HarvestLabourer

Thank you, Brakelite. We have also been informed with much boldness to take the Bible literally... as the Holy Ghost reveals it to us. Just for some examples, the bullocks we bring unto the Lord are literal and real, but they are not physical animals. The Lord's altar is literal and real, but it is not a physical thing in a physical location. The Canaanite tribes God commands His people to kill are literal and real, but they are not tribes of people. The flesh and the blood of Jesus are meat indeed and drink indeed, but we are not eating His physical body, and drinking carnal blood. I believe God is literally speaking about spiritual things. Thank You God Paul But without a parable spake He not unto them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples. Mark 4:34

Thank you, Mabel. I agree, that the linked article is strange. Flying over Borzrah is a reference to the Lord's rapture. Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. Exodus 19:14 As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, takes them, bears them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. Deuteronomy 32:11-12 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:5 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab. Jeremiah 48:40 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. Jeremiah 49:22 It has been going on since a couple of generations after Adam. The Bible tells us... And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. Genesis 4:26 Thank You Lord Paul And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Revelation 12:14

Fasting is a key tool though, for the simple fact that the opposite to fasting is giving in to the flesh. But you are absolutely right, the focus should be upon the Lord, and the goal His arrival. Fasting (to me) means coming off of everything except God. And for that, I make my eye single for the Lord. Praise the Lord Paul Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Thank you, Shiloh. I liked your post. But I think we should interpret Ezekiel in the light of Revelation chapter 21 too. And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. Ezekiel 40:3 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. Revelation 21:15 I actually never interpreted any animal sacrifice literally. Never could believe our God ever commanded anyone to kill their best farm animals. I know God and He isn't like that. He never required the flesh and blood of bulls and goats. And David and Jeremiah make this abundantly clear, so I went to look for the true interpretation. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar. Psalm 51:17-19 So offering up bullocks is offering our self up brokenhearted. Notice also, the reference to God building the walls of Jerusalem. God does His good works inside us, when we offer our self up. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. Jeremiah 7:22-23 This saying from Jeremiah caused me to look again at God's words, in a different light. Thanks to Jesus Paul And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. Malachi 3:3-4

Also worth mentioning, fasting is extremely beneficial for the health, and can help with addictions. When we stop intake, the body can have a rest from digesting, and will reverse metabolism and get some toxins out. And when you come off your fast, you can just re-introduce into your diet only those things you want. If you never done it before, don't exceed three days. And break your fast by eating lightly at first. Praise God Paul And upon the third day, when she had ended her prayers, she laid away her mourning garments, and put on her glorious apparel. Additions to the Book of Esther 6:1

Hi Neighbor. While those chapters in Judges and Ezra both mention fasting to the Lord, the "three days" (or third day) are mentioned elsewhere. We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as He shall command us. Exodus 8:27 After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Hosea 6:2 The three days are also symbolized by Jonah's three day journey to the great city. And being raised in the third day is symbolized by Jesus being raised on the third day after His crucifixion. Bless Jesus Paul And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the King at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even. 1 Samuel 20:5 For He taught His disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day. Mark 9:31

Thank you, Emily. I thought it is well worth the read. You covered the subject very comprehensively. By faith. Paul

Thou shalt. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou would keep His commandments, or no. Deuteronomy 8:2 I don't think we will be saddened though, because we will be shown the purpose at the same time. And a note of interest, that verse precedes the verse which Jesus famously quoted to the devil. I include it because it is a continuation of the above saying. Paul And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knew not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:3

But there is a time when you do make your solemn prayer to the Lord, I hope. Those times then are your sabbaths, however you proclaim them. Paul

Thank you, When. When newcomers come to the Church, are they told a specific time that they have to call upon the name of the Lord? Yes. They say the time is now. (And they expect you to make the ram offering right away, in the front of the congregation.) Now is the best time to make the sabbath, but now isn't always practical. So we make it on the weekend, when we aren't working. And do a proper retreat when we have some vacation time. (Or in our day of trouble, when we didn't even have a job.) Since the sabbath is for us to come into the Lord's presence, keeping them is how He comes. We have to make our prayer to Him. Lord says, Keep My sabbaths. And said, these are the feasts of the Lord. For all the reasons you gave, that's why I don't believe Saturday, or Sunday, is the sabbath day. And it may well be significant of ages, but I maintain, if one isn't making the sabbath, then it is not the sabbath day. And if one is making the sabbath today, then today is a sabbath day. And if the Lord passover, He shall feed us. May the Lord passover Paul Then shall He give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. Isaiah 30:23

Thank you, When. The purpose of the sabbath is to come into the presence of the Lord. Isn't it? According to Jesus, the Spirit is always willing. It is us that is holding us back. That is why we have got to set aside a time, some time, to not do what we normally do with our days. And to not let our thoughts just wander randomly, as they normally do. It is a sacrifice. We are sacrificing our time. And we are sacrificing our desire to do our pleasure. And we sacrifice any proud spirit in us that might spoil our holy day with Jesus. The sabbath isn't anything esoteric or mystical. It is when we make our pray to God. It is when we call on His name. I don't think anyone denies they do that. And it's how we have a rest from our lives. Thank You Jesus Paul For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

For the Son of man is LORD even of the sabbath day. Matthew 12:8 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Hosea 6:1-2 Thank you, Justin. Hallowed be thy day. Paul

Thank you, Mike. Men can say, God Bless, but will God do their commandment? Bless God Paul If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

Thank you, When. I appreciate your patient exhortation. I said I do, and you asked if I do. I don't observe it as a time, I observe it by doing it. I don't keep a calendar date, but when I can take the time out of my life, I do it. Do you know what the difference is, between a normal sabbath and the passover? I do not know. Every time I make the sabbath, I hope the Lord passover. For when He does then He feeds me. My apology, I thought I had addressed this. I may be getting confused with another sabbath thread. The commandment tells us, we shall proclaim them in their seasons. I confess, I don't find it easy to take time out of my life. But when I do, Jesus comes quickly Paul These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. Leviticus 23:4

Thank you, Abdicate. All the more remarkable, for how simple it really is. Because the sabbath is when we make our prayer to God. It is when we take a rest from the world, and have a pray. Most everyone will say they pray to God, in one way or another, at some time or another. So most everyone is keeping sabbaths, however they proclaim to pray. It just makes sense to me, if we are praying the Lord, to do it after the order that He says, lest He cause us to forget. And the Apostles teach us how to make it. Offer our self up as newborn babes, desiring to know His word. Which is our reasonable service. But rather than say "sabbath", nowadays it is said, "Call upon the name of the Lord". Because everyone that calls upon the name of the Lord is saved. When we call upon the name of the Lord, we offer our self up to Him. We are making a sabbath. And if He "feeds" us, then we are saved. They asked me to do it, first time I went to Church, "offer your self up to Jesus", they said, and they gave me the sinner's prayer to say (that I might adopt the right attitude). And they said it is an essential thing we must to do to receive salvation. Every Church I went to said it. With the luxury of hindsight, and a few years meditation on the word, and looking back now, I can see they are telling each newcomer to make the sabbath. We can do it. Praise the Lord Paul And He hath violently taken away His tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: He hath destroyed His places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of His anger the king and the priest. Lamentations 2:6

Thank you, Servant. Be exceeding glad. Paul

Thank you, Other One. Now for what the Lord says. Ye shall keep My sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:30 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. Exodus 31:16 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5 Bless God, keep His commandments Paul I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1

Thank you WhenIsJesusComing. I wasn't actually debating you, I was agreeing with you, except for about the Calendar. We are not to observe times. Not many are able to believe. Now I can say to you, you know nothing about God's commandments and their importance. You were saying how important they were, that even Jesus kept them all His life, but you don't need to keep them? And never let the Lord passover you? I do, as often as I can. And He does come quickly Paul He which testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Thank you, Cletus, it hasn't happened often. The recipient of a blessing is required to have faith too. It don't know if this is related, but it seemed coincidental coming across it after having had this conversion. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18 Rejoice, and joy. Paul

What seems to have happened here was, a man got himself into such a position of power and authority, and men listen to him, that he can maybe even change God's word. This is how Francis was led into temptation to reprove Jesus. Paul

Thank you. I believe He did. I have only been keeping Passover, and Jesus has been coming, for 13 years. I am yet to find this commandment: Thou shalt keep My Calendar, and diligently observe My times; and thou shall chant all the times, until the all people observe them. Sometimes, when I go to make the Passover, the Lord says to me, not at this time. And there have been a couple of times He has said to me, Come on, time for a Passover. But it is excellent to see that you desire to make the sabbaths as commanded. Jesus comes quickly Paul And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone. Matthew 14:23 And when He had sent them away, He departed into a mountain to pray. Mark 6:46 And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

Thank you, Unfailing. I don't believe so. The hearts of men are good by default. God did good when He made him. And I see that most everyone is peace loving and abhors war. There is a general distaste in man for violence. It hits the news when it happens, and we say to each other, That is crazy, and, Why? It is when we are corrupted by rulers that are out to make gain, then we are driven to war. I agree. What God says is. Peace of the Lord with you also. Paul

Thank you, Shiloh. No. I don't take thought for it. I'd rather think about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven is at hand, but Israel is on the other side of the world to me. Paul

Thank you, Cletus. I am glad for you if you have that faith, and we would love to hear your understanding, why a Mulberry tree? and why command it into the sea? And why wither the barren fig tree? Why not command it to bear fruit? These don't seem to be the most creative uses of our faith, so I'm sure there is a significance. I was gifted with faith to heal people, but not to uproot a tree and plant it in the sea. Your help appreciated Paul

Thank you, Neighbor, thank you Sheya. They each sacrificed their greatest treasure, but in the end the treasures didn't matter, because they each discovered how much the other loved them, and a happier Christmas couldn't be had. Is what I got. Paul.