THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX WHO SEIZES AUTHORITY ILLEGITIMATELY By Robin Kirby-Gatto March 15, 2013 We will now see revelation as it is in scripture through Judges 9 regarding the attack of the phoenix. God led me to Judges 9 the morning before I read the article regarding the phoenix and God spoke to me that this is the chapter in scripture that reveals the strategies of the phoenix and God’s victory for His people! Before we get into Judges 9 the groundwork has to be laid. Judges 9 is about Abimelech and gets into his rule and reign over God’s people. However, Judges 8 reveals his birth and the rule and reign of his father as judge over God’s people. 28 Thus was Midian subdued before the Israelites so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the land had peace and rest for forty years in the days of Gideon. 29 Jerubbaal (Gideon) son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. 30 Now Gideon had seventy sons born to him, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine, who was in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech. 32 Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 33 As soon as Gideon was dead, the Israelites turned again and played the harlot after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. 34 And the Israelites did not remember the Lord their God, Who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies on every side; 35 Neither did they show kindness to the family of Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon, in return for all the good which he had done for Israel. Judges 8:28-35 We see that when Gideon was judge that Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not lift their head against God’s people. Midian means “brawling, contention” (Hebrew Word # 4079) and is associated with the Hebrew word meaning contest or quarrel, brawling, contention, discord, and strife. (Hebrew Word #4066). It comes from the root wood diyn meaning “to rule, o judge, to strive, contend, judgment, judge, minister, strife and strive.” (Hebrew Word # 1777). This indicates that those not in God’s legal authority would rise up to oppress God’s people by illegitimately ministering, ruling, judging which leads to ungodly judgments and strife. While Gideon ruled 40 years Israel had peace from the enemy ruling and reigning over them. Gideon means “feller as in warrior. It comes from the word gâdâ which means to fell a tree, to destroy anything –cut (asunder, in sunder, and down) hew down. This is something you might not know. Feller is a lumberjack that “fells.” Fells means “to cause to fall by striking; cut or knock down.” (thefreedictionary.com). Gideon torn asunder and struck down the high places where the pagan gods were lifted up by Israel. Gideon contended with God’s enemies and brought order to God’s people removing illegal judging, ruling and reigning or even ministering over God’s people. The enemy usurped God’s authority to rule and reign as judge through contention, strife brawling!! Do you see this!!! Now go back to my dream from note 1 where the lady came into my kitchen to cook the putrid looking lima beans and it is the green that we are focusing on; green indicates envy in the dream to come against godly jealousy. 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. James 3:16. Through envy the enemy brings contention (brawling) SELF-ISH AMBITION BECAUSE THE god THAT THE PERSON IS TRULY SERVING IS SELF (not serving God), WHICH LEADS TO REBELLION!!! We will see more on this to come. Again, remember we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against demon ruling powers that come against God’s authority. Therefore, pray for those caught up in this. Moreover, it is good for us to have the Hebrews 4:12 Sword of the Spirit to come into our heart to expose any rebellion that might be within our vessel. Gideon had many wives and bore 70 sons. However, the one born to his concubine in Shechem was Abimelech. Gideon then died shortly thereafter and was buried at Ophrah. After Gideon’s death the Israelites became harlots again and served Baal and made baal-berrith their God. Moreover, they did not show kindness (honor) to God’s authority (Gideon and his family). Schechem means “a ridge” and comes from the word meaning “the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens, the spur of a hill, the back, consent, portion, the shoulder.” (Hebrew Words # 7927 & 7926). Therefore, Schechem indicates authority, carrying the burden of the people. It was in this place that Abimelech was born. Abimelech is a philistine name meaning “father of the King.” With the component of these two words together there is indication that Abimelech would rise up as “king” bearing the peoples burdens, however it would not be by the blessings of God as we will see later. Remember the phoenix rises its neck up and then spreads out its wings, the neck rising up indicates usurping authority and taking rule and authority illegitimately. Moreover, the people were now worshipping Baal-berith and no longer honoring God’s authority. Baal-berith means “Baal of the covenant.” :god of the covenant" and the concordance states it is "a Phoenician diety," which is related to the word PHOENIX (Hebrew Word # 1170). Baal means master, husband, ruler. Therefore, we see here that the enemy is after the COVENANT and the phoenix rises up to be god of the covenant, to be baal!!!! If the enemy can get God’s covenant not from God; God is married to His Word, but if the enemy can get it from God’s people then God’s promises will not manifest! Now let us go on further with Abimelech in Judges 9. Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal (Gideon) went to Shechem to his mother’s kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family, 2 Say, I pray you, in the hearing of all the men of Shechem, Which is better for you: that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one man rule over you? Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. 3 And his mother’s kinsmen spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, He is our brother. Judges 9:1-3 It is after Israel is playing the harlot, committing adultery and not honoring God’s authority, that NOW Abimelech comes along. Abimelech went to Shechem to his mother’s house and family. In the place of “authority, going after the neck” Abimelech seeks to rise up as king, by pulling on the name of his father!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU SEE THIS!!!!!!!! OH GET READY!!!! HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU SEE AUTHORITY USURPED BECAUSE PEOPLE UNDER THE MINISTER SAID “GOD TOLD ME TO DO IT THIS WAY, THAT WAY, YOU ARE DOING IT THE WRONG WAY!!!” WOAH GOD IS ABOUT TO PREACH!! See there is no way to rule without others in agreement for the illegitimate rule to take place or can we say CONTROL!!!! When people have given up being under God’s authority and want to play the harlot against God, speaking evils out of their mouth, slandering and doing evil work the enemy has them so deceived that they think it is GOD telling them to speak against that man or woman of God, when it is satan the deceiver that through self-righteousness and pride causes them to rebel against God, by rebelling against His authority!!! Abimelech starts complaining to those who are to be ruled over by godly authority about the authority that has been placed over them through the lineage of Gideon. Then comes the persuasion; Abimelech starts persuading others that he truly is the rightful ruler because his father was ruler as judge and the other nations have kings so why not make him a king!!! As they listened to the deceived rebellious one, those that had given ear to the rebellion were persuaded that it was God when it was a deceiving spirit. How many ministries and churches have been divided because of circumstances like this one here in Judges? God does not, nor ever will bless rebellion. While I was in the gym working out that morning prior to my bible reading I looked down at the free weights I was standing over, get this while doing “shoulders” (lol- of all things) and I noticed the 70 pound weights. Now I simply do not “notice things” unless it is God causing me to notice. That same morning I read Judges 9 and noticed the 70 sons of Gideon that Abimelech was saying would rule over the people. Therefore, 70 here is not the amount of those that rule but rather 7-God’s perfect 10-completion and testimony of Himself, of His rule!!! Therefore, Abimelech coming against the 70 sons here is truly coming against the perfect rule and authority of God. 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and foolhardy men who followed him. 5 And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, was left, for he hid himself. 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together and all of Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king by the oak (terebinth) of the pillar at Shechem. The men moreover give Abimelech “70” pieces of silver, indicating God’s perfect rule and authority, but it was not; it was rebellion. They get the silver out of the house of Baal-berith, indicating that the way in which God’s authority and rule would be usurped is by those that had a covenant with Baal/those in rebellion to God’s authority. The first place Abimelech goes is to his father’s house. Remember his father Gideon is the son of Joash and is buried in Opharah in Joash’s tomb. Joash means “Jehovah –fired” indicating the fire of God. (remember Psalm 50:3) 3 Our God comes and does not keep silence; a fire devours before Him, and round about Him a mighty tempest rages. Psalm 50:3, this indicates God’s rule. The tomb is located in Opharah which comes from the root word meaning “ashes.” (Hebrew Words # 6084, 6082, 6083). Opharah symbolizes the ashes of death, the death of Gideon, Abimelech’s father, and out of those ashes was Abimelech's attempt to rise; he seized authority illegally by the name of his father and made himself king! In this place of death. Abimelech kills the 70 brothers, indicating coming against God’s perfect rule and reign, through the death of his brothers. Remember Psalm 50:19-20. 19 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. Psalm 50:19-20. Abimelech kills his brothers on “one stone!” Can you see the revelation? Christ Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone and it is on that One Stone that the church is built! Therefore, Abimelech symbolizes illegitimate authority that usurps God’s authority and destroys in the name of Jesus, thereby the Church!!!! Can we say the great inquisition!!!! Can we say witch trials!!!! Can we say the trial of Jesus!!!!!!!! Oh my!!!! The destruction did not come from outside of the church but in the church and in the name of the church!!!!! Rebellion rises up by phoenix when the enemy sees the harvest coming in for a ministry or church and begins to pluck the fruit, trying to persuade others and causing them to listen to words of rebellion that would cause others to rise up with them and usurp God!!!!!!!!!!! Jotham the youngest son was left and hid himself because he was Gideon’s offspring, his son. Jotham means “Jehovah is perfect!” Jotham indicates the 70, the perfect rule of God!!!! Therefore, God conceals from the enemy His perfect rule that in time will rise up and confront the rebellion of the enemy to expose it in God’s church (this only applies to churches where rebellion is manifesting) and open the eyes of His people, so that they can repent!!!!!! The men gather in Shechem at Beth-millo, which in Hebrew means a rampart, as filled in, accomplish, confirm, consecrate, be fenced, fill, full, etc. (Hebrew Words # 4407, 4390). Abimelech became their rampart, their FENCE!!! He was made king in Shechem by the oak of the pillar! 7 When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, Hear me, men of Shechem, that God may hear you.8 One time the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, Reign over us. 9 But the olive tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, by which God and man are honored, and go to wave over the trees? 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, You come and reign over us. 11 But the fig tree said to them, Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go to wave over the trees? 12 Then the trees said to the vine (grapevine), You come and reign over us. 13 And the vine (grapevine) replied, Should I leave my new wine, which rejoices God and man, and go to wave over the trees? 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, You come and reign over us. 15 And the bramble said to the trees, If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon. 16 Now therefore, if you acted sincerely and honorably when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved—17 For my father fought for you, jeopardized his life, and rescued you from the hand of Midian; 18 And you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have slain his sons, seventy men, on one stone and have made Abimelech, son of his maidservant, king over the people of Shechem because he is your kinsman— 19 If you then have acted sincerely and honorably with Jerubbaal and his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you; 20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the people of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let fire come out from the people of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech. 21 And Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and dwelt there for fear of Abimelech his brother. When Jotham, the son of Gideon who would have rightful authority to be a judge, heard about what Abimelech and the people did he then went to the top of Mount Gerizim; he was going to confront rebellion, confront the phoenix on the mountain; phoenix had spread its wings out and lifted up its neck against God’s perfect authority. Remember phoenix rises from stealing authority (thief) causing others to be adulterers, and killing their brother or sister (the ashes of death) who is in rightful authority by the words of their mouth!!!!! When grace came because of Jesus, He said that by your words you murder another and He speaks on the heart. This is what I have experienced time and time again by the enemy hitting me in my rightful authority in our ministry (Rich and I). Many times I’ve been attacked through jezebel, but the attack by the spirit of phoenix has been a different attack and is more aggressive and confrontational when it comes against me by the enemy through those given over to its device. I have endured this attack before and overcome but the fact that we were on the verge of a greater breakthrough and going higher in ministry indicated that phoenix was coming to attack again and try to steal from our field (the Lord’s Harvest in the ministry). 18 But whatever comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what makes a man unclean and defiles [him]. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech. 20 These are what make a man unclean and defile [him]; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean or defile [him]. Matthew 15:18-20 Jotham confronts Abimelech and the people from Mount Gerizim, where according to Deuteronomy 11:29 the blessings of God resided. 29 And when the Lord your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. Deuteronomy 11:29. Gerizim in Hebrew means “to cut up” and “to cut off.” (Hebrew Words # 1630 and 1629). It is what Gideon was anointed to do, to be a feller, to cut off the enemy’s rule and reign thereby allowing God’s perfect rule and reign. On this place Jotham speaks to Abimelech and God’s people. 8 One time the trees went forth to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, Reign over us. 9 But the olive tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, by which God and man are honored, and go to wave over the trees? 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, You come and reign over us. 11 But the fig tree said to them, Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go to wave over the trees? 12 Then the trees said to the vine (grapevine), You come and reign over us. 13 And the vine (grapevine) replied, Should I leave my new wine, which rejoices God and man, and go to wave over the trees? 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, You come and reign over us. 15 And the bramble said to the trees, If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Judges 9:8-15 Here Jotham is indicating those that walk in obedience that will not seize authority that has not been given them but instead HONOR GOD and His rightful position as He has given to man. The Olive tree says I am not ruling over man because my fatness (my anointing) honors GOD, and to seize authority illegitimately is out of the question. Likewise, the fig tree says that its fruit is sweet and to leave that “work of the Lord” to go rule and reign is out of the question. Then the grapevine when asked replies that its new wine, which REJOICES GOD AND MAN, is that to which it has been called, not to rule illegitimately. Therefore, because the people were adulterers and deceived they then went to the bramble brush, which represents thorns and pain. It means to ‘pierce and make fast; a thorn-tree.’ (Hebrew Word # 329). Jotham was comparing Abimelech to the bramble bush, that which would pierce and be a thorn to the people. Jotham then declares if God is the one that has anointed Abimelech then let it be good, but if Abimelech illegitimately made himself king and the people anointed him then let “fire come out from him and devour” the people THIS IS THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX!!! THE PHOENIX RISES UP IN AUTHORITY ILLEGITIMATELY BY REBELLION AND BEGINS TO DEVOUR OTHERS (stealing, murder-through slandering, usurping God’s authority, and being a false witness). Jotham rebukes the people for dishonoring God’s true authority, Gideon and Gideon’s family. Jotham states that the people have usurped God’s authority and dishonored God’s authority when they CHOSE TO ANOINT ANOTHER TO RULE OR MINISTER OVER THEM, THEY CHOSE REBELLION!!!!!! Then Jotham declares that not only will fire come out of Abimelech to devour the people but fire will come out of the people to devour Abimelech, so the end result is death. It is necessary to guard against your ministry and home when this attack comes in; it is trying to stir up contention because of envy that has been stirred out of pride and self-righteousness. The enemy will try to attack you with the attack of the phoenix to steal the fruit of the ministry or of the home. However, the way in which to confront this attack is by the authority of God through Christ Jesus, in which we rise up and appropriate covenant declaring Psalm 80 and 50 over ourselves!!! Declaring Covenant!! 22 Abimelech reigned three years over Israel.23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,24 That the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers. 25 And the men of Shechem set men in ambush against [Abimelech] on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told to Abimelech. Here we see that God sends an evil spirit and this spirit comes upon the men to deal treacherously with Abimelech, the whole system of rebellion is collapsing on itself. The reason the spirit is sent is because of the violence of shed blood, blood guiltiness by which Abimelech committed and those which came into agreement with Abimelech. Therefore, those that are caught up by the deception of this spirit, God will send an evil spirit, He will send Phoenix, which He is over to come and devour the system of rebellion!!! It is likened unto Korah and God is reminding me of the man who sunk in a sink hole recently which was a terrible frightening thing but truly in this hour GOD IS SPEAKING, THAT REBELLION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN HIS HOUSE AGAINST HIS MINISTERS!!!!! THOSE IN REBELLION WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD THAT IS FRIGHTFUL, like Abimelech, the men of Shechem and Korah!!! 9 Then Korah assembled all the congregation against Moses and Aaron before the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation. 20 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. 22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin and will You be angry with all the congregation? 23 And the Lord said to Moses, 24 Say to the congregation, Get away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25 Then Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 And he said to the congregation, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins. 27 So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood in the door of their tents with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones. 28 And Moses said, By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I do not act of my own accord: 29 If these men die the common death of all men or if [only] what happens to everyone happens to them, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord causes a new thing [to happen], and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up, with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol (the place of the dead), then you shall understand that these men have provoked (spurned, despised) the Lord! 31 As soon as he stopped speaking, the ground under the offenders split apart 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households and [Korah and] all [his] men and all their possessions. 33 They and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol (the place of the dead); and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 And all Israel who were round about them fled at their cry, for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35 And fire came forth from the Lord and devoured the 250 men who offered the incense. Numbers 16:9-35 CHURCH WE HAVE TO WAKE UP BECAUSE GOD WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS ANY LONGER AND HE TRULY IS SPEAKING!!!! PHOENIX COMES TO CAUSE REBELLION!!! IT WORKS THROUGH THE EGGS LAID BY LEVIATHAN, THE ADDERS EGG, THAT WHEN IT CRUSHES THERE IS A VIPER, PRIDE, THAT IS BIRTHED AND THROUGH PRIDE BEING BIRTHED THE PHOENIX COMES TO RISE UP FROM THAT PLACE BECAUSE DEATH IS THE FRUIT, ASHES ARE ALL AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!! KORAH DID NOT GO TO SHEOL BY HIMSELF!!!!!! HE WENT WITH WITH MANY AND MOREOVER THOSE THAT DID NOT GO WITH HIM THAT STOOD AGAINST GOD'S AUTHORITY WERE DEVOURED!!!!!!!!!!!! IT IS PSALM 50:3 GOD'S FIRE DESTROYS THE SEED OF REBELLION, THE SEED OF THE PHOENIX!! Our God comes and does not keep silence; a fire devours before Him, and round about Him a mighty tempest rages. Psalm 50:3, MORE TO BE CONTINUED…….

THE ROOT TO REBELLION, THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX The Phoenix, Ruler without Legitimate Authority By Robin Kirby-Gatto March 15, 2013 Recently, by a series of events God begin to reveal to me an attack of the enemy which I endured and simultaneously without my awareness began giving me divine revelation as to the attack. The culmination of God’s Word flooding me with God’s Holy Spirit begin to open up the eyes of my understanding and bring forth knowledge and wisdom to lead to revelation of the attack of the Phoenix. Now remember I do not go looking for the enemy what happens is that I get attacked and as a result the enemy is exposed to the light and God gives me His knowledge, wisdom and understanding so I will walk in the power of His truth to overcome! Jesus overcame the world and all its power and likewise with Him as our source we overcome! Therefore, to start things off let me lead you on the same trail God led me on to see the unfolding of this truth. First, when I taught on the book of Song of Solomon in Gulf Shores, Alabama the first weekend of March 2013 one of the items which were detailed in the teaching was the Judean date palm tree. I noticed that the Judean date palm in Wikipedia was from the cultivated family of the “Phoenix.” “The Judean date palm is a cultivar of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera).” (Wikipedia.judeandatepalm) The word “phoenix” jumped out and the first thought that came to my mind is that the phoenix rises up from the ashes. Then the following weekend I went to minister in South Carolina and after ministry a group of godly women came to me to minister and pray over me (which I love; it is a rarity) and while in prayer one of the women stated that the phoenix which had attacked me would not rise up from the ashes a second time. I was thinking to myself wow that is wild; I was thinking of phoenix recently from the past weekend. As I mentioned this to one of my intercessors they got with me and sent me info on an article depicting phoenix, a creature that works with leviathan and behemoth!!!! The article in Wikipedia listed other various articles which contributed to the literature on the matter and from that one particular article revelation began to flood like crazy!!! Simultaneously the same day God had me read in the book of Judges and while reading He was highlighting things to me in scripture with specific words being emphasized by Holy Spirit that by the time I get the information on the article I realize that I had read scripture that depicted greater revelation of the attack of the phoenix and did not know it until that moment!!! Moreover, the night before I was sent a private message from another gentleman who prays for our ministry and he sent me a word that God had Psalm 80 for me to read and that he had held onto that word from the Lord a while before finally giving it to me, but the timing was perfect!!!! In the article that was the main resource I pulled from to depict revelation on the phoenix, which highlighted scripture states that the phoenix is in two scriptures in the bible, one of which is in Psalm 80!!! Everything began to click and fall into place to where I felt like a decoder in the field of battle that was given the key of David to unlock the door of this attack of the enemy only to reveal it to the Bride of Christ Jesus so that we would walk in greater revelation in this hour to what is occurring an overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony!!! Therefore, I set forth in the scripture laid forth in the book of Judges and the context by which it was laid out to seek God and follow the leading of His Holy Spirit and all I can say is that I was blown away by the revelation knowledge that poured out!!!!! We have to look at this from the battle plan of God’s Word; which is the means by which we overcome! It is the glory of God to conceal a thing and the glory of a king to search it out. (Proverbs 25:2). As such, God has hidden from plain view things by which He desires for us to gain knowledge, wisdom and understanding to Know Him through the unveiling of Christ Jesus, the Word. Moreover, God unveils the attack of the enemy that comes against His people and simultaneously gives His battle plan so we can walk in the power of His truth. By the leading of God’s Holy Spirit He revealed to me the attack of the phoenix and how to overcome it through His Word. We will also look at the written article, which reveals what other theologians deciphered from ancient cultures and the Word of God to expose the attack of the phoenix. Phoenix was also known as some ancient cultures as “ziz”and “anzu” therefore, the words are used interchangeably referring to the same creature in scripture. The phoenix, anzu or ziz is a creature that largely comes into power by “domination” and “rebellion.” (This comes from the article: http://www.jtsa.edu/Documents/pagedocs/JANES/2009/Wazana_JANES31.pdf) Before I can go into the teaching God has revealed to me, it is necessary for some ground work to be laid. There are three pages of notes from this article attached. “Although our sources do not speak explicitly of the rebellious nature of Ziz, the bird monster, it appears that a tradition regarding its rebellion in primordial times existed, hinted at in the following midrash, which elaborates on the argument of the snake when enticing Eve to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge.” Anzu hunts wildoxen in the eastern mountain range, and carries them to its nest by its talons and around its neck to feed its young. When flapping its broad wings Anzu could cause windwhirls and sandstorms. Other distinctive qualities are its weird countenance and roaring voice—at dawn Anzu spreads its wings and roars with a frightening voice in the direction of the sun rising in the mountains, causing the land to tremble. Similar to other composite creatures in Mesopotamian art and literature, The Epic of Anzu belongs to the genre of combat myths. The original Akkadian title of the story was accordingly “ Bins ar dadme”—son of the king of inhabited places. Were the Israelites acquainted with the Epic of Anzu? A seventh century b.c.e. cylinder seal portraying the battle of Ninurta and Anzu was discovered in Israel. While this sporadic, graphic witness cannot count as proof of knowledge of the Epic of Anzu, it does show that symbols of the combat myth had arrived along with the Assyrian army, part and parcel of a general cultural influence. Furthermore, studies have shown that the Bible employs literary motifs and linguistic expressions reflecting royal Neo-Assyrian inscriptions when “quoting” Assyrian speakers, concluding that some biblical authors must have been acquainted not only with the “Assyrian experience,” but also with official royal literary traditions. Considering that the Epic of Anzu played a role in the language of royal Neo-Assyrian inscriptions, underlying the criminal characterization of some of the figures in imperialistic propaganda, it is highly probable that biblical authors were familiar with this creature and its traditions—even if they did not know the epic itself, before the Babylonian exile. day (Ps. 50:11; 80:14) Anzu is hinted at in the twofold mention of in Psalms. In Psalm 50 God refutes the anthropomorphic notion that he relies on sacrifices to sustain him, in language reminiscent of prophetic rebuke. His pronouncement is phrased in the first person by a double chiastic parallel (vv. 10–11), followed by a declarative sentence (12) and a rhetorical question (13): Psalm 80 portrays Israel as a cosmic vine, devastated by its enemies. Following a description of the glorious past (vv. 9–12) the poet complains about the current dismal situation (13–14): The construct expression ziz appears in these two passages only. The Nomen regens a dayis a poetic form of the word hdç meaning usually “open country, field,” here, probably to be translated “mountain, highland.” Yet the meaning of the nomen rectum ziz and consequently, the unique construct, requires consideration. Ziz is explained in both cases by most modern commentators as “everything that moves in the field.”(pg. 8/118). This explanation may fit the context, but it does not reflect the full scope of the original meaning of the verses. According to the development of the character of ziz in rabbinic sources, and in the light of analogous mythical traditions such as Leviathan and Behemoth, it is preferable to understand ziz as alluding to a sinister, Anzu-like mythological bird. According to this aggadic tradition Ziz is a proper name, denoting a specific legendary creature, a giant bird fulfilling a role parallel to that of Leviathan and Behemoth. In several rabbinic sources the giant bird Ziz is grouped together with two other famous legendary giant creatures—Leviathan, the water monster, and Behemoth, the terrestrial beast. Ziz personifies the third realm—sky, and together the three represent the entire living environment: water, land, and air. However, the juxtaposition of Ziz’s ability to fly and dim the sun with the rest of the controlling phenomena implies that this is a powerful act, by which Ziz controls / transforms the sun. Other phenomena besides Ziz are also described with the ability to “dim the orb of the sun” in rabbinic sources, and these are all wonders from the time of creation: the primordial light (Genesis Rabba 3:5); the heels of the first man (who was of cosmic dimensions in aggadic midrash; Leviticus Rabba 20:2); the ancient giants (Genesis Rabba 26:4). In the first two examples the phrase “dim the orb of the sun” represents a static, relative state. The sun in these cases is not actually darkened; the phrase draws attention to the luminous nature of the primordial light and Adams heels, which outshine the sun. There is no hint in these cases of a rebellious act. On the contrary, they were created with their radiant quality by God, who can make use of their attributes at will, such as to store the unique glow of the first days for the righteous in the messianic future. In contrast, the very same phrase “dim the orb of the sun” bears a sinister meaning in the story of the giants. In this case dimming the sun is a rebellious act of extortion—“Their necks reached (ºonqim) the orb of the sun and they demanded: ‘send us down rain’ ” (Genesis Rabba 25:4). Spreading its wings and dimming the orb of the sun, Ziz acts more like the rebellious giants than the glowing primeval phenomena. In this case the dimming of the sun is not a result of the nature of Ziz, but of its actions. The sun does not merely seem dim in comparison with the brilliance of its wings. It is dimmed in reality, its light eclipsed by a willful deliberate action aimed at defying God’s authority and sovereignty. Mythic bird figures have been suggested in previous studies as possible background and sources for rabbinic Ziz: the Persian heavenly rooster (Vendidad 18:15–25) and the Greco-Roman Phoenix. Before acknowledging the ancient Near Eastern roots of Ziz we will discuss these two characters as possible sources for Ziz traditions. Ziz and the Heavenly Rooster The Aramaic Targum to Ps. 50:11 identified ziz with the cosmic bird. According to another suggestion, Ziz is the Graeco-Roman PHOENIX. The major characteristics of this bird are a connection to the sun and longevity of life, combined with an ability to recreate or rejuvenate itself after its death. As in the case of the heavenly rooster, the most noticeable possible connection with Ziz is the association of the bird with the sun. The Phoenix symbolizes the sun and is associated with it in all traditions, even in its external features: its head is adorned with a halo of sun rays, its colors are those of sunrise—hues of gold and blazing crimson. Birds are symbolically connected to the sun in many ancient traditions, and in the Sumerian Anzu traditions as well, yet it is necessary to check whether this motif in traditions regarding Ziz indicates a Greco-Roman cultural influence. In the case of Ziz the connection to the sun finds expression in its spreading its wings, thereby dimming the orb of the sun, a threatening, sinister act. A similar motif is found in a Jewish tradition describing the Phoenix, and because this point has consequences for the reconstruction of the sources of the Ziz traditions. Anzu and Ziz might even indicate a polemical undertone, directed at the tradition of the rebellion of the bird against the creator, from which the author was apparently borrowing. Ziz and Anzu Motifs related to Ziz’s two counterparts, Leviathan and Behemoth, the legendary biblical monsters, are entrenched in ancient Near Eastern traditions. I suggest that there we can also find the roots of traditions regarding Ziz, the rabbinic cosmic bird. Ziz reflects traditions regarding Anzu, the lion-faced roaring eagle. The first point of contact between Anzu and Ziz is their cosmic dimension. However, as shown before, cosmic dimensions characterize other eastern mythic birds; hence, this feature alone is too common to indicate a connection. Two other points of contact, unique to Anzu and Ziz alone, may indicate such a link. The second point of contact is the element of struggle and combat, the main theme of the Epic of Anzu. As claimed above, this element is subtly hinted at in rabbinic traditions regarding Ziz as well, expressed by its ability to spread its wings and dim the sun. The juxtaposition of Ziz to Leviathan and Behemoth in rabbinic myth reinforces by way of analogy the rebellious nature of Ziz. The third point of contact is the relation to primordial times. Like Leviathan and Behemoth, Ziz is a primeval creature, set in the cosmogonic era with its special wonders, like the story of Anzu. The last two unique elements, together with the element of the cosmic size of the birds, testify to a link between Anzu and Ziz. Like Anzu, Ziz was a cosmic bird, which defied the divine hierarchy and tried to reverse the world order in primordial days. Studies dealing with mythic traditions in rabbinic literature have asked whether similar fashion, in Psalm 50 the poet singles out Behemoth and Ziz in order to highlight and intensify God’s omnipotence, and the phrase “I know all the birds of the mountains and ziz” ydm[Ps. 50:11) expresses His control over the animal. The absence of the notorious Leviathan, the prominent biblical monster from Psalm 50 is not surprising, as this psalm deals with sacrifices which were brought from beasts and fowl only, and not from the fish. God demonstrates His control over creation, therefore, by His control over two mythical creatures, Behemoth and Ziz, representing the beasts and birds of the animal kingdom. Psalm 80 likens the people of Israel to a cosmic vine damaged by two enemies: “The boar from the forest ravages it, and ziz feeds on it.” The hapax root krsm in the verb Hnmsrky is probably connected to the root ksm meaning “trimming of hair” (Ezek. 44:20), which here appears in the sense “to break,” “to destroy.”The meaning of the parallel verb hn[ry is “to destroy,” “to wreck” according to context (see Mic. 5:5; Job 20:26; Ps. 49:15), and should perhaps be connected to the root (cf. Jer. 11:16: wytwyld w[rw ) similar to r ßß, compelling a change of the vocalization of the word to hN;[ The Psalter is thus drawing a picture of gradual destruction. First the removal of fences, leading to unauthorized plucking of fruit by any passerby, followed by total ruin of the vine caused by the trampling by the legs of the boar and ravaging by the bird (cf. Isa. 18:5–6). The devastation is the base of the poet’s plaintive question: “Why did you breach its wall . . .” (v. 13). The process of mythologization, casting historical enemies in the role of chaotic monsters, well known from ancient Near Eastern literature (see above, n. 22) is also prominent in the Bible: Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is depicted as a tannin ravishing Israel (Jer. 51:34); Babylon, as well as Egypt are named Rahab (Ps. 87:4; Isa. 30:7); and Pharaoh king of Egypt is metaphorically referred to as a huge tannîm sprawling in its channels (Ezek. 29:2–5), and to “a lion among the nations . . . like a dragon (tannîm) in the seas” (Ezek. 32:2–9). Generalizing, the prophet Isaiah depicts all of Israel’s historical enemies at all times as surging waters: “Ah, the roar of many peoples that roar as roars the sea . . .” (Isa. 17:12). Therefore, it is likely that by mention of the mythological animals devastating the vine—Israel, the author of Psalm 80 was hinting at real enemies, perhaps even historical events of his time, recast in allegorical language. Is it possible to decipher this cryptic language, reveal the historical background of the psalm and unravel the enemy (or enemies) symbolized by the boar and Ziz? Despite its wild nature, the boar is not a frequent symbol of the devastating enemy. The symbolic, literary configuration of the psalm renders a decisive identification of its historical background unlikely, though it seems safe to conclude that it does reflect the Neo-Assyrian pressure of the northern kingdom during the second half of the eighth century b.c.. If indeed this is the case, then the mythological aspect of ziz testifies to another dimension in the meaning of the psalm, a political-polemical one. The poet likens the Assyrian enemy to ziz., i.e., Anzu, the mythic mountainous bird from Mesopotamian lore threatening the world order. The metaphoric description of Israel as a cosmic vine whose “branches reached the sea, its shoots the river” (v. 12) is likewise a simile borrowed from the context of Assyrian imperial language, referring to maximal territorial extension, from one end of the world to another. This phenomenon indicates one of the Israelite’s reactions to the pressure of Assyrian propaganda—a reversal of roles, casting Israel in the role of the expanding empire, Assyria in the role of the cosmic-mythic enemy, using the stock phraseology common in royal inscriptions of the Assyrian conqueror. According to our analysis, neither psalm deals with insects or beasts, nor do they draw a simple metaphoric parable from the world of nature alone. God’s control over ziz and the devastation of the cosmic vine are correctly interpreted only in the light of ancient Near Eastern mythic tradition, like other biblical texts using mythological motifs, while adapting and integrating them in biblical fashion. Furthermore, the addition of Anzu / ziz to the biblical mythic stock not only furthers our understanding of these specific two psalms, but might also shed light on the role of mountains in biblical poetic imagery, such as in Psalms 29 and 114. (END of ARTICLE) WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? First, there is identification that Rabbis relate in earlier writings of the phoenix to the scripture in Psalms 50 and Psalms 80. Next, the depiction is that phoenix/ziz was a rebellious creature that defied God’s sovereign authority and was intent on destroying His people Israel, through a process. a) The removal of the hedge (fences) b) Unauthorized plucking of fruit c) Then total ruin of the vine caused by the trampling of the boar (behemoth) and ravaging by the bird (PHOENIX). Next, as it relates to the depiction of phoenix/ anzu it is likened to a creature of combat that roars against the sun with a loud voice. Its roots are related back to Genesis 3:1 where the serpent led Eve to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fact that the phoenix’s voice “roars” indicates the counterfeit roar of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, whose voice (Christ Jesus’ voice) is like the sound of many waters. The fact that this creature was used for propaganda demonstrates that the purpose of this creature is to use its voice to bring destruction, to cause war and in rebellion take over, usurping God’s authority. The place of battle (combat) for ziz, is two-fold; he specifically battles in the mountains and on the field. Mountains indicate a place of being promoted and ascending (climbing higher). We are transformed into the image of Christ Jesus from glory to glory, therefore we are going higher in the transformation as God Almighty by the power of His Word (Christ Jesus) and the power of His Holy Spirit transforms us as we mature in His perfect Love through Christ Jesus and develop and attain His character through the Hope of Christ Jesus in us. Our faith, commitment, to this transformation manifests the fruits of God as demonstrated in Galatians 5:22 (MOUNTAIN) and moreover, produce lasting fruit for the Kingdom of God (FIELD). Therefore, the mountain is us going higher from glory to glory and the field is the harvest we produce in the Kingdom of God. Further, theologians through rabbinical sources indicate that phoenix/ziz works alongside leviathan an behemoth. (Please see the notes on each of these two assignments of the enemy- Leviathan the Cursed Structure of Pride and Behemoth). The phoenix raises up its structure, expanding its wings to dim the orb of the sun, indicating lifting up “its neck” exalting itself above the structure of the sun, thereby resembling how satan tries to exalt himself in the earth above God as he attempted to do in heaven right before he was cast out light lightning. The characteristics of this creature are its longevity with the sun and the ability to rejuvenate and recreate itself after death. We know that there is only one true resurrection power and the enemy cannot operate in resurrection power, however we are going to get into a greater revelation of this truth because the propaganda in which the enemy operates here with the phoenix relates to “death,” and as it relates to its uprising (life) results due to death. When God instructed Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God stated that the day in which Adam would eat of that fruit he would surely “die.” Therefore, as it relates to rejuvenation and regeneration it is a result of the relation of death; the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. We see the stealing of fruit unlawfully and in time as the fruit is stolen death resorts and ultimately destruction, as demonstrated by likening the creature to the Assyrian army that came against Israel. As is depicted in Job with behemoth and leviathan we will turn to scripture to see the depiction of ziz or otherwise known as phoenix to reveal the enemy’s strategy. Moreover, we will look at the context of this hidden in Judges to see not only the attack, but God’s dismantling of the attack in order that His people would be saved, that Covenant would be upheld! Therefore, this attack ultimately comes against God’s Covenant, not that God will break covenant because He will not!!! The attack against covenant is through coming against God’s people, that in their deception they will rebel and as a result break covenant with God and further the propaganda of the enemy. I know this has been a lot of detail from rabbinical studies and drawing formations with ancient myths, but it is necessary to draw upon in order that the revelation of this attack, when we get to scripture, is brought out fully by God’s Word so that you have understanding and can stand in the power of God’s truth suited in the armor of God! Let me first say we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against ruling powers and principalities in the heavenly sphere. When we look at the phoenix it is a spirit not a person, therefore not associate it to a person. Moreover, we will draw from the other notes on leviathan in which the dream I had in that note will bring more revelation as to the attack of the phoenix. Remember, when the women prayed for me it was declared that the phoenix would not attack a second time, thereby indicating that it had already attacked. 1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock; You Who sit enthroned upon the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Stir up Your might, and come to save us! 3 Restore us again, O God; and cause Your face to shine [in pleasure and approval on us], and we shall be saved! 4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry with Your people’s prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and You have given them tears to drink in large measure. 6 You make us a strife and scorn to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us again, O God of hosts; and cause Your face to shine [upon us with favor as of old], and we shall be saved! 8 You brought a vine [Israel] out of Egypt; You drove out the [heathen] nations and planted it [in Canaan]. 9 You prepared room before it, and it took deep root and it filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs of it were like the great cedars [cedars of God]. 11 [Israel] sent out its boughs to the [Mediterranean] Sea and its branches to the [Euphrates] River. 12 Why have You broken down its hedges and walls so that all who pass by pluck from its fruit? 13 The boar out of the wood wastes it and the wild beast of the field feeds on it. 14 Turn again, we beseech You, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven and see, visit, and have regard for this vine! 15 [Protect and maintain] the stock which Your right hand planted, and the branch (the son) that You have reared and made strong for Yourself. 16 They have burned it with fire, it is cut down; may they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance. 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You have made strong for Yourself. 18 Then will we not depart from You; revive us (give us life) and we will call upon Your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine [in pleasure, approval, and favor on us], and we shall be saved! Psalm 80:1-19. Here, scripture refers to the priestly blessing of God shining His face upon His people and where God brings His people into His promises, the manifestation of His Covenant! Covenant in Hebrew means, to select, feed and manifest! Therefore, God selected Israel, the least of all those in the earth, and fed them His Word to manifest His Covenant. God demonstrates the power of His Covenant through the church by selecting the foolish things to confound the world, in feeding them the truth of Himself through the Word, which in time breaks out and breaks forth, to break God’s people through into His promises!!!!! Therefore phoenix attacks God’s people right before BREAKTHROUGH!!!! What is so awesome is the weekend I ministered in South Carolina and God’s daughters prayed for me I preached the message on BREAKTHROUGH in GOD’S WORD; MESSIAH CAME TO BREAKTHROUGH FOR GOD’S PEOPLE! The phoenix attacks through “rebellion” as leviathan does through pride and behemoth does through “self righteousness.” Therefore, the means by which it operates is one that through self-righteousness has become puffed up with pride that causes them to rebel!!!! Does it sound familiar? Yes it goes back to the Garden of Eden when the crafty serpent came against God’s authority and usurped that authority in the Garden through seizing it illegally and crowning himself to be head. As a result the enemy convinced Eve that his words were true and caused her to REBEL!!!!! YOU GOT IT!!!! LOL IF THE ENEMY WANTS TO HIT THE CHURCH OR A MINISTRY he is craftily going to do it through gradually causing self-righteousness, then as a result pride where the one deceived knows how to do everything and is the only one who hears God whereas they believe the one in authority are missing it. They are given over to the deception and as a result of the deception they rise up with phoenix, spreading out their wings to block out the authority of Christ Jesus, as likened to the Sun, exalting themselves and their authority, their knowledge, their prayers, their ministry, their gifting above God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It all comes against covenant!!!!!!!! The boar here in scripture can be likened to behemoth (please read those notes) and through self-righteousness rising up, creates desolation and waste. In addition, the wild beast as identified by theologians in the article on ziz, anzu and phoenix identify that this scripture is referring to the creature that is likened like the phoenix. The wild beast of the field is the phoenix comes against the bride during promotion and harvest time; it is known as both the bird of the mountains and the beast of the field. Here we see God’s people crying out for God’s right hand and oh my get ready because the dream I am about to share will make since; God’s right hand identifies covenant!!! Twice we see here in Psalm 80 that God’s people call forth His right hand, the hand of covenant to be upon man. Therefore, phoenix is after God’s covenant promises, the manifestation of the BLESSINGS, THE HARVEST OF GOD!!! DO YOU SEE THIS????? Phoenix comes around when you are about to BREKATHROUGH AND BREAKOUT TO STEAL THE FRUIT OF THE HARVEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE DREAM Saturday night March 9, 2013 I had a dream and it was this: I was in my kitchen with my husband there standing in front of the sink. A woman walks into my kitchen and as she walks into “my kitchen” she goes straight to my husband and grabs his right hand and says “this is the way I want you to pat me on the back.” Moreover, she was not satisfied saying it to him once but did it a few times and made sure she stared at me while I watched her in my kitchen with my husband trying to get his attention. If that was not enough the woman starts getting out “my pots” putting in gross lima beans (and I do like lima beans but these were gross) and gets skewers with small breaded strips of meat, trying to cook in my pot in my kitchen. LOL DO YOU SEE THIS!!!!! God showed me this meant a couple of things. First of all to pray because the kitchen meant the ministry teachings God has me do for God’s Fire Wall and my husband was two-fold meaning literally and also an attack of the enemy coming against covenant. Moreover, the fact that the woman was trying to cook in my kitchen indicates that she was trying to cook up teachings through the revelation God has given me and try and preach her on fleshy message to bring attention to herself from my husband and from those I fed in my kitchen (others in my ministry). Now remember this dream was the night before I ministered at the church in South Carolina where the women laid hands on me coming against the attack of phoenix that had hit me. Because when we get to the book of Judges in the next note you will see phoenix comes against God’s covenant and seizes authority illegitimately to try and RULE the people!!!! This is not jezebel but actually worse; there is no divination in phoenix simply right out in your face rebellion!!!! It rises up from the ashes by speaking curses of death, murdering with the mouth and causing others to believe they should be in rule and in power!!! That is what happened with Psalm 80!!!! (I told Rich about the dream on our way home from South Carolina March 10th and we began to pray and declare the enemy’s attack would be exposed and averted and believe me it completely was done!!! Praise the Name of the Lord!). However, the woman was after the covenant hand of my husband, she was interfering with our covenant and the lima beans were indicative of stirring up godly jealousy. The chicken strips in the pot were indicative of offering that which is not ordered of God, thereby being in disorder and coming against God’s order. The enemy was trying to hit our ministry (Rich and I) by coming against our covenant through another woman who would come into my teachings as given by Holy Spirit and go to my husband to get his approval of her teachings in the midst of my teachings. She was trying to get the hedge of covenant down, in the dream. When the hedge was down; people were not seeking God phoenix saw opportunity to come in and pluck of the fruit of the FIELD (the harvest) and from that fruit began to devour it and take dominion, usurping God’s authority illegally. Now Israel is crying out again for God to forgive them and hear them so that they will receive the covenant blessings of God!!! What is so funny is that the man that sent me Psalm 80 did so the night before I had found the article on phoenix, which includes Psalm 80. As we look at Psalm 50 we see even greater detail as to how Phoenix rises up from the ashes (death from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, constantly speaking death) through words spoken of slander and haughtiness. The best depiction of behemoth, leviathan and phoenix is that behemoth comes in first through stirring up self-righteousness then leviathan comes in through pride (being critical and double minded challenging God’s authority) to prepare the way for phoenix which is the manifestation of rebellion. 1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and calls the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and does not keep silence; a fire devours before Him, and round about Him a mighty tempest rages. 4 He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may judge His people: 5 Gather together to Me My saints [those who have found grace in My sight], those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens declare His righteousness (rightness and justice), for God, He is judge. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 7 Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify to you and against you: I am God, your God.8 I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before Me. 9 I will accept no bull from your house nor he-goat out of your folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills or upon the mountains where thousands are. 11 I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine. 13 Shall I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, 15 And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me. 16 But to the wicked, God says: What right have you to recite My statutes or take My covenant or pledge on your lips, 17 Seeing that you hate instruction and correction and cast My words behind you [discarding them]? 18 When you see a thief, you associate with him, and you have taken part with adulterers. 19 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. 21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was once entirely like you. But [now] I will reprove you and put [the charge] in order before your eyes. 22 Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 23 He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God. Psalm 50. Here rising of the sun indicates God’s authority; He set the sun in motion (its rising an setting). From Zion, His pillar (His people) He shines forth, the glory of God is revealed!!! God comes as judge of His people in a time where phoenix has been caught an uncloaked, where God’s people are about to be delivered of the attack of rebellion against God’s authority. Here God is rebuking people, declaring He will not accept their offering!!! Does it sound familiar? You can praise or worship Him as much as you want but there is no breakthrough??? The birds of the mountain here indicate phoenix, and the fact that God is over all things, every creature, everything that is made! Here God states that His people think they have been worshipping Him but they have not and He rebukes them to tell them to offer Him thanksgiving and praise, paying honor to Him!!!!! He is telling His people that in the midst of their trouble He will deliver them and they will in lowliness and humility honor God. Afterward God turns to the wicked and questions them as to their right to His statues and His covenant (remember the phoenix is after God’s covenant). He then confronts their rebellion and disobedience in taking correction and instruction from Him. He declares to them they are likened unto a thief and adulterers because 1) the give their mouth to evil and 2) their tongue frames deceit!!!!!! 3) they speak against their brother and slander him. These three evils have they committed before the Lord, their death of others has created the ashes by which the adders egg is hatched in the spider’s web, the web of deceit that gives birth to phoenix (rebellion) to rise up and usurp God’s authority in the ministry. God even goes as far to tell them in the rebuke their deception is so great that they thought God was like them!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW do you see this!!!!!!!?????? Self righteousness and pride have been their deceit that they think they are doing the work of God by being the critic and the judge of everyone when in truth they are in REBELLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More to be continued!!!!!