Events in the Middle of the Tribulation (Part Two)

Rev 13:1-4 And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. 4 Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" NIV

• Who is the beast? He is the Antichrist, the leader of the new one world government
  • The next thing is to gain worldwide religious control. There are three obstacles: Ecclesiastical Babylon, the two witnesses (already discussed the killing of the two witness in chapter 11), and the Jews (already discussed the attack on the Jews in Chapter 12)
• What has happened to the beast? He has a fatal wound but comes back to life which completes the deception (a counterfeit multiplicity of names, a counterfeit virgin birth, a counterfeit god-man, and a counterfeit death and resurrection (Fruchtenbaum, 2003))
• And now, he also gains the worship of the whole world (vs 3-4)

Rev 13:5-8 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. NIV

• This completes the description of his control of the whole world and the worship of Satan by the entire world. This is every maniacal world leader's goal, and Satan is allowed to achieve it

Rev 13:9-10 9 He who has an ear, let him hear. // 10 If anyone is to go into captivity, // into captivity he will go. // If anyone is to be killed with the sword, // with the sword he will be killed. // This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints. NIV

• This is a warning to the world and a comfort to the saints about justice. Whatever happens to them, will be returned upon their persecutors

Rev 13:11-18 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. NIV

• Where does the second beast come from? The earth, therefore he is human
• His voice betrays his true nature? He speaks like the dragon and is an agent of Satan
• This is the false prophet. What is his mission?
  • He operates as a counterfeit Holy Spirit, calling the world the Antichrist and the dragon
  • He can perform miracles and gives life to an image of the Antichrist
• And while he cannot indwell each person individually, he forces every person to receive a mark (for the Christian, everyone is sealed with the HS)
• What is this mark?
  • It is the name of the beast
  • It is the number of his name
  • It is the number of the beast
  • It is a man's number
  • It is 666
• We can't be sure. There are a number of theories. One is that each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is assigned a number, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400. If we use the Hebrew version, and the numbers add up to 666, then that should identify the Antichrist

Mid Tribulation Announcements:

Rev 14:6-20 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

8 A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries."

9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."

"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one "like a son of man" with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, "Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, "Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth's vine, because its grapes are ripe." 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia. NIV

• Three last warnings to those who will receive the mark
  • God is the one to worship
  • The apostate religion is dead
  • A warning against receiving the mark
  • The final judgment is coming
• Additionally,
  • The breaking of the seven year covenant, Dan 9:27
  • The abomination that cause desolation
    • Dan 12:11
    • Matt 24:15-16
    • 2 Thess 2:3-4
• Next week: The second half of the tribulation
• APPLICATION: How do we apply this?
  • Who do we worship really? Is it a thing, a person, a feeling, …
  • Why do we worship, really? Is it our parent's thing or the way we grew up, or …
  • How can we change the focus of our worship?

Class Notes on Isaiah 54:1-10

Comments that follow from Fruchtenbaum's book (2003), "The Footsteps of the Messiah."

• In the bible, Israel is presented as the wife of Jehovah, and the church is presented as the bride of the Messiah
• Deuteronomy, which on appearance seems to be a repeat of the previous books (Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers), and even means "second law" has a very important role
  • It resembles an ancient suzerein-vassal treaty and an ancient marriage contract
  • The book is the marriage contract between Israel and God, where Israel is the wife of Jehovah
  • Key verse: Deut 6:10-15
• But Israel commits adultery
  • Jeremiah 3:20
  • Jeremiah 31:32
  • Hosea 2:2-5
• Separation results
  • Isa 50:1 This is what the Lord says: // "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce // with which I sent her away? // Or to which of my creditors // did I sell you? // Because of your sins you were sold; // because of your transgressions your mother was sent away. NIV
  • If a husband wished to divorce his wife, he had to write out a decree, also known as a bill of divorcement. When the husband gave the bill to his wife, the divorce would then be final
  • Does Israel have the certificate of divorce? No, because God had not given it to her
  • Because of Israel's sin, what did happen? Israel was sent away (actually separated from blessings). Israel was sold because of her sins
• Divorce now follows
  • Israel is 'sent away' for about 100 years (blessings withheld as stipulated in Deuteronomy), but she still does return to God, her husband. So God now issues the bill of divorcement
  • Jer 3:6-10 During the reign of King Josiah, the Lord said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. 7 I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. 8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. 9 Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the Lord. NIV
  • Fruchtenbaum argues that the Book of Hosea was God's bill of divorcement of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Book of Jeremiah the bill of divorcement of the Southern Kingdom of Judah
• Punishment
  • The original marriage contract required punishment for Israel's unfaithfulness
  • Ezek 16:38-42 I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood; I will bring upon you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger. 39 Then I will hand you over to your lovers, and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you naked and bare. 40 They will bring a mob against you, who will stone you and hack you to pieces with their swords. 41 They will burn down your houses and inflict punishment on you in the sight of many women. I will put a stop to your prostitution, and you will no longer pay your lovers. 42 Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry. NIV
• Remarriage with restored blessings
• God promises a new marriage contract which is unlike the previous contract
• Jer 31:31-33 "The time is coming," declares the Lord, // "when I will make a new covenant // with the house of Israel // and with the house of Judah. // 32 It will not be like the covenant // I made with their forefathers // when I took them by the hand // to lead them out of Egypt, // because they broke my covenant, // though I was a husband to them," // declares the Lord. // 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel // after that time," declares the Lord. // "I will put my law in their minds // and write it on their hearts. // I will be their God, // and they will be my people. NIV

Isa 54:1-3 "Sing, O barren woman, // you who never bore a child; // burst into song, shout for joy, // you who were never in labor; // because more are the children of the desolate woman // than of her who has a husband," // says the Lord. // 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, // stretch your tent curtains wide, // do not hold back; // lengthen your cords, // strengthen your stakes. // 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; // your descendants will dispossess nations // and settle in their desolate cities. NIV

• Some want to call the woman Israel, and some Jerusalem. I don't think it matters, and the nation Israel would be appropriate in both cases. What directly precedes this section and how is that significant?
  • The suffering servant dies for the sin of his people
  • The timeframe would be after Jesus' death. Most believe this refers to the millennial kingdom
• Why does it say that the woman never bore a child?
  • Spiritually, she was barren. To have even one child would be a success. But Israel failed, and despite a faithful remnant, the nation did not adhere to the requirements of the marriage contract
• Who is the desolate woman?
  • Israel had Jehovah as her husband. The contrast would seem to be the Gentiles. The Gentiles produced spiritually
• But now, the barren women is going to produce children. In ancient days in Israel, it was the woman's responsibility to set up the tent (Fruchtenbaum, 2003). Now she is told to make the tent bigger
• APPLICATION: While Israel failed in the task God gave them, because of grace, she will be restored in her relationship with God. In the new covenant, she will be fruitful

Isa 54:4-8 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. // Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. // You will forget the shame of your youth // and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. // 5 For your Maker is your husband — // the Lord Almighty is his name — // the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; // he is called the God of all the earth. // 6 The Lord will call you back // as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit — // a wife who married young, // only to be rejected," says your God. // 7 "For a brief moment I abandoned you, // but with deep compassion I will bring you back. // 8 In a surge of anger // I hid my face from you for a moment, // but with everlasting kindness // I will have compassion on you," // says the Lord your Redeemer. NIV

• What might be the shame of Israel's youth? Don't know, but possibly her slavery in Egypt
• What would be her widowhood? Well, God never died, but when she was separate from the land of promise it may have seemed as if God was no longer a part of her life. Again, the scripture does not say, but most commentators believe it refers to the Babylonian exile
• She is not really a widow, only an apparent widow -- who is her husband?
  • Her maker
  • The Lord Almighty
  • The Holy One
  • The Redeemer
  • The God of all the earth
• Why does God call her back?
  • Because of God's deep compassion
  • Because of God's grace, His unmerited favor expressed to Israel
• God's anger is contrasted to his kindness. What is the difference?
  • The anger lasts a moment, but his kindness is everlasting
  • Heb 11:4-12 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: // “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, // and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, // 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, // and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” // 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. // 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. NIV
• APPLICATION: For the Christian, God disciplines us, but it is for our good. His kindness is everlasting. As we go through struggles, we must remember that He always loves us, and he has never forgotten us, no matter how bleak the situation looks

Isa 54:9-10 "To me this is like the days of Noah, // when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. // So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, // never to rebuke you again. // 10 Though the mountains be shaken // and the hills be removed, // yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken // nor my covenant of peace be removed," // says the Lord, who has compassion on you. NIV

• What is the connection to Noah?
  • A perpetual covenant
  • A change, that can never go back
• APPLICATION: While the focus is on Israel in the millennial kingdom, we (gentile believers) also share in the promise. We have a future and a hope that will never change. Our goal should be to live in a manner worthy of the unmerited favor that has been shown to us as well. When we live like the world, we mock God's kindness

Events in the Middle of the Tribulation (Part One)

NOTE: The events in the middle of the tribulation are difficult to place and may not be chronological. We are sitting at the seventh trumpet, third woe. The trumpet judgment contains all the bowl judgments, just as the sixth scroll contained the seven trumpet judgments

Rev 10: 1-11 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. 4 And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."

5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."

8 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land."

9 So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." 10 I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. 11 Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." NIV

• Who has been announcing the trumpet judgment? Angels
• Who is this story about? A mighty angel -- possibly the seventh angel
• Why do we know this is a long judgment (notwithstanding the fact that it also probably refers to the bowl judgments)? Verse 7 says, "in the days" -- so we know it occurs over a period of time
• We are not told everything, at least not what the seven thunders said
• Why does the scroll taste sweet then bitter?
  • Sweet -- people love to go to prophecy conferences or to buy books pertaining to the end times
  • Bitter -- we need to realize there is great and terrible pain coming unless a person comes to Christ for salvation. There is escape from the tribulation through the rapture. But there is no escape for believer or unbeliever once the days begin
• APPLICATION: Do we recognize the bitterness of the prophecies of Revelation? Or are they so unreal and far away as to not impact our hearts? We need to feel the pain, and the bitterness of the days to recognize our need to communicate truth with urgency

NOTE: Fruchtenbaum (2003) argues that at this point, the Antichrist enters into a war with the 10 Kings, killing three (Dan 11:40-45). The Antichrist is also killed during battle and comes back to life three days later.

NOTE: We have already discussed the ministry of the two witnesses which begins during the tribulation, and their death, resurrection, and disappearance into heaven which occurs during this time.

NOTE: We are going to skip ahead to other events in the middle and then pick up with the seventh trumpet, which is sounded in Revelation 11.

NOTE: The focus now shifts to Satan's persecution of the Jews.

Rev 12:1-6 A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. NIV

• The metaphor of the sun, moon, and twelve stars should sound familiar, where have we seen this in scripture?
  • It is a reference to Jacob (Israel), Rachel, and the twelve sons (tribes) of Israel (Joseph's dream)
  • Normally, the stars would refer to angels, when used symbolically, but the addition of the other aspects of the picture, makes it clear that it is Israel
• The picture is set back in time, repeatedly back in time. What is happening in the birth?
  • It is referring to the birth of the Messiah in Israel (many years ago)
• The story of the dragon goes back even farther, and explains where the enemy of the Jews comes. Satan is the dragon, and the one-third stars (angels) follow him
• Satan is trying to destroy the baby, which he tried through Herod and others
• The child is Jesus, and is in Heaven now
• The woman, who gave birth is Israel, and she flees to the desert for three and half years. Many believe this is Petra and that the Jewish people will find protection there. At this point, symbolically, Satan has broken the peace treaty with Israel. It probably occurs during the War of the Antichrist against the World

Rev 12:7-9 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. NIV

• At the same time that war is happening on earth, what is happening in heaven? There is a battle and Satan is thrown out of heaven. Satan is now confined entirely to earth. This is not a good thing for those on earth
• We learn some characteristics of Satan in this passage, what are they?
• Ancient serpent -- reference to Adam and Eve
• He leads the world astray. He is the main force for deception in the world. He is very effective, but not all powerful

Rev 12:10-12Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, // and the authority of his Christ. // For the accuser of our brothers, // who accuses them before our God day and night, // has been hurled down. // 11 They overcame him // by the blood of the Lamb // and by the word of their testimony; // they did not love their lives so much // as to shrink from death. // 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens // and you who dwell in them! // But woe to the earth and the sea, // because the devil has gone down to you! // He is filled with fury, // because he knows that his time is short." NIV

• Satan is particularly angry at this point, why?
  • Maybe he finally recognizes the futility of his rebellion
  • He knows his time is short
• We learn another characteristic of Satan in his description, what is it?
• Accuser of believers

Rev 12:13-17 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring — those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. NIV

• In scripture, when used symbolically (not literally), a flood usually refers to an army. An army, probably the Antichrist's pursues the Jewish people into the desert. Somehow, the army is swallowed up by the earth and fails. Satan then pursues her offspring, Jewish and non-Jewish believers around the world
• APPLICATION: 1) Prophecy can be fun and exciting to look at, especially knowing that we will be raptured, but it should leave us with a bitter taste, because many who do not know Christ will suffer greatly during the time. 2) Satan is still the great deceiver who leads believer and unbeliever astray. His philosophies sound good on the surface, but they oppose God and his claim over our life. He is also a roaring lion, a liar from the beginning of times, and at times, an angel of light. If we do not build on a good foundation, when the storms of life hit us, our house will quickly fall

Class Notes on Isa 44:28-45:13

715	Ahaz dies and Hezekiah begins his reign
701	Sennacherib of Assyria defeats Egypt at Eltekah and departs from Jerusalem; Merodach-baladan of Babylon sends messengers to visit Hezekiah
697	Manasseh of Judah begins his co-regency
689	Sennacherib of Assyria defeats Babylon
686	Hezekiah dies
681	Sennacherib of Assyria dies and Esarhaddon begins to reign
671	Esarhaddon imports foreigners into Israel and defeats Egypt
612	Nineveh falls to Babylon
609	Nabopolassar of Babylon defeats Assyria and Assyria falls
605	Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats Egypt at Carchemish; first deportation of Judahites to Babylon
597	Second deportation of Judahites to Babylon
586	Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar
559	Cyrus II of Persia begins to reign
539	Cyrus overthrows Babylon
538	Cyrus issues his decree allowing Jews to return to Palestine

Isaiah is probably writing at the latter end of Hezekiah's reign or the early years of Mannasseh

Isa 44:28-45:4 ... who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd // and will accomplish all that I please; // he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," // and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid." ' // 45:1 "This is what the Lord says to his anointed, // to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of // to subdue nations before him // and to strip kings of their armor, // to open doors before him // so that gates will not be shut: // 2 I will go before you // and will level the mountains; // I will break down gates of bronze // and cut through bars of iron. // 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, // riches stored in secret places, // so that you may know that I am the Lord, // the God of Israel, who summons you by name. // 4 For the sake of Jacob my servant, // of Israel my chosen, // I summon you by name // and bestow on you a title of honor, // though you do not acknowledge me. NIV

• What empire is in power now? Assyria
• What empire does Cyrus overthrow? Babylon
• What empire is Cyrus a part of that returns Israel to the land? Medes/Persians
• Is Cyrus born yet? No
• Assuming Isaiah wrote this in 700BC …
  • Assyria falls to Babylon in 609BC (91 years later)
  • Jerusalem falls to Babylon in 586BC (124 years later)
  • Babylon falls to Cyrus in 539BC (161 years later)
• Why is God so specific? Normally, prophecy, while having some specific attributes, does not name names?
  • Possibly, God is making a point about his sovereignty to the Jewish people. This is the first time that everything will be destroyed with the appearance that God's plan is completely over
• What does God call Cyrus?
  • His anointed, his shepherd
  • Terms reserved for Israel's kings (shepherd and anointed), or prophets
  • Technically, the term is Mashiah (Heb.)
• At this point, the line of David (Kings) will be over (still 100 years in the future). Here, a Gentile takes the place as Shepherd over God's people. Was Cyrus a believer?
  • Doubtful. Verse 4 suggests that the answer is no
  • Therefore, God uses unbelievers to accomplish His will
• Verse 3 gives one of the three reasons Gods uses Cyrus, what is it?
  • That Cyrus might know that the God of Israel is God over all (paraphrased)
• APPLICATION: I don't understand how God can tell the future of free will creatures. Although we create simulations all the time of events that even include random events (chaos). And so God can obviously create, in his mind, the most massive simulation ever seen (infinite), to predict events …. Or, as others argue, he is outside of space and time, but that means all my actions have already been determined, and so do I really have free will …? Either way, God in his infinite wisdom, knows the future, and is working for my good. Faith is believing that he is working for the good of those who love him (know him as their savior)

Isa 45:5-7 I am the Lord, and there is no other; // apart from me there is no God. // I will strengthen you, // though you have not acknowledged me, // 6 so that from the rising of the sun // to the place of its setting // men may know there is none besides me. // I am the Lord, and there is no other. // 7 I form the light and create darkness, // I bring prosperity and create disaster; // I, the Lord, do all these things. NIV

• God gives a second reason for choosing Cyrus, what is it?
  • That men may know that there is no other God besides me
• What do you think is the average man's understanding of the many religions of the world?
  • People believe (wrongly!) that there are many ways to God
  • People believe that religions are essentially equal or equivalent (that may be true for all but one)
• What do you say to a person who questions our statement, that Jesus is the only way to God?
  • The statement hinges on a person's opinion of Christ
  • He cannot be a "good teacher" because he said too many things that would be wrong if he was not God. If not God, he cannot claim to forgive sins -- what right does he have to forgive sins? If your child is killed by a murderer, what right does Jesus have to forgive him? Yet Jesus claimed that right. Jesus made many claims:
    • Jn 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life
    • Jn 4:13-14 I am the living water
    • Jn 9:5 I am the light of the world
    • Jn 6:25, 51 I am the bread of life. I am the living bread that came down from heaven
    • Jn 10:7-9 I am the gate
    • Jn 10:11 I am the good Shepherd
    • Jn 10:36 I am God's son
    • Jn 8:56-59 Before Abraham was, I am
    • Jn 14:6-7 I am the way, the truth, and the life
    • Jn 8:23,24 I am from above
    • Jn 15:1 I am the vine
• Verse 7 is a tough verse to understand. What is it saying?
  • God brings prosperity and God creates disaster
  • I think a better understanding is that God controls it. Much of pain of life is because God gave us free will. He can intervene at times, but what would we learn of our decisions if he constantly fixed things? And what would learn of sin, if he constantly protected us. But he can, when needed, intervene and change the course of events. The real question is, how often does he do it?
  • Rom 8:28 says that God works for the good of those who love him -- rather than changing events, God works to bring good to us out of the event
  • That doesn't change the meaning of verse 7. In Job, God takes direct responsibility for Job's circumstances even though Satan clearly accomplishes the actions
    • Job 2:3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." NIV
    • Note that God takes responsibility "… though you (Satan) incited me (God) against him (Job) to ruin him (Job) without any reason …" -- not God says that it is God against Job
• APPLICATION: Whether God causes or allows an event, he is aware of the event and he holds himself responsible for the event (vs 7 "I, the Lord, do all these things"). Also, Romans tells us that he is working to bring good out of the event into our lives

Isa 45:9-13 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, // to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. // Does the clay say to the potter, // 'What are you making?' // Does your work say, // 'He has no hands'? // 10 Woe to him who says to his father, // 'What have you begotten?' // or to his mother, // 'What have you brought to birth?' // 11 "This is what the Lord says — // the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: // Concerning things to come, // do you question me about my children, // or give me orders about the work of my hands? // 12 It is I who made the earth // and created mankind upon it. // My own hands stretched out the heavens; // I marshaled their starry hosts. // 13 I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: // I will make all his ways straight. // He will rebuild my city // and set my exiles free, // but not for a price or reward, // says the Lord Almighty." NIV

• These verses suggest another type of sovereignty. Paul uses it as an example of how God could act. How would you describe this?
  • God can do whatever he wants, and who am I to argue
• In fact, why does Cyrus do God's bidding?
  • Not for price or reward
  • Because God said
• Ultimately, we are very foolish to argue with God about why things are the way they are
  • Paul uses this same argument …
  • Rom 9:19-24 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? // 22 What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath — prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? NIV
    • Paul argues that we have no right to argue with God
    • Paul uses the phrase "what if" twice suggesting that God could do this, and he might not, but if he did, we have no right to argue
  • Romans uses the free will argument more than it uses this deterministic argument
  • Rom 11:17-21 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. NIV
• APPLICATION: We do have free will. But God can do whatever he wants. God does intervene at times, but at other times, for the believer, God works for the good of those who love him. We must believe in his goodness
  • Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. NIV
  • Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

Events of the First Half of the Tribulation (Part Four): Trumpets Five and Six

Prelude to the Woe Judgments, Trumpets Five through Seven

Rev 8:13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!" NIV

• An eagle warns the inhabitants of the earth of coming woes. The threefold repetition of woes represent both their divine origin and the fact that three trumpets remain

The Fifth Trumpet, First Woe

Rev 9:1-12 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11 They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

12 The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come. NIV

• This is our third blackout
• Who or what is the star?
  • One again, a star used symbolically represents an angel
  • It would seem symbolic, since how could a star be given a key, but it is possible to see a literal meaning (with star as another meteor), up through verse 2

• But this woe is more than a physical threat, why?
  • The woe is locusts, who only harm people (who don't have the seal of God on their foreheads)
  • The locusts do not kill buy only torture people
  • The locusts have strange physical characteristics. The locusts are likely demons, fallen angels. If true, then sin has changed their physical characteristics
  • The locusts have a demon as their king, the angel of the Abyss, Abbadon (Hebrew) and Apollyon (Greek)
    • Abaddon means destruction or destroyer
    • Apollyon means destroyer and is a play on the word Apollo. Apollo is the god of the empire under his temple, and the locust was his creature

• This judgment has a time limit of five months
  • People will seek death, suicide, but will be thwarted in their attempts. It is a time of great despair

• The Abyss is a temporary place of confinement for fallen angels or demons. Final place is the lake of fire. This is where the demons did not want to go when Jesus rebuked them out of the two demoniacs
  • Luke 8:30-31 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" // "Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. NIV

The Sixth Trumpet, Second Woe

Rev 9:13-21 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood — idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts. NIV

• What is similar about the second woe as compared to the first and what is different?
  • It is angel led but four angels versus one angel
  • The first is to torment, the second is to kill

• Are the two hundred million, humans or demon
  • Led by angels
  • Come from Babylon (Iraq), not from China
  • The description does not match humans (although it is potentially equipment)
  • There is no mention of the kings of the earth
  • Conclusion: probably demonic

• Joel describes a similar invasion
  • Joel 2:1-11 Blow the trumpet in Zion; // sound the alarm on my holy hill. // Let all who live in the land tremble, // for the day of the Lord is coming. // It is close at hand — 2 a day of darkness and gloom, // a day of clouds and blackness. // Like dawn spreading across the mountains // a large and mighty army comes, // such as never was of old // nor ever will be in ages to come. // 3 Before them fire devours, // behind them a flame blazes. // Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, // behind them, a desert waste — nothing escapes them. // 4 They have the appearance of horses; // they gallop along like cavalry. // 5 With a noise like that of chariots // they leap over the mountaintops, // like a crackling fire consuming stubble, // like a mighty army drawn up for battle. // 6 At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; // every face turns pale. 7 They charge like warriors; // they scale walls like soldiers. // They all march in line, // not swerving from their course. // 8 They do not jostle each other; // each marches straight ahead. // They plunge through defenses // without breaking ranks. 9 They rush upon the city; // they run along the wall. // They climb into the houses; // like thieves they enter through the windows. // 10 Before them the earth shakes, // the sky trembles, // the sun and moon are darkened, // and the stars no longer shine. // 11 The Lord thunders // at the head of his army; // his forces are beyond number, // and mighty are those who obey his command. // The day of the Lord is great; // it is dreadful. // Who can endure it? NIV

• APPLICATION:
  • Many Christians are frightened of witnessing. Part of the reason is that we disassociate how we live our life with the act of witnessing. Our primary witness should be our life. Our life should lead people to ask the question of what is different? If we look like the world, what good is it to verbally witness our faith since the result does not appear any different to the unbeliever?

Events of the First Half of the Tribulation (Part Three): Trumpets One thru Four

Prelude to the Trumpet Judgments

Rev 8:1-6 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

6 Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them. NIV

• When incense is used symbolically in scripture, what does it represent?
  • The prayers of the saints

• What do you think is the point of verses 3 through 5?
  • The prayers are about to be answered with the trumpet judgments

• One of God's first commands to mankind was to take care of the earth. We have failed that in two ways. On one extreme, we have polluted it and on the other extreme, people worship the earth above God. The first three judgments are against the earth. The earth is not above God

The First Trumpet

Rev 8:7 The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. NIV

• The judgment is that one-third of the physical dry earth is burned up

The Second Trumpet

Rev 8:8-9 The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, 9 a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. NIV

• This judgment is that one-third of the salt water is ruined. One-third of the creatures die, and one-third of the ships are destroyed
• It could be the result of a meteorite, or possibly an undersea volcano of huge proportions
• While there may be physical reasons for the event, the turning to blood is clearly a supernatural event

The Third Trumpet

Rev 8:10-11 The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water— 11 the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter. NIV

• This judgment concerns drinking water. One-third of the drinking water, rivers and springs, are turned bitter. Many people die from this bitter water (water that is supposed to refresh, but instead kills)
• The cause is either a meteor, named wormwood, or an angel named Wormwood. It is difficult to see how this might be interpreted symbolically (possibly the impact on spring water). When star is used symbolically, it usually refers to an angel

The Fourth Trumpet

Rev 8:12 The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night. NIV

• There are a number of ways to view this verse, the most reasonable approach is to assume that one-third of the light source night and day is gone. The easiest approach is the darkening of the skies such that one-third of outside light can not make it to the earth. Another possibility is some serious meteorite explosion above the earth atmosphere which encircles the earth, and directly blocks light, potentially so thick in some areas that one-third of the light is blocked as it circles the earth

Class Notes on Isa 53:4-12

Isa 53:4-6 Surely he took up our infirmities // and carried our sorrows, // yet we considered him stricken by God, // smitten by him, and afflicted. // 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, // he was crushed for our iniquities; // the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, // and by his wounds we are healed. // 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, // each of us has turned to his own way; // and the Lord has laid on him // the iniquity of us all. NIV

• In the next set of verses, we see the purpose of the Messiah. In verse 4, what does it say the Messiah would do?
  • He takes our infirmities and sorrows. This could be viewed spiritually as well as physically, and Jesus did do both. We will err on the conservative side and say it was the physical. That also agrees with Matthew's interpretation (Matt 8:16-17)
    • Matt 8:16-17 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: // "He took up our infirmities // and carried our diseases." NIV
  • The people believed that his punishment was given by God (this is true but for a different reason). That is clearly the view of the leaders who felt he had committed blasphemy

• In verse 5 & 6, what does it add to the Messiah's purpose?
  • The real reason for the Messiah's punishment was "our" sins. In this case, the "our" is inclusive of Jew and Gentile
  • We know this is spiritual because of the use of the terms, transgressions and iniquities
  • Also, verse 6 makes it clear that we have turned away from God. "Sheep are notoriously shortsighted; they go after the next clump of grass without regard to where their feet may lead them. They are also self-centered; their only thought is how they can satisfy themselves with no concern for the welfare of other sheep. Consequently sheep often get lost. Humans are the same." (Constable, Isaiah, 2008, pg 235)

• All of these verses point to the substitutionary atonement of Jesus' death. I'm not sure how that would apply to an interpretation of Israel as the suffering servant. Does that mean that the more Israel suffers, the more the world is cleansed?
• What is the result of the Messiah's substitutionary atonement?
  • Peace
  • Healing
  • Matt 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." NIV

• APPLICATION: The gospel gives great peace. No longer do we need to carry the guild to our sins. Jesus had paid it all. His blood has washed away all the filth. We need to believe these truths and live in the peace that Jesus gives to our souls

Isa 53:7-9 He was oppressed and afflicted, // yet he did not open his mouth; // he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, // and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, // so he did not open his mouth. // 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. // And who can speak of his descendants? // For he was cut off from the land of the living; // for the transgression of my people he was stricken. // 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, // and with the rich in his death, // though he had done no violence, // nor was any deceit in his mouth. NIV

• What is unusual about verse 7?
  • The person does not defend himself (even though he had done no wrong, vs 9b). We defend ourselves all the time, even when we are guilty, we justify our actions. Like a lamb, the Passover lamb, he willingly goes to his death

• What does verse 8 reveal about his death?
  • It is a trial (word judgment refers to a judgment resulting from a trial) and an execution (cut off)

• In the Gospel of Matthew, the phrase "this generation" is used repeatedly. This is the generation that rejected Jesus as the messiah. Verse 8 is translated differently in many versions:
  • Isa 53:8 … and none of his generation protested … CJB
  • Isa 53:8 … And as for His generation, who considered … NASU
  • Isa 53:8 … and who considered His fate? … Holman Christian Standard Bible
  • Isa 53:8 … and as for his generation, who (among them) considered … ASV, AMP

• Verse 9 gives some more details of his death, what are they?
  • He is executed a criminal, with criminals, and would have been buried in a criminal's grave (in fact, he would have had one assigned), yet he is buried in the grave of a rich person (Joseph's of Arimathea)
  • It is interesting. Jesus father (supposed) was Joseph, and Jesus was buried in 'a' Joseph's grave. He truly was Messiah Ben Joseph and he is also Messiah Ben David

• APPLICATION: We need to be more like Jesus, less defensive when someone challenges us about an issue or sin in our life. It is very difficult because it is part of our sin nature to defend ourselves

Isa 53:10-12 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, // and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, // he will see his offspring and prolong his days, // and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. // 11 After the suffering of his soul, // he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; // by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, // and he will bear their iniquities. // 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, // and he will divide the spoils with the strong, // because he poured out his life unto death, // and was numbered with the transgressors. // For he bore the sin of many, // and made intercession for the transgressors. NIV

• What do these verses tell us?
  • Jesus' death was not an accident. It was intentional and it was God's plan
  • Jesus' death was a guilt offering
  • Jesus will see his offspring (seed). How could that be if he was dead? But Jesus does see his spiritual offspring. We are Jesus' seed and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to bless the entire world through his seed
  • Jesus days were prolonged for eternity. Jesus is resurrected and has a new body. He is physically alive
  • Jesus' death justifies many (we are just-as-if we never sinned, in God's eyes)
  • There is a great reward coming. The Messianic kingdom is the portion which he will divide with his spiritual sons and daughters

• APPLICATION: This is a great message of hope to the dying and of encouragement to the saved. It is an incredible prophesy which has been fulfilled miraculously. One could ignore all the other prophecies of the bible and this section alone is enough to believe in the message of the gospel

Class Notes on Isa 52:13-53:3

The Lifeway Explore the Bible series, which we are following, has chosen to do the next section out of order due to the proximity of Easter.

Isa 52:13-15 See, my servant will act wisely; // he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. // 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him — // his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man // and his form marred beyond human likeness — // 15 so will he sprinkle many nations, // and kings will shut their mouths because of him. // For what they were not told, they will see, // and what they have not heard, they will understand. NIV

• This is the last of four servant songs in Isaiah. How would have Jews in Jesus' time viewed this messianic servant passages?
  • The Jews held to a two messiah view for centuries
  • "The Messiah who was to come, suffer, and die was termed Mashiach ben Yosef or Messiah, the Son of Joseph. The second Messiah who wold then come following the first was termed Mashiach ben David or Messiah, the Son of David. This One would raise the first Messiah back to life and establish the Messianic Kingdom of peace on earth." (Fruchtenbaum, The Suffering Messiah of Isaiah 53, 2005, pg 4)
    • Note that the OT does not teach a two Messiah theory, but this was the best solution the scholars could determine
    • Also, some passages put the description of a suffering Messiah, side to side, with the picture of a conquering Messiah

• First proposed in 1100, and adopted by the majority of Jews since 1800, is the argument "that Isaiah is speaking about the people of Israel, the Jewish people suffering in the Gentile world, and it does not speak of the Messiah at all." (ibid, pg 5)
  • What is the logical problem with the current Jewish interpretation?
    • The use of the pronouns and meaning of we, us, and our versus the meaning he, him and his

• What does the passage tell us about the Messiah?
  1. He will gain attention (vs 13)
  2. He will suffer to the point of terrible disfigurement (vs 14)
  3. He will sprinkle many nations (vs 15). The word sprinkle, hebrew yazeh, is translated sprinkle or startle. If it means startle, then it fits with the following phrase, of astonishing leaders of the world. If it means sprinkle, then it still fits but in the sense of removing sin. The altar was sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice to make atonement for the sins of the people

Isa 53:1-3 Who has believed our message // and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? // 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, // and like a root out of dry ground. // He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, // nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. // 3 He was despised and rejected by men, // a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. // Like one from whom men hide their faces // he was despised, and we esteemed him not. NIV

• What is the implication of the two questions in verse one?
  • People (in retrospect, Israel) will not believe the message
  • Fruchtenbaum argues that the "arm of the Lord" is a motif developed in previous sections that identifies the person as God the Son, and not the God the Father

• What do we learn about the Messiah in verses 2 and 3?
  • He would grow up (humanity)
  • He was not special in his appearance (beauty) or his status (majesty) that would draw people to him. He grew up in a poor home (as evidenced by the type of sacrifice offered at circumcision). Scripturally, you might even argue that he was ugly (like one from whom men hide their faces)
  • He was despised and rejected by men. That is still true today. It also prophesies the leaders of Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah (Matt 11)

• At the end of verse 3 is an example of the difficult of interpreting the servant as Israel, "we esteemed him not." The "we" clearly includes Israel, as Isaiah is the prophet, so "Israel esteemed Israel not" doesn't make senses
• APPLICATION: I believe that Jesus was unspectacular, possibly ugly. And I can't prove it from scripture, but I also like to think that in his eyes one could see the love and compassion of God. We don't need riches or good looks to be used by God, we need a transformed soul that is drenched in the word of God