THE SEED OF THE WOMAN

We are beginning the study of the Wonderful Gift of God that was given to us. We are going to the 1^st prophesy given by Elohim (Creator God) in Genesis 3:14-15. Elohim promised a Redeemer…He would be The Seed of the woman.

            In conception, the woman has the egg and the sperm (the seed of man) permeates the egg.  But here is “The Seed of the Woman.”

            Notice the enmity between the woman and the enemy. Enmity in Hebrew is “eybah”.

“Hostility, enmity, hatred. Be an enemy. To be hostile to. To treat as an enemy”. What are your thoughts that this hatred is between the enemy and the woman? In this world can you see the hatred of the enemy toward women? Why does he hate her?

            I think it is because women bear and give birth to children that are born with the image of God. She is a “life giver.” That is what is so sad about abortion…she is destroying the fruit of her womb. The enemy has lied to women and destroyed their offspring. Also, in my experience, a godly woman discerns the works of the enemy. A woman, usually, will see her need of God before the man. She will become a warrior for her family.

            Seed in Hebrew is “Zera”. Seed, fruit, posterity, child. Seed of moral quality. A practitioner of righteousness. Sowing time. To sow. to bear, conceive seed. Plant. Produce yielding seed. Be made pregnant. The Practitioner of righteousness. The Seed of moral quality”.

This “Seed” of the woman is Jesus Christ…He is the Practitioner of righteousness. The Seed of moral quality. Thoughts?   Notice in vs. 15 the word “bruise.” The seed of the enemy and the Seed of the woman will be in battle. 1 John 3:8….”For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” This was Jesus purpose. To save and deliver us.  

            From Malachi to Matthew was four hundred years. There was no Word of The Lord.

***The silence of God would be broken by the “Cry of a Baby.”

            Rome was ruling The Land of Israel. Luke 1:5-25. Who was Zacharias and Elizabeth? How was Zacharias chosen to burn incense that day?  How did he react at the presence of the angel?

What kind of man would their child be?  (Malachi 4:5-6…the last Words of the Lord in The Old Testament before the 4 hundred years of silence. Would be fulfilled through John the Baptist.)

            This angel was Gabriel. Hebrew “Gabriel – “man of God.’ Archangel: Gabriel. One of the angel princes or chiefs of the angels. Warrior of God. An archangel; the angel God used to send messages of great importance to man; sent to Daniel, to Zacharias, and to Mary.”

            Vs. 18-22. How did Zacharias react to the angel? Gabriel told Zacharias what his (Gabriel’s) position is with God…what is it?  What was the consequences of Zacharias for his disbelief?  Vs. 22-23 what happened when Zacharias came out of the temple? What happened when he got home? Vs. 25 Bless Elizabeth’s heart what was her reaction?  (It was a reproach in those days to not have children.)

THE SEED OF THE WOMAN

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” Hebrew “’Immanuel” “God with us or with us is God,” 1. Symbolic and prophetic Name of the Messiah, The Christ, prophesying that He would be born of a virgin and would be “God with us.”

            I love this Name Emmanuel (Immanuel). I love that God is with us…He is with us through His Son…Immanuel. Thoughts?

            Luke 1:26 Gabriel is sent to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. Nazareth in Greek “The guarded one”. The ordinary residence and home town of Christ.”  I thought “the guarded one” was interesting. Thoughts?

            What was the six months?  Vs. 27 Gabriel was sent to a virgin and her name was Mary.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.

            Gabriel…the messenger sent to Mary. Vs. 27 what was Mary’s situation?

            Vs. 28 what a salutation!!!  How did God feel about Mary? Vs. 29 what was Mary’s reaction? Vs. 30-33. Wow!!! Who would her son be?  She was going to give birth to…Jesus, He shall be great! He shall be called the Son of the Highest! He would be given the throne of His father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever! There would never be an end of His Kingdom!!!  Vs. what was Mary’s reaction and question?

            Divine conception vs. 35. How would this take place?  “The Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called THE SON OF GOD”.  What are you thinking?  Here we find “The Seed of the woman…He is The Son of God…He is Jesus”!!! Blessed be the Name of The Lord forever.  Our Jesus, our Lord. Emmanuel…God with us.

            Vs. 36 what other information did Gabriel give to Mary? Why do you think he told Mary this? Vs. 27 **”For with God nothing shall be impossible!!!”

            Vs. 38 Notice what Mary says!!! She is willing to do God’s will. What are your thoughts, as you read what Mary says, to something that will forever change her life (and the World)?

            Can we even begin to comprehend, God, The Almighty, allowing Himself to be planted into the womb of Mary, as a Seed? A Baby…taking on human flesh. For 9 months being in the womb…such vulnerability…our God.  His longing to be with us…He became like us. John 1:14.

“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

            Luke 1:40-45.  Blessed is she that BELIEVED: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. What did Elisabeth’s baby do at the sound of Mary’s voice?  What was promised to Mary because she believed?

            In closing, let’s read Mary’s beautiful proclamation Luke 1:46-55. Response to Mary’s wonderful message?

GOD PREVAILS

Gloria Phifer

      There is so much happening in the world at this time. I pray every night for our our country and the countries in peril right now.
     
     "Jacobs Trouble" kept coming to my mind. In Jeremiah 30:7 Vs. 3 God is telling Jeremiah that these things will happen in the latter days when God has returned Israel to their land. In 1948 Israel became a nation after being dispersed around the world in 70AD.
After 2,000 yrs there was once again "Israel". I looked up Israel in Hebrew it means "God Prevails."
      
      Jacob was the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob's name was changed by God to Israel.

      In Jeremiah 30:7 There is coming a time in the latter days called "Jacobs trouble." It will be a time of fear and trembling, terror. Men and women alike will be in travail...their faces pale for the things happening on the earth. (I believe this will be the great tribulation.)
        
        vs.11  God will be with Israel. He will make a full and complete end of all nations where God had scattered His people. (Remember, now He has returned them to their land.)  vs. 16 All who have devoured the Jewish people God will devour them as they devoured Israel.

         The last verses of this chapter shows God blessing Israel and their descendants. 

        At the time of this writing, Hamas has been attacking Israel with rockets and hidden tunnels. Israel has been destroying the area where the rockets are coming from (The Hamas has sent them from schools, private homes...etc. hiding behind the Palestinian people.)
Israel is destroying the tunnels. The concrete had been given to the Palestinians to rebuild their homes but Hamas has used it for tunnels into Israel so they could attack, kill and kidnap. Their agenda is to destroy Israel.

         Israel is isolated. One small country fighting terrorists. They are being criticized. What courage to stand alone against an enemy that is one mile away.   They are NOT ALONE...God is the God of Israel.  Israel-God prevails.

         Pray and bless Israel...those who bless them will be blessed those who curse them will be cursed.

 

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you. 



 

WHEN THE WORD BECOMES ALIVE.

Gloria Phifer

                                                               


                                                    
          I was not raised going to church. I did have a small white Bible. A few times, I tried to read it but I didn't know where to begin.  One afternoon, when I was 14 yrs old, a friend and I decided to figure out the book of Revelation.  It is comical when I thing about it now: some of the ideas we came up with.  But, one thing that stands out to me was...we were looking for God. (I don't suggest beginning with Revelation.)

       When I was 18 yrs old I worked with a Jewish lady. She made fun of the Virgin Birth.  In my room that night, I found my white Bible and searched for the Virgin Birth. I believed and I wanted to prove it to her. It is sad to say, but I didn't know where to find the scripture.

        At a time of family crises, when I was the only one at home, I searched my white Bible. I ended up with "judgement" and "demons".  Fear attacked me.  I realize now because I was searching for God  the enemy of my soul was afraid.

        At the age of 22 I fought alot of fear and depression. I was married and had a baby. A neighbor invited me to go to church.  I was told to read the Gospel of John.  As my daughter slept in the afternoon I opened the Book of John. I understood it!!! It was like water to my soul.  I saw Jesus!
I continued reading the New Testament...the Word became Alive to me. I understood it!!!

One night I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my life.

That was close to 49 years ago. (Now you know my age).  Everyday I am in the Word of God. It has become part of my life. "The Word God speaks and is alive and full of power, making it active, operative, energizing and effective...." Hebrews 4:12  Amplified Bible.

Maybe you are like I was. You desire to read the Bible but you don't know where to begin. I would suggest the Book of John. The Word will speak to you. It will become alive to you. The Bible will reveal Jesus Christ unto you.  He is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

God loves you...He cares about you. Jesus knocks on the door of your heart...open the door and invite Him into your life.  You will find a Savior, a Friend...all that you have been searching for...

Blessings to you.

GETHSAMANE

                                                

Gloria Phifer

AN  OLIVE PRESS

I wonder with King David in Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man that You visit him?”  Why are we so important to God our Creator?  That He would create us? A plan of redemption, had been put into place, before the Breathe of God was breathed into man…and he became a “living soul.”  That plan, the mystery that had been hidden, was now taking place…The Almighty God…God the Son would die for mankind. Why? Because of love. John 3:16 “God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”….LOVE …LOVE FOR YOU AND ME….OH THE WONDER OF GOD!

Do you see your value?

Before we go into Gethsemane with Jesus…Let’s look at the “Divine Mystery of Christ.” Rom. 16:25-26 (Now we can understand what the prophets were saying.), 1 Cor. 2:4-8, (If the enemy had understood he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory.) Eph.1:6-12 (this mystery was to gather all things In Christ…Gentiles included.) Eph. 3:3-6. (The New Covenant now included you and me when we believe.) Eph. 3:9-11. (We who are In Christ are showing the manifold wisdom of God that was hidden from the foundation of the world). Col. 1:25-27

 (Jesus Christ in you and me is the Hope of Glory. Notice the glory of this mystery had been hidden for ages and generations and is now manifest to His saints.) Col.2:2-3. (We are comforted by this knowledge. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are In Christ.) Col.4:3 Paul prays for open doors to speak the mystery of Christ. 1 Tim.3:16. (A wonderful scripture. Jesus-God was manifest in the flesh…it tells the whole redemption story in one paragraph.)

I want us to understand how blessed we are that we can see and hear and understand. Matt. 13:16-17. The prophets desired to see what we see. Through the Holy Spirit we can see and understand the mystery of God.

I wanted to go into these scriptures before we enter the Mount of Olives with Jesus. Because it is so heart wrenching.  There is a tremendous battle taking place. All we have just read, about the mystery from the foundation of the world, depends on this struggle. We have seen what is at stake here. We know He could have called 12 legions of angels at this moment. Let us enter into Gethsemane with our Lord.

 

It is the evening. On the Jewish calendar a day begins at 6 in the evening and ends the following evening at 6.  Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) have left the upper room. They are crossing the Kidron Valley to the Mount of Olives.  This is the night of the betrayal.  Jesus knows He has come into this world for this purpose…He knows what lays ahead for Him. John 12:27-36. (He said this 6 days before Passover.) The night after the last supper…He spoke these words: John 17:1 “These words spoke Jesus and lifted up His eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee.” John 17:1-26. He prayed for His followers and that included you and me. Vs. 20.

When you realize Jesus prayed for you on this night what are your thoughts?

What are your thoughts about this portion of scripture?

They enter the garden…it is full of ancient Olive Trees.  Here the olives were crushed to make olive oil…it is called Gethsemane. “OLIVE PRESS.” Great pressure was put on the olives to crush them…and out of them came the olive oil. Perhaps the moon was shining, casting shadows. But it was a “dark” night for our Savior. It was a time of aloneness. It was time to face what He had been born for. He had been manifest for this time…the end was near.

 1 John 3:5-8 (He was manifested to take away our sin and to destroy the works of the devil.)  Manifest in Greek is “phaneroo”. “To render apparent. Literally or figuratively: “Appear.” Show self. To make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way. (The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1.) Make actual and visible, realized. To become known. To be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood. Who and what One is.”

Jesus is under untold pressure.  Matt.26:36-44. Jesus takes three of his disciples with Him. Peter, James and John. He asks them to watch with Him for one hour. (I believe He knew how long He had.) He is so sorrowful…even unto death. Luke 22:39-46. He is sweating blood.

What is Jesus praying?  What are your thoughts and feelings?

When I see that God the Father sent an angel to strengthen Him…it reminds me that this was the “Hour” and all the universe is sorrowing for the suffering of the Son of God. I am sure all the angels are standing at attention, in ranks, ready for His call. Matt. 26:53-54. He knew He could pray to His Father and He would “presently” (at that moment) give Jesus 12 legions of angels. (Jesus is the Lord of Hosts. He is The Commander of Heavens armies.) 

            Why didn’t He do it?  What did He want more than having the cup removed?

            Anguish in Greek “agonia” “A struggle for victory. A gymnastic exercise, wrestling. Of severe mental struggles and emotions, agony, anguish.”  Greek for blood is “haima” “the juice of grapes or especially the atoning blood of Christ.”

            Your thoughts?

            Hebrews12:1-4. Vs. 4" you have not resisted unto blood striving against sin"

.  In the garden, the struggle, the resisting took place. It was so strong that Jesus resisted unto the shedding of His blood.  To disobey the Father would be sin. And Jesus had no sin.  He knew the cup He would be taking would mean, that He the perfect, sinless Son of Man, would take on the sin of the world. We do not even have a concept what this battle and struggle was like. Only Jesus and God the Father and God the Holy Spirit know what God the Son endured. 

There are three “gardens.” The first garden was Eden…where man sinned. Now we are in the Garden with Jesus…Gethsemane the olive press. Thank God for another garden…a garden where there will be a Resurrection.

            Matt. 26:43-56. Luke 22:45-54. Jesus healed a man before they took Him.

            John 18:1-12. Vs. 5…the original Greek is “I AM!” Look what happened when He said Who He Is. The Great I Am. Ex. 3:13-14 “I AM THAT I AM!” What power, “dunamis”, Jesus had. He is the Great I Am. He could have used His power. But He allowed Himself to be taken by mankind.  To me this is incredible that the Great I AM would allow Himself to be taken. He had yielded to His Father’s will and had taken the cup. The victory was won in the garden.

(Notice John 18:12 These men who took Him were not Romans…they were the band, the captain and officers of the Jews.)