. Photo: Lion Nebula: 1 Located in the constellation Cepheus. 2 The Lion is a strong Prophetic Symbol of the Messiah: “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah”—
NoThe second time to execute justice and judgment.
Understanding this timetable will greatly enhance your ability to grasp both the Old and New Testaments in greater measure.
“The Lion” has many Symbolic meanings in God’s Word. For example: He can represent Christ, or he can represent the Anti-Christ–5 depending on the context
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3 HELPFUL GUIDES FOR READING SCRIPTURE
1—The Bible is the best interpreter of itself. (first rule of interpretation.)
The Bible is unique in that there are over 63,779 cross references, where one scripture is connected to another scripture that gives both scriptures a fuller meaning and a deeper understanding. The more you read the Bible, the more familiar you will become with these illuminating interconnected undeniable cross references. . Often times God will start a story with the word picture, like being kicked out of Eden, or the first murder, or Noah’s flood, or the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. And then he’ll use those word pictures over and over throughout Israel’s history, thus cross referencing the Scriptures, making a masterful weaving of history, law, doctrine, consequences for obedience: His blessings, and consequences or curses for disobedience.
These examples repeat (over and over) and fill the scriptures. They tie together God’s incredibly detailed historical and legal accounts, that culminate and climax with the coming of the son of God and all they did to Him, and all He did for them. (Matthew 21:35-37)
2—A Text without a Context is a pretext–a.k.a. “a lie”. (second rule of interpretation.)
Every scripture is designed to be understood and interpreted from the point of view of the author.
A false understanding arises, when the reader tries to override the author’s perspective and purpose for writing.
Taking a text out of context is one of the main ways to produce a false understanding.
As One grows in his understanding of the context of a particular passage of scripture, so will One grow in his or her own understanding of all other scriptures interconnected with it.
The Bible is a closed book to those who don’t try to learn its message in context.
When a person chooses to be ignorant of the meaning of one scripture, he simultaneously becomes ignorant of many other scriptures that are interconnected with it. (Luke 19:26)
Thankfully, the opposite is also true, when a person diligently seeks to understand a particular scripture in its right context, he begins to understand all the interconnected scriptures that come in contact with it. Thus, the reader’s mind expands, just while reading and interpreting the plain text in context.
3—When Common Sense make the best sense, any other sense is Nonsense. (third rule of interpretation.)
In other words, when the common sense interpretation is plain as day, any other spurious interpretation is unfounded, and likely, prone to be in error. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Note: The tools of literature are as active in the scriptures as they are in all other forms of human communication: Poetry, Metaphor, Symbolism, Parallelism, Drama, Romance, Technical Writing, Hyperbole, Allegory, Irony, Sarcasm, Humor, Comparison, Contrast, Apocryphal Language, and other literary devices are often employed in EVERY DAY writing. It’s necessary to use them when reading the scriptures, just like when reading a newspaper, or talking to a friend.
If you don’t understand the plain meaning of the text, chances are you might not be privy to the symbolism being used. Therefore it is a powerful tool to reference others scriptures that help explain the symbolism. (For example the Book of Daniel, greatly helps one understand the Book of Revelation, and vice versa, much of the symbolism in Revelation, is borrowed from the book of Daniel.
In review: When the Bible is not used asthe best interpreter of itself; and when: A Text without a Context becomes a pretext; and when you or others miss the Common Sense understanding of the text, multiplied misunderstandings will arise. That’s a Guaranteed!
But when you carefully backtrack your steps and see your own errors, you will begin to will see God’s perspective. And that is: “Good in Thy Sight!”
A computer generated image just some of the clearly identifiable 63,779 cross references contained in the Bible.6
Right now, there is an Open Invitation: To Come and Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. It is personally addressed to you, with Your Name on it, written and sealed in the Blood of the Lamb. How will you RSVP?
Do you “See”[know] what hinders you from Entering the Kingdom of God?
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Challenge #1:
Do you see: What is “Good in His Sight”?
Do you see God’s heavenly treasures, from God’s perspective?
Do you know what things are hidden from Your Sight?
Changing your Perspective — Can Make All the Difference.
Once you SEE from His Point of View, you will be transformed.
Jesus said:
“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth,
Because Thou hast hid ‘These Things‘ from the wise and prudent
And hast revealed them Unto babes.
“Even so, Father: for so it seemed:
“Good in Thy Sight.“
Matthew 11: 25
A Quote from Jesus of Nazareth, Written circa AD 28-30.
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Challenge #2: Enter by the Narrow Gate
Jesus said:
Enter ye in at The Strait [narrow] Gate:
For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction,
And many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
A Quote from Jesus of Nazareth, Written circa AD 28-30.
Are you paddling hard after God? One of our greatest challenges in this life is: To See Him. Do you see him? Do you see his hand guiding your life? Do you see his handiwork spicing up your life? If, Yes, then you are likely seeking him, righteously. If No, chances are good, you are not seeking him righteously. When you seek him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength–He promises that you will find him. (Jeremiah 29:13)
But the question is, what will you find? And what will he find in you? When you seek the kingdom of God, you must know that you are seeking his righteousness. When you seek properly, you shall find properly. But when you seek improperly, chances are good that you will that which will be improper–out of order. The motivation of the heart changes the deeper you grow in your journey in seeking the kingdom of God. As you will seek more, the more righteous you become in Him. In other words, you will take on more of his character, more of his likeness, more of his patience and kindness and goodness, even some of his righteous anger. The more righteous you will become, the more you want even more of his righteousness. The more we see of God, the more we want to be like him. In other words, it’s like the opposite of a worldly addiction. Challenge #3 from Jesus: “But Seek ye First The Kingdom of God, And His Righteousness; And ALL these things Shall be added unto you.” Jesus is speaking here to a multitude, again during the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) A Quick reminder: Remember the “these things” that were hidden from the rigid: Wise and Prudent, and high minded folks? Now you see them being offered to graceful: humble and willing: the lowly in heart (that’s the opposite of being proud of heart). Jesus promises that all these things shall be added onto you, if you humble yourself, and seek first, the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. What are these things? I dare say they are the invisible elements involved in the kingdom of God. The salvation, sanctification, and glorification of a man’s soul that is progressing, in the things of the kingdom, and maturing into the likeness of Christ, and shining his light for all to see. He is the one that shall have all the things of the kingdom added unto himself. In other words, he will be storing up for himself the treasures of Heaven. Where moth and rust cannot destroy, and thieves cannot break in and steal.
A little Re-cap: The First Challenge was to See what is “Good in Thy Sight.” To See: that which is hidden from the Wise and Prudent. This challenge is especially critical to those who have the ability to read, write, think, and pursue knowledge. Why? Because knowledge often “puffs up” … (1 Corinthians 8:1). The key around pride, ironically: is to See “These Things” from God’s Perspective, no matter what you are learning. Because, if you grasp His perspective, your mind and heart will be humbled, and deeply challenged to walk in His Will, which will be far beyond your own ability. So you will absolutely need His Grace to carry you through. Note: ALL worldly wisdom and social prudence will be of no benefit, when it comes to entering into His Heavenly Salvation that has been prepared for you, according to His Will for Your Eternal Soul. Once you can begin seeing what is “Good in Thy Sight” then the next step naturally follows: to light your candle and keep it burning. While doing that, you are challenged to seek first kingdom and his righteousness, so that all these things can be added into your life. Can you see the Priority Jesus places upon His Commands? While seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the very things, “these things” that were hidden from the wise, proud and prudent, will be revealed to humble. In fact, Jesus says all “these things” shall be added onto him. While seeking you should looking for what? “His righteousness.” And as you seek it, His Righteousness will bleed into your Life, while you are seeking first the Kingdom of God, His Righteousness will put your feet upon the Solid Rock. That is a place of blessing: a place where your prayers can be heard and answered, where God can add unto you the “All these things” promised in His covenant Blessing.
Challenge #3: Be the Light of the World
Jesus said:
14 Ye are The Light of the World.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
But on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
No One can fulfill that tall of an order: To BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?
Do you know what YE means in Old English? ‘Ye’ is You Plural. ‘Thee’ is You Singular.
[A visual way to remember this: The “Y” has two parts at the top of its letter. Two is plural. The “T” has one part at the top. One is singular. I learn visually, so this little rule helps me.]
So you see, no one person can fulfill the order to become the light of the world. That is a job description addressed to many people. In fact, it is addressed to all people collectively. We are all called together to be the light of the world. That’s why Jesus said, a city on the hill cannot be hidden. Of course, the light we shine into the darkness is our spiritual light. It is also our spiritual right and our spiritual inheritance. We as God’s collective light in our generation, collectively WE become his witnesses of his greatness, glory, and life.
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life …
So yes, this is a tall order: especially coming from the Son of God.
There is a clear and undeniable challenge and expectation. There is an inherent duty involved in this message. Once you become a light, you will expose darkness. You cannot help that. It will be a central part of your New Nature.
Now, with that new nature comes new challenges. It’s all fun and games and Christian circles to be the light and shine with others. But, what happens when the light doesn’t want to be exposed? That is when the fun and games cease, and the war begins. And as Jesus and his apostles, learned by personal experience, the war can and will be costly, and be bloody, and can even take your life.
In order for you and I to become his light: We will have to be transformed and made New. We must be made: Whole, Clean, Pure, and ready to Shine Brightly for God. That is no small undertaking. Would you agree?
In order to be a light of God: You will need to See things from His Perspective. You will need to see what is: Good in His Sight. You will need to reveal things from His Perspective. You will need to expose Darkness, wherever it is hiding. That is what a Light does, Right?
The Closer You Grow towards God: the brighter your Light must become. The stronger, bolder, clearer, truer, cleaner, and purer You will Shine. That is exciting. It’s an adventure like no other. It is also scary. It is a narrow road, and few thereby that find it. That’s just the reality of it. At times, It is a lonely road, due to the fact that so many: Hate the Light. But, many have gone before you and have made the way clear, and all of that has been recorded in the word of God for your encouragement, strength, and hope. Faithful men and women have gone before you, and faithful men and women will follow behind you, and collectively, you all are part of being a light of God.
In order to be a brightly burning Light for God: You will need to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You will also need to keep your eye single, so that your whole body, mind, and spirit, can be filled with God’s LIGHT, having no part dark. But that is getting ahead of this story.
In order to have a single eye we need to know who Jesus is:
Who does Jesus say is the Lord of the Sabbath, and the great I am?
Are You presently walking in the Fullness of God’s Light?
If your candle is lit, and you are growing brighter, and you are combining your light with others, who are also burning brightly: then you will truly be fulfilling the full measure this Messianic Teaching. Why is that?
Here is a huge clue, that many might miss. Do you know what the word “YE” means? It is the old English plural form of “you.” So “Ye” literally means ‘you plural.’ This Message is directed to ‘You Plural.’ You plural are the Light of the World. A City of Bright Lights cannot be hidden. For more on this subject click here. And here. And here.
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Challenge #4: Make the Eye Single (Good)
Message from Jesus: from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:22 ff; Luke, 11:34 ff)
The light of the body is the eye: Therefore when thine eye is single, Thy whole body also is full of light;
But when thine eye is evil, Thy body also is full of darkness.
Take heed therefore that the light Which is in thee be not darkness.
If thy whole body therefore be full of light, Having no part dark, The whole shall be full of light, As when the bright shining of a candle Doth give thee light.
“The Lion” has many Symbolic meanings in God’s Word, depending on the Context. The Messiah was promised to come from the Tribe of Judah, and would be called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. (Revelation 5:5) In the age to come. The Lion will lie down with the Lamb, and eat grass like a cow … They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. Isaiah 11:6 (KJV) 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 65:25 (KJV)25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD. . ↩︎
The Lion Nebula, also known as Sh2-132 or Sharpless 132, is a deep-sky nebula located in the constellation Cepheus. Characteristics: Location: The Lion Nebula is situated in the southern part of the constellation Cepheus, bordering the constellation Lacerta ¹ ³. Composition: It is a rich hydrogen region with star clusters, emission nebulae, and dark dust regions ¹ ³. Distance: The Lion Nebula is approximately 10,000 light-years away in the Perseus Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Size: It has an angular size slightly greater than that of the full moon. ↩︎
The Messiah came first as the Passover Lamb. This is the main reason, the Jewish Teachers, Rulers, Scribes, Pharisees, Saduccees, Priests, Lawyers, Rabbis, Zealots, and many Jewish Synagogues at Large rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Why? Because Jesus was not what they were looking for. They wanted the Conquering “Lion of Judah.” So the rejected the Humble, Suffering, Militarily Weak, and Passover Lamb, that John the Baptist Preached would come. The Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World. All those who rejected John’s Message, also rejected Jesus’ Message and Jesus’ Authority. Why? Again, because He wasn’t what they wanted. The same reason Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus’. Judas was smart. He could see the “Handwriting on the Wall.” He clearly saw that Jesus intended to die like all the other prophets before him, even John the Baptist, the most privileged Prophet of All, was beheaded by the Jews in conjunction with Herod,
But in. order to reject God’s Son, they only had to reject parts of the Revelations and Prophecies of God. They had so built their religion around their own personal prejudices, that their religion allowed to betray, torture, and crucify the Son of God, and still think that God would be ok with that. How Whack is That??!!
Sadly, these thing happen whenever we try to read God’s Heavenly Word, without seeing it through God’s Heavenly and Eternal Perspective. ↩︎
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah:
Please Note: This is in Regard to the Future Coming of Christ. The first Time Christ appeared as a humble servant: The Lamb of God who taketh away the Sins of the World. But the Second time he comes in the Form of: “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah” with fearful judgments, and ruthless retribution on his enemies who have harmed his children.
Revelation 5:4-5 (KJV)4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda[h], the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. ↩︎
“The Lion” has several Symbolic meanings in God’s Word, depending on the Context.
The Messiah was promised to come from the Tribe of Judah, and would be called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. (Revelation 5:5) In the age to come.
The Devil himself is referred to as a roaring lion, seeking to devour the saints (and sometimes successfully).
1 Peter 5:8-11 (KJV)8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
For more understanding of this topic: Check out The Lion of Judah. ↩︎
63,779 cross references in total: where one scripture is connected to another scripture. That gives both scriptures a fuller meaning and a deeper understanding.
The more you read the Bible, the more familiar you will become with these illuminating interconnected cross references.
Sometimes connections are made by one Bible author quoting a previous Bible Author.
But most often there are no official quotes: just strong connections being made by the Spirit, who is guiding the Biblical Author to write down His Spiritual Words, for the Spiritual Minds, that will be reading His Words. They will be making the connections spiritually, using the same visuals, symbols, themes, metaphors, parables, and a preponderance of literary devices that illuminate His Purposes, but would be heavily overburdened by having to explain every nuance.
Each time you read more of the Bible, with good intention, you should expect to grow more in your understanding, and interpretation of the scriptures, and your eyes will become ns a ormally and spiritually connected to all these intended connections. That is all a part of the Spiritual Adventure you have embarked on. . ↩︎
