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Balancing Screen Time: A Guide to Mindful Usage

Screens can be good, and screens can be bad. Back when the television was the main screened device, my mother used to say, I know where the knob is, and I know how to turn it off. Today with screens being everywhere, it is getting harder and harder to simply turn it off. However, everyone including me needs time away from screens. Here are some scriptures to consider when thinking about what you are seeing on your cell phone, tablet, Televison, computer, laptop, smart watches, computerized notepad, and gaming devices.

  • Psalm 119:37 ESV Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
  • Psalm 101:3 ESV I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
  • Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
  • Ephesians 5:11 ESV Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
  • Philippians 4:8-9 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
  • 1 John 2:15 KJV Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Here are some things to think about.

  • Are you really making good use of your time?
  • Do you really need all of those apps?
  • Are the apps/ subscriptions really worth the money?
  • Are the apps really worth the space that they take up?
  • Is there anything good about what you are seeing?
  • Is there anything useful about what you are seeing?

Here is a list of apps that can be helpful on your phone. Not all are useful for everyone. Some apps not on the list may still be useful because are your job. Don’t uninstall any app from your phone unless you are sure it is not needed for the phone to work. Some apps can only be disabled not completely removed because of factory settings.

  • phone/ Contacts list/ voice mail
  • text messaging / email
  • calulator
  • camera/ photo gallery
  • clock / stopwatch
  • Calendar / day planner
  • phone functions (this is what makes the phone work to begin with. phone functions can be more than 1 app.)

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The Children’s Six Minutes: Candle Children

CANDLE CHILDREN

What is this I have here? It is a candle in a candlestick. There is something about a candle we all love. We have our clear gas lights and our still more brilliant electric bulbs, but when the birthday comes we want a cake with candles on it. Think of this as a birthday candle and let it speak to you.

First of all this candle speaks of Symmetry. How perfectly formed is this candle! It is smooth, there are no rough places that stand out like an ugly wart on one’s face. Your life should have symmetry. God asks you to give heed to your physical, your mental and your spiritual duties that your life may be well rounded, a life of beautiful symmetry.

Second, this candle stands for Fragrance. This is a fragrant candle. It is what is known as a “barberry” candle. There are some children we do not like to have around, they are surly, sulky and mean. There are others we dear love to have with us at all times. They have what I call fragrance. They have the fragrance of thoughtfulness, the sweetness of unselfishness.

In the third place this candle means Erectness. How straight it stands in the candlestick! Stand up straight, girls and boys. Do not stoop. Do not hump yourself over your school desk. Walk erect. It means so much now, it will mean much more in later years. Some day, if you heed my word, you will be grateful that the preacher once said to you so emphatically that you could not forget, “John, Mary, stand up straight.”

Fourth, the candle stands for Light. It is useless until the wick is lighted. It burns for others. Your life is a light. Jesus wants all Christians to think of themselves as lights in the world. “Let your light shine.” Be a lighted candle for the Lord.

MEMORY VERSE, Proverbs 20: 27

“The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.”

MEMORY HYMN

“The spacious firmament on high.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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The Children’s Six Minutes: God’s Call

GOD’S CALL

God calls each one of you. He asks you to give your life to him. He has a special work for you to do. You have heard of Wendell Phillips who did so much to make slavery unlawful in America! Once, when Wendell was a boy fourteen years of age, he heard Lyman Beecher preach. In the course of his sermon the preacher said, “You belong to God.” The boy Wendell thought that the preacher looked straight at him when he said that. He went to his home at the close of the service, climbed the stairs to his room, shut the door, knelt in prayer, saying, “O God, I belong to thee, take what is thine own.” He heard and answered God’s call.

Many, many years before Wendell Phillips lived there was another boy. He worked in the temple. He was a youthful assistant to the minister. I suppose he ran errands for him, and performed any and every service about the temple the minister desired. One night, as usual, the boy went to bed and fell asleep. As he slept he heard a voice calling him. Now he was an obedient boy, and though it was hard for him to rouse himself from a sound sleep and leave his comfortable bed he did so. He ran to the minister saying, “Here I am, you called me, what do you want?” The minister said, “No, my boy, I did not call you, go back to bed.” The boy returned to his bed and again went to sleep. A second time, and even a third time he was called. Each time the faithful, obedient lad leaped from his couch and ran to the minister. The third time it dawned on the mind of the minister that the voice the lad heard was the voice of God, calling him to himself and to his special service. Being a wise and loving man he said to the boy, “Return to your bed, and if you hear the call again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.'” The boy did as instructed and that night was forever memorable in his life, for that was the night God called Samuel and Samuel answered.

MEMORY VERSE, I Samuel 3: 10

“And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak, for thy servant heareth.”

MEMORY HYMN

“Hushed was the evening hymn.”

THE CHILDREN’S SIX MINUTES by Bruce S. Wright

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Producing the Fruit of the Spirit: A Call for Genuine Christianity

Could you be convicted of being a true Christian? Christian people are often the worst when they should be the best people.  I have heard of several people recently who don’t want any part of Christianity because of how Christian’s act. That is a crime shame.  It is horrible when Christians behave so badly that people fail to see Jesus. These so-called Christians don’t have the Fruit of the Spirit.

  • Galatians 5-22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I remember even as a child hearing this same thing.  Near where I grew up, there was a church and a bar on the same road. The two were about a mile from each other.  I often heard that if your car broke down, it would be better to walk to the bar. At the bar, you would be more likely to get help. Unfortunately, more often than it should be, that statement has proved to be true.  This is contrary to the teachings of Jesus.  Jesus said that people would know us by our love for one another. Jesus even commanded that we love our enemies. For tips on how to love your enemies click here.

  • Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Instead of showing love, there has been too many times when so-called Christians have acted like pharisees.

  • Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

I have listened to many people over the years who refused to go to church because of the actions of the people there. Yes, I know we are to follow Jesus and not have what my mother would call preacher religion or people religion. However, Jesus has us on earth to be His representatives. People should see the love of Christ through you. So, I will ask again, “Is there any evidence that you convict you in a court of law that you are a true Christian?” Examine your own self. Pray and ask Jesus to help you. Repent of any wrongdoing and start producing the fruit of the spirit by getting back connected to the true vine Jesus. For more information on the Fruit of the Spirit click here.

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Family Dynamics of Israel’s Twelve Tribes

Israel is Twelve groups of families in Israel who were descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons of Jacob. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. His twelve sons and their descendants made up the nation of Israel, sometimes called “the children of Israel.” The family of Jacob began when Jacob stayed at Haran with his uncle Laban. Because his brother Esau was mad that he got the birth right that he was to get and not his brother Jacob.

The birth of the sons came through Jacob’s wives, Leah and Rachel, and their maids, Zilpah and Bilhah. The sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.

Joseph’s sons were Ephraim and Manasseh. They were adopted by Jacob, and each one became the father of one of the tribes of Israel. Each tribe except Levi received a portion of the land in Canaan. The tribe of Levi was the priesthood, and in Bible time, priests led people to worship God through sacrifices.

Children of Leah (6 boys and 1 girl) with name meanings

  • Reuben
    • Behold, a son
  • Simeon
    • God has heard
  • Levi
    • Joined
  • Judah
    • Praise
  • Issachar
    • Reward
  • Zebulun
    • Honor
  • Dinah (she is only girl)
    • Justice or Judgement

Sons of Leah’s hand maid (Zilpah)

  • Gad
    • Good fortune
  • Asher
    • Happy

Sons of Rachel

  • Joseph
    • May He add
  • Benjamin (Rachel called his name Benoni but his father called him Benjamin)
    • Benoni
      • Son of my Sorrow
    • Benjamin
      • Son of my right hand

Son of Rachel’s hand maid (Bilhah)

  • Dan
    • Judge
  • Naphtali
    • My struggle

Jacob’s children in order of birth

  1. Reuben [Leah]
  2. Simeon[Leah]
  3. Levi [Leah]
  4. Judah [Leah]
  5. Dan [Rachel hand maid Bilhah]
  6. Naphtali [Rachel hand maid Bilhah]
  7. Gad [Leah hand maid Zilpah]
  8. Asher [Leah hand maid Zilpah]
  9. Issachar [Leah]
  10. Zebulun [Leah]
  11. Dinah [Leah] she is a girl
  12. Joseph [Rachel]
  13. Benjamin [Rachel]

Reuben is Jacob’s oldest son the one that has the most power. Their symbol is the Mandrake Flower.

Simeon is a fighting tribe. Their symbol is the mighty sword.

Judah is brave and strong, so their symbol is the lion brave and strong.

Dan’s name means God has judged me, so their symbol is the snake and the Justice scale.

Naphtali’s name means I have Wrestled. Their symbol is the deer.

Gad’s name means good fortune. Their symbol is the tent.

Asher’s name means happy. Their symbol is the olive tree.

Issachar’s name means God has Repaid me. Their Symbol is the Donkey.

Zebulun’s name means God will dwell with me. Their symbol is a sailing ship.

Manasseh’s name means God hath made me forget all my toil. Their symbol is the unicorn.

Ephraim’s name means God has Caused me to be Fruitful. Their symbol is the bull.

Bejamin’s name means son of my right hand. Their Symbol is the big brave wolf.

Levi’s name means Joined. Note: because Levi is of the priesthood, they do not have a tribal banner.

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Understanding Hosea: God’s Love and Redemption

Hosea
Hosea 3:1(NKJV)Then the LORD said to me again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans


Hosea is the first of 12 books known as the Minor Prophets. The term is used to identify the length of the books not their importance as prophets.

Author

  • Hosea whose name means ‘Salvation or Deliverance”
  • The prophet of love

Date

  • 750 B.C

Theme

  • The love of God and His yearning for His people to return to Him.
  • God’s love revealed through the Hosea’s love for an unfaithful wife.

Purpose

  • Hosea prophesies to the northern kingdom of Israel during the same time Isaiah primary prophesied to the southern kingdom of Judah.
  • His message came shortly before the fall of Samaria to Assyria.
  • Hosea was told to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him. This was to demonstrate Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and God’s unfailing love to an idolatrous people.

Content

  • Hosea’s family life Hosea 1:1-3:5
    • Hosea 1:2,3(NKJV) When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry for the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the LORD So, he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son
    • Hosea 3:1-3(NKJV) Then the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the LORD for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.” So, I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley And I said to her, “You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot nor shall you have a man-so, too, will I be toward you.”
      • Speaks of redemptions
  • Israel’s sin Hosea 4:1-6:3
    • Hosea 4:1-3(NKJV) Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, Killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all
      restraint, With bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore, the land will mourn; And everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.
    • Hosea 4:6(NKJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me, Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
    • Hosea 6:1,2(NKJV) Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us, He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up. That we may live in His sight.
  • Punishment for Israel’s disobedience Hosea 6:4-10:15
    • Hosea 8:1-3 (NKJV) Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the LORD, My law. Israel will cry to Me, My God, we know You!” Israel has rejected the good; The enemy will pursue him.
  • God’s judgment and mercy Hosea 11:1-14:9
    • Hosea 11:1-11
  • Christ in the Book of Hosea
    • Christ is the one who redeems us from the power of the grave through His death and resurrection.
      • Hosea 13:14(NKJV) I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.”
      • Galatians 3:13(NKJV) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),
      • Romans 5:8(NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    • Jesus rose on the 3rd day.
      • Hosea 6:1,2(NKJV) Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us, He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up. That we may live in His sight.
      • 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Understanding ‘Fear the Lord’ in the Bible

What does it mean when the Bible says to Fear the Lord? There are several Hebrew words that translate into our word fear. Here are some of them along with Bible verses where they appear.

Strong’s H2342 – ḥûl: חוּל chûwl, khool; or חִיל chîyl; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert:—bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded.

  • Psalms 96:9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

 Strong’s H3372 – yārē’: יָרֵא yârêʼ, yaw-ray’; a primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten:—affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), × see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

  • Exodus 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
  • Leviticus 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.
  • Leviticus 25:43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God.
  • Deuteronomy 4:10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
  • Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
  • Deuteronomy 6:2  That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

Strong’s H3373 – yārē’: יָרֵא yârêʼ, yaw-ray’; from H3372; fearing; morally, reverent:—afraid, fear (-ful).

  • Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Psalms 22:23  Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.

Strong’s H3374 – yir’â: יִרְאָה yirʼâh, yir-aw’; feminine of H3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence:—× dreadful, × exceedingly, fear(-fulness).

  • Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
  • Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
  • Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Strong’s H4172 – môrā’: מוֹרָא môwrâʼ, mo-raw’; or מֹרָא môrâʼ; or מוֹרָה môwrâhxlit môrâh corrected to môwrâh; (Psalm 9:20), from H3372; fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed:—dread, (that ought to be) fear(-ed), terribleness, terror.

  • Psalms 9:20 Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
  • Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.

Strong’s H6343 – paḥaḏ פַּחַד pachad, pakh’-ad; from H6342; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling):—dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great (fear, -ly feared), terror.

  • 2 Chronicles 17:10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

As you can see, fear has a variety of degrees of meanings. Sometimes fear means to be reverent and respectful. Other times fear means to be alarmed. At the bare minimum when we fear God, we need to be extremely respectful and morally reverent.

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Understanding Prophecy in the Book of Daniel

CONTEXT

  • Around 650 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, plundered Solomon’s temple, and exiled many people to Babylon, which is now modern-day Iraq. The Babylonians had overpowered the provinces of Assyria and unified their empire, spanning much of the Middle East. Educated slaves or those with valuable skills became essential workers in the government’s administrative system.


DATE

  • The book of Daniel was written during the Babylonian exile of 605BC-536BC.
  • There are several pieces of evidence that supports this timeframe.
    • Josephus, the first-century AD Jewish historian, stated that Alexander the Great was shown the prophecies of Daniel in 332BC.
    • Ezekiel, a contemporary of Daniel’s, mentions Daniel three times (Ez. 14:14, 20: 28:3).
    • The writer shows an accurate knowledge of sixth-century BC events, as well as knowledge of Chaldean manners, customs, history, and religion that point to an eyewitness account.
    • The Hebrew and Aramaic languages used by the author are from the Babylonian period.


AUTHOR

  • The author refers to himself as Daniel throughout the book (7:1, 28; 8:1, 15; 9:2; 10:2).
  • Jesus also refers to Daniel as the prophet who spoke of “the abomination of desolation” (Mt. 24:15).
  • Daniel was from the royal family (1:3), probably from Jerusalem. He deported as a teenager in 605BC to Babylon, where he lived over 60 years.
  • He initially served as a trainee in Nebuchadnezzar’s court but advanced to the highest positions in the administrations of three empires-Babylonian, Mede, and Persian.


LANGUAGES

  • The book of Daniel is written in two languages: 1:1-2:4a and 8:1-12:13 are in Hebrew.
  • The rest of the book, 2:4b-7:28 is in Aramaic.
  • The Aramaic part deals primarily with God’s dealing with the Gentile/pagan nations.
  • The Hebrew sections deal with the Jews and their relationship with other nations.


FORM

  • The book of Daniel contains two major divisions.
    • The first division (chapters 1-6) involves historical narratives illustrating the sovereign rule of God.
    • The second division (chapes 7-12) involves prophecies illustrating the sovereign rule of God.


THEME

  • The overall theme of the book of Daniel is to show that the God of Israel, the one true God is sovereign and in control of the destinies of men and nations.


PURPOSE

  • There are four dimensions to the author’s purpose.
    • First, Daniel highlights the stark difference between God’s omnipotence and the powerlessness of the Babylonian gods. No matter how much effort the magicians, wise men, and astrologers in the king’s court put in, they could never uncover the truth. False spiritual guides can never match the wisdom and might of God.
    • Secondly, Daniel shows that God disrupts the plans of the most powerful monarchs but protects those servants who stay loyal to Him.
    • Third, Daniel reveals that the course of history is determined by a divine plan.
    • Finally, the Holy Spirit working through Daniel outlines the course of world history as it relates to the people of God.

CONTENT

  • God’s program for Daniel (Daniel 1:1-21)
    • The Deportation of Daniel (Daniel 1:1-7)
      •  Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
    • The Dedication of Daniel (Daniel 1:8-16)
      • Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
    • The prosperity of Daniel (Daniel 1:17-21)
      • Daniel 1:19-20 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
  • God’s program for the Gentiles (Daniel 2:1-7:28)
    • The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:1-49)
      •  Daniel 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
      • Daniel 2:28-29 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
    • The image of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:1-30)
      • Daniel 3:1-2 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
    • The humiliation and restoration of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1-37)
      • Daniel 4:24-26 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
      • Daniel 4:33-34 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
    • The feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5:1-31)
      • Daniel 5:1-2 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
      • Daniel 5:30-31 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
    • The deliverance of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-28)
      • Daniel 6:16-18 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
      • Daniel 6:21-23 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
    • The Dream of Daniel (Daniel 7:1-28)
      •  Daniel 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
      •  Daniel 715-16 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
  • God’s Program for Israel (Daniel 8:1-12:13)
    • The vision of the ram and the he goat 8:1-27
      • Daniel 8:5-6 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
    • The vision of the “70 Weeks” (Daniel 9:1-27)
      • Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
    • The Final vision (Daniel 10:1-12:13)
      • The preparation of Daniel (Daniel 10:1-11:1)
        • Daniel 10:1-3 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
      • Events from Daniel’s time to the tribulation (Daniel 11:2-35)
        • Daniel 11:2-5 And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. And the king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes; and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion; his dominion shall be a great dominion.
      • Events during the tribulation (Daniel 11:36-12:1)
        • Daniel 11:36-37 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
      • Events at the end of the tribulation (Daniel 12:2-3)
        • Daniel 12:2-3 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
      • Conclusion (Daniel 12:4-13)
        • Daniel 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.


Jesus in the Book of Daniel

  • Son of Man
    • Daniel 3:20-25 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
    • Daniel 7:14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
  • The Stone
    • The Stone destroys the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream. That Stone is symbolic of Jesus. The Kingdom of Jesus shall stand forever.
      • Daniel 2:44-45 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
      • Psalms 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
      • Matthew 21:42 Jesus asked them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The [very] Stone which the builders rejected and threw away, Has become the chief Cornerstone; This is the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous and wonderful in our eyes’?
Old Testament Overview: Key Themes Explained

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Understanding the Ten Plagues of Egypt for Kids

LORD sent Moses and Aaron to ask pharaoh to let God’s people go so they may worship God in the wilderness, but Pharaoh said no so God sent the 10 plagues on Egypt. After all of that Pharaoh said get out and take your people with you. So, Mose led the people out of Egypt. That is the story of the exodus when the people left Egypt. Here are the 10 Plagues, if you have a bible turn to them.

  1. Nile rivers turn to blood 
    • Genesis 7:17-18 Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
  2. Frogs
    • Genesis 8:1-5 And the Lord spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading troughs: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. And the Lord Spake unto Moses, say unto Aaron, stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
  3. Lice
    • Exodus 8:16-17 And the Lord said unto Moses, say unto Aaron, stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
  4. Flies: The Egyptians had flies, but the Israelites did not.
    • Genesis 8:20-23 And the Lord said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be.
  5. The cattle of Egypt died, but the cattle of the children of Israel didn’t die.
    • Genesis 9:3-6 Behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel. And the Lord appointed a set time, saying, Tomorrow the Lord shall do this thing in the land. And the Lord did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one.
  6. Boils:
    • Genesis 9:8-10 And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
  7. Thunder, Hail, and Fire
    • Genesis 9:18-20 Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. He that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the Lord left his servants and his cattle in the field. And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
    • Genesis 9:26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.
  8. Locusts
    • Genesis 10:4-6 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself and went out from Pharaoh.
  9. Darkness
    • Genesis 10:21-23 And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
  10. All of the first-born both human and animal in the land of Egypt died
    • All that did not have the lamb’s blood on their door died, but all that had the blood of the Lamb the Lord passed over them that is how we get Passover. Many people now call part of Passover Easter.
    • Genesis 11:4-7 And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first born of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.
Bible Studies by Bell

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Understand the book of Ezekial

Ezekiel 36:24-26(NKJV) For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.


Author

  • Ezekiel
  • Ezekiel means either “God Strengthens” or “God is Strong”
  • He was married. It is believed that his wife died during captivity.
  • Ministered at the same time as Daniel
  • Highly educated, from a priestly family
  • He was 25 years old when taken into captivity


Date

  • 593-573 B.C.
  • During the Babylonian captivity, Judah was taken captive in three stages:
    • Daniel and companions taken in first invasion
    • 9 years later Ezekiel was taken during the second invasion
    • 11 years after the second invasion Jerusalem fell and those remaining (except for the very poor) were taken into captivity
    • The journey to Babylon took 3-4 months, approximately 1500 miles (many died along the way)


Theme

  • Destruction of Jerusalem because of disobedience and the future restoration because of the covenant promises of God

Purpose

  • Ezekiel addressed the personal responsibility for morality. We find two major doctrines within the book.
    • The Doctrine of Man
      • Ezekiel 18:4(NKJV) “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
    • The Doctrine of Grace, Rebirth, and the Work of the Holy Spirit
      • Ezekiel 37:1-14
        • The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
        • 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
        • 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.
        • 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
        • 5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
        • 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
        • 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
        • 8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
        • 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
        • 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
        • 11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
        • 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
        • 13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
        • 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.


Content

  • Ezekiel’s call Chapters 1-3
    • Ezekiel 2:3-8 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
    • 4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.
    • 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.
    • 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
    • 7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.
    • 8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.
    • Ezekiel 3:17(NKJV) “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
  • Judah’s judgment Chapters 4-24
    • Ezekiel 6:2-8 on of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,
    • 3 And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
    • 4 And your altars shall be desolate, and your images shall be broken: and I will cast down your slain men before your idols.
    • 5 And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.
    • 6 In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished.
    • 7 And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
    • 8 Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
  • Prophecy concerning heathen nations Chapters 25-32
    • Ammon
    • Moab
    • Edom
    • Philistia
    • Tyre (Ezekiel 28 & Isaiah 28 – The Fallen Star (Satan))
    • Egypt
  • Future blessings and restoration Chapters 33-48
    • Ezekiel 36:22-30 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
    • 23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
    • 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
    • 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
    • 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.
    • 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
    • 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
    • 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.
    • 30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.
  • Restoration of the Temple Chapters 40-46


Christ in the Book of Ezekiel

  • Ezekiel as a type of Christ
    • “Son of Man” (90 times within the book)
  • Jesus as the Chief Shepherd
    • Ezekiel 34:23,24(NKJV) I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them-My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.
  • Jesus as the river of life flowing from the temple
    • Ezekiel 47:1-12 Then he [my guide] brought me back to the door of the house [the temple of the Lord]; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house (temple) toward the east, for the front of the temple was facing east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by the way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was spurting out from the south side [of the gate]. When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water that was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water that was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand [cubits] and led me through the water, water reaching the hips. Again he measured a thousand [cubits]; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be crossed [by wading]. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah (the Jordan Valley); then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the Dead Sea shall be healed and become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be a very great number of fish, because these waters go there so that the waters of the sea are healed and become fresh; so everything will live wherever the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it [at the banks of the Dead Sea]; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be dry places to spread nets. Their fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great [Mediterranean] Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh [and wholesome for animal life]; they will [as the river subsides] be left encrusted with salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They shall bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
    • Revelation 22:1-4 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Christ), in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will no longer exist anything that is cursed [because sin and illness and death are gone]; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve and worship Him [with great awe and joy and loving devotion];  they will [be privileged to] see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
      • The marks on the foreheads are important because they declare who you belong to. This is a spiritual mark.
        • Ezekiel 9:3-6 Then the [[Shekinah] glory and brilliance of the God of Israel (the cloud) went up from the cherubim on which it had rested, to [stand above] the threshold of the [Lord’s] temple. And the Lord called to the man clothed with linen, who had the scribe’s writing case at his side. The Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, throughout all of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh [in distress] and grieve over all the repulsive acts which are being committed in it.” But to the others I heard Him say, “Follow him [the man with the scribe’s writing case] throughout the city and strike; do not let your eyes have pity and do not spare [anyone]. Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women; but do not touch or go near anyone on whom is the mark. Begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple [who did not have the Lord’s mark on their foreheads].

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