Volu me 1 ~ Issue 3 S eptemb er/O c tob e r 2 0 1 7

In this Issue:

The
Contributing
Congregation

Ezra:
Restoration
and Revival

Finding Your
Direction
in God!
The Spirit of
Shimei!
The Three
Time Eras

The Throne
Room Vision
 Editorial
T he Church, like Israel has
often needed to examine
itself and check on its
condition. The scriptures say:
Examine yourselves, whether ye be
in the faith; prove your own selves.
2 Cor. 13:5
Throughout the history of both
Israel and the Churches, it has at
times drifted from the faith, gotten
into error or even departed from
that faith. The Lord allows them
to go into a sort of spiritual and
even physical exile but because
of His grace he allows a period of
restoration and revival. Such was the
case with Ezra and the rebuilding
of the second temple after 70 years
of captivity in Babylon. Since these
things were written for our example,
the story has a clear message for the
church. so called science and even the
Revivals in the past have been a
way of bringing the church back
from a fallen or drifted state. Martin
Luther saw how far the catholic
church had drifted from Gods
word. His intent originally was to
restore it back to the roots of its
faith but resistance to revival caused
the Reformation movement instead.
The article on Ezra is a study on
Restoration and Revival. --
From him the whole body, joined
and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up
in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:16
One of the ways we have drifted
away is in the function of the
church members when we meet.
The early church was an organism
with each member participating
in the work of the Spirit. Now we
have an organization that does all
the work for them. It is far too easy
now to sneak in a large church and
barely be noticed. Christianity is
not a spectator sport and yet many
of our churches are like movie
theaters or sports colosseums and
some even include snack bars and
concession stands. In the article in
The Contributing Congregation we
Table of Contents
see there is more God wants for his
people when they meet! --
One of the key components to our
faith is knowing our direction in Table of Contents
God. Someone once said everyone is
either moving towards God or away
from God. In the natural we have
many directional tools and devices
Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
to help us in our journey, keep us
from getting lost along the way and
help us arrive at our destination.
Read the article Finding your
Direction in God to help you along
The Contributing Congregation!. . . . . . . . 4
the way!--
How long, O God, will the adversary
revile, And the enemy spurn Your
name forever? Psa: 74:10 This e-magazine is self
publized and is the sole
Ezra: Restoration and Revival . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Jesus said in the last Days there
expression of its author. Any
would be mockers. Christianity is
being laughed at more than ever content may be copied and
in our generation. Colleges, media, used by permision from the
publisher. For any comment, Finding Your Direction in God! . . . . . . . . . 15
government has lost its respect for requests or advertising
the church and Christianity. Jesus
information please contact
is being spurned and His name has
become a derision to many. We as me at:
Gods people are becoming hated for
jerrywalldesigns@gmail.com
The Spirit of Shimei. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
His names sake. The Spirit of Shimei
talks about a man who mocked and
made fun of King David when his
son drove him from the palace and
took the kingdom away.
Davids attitude will help
The Three Time Eras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
understand how to deal with If you are interested in
mockers and how to intrust publishing an article in this
judgement or mercy to the Lord.-- magazine, or advertise in this
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These and other articles are for publication please contact the The Throne Room Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
the building up and edifying of the editor below. Articles must
saints. If you enjoy these articles or be in context with the theme
have any questions or comments of this magazine and can be
please email me and checkout provocative but not divisive.
How to How to
other free past issues of the Patmos Navigate Navigate
papers.Let the word of Christ dwell in
jerrywalldesigns@gmail.com Click on the title in
you richly, teaching and admonishing To return anytime to
one another in all wisdom, singing Table of Contents the Table of Contents,
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and it will take you click on the
with thankfulness in directly to the article. The Patpos Paper
your hearts to God.
Col. 3:16 icon on the top of the
page and you will
return to the Table of
Jerry Wall http://patmospapers.zohosites.com
Contents.
Editor/
Publisher
2 3
 The Contributing Congregation! The Contributing Congregation!
the apostles continued to testify to
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
And Gods grace was so powerfully
at work in them all that there were
no needy persons among them. For
from time to time those who owned
land or houses sold them, brought
the money from the sales and put
it at the apostles feet, and it was
Spectator Sport members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If distributed to anyone who had need.
all were a single member, where would the body be? As Acts 4:32-35
it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot
It is probably fair to say that part of the problem of say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again Here we see the perfect
the declining church is that it has become a spectator the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the collaboration of the people with
sport. With todays mega churches, people in large contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker leadership. The people sold what they
congregations have no room to participate outside of are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that had and contributed to the church
standing and singing a few worship songs. They mainly we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and the apostle oversaw their gifts
sit for plays, skits, announcements and long preaching and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater and distributed it to those in need.
and maybe some alter ministry afterwards. Sadly some modesty, which our more presentable parts do not The word elders means overseer and
prefer it this way. Many Christians have gotten burned require. But God has so composed the body, giving that is their job. But here the people
and quite often burned out being involved in churches greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may felt free to contribute their money was shocked to find in this little town of Hiddenite we
only to see it split, go into error, fall into bankruptcy, be no division in the body, but that the members may and in other scriptures it says when they came together had to put our names down to wait on a table. All the
see the pastor fall into sin and other church dissolving have the same care for one another. If one member they contributed their spiritual gifts: guys working there had long pony tails and beards and
factors. So now many run to the large church where they suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, the ladys looked like old hippies with long gray hair and
can sit and hide and not have to be involved and still What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When
all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a long dresses. Everything looked so out of place in this old
feel they are being faithful Christians. But to be honest,
Christians are not to be spectators only, but a living
and individually members of it. 1 Cor 12:14-27 word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an town. While I waited I talked to some of the people who
interpretation. Everything must be done so that the worked there. Having long hair and a beard, they were
vibrant contributing force to the well being and health Though the body is controlled by the head, the head
church may be built up. 1 Cor 14:26. surprised to see me as I was them.
of the church. Granted there needs to be shepherds and is Christ not the Pastor, elders or executive board. Each One of the leaders son came over and talked to me
leaders but far too much expectancy is often placed on member has different functions and benefits the whole. and I found out that his parents joined the commune
their contribution and not to the contribution of the If the church operated as a body rather than a head it First they contributed the natural, then the spiritual. when he was six. He was now married and he and his
sheep. In a flock, the sheep provide the wool, milk and would find it far more enriched by the contribution Unfortunately some have taken this principle of sharing wife lived in the community and they were Christians
meat. The shepherds simply tend to them to feed them of many of its people rather than just a few so called to the extreme. Polygamist and cult communities take and so got excited but upon further questioning found
and protect them so that when the time comes the sheep gifted ones. having all things in common as an excuse for sin. out they were a part of a group called the Twelve Tribes
can contribute what they have. of Israel and they had houses, farms and restaurants all
The Yellow Deli over the country and many parts of the world including
The Ministry of the whole Body The Pattern of the Early church Brazil, Germany, France, Spain Australia and other
The modern church has drifted so far from the I recently went to go visit my sister in North Carolina. places. They all changed their names to Hebrew names
For just as the body is one and has many members, pattern of the early church. The early church wanted to She lives in the foothills of the mountains near a little one and basically thought they were replacing the Jews as
and all the members of the body, though many, are one spread itself in as many areas as possible. The modern stoplight town called Hiddenite. Having lived in the area they worshiped on Saturday, blew the shofar before
body, so it is with Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12 church wants to simply grow bigger in one place. The for awhile I was quite familiar with the town and while meetings and dance to old Israeli folk songs. They all
early church encouraged autonomous and diverse city driving through it I noticed a new building that stood out worked in locally factories and in the restaurants and
The analogy of the New Testament likens the church churches. The modern church wants to control its from all the other shanty buildings around. It use to be pooled the money together trying to emulate Acts
to a body with many parts. The members may be campuses and satellites and produce sameness in all its an old grocery store but now stood this beautiful two- 4. I told the young man that I too had belonged to a
different but they all have a role in the body and serve affiliates (in some cases the same song lists and same story wooden masterpiece with tin roofs and cobblestone Christian commune called Shiloh ranches during the
to contribute something different and unique. service televised to sister churches) The early church walkways. I asked my sister about it and she said it was a 70s. They also had houses in Oregon, New York and I
was unique in that when they all came together they new restaurant built by hippies that lived in a commune stayed in one in Augusta, Georgia. I said that I could
For the body does not consist of one member but of were all at liberty to share. Todays modern churches hire behind the building. I was quite intrigued, since you not stay long because all though it seemed noble it
many. If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, seminar trained ministers and professional musicians rarely saw long haired people in this small backwards was unsustainable over the long run. I said the Church
I do not belong to the body, that would not make it to lead worship and use the leadership to mainly do all town, so my sister and her husband and I went up there started like that but you also see they met daily in
any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, the ministry contribution. to eat. It was called the Yellow Deli and the inside was each others houses and later by the end of acts you
Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, Acts 4 gives a unique start of the church: fantastic; all wooden hand carved supports with spiral see churches meeting in homes but not everyone sold
that would not make it any less a part of the body. If
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one staircases. Upstairs was a natural Tea Bar and a beautiful their homes and joined a commune. The 7 churches in
the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense
claimed that any of their possessions was their own, outside patio. My brother-in-law John said people come revelations no doubt had their buildings for there is no
of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would
but they shared everything they had. With great power from Charlotte and all over to eat here. Sure enough I mention of it being in someones home.
be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the I asked the young man, what is the difference between
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 The Contributing Congregation!
their communal life and socialism since socialism
always fails. His answer was vague but basically he said
Some people are selfish and we can tell when someone
is selfish. I said Is it selfish if someone wants a car or
a house or a college education or to provide better for
his family. He stood silent then was called away. We got
our meal and I probed the waiter about their ministry
and meetings. When we finished and were about to go
pay the bill he said to me Why dont you move in with
us I said Well let me check with my wife first and my
sister and her husband laughed.
Contribution of Money
In some ways these people have it right. Their ministry
is supported by the proceeds of a restaurant and soon to
be bakery and gift store! They dont give a tithe but 100
percent of their income. To me this is a bit too extreme
and though some people may be called to do so I think
the Lord requires us to give according to our willingness
and ability. Even in the story of Ananias and Sapphira
when they held back part of the price Peter said:
Didnt it belong to you before it was sold? And after it
was sold, wasnt the money at your disposal? Acts 5:4
God gives us the right to choose what we do with our
money. We should not feel compelled to give any more
than what the Lord speaks to our hearts to give. I was
part of a church for 10 years and they never asked for
money nor demanded tithe. They put an offering box in
the back of the church and simply reminded the people
to give as the Lord lead them. They trusted God and
never suffered lack!
Contribution of service
Let me say that there is a difference between
contribution of service to the church and contribution
in the service of the church. Let me deal with the former
first. One way a believer can contribute to the church
is to be involved in serving in the many functions of
the church. You can help out with the nursery, mow the
church lawn, teach Sunday school, be an usher, work
in the sound booth, work in the kitchen during events,
getting involved in the childrens ministry, etc.
Now let me say from the start that I believe in the
Biblical pattern for leadership. I see only two offices
in the church: Elders and Deacons. Elders concern
themselves over the spiritual matters of the church
and deacons over the physical aspects of the church.
Much of the physical functions should fall under the
role of the deacons. They are akin to the Levites who
where concerned over the physical aspects of the temple
where the priests (like elders) where over the spiritual
concerns of the temple.
But we also see room for other means of contributing
to the workings of the church.
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each
of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve
one another. 1 Peter 4:10
Serving in the church is just that, serving. It is not
for elevation, self honor, personal attainment or our
own glory. It is for the love of serving the Lord and His
people we utilize the gifts he has given us to build up and
strengthen the church. We can always contribute to the
function of our church by adding our abilities and giftings
and should always seek not to just sit and enjoy the Sunday
show but to be involved in the daily work of the Lord.
Contribution in the service
(When you come together!)
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When
you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a
word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an
interpretation. Everything must be done so that the
church may be built up. 1 Cor. 14:26.
get and not what they can give. But the lord said:
Here unfortunately is where the church has drifted
so woefully apart from the early church. Then it
was a come and give community. Now it is a come
and watch church. We do not use the gifts of the
Spirit anymore because there is not room for that
in our liturgy (order of service). We do not open
our services to the people Because it is controlled
by the pulpit! It says each of you has a hymn or
song, a revelation, a gift of the spirit. I was in a
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The Contributing Congregation!
church. The stipulation of the gentiles when first
becoming a part of the Jewish church was that they
were to remember the poor.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;
make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with
salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,
Col. 4:5-6 (NIV)
We have to interact with unbelievers and both our
actions and conversation must be without reproach.
There are many needy outside the church that we
can give a hand, be a help and contribute to as an
example of the Lords servant. Jesus said freely you
have received, freely give. The church has many
small church where every week the pastor got up outside ministries to be involved in and even in your
after worship and stood off the pulpit and before personal life you always have a ministry to those
the people and he asked the same question: Does around you whether it be at the super market, at the
anybody have anything to share before I do? The doctors office or on the job! We are the salt of the
people had been trained to use that opportunity to world and a light to their darkness. Jesus said our
stand up and share a scripture that they read that light is to be as one shining on a hill for all to see but
week and talk about what the Lord showed them many go to the church and hide it under a bushel
(word of instruction, revelation) or they would share basket!
a testimony of something the Lord did for them or
they would share a story of someone they were able Let your light shine before men in such a way that
to lead to the Lord that week. Sometimes someone they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:16
would share a particular burden or ask for a needful
prayer. I often did his when I pastored and never got
to my sermon. Sometimes the Holy Spirit took us in Contribution to Kingdom!
a different direction all together be it an intercessory Finally we are called to contribute to the Kingdom.
warfare service or a celebratory praise service or a What does that mean? There is something far bigger
prayer service for the hurting we would: than the local church. Jesus is building a kingdom.
Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with He said repent for the kingdom is at hand. Indeed it
those who weep. Romans 12:15 is here and we are also here to advance His Kingdom!
What a joy it is to see the saints contributing First we as believers are all called to be a witnesses
their heart to the church. To see them pray for one of His grace and His gospel. We must seek to share
another, share with each other and encourage one Jesus to all we can so His Kingdom will increase and
another with the testimony of the Lord! Sadly now so that we can rescue all we can before it is too late!
many Christian are more comfortable to stay home
and watch church on TV or slip in the middle of the
mega church worshiptainment service and quietly
leave at the end. It has become about what they can
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over,
will be poured into your lap. For with the measure
you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38
Contribution to Community
Part of our giving goes beyond the walls of the
 Ezra: Restoration and Revival Ezra: Restoration and Revival
God will gather you, and from there he will fetch The Altar
you; and the LORD your God will bring you into
the land which your fathers possessed, that you may Even before the foundation was laid again, the first
possess it; and he will make you more prosperous thing they restored was the altar. In the midst of their
and numerous than your fathers. Deut. 30: 3-5 enemies Jeshua the high priest (as Jesus is our high
priest) and Zerubbabel along with the other priests
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah and 32,000 people built a new altar that had been torn down. It was there
returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. It would be a that they began offering sacrifices again day and night,
restoration of not only the temple but of the nation of something they had not been able to do for seventy
Israel again. Only God could of orchestrated such an years.
event. Sometimes people, marriages and even churches The first thing that has to be restored when we have
need to be restored. People fall away, drift into sin and gone astray is a new altar in our heart. The place of
some grow cold and distant and when they realize it prayer is a place of sacrifice and it must be offered up
and call upon the Lord, God can start the restoration day and night because our enemy is striving to pull
process. The children of Israel fell into rebellion, idolatry us from our great hope. To be restored, we must be
and apostasy so God allowed them to be conquered by humble and contrite before God for this is the sacrifice
their enemies and sent into exile in Babylon for their the Lord seeks.
sins. No doubt, they prayed for years and repented and
in season He enabled them to come back to their land My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken
and start over again. Such is the grace of God. and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm
51:17
Unity
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a
The bible says that when they Got to Jerusalem: sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that
...the people gathered themselves together as one give thanks to His name. Heb. 13:15
man to Jerusalem. Ezra 3:1
The first step in restoration is unity. They gathered Feast of Tabernacle-
together for the same purpose, to restore what had been Restoring Praise and Worship
taken away. They came to reunite as a people and to
send Zerubbabel to be Governor: Jeshua (or Joshua) build the temple, a place of unified worship to God! If
Ezra: Restoration and Revival there is to be any restoration in a marriage there has After building the altar, they sacrificed on the altar
the high priest and a large body of exiles to Jerusalem the burnt offering and kept the feast of the tabernacle.
The Book of Ezra is one of my favorite books in to restore the temple that had been destroyed by King to be a unified agreement to start over again and build
the Bible. It is the story of restoration and revival. Nebuchadnezzar. what was torn down or torn apart. If relationships They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is
I love restoring things. I have taken old chairs and need restoration both parties need to agree to work out written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by
reupholstered them to restore them like new. I have Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of their differences. If a church has drifted away from its number, according to the custom, as the duty of every
taken old beat up tables and re-sanded and re-stained heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; moorings and need to come back to the burning fire day required; And afterward offered the continual
them and coated them with polyurethane to make them and he hath charged me to build him an house at it once had and the move of the Spirit it once new it burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the
look like new. Recently someone asked me to take an Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among must unify in pursuit of repentance and the persistence set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of
old beat up and broken rocking chair and strip, sand you of all his people? His God be with him, and of seeking God to stir the smoldering coals into to every one that willingly offered a freewill offering
and restore it. It was a daunting task. I had to strip away let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and a blazing fire again. It wasn't until the disciples spent unto the Lord. From the first day of the seventh
2 coats of paint and varnish and use a dremmel to get build the house of the Lord God of Israel, which is in 10 days in the upper room after the ascension and fell month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the
the old stuff out of the grooves. One of the arms was Jerusalem. Ezra 1:2:3 on their faces in unified prayer that the Holy Spirit fell Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord
broken so I had to shape a new one out of wood and and set the church ablaze with a fresh anointing. When was not yet laid. Ezra 3:4-6
Cyrus called for the Jewish people to give gold and they where in one place in one accord a defeated people
attached it with dowels. I had to sand the whole thing silver and free will offering to restore the temple. Cyrus
and finally re-stain it. When it was finished it looked brought out the temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar became a victorious church. The Feast of the Tabernacle or feast of the booths,
like it came out of the factory. also called Succoth, was one of the 3 major Feasts that
had taken and gave it back to Ezra for the temple service. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his required every Jew to come to Jerusalem to celebrate.
Restoring things often requires three things. Getting God first opens the door for restoration by moving
rid of the old stuff (stripping and sanding); fixing the upon the kings heart. Then he begins the restoration by brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of These were called pilgrim feasts because all Jews came to
broken stuff (repairing what is broken) and adding the restoring what was taken away. God prophesied many Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of Jerusalem to celebrate them. It was a means of gathering
new stuff (stain, paint varnish, etc). It is often the same years before through Moses: the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as all to the city to show that they were reuniting as a
in Christ. Sometimes we need to get rid of the old stuff, it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And people and celebrating what God was doing. Succoth
fix the broken stuff and add the new stuff. they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon was a fall festival and called the Season of Joy. It had
The LORD your God will restore your fortunes, them because of the people of those countries: and
Ezra was called by God to restore the temple. Israel and have compassion upon you, and he will gather several purposes; to remember the huts they lived in
had been in exile in Babylon and just as the prophet they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, the wilderness after the Exodus but later it became the
you again from all the peoples where the LORD your even burnt offerings morning and evening. Ezra
Jeremiah had predicted seventy years later (c.457 BCE) God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the festival of the Ingathering of the harvest at the end of the
King Cyrus, king of Persia, allowed Ezra the scribe to uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your 3:2-3 year. They would decorate booths, sing songs and wave
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 Ezra: Restoration and Revival Ezra: Restoration and Revival
sheaths in celebration. It was a time of thanksgiving and through any fault of the congregation but mostly due and they put the Opposition to Restoration
praise. They did this before any foundation was even to the leadership. Many are called into spiritual offices clothes on him.
laid to show spiritual restoration had to come before but unfortunately many churches are run by boards, And the Angel of When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard
physical restoration. influential people or controlling pastors rather than by the Lord stood by. that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord,
Our restoration comes when we return to God with men who are called by God to serve the people. Zechariah 3:1-5 the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and
thanksgiving and praise. Years ago a chaplain named Zerubbabel represented the secular authority of to the heads of the families and said, Let us help
Here we see the
Merlin Carothers wrote a book called 'Prison to Praise'. Jerusalem. He was a governor of a Persian Province you build because, like you, we seek your God
God told him to get people to praise Him for their and the grandson of Jehoiachin, the last king of Judah prophet looking into
the future and seeing and have been sacrificing to him since the time of
circumstances no matter how bad. It seemed against before he was captured by Nebuchadnezzar and taken Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.
everything he could fathom to tell people to be thankful to Babylon. Zerubbabel was given the task to rebuild Joshua being set in as
High priest. But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of
when they were about to get divorced or were in very the temple along with Joshua son of Jehozadak. Both the families of Israel answered, You have no part
bad health, etc. But he was obedient to God and to the Haggai and Zechariah prophesied of Zerubbabel and Zechariah also saw with us in building a temple to our God. We alone
scripture: Jeshua. Perhaps that is why Cyrus chose these two men in the vision that the will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King
to rebuild the temple. It is no doubt that when Cyrus high priest was a type Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.Then the
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of saw his own named prophesied 70 earlier in the book of of the messiah, the peoples around them set out to discourage the people
God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:18 Jeremiah he decided to have Ezra initiate the rebuilding branch or root of Jesse. of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.
When they began to praise God in their circumstance of the temple and restoration of Israel. They bribed officials to work against them and
even before anything changed suddenly God began Then the Angel frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus
performing miracles and healings and his books were "'On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, I will take of the Lord
you Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, my servant, and king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king
filled with the testimonies of many who got restored admonished of Persia.Ezra 4:1-5
after praising God and worshiping Him despite those wear you like a signet ring; for it is you whom I have Joshua, saying,
circumstances. Praise and thankfulness is a form of chosen. This is the word of the Lord of Hosts'" (Hag. Thus says the Lord At first you may have some who want to build with you
worship and gets us to turn our eyes off ourselves and 2:23). of hosts: If you will but in reality they have their own agenda. It may be for
onto Him. Once we do that. He can begin the restoration walk in My ways, and if you will keep My command, power or self glory whatever, but like Simon the sorcerer
process! "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by then you shall also judge My house, and likewise tried to bribe Paul for the power to cast out demon, he
might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord have charge of My courts; I will give you places to was accursed because his motives were wrong. Men
And when the builders laid the foundation of the of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before walk among these who stand here. Hear, O Joshua, withstood the building of the temple for years and tried
temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall the high priest, you and your companions who sit to discourage the people. They sought to frustrate
with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph bring forth the capstone with shouts of "Grace, grace before you, for they are a wondrous sign; for behold, the plans. Its sad to see when God raises up godly
with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance to it!"' (Zech 4:67) I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH. For presidents or politicians how many seek to frustrate,
of David king of Israel. And they sang together by behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon withstand and oppose rather than try to support the
course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its building of the people. It is also true of Churches. I
because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever of this house; his hands shall also complete it. inscription,' says the Lord of hosts,And I will remove have seen zoning boards go out of their way to prohibit
toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a (Zech 4:9) the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, says churches from being build or even renting spaces even
great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the the Lord of hosts, Everyone will invite his neighbor though they would do much to help the community.
foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Ezra under his vine and under his fig tree.Zechariah You will always have those who will oppose any
3:10-,11 Restoring the Priesthood 3:6-10 rebuilding and restoration. Many leaders rose up against
the work of rebuilding the temple and they even wrote
The second temple was not as beautiful and impressive to a new king, King Artaxerxes, and laid all kinds of
Spiritual leadership Joshua (or Jeshua) was the high Priest and set in order as Solomon's temple but when the older priests saw the false charges against him (sounds like today's headlines)
the priesthood and Levites. The prophet Zechariah had foundation laid they were weeping for joy in remembrance and the king stopped the work for two years. For two
a unique vision of the Lord regarding Joshua to be set in of what was taken away and now restored. It meant much years they could not build. Joseph was sent to prison for
After the foundation was set they put in order as high priest of the new temple:
the spiritual leadership. They set in the priests and more to them then the young men who were shouting two years for something he did not do. In that time God
Levites. This is equivalent to the early churches Elders Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing with joy but who had not seen the lost because they had was humbling him and teaching him to trust God in his
and Deacons. The Priest dealt with the sacrifices and before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at grown up in Babylon and did not feel the power of the circumstances. More than that, he was preparing him to
spiritual concerns of the temple and the Levites who his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to restoration as the older ones did. be the second in command in all of Egypt. Sometimes
originally set up and set down the movable Tabernacle Satan, The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who in order to reach great heights you must first sink to
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of great depths.
in the wilderness now were concerned with the physical has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen
temple and its duties. plucked from the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with After two years God sent 2 prophets to encourage the
the first house, when the foundation of this house people to build again.
Even though the physical temple had not been rebuilt, filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice;
the spiritual temple was being rebuilt by setting in God's Then He answered and spoke to those who stood Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the
before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people
authority so they could minister to God and the people. could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the
Many churches will never be restored until they properly from him. And to him He said, See, I have removed Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God
the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people
deal with the leadership. I sadly have seen in my over 40 your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son
years of ministry more churches split and break up not rich robes. And I said, Let them put a clean turban afar off. Ezra 3:12,13 of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work
on his head. So they put a clean turban on his head,
10 11
 Ezra: Restoration and Revival
to rebuild the house of God in
Jerusalem. And the prophets of
God were with them, supporting
them. Ezra 5:1-2
If God is for you who can be
against you? In defiance of the king's
order they resumed the work of the
Temple and trusted the Word of
the Lord through the prophets. It is
better to obey God than man and
when we are restoring even against
opposition we persevere and rebuild
in obedience to God.
Again the opposers wrote a letter
to another new king, Darius but
fortunately included the builders
response:
The king should know that we
went to the district of Judah,
to the temple of the great God.
The people are building it
with large stones and placing
the timbers in the walls. The
work is being carried on with
diligence and is making rapid
progress under their direction.
We questioned the elders and
asked them, Who authorized
you to rebuild this temple and
to finish it? We also asked them
their names, so that we could
write down the names of their
leaders for your information.
This is the answer they gave us:
We are the servants of the
God of heaven and earth, and
we are rebuilding the temple
that was built many years ago,
one that a great king of Israel
built and finished. But because
our ancestors angered the God
of heaven, he gave them into
the hands of Nebuchadnezzar
the Chaldean, king of Babylon,
who destroyed this temple
and deported the people to
Babylon. However, in the first
year of Cyrus king of Babylon,
King Cyrus issued a decree
to rebuild this house of God.
He even removed from the
temple of Babylon the gold and
silver articles of the house of
God, which Nebuchadnezzar
had taken from the temple in
Jerusalem and brought to the
temple in Babylon. Then King
Cyrus gave them to a man
named Sheshbazzar (another
name for Zerubbabel or perhaps
his nephew who succeeded
him ), whom he had appointed
governor, and he told him, Take
these articles and go and deposit
them in the temple in Jerusalem.
And rebuild the house of God on
its site.So this Sheshbazzar came
and laid the foundations of the
house of God in Jerusalem. From
that day to the present it has
been under construction but is
not yet finished. Now if it pleases
the king, let a search be made in
the royal archives of Babylon to
see if King Cyrus did in fact issue
a decree to rebuild this house of
God in Jerusalem. Then let the
king send us his decision in this
matter. Ezra 5:8-17
Darius searched the archive
and found the scroll where Cyrus
had decreed that they be given
permission to rebuild the temple.
He wrote back
Now then, Tattenai, governor of
Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-
Bozenai and you other officials
of that province, stay away from
there. Do not interfere with the
work on this temple of God. Let
the governor of the Jews and the
Jewish elders rebuild this house
of God on its site. Moreover, I
hereby decree what you are to do
for these elders of the Jews in the
construction of this house of God:
Their expenses are to be fully paid
out of the royal treasury, from
the revenues of Trans-Euphrates,
so that the work will not stop.
Whatever is neededyoung
bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt
offerings to the God of heaven,
and wheat, salt, wine and olive
oil, as requested by the priests in
Jerusalemmust be given them
daily without fail, so that they
may offer sacrifices pleasing to
the God of heaven and pray for
the well-being of the king and his
12
sons. Furthermore, I decree that
if anyone defies this edict, a beam
is to be pulled from their house
and they are to be impaled on it.
And for this crime their house
is to be made a pile of rubble.
May God, who has caused his
Name to dwell there, overthrow
any king or people who lifts a
hand to change this decree or to
destroy this temple in Jerusalem.
I Darius have decreed it. Let it be
carried out with diligence. Ezra
6:6-12
Now the tide has been turned
against the leaders of the area who
opposed Zerubbabel and Joshua.
Not only must they stay away and
let them rebuild, but money from
their treasuries must be used and
they also must supply animals for
the burnt offerings. In the end the
resisters of the work of God will fail
for who can oppose God!
Completion of the Work
Now with no hindrances and the
encouragement of the prophets they
finished the temple in the seventh
year of King Darius reign. It had
taken nearly 20 years to complete
but fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel
that a second temple would be built.
This would be the same temple that
Jesus walked in. Perhaps that is what
Haggai was referring to as the later
glory (Jesus presence ) being greater
than the former glory:
Who is left among you who saw
this house in its former glory?
How do you see it now? Is it not
as nothing in your eyes? Yet now
be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares
the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua,
son of Jehozadak, the high priest.
Be strong, all you people of the
land, declares the Lord. Work,
for I am with you, declares the
Lord of hosts, according to the
covenant that I made with you
when you came out of Egypt. My
Spirit remains in your midst.
Fear not. For thus says the Lord
of hosts: Yet once more, in a little
Ezra: Restoration and Revival
while, I will shake the heavens Ezra came up from Babylon. He his fasting and prayer for traveling
and the earth and the sea and was a teacher well versed in the protection:
the dry land. And I will shake Law of Moses, which the Lord,
all nations, so that the treasures the God of Israel, had given. The There, by the Ahava Canal, I
of all nations shall come in, and king had granted him everything proclaimed a fast, so that we
might humble ourselves before
I will fill this house with glory, he asked, for the hand of the Lord
says the Lord of hosts. The silver his God was on him. Ezra 7:6 our God and ask him for a safe
journey for us and our children,
is mine, and the gold is mine, The new king, Artaxerxes, wrote a
declares the Lord of hosts. The with all our possessions. I was
letter to Ezra giving him full power ashamed to ask the king for
latter glory of this house shall be to teach the laws of God, raise all
greater than the former, says the soldiers and horsemen to protect
necessary funds for the services of us from enemies on the road,
Lord of hosts. And in this place I the temple and to set up judges and because we had told the king,
will give peace, declares the Lord magistrates to govern the region.
of hosts. The gracious hand of our God
Artaxerxes did this for they too is on everyone who looks to him,
Later Herod made additions to feared the God of Israel!
but his great anger is against
it and unfortunately it was destined all who forsake him. So we
to be destroyed in 70ad as Jesus Whatever the God of heaven
has prescribed, let it be done fasted and petitioned our God
prophesied because they would about this, and he answered our
reject their Messiah. with diligence for the temple of
the God of heaven. Why should prayer. Ezra 8:21-23
his wrath fall on the realm of the
Restoration of Passover king and of his sons? Ezra 7:23
Restoration of Revival
and Return of Ezra When we seek God first and
Up to this point all the physical
Once they finished the temple restore our ways back to him he will restoration had been complete; the
they celebrated Passover signifying take care of the secular authority. foundation, the Holy Place, the Holy
Gods deliverance out of bondage for We must only be concerned with of Holies, the walls and gates and
now they had been delivered from God's authority!
courts of the temple. The religious
exile to Babylon and returned to restoration had been done. The
their land. When a man's ways are pleasing
to the LORD, He makes even his sacrifices, the vessels of the temple,
Up to this point Zerubbabel the the feasts, etc. Unfortunately this
governor and Joshua the priest enemies to be at peace with him.
is as far as many churches go. They
had done all the work but once the Proverbs 16:17 restore the outer but neglect the
temple was complete it was time for Ezra recounts the gathering of the inner. Restoration had come but
Ezra the scribe and priest to return. Levites before he leaves Babylon and not revival. The religious temple
13
 Ezra: Restoration and Revival
had been built but not the heart of
the people, the real temple of God.
Jesus was always trying to make
that distinction. The Jews had the
outer religious work going but did
not see that the real temple was
the heart of the people. That is
why Jesus was sacrificed OUTSIDE
the temple so he could purify the
temple of the hearts of those who
would believe on His name.
Ezra saw that all things had been
restored according to the law and
the temple was complete but one
thing was lacking the obedience
of the people to be convicted of sin.
After these things had been
done, the leaders came to me
and said, The people of Israel,
including the priests and the
Levites, have not kept themselves
separate from the neighboring
peoples with their detestable
practices, like those of the
Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites,
Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites,
Egyptians and Amorites.
They have taken some of
their daughters as wives for
themselves and their sons, and
have mingled the holy race with
the peoples around them. And
the leaders and officials have led
the way in this unfaithfulness.
When I heard this, I tore my
tunic and cloak, pulled hair
from my head and beard and sat
down appalled. Then everyone
who trembled at the words
of the God of Israel gathered
around me because of this
unfaithfulness of the exiles. And
I sat there appalled until the
evening sacrifice. Then, at the
evening sacrifice, I rose from my
self-abasement, with my tunic
and cloak torn, and fell on my
knees with my hands spread out
to the Lord my God and prayed:
I am too ashamed and
disgraced, my God, to lift up my
face to you, because our sins are
higher than our heads and our
guilt has reached to the heavens.
From the days of our ancestors
until now, our guilt has been
great. Because of our sins, we
and our kings and our priests
have been subjected to the
sword and captivity, to pillage
and humiliation at the hand
of foreign kings, as it is today.
Ezra 9:1-7
Revival comes only when
holiness is achieved and holiness
comes when we separate ourselves
from our sins. Israel had been told
even in the wilderness by Moses
that they were a separate and holy
people. They were forbidden to
intermarry with the inhabitants of
the land. During the seventy years
of exile many people had disobeyed
God and married and bore children
with the heathen around them.
This my seen strange to us today,
nonetheless it was a command
of God for Israel and to Ezra this
was a horrid sin. Thus he tore his
clothes and fasted and prayed.
While Ezra was praying
and confessing, weeping and
throwing himself down before
the house of God, a large crowd
of Israelitesmen, women and
childrengathered around him.
They too wept bitterly. Then
Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of
the descendants of Elam, said to
Ezra, We have been unfaithful
to our God by marrying foreign
women from the peoples around
us. But in spite of this, there is
still hope for Israel. Now let us
make a covenant before our
God to send away all these
women and their children, in
accordance with the counsel of
my lord and of those who fear
the commands of our God. Let
it be done according to the Law.
Rise up; this matter is in your
hands. We will support you, so
take courage and do it. So Ezra
rose up and put the leading
priests and Levites and all Israel
under oath to do what had been
suggested. And they took the
oath. Then Ezra withdrew from
before the house of God and went
14
to the room of Jehohanan son of
Eliashib. While he was there, he
ate no food and drank no water,
because he continued to mourn
over the unfaithfulness of the
exiles. Ezra 10 1-6
Even as Ezra fasted and prayed,
revival broke out. Even at the time
that he prayed weeping, the people
came under conviction and came
to him also weeping. God had
moved upon their hearts and they
fell under conviction. They said
that they had been unfaithful to the
Lord by marrying foreign women
and promised to send away the
women and children. Ezra rises
and makes a proclamation:
A proclamation was then
issued throughout Judah and
Jerusalem for all the exiles to
assemble in Jerusalem. Anyone
who failed to appear within
three days would forfeit all his
property, in accordance with
the decision of the officials and
elders, and would himself be
expelled from the assembly of
the exiles. Ezra 10:7,8
After three days all the Jews of
the tribe of Judah and Benjamin
gather in Jerusalem and Ezra
stood up and told them of
their unfaithfulness to God by
intermarrying with foreigners and
calls for separation. The people's
hearts were pricked and they said:
You are right! and in the pouring
rain agreed to gather in a few days
and separated themselves from
the foreign wives and children.
We are a holy people and must
be separate from the world and its
ways. We can restore church but to
bring revival requires owning up
to our sin, confessing and putting
it away. We must be holy because
God is Holy. The story of Ezra is
a reminder that God can restore
what the enemy has taken away but
if we cry out in true conviction his
presence can also be restored by
holiness.
Finding Your Direction in God!
O
ne of the things that confuses Christians allot
is direction. What is their churches direction
what is their personal direction. We often have
a general idea of what we are called to do and perhaps
how to do it but where are we to go next in life. When
we have no sense of direction, we often feel lost. How
many have ever been lost before in woods or driving
somewhere where our GPS wasnt working? Navigation
was so important in the ancient world on both land and
sea and certain devices enabled them to keep the course.
As it is in the natural, often it is in the spiritual. We
need to know where we are going spiritually. Some of
the natural means of navigation also have a spiritual
implication to our spiritual direction.
Landmarks-
Finding places you are familiar with requires looking
for landmarks. Sailors taking coastal routes would
familiarize themselves with certain landmarks and
celestial bodies. I laugh because when a man tells
another man how to get somewhere, he usually tells
him to go west to this street and then right or north
to this street, etc.. But a woman tells another woman
Go straight to you hit a Kohls on the right. Turn left
till you come to a Walmart, go right till you see a Ross...
Either will work because you are looking for landmarks
to guide you to your destination.
Are you in the right direction because you are familiar
with your surroundings. There are spiritual landmarks
that tell us if we are on the right path. The Bible says:
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that
leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads
to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13,14).
It is not the path of the multitude but the road that
few travel on that we follow. The wide road is filled with
neon signs of pleasure and selfish pursuits. Its landmarks
like the carnival of Pinocchio or the deceiving city
of Vanity Fair in Bunyans The Pilgrims Progress
only lead its travelers astray. On the Narrow path the
landmarks are Biblical Billboards and Christian oasis
rest stops through troubling desserts and mountainous
terrain. As we become familiar with His word we see his
landmarks of sacrifice, faith encouragement and love.
We can navigate a dark world by following the light that
is set before us.
Directional and Warning Signs.
I remember having to
familiarize myself with road
signs when I first got my
drivers license. Two of the
categories were Warning
Signs and Directional Signs.
Warnings signs are like Stop;
Yield, Do Not Enter, No U-
turn, One Way, etc. On our
spiritual journey the Lord
often gives us warnings
concerning the direction we
are headed. Many are clearly
stated in his word. Part of
the Ten Commandments are warnings. Jesus often gave
parables as signs of warnings. Many of the epistles warn
us of present and end-time conditions to avoid.
I remember years ago I was hiking on the Appalachian
Trail in North Georgia and I got off the path somehow
and got lost and started panicking. Suddenly a saw
a white marking on a tree and recognized it as a trail
blazer. When I was a boy scout in California I learned
that a trail blaze or mark was a sign on a tree to bring you
back to the main path. It could be an arrow or triangles
laid out in such a way as to tell you to turn left or right
or keep straight. I followed the trail blaze signs and got
back safely onto the main path. If we know what to look
for when we get off the right path the Lord will send us
15
 Finding Your Direction in God!
signs to lead us safely back to the right road. He created a magnetic field around the earth. This is
The other type of road signs in the drivers handbook referred to in Psalms 89:12
is Directional signs. These are usually the big green
signs on the interstate that point to destination options. The North and the South, Thou hath created.
We have one on the outskirts of Atlanta that tells you Certain minerals like lodestones and magnetized iron
that if you stay in the right lane you will head towards ore align itself with that magnetic field. Thus pointing
Augusta, Georgia or Alabama when you get on I-20. I us to the fixed point North. Magnetism is an invisible
live off of I-85 and each exit has destination signs telling
you where you are and how to get from one small city
attraction. The 1st principle involves developing an
attraction to a fixed point. By allowing the needle to
to another. A destination signs tells you where you are point north we now know points east west and south.
or what road to get on to get to where your going. If
these signs werent there you would just see a bunch of The Fixed Point: The North (God)
exits and not know where they go. To navigate Gods Interestingly the Bible refers to God as the one who:
direction for our lives we need to keep looking at the
signs he is showing us to get to where he wants us to be. sits on the side of the North Isaiah 14:13 (the far
Maybe the destination is ministry or a good Christian reaches of the North).
church or a spouse or job situation. When we pray, God Psalms 48:2 uses the same term in KJV Sides of the
will show us the direction and allow circumstances to north relating to Jerusalem perhaps giving us a hint of
help guide us to that destination. Isaiah says: the direction of the New Jerusalem.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your Job 26:7 -He spreads out the north over empty
ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is space, suspending the earth over nothing.
the way; walk in it. Isa. 30:21
We must have an attraction to God. We must be
pulled to His direction. Many when they hear the gospel
Navigational tools: are pulled to the direction of God. When we worship we
are pulling ourselves to Him and directing our attention
The Compass to the one who sits on the sides of the North. We must
be magnetized by Jesus and then pulled into the only
true fixed point to find out bearings.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great
cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And
let us run with perseverance the race marked out
for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
perfecter of faith. Heb. 12:1
Gods word is a fixed point. It is absolute truth and
unalterable. To navigate through a world of speculation,
supposition, myth, theories and lies we need to anchor
1803, Meriwether Lewis bought 3 pocket compasses
ourselves to the Word of God and not steer of course.
for the Lewis and Clark expedition to find a passage Bearings
west and across the Rockies. For 2 years the compass Bearings are our relationship to that fixed point.
helped them stay on course both west to the pacific and A magnetic needle floats on a circle of 360 degrees. 0
East to return home. degrees is north. 45 degrees is Northeast, 90 is East, 180
When I was younger as a boy scout a compass was is South, 170 is West and 360 Or 0 returns you back to
indispensable when hiking and camping in the woods. North. Latitudes and longitudes are degrees of a circular
A compass requires three things, a magnet and a fixed
globe. A captain will use a sextant to fix itself on the
point and bearings north star and set its bearings. The sextant can focus on
two things. At night it points to Polaris or the North star
The Magnet
for navigation. During the day it will focus on the noon
Attraction. A magnetic needle floats on a circle of sun to get its Direction. In other words it will determine
360 degrees. The magnet draws the needle to point to where they are in an ocean in relationship to the fixed
the North. God gave us in creation a means of always point. Christians often need to find their bearings. They
finding direction in the natural. The earth is a magnet. need to look at the Lord and see if they have drifted off
16
Finding Your Direction in God!
course. They need to look at the Word and see where they
stand and perhaps make course corrections to make sure GPS. Global
they are following the right course for Gods direction in Positioning System
their life.
When we are lost we have to look to God to find our In the 1970s- America
bearings. came out with a space-
based satellite navigation
Get directions from someone system that provided
position, range and time
who has been there! information. Initially it was
a military project for ICBM
missiles but later Ronald Reagan
authorized its civilian use and now 24 missiles orbit
the earth translate position coordinates for receivers
on earth including mobile phones, tables and car GPS
devices. Using Trilateration (similar to triangulation but
an all three dimensions plus time) they can accurately
track the position of any receiver. It not only uses
positioning but by use of atomic clocks in the satellites
and quartz crystal clocks on the devices can monitor
your position in real time. Now everyone by use of their
cell phone can navigate using GPS and pull up maps
that will find stores, restaurants, companies and even
people.
Lewis and Clark not only used a compass but when Christians have a GPS: Gods positioning System.
they got to the Rockies they got an Shoshone Indian From above he sees everything and knows where
woman named Sacajawea to guide the party across everything and everyone is. The prophet Elisha knew
the mountain pass. Spiritually we are all on the same what the kings enemy was planning and it simply
journey but others have gone before us and can help us because when he prayed God revealed the plans of men.
take the same course. The Bible is replete with examples Now we can navigate and locate by prayer and the Holy
of those who have gone before us and those examples Spirit can lead us and provide for us:
can speak to us today and help guide us in our walk in
god. Draw from the wisdom and experience of others. But the natural man receiveth not the things of
Dont be afraid to ask for directions when your lost. I the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
have to admit, I hate asking for directions (or even for him: neither can he know them, because they are
help at Home Depot) but thanks to the nagging wisdom spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
of my wife I am finding it much faster to stop and ask
someone more familiar with the area then driving But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will
around all day trying to find my destination on my own. guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on
his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he
Road Maps will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13
I love maps. I have a file cabinet of maps of many of my The Holy Spirit is Gods GPS. The Holy Spirit leads
travels in my youth. I confess its one of my obsessions. us, guides us and helps provide for us. He helps us get
I use to pull out country maps from old National from one place to another in our spiritual growth and
Geographic magazines just to peruse and hoard them. helps us to find what we need. It often points us to the
Something about looking down at a map whether a street Word for direction or sends someone our way to point
map, typographical, national map or globe it gives me the us in the right way.
feeling that I am flying over an area and seeing it from The great thing about being a Christian is that we dont
above. The great thing about maps is that you get an have to walk the walk alone and that God is always there
overall picture and therefore you can often see where you to help us along the way. Life is a journey but through
are and where you want to go along with the easiest route the Word and His Spirit we can be guided through
there (I guess you can see how I went nuts when Google life and through spiritual maturity until we find our
earth came out!). The Bible is a road map that tells us final destination in the heavenly kingdom
where we are, where we need to be and how to get there. where we will hear; Enter in thou good
It helps us when we are lost and gives us an overview of and faithful servant!
everything and yet the specifics of what we need.
17
 The Spirit of Shimei- Dealing with Derision
The Spirit of Shimei-
Dealing with Derision
Mockers in the Last days
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will
come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For ever
since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was
from the beginning of creation. For when they maintain
this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the
heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of
water and by water, through which the world at that time
was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present
heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire,
kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly
men. 2 Peter 3:37
2 Tim. 3:12 says Indeed, all who desire to live godly in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Persecution starts with mocking. The greek word
mock here means To deride, make fun of, lit to turn
up ones nose or sneer, or ridicule.
The movie Noah was a terrible movie but Bill Maher
mocking the biblical concept said: Its about a psychotic
mass murderer who gets away with it, and his name is
God, He basically says God is a Blank with anger issues
set out to kill men women and children. Its because you
worship a guy who drowns babies.
His concept of God is a psychotic baby killer.
Gal. 6: 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for
whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
John 15:18,19 If the world hates you, know that it has
hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the
world would love you as its own; but because you are not
of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the
world hates you.
Christians more and more are being scoffed at for:
Believing in creation rather than evolution
Believing in marital relations not premarital
relations.
Not being tolerant of the homosexual lifestyle
and gay marriage.
Not believing in a womans right to kill her own
baby.
Adhering to the old morality of the bible rather
than the loose morality of today
Taking a biblical stand in school rather than the
secular humanism taught in academia.
Organizations like, the ACLU, Freedom from Religion,
and atheist groups continue to sue and press to remove
the ten commandment, the cross, bible scriptures,
and Christian expression from the public forum. This
is done regularly by our government, our educational
system and the media.
We have seen attacks in the past on Christian groups
and companies by gay activists on the Boy Scouts, Duck
Dynasty and Chick Fil-A, Christian bakers, florists and
other Christian groups.
During a debate with Bill Nye the science (?) guy
and Christian Ken Ham on evolution Bill Nye mocked
Ken Ham and said ... the idea that there is a plan for
everybody, that this deity has it all worked out, and is
really directing things is an extraordinary claim that I
find troublesome,
As we see more and more attacks on Christianity we
must remember that as we are nearing the end of the
age of grace we
are also nearing
the time of
judgement. For
both man and
Christians.
There is a
two-sided coin
that God flips
but you determine the outcome. On one side it says
forgiveness and another side it says judgment. This
perfectly describes a loving yet righteous God that
balances grace with truth in Jesus Christ.
And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The
Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering,
and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and
that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrens
children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Exodus 34:6, 7
Even mockers may repent if it is not too late. But if
not, then they will be the one mocked by God.
The Judgment Of Shimei
The Biblical account of Shimei, son of Gera, is a brief
one. Only four passages of Scripture refer to him. They
show a contrast between forgiveness and judgment.
Shimei was of the same family as King Saul and
evidently opposed the accession of David to the throne
of Israel. We first meet him on one of the darkest days
in King Davids life. Davids son, Absalom, has gained
the upper hand in his bid to replace his father on the
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The Spirit of Shimei- Dealing with Derision
hath bidden him. It is one thing for any of us to accept
criticism when offered graciously, but quite another not
to react when attacked publicly and in an unkind manner,
let alone accompanied by curses and violence.
Davids flight took him to the mountain retreat of
Mahanaim where he regrouped his forces and went
forth to defend his kingdom against the usurpation of
his son. The battle went successfully for the king. His son
Absalom was killed to the deep grief of his father. David
returned to Jerusalem in triumph to continue his reign.
Shimei Pardoned
Absalom eventually died and David came back to be
Shimei throws stones at David!
set in as King of all Israel. As he recrossed the Jordan
throne. David and his entourage flee Jerusalem in
river we again meet Shimei, this time in a far different
disarray. Adding to the humiliation of the hour is a
attitude. No longer cursing David with bold braggadocio,
young Benjamite running parallel to the road, cursing
he assumes the position of the humble penitent.
David and pelting him with dirt and stones.
2 Sam. 19:16, 18-23 And Shimei the son of Gera, a
2 Samuel 6:5-13 -And when king David came to Bahurim, Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down
behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house with the men of Judah to meet king David. . . . And there
of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came went over a ferry boat to carry over the kings household,
forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of
David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan;
people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity
unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant
on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of
come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. For thy
Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold,
Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to
delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: go down to meet my lord the king. But Abishai the son of
Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to
and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou
art a bloody man. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah death for this, because he cursed the Lords anointed? And
David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah,
unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there
the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of know that I am this day king over Israel? Therefore the king
Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto
said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware
him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou unto him.
done so? And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, David showed mercy, spared his life.
Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my
life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him Luke 6:27-28 But I say unto you which hear, Love your
enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that
alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. It
may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.
the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. And
as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along Judgment Deferred
on the hills side over against him, and cursed as he went,
and threw stones at him, and cast dust. Forgiveness requires true repentance and only God
knows the heart, Shemei went through the motions
but his motivation was not by conviction but by self
Davids Humility preservation. When David came back and was set in as
The humility of David in this instance shines out. king, Shimei repented out of fear and not out of real
Not only did he take Shimeis critical words kindly, but sorrow.
he attributed them to the Lord, saying, for the Lord For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be
regretted: but the sorrow of the world works death. 1 Cor. 7:10
19
 The Spirit of Shimei- Dealing with Derision
Over time David saw that in Shimei. And near the
end of his days he required judgment. On his deathbed
he said to Solomon:
1 Kings 2:8, 9 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the
son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with
a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but
he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by
the Lord, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.
Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise
man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but
his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
Solomon does not proceed to act quickly on his
fathers orders, but gives Shimei space to prove that he
has truly repented. King Solomon restricts Shimei to
the confines of Jerusalem, offering it to him for a city
of refuge.
The Death Of Shimei
2 Kings 2:36-46 -And the king sent and called for Shimei,
and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and
dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. For it
shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the
brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt
surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head. And
Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord
the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt
in Jerusalem many days. And it came to pass at the end of
three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto
Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei,
saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath. And Shimei arose,
and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek
his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants
from Gath. And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone
from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again. And the king
sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not
make thee to swear by the Lord, and protested unto thee,
saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and
walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and
thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.
Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord, and the
commandment that I have charged thee with? The king
said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness
which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my
father: therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon
thine own head; And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the
throne of David shall be established before the Lord for ever.
So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which
went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom
was established in the hand of Solomon.
Jerusalem has become a city of refuge for Shimei. It was
a safe haven as long as he stayed therein, but afforded no
protection beyond their borders. The wisdom of Solomon The lesson of Shimei, then, teaches us three important
points:
is also evidenced. By restricting him to Jerusalem, he
could execute him for a different sin than that for which 1. To graciously deal with those who despitefully use
his father, David, had granted pardon. us and persecute us. But I say unto you, Love your
The Allegory
In addition to the moral lessons this account teaches,
we find, additionally, an allegory. The first three reigns of
Israels monarchythose of Saul, David and Solomon
were each of 40 years duration. Various commentators
have noted this and suggested that they contain pictorial
lessons of three great ages in Gods planthe Jewish,
Gospel and Kingdom ages respectively. The Prophet,
The Priest and the King. (3 fold ministry of Jesus) The
three ages are also age of the Law, age of Grace and age
of restitution
If this indeed be the case, we find in the Shimei
account a case of sins during the Gospel age being
deferred to Christs Millennial Kingdom for judgment.
This accords well with the Apostle Pauls words
1 Timothy 5:24, Some mens sins are open beforehand,
going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
The present is not the time for the judgment of mens
sins. In fact we are warned not to judge before the time.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord
come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God (1 Cor. 5:4).
It is for this reason that the Kingdom is called The
Day of Judgment.
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will
judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in
that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts 17:31).
Shimei left the city to reclaim two slaves which had
escaped. They were his property, they owed him their
lives. But he was in the same position to Solomon.
He was Solomons prisoner, indebted to him for the
continuation of his life. Freely taking Solomons pardon,
he was unwilling to grant the same to his servants.
How similar with one of the parables of Jesus where
a servant is forgiven a debt of ten thousand talents,
but refuses to forgive one who owes him a few pence.
The basis for mans judgment will be based in large
part upon the basis of judgment he uses for others.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matt.
6:12).
Summary
20
The Spirit of Shimei- Dealing with Derision
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:42).
2. To not expect sins to go unrequited, though the
judgment may be deferred.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men
shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of
judgment (Matt. 12:36).
3. The Millennial Kingdom is the time for the
judgment of mens sins, not the present.
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And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from
whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there to download and/or read online at:
was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and
great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and www.issuu.com/visualdesigngraphics
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were written in
the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the
dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the
dead which were in them: and they were judged every man
according to their works (Rev. 20:11-13).
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The name of Shimei comes up one more time in the and like us at:
Old Testament. In the twelfth chapter of Zechariah.
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And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family
of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the
family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart;
the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; All the All comments, suggestions, and
families that remain, every family apart, and their wives correspondants may be sent to the
apart (Zech. 12:12-14).
editor/publisher at:
The four families mentionedDavid, Nathan, Levi
and Shimeimay well indicate four categories of jerrywalldesigns@gmail.com
people.
1. David represented the royal family -
the kings or rulers
2. Nathan the prophets Please visit our website at
3. Levi the priesthood-Judgment begins in the www.patmospapers.zohosites.com
house of the Lord.
4. Shimei- mankind
All the families that remain - everyone else.- We will
all stand before the judgement seat and give an account.
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets
of men by Jesus Christ
also PSALMS 2 (READ ALL)
21
 The Three Time Eras
The Three Time Eras
Spiritual time relating to God and Israel can be broken
into three eras or epochs. These three time frames can be
related to the ministries of the Three major King of Israel:
King Saul, King David and King Solomon.
King Saul.
King Saul was the first King of Israel. This relates to the
Jewish Age. He ruled strictly over Israel. He was set in and
guided by mainly one prophet and that was the Samuel
the prophet. So this was a prophetic era.
This era pointed to Jesus as the Hidden one. The King
was not the messiah but David was a type of Messiah.
David was hidden for the most part and though he was
secretly anointed as king by Samuel he did not come
into power for many years. For the first 30 years Jesus was
hidden. He even went to Egypt and spent his life hidden
from Israel. He was the promised Messiah but his time had
not het come.
King Saul was a flawed man. He disobeyed God when he
did not wait for Samuel to offer up the sacrifice and took
on a priestly role when it was not his to do. Because of that
act of disobedience he lost his Kingship. This was the era of
sacrifice offered up wrongly. The Jewish age was religious
but as Saul said Obedience is better than sacrifice.
King David
The second age is the Age of King David. This represents
the Church age. David was a type of Jesus, both being
the Root of Jesse and of the tribe of Judah. The Church is
never to replace Israel but is parenthetic to the separated
and different work of Israel. The church started out with
Jewish believers but quickly became mostly gentiles and
thus is called the times of the gentiles (Luke 21:24). The
age of the gentiles or church age will end with the rapture
and then Israel shall take up the scene again. Where as the
Jewish age was about Law and Works, the church age is
about Grace and truth. For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17
This is the age of the priesthood. Jesus is the high priest
who ever maketh intercession for us and offered himself
as the lamb of God. He is the promised one because he
was the prophesied Messiah.
King Solomon
The third era is the millennial reign of Jesus. This coincides
with the reign of King Solomon. Solomons rule was an era
of peace with no war. It is the Kingdom age because Jesus
will return and rule over all the earth as King of kings. It
will also be the time of Jesus as the Lion of Judah. He will
rule with a rod of iron and it will be the time of righteous
judgement. He will now fulfill his true Messianic rule as the
will show John what will appen after this. After what?
coming one who will set up his throne on earth for 1000
years. Solomon fulfilled the desire of David and built the
first temple for Israel. A new temple will be built and we
shall all be gathered to King Jesus yearly to praise and
worship Him! Hallelujah.
22
The Throne Room Vision
The Throne Room Vision
After this I looked, and there before me was a door
standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard
speaking to me like a trumpet said, Come up here, and
I will show you what must take place after this. At once
I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in
heaven with someone sitting on it. Rev. 4:1-2
Up to Chapter 3 we read of Jesus in the midst of the
church. And chapter 6 and on deal with the judgment
of God. So Chapters 4 and 5 are parenthetic and
sandwiched between the church era and the 7 year
tribulation era of judgment upon the earth. These two
chapters are called the throne room visions and are a
type of the rapture. It even begins after the warnings to
the Seven churches with John being caught up (raptured)
when the Lord says come up hither! The Lord says he
After the church era or times of the gentiles is over. He
will begin to show John the horrors of the tribulation
but also the glories of the millennial reign of Christ. But
first we have these 2 chapters full of symbolism of the
church in heaven during the 7 year tribulation.
First we see the focus here is strictly on heaven and
not the earth. He is taken to the throne room, the very
presence of God. Jesus will gather the saints unto Himself
where we will come boldly before His throne after times
of trouble. In the Throne Room we see several things.
We see Jesus on a throne with a rainbow encircling it;
His emblem of promised protection from destruction.
We see His delegated representatives over God's people
in the form of 24 elders on 24 thrones. Some believe 12
represent the twelve tribes of Israel and 12 are the twelve
apostles thus representing both Jew and Gentile. Before
Him are 7 blazing lamps representing the sevenfold
Spirit of God.
In front of the throne is a sea of glass. This phrase is
used several times in scripture. Some believe it is the
viewing port to behold what is taken place on earth.
One scripture says:
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire:
and them that had gotten the victory over the beast,
and over his image, and over his mark, and over the
number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having
the harps of God. Revelation 15:2.
Perhaps it is how those in heaven behold what is
happening on the earth. Interesting that this is before
the throne. Jesus walked on the sea of Galilee, perhaps a and worship! Maybe that's what we should
type of him walking on the crystal sea in throne room. have more of down here.
We also see in the Throne Room Four living Creatures
or special Angels called Seraphim. They praise Jesus
continually saying :
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,who was,
and is, and is to come.
Heaven after the rapture will be a place filled with
praise. When the seraphim praise Him the bible says
that the 24 elders cast down their crowns and cry :
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory
and honor and power, for you created all things, and
by your will they were created and have their being.
Rev 4:11
Judgment begins with the opening of seven seals. No
one on earth or in heaven is worthy to open that sealed
scroll except Jesus. In roman times, Only the author or
recipient could open a sealed scroll. It is interesting that
Rev 5:1 says:
..the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, ...
is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.
Yet when John turns around he sees a Lamb take the
seal not a Lion? Jesus is both the Lamb of Salvation and
Lion of Judgment.
Before he opens it, heaven is filled with praise for the
justice that is about to come. The four Creatures worship
and it says of the 24 Elders:
Each one had a harp and they were holding golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of Gods
people. And they sang a new song, saying: You are
worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because
you were slain, and with your blood you purchased
for God persons from every tribe and language and
people and nation. You have made them to be a
kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will
reign on the earth. Rev. 5:9-10
The angels in heaven said:
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power
and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and
glory and praise! Rev 5:12
Every creature in heaven, earth and under the earth
said:
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever! Rev 5:13
Chapter 5 concludes by saying:
The four living creatures said, Amen, and the
elders fell down and worshiped.
In heaven the church wont have preaching; just prayer
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