Mr. M

Roughly 700 Marines have been ordered to deploy to Los Angeles to protect federal buildings and officials amid mounting immigration protests there, U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, announced on Monday. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marines-los-angeles-protests/?utm_term=Task%26Purpose_Today_06.10.25&utm_campaign=Task %26 Purpose_TPToday_Actives_Dynamic&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email

John Three:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

The Word of God is deeply enriched by the use of metaphor, understood in accordance with Divine Purpose. Men have gone overboard in establishing metaphors where none was intended. If a metaphor requires an explanation of cultural milieu, it is not in accordance with that purpose. Consider an example of God's Word speaking in metaphor and accomplishing His Purpose. Psalm 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth. The sheer beauty and simplicity of natural metaphors used throughout the Scriptures is that they transcend language. Consider the awesome task of sharing the Word to the remote corners of the World. Anywhere the Evangelist travels, rain is rain, grass is grass, and the showers of refreshing are the same, regardless of language. Romans One: 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse... Share a favorite Metaphor?

Independence from cultural milieu The Word of God is deeply enriched by the use of metaphor, understood in accordance with Divine Purpose. Men have gone overboard in establishing metaphors where none was intended. If a metaphor requires an explanation of cultural milieu, it is not in accordance with that purpose. Consider an example of God's Word speaking in metaphor and accomplishing His Purpose. Psalm 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth. The sheer beauty and simplicity of natural metaphors used throughout the Scriptures is that they transcend language. Consider the awesome task of sharing the Word to the remote corners of the World. Anywhere the Evangelist travels, rain is rain, grass is grass, and the showers of refreshing are the same, regardless of language.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments in dogma; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. An important doctrine that the Lord spoke against time and again was the religious authorities placing burdens upon the people by their legal opinions, interpretations, commentaries, and decrees. Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Paul brings even greater clarity on this when he makes clear that these are doctrines of men by using "handwriting", and then attributing them to "principalities and powers", which describes both worldly powers and spiritual strongholds that are wielding power through them. Colossians 2: 14 Blotting out the "handwriting of dogma" that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. Handwriting-cheirographon [G5498] refers to any hand written document, particularly with legal backing, with debt being just one example. Presto, we have a metaphor used in many translations to denote "debt cancellation", in spite of the word dogma that follows, and denotes opinions, etc...not accounting. Here is where the evolution of doctrine does a one-eighty. The dogma of the teachers of the Law, as cited, added burdens to the people. In the New Testament world of commentary, opinions, and doctrines of men, the new dogma essentially eliminates the word "obedience", in an extreme interpretation of Grace, without Truth. For the Lord replaces the Law with Grace and Truth, with a clear purpose presented. That is not to say that all dogma is void of Truth, or that we have no traditions in the Faith. Acts 16: 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the dogma to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. This dogma cannot be said to undermine faith by issuing the decrees of the Jerusalem Council, for the Spirit clearly states that the Ekklesia were strengthened in the Faith. 2 Thessalonians 2:5 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. So then when are the traditions of men anathema? Mark 7:9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!

Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Zealous, is a passionate God: [H7067] qanna-literally reddened, passionate, jealous, zeal Phineas, the son of Aaron, received a covenant of peace from the Lord for being zealous for His Name. Numbers 25: 11 Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal. 12 Therefore say, Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; 13 And it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel. Time and again, the Lord restored Israel for His Name Sake Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name. The Lord has expressed hatred of Edom for their response to the fall of Jerusalem. Many other neighboring nations earned the same anger and retribution. Zechariah 1: 14 So the angel who spoke with me said to me, Proclaim, and say, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal. 15 I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease; For I was a little angry, and they helped—with evil. Joshua required the children of Israel to make a final decision to serve the Lord, with a final warning they would fail. Joshua 24: 19 But Joshua said to the people, You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. The Scriptures use Love to describe the Lord's passion in favor of the humble. The word hate is used to describe His passion against the proud. Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. We are instructed to be like Phineas and be zealous for good and have a passion for His Name. Galatians 4:18 But it is always good to be zealous for a good thing…

Philippians Three: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Knowing the testimony of Christ on earth is insufficient! Second Corinthians Five: 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. To know the Son in Unity With the Father, and at His Right Hand John Seventeen: 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world. The Ascension was necessary to give Life Sixteen: 5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. Fourteen: 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. Seven: 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, o ut of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Blindness Was Removed By Christ, In Christ. All that is required is to turn to Him. Second Corinthians Three: 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Let's go out like Elijah! 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. John the Baptist came in the Spirit AND the Power of Elijah. Many claim to have the Spirit. Where is the Power? First Thessalonians One: 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

Second Corinthians Three: 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. All A Jew has to do is Turn/Return to the Lord in Christ. Shoob [H7725]=Return, turn back, turn again This was the ever recurring message of the prophets In Jeremiah alone: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7725/kjv/wlc/24-1/#lexResults Romans Eleven: 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? And yet, there are those who ignore these two verses and go straight to v. 25??? When Paul explained the Election, he was speaking in his time, when Yeshua was rejected because of the blindness prescribed in Isaiah, and as it has been pointed out, was for God's Purpose in Grace to the Gentiles. To project that into the future and say that all who reject Christ, Jew or Gentile, is a part of God's purpose in predestination. This contradicts sound doctrine. Second Corinthians Four: 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Such a glorious verse the world needs to hear! God has commanded the Light of Christ to shine on us all to lead us out of darkness. Some prefer darkness. John Three: 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. The secrets you keep cause you to abide in darkness, and the Love of God does not manifest toward your brethren. Many Gentiles do not even believe they need to confess their faults, for they are under Grace! How maligned is that? Sure, I did him wrong, but stuff happens, God knows my heart(???) First John Two: 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Are you feeling the Love? No? Are you giving the Love, or giving in to fear. The fear of hurt and betrayal, even the little disappointments that set upon us all, as we in our insecurity and self-consciousness judge others, when we are supposed to be judging ourselves, that we may be healed. James Five: 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Not just for Jews anymore. Stop cherry picking!

Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. 2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

Colossians One: 24-26 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the Ekklesia, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27-29 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

[G1754]-energeo=empowered (by the Spirit) for effective work Galatians 3:5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Philippians 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a [c]deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

When the Gospel is not received, it has nothing to do with Satan's lies, the persecution by the wicked, or the lure of Mammon. Nor is there any relevance to categories Jew/Gentile, male/female, bond/free. The issue is the heart of man, period. Mark Four: 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. The struggles of Gospel acceptance is a matter of the heart and a lack of diligence. To give, Satan, the world, or the flesh credit is to turn the admonitions into excuses. Proverbs Four: 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

True Religion... Exodus Twenty-Two: 21-24 You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. James One: 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Hebrews Thirteen: 12-14 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. A recurring theme throughout the Testimony is the affliction and the cause of the Righteous. The Spirit leads us in the Way of enduring the Lord's reproach, even as the calling is to relieve the sufferings of others. Mark Ten: 35-37 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” 38-40 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” The Lord speaks of two requirements here, to drink from His cup, and receive His baptism. We willingly accept the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but will we endure the baptism of fire? The furnace of affliction overcomes the spirit of jealousy, which inflames the wrath of man. Only in the humility attained under the hand of discipline can the faith of man be tried and proven genuine. His assurance then comes with the consolation of the Holy Spirit, and inner man is magnified. Genesis Fifteen: 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. Exodus One: 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. Out of the furnace, and into the fire of the wilderness... Deuteronomy Eight: 2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to afflict you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He afflicted you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you. By affliction we are led in the righteous path Psalm 119: 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Many are called, but few are chosen... Isaiah Forty-Eight: 9-11 “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger, and for My praise I will restrain it from you, so that I do not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; or how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to any other.

First Timothy Four: 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress is made evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. By these words, it is evident that a Servant's Salvation is not simply a personal issue, but impacts everyone around them, whether it be for their good or their harm. This is a requirement of the Righteousness of God as evidence of faithfulness. First John Three: 7-9 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are made evident: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. Mark Four:22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be made evident, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. [G5318] phaneros=made evident, manifest As I continue to study this word and its root, and compare it to apokalypsis=revelation, that which is made evident about a Saint is that there is no mystery, it is self-explanatory. No Works of Righteousness speaks for itself. No love for the brethren speaks for itself. Many fail to employ the gift the Lord has provided to minister to others. Some have not received the gift by which to minister. Either way, there is a "neglect of so great a Salvation" that must be addressed within the Assemblies, and pursue a diligent path towards making the Presence of the Lord manifest in Fellowship, and the fruit of Righteousness. Hebrews Two:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bears witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? We are at a critical time for miracles, signs and wonders by the gifts of the Spirit to manifest again. Who will stand and say, "Here am I, send me"!

Last weekend, Ukraine launched a daring drone attack against airfields thousands of miles inside Russia. Dubbed Operation Spider’s Web, the attack drew global attention. It was more than just an intelligence coup de grâce — it was planned over 18 months and involved smuggling the drones into Russia and launching them close to their targets. The attack also revealed how vulnerable military installations within the United States could be to a similar strike. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/operation-spiders-web-ukraine-russia/?utm_term=Task%26Purpose_Today_06.07.25&utm_campaign=Task %26 Purpose_TPToday_Actives_Dynamic&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email

[H6205] araphel=thick darkness Exodus 20:21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness about God. Psalm 18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down with thick darkness under His feet. 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon said, The Lord has said He would dwell in the thick darkness. Psalm 97:2 Clouds and deep darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Job 22:13 And you say, What does God know? Can He judge through the deep darkness? When Christ was crucified the veil before the Holy of holies rent from top to bottom as darkness covered the land. Matthew 27:51 Mark 15:38 Luke 23:45 By which we have been granted access to the throne of Grace Roman 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Within the darkness of the veil is the pure Light of Truth 1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. John 9:4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Luke 2:32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. The saints are the Light of God to a world in darkness Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. To abide in the Light is to abide in Love 1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. The Light brings us knowledge of the Glory of God, giving us victory over darkness Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. Walk in the Light while you have the Light Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like the God of Yeshurun, riding the heavens in thy help, and in His excellency the skies. Yeshurun-from yashar [H3474]=Straight, direct. As in: Isaiah 40:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. The Israel of God is Yeshurun, those who walk the narrow way. This is the Lord's Dominion. Isaiah 44:1 Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. 2 Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. All descendants of Jacob are called servants of The Lord. Those who obey are chosen. These are the Israel of God. These are Jeshurun. Many are called, few are chosen. The chosen are the new creation of the Lord. Isaiah 43:15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King. Isaiah 44:1 Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. 2 Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Yeshurun, whom I have chosen. Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in Thee. Children Of Israel; A People Who Are Near To Him Psalms 148:14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints. Of the children of Israel, the people who are near to Him. Halleluyah! Considering this reference to who the children of Israel are, and understand that this is not a physical proximity. Isaiah 29:13 Therefore the Lord said: these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men. How then does one draw near to God? Isaiah 66:2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. He inhabits eternity, and the hearts of those who are broken and contrite. Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the High and Lofty One, Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. This is the place where His salvation manifests. Psalms 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Children of Israel show they are the contrite ones by their devotion to the fear of the Lord. Psalms 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to Your fear. The Joy of our Salvation, and the offering of acceptable sacrifices Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Genesis 50: 24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from hence. [H6485]-pakad=to visit; [H6486]-pekuddah=visitation The Israelites for 400 years in Egypt clung to this prophetic promise from Joseph. This covenant oath between Joseph and the people continued as a memorial and became the words used by God to introduce Moses as their deliverer. The fulfillment of this promise becomes a remembrance of the Lord and is prominent in the narrative. Exodus 3:16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt”. Exodus 4:31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped. The Good News in the Old Testament Job 10:12 You have granted me life and favor, and your visitation has preserved my spirit. A deeper comprehension of this word is needed to fully grasp the statement: “your visitation has preserved my spirit”. Pakad appears 90 times in the book we call Numbers, and is the basis for using this title. The first four chapters recall a series of censuses that the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to take of the Congregation. Numbers 1: 2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. Verse 2 describes a numerical count “take the sum” and is a head count. “By the polls” literally means “by the skulls”. Verse 3 uses the word pakad, “number them by their armies”. So then what is the relationship between “to visit”, and “to number” when the word pakad appears? The word more accurately means “to make an assessment”; to observe and determine the mental, physical, and spiritual condition. The key here is the phrase “that are able to go forth to war”. More than simply a head count, it is a skills and abilities assessment. And so in Exodus 4:31, “He looked upon affliction”. The visitation is concerned with the state of being. This correct understanding of visitation forms the basis for ministry and fellowship. James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. This verse does not limit ministry to orphans and widows, but to all who are oppressed, with these two as prominent examples from the Law. Visitation also aids in defining the role of leadership within the Congregation. Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Remembering the words of Christ: John 4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Many translations use “your care”, rather than “your visitation”. This must be clarified to include the understanding that the visitation can result in discipline, and even judgment. For example; Jeremiah 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. And so this is found in the New Testament Luke 19:43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation. 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God on the day of visitation.

What interest does God have in a Universe dedicated to destruction? Psalm 113: 4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwells on high, 6 Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens, and in the earth!