Thoughts on the Bible Readings 1 Samuel 10, Isaiah 54, Revelation 17, 18 for June 29th

Samuel privately anoints Saul to be king and gives prophecies of significant events for that day. The first was to happen at Rachel’s tomb, she being the mother of Benjamin and therefore likewise an ancestor of Saul; where he would be told to return home as the asses had been found and lest his absence cause anxiety. Next at the oak of Tabor he would be given 3 goats, bread and wine – an indication that on the basis of sacrifice he would be invited into fellowship with God. This is followed by a later encounter with a company of the prophets, who Samuel had founded. This occurs near the Philistine garrison close to Saul’s home whence he would temporarily become as one of the prophets: indicating that God would support and bless the mighty undertaking laying before Saul. Later Saul was to meet Samuel at Gilgal, where he would be required to wait seven days until Samuel would come to offer sacrifices. Saul returns home and tells his uncle nothing of his anointing, nor coming sovereignty. The chapter concludes with Saul’s humility and public anointing and the mixed reactions to this.

Isaiah proclaims the need to expand Zion’s tent for she, just like barren Hannah, would embrace a numerous offspring; who as a fulfilment of the promise to Abraham’s faithful seed include all nations (Genesis 12:3; Romans 4 verses 13; Galatians 3 verses 7-9, 16, 26-29; 4 verses 21-31). Zion would be Yahweh’s redeemed bride and through extension that of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the tumultuous and storm tossed waters of Noah – who as his name indicated brought rest to the earth – so Zion’s precious and costly foundations were laid down by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus, in whom the afflicted find rest (Matthew 11verses 28-30). All her children are v13 “taught of God” and so v17 “no weapon formed can prevail against them”. This remains irrefutable for both natural and spiritual Israel. Our peace being foundered upon our Lord’s resurrection and his assurance of our own (Isaiah 28:16; John 6 verses 27-69 – note especially v45 where v13 of Isaiah 5Revelation chapters 17-20 are described in “Apocalypse Epitomised” by H. P. Mansfield as, “The Judgment of the Great Whore and the Triumph of the Lamb”.

In chapters 17-18 we read of the destruction of Rome (Babylon the Great). In chapter 17 the Roman Church is described as a great prostitute, who has shed the blood of masses of the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ over centuries. It is presented as riding and controlling a brutish beast. The harlot sits on many waters – ie exercises dominion over many nations see also verse 15; eg in Columbia one can read many signs such as, “young man if you want power, become a priest”. The wine which Rome has used to befuddle the minds of those nations is Rome’s teachings (compare Jeremiah 51:7-8). Verse 5 says that on her head was a “mysterious”, or ‘secret’, name. The Catholic system is surrounded by secrets – there is within the Catholic catechism’s 7 blessed mysteries – starting with the mystery of the Trinity, a fundamental denial of the truth that Jesus came in the flesh. Rome had slain many martyrs (witnesses) of Jesus. “Foxes book of Martyrs” outlines many of these. The sight of the Great Whore brought astonishment to John. The Whore’s location is said to be a seven hilled city – Rome – verse 9 (these literal hills were emblematic of the 7 forms of government Rome has had). Verse 18 in addition tells us that at the time Revelation was written – 96 AD – that the city had dominion over the then known world; and that alone was Rome. Chapter 18 tells of the moral pollutions practised by Rome and the destruction that will be brought upon it. The words of verse 2 are an echo of what was said when the first Babylon fell. Verses 2-3 express Yahweh’s detestation of the vileness of Rome. Verse 4 is an appeal to God’s people to have nothing to do with Rome’s behaviours, so as to not share in her calamities. Martin Luther was a devout Church priest until he went to Rome and saw the perversions practised by all levels of the Church, and especially by the pontiff of that era. The Sovereign Lord will repay Rome’s evils doubly. The Roman Church describes herself as, “the Mother and Mistress of all Churches”; she sits as a queen, but the Almighty will make her a poverty stricken widow. All will forsake her and rejoice in her destruction. Verses 11-14 give an inventory of these soul merchants (note verse 13 lists among her cargoes, “the souls of men”). Those who have traded with her will be anything but exultant at Rome’s fall – there will be weeping and wailing. Rome’s overthrow is likened to a great angel casting a millstone into the sea. The blood of the martyrs will finally be avenged.