49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025

49 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING FROM MONDAY 7TH OF APRIL TO TUESDAY 27TH OF MAY 2025

THEME “PROPHETIC BLESSING AND FULFILLMENT”

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Genesis 49:1 (AMP) "Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Assemble yourselves [around me] that I may tell you what will happen to you and your descendants [a]in the days to come."

Praise God Precious Saints,

Many of you have been faithfully praying for this ministry and our family after the recent saddened loss of Pastor Aida Clancy. So, we as a family just wanted to thank you all for your ongoing prayer support, as we continue to heal and seek the Lord for His perfect will. I am currently in a sabbatical seeking the Lord for future strategy and direction, which I wanted to extended the invitation to all those that may want to join me also in this 49-day fast to activate the prophetic fulfillment over your life also. You are most welcome saints, as I hear the words “SUPERNATURAL ADVANCEMENT” to all those who join this fasting program. Development and improvement shall be your portion that is coming to your life saints, and the devil cannot stop the advancement coming either hallelujah!  

Saints there is prophecy over each of us and just as Jacob, on his deathbed, delivers blessings and prophecies over each of his sons. I believe those who join this fast will see a quickening in the spirit of the promises over each of our lives. Genesis forty nine is a powerful word of prophetic promises, that will not only stir, activate and propel our lives but use us to advance His kingdom upon the earth hallelujah!

God is about to move in this next season, and there are certain hindrances that are stopping many of us from seeing Gods best and perfect will. Therefore, as we fast together saints, I would first encourage you to come with full expectation that you will receive a miracle from God who is going to break every yoke. Yes, He is going to release His breaker anointing to see those roadblocks removed completely from our lives. So, if you are interested, feel free to join until the blessing and prophetic promises are released. Let’s go deeper saints, let’s press in more saints, and let the fire of God fall upon us all that apathy will be removed with a Holy Spirit blow touch! Let us run this race together in unity within this season, for greater is about to be released from heaven!

God is about to spark and ignite the fires of revival within the remnant across all nations who hunger and thirst for more of the Lord. Yes, the Lord is about to do something on the earth that is unprecedented through His Holy Spirit. See we are just a prophetic ministry warning people to be ready for this outpouring and calling all to REPENT and prepare for His soon snatching away of the bride of Christ. This move shall be seven times greater and as the Lord was revealing to me that seven times seven is forty-nine, He said to fast for these number of days to see a speedy result in breakthrough from all hindrances to His will within our lives. For those that are looking for breakthrough in employment, promotion, provisions, marriage, childbearing, divine health, ministry provisions etc then this is your time to push in prayer for that positive result. Therefore, I want us to PRESS INTO THE Lord for the next 49 days starting on the first day 7th of April 2025. The harvest is ready to reap, and we must pray to the Father for more labourers to come into support and bring in the end-time harvest.

49 THE COMPLETE NUMBER

The number 49 is the square of 7. 49 = 7 x 7. The shape of 49 is a square. This calculation OF 7X7 is important in various mathematical and practical contexts, such as geometry, where it can represent the side length of a square with an area of 49 square units. It’s also significant in algebra and engineering, where understanding square roots helps in solving problems involving areas and other applications that require precise measurements.

THE PROPHETIC MEANING BEHIND 49 DAYS

The meaning of the number 49 is derived from the fact that it is 7 times 7 saints. Seven is a Biblically perfect numeral representing spiritual perfection, wholeness, completeness and finished. So, 49 is also related to the unlimited forgiveness God offers us and which he commands we should offer our fellow humans.

One day Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive a person who sinned against him. He mentioned to the Lord that he thought forgiving someone seven times seemed to be enough. The Lord's response, however, involved 49.

Matthew 18:22 “Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Christians are not to limit themselves regarding forgiveness and mercy. If they are to be perfect, like their heavenly Father (Matthew 5:48), believers are required to offer unlimited forgiveness saints.

APPEARANCE OF THE NUMBER FORTY-NINE

God first commanded his people to keep the Feast of Weeks (also known as Pentecost) in Exodus 34. The determination of Pentecost, each year, begins by counting seven complete weeks (49 days total) starting within the spring Feast season (Num. 28:26, Deuteronomy 16:9 - 10). The day after this perfect cycle of days is the fiftieth day, which is designated a holy convocation before God. No servile work is to be done on the day, and special offerings were made to God in thankfulness of his blessings from the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22).

Pentecost, which continued to be kept by the New Testament church (Acts 2:1), is a special day of rejoicing. Its Old Testament meaning was enhanced when it became the day God kept his promise (Acts 1:4 - 5) and poured out his Holy Spirit on his people. This act not only makes them true Christians but also gives them the power to build righteous character.

In modern times, many Christians celebrate Pentecost from late May to the middle of June (it varies due to the Biblical calendar) each year.

Significance of the number forty-nine (49) So, let’s look a little deeper and some other areas of the spiritual meaning of forty-nine (49). For instance, the spiritual number seven (7) means the end. On the 7th Day of Creation, God rested, as if to say ‘take note: the time (7) of Creation has been fulfilled. The number seven (7) relates to the motion of events, particularly the fulness of time or prophecy. See God measures time in multiples of seven. The Sabbath is the 7th day. The Jubilee is the 7th year. God sets the appointed time for all things. For example, since the Flood, the years of man shall be 70 years. Whenever a spiritual number is squared, its essence is magnified. So, if the number seven (7) means the end, then the number 49 means the very end. If the number 7 means fulness of time, then the number 49 means the fulness of all time.

THE FATHERS LOVE AND BLESSINGS

There is a connection to the father’s love also with the number forty-nine (49) which we can see from the 49th Book of the bible, the Book of Ephesians, which expressed this as its chief theme:

Ephesians 3:14-17 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [a]of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

How does a father show his love? He does it by providing a blessing at the end of his time. When an earthly father is about to die, he lays his hands on his children and evokes a blessing upon them. Just as we see from the 49th chapter in Genesis and you saw from the theme first verse scripture.

Genesis 49:26 “The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.”

The scripture also tells us that when we honour our parents, it shall bring us a long and prosperous life. Many children can neglect these things and as a result bring unnecessary curses upon their lives. Now we always to please God above man but always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to not let pride and stubbornness block our blessings to how we treat our parents and honour them biblically.   

THE JUBILEE YEAR AND SIGNIFICANCE OF NUMBER 49

The Jubilee (Hebrew: יובל yōḇel; Yiddish: yoyvl) is the year that follows the passage of seven "weeks of years" (seven cycles of sabbatical years, or 49 total years). This fiftieth year deals largely with land, property, and property rights.

God commanded his people to proclaim a unique yearlong period after the completion of seven sets of seven years (49 total). This fiftieth year, proclaimed with a trumpet on the Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur), is known as the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9).

And you shall number seven Sabbaths of years to you, seven times seven years . . . Then you shall cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; in the Day of Atonement . . . And you shall make the fiftieth year holy and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you . . . (Leviticus 25:8 - 10).

In the Jubilee year, all the land God gave the Israelites was to return to their original owners. Additionally, Israelites who were slaves were to be set free and allowed to go back home (see Leviticus 25). The completion of each 49-year time cycle marked a period of freedom, liberty and rejoicing for God's people.

JUDASIM TRADITION COUNTING OF 49 DAYS

Counting of the Omer (Hebrew: סְפִירַת הָעוֹמֶר, Sefirat HaOmer, sometimes abbreviated as Sefira) is a ritual in Judaism. It consists of a verbal counting of each of the 49 days between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot. The period of 49 days is known as the "omer period" or simply as "the omer" or "sefirah".[1]

The Counting of the Omer, which is based on passages from Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16, is a Jewish holiday that lasts forty-nine days.

As we saw from the mathematical square of seven is forty-nine, but some have also seen it as a symbol for the word paradise by some. So, this count has its origins in the biblical command of the Omer offering (or sheaf-offering), which was offered on Passover, and after which 49 days were counted, and the Shavuot holiday was observed. The Temple sacrifices have not been offered since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, but the counting until Shavuot is still performed today. Shavuot is the only major Jewish holiday for which no calendar date is specified in the Torah; rather, its date is determined by the omer count.

The Counting of the Omer begins on the second day of Passover (the 16th of Nisan) for Rabbinic Jews (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform), and after the weekly Shabbat during Passover for Karaite Jews. According to all practices, the 49-day count ends the day before Shavuot, which is the 'fiftieth day' of the count. The omer ("sheaf") is an old Biblical measure of volume of unthreshed stalks of grain, the amount of grain used for the Temple offering.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT HIS  49 DAY FASTING PROGRAM

This is an event anybody can partake of anywhere around the world within your church groups and home, with the main purpose of getting families to repent and turn back to God with the help of prayer according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

This time of fasting and prayer allows us as to prioritise our relationships with the Lord as individuals and families of those that wish to participate during this time. The 49 days of prayer consists of abstaining from food in a variety of five different options as outlines below. It also will include of abstaining from all forms of worldly TV, MUSIC, GAMES, MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA (NONE-CHRISTIAN) etc. Remember the five wise virgins kept their oil full by spending time with the Lord and preparing for the coming of the bridegroom. How much more should we also prepare as wise virgins, waiting for the rapture of the remnant church.

Now you may watch Christian materials during this time as an individual or family, but for those in families doing this with your children, then this is also to break many of the bad habits (I pad, Cartoons, Music etc) that are keeping them away from prayer that the Lord may open their spiritual eyes to be revived and see visions and dreams according to Joel 2:28.

Though we are on different timelines, I encourage you to just follow the dates for your respective countries along with your time.

Date: Monday 7th of April to Tuesday 27th of May 2025

What am I required to fast from?

We want to leave this decision ultimately up to you. See we do not have any mandatory church-wide requirements for how you fast, but here are a few ideas to help you and your families and friends out with:

Prayer Type:

Prayer Instructions: Each Day you will be required to read one Chapter of the book of Genesis and then discuss this chapter as a family according to “THINGS TO PONDER” for each day. You also will reflect on the Revival thoughts for the day and pray according to the Holy spirits leading.

Food Fast

When we choose not to eat or not to eat certain foods, we allow our physical bodies to hunger and to bring our desires into alignment with our spiritual need for God. There is a clarity in hearing from the Lord which comes when we fast and pray, making a small sacrifice to give up a “pleasure” or comfort to increase your spiritual sight and vision.

We are providing the following options for you to consider:

1. FOOD FAST

You fast from all foods from 6am-6pm each day with fluids allowed.

2. SKIP ONE MEAL A DAY

You can just skip one meal a day.

3. PARTIAL FAST

You choose to eliminate certain things i.e. fizzy drinks; sweets/chocolates, bread, no red meat etc, but the rest of your diet remains mainly the same.

4. FRUIT AND VEG

Eat fruit during the day, with liquids (tea/limited coffee, herbal drinks, and water) with a veg meal in the evenings.

5. LIQUID FAST

Liquids only during day and veg or lighter meal for dinner.

Drink water and herbal drinks during the day with a veg meal in the evenings. Now I include smoothies and juices here so you can ensure you have nutrition in your bodies.

Please consult your doctor if there are any medical concerns before you commence the fast.

Media Fast

As already mentioned above during this time we encourage you to turn off the TV, yes, I would encourage all to abstain from all forms of worldly TV, MUSIC, GAMES, MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA etc. Now you may watch Christian materials during this time as an individual or family, but for those in families doing this with your children this is a good opportunity to break many of the bad habits that are keeping them away from prayer that the Lord may open their spiritual eyes to be revived and see visions and dreams according to Joel 2:28. When we do this, we create more time when we can read our Bible, pray, worship and hear from God.

Search your heart in deciding what type of food fast you want to do. If you have never fasted, maybe start off with a partial fast and progress to a fruit and veg option for the last 14 days.

Remember, the most important consideration in fasting is your motive. Why are you fasting?

What will we be praying about?

We are placing the Lord as priority in our lives to bring about the breakthroughs, the new, the renewal and the revival; in us and the global body of Christ. It is time to move Forward into God destiny for each of our lives.

Check each day for the next day’s prayer themes & scriptures so you may follow together.

We are trusting the Lord that this time of fasting, and prayer will release a passion for His name within us – to cut off what belongs to a past season, to receive renewed hope and vision for our lives/ministries, to be conduits for signs, wonders, and miracles and to fulfill the mandate of sharing the gospel to the ends of the earth!

During this time of fasting, be intentional about your priorities. Set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. The more time you spend with God, the more meaningful your fast will be.

If you need an overview or suggestions on what you can do to make the most of the fast in terms of having a daily routine, use the below points:

Morning:

Begin your day in praise and worship.

Read and meditate on God’s Word

Invite Holy Spirit to work in you.

Noon:

Take a short prayer walk.

Spend time in intercessory prayer for the theme of the day.

Evening:

Make time for an unhurried time of “seeking God’s face”.

If others are fasting with you, meet for prayer and read one Chapter of the book of Genesis and then discuss this chapter, as a family according to “THINGS TO PONDER” for each day. You also will reflect on the Revival thoughts for the day and pray according to the Holy spirits leading.

Avoid television or any other distraction that may affect your spiritual focus.

When possible, begin and end each day with your spouse, family, or friend for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Please let us know you will be fasting & praying with us, by commenting on the blog. If you have not already downloaded the app to receive updated posts on our blog to stay up to date!

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FASTING:

1. Avoid medical and even natural herbal drugs. However, if you are under medication, these should only be withdrawn upon the advice of your doctor, or you could try just skipping one meal a day allowing you to still take medication.

2. Limit your physical activity and exercise. If you have a workout routine, adjust it accordingly.

3. Rest as much as you can if needed be.

4. Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day. Intercede for your family, pastors, church, nation, missionaries & world missions, etc.

5. Drink plenty of clean water if you are joining the water fast.

6. As your body adjusts, be prepared for temporary bouts of physical weakness as well as a greater likelihood of impatience, irritability, and anxiety.

FASTING BRINGS REVIVAL:

“. . . in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So, I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” Daniel 9:2,3

Fasting helps us prevail in prayer and intercession. Daniel understood that Israel was headed for destruction. He also knew that in times like these, there is only one recourse—intercession through praying and fasting. Throughout human history, God has brought revival and delivered nations from destruction in response to prayer and fasting.

FASTING IS AN ACT OF HUMILITY AND CONSECRATION:

“. . . I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting . . .” Psalm 35:13

Humility results in the grace of God (James 4:6). When we humble ourselves in prayer, we have instant access to the heart of God. As we deny ourselves as an act of consecration, we are better able to exercise self-control over our emotions and desires.

SPIRITUAL CLEANSING & SPIRITUAL EYES OPENED:

Fasting can be done for one meal, one day, one month or for however long God leads. It depends on how the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Shorter fasts are easier to endure until we have built up our “spiritual muscles”. A three day fast is most beneficial as a spiritual cleansing. An example of this is Paul’s being thrust into his fast upon conversion. After the three days of cleansing, he received the Holy Spirit and his eyesight when Ananias laid hands on him (Acts 9:17-18). We also can be spiritually cleansed by fasting so that we receive more of the Lord’s Spirit and have our spiritual eyes opened to new dimensions. A three day fast is also especially helpful in breaking any addictive habits.

These then are two reasons for fasting: We receive spiritual cleansing, and our spiritual eyes are opened, and we also obtain victory over the devil. When Jesus encountered Satan, He was able to overcome Him because His fasting had given Him spiritual strength. Isaiah 58:6 also gives us light on this purpose of fasting: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” Many people believe that fasting is to move the hand of God, when, it is to make Satan turn loose of the things he is holding.

BREAKING STRONGHOLDS & BUILDING FAITH:

Fasting looses the bands of wickedness. When Jesus discussed the keys to the kingdom, He told us to bind and loose. When we fast, we loose the bands of wickedness, undo the heavy burdens, set the oppressed free, and break every yoke of the enemy. Fasting is an important key to getting the victory over hard situations that do not seem to respond to normal prayer.

Fasting builds our faith. In fact, this is what Jesus meant when he spoke to the disciples in Matthew 17:21 in answer to why they were not able to cast a demon out of a child. He said, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” He was telling them if they wanted their faith to be at such a level as to be able to cast out demons, then they must fast and pray for their faith to increase.

Fasting also makes it easier for us to hear the voice of the Lord. We find an account of this in Acts 13:2 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

While fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them and gave them direction. We too can be directed by the Lord if we seek Him through prayer and fasting.

When we deny our natural cravings, our spiritual antennas become more attuned. We become more sensitive to His voice as we divest ourselves of worldly distractions. We are better able to focus on God and submit to His will. This opens the door for more of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Fasting and mourning are strongly associated in the Bible. Two examples of this are found in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Ezra 10:6: “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.”

Nehemiah 1:4: “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”

From these Scriptures, we see that fasting and travail (a prayer burden from the Lord that brings crying and tears) were combined. Both men were fasting for the repentance of God’s people. How we need this same kind of intercession today. Here were men so burdened for the sins of their people that they fasted, travailed, and prayed.

PRAYING FOR FORGIVENESS

“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)

Day 1 the 7th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 1

(Read Either as an individual, family or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Everything is created by God. (The heavens, the earth, and all living things were created by Him. He created humans in his image and entrusted them with the management of the planet.)

In Genesis 1, God creates the heavens and the earth. After that, He created light. He then divided the light from darkness, which is the definition of day and night. That was the start of the world as we know it.

God then separates the waters, the water on the earth He separated from the waters in heaven on the second day.

On the third day, God caused the waters on the earth to be gathered in one place which He called seas; the rest of the earth, he called dry (land).

Moreover, God commanded the earth to bring forth grass, the herb-yielding seed, and the fruit tree-yielding fruit after his kind. He also created the creatures of the sea, the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth and fifth day respectively to mark seasons, days, and years.

On the sixth day, God created living creates to occupy the earth, man was also created on the sixth day and was given authority to have domain over everything that God had created.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints just imagine and ponder is it possible that a world like ours today really be the product of a week’s worth of work?

Let the world around you saints see this God working through you today!

He is not a small god capable of a few wonders, He is an unimaginably powerful God who is the origin of all creativity and beauty. What ever is blocking you shall be removed today in Jesus Mighty Name!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, as I see Your great wisdom reflected in Your wonderful creation, I want to praise You with my whole being. Thank you for the creative Word of God Who not only spoke the world into being from nothing but died for me so that I could have life – everlasting life and life more abundantly. You are our Creator God Who made the heavens and earth and filled them with such richness and beauty. Thank You for Your immutable Word and the truths that it contains. Thank You for my salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, by Whom all things were made and in Whom all things hold together. May I live my life to honour Your name, for You alone are worthy, thank You for the book of Genesis which tells us of the origin of everything and informs us of Your divine purpose in history, the salvation of man and the restoration of Your beautiful creation. Thank You for the warming sunshine, the cooling light of the moon, and that You threw stars into space on that fourth day of creation and set them in their various courses to be for signs and seasons, days, and years. I praise You for the different seasons and for the various prophetic signs that have been recorded in Scripture for my learning. Teach me Your ways and draw me closer to You with every passing day, year, season, and tick of the clock. Help me to interpret the signs of the times, knowing that Jesus is coming soon to take us to be with Himself. Thank You that by faith in Jesus, I am a new creation in Him and part of His spiritual Body - bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. May I live and work to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' Mighty Name I pray, AMEN.

Day 2 the 8th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 2

(Read Either as an individual, family or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(Everything was perfect that God had made, and the man that God had formed was placed in the garden in Eden to dress it)

The seventh day was holy, God rested and blessed it. Moreover, there arose a mist from the ground that watered the face of the earth. (Read below for more detail)

The garden of Eden had many trees, but there was one called the tree of knowledge of good and evil that stood in the middle of the garden.

God told the man that he could eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because if he ate from that tree, he would die.

MARRIAGE INSTITUTED

Marriage was instituted by God. Christ based His teaching on this passage (Mt 19:3-9; Mk 10:2-12; He quoted 1:27 and 2:23,24). One wife (Mt 19:8): heterosexual, permanent (Mt 19:4-6); male as the head (1 Cor 11:8,9; 1 Tim 2:13).

Recently I was discussing a revelation someone else got about the union of man and woman. See the very act that makes them one flesh is a gate saints! it is a point of transaction, whereby the powers in each male and female become merged to form one. so, if one transacts with the person who has had other unholy transactions soul ties emerge, and powers swim in like a flood and start taking control and dominance over the individual. We as intercessors need to start praying for our children and future spouses if single and lament, asking the Lord to show mercy. May people just know this knowledge before they start transacting in areas which is forbidden outside of marriage. So, I personally believe this fast people that are looking for marriage will start to have their spiritual eyes open to see Gd’s potential spouses that He hand picks for each person seeking marriage as it is not something to play around with in the flesh. Start to pray that those seeking help mates would pray for their spouse to be, so that they would not be unequally yoked.

I realized that when God has a calling upon the life of a person, it is not about who we want in the flesh, but the Lord chooses the partner for the person, the one to compliment and get the assignment done for His Kingdom purposes.

SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus’ custom was to attend the synagogue on the Sabbath (Lk 4:16; Mk 1:21; 3:1; Lk 13:10).

• Jesus taught the authority and validity of the OT Law (Mt 5:17-20;15:1-6; 19:16-19; 22:35-40; Lk 16:17).

• His emphasis was not on the external observance of the law, but on the spontaneous performance of the will of God which underlay the law (Mt 5:21-48; 19:3-9).

Six Conflicts

1) He defended His disciples for plucking grain on the Sabbath by alluding to the time when David and his men ate the bread of the Presence (Mt 12:1-4; Mk 2:23-26; Lk 6:1-4). In so doing, Jesus placed the Sabbath commandment in the same class as the ceremonial law. Human need had precedence over the ceremonial requirements.

2) He also reminded His critics that the priests in the Temple profaned the Sabbath and were held guiltless (Mt 12:5).

3) He referred to circumcising a male on the Sabbath day (Lev 12:3; Jn 7:22, 23).

4) Jesus expressed anger over those at Capernaum who showed more concern for the punctilious observance of the Sabbath than for a human being who was deprived of the use of a hand (Mk 3:1-5; Mt 12:8-14).

5) Likewise, Jesus rebuked the ruler of the synagogue, who became indignant when He healed a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years (Lk 13:10-17).

6) Jesus asserted His lordship over the Sabbath (Mt 12:8; Mk 2:28; Lk 6:5).

Seven Healings on the Sabbath

1) Demoniac, in Capernaum Mk 1:21-27

2) Peter’s mother-in-law, in Capernaum Mk 1:29-31

3) Impotent Man, in Jerusalem Jn 5:1-9

4) Man with withered hand Mk 3:1-6; Mt 12:8-14

5) Woman bowed together Lk 13:10-17

6) Man with Dropsy Lk 14:1-6

7) Man born blind Jn 9:1-14

In all of these instances, Jesus showed that He placed human need above mere external ceremonial observance of the Sabbath. He never did or said anything to suggest that He intended to take away from man the privileges afforded by such a day of rest.

Not all healings were on the Sabbath: healing on Sunday, after the Sabbath (Mk 1:32).

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Mark 2:27

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Matthew 12:8

The Early Church

The early Christians were loyal Jews; they worshiped daily in the Temple at Jerusalem (Acts 2:46; 5:42); they attended services in the synagogue (Acts 9:20; 13:14; 14:1; 17:1, 2, 10; 18:4); they revered the law of Moses (Acts 21:20). The dispute over the requirements of a Gentile Christian were resolved at the Council at Jerusalem (Acts 15).

Paul and the Sabbath

The law was a yoke of bondage from which the Christian had been set free (Gal 3:2, 3; 5:1; et al.). Paul made no distinction between moral and ceremonial law: It was all part of that old covenant, which was done away in Christ (2 Cor 3:14); it was “nailed to the cross”(Col 2:14).

The Sabbath and festivals are declared to be “only a shadow of what is to come” (Col 2:16, 17). To “observe days, and months, and seasons, and years” is to be slaves to “the weak and beggarly elemental spirits” (Gal 4:9, 10; Col 2:20). The observance of days is a characteristic of “the man who is weak in faith” (Rom 14:1-6).

Apostolic Practice?

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples on four Sundays (Mt 28:1; Mk 16:2; Lk 24:1; Jn 20:1). This is a part of the basis of the veneration of Sunday as the “Lord’s Day,” replacing the traditional Sabbath. Pentecost, the birth of the church, was, by definition, on a Sunday (Acts 2:1). [Some maintain that the Ascension occurred on a Sunday; but with 40 days intervening between the Resurrection and the Ascension, this appears unlikely (Acts 1:9).]

They did meet on a Sunday night (Acts 20:7). The oft quoted 1 Cor 16:1, 2 is actually unclear: “....that there be no gatherings when I come…”? The assertion that “we never see Christ meeting with his disciples on any other day” appears to be contradicted by “... after 8 days again...” (John 20:26).

Caveats about the “Early Church”

Lessons from the Seven Churches Rev 2 & 3—each was surprised by their report card: those that thought they were doing well were not. Those that thought they were not doing well, were. Many errors were rampant: Origen’s allegorical hermeneutics; Augustine’s Amillennialism, et al. Furthermore, the rising anti-Semitism in the early church makes their views regarding the “Sunday Sabbath” suspect.

Constantine (AD 274-337)

October 27, 312 A.D., on the eve of the battle of Milvain Bridge just outside of Rome, he is reported as having seen in the sky a vision of the cross, with the words, “In this Sign Conquer...”

He had painted on his men’s shields a figure that was intended to be Christ’s monogram (although he may have had Christ confused with the Sun in his manifestation as summa divinitas (the highest divinity).

He won the battle and declared himself a Christian, establishing a turning point in the history of Christianity (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol 20, 353-4 10). Whether this was true conversion, or a politically advantageous rationalization is a matter of scholastic dispute. Even his contemporaries, Lactantius and Eusebius of Caesarea, are not enlightening and even contradictory on the subject (Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol 20, p.353).

He ultimately abolished slavery, gladiatorial fights, the killing of unwelcome children, and crucifixion as a form of execution. Frustrated with the paganism of the aristocracy in Rome, he relocated the capital of the world to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. This, too, may have been motivated by its strategic and economic importance: its proximity to the Danube and Euphrates frontiers and the Strait of Bosphorus and the eastern commercial routes.

Sun Worship

Constantine was faced with uniting an empire following three forms of pagan sun worship: The Syrian solar cults of Sol Invictus (the unconquerable sun), Jupiter Dolichenus (the Roman storm god), and the Persian cult of Mithra, the ancient Iranian god of light. (This same pagan pragmatism Mohammed employed in syncretizing the 360 idols of Ka’aba into the worship of Al-Ilah in Islam.)

Constantine’s Edicts (proclamations)

313: Edict of Toleration

321: Sunday rest instituted

325: Subjects exhorted to embrace Christianity

337: Constantine baptized on his deathbed

Constantine granted to Christians and to all others full liberty of following that religion which each may choose; the first edict of its kind in history.

On March 7, 321, Constantine introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday: “Let all the judges and town people, and the occupation of all trades rest on the venerable day of the sun.”

In 325 A.D., Constantine issued a general exhortation to all his subjects to embrace Christianity. He ordered 50 Bibles to be prepared under the direction of Eusebius, on the finest vellum by skilful artists. (It was through this fusing of extant paganism with the new Christianity that the December 25 of Sol Invictus became the Christmas of the Christians, etc.) In his zeal to institute a universal creed, he presided over the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.

Theodosius’ Edicts (AD 347-395)

380: Made Christianity the state religion; affirmed the dogmas of the Council of Nicea and made church membership compulsory.

392: Forcible suppression of all other religions.

It was a later successor, Emperor Theodosius (347-395 A.D.), who made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire. His legislation in 380 affirmed the dogmas of the Council of Nicea and made church membership compulsory (the worst calamity that has ever befallen the church). Theodosius undertook the forcible suppression of all other religions, and in 392 he prohibited paganism.

Thus began the great apostasy as the church began its pursuit of temporal power. If our perception of Revelation 13, 17, and 18 are correct, the current Ecumenical Movement will ultimately lead to a reprise of ecclesiastical tyranny and the Darkest Ages of all.

The Sunday “Sabbath”

• Only Christ has a right to make such a change (Mk 2:23-28). As Creator, Christ was the original Lord of the Sabbath (Jn 1:3 Heb 1:10). It was originally a memorial of creation. A work vastly greater than that of creation has now been accomplished by Him, the work of redemption.

• The entire Jewish calendar was changed at the Exodus, the birth of the nation (Ex 12:2). We would naturally expect just such a change as would make the Sabbath a memorial of that greater work. Yet, we can give no specific text authorizing the change.

Prophetic Implications

From the standpoint of Bible prophecy, however, there are some enigmas which impact the Seventh Day issue: Sabbaths will continue as a basis for worship in the Millennium (Isa 66:22, 23); Sabbaths will be honored in Ezekiel’s Temple; the gate to the inner court is closed six days, opened on the Sabbath and the day of the new moon (Ezek46:1ff). [There will also be memorial sacrifices also.] This would seem to refute the permanent “substitution” of Sunday for the Saturday Sabbath!

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. – (Isaiah 66:22-23)

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.” – (Ezekiel 46:1)

So Where are We?

• There are no grounds for imposing the Sabbath on the Christian, who is free from the burden of the law’s demands. The Spirit of Christ enables him to fulfill God’s will apart from the external observances of the law.

• The writer of Hebrews alludes to the Sabbath as a type of “God’s rest,” which is an inheritance of all the people of God (Heb 4:1-11). We are urged, in a larger sense, to “strive to enter that rest”...

Some Conclusions

• The Sabbath was instituted for man at creation and preceded the Law. It is for the benefit of man, to be taken advantage of.

• The Sabbath will survive the church period (Mt 24:20; Isa 66:22, 23; Ezek 46:1).

• Our conformity to rules is not the basis of our salvation. The Sabbath is a time of devotion, not a subjection to rules.

Our Jewish God

• Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22).

• All of our benefits are derivative from the Abrahamic covenant. We are grafted in the true olive tree (Rom 11). We should not forget that we serve the King of the Jews. We are members of a church founded by Jewish leaders. Our highest authority is a Jewish Bible.

Our Opportunities

• While free of the law, we still enjoy the benefits of Creation.

• The veneration of the first day as a memorial of the Resurrection is also appropriate (although its historical role as a day of worship is argumentative).

• Can we enjoy the benefits of the Sabbath without coming under the law?

Our Personal Resolution

• From Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, our Family attempt to set aside the time for study, meditation, and a departure from our normal routines.

• We have resolved to do whatever we do deliberately and together

• There are no other “rules” ... We do not make it a burden: we simply attempt to avail ourselves of His intended blessing. We attempt in an informal but deliberate way, to study and reflect on His Word and find ways to praise Him... We see the Seventh Day as a perfect way to please Him…

In our culture, we enjoy two days each week, in any case. The first day worship is also available to us as an opportunity. Its formal institution was an expedient exploited by Constantine and following. The seventh day Sabbath is still available to us as an opportunity. Yet, not under the law (Rom 14:5). Caveat: Not attempting to justify or accomplish by works...Christ is the fulfillment of the Sabbath rest (Heb 4:1-11).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints just imagine God created the union between man and woman.

A man is the perfect companion for a woman and visa-versa, according to our Creator.

Marriage is an institution designed and defined by God, so do not be ashamed to stand for what God deems holy and pure in a lost society.

It is not a man-made institution that can be redefined by laws or popular opinion. Keeping all things holy is still a requirement today!

What four groups of worshippers were favoured by the edicts (proclamations) Constantine regarding Sunday worship?

What is the role of Saturday during the millennium?

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, what a wonderful Creator You are Who formed the heavens and the earth and all the hosts of heaven and earth, in six spectacular days of Your creative power. I praise You for the glory of the heavens and the beauty of the earth and thank You that You made man in Your own image and likeness to have dominion over all that You had made. Thank You, Father, that despite the fall of man and our sinful nature, You purposed to redeem us, return us into fellowship with Yourself, and re-establish man’s rule on earth through the shed blood of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thank You that Jesus is the perfect Man Who will rule the earth in righteousness. Lord, You have scheduled every day of their lives, and I pray that as we grow up into Your likeness You would continue to lead and guide, to instruct and to correct. Father, I also pray that You would develop in each one a heavenly perspective and a true understanding of the Christian life and spiritual maturity, so that they grow in grace and in a right relationship with You. Bring the right spouse into the life of each of these dear saints wanting marriage I pray. In Your grace I pray that they be granted the husband or wife of Your choice, so that together they may become a threefold cord with You, which is not easily broken. May each saint today sense Your calling on their lives, so that they develop into mighty men and women who love You deeply and trust in You implicitly. In Jesus' Mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Day 3 the 9th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 3

(Read Either as an individual, family or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(The serpent deceived the woman; she and Adam ate from the tree. The earth became cursed, and God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden.)

The serpent with his guile persuades the woman (Eve) to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and then Eve convinces Adam to do the same.

They suddenly realize they are naked and cover themselves with fig leaves.  God returns to the garden and finds them in a sinful, self-conscious state.

Who is to blame? God curses the serpent for his actions, causing it to crawl on its belly all day of its life.

God curses the woman and declares that she would have pain during childbirth and to be ruled by her husband. God curses Adam and pronounces that with the sweat of his brow he would eat food.

THE CURSE OF SIN (3:14-19):

So let us look at this, a little further saint. God cursed the serpent “above all livestock and above all beasts.”

In a prophesy about the future, God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

God told the woman she would have pain in childbearing and her husband would rule over her.

God told the man the ground was going to be cursed because of his sin. He would have to labour with difficulty to grow food and eventually he would return to the ground and dust from which he was created.

THE MAN AND WOMAN ARE REMOVED FROM THE GARDEN (3:20-24):

The man named his wife Eve “because she was the mother of all living.”

God made the man (Adam) and Eve garments to wear from animal skins.

He removed them from the Garden of Eden so they would no longer have access to the tree of life, which allowed them to live forever.

Bearing the Curse

• Ground cursed - Made a curse - Gal 3:13

• Man: eat sorrow - Man of Sorrows - Isa 53:3

• Thorns & Thistles - Crown of Thorns - Jn 18:8

• Sweat of brow - Sweat as blood - Lk 22:44

• Dust to return - Dust of death - Ps 22:15

• Sword barred - Awake O Sword - Zech 13:7

• Man to die - “Why has thou forsaken me?” - Ps 22:1; Mt 27:26

When did “Israel” Begin?

• As the “Seed of a Woman” (Gen 3:15)

• From the Call of Abraham (Gen 12)

• Through the Tribe of Judah (Gen 49)

• Birth as a Nation (Ex 4)

• The Dynasty of David (1 Sam 7)

• The Virgin Birth (Isa 7:14)

• Summary (Rev 12)

From a concept... a Kinsman of Adam, the Seed of the Woman…to a babe in Bethlehem that would ultimately rule in Jerusalem…[Answers are always at the end of the book (Rev 12)!]

The Battle of the Seeds

• “Of Human Race?” (Cain & Abel; Gen 4); fallen angels corrupt mankind (Gen 6).

• Of Abraham’s descendants?

• Of David’s Dynasty?

The Stratagems of Satan

• Corruption of Adam’s line (Gen 6)

• Abraham’s seed (Gen 12, 20)

• Famine (Gen 50)

• Destruction of male line (Ex 1)

• Pharaoh’s pursuit (Ex 14)

• The populating of Canaan (Gen 12:6)

• Against David’s line (2 Sam 7)

Attacks on David’s Line

• Jehoram kills his brothers (2 Chr 21)

• Arabians slew all (but Ahazariah)

• Athaliah kills all (but Joash) (2 Chr 22)

• Hezekiah assaulted, etc. (Isa 36, 38)

• Haman’s attempts (Est 3)

The Central Theme

• The OT is an account of a Nation.

• The NT is the account of a Man.

• The Creator became a Man. His appearance is the Central Event of all history.

• He died to purchase us and is alive now.

• The most exalted privilege is to know Him. That’s what the Bible is all about.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints just imagine if sin separates us from God and ruins our world, why would we entertain it.

Adam and Eve no longer enjoyed the company of God in the same way after their sin.

They were removed from the garden (a life of ease) and thrust out into a world of difficulty.

The serpent lied to them about the outcome of their disobedience. He made it sound like their life would be better if they ate the fruit, but it turned out worse. Satan works the same way today, he makes us empty promises full of the illusion of a better life, but in the end, our life ends up worse and we end up separated from God because of our rebellion against God.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, how I praise You that in Your grace and wisdom, You chose to redeem the human race, by grace through faith in the death, burial, and Resurrection of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thank you that through Your power, I can resist the schemes of the devil. Help me to trust implicitly in Your Word of truth and to depend on You in all things, for You are good and gracious, and Your loving-kindness endures from one generation to another. Father, it grieves me to see how many people are being deceived by the same lie that caused Adam and Eve to rebel against You at the dawn of time, "Ye shall become like God." Open the eyes of people who are being deceived by apostates who are teaching these satanically inspired philosophies, and new age belief systems, which are based on human reasoning, and inspired by Satan. Help those that are being deceived to see that he not only tries to devour Your people as a roaring lion but also comes as an angel of light to deceive the nations. Expose the evil works of darkness, I pray and bring many lost souls into Your kingdom. Father, thank You that the picture of Adam and Eve being covered in the skin of an innocent animal, reminds us that Christ shed His blood for our sake, so that we could be forgiven of our sin, covered in His perfect righteousness, and receive life everlasting. Thank You that You did not leave us to wallow in our sin but set in motion Your perfect plan of redemption for whosoever believes in the atoning blood of Christ. Give me a greater understanding of the shocking effect of sin in the lives of individuals and the world at large, and thank You for Your unimaginable mercy, incalculable grace, infinite wisdom, and amazing kindness, in sending Jesus to be the offering for my sin. Thank You in Jesus' Mighty Name, AMEN.

Day 4 the 10th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 4

(Read Either as an individual, family or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(Eve’s sons made offerings to God. Only Abel’s was acceptable, so Cain killed him. Abel’s blood cried out and God sent Cain away.)

Adam and Eve, his wife gave birth to two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain was a farmer by trade. Abel was a shepherd by profession.

Cain presented God with plants, while Abel presented God with fat animal parts. Cain’s plants were rejected by God, but Abel’s offering was accepted.

Cain was furious, he was envious of Abel’s divine favour, and he assassinated Abel his brother.

Cain is cursed by God. God also set a mark on Cain so that anyone who kills him will be cursed seven times.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints just imagine if we aren’t all that different than the first humans we need to stay in prayer and walk in the spirit.  

We struggle with jealousy like Cain, we seek vengeance like Lamech, and we desire things that God tells us aren’t good for us like Adam and Eve.

The Spirit of God gave us the Bible, in part, to help us understand that all humans throughout time have struggled in similar ways, and that evil in the human heart has corrupted God’s good creation.

But the Bible was also written to point us to the solution to our sin problem, the Savior Jesus who can fix the world and purge the corruption. Let’s pray for revival saints!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You for the truth of Your Word and for Your own eye-witness account of what took place in the garden when man sinned against God, and of Your wonderful plan of redemption. Thank You for all the lessons I can learn from the story of Cain and Abel. Help me to live my life in a way that is pleasing to You. You alone, Lord, are holy and righteous. Your judgment is good, and Your mercy is pure. Forgive us, Lord, for growing seeds of bitterness. Like Cain, we’re tempted to hide our sin from You, saying, “I don’t know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) Forgive us for hard hearts and a desire to deceive. Thank You, Father, for Your endless mercy. Cain’s sin may have impacted generations, but Your sacrifice, Jesus, stretches into eternity. (Genesis 4:17-24) Send revival Lord to the nations and stir up a holy passion in Jesus Mighty Name! AMEN.

Day 5 the 11th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 5

(Read Either as an individual, family or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(Adam’s line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah. Noah’s sons were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.) Genesis 5 is a genealogy that records the names of Adam and Eve’s descendants through their son, Seth.  The author does not give us specifics about where these men and their families lived, but it speaks more detail of Enoch who truly walked with God that we shall look at a little further below.

Humanity’s creation at the beginning of Genesis is echoed here. Genesis contains many genealogies, or records of family descent, to show how humanity got from Adam to the audience’s present. These genealogies often follow the formula found here.

God, Humanity, and Creation Theme Icon Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises Theme Icon.

Adam’s descendants—Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, and Lamech—are named, along with the ages at which they became fathers and the age at which each man died. Notably, Enoch is distinguished for having “walked with God” and been taken away by God at the end of his life. His son, Methuselah, is notable for living a total of 969 years.

The supernatural removal of godly individuals from earth is not un-known in Scripture like we first see above with Enoch, who bypassed death.

Genesis 5:21-24 “Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Enoch “Walked with God”

• Not a casual stroll: 300 years (Heb 11:5);

• Agreement; surrender; witness (Amos 3:3);

• Privilege available today (Col 2:6; Gal 5:25; 2 Cor 5:7)

It is consistent with God's dealings with His people in the Old Testament to believe that the Church will also be removed from the world before the Great Tribulation. God did not send the Flood until Noah and his family were safe in the ark. He did not destroy Sodom until Lot was taken out. 

The rapture is the sudden, supernatural removal of all children of God that have made themselves ready to be snatched from earth to heaven. At the rapture, Jesus Christ will appear in the eastern sky and call His wise bride up to Heaven, leaving all the foolish Christians, those that are still in sin and unbelievers behind. It will happen in two stages the first being all the dead in Christ (saints) pre-rapture will rise from their graves in their glorified bodies and the second stage will be that all the true believers that are alive will then go up to be with Him on the clouds. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

Though Jesus will not set foot on the Earth at the rapture. He will just appear in the Eastern sky and call all His wise bride home to Heaven that have pure white garments. The rapture is a wonderful thing for Christians. The rapture will be yet another very gracious act of God's love toward His children. God loves His children so much that He will remove us from this wicked world to a safe place in Heaven before His wrath is released upon the Earth. See God will not allow the beast to devourer His saints and will remove them, so they may go with Him to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Revelations 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

Enoch’s Prophecy

We know the Lord’s coming is sure.

We know who will accompany the Lord.

We know the purpose of His coming.

We know the result of the Lord’s coming.

Enoch was translated (“raptured”?) midway between Adam and Abraham.

Elijah was translated (raptured) midway between Abraham and Christ

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints you may read this list of names and think it holds no value for modern readers, but there is a reason the Bible records information like this.

Throughout the Bible God made several important promises pertaining to specific families and their future children (their descendants). 

Having a record of the ancient family lines allows us to see how God kept His promises across the generations.

These genealogies are records of fathers and sons, but more than that they are a record of God’s faithfulness.

They are evidence to us that God is trustworthy and never breaks His promises, so remember He is not a man that He should lie and what He says shall come to pass even the awaited revival coming hallelujah! Let’s continue to pray for revival saints!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You for the Bible and the wonderful story of redemption which traces the lineage of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, through the generations from Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, and Israel. Thank You that You chose to make man in Your own image, and despite sin and its terrible consequences, You determined to save us from our sins, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer through Adam, and He is our eternal God and Saviour Who alone is to be worshipped and glorified. Father, thank You that You did not terminate the race of man because of sin. Even though Adam sinned, and death passed onto all men, making us all sinners, You chose to redeem Your fallen race through the Person and work of Christ. Thank You that through the lineage of Adam, Seth, Noah, Abraham, Israel, and David, came the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and perfect Son of Man Who died and rose again so that all who believe on Him would be redeemed. Thank You that the day that is coming when You will put all wrongs to right, and the earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. In the meantime, I pray that I may be increasingly transformed into the image and likeness of Christ Jesus my Lord, You are the same, yesterday, today, and forever, and I pray that I may keep the eyes of my heart fixed on Jesus and that my daily walk may be pleasing to You. Help me to live as You would have me to live and to glorify my Father in heaven. In Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 6, the 12th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 6

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(Humans have tainted the planet with evil. They were to be destroyed by God. He instructed Noah to construct an ark to be saved from the flood.)

Saints as we go deeper into this chapter six, I want us to look at Jesus’ confidential briefing to His disciples for us to get a clear picture how Genesis chapter six relates to us today and what we can learn.

Disciples inquire of His Return and Jesus details precedent events, recorded in three Gospels: Mt24, 25, Mk 13, and Lk 21, 22. Jesus gave a personal warning “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Mt 24:4) but also a strange warning, “But as the Days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” What does that mean?

Well we are going to discuss fallen angels and the Nephilim, which are their off spring and the New Testament confirmations of these accounts.

Jude 1:6-7 “And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

oivkhth,rion oiketerion = habitation; used only twice: Jude 1:6; 2 Cor 5:2.

2 Corinthians 5:2 “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:”

2 Peter 2:4-5 “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to [a]hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;”

UNEXPLAINED QUESTIONS

The Rephaim

“…and also after that…” (Genesis 6:4). Post-flood Nephilim… essential to understand OT & prophecy!

Who Built the Ancient Monuments?

• The Great Pyramid at Giza?

• Stonehenge in Britain?

• The “Circle of the Rephaim”?

Gilgal Rephaim “The Circle of Rephaim”

Five circles including 20-ton stones (Diameter = 155 meters ). Dated: 3000

B.C. Built on flat plateau; only visible from above; 10 miles from Asteroth Karnaim (Gen 14:5; Josh 12:4; 1 Chr 6:71).

FALLEN ANGELS

The ladies begone mate with the “sons of God,” and gave birth to giants. God wasn’t pleased; man was becoming eviler. Even to the point where most men only think to do evil.

SONS OF GOD Hebrew word Bene HaElohim = angels. OT (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7); NT (Lk 20:36); Book of Enoch; and, Septuagint (LXX).

Also translated meaning the direct creation of God. Adam was a Son Of God, but after that each child on the geology of Adam was a son of Adam.

So, the “...daughters of men” Hebrew word Benoth Adam = “Daughters of Adam.” Daughters of Adam, not just Cain. (Adam had daughters (Gen 5:4): that’s where Cain got his wife!

“took…of all they chose”: doesn’t sound like the girls had much choice in the matter…

Jesus came so we could become the sons and daughters of God through His sacrifice on the cross. The Spirit of the Son has passed into them, and they cry, "Abba, Father." This Divine begetting is still further explained and differentiated from ordinary human life.

John 1:11-13 “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.”

Genesis 6:4 “There were Nephilim in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

The Nephilim

Hebrew Nephilim: “the fallen ones.”

Nephal: “to fall, be cast down to fall away, desert.”

HaGibborim: “the mighty ones.”

Septuagint (Greek) LXX:

Greek gigantes (~ “giants?”)

Greek gigas = “earth-born.”

Post-Flood Nephilim

“…also after that…” (Genesis 6:4). Rephaim. (Gen 14, 15); Arba, Anak & his seven sons (Anakim), encountered in Canaan (Num 13:33). Og, King of Bashan (Deut 3:11; Joshua 12). Goliath and his four brothers (2 Sam 21:16-22; 1 Chr 20:4-8).

The DNA of mankind was now mixed with the wickedness of fallen angels giving birth to the Nephilim. The scripture is clear that it was both before and after the flood saints, therefore there is a hybrid race of this wickedness today that may not quit look like twelve feet giants of the past walking amongst us. The plan of satan from the beginning was to alter the pure DNA of man.

There is a Conflict Between Two Seeds

• The “Seed of the Woman”

• The “Seed of the Serpent” (The Red Dragon: Satan; The Coming World Leader; The False Prophet)

• Forces behind world powers today

As the seed of Satan (fallen angles) is in this hybrid breed Nephilim, they have a wicked nature that is very cruel. Ever wondered how it would even be possible for another person to do the most wicked acts against Gods creation, well this could be part of the reason as they have no compassion or empathy.

Imagine in the time of the Old Testament the Death penalty was given for lying with a beast (Lev 20:15). If a woman lies with a beast, both shall be killed (Lev 20:16).

Do genetic transfers of human DNA into animals suggest that we are entering the period which Jesus likened to the “days of Noah”? I will talk more about this in the future for sure.      

As a result, God regretted that He had created man and declared that He would wipe all creatures from the face of the earth. But Noah, on the other hand, was the only man alive at the time who did not sin.

As such, God visited Noah and told him to build a large boat because He was going to flood the earth and all life under the heavens would perish except for the people on the boat.

Noah is to board the boat with his three sons, their wives, and two of every living creature on the planet, male and female.

Noah is to gather and store all the food that the animals that will be eaten during the flood will require.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints remember this one thing today that those who honour and fear God are not forgotten by Him.

Although Noah’s family made up a small remnant (miniscule percentage) of the world’s population, they’re faithfulness did not go unnoticed by God.

Their devotion was recognized and rewarded.

No follower of God is forgotten by the one he/she worships.

No matter how insignificant you are to others, God sees your small light shining in the darkness. Let’s continue to pray for revival saints despite the wickedness within this world, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father that despite the wickedness of the human heart and the evil intentions in the mind of fallen man, You determined from before the foundation of the earth to redeem Your creatures, and You chose to forgive the sins of those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You that all who believe on Him are declared righteous by Your grace. You are a good and gracious God Who forgives our iniquity, declares us righteous, and remembers our sin no more. Help me to walk in Your ways and to point others to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. Lord I am grateful for the example of Noah, who trusted Your Word and discovered that You are a God Who credits our faith in You as righteousness. Thank You that Jesus came to earth to die on the Cross for my sins and that by believing on Him, I have the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. Thank You that I have found grace in Your eyes and have been declared righteous. I pray that I may walk in spirit and truth and remain blameless in Your eyes. Help me to boldly proclaim the glorious gospel of grace to the lost, and may my life be a witness to Your goodness and grace and a warning of the wrath that is to come. This I ask in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 7, the 13th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 7

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(Noah and his family went into the ark with two of each creature. It rained for forty days and forty nights and the earth was covered.)

Noah is mentioned as one of three righteous (with Job and Daniel; Ezek14:14, 20). He is included in the genealogies of Abraham and Jesus (1 Chr 1:4; Lk 3:36). New Testament References: by Christ (Mt 24:37-39; Lk 17:26); Peter (1 Pet 3:20; 2 Pet 2:5); and Paul (Heb 11:7).

Because Noah is the only righteous person in his generation, the LORD commands Noah and his household to enter the ark. He also instructs Noah to bring seven pairs of “clean” animals, one pair of unclean animals, and seven pairs of each type of bird into the ark.

The distinction between “clean” and “unclean” animals refers to the sacrificial system, which is explained later in the Bible in the Book of Leviticus. Thus, God is not only providing for the survival of the species he has made, but for humanity’s ongoing worship of him.

God will send rain on the earth for 40 days and nights after 7 days. Noah follows God’s instructions. When the flood begins, Noah is six hundred years old.

Along with the clean animals, unclean animals, and birds, he and his family flee to the ark. As God had predicted, the flood occurs, and God seals Noah, his wife, Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, as well as their wives, inside the ark.

The ark rises on the swelling waters as the rain continues to fall; even the mountains are flooded.

Every living creature on the planet, including humans, passes away. Only Noah and his family have survived the journey on the ark. In the Ark 377 days (5 months floating; 7½ months on the mountain)

So, Every living thing destroyed (7:4,23); this assumes that man and animal life had spread far beyond the Mesopotamian Plain in the centuries or the millennia since the Fall.

All high mountains under the entire heavens were covered (7:19); the text states clearly that “all the high mountains under the entire heaven were covered” to a depth of at least 23 feet [15 cubits] (v. 19).

Ark rested on the mountains of Ararat (8:4). Finally, the ark is said to have come to rest “on the mountains of Ararat,” a range that reaches over 16,000 feet in height (8:4). A local flood might have brought them to the foothills. But “on” the mountains?

But most importantly saints the promise: “never again” (9:11,15).

FURTHER THINGS TO PONDER

• Only one Ark (and only one door)

• No births nor death (all in the ark were saved)

• Alternative theological speculations ended when the door was shut

• Only three groups of people: those that perished in the Flood; those that were preserved through the Flood; those that were removed prior to the Flood (Notice that Enoch was not “post-flood” nor “mid-flood”: He was “pre-flood” (Pre-Raptured…)

1 Thessalonians 1:10 “ Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Remember, God put Noah and his family inside the Ark BEFORE it started raining. Why because His children are Never appointed to His wrath.

Will you be inside the Ark...... or on the outside? Mid Trib, Post Trib and Pre-wrath believe God is going to leave them on the outside. (left behind during the tribulation) Because their way of thinking is like God putting Noah and his family in the Ark AFTER the Flood has started halfway or when it’s too late and it is Completely over!

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints remember God is a God of love, but He is also a God of justice and holiness.

This story should be a lesson to modern readers that God will judge sinful people.

The suggestion that God will look past everyone’s sins and extend love to everyone no matter how evil they’ve been isn’t a biblical one.

That said, Noah’s story also illustrates how God blesses those who honour Him, no matter how small the group.

Noah’s story is a shadow of the salvation offered to us. A flood of God’s judgment is coming (Acts 17:31), but we can find safety and shelter in Jesus. Let’s continue to pray for revival saints even this close to the snatching away of the bride of Christ, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, I never cease to wonder at the stubborn refusal and wilful ignorance of sinful man to believe Your Word, repent of their sin, and trust in Christ for the saving of their soul. The same arrogant attitude that was evident in Noah’s day, seems to be increasingly prevalent today. Hearts seem to be becoming progressively hardened, despite the truth of Your Word. I pray that while there is still time, many would be convicted by the Holy Spirit, turn from their sin, and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin and life everlasting. Thank You that Your grace embraces all who will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thank You that by grace we are covered in His righteousness by faith. Bring into my path those who will be willing to hear the truth and bring many into Your eternal kingdom. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 8, the 14th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 8

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

(According to the genealogical record found in Genesis 5, the flood happened approximately 1650 years after the creation of the earth. The flood abated. Noah sent out a raven and two doves. When the earth was dry God called them all out of the ark. Noah built an altar.)

Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark are remembered by God. He sends a wind across the earth, causing the floodwaters to recede. The ark finally rests on the Ararat mountains after 150 days. The mountains gradually reappear as the waters recede.

Noah opens a window and sends a raven out after 40 days. Until the waters dry up, the raven flies back and forth. Noah then sends out a dove, but it returns to the ark due to the lack of dry ground for it to rest on.

Seven days later, he sends the dove out again, and the dove returns with an olive leaf in its mouth, indicating that the waters have receded. Noah sends the dove out for the final time after another seven days, and it does not return.

Noah removes the ark’s covering and notices that the ground is drying. God tells Noah, his wife, and his sons’ families to leave the ark with the animals when it is completely dry.

After a little more than a year onboard, God told Noah, his family, and all the animals to leave the ark and to inhabit the new earth.

Noah built an altar and sacrificed some of the clean animals to the Lord. Yes Noah constructs an altar to the LORD and offers burnt sacrifices on it after they exit the ark. When the LORD smells the offerings, he swears and promised He would never again “strike down every living creature” as He had done with the flood waters.

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:4 “And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.”

Why did the Holy Spirit want us to know this very date?

The Two Calendars

Civil: Tishri (in the Fall) Rosh Hoshana

Religious: Nisan (in the Spring)

This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.  Exodus 12:2

New Beginnings

Jesus Crucified on the 14th of Nisan;

Jesus In the grave: 3 days.

Jesus Resurrection: 17th of Nisan (the “7th month” of the Genesis Calendar)

Noah’s “new beginning” on the Planet Earth was on the anniversary and in anticipation of our “new beginning” in Christ hallelujah saints!

Noah’s Ark possible earlier sighting

In the extreme eastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia and Iran. Except on the NW, where a spur nearly 2,200 m (7,000 ft) high merges with a long ridge, the mountain is completely isolated, being surrounded on all other sides by elevated plains ranging from 2,500 to 4,500 ft above sea level.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God uses the world He created for His purposes, and we must submit to His perfect will.

Although God promised not to flood the earth again, that doesn’t mean He removed His hand from His creation entirely.

God still uses His world to providentially to guide people and nations.

God may use nature to judge the wicked, to teach lessons (Mat 6:25-30), to change the trajectory of someone’s life, or to cause someone to worship.

Nature and weather are a complex and powerful tool at God’s disposal. Noah and His family were at God’s mercy during their time in the ark. Apart from trusting Him, there was nothing they could they do. Are you facing circumstances that feel out of your control? As days turned to weeks, Noah waited patiently for God’s rescue. Take a moment to list ways God has been faithful to you in the past. Praise Him for His character and ask for patience to wait as He fulfills His plan.

Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for the joys of the seasons, the provision of seedtime and harvest, the warmth of the sun, and the refreshing rest through the cool of the night. I praise You for my creation, preservation, forgiveness, and love, and for the many precious promises that are kept for me in heaven. You, O Lord, are the author and sustainer of life. In Genesis 8:21, You said, “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans … And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” You alone hold creation in Your hands. Too often, we doubt Your plan. We are tempted to force our own solutions instead of trusting in Your provision. Give us faith like Noah to endure life’s storms and then patiently wait on You. (Genesis 8:15-19) Thank you, Father, for keeping Your promises. Just as You remembered Noah during the Flood, You remember us. During seasons when we feel adrift, You never leave us, and You never forget Your promises. As natural disasters plague nations around the world, comfort Your people, Oh God. Help us to remember Your sovereignty and Your promise to Noah in Genesis 9. Let all rainbows remind us that Your covenants are binding, and our faith is secure. But most of all, I thank You for sending Jesus to die on the Cross and rise again so that He could become my Saviour, by grace through faith. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 9, the 15th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 9

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

HINGS TO PONDER:

(God blessed Noah and set the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the earth again. Noah got drunk and cursed Ham’s son Canaan. This period between Genesis Chapter 9-10 is what we call the post flood period)

A New Beginning

Ok first anything before this period would have been hard to imagine. Let alone what it would have been like before Genesis chapter three. The flood itself would have changed many things which would have even triggered change to the atmosphere.  

New Order established:

They are not vegetarians anymore, yes because it implies from Genesis 1:29 that they were vegetarians before the flood and now they are instructed to eat meat in Genesis 9:3; capital punishment is now ordained (note they had no police needed at that time because each family had to enforce the law); human government established, Sinful man wiped out, but not sin. Noah’s Prophecy: “May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.

God blesses Noah and his sons and tells them to “procreate and multiply” in order to fill the earth.

They will eat all living things, with the exception of a creature’s flesh, which must not be eaten with its blood.

Furthermore, human blood is costly: anyone who sheds another’s blood must pay with his own because humans are created in God’s image.

God then tells Noah and his sons that he is making a covenant with them and their descendants, as well as all living things.

God will never again destroy the earth with a flood, according to this covenant. A rainbow in the clouds will be the sign of the covenant. God will remember his everlasting covenant whenever a rainbow appears in the sky.

The entire earth is repopulated thanks to Noah’s three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah is the first to establish a vineyard. Noah becomes inebriated and lies naked in his tent one day.

When Ham discovers him, he and his brothers cover him with a garment, while the rest of the family walks backward to avoid seeing their father’s nakedness.

When Noah awakens, he curses Ham and his descendants, including Ham’s son Canaan and his descendants, saying they will be slaves to Ham’s brothers and their descendants. After that, he blesses Shem and Japheth. Noah blessed Japheth and Shem for the kindness and dignity they showed to him. Noah dies at the age of 950.

FURTHER LOOK AT THE CURSE ON CANAAN

Now there are some strange views on this instance that caused Noah to curse the son of Ham this heavily. “Saw Nakedness” Several views: Rabbinical: Ham castrated Noah and never had any more children; Ham slept with his (step?) mother and Canaan was the offspring of that union. So, these are just views, but the better viewpoint for us is that Noah had already uncovered himself through his drunkenness, and Ham saw him that way. But an attempt by Ham to assert leadership over the situation here may have been what is involved and that is what is seen as indignity, and Noah’s prophecy concerning the ultimate subjection of Canaan’s descendants may have been a response… [What is also overlooked by many commentators is the role of the rephaim among the tribes of Canaan, later we can look.]

Noah’s oracle (vv. 25-27) showed that the natures of his three sons would be fulfilled in their descendants. In all but one of the verses in Lev 18:6-19, Moses used the causative form of the verb galah to refer to the Canaanites’ (Ham’s descendants) “uncovering” another’s nakedness (rendered in the NIV, “have sexual relations”). This code word reports the actual wicked and repulsively immoral behaviour of the descendants of Ham (cf. Lev 18:3). Ham’s disposition toward moral abandon thus bore fruit in the immoral acts of his descendants, the Canaanites.

Enslavement of Canaanites

• Defeated and enslaved by eastern kings (Gen 14);

• Gibeonites under Joshua became wood choppers and water carriers for Israel’s tabernacle (Josh 9:27);

• Battle of Carthage (146 B.C.): the Phoenicians (Canaanites) were finally defeated.

Ham’s attempt at leadership backfired: his line through Canaan would lead to subjection (vv.26-27). The enslavement of Canaanites is seen in many situations in the history of the Old Testament.

The Canaanites would have to be dispossessed by Israel under Joshua for blessing to come on Shem (v. 26) and for the Japhethites to dwell in the tents of Shem (v. 27), meaning that the Japhethites would live with the Shemites on friendly terms, not that the Japhethites would dispossess the Shemites. Verses 24-29 actually set the foundation for Israel’s foreign policy in the land (Deut 20:16-18).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God is reminding us continually of His goodness that are scattered throughout nature.

The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise not to flood the earth.

God’s care for the sparrows reminds us He will provide His children with their daily needs (Mat 6:26).

The flowers in the field remind us God will cloth us (Mat 6:28-29).

The new lambs in the pasture remind us of His gentleness (  1:29).

The lion on the savannah reminds us of His power to protect us and overcome the enemy (Rev 5:5). The Lion of the Tribe of Judah shall prevail in your life saints as you put your trust in Him today! Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father and please fill me, with Your Spirit of the Vine, Christ Jesus my Lord. May I bring forth fruit, more fruit, much fruit to glorify Your Holy name. Father, thank You for Your many precious promises. When the storm-clouds of life are thundering in on all sides, help me to trust Your Word and to remember the promises You have made to all Your children. May the sight of a beautiful rainbow remind me that Your Word cannot be broken and that all Your promises are true.  In Genesis 9:3-6, You established boundaries and laws. Once again, You upheld the sacredness of human life, which was created in Your image. Give us wisdom when we see people abuse Your creation. Convict us, God, to protect all life, which is precious to You. Noah’s faith was a gift from you, God. Give me that same measure of hope and assurance in Your plans. When I struggle to trust You with my present circumstances, please remind me of who You are. As natural disasters plague nations around the world, comfort Your people, Oh God. Help us to remember Your sovereignty and Your promise to Noah in Genesis 9. Let all rainbows remind us that Your covenants are binding, and our faith is secure. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 10, the 16th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 10

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Saints Genesis 10 is a record of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Many of the men mentioned in this chapter are significant because they were the patriarchs of the nations of the ancient world and the founders of historically significant cities.

(Japheth’s line lived in the coastlands; Ham’s included Nimrod and the Canaanites; Shem’s lived in the East. These formed the nations.)

The descendants of Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth after the flood are listed.

Japheth’s descendants lived in Asia Minor and Europe.

Ham’s descendants mostly settle in Egypt, with a few in Assyria; Ham’s son, also, settles in the land that would later become known as Palestine. So, Ham had 4 sons: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. Cush fathered Nimrod who is described as the first “mighty man” on the earth. Nimrod was king of Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh and established the city of Nineveh. The Philistines were descendants of Ham’s son Egypt. Canaan was the father of Sidon and Heth and the nations of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, and Hivites. These nations are mentioned in other Bible books like Joshua and Judges.

The Semitic peoples of Arabia and Mesopotamia are Shem’s descendants. Nations grow and spread across the globe because of Noah’s descendants.

Nimrod

• “Rebel”

• First “World Dictator”

• Founder of Babylon & Nineveh

• (Detail in next session)

Inserted in this table of nations is the story of Nimrod. This is the first “begot” (NIV, “was the father of”) section and forms a major stylistic break from the tribal names preceding it. Attempts to identify or date Nimrod have proven unsuccessful. Because his name seems to be connected with the verb “to rebel” (marad), tradition has identified him with tyrannical power. He was the founder of the earliest imperial world powers in Babylon and Assyria. The table simply presents him as a mighty hunter, a trait found commonly in Assyrian kings. He was founder of several powerful cities. The centers he established became major enemies of Israel.

Now if we go deeper into the life of Nimrod, he was responsible for the Tower of Babel. It was he who attempted to bring together humanity after the Flood to get them united into a nation of which he could become the great world ruler. He was the rebel, the founder of Babel, the hunter of the souls of men. He was the lawless one, and he is a shadow or a type of the last world ruler, the Antichrist who is yet to appear (the figure is alive and well today but will only be revealed once the Holy Spirit filled church is snatched away). The first great civilization, therefore, came out from the sons of Ham.

FIRST HORSEMAN OF THE APOCALYPSE

Revelation 6:1-2 “Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the [a]seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”

This imposing figure of this chapter is a foreshadow the coming antichrist in the above scripture in revelations. Nimrod led the first rebellion against God upon the earth. Nimrod has been depicted as holding a bow in many pictures because of his warrior mighty hunter skills. But this has nothing to do with hunting of animals but refers to the first one world dictator that hunted men and any that looked towards the ways of God. Much like the coming antichrist in Revelation chapter six. Nimrod hunted them down any who opposed him, especially those who worshipped Yahweh, consequently Babylon has always stood for every false religion, every false doctrine, and every false way.   

Genesis 10:11-12 “From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).”

“Babel”: Gr. “Babylon.” “went...: or, he went out into Assyria...” “...the city...”: The streets of the city, Nineveh. Known as early as 2800 B.C., it was the centre of the powerful Assyrian kingdom, which attained its height under Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and Ashurbanipal. It was situated on the Tigris River, about 250 miles from the city of Babylon. n. It was against this stronghold that Jonah and Nahum directed their prophecies.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God is showing us that these genealogies contain especially vital details which help us date the age of the earth.

Using the information in Genesis 4, 5, 10, and 11, we can date the creation, the flood, and the rest of the book of Genesis.

This information reveals the earth is not as old as some scientists suggest.

The Bible’s timeline matches current archaeological discoveries regarding the rise of civilizations. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You for the many ways that Your Word is proven to be true and altogether reliable. Thank You for the many pieces of evidence that confirm Who You are. I can do nothing but glorify Your holy name and offer my sacrifice of praise to You. I praise You that by faith in the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious Resurrection from the dead, I have all my sins forgiven and will be raised into life immortal. Thank You, also, that there is no one in the human race that lies outside of Your gracious offer of salvation. I pray that even today, many souls would have their eyes open to the truth and trust in Jesus for their redemption. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 11, the 17th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 11

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Saints let us get a little background to this chapter eleven for now the lifespan of humans decreased rapidly after the flood. Most historians date the flood to approximately 2350 B.C. So, using the genealogy of Shem as recorded in verses 10-26, we can set the date of Abram’s birth at approximately 1996 B.C.

We are looking at Nimrod and his dictatorship in building a new world. Saints (They began building a great tower for themselves, but the Lord confused their language. Shem’s line included Abram who married Sarai.) Also we get to see Shem’s Descendants – Shem’s family tree is recorded in Genesis 11:10-26. Terah – Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Abram (Abraham) – Abraham is known as the father of the Jewish nation. He is a key figure in God’s plan to save mankind from sin.

THE TOWER OF BABEL (11:1-9):

At this point in history, the whole world spoke the same language and many of them lived in the land of Shinar. At first, everyone on the planet speaks the same language. People eventually decide to build a city and a brick-and-mortar tower that reaches the heavens as they settle on the plain of Shinar.

They hope to “make a name” for themselves by doing so. The LORD looks at the people’s city and tower and sees that because they all speak the same language, they will be able to do whatever they want.

He sets out to pervert the people’s language so that they are unable to communicate with one another. As a result of his actions, the people are dispersed across the globe.

The name “Babel” comes from the fact that God muddled their language. But let us look further to the land of Nimrod. First World Dictator: Nimrod. “Bab-El,” meaning the Gateway to the gods and a foreshadow of the antichrist to come. As we mentioned babel = Babylon and its is destroyed in the end.

The Land of Nimrod

• Babel

• Accad (Akkad, Agade)

• Erech (Uruk, Sumeria)

• Nineveh (Assyria)

• Sumer (Shinar)

• Calah (20 mi from Nineveh)

The Tower of Bab-El

• One Language: Hebrew.

• Godless Confederacy: 1st World Dictator –Nimrod – (“We will rebel”).

• Plain of Shinar: Bab-El “Tower to Heaven”: (astrological temple; zodiac corrupted). Because they came from generations of longer lifespan, these people group were a lot more intelligent than what we may recognise.

• Tale of Two Cities: Babylon (the City of Man) and Jerusalem (the City of God). You will see throughout the bible these two cities are mentioned throughout and of the destruction of Babylon.

Isaiah 13:19-20 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there.”

Jeremiah 50:39-40 “Therefore the wild desert beasts shall dwell there with the jackals, And the ostriches shall dwell in it. It shall be inhabited no more forever, Nor shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation. 40 As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah And their neighbors,” says the Lord, “So no one shall reside there, Nor son of man dwell in it.”

The Doom of Babylon

• Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13, 14; Jeremiah 50, 51): “Never to be inhabited”; “Building materials never reused”; “Like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

• Fall of Babylon (539 B.C.): Without a battle; Became Alexander’s capital; Atrophied over the centuries; Presently being rebuilt.

• “Mystery Babylon?” (Revelation 17-18).

THE GENEOLOGY OF SHEM (11:10-26):

Shem’s descendants can be traced back to a man named Terah through several generations. Shem fathered Arpachshad at 100 years old and died at the age of 600. Arpachshad fathered Shelah at 35 years old and died at the age of 483. Shelah fathered Eber at 30 years old and died at the age of 433. Eber fathered Peleg at 34 years old and died at the age of 464. Peleg fathered Reu at 30 years old and died at the age of 239. Reu fathered Serug at 32 years old and died at the age of 239. Serug fathered Nahor at 30 years old and died at the age of 230. Nahor fathered Terah at 29 years old and died at the age of 148.

THE FAMILY OF TERAH (11:27-32):

So, Abram, Nahor, and Haran are Terah’s children. Haran was Lot’s father, and he died in the land of Ur before his father Terah. At 70 years old, Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran’s son was named Lot (we will read about him later). In the meantime, Abram married Sarai, and his brother Nahor married Milcah. Sarai was childless or barren. Terah, along with his son Abram, Sarai, and Lot, Terah’s grandson, set out from Ur for the land of Canaan, but they stopped and settled in Haran. Terah died at the age of 205 years old.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints one thing that is very interesting to me is that the story of the Tower of Babel teaches us that God’s will sometimes restricts innovation.

Rather than allowing the humans to succeed in their technological and architectural endeavours, God thwarted them.

Humans are allowed to advance technologically when God permits it, not before.

Our modern developments have only been achieved by God’s permission.

No doubt, He is still withholding many secrets from researchers, scientists, and engineers. So as much as the leaders of the earth may think they can fight against God, He just laughs at their ignorance as spoken of in Psalm Chapter 2.

Who was the first world dictator and where was his capital?

What was the origin of Babylon? What is its apparent role in the “End Times”?

Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Heavenly Father, teach me all there is to learn from the foolish decisions made by the post diluvian people and the rebellious attitudes they fostered in their hearts. In the name of “progress,” we often trade our faith in You, Lord, for faith in ourselves. Just as the people of Babel refused to yield to You, forgive us for elevating our thoughts and plans above Yours. Thank you, Father, for overcoming sin repeatedly. In Your mercy, You “scattered them from there over all the earth…” in Genesis 11:8. Together, we are capable of great evil, but You, Lord, are good and protect Your people. Lord through technology, our leaders continue to seek global unity. Direct our steps, God, as we engage with one another in new ways. Reveal the issues that divide us. Help us to rely on Your Spirit to bind believers, instead of seeking superficial unity that will crumble and deceive people to worship themselves and not You Lord. Help me to make the right choices in life and to refuse to adopt the sinful ways of the world who want to do things their own way, independent from You. May I look to Jesus, day by day, resting my hope and future in Him. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 12, the 18th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 12

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Saints (Using the date 1996 B.C. as the year of Abraham’s birth, we can calculate the year Abram left Haran to go to Canaan (the Promised Land).

Scholars mark this chapter of Genesis 12 as the beginning of Genesis’s “patriarchal history,” which tells the story of Israel’s earliest ancestors: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s sons. God tells Abram to resume the journey his father began, to Canaan. In calling Abram to do this, God also states his intentions for all of humanity to come—he will bless them through Abram’s obedience. The promise that accompanies God’s call—that God will make “a great nation” through Abram. Now what is surprising, given that Abram’s wife, Sarai, has already been described as barren.

Seven “I Wills” (Genesis 12:2-3)

• And I will make of thee a great nation,

• and I will bless thee,

• and make thy name great;

• and thou shalt be a blessing:

• And I will bless them that bless thee,

• and curse him that curseth thee:

• and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Abrahamic Covenant

God’s contract is still intact. Nations will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46). It foresees the blessing of the family of the entire earth (Galatians 3:8) before the Throne of God (Rev 5:9).

Abram was 75 years old when he departed Haran (12:4) which means his journey started around 1921 B.C. Abram was the son of Terah. God promised to make Abram a great nation and a blessing to the world. Sarai who was Abram’s wife who he described as “beautiful in appearance.” Also left with his nephew Lot who travelled with him to Canaan.

At God’s instruction, Abram travelled from Haran to Canaan. In Canaan, he visited several places including Shechem and the hill country east of Bethel. He then travelled south to the Negeb (the southern region of Canaan). Due to a famine (12:10) Abram left Canaan and travelled further south to Egypt.

Abram knew his wife Sarai was a beautiful woman, and he was afraid the Egyptians would kill him to take her, so he told her to lie and tell people she was his sister.  When they met the Pharoah of Egypt, he admired Sarai and took her into his house. For her sake, Pharoah treated Abram very well and gifted him with livestock and servants. But God sent “great plagues” on the house of Pharoah because he had taken another man’s wife. When he realized he had been lied to about the true relationship between Abram and Sarai, Pharaoh confronted Abram. Pharaoh gave Sarai back to Abram and sent them out of the land of Egypt. Abram’s scheme nearly lost him his wife, and without Sarai his promised blessing would be doomed. The world is at enmity with God (1 Cor 10:2-13). Faith is not a single journey to a distant scene, but rather a continual experience with the unseen. Its symbol is the tent; its secret is the altar.

GREAT DELIVERANCE'S THE LORD HAS DONE FOR ISRAEL

• The famine in the land (Gen 12:10; 47:13);

• The descent to Egypt to sojourn (Gen12:10; 47:27);

• The attempt to kill the males but save the females (Gen12:12; Ex 1:22);

• The plagues on Egypt (Gen 12:17; Ex 7:14-11:10).

• The spoiling of Egypt (Gen 12:16; Ex 12:35-36).

• The deliverance (Gen 12:19; Ex 15);

• The ascent to the Negev (Gen. 13:1; Num 13:17, 22).

The great deliverance out of bondage that Israel experienced, was thus already accomplished in her ancestor, and was a source of comfort and encouragement to them. God was doing more than promise deliverance for the future nation; it was as if in anticipation He acted out their deliverance in Abram.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God might be using you to lay the groundwork for a plan He will bring to completion 2,000 years from now (that would be 4023 A.D.).

The promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12, namely the part about all people being blessed through him, came to fruition when Jesus, Abraham’s descendant, died on the cross for the sins of the world.

Jesus died 2,000 years after Abraham was born.

We should not forget that we are part of a bigger story, God’s story.

The obedience we give God today may be the foundation of great blessings for future generations. So as the Lord tarries let us live for the Lord, so our children will learn from us also. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful example of Abram who, by faith in Your Word, has become the biblical example of a man who believed in the Word of the Lord and who simply trusted in the promises of God. Lord, thank You for the lesson of faith that I can learn from Abraham - who believed God without knowing the whole story and was prepared to leave all that he had and place his future into Your hands entirely. Thank You that You are a faithful God and that Your promises are steadfast and sure. Increase my faith, I pray, for I desire to trust You in all things. I pray that like Abram, my faith would not fail but grow and develop so that I trust You in all the circumstances of life, even when they contradict my logic and seem to dictate the opposite. Thank You for the privilege of prayer and the wonderful example of a man who called on the name of the Lord and was not disappointed. Father, thank You for the Holy Scriptures, the many truths they teach me, and the lessons which I can learn from and apply in my daily life. Help me to listen to Your voice and faithfully obey Your call, to Your praise and glory. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 13, the 19th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 13

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Saints at the opening of the chapter, Abram left Egypt and moved his family back to the area east of Bethel where he built an altar in Genesis 12. Now that Abram has been sent out from Egypt, he journeys north again and settles in Canaan’s hill country. Let’s also see the results of backsliding, for he picks up Hagar in Egypt which will be the result of Ishmael, mocking Isaac (Gen 21:9). Abram was rich in earthly possessions but had strife and many sorrows (1 Tim 6:10).

Both Abram and his nephew Lot are wealthy men, meaning there would be competition for land, and they must stake out different settlements. Between the two of them, they had so many animals there was not enough pastureland to support them all. Therefore, Abram and Lot agreed to split up, and Abram gave Lot his choice of the land.

Abram could be “generous” because he knew the prophetic outcome! [So can we (and you) be!] The Perizzites were one of several tribes usually listed with the Canaanites (cf. 34:30; Deut 7:1; Judg 1:4; 3:5).

Lot decided to go east and live in the fertile Jordan River Valley near the city of Sodom. The men of Sodom are described as “wicked, great sinners before the Lord.”

“Lifting his eyes”: Satan’s portals (Gen 3:6; Josh 7:21; 1 Jn 2:16) [Ears are the portals of the Lord: Rom 10:17; “He that hath an ear…” etc.] The Lord can speak through both but always wait for confirmation through the hearing of His still small voice saints and never run ahead with the lust of the eyes.

Lot’s Steps

Beheld... Chose... Departed... Dwelt in the plain... Pitched…toward... Dwelt in Sodom... Seated in the gate (Councilman). Sin always occurs in small steps… Lot was saved from abduction (Chapter 14), but he still returns to Sodom. (Still recorded “righteous” in 2 Pet 2:7-8, but vexed…)

Abram “lifted up his eyes”: saw the Land; saw three “visitors” at the Oaks of Mamre; saw the ram substituted at Mt Moriah.

Abram vs. Lot

• Abram walked by faith – Lot by sight

• Abram: generous and magnanimous – Lot: greedy and worldly

• Abram: looked for God’s city – Lot: home in a city destroyed by God

• Abram: “Father of all who believe” – Lot: perpetual infamy

• Abram: “Heir of the world” (Rom 4:30) – Lot: dwelled in a cave (Gen19:30) All possessions destroyed in Sodom.

After Lot’s departure, the LORD tells Abram to look around. God will give Abram all the land he can see, to him and his offspring forever. What is more, Abram’s offspring will become so numerous that they will be like the dust of the earth. Abram settles by the oaks of Mamre at Hebron and builds an altar to the LORD to worship Him.

FURTHER NOTES:

Abram’s cautionary note to Lot was let’s not have any quarreling (meribah, related to the word for “rib”)—Cf. Meribah (Ex. 17:1-7). In that wilderness there was no water to drink and the people strove with Yahweh so that Moses smote the rock. Thereafter, Massa (“testing”) and Meribah (“quarreling”) became ominous names because the people out of unbelief provoked Yahweh and were sent to wander in the wilderness until they died (Ps 95:8-10). Their selfishness exhibited unbelief (Ps 95:10) so that they did not enter the land (Ps 95:11).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints please do not put your soul in danger for the sake of prosperity.

Lot chose to live near a wicked town (Sodom) because the Jordan River Valley looked like an ideal place for someone in the livestock business.

Sodom was not a spiritually healthy place, but its wickedness wasn’t enough to dissuade him from living there. 

In the upcoming chapters, we will find out how dearly Lot paid for that decision.

We should never allow the allure of prosperity to lead us places where our soul or the souls of our family members are endangered.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

If we make our decisions based on prosperity and do not consider the “company” we surround ourselves with, we will grow to regret those decisions when we discover we and our families are farther from God than we ever intended to be. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

I want you to see something here also saints is that instead of seeking God’s plan, Lot chose to return to Sodom. Yes, Lot chose to live according to the ways of the world; Abram chose to live by the ways of God. Lot chose immediate physical comforts…” Are you tempted to seek comfort above a right relationship with God? Ask the Lord today to reveal any physical comfort that distracts you from finding genuine peace and joy in the Lord. Please just take a moment to reflect on God as provider, asking also for faith like Abram to get through life’s troubles.

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You that You are a faithful God Whose Word is true and Whose promises will never fail. I stand in awe of the mercy, love, goodness, and grace You showed to Abraham, Isaac, and the children of Israel. I rejoice that You sent Jesus to be our Kinsman-Redeemer so that we might be brought into the family of faith and be made Your spiritual sons and daughters, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I thank You for Your generous provision, Your faithfulness, and your unending love. You alone, Lord, build nations and establish kings. All power and authority over heaven and earth is Yours. Forgive us, Father, for refusing to pursue peace in difficult relationships. Abram revealed his faith in You by selflessly allowing Lot to choose his land first in Genesis 13. Help us to put others’ desires above our own. Thank you, Lord, for keeping Your promises. Just as You were faithful to Abram in battle, You promise to never leave us or forsake us. (Genesis 14:1-12) I am so grateful for all You have done for me, and praise You for all You have promised to do. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 14, the 20th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 14

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

ABRAM SAVES LOT AFTER HE IS TAKEN CAPTIVE (14:1-16):

Saints the chapter starts off with a war and key battle discussed in this chapter occurred in the Valley of Siddim. In the Valley of Siddim, or the Dead Sea area, a group of Canaanite kings’ rebels against King Chedorlaomer of Elam and his Shemite allies. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah flee the battle, their enemies take their goods; they also take Abram’s nephew Lot captive.

Now the clash between the Canaanites (descendants of Ham) and Shemites fulfills Noah’s curse that Ham would be enslaved by his brothers. The Shemite kings crush the Canaanites and capture Abram’s nephew, whose family lives among them. Abram is himself a descendant of Shem and therefore blessed by God in his pursuit and rescue of Lot. Someone escapes from Lot’s household and notifies Abram, who gathers a force of trained men and goes in pursuit of his nephew. He pursues the captives all the way to Damascus and successfully brings Lot and his household back from there to live with him.

Abram pursued his nephew’s kidnappers from Hebron (Oaks of Mamre), to Dan, and then north of the city of Damascus.

ABRAM MEETS MELCHIZEDEK (14:17-24):

Bera king of Sodom and Melchizedek king of Salem met Abram at the Valley of Shaveh when he returned from his victory. After this, the king of Sodom meets with Abram. King Melchizedek of Salem, a priest of God, brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram. Melchizedek is described as a king and as the “priest of God Most High.”

Melchizedek blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of all he possessed. So, imagine Abram gives Melchizedek one-tenth of his possessions. Now many believe this was one of the two valleys surrounding the site of the city of Jerusalem, either the Kidron Valley or the Hinnom Valley.

The king of Sodom offers his goods to Abram, but Abram refuses to take them, not wanting to be made rich by the king of Sodom. So, all the spoils of the war Abram refused, because he did not want it to be said that the king of Sodom made him rich. Mechizedek’s countercultural blessing stands in stark contrast to the king of Sodom’s offer.” As believers, help us to stand in stark contrast to the culture around us. Let our commitment to Your Truth be evident to our friends, family, and community.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints In our day, the terms “patriarch” or “patriarchy” are usually thought of in a negative light.

But Genesis 14 portrays a patriarch (Abram) in a positive and godly way.

A patriarch is a man who leads and protects his household.

A real patriarch is a man who leads and protects even when fulfilling that duty requires great personal sacrifice.

So to save his nephew, Abram had to pursue his kidnappers on foot for approximately 150 miles.

Abram’s example teaches modern men that leading a house is not about making everyone submit to your will while you lounge in ease.

Leading like Abram and like Jesus means protecting and providing for those in your care, usually at personal expense. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Heavenly Father, for the wonderful way all Scripture points to Christ. Help me to be earnest in my study of Your Word, and guide me into all truth, I pray. Thank You for the beautiful emblems of bread and wine that Melchizedek gave to Abram and which are used in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice of Himself on the Cross for my sake and the sake of all mankind. Bring many to a deeper understanding of Who You are, and all that Christ has done for us. Father, thank You for the many blessings You bestow on all Your children who, by faith, have trusted Your Word and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul. Thank You for the lessons I can learn from Abram’s meeting with Melchizedek, King of Righteousness, King of Peace, and Priest of God Most High. May I not be tempted by the glittering prizes of this fallen world, but have my sufficiency in You, the Lord God Almighty, possessor of heaven and earth. Father, thank You for the many promises that are 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus my Lord. I praise and thank You for Your precious promise to deliver me from all my enemies. Thank You that, like Abram, my faith in Christ is credited as righteousness and that in Him I have been declared righteous in Your sight. May my life become a sacrifice of prayer and praise for all Your goodness and grace. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 15, the 21st of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 15

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

GOD PROMISES ABRAM MANY CHILDREN (15:1-7):

Saints from today’s chapter we see that God has promised Abram both offspring and land, which neither of which Abram has yet but he must walk in faith to obtain both.

WHAT WERE THE TERMS OF THE COVENANT

• Declared eternal and unconditional.

• Re-confirmed by an oath (Gen 22:15-18).

• Confirmed to Isaac and to Jacob: Gen 26:2-5 (despite their acts of disobedience).

• NT declares it immutable (Heb 6:13-18).

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

• Commitment of the Land to his descendants “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates”

• Afflicted in Egypt: 400 years ( Acts 7:6); in Egypt 430 years (Ex12:40)

• But will return with great possession.

“West Bank?” Which river?! Satan then has four centuries to lay down  a “mine field:” The Nephilim (Rephaim) in the land! In Egypt: 430 years, afflicted 400 years. Return in the fourth generation (Ex 6:16-26).

THREE MAJOR PROMISES

• God’s Covenant with Abraham; – In his seed all nations shall be blessed.

• God’s Covenant with the Nation Israel; – If they faithfully served Him they’d prosper. – If they forsook Him they would be destroyed.

• God’s Covenant with David; – His family would produce the Messiah who would reign over God’s people forever.

Romans 8:29-30 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

GODS PROMISE FOR A CHILD AFFIRMED

Here, God addresses Abram’s concern that he is still childless. When God shows Abram the stars as a symbol of the uncountable nation that will come from him, Abram’s belief is considered “righteous”—his faith conforming to God’s will for him.

So, imagine after God appeared to Abram in a vision, Abram expressed his concern with God’s promise to make him a great nation, because he and Sarai were unable to conceive children. God told Abram not to worry because his descendants would be equal to the number of stars in the heavens. This is the type of faith we need to see God’s fulfilment in all we do ahead.

GOD PROMISES CANAAN TO ABRAM’S DESCENDANTS (15:8-21):

Having addressed Abram’s concern about his childlessness, God now reaffirms his promise to grant Abram the land. The significance of these precise sacrificial animals isn’t clear, but the ritual is another opportunity for God to demonstrate his faithfulness to Abram.

Abram asked God how he could be sure his children would inherit the land of Canaan. God told him to take a heifer, a female goat, a ram, a turtle dove, and a pigeon and cut them in half, except for the pigeon. Abram did as God instructed, and that night God caused him to fall asleep and experience a “dreadful and great darkness.” Abraham was told his offspring would be strangers in another land that did not belong to them and there they would suffer for 400 years. But after the 400 years, they would leave with “great possessions.” God was going to delay the inheritance of Canaan by Abram’s descendants for 400+ years because the Amorites, who lived in Canaan, were not yet wicked enough for God to cast out. God caused a fire pot and a flaming torch to pass through the divided animals. He made a covenant with Abram to give his children the land “from the river of Egypt to the great river” (the Euphrates River).

Imagine the accuracy of this vision of the night given to Abram which we later read about in the book of Exodus.

Let us look at this dream a little deeper: “Deep sleep,” cf. Gen 2. Shekinah: Smoking furnace, burning lamp. Unclean birds of prey swooped down on the offering animals—an evil omen. God’s announcement of Israel’s enslavement (vv. 13-14) clarified the meaning of the attacking birds. The word afflicted (‘anah, v. 13; cf. 16:6) is the same word used in Exodus 1:11-12 to describe Egypt’s oppression of Israel. Egypt, (like the PLO, the UN, and the EU) like birds of prey, oppose the covenant, but ultimately the covenant will be fulfilled.

IT IS AN UNCONDITIONAL COVENANT: Genesis 15

Now the way they partook of covenants in those days was they called it a divinely ordered ritual: barath, “To cut a covenant.” (Participants would divide a sacrifice (sacrificial animal), and together, do in a figure “8,” then they would repeat the terms of the covenant. Abram is in a “deep sleep.” Not a participant. Here God goes it alone.)

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God’s promises are not always accomplished quickly, but they are always kept to the fullest degree.

Walking in obedience to God requires patience.

He is never rushed because He is eternal.

It is important for us to learn that God’s timetable is the best timetable. God met Abram’s needs, not with a timeline or dates on a calendar, but with a reminder of two important aspects of His character.” God told Abram, “I am your shield,” and “I am your very great reward.” Are you currently waiting on God to meet a need or answer a prayer? God asked Abram to trust His character and we can too! Take a moment to list of some attributes of God. Pray them back to Him as a reminder of who He is.

Living on His schedule is exactly the right pace for our life’s saints. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You for the life and witness of Abram and for the trust he demonstrated when he refused to accept any reward from the wicked king of Sodom, but relied on You to be his Shield and Defender. Thank You that I have nothing to fear in this evil world and that You supply all that I need according to Your riches in glory. What a wonderful promise that those who trust in You will never be disappointed and that the reward You promise to all Your children is over and above all that we could ask or think. May I live as a faithful witness to Your goodness and grace and never compromise the gospel of Christ. Father thank You that I am justified by faith in Christ and have been covered in His righteousness. I pray that You would work in my life, a faith like that of Abram. Help me not to stagger at Your promises but believe Your Word and trust in Your faithfulness. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 16, the 22nd of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 16

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

ABRAM, SARAI, AND HAGAR (16:1-6):

From these accounts we get to see Abram struggles of the flesh that each of us pass through and also his faith. This cycle of narratives in the coming chapters presents the struggle Abram the patriarch underwent while he was waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled. At times he stumbled, but eventually his faith was proved. As Abram’s faith was developed and tested, delay was seen in the fulfilling of God’s promise.

In moments of weakness there are suggestions of alternative plans but plans not characterized by faith. Rather human efforts to assist in the fulfilling of divine promises complicated the matter.

Sarai, Abram’s wife, had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. Sarai was unable to have children, so she told Abram to take Hagar and attempt to have children with her. After they have lived in Canaan for 10 years, Sarai has born Abram no children. She tells Abram that because God has kept her from having children, perhaps she is meant to have children by means of Hagar, her Egyptian slave-girl. Ancient customs suggested that a women could give their maids to their husbands to become surrogate mothers; any children born to these unions would belong to them. Yet Jehovah had been specific in his promise of an heir (cf. 15:4). So now we understand the legal custom of that day with a barren woman she could give her maid to her husband as a wife, and the child born of that union was regarded as the first wife’s child. If the husband said to the slave-wife’s son, “You are my son,” then he was the adopted son and heir.

In other words, Sarai is trying to solve the problem of her barrenness through human means instead of relying on God to keep his promise. In a move resembling Adam listening to Eve in the garden, Abram follows Sarai’s lead in this, mistrusting God’s provision. Abram listens to Sarai and takes Hagar as a wife; Hagar soon conceives a child and looks on Sarai with contempt. Sarai still had a way to go in her faith. Remember saints giving children to the barren is God’s work (Ps 113:9). Later, Leah also knew that God heard her affliction, for she named Reuben and Simeon to reflect that (Gen. 29:32-33)

So, despite what may be acceptable practices in our customs and traditions remember God often renounces social customs. God’s people are expected to hold themselves to a higher standard hallelujah!

Abram was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Then Sarai gets angry at Abram and mistreats Hagar. Sarai “dealt harshly” with Hagar which led her to run away from Abram’s house.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD MAKES HAGAR A PROMISE (16:7-16):

The angel of the LORD finds Hagar by a spring in the wilderness and tells her to return to Sarai. She told him she was fleeing from her “mistress Sarai.” The angel told Hagar to return to Sarai. He told her she was pregnant with a son and the Lord was going to make her child’s descendants into a large nation. “Multitude”: Ishmael will, also, have 12 sons who will be highly prolific. He promises Hagar that he will give her innumerable offspring.

God had compassion and heard her affliction. In response, Hagar calls the LORD “El-roi,” which means “God who sees.” When Abram is 86 years old, Hagar bears him a son, whom he names Ishmael. The angel also foretold Ishmael would be a “wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone’s hand against him.”

The Arabs have never gotten along—even with themselves. Provocative prediction. Her son would become the father of a great tribe of wild, hostile people (cf. 25:18), living in the Arabian desert (25:12-18). But they would not be the promised seed; they would only complicate matters. Sarai’s sin sowed a harvest that is still being reaped. In fact Joseph, Sarai’s great-grandson, was later taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelites (37:28).

God looked after her in her time of trouble. The spring of water where the angel of the Lord met Hagar became known as Beerlahairoi.  Abram was caught up in a chain of causes and effects that would trouble him for years to come. Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born. Isaac will be born when he is 100.

FLESH VS. SPIRIT

• Abraham lived 430 years before the Law: Promises preceded the Law: cannot be disannulled (Galatians 3:17).

• Ishmael vs Isaac

– Two sons of two principles: Flesh; Spirit.

– Ishmael: of the flesh, in unbelief.

• “The son of the bondwoman will not be heir…”

– Isaac: of promise, in response to faith.

• The Ultimate Triumph of Faith: the offering of Isaac

Galatians 4:22-31 “Galatians 4:22-31 “For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are [a]the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband.” 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.”

The lesson was clear for Sarai, Abram, Hagar, Israel, and for Christians: God’s servants are to trust His Word and to wait for its fulfillment, enduring patiently till the end. It becomes increasingly clear in Genesis that any person or any nation that owes its existence to divine election should live by faith. Human efforts will not help. But the good news for God’s people is that the living God sees and hears.

BENEFITS OF WAITING FOR ISAAC

Patience brings God’s best.

Patience grows us.

Patience builds our faith.

Patience puts us on the ride of a lifetime.

Patience honours God

Patience builds a compelling testimony to God’s faithfulness.

Patience makes room for the Holy Spirit in our lives. Impatient people are missing the true work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints You cannot rush God’s plan.

In Genesis 12, God promised to make Abram’s descendants a “great nation.”

As Sarai and Abram got older, the chances of conceiving a child naturally decreased significantly.

Rather than trusting God’s promise, Sarai decided to take matters into her own hands, find an additional wife for her husband, and solve the problem her own way.

In the upcoming chapters, we’ll see that Sarai’s plan didn’t solve the problem and it ended up causing a lot of problems in Abram’s household.

It is always better to trust God patiently than to take matters into our own hands in an attempt to solve things more quickly.  

Hagar’s story and simple prayer should offer encouragement to each of us. Although many see the events of Genesis 12-16 as being Abram and Sarai’s story- for they are the family of the promise, God does not exclude Hagar from having her own identity and inheritance. Hagar does not offer anything to the Lord to deserve this mercy, and all that is required from her is simple obedience. From every indication, Hagar believes the words of the Lord, worships him for his faithfulness to her, and obeys his command. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father. Lord, we do not want to run ahead of Your perfect will and produce an Ishmael. Lord for the times I have been too impatient to wait on your will. The times I have gotten used to making things happen right now instead of waiting on you to guide my steps.

Bring me back to those days when I hungered for your plans. Give me the patience to linger in your presence. Pause my racing thoughts and self-imposed time limits. Thank you for being the only one who can truly take away my urge to do life by myself. Thank you for showing me that putting you first is what is best for me. Give me patient for those around me that are hard to deal with Lord. They can be moody, mean, difficult, and impossible to understand. They blame me for things I did not do and have expectations I cannot meet. Sometimes I wish You had not put them in my life.

I need You to show me how much You love them. Reveal what You see under the surface, where they are hurting, and tell me how to be effective. Thank you for giving me your patience to be kind and compassionate when I do not have my own and for loving me when I am the one who’s difficult in someone else’s life.

Lord, I know You are the God who sees and are the God-who-sees-us. God sees our needs, our deepest fears and longings, our limits, our strengths, our uniqueness, our value. God sees us through eyes of love. God gazes on us in love. Our prayer is being seen by the One-who-sees-us through eyes of love today Yes Lord. You see me. I am not invisible to you. You do not overlook me. You see me. And just like you saw Hagar, with love and compassion, you see me, through eyes of love. You see me deeply. You see my longings, my fears my desires, my love, my spirit. You see me and I know more fully that I am. I am because you gave me life. I am because you sustain me with your love. I am because you see me. Things must change Lord. I must move on in Your perfect timing. Soothe my anxiety. Take away my desperation. Stretch my perseverance. Thank you for knowing what is best for me. Thank you for helping me let go and giving me the patience to wait on your timing not mine. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 17, the 23rd of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 17

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

God is dominant in the first three sections: He instituted the sign. He promised Abram a son and named him Isaac, and He renamed Abram and Sarai to reflect that promise. So before we break this down further saints I wanted to point out here that this is the first OT occurrence of the title “God Almighty” [’el shaddai], which is used several times in Gen (17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; cf. 49:25). Some scholars suggest that shaddai is related to the Assyrian word sadu that means breast or mountain or both. Early Jewish scholars claimed that it was derived from sh-da, meaning, “He who is sufficient.” The LXX gives us hikanos, “sufficient.” Some words describing parts of the body were also used for geographical descriptions; e.g., “mouth” of a river, “foot” of a mountain. So shaddai, when used of God, refers either to His ability to supply abundantly [“the Abundant One”] or to His majestic strength [“the Almighty One”].

GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM AND THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION (17:1-14):

When Abram is 99 years old, the LORD appears to him. He says that Abram must walk blamelessly before him. He also makes a covenant with Abram, promising to make him the ancestor of many nations. Yes, God promised Abram he would be the “father of a multitude of nations” and for that reason, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Though God made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 to give him children, this covenant takes a wider view, speaking not just of offspring, but of “many nations.” Abram means “exalted ancestor,” while Abraham means “ancestor of a multitude”—the change of name reflects his new status. The covenant between God and Abraham was to be an “everlasting covenant.”

He would give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan and they were to worship Him as the one true God. God says that Abram must be called Abraham from now on. God’s covenant with Abraham will also include his offspring forever; he will give them the land of Canaan perpetually. Just as God’s covenant with Noah included a covenant sign (the rainbow), his covenant with Abraham and his offspring will also include a sign. Circumcision sets the males of Abraham’s line apart as members of the covenant community. As a sign of the covenant, Abraham was to circumcise all his future male children and every male who lived in his house. Infants born in Abraham’s house were to be circumcised when they were 8 days old.

GOD PROMISES ABRAHAM AND SARAI A SON (17:15-21):

Then God says that Abraham’s wife. God will give Abram a son by her, and from her will come nations and kings. Abraham takes Ishmael and all the men of his household, including male slaves, and circumcises them as God has commanded.

God told Abraham he must no longer call his wife Sarai, but Sarah. Yes, Sarai’s name was to be changed to Sarah because she was going to give birth to a son. Her son would be the father of nations and “kings of peoples.” At this, Abraham falls on his face, laughing; he is one hundred years old, and Sarah is ninety. He tells God, “O that Ishmael might live in your sight!” God repeats that Abram will have a son by Sarah, whose name will be Isaac. God will also bless Ishmael, making him a great nation. But God will make an everlasting covenant with Isaac and his offspring. Yes, the promise was with Abraham’s son with Sarah that which God’s everlasting covenant would be established. Another interesting fact is that the name Sarah, “Princess.” It is the feminine form of sar, “prince”; and was fitting for one whose seed would produce kings (v. 16; cf. v. 6).

ABRAHAM’S HOUSEHOLD IS CIRCUMCISED (17:22-27):

After speaking with God, Abraham returned to his household and circumcised all the males, including himself. Abraham was 99 years old, and Ishmael was 13 years old when they were circumcised.

CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART

Moses said that God would circumcise the hearts of His people so that they might be devoted to Him (Deut 30:6). Unbelief is described as having an uncircumcised heart (Jer 9:26; Ezek 44:7-9). Paul wrote that “circumcision of the heart” (i.e., being inwardly set apart “by the Spirit”) evidence salvation and fellowship with God (Rom 2:28-29; cf. Rom 4:11).

ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

Genesis 12: 1) Make a great nation 2) Bless you and your name 3) Make you a blessing 4) Bless those who bless you, curse those who curse you 5) Give this land to your seed.

Genesis 15: 1) Covenant to Abraham’s physical seed 2) Land defined: Euphrates to Nile.

Genesis 17: 1) Covenant with physical seed, forever 2) Land of Canaan everlasting possession.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints God loves to use incapable people to achieve remarkable things.

Abraham and Sarah could not naturally conceive children, but God used them to birth a nation of people who were central to His redemption story.

Gods’ supernatural assistance is the pattern that is repeated throughout the Bible.

If you are going to accomplish remarkable things in the Kingdom of God, it will not be by your own strength and skill saints, it will happen because of God’s power working through you as you humbly submit to His leading. Therefore, let us pray that the Holy Spirit continues to empower us and give us the supernatural grace to get through all of life’s trials. Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, I recognise Your almighty power and great glory, for the heavens declare it and Christ proved it with outstretched arms on Calvary's Cross. But You are also my great Provider, for which I thank You. I long to serve You faithfully and to live a blameless life before You, which is only possible through all sufficient power of the Holy Spirit’s work in me. Bring to fruitfulness the seed that You have planted in my heart, that I may live as You desire. Father, as I read the life of Abraham, I see how important it is to not only be saved by faith, but to live by faith, to walk by faith, and to pray in faith. And just as Abram had to learn many lessons as he sojourned in the land of Israel, I pray that as I journey through life, I would learn all that You have to teach me and become the person You have destined me to be. Help me to submit to You, resist the devil, and recognise the dangers of fleshly lusts and the wisdom of trusting Your Word. Thank You that You are working in my life from an eternal perspective. May my life be a testimony of Your goodness and grace. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 18, the 24th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 18

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

Saints an important message to pick up from this chapter is a call to believe that God can do the impossible in our lives also: Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Also we see how the Lord always reveals His plans to His righteous saints! Amos 3:7, “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

ABRAHAM HOSTS 3 HEAVENLY GUESTS (18:1-15):

The Lord and two men, who we will later discover were angels, visited Abraham at his tent near the oaks of Mamre. Abraham invited his guests to rest under a tree to refresh themselves from their journey. Sarah prepared flour cakes and Abraham planned for a calf to be slaughtered and cooked. While the Lord and His angels ate the food, the Lord repeated His promise that Abraham and Sarah would have a son (see Genesis 17). Sarah, who was listening at the door of the tent, laughed when she heard it because she was “advanced in years” and the “way of women had ceased” with her. The Lord asked Abraham why Sarah had laughed, saying, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Sarah denied that she had laughed because she was afraid. Following up on the covenant God made with Abraham in the preceding chapter, this is a divine visit saints and note that the three men are identified with the Lord later in the passage. Seeming to recognize this, Abraham prepares a feast as we see above. Whether her laugh is bitterly disbelieving or happily incredulous, God hears it and responds with reassurance. The Lord restated the promise and told them they would have a son when He returned to them the next year.

Sarah is the woman who is recorded as calling her husband Abraham "Lord". This is found in Genesis 18:12, where Sarah laughs to herself after being told she will have a child, saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?". The word "lord" here, in Hebrew, is "Adonai," which can also be translated as "my master" or "my husband".

This usage of "lord" in the context of Sarah and Abraham is not meant to be a religious title, but rather a term of respect and submission within their marriage. Christian Library explains that "Adonai" was a common term of respect for a husband at the time, signifying a wife's deference to her husband's authority.

Sarah's use of "lord" is a key part of the biblical passage highlighting her respect for Abraham and her understanding of her role within their marriage. This is mentioned in 1 Peter 3:6, where it's used as an example of a wife's submission to her husband.

1 Peter 3:6 “as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”

Peter insists that Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him "lord" because she put her trust in God, not in Abraham. Women who make that same choice and refuse to give into fears about being provided for, or personal worth, or what they feel they deserve, will become Sarah's children by being like her.

Notice that Sarah, not Abraham, is the one Peter holds out as honourable in this passage. Those who follow her example also receive honour, attain an unfading beauty, and succeed in pleasing God.

ABRAHAM RECOGNIZED THEM

HE RECOGNIZED THEM

• Abraham hurried to them v.2

– He hurried back to the tent v.6

– He ran to the herd v.7

– His servant hurried v.7

• Abraham bowed low before them v.2

• He got water to wash their feet v.4

• He served them

– freshly baked bread v.6

– a choice calf v.7

– curds and milk (not kosher w/meat?) v.8

• He stood while they were eating v.8; cf. vv.1-2

ABRAHAM NEGOTIATES WITH THE LORD TO SAVE SODOM (18:16-33):

Having enjoyed Abraham’s hospitality, the Lord and His two angels departed towards the city of Sodom. So, when the guests depart, Abraham walks with them in the direction of Sodom. The LORD says that he has heard an outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah because of their grave sin, and he is going to see if the report is true. The Lord told Abraham of His intention to punish Sodom for its wickedness and immortality. This news concerned Abraham because he did not want the small number of righteous people in Sodom to die on account of their wicked neighbours. Abraham asks God if he will destroy the righteous along with the wicked. He asked the Lord to spare Sodom if He found fifty righteous people, and the Lord agreed. He then asked the Lord to spare the city if He found forty-five righteous people, and the Lord agreed. He then asked the Lord to spare the city if He found forty righteous people, and the Lord agreed. He then asked the Lord to spare the city if He found thirty righteous people, and the Lord agreed. He then asked the Lord to spare the city if He found twenty righteous people, and the Lord agreed. He then asked the Lord to spare the city if He found ten righteous people, and the Lord agreed. After agreeing the city would be saved if ten righteous inhabitants could be found, the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his tent.

Saints a particularly important principle for us to know here with this story: The two angels that we will spend an entire chapter tomorrow on in chapter nineteen. Were the two angels focus on getting Lot out of Sodom before they can accomplish their assigned mission! [What does this imply regarding the church and the Tribulation? Say no more the rapture saints!] Also, an especially important principle is laid down here for us as intercessors. [Abraham intercedes for the righteous—including Lot, so we are not just praying for the lost souls to come into the kingdom, but also God would deliver the righteous from their afflictions and persecution.]

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Saints are you not thankful we have a God who is patient enough to be laughed at? Imagine who has tolerance for our discretion.

Most men in positions of authority or high rank do not tolerate their inferiors laughing at them.

They are quick to reprimand, or demote, or imprison, or sometimes kill people who laugh at them.

But God, the most powerful being in existence, was still willing to bless Sarah after she laughed at His words.

Praise God for being exceedingly patient while being exceedingly powerful. God is still in control of our lives even when we do not see the results saints! Let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for what a great encouragement to know I can also enjoy the close, intimate fellowship Abraham enjoyed, once his faith was reckoned as righteousness. How precious to realise that he was a friend of God and that the Lord came to visit him as he sat under the oaks of Mamre in the heat of the day. But what a privilege is mine when I realise that I have permanent access to Your holy presence and can commune with You every moment of the day, through prayer and praise, thanksgiving, and worship. How I thank You that my body is the very temple of the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, thank You, that I have found grace and favour in Your eyes and have been made a child of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. Thank You for the lessons we learn from servants like Abraham, and thank You that through faith in Christ, I can know you intimately and enjoy daily fellowship with you anywhere and everywhere. Open my eyes to see Your hand of blessing in my life. Never let me become complacent in my Christian walk and I pray that I will be waiting expectantly for the day when Christ comes to take His church to be with Him forever. Father, I realise that sin is such a little word, but its consequences are very terrible. Thank You that You judge the world in righteousness and that in Your grace, You sent Your only begotten Son to be born as the human Seed of Abraham and to shed His blood for the redemption of the world. Thank You that Christ's blood was shed for me. Help me to reject the evil and choose the good and may my life be a testimony of Your goodness and grace. Father, thank You for the many lessons I can learn through the life and prayers of saints like Abraham, who trusted You to deal righteously with all people on earth. Give me a heart of compassion to pray for those that are dead in their sins. Help me to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who may have lost their way in their spiritual walk and been lured into the carnality of this world-system, like Lot. Thank You that You are a compassionate God, a righteous Judge, and that I can trust You to do what is right in every situation of life. May I come to an ever-growing understanding of the incredible privilege of having the Spirit of Christ indwelling my mortal frame. Heighten in me an increasing awareness and reverence of You, in the knowledge that You are my Friend. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 19, the 25th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 19

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

TWO ANGELS VISIT LOT IN SODOM (19:1-3):

In the evening, two angels arrive in Sodom, where Lot is sitting at the gate. Lot is a leader of the community; a judge, for he “was sitting in the gateway of the city” (v. 1; cf. v. 9). Judges usually sat by the city gates, public places (cf. Job 29:7, 12-17) where legal and business transactions were finalized (cf. Gen. 23:18). [While his conduct will shock you, he was deemed “a righteous man” (2 Peter 2:7-8)

Lot greets the angels and urges them to spend the night at his house. That night, as the guests prepare to sleep, all the men of Sodom gather around Lot’s house and demand that Lot bring the guests outside, so that they can have sex with them. imagine all the men of Sodom surrounded Lot’s house and demanded the angels be brought out to them so they could “have relations with them” (sexually).  Lot goes outside and implores the men of Sodom not to do this to his visitors—he will even offer them his virgin daughters instead. But the men scorn Lot and try to break down the door of his house. Lot’s guests pull him inside and shut the door; the men outside are struck with blindness.

He was willing to sacrifice his daughters’ virginity to fend off the vice of Sodomite men. [They apparently were betrothed but not wed yet.] His daughters had no qualms against having sex with their drunk and naked father (vv. 30-35). Notice also that the men of Sodom regarded the angels as (hansom) “men.”

Here, the wicked men of Sodom want to sexually assault Lot’s divine guests, which suggests that what God heard about Sodom is right—its people are deeply sinful. Now I want you to see and understand just the level of depravity within Sodom, because they had a fetish and lust for spiritual beings.

Romans 1:24-32 “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

See the wickedness of man’s hearts reveals their debased minds and the extent of having sexual desires to have sexual relations with fallen angels and demon spirits. Even today it is common for those within the occult seeking powers and fame to sleep with demonic spirits. For example, there are certain abandon houses that people visit to specifically have sexual relations with spirit beings (demon spirits) these spirits will come in the form of the most handsome man or most beautiful women to entice the person to even never desire flesh again. These evil spirits are normally represented by the spirits named incubus, succubus, incubi, succubi, eldonna, Lillith, mare spirits etc. Once people get a taste for strange flesh and spiritual beings, they become further dissociated and detached from reality being more self-driven (narcissistic).

Such people need deliverance from all evil connection to all ungodly sexual behaviours to come out of their bodies and their physical and spiritual conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind.  These spirits need to be broken off from their tongues, hands, fingers, breasts, sexual organs, or any part of their bodies.

While homosexual rape maybe part of the outrage in chapter nineteen of Genesis, the primary offense that Genesis underscores here is that the men are violating the sacred obligations of hospitality also, which was so important in the biblical world. But the greatest sin of Sodom was their pride.

Ezekiel 16:49 “Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”

But back to Lot and the two angels, we see God saw the wickedness and did not need to come down to see as He already knew, but God cannot go against His own word of having two or three witnesses.

Deuteronomy 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”

Even Lot knowing this risks his own life to try to placate the mob, even offering his daughters instead—a shocking act, even if he intends it as a bluff.

But the men of the city would not take no for an answer with their desire for relations with male spiritual beings, and as they pressed forward intending to break the door down. They angels saved Lot by pulling him into the house and striking the men outside with blindness.

LOT AND HIS FAMILY ESCAPE SODOM (19:12-22):

The angels told Lot to gather his family and flee because God was going to destroy the city for its wickedness.

Lot tried to get his sons-in-law to flee with him, but they wouldn’t listen. mocked (jested); and failed to escape. The Angels virtually force the

others to safety…Lot did not win anybody for the Lord in this city.

When morning dawned, Lot hesitated to leave, but the angels took hold of him, his wife, and his 2 daughters and brought them outside the city.

Lot’s family was told to find refuge in the town of Zoar, and they were told not to look back as God destroyed Sodom.

GOD DESTROYS SODOM WITH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE (19:23-29):

God “rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah” which destroyed the city, the plants, and the people.

Lot’s wife disobeyed the angels and looked back after fleeing Sodom and she was turned into a pillar of salt. With burning sulfur the Lord overthrew the wicked cities and the entire plain (vv. 24-25). Some have suggested that deposits of sulfur erupted from the earth (cf. the “tar pits,” 14:10) and then showered down out of the heavens in flames of fire (cf. Lk 17:29). Lot’s wife gazed back intently and was changed into a pillar of salt, a monument to her disobedience; covered and encrusted with deposits from the raining brimstone. Jesus admonishes us to “remember Lot’s wife” (Lk 17:32).

Luke 17:29-32 “but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his [a]goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife.”

Jesus refers to all of this regarding His Second Coming…[Incidentally, Babylon is destined to meet a similar fate: Is 13:19 and Jer 50:40.]

Matthew 11:23-24 “And you, Capernaum, who[a] are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

Jesus also said that if the miracles He did in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, the Sodomites would have repented (Mt 11:23). As it is, “it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment” than for the cities of Galilee (Mt 11:24). How much more culpable are we! [God judges according to knowledge, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Lk 12:48. God’s withholding from unbelievers is an act of mercy!]

In an echo of the flood story, God destroys Sodom for the wickedness displayed earlier in the chapter. Demonstrating his mercy, though, he allows Lot and his family to escape because of Lot’s righteousness. Lot’s wife’s disobedience to the angel’s command (looking back at the city when she was explicitly warned not to) causes her to be swept up in the destruction, becoming a salty pillar like the surrounding Dead Sea landscape.

LOT AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS (19:30-38):

Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar so he and his daughters lived in a cave in the mountains. Lot had been afraid to flee to the mountains (v. 19) so he went instead to Zoar (v. 22). But now, ironically, he left Zoar for the mountains and lived in a cave (v. 30). [Losers often hide in a caves: Joshua’s adversaries (Jos 10:16f); Kings in (Rev 6:15-17).]

Lot was growing old and did not have a male descendant to pass on his family name, so his daughters decided to get him drunk, sleep with him, and become pregnant by him in hopes of conceiving a son.

Their plan, however disturbing, worked and they gave birth to two sons. The eldest gave birth to Moab, the father of the Moabites. The younger gave birth to Ben-ammi, the father of the Ammonites. Perennial enemies of Israel: “Moab” sounds like the words “from father,” and “Ben-Ammi” means “son of my kinsman.” “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7).

PERSONAL: In Genesis 19:15-23, Lot and his family, were told to “Flee for your lives! Do not look back ….” But in verse twenty-six, Lot’s wife could not resist the temptation to turn her eyes toward Sodom. Help me, Lord, to stay focused on You alone. When my thoughts and desires wander, draw me back to You.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

Surrounding yourself with ungodly people will make your life harder.

Lot was flourishing when he was living with Abraham, but his decision to move to Sodom and make his home with evil people cost him his peace, his family members, and his wealth.

The same is true for us. Surrounding ourselves with ungodly people may have certain benefits in the short term, but the negative effect of those people has a detriment on our lives and souls over the long term. So let us continue to pray for revival saints even when we do not understand God’s ways, as Jesus is still the hope of all nations!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for sending Your ministering angels to warn Lot and his family to come out of places of compromise, to come out of places that would take our vision off You. You warned Lot to not stay just outside the city nor in the plains, but to go to be with You in the mountain. Give us the grace to come out of this world and all compromise. Give us the grace to also pray for others that are stuck in places of compromise. I ask today for a heart of compassion to pray for those that are dead in their sins. Help me to pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who may have lost their way in their spiritual walk and been lured into the carnality of this world-system, like Lot. Thank You that You are a compassionate God, a righteous Judge, and that I can trust You to do what is right in every situation of life. May I come to an ever-growing understanding of the incredible privilege of having the Spirit of Christ indwelling my mortal frame. Heighten in me an increasing awareness and reverence of You, in the knowledge that You are my Friend. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

Day 20, the 26th of April 2025: PLEASE FIRST READ THE WHOLE OF GENESIS CHAPTER 20

(Read either as an individual, family, or church and then read the questions that you can reflect and discuss, as well as read the prayer)

THINGS TO PONDER:

This story recalls a similar incident in Genesis 12, right down to Abraham’s claim that Sarah is his sister (the audience’s familiarity with that story seems to be assumed). Interestingly, God identifies Abraham as a prophet, which hasn’t been stated before. One aspect of this prophetic role is intercession, or the ability to pray on another person’s behalf. When Abraham does, God relieves the barrenness with which he’s afflicted Abimelech’s women.

ABRAHAM, SARAH, AND ABIMELECH (20:1-7):

After Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Abraham and Sarah went to live between Kadesh and Shur, in a region known as Gerar. There they met Abimelech, the king of Gerar, and Abraham told him Sarah was his sister. Abimelech took Sarah into his house, intending to make her either his wife or his concubine.

Gerar was near the coast about 12 miles south of Gaza and about 50 miles south of Hebron, in the land of the Philistines (21:34). Later Isaac will do the same thing with another Abimelech ( a tribal title, not a proper name)! (26:1-11). God intervenes to preserve His promise for the line of the Redeemer… Gen 3:15 et al.

But God appeared to him in a dream and warned him he had taken a woman who belonged to another man.

Abimelech told the Lord he was unaware of his mistake. He said he took Sarah in innocence and integrity only after Abraham told him she was his sister.

The Lord knew Abimelech’s heart was pure and He told him He had prevented him from having relations with Sarah.

He told Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham or else he would “surely die.” Abraham had prayed that the righteous would not be destroyed with the wicked (18:23-32). Now Abimelech’s words echoed the same concern: Lord, will You destroy an innocent nation? The rebuke would have been quite forceful for Abraham.

ABIMELECH RETURNS SARAH TO ABRAHAM (20:8-18):

First mention of “prophet” in the OT. Stern warning: God regards adultery as a capital offense.

In the morning, Abimelech summoned Abraham and asked him why he had deceived him about his relationship with Sarah. Abraham told him he assumed Gerar was a godless place and he feared someone would try to kill him and take Sarah if they learned they were married. Abraham’s deception contained a partial truth. Sarah was his half-sister, the daughter of his father.

Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham, gifted him with sheep, oxen, and servants and told him he was free to live anywhere within the borders of his kingdom.

In addition, Abimelech gave Abraham 1,000 pieces of silver as a sign he had not touched Sarah while she was in his house. Abimelech gives riches to Abraham and tells him to settle where he likes.

Abraham prayed for Abimelech and the Lord healed him, his wife, and their female slaves. So as Abraham prays for Abimelech, he asks God to open the wombs of his wife and other household women.

 “For the LORD had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife” (20:18).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

God guides those who are pure of heart in unseen ways.

Because Abimelech’s motives were pure, God protected him from sinning with Sarah (20:6).

Abimelech was completely unaware of God’s intervention until God told him.

How exactly did the Lord keep Abimelech from having relations with Sarah? We do not know. He caused his chariot to break down on his way home, perhaps he got caught up at work, perhaps he had to make an unexpected trip to another city to help a friend.

What we do know is that God protected a man with good intentions from making a mistake. 

I see no reason to believe God does not work this way today.

God guides those who are pure of heart in ways that are not always observable.

Therefore, we pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).

Genesis 20:3 “But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”

Many of the so-called dreams that we dream today (I mean in this dispensation) can they be said to originated from God as those dreamt by these Patriarchs of old? I said this because many of our so-called dreams, visions, revelations, prophecies etc do NOT ALL COME TO PASS even though we usually allege that they originate from God. It does not mean we do not get dreams as visions, dreams and prophecy is the End-Time language of the Lord.

The bible says, let every man be a liar, and He, God, be true… and at another place of the bible, we read that His (God’s) word be yea and amen. In other words, God’s words will come to pass, that is the yea and amen there. So let us pray for discernment always and may the Holy Spirit continue to give godly dreams to direct our futures.

Another thing of note in this chapter is that Abimelech was not a friend of God as Abraham nor Lot was, but He received directly from the Lord. He had God’s hotline.

This should mean that irrespective of whom we are, God knows us and loves to have deep relationship or interaction with us as a person, an individual entity. God wants to bring greater revelation in Jesus Mighty Name!

LET US PRAY SAINTS:

Heavenly Father in the Mighty Name of Jesus Your Son the Christ, cover us with Your precious blood and forgive us of all our sins, thank You Father, for I want to be enjoying your presence on a daily basis on my life and on everything I do in Jesus name. Every pollution and pollutants in my dream be removed now in Jesus’ name. The grace to decipher God’s originated dreams from others’ give me now in Jesus’ name. Visit in your anger anyone who unlawfully has my properties or belongings in his or her possessions in Jesus’ name. Let your mark be on my belongings or properties in Jesus’ name. Retrieve for me all my properties/belongings (living and non-living) in the hands of the enemies/powerful people in Jesus’ name. Let me know where I have erred oh Lord in Jesus name. The grace to correct/make amendments give me now in Jesus’ name. Correct me in your Love oh Lord in Jesus name. Heighten in me an increasing awareness and reverence of You, in the knowledge that You are my Friend. Hallelujah! I ask this in Jesus' mighty name I pray, AMEN.

As this fasting program is too large I have had to break it up in different posts. Just click on the links below when provided:

Part 2 (Day 21-38)

https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025-part-2

Please click for Part 3 (Day 39-49) https://www.repentancerevival.com/single-post/49-days-of-prayer-fasting-from-monday-7th-of-april-to-tuesday-27th-of-may-2025-part-3