The Four Dispensations of The Bible’s New Testament


Summary: The Apostle Paul’s Journey to Rome – The Four Dispensations of the Times since the 1st Coming of Jesus Christ seem to have been mapped out and enacted throughout Paul’s Journey to Rome — 1. The Apostles Dispensation (Acts 27:1-5) — 2. The Common Christian Church Age (Acts 27:6-44) — 3. The Martyred Saints of Revelation Tribulation (Acts 28:1-15) — 4. The 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Acts 28:16-31)

1. The Apostles Dispensation (Acts 27:1-5): Paul and the other Apostles [eyewitnesses] of Jesus Christ go into the world preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ. "Acts 27:3-5 And [representing the Apostolic Missionary Journey Age] the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave *him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the **winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia." {Note: Luke and the Apostle Paul seem to be recording two primary things. 1. Looking back on all of Paul's Missionary Journeys that Paul felt that they had gone well and that on the whole the Gospel was being well received "him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself" that Paul had made a lot of friends on his Missionary Trips and was refreshed by the fellowship he had with the Gentile Christians. 2. Also noting that "the [spiritual] winds were contrary" seeming to imply that there was a great deal of spiritual (demonic) opposition to the Gospel Message going forward.} -- 2. The Common Christian Church Age (Acts 27:6-44): "Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein." {Note: The ship of the Apostolic Age has ended and the ship of the Common Christian Church Age has launched - carrying the nourishing wheat (Bible) and the four anchors (4 Gospels). The [Christian] ship spends a great deal of time in the port of "Fair Havens" and then departs into adversity to the extent that the storms of life strand and tear the ship apart. Noteworthy, the Church [ship] has the four anchors [4 Gospels] and correctly uses them to stabilize the ship in dangerous waters however also note how the cargo of wheat [Bible] is considered too big of a burden and is cast overboard (Acts 27:38) away from the Church. -- 3. The Martyred Saints of Revelation Tribulation (Acts 28:1-15): After the Christian Church Age has come to an end the Revelation Tribulation Age begins. {Note: The Saints of Revelation are washed ashore into a strange society and economy where they are refuges; destitute and in peril. Though working hard and trying to get along they are Bitten by the Beast and transported to fellowship with their fellow Martyrs. -- 4. The 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Acts 27:16-31): Having finally arrived in Rome the Throne of the King the Millennial Rein of Jesus Christ is now being depicted. {Note: As a type of a citizen of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, Paul is sent not to jail but to his own house to live [for two years]. Once in his Millennial House the Apostle Paul immediately begins to fellowship with the Jews of the Millennial Age.} -- Paul's Journey to Rome and the book of Acts concludes "Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, **Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." [link]

In the Apostle Paul’s trip to Rome [recorded in the Bible’s Book of Acts by the early Church Historian Luke] are some of the most codded and cryptic passages of the Bible’s New Testament – Was Luke aided by the Apostle Paul, putting forth the future of the Church Era and an End Time scenario that Christians could glean from to understand events both current and future? — Coming Soon: Decoding The Apostle Paul’s Trip to Rome (Acts Chapters 27 and 28)

We will take a brief look at Acts chapters 27 and 28. Here are some of the very cryptic verses that possibly tell a parallel story [of the Church Age and End Times] to the story of Paul's voyage to Rome. -- "Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary." -- "Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein." -- "Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast [Yom Kippur] was now already past, Paul admonished them," -- "Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon." -- "Acts 27:15-16 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:" -- "Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." -- "Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day." -- "Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand." -- "Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast [G2342 - Therion] into the fire, and felt no harm." -- "Acts 28:11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was [Gnosticism] Castor and Pollux." -- "Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage."

JustBible.net: Bible Study of Acts Chapter 27 – How will you ride out your life’s next storm? {Note: there have been thousands of Sermons Preached on the very popular passages of Paul’s journey to Rome (Acts 27 and 28) and all of them allegorize to some extent the passages of the journey – most commonly the four anchors (of faith) are allegorized from Acts 27:31.}

Why were they to "sail to Italy" (Acts 27:1)? Paul had requested a trial before the Caesar, so he was being transported from Caesarea to Rome by ship. -- Who were being transported with Paul? Apparently, "we" (Acts 27:1) included **Luke, who wrote Acts and "Aristarchus" (Acts 27:2). Also sailing were "some other prisoners" (Acts 27:1) to be tried before Caesar and/or already tried, found guilty and sentenced to fight (to their death) in the coliseum of Rome. -- Who was "Aristarchus" (Acts 27:2)? Aristarchus was a "Macedonian of Thessalonica" (Acts 27:2) who was with Paul in Ephesus during the riot - "So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions" (Acts 19:29) - and apparently accompanied him to Greece, and from there to Jerusalem: "After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia." (Acts 20:1-4) Two years later, Aristarchus, who may have spent those two years tending to Paul in Caesarea, was now accompanying him from Caesarea to Rome. Aristarchus was a Jew and remained with Paul during his imprisonment in Rome: "Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me." (Colossians 4:10-11) ... [link]

Grace Baptist Church: Sermon – “Four Anchors That Will Hold” Acts 27:29 – In this very popular portion of Scripture there are four anchors that will keep your Christian life right on course until you land safely on the other shore (Online Audio with PowerPoint – Text)

For the saved: are your anchors holding? Are they solid? Will they keep you from drifting out to sea? [link]

Warning! This is going to be a mostly allegorical look at parts of Acts chapters 27 and 28 – In this type of allegorizing it is going to be important to only give a secondary meaning to items in the passages that had that same secondary meaning back in Luke’s and Paul’s time when it was originally written and for instance not to say the Island of Crete represents Roman Catholicism because Crete didn’t represent that back in the day when the text was written

Note: Ancient Gnosticism is the even more ancient 'Double Star' false religion of Twins (Christ - Antichrist or Castor - Pollex) well known in Paul's day. It was probably the original Nimrod [Tower of Babel] deception religion [i.e. Tammuz] of Genesis 11 and is a well-established part of the 7 [Mystery Babylon] Gentile Kingdoms. -- Therefore allegorizing the sign of Castor and Pollex in Acts 28:11 as representing Gnosticism and other similar allegorizations are within the scope and intent of this study.

{Flashback} Where is all this going in our day – Presumably back to Gnosticism (the original Nimrod occult replacement doctrine deception) – Gnosticism was also the primary deception [occult answer to the resurrection truth of Jesus Christ] able to be maintained as a viable deception (against Christianity) and hold its own in the early years of the new bright and shining N.T. Christian Church light and then with the passing of the original Church Apostles a modern (post-resurrection) Gnosticism was then able to take root and remain until our time – Gnosticism is in regards to who is the actual Christ (Jesus) and who is the actual Antichrist (Satan) – Are the two roles of God and Devil reversed as Gnosticism would portray

The Revised Roman Empire [Rome and whomever Rome (the Vatican) empowers (Revelation 17:13)] rose out of the earlier doctrines of Gnosticism and sustained itself until a modern (post-resurrection) Gnosticism could again became rooted and well established in human society. Following the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the New Christian Church eternal, resurrection, life in Jesus paradigm there was no Revised Roman Empire but eventually in the reconfigured (Jesus - Satan) [post-resurrection] doctrines of Gnosticism about 300 A.D. Revised Rome emerged. Gnosticism is the 'Double Star' Twins (Christ - Antichrist or Castor - Pollex) Nimrod deception religion of the 7 Gentile Kingdoms. -- Albert Pike (1809-1891) [Confederate Civil War General] said "three future world wars would prepare the world for the [Satanic] New World Order. ... (NWO) will receive the true light [Gnosticism] through the universal manifestation of the pure doctrine of Lucifer [Satan], **brought finally out [of secrecy and into] in the public view, a manifestation (belief in Satanism) which will result from the general reactionary movement which will follow the [Gnostic Satan is the christ] destruction [discrediting] of Christianity and atheism [all cults i.e. Mormon LDS , etc. and all false religions i.e. Islam, etc.], *both [Christianity and all non-Luciferianism] conquered [*after the rapture] and exterminated at the same time" - Albert Pike was actually addressing the teachings of French occultist Eliphas Levi. [Eliphas Lévi, born Alphonse Louis Constant, (1810-1875) was a French occult author and purported magician. "Eliphas Lévi" the name under which he published his books, was his attempt to translate or transliterate his given names "Alphonse Louis" into Hebrew although he was not Jewish. - Wiki.com] -- "Acts 28:11 And after three months we [Apostle Paul and Luke] departed [the island of Melita (Malta)] in a ship of Alexandria [a Greek colony in Egypt], which had wintered in the isle, *whose sign was Castor and Pollux (Gnosticism). And landing at Syracuse [in Sicily - 364 mi. south of Rome], we tarried [stayed] there three days." Was Luke embedding into his book of Acts for future Christian understanding the concept that Gnosticism and Christianity would be traveling companions on the high seas of history leading towards a final destination of Rome and the eventual End Time Revised Rome Empire! - Note: There is a current events (End Time) scenario in process regardless of how accurate or inaccurate Albert Pike was in his letters. The Albert Pike material is only being posted as reference material - in reference to a general End Time Gnostic plan and scenario and not as though Albert Pike was able to predict the future or affect future events in any sustainable cohesive way.

A Timestamp? – Is Acts 27:16 a ‘Timestamp’ used by Luke the same way Luke 2:1 and John 6:1 are Scriptural Timestamps? — Wikipedia.com: Roman Emperor Augustus (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus) [Luke 2:1] Reign: 16 January 27 B.C. to 19 August 14 A.D. (40 years, 215 days) — Roman Emperor Tiberius (Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus) [John 6:1] Reign: 18 September 14 A.D. to 16 March 37 A.D. (22 years, 179 days) — Roman Emperor Caligula (Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) Reign: 16 March 37 A.D. to 24 January 41 A.D. (3 years, 314 days) — Roman Emperor Claudius (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) [Acts 27:16?] Reign: 24 January 41 A.D. to 13 October 54 A.D. (13 years, 262 days) — Roman Emperor Nero (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) Reign: 13 October 54 A.D. to 9 June 68 A.D. (13 years, 240 days) — Empress of Rome Claudia Octavia [daughter of the Emperor Claudius, and stepsister and first wife of the Emperor Nero] [Acts 27:16?] – Tenure (as Empress of Rome): 13 October 54 A.D. – 62 A.D. (8 years) — “Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda [possibly named after Roman Emperor Claudius or Empress of Rome Claudia Octavia (first wife of Roman Emperor Nero)], we had much work to come by the boat:”

During the Roman Reign (6th Kingdom) the sea of Galilee was renamed to the sea of Tiberias in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius "John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias." -- It is possible that the small island Clauda (modern Gavdos) was also named after a Roman figure namely Roman Emperor Claudius [41 A.D. - 54 A.D.] or Claudia Octavia (first wife of Roman Emperor Nero) [54 A.D. - 62 A.D.]. Luke recording that they were "running under a certain island which is called Clauda" could Luke have been recording a substantial timestamp for the voyage of the Apostle Paul to Rome with the voyage "running under" occurring while Roman Emperor Claudius or Empress Claudia Octavia were in power sometime between 41 A.D. and 62 A.D. most likely occurring between 54 A.D. to 62 A.D. [Traditional Church History places Paul's voyage to Rome at 60 A.D. (departing Caesarea) and 61 A.D. (arriving in Rome)].

Acts and Mission 96 – We’re skipping quickly through the journey narratives of Acts because our focus is on Paul’s missional work and missional theology, and traveling [Fair Havens to the right] … well it’s part of it because missional people travel – Paul gets an opportunity [to share his faith] because he predicts disaster, and disaster comes; he gets more opportunity because of healing … he takes his chances – But this shipwreck story is a gem of a story and so I’ll post the whole thing today: Paul and Company Sail for Rome (Acts 27:1-28:10)

Comment: 1. I confess that unfortunately, I've not kept up with this series. Just dropping in on this story, **it surprises me not to find Paul using some object lesson to give the gospel (Acts 27:1-28:10). He interacts with middle management, ha ha, lives through the resulting crash, comes up on shore, gets bitten, “he's a murderer!”, “nope, he's a god!”, heals a bunch of people and everyone likes them and the ship's company sails away. **Ironic, humorous, tense, unusual - but no account of the presentation of the gospel, nobody saved. Where is the altar-to-the-unknown-god (Acts 17:23) object lesson? **I feel somewhat unfulfilled! Looking up some comments online, I see some hints of a Greek/Roman hero surviving a storm and shipwreck (but by God's protection). The healing is evidence of God's power. Interesting to think about how this story moves Luke's plot forward. **I see that while I knew this story, **I don't know this story. If I knew any Greek scholars, I'd ask 'em to tell me more about this account... Comment by Matthew S - February 18, 2010 {Note: There just seems from a Biblical perspective to be more to the events than a first reading would indicate. The events in Acts 27 would be a fine factual informative narrative for a newspaper accounting but being a Biblical [eternal, life changing] accounting the significant details of this event might just have been redirected and interspersed into the background events of Paul's voyage.} [link]

Four Anchors Are Found From the Apostle Paul’s Ship Near Malta – The four anchors, which are [in] the Malta Maritime Museum today (YouTube)

This is old news, but I wanted to upload this for Biblical and historical purposes. The 4 anchors were found off Malta (Acts 28:1), which are believed to be the same four anchors that were released into the sea (Acts 27:40), from the ship Paul was sailing on, that went through a destructive storm (Acts 27). The four anchors, which are the Malta Maritime Museum today, is evidence for the historical event that Paul the apostle, and the other 275 persons (Acts 27:37) went through, as mentioned in the Holy Bible. [link]

Paul’s Shipwreck DVD Trailer (YouTube)

This is a journey to the discovery of the 4 anchors from Apostle Paul's Shipwreck off the coast of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea in the year 60 AD. The full DVD will be available early in 2011. Visit baseinstitute.org for more info. [link]

Four Anchors [Four Gospels] and Three Taverns [Triune God] – By Luke taking the time to narrate (Acts 27:29) specifically that exactly four anchors were used to steady the one boat of ‘salvation’ (Acts 27:31) apparently Luke as one of the four Gospel writers [Gospel of Luke] was clarifying for the Christian Church that there were to be exactly four Gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke and John] in the Holy Bible for the one Christian Church. – Setting: At this late (Acts 27-28) stage of the Apostle Paul’s ministry as an Apostle to the young Christian primarily Gentile Church the Apostle Paul, Luke and others had already traveled many of the roads of known civilization and had encountered many of the perils of delivering the Gospel Message to an unbelieving world. Paul and Luke knowing that they were not long for this world [Paul was in route to Rome and his eventual martyrdom] possibly wanted to leave a young Christian Church with some easily perceivable proof texts that would help stabilize and guide the newly formed Gentile portion of the Christian Church.

In this seemingly straightforward narration of events in Acts 27 and 28 Luke was quick to write of the necessity of four anchors [four Gospels] being needed to steady the one boat of salvation (Acts 27:31) and later "The Three Taverns" (Acts 28:15) of the Triune (Trinity) nature of God as Jesus had taught the Apostles in the Gospel of John "John 14:1-2 Let not your heart be troubled: ye **believe in God (Father, Holy Spirit), **believe also in Me (Jesus). In My Father's House [i.e. Tavern] are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." - Note: Luke is thought to have written the third of four Gospels though possibly the Gospel of John had already been written or Paul and Luke already knew of the intentions and calling of John to write his Gospel. - It is often taught that the Gospel of John was written after the Book of Revelation was written [also by John] but that is only because the styles of the two books [Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation] are so different that some people teach that Revelation preceded the Gospel of John though in actuality the Gospel of John probably preceded the Book of Revelation by a long time. -- {Briefly: The Greek (text) sentences in the Book of Revelation are very rudimentary while the Greek sentences in the Gospel of John are much more refined and common so some say that Revelation was written first [supposedly while John learned Greek] even though John used scribes [Greek scholars] and had a different scribe for each Book and also had two different purposes [and audiences] for each book. The Book of Revelation is the one book in the Bible that is a better version in the English language rather than in the original Hebrew [O.T.] or Greek [N.T.] languages. It is as though the Book of Revelation was originally intended to be written in English and happened to be written in Greek just until the introduction of the English language could be established at the coming End Times of the world. While the Gospel of John was clearly written to be read and understood within the days it was written. The Book of Revelation was clearly delayed in significance until its translation into the English language.

When were the [four] gospels written and by whom? – None of the gospels mention the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70 A.D. – This is significant because Jesus had prophesied [the destruction of the Temple (Matthew 24:2)] concerning the temple -This prophecy was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans sacked Jerusalem and burned the temple {Very possibly dating the writing of the Gospel of John to before 70 A.D. Possibly the Gospel of John was written in about 60 A.D. [in Jerusalem] to about 65 A.D. at about the same time of the writing of the Gospel of Luke [written probably about 59 A.D. in Jerusalem or as late as 60 A.D. in Caesarea] and the Book of Acts [probably written about 63 A.D. in Rome].}

Matthew: The early church unanimously held that the gospel of Matthew was **the first written gospel and was penned by the apostle of the same name (Matt. 10:2-4). Lately, the priority of Matthew as the first written gospel has come under suspicion with Mark being considered by many to be the first written gospel. The debate is far from over. The historian Papias [According to the 2nd-century theologian Irenaeus, Papias had known the Apostle John - Source: britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442073/Papias] mentions that the gospel of Matthew was originally in Aramaic or **Hebrew and attributes the gospel to Matthew the apostle. "Irenaeus (ca. A.D. 180) continued Papias's views about Matthew and Mark and added his belief that Luke, the follower of Paul, put down in a book the gospel preached by that apostle, and that John, the Beloved Disciple, published his Gospel while residing in Asia [city of Ephesus]." ... John: The writer of the gospel of John was obviously an eyewitness of the events of Christ's life since he speaks from a perspective of having been there during many of the events of Jesus' ministry and displays a good knowledge of Israeli geography and customs. The John Rylands papyrus [Bible] fragment 52 of John's gospel dated in the year 135 contains portions of John 18, verses 31-33,37-38. This [Bible] fragment was found **in Egypt and a considerable amount of time is needed for the circulation of the gospel before it reached Egypt. It [John] is the last of the gospels and appears to have been written in the 80's to 90's. **Of important note is the lack of mention of the destruction of the Jewish temple in 70 A.D. But this is understandable since John was not focusing on historical events. Instead, he focused on the theological aspect of the person of Christ and listed His miracles and words that affirmed Christ's deity. Though there is still some debate on the dates of when the gospels were written, they were most assuredly completed before the close of the first century and written by eyewitnesses or under the direction of eyewitnesses. [link]

Papias Wrote from 100-125 A.D. The books “Expositions of the Sayings of the Lord” – Papias was the Bishop of Hierapolis in Phyrgia [about 130 A.D.] – He was born probably between 70 and 75 A.D., and died, perhaps, 163 A.D. (earlychurch.org.uk/papias.php) – {Note: The first generation or two of Church leaders, bishops and writers after the Apostles are known as the “Church Fathers” [i.e. Irenaeus] and apparently if they were actually a disciple of one of the Apostles [i.e. Papias (70-163 A.D.) and Saint Polycarp (69-155 A.D.)] they instead were called an “Apostolic Father.”}

Papias is commonly classed as an Apostolic Father, **meaning that he knew the Apostles themselves [claimed to have known John and Mark], or at least lived in the generation following their deaths. He wrote five books and in them recounted unknown teachings of Jesus, miraculous stories about the Apostles, discussed the authorship of some of the Gospels, and also quoted from other parts of the New Testament. Unfortunately his writings have been lost except for the fragments given below. -- In the print world, Michael Holmes has published a popular and good quality English translation of Papias in The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations, however it has a few mistakes and omits some fragments, all of which I have attempted to correct on this page. While assembling these fragments, I have used the translations of Lightfoot and the Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Father Series. These are good English translations and are in the public domain. I have only changed punctuation or a word here and there, in order to make the translation better fit our modern vernacular. [link]

EarlyChristianWritings.com: Gospel of John – Estimated Range of Dating: 90-120 A.D. – Helms states, “we need to note that part of the purpose of Irenaeus was to attack the teachings of Cerinthus, a *gnostic [Castor – Pollex] [false] Christian teacher who *lived in Ephesus at the end of the first century” – **Cerinthus was “educated in the wisdom of [Alexandria] the Egyptians — [Irenaeus an early Church Father: born about 135 A.D. – died in 202 A.D. – During the persecution of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 161-180, Irenaeus was a priest of the Church of Lyon, France – Wikipedia.org]

Helms states, "we need to note that part of the purpose of Irenaeus was to attack the teachings of Cerinthus, a gnostic Christian teacher who lived in Ephesus at the end of the first century" (op. cit., p. 162). Cerinthus was "educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians, [Gnosticism] taught that the world was not made by a primary God [God the Father], **but [instead] by a certain Power [Satan] far separated from him...Moreover, after [Jesus'] baptism, Christ descended upon him in the form of a dove from [Satan] the Supreme Ruler, and that then he proclaimed the unknown Father [Satan], and performed miracles. **But at last Christ departed from Jesus, and that then Jesus suffered and rose again, while Christ remained impassible, inasmuch as he was a spiritual being" (1.26.1). ***Irenaeus stated that the purpose of John at Ephesus was as follows: **by the proclamation of the Gospel, **to remove that [Gnostic] error which by Cerinthus [and others] had been disseminated among men, and **a long time previously by those termed **Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:6), who are an offset of that 'knowledge' [gnosis] falsely so called, that he might confound them, and persuade them that there is but one God, who made all things by His Word; and not, as they allege, that the Creator was one [different god], but the Father and the Lord another; and that the Son of the Creator was, forsooth (really), one, but the Christ from above another (3.11.1) -- Helms argues: "So the gospel attributed, late in the second century, to John at Ephesus was viewed as an anti-gnostic, anti-Cerinthean work. But, very strangely, Epiphanius, in his book against the heretics, argues against those who actually believed that it was Cerinthus himself who wrote the Gospel of John! (Adv. Haer. 51.3.6). How could it be that the Fourth Gospel was at one time in its history regarded as the product of an Egyptian-trained gnostic, and at another time in its history regarded as composed for the very purpose of attacking this same gnostic? I think the answer is plausible that in an early, now-lost version, the Fourth Gospel could well have been read in a Cerinthean, gnostic fashion, but that at Ephesus a revision of it was produced (we now call it the Gospel of John) that put this gospel back into the Christian mainstream." {Note: Possibly in about 59 A.D. when the Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and *reported from his Missionary journeys to the Gentiles [including to Ephesus] one of the main topics would have been the often encountered opposition of Gnosticism [in Ephesus]. Wanting to counter Gnosticism John might have made it known then that he would [visit Ephesus] and write an epistle [Gospel] to confront Gnosticism. Presumably, the Gospel of John was first discussed in Jerusalem among John, Paul and all the other Apostles and was also written by John (John 21:24) in Jerusalem in about 60 A.D., written primarily to give faith to Christians (John 20:31). Then with a copy of the Gospel of John in hand the Apostle John set out to Ephesus to minister there. The point is that the Apostles were actually very connected, concerned, informed and determined in their mission and early Church calling that God had placed on their lives. -- "Acts 21:17-19 And when we [Paul, Luke and Aristarchus] were come to Jerusalem [about 59 or 60 A.D.], the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present [including John (2 John 1:1)]. And when he had saluted them, he [Paul] declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry."} [link]

A Mixed Race to Rome – The most often mentioned items in Luke’s shipwreck account are of Turkish [Persian influenced] towns, Greek Islands and Egyptian [Alexandrian] ships the influences of which are all being directed into Rome – {Note: Luke and Paul in recording the Book of Acts seem to be informing the young European Gentile Church that yes, Christianity has come to Europe, primarily in the form of Paul [a bound prisoner of Rome] and his two scraggly traveling companions [Luke and Aristarchus]. But to know for certain that also coming to Rome [Western Europe] are the forces of Egypt [Eastern Mysticism, Ancient Babylon Mystery Religion], Persian [eventually Islam] influences, Greek mythology, Malta mysticism and Gnostic heresy. Christianity would come to Europe and Europe would have an appearance of Christianity a veneer of Christianity but below the veneer would be a blend of *Mystery Babylon counter religions that the Christian Church would have to continually contend with.}

"Acts 27:5-6 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia [region of Turkey near the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe] and Pamphylia [Ancient Pamphylia was situated on the southern coast of modern Turkey - The region came under the control of the Persians in the 6th century B.C. - unrv.com/provinces/pamphylia.php], we came to Myra, a city of Lycia [Galatia]. And **there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria [Egypt] sailing into Italy [Rome]; and he put us therein." -- "Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called *Euroclydon (G2148 - Euraquilo)." Luke records that the sailors called this wind Euraquilo. An unusual name, it has been found in one ancient inscription and is a slang compound [blend - marriage] of Greek and (Roman) Latin. The Greek Erus (east) and the Latin Aquilo (north) translates as "northeaster," a strong winter wind [parsagard.com/2-storm.htm]. -- "Acts 28:11-12 And after three months we departed [Malta] in **a ship of Alexandria [Egypt], which *had wintered [was dormant for a season] in the isle, whose sign [Gnosticism] was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse [a historic city in Sicily, the capital of the province of Syracuse - The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians - today is part of the Unification of Italy of 1865 - Wikipedia.com], we tarried there three days." -- {Note: Remember that Mystery Babylon is that fallen Angelic realm that sits atop 7 Gentile Kingdoms that influences mankind - consisting of the time of the 2nd earth (earth 2.0) - from the flood of Noah until the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ. - "Revelation 17:5-11 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT [fallen angelic - Satanic realm], THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. ... And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains [Gentile Kingdoms - Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and Revised-Rome], on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings [thrones i.e. throne of David - except they are all Gentile thrones]: five are fallen [Nimrod, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece], and one is [Rome], and the other [Revised-Rome] is not yet come; and when he [Antichrist] cometh, he must continue a short space [3½ years and possibly until 7 years]. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth [eight king illegally, not the eight Kingdom - the true 8th King and Kingdom is of the Messiah Jesus Christ], and is of the seven [the 7th King Antichrist tries to sit on the throne (Matthew 24:15) of Messiah the 8th Kingdom], and goeth into perdition."}

Evidence and Paul’s Journeys – Caesarea to Fair Havens

The Egyptian Grain Ship (Acts 27.6) - Landing at Myra, the Centurion transfers Paul and the other prisoners to an Alexandrian grain ship bound for Rome. Myra was a major port in the eastern empire. It lay directly north of Alexandria, Egypt, on the far side of the Mediterranean. An Egyptian ship sailing for Rome would have to
sail north to Myra at this time of year, because it was impossible to sail directly northwest to Rome. The prevailing wind from the west forced ships sailing from Egypt to Rome to follow this indirect route. This presents us with a series of interesting evidential coincidences. The same westerly wind that accounted for the shortness of Paul’s trip to Sidon is the wind that required his ship to sail north of Cyprus, and is also the wind that brought the Egyptian ship to Myra. All three of these events confirm the direction of the prevailing wind. Luke, in Acts 27.1, states that the ship they boarded in Caesarea was sailing for ports along the coast of the province of Asia. In other words, the ship was not bound for Rome, but was making ports of call along the southern coast of what today is Turkey. The harbor at Myra was one of the great trans-shipping ports of the ancient Mediterranean. Thus it makes sense that Paul and the others would leave the coastal vessel there and board the larger grain ship for the final leg of the voyage to Rome. [link]

[Part 1 of 3] Introduction: Paul’s Journey to Rome – Church History Outline: Ceasrea to Malta – End Times (Antichrist) Outline: Malta to Rome

The Apostle Paul's "Journey to Rome" covered in Acts chapters 27 and 28 is a unique set of passages of scripture and seems to tell a parallel story to the main story of Paul's journey and shipwreck while in route to Rome. The first part of Paul's journey from Caesarea, Israel to the shipwreck off of the shores of the island of Malta seems to tell the parallel story of what has been much of Church history up until today. The second main segment of Paul's journey beginning with Malta then the departure and the sailing to Italy, seems to tell the parallel story of the End Times, the Antichrist and the Book of Revelation. - In looking at these events one primary set of verses in each segment is going to be crucial to the study. In the first portion the Church History outline the verses Acts 27:41 and Acts 27:44 [the actual shipwreck and making it to shore] are going to be the crucial verses for the first segment. - The second segment the End Times outline the island of Malta to Rome the main verses are going to be Acts 28:13-15, Paul's arrival in Italy but at first not in Rome.

[Part 2 of 3] Church History Outline: Ceasrea to Malta – In Paul’s Journey to eventually stand at the feat of [the King] Caesar (Acts 26:32) the Christian Church with the Gospel departs from Israel [where Christianity originated] at the port of city of Caesarea (Acts 27:1-2) to go to the Rome and the Gentile world

Christian Church Age: After making some [missionary] stops along the way Paul and company (Acts 27:6) transfer to a ship [carrying nourishing wheat] that can take them to Rome. While sailing "many days" on their voyage to Rome the ship [Christian Church] encounters the alternating "contrary winds" of persecution and also the favorable port of "Fair Havens" entailing that "much time had been spent" on the Journey. - The first real hint of trouble for the Christian Church comes in the form of the Apostle Paul admonishing the Church that the Jewish Feast day [the fast] of Yom Kippur had passed and that the primarily Gentile Church was no longer marking or paying attention to the Jewish Feast Days putting the Christian Church in peril of not knowing the Times or the Seasons in which it sailed (Acts 27:9-12). The Church (ship) now unable to chart and follow its own course was caught in the winds of the days and the crew now instead of directing the ship the events of the day carried the ship (Church) along on its own course while the ship (Church) was mostly unable to affect, alter or counter any of the blowing winds (Acts 27:15). The ship (Church) tossed in the storms of life brought their sails down and just attempted to weather out the storm and at least they had four anchors to cast out into the water and help steady and protect (from hitting bottom) the Ship. The Apostle Paul then informs everyone that unless they remain aboard the one ship (of Christian faith) they cannot be saved (Acts 27:31). The one ship representing Christianity (the one true Church) then partakes in the act of Christian Communion (Acts 27:35). A distant land (Heaven) is sighted and the passengers (Christians) are not martyred but are able to reach the land (Heaven) alive as each person clings to some wood (cross of Jesus) from the one ship. The ship (Church) itself is finally caught in enough turmoil that it runs aground and breaks up [amazingly at a place were two sea's meet (Acts 27:41) - where the Eastern sea of Mysticism and the Western sea of Rationalism meet the Christian boat as one Catholic body gets stuck in the sand and breaks apart - into many denominations] though the individuals make it ashore (to Heaven) by clinging to wood (the cross of Jesus Christ), the one requirement to get a sinner into Heaven is to know that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on His cross. With the Church (ship) stuck and broken apart and ALL the passengers (Christians) from the one ship of Christianity safely ashore (in Heaven) the Christian Church Age comes to an end (Acts 27:44). -- "Acts 27:44 And the rest [of the Christians], some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship [all clinging to the cross of Jesus]. **And so it came to pass, **that they escaped [sin-death] **all safe to [Heaven] land."

Wikipedia.org: Saint Publius (Acts 28:7) – Saint Publius [a Church Apostolic Father] is venerated as the first Bishop of Malta – Publius’ conversion led to Malta being the first Christian nation in the West, and one of the first in the world – He was martyred in 125 A.D., during the persecution of Emperor Hadrian

It was the same Publius who received the Apostle Paul during his shipwreck on the island as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul cured Publius' dysentery-afflicted father. -- Book: by Rev. Alban Butler (1711-1773 A.D.). Volume I: January. "The Lives of the Saints" last published 1866. - St. Publius, Bishop and Martyr [died January 21, 125 A.D. in Athens, Greece] HE succeeded St. Dionysius the Areopagite in the see of Athens, as we are assured by St. Dionysius of Corinth, quoted by Eusebius. 1 He went to God by martyrdom, and Saint Quadratus was chosen third bishop of that city. See Le Quien, Or. Christ. t. 2. p. 169. Note 1. Euseb. l. 4. c. 23. [link]

[Part 3 of 3] End Time Outline: Malta to Rome – End Times – Martyred Saints of Revelation: The refugees come ashore upon a foreign island (Malta) with “barbarous people” [barbarous only means not Romans (not citizens of the Kingdom) and not Jewish]

Paul and the other castaways find themselves on an unfamiliar island (Malta), a society of unfamiliar people with unfamiliar customs. In the entire narration of their time on Malta only one person is identified by name (and also by title) and it is the intriguing person of Publius (Public) [Publius a Latin (Roman) name - definition of Public: of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community - ardictionary.com]. The intriguing person Publius is the "chief" or first [G4413 - Protos] person of the Island of Malta and though Publius is not a Roman citizen he has a Roman name and connections to Rome. - In this scenario, in what we are trying to read between the lines that Luke wrote for us in his book of Acts Chapters 27 and 28 we have the scenario that the Church Age has ended (Acts 27:44), the one ship of Christianity has broken apart and ALL the Christians are in Heaven. Here upon Malta (Acts 28:1) we seem to have the dispensation after Christianity [after the Church Age] - the dispensation of the End Times and the Martyred Saints of Revelation. In this intriguing scenario one person is in charge [of buying and selling] for an entire society and also that person is not a part of the 6th Kingdom in Rome. Publius is not a Roman citizen, instead this very public and in charge figure is first in his own system (the 7th Kingdom Revised Rome). Publius {before he becomes a Christian} is a type of the Antichrist and the Island society of Malta is a type of the 7th Kingdom (Revised Roman Empire). Further establishing that Luke intends for Malta to represent the Martyred Saints of End Times is that Luke tells of Paul being bitten by a viper (Acts28:3) but then Luke chooses to call the poisonous viper a "beast" (Acts 28:4,5) using the same word "beast" (G2342 - Therion) that John would later use in his Book of Revelation [Revelation 13:18 - the Mark of the Beast] to describe the Antichrist - Paul "he shook off the beast into the fire" (Acts 28:5) refusing to take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 19:20). Luke is determined to present the spirit of Antichrist at the Island of Malta. - Note: The End Time events that Luke portrays on Malta is not quite like the End Times often portrayed today in common media, where saints are on the run for their lives. In this End Time depiction by Luke the Saints are busy, working, helpful and briefly an integrated part of the society of Malta. But the Saints have a determined destination and a departure date and depart the island society of Malta not out of anger or desperation but out of a necessity. It seems that Luke is portraying Malta [Revised Rome] as a society that is vastly different than today (there might not be any private property - everything might be 'public' in name only) a tightly controlled and managed society with each person knowing where they rank in society and one person Publius is first. Further after departing the island of Malta and continuing their Journey [a journey that is no longer given in great detail - because technically the Saints departed Malta as Martyrs]. The End Time martyrs of Malta continue on to their desired destination to the feet of the King [Caesar] but like the Book of Revelation the Martyrs of Malta do not go directly to Rome they depart the ship outside of Rome and fellowship with other believers for a while. In the Book of Revelation the 5th Seal "Revelation 6:9 And when He [Jesus] had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain (Martyrs) for [faith in] the Word of God, and for the Testimony [faith in Jesus] which they held:" The Martyred Saints of Revelation do not go directly (individually) to the Throne of Jesus but instead gather outside the Temple at the altar and fellowship until their numbers (dispensation) are complete. Then at the end of the End Times all the Martyred Saints of Revelation join (Revelation 7:9) in with the Christian Church also in Heaven worshiping at the feet of the King Jesus Christ. -- "Acts 28:14-15 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage."

Conclusion: The Apostle Paul’s journey to Rome – Once in Rome the Apostle Paul continues to prophetically enact out End Time Biblical events – Amazingly the Apostle Paul does not go to jail with the other prisoners (unbelievers) instead Paul safely goes and lives in his own house – Enacting out the *third part (or group) of the End Times – The Millennial Reign 1,000 year Kingdom of Jesus Christ [the 8th Kingdom] on earth – (Acts Chapters 27 and 28) – Note: The Four Dispensations of the Bible’s New Testament are comprised of three groups of people. The ‘Born Again’ Church Age that included the dispensation of the original Apostles who were all ‘Born Again’ Christians and all of the current Common Christian Church Age that is also comprised of Born Again Christians. The future Martyred Saints of Revelation do not personally receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit until after they are in Heaven [very similar to what the Old Testament Saints endured]. The third group and Fourth Dispensation is of the Millennial Saints who also do not receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit until after the Global Nations are judged in the sheep and goats judgment of Matthew 25:32-34.The Four Dispensations of the Bible’s New Testament are comprised of three groups of people. The ‘Born Again’ Church Age that included the dispensation of the original Apostles who were all ‘Born Again’ Christians and all of the current Common Christian Church Age that is also comprised of Born Again Christians. The future Martyred Saints of Revelation do not personally receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit until after they are in Heaven [very similar to what the Old Testament Saints endured]. The third group and Fourth Dispensation is of the Millennial Saints who also do not receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit until after the Global Nations are judged in the sheep and goats judgment of Matthew 25:32-34.

In the last two chapters of the Book of Acts in chapters 27 and 28 there are four distinct portions of the Apostle Paul's journey to Rome [to stand before Caesar]. The First Portion, departing Israel as an Apostle with the Christian Gospel Message until changing ships, the shipwreck and safely coming ashore at the island of Malta correlates with what has been the Apostolic age and the Common Christian Church Age. The third portion of Paul's journey is being stranded at Malta and then quickly getting to Italy but not Rome itself correlates with what is written in the Book of Revelation regarding the future End Times and the Martyred Saints of Revelation. Then the fourth and final portion of Paul's journey to Rome correlates with what is written in the Bible regarding the Millennial Reign upon the earth of the Messiah [Jesus Christ] after the events of the Book of Revelation have occurred and been fulfilled. - Once arriving in Rome (Acts 28:16) Paul [a Christian] is allowed to go live by himself in his own house while the other prisoners (unbelievers) are sent to jail (John 12:31). Living in one's own house and dwelling safely is an unmistakable euphemism for the Millennial Kingdom of the Messiah (1 Kings 4:25, Jeremiah 23:6). The Apostle Paul's recorded journey to Rome is concluded along with the Bible's Book of Acts in the last two verses of Acts. -- "Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house [i.e. the Millennial Reign of Christ], and [free to] received all that came in unto him, Preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."


Update: The Basic Christian blog 8 Kingdoms study is well underway and on track to be completed as scheduled – The plan now is to do one more Decoding series, a necessary one to briefly examine how kingdoms conclude, change, influence and morph into the next ruling kingdom – Then after the brief Decoding postings are finished to go back and revisit each of the 8 Kingdoms to finalize each portion of the study – Coming Soon: Decoding Hitler’s Bunker!!

The 8 Kingdoms study should be completed before Christmas 2011 and then the Church History portion starting in January 2012 should be able to be completed by Holy Week 2012. The Church History portion though becoming more and more in depth [during preparation] is still going to be an overview study that will primarily focus on a few key transition points in history. In order to more easily facilitate the transition points of the coming Church History blog study I have revised the outline of the study and will post that as well.

Overview: 8 Kingdoms – The Basic Christian blog is going to try to wrap up the 8 Kingdoms (primarily ancient history) portion of the blog History Study in the next two weeks – Posting primarily on the Political Structure of each Kingdom – Then in December blogging the Christmas Holiday 2011 – After the New Year the blogging should begin on the Church History portion of the blog History Study

Overview: 8 Kingdoms - The premise of the 8 Kingdoms Study is that each of the Kingdoms are unique in that they each have a unique (advanced) interaction with the spiritual realm. The 7 Gentile Kingdoms primarily interact with the fallen spiritual realm while the coming 8th Kingdom the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be the visible presence of God on earth. The study is presenting Mystery Babylon [Revelation 17] as the Fallen Angelic realm out to deceive mankind, the 7 Mountains (hills) as the 7 Gentile Kingdoms (Governments) with False Religion [including pseudo (emergent) Christianity] as being represented by the scarlet woman [placed in between the fallen angelic spiritual realm and the human political realm], influenced by Mystery Babylon and able to manifest while temporarily riding above the 7 Gentile Global Governments emplaced throughout world history.

Completed: 8 Kingdoms – For all practical purposes the Basic Christian Ministry blog has completed the 8 Kingdoms (primarily ancient history) portion of the blog History Study – A few more items will be added over time but nothing significant – The December blogging of the Christmas Holiday 2011 is scheduled next – After the New Year the blogging should begin on the Church History portion of the blog History Study – {Note: Thanks to everyone who is participating in the Basic Christian: blog Studies (blog Bible Study – blog History Study). The 8 Kingdoms Study, the first portion of the blog History Study has taken over a year and a half to complete [starting in Spring 2010] and has been a substantial project, just like the blog Bible Study was. My thanks and deep appreciation to everyone who is participating, sharing and involved with the Basic Christian blog studies especially for those who are praying for the studies and the Ministry – God bless everyone! ~ David Anson Brown}

Overview: 8 Kingdoms - The premise of the 8 Kingdoms Study is that each of the Kingdoms are unique in that they each have a unique (advanced) interaction with the spiritual realm. The 7 Gentile Kingdoms primarily interact with the fallen spiritual realm while the coming 8th Kingdom the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be the visible presence of God on earth. The study is presenting Mystery Babylon [Revelation 17] as the Fallen Angelic realm out to deceive mankind, the 7 Mountains (hills) as the 7 Gentile Kingdoms (Governments) with False Religion [including pseudo (emergent) christianity] as being represented by the scarlet woman [placed in between the fallen angelic spiritual realm and the human political realm], influenced by Mystery Babylon and able to manifest while temporarily riding above the 7 Gentile Global Governments emplaced throughout world history. [link]

Recap: The 8th Kingdom, Jesus Christ – The Eternal Kingdom – ***The 3 Thrones of Jesus Christ — Current Throne in Heaven [alongside the Father’s Throne] (Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22) , Eligibility: Relative – *Son of God (Father God) [eternal co-reigning with the Father and the Holy Spirit] — Future Millennial Kingdom Throne in Jerusalem [restoring the Throne of King David] (Acts 15:16, Revelation 22:16), Eligibility: Relative – *Son of Man (descendant of King David) — Eternal Throne [the Throne of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit] (Revelation 20:4, Revelation 22:3) the Eternal Throne of the New Heaven (sky) and the New Earth, Eligibility: Jesus as [Eternal God] *Conqueror (John 16:33)

Currently Jesus Christ is seated on His own Throne (co-reigning - interceding) at the right hand of His Father's Throne in Heaven. "Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth [not Jesus]? It is [Jesus] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, *Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us [not condemning Christians]." -- At a future date for the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth Jesus will be seated upon the Throne of King David (Acts 2:29-33). Then with the New Heaven (sky) and the New Earth, Jesus as the conqueror of this earth [realm] will sit eternally [continuing to co-reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit on His own Throne upon the New Eternal Earth (Revelation 21:3). -- "John 16:33 These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I (Jesus) have overcome the world."

Basic Christian – Conquering Kings: The 8 Global Kingdoms of the Earth – The 7 anointed Gentile Global Kings of the Earth (anointed from God) and the anointed 8th Kingdom the Eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ — The Kingdoms: beginning with Nimrod (Tower of Babel – Genesis 10:8-10) — Pharaoh Akhenaten (Egypt – Joseph’s Pharaoh, the Dream Pharaoh – Genesis 41:1) — Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon – Jeremiah 27:4-7, Daniel 2:37) — Cyrus (Persia – Isaiah 45:1-7, Ezra 1:1-4) — Alexander the Great (Greece – Daniel 8:21) — Julius Caesar (Rome – Luke 2:1) — The Revised [10 Kingdom] Roman Empire (Daniel 7:19) – Antichrist (Satan – Daniel 7:20) emerges from within the Revised Roman Empire — The Messiah, Jesus Christ’s Kingdom (Heaven and Earth – Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:44-45)

The 8 Conquering Kings -- Tower of Babel: Nimrod, conquered the world, gained his kingdom, probably through the arts of physical personality and persuasion (Genesis 10:9). -- Egypt: Pharaoh Akhenaten, gained his kingdom, through the means of finances [financial warfare] (Genesis 47:20). -- Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar, conquered his global kingdom primarily through military force (Jeremiah 34:1,). -- Persia: Cyrus the Great, conquered his global kingdom primarily through the use of superior technology (Ezra 1:2). -- Greece: Alexander the Great, conquered his global kingdom primarily through the use of philosophy, knowledge and superior tactics (Daniel 11:2-3, Daniel 10:20, Joel 3:6). -- Rome: Julius Caesar, conquered his global kingdom primarily through the use of laws, legalities (taxation), and treaties (Matthew 22:17, Luke 2:1, Acts 16:21). -- The Revised Roman Empire: Antichrist (Satan), is in the process of conquering his global kingdom primarily through the use of spiritual personality [witchcraft], persuasion and through a combination of all of the previously used techniques (Daniel 8:23-25). --- Millennial Reign: The Messiah, Jesus Christ has conquered the enemies of mankind for mankind. Jesus has personally conquered human sin and human death and in His Glorious victory He is making available His Kingdom of eternal Life to all of mankind (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Hebrews 2:9,14, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 4:11).

GoodFight.org: The Submerging Church – How the Emerging [Revised Roman Empire] church is drawing multitudes away from Biblical Christianity – Coming to DVD January 2012 – Official DVD Trailer – {Note: The people who are participating in the Emergent church movement, either willingly or passively, are literally “holding a wolf by the ears” and when they let go or when they least expect it that wolf is going to turn and rip them to shreds. — “Ezekiel 22:27 Her [Mystery Babylon] princes in the midst [of God’s people] thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. ~ Prophet Ezekiel” — “Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. ~ Jesus Christ” — “Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. ~ Apostle Paul”} (YouTube)

Journey with us as we take a closer look at the Emerging (also Missional - a new term that replaces Emergent) Church, its leaders, their teachings and where it is all headed when compared with bible prophecy. A Good Fight Ministries production available January 2012. [link]

What Is Discipleship? (2 Min. Video)

While the majority of the church is busy planning programs and activities to entertain their members and increase their numbers, they neglect the way God has ordained for His church to be built and edified. "Christian entertainment" has replaced equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, and instead of discipling disciples to make disciples, churches are overstuffing themselves with earthly waste with no eternal impact. In just two minutes, this video sums up the church’s problem and the solution to it. This is how we are to love others. This is how church should be done. This is discipleship: [link]


 Ancient History Refresher: 1 of 4 – Noah – The 8 Global Kingdoms – Noah was a prophet and prophesied releasing the raven [unclean bird] that despite the flood mankind would still have to contend with sin, rebellion and disobedience – Noah prophesied again in releasing the dove [type of the Holy Spirit] that the Holy Spirit of God despite man’s rebellion would still dwell with mankind — “Genesis 8:7-11 And he [Noah] sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt (plucked) off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.”

"Genesis 8:4-18 And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the Mountains of Ararat [in the area of modern day Turkey]. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: And he sent forth a raven [a type of the sin and disobedience], which went forth to and fro [but did not return to the ark], until the waters were dried up from off the earth. Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove [type of the Holy Spirit] out of the ark; And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf [for telling Holy Week, the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane] pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried. **And God spake unto Noah, saying, Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:" [link]

Refresher: 2 of 4 – Nimrod the 1st Gentile Kingdom [of the 7 Global Gentile Kingdoms – the 8th Kingdom being the Eternal Kingdom of Messiah Jesus Christ] – The 8 Global Kingdoms – Nimrod was the most complete type of Antichrist in disobeying God, controlling all the population and promising an eternal life to his followers — “Genesis 11:1-2 And the *whole earth was of one language [only the second generation since Noah’s Ark – *Noah -> *Ham -> Cush -> Nimrod], and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east [from the Ark – Mountains of Ararat (in Turkey)], that they found a plain [open area] in the land of Shinar [closer to ancient Babylon [in Iraq] but still in the region of Turkey]; and they dwelt there.”

"Genesis 11:3-9 And they [descendants of Noah's three sons - Shem, Ham, and Japheth] said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a City and a Tower [Temple], whose top may reach unto Heaven [eternal life]; and let us make us a name [666 Mark of the Beast], lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower [false temple], which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this [misguided evil] they begin to do: and now nothing [evil] will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let Us [Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit] go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off [no longer] to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."

Refresher: 3 of 4 – The Nation of Assyria – The 8 Global Kingdoms – Nimrod was the 1st Global Gentile Kingdom and then Ancient Egypt [2nd Global Gentile Kingdom] continued the work of Nimrod from the Tower of Babel (The rounded [tower of Babel shaped] and pointed [extended skull] crown of Ancient Egypt was modeled after Nimrod and Babel) – Ancient Egypt via the famine of Joseph’s days amassed the wealth of the world – The wealth and secrets of Egypt were later transferred to Babylon [3rd Kingdom] and not to Assyria – Assyria though a strong Nation it was not one of the 7 Gentile Occult Kingdoms – Assyria was Occult controlled and Occult influenced but unlike Nimrod, Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome and Revised-Rome the kingdom of Assyria was never able to interact with and forward the Occult realm [fallen angels] among mankind in the way that the other Kingdoms had accomplished.

"1 Kings 14:25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of [Jewish] King Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: And he took away the treasures of the House of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all [and returned the gold back to Egypt]: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made." -- "2 Kings 24:7 And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the **king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates **all [wealth and knowledge] that pertained to the king of Egypt. [back in Jerusalem] Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem." -- "Isaiah 45:1-7 Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus [of Persia (Iran) - 4th Kingdom], whose right hand I have holden, to subdue Nations before him; and I will loose the loins of Kings, to open before him the two leaved gates [of Babylon (Iraq) - 3rd Kingdom]; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: *And I will give thee the **Treasures of Darkness [Mystery Babylon - secret knowledge - the 7 Gentile Kingdoms 'beginning' with Nimrod and ending with Antichrist once manifested are aggregate and ongoing], **and hidden riches [wealth] of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. **For Jacob [the Nation of Israel] My servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I Am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." [link]

Refresher: 4 of 4 – Mystery Babylon, Fallen Angels, Demons, Mark of the Beast 666 – The 8 Global Kingdoms – Apparently Spiritual Realm [fallen Angelic] doors that were open in the days before the flood of Noah and that were closed by the global judgment flood of Noah were quickly reopened only two generations later by Nimrod. — “2 Peter 3:5-7 For this [ancient times – Days of Noah] they [unbelievers] willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God [Genesis Creation] the heavens [sky] were of old, and the earth [1st earth pre-flood] standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby **the world [earth 1.0] that then was, being overflowed with water, **perished: But the heavens and the earth [2.0], which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto *fire against the **Day of Judgment [global Judgment – the three global judgments; water [Noah], blood [Cross], fire (Spirit)] and perdition of ungodly men.”

In the days before Noah (Genesis 6:2) the Fallen Angels were 'physically' mating with mankind [the daughters of man] and physically corrupting mankind. Angels both Holy and fallen can manifest as humans (Genesis 18:1-2) and the fallen angels apparently engineered [i.e. gene DNA modification, i.e. chimaera] a way to create offspring through their physical sexual interaction with humans. - Since the days after the flood of Noah and now the earth with a Demonic presence [the departed spirits of the Nephilm offspring of fallen angels and humans] along with the fallen angelic presence. The emphasis in corrupting mankind has turned from physical interaction [pre-flood - fallen angels and humans mating - though still happening in rare occasions] to now with demons present a spiritual possession and spiritual corruption [Mark of the Beast 666] mating between demons and humans. -- "Daniel 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron [demons] mixed with miry clay [sinful humans], they [demons] shall mingle [666 Mark of the Beast] themselves with the seed [soul-spirit] of men: but they shall not cleave [fit together] one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." -- "Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast [Antichrist (7th Kingdom)]: for it is the number of a **man [i.e. completing what Nimrod (1st Kingdom) attempted to do but was only able to start [initiate] because the languages were confused (Genesis 11:7)]; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [666]."

Original Source:  www.BasicChristian.org - blog History Study 2010-2011
by David Anson Brown