Thurs.’s Devo - We Choose Jesus

Read: Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31: Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6 God told Moses to cut two more tablets of stone since he broke the last two. He was to bring them to the top of Mt. Sinai. I wonder how heavy those stone tablets were. *** The Lord came down in a cloud and stood with him and proclaimed who he was: The Lord, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. He will not clear the guilty but punish them up to the fourth generation. *** Moses asked the Lord to please go with them even if they were sinful and rebellious. He prayed for forgiveness and for the Lord to take them for his inheritance. *** God promised to make a covenant with them and do marvelous things that had never been done before with them. He would drive out all the “ites” before them so that they wouldn’t make a covenant with them and become like them - idolatrous. *** They were not to make gods of cast metal. They were to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread for a week in the month of Abib. Their firstborn were the Lord’s, even their animals. If they had a donkey, they could redeem it with a lamb. If the donkey was not redeemed, his neck must be broken. (This means that a stubborn person can only be saved by the blood of the Lamb. If the stubborn person was not redeemable, he will be made to bow in the end, resulting in his eternal death.) *** They were to rest on the seventh day from their work. They were to observe the Feast of Weeks 50 days after First Fruits. And, they were to observe the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles at the end of the year. These feasts were the three times a year that all the males were to come before the Lord. If they observe his feasts and bring their offerings to the Lord, he would cast out their enemies who lived in the land and enlarge their borders and protect them from their enemies. *** Their sacrifices should not be offered with leaven which stands for sin. The lamb of Passover should be eaten that night and nothing left till the next day. Jesus was completely consumed on the cross for our sins. They were not to boil a young goat in his mother’s milk. (This is mentioned three times in the Bible: here, Ex. 23:19, Deut. 14:21). I think it means that a child is not to be set to follow in his mother’s sins. *** Moses stayed on the mountain with the Lord for 40 days and nights and when he came down, his face shone with God’s glory. It made the people so afraid of him that the had to end up putting veil over his face when he was with the people. He would remove the veil when he went before the Lord. *** Moses told the people that they were not to work on the Sabbath or they would be put to death. Neither were they to have a fire going in their dwellings on the Sabbath. The Lord asked for free-will offerings for the tabernacle. *** In Matthew, it was the feast of Unleavened Bread and it was customary for the governor to release a prisoner of the people’s choice. Pilate chose the most notorious prisoner to put next to Jesus, thinking they would surely choose Jesus who did good. His wife had warned him of a dream she had had and told him not to have anything to do with hurting Jesus who was an innocent man. *** The chief priests and elders persuaded the crowd to choose Barabbas. When Pilate asked them what they wanted him to do with Jesus, they cried, “Crucify him.” Pilate washed his hand in front of them saying Jesus was innocent and he was not going to be held responsible for what they were doing. But, then he released Barabbas to them and had Jesus scourged and delivered to them to crucify him. (I’m not sure Pilate could say he was released from responsibility.) *** Pilate’s soldiers took Jesus to Pilate’s headquarters and stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They mocked him, spit on him and struck him on the head. Then they took the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him to be crucified. *** Lord, the shame you bore for us is inconceivable. Thank you for bearing our sin and shame on the cross. You, who knew no sin became sin for us. We glorify and praise your name.

Wed.’s Devo -Moses - God’s Intercessor

Read: Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36 The people got tired of waiting for Moses to come down and went to Aaron and told him to make them gods to go before them. Aaron foolishly told them to each bring one of their gold earrings they were all wearing and he took the gold, melted it and fashioned it with a tool into the shape of a calf. The people said that these were the gods who brought them out of Egypt. When Aaron saw that his calf was accepted by the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed a feast to the Lord. They brought offerings and sacrificed them and “rose up to play.” The Hebrew word for “play” means to laugh outright in merriment or scorn; to laugh, mock, play, make sport. They were making a mockery of the things of God. *** God told Moses to go down and told him what the people were doing. God wanted to kill them all and make a nation from Moses’ descendants but Moses reminded the Lord of what that would look like to his enemies who were spying on them. He also reminded God of his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. *** Moses took the two tablets and picked up Joshua on his way down. Joshua heard all the revelry of the people and thought they were fighting a battle. Moses told him it wasn’t war, but singing that he heard. When he saw the calf and saw all the dancing he was so angry he threw the tablets down breaking them. He ground the calf into powder and scattered it on the water and made the people drink it. *** Then, Moses asked Aaron what the people did to him to make him do this. Aaron blamed it on the people. He said the were bent on evil and they came to him to ask him to make them gods to go before them because they didn’t think their leader was coming back. He asked for their earrings, threw them into the fire and out came this calf. (That explanation is laughable!) *** Moses saw that the people were exposed and a joke to their enemies. He stood at the gate of the camp and asked who was on the Lord’s side. All the sons of Levi came to him. He told them to put on their swords and go and kill all who were participating in this orgy. They killed 3,000 people. Moses told the Levites that what they did today qualified them for service to the Lord because they did not spare their relatives. *** The next day, Moses told the people that because of what they did, he would need to go to the Lord and make atonement for their sin. He told the Lord that if he didn’t forgive them then he wanted his name blotted out of his book. God said he would only blot out the names of the ones who sinned. *** In reading what the Bible says about what is written in God’s book and what is blotted out, it seems that everyone’s name who is born of God is written in his book. During their lifetime they can have their name blotted out by their rebellion against God. Daniel 12:1 says that, Michael will stand up when Israel is in trouble in the end. God’s people will be delivered, if their name is found written in the book. *** When we get saved, our name is sealed in that book and cannot be erased. *** God told Moses to go lead the people to their land and his angel would go before them and drive out all the “ites.” God would not go with them because he was afraid get so mad at them because of their hard hearts, that he would kill them. God sent a plague because of the calf that Aaron made. *** The people mourned when they heard what God said and took off their beautiful Egyptian garments and jewelry. *** Moses put the Lord’s tabernacle outside the camp and called it the tent of meeting. If the people wanted to seek the Lord, they had to come there. Whenever Moses came out his tent to enter the tabernacle, the people would stand at their tent door and watch. The pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent and the Lord would talk with Moses. The people would watch from their tent and worship the Lord. *** The Lord spoke to Moses as his friend. Moses would then leave the tabernacle and go back to his tent but Joshua, Moses’ assistant, never left the tabernacle. *** In one of Moses’ talks with the Lord, Moses asked to know God’s ways so that he might please him. He reminded the Lord that this nation of people were also his people. God promised that his presence would go with them. Then Moses asked to see his glory. God let him stand in the cleft of a rock where he covered Moses with his hand as he walked by. Then he removed his hand so Moses could see his back. God was gracious and merciful to Moses and let his goodness pass before him. *** In Matthew, Peter was sitting in Caiapas’ courtyard listening to all they were doing to Jesus when a servant girl recognized him as a follower of Jesus. Peter quickly denied it. When another servant girl said the same thing he denied it also. Then a bystander approached Peter and noticed his dialect and knew he was one of Jesus’ followers. Peter cursed and swore he wasn’t. The rooster crowed and Peter remembered what Jesus had said. He went out and cried bitterly. *** By morning the priests and elders had rendered the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him and delivered him to Pilate. When Judas saw the outcome, he tried to pay the priests back the money they had given him to betray Jesus. They didn’t want it. They had used Judas and they could care less about his soul. Judas took the money and threw it into the temple. He went and hanged himself. Since his money was blood money, they took it and bought the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. (Jeremiah 32:6-9). *** When Jesus stood before Pilate, he asked him if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus replied, “You have said so.” Jesus turned his question back on him. When he heard the accusations of the priests and elders, he remained silent and offered no defense. This amazed the governor. *** Lord, may we seek to know your ways and may we see your glory.

Tues.’s Devo - Jesus’ Arrest

Read: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalms 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32 Moses was told that if he ever counted the people, he was first to have them bring a half shekel to pay the atonement for their lives. To count the people was the same as bringing their live to account before the Lord at the end of time. They had to pay for their sins first or they would be judged. If they didn’t do this, a plague would come. This is exactly what happened when David counted the people and didn’t require the payment. A plague broke out that killed many of his people. *** The Lord instructed Moses to make a bronze basin for the priest to wash their feet and hands before they ministered. We should always have clean hands and feet before we minister, which means that our sins should be confessed and forgiven first; our hearts should be clean. *** Moses was given the formula for the spices that were to be mixed with the oil to make anointing oil. With it Moses was to anoint the tent of meeting, the furniture and all the instruments used. It was to be burnt on the incense table as a sweet aroma to the Lord. In Revelation 8:3,4 it says that this incense was mixed with the prayers of the saints. This perfume was to be beaten and was not to be copied or used for any other purpose. It was holy to the Lord. *** The Lord called two men to craft the furniture, utensils, garments and the oil and incense in the tabernacle. God filled them with his Spirit and showed them how to do everything as he wanted it and gave them the ability to carry it out. If you look up all the names associated with Bezalel you will get this picture: Under the shadow of the Lord, light shines through praise. If you look up all the names and their meanings of the second artist, Aholiah you will get this: God’s judgement supports his tabernacle. God’s judgements and praise go together. *** Above all the commandments, they were to keep the Sabbaths because they are holy and if they didn’t keep them they would be killed and their soul cut off from their people. The Sabbath was a sign that God rested after making the heaven and the earth for six days. On the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. On our seventh day we will do the same. *** When God had finished talking to Moses he gave him the two tablets where the finger of God had written the laws. *** In Matthew, Jesus had just woken up Peter, James and John for the third time and announced that they were there to take him. Sure enough, Judas arrived with a great crowd of agitator with swords and clubs. Judas had told the priests that it would be the one he kissed. Judas greeted Jesus as his Rabbi then kissed him. Jesus called Judas his friend and asked him what he had come to do. Jesus knew. They grabbed Jesus and Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the servant’s high priest. Jesus told him to put his sword away and explained that he could defend him self if he wanted to. Jesus made a point that they could have taken him in the day, but they chose to do it at night because that is when sin does its work. *** Jesus was taken to the home of the high priest, Caiaphas. Peter followed and sat in the courtyard listening. Witnesses falsely accused Jesus, but none of them said anything that would stick until the man said that Jesus had said he was able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. That was not what Jesus had said, but they liked it and asked Jesus to respond. When Jesus refused to answer, they asked him if he was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus told him that they said it and from then on they would see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. This was what they were waiting for. The high priest tore his robes claiming, “Blasphemy.” He sentenced him to death. Jesus was spit on, slapped and mocked. *** Lord, forgive us for rejecting you. Thank you that your blood has made us new creatures in You and we no longer reject you but we invite you into our lives. Thank you that you invite us into your kingdom to be your children that you delight in.

Mon.’s Devo - Consecration of the Priests

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26 God told Moses what he must do to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests. Moses was to take a bull, two rams, unleavened cakes mixed with oil and unleavened wafers smeared with oil and crushed into fine flour. This flour was to be brought in a basket. *** Moses was to bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent and wash them with water. Bringing them to the entrance represents their profession of faith. Washing them with water represents their baptism. Then Moses was to put on Aaron the coat, the ephod, and the breastplate. These represent the robe of righteousness and the belt of truth. The turban was put on their head to guard their minds with the holiness of God. Last of all he was to anoint his head with the oil of the Holy Spirit. He was to do the same thing for his sons. *** Next, Moses was to apply the blood of the bull with his finger on the base of the altar and burn its fat on the altar, making the altar holy. *** Then Aaron and his sons were to lay their hands on the head of the ram transferring their sins to it and then kill the ram and sprinkle its blood on the sides of the altar. Then the whole ram was to be burnt on the altar to represent Jesus’ blood atoning for their sins. *** The other ram was then taken. They laid their hands on it and Moses killed it and applied its blood to the tip of the priest’s right ear, the tip of their right thumbs and the tip of their right big toe. Then the rest was thrown against the altar. This was to anoint their hearing, the works of their hands and wherever they went. *** The fat from the ram and the grain offering was put in their hands so they could wave it before the Lord as an offering to the Lord. I think of this as them giving of everything else in their lives to the Lord as a free-will offering. *** The breast was waved before the Lord and given to Aaron and their sons as their portion to eat. It represented the gifts of the people so they would have peace with God. *** These holy garments of Aaron’s should be passed down throughout his generations and they shall wear them for seven days - till their lives are completed. This is the promise of salvation to our whole families. *** Aaron and his sons were to eat from the ram every day for seven days. All the days of their lives they will eat from the goodness of what God did for them. *** All of this represents what we go through spiritually to be priests before the Lord. Jesus died to make a kingdom of priests (1Peter 2:9). *** They were to daily offer two lambs on the altar - one in the morning and one at night, along with flour and wine. This shows how we need to constantly go before the Lord in our good times and our bad. *** After the priests were sanctified and had atoned for their sins, they were instructed in how to make the altar of incense. Now they were ready to intercede for the people. The incense was their prayers for their nation and themselves. They were to burn incense every morning and night. Blood was to be applied to the horns of this table every year on the Day of Atonement. This represented a special prayer once a year to atone for the sins of the nation. *** In Matthew, the evil priests had decided to wait till after Passover to kill Jesus, but when Judas came and offered to deliver him to them, they changed their minds. They paid him 30 pieces of silver and arranged the deal. *** Meanwhile, the disciples were planning the place where they would eat the Passover meal with Jesus. He sent them to the city to a man who had a room prepared for them. As they were together at this house eating, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. Judas was right there when he said it. The others asked if it was them, but Jesus said that the one who dipped his hand in the dish with him would betray him and it would be woe for him. They had probably all dipped their hands into the dish so this didn’t help them much. I think Jesus was metaphorically saying that one of them who had served with him and participated in the things of the Lord would do this. Jesus even answered to Judas that he was the one. (Did this fly by their heads?) *** Jesus blessed the bread and explained that it represented his body and the wine was his blood that would be poured out for many to forgive their sins. *** Jesus promised that they would one day drink together in his Father’s kingdom. Then they sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus told them that they would all fall away and be scattered when he was killed, but he would rise and meet them in Galilee. *** Peter spoke up and said he would never deny him. Jesus told him that before the rooster crowed, he would have denied him three times. *** Jesus then took them to Gethsemane and told them to pray. He took Peter, James and John with him to pray. He told them that he was filled with sorrow and asked them to pray with him. Jesus prayed that if it was possible to let this cup pass from him, but he wanted more to do God’s will. *** Jesus came back to Peter, James and John and found them sleeping. Twice he woke them up to pray with him but on the third time he came and told them the hour was here and he was about to be betrayed. Lord, it is sad to end our story at this place but we know the ending and it is good. May we be anointed and consecrated priest unto you. May we not be like the disciples who could not stay awake and pray. May we know the day we are living in and intercede for our President, our nation and your will to be done on the earth. Great are You, Lord!

Sun.’s Devo - The Priestly Garments

Read: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13 Moses called Aaron and his sons to him and told them to make holy garments for them to wear as priests. He gave them explicit instructions about what to tell the artist who would make their garments. *** The garment for the high priest, Aaron included a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, an embroidered coat, a mitre, a turban and a sash. The ephod was to be made of gold, blue, purple and scarlet twisted thread. A shoulder piece would hold two onyx stones that would rest on the priest’s shoulder and have the names of Jacob’s first six sons engraved on the right shoulder stone and the names of his last six sons on the left one. They would stand as a remembrance and be seen by God as he looked down. *** A breast plate of judgement was made of the same material but was more like a bib that he wore over his chest. On it were the stones of the tribes of Israel in four rows, three across. Each tribe was known by its different stone. This was to remind the priest that he always carried the cause of Israel in his heart. There was an inside pocket that held the Urim and the Thrummed. This would help him make decisions as one stood for “No” and the other “Yes”. *** The robe of the high priest was blue with pomegranates and bells alternating around the hem. The pomegranates stood for the Word since there are 613 laws in God’s Word and the same number of seeds in a pomegranate. The bells were to ring out the presence of the priests. Bells speak to healing and joy. *** On his turban would be a gold plate that read “Holy to the Lord.” As Aaron wore this garment and acted the part of the high priest he was a type of Jesus. Aaron was to bear the guilt of the people who offered their gifts to the Lord. He would consecrate their gifts and make them holy. That is what Jesus does for us. *** Aaron’s sons were to wear fine linen robes and turbans and tie their robes with an embroidered sash. Everything was made for beauty and to glorify God. They even wore fine linen undergarments. They were to wear them when they went into the tabernacle or came hear the altar to minister in the Holy Place or they would die. *** In Matthew, Jesus said that when he comes to earth in his glory, he will have his angels with him and he will then sit on his throne. All the nations will be gathered to him and he will separate the sheep from the goats. His sheep will go to the right and the goats to the left. *** He will welcome the sheep who cared for one another as unto him. He will tell the goats that they did not feed or care for the poor, visit the sick or those in prison. They did not love “the least of these.” They will be sent to eternal punishment. *** Jesus told his disciples that the Passover was two days away and that was when he would be delivered up to be crucified. At that very time, the chief priests and elders were at Caiaphas’ house plotting to snatch him and kill him. They decided to wait until after the feast because they didn’t want the people to riot. *** Jesus was staying at Bethany at Simon’s house and a woman came and began pouring expensive ointment on his head. When the disciples saw it and thought it was wasteful, Jesus rebuked them. He said that what she had done was beautiful and was in preparation for his burial. She would be remembered forever for what she did. *** Lord, help us to remember what we do matters. May our eyes be open to the poor, the needy and those locked in prisons. May we constantly remember what you have done for us. We anticipate your return with great joy.

Sat.’s Devo - The Curtains of the Tabernacle

Read: Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11 Today we read a very long and detailed description of the curtains that will be the walls of the outer court of the tabernacle and the curtains that will be the walls and ceiling of the inner tabernacle. *** These curtains were to be made of linen and embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. The weavers were to work cherubim into their design. These walls were to give the people the feeling of entering into the Garden of Eden. The curtains were made in five large sections of fabric bordered with loops which were joined together with clasps of gold. Coverings for the top of the tent were made of goats hair that draped over the sides so no rain could get inside the inner tabernacle. *** The frames which held up the curtains were to be made of acacia wood and covered with gold. These frames were held up with ten silver bases on each side. *** The outer tabernacle which was surrounded by the curtain wall were where the people who came to worship would stand and offer their sacrifices on the bronze altar, which we haven’t read about yet. *** Inside the inner tabernacle were two rooms. The first room was entered through a curtain into the Holy Place. In it were the golden lampstand and the table with the shewbread and the altar of incense. Through a curtain in the back you entered into the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat was placed. *** Moses had the people bring him pure beaten olive oil for the menorah which would be attended to by Aaron and his sons every evening. *** In Matthew, Jesus gives another parable about the kingdom of heaven. It was about ten virgins who went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and took no oil with them for their lamps. The other five were wise and took flasks of oil with their lamps. The bridegroom did not come when they expected so they all fell asleep. At midnight the announcement of the bridegroom went out, but only the wise virgins had oil for the lamps. The foolish had to go and buy oil and missed the open door. When they came to the feast and the door was shut, they begged him to open the door, but the Lord told them he didn’t know them. Jesus is coming for a people who are ready and are filled with his Spirit. *** Jesus gave another parable explaining the coming of the Lord. He said it would be like a man leaving for a journey and putting his servants in charge of his property. He gave one five talents, another two an another one each according to their ability to handle talents. The one with the five and the two immediately multiplied their talents but the one with one hid his in the ground. *** When the master came back to settle his account with them the one with the five and the one with two talents showed him how they had doubled his money. The master praised them both and put them over more responsibility. The last one gave him back his one talent saying he knew he was a hard man who reaped where he did not sow and gathered where he didn’t scatter seed. (What a horrible thing to say! This man truly didn’t know his master’s heart.) The master rebuked him for not at least putting the money in the bank and gaining interest. He gave his one talent to the one who had five and cast him into outer darkness where he would weep and gnash his teeth. *** These parables are self-explanatory. We have been given so much from the Lord and we will give an account for what we have done for the Lord on Judgment Day. We have been created for a destiny crafted just for us and our abilities. We are not to compare our talents with others but use what we have been given to the highest potential for God’s glory. *** Lord, as we read about your tabernacle, may we see the beauty of it and understand how you love to surround us with the beauty of your holiness. May we enjoy spending time in your presence today.

Fri.’s Devo - The Feasts

Read: Exodus 23:14-25:40; Matthew 24:29-51; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 7:24-27 God told the people they were to keep a feast to him three times a year. The first season would be the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It was to be kept in the month of Abib also called Nissan. It would last for 7 days representing the time when they came out of Egypt. (During this time they would also celebrate the Passover and the Feast of First Fruits.) *** The next feast would occur fifty days later and was called the Feast of Harvest (also called Feast of Weeks or Pentecost). The last group was in the end of the year and it was called the Feast of Ingathering. These were all times when they were harvesting different crops from their fields. The first was the barley harvest, then the wheat, then the fruit. *** The men were to appear before the Lord these times during the year with the first fruits of their harvests. *** They were not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. This commandment is given several times in the law. I believe spiritually it means that you are not to kill the baby for the mother’s sins. I’m sure there was a reason for why they were told this. *** God said he was sending his angel before them to guard them on their way and bring them to the place the Lord had prepared for them. When they got there, they were not to bow to their enemies’ gods. If they served the Lord only, he would bless their food and water and take sickness away from them. They would not miscarry or be barren. They would live out all the days of their lives. God would cause their enemies to fear them so that they would be confused. He would drive them out with hornets. He would do this slowly so they would have time to inhabit their land. They were not to make any covenants of peace with them because if they did, they would end up serving their gods. God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu and the seventy elders to worship him from afar. Then he called Moses to come near to him. Moses wrote down what the Lord told him and and would come and tell the group. They agreed to obey his words. *** Early in the morning, Moses built an altar to the Lord with 12 pillars representing the 12 tribes. He sent young men to offer burnt offering and sacrifices on the altar. Moses took half of the blood and threw it on the side of the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant he had written and read it to the people. They agreed to do all that it said. Then the Lord sprinkled the rest of the blood on the people. *** Moses and his appointed group went up and saw the Lord on a pavement of sapphire stone and saw a glimpse of heaven. They also saw that God did not harm Moses. *** God called Moses back on the mountain so he could give him the tablet of stone with the law and commandment written on them. He left Aaron and Hur in charge of the people. Moses took Joshua and went up the mountain. The mountain it was overshadowed by a cloud because of the glory of God and appeared to be on fire. *** God told Moses to let the people contribute things to make the tabernacle. He would need gold, silver, bronze, etc. (25:1-8). With all the metal, gems, yarns and skins, oils and spices, they were to make the tabernacle like he showed him in heaven. The tabernacle would be a replica of what was in heaven though much smaller. *** God gave Moses the exact measurements and how to make the ark to hold the covenant and the mercy seat that would rest on top of the ark with the two cherubs on it. This was where the Lord would meet with him. *** He was to make a table along with gold plates and dishes for incense, and cups and bowls to pour drink offerings in. *** He was to make a gold lamp stand (menorah) with a main branch and three branches on both sides. On the branches would be almond blossoms and a cup to hold the old for lighting. *** In Matthew, Jesus was explaining the last days. After the tribulation time, the sun would be darkened and the moon would not give light. The stars would fall from heaven and the sign of the Son of Man would appear in the clouds. God would send out his angels with a loud trumpet call and they would gather his elect from the four winds and from heaven. According to Jeremiah 49:36, these four winds are the four quarters of heaven. Ezekiel 37:9 tells us that the ones from the four winds are those who were slain. So the Lord is calling the dead to rise and join him. We will not be able to see this from earth. On September 23, 2017 the sign of the Son of Man appeared in the sky. This day was also the Feast of Trumpets. We just read where God would sent out his angels with a loud trumpet call and then they would gather those who have been slain. We could only saw the sign in the sky. *** Jesus tells us it will be the same as the days of Noah where they had no idea what was about to happen, even though Noah preached and told them it was coming. That is the way it is now. Only those awake know the day we are living in. The rest of the world is going on with their daily living, unaware. They didn’t know till the flood swept them away and that will be the same now. Those swept away will be taken while we will be preserved on the earth. *** Jesus called us to be faithfully doing his work when this happens. When the evil see that they are getting away with all their crimes they will not repent, but they will not get away with their evil. They will be taken and face their judgment. They will be thrown into the pit where they will weep and gnash their teeth. *** Both our Psalm and our Proverb mention Sheol, the place of the dead. This is where the evil will end up. *** Lord, thank you for the promise of eternity with you. Thank you that your Word is true and every jot and tittle will be carried out before all this is done. May we be awake and aware of what you are doing and not be afraid. We rest with assurance in your arms.