New Jerusalem-A Place of Safety!

New Jerusalem–A Place of Safety! Surviving the Great Tribulation INDEX Chapter 18, Part 1 Preview: Where will you be during the Great Tribulation? A great many people assume that “the church” will be spared the anguish of the Great Tribulation by being “Raptured” into heaven. Others believe that “the church” will flea to a place of safety on earth, such as Petra in Jordan, but not stay in “a place” for the full 1,260 days, opting to spend a year in “the third heaven”. Others plan to be in various places on earth for the entire time. Some hope that the kadishea (saints) will be protected in their homes as the nations around them are being decimated. I will mention “the wilderness” later. Consider the following Texts and ask yourself if a Place of Safety is to be “above” us. This is the Sequel to The Mysteries of New Jerusalem. We’ll Soar! I quoted the following passage in my book The Mysteries of New Jerusalem, but it is my favorite New Jerusalem text, because it is the first passage that caused me to go searching for evidence that there is far more to New Jerusalem than I had been led to believe. Under what conditions would the kings of the earth ever approach any city, take a good look, and then flee trembling in panic? This will be no ordinary city! I can picture in my mind these fancifully dressed men frantically whipping their horses as they’re heading for the hills! (after perhaps emp weapons take out everything electronic). Psalm 48:1-6, 8 Yehovah is great, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our Elohim, in His kadosh mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, Mount Zion is the joy of the whole earth, in the extreme north, the city of the great King. 3 Elohim has shown Himself in her citadels as a refuge. 4 The kings gathered together, they passed by together. 5 They saw it [“Mount Zion” the city”] and they were amazed. They were terrified, so they fled in panic. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain like a woman in childbirth. ... 8 As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of Yehovah the Commander, in the city of our Elohim. Elohim will establish it forever. Selah. —The Gabriel Bible What does the Bible say about surviving the Great Tribulation? If you have read The Time After Jacob’s Trouble, then you are aware of the case I made showing that the remnant, or survivors, of the Nations of Israel are being led to safety at the close of this present age. Some of the basic “proof texts” about the kadishea being spared the Tribulation actually pertain to Israel. So where does the Assembly (Church) fit into the equation? Might “the wise” be seeking protection before those who suffer some of the trials begin looking for a way out? Finally, could Mount Zion, often a synonym for (New) Jerusalem, be the ultimate place of safety as well as where the “Marriage of the Lamb” will LATER take place? The key text used by the earthly “place of safety” proponents maintains that the “woman” of Revelation 12 is the “true church”. Of course, 1,260 days is the exact duration of the “Great Tribulation” also described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble”—the more interesting half of a seven year period: Revelation 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where YHVH had prepared a place for her, so that THEY could nourish her for 1,260 days. But is this “woman” the church? What evidence supports that conclusion? Simply reading the context, the five verses preceding this “proof text”, really puts the kibosh to that nonsense. The woman in question is the Nation that gave birth to Yeshua (Jesus)—Israel. Revelation 12:1-5 ‘Amazing imagery’ was seen in the sky: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 Being pregnant, she cried out from birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 Another sign appeared in the sky, a huge fiery Dragon [Gr. drakon] that had seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems were on his head. 4 His tail ‘swept’ away a third of the stars [angels, Revelation 9:1] in the sky and cast them to the ground. The Dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that as soon as she had given birth he would devour her Son. 5 She gave birth to a Son who is to rule all nations with a scepter of iron. Her Child was quickly taken up to Yehovah and to His throne. Comparing this reference to the other symbolic reference concerning “sun” “moon” and “stars” will crush any remaining doubts about the “woman”. Joseph had a prophetic dream where his family, the first “Israelite” family, corresponded to these exact symbols! Joseph was the youngest (12th star). Genesis 37:9 Then he had another dream. He told his brothers, “I’ve had another dream. I saw the sun, the moon and eleven stars bowing down to me!” Could New Jerusalem be a place of safety for the entire time? What is the “Tabernacle” that will have been “created”, and located literally “above” the earthly Mount Zion as a “place of refuge”. Also, might the Feast of Tabernacles also pertain to the TABERNACLE, in the sky “above” the earth, or possibly also include an earthly tabernacle! There is more about this “woman” and “her place” a few verses later. Notice that “her place” is a place that she must “fly into”! Might you “rejoice” in the “Heavens”, and if so what Heavens? Revelation 12:12,14 SO THE HEAVENS SHOULD BE JOYFUL AND THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE THERE. Pity the earth and the sea, because the deceiver has been cast down to you, filled with rage, knowing that he has little time left. ... 14 The woman was given the two wings of a huge eagle so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place of habitation, where she would be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the ‘presence’ of the serpent. I’m convinced that no one except Yeshua has ever gone to heaven (John 3:13), but during the Day of Yehovah (Revelation 1:10) that will change: Revelation 5:3 No one in Heaven above or on earth or under the earth was able to open the small book or even look inside it. After the Exodus, Yehovah set national boundaries for the tribes of Israel. In becoming a nation, Elohim (God) compared the “wilderness” experience of the First Exodus to an eagle carrying its young into the air in order to drop them for a “crash” course in flying. Deuteronomy 32:8-11 When the Highest One gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided mankind, He established the boundaries of the nations with respect to the number of the people of Israel. 9 But Yehovah’s property is His people. Jacob is His allotted inheritance. 10 He found him [them] in a desolate land, in a wasted howling wilderness. He encircled him. He cared for him. He guarded him as the pupil of His eye. 11 Like an eagle that stirs up her nest, and flutters over her young, He spreads out His wings to catch them and carry them on His pinions. The Revelation account of the “eagle” and the “woman” illustrates that Yehovah is again going to “drop ship” Israel into her land via another “wilderness” experience. After the destruction of ancient Israel, Yehovah promised that He would once again redraw the borders of Israel as the center piece of Middle Eastern geography. The detailed plan begins in the following verse. Ezekiel 47:13 The Sovereign Yehovah says: These are the boundaries of the land that is to be divided as the inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph will have two portions. Some of those people who Yehovah has used to rebuild His Latter temple will still be in Jerusalem until the last possible safe moment: Matthew 24:15-21 When you see the sign of the detestable desolation mentioned by the prophet Daniel, standing in the kadosh Place—the reader must understand— 16 then those of you who are in Judea should escape to the mountain/s! 17 No one on the roof should come down to get anything out of their houses, 18 and no one in the fields should return to get their clothing. 19 But I pity pregnant and nursing mothers in those days. 20 Pray that your flight won’t be during foul weather or on the Sabbath. 21 There will be Great Tribulation then, such as has never occurred from the beginning of the world until now, and will by no means ever happen again. There is reason to believe that many people will arrive at a gathering place over a period of 75 days (Daniel 12:11-12), but from there Yehovah will take these people elsewhere for exactly 42 months! Some will calmly “depart” early within the seventy five day “window” of opportunity: Isaiah 52:11-12 Leave! Leave, get away from there! Touch nothing unclean! Get out of her 'presence'! Cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of Yehovah [1]. 12 You won’t go out 'fleeing', and you won’t go as fugitives, because Yehovah will go before you [Father?], and the Elohim of Israel will be your rear guard [His Son?].” [1] The vessels of Yehovah are those hidden by Jeremiah just prior to the destruction of the second 'Temple', that apparently will be found and used in the third 'Temple'. A far greater number of Israelites, and wise people of other nations will be provided “refuge” after surviving the Great Tribulation. Ezekiel 37:27 My home/tabernacle [New Jerusalem] will also be a tabernacle ABOVE them. I’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be My people. 28 The nations will know that I, Yehovah, make Israel kadosh, when My Kadosh Place [an earthly temple] is among them forever. Isaiah 4:4-6 ... when Yehovah has washed away the filth of the maidens of Zion, and rinsed the bloodstains from Jerusalem, by a spirit of justice, and a spirit that sets ablaze! 5 Yehovah will create ABOVE the entire site of Mount Zion and ABOVE her assemblies a cloud during the day and smoke, and a bright flaming fire during the night; because ABOVE all the splendor there will be a cuppah/canope/bridegroom’s chamber [1]. 6 It will be a sukkah [tabernacle] to provide shade [literally shadow] in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and shelter from storms and rain. [1] Traditional Jewish weddings have a clear view of the sky directly above, when viewed from within a chuppah. The other two times the word chuppah is used is in connection with a strong bridegroom traversing heaven, (Psalm 19:5-6) and an end time marriage (Joel 2:16). You don’t suppose the cuppah above has anything to do with the wedding of the Lamb do you? New Jerusalem will arive in the same general time frame as the “New Heavens” and the “New Earth”, so you really need to read Isaiah chapters 65 and 66 closely to see that this all happens at the end of this age, not the millennial age!: Isaiah 65:16-19 Anyone who is blessed in the land will be blessed by the Elohim of truth, and anyone who swears in the land will swear by the Elohim of truth, because the previous troubles are forgotten and hidden from My eyes.” 17 I’m going to create a New Heavens and a New Earth, and the previous ones won’t be remembered, or come to mind! 18 Be glad and rejoice forever in what I’m going to create, because I’m creating [a New] Jerusalem for rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 I [Yehovah] will celebrate in Jerusalem, and take delight in My people, and there will no longer be heard in her the sound of weeping and crying. Isaiah 66:20-24 They’ll bring all of your relatives from all the nations as an offering to Yehovah [Second Exodus], on horses, on chariots, on litters, on mules and on dromedaries to My kadosh mountain Jerusalem,” Yehovah says, “like the Israelites bring their offering in a ceremonially clean vessel into Yehovah’s 'Temple'. 21 “I’ll also appoint some of them to be priests and Levites [Ezekiel 44:6-15],” says Yehovah. 22 “As the New Heavens and the New Earth that I’ll make will endure in My presence”, declares Yehovah, “So your descendants and your name will endure. 23 In the future, from one new moon to the next new moon, and from one Sabbath to the next Sabbath, all of humanity will come to worship before Me”, declares Yehovah. 24 “They’ll go out and see the carcasses of the people who rebelled against Me, because the maggots devouring them won’t die off. The fire that’s burning them won’t go out. They’ll be abhorrent to everyone.” Here, the Tabernacle is described as a “refuge” after the “storm”, after the filth has been washed away. This is a primary support for the view that New Jerusalem will actually be “anchored” above the historic location of “Old Jerusalem”, tho it will be far larger. These people who survived the Great Tribulation will need refuge from the Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”), which is the second great prophesied period of time. Matthew 24:29-30 Immediately AFTER the time of Tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon won’t shed her light and shooting stars will fall from the sky, and the inherent power of the skies will be shaken. 30 Then the miraculous sign of the Human Son will be seen in the sky, and then all the nations on earth will mourn when they see the Human Son coming on the clouds in the sky with great power and splendor. This is not fluffy filler material either: We need to be looking for a True Tabernacle, not some “the Church is the Tabernacle” imitation. Hebrews 8:1-2 The ‘main point’ is that we have a High Priest who is seated on the right hand side of the throne of the Majesty in Heaven. 2 He is the temple priest of the kadosh Place, the true tabernacle that Yehovah built, not man. Revelation 21:1-3 I saw a new heaven and a New Earth, because the first heaven and the first earth had gone [1], and there was no more sea. 2 I saw the kadosh city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from YHVH, like a bride adorned for her husband [for the Marriage of the Lamb]. 3 I heard a loud voice from the sky say, “Look, YHVH’s tabernacle [dwelling place] is among humanity [Gr. anthropos]. He will live with them and they’ll be His people, and YHVH will be with them, yes YHVH Himself will be with them.” [1] This is the equivalent of the new earth that appeared after YHVH sent a great flood “to destroy the earth” in Genesis 9:11. What Tabernacle does the Beast blaspheme? And who is dwelling in “heaven” (the sky) at that time? Notice that the Beast will blaspheme Yehovah’s Tabernacle. Revelation 13:4-6 They worshiped the Dragon because he had given authority to this predatory beast, and they said, “Who is like the predatory beast, and who can wage war with him?” 5 He was given a mouth to make ‘bold’ and blasphemous statements, and he was given authority to operate for forty-two months. 6 He opened his mouth in blasphemy against YHVH, blaspheming His name and His tabernacle and those who live in Heaven. I believe that this is the same occurrence that is mentioned by Daniel: Daniel 11:31 Armed forces will rise up, and they’ll defile the Temple refuge, and put a stop to the daily burnt ze’bakim [sacrifices], and they’ll set up an appalling detestable idol [KJV, abomination of desolation]. Notice what David was inspired to say. You may think that David’s words below are generic as far as the timing goes, but the context speaks clearly about the “end time” and things that never remotely happened during his lifetime. This is prophetic! For emphasis this is also restated in Psalm 18. 2 Samuel 221-12 David sang the words of this song to Yehovah [Jehovah] on the day Yehovah rescued him from the ‘grasp’ of all his enemies, including Saul’s. 2 He said, “Yehovah is my rock, my fortress, and my rescuer, 3 Elohim is my rock, in Him I’ll take refuge. He is my shield, and the horn of my deliverance, my high tower, and my refuge. You save me from violence. 4 I’ll call on Yehovah, who is worthy to be praised, I will be saved from my enemies. 5 Waves of death engulfed me. Torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. 6 Ropes from Sheol were surrounding me. Death traps were coming for me. 7 In my distress I called to Yehovah. Yes, I called to my Elohim. He heard my voice from His Temple. My cry reached His ears. 8 Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of the heavens trembled and quaked because of His anger. 9 Smoke rose from his nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth. Coals were set fire by it. 10 He bent the heavens and came down. Thick darkness was under His feet. 11 He rode on a cherub, and flew, and He appeared on the wings of the wind. 12 He made darkness a sukkah [booth] around Himself, amassing water and thick clouds from the skies. “Pavilions” in the KJV (Heb: sukkah, sook-kaw’) is the same term that is used in “Tabernacles”, such as the “Feast of Tabernacles”, rather than the common word also translated tabernacle. At this time New Jerusalem will be cloaked with “dark waters and thick clouds”, hiding its majesty. Which heaven would Yehovah be in, so that when He thunders, lightning strikes the earth? Continuing: 13 Out of the brightness of His presence, coals burst into flames. 14 Yehovah thundered from heaven. The Highest One let His voice be heard! 15 He shot arrows and scattered ‘His enemies’; and His lightning threw them into confusion. 16 Then the ravines of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the world were laid bare by the reprimand of Yehovah, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. 17 He reached down from high above and took hold of me; He pulled me out of the deep water. 18 He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me, since they were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me during the time of my disaster, but Yehovah supported me. 20 He brought me out into an expanse. He rescued me because He delighted in me. 21 Yehovah compensated me for having been fair. He paid me back for having kept my hands clean [innocence]. This has nothing to do with anything that David experienced, but it has everything to do with The Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”) and deliverance from it! The most interesting points in this are: He took me”... “He also brought me out into the expanse”. This “broad place”, as the KJV puts it is probably the “sea of glass”! Could you turn in your Bible and find anything even remotely as strong as the support for the “place of safety” described below—for some other location? Psalm 31:19-21 How great is ‘the’ goodness that You’ve reserved for those who fear You, that You provide for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of Adam’s descendants! 20 In the secret shelter of Your presence you’ll hide them like a treasure from conspirators. You’ll keep them secretly in a Tabernacle away from the controversy. 21 Praise Yehovah, because He has shown me His miraculous mercy in a city under attack. The Strong City will be New Jerusalem! Isaiah 26:1-2 When that day comes this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city. He sets up walls and ramparts for security. 2 Open the gates so that the righteous nation can come in, the one that remains faithful. The Jerusalem on the ground will no longer be called Jerusalem; that name will be reserved for the New City: Ezekiel 48:31, 35 and the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the Reuben gate, the Judah gate and the Levi gate. [as in Revelation 21:12]... 35 The circumference of the city will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be ‘Yehovah is there.’” Psalm 46:1-7 (The Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.) Elohim is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 So we won’t be afraid, tho the earth changes, [removed”, as in the KJV, is not in Strong’s] tho the mountains are moved into the middle of the seas, 3 tho its waters roar and ‘foam’, [Literally “boil”, “foam up”, ferment”], though the mountains tremble with their ‘rising up’ [Literally, “Pride, majesty, rising up, swelling]. Selah. 4 There is a river with streams that make the city of Elohim glad, the very Tabernacle’ of the Highest One. 5 Elohim is in her midst. She won’t be ‘shaken’ [Literally, “Totter, shaken, slip, be moved], Elohim will HELP HER at the break of dawn. 6 The nations were in chaos. The kingdoms tottered. He raised His voice and the earth melted. [Certainly not all of it.] 7 Yehovah the Commander is with us. The Elohim of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. This may be a reference to the time when the “sea” is “no more”. “Elohim will HELP HER” [Israel] just prior to the “dawn” of the new millennial day! Reconstruction of the earth’s surface requires a lot of shaking and melting! Fortunately, during the “reconstruction”, the “City” or “Tabernacle” will not be shaken. New Jerusalem, with its River of Life [Revelation 22:1], will be positioned over the location of ancient Eden, actually covering an area much larger than all of ancient Israel had been. The river that flowed from Eden became four great rivers. I expect that this too will be restored to a pre flood condition. Job 36:29-33 Can anyone understand how the clouds spread, or the thunder blasts from His sukkah [temporary shelter]? 30 He spreads His lightning around Him, and it covers [pierces] the depths of the sea! 31 He judges the nations with these and He provides food in abundance. 32 He completely covers His hands with lightning bolts, and commands each to strike its mark. 33 His thunder announces what’s coming. Even the livestock make known the storm’s/ approach. Perhaps even Job was alluding to the dark clouds that will cover the earth and the sky, preventing visibility of New Jerusalem until the Day of Yehovah. Then there will be thunder from His Tabernacle! Here is another clue as to where protection will be offered to those who will listen: Obadiah 1:15-18 The Day of Yehovah [better known as “the Day of the Lord”] is approaching all the nations! As you’ve done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will be reciprocated to your own head. 16 Just as you’ve drunk on My kadosh mountain, so all the nations will drink continually. They’ll drink and swallow down, and be as tho they had never existed. 17 But on Mount Zion there will be some who escape, and it will be a kadosh place. The ‘descendants’ of Jacob will retake their inheritance. 18 The ‘descendants’ of Jacob will be a fire, the ‘descendants’ of Joseph a flame, and the ‘descendants’ of Esau stubble. They’ll set them on fire and consume them. There won’t be any survivors among the ‘descendants’ of Esau. Yehovah has spoken! Don’t try hiding out on Jerusalem’s earthly Mount Zion during the Day of Yehovah! Earthly Jerusalem will definitely not be safe. Again, “Those who are in Judea should flea to the mountain/s” (Matthew 24:16). Yehovah’s people must “Flea” “Judea”! Psalm 27:1-5 (By David.) Yehovah is my light and my deliverance. Who should I fear? Yehovah is the means of safety in my life. Who should I be afraid of? 2 When the wicked came at me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies stumbled and fell. 3 Even if an army sets up camp against me, my thoughts will not be of fear. If a war should arise against me, I would still be confident. 4 I’ve asked one thing from Yehovah, that I intend to pursue: that I could live in Yehovah’s Temple all the days of my life, to gaze at Yehovah’s beauty, and to meditate in His Temple. 5 In the time of trouble He’ll protect me secretly in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He’ll hide me. He’ll set me high on a ROCK. I think that that last line is what was alluded to in 1 Corinthians 10:4, with Yeshua being the Rock. Dismissing the following Scripture as poetry may cost you your life! Psalm 91: All Those who live in the SECRET PLACE of the Highest One will find rest in the shadow of the Sovereign. 2 I’ll say of Yehovah, “My refuge and my fortress, my Elohim, I trust Him.” 3 He’ll certainly rescue you from trapper’s snares and deadly diseases. 4 He’ll cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you’ll take refuge [more eagle symbolism]. His faithfulness is your shield and buckler. 5 You won’t be afraid of terrors in the night, or arrows that fly by day, 6 or a disease that stalks in the darkness, or destruction that lays waste at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not overcome you. 8 You’ll only look with your eyes and see how the wicked are compensated, 9 because you’ve made Yehovah your refuge, and the Highest One your dwelling place. 10 No harm will come to you, nor will any plague come near your tent. 11 He’ll put His Messengers in charge of you to protect you along your journey. 12 They’ll lift you up with their hands so you won’t strike your foot against a stone. 13 You’ll tread on lions and cobras. You’ll trample young lions and serpents under your feet. 14 Because he loves Me, I’ll rescue him. I’ll set him high out of reach because he has known My name. 15 He’ll call on Me, and I’ll answer him. I’ll be with him when he’s in trouble. I’ll rescue him and honor him. 16 I’ll ‘reward’ him with long life, and show him My deeds of deliverance [Literally: Yeshua]. “high above”? Just like “heaven”, “high above” or “on high” can sometimes mean anywhere “up there”, but usually it’s where Yehovah lives! Isaiah 33:5 Yehovah is exalted, because He lives high above. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Psalm 92:8 But you, Yehovah, are exalted forever. Isaiah 24:18 Whoever flees at the sound of the terror will fall into a pit, and whoever climbs up out of the pit will be caught in a snare, because the windows of the heavens are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. You’ve heard of walking on water, what about walking on fire: Isaiah 33:14-17 The sinners in Zion are terrified. Trembling has seized the secular people. Which of us can live thru devouring fire? Which of us can live with continual burning? 15 Those who ‘live’ the right way, and speak the truth, who despise profiting from oppression, who gesture with their hands refusing a bribe, who stop their ears from hearing plots of murder, and refuse to ‘endorse’ evil 16 will live high above. Their refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, their water will be assured. 17 Your eyes will see the King in His splendor. You’ll see a land that stretches into the distance. “Our eyes will see the King” the “Lofty Rock”, our “Mountain Fortress” when we “live on High”! From this vantage point we’ll be able to “see” the “kadosh Land”. Both “fortress” and “rock” are used as symbols of Yehovah’s supernatural protection. That goes double when they are both used together! These terms are always taken to be figures of speech, and that’s fine, but could they have a literal application for those of us at the end of the age? Psalm 31:2-3 ‘Listen’ to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my ROCK of refuge, a mountain FORTRESS to save me. 3 Since You are my Rock and my Fortress, for the reputation of Your name lead and guide me. Psalm 27:5-6 In the time of trouble He’ll protect me secretly in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle He’ll hide me. He’ll set me high on a ROCK. 6 Now I’ll be enabled to lift my head high above my enemies who surround me. I’ll give offerings of joy in His tabernacle with shouts of joy. I’ll sing praises to Yehovah. Psalm 18:2 Yehovah is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer. My Elohim is my Rock where I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my deliverance, and my high tower. Psalm 71:3 Be my ROCK of refuge that I can always go to. You have given the command to save me, because You are my ROCK and my fortress.. Mix in a little eagle wings for good measure: Psalm 61:2-4 From the remotest part of the earth I call to You when my mind is overwhelmed. Lead me to the Rock that is high above me. 3 You’ve been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy. 4 Allow me live in Your tent forever! Allow me to take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. Selah. Who wants to stay in Petra “forever”? Psalm 31:1-5 (For the choir director. A Psalm by David.) In you, Yehovah, I take refuge. Don’t let me ever be disappointed. Deliver me by Your rightways. 2 ‘Listen’ to me. Rescue me quickly. Be my Rock of refuge, a mountain fortress to save me. 3 Since You are my Rock and my Fortress, for the reputation of Your name lead and guide me. 4 Pull me out of the net they’ve secretly laid for me, because You are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit [as Yeshua quoted in Luke 23:46]. You have redeemed me, Yehovah, Elohim of truth. With “rock” and “fortress” notice the similarities as we continue in the following a few verses: 19-21 How great is ‘the’ goodness that You’ve reserved for those who fear You, that You provide for those who take refuge in You, in the sight of Adam’s descendants! 20 In the secret shelter of Your presence you’ll hide them like a treasure from conspirators. You’ll keep them secretly in a Tabernacle away from the controversy. 21 Praise Yehovah, because He has shown me His miraculous mercy in a city under attack. Now for Part 2 Lon Martin, lonwmartin@yahoo.com Google Search only search Everlasting Kingdom   Minor update 12/30/2017   Lon Martin’s work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.