ESCALATING PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

Posted on by

We are already seeing the persecution of Christians, particularly in the workplace for their views on abortion, homosexuality, transgender, gay marriage, and more recently euthanasia. However, Bible prophecy reveals it will get much worse.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.” Matthew 24:21-22

Jesus also told us what it will be like for unbelievers during the “last days” before His return. The unrighteous are not the ones being persecuted. We see this effect in western nations today. Although the mass slaughter of Christians is presently occurring in the Middle East and some African nations, the media and politicians in western nations ignore it.

“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37-39

During the “last days” unbelievers will have plenty of food because they have taken the Mark of the Beast. They will have become “conditioned” or desensitized by years of murder and war to not notice the horrific events around them. Much like in Germany during The Holocaust. The news media will present Christians and Jews as enemies of freedom and safety. In Revelation 11:10-11, we learn the people of the world will rejoice and exchange gifts when the two witnesses of God are murdered.

“For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 11:9-10

Jesus has told us beforehand so we need to be prepared and trust God to guide and direct our every step just as He did for Jesus, the disciples, and all the Saints since. One good reason to stand firm is that Jesus’ second coming is close and “our redemption is drawing near”.

The Coming of the Son of Man
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:25-28

“For the Lord, himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

PREWRATH RAPTURE PROOFS

Posted on by

In the first video, David Rosenthal gives evidence of a rapture position that may surprise you. I say that because most churches hold to a Pretribulation Rapture position.

David Rosenthal systematically explores Matthew 24 and the 7 Seals of Revelation. He then gives evidence and a Scriptural basis for select events tied to the return of Jesus in, “6 Proofs of a Pre-Wrath Rapture.”

I recommend David Rosenthal and suggest you check out his website http://www.zionshope.org. Zion’s Hope was started by his father Marvin Rosenthal who wrote the book The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church.

The second video is equally as good as the first but I will leave it up to you to decide which is more useful in conveying the truth of God’s Word concerning the rapture of the Saints and God pouring out His wrath upon an unrepentant world.

MAJOR SIGN THAT PRECEDES THE RAPTURE

Posted on by

“Then I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair, and the full moon became blood-red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when shaken by a fierce wind. The sky was split apart like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the very important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”” (Revelation 6:12–17)

https://www.alankurschner.com/?powerpress_embed=12854-podcast&powerpress_player=mediaelement-audio
This podcast is on “The Sixth Seal Sign” of Revelation delivered by Ryan Habbena from last year’s Minnesota Bible Prophecy Conference, May 7–8, 2021

Ryan Habbena does a great job of unpacking the “end times” Scriptures showing that the “celestial signs” as revealed at the sixth seal in the Scripture above, by Jesus in the Olivet discourse, by Joel, by Daniel, and by Paul, is the major sign that precedes the rapture of the Saints, first those dead in Christ, and then those that are alive on this earth.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

CELESTIAL SIGNS WILL SIGNIFY JESUS RETURN

Posted on by

In Acts 2, the apostle Peter explains that a new period in redemption (i.e. the beginning of the church age) occurs at Pentecost with the Spirit’s supernatural outpouring. But a lot of interpreters miss that Peter’s citation of Joel 2, and its celestial disturbances event linked to the great and magnificent Day of the Lord, gives us a clue to the completion of the church age.

Jesus confirms the same celestial signs in the Olivet discourse (Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) signaling His return to raise believers from the dead and to rapture the remaining Saints prior to pouring out His wrath on the unrepentant with the Trumpet (Rev. 8,11) and Bowl judgments (Rev.16).

Peter’s citation:

Joel 2:31

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:17-21

Jesus Olivet Discourse:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.“ Matthew 24:29-31

Isaiah

Look, the LORD’s day of judgment is coming; it is a day of cruelty and savage, raging anger, destroying the earth and annihilating its sinners.  Indeed the stars in the sky and their constellations no longer give out their light; the sun is darkened as soon as it rises, and the moon does not shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and wicked people for their sin. I will put an end to the pride of the insolent, I will bring down the arrogance of tyrants. I will make human beings more scarce than pure gold, and people more scarce than gold from Ophir. So I will shake the heavens, and the earth will shake loose from its foundation, because of the fury of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, in the day he vents his raging anger.” Isaiah 13:6–13

In Revelation 6 we see the same celestial signs linked to the sixth seal and the announcement that the great day of their (unrepentant) wrath has come.

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth… Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”” Revelation 6:12,16

It is at the trumpet blast of the seventh seal that the rapture occurs and John sees the Saints before the throne in their new bodies praising God the Father and Jesus.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10

WHEN JESUS COMES TO FETCH HIS BRIDE WILL YOU BE STANDING IN LINE?

Posted on by

Adonai by LIz Hadassah Wiid. Album: Born for Such a Time
Lyrics: Can you hear He’s crying out, for His children to prepare themselves?
But everybody love their lives, so much that they’re afraid to die.
Can you see the time is near, but no one really seems to care.
Don’t you realize when you die to self, you will gain life in the end?
Oh Adonai, our Adonai, Will we hear the trumpet sound? Will we hear You call our name?
Oh Adonai, our Adonai, When You come to fetch Your bride Will we be standing in the line?

Do you understand our time as the beginning of the end?

“… the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:3-14

Jesus prophesied His followers would be divided and He prayed we’d all be made one, so the world would know His Father sent Him and loved them as He loved Jesus. (John 17:21-23)

Great post by Partners in Prayer and Evangelism. Thanks, Sue Tinworth

THE DAY OF THE LORD

Posted on by

“Wail, for The day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty, it will come! Therefore, all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labour. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.” Isaiah 13:6-8

“Behold, The day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaiah 13:9-10

JESUS SPEAKING TO HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT THE END TIMES

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Matthew 24:29

When Jesus referenced this prophecy from Isaiah 13 in Matthew 24:29 and said that all of these things will not take place until “after the tribulation,” this was His way of saying that The Day of the Lord is what takes place after the portion of the Great Tribulation that believers will endure.

Paul echoes the same message:

“you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

The Day of the Lord is what initiates and immediately follows the resurrection of the dead Saints and the rapture of the Saints alive on earth. It’s also the time when God will call the world to account and pour out His wrath upon an unrepentant world.

God does not rescue believers from all suffering during the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:3-28; Rev. 13:5-10). Rather, He rescues us from the “wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:9-10) which is poured out with the Trumpet (Rev. 6:8-13) and Bowl (Rev. 16:1-20) judgements.

Finally, Paul makes it clear that before The day of the Lord, the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple and declares he is God. As this does not take place until halfway through the final seven years it is obvious believers will experience the time of great tribulation.

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us to the effect that The day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken [paralambano], and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken [paralambano] and one will be left. Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:40-42

GREAT TEACHING ON THE HEART BY LEADING CARDIOLOGIST

Posted on by

Great testimony and teaching from Dr Sam on our heart attitude towards things of this world and God. Dr Sam learned the hard way as he made becoming a doctor the idol he worshipped most and it was not until he cast that idol aside in favour of God, did God open up the door for him to become not only a doctor but a leading cardiologist.

I almost did not post his testimony as Dr Sam has got the timing of The Rapture wrong, but his testimony is so good I have posted it regardless. Dr Sam has The Rapture occurring before the last seven years (70th week of Daniel) before Jesus returns to earth with the Saints to rescue Israel at the battle of Armageddon. However, as most of you would know, I contend that the Bible makes it clear we go through the tribulation period but God does not pour out His wrath upon the Saints and that His wrath is poured out when the scroll is opened with the Trumpet and Bowl judgements. God uses the tribulation, even great tribulation which occurs during the seals being opened to sort the wheat from the chaff, The hot from the cold and the lukewarm. It will only be the overcomers that are taken up at the Rapture. It will occur with the trumpet blast at the opening of the seventh seal. The church of Philadelphia is taken up but the church of Laodicea is left behind. Each church represents the church during each year of the seven years as do the seals. The seventh seal heralds the Rapture and the Wrath of God being poured out on an unrepentant world for one year and ten days. Jesus said His return would be like the days of Noah and it will be in terms of lawlessness but also the wrath of God in Noah’s day lasted one year and ten days.

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA: “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” Revelation 3:8,10

CHURCH OF LAODICEA: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked… Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:15-17,19

MILLENNIAL KINGDOM THEN A NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

Posted on by

What do you feel when you contemplate living in a new body in the world to come? I am of course assuming I am corresponding with Christians who will be resurrected or raptured to heaven. Have you even given it a thought? Prior to my conversion at 47, I had not given it a thought and to be honest gave it little thought in my early Christian years. When you get to my age, 85 this year, I think about it a lot more than I did previously. As well, my new calling of alerting the church to the escalating persecution that is before us, prior to Jesus second coming, has put my focus on Biblical end times prophecy and the ultimate fate of this world. Quickly, I came to the realisation that most of end times prophecy is all about Jesus returning to rescue His nation Israel from annihilation and to finally fulfill all the O.T. prophecies that Israel’s Messiah will rule the nations. Also, Scripture shows Jesus returning to earth to do battle at Armageddon with the saints. The saints are resurrected and raptured before the wrath of God is poured out on an unrepentant world with the trumpet and bowl judgements of Revelation 8.

Have you ever contemplated what it will be like to do battle with the Lord at the battle of Armageddon?

Did you know that before the White Throne judgement and a new heaven and new earth this Cosmos still has another 1000 years before it is eventually destroyed by fire?

In the not too distant future, Israel will finally realize her destiny as the head of the nations,

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.” Psalm 22:27-28

Jesus Millennial Kingdom is a necessary transition to the new heaven and the new earth. The saved and the unsaved alike will behold the Messiah’s rightful place as the divine sovereign of this universe. Resurrected saints, will hold high offices with responsibilities to match as they reign under King Jesus.

Hence, when I now contemplate living eternally in a wonderful new body I consider possible roles to which Jesus might assign me in His Millennial Kingdom. I also can’t help remembering that Jesus said, He and us will be ruling the nations with a rod of iron.

“The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.” Revelation 2:27

The offices of judge and counsellor will be reinstituted.

“I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counsellors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Isaiah 1:26

“I will also make your officers peace, and your magistrates righteousness. Isaiah 60:17

“For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against other nation,” Isaiah 2:3-4

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.” Isaiah 60:12

Jerusalem will be the capital of the world on the highest summit.

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it,” Isaiah 2:2 & Micah 4:1

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-3.png

JERUSALEM – A NEW CITY, A NEW NAME AND A NEW TEMPLE

“The city will be surrounded by open country and for the housing of all the tribes of Israel… and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.” Ezekiel 48:15–19,35

“She is to have twelve gates, three on each side, each named after a tribe of Israel.” (Ezekiel 48:30–34). “your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, and their kings in procession.” Isaiah 60:11

“The kings and peoples of all the nations will bring gifts, including gold and frankincense, to set before King Jesus” Isaiah 60:6

“The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, “Let us continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I myself will go also.” Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.’ Zechariah 8:21-22

There will be those eager to obey and worship the Lord Jesus, while others will be forced to obey. For me it is difficult to understand that despite Jesus and the saints ruling and reigning on this earth for 1000 years that when Satan is released from his chains in the Abyss he is still able to raise an enormous army to come against Jesus and the Saints.

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10

Will you now think more about the world to come? Will you think differently about your role in ruling and reigning with Jesus in the Millennium?

Next post I will contemplate living on the new earth with Jesus and our Heavenly Father after the White Throne Judgement.

TO THE ONE WHO CONQUERS

Posted on by

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” Hebrews 6:4-6

The last seven years prior to Jesus second coming

From the prophecies of Daniel, Daniel’s 70 Weeks, Olivet Discourse, and Revelation we are given a lot of detail about the last seven years before Jesus returns. first to take the saints to heaven (dead raised first and then those alive) and second when he comes to earth with the glorified saints to liberate Israel at the battle of Armageddon.

I believe as does Nelson Walters (thegospelintheendtimes.com) that the seven seals and the letters to the seven churches each give us a picture of the last seven years. For example, the sixth seal and Philadelphia, the sixth church, and the sixth year give us a picture of the final year the saints are on this earth just prior to the wrath of God being poured out onto an unbelieving world.

“When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood… Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12,17

To the church at Philadelphia: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11

At the trumpet blast of the seventh seal, the saints are raptured and at the same time the scroll is opened and the wrath of God is poured out on the earth with the Trumpet and Bowl Judgements. For the saints, the last year is a sabbath year. At the time of Noah’s Flood, Noah was on the Ark for one year and 10 days. Perhaps, this is one reason why Jesus said that at His return it will be as it was in the days of Noah, God’s wrath will be poured out once again for the same time it was poured out when He first judged mankind.

The Last Days Church is entreated to conquer, to overcome, to be faithful unto death.

EPHESUS – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’” Revelation 2:7

SMYRNA – “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelation 2:10

PERGAMON – “To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’” Revelation 2:17

THYATIRA – “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron” Revelation 2:26-27

SARDIS – “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.” Revelation 3:5. Note also “But the LORD said to Moses, Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33

PHILADELPHIA – “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Revelation 3:11

LAODICEA – “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

The final church of Laodicea is “left behind” but they still have an opportunity to be saved. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:20-21

The last days’ church will go through the prophesied time of tribulation and will see the Antichrist declare himself to be God. This will be a time when the tribulation for believers and Jews escalates. The pressure to take the mark of the Antichrist will be intense but Jesus told us to stand firm be overcomers as our deliverance is at hand.

SECRETS OF DEA SEA SCROLLS

Posted on by

The Dead Sea Scrolls writers knew 5 secrets about the End Times that most Christians still don’t know today. In a mostly unknown scroll known as the Melchizedek Pesher (or commentary) the ancient writer explained the End Times strictly from the Old Testament. The Document examines passages from Daniel, Isaiah, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus that open up the meaning and timing of the return of Jesus. It is an explanation of Biblical prophecies which are important to the end times and therefore to us today. Watch this Nelson Walters YouTube video to learn five things that most churches are still unaware of today particularly with regard to God’s cycles, Sabbatical (Shemitah) and Jubilee, and how important these are to the end times.

There is a second video which you will need to watch after this one it. The Dead Sea Scrolls predicts the exact day of the Second Coming. Not the Rapture because no man knows the Day or the Hour, but the day of His Second Coming to this earth. What the scroll writers knew 2100 years ago, many Christians have missed today because the answers are based on the Old Testament.