Bible Study Seattle

A modified scripture…

“The next day, some of the Judeans formed a conspiracy theory.” Acts 23:12

The book of Esther is another look at the redemption of God’s people. She becomes queen in the tenth month of the seventh year of king Ahaseurus (or Achashverosh; Esther 2:16). Who does the king represent? Probably God. The king seems almost flippant in his decisions; in one instance he agrees to destroy the Jews, the next instance he’s indignant than anyone would attempt this! (One of the great mysteries of faith is that God allows evil yet is opposed to it.) The seventh year can also represent the 7th 1,000 years. In Psalm 90:4 a day is equated to a thousand years. In Numbers 14:34 a day is equated to a year. Therefore, a year can also be equated to a thousand years. We are living in the seventh 1,000 year period from the creation of Adam. (Adam was created in 4,129 B.C. or 6,148 years ago). Esther becomes queen in the tenth month of the king’s seventh year, or about 6,750+ years since Adam. Time will tell if this interpretation is correct. This would be 2622+ AD on our Gregorian calendar. There is more time information:

After learning about Haman’s evil plot to destroy the Jews,

“On the third day, Ester put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s palace, opposite the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the king’s hall, across from the entrance to the hall.  When the king saw Ester the queen standing in the courtyard, she won his favor; so the king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Ester. Ester approached and touched the tip of the scepter.  “What is it you want, Queen Ester?” the king asked her. “Whatever your request, up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”  “If it is all right with the king,” answered Ester, “let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for him.”  The king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that what Ester has asked for can be done.”  So the king and Haman came to the banquet Ester had prepared.” Esther 5:1-5

The third day is very significant. It comes up over and over in the bible. We are also in the third ‘day’ since Jesus’ crucifixion:

“Come, let us return to Adonai;
for he has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck, and he will bind our wounds.
After two days, he will revive us;
on the third day, he will raise us up;
and we will live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive to know Adonai.
That he will come is as certain as morning;
he will come to us like the rain,
like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3

The third day since Jesus’ crucifixion is also the seventh day since the creation and fall of Adam. Esther continues:

“At the banquet of wine the king again said to Ester, “Whatever your request, you will be granted it; whatever you want, up to half the kingdom, it will be done.”  Then Ester answered, “My request, what I want, is this: if I have won the king’s favor, if it pleases the king to grant my request and do what I want, let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them; and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” Esther 5:6-8

The key is TOMORROW! That’s the fourth day. Or the eighth day since Adam’s fall. The seventh day or year is the Sabbath. The eighth after seven sevens is the Jubilee. Haman represents Satan and he will be destroyed in the Jubilee! The redemption of God’s people is not complete until the Jubilee. Some want to pull forward the events of the Jubilee into the great 1,000 year Sabbath of Jesus’ reign. This is a mistake. “He threw him [Satan] into the Abyss, locked it and sealed it over him; so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that, he has to be set free for a little while.” Revelation 20:3

Satan will be destroyed sometime after 7,000 years past Adam’s fall.

Psalm 36 starts describing wicked people and their presumption of anonymity. Then,

“Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.” Psalm 36:5-6

Indeed, salvation concerns not only man, but beast also. “Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” Genesis 8:17

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9

“And behold, there was a wall on the outside of the temple all around, and in the man’s hand was a measuring rod of six cubits, each of which was a cubit and a handbreadth. So he measured the thickness of the wall, one rod; and the height, one rod.” Ezekiel 40:5

“By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

“Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?  Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3

How can the saints judge angels?? It is only possible to judge something one is familiar with. Have you ever heard a sermon about this? The saints can judge the world because saints have much experience with this world. After death, the saints go on to heaven, where they will get much experience with angels. Are angels immortal? If they are judged, doesn’t that allow for a death penalty? “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

“just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 1:7

Satan and Sodom and Gomorrah are punished with eternal fire. Are Sodom and Gomorrah still burning? No. They are dead. Satan and his demons will meet their end. They are not immortal; neither are the angels.

It is this author’s belief that when the saints initially go to heaven, they are not immortal. This seems to be contradicted by, “Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6 More on that in a minute.

Why do the saints get to judge the world? Because they overcame the world. Will it not be the same judging angels? The saints can judge heaven when they overcome heaven. This must leave open the possibility of failure. How can you fail if you are immortal?

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:7-9

Is it possible that there are two parts to our lives before the Judgment? Or, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” Hebrews 9:27

“For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;” 1 Peter 4:17

Was Paul judged for his approval of the murder of Stephen? (1 Corinthians 15:9, Acts 7:58) As part of Christ’s bride, does Paul go straight to immortality in heaven when Jesus comes back to raise him? If so, where was his judgment? Does he not first have to repent to Stephen?

Is it possible that “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment [leading to everlasting life or second death].” Hebrews 9:27 with a suggested expansion of thought.

Apparently, some are appointed to die twice. “He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.’” Revelation 2:11

But for some who succeed in the judgment: “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

“Your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to their former state, and you [Israel] with your daughters will also return to your former state.” Ezekiel 16:55

Is this the new creation? Is this the resurrection? No and yes. Many think this former state is the Adamic state, not the new creation. Per God’s own laws, He cannot create new things until his Sabbath is over. Many think God’s rest is a period of 7,000 years which we are still in. Hence Ezekiel is referring to the second part of our first, Adamic lives. Just as Jesus comes twice to earth during God’s 7,000 year Sabbath, so do we. And just as his second visit will be more glorious than the first, so will ours. Hence, we too will return to our former state after we die. Then comes THE resurrection.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

This passage will not come true till God creates anew. Many quote it in the present tense, but how many have lost their maleness or femaleness? Let’s be honest; this is future. In a similar manner, “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10

Christ abolished death, yet do we not still see death? Yes! This is future. “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26 We’re clearly not there yet! What many do not appreciate is that there are more sacrifices than just Jesus on the cross. “Now I [paul] rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Colossians 1:24

Lacking in Christ’s afflictions?! Yes. Jesus was the cornerstone sacrifice, but there are other lesser sacrifices which are needed to destroy death. This is why the church (the bride of Christ) is told over and over to sacrifice. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1

After about the year 2914 AD begins the New Creation. “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” Matthew 22:30

“But woe to the earth and the sea,
    because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
    because he knows that his time is short.” Revelation 12:12

Doesn’t our time feel like this? Cities are burning with riots; strange explosions are seen around the world. Media outlets are in full blown propaganda mode. But even this time may not be Satan’s full imprisonment. He is still prowling, but truth is restraining him.

“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.  He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.” Revelation 20:1-3

It is clear now that Satan’s imprisonment is not a step function, but a more gradual process.

What part of prophecies are repeated? If Noah’s Flood is a prophecy, does that mean that its fulfillment includes a worldwide flood? No. In fact, “I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:11

But even though there will not be a worldwide flood again, other parts of the story may repeat. Will there be another ‘flood’ which will destroy evil people in preparation for repopulating the earth? That may be. At least partially. Are we living in a time when evil people will be destroyed and their influence limited? Quite possibly. Could there be a flood to start the seventh 1,000 year ‘day’ within God’s 7,000 year ‘day’ of rest? “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.” Psalm 29:10

Is this suggesting that when Jesus is enthroned, he will preside over a flood? “To me this is like the days of Noah,
    when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
    never to rebuke you again.
Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you .” Isaiah 54:9-10

This is a beautiful chapter about the bride of Christ (chapter 54), which follows the chapter on the Messiah (chapter 52:13-53). The waters of the flood increased upon the earth for 150 days (Genesis 7:24). This was to kill every living thing. Are we living in a time when serious justice will be meted out to severely limit Satan’s reach and power? It may be. We will have to see!

Apparently there are 16 different types of trees in the bible: Acacia, Almond, Apple, Cedar, Cypress, Date Palm, Fig, Henna, Oak, Olive, Pine, Pistachio, Pomegranate, Poplar, Tamarish, and Willow.  But the most interesting are probably the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life.  There’s only one place where the Good and Evil tree shows up:

“The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”  Genesis 2:16-17

The Trees of Life show up three times:
“Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”  Genesis 2:9

“Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”  Ezekiel 47:12

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ”  Revelation 22:1-2

Why is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil only in Genesis?  Because we have all eaten of it and experienced its curse.  Adam and Eve ate of it and so they and all their offspring experience its ill effects.  Yet none of us has yet eaten of the trees of life, which are still to come.  There is hope in the future!  “let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;
    let them be restored as in the days of their youth’”  Job 33:25

What was Lot’s relationship with his wife?

“When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.”  But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.  When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”  But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords!  Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.”  He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.  Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the town was called Zoar.

The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar.  Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.  But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”  Genesis 19:15-26

It seems that Lot barely escaped.  But his wife did not, perhaps willfully?

“If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”  1 Corinthians 3:15

We don’t know what his relationship with his wife was, but the following incest his daughters initiated (Genesis 19:30-38) and the characters of those offspring, the Moabites and Ammonites, tells us that there was a lot of depravity.  And yet, years later, a beautiful girl would result – Ruth.