March 6, 2025
Revelation 11
New King James Version
The Two Witnesses
11 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. [a]And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the [b]God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
The Witnesses Killed
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also [c]our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations [d]will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
The Witnesses Resurrected
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And [e]they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The [f]kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was [g]and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your [h]wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of [i]His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Footnotes
a. Revelation 11:1 NU, M omit And the angel stood
b. Revelation 11:4 NU, M Lord
c. Revelation 11:8 NU, M their
d. Revelation 11:9 NU, M see . . . and will not allow
e. Revelation 11:12 M I
f. Revelation 11:15 NU, M kingdom . . . has become the kingdom
g. Revelation 11:17 NU, M omit and who is to come
h. Revelation 11:18 anger
i. Revelation 11:19 M the covenant of the Lord
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
“11:2 forty-two months. The tribulation that is to occur at the end of this age will continue for seven years, the “one week” of Dan. 9:27 (see Rev. 7:14, note). This seven-year period is divided, in the prophetic writings, into two equal halves of three and one-half years each. The length of the periods is also referred to as “a time and times and half a time” (Rev. 12:14; compare Dan. 7:25; 12:7); “forty-two months” (Rev. 11:2; 13:5); and “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” (Rev. 11:3; 12:6). The second half of this seven-year-period will be characterized by increasing cruelty on the part of the world ruler, and a consequent greater intensity of persecution and suffering.’
’11:3 witnesses. Scripture does not clearly identify these two witnesses. Their power is like that of Moses and Elijah (v. 6).’
’11:7 bottomless pit. Literally pit of the abyss.’
’11:8 city. That is, Jerusalem.’
’11:15 world. Greek kosmos. See Rev. 13:8, note. and He shall reign. The seventh trumpet announces the beginning of Christ’s reign on earth, when the kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord, and occurs close to the end of the great tribulation. The seven bowls (ch. 16) follow this event in rapid sequence and culminate in the second coming of Christ.’
’11:19 Verse 19 is better understood when read as a part of ch. 12.” (THE SCOFIELD STUDY BIBLE) (THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION) (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS) (NEW YORK) (THOMAS NELSON, INC.) (1982)
“Daniel 9:27
New King James Version
27 Then he shall confirm a [a]covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the [b]desolate.”
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Footnotes
a. Daniel 9:27 Or treaty
b. Daniel 9:27 Or desolator
Daniel 9:27 in all English translations”
“Revelation 7:14
New King James Version
14 And I said to him, [a]“Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
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Footnotes
a. Revelation 7:14 NU, M My lord
Revelation 7:14 in all English translations
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
“7:14 TRIBULATION (THE GREAT), SUMMARY
Although God’s people may expect tribulation throughout the present age (John 16:33; Acts 14:22), the word “tribulation,” as here, is also used specifically of a future time (Matt. 24:21, 29; Mark 13:24).
Since our Lord links the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel with this time of tribulation (Matt. 24:15-21; Mark 13:14-19), it is evident that the tribulation is to be connected with the seventieth week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27). Furthermore, the Biblical references have in common an allusion to unprecedented trouble (Jer. 30:7; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Matt. 24:21-22).
While the seventieth week of Daniel is seven years in length (see Dan. 9:24, note; compare Rev. 11:2, note), and the terms “tribulation” and “great tribulation,” as used in the Scriptures, both have to do with the latter half of the seven years, it is customary to use “tribulation” of the whole period, and “great tribulation” of the second half of the period.
From the Scriptures we may deduce that the tribulation will begin with the signing of the covenant to permit the renewal of Jewish sacrifice (Dan. 9:27); it will be a period of unexplained trouble and judgment (see chain ref., Tribulation, Ps. 2:5 to Rev. 7:14), and is described in Rev. 6—19; and it will involve the whole earth (Rev. 3:10), but it is distinctively “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7). The elements of the great tribulation (the latter half of the seventieth week) are: (1) the cruel reign of the “beast . . . out of the sea” (Rev. 13:1) who, at the beginning of the final three and one-half years, will break his covenant with the Jews (by virtue of which they will have re-established the temple worship, Dan. 9:27), and show himself in the temple, demanding that he be worshiped as God (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4); (2) the active interposition of Satan “having great wrath” (Rev. 12:12), who gives his power to the beast (Rev. 13:4-5); (3) the unprecedented activity of demons (Rev. 9:2, 11; compare v. 20); and (4) the terrible bowl judgments of Rev. 16.
The tribulation will, nevertheless, be a period of salvation. An election out of Israel will be redeemed (Rev. 7:1-4) with an innumerable multitude of Gentiles (v. 9). These are said to have come “out of the great tribulation” (v. 14). They are not of the priesthood, the Church, to which they seem to stand somewhat in the relation of the Levites to the priests under the Mosaic Covenant. The great tribulation will be followed immediately by the return of Christ in glory, and the events associated therewith (Matt. 24:29-30). See Remnant (Is. 1:9; Rom. 11:5, note); Beast (Dan.7:8; Rev.19:20, note). Armageddon (Rev. 16:14; 19:17, note).
There is a difference of opinion about the location in Revelation at which the great tribulation is first alluded to. Some suggest as early as ch. 6; others, as late as ch. 11. In any case it is described in chs. 11—18.” (THE SCOFIELD STUDY BIBLE) (THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION) (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS) (NEW YORK) (THOMAS NELSON, INC.) (1982)
“From the Scriptures we may deduce that the tribulation will begin with the signing of the covenant to permit the renewal of Jewish sacrifice (Dan. 9:27); it will be a period of unexplained trouble and judgment (see chain ref., Tribulation, Ps. 2:5 to Rev. 7:14), and is described in Rev. 6—19” (THE SCOFIELD STUDY BIBLE) (THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION) (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS) (NEW YORK) (THOMAS NELSON, INC.) (1982)
As I struggle with this consuming depression, after my Queen/Wife was escorted to heaven, I remind myself to try and refocus on my LORD;
“Good afternoon beloved of YESHUA CHRIST JESUS. As I began our next section of what our LORD’S Holy Spirit has for us (7:14 TRIBULATION (THE GREAT), SUMMARY) (Paragraph 4) when I saw our LORD is leading me to, in teaching me what He has for me (Rev. chapters 6-19), I passed it by, going on to copy and paste, Rev. 3:10; thinking (13) chapters to be too long, to keep the attention and interest of those who still may be reading with me.
I immediately, asked Father-GOD to forgive me for taking my eyes and attention off of him and putting them on whoever it was that my mind was thinking of, as to go from Revelation chapters 6 to 19, would cause even more (than have already fallen away) to fall away, from what my LORD blesses me to share, however, after thanking my Father for forgiving me of the sin of having my attention on anyone other than Him, I now tell you (those who may still be reading what my LORD blesses me with sharing, of what He teaches me) I will follow my LORD’S lead, therefore, the next posts, to be copied and pasted in this letter, will in fact, be from Revelation chapters 6 to chapter 19; that I receive all the sweet nectar my LORD-GOD has for me; that I continue to grow in the awesome grace and knowledge, of my Redeemer- Savior-Master-LORD-YESHUA CHRIST JESUS, to Who alone, belong all honor, praise, and glory. Amen. Amen. Amen.
(Timothy M. Shephard) (Taken from my October 17, 2024 letter)
‘. . . “Revelation 19
Amplified Bible
The Fourfold Hallelujah
19 After these [a]things I heard something like the great and mighty shout of a vast multitude in heaven, [b]exclaiming,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory (splendor, majesty) and power (dominion, might) belong to our God; 2 because His judgments are true and righteous. He has judged [convicted and pronounced sentence on] the great prostitute (idolatress) who was corrupting and ruining and poisoning the earth with her adultery (idolatry), and He has imposed the penalty for the blood of His bond-servants [c]on her.” 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke shall ascend forever and ever.” 4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures also fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah (praise the Lord)!” 5 Then from the throne there came a voice, saying,
“Praise our God, all you bond-servants of His, you who fear Him, the small (common) and the great (distinguished).”
Marriage of the Lamb
6 Then I heard something like the shout of a vast multitude, and like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all] reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last] and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself.” 8 She has been permitted to dress in fine linen, dazzling white and clean—for the fine linen signifies the righteous acts of the saints [the ethical conduct, personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character of believers].
9 Then the angel said to me, “Write, ‘[d]Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the [e]Lamb.’” And he said to me [further], “These are the true and exact words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he [stopped me and] said to me, “You must not do that; I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who have and hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God [alone]. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy [His life and teaching are the heart of prophecy].”
The Coming of Christ the Conqueror
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who was riding it is called Faithful and True (trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady), and in righteousness He judges and wages war [on the rebellious nations]. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many royal crowns; and He has a name inscribed [on Him] which no one knows or understands except Himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in [f]blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, [dazzling] white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword (His word) with which He may strike down the nations, and He will [g]rule them with a rod of iron; and He will tread the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty [in judgment of the rebellious world]. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Doom of the Beast and False Prophet
17 Then I saw a single angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he shouted to all the birds that fly in midheaven, saying, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may feast on the flesh of kings, the flesh of commanders, the flesh of powerful and mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all humanity, both free men and slaves, both small and great [in a complete conquest of evil].”
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings and political leaders of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who is mounted on the [white] horse and against His army. 20 And the beast (Antichrist) was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who, in his presence, had performed [amazing] signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were hurled alive into the lake of fire which blazes with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds fed ravenously and gorged themselves with their flesh.
Footnotes
a. Revelation 19:1 I.e. the destruction of Babylon.
b. Revelation 19:1 The three woes ending ch 18 are now followed by three heavenly praises.
c. Revelation 19:2 Lit from her hand.
d. Revelation 19:9 This is the fourth of the seven promised blessings. See note 1:3.
e. Revelation 19:9 This is the first of seven visions of the final triumph of heaven over angelic and human rebellion in chs 19 and 20 (19:6-10; 19:11-16; 19:17-21; 20:1-3; 20:4-6; 20:7-10; 20:11-15).
f. Revelation 19:13 Christ was once dipped in His own blood for mankind’s redemption (1:5; 5:9, etc.), but now in the blood of the wicked for mankind’s judgment.
g. Revelation 19:15 Or shepherd.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
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‘. . . “Revelation 20:4-6
Amplified Bible
The Millennial Reign
4 And then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those to whom judgment [that is, the authority to act as judges] was given. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had refused to worship the beast or his image, and had not accepted his mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.(A) 5 The rest of the dead [the non-believers] did not come to life again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 [a]Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) and holy is the person who takes part in the first resurrection; over these the second death [which is eternal separation from God, the lake of fire] has no power or authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with Him a thousand years.(B)
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Footnotes
a. Revelation 20:6 This is the fifth of the seven promised blessings. See note 1:3.
Cross references
A. Revelation 20:4 : Dan 7:9, 22, 27
B. Revelation 20:6 : Ex 19:6; 1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)” (BibleGateway.com)
‘. . . “Revelation 20:6
New King James Version
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such (A)the second death has no power, but they shall be (B)priests of God and of Christ, (C)and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
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Cross references
A. Revelation 20:6 : [Rev. 2:11; 20:14]
B. Revelation 20:6 : Is. 61:6; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6
C. Revelation 20:6 : Rev. 20:4
Revelation 20:6 in all English translations
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
“Revelation 2:11
Amplified Bible
11 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death ([a]the lake of fire).’
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Footnotes
a. Revelation 2:11 The Valley of Hinnom located south of Jerusalem was the place where garbage burned continuously. Often regarded in ancient times as symbolic of hell (the lake of fire), reserved for the wicked. Paradise or Abraham’s bosom (cf Luke 16:22) was the place reserved for the good in anticipation of heaven. Mentioned in Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6.
Revelation 2:11 in all English translations
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGate.com)
‘. . . “Matthew 10:28
Amplified Bible
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
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Matthew 10:28 in all English translations”
“Matthew 18:9
Amplified Bible
9 If your eye causes you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life with only one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell.
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Matthew 18:9 in all English translations”
“Matthew 23:15
Amplified Bible
15 “Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte (convert to Judaism), and when he becomes a convert, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.
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Matthew 23:15 in all English translations”
“Matthew 23:33
Amplified Bible
33 You [a]serpents, you spawn of vipers, how can you escape the penalty of hell?
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Footnotes
a. Matthew 23:33 The serpent is the creature used by Satan to introduce evil into the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1ff). Here Jesus continues the imagery of Satan as the serpent working through the religious leaders to continue the propagation of evil through deception, false teaching, and man-made laws and traditions which are given priority over God’s law.
Matthew 23:33 in all English translations
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
‘. . . “Genesis 3:1
Amplified Bible
The Fall of Man
3 Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And [a]the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from [b]any tree of the garden’?”
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Footnotes
a. Genesis 3:1 The relationship between Satan and the serpent is not made clear, but Satan is identified with the serpent later in Rev 12:9, 14, 15, and 20:2. It seems difficult to believe that Eve would not have been suspicious of a talking creature, but at this point in time Eve probably knew next to nothing about animals; and in any case, the serpent, as it existed before the curse (v 14), was a very different creature from the reptile that is familiar to us today.
b. Genesis 3:1 Or every.
Genesis 3:1 in all English translations
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
‘. . . “Revelation 12:9
Amplified Bible
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the age-old serpent who is called the [a]devil and Satan, he who continually deceives and seduces the entire inhabited world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
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Footnotes
a. Revelation 12:9 The Greek for devil is diabolos, which is actually a translation of Satan, a Hebrew word meaning “adversary” or “accuser.” The Greek word additionally carries with it the concept of “slanderer.” See note v 10.
Revelation 12:9 in all English translations”
“Revelation 12:14-15
Amplified Bible
14 But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). 15 And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood.
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Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
‘. . . “Revelation 12:10
Amplified Bible
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying,
“Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the [a]accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night.
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Footnotes
a. Revelation 12:10 This is the activity of Satan from which he has earned his name (see note v 9). The activity is most clearly seen in Job 1-2 and in Zech 3.
Revelation 12:10 in all English translations
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
‘. . . “Job 2:1-6
Amplified Bible
Job Loses His Health
2 Again there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming around on the earth and from walking around on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]. And still he maintains and holds tightly to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause.” 4 Satan answered the Lord, “[a]Skin for skin! Yes, a man will give all he has for his life. 5 But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh [and severely afflict him]; and he will curse You to Your face.” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, only spare his life.”
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Footnotes
a. Job 2:4 This probably refers to a trade of one animal skin for another, but even so its application here is unclear. One possibility is that according to Satan, Job would be willing to give up his wife (his remaining loved one) to save his own life, thus surrendering his integrity (v 3). Another is that Satan is hypothetically offering to give up his own life if Job is actually willing to die for his integrity. In any case, this is a bluff on Satan’s part, probably to make what he really wants (v 5) appear less drastic.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.” (BibleGateway.com)
Let him who has an ear, hear what the Holy Spirit says to His church. Amen.
“Adversity is the test of faith; prosperity is the test of integrity.”
(THE JEREMIAH STUDY BIBLE—DR. DAVID JEREMIAH—NEW KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE—WORTHY)
Have a blessed Thursday beloved of YESHUA CHRIST JESUS. Amen.
With much precious love, grace, and mercy, from our heavenly Abba-Father-GOD, our Savior and LORD-YESHUA CHRIST JESUS, and our Holy Spirit, to Israel and to you and I;
Sincerely: Minister Timothy M. Shephard. Amen.