Psalm 22’s Detailed Crucifixion Prophecy, part 3: Enduring the Cross, Despising the Shame

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1 Peter 5:8, Death on the cross, Jesus sacrifice on the cross, nails and the crucifixion, Psalm 22, Roman nails and the crucifixion, the bulls of bashan, the place of the serpent, the sacrifice of the cross, the tola worm, They pierced my hands and my feet

We have been studying Psalm 22. So far we have uncovered that Psalm 22 is in general a prophetic psalm that had been recognized by the Jews as Messianic; we have discovered that it predicted the death of Jesus, that specifically God did not turn His face from Jesus when on the cross, that God had always saved His people, and that on the cross God was saving His people in the manner of the Tola worm who is scientifically known to give up her life for her young, and that such a salvation would be despised and rejected by those needing salvation.

Today, let’s continue on with the intricate details of Psalm 22.

The Passage Unpackaged

Psalm 22:7-8 The Shame

“All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”

This we see fulfilled in Matthew 27:39-44 (also accounts found in Mark 15 and Luke 23) in the account of Jesus’ crucifixion:

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.”

Psalm 22:11-13 The Sacrifice

“Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.”

“Many bulls have compassed me.” Does this mean actual bulls are standing at the base of the cross? Does this mean that the cows got out and herded around Jesus? We’ll get to who the bulls are in a minute.

To begin with, however, what does “compassed me” mean? When it says that they are compassing the Suffering One, this means (Hebrew: sabab, #5437) they are encircling Him, moving around Him in a circular, fluid motion, like as if He is a ritual sacrifice.

“Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.” When it says here that the Suffering One is “beset” the Hebrew word (katar, #3803) means that He is now being pressed upon as in a large crowd, the enemy is closing in on Him; His enemies are gathering closer and closer and waiting to pounce.

“They gaped upon me with their mouths.” The Hebrew word pasah (#6475) means “to open one’s mouth, to utter.” It is used of the earth opening its mouth for Abel’s innocent blood (Gen 4:11) and of the earth swallowing the wicked in an earthquake (Numbers 16:30, Deut 11:6), and also is used of one speaking accusations such as in Lam. 2:16 and 3:46. And this is done as a “ravening and roaring lion.” To raven means “to tear in pieces” (Hebrew: tarap # 2963). To “roar” is the Hebrew word saag (#7580), and it means to roar like a lion, to emit a sound like thunder, or like the shouts of an aggressive enemy. This roaring is done in either great distress or victory. In the context of this passage, it seems that the enemies of the Suffering One, are in a circular, ritualistic fashion closing in on Him, and are opening their mouths in order to devour with accusatory words and thunderous bombastic presumptuous shouts of victory.

Now, who are these bulls of Bashan that are tormenting the Suffering One of Psalm 22? To begin with, there is an actual area known as Bashan. It is to the Northeast of Israel, is on the eastern side of the Jordan river, and is the present day Golan Heights. It is an incredibly fertile area well-known for its oak trees and its cows. Even today, its land is excellent for cattle and is home to many dairy farmers.

But, there is a darker side to this beautiful, lush landscape. For indeed, “Bashan…had a terrifying reputation. In ancient literature outside the Bible, Bashan was known as “the place of the serpent”…Bashan was ground zero to demonic gods and the realm of the dead. The area was a leading center for the worship of Baal, symbolized by bulls and cows. “Bulls from the land of Bashan” is a reference to demons, the powers of darkness,”” (Heiser).

Some scholars believe that the Jewish leadership could have been playing out the part of the bulls of Bashan. After all, the scene that unfolds around the base of Jesus’ cross portrays the Jewish leadership parading themselves around Him, gawking up at Him, tormenting Him with their words and sneers. So, on one level, this may be true. After all, Satan loves to use people as his willing pawns and through them he could have dealt out vile vitriol and grim torment. But, on yet another level there is a very real spiritual realm that is very much active on their own and were fully capable of encircling Jesus on the cross, thinking they had defeated the darling of heaven. For truly, 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Psalm 22:14-15 An Excruciating Death

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.”

We see this scene unfold in John 19:28-29 which says, “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.”

In the gruesomeness of crucifixion, it is not surprising that all of His bones were out of joint, for that was common to those crucified. Furthermore, His heart melting like wax, Him drying up like a piece of pottery and His tongue sticking, meant He was quickly dying because of an extreme amount of fluid loss, His lungs collapsing, the thickening of His blood, and heart failure.

Psalm 22:16-18 They Pierced My Hands and Feet

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”

In Matthew 27:35 (as well as Mark 15 and Luke 23) we find the fulfillment of this scene, “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there…” John 19:23-24 says, “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.”

The history of crucifixion began as far back as the Assyrians, followed by the Persians, the then the Greeks, specifically Antiochus Epiphanes who crucified Jews who would not bow the knee to Hellenism. But, what was begun by other empires, was said to have been perfected by the Romans. It was developed by the Romans to be a torturous death in which the crucified one suffered greatly. Crucifixion was known as one of the, if not the cruelest and most shameful forms of death.

“Some have questioned the historical accuracy of Jesus being nailed to the cross. An analysis of the recorded instances of nailing in regards to time and place provide some striking data.” In the three hundred years before Christ, only ten “nailings” as they are called, were recorded as taking place. This means, that the use of nails in crucifixion was only recorded to have been used ten times in three hundred years. However, by the first century A.D. it is recorded that nails were used in crucifixion twenty-one times. Thus, the use of nails in crucifixion had increased. Not only this, but after the first century A.D. the use of nails in crucifixion sharply declined. Furthermore, according to historical accounts, “there are six recorded instances [of nails used in crucifixion] in Greece, two in regard to Carthage, and thirty-nine in regard to Rome…this…does demonstrate that historically speaking the greatest use of nails, both in time and place, center around the time of Jesus,” (John C. Robison, “Crucifixion in the Roman World: The Use of Nails at the Time of Christ,” pg. 49, https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=studiaantiqua) and most definitely and more specifically center around the Romans in the first century A.D.

In the day of King David writer of Psalm 22, there was no such thing as crucifixion or the piercing of one’s hands and feet in such a manner. There is no way that David could have known on his own what he was writing about nearly 1000 years before Jesus’ horrific death on the cross.

Conclusion:

Just think, God predicted this torture scene, this death, this pain, this horror…this salvation. God loved us so much that He came down, took on human flesh, dwelt among the very people who would spit upon Him, reject, unjustly condemn, mercilessly beat and crucify Him. He foresaw the Roman dogs and the brutality of their form of crucifixion; He predicted the Satanic onslaught at the base of the cross both in the spiritual realm as well as through the Jewish leadership; He foreknew His own horrific suffering and exactly how He would die. The book of Hebrews chapter 12:1-3 says it well when it tells us to, “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

We are all enduring something. For some it is physical. For some it is emotional. For some it has to do with family or friends. But, we are all running a race while we are here on earth. But, the Lord wants us to remember what He endured, that He despised the shame of His own death, the false accusations of sinners against Him—the King of glory—BUT He did it because He knew the JOY that lay just beyond it, the eternal joy, the joy of being seated next to God. For, the cross was not the end for Jesus. And our trials are not the end for us. Even so, it says, that we who are going through great trials in this life must keep things in perspective, and must not become exhausted nor give up. Let us remember the words of Jesus in John 16:33, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Blessings this Passover and Resurrection Season,

Holy Light Ministries

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/03/29/psalm-22s-detailed-crucifixion-prophecy-part-1-did-god-turn-his-face-away/

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/03/29/psalm-22s-detailed-crucifixion-prophecy-part-2-the-incredible-tola-worm/

Sources:

Michael S. Heiser, Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters, ed. David Lambert (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 92.

Holy Week: The Bulls of Bashan Surround Me, https://seerssee.com/holy-week-the-bulls-of-bashan-surround-me/#note-2580-3.

Caesarea Philippi and the Nephilim?, http://www.biblestudywithrandy.com/2016/03/caesarea-philippi-nephilim/.

Baal and Ashera, http://www.christianfaith.com/resources/baal-and-asherah.

Golan Heights, Biblical Bashan, https://www.bibleplaces.com/golanheights/.

The Crucifixion of Jesus in Excruciating Detail, https://mudpreacher.org/tag/bulls-of-bashan/.

John C. Robison, “Crucifixion in the Roman World: The Use of Nails at the Time of Christ,” pg. 49, https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=studiaantiqua)

Jonathan Sacks, “Psalm 22,” http://www.hopeinmessiah.org/psalm-22/.

“Did God Really Forsake Jesus Christ on the Cross?” http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/did-god-really-forsake-jesus-christ-on-the-cross

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At Home “In” Christ

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1 Peter 5:8, abide, abide in Christ, Betsy ten Boom, Civilla D. Martin, Corrie ten Boom, grafted in, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, In Christ, Jesus is the vine, John 15, peace of God, Philippians 4, Philippians 4:6-7, Satan is a roaring lion, Seeking whom he may devour, that our joy might be full, The Hiding Place, Tramp for the Lord, true peace, Under His Wings, We are the branches, What does it mean to abide, William Cushing

Painting by artist Randy Van Beek

When you hear the word peace, of what do you think? When I hear the word peace, I think of softness, stillness and gentleness, like a warm summer breeze that tousles the branches in the trees and spreads the fragrance of freshly cut hay. When you hear the word home, what do you picture in your mind? Is it the place where you grew up? Is it a person? Is it your comfy chair, a crackling fire and a warm drink? Is is ocean surf at your feet, warm sandy beaches, and a frosty glass with something yummy in it?

In reality, both peace and home are something a bit different. To begin with, the peace of God is not all that soft, but rather, is a force to be reckoned with, that overwhelms and overcomes the wind and the waves, even the violence and intricate tactics of an enemy seeking to destroy us. God’s Word says that the enemy roams about like a lion, zealously seeking whom he may devour – which literally means to “drink down, swallow up” (1 Peter 5:8). He desires to stealthily steal us, sacrificially kill us on his altar and to violently and completely annihilate us, as if we never had existed (John 10:10). We are essentially born spiritually blind on a battlefield, and babies on battlefields don’t mix so well. We cannot see the battlefield much less the enemy waiting to pounce upon us. And how he attacks most effectively, even since our childhood, is in our minds.

This is where God’s peace comes in to play. Our Jehovah Shalom, the LORD of peace, the Prince of Peace has given us peace that is our protection against Satan’s battle plan of extermination in our minds. Satan comes against us with selfish pride, anxiety and fear based on very real circumstances, but God’s peace is greater if we “abide.” And where we abide is our safe place, our secure place, our soft place to fall….our home.

“In” Christ

There is an often overlooked word in the passage of Philippians 4:7. Actually, it is an overlooked word throughout the New Testament. It is a word that I just read over time and time and time again. It’s a simple, two lettered word. A preposition actually. Do any of you remember what a preposition is? Well, in Greek “The original or core meaning of…prepositions often indicates DIRECTION.” (“Prepositions and Prefixes,” https://ancientgreek.pressbooks.com/chapter/13/) In other words, a preposition determines if a person is moving away from something, toward something, into something, on top of something or under something.

In Philippians 4:7, the overlooked preposition is the word “in”. In some translations the word is translated as “through.” Although, when I studied the Greek this past weekend I cannot figure out where the translators got the word “through.” For, the Greek word does not mean to go “through” something, but rather that you are “in” something. After all, the Greek word means “in”. It carries with it “…the primary idea of rest…[of] remaining in place.” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, 579). This preposition “in” is also found in the well-known passage of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things [in] Christ who strengthens me.”

This little word is vitally important, for without it, we would not have this peace. It is only when we are “in” Christ that we are empowered to do “all”. It is only when we are “in” Christ that we are powerfully protected by the peace of God that boggles the mind. For it is only when we are “in” that we are at rest, that we are at home.

“I Want To Go Home”

As an former employee of a health care facility, I had to watch certain training videos online every month called Relias training. In one of those training videos, the topic of residents being homesick was addressed. Often in nursing care facilities, residents will miss home and become depressed and sometimes even angry and desperate, especially those with dementia. But going home doesn’t necessarily mean what one might think it means. Sometimes, the resident with dementia thinks they are 17 years old again, and home to them is the large old house they grew up in on the farm. Other times, they are still 32 years old and married with small children living in a certain house in a little town. At other times, home to them is not a place but is a person like their husband or wife or their mother or children or even their pets or cows if they were a dairy farmer.

It was then that the narrator of the Relias video asked a question concerning what the phrase “I want to go home” means. When someone says “I want to go home” it can mean a variety of different things to different people as seen above.

What does home mean to you? When you think about going home, what does it look like to you? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “home”?

Some who say this may be referring to feelings like security or safety or acceptance, others may think of home as a certain place, like where they grew up or where they raised their children, others may think of it as a place where their things are, like their favorite chair or a fireplace, and still others may think of it as a person.

Grafting

Regarding a place to call home, John 15:1-11 gives us a beautiful picture of a vine and branches.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

To “abide” means just that, “to abide, to dwell, to remain, or live.” When in relation to a person, it means to remain with that person, to be united with them, to be “one with him in heart, mind, and will.”

Jesus in this passage uses an agricultural word picture when He states that He is the vine, and God the Father is the husbandman/gardener. In Israel a lot of pruning, cutting and grafting was done to olive trees, but also other fruit trees. There were branches that were not producing, so they would be cut away. Others simply needed pruning to encourage production. Still others required grafting. In the book of Romans, Paul even talks about how the Gentiles were “grafted in” to the vine of Christ. Since this word picture is so important, I did a little reading on the grafting of trees.

It is amazing how one can take a small twig of one fruit tree and make it part of another tree. Basically, one whittles down the end of the twig into a point, and a cut is made in the bark of the trunk of another fruit tree. It is into this cut that the little sharpened twig is wedged and then wrapped up tight with plastic tape. Within a short period of time the little twig becomes an actual part of the fruit tree. It’s incredible how through grafting, there can even be three different types of apples growing from one tree. So long as the fruit is from the same family, grafting can be accomplished. One can even have apricots, peaches and almonds grafted together into one tree because they are all a part of the same family. And thus, the one tree becomes the “abiding” place or the abode of the different fruits. It is now their home.

Whether the original branches or the grafted branches, they are to abide in the tree, to find their strength in its life, their sustenance in its sap, their stability in its roots, their home in its soil. Even so, we are to find our home “in” Christ. So that no matter where we are, who we are with, what financial status we are in, or what location in which we reside, whether a five-star hotel, a straw hut, a mansion, a cockroach infested hovel, a war torn landscape, a prison, the Poor House, the White House, or a care center, we will be secure, we will be at home, because our home is in Christ.

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Pictures of grafting fruit trees from Ladyleeshome.com

Conclusion

We conclude today with a quote from the book Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom. Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch woman, who, along with her family helped many Jews to escape from Holland after the Nazis invaded during WWII. She and her family were imprisoned in a concentration camp because of this, and all of her family died in concentration camps except for Corrie who went on to become a traveling evangelist and author of The Hiding Place. In the sequel to The Hiding Place called Tramp for the Lord, Corrie ten Boom drives home the point that Christ is our home no matter where we are, when she writes,

“Betsie and I walked to the square where roll call was being held in the concentration camp. It was still early, before dawn. The head of our barracks was so cruel that she had sent us out into the very cold outdoors a full hour too early.

Betsie’s hand was in mine. We went to the square by a different way from the rest of our barracks-mates. We were three as we walked with the Lord and talked with Him. Betsie spoke. Then I talked. Then the Lord spoke. How? I do not know. But both of us understood…

The brilliant early morning stars were our only light. The cold winter air was so clear. We could faintly see the outlines of the barracks, the crematorium, the gas chamber, and the towers where the guards were standing with loaded machine guns.

“Isn’t this a bit of heaven!” Betsie had said. “And, Lord, this is a small foretaste. One day we will see You face-to-face, but thank You that even now You are giving us the joy of walking and talking with You.”

Heaven in the midst of hell. Light in the midst of darkness. What security!”

(Tramp for the Lord, pg 30)

Ah, what security we have in Christ when He is our home.

This brings to mind the song, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905/6. While she and her husband were ministering in New York, they developed a close friendship with a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. Mrs. Doolittle was a bed-ridden invalid of 20 years, and Mr. Doolittle wheeled himself to and from work in his wheelchair. After observing the cheerful behavior and kindness expressed to everyone through this couple, Mr. Doolittle wondered aloud about what their secret was. To that the Doolittles responded, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Inspired by these words, Civilla Martin penned the words you are about to read. May the Lord greatly bless you with these timeless lyrics of contentment and security and absolute peace.

"Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? 
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home, 
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: 
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear, 
and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; 
though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: 
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, 
when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies; 
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free: 
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." 

One more hymn of the same time period that my heart begins to sing as I think on abiding in Christ is one by the name of “Under His Wings,” written by William Cushing. William Cushing had been a pastor who permanently lost his voice when he was in his forties. In spite of this horrific set back, he continued praising the Lord and wrote over 300 hymns, which have blessed countless people, including me and now hopefully you.

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Chorus: 
Under His wings, under His wings,
  Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
    Safely abide forever.

Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!
  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!
  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

So, no matter what comes in this life, even in the next few months, please, in the words of Philippians 4:6-7, “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds [in] Christ Jesus.”

Jesus wants us to abide in Him. Why? That His joy might remain in us, and our joy might be full. Are you lacking joy today? Are you lacking peace? It’s time to abide. And if you don’t know how, ask Him. He’ll show you! And from now on, I sincerely pray, that if you are ever asked about who or what or where home is to you, that you’ll say Jesus.

Abiding in Christ,

Holy Light Ministries

Other Excellent Links:

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/jehovah-shalom-what-is-our-focus/

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/the-time-is-at-hand-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

https://holylight4u.wordpress.com/2021/05/11/psalm-23-the-lord-is-my-shepherd/

No Worries: The Song of Creation

Word Study and Sources for the Article:

Studies of the word “In”

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

#1722 en “in”; means “In…by any place or thing, with the primary idea of rest…means remaining in place” (pg 579).

“Prepositions and Prefixes,” https://ancientgreek.pressbooks.com/chapter/13/

“Appendix 3: Prepositions,” https://www.motorera.com/greek/lessons/appendix3.html

Sources on the word “Abide”

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament

#3306 meno, “Abide”; “To remain, abide, dwell or live” (pg 959).

“Of the relation in which one person or thing stands with another, chiefly in John’s writings; thus to remain in or with someone, i.e., to be and remain united with him, one with him in heart, mind, and will…” (pg 959).

John 15 “Abiding” and Philippians 4:7, 13 “In Christ”

“What It Means To Abide In Christ & How To Do It,” https://www.johnrothra.com/devotionalteaching/christian-living/what-it-means-to-abide-in-christ-how-to-do-it/

The grafting of the trees and the producing of fruit

“Grafting Fruit Trees,” https://ladyleeshome.com/grafting-fruit-trees/

“How Grafting Affects Olive Trees,” https://homeguides.sfgate.com/grafting-affects-olive-trees-56828.html

“Did You Know This About Olive Trees?” https://godinthebeginning.wordpress.com/2017/06/21/did-you-know-this-about-olive-trees/

Psalm 91 word study

The Complete Words Study Dictionary: Old Testament

#3885 liyn or lun, “abide”; “It describes the secure, peaceful rest of one living close to the Lord…” (pg 546).

The Time Is At Hand: Is THIS Part of the Great Delusion?

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1 Peter 5:8, 2 Thessalonians 2, 2 Timothy 3:13, Annie Bukacek, Beast system, Dr Annie Bukacek, Dr. Pamela Popper, End Time Events, End Times Great Deception, great deception, great delusion, Last Days, New World Order, Pam Popper, Seeking whom he may devour

I want to cover a few odds and ends today regarding what is happening in the U.S. This blog is all about the Bible, End Time events, and deception (especially deception in the Church), and this information is pertinent and relevant. Moreover, what will be covered today is yet another sign that we are in the last of the Last Days, the beast system is rising, evil is growing worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13), and we as Christians must be alert and vigilant for the enemy of our souls is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). For, really, what if THIS is part of the great delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2? What if? I mean, isn’t this whole unreal COVID 19 “thing” affecting the whole world?

Now, down to business. I want to inform you that in various states across America, the governors and secretaries of health have mandated that all staff and residents of nursing care facilities and assisted living places be tested for COVID 19 whether they are symptomatic or not. Ultimately, the residents still have the right to refuse such a test. But the staff do not. It is mandatory for staff. For those who do not comply, DOH’s “recommendation is to be consistent with policies for other mandated tests, such as a compulsory TB test.”(“FAQs,” https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVID-19-SNFMemoryCareTestingFAQ.pdf). At one facility in particular COVID 19 testing has become “a condition for employment [and] if a staff member refuses the test without medical justification, we will accept that as a voluntary resignation effective immediately.” Along with this, according to Erie County in New York state all facilities must send the results “to a statewide lab reports database. ECDOH reviews the results daily and then the ECDOH contact tracing team contacts those with a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and begins case investigations. “Contact tracing is a standard tool in public health to identify and isolate individuals with a communicable disease,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “With COVID-19, we are working with these individuals to identify their close contacts, advise those contacts of the need to quarantine and offer them diagnostic testing.””(New York’s WKBW Buffalo regarding contact tracing in Erie County, https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/what-you-need-to-know-about-covid-19-contact-tracing-in-erie-county)

Falling a bit farther down the rabbit hole, unbelievably, in Texas they are using new tracing technology among workers and residents at nursing care facilities, and actually, they say they’ve been using this for awhile in at least 6 of their nursing homes. It is called CarePredict. “…When a staff member at an Amarillo assisted living facility called in sick, they immediately turned to their digital contact tracing technology… Here’s how it works: CarePredict uses “beacon” technology to connect with wristbands worn by every staff member and resident in the facility, tracking their movements or interactions with each other and the environment.” According to CarePredict’s chief business officer Gerald Wilmink, “This was designed to identify when a senior’s activities and behaviors change, and then we would make predictions for whether they were at risk for a fall, for depression.” (“Texas Senior Living Facilities Using Wearable Tech for COVID 19 Contact Tracing,” https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/nursing-home-investigations/texas-senior-living-facilities-using-wearable-tech-for-covid-19-contact-tracing/). When it comes to Beacon technology, “Think of the phrase “beacon of light.” That’s kind of what a beacon is, from a technology standpoint–but instead of a lighthouse emitting light into the sea, it’s a small Bluetooth radio transmitter.” (“What is Beacon Technology and How are Businesses Benefitting,” https://www.rightpoint.com/thought/2018/11/16/beacon-technology)

The Contact Tracer Estimating Tool built by George Washington University is also being utilized by health departments for the sake of determining how many staff are needed in order to contact trace in various areas around the country. (“Texas Senior Living Facilities Using Wearable Tech for COVID 19 Contact Tracing,” https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/nursing-home-investigations/texas-senior-living-facilities-using-wearable-tech-for-covid-19-contact-tracing/). And according to Governor Burgum of North Dakota, “North Dakota is excited to be among the first states in the nation to utilize the exposure notification technology built by Apple and Google to help keep our citizens safe,” Burgum said. “The Care19 Exposure app will help us improve contact tracing and continue our ND Smart Restart by notifying people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, reaching the greatest number of people in a way that protects their privacy. As we respond to this unprecedented public health emergency, we invite other states to join us in leveraging smartphone technologies to strengthen existing contact tracing efforts, which are critical to getting communities and economies back up and running.” (“Burgum: ND to Launch Second Contact Tracing App Using Technology Developed by Apple and Google,” https://www.health.nd.gov/news/burgum-nd-launch-second-contact-tracing-app-using-technology-developed-apple-and-google)

Furthermore, since at least the beginning of April, Stanford University has been tracking the sewage of California’s Bay City Area. More than likely at this time they have begun “analyzing those samples for traces of genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. That freezer is becoming a library of what the Bay Area’s bowels have revealed as the pandemic has progressed, and if all goes according to plan, it will become a blueprint for how studying sewage might provide a way for cities to detect flare-ups of Covid-19.” (“One Way to Potentially Track COVID 19? Sewage Surveillance,” https://www.wired.com/story/one-way-to-potentially-track-covid-19-sewage-surveillance/) This type of sewage surveillance has been going on for some time, including in Israel regarding polio — or so it has been reported. (“Sewage Surveillance is the Next Frontier in the Fight Against Polio,” https://theconversation.com/sewage-surveillance-is-the-next-frontier-in-the-fight-against-polio-105012) And on top of this, a small town called Lynden, Washington up near the Canadian border boasts they are the only town in Washington state investing in such surveillance of their own sewage system, (Lynden Tribune online, June 17, 2020 https://www.lyndentribune.com/news/fastest-way-of-knowing-virus-in-the-sewer/article_c8e89af0-b0c1-11ea-8c55-bb0987ab4fda.html).

And though HR 6666 regarding contact tracing has come to a standstill in the House, HR 6800 which “contains the essence of HR 6666” passed the House on May 15th and was just heard by a committee in the Senate. (Mary Holland, chairwoman of Children’s Health Defense, as well as a government website. Please check out these sources: “CHD’s Mary Holland Talks HR 6666,” https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/chds-mary-holland-talks-h-r-6666/and “HR 6800: The Heroes Act,” https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr6800)

And when it comes to the staff and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to the CDC, there are plans for “serial testing after the initial facility-wide testing to facilitate cohorting and identify new transmission events early.” (“Performing Facility-wide Sars-CoV-2 Testing in Nursing Homes,” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/nursing-homes-facility-wide-testing.html)

In other words, this mandatory testing appears to be more about contact tracing than our health. This is not for our benefit nor our good. After all, since when have the rulers of this world be beneficent? This is the enemy’s plan to steal, kill and destroy us, and the rulers of this world are in league with him for world power.

Based on this as well as government sites, the test of swabbing is unreliable at best, especially on asymptomatic people. (“Should I Get Tested for Coronavirus Just for the Heck of It?” https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/31/865932474/should-i-get-tested-for-coronavirus-just-for-the-heck-of-it and the youtube Dr. Pamela Popper “Misinformation, Inaccurate Tests, and What’s Next,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDls2VIJ7ys) And the NIH even did a study on an asymptomatic person who tested positive for COVID 19 (again without symptoms) and the 455 people who had had contact with that individual. Of those 455 people, 0 –that is ZERO– of them ever tested positive for COVID 19. (“A Study on Infectivity of Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Carriers,” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611120301669).

So what is all this hubbub about? A virus that Dr. Fauci, in an article written by him and two other doctors in a prestigious medical journal, compared to a mere flu? (COVID-19 – Navigating the Uncharted,” https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387). Is this what Dr. Fauci predicted as the “surprise” pandemic that would happen during Trump’s first term as U.S. president? (“Fauci Warned Trump Administration a ‘Surprise Outbreak’ Was Coming in 2017,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3twYon8pc). Is this indeed what was planned at Event 201 in October of 2019? (“Event 201 and How It Eerily Predicted the Coronavirus Outbreak,” –Begins at about the 3.5 minute mark– https://banned.video/watch?id=5e6ae8d38af6590072b2e2b5).

Or maybe its about Coronavirus positive papayas, or goats, or birds, as President Magufuli pointed out in a recent speech. That’s right, the Tanzanian government carefully swabbed the inner part of a papaya (otherwise known as pawpaw), put a human name on the test sample, and stealthily sent it in for testing to an official lab. It came back positive for coronavirus. A papaya. Are we now to quarantine the papayas? How about the goats? Or the birds? (“Don’t Worry Tansania! We Even Took Samples from Car Oil,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rXGZ_UsYJc and the article “Tanzania’s Magufuli – Taking on Coronavirus and Imperialism” https://news.yahoo.com/tanzanias-magufuli-taking-coronavirus-imperialism-232656236.html)

And to put this all in perspective, worldwide according to worldometer real time stats as of June 18, 2020 (https://www.worldometers.info/):

226,720 people have died of the season flu this year;

628,063 have died in traffic accidents this year.

782,141 people have died from HIV/AIDs this year;

2,325,883 have died from smoking this year;

3,536,498 children under age 5 have died this year;

3,821,443 died of cancer so far this year;

19,786,073 abortions have been performed this year;

Compare that to 456,286 worldwide who have presumably died from Coronavirus, and as of August 26th there have been 161,332 death in the U.S. I say “presumably” because the CDC early on directed doctors and coroners to, without testing, make assumptions on death certificates regarding the cause of death. (“Montana Physician Dr. Annie Bukacek–How COVID 19 Death Certificates Are Manipulated,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzoOZC9WT1E). And as of September 2nd, the CDC stated under the heading Comorbidities, stated, “For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned” (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm). Indeed, from the above stats it appears that the real pandemic is that of the murder of the unborn. But that is a topic for another time.

With this in mind, is this COVID 19 planned pandemic of panic perhaps the great delusion? (2 Thessalonians 2) After all, so many have bought into it, including churches and pastors in spite of many looming unanswered questions, unreliable media and medical info that is constantly changing, and on and on. Or is it merely the preceding delusion that leads up to the great one? For indeed, this is laying the groundwork for the beast system wherein people world-wide will be greatly deceived, and the beast will be worshiped as god. Incredibly, we are watching the final chapters of this age of the earth unfold right before our eyes. Indeed the time of the Lord is at hand. Let’s be ready, Christian. Jesus is coming soon!