Revelation TV
http://www.revelationtv.com Is the Sun shrinking? Watch as Dr Richard Kent discusses this interesting fact abut the Sun.
updated 8 years ago
He shares how his parents moved from Iran to Israel in the early years of the Jewish state and how he came to faith to faith in Yeshua in the 80’s after serving in the IDF. He describes the challenges he faced in being a new believer and explains the importance of the Church understanding the Jewish roots of our faith and the significance of Israel in bible prophecy.
Also a sneak peak at a segment from Howards Life stories Part 4.
This proposal is being made despite the fact that under Scotland leadership over the past decade and a half there has been a massive increase in deaths caused by hard drug use.
The Church across the UK needs to wake up to the drug pandemic and show the love of Christ practically ad prayerfully to restore broken lives through the power of Jesus.
On August 23rd Prigozhin’s private jet crashed just north of Moscow that affectively ended the mercenary group’s ability to operate independently of the Kremlin. According to security experts it is believed that this was carried out by Russian secret service known as the FSB. What does this now mean for Russia and the ongoing war in the Ukraine?
She experienced sexual abuse and turned to God for deliverance, healing, and restoration.
And the Lord turned it around into something positive.
Started Preaching to kids at school from the age of 9yrs old
Was searching for God at just 11yrs old
Was baptised at 12yrs, Holy Spirit filled at 15yrs.
Challenged kids to change.
God used her to protect others and to prevent suicidal cases.
A lot of souls came to Christ during school and after leaving.
God used her to teach others more and to have a deeper relationship in God.
At 16 was in a deliverance Ministry.
Also started street Ministry working with various churches.
Also was in a gospel rap group with her family.
The group focused on delivering drug dealers, prostitutes through the love and power of God.
This led to more as the group got popular.
Preaching to the youth in churches, community centres, Universities. Motivational speaking, counselling the youth.
God used her directly to counsel and heal abused young girls.
Kindly share this and get many to watch, because lives will be transformed.
It is highly recommended for the entire family.
It must not be missed.
Alongside the medial journey was a spiritual journey that Ben recounts which started with a declaration of faith in God’s healing power. But as with Shadrach Mescal and Abednigo ben said even if God did not intervene he would still praise him. Ben describes how his brother Jacob shared Psalm 41 with the monumental words of verse 3: The Lord will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed, Ben was also drawn to reading Psalm 91 verse 1: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, verse 2: He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. And verse 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. Ben declared to his church and a gathering of non-Christian friends who were invited to a public meeting that he believed God would rescue him from the pestilence of cancer.
Amidst all this were the ongoing medical challenges and surgery. The treatment programme was not smooth but Ben was given a stick by his eldest son (he has five children plus two adopted and 15 grandchildren. He clung to the staff as though it were the staff of David. At times of great discomfort - sometimes in the middle of the night - he held onto one end of the staff quoting Psalm 23 and knew for certain that the Shepherd was holding the other end. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me. This is moving testimony is a real life story of faith and hope in the living God who has promised to be with us. 'His goodness and mercy will follow me (and all those who trust in Him) all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
As a result of her service to the Lord, she has great influence within her local community.
Hers is a ministry that is truly making impact.
Through her ministry, lives are being transformed.
Many are healed, delivered and restored.
Lives are being set on fire for the Lord.
It is an incredible testimony.
This is a programme highly recommended especially for women who are called to ministry and don’t where or how to start.
It is a programme which the girl child needs to watch, in order to encourage her that there is nothing that can hold you back as long as you have God on your side.
It is also for that person who has made many mistakes in their live and don’t think there is a way out.
It is for that person believing God for a second chance.
It is for that foreigner who thinks the system is skewed against them.
Kindly share this and get many to watch, because lives will be transformed.
It is highly recommended for the entire family.
It must not be missed.
In this study, we look at Psalm 23 verse by verse. “The Lord is my Shepherd" (v1a). This is a declaration of personal faith and submission: He is MY Shepherd, my Lord and Owner, my Leader (sheep belong to their shepherd, they submit, follow and trust in him). Only a believer humbles himself to be a sheep, who admits He needs, belongs to and follows His Shepherd, trusting Him to provide for him. Since the Lord is my Shepherd: "I shall not want." This is summary statement of the PROVISION of every blessing, which are unfolded in more detail in the rest of the Psalm. Thus: "I shall not want for peace, protection, leadership, blessing etc (see Ps 37:25, Deut 2:7, Psalm 84:11, Matt 6:33, Phil 4:19). This could also be read as a statement of contentment: “that’s (He’s) all I want” (see Phil 4:11, Hebrews 13:5-6). "He makes me to lie down (He settles me down) in green pastures" (v2a) - the provision of satisfied peace and rest (Matt 11:28-30, Isa 30:15). Shepherds would often rest their flocks at noon (Song 1:7). Sheep only lie down when they have had plenty to eat and drink, not threatened by wild animals, or if flies or parasites trouble them, or if there is friction among the sheep. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine. Christ brings us into soul rest. "He leads me (not drive) beside the still (gentle) waters" (v2b). He plans my life and knows the best way and leads me in it (He does not drive me) – oriental shepherds go ahead of their sheep and lead them. The sheep know his unique voice and follow him. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He cannot give us peace apart from Himself, because He is Peace (John 14:1,27, Is 26:3, Phil 4:6-9). So, if you walk away from the Lord, you will lose your peace. Sheep cannot drink from swift waters (their nostrils are close to their mouth). He supplies us with green grass to chew on (His WORD) and gentle waters to drink (His SPIRIT).
"He restores (lit: 'brings back') my soul" (v3a). Our translations emphasise the reviving of the soul through the green pastures and still waters (v2). The literal meaning also includes something much more important, the restoration of a soul through repentance (Galatians 6:1). The Lord brings my soul back to God, by bringing me to repentance, resulting in restoration of life and peace. Thus, it speaks of the rescue of a lost sheep, who has gone astray, a vital part of a shepherd's work (Ezekiel 34:4-6,11-12), and a picture of salvation, for: “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). Lost souls are sheep without a shepherd, and Jesus came in compassion to gather His flock (Matthew 9:36). This aspect of the ministry of the Good Shepherd is especially emphasised in the New Testament: "You were like sheep going astray, but have now RETURNED to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1Peter 2:25). The Parable of the Good Shepherd in Matthew 18:11-13 reveals that Christ, the Son of Man is the Good Shepherd, who has a special sacrificial love for each one of His sheep: “The Son of Man has come to save that which was lost (also Luke 19:10). What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray." Jesus is claiming to be the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23, who came from Heaven to seek and save His lost sheep, by bringing us back to Himself. A similar Parable in Luke 15:4-7 adds more detail: “When he has found it (the lost sheep), he lays it on his shoulders (salvation by grace) rejoicing" (v5). "Likewise, there will be more joy in Heaven over one SINNER who REPENTS...” (v7). This proves it is a picture of salvation by Christ through repentant faith. When a sheep knows it is lost it is paralysed by fear and lies down, or gets caught in a bush or ditch. It is helpless to save itself. But the Shepherd loves him and is seeking Him, and calls out to him. When he hears His voice, he bleats (just as we called on the Name of the Lord to save us), and the Shepherd lifts him up and carries him back home. The sheep repents from going his own way, calls on the Shepherd and trusts Him to save him, rather than running away. The Shepherd's rejoicing over the one saved sheep reveals God’s personal love for us. To save the sheep the Shepherd had to go to where he was. Likewise, to save us, God had to come to earth as a man. So again we see, Psalm 23 can only be fully fulfilled by God becoming a man in the Person of Jesus to save us.....
Controversy has surrounded this visit because the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not invited, and it looks like he had been cancelled in favour of the President, who is a man of the left.
The Herzog visit was sadly overshadowed by the domestic turmoil in Israel over the plans of the Israeli government to overhaul the justice system. Nevertheless, the relationship between Israel and the US remains special and significant for both nations.
The British education system is totally unrecognisable from what it was even a couple of decades ago as some primary school children are being taught critical race theory, police brutality, sex, education gender ideology, and same sex relations.
Is it now time for parents and grandparents to challenge this trend and take their children out of state controlled education for their spiritual and mental protection and home-school?
They discuss how Russia’s war in the Ukraine is destabilising the world with no end in sight to the conflict, the advancement of AI technology and how digital identity cards are preparing us for a cashless society and coming Anti-Christ, and the prophetic significance of five Red Heifer cows in Israel that are being prepared for the construction of the third temple in fulfilment of Biblical prophecy.
In this episode of Face to Face Tim Vince discusses these general challenges with Andy McIntosh and the need for Christian young people to be prepared for the culture shock of an aggressive secular humanist culture. Andy encourages younger viewers to attend the Truth in Science summer camp to learn how they can defend the truth. The best apologetic or defence for the truth is the truth and in this interview Andy gives examples of evidence from a scientific perspective pointing to the existence of a Designer. From his own research the field of biomimicry he describes the Bombardier Beetle which has been widely used in technological applications Tim asks Andy to describe what is the chief obstacle to a naturalist explanation for our existence. Andy answers with the example of the generation and use of information in the make up of DNA and the information required for the Double Helix.
One of the most compelling studies of design in creation is the human ear. Andy is able in a few short minutes to describe how the ear receives and processes complex sounds in the inner ear through the function of the smallest bones in the body to reach what can be described as piano keys in the cochlear. It is a truly inspiring insight into not only how we are miraculously created but also into how implausible it would be for such an infrastructure and mechanisms could for example evolve from the jaw of a reptile. Andy is able to bring together truth and science in his work and teachings in a way that commands respect and a listening ear.
The Psalm starts with an outstanding claim that "the Lord is my Shepherd" (v1). This describes His personal care for us, His commitment to us, to provide for us, protects us, and lead us as our Shepherd. This is the translation of Jehovah Rohi - one of the 8 Covenant names of God. God as the Shepherd of His people (sheep) is major theme of Scripture.We look at how Psalm 23 fits into the wider biblical revelation of God as our Shepherd, and note the special place it has within this revelation. God is the Shepherd of Israel (Genesis 49:24, Psalm 77:20, 78:52, 79:13, 80:1, 95:7, 100:3). Messiah) to shepherd His people, saving, restoring, protecting, and feeding them, leading them into peace, good pasture and abundant life (Jer 23:4-6, Ezek 34:11-16, 23-31). Other prophecies of the God-man Messianic Shepherd are Micah 5:2,4, Isaiah 40:3,9-11, Zech 13:7. This was fulfilled by Jesus (Matt 2:6, 26:31, Luke 19:10, John 10). Jesus said He was the fulfilment of these prophecies in John 10, where He claimed He was the true Shepherd, who alone entered through the door of the virgin birth (v1-3). He comes to call His people to Himself: "and when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice" (v4). He comes to save us and bring us into abundant and eternal life (v7-10). By claiming He is 'THE Door' into God's Kingdom (v7) and 'THE Good Shepherd' of Psalm 23 (v11), He was claiming to be the true Shepherd prophesied in the Old Testament, the Messiah-King, even God manifested in flesh. This was a Divine claim: 'I AM the Good Shepherd' = Jehovah Rohi (Psalm 23:1). Good (kalos) does not just mean moral excellence, but that He is excellent in His shepherding, in fulfilment of Psalm 23. He repeats this claim in v14 adding: "I know My sheep, and am known by My own", the very feature unique to Psalm 23. He demonstrated His selfless love for the sheep by giving His life for them (v11,15,17.18), adding that He will also take up His life again in resurrection, another claim to Deity (v17,18). Thus He will save His sheep through His death and resurrection. Now we can see why Psalm 23 could only find its full fulfilment in Christ. For example: "Yea, though I walk through the VALLEY of the shadow of DEATH, I will fear no evil; for You are WITH ME” (v4). This only became fully true, when God became one of us, to identify with us (Immanuel: “God with us”) and personally lead us through the valley of death into Heaven's glory, so that we: "will dwell in the House of the Lord forever" (v6). This would not have been possible if God had not become a man to shepherd us to glory. Through taking upon Himself a human nature, He went through death and resurrection for us, so that if we trust in Him, through our union with His humanity, we enter through the Door (Himself) into eternal life. Only true believers in Christ are His sheep, who receive the blessings of Psalm 23 (v26). He calls them to Himself through the Gospel, and they enter into a personal relationship with Him, and they show their faith by following Him (submitting to His leadership) - v27, and He gives them eternal life and security in His and His Father's hands, in fulfilment of Psalm 23:6 (v28-30). He gathers all these sheep into one Flock (the true Church), of both Jews and Gentiles (v16).
They discuss some of the remarkable projects that they are involved with in the Middle East such as establishing a farm in Lebanon that is helping to feed the local population and gives them an opportunity to share the saving gospel of Jesus Christ & the enduring livelihood project that has provided jobs and incomes for Christians in Northern Iraq whose communities were devastated by ISIS.
This ministry has also responded to the biggest humanitarian crises to hit the region in decades such as the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria that killed 50,000 people and the on-going civil war in Sudan. Despite these crises God is powerfully using the persecuted church in the Middle East to bring the gospel to this dark and dangerous region of the world.
The danger is that without the proper legislation in place and moves towards a digital currency, Christians could be next in line to have their bank accounts closed and find themselves cut off from the new digital society dominated by an anti-Christian ideology.
Recent archeological discovery on the Island of Alderney has unveiled an SS run Nazi concentration camp that is believed to be responsible for the death of over 1000 Jewish prisoners.
Things got so bad that the husband sued for divorce and left home.
The wife decided to fight the battle with prayer.
As she intensified the prayer, things were falling apart in the husbands new relationship.
Finally he came back home and remarried his wife.
This is a programme that will teach you about spiritual warfare and how to take the battle into the enemy’s territory.
It is a programme that is highly recommended for people who are struggling in their relationship and on the brink of divorce or they have actually been divorced.
Some people are already experiencing the same thing, while some are just about to experience it.
The question is, in a situation like this, what do you do?
This wonderful couple will be sharing on how the Lord came through for them.
Yemi will be asking this lady about how she was able to stand on the Word of the Lord in order to get her husband back.
It is a story that will encourage many that it is not over until the Lord says so.
This programme will transform many relationships.
It is highly recommended for the entire family.
It must not be missed.
On The Reality Show Mike shares how God rescued him from these false spiritual practices. He shares how some dear Christian folks began to pray for him. Their compassion and understanding greatly impacted his appreciation of the Christian faith. By his grace, God answered the prayers of these people. Mike discovered the ultimate reality of peace, faith, hope and love in God when he surrendered his heart to Jesus Christ.
Mike explains how the spirit world is comprised of good and evil. All that is good is from God, including the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as well as God’s holy angels. The forces of evil comprise Satan and his demons. Mike explains that all spirituality that does not bring direct glory to God through Jesus Christ is evil.
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The the victorious cry: "You have answered Me!" (v21), Psalm 22 suddenly transitions from a prayer of suffering in the dark, to praise for salvation in the light, from lament to thanksgiving, from travail to triumph, from a prophecy of Christ's suffering on the Cross to a prophecy of His glorious resurrection and the bringing in of a new age of grace. From being alone in the darkness, forsaken by all, even apparently by God (v1-21), He is now in the light of God's Presence surrounded by a great congregation of His brothers, and He declares the universal and eternal consequences of His sacrificial death on our behalf and His resurrection (v22-31). His first announcement is the formation of His new spiritual family, the Church, which is brought forth (born again) through His death and resurrection, for He is the firstborn among many brethren (v22, Romans 8:29). His great desire is that God should be praised and glorified by His people, especially as they gathered together, for praise and worship is the repeating theme in all of these verses. He calls all those who fear the Lord (true believers) to praise Him (v23), because of the wonderful work of salvation that He had just accomplished, for God has fully accepted the value of Christ's sacrificial death (v1-21) as being sufficient for our eternal salvation, and has demonstrated this by raising Him from the dead (v24). v23 predicts that the risen Christ will first reach out to Israel, calling her to respond and glorify God by believing in Him. Then v25 predicts the successful formation of a great Assembly of believers, united to Christ, all praising God together, as the Church grows and expands across the world, as confirmed by v27. Having introduced the great Assembly of believers in v25a, He gives one reason why they will be praising God - they will share in His great sacrificial feast: "I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied" (v25b-26a). When someone was in bad situation and facing danger, they would pray for Divine intervention (as Christ did in v1-21), and make vows to God that they would fulfil after their deliverance. This would include making a peace offering for thanksgiving in the Temple, and then sharing the benefits of the sacrifice with family, friends and the poor in a communal meal before the Lord, where they would all joyfully partake of the sacrifice (Leviticus 7:15-16, Deuteronomy 12;17-19). Likewise, by His death, Christ purchased and received every blessing in the New Covenant for us. He vowed to God that He would offer His sacrificial blood to God in the heavenly Temple on our behalf and share the wealth (the blessing of life) with us in an everlasting Sacrificial Feast. Since He is the Sacrifice, He shares Himself with us. This is pictured by the Feeding of the 5000, when He offered Himself to God as the Bread of Life, which was then distributed to us to eat. We feed on Christ (John 6). Thus this is a picture of the blessings made available to all through His sacrifice and resurrection (deliverance). Thus, He will fulfil His vow to share His purchased blessing with us, and we are all invited to come into God's Presence to partake. However, only believers (those who fear the Lord) will respond, only the poor (the poor in spirit) will eat and be satisfied. Thus, His provision is abundant and sufficient for all our needs (see also Isaiah 53:12, 55:1-3). "Those who seek Him will (find Him and) praise the Lord" (v26b). The result will be that the seekers will become singers. The blessings are not just for this life but include eternal life and glory with God: "Let your heart live forever!" (v26c).
The prophecy goes on to predict the conversion of the Gentiles in the Church Age and Millennium as a result of the Messiah and His death and resurrection: "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You." Here we see a picture of true conversion: (1) REMEMBER - like the prodigal son, people will come to their right mind about God, when they hear the Gospel, (2) REPENTANCE - they will turn from their own ways and return to God (like the prodigal), this is the turning of the will to God. (3) REVERENCE - the fruit of this repentance unto salvation is a lifestyle of worship. The salvation of the Gentiles is only accomplished by the Messiah (Isaiah 42,49,53, Genesis 12:1-3). The success of the Gospel therefore proves Jesus is the Messiah. It is clear that these verses are not talking about David. The victory of the cross and resurrection is also the basis for the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth (see also Revelation 5), and the New Covenant is the spiritual basis for this Messianic Kingdom: "For the Kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations" (v28). This too must be fulfilled. Through His death and resurrection Messiah will be made Lord of all people in every realm (v29)....
They discuss the huge prophetic events that are occurring in 2023 starting with news that western governments are developing digital currencies to enforce a cashless society a prophecy straight out of the book of Revelation.
They also discuss the introduction of the five unblemished Red Heifer cows to Israel. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem proclaims that they are preparing to sacrifice the cows for Temple rituals for Passover 2024. Are we close to the rebuilding of the Third Temple?
Finally, they discuss how the arch enemies in the Middle East Iran and Saudi Arabia have signed a normalisation agreement under Chinese patronage, making the region even more dangerous.
Now Voice for Justice UK has launched a new organisation to confront the discrimination that Christians are increasingly experiencing in Britain today. The organisation is called the Commission of Inquiry into the Discrimination against Christians. They are appealing to Christian viewers of Revelation TV to share their experiences of being discriminated against in areas of work and academic institutions so that evidence can be presented to Members of Parliament to do something to protect Christian freedoms.
Hitler on the 5th July 1943 launched operation Citadel a massive military offensive against the Soviet Red Army in the Russian city of Kursk to revenge the humiliating defeat for the Nazis during the battle for Stalingrad. This was the final attempt by the Germans to regain momentum on the Eastern Front and deliver a fatal blow to the Red Army.
The Battle of the Kursk did not go the way that Hitler had intended, and the Soviets eventually outmanned the German forces which was the beginning of the end for Hitler and the Third Riech.
To the Japanese adherent, it is a way of life.
Christianity has struggled to penetrate the Japanese society.
But in recent years, studies have shown there has been a growing trend in Japan towards new forms of Shintoism that emphasize personal spiritual growth and self-improvement.
These new forms of Shintoism are often referred to as "New Shinto" or "Shinto-based New Religious Movements."
One reason for the emergence of these new forms of Shintoism is the decline of traditional religious institutions in Japan.
Many Japanese people are turning away from established religious institutions like Buddhism and Shintoism, which are seen as too rigid and traditional, and are instead seeking new forms of spirituality that are more individualized and flexible.
Another reason is the influence of Western self-help and personal growth movements, which have become increasingly popular in Japan in recent years. Many of these movements draw on principles of psychology and spirituality, and emphasize the importance of self-awareness, personal growth, and positive thinking.
In response to these trends, some Shinto practitioners have developed new forms of Shintoism that emphasize personal growth and self-improvement.
These new forms of Shintoism often incorporate elements of Western psychology and spirituality, as well as traditional Shinto practices like purification rituals and ancestor worship.
One example of this trend is the Ise Shinto movement, which was founded in the 19th century and has since spread throughout Japan.
The Ise Shinto movement emphasizes the importance of personal growth and spiritual development through practices like meditation, prayer, and purification rituals.
Another example is Tenrikyo, a Shinto-based new religious movement that was founded in the 19th century and has since become one of the largest religions in Japan.
Tenrikyo emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-improvement through practices like self-reflection, gratitude, and helping others.
Overall, the emergence of new forms of Shintoism that focus on personal spiritual growth and self-improvement reflects a broader trend in Japan towards individualism and self-expression.
As Japanese society continues to change and evolve, we believe Christianity will spread faster.
On The Twilight Zone this week, we are going to be talking to a pastor in Japan who has been running a very successful church called Japan Kingdom Church.
He will update us on the current situation on the ground regarding the impact the church is having on the Japanese community.
It is a programme not to be missed.
Mal is the chair of 2030Plus, a company whose vision is to help individuals and organisations struggling with the impact of the near-global recession. 2030Plus focuses on tracking global shifts in technology, ethics, generations and more.
On The Reality Show Mal Fletcher shares with Dudley Anderson how he surrendered his life to God by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. He explains how God called him to work with young people, instilling in future generations the morals and principles for a godly future.
Blessed are the poor in spirit - humility is the foundation of leadership. This is a counter narrative to what the world understands about leadership (i.e. strong, be determined, get better). The biblical narrative is to be dependant on God. If you have the right spirit you will have convening power and more people will come. And the outcome is? Yours is the kingdom of God. First the state, second the attribute and third the outcome.
Blessed are those who mourn. Those who have experienced loss and failure are more useful in the business world. Really good resource managers ask how many times have you failed. What did you get wrong. How many times have you lost? This is as important as what you’ve achieved. You’re not going to understand and empathise with) the suffering of others unless you have experienced suffering yourself. And you shall be comforted and will be able to comfort others. Leaders are able to give comfort.
Blessed are the meek. Leaders are often seen as power and control but you have to give up power and control before you pick up authority. The same applies to a parent in the family as a CEO in a company. Parents should not use power and control to get their way but exercise their God given authority. When leaders practice this it creates great impact.
The first Part of Psalm 22 ends with a 3rd Lamentation (v12-18), describing Messiah’s physical sufferings inflicted by the Romans who crucified Him, described as DOGS (v16), and oppression by demonic powers and satan, described as BULLS (v12) and a LION (v13, 1Peter 5:8). Having described His suffering, He turns to God and asks Him to draw near to Him, release His mighty power on His behalf (‘O My strength’), deliver, help and save Him (v19-21a). In this prayer He asks for deliverance from the same 3 animals, which are causing His suffering: the DOG (v20), the LION (v21), and the WILD OXEN (Re’em – Auroch, an extinct massive wild BULL) – v21. We notice the Chiastic Structure of these ‘animal’ verses (His prayer names the animals in reverse order to His lament), so we have in His lament: (1) BULLS (v12), (2) LION (v13), (3) DOGS (v16), and in His prayer: (3) DOG (v20), (2) LION (v21) and (1) BULLS (v21). This in turn means we have 3 sets of parallel verses that should be compared. In particular, v16, where DOGS PIERCE His hand and feet (the key act in crucifixion), and v20, where the DOG’s power is in the SWORD (of capital punishment) are clearly parallel verse, confirming ‘they pierced my hands and my feet’ is the correct translation, rather than ‘like a lion’ which destroys the symmetry.
At the close of His prayer, there is a breakthrough, as the light overcomes the darkness, as Christ announces: “You have answered Me” (21b, Hebrews 5:7). God answered His prayer to be delivered from death and from the power of his enemies at His resurrection. At this point, Psalm 22 dramatically transitions from a lament-prayer of suffering in the DARK to thanksgiving for salvation in the DAYLIGHT. Dawn is when the light overcomes the darkness, and this is His announcement of the dawning of a new day, not just for Himself, but for all His people and for the whole world – the dawning of a new day of human history, brought about by His resurrection at dawn on Sunday, April 3rd AD 33. The Light (Jesus Christ) has overcome the darkness through His death and resurrection! At this point, the Psalm moves from travail to triumph, from suffering to the glory that would follow (1Peter 1:10-11). It is significant that the title of the Psalm is the ‘Hind of the Morning’ or ‘the Deer of the Dawn’. Christ is the DEER, hunted by the lion, dogs and wild bulls, springing up in new life to victory in resurrection power, and bringing in the dawning of a new day. This is a prophecy that this sinless man, who is executed, will be resurrected. The Psalm reveals His dramatic reversal of fortunes, from depths of despair to exuberant praise. because God has heard His prayer.
v22: “I will declare Your Name to MY BRETHREN; in the midst of the Assembly (Church) I will praise You.” Before He was alone and surrounded by enemies. He is no longer alone, but in the midst of a great congregation of his friends. The first thing He wants to do is to praise God in the Assembly. This shows the importance of public praise, and the fact that Jesus is in the midst when we gather together in His Name (Matthew 18:20), and revealing God to us, and glorifying God through us, empowering our praises and preaching (see also John 17:26). This verse also announces the first accomplishment of His death and resurrection - the creation and formation of a new spiritual family in Christ, the Birth of His Church. This is signified by Him calling us His BRETHREN. Through His resurrection, as the Head of the New Creation of humanity, He is now the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29, Col 1:18, Hebrews 12:23). Believers share in His resurrection life are now BORN AGAIN, sons of God, through His resurrection (1Peter 1:3), and so are members of God’s family. His life is our life, and our lives belong to Him. The New Birth is a New Covenant reality– it was not available before. ‘Brethren’ also speaks of His ongoing humanity, and reveals that His purpose in becoming a man was to bring men to God, so that we would be born again into His forever family, and that we might all know and praise Him. Immediately after He rose, He said to Mary: “Go to MY BRETHREN and say to them: ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God” (John 20:17). He was declaring to her that Psalm 22:22 was now being fulfilled, that we are now in the 2nd part of Psalm 22, just as He had declared v1 on the Cross to tell us He was fulfilling Part 1. He was telling His disciples that if you want to understand the new reality, study the 2nd half of Psalm 22. (He had not used this description ‘MY BRETHREN’ before this point, because it reflects the new reality....
The message of God, the words of The Bible and the life of Jesus can also be spread through music! One person doing this is Christian Music Artist Thomas Martinez, also known as One Way. He will be joining Nikki on Impact this week to give us an insight into the influence and purpose of his music. The programme will also feature his latest song entitled ‘All I Need’.
According to some NHS websites: losing yourself in music and movement releases endorphins in the brain which is a great mood booster. But depending on the tone, lyrics and genre of music it can also have a detrimental effect on our minds and lives.
Nikki and Thomas will also be discussing the impact music in general is having on modern society and how it affects our thoughts, mood and body including mental health.
The story starts with the family moving from Poland due to the rise of anti-Semitism in the late 1920s to Belgium. Then just over a decade later the Nazis invaded the country in May of 1940. The German occupiers forced the Jewish communities to register their identities and wear a yellow star. Vivian’s grandfather refused to do this as he believed that this was a death sentence. This act saved their family and allowed them to flee to France.
Whilst in hiding in the French countryside Sabrine as a teenager joined the French Resistance to help Jewish children escape from Nazi occupied France through dangerous mountain paths towards freedom in the neutralised Switzerland.
Tim takes us through the bible to find scriptures that explore this idea of atheism, the meaning behind it and the purpose.
The change in public attitude towards the introduction of green policies appears to have been trigged by the Uxbridge by-election where the Conservative’s held the seat that Labour expected to win. They lost the seat as the constituents in Uxbridge London were protesting the Labour expansion of ULEZ (ultra-low emissions zone) to the outskirts of London. Now the Labour Leader Kier Starmer is at odds with his London Mayor over this and is realising that the cost of pursuing Net Zero Carbon emissions and ULEZ is too much for the electorate to afford and could now cost labour the next general election.