(PART 6): BIBLE VIEW OF PLAGUES AND PESTILENCES.

THE NEW TESTAMENT HAD SEVEN GENTILE CHURCH AGES: Namely: EPHESUS; SMYRNA; PERGAMOS, THYATIRA; SARDIS; PHILADELPHIA AND LAODICEA.

[1]. THE EPHESUSIAN CHURCH AGE: Its Lifespan extended from (53 to 170 A.D), a space of 117 years.

THE APOSTLE PAUL was the Messenger to The Ephesian Church Age. He was born in (C. 05 A.D); and beheaded in (C. 67), having lived for 62 years. Paul was called to the Ministry after the Messages of JOHN THE BAPTIST and JESUS THE MESSIAH. John The Baptist preached for only SIX MONTHS. He was IMPRISONED under the orders of KING HEROD. While still in prison, and at the request of HERODIAS, his brother PHILIP’S WIFE, John the Baptist was beheaded. John The Baptist had rebuked HEROD’S ACTION, of MARRYING HERODIAS. She was upset at JOHN THE BAPTIST rebuke over her remarriage. She REQUESTED FOR JOHN THE BAPTIST’S HEAD to be given her ON A PLATTER. And HEROD CONCEDED.

JESUS THE MESSIAH preached for only THREE AND HALF YEARS, (3½) and was CRUCIFIED. According to (Matt.27:22-25), THE JEWS and their DENOMINATIONAL LEADERS loudly and forcefully demanded: “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED” and … “HIS BLOOD BE ON US, AND ON OUR CHILDREN.” It was done upon them according to their own words.

PAUL TOO was rejected in many violent ways. (ACTS. 14:19).

“And there came thither certain Jews from ANTIOCH and ICONIUM, who persuaded the people, and, having STONED PAUL, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

IN JERUSALEM, a violent mob wanted to kill him, but THE ROMAN SOLDIERS came in time and rescued him, leaving them screaming ferociously (ACTS. 21:36):

“For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, AWAY WITH HIM.”

He suffered many persecutions, imprisonment, and perils at sea, while on his way to stand judgment before CAESAR in Rome: (2Cor. 11:23-25).

23. “Are they Ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool), I am more, in labours more abundant, IN STRIPES above measure, IN PRISONS more frequent, IN DEATHS OFT.
24. Of the Jews FIVE TIMES received I FORTY STRIPES SAVE ONE.
25. THRICE was I BEATEN WITH RODS, once was I STONED, thrice I SUFFERED SHIPWRECK, a night and a day I have BEEN IN THE DEEP.”

This is just but a brief account of HOW MUCH HATED PAUL THE APOSTLE WAS. Finally, he was beheaded in Rome around (A.D. 67).

Would God just overlook SUCH A BEHAVIOUR against HIS MESSENGERS? The Jews defied even the warning Jesus gave concerning BLASPHEMY.

(Matt, 12:32)

“And whosoever speaketh a word AGAINST THE SON OF MAN, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT, it shall not be forgiven him, neither IN THIS WORLD, neither IN THE WORLD TO COME.”

Finally, THEY BLASPHEMED as they watched 120, HOLY SPIRIT FILLED men and women coming out from the upper room ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST:

 (ACTS.2:12-13);

12. “And they were ALL AMAZED, and were IN DOUBT, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13. OTHERS MOCKING said, THESE MEN ARE FULL OF NEW WINE.”

In other words, THEY WERE DRUNK and in a state of STUPOR and IMPAIRED MINDS. That was BLASPHEMY which was UNFORGIVABLE. (EXO. 34:7)

The Lord, … Keeping Mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that WILL BY NO MEANS CLEAR THE GUILTY. (That was a guilt with no acquittal). It cost them a lot.

 

JESUS BEING THE INFINITE GOD that he is, with all the foreknowledge that is in him, FORESAW the PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS of both the JEWS and GENTILES and PROPHESIED: (Luke 21:22-24)

22. “For these be THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, that all things WHICH ARE WRITTEN may be fulfilled.
23. But WOE UNTO THEM THAT ARE WITH CHILD, and to them THAT GIVE SUCK, in those days! For there shall be GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND, and WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE.
24. And they shall FALL BY THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, and shall be LED AWAY CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS: and JERUSALEM SHALL BE TRODDEN DOWN OF THE GENTILES, until the times of the gentiles be fulfilled”

 

God’s Word does not fail. Surely, IN 70 A.D; Jerusalem was invaded and besieged by The Roman General, Titus. History records show that he came in with an army of 80,000 soldiers. The siege depleted Jerusalem and surrounding areas of FOOD and WATER SUPPLY. Many inhabitants of Jerusalem died of STARVATION, and some were DRIVEN INTO EXILE. The remaining survivals were massacred, and THE TEMPLE DESTROYED, leaving only THE WESTERN WALL

which still stands today as A TESTIMONY to the prophecy of The Lord Jesus Christ before he was crucified. That was the price of not taking GOD’S WORD seriously. Again, Jesus did warn them of what was to come in another prophecy:

(Luke21:5-6)

(5). And as some SPAKE OF THE TEMPLE, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

(6). As for these things which ye behold, THE DAYS WILL COME, in the which there shall NOT BE LEFT ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, that shall not be throne down.

This also happened to the letter. Now,

 

(A). Rejecting the Messages of MESSIAH JESUS CHRIST, of JOHN THE BAPTIST His Forerunner, and THE APOSTLE PAUL Messenger to THE EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE, and,

(B). THEIR BLASPHEMY OF THE HOLY GHOST ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, cost them dearly.

This was to be A LESSON TO THE LAITY of ALL CHURCH AGES, including LAODICEA, where we are now.

AS FOR THE APOSTLE PAUL he had already been BEHEADED IN ROME IN 67.A.D. He had DELIVERED HIS MESSAGE to EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE MEMBERS as he so declared in his epistles, (2TIM. 4:6-8):

6. “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love His appearing.”

God saw how those who heard JOHN THE BAPTIST and JESUS THE MESSIAH and The APOSTLE PAUL RESPONDED TO THEIR MESSAGES. SOME BELIEVED. God laid them away to sleep with their Messenger. THE MAJORITY TURNED IT DOWN. They formed new denominations out of the message they rejected. They established seminaries and came up with their own NEW DOCTRINES and INTERPRETATIONS. They got into squabbles and disagreements with one another until, the next church age Messenger arrives with his new Message. THEN THE VENGEANCE OF GOD DECENDED.

 

 

THIS IS THE RECURRENT PATTERN OF EVENTS WHICH I ENDEVOUR TO SHOW YOU GOING FORWARD.

Between, (165–180 A.D); History recorded for us A GLOBAL PANDEMIC PLAGUE which fell upon the whole earth. It was called: “THE ANTONINE PLAGUE”.

History states that the Plague lasted for fifteen (15) years, claiming approximately five Million (5 million) lives globally. The plague was concentrated mainly in the Mediterranean Coastlands of The Roman Empire.

THE PLAGUE manifested itself in the form of SMALLPOX and MEASLES. As usual, SEVERAL THEORIES WERE GIVEN TO EXPLAIN ITS CAUSES. SCIENCE HAS ALWAYS COME UP WITH A SCIENTIFIC ACCOUNT, WHICH IS FAIR, NORMAL and EXPECTED.

 

But, going forward from here, I would like YOU TO ALSO CONSIDER THE BIBLE VIEW, which is GOD’S ACCOUNT about it. And HERE IS HOW THE PROPHET MOSES recorded it for us:

(DEUT.28:58-61.)

“If thou WILL NOT OBSERVE to do all THE WORDS OF THE LAW, that are written IN THIS BOOK, that thou MAYEST FEAR HIS GLORIOUS and FEARFUL NAME, THE LORD THY GOD.

Then the Lord will MAKE THY PLAGUES WONDERFUL (extraordinary), and THE PLAGUES OF THY SEED (offspring), even GREAT PLAGUES, and of LONG CONTINUANCE, and SORE SICKNESS, and of LONG CONTINUANCE.

Moreover, he will bring upon thee ALL THE DISEASES OF EGYPT, which thou wast afraid of; and THEY SHALL CLEAVE UNTO THEE.

 

As you have read, GOD uses PLAGUES and PESTILENCES as A ROD OF DISCIPLINE TO INDUCE COMPLIANCE and OBEDIENCE to his WORD. He is YOUR CREATOR. DISOBEDIENCE IS A COSTLY AFFAIR WITH GOD.

 

Man, through his LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM (which includes Remand Centers, custody; jail, Prisons Correctional centers, Curfews), uses arrests, fines, imprisonment, capital punishment to enforce obedience to the law of the land. Some countries use whips or strokes and / or some form of painful or uncomfortable tortures. God HAD ALREADY HAD his own system before man made up his own.

THE MESSENGER TO LAODICEA was given to have us understand that: after every Church Age Messenger has delivered his Message, and taken Home to Glory, God drops A PLAGUE upon THE REJECTORS OF THE MESSAGE, as A TEMPORARY JUDGMENT.

Reference: THE FIRST SEAL; MACH 18-1963, JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA. (Paragraph: 65). QUOTE:

“… And then God TAKES HIS MESSENGER, with THE ELECT OF THAT AGE and lays them away, asleep. And then HE DROPS A PLAGUE UPON THEM WHO REJECTED IT, A temporary judgment.” END OF QUOTE

 

Can you see some correlation between, Paul being called off the scene in 67 A.D? and the invasion and siege of Jerusalem in 70. A.D?

Can you see another, between “The ANTONINE PLAGUE” of (165-180 A.D.) and the winding up of EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE. (53-170 A.D.)? Just remember, although the Church Age Messengers were called from certain specific countries, THEIR CHRIST-GIVEN MESSAGES were to be GLOBAL and UNIVERSAL, for both THE BELIEVERS and THE REJECTORS. Here is what the Bible says about what happened on The Day of Pentecost. Take note of the countries from where the attendance came.

(ACTS. 2: 5, 9-11):

5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem, JEWS, DEVOUT MEN, out of EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN.
6. And they were ALL AMAZED and MARVELLED, saying one to another, behold, are not all these which speak GALILEANS?
7. And HOW HEAR WE EVERY MAN IN OUR OWN TONGUE, wherein we were born?
8. PARTHIANS, and MEDES, and ELAMITES, and THE DWELLERS IN MESOPOTAMIA, and IN JUDEA, and CAPPADOCIA, IN PONTUS, and ASIA,
9. PHRYGIA, and PAMPHYLIA, in EGYPT, and in the parts of LIBYA about CYRENE, and strangers of ROME, JEWS and PROSELYTES,
10. CRETES and ARABIANS, we do hear them SPEAK IN OUR TONGUES the WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD?

(ACTS. 8:10), there was AN ETHIOPAN, too, who PHILIP THE EVANGELIST was sent to minister to and to lead him to CHRIST.

Could it be said that THE INVASION and THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM and ITS DESOLATION by TITUS’S 80,000 soldiers in A.D.70, and the coming in of “THE ANTONINE PLAGUE” (165-180 A.D.) were GOD’S JUDGMENT ACTS on earth because of REJECTING THE MESSAGES of JOHN THE BAPTIST; OF JESUS THE MESSIAH; and of PAUL THE APOSTLE? Make up your mind and your choice.

 

[2]. THE SMYRNIAN CHURCH AGE.

It covered the period between (170 A.D. to 312 A.D.), a space of 142 years. IRENAEUS was THE MESSENGER TO THE AGE. Born around A.D. 130, IRENAEUS died around 203 A.D. He lived for about 73 years. Like Paul, his message also encountered skeptics. It was an age when there arose a move to depart from the sound and solid Truth The APOSTLE PAUL LAID DOWN as THE SOLID CHURCH FOUNDATION for all other church ages. Like the previous age, there were both BELIEVERS and SKEPTICS or rejectors.

IRENAEUS MINISTRY ended around 203 A.D. It was then that The Lord CALLED HIM OFF THE SCENE. Following his calling away, A GLOBAL PANDEMIC HIT THE EARTH AGAIN. Between 250 – 271 A.D, the World identified A GLOBAL PLAGUE which was named: “THE PLAGUE OF CYPRIAN.” The explanations of the time had it that it first erupted in Ethiopia then spread Rome, Greece, and Syria.

The Plague manifested itself in several forms: diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, deafness, blindness, paralysis of the legs and feet, swollen throat, conjunctivitis, and dehydration.

It is said that the plague claimed as many as 5,000 people in Rome alone. Let draw your attention to those DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS of PLAGUES we had in ARTICLE ONE.

They all seem to state that, A PLAGUE is FAST SPREADING, INFECTIOUS, CONTINUALLY ANNOYING, VEXING, TORMENTING, CAUSING SUFFERING, disease, which often leads to DEATH.

Apart from these catastrophic effects directly on human life, they also brought along with them economic, social, religious, political, and military upheavals. The ensuing political upheavals in the Roman Empire, eventually led to collapse of agriculture, food shortage and famine.

The Plague of Cyprian also claimed the lives of two Emperors: HOSTILIAN, (who died November 251) and CLAUDIUS II. Or GOTHICUS The Emperor of Rome from (268-270). The Plague of Cyprian lasted for twenty (20) years. This was quite a long time for the world to endure.

Remember, The Smyrnaean Church Age lasted from (170-312 A. D.) IRENAEUS was called off the scene in around (203 A.D.) The Plague of Cyprian kicked in between (250-271 A.D.). So, if the REJECTION OF THE MESSAGE OF A GOD-SENT MESSENGER INVOKES JUDGMENT FROM GOD, then I leave that to you to make your own conclusion. But read this QUOTE from The Sermon shown below:

SERMON REFERENCE:

THE SPOKEN WORD IS THE ORIGINAL SEED: (By Rev. William Marrion Branham).

(March 18, 1962. (PART 2) Paragraph 363: (Jeffersonville Indiana).

QUOTE:

(Para 363) … “Like Elijah after that mighty vindicated Prophet that the Word of God came to, had finished preaching His Message to … God had to call him off the field, until HE PLAGUED THAT GENERATION with MIGHTY PLAGUES, for REJECTING THE MESSAGE OF HIS PROPHET, and THE WORD OF GOD, that he had sent to them.

God sent him into the wilderness in hiding, not even the King could call him out. And them that tried to persuade him against THE WILL OF GOD, died for doing so.” END OF QUOTE.

This pattern of events continued through the end of every Church age. Watch it through THE NEXT CHURCH AGES.

 

 

[3]. THE PERGAMEAN CHURCH AGE.

MARTIN WAS THE MESSENGER to this church Age. The Age lasted between (312-606 A.D), a time span of 294 years. Martin was born around A.D. 316. The Lord called him off his mission on earth around A.D. 397. Martin’s Life span was 81 years. Martin was a thoroughly vindicated servant of God, whose ministry was openly accompanied by many supernatural signs, wonders, and miracles.

Martin lived through the time WHEN THE FIRST NICAEN COUNCIL OF (325 A.D); was convened. It was a time of A MAJOR DEPARTURE from PAUL’S FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH given in the first church age. There also arose great persecution against THE TRUE BELIEVERS who wanted to stay with PAUL’S FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH. PAUL foreseeing what was coming down the road GAVE THIS WARNING, BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE.

(1Cor.3:9-11)

9. For we are LABOURERS TOGETHER WITH GOD: ye are God’s husbandry, YE ARE GOD’S BUILDING.
10. According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as A WISE MASTER BUILDER I have LAID THE FOUNDATION, and another BUILDETH THEREON. But let every man TAKE HEED how he buildeth thereupon.
11. For OTHER FOUNDATION can no man lay than that is laid, which is JESUS Christ.

(EPHESIAN 5:23), says: “For as THE HUSBAND is the HEAD OF WIFE, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: and He is THE SAVIOUR OF THE BODY.

BUT THE NICENE COUNCIL had come up with significant changes and challenges to The Established Truth. THE FIRST and HEAD DENOMINATION was formed and established. It was also DECLARED TO BE THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH OF CHRIST. An EARTHLY SUCCESSION OF HEADSHIP OF CHRISTIANITY was started based upon a figure of A MAN, who was given a TITLE called “VICARUIS FILLI DEI.” Or “THE VICAR /SUCCESOR OF THE SON OF GOD”. This is where THE NUMBER 666 is to be derived, according to (Rev.13:18). Also, the so-called APOSTLE’S CREED was formulated and adopted. Several other DOGMAS were introduced and adopted. This became the age of rapid DEPARTURE FROM LIGHT TO SPRIRTUAL DARKENESS.

Just like JOHN THE BAPTIST, JESUS THE MESSIAH, and THE APOSTLE PAUL, MARTIN’S MESSAGE was not received without resistance. The recurring consequences we have outlined in other ages, did repeat in this age also.

Within the Lifespan of The Pergamean church age, A MAJOR GLOBAL PANDEMIC broke out between (541 - 549 A.D.) It was called: “THE JUSTINIAN PLAGUE” Just like other earlier Plagues, which were many, diverse, and severe, so was The Justinian Plague. Records states that its victims suffered from delusions, nightmares, fever, swellings in the groins and armpits and behind the ears. Some of the victims sometimes lapsed into Comas and death. As we can see from the time period, it lasted for 8 years.

About half of the population of Europe was affected. It claimed approximately 30 to 50 million lives in the three continents: ASIA, EUROPE, and AFRICA.

It was claimed that THE ORIGIN OF THIS PLAGUE was from China and then spread to N.E India, the great Lakes region of Africa, Egypt, Alexandria, Palestine, mainly through trade.

SOME HISTORIANS were quoted as ATTRIBUTING THE CAUSE of the plague to THE EVIL LIFESTYLES and WAYS of their HIGHEST LEADERSHIP. One of the historians went as far as saying that it was a punishment for the evil ways of the leadership.

Before you agree or disagree, let us examine THE LIFESTYLES of a few BYGONE LEADERS, including KING AHAB OF ISRAEL and HIS WIFE QUEEN JEZEBEL.

(1KINGS 16: 29-33) It is recorded in these scriptures that AHAB, the son of OMRI:

• “DID EVIL in the sight OF THE LORD, ABOVE ALL THAT WAS BEFORE HIM”
• He WALKED IN THE SINS of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat,
• He also took to wife Jezebel, the daughter of ETHBAAL King of the Zidonians
• He went and SERVED BAAL and WORSHIPPED HIM. (That was forbidden in Israel)
• He reared up AN ALTAR for BAAL in the house of Baal which he built in SAMARIA.
• Ahab also MADE A GROVE, (A small wood cleared of undergrowth.)

Does God get provoked by AN UNACCEPTABLE LIFESTYLE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF A NATION? Make your own conclusion.

One may also wonder, why was it called JUSTINIAN PLAGUE? Are earthly Rulers “ABSOLUTES?” and “UNACCOUNTABLE TO GOD?”

The Biblical answer is, certainly “NO” and here is why?

(DAN.4:17); 25-26.“… the MOST HIGH RULETH IN THE KINGDOM OF MEN, and giveth it to whomsoever he willeth, and setteth up over it THE BASEST OF MEN”

You have already read WHAT GOD DID TO AHAB, his wife QUEEN JEZEBEL, his CHILDREN, especially THE MALE OFFSPRING, his KINSFOLK, and ISRAEL, his Nation. Why? Why did his family, his kinsfolk, and his Nation go through such agony?

There is a saying: “FISH ROTS FROM THE HEAD” Certainly when the Fish head begins to rot, the rest of the body follows suit. When corruption hits the Headship of any Nation on Earth, the whole nation is affected in one way or another.

Trace every nation on earth that has been ruled by or had had AN AUTOCRATIC, DICTATORIAL KINGSHIP or AN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY. AN EMPEROR, A DICTATORSHIP, or some other form of ABSOLUTE LEADERSHIP. Whatever, they were groomed, THY AFFECTED THEIR NATION ADVERSELY.

[1]. When PHARAOH OF EGYPT became a defiant absolute against The God of Moses, God drowns him and his entire army at the Red Sea. (EXO. 14:28).

[2]. When KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR OF BABYLON, became lifted up and arrogant, God drove him from dwelling with man to dwelling with beasts in the field for SEVEN YEARS, eating grass LIKE AN OX. His nails grew LIKE BIRD’S CLAWS, his hair grew LIKE EAGLE’S FEATHER.  (Dan4:29-33) says so, GO AND READ IT YOURSELF.

 

[3]. When KING ZEDEKIAH stamped upon and burned Jeremiah’s scroll Messages sent to him, God allowed The King of Babylon to invade Jerusalem. Then he first slew all the sons of Zedekiah and all the Princes of Judah. Then he put out his eyes, put him in chains, and carried him captive to Babylon where he died. (Jer.52:8-11).

 

[4]. KING HEROD in his day did not pay any attention to these recorded events concerning RULERS BEHAVIOUR and GOD’S RESPONSE in the Bible. He had to go through his own experience.

HEROD, (ACTS 12:21-23) WAS EATEN BY WORMS WHILE ALIVE.

21. “And upon a set day HEROD, arrayed in ROYAL APPAREL, sat upon his throne, and MADE AN ORATION unto them.
22. And THE PEOPLE GAVE A SHOUT, saying, IT IS THE VOICE OF A GOD, and not of a man.
23. And immediately THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SMOTE HIM, because he gave not God the glory: and HE WAS EATEN OF WORMS and gave up the ghost.

 

[5]. QUEEN JEZEBEL, King Ahab’ wife. (1Kings18:4); 

“For it was so, when JEZEBEL CUT OFF THE PROPHETS of The Lord that OBADIAH took AN HUNDRED PROPHETS and HID THEM BY FIFTY in a cave and FED THEM WITH BREAD and WATER.”

SHE died A BRUTAL DEATH by the hand of KING JEHU. Then HER BODY was EATEN BY DOGS except for her SKULL, FEET and PALMS of her hands.

(KINGS 9:35):

And they went to bury her: but they found no more than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands.

 

You cannot OBSTRUCT GOD’S PROGRAM and get away with it. That is what ALL THESE PLAGUE JUDGMENTS are about.

Have you learned any lessons yet? I hope you did, before we move on to THE NEXT CHURCH AGE. This is to show to you that THESE WERE A RECURRING PATTERN OF EVENTS which NO CHURCH AGE COULD CIRCUMVENT. This was true in the OLD TESTAMENT as well as in NEW TESTAMENT.

And there are yet more Worse Plagues to come upon this earth, as long as man continues to remain ADAMANT and DEFIANT to THE LIVING GOD. Those coming Plagues are already recorded in the Book of Revelation. So, BETTER READ YOUR BIBLE. IGNORANCE IS NO COURT OF APPEAL.

 

Someone WISELY SUGGESTED that B I B L E: Can be taken to stand for: Be Instructed Before Leaving Earth. Don’t ever risk to hide behind wilful ignorance, my dear friend. YOUR SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT.

 

 

[4]. THE THYATIRA CHURCH AGE.

COLUMBA WAS THE MESSENGER to The Thyatira Church Age, which lasted between (606-1520). It is an age which lasted the longest, that is, 914 years. If Columba lived for only 76 years of THE THYATIRA 914, YEARS, that means there was more evil done in this age AFTER HE WAS CALLED AWAY TO GLORY

What really happened from SMYRNA through THYATIRA and PERGAMOS was that it was a time of BITTER AGGRESSIVE UPSURGE of Authors and Proponents of DOGMAS, FALSE DOCTRINES, NICOLAITANISM, JEZEBELISM, BAAAMISM and DENOMINATIONALISM against PAUL’S FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH he established in THE EPHESIAN CHURCH AGE.

The lifespan of those church ages outpaced the ministry time of the Messengers. SMYRNA was 142 years long. PERGAMOS was 294 years long. THYATIRA WAS 914 years long. SARDIS, 230 years long. PHILADELDPHIA was 156 years long.

So, long after The Messenger of the age was called off the scene, A 5-YEAR LONG PANDEMIC was dropped upon dwellers of the earth again, during THYATIRA CHURCH AGE. It was variously called “THE BLACK DEATH”: or “THE BUBONIC PLAGUE”. The world grappled with it from (1346 to 1351).

Its victims suffered from BLISTERS or BOILS. Remember EGYPT’S SIXTH PLAGUE which was BOILS with BLAINS or BLISTERS. (EXO. 9:8-11). So, history was repeated.

The origin of the plague was supposed to have been from China, and through trade, it spread to India, Persia, Syria, and Egypt, which had it at MOSES TIME OF THE EXODUS.

Records show that between 75–201 million people died globally. As usual, Men have always done their best by coming up with some helpful remedies. QUARANTINE for 40 days and observation of SOCIAL DISTANCEING were applied.

QUARANTINE, and SOCIAL DISTANCING, were Biblical Remedies SINCE MOSES’ DAYS. Read about its application to Miriam

(NUMB.12:1-2; 9-11; 14-15).

Miriam and her brother Aaron took pleasure to speak against their younger brother, Prophet Moses for marrying the Ethiopian Woman, Zipporah.

Out of their marriage they had 2 Sons, GERSHOM and ELIEZER who were accepted into THE TRIBE OF LEVI, of which Moses belongs. To God, it was not a big deal, but to Miriam and Aaron, it was an issue to murmur about.

Their evil talk, provoked God to wrath. He punished Miriam instantly with A PLAGUE OF LEPROSY. She had to be quarantined for one week. Social Distancing had already been used as God’s way to isolate victims of infectious plagues. The book of (ECCLESIATES 1:9) states:

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be and that which is done is that which shall be done: and THERE IS NO NEW THING UNDER THE SUN.”

To day Miriam and Aaron’s actions could have been construed as RACISM. But with God, we are all descendants of ADAM and EVE. Whatever colour God has assigned to each one of us, WE ARE ONE HUMAN RACE CARRYING ONE BLOOD, IN OUR INDIVIDUAL VEINS. And we can give BLOOD TRANSFUSION to any one of US HUMANS.

God who made all things. (Acts17:26): … hath made OF ONE BLOOD all nations of men for to dwell on ALL THE FACE OF THE EARTH, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.

But as GOD LOVES VARIETY, it is still his pleasure if man was WHITES, BLACKS, BROWNS, YELLOWS ETC. Man was neither Jews nor Gentile, but just CHILD OF GOD, plain and simple. GOD loves RED ROSES, WHITE ROSES, PURPLE ROSES, PINK ROSES and so forth.

GOD loves MOUNTAINS, PLAINS, PLATAEUX, HILLS, VALLEYS ESCARPMENTS etc.

He loves FORESTS, GRASSLAND, WOODLAND and DESERTS, ETC.

Look at the varieties of THE FOWL OF THE AIR. From the LITTLE SPARROW TO THE MAJESTIC EAGLE. He enjoys His Own Creation. Who gave Him advice when he was creating them? In fact, MAN WAS THE LAST BEING TO BE CREATED. So, WHO IS MAN ANYHOW?

Look at the VARIETY OF THE FISH IN THE OCEONS, LAKES and RIVERS. Be Humble, you man. GOD can humble you in a manner, you wouldn’t like.

So, God was showing MIRIAM, AARON, and US that we must RESPECT HIS CREATION.

IF PHARAOH, NEBUCHADNEZZAR, HEROD, ZEDEKAIAH, MIRIAM, JEZEBEL, VASHTI, HAMAN, KORAH, DATHAN ABIRAM, etc. were TO BE RAISED UP TODAY, what would their advice be to us? Assuming they have learned something from their experiences.

From these few BIBLE EXAMPLES, we have seen, how we can PROVOKE GOD’S WRATH UPON US. And when he is provoked, He CASTS PLAGUES OR PESTILENCE upon the PROVOKATEURS.

We have also seen HOW HE CAN BE MOVED TO HALT THE PLAGUE. He is full of COMASSION ALSO.

If God stopped SOME OF THE PLAGUES he dropped upon THE EGYPTIANS, and upon THE PARTICIPANTS in Korah’s Rebellion and UPON MIRIAM, can he not BE APPROACHED APPROPRIATELY too, to halt COVID-19, The DELTA VARIANT; The OMICRON and ANY OTHER PLAGUE which we provoke God to drop upon us? The answer is “YES HE CAN.” But it must be done HIS PROVIDED WAY.

Remember also, WE MUST NOT BE like A HOG WHICH WHEN IT HAS BEEN WASHED CLEAN, turns around and runs right back into its miry clay. OR THE HEALED HUMAN going back TO WALLOW IN HIS SIN CESPOOL AGAIN. Lessons must be learned, and changes must be made.

Be it known to you that WORSE PLAGUES are yet to come. THEY WILL BE HERE ON EARTH AGAIN AFTER THE RAPTURE OF THE BRIDE of Jesus Christ IS ACCOMPLISHED. We will show you in the next or the last portion of THESE SERIES. THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB CHANGES NOT. OR WE CAN SAY IT DIFFERENTLY, JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH SARDIS CHURCH AGE and THE REST IN (PART 7).

I TRUST YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND HAVE LEARNED SOME VALUABLE LESSONS TO HELP YOU MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING.

PASTOR MARTIN TOMBE

RESTORED BIBLE TRUTH ASSEMBLY.