1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. 2 And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.”
And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”
3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”
6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! 8 See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”
9 And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door. (Genesis 19:1-11)
So, men in Sodom were mad at Lot because he would not put out two visitors (who were angels from God) to be raped in a homosexual manner.
Here is what happened next:
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city — take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”
18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! 19 Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”
21 And he said to him, “See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.”
Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:12-26)
Those of us who believe the Bible know that this happened.
Apparently, Lot’s wife looked back because 1) she did not sufficiently take God’s warning seriously and 2) she longed for the area that God was destroying.
That brought to mind the following scriptures written by the Apostle John:
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
Lot’s wife, as well as many who professed Christianity over the centuries, had loved the world. But the “present evil world” (Galatians 1:4, KJV) will be destroyed and replaced by a better one–the coming Kingdom of God. But that has not been important enough for many, including Lot’s wife.
That said, the first century A.D. Jewish historian Josephus mentioned that he saw the pillar that was Lot’s wife. Here is something he wrote related to that and those of Sodom:
1. ABOUT this time the Sodomites grew proud, on account of their riches and great wealth; they became unjust towards men, and impious towards God, insomuch that they did not call to mind the advantages they received from him: they hated strangers, and abused themselves with Sodomitical practices. God was therefore much displeased at them, and determined to punish them for their pride, and to overthrow their city, and to lay waste their country, until there should neither plant nor fruit grow out of it. …
4. But God was much displeased at their impudent behavior, so that he both smote those men with blindness, and condemned the Sodomites to universal destruction. But Lot, upon God’s informing him of the future destruction of the Sodomites, went away, taking with him his wife and daughters, who were two, and still virgins; for those that were betrothed to them were above the thoughts of going, and deemed that Lot’s words were trifling. God then cast a thunderbolt upon the city, and set it on fire, with its inhabitants; and laid waste the country with the like burning, as I formerly said when I wrote the Jewish War. But Lot’s wife continually turning back to view the city as she went from it, and being too nicely inquisitive what would become of it, although God had forbidden her so to do, was changed into a pillar of salt; for I have seen it, and it remains at this day. (Josephus. Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 11, verses 1 and 4)
Some have wondered where this pillar was.
Wikipedia, which after discrediting the biblical account, does mention two locations have been pointed to:
Mount Sodom Pillar, made of Halite, a rock salt (photo by Wilson44691)
Pillar of salt
Lot’s wife (center) turned into a pillar of salt during Sodom’s destruction (Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493).
The story appears to be based in part on a folk legend explaining a geographic feature.[3]
A pillar of salt named “Lot’s wife” is located near the Dead Sea at Mount Sodom in Jordan.[4] A second one is shown to tourists across the Dead Sea, in Jordan, not far from the ruins of the ByzantineMonastery of St Lot.[5] (Lot’s wife. Wikipedia, accessed 02/02/24)
No, the account in Genesis was NOT MADE UP because of one or two geological formations. Wikipedia continues to hold an anti-biblical bias on many matters.
The Bible teaches:
4 … Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
20 … Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
Do not rely on secular sources, like Wikipedia or anything else, that contradicts the Bible. The following applies to the so-called scholars who oppose the Bible:
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: … 6 … led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. … 13 … evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:1,6,7,13)
That said, Israel365News posted the following related to where Lot’s wife’s pillar may be, which is the “second one” Wikpedia mentioned:
Today we are visiting an unusual Biblical site, where truth is stranger than fiction! Located in the heart of the Judean Desert, Mount Sodom is completely composed of sulfur (as opposed to the rest of the desert which is composed of limestone).
When standing at this abnormal “enclave” of salt, tourists immediately understand that this is not a natural geological feature. Indeed, the sulfur found here is unique (it’s 98% pure and white, unlike natural sulfur formed by geothermal activity). What happened here would have remained an unexplained mystery, if not for the Bible recording what occurred here. …
Because of their evil deeds G-d decided to destroy Sodom, together with 4 nearby cities, by raining fire and brimstone on the city. Lot (Abraham’s nephew) had settled in Sodom with his family. In the merit of his uncle, G-d sent angels to inform Lot’s family that the city would be destroyed and that he needed to flee immediately. He also commanded them not to look back as the city was being destroyed. Despite the warning, Lot’s Wife decided to turn around and was instantly turned into a pillar of salt along with the city and the Dead Sea. https://www.israel365news.com/383473/lots-wife-sodom-gomorrah/
Whether or not that location (and a photo of that pillar is shown at the beginning of this post) is it or not, Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of some type of salt.
Now, why does the Bible show that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
Sexual immorality involving “going after strange flesh” includes fornication and homosexuality–an issue that is growing in much of the world now.
Why also mention Sodom and Gomorrah in the 21st century? Because God turned:
6 … the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6)
Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed as an example to show what happens to those that follow their ways. They pushed LGBTQ-type matters and were destroyed. Destruction will be coming to this world–and that will be part of the reasons (cf. Romans 1:18-32).
That said, there is another reason to bring up this and Lot’s wife.
Since Lot’s wife would not have been a lesbian, why was she killed along with the sexually immoral?
Furthermore, Jesus even mentioned her. Here are some of the word of Jesus:
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. (Luke 17:26-33)
Jesus is saying that a time of destruction is coming.
He mentioned the great flood that killed nearly all of humanity. Almost all people failed to heed the warnings that Noah gave.
Jesus mentioned the destruction of Sodom and pointed out that Lot’s wife, who could have and should have been saved, did not heed the warnings and hence she perished. The fact that Jesus mentioned Lot’s wife should also show all who are interested that places like Wikipedia are ant-Jesus, otherwise they would not call the biblical account of her and Sodom as “folklore” created to explain a piller.
The 19th chapter of the Book of Genesis discusses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt. The New Testament warns that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was to serve as an example for those who commit sexual immorality and who go after what it calls “strange flesh.” Did the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus claim to see the pillar of salt that was Lot’s wife? What does Wikipedia say? What did ‘Israel365 News’ report about the location of Lot’s wife in 2024? Dr. Thiel holds up two photos of two claimed locations some believe could be the pillar of salt that Lot’s wife turned into? Are there any geological reasons to think this may be so? Why might Jesus have said to, “Remember Lot’s wife”? Are there relevant lessons to use now in the 21st century? Will most heed end time warnings or be more like Lot’s wife? These matters are discussed by Steve Dupiue and Dr. Thiel.
Silver is an element with an atomic number of 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal, therefore it has many modern uses.
Some see it as a major investment opportunity:
Silver prices hinge on Fed’s decision and language amid easing inflation and strong economic growth.
January 31, 2024
Silver prices are drifting early Wednesday, heading for a second consecutive monthly loss. This trend is largely influenced by investor expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions and the resilience of the U.S. economy. …
Traders have scaled back their expectations of Fed rate cuts for 2024, with the probability of a March rate cut now significantly reduced …
The Federal Reserve’s post-meeting statement is anticipated to provide crucial hints about future interest rate moves. The removal or retention of specific phrases related to policy firming could signal the Fed’s readiness to shift towards rate cuts or maintain its current stance, respectively. This subtle language change could have a profound impact on financial markets, including silver. …
In the short term, the silver market is likely to remain sensitive to the Fed’s policy signals. A dovish shift, indicating potential rate cuts, could provide some support to silver prices. However, if the Fed maintains a more hawkish or uncertain stance, silver could continue its downward trend. …
After an 8% correction to start 2024 and a rejection of sub-$22, one commodity that has recently grabbed our attention as a long-term value play is the March Silver contract. We anticipate that Silver prices are trading near a critical support trendline (see chart), and the downside remains limited. The fundamentals over the past two weeks have shifted, and any one catalyst could send prices back to the 2023 double-top high at $26.43. …
Silver has lagged behind other commodities due to its dependence on industrial applications and reliance on China as a consumer. China remains the largest consumer of Silver globally, consuming 18% of global fabrication. The problem is that after a disastrous 2023 and a 43% decline in Chinese stocks since the 2021 highs, China has finally taken extraordinary measures to step up and support its economy by injecting 278 billion dollars into it and cutting the reserve ratio by 50 bps. These measures are necessary given that Chinese consumer confidence is near all-time lows and GDP threatens multi-decade lows. Since announcing the stimulus measures, we have seen a surge in everything related to China, sending the Hang Seng up 7% and Copper up 5%.
While China may be one part of the puzzle, higher interest rates have been a significant headwind that is near coming to an end. The market could see our first interest rate cut as early as March, depending on upcoming economic data. …
Regardless of whether the first cut comes in March or May, we should see a chain reaction of events leading to a weaker U.S. Dollar followed by a steady stream of fund inflows into the Gold market. Historically, Gold has, on average, seen a 6% rise within 30 days of the first interest rate cut. Additionally, the Gold/Silver ratio is trading near 88:1, leaving Silver at a historically low valuation to Gold. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2024-01-30/silver-moment-take-action-has-arrived
Historically, silver has tended to be a more volatile investment than gold. Its price–up or down–as a percentage tends to fluctuate a lot more than gold–so in that respect it is a riskier as well as potentially better (or more dangerous) investment.
On the other hand, let me flat out state that one day, not too many years from now, the USA dollar will not be worth more than the scrap or nostalgic value of its cotton-paper money.
The Bible also notes that silver has been used as money for thousands of years.
We know that by the time of Abram/Abraham it was used:
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. (Genesis 13:2)
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 15 “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.” 16 And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants. (Genesis 23:14-16)
Those events in the Book of Genesis took place approximately 3,900 years ago.
It should be noted that the Bible does show that silver (along with gold) will have value into at least the first few couple of years of the Great Tribulation. Here are some end time prophecies from scripture that help show that:
40 “At the time of the end … 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver (Daniel 11:40,43)
14… And the wealth of all the surrounding nations
Shall be gathered together:
Gold, silver, and apparel in great abundance. (Zechariah 14:14)
12 … merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls … (Revelation 18:12)
Throughout history, governments–including the USA, but going back at least 3000 years–have often debased the value of their silver currency by making it dross.
This is something that the Bible warns against:
4 Take away the dross from silver (Proverbs 25:4a).
22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. (Isaiah 1:22)
25 I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy. (Isaiah 1:25)
18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. 21 Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. 22 As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you.'” (Ezekiel 22:18-22)
7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8)
In the USA, its “silver” became “dross” in 1965.
What is dross?
Dross is a cheaper metal that is normally placed inside a covering of a precious metal like silver. Governments began to do this thousands of years ago when they had financial problems. Putting dross into silver cheapens currency. Dross, like leaven, puffs up and makes something appear different than it is.
It seems obvious, to me at least, that God in addition to telling people to try to be pure, He was specifically warning against cheapening the money supply with dross in the Old Testament and, through the Apostle Paul, our spiritual lives with leaven in the New Testament.
Interestingly, the USA not being satisfied with simply making its silver dross, has taken so many steps to make its currency dross, through debt, “quantitative easing”, and politically-motivated spending, that it pays no attentions to God’s warnings about cheapening the money supply.
Many advocate gold, silver, and/or other precious metals as a hedge against this. And while I am NOT a gold or silver “bug” as I understand how some define that term, it is true that the Bible shows that gold and silver will have value into at least part of the Great Tribulation. Again, notice:
37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.
40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; (Daniel 11:37-43)
If gold and silver were of no value then, then they would not be precious (see also Zechariah 14:13-14) to the King of the North. Gold and silver are of value into the time of the final Babylon (Revelation 18:11-16). So, in that respect, the Eastern and Roman Catholic “prophecies” are correct. It may well be that the King of the North will realize that his currency needs more gold-backing as the collapsing of the USA dollar will likely send shockwaves against other paper currencies. Gold will help stabilize whatever currency he is supporting. He even may start amassing gold prior to the invasion of the USA (Daniel 11:39) or the King of the South.
Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic prophecies discuss gold, silver, and wealth in the end times.
Notice the following Orthodox prophecies:
Saint Andrew Fool-for-Christ (c. 4th century): This king will rule…Happiness will reign in the world as it did in the days of Noah. People will become very rich…The entire world will fear this king…he will pursue all persons of the Jewish religion out of Constantinople…and the people will rejoice like in the time of Noah until the deluge came God will reveal to this king all the gold wherever it happen to lay concealed from view…(Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 113,114).
Emperor Leo the Philosopher (c. early 10th century): You will amass the gold of the nations…And you will be the leader of the surrounding powers…and those that are near will prostate themselves before your feet (Tzima Otto, pp. 76-77).
To Emperor Manuel II (d. 1425): …upon the command of the the good Emperor they will go and discover treasures of gold and silver and all this will be offered as a gift to the pious ones; later on more and more valuable treasures will be found and the Emperor will do with those treasures likewise (Tzima Otto, p. 102).
Roman Catholics may wish to consider that those last three predictions sound a lot like prophecies from two of their saints about Antichrist (Ephrem is also an Orthodox saint):
Saint Ephrem (died 375): Antichrist will use worldly goods as bait. He will entice many Christians with money and goods to apostatize … The devil will help him find all the hidden treasures of the world, even those at the bottom of the ocean. With those treasures he will attain greater success for the reign of Satan than at any other time in past centuries (Connor, pp.73.74).
Saint Mechtilda (died 1299): Antichrist will, through base and false strategem, and with presents of gold and gems, attain influence over the worldly princes. They will look up to him as their Lord and God (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, pp. 133-134).
So does the Great Monarch amass gold with God’s help like Orthodox prophecies suggest or does he amass gold with the help of Satan as at least one Greco-Roman Catholic saint and certain biblical prophecies (Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18; 9:20) indicate?
The answer should be obvious to all who wish to believe the God of the Bible.
The Bible is also clear that those who amass gold and silver at the end time will find it is not the answer:
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. (James 5:1-3)
Roman Catholics who compromise with the Orthodox will likely be taken in by this lure of wealth. This is something that all (Roman Catholics and Orthodox) need to ponder.
The Bible is clear that those who amass gold and silver at the end time will find it is not the answer:
14 The great day of the Lord is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter;There the mighty men shall cry out. 15 That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of trumpet and alarm Against the fortified cities And against the high towers. 17 “I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the Lord; Their blood shall be poured out like dust,And their flesh like refuse.” 18 Neither their silver nor their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the Lord’s wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His jealousy, For He will make speedy riddance Of all those who dwell in the land. (Zephaniah 1:14-18)
But again, the value of gold and silver will outlast that of the USA dollar, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, and the British pound (which used to be called the pound sterling as it was a silver-based currency in the past). For this reason, some in the COGS have historically suggested that that owning some could be helpful (see The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What about Silver?). But it should be noted that transporting large values of silver is difficult because of its weight relative to gold (where, depending on the ration of value, can mean 50 to 100 or so times the weight of the same value of gold).
The Bible also warns:
10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
As mentioned before (Zephaniah 1:18), the Bible is clear that gold and silver will for a while be less than worthless. Notice:
19 They will throw their silver into the streets, And their gold will be like refuse; Their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them In the day of the wrath of the Lord; They will not satisfy their souls, Nor fill their stomachs, Because it became their stumbling block of iniquity. (Ezekiel 7:19).
This is probably because gold and silver cannot be eaten (in times of massive and severe food shortages many people will not be interested in it) and because of the fact that if nuclear weapons are exploded, and people are ill or dying from radiation sickness, that they will not want to have gold and silver (which retain radiation) near them.
The Bible teaches:
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
But righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11:4)
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. (Psalm 119:72)
However, this does not mean that owning some may not help a little bit, but that a relationship with God counts much more. It seems to also include a warning that some will apparently focus on gold and silver and not rely on God or truly give as they should to God (tithes and offerings).
Notice that the Apostle Peter clearly taught that salvation was more precious than gold and silver:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:17-19).
God’s plan of salvation will work and that, and not metals, is what really should be precious. And unlike precious metals, it will not perish.
Furthermore, the Bible shows that when the European Babylonian Beast power is destroyed, its gold and silver will not help it per the following prophecy in Isaiah:
17 “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, Who will not regard silver; And as for gold, they will not delight in it. 18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces, And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb; Their eye will not spare children. 19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:17-19)
Yet, also notice the following:
8 Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water,
Now they flee away.
‘Halt! Halt!” they cry;
But no one turns back.
9 Take spoil of silver!
Take spoil of gold!
There is no end of treasure,
Or wealth of every desirable prize. (Nahum 2:8-9)
This suggests, to me at least, that the Beast power had a lot of gold and silver, and that it will again have value well after the Beast power is gone.
Yet, the solution for the world is NOT silver and/or gold (though both gold and silver will maintain value for about 3 years after the US dollar becomes totally worthless and can thus be of some benefit), but the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.
Back in 1961, the Plain Truth reported:
INVEST IN GOD!
Because there will come a time…when the treasures of gold and silver will be cast to the bats and moles, and people will seek TRUE VALUES! (Isa. 2: 20). “They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER THEM in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: (you can’t eat gold! ) because it (the gold and lust for material things) is the stumblingblock of their iniquity” (Ezek. 7: 19). Then is the time YOU will want to be able to say, “God is my Friend, and He will receive me, because I served Him with my mammon (money) instead of making mammon my god!”
Yes, YOU as an individual can repent of your wrong doing against God, and turn your total resources to serving Him in getting Out this message-the gospel of the Kingdom of God-the good news of the return of Christ to set up His Kingdom! Then your dollars will be wisely invested, and God will grant you FREEDOM IN GOD’s COMING KINGDOM! (Hill DJ. What the US Gold Crisis Means to You. Plain Truth. February 1961, p. 11)
Faithful Christians give tithes and offerings (watch also Tithing and CCOG Spending) to support the work of God in order to help get Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world (for more details see Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel?).
That said, the recent silver discovery does provide support to the idea that silver was used in the Holy Land earlier than many thought–and yes, Abraham used it.
What is silver? What is it used for? How long has it been used? Will it have use in the future? There was an archaeological discovery that concluded that silver was used as a form of payment 3,700 years ago in the Levant (roughly the area of Israel, Lebanon, and Syria)–that was 500 years earlier than many thought it had been used there. Was silver shown to be used even a couple of centuries earlier than that by Abraham in the Bible? What is dross? Did ancient Rome have dross coins? Did the USA switch to dross coins instead of silver in 1965? Does the Bible teach against the use of dross? Does the Bible prophesy that silver will have value into the Great Tribulation? Are there Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies pointing to Great Monarch amassing precious metals and the Antichrist using wealth as bait? Will there be a time when people toss their silver into the street? Are there any radioactive risks with silver? Will gold and silver have value in the millennium? What does the word of God teach is more valuable than gold or silver? What should you invest in? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these issues.
Who was the most dangerous early heretic? Simon Magus, Marcion, Valentinus, Justin Martyr, or Irenaeus of Lyon? Why should modern Christians care? Though considered a major saint by the Church of Rome, the Eastern Orthodox, and most Protestants, Irenaeus was hot and cold on doctrine. Could Irenaeus have been the most dangerous of early heretics? Was Irenaeus a binitarian or trinitarian? Was he a millennialist? Did Irenaeus quote apocryphal books as scripture? Did he rely on them and traditions of men to push non-biblical doctrines? Did he claim to know Polycarp of Smyrna and endorse him, but not hold to his and the Apostle John’s practices regarding the biblical Passover? What about the ‘Lord’s Day’? Did Pope Benedict XVI refer to Irenaeus as the “true founder of Catholic theology’? Do Protestants consider him the most important, second century source of “orthodoxy’? Was Irenaeus wrong about the founding and succession from the Apostles Peter and Paul, related to Rome, according to Roman Catholic scholars? What about heaven? Who really had (and still has) true apostolic succession? Should the Book of Revelation be allegorized? Did Irenaeus confuse the Beast and the Antichrist? What about 666? What are some of the reasons Christians would want to know about Irenaeus and his teachings today? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
17 Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and took it; (2 Kings 12:17)
Archaeologists using some of the latest technology have verified portion of the Hebrew scriptures (AKA the Old Testament), such as the above passage. Israel365News reported the following:
Biblical account of conquest of Gath verified by Israeli tech
January 4, 2024
Israeli technology that measures the Earth’s magnetic field has verified an ancient narrative, researchers said on Thursday.
A new study scientifically corroborates the conquest of the Philistine city of Gath by Hazael, king of Aram-Damasus, as described in the Second Book of Kings, 2 Kings 12:17.
Let me also add that there is other archeological evidence related to Gath, and that has to do with the fact that David slew Goliath of Gath. Here is a report from back in 2008:
Proof: Yossi Garfinkel displays the ceramic shard bearing a Hebrew inscription that may be evidence King David slew Goliath.
‘Proof’ David slew Goliath found as Israeli archaeologists unearth ‘oldest ever Hebrew text’
Daily Mail, UK – Oct 30, 2008
Astounding new evidence has been unearthed in Israel that could confirm the biblical story of King David.
Until now, almost nothing has been found that would prove the biblical account of a shepherd boy from the 10th century BC who slew the giant Goliath and went on to become the King of Israel who founded Jerusalem.
But today Hebrew University archaeology professor Yosef Garfinkel announced the discovery of a tiny, but potentially invaluable, piece of pottery at the site of the ruins of an ancient fortified city south-west of Jerusalem dated to the time of King David.
Garfinkel said that it carried the earliest-known Hebrew inscription, some 850 years earlier than the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Scholars are still trying to decipher the full text of the inscription, but Garfinkel said they are excited at the prospect of a link to David because they have already translated the words for “king,” “judge,” and “slave” , which he said suggested it was some sort of official note from the time of his reign.
Until now, scholars have been unable to say whether King David was indeed the heroic, psalm-composing monarch depicted in the Bible or the local and unimportant leader of a small tribe.
Only one biblical-era inscription with the words “House of David” has ever been discovered, leading some scholars to question whether King David existed at all.
The pottery fragment was inscribed with five rows of text in black ink divided by black lines written in an early Hebrew-Canaanite script…
Detailed excavations began only earlier this year.
The fortress would have controlled the ancient trading route from Jerusalem to the coast and overlooks the plain where David engaged in his legendary mortal combat with Goliath, giant champion of the rival Philistines.
Goliath’s home town of Gath was unearthed just a few miles away to the south.
“The chronology and geography of Elah Fortress create a unique meeting point between the history, historiography and origins of the early Davidic Kingdom,” said Garfinkel.
“This is the oldest Judean city uncovered to date, and its very construction has unprecedented implications on our understanding of this era.”
Garfinkel said the sophistication and size of the city suggested it was part of a strong, centrally-planned kingdom.
It has been a busy week for archaeologists searching for King David and his family. In Jerusalem, a researcher said she had found an ancient water drain mentioned in the Bible as the route used by David’s forces to capture the city from the Jebusites.
In Jordan, scholars said they had uncovered an ancient copper excavation site that tests showed could be the legendary King Solomon’s Mines (see also Solomon’s Mine Possibly Found).
While we who believe the Bible do not need additional proof, it is always nice when archeologists provide additional support for the biblical accounts–especially since many who dismiss the Bible have indicated that its stories (such as the one that David slew Goliath) were myths and not based upon reality.
Hopefully those who have discounted the accuracy of the Bible will re-examine their positions and take the Bible as seriously as it should be taken.
As far as King David goes, we put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy:
The Bible talks a lot about King David of Israel–he is mentioned in books in the Hebrews scriptures and the New Testament. Is there any physical proof, archaeological evidence that he existed? Or, as some at Wikipedia put it, is he only a legend like King Arthur or Homer epic tales? Did Professor Yosef Garfinkel of Hebrew University conclude that King David ruled over fortified cities like the Bible points out? Do ancient tablets found at Mari point to the rule of King David? Does the Mesha Stele help prove that King David was real? What about the Tel Dan Stele? Does the Bible warn about false knowledge, false science, and deceiving people who will not hold to scripture? Was there really a town of Ziglag that David fled to? Could there be a successor to King David alive today? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these matters and discuss archaeological proofs related to King David.
Reportedly there may be a plan in the works for King Charles to abdicate to his son Prince William:
Have King Charles and Prince William secured the monarchy?
December 29, 2023
The role of any monarchy is to represent continuity. Something both King Charles III and Prince William showed they understood this year. But if you look closely, they have also both spent the past 12 months developing their individual roles. …
His leadership style has seen him put the environment at the forefront of his engagements, while using other gatherings to highlight the refugee crisis, acknowledge overlooked communities like the Windrush generation, and confront dark chapters in British history, as he did while visiting Kenya.
Early on, he promised to be the defender of all faiths and has followed through by regularly incorporating interreligious events into his busy diary…
William’s challenge has been to differentiate his tenure as Prince of Wales from that of his father.
King Charles to ‘abdicate after peace deal’ between Prince William, Harry
King Charles may hand over the reign to his eldest son Prince William after peace deal with Prince Harry
December 28, 2023
King Charles III, who has forgiven Sarah Ferguson and also allowed his younger brother Prince Andrew to join the royal family during Christmas walk, has seemingly made up his mind to give another chance to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to return to the royal fold.
The 75-year-old monarch, according to an insider, will forgive the Duke and Duchess of Sussex before handing over the reign to his eldest son Prince William, who’s heir apparent to the throne.
“The monarch wants to bring Harry back to the family,” the source has claimed.
Let’s look at some prophecies related to the throne of David:
45 … King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever. (1 Kings 2:45)
3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: 4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever, And build up your throne to all generations.’”(Psalm 89:3-4)
2 … Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David, you and your servants and your people who enter these gates! (Jeremiah 22:2)
17 “For thus says the Lord: ‘David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18 nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually.’” (Jeremiah 33:17-18)
The above passages make clear that the throne of David was to last. Since scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35), then someone has to be on that throne now. Let me also state that there have been Levites ever since Jeremiah 33:17-18–the fact that they do not do their original biblical role for offerings does NOT change the fact that they still exist, which is all that scripture requires for them. It should also be noted that Young’s Literal Translation says “one” instead of “a man,” which literally allows for a woman to have the throne (the NET uses “successor” and the NLT uses “descendant”).
Furthermore, since God had Jeremiah write this during the life of the last king on the throne of David in Jerusalem (Zedekiah) this may also be suggesting that Jeremiah would be involved in the continuity of the Davidic throne.
Although some have improperly asserted that Jeremiah 33:17 does not mean that anyone actually has to be on the throne, only available to be on it, remember also the following:
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. (Genesis 49:10)
The Bible shows that scepter came to David of Judah when he became king (cf. Numbers 24:17; 2 Samuel 8:2). Some who do not accept that the British Royal family can be holding that scepter have said that, “Until Shiloh comes” means Jesus’ first coming. However, that is in error for three reasons.
The first is if that were the case, then where were the kings between Zedekiah (the last King of Judah) and Jesus? There were none.
And secondly, during His first coming, Jesus said His Kingdom was future (John 18:36), so He did not assume the throne then. Critics of what is known as British-Israelism do not seem to realize that and they wrongly rationalize away many scriptures. Jesus will sit on the throne of David in millennial the Kingdom of God.
And thirdly, note that Genesis 49:10 has to be a reference to the second coming of Jesus, as we did not see the obedience of the people given to Him during the first coming. Hence, biblically, there had to have been a royal succession from Judah’s line after Zedekiah until Jesus’ return.
Consider that through the prophet Nathan, God made a remarkable promise to King David:
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. … 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 15-16)
The throne was to be established forever—and it has been! And this is the throne Jesus will return to.
Scripture is plainly teaching that someone has had to have been on that throne since the time of the Zedekiah (a contemporary of Jeremiah), who was the last king of Judah in the Holy Land until Jesus returns to set up the millennial kingdom.
Since someone had to fill the regal role, we can see through historical records and legends that the royalty in the British Isles fits this.
Now, some have pointed to Jeremiah 22:28-30 as proof that, because God said that Coniah (also called Jeconiah) would not have son to be on the throne of David as proof that the line would not continue, that overlooks the fact that the line continued through Coniah’s brother Zedekiah (1 Chronicles 3:16).
Through the prophet Nathan, God made a remarkable promise to King David:
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. … 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 15-16)
The throne was to be established forever—and it has been! This is the throne Jesus will return to.
The idea that “Christ upon His return, will take over David’s throne” was believed by those who held to many Church of God doctrines in Transylvania during the late Middle Ages.[i]; see also Die Sabbatharier in Siebenburgen.[ii]
The idea that Jesus would return to the throne of David is NOT a 19th, 20th, or 21st century invention.
This ‘throne of David’ doctrine is also taught in the New Testament:
31 … Jesus . 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (Luke 1:31-32)
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28)
Notice that these are still future prophecies. Jesus has been appointed “heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus is not now on the throne of David and He will not be until the coming millennial Kingdom of God (cf. Acts 2:29-30; Revelation 11:15, 20:4).
Therefore, until Jesus returns, someone needs to be on the throne—and the British Royal Family has an occupant to this day.
The New Testament also teaches:
5 … Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed … (Revelation 5:5)
Note that even in the last book of the Bible, Jesus is again tied in with David and is prophesied to prevail. Jesus will gain the throne of David (Luke 1:32).
[i] Marx G. The Beliefs and Practices of the Church of God in Transylvania During the Middle Ages, 1588-1623
[ii] (The Sabbatarians in Transylvania) Ihre Geschichte, Literatur und Dogmatic (their story, literature and doctrines) ein Beitrag zur Religions und Kulturgeshichte der Juengsten Drei Jahrhunderte (a contribution to the religious and cultural history of the last three centuries) von (by) Dr. Samuel Kohn, printed in Leipzig, Germany in 1894
Frederick Glover put together a list of the monarchs of Judah through Queen Victoria. As far as dates go, it is well known that there are ancient contradictory reports,[i] so for anything before the 5th century A.D. dates are quite tentative.
The following is basically his list, with additions from scripture (the three kings between Josiah and Zedekiah) as well as those after Queen Victoria added by this author (a “?” indicates F. Glover did not use the letter K or Q for the specific individual) plus anything within {} were not in his list, but came from the Royal Irish Academy[ii] which he also consulted as well as some other sources:
David (B.C. 1085-1015), Bathsheba.
K. Solomon (B.C. 1033-975), Naamah.
K. Rehoboam (B.C. b. 1016, d. 958), Maacah.
K. Abijam (B.C. 958-955).
K. Asa (BC. 955-914), Azubah.
K. Jehoshaphat (B.C. 914-889).
K. Jehoram (B.C. 889-885), Athaliah.
K. Ahaziah (B.C. 906-884), Zibiah.
K. Joash (B.C. 885-839), Jehoaddan.
K. Amaziah (B.C. b. 864, d. 810), Jecholiah.
K. Uzziah (B.C. b. 826, d. 758), Jerushah.
K. Jotham (B.C. b. 783, d. 742).
K. Ahaz (B.C. b. 787, d. 726), Abi.
K. Hezekiah (B.C. b. 751, d. 698), Hephzibah.
K. Manasseh (B.C. b. 710, d. 643), Meshullemeth.
K. Amon (B.C. b. 621, d. 611), Jedidah.
K. Josiah (B.C. b. 649, d. 610), Hamutah.
K. Jehoahaz (B.C. 610; 2 Kings 23:31)
K. Jehoiakim (B.C. 610-599; 2 Kings 23:36)
K. Jehoiachin (B.C. 599; 2 Kings 24:8)
K. Zedekiah (B.C. 599-578).
KINGS OF IRELAND.
Heremon (fl. B.C. 580), Tea Tephi.
K. Irial Faidh (reigned 10 years).
K. Eithriall (reigned 20 years).
K.? Follain.
K. Tighernmas (reigned 50 years).
K.? Eanbotha.
K.? Smiorguil.
K. Fiachadh Labhriane (reigned 24 years).
K. Aongus Ollmuchaidh (reigned 21 years).
K.? Maoin.
K. Rotheachta (reigned 25 years).
K.? Dein.
K. Siorna Saoghalach (reigned 21 years).
K.? Oholla Olchaoin.
K. Giallebadh (reigned 9 years).
K. Aodhain Glas (reigned 20 years).
K. Simeon Breac (reigned 6 years).
K. Muireadach Bolgrach (reigned 4 years).
K. Fiachadh Tolgrach (reigned 7 years).
K. Duach Laidhrach (reigned 10 years).
K.? Eochaidh Buaigllcrg.
K. Ugaine More the Great (reigned 30 years).
K. Cobhthach Coalbreag (reigned 30 years).
K.? Meilage.
K. Jaran Gleofathaeb (reigned 7 years)
K. Coula Cruaidh Cealgach (reigned 4 years).
K. Oiliolla Caisfhiachach (reigned 25 years).
K. Eochaidh Foltleathan (reigned 11 years).
K. Aongus Tuirmheach Teamharch (reigned 30 years)
K. Eana Aighneach (reigned 28 years).
K.? Labhra Suire.
K.? Blathuchta.
K.? Easamhuin Eamhua.
K.? Roighnein Ruadh.
K.? Finlogha.
K.? Fian.
K. Eodchaidh Feidhlioch (reigned 12 years).
K.? Fineamhuas.
K. Lughaidh Riadhdearg.
K. Criombthan Niadhnar (reigned 16 years).
K.? Fearaidhach Fion Feachtnuigh.
K. Fiaebadh Fionoluidh (reigned 20 years).
K. Tuathal Teachtmar (reigned 50 years).
K. Coun Ceadchatbach (reigned 20 years).
K. Arb Aonflier (reigned 30 years).
K. Cormae Usada (reigned 40 years).
K. Caibre Liffeachair (reigned 27 years {258-283}).
K. Fiachadh Sreabthuine (reigned 30 years {283-322}).
{K. Colla Uias 322-326.}
K. Muireadhach Tireach (reigned 30 years {327-357}).
{K. Coelbadh 357-358.}
K. Eochaidh Moigmeodhin (reigned 7 years {358-365}).
{K. Crimmthan 366-378.}
K. Niall of the Nine Hostages {379-405}.
K.? Eogan {or K. Diathri 406-427}.
K. Murireadhach {or K. Laoghaire 429-458}.
K.? Erc {Foghan}, {princess? Earea}.
{“The ruler most closely associated with the dynastic transfer from northern Ireland to western Scotland is Fergus Mor, son of Erc.”[iii]}
KINGS OF ARGYLESHIRE (Western Scotland).
Feargus More (A.D. 487).
K. Dongard (d. 457).
K. Conran (d. 535).
K. Aidan (d. 604).
K. Eugene IV. (d. 622).
K. Donald IV. (d. 650).
K.? Dongard.
K.? K. Eugene V. (d. 692).
K.? Findan.
K. Eugene VII (d. A.D. 721), Spondan.
K. Effinus (d. A.D. 761), Fergina.
K. Achaius (d. A.D. 819), Fergusia.
K. Alpin (d. A.D. 834).
SOVEREIGNS OF SCOTLAND.
Kenneth II. (d. A.D. 854).
K. Constantin II. (d. A.D. 874).
K. Donald VI. (d. A.D. 903).
K. Malcolm I. (d. A.D. 958).
K. Kenneth III. (d. A.D. 994).
K. Malcolm II. (d. A.D. 1033).
K.? Beatrix m. Thane Albanach.
K. Duncan I. (d. A.D. 1040).
K. Malcolm III. Canmore (A.D. 1055-1093), Margaret of England.
K. David I. (d. A.D. 1153), Maud of Northumberland.
Prince Henry (d. A.D. 1152), Adama of Surrey.
Earl David (d. A.D. 1219), Maud of Chester.
Q.? Isobel m. Robert Bruce III.
K.? Robert Bruce IV. m. Isobel of Gloucester.
K.? Robert Bruce V. m. Martha of Carriok.
K. Robert I. Bruce (A.D. 1306-1329), Mary of Burke.
Q.? Margary Bruce m. Walter Stewart III.
K. Robert II (d. A.D. 1390), Euphemia of Ross (d. A.D. 1376).
K. Robert Ill. (d. A.D. 1406), Arabella Drummond (d. A.D. 1401)
K. James I (A.D. 1424-1437), Joan Beaufort.
K. James II. (d. A.D. 1460), Margaret of Gueldres (d. A.D. 1463).
K. James III. (d. A.D. 1488), Margaret of Denmark (d. A.D. 1484).
K. James IV. (d. A.D. 1543), Margaret of England (d. A.D. 1539).
K. James V. (d. A.D. 1542), Mary of Lorraine (d. A.D. 1560).
Q. Mary (d. A.D. 1587), Lord Henry Darnley.
K. James VI {1567-1603, then became King James I of Great Britain and moved to England in 1603}.
SOVEREIGNS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
James VI. and I. (A.D. 1603-1625), Ann of Denmark.
Princess Elizabeth (1596-1613), K. Frederick of Bohemia.
Princess Sophia m. Duke Ernest of Brunswick.
K. George I. (1698-1727), Sophia Dorothea Zelle (1667- 1726).
K. George II. (1727-1760), Princess Caroline of Auspach (1683-1737).
Prince Frederick of Wales (1707-1751), Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha.
K. George III. (1760-1820), Princess Sophia of Mecklenburgh Strelitz (1744-1818).
Duke Edward of Kent (1767-1820), Princess Victoria of Leiningen.
Q. Victoria (b. 1819, cr. 1838), Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg.
K. Edward VII (1901-1910) Q. Alexandra of Denmark.
K. George V (1910-1936), Q. Mary of Trek.
K. Edward VIII (1936-1936—note: he was never actually crowned), Duchess Wallis Simpson.
K. George VI (1936-1952), Q. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
Q. Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Prince Philip Mounbatten.
K. Charles III (2022-present), Q. Camilla Rosemary Shand.
There has been a royal succession line.
[i] Petrie G. The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. 18, 1839, pp. 25-232
Is there any evidence that Moses could have written what Jesus said he did? Was there even any writing near the time of Moses?
To better help scripturally to know the answer to those questions, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Although Jesus said that Moses wrote scripture and the Book of Deuteronomy states that Moses wrote scripture, could Moses even write anything? Many mainstream “scholars and experts” disagree. Is there archaeological evidence that supports whether or not Moses could possibly write? What about proto-Hebrew? Could the Exodus have been 1446 or 1250 BC? What about what Dr. Scott Stripling and the Mount Ebal curse stone? Did Dr. Adam Zertal end up concluding that Moses and Joshua existed as the Bible teaches? What about Sinai 177 of the Renfsheri Stele and Sinai 377 rock inscription dating to the 19th century BCE. What about the conclusions of Dr. Doug Petrovich? When faced with that which is falsely called science that disagrees with the Bible, what is a Christian supposed to do? Is there evidence that the Bible could have had writings from Moses? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. (John 5:46)
Yet, many doubt that. Many have doubts about Jesus, but those can be dispelled (see, for example, our free online book: roof Jesus is the Messiah).
Many have doubts about the Bible.
Some claimed experts doubt that Moses even had the ability to write.
Does archaeology help prove or disprove that the Bible is the word of God?
Last Spring, Israel365News reported the following about finds on Mount Ebal:
Joshua’s Altar – How Archaeology proves the Bible
March 22, 2023
In 1982, a young secular Israeli archaeologist by the name of Adam Zertal started excavating an ancient archaeological site on Mt. Ebal, near the Biblical city of Shechem in the region of Samaria, Israel. …
Zertal did not believe that the book of Deuteronomy and the book of Joshua describe real historical events, but he was intrigued by this mysterious heap of stones and the surrounding enclosure wall. …
Zertal tried to find the origin of this mysterious structure and was not able to find any architectural parallels in the Canaanite and surrounding cultures. One day an Orthodox Jew showed him a sketch of the Second Temple Altar…the similarity was striking.
Zertal understood that he’d found an Israelite altar on Mt. Ebal. In his book “A Nation Born” he describes how he looked at the Orthodox Jew and said, “This has to be the altar that Joshua built according to the commandment of Moses. There is no other possibility. If this is Joshua’s Altar, then Joshua existed, and Moses existed and the Exodus really happened…” From that point on, Zertal believed in the historicity of the Biblical account.
Now notice something that Israel365News just posted about Mount Ebal the following:
Critics Dismiss Ebal Tablet…
December 8, 2023
When the discovery of a small lead “curse tablet” was announced last year, it was hailed by many as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in recent times. But since the announcement, many have come out to shadow the discovery in skepticism. …
The earliest Hebrew writing previously found—the Khirbet Qeiyafa ostracon found in the dig at the ancient fortress city near the central Israeli town of Beit Shemesh—was dated from 1000 BCE, making the inscription on this tablet 200 to 400 years older. Its use of the Hebrew word for God also predates the oldest previously found in Israel by 500 to 600 years. If the dating of the tablet is accurate, it may add to the evidence that the exodus from Egypt was earlier than previously believed.
It could also indicate that the Israelites were already literate at that time, meaning they could have written parts of the Bible when the depicted events were taking place, instead of generations later, as was previously accepted among some scholars. …
A recent article in the archaeology section of Haaretz written by Ariel David presented the views of skeptics, one of whom claimed the small lead tablet was nothing more than a fishing weight and the inscriptions were random scratches.
This was followed by an article in the Times of Israel by Gavriel Fiske reporting on three peer-reviewed academic articles published this week that attempted to cast doubt on the authenticity of the tablet.
“Detractors claim that the soft metal object is simply dented and marred, and no script can be discerned from the released photographs or images,” the TOI article stated, citing Dr. Aren Maeir of Bar-Ilan University, a co-author of one of the new papers, as saying that the level of documentation Stripling and his team provided is “below par,”. …
I have previously reported about this find before.
There are a couple of points of its relevance.
Notice something from the Bible:
29 Now it shall be, when the Lord your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. (euteronomy 11:29)
What looks to have been found on Mount Ebal was the following curse:
The inscription was a curse, written in Hebrew, with the name of the Lord engraved in it:
So, the Bible points to a curse on Mount Ebal and Dr. Stripling believes he found an inscription there with a curse in ancient Hebrew.
The other point is that, even if the curse was not engraved on that stone, yes, some type of early Hebrew writing has to be older that what many critics believe.
As far as the Exodus goes, it was about 200 years earlier than many claim–and many who claim the later date of 1250 BC also claim there is no evidence that it happened. Since the Exodus was around 1446 BC, this means that Moses had to have been writing no later than 40 years after that as he died about forty years after the Exodus. If the Mount Ebal stone contains ancient Hebrew, that would be proof that it existed near the time of Moses.
Now, obviously some form of writing did, as Jesus was telling the truth about Moses writing.
That said, as far as ancient Hebrew writing goes, here is some information from our free online book :
The first five books of the Bible were mainly written by Moses. Notice the following:
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord … (Exodus 24:4a)
24 … Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 31:24b-26)
After writing, Moses wanted them protected. …
Secular scholars, however, generally do not believe that Moses wrote the books. They basically claim that ancient Hebrew (sometimes called Paleo-Hebrew) did not exist before the 10th century B.C.E., hence it was not possible. Those of us who believe the words of Jesus must agree that somehow Moses did write what Jesus said he did, hence there was some type of written ‘Hebrew’ language.
Some others, like Dr. Doug Petrovich, assert that the alphabetical Hebrew language essentially was derived from Egyptian hieroglyphics and was the earliest prototype of modern languages, perhaps initially developed by Israel’s son Joseph (Petrovich D. The World’s Oldest Alphabet: Hebrew As The Language Of The Proto-Consonantal Script. Carta Jerusalem, 2016, pp. 28-33; Berkowitz AE. Did Moses Really Write the Bible? Breaking Israel News, February 28, 2019). This is consistent with a finding from Yale’s Egyptologist John Coleman Darnell about the timing of the earliest alphabetic writing (Darnell JC. Egypt Carvings Set Earlier Date for Alphabet. The New York Times, Nov. 14, 1999).
Furthermore:
Proto-Sinaitic texts discovered in the ancient Egyptian turquoise mines of Serabit el-Khadem in Sinai—are generally dated to the 19th century B.C.E., … are thought to have been written by Canaanite workers, adapted Egyptian hieroglyphs to serve as written symbols for distinct alphabetic sounds. (Early Alphabetic Writing Found at Lachish. Biblical Archaeology Society, April 20,2021; Goldwasser, O. How the Alphabet Was Born from Hieroglyphs.” Biblical Archaeology Review, March/April 2010)
According to Dr. Petrovich’s translation of certain inscriptions found in Egypt, one dating to 1842 BC., includes the phrase, “Hebrews of Bethel, the beloved.” He also asserts there were three inscriptions naming three biblical people. These, he said, were Asenath, the wife of Joseph (Genesis 41:45), Ahisamach, the father of one of the craftsmen who would build the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:34), and Moses. Dr. Petrovich says that the Moses related one dates to 1446 BC, a possible year of the Exodus.
Some critics claim Dr. Petrovich misunderstands aspects of Hebrew grammar, and have denounced his conclusions.
That being said, Dr. Petrovich wrote:
Sinai 115 … called the Renefsheri Stele … Sinai 115 … indeed mentions six Hebrews, as has been argued here, the oldest extrabiblical reference to Hebrews/Israelites (ca. 1842 BC) …
Sinai 377 is a rock inscription … Sinai 377 holds the honor of being the oldest extant, fully Hebrew, proto-consonantal inscription yet known. Dating precisely to 1840 BC, thanks to the accompanying ME inscription (Sinai 46) …
Hebrew has the distinction of being the world’s first alphabet, the one from which Phoenician and every other alphabetic script in the history of the world has been derived. (ibid, pp. 15, 28,29,35,192)
Whether or not Hebrew was the world’s first alphabet, the dates of Sinai 115 and Sinai 377 were several centuries before Moses was born (cf. Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 7:7; 12:40-41, 13:19)—which would have been around 1526 B.C. (based on an Exodus date of c. 1446 B.C. and Moses being 80 years old at the time per Exodus 7:7).
Consider that Moses was considered the educated son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:10). Stephen the martyr declared:
22 And Moses waslearned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and wasmighty in words and deeds. (Acts 7:22)
Since Moses was educated in Egypt, he would have been able to read hieroglyphics, but likely also was trained in other scripts, like perhaps some proto-Canaanite or proto-Phoenician and/or proto-Hebrew.
Either way, Moses did write the books in some type of Hebrew or proto-Hebrew/Phoenician script that Jesus and biblical writers said he did, irrespective of scholarly disputes (cf. Romans 3:4). Those books were preserved by the Levites and the Jews (cf. Deuteronomy 31:25-26; Romans 3:1-2).
When faced with supposed scientific criticism of the validity of anything in the Bible, what should you do?
You should, “Believe God” (1 John 5:10).
Or as the Apostle Paul wrote:
4 … Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
Throughout the centuries so called experts have claimed to have science disprove aspects of the word of God.
The Apostle Paul had to warn Timothy about that:
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21, KJV)
Jesus confirmed the above when He told Philadelphian Christains:
11 … Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
Do not let critics or so-called experts dissuade you from believing the word of God.
The find at Mount Ebal looks to confirm aspects of scripture.
But even if it does not, remember to “let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
UPDATE 12/10/232: We just uploaded the following related video:
Although Jesus said that Moses wrote scripture and the Book of Deuteronomy states that Moses wrote scripture, could Moses even write anything? Many mainstream “scholars and experts” disagree. Is there archaeological evidence that supports whether or not Moses could possibly write? What about proto-Hebrew? Could the Exodus have been 1446 or 1250 BC? What about what Dr. Scott Stripling and the Mount Ebal curse stone? Did Dr. Adam Zertal end up concluding that Moses and Joshua existed as the Bible teaches? What about Sinai 177 of the Renfsheri Stele and Sinai 377 rock inscription dating to the 19th century BCE. What about the conclusions of Dr. Doug Petrovich? When faced with that which is falsely called science that disagrees with the Bible, what is a Christian supposed to do? Is there evidence that the Bible could have had writings from Moses? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters.
15 And this is the reason for the labor force which King Solomon raised: to build the house of the Lord, his own house, the Millo, the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. 16 (Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer and burned it with fire, had killed the Canaanites who dwelt in the city, and had given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.) 17 And Solomon built Gezer, Lower Beth Horon, 18 Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land of Judah, 19 all the storage cities that Solomon had, cities for his chariots and cities for his cavalry, and whatever Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
20 All the people who were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were not of the children of Israel — 21 that is, their descendants who were left in the land after them, whom the children of Israel had not been able to destroy completely — from these Solomon raised forced labor, as it is to this day. 22 But of the children of Israel Solomon made no forced laborers, because they were men of war and his servants: his officers, his captains, commanders of his chariots, and his cavalry. (1 Kings 9:15-22)
Many these days doubt that Solomon ruled over much and some question his, as well as his father David’s, existence.
But there is evidence outside of scripture.
Israel365News reported the following:
New study at Gezer site proves Biblical accounts of David and Solomon
November 30, 2023
A new radiocarbon study of an important archaeological site seems to have made a significant step towards ending a scientific debate and establishing that the Biblical accounts of King David and King Solomon were historically accurate.
In 1958, Prof Yigal Yadin proposed that one layer of the site identified as stratum 8 dated to the 10th century BCE which he associated with Biblical King Solomon. This was based on a monumental six-chambered city gate. Such gates were also discovered at Megiddo, Hazor and Jerusalem. The construction of these gates at these sites is described in 1 Kings 9:15. The site also showed a 27-meter-long casemate wall fortification, stone glacis, a large courtyard-type administration building, and a monumental stairway. Previous strata did not have such substantial gates.
Yadin’s findings and conclusions were corroborated by later researchers. But a school of thought arose in archaeology called the low chronology. Archaeologists from this school of thought led by Prof. Israel Finkelstein dated stratum 8 to the ninth century BCE, attributing the massive construction to the northern Kingdom’s Omride dynasty
Finkelstein proposed that the Biblical accounts of David and Solomon were greatly exaggerated and that Solomon was in reality nothing more than a glorified “hillbilly”—“little more than a hill country chieftain … rul[ing] over a marginal, isolated, rural region, with no signs of great wealth or centralized administration.” His rule “extended over no empire, no palatial cities, no spectacular capital” (The Bible Unearthed, pages 190, 238, 143). “The supposed archaeological evidence of the united monarchy was no more than wishful thinking,” he wrote of the early “Solomonic” discoveries at these respective sites (page 235). …
Yes, there was King Solomon and he ruled over a large kingdom. And archaeological evidence does support it.
Here are some quotes from the study:
1 Kings 9:15-17 mentions Gezer’s capture, burning and presentation as a wedding gift by Solomon’s father-in-law-an unnamed Egyptian king …
The transformation of Gezer in Stratum 8 … likely began in the early part of the 10th century BCE (998–957 BCE, 68.3 percent HPD). … Stratum 8 was used during the first part of the 10th century BCE, until its destruction near the middle of the century …. [T]he chronological position of this horizon is hard to dispute thanks to constraint provided by the overlying Stratum 7. …
Stratum 7 … was used primarily during the later part of the 10th century BCE It was not particularly long-lived, as the site once again fell prey to a destructive event near the close of the 10th century BCE or early decades of the ninth century BCE (927–885, 68.3 percent HPD).
The construction of Stratum 8 … likely occurred in the first part of the 10th century BCE (Start 8: 998–957 BCE, 68.3 percent HPD [showing the tightest probability]; 1023–942 BCE., 95.4 percent HPD [including potential outlier samples]). The data and model—with constraints provided by overlying Stratum 7—rule out a ninth-century BCE date for Stratum 8. … Stratum 8 came to an end already in the mid-10th century BCE. …
The late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote that archaeological disregarding of King Saul and David decades ago was wrong:
Saul and David in Archaeology
But the strongest evidence against the modern interpretation of archaeology was discovered by the French at Mari on the Euphrates River. There it was discovered that during the lifetime of Hammurabi — who was mistakenly dated by historians in the time of Abraham — the Benjamites were in control of Palestine and men like David were famous! (See Werner Keller’s The Bible as History, pages 49-52).
From the tablets found at Mari, we read these clear words: “The year in which Landulim went to Hen and laid hands upon the territory of the Benjamites,” and “The year that ZimriLim killed the Davidum of the Benjamites.”
Of course! Under King Saul, a Benjamite, the tribe of Benjamin was dominant. Gentile nations regarded all Palestine as the land of the Benjamites. And David was the greatest of all the generals of the Benjamites (I Samuel 18:7; 21:11). David’s fame spread so far and wide that the Gentiles called all the generals of Israel Davidum, or “Davids” — men like David — just as the world’s “great” Roman Caesars gave their name to the Kaisers of Germany and the Czars of Russia.
How were the historians and archaeologists to interpret these astounding discoveries? Were they to date Hammurabi properly to the time of Saul and David? Not at all! Rather, they cleverly assumed that Benjamites were in Palestine long before Benjamin was born — that the name of David was famous for nearly a thousand years before David was born! They hoped thereby to keep their interpretations of the king lists and reject the Bible. Human reasoning was used to escape the AUTHORITY vested in the laws of the Bible! (Archaeology Proves the bible true! Plain Truth, September 1963, p.47)
Here is a place where the Benjamites are mentioned and their generals are called “DAVIDUM” or DAVIDS! King Saul was a Benjamite (1 Samuel 9:21) and had put David in charge of the leaders of his army (1 Samuel 18:5).
Just as the world’s “great” Roman CAESARS gave their name to the KAISERS of Germany and the CZARS of Russia, so David’s fame spread so far and wide that Gentiles called the officers and generals of Israel “Davids” – men like David!
On the other hand, even now, biased secular sources such as Wikipedia have chosen to often push an anti-biblical narrative by often referring to “scholars” who oppose scripture. Here are some excerpts from its article on David:
Historicity …
A number of scholars consider the David story to be a heroic tale similar to King Arthur‘s legend or Homer‘s epics,[116][117] whereas others think that such comparisons are questionable.[118] …
Jacob L. Wright has written that the most popular legends about David, including his killing of Goliath, his affair with Bathsheba, and his ruling of a United Kingdom of Israel rather than just Judah, are the creation of those who lived generations after him, in particular those living in the late Persian or Hellenistic periods.[125]
Isaac Kalimi wrote about the tenth century BCE that: “Almost all that one can say about King Solomon and his time is unavoidably based on the biblical texts. Nevertheless, here also one cannot always offer conclusive proof that a certain biblical passage reflects the actual historical situation in the tenth century BCE, beyond arguing that it is plausible to this or that degree.”[10]
(David, Wikipedia, accessed 07/07/23)
So, Wikipedia is pushing the false narrative that David could have been a made up legend. That is one reason that I sometimes post about matters of archaeology.
Anyway, as far as whether to believe “scholars” over scripture, the Bible teaches:
4 … Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:13-15)
And the so-called editors at Wikipedia are deceived and deceiving in many of their reports about biblical matters. As are biases from sources like Google.
But the Bible can be trusted. There is a God and that is provable (see also the free online book: Is God’s Existence Logical?).
Satan does not want people to believe the word of God or to act on it.
The deceived associated with Wikipedia and many other places function as his minions.
Many of the ‘so-called educated’ have claimed many fraudulent positions. Many have suggested that the biblical David was a myth. Now, notice the following cover:
Here is a link to that July-September 2017 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine. Its front cover shows the ancient Tel Dan Stele which also mentions King David–it has the expression “house of David,” and the associated article contains more information about why true science supports the Bible.
The Bible is true, but many do not want it to be believed.
Much of the world’s claimed knowledge is false.
The Apostle Paul warned:
20 … Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
Be careful not to accept ‘knowledge’ from those who are contradicting the Bible.
Yes, King Saul, David, and Solomon existed. And yes, there is archaeological evidence to support that outside the Bible.
Yes, the Bible is true. And hopefully archaeologists and others who doubt it will reconsider and believe the evidence.
And hopefully more in this Laodicean Era will realize that because the Bible is true, they need to have a better zeal to change themselves and support the word of God.
Do not let those who will not believe deceive you.
Related to King David, we have the following related video:
The Bible talks a lot about King David of Israel–he is mentioned in book the Hebrews scriptures and the New Testament. Is there any physical proof, archaeological evidence that he existed? Or, as some at Wikipedia put it, only a legend like King Arthur or Homer epic tales? Did Professor Yosef Garfinkel of Hebrew University conclude that King David ruled over fortified cities like the Bible points out? Do ancient tablets found at Mari point to the rule of King David? Does the Mesha Stele help prove that King David was real? What about the Tel Dan Stele? Does the Bible warn about false knowledge, false science, deceiving people who will not hold to scripture? Was there really a town of Ziglag that David fled to? Could there be a successor alive to King David today? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these matters and discuss archaeological proofs related to King David.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator?and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution? Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book. Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Donald Trump, and Prophecy On December 6, 2017, US President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise related to the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. This brought anger, protests, and rockets from some Palestinians. It also brought condemnation from European allies–it has been claimed to be disruptive and even catastrophic. The Palestinian President (Mahmoud Abbas) said that this pronouncement eliminated the USA as being a fair mediator for a peace deal. Others have claimed that Donald Trump is an end time Cyrus and his pronouncement will lead to a Third Temple in Jerusalem. Is there ever going to be a peace deal? If so, will Europeans be part of it? Is Donald Trump a ‘Cyrus.’ Do the Jews require a Third Temple for sacrifices? Dr. Thiel answer those questions and more in this video. Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Biblical Archaeology This is a website that has more information on biblical archeological as is sometimes known as the Bib Arch site. The Old Testament Canon This article shows from Catholic accepted writings, that the Old Testament used by non-Roman Catholics and non-Orthodox churches is the correct version. Old Testament History This is a link to articles that essentially back up the historical accuracy of the Hebrew scriptures (AKA The Old Testament). Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work. Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra. Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy.
Posted in Old Testament History | Comments Off on I365: New study at Gezer site proves Biblical accounts of David and Solomon
A writer calling himself Noah posted an article that starts off with the following:
Has The Ark Of The Covenant Been Found?
November 17, 2023
The more archeologists dig into Biblical history, the more they confirm the Bible is 100% accurate.
There are so many stories of some pinhead scientist or archeologist saying something in the Bible couldn’t possibly be true, until….a new discovery is made and suddenly all the dots line up and make perfect sense!
It’s so fun to investigate things like the location of the Garden of Eden (more on that below)….
It is possible that Noah’s Ark has been found. I posted about that earlier this week (see Scientists announce site of Noah’s Ark?). Furthermore, a reader later sent me a link that had additional insight into tests by John Larsen to further check location of Noah’s Ark.
After seeing this post, in an email to me dated 12/03/23, John Larsen wrote:
The equipment that I have, which I used to scan Noah’s ark, is electrical resistivity imaging … Radar has a limited depth of usually about 8 metres max, whereas my equipment can hit 38 metres and run in 3d. Electrical resistivity works by injecting a high voltage electrical charge into the ground and measuring how much of it reaches another pair of electrodes further away. Different materials tend to also display different electrical properties and cavities prevent the flow of electricity. It’s an entirely different technology to radar which measures the reflection from an acoustic shock wave. Resistivity imaging has been around for a long time in the mining and oil industries.
Others think that is the location, as the following old article from World Net Daily indicates:
It’s an artifact that combines faith, science and history.
It’s the Ark of the Covenant – the gold-laden box made by Moses with the specific instructions of God to hold the Ten Commandments and serve as a meeting place between man and his Creator.
One of the persistent theories about the whereabouts of the Ark is that it lay buried in secret tunnels and passageways constructed by King Solomon for the specific purpose of keeping it from enemies who might one day capture and destroy the Temple.
Now there is compelling new evidence that’s just what happened – and that the Ark still rests beneath the chamber known as the Holy of Holies, moved there through an elaborate machine constructed under the direction of Solomon long before the invasion of the Babylonians and the sacking of the Temple. …
Most of the evidence for this theory of the Ark’s location comes right out of the Bible – in passages discussed in a two-part video documentary by Michael Rood called “The Great Secret of Solomon’s Temple and the Hiding of the Ark of the Covenant.” This three-hour presentation will keep you spellbound with its references to little-studied Bible verses that provide hints of about how the Ark was preserved from the invaders.
Now, let me state that the Bible shows that well after Solomon’s sons would have died, that the Ark was still in Jerusalem:
35:1 Now Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD. 3 Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel (2 Chronicles 35:1-3).
Josiah was the sixteenth king of Judah and reportedly reigned from c. 640–609 BCE. Thus, if the Ark of the Covenant possibly made it to Ethiopia like many claim, it was not until well AFTER the Ethiopians normally claim it first came there. Although some claim that the claimed son of Solomon replaced the real ark with a fake and took the real ark. That contradicts the above which refers to the ark as “the holy ark”–a fake ark would not be described as holy.
And if it was, maybe it first was in Egypt and moved by Jewish leaders, like Robert Cornuke seems to believe. That may be at least biblically plausible. But, I and others are not convinced.
The first direct reference to the ark of the covenant in the Bible is in the Book of Exodus:
10 “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. 13 And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. 15 The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. (Exodus 25:10-16)
The Bible is clear that the Ark of the Covenant is or will be in heaven:
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. (Revelation 11:19)
It has been suggested that the physical ark of the covenant, that the children of Israel had, was patterned on one in heaven, thus it could still be on earth.
Some say that Zion was really on the eastern side of Jerusalem, and thus, that may be where the Ark could be or end up.
As I have long written, if the Ark of the Covenant exists on the earth, a location in the land of Israel seems to make the most sense.
One concern that I have had is that if the Ark of the Covenant is found, this could possibly get more of the Jews to support the ecumenical, end-time religion that will call itself ‘Catholic.’ This would be consistent with biblical (Revelation 13:4,8; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) and even some non-biblical prophecies.
Some claim that Donald Trump has the Ark of the Covenant. Notice the following tweet:
ALERT: DONALD TRUMP HAS ACQUIRED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.
I REPEAT: DONALD TRUMP HAS ACQUIRED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT https://t.co/9ZXbH28zIh
Anyway, no I do not believe that Donald Trump has it. This would have resulted in massive outrage from Israel and elsewhere, if this was true. Plus it would be likely that Donald Trump would have made some statement related to actually having it.
What about the location of the Garden of Eden?
Here are the first passages in the Bible that mention Eden:
8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. (Genesis 2:8-14)
So, has anyone found it?
Some think its location has been identified:
November 17, 2023
Did We Just Discover The Location Of The Garden Of Eden?
Some of you may know Rob Skiba. …
Have you ever wondered where the Garden of Eden is?
If you’ve ever sat down to read your Bible and you start with Genesis, you start reading along and you find out the Bible tells you EXACTLY where it is.
It’s at the intersection of 4 Rivers.
So naturally after you read that in Genesis you think I want to go look that up on a map.
The problem becomes only two of those rivers are still with us.
The third is a dried up river.
And the fourth is a bit more of a mystery.
So you have some clues there but you quickly run into some dead ends.
Rob talks about all of that … He connects dots you’ve never even thought of before, but by the time you get to the end of this 11 minute clip, I think your mind is going to be blown.
As always, it’s all right there in front of us in Scripture, you just have to know what you’re looking for.
The above is also spelled slightly differently in English language translation of the Bible. Here are the first two biblical references to that location:
6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. (Genesis 12:6)
18 Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. (Genesis 33:18)
Here is some of what the Encyclopedia Britannica says about it:
Shechem, Canaanite city of ancient Palestine, near Nablus. The two locations have been closely—though erroneously—equated for almost 2,000 years: both rabbinic and early Christian literature commonly equated Nablus with ancient Shechem, and Nablus has been called Shekhem in Hebrew to the present, but Shechem’s ruins lie at a site just east of Nablus.
Shechem was important in ancient Palestine because of its position in an east-west pass between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Arabic: Jabal al-Ṭūr and Jabal ʿAybāl, respectively), one of the few such routes in Palestine’s hill country. …
The city is mentioned in Egyptian documents of the 19th century bce. During the rule of the Hyksos kings of Egypt (16th–17th century bce), Shechem was a strong walled city with a triple gate, a fortress-temple, and an acropolis. Some of the sites specifically mentioned in the Book of Judges have tentatively been identified by archaeologists. https://www.britannica.com/place/Shechem-ancient-Canaanite-city accessed 11/17/23
Whether or not the location of the Noah’s Ark, the Ark of the Covenant, or the Garden of Eden have been definitively found, the public confirmation of any of them may have prophetic ramifications.
Of course, for those of us who believe the Bible, no further proof or confirmation is needed. But for some who have heard statements from pseudo-archaeologists that deny the biblical accounts, it may be helpful for them to realize that as time goes on, more and more archaeological evidence surfaces that supports the Bible.
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There is a site in Turkey that some have wondered about. Israel365 News posted the following:
Scientists announce: Site of Noah’s Ark shows human activity between 5500-3000 BCE
November 13, 2023
A team from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ)has been researching an area in which they believe lie the remains of Biblical Noah’s Ark.
A research team from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Andrew University, and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ) carried out its first study of the site in December 2022. The group, which included academics specialized in geophysics, chemistry and geoarchaeology research, collected 30 samples consisting of soil and rock fragments during their investigations in the region. According to the results, it was determined that there were human activities in the region from the period between 5500 and 3000 BCE.
Professor Faruk Kaya stated, “With the dating, it is not possible to say that the ship is here. Extensive research is required for this to emerge. In the upcoming period, we have reached an agreement to collaborate on joint research led by Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Andrew University, and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ). In the future, these three universities will continue their work in this field.”
The site was first discovered by map engineer Capt. Ilhan Durupınar in 1959 during a reconnaissance flight to map the eastern Anatolia region in Turkey. The site is located 8 miles south of the Greater Mount Ararat summit at an elevation of about 2,000 meters above sea level. The size and shape of the formation led to its promotion by some believers as the petrified ruins of the original Noah’s Ark.
The “boat formation” appears to be the “exact length” of the ark as written in the Bible – which is around 150 meters, or 300 cubits in Biblical terms.
This is how you shall make it: the length of the ark shall be three hundred amot, its width fifty amot, and its height thirty amot. (Genesis 6:15)
Whether or not this is Noah’s Ark is still unclear. As far as the dating goes, Noah’s Ark was built around 2325 B.C., which means near 4400 years ago.
The Turks have been involved in this research on the Ark for some time. I posted the following here over nine years ago:
July 9, 2014
By the end of March 2014, a team consisting of Turkish, Dutch and Belgian members launched an expedition on Mount Ararat, Turkey and found at an altitude of 4.000 meters remains of a possible wooden structure and also pottery. Jeroen Rensen, a Dutch archaeologist from the team, was pleased with the success of the expedition. He says, “It was very tough. Heavy winds and snowstorms made the first two attempts to reach the site fail. The third and last all-or-nothing attempt succeeded and the team reached the location. There, in a fissure within the icecap under 10 meters of rock, ice and snow we found well-preserved wooden remains and pottery too.” Later this year a major scientific expedition will conduct a follow-up investigation to determine what the artifacts and wooden remains constitute.
Another witness is a Belgian physician, Dr. Marcel Verheyen. In response to the critics that wood and artifacts were deliberately planted, he says, “That is absolutely impossible. The mountain’s terrible terrain is rather inaccessible, let alone to carry beams of wood. You need to be there and see it with your own eyes, before you put forward any hypothesis. I am 100% sure that it is impossible to plant such a structure there.”
Recent reports of discovery of wood remains on Mount Ararat were made in 2010 by a Hong Kong based Christian group, NAMI (Noah’s Ark Ministries International), yet the finding has been overshadowed by lot of criticisms. The site documented by Rensen and Verheyen in March is in the vicinity of the claim made a few years back. Participating in the expedition as independent investigators, Rensen and Verheyen do not want to engage into the controversy, but conduct a step-by-step scientific exploration with a multi-disciplinary scientific team. Rensen says, “The question of whether there are any wooden remains at all on Mount Ararat has been answered. But so many questions still remain. The main question to be answered now is: What type of site do the remains at this location represent?” http://popefrancis.einnews.com/pr_news/212962036/remains-of-wooden-structure-and-pottery-found-on-mount-ararat-turkey?n=1&code=oxPopNDvaPkLwTjA
I have long felt that the day may come when Noah’s ark is conclusively found.
However, because both biblical (e.g. Revelation 13:4,8) and non-biblical prophecy warn of a time when an ecumenical religion will take over much of the world, if Noah’s Ark is ever conclusively accepted, this could represent part of a major turning point in getting more of humanity to accept a coming world religion that claims to be Christian. The movie Noah may get more interest in the ark and finding it. Since many cultures have a tale of the flood (see 300 Versions of the Flood), this will make the coming ecumenical religion acceptable even to certain cultures that do not normally refer to the Bible for their beliefs.
Jesus warned that the end times would be like the time PRIOR to the flood of Noah’s time:
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44)
We know the great flood happened. There is evidence in many cultures, including Chinese writings as well as the amount of water on the Earth (see also Water, Noah’s Flood, and Chinese Characters).
Perhaps Noah’s Ark will be conclusively found. But if it is, its finding may be used by the forces of Satan to put forth his end time agenda.
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