The Messiah’s Secret – Water and Spirit John 3: 1-17

 The Holy Spirit’s creative power in creation working with the Word of God.

The Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 Water covered the earth, until the third day when the dry land appeared. The dry land was called earth and the waters were called sea. The earth produced vegetation according to their own kind and produced fruit and in the fruit the seeds. Genesis 1: 9-13.

”When you send forth your Spirit they are created.” Psalm 104:30.

The Holy Spirit bringing forth an abundance of life.

We have the example of water bringing the deserts into bloom. The parched land waiting for the rain to fill the dry river beds and as the rain falls it germinates the seeds on its banks. The water working with the soil and the warmth from the sun bringing forth the vegetation that is needed to sustain life.

Isaiah 32: 15 “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field." 

Jesus spoke of the rivers of water pouring out from the Holy Spirit watering the garden of our inner being. Water satisfies both body and soul. The soul thirsts because of our longing for God.

The Feast of the First Fruits.

The Israelites looked forward to God’s promise of a land filled with milk and honey.  The Jewish farmer looked for the appearance of the fruit on the crops and on the trees; he selected the best of the unripened fruit for the first fruit offering. He then tied a rush around the stems, setting them apart before the harvest.                                        

After Passover the presentation of the ’Omer’ the first fruit of the barley harvest took place on the 16^th Nisan. Counting from 

that date on the fiftieth day was the feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

On this day two loaves made from the first fruits of the wheat harvest they were presented at the temple.                                                                                                   

On route to Jerusalem the Psalms of Ascent was sung as the families brought their presentation of the first fruits of their land to the temple.

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.     ”Psalm 126: 1,2.                                                                                                              

 Extracts taken from Alfred Edersheim’s book “The Temple."                

Jesus the first fruit of the resurrection.

“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15: 20.

God breathed into Adam, the breath of life. Adam was created in the image of God, so he had the potential to live forever, he should not have died. But as we read in the Bible death came to Adam as a result of sin, he then fell under the influence of the serpent.

The serpent is identified as Satan. “And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan.” Revelation 20: 2.

The first man Adam succumbed to the serpent’s deceit leading to sin and death. Blame for his fall is generally taught that it was Eve having tasted the forbidden fruit first, offered it to Adam. But that is no excuse for Adam's fall from grace. Genesis 3: 8-19 The curses placed by God on both Adam and Eve were blotted out by Jesus' death and resurrection, through repentance and faith in Jesus.  Acts 3: 19.

Second man Jesus his victory over sin and death won eternal life.                                                                                                 

Jesus spoke of his victory over the serpent to Nicodemus.

Maybe Nicodemus made the connection when Jesus referred to an incident on the Exodus journey. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3: 14, 15.

Some of the Israelites had been bitten by deadly snakes that had come into the camp. We read that this had happened because of their sin against God. Moses was told by God to make an image of a serpent in bronze and put it onto a pole. Those who had been bitten were told to look up at the serpent and they would live. Numbers 21: 4-9. 
On the first occasion that I preached on this word, a man sitting on the front row facing me. I saw the word drop from his head into his heart, from his mind into his spirit.
A picture of salvation: turning from sin in repentance to be born again.(See Blog Saved by the Blood)

The Two Loaves.
Two nations in the Bible Jew and Gentile. Under grace the two become one through the cross. 

Under grace men and woman are equal in Christ. 
Male and female under law of the flesh, the man is head over the woman in the family. A man is physically stronger and dominant and the woman bears the children.
Under grace, however, there is no marriage in the kingdom of God between men and women and the woman does not give birth to children. We all are the children of God.                                              
Should women become Bishops?
When I heard the debates in the 1980's about women becoming Ministers in the church, I had my reservations. But these were soon overturned when I experienced a woman ministering in church, I discerned that there was no difference between men and women in leading worship and administering the sacraments.                                                                                                   
One experience is worth a thousand arguments.
 In my personal experience about eleven years ago, I was in the process of publishing my book, 'The Messiah's Secret' when a Christian man claimed (under the doctrine of man, women are not teachers of the word), but he believed that he taught through me a woman, the words I was speaking were coming from his mind to me.(channelling which is not of the Holy Spirit) He attributed my book to himself, when I pointed out that I did not know him in 1996, he replied, 'Who was your minister then?' my response, 'We were in an Interregnum,' we had no minister at the time.
I have forgiven this man for what was said, I know that many women have been hurt in responding to the Lord's call on their lives. (see blog Removing the Veil)   

Male and female are liberated into the freedom of God's forgiveness through simple faith in these words below;  
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16 "    

"But to all who receive him, he gave the power to become the children of God: who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1: 12, 13.                                                                                                                                         
“I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” Joel  2: 28.
The Gospel swims against the tide of human fallen nature. Men and woman are equal in Christ, and yes, I humbly believe that there should be women Bishops in the church.

(Added to blog)The Church of England's First Woman Bishop                               
 On Monday 26th January 2015 Rev Libby Lane was consecrated Bishop of Stockport, the service was held at York Minster. "When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you into all truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare it to you the things that are to come." John 16: 13

The Wind of the Spirit.
On the Evening of the Day of Jesus’ resurrection Jesus appeared in the house at Jerusalem where he breathed on the disciples the Holy Spirit.  John the Baptist spoke of the Messiah baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire. The disciples were the first to receive the Holy Spirit directly from Jesus and they were commissioned to bear the first fruit of his ministry.

“Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth that we should be a kind of first fruit of his creatures.” James 1: 18.

“We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1: 12.

On the Feast of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in power, like the sound of a rushing mighty wind. The disciples and followers were gathered in the house at Jerusalem, the wind ignited the hearts of the disciples, and they saw tongues of fire on each others’ heads.

That day the fruit of the apostle’s harvest yielded approximately 3,000 people who accepted Jesus as their Messiah.  The wind in them had carried the seeds of the good news of the kingdom onto the streets of Jerusalem where they settled and took root in the hearts of Jews and proselytes.                                                                             

The Holy Spirit gently moves us to respond to the Lord’s calling on our life. Like the wind bends the trees, so we yield our will to follow Jesus Christ. Out of our hearts the Holy Spirit flows out like a river. John 7: 38.

Jesus the living word and the Holy Spirit working together with the love of God. To walk with Jesus in fellowship with the Trinity. God our Father working his purposes out in our lives through our wanting to please the Lord. Trusting that his will, will be done and we can leave it there and let go of doing things in our own strength.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 Answered prayer: On 14th July 2014 it was passed by the Church of England  for women to become Bishops.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Messiah’s Secret – The True Messiah

             Daniel 12: 1-4 Mark 13: 1-8

Robots were invented 35 years ago this robot on the left is called Rodney Copperbottom.

In our Gospel reading Jesus spoke of birth pains but not in the usual way were mum will soon give birth to a baby.

In this 'Robots' DVD clip birth pains are in a slightly different way.

Robot Rodney Copperbottom was born in Rivet Town, his father was late for his delivery. A box of robot parts. The only pain involved was in putting the parts together. 

Rodney grew up to become an inspiring inventor. He travelled to Robot City to meet the celebrated Bigweld. Along the way he met other robots, a whole gang of new friends. Rodney found out that the evil Ratchet guided by his mother had taken over Bigweld’s inventions company and was denying the robots the spare parts that they needed. Rodney was a bit like Jesus, he could make the robots better by mending their broken parts and he saved them from the evil robot Ratchet.

 Bigweld takes back his company from Ratchet and the Robots get their spare parts.
 Here in Rodney’s box is Springer pup he is feeling much better now that he has been mended.                                                                              
Can you tell me some of the ways in which robots are used?                                                                                         

We have developed the use of robots in factories doing all kinds of jobs like painting, welding, installing various parts in the production of cars and computers, and even moving boxes around in warehouses. They are used were jobs are dangerous, so to prevent risk of injury to a person a robot is used.
Robots can’t think for themselves and they are not aware of God or the Bible that foretell the future.                                                                                                                                        

Prophesies Fulfilled. Mark records the conversation between Jesus and the disciples as they came out of the temple in Jerusalem. His disciples were admiring the beautiful stonework of the temple. Jesus probably stunned them when he prophesied that the temple would be destroyed. This prophecy was fulfilled nearly forty years later when the Romans invaded and destroyed the temple in 70 AD.

Jesus spoke of birth pains or labour pains, that lead up to the birth of a baby. The birth pains that Jesus alluded to is a period of a time of trouble on the earth. Many theologians who study the Bible say that this birth pain period started one hundred years ago and continues today.                       

What should we look out for? Jesus said that, “Many will come in my name and say, ’I am the Christ.’ There have been many false Messiah’s over the centuries. The most recent Porto Rican preacher Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda, he has an international ministry with a large following. To spread his bizarre doctrine he owns a TV station and has over 300 faithful pastors and he does not hide his intentions, he was reported as saying in a Miami newspaper,
 “My purpose is to close down every church so that the true church can begin.”                                       

Regarding wars and natural disasters. Many Christians believe that the labour pains began with the first and second world wars followed by increased unrest across the world.
Today, as I write this blog, we are sadly seeing and hearing about the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, It is only three years since the last conflict between them.
What came to mind on Sunday morning was the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan” the man who was injured by robbers on the Jericho road, this could be any person suffering from injustice, whether it is a Palestinian, Arab, Jew or Sudanese.
 In the parable the religious men who crossed over to the other side of the road to avoid contact with the injured man, are like many of us, who do nothing to help people who are suffering injustice.
I believe that Jesus portrayed himself as the Samaritan in the parable, he helped the injured man, knowing that the Samaritans were enemies to the Jews.
Jesus taught that we should love our enemies, do good to those who persecute us.  In the parable, the Samaritan said he would return to the Inn and settle the injured man’s account.
I see this, as the return of Jesus, settling with justice, first with the Jewish people, and the church of the tribulation. Following on with the battle against the antichrist and his allies. Luke 10:29-37.
 The Sketch. In our sketch the question of the sequence of events that lead up to Christ’s return were headlines in newspapers, which caused worry and misunderstanding. But one person in the family had wisdom to see that through it all, he believed the words of Jesus telling us not to be alarmed about what was going to happen, but to keep our eyes firmly fixed on him,
Some people would ask why would God put in place prophesy that allows suffering and wars.  At Pentecost the Apostles proclaimed Jesus for the first time as the Jewish Messiah, that was the time for the nation's leaders to accept Jesus as the Christ, but they missed it. Their leaders of the council were Sadducee who did not believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees who must have despaired at the thought of the Messiah being defiled by the Romans and put to death by them on a cross. God in his justice knew that they had acted in ignorance, it was so that the prophesies concerning the death and resurrection of the Messiah were fulfilled."For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 16.
Jesus in his compassion for us all, hoped to return with the angels within the life time of the Apostles. ” When he (Jesus) comes in the glory of his Father with his the holy angels. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8:38. 9:1.  John 21: 23.
Peter preaching shortly after Pentecost to the Jews, ”Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” Acts 3: 19,20.(’Times of refreshing’  meaning the re-establishing of the land and throne of King David by the Messiah.) God knew in his foreknowledge that the nation of Israel would not recognize Jesus as their Christ at and after Pentecost. They are a stubborn people, the prophesies concerning the end times will bring Israel to the point of extinction, a remnant left, before they look upon the one they had pierced. A difficult birth. Zechariah 12:10. 
Other Birth Pains. We are experiencing the effects of climate change; the increasing intensity of earthquakes and volcanic activity,famine and floods. The changes to our weather patterns are causing disruption to harvests across the world.
 Daniel 12: 4 this verse points to the birth pain period, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”  Robots are part of the fulfilling of that prophecy the swift advance of science and technology the speed of communications across the planet.
On the 14^th November 2012 it marked the 90^th year since the birth of the radio. For many evangelists this was the opening up of the gospel reaching every part of the world, fulfilling Jesus’ words, “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” Mark 13: 10.

The birth pains lead to the birth of a baby, The’ baby’ Jesus was referring to the ushering in of the kingdom of God where Jesus will rule over all the earth.(Pre-Millennium Blog Saved by the Blood)
Christians have access into the heavenly kingdom of God now through faith in Jesus  From the time of Jesus’ ministry he put in place his ‘Baptism.' Water Baptism whether it is by sprinkling or immersing in water, it includes the whole family. Acts 16: 33. It is in making an outward expression, a public declaration, of accepting Jesus as our Saviour for ourselves and our children.
There is a true story in the Bible approx 1500 years before the birth of Jesus. It was a prophecy of Jesus’ baptism.
600,000 Israelites after crossing the Red Sea began their journey towards the promised land of Canaan. After travelling through the wilderness of Shur for three days they had run out of water. When they came to Marah, they found to their dismay, that the water there was bitter and undrinkable. Due to this they murmured against Moses. He cried out to God for his help. God told Moses to throw a tree, that lay nearby into the water and the water became sweet and drinkable.  Exodus 15: 22 – 25.

The bitter water represents sin.
The tree that Moses through into the water, represents the cross where sin was dealt with by Jesus.
The sweet water represents sins forgiven.

It is like washing up, to wash the pots in just plain water the stubborn dirt will remain. However if I put into the water a cleansing agent, it takes off the dirt and leaves it clean.
The water and the cleaner working together is like water and the blood of Jesus’ cross working together cleansing our hearts, removing our sin and its causes. 
Further to that Jesus puts a fizz, a sparkle into the water and that is the Holy Spirit. He stays and lives within our hearts and helps us to know and follow Jesus by revealing him in the words of the Bible or through other people.
This is known as being crucified with Christ and being baptised into his death and raised up in the likeness of Jesus' resurrection.

If only, I had a robot, so that after the dish washer has washed the pots and pans, it could put everything away into the cupboards.

What Jesus has done for us is a finished work of salvation.
Jesus told his followers that he was going to leave them to be with his Father in heaven, but he would return. As the birth pains increase every Christian is praying for people to realise that the Bible gives us insight into these events that are taking place in the world and that Jesus is the fulfilment of Biblical prophesies. He is the Saviour of the world.  

25th November 2012 We give thanks for the cease fire that is holding between Israel and Gaza.
                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

The Messiah’s Secret – Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Daniel 2: 1-11, 25-48.   Matthew 5: 1-12.   Revelation 7: 9-end

Approximately 600 BC the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Jehoiakim the King of Judah, was captured and taken to Babylon.

Daniel may have watched the rifling of the temple at Jerusalem and afterwards taken captive to Shinar in Babylonia to serve in Kings Palace. God gave Daniel and his three friends: Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah of the tribe of Judah, the understanding in all visions and dreams.                                    ChristArt.com

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that troubled him. He sent for his magicians, enchanters, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans to tell him his dream and interpretation. They could not deliver the king an answer. The king was not pleased and ordered their execution. Arioch the captain of the king’s guard made the matter known to Daniel about the king’s dream. Daniel asked for an audience with the king to tell him the content and interpretation of his dream.
Daniel consulted with his three friends: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. (These were the names given to them by Ashpenaz the chief eunuch to the king.) He asked his friends to pray for the revealing of the King’s dream and its interpretation. The mystery of the dream was revealed to Daniel in the night. Daniel also known as Belteshazzar went before Nebuchadnezzar and told him his dream and gave him the interpretation of it.
                        First Kingdom Babylonian Empire
                      Head of Gold – King Nebuchadnezzar
                  
Second Kingdom  Persian Empire
     The breast and arms composed of silver.

Third Kingdom Greek Hellenistic Empire
     The belly and thighs of bronze

Fourth Kingdom Roman Empire
     Legs of Iron
Feet - ten toes of Iron and Clay mixed
The stone cut from the mountain, falls and breaks the image
 and the wind blows the pieces away.
The stone fills the whole.

Imperial Roman Empire includes the return of Jesus and the tribulation period.
The title given to the Emperor in Rome – Caesar
In 364 AD Emperor Valentine divided the Roman Empire
East Constantinople and West Rome

The Two Legs
Rome fell 476 AD and the Holy Roman Empire moved its centre to France and later to Germany. The Imperial Kings title - Kaiser or Caesar.
In 1453 AD the Turks invaded Constantinople, the Romans fled to Russia and they set up Roman Imperial Government the Kings were called Zars or Caesar.

Nebuchadnezzar’s statue the ten toes.
The toes are constructed of both iron and clay which indicates weakness and strength.
Daniel’s vision gives us details of the meaning of the ten toes, they are ten kings. Daniel’s Vision Chapter 7:  1-28                                                                                                                                                        

    

The great sea –  Mediterainium

Winged lion – Babylonian Empire.

Bear-like - Medo-Persian Empire

Leopard-like - Greek-Hellenistic Empire

Fourth beast – Imperialistic Empire

Daniel 7: 1-28 Four of the kings become prominant: Babylonian, Persian, Grecian and Roman. From one of them the Antichrist emerges and subdues the other 3 kings

Signs of the Times
In 2008 I was given a word ‘One World Government’ I knew it was connected with future prophesies. The world is often referred to as ‘the global village.’ Since the introduction of the computer communications across the globe have made the world seem a much smaller place. In the 1970’s six major leaders of countries: France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US and the UK came together to try to resolve the oil crisis, they were known as the G 6. Two more countries have since joined them Canada and Russia making up the G 8.                                                                                                                                           
These leaders have continued to meet over a period of nearly forty years to discuss other problems: climate change, wars, famine and the financial crisis.
This could quite easily become the G10. One of the ten kings in Daniel’s vision emerges with charisma and seemingly has the answers to the world problems. He becomes dominant and will be
idolised by many.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream the statue was of himself.
Nebuchadnezzar passed a decree that everyone in his realm had to worship the statue.  For Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego it meant swimming against the tide of the king’s authority in keeping to their faith, they refused to worship the statue. As a result Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a furnace to be roasted alive. But they were miraculously saved from destruction and eventually Nebuchadnezzar had to admit the great power of their God. Daniel 3: 1-30.
Daniel found himself in a similar situation during the reign of King Darius.  He was thrown into a den of lions of because he insisted on worshiping his own God. But again, he was unexpectedly delivered and Darius was forced to accept the supremacy of the God of Israel. Daniel 6: 1-28.

Antiochus set up an image of Zeus in the temple at Jerusalem. The Maccabean revolt followed and Antiochus was defeated.

Jesus’ prophecy concerning the Antichrist.
This statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream also points us to the Antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, standing in the temple at Jerusalem being worshiped as god.
“When you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place.” Matthew 24: 15. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

When we hear of these things, pray, look for Jesus’ return and pray for people to come to faith in Christ as we want them to escape the time of the tribulation.

 Scriptures reveal that Jesus calls out the church before the start of the tribulation.
 “Two men will be in the field; one is taken the other is left.” Matthew 24: 40         
 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 9 – 11.

After the antichrist is revealed we see the start of the seven year tribulation with Jesus opening the seals, each seal is a judgment. Revelation 6

We can identify the Beatitudes in Matthew’s gospel with the tribulation Christians.
Blessed are the poor in spirit.These are the Christians who continue to witness with perseverance, after their message has been rejected. This takes place during the three and a half years when people are turning to the antichrist.
The first seal is the rider on the white horse carrying a bow without an arrow. The rider is wearing a crown and he will go out to conquer and to conquer.
This person is generally thought to be the antichrist, the counterfeit Messiah, who on his first appearance is a man of peace, who will conquer the world with his answers to the worlds’ problems. The world is deceived by him. 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

Blessed are those who mourn Those who see the antichrist turn against Israel and the tribulation period begins.
The second seal is the red horse, its rider being permitted to take away the peace. The antichrist turns against Israel and makes war against her and her allies

Blessed are the meek. The humble, obedient Christians who will suffer for the lack of food, maybe it will be because of refusing to have the mark on their right hand or forehead.  Revelation 13: 16, 17.
The third seal is the black horse and its rider depicts the consequences of war; there will be famine on a world-wide scale, because of the scarcity of wheat and barley. But medicines will be available as the oil and the wine are not hurt.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after the righteousness of God.
The fourth seal – the pale horse and its rider. The pale horse signifies death on a massive scale, one quarter of the world’s population through war, famine and the wild animals savaging, searching for food.                                                                                                                 
I understand through study that the horsemen of the apocalypse are imagery. Horses represent speed of which things will happen. The rider, the messenger is revealing the nature of the judgement.

Blessed are the merciful. Christians who always forgive their enemies no matter what the situation is. The judgement belongs to God.
The fifth seal Christians that will be killed in wars of persecution for their faith in Jesus.

Blessed are the pure in heart. The Christians refined by their suffering, as they have died to self.
The sixth seal. Earthquakes and cosmic events, meteor showers, the sun and moon blocked by the dust. People hide in caves to escape the falling debris.

Blessed are the peacemakers The prayers of the peacemaker.

Between the sixth and seventh seal the 144,000 Jews witness for Christ bringing world-wide revival. Revelation 7: 2, 3.
(The Jehovah Witnesses claim to be the 144,000 Jewish descendants of the tribes of Israel. They also claim that Jesus has already returned with his angels, invisibly in 1914. This I believe is not correct)

Blessed are the persecuted.   The Christians who swim against the tide of world evil and as a result are persecuted.

The seventh seal – There will be silence in heaven for half an hour before the great intensity of the tribulation.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
The stone cut from the mountain falls on the image and destroys it. Jesus the stone, returns to Mount of Olives where he is recognised by the few remaining Jewish people.
Jesus comes with the armies of heaven and the saints and battles against the Antichrist and is victorious. The fragments of the stone will fill the whole earth which is Jesus’ kingdom.

In the third reading Revelation 7:9-end the tribulation saints will find that there will be no more hunger or thirst and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.