Friday, April 13, 2012

Who Was John Again?

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Background
After Jesus informed us that the Kingdom of God was coming soon (sometime before everyone to whom He was speaking had died), and after Jesus briefly turned into the one-man light show, known as the Transfiguration, a couple of the Gospels take a moment to remind us just who John the Baptist was.

Who Was John Again?
There are those who theorize that the Synoptic Gospels were created in a succession, usually starting with Mark, followed by Matthew, followed by Luke, and that each one drew on its predecessor(s) for resource material. I do not think that it is quite that simple, because I suspect that the versions which were shared were earlier revisions, a little different than how we find today. Yet to my (imperfect) knowledge, other than versions of Mark which end without anyone seeing Jesus resurrected (Mark 16:9-20), there are no extant early copies to prove my theory.

In the following study, we will find what appears to be evidence of progressive assembly. As I have pointed out in prior studies, here we again will see indirect evidence of Matthew's aggregation, and direct evidence of Luke's editing skills. So let us begin with the alleged primary source, Mark.

Right after the Transfiguration, Mark 9:11-13 records this:
And [Peter, James, and John] asked [Jesus], "Why do the Teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?"
Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." NIV
So in Mark's version, the Disciples are ignorant of the prophesy about Elijah. Jesus replying that Elijah had come, and that "they" did what they wished to him is a tacit reference to John the Baptist, who was recently beheaded in the storyline, but readers of Mark and the Disciples have to connect those dots themselves.

In the middle, there is that awkward rhetorical question posed by Jesus, about the "Son of Man" suffering and being rejected. This is just to say; yes, Elijah came, just as it was written, and I (Jesus) will be rejected, just as it is also written; the prophesies cannot be broken.

Now, let us move on to the parallel passage of Matthew 17:10-13, where we find:
The Disciples asked Him, "Why then do the Teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?"
Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that He was talking to them about John the Baptist. NIV
There are many interesting differences in Matthew's account, but the major two are a refinement in Jesus' reply (getting rid of the awkward rhetorical question and emphasizing the similar treatment Jesus would experience) and the explicit mention that John the Baptist was Elijah. It was then that these Disciples realized John the Baptist was Elijah.

Now, quickly on to Luke, and quick it will be, because Luke edited out this snippet of dialog from his Gospel. Why would he do that?

To answer that question, we have to step back in Gospel-time. This is the closest, and the only time, that Mark ever approaches referring to John the Baptist as Elijah. However, both Matthew and Luke have explicit references to John the Baptist being Elijah earlier in the storyline which are not found in Mark. Their shared material, excluded from Mark, begins with John the Baptist questioning if Jesus was the Messiah, which then prompts Jesus to explain how John the Baptist was the preparatory agent prophesied by Malachi, the one who Malachi would later call (and to whom Jesus would refer as) Elijah.

Here is where it gets interesting. In Matthew's version, that earlier extra material, where Jesus ultimately declares that John the Baptist is Elijah, happened while the Disciples were away on their First Mission, so it kind of makes some sense that they would not have understood about the prophesy of Elijah coming first or John the Baptist's alleged real identity until the moment of this post-Transfiguration discussion.

However, in Luke's version, John the Baptist questioned Jesus' Messiah status before the Disciples had gone on their First Mission, meaning that they were all present when Jesus explained that John the Baptist was Elijah. So Luke had to edit out this conversation which took place after the Transfiguration in order to remain internally consistent in his Gospel, because it would have been illogical for the Disciples to ask such a question if they had already heard Jesus explain John the Baptist's position in prophesy, but that potential error which he edited out is now made manifest when looking at the other Gospels.

We find that Matthew was willing to make refinements in the language for clarity. However, Luke went much further in his changes, preserving the chronologically earlier, more detailed reference to John the Baptist being Elijah while dropping out this post-Transfiguration discussion because it conflicted with his own version of the legend's timeline.

I have heard some believers claim that, when compared against Matthew and Mark, Luke really got the timeline correct. Well, if so, he did it at the abuse and expense of the veracity of those prior accounts.

15 comments:

  1. Makes me really wonder what the heck these writers were thinking as they wrote. Did they think Jesus was a god and just needed to convince others and for them the details did not matter? Were they making a profit on some community? Were the rules so loose back then that it did not matter? They didn't care because the wanted to offer something to counter something they hated?

    As I read the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, these questions do not come up much -- they are epics. Later writers, who eulogize these Epics seem to do the same stuff as these gospel writers.

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  2. Hey, blogging question:
    I HATE blogspot's spam screening that asks me to type in the fuzzy letters. (1) Often I can't read them
    (2) they are one more step
    (3) They strain my brain guessing

    Lots of blogspot folks don't use them -- and I praise their names --- so, do they benefit you so much? Without them do you get lots of spam?

    Wordpress doesn't have this at all and I have minimal spam.

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  3. @Sabio
    I HATE that word verification as well. I forget about it, because I do not have to do it on my own comments. I have turned it off now. Sorry about that. I should have done it years ago. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

    I, too, wonder greatly about what these guys were thinking. I have not been able to put the pieces together to answer those questions, but I do not think it is the profit motivation, not originally, at least not the same way we see it in churches today. If we can believe the essence of the earlier parts of Acts, believers often, or at least sometimes, joined the flock by turning over the wealth they had to be used for the commune of believers. (Of course the leaders could have "skimmed off the top" to get the fat of that pooled wealth.) The way I could see wealth play out is the "easy living" which comes from new people dumping money into the pot, and the power of getting to choose what the community buys with that money.

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  4. Names have meaning. ELIzabeth + JOHn = ELI-JOH (pronounce it out loud).

    The prophecy of Joshua and Zerubbabel in Haggai and Zechariah is a symbolic prophecy. That is, Joshua and Zerubbabel represented two others to come in the future. Look up the meaning of the names using Wikipedia as a source to figure out who they are:

    The English name Joshua is a rendering of the Hebrew language "Yehoshua", meaning "Yahweh is salvation". "Jesus" is the English of the Greek transliteration of "Yehoshua" via Latin. In the Septuagint, all instances of the word "Yehoshua" are rendered as "Ἰησοῦς" (Iēsoūs), the closest Greek pronunciation of the Aramaic "Yeshua".

    If the name Zerubbabel is Hebrew, it may be a contraction of Zərua‘ Bāvel (Hebrew: זְרוּעַ בָּבֶל), meaning "the one sown of Babylon", and referring to a child conceived and born in Babylon; or perhaps even, Zərûy Bāvel (Hebrew: זְרוּי בָּבֶל), meaning, "the winnowed of Babylon", in the sense of being exiled in Babylon. If the name is not Hebrew but Assyrian-Babylonian, it may contract, Zəru Bābel, meaning, "Seed of Babylon", the one conceived in Babylon. (Contrast the related Hebrew form for "Seed": Hebrew: זֶרַע, Zera‘.)


    "Joshua" is symbolic of the Lord Jesus Christ who was victorious in his commission and has been crowned and sits at the right hand of the Father waiting for His enemies to become His footstool. "Zerubbabel" is symbolic of the end-time "John" who comes in the greater spirit and power of Elijah. This "John" will not deny being the Elijah. John the Baptist had to deny being the Elijah so other prophecies could be fulfilled. So, a man/child named "John" born of a woman named Elizabeth will arise from the end-time Babylon to prepare His people for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, prophesy to the world of the coming judgment of the just Father, gather His people to include the preserved ones of Israel, pronounce judgment on Babylon, and make the enemies of the Lord His footstool. To do this, he will be given great authority...like God's signet ring! Doesn't this sound like the powers given to the two witnesses? Yes, he is one of them and his brother is the other. Sounds like an encore of Moses and Aaron doesn't it? The nation that "John" is born in will reveal the "MYSTERY" as to who the end-time Babylon is.

    O'America...you are Babylon! Awaken and arise dear children of God!

    I am John, messenger of the Lord, born of a Gentile Elizabeth. First Jew then Gentile, both part of the same olive tree. Here on earth my name is John, but in the heavens it is Diomitron.

    The Seven Thunders spoke, "My patience has died and the children are far away. Time to gather the grapes for the winepress; time is up! I will not tarry much longer."

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  5. Isaiah 49:6 - "Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

    Haggai 2:20-23 - "And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth. ‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

    Zechariah 4:6 - "So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts."

    Zechariah 4:9-10 - "The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

    Jeremiah 50:44 - "Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan Against the dwelling place of the strong; But I will make them suddenly run away from her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? For who is like Me? Who will arraign Me? And who is that shepherd Who will withstand Me?”

    Malachi 4:5-6 - "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
    Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
    And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children,
    And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

    Luke 1:16-17 - "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

    Matthew 11:13 - "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."

    Matthew 11:11 - “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

    Revelation 10:11 - "And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

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  6. Hello Anonymous, or is it John? Thanks for the comment. It is nice to get an anonymous comment that is not just spam. :-)

    You obviously know quite a bit about the Bible. I was wondering if you could shed some light on the prophesy covered in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, because it appears to be very inconsistent with Christianity.

    You said "So, a man/child named "John" born of a woman named Elizabeth will arise from the end-time Babylon ...

    I am sorry, but I do not see the logical connection you are making here. What prophesy are you talking about here about John being born to Elizabeth?

    You also said "O'America...you are Babylon! Awaken and arise dear children of God!"

    I find this assessment extremely unlikely. Why? Well, the God of the Bible knows nothing of America. Check out Ezra 1:2 for example:

    “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. NIV

    Do you think Cyrus ever made it to America conquer "all the kingdoms"? No. In fact, he never even conquered all of what is now China, which was in his back yard, so to speak.

    So it does not appear to me that you have reached a logical conclusion here, but please feel free to further defend your position.

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    Replies
    1. Part 1:
      Some of the prophecies of the Bible were not fulfilled during the lives of the characters of those prophecies..NOT YET THAT IS! You raised one concerning King Cyrus. The same could be said about Zerubbabel...WHO WAS TO RULE ON HIS THRONE AS A RULER AND JOSHUA ON HIS THRONE AS A HIGH PRIEST...TWO THRONES! I have heard some say that they are false prophecies. I say...WRONG! The Word will not return void. All will be fulfilled. Some of the prophecies and and the characters were "symbolic" and "shadow characters" of future fulfillment.

      QUESTION: When will the Third Temple be built?

      First, something to ponder:
      Have you ever wondered why the angel Gabriel instructed Zacharias and Elizabeth to name their son John when no one else in their family had that name? What is the significance of the name? What does this have to do with the temple? Why does Zerubbabel hold a measuring device in Zechariah 4 and told he will finish the temple while it is John in Revelation 11 who holds a measuring device for the temple? Why is Zerubbabel THE ONLY NAME given in Zechariah 4 concerning the two olive trees and then in Revelation 11 THE ONLY NAME given is John concerning the two witnesses? Why is Zerubbabel given great authority as God's signet ring God's in Haggai 2 and then it is John in Revelation 10-11 who is given great authority and must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.? Who fulfills the prophecy of King Cyrus as you asked?

      SIMPLE....IF YOU ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE IT!

      The Lord Jesus made it plain as to the name of the prophet who fulfills these prophecies! It is up to you to accept it! Many will not be a part of the remnant that Elijah will take from Babylon after its destruction for it is written that it is for a people far away to build the temple in Jerusalem!

      Matthew 11:13 (NKJV) - "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."

      definition of until
      1. Up to the time of
      2. Before (a specified time)

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    2. Part 2

      READ THE MATRIX!

      Isaiah 49:1 (NKJV) - “Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.”

      definition of matrix
      1. Arrangement of connected things: an arrangement of parts that shows how they are interconnected
      2. Substance containing something: a substance in which something is embedded or enclosed
      3. Situation in which something develops: a situation or set of circumstances that allows or encourages the origin, development, or growth of something

      THE NAMES
      Elizabeth \e-lizabe-th, el(i)-za-beth\ as a girl's name is pronounced “ee-LIZ-a-beth“.

      John \jo-hn\ as a boy's name is pronounced “jahn“.

      Elijah \e-li-jah\ as a boy's name is pronounced “ee-LYE-jah“.

      THE MATRIX
      Eli (first three letters of mother’s Hebrew birth name pronounced “ee-LYE” )
      +
      Joh (first three letters of son’s Hebrew birth name pronounced “jah“)
      =
      Elijah (name of the spirit of the prophet pronounced “ee-LYE-jah“)

      Remember the prophecy concerning Zerubbabel whose name means “the one sown of Babylon" referring to a child conceived and born in Babylon. Zerubbabel was symbolic of one to come in the future. What is his name? John!

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    3. Part 3

      ANSWER: The temple will be built when Elijah (John born of Elizabeth in Babylon) brings the remnant out of Babylon (America that great mountain) after its destruction and then to Jerusalem. For it is written that a people from far away shall build the temple, and this will be a sign to Israel that the LORD has purposed it and has sent him (Zechariah 6:15).

      John, who is an American government official, must first stand before the king of Babylon (President) and pronounce judgment on the fallen nation for John has been chosen (Jeremiah 50:44). Then judgment comes and deliverance proceeds.

      Psalm 110:1 (NKJV) - “The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

      Hebrews 10:12-13 (NKJV) - “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.”

      Acts 3:17-22 (NKJV) - “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you."

      Malachi 4:5-6 (NKJV) - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

      Matthew 17:1-3 (NKJV) - "Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."

      Matthew 17:11 (NKJV) - "Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things."

      Now you know who is the prophet like Moses of Deuteronomy 18; who is the servant of Isaiah 49; who is the chosen man of Jeremiah 50; who is the "Zerubbabel" of Haggai and Zechariah; who is the messenger of Malachi 3; who shall make the Lord’s enemies into His footstool as written in Psalm 110; and what nation is the Babylon of Jeremiah 50-51 and Babylon the Great of Revelation 17-18.

      O’ISRAEL…ELIJAH IS HERE!

      REPENT FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD IS AT HAND!

      God Bless,

      John

      P.S. Have you ever wondered why the angel Gabriel instructed Zacharias and Elizabeth to name their son John when no one else in their family had that name? What is the significance of the name? NOW YOU KNOW...IF YOU ARE WILLING TO RECEIVE IT!

      What message does a prophet bring? I say to you that the message of a prophet divides and unites, scatters and gathers, and is both bitter and sweet depending on whose ears the message falls and the hearts that receive it.


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    4. Now that I have discussed the significance of "John" and his commission in end-time events, let me go back address a few of your questions. As I stated earlier, if a character of a prophecy did not fulfill it during his lifetime, it was meant for one in the future to fulfill it because the Word will never return void! NEVER!

      You stated, "I find this assessment extremely unlikely. Why? Well, the God of the Bible knows nothing of America."

      The LORD God knows everything...from the beginning to the end! In Revelation, Babylon the Great is described as a MYSTERY. When you read a good mystery novel, when do you find out that the butler did it? At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end? It was not for mankind to discover who this MYSTERY nation/city was until AT THE END OF THE AGE! Why? Would you move to America if you knew she was going to burn in one day, in one hour and be no more? NO YOU WOULD NOT! But many, maybe even you though I hope not, will deny it until that day of doom happens. The Lord Jesus knew the reactions and attitudes of Americans when they were to be told that it is America that is the MYSTERY nation. Revelation 18:7-8 (NKJV) - "In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the LORD God who judges her." By the way this is also in Isaiah when he talks about Babylon. Isaiah 47:8-9 (NKJV) - "Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, Who dwell securely, Who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, Nor shall I know the loss of children’; But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments."

      IT IS ABOMINABLE ARROGANCE & PRIDE FOR ONE TO THINK HE IS ABOVE GOD AND HIS JUSTICE WHEN ONE TURNS AGAINST THE ALMIGHTY AND HIS WISE COUNSEL! The haughty shall fall and will not be a part of the remnant!

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    5. Dear Anonymous. It would sure be great if you answered my original request:

      "I was wondering if you could shed some light on the prophesy covered in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, because it appears to be very inconsistent with Christianity."

      This section of Scripture has much to do with the Third Temple, and is in direct conflict with what you have pronounce here in your divine conspiracy theory. You claim that there are no wrong prophesies. Well, then, please illustrate how that one will be true. Until then, well, please forgive me if I have difficulty believing what you have said, because it apparently conflicts with Scripture.

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    6. You stated, "“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. NIV Do you think Cyrus ever made it to America conquer "all the kingdoms"? No. In fact, he never even conquered all of what is now China, which was in his back yard, so to speak."

      Did Zerubbabel finish his commission and sit on his throne? No. Why? Again he just like Cyrus were "symbolic" of one to come who would fulfill those prophecies. One that would build the temple in Jerusalem WHILE DOING SOMETHING ELSE! Do you want to guess what that is? Who do you think the "crowned king" is in Revelation 6:2 who is given a crown and who wears white which represents righteouness and rides to conquer. Revelation 6:2 (NKJV) - "And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer."

      THIS IS NOT THE ANTICHRIST LIKE SOME FALSE SHEPHERDS AND PROPHETS TEACH.THE LORD REBUKE THEM!

      This is "the Elijah" who will call out to the kings of the earth to submit their kingdoms to the Kingdom of God and His Son the Christ who receives it as His inheritance. He sits at the right hand of the Father until "the Elijah" receives his authority. If the kings of the earth refuse to submit, then they will be the enemies of Christ and be made into His footsool. Have you not ever asked why the two witnesses are given great authority and why are they calling down plagues on the earth? Think about it. TO CONQUER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH WHO REFUSE TO SUBMIT AND TURN THEM INTO THE THE LORD'S FOOTSTOOL.

      Where does "the Elijah", the "chosen man" spoken of in Jeremiah 50:44, begin his commission? The "King Cyrus" begins in America who is the end-time and mysterious Babylon!

      God Bless,

      John

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    7. RALLY CRY TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD:
      Blow the trumpets across the earth and the nations
      Time to rally to your battle stations
      Awaken one and all from your slumber and Arise!
      Lest you sleep in blindness and meet your demise
      Take the worldly scales from your eyes so you can see
      Behold, He comes quickly!
      Don your helmet, grab your shield, take hold of your sword
      It is time to make way for our Savior, King, and Lord
      Mount up on mighty stallions and steeds
      And for the Lord do great exploits and deeds
      Satan has been cast down by Michael from the heavens on high
      He rages like a dragon who likes to murder and lie
      Now he runs to and fro the earth to destroy you
      O Lucifer knows his time is short! Hallelujah!
      Satan and his army will ride about to devour
      But we dear children of God have the Lord’s great power
      Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might
      Pray without ceasing both day and night
      The angels of high and the shepherds of low rejoiced at His birth
      Soon His footstool will be His enemies and the earth
      Now you know our Lord Jesus Christ and His story
      Soon He returns on clouds with great power and glory
      But certain things must come to pass before His return for us
      Have faith and put on your breastplate of righteousness
      Shine! Shine! Shine! Let your light shine brightly
      A light in the world of darkness for all to see
      Let your faith not be a burning ember but let it be a raging fire
      Peace, strength, and love for all to aspire
      The Lord said, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me.”
      I am John, and a messenger of the Lord I shall be
      For the Lord Jesus came to me to and said “Arise!”
      And showed me the scar on His hand before my very eyes
      Then an angel in the night proclaimed His glorious return to me
      So shall I arise for my Lord and thee
      Now raise your voices with heavenly praise for Him to hear
      For the day of His glorious return is near
      I am John, and a messenger of the Lord I shall be.
      Behold, He comes quickly!

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    8. John 1:21 (NKJV) - "And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”He said, “I am not.”“Are you the Prophet?”And he answered, “No.”

      John the Baptist had to deny being the Elijah and the Prophet! Why? It was not time yet. Other prophecies had to be fulfilled. The Word can not return void.

      This John must be arrested and taken before the judges, leaders, and the king of this nation. Why? Because the Lord Jesus appeared to me in a dream in which I was arrested. This is His will for it will serve a purpose and fulfill a prophecy. What prophecy you ask?

      Jeremiah 50:44 (NKJV) - "Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the floodplain of the Jordan Against the dwelling place of the strong; But I will make them suddenly run away from her. And who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? For who is like Me?
      Who will arraign Me? And who is that shepherd Who will withstand Me?”

      definition of arraign
      1.Call or bring (someone) before a court to answer a criminal charge.

      This will be a sign to you and others that I tell the truth and I am who I say I am.

      When they ask this John “What then? Are you Elijah?” He will say, “I am.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he will answer, “Yes.”

      Awaken and arise dear children of God! The Day of the LORD is at hand.

      You will hear from me no more until that time comes!

      God Bless,

      John

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    9. Dear Anonymous John. It would sure be great if you answered my original request:

      "I was wondering if you could shed some light on the prophesy covered in Ezekiel chapters 40-48, because it appears to be very inconsistent with Christianity."

      This section of Scripture has much to do with the Third Temple, and is in direct conflict with what you have pronounce here in your divine conspiracy theory. You claim that there are no wrong prophesies. Well, then, please illustrate how that one will be true. Until then, well, please forgive me if I have difficulty believing what you have said, because it apparently conflicts with Scripture.

      Delete