Look Up – Bethlehem Star? Or An Angel? or A Sign?

In Biblical imagery, stars are symbols of angels. 

In Revelation 1:20, 12:4 angels were symbolically called stars and also in several other places in the Bible;

for example Job 38:7

Stars –

The angels, who may well be called morning – stars, because of their excellent lustre and glory.

Sons of God –

The angels called the sons of God, maybe because they had their whole being from him, and because they were made partakers of his Divine and glorious image.

The stars seen in our heaven symbolically represent these created spiritual beings called angels who according to these verses are named.

They are Messengers sent by God:

The ones we are familiar with are:

(Luke 1:19, Rev 9:11)

Names mean something:

Gabriel means “Man of God”

From the Hebrew name גַבְרִיאֵל (Gavri’el) meaning “God is my strong man”, derived from גֶּבֶר ( gever) meaning “strong man, hero” and אֵל ( ‘el) meaning “God”.

Gabriel is an archangel in Hebrew tradition, often appearing as a messenger of God.

In the Old Testament he is sent to interpret the visions of the prophet Daniel, while

in the New Testament he serves as the announcer of the births of John to Zechariah and Jesus/Yeshua to Mary.

Michael means “Who is Like God”

Michael is an archangel .

An archangel (from Greek) is an angel of high rank.

The meaning of Mi•cha•el in Hebrew is

commonly translated

“who is like God?” 

but, more accurately,

the name denotes an inquiry after the identity of God:

Who’s God? or What’s God Like?

They are called Princes those who rule under the King. Daniel 10:13

They Stand in the Presence of God. Luke 1:19

Can make people dumb. Luke 1:20

Strong’s Hebrew: 4397. מַלְאָך (malak) — a messenger

Malak

מֲלְאָךְ

Angel/Messenger/Sent One: malak

Sounds like: mal-awk

Luke 2:8-14 And there were shepherds residing in

מֲלְאָךְ

So the question is what did the Magi/Wise Men really see and follow?

What manner of Messenger was this?

They saw His Star in the eastern Sky.

What was it, an angel, a comet or a star/planet alignment?

Its not that this knowledge is critical to our salvation or our continuing walk with Messiah. It was simply a question in connection with the fact that there is much discussion concerning the upcoming planetary alignment on 21st Dec. 2020.

The scientific community and amateur astronomers are buzzing with excitement and being of a curious nature it seemed worth a closer look.

Notwithstanding there have been numerous signs and occurrences in the heavens this year. The cycle of life is continuing as promised by our creator that while the earth remain there will be seedtime and harvest.

As we are told in scripture that

Following are some facts and some information and some things to think and ponder on as we are coming up to the winter equinox date.

This terminology is not new, just a designation, a name; saying it is a divider of the months into 4 sections which make up the 4 seasons.

Dec. 21st is the darkest day because it has the shortest number of daylight hours; and we are making the turn towards the daytime/ daylight hours increasing which is always good!

The winter solstice is in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest night of the year; and the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.

Having read some of the material and watching some of the short videos on this celestial event with Jupiter and Saturn it is worth a short focus of our attention primarily because it is being called the Christmas or Bethlehem star.

This rare event will occur in the night sky… And it has not been seen in over eight centuries

For star gazers and astronomers and those who just simply like to look at the night sky it is quite an event because.

On this date, Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar system will conjunct to form what’s sometimes referred to as the Christmas Star or

the Star of Bethlehem. 

So on the day of the start of the winter solstice, the two planets will appear to form a double planet in an extremely rare event that was last seen 800 years ago.

It will be the closest Jupiter-Saturn pairing since July 1623, when the two planets appeared a little nearer. This conjunction was almost impossible to see, however, because of its closeness to the sun.

Considerably closer and in plain view was the March 1226 conjunction of the two planets—when Genghis Khan was surging through the nations and conquering Asia and Europe was pre Renaissance.

Monday 21st December 2020’s conjunction will be the closest pairing that is visible since then.

Many believe this same conjunction may have appeared like one huge star when in fact it is 2 planets appearing very close together from our view point here on earth.

However, the one coming up is especially close: Jupiter and Saturn will be just one-tenth of a degree apart from our perspective or about one-fifth the width of a full moon.

They should be easily visible around the world a little after sunset, weather permitting. Look to the sky shortly after sunset, looking to the southwest fairly low on the horizon. Saturn will be the smaller, fainter light at Jupiter’s upper right.

Binoculars will be needed to separate the two planets.

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 photo made available by NASA, Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below, are seen after sunset from Shenandoah National Park in Luray, Va.

The two planets are drawing closer to each other in the sky as they head towards a great conjunction on Monday, Dec. 21, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth of a degree apart. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) (Picture below).

So, amazingly everyone, wherever you are on earth, will see it and it was a reminder of the scripture in Matt. 24:39. 

Then will appear the Sign of the Son of Man in the sky; and then will all the nations of the earth lament, when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with great power and glory.

It makes one wonder, is the Bethlehem star, or whatever that was, alignment or comet; is the same phenomena that heralded His first coming to the wise men, returning prior to Messiahs return?

Whatever they saw, it made them take notice and seek out who this King was; and they journeyed until they found Him. This is true today that those who diligently seek Him will find Him.

Rare ‘Star of Bethlehem’ appears on Dec. 21. Here’s what astronomy says about the biblical star at Christ’s Birth. 

There are many theories about the identity of the biblical star of Bethlehem that appeared at Christ’s birth.

The most accepted theory finds the planet Jupiter to be part of that star.

In the ancient world,

all heavenly bodies

were considered stars. 

The Magi or the wise men were, most likely, court advisers to Babylon who used the stars to give guidance to the ruler.

Included at the end are some short 6-9 min videos with some pertinent information.

As always, whatever man’s opinions may be; we must always test them by the Word of God.

The Bible does not say how many wise men but lists 3 gifts

of gold, frankincense and myrrh.. so 3 became the number!

One ancient Jewish writer Philo speaks of them and describes a particular school of Magi, calling it the Eastern school, and says they understood the natural order of things and were able to explain that natural order to others and according to Philo, probably what we might call proto-scientists. 

Here is one very feasible explanation:

As Early church historians had been giving a date of around

3 BC for Messiah/Christ’s birth,

though other scholars had been saying 7 BC

because of what appears to be a misunderstanding of King Herod’s death in between those two dates.

What the Magi likely saw were

five astronomical conjunctions

that took place over a span of time from

August of 3 BC to June of 2 BC.

When one planet passes another and, as seen from earth,

they line up –

that would have been of great significance to these astrologer-advisers.

We now know what these conjunctions meant to these Magi as they would have observed from their far-off land. The conjunctions involved the constellation Leo the Lion, the planet Venus, the planet Jupiter and the star Regulus. 

To the Babylonians,

the lion/leo constellation represented Israel.

Venus was motherhood.

Jupiter stood for fatherhood or kingship.

Regulus symbolized royalty.  

The Magi put these together and in their Babylonian mindset got a clear and repeated message that a grand king had been born in Israel. 

Now we are able to use computerized astronomical tools to track the convergence of these heavenly signs involving Jupiter, Venus, Leo, and Regulus, back to when they would have occurred. 

Following this it seems that 9 months after that first conjunction –

9 months – the gestation period of a human.

It shows Jupiter and Venus come together to form the brightest star anyone had ever seen!

Not forgetting there would have been very little if any light pollution so the skies and stars would have appeared much brighter than today with all our artificial light.

That would have been in mid-June of 2 BC – again near Regulus in Leo. Eventually it all traces to a conclusion on Dec. 25, in 2 BC. Remembering that of course they did not use our calendar so Dec 25th had no significance.

The Psalmist proclaimed 

the heavens declare the glory of God….

and remembering that the Bible is extremely severe on the subject of astrology; because that is reverence for the stars, the idea that stars order your life or guide you. In the Old Testament it was an offense punishable by death.

This is not the same as astronomy where God set the constellations in His Heavens as signs for us on the earth. The Eternal One Who created the heavens and the signs of His own coming – who said that one day He would also return. 

Of course, the Romans who ruled most of the known world at the time thought the star was about them; and they even put the star on one of their coins with an image of Caesar Augustus, which represents how impressive the star was. A sort of Star of Rome rather than the Star of Bethlehem.

So the Magi went looking for this infant king to the capital city of the Jews, Jerusalem,

and the Jews sent them into Bethlehem,

a place from which the Jewish scriptures prophesied a king would come.

What the Romans thought was about them, was actually announcing the King of Kings and the rest is HIStory.

Below are links to interesting short 6 & 9 minute videos on the alignment and the wise mens gifts.

This is an opportune time of the year to share the offer of eternal life to those who may not have heard, or haven’t made the decision to accept His precious gift of forgiveness and eternal life with the assurance of being forever in His presence.

Talking of this once in a lifetime star in the heavens may be a great reference to point people to its creator and His Son!!

If this is a heavenly sign of His second coming, a comet a star and alignment of planets or an angel/messenger are we ready?

Let us be like the magi and the shepherds

and always follow the star

that leads to the Messiah

and don’t delay in sharing with others

what we have experienced.

 

He is coming soon family and every eye will see Him.

When we Look up remember our redemption draws nigh.

More Insights at related posts – links below: http://www.minimannamoments.com/because-he-came/ 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/a-missing-piece/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/because-he-came/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/a-lambs-tale-and-a-mysterious-tower/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/is-el-eem-anu/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-lights-up-your-life/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/may-this-be-a-shannah-of-shalom-a-year-of-peace/ .

Shalom shalom mishpachah/family and cheverim/friends!

You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

 

It’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE if you know the One

whom the wise men looked for and found?

YOU CAN BE CERTAIN..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

 

A Key On A Shoulder?

One scripture that we are familiar with at this season is

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

But we often skim over the list of titles within the verse thinking more of the actual birth than the prophetic statement within…

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

this is connected to the verse in

Is. 22:22 The KEY Will I Lay Upon His Shoulder

How can a key be upon a child/baby’s shoulder except it is prophetic for that childs future?

Isaiah 22:22-25.

“And the KEY of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed and be cut down, and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it.”

“The KEY of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder.”

 

Again with reference to the times and the culture of the day in which these lines were written; it was the common custom for Middle Eastern and Oriental keys to be large, and people often carried their key on their shoulder.

The handle is made of brass or silver, or wood, and often very elaborately carved.

The corner of the handkerchief is tied to the ring, and the key is then placed on the shoulder, and the handkerchief hangs down in front.

Sometimes you will see men with a huge bunch of these large keys, then they will have half on one side of the shoulder and half on the other side.

For a man to be marching along with a large key on his shoulder shows that he is certainly a person of importance because the possession of a key was evidence of property or trust, an emblem of authority.

 

Often the one carrying the key would be asked whose key they had their shoulder.

HEB: וְנָתַתִּ֛י מַפְתֵּ֥חַ בֵּית־ דָּוִ֖ד.

NAS: Then I will set the key of the house.

KJV: And the key of the house of David.

KEY –  מפתח

Maphteah 

(literally) the opener,

Judges 3:25;

and in the Greek New Testament

kleis,

from its use in shutting

Matthew 16:19; Luke 11:52; Revelation 1:18.

Maphteah – the opener

In the Bible a KEY is used as

a symbol of authority.

In Is.22:22,

we see Eliakim the priest receiving

“the key of the house of David…on his shoulder.”

The king’s trusted servant wore the KEY

to the king’s house on a hook on his shoulder.

Therefore, he had the authority

to open or close the king’s house!

The KEY = access to Davids’ wealth which is equal to

holding spiritual treasures;

as for example,

opportunities for serving the King.

It may be where our saying has its origins that we shoulder responsibilities..

In Rev 3:7 there is similar symbolism, speaking plainly of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua having the

KEY of David.

In ancient Israel, the human king was in fact

the steward of God, the true King of the land.

Similarly, the Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is the steward of His Father’s Kingdom.

With that authority, only Jesus/Yeshua can

allow or disallow someone entrance into the Kingdom

but no man had or has that authority.

I am the Way the Truth and the Life…

I AM The DOOR/DALET

It is important to realize that the rock referred to in Matt. 16:18 is more likely to be referring to Jesus/Yeshua, and not Peter. Peter was a leading apostle/sent one, of the early New Testament Congregation/Ecclesia/Called Apart Ones of the Lord for many years,

but Peter was not its chief cornerstone

that was and is Messiah Jesus/Yeshua

as Ephesians 2:20 confirms.

Also in 1 Corinthians 10: 4;

scripture calls Jesus/Yeshua that Rock.

And It is upon this rock, Messiah Jesus/Yeshua that our faith stands, Matthew 7:24-25.

Keys are associated with locks…

A door lock of Bible times consisted of a sliding piece of wood that was pushed into a slot in the doorframe.

A catch in the frame clamped down on the lock to hold it in place.

This lock was mounted on the inside of the door. It could be opened easily from that side with a wooden key that released the catch in the doorframe. But how was a locked door opened from the outside?

The door had a hole near the lock that made this possible.

A person put his hand through the hole from the outside and inserted the key in the doorframe to open the door.

Ancient door keys doubled as door handles. They were used to reach through the keyhole to lift the locking bolt.

This locking system is also described by Solomon’s bride:

“My lover thrust his hand through the latch-opening; my heart began to pound for him” Song of Solomon 5:4

The oldest wooden lock was discovered in Iran at Khorsabad in a security gate in the palace of King Sargon II (722 to 705 BC). It is very similar to a wooden cane-tumbler lock below.

The pegs at the bit end of the key correspond to the tumblers or bars in the bolt. When inserted, the pegs could lift the tumblers, the bolt could be retracted and the door or gate could be opened.

Temple locks, or Laconian locks, consisted of a wooden bolt on guides on the inside of the door. Through a hole in the door, a person on the outside could slide the bolt back to open position using a very angular tool (key) of bronze or iron. To lock it again, a thin rope or leather strap pulled the bolt into the staples in the door frame. Ancient Greek door locks were used from the seventh century BC in Greece and were named after finds in Laconia in the southern part of Peloponnesus in Greece.

A KEY ON THE SHOULDER 

In Isaiah 22:16 he predicted that Shebna would be deposed from office and be replaced by Eliakim. Carrying a KEY on his shoulder symbolized his position of power and authority, as well as his trustworthiness.

The primitive locks of Bible time, Judges 3: 23-25; had to be opened with long wooden keys. Having the key to something denotes power and authority. You have the right to enter in and the right to refuse entry to others. In the ancient world, keys were given to the steward, a servant whom the master of the house trusted to care for the household. The long, large keys of the day were often carried on a person’s shoulder. These keys were often slung over the shoulders of those who had the authority to lock and unlock doors in the king’s royal buildings. So a key on the shoulder as a symbol of authority is probably the image behind Isaiah’s statement about the Messiah: The government shall be upon his shoulder. Isaiah 9:6.

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

Isaiah focused on the symbolism of the keys of authority and trustworthiness when he prophesied of a day when the false steward of Jerusalem (Shebna) would be unseated and a true steward (Eliakim) entrusted with the card of the city. He said that Eliakim would replace the corrupt leaders and

“I will give him your authority . . . . I will place the key of the house of David around his neck. When he opens no one will shut. What he shuts no one will open” (Isa. 22:21-22).

This new leader would be trusted with the responsibility to care for Jerusalem.

 In Jesus/Yeshuas’ day, the experts in the law had also proved themselves unworthy to hold the keys. He said to them,

“How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses’ Teachings! You have taken away the key that unlocks knowledge. You haven’t gained entrance into knowledge yourselves, and you’ve kept out those who wanted to enter” (Luke 11:52).

This is the, ‘beware of the leaven of the pharisees’ who were keeping the people in bondage by their oral laws rather than teaching from the scriptures…the same is also true today as Solomon said nothing new under the sun!

These men had access to gain knowledge and share it with others-they knew how to read and interpret the law-but they did not fulfill their responsibility, so Jesus/Yeshua took the KEY away. This is similar to when Messiah said He had blinded those who refused to see.

At some point disobedience leads to a hardened heart that is unable to be turned back to God, and in this case Jesus/Yeshua removed their authority, as symbolized by the KEY.

The keys to unlocking truth are given to true ministers of the gospel, an important charge that they must not take lightly.

He was given the authority to explain gospel truth to others, thereby opening the kingdom to them.

This same authority rests with the church today.

We have a responsibility to

unlock the knowledge of the kingdom of heaven for others.

The second occurrence of the KEY of David is in Isaiah where it states,

The key of the house of King David was to be on the shoulder of Eliakim.

Isaiah 22:22, “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut and no one shall open.”

In this passage, beginning in verse 20, it appears that YHVH will call Eliakim and lay on his shoulders the key of the house of David.

This passage has a prophetic meaning referring to the then future Messiah.

The key of the king’s treasure-chambers and of the gates of the palace was the natural symbol of the chamberlain’s or vizier’s office, and, as in Isaiah 9:6, it was solemnly laid upon the shoulder of the new official, perhaps as representing

the burden of the responsibilities of the duties of his office.

(Eliakim as an allusion or type of Messiah/Christ).

So the key of the house of David is

symbolic for the government of Eliakim in Isaiah 22:21, which is a type or symbol of the government of Jesus Christ/Messiah Yeshua, as described in Isaiah 9. Note also that according to Isaiah, the government or kingdom of Messiah is established, or founded, on a work of judgment. This is an important aspect of the key of the house of David.

Isaiah 22:22. There, the prophet tells the palace secretary Shebna that he will be replaced by Eliakim, for God “will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David” (Isaiah 22:22). The one who holds the keys has the authority. Thus, the “key of David” implies control of David’s domain, which was promised to the Messiah in both the Old and New Testaments (Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32).

There are still many buildings in the Middle East which have enormous locks, and of course with keys in proportion.

Many of them are heavy to carry. These locks are made so that no false key could fit them, and they become more complicated in proportion to the number and position of the guards into which the metal drops are required to fall.

Lay upon his shoulder;

he mentions the shoulder rather than the hand, in which keys are commonly carried, either from some ceremony then in use, of carrying a KEY upon the shoulder,

either of the officer of state himself,

or of another in his name and stead;

or to signify that this was a KEY of greater weight than ordinary, and that government, which is designed by this KEY, is a heavy burden, and therefore in Scripture phrase said to be upon the shoulder, as Isaiah 9:6.

These huge locks are found on the inside of doors of gardens and outer courts, and inner rooms too. The only way the owner can unlock them is to cut a hole in the door, put his arm through the hole, and insert the KEY.

Many of the garden doors are still locked this way today.

The ancient lattice window looked very much like a fisherman’s net, and was used in warm middle eastern countries. It was formed by woven work, and highly ornamental. They also had hinges which allowed them to be open or shut. On very hot days then sun is kept out while the air is let in through the trellis openings.

In the Song of Solomon the bride says, “My beloved put his hand by the hole of the door,” that he might enter.

“My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.”

– Song of Solomon 2:9

Put in his hand –

Through literally from

the hole of the lock,

in order to raise the pins by which the bolt was fastened.

The Oriental lock is a hollow piece of wood attached to the doorpost, into which a sliding-bolt is made to run. As soon as the bolt has been driven home a number of pins drop into holes prepared in it for their reception.

 

As we have seen, a KEY in the East is usually a piece of wood with pegs in it corresponding to small holes in a wooden bolt within, and is put through a hole in the door, and thus draws the bolt.

So Messiah Jesus/Yeshua “

puts forth His hand (namely, His Spirit, Eze 3:14),

by (Hebrew, ‘from,’ so in Song Sol. 2:9) the hole”;

in “chastening” Ps 38:2; Re 3:14-22,

singularly similar to this passage),

and other unexpected ways

letting Himself in (Luke 22:61, 62).

Put in his hand – Through (literally “from”) the hole (of the lock), in order to raise the pins by which the bolt was fastened. The Oriental lock is a hollow piece of wood attached to the doorpost, into which a sliding-bolt is made to run. As soon as the bolt has been driven home a number of pins drop into holes prepared in it for their reception. To raise these pins, and so enable the bolt to be withdrawn, is to unfasten the lock.

This is commonly done by means of the key (literally “opener”), but may often be accomplished by the fingers if dipped in paste or some other adhesive substance. For such a purpose the beloved inserts his fingers here anointed with the costly myrrh, which will presently be passed onto those of the bride when she rises to open to him.

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,….

To remove the bolt or bar which kept him from entering in.

By the “door” is meant the door of her (Israel) heart, which was in a great measure shut against Messiah, because of corruption; and the “hole” in it shows that it was not entirely shut up, there was a little love broke out from her to him; a little light broke in from him upon her; but her heart was much narrowed and straitened, her grace low in exercise, yet there were some faith, some love.

Messiah takes the advantage of the little hole or crevice there was, and “put in his hand”; which is to be understood of powerful and efficacious grace, and the exertion of it on her; which is as necessary to awake a drowsy saint, and reclaim a backslider Acts 11:22; and this is a proof of the greatness of Jesus/Yeshua’s love to His Body/His Bride.

Even though she is dismissive towards Him, He does not utterly forsake her, but left something behind that came upon her; in that what called, knocked, and speaking couldn’t do, His hand/ His Spirit, was able to.

and my bowels were moved for him; the passions of her soul; her grief and sorrow for sin, in using him in so ill a manner; her shame for being guilty of such ingratitude; her fear lest he should utterly depart from her; her love, which had been chill and cold, now began to kindle and appear in flames; her heart, and the desires of it, were in motion towards him; and a hearty concern appeared that he should be used so unfriendly by her; that his company and communion with him should be slighted, who had so greatly loved her, and endured so much for her.

WHAT ARE MYRRH’S SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE?

Myrrh meaning bitter 

It is very expensive 

It is a detoxifying agent 

It is used to embalm the dead 

It is used as a base for perfumes

It is a cleansing agent 

It is a healing agent

Myrrh’s spiritual significance:

We must put to death (embalm) the old nature

Bitter, painful experiences (myrrh is bitter) of life and ARE PART of God’s BEAUTY TREATMENT of us

It is not 1 or 2 or 3 months of the 12- month beauty treatment,

it is SIX MONTHS,

meaning HALF, or PART OF OUR BEAUTIFICATION process

We must…

Allow God to detoxify us of all bitterness, anger, offences, hurt feelings, traumas, painful memories, abuse, molestation, trauma…

We must wait in His presence to receive His HEALING,

FORGIVENESS, COMFORT,

teaching, restoration,

and AFFIRMATION…

It is 

“And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder: so he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.  And I will FASTEN HIM AS A NAIL IN A SURE PLACE and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed and be cut down, and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the Lord hath spoken it.”

It was customary to build certain pegs into the house, to hang things on. Unlike temporary nails in plastered wall which can fall out overtime, these were very permanent. On such pegs trophies, shields, swords, gold and silver vessels, changes of raiment, and other valuable things were hung, for show.

in Rev. 3:7, Jesus/Yeshua refers to the key of David in these same terms. we are again reminded of the words

“And the government shall be upon His shoulder” Isaiah 9:6

 (KJV) 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

is a prophecy about a future child who would bear the government on his shoulders and be called by titles that could only rightfully be attributed to God:

The Messiah was pre-eminently the gift of the God of love. Man had no claim on Him, and God voluntarily gave His Son to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

And the government shall be upon his shoulder – The sense of this passage is, that He shall rule, or that the government shall be vested in Him.

It was prophesied in Genesis 49:10 that the Lord would reign.  That says,

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

The Word of God says in 

Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”  

How right it is that the Lord Jesus should reign.  We read in 

Revelation 19:16

that He is the, “…KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  

Isaiah 9:7

tells us that, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”

Which government does Messiah hold on His shoulder?  

Is it not true that He holds all of them?  The Lord is called the “God of Israel” Over 200 times in scripture.  He certainly reigns over all human governments.  

Daniel 4:17 says, “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

Messiah certainly governs His church as we read in 

Colossians 1:18, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” 

 Messiah Jesus/Yeshua will rule on the earth during His 1000 year reign. 

 Matthew 25 tells us of the judgment of the nations at the end of the time of Tribulation to determine who will enter this kingdom.  

We read in 

Matthew 25:32-34, “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

the power and tender love of our blessed redeemer.  

Isaiah 9:6 tells us that, “the government shall be upon his shoulder.”  And yet, when rescuing one of His precious lambs, in Luke 15:5, we read “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”  

While the government is on His ‘shoulder’, His lambs are securely and tenderly held on His ‘shoulders.’  Not only does He hold us on His strong shoulders, He rejoices in our salvation. And we are indeed

FORGIVEN

Rev 3:7

WHAT DOES THE KEY OPEN?

There is the opening vision of the ascended Messiah

(Revelation 1:18).

There is the historical backdrop of this terminology

(Isaiah 22).

Jesus/Yeshua exercises absolute power to control entry into the kingdom of God.

What are the IMPLICATIONS FOR THE Ecclesia/Called out ones?

We should be consoled knowing that our access to the kingdom is secure. (Matthew 5:16, John 14:12a).

We should be confident knowing that Jesus/Yeshua is opening doors for lost people to enter the kingdom.

(John 6:44, Ephesians 1:4-5, Luke 16:16).

We should be sobered knowing that not everyone will be admitted into the kingdom.

(Matthew 7:21, Revelation 22:14-15).

We should be humbled knowing that the authority of the kingdom has been entrusted to the church.

(Matthew 16:19).

There is only one way to enter the kingdom,

through the

“narrow gate” 

How?

Through a covenant relationship with Jesus/Yeshua.

He is The

KEY

and it is upon

HIS SHOULDER.

Shalom shalom mishpachah/family and cheverim/friends! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing and if you haven’t already, please sign up for free email notification, like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths. MMM will continue as long as the platform is accessible… meanwhile let’s remember

it’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE if you know the WAY through the Narrow Gate?

YOU CAN BE CERTAIN..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

L’hahd leek ner shel Chahookah – To Light The Lights of Chanukah

It began on 11th December this year and tonight is the third night of Hanukkah, for those who have not read previous posts….

below is a list of relevant ones

to enjoy while the next meal is being prepared!

Here is a calendar showing the season:

Although it is not an

Appointed Time of the Lord

it is celebrated by many in Israel.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/hanukkahchanukah-believers-today/ 

Hanukkah/Chanukah and Believers Today

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-miracle-of-the-hammer-men/

The Miracle of The Hammer Men

https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-lights-up-your-life/

Who Lights Up OUR Life?

https://www.minimannamoments.com/chanukah-or-hanukkah/

What is Hanukkah/Chanukah?

What – No Greeting? Strange Scriptures?

Greet /salute no man by the way

Velo tishaloo lishlom eesh badarech

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse,

nor scrip,

nor shoes:

and salute no man by the way.

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.

2 He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

3 Go!

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Luke 10:1

The NIV version has

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. The number 72 is not found in the original.

Greek numbers have only one correct spelling, there are no variations for writing numbers to words.

Greek Translation for seventy:

εβδομήντα. evdomínta. More Greek words for seventy. εβδομήντα. evdomínta seventy. εβδομήκοντα.

Strong’s Greek: 1440. ἑβδομήκοντα (hebdomékonta) — seventy

Interesting note that in Hebrew the word seventy – שבעים,

is in essence, 7x the number 10. 

(Recall all Hebrew letters have a numerical value).

The number 70 means

‘Elder’:as in 70 elders who went up with Moses and

a ‘Righteous’ (14) ‘

Life’ (5).

70 = 14 x 5

Elder = a ‘Righteous – Life’

The picture of Ayin is as an Eye;

so in Hebrew the character Ayin

is used to represent the number 70.

EYES OF THE LORD (70) – Letter ‘Ayin’

AYIN The sixteenth Hebrew letter ‘Ayin’:

The spiritual number 16 means ‘Sacrifice’.

So this number of His Disciples may not have been so ‘random’; having a spiritual significance we may have missed….

It could be said…..that

The Eyes of the Lord were on the disciples, who, becoming righteous before Him were willing to sacrifice their lives in obedience to His Calling.

He sent the seventy disciples, two and two, that they might strengthen and encourage one another. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

At this point in His ministry, Jesus/Yeshua tells them not to be concerned with taking extra provisions for their journeys as they went to

preach the gospel,

heal the sick,

and cast out demons.

He tells them that the harvest is very great but there are a few laborers.

He tells them to

Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

This sounds very strange and not how we think Jesus/Yeshua would behave. Again because our mindset is of the western world we think that a nod of the head, a wave, a smile or shaking someone’s hand, even a hug takes very little time.

So why did He command His 70 disciples to salute no man by the way?

It seems that it was simply because they were on important kingdom business going out ahead of Messiah; and they must not waste time in idle conversation with people that they would meet along the way.

However, we need to get a clearer picture as it still seems a little like rude behavior.

If a person from Middle Eastern countries came to the west saw us rushing to catch trains planes and buses etc. and see us just nod or wave to a friend in passing.

They would think that we were very rude.

Why?

because no local resident of the middle eastern countries would ever do that.

When locals walk through towns and the villages and meet someone they know they rush up to them and embrace them, kissing them on both cheeks just as the father of the prodigal son did.

Then they each place their right hand over the heart then on their lips and then slowly raise it to their forehead after that they clasp each other’s hands.

When they put their hand over the heart they are saying: With my heart I love you.

Next on their lips, meaning: With my lips I give you the kiss of friendship.

And then when raising it to their forehead is signifying: I esteem and respect you.

Middle Eastern businessmen greeting Beirut Lebanon Middle East

They exchange greetings and ask about each others welfare; following that they question each other with complementary speeches. which would take at the very least another half hour, then having embraced once more they go their separate ways.

Time is of little consequence to the local villagers and you seldom see anyone in a hurry.

They frequently stand for hours repeating over and over the same words such as:

is there peace/shalom with you? is there peace/shalom with your house?

We should remember that when we read in the Scriptures example in Genesis 37:14

is it well?

It means: is there peace? Shalom?

Also in

 (KJV) 14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

Also

A similar direction is found 

in

2Kings 4:29

It was because of this custom of such long greetings that Elisha said to Gehazi his servant:

(KJV) 2 Kings 4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 

For the very same reason, this like charge is given to Gehazi, and which, as commentators observe, was, that he might not talk for hours with people he met and be stopped on the way; and that his mind might not turn to any other thing, either by word or deed.

So Jesus/Yeshua’s intention, by this order was, not to teach them to be rude or dismissive, or to be aloof and discourteous. It was that they might complete their task in a timely manner, and rather than to neglect, or hinder a work of such great importance, they would not take time with common cultural customs.

Even today when friends meet in the middle eastern nations they say one to another

Peace be unto you.

and when they leave one another they say

God go with you.

To a male friend it would be, Mar salaam

To a female friend, Mar salaami.

The reply to a man would be

peace remain with you; allah selmack,

and to a woman, allah selmick.

It’s a very curious thing because, even if someone was really wanting to kill you – when you meet them on the street they will stop and greet you saying:

may your days be blessed,

peace to your lives,

go in peace.

The Scriptures have many greetings which are still common today.

A final thought is that when Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth to announce to her that she was to be the mother of the Messiah.

Mary was troubled in her mind to know what manner of salutation was used by the Angel.

Was it the usual form of greeting? was it because she wondered if it was flattery? Or did it have a genuine meaning?

These greetings found in the Scriptures can still be heard every day in the villages of Israel and surrounding nations and it helps us to better understand what He said to His disciples.

Salute no man by the way.

He was very well aware of the Jewish greetings which were very formal, sometimes hypocritical, and consumed much time. It’s said that it often took from 1 to 3 hours to complete these formal greetings! 

If two Arabs of equal rank meet each other, they extend to each other the right hand, and having clasped, they elevate them as if to kiss them. Each one then draws back his hand and kisses it instead of his friend‘s, and then places it upon his forehead. The parties then continue the salutation by kissing each other‘s beard.

They gave thanks to God that they are once more permitted to see their friend – they pray to the Almighty in his behalf. Sometimes they repeat not less than ten times the ceremony of grasping hands and kissing.

There is such an amount of insincerity, flattery, and falsehood in the terms of salutation prescribed by etiquette, that Messiah who is truth itself, desired His representatives to do without them as far as possible, perhaps even carefully to rebuke them.

These instructions were also intended to reprove another inclination which an Oriental can scarcely resist, no matter how urgent his business. If he meets an acquaintance, he must stop and make an endless number of inquiries and answer just as many. If they come upon people making a bargain or discussing any other matter, they must pause and intrude with their own ideas, and enter keenly into the business, though it in no wise concerns them; and more especially, an Oriental can never resist the temptation to assist “where accounts are being settled or money counted out.”

 

Now the command of Jesus/Yeshua, strictly prohibited all such greetings, because they would waste time, distract attention, and in many ways hinder them faithfully completing their important mission.

The saluting and greeting of friends, therefore, was a ceremony which consumed much time; and it was because of this, that on this occasion, Messiah told them not to delay their journey by greeting others. 

שלום בית אובך

Shalom bayit haze 

שלום בית 

Shalom bayit 

literally: peace [at] home

Hebrew translation from Greek:

‏‏שלום לבית הזה –

shalom labayit hazeh 

Peshitta, Aramaic in Hebrew letters:

שלמא לביתא הנא –

shlomo l’bayta hana

Luke 24:36

 But whatever house you enter, first say,

Peace to this house.

Luke 10:5

Greek: Ειρηνη τω οικω –

Eirene to oiko

The son of peace –

That is, if the house or family be worthy,

or be disposed to receive you in peace and kindness.

See also Matthew 10:13.

 The phrase

son of peace 

is an Aramaic idiom

which does not exist in English.

The son of peace means:

one disposed to peace,

or

peaceful and kind in his disposition.

Compare with Matthew 1:1.

Worthy: deemed one worthy,

one whose heart was ready

to receive the message of

PEACE/SHALOM

they brought.

Go not from house to house.

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Luke 10:4-7

A son of peace

or

a man of peace

is a very godly person

(So this does include women.)

Ps 37:37

of such a person the scripture says: 

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Perfect meaning: blameless and upright with clean repentant/humble heart before the Lord.

Again

the shalom

the peace…

This sounds strange to us however, there were many people who needed to hear the good news and time was of the essence.

When a stranger arrived in the Village or Town, it was usual for the people to invite him to eat with them…. one after another would ask.

There is a very strict custom with this offer of hospitality: involving much hypocrisy (notice how this world has appeared in the previous three references to strange scriptures and remembering how Yeshua/Jesus hated hypocrisy).

In this custom any failure to observe this law of hospitality is violently resented by the whole neighborhood and often results in Families fighting.

In observing this cultural hospitality huge amounts of time are wasted. It also leads to gossip and foolishness which every way would sabotage the success of the disciples spiritual mission.

It was because of all of these hindrances they were told to avoid them.

Jesus/Yeshua, was sending them out to

call people to repentance…

not to be honored and fed huge meals wherever they went; so He told them to find a suitable place to stay, and to remain there until their work in that place was completed.

Go not from house to house carry no scrip.

The scrip is the whole dried skin of a kid, (a young goat). It is fastened to the belt or to a cord and is thrown over the shoulder and under the outer garment.

In this scrip, the traveler carries with him bread, figs and olives enough to last on his journey. In Luke 9:3 The disciples were told not to take script or food with them.

 And he said unto them,Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

He sent His 12 disciples out also, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not try to gain favor or influence  people getting respect by their outward appearance, they were to go just as they were. 

Take nothing for your Journey. Traveling without any burden which is much easier if you have nothing to carry. They were on His business, sent by Him, and He assumed their care, and instructed them NOT to trust themselves, or any other person but in Him alone.

neither staves,
The Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read just one in number,

“neither staff, rod, or club”;

but in all the rest in the plural.

in Matthew; we read,

one staff was allowed.

These were His instructions

in Mark 6:8

 Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.

though more than one were forbidden:

nor scrip;
or bag to put provision in;

Neither bread, neither money;
gold, silver, or brass, to buy bread with; because they were to have it, wherever they came, given them, as their due, and the reward of their labour;

neither have two coats apiece;

The word apiece is left out in one copy, nor is it in the Vulgate, Latin and the eastern versions, which read as in Matthew 10:10 though the word does express the sense which was not that they should not have two coats among them, but not two apiece; or in common terms, each man should not have 2 coats as in

having a change of clothes;

Nor shoes;

any more than those they had upon their feet; which would have been sandals.

Matt. 10:9-10 and salute no man by the way;

that they might not be delayed or hindered in their journey; by time consuming customs, and long inquiries into the health of family and friends, and the business they were engaged in, etc.,etc,. drawn out at great length, which was often the case at meeting on the road:

What were they to be doing?

Luke 9:1-2 tells us

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils,

and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to

preach the kingdom of God,

and to

heal the sick.

The caution of not being obedient is echoed in

1 Timothy 5:13

And withal they learn to be idle,

wandering about from house to house;

and not only idle,

but tattlers also and busybodies,

speaking things which they ought not.

 The difference between

Roman peace 

and

Hebrew shalom:

One can dictate a peace; shalom is a mutual agreement.
Peace is a temporary pact; shalom is a permanent agreement.
One can make a peace treaty; shalom is the condition of peace.
Peace can be negative, the absence of commotion. Shalom is positive, the presence of serenity.
Peace can be partial; shalom is whole.
Peace can be piecemeal; shalom is complete.

True biblical shalom refers to:

an inward sense of completeness or wholeness.

Although it can describe the absence of war, a majority of biblical references refer to an inner completeness and tranquility.

In Israel today, when you greet someone or say goodbye, you say, Shalom.

You are literally saying,

may you be full of well-being

or,

may health and prosperity be upon you.

“Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’” Num.6:23-26

 

Many are familiar with the Hebrew word

shalom or peace.

The common western definition of peace is — the absence of conflict or war —

but in Hebrew it means so much more.

Shalom is taken from the root word shalam, which means, “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.”

It speaks of completeness, fullness, or a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back — to generously re-pay something in some way.

Strong’s Hebrew: 7965.

שָׁלוֹם (shalom) — completeness …

Shalom שָׁלוֹם;

also spelled as

sholom, sholem , sholoim, shulem

is a Hebrew word meaning:

peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.

Hebrew is read from right to left

Shalom שָׁלוֹם

is a noun from the three letter verb root

Shalam שָׁלַם.

Shalom is defined as: Completeness, Soundness, Wholeness, Welfare, Peace, Function, Fullness, Health, Safety, Security, Tranquility, to Restore, to Repay, to Reward, to Make Amends, to Make Restitution, to Make Good….

The Ancient Hebrew Pictographs Shows us what 

Shalam שָׁלַם does:

The Hebrew letters are

Shin Lamed Vav Mem sofit.

Taken together, and reading from right to left, they spell 

Shen/shin/sheen = Teeth: to Devour, Consume, Destroy…

Lamed = Shepherd’s Staff: Authority, Control, Tongue…

Vav = Tent Peg or Wooden Hook: Connect with, Join…

Mem = Water, Liquid, Massive, Chaos, Raging…

Shin is a picture of teeth which crush and destroy

Lamed is a picture of the shepherds staff

Vav is a picture of iron nail or wooden hook

Mem is a picture of waters waters of life is pictured as a clear running stream or waters of chaos and confusion as in a tsunami/flood.

A conventional understanding can be as varied as not being at war;

harmony between people

security and

freedom from violence communicates the idea of tranquility and serenity.

Shin destroy

Lamed authority

Vav signifies 2 things which are connected (with)

Mem can mean chaos and confusion

TO DESTROY – THE AUTHORITY – OF CHAOS

Peace or shalom only comes when the authority connected with chaos and confusion is destroyed.

So this is a prophetic statement!

That on speaking the word shalom, we are saying that: someone will come and destroy that which is causing chaos and confusion

and we know that Jesus/Yeshua is the Prince of Peace and is returning soon to do just that! 

“by abolishing in His flesh the law (nomos) of charges (entolé) and decrees (dogma).  He did this to create in Himself One new man out of the two, thus making Peace.” Eph. 2:15 

because

Shalom is 

YHVH’s Promise of mankind’s return to Spiritual Oneness, Wholeness, Completeness, Restoration and Function. 

Sar Shalom

are the Hebrew words for

Prince of Peace.

נסיך של שלום

peace שלום

prince נסיך

of של

Isaiah 9:6 proclaims this as the last in the list of titles for the promised Son of God, who will sit on the throne of David and provide light, joy, and salvation to the world.

YAHUSHA HA’MASHIACH, 

SAR SHALOM –

the Prince of Peace.

Now may the God of

peace,

shalom

who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ/YeshuaHaMashiach to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 Shalom Shalom Be encouraged Mishpachah/Family!

And let His Shalom fill every part of your being… 

Please don’t leave this page until you make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him and His Shalom is within your heart…

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven.

I believe that

Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.