Luke 4

Luke 4, Temptation of Jesus, led by the Spirit, it’s God’s universe, Devil has control, no Deutero-

Isaiah, Anointed Messiah, time gaps or parentheses, Capernaum

Let’s read Luke 4:1-15

BIBLE IN FIVEPastor Dave Kooyers

Valley Bible Fellowship

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Boonville CA 95415

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God bless you as you examine His Word,

Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5

These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"(Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.

Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

Luke 4:1, Returned From The Jordan

• NAU Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness

• What did Jesus returned from?

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River

The Jordan River

The Jordan River

The Temptation of Jesus (#16)

• The Time of the Temptation

• The Purpose of God in the Temptation

• The Specific Temptations

– #1 Satisfy hunger

– #2 Be saved in a miraculous display of power

Luke 4:1, Led Of The Spirit

• NAU Luke 4:1 Jesus…was led around by the Spirit…

• Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

• “When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.” Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871-1952, American Bible teacher, evangelist, educator, and writer)

Luke 4:3, Stones To Bread

• Luke 4:3 And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

• Jerusalem Photo Trivia, Hot and fresh from the oven, a delight from Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda market, captured by Rebecca Kowalsky.

Luke 4:4, It Is Written

• Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'“

• Matthew gives us a little more,

• Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'“

Luke 4:5, It’s God’s Universe

• CSB 1 Corinthians 10:26 for the earth is the Lord's, and all that is in it. (1 Samuel 2:8)

• NAU Exodus 9:29 Moses said …the earth is the LORD'S.• NAU Psalm 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD'S, and

all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. • Luke 4:5 And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms

[basileia, kingdom, sovereignty, royal power] of the world [not kosmos, it’s

oikoumene, the inhabited earth] in a moment of time.• Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil…showed Him all the kingdoms of

the world [kosmos] and their glory;• This is God's universe and he does things his way. Now, you

may have a better way of doing things, but you don't have a universe. -- J. Vernon McGee

• NAU Ephesians 2:2 …the prince of the power of the air…

Luke 4:6, Authority

• NAU Luke 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

Luke 4:6, The Devil Has Control

• NAU Luke 4:6 And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain [exousia, power to act, authority] and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

• Who “handed” it over to Satan?

• Why?

• The LORD owns this planet, but He has the worlds worst tenant in control of it.

• Satan even has the right to sub-lease it out.

• NAU Luke 4:9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;

Luke 4:9, The Pinnacle Of The Temple

• NAU Luke 4:9 And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 11 and, 'On their hands they will bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

• Even the Devil knew that Psalm 91:11-12 was Messianic. Jesus replies with Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:16). Showing that the Word is sufficient for every need.

• The “pinnacle of the temple” could refer to; “either to the south-eastern corner of the temple colonnade”… [100 ft. drop] “to the Kidron Valley below or to the pinnacle of the temple proper.” [Biblical Archeological Study Bible, pg 1673].

Luke 4:13, Left Him Until

• NAU Luke 4:13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.

• Seems like “the god of this world” never completely gives up with his tempting.

• NAU 1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Let’s read Luke 4:16-22

Luke 4:16, He Stood Up To Read

• Luke 4:16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.

Filling Tool Boxes, Yoel Ben David

• … The parsha is the weekly reading from the Pentateuch used in the synagogue. It normally spans 3 to 5 chapters and is split into six separate readings to be read by different synagogue members. Each week there is also a reading from the prophets. The readings from the prophets assigned to each parsha are carefully selected, and as far as I know, only one of the well-known messianic texts is ever mentioned. (The prophecy from Isaiah 9:6 is found the week of Jethro's parsha.) This tradition has been going on for centuries. Many believe that Luke 4:16 – 21 shows Jesus participating in that tradition during the Shabbat service at His home synagogue. In the passage, Jesus is given the scroll of Isaiah. The Messiah chooses to read Isaiah 61:1 – 2, which would not be a normally assigned reading. That might explain why people were staring it Him as he sat down. As we can read from that section in the Gospel, Jesus was there to cause a reaction--and that is exactly what He got when He announced that the prophecy He had been just read was being fulfilled "this day.””

• Jews for Jesus newsletter August 2013

Luke 4:16, No Deutero-Isaiah

• NAU Luke 4:17 And the book of the prophet [masculine singular]

Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,

• Also “the prophet Isaiah” is masculine singular in English and Greek. Don’t ever listen to the “Proto-Isaiah (chapters 1–39)… Deutero-Isaiah (chapters 40–55)…and Trito-Isaiah (chapters 56–66)”theories (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah).

• NIV John 12:41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

• He “found the place” sounds like He was seeking an exact verse.

Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18, Anointed Messiah Christ by Thomas C. Simcox, page 17, Israel My Glory

Isaiah 61:1 Luke 4:18, Fulfilled Already?

• NAU Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are downtrodden, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.“

• The Spirit upon Me (yes), He anointed Me (yes), preach the gospel (yes, which gospel?), release to the captives (yes spiritual, no political), the blind (yes, to all who came to Him), free downtrodden (yes, to all who came to Him), year of the Lord (yes, to all who came to Him)

• Yes, to all who come to Him now, but no to those who reject Him now.

• Complete fulfillment awaits new heavens and a new earth, 2 Peter 3:13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (Revelation 3:12, 21:1-8)

Open Your Bibles To Isaiah 61:1-11

• NAU Isaiah 61:2...And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 ... a garland instead of ashes...gladness instead of mourning... praise instead...called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. 4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins...repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. 5

Strangers...And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers. 6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD...ministers of our God. You will eat the wealth of nations... 7 ...you will have a double portion...in their land, Everlasting joy will be theirs. 8 ...make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Then their offspring will be known among the nations... 11 ...the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.

God Promised He Would Come Twice

• In Acts 7, Steven makes the point that the Jews always reject God the first time, and receive the second time.

• NAU Hosea 5:15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.

• NAU John 8:21 Then He said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.“… 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He…

• NAU Matthew 23:39 "For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'"

Church Age Gap, Inter-advent Parentheses, 2000 Year Diaspora

• Isaiah 61:1-11 … 2 …the favorable year of the LORD Andthe day of vengeance of our God…

• Isaiah 59:17 He [Messiah] put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; AndHe put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.

• Isaiah 42:1 …My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.

• Isaiah 63:10 But they rebelled And grieved His Holy Spirit; Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them. [2000 Year Gap, Diaspora] 11

Then His people remembered [Mat 23:39] the days of old, of Moses. …

Luke 4:20, Scripture Has Been Fulfilled

• NAU Luke 4:20 And He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.“

• Jesus just recited a checklist for Messiah

• They anticipated 2 Messiahs, one suffering, one reigning. Messiah ben Joseph, Messiah ben David

Luke 4:20, A Checklist For Messiah

• Jesus just recited a checklist for Messiah

Luke 4:20, Jesus Is The Messiah

• He Knew It; When Jesus recited this checklist for Messiah, He was claiming “I am He”. NAU John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

• Devil Knew It; NAU Luke 4:10 …'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU…

• Demons Knew It; NAU Luke 4:34 …I know who You are--the Holy One of God!“

• The People Wondered; NAU Luke 4:22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering…

• The Leaders Rejected Him; NAU Luke 4:29…to throw Him down the cliff.

Let’s read Luke 4:23-30

Luke 4:23 to 28, Speaking Well To Filled With Rage

• NAU Luke 4:22 And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?“

• NAU Luke 4:28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;

• What happened in such a short time?• Jesus reminds them that Israel rejects prophets =

famine in all the land, and that Elijah and Elisha were sent to the gentiles.

Archaeologists In Israel Say They May Have Discovered The Home Of Elisha!

• Luke 4:27…Elisha the prophet…”, • “A pottery shard with his name on it has been dated to about

the ninth century B.C., which would be about the time he lived, researchers say. "You know I cannot say for sure this particular Elisha that we found is the biblical Elisha," archaeologist Ami Mazar told CBN Jerusalem bureau reporters Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl. "You know it's very difficult to say, but it is very tempting because it is exactly the period when Elisha acted - the second half of the ninth century B.C." CBN reported the pottery piece was found in a novel house uncovered in Tel Rehov in the Jordan Valley.... The news organization said archaeologist Stephen Pfann suggested the possibility it was the prophet were reasonable..."

• David Hocking editor@hftm.org

Let’s read Luke 4:31-37

Luke 4:31, Capernaum, A City Of Galilee

• NAU Luke 4:31 And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath;

• Capernaum, a city of [the region of] Galilee

• Jesus left His “hometown” under threat of death, and went to His new hometown.

Capernaum, Har-Magedon, Armageddon, Dr. Eli, eTeacher

What does Armageddon mean in Hebrew?The word Armageddon has captured popular apocalyptic imagination since ancient times. …While the word “Armageddon” itself is Greek, before being a Greek word it was in fact a Hebrew phrase - "Har Maggido", meaning “Mount of Maggido.”….Armageddon is just one example of transliteration that took place in the Greco-Roman world. For example, before being transliterated into Greek, the word "Capernaum" was for many centuries simply, “Kfar Nahum” meaning “Nahum’s Village.”

Luke 4:31, Capernaum

• NAU Luke 4:31 And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee…

Luke 4:31, Capernaum

These pictures and text of Capernaum and the Synagogue are….

• Images from the Pictorial Library of Bible

Lands, Revised and Expanded edition,

Volume 1

Baram synagogue interior

Baram Synagogue

• Inside the Baram synagogue, two rows of

columns ran the length of the building, and one

row ran across the back, thus creating aisles

that surrounded the nave on three sides. The

city of Baram must have been a flourishing

community to have been able to have two

synagogues of such quality. The preservation

of this particular one is a good model of what

Galilean synagogues looked like.

Capernaum area aerial from southeast

• Capernaum: Introduction

1.Capernaum’s name comes from the Hebrew Kefar Nahum, meaning “village of Nahum.” The phrase simply became one word in the Greek rendering. It is unknown if the name is a reference to the biblical prophet Nahum, since Capernaum is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

2.The city is located a little over two miles (3 km) southwest of the spot where the Jordan River enters the Sea of Galilee.

3.The town began in approximately the 2nd century BC and continued until the Arab invasion in the 7th century AD. It was not utterly destroyed, however, but seems to have slowly grown less and less important. By the time of the Crusades, it was nothing but a small hamlet of only a few fishermen’s houses.

4.Two important buildings in Capernaum are mentioned by name in some of the early sources: the house of Peter (later converted into a church), and the synagogue (of dressed stones).

5.Jesus made Capernaum his home during the years of his ministry: “Leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum” (Matt 4:13, NIV).

6.Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen living in the village. Matthew, the tax collector, also dwelt in Capernaum.

7.Capernaum was one of the three cities cursed by Jesus for its lack of faith.

Capernaum area aerial from southeast

Capernaum synagogue

Peter’shouse

Greek Orthodox church

modern pier

Church of the Beatitudes

Capernaum synagogue interiorJesus preached the “bread of life” sermon in the synagogue of

Capernaum (John 6:16-59). John 6:59 (KJV) “These things said he

in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.”

Let’s read Luke 4:38-44

• NAU Luke 4:39 And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.

• I find that this is what happens to all new believers.

• We get saved by Christ (He heals us), and we immediately get up and want to serve Him and His church.

THE ENDSo, go forth and blossom, and bear fruit for the LORD!

Luke 4:19-20, Interpretation of Prophecy

• The Christ in Prophecy Journal

• Keys to the Interpretation of Prophecy: Special Problems• Posted: 25 Jan 2013 06:56 AM PST• By Dr. David R. Reagan• There are some special problems related to prophetic interpretation. One is that prophecy is often prefilled in symbolic type before it is completely fulfilled.• In this regard, I feel certain that the Jewish people must have felt that Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled Daniel's prophecies about a tyrannical leader who would severely persecute the Jews. But

200 years after Antiochus, Jesus took those prophecies of Daniel and told His disciples they were yet to be fulfilled.• Another example is the sign which Isaiah gave to King Ahaz to assure him that the city of Jerusalem would not fall to the Syrians who had it under siege. The sign was that a young woman

would give birth to a son whose name would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:1-19). The passage certainly implies that such a boy was born at that time.• But hundreds of years later, Matthew, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reached back to Isaiah's prophecy and proclaimed that its ultimate fulfillment was to be found in the virgin birth of Jesus

(Matthew 1:22-23).• Compressed Time• Another peculiar feature of prophetic literature is called "telescoping." This occurs when a prophet compresses the time interval between two prophetic events. This phenomenon is very

common.• The reason for it has to do with the perspective of the prophet. As he looks into the future and sees a series of prophetic events, they appear to him as if they are in immediate sequence.• It is like looking down a mountain range and viewing three peaks, one behind the other, each sequentially higher than the one in front of it. The peaks look like they are right up against each

other because the person viewing them cannot see the valleys that separate them.• In Zechariah 9:9-10 there is a passage with three prophecies which are compressed into two verses but are widely separated in time. Verse 9 says the Messiah will come humbly on a donkey.

The first part of verse 10 says the Jewish people will be set aside. The second part of verse 10 says the Messiah will reign over all the nations.• These three events — the First Coming, the setting aside of Israel, and the reign of Christ — appear to occur in quick succession, but in reality, there were 40 years between the first two

events, and there have been over 1,900 years thus far between the second and third events.• Another way of viewing the phenomenon of telescoping is to focus on what are called "prophetic gaps." These are the time periods between the mountain peak prophetic events.• Because the Old Testament rabbis could not see the gap between the first and second comings of the Messiah, some theorized that there would be two Messiahs — a "Messiah ben Joseph"

who would suffer and a "Messiah ben David" who would conquer. From our New Testament perspective we can see that the Old Testament prophets were speaking of one Messiah who would come twice. We can see the gap between the two comings.

• A Challenge• I ask you: How do you treat Zechariah 14 — as fact or fiction? Are you guilty of playing games with God's Word in order to justify sacred traditions and doctrines of men?• I challenge you to interpret God's Word — all of it — for its plain sense meaning. As you do so, you are very likely to find yourself challenged to discard old doctrines and to adopt new ones.

This will be a painful process, but it will be a fruitful one, for you will be blessed with the truth of God's Word.• "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).• The Christ in Prophecy Journal

• DLK added;• Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,• Luke 4:19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.“ 20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

Mark 5:1-20 Luke 4:33-36 Acts 16:16-18 1 Samuel 16:14-15 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37

Matthew 9:32-33, Demonic Possession?

• Question: "What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession?"

Answer: The Bible gives some examples of people possessed or influenced by demons. From these examples we can find some symptoms of demonic influence and gain insight as to how a demon possesses someone. Here are some of the biblical passages: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; Luke 4:33-36; Luke 22:3; Acts 16:16-18. In some of these passages, the demon possession causes physical ailments such as inability to speak, epileptic symptoms, blindness, etc. In other cases, it causes the individual to do evil, Judas being the main example. In Acts 16:16-18, the spirit apparently gives a slave girl some ability to know things beyond her own learning. The demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes, who was possessed by a multitude of demons (Legion), had superhuman strength and lived naked among the tombstones. King Saul, after rebelling against the LORD, was troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 18:10-11; 19:9-10) with the apparent effect of a depressed mood and an increased desire to kill David.

Thus, there is a wide variety of possible symptoms of demon possession, such as a physical impairment that cannot be attributed to an actual physiological problem, a personality change such as depression or aggression, supernatural strength, immodesty, antisocial behavior, and perhaps the ability to share information that one has no natural way of knowing. It is important to note that nearly all, if not all, of these characteristics may have other explanations, so it is important not to label every depressed person or epileptic individual as demon-possessed. On the other hand, Western cultures probably do not take satanic involvement in people’s lives seriously enough.

In addition to these physical or emotional distinctions, one can also look at spiritual attributes showing demonic influence. These may include a refusal to forgive (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) and the belief in and spread of false doctrine, especially concerning Jesus Christ and His atoning work (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 4:1-3).

Concerning the involvement of demons in the lives of Christians, the apostle Peter is an illustration of the fact that a believer can be influenced by the devil (Matthew 16:23). Some refer to Christians who are under a strong demonic influence as being “demonized,” but never is there an example in Scripture of a believer in Christ being possessed by a demon. Most theologians believe that a Christian cannot be possessed because he has the Holy Spirit abiding within (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19), and the Spirit of God would not share residence with a demon.

We are not told exactly how one opens himself up for possession. If Judas’ case is representative, he opened his heart to evil—in his case by his greed (John 12:6). So it may be possible that if one allows his heart to be ruled by some habitual sin, it becomes an invitation for a demon to enter. From missionaries’ experiences, demon possession also seems to be related to the worship of heathen idols and the possession of occult materials. Scripture repeatedly relates idol worship to the actual worship of demons (Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20), so it should not be surprising that involvement with idolatry could lead to demon possession.

Based on the above scriptural passages and some of the experiences of missionaries, we can conclude that many people open their lives up to demon involvement through the embracing of some sin or through cultic involvement (either knowingly or unknowingly). Examples may include immorality, drug/alcohol abuse that alters one’s state of consciousness, rebellion, bitterness, and transcendental meditation.

There is an additional consideration. Satan and his evil host can do nothing the Lord does not allow them to do (Job 1-2). This being the case, Satan, thinking he is accomplishing his own purposes, is actually accomplishing God’s good purposes, as in the case of Judas’ betrayal. Some people develop an unhealthy fascination with the occult and demonic activity. This is unwise and unbiblical. If we pursue God, if we are clothing ourselves with His armor and relying upon His strength (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear from the evil ones, for God rules over all!

Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels, and Demons by R.C. Sproul.• GotQuestions.org

Archaeologists In Israel Say They May Have Discovered The Home Of Elisha!

• A pottery shard with his name on it has been dated to about the ninth century B.C., which would be about the time he lived, researchers say.•• "You know I cannot say for sure this particular Elisha that we found is the biblical Elisha," archaeologist Ami Mazar told CBN Jerusalem bureau

reporters Chris Mitchell and Julie Stahl.•• "You know it's very difficult to say, but it is very tempting because it is exactly the period when Elisha acted - the second half of the ninth century B.C."•• CBN reported the pottery piece was found in a novel house uncovered in Tel Rehov in the Jordan Valley. Elisha was born in Avel Mehola, only about

seven miles from Tel Rehov.•• The report said the research, which has been going on for more than a decade, uncovered a 3,000-year-old "well-planned" city.•• There, a unique structure was uncovered, with two wings "connected to one another through the back room and each one of the wings had an

opening to the street," Mazar said.•• Inside was a special room with a table and a bench. A pottery shard bore the name Elisha, CBN reported.•• The news organization said archaeologist Stephen Pfann suggested the possibility it was the prophet were reasonable.•• "With only six other people by the name of Elisha known in that time for a couple of centuries on either side, we can somehow believe that either

there was just the luck that this holy man was also by the name of Elisha, or this was Elisha the prophet himself," Pfann told CBN.•• The report said also found on site were two inscriptions mentioning the family of Nimshi.•• Pfann told CBN: "We remember that it was Elijah who was told to anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to be the king. ... And he passed that on to Elisha who

sent out one of his disciples to finally do the anointing."• David Hocking editor@hftm.org via auth.ccsend.com

• Luke 4:27 "And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian."

TODAY'S CREATION MOMENT

• TODAY'S CREATION MOMENT• EARLY MAN’S WRITTEN LANGUAGE• inHistory• Humans• Listen• Exodus 17:14a• “And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua…”• Evolutionary scientists have been amazed by the discovery that the very oldest artifacts left by man indicate the presence of written language and

mathematical ability. Creationists, on the other hand, are not surprised and predicted that evidence would be found to show that mankind has always had a language.

• Evolutionists now admit that man’s written language goes back at least 30,000 years and, while we do not accept the inflated evolutionary years, we do welcome the discovery of facts supportive of the biblical view of history. When archaeologist Alexander Marshack determined that one ancient carving was a calendar, scientists sat up and took notice.

• This discovery not only meant that ancient man had a sense of time, but that he also had a written language and ability to do mathematics. Other evidences of written language have since been studied and, to some extent, deciphered. But what they show is that no matter how far back one is able to find evidence of man’s work, language was already established.

Man is man and has always been man, but we are far from perfect because of sin. But there is rescue from sin and its effects in Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Him, or if your life is spoiled by sin, take a look at the Bible and see the better life He has offered you.

• Prayer:• Dear Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Word made flesh for our salvation. Help Your people see, especially in this doubting world, that just as You are

perfect, so is Your written Word perfect, given to us so that we might know of Your love. Amen.• Notes:• Photo: Babylonian legal tablet from Alalakh in its clay envelope.

Channeling Demons, Demonic Possession

• Robin Williams: The Sad Truth The Media Won't Tell You• By: Joe Schimmel• Everybody is currently talking about Robin Williams and his tragic suicide. Many are puzzled as to how a man, who made so many people laugh, could be so depressed that he would violently end his life. What people are not learning is the deeper truth about the insidious forces that tormented Robin Williams and drove him to suicide.• Robin Williams acknowledged that he had opened himself up to transformative demonic powers that aided him on stage. Without the aid of such demonic powers, it is likely that you would have never have heard of Robin Williams and many other famous celebrities. Williams also recognized that these powers had manifested a very evil influence on stage and that

there could be a hefty price to pay for their assistance. Williams told James Kaplan of US Weekly:• “Yeah! Literally, it's like possession - all of a sudden you're in, and because it's in front of a live audience, you just get this energy that just starts going…But there's also that thing - it is possession. In the old days you'd be burned for it…But there is something empowering about it. I mean, it is a place where you are totally - it is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, where

you really can become this other force. Maybe that's why I don't need to play evil characters [in movies], 'cause sometimes onstage you can cross that line and come back. Clubs are a weird kind of petri dish environment. I mean, that's where people can get as dark as they can in comedy - in the name of comedy, be talking about outrageous stuff and somehow come out the other side. I mean, that's one place where you really want to push it” (Robin Williams, "Robin Williams,” by James Kaplan, US Weekly, January, 1999, p. 53).

• Williams’ last statement quoted above answers the question as to why the demonic powers use entertainers. Their goal is to promote evil and darkness and increase mankind’s rebellion against God.• Williams went on to say on the heels of that admission:• “The people I've admired - Jonathan [Winters], in his best days, was out. Gone. But the price he paid for it was deep” (Ibid).• Sadly, it seems that the price Robin Williams has now paid is just as deep as that of his idol, Jonathan Winters. In fact, in the same US Weekly Interview, James Kaplan says:• “With a gift for mimicry and improvisation that verged on demonic possession, Williams could even approach the artistry of his idol Jonathan Winters—a man whose genius took him, once or twice, over the edge into mental illness. Williams' own version of hell has been extensively chronicled” (Ibid).• Like Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters had to contend with the tormenting demonic powers he utilized for fame and fortune. “These voices are always screaming to get out,” Winters told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, further admitting “They follow me around pretty much all day and night.”• At the height of Winter’s success, he voluntarily committed himself to a psychiatric hospital for eight months. Winters would later claim that if he were not careful, the authorities would put him back in the “zoo,” an obvious reference to the mental institution. Winters, like Williams, often fell into deep depression and struggled with heavy drinking.• While many only knew Robin Williams to be what they considered a somewhat "family friendly" actor, he was one of the most successful crude stand-up comics who ever lived. It was during his standup where he was most able to tap into what he calls “possession…Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde… that's where people can get as dark as they can in comedy - in the name

of comedy” (Ibid).• It was in Williams’ stand-up where he would go into his manic, stream-of-consciousness rants filled with vulgar language, perverse sexuality and the glorification of illicit drugs and drunkenness. Many people express shock after seeing Williams' stand-up, not knowing his act was so perverse.

Comedians, like many famous musicians, pay the price for their fame by becoming enslaved to the demonic forces that possess and torment them. Jim Morrison, the frontman of America’s most successful band in the 60’s, admitted that he had to drink “to silence the constant voices of the demons”(James Riordin, “Break on Through: The Life and Death of Jim Morrison,” p. 23). The Door's photographer, Frank Lisciandro, stated that, “Jim drank to quiet the ceaseless clamor of the demons, ghosts and spirits. He drank because there were demons and voices and spirits shouting inside of his head and he found that one of the ways to quell them was with alcohol”(Ibid., p. 28).

• Brian Wilson, considered the musical genius of the Beach Boys, claimed that he has been harassed by several different demonic spirit entities that so tormented him that he was bed ridden for years. Rolling Stone describes Wilson's possession-like experience in ways that are reminiscent of scenes of Linda Blair from The Exorcist:• “Brian Wilson hears voices. They talk to him. They frighten him, distract him, confuse him...the voices are calling. His eyes roll toward the ceiling; they've gone blank. His brow is furrowed with thick worry lines. He is silent. Gone. He looks up, jerks his head back and forth for a few seconds, as if physically shaking away the voices” Former Warner Brother

Records President, Larry Waronker, claims to have met at least five different entities possessing Brian Wilson's body (Rolling Stone, August, 1988, p. 51-52).• Ozzy Osborne admitted, “I've got many, many demons that affect me on many, many levels” (Harry Shaw, “Ozzy Talking,” p. 126). Ozzie further admitted, “I remember sitting through the Exorcist a dozen times, saying to myself, 'Yeah, I can relate to that” (Hit Parader, Nov. 1984, p. 49).• Most people are blind to this diabolical pattern of celebrities giving themselves over to satanic power for fame and fortune, only to be exploited, used and abused, and then spit out after Satan is done with them.• Heath Ledger’s life ended prematurely not long after he accepted the evil role of The Joker in The Dark Knight. While Ledger’s depression began after starring in the gay promotional film, Brokeback Mountain, after his death, headlines from Australia's Herald Sun like, “Tragic Death: Heath Ledger Battled His Demons” and The Star, stating “If it was personal demons

that conspired to destroy Heath Ledger, they were already making their presence felt many years before,” underscored the fact that Ledger was dealing with some dark forces.• Ledger said of The Joker character he would portray in The Dark Knight,“He’s a psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy.” However, to properly play the role to his satisfaction, Ledger would open himself up to evil spirits with even less empathy. “Well,” said Jack Nicholson, who had also played The Joker, “I warned him” (Source).• Unfortunately, Nicholson’s warning went unheeded and Ledger overcame his fears and ended up even meditating on becoming the evil Joker he would portray:• "I definitely feared it…Although anything that makes me afraid I guess excites me at the same time. I don’t know if I was fearless, but I certainly had to put on a brave face and believe that I have something up my sleeve. Something different…just closing my eyes and meditating on it…it was important to try to find a somewhat iconic voice and laugh. I

ended up landing more in the realm of a psychopath — someone with very little to no conscience towards his acts” (Source).• Ledger told the New York Times that he “had trouble sleeping while portraying the Joker,”and that, “Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night.” Ledger seems to have been so tormented that he told the Times, “I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” He went on to state that he took drugs, which would

quell the unrest for only an hour (The Associated Press, January 23, 2008). Sadly, Ledger, died of a drug overdose shortly after the filming of The Dark Knight.• Robin Williams, like Morrison, Winters, Ledger and so many others who resort to drugs or alcohol in their attempt to quell the demonic voices that torment them, fail to realize – until it’s too late – that such drugs only draw one deeper into Satan’s insidious web.• Sadly, Robin Williams must have felt like he was in a no win situation. When he sought sobriety, the demonic voices which he admits he had opened himself up to likely tormented him to no end. When he sought to drown out the clamoring voices with a deluge of alcohol, he ended up poisoning himself and teetered on the throes of death. He had tried “professional

help” a number of times, but the arm of the flesh, no matter how noble the intentions, cannot overcome the demonic world.• Robin Williams felt enslaved to the industry and to the very dark powers that brought him fame in the first place. An intimate friend of Williams told the Telegraph that Williams had been working on new projects and dreaded making more films to pay the bills, as they "brought out his demons” and “left him drained and particularly vulnerable to depressive

episodes.” (Source)• While we need to avoid two extremes – the claim that mental illness is always demonic or that all mental illness is simply of a material nature – in Williams’ case, he admitted the danger of plunging into the demonic realm and his concern over its dark consequences, a la Jonathan Winters! The scriptures are clear that we are not at war with flesh and blood but the

demonic world (Ephesians 6:12) and that the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4).• The truth is that only the Lord Jesus Christ has the power and authority to deliver humans from satanic powers. The scriptures reveal that the demonic powers tremble before God’s mighty power (James 2:19). It is in Jesus’ name that believers have victory over the demonic realm. God’s Word declares:• “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).• “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15).• “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (Revelation 12:11).• However, if we are to truly be delivered from illicit drugs, alcoholism, sin and the demonic world, we need to repent and surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and agree to stop dancing with the devil. Kaplan wrote regarding his US Weekly interview with Williams, cited earlier, that “For years, the actor-man-child’s life was a welter of easy drugs, adoring audiences

and accommodating women. Now he’s married and a father –and still willing to dance with the devil” (Robin Williams, "Robin Williams,” by James Kaplan, US Weekly, January, 1999). Sadly this ended up being a dance of death, which should be a lesson to us all.• Christians must guard their hearts from entertainers who are being used by dark forces to erode moral conviction and draw believers away from the light and love of Christ.• The terrible irony is that many of these comics, such as Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters, who are portrayed in their public persona to be happy and filled with laughs, are in fact the most tormented and joyless souls on earth. Jesus gave the solemn warning “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).• According to Robin Williams’ publicist, Williams had been struggling with “severe depression.” Famous comedian Chevy Chase said of Williams after his suicide "Robin and I were great friends, suffering from the same little-known disease: depression” (Source).• Jim Carrey, who has his own battles with severe depression, said when asked about Robin Williams’ death, “Comedians are often plagued by thoughts and beliefs that no one understands them” (Source).• Several famous comedians have been diagnosed with mental illness and suffered from severe depression. Just to name a few: John Cleese, Paul Merton, Jim Carrey, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Winters, Ruby Wax, Dave Chappelle, Robin Williams, Chevy Chase, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Hugh Laurie, David Walliams, Maria Bamford, and Tony Hancock, who was

considered the funniest comic actor of his time, ended up killing himself while filming a television series in Australia in 1968.• We cannot truly have peace until we have a relationship with the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). We cannot have true joy until we open our hearts to Him who has been crowned with joy above all others (Hebrews 1:9; 27).

• Jesus – not drugs or alcohol – is the Savior of the world and the only One who can deliver us from the penalty of sin, hell, death and enslavement from satanic powers. Jesus declared:• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).• Jesus also declared:• “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not

believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God” (John 3:16-21)

• Depression can have many sources, but has only one ultimate remedy. True joy can only come from a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the infilling of His Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is manifold and includes love and joy. Let us remember that there are a lot of hurting people out there like Robin Williams, who are filled with hopelessness and despair. May God make us sensitive to their needs and help us to show them His great love through our concern, willingness to help and sharing the gospel.

• Please pray for the celebrities/mediums in Hollywood and so many in the music industry, that they would repent and find deliverance from the demonic forces that are exploiting them to wickedly influence the masses, and that they would come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords! Pray for those who clamor for their “entertainment,” and are adversely and incrementally affected. May the Lord guard each of our own hearts, as we seek discernment and seek to avoid the spiritual land mines that threaten our lives and those of our loved ones. May the Lord abundantly bless you as you seek His face and His glory!

• ***• Check out our DVD, Hollywood Unmasked 2, for more revealing information about how Hollywood actors are truly energized by demonic spirits for their performances.•• http://www.goodfight.org/a_v_williams_robin.html

Efraim and Menashe, http://israel365.com/scenes/jeremiah-

1012/• Jerusalem Inspiration• In today's verse our forefather Jacob, blesses Joseph's sons, Efraim and

Menashe, fortelling their eventual increase in numbers. Yet, from the census taken at the start of the book of Numbers we see that these tribes were far from the largest; when, then, is this blessing bestowed? In the book of Joshua, after the portions of land are distributed to the tribes, it is only the tribe of Menashe that claims that it needs more space, and the numbers there reflect a huge population increase! Indeed, Jacob's blessing was fulfilled, but only once the tribes were settled in the holy land of Israel, as the verse specifically says, 'in the midst of the land'.

• Jerusalem Daily Photo• A mere two hours drive from Jerusalem, Boruch Len captures this glorious

sunrise over the Jordanian mountains and river bed. Half of the tribe of Menashe remained on the eastern part of the Jordan River after Joshua and the nation conquered the Land, in order to take advantage of the area's suitability for raising livestock.