π‘✞ Watchman—Pentecost (2-Part Series): In-Depth Bible Study
π‘✞ Watchman—Pentecost (Part # 1):
In-Depth Bible Study π https://x.gd/rDyf6O
π️π⚔️ Part # 1: Summary of Pastor Arnold Murray’s Teaching on Watchmen and Biblical Understanding ⚔️ππ️
Pastor taught that all believers are called to be spiritual watchmen—studying God’s Word diligently, discerning the signs of the times, and warning others with truth and love. Drawing from π Mark 13, Ezekiel 33, Isaiah 62, Ephesians 6, and Revelation, he emphasized vigilance, prayer, prophecy, and spiritual readiness for the return of Christ. ⏳π₯
π‘️ What Is a Watchman?
A watchman is a spiritual sentinel π️ who watches, prays, studies Scripture, and warns others of deception and coming judgment. According to Ezekiel 33, watchmen are accountable to speak God’s truth faithfully. Silence in the face of spiritual danger brings responsibility.
π Key Scriptures
• Mark 13:28-37 — Watch for the signs and seasons πΏ
• Ezekiel 33:7-11 — Warn the wicked and encourage repentance ⚠️
• Isaiah 62:1-12 — Watchmen preparing the way of the Lord π️
• Ephesians 6:11-18 — Put on the Gospel Armor π‘️
• 2 Peter 3:9 — God desires repentance, not destruction ❤️
πΏ Prophecy & the Fig Tree
Pastor Murray connected the parable of the fig tree in Mark 13 with biblical prophecy concerning Israel and the last generation. Jeremiah 24’s “good figs” and “bad figs” symbolize restoration and opposition in end-time events. ππ
⚔️ Spiritual Warfare
Believers battle spiritual deception, false doctrine, and evil influences—not flesh and blood. The Gospel Armor in Ephesians 6 equips Christians through truth, faith, salvation, prayer, and knowledge of Scripture. ππ‘️
π Importance of Biblical Study
Pastor Murray strongly encouraged deep Bible study and personal verification of teachings. He often recommended tools such as for deeper understanding of Hebrew and Greek meanings. Knowledge grows through continual study and revisiting Scripture. π✨
π₯ Important Teachings Mentioned
• The “mark of the beast” is spiritual deception, not merely physical symbolism
• God gave mankind free will ❤️
• Children are not punished for their parents’ sins (Jeremiah 31:29)
• God desires repentance and salvation for all people π
• The role of the watchman is to remove stumbling blocks and guide others toward truth
⏳ Final Message
Being a watchman means actively seeking biblical understanding, discerning prophecy, praying continually, and standing firm in truth while preparing for Christ’s return. God’s Word is eternal, trustworthy, and alive. ππ₯π
#BibleStudy #Watchman #Prophecy #Mark13 #Ezekiel33 #Isaiah62 #Revelation #SpiritualWarfare #GospelArmor #EndTimes #ChristianFaith #ShepherdsChapel #ArnoldMurray #Scripture #Truth #Faith
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Welcome to the Shepherd's Chapel Network family Bible study hour with Pastor Arnold Murray. Wisdom is understanding God's word. Pastor Murray's unique teaching approach brings God's word alive with meaning as he takes you on a chapter by chapter, verse by verse study of God's letter to you, the Bible. And now, here is Pastor Arnold Murray.
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π‘✞ Watchman (Part # 1):
All right, good day to you. God bless you. Say, welcome to the Shepherd's Chapel. Welcome to this family Bible study hour. We're going to do a few more single studies, we call them. We're going to talk, do a little study today on watchmen. I receive many questions. "What am I supposed to do? I wish I could find out what God wanted me to do." Well, do you know what he told you to do? Watch. "Well, what am I supposed to watch?" Through his word. He gives you signs and seasons and events that you should be aware of, things that you should be watching for. And if you were a student of his word, you wouldn't have to ask that question. "What does he want me to do?" That's why that the studying, a study of God's word will always cause you to grow in a closer walk with him because you know what it is he wants you to do. You do it and naturally he blesses you with his love, with other blessings. You just have a better life.
So looking at it from the aspect of watchmen, you'll remember in Mark 13 and Matthew 24, he actually gave us seven signs which are the seven seals of the book of Revelation and said watch for these. And naturally, when you saw them come to pass, you would even know, because of the parable of the fig tree listed in verse 28 of that 13th chapter of Mark, what it was that the generation would be doing when these events came to pass. So with that, he also taught a parable, kind of a parable at the end of that 13th chapter of Mark. Let's turn to it. Mark chapter 13. Let's pick it up in verse 32 and let's understand what you're supposed to watch for, what it is you're supposed to do.
Okay, verse 32, just following the parable of the fig tree. "But of that day" — speaking of the day of Christ's return — "and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." In other words, you know the season and you're supposed to and you know the reason thereof, but you don't know the instant. When you put those three articles together, it simply means you don't know the instant, but you'd better know the hour and the season in which it falls. Verse 33: "Take ye heed" — that means you be careful. "Watch" — there's the word. That's what a watchman is supposed to do. "Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
Verse 34 — for the Son of Man, here comes the parable now — "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority" — do you understand? Do you realize you have authority if you utilize it as is given in God's word? Of course you do — "gave authority to his servants" — that is to say, if you're one of his servants — "and to every man his work." It's very important: every man his work. Everyone has gifts that they can work with. It may simply be, let's say, visiting the sick. It may be just smiling at someone that's really down, or it may be passing along seeds of truth to those that are down and so forth. "And commanded the porter to watch." So watching is a very important part. Watching and waiting takes patience — patience that it's very difficult for a human being to muster the patience necessary. But again, the more you watch in his word prayerfully, the more you become familiar with his plan, whereby as you recognize the signs of the times as they come to pass, it's like feeding the patience with exactly what it needs, whereby patience is a lot easier to come by.
Verse 35: "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning" — and there you have the watches of the day. Verse 36: "Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping" — because we know that we are children of the day and are never in the night, as it is written in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. Verse 37 to complete: "And what I say unto you I say unto you all" — how many? Now what which part? No, all. "Watch." So that's the best advice he can give to you after giving the seven seals, which are the seven trumpets, which are the seven vials. Absorb them along with the other parables and things that he has told you to watch for, and watch. You'll be blessed when you see them come to pass.
We know the fig tree was set out in the year of our Lord, 1948, when the good fig returned to Jerusalem, and knowing at the same time as a watchman that the bad fig went along with them. So we have both the good fig and the bad fig. That's very scriptural — Jeremiah chapter 24 — that that generation would not pass away until all these scriptures were fulfilled. So that certainly puts us many years at this time into that fulfilling, or rather beginning of the shoot, of that fig tree being set out in Jerusalem. So there you have it. What are you supposed to do now? Sleep? No. Sleepers are dreamers. And that's about all they ever amount to — is a bad dream or maybe a good dream occasionally — but they're just dreamers. Workmen that do God's work, that watch and watch in that work — their dreams are pleasant and secure because they know and have that peace of mind that only a worker of our Father and one in tune with him, sharing his love to the Father and the Father's love back to that entity, has that peace of mind of understanding because they understand the word of God.
Now, I wish I could say that I knew and understood all there was to know about God's word. Naturally, I would be a liar were I to say that because nobody understands all. Our Father's knowledge is so vast. As a matter of fact, when it says, for example, in the New Testament that no man has ever seen God, it really should be translated "no man has ever seen all that God knows" because many people have seen the face of God — that is to say, the angel of God which is the presence. But certainly no man has ever known or understood all that our Father knows. And the word itself as you study it is pregnant. If you study this 13th chapter of Mark one year and wait a year and get back into it again, you're going to see that it has grown for you. In other words, God has building steps and benchmarks as he brings people along on different levels of understanding whereby they can be better watchmen. So actually what he's saying here is: be a good watchman. Know and understand his word whereby you are that better watchman to understand the signs that were just given. As a matter of fact, the disciples asked him, "What's it going to be like when you return, when these buildings are turned to sand" — that is to say, not one stone standing atop another — "where and when?" He answered it. That's the answer to the question of when he returns. All you have to do is understand those seven seals as we have covered many times, and after you understand them, you watch.
Because today prophecy — I can remember 40 years ago being a student of the prophets, that is to say of this Father's word — Matthew, Mark, Luke, John (which they were all prophets in a sense), the apostles, and the parables of Christ, and parables within themselves — Isaiah, Jeremiah — being a student of those works, there would be years before a prophecy would come to pass. And today, it's like the labor pains of a woman: closer and closer and closer until you can mark the days. For nothing is ever the same. And that has happened since the year of our Lord 1981 — that it's never been the same and it's never going to be again. And you can mark that. That's exactly the way it is. And that's how our Father has us racing toward that end of time, even at this time. Many things yet to come to pass — don't misunderstand me — but how wonderful it is to be aware of them when they do come to pass.
What else were you told to do in preparation for serving him or being with him or when that time would come? We know that the spurious Messiah appears, as he told us, in and among those signs. And we know that we're supposed to stand against him. We know also, as it is written in the book of Ephesians, that we're supposed to put the gospel armor on and in place. And what is it that we're warring against or watching for? Not an enemy that we fight with the power of the arm, but an enemy from high places and dark sayings — that means satanic parables and the wiles of the devil. That's what you put the armor on for. But do you know something? After you put each piece of that armor on and especially girding yourself with the word of God, meaning absorbing that word, there's something that's very important. And if you miss it, the armor is not going to do you a great deal of good. You can have all the armor on you want to, but a soldier always knows more about fighting than putting armor on. Number one, by watching we know that our war is against spirits and the devil in high places, meaning even supernatural angelic beings and the influence that Satan has on this world. But what is the add-on? What is it that you're supposed to know? And more important, what is it that you're supposed to do? You want to know what you're supposed to do? This is where you find out. So with that thought in mind, this is what you do.
Ephesians chapter 6, after the armor is on and in place, then you find out verse 18: "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" — that means to our Father, knowing it's a spiritual war we're fighting — "and watching" — there's that word again — "and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" — that's God's election — knowing from a deeper level of study and understanding the things that transpire that you're supposed to understand and stand ready to be fit for something rather than some dreamer, flyaway doctrine that is not written in the word of God. And why is it that you put the gospel armor on? To fly away? No, it's written very clearly: to stand against the fiery darts of Satan. Well, you make a big target. And if you don't know how to protect yourself with that armor, instead of having the shield protect you, you'll probably get a dart right where it might have the most padding because you'd probably be running in the opposite direction — one of Satan's very good little darts. They're coming. So you need to learn how to be a watchman.
I think for the election it's even more serious than one might think, in as much as most of the world sleeps at this time. And a watchman is supposed, is especially supposed to be alert when he is on that late night watch while others are sleeping, to protect them from an enemy that might approach. Verse 19: "And for me" — Paul continues — "that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel." There is no way that you can open your mouth to plant a seed or to teach God's word unless you have absorbed it. Unless you are comfortable in it, unless you have the knowledge to feel at home there. Let me ask you a question: Do you feel at home in your Father's house? It's yours. I might even say, do you feel at home in your own house? Because the word of God is your house. It's your seedline being a child of God. Are you comfortable there? If you're not, you got problems, friend. And part of it is by not using the perseverance of absorbing the simplicity in which our Father teaches, prayerfully absorbing and being that watching watchman that watches thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. Are you familiar with the supplication? Well, let's see. I know there's one book. Well, have you ever heard of the book… Do you ever read the book Second Ezra? Do you ever read the book Second Nebuchadnezzar? And I'm sure you haven't because there's no such thing as the Second Book of Nebuchadnezzar. And if you don't know the difference, you're hurting, friend. You're hurting a bunch because you don't have the supplication. And unfortunately, biblical illiteracy — and I'm not talking down to people or I'm not scolding, I'm saying it's a sad case. I can personally understand why we have such a vast amount of people in illiteracy concerning God's word when it's not taught. Get a bunch of one-verse Charlies that never quite get into God's word. It's not the people's fault that they have not taken unto themselves the blessings and peace of mind that God supplements the minds of those that follow him and that seek him, that seek his word rather than the traditions of men or that is to say the words of men. The words of our Father are extremely important.
What kind of a watchman are you? It's a pretty poor watchman that doesn't know what he's watching for. "What are you doing there, watchman?" "Well, I don't know. They just told me to walk around out here and look. And I don't know what I'm looking for — whether it's the boogey bear or whether it's night owls. I don't know. I'm just out here." Well, quite frankly, that may be overstressing the issue and sound ridiculous, but it's not so ridiculous when you compare it to many watchmen in this hour that have no idea of our Father's will or wish. It's very simple: watch, but watch for those things that he has forewarned you and even has foreordained that will watch. Think about it.
Now, was that only in the New Testament? Of course not. Our Father — probably one of the better places — Ezekiel chapter 33. Let's go there. Part of the acrostics of 11 entailed within this, another subject for a different time. But that watching — what do you do? You read from both the Old and the New Covenant. For there is nothing new under the sun, and our Father is the same yesterday as he is today. And let me tell you something: he will be forever. That's one thing about absorbing the word: it isn't a waste of time. It's not like learning a new computer program and then having the whole thing changed on you in three weeks. This program is eternal. It will always be the same. Ezekiel was given to us as if you would a sign. In other words, those events that happened to Ezekiel are very likely, if you are a watchman, to happen to you in one form or the other of the prophecies that pertain to him. But what was his primary duty? The same as yours. And that's why he was our sign.
Chapter 33, verse 7. Let's go with it. "So thou, O son of man" — being Ezekiel — "I have set thee a watchman" — a what? — "a watchman unto the house of Israel. Therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me." Now listen just a moment — kind of a word for ministers and watchmen both in there. Okay. Now, Israel as you know is not the house of Judah. The house of Israel and the house of Judah are two separate houses, and they are separated even at the time of this prophecy, the giving thereof. Ezekiel 37 gives you the joining back of the two houses, but they're still separate here. Where is Israel? Those ten tribes that went north over the Caucasus mountains and were later called Caucasians that migrated all over the world — that's who it's talking about. But now listen carefully: they were to hear the word at what? Well, preacher Bob. You always listen to Preacher Bob. God will send the word through Preacher Bob. And I'm not mentioning any preacher's name or anything, it's just a name pulled out of the hat. We'll call him rather than using Preacher Bob, let's say the revolving reverend — okay? I mean, we got a lot of those and nobody can say I'm talking about them. Okay? We got a lot of reverends that revolve. I really have never seen a great deal to reverence them about. I personally am against reverencing man, but only our Father. Now, what is it that you — I'm talking to you as a watchman — how are you to receive the word? Listen to it. "Therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth" — meaning our Father's word from the book, the living word. "Thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me." Warn who? Those that don't know. And so many people say, "I just wish I knew what God wanted me to do." Well, you're not supposed to make a fool out of yourself, number one, and be a religious fanatic. But if a friend comes up to you and asks a question, and you claim to be a Christian, and basically at least part of his questions, if you can't answer them, then you have failed Christ, have you not? Why? You haven't studied the word or you'd know what to answer because you would have heard it from God's mouth.
You know, it is my policy that I never necessarily trust what I hear from man's mouth, especially if I don't know the quality of student that that individual might be. And even then, before I share it to warn somebody, I'm going to read it with my own little pinkies right from the manuscripts or I'm not going to teach it. You hear what I said? Why? That is God's instruction, or you're liable to end up being a false misleading teacher. And let me tell you something: if God dislikes one group of people, it's the false shepherds. Boy, does he dislike them. And the curses he brings down on false shepherds is probably some of the most severe burdens that are brought on people from God's word. So take it on yourself. You can only speak boldly as Paul would say. That's being sure of yourself. All right? Do you know what "boldly" means? It doesn't mean necessarily loud, but it means to be straightforward. And people when they hear you teach, they don't have to say, "Do you think you know what you're talking about?" They know you know what you're talking about because you speak with authority. That's what it means — boldly bringing forth that word. When you hear it from God's word, then you can be sure of it. Okay?
Now, so what was Ezekiel done? He was made a watchman for who? The house of Israel. And naturally, you're going to find before we complete, it's to all nations. That means all peoples everywhere, not just the house of Israel. Verse eight: "And when I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Now that's just the way it works, my friend. If someone comes up to you — and that does not mean that God has charged you to go out and teach the whole world and that's your responsibility. No. If the wicked come to you, that means if someone asks you a question, let's say they are a sinner, then if you do not give them that correct answer, or if it be one of your family that is sinning to hell, at least warn them. It does not mean you have to change them. Once you warn them, the blood is off of your hands. It's on their back. Forget it if you can. You're innocent.
Verse nine: "Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." In other words, you're all right. You have eternal life. Verse 10: "Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?" In other words, if we take all this guilt and pile it on ourselves, then how can we survive under the load? Of course, you know, you can't, because that's why we have repentance. That's why we ask for forgiveness. And any man that tells you that he does not sin is not telling you the truth or is pretty well biblically illiterate. Because as John himself would say in the first epistle of John that any man that says he's not a sinner is a liar. Because in the flesh we all sin. And of course he goes ahead and mentions one type of sin and that's an habitual sinner — that is to say, one that could care less whether he's sinning or not. But if they say, "How, if we let all this pile up, then how possibly can we have eternal life?"
Verse 11: "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God" — this coming from God's mouth, God swearing by himself (there is no greater) — "I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn you from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Verse 12, let's continue: "Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgressions" — do you want to really come to light translate that word "deceptions"? When the deceiver, the false one comes soon, the true wicked one — it doesn't matter how righteous someone is. If they fall for Satan's lies, believing that he is Jesus, they've got problems, friend. Their righteousness is not going to help them. "As for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth." That's why you must repent. That's why you must be a realist and face reality and know we all fall short. But what God is saying here — I mean, after all these are his children — he says, "Do you think for a moment that I get pleasure out of one of my children being so wicked and such a sinner that I'm going to have to condemn them to hell?" What kind of father would we have if that were to be true? It is written in another place — where is it? Second Peter chapter 3 along about verse 7 — that God states through Peter, "But I am longsuffering" — that means I got all kinds of patience, the Father says — "and it is my will that all come to repentance." In other words, it's he prays that everyone will come to repentance and live. Meaning he hopes that all of his children make it. That's why we have this second earth age — is the earth age of salvation, so to speak — because at the end of the Millennium, which actually ends this earth age and we begin the eternity, then certainly there will be no salvation after that, for everyone that remains is so-called saved. So that's what this time is: our God allowing his children to have freedom of choice. He will not interfere unless he is asked to by those that have free will in their lives if they choose. It is his wish, let us say, that they all love him from within. And many people fall short. And as much as they say, "Well, God can do everything" — well, there's one thing he will not do, and that's why we have the trouble in the world today: he will not force someone to love him. Though his greatest desire is to have all of his children love him, he will not force no not one of those with free will. Understand, you that are of God's elect, those with free will — he will not force them because there is no such thing as a forced love. Real love is genuine and it comes from within. It generates outward from each single entity. And God won't touch that. He won't touch it to the point that he will let you go to hell if you choose, rather than trying to force you in any way to love him, because any love that is forced, bought, or ordered is fake. It's not real. He doesn't want it. Nor should anyone else. So there you have it — our Father saying, "Don't think for a moment that I get any pleasure out of seeing people fall by the wayside."
Now, let's go to the great prophet Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 62. Going to spend just a little time there and we'll let that conclude this lecture on watchmen. Every Christian is supposed to be a watchman — watching, after having studied God's word, to watch for those things. Do you know why? That's the way you tell whether this word is actually by God or by some man. You'd be surprised how many questions I get from Christians saying, "Document to me that we can prove God stated this word and that some man didn't write it." Well, it's because of the beauty of the fulfillment of prophecy — something that was written 2,000 years ago, in some cases 3,000 years ago, coming to pass exactly as it's written. You see, man can't do that. And that documents the word of God. And being a watchman in his word and in the world gives you the advantage of being able to see those things.
Chapter 62 and verse one: "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Do you understand? That's our Father himself saying, "I'm not patient with delaying the coming of the end. I'm anxious to see that brightness." Verse two: "And the Gentiles" — or translate that better "nations" in your mind — "of the whole world shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." God's going to name it. You want to know what it is? Verse three: "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." Wow. Have you ever thought of yourself in that position? Do you know what it is, don't you? It's a bridal crown. You're going to take part in the wedding.
Verse four: "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken" — a lot of people call the Bride of Christ forsaken along with all sorts of other names. "Neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah" — do you know what he means? "My delight is in her." God loves his election. All right. "And thy land Beulah" — you know what Beulah means? Married. Not off in space somewhere, not out in the stars, but right here. Married to who? God. Meaning God is with his wife — his favorite spot being Zion — the part of the subject of verse one. "For the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married." In other words, joined. All the nations joined and called married because the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will have participated. The Bridegroom approacheth.
Verse five: "For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." As a young man rejoices in his bride, God rejoices over you. Do you know that he loves you? I don't know how anyone can doubt the love of our Heavenly Father, our closest relative, the creator of our very being.
Verse six — what does he want from you? "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silent." Are you one of God's elect? Do you plant seeds? Don't be silent when someone needs help, especially if they ask. Verse seven: "And give him no rest, let there be no silence, till he establish, till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." That's going to happen. God made a covenant in the 16th chapter of Ezekiel the same as he made a covenant with the people. He made a covenant that he had married that mount that we spoke of in the first verse — Mount Zion — his most favorite place in the universe. He took it to wife. That's where he's going to live for the eternity. Not out in space somewhere. Right here, good old terra firma — land married.
Verse eight: "The LORD hath sworn by his right hand" — and who sits at his right hand? The Son, of course — "and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies." You're going to grow it. You can eat it. You work for it. It's not taxed away or given away. You, not someone else, enjoys the fruit thereof. "And the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured." Verse nine: "But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness." Part of the married family.
Verse 10: "Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway" — do you want to know what you're supposed to do? This is spoken in a parable, but you're sharp enough to grasp onto that. "Cast up, cast up" — don't let it be in a swamp. Build up a road. "Gather out the stones." You're supposed to be able to, when you find a stone in the path that's going to cause someone to stump their toe, you're supposed to kick it out. Yeah, it may hurt your toe, but that's all right. You're one of God's troopers. And when you see a stone, root it out, and push it off to the side of the road. That's what you're supposed to do. All right? I hope you understand the parable. "Lift up a standard for the people." What is that standard? It's Jesus Christ. It's this word, the living word. You hold it up and let people know this is the easy way. This is the way to receive God's blessings. This is the standard that will bring you peace of mind. And the more you smooth that road — let's put it right down where the rubber meets the road — you know what he's saying? The more you understand this word and are able to take some of the rough spots out of someone's life, that is to say, trouble, to give them good advice whereby it makes the trip a little easier for them, that's a blessing to you, and that causes God to love you very much. It brings truth, and it brings peace of mind.
Verse 11: "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world" — when, even to this generation, the end of this cosmos age, this earth age — "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him" — his recompense. You're doing the work even at this time. Verse 12 to complete: "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called Sought out" — that means called — "A city not forsaken." That's the ultimate. That's prophecy. And it's going to happen exactly as it's written. That's part of your duties as a watchman — to know and to understand that. Part of your duties to know where the dead are, so that when a neighbor or someone loses a loved one, you're able to say, "Don't worry, they're with the Father, and very soon shall they join us." It takes away the pain, the grief — not the missing and so forth, and the pain and loneliness even of missing that one — but knowing where they are helps a great deal. That's just one small, very small example of what a blessing you can be to others when you are a watchman for the living God.
So, "What am I supposed to do? I don't know what the Lord wants me to do." Well, when you say that to me, I know you have not been reading God's word. Because he didn't say, "I'm going to pick 13 good watchmen for all the people." No, he said all are watchmen. So, let me tell you something: watch. Watchmen watch. All right. Bless your heart. You listen a moment, won't you please?
Dr. Pastor Arnold B. Murray
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**Announcer:** The Mark of the Beast on CD is our free introductory offer to you. What is the mark of the beast? Many false teachers would have you believe it will be a tattoo on your forehead or a computer chip implanted under your skin. It is getting late in the game. You need to know what the mark of the beast is. As it's written in Revelation 13:18, many will be deceived. There is no need for you to be deceived. Christ said in Mark 13:23, "Behold, I have foretold you all things." Jesus indeed told us how not to be deceived. And Pastor Arnold Murray takes you on a step-by-step study of God's word concerning this critical subject, the mark of the beast. The telephone call is free. The CD is free. We don't even ask for the shipping and handling. It is free as well. All you need to do is call 800-643-4645 to request your one-time, one-per-household copy of The Mark of the Beast. You may also request your free CD by mailing your request to Shepherd's Chapel, Post Office Box 416, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. Don't be deceived by Satan.
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**Pastor Murray:** All right, bless your hearts. There we are back again. Let's have the 800 number if we may: 1-800-643-4645. That number good from Puerto Rico throughout the US, including Alaska, Hawaii, and all over Canada. It's always a pleasure hearing from you. If the spirit moves and you have a question, share it. We can no longer answer all questions due to the volume of homes that we go into. And don't ask me a question about another religion or a — because it's — I will never talk against another Christian organization. When we delve into things other than God's word, then you're no longer a teacher of God's word, but man's systems that it very easily rocks back into traditions and you're not going to have the wealth of knowledge and information from God's word. Got it? Okay. Those of you that listen by shortwave around the world at this time, it's always a pleasure having you with us, your announcer. At the end of the hour, we'll give you our mailing address.
Now, you got a prayer request. He's your Father. Prayer — probably, you know, one of the things that turns me off more than almost anything in a liturgical sense — which means a churchman doing a certain thing — is a written prayer. I can't — that's not being — I'm not going to say it's not being honest or I would be judging. I'm just going to say it's not real. Well, if you can't speak to our Father from your heart — and you don't have to look all holy when you're doing it — be yourself. He knows you. Just talk to him. He's your Father. Talking to your earthly father might give you a good example of how he loves you. He's not some puff of smoke out here in space power. We're made in his image. He looks like we do. And he has emotions, very strong emotions. And he has tears. He cries. He weeps over his children. So there are so few people that really try to make his day. He deserves it from us. So think about it, won't you?
Father, we come to you from around the globe at this time repentant and we ask that you lead, guide, direct, touch, heal in Yeshua's precious name. Amen. Amen.
All right, let's get into some questions here. And what do we got here? We got Carolyn from Michigan. "I have a question. If God created all the races on the sixth day and Adam on the eighth day, but then later there through Eve by partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and there was sin in the world. Is that what it says? For these two, we are all born in sin." No, that's not — you know, go back to the first verse of that third chapter and you'll find that Satan was more subtle than — the manuscript state "all living beings of the earth." Subtle means slippery, trickery. He just has a way of working with all peoples. Eve is the mother of all living, and because Christ would come through her umbilical cord to umbilical cord, and we are all sinners and we don't look for scapegoats like Eve. All right. The others had already fallen because he didn't have someone. He had to create in the Hebrew tongue "ha-adam" to have a tiller of the field whereby Christ could enter the world. I know there are very few teach that. But then there are very few Christians that can read the Hebrew manuscripts anymore or work with them. That's why in teaching you, I insist that you get a Strong's Concordance where you as an English speaker can check it out for yourself. Okay.
Griffin from Delaware: "Where are the verses that refer to the First World Age? Where are the scriptures that say there was a flood? I can't locate them in my Bible." Well, it's a little difficult. That's why sometimes I say order the tape on the Three World Ages because you're going to have to go back into the Hebrew in certain cases. The easiest place in English to learn of the three earth ages — the one we're presently in — it doesn't take you long in reading the third chapter of Second Peter to know we're in the middle one because the first one's already been destroyed and the one that we're now in is going to be destroyed also. That's where you sit in the tenses of the writer if you understand what I mean. And the rest you have to go to Jeremiah chapter 4 started along about verse 18 — he tells you how that first earth age was destroyed and what part of it was destroyed. And then you go to — there are many, many places. Order the tape. You'll be able to go back in the Hebrew a little bit and it will tell you of that flood. It was a flood that destroyed everything. Noah's flood only destroyed those that had mixed with the fallen angels. Meaning what? Meaning that they had fallen because they mixed — and God does not like mixture. All right.
Carolyn from North Carolina: "The mark that is received in Revelation 13:16 — I understand the both small and great, rich and poor shall receive the mark in their right hand" — and her question is, what is this mark in the right hand? Now everybody listen carefully: it means — it is a metaphor which means doing his work. In other words, in your mind you believe he is Jesus and you turn into being a watchman for that entity which is to say the false messiah. You do his work. It's put in another sense by Christ himself in that same chapter — the 13th chapter of Mark where we were reading — when he said, "When I return, woe to those that are with child and that give suck" — "give suck" is in the as a metaphor means nursing along his system. All right. It's a spiritual thing. It's not talking about a mother literally with a child in her womb. It means one that has been spiritually impregnated with the lies and deception that Satan brings. Okay.
Jeanie from Indiana: "Why and when did the first world age end?" Well, it ended in my estimation about 14,000 years ago. And it ended because Satan had drawn a third of God's children from the throne. And God had a choice: he could kill a third of his children or he could destroy that earth age — and this only the age, not the world or earth — and bring in an age of salvation, meaning causing each entity to be born to a woman innocent, choosing and making their own mind up whether they would love God or that same old turkey. All right. A lot of people still like the turkey. Uh, verse two — the second question: "Which ages were included in the first world age?" Which what? Which ages? I guess I'm going to keep going here. "Were there giants in this age?" Sure, there were giants in this age — skeletal remains. No, but take this city of Petra. Petra — all the buildings there had doors — I can't remember for certain — 18, 20 foot high — okay? It's obviously a city built for giants in the rock.
Craig from Pennsylvania — let's see — "Your tapes off and children" — where's the question? "I also would like to ask you: does the one-world government system coming have to be in complete happening before everything can take place?" No, no — now go back and read the fourth verse of Revelation chapter 13. The system almost gets its act together and then one of its heads is wounded. And your documentation for the fact that it does not come to power until the dragon or Satan appears as the false messiah is in Revelation chapter 17 where it states there that the ten world kings — which is the one-world system — does not come to power except for one hour, which is that five-month period with the spurious messiah. All right. So, no, it does not get its act all the way together and certainly we are seeing — perhaps I'll take one of the days this week and we'll talk about some current events.
Dot from Georgia: "Please explain the verse that says that the sins of the parents will be passed upon the children." Now whoa, now wait a minute. There is a verse in the book of Exodus — it's where the Ten Commandments are given — Chapter 20, isn't it? Yes, verse three or four where it says "even to the fourth generation" for those that hate God. Shall this sin be visited upon them? That's not what he's saying, is that the children pay for the parents' sin. The children hate God also. It wouldn't matter if it was 150 generations. As long as they hate God, the sin's going to be on them. I want you rather to know for a fact: Jeremiah chapter 31, verse 29 — the sins of the father do not go onto the child, nor do the sins of the child go onto the father. Absolutely does not — doesn't work that way. Each person is accountable for themselves. Okay?
Now, Christina from Canada: "Why did God change all the language when the people built the tower to Babel? Now, we have rockets that go into the heavens and nothing is done." Well, no. You see, you've missed the point then, Christine. The people built the tower because of the flood. They were building their own escape to heaven. All right? That's why they built it. So he destroyed the tower and also split their languages up so that their lip — which is their language — where they all couldn't be so what — feeling that man could work all of his own problems out for himself without the aid of God. And there are many people true that by the rocketry and the high tech and science — the science and technical field of technology — that is to say that man's pretty well working everything out for himself. Well, he's got a lot of help. A lot of it was prophesied. Blood on the moon — a man on the moon — yeah, it happened in this generation, was prophesied.
Mel from Canada: "Acts 15:29 — could you explain what this means to me? Does this mean we shouldn't give blood or does this have anything to do with that? I am older and I really enjoy your teaching." Well, I'm glad you do. No, it doesn't have anything to do with we giving blood or receiving blood, which in this generation is a very dangerous thing at best. I highly recommend that any family that knows in advance that some family member is going to have to have surgery that the blood be drawn before the fact from the individual. Be that as it may. But no, what it's talking about is talking about the blood of animals — that don't eat meat that hasn't been properly killed. It's not healthy. And a lot of people don't understand that, but basically all meat products in this nation, the animal is bled. And it's like in the old days when we'd go out and ring a chicken's neck and you let it hop and bleed and the blood flowed from the animal, the heart kept pumping. And that way the meat kept better. It's a way of causing the meat to be pure because meat that is killed in the blood — or I believe the word isn't it "strangled"? In other words, you don't strangle the chicken or whatever it is — you bleed it, all right, because meat with the blood in it putrefies rapidly. It's a matter of health. Okay.
Out of time — the old hour flies by. It's a precious time. I hope you've all enjoyed the time of the conception that your family has all enjoyed it. Be good to your family. Don't ever forget to tell your family that you love them. And always remember this: you that are alone, you're not alone. You have him with you. And know something: he loves you a lot. We're brought to you by your tithes and offerings. If we have helped you, you help us keep coming to you. Once you do that, but especially as we come into this new year and we come into this time of prophecies — what an exciting time to live. Most important this: stay in his word every day. In his word is a good day. Do you know why? Jesus Christ Yeshua is the living word.
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**Announcer:** Hearing God's word with understanding will change your life. We hope you have enjoyed studying God's word here on the Shepherd's Chapel family Bible study hour with Pastor Arnold Murray. If you would like to receive more information concerning Shepherd's Chapel, you may request our free introductory offer. Our introductory offer contains the Mark of the Beast audio tape, our monthly newsletter with a written Bible study, a tape catalog, and a list of written reference works available through Shepherd's Chapel. To request our free introductory offer by telephone, call 800-643-4645, 24 hours a day. You may also request our introductory offer by writing to Shepherd's Chapel, Post Office Box 416, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. Once again, that's Shepherd's Chapel, Post Office Box 416, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. We invite you to join us for the next in-depth Bible study each weekday at the same time. Thank you for watching today's program, and God bless you.
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π‘✞ Watchman—Pentecost (Part # 2):
In-Depth Bible Study π https://x.gd/j8FuC
π₯π️ Part # 2: Summary of Pastor Arnold Murray’s Teaching on Pentecost and Biblical Foundations π️π₯
Pastor taught that Pentecost is far more than a church tradition—it is a powerful biblical fulfillment connecting the Old Testament feasts with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. π✨
πΎ What Is Pentecost?
Pentecost means “50th day” and occurs 50 days after Passover. In Scripture, it marks the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel to the nations. ππ₯
π Old Testament Foundation — Leviticus 23
The Feast of First Fruits foreshadowed Pentecost:
• Seven Sabbaths were counted after Passover (49 days + 1 = 50) π
• Two wave loaves with leaven and seven lambs were offered to God πΎπ
• These offerings symbolized first fruits dedicated unto the Lord
Pastor Murray emphasized that these Old Testament ordinances pointed directly to Christ ✝️:
• Jesus became the perfect Lamb without blemish
• Christ fulfilled the sacrificial system once and for all (Hebrews 10)
• He is the Bread of Life π and the First Fruits of resurrection π
π₯ Acts 2 — The Holy Spirit Descends
On Pentecost day:
• A mighty rushing wind filled the house π¬️
• Cloven tongues of fire appeared over the disciples π₯
• The apostles spoke in multiple languages understood by people from many nations π£️π
This fulfilled the prophecy of Joel 2:
“I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh.” ππ₯
π£️ Speaking in Tongues Explained
Pastor Murray clarified that the Greek word for “tongues” means actual languages—not chaotic babbling. Every listener heard the Gospel in their own dialect, proving the supernatural power of God. ππ
π Birth and Growth of the Church
After Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:
• About 3,000 souls joined the church in one day π
• Growth came through the true teaching of God’s Word, not human traditions
π Key Spiritual Lessons
π‘️ God desires love and obedience more than ritual sacrifice
❤️ Christ’s sacrifice blots out sin completely
π️ The Holy Spirit writes God’s laws upon believers’ hearts
⏳ Prophetic signs reveal the approach of the last days
⚠️ Believers must avoid deception and study Scripture deeply
π Pastor Murray continually encouraged believers to verify teachings through personal Bible study and tools like to understand the original Hebrew and Greek meanings.
π₯ Final Message
Pentecost reveals God’s eternal plan—from Passover to the Holy Spirit’s outpouring—and demonstrates the power of Scripture fulfilled exactly as written. True church growth comes through teaching God’s Word faithfully, walking in repentance, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide believers into truth. ππ️✨
#Pentecost #HolySpirit #Acts2 #BibleStudy #Prophecy #FirstFruits #Joel2 #Hebrews10 #Leviticus23 #ChristianFaith #Scripture #ArnoldMurray #ShepherdsChapel #GospelTruth #BiblicalLiteracy #EndTimes #JesusChrist
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**Announcer:** Welcome to the Shepherd's Chapel Network family Bible study hour with Pastor Arnold Murray. Wisdom is understanding God's word. Pastor Murray's unique teaching approach brings God's word alive with meaning as he takes you on a chapter by chapter, verse by verse study of God's letter to you, the Bible. And now, here is Pastor Arnold Murray.
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π‘✞ Watchman (Part # 2):
**Pastor Murray:** All right. Good day to you. Say, God bless you. Welcome to the Shepherd's Chapel. Welcome to this family Bible study hour. Know what? We're going to finish that lecture series that we started yesterday only. We're going to switch to Pentecost. And I think it's important. Let's do a little word study first. Do you know what Pentecost means? I mean, after all, it is a Greek word. It refers to an incident that happened many, many thousands of years ago back in the beginning of time soon after the Passover, the walk from Egypt, 50 days later to be exact. And that's why that in the Greek tongue, Pentecost is 50 — the 50th day. 50th day after what? 50th day after Passover.
Pentecost in biblical numeric means Holy Spirit. For it was on that 50th day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, disciples, and the church — the Christian church was formed. You want to know how to cause your church to grow? Then understand the true meaning of Pentecost. Because even at the time of the writing in Acts chapter 2, 3,000 souls simply from word of mouth and the movement of the Holy Spirit joined that specific church. It's what they were doing, what they were saying. It will always cause members to join that church that teaches the things that were spoken on Pentecost day. The thing is, what did they say? It's written in God's word, though. It simply isn't stated in Acts chapter 2. It's still written what they said. And we'll talk about it some more as we progress in this particular lecture.
Now, how did the Pentecost day come to be? And I kind of want to go back to Leviticus chapter 23, if I may with you. Open your Bibles there to chapter 23 and let's see that there's nothing really new under the sun. In other words, God had a plan. He had Pentecost planned for it being that day after the lamb was sacrificed, being the first fruits. And Pentecost is also called the first fruits day. And we're going to read here what you were supposed to do on that day even from the beginning, 1500 years before Christ walked the earth.
Let's get with it. Leviticus 23 — we ask a word of wisdom from our Father. Verse 15, and it reads: "And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath" — that's Passover — "from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete." What? Seven weeks. 7 times 7 is what? Is 49. All right? So that you know what we're talking about. There's 49 days. Verse 16: "Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD." In other words, this would be the first fruits. And in times of old, it was not possible that anyone would partake of the new harvest, being the first fruits, until this offering was made. In other words, God always got the first fruits. The same as when this prophetic utterance would come to pass in reality and Christ would become that Passover. He was the first fruit and then many follow by believing upon him.
Verse 17 — we've come to the 50th day now. Okay. Verse 17: "Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals" — that's two loaves — "and this is leavened." So it couldn't be offered on the altar. It was for the priest. "They shall be of fine flour" — and of course this is from the first harvest of the wheat — "they shall be baken with leaven" — not unleavened bread, but leavened bread — "they are the firstfruits unto the LORD." And of course that would be given to the priest. It would not be offered on the altar. I want to stipulate that again. Leaven was not allowed on the altar by our Father. But then every servant is worthy of his hire, is he not? So we see here that we have 50 days after Passover that the first fruits were offered. That's what happened when Christ became our Passover also, right to the letter.
Now verse 18: "And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs" — you think that the elect were not thought of? Do you remember in Romans chapter 11 where God would say, "I have set aside 7,000 that will not bow a knee to Baal"? Some of you have a destiny. Think about it, all within the story and the instructions from our Father as to how this day, the 50th day, the day of the Holy Spirit would begin. "Seven lambs without blemish of the first year" — again first fruits — "and one young bullock" — which this meant wealth, all right, symbolized wealth — "and two rams." Do you know what rams are? You can take this even to the two witnesses — two rams or two mature lambs, all right, as the witnesses that will be over and around the seven. "They shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD." So there you have it — the beginning and the instructions directly from our Father concerning Pentecost, which is a Greek word meaning the 50th day.
Now, let's go to the New Testament now, but let's go to the book of Hebrews. That letter written to the Hebrews, that is to say, by Paul in the language to those that had crossed over the river, Eber — that's where the word Hebrews comes from — and so it is the ten tribes scattered abroad as well as Judah. Paul would be teaching on this same subject and he quotes Christ in this 10th chapter and in the 7th verse, and it reads: "Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." And so it was written throughout the book, which would have been the Old Testament of this day as well as the new, that this one would come. It would not be the sin offering of animal flesh that would bring salvation to the world, but it would be God's own Son that would bring the sin offering of all sin offerings — and a sin offering that when something is forgiven and is repented for, it is gone, never to be brought up again. Or I might say, though it is written in the book of life when you commit the sin, it is blotted out, and that term in the Greek means "as though it never happened, didn't exist." Who made that possible? The one that comes in the volume of the book. The book we just read — Leviticus — speaks of Him, of His coming, of He being the first fruits. Those were only a shadow. Those events — the rams, the two loaves — for He is the bread of life, the true bread of life, and it was leavened, for He lived in the flesh, and flesh is leaven. So you see, there's nothing new under the sun. If you stop, if you think, if you analyze, if you check it out for yourself, and then things do not seem so strange as they do to those that are biblically illiterate. He came in the volume of this book. For it is written of Him — the coming, the events, what would happen, what transpired — and bless your hearts, what's good for you today, what will happen tomorrow, and yet in the future, whereby you're not surprised or deceived.
Verse 8, above: "When he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law." They were there. They were added from the Old Testament. People didn't like it. God didn't particularly like it. As it is written in the Old Testament, God saying, "I didn't really want your burnt offerings. What I wanted was your love, your obedience." That's what He wanted. That is the one thing that God desires above all things: your love. It's important to Him. It makes His day for you to say to Him — He that created all things, yet He created children for His pleasure, that He would not be lonely — and very few people even give Him the time of day. Don't have time. Take no pleasure in it. My friend, there's going to be a change very soon. I wonder how and where you will be standing at that time. Think about it. Consider it.
Verse 9: "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God." In other words, it was God's plan. "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." In other words, the first covenant, the second covenant came into being. And yet, do you know what? It's the same covenant. One was simply a shadow of the real thing. The Son actually being crucified for our sins, that the price was paid — that a lamb without blemish, and He is the only entity that could accomplish that, for we are blemished — and you'd better never forget to thank Him for it. It's a precious thing. And when you do thank Him for it and tell Him you love Him and you appreciate His love for you, it makes our Father's day. And do you think, in as much as He owns all things, that when you make His day, He's not going to bless you? Of course He's going to bless you. Many people say, "This is God. I just beg all the time and I pray for this and I pray for that and I never get nothing." Well, you treat Him like He's a slot machine — stick in a nickel and out pops your prayer. What do you expect? Cold, cruel, as though He was a machine rather than your Father. What can you expect? You had better develop that personal relationship with your Father and let Him know that you love Him. For He has made all things possible to you if you read the volume, if you absorb the book.
Verse 10: "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." No more of this morning and evening oblation — kill another lamb, kill another bullock, throw him on the fire. "Father, how do you like that?" He said, "I don't like it. I want your love." And that's how it shall be in the Millennium. The offerings will be the children's love to the Father, not burnt animals.
Verse 11: "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins." And they couldn't. Verse 12: "But this man" — that is to say, Christ Yeshua — "after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." And bless you, grab hold of that, because as long as He sits at the right hand of God, then when you ask Him to intervene, He certainly has God's attention if He so desires it. And there is the Godhead that is all in all and is in the volume of the book. Have you read it? If not, I feel sorry for you. Because to be free and to be free indeed, to be a free person is to be at home in your Father's house — I speak of a spiritual house, not a building — and to be part of that family in which you belong before you are, if you realize it, for one and all times, paid for all of them that are even committed today after repentance for us.
Let me ask you a question. I mean, a lot of people say, "Yes, salvation is free. All you have to do is —" and it's true to you. But it wasn't free to Him. There was an awesome price paid. Humiliation: to be marched when He was the Son of God, to be marched before, to be beat, to be whipped, to have thorns crammed into His head. And yet He never opened His mouth to complain. And yet some of you would say, "I'd like to study a little bit today, but what if He had said that?" I wonder if you're worth it. I wonder if I'm worth it. I pray that we are. For after repentance, He considers you first fruit. Boy, if that doesn't muster a little love out of you for Him, I don't know what would — that He would pay that price for you.
Okay, let's go to the next verse. Verse number 13: "From henceforth expecting" — or let's say "waiting" — "till his enemies be made his footstool." And they shall be. And He has some servants that are going to help out. That's what God's election is for — that that same Holy Spirit could speak through those servants, both sons and daughters, that the will of God would be known on this earth without beyond any shadow of a doubt. Stay with me.
Verse 14: "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Do you want to be perfect? Then repent. For we all sin and fall short. Perfect in the sight of God only. For unfortunately, as long as you're in the flesh and the hormones are buzzing through your little old system, I doubt very seriously that you'll stay perfect long. As long as the tummy says, "I want food" — eating foods God said not to eat, touching things God said not to touch — on and on it goes in this thing called life. Even Paul himself would say, "I always intend to do what's right, but it would seem I always do what's different." Sad, but thank God for repentance. Is that an excuse to sin? No way.
Verse 15: "Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us" — the word "ghost" is not in the manuscripts, that's why I choose to read it — "Spirit also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Verse 16: 'This is the covenant (contract) that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.'" And when the Holy Spirit touches you — which is what in biblical numeric the number 50 is — then you feel it. You feel that touch.
Verse 17: "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." That's the part you'd better be thankful for. Many people sin and they repent and they still hold themselves — they get on a guilt trip. Why? Why do you? God has forgotten it already. It's past His history. And do you know something? You better think real seriously: you keep bringing it up to Him after you've repented and asked Him to forgive you for it. What you're really saying is, "Father, that sin I repented of the other day, I don't think you can do it. I don't believe you can forgive me for it. So I want to repent again." Squash like a bug. It does not please Him for you to challenge His authority, His word. He said, "It's done. It's finished." What a thing to be thankful for, that we miserable sinners that we are can ask for that forgiveness and He blots it out. Blotting it out is a statement that doesn't just mean erasing it with a pencil. It means in the Greek that it never happened. Think about it. It is erased from minds.
Let's go to the book of Acts. Let's go to Pentecost day as it is recorded in the New Testament. Acts chapter 2. Let's just begin reading in the first when that day come. Now let's bring ourself up to speed here so that you understand: Christ was crucified. He appeared to the disciples 40 days later — on the 40th day (He appeared before that, but I'm bringing it up to the 40th day). And He told them, "Do not leave your peaceful habitation" — which is to say, "Your shalom. Don't leave Jerusalem until you receive that that I will send you, or that that you shall receive." What was it? Well, it would be 10 days later that as they prayed, or as they were in on that Pentecost day, the 50th day, that God blessed them.
Chapter 2, verse one. What happened on Pentecost day? "How do I make my church grow?" You teach what is written, not traditions of men or what men say happened on Pentecost day, but what the living word says happened on Pentecost day.
Chapter 2, the book of Acts, verse one, and it reads: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come" — that 50th day after the Passover on which the Lamb of God was crucified — "they were all with one accord in one place." They were celebrating that feast day, which is to say Passover. It was a very special day. It still is even to this time — not as special naturally as Passover, which is our Passover Lamb being Jesus Christ Himself, the highest day in Christianity: Passover, that place you go and He causes all sins to pass over and away from you.
Verse two: "And suddenly" — not gradually, suddenly — "there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind." What is the wind in the Hebrew tongue? Ruach. In the Greek, better — pneuma. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, which is the Holy Spirit. "And it filled all the house where they were sitting," engulfing them, surrounding them.
Verse three: "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." What was this? What does "cloven" mean? It means distributed. It means going out in more than one direction, all right, which simply means getting right down where the rubber meets the road — speaking in more than one language at the same time. It's important that you note that. Did man do it? No. The Holy Spirit will accomplish it.
Verse four: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues." This word "tongues" simply means languages. Don't make some thing out in boom-boom land out of it. It's language. That's what the word is in the Greek. They began to speak with other languages as the Spirit — as they wanted to? No. "As the Spirit gave them utterance." Wasn't them that were speaking. As it is written in Mark 13, on that day that the Antichrist appears, God's true Christians will be delivered up before the synagogue of Satan — as it is written in that Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21, as well as the book of John — that they will be delivered up to deliver a message. They will not premeditate what they will say, but the Holy Spirit will speak through them. Joel the prophet wrote all about it in the little minor prophet on what they would say, what they would be doing, what would be happening. In other words, God was speaking through these people.
Verse five: "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews" — this is which is to say the tribe of Judah — "devout men, out of every nation under heaven." What this is saying is, if you were to go in a 300-mile circle of Jerusalem, there's no telling how many languages you would encounter. And when they gathered in at a feast, there were people speaking many, many languages.
Verse six: "Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together" — when they heard this was happening, they rushed down to see what was going on — "and were confounded" — that means they were stunned — "because that every man" — how many? Every man — "heard them speak in his own language." Does it say "tongue" there? No. "Language." That's what the manuscripts say. Good job, boys that did the King James. Very good. Now, can you understand what we're reading here? What did it say? Did it say that they rushed down to the square and here are the apostles babbling in confusion? Uh-uh. No, it didn't say that at all. It said they were stunned. Why were they stunned? Because whether they spoke Greek, Roman, Hebrew, Chaldee, Chinese, Japanese — I'm going on beyond — whatever language: French, Spanish, Italian — that's why it was cloven. Every language in the world. Well, some are going to say, "Well, I didn't know a man could do that." Well, I got some news for you: a man can't. Nobody can fake that. Nobody. If you hear somebody speaking in tongues and if your native tongue is English and it doesn't come out as pure and clear English as you've ever heard, then they're faking it. All right? I'm not judging. I'm going by the word of God. All right? And I'm talking about Pentecost. You talk about the other times, a different time. I'm talking about what happened on Pentecost day. They weren't babbling. It wasn't unknown, nor does the scripture say it was unknown. Quite the contrary, it was known. That's what made it so magnificent — with the evidence that the presence of the Holy Spirit was there.
Verse seven: "And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?" Why are they speaking my language — Roman, the Roman tongue? Why are they speaking in Greek? Why are they speaking in Hebrew? They're out of Galilee, and they might have spoke any one of those languages there. But be that as it may.
Verse eight: "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" That means that in the county they were born in, they even spoke that brogue or dialect. Like if they were from the South, it came out "y'all." And if it came out as a Yankee up north, it was "howdy, partner" — all right, or something of that nature. And on it goes. I mean, they heard it in the same dialect of the very county you were born in, so that it sounded like home folk talking, because God through the Holy Spirit is your home folk. Never let some church or some man deceive you on these tongues. These are the tongues that give evidence that the Holy Spirit is present.
You want to know all the languages that were there? Let's just read real briefly here. Let's go with it.
Verse nine: "Parthians, and Medes" — that was Parthians were India; you got it. "Elamites" — which the word means eternity. "The dwellers of Mesopotamia" — the land that's the whole Turkish empire in between and beyond. "And in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia" — even onto the Orient.
Verse 10: "Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene" — we got Africa there — "and strangers of Rome" — the Roman tongue — "Jews and proselytes" — that would cover Kenites as well as the tribe of Judah and inhabitants of the land.
Verse 11: "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God." Do you want to know how to make your church grow? Then teach truth, and it will automatically grow because people are still hungry for the wonderful works of God, but they want it straight as God spoke it.
Verse 12: "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?" It would be very unusual if you have a man here from Turkey and you have another man here from the Orient, and they both hear him speaking in their local tongue at the same time. Only God through the Holy Spirit can accomplish that.
Verse 13: "Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine" — they're drunk. That's what they're trying to say. When you don't understand anything, that's a good way to go with it.
Verse 14: Now listen carefully. "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words." This is what made the church grow to 3,000 in one day.
Verse 15: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." It's only 9:00 in the morning, and we're not allowed to eat or drink until 12:00 noon. This is Pentecost day.
Verse 16: "But this is that" — now that's a figure of speech. Do you understand? "This is that" — you with companion Bibles have an entire appendix on it. "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel." Now, it's been made quite clear here that everybody heard very clearly and distinctly what was said. Peter's not going to tell you what was said, but if you go back to chapter two of Joel, he'll tell you what was said, because all of it was. That's what came out of their mouths on Pentecost day. Have you not read the volume in which He came? It's that simple. Think. Think for yourself. Don't let man deceive you.
Verse 17: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God" — when will this happen? In the last generation. That's this generation, my friend. The generation of the fig tree. Or have you read in the volume concerning the fig tree? "I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh" — how much of it? All flesh. "And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." Now, God doesn't know what He's doing here — women are not supposed to be — He doesn't know women are not supposed to be involved in the church? Well, a smart woman — a smart woman a lot of times wouldn't, with what some people call church. She would get into the word of God and with dignity would understand what the Father has in store for her. For women shall prophesy — that means teach, allowing the Holy Spirit to come through them. And young men — "your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." In other words, the Holy Spirit is going to speak through God's children when they are delivered up before the spurious Messiah and those that claim to be of Jesus Christ and have been deceived, as Christ Himself would teach in the 13th chapter of Mark: "Many people will come in my name, but they are deceivers." What does that mean? Many come in the name of Christians and claim to be Christians and to teach God's word. But I'm going to tell you from what I hear some of them teaching, it's foreign to this, which is the word of God. I'm not judging anyone. Hey, if the shoe fits, put it on, lace it up, snug it down, and wear it.
Verse 18: "And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy" — that's to say, both men and women, as it is written in Mark 13. Do you have a destiny? Have you ever read Mark 13? Well, you better get cracking and see that you do immediately after this lecture.
Verse 19: "And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke." I wonder what He means by that. Well, were you living when in 1980, I believe it was, when Mount St. Helens erupted and the Seattle Intelligencer just happened to have a reporter flying by, and they made front page — the face it was called — and that face of that prophet, a perfect face, appeared in that smoke and that fire? And it was Pentecost day. How many slept through it? Wake up. It's a lot later than some might think. That's only one little part of the smoke and fire of deception, of abuse, of wicked things that smoke from stench that happen with children killing children because they have no dignity. They have not been taught the word of God. It is as though civilization has dissipated and heathenism takes over the land. That's what it's talking about here. Wake up. Thank God for people of all nations, races, and creeds that understand the word of God and realize He's still in control and help their people. That's what you were put here for — was to help your own people.
Verse 20: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come." Oh, there he goes. He just read right in there — the moon's going to be turned to blood. Well, that really isn't what it says. Do you know what the word "adam" means? It's "to show blood in the face." What it really says is "adam" would be on the moon. I wonder how many of you have slept through that. How long ago was it that adam — to show blood in the face, blood was on the moon? And they made it off, too. I'm only saying this to prick your minds and cause you to think that for a linguist, things that might seem strange to others — if you'll stick to God's word, the manuscripts, they're not so strange. They are events, current events, that are happening in and to this generation. And many sleep on.
When does all this happen? This moon — blood on the moon, adam on the moon — before that great and notable day of the Lord come. It's coming, my friend.
Verse 21: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Now, my friend, do you live in a ghetto? Killings going on. Every person that calls on the name of the Lord and studies the volume shall be saved. There are better things if you take hold. There is a good life in Him. Or you can choose the way of the devil, which is heathenism, murder, theft, death. That is to say, he's a thief. He'll steal your birthright if you let him. But you are all children of the living God. And He paid an awesome price that you could say, "I will." Some of you have a destiny. You're going to be those sons and daughters that are delivered up in Mark 13 that have not been deceived by the traditions of men and one-verse Charlies, and will be ready to stand with the gospel armor on in place against the fiery darts of Satan, which are not battle arrows or darts but simply dark sayings and sentences from high places, meaning supernatural entities — because He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world, the prince of the air — Satan at that time after being removed from heaven (Revelation 12:7).
What an interesting time to live. Some people say it's a little boring being a Christian. Well, friend, you're not a Christian if it's boring to you, because it is so exciting, so vivacious, so invigorating to serve the living God in this generation that I would feel people would rush. 3,000 people joined the day Peter would continue with that message. You read it in Acts chapter 2 all the way up to the time that 3,000. Is your church dead? Well, then read, take the lesson: teach God's word instead of the traditions of men and babble which is contrary to the word of God, and your church will grow because our Father will bless it. So beautiful the story. So beautiful His story — which is to say history — the history of her people, all peoples everywhere, that we can gather to one Father that has love enough for everyone and more left over. The universe that He created is such a wonderful place. It's going to return even on earth to that condition because all the crud is going to be pushed off into nothingness — but blot it out — for those that do not understand the volume and allow themselves to become biblically illiterate, whereby they don't even recognize the voice of their own Father and will follow a false shepherd. How about you? How are you fixed, friend, for knowledge and truth? It's so simple that a child can understand the word of God if you will scrape away the traditions of men that make void the real truth. How could there be so much confusion about Pentecost day? I would say that every five-year-old — and many of them study with me — understood it quite clearly. How about you?
Okay, bless your hearts. You listen a moment, won't you please?
Dr. Pastor Arnold B. Murray
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**Announcer:** *Genesis 1-6* — the first six chapters in God's word. The world that was. Did you realize there was a world age before this one? Same old world, different age. The creation itself. When were the races created? You see, all the races were created separately, and you'll find that documented in these particular CDs. How and what was the sin in the garden? It will be discussed in this series also. This is a must for the serious Bible scholar, for if you do not understand how it was in the beginning, you certainly will never understand the end. I think you will find this series very rewarding and certainly will answer questions that no doubt you have always wondered about. *Genesis 1-6*. Hey, I know you're going to enjoy this series.
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**Pastor Murray:** God bless your hearts. There we are back again. Say, let's have the 800 number if we may. And that 800 number is 1-800-643-4645. That 800 number is good from Puerto Rico throughout the US, including Alaska. Hawaii — so good to hear from all of you in Hawaii, and we're glad we got such a strong signal and station there now. And also Alaska, all over the North Country, Canada. God bless you. Canadians, Ephraim and Manasseh — wow. God's prophecies of the end times do happen, do they not? We love you so much and it's always a pleasure hearing from you. But there is the number. If the spirit moves, you have a question, share it. Won't you do that? And again, please do not ask me to make a comment on any denomination or church. I love them. They're trying. And as a teacher, if there were any blame to be passed around, I would have to pass it off to those of my field, the field of teaching, because there are not enough teachers in the world, that men have slipped away from the truth. So therefore, I don't say anything against any church. I teach the word of God and let the chips fall where they may. And I hope that it pleases people. If it doesn't, it pleases God. And that's really all I'm concerned with. All right? So, and that is said in love, though it may not sound that way. It's said in love. I'm not out to win friends and influence people. I'm out to communicate God's word. And many people can't stand that. Well, tough. I will do nothing but teach God's word. I am not a beggar, nor will I try to be. I'm a servant of the living God, and He does real good for us. Thank you very much.
All right. Now, you that listen by shortwave around the world — hey, it's so good to hear from you always. Your announcer at the end of the hour, we'll give you our mailing address. Real glad to hear of the new groups that are starting teaching sessions from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, from Finland, Russia itself. So good. So wonderful. Our Father is moving throughout the world.
You got a prayer request? Hey, He hears you because you're His child. And do you know something? I don't care where you're at right now. I don't care how low you feel or how alone you might feel. You're not. He's with you. Talk to Him. Don't make prayer some — well, we have to get our robes on and we have to sprinkle a little here and sprinkle a little there and do this. No. Christ did away with all that junk. All right? And I don't say that to insult anybody, but He's our Father. He's very intelligent. Talk to Him. That is prayer. All right? Let Him know.
Father, around the world at this time, repentant, we come and we ask that You lead, guide, direct, touch, heal in Yeshua, Jesus' precious name. Amen. Amen.
Okay. Hey, let's get into some questions. I love you all. We're coming close to the end of the year. You've caused so much growth in this ministry that it's unbelievable. Really, it is. But then it's our Father's ministry. So what could we expect? All right. Thank Him. I just thank Him for it and for you.
Linda from California: "How do we know that God inspired the word of God or the Bible? Everyone I witnessed to asked me this question, saying, 'How do you know man didn't write it?'" Linda, it's real simple: man isn't that smart. Okay? He just isn't. Take Psalm 22 — Christ's words on the cross. "Eli, Eli" — where Christ would teach the 22nd Psalm while He was nailed to that cross. And do you know what the 22nd Psalm says? It says, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" He was quoting from David. And He went on to say, "My joints are pulled from socket. My hands and my feet are pierced, and they gamble for my clothing at my feet." Does that sound familiar? It should. The 22nd Psalm is what was happening. And He was teaching you that this word is accurate, exactly even down to what the fake priest, Roman-appointed, would the words that would come out of his mouth. Man could not do that. And the more you study the word, the more you see the proof that only our Father could move entire nations to align as they do at this moment in this generation.
Robin from Wisconsin: "Why is it that when a good question comes to you, you tell them to listen to a tape?" Well, Robin, for the simple reason: if someone asked me about, let's say, the creation of man — the sixth day creation and the eighth day creation — there's no way that can be answered adequately in a one- or two-liner. You have to hear the entire work gone into and go into the Hebrew, whereby He created Adam, but He rested a day, and on the eighth day He hadn't realized He had no man to till the garden — that's to farm it. What were the responsibilities and duties that He gave the others? He created them for that — didn't create them to till it. He created them as hunters and fishermen. And then He created in the Hebrew "ha-adam" which is a totally different word, in as much as the "hay" makes it that special Adam — not of importance, but one that could farm. All right. God thought a lot of farmers. He still does. Okay. And those that can work in the field — the field is the world. I'm speaking in a spiritual vein. But that's why I tell them — I don't beg or push tapes, but those tapes are made by this your teacher, and they go into much detail, and it is for their own benefit. Whether they do it or not, I don't care if they buy the tape or not. It's just simply advice that will help them. And as a teacher, that's what I'm supposed to do. Robin, that's why I do it.
Jean from Ohio: "Is there scripture that states you should rely on God instead of modern medicine? Is modern medicine wrong?" Well, if modern medicine were wrong, wonder why God would have picked Luke, who was a medical doctor, as one of the writers of one of the Gospels. You know, you would be surprised, Jean, how many medical doctors pray before they go into surgery. How many medical doctors pray over the sick in one way or another to themselves. It's just like I tell all of our school children: you pray at school all you want to. Just don't let them know you're doing it, because it doesn't mean anything to them anyway. It's only your Father you're talking to. You can pray all day long. No, you should. But concentrate on what you're doing. But anytime you want to talk to the Father mentally, He knows what's in your mind. Pray. Don't ever let some government or system or Supreme Court think for a moment that they have the power or authority to tell us what to think. Baloney. We pray all we want to. We think as we choose to think. And what I'm saying is, God touches the hand of the surgeon. If that's what it's come down to and it's necessary — I'll tell you one thing: if someone had a ruptured appendix, if they didn't go to the hand of the surgeon, they would be dead within 24 hours or 48 at the most. It's ignorance not to use that that God has provided. Unfortunately, you should also attend to the health food laws, because that's why we get sick and get ruptured appendix — we don't follow the health food laws. I may redo that tape sometime soon that's done on television called "God's Health, God's Way." But certainly Luke was a medical doctor, and his Greek is so precise because he uses medical terms, like when he says "there was a break," he calls it a laceration — you ever seen a laceration? Man, it is clean. Okay. He lets you know what kind, and like setting bones — he uses that at one time. I'm trying to think many times.
Okay. Rose from Ontario — that could almost make a song, couldn't it? Rose. The Rose of Ontario. What a beautiful name. Okay, dear. "What do you think about psychics who say they are religious and could tell your future? What is your opinion of this?" Well, I tell you what: God tells your future. It's all written right there in the volume of the book. Why would you want some nut to tell you? I get the biggest kick out of, you know, these so-called ads they have on television now, and right down in really, really tiny print right at the bottom: "I could change your life. I didn't know I was going to get a new home. And there she told me right on the telephone." $3.99 a minute. Why don't they say $4? $4 a minute to have somebody blow your whistle? I never heard of such a thing. You want me to tell you what I think about it? I can't say it on live television. I just can't do it. God won't let me tell you what I really think about them and their works. And God love them, they're trying. What some of them should do is get in the preaching field and join the revolving revs, you know, and they'd get more than $4 a minute that way.
Guy from — I don't know where Guy's from. "What became of those fallen angels after they impregnated the daughters of Adam? Where did they go? Did they remain on earth, die, or return to heaven?" No. Jude — read the book of Jude right before Revelation. The first six verses will tell you that their health and change. They returned. There was another influx after that. Your companion Bible has an appendix on it.
Peggy from Michigan: "Only the elect will walk before God in the Millennium. Where do I find that in the Bible?" Well, you will find it in Ezekiel chapter 44. Remember that Ezekiel 40 to the end of the book of Ezekiel is all about the Millennium. And in the 44th chapter, it says that it is Christ that you cannot approach, with the exception there it will say "the priests of the Zadok." The Zadok is a Hebrew word that means "the just," which is the elect. You'll find it there.
Carol from Minnesota: "If someone is on drugs for 10 years, when do you just give them up to prayer and quit trying to help them when they say they will stop over and over but never have?" The Bible states in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 10: "If somebody won't work, they shouldn't eat." And I know someone couldn't be that bad and really work. Don't help them. You're adding to their habit. Let God — I can't give advice on every personal thing, but you got to realize: before someone that is addicted to something can be helped, they must want to help themselves. And sometimes they have to get down pretty low. And sometimes when you help them, all you do is help their habit.
Okay, enough said. Out of time. Just flies by. Love you all a whole big bunch because you enjoy studying our Father's word more in depth. You want to know what Father says, not man. We're brought to you by your tithes and offerings. If we've helped you, help us keep coming to you. But most important, this: stay in His word every day. And it's a good day. Do you know why? Yeshua, Messiah, Jesus is the living word.
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**Announcer:** Hearing God's word with understanding will change your life. We hope you have enjoyed studying God's word here on the Shepherd's Chapel Family Bible Study Hour with Pastor Arnold Murray. If you would like to receive more information concerning Shepherd's Chapel, you may request our free introductory offer. Our introductory offer contains the Mark of the Beast audio tape, our monthly newsletter with a written Bible study, a tape catalog, and a list of written reference works available through Shepherd's Chapel. To request our free introductory offer by telephone, call 800-643-4645, 24 hours a day. You may also request our introductory offer by writing to Shepherd's Chapel, Post Office Box 416, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. Once again, that's Shepherd's Chapel, Post Office Box 416, Gravette, Arkansas 72736. We invite you to join us for the next in-depth Bible study each weekday at the same time. Thank you for watching today's program, and God bless you.
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