2 Corinthians Chapter 4: Commentary

 


       1: Therefore seeing we have this ministry as we have received mercy we faint not 2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every one's conscience in the sight of God 3: But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 4: In whom the god of this eon [1] has blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 5: For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord [2] and ourselves your slaves for Jesus' sake 6: That the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 7: But we [the Body of Christ] have this treasure in earthen vessels that the transcendence of the power may be of God and not of us 8: We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair 9: Persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 10: Always bearing about in The Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in The Body [Body of Christ] [3] 11: For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 12: So then death works in us but life in you 13: We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak 14: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you 15: For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 16: For which cause we faint not but if the outward of us perish yet the inward is renewed day by day 17: For our light affliction which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 18: While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen [4] for the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.



[1] 2 Corinthians 4:4 is a perfect example of English-translation-theology. The text does not say “god of this world.” The text says “god of this eon.” The word eon speaks to the times and seasons of God’s plan for humanity.

Scripture4All Interlinear: 2Corinthians 4

[2] One Lord One faith One baptism….Jesus is God, the LORD [YHWH].

[3] …for this reason many are weak and sickly among you, not discerning the Body of Christ.

[4] We trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding (that which we can see).


Commentaries on this blog are always ongoing. We welcome your insights into 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Please leave them in the comment section. 

2 Corinthians Chapter 1: Commentary

 


       1: Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timotheos our brother to the out-called of God which is at Corinth with all the saints which are in all Achaia 2: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ 3: Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort 4: The one consoling us in all our affliction that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the consolation wherewith we ourselves are consoled by [1] the God 5: For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ 6: And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer or whether we be comforted it is for your consolation and salvation 7: And our hope over hyper you is steadfast knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings so shall ye be also of the consolation 8: For we would not brethren have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia that we were pressed out of measure above strength insomuch that we despaired even of life 9: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead 10: Who delivered us from so great a death and does deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us 11: You also helping together by prayer for us that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf 12: For our rejoicing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we behaved in the system and more abundantly to you-ward 13: For we write no other things to you than what you read or acknowledge and I trust you shall acknowledge even to the end 14: As also you have acknowledged us in part that we are your rejoicing even as you also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus [2]15: And in this confidence I was minded to come to you before that you might have a second benefit 16: And to pass by you into Macedonia and to come again out of Macedonia unto you and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea 17: When I therefore was thus minded did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose do I purpose according to the flesh that with me there should be yea yea and nay nay? 18: But as God is true our word toward you was not yea and nay 19: For the Son of God Jesus the Christ who was preached among you by us even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus was not yea and nay but in him was yea 20: For all the promises of God in him are yes and in him Amen let it be so unto the glory of God by us 21: Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God 22: Who hath also sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts 23: Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth 24: Not that we are being lords over your faith but are fellow-workers of your joy [3] for by faith you stand



[1] 2 Corinthians 1:4 The Greek word , hypo, translated as “of.” The same word is translated as "over" in 2 Corinthians 2:11.

[2] 2 Corinthians 1:14 is a reference to standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ, which will take place in Heaven after the resurrection and catching up but before the 2nd Coming and the Judgment of the Nations, which will take place on earth after the Battle of Armageddon. These events are covered in detail in the book, Bible Prophecy Simplified.

[3] 2 Corinthians 1:24 is one verse of many establishing that there are no hierarchies in the Christian faith. It is entirely relational, and not hierarchical, as is the Godhead.


Do you have insights, comments, or questions about 1 Corinthians Chapter 2? Leave them in the comment section.

1 Corinthians Chapter 16: Commentary

  


  1: Now concerning the collection for the saints as I have prescribed to the out-calleds of of Galatia,[1] even so do ye 2: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay aside themselves in store as God has prospered that there be no collections when I come 3: And when I come whomsoever you shall approve by your letters them will I send to bring your generosity to Jerusalem 4: And if it be worthwhile that I go also they shall go with me 5: Now I will come to you when I shall pass through Macedonia for I do pass through Macedonia Acts 16:9 6: And it may be that I will abide yes and winter with you that you may send me forth on my journey where-so-ever I may go 7: For I will not see you now by the way but I trust to tarry a while with you if the Lord permit 8: But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost 9: For a great door and fruitful is opened to me and many ones opposing 10: Now if Timotheus come see that he may be with you without fear for he works the work of the Lord as I also do 11: Let not any therefore despise him 1 Timothy 4:12 but conduct him forth in peace that he may come to me for I look for him with the brethren 12: As touching [our] brother Apollos I greatly desired him to come to you with the brethren but his will was not at all to come at this time but he will come when he shall have convenient time [2] 13: Watch Stand fast in the faith Be strong [3], staunch 14: Do everything, your all, in love 15: I beseech you brethren you know the house of Stephana[4] that it is the firstfruits of Achaia and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints [5] 16: That you yield to [cooperate with] such[6] and to every one that works together and toils [7] 17: I am glad of the coming of Stephana and Fortunatus and Achaicus for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied 18: For they have refreshed my spirit and yours therefore be recognizing them that are such 19: The out-calleds of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord with the out-called that is in their house 20: All the brethren greet you Greet ye one another with a holy kiss 21: The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand 22: If any love not the Lord Jesus Christ they are bound under a great curse anathema when our Lord has come when our Lord has come  maranatha maranatha [8] 23: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 24: My love be with you all in Christ Jesus Amen



[1] A hierarchical translation of this verse would have been typical during times when the Pope was the premiere political power in Europe. Translators of that period, would naturally interpret biblical languages through filters of subjection to Popes, Queens, and Kings who wielded much more actual authority, then, than they do today. But, though times have changed, the bias continues as modern translators continue to follow suit, even when both the text and entire tenor of the the New Testament do not call for it. A predilection for power is the only explanation for hermeneutical discrimination in favor of a military-like power structure. Additionally, history records that, with few exceptions, it is only men who have been included in that power structure Genesis 3:16. Paul would have been contradicting the example of Jesus himself John 13:14 if he began ruling over the churches. Peter wrote that leaders should do no such thing, but should rather lead by example 1 Peter 5:2-3. Paul asked the churches to follow him only as he followed Christ. He commended the Church at Berea for searching the scriptures daily to judge everything he said by the Word of God Acts 17:10-11 (as the scriptures commanded they do Isaiah 8:19-20). Tyndale, who died at the stake for bringing the scriptures to the people in English, did not translate this verse in a hierarchical fashion. He wrote, “As I have ordained in the congregations…see also Tyndale’s translation in the last verse of 2 Corinthians, chapter 1, ‘…not that we be lords over your faith but helpers of your joy…’”

[2] 1 Corinthians 16:12: Apollos did not have a problem saying no. Notice he did not say he “couldn’t” come. He said he “wouldn’t” come. It seems the only reason he gave for declining the request was that it was not convenient for him at this time. It is OK to say no.

[3] The old English phrase “quit you like men” simply means “Be Strong.” When men are speaking to one another, they might say something like, “Man up!” or “Be a man!” But Paul is writing to the out-calleds of Corinth, which included both men and women, so we know he was telling every believer in Corinth (not just the men) to be strong and staunch—steadfast.

[4] The Textus Receptus (Greek Text of Stephens 1550, as seen in the Berry Interlinear) uses the feminine name, Stephana. But Berry, when he renders it in English, deceptively adds an “s” to the end of the name, See image below, in an attempt to mask the feminine proper noun (although, even with the “s,” Stephana[s] is still feminine).

James Strong, also exhibits bias and aversion to the feminine name, Stephanas (Original Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, using the Textus Receptus, Elzevir 1624[?])**, passing the word off as a proper masculine noun. Strong counters the feminine appearance of the name, by claiming the stand-alone root word is probably a derivative and contraction of the masculine name, Stephanoo (G4737). Among scholars, there is strong consensus on masking the feminine nature of the name, Stephana/Stephanas, by claiming it is, “perhaps,“ merely a nickname for the masculine Stephanoo or Stephanotos. The complementarian editors of the online Blue Letter Bible, go along with the deception. They admit to the etymology of Stephana, as a stand-alone root word, yet include the claim that it is “probably” derived from the name, Stephanoo (G4737). They mis-define the word as a, “proper masculine noun.” Rather than admit that Stephana is a woman, commentators prefer to appear ignorant of the fact that Stephana has always been a known female name. They falsely claim the word is a mystery. Stephana has always been a common name for Greek women, and in modern Greece, the name is still in use. It is the feminine form of Stephanos, just as in English, Stephanie is the feminine of Stephan, Michael is the masculine of Michaela, Roberta is the feminine of Robert, so on and so forth…. http://www.meaning-of-names.com/greek-names/stephana.asp

**Both Stephens’ and Elzevir’s texts are called, Textus Receptus, because, as Berry wrote, “In the main, they are one and the same.”

[5] There is one addiction permitted to believers, and that is serving others. Stephanas and her household were addicted to caring for the needs of believers.

[6] Paul pleads with the Church at Corinth to cooperate with the house of Stephana. Was that request necessary because Stephana was a woman? He reminds the Corinthians that she and her family are worthy of honor and cooperation.

1 Corinthians 16:16 is an example of the Greek word, hypotasso (G5293), being used in the sense of mutual submission and cooperation among believers (with emphasis on cooperating with those who were of the house of Stephana). To say the word, hypotasso, is used here to mean a military-like chain of command, with Paul at the head (similar to a Pope), would be an exaggeration. Also, the emphatic “yourselves,” as in submit “yourselves,” is not found in the Greek. It is a translator supplement which is often used in tandem with the word, hypotasso. The addition of the emphatic, “yourselves,” aids in conveying a false understanding of a martial hierarchy that does not exist in the New Testament.   

[7] The hierarchical flavor of the passage increases with translator addition of the words “with us” (works “with us” AV), creating a non-existent military hierarchy consisting of the apostles down. All translations do not add the words “with us,” in verse 16, but some do even worse, such as the NASB mistranslating the Greek word, toioutos, as “men,” making that translation read, “be in subjection to such men…” Some of those from the house of Stephana (a woman) may have been men, but the scriptures do not specify that.

[8] 1 Corinthians 16:22, is a reference to the pre-tribulational resurrection and rapture of those who are “in Christ.”

The Greek word, maranatha, meaning “our Lord has come,” is repeated at the end of this verse: maranatha maranatha. Two things will happen when our Lord shall come…For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and 1.) the dead in Christ shall rise first (resurrection) then  2.)  we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (rapture); and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Maranatha, Maranatha…The dead in Christ—Maranatha. And we who are alive and remain—Maranatha.

The anathema, the curse of The Great Affliction will bind those who will be left behindThe Great Tribulation is referred to in The Revelation 7:14, “These are the ones coming out of THE GREAT AFFLICTION.” The Greek is clear on this. The Great Affliction is the anathema that will follow on the heels of maranatha maranatha. The Great Affliction is synonymous with the time Jesus warned of in Matthew 24 (For then shall be great affliction such as was not since the beginning of the Kosmos to this time No nor ever shall be (again)). It is synonymous with the horrific time known as the Time of Jacob’s trouble. It is the curse contained in the flying scroll that Zechariah saw going forth.

Acts 1: The Times and Seasons of God

  

   6: When they therefore were come together they asked of him saying Lord will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel John 18:10 7: And he said to them It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in his own power[1] 



[1] God does not operate in a hap-hazard manner. His times and seasons have been pre-set. Nothing and no one will “usher in” the return of Christ. Neither will any hinder it. Scripture affirms that time has been set from before the foundation of the earth, just as his birth, death, and resurrection was: Ecclesiastes 3:1; Daniel 8:19,12:9; Acts 17:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:1; 1 Peter 1:19-20


Redemption: Bible Prophecy Simplified: A Study of HOPE: Andersen, Jocelyn: 9781702619462: Amazon.com: Books




 

Does 1 John 5:7 Belong in The Bible?

 


Debunking Erasmus’ inclusion of 1 John 5:7 (also known as the Johannine Comma or Comma Johanneun) in the third edition of the Textus Receptus is considered a trump card in the discrediting of both Erasmus and his text.  

A frequently made allegation, is that the "Comma" should not be included in scripture, because it is not included in ancient manuscripts. The passage in question says, “For there are three that bear record in Heaven, The Father, The Word and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 

Below, is a statement that shows up in almost any online search concerning 1 John 5:7: “… it is not present in any manuscripts (Greek or otherwise) dating prior to the 16th century, and is not present in the passage as quoted by any of the early Church fathers—even though they would have had plenty of reason to quote it in the Trinitarian debates, had it really existed back then….” (Wikipedia) 

Now, anyone who has researched the subject knows this is simply not true. In this instance, Wikipedia is guilty of presenting false evidence as fact. But because they carry the title of “encyclopedia,” there are those who automatically assume they must be both correct and impartial, when, in fact, they are neither. 

Here is the official policy of the English Wikipedia, which is a reader edited online encyclopedia: “…When editing this page, please ensure that your revision reflects consensus… All Wikipedia articles and other user-facing content must be written from a neutral point of view, representing views fairly and without bias.” 

Wow, Wikipedia’s neutral point of view consists of nothing less than the popular consensus. Facts are subordinate to consensus—groupthink reigns supreme. 

If, as Wikipedia and other enemies of the Received Text claim, the comma was not present in any manuscript dating prior to the 16th century, how could…:

  • it have been found in a Syriac manuscript dated from around A.D. 170 (2nd century), or in a Latin manuscript from around 200 A.D. (3rd century)? 
  • it have been included in resolutions made at the Council of Carthage in A.D. 415 (5th century)? 
  •  Cassiodorus have quoted it in A.D. 480 (5th century)? 
  •  400 Bishops have quoted and discussed it at length in their defense of the trinity in A.D. 484 (5th century)? 

 Cyprian wrote about it around A.D. 250 (3rd century), “The Lord says, ‘I and the Father are one’ and likewise it is written of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ‘and these three are one.’” 

The truth is, that 1 John 5:7 has been found in manuscripts and quotes dating from the 2nd century. So, any claims that it cannot be found before the 16th century are patently false. 

When Erasmus was presented with proof that the comma was not only seen in antiquity, but that it had actually been widespread, he was convinced for good reason that it was indeed part of the true Word of God and included it in the third edition of his Textus Receptus. 

The translators of the King James Version were being neither irresponsible nor bowing to Trinitarian pressures when they included 1 John 5:7 in their translation. They were simply acknowledging the facts, and the common consensus of the priesthood of believers, that from the earliest days of the church, the words of the Johannine Comma were indeed the Word of God and were rightly attributed to the apostle John, who consistently defended—in all of his writings—the deity, and the rightful place within the Godhead, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 16:28 Commentary

 


28: I came from beside the Father [1] and am come into the [world] system Again I leave the [world] system and go to the Father



[1] Translators of Bibles and interlinears alike misrepresent John 16:28, undermining Jesus’ pre-incarnation, non-hierarchical, existence within the Godhead by not only not translating a word but not even including that word in their interlinears! 

Fortunately at least one interlinear did so.

When interlinears are compared, we see that scholars of the Blue Letter Bible’s interlinear leave out a critical word from John 16:28. That word is “beside.” The incarnate Son of God did not simply come forth from the Father, he came out from beside the Father. The biblical picture is the members of the Godhead (YHWH) are co-equal with no semblance of hierarchy before THE WORD became flesh. 


 
Jesus God of the Burning Bush: Eternal Father & Beloved Son (lulu.com)

John 1:1-14 Commentary

 


 Does John 1:1-14 Say Jesus is THE ALMIGHTY?

    “In the beginning was THE WORD and THE WORD was with GOD and THE WORD was GOD.

To the Jew and the Christian there is no GOD with a lower-case “g,”. In scripture, both the Old Covenant and the New, all gods with lower-case “g’s” are false gods, idols, and devils. So no scriptural claim can be made that Jesus is God, but not GOD.

John 1:1 speaks of the One True God, THE GODHEAD, and to the identity of one member of THE GODHEAD, and in particular, to that member’s identity before he became a mortal as THE SON.

John 1:1 plainly states that Jesus is YHWH.

The Jew, John, had only one GOD. The Christian, John, had only one GOD. and when he wrote the word “God” in reference to his God, he meant “GOD.” YHWH was John’s only GOD, and he worshipped his Messiah as YHWH in human form. Paul did the same and went on to pen the words “All the fullness of THE GODHEAD dwells in Jesus in physical form. John’s fellow apostle, Thomas the twin, also worshipped Jesus as YHWH. We see that when he called the Risen SON OF GOD, “My LORD and my GOD.

Be it ELOHIM, ADONAY, or YHWH, no good Jew or Christian has more than one LORD or one GOD. And we propose that all of the above titles refer to the composite unity we know as THE GODHEAD. We further propose that each member of THE GODHEAD, possesses full Deity and either individually or collectively can legitimately lay claim to each of the above titles. There are many verses where we see this.

John 1:1 is just as plain in Greek as it is in English. “In the beginning was Ho Logos and Ho Logos was with Ton Theon and Theos was Ho Logos.

This verse is the reason Jesus is known as the “Living WORD.” The literal translation of “THE WORD,” in John1:1, is Ho Logos [Strong’s G3056], meaning: utterance, sayings, thought, cause, motive, doctrine, communication, computation.

One of the most common translations for logos, is “word.” But substitute any of the above meanings of the word logos into John 1:1, and see if that changes anything?

·         “In the beginning was THE UTTERANCE and THE UTTERANCE was with THE GOD and GOD was THE UTTERANCE.

·         “In the beginning was THE CAUSE and THE CAUSE was with THE GOD and GOD was THE CAUSE.

·         “In the beginning was THE COMMUNICATION and THE COMMUNICATION was with THE GOD and GOD was THE COMMUNICATION.

No matter which word is inserted, nothing changes the fact that THE LOGOS is GOD with a capital “GOD.”

The writer of Hebrews states that in these last days, YHWH has spoken to us by his incarnate Son—who is THE LOGOS who became a mortal. A few verses down, John tells us that, “THE LOGOS became human and lived among us.”

Colossians 2:9, tells us that all the fullness of THE GODHEAD dwells in Jesus in physical form. Jesus is YHWH. Some refer to the lack of the definite article ho (“the” G3588) before Theos, in John 1:1, as excuse to claim Jesus is not YHWH. but lack of the definite article is of no consequence. The Almighty (YHWH=THE GODHEAD) is referred to as GOD (THEOS/THEON and a few other forms of the word) throughout the New Testament, both with and without the definite article.

The meaning of John 1:1 is already clear but, if possible, becomes even more so as the passage continues. Verse two reads, “The same was in the beginning with GOD.”

The father of the incarnate WORDTHE SON—is YHWH=THE GODHEAD, not just one member of THE GODHEAD.

Can mortals wrap finite understanding around such a feat?

John continues in verse three: “All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made Colossians 1:16”. If verses one and two are not enough, John 1:3 alone refutes any idea that THE pre-incarnate WORD was a created being. If everything was created by Jesus, and nothing was created without him, he cannot himself be a creation.

In him was life and the life was the light of all.” Verse four addresses the intrinsic qualities of light and life, that tell us who THE WORD was, the same WORD who is THE CREATOR, who later became the mortal SON of GOD.

THE WORD was not given life and light. He did not simply possess light and life. He intrinsically is LIFE and LIGHT. Jesus said as much to Martha, when he asked her if she believed her brother would live again. She answered that she knew Lazarus would live again in the resurrection. When Martha said that, Jesus told her that Lazarus had no need to wait until the general resurrection, because THE RESURRECTION HIMSELF, THE LIFE HIMSELF, was at that moment, standing in her presence John 11:23-25.

THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE are not a what but rather a who. And Jesus told Martha that he was the who. He declared “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. Where have we heard the I AM speak before?

John 1:5-14: And the light shone in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not There was a man sent from GOD whose name was John He came for a witness to bear witness of THE LIGHT that through him [THE LIGHT] all might believe He [John] was not that LIGHT but was sent to bear witness of that LIGHT [Who] was the TRUE LIGHT who lights every one that comes into the world kosmos He was in the kosmos and the kosmos was made by him and the kosmos knew him not He came to his own The Jews and his own received him not But as many as received him to them he gave authority [to become] children of GOD even to them that believe on his name Who were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of mortals but from GOD And THE LOGOS was made flesh and lived among us and we beheld his glory the glory as of the only begotten[1] of the Father [=Godhead] full of grace and truth


[1] All believers are [adopted] children of GOD, so our Creator has many “sons.” But there is just one “begotten” son (that would be one physically born to him -Vs- adopted), and that is Jesus Hebrews 1:5.


The commentary in this post, is a preview of a new chapter in the upcoming new edition of, "Jesus: God of the Burning Bush, Eternal Father & Beloved Son."

Zechariah 5:1-11 Commentary

 

 One of the most interesting passages relating to The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Man of Sin, and to Babylon is found in Zechariah chapter five. This passage is highly symbolic, but taking the trouble to unlock the symbolism is well worth the effort.

   In the first two verses, Zechariah looks up and sees a **flying scroll.  **Point of Interest: In December of 2006, an Israeli airline, Israir Airlines, became the first airline to maintain an authentic Torah Scroll (First five books of the Bible/the Law of Moses) onboard for its passengers to read. This scroll is officially known as “Sky Torah” and has been dubbed “The Flying Scroll.”[1]

 Zechariah is told by an angel, that the Flying Scroll represents a worldwide curse (a judgment). In what way could the Sky Torah contain a judgment? The Torah contains prophecies of a blessing…the true Messiah. But what if Messiah is rejected?

Read the following:

·         Luke 16:28-31

·         Luke 24:27

·         Hebrews 10:7

·         Galatians 3:23-24

  The coming judgment (curse) is coming only because the true Messiah, who has been fully revealed in the Torah, was rejected by his people Israel and also by the world at large –Psalm 2:8-12, John 5:45-47, Galatians 3:24, Hebrews 10:1, Malachi 4:5-6. 

   The scriptures speak of only three worldwide judgments: 1.) The first was the flood in Genesis, which wiped out all but eight people world-wide. 2.) The second will be The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, which this writer believes to be future as this is being written and is synonymous with what is commonly known as The Great Tribulation. This terrible time, also known as “A time of Trouble,” will destroy approximately 75% to 80% of the world population within the short span of just seven years. 3.) The third world-wide judgment will be the fiery purge that will take place at the end of the first 1000 years of Christ’s reign on earth –Zechariah 5:1-3 [1-5], Genesis 6:11-13 & 7:19, Matthew 24:21-22, Isaiah 24:1,3-6, Revelation 20:9.

   The curse in Zechariah chapter five can refer to the second world-wide judgment—The Time of Jacob’s Trouble. We know this for three reasons: 1.) The first world-wide judgment (the Genesis flood) has already taken place 2.) The third world-wide judgement, the fiery purge, will not take place until the end of the first 1000 years of Christ’s Kingdom.

   So that leaves only the second—The time of Jacob’s Trouble—which is placed in the end times during the seven years immediately preceding the visible and physical return of Messiah as conquering King.

   In this passage, the prophet saw how the Man of Sin will come to power and where his base of operations will be located.

   The angel tells Zechariah to look and see what is going forth. In Zechariah 5:2-3, the angel calls the prophet’s attention to a strange sight. Zechariah was told to look and see what was going forth.

   Something was happening.

  Winds of change were blowing.

   Something was moving forward.

   And the thing he was told to look at was an ephah (a basket).

   By process of elimination, we already know that the worldwide curse in Zechariah’s vision corresponds to THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE –Zechariah 5:6, Matthew 24:1-8, 21.

   Jesus said THE TIME OF TROUBLE would be so horrendous that this world has never seen anything like it before, nor ever would again. Considering the horrors this world has already experienced (i.e., Hiroshima, the Holocaust, and, of more recent times, the atrocities inflicted upon those conquered and occupied by the Islamic State [ISIS])—Jesus’ prediction of worse times coming is veritably unimaginable, but up to 75-80% of the world’s population will die in short order during this fearsome time. All through the Bible we read to have faith and fear not, but concerning the coming devastation, the prophet Joel says to be, “very afraid.”

   Zechariah saw a flying scroll and was told it was a world-wide judgement going forth.

   By the time Jesus returns [physically], the Jewish population will be so reduced, that Isaiah predicted even a child could count them. No wonder God said to tremble at the very thought of it—to be very afraid –Isaiah 10:17-21, Joel 2.

   Look, see, pay close attention, to what is happening—right now.

   We believe Zechariah’s prophecy is for the very near future and gives important details as to how the Man of Sin will come to power and from where he will be operating afterwards.

   What possible significance could an ephah have, not just any measuring basket—but specifically an ephah, concerning a judgment that will impact the entire earth?

   Notice the order of events in Zechariah’s vision:

1.      First, we see a flying scroll [Sky Torah], a judgment moving forward

2.      Then, we see an ephah moving forward –Zechariah 5:1-3, 5-6

   An ephah was the largest basket of measure in use among the Jewish people of Zechariah’s time. It was commonly used as a symbol of commerce much like a “basket” of currency was used in connection with the **Euro.

 

**ECU (European Currency Unit): A composite monetary unit consisting of a basket  of European Community currencies that served as the predecessor to the Euro. An interesting choice of words—coincidence?

 

** Euro: The name for the composite monetary unit that has replaced national currencies in several European countries. The Euro was introduced on January 1, 1999 and went into general circulation on January 1, 2002 (described as: The specific amounts of euro in the valuation basket…).

 

   The basket (ephah) Zechariah saw moving forward symbolized currency and commerce—both in his day and again in the 20th and 21st centuries.

   The angel elaborated further and said the basket was disguising (hiding) something.

   The resemblance (the outward appearance of it) looked good. It appeared that commerce was getting a well-needed boost and was moving forward. But the angel said the outward appearance of commercial prosperity was being used to deceive the whole earth.

   It is helpful, at this point, to have a Bible whose Old Testament is based on the Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text (the Hebrew text that underlies the King James Bible). Ben Chayyim being both a Masorite Jew and a born-again Christian, was uniquely and doubly qualified to handle the Hebrew scriptures.  

   Unfortunately, many translations are based on texts that obscure what God is revealing in this passage, especially in verse six, where Zechariah is warned that the resemblance (the appearance) of this commercial boost will deceive the masses.

   The ephah in Zechariah’s vision has a lid made of lead. This lid effectively hides the contents of the basket. So, we understand from this verse, that what can be seen is deceptive. But God gives those who are alert, insight into what is really going on.

   What will be hidden in this basket that is disguised as a commercial boost or even boon?

   The scriptures say a woman will be hidden in the ephah. The angel introduced the woman by saying, “This is Wickedness.” A literal rendering of the angel’s words is, “her name means Wickedness” –Zechariah 5:7-8.

   The Bible says that all humanity is inherently wicked, both men and women, so we know that womankind in general is not being used to represent wickedness in this passage, but rather, it is a particular woman’s name that represents wickedness. Could it be the woman depicted in Revelation 17? – Revelation 17: Whole Chapter, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10.

   The basket itself, the ephah, represents a commercial boost. We know that commercial prosperity will indeed be a reality in the Kingdom of the one known by many names, including The Anti-Christ. We read in the Revelation that a day’s wages will buy a loaf of bread but the oil and the wine will not touched. Food will become scarce and unaffordable for the masses, while at the same time, the rich will continue to get richer and, for them, luxuries will still abound.

   Zechariah watched as the lid was lifted and the woman stood up (or was lifted up by the angel). She was briefly exposed, then the angel cast her back into the container, replaced the lid, and allowed her to remain hidden as she was whisked off to her destination –Zechariah 5:8.

 

   Zechariah looked again and saw two **women with wings. They had wings like a stork, and he saw that the wind was in their wings. The women with wings picked up the basket containing the Woman Whose Name Means Wickedness–Zechariah 5:9.

   The women with wings are spiritual beings, but they are not holy angels. They have wings like a stork, which according to scripture, is an unclean bird. Thus, they are identified as unclean spiritual beings. The wind is in their wings, which means they fly very fast. When they pick up the basket, containing the Woman Whose Name Means Wickedness, they will get it to its final destination with amazing speed.

 

   Do not be confused by the image of the woman [Whose Name Means Wickedness] and dismiss Zechariah’s vision as not having to do with the Man of Sin. His vision has everything to do with the Man of Sin.

   The Man of Sin will use the Woman Whose Name Means Wickedness, he will use the false spirituality represented by the women with wings, and he will also use commercial prosperity (or at least the illusion of it) in his rise to power. But everything he does is for his own benefit. He will use people and ideologies as long as they benefit him, and then he will dispose of them. All of the power will ultimately go to himself alone –Daniel 8:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9, Revelation 13, Revelation 17:15-17.

   Zechariah was told precisely where the unclean spiritual beings would take the woman. They will carry the Woman Whose Name Means Wickedness to the Land of Shinar, and the purpose of transporting the Woman to Shinar, will be to build a house for her there. It will become its “own base”—its own place or base of operations –Zechariah 5:11.

   Zechariah 5:11 identifies the Land of Shinar, ruling out the possibility that the vision refers to some vague, metaphoric, spiritual, location. This wickedness is heading for a specific, physical, geographical location.

   The Land of Shinar was the physical locale of ancient Babylonia, which was located in the Middle East. The name, Shinar, was also used to describe the physical location of the ancient city of Babylon.

   The city of Babylon will either be rebuilt, or an existing city will be renamed. But it is certain that the location will be in the Middle East somewhere within the boundaries of what was ancient Babylonia. At one point, the Babylonian empire was huge, encompassing the entire Middle East. During THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE, Babylon the Great will become the personal capital of the Man of Sin. And, during his short reign, will also become the capital city of the world. The site of the ancient city of Babylon is still located in modern-day Iraq, but the city has a shared history with Iran (ancient Persia) –Revelation 18:9-11. 

   Zechariah’s vision, which aligns perfectly with 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9,  predicts a time when most of the world population will be living under a great delusion, and the entire world will experience the judgment of an Almighty God.

   The Antichrist will be assisted in his meteoric rise to power by a false spirituality and a real or promised boost to the world economy. These will effectively, for most, disguise a desperately wicked agenda.

   This will all happen in a very swift manner, and his base of operations will be set up in a city, that will be located in the Middle East, in Land of Shinar (which is located somewhere in what was once ancient Babylonia). The capital city will be called Babylon and will be known as Babylon the Great –Revelation 13:3-4,14, 18:10-13,15-19, 20:10.

 Additional Commentary on the end-times world of Zechariah chapter five:

      The angel told Zechariah to lift up his eyes, and look, and see what is going forth. That is good advice for us today. When Jesus came the first time, those who were alert and knew the scriptures understood they were living in the time of his coming and were actively watching for his arrival –Zechariah 5:5, Luke 2:25-26.

   It is important to note, that it is always God who is in control of the times and the seasons—even the horrendous season of THE GREAT TRIBULATION –Acts 1:7, Daniel 2:21.

   God knows, that those who are alert and love the truth will not be motivated to deviate from the simplicity found in Jesus Christ. But those who love not the truth, who rebel against the simplicity of Christ, who are greedy for personal power and gain, and who seek after spiritual experiences, signs, and wonders, these will be deceived.

 

** The only women with wings, found in the entire Bible, are seen in Zechariah’s vision. Women with wings are not holy angels. Images of women with wings do not represent holy angels. Although wings are seen in scripture on certain classes of angelic beings such as seraphim and cherubim [and as a symbol of God’s protective covering in Psalm 91:4], wings are also depicted as an abominable covering in Daniel 9:27. The women with wings in Zechariah chapter five, have the wings of an unclean bird. This means they are unclean spiritual beings, representing an unclean and false spirituality –Psalm 91:4, Revelation 12:14, Zechariah 5:9, Isaiah 30:1.

   This writer believes the woman hidden in the basket, carried by the women with wings to the Land of Shinar, may relate to the false religion represented the Whore of Babylon, as described in Revelation chapter seventeen.

   The false religion as represented by the Whore of Babylon, is filthy rich, causes worldwide spiritual adultery, and has shed so much blood, the Bible says she is drunk with it. The religion of Babylon has been around since before the Tower of Babel, and still exists today within the traditions and practices of Roman Catholicism. Islam also finds its roots in the spirituality of ancient Babylon. In the book of Judges, descendants of Esau are portrayed with the religious symbolism of their crescents (the same crescent moon used today by Islam, and seen all over the Middle East) –Revelation 17:1-2,4,6,15, 18:1.

 

   Satan can appear as an angel of light and his ministers as ministers of righteousness. His traps are often baited with a seductive veneer of spirituality and/or financial prosperity. There is a way that seems right unto humanity but in the end is the way of death. Many who will lose their souls in a last day defection from biblical faith, and will do so believing they are truly following Christ –Matthew 7:22-23, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:9, 2 Timothy 4:3.

   Jesus said the signs of the times could be observed and understood, and he had harsh words for those who ignored the obvious simply because the truth did not suit them.

   There is a massive falling away predicted to occur among professing Christians just prior to the Resurrection from the Dead and the Snatching (Harpazo) of those who are living “IN CHRIST.” Paul spoke of this, when he wrote that the time would come when professing Believers would not endure sound doctrine. The context of his letters place this time in the latter days. The Bible says professing Christians will defect from the true faith, and God will turn them over to believe THE LIE that will ultimately cost them their souls –1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:2-3, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4.

   The Bible says God will allow a great delusion to overcome all who love not the truth. This is a reference to the end-time defection from the true faith –Luke 12:54-56, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 10-11.

   It is a dangerous thing to reject the truth contained within the pages of God’s Written Word—the Bible. Any “truth” that does not line up with what has already been written is no truth at all, but rather a lie. And the Bible warns those who love the lie, that they will be given over to believe it. And this will cost them their souls –Isaiah 8:20, 2 Thessalonians 2:11.

   Only believers can fall away from the faith. The scriptures say, if a believer falls away, renewal into repentance becomes an impossibility –Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-29, 12:15-17, Genesis 25:30-34, 27:34-38. 

   Some claim the falling of 2 Thessalonians 2:3, took place during the second or third centuries. It is said that “truth” was lost to the church shortly after the apostles died, but scripture does not back those claims. Such skewed interpretations of 2 Thessalonians 2:3, contradict Psalm 100:5, which assures seekers that not one single generation will ever be lost because they have been deprived of God’s TRUTH.

   Translations that use the Ben Chayyim Masoretic Hebrew text read: “His Truth endures to every generation.” The Ben Chayyim Masoretic text was essentially the de-facto Hebrew Bible for several hundred years before losing favor to the Ben Asher Masoretic text in modern scholarship. It is considered the “Received Text” of the Old Testament. The Ben Chayyim text underlies the Old Testament portion of the King James Translation and differs in places from the Westminster Leningrad Codex. Many English Bibles obliterate this precious promise by replacing the word truth with love or faithfulness. Though it is true that God’s love and faithfulness does endure to every generation, translations that replace the word truth with love [in Psalm 100:5] steal HOPE from people, by causing them to question whether or not we still have God’s Word today.

   We do still have God’s Word today.

   Jesus said God’s Word is truth. We have his promise that he preserves and honors his Word, even above his name and makes it available to every generation –Psalm 100:5, Psalm 138:2, John 17:17.

   The falling away predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7-8,10-12 refers to an end-time defection which will take place just before the Man of Sin makes his sudden entrance onto the world stage and is accepted by most everyone as a Messiah. 2 Thessalonians says the Resurrection and Harpazo/Rapture must take place before the identity of the Antichrist can be revealed, so attempting to guess at who he might be is a fruitless exercise –2 Thessalonians 2:7-9.

   The end-time apostasy will not come about as a result of truth being lost. It will not be due to misunderstanding, but rather rebellion against known truth. This defection will be so overtly rebellious and contrary to the Written Word of God, that the Lord will give the defectors over to believe the lie they have loved so much. Being given over to believe the lie, means they lose all chance of ever receiving a love of the truth and obtaining eternal life, because they have heard the truth and eternally rejected it.

   This means they will fall for the devil’s lie and will take the Mark of the Beast…and that is a “forever” decision.

   This is not the time to blindly follow teachers without reading and studying the Word of God for ourselves. There is never a time when Christians should place trust in extra-scriptural messages just because they claim to be validated by experiences, signs, or wonders. Below are quotes from the types of teachers that should be avoided:

 

1.      God is a lot bigger than doctrine (We are commanded to learn good doctrine)

2.      God is bigger than his book! (His book is his Word, and he honors his Word above all his name)

3.      The Church is so hung up on Bible study, they don’t know Jesus! (Jesus constantly quoted scripture…Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path)

4.      It doesn’t matter that Hindus, Buddhists, and New Agers use this kind of prayer and meditation in their religion. If our goal is to glorify God, we can adopt their methods. It is the motive—not the method—that matters. (Woe to those who are replenished from the east…)

5.      The Bible has become an idol! (utterly speechless)

 

   The above statements defy scripture. The first two fly in the face of every verse that commands and encourages the study of the Bible and the intentional, diligent, acquisition of sound, biblically-based teaching.

   How do we resolve the above quote [number four] with the command not to imitate unbelievers and to learn none of their ways –Jeremiah 10:2?

  Jesus is the Word –John 1:1

  God is the Word –John 1:1

  Christians are commanded to learn sound doctrine which is derived from Holy-Spirit-led-Bible-study. Believers are admonished to pay close attention to sound Bible teaching –2 Timothy 4:2.

   The Apostle predicted the day would come when the majority of professing Christians would no longer tolerate the teaching of God’s Word. 

   That day is fast approaching.

   In Matthew chapter seven, Jesus warned against following prophets and teachers who will one day stand before him woefully crying out, “Lord, Lord! Didn’t we do many miraculous works in your name?” Jesus will inform them that they are workers of iniquity, and that he never knew them. He will then banish them from his presence forever –Matthew 7:22-23.

   Do not allow spiritual experiences, miracles, signs, or wonders to be a basis for deciding whether someone (or something) is or is not from God. Jesus said there was no greater prophet than John who came baptizing, yet John never performed a miracle –Jeremiah 10:2, Matthew 11:11, John 10:41.

   Do not misunderstand. This writer fully embraces the supernatural nature of God and manifestations of the miraculous acts he performs for and through his children. But this must be balanced against biblical warnings that those who will be given over to believe the last days lie, will be deceived by means of miracles and lying wonders –2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 16:13-14.

   These would include the experiences described by those involved in various forms of the occult and who practice eastern, New Age, forms of meditation, such as mantra meditation which includes but is not limited to vain repetitions of the names of Christ and words or phrases from the Bible.

   Jesus included mantra meditation practices in the memorized rote prayers he warned against, calling them “vain repetitions” –Matthew 6:7.

   During THE GREAT TRIBULATION, spirits of devils working miracles will be prevalent, and by means of miracles the people of earth will be deceived –2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:14, 16:14.

   Why was Zechariah given a vision of the world-wide judgement and the methods the Man of Sin will use in his rise to power, and where his capital city will located? 

 

We believe it was a warning to those who will be living during that time, to those who would not be given over to believe the lie, to those who will refuse to take the mark of the beast. For the average person, that will be a difficult, near impossible, thing to do.

   If you are reading this and the Man of Sin has not been revealed yet (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8), you never have to know who he is. Jesus said you must be born again. Call on God to save you through faith in his risen son. The Bible says if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is the Risen Son of God, we will be saved.


[1] http://prophecyplus.blogspot.com/2016/07/sky-torah-zechariahs-flying-scroll.html