Musing – Can You Believe in Both Evolution and Biblical Heaven?

Hebraic Musing – Can You Believe in Both Evolution and Biblical Heaven?

Who created the Heaven that we look forward to?  The Bible describes what God created in Genesis at the beginning of time, and God wraps up His Creation in Revelation at the end of time. “Genesis and Revelation” are the book-ends of God’s creative handiwork!  Our Creation and Heaven both came from God.  Consider these:

Gen.1:1 “In the beginning God created…”   
    Rev.22:13  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the Beginning and the end.”

Gen.1:3   God said “Let there be light”…                 
    Rev.21:23  “The city does not need the sun…glory of God gives it light…”

Gen.1:6   And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."
    Rev.8:10   “The third angel sounded his trumpet, and … A third of the waters turned bitter, …”

Gen.1:8 God called the expanse "sky."
    Rev.20:11-12  “Then … Earth and sky fled from his presence, … no place for them.”

Gen.1:11  Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees…”
    Rev.8:7   “The first angel … earth was burned up, a third of the trees … all the green grass…”

Gen.1:14 God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night…
    Rev.8:12  “… fourth angel … a third of the sun … of the moon, …of the stars…turned dark.”

Gen.1:20   God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures…let birds fly above the earth…”
    Rev.8:8-9  “The second angel sounded… and… a third of the living creatures in the sea died…”

Gen.1:24 God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,…”
    Rev.9:15   “…four angels … ready … were released to kill a third of mankind.”

Gen.1:27    “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;”
    Rev.21:3   "… dwelling of God is with men, ... and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

Gen.2:2 2  “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed …God had finished … he rested …”

    Rev.21:5   He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" … "It is done”.

See the pattern?   Everything God started in Genesis He tied off or finished in the book of Revelation:

a)      Sin is introduced in Gen.3,   Sin is done away with in Rev.20 “He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations …”

b)      Curse is pronounced in Gen.3;   Curse is destroyed in Rev.21.

c)      Death entered in Gen.3;   No more death after Rev.21.

d)     Man is banished from Eden in Gen.3;   Man’s presence in Eden is welcomed in Rev.22.

e)      The Tree of Life is guarded in Gen.3;   the right to the Tree of Life is available in Rev.22.

f)       Sorrow and suffering introduced in Gen.3;   No more sorrow or suffering after Rev.22.

g)      Nimrod founds Babylon in Gen.10;   in Revelation Babylon finally falls in Rev.18:21  "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.”

h)      God uses a flood to destroy sinful men in Gen.6-9;   Satan tries to destroy the elect in Rev.12.

i)        God signed His covenant with a rainbow Gen.9;   then seals it in Rev.10:1 “Then I saw another mighty angel … robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun…”

j)        Sodom and Egypt are introduced as signs of evil and corruption in Gen.13; and they became the two witnesses in Jerusalem:   in Rev.11:18 “Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.”

k)      A bride is chosen for Abraham’s son in Gen.24;   in Rev.19&21 Abraham’s seed becomes the bride.

l)        A marriage of the first Adam in Gen.2;   in Rev.19 the marriage of the last Adam.

m)    In Genesis Satan’s dominion was established;   in Revelation Christ’s dominion is established.

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

If you believe Creation by Evolution rather than the God’s Biblical Account of Creation,
how can you then believe or trust in the Biblical promises of Heaven?

♫ When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be….♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      April 28, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   

Note - This musing is from that book, “Hebraic Insight #83 – In the Beginning and in The End” published 2010.

Musing – Don’t be Like a Goat!

Hebraic Musing – Don’t be Like a Goat!

Did you ever wonder what Jesus meant when he said “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matt.25:32-33  NIV     A friend of mine, Johanna Hocker,* did a study out of curiosity about the significance of goats in the Bible.  Brace yourself for the questions at the end.

First mention of a goat is in the LORD’s bloody covenant with Abram in Gen.15:9.  “Goat” appears 86 times in the NIV, and their usefulness, or lack thereof, is clear:

·      Sin offerings of goats to cleanse the altar and bring glory back to the temple, in “On the second day you are to offer a male goat without defect for a sin offering, and the altar is to be purified … 25 For seven days you are to provide a male goat daily for a sin offering…”  Ezekiel 43:22-26

·      And again as a sin offering “Every day during the seven days of the Feast he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a burnt offering to the LORD, and a male goat for a sin offering.” Eze.45:23          

·      Daniel uses the male goat in Daniel 8 to represent Greece coming to take over King Belshazzar’s reign. 

How to view goats?  Here’s Johanna’s perspective:

“My only encounter with a goat was when we stopped at a farm of a family friend in central Norway.  When my husband and I got out of the rental car were greeted by the family goat.  I love animals and was as curious about him as he was of me, but it didn’t take me long to want him to stop his constant butting me and climbing on our rental car.  There was no convincing this animal to change his behavior.  I have both my cats and dog trained, so I can just talk to them and they respond.  This goat was totally out of control.  Goats like to butt anything and everything.  It seems like they are continually saying, “I am in charge.” They have to be first to eat and drink and can be downright nasty to humans, property and the rest of the flock.”

How do Sheep differ from Goats -- According to a quick unedited Google search:

“Sheep are most comfortable with their flock, and they tend to run if approached or spooked.  Goats are more independent, intelligent and tolerant of interaction in general.  Sheep like to graze on grass, while goats prefer to graze on anything they can, including leaves, twigs and anything edible they can reach.”

Isaiah was right and he prophesied our redemption when he said “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.”  Isa.53:6     In fact, that verse reminds me of a drinking song – ♫  We're poor little lambs who have lost our way   Baa, baa, baa.
  We're little black sheep who have gone astray   Baa, baa, baa   ♫    WOW!  We sheep need a lot of help!

What happens to the sheep on the right?  “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father;…” Rev.25:31-34 

What happens to the goats on the left?  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”  Rev.25:41 

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Political question – Why are the goats on the left?

Don’t be like the rebellious goat and wander off.  Follow the shepherd!

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—” John 10:14

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      April 21, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   

Note – Inspired by and excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s email “Goats in the Bible” – April 13, 2020

Musing – How New Is the Concept of “One World Government”?

Hebraic Musing – How New Is the Concept of “One World Government”?

It started with Satan’s jealous desire to rule the earth by turning everyone away from honoring their Creator God. 

1. Satan tried to take over in Gen.3:5 by deceiving the whole world, Adam & Eve – “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

2. Why did the Babylonians decide to build a tower?  “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Gen.11:4  NIV   God saw their objective.  They wanted to worship their own creation, a “built city”.  They wanted to make “a name for ourselves”.  So God dispersed people to become individual nations; God is the creator of nations.  “So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, … it was called Babel—because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. ” Gen.11:8-9   God created sovereign nations, each with a unique language so they could each honor God, His plan!  A spirit of globalization is competing with acceptance of God’s sovereignty throughout the Bible.  (Babylon appears 260 X in NIV; second only to 785 X for Jerusalem) 

3. God arranged for a flood which further dispersed the people over the earth.  This created nations who were dependent upon God for their livelihood.  In Gen.12:2-3 God recognized the concept and the benefit of being a nation blessing God’s earth!  “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 

4. In Joshua’s day, Achan brought calamity on the Israelite forces and he confessed “When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, (or land of Shinar) … silver and … of gold … , I coveted them and took them.” Josh.7:21  Man was still was seeking the wealth from the dream of a controlling Tower of Babel.

5. In Daniel chapter 2, God calls on Daniel to interpret king Nebuchadnezzar's dream which described the king’s future.  The dream identified God as the source of King Nebs power - “The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed mankind … he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.” Dan.2:38   Verse 39 describes how the king’s power and global control will be taken away.  Daniel refused to bow to the gold statue of Nebuchadnezzar, which lead to a fiery furnace story!

6. Is Today’s World-Wide Pandemic another example of a call to get back to honoring our Creator God?  How many false gods is the world seeking, honoring and glorifying.  Are we still seeking our gold and our Power?

7. The Anti-Christ is coming in the end-times with a “mark” to track all people.  The internet and Wi-Fi are not yet everywhere; but this world-wide crisis has become an excuse to fund “Wi-Fi” for everyone, so we can ALL be connected.  In Revelation 17 “The Woman and the Beast” reign; in chapter 18 Babylon’s prosperous commerce fails; and chapter 19 is about judgements for Worshipers of God and for worshipers of gold?  In contrast, the NT calls us to worship Jesus. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11  There is to be no bowing to gold; or to a god of the world; or to the government!

But today we are still sinning and rebelling against our Creator God.  So God is looking for those who will turn from their sinful, rebellious ways and turn to Him.  He tells us in Rom.10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Unfortunately, some people absolutely do not want to confess and make Jesus their Lord.  They are playing into Satan’s plan – control of the earth with Satan in charge, AKA a “One World Government”.

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Has globalism allowed America to be overly reliant on China for pharmaceuticals?

Are we surrendering our rights to W.H.O., a champion of the “New World Order”? 

In what ways is globalism causing America to rely on a “New World Order” system?    

If we want God to bless America, we need to have America bless God.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      April 14, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Pastor Tom Hatley’s message “One World Government”, March 29 ,2020

Musing - Are People “Whistling Through the Graveyard”?

Hebraic Musing - Are People “Whistling Through the Graveyard”?

While the world undergoes a “Pandemic Time Out” from Father God, we find ourselves fearing future outcomes and trying to buoy up our spirits.  As our Pastor described it – “We are whistling through the graveyard” pretending we are not afraid.  People are searching for positive things to think about while being bombarded with negativity in the news media, job losses and grocery shortages! 

And yet in the back of our head we remember Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” NIV   The hearts of the people are not cheerful.  Where is the Great Physician, the Divine Healer when we need Him?  What are we missing?

Our situation is reminiscent of “The Bronze Snake” account in Numbers 21:4-9.  “They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;  5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”  6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.  7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.  8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”  9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.” NIV  What lessons can we learn?

·      In v.5  “They spoke against God and against Moses”  Do we see ungodly behaviors and disrespect of leaders?

·      In v.6  “the LORD sent venomous snakes among them” Sounds similar the pandemic that gets full attention!

·      The resolution opportunity begins with repentance.  “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD…”.

·      The leader did what?  “Moses prayed for the people”  And what happened…

·      The LORD provides the solution/cure.  “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”  This cure is a foreshadowing of the ultimate cure available to all peoples – Look upon Jesus lifted up on the cross for the cure for our problem, our sin nature.

This is not the only Biblical passage telling us to look up to Jesus, not down at the problem.

John remembered that Jesus confirmed the significance of the Bronze Snake account when He said “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  And Jesus continued with v.16  “For God so loved the world…”  John 3:14-16

And John remembers Jesus saying “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Jn 12:31-32

Even the OT was telling us to look to our coming Savior.  “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.  By myself I have sworn, … a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” Isaiah 45:22-23  

When will all people be willing to recognize their sinfulness?  When will the whole world see Jesus on the cross representing all their sins?  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21    

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Unfortunately, some people refuse to look up!  Why?

Could our response to this pandemic lead to the “Third Great Awakening”?
Not just for our nation, but for the entire World?

How can we use this pandemic to let the world know – “Jesus is the answer”?

♫ Jesus loved, died and rose for all the children of the world,R,Y,Bl,Br,W, they are precious in His sight ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      April 7, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”   

Note – Inspired and excerpted from Pastor Tom Hatley’s message “Whistling through the graveyard”, April 5, 2020

Musing – “I Love Fishing!”

Hebraic Musing – “I Love Fishing!”

I love fishing just as much as catching.  Before I knew Jesus, a mentor taught me to love fishing; then when I found Jesus in 1977, Jesus built on that love when He said “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”   A fisherman’s objective is to catch as many and as big a one as he can.  Jesus does not expect us to know how to fish for fish, but might there be some techniques and understandings about fishing for fish that apply to fishing for men?  Here’s how my fishing experience has helped me in fishing for men. 

·      Know the water, how deep, shallow, muddy, clear, etc.  (Where are you fishing for men?)

·      Know what kind of fish you are fishing for.  (Educated, home-less, tradesman, young & green, old & wise?)

·      Know the time of day           (feeding time, water temperature, how are they feeling….)

·      What kind of bait will they strike?    (What might strike their interest?)

·      What kind of rod, reel or “line” is needed to attract them; and to “reel” them in?

·      How to work them into the boat/shore once they strike.  (You don’t want to lose them after they’re hooked!)

What challenges might a fisherman face when fishing for fish (or men)?  Snakes, rough water, impatient partners, short of right bait (insufficient Bible knowledge), weather conditions, not enough years of experience,…   It is challenging; especially since Satan does not like fishers of men!

Through maturity and experience a fisherman learns the nature of different varieties, and how to appeal to each.  Men have different religious beliefs, professions, philosophies, characteristics, attitudes, ages, educations, cultural backgrounds, etc.  And consider the range of their socio-economic status, social circles and speech types.  Each of these requires different baits and presentations.  And every man is facing his own unique issues which determine the bait and presentations that will get his attention.

I like this quote – “Teach your people to love fishing rather than catching.  If they love fishing, they will catch, but if they love only catching, they will never really love fishing.”  Where and how do we learn how to become “fishers of Men”?  Here’s the good news!  Jesus did not say “You will become….”, He said “I will make you…”.   Then Jesus proceeded to spend three years teaching those fishermen how to become “fishers of men.”  If we love fishing, we will also love learning in order to become proficient.  Realistically, fishing can become challenging and tiring; sometimes even the best can get “skunked” and discouraged.  So learn to love fishing!

How many ways are there to fish?  From a boat, from shore, nets, snorkeling, spearing, snagging, etc.  But fishing is different from hunting; hunting is aggressive pursuit while fishing is done by patiently drawing fish to you.

The classic advice for successful fishing – put lots of lines in the water: many bobbers, or 4-5 trolling lines to increase chances of a strike while remaining patient.  Here’s seven of trolling “lines” to use as “fishers of men”?
 - Living a life of truth and righteousness and justice,
 - Reaching out to help others in time of sickness, hardship or need,
 - Demonstrating forgiveness, compassion, mercy and other acts of love,
 - Answering people’s questions about God and His Word with honesty, boldness and courage,
 - Proclaiming the message of the gospel, including the testimony of your personal faith,
 - Standing boldly for principles and truth when such are attacked,
 - Walking in faith and praying constantly as we go out sinking our nets in the water.

Solomon gave us wise advice in Prov.11:30 – “…and he who wins souls is wise.”

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Which is more fun and rewarding…fishing for fish?   or    Fishing for men?

How successful will we be if we keep using the same bait (presentation) in all situations?

And after a fishing trip, are you ready to clean the catch?  A.K.A. “discipling”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” Matt. 28:19

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     March 31, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*  Inspired & excerpted from “Mysteries of the Bush” Ch.10  by        Dr. Paige Patterson, past pres., SW Theological Seminary.

Musing – What Can We Learn from Plagues in the Bible?

Hebraic Musing – What Can We Learn from Plagues in the Bible?

Is Father God displeased with His children and has He put us in a “Time-out”?  God has done that before; this is not the first plague He has allowed by simply taking away His protection!  Plagues have been judgments on secular cultures throughout Bible times!  Plague(s) are mentioned 94 times in the OT; with three major plagues in the book of Revelation.  

For example, in Exodus 10-12 alone there 10 plagues released in Egypt before the Pharaoh “let the people go”.  They represented direct attacks on the 10 gods Egyptians were worshipping; and all of them were designed to glorify the Almighty God.

Plagues are mentioned 75 more times in the OT!  And then we get to the three rounds of plagues in the book of Revelation:

1.      Seven Seals - Rev. 6-7  Four horsemen appear “given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” 

2.      Seven Trumpets – Rev. 8-10 starts with thunder, rumblings, lightning and an earthquake; and “woes” descend on the earth.  And John is not allowed to write in his own book the last woe that the seventh thunder would reveal!

3.      Seven Bowl judgments in Rev.16 begin with Painful Sores; then the seas and rivers become blood; then heat and darkness before the final judgment of Tribulation and “Widespread Destruction”.

What are these plagues, and why will God send them?  Actually He simply allowed them!  How many false gods does the world and America worship?  Economy, Money, Nature, Careers, Sinful behaviors, Convenience, etc.    Instead, America should be worshipping their Creator!

The answer harks back to the last of the 10 plagues on the Egyptians.  Dt.12:12-13  “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.   The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”  NIV   There are many messages and foreshadowings in that early passage; like the role of the FirstBorn; Judgment on the false gods of the world; need for innocent blood to be shed; provision for protection from the destructive plague(s) to come; and Egypt (or the world) will be struck.

·         How important is it that the world needs to acknowledge the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ?

·         How much ungodliness and unrighteousness does our Omnipresent & Omniscient Father God see?

·         When will Father God finally say “enough is enough”?

America has had two “awakenings”.  First was in the 1700’s before the Revolutionary War and led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield.  The second was 150 years ago, in the 1850’s, resulting in the end of slavery and created a unique National culture which resulted in America becoming a great nation!

How will America respond to this “time-out”?  Will America wake up?  How will you respond? 

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Is the wrath of God justified if we have rejected our Creator?

As parents, can you remember thinking or acting when “Enough is enough!”?

Has everyone in the world made their decision, their final choice?

Do you know someone who needs to choose “Jesus as Lord” before the “Final Judgment”?

♫  Oh Victory in Jesus, My Savior Forever … ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     March 24, 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*    Inspired & excerpted from Pastor Tom Hatley’s E-Message during our church shutdown, Sunday March 22, 2020

Musing - What Does the “Mark of the Beast” Really Mean?

Hebraic Musing - What Does the “Mark of the Beast” Really Mean?

What does the Bible say about the “Mark of the Beast”?  “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.” Rev.16:2 NASB    A little later in Rev.19:20  “And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire…”  Who were the deceived and why?  And who were they worshipping?!?!

We don’t necessarily have to interpret this passage to mean that one day all people will be forced to undergo a medical procedure in which a “chip” will be inserted under human skin of their hand or forehead.  The book of Revelation was written and read with full awareness of first-century Jewish context and with the Torah on their minds and hearts; so let’s look at the meaning of seemingly odd phrases in their context.  What did this mean to first century Christians? 

The “mark of the beast” was clearly an expression in opposition to the commandment to worship the God of Israel alone.  The “Evil Beast” is obviously an enemy of God’s people.  And we understand Rev. 13:16-18 to claim that Christ-followers will be excluded from participating in the “world’s” economy unless they agree to place the mark of the beast upon their forehead and right hand.  We need to recognize the Jewish background in order to understand the meaning of this “mark of the beast” in the culture of that day.  The central text that Jews were to recite two or three times daily declares, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one.”  The next part is less famous but also essential, “You shall bind them (God’s commandments) as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.”

Thus male Jews wore phylacteries as reminders of God and of the obligation to keep the Law during daily life.  They were fastened on the back of their hands and on their foreheads to comply with Deut. 6:4 & 8 above which Moses repeated in Dt.11:18 ““You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” And this was repeated in Exod. 13:9&16.

Christ-followers in the first century wondered deeply about the nature and limits of this commandment in their Torah.  They considered whether it was possible to publicly honor some Roman deities while privately maintaining their worship of Israel’s God through the Jewish Christ.  If that were possible, it could ensure their economic survival and prosperity under the watchful eye of the Roman authorities.  However, the book of Revelation advocates an unapologetically Israelite, anti-Roman position – only the worship of the one true God of Israel is permitted.    And “No other gods before me.”

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Are we supposed to also be monotheistic?

Do we find ourselves tempted to worship the ungodly things of this world?
And in so doing could that be interpreted as accepting and
therefore identifying with (and being “Marked”) by the ungodly “Beast” of the world?

 Are there forces seeking Globalization, Socialism or the “New World Order”
trying to overcome the foundational National Sovereignty of our nation?

Who’s driving the Globalization movement? 
Is Shinar trying to rebuild the Tower of Babel?   Or is there a “Beast”?

Is persecution coming to those refusing to honor the “World” system?

“It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.” Luke 4:8

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     March 17 2020

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”