The Ten Virgins

Ten Virgins - Why 5 made it and why 5 did not make it.

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused (betrothed) you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)

We serve a jeolous God because He loves us and we are the work of His creation.

Time is short and this is not the time to be playing with sin.  Sin will separate you from the father but the father, king of the universe, sent his son so that we have access to the father through Jesus Christ through repentance of our sin.

When you look at the story of the ten virgins, they were jewish women or could be women of today.  Five were ready and five were not.  They loved the Lord but why did only five (5) make it?  First, the ten virgins were all “members of the Church”.

Doesn't a bride prepare for her wedding?  Yes. 

Are we all the bride of Christ?  Yes

If we are the bride of Christ what are you doing to prepare yourself for the bridegroom?  He is coming soon but you don't know when. 

How does a child of God prepare for the bridegroom spiritually?  By spending time with the Lord and not be caught up with the ways of the world.  He says he has many mansions prepared.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." (John 14:2D3)

Matthew 25:1–4, 8–12


1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.


2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

How do we prepare for the Savior’s Second Coming?

In these last days, the Lord has said, “Be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).
Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store.

Why were the foolish maidens turned away after the door was shut?

First, lets look at the oil. 

Olives are first soaked in water to clean them and purge them of their bitterness, and then they are crushed to extract their oil. Olive oil, produced throughout the Mediterranean region, had multiple uses anciently: food, cooking oil, condiment, treatment for wounds, ingredient in cosmetics and soaps, and fuel for lamps.

The oil in the parable represents our faith and testimony, our purity and dedication, our good works, and our keeping of covenants—all of the ways in which we have “taken the Holy Spirit for our guide”

The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins because the oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared.

Lets put it another way.

When you are married to your husband, you have intimacy.  You come together as woman and man and pruduce in the nature the fruit of intimacy - a child.

Believers need to learn to become intimate with the Lord to know Him and be woed by Him.  When you are intimate with the Lord, the Lord shares you secrets to you, He gives you revelation of His word and prepares your heart and mind for the tribution and suffering the church must go through to be prepared for the bridegroom. 

Yes, tribution.  Something that is not taught in the church today.  All believers have to go through suffering to be tested and to produce fruit.

John 15:2. There we read: "Every branch of mine that bears no fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

He wants a bride that produces much fruit.  Times are hard and the only way to survive this time is not to be caught up with Washington or world events - meaning not be overly concerned.  We need to be caught up with our spiritual goverment.

Think of it this way.

The king needs people and land.  Israel has land and has people who have returned over 2000 years and now waiting for the king to rule and raign on earth. 

But, He needs a bride who is prepared.  Otherwise, if you are not prepared, the things of the world.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)



The two scriptures above talks about prayer and petitions but not to worry that He will take care of His Bride.

My question to you -- Are you ready.  Are you preparing and filling your lamp with oil through prayer, fasting and intimacy with the Lord to be prepared and strengthened and not blown away by the storms of life.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

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We are living stones

We are the Living Stones Through Jesus Christ

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:22–25 that Y’shua [Jesus] is the Bridegroom and we are the

Bride of Messiah. The Bride has a dress that is without a spot or wrinkle – this dress is

made up of each “Living Stone” that forms the Bride of Messiah. Your End-time purpose is
to ensure that your marriage – ONE Living Stone – truly represents the calling …

• Of a special treasure,

• A royal priesthood and,

• A holy nation.
 

Retaking the Garden.

Mankind was given a mandate to “rule” the earth. Rulership, from a world system, means

that some are “bosses” and the rest are laborers … or even slaves.
 

We are called to be “set apart”. Your marriage must therefore look, sound, feel, different to

those in the world. We both therefore have to commit to the task of:

• Dressing the Garden and,

• Keeping the Garden.

The moment we have both of these two elements in action at the same time, we start to

Retake the Garden of Eden.
 

What does it mean to “dress”?

Stong’s 5647: abad (712b); a prim. root; to work, serve:— become slaves(1), been slaves(1),

bondage(2), burdened(2), cultivate(7), cultivated(2), cultivates(1), do(6), do the work(1),

enslaved(3), given(1), holding in bondage(1), imposed(1), keep(2), labor(3), laborers (2), make

servant(1), make slaves(2), manufacturers(1), observe(1), perform(9), performed(2), plowed(1),

rendered(1), serve(141), served(52), serves(2), serving(5), slave(1), slaves(1), subject(1), till(1),

tiller(1), tiller(1), tills(2), use as slaves(1), used(1), uses services(1), work(7), worked(2),

workers(2), working(1), worship(7), worshipers(6).
 

“Abad” means:

• To work in any sense,

• To serve and become a servant,

• To be a worshipper.

To dress the garden of your marriage means that you will be 100% committed to serve as

an act of worshipping God at the time, irrespective of the circumstances!
 

What does it mean to “keep”?

Strong’s 8104: shamar (1036b); a prim. root; to keep, watch, preserve:— attend(4), being

careful(1), beware(8), bodyguard (1), careful(32), careful to keep(1), cares(1), charge(4),

confine(1), confined(1), defending(1), did(1), diligently keep(1), doorkeeper(1), doorkeepers(4),

gatekeepers(1), give heed(2), giving heed(1), guard(20), guarded(7), guards(4), guardsmen(1), have

charge(1), heed to yourself and keep(1), heeds(1), hoarded(1), indignant(1), keep(156), keeper(8),

keepers(2), keeping(10), keeps(19), kept(38), kept watch(2), maintained(1), mark(2), observe(30),

observed(6), observes(1), observing(1), officers(2), pay attention(1), perform(3), performed(1),

performing(2), preserve(5), preserved(3), preserves(6), protect(4), protects(1), regard(3), regards(2),

remains(1), reserved(1), secured(1), sentries(1), spare(1), spies(1), take care(1), take heed(5), take

note(1), take...heed(1), waiting(1), waits(1), watch(11), watched(1), watches(3), watching(3),

watchman(4), watchmen(7).
 

“Shamar” means:

• To build a fence or a hedge, as with thorns,

• To protect,

• To narrowly observe, and be a watchmen.

To keep the garden of your marriage means that you will always be alert to:

• Strategies from the kingdom of darkness.

• Attractions from the world system.

• The serpent – in whatever form he materializes – when he comes to ask … “did

God say?”
 

We need to clarify.

Men, due to their physical strength and abilities, need to focus on:

• Providing,

• Protecting,

• And so forth.

Women, due to their strengths and abilities to nurture, need to focus on:

• Nurturing,

• Mothering,

• And so forth.
 

What we speak of here is the joint responsibility of both partners who labor to present the

union of ONE Living Stone, radiant and pure before the Lord. Often we find the symbolism

of the Shepherd that looks after sheep. As a union of two like-minded people, we too are

ONE shepherd …

• Looking after the integrity and purity of the marriage.

• Looking after the “harvest” of the union (sons and daughters).

• Looking after the “seed” ensuring that it still reflects the attributes of the Kingdom of

God.

As ONE shepherd – both husband and wife – need to be equipped to handle every

circumstance. How do we do this? Every shepherd needs the following equipment:
 

1. We carry a staff.

The staff represents our ability/willingness to:

• Pull others out of trouble spots.

• Guide others along a path of righteousness.

• To be a beacon of direction in a fast changing world.

• Show compassion to those who are weaker.
 

2. We carry a stick.

The stick is a stout piece of timber to be used to ward off any attack from dangerous

animals. In the spiritual realm this is represented by:

• The unconditional love that I give to my spouse and children and the ever-open

hands to welcome the lost back into the fold.

• The security that I make around the family by the manner in which each challenge

is dealt with.

• The shalom [peace] that I bring as I make sure that others always see themselves

as more important than “things”.

3. We carry a sling.

The sling was used to take up a position of battle and meant that oncoming “warfare” could

be stopped in its tracks. In the spiritual realm of the marriage this is represented by:

• The manner in which I go about doing spiritual warfare on behalf of the family.

• The petitions and intercession prayer sessions that are done in order to guide and

defend the family.
 

4. We carry a pouch.

The shepherd uses the pouch to keep life-giving food or medicines and herbs in so that

the sheep will always be strong. In the marriage this is represented by:

• How we wash each other with the Water of the Word.

• How we fast for specific needs.

• How we empower each other to reach for the realization of the dreams that God

has given us.

Entranc
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The groom enters with both parents and comes to stand before the chuppah. His father

blesses him, and the groom moves under the chuppah.

The bride then enters with both parents. Her father and mother speak a blessing.

Genesis 24:60 “60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, You are our sister; may

you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands, and let your posterity possess the

gate of their enemies (those who hate them).”

Just after the parents have blessed the bride, she turns towards the chuppah. The

bridegroom steps out from under the chuppah and lifts the veil to check if it’s his bride. He

makes sure that he is not getting the wrong sister like Jacob!

!

The bride will give a tallit to her bridegroom. The tallit has thirty-two strings. In the

Hebrew alphabet, the Hebrew word for “heart” also equals thirty-two. The tallit represents

protection against outside sexual temptation:

Numbers 15:39 “They shall be tassels for you, and you shall look at them and not be

tempted after your hearts and after your eyes.”

So what the bride is saying is … “I will cover your heart.”

The chuppah – which can be made from a tallit – is the covering under which a couple

stand for the marriage ceremony. This chuppah, which today is represented by a prayer

shawl, reflects the Glory of God.

Isaiah 4:5 “5 And the Lord will create over the whole site, over every dwelling place of

Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a

flaming fire by night; for over all the glory shall be a canopy (a defence of divine love and

protection).“

Isaiah 43:7 “7 Even everyone who is called by My Name, whom I have created for My

glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made.”

159
 

The chuppah is a declaration of the intent of the couple. Firstly, the chuppah has four

poles. These are held up by four men of integrity and value. Four friends of the couple who

have made the commitment to stand with and for them. Secondly, the chuppah represents

their home. It has open sides all the way around – signifying that they are transparent, that

their home is open for all, that they are humble and that their home is open for God to

come in and dwell.
 

Consecration of %eir lov$

The lightning of the three candles is to symbolize:

• Firstly, it indicates that we have the Light of Y’shua [Jesus] in our lives and we are

prepared to witness to that.

• Secondly, we also indicate to the congregation that two family bloodlines are joining

to create ONE new bloodline.

• Thirdly, we show the world that we are not a separate couple on our own but that

we are part of a family, a community.

Lighting of three candles is performed by:

• The bridegroom and his family light one candle,

• The bride and her family light another candle,

• And the final – middle – candle is lit by both the bridegroom and bride.

!

Before the witnesses, the bridegroom will share a cup of the covenant with his bride as he

asks her to marry him, just as Y’shua [Jesus] did in Luke 22:20, where He answered on

the promise of Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:8-10. The bridegroom drinks and gives

the cup to his bride, and then to his whole family. The significance of the whole family is

that the couple recognizes and honors the family as a community. When the bride drinks of

the cup, she shows that she has accepted the proposal.

!

Typically the “pastor” or rabbi will speak or perhaps give a sermon. After this the bride will

encircle her bridegroom seven times. This custom symbolizes:

• The seven days of creation,

• The home the couple will create together,

• The wall of protection the bride will create around her groom.

The bride will then put the ring on the forefinger of her right hand. She will show the

witnesses. This is a remembrance of Moses blessing to the people:

Deuteronomy 33:2-3 “2 He said, The Lord came from Sinai and beamed upon us from

Seir; He flashed forth from Mount Paran, from among ten thousands of holy ones, a

flaming fire, a law, at His right hand. 3 Yes, He loves [the tribes] His people; all those

consecrated to Him are in Your hand. They followed in Your steps; they [accepted Your

word and] received direction from You,”

The bridegroom will give something [typically a ring] of great value, just as Y’shua [Jesus]

gave us great value.
 

John 14:13 “13 And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as

presenting all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the

Son.”

Points to remember regarding the rings:

• The ring must belong to the groom.

• It changes status of the bride. It also gives her authority, as in the same way as

Pharaoh gave his ring to Joseph.

• It is a milestone and memorial at all times – even the bad times – a symbol of

remembrance.

• Has no beginning and no end, and therefore represents the couple’s faith.

• Represent the union – the creative force – to extend God’s Commandment.

• Space inside is holy – sanctified.

Blessing over the rings:

“These rings will be a sign of their love and commitment which they make today and may

their marriage reflect God’s Message of the Bride of Messiah.”

Legal agreement.

The “pastor” or rabbi will ask the traditional questions – “do you take … ” The groom will

take the veil off from his bride, they will exchange rings, and then end the ceremony with a

kiss.

!e mar"a& contract … ' ketubah!

The ketubah – the written declaration of the groom’s intention to protect and care for his

bride – is read aloud in the presence of all the witnesses. The ketubah should be the

words of the groom’s heart, and should be a “special” marriage document for the bride to

keep and even frame.

Exodus 24:7 “7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the

people; and they said, All that the Lord has said we will do, and we will be obedient.”

This is equivalent to Moses and the people who keep the Word of God, physically and

spiritually.

!

Seven people of significance to the couple then speak words of blessing over the newly

married couple. This is to declare their purpose and destiny, and to proclaim blessings

over the couple. These prayers are an example of the principle to be prayed. Each one of

the seven friends or family members who steps up to pray should speak from their heart

and declare the Word.

1. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who has created everything for His

Glory. I pray that ____________ and _____________ will be blessed with humility,

gratitude and the Wisdom of God.

2. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who created humankind, Who

created _____________ and _____________ and Who blessed them with the Holy

Spirit and the gift of creativity to meet their purpose and destiny.

3. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who fashioned ______________

and ______________ in His Image and after His Own Likeness He created them

and prepared for Him, out of His Very Self, an Eternal Soul through Y’shua [Jesus],

and yet remembered the uniqueness of each one of them.
 

4. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who brings intense joy and

exultation to the mothers through the ingathering of their children. I pray that You

will bless _________________ and _____________ with fertility. Blessed are You,

our God, Who gladdens parents through their children.

5. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who makes these beloved

companions, _______________ and ________________, to greatly rejoice, as You

gladden Your creatures in the Garden of Eden. Blessed are You, our God, Who

gladdens the groom and bride, we pray that their love will hold and support them.

6. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who created joy and gladness,

groom and bride, mirth, happy songs, pleasure, delight, love, brotherhood, shalom

[peace] and companionship. May _____________ and _____________ be blessed

with these in abundance. I pray that the voice of gladness and joy will soon be

heard in every city and in Jerusalem when the voice of the Groom and Bride will

proclaim your complete salvation through Y’shua [Jesus] the Messiah.

7. Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the vine. I

pray that Your Hand of provision will be extended to them and that the fruit thereof

will be blessed.

Rededication of your marriage

1. Read to each other the ketubah you have written.

2. Make a prophetic declaration of God’s Word. Bless each other from God’s Word …

and make your End-Time declaration.

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At the marriage ceremony at Mount Sinai, God tells us:

• He has delivered us, taken us out of Egypt [the world], and has carried us out on

eagle’s wings.

Exodus 19:4 “4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on

eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”

God says “if we obey” – are committed to the covenantal marriage – then …

Exodus 19:5 “5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant,

then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all

peoples; for all the earth is Mine.”

We reply and say “I do”.

Exodus 19:8 “8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord has

spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.”

After this, God says …

“You will become … ”

Genesis 19:5-6 “ … 5 Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My

covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and

above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests,

a holy nation [consecrated, set apart to the worship of God]. These are the words you shall

speak to the Israelites.”

We choose to declare God’s Words of End-Time Purpose.

You have rededicated your marriage today – you have made God the Senior Partner in

this covenant.

You have declared “we will do and we will hear” – sh’ma – listen, understand, and

implement.

God says:

1. You are a segullah, a particular treasure, a wealthy jewel.

Strong’s 5459: segullah (688c); from an unused word; possession, property:— possession(5),

treasure(2), treasured possession(1).

We can say that you will be valuable diamond – a stone that has been formed in the heat

of tribulations, but you are protected from the system of this world.

As ONE Living Stone [marriage], you will reflect this as you journey in step to God’s Song

of Cycles, Seasons, and Feasts.

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2. You are a kingdom of priests.

Strong’s 4428: melek (572d); from an unused word; king:— King(253), king(1730), King’s(6),

king’s(241), kingdom(1), Kings(41), kings(241), kings’(2), royal(5).

• You have dominion,

• You reign as kings,

• You are the principle officers.

We can say that your position of authority has been allocated, and your territory has been

demarcated.

As ONE Living Stone [marriage], you will reflect this through the evidence that you sh’ma

[hear, do, and keep] God’s Commandments and Directions.

3. You are a holy nation.

Strong’s 6918: qadosh (872c); from the same as 6944; sacred, holy:— consecrated(1), Holy(8),

holy(50), Holy One(44), holy one(3), holy ones(6), one is holy(1), saints(2).

Strong’s 1471: goy (156c); from the same as 1458; nation, people:— every nation(2),

Gentiles(1), Goiim(1), Harosheth-hagoyim (3), herds(1), nation(120), nations(425), people(4).

Qadosh [holy] Goy [nation]

Sacred, Foreign nation,

Saintly, Gentile,

Sanctuary Troop

We can say that even though you were previously a Gentile and foreigner to the covenant,

that your holy lifestyle has turned your ONE Living Stone into a sacred sanctuary where

God’s Presence can dwell.

As ONE Living Stone [marriage], you will reflect this as you show God’s Light of love,

faithfulness, and shalom [peace] as a reflection to all of the pagan nations around you.

In sealing this rededication, we encourage you as a couple to partake of communion. And

then …

Dance! Celebrate with joy!

Rejoice as ONE before the LORD!

River of Life Family Church, Vanderbijlpark


Pastor Edward Gibbens

Contact: Sharmain Joubert

Personal Assistant to Pastors Edward and Dalene Gibbens

River of Life Family Church

Vanderbijlpark

South Africa…e send off!e mar"a& contract … ' ketubahe mar"a& ceremonye proposal … sanctification.e ceremony.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

Boaz Means Piller

Boaz's Name Means Pillar

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Boaz is of Hebrew origin. Possibly "swiftness" or "strength like a pillar." Biblical: names of several characters, including the second husband of Ruth, who treats her generously. Revived by the Puritans and occasionally used in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Now, it's very rare. Sometimes used in Jewish families.

The story is under construction at this time but is in process.

The story of Boaz and Ruth.

Boaz’s name in Hebrew: a pillar of strength – and became the Bridegroom of Ruth – Isaiah the prophet wrote, “For your Maker is your husband, the LORD Almighty is His name” (Isa. 54:5). Let’s look further, God protected the Israelites in the desert from the Egyptians by becoming a pillar of fire. The Lord protected Israel since their heritage was one day to produce the coming King Jesus. Boaz protected Ruth the Moabite from molestation by the farm hands.

God protected Israel, and Boaz represented redemption as the kinsman redeemer for Ruth the Moabite. Later, Jesus became the kingsman redeemer for all mankind through that bloodline.

Going further, King Solomon named one of the pillars of the temple Boaz.  The entrance to God was going through the door, first passing the pillars.

The Jachin pillar (meaning Yah establishes) is King Solomon, and the Boaz pillar (meaning strength) is King David. These two were Israel’s most illustrious kings and were primarily responsible for planning and/or building the Jewish Temple. Both kings are messianic figures. All that follows is explanatory.

To find the relation between the names of the pillars and these two kings, we must travel an additional route. For a description of the pillars, see 1 Kings 7:15 - 22 and 2 Chronicles 3:16, 17.

In I Chronicles 17:1, King David expresses a desire to build God a house (temple), but the Lord gently declines the offer, v.3, telling him that, instead, his son (Solomon) will build it and through his son, David’s dynasty and kingdom will be “established,” a word used five time in vs. 17:9 - 14 in the Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and five more in 2 Samuel  7:10 -16. Therefore, Solomon is the establisher.

Solomon made various Temple vessels, including the twin bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz.  The name Cun is etymologically related to Jachin (Yakin). Cun means establish or stand upright, while Jachin (Yakin, Yah-kin) means Yah establishes. Yah is a contraction for Yahweh, God’s name. Hence, establish links Cun, Jachin, and Solomon, who was also named Jedidyah, beloved of Yah . If so, is Tibbath also possibly linked to David?

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

Hanukkah see Jesus in the Story

History of Hanukkah

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights (Jesus is the Light of the World) starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."
Why is Hanukkah Celebrated

There also lived an evil man called King Antiochus. Antiochus ordered all the Jewish people to give up their God, religion, and customs and worship only the Greek Gods. By his orders, Jewish temples were destroyed or used for his purposes, and those Jews who would not worship how he commanded were severely punished.

The Maccabees and the Syrians fought for about three years until finally, the Maccabees defeated the Syrians and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. Their first priority was to clean and rededicate the temple to the service of God. So they washed and scrubbed the temple clean and removed the Greek symbols and idols from within the walls. Now, they were ready to rededicate it to their God. The only problem was that Judah and the Judean heroes could not find any blessed oil to light the lamps. They searched and searched. Finally, in one of the Temple chambers, they discovered a very small cruse of oil.
The Maccabees knew that there was just enough oil for one evening. Then, a miracle happened. That tiny flask of oil lasted not just one night but eight nights! This is why the menorah has eight candles. Each one represents a night that that small flask of oil kept the lights of the Holy Temple lit.

Jesus preached three sermons in which he declared Himself the "light of the world," and all three would be during Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

John 8:12; ".....I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but he will have the light of life." Then He said in John 9:5 that "as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." And in John 11:9 He said, "......are there not twelve hours in a day? If any man walk in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world." And again in John 12:35; "Then Jesus said to them, for a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you." 

Each of these references to Jesus as the world's light in John chapters 8, 9, 11, and 12 surround chapter 10 where the "feast of dedication" (Hanukkah) is observed. In each of these references, when Jesus refers to Himself as the world's light, He is in the Temple.

Following the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Hebrew Christians identified light with Christ and the Temple at Hanukkah. The servant candle (SHAMMAS) that stood higher than the other candles to light them refers to Christ. John 1:9 says, "That He was the true light, who lights everyone who comes into the world." Therefore, the lights of Hanukkah were not ancient luminaries pointing to Christ; they were added after His death to point back to the One who alone is the light of the world.
Also, the celebration of Hanukkah involves burning light even when no supply is left, which is a perfect symbol of the eternity of God's Word.

 
The next question is, "Why did the early Christians set December 25th as the day to commemorate the birth of the Son of God?" December 25th is not the actual date for the birth of Jesus Christ. It is said his birth was during the Feast of Tabernacles, and he was conceived during Hanukkah. In December, shepherds in Israel would have been out of the fields tending their flocks at night. Therefore, why did they choose this date?

 
On December 25th, Antiochus Epiphanes chose to desecrate the Temple and establish the worship of his god, Zeus Olympius, because it was already a heathen holiday. It is also the date that the Jews cleansed and rededicated the Temple three years later. Light had defeated darkness; the true God had defeated the heathen god, Zeus Olympius.

The purpose of Israel's Temple was that the deity should dwell within and that Israel would know the glory of God was present with them. And the purpose of the body of Jesus Christ was that the deity should dwell within and that divine glory was manifested through it. John 1:18, "No one has ever seen God, except the uniquely born Son, who is at the Father's side (the place of intimacy); he has made him known." 

In other words, the glory of the invisible God could be seen in the visible Son. Hebrews 1:3 describes the Lord Jesus this way; "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word......" In other words, Jesus was an outshining of God's glory and an exact representation of His nature. The glory of God shone out of the Temple, and the glory of God shone out of the flesh of Jesus Christ.

So close was the relationship between the Temple on Mount Moriah, in which God dwelt, and the body of Jesus, in which deity lived, that when He was pressed for a sign to authenticate His life and teaching to the Jewish leadership, Jesus said in John 2:19, ".....destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." And this commentary is added in John 2:21, "But He spoke of the temple of His body."
The Temple had housed the glory of God, and the body of Christ housed the glory of God. That is why, in a description of the new Jerusalem, the apostle John wrote in Revelation 21:22, "And I saw no temple in it; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the temple of it."

The church did not choose December 25 because it was an ancient heathen holiday but because of the Jewish feast of Hanukkah on that date and the added emphasis that Jesus gave. This date eloquently testified that at the birth of Jesus, the deity was dwelling in a human body (temple) and shining out to give light amid darkness. It is said that the date of the feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), the 25th of KISLEV, seems to have been adopted by the ancient church as that of the birth of our blessed Lord, Christmas, the dedication of the true temple, which was the body of Jesus Christ. In the simplest terms, the early church chose December 25th to remind the world that God came down to dwell in human flesh, and from out of that flesh, He gave light and life to all who would put their trust in Him.

The exact date for Christmas is not relevant. What is relevant is that you believe that Jesus Christ came into the world, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross bearing all the sins of the world, rose from the dead three days later, and ascended back to heaven from where He came.

Christmas is a time to remember when God became man and dwelt among us. Many would only remember if we had this holiday. Again, we see God making it easy for humans to believe and be saved. No one will have any excuse when they stand before God in judgment.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

The Reason for the Drought in Texas

Reasons for the Drought in Texas

Have you noticed the entire state of Texas is under a drought not only that but most of Texas is under extreme drought conditions.  You can blame it on climate change, but who controls and creates the world.  Not only that many other states are affected by the lack of rain and higher temperatures.  Let's look at what God's word has to say about droughts. 

Why the drought

The Bible records the reason why drought comes to a nation or state, and it also records God's instruction for dealing with the situation.  "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. " (2 Chronicles 7:13-14 New International Version

Maybe it is time to take the time and pray for Texas, our nation, and our president, for our sins and our wicked ways.  The people in our nation are complacent.  Could it be we are a people who have turned our backs on God?  How about Yoga, which is a religious practice. 

Are we headed for a famine in our land or a spiritual famine country?

Maybe it is both. 

Famine and Drought, as the Judgment of God, created the world as a good environment that would normally provide ample water and food for mankind (Genesis 1:1). However, the productiveness of the earth is related to people's obedience to God.  When there is a people who disobeyed, judgment came on the land by drought and famine (Leviticus 26:23-26; Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 1 Kings 8:35).

Are these signs of the end time?

It could be! Look at our economic situation in our land.  Look what took place on tv where the republicans and the Democrats could not come to an agreement.  We are in debt to our ears, and they want to raise the debt ceiling to guarantee paying debt for a little longer.  How will that solve it, and what will be the outcome the next time our country runs out of money!

Can the United States continue to spend the people's money to continue to pay out handouts?  Could it be our sin that the United States is careless and spenders of money to create such a debt crisis? 

What is the purpose of judgment?

When God did send drought and famine on His people, it was to bring them to repentance (1 Kings 8:35-36; Hosea 2:8-23; Amos 4:6-8). Moreover, the Old Testament contains promises that God will protect His faithful ones in times of famine (Job 5:20, Job 5:22; Psalms 33:18-19; Psalms 37:18-19; Proverbs 10:3).  Amen that the Lord does protect the faithful ones. 

God's promise when a people repent.

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.  Isaiah 58:11.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

The World Is Raging

Iran threatens to try to cut off the supply of all Middle Eastern oil.

Iran is to threaten to disrupt shipments from the entire Middle East since the United States and Europe want Iran to not sell crude oil. Where one-fifth of the world’s oil reserves come through.

Because Europe and America want to put sanctions to stop the selling of oil from Iran so that they have less funds to supply or build their nuclear weaponry, Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow Persian Gulf waterway between Iran and Oman through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. If that were to happen, experts say oil prices could soar toward $200 per barrel and deliver a blow to already wobbly Western economies.

Iran preparing for armoggeden

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has held several secret meetings with his economic and military advisers in recent days to prepare for the possibility of war with the United States.

The revolutionary forces in charge of the supreme leader’s protection report that Khamenei held several recent meetings where the leader instructed his advisers to tighten the grip on anyone who opposes or might oppose the regime in case of war.

This is what the elitists want to see happen. Get prices so high that they will open the oil fields in America but still sell it high for their own profit.

Britain, America, and France have responded to Iran by sending six warships led by a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier through the susceptible waters of the Strait of Hormuz. British, American, and French naval vessels carry nuclear missiles. In addition, the Russian naval vessels and submarines in the Strait of Hormuz and on the coasts of Cuba and Venezuela contain nuclear missiles.

Literally, an Armageddon-style conflict looms on the horizon. This is unlike any conflict the world has ever faced in the history of mankind. It is time for all of us to pray for our leaders and foreign leaders, whether we like it or not. Our fate is literally in the hands of God.

Jesus said in Matthew 24: 4-

No one deceives you:

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many.

Rumors of War:

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

You will be afflicted and killed:

9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Many False Prophets:

11 And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:

18 Neither let him, which is in the field, return back to take his clothes.

19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

20But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

2012 is a very pivotal year. At age 12, a boy becomes a man and comes into manhood through barmizpha.

Jesus was found preaching in the synagog.

The days of darkness will be darker than we have ever seen before. Rumors of war and sin prevail. In countries where the economy collapsed, children were taken and used for human trafficking. Now approx. 50 million in human trafficking.

Greece needs more money to feed its children. Human trafficking will take place. When the economy goes down, sin abounds.

The world will shake like never before in 2012. Possible world wars were released in the fall.

The Good News is God is still on His throne and not surprised. Keep your eyes on Him.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages

10 Region World

Ten Region World

Know my people that God is in control. Things have to happen before the Lord Jesus Christ comes to set His kingdom on the earth.

What is happening in the Middle East! The Lord showed me it is a time for nations to shake and align themselves. Wicked people think they can create a New World Order to bring peace. They are deceived and are used by the Antichrist.

The Middle East is on fire.
Africa is on fire
Soon to be North Korea
Soon to be other nations in South America like Columbia, Venezuela, and even the United States.

You are going to see things you've never seen before. In the United States, there has been unrest, riots, food shortages, high costs, and high crime from those trying to survive.

Gas is going up $9.00 a gallon.

My children, I'm the bridegroom and coming soon for my bride. Do not look at the circumstances; look up at me and praise the Lord, for I'm coming soon.

Watch Israel because Israel is your calendar. I am moving to put pressure on the world. I'm allowing it, but I'm involved, but the time of my word will become very real. Keep your eyes on me, and do not fret what you see in the coming days.

We are in a time of sorrow. It is a great time of sorrow where men's hearts will fail because of fear.

Seek me.

The world is going to unite into 10 regions of the world. Right now, North Africa and the Middle East coming together as a nation with states. Africa is going through unrest - the Ivory Coast, Sudan, and other countries are going through unrest to become a nation. Could the Ottoman come into place in the future? 

Yes, there is the wicked behind this. They have an antichrist spirit in them. They are deceived. Their hearts have grown cold and hardened from greed and power. They want to enslave the people globally.

Watch and see, but I will take care of you. Learn to be led in the spirit and know I'm in full control and that my coming days are soon.

Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - A Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting the Captives Free from bondages