Ship of the West

The book of Revelation is an extension of the prophecies contained within the book of Deuteronomy. Both books present the triumphs and failures of the “holy people” as they are moved by the Almighty to expand the Kingdom of Israel upon the earth in the Last Days. As you better understand what has been written in the book of Deuteronomy, the greater insight you will have into the cryptic prophecies of Revelation. With this in mind, carefully observe what Moses wrote in the following prophecy: “They (the children of Israel) made Him jealous with their foreign gods and angered Him with their detestable idols. They (the Children of Israel) sacrificed to “demons” which are not God— gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear” (Deuteronomy 32:17). It is important to know that this prophecy was repeated 1600 years later in the book of Revelation. It says that “The people who were not killed by these plagues still did not turn away from what they had been doing. They did not stop worshiping demons. They kept worshiping statues of gods made out of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which can't see or hear or walk” (Revelation 9:20).

At first glance, Revelation’s reference about demons seems to pertain to biblically ignorant people “taken in” by evil angels in the last days. But this idea will need to be rethought as we allow the book of Deuteronomy to provide the proper context behind these words. And as we do this, we will find that the people worshiping demons come from a biblically educated class. In fact they are the chosen ones called to bear great light to a world of spiritual darkness. These people find themselves captivated and distracted by the “demons” throughout the period of the Last Days. And although curses rain down from heaven for doing so, they will not stop. In short, the demon worshipers are among us and they are us! Now before you say, “Not I Lord!” take some time to consider the words of Brother Paul who wrote “These things happened to them (the Israelites) as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12)

Now let’s go back 3500 years to the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness. They were instructed not to add or remove from the instructions given to them by Moses. But the scriptures tell us that many of the Israelites mingled unlawful beliefs into their worship; beliefs that were unknown to their righteous forefathers. And because of this, they were placed under the curses of the Law (see Deuteronomy 28). So what were the underlying causes that led to their punishment? Throughout their years in Egypt, the children of Israel became careless about the beliefs they held. So by the time Israel got to Mount Sinai they were in a highly dysfunctional and backslidden state. Now when they met YHWH at the mountain, He repeated to them the commandments, instructions and statutes he had once given to their forefathers and in turn, the people of Israel acknowledged their responsibility to separate themselves from idolatrous practices. During the following year, the God of Israel patiently worked with the twelve tribes to reform the community to become a pure witness to all nations. The sanctuary was built to become a learning center for the people. They were commanded in the Law to congregate there at set times to acquaint themselves with the great commission given to them by the Almighty. The truths they were to comprehend within that system were designed to free the nations from the Babylonian rebellion about a thousand years earlier.

But worship conflicts began to manifest themselves as the Israelites settled into life in the wilderness. Note what the God of Israel says to Moses: “Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox, a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD in front of the tabernacle of the LORD—that man shall be considered guilty of bloodshed; he has shed blood and must be cut off from his people. This is so the Israelites will bring to the LORD the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the LORD, at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings …They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to devils to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come” (Leviticus 17:3-10)

Just what where those Israelites doing out there in the open fields! Had they gone out to offer Satan and his evil angels’ gifts of gratitude? Actually not; To get a better picture of why this particular form of worship was so reprehensible in the eyes of YHWH, we need to take a closer look at the word “devil” (H8175) in the ancient Hebrew context. The Hebrew word used for devil in this instance is “shedim” (hairy goat). Here are some important historical details you should know about this word. “To the Jewish clans of Arabia and the pagan Arabian tribes who inhabited Palestine, the jinn were sometimes known as Azabb al-'Akaba who appeared and acted much like the satyrs mentioned in Greco-Roman mythology and the Hebrew Bible. To the Hebrews, the jinn were called shedim - originally protective spirits with the feet and claws of a cockerel whom animal sacrifices were offered to. The jinn of the air were known to take the forms of dust-devils and whirlwinds” (http://wathanism.blogspot.com).

So the “shedim” which the Israelites offered their sacrifices to were not supernatural beings at all! They were in essence, natural phenomenon we call “whirlwinds” or “dust devils”. Now picture yourself in the camp of the Israelites on one of the high holy days set by the God of Israel. The community is gathered at the sanctuary to hear a message from Moses and Aaron which is of vital importance to their mission. But while Moses is speaking to the people, someone in the congregation spots a whirlwind out in the open field. Others catch a glance until the attention of all is focused on the dust devil. The majority of the congregants make a mad dash to the field to meet the whirlwind with their sacrifices in order to gain its blessing of protection. During this time, the God of Israel looks down from Mount Sinai and fumes with jealousy; in fact Moses would have been angry too as the messages so important to the success of Israel were stolen away by the appearance of a dust devil. And unless these messages took hold in their hearts, they would be unable to enter into the Land of Canaan and stand before their enemies. For the majority, entering the land of Canaan was not going to be possible.

The sad sentiments of YHWH can be found in the “Song of Moses” which the Last Days people have been commanded to learn (See Revelation 15:3). Why will we be singing this song? The answer: Because what was done by them (the Israelites) long ago will be repeated by us during the Tribulation of the Church. “They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols. They sacrificed to demons (dust devils) which are not god— gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. The LORD saw this and rejected them because he was angered by his sons and daughters. "I will hide my face from them," he said, "and see what their end will be; for they are a perverse generation, children who are unfaithful. (Deuteronomy 32:16-20)

Many are going to suffer the same fate as those in the wilderness for gazing in awe upon the “Dust Devils”! Because of their reliance upon natural phenomenon, the holy people will be unprepared to stand before thier enemies and will be left to perish in the wilderness. Listen to what the prophecies have declared against us: “As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. "'As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols” (Ezekiel 20:36-39).

No, we may not rush out today to meet a whirlwind with sacrifices as ancient Israel did; but I will show you how easily believers are led astray by the natural phenomenon produced by the sun and the moon. False teachers (which we were warned about) have donned their capes and hats to prognosticate events due to the phenomenon which they (the sun moon and stars) naturally produce. With this in mind, please consider the words of Moses who warned “When you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19). Natural phenomenon and astronomical coincidence are a part of life in this world. Moses is informing us that the God of Israel will not prevent natural events from occurring since the creation of the Universe. We are obligated as commandment keepers not to give heed to this phenomenon unless their presence has a direct connection to specific biblical events (more on this later). It would be well to consider the thoughts of Isaac Newton who lamented “The folly of Interpreters has been, to foretell times and things… as if God designed to make them Prophets. By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the Prophecy also into contempt” (Isaac Newton, The Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse, Prophecies, pp. 244-245).

The Blood Moons of 2014-2015 have been one of the most talked about events of late. False teachers (Remember Yeshua warned us of them) are confidently declaring that last days will commence at the appearance of four red moons (tetrads). But Yeshua and the prophets inform us that the moon will turn blood red during the period specified in the Bible as the “Day of the LORD” which we have not yet entered. Yeshua said, “Immediately 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” (Matthew 24:29) Is the church experiencing a “Great Tribulation”? By this I mean have all nations been led by the Beast to trample on and destroy the “holy people” throughout the entire earth? No! and remember that Yeshua said that the sign given by the moon will take place “immediately after” the tribulation concludes.

John confirms that this event will be the time when the moon will turn blood red. “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” (Revelation 6:12). These natural distractions are like the “dust devils” and through no fault of their own, astronomical coincidences are leading believers away from the worship system commanded by the Torah. Yet many among the “holy people” cannot help themselves. They are inclined to rush out to the open fields to pay homage to the Tetrads (Blood Moons). But these are not the only astronomical events that are leading the Last Days people into confusion. Other mentionable misqueues include: The Lunar Sabbath’s, the rabbinic calculation system, something many Seventh Day Adventists term “Millerite time reckoning” and last but not least, the investigative judgment of 1844. By giving themselves over to these things, they are sacrificing “to demons, which are not God— gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared” (Deuteronomy 32:17).

It is not my intent to offend anyone who may currently believe in the time systems represented here, but faithful and reasonable believers must be willing to change their views when reproof of scripture is given. It is my heartfelt desire to see that each one of us are prepared to inter into a Kingdom where one faith and one worship system is practiced. Imagine if all of us today were to enter into another wilderness experience as Ezekiel has prophesied. Would we congregate to worship the God of Israel in one place as a united body? Absolutely not! But this will change as His Law is magnified and the true hearted believers take hold of it once again. I am happy to say that today we now possess the tools that can help determine what resonates with the true worship system commanded by the God of Israel and what does not. Thankfully Daniel was informed that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4) Many are not aware that Moses left the holy people a unique fingerprint of time located in his writings. And this fingerprint will dispel much of the confusion about the holy times that exist among the holy people today.