Judgment of the gods of Egypt by the true God of Heaven. Exodus 5-13

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There have been few dramas that can equal the story of the Exodus. Yet while most Christians are familiar with the events of Passover, few of us are probably aware of the significance behind the other nine plagues.

Each of the nine plagues targeted specific ancient Egyptian gods, they were part of an invisible cosmic war against the devils of darkness. The plagues were a powerful and dramatic demonstration of the supremacy of the true and living God of Abraham and Moses.

Waters Turned to Blood



The first of the judgments was upon the waters of Egypt. The Nile was the highway of this ancient land, as it still is today. Not only was the Nile turned to blood, but the other waters of the land were as well, even the water that was drawn for use in the houses in wooden and stone jars. For seven days the whole land was in horror, with dead fish and a stench from the river.

To better appreciate what was going on, we must examine the numerous gods of the river: Osiris, one of the chief gods of Egypt, was first of all the gods of the Nile. He, with his companion, the mother god, Isis, and their child, Horus, were human-headed gods (in contrast to the many that had heads of birds, beasts, and reptiles). There were other gods of the Nile, too: Hapimon in the north, and Tauret at Thebes, and the hippopotamus goddess of the river. There was also Nu , the god of life in the Nile. The supernatural pollution of the waters of the land were a humiliation to the gods the Egyptians worshiped.

The Frogs



The second of the wonders further proved the powerlessness of the gods of Egypt. The land was covered with a plague of frogs in such abundance that they infested the Egyptians’ houses and beds. One of the principal goddesses of the land was Hekt , the wife of the creator of the world, who was always shown with the head and the body of a frog. The frogs came out of the sacred Nile and Egypt’s devotion to them prevented them from dealing with them: they soon had decaying carcasses throughout the land, resulting in a stinking horror. (It is interesting that the climactic war against God in Revelation is assembled by three frog-like spirits.)

The Sand Flies



The third of the judgments on Egypt came out of the soil in Egypt. The Hebrew word ken, is translated "lice" in our English translation, with "sand flies" or "fleas" in some marginal notes. The Hebrew word comes from a root meaning to dig; it is probable that the insect was one which digs under the skin of men. This was an embarrassment to their great god of the earth, Geb, to whom they gave offerings for the bounty of the soil. Also the presence of the fleas or lice were a barrier to their officiating in their priestly duties!

The Scarabs



The fourth of the plagues were "swarms" ("of flies" is not in the original). The word is `arob, a swarm, possibly suggesting incessant motion. The deification of the scarab beetle is still conspicuous – even today – in the jewelry and artifacts celebrating ancient Egypt. Amon-Ra, the king of the gods, had the head of a beetle. Some of the giant scarabs were even accorded the honor of mummification and entombment with the Pharaohs.

This is particularly bizarre since the scarab is actually a dung beetle. The insect is about the size of a nickel and feeds on dung in the fields or the side of the road. When animals defecate, these insects swarm from their holes in the ground and collect their provender for future meals by forming it into round balls about the size of golf balls, which they roll across the ground to their underground dwellings. Since they seemed to "come from nowhere," and perhaps because these perfectly round balls were possibly associated with the sun, these beetles became associated with creation.

The plague of swarms of scarabs, with mandibles that could saw through wood, and destructive qualities worse than termites, must have caused extreme consternation since they were so venerated and thus were not to be interfered with! Pharaoh called Moses, pleaded for a cessation, hinted at the possibility of compromise, and even asked to be prayed for. But God doesn’t compromise; the judgments continued.

The Animals



The fifth plague was against the domestic animals of Egypt, and thus Apis, the bull god, and the cow-headed Hathor, goddess of the deserts. These were so widespread that even the children of Israel had become tainted by their worship, which led to the fiasco of the golden calf in the image of Apis.

The plague was a "murrain," a contagious disease among the cattle, and even the sacred bulls in the temple died. Other domestic animals were sacred also, and their images adorned many of the idols, such as Bubastis, the cat goddess of love, feminine matters and fashion, etc. (The veneration of cows still creates a sight in India, when cows appear on the streets and even in stores and shops.) The cattle of the Hebrews, of course, were not touched.

Ashes



The sixth wonder was manifested against the bodies of men. The plague of shechiyn, translated "boils”, may hide something more terrible. The root means "burning”, and the same word can be translated as leprosy, and as the Egyptian botch, which was declared to be incurable.

Among the gods to which cures would have been ascribed were Thoth, the ibis-headed god of intelligence and medical learning, and Apis, Serapis and Imhotep. Here even the magicians did not escape and could not carry on their priestly functions. It was their custom to take the ashes of human sacrifices and cast them into the air. Borne by the wind over the milling populace, they were viewed as a blessing. (It is inferred by some that this heathen custom was the source of the practice of putting ashes on the forehead on the first day of Lent.) Moses launched this plague with a parody of this practice, and may even have had access to the very furnaces used in the sacred precincts of the royal temple.

Fiery Hail



Egypt is a sunny land with virtually no rain. The seventh wonder was a tempest of hail and fire. Where was Shu, the wind god? And Nut, the sky goddess? Where was Horus, the hawk-headed sky god of upper Egypt? When Pharaoh confessed his sin and the sin of his people, he even used the Hebrew names for God:

"I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the Lord that there be no more mighty thunderings ["voices of Elohim"] (Exodus 9:27, 28)."

(The French have a phrase for one who speaks with spiritual language but whose heart is far from God: le patois de Canaan, the dialect of Canaan.)

Locusts



Some of the earlier plagues may have been separated by extended intervals, but the eighth plague followed immediately on the heels of the seventh: locusts came upon the land. Every twig and leaf that had somehow escaped the hail and fire was now taken by the locusts. Where was Nepri, the grain god? Where was Ermutet, goddess of childbirth and crops? Where was Anubis , the jackal-headed guardian of the fields? And where was Osiris, great head of their senior trinity who was also their agricultural god? Having lost faith in their gods, rebellion was now in the air.

Thick Darkness



The ninth wonder was a darkness that could be felt! Josephus writes:
"But when Moses said that what he desired was unjust, since they were obliged to offer sacrifices to God of those cattle, and the time being prolonged on this account, a thick darkness, without the least light, spread itself over the Egyptians, whereby their sight being obstructed, and their breathing hindered by the thickness of the air, they were under terror lest they be swallowed up by the thick cloud. This darkness, after three days and as many nights was dissipated."

And then in Exodus 10:22-23, "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings."
Where was Ra, god of the sun? In the school of On, or Heliopolis, city of the sun, the worship of Ra was virtually almost monotheistic. He and Aten, the sun’s disc, were worshiped with the ankh, symbol of life from the sun, as almost a sort of trinity. Where was Horus, the god of the sunrise? Or Tem, the god of the sunset? Or Shu , the god of light? Or the deities of the moon and planets?

The Firstborn
















And, of course, the well-known tenth and final plague was the death of the firstborn – on those homes not covered by the lamb’s blood on the doorposts or lintels. We all know the story of the Passover in Egypt, remembered by the Jews to this day. And, of course, Ya-Hweh Yahuwshua, The LORD Jesus Christ, is our Passover: John the Baptist introduced Him twice as "The Lamb of God."

Lessons for Today


The invisible war goes on. These same devils are worshiped today. The Scriptures tell us that we become like the gods we worship. Visit Egypt today and when you leave Cairo you will see villages living on dung hills. And this is not a typical "third world" country: it once ruled the known world! If you worship the world, you, too, will become materialistic, harsh, and unforgiving. You will become like the gods you worship. But if you worship Ya-Hweh Yahuwshua, The LORD Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us, you will become more like Him!

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

We Question Water Baptism - LLM (Respond in Comments)

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Please respond to the Question in the Video in the comments below.

God sent Paul to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9) and did NOT send him to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17). Instead, according to Ephesians 4:5, there is ONE baptism for today, 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by ONE Spirit we were all baptized into ONE Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into ONE Spirit." The Holy Spirit performs this Baptism, NOT an apostle, deacon, or pastor. And notice that it is not a baptism with water.

Please respond to the Question in the Video in the comments below

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

LLM - Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

Should You Get Water Baptized? - Pastor David

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Is the Water Baptism of a Believer a Testimony, and a Witness to the World?

“IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH. FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, THEN SHALL YE ALSO APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY. MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH; FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, INORDINATE AFFECTION, EVIL CONCUPISCENCE, AND COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY.” Colossians 3:1-5.

The believer is to witness to the world that he is NO LONGER dead IN sin but that he is dead TO sin. Quite frequently a believer permits another believer to put him in water, or to put water on him, being persuaded by the baptizer that this should be done as a witness to the world. That water ceremony may satisfy the baptizer, but there is NO PROOF whatever that the baptized person will walk in newness of life. Neither is there one verse of Scripture to support his witness to the world theory. That water ceremony, that baptism, will not help the believer, in any way, to walk in newness of life. Neither does that water ceremony convince any sinner that a Divine transformation has taken place in the baptized person’s life.

Now pay attention, in Luke 3 we see John preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3). In Luke 3:21-22 we read that Jesus was baptized with water. Surely it wasn't for the forgiveness of sins, as John was preaching, for we read in the first portion of 2 Cor. 5:21, "Him who knew no sin." Jesus, while on earth, was God in the flesh who NEVER sinned. He needed neither to repent (turn) from sin, nor to be forgiven of any sin.

Also, some have said that Matthew 3:15 implies that through water baptism Jesus was being identified with mankind. However, that was accomplished in Bethlehem. We read in Luke 2:41-52 that Jesus at age 12, under the Law of the Passover Feast, was at Jerusalem in His Father's House, listening and talking to the teachers. Wouldn't Jesus have had enough understanding at 12 years old to have been baptized, IF baptism was for a public testimony of His faith?

But Jesus Himself gave the reason He was being baptized in Matthew 3:15, when He told John the Baptist to "Permit it to be so now for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." So, in accordance with The Law given to Moses, Jesus was thirty years old at the time He was baptized, as we read in Luke 3:23, "And when He began His ministry Jesus Himself was about 30 years of age."

The Scriptures teach us that at His,(Jesus'), baptism we see Him coming as High Priest TO the Kingdom of Priests: the Nation of Israel, "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel" (Exodus 19:6). "But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast" (Isaiah 61:6). In the New Testament we read in the writings of the Apostle Peter, who in his own words was "an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the Pilgrims of the Dispersion" (1 Peter 1:1), "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles" (1 Peter 2:9, and 1 Peter 2:12).

PAY ATTENTION, when priests were ordained, The Law prescribed certain rituals to be followed, including the ritual of washing them with water, or baptism (Exodus 29:4). That ceremonial washing was performed at the baptism of Christ.

The following Scripture verses from Numbers 4 require all those who perform the service or the work in the tabernacle to be 30 years old: Numbers 4:3, Numbers 4:23, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:39, Numbers 4:43, and Numbers 4:47. Hebrews 3-10, and Psalm 110:4 tell how God the Father designated His own Son the Perfect High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus also had a second Baptism which He spoke of in Mark 10:38-39, "But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We are able. So Jesus said to them, You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized".

The Lord Jesus Christ was approximately 33 years of age when according to 2 Cor. 5:21, "He who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Hebrews 9:10-15, Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10-13). By His own death upon the Cross for mankind's sins, Christ was identified with death and died in our place, was buried in our place, and arose from the dead (Hebrews 9:11-12) to offer His OWN blood in God's Tabernacle in Heaven as a propitiation or satisfaction to God, and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). You or I could never follow our LORD in this Baptism.

What you have to realize is that the traditions of man have us following old covenant commands to the Nation of Israel while ignoring commands from the RISEN Lord Jesus Christ to the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "For Christ did NOT send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of no effect." Under the old covenant, the laws of Baptisms were established in Exodus 29:4 when Aaron was washed or baptized with water (Leviticus 8:6; Leviticus 16:4, Leviticus 16:30; Leviticus 22:6-7).

After His resurrection, Jesus instructed the 11 disciples that, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And THESE SIGNS will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues…" (Mark 16:16-17). The Apostle Peter told the men of Israel in Acts 2:38, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Later Peter says that if the nation will repent and be converted, then Jesus will come back as the long promised Messiah for Israel (Acts 3:19-21). But they didn't, so the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ called another Apostle. The Apostle Paul

Before we go any further, if you haven’t already, please read Mark 16:14-18; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28, now.

I want to stress that we have, in Mark 16:14-18, a message that has perhaps caused more unpleasant divisions and ungracious controversy among Christians than any other part of the Bible. Let’s quote again what Christ commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:15-18).

Now, RIGHT HERE you have to ask yourself a very important question. Has any Christian the right to revise this command of Christ? And make it read, “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized and NO signs shall follow?”

Certainly no one has God’s permission to do this. Neither has any Christian the right to abridge the command, leaving in Mark 16:16, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” and then forgetting or ignoring Mark 16:17-18, “these signs shall follow.”



Without explanation or apology, the Baptists, and the majority of evangelical preachers both revise and abridge this commission of Christ and teach “he that believed and is saved shall be baptized, as a witness to the world”, and, “NO signs.”

The Lutherans teach, “he that believeth and is baptized (by sprinkling) shall be saved, but “NO signs following.”

Then we have the disciples of Alexander Campbell (The "C of C" or Church of Christ denomination) who teach, “he that believeth and is baptized, by immersion shall be saved,” but “NO signs following.”



The C of C's and Lutherans do not revise the first part of the command. But the C of C's and the Lutherans differ most radically in obeying Mark 16:16.

The Lutherans teach that the infant son or daughter of Lutheran parents should be baptized. They teach that faith, without sprinkling, will not save; that sprinkling, without faith, will not save. The combination is required. But they agree that the infant cannot believe. Well in that case, if the parents BELIEVE for the infant why not let the parents be BAPTIZED for the infant? The Church of Christ denomination members contend that sprinkling is not being buried by baptism in obedience to Romans 6:4, and they teach that no person has, “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered you” (Romans 6:17) unless that person is born of the water, by being buried under the water. (John 3:5). They stick to the order, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” This is called baptismal regeneration.

IF water baptism is a factor in the believer’s salvation, THEN the Grace message of Ephesians 2:8-9 is not true. For there, in those verses, salvation is NOT of yourselves. IF water baptism helps to save a person, THEN the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, thanked God that He helped to save a very few! And yet in the same Epistle (1 Corinthians 9:21-25) the same Paul became all things to all men that he might save some. Did Paul thank God he had helped only a few to witness by water? No, that's ridiculous!

Now the Pentecostals are at least a little more consistent than the Lutherans and the Disciples. The Pentecostals claim that, in their message and program, they proclaim the full gospel, that is, they neither revise nor abridge Mark 16:14-18, or 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, where the sign gifts are found. They teach faith, water salvation, Holy Spirit baptism, tongues, healing, poison-drinking, snake handling, raising-the-dead, casting out demons and all the miracles, even greater works than Christ performed. (John 14:12). But when they put this into practice, they miserably fail, and it is not for lack of faith or zeal or sincerity or trying.

Realize this, IF Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16 is our Gospel for this Age of Grace, THEN Titus 3:5-8 is not, and THAT is ridiculous! So, take the time to compare them. You see, it’s only as we study the Four Gospels and the Book of Acts in light of Ephesians 2:8-10, and Ephesians 3:1-11 can we know God’s salvation message and program for this parenthetical Age of Grace.

The RISEN Christ gave to the Apostle Paul The Mystery with the Gospel of Grace, RATHER than The Law as He did to Moses. God sent Paul to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-9) and did NOT send him to baptize (1 Corinthians 1:17). Instead, according to Ephesians 4:5, there is ONE baptism for today, 1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by ONE Spirit we were all baptized into ONE Body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into ONE Spirit." The Holy Spirit performs this Baptism, NOT an apostle, deacon, or pastor. And notice that it is not a baptism with water, but a baptism into The Church of the Mystery, The Church of the Dispensation of Grace, The Body of Christ.

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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.

So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)