Purim, Persia, and the Third Day*

Esther Comes Before the King

 

We are entering the season of Purim, a rabbinical feast of Israel. Purim revolves around a miraculous event from the Book of Esther. Esther also has a prophetic significance to the Church in these last days. The spiritual principalities and wickedness of the End Times that are revealed in Revelation, also have a striking similarity to the story of Esther and Purim:

"...the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice ye heavens and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child....And the dragon was wroth (violent anger, enraged; root- to stretch one's self out in order to touch or grasp something, to covet, to give one's self up to the love of money)with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."   Rev. 12:10-13, 17

The devil, the dragon is enraged against the people of God in these verses from Revelation, and his actions and persecutions stem from that rage. It is the same with the enemy in the Book of Esther, Haman. The dragon from Revelation spews water like a flood from his mouth to wipe out the woman who gave birth to the man child (Rev. 12:15). The letters of Haman's name in pictographical Hebrew refer to the revealing of a massive flood of chaos against the son/Son, the heir to the throne, the descendants.

This enemy, Haman, driven by rage and resentment against one man, Mordecai, who refused to bow down and pay Haman homage and worship, enlarged his rage to encompass the destruction of all of the Jews in Persia (now Iran). Mordecai explained that he could not worship a man because as a Jew, he could only worship God (Esther 3:1-6). Haman, like the devil in Revelation, accused Mordecai and the Jewish people before the king, and the king allowed Haman to issue a decree for the destruction of the Jews, and to take the spoil of them, setting a specific date for it that had been selected by casting lots (Pur) (v. 8-11). As the news of this decree spread, the Jews across the whole land fasted, cried and repented before God. How was this plot of destruction to be overcome? It was accomplished by the grace and favor of God upon one young Jewish woman, the bride of the great king of Persia, Ahasuerus, whose name was Esther. Mordecai even told Esther that it is possible that she was born for just this purpose.

After telling the Jewish people to fast and pray for three days, Esther risked her life to approach the king out of proper order. Approaching the king without being summoned first was punishable by death. However, when the king saw Esther in all her royal robes, she obtained favor in his sight, and he extended his scepter to her so that she might approach him safely (Esther 5:1-2). Esther requested the king's and Haman's presence at a banquet of wine that she would prepare. At the second banquet, Esther exposed Haman to the king, and Haman and his household were destroyed. The king ultimately overrode Haman's decree calling for the destruction of the Jews. He issued a decree in his own name, sealed with his own seal. Written in this way, it became a decree that no man could reverse (Est. 8:7-10).
The Bride of Christ is also purposed and called to a banquet, royally arrayed in righteousness, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints..."Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."  Rev. 19:7-9
Esther used the principle of "the third day" in her preparation for her entrance to the king, and her confrontation with Haman and his evil plan. The prophet Hosea connected "the third day" with the Messiah, His and our resurrection, and His twice coming:
"Come and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up and we shall live in his sight...and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."   Hos. 6:1-3
The Apostle Peter clarified this principle for us regarding the return of Christ, as well as its importance in the events of the End Times for the Church:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."   2 Peter 3:8
Two thousand years, or two days, have already passed since the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and we are entering into the third millennial, or third day. Persia, or Iran, which played such an important role in the Book of Esther, is once again emerging into the world spotlight as a sponsor of terrorism and its agents in various parts of the world. The declared aim of those terrorists, today's Hamans, like the enraged dragon of Revelation, is to push Israel into the sea, and to make war with those who support Israel, and believe the Messiah of Israel.
Events and timing indicates that the marriage supper of the Lamb grows near, but is the Bride preparing, as Esther did, to make the difference in these End Times, to prepare for the banquet of wine?  Let this season of Purim become a call to the Church to prepare herself in fasting, repentance, and prayer, to don her royal robes, to enter before and petition the King, and to enter into the banquet with Him.

*The above is based upon the 3/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.

 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/  

Selah*

 

"Selah" is a word used in scripture, usually in the Psalms, that has an importance in these end times to us, that the Church has tended to overlook. The Psalms were prayers and meditations set to music, and this is where the selah had its use. As a musical notation, it means to uplift, exalt, pause, rest. It also was used as an accentuation of a phrase that had just preceded it. In common language, it would be used to say, "pause and calmly think about this".

The first time we see the word used in scripture is in Psalm 3. David wrote this psalm on the occasion when his own son, Absalom, had worked against him to take his throne. David was at a very low point. So numerous were the enemies that had worked against him, that David wrote that many say of his soul, "There is no help for him in God." Here is the first direction to "selah". Is our soul to accept this conclusion of men? David wanted to pause the music here. This is where we are to consider what has just been said. Then David moves to the next step in thought, "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of my head." David then wrote that the LORD had heard his cry. The LORD did indeed help David and sustain him through this terrible time, and calmed David's fears. David felt assurance that the LORD would deal with his enemies. David concluded his song by writing, "Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." The selahs of the song causes us to stop at the points that David wanted us to especially consider.

In Habakkuk, the prophet composed a song, and used selahs in the song to pause and accentuate his points. The prophet wrote a remarkable description of his vision of the wrath of the LORD flashing forth over creation, relentless and earthshaking, ripping down mountains and cleaving solid land in its force. His wrath was not against nature, but against the head of the house of wickedness and for the salvation of His people. What was revealed was a "selah" moment to consider:
"Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even the salvation with thine anointed (Messiah); thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah."   Hab. 3:13
Within this prophetic vision and song about the fearsome wrath of the LORD, and the victorious salvation of the Messiah for God's people, the prophet exclaims:
"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  Hab. 3:18
Even the pictographic meanings of the individual Hebrew letters of the word "selah" (סֶלֶה) give us insight into the importance of its role:
samek- thorn, grab, protect, to prop, support, turn aside, like a staked plant which is turned to a direction.
lamed- shepherd's staff, bind, yoke, teach, learn, toward, cattle prod, urge forward, tongue
he- breath, look, reveal, behold, show
The Church has been given a "selah" moment also. Are we considering it?
Jesus left His disciples with instructions regarding the signs that would point to the time of His return. In Matthew 24, He described the specific signs, and said,
"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors...Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."  Mt. 24:33, 42
This is a "selah" moment for us. We are to be watching for these signs, and to be ready. Is the Church taking seriously the fulfillment of these signs that we are currently seeing? Does the Church take the return of the Lord lightly? Does the Church even believe in the return of Christ, and the prophesied judgment of God? Let us pause, and consider these things.
In 2 Peter, the apostle contrasted the attitude of those who disregard these things, even to the point of being willfully ignorant of the Word of God and the fulfilling signs, with what the signs should mean to each believer in the Church:
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."  2 Pet. 3:10-14

In today's reports, we see many signs of the Lord's imminent return as described in Mt. 24, including the great violence and injustice across the earth, the persecution, even to death, of Christians in many nations, the proliferation and broadening of abortion in this country and others, and many other signs. Let us 'selah', pause and think about these things. Are we recognizing and considering these signs, or are we wilfully ignorant of them? Evidence indicates that the Church, in general, is not taking these signs to heart. The Church does not seem to be watching, and preparing itself.
There is a coming day of wrath. We are to be salt and light, teaching the uncompromised truth as we see the signs of its approach. Your mission field is to your own loved ones and neighbors. Each one has this mission field before them.
This is a "selah" moment for the Church. Will you take the opportunity given to pause, and think about it?

 *The above is based upon the 3/17/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/  

 



A Lamp to My Feet-A Light to My Path*

(Listen-Song)

 

Last week, we discussed returning to the foundational purpose of the Church in general, and Everlasting Covenant, specifically. The attempts in these end times to keep the Word of God from the people, has impacted the discovery of personal purpose as well. If you want to know your purpose, it can be found in the Word of God. You must find in the Word the destiny that was specifically created in you. His Word lights the path of our personal purpose. Personal destiny, or purpose, is a creative work of God, and He creates nothing without speaking His Word first. Your birth was not an accident of chance, but it was purposefully brought forth in the creative work and will of God by His word:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him  was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."  Jn. 1:1-4, 14

In Genesis, everything created was created by the Word of God. That Word of God is also a Person. As Rev. 19:13 describes the return of Christ, the Word who became flesh is revealed again:

"And he was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."
As the Word, and of the Word, Jesus was incorporated with His personal purpose:
"...his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds...upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"   Heb. 1:3
As with Christ, this same Word of God which created each of us, is imbued with the purpose in which we were designed. The Word speaks, and it is done.
Peter also wrote of how the Word shaped creation. Speaking of scoffers, even as if he were describing those today who deny God's hand in creation, he said:

"For this they are willingly ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water."  2 Pet. 3:5

Paul said in Hebrews:

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed (rendered, repaired, completed, perfected, put in order, make one what he ought to be. Root meaning: having "special aptitude in given uses") by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."    Heb. 11:3
Everything we see was made of what cannot be seen. The framing of the physical creation, which includes each person, also included a perfected and completed purpose, according to the very meaning of the word.
The Word of God that created all things is living itself, powerful, and discerning of every individual. It permeates our very deepest physical and spiritual being:
"For the word of God is quick (among the living, alive, breathing (Ps. 33:6), active), and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."   Heb. 4:12-13
Psalm 119, all of which extols the greatness of God's Word, tells us that this same Word with which all things were created, is designed to play a personal role in each life:
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  v. 105
Do you or your path need to change? The Word of God opens the door to change us individually as it enters us. It renews our minds and transforms us because it is living (Rom. 12:1-2):
"The entrance (unfolding, doorway, declaration) of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple."  v.130
The Word is monumental in scope regarding creation. It is so great, that the LORD has magnified His word even above His name (Ps. 138:1-2). Yet it is also personal and intimate in effectiveness down to the smallest particle of our being. So important is it that the LORD keeps watch over His Word, including the Word regarding our purpose, in order to perform it (Jer. 1:12). The LORD compared His Word to the rain and snow that falls from heaven in order to accomplish a purpose: to water the earth, and produce a resulting seed and crop. The Word is sent with a purpose to accomplish:
"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 
                                                                                                         Isa. 55:11
If you are searching for your personal purpose, and searching for the right path of life to travel, the Word of God has been prepared to light your way.  

 *The above is based upon the 3/10/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/  

 

 

 





Restoring the Foundational Purpose*

This message, while being directed specifically to Everlasting Covenant, also pertains to all of the Church. The Church in general, has been pulled away from the foundation and purpose to which we have been called. We need to look back to the beginning, and restore those things that we were purposed to do. Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, decided to begin the 1961 spring training for his team by teaching them "the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals". That year, his team won the championship, and several more after that. The Church needs to rediscover the hidden power of mastering the fundamentals as well.
For Everlasting Covenant, our foundational scripture from the beginning has been:
"For I am not ashamed in the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation for every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."   Rom. 1:16
The verse that follows says, "For therein (the gospel) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Scripture asks the question, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps. 11:3). We need to restore the foundations of the Church built upon Christ and His commands. Christ gave this "great commission" to His disciples:
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world ("aion"-period of time, age)." Amen."   Mt. 28:18-20
From the beginning, the purpose of the devil has been to destroy the Godly foundations, and man's relationship with God by substituting the truth of God's word for the lie, "Hath God said...?" Jesus spoke of those workers who were faithful to His commands:
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."    Mt. 24:45-46, Lk. 12:41-44
In order to carry out these commands that Jesus gave to us, His servants, including giving meat in due season which is His Word, His Body must be functioning properly. That means every part of the Body must be in its proper place, and supplying what is needed to edify the whole Body:
"...by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body...for the body is not one member, but many....But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."   1 Cor. 12 (excerpt)
In the above chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul was teaching that like a physical body has various contributing parts, so has the spiritual Body of Christ. The different parts, like the foot, the eye, the ear, are distinct and individual in their purpose, yet they are necessary to make the whole body function properly. Paul mentions just a few of the functioning parts of Christ's Body: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues (v. 28). Not only do these functioning parts working together carry out the commission of Christ, but they edify the Body itself. This includes keeping the Body from being derailed into false doctrines and by deceiving men, while bringing forth the unity of faith, the perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13-14). Of this fully functioning Body, where all parts are in place and contributing, Paul says:
"...speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."  Eph. 4:15-16
According to the verses above, "love" is not manifested by speaking lies and false assurances according to the whims and fads of men, but it is manifested in the speaking of truth, and truth is determined and embodied in the Word of God.
The Body of Christ is not fitted together as we, man, deem to be good, with every member deciding his or her own place, or whether each part will determine for himself whether to be part of the Body or not, but the parts of the Body are assigned and determined by the Holy Spirit and under the headship of Christ.
Paul identifies his own part in the Body as an apostle "separated unto the gospel of God". This same gospel was promised by the prophets, and was made into flesh through Jesus Christ, the promised seed of David. This same Jesus was declared to be the Son of God through the demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:1-4). This is the gospel, this is the power of God unto righteousness. This is the commission with which are to go into all nations and make disciples.
We will be able to accomplish the commands of Christ only as the Church restores the foundations upon which we have been built, fitly joined together, edifying and supplying, even as we maintain the truth against the winds of doctrine that have been released by Satan, who is challenging the Church in these last days asking, "Hath God said...?"
For Everlasting Covenant in this time, our commission includes bringing the book, "NAZAH", which testifies to the truth of Christ and His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection illustrated prophetically in Isaiah 52-53 and other prophetic scriptures, to the Jew first, and also the Greek.

 *The above is based upon the 3/3/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
 

To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://endtimeschool.com/

To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

https://everlastingcovenant.sermon.net/main/main/21320220
 

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.

 

  

To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8     http://endtimeschool.com/