Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner (Continued)
By admin On July 22nd, 2011.
Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, tags, etc.. Most Images cropped/reduced in size.
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THIS ARTICLE WILL PROBABLY ONLY MAKE SENSE IF THE READER HAS ALREADY FINISHED PART 1.
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TO READ PART 1 OF THIS ARTICLE, CLICK HERE… Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner
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OFT-TIMES, BAD GUYS WEAR WHITE!
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“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15
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The above passage from 2nd Corinthians reveals an incredible truth, namely this: Satan transforms many unconverted people of the world (and worldly Christians) into upstanding and moral individuals! And though this passage speaks specifically of ministers, it must be remembered that we all are ministers: we all are walking advertisements, so to speak, for good or for evil: for Heaven or for this world! Nobody is neutral!
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But listen to this next verse… “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 5:2.
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So from this passage, it becomes evident, that the people of the world (and worldly-minded Christians) are subject to “the prince of the power of the air” who is a spirit which works in them. And this Moon-Beast Pharisee doesn’t realize that his so-called “good work-ethics” and meticulous ways, are actually empowered by the spirit of Antichrist, “which now worketh in the children of disobedience”, of which he is one.
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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! – Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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HEART OF A BEAST
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And just like King Nebuchadnezzar, this Pharisee Moon-Beast, in his foolish pride, has been given the heart of a beast: the Antichrist Beast!
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Listen… “Let his heart be changed from man’s, and let a beast’s heart be given unto him:” Daniel 4:16. Here is a veiled portrait of the Mark of the Beast.
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Listen… “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Proverbs 21:4. Doesn’t this verse describe our Pharisee Moon-Beast friend “to a T”? A high look, and a proud heart and good work-ethics: but sadly, it’s all sin, sin, sin!
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William Blake – Nebuchadnezzar – Wikipedia – public domain
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PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE-MINDED
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The true great commission of Christianity, is that every Christian goes to work to purify his or her own heart.
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Listen…“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1st John 3:3.
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Unfortunately, Satan, working behind the unsanctified pulpit, assures this unregenerate Moon-Pharisee that because he’s said the “sinner’s prayer” and because he attends church regularly, and because he gives financial support to the church, that he doesn’t need to worry about his standing with God. “You have peace and safety in Jesus”, his pastor promises him. Each week, his minister addresses the congregation as though they are saved. Thus many lost souls sit in the pews each week, constantly assured that they are heaven-bound, when just the opposite is true: they are on the road to eternal destruction, because they have never truly been “born again” in Jesus.
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ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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MANY SURPRISES ON JUDGMENT DAY!
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Jesus spoke of this class of church goers… “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.
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As this passage points out, there will be a large number, within the Church who have looked upon our morality and good works as evidence of our Salvation. But on Judgment Day, we will find out that we were living a lie. And we will hear these words of Jesus: words we often recited to others, now only to realize that this well-known verse was for us… “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.”
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ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
Judgment-of-Sheep-Goats-Fra-Angelico-Wikipedia-Public-Domain.jpg
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1 EVIL SPIRIT VS. 7 EVIL SPIRITS
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This next parable explains the inward workings of Phariseeism. Jesus spoke this parable to the Pharisees… “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry 
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Matt. 12:43-45.
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As already mentioned, this parable was spoken by Jesus to the Pharisees. And while this is a great prophecy concerning the future of the world, it is also a revelation into the inner-heart of this Pharisee Moon-Beast. This parable explains what happens when this non-Christian decides to begin attending church, and yet there is no change of heart. This parable makes the point that the “before-condition” of that individual, symbolized by one evil spirit, becomes far worse in the “after-condition”, after cleaning up, symbolized by seven more evil spirits. And as Jesus spoke to these Pharisees, they did not understand that Jesus was speaking of them.
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Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Wikimedia
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DRUNKARD ONLY HAS 1 EVIL SPIRIT
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For example, a mere drunkard, lying in the gutter, is like a man with an unclean spirit. But when
that drunkard decides to clean up his life and begins to attend church, but has no true inward conversion, that same unclean spirit returns and finds that man’s heart void of the Holy Spirit.
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And so he gets seven more evil spirits (symbolizing the counterfeit holy spirit). The number “seven” represents Jesus and His Church. So now this drunkard has cleaned up his life. Now he has been transformed into a respected member of the church. Now he has become a productive contributor to the community. But inwardly, he is motivated by the seven “religious devils”,and is void of the Holy Spirit. But these Pharisees, in all their pride and arrogance, were symbolized by seven religious spirits, more evil than the first unclean spirit.
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Highbrow_drunkard – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike-license.jpg
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DRUNKARD BETTER OFF
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THAN UNSAVED CHURCH-GOER
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So what is Jesus saying?
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He is saying that it would be better to be a wretched drunkard laying in a gutter, than to be a proud moralistic church-goer. As Jesus said… “the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
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Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals the inner-workings of Satan.
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Just listen…“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2nd Corinthians 11:13-15.
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Here God plainly declares that Satan’s ministers are within the Church, behaving as moral leaders, but actually deceiving the flock.
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Highbrow_drunkard – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike-license.jpg
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A FORM OF GODLINESS
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“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, etc….Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:2, 5
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Now this Moon-Beast Pharisee can be a friendly fellow when he wishes. He has many friends and admirers. He applauds and even supports some charitable organizations. He’s patriotic and presents the appearance of favoring justice. He constantly speaks of “doing the right thing”.
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But as the above passage from 2nd Timothy declares, the people of this world have what the Bible refers to as “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”.
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And so it becomes very difficult to ascribe demonic forces as the motivating force behind this Pharisee Moon-Beast. He blends in, very well in both, societal-circles, and Christian-circles alike.
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ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
ABOVE PICTURE: 1st Face in moon at eagle ridge
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“THAT SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST”
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“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1, 2
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This story of 7+1 evil spirits, which Jesus told the Pharisees is one of the greatest (and saddest) truths of the Bible.
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And this above passage from Ephesians only further substantiates what Jesus explained about the Pharisees having 7+1 evil spirits. This above passage declares that the people of the world are not merely empty vessels. No, by no means are they empty vessels!
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You are either filled with God’s Spirit or you are filled with the spirit of Antichrist.
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Just listen to John’s Epistles which further confirms this truth… “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world…They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1st John 4:3-5.
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Castle of Disney – Wikipedia – Public dom
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WORLDLINESS IS ANTICHRIST
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Here is a declaration by John, that it is worldly people who are filled with the spirit of Antichrist.
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Antichrist is not merely some evil-genius-sinister-businessman, as is so often portrayed. Antichrist is merely the spirit within every human who has not been “born again” into the image of Christ. No matter whether this Moon-Beast was a fireman, school teacher, doctor, banker, bus-boy, construction worker, store clerk, or whatever other profession you can think of.
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It matters not what walk of life he is in: this Moon-Beast has the spirit of “The World” within: “and this that spirit of Antichrist”.
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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia
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SATAN’S FOLLOWERS OFTEN CONSIDERED “THE GOOD GUYS”
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The big problem with this Pharisee Moon-Beast is that he just doesn’t understand that Satan can be a very moral Devil when he wishes to be. But Satan has greatly deceived society into believing that only drunkards or witches or druggies or murderers are possessed by Satan.
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This proud Pharisee cannot understand that it is the moral people of the world who are most often filled the spirit of Antichrist… “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2nd Corinthians 11:14, 15.
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So most people have an incorrect understanding of Satan. Satan can make a person very correct and moral in behavior. He can make someone very prosperous and hard-working. He can make a person very talented and inspired. He can even make someone appear very holy, as this above passage reveals. Satan is the “god of this world”. He is the “Prince of the Power of the Air”. Satan is the “Prince of this world”. He is the master & commander of this lost world! He is that “spirit which now worketh in the children of disobedience”.
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And this Pharisee Moon-Beast unknowingly worships Satan’s attributes. He even confuses him with Jesus quite often. And so this Pharisee-Scorner Moon-Beast goes through life, scorning all those who don’t measure up to his standard, not realizing that he is not just filled with one evil spirit, but with seven+one evil spirits.
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Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Wikimedia
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DIVIDED MOON SHOWS
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THE 3 DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH…
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“Benjamin shall ravine as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Genesis 49:47
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This above verse from Genesis seems to dovetail nicely with this next passage from 1st Corinthians… “For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1st Corinthians 11:18, 19
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Those “ravening wolves” within the Church are busy gathering to themselves, those who are willing to follow heresy. But the true sheep need not fear. For just as this next states, the sheep of God will not follow those wolves in sheep’s clothing… “And a stranger will they (God’s sheep) not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” John 10:5 .
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Yes, the tribe of Benjamin describes this Wolf-Beast…
“Benjamin shall ravine as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Genesis 49:47
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Every time he spreads malicious gossip; whenever he rejects new light from the Bible, just because it’s an unpleasant truth; whenever he begins to look down his nose on others, in his own self-righteousness; or when he takes credit for his supposed righteousness.
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Listen to Scripture from Paul’s epistle… “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Galatians 5:15 This verse gives the sense of ravenous wolves within the Galatian Church. Obviously there was no literal biting and devouring.
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Gray Wolf. Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service by Scott Flaherty
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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FALSE PROPHETS
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“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they 
are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” Matthew 7:15-17
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Jesus warned that false prophets would enter the Church, comparing them to wolves in sheep’s clothing, as the above verse states. Paul also warned in much the same way, that false prophets would waste no time, creeping into the Church… “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29, 30. So Paul says that grievous wolves would begin to enter directly after Paul’s departure.
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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain
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FALSE DOCTRINES INTRODUCED BY GRIEVOUS WOLVES
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And so the Night-Watchmen (the 1st Moon-Face) must always be on guard against false doctrines in the Church, brought in by these Wolf-Beasts. And such false doctrines may not just be new doctrines. You see, this wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing has been around for a very long time. This proud Pharisee, in centuries past has been guilty of bringing in doctrines some of which have been accepted by the entire Church-world.
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Dehodencq, Alfred 1822-1882. Ernst, Rudolph
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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ETERNAL TORMENT
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One such doctrine is that “lost sinners will be tormented in flames of fire for all eternity”. Such unbiblical doctrines come about when these unconsecrated wolves neglect to study prayerfully, everything on a subject, and instead, cling to one or two parables, such as the Rich Man & Lazarus, and make that parable the sum and entirety of what Hell is. And then they bend every other related Scripture so that they agree with the Rich Man & Lazarus. But God warns Christians that “Scripture cannot be broken”. Spiritual things must be compared with spiritual (see 1st Corinthians 2:13). And a Believer can’t let those wolves in sheep’s clothing turn God into some ruthless tyrant, by insisting that truth can be arrived at based on just SOME verses, and not ALL verses of the Bible.
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If the reader wishes to explore this false doctrine, just click here… “The Doctrine of Eternal Torment”
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Hell’s Torment and Tormentor – Wikipedia – Public Domain (2)
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“THE LITTLE FOXES”
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“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15
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Exploring this Lunar Beast, as he also has a fox-like appearance, the Bible touches on this subject of foxes. Even Jesus spoke of a fox, comparing King Herod to one… “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” Luke 13:31.
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Since Christians are to live by EVERY word of God, it must be assumed that Jesus calling Rome-appointed King Herod a fox, has something to do with doctrine and with Salvation. But what could this possibly mean?
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Here is a very revealing verse… “O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the desert. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them” Ezekiel 13:4-6. So now it is seen that foxes are symbolic of false prophets amongst God’s people.
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FOXES, THAT SPOIL THE VINES
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The opening verse of this paragraph on foxes says… “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender 
grapes.” Song of Solomon 2:15. This idea of foxes representing small beasts is also mentioned in Nehemiah 4:3
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So this theme of foxes seems to lead in the direction of the “little foxes”, which could mean the little false prophets among god’s people. This would no doubt be the false teachers within the various local congregations. Of course, this doesn’t explain why Jesus called Herod a fox. But Herod probably represents all false prophets in leadership roles in the Church.
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Well, whatever the precise meaning to this is, two things are for sure: God has inscribed this fox-like image as one of the faces of the Moon; and a fox in Scripture represents false prophets among God’s people.
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ABOVE PICTURES:
Fox reading – Wikimedia Commons – public domain
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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3 DIVISIONS IN TODAY’S CHURCH
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“And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell:” Revelation 16:19
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Many of the cities of the great nations of the world are beginning to crumble morally, financially, and 
structurally. And in this great decline, there is emerging a division between Conservatives and Liberals. And likewise, the onlooking world is just now witnessing this same split within Christendom. In the day of Jesus’ time on Earth, these two groups were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Today they are called Conservatives and Liberals. And just as the Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly at odds with each other, so too, these current two groups are at odds with each other today. Now a Pharisee can be either a liberal or a conservative. And likewise, a Sadducee can be a conservative or liberal. As a matter of fact, both Phariseeism and Sadduceeism exists within each of our hearts. So this issue is a very complex issue, indeed.
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But this verse speaks of 3 divisions. So what is the 3rd division? God’s people were the 3rd group in Israel, at the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. And so it is today. There are many today, who have genuine faith. And even within these first two groups (Sadducees & Pharisees), there may be God’s people within one of those groups. The drawing to the left is of the 1st Moon-Face (The Night-Watchman). And if you have read Moon Into Blood Part 1, then you are familiar with how the Moon shows the 1st face which reflects God’s True Worshippers. And if you will continue on to read, “Moon Into Blood Part 3”, you will learn how the 3rd Face corresponds to the Sadducees.
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
3rd Face in Moon – Sadducee Seeker – www.signsofheaven.org
ABOVE PICTURE: 1st Face in moon at eagle ridge
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GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THESE THREE DIVISIONS
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But listen to God’s Judgment concerning the three divisions within the Church-world… “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Zechariah 13:8, 9.
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So this above verse now begins to make sense, once this concept is understood concerning the three divisions in the Church. It says here that two parts of God’s people will be “cut off”. But the third part will God refine and purify, and call them His people.
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3rd Face in Moon – Sadducee Seeker – www.signsofheaven.org
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“A NEW HEART”
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“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: Jesus…said unto him…Ye must be born again…The wind bloweth where it li
steth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1, 3, 8
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Now what is the remedy for all this? A new heart.
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This Pharisee Moon-Beast needs a new heart. He must begin pleading with God to take away his stony heart and give him a new heart of flesh.
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The above passage tells of Nicodemus, one of the chief Pharisees. You see, Nicodemus was also like this Moon-Beast Pharisee at one time. And as a ruler of the Jews, Nicodemus was no doubt a very moral person. But Nicodemus had not yet become Born into the Spirit of God. His morality was a product of the pseudo-religious spirits, which inhabit those who attempt to live the Christian life, and yet are void of God’s Spirit.
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Now in midst of their discourse, Jesus told him, in a very loving manner… “Ye must be born again”. Nicodemus had risen to the position of a ruler of his people, and yet, he had never truly become a child of God.
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Listen to Ezekiel 36:26… “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
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And though Nicodemus was an unsaved individual, yet in the end, God gave Nicodemus a new heart, and he became Born Again.
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And so this little account of Nicodemus, and how God took away his Phariseeism should give us hope too, that God can likewise, take away every trace of Phariseeism out of your heart, and out of my heart too!
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ABOVE PICTURE: Nicodemus – Wikimedia – Public Domain
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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THE HOLY PLACE OF THE HEART
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The Pharisee Moon-Beast has been attending church for years, and yet he still possesses a stony heart. He may even be the pastor or elder. But he has never fully 
surrendered his entire life to Jesus. He loved the things of this life too much! And his cleanliness and orderliness have been sufficient to get by and fool most people.
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But God knows the wretchedness of this Moon-Beast’s soul. This Pharisee-Beast has spent countless hours cleaning the outward things of his life, but the inward things of his heart are still left filthy! He needs to be like the man in this drawing. This Believer has a heart which has become the Holy Place of his soul-temple.
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This True Worshipper has spent his Christian life purifying his heart, just as it says in 1st John… “And every man that hath this hope in Him (the hope of His return), purifieth himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 1st John 3:3.
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ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place in the Heart – Signs Of Heaven
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THE TRUE GREAT COMMISSION
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The purification of the heart is the greatest commission which God has devolved upon the Believer.
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Listen to Paul… “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;“ 2nd Cor. 10:5. Incredible! We are to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ!
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But how is such a high and holy calling as this, possible? Well listen again to Paul… “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20. This wonderful promise gives us full assurance that God is fully capable to cleanse us “from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.” Philippians 4:7
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For a deeper look into this subject of the Most Holy Place in the heart, just read… “Ark of the Covenant Constellation, Pt. 2: How To Enter The Most Holy Place”
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ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place in the Heart – Signs Of Heaven
the holy of holies-www.thebiblerevival.com-public domain
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BACKING OUT OF GOD’S REST…
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“For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest…There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:4, 5, 9, 10
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After God had created man and beast on the 6th day God rested on the 7th day. Mankind and beast were both created on the same day…the 6th day. But on the 7th day, Mankind was invited to enter into spiritual rest with God on the 7th day. But when Adam and Eve fell, they gave up that close communion with God. In a sense, they left that 7th Day Rest, and reverted back to the beasts of the Earth, who were also created on the 6th day, along with Man.
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Benjamin West The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise – Wikipedia – public domain
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NO REST FOR THE SONS OF ADAM!
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So too, Mankind has lost what Jesus offers… “There is no peace (or “rest”), says my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21. Mankind no longer enjoys that “peace which passes all understanding“, because that ‘rest’ and that ‘peace’ was given up in the ‘Garden of Eden’. Could this be what the MARK OF THE BEAST is all about?…
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“…and THEY HAVE NO REST, day nor night who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark or the number of his name…” Revelation 14.
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Here in this passage we have the “Mark of the Beast” announcement. The word “rest” here is the very same Greek word found in the next passage… “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
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Shoppers in Toronto – Wikimedia – share-alike license
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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GOD INVITES US BACK INTO THAT REST
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“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
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So it is seen here in the above verse, that God offers “rest unto your souls”. But what do the unsaved have as far as “rest”? Nothing actually. At least, not in the spiritual sense. And there begins to be an understanding that the “Mark of the Beast” is speaking of those who have never entered God’s spiritual “Rest”. Listen to Isaiah…
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“There is no peace (or “rest”), says my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21. This verse shows the difference between the true worshippers and the unsaved. Those who claim to be saved but are not true worshippers will have no true spiritual rest, as the previous two verses point out.
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While the unsaved may be having a good time in this world of sin, they nevertheless do not enjoy the deep joy and peace which only comes through an abiding rest that goes down deep into our souls. “…and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
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To explore this concept of spiritual rest, just click here… “PART 2–FINDING ‘REST UNTO YOUR SOUL’ (FINDING PERFECT PEACE)…”
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ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org
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PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING…
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“And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.
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God offers joy and peace to anyone willing to keep the mind on His Word and on His ways. This next verse is much like the previous verse…“Thou (God) will keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusts in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3.
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These two passages point out the PERFECT PEACE that is available for any and every one who calls on the name of the Lord in these last moments of Earth’s history.
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Elakala Waterfalls Swirling Pool Mossy Rocks – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
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GOD CURSED MANKIND
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“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Genesis 3:17-19.
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Here, God pronounced a curse upon Mankind after the fall. Man lost that peace and rest of God, once man rebelled. Ever since that day, Mankind has been in a turmoil. Wars and fightings, and robberies and selfishness abound. Crime increasing, and cities becoming a hotbed of vice and corruption. Man has been pressed down under the burden of his vanities and vexation of spirit, trying under his own strength, to live without God.
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But this Moon-Beast believes that his “morality” places him in good standing with God, and doesn’t realize that his pride and selfishness are the deep-seated undercurrent of his entire life pursuits. But the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, this Beast does not know. His mind is absorbed with all those things that he loves to pursue of the world. “There is no peace (or “rest”), says my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21. Try as he will, this Pharisee-Scorner has yet to enter into this Rest. His heart is filled with turmoil.
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ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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AFTER MAN’S FALL, A NEW REST WAS OFFERED
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“Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, ‘To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts’. For if Jesus had given them REST, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest (or Sabbath keeping) to the people of God. For he that is entered into his REST, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that REST, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:7-11.
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This is “the REST unto your souls” that Jesus bids Mankind to find. If this Moon-Beast will only return to God, he may not immediately find that REST. But here God, through Paul, says here to “labor” to enter into that REST. The Moon-Beast’s sins and unbelief are keeping him from that perfect “Rest”. He must “labor” to enter into that spiritual “rest unto your soul”, that Jesus offers, if he is to escape the “Mark of the Beast”. He must get rid of the “Pharisee” within! Within the heart, does this Beast exist. But he must become pure and holy… “not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Ephesians 5:27.
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This is the work which every true worshipper of God desires in his or her life. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1st John 3:3. Oh yes, Salvation is a gift. But those who have truly been given that gift will begin the purification process, spoken of in 1st John 3:3. Yes, every man woman and child who has the hope of Christ’s appearing and “our gathering unto Him”, will engage in the self-purification process…. “This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest” Isaiah 28:12
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Harvest moon – Wikipedia & Roadcrusher – share-alike license
ABOVE PICTURE – Moon – 2nd Face – Pharisee Scorner
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“WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG”
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“Therefore I take pleasure 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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Those of us who are low-energy type individuals, or are in a bed-fast condition, or in confinement, often look with envy at those who are industrious. But as that popular saying goes, “Careful what you wish for!” Quite often, those who are considered high-energy people, have little time nor inclination for sitting at the feet of Jesus, and hearing His Word. They are frequently, so busy with the affairs of life, that it is all but impossible for them to spend quiet-time with Jesus. Listen to God’s assessment…
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“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy.” Psalm 147:10, 11.
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So such verses as this reveal to us, that God is not all that impressed by good works.
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Just listen to this next passage… “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not…done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you…” Matt. 7:22, 23
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Munch Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
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“BE STILL…”
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On the other hand, we who have little strength, may use such a “handicap” to our advantage. In the quiet hours of our infirmity we can fulfill God’s desire for us…
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“Be still, and know that I am God:” Psalm 46:10.
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We can sit at Jesus feet, and spend quiet time in His Word, using our disability or confinement to good account. And so, in that sense, our low-energy and our disability can actually become our greatest advantage to our spiritual pilgrimage, as we fill up our heart with the words of life.
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Listen… “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” Psalm 4:4
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THE END
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NEXT ARTICLE:
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“THIRD BEAST… ‘SADDUCEE’…’SEEKER'” – click here
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But there is another beast, which God has in the Moon. And this little varmint exists within Man’s heart also. It is known as the “Seeker”. It is the spirit of “Sadducee-ism”. It is the spirit of “unbelief”. And it exists in this Seeker. And if he is to escape the “Mark of the Beast”, He must get rid of his unbelief and his continual seeking out of his heart and life. And “The Moon Into Blood” Part 3 deals with this.
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A HEAVENLY HOBBY
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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 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 
things.
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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 worries, 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 these people 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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“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
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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 Chur
ch (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 – Wikipedia – share-alike license
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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS
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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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