How to know God

    As I was praying this morning these thoughts came into my mind. I had a best friend in grade school; today we rarely talk.  I became friends with an older woman a few years ago; we talk once a week.  I have another older woman friend; we talk every day. We share pretty much everything about ourselves and our family, our hopes and dreams, our sorrows and pains.  Which of these three do you think that knows me the best? Which one do I know the best? 

    Many people know ABOUT God. "Yes, there is a God," many might say, but do they KNOW God? I mean because God is infinite, we cannot know EVERYTHING about who God is, obviously, but do we have a relationship with Him?  Do you think of Him like a sort of santa claus; here's my wish list, and if I don't get the things on my list then I won't believe in you anymore? Do you talk to God once a week, in church? Once in a while when you need something? I have heard it said that we should practice the presence of God. In other words, pretend for a moment that He is walking beside you every moment of every day. (Which is, in fact, the case). When you wake up, even before you jump out of bed, speak with Him. I have heard of people who set an hourly alarm to remind them to say a prayer every hour on the hour.  Now these aren't long drawn out prayers, nor are they simply a repetition of, "Our Father, who art in Heaven...", but maybe just a quick, thanks for a specific blessing, or they are reminded of a person in their past that they want to ask a blessing over. We have the example of Daniel, in Daniel chapter 6:10 "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Morning, noon and night are great times to say a prayer to God. When you get up ask Him to be with you during the day and turn yourself and your day over to His capable hands. In the middle of the day praise Him for something. And before you go to sleep, Thank Him for all His blessings. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.6.KJV

    And how might you ask does God talk to me?  Occasionally one might have a thought, for lack of a better term, downloaded, into their brains. If we learn to listen to these promptings God will make them more distinguishable from the other thoughts that meander through our brains.(Be careful to discern whether the thought is from God or satan.) Isaiah 8:20 "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.8.KJV In other words, if a thought goes against Biblical teachings then it isn't from God. So one must know what the Bible teaches in order to be able to discern which "spirit" is speaking to them, God's or satan's.  When we ignore these thoughts, eventually they grow quieter and quieter until we can no longer hear them at all.  This is when our consciences become seared and we have grieved God's Holy Spirit away. The other way we hear from God is through His written word. How many of you take a Bible with you to church? After church does it just come home and get put on a shelf until next week? Many people, who say that they read the Bible, have a yearly reading plan and they simply read the words, but usually gain very little of it.  The Bible itself says, in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2TI.2.KJV Study involves more that just a cursory reading; it even involves more that simply memorizing verses, Although these things are good, in and of themselves, study involves taking a specific passage and comparing it with other scripture, as Isaiah 28:10 "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.28.KJV  Some passages of scripture are pretty straight forward, but even these can be compare with other scriptures to get a wider picture. Other scripture is more difficult to understand and a good concordance will help with these studies. There is a dire warning in Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV There will be many people who think that just because they read the Bible, or preached sermons, or did many wonderful works that they should be saved, but they didn't really KNOW God. If we don't take time to talk to God, not just in a hurried, or repetitive, or in a nominal way. If we don't take time to read AND study God's word, then He will one day say, "I never knew you."  That will be the saddest day of anyone's life. The following link is a ministry that I have found that does this "line by line" kind of Bible study. The link is the beginning of their study on the book of Daniel.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YARGSoQ80K0&list=PLa2xyjHSwcZ3EQgXyoAsILqBjySEC76_7&index=111 And here is the link for the first study guide. https://www.prophesyagain.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/01/Notes/Daniel-the-Prophet-Daniel-1.pdf  I pray that each of you will get to know God better every day and one day be in heaven.

Jesus KNOWS our suffering

Jesus was considered by many as a bastard child: Matthew 1:18 "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.1.KJV

Jesus had step-siblings: Matthew 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.13.KJV

Jesus family didn't believe in him: John 7:3 "His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him."

Jesus' earthly dad died: John 19:25 "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.19.KJV If Joseph had been alive at this point, this would not have been necessary for Jesus to say.

Jesus was not a beautiful person, as we think of beauty: "1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

He had no kids: 8 "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken."

He was murdered: 9 "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.53.KJV

Not only was He murdered, but He was murdered by his own people, His own church. Matthew 27:1 "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.27.KJV

They said that Jesus had a demon: John 10:19 "There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"

Jesus was never married: There is no Biblical record of this. Although he does say this about being alone. John 16:32 "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.16.KJV

All of Jesus closest friends left him. Mark 14:48 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.14.KJV

Jesus was born in a barn: Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.2.KJV

Jesus grew up poor: Luke 2:22 "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.2.KJV  Leviticus 14:21 "And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil; 22 and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering. 23And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LEV.14.KJV Also with only his mother alive, they didn't have a good income anymore. Luke 9:58 "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.9.KJV

He knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty: Luke 4:2 :being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.4.KJV Mark 11:12 "And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:" https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.11.KJV John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.19.KJV

He grew up in a very bad neighborhood: John 1:45 "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.KJV

If you think that no one knows what you are going through, Jesus does. He was tempted just like we are Hebrews 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.4.KJV   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYoGvMywMg

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.3.KJV

The personhood of the Holy Spirit

Genesis 1:1,2,26

U D G L E O N K S N G I R U B S R L X S 
R U I C E T O M W A N E V E L O W K P J 
P E A O H T P B A J I E W B I O L I F H 
W F V I V A U D M E P D M E F F R G O D 
J D N O X L A J A F E P T G A I Q M Z F 
S G Y R D R X R K X E J V I T F N U U R 
T B M M K B C H E P R R Z N B Y T R A D 
K N M N H W T O O L C M T N E H H E I F 
D E E P U E I U E U T X N I V S T M R A 
R S O G P T R T G E N T S N E I R A U J 
S G F E M R O F H D W O A G R F A N D L 
S S E N E K I L S O R H I C Y G E E H L 
H R I M A G E T L E U U I N M Y V A E S 
C G T V E V H G T F L T S Y I O C P A Y 
J A R N K E U Y E H T F C U M M W M V R 
Y Y D N M H G A P K M E V A H B O P E F 
Q A W G K M E K X E Y T F L T V T D N Y 
B Q K W A Y E Y W J A D H I X K A T C Q 
C R E A T E D Y F X Y J L G D E V Y S U 
K Z L C Z B D O S R E T A W L L T R O B 

AFTER  AIR  BEGINNING  CATTLE  CREATED  CREEPETH  CREEPING  DARKNESS  DEEP  DOMINION  EARTH  EVERY  FACE  FISH  FORM
FOWL  GOD  HAVE  HEAVEN  IMAGE  LET  LIKENESS  MAKE  MAN  MOVED  OUR  OVER  SAID  SEA  SPIRIT  THEM  THING  UPON  VOID
WATERS  WITHOUT

Scripture reading for today is found in Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV  In a previous blog we learned that according to John 1:1-3 ; https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.KJV “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”; that Jesus was one of 3 persons involved in creation. (see previous blog here: https://iodtiger.blogspot.com/2018/07/examining-each-text-more-on-jesusgod.html ) Today however, we are looking at the third member of the Godhead, who is also called, our comforter and the Spirit of truth, according to John 15:26  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.15.KJV “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:”  I have heard people say that they Holy Spirit is not an individual person but rather God's "push" or active force here on earth.  Let's look at a few scriptures to see what the Bible actually says about this matter.  John 16:13 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.16.KJV "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." and John 16:7, 8 (KJV) "7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"  This is one of the clearest texts that I found in all of my research. Obviously when Jesus says that he is sending someone else called "The Comforter", Jesus is not speaking about Himself. The Bible clearly refers to the Holy Spirit as a "He". He was also involved in creation according to Genesis 1:2 (KJV) "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV  The Holy Spirit helps us, and is again called 'he' in Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.8.KJV The Holy Spirit can be grieved. Ephesians 4:30 "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." https://my.bible.com/bible/1/EPH.4.KJV The Holy Spirit is a teacher. Luke 12:12 "for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.12.KJV Was present not only at creation and in the New Testament but was also in the rest of the Old Testament. Isaiah 63:11"Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?" https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.63.KJV And also in Psalm 51:11Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.51.KJV  While there is not a whole lot of verses that describe the Holy Spirit it is clear from scripture that the Holy Spirit is a third "person" in the Godhead.  Notice that I did not say trinity. In the Catholic doctrine about the trinity. there is one being with three personalities, and that God the Father created Jesus, and that God and Jesus created the Holy Spirit. "This is an intellectual “begetting,” and fittingly so, as a “word” proceeds from the knower while, at the same time remaining in the knower. Thus, this procession or begetting of the Son occurs within the inner life of God. There are not “two beings” involved; rather, two persons relationally distinct, while ever-remaining one in being. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, but not in a generative sense; rather, in a spiration. “Spiration” comes from the Latin word for “spirit” or “breath.” Jesus “breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit…” (John 20:22). Scripture reveals the Holy Spirit as pertaining to “God’s love [that] has been poured into our hearts” in Romans 5:5, and as flowing out of and identified with the reciprocating love of the Father for the Son and the Son for the Father (John 15:26; Rev. 22:1-2). Thus, the Holy Spirit’s procession is not intellectual and generative, but has its origin in God’s will and in the ultimate act of the will, which is love. As an infinite act of love between the Father and Son, this “act” is so perfect and infinite that “it” becomes (not in time, of course, but eternally) a “He” in the third person of the Blessed Trinity. The weakness, of course, is that in God each person possesses the one infinite and immutable divine nature, and is therefore, one being." https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/explaining-the-trinity  The Bible clearly does not teach this fallacy.  There are 3 distinct individuals that are all God, co-eternal, three different jobs to do for each of them. One in purpose, perfect and Holy.

Go woke, go broke

 Go woke, go broke were words spoken in a recent sermon that I heard by a gentleman by the name of Conrad Vine.  The premise of this sermon was that if people would stop supporting churches that had a "woke" agenda that they would go broke and cease to exist. Maybe then they would get the message that "wokism" won't be tolerated. When we have people who are following Ezekiel 9:3, 4 by crying about the abominations that are being done in the Israel of God then we need to heed the warning being given. "And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; 4 and the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZK.9.KJV Those who are crying against the abominations that are being done are called watchmen as in Ezekiel 33:1 "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 if when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZK.33.KJV In my opinion, if we continue to see evil that is being done and we do NOTHING about it, then we are just as guilty as if we were doing the evil ourselves. Churches in apostacy tend to cancel or demonize people that disagree with them, maybe if the tables were turned and they lost support, they might reform their evil ways.  Indeed, I believe that if we support such churches or organizations then we are just as guilty of their sins as if we had done them ourselves. Here is the link to a recent Conrad Vine sermon:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8TEwQ4717Q and another sermon about this issue:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYZ-Ue8vgeQ Our church has a structure of different conferences, each US state has a local conference, then there are regional conferences and then a general conference over all of the local and regional conferences.  "Our physicians have lost a great deal out of their lives because they have seen wrong transactions and heard wrong words spoken, and seen wrong principles  followed, and have not spoken in reproof, for fear that they would be repulsed. SpTB02 15.4 I call upon those who have been connected with these binding influences to break the yoke to which they have long submitted, and stand as free men in Christ. Nothing but a determined effort will break the spell that is upon them. SpTB02 16.1 Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature. SpTB02 16.2"  https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p417.68(417.73)&index=0  While the above quote starts out with "Our physicians", I firmly believe that when people see "wrong principles followed" and if they do not speak reproof for whatever reason then they are just as guilty of the sins that they do not reprove as if they did those sins themselves. "I am instructed to speak plainly. “Meet it,” is the word spoken to me. “Meet it firmly, and without delay.” But it is not to be met by our taking our working forces from the field to investigate doctrines and points of difference. We have no such investigation to make. In the book “Living Temple” there is presented the alpha of deadly heresies. The omega will follow, and will be received by those who are not willing to heed the warning God has given. SpTB02 50.2" https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p417.253(417.256)&index=0    Conrad Vine has suggested that if a church is supportive of error, then we should not support them with our presence or our money. I was once a part of a church and several families in that church saw an evil in it.  These families decided that the evil in that church could not be rectified and so they all got together and formed another church in a different city of the same denomination.  This seems to me to be what Conrad Vine is suggesting.  Recently I have heard of the main General Conference (that is the one over everybody in the denomination) disfellowshipping people who decide to do this very thing.  They are in good company for you see, in Jesus day the Pharisees did the exact same thing. John 9:19 "And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.9.KJV The church in Jesus day persecuted and even killed those that disagreed with them.  The church today is no different. Matthew 14:3 "For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.14.KJV Acts 7 puts it this way in verses 51 "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." and  52 "Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:"  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.7.KJV and Hebrews 11 puts it like this in verses 35-39: 35 "Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:"  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.11.KJV The right has never been in the majority.  In the flood only 8 people got on the ark, it is estimated that there was close to the same population then that there is now. Genesis 7:7 "And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.7.KJV  "According to the latest estimates, the population of Earth is approximately 8.2 billion people, as of September 26, 2024." https://search.brave.com/search?q=population+of+earth+now&source=desktop&summary=1&summary_og=9c669fe8e2db0810ea142d The GC and the local conferences do not equal "The Church".  The people who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Revelation 14:3 "and they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/REV.14.KJV  While I am not here going to argue the point of a literal or figurative 144,000; I am going to suggest that I believe that it is a literal number and that it is definitely a minority of the current world population. Even EGW herself re-appropriated her tithe and encouraged others to do the same when she saw a situation that needed it. "It has been presented to me for years that my tithe was to be appropriated by myself to aid the white and colored ministers who were neglected and did not receive sufficient properly to support their families. When my attention was called to aged ministers, white or black, it was my special duty to investigate into their necessities and supply their needs. This was to be my special work, and I have done this in a number of cases. No man should give notoriety to the fact that in special cases the tithe is used in that way. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 2 In regard to the colored work in the South, that field has been and is still being robbed of the means that should come to the workers in that field. If there have been cases where our sisters have appropriated their tithe to the support of the ministers’ working for the colored people in the South, let every man, if he is wise, hold his peace. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 3 I have myself appropriated my tithe to the most needy cases brought to my notice. I have been instructed to do this; and as the money is not withheld from the Lord’s treasury, it is not a matter that should be commented upon; for it will necessitate my making known these matters, which I do not desire to do, because it is not best. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 4 Some cases have been kept before me for years, and I have supplied their needs from the tithe, as God has instructed me to do. And if any person shall say to me, Sister White, will you appropriate my tithe where you know it is most needed, I shall say, Yes, I will; and I have done so. I commend those sisters who have placed their tithe where it is most needed to help to do a work that is being left undone; and if this matter is given publicity, it will create a knowledge which would better be left as it is. I do not care to give publicity to this work which the Lord has appointed me to do and others to do. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 5 I send this matter to you so that you shall not make a mistake. Circumstances alter cases. I would not advise that any one should make a practice of gathering up tithe money. But for years there have now and then been persons who have lost confidence in the appropriation of the tithe who have placed their tithe in my hands and said that if I did not take it they would themselves appropriate it to the families of the most needy ministers they could find. I have taken the money, given a receipt for it, and told them how it was appropriated. 20LtMs, Lt 267, 1905, par. 6" https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p14070.10694008&index=0  

Chaos and fear

It is just after 2am. I have awakened from a nightmare.  Chaos and fearfulness were everywhere.  Children as young as my grandson-5- were given tasks to do in school to mark people for death.  If they completed their assigned tasks, they were allowed to keep living and if not, they were chased down and their throats sliced.  Some kids did as they were told, some cried, refused and were slaughtered, some tried to run and hide. Those that moved up in the ranks, became rapists' and murderers. People were running everywhere trying to escape the violence.  Cities were mayhem. Nobody young or old was safe. If ever there was a time to take your kids out of the school system and homeschool them, that time is now.  If ever there was a time to not live in ANY city that time is now.  This chaos is coming and it will be worse than can be described. Fast and pray for a country home, far away from ANY city, especially the major ones, Nashville being the worst, but also any other city, like San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, New York, etc. "While I was in Nashville, a scene was opened before me. A great ball of fire seemed to fall from heaven, and from it went forth flashes of light. When these flashes of light would strike a building, the building would burn like tinder. And then I heard someone say, "I knew that this was coming. These are the judgments of God that I knew were coming." "You knew!" said another. "You were my neighbor. Why did you not tell me that these things were coming? Why did you not warn others?" 19LtMs, Ms 154, 1904, par. 36  "While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster until populous cities are reduced to ruin and desolation. Even now he is at work. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, is Satan exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon the inhabitants of the world. The beasts of the field will groan, and the earth will languish." 4SP 407.2. It won't matter what the country is either. All cities all over the face of the earth, people need to flee from immediately. I cannot say when this chaos is coming, in some places it may already be there.  Get you and your families out no matter what you have to lose. Like the Biblical account of Lot, he lost everything, including his wife, you need to flee from the cities NOW. Genesis 19:12 "And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.  24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."   https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.19.KJV  Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  32 Remember Lot's wife."   https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.17.KJV

What about aliens?

 Does the Bible say anything about aliens? Actually we have very few references in the Bible that may suggest that there is other life on other planets in the universe. Let's take a look at these references. First we turn to the book of Job 1:6 "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.1.KJV  So this phrase the "sons of God" is really the only reference we have, but what does it mean? Let's see Luke 3:38 "which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.3.KJV Adam was called a son of God because God created him. See Genesis 1:26: "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV  When God created Adam and Eve on the earth He gave them dominion over the earth. When satan convinced Adam and Eve to sin, Adam lost dominion of the earth to satan. Genesis 3:17 "And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.3.KJV So in Job when the sons of God were assembled satan came instead of Adam.  A reference in Matthew 18 gives another clue and it reads in verses 11-13 "11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.18.KJV Jesus came to save this one planet who went astray. The only other real, Holy Spirit filled writings that we have concerning life on other planets comes from what Adventists call "The Spirit of Prophecy".  For those who are not Adventists these writings come from a lady named Ellen G. White.  For more on her see this link: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/5001/t/does-god-inspire-astrologers-and-psychics-   EGW has this to say about unfallen worlds: "The Son of God stooped to uplift the fallen. For this He left the sinless worlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and came to this earth to be “wounded for our transgressions” and “bruised for our iniquities.” Isaiah 53:5 AA 472.1"  https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p127.2088&index=0 "In this choice the principles of Satan were made manifest; and the hosts of heaven, and all the worlds that God had created, judged that Satan was an accuser of the brethren, a liar, and a murderer. In heaven and among the unfallen worlds the question of Satan’s deceiving power, of his malignant principles, was settled, and the perfect purity and holiness of Christ, who was bearing the test and trial in behalf of fallen man, was forever proved. Through the development of Satan’s character and principles, he was forever uprooted from the affection of the unfallen worlds, and the controversy concerning his claims and the claims of Christ was forever settled in heaven. ST June 5,  1893, par. 9  https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p820.21438&index=0  "He proved to the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds and to human beings that the law can be kept. While possessing the nature of man, He obeyed the law of God, vindicating God’s justice in demanding that it be obeyed. In the judgment His life will be an unanswerable argument in favor of God’s law. 8LtMs, Ms 48, 1893, par. 16"  https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p14058.6477023&index=0 "With intense interest the loyal angels and the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds are watching the controversy going on on this earth. Soon the conflict will be forever ended. Soon Christ will come to take to himself those who have fought the good fight of faith. BTS October 1,  1902, par. 4" https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p462.41&index=0  "Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion. DA 758.3"  https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p130.3745&index=0 "There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion,—all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King. DA 834.1"  https://egwwritings.org/readpanels=p130.4108&index=0  I really like the way that EGW equates "the sons of God" with "the representatives of the unfallen worlds."  This gives more validity to the text in Job that we looked at earlier. There are many other statements made by EGW regarding the unfallen worlds, they have all watched with interest the unfolding of the great controversy between God and satan, but they are not permitted to come here. They are untainted by sin. The only beings that are on the earth are humans, angels and demons. (And of course God, Himself)  Angels have and can manifest themselves as either humans or angels. Hebrews 13:2 says, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.13.KJV Luke 1:19 "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings."https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.1.KJV God sends angels with messages, He sends them to help us, but He ALWAYS sends them either in the form of an angel, or in the form of plain ordinary people.  It has always been satan's desire to deceive and destroy mankind. The entertainment industry has been called Jesuit theater. Satan uses the entertainment industry to tell about his plans.  For many years the entertainment industry has had an uptake in talk about aliens. Movies such as Independence Day and The Tomorrow War, a movie that came out on amazon in 2021 warns about aliens coming to destroy the earth and many other movies make alien invasions seem as if common place.  It is fairly evident that satan is preparing to appear on this earth probably in an alien invasion scenario. 2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2CO.11.KJV Matthew 24:23 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV  There is a series called Ancient Aliens which talks about how "aliens" supposedly "help" people with technology. The Biblical narrative is in disagreement with this.  First of all mankind was made perfect. They lived around 900 years.  Thus the people that lived before the flood were smarter and lived long enough to probably have figured out WAY more technology than we even have today. (see link for some more info:  https://www.bitchute.com/video/wqKlVD67IBlj/)  Let's just take one example of what the series Ancient Aliens has to say, They say in one of the videos that somehow the ark of the covenant created the manna that the Bible says God rained down from heaven.  So let's take a look at this from a Biblical standpoint. Exodus 16:4 "Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.16.KJV Now, the manna started in Exodus chapter 16 and in Exodus chapter 25, God gives the plans to build the Ark of the covenant. Exodus 25:10 "And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about. 12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. 13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. 15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. 16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. 17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. 21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.25.KJV The ark was then made in Exodus chapter 37. Exodus 37:1 "And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: 2 and he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. 3 And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. 4 And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 7 And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; 8 one cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 9 And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.37.KJV So exactly how does a box that isn't created until Exodus 37 responsible for manna that started falling in Exodus 16? This is only one example of erroneous ideas thrown out by the series Ancient Aliens. In short, this series undermines the validity of the Biblical narrative.

Does God exist

 I recently re-watched the movie "God's not dead".  This line caught my attention: (paraphrasing) In the big bang theory nothing exploded and became everything.  Which is just exactly what you would expect when reading Genesis chapter one, when God speaks things that were not there suddenly come into existence, literally from nothing! It is utterly amazing to me how some people come to the conclusion that there is no God.  A YouTube evangelist that I sometimes watch puts it this way, the building is evidence of a builder, the painting is evidence of a painter so creation is evidence of a creator.  Just the human body alone is so intricately designed that man, with all of his technology cannot perfectly copy a human being. Just the human eye, is a marvel of creation. In the movie it was said, that some of the most devoted atheists were once Christians. I feel that there might be two reasons for this. One- someone close to them died a horrible death, and the surviving relative blames God. Or two- people have a conception that God is tormenting people in hell forever and ever.  So let's address these two reasons.  Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God continue to allow sin? While the quick answer is free will, For most people that answer doesn't cut it.  They ask how long must this experiment go on? For further study on this see: www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4979/t/did-god-create-the-devil- Also, consider reading or rereading the book of Job, in the Bible.  To address the second reason please see: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4988/t/is-the-devil-in-charge-of-hell-  and https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4980/t/saved-from-certain-death The truth is that God wants people to love Him not because they don't have a choice, but because they do.  My father once told me a story of a woman who on the day after her wedding her new husband gave her a list of all the things she was going to do and when she would do them.  It said when she would wake up, when she would have breakfast on the table etc.  Her whole day was planned down to when she could use the bathroom and when she could go to sleep at night.  She resented and began to hate that man.  After many years the man died and the woman eventually got remarried.  The day after the wedding she asked her new husband for her list.  He replied, "what list?". When she explained he said that there was no list, that she was free to do with her day whatever she wanted to do.  Many years went by and they were happy and she loved her husband more and more.  One day while doing some cleaning she ran across her old list. As she reread the list she realized that she was doing everything on the list, but this time it wasn't because she had to, but because she really wanted to because she loved her husband.  Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments.  He could have created robots that would repeat whatever they were programmed to say.  Would you be satisfied if you recorded, 'I love you ' and then just played your recording over and over? Would it make you feel loved to hear your own voice parroting back those words?  God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to take our punishment for sin, so that we could have the choice to live with him forever.  If you walk into court with a bunch of speeding fines the judge can let you go if someone pays for your fines.  Sin is so abhorrent to a holy God that the Bible says that the wages of sin is death.  You and I have broken God's laws and deserve the death penalty. Just like when a murderer goes to court and the judge gives him the death sentence. If he were to try to tell the judge that he was a good person at heart the judge wouldn't listen.  Our sins are that abhorrent to God.  But Jesus took our death penalty so we wouldn't have to.‭ John 3:16-17 KJV‬

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.3.16-17.KJV

Daniel 9

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. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. When we are dealing with prophecies, we use the following verses to figure out the time of the prophecies. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.9.KJV Numbers 14:34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/NUM.14.KJV Ezekiel 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZK.4.KJV Therefore, 70 weeks becomes 490 years. (70x7) Who are Daniel’s people? When did this prophecy begin? In Ezra chapter 1 Cyrus king of Persia made an initial decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Then in chapter 6 Darius makes another one but then in Ezra 7 king Artaxerxes not only provides for the work to be done, but he also returns all of the articles taken from the temple that Babylon had stolen them many years before. The key for why this decree is the one that is used for this timeline is because king Artaxerxes is restoring all of what was taken into Babylon.  Ezra 7:11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel. 12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; 15 and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem, 16 and all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem: 17 that thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. 18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God. 19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. 20 And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house. 21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, 22 unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EZR.7.KJV (see chart) This decree was given according to history in 457 BC https://manna.amazingfacts.org/amazingfacts/website/medialibrary/images/studyguide/sg1-q7-2300day-Prophecy.jpg  ”The angel said that 69 prophetic weeks, or 483 literal years (69 x 7 = 483), added to 457 BC would reach to the Messiah (Daniel 9:25). Mathematical calculations show that moving ahead 483 years from the fall of 457 BC reaches the fall of ad 27. (Note: There is no year 0.) Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.10.38 ) at His baptism (Luke 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.) His anointing took place in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituræa and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.3.KJV ), which was ad 27. And to think that the prediction was made more than 500 years before! Then Jesus began to preach that “the time is fulfilled.” He thus confirmed the prophecy (Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.1.KJV ; Galatians 4:4 but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.4.KJV ).  We have now considered 483 years of the 490-year prophecy. There is one prophetic week—seven literal years—left (Daniel 9:26, 27). What happens next and when? Answer:   Jesus was “cut off” or crucified “in the middle of the week,” which is three and a half years after His anointing—or the spring of ad 31. Since Jesus died after three and a half years, how could He “confirm the covenant with many” (KJV) for all of the final seven years, as the prophecy in Daniel 9:27 mandate? The covenant is His blessed agreement to save people from their sins (Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, And in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.10.KJV ). After His ministry of three and a half years ended, Jesus confirmed the covenant through His disciples (Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; https://www.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.2.KJV ). He sent them first to the Jewish nation (Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.10.KJV ) because His chosen people still had three and a half years remaining of their 490-year opportunity to repent as a nation. 

When the 490-year period of final opportunity for the Jewish nation ended in the fall of ad 34, what did the disciples do? Answer:   They began preaching the gospel to other people and nations of the world (Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.13.46 ) Stephen, a righteous deacon, was publicly stoned in AD 34. From that date onward, the Jews, because they collectively rejected Jesus and God’s plan, could no longer be God’s chosen people or nation. Instead, God now counts people of all nationalities who accept and serve Him as spiritual Jews. They have become His chosen people—“heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.3.KJV ). Spiritual Jews, of course, include Jewish people who individually accept and serve Jesus (Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.2.KJV ) (from the graph to here is quoted from here: https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4995/t/right-on-time--prophetic-appointments-revealed, except I added the actual written out texts and links) 

 ‭John 14:21, 23-24 KJV‬

[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.21-24.KJV ‭John 14:15 KJV‬

[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.14.15.KJV Romans 9:6(b) For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 (a) neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.9.KJV Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.11.KJV 

The nation of Israel as a whole, ceased being God’s special people when they stoned Stephen in AD 34, because of their unbelief, until the fulness of the rest of the world, i.e. Gentiles, were grafted in. They had 2000 years to be God’s people and they failed to fulfill their mission. Now the rest of the world has nearly had another 2000 years. Will we fulfill the mission that God gave us to spread His gospel to all the world? Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.28.KJV Jesus is soon to come; Won’t you get ready now?