Mr. M

The military is moving another destroyer to bolster air defense systems in the region as fighting between Israel and Iran continues. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-air-defense-israel-iran/?utm_term=Task%26Purpose_Today_06.16.25&utm_campaign=Task %26 Purpose_TPToday_Actives_Dynamic&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email

Jeremiah Fifty: 20 In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. I was intrigued this morning by the two following statements: 1 "Most Prophecy remains unfulfilled", 2 the House of Judah will not be forgiven and redeemed; If point 1 is verified, then point 2 should find overwhelming support, in that point 1 limits attempts to discard certain prophecies as fulfilled. This is particularly relevant to the close of Jeremiah's prophecies, since he spoke of Judah's captivity and return, and would be the most likely place where an interpreter might claim that a certain prophecy was fulfilled by the return of the captivity. Unless there are typos... Continuing in Jeremiah 50, a further context was established earlier in that scroll. 4 “In those days and in that time,” says the Lord, “The children of Israel shall come, They and the children of Judah together; With continual weeping they shall come, And seek the Lord their God. 5 They shall ask the way to Zion, With their faces toward it, saying, ‘Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord In a perpetual covenant That will not be forgotten.’ This prophecy suggests to me that all of Israel will be saved, especially Judah, for the sake of the House of David. I intend to continue to investigate this position as a project for today. The prophet Zechariah spoke to Judah after the return from captivity, and should provide a significant witness. Zechariah Ten: 6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah, And I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back, Because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though I had not cast them aside; For I am the Lord their God, And I will hear them. Zechariah Twelve: 7 “The Lord will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not become greater than that of Judah. 8 In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them. 9 It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. I already feel as if I must be missing something important.

1 Tim 1:4 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

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Isaiah Six: 9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” 11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, 12 The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.

AI Overview Jewish repatriation, also known as Aliyah, began with small, organized movements in the late 19th century, with the First Aliyah starting in 1881-1882. This initial wave brought approximately 35,000 Jews to Ottoman Palestine, joining the existing Jewish community of 20,000-25,000. Larger waves of Aliyah followed, particularly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, with many Jews from Arab countries and displaced persons from Europe seeking refuge and new lives there. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Early Movements: Small groups of Zionists began returning to the Land of Israel in the late 19th century. The First Aliyah (1881-1903): Around 35,000 Jews immigrated to Ottoman Palestine during this period, primarily from Eastern Europe. Subsequent Aliyah Waves: Further waves of immigration followed, including the Second Aliyah (1904-1914) and Third Aliyah (1919-1923), with significant numbers of Jews arriving from Eastern Europe and Russia. Aliyah after WWII: The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 triggered mass immigration, with hundreds of thousands of Holocaust survivors and Jews from Arab countries seeking refuge. Operation Magic Carpet and Operation Moses: These operations saw the mass immigration of Yemenite and Ethiopian Jews to Israel in the late 1940s and 1980s, respectively. Reparations and Compensation: West Germany began making reparations payments to Israel and Holocaust survivors in the 1950s, and continues to do so.

Isaiah Six: 9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” 11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate, 12 The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. ********************************************** Mark Twain's description: Author Mark Twain, who visited Palestine in 1867, famously described the land as "barren," "unpicturesque," "desolate," "unlovely," and "a hopeless, dreary, heart-broken land," according to HonestReporting. Harsh conditions: The Jewish pioneers of the First Aliyah faced challenges like disease, exposure, and malnutrition. They had to drain swamps, clear land, and adapt to new farming techniques. Physical challenges: Draining swamps and clearing land were major physical tasks for the immigrants. Diverse Perspectives: Beyond desolation: While some accounts emphasize desolation, others highlight the existence of bustling cities like Jaffa and Haifa, serene villages, and ancient olive groves. Economic activity: The First Aliyah did bring about some economic changes, with the establishment of agricultural settlements and the development of trade and commerce. Population: The Jewish population in Palestine grew from around 26,000 at the beginning of the First Aliyah to approximately 55,000 by its end. The First Aliyah's Impact: Revival of Hebrew: The First Aliyah contributed to the revival of Hebrew as a modern, spoken language. Settlements: Early rural settlements, called "moshavot," were established, and some, like Petach Tikva, were rebuilt. Zionism: The First Aliyah is considered the beginning of organized Zionism in Palestine, with the movement gaining momentum and political weight. In conclusion: The description of Palestine at the time of the First Aliyah varies depending on the perspective. While some emphasized desolation and harsh conditions, others highlighted the presence of diverse communities, agricultural activity, and cultural heritage. The First Aliyah played a significant role in shaping the region, bringing both challenges and progress.

No one can take the peace of God from you. While I am unshaken by someone else's opinion, I have to wonder how far up the ivory tower one has climbed to declare the source of error. As I have said before, and your posts reflect, we are called to share experiences, as our testimony. Someone who does not believe the Spirit of the Lord speaks to us invalidates their own position, as it is without faith or love of the brethren. Whether it be audibly (rare, if you are mindful), by conviction with the witness of God's Word (completely scriptural), or the word of the brethren when under the Anointing of Fellowship, (most important IN CHRIST) the admonition remains as written: "Today, if you hear His Voice, harden not your heart". Some only hear what they want to hear, but expect to be listened to and adhered to, and accept the accusation that it is you who are introducing error. The hundreds of threads that I have originated just this year alone after time with the Lord testify to attentive listening, and I will stand on that testimony, regardless of who approves. Romans 8:33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Psalms 32: 6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You. In a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. 7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah The godly person knows that the time for prayer and worship is today. We cannot anticipate everything that may come our way, but we can prepare ourselves. To be preserved from trouble in Him, as our hiding place, we can walk upon great waters. Have you taken the time to listen to the voices of those who surround you with their songs of deliverance? Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the originator and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We acknowledge that we are members of the body of Christ, but have we entered into the fullness of experiencing Christ? You may have had the opportunity to worship in a large auditorium or stadium setting with tens of thousands, but only have experienced a shadow of heavenly worship. For He has made the Way for us, to come together at Mount Zion in heaven, to join our voices with all who have learned these songs of deliverance. Have we joined our voices with those who sing “Worthy Is The Lamb”? Revelation 5: 8-10 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals. For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. 11-13 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing! And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: Blessing and honor and glory and power to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! 14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. Where is the faith of those who do not take this invitation seriously? Has He not given us psalmists and musicians for us to say "the Lord is my strength and my song, He has become my salvation". It is for this reason also that Christ shed His blood. Hebrews 10: 19-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22-25 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. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Times of "Praise and Worship" only establish a setting. You have to use your imagination. Hebrews 12: 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. The ancient tradition as an act of humility to approach someone held in high esteem, such as the throne of a King or Judge, is to bow seven times while drawing near. This means falling to your knees and placing your forehead on the ground. Stand, step, repeat. Try it some time, while imagining you are approaching the Throne of the King of kings. We are told in the epistle to the Hebrews to draw near the Throne of Grace. The Old Testament informs us how to do so with reverence. You will experience the Spirit of Grace and Glory come upon you, if your heart is contrite. AI Overview The act of bowing seven times while approaching a king is a powerful gesture of deep respect, submission, and humility, particularly in ancient cultures. This tradition is prominently featured in the Bible, specifically in the story of Jacob and Esau. In the story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33:3): Jacob, anticipating a potentially hostile encounter with his brother Esau, chooses to approach him with great humility. As he gets closer to Esau, Jacob repeatedly bows to the ground, seven times in succession. This multiple bowing is a significant act of self-abasement, acknowledging Esau's status and potentially mitigating any lingering resentment. Cultural Significance: In the ancient Near East, bowing was a common way to show deference and honor, especially towards those in positions of authority. The number seven, which symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible, likely suggests that Jacob's repeated bowing was a full and complete expression of his submission and desire for reconciliation. This gesture demonstrates Jacob's sincere desire to make amends and seek peace with Esau. Interpretation and Theological Implications: Jacob's act of bowing seven times can be seen as an example of humility and repentance, reflecting a willingness to submit to God's will and seek restoration in relationships. This gesture underscores the biblical principle of reconciliation and serves as a powerful reminder for believers to approach conflicts with humility and a desire for peace. Beyond the Biblical Narrative: Some sources suggest that the act of bowing seven times before a ruler, like Pharaoh, may have also signified acknowledging that person as having divine attributes. In general, bowing before a king was a traditional way to show respect, honor, and reverence, acknowledging their royalty and authority. Refusing to bow could be seen as disrespectful or even rebellious, as seen in the biblical account of Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego refusing to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image

I believe the scriptures have answered this here: Anything not wrought in Christ will be destroyed... 1 Co 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. This will be reflected in Glory. That concludes my response to this point of inquiry, which remains off topic in a discussion of how the Voice of the Spirit directs our Way. The thread was never about the age to come and what we remember. It is knowing Him now, in the power of the Resurrection for the enduring and overcoming the trials and temptations in this life.

to born again NT believers... Hebrews 3: 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His Voice... Rev 3:22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. swift to hear who? Correct me if I am wrong, is it you who also does not believe that the Spirit speaks to our conscience, or was that someone else? Paul makes repeated reference to the conscience receiving correction or confirmation. Isn't this necessary to walk in the Spirit? To hear from the Spirit? Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

And yet, someone must be born again to receive spiritual Truth. The scriptures are a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. Many have formed in their minds their ideas on spiritual matters by studying, learning languages, etc...and it is this method that error arises. David Koresh studied Hebrew scriptures in Israel. So what? Pharisees were experts on scripture, and their interpretations were vanity. Your position denies the need to be born again. Simple question then; how is being born from above to receive wisdom from above relevant if not applied to the correct understanding of the word, whether in reading, or listening to teaching and preaching thereof? You must be born again to rightly divide scriptural Truth. How does a religion that does not believe in such things reach conclusions without error, without the confirmation of the Spirit? Having the mind of Christ provides the means of receiving spiritual Truth from the Spirit. This is the removing of the veil in the reading of the Word. 1 Co 2: 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 2 Co 3:14 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. This is the perfect law of liberty, by the Spirit piercing the veil of the fleshly mind. All things are legal for me, but no all things edify. All things are legal, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Let each decide and be certain in their own mind.

Elaborate, if you can. None of this post is an interpretation of scripture, but a reflection of experiences no closed minded person has or will ever experience. Once you explain how Acts Two established a division using something beyond your vague reference, we can fully examine how scripture actually supports or contradicts your contention. What does a future "burning up" have to do with what we experience while in this present life? Your conclusions are your own, and of course you are entitled, but you have not established any point as an incorrect conclusion. If someone cannot listen to a sermon with their ears and hear with their heart what the Spirit says in reaction, then you are handicapped by your belief, which contradicts sound instruction from scripture.

Second Corinthians Two: 14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? Experiencing a fragrance with the presence of the Lord, or a stench from any and all that defiles, the sense of smell is highly relevant, especially when the Lord brings something to Remembrance, as scents are known to manifest with memories, and vice-versa AI Overview Yes, memories are often accompanied by smells, a phenomenon known as odor-evoked autobiographical memory or the Proust Effect, named after the author Marcel Proust who described a vivid memory triggered by the smell of a madeleine pastry. Why are smells so effective at triggering memories? Direct connection to the brain's emotional and memory centers: Unlike other senses (sight, sound, touch, and taste), smell information bypasses the thalamus (the brain's relay station) and goes directly to the olfactory bulb, which is closely connected to the amygdala (emotional processing) and hippocampus (memory formation). Associative learning: Strong connections are formed between smells and the experiences that occur while smelling them. Evolutionary significance: Smell is one of the most ancient senses, crucial for survival in identifying food and danger. Examples of odor-evoked memories: The scent of cookies baking can bring back childhood memories. The smell of sunscreen can evoke feelings of summer and beaches. A specific perfume can trigger memories of a loved one. Impact of odor-evoked memories: Positive memories: Odor-evoked memories can evoke positive emotions, enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve mood. Negative memories: Smells can also trigger negative memories and intense flashbacks, particularly in individuals with PTSD. Potential applications: Therapeutic tool: Odor-evoked memories could potentially be used in therapy to enhance mood, reduce stress, and aid in recalling positive memories. Memory enhancement: Associating scents with studying or learning new information may improve recall. Supporting individuals with dementia: Familiar scents may help individuals with dementia reconnect with past experiences. In conclusion, smells have a unique and powerful ability to trigger vivid, emotional memories due to the direct link between the olfactory system and the brain's memory and emotion centers. This connection has implications for both psychological and physiological well-being and is being explored for potential therapeutic and memory enhancement applications.

Second Corinthians Two: 14-16 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? Experiencing a fragrance with the presence of the Lord, or a stench from any and all that defiles, the sense of smell is highly relevant, especially when the Lord brings something to Remembrance, as scents are known to manifest with memories, and vice-versa AI Overview Yes, memories are often accompanied by smells, a phenomenon known as odor-evoked autobiographical memory or the Proust Effect, named after the author Marcel Proust who described a vivid memory triggered by the smell of a madeleine pastry. Why are smells so effective at triggering memories? Direct connection to the brain's emotional and memory centers: Unlike other senses (sight, sound, touch, and taste), smell information bypasses the thalamus (the brain's relay station) and goes directly to the olfactory bulb, which is closely connected to the amygdala (emotional processing) and hippocampus (memory formation). Associative learning: Strong connections are formed between smells and the experiences that occur while smelling them. Evolutionary significance: Smell is one of the most ancient senses, crucial for survival in identifying food and danger. Examples of odor-evoked memories: The scent of cookies baking can bring back childhood memories. The smell of sunscreen can evoke feelings of summer and beaches. A specific perfume can trigger memories of a loved one. Impact of odor-evoked memories: Positive memories: Odor-evoked memories can evoke positive emotions, enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve mood. Negative memories: Smells can also trigger negative memories and intense flashbacks, particularly in individuals with PTSD. Potential applications: Therapeutic tool: Odor-evoked memories could potentially be used in therapy to enhance mood, reduce stress, and aid in recalling positive memories. Memory enhancement: Associating scents with studying or learning new information may improve recall. Supporting individuals with dementia: Familiar scents may help individuals with dementia reconnect with past experiences. In conclusion, smells have a unique and powerful ability to trigger vivid, emotional memories due to the direct link between the olfactory system and the brain's memory and emotion centers. This connection has implications for both psychological and physiological well-being and is being explored for potential therapeutic and memory enhancement applications.

All senses have a spiritual and a natural element. The natural senses are not metaphors, they are a reality that exists side by side with the spiritual. @Marathoner, @Vine Abider, @PATrobas, @enoob57, @TheBlade, @Sower, Start here, and there is so much more that can be added. Ezekiel 3:10 Moreover He said to me: “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. If you are listening with your ears a sermon, a hymn, a testimony etc...you must also listen with your heart for confirmation or contradiction...

Revelation Three: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

I'll have a cucumber salad with a side of weasel, shot of bourbon and some strawberry shortcake with a glass of rose' for desert.

https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/read/june-14-2025-national-flag-day-army-birthday-national-cucumber-day-national-outlet-shopping-day-national-rosé-day-national-bourbon-day-dragonfly-day-pop-goes-the-weasel-day-strawberry-shortcake-day-national-new-mexico-day JUNE 14, 2025 | NATIONAL FLAG DAY | ARMY BIRTHDAY | NATIONAL CUCUMBER DAY | NATIONAL OUTLET SHOPPING DAY™ | NATIONAL ROSÉ DAY | NATIONAL BOURBON DAY | NATIONAL DRAGONFLY DAY | NATIONAL POP GOES THE WEASEL DAY | NATIONAL STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DAY | NATIONAL NEW MEXICO DAY

His Banner Is Love S of Songs Two: 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. A Prayer For Blessing the Saints Psalm Twenty: 1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah 4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. 6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call. Happy Banner Day!

The City Not Forsaken Isaiah Sixty-Two: 10 Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples! 11 Indeed the Lord has proclaimed To the end of the world: Say to the daughter of Zion, Surely your salvation is coming; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 12 And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

The Gathering of the Saints Isaiah Forty-Nine: 22 Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the people; They shall bring your sons in their arms, And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; 23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me. Isaiah Fifty-Nine: 18 According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. 19 So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. 20 The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob, Says the Lord.

The Banner On A High Mountain Isaiah Thirteen: 1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. 2 Lift up a banner on the high mountain, Raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger— Those who rejoice in My exaltation. 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, Like that of many people! A tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together! The Lord of hosts musters The army for battle. 5 They come from a far country, From the end of heaven— The Lord and His weapons of indignation, To destroy the whole land. 6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt, 8 And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; They will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; They will be amazed at one another; Their faces will be like flames. 9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine. 11 I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. 12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. 13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, In the wrath of the Lord of hosts And in the day of His fierce anger.

Messiah Lifted... and Returning for His Remnant upon which "every eye shall behold Him" Isaiah Eleven: 10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious. 11 It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. 12 He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

There are two elements to consider and capture the metaphor. To present His Salvation to the world, a banner is lifted up upon a standard, or pole. Both banner and standard appear prophetically throughout the OT and clearly presented in the NT as the Messiah. The Brazen Serpent and "That Bronze Thing" Numbers Twenty-One: 4-6 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread. So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7-9 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. The Lord Himself proclaims the prophetic nature of this event. John Three: 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. And again, He states that He must be lifted up to all peoples. John Twelve: 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. The Bronze Serpent prophetically becomes an idol in Israel, and is destroyed by Hezekiah Second Kings Eighteen: 4 He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. Has the Cross similarly become an idol for many believers?