Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman

By admin On November 25th, 2010

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You may click on provided link below each photo for various licensing details.

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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You may also click here to link to “Moon Into Blood-2nd Face” or to “Moon Into Blood-3rd Face”

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“Watchman, what of the night?

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Watchman, what of the night?

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The watchman said, The morning cometh,

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and also the night:

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if ye will inquire, inquire ye:

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return, come.”

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Isaiah 21:11, 12

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.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jul_9,_2009_-_Full_moon_over_96th_St.jpg

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“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” Isaiah 24:23

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Full moon over 96th St by ed yourdon – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to “rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). The Moon, especially when it is full, can light your pathway through the night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world. But as the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the world, so also must the Christian reflect the light of Jesus, to be a spiritual light to this planet in rebellion.

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Listen…“Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar – Wikimedia – US public domain

 

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ECLIPSE OF THE HEART!

.This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888

However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face. This is an incredible object-lesson about when the child of God allows the world to come between him and his Lord. Like the eclipse, that person no longer reflects the light of Jesus, because his or her love of this dark world of sin has eclipsed the light from the “Sun of Righteousness” (see Malachi 4:2).

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And so, this is just one of the many poetic truths seen in the Moon. And this article will show some further metaphoric truths to this wonderful and mysterious object-lesson in the sky, known as the Moon. (For more on this subject of an eclipse, you may link to the article… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”)

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This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888 – Wikimedia – US public domain

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“MOON SHALL BE ASHAMED”

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Super_Moon_In_Korea_(182915001).jpeg“Then the moon shall be confounded (or “ashamed”), and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients gloriously.”   

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As this above verse states, the Moon is a picture of being confounded, as we can see by his sad and surprised eyes and dropped-jaw expression!

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But having said all this, why would God speak about the Moon as if it were a person? And why does He say that the Moon will be confounded? How can an inanimate object be confounded (i.e., “perplexed”, “confused”, “amazed”). And why does God refer to the Moon as “her” (“the moon shall not give HER light.” Ezekiel 32:7)?  Such odd language! But as you read this Moon Into Blood Trilogy, these questions will be answered, plus many more questions, as well.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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Tilt your head slightly to the righthttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg

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Do you see a man’s face?

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg.

It’s that proverbial “Man in the Moon”. We’ve always taken it for granted. But now we’re learning that God is responsible for creating this Nocturnal Watchman. You see, God has etched Signs in the Moon, long ago.

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A story? Yes. And just now He is revealing those Signs. Just now He is telling that story. 

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God promised that His covenant with David (who represented Christ) “shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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PERFECT OBJECT LESSON

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But how could God do such a thing? Easy! God is God! God is infinite! If God wishes to make a big statement, what better way for Him to do so, than by creating a heavenly orb with a face etched into it. 

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The Moon is a perfect object-lesson! It reflects the light of the Sun, in the same way that a Christian must reflect the light of Jesus, the “Sun of Righteousness”. And the Moon, though the “lessor light”, still provides enough light to help us see at night; just as the Church is to reflect Christ’s light to this sin-darkened world!

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And more than this, the Bible declares… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.”  Psalm 19:1.

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So this verse which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God”, applies also to the Moon.

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Photo of Moon eclipse – cropped photo – courtesy Jayang Chen, Wikipedia – share-alike license.

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VOICE OF HEAVENS SPEAK KNOWLEDGE & WISDOM

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 

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This above passage reveals that the heavens have speech! And the heavens and the firmament have voice! But we only understood this above verse to be speaking of the vastness and beauty of the Universe.

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But little did we know that the Sun, Moon, and stars have a very important message for us as well… “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;” Luke 21:25. 

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Yes, in a very real sense, God has placed His divine signature on His Creation, via these signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars. And nowhere else in nature, is there anything like this, in which God has inscribed a heavenly parable; a picture-story, if you will; and He’s written it in sequential order, in the night-heavens! Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations with Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) & Flower of the Field (aka: Scorpio) & The 12-Star Crown (aka: Corona Borealis) & The Cross-Scepter (aka: Ophiochus & Serpens) & Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) & Arcturus Star – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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A UNIVERSE of LAW & ORDER

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Atheism has concluded that the Universe was the product of a giant explosion in ages past, which they call “The Big Bang Theory”: In the beginning there was nothing. And out of nothinghttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Big_bang.jpg came an explosion, from which a grand and majestic Universe was born! And out of all this supposed chaos came a well-ordered, and very beautiful Universe in which…all things operate according to laws: billions of laws!

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Do you see the contradiction of such an idea? According to atheistic authorities, out of merely nothing, came law and order as well as poetic beauty! Does this sound absurd?

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From the tiniest particle of an atom, to the greatest of all galaxies…there is law and order. Laws concerning gravity. Laws concerning food. Laws concerning music…and motion…and mechanics. Laws concerning all creatures, great and small. From the tiniest amoeba, to the great whales of the oceans. From the tiniest atom, to the greatest star. Laws about the Earth, and fire and air…and laws about water. Laws about health and laws about UN-health. Everywhere and everything operates by laws…millions and billions and trillions of laws! Laws which require obedience, and laws which impose penalties for DIS-obedience. 

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Big bang – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WHERE DID ALL THE LAWS COME FROM?

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Now at this point, the question that must be asked is this: “Where did all these laws come from, bhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stylised_Lithium_Atom.pngy which the Universe operates? Did these laws just come out of nowhere? Or can we conclude that all these laws which govern, not only Man, but every single thing in the Universe as well, were given by some supreme Law-Giver?”

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The obvious answer is “Yes, there must be a Law-Giver”. It only makes sense! Laws didn’t just magically appear out of nothing. But God is that supreme Law-Giver.

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And the same God who wrote the laws of Nature has also written the moral laws for Mankind to follow: the Book we call the Bible being that Divine Law-book given to Mankind, by that Divine Law-Giver…God. 

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Stylised_Lithium_Atom – share-alike lic. – Wikimedia Commons.

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NATURE’S POETRY…

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But not only does nature operate by laws, but nature operates in beauty and in poetry, too. Does Man imagine that th800px-Water_splashes_001 by Omegatron for Wikipedia Share-Alike licenseis drop of water looking like a beautiful crown is just a freak accident of nature? No! It tells of God’s kingly majesty as He offers all to drink freely of the “Water of Life”. And so this water-drop is a visual metaphor, and a poetic statement made by nature…spoken to Man: Man, the only being on Earth who can appreciate its beauty and poetry. Just an accident? Hardly!

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Does Mankind suppose some “Big Bang” could ever have produced this scary-looking spider and its web…a perfect illustration of how evil desires to ensnare fallen men in its web of addictions and deceptions? Just ask any of us who have ever been ensnared by some addiction or habit. The spider web is such an incredible metaphor of Satan’s seductive and ensnaring power! So here too is poetry…howbeit the more frightful, hideous kind of poetry, rather than being beautiful. But a very necessary metaphor to help us to understand sin and Satan.

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Water splashes 001 by  Omegatron for Wikipedia – Share-Alike license 

Spider – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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“DAY UNTO DAY UTTERS SPEECH”

Psalm 19:2

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“Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets: She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words…” Proverbs 1:20, 21

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But not only does nature operate by laws, and by beauty and by poetry, but nature operates by wisdom. Nature teaches lessons. And even the atheist can see and appreciate, that nature teaches wise lessons abouthttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Worker_ant_carrying_leaf.jpg life…

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“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? ” Job 12:7-9 

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All of Creation, God has ordained to be Man’s teachers. Everything in nature has been created by God to be object-lessons of the Gospel. “…ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ… ” 1st Corinthians 4:15. It’s true that even the tiny ants are Man’s teachers… “Go to the ant…consider her ways, and be wise…” Proverbs 6:6

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Worker ant carrying leaf – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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OUR DAILY DRAMA!

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But what many, many, do not realize is, that everything in nature is daily beckoning the world’s inhabitants to return back to God.  As we walk down the street, all nature is acting out its daily drama of instruction…all around! We just need to stop, look, and pay attention!

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For those who are fortunate enough to live on a farm, those roosters crowing are just God’s “heralds of the morning”, enthusiastically announcing a joyful new day.

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The Sun arising in the east “is as a Bridegroom coming out of His chamber”. To feel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_Grey_Squirrel_in_St_James%27s_Park,_London_-_Nov_2006_edit.jpgthe caresses of the warmth of the Sun, one can understand just a little of God’s warm love for lost humanity as He enlightens the world with His Gospel call to repentance.

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The squirrel, gathering its store, reminds men to search the Scriptures daily & to hide His Word in our hearts. These and more, are all God’s teachers of wonderful spiritual lessons. All nature is acting out its daily lesson-book. All created for Man’s enjoyment, but also Man’s betterment: Man’s Salvation.

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Hahn Fredenbaum wikimedia commons share-alike license

Squirrel share-alike license. click here for link.

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CROWNING MOMENTS OF THE DAY

http://www.flickr.com/people/10031363@N00

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Just look at this picture of a bicycler. On many sunny days, there is an utterly beautiful moment once in the morning and once again just before the Sun goes down. It is the Golden Hour of the Day.

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Just look at this bicycler on “King Street”! This bicycler must be reveling in the golden beauty of this crowning moment! Here too, is just another teaching moment! It is almost as if God is reminding Man of that Golden Moment which comes at some very special moment in our lives: as if there exists a Golden Window of Opportunity, in which a man, or a woman, or even a child might turn once again to Man’s Creator and Redeemer God. And such a Golden Moment should not be wasted!

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Sunlight on King Street- S. Powell-Click here for link. 

 

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GREAT CITY DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS

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“And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgof his wrath.”  (Rev. 16:19)…

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And just as all nature teaches lessons, so too, the Moon has been created and ordained by God to instruct. Look at the Moon when it is full. Notice that it looks like a man’s face has been etched in to it, via the craters. (Actually there are three faces etched into the Moon. These are the three faces of God’s Church. The three divisions of that “great city” (see Revelation 16:19). But that discussion will be for a little later. Let’s focus now on the 1st face.)

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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1st FACE…THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

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“MOON IS CONFOUNDED”… The first face, a man’s face, is easy to see. It is that proverbial ‘Man in the Moon’. Most have seen it. Even as little children. (The other two faces are not so easy to https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgsee.  But let’s concentrate on the first face.) Notice that the ‘Man in the Moon’ appears as though he is looking down at the Earth. ‘Shock and Awe’. That’s the look on his face. Sadness too! You might even see the tears running down his cheeks. (“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” Psalm 119:136) The Moon is spoken of as a “faithful witness”. God’s covenanted law is spoken of as a faithful witness as well. Listen to the Psalmist…

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“It (God’s covenant with David [i.e., Christ]) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89:37. Notice here that God is comparing His Covenant to the Moon as a “faithful witness”. The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, just as Christians should reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus, who should be in their daily lives. And so the Moon fulfills the verse from Psalms which proclaims… “Praise ye him, Sun and Moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.” Psalm 148:3

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“SEEK HIM THAT MADE THE 7 STARS & ORION”

Amos 5:8 

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“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Rev. 18:1

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The above verse from Revelation speaks of an angel who came down from Heaven, proclaiming a message… “and the Earth was lightened with His glory.” Revelation 18:1. This passage takes on new light, as one considers that these signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars are just now beginning to lighten the Earth with God’s glory.

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The Moon is a “Night Watchman”. The Moon is a “faithful witness” in the heavens. But this verse, “It (God’s covenant) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven”, also seems to be speaking of the signs in heaven spoken of in this website. “Signs of Heaven” Website is dedicated to showing the various biblical signs that God has inscribed in the Sun, Moon and stars.

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In other words, God’s Covenant is literally written as a faithful witness in the heavens…in the night sky…in the various constellations, and also in our own solar-system. And if you will study this website, you will see for yourself that God’s Covenant is… “as a faithful witness in heaven.” (Psalm 89:37)

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“THE MOON SHALL BE CONFOUNDED (ashamed)” 

Isaiah 24:23… 

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 And as previously stated, the Moon has a look of “Shock and Awe”. It’s as if he’s sad and horrified at what he must witness night after night. But who among us wouldn’t have the very same sad, horrified expression, if we also had to look down on this planet night after night; If we had to behold all the sin and hate…the misery and hopelessness; the unspeakable atrocities that occur nightly, on this renegade planet. Who among us wouldn’t be confounded, as it is stated in Isaiah 24:23 (“Then the moon shall be confounded (or ‘ashamed’)” )?

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SAD EYES!

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Just look at those big sad eyes! Yes, God has etched https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgthis man’s face into the Moon as a monument. As a big statement. As a symbol of just how all Heaven feels, as it beholds this horrific sin-laden world. And how this sad world appears to every child of God. This Night-Watchman, as he beholds this evil world, is just like Lot, who “vexed his righteous soul from day-to-day with their unlawful deeds…” 2 Peter 2:8. Lot was stuck, and had to behold the abominations done in that infamous and notoriously wicked city on a daily basis. So too, he (this Night-Watchman) must endure this sinful world (and his own sins too!) on a daily basis.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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WICKEDNESS IN THE CITY

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Just listen to the next verse by the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel” as he describes his sorrow over thehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg crime and sin all around him… “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me… for I have seen violence and strife in the city…mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.”  Psalm 55:5-11.

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And David was an inhabitant of Jerusalem! The supposed “City of God”!

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“WATCHMAN, WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT?”

Isaiah 21:11…

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“Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me… for I have seen https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgviolence and strife in the city…mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.  Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.”  Psalm 55:5-11

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Doesn’t this above passage seem to have special meaning today, with so much wickedness going on in today’s world? But this above verse by David is speaking of the sinfulness among God’s people! This “Man in the Moon” is a fitting symbol of the watchfulness that we must have in order to resist the sin and deception that assails God’s Church…from without and from within…  “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.” Psalms 141:3, 4.

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But this night watchman does not keep silent. No, he cries to the Lord over the atrocities he must witness each night… “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.” Isaiah 62:6.

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So too, this 1st-face appears as if to, “sigh and…cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof (of God’s City, Jerusalem).” Ezekiel 9:4 

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

Bad Moon Rising – by Makelessnoise – Wikipedia – Share-alike-license

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“NIGHTLY HORRORS”…

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Think of it! This ‘Man in the Moon’ must witness over a million children a year, kidnapped, and https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgsold on the black market into slavery. This ‘Man in the Moon’ looks down on all the elderly, around the world. And he witnesses all the suffering, hopelessness and finally death, that so many aged persons go through each day and night. Or maybe he’s sad because he sees those midnight The_Scream-Wikipediarobberies, the helpless millions enslaved to alcohol and drugs. He sees all the rapes, and countless other crimes that occur around the world each night. This Night-Watchman looks in horror, as he beholds the moral decay of society. And as the world revolves, this ‘man in the moon’ now looks upon the poorer parts of the world, where violence, hunger, and disease are so prevalent.  The immorality. The hopeless rituals to useless idols.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

The Scream – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“PLEASURES OF SIN FOR A SEASON”…

Hebrews 11:25

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But more than this, he’s sad because he sees a world down here in which hardly anyone will turn from our sins, so that we might have eternal life. A world in which the people would rather enjoy our “season in the sun” for a short while, and eventually suffer, wither away and die in our hopelessness and misery!

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This photo captures the essence of ‘the life of sin’. Mankind revels in the pleasures of our selfish lives for a few years. We dance in the sun, so to speak. But somewhere down the line, men will have to pay the fiddler, as the saying goes. Look behind the Sun in this photo and right behind follows an unhappy looking Moon. It’s so true. Man’s youthful reveling in the Sun, for a few short years, eventually gives way to the miseries of disease and death that are sure to follow. As that old saying goes, “If you wanna dance, you have to pay the fiddler!”

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a carnival float from Marseille carnival in 2009 featuring a happy sun and a not so happy moon – by Say-Mars-Say-Yeah & Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license

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“FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY (CHURCH-GOERS) SHALL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE”

(2nd Timothy 4:3)…

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But more than watching a world in rebellion, this “Man in the Moon” (God’s people) stands as a faithful watchman, as he looks shocked and saddened over the condition of God’s own people. This is because he must endure witnessing all the idolatry within the Church, by the very people https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgwho were chosen by God to be the watchmen to the Church, and ambassadors to this lost and dying world…

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“So you, O son of man, I have set you as a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7. 

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God has ordained His faithful Disciples (every Christian) to be “watchmen”. They are to be ever vigilant in warning fellow Believers of the dangers to the Church; dangers from without and dangers from within!

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“I AM CHIEF (OF SINNERS)” 

1st Timothy 1:15 

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“So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee.” Psalm 73:22 

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But most of all, this Man in the Moon is appalled at the sin which lies at his own doorstep. The sin he sees in his own mirror! As the Apostle Paul put it, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1st Timothy 1:15.

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Paul knew that there is nothing good within the human heart… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. 

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Paul knew that each human can likewise make the same statement…  “I am chief of sinners”, as Paul states about himself. And this Night-Watchman is no exception! He can truly say with Paul… “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing…” Romans 7:18. This Man in the Moon can truly say with Paul “I am chief (of sinners)”. 

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE ENEMY IS ME!

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So as this “Man in the Moon” looks down at this horrible world, he realizes that all the sin and degradation in the world, likewise exists within his own heart as well as within the heart of each and every human. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

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And just as Isaiah, after being touched by God, realized that he was just as big a sinner as was the rest of God’s people. To this realization, Isaiah cried out… “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5  

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ABOVE PICTURE: 1st Face in moon at eagle ridge

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TURN THE OTHER CHEEK  

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You will notice a big bruise on this “Man in the Moon”. His right cheek looks like it has a big https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgbruise on it. That reminds us of the following verse… “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy RIGHT CHEEK, turn to him the other also.”  Matthew 5:39.

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And just as this verse says ” turn to him the other also”, so too, our nocturnal friend likewise is turning his other cheek. This is a big statement that God is making about how important is this Bible principle of “turning the other cheek”!

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“FAITHFUL ARE THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND”

Proverbs 27:6

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Notice that this “Man in the Moon” is turning his other cheek towards us? This faithful https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgWatchman knows that unless he allows God to chasten him, that he too would likely be taken away in his own sin. And so he offers his other cheek to his “Re-provers”… “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” Psalm 141:5.  (see also Proverbs 27:6 & 9:8 & Ecclesiastes 7:5)

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In reality, it is God who is smiting the Watchman on the right cheek. In reality God is just using the people of the world to do His bidding. Both good people and bad people alike, God uses to test and chasten this Nocturnal Watchman to teach him patience, forgiveness, and love.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“HE GIVES HIS CHEEK TO HIM THAT SMITES HIM”

 Lamentations 3:30, 31 

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgGod uses anyone and everyone as “helpers” in the purification process of His Watchmen. And the desire of every watchman of God is to become like Jesus. So as this Watchman beholds, in his mind’s eye, his Lord Jesus being mocked ridiculed and his face smitten, the Watchman too, knows he must likewise endure the same treatment from the world… “…they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked…  when He (God) has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 16:10, 11 & 23:10.

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FiveFingersFaceHighandMightyTrailerScreenshot1954.jpg

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In these passages, Job is complaining about his suffering at the hands of the wicked. But Job knows that if he endures to the end, he will come forth as gold. In other words, Job knows deep down, that God is testing him. Job knows that God will ultimately turn all Job’s tribulation into something beneficial, yea, even beautiful for Job! God uses tribulation in order to remove the “dross” from Job, and Job will eventually come forth as purified gold. .. “when He (God) has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

High and Mighty Trailer Screenshot – 1954 – Wikipedia – public domain

 

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HOW CAN THE MOON SMITE?

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“The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.” Psalm 121:5, 6 

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And while on the subject of smiting, this above passage from Psalm 121 should be mentioned. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgWell it explains here that the Lord is our shade. And so, God will be our shade when the Sun in all its strength, smites us with burning heat. But what about the Moon? How can the Lord protect the Christian from being smitten by the Moon?

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Well, as with all Scripture, there has to be a spiritual understanding. “the words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63. Yes, the entire Bible is the words of Christ. And the entire Bible is the “Spirit of Prophecy” (see Revelation 19:10). And so, this passage from Psalm 121 likewise must be understood, both prophetically and spiritually. “The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.”  How can this be understood both prophetically and spiritually?

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Now most Bible students know that the Sun in Scripture, represents Christ, “the Sun of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgRighteousness”. And so, when God says… “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His Coming:” 2nd Thessalonians 2:8, then this makes sense of the passage from Psalms…  “The sun shall not smite thee by day”.

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But again, what about the Moon? Well, if Christ is represented by the Sun, then the obvious conclusion is, the Moon represents the Church, God’s people, as is written… “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?” Songs 6:10. Well who is she, as this verse asks the question? Who is “fair as the Moon?” Obviously, the Elect Church of God is! And the Elect Church is constantly referred to as “she”, in Scripture.

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But how can the Church smite? Well again, as you read all three parts to this “Moon into Blood Trilogy”, you will see just how all this will be accomplished!

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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“THE WICKED…IN A MOMENT GO DOWN”

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg“Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.” Job 21:7, 13

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Yes, the bruise on the right cheek of this Night Watchman presents an allegory concerning a great Bible concept. The above passage from Job speaks to the fact that quite often, there is a distinctive difference between those whom the Lord will save, andhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Munch_Det_Syke_Barn_1896.jpg those whom the Lord will not save. In this above passage Job explains that the wicked seem to experience a long, trouble-free life, while those whom God plans to save often live a troubled life.

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Listen to the wisdom of Solomon… “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11, 12.

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And listen to the wisdom of Paul… “Paul…taught many…exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:19-21 [condensed for brevity & clarity]. So these two passages reveal that God’s people must enter into the kingdom of God through much tribulation.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

Munch – cropped & lightened photo – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US public domain

 

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PROPHECY ALSO APPLIES TO CHURCH HISTORICALLY

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Now this same concept also applies to the Church as well. The Church-Faithful will go through much tribulation, while the Church-Apostate will go down in a moment.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Burgkmair_whore_babylon_color.jpg

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Just listen to this very prophetic passage… “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” Job 16:20, 21.

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So, contrary to popular belief, the apostate Church will be taken away in a moments time, while the Church-Faithful will suffer much tribulation. Listen again to Revelation 18, as it speaks of the destruction of the harlot Church, Mystery Babylon… “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her…saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.” Revelation 18:9, 10 (condensed).

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Again, this passage presents this same concept of the wicked going down in a moment. God does not needlessly torment. And there is no need to torment the lost. Death is their punishment, and so, to further torment would serve no purpose. “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4. Yes, the soul that sins shall die! Not tortured for all eternity!

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Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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PAUL’S ATTITUDE TOWARD SUFFERING

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Christians today would find life much more tolerable if we would just maintain the same attitude as https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgPaul, toward suffering. Listen to Paul’s words… “Therefore I take pleasurehttp://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/The%20Early%20Church%20Artwork/target8.html in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:10.

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Incredible attitude on Paul’s part, wouldn’t you agree? Paul, being filled with God’s grace, could actually take pleasure in his sufferings (which were many)! Paul knew that all such suffering only made him stronger in the Lord.

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But Paul also knew, that if he was ever to attain to his chief desire in life, to become totally Christ-like, then sufferings were necessary. Listen again to Paul… “whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:” Colossians 1:23, 24.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain

 

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SUFFERING IS PART OF BECOMING CHRIST-LIKE

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Now Paul spoke of this same concept in other epistles.

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Listen once more… “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:10, 11.

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So if I believe that Paul was a role model for the Christian, as it states in Scripture, then I should have the exact same attitude toward my own suffering, as Paul had, toward his.

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Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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SHEEP ON RIGHT…GOATS ON LEFT …

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“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy RIGHT CHEEK, turn to him the other also.”  Matthew 5:39.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg.

Notice that the Moon has been smitten on his right side. The right side in Scripture was a sign of approval. This first face has been slapped on his right cheek. God is smiting him, but only in order to drive out the evil from the Believer’s heart … “The blueness of a wound cleanses away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:30 Chastisement is God’s chosen means of purifying the heart of each and every sinner saved by grace! And thus we must begin to look at our sufferings as a good thing, patiently enduring them, realizing they are for our earthly benefit and eternal joy!  

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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THE RIGHT HAND OF FAVOR

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_Angelico_009.jpg

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The following Scripture makes it clear that the right side is the side of favor… “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…” Matthew 25:33, 34, 35.

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Perhaps it was Solomon who said it best… “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.”  Ecclesiastes 7:3

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Judgment of Sheep & Goats – Fra Angelico – cropped & altered photo – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“SING PRAISES…DECLARE…HIS DOINGS”

Psalms 9:11, 12

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgBy looking carefully, this Night Watchman appears to be shouting something. Some even see this Man in the Moon as almost smiling. And even though his eyes are sad, they see a tiny little look of joy upon his face!

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But what is he shouting? And why does he look a tiny little bit joyful? Perhaps this next verse reveals what this faithful sentinel is saying… “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.” Isaiah 62:6. 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpg.

Every True Worshipper of God has been given the commission to declare the Gospel to a lost, dying and hopeless world. Whether he speaks or whether he even keeps silent, he is declaring the Gospel. This Watchman’s very life is a “living sermon” to this world: the testimony that the only hope for lost Mankind, is to turn to the Lord from our vain lives.

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But where does this faint smile come from, especially with all the sadness he sees? Well, this is one of the Christian paradoxes. The Apostle Paul, even with all the sad things he saw in the Churches, declared that even amidst the sorrow, the Christian will be “As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing” 2nd Corinthians 6:10. Such a strange paradox! 

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

 

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A WISE MAN’S EYES

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“The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness:” Ecclesiastes 2:14

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgThis first face in the Moon appears almost to have a 3rd eye, in the middle of his forehead. Now what could that be all about!?!

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Is this some sort of occultic phenomenon?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Solomon_Proverbs.pngNo, this is not some sort of occultic phenomenon!

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No, just listen again to the above verse from the wisest of all mortals, Solomon, gives us a clue…  “The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness:”  

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As you can see in this engraving, that the artist has given King Solomon the same sad eyes as has the Moon’s 1st face! Solomon realized his life was vanity and vexation of Spirit!

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Now of course, Solomon is not speaking of literal eyes here, nor is he speaking of literal darkness. The Bible is a spiritual book, and these things must be spiritually discerned. Obviously it is speaking of spiritual darkness, when speaking of a fool (an unsaved person). But what does it mean, “the wise man’s eyes are in his head”? Of course, within the forehead is the mind of a person. So this extra eye concerns the thoughts of this Moon-man.

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain 

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“FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE”

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Here’s a passage which sheds some light upon this subject…. “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?…He that walketh righteously… Thine eyes shall see the king in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Thine heart shall meditate terror.” Isaiah 33:15-18. 

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Now this passage is not speaking of literal devouring-fire. Because, the Bible points out in a number of places, that the Lord is that fire, as is written… “For the LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:24, RSV.

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Transfiguration – altered & cropped photo – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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“BEHOLD THE LAND THAT IS VERY FAR OFF”

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But the point is, it says here… “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.”

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Now, the only way we can, at this time, behold the King in His beauty is within our heart and mind. And the only way we can behold the Promised Land right now, is in our heart and mind. These two wonderful things cannot be literally seen at this time. They must be seen with the eye of faith.

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But perhaps this extra eye is also to help this Night-Watchman to walk in wisdom.

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Listen to this passage… “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Psalm 32:8. 

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So, it is really the eye of the Lord which guides this Moon-Watchman in wisdom. And that’s a very good thing, now, isn’t it?

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Bad Moon Rising – cropped photo – by Makelessnoise – Wikipedia – Share-alike-license

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“DAY OF THE LORD”

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The day that is coming upon the whole world will be a day of fire. It is a “hot furnace” that will be heated seven times hotter. The Lord is coming as a refiner of gold and silver, so to speak. God will purify His people. Listen to what Malachi has to say about the Lord’s coming…  

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“But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appears? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2, 3. 

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God will purify His people. God has made us to be kings and priests (Revelation 5:10 & 1 Peter 2:9). The sons of Levi were the priests of the Old Testament temple service. The Christian today has been chosen by God to be a priest. New Testament Believers too, are the “sons of Levi” in a very real sense. And so when God says He will purify the sons of Levi, He is speaking of every “Child of God”.

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Goldkey (logo removed) – cropped photo – Wikimedia – public domain

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“WHEN THE COMMANDMENT CAME…I DIED”

Rom. 7:9…

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Once_in_a_Blue_Moon_(40034339832).jpg.

Now tilt your head 90 degrees to the right.

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Do you see our sad friend again ? Do you see the tears running down his cheek?

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In the above photo, the full Moon is pictured how it looks in the hours just before dawn (in the northern hemisphere). If you tilt your head to the right, you can see the first face again. The “Man in the Moon” is now in almost a ‘laying down’ position. He looks like a man laying on the ground…but not laying down to go to sleep.

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He looks like a dying man…lying down to die…in the last hours of night. He looks like he’s been shot. Or knifed. But no… this one was slain… slain with a very sharp, two-edged sword.

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Listen… “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discern-er of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”) Hebrews 4:12

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Once_in_a_Blue_Moon_(40034339832).jpg.

For those living in the Southern Hemisphere, while they have all three faces of the Moon, the 3rd face, The Sadducee-Seeker Face is the upright face when the Moon is Full. This somewhat changes the story for those southerners. But the basic concept is still the same: one face of the Night Watchman, another of the Predator-Pharisee, and the third of the Seeker-Sadducee.

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But those in the southern regions can still see this phenomenon, via the Internet, and also on this website.

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Moon – 3rd Face – cropped & brightness & position altered photo – Blue Moon – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY

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By following the Moon when its full, as it travels through the night-sky, it will be seen that the “Man in the Moon” seems to be more and more lying down as if he is dying.

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You see, this Watchman is dying; dying to self…as he finally realizes how futile it was to try to live for the world. Always seeking after his meat and drink. So often seeking pleasure. Did he really think this world could make him happy? Did he actually think there’s hope in such a hopeless world? Did he really believe that the things this world offered him, could buy that ‘peace’ that only Christ can give?

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ME-ME-ME…

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So also, we were critical of those who were “less moral” than ourselves. So oThe True Accusing Finger www.signsofheaven.org share-alike license- you may useften we scorned the drunkard, the atheist, the lazy, the pervert. But now we realize that it was me that deserves God’s scorn. I am the chief of sinners. (see 1st Timothy 1:15) I have been given much light, but have instead went about my business, proving my oxen, attending to my spouse, etc. Me! Me! Me! But now I see, that I am the one under judgment! (see Luke 14:16-25.)

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Jesus said… “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:” Matthew 12:39. 

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Oh yes, Jesus was comparing Jonah to himself, as He was in the heart of the Earth for three days, just as Jonah was in the fish for three days (beginning Thursday night in the garden, as great drops as blood spilled off His brow). But Jonah also represents Christians today, as we, like Jonah, have spurned the commission given us by God, to spend our lives, seeking and saving the lost. We have been deceived into thinking that this life is to enjoy, just as the gentiles around us are enjoying the world. But we have been called out of this world to go to “Nineveh”, so to speak, and warn this lost world of the coming destruction.

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WAITING FOR THE SUN…

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Whenever there is a full Moon, notice that the Moon still lingers in the sky, even after the Sun has risen. It seems to bask in the warmth and glow of the morning Sun. Doesn’t this remind us of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luna_menguante_en_la_ma%C3%B1ana.JPGthat verse in Malachi?

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Listen… “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings…And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:3.

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The full Moon lingering in the morning sky is a wonderful object-lesson. It is a picture of how God’s people will be when the “day dawns” in a very short while. We are now just about at the end. God has been smiting us with trials and tribulation. We are slowly but surely dying from our love of this world. We long to see Jesus. Oh when will He appear with healing in His wings!? 

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Moon (Luna menguante en la mañana) – cropped photo – by Luisalvaz for Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution – Share Alike 4.0 International license

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“TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE”

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Just as Jacob wrestled with the angel, we too are wrestling with God, though we often mistakenly think He’s the enemy. The angel cried… “Let me go, for the day breaks!” But Jacob cried… “I will not let you go except you bless me!”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel.jpg

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This is the faith we need in these trying hours we now live. And just as that “dying Moon” waits longingly for the Sun to rise in the east, so too are we now waiting for the “Sun of Righteousness” to arise with healing in His wings.

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To explore this concept of wrestling with God, just click here…  “What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble?”

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ABOVE PICTURE – cropped & altered photo – Jacob – Wikimedia – US public Domain

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“SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL ARISE WITH HEALING”

Malachi 4:2…

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This above verse is the great hope of every ‘true worshipper’ of God. The Sun of Righteousness will at last arise “with healing in His wings”.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Super_Moon_In_Korea_(182915001).jpeg.

As the Moon appears to be laying down more and more, as it arrives in the west, in the wee hours of morning, it reminds us that we are to die to self, in Christ. And as the Christian becomes more and more appalled at this world and at his own spiritual filthiness, he begins to lose hope in his own ability to perform the duties that God requires from His people. As the full Moon goes into the west, it appears to be looking eastward as if he is waiting for the morning light.

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This brings to mind a number of verses such as… “For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:27

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Super Moon In Korea – cropped & brightness & position altered photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

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“CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST”

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Super_Moon_In_Korea_(182915001).jpeg

The more one goes through this world, the child of God learns his or her painful lessons. And through trials and tribulations comes a deeper and deeper death to our old selfish ways.

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As the full Moon always seems to be looking in the direction of the rising Sun, so too, every true worshipper of God longs to be clothed with Christ’s righteousness. No, not just judicially clothed…but in body, mind, and spirit as well. I want with all my heart to be Christ-like in every way. I wait longingly for the “Sun of Righteousness” who shall arise with healing in His wings. (Malachi 4)

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Super Moon In Korea – cropped & brightness & position altered photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

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“WHEN YE SEE ALL THESE THINGS LOOK UP”

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:At_Shoshone_California_(8645184128).jpg“Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart… For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.” Job 22:22, 26 

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There is another aspect to this phenomenon. At the start of night, this Man in the Moon is looking downward. But by night’s end, he’s looking upward (in the northern hemisphere). Here is a wonderful statement that God has given. 

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Just like this Man in the Moon, when a Child of God begins his or her Christian pilgrimage, they are still closely aligned with the world. They still trust and depend on the world, to a great degree. But as time goes by, more and more the Christian begins to look Heavenward. He more and more learns to trust wholly to God.

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It reminds one, of the verse… “Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD….so wilt Thou recover me, and make me to live.”  Isaiah 38:14, 16.

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The closer one comes to Christ, the less he looks to this world, to supply his daily happiness. The more intently does the Christian fix his or her gaze upon the Sun of Righteousness. And when the Moon is Full, notice it is always looking toward the Sun (seen in the Northern Hemisphere), even when the Sun is hidden from our view.

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The full Moon is a picture of God’s people, when that Day comes, that they will fully reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness.

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Moon At Shoshone California – cropped, brightened, tinted & highlighted photo – Wikimedia – by Murray Foubister – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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TRIED BY FIRE…

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THE DAY OF THE LORD… “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”  1 Corinthians 3:13.

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It is the ‘time of trouble’ which now is at the very doors, which will purify God’s Elect from the dross …“when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.

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The day is just about upon God’s people that will try every man’s work. They must engage in every effort to purify themselves; to put on their priestly garments; to hide themselves in the clefts of the rocks (in Christ). There is not a moment to lose. None should think that “grace” somehow exempts them from that preparation necessary, in order to meet the Lord in peace…

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“And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming… And every man that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 1st John 2:28, 3:3

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GREAT CITY DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgThe Moon is a picture of God’s professed worshippers. They are called the “City of God”.

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The Book of Revelation makes a very ominous prophecy… “And the great city was divided into three parts…” Revelation 16:19. 

Moon into Blood www.signsofheaven.org

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This first part of the Moon Trilogy has been presented on this web-page.

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If you wish to continue this study, you will discover the other two parts of the ‘City of God’.

“Moon Into Blood Trilogy”… 2nd Face…The Pharisee Scorner

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Moon – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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THE END

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NEXT ARTICLE SUGGESTION:

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“Moon Into Blood Trilogy”… 2nd Face…The Pharisee Scorner

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The next article deals with the 2nd face inscribed in the Moon. This face looks like a wolf…or maybe a fox…or even a dog. But there is a much deeper significance to this beast. It speaks of what the Bible refers to as a Pharisee. And so this 2nd face is the face of pride.

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Anyway, this is very important subject. And you are encouraged to read this carefully, because it may just be speaking of the beast within.

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To go to  “Moon Into Blood”… 2nd Face, just click.

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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Starry_Night_at_La_Silla.jpg

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“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26

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ABOVE PICTURE – Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_york_times_square-terabass.jpgthings.

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In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shoppers_on_Dundas,_near_Yonge.jpgworries, and habits, to name just a few.

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But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

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The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.

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Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!

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And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.

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And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.

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Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.

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Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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.summer w/woman & doves

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“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25

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ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

.Orion Constellation

The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).

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These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Chur7 stars as Crossch (7 Stars).

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And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

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These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.

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Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc.) – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and latered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marines_at_Prayer_by_Alex_Raymond.jpg.

Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.

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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.

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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.

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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details and other necessary information on that particular photo.

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