I just happen to be looking at the news online around Jan 5th when I came across a photo of Orion’s Sword that was recently captured by the Hubble Telescope. Apparently the sword in the constellation of Orion has never been noticed to be lit up the way it recently has been. The picture captured this great phenomenon with spectacular as a never before seen by astronomer’s telescope much less the human eye.  I sat speechless, in awe of this great sign in the heavens that confirms God’s word delivered by the Jewish prophet Amos two and a half millennia ago.

“Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. Amos 5:8-9

This is the constellation which God cited when telling Job (Job 9:9) that He and not Job, knew all things and was the Creator and master of all things, asking Job “can you loose the bands of Orion”. In this remarkable display in the heavens, the sudden appearance of Orion’s sword by the astronomer’s telescope, being evident in such glorious flashes of powerful light, we have material evidence of God’s bold claim that He has conceived Orion and that He is the only one who can “loose the bands of Orion”.

There are two Psalms in particular that speak of the heavenlies, the stars and of constellations in particular. They confirm that God alone is the creator of not only the Earth, but of all that is in this particular universe. (Here the EOE provides Psalms 19 & 97 in the sidebar on this page for the reader’s convenience. We also provide a link to an EOE book review on the classic books titled ‘The Witness of the Stars’ and “The Heavens Declare”.)    

This heavenly phenomenon speaking so directly about the Church and judgment was very timely for me and the EOE for it confirmed the Word of God that had just been spoken to me a few days prior.

On Sunday Jan 3 the Lord spoke to our small intimate fellowship on Matt 10, but especially verses 34-38.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matt 10:34-38

We discussed the false gospel that is being spread across the world and especially in the church that “we should Love everybody unconditionally” and also “it’s about family” and yet Jesus’ very words say that if you love father, mother, etc.. more than him you are not worthy of him. This also implies that to be worthy of Him you have to be willing to suffer the loss of people and things in this world because the world is opposed to God in every way. “…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

Not only did we discuss these truths but we have actually lived those very words ourselves. Having our own family members turn on us and persecute us because of the Word of God that we preach and live. We have lost sons, daughters, husbands, mothers and fathers that can’t give God the time of day and want to preach some other gospel to us. The most popular false gospel is that you can have both this world and be a Christian. The meaning of “whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” doesn’t even enter their minds.

So when we suffer the persecutions of others it proves we are indeed following in the steps of Jesus. He always fought against what the world wanted to impose on him in order to live according to the Father’s will. Jesus won the victory over the world so that we too can have the same victory. To the world and false religion, Jesus was a fanatic that they had to get rid of because he was making them look bad. His actions were convicting them of their own sins. If one turns from the world and their own way and false religion and turns wholly to Jesus, he shall provide a way out. But do not be mistaken, it is a battle royale when you want to follow Jesus. To those in the world, it will look as if you are the bad guy.

He is to return with a sharp sword.
We also mentioned that when Jesus does return it will be with a sharp two-edged sword that will proceed from his mouth.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh”. Rev 19:11-21

When I came across the photo of Orion’s Sword it was a wonderful confirmation to me of the spoken word we had just read and talked about, confirming that Christ’s return is truly fast approaching. If Jesus is coming back with a sword to smite the nations, does it make sense that we should make this world a better place? Did Jesus ever say or even suggest that we should do that? Should we be making peace with the world?

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

The reader may be interested in the following article: Seeking God’s Righteousness 

Psalm 19

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Psalm 97

“The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.
For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”