Rejoicing in the Covenant of Abraham

It started as a promise that God made with Abraham saying that if Abraham would obey him and would walk in his ways, then he would make his covenant with Abraham, and would multiply his seed exceedingly. “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect, and I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly (Genesis 17:1-2).” This promise required Abraham to depend upon God to show him how to be perfect. Abraham walked together with God for many years before receiving his promise. “After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise (Hebrews 6:15).”

Evidence as to when the covenant was sworn unto Abraham was recorded in the book of Genesis, and it was eluded to in the book of Hebrews: “By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son… that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:16-18).” On the day that Abraham withheld not his son from God, God rejoiced exceedingly in Abraham’s obedience, and on that day the Lord performed his promise, and he swore a covenant to Abraham! “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee (Hebrews 6:13-14).”

Abraham’s reward for trusting God was a heritage of blessings and promises that were laid up for those who would serve the God of Abraham. The details of God’s plan are scattered, but God appointed verses which lead us into understanding. “Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant (Psalm 105:9-10).” Believers can discern from these words that Abraham’s inheritance was recorded as an oath, and in a law, and in another covenant.

True understanding must begin by believing God. When God promised the covenant, he said that he would establish it with Abraham, and also with his seed (Genesis 17:7). God informed Abraham, that Sarah would bear him a son. Although Abraham tried to defer to his existing son whom God had already blessed with promises (Genesis 16:10-11), God, for his own purposes, said that his covenant would be established with Isaac. “As for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly… but my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year (Genesis 17:20-21).”

The blessings of Abraham’s reward were first published in a law that was scribed by Moses. “Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob (Deuteronomy 33:4).” Jacob’s name was intentionally used to conceal the whereabouts of this law. “He confirmed the same to Jacob for a law (Psalm 105:10).” God routinely used the parable name "Jacob" to refer to believers who had been shown the truth of his word, and this is why Jacob’s name was ascribed to the law. “He sheweth his word unto Jacob (Psalm 147:19).”

The law that Moses published, lists the many benefits that believers will inherit because of Abraham’s faithfulness. However, this law has a stipulation: To inherit the blessings, believers must walk in God’s commandments, and do them. “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit… I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And you shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword… For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you… and I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people (Leviticus 26:3-12).” A host of judgments are also recorded in the law. These judgments are as correcting sentences which God promised to bring upon believers that are not yielding unto his commandments, and that are breaking his covenant. But God, in his infinite wisdom, concluded the law by publishing a way that his banished children could be restored, and forgiven. Read more about this law, and about the commandments written therein, in the book of Leviticus, chapter twenty six.

“God, willing more abundantly to show the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath (Hebrews 6:17).” As Israel stood at the gates of her promised land, she entered into God's covenant, but Israel also stood there to be a witness as God swore an oath unto all of Abraham’s seed. “Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God… that thou shouldest enter into a covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day… Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord God, and also with him that is not here with us this day (Deuteronomy 29:10-15).”

The covenant and the oath which were sworn unto Israel on that day, are inseparable. This means that the words of Israel’s covenant, pertain to all of Abraham’s seed. “He confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant (Psalm 105:10).” Like the law that was scribed by Moses, the covenant declares the many blessings that will come upon the believers who diligently serve the God of Abraham. “It shall come to pass, if thou hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that… all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee… and all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee (Deuteronomy 28:1-10).” “God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he swore unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and will multiply thee… Thou shalt be blessed above all people… And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee (Deuteronomy 7:12-15).” Also like the law that was given through Moses, the covenant listed the curses which will come upon believers that are not listening to the Lord's commandments, and doing them. To summarize the relevance of these things, the Lord has given his people the promises of blessings and cursings, twice; therefore the things which are written in the law, and again in the covenant, will happen, because God has established them.

There are many blessings listed in the covenant, and all of them are inherited promises which will come upon, and overtake those believers who have listened to the words of Abraham’s covenant, and done them (Deuteronomy 6:1). “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all the people, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 10:15).”

“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee (Deuteronomy 28:15).” Likewise, promised curses are prophesied to come upon those believers who are not listening to the words of Abraham's covenant, and doing them: until they are destroyed, and until their high fenced walls come down. “Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: and they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder (Deuteronomy 28:45-46).” “And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst (Deuteronomy 28:52).”

Hearing alone is not the answer: God's people must do the commandments of the Lord, that is the answer. Even faithful believers that have done great things for the Lord will be among the casualties of the curse, if they don't take action. “It shall come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of my heart… The Lord shall not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven (Deuteronomy 29:19-20).”

God is implementing change, which means that believers need to pay attention: we have not yet entered into our inheritance. “Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you (Deuteronomy 12:8-9).” Within the words of the covenant that was sworn unto Abraham's seed, God informed his people that they are to be listening for a prophet. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him (Deuteronomy 18:18-19).” Through the voice of a prophet God will show his people what will happen during end times, and through the voices of his messengers, including the prophets, the Lord will lead his people safely through the changes that lie ahead. When the pestilence does occur, it will confirm God's word, and it will bring glory unto his servants the prophets. It is imperative to understand that blessings, or cursings will come upon all of God's people, and these rewards will be based upon whether or not believers have listened to God's voice: God's voice will be heard through his servants the prophets, as well as through his messengers.

End times are about God fulfilling the scriptures and delivering the truths of his promises, especially that prophesied end time promise to set up his everlasting kingdom upon earth (Daniel 2:44). In order to accomplish these things, the curse will overtake believers that are not yielding to the authority of God’s repeated commandment to listen diligently to his covenant, and do it. “Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of his covenant, which I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt… saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so you shall be my people, and I will be your God: That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey (Jeremiah 11:3-5).”

“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swore unto them (Deuteronomy 4:30-31).” Pray that God  will reveal the truths of prophecy and end times unto your soul, and when he does, then stand upon your understanding of God's word, for God will protect and deliver you. “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt… So shall the Lord thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid (Deuteronomy 7:17-19).”

“The Lord God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you (Deuteronomy 1:11)!” In the covenant of Abraham, God promised his people that they will possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 22:17). Consider the implication: the words "possessing the gates of his enemies," imply that God's people will be able to show others how to enter into the Lord's presence. And God's other promise to Abraham, the one to bless and multiply, testifies that if God's people will give out his message to others, even the newly revealed truths of prophecy, then the blessings of Abraham's promise will come upon them: for God will do a work in the hearts of the hearers, and he will bring them into understanding and agreement with his people. “In blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies… because thou obeyed my voice (Genesis 22:17-18).”

“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Genesis 22:18; 26:4).” God pledged this very special promise unto Abraham, and then again to Isaac. Therefore it is an established promise, because if God promises something twice, it has been established forever (Genesis 41:32). God said to Isaac, “Sojourn in this land… and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws (Genesis 26:3-5).” This was God’s oath unto Isaac, and these are the words of the everlasting covenant which God established through Isaac. “Thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant (Genesis 17:19).”

The oath that God swore unto Abraham, and then again unto Isaac, did two things: First of all, it made promise that all nations which serve the God of Abraham, would be blessed in Jesus Christ. Proof of this is evidenced in the verse: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to thy seeds, as to many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect (Galatians 3:16-17).” This verse testifies that the law of blessing and cursings which Moses commanded to Israel, cannot disavow the blessings of promise which are in Christ Jesus, because God established those promises by first swearing them unto Abraham, and then again unto Isaac. The second thing which God's oath of promise that was sworn unto Abraham and Isaac did, was that it confirmed that Messiah would come through the lineage of Isaac.  

Believers today are facing a decision of what to do when they discover these long neglected truths of scripture. We have a pattern concerning what to do, and that pattern is recorded in the life of King Josiah. In the days of King Josiah, an all but forgotten book of the covenant was found. Through its discovery Josiah learned that Judah’s priests had broken God’s covenant. He rent his clothes. Written within the words of the covenant was God's commandment for priests to read the words of that covenant in the ears of all Israel every seven years. God charged them with this commandment, saying that it would cause their children, and the strangers within their gates to hear the covenant, and thereby they would learn to fear him and would observe to do all the words of the law. Despite the many repeated warnings that wrath and cursers would overtake all persons who broke covenant, the priesthood had grown complacent in executing God's word. They had, in essence, forsaken God. “They will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils shall befall them. (From Deuteronomy 31:10-17).”

Josiah immediately called on priests to pray for him, and for Judah, and for all the people; and Josiah prayed. Josiah's humbled response pleased the Lord. “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place… and has rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee (2Kings 22:19).” Believers need to have that same humbled spirit that Josiah had, and they need to cry out to God for the souls that have been damaged by religion's mistakes, and by the complacency of God's people. As in Josiah’s case, God will not turn away his wrath, but he will have mercy upon those who humbly bow themselves, and obey him. “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep… and let them say, Spare the people, O Lord… Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people (Joel 2:17-18).”

Josiah’s jealousy continued to burn for the Lord, and he gathered all Judah and read the covenant in their ears. Then he made a covenant with the Lord, to walk after him and to keep his commandments, and to perform the words of His covenant, and Josiah caused all the people to stand to the words of the covenant. Then he commanded the high priest to bring out of the temple all the items of falsehood, and he burned those items without the temple. He put down Judah’s idolatrous priests, and he broke down their altars. Josiah defiled and burned holy places of false gods, and slew their priests. Afterwards, Josiah kept a Passover unto the Lord. Pondering all this is important because Josiah was zealously taking these action and doing these things: to perform the words of the covenant (2Kings 23:24; Deuteronomy 7:24-26; 12:2-4).

“Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that you may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee (Deuteronomy 6:3).” Believers today should not fear cleaning up religion's mistakes, for God is with us. “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6).” “Lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:18-19).” “Be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12).”

In conclusion: Priests that work to advance their congregation's understanding of the covenant message, will be blessed: "He that puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain (Isaiah 57:13)." God will pour his Holy Spirit upon them, and he will pour blessings upon their congregations. “Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou Jesurun, whom I have chosen… I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring (Isaiah 44:3).” The perversions and mistakes of religion will be corrected, and God will bring peace unto his people. “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, that he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life (Luke 1:72-75).” These things will happen because of the faithfulness of God, and because of the faithfulness of all God's people throughout the ages. “If ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord… then this city shall remain for ever (Jeremiah 17: 24-25).” 

Understanding the Similitudes

The Way of Holiness

God gave believers, similitudes: he likened people to fowls and beasts. “We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves (Isaiah 59:11).” To get benefits from the similitudes, begin by understanding that God has stretched a line over Jerusalem, a line which fulfills prophecy. "A measuring line shall yet go forth (Jeremiah 31:39)." This line separates the believers, who, upon hearing the covenant message, paid attention to its warnings and made some changes to their religious beliefs, from believers that either disregarded or rejected the message, and made no changes. “I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria (2Kings 21:13).” This line is God's mandate for avoiding the afflicting pestilence, because God's word testifies that it shall not return void (Isaiah 55:11). “The Lord… hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying (Lamentations 2:8).” 

The believers that have turned from some of their past religious beliefs, are likened to birds. "How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain (Psalm 11:1)?" And those that have disregarded God's messengers, are likened to the beasts of the earth. Incidentally, no fowl, nor any beast, will enter into the everlasting kingdom, because the similitudes pertain exclusively to believers that are misrepresenting, misinterpreting, and misunderstanding God's word. “There is a path which no fowl knoweth (Job 28:7).” “An highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness… No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast… but the redeemed shall walk there (Isaiah 35:9-10).”

“Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth (Psalm 104:20).” To interpret a similitude, start by looking up a beast’s, or a fowl’s name in a bible concordance. Study all the passages of scripture wherein that name was used. Find out all you can about the beast, things like where it dwells, or what it’s doing that provokes God. Then, to gain better understanding, look up words which pertain exclusively to that particular fowl, or beast. Something to keep in mind during your investigation, is that God has determined to turn the offenses of offenders back upon their own heads. For example, if you’re going to roar at believers like a lion, then a lion is going to roar back at you. In this way judgment causes the offenders to internalize the ramifications of their errs. The similitudes are beneficial in that they help to shed light on God's corrections, for every one that is working against God's word will be corrected, and some will be punished.

The satyrs: According to the prophecies of Isaiah, satyrs ‘shall dance’ and they ‘shall cry to their fellows’ from Babylon (Isaiah 13:19-21; 34:14). These two crucial points are key to the interpretation of the parable word, satyr. Another key to the interpretation of this word, is knowing the parable meaning of the word, Babylon. Babylon's name in prophecy, pertains to believers that hear the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and ignore them. Everyone in Babylon is without the Holy Spirit. “The land thereof shall become burning pitch (Isaiah 34:9).” “It shall never be inhabited (Isaiah 13:20).” Babylon is where satyr's reside, wherefore the similitude of the satyr pertains to priests which heard, and have rejected the revealed truths of prophecy. They hardened their hearts, and kept their traditional beliefs. These priests will dance in Babylon because they will escape the pestilence, however, since they are disregarding God's messengers, God will not hear their prayers. “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard (Proverbs 21:13).” God's punishment against satyrs is that they will be discomfited by the noisome pestilence until they confess their mistakes, turn from them, and cry out the truths of revealed prophecy unto their fellow believers (Psalm 30:6-12). “They put the branch to their nose. Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them (Ezekiel 8:17-18).”

Similitudes transcend religion, and they apply to believers of every faith. The similitude of the satyr is a good place to prove this. The Hebrew word which was translated, satyr, was also translated into the word, rough, as well as the word, hairy. Places of scripture wherein the word was translated, rough, and hairy, verify that there are Christian priests, as well as Islamic priests, which are likened to satyrs. Consult your bibles to find the evidences (Genesis 27:11; Daniel 8:21).

The Hebrew word which was translated, satyr, was also translated into the word, goat. This fact deepens our understanding of the satyr. “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats (Psalm 104:18).” God gave satyrs a temporary refuge from the pestilence, and that refuge is in their teachers. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help (Psalm 121:1).” “Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth (Job 39:1)?” The wild goats (satyrs) will bring forth truth when their teachers are broken. “Is not my word… like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29)?” “Thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, and for the food of thy household (Proverbs 27:27).”

The leopards: God likened elders, as well as others who are responsible for protecting the principles of the faith, to leopards. Leopard's fiercely correct anyone who deviates from the church’s doctrine. The problem with leopards is that they are great intimidators. "A leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces (Jeremiah 5:6)." God will send leopards to come against these great intimidators. "As a leopard by the way will I observe them (Hosea 13:7)."

In the thirteenth chapter of the book of Jeremiah, God counseled priests concerning their leopards. The counsel began by Jeremiah performing an act which illustrates what will happen unto those priests that hide the truth of his word for too long: like an unprofitable girdle, their sanctuaries will be spoiled, and they will be rendered unprofitable to the Lord. After making the illustration, God rendered a warning which calls upon priests to give him glory before the darkness comes, because on the day of Salvation if priests still haven’t dealt with their leopards, then leopards will attack their places of worship, and their flocks will be scattered. “I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation… Their horses also are swifter than leopards (Habakkuk 1:6-8).” Intimidation is no excuse for disobedience. “Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north; where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? For thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail (Jeremiah 13:20-23)?”

The lion: Lions are strong, valiant, and fearless believers. “The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).” The scriptures liken both priests and congregations, to lions. “Judah is a lion’s whelp… he crouched as an old lion; who shall rouse him up (Genesis 49:9)?” “How goodly are thy… tabernacles, O Israel… He crouched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up (Numbers 24:5; 24:9)?” God gives the lion his understanding. “The young lions… seek their meat from God (Psalm 104:21).” Predictably, lions require much meat, which is why God gave his people the prophets. “Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? Or fill the appetite of the young lion (Job 38:39-40)?” The trouble with allowing prophets to have control over the lion's meat, is that there are unwise prophets which are teaching things that disagree with God's end time message. As a result, their followers, the priests, are ignorant and misinformed concerning the covenant message, and these ignorant and misinformed priests will look upon the revealed truths of prophecy as a threat against God's people, and they will cry out messages against it. “I have forsaken mine house, I have left my heritage… My heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it… and no man layeth it to heart (Jeremiah 12:7-11).”

When these lionlike priests cry out their warnings, their congregations will be stirred up. “Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift himself up as a young lion (Numbers 23:24).” And even though God's messengers will do everything in their power to try and divert this attack, the fearless lions will not heed their warnings. “Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them (Isaiah 31:4).” “In that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens above (Isaiah 5:30).”

To protect the righteous, God himself will roar against the lions with a mighty pestilence. “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man… he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies (Isaiah 42:13).” “I will devour them like a lion (Hosea 13:8).” “The great day of the Lord… hasteneth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly (Zephaniah 1:14).”

The woeful lamentations of a lion are published in the thirty eighth chapter of the book of Psalms: “Thine arrows stick fast in me… There is no soundness in my flesh… For mine iniquities are gone over my head… My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness… I have roared by the reason of the disquietness of my heart… My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore… But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that opened not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs… I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But my enemies are lively, and they are strong: they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied… Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me (From Psalm 38).”

The bears: “The day of the Lord is… as if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him (Amos 5:18-19).” Those who are likened to bears are believers that continued to practice religion, even after witnessing the pestilence. Bears think of conversion as being optional. “They said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices… Who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing (Jeremiah 18:12-13).” Bears are against change, and they will roar against everyone, including members of their own congregations, if they desert their religion and go to worship in places that are teaching the covenant message. “They be as chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps (2Samuel 17:8).”

“I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart (Hosea 13:6-8).” Because they have roared against God’s messengers, evil messengers will roar back at them; and because they have turned their backs upon God, God will turn his back upon them. The consequence of their defiance is that roaring members of their own congregations will prevent them from altering their course before Judgment Day. 

A lamentation expressing the bear’s misery is written in the book of Lamentations: “I am a man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath… surely against me is he turned… he compassed me about with gall and travail. He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer… he was unto me a bear lying in wait… He hath turned aside my ways and pulled me in pieces… thou hast removed my soul far off from peace… Remembering my affliction and my misery… my soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me (from Lamentations chapter three).”

The boar: “Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt… and the boar out of the wood doth waste it (Psalm 80: 8, 80:13).” The similitude of the boar depicts a highly influential spiritual leader who teaches and promotes messages which cause his followers to remain spiritually dead. In order to reach this conclusion, note that the Hebrew word which was translated, boar, was also translated into the word, swine. It is also necessary to know what is meant by the parable words: eating flesh. When a prophet promotes a new message, and believers accept and receive that message, then God likens it to eating that prophet's flesh. By gathering the scriptures which pertain to the boar, and understanding what is meant by the words "eating flesh," believers can perceive two things: that everyone who is following after this famous and renown prophet, is spiritually dead; and that all of his followers will be consumed together on Judgment Day. “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts… Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh and broth of abominable things is in their vessels (Isaiah 65:2-4).” “They that sanctify themselves… behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh… shall be consumed together (Isaiah 66:17).”

The fox: God likened our unwise prophets, to foxes in the desert. The desert is a place wherein water is scarce, so stipulating that foxes are dwelling in the desert, implies that they are not spending much time in God’s word. Consequently, desert dwellers are going to have a hard time trying to understand the revealed truths of prophecy. “O Israel, thy prophets are like foxes in the deserts (Ezekiel 13:4).”

God had the prophet Ezekiel prophesy a message against the foxes. “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets… say unto them… Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord (Ezekiel 13;2; 13:8).” End times will come suddenly upon God's people, and it will be especially hard on believers that are unprepared: Prophets should be interceding to God on behalf of the church, and praying that their influences are not deceiving his people. The church needs conversion, and prophets are relied upon for its guidance. “Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord (Ezekiel 13:5).” In order to discern the terribleness of their offense, consider the parable word "walls."  In prophecy, this word pertains to those scripture verses which are presented as laws, for the purpose of protecting, maintaining, and propagating a religion. Some prophets are still working to reinforce these laws, whereas God is purposing to break down our walls, and destroy religion. The prophets that are provoking God in this fashion will be destroyed in that day, along with the religious laws that they are working to reinforce. “I will break down the wall that you daubed with untempered mortar… and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof (Ezekiel 13:14).”

“Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us (Isaiah 8:10).” “The Lord… confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers (Isaiah 44:25-26).” Every prophet should be studying God’s word, for the day is coming in the which they will need to confess the mistakes of their previously held end time understandings. These confessions are necessary, because every believer must be convinced and persuaded to abandon their current end time beliefs. So be wise, and turn to God, and teach God's people the truth. “I will accomplish my wrath upon... the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:16).” Hearing testimonies about their mistaken messages will encourage God's people to be converted, so they can avoid punishment. “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought… and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not (Isaiah 58:10-11).”

The wild ass: Wild asses are congregations which have been set free from the laws of scripture. “Who hath sent out the wild ass free (Job 39:5)?” They dwell in corrupt places where scripture is neglected, and transgression is thriving (Job 24:5). “Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers… a joy of wild asses (Isaiah 32:13-14).” When affliction is poured upon their priests, wild asses will be unable to discern the truth. They will elect to hire new teachers, and their selections will be persons without the Holy Spirit,  for they will only hire priests which teach the messages that they want to hear (2Timothy 4:3). “They are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers (Hosea 8:9).”

Wild asses have forgotten God. “I planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? …Know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways: a wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffs up the wind at her pleasure (Jeremiah 2:21-24).” Even when the noisome pestilence comes against these believers, they will not alter their beliefs, for God has lifted his hand, and he has sworn against them. Wild asses have mistreated their priests, as well as their fellow believers, and God has testified that they will bear their shame (Ezekiel 36:7). “All they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her (Jeremiah 2:24).”

The wild bull: “Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me (Psalm 22:12).” Wild bulls are naive offenders that have been persuaded to take vengeance for the Lord, by coming against the places of assembly that are still practicing religion. “Who is this that cometh from Edom… travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save (Isaiah 63:1)?” The Lord has loudly protested against their attack, saying that he alone is the avenger. “I have trodden the winepress alone… I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury… The day of vengeance is in mine heart… and I will tread down the people in mine anger… and I will bring down their strength to the earth (Isaiah 63:3-6).”

God will intervene in the wild bulls attack by pouring affliction upon them. “Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended… I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it (Ezekiel 25:12-13).” Wild bulls are unaware of their grievance: they are acting in good faith, but their leaders have given them bad counsel. “There is one come out of thee, that imagines evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor (Nahum 1:11).” Proof that the uncensored truth of the covenant message was withheld from the wild bulls, is evidenced through the word, faint:  “In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst (Amos 8:13).” “Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net... Hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine (Isaiah 51:20-21).” God’s response to the calamity of the wild bull's attack is to declare that he has removed their cup, meaning that this pestilence is a way for God to get their attention, and prevent from further sinning against him.

“The wolf and lamb shall feed together (Isaiah 65:25).” Every believer within the congregation who is trusting in the laws of their teachers for their salvation, is likened to a wolf. Wolves are easily offended, and their temperament is fierce. Their harsh verbal attacks, are as a punishment. “He pours contempt upon princes, and weakens the strength of the mighty (Job 12:21).” Their fierce confrontations are referred to as, breaking the bones. “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice (Psalm 51:8).” The solution for diverting a pack of wolves, is to cause them to perish. This happens, if, or when the covenant message is preached before the congregation by the lips of their very own priest. “The land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it (Numbers 35:33).” “They perish at the rebuke of thy countenance (Psalm 80:16).” “They shall perish… As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed (Psalm 102:26).”

Wolves have three starring roles in religion’s demise: First, they will be monitoring priests who elect to teach false doctrines despite God's signs and warnings, and they will prevent them from altering their course. Second, their fierce strength will be evidenced within the armies of believers that confront the places of worship wherein religion is still being promoted. “Israel is a scattered sheep... Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones (Jeremiah 50:17).” Third, wolves will turn against every priest or prophet that is responsible for causing believers to suffer the affliction of Judgment Day. “Her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow (Zephaniah 3:3).” “Jacob… shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones (Numbers 24:8).”

Because their fierce temperament is transgression, wolves do not have the Holy Spirit. God will send all the curses that are written in the scriptures upon wolves to try and correct them before Judgment Day. “Every sickness, and every plague, which is written in the book of this law, them will the Lord bring upon thee (Deuteronomy 28:61).” “The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke… until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me (Deuteronomy 28:20).” Every believer that fails to keep the instructions of God's word, will be consumed together on Judgment Day. “The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee… He shall smite thee with consumption, and with fever… and with extreme burning, and with the sword (Deuteronomy 28:21-22).” “I will… consume thy filthiness out of thee. And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know I am the Lord (Ezekiel 22:15-16).”

The dragon: The distinction which sets dragons apart, is their access to the pulpit. Dragons are arrogant and prideful priests and prophets which despise hearing correction, hate God's messengers, and refuse to receive God's instructions. “Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his river, which hath said, My river is mine own, I made it for myself (Ezekiel 29:3).” Dragons esteem God's messengers to be nothing more than troubling, annoying irritations. Nevertheless, messengers are provoking dragons to study God's word, so they are strengthening themselves. Therefore despite their pride, and regardless of their mistakes, dragons are working to purify their congregations. “They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us… Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them (Jeremiah 5:12-14).” Dragons dwell in Babylon where they are without the Holy Spirit. “Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons (Jeremiah 51:37).”

“The beasts of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen (Isaiah 43:20).” Dragons will need to quickly study and find out the truths of revealed prophecy, and put away their religious errs. “In the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes (Isaiah 35:7).” Dragons that fail to do this will be afflicted, and they will become an abhorrence to all flesh: nevertheless, their affliction will be a living testimony of the truth of God’s word. “Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness (Psalm 74:13-14).”

“I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Who is a wise man, that may understand this? (Jeremiah 9:11-12).” That which is left of religion after believing priests flee away from their past mistakes, scripture likens to a prideful and rebellious den of dragons. God has also likened Nebuchadnezzar to a dragon. Nebuchadrezzar is against the places of worship that are practicing and promoting religion, therefore he will surely come against their leaders; so in effect, this battle will pit dragon against dragon. “Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons (Jeremiah 10:22).” “Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out (Jeremiah 51:34).”

The fowls: “Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest… I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest (Psalm 55:6-8).” The similitudes about fowls pertain to believers that hear the revealed truths of prophecy, and they perceive religion's fallibility. Believers that are likened to fowls, take action, and they begin to turn from some of their past beliefs. The loudest message learned from studying the similitudes of the fowls, is that even when a believer knows the truth about end times, there still remains certain things which must be done in order to escape God's wrath, as well as the destruction of Judgment Day (Ezekiel 20:40). Just knowing the truth does not equate to agreeing with God. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed (Amos 3:3)?”

The eagle. “Enlarge thy baldness as the eagle (Micah 1:16).” The word 'baldness' credits the believers that are likened to eagles, with repentance. In other words, a repentant heart sets the eagle apart. “I will bring sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head (Amos 8:10).” Eagles have perceived region's mistakes, and they are sorry. Eagles reside somewhere between the iniquities of their past, and the advancement of the covenant message. “She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place (Job 39:28).”

“Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high (Job 39:27)?” Eagles have obtained knowledge, but knowledge puffeths up (1Corinthians 8:1). The problem with eagles is that they have allowed their pride to cause them to forget charity, which means that they lack compassion, patience and love. “He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord (Hosea 8:1).” “Lo, I will raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter hasty nation… they shall fly as the eagle that hastened to eat (Habakkuk 1:6; 1:8).” Eagles will help the humbled, but they fail miserably at lavishing grace and mercy upon the deceived (2Timothy 2:24-26). “It shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments… The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far… as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand (Deuteronomy 28:15; 28:49).” “Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles (Lamentation 4:19).”

In the seventeenth chapter of the book of Ezekiel there is a parable written which speaks about two mighty eagles. In the parable God informs believers that there are two prideful eagles which covenanted together in an agreement which comes against the new covenant, as well as its message. It is written that God will recompense their wickedness, and he will punish their followers. “Thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head… and all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken it (Ezekiel 17:19-21).” “Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock… though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 49:16).”

The owl: Scripture reveals that owls dwell in Babylon (Isaiah 13:19-21). “The land thereof shall become burning pitch… the owl and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness (Isaiah 34:9-11).” Owls have neglected scripture, “I am like an owl of the desert (Psalm 102:6).” Despite warnings to the contrary, those being likened to owls are believers who are naively accepting and believing the messages of their teachers. “Beware of false prophets (Matthew 7:15).” “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide (Micah 7:5).”

Pertinent to the owl, is the Assyrian’s teachings. The name Assyrian was used in prophecy to represent religious leaders who have heard the covenant message, and although they adopted some of its wisdom, they trashed its fundamental message. Owls have adopted the Assyrian’s theology. “The Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches… The waters made him great… all the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs… thus saith the Lord… I have driven him out for his wickedness… Upon his ruin shall all the fowls of heaven remain (from Ezekiel chapter 31).” Owls, as well as many of the other fowls of heaven, have put their confidence in the Assyrian.

One particular owl of scripture is referred to as the great owl. The great owl represents churches which are gathering their congregations together under the Assyrian’s message. Key to the interpretation of the great owl is in knowing that the female gender represents the workers of the church, especially those who are doing the work of running its day by day operation. “There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow (Isaiah 34:15).” The great owl has nested, along with her teacher, in the pit of Babylon: “Assure is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword (Ezekiel 32:22).” Owls will eventually believe the truths of revealed prophecy, because the noisome pestilence will be plaguing them until they do so: no matter how much they pray unto the Lord and mourn for their persecutions, this time God is requiring every believer to be in agreement with his word (Ezekiel 21:26-27). “I will make…a mourning as the owls. For her wound in incurable (Micah 1:8-9).”

The raven: A verse in Song of Solomon draws attention to the ravens; it speaks of their black color, and their locks (Song of Solomon 5:11). Being black in color associates the ravens with repentance; but the word, locks, eludes to their failure to believe the truth, and to open themselves up to the Holy Spirit. Ravens are believers that are privy to the covenant message, and they are diligently watching for its execution, however they still haven’t read the words of Jesus Christ. “They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:12).” “He sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth (Genesis 8:7).” The weary ravens still haven't discovered the power of God's new covenant: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me (Matthew 11:29).” Studying the message of Jesus Christ is not optional. When ravens finally relent and study Jesus' message, then they will receive a powerful witness, and they will be used by God to help feed his people. "Thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed there (1Kings 17:4)."

The cormorant and bittern: Those who are likened to the cormorant and bittern, are priests which converted and made changes to their beliefs after they endured the correcting pestilence which was poured upon them. “He will stretch his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation… Both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows (Zephaniah 2:13-14).” In light of their sorrows, the cormorant and bittern are singing out the newly revealed prophecy as best they can, and thereby they will be used by God to help deliver his people. “The cormorant and the bittern shall posses it (Isaiah 34:11).”

The hawk is noticeably missing from the roll call of Babylon. This allows that hawks have already received the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 34:14-15; Zephaniah 2:14). Priests which are already making changes, and which are delivering God's warnings unto other leaders, are those that are likened to hawks. “Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south (Job 39:26)?” God imparted wisdom unto the hawks, however these leaders still haven't confessed the newly revealed truths of prophecy before their congregation, as they need to do. “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding (Proverbs 9:6).” “To depart from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).”

In prophecy, God consistently applied the word "south" in ways that eluded to the priesthood. He had Ezekiel prophesy a message unto the priesthood by turning his face towards the south, saying: “Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop thy word toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the south field; Say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the Lord… Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein. And all flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it: it shall not be quenched (Ezekiel 20:46-48).” Setting Ezekiel’s face towards the south, as well as the depiction of hawks flying toward the south, are both signs that God is speaking to the priesthood. To paraphrase Ezekiel's message, God is testifying unto all priests that these new teachings which are cleaning up today's religions, are being kindled by him, and that this fire won’t be stopped until it consumes all the filthiness of every believer, which includes the filthiness of every priest. 

The vulture: A vulture’s nature is to eat dead carcasses. Those that are likened to vultures are those which have taken up an evil cry against religion, and they are aggressively condemning everyone that is practicing it. Priests that are leading vultures are mistakenly believing, and giving off the impression that religion is utterly contemptible, but God inhabited religion, furthermore he required it, so he will defend its innocent victims. “Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 2:3).”

“There is a path… which the vulture’s eye hath not seen (Job 28:7).” Vultures have not understood that in order for God's word to be fulfilled, it was necessary to have the Jewish, Islamic, and Christian faiths. Albeit God has the ability to redirect his people through prophecy, which was written for the purpose of reserving certain truths for discovery, and revelation during end times. Another mistake that vultures are making, is that they are not grasping the reason why God fashioned the words, "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" upon Aaron's forehead (Exodus 28:36-38). In effect, God was testifying to the world that he watches over all of the unintentional mistakes of his priesthood, and he protects them. Certain leaders do not have respect for these two truths, so they are ignoring them, and they are not informing their followers. Consequently they are causing their followers to dwell in Babylon. All vultures will all be consumed together on Judgment Day. “There shall the vultures also be gathered, everyone with her mate. Seek ye out the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them (Isaiah 34:15-16).”

Dogs are in a separate category all their own. “I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of heaven, and the beasts of earth, to devour and destroy (Jeremiah 15:3).” Every believer that partook in religion, but fell away from God's house before receiving salvation, is likened to a dog (Psalm 59:5-6). When dogs hear the teachings of the covenant message, they will return to the places of worship which taught them to accept the rules of religion, as a dog returns to his vomit. They will wag their head at those priests which try to promote a new message. “I became a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads (Psalm 109: 25).” These offended believers will lie and curse, and they will use words of hatred against the priest, as well as other believers that are converting, even quoting scriptures against them. “They belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips (Psalm 59:7).” In effect, dogs will be tearing at the people that taught them to trust in vanity.

A dog’s tearing is not only a punishment, but it’s a trail, for religion's mistaken beliefs  had discouraged the hearts of these people: the prejudiced mistaken counsel of religious persons had caused them to stop attending regular worship service. Those who are attacked by dogs must humble themselves and patiently find a way to encourage these people to go in the way of holiness. It won't be easy, for dogs are against hypocrisy, and they will remind converted believers of their former sayings and interpretations of God's word. “Unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consented with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit (Psalm 50:16-19).”

Despite thoughts to the contrary, dogs are better off than those who refuse to hear the covenant message, for dogs are teachable. “For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Ecclesiastes 9:4).” Dogs will be delivered into the everlasting kingdom by the charitable and faithful sayings of their teachers. “Deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword: From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure (Psalm 17:13-14).”