#King Achaz of Judah

[eretzyisrael]

18 Av - King Achaz - 574 BCE

On this day in the year 574 BCE, King Achaz of Judah extinguished the western light of the Menorah in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.  One of the constant miracles first in the Mishkan and later in the Temple was that the westernmost candle of the Menorah never went out.  When the Priests would come to light the Menorah each day, they would light from this western light.  The light had been burning in miraculous form constantly for over 730 years.  

Achaz was the 12th and most wicked king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  The bible tells us that he was not only active in idol worship, but he also brought idols into the Holy Temple.  He also actively curtailed the study of the Torah throughout the Kingdom of  Judah.  Because of this, the merit of the Western Light ceased, and Achaz was held accountable for extinguishing it.  For this reason, the Code of Jewish Law lists today as a fast day observed by the righteous.

Rabbi Pinchas L. Landis

#OTD #Israel #Jerusalem #King Achaz of Judah

[giftofshewbread]

The Rapture & The Apostasy

 By Daniel Payne          Published on: August 26, 2021

Is the apostasy spoken of by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 a physical departure, a spiritual departure, or both?

As you’ll see, scripture teaches that it’s both a physical and a spiritual departure.

If you’re a believer who’s been born again of the Spirit, then the Holy Spirit is in you. You are sealed by Him until the day of redemption. He will be taken out of the way, then the Antichrist will be revealed. Since He is inside of you until the day of redemption, then you will be taken before the Antichrist is revealed.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed…” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8a).

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Now, what about the apostasy spoken of by Paul to the Thessalonians?

Well, first of all, don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not supposed to look for any signs prior to the Rapture. After all, in 2 Thessalonians chapter two, Paul was telling the Thessalonians about signs that would occur prior to the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

Don’t listen to those who want to rob you of one of God’s sweetest gifts: hope.

Apostasia – Greek (feminine noun): “going away from a previous stand.”

Apostasy in Context

As always, it is of the utmost importance to follow the surrounding context of any subject. Studying about apostasy is no different.

Let’s read several passages originally written in Greek that use the exact same word and form of “apostasy” as does 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

In the following passages, using the closest context, let’s identify who or what is going away from who or what:

In 1 Maccabees 2:15, the king’s officers were enforcing apostasy against the Lord through pagan worship:

“The king’s officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the town of Modein to make them offer sacrifice.”

In Joshua 22:22, it’s Israel committing apostasy against the Lord:

“God is the Lord, and God Himself knows, and Israel He shall know; if we have transgressed before the Lord by apostasy, let Him not deliver us this day.”

In Jeremiah 2:19, it’s Judah’s apostasy against the Lord:

“Thine apostasy shall correct thee… saith the Lord thy God.”

In 2 Chronicles 29:19, king Achaz committed apostasy against the Lord:

“And all the vessels which King Achaz polluted in his reign, in his apostasy, we have prepared and purified: behold, they are before the Lord.”

In Acts 21:21, it’s the Gentiles committing apostasy against Moses:

“But they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses…”

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, who or what is committing apostasy from who or what?

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”

The closest context in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 surrounding the apostasy is “you,” “that Day,” and “the man of sin.”

In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it’s you (the believers) committing apostasy against the man of sin.

Since believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, believers will be both physically and spiritually taken out of the way with Him at the Rapture.

#kings #day #master #spirit #holy #lord #gentile #jew #christian #rapture #believer #follower #the #way #fish #of #men #israel #apostasy

[gymnasticsfan4]

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren; And Judah begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rahab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. Matthew 1:1‭-‬25 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.1.1-25.KJV

[pamphletstoinspire]

An explanation of the Gospel Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent - (Latin Calendar) by an Early Father of the Church

Sermon on Preparing for the Way of the Lord

Based on the Divine Office-Douay-Rheims Version

Volume 1 - Pages 1129 (1962 edition)

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke 3: 1-6

by: Origen, Priest and Confessor

When a prophetic message was intended for the Jews alone the names of the Jewish Kings were placed at the beginning. For example: The vision of Isaias… in the days of Ozias, Joachim, Achaz, and Ezechias, Kings of Israel: (Is. i. 1) nor other names do I see designated in the time of Isaias, except the kings of Judah. In certain prophets we can read narratives of the Israelite kings, as in Osee (Osee i. 1), where he says: In the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joas, a king of Israel. When the mystery of the Gospel was to be proclaimed, and its word spread abroad through the whole world, in which John in the desert was the leader, and the world lay under the Roman Empire of Tiberius, it is recorded, that in the fifteenth year, the word of the Lord was made unto John. If salvation was to be announced alone to the nations that were to believe, and Israel was to be entirely excluded, it would have sufficed to say: in the fifteenth year of Tiberius and under the governorship of Pilate. But, because many were to believe both from Judea and from Galilee, these kingdoms are also recorded in the inscription; and so it is written: and Herod being Tetrarch of Galilee, etc.

Of old the word of the Lord was made unto Jeremiah, the son of Elchias in Anatoth, in the days of Josia King of Judea. Now a message of God is made unto John the son of Zachary, which never was given to the prophets in the desert; but since more are the children of the desolate, than of her that hath a husband, accordingly, the word of God is made unto John the son of Zachary in the desert. Note, that this has more meaning if the desert is considered mystical, and not according to its literal sense. For he who preaches in the desert it is needless to cry out aloud, since there is no one to hear him speaking. Therefore the precursor of Christ, and the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preach in the desert of the soul that has known no peace. Not alone then, but even now a bright and burning lamp first comes and preaches the baptism of repentance unto the forgiveness of sins. Then follows the True Light, as itself has said: He must increase, but I must decrease (Jn. iii. 30).

The word was made in the desert, and came forth to all the country about the Jordan. For around what other places should the Baptist journey unless those close to the Jordan, so that whosoever had the will to repent, would there be near the water of purification? The name of Jordan is interpreted as descent, or coming down. Coming down and running in a bounteous flood is the River of God, the Lord our Savior, in which we were baptized. This true and life-giving water is, he proclaims in his baptism, unto the forgiveness of sins... He that ceases to commit sin, will, in his baptism, be forgiven his former sins. But if he remains in his sins, and so approaches the baptismal font, his sins will not be forgiven him.

Therefore, you should not approach and receive baptism without due caution and careful reflection. Strive first for fruits worthy of penance. Remain for some time in a becoming manner of living. Cleanse yourself of uncleanness. Keep yourself free from the vices; then when you have begun to stamp out your offenses, remission of your sins will be given unto you. And that you may be forgiven, forgive those that offend you.

This same message we find in the Old Testament, in the prophet Isias: A voice of one crying in the wilderness… For the Lord wishes to find in you a way prepared before Him, where He may enter in, and have there a right of way. Prepare for Him this path, of which is written: Make straight his path.

The voice cries: Prepare ye the way of the Lord. First the voice strikes upon the ear, then after the voice, indeed together with the voice, the word penetrates the mind. In this way was Christ announced by John. Let us then hear what the Voice announces concerning the Word. Prepare ye, it says, the way of the Lord. Which way shall we prepare for the Lord? A way on the earth? Can the Word of God travel such a road? Or rather must we not prepare the way within us, setting up in our hearts a straight and true way?

This is the way through which the Word of God enters, and comes to rest within the bounds of the human body. And great indeed is the heart of man, wide and spacious as if it were a world in itself. Do you wish to know how great and how profound it is? Behold what a sweep of divine knowledge it can embrace: For he hath given me true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements, the beginning and the endings and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of the seasons, the revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars, the natures of living creatures, and the reasonings of men (Wisd. vii. 17).

See then that no small thing is the heart of man which can contain so much. And see also that its greatness is not in bodily quantity, but in the power by which it can receive such knowledge of the truth… We keep within us, as in a picture, the roads, we have travelled. The sea we have voyaged over we can recall in moments of quiet recollection...

If then, the heart can contain so much and is not something small and narrow, then let a way for the Lord be prepared in it, and let His path be made straight, so that the Word of God and His Wisdom may enter there. Prepare this way by a worthy manner of living, and with good works make straight the path, so that without hindrance the Word of God may thread this way to you, and give you understanding, both of His Coming and of His Mysteries, to Whom be glory for ever and ever.

#fourth sunday of advent