hosts in English invokes the idea of a Being that commands both the cosmos and spiritual beings.  All creation is ordered and marshaled by Him.  It is a title of the LORD which indicates His supreme creative omnipotence.

In Hebrew YHWH Seva’ot, is always plural, which in Hebrew does not necessarily mean more than two, but can indicate great, large or important.

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory”.  Isa 6:3

 Common misunderstanding

There are some people who think and/or teach that the hosts of God are angelic forces.  They use Rev 12 as their proof text.

His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; Rev. 12:4

Continue reading

The Angel of the LORD

sunset_rays_web_900x675The word for angel in the Hebrew can mean angel, messenger, or king, only the context decides the meaning.  But the Angel of the LORD is very different. He is clearly not an ordinary angel.  He is extraordinary. Unlike regular angels, if you can call an angel regular, the Angel of the LORD claims to be God [Ex  3:1-22], and He accepts worship [Judg. 13:16], no other angels ever makes these claims.  If worship is offered to them, they correct the person, and advice them to worship God. [Rev. 19:10; 22:9]. Where the Angel of the LORD lights the fire. [Judge 6:21]

The Angel of the LORD presented himself as no other.  Because of his unique behavior, scholars have come up with a more descriptive name,  The Pre Incarnate Christ.

Continue reading