Gift of Divine Illumination

Jack Davis


“Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

“God is Light” – I Jn. 1:5, “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Whatever God has spoken is for the illumination of mankind. He said: “Let there be light.” Also He has given, spiritual enrichment, and enlightenment for believing humanity. The Apostle Paul wrote; “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” – I Cor. 1:4-7. Contrary to what some teach, God’s precious Word contains all that we need to prepare us to meet  our dear Lord in the air.

Our Father’s great giving flows from His throne, through His Son, to us, and through us as living waters. Jesus told the woman at the well; “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” – Jn.  4:10. God knew all that we would need, and provided for it long before we could ever think to ask. He so loved that He gave, that we might have everlasting life. He spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, that He might with Him, also freely give us all things.

Thank God, we “know the grace (gift) of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich” II Cor. 8:9. Our attitude might well be, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” – II Cor. 9:15. We are prone to ask for, and expect “things” from God, while it is His ultimate purpose to share more and more of His Son with us. The eyes, ears, and heart of natural man cannot grasp the measure of God’s great giving. Of all that He has prepared for them that love Him. He has therefore sent to us His Holy Spirit, to make known unto us the things that are freely given to us of God (I Cor. 2:9-14). The Apostle Paul earnestly prayed that the Father of glory would give unto His people the “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; That ye might know” (the reality of) His calling, His inheritance, and His power (Eph. 1:17-19).

Our Father has given us the Holy Spirit that we not only realize all that is available, what we may desire and expect, but also how to receive and give good gifts like our Father. He even puts it into our hearts to want the good that He has for us. “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you…what man is there of you, whom if his son shall ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall you Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” Mt. 7:7, 9-11.

As Adam’s descendants we just seem to naturally go after that which is not bread - Isa. 55:2. Many Christian parents are giving their children “stones for bread, and for fish the serpent.” Oh Lord awaken your people, before it is too late. In answer to prayer in His will, we receive, find, and have opened to us all the good that our Father knows is best for us. There is so much misinformation, and false conception as to how God’s giving is to be obtained, or realized. As there was also in the days of the early church. Simon thought to make purchase of God’s giving with money - Acts 8:14-24.

LIGHT for winning, and reigning: God, as the light, will be manifested in His fullness in that eternal state, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” Rev. 22:5.

God’s Son – The Light: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” – Rev. 21:23. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” – Jn. 1:4. Jesus said; “I am the light of the world…” Jn. 8:12. In Hebrews 1:2,3, we read that God has spoken unto us in these last days by his Son…”Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of (God) the Majesty on high.”

Oh, hallelujah; in Jesus may be seen God’s effulgence, i.e., the “brightness of His Glory.” He is the Lord’s light person, the out-raying of the Divine. Praise God there is coming a day, when this will be universally seen. In I Timothy 6, we read of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour, and power everlasting, Amen” – Vs. 14-16.

God’s Son as light absolute is unapproachable to darkened humanity. But God by His wonderful Word, reveals Him as our Savior, “Who hath abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” He has commanded the light of the glorious gospel to shine into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Therefore we who are privileged to have this treasure, the Christ life light, may begin to see Him as He is and are being changed from Glory to Glory.

Children of Light: We, having been begotten by the Father of lights, through His Son the light of the world, are now called light in the Lord. We also are encouraged to go on in the light and shine in Bridal brilliance, Consider Revelation 21:10-11, “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, Having the glory of God: and her light was like a stone most precious…”.

“The Lord is my Light:” “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple” – Ps. 27:1,4.

It is indeed good to know Jesus as the light of the world, but better yet in a personal way as the light of our life. Divine illumination when appropriated leads to worship, as we may realize from these scriptures, David speaks this from calm assurance that was his in the reality of experience. God has promised light as we find recorded throughout the Scriptures. Yet it seems that few are claiming His promise. Let us not think of Him as just what He could be, would be or should be, not just what He wants to be or what I want to make Him, but by faith what He IS, presently and for all time, He is my Light. I count on no brightness of my own.

We read in the Psalms, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly” – 84:11. “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness…” – 112:4. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Thy word is a lamb unto my feet, and a light unto my path” – 119:130, 105. “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” – 18:28. Thank God for such promises, and the faith for claiming them. “They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed” –  34:5. Praise God, for encouragement to look unto Him for enlightenment. For it does not came by looking into the darkness, nor by fellowship therewith. We are warned and urged to come out from the darkness, and to have no fellowship with it (II Cor. 6:14 & Eph. 5:6-16). Hallelujah! We have been called out of the darkness into God’s marvelous light. Glory to God forever for delivering us from the power of darkness, and translating us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

“My Light:” Knowing Him, by divine illumination in a personal, practical way is a glorious privilege. Light absolute had been prepared, provided and promised for every Christian conduct. All that we do is to be performed in the realm of divine light. WALK Jesus said, “…he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” – Jn. 8:12. “Walk while ye have the light…” – Jn. 12:35,36. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” – Eph. 5:8. WORK Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh; when no man can work” – Jn. 9:5,4. He illustrated the truth of what He said, in the act that followed. He healed the man who was blind from birth – Jn. 9:35-38. The work of this healing illustrates several precious things, but I would like to point out that it is by divine enlightenment that we become true Worshippers.

WORSHIPPERS: “God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” – Jn. 4:24. “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” – Phil. 3:3. Thank God for the Word’s enlightenment unto Spiritual worship.

WITNESS: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life” – Phil. 2:14-16. It is important to be a witness as well as giving witness. Let your light so shine before men that they will glorify your Father in heaven…”But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” – Prov. 4:18. With the light of the Christ life within, our lives are not only illuminated, but also illuminating. “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” – Dan. 12:3. I am certain that we will be rewarded for partaking of and sharing what light we have.

WARFARE: There is no way to fight and win in spiritual warfare against the rulers of the darkness of this world, without being clothed with the “armour of light” – Rom. 13:12. Much of religion today teaches men to resist the forces of darkness with human enlightenment. How foolish! We only overcome by the power of His might, equipped by the armour of His light.

WATCHING: I believe being current with the light of the glorious gospel, will keep us alert to the signs of the times. Satan would like to dull our hearts and minds with spiritual drowsiness, and drunken indifference in order to keep us from the wise conduct of those who are awake, awaiting, and loving our Lord’s appearing.

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” – I Thess. 5:5,6.
J. D.

KEEP LOOKING UP!

Christian, look up! The dawn will soon be breaking–
The glorious dawn of which God’s Word doth tell.
Though wars increase, and all the earth is shaking,
Fear not! Look up! Await Immanuel!
Soon thou wilt see the risen Lord of Glory!
O what a sunrise will His advent be!
Till then proclaim the precious Gospel story–
Redemption through the Lamb of Calvary.

Christian, look up! Soon will be past forever
Thy pilgrim journey through this vale of tears.
A Home awaits thee–built by Christ, the Savior.
No night is THERE, no pain, no death, no fears.
With loved ones thou again wilt be united–
No more to say Goodbye; no more to part.
The flowers of Eden by no frosts are blighted.
O blessed hope! Christian, look up! Take heart!

Christian, look up! When dawns that glorious morrow
Thy every burden thou wilt soon forget.
Now with Christ’s Gospel comfort those in sorrow;
So many eyes today with tears are wet!
The way is dark, but Christ, the Light Supernal
Will bide with thee till thy last pilgrim mile.
Soon thou wilt sup with Him, the King Eternal!
O blessed hope! Christian, look up and smile!

–Anna Hoppe

THE LAST DAYS

Anita Clark

“And I am very displeased with the heathen that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, and they [the heathen] helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies; my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem” – Zechariah 1:15-16.

Israel was brought to judgment by God, when He used Babylon to scatter them and take them captive, and then after the time of Jesus Christ, the nation of Rome to scatter them through out the world. There is more judgment ahead for this little nation, but God will judge the nations for their unjust treatment of Israel.

PALESTINIANS PRESENT ICC REQUEST - The Palestinians formally presented a request to the UN to join the International Criminal Court. They want to join the war crimes court to file charges against Israel for bombing and fighting back against the Palestinians in Gaza, after they sent rockets raining down on Israel last year. If they were allowed to join the CIC, they would bring criminal charges against Israel in the Hague, International Seat of Justice,. Palestinian Envoy Riyad Mansour told reporters, “This is a very significant step. We are seeking justice for all the victims that have been killed by Israel, the occupying force.” No mention is made of the aggression of the Palestinians, against Israel all these years. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is to review the so-called instrument of accession and notify state members of his decision on the request within 60 days. This move is firmly opposed by the United States. Human Rights Watch legal affairs counsel Balkees Jarrah Ban is expected to certify that the Palestinian documents are in order and that the state of Palestine can join the ICC.

China, France and Russia were among eight countries that backed the resolution on ending the Israeli occupation by the end of 2017, but the result fell short of the nine votes required for adoption. More and more we see the nations turning against Israel, and according to the Scripture in the near future all the nations will turn against them. The Antichrist will appear and drive Israel into violent persecution.

 OTHER SIGNS OF THE END TIME –

POPE FRANCIS VISITS THE GRAND MUFTI AND THE HEAD OF THE ORTHODOX ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN PATRIARCH - The Pope made a trip to Istanbul, Turkey on November 29th to visited with Islamic Grand Mufti, who is one of the heads of Islam. He urged Rahmi Yaran to condemn the “barbaric violence” being committed in Islam’s name against religious minorities by ISIS in near-by Iraq and Syria. The two prayed together in the famous Blue Mosque. The NEWS/Europe said, “The Pope took off his shoes, bowed his head, and closed his eyes for nearly a minute in prayer alongside an Islamic cleric in a dramatic gesture to reach out to Muslims.”

His next stop was to visit the Orthodox Christian Patriarch Bartholomew I, of which News/Europe states, “The central part of Pope Francis’ three day visit to Turkey is to continue his predecessors’ efforts to end the theological dispute that split the Christian world into the Roman and Orthodox churches.” This split came in 1054 A.D. over doctrine and differences of opinion on the power of the papacy. The two leaders participated in an ecumenical liturgy and signed a joint declaration in the on-going attempt to bridge the divide and reunite the churches. This is a very momentous event, after 974 years, to try to unite the two groups again.

Another incidence which happened recently is Pope Francis’ visit to a Pentecostal Church in the Italian city of Caserta. This was a “Papal first.” “Pentecostal’s are considered to be Catholicism’s greatest competition for Christian souls around the globe,” according to the Associated Press. The AP says, “Speaking to some 350 Pentecostal faithful in the church, Francis apologized for the Catholic persecution of Pentecostals during Italy’s fascist regime, when the practice of their faith was forbidden.”

Just a few months ago some American Charismatic Pentecostal leaders visited Pope Francis at the Vatican. They expressed their “solidarity with the pope, and desire to reunite with the mother Church.”

What is all this about? the unification of all believers (not true ones) is foretold in the book of Revelation. Revelation 13:11-18 tells of the end time religious leader called “the beast out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake like as a dragon.” He is a religious leader who promotes that all worship the first beast, called Antichrist. In the end of this age all religions will unite together. Rev. 13:8 says, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the books of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” God only knows true believers, those that are His. In Rev. 18:4 Jesus calls to the believers, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” This Scripture shows us that there are true believers who are still in the system, who will be led out during the tribulation time.

For some time now we have heard on the news of the assembling together of the Roman Catholic Church with other religious groups. December 22, 2014, Pope Francis met with leaders of different religions in Manila, Philippines. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports, “Pope Francis would spend some time talking to 10 religious leaders. They are leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the Philippine Evangelical Church, UST dean and expert on interfaith dialogue, Lilian Sison, as well as former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, now chair of the Philippine Bible Society. A spokesman said, “Interfaith dialogue is important to the Catholic Church in its fulfillment of the goals of the second Vatican Council which urged the church to be a universal one.”
Can you see how the Scripture is being fulfilled?

During the tribulation there will be one world government and one world religion. We are on the threshold of that time. Look for Jesus Christ to come at any minute. Be ready as Jesus urged His disciples. Have you eyes open to the truth! The signs of the times are rapidly expanding. The child of God has no excuse for not knowing “the times and the seasons.” Jesus is coming very soon.

He Became Poor

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

We celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus, remembering His coming to this earth as a baby. The fact that really struck me this year was the thought about Jesus leaving His glory that He had with the Father to condescend to our level. I’m not sure we can really comprehend fully the level of that condescension. Maybe we could think about the richest man on this earth and imagine that one day he lost his entire wealth, including all his property and his reputation. That would still fall very short of comparing to the level of Jesus condescension.

There are many today who would like to change that narrative to tell us that Jesus actually was wealthy while living here (usually prosperity preachers). The truth is that Jesus lived a rather poor life as far as worldly wealth is concerned. “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20. The wealth of this world was not Jesus’ concern. He came to bring us wealth that endures forever. To set us free from these temporal things that attract humanity.

This is the greatest demonstration of love. Giving up everything to bring us something we could not have attain on our own. Some wealthy men today are willing to give to charity. There is even a challenge among some billionaires to give away half of their wealth. None have given up everything, and even if they did, it would still pale by comparison to what our Lord gave up for us.

Not only did He divest Himself of all His glory to come here, He gave even His very life for us. He came in humility, lived in poverty, died in shame, and yet He is the King of glory. Phillippians 2:5-8.

So, if He became poor that we might be made rich, what exactly are our riches? Firstly, He gave us the power to become children of God. - John 1:12; and joint heirs with Him - Romans 8:17. That should just blow your mind. Jesus is heir of ALL things - Hebrews 1:2. He has blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places - Ephesians 1:3.

I would like to point out that, if Jesus had simply provided us an escape from hell, that would have been a huge thing for us. We would be praising Him just for that, as no one else could even do that for us. All the wealth of this world would not be enough to redeem even one soul from hell. But Jesus did not just barely save our soul from hell, He made it possible for us to have it all. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32.

I pray that your understanding is opened to comprehend the amazing Grace of God, and the place that has been purchased for you by Jesus blood. Such a great price to purchase for us such great wealth. We will never be able to cease praising Him for all eternity.

Gordon Crook

RUTH

Debra Isenbletter


Ruth 2:15 – “And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:”

What did Ruth do? We see what happened after Ruth had a time of nourishment and fellowship. She got up: “And when she was risen up,” this is past tense – this is a word of action – Ruth “stood up,” and she left the table. She did not linger after the meal, there was still daylight, and she still had work to do. Jesus knew the shortness of the time to labor and used every moment, He said: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” John 9:4. Ruth had been “sufficed” or “satisfied” and now she was energized! This wasn’t just labor for her own needs now, this was labor for Boaz! Ruth had been “sufficed” and now she was energized! This is what spiritual food and fellowship will do – We are strengthened and given a renewed purpose of heart!

What did Ruth plan to continue to do? Her purpose after she left that table of fellowship and nourishment was “to glean.” She may have sat down at that table weary and discouraged, but she rose up from that table with a renewed purpose of heart. She rose up to serve – to labor – to glean! I believe the order of importance of who she was laboring for changed after that meal. Now, she is laboring for Boaz – he is First. Next, she is laboring for Naomi – she is second. Finally, she is laboring for herself – she is last. That meal gave her a new vision and a new perspective on her labors in that field! She continued on, she did not give up, she did not go home. Boaz’s next words are said after he sees Ruth go back to glean. He sees her renewed purpose of heart and makes additional provisions for her to be blessed because of her willingness to labor. Think about those who are willing to walk miles to meeting to hear the Word, and now we have churches on every corner and transportation to take them to meeting and still many find excuses to not go to church. We labor and glean in so many ways for our Master, for our Boaz, and getting up and going to meeting is part of that willingness to glean. There is a cost in time and in setting aside personal desires but we will glean precious blessings, and take them home with us to nourish us afterwards.

What does Boaz do next to show his continuing, abiding grace? Boaz gives a command to his young men and he tells them what Ruth can do and what they cannot do. “Boaz commanded his young men,” without this command, these men might have discouraged or stopped Ruth. Without this command, Ruth would have gleaned only a small amount. Boaz knows her great need and he is willing to meet her need. He gives her permission to do something no one else can do. He takes away man’s restrictions and the law’s restrictions. This is pure grace, absolute grace, it is grace given to match her need! His command is two-fold; it concerns what she can do and what they cannot do.

Boaz says: “Let her glean even among the sheaves.” This is what she can do. What he is saying is: No man may stop her. The word “sheaf” can mean “a bundle” or “a handful.” The word can also mean “small heaps of cut grain.” The “sheaves” were handfuls or bundles of grain bound together. “Stalks of grain were gathered and tied into a bundle after harvesting. The reapers either gathered the cut grain into sheaves themselves or left it to be collected by the sheaf binder. The sheaves were then gathered into stacks and loaded into carts.” (Nelson Dictionary). By law Ruth was allowed to take up the stray stalks, those that were forgotten (Deut 24:19). Boaz makes allowances for Ruth’s ignorance, her eagerness, her zeal. He lets her gather more than what the law requires. He lets her glean where she is led, where her faith takes her. He lets her pick up whatever she finds, there are no restrictions! This is more than law, this is grace, for this gives her a greater blessing. That is what Grace does. “This was a privilege; for no person should glean till the sheaves were all bound, and the shocks set up.” (Clarke).

Boaz says: “and reproach her not.” This is what they cannot do. What he is saying is: No man may criticize her. The word “reproach” means “to wound,” it means “to make ashamed” or “to put to shame.” Boaz does not want Ruth to be ashamed in any way or hindered in any way. If they criticize her, they will be criticizing Boaz, for he has given his permission. They cannot see the heart of Ruth like Boaz does. Without restrictions and reproach, she will lay hold of what others cannot. This is what grace does for us, it opens up doors to untold blessings. This is the Lord’s promise to us and none can reproach us. We see this same admonition in the words of Jesus to those who would criticize Mary for anointing Him, their criticism was because they thought she had overstepped her place or the boundaries they thought restricted her. Jesus said “Let her alone,” “she hath wrought a good work” (Mk 14:6). He said she saw something they did not, and looked ahead to his burial. (Jn 12:7). Mary Bodie writes concerning this wonderful statement of Boaz: “reproach her not” – “But even this does not exhaust his grace. He is still concerned for her. Like his blessed Anti-type (Christ), he refuses to allow anyone to cast reproach upon the freedom of faith. “Let her alone” is always His admonition. We cannot trust our Boaz too much.”

Finally, I was meditating on what these “sheaves” represent in Boaz’s field. Remember they are small bundles of grain. I think they can represent specific portions of the Word of God, there are “sheaves” of Doctrine, “sheaves” of promises,” “sheaves” of ordinances, just to name a few. We are to glean from every part of the Word, and not just a single scripture here and there, but a series of scriptures bound together that for a specific truth. Paul writes: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Therefore, let us gather all the sheaves without fear and in faith. Our Boaz, the Lord Jesus Christ, has given His permission!

THE DISPENSATIONS

Earlene Davis

Third Dispensation: The Age of Human Government

This Age began after the flood, so it is also called Post Diluvian which means after the flood. It ended with the destruction of the tower of Babel (Gen. 8-11). Man’s responsibility during this Age is found in Gen. 9:1 – “…God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.”

There was a definite change after the flood, a new beginning, a new Age. The first thing Noah did after the flood was to build an altar and offer burnt offerings unto the Lord. “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth (in other words he can’t help it); neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done” - Gen. 8:20,21.

It was a wonderful way to start, but it didn’t last that way very long. The next thing we read, “…Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent” – Gen. 9:20,21. It wasn’t long before sin became exceedingly sinful in this new Age. Chapter 11 tells us, men became independent of God, wanting to be big, they were lifted up with pride. This is what happened in the Age of Human Government, man was leading man and again man failed. They went from the altar and sacrifice to the doctrine of Cain (self effort). Jude verse 11 tells us what God thinks of the doctrine of Cain, “Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain…”

God divided the nations according to the three sons of Noah – Gen. 10:23. Japheth had seven sons and they became the northern countries. “By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands” – Gen. 10:2-5. Ham became the southern countries. He had four sons – Gen. 10:6-20. Cush is the same as Ephiopia. Mizraim in the some as Egypt. Phut is the same as Libya. Canaan was cursed (Gen. 9:25). Shem had five sons – Gen. 10:21-31, the Shemites is the race Abraham came from – Gen. 11:10-26.

“…Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth…a mighty hunter…and the beginning of his kingdom was Babel…” – Gen. 10:8-10. The whole earth was one language and they said one to another, Go to, let us build a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; let us make us a name, – Gen. 11:1-4. The LORD came down to see the city and the tower and said, “Behold, the people is one, and…all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. The name of it was Babel (which means confusion by mixing), because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD Scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth, – Gen. 11:5-9.

God had to judge and so this dispensation of Human Government ended with the destruction of the tower, different languages and men scattered abroad. Man had become too big in themselves and tried to reach heaven by their own effort. Today we see men trying to build a tower to heaven again in a high handed manner against God.
Next issue: The Age of Promise