Words of the Lord given to Bob Neuman
The Perversion Of A True Anointing.
Bob Neumann
Dearest Saints of the Living God, I received this in the night watch
7/30/97:
"Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? But your watchmen do not answer me. You have chosen your watchmen, and they do not answer me. Do they sound the alarm? Do you hear the warning of approaching destruction? Who stands guard over a nation now devoid of all shame? Who assures your security all who dwell complacently in a land once blessed? Their hands are stained with the blood of many who would stir themselves if they knew the TRUTH. They claim intimacy and knowledge of my Ways, yet do not know my Voice or follow my ways. You have chosen watchmen and some claimed a
title to which I will judge by my scales and not theirs. They have been weighed and now I will judge.
Because men sleep when they should have kept watch my choicest field has been infested and over run. Like Israel it has made a covenant with death.
Innocent blood flows daily. Even in assemblies that claim loyalty to me all I see are alters that serve the
creature. I hear the fruit of many lips whose feet refuse to follow me, and never think of serving me.
Too many carry the title "man of god" who do not serve me. Too many cherish titles and position, but hear not my voice. So in your land there has been a famine but so few have noticed, so few seek bread and water which I would have given freely I have offered life, but they have chosen death. I called you out of Egypt, but they preferred enslavement. I gave the Truth, but they preferred their sorceries. I sent my servants, but they preferred the leadership of man. I looked for a people to serve me, but they serve themselves.
Your watchmen sleep as your destruction draws near. My watchmen continue day and night to call out to me on your behalf. And for the sake of My Servants I will remember mercy in the midst of MY WRATH. Only for the sake of MY SERVANTS not all will be destroyed. The day approaches, the day of My Vengeance comes. The countdown has begun."
dear saints, we have been 'distracted', 'divided', 'dissipated' when we should have been 'wise', 'wary', 'warlike'. But we still have grace and mercy, if we stay humble before THE LORD and accountable to HIM alone.
IN KING'S LOVE bob in Miami
This word was received in a vision where I stood on a hillside beneath the banner of THE KING. The one
dictating was my Captain, THE KING OF GLORY, EL GABOR.
thank you for your time be blessed IN KING'S LOVE
bob in Miami
You can still see these words in the catacombs under the city of Rome. In the simple LATIN VULGATE it means THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE. These WORDS were placed there by a people really oppressed. Persecuted in mass for the "entertainment" of the masses. They had THE BLESSED HOPE in a way we may soon learn. In the midst of affliction they had a WAY out...to LIFE.
THE TRUTH
Sometimes we forget that to get to ABBA it is only through HIS SON.
But THE SON SAYS that there are many who will face HIM on the DAY OF JUDGMENT and be utterly amazed that HE NOT ONLY DENIES KNOWING THEM, but will condemn them to the ETERNAL TORMENT that, and let me quote this from the KING JAMES....the end of Matthew 25....RED LETTERS....
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left
hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil
and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I
was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked,
and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord,
when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or
in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say
unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not
to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal.
The devil and his angels...the fallen ones. Who masquerade as "angels of light". Yes i have seen and heard both holy angels and fallen angels in the place called THE VALLEY OF VISION. But one thing i learned quickly, even holy angels step aside when THE LORD speaks, and stand silent.
The ANCIENT OF DAYS told GABRIEL to speak to DANIEL. Likewise the visits to Mary and Zacharias were direct from ABBA. As for recent visitations i have no comment outside of judging trees by their fruit.
Yesterday i "read" about a coming "war of WORSHIP" and heard MY MASTER say... "THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD". This statement did not bother me because HE IS THE LORD. And i saw no problem of HIS making reference as to HIMSELF and the 40 OLD TESTAMENT references to THE LORD fighting on behalf of HIS COVENANT people.
In the NEW TESTAMENT we are only to STAND...that is the ESSENCE of Ephesians 6.
But the "gauntlet" was cast
when the "image" of worship came forward and when you put WORSHIP and
TRUTH together you gotta go to the well....
John 4
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me,
the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship:
for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh
such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship him in spirit and in truth.
25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh,
which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am
he.
Please notice the term "MUST" in verse 24....THE TRUE WORSHIPPER....MUST WORSHIP.... with the long hard "walks" i have made in the last few days all coming together through THE LOGOS and THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT i am assured IN HIM who is my WAY, my TRUTH and my LIFE.
In the GREEK the term JESUS spoke...WORSHIP...is "proskuneo"...is used eight times... it means "to KISS...as a dog licking the MASTER'S HAND''.... So i say to all of you...
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Unless you are willing to be one of HIS DOGS...selfless and utterly in love with HIM as only a dog can....you are playing games with eternity. For THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT has taken me on a walk with five "virgins'' who have no oil for their lamps. THE MASTER calls them "foolish"....
i never saw the depths of that statement.
Matthew 25
1 Then shall the kingdom
of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth
to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took
no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their
lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered
and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the
bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
People...THE BRIDEGROOM is coming...too many are asleep and unaware that they are "fools". In the last 24 hours i have been reminded of many things that point back to the "times" and "preparations" for what was called "Y2K''....or "THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT...".
In all those preparations i was always brought back to two scriptures....
Proverbs 22
2 The rich and poor meet together:
the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 A prudent man foreseeth
the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches,
and honour, and life.
Proverbs 27
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart
glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
12 A prudent man foreseeth
the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
As i shared YESTERDAY....in JOB 33 ABBA SPEAKS TO US NOT ONCE...BUT TWICE....in dreams and visions.
Jeremiah 33
1 Moreover the word of the LORD came
unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the
court of the prison, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD the
maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name;
3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee
great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
4 For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning
the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which
are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;
5 They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is
to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and
in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.
It is not funny that all this has come together....GOD SPEAKS TWICE....and the CHALDEANS.... They say it is 2003....okay...in acknowledgement to Dr JR Church and Gary Stearman....
Psalm 103
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all
that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth
all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth
thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that
thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for
all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto
the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger,
and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his
anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded
us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so
great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far
hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children,
so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that
we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower
of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and
the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's
children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those
that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the
heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength,
that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers
of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of
his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Foolish virgins .....why are they foolish....they do not fear THE LORD....they will not learn...
They have no OIL....remember Jude and the scorners and mockers?
They do not HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY DO NOT HAVE INTIMACY WITH THE SON... THEY ARE NOT HIS DOGS.... HIS SERVANTS....HIS BRIDE.... THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES WITH ETERNITY..... and many of them are leading others to destruction. let me share two last incidents of GOD SPEAKING TWICE....or maybe we need a third witness....so be it.
Judges 17
6 In those days there was no king
in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21
25 In those days there was no king
in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Now look and see how THE WORD PROGRESSES when HIS WARNINGS go unheeded.
Jeremiah 6
14 They
have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace,
peace; when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had
committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush:
therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them
they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and
see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye
shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to
the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jeremiah 8
11 For
they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace,
peace; when there is no peace.
12 Were they ashamed when they had committed
abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore
shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall
be cast down, saith the LORD.
13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD:
there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall
fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.
and if that is not enough........
Psalm 14
1 The fool hath said in
his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children
of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become
filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who
eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the
generation of the righteous.
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because
the LORD is his refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of
Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice,
and Israel shall be glad.
Psalm 53
1 The fool hath said in
his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity:
there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of
men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether
become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat
up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was:
for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast
put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of
Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice,
and Israel shall be glad.
People who do not FEAR THE LORD have no WISDOM.... no TRUTH is in them.... and as Mark Silbernagle has just reminded me....
10 And
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received
not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,
that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not
the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
VIA...VERITAS...VITA....
PROSKUNEO...............
SELAH
dog
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2001 09:36:25 -0400
Sometimes i wonder what ABBA wants of me. Now i am not criticizing THE MOST HIGH GOD. Call it "deeply intrigued" by what is happening in my life, and how it is being done. In the realm of natural events i left my job, my home, my city and all my friends....June 15. Now on August 18 i am fully moved into a new home, have a new job in a new community. In about 60 days all was accomplished....in the natural.
What bothers me is in the realm of the spirit. What follows this paragraph was mostly written on August 13-14. When i tried to send it my pc "burped" and it vanished into the realm of the www. This kind of thing happens when i "get ahead" of whatever timescale ABBA has set in motion. So i watch what takes place while i await the proper time
and i usually am amazed. So it is now. From 3 different sources i have been given WORDS from a Mr John Lallier. What he says about south Florida gives rationalization for how i could move expeditiously. Yesterday my friend and brother, Stephen Bening, shared from Isaiah 21. And the question that THE LORD OF HOSTS asks HIS WATCHMAN. Also yesterday i was sent through two sources a WORD from an old friend Stephen Hanson, "GO FORTH TO BATTLE AND TO TRIUMPH"" Please understand, i was sent out of South Florida to North Carolina for that reason....to destroy the works of the enemy. To put it bluntly...that is what has bothered me. I do not know how THE LORD OF HOSTS wants that done....except by what images i have gotten in the past, do i have a "handle" on how HE OPERATES. So here is what i wanted to share several days ago.........
THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE
For years i have moved as THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT has chosen to lead me. Often i have felt like Henry David Thoreau's "DIFFERENT DRUMMER" moving contrary to the "parade" because I hear a "different cadence" from a "different drummer". All to often i find myself seeing or listening to "images" in my spirit that can not be classified as "dreams" or "visions". When these begin to happen I can not hide from them, i have tried, and it does not work. Likewise specific people reenter my life by phone calls and emails. Since June 12 i have had three long periods of time without telephone, emails,
and TV. You could call them PERIODS OF SEPERATION....PERIODS IN THE WILDERNESS. Or TIMES OF SILENCE...especially when i hear not the VOICE of MY GOD. The last occurred from July 29-30 till the 14th of August. During those times many tried to contact. My brother Trey Mitchell who I keep trying to contact without success. And my brother John Moore from MONTANA. In the past John always has contacted me as THE MOST HIGH has started me on a new path...or a new set of images. The last was the last week in December 2000....and the movie THE MAN WHO
SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE. Many of you have read his and Bill Burns interpretations from that image. I do not know today what John has been receiving, but we have common images from MOVIES. I also get images from songs, sometime movie songs.
A while back i was in the PLACE of Isaiah 21...THE WATCHMAN whom THE MASTER QUESTIONED. And i wrote it was time for battle...all out warfare...the TIME OF THE DREADWARRIORS. Others also have picked this up. And now i have had some interesting Movie Images and songs...
It was a no brainer why THE MASTER sent me to the "BUCKLE OF THE BIBLE BELT''...lots of religion all over the place.... but it was a hybrid of Laodicea and Sardis ....spiritual blindness in the place where the enemy put his own throne. What i was doing cruising THE GATES made no sense....and then came an image of YUL BRYNER
wearing all black driving a horse drawn hearse with Steve McQueen riding shotgun. Had a great song too. But my answer did not come from THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN....but the SEVEN SAMURAI.... I was not there to storm the enemy's camp..... I was there not to kick down the enemy's gates....i closed and locked them... The answer came from a "new" movie about a Russian Sniper...and turning the tide of the battle of Stalingrad.
The movie is THE ENEMY AT THE GATE(S).
Timely, ain't it.....
All this time though i have had a song and lyrics hitting me constantly....and a Psalm.
The Prophet Paul "RHYMIN" Simon and PSALM 49....not a happy marriage of images...i kid you not....
The Sound of Silence (P. Simon, 1964)
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
The last THING MY MASTER told me to do was to tarry with HIM and to LISTEN TO THE SILENCE. Paul speaks clearly of dreams and visions and i see the many times i
have defended the use by THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT of dreams and visions by "SO CALLED CHRISTIANS" that deny the prophetic...deny dreams and visions...and deny that there is A MOST HOLY SPIRIT. And JOB 33 where GOD SPEAKS TWICE...in dreams and night visions.
Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again, does not bother me when i am chewing on....
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall
be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the
harp.
Darkness does not bother me...any of the four HEBREW definitions. Years ago Dr J R Church taught on the "dark sayings" and it allowed me to "see" them from a "different" vantage point. Later i studied Psalm 49 and all the collateral Old Testament verses that speak of GOD and darkness....in the HEBREW from a Sephardic Rebbe.
It is amazing how much is ignored by Dr Strong and the KJV.
You see, Psalm 49 starts out by addressing all the world....which is the CHURCH....and not ISRAEL...or the GLAMORIZED NORTH AMERICAN CONGREGATION...and ABBA means every man, woman, child...2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.... the DARK SAYINGS is what follows....
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
YES...I "FEAR" THE MOST HIGH GOD....and HIS DAYS OF JUDGEMENT...but few seem to either notice or care. Without THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB we are all "DEAD MEAT"....without a relationship with ABBA we all fall short...SELAH.
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Behold where the "GOSPEL OF PROSPERITY" has brought us. A "church" that incessantly "brags" about it's wealth and "blessings"....David asked once "WHY DO THE WICKED PROSPER"....to the amerikan church only the "VERY ELECT" prosper...it is there "witness" of "RIGHTIOUSNESS''........selah.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
How many "ministries" out there have a "MAN'S" name in the letterhead? and so much for that brand of wisdom.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
Boy, verse 13 nails it....their "prosperity" is their rational of DIVINE APPROVAL is FOLLY. "HONOUR" cuts no deal with THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL...so much for the approval of men...and the rules of men.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
In the middle of this 14th verse is a wild image...THE UPRIGHT shall have DOMINION ...not the affluent...anyone remember a NT line about "humble yourself in the SIGHT OF THE LORD...and HE will lift you up"...?selah....
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. AMEN...
and tells us a whole lot of how this PSALM ENDS.......
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
So much for worldly wealth and honors which the church and the professional clergy gloats over. Over a year ago THE MASTER hit me with an image...gather SILVER... which is understanding....without understanding wisdom is useless. Bit then again, without "UNDERSTANDING"....everything perishes...selah.
But Dr Church, and the Rebbe, pointed out the importance of "images"..."patterns"...and "sequences" which i have written and taught in great detail. So if you look at Psalm 49....it has to be part of something. Anyone ever study "SEVENS" in scripture?
If you make Psalm 49 the "shammish" of a seven PSALM MENNORAH...things "HAPPEN"....remember "7"s....
Psalm 46...47...48....49....50...51...52....
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Psalm 47
1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding
Psalm 48
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm 49
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
Psalm 50
1 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
Psalm 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
Psalm 52
1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
It is interesting how the pattern flows....now go back and read just the 7th and 14th and 21st verses in order....but see where it all leads to and this is what is so amazing...
Psalm 53
To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
anyone notice...no seventh verse in psalm 53? no place for redemption...for the FOOL ..those with "abominable iniquity". even the term is frightening. as is THE MASTER'S WORDS to the GOATS...."DEPART FROM ME YOU WORKERS OF INIQUITY, FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU".
Many people send me daily reports on the troubles in Israel. There are many who predict even greater "TROUBLES". I can not help but wonder if they know THE WORD OF GOD....DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK...THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE? As long as "we" americanski think we are the center of the universe we will miss the fact that GOD said this all will happen. So everytime someone sends me an email for prayer for GOD to
INTERVENE and stop it, i shudder.
and it takes me back to RHYMIN' SIMON...
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
During my "silence" Sister Edith Jackson sent me something i wrote in 2000 about GRAY STREETS...GRAY PEOPLE.... and i realized the images painted in this song was not new to me...that is unsettling when you read his next verse....
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence.
beautiful line...the "naked light"....THE LIGHT of GOD IS PURE...nothing HIDDEN or DISGUISED...TRUTH
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence
ouch...have i been trying to reach THE FOOLS, LORD? i asked....and realized it was not me they were ignoring...but ABBA. and i cried some more.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls."
And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.
Where are the "highways" and "byways" to the AFLUENT LAODICIAN church? Yes ...skid row ...which is where the prophets need to be...among the "have-nots" who are lost, hurting.... alone.
now 1964/65 was an interesting pair of years for Paul and his friend Art....
Blessed (P. Simon, 1965)
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit.
Blessed is the lamb whose blood flows.
Blessed are the sat upon, Spat upon, Ratted on,
O Lord, Why have you forsaken me?
I got no place to go,
I've walked around Soho for the last night or so.
Ah, but it doesn't matter, no.
Blessed is the land and the kingdom.
Blessed is the man whose soul belongs to.
Blessed are the meth drinkers, Pot sellers, Illusion dwellers.
O Lord, Why have you forsaken me?
My words trickle down, like a wound
That I have no intention to heal.
Blessed are the stained glass, window pane glass.
Blessed is the church service makes me nervous
Blessed are the penny rookers, Cheap hookers, Groovy lookers.
O Lord, Why have you forsaken me?
I have tended my own garden
Much too long.
Scarey words that end with an intriguing comment....or is it an answer to AMERICA when JUDGEMENT FALLS as the WORD OF THE LORD has come forth over and over since the 1920's.
on a very personal note...1965 saw a song i listened to over and over...the theme song of my youth, long forgotten till this last time of QUIET...
I Am a Rock (P. Simon, 1965)
A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
The PROBLEM is i am not a ROCK....when LOVE...ABBA enters your life it is wonderful. But when you pick up HIS "BURDEN"...HIS "YOKE"...things change. You learn GRIEF. You learn TRAVAIL. You can not have relationship with ABBA without picking up HIS EMOTIONS.
My ARMOR is useless...as is my poetry. funny....but those old words are true...
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
but i am not an island sitting all alone, isolated, insulated...
i am not a rock...my tears acknowledge that fact...
but i am happy to declare ABBA..."LOVES ME LIKE A ROCK"....a ROCK THAT NEVER CHANGES...THE ROCK OF ISRAEL WHERE MOSES AND DAVID STOOD ON.......and i do too.
BLESSED BE THE LORD MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS....
selah
dog
By Bob Neuman
For years now there has been a debate within this thing called the 'church' about whether certain things are of God, or not. One of these areas of contention has been the area loosely labeled as "The Prophetic." I cannot use the term discussion any longer because over the last few years all attempts at civility have been dropped it seems. In the last few weeks I have seen a new gladiator in the rhetorical arena that is most disturbing.
At one time the issue solely was based on the content of the verbal "utterance" or the written "prophecy." And most mature Christians could "judge" according to the scriptures as the Bereans did in Act 3:17. In fact Paul's writings make a point that we are all required to judge everything against the "Word." And as time has passed an interesting series of "litmus" tests began to spring up.
Instead of seeing whether the content lined up with scripture, the level of critique changed. Instead of pointing out scriptural error the "Defenders of the Faith" began to point out errors in spelling and punctuation. Grammatical errors and typos were dug up and "brought to light." The area of debate changed from what he said, to how he said it. Style and rhythm of delivery was more important that the
message itself.
So often the message was "lost".
The next area they centered on was the "Messenger." The message was ignored as the delivery system's conduit was dissected. The importance of what was said mattered little if the messenger did not fit the criteria. And the can of worms got bigger. What is the "Reputation" of this individual? What is their title, position, education, affiliation, age, sex, appearance... So eventually the messenger was "killed."
And foolish me I thought they could now go no farther. The message was lost; the messenger was "killed". The only one left was the Master, the source of the message. In my mind there was no way they could negate GOD. But it has not stopped them from trying.
In the last few weeks I have had passed on to me several statements that left me quite amazed. One individual simply stated that all "extra-biblical" writings were of Satan. Simple statement on his part, no words minced so to speak. Another biblical scholar was a little wordier but basically said all inspiration has ceased on the compiling of present canon. Therefore there is no further need for GOD to add to what is presently in the BIBLE. To say that any work has been "inspired" is an attempt to expand the BIBLE. Any effort to add to or to expand upon canon is not of God. One older gentleman simply declared that no man has the right to say he speaks for GOD. That is true if we are attempting to replace GOD, but we are not.
The problem that this older gentleman must deal with is whether GOD chooses to speak through man. He and those who have stood on these positions have painted themselves into a very curious corner. No longer are they content with discrediting the message. Assaulting the messenger did not solve the problem. Now they must deal with the source and this becomes interesting.
At this point I could argue using the simple text of the scripture. But what good would or will it do. To get to their position they have had to trample and ignore the Word of God repeatedly. To arrive at their destination that GOD no longer does what God always did we must accept the fact that GOD has changed. In spite of His Own Words in the Bible.
Yet in this "Quantum Leap" they have made there is a unique paradox created. Their argument of whether GOD does or does not speak today to His people has been expanded to the simple level of "inspiration." GOD no longer inspires.... But when did He stop? They say when canon was completed.
Simple deductive logic would show that if this were true, that all that has transpired for 1900 years has had nothing to do with GOD. In fact theirs premise declares that everything outside of the Bible is of the enemy - the deceiver.
I guess that lumps all of us with the likes of Luther, Wesley, Chambers, Sturgeon, Moody, Watts, Matthew Henry etc....
But let me turn it all around, logically, deductively, scientifically.
If GOD NO longer speaks, no longer breaths inspiration to those who seek Him, then we indeed have a conundrum. GOD, according to scripture, breaths ...it is repeated in scripture if anyone cares to look. He does so because HE says HE IS A LIVING GOD. Again scriptures states this over and over. These so called ''scholars" are saying GOD does not speak, GOD does not breath.
Any intelligent human knows that when something that is alive ceases to breath, life as we know it ceases. So they are strongly implying that GOD IS DEAD. Now where have I heard that before?
If my limited memory and intelligence serves me, past so called "scholars" have said the same thing....Voltaire, Nietze, Marx, Hegel, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Hitler...and this list can go on and on and on ....
But I need to leave the arena and personalize this. As a child I was taught to knell beside my bed and to say "prayers." I was taught that GOD heard and GOD answered. As a child this gave me peace and comfort. In time I out grew those prayers and learned religion. And like many I mistook religion for GOD, and was abused and hurt. Many years and many hurts later I found myself in a pit of my own making.... lost, alone, hopeless, suicidal. Instead of pulling the trigger of a 357 magnum, I prayed in simple desperation. And He
answered. Did I hear a "voice". In my case yes. But the answer was also a sudden peace and comfort I did not ask for, nor did I deserve. When you "hear" His Voice, "feel" His Breath, it is because you are aware of His Presence in your life.
To say that Almighty GOD cannot, does not, will not speak either to or through His children mocks GOD for being a loving Father. And if God does not speak any more, what good is prayer? If God hears but is refrained from answering, why even say that He does hear? Prayer is now a useless babbling without purpose and without effect. Sorry James, they threw you out with God it seems.
Prayer is conversation, and while I have been the victim of many one sided conversations, to imagine prayer as simply one sided with GOD being quiet all the time is invalid. Prayer is the sharing of time, ideas, dreams with our ABBA. Prayer is where fellowship begins. To negate the effective power of prayer fellowship is eliminated. Because fellowship is where relationship is established the elimination
of fellowship prevents all relationship. And without relationship there is no intimacy without ABBA.
Without intimacy there is no ABBA; period.
And without the love of my ABBA, the presence of His Spirit, the friendship of His Son life is not worth living. As a modern psalmist sings today "Life would be Hell, and Hell is forever...but Hallelujah!...Blessed be the Lord, and Lamb by His Side."
Some may say that my whole position is based on some "emotional experience"....my answer is "y-u-p!". both ways. It is an experience, and it has been emotional. But big deal. If your basic premise leads to "God is dead" I do not expect your "god" having any 'emotion' either.
It is strange. Joshua said, "choose you this day whom you will serve"...I never anticipated a "modern Christian" manufacturing a "god" that suits themselves. But I should have. If you do not choose to "serve the LORD", you have to make up something you will serve.
Will anything I have wrote sway any hearts? I doubt it. Nor do I claim it for anything more than my own thoughts placed on paper. Am I creating a more pronounced dividing line for the "Us" vs. "them" types that enjoy sitting back and mocking everyone and anyone. I hope I can do more.
I would love to dig a huge trench and line it with razor wire to separate the wolves from my Master's Lambs and Sheep. But the wolves within the fold have always sought the weakest and the defenseless. So if I cannot separate them maybe I can keep the wolves occupied with me while their time runs out.
Bob Neumann
THE GUNFIGHT AT THE OKAY CORRAL
I was suddenly in the "VALLEY OF VISION" with a melody playing in the wind. The wind was blowing a lot of dust. I was walking down a "western" street just like in many old cowboy films. I passed many wooden buildings and hitching posts.
Eventually I came to the "edge of town'' and came to the corral. Like in the movies it was a simple ''fence'' made of wooden rails. It was dark and eerie. Then I realized the "music'' was similar to the Italian spaghetti westerns from the 60's. I wondered how many times I had watched the confrontation between "GOOD'' and "EVIL'' on either the "silver screen" or the "boob tube". But now, I found myself "walking it out" in a surreal and timeless place.
Unlike the gunfight at the OKAY CORRAL I had walked in alone. Instead of seeing the Clantons on one side and the Earps and Doc Holliday on the other the "antagonists" were standing in a circle facing the center...and all the others.
There was a place in the circle and I new it was ''left for me". So there I was, trigger finger itchin, and the reality hit me...who am I shooting at? Whose side am I on? And we all stood waiting.... watching. And I thought a lot of fast and useless thoughts waiting "TO HEAR'' something.... anything...from THE THRONE.
After waiting awhile I finally heard THE CAPTAIN speak...."WHO ARE THE GOOD GUYS?''...
And as I realized it was impossible to tell...who were who?
I was baffled.... then I remembered the problems I have had this last year concerning many "dreams", "visions", and "prophetic words" that I had come across on the Internet. I also remembered the images from a year ago after a conference in Kremmling Colorado that THE LORD gave to me concerning the lack of TRUE HEROES in the eyes of the apostate church. That anything that was heroic in any way was denigrated and attacked. And then I began to look at the faces of the "hombres" in the circle. And I began to recognize old ''actors''.... Gary Cooper...Alan Ladd...Henry Fonda...Jimmy Stewart ...a young John Wayne...Harry Carey Jr. .... Ben Johnson.... and many others.... depending on their roles they could wear either black hats...or white hats...situations changed.... so did they. Just like the "modern" idea of "situational ethics" within both the world and the church seem to prefer over THE WORD OF GOD. Recently my friend and brother Bill Burns, an anointed servant of my LORD wrote about "DOCTRINE DEFINED" and the concept that THE DOCTRINE OF THE KINGDOM will come forth to oppose the Doctrines of Men and Demons that hold forth today. Already many ''prophets'' and ''apostles'' are rising up to the attack.
Many who are doing so have long preached and prophesied about a coming ''unity'' of THE SPIRIT in the bond of peace. That is Ephesians 4:3. Yet here is Bill Burns calling for Ephesians 4:13 and the attacks are from all directions.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
There are many voices talking about unity and gatherings.... yet when you hear with your spiritual ear it is not THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT speaking...it is man. So when THE CAPTAIN AGAIN SPOKE I again pondered.
For then I heard THE CAPTAIN say "BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHICH SIDE THE CAVALRY IS ON...OR DO YOU?". It was another question that had no answer. I remembered DANCES WITH WOLVES.... LITTLE BIG MAN.... other movies where THE TRUTH.... to a degree.... did not fit the accepted "reality". And suddenly the reality I was in abruptly changed and I was watching MEL GIBSON ride up to a line of motley looking men in kilts.... and I was ''watching again'' the first battle scene in BRAVEHEART. Where one man dared to stand and to speak the TRUTH. Only that man did not look like our PRECONCEPTION of a hero.
For this hero wore a kilt, had long flying hair, and said the word "arse" with humor. With his face "painted" blue he stood and kept the "motley rabble'' from running from the battle. Across from him was the line of shiny armored knights.... banners waving .... banners with crosses on them. Shields and breastplates with crosses emblazoned for the world to see exactly whose side GOD WAS ON....
But if that were TRUE.... then GOD was on the side of the invaders...the side of THE TYRANT.... the side that stole, raped, and murdered.... brother Christians....
So.... who are the GOOD GUYS... Who is THE ENEMY?
Do we know who serves THE MOST HIGH GOD.... or who comes to lie, steal, and kill?
old dog
One of the most difficult images we must force ourselves to acknowledge is the issue of a perversion of a Holy Anointing/ Divine Calling. There are those who may be disturbed that anyone would even dare state that such a thing is possible. But they are in great need of being awakened and told to search the WORD. THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT has given us images, both good and bad, for us to learn and to understand. Such is this specific lesson out of the book of Judges.... We all know the concept of prophetic shadows that rise up in the OT and point forward to JESUS. This story is a "what could have been", making it an "antitype" of what JESUS WAS NOT. And this character is a Judge named Samson. What is interesting is his story begins in chapter 13; not overly auspicious. And appears after Israel had suffered for 40 years at the hands of the Philistines. It all really begins with THE ANGEL OF THE LORD telling an unnamed barren woman that she would bear a son; but it was conditional.
4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:
5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
Strange isn't it, that an angel would show up one day and things would happen. Of course the woman had to tell her husband.
6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:
Interestingly this is one of the few "angelic visitations" recorded in the whole OT. Yet today such occurrences seem to be becoming quite common. But few of 'our' angels would be described as "very terrible" which makes you wonder.
7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.
This was the original idea; and we had better remember this fact.
8 Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.
9 And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.
10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.
11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.
Theoretically this could have been any old angel until HE stated those two WORDS I AM. And we have a stronger understanding of THE ANGEL OF THE LORD.
But the story continues.
12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?
13 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.
14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
Let's look at this line again and try to understand that GOD is really asking more of one person here than in any other story within the bible, Jeremiah, David, Daniel, Samuel, Moses, whoever. And it is a woman; hubby is just along for the ride.
14 She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.
15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
16 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah new not that he was an angel of the LORD.
17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?
18 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?
This makes us think of a certain white horse rider in Rev 19 whose name no one knows but is KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.
19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.
20 For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
21 But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.
22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
Regrettably this is how man always reacts to HIS PRESENCE.... and usually a little late in the story. Now I end with vs. 22..... Ol' Samson is born in vs. 24 where it simply states. "and the LORD BLESSED him".
Chapters 14 and 15 cover 20 years of ministry, if you call war and mayhem as ministry. Which at that time was necessary. While chapters 14 and 15 describe his problems with pagan women it appears GOD used it to make war on the Philistines. This changes in chapter 16, and certain harlots/loose women.
Friend Samson has a lust problem, and we know sin makes you stupid. Ol' Samson gets dumber as the story goes on. One has to wonder how "dead asleep" he was for lil' Delilah to tie him up several times, braid his hair to a loom shuttle, and eventually shave his head. In spite of his adultery has our Nazarite broken his vow by drinking himself into a stupor? It seems the case. Either way the greatly blessed Samson has a rude awakening in Judges 16:20
20 And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.
Samson was later blinded and tied to the Philistine grist mill to serve the enemy of GOD. And this is our image for our antitype. A man/woman is anointed and serving GOD powerfully. Then one day sin enters in and the giftings of the anointing are taken for granted. And because the 'person' continues to be used in "signs and wonders" their sin is winked upon. They are often spiritually deaf to the words of warning that come repeatedly. So when the enemy strikes the spiritual eyes that are plucked out had been clouded long time earlier.
Today many once anointed people tread the saints of GOD in Satan's grist mill working completely in the flesh...in their own strength because they stopped hearing GOD long ago. And they are equally blind to all that is of GOD. And I wished the story ended there but it does not. Although the end is dramatic it only proves GOD can use even unrepentant, degenerate, reprobate children.....
28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
Regrettably there is no repentance in this prayer, just fleshly vengeance.
29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.
And GOD obliged him and he died avenging himself. Strange story in many ways but the fact that Samson never knew when GOD departed and assumed he had his strength when he did not. Likewise too many today are busily building their ministries unaware of where FATHER GOD is in their lives.
Were they anointed? Maybe, but they don't have it any more.
Even after 20 years of good service, or even more. Just ask KING SAUL.
Selah
Bob in Miami
Bob Neumann
Last night I had a wondrous night. Sort of sets me free....sort of... Sort of explains one heck of a lot that just didn't want to fit into place. Call it a time of remembrance, a time of instruction. Then again it was ''my time'' to simply come into agreement with what MY LORD AND MASTER is doing. In HIS WORD HE SAYS that is exactly what HE WANTS to do with everyone. Personally I was more than content to sit at HIS FEET and get what FELL FROM ABBA'S TABLE. But then again, HE WAS RIGHT, as USUAL. I will enjoy watching what will now begin to take place. I will still grieve a bit when it
happens, but HE ASSURED ME AGAIN... "EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT". Great promise. SO....if anyone is interested HE'S STILL THE SAME... Jeremiah 33:1-5 1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 4 For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword; 5 They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but it is to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city. (KJV)
If you really believe HE IS MAKER, FORMER, AND LORD HE WILL TELL YOU. Now we all hear verses 1-2-3 quoted and requoted, but never with what follows. Maybe that is why the "stuff" HE TELLS me offends so many. It certainly is not corroborated by the shepherds and scribes of the AMERICAN CHURCH. What happened last night brings me PEACE. That is all I really need.
Like most ''encounters" with MY GOD it began as a simple vision. Actually it was the "vision" I first saw.... that was of GOD. It was a pleasant place where HIS SHEEP grazed safely. Straight out of Bach. HE once again was THE GOOD SHEPHERD. But for the first time I was not on all fours. I walked with HIM...EYE TO EYE. And it unnerved me. HE BEING ALL-KNOWING knew my feeling of uncertainty and simply smiled. Looking at HIS FACE I HEARD ABBA again, "IT'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT, SON.'' And it was. PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING just filled me. I noticed myself take a long deep breath and look at HIM SMILING PLACIDLY.
"FOR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE, EH CALEB"?, HE KIDDED. I remembered the old saying both my grandfathers joked about. Out of the blue I thought of a song and wondered if once again the "band play Waltzing Matilda", one more time. And would anyone understand the price that was paid...for nothing. Maybe someone from "down under" might catch it....but I really don't care any more. That is what is funny about when THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS REMEMBRANCE to you of images and stuff that makes no sense to anyone else. As I pondered this THE GOOD
SHEPHERD leaned on HIS STAFF and just waited for me. Out of the blue I thought HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN LONG SUFFERING with me.
"I THINK A BETTER WORD CALEB IS 'PATIENCE'. IN SPITE OF YOURSELF YOU HAVE NOT MADE ME SUFFER OVER YOU. GREATLY CONCERNED AT TIMES, BUT ETERNAL OMNISCIENCE HAS IT'S PERKS.''
With that HE walked to a little rise where some trees stood and we sat in the shade, looking down at HIS SHEEP. They were of all sizes and shapes. In fact there was no uniformity of "breed". That was something real new and I pondered as we sat and just watched as the SHEEP munched good thick grass. I had to think that this was the way it was supposed to be. All in "one flock" with only ONE SHEPHERD, ONE LORD.
"IT'S NOT LIKE YOU IMAGINED IT, IS IT CALEB?'' HE ASKED leaning against a tree. I looked at HIM and looked back at HIS SHEEP. The feeling of "being right" was all over me and I wondered why my mind still could not filter out all the garbage that was running through it. "MAYBE IT IS NOT ALL GARBAGE CALEB. REMEMBER YOU ARE THE WORK OF MY HANDS. SOMETIMES WHAT THE WORLD SEES AS FLAWS AND IMPERFECTIONS ARE NOT. ALL WORKS OF TRUE ART ARE SPECIALLY MADE TO SHOW MY SKILL AND THE UNIQUENESS OF MY TALENTS.''
Now I just had to absorb this chunk of wisdom and I just stared at HIM and watched HIM STARE BACK at me. Is it proper to say HE had a smug look on HIS FACE....SMILE AND ALL?
"OR IS IT THAT I LIKE TO JERK YOUR CHAIN CALEB?'' HE LAUGHED. "WHY DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH THESE FLAIRS OF PERSONALITY WE HAVE?''
HE WAITED for a response and I had to be honest with HIM....and myself. For so long I have wondered why no one else seemed to "see'' and "hear" HIM as I was now doing. More to the point why would HE WANT me to try and put it to "paper'' and send it out on the WWW? For so long I have pondered and wrestled with this and I stared back at HIM. Now part of the problem is I know HE KNOWS every thought I think before I think it. HAS ALWAYS KNOWN....and there is the conundrum. I just looked down at HIS FEET and stayed silent.
"MAYBE MY FRIEND YOU CAN NOT SEE THAT I ENJOY YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN FATHOM. LIKEWISE FEW HAVE I EVER FOUND WHO WILL OBEY ME IN SPITE OF 'THE COST'. THE ISSUE OF 'THE COST' OF FOLLOWING ME HAS ALWAYS COME INTO PLAY. IT IS WRITTEN, MANY ARE CALLED
CALEB. IN FACT THE CALL HAS GONE OUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD. THE ISSUE IS THAT FEW CHOOSE TO OBEY. FEW CHOOSE TO FOLLOW. FEW CHOOSE TO GIVE THEIR ALL.''
I listened and thought and HE BEGAN..."IS IT NOT WRITTEN.."(and HE SPOKE in everyday language....)
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are
called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Now HE HAD done this in the past to me, but not to this degree. And I sat quiet. It was way to much at one time, and I said so to HIM. I watched HIS FACE change from merriment to concern and I had this heaviness just slowly tap me on the shoulder and say "yo".
I watched THE GOOD SHEPHERD slowly stand and reach down to help me to my feet. HE USED HIS RIGHT HAND. HE HELD HIS RIGHT HAND BEFORE MY FACE AND SAID "THIS IS MY HAND OF MERCY. AND I CHOSE TO REACH DOWN AND BRING YOU TO ME, FOR MY REASONS SO MY WORDS WILL BE FULFILLED. YOU WERE NOT THE FIRST BUT YOU ARE INDEED ONE OF THE LAST." With that being said HE moved the STAFF to HIS RIGHT HAND and reached out HIS LEFT HAND AND TOOK MY RIGHT ARM. "THIS IS MY HAND OF GRACE. NO, CALEB, YOU NEVER DESERVED EITHER MY GRACE OR MY MERCY. NO MAN EVER HAS, EVER WILL. I CHOSE YOU LIKE I CHOSE ALL WHO CALLED OUT TO ME AND GAVE THEIR ALL UPON MY ALTER. THAT IS WHY YOU WERE GIVEN THE IMAGE OF LIVING SACRIFICE AND 'REASONABLE SERVICE'.''
''I KNOW YOU ARE TROUBLED BY THE VISIONS OF THE GATE AND THE BREACH. DO YOU WONDER WHY YOU DID NOT QUOTE ALL FROM THAT VERSE ABOUT THE ''GAP''?''
"Yes, LORD, I wondered. it seemed you were more focused on the image of "breach"."
"SOMEONE WILL BRING IT UP, SOMEONE YOU DO NOT EXPECT. BUT THEN AGAIN, NO ONE READS THAT WORD, THEY JUST QUOTE THEIR OWN INTENTIONS." Once again HE stopped and quoted....
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
"HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHY NO ONE PICKS UP THE IDEA THAT TO 'STAND' IN THE PROVERBIAL GAP MEANS THAT THEY ARE STANDING AGAINST ME? IS IT JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS CALEB? OR JUST MAYBE THERE IS A DEEPER DECEPTION IN THE MIDST OF MY FLOCK?"
Now I had always thought that this was because we are called out to stand on the walls and to call out till ZION is restored. Moses stood before GOD and HIS WRATH was 'put aside'. I had no real answer because I "knew" HE was talking about HIMSELF. THE MAN who would stand in the "GAP" was THE LAMB. It was HIS BLOOD that enabled us to OVERCOME the enemy...to speak THE WORDS of our testimony.....to ''forget about our lives and not worry about "death" because we are just that....DEAD. Living sacrifices....
And I remembered the song "FOR ZION'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE SILENT, FOR JERUSALEM'S SAKE I WILL NOT BE STILL...." .....Isaiah 62 ...and John Michael Talbot.... and suddenly I was on my knees crying at HIS FEET. The grief I felt was tremendous. But I did not know why. THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT was weeping..... ABBA was weeping.
"ON YOUR WALLS JERUSALEM, I HAVE SET MY WATCHMEN. I HAVE ALWAYS PLACED MY WATCHMEN, ROBERT SON OF ROBERT SON OF JOSEPH SON OF LEO...."
and HE kept on and on.....AND HE STOPPED....''THE REASON I PUT MY WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS WAS NOT TO WARN MY PEOPLE BUT TO SEEK MY MERCY AND GRACE FOR A PEOPLE THAT DENIED MY NAME AND ABUSED MY WORD. NOW THE TIME OF MY WATCHMEN IS OVER.''
One again I stood over the city and watched the ARMY OF DARKNESS enter the city....
"WHY DID YOU NOT STAND AND FIGHT HERE, OLD DOG?"
It was like a jolt of electricity running through me and my grief was gone. Instead I felt a cold churning in my belly and I looked up. No longer was THE GOOD SHEPHERD standing before me, BUT THE LAMB OF GOD. Bright and Glorious. No humor in HIS EYES. With neither permission nor a 'helping hand' I stood before my LORD and KING and realized the TRUTH.
"I wanted that city destroyed, MASTER. I did not want to push the enemy back. I wanted Joel's Army to destroy what was evil and perverse." I almost spat the words out the raw anger bubbling up. I almost missed the change of reference. THE SHEPHERD had always called me "caleb"...or ''boy'' and I always enjoyed it. BUT.... MY CAPTAIN ...THE LORD OF HOSTS... THE LAMB WHO ALONE IS WORTHY TO TRAMPLE THE WINEPRESS OF THE WRATH OF A HOLY GOD always calls me "OLD DOG". Something has happened and I look at HIM wondering what has happened.
HE SMILED AND LAUGHED.
And I felt the universe shake and all creation tremble before HIM. Suddenly I understood why the heathens rage and plot vain things. They refused HIS WILL AND PURPOSE and have earned HIS HATRED AND HIS WRATH. And suddenly I was in the BREACH standing among the fallen. The pain and weariness flooded me. All around the corpses were piled. Among the multitudes of the enemy were the few who went to the BREACH. My fellow soldiers...my brothers...none whose names I had known...whose faces I could recognize. I stood there wondering...waiting for the last attack as the ARMY OF DARKNESS massed to my front and my rear. One on my left and one on my right all of three of us remained. And suddenly we were pulled up and out. But this time I "heard" THE TRUMPET and THE SHOUT.... and we were snatched away from the destruction.
"YOU WERE SO FOCUSED ON THE BATTLE AT HAND YOU DID NOT HEAR THE ORDER TO EVACUATE, THE BUGLE CALL TO FALL BACK AND REGROUP."
I know I must have looked stupid....how could I have missed it...it was so loud....so long.
"IT IS EASY TO GET A LITTLE DISTRACTED AMONG THE DEAD AND IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE. THAT IS AN EXCUSE I WANT TO HEAR. MY SERVANTS COMPLETELY GIVEN OVER TO ME. FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THEY WERE TOLD TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. BUT TELL ME WHERE WAS THE GREAT ARMY THAT CARRIES MY BANNER IN SONG AND DANCE TO CRUSH THE ENEMY?''
I looked at HIS GRIN and had to shake my head. I thought of Caleb and Joshua.... Shamgar....David and his wilderness army....Gideon and the 300....Abram and the 318 born in HIS HOUSE and TRAINED with the sword. and I remembered
the preachings and teachings and prophesies of THE GLORIOUS ARMY marching into hell for a heavenly cause....
"SORRY DOG, BUT YOU KNOW THAT ''HEAVENLY CAUSE'' SONG IS FROM BROADWAY".
I had to laugh....HE WAS RIGHT...
OF COURSE I AM RIGHT!''
I looked at HIM and HIS SMILE and HIS EYES WERE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER. and I heard that SWEET GENTLE VOICE WHISPER in my spirit. "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD. BEHOLD THE LAMB WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SEALS. BEHOLD THE LAMB WHO
TREADS THE WINEPRESS''.
it was a no brainer I slowly knelt down and placed my forehead to the ground at HIS FEET. The ELECTRICITY I felt before was nothing compared to this. I heard music and singing unlike anything I had ever heard. I could hear words. HOLY....KADOSH....and what was probably every language ever spoken....
HOLY....HOLY....HOLY....IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY....WHO WAS ....WHO IS....WHO WILL ALWAYS BE.....
I felt a familiar touch on my head and a GENTLY LOVING VOICE....speak my name....
"SHEMUEL''
I looked up and saw ABBA'S FACE. Once again the tears ran down my face as I looked upon HIM. They say you can not look at GOD and live. I wondered of all the times HE TOOK MY HAND and WALKED WITH ME. Maybe I should say I WALKED WITH HIM. Once again paradox....once again I realized I did not care. Thoughts were useless in HIS PRESENCE. HE REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED MY TEARS.
''WHY DO YOU WEEP SON?'', HE ASKED GENTLY.
"I'm sorry ABBA, I just do not understand."
"I KNOW, THAT IS WHY YOU ARE HERE. FOR YOU SEE SON THE TIME OF MY WATCHMEN IS OVER. YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. NOW YOU JUST HAVE TO FINISH THE COURSE. YOU HAVE DONE WELL. DO NOT JUDGE YOURSELF. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EVALUATE ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU WERE NEVER GIVEN ALL THE PIECES. JUST THE ONES WE WANTED YOU TO HAVE TO DO YOUR SERVICE. BECAUSE YOU LEARNED OF HIM YOU LEARNED TO LOVE AS MY SON YOUR LAMB LOVES.
WITHOUT ANY STRINGS ATTACHED. MAN LIKES STRINGS. MAN LIKES HIS GAMES. ALL I EVER ASKED WAS FOR MAN TO OBEY. YOU OBEYED BECAUSE YOU LOVED. BECAUSE YOU WERE LOVED THE COST OF OBEDIENCE WAS NEVER CONSIDERED TO HIGH''.
I stood their in HIS THRONE ROOM. Much like Isaiah and John must have and like them I felt out of place. I thought about HIS WORDS. I wondered why THE LAMB had not spoken this. The time of HIS WATCHMEN being over was not expected. But then I remembered HIS WORDS from before. The warnings from JEREMIAH. From the PSALMS about seeking THE LORD while HE may be found.
''OPEN UP THE ANCIENT GATES" I heard from behind me as two strong HANDS grabbed my shoulders as HE SHOOK ME AND LAUGHED...
"DON'T YOU REMEMBER THE VISION OF THE THREE CITIES?'' ,HE ASKED WITHOUT WAITING FOR AN ANSWER CONTINUED, "THAT WAS THE FIRST VISION OUTSIDE OF ME AND MY SHEEP THAT YOU WERE GIVEN. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED FROM THE FIRST TIME YOU WATCHED IN THE VALLEY OF VISION?"
"TELL ME OLD FRIEND WHAT TROUBLES YOU?''
I watched as SON took HIS PLACE at ABBA'S RIGHT HAND. HE GRINNED and ABBA SMILED GENTLY. What could I say. All along I had wondered if I had failed over and over. Did I get HIS MESSAGE out? Did I sound the warning.... warnings? I felt like a failure in my own eyes. And as I thought these thoughts ABBA just shook HIS HEAD "NO"....HE was right I can not judge....then I heard again THE SWEET AND GENTLE VOICE OF HIS MOST HOLY SPIRIT quoting the GOSPEL....
1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
FIRST ABBA SPOKE...."SHEMUEL, MANY HAVE TAKEN OFFENSE AT YOU BECAUSE OF MY WORD I HAVE PLACED IN YOU. MANY STUMBLE AND FALL CURSING YOU WITH BOTH WORDS AND THOUGHTS NOT KNOWING YOU WERE MEANT TO BE A SOLID STONE IN MY HOUSE. YOU WERE
MEANT TO CAUSE OFFENSE. BECAUSE I OFFEND MANY WHO DO NOT KNOW ME".
once again I sensed HIS GRIEF. it had nothing to do with me....I now understand. it has everything to do with whom I serve. WHOM I LOVE.
THEN THE LAMB SPOKE..."PERSONALLY I HAVE ENJOYED WHEN THE WISE AND THE MIGHTY GAG AND RETCH BECAUSE I CHOSE TO USE YOU AND THOSE WHO FAIL TO "FIT" IN. IN THEIR EYES YOU ARE INDEED FOOLISH AND WEAK. YOU HAVE NO WEALTH, NO POWER BASE, NO CONNECTIONS IN THE WORLD AS THEY SEE THEMSELVES. YOU ARE COMMON CLAY AND THEY ARE "GOLD" AND "SILVER". LITTLE DO THEY UNDERSTAND THAT CLAY, GOLD AND SILVER ARE ALL ''EARTHEN" MATERIAL WHICH I SHAPE ACCORDING TO MY PLEASURE. ALL IT TAKES IS OBEDIENCE STEMMING
FROM A BROKEN HEART AND A CONTRITE SPIRIT."
"I PLAN TO TRAMPLE THE ARROGANT AND DESTROY THOSE WHO DEEM THEMSELVES WISE AND MIGHTY IN THEIR OWN EYES. IT WILL PLEASE ME TO USE YOU AND THOSE WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN IN MY PLEASURE".
I stood and listened as THE LAMB SPOKE. THINGS HAD INDEED CHANGED. A "NEW THING'' has begun if you look with man's eyes. ONLY it is all there in HIS WORD.
interesting stuff
selah
dog
Bob Neumann
Sometimes the way THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT gets a point across can be painfully subtle. For years you read the same scripture passage over and over and nothing stands out, nothing grabs your attention. Then one day you read a part of a verse and out of "nowhere" some words suddenly come to life and an "image" is formed. To compound it a memory flow kicks in and similar verses come flowing in and you find yourself looking at an "ISSUE" THE WORD OF GOD had described long ago and established for all to see and to learn of/from. As the sudden "flow" of THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT picks you up and carries you wherever HE has chosen to take you I have found myself with two thoughts. First is why? The second is where? The first is simple....WHY had I never "seen" this before?.....and why had no one ever pointed it out to me. The simple answer is GOD does not do things as we do. HE uses men for HIS GLORY and is clearly jealous
concerning HIS GLORY. No one "saw" it because it was not yet "time" or just maybe GOD KNEW if man received it and in obedience shared it, others would pick it up, and run with it. Rewrite it, Claim it for there own, Copy write it and Franchise it and Pocket it for themselves.
GOD does not like to be cheated or mocked. The fact that man believes he can "con" a HOLY GOD and "manipulate" GOD to serve the man shows us that there is little or no "FEAR OF THE LORD'' among the professional ''religious''/"spiritual" that rule the churches today. I guess that is why for 4000 or so years THE WORD has warned us
that "HE COME WITH A SWORD...". The problem is that THE WORD usually goes into clearly defined detail with exactly what HE WILL DO WITH THAT SWORD.
That fact takes me to the "second thought"....WHERE is HE taking me with this? What this old dog has learned is that the "journey" itself is as important as the "destination" intended. So with a little explanation I have set a foundation for those whose "spiritual'' "eyes" and "ears" are open to what THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING AND HOLY GOD is saying to HIS CHURCHES today.
One of the funny things is that we are not in a vacuum. We are being "fitted together".... "assembled".... as the author of HEBREWS wrote in 10:25.... only GOD WHO IS SOVEREIGN is putting the pieces together. The present journey I am on has been given a push by the WORDS given to and through a number of saints. Bill Burns of Kremmling, Co and Harley Hickley of Virginia are two in particular. But it was John L Moore of the mountains that ABBA used to jump start me and send me on this present roller coaster ride. Just don't blame them for my white knuckles and queezzzzzyyyy feeling I am working through.
You see, ABBA has the desire to warn people. HE IS FAITHFULL. HE USES images, patterns, and sequences over and over in HIS WORD. HE IS THE SAME.... AND HE IS ETERNAL.... AND HE IS HOLY. So with the awareness that HIS WARNINGS ARE RARELY HEEDED I will do my best to state what I am hearing and seeing. And pray THE REMNANT will receive.
FAMINE AND SWORD..... Throughout America our "religious leaders" and "professional seers" have been preaching and prophesying REVIVAL and PROSPERITY to a land once blessed and obedient to GOD.... to a degree. Like ancient Israel we were brought into "the land" for the right reasons.... and for seasons were a GODLY NATION. FEARED GOD... prayed... sent THE GOSPEL out to the farthest corners of the world. But we were not perfect. We sinned and occasionally repented. But somewhere along the line the NATION got caught up with Babylonian "things" and lost sight of our GOD and our heritage. JESUS referred to HIS contemporary "religious institution" as "whited sepulchers". Bryan Hupperts recently had a fine commentary about "whitewash" ....find it and read it along with Matthew 23. And while you read the RED LETTERS count the "WOES".... JESUS speaks clearly.... and HE ONLY SPOKE WHAT HE HEARD
HIS FATHER SAY..... and it would make a whole lot of sense if we keep HIS WORDS in the context that they were given. If we keep everything in strict context there is no way we can miss the meaning that HE wants to get across..... so it seems ABBA is none too happy with mocking and rebellious children. Isaiah 30 delineates that most clearly.
Many have spoken of THE FAMINE IN THE LAND. Amos 8 describes the whole scenario intensely.
Amos 8:11-14
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. 13 In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. 14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again. (KJV)
There is no way anyone can miss the fact that GOD sends the famine. Nor can we miss the fact that it is a "spiritual famine". Likewise we can not ignore what it does...people are running "to and fro" looking for "the word" and are not finding it. Now verse 14 is interesting...they swear "by the sin of Samaria". GOD says it so it must mean something. 2Kings 13 mentions the sins of the house of Jeroboam and the grove also in Samaria..... 6Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
Now Jesus dealt with the issue briefly when having a theological debate with the woman at the well. The issue is simple,
GOD said worship ME in Jerusalem. The sin of Samaria was/is worshipping man's way in man's designated places, like the groves. What we have are other gods...spiritual adultery. In Amos there is a penalty. "even they shall fall, and never rise up again." is not an endorsement for "revival". Nor is what GOD tells us in AMOS 9:1-7
1 I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered. 2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: 3 And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he
shall bite them: 4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good. 5 And the Lord GOD of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, and all that dwell therein shall mourn: and it shall rise up wholly like a flood; and shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. 6 It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. 7 Are ye not as
children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt? and the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir? (KJV)
GOD says something very intense...."and HE said, "Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered".
So if KING JESUS is coming with A SWORD...and HE SAYS HE IS...there is no place to hide and no place to run if you are being targeted for destruction. Moving from the famine in Chapter 8 through THE SWORD at the beginning of Chapter 9 there is a set stage of events that end in one of the great PROPHECIES of all the scripture. THE
RESTORATION OF THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID......... Amos 9:11-12
11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. (KJV)
On 3/12/2000 Bill Burns sent forth this WORD....Prophetic Utterance through Bill Burns:
March 26, 2000: I am looking over all the land, for it is written that I will raise up the tabernacle of David, and I shall establish it in the hearts of those who desire to become mighty men. Not only am I speaking that forth through My word and by My word, for it has already been established in My word, but My eyes are running to and fro and I am looking for
the priests who will go and bring back the ark of My covenant, and they shall carry it upon their shoulders. There shall be no ox carts for them, for they shall cast aside the ox carts of religion and tradition and shall lift upon their own shoulders the ark of My covenant and carry it forth into My house. There between the cherubim I shall reveal My glory to My people, to My anointed ones, My David's that I am now calling forth from the whole earth. I am calling from the depth of My heart to the depth of your heart. Will you take up the ark? Will you be a priest in My house? Will you place it upon your shoulders and walk in covenant with Me? Surely if you walk in covenant with Me, you shall receive the benefits, and that which is hidden within it shall become yours. The written word of My promise shall become yours. The revelation of the golden pot
of manna shall become yours. The authority of the priesthood shall bud and flower and bring forth fruit, for this is My purpose in all of the earth. This is the work that I am now doing. I say unto you, march to the sound of that which you are hearing. Take up the ark of My covenant and go forth in strength and power, for I shall not fail you. My glory shall be revealed to you, says the Lord God.
THE LORD GOD IS LOOKING FOR PRIESTS WHO WILL SERVE HIM....not themselves....For this wondrous event to take place first must come a famine which we are now in....and then HE COMES WITH A SWORD....Amos 9:8-10 8 Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. 9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. 10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. (KJV)
Please reread verse 10 again...10 All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.
THE DAY the unrepentant are slaughtered will be THE DAY THE TABERNACLE WILL BE "RAISED AGAIN".
This does not describe the revivals man alludes to. But THE WORD does not say there will be one. THE WORD clearly states there will be deceptions, strong delusions, waxing wickedness, reprobate minds, major apostasy/falling away. No great move of repentance at all. Now if Amos and Isaiah 51 were the only places where the two IMAGES of FAMINE and SWORD appear in HIS WORD we might be able to ignore it. An OMNISCIENT AND ETERNAL ABBA ''knows'' us....our stiff necked, less than eager ways and attitudes. Maybe that is why HE placed FAMINE and SWORD together in 40 verses. Amos is not one of them. Amos is the template for us to see GOD'S HANDIWORK in it's fullness.
Interestingly 40 is the number of TRIAL....as in the WILDERNESS. It is the number of the DISPLEASURE of a HOLY GOD AND FATHER when national Israel fear giants more than appreciates the GOD WHO DWELT with them. It is also the number of battle....of fasting and prayer when THE LAMB was tempted and "WITHSTOOD" the enemy. 40 years....40 days....40 verses.........40 days and 40 nights of rain. 40 is the number of DIVINE AND HOLY JUDGEMENT on wickedness.
SO let me start with the oldest "reference" and see if it fits the "sequence" AMOS THE PROPHET gave us.
Job 5:17-27 17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23 For thou
shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. 24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. 25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. 26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season. 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
(KJV)
Again we see a clear synopsis of THE GOSPEL....GOD uses TRIAL to awaken wicked man and bring man to "SALVATION". Interestingly FAMINE and SWORD are joined by DESTRUCTION and "the beasts of the earth" so that our "tabernacle shall be in peace". Jeremiah takes it a step farther when he states....Jeremiah 5:10-17
10 Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S. 11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD. 12 They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: 13 And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. 14 Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. 15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. 16 Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. 17 And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword. (KJV)
Here "the prophets'' are openly attempting to deceive the people by giving them "words" that deny what GOD is saying. Funny how JOB speaks of obedience and repentance... TESHUVAH... and we have "tabernacles of peace". JEREMIAH speaks of hardened hearts refusing GOD'S TRIALS and we have "open sepulchers". Later he will give us a clearer view of JOB'S FOUR PRONGED JUDGEMENT...Jeremiah 15:1-7
1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity. 3 And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. 4 And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem. 5 For who shall have pity upon thee, O Jerusalem? or who shall bemoan thee? or who shall go aside to ask how thou doest? 6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting. 7 And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land; I will bereave them of children, I will destroy my people, since they return not from their ways. (KJV)
Like in AMOS, there is nowhere to run....no place to hide for the rebellious and the wicked.
DEATH....SWORD....FAMINE....CAPTIVITY....all appointed for a "SET TIME"....JESUS HAS CLEARLY CALLED US TO PICK UP OUR CROSSES TO FOLLOW HIM. TO TAKE UP HIS YOKE AND TO LEARN OF HIM. HE BRINGS THE TWO EDGED SWORD OF HIS WORD TO CUT AND DIVIDE US SO WE MIGHT BE SEPARATED FROM A WICKED WORLD AND ABIDE IN HIS TABERNACLE OF PEACE. HE HAS COME TO THIS WORLD WITH HIS SWORD THAT COMES OUT OF HIS MOUTH....THE WORDS HE HAS HEARD
ABBA SPEAK. TO BRING DEATH SO WE MAY LIVE AGAIN.
HE SENDS HIS DOGS TO TEAR AND REND THE FALSE FABRIC OF MAN'S ADULTEROUS PARODY OF HIS TABERNACLE.
Hosea 6:4-11
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. 5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. 8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. 9 And as troops of robbers wait for a
man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. 10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. 11 Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people. (KJV)
THE FALSE PRIESTS CANNOT CARRY THE ARC, THE FALSE PROPHETS DO NOT PROVOKE A CARNAL PEOPLE TO REPENTANCE. SO THE KING COMES TO JUDGE HIS SERVANTS BOTH GOOD AND FAITHFULL WITH THOSE WHO ARE WICKED AND DRUNKEN.
Amos 2:9-16
9 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. 10 Also I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and led you forty years through the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O ye children of Israel? saith the LORD. 12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not. 13 Behold, I am pressed under you, as a cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. 14 Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself: 15 Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and he that is swift of foot shall not deliver himself: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself. 16 And he that is courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD. (KJV)
THERE IS NO PLACE TO HIDE....NO PLACE TO RUN....EXCEPT TO THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND.
Amos 3:1-8
1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the
people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? 7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? (KJV)
THE LION ROARS.... HE HAS THUNDERED.... YET THE PRIESTS AND PRINCES WILL NOT REPENT FROM THEIR ADULTERIES AND THEIR SORCERIES. THERE IS A POINT WHERE A MOST HOLY GOD SHALL NO LONGER CONTEND WITH MAN.
BUT THE FOOL SAYS IN HIS HEART THAT THERE IS NO GOD. THERE IS NO ONE TO FEAR. NO ONE TO STAND IN TERROR OF SO THERE IS NO NEED TO REPENT.
THE HUMBLED AND CONTRITE WALK OUT THEIR SALVATION BEFORE A HOLY GOD IN FEAR AND TREMBLING. BEING STILL BEFORE HIM WHO COMES WITH A SWORD TO RIGHTEOUSLY MAKE WAR UPON HIS ENEMIES.
Micah 3:1-12
1 And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? 2 Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; 3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them
in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. 4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. 5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. 6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over
them. 7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. 9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. 10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11 The
heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. 12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. (KJV)
THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS SERVANTS. JUDGEMENT BEGINS IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD AND MOVES THROUGHOUT HIS CITY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH. THE WHEAT AND THE TARES ARE SEPARATED FOR THE FINAL HARVEST HAS BEGUN.
Zechariah 8:1-23
1 Again the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 2 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. 3 Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 6 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; 8 And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.
9 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 10 For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbor. 11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the
vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. 14 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: 15 So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not. 16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.
18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came unto me, saying, 19 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace. 20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (KJV)
THE TABERNACLE WILL BE RESTORED. A HOLY PRIESTHOOD SHALL BE ESTABLISHED THAT SERVES THE KING OF GLORY ON HIS MOUNTAIN AND IN HIS PAVILION. A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD ANOINTED AND SEPARATED AND COMMISSIONED IN THEIR SERVICE. ALL NATIONS WILL BOW BEFORE THE
KING OF GLORY WHO SHALL ENTER THROUGH THE ANCIENT GATES. THE KING OF GLORY WHO IS MIGHTY IN BATTLE. WHO COMES IN RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH A SWORD TO JUDGE HIS SERVANTS
AND TO MAKE WAR UPON THE NATIONS. FAITHFULL AND TRUE IS THE KING OF GLORY. WHO WILL FEAR HIS NAME? WHO WILL STAND BEFORE HIM?
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD
Shemuel
Bob Neumann
February 12, 1999
There is a call to enter into the INNER COURT. To step beyond the place of SEPARATION and DEFILEMENT.
The OUTER COURT is not the place to dwell comfortably in. Those who enter the gate and find THE INNER COURT too often set up camp. But it is not the final destination in itself. THE INNER COURT is the place of BRASS where cleansing BY THE BLOOD allows one to partake of THE FIRE and THE WATER. Truly many were called to this, but few are chosen to go beyond into THE HOLY PLACE. THE HOLY PLACE is the place of SERVICE. To PLACE the SHOW BREAD, to TEND THE OIL OF THE MENORAH, to PLACE THE INCENSE upon THE ALTAR. Few are chosen for this DUTY.
YET ONLY ONE MAY ENTER THE HOLY OF HOLIES. ONLY ONE WHO HAS PREPARED AND KEPT SEPARATE FROM THAT WHICH WOULD DEFILE. FEW PAY THIS PRICE....FEW TAKE THIS RISK. TO EMBRACE MY FULLNESS IS OF GREAT RISK. FOR ALL THAT YOU HOLD OF VALUE, ALL THAT YOU
THINK WELL OF MUST BE LOST AND BURNED SO YOU MAY ENTER MY REST. TO GAIN ALL IS TO RISK AND LOSE ALL. TO SIMPLY DIE AND BE BURIED. TO EMBRACE THE COLDNESS OF THE TOMB SO THAT YOU MAY BE RAISED. WHO WILL DWELL THEIR DAYS IN THE COLD OF THE EARTH? WHO WILL GLADLY WALK TO THE PLACE OF THE SKULL AND BE FORSAKEN BY EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE FOR MY NAME? WHO WILL SIMPLY FOLLOW WHERE I WILL LEAD? THE END OF THE JOURNEY IS THE
SAME FOR ALL. ALL WILL STAND BEFORE ME AND I WILL ASK FOR THE TALENTS I INVESTED IN YOU. I GAVE FREELY, BUT YOU CHOSE TO RISK FOR ME, OR INVEST FOR YOURSELVES.
SO SHALL I JUDGE.
selah
old dog