PSALMS 68


1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm or Song of David.)

Yahweh Elohim - The battle of Armageddon


Let Elohim arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of Elohim.

3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before Elohim: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

4 Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name YAH, and rejoice before him.

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is Elohim in his holy habitation.



6 Elohim setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Rebellious not permitted to enter the kingdom

Elohim setteth the solitary in families


LET us not forget our brethren and sisters in isolation. Let us encourage and comfort them when we are able with a letter or printed matter announcing our lectures and ecclesial proceedings. This is a duty, which, if faithfully performed, will certainly relate us to the blessing of Matthew 25:40.

Those in isolation are much to be pitied. Their position is fraught with exceptional temptations. How great these are, only those can tell who have been cut off from the support and stimulus of the meetings. As to those in isolation, let them not neglect the divine antidote to the dangers of their situation.

The safe-guard is reading-earnest and incessant reading of the Scriptures, and the writings of those who have understood and loved them. If this counsel is heeded, there will be no going astray, even though in isolation-no letting slip the great things of God.

If it is disregarded, then laxity is sure to set in, as the experience of many has shown. Reading of the scriptures and of the writings referred to will, in a sense, provide the lonely with company-excellent company. It will bring them within the all-powerful influence of the Great Unseen God, and the homely and cheering influence of the brethren, although they may be separated from them by thousands of miles, or death.

Let those in isolation regard it not only as wise but imperative to provide for themselves the Christadelphian and the works of Dr. Thomas and brother Roberts.

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian, Oct 1906


There is no reason why a brother or sister, having none to assemble with of "like precious faith," should not break bread every first day of the week alone. The object of the act is to bring to remembrance the sufferings and coming revelation of our Lord Jesus, and which is just as important to one as to many that these events should be brought to mind. 


We all-whether in solitude or in the company of fellow-believers-ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we let them slip, and doubtless the weekly breaking of bread is a great help.


.

The Christadelphian, July 1870


7 O Elohim, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

8 The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of Elohim: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of Elohim, the Elohim of Israel.

9 Thou, O Elohim, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O Elohim, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.



11 Yahweh gave [will give] the word: great was the company of those that published it.

[Those who bear the tidings are a great host] [Bro Thomas]

And I saw another angel <flying> in midheaven, having <aionian news> to <proclaim to>them <who> dwell <upon> the earth, <even> every nation, and <tribe>, and tongue, and people,

[The Midheaven is the political firmament occupied by all the ranks, orders, and degrees, of the world rulers - the supreme and subordinate governors of those "many people, nations, and tongues" before whom John is to prophesy again]. Rev 14:6.

...he [John]

"must prophesy again before many peoples and nations and tongues, and kings".

To do this he must rise from the dead, be judged, and quickened, when he will be fitted for the work. But it is too much for one man to accomplish in the short space allotted for the proclamation. Others of like qualifications wll therefore be associated with him in the work; so that it may be carried on in different countries at the same time.

The apostles had their colaboring attendants and subordinates when they sounded the gospel trumpet in old time. In the new proclamation the same condition may obtain. Be this as it may, it is "those that escape," or the saved remnant, that are sent, as sounders of the Truth, to the nations that have not heard the fame nor seen the glory of Yahweh; and they shall declare His glory to the Gentiles (Isa. 66:19).

This is the plurality represented by the Angel - one messenger emblematic of a multitude; as it is written in Psa. 68:11,

"Adonai will give the word; those who bear the tidings are a great host."

The proclamation is to be made through "midheaven." This is "the Air" into which the judgments of the Seventh Vial are to be poured after the proclamation of the message, or word given, is finished. It is the political aerial of Babylon the Great, which, instead of being as now the highest heaven of the political world, will occupy a middle station between the worshippers of the Beast, and the new throne established on Mount Zion.

Eureka 14.6.



12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.

13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

15 The hill of Elohim is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.

16 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which Elohim desireth to dwell in; yea, Yahweh will dwell in it for ever.



17 The chariots of Elohim are 20 000, even thousands of angels: Adonai is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

...Now, reader, ascend with me into the Mount of the Elohim, and from the top of the rocks look into the open spaces of this elevated region of the peninsula; what seest thou outspread before thee? What but the goodly tents and tabernacles of the "Holy Nation," the "chosen generation," the "royal priesthood," the "purchased people," the "Israel of God" (1 Pet. ii. 9; Gal. vi. 16); 

"as the valleys are they spread forth as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lignaloes which Yahweh hath planted, as cedar trees beside the waters ... whose King shall be higher than Agag (Gog), and his Kingdom shall be exalted''.

Behold them "abiding according to their tribes" -- those tribes apocalyptically "sealed in their foreheads with the seal of the Deity" (vii. 4-9). How beautiful are they in their encampment, who as the four living ones, lie foursquare, and as broad as their length, being 144 cubits, which is "the measure of a Man, that is, of the Angel" -- even of the RAINBOWED ANGEL (Apoc. xxi. 16,17); whose altitude is equal to his breadth; an altitude by which his relationship to "the light which no man can approach unto," is established and revealed.

But, why do they lie there in their encampment? What is their angelism? Why are they thus marshalled,

 "looking forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" 


Why have they been hastily transported hither in clouds? Why are they here in convention with the Yahweh in the aerial? Are they to remain here permanently encamped in the elevated region of the peninsula?

No, the wilderness of Sinai is only the place of gathering where the saints are organized, and developed into this mighty angel. They are the SWIFT CLOUD upon which the Spirit rides. In their camp, they are but waiting for "judgment to be given to them," that they may go forth and "take possession of the kingdom under the whole heaven." "He stood and measured the earth." The wings of their flight upon the prey are not yet expanded. Though they had been gathered by the angels of his power into the presence of Israel's King, preparation for action upon the outer world was not complete.

Israel after the flesh has to be "made willing" to move in obedience to the commands of Jesus, as the Leader and Commander of the people" (Psa. cx. 3; Isa. lv. 4). This may be also the mission of the angels. But this work of the Spirit, however, executed by the angels or by the saints, it would seem to be a necessary preliminary to a general movement for their deliverance. This is after the order of the type.

 The Spirit's Messenger in the bush sent Moses and Aaron to the elders of Israel to make the people willing to remove from Egypt under their leadership, before any communication was opened with the court of Pharaoh, or any judgment had been inflicted upon their enemies and oppressors.



Ascent of the Ark to Zion

David sees in the ascent of the Ark a figure of Christ's resurrection and ascension to heaven - Acts 1: 11 who thus

"ascended on high led captivity captive"

The captivity is the sin nature, which enslaves humaniity, this was taken captive and conquered, put to death - Rom 8: 3 Heb 2: 14.

The gifts for men 'the Man' (mgn) perfect man or ecclesia (1 Cor 15: 45-49) is the Hope of redemption, even for the rebellious (their previous state of alienation - Eph 2: 12) that Yahweh might dwell among them (Emmanuel) (Is 12: 5,6, Ezk 43). This is to load us with benefits daily ( v19) further amplified in v19,20 - salvation from death the great salvation by the Ail of Salvation or Messiah the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apocalyptic Messenger, July 2022



18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men [the Man - Eureka]; yea, for the rebellious also, that Yahweh Elohim might dwell among them.

A PERFECT MAN


...the "we all" who had "come to A PERFECT MAN'...

This was that one styled by the Spirit in David, in Psal. lxviii. 18, adam, "the man," for whom the Lord Jesus received official gifts when he ascended to the right hand of power -- "thou receivest gifts ha'adam for the Man," or for the Adam.

Paul styles Jesus, "made Lord and Christ," "the last Adam;" and says, that as the saints have born the image of the first Adam, so also shall they bear the image of the last (1 Cor. xv. 45-49). They shall be in nature like what he is now.

But, in a moral sense they are required to be now like to what he was while on earth 

"learning obedience by the things which he suffered." 

This tuition developed the moral image of Deity, as the creative energy of the Spirit did the material image after his resurrection.

It is divinely predestined, therefore, (and the predestination is a necessity that cannot be dispensed with) that all who shall inherit salvation in the kingdom of the Deity shall be 

"conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the Firstborn (or Chief) among many brethren."

Paul says to the Colossians, "ye have put off the Old Man," or moral image of the First Adam, "with his deeds; and have put on the New Man," or last Adam, "who is renewed by knowledge after the image of him that created him" (iii. 9,10). This they had done. They were in the last Adam, and conformed to his moral image, in hope of being conformed to his material image at the coming of their Chief.

Eureka 6.2. Preliminary Remarks


19 Blessed be Adonai, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the El of our salvation. Selah.

20 He that is our El is the El of salvation; and unto Yahweh the Lord belong the issues from death.

Nothing is expressly revealed as to what will become of the children of the Saints, when their fathers and mothers are removed. But reasoning from various analogies in Scripture, (pointed out in past times in the Christadelphian) we seem justified in thinking with Dr. Thomas that families, in such cases, will go with their parents to the East-not for judgment, with reference to life eternal, but for settlement in the midst of Israel in the Holy Land, which will become a land of refuge.

The Christadelphian, Dec 1886




21 But Elohim shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

22 Adonia said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:



22 Adonai said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:

By faith in the promises, belief in Jesus, and baptism into him as its Lord, High Priest, and King, the nation is "saved from its enemies, and from the hand of all that hate them." Thus saved, it will have become strong and powerful,

"serving God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of its life,"

or mortal career. Immortality is yet before it; for it is a nation destined to exist and flourish for ever. Immortality and glory, honour and rank, in the kingdom, are now accessible, and have been for ages past, to individuals of the nation; but they judge themselves unworthy of it.

When, therefore, the kingdom comes, they can rejoice only in common with the nation in its territorial, civil, spiritual, and social blessedness. If they would live for ever, they must wait with patience till death shall be abolished from the earth, and "every curse shall cease."—Rev. 21:4; 22:3.

Then, at the end of the thousand years, all, both Israelites and Gentiles, who shall be accounted worthy of exaltation to the higher, or angelic, nature, will become immortal; and as one nation, subject to Jesus and the saints, will constitute an everlasting kingdom on the earth, when

"all things shall be created new," and "the sea shall be no more."

Herald of the Kingdom and Age to Come, Sept 1851



23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.

The original Jezebel essayed the utter abolition of Yahweh's worship in Israel; and substituted the adoration of other deities, with the lascivious abominations which had formerly brought extermination upon the Canaanites.

Her fate also made her a fit emblem of the apocalyptic Jezebel, whose children will be eaten by dogs in the day of Jezreel.

The false teachers and seducers of the first three centuries, although they did not avow it as their purpose, effected completely what Jezebel aimed to accomplish in Israel. They utterly abolished "the doctrine of Christ" by their traditions; and if it had not been for "a little strength" found among a very small remnant that kept the Spirit's word, and had not denied His name, "the Israel of the Deity" would have been entirely transformed into "the Synagogue of Satan."

Eureka 12.4.



24 They have seen thy goings, O Elohim; even the goings of my El, my King, in the sanctuary.

25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.

26 Bless ye Elohim in the congregations, even Adonai, from the fountain of Israel.

The Elohim (mighty ones) have become Adonai (sovereign Lords).

27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.

28 Thy Elohim hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O Elohim, that which thou hast wrought for us.

29 Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.

30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.

31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto Elohim.

32 Sing unto Elohim, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto Adonai; Selah:

33 To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.

34 Ascribe ye strength unto Elohim: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.

35 O Elohim, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the El of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be Elohim.