Q. Why is the Rose of Sharon a symbol for Jesus? Was the Rose of Sharon some sort of healing balm used in ancient Israel?

(Submitted by: Gabrielle)

A. Easton's Bible Dictionary gives the following explanation:

"Sharon was a plain, a level tract extending from the Mediterranean to the hill country to the west of Jerusalem, about 30 miles long and from 8 to 15 miles broad, celebrated for its beauty and fertility (1 Chr. 27:29; Isa. 33:9; 35:2; 65:10). The 'rose of Sharon' is celebrated (Song of Solomon 2:1). It is called Lasharon (the article la being here a part of the word) in Josh. 12:18 "

The Song of Solomon uses the phrase "rose of Sharon" to describe the beauty of a young woman [2:1]. The plain of Sharon was known for its beautiful flowers in the time of Solomon. The entire second chapter of the Song of Solomon is quite poetic:

" I [am] the rose of Sharon, [and] the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so [is] my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so [is] my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit [was] sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me [was] love. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I [am] sick of love. His left hand [is] under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please. The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over [and] gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines [with] the tender grape give a [good] smell.

" Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely. Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines [have] tender grapes. My beloved [is] mine, and I [am] his: he feedeth among the lilies. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether." ......

.....The Bible does not use "rose of Sharon" as a symbol for Jesus so far as I can tell but this phrase obviously has had tremendous resonance in our culture. Plugging the phrase into an Internet search engine like Yahoo! returns over 33,000 "hits", many of them ministries of various sorts and many others parts of the commercial floral industry.

...as this bride says,


He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (Sol. 2:4)
Or as the bridegroom says:


Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it...(Sol. 8:6-7)
God has ordained that all these delights reflected here be a part of the experience of men and women, but only in the relationship which makes it possible, which is marriage. Therefore, this book is a powerful plea for chastity and purity in life until the time of marriage comes.

But of course we have not heard the deepest message of this song until we pass behind the description of this purely physical human love, perfect as it is, to read it as an expression of communion between man and God, between Christ and his church.

>From the very earliest Christian centuries, this book was taken in that way. Even the Jews took it allegorically in that sense. The preface to this song in one of the Jewish books, or Targums, reads something like this:


This is the Song of Solomon, the prophet king of Israel, which he sang before Jehovah the Lord.
You see, he wasn't singing just a purely human love song. He sang this before Jehovah. This was a song about his own relationship to his God, and the early church fathers took it in that light. It was because of this interpretation that this song was such a comfort to the persecuted saints of the Reformation and the post-Reformation periods.

Someone has well said, "If you love Jesus Christ, you will love this song because here are words that fully express the rapture of the heart that has fallen in love with Christ. " When you read the book of Ecclesiastes, you read of man's search throughout the world for something to satisfy his heart, and the message of that book is simply that if a man gains the world it isn't enough. His heart is still empty because the heart is greater than its object. But the message of the Song of Solomon is that Christ is so tremendous, so mighty, so magnificent, that the heart that has fallen in love with him will never be able to fully plumb the depths of his love and his concern and his care. The object, Christ, is greater than the heart.

Every passage in this song, therefore, can be reverently lifted to this higher level of a heart enraptured with its Lord. Taken thus, it reveals a highly significant truth. It reveals that marriage is the key to human life. This is not to say that those who are not yet married should be discouraged by that. For regardless of whether you find marriage or not on the physical level, this is still true. What is marriage? Have you ever thought about marriage? About what lies behind the institution of marriage? It has been my privilege many times to marry people, and I have to deal with certain state laws. Marriage is not the product of human society. It is not something that people invented after they began to live together. Marriage goes back to the very dawn of the human race. Marriage is an absolutely integral part of human life, and physical marriage, between man and wife, is simply a picture of a deeper relationship that is true of everyone.

This principle is discussed in Romans 7, as the apostle Paul opens that great argument with an illustration of a married woman. While she is married, she is bound by the law to her husband. And if, while she is married to him, she falls in love with another man, she will gain the stigma of an adulteress, that is, she will expose herself as breaking the basic law of life. But if the husband dies, then she is free to be married to another man. (Rom. 7: 1-3)

Why does he say all this? Because it is an illustration of what happens in the life of every one of us. Paul says we were married to the old life, to the old Adam. We were joined to an evil man. And that is the problem with human life. Man was made to be mastered and he simply cannot exist without a master. Every one of us has a master whether we like it or not. The whole story of the Bible is that it is either God who masters us or it is the devil. It is one or the other. Both Christ and the apostles make it very plain that the whole world, every man and every woman, is mastered by another force, either God or the devil. This is why Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. You can't give yourself to both of them. There must be a choice in life. Either you hate the one and love the other, or cling to one and separate from the other. You can't do both.

So man must be mastered. In other words he is made for marriage since marriage is a picture of the mastery of one life by another. And this book says that the master who was made for man, the master that God intended for man to have. is the Lord Jesus Christ. Man mastered by Jesus enters into his fullness and glory, all that God intends for man.

As you read in this book of the rapturous delight that the bride and the bridegroom experience in one another you are reading a magnificent and beautiful description of what God intends the relationship to be between himself and each individual. That is why the great commandment is, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matt. 22:37) That is the first and greatest commandment, for out of that flows everything else, including loving your neighbor as yourself. So this book is very important in that it deals with a very important relationship. In Christ we have the true bridegroom, and the church is his bride, as Paul puts it in Ephesians:


Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...(Eph. 5:25)
He goes on to describe the work of Christ for his church and then he says again:


This is a great mystery, and I take it to mean Christ and the church. (Eph. 5:32)
So the love of a husband and wife is a picture of the love of Christ and his church. In other words, the love of a husband and wife is simply a manifestation and a picture of that deeper love which is God's intention for human life.

So in this book we have a picture of what God will fulfill in the heart and life of one who loves him. Listen to these beautiful words of the bridegroom to the bride:


"For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." (Sol. 2:13)
There is the springtime of life. But it doesn't lie in the past. It lies in the future. One day this whole world will experience a springtime like that. The Lord Jesus Christ, returning at last to claim his waiting bride, will greet her in words very much like those. The springtime will come, the time of singing, the time when earth shall blossom again and the curse will be lifted and the flowers will appear on the earth. This is a picture of what can take place in the heart of one who falls in love with Jesus Christ and enters into springtime. The cold winter of loneliness, misery, and selfishness is past and the time of singing has come. http://blueletterbible.org/Comm/ray_stedman/adv/adv_sgs.html

Coming soon:

Key phrase, "I am Yeshua!"

I thought it impossible. Because of the nature of the languages themselves, a code in English is dozens of times harder to make than one in the Hebrew, and besides, the KJV is not inspired --- it is only a translation.

But I proved myself wrong! With God all things are possible!

Appropriately named, the Northern Hawk Owl more closely resembles an Accipiter hawk species than an owl, both in morphology and behavior. Dropping from a visible perch on a prominent tree, gliding low over the ground or in high-speed flight, its short-pointed wings and long tail give the appearance of a falcon-like bird (Duncan and Duncan 1998).

Diagnostic Characteristics
Northern Hawk Owls are easily distinguishable from other species of owls by a long tail and fast, maneuverable flight. The posture of Northern Hawk Owls is more hawk-like than owl-like. Prominent perch selection and hunting by daylight are additional cues that differentiate this species from other owls. The unique shape of this bird, including its moderately wedge-shaped tail, and overall coloration and appearance make it unlikely to be confused with any hawk species (Sibley 2000).

Habitat
Johnsgard (1986) indicates Northern Hawk Owls prefer post-fire habitat and open muskeg areas, with tall trees or snags for use as hunting perch sites. No other specific information is available on nest site selection in Montana.

Now for the REAL thing....

Let's get serious.

Last night two owls -- a barn owl and a barred owl (I know them by their calls) -- were fighting quite loudly in my yard. I am deadly serious.

More work is needed.

Whether in ancient or modern times, few animals are as loaded with supernatural significance as the owl.

Details of how to interpret such omens are tough to come by; this discussion by Cicero and others is the best I could find. Nothing on owls fighting, although two owls would have to mean two omens. Both were at night and to my left, which is good.

The owl is associated with Minerva, goddess of wisdom.

Here's a more modern fix on owls:

The Owl has a dual symbolism of wisdom and darkness, the latter meaning evil and death. They are symbolically associated with clairvoyance, astral projection and magick, and is oftentimes the medicine of sorcerers and witches, you are drawn to magickal practices. Those who have owl medicine will find that these night birds will tend to collect around you, even in daytime, because they recognise a kinship with you.

The two main symbolic characteristics of the Owl, its wisdom and its nocturnal activity-- have made it represent perception. Considering perception in a spiritual context, Owl medicine is related to psychism, occult matters, instincts, and clairvoyance-- the true ability to see what is happening around you.

The owl can see that which others cannot, which is the essence of true wisdom. Where others are deceived, Owl sees and knows what is there.

Use your power of keen, silent observation to intuit some life situation, Owl is befriending you and aiding you in seeing the whole truth. The Owl also brings its messages in the night through dreams or meditation. Pay attention to the signals and omens. The truth always brings further enlightenment.

The Owl, symbol of the Goddess, represents perfect wisdom. Owls have the ability to see in the dark and fly noiselessly through the skies. They bring messages through dreams. The Owl is the bird of mystical wisdom and ancient knowledge of the powers of the moon. With wide-open, all-seeing eyes, Owl looks upon reality without distortion and acknowledges it, yet is aware that with ancient magickal and spiritual knowledge, he or she can make changes.

But different species of owls fighting?

Try as I might, I can find nothing!

Anyone out there?


UPDATE: Lest anyone think that divining (or predicting the future based on animal behavior) died with the Romans, it was alive and well yesterday.

posted by Eric on 01.30.04 at 11:03 PM

"Eye cry a tear!"

The "temple" of the glasses (i.e., the rod used to hang glasses on the ears) reads/reeds, "Eyer, eyes north --- hope!" She is looking upward toward the north to north-west sky, where a storm is rising. (This is Russia and Europe as seen from the direction of the sea of Galilee.) She is crying. (Lit. reads, "Eye cry a tear!", which letters form the shape of "a tear" below her eye, --- even a fountain of tears flowing in both directions. The Hebrew word for "eye" also means "fountain".)

You Needed Me

-Artist: Anne Murray
-peak Billboard position # 1 in 1978
-Words and Music by Randy Goodrum


I cried a tear, you wiped it dry
I was confused, you cleared my mind
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me

And I can't believe it's you
I can't believe it's true
I needed you and you were there
And I'll never leave, why should I leave?
I'd be a fool 'cause I finally found someone who really cares

You held my hand when it was cold
When I was lost you took me home
You gave me hope when I was at the end
And turned my lies back into truth again
You even called me "friend"

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me

You needed me, you needed me

I'm not posting on the forum much anymore so as to prune my words. But l have some thoughts about this string. No biggy but thought l'd mention it in case anyone has followed it.

The two lights on the hill l talked about are off in the distance...(still a ways away) as l've come to understand. Also... I've done some patio decorating. I noticed as l looked out my kitchen window across to the 2nd greenhouse and the hills in the distance

that l had placed a plant hanger called a shepherds staff in my line of view. (I hadn't intended anything by it) It's actually a double. It holds two plants. It ends up looking like a scale.....Not only that but l have it set in stone. By that l mean it's placed in the ground between bricks that are inlaid from an old hot tub foundation....(maybe a wash basin?) hence...set in stone. This is not in the distance but very close..

wrought iron


this was the only picture l could find.

Nothing is exact about this...like numbers or well interpreted scripture...It only reminds me of what is coming.

Reminds of this:

http://www.bible-codes.org/letters-dream_russia-egypt.htm

Some of things this reminds me of...

On my Shepherds staff are two baskets of flowers. One hanging from each hook. I'm reminded of the forked tongue of the two faced enemy...the dragon and his flowery speech to deceive many. I'm reminded of the hook that will draw the enemies of God to the playing field...

On the other hand l see two sticks joined together reminding me of a nation joined together as one. I also know that truly this is one steel rod and the other hook is welded on... reminding me that we as Christians are grafted in. I remember that his rod and staff comfort me...and the sweet fragrance of the Lords presence...when l'm not being chastised.... by the same rod.

I'm reminded that even in this sign the enemy seeds himself over the top to confuse and steal the glory...

The reason l'm posting on this again is because l'm wondering if God is bringing this prophecy to the forefront at this time for a reason...What prophecy? Look here. http://www.bible-codes.org/letters-dream_russia-egypt.htm

He's given me the sense of cooperation .... as we tie up loose ends...That the greater basic work of the Church as a whole has been done. Just a few loose ends and his timing will be full. When l speak of the greater basic work of the Church, l'm speaking of the the basic things he does through us.

The next work will be his alone...I'm not sure if that is a prophetic statement ... or even the fullness of the meaning of those words but quickly bring the issues you've wavered on before him. He's waiting for you. It won't be as hard as it was before so take heart. God has slowly been defeating the enemies hold on certain areas of your life. It might not look like it but your faith testifies to it whether you see it or not. Get excited again people. The hold button ... the pause button...is about to be pushed....once again we will go forward...and we will be wiser for the delay...Amen!?

("Only a moment away" was a word once given to me but l heard as l just sat reading through the red sea dream and the boiling pot dream...Only a moments 'delay'...) We are better for the delay we have faced. Praise God!

Moreover, I believe God big enough to have hidden such codes in every bible, and in every language on earth! Who are we to inform God about what He should or should not do?

Fingerprints of God
Steven Curtis Chapman

I can see the tears filling your eyes
And I know where they're coming from
They're coming from a heart that's broken in two
By what you don't see
The person in the mirror
Doesn't look like a magazine
Oh but when I look at you
It's clear to me

That I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

Never has there been and never again
Will there be another you
Fashioned by God's hand and perfectly planned
To be just who you are
And what He's been creating
Since the first beat of your heart
Is a living, breathing
Priceless work of art

And I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece that all creation
Quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
And God's not through
In fact, He's just getting started!

Maybe six months or so I had a dream. It was long and very detailed. I knew it was from the Lord.

Here is the dream:

The dream started out in a barren and rocky place. A lot of people were gathered there for some sort of party- I was there too and we were all standing on the shores of a big salt lake. Suddenly I felt the Lord tell me to get a boat and take two friends to the middle of the lake. I obeyed taking the two with me (they were two people I used to go to high school with in real life... I no longer talk with them anymore). When the three of us got to the middle of the lake, it was dark outside. I felt it was somewhere around 10:30 in the evening. I looked over the side of the boat and saw something very strange: micro-size roses in the water. Suddenly, the red roses bloomed and in my heart I knew something tragic had happened on land. My friends were in awe and fear at the sign.

When we got back to shore, I was surrounded by chaos. Apparently while I was out in the middle of the salt water lake, a huge earthquake had ripped across the North American continent. Many people died. A person came up to me angrily (another former classmate in real life)- wanting to know why I hadn't warned her like I had warned the two people in the boat with me. I explained to her that the Lord didn't tell me that a quake was coming- but just to get in the boat and go to the middle of the lake. She cried, "If I would have known, I could have warned my parents who live in Wisconsin!"

After this conversation, I saw images of newspapers flash in front of my face. I saw the faces of many celebrities who were killed as a result of the shaking... and the number 360.

Some time passed and life was starting to get back to some sort of semblance of normalcy. Still standing on the shore of that rocky place, I stepped up to the waters of the salt water lake. Suddenly I was aware that "something else" was coming. I knew the Lord wanted me to warn others.

I didn't want to be wrong about what I felt the Lord had told me. I fell to my knees crying out for a sign that something else would indeed take place. I looked up to heaven in desperation and saw an owl form in the stars. I saw the owl form a total of 3 times. After this, I got up and went to the shore of the salt lake. I saw an enormous tidal wave coming- and heard "26 feet". I woke up just before the wave hit.

Tonight... I was chatting with gr82bsaved (Todd) about the meteor shower- wishing that I could get lessons on using a telescope. As we chatted, I happened to open the bible-code.org site and saw that Dean had a new code up- that of an owl. Suddenly, the Lord had my attention. I thought it very interesting that we were talking about meteors (the owl formed by stars in my dream) exactly when I saw the new KJV code.

Last Sunday, the sermon at my church was in Zephaniah on the god Molech (symbolized by an owl). In my kitchen hanging on the wall is a calendar with a picture of an owl for the month of August. I knew months ago that the Lord would reveal something about my "owl dream" during the month of August. Certainly that has come to pass.

I am not sure what all God is saying- but I know that He is speaking.
_____________________

Miki.... I hear that bell. I hear singing- He sings over us and His banner over us is love. I haven't been able to stop looking at the code either... it is amazing.

I'm a bit suprised too, Miki, at the lack of response.... WOW.

WHOOOOOO... WHOOOOO???

I just noticed in the codes that the owl is in the "mind's eye" of the Bride. Wow.

In my dream, I literally saw the owl in the sky the first two times it was formed. The third time, I closed my eyes and saw it in "my mind's eye". Amazing.

Jun 29, 07 The reason l'm posting on this again is because l'm wondering if God is bringing this prophecy to the forefront at this time for a reason...What prophecy? Look here. http://www.bible-codes.org/letters-dream_russia-egypt.htm

This first English bible code itself was initially discovered exactly 3 years after the Balance Bible Code was discovered, or 360 x 3 days later on June 12, 2007. (The Balance Bible Code was discovered on June 27, 2004). (Interestingly, the river in the English bible code that parallels the one in the Balance Bible Code is also 360 x 3 letters long!)

Michael Card
Love Crucified Arose

Long ago He blessed the earth
Born older than the years
And in the stall a cross He saw
Through the first of many tears
A life of homeless wandering
Cast out in sorrow's way
The Shepherd seeking for the lost
His life, the price He paid

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah soul Defender
Has won the victory
Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Throughout Your life You felt the weight
Of what You'd come to give
To drink for us that crimson cup
So we might really live
At last the time to love and die
The dark appointed day
That one forsaken moment
When Your Father turned His face away

Love crucified, arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
For the heart that sin and sorrow broke
Is beating once again

Love crucified, arose
The Risen One in splendor
Jehovah soul defender
Has won the victory

Love crucified, arose
And the grave became a place of hope
for the heart that sin and sorrow broke
is beating once again

Love crucified, arose
The One who lived and died for me
Was Satan's nail-pierced casualty
Now He's breathing once again

A little piece of my world:

Getting ready to go to the ocean last night l went into the garage room to look for something. I couldn't remember why l went in there and as l stood retracing my steps l looked at my walls in a new way. Something that had been there all along but l was now seeing different. Bells for Christmas my son made in kindergarten for me with little clay flower pots and as l scanned up the wall above the closet a mosaic picture my mother and l made together in the 50's...I love it but it always bothered me that l could never tell who the bad guy was..





The fact that it's above the closet door high up on the wall reminds me of the war in heaven...And for those on earth it will be very hard if not impossible to tell the difference between the two. It said in the Bible that if it were possible even the elect would be decieved. Is that because we are so Holy Ghost smart or because it's impossible because we won't be here? I'm not sure but would prefer to believe the latter.

Those guessing will have to wait until the unveiling...Or in the above picture sense...till the cover...armour...mask is removed.

I don't think this is imagination or coincidence but God foreknew and knows all my steps. Even to the picture my Mom and l created in the 50's...Even to where each would be hung on the wall and even going to the ocean and entering the room at the right time etc. etc.

More later. I'm still having a problem with my computer but l'm glad to get what l've got so far. If you feel led please pray about these problems. l have to have someone come in when l'm back to work on it.

The below couldn't be more perfect...When l think about it, this is the only code l didn't spent much time with..



http://bible-codes.org/atbash_bible_code_river.htm


"Lord of the Apes!"
(The name "Bel" [Baal] means, "Lord," "master";
hence, "Lord of the Apes!")

216 letters long, which is 6 x 6 x 6

(Encoded in Isaiah 46:1-6)

The river reads:

"Bow low (or, Be still!/Abate!); Be quiet before me! I AM Jesus! Bow low (or, Be still/Abate) and then you will shine/flow like a river!" "From everlasting, my name is the Lord!"
(Last phrase interweaves with "I am Jesus".)

But its Atbash reads:

"Bel (Baal) is a stupid ape! He bends down to die!
Bel is being stripped of his refined gold
because he is plugged up (and can't hear)!"
"This will happen when the oppressor is chained and refined
in the sea (of fire)!"
(The above was partly paraphrased to include some
of the double meanings in the Hebrew.)

The upside down owl and the upside down prophetess represents the false church. It references the whorehouse in the code Shekel presents.

War Hawk is a term originally used to describe a member of the House of Representatives of the Twelfth Congress of the United States who advocated going to war against Great Britain in the War of 1812. The term has evolved into an informal Americanism used to describe a political stance of preparedness for aggression, by diplomatic and ultimately military means, against others to improve the standing of their own government, country, or organization. Thus the hawk (a bird of prey), and is usually contrasted with the term dovish, which alludes to the more peaceful dove.

The great horned owl image is overlapping the ear and eyes and mouth of the prophetess
emphasizing that she (the Church) has, and will, be given an ear to hear
and eyes to see and a mouth to speak prophetically in the last days.
Metaphorically speaking, she will be given wings to fly!

Posted Aug 14 2007, 10:53 AM Well...the thought occurred to me that if the flowers hadn't formed seed by this time that it would be a loss. When the blossom is lost the seed won't form... If the fruit hadn't formed by the time of the storm the destruction of the blossom was an indication that some wouldn't make it.

Tropical Storm Dean strengthened into the 2007 Atlantic storm season's first hurricane on Thursday as it revved up over warm waters ...

Mar 6:50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

A sea wets

This overlap occurs when it is moved up "TEN FEET"

"Wet-Net"

Also, note the "CASE" of luggage at the foot of the sail/cross. This is a play on words. This is the "CASE" that God has against mankind, which case Jesus bore on the cross! For as the Balance Bible Code brings out, it is because Jesus bowed (humbled himself) to the obedience of the cross that all men should bow down to him. Jesus stills the storm by bowing to the cross. The wrath of God is appeased! The flood waters of Noah abate at His command! Jesus is weighed in the balance for us! We were found wanting. But our bowed-down scale became level when He did "DIE" and thereby make all things level --- all things "ONE" in Him. ---- One New Man/Nation!

This is what the cross is saying, which corners read, "DEEN", but in Hebrew means "Judgment". Jesus bore the storm for us. Jesus bore Hurricane DEAN for us! "Ayin" (see vertical sail/cross) in Hebrew means, a 'fountain', or an 'eye', and in the Balance Bible Code "Ayin" symbolized the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005, as predicted by the code --- predictions that included many of their names and when they would come. (2006 was a year of rest, it being 50 jubilees from the decree of 445 BC of Nehemiah as per the prophecy of Daniel's 490-year cycles, Daniel 9. See Bible Numbers Website for more.) Jesus is the "EYE" of the hurricane and the "FOUNTAIN" of the water of life.

Woe to those who reject his mercy!

Woe to those who reject his mercy!

Dean said...By the evening I was ready to press the button and send it out. I sensed it was an important moment.

(Miki @ Jun 29 2007, 11:41 AM)
The next work will be his alone...I'm not sure if that is a prophetic statement ... or even the fullness of the meaning of those words but quickly bring the issues you've wavered on before him. He's waiting for you. It won't be as hard as it was before so take heart. God has slowly been defeating the enemies hold on certain areas of your life. It might not look like it but your faith testifies to it whether you see it or not. Get excited again people. The hold button ... the pause button...is about to be pushed....once again we will go forward...and we will be wiser for the delay...Amen!?

While there are several interpretations of Proverbs 12:27, my present understanding is that the sluggard has gone to the effort of catching his prey, but then does not go on to roast it, thus wasting his efforts and losing the benefit of his labor. The sluggard begins by putting his hand in the dish,26 but is unwilling to expend the energy to pull it out again, and therefore fails to enjoy the benefits of his initial labor (26:15). Having reaped the harvest, the sluggard is too tired (or perhaps too cold) to prepare the field for next year’s crop (20:4).

If we are acting in a way that is not pleasing to the Lord and we already belong to him is it ok? We are found wanting....Right? Jesus was weighed for us. For the present sins as well right? So when we see a Church that is not walking in the fullness of God's purpose we know that he's taken our case to the cross. He showed me all this at Easter time...

So what then can we say about chastisement that's coming? It's still Ok? Meaning that those who love the Lord even if they aren't walking fully in his purpose will be spared because he took our place....They will die but be raised up...

In Hosea it talks about Israel being a vine that doesn't bare fruit...and what it has, it gives to their own altars. Is this a picture of the church today? Have we become like broken branches?

When is something ok and not ok...How much sin did Jesus die for? We look at Israel...Not a pretty picture. But Shekel you explain in the interpretation above that Jesus bore the storm for us? Even what l was shown at Easter bares this out.

But...What about judgement..What about separation...what about justice for a milk toast church and the interpretation about the seven churches of revelation. Shekel you said it was more good news then bad...but for who? Where do we draw the line of who gets in the boat and who is left to the storm...how much does the blood cover? This in accordance with the seven churches of Revelation.

But in all of this, I choose to delight myself in God's mercy, for this is how I want God to treat me.

Shekel says: What does, "Who is my mother" mean?

Mark 3:31-35 with Luke 8:16-21 partly answers this question since these two passages likewise connect the subject of the "lamp" with this same question of, "Who is my mother?"

" Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother." (Mark 3:32-35).

Therefore, this is the answer to the question, "Who is my mother?" "Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

But then Dean comes along and tells us God is going to beautify his church....

Judgement...

Grace....

God showed me this in such a profound way at Easter. Something that went on my church...my, my, my...

It's been a long time getting over the whole thing. He allowed me to feel the disappointment over the attitude of the church today...The vacationing church. It's his incredible grace that bore our sins...In our foolish humanism we can't comprehend it.

I was so sure God was going to explode in Judgement but instead he opened my eyes to his grace. But you know what...I'm really glad l saw what he wanted me to see. It helped me continue in faith and Love at a time of weakness. What can l compare it to? Like thinking you will have to get a divorce and the dark stupor that comes over one...Then all of sudden something happens and the tide is turned. You can continue on...It's how he helps those who are truly striving and how he helps those so totally ignorant as to the power of the Spirit available to them. After God showed me his mercy for the church today l was so excited l could hardly contain myself...

Also since then l've been wondering about how he was weighed for us...wondering when judgement finalyy comes in suddenly with out warning nor knowing the day or the hour...

I softened my heart once again to the floundering church and God has helped me more because of it. I wanted to keep my heart soft and was afraid when l thought judgement was coming...what would l do and what about me? Judgement comes to all...But grace is giving more time...How much we don't know. Will he tell us? Maybe...

Casting Crowns...Who am I?

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.

European Mountain ash
(Rowan Tree)
Sorbus aucuparia
The European Mountain ash is known for its showy white flowers and its numerous bright red berries. The alternate name "Rowan" comes from an old Scandinavian word meaning red.

FBI asks: Who are the men in this photo from ferry?
By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan

Seattle Times staff reporter


AP

The Seattle FBI has released photos of two men who agents believe were "exhibiting unusual behavior" aboard Washington State Ferries. Bureau analysts have concluded several of the incidents this summer are related. Neither man is a suspect or has been charged with a crime; the FBI says it simply wants to identify them.
The FBI wants to identify two men who reportedly rode as many as six different ferry routes in recent weeks — snapping photos of doorways and going to areas of the boats where passengers don't normally go — and is asking the public to help.

In a rare move, the federal agency has released photographs of the men taken by a ferry employee.

The FBI hopes to determine whether the men are innocent passengers or possible terrorists.

"They seemed very interested in the operation of the boat," said David Gomez, the assistant special agent in charge of the agency's Seattle office.

"They were taking photographs of doors, not seabirds," said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Richard Hartley in Seattle.

Gomez said employees and passengers reported the incidents over several weeks this summer. In at least one instance, they asked questions about ferry operations, Gomez said. It wasn't until analysts looked through the reports that a pattern was seen, he said. Since then, the FBI has concluded "four to six" of the incidents were related and involved the same two men.

Several other similar incidents were reported, but analysts could not conclude they involved the same men.

One ferry employee was so suspicious that he snapped photographs of the two standing at the rail of a ferry. The FBI would not say exactly when the photos were taken or which boat they were taken on.

Gomez said investigators conducted follow-up interviews with witnesses, including showing them photos.

"We have enough investigative confirmation to make us believe the incidents are related," Gomez said. The men have not been seen in several weeks.

FBI spokeswoman Robbie Burroughs said the FBI has received dozens of tips as a result of releasing the photos. So far, the men remain unidentified.

"We are able to resolve the great majority of reports of suspicious activities on the ferries," Gomez said. "We have not been able to do that here." The decision to release the photographs publicly was vetted with bureau officials in Washington, D.C., and demonstrates just how serious the potential threat is being taken, he said.



The sightings so concerned area law-enforcement officials that the Washington State Patrol, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration accelerated plans to work together more regularly, said Bob Calkins, a state patrol spokesman. The three agencies and the FBI have all been looking for the men.

The Seattle Times reported on Aug. 4 that security had been increased due to suspicious riders on ferries. When the photos were released late Monday afternoon, The Times refrained from publishing them in print or online. "We had little more information than we'd reported earlier in the month, and we wanted to better understand the circumstances surrounding the investigation and the photographs," said Suki Dardarian, managing editor of news coverage and enterprise.

"Further reporting helped us more effectively weigh the potential value — and harm — of publishing the photos. After some deliberation, we decided to publish the photographs, along with as much context as we could bring to the story."

On Tuesday, readers of the news alert posted on a variety of Internet sites weighed in on the decision to publish or not. Some suggested that distributing the photos was profiling on the part of law enforcement, while others thanked media outlets and the FBI for alerting them to possible threats to security.

The release of the photos enraged some in the Arab-American and Muslim communities, said Aziz Junejo, who hosts an Islamic talk show on television and writes a column about Islam for The Seattle Times.

He called the release "careless" and said he has been inundated with complaints that the FBI is profiling Arab-Americans. He said the photos appear to be of two Arab-American men.

"The people I'm hearing from are outraged and angry and paranoid," he said. "They're afraid to ride the ferries now."

Hisham Farajallah, the president of the Islamic Center of Washington and a board member at the Idriss Mosque in Northgate, said people are "scared."

"But we all want the same thing — that is the safety and security of our country," he said, noting that the Islamic community and law enforcement in Seattle have a good relationship.

Gomez said there is no specific threat to the ferry system and Hartley, the Coast Guard enforcement official, said maritime-security levels remain at their lowest.

Still, there has been a notable increase in visible security on some ferry runs in recent weeks, said WSF Executive Director Mike Anderson. "We have thrown some manpower at this," he said.

The Washington ferry system moves more than 26 million passengers and 11 million vehicles a year and is the largest ferry system in the country. Last year, it was singled out by the Department of Justice inspector general as one of the top two maritime terrorist targets in the country. The other is oil-tanker traffic along the Gulf Coast.

Ahmed Ressam, an al-Qaida-trained terrorist convicted of conspiring to set off a bomb at the Los Angeles International Airport during the Millennium celebration, was captured in December 1999 coming off a privately owned ferry in Port Angeles from Victoria, B.C. The trunk of his rental car was filled with bomb-making materials.

In June 2004, several Marine and Navy officers attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., conducted surveillance of the ferries as a class project and determined they were vulnerable to attack.

In the spring of 2004, the FBI conducted a threat assessment of the ferry system and concluded that terrorists were conducting "pre-operational planning" for an attack. The assessment was based on a review of 157 suspicious incidents over nearly three years. Analysts concluded that 19 of them were likely or extremely likely to have involved terrorist surveillance.

Gomez said the most recent incidents are similar to the 19, but that analysts have not been able to draw the same conclusions because of a lack of information.

Following the 2004 threat assessment, the Coast Guard required the State Patrol to increase the number of vehicles it screens, mostly through the use of explosive-sniffing dogs. Even so, the number of cars, trucks and vans screened going onto the boats remains a fraction of the total. Walk-on ferry passengers are not screened and do not undergo any security check.

Also, note the "CASE" of luggage at the foot of the sail/cross. This is a play on words. This is the "CASE" that God has against mankind, which case Jesus bore on the cross! For as the Balance Bible Code brings out, it is because Jesus bowed (humbled himself) to the obedience of the cross that all men should bow down to him. Jesus stills the storm by bowing to the cross. The wrath of God is appeased! The flood waters of Noah abate at His command! Jesus is weighed in the balance for us! We were found wanting. But our bowed-down scale became level when He did "DIE" and thereby make all things level --- all things "ONE" in Him. ---- One New Man/Nation!

This is what the cross is saying, which corners read, "DEEN", but in Hebrew means "Judgment". Jesus bore the storm for us. Jesus bore Hurricane DEAN for us! "