¹² The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. ¹³ And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. ¹⁴ For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. ¹⁵ (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) ¹⁶ And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)

What, or where, is Armageddon? According to Wikipedia, “The word “Armageddon” appears only once in the Greek New Testament, in Revelation 16:16. The word may come from Hebrew har məgiddô (הר מגידו), meaning “Mountain of Megiddo”. “Mount” Megiddo is not actually a mountain, but a tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot)[4] on which ancient forts were built to guard the Via Maris, an ancient trade route linking Egypt with the northern empires of Syria, Anatolia and Mesopotamia. Megiddo was the location of various ancient battles, including one in the 15th century BC and one in 609 BC.” It turns out that another very important battle culminated at or about Megiddo even before 609 BC, and as I continue to study Megiddo’s history and Revelation 16 I am thinking that Armageddon does not refer to a literal physical location on earth at all.

This study all began with a dream given to my youngest daughter last weekend which prompted my wife and me to consider Armageddon in more detail. In the dream my daughter and some others strategized and “killed” Armageddon, who was at that time the most evil person in all the earth. After the assassination Armageddon’s followers determined to kill everyone involved in that conspiracy, but they could not kill these saints directly. Instead they had to somehow take control of their minds and bring them to the point where they would kill themselves, suicide themselves. They did not want to kill the conspirators themselves for “political reasons.” These demons then captured my daughter  and her sister. They stood before them to strike fear into them, but she told them, “You are not going to get me to commit suicide.” Then she awoke.

My wife and I both believe the dream to be prophetic so we have attempted to understand it. Here is what we have so far. There are only a few references to Megiddo in Scripture, but we believe they shed light on this dream and the mysterious concept from the Book of Revelation.

The first mentions of Megiddo in the Bible reveal that it was a Canaanite city given to the tribe of Manasseh. Joshua 17:11-12 shows that Manasseh could not drive out the Canaanites in Megiddo, but that they persisted in dwelling in that land. This is our first clue, Megiddo is a Canaanite stronghold.  Looking to the last verse in Zechariah we read, “Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.“ (Zechariah 14:21 KJV) Some new versions of the Bible translate “Canaanite” with the word “trader” or “merchant.” Revelation 18:11-24 deals with the destruction of the Canaanites (merchants) in the Day of the LORD. So, Megiddo relates to a Canaanite spirit of making merchandise of all things including the souls of men (as we see in Revelation 18:13).

The next important thing we see related to Megiddo occurs in Judges 5 which records the song of Deborah and Barak. Verse 5:19 says, ‘The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.” (Judges 5:19 KJV) Earlier verses of the song reveal that these “kings” who came to fight were “the remnant of the noble; the people of the LORD.” (Judges 5:13) They came to fight the “kings of Canaan” at and about Megiddo. Deborah and Barak sing their song because these princes of the LORD defeated the Canaanite kings.

In the Scripture “the remnant” typically refers to God’s overcomers, to the few whom God chooses among all that he calls. Various words or phrases in Scripture refer to these overcomers, like the Bride of Christ and Sons of God, for example. God gave the victory to his overcomers at that time in this battle against the Canaanite strongholds around Megiddo. Remember from previous studies that all historical events recorded in the Bible serve as spiritual parables relating to future events. I believe that this song records a parable concerning events having to do with my daughter’s dream and these days we live in. The historical account of Jael killing Sisera, which culminated the victory of these Canaanite kings, sheds much light on this. The next post will discuss this.

Now consider the map below and note the locations of Megiddo, Jezreel, and Tanaach. All of these places have ramifications which we will discover as we proceed in this study. You can access the map directly by clicking here.

Map showing location of Megiddo, Jezreel, and Tanaach

Observe that the Plain of Megiddo and the Valley of Jezreel appear to run into one another. One source says, “Descending from the watershed E-ward to Jordan. W. of the watershed is Plain of Megiddo, which later bore Greek form of name `Jezreel’, i.e. Esdraelon: Scholars include it in the O.T. term `Valley of Jezreel’.” So, it appears that Megiddo and Jezreel speak of the same general place in Israel. This is very interesting indeed for if Megiddo and Jezreel speak of the same place, then Megiddo is the place where God judged Queen Jezebel.

Finally, consider that most people believe that the word Armageddon refers to the “Mount of Megiddo,” but that Megiddo itself is not a mountain, but a plain. Perhaps the “har” at the beginning of the word really speaks about the top or “head” of Megiddo.

(to be continued…)

A song of ascents. Of David.[a]

124 “If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,”
do let Israel say,
2 “If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side,
when men rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us alive,
when their anger was kindled against us.
4 Then the waters would have flooded over us,
the torrent would have passed over our soul.
5 Then over our soul would have passed
the raging waters.”
6 Blessed be Yahweh,
who has not made[b] us prey for their teeth.
7 Our soul has escaped like a bird
from the snare of fowlers.
The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of Yahweh,
maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124 Lexham English Bible)

As we continue to ascend to the throne of God we must realize that our hope does not rest in men at all, but in God alone. I believe a companion passage which sheds light on this psalm is chapter 2 from Isaiah, which says,

Isaiah 2
English Standard Version (ESV)

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
3 and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go the law,[a]
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord.

6 For you have rejected your people,
the house of Jacob,
because they are full of things from the east
and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,
and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.
7 Their land is filled with silver and gold,
and there is no end to their treasures;
their land is filled with horses,
and there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is filled with idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their own fingers have made.
9 So man is humbled,
and each one is brought low—
do not forgive them!
10 Enter into the rock
and hide in the dust
from before the terror of the Lord,
and from the splendor of his majesty.
11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
12 For the Lord of hosts has a day
against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;
13 against all the cedars of Lebanon,
lofty and lifted up;
and against all the oaks of Bashan;
14 against all the lofty mountains,
and against all the uplifted hills;
15 against every high tower,
and against every fortified wall;
16 against all the ships of Tarshish,
and against all the beautiful craft.
17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,
and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,
and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
18 And the idols shall utterly pass away.
19 And people shall enter the caves of the rocks
and the holes of the ground,[b]
from before the terror of the Lord,
and from the splendor of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.
20 In that day mankind will cast away
their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
which they made for themselves to worship,
to the moles and to the bats,
21 to enter the caverns of the rocks
and the clefts of the cliffs,
from before the terror of the Lord,
and from the splendor of his majesty,
when he rises to terrify the earth.

22 Stop regarding man
in whose nostrils is breath,
for of what account is he?

First, notice how many themes this passage from Isaiah mentions that we have already discussed in the first four steps of ascent: 1) the latter days (these days), 2) the mountain of the LORD (the mountain we are now ascending just as Moses ascended the fiery mountain long ago), 3) the House of the LORD (we are God’s house), 4) Zion,  5) Jerusalem (like many Old Testament prophesies this refers to New Jerusalem), and 6) Separation (in this chapter verses 2-5 relate to God’s Overcomers in the House of Jacob (believers in the One God) while verses 6-22 concern believers who instead rely upon the world and the ways of the world. This is why it ends with the stark warning, “Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”

It is verse 22, just quoted, which really ties Isaiah 2 to Psalm 124 for this song makes it clear that the sojourner relies upon God and only upon God for his deliverance. Had he relied upon man then he would have been caught in man’s snare. But, because he made God his refuge, God delivered him from man’s evil plans.

Anyone watching current events knows that man has now devised and implemented evil plans for the faithful followers of God. These schemes have been secretly conceived and brought to birth for many years now. America, once considered to the be the Christian land of the free, has now become the haunt of every evil demon and human perpetrator of vile deeds. Laws have now been enacted which will allow for our indefinite detention without trial. The stage is set to totally destroy the faithful from the land, but God has another plan.

I choose to trust God for my deliverance from today’s ever-present evil. I choose to take the fifth step up the mountain into God’s consuming fire. And like Isaiah I say to those who would hesitate, ”Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. (Isaiah 8:16-22 KJV)

This blog is now about four years old. During that time I have endeavored to teach God’s Word concerning his overcomers.  My goal has been to understand God’s teaching about overcoming, put that teaching into practice, and to teach others to do the same.  I hope that these writings have helped some to find and stay upon that narrow path which leads to New Jerusalem, our eternal home.

I stated a few weeks ago that I believe that I am to “stand down” from this work. I still believe that, but God’s work continues and I will continue to work as God calls me to. If anyone new comes to this site before tribulation on earth prevents that from happening, then please use the tags, categories, search, and links to find answers to your spiritual questions as you seek to follow God. I speak the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the “law and the testimony” as Isaiah says. Today’s church became corrupt because she threw off God’s law and testimony and thus became a wicked and lewd harlot, a willing participant in and of Mystery Babylon. Christians are called to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Today’s church by and large is happy to be both in and of the world.

The word of God in Isaiah and Revelation to “come out of her,” and to “come out of Babylon” is the word to depart from the ways of the world. “Do not love the world,” says the apostle John. Many have loved the world and cherished her idols instead of following God’s way, his law and testimony. To any of you new to this site who wish to depart from the ways of the world, then read, read, read! This site will help you to understand and to overcome. But the day is far spent and a new day comes. It will begin with much anguish and tribulation for you who are not ready. Again I say, read the posts on this blog to get ready (if you have time)!

Now, for the foreseeable future, I will be writing on another blog called www.day-of-the-lord.com. Click here to get there.  The posts there will now begin with prophetic utterances by Isaiah which are about to be fulfilled.

That day is at hand.

Psalm 12 contains several important prophecies concerning these last days.

First David earnestly seeks God’s intervention because God’s people are being destroyed throughout the earth. He desperately declares that he can no longer find faithful people among men. Surely this describes the scarcity of righteousness and holiness among those who name the Name of God in our time.

 “Save, O Lord, for ^(A)the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.” (Psalm 12:1 ESV)

Next he describes the main characteristic of the people that he does find.

Everyone ^(B)utters lies to his neighbor;
    with ^(C)flattering lips and ^(D)a double heart they speak. (Ps. 12:2)

David prophecies of a time when no one can trust the other, a time when people speak simply to flatter someone else, a time when men say one thing but mean another because they speak with a “double heart,” a double mind. We see this clearly in political leaders. They always say exactly what the people want to hear, yet when elected they act contrary to their promises. Once elected they say they are doing what they promised, but they lie. America’s leader today, President Obama, states publicly over and over again that he is doing the exact opposite of what he is really doing. He deliberately lies over and over again and still his supporters believe every word he says. The newspapers dutifully report Obama’s lies and embellish them with their own. On the other hand Republicans have voted overwhelmingly to nominate a man who claims publicly to oppose those things that Obama does and yet Romney’s own past actions and words show that he supports every major policy that Obama has and wants to implement. Everyone it seems loves the lie. Therefore David prays that God will bring an end this lying lawlessness.

3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,

4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail,
our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

I don’t watch the movie stars, the rock stars, the sports stars, or the political stars anymore, but I still remember how they shamelessly honor one another with their lips. Their friends and acquaintances are always the best, the most gracious, the most loving, generous, giving, and lovely person you could ever meet! Their lips, their words, are with them and for them. Who could dare come against them and master them? They are the stars of the earth, the ones everyone looks to for advice, wisdom, and approval. Consider again how President Obama surrounds himself with movie stars and basks in the glow of their never-ending approval. No one can master them!… they think.

But God has other plans, plans which very soon will come into effect.

5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

The time has come for God to arise from his throne and place all of Christ’s enemies under his feet. He has patiently watched for millennia as men threw off the restraints of his laws, both moral and physical. He has even continued watching as man’s breaking of natural laws through genetic modification of plants and animals, biological weapons, chemical weapons, and atomic weapons now threatens to destroy the entire world. But, he can sit idly by and watch no longer. Now he must arise. He must stand and utter his judgment, his terrible judgment.

6 The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

God’s words of judgment will not be like men’s flattering words of lies and deception. God speaks pure words, as pure as the purest silver or gold, words purified seven times, that is, unto perfection.

7 You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us[b] from this generation forever.

Contrary to double-minded, lying men, our LORD will “keep” his words. He will guard “this generation.” Which generation will he guard? He will guard the generation that sees vileness exalted among the children of man, the generation that witnesses the age-old foundation of God’s moral order turned on its head and destroyed. He will guard the generation who live during the times described by the last verse of this prophetic psalm.

8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.

What could be a truer statement than this concerning America in the year 2012? Is it vile? Then it’s exalted. Look at Lady Gaga. Is it vile? Then its exalted. Look at open homosexual activity in America’s military, states that pass laws giving special rights and the right to marry the same sex to homosexuals. Is it vile? Then its exalted. Look at genetically modified plants and animals and the push toward transhumanism in man’s attempt to usurp God’s throne. Look at laws which prohibit ownership and use of God’s creation, like raw milk and healing herbs, and which protect big pharma and other corporations which prey upon the poor. Look at lawless laws like Obamacare which enslave the people to the whims of a few.

And since vileness is exalted by our society it has become true as well that the wicked prowl in every city and lurk on every corner. We live in dark, desperate days. And this is what we should expect because we have entered the Day of the LORD when darkness covers the earth. But, as David prophesies, now it is time for God to arise and God’s Word is certain. He will keep his word! Great tribulation and great judgment is coming upon the wicked. It is but a breath away.

As if foreseeing the days we live in and the taunt of the enemy David says,

“In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ^(A)`Flee like a bird to your mountain, ² for behold, the wicked ^(B)bend the bow; ^(C)they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.’” (Psalm 11:1-2 ESV)

Today all of God’s faithful people still sit in their own homes and huddle together in their tiny churches or home group meetings. They see the LORD’s enemies massing against them in the forms of unrighteous legal mandates which order them to do things they do not want to do, thousands of police departments arrayed in military gear ever ready to take them to places they do not want to go, and in an American military that fights against every nation (or belief) on earth that does not bend to its will. And so the enemy taunts us and says, “Where will you go now? Will you flee to your hide out in a cave in the ground or on some mountain top?” But, like David we say, “No. Only in the LORD do I take refuge.”

Yet, also like David we understand that “³ if ^(D)the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”^[a]  

Yes, we know the ultimate victor of this age-long war and we take refuge in HIM! The final battle is about to begin. I have my armor on and my sword ready. Do you?

Psalm 10 begins with this heartfelt cry, “Why stand you afar off, O LORD? why hide you yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalms 10:1 KJ2000) This has been the woeful wail of God’s people for centuries, even millennia now. I tell people that the signs of the times, the woeful condition of men and the tyrannical rule of despots, prove that the second coming of Christ is near. And many say, “It’s been worse. Just think of the millions killed in the holocaust and the second world war, the millions killed by Stalin, Mao, the first world war, and the American Civil War. Or consider how the peasants in France were abominably treated by the aristocracy leading to their revolution in 1789, the resulting `Reign of Terror’ from 1793 to 1794 and the reign of Napoleon who killed and destroyed all across Europe.” And so with the Psalmist we still say, ”Why stand you afar off, O LORD? why hide you yourself in times of trouble?”

But this time things are different. No longer do we see the potential for destruction of  only thousands or even millions. Now we look directly at the demonic fruition of evil men’s schemes which can, and will if left unchecked, destroy the entire earth and every living being on this earth. As Jesus said,

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22 KJ2000)

Yet even at this late hour we still do not see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked with respect to the blessing of God. He still sends his rain upon the just and the unjust and sometimes does not send rain upon the just even when they pray for and need it for their crops, lands, and animals. He still seems satisfied to allow the wicked to control and even destroy his people. Consider the Muslims in Africa and the Middle East who routinely kill Christian worshippers.

So, by faith we still wait for the rest of Psalm 10 to be fulfilled and for God’s righteous government to finally be established.

The wicked in his pride does persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and blesses the covetous, whom the LORD abhors. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in  any of his thoughts. His ways are always prosperous; your judgments are far above, out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he sneers at them. He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are secretly set against the poor. He lies in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lies in wait to catch the poor: he does catch the poor, when he draws him into his net. He crouches, and lies low, that the poor may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he hides his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand: forget not the humble. Why does the wicked renounce God? he has said in his heart, You will not require it. You have seen it: for you behold mischief and spite, to repay it with your hand: the poor commits himself unto you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till you find none. The LORD is King forever and ever: the nations are perished out of his land. LORD, you have heard the desire of the humble: you will prepare their heart, you will cause your ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress. (Psalms 10:2-18 KJ2000)

In Psalm 9 David prophesies the destruction of the wicked, but first he worships and praises his God.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your ^(A)wonderful deeds.
² I will be glad and ^(B)exult in you;
    I will ^(C)sing praise to your name, ^(D)O Most High.

³ When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before^[c] your presence.
⁴ For you have ^(E)maintained my just cause;
    you have ^(F)sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. (Psalm 9:1-4, ESV)

After praising God and “recounting” his past deeds David begins to prophesy concerning the final judgment upon the men and nations who despise God and his ways. We have now come to the time when these things David predicts will occur.

⁵ You have ^(G)rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
    you have ^(H)blotted out their name forever and ever.
⁶ The enemy came to an end in everlasting ruins;
    their cities you rooted out;
    the very memory of them has perished.

Then David contrasts the kingdoms of men to God’s Kingdom, and describes the foundation of God’s throne for Yahweh establishes his government upon the twin principles of justice and righteousness, truth and mercy, law and grace. And through his own experiences David always remembers that mercy triumphs over judgment.

⁷ But the Lord sits enthroned forever;
    he has established his throne for justice,
⁸ and he ^(I)judges the world with righteousness;
    he ^(J)judges the peoples with uprightness.

Then David calls upon all men at all times to put their trust in this God who saves and praise his holy Name.

But then David remembers the present and his current afflictions, troubles similar to those each of us face even today.

^13 (S)Be gracious to me, O Lord!
    See my affliction from those who hate me,
    O you who lift me up from ^(T)the gates of death,
¹⁴ that I may recount all your praises,
    that in the gates of ^(U)the daughter of Zion
    I may ^(V)rejoice in your salvation.

Yet immediately David begins to prophesy yet again about the sure destruction of the wicked and the exaltation of the “poor and needy,” those who have practiced righteousness and waited patiently and faithfully upon him.

David begins his Psalm 8 song of praise by extolling the majesty of God.

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! who have set your glory above the heavens. (Psalms 8:1 KJ2000)

The Old Testament gives us the name of God primarily as Jehovah, Yahweh,  Yehovah, or LORD, but we see other names used as well, such as Adonai and Elohim. In the New Testament, though, we learn a new name for God, the name Jesus.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12 KJ2000)

In the Old Testament we learn the the Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua, which was usually translated there as Joshua. Jesus himself says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” which means that no one can be reconciled to and have a relationship with God unless he believes in Jesus Christ and approaches God based upon his faith in Jesus alone. Today there exists a great push toward “New Age” syncretistic faith which claims that all “true” religions, like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism,Yoga (and anything else you can think of), lead to God. The Word of God makes it clear this is not true, for one day every knee will bow to Jesus Christ and to him alone when all his enemies are made a footstool for his feet.

Obviously Jesus, who is the God of the Old Testament according to Isaiah 9:6 and many other Scriptures, gave David a revelation of who he was, and David declares his majesty here in verse 1 of Psalm 8. Here David declares victory in the majesty and glory of God and then immediately moves on to the dominion of God’s people which rests upon that foundation of Christ’s majesty and glory.

Out of the mouth of babes and infants have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalms 8:2 KJ2000)

What? This verse shows victory and dominion? Yes, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. Who is a babe and an infant (in the eyes of the world) except for those who foolishly believe upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and who believe what he says? And who is a babe and infant in the eyes of their Father except he or she who is growing in faith and obedience to become a mature son of God?

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father:  for so it seemed good in your sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all you that labor 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 you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:25-30 KJ2000)

Yes, we who believe are the infants and babes David refers to. Now consider, out of our mouths God has ordained strength. Jesus quotes this verse in Matthew 21:16 and uses the word “praise” instead of strength, but the Hebrew word used in Psalm 8:2, עֹז `oz oze, according to Strong’s means, “strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)” and is translated in the King James Version as “boldness, loud, might, power, strength, and strong.” The word first appears in Exodus 15:2 where it is translated “strength.”

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2 KJ2000)

 Notice the name of Jesus, יְשׁוּעָה y@shuw`ah, yesh-oo’-aw, appears in this verse translated as “salvation,” as well as three names for God, יָהּ Yahh yaw, translated here as “LORD,” אֵל ‘el ale translated as “God,” and אֱלֹהִים ‘elohiym el-o-heem’ translated as “God.” This verse clearly, then, relates to Psalm 8:2 and the principle of “first mention” requires us to fully examine all of Exodus 15 to understand the Biblical meaning of  עֹז `oz oze or “strength.”

In Exodus 15:1 Moses proclaims that he is singing this song to the LORD and to the people of Israel. The word Israel is יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’el yis-raw-ale’ and means, “he will rule as God.” Israel, of course, is the name God gave to his people, the descendants of Jacob, the man God also renamed “Israel.” So the name Israel refers to a people who will rule “as God.” Moses uses the word יְהֹוָה Y@hovah yeh-ho-vaw’ which means “self-Existent or Eternal” for LORD in verse 1, which is another name for God.

So, what does Moses mean when he says that the LORD is his strength and his song? Verse 3 says, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.” Then he describes how God has just destroyed the Egyptian army, the greatest army on earth, by supernatural power and means. Next he says,

The depths have covered them: they sank to the bottom as a stone. Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power: your right hand, O LORD, has dashed in pieces the enemy. (Exodus 15:5-6 KJ2000)

Finally Moses prophesies how the rest of the nations shall hear of God’s mighty deeds of strength and tremble in fear.

You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them. You in your mercy have led forth the people whom you have redeemed: you have guided them in your strength unto your holy habitation. The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm they shall be as still as a stone; till your people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, whom you have purchased. You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (Exodus 15:12-18 KJ2000)

Returning to Psalm 8, consider, why did God “ordain strength” to issue from his babes and infants? David says it was because of God’s enemies so that he might still, or destroy, the enemy and the avenger of his people Israel. God spoke and destroyed the enemy of ancient Israel in the days of Moses. How will he destroy Israel’s enemy in the soon coming war? By the strength that comes “out of the mouth of babes and infants” who have believed in him.

The days are upon us when God will birth his overcomers, his babes and infants, into everlasting life in what the Bible calls the revelation of the sons of God. These overcomers will have life (and death) within themselves and will speak with the same creative and destructive force as God did when he delivered Israel from Egypt. The sword of the spirit is the word that comes forth from their mouths to destroy the great enemy who would rule the earth instead of God, the dragon known as Satan.

This dragon will soon reveal himself to the people of earth as he comes down in chariots (ufo’s) in the sight of men pretending to be aliens from another world. Interestingly, Moses even alludes to chariots in verse 4 of this prophetic parable from Exodus 15 which speaks of today. Mike Hoggard is one person who, I believe, has conclusively shown that many times the word chariots in Scripture actually refers to satanic or angelic ufo’s. Many of God’s watchmen now understand that Satan will use an alien deception in order to confuse earth’s people about Christ’s actual second coming. I suggest you read web postings and books by Douglas Hamp and Thomas Horn for more information about this.

A three and one half year great tribulation is about to begin. When it begins both Satan and God will appear in great power. Neither will look like what people have been led to believe and many people will be deceived. You must fill yourselves with the oil of God’s Spirit and Word now. God will not leave his people unprotected when the enemy comes in like a flood, but you need to have discernment in order to know who to trust and you need to know the truth so that you will not believe the lie. The glorified sons of God will be on earth at this time. They will create cities of refuge in the wilderness for God’s people. They will provide food, water, and all necessities of life. But, Satan’s demonic host under the guise of space aliens who looks like us will also be here to deceive. You must not take the mark of the beast. You will be provided for if you believe God’s promises, but if you take the mark during these days it appears to me that you cannot then overcome during the great tribulation.

New Jerusalem awaits those who believe and trust Christ just as Moses proclaims in his prophetic song:

You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever. (Exodus 15:17-18 KJ2000)

Listen to the song Victory & Dominion

Psalm 7 deals with the sure destruction of all who live in wickedness and seek not God’s righteousness. But it begins by assuring God’s people of his care for and deliverance of them.

O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest they tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. (Psalms 7:1-2 KJ2000)

Remember Peter’s words, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Satan’s goal is to “tear our soul, rending it in pieces.” He desires to destroy our mind, our will, and our emotions. He uses wicked men to achieve these ends.

Three groups of men currently exist on earth, the wicked, the righteous, and the double-minded (the double-minded are the lukewarm believers that Jesus rebukes in the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22). In our present time God’s final call to repent before the Tribulation begins has just gone forth to the wicked and the Laodicean Church.

David makes it clear in Psalm 7 that he does not consider himself among the wicked or among the Laodiceans.  He says,

O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah. (Psalms 7:3-5 KJ2000)

Think carefully about what David prays here. Remember David’s own gross sins of adultery, betrayal, and murder. David did exactly what he prays here. He did reward Uriah with evil, a man who was at peace with him. David’s own prayer thus asks God to let the enemy persecute his soul, tread down his life upon the earth, and lay his honor in the dust. Why didn’t God do this to him? He did. Just consider the judgments that David suffered after his sins concerning Bathsheba and Uriah. But, God did not utterly destroy David because David repented of his sins. God restored him during his life and qualified him for rule in the Kingdom of God as an overcomer. Therefore, David next prays,

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me. (Psalms 7:8 KJ2000)

In Psalm 4 we saw that David’s righteousness consists of Christ’s righteousness by faith. In Psalm 5 we learned that the one who desires to be righteous repudiates the way of the sinner and chooses the way of God. All of David’s words show that he lives like this. Yes, he momentarily lapses into sin, even the grossest of sins, but he always repents and seeks the purification of God’s Word and Spirit. He expects God to perform his word and to finally actually make him righteous. And so he continues praying,

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tests the minds and hearts. (Psalms 7:9 KJ2000)

It is now time for this prayer to be fulfilled. The prayer even applies to David and all God’s overcomers because God’s goal is that one day the wickedness of all men will come to an end. The difference between overcomers and everyone else is that although they too have done wickedly, they have repented of their sins and they now seek their own righteousness by faith which is the righteousness of Christ. Now it is time for the wickedness of the wicked, that is, all who are not overcomers, to come to an end too.

My defence is with God, who saves the upright in heart. God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turns not, he will whet his sword; he has bent his bow, and made it ready. He has also prepared for himself the instruments of death; he makes ready his arrows against the persecutors. Behold, he brought forth iniquity, and has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. He made a pit, and dug it, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own crown.

“If he turns not” means that if a wicked or double-minded person will not repent, then  God’s judgment in tribulation will come upon him. This passage also makes it clear that the judgment that comes upon him will be a disaster of his own making, for he will fall into his own pit and the very mischief he has made will return upon his own head. I think of the ways man is destroying God’s creation right now and how that destruction will return to destroy him. Consider, for example, chemtrails, weather modification, genetically modified plants (like corn and soy beans which kill trial animals) and mutant animals (like mosquitoes genetically modified to “eradicate dengue fever” which were released into the environment and called “angels” because of the good they were designed to do according to a recent NPR report), scalar weapons, microwave weapons, radioactivity (from weapon use and the recent Japanese tsunami which caused a nuclear reactor accident), oil spills, and indiscriminate use of poisons like corexit to try to hide those oil spills. It is easy to imagine plagues and famine arising from these engines of man’s stupidity (which he calls wisdom and science) and his callous disregard for the good earth that God created.

We will see in later Psalms that the day may soon come when we will literally see thousands fall in destruction around us, but God will keep us safe because we have made him our refuge instead of man.

I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. (Psalms 7:10-17 KJ2000)