Vignettes 29

MEN ARE LIKE LAVA LAMPS

Men are like Coffee... The best ones are rich, warm, full-bodied, and can keep you up all night long.

Men are like Chocolate Bars… Sweet, smooth, and they usually head right for your hips.

Men are like Blenders… You need one, but you’re not quite sure why.

Men are like Coolers...Load them with beer and you can take them anywhere.

Men are like Copiers… You need them for reproductions, but that’s about it.

Men are like Curling Irons… They’re always hot, and they’re always in your hair.

Men are like Government Bonds… They take too long to mature.

Men are like High Heels… They’re easy to walk on, once you get the hang of it.

Men are like Horoscopes… They always tell you what to do and are usually wrong.

Men are like Lawn Mowers… If you’re not pushing one around, then you’re riding it.

Men are like Lava Lamps… Fun to look at, but not all that bright.

Men are like Laxatives… They irritate the S-- out of you.

Men are like mascara… They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

Men are like Mini-Skirts… If you’re not careful, they’ll creep up your legs.

Men are like Noodles… They’re always in hot water, lack taste, and need dough.

Men are like Plungers… They spend most of their time in a hardware store, or the bathroom.

Men are like Popcorn… They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

Men are like Placemats… They only show up when there’s food on the table.

Men are like Used Cars… Easy to get, cheap, and unreliable.

Men are like Parking Spots… The good ones are already taken, and the ones left are handicapped, or too small.

EACH ENDING – A NEW BEGINNING

Almost every living being has thoughts about death. Even a mouse will fight fiercely when trapped. There are many opinions on what happens upon death. Some people believe when you are dead, you’re dead. Others are of the opinion that life and death are a continuous cycle of reincarnations until a soul reaches heavenly perfection. I was pleased to find a turn of the century newspaper article in my Grandmother’s Bible about an Oklahoma man who had drowned. His friend, a physician, was so frustrated at not being able to help, that he struck the dead man’s chest with his fist. To his amazement his friend began to breath again. Upon full recovery, the man related a beautiful "life after life" story. Modern medical resuscitation is now routine and many books have been written about near death experiences and how our fully aware spirit goes on. Christians recognize that Jesus Christ shed His blood in atonement for our sins. Through Baptism we are born twice, but can die only once. Without the redeeming acceptance of Christ, we are born once, but are destined to die twice; the second a final spiritual death following judgement.

Last month we celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. Tabernacles reminds us of the final gathering of Israel, accomplished during the first resurrection and second coming of Christ. The Last Great Day concerns the second resurrection and final judgement. There is to be a thousand-years of peace under the leadership of Jesus Christ before all the remaining dead are brought back to stand before the Great White Throne. Upon the coming of Christ we are promised in 1 Corinthians 15:52 that the faithful shall be transformed in the twinkling of an eye from corrupt into immortal bodies, to rule with Christ throughout the millennial age. Some Christians believe that we will all move to Jerusalem to be at the feet of Christ.

Certainly all things are possible with God, but I prefer to believe that God has a far bigger and better surprise awaiting His American saints. Have you ever experienced something in your life that was so exceptionally coincidental and wonderful that it had to be God’s handiwork? Please ponder my personal revelation and vision upon the coming of the Messiah.

No doubt, upon death, our mortal bodies are laid down and returned to the earth, whether it be in a grand casket at Forest Lawn, or watery combat grave. There is diverse thought on what happens to our spirit. One major religion believes innocent babes go into "limbo," while responsible individuals are suspended in purgatory until atoning for past sins. Islam assures its jihad warriors that they will instantly be transported to an oasis in the presence of "buxomly doe-eyed" women. From numerous accounts by those persons brought back after clinical death, we are drawn quickly though a tunnel toward a peaceful loving brilliant light and are welcomed by loved-ones who preceded us in death. People report being in the presence of a heavenly being who instructs them that their earthly mission isn’t finished and sends them back into this life. They awaken, their attitudes forever changed, to go on in this life. No one knows for certain what happens to those who aren’t returned from the spiritual world. Rather than possible eons of time (in the case of Adam and other ancient souls) spent in "deep sleep," it seems more logical to me that at least some of the time would be better spent going to school.

AMERICA’S FOUNDERS RETURN: While there are some signal exceptions (parting of the Red Sea, stopping the sun for Joshua, walking on water, miracle of loafs and fishes, resurrection of Lazarus, et all), most of God’s interaction with us respects His physical Laws. I can hardly wait to be "changed" into a celestial form, and without question our minds will be greatly expanded, but it doesn’t make sense that a sea of (hopefully millions of) saints will have to gather at the Mount of Olives to spend a thousand-years gathered around Christ, when so many great spirit-personalities have had so much quality time to prepare for their resurrection. Why wouldn’t it be to the glory of God and delight of every American if those courageously inspired founders of our country were allowed to return to their earthly home to institute God’s government and give the newly transfored saints on-job-training? Who better than George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Sam Adams, Mason, Monroe, Old Hickory, Robert E. Lee, and other Godly men, so long away from us, to return and show us how to perfect government? Wouldn’t it be exciting to learn from such great leaders who had spent innumerable years of tutelage with the Messiah? And so even a hard-head like me should be able to grasp how things should be run after 1,000-years of being close to our nation’s and God’s best.

We know what happens next. Satan is released for a season to harvest what’s left of the faint hearts, to be followed by a second resurrection of everyone who didn’t make it the first time. Each will be judged according to their knowledge and choices. A major hotfoot awaits the Devil and those who chose to follow him from the beginning. A major question has to do with those of us who still haven’t mastered a musical instrument or voice in the choir? Somewhere along the line this old earth is made new by fervent heat. Have you dared to look beyond the time the wicked are judged and the river of life flows in God’s holy light?

JUDGE ANGELS -- AND MORE: Could it be that our glory to God is progression? Aren’t Moms and Dads pleased when their offspring meet and overcome challenges? Children spend the first part of their life dreaming and playing. They then use another major segment acquiring skills to hold them over until their turn to give back later in life. Why would it be different on a higher plane? What is it we might achieve for the perfect parent. Is it in the realm of possibility that we might find ourselves in a family business organizing a world, another glimmer in a star-studded sky billions of light-years in every direction? Might there be a moment when we form dust from the surface and, with God’s Grace, breathe life into the newest Adam?

In our youth of this age, many of us fail to recognize our true calling, purpose, and value. Tempted by a narrow worldly appetite, like an misguided teen, we unwittingly are willing to trade our birthright for a moment of satisfaction. We can only imagine how badly our Father, Elder Brother, and extended family must feel, after all they have done to prepare us for a royal legacy. Probably beyond our imagination is how terrible we will feel when it is too late for us to repent. How much worse off are we, who have the Gospel, than those countless souls who never knew Christ – until He embraced them at life’s end. For those not born under God’s covenant, the opportunity comes later. Still, God gives us agency to choose -- even opting to do nothing is a choice..

ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVERTS: Have you ever contended with a child? Doing all you could to gain their attention and give them sage advise. How many converts did you make? We shouldn’t feel bad. A quick review of God’s greatest prophets will show that even though equipped with the power of miracles and protected by angels, they most frequently were there to warn and exhort, but seldom convert. Even the greatest Teacher knew His companions would betray and forsake Him. Recall Peter, His closest disciple, disavowed Him three times in the most profane terms, and Thomas doubted His return until shown His wounds. Among the great gifts God gives us, as His children, besides a Big Brother to pay our debt, and a Guide Book back home, is free agency to choose our destiny – from spiritually homeless to righteous royalty. Not even Jesus Christ can force us to love God enough to accept His offer. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is disposed to keep the opportunity open and before us until we reject His truth.

BROTHERLY LOVE: I was impressed with my son, Micheil, and his concern for Melody, his younger sister. Since they were little, both looked after the interests of the other. When Melody was at a difficult age, Mike spoke her language and could relate to her, whereas I was out of reach. He suggested that she move in with him until she was better grounded. His love for her and desire to see here in a neutral-zone probably saved us all from irreparable damage. As it turned out, Melody is today a person I love, like and admire. Do you suppose that God would have us help each other – like loving brothers and sisters – when we are beyond listening to the Holy Spirit? Can you see today how much pleasure there will be in high-fives when we see each other across the millennial school? A man like George Washington will probably understand a couple of youngsters like us acting like kids. I’ll do everything I can to see us both in class. Will you do everything you can to give a hand-up to those you relate to best? Jesus Christ asks that we care as much for each other as He does – enough even to lay down our lives.

MAN’S CROWN, A SIGN OF GOD’S PLAN: I never cease to marvel at God’s apparent sense of humor as He coaxes His children ever closer to His Great Throne. This next story shows a distinct tie of current day royalty to ancient Israel through a stone. I’ve previously described how Jacob (Israel) blessed his son Judah as a young lion who would forever retain the scepter of power and lawgiver. The Lion was Judah’s ensign. Today the sovereign of Great Britain wears the thousand-year old crown of St. Edward in the coronation. The original crown was destroyed in Cromwell’s time and today’s exact duplicate was crafted in 1661. The crown’s base-band bears the 12 gemstones representing the tribes of Israel. The same gems were worn in a golden breastplate by the High Priest before entering the Holy of Holies (Exodus 28) to present himself -- representing all the tribes of Israel -- before Almighty God. Israel encamped in a specific way with JUDAH, Issachar, and Zebulun facing East; DAN, Asher, and Naphtali to the North; EPHRAIM, Manasseh, and Benjamin in the West quadrant; and REUBEN, Simeon, and Gad guarding the South flank. The Levites were in the center with the Ark of the Covenant and its Pillar of Cloud denoting God’s presence. St. Edward’s crown shows this representation with four upright bars each containing the appropriate three tribal-jewels. Of the three stones in each upright, one was larger designating the chief tribe. The Pillar of Cloud is positioned at the top center in the form of an Orb (original) topped with a Cross (restored). God’s words recorded in Exodus 19 are significant to the crown: "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom..." and Deut 7: "The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." The ancient kingdom of Israel, ruled over by God, with be restored in time under God the Son, Jesus Christ, as confirmed in Luke 1: "...and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) for ever." The Orb, as the earth, is horizontally banded with a variety of jewels symbolic of all the earth’s people. Two vertical jeweled bands, with Israel’s gems, beneath the cross join the horizontal, showing God’s own in ultimate authority. While this crown is an opulent obvious sign, there is even a greater witness hidden beneath the seat of England’s sovereign!

ISRAEL’S STONE WITNESS

Genesis 28 records how Jacob, father of Israel, used a stone for a pillow on the occasion of his prophetic dream. In the morning Jacob set the stone up as a pillar, anointed it with oil and called it "God’s House." Later (Genesis 31), God reminds Jacob of this stone and calls him back to it (Genesus 35). In Genesis 49, we find Jacob making his son Joseph the guardian of "the Stone of Israel." Jacob’s descendants kept this stone as a sacred national treasure. 2 Chronicles 23 describes how Israel’s king was crowned "at his pillar" in the House of the Lord. An account in 2 Kings 11 cites how the kings was crowned and took the oath of office standing "by a pillar, as the manner was." The prophet Joshua further defines the stone’s purpose to Israel in Chapter 24: "The stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us."

As Israel was brought down, the guardians of the "stone" fled with it to Ireland. There for a thousand years, the kings of Ireland were crowned while seated upon "Jacob’s Pillar." It was then transported to Scotland and used for the same purpose until Edward I took it to Westminister. In 1953, at Westminister Abbey, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned with the visible emblem of Israel, while sitting in the plain Coronation Chair whose seat covers the Jacob’s Stone of Destiny. Why, in this century of advanced technology, would such a sophisticated nation-government as Great Britain hold to such ancient traditions unless it is by the hand of God?

The British press recently reported that Christianity in England would be dead and buried within the next 40 years. Is it coincidence that England decided to return Jacob’s Stone to Scotland – where Christian Covenant Communities fought against despotism throughout the generations. Scotland still isn’t a nation (as Ireland). At a time when the British Parliament is considering doing away with the Royal Family, maybe God has decided the Scots are best to watch over His Stone Witness until it is further returned to Jerusalem at the Coronation of the King or Kings.

JUDAH’S INFLUENCE: If Judah and its forever scepter is associated with Germany, you may wonder why Great Britain is thought to comprise the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh? King George I (1714) was a German who could not speak English. All of the reigning monarchs during the 18th and early 19th centuries were of the House of Hanover. In 1837 William IV was King of Hanover as well as Great Britain. When he died, he was succeeded by his niece, Victoria, who, as a woman, was ineligible to hold the crown of Hanover. In 1840 Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha; which passed to his son, Alfred (1844-1900). During World War I, the British royals were also princes of Germany. By an act of the British Parliament in 1917, the German peerages were abolished and King George V adopted Windsor as the name of the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II and her descendants including Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward are all from the German line – regardless of their politically changed sir-name.

During World War I, Great Britain fought the Ottoman Empire Turks in the Holy Lands. One of the greatest stories of the war concerns General Edmund Allenby’s campaign to seize Palestine and Jerusalem. In the company of T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), Allenby began the Battle of Beersheba (31 October 7 November 1917) and captured Jerusalem on 9 December in a series of brilliant moves – inspired by God to safeguard His city. The attack on Beersheba was made by 400 Australian cavalrymen using drawn bayonets since they had no sabers. The Aussies galloped over the surprised Turks in the first trench line and dismounted to fight the enemy hand-to-hand at the second line. Allenby used Bristol biplanes in his capture of Jerusalem.

Allenby was a tough and feared field commander, but he was also a deeply religious man. It was in his heart that no harm would come to the ancient city of Jerusalem. Allenby prayed to God for a way to take Jerusalem without damaging the city. God answered his prayer. While the Turks prepared to defend the city against artillery, infantry and air attack, Allenby centered a sharp assault on Turkish concentrations west of the city. He used the aircraft to drop propaganda messages to Turks within the walled city. Allenby’s(God’s) plan worked and the Turks withdrew. Allenby and Lawrence walked into Jerusalem through the Jaffa Gate on 11 December without firing a single shot or taking a single casualty.

OTHER TRIBES: Great Britain occupied and controlled the Near East, including Jerusalem until their withdrawal in favor of the UN’s decision in 1948 to grant Jews a nation-state appropriately named Israel. The two dominate Jewish religious groups in control are the Sephardim and Ashkenazim, each with a chief rabbi that takes over national religious matters on alternate years. Sepharad is the Hebrew name for Spain. During the Inquisition and expulsion of Jews from Spain (1492) and Portugal (1497) many Sephardim emigrated to the Near East. The first groups of Jews to America were primarily Sephardic. They are proud of their background and rarely intermarry with other Jews. They have preserved their own language, Ladino and differ on many points from the Ashkenazim. The Ashkenazim are chiefly from Germany and Eastern Europe. The expulsion of Jews from France (1306) forced a great number of them into Germany, which became the new center of Jewish life. Today by far the greatest number of Jews are Ashkenazim.

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