“1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell youthatwhich shall befall you in thelast days.2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.3 Reuben, thouartmy first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thouit: he went up to my couch.5 Simeon and Leviarebrethren; instruments of crueltyare intheir habitations.6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.7 Cursedbetheir anger, foritwasfierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.8 Judah, thouart hewhom thy brethren shall praise: thy handshallbe in the neck of thine enemies: thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.9 Judahisa lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto himshallthe gathering of the people be”.

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GENESIS 49

“…Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days”.

Keyword: last #319-the last or end, future.

In this chapter of the Bible, God, reveals the future for us, because Israel’s sons would not be living at the end of time or the “last days”.

Ga. 4:28,29

28 “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise”.

29 “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”.

As Isaac was the “child of promise”, so those that believe in Jesus (Christians) are the “children of promise”. They are (Israelites), and they are “Abraham’s seed” and heirs of the promises of God

See Rom.9:4-8

So, the “children of Israel” represent “the Church”, meaning all Christian denominations.

“Israel” represents Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, etc.

1Cor.10:11 “Now all these things happened unto them (children of Israel) for ensamples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come”.

Strong’s Concordance gives the meaning for ensample from the Greek as: a model for warning, a type, a figure

#5179 tupos (from #5180 tupto)

#5180 tupto repeated blows

Thus, the characteristics of the “children of Israel” and events that happened to them, represent models of things to be repeated and spiritual events to happen to the Church in the “last days”.

Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.

Keyword: firstborn. The term “firstborn” had a dual meaning:

1. To be the oldest son or son born first. Num 1:20

2. To be the one upon whom the blessings of God were especially given. Gen 48:18-20

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In this prophecy of last day events, “Reuben” represents a part of the “Church” that dates back to the beginning of the history of the church in chronological time.

“Reuben” also represents a part of the “Church” that would receive great blessings from God and because of these blessings would excel in strength and power.

The Bible, in the New Testament, tells us that in the beginning the Christian Church was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as it went to all the world.

Act 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me… unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

In its beginning and in its purity, the Church was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

But soon, a change would take place in the Church!

Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.

Thus, the Bible predicted that the Church would become “unstable as water” and would “not excel”.

Rev. 17:15 tells us that “water” represents people. “…the waters which thou sawest,… are peoples…”

As people began to put their ideas instead of God’s ideas into the Church, it began to CHANGE!

InGen. 49:4the Bible predicts that the Church would fall from power (“not excel”) and gives the reason why!

“…thou shaltnotexcel;becausethou wentest up tothy father’sbed; thendefiledstthou it…”

The Father’splace ofrestwould be defiled by the Church!!!

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The Spiritual “Bed” of the Bible

God (the father) has a “Bed”: or (place or “Rest”):

Isa. 66:1 “Thus saith the Lord… where is the place of my rest”?

Luke 11:7 “… my children are with me in bed;…”

In a spiritual marriage “relationship”:

A (spiritual) “BED” plays an important role:

A (spiritual) “BED” provides: a place of (spiritual) Rest

A (spiritual) “BED” provides: a place of (spiritual) Relationship

God’s “BED” or the “Father’s place of Rest:

Ex. 31:15 “Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord…”

God’s “BED” or the “Father’s place of Relationship”:

Ex. 31:16-17 “… keep the Sabbath… for a perpetual covenant it is a sign between me and Israel forever”.

So the Bible has predicted that the Father’s place of “rest” or God’s “BED” (which is the 7^th day Sabbath), would be “defiled” or CHANGED by PEOPLE in the Church!!!

Gen 49 :4 “… thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it…”

Now, lets see what God thinks about that CHANGE.

1Chr 5:1 “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright”.

The birthright blessing of God was REMOVED from the CHURCH when it CHANGED or defiled the SABBATH and it was GIVEN to another part of the CHURCH that would come later represented by “Joseph”.

Thus, the Bible has predicted: the “defiling” or changing of God’s 7^th day Sabbath by the Christian Church and that God’s birthright blessing would be removed from the Church that made the change.

History clearly tells us that the Roman Catholic Church has “defiled” the Sabbath of the Lord by changing the day of worship from: the 7^th day (Saturday) to the 1^st day (Sunday).

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THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC QUARTERLY REVIEW.

Volume VIII

From January to October 1883

The Observance of Sunday and Civil Laws

for its enforcement.139

“The Sunday, as a day of the week set apart for the obligatory public worship of Almighty God; to be sanctified by a suspension of all servile labor, trade and worldly avocations and by exercises of devotion, is purely a creation of the Catholic Church.

Strange as it may seem, the State, in passing laws for the due sanctification of Sunday, is unwittingly acknowledging the authority of the Catholic Church, and carrying out more or less faithfully its prescriptions.

The Sunday laws are in their origin a part of the Catholic system enforced by the state when Europe was Catholic. The day and the regulations have no logical basis except the authority of the Catholic Church.

In the primitive days of fervor and piety all days were so consecrated by exercises of devotion that no special command for the sanctification of the first day is traced.

This became gradually obligatory, although the command was not at first peremptory. The Council of Laodicea, in 364 A.D defines: “That Christians must not Judaize and refrain from manual labor on Saturday but work on that day; and that, preferring the Lord’s day they must then rest, if this can be done, as becomes Christians”. The Church thus began by calling her children to sanctify the first day of the week.

Constantine lent the power of the state to enforce the regulations of the Church, and the civil law began to enforce the spiritual decrees. He commanded the Lord’s day to be observed by all as a festival and day of rest.

The ancient laws of all Europeans states contain statutes enforcing these decrees of the Church”.

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Gen 49:4 “…thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed then defiledst thou it:…”

The Hebrew word used for “defiledst” in the above Bible verse is unique. This is the only place in the entire Bible that this word is used!!

Keyword: defiledst

Strong #2490 -to profane (a person, place, or thing)

The “BED” was profaned (treated with irreverence, made common or unholy, desecrated and polluted, put to an unworthy use, made secular as opposed to sacred)

(Note: All meanings for the word profane taken from Funk and Wagnalls New Practical Standard Dictionary)

Remember that the “BED” represents

The Father’s place of rest God’s 7^th day Sabbath

The False Church has a “BED” or (place of rest)

Rev.2:2 “… thou sufferest that woman Jezebel… to teach and seduce my servants…”

Rev.2:22,23 “Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation…”

The False Church wants us to :

“Remember” her Bed (place of rest) (1^st day Sunday)

Isa.57:8 “Behind the doors and posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed and made a covenant with them; thou lovest their bed where thou sawest it”.

Our Creator God wants us to :

“Remember” His Bed (place of rest) (7^th day Sabbath)

The 4^th Commandment:

Ex.20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: … For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it”.

(The seventh day is Saturday not Sunday)

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GENESIS 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united:

Keyword: Levi

Deut 21:5 “And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the Lord thy God hath chosen to minister unto him…”

Levi represents the Priests and Ministers.

Keyword: Levi (Strongs #3878-attached, 3867-to unite)

Keyword: Simeon (Strongs #8095-hearing)

(Thus, the meaning of the names of the brothers implies that they will “listen or hear each other and then unite together”)

Keyword: brethren

Gen.42:32 “We be twelve brethren, sons of our father…”

Thess.5:27 “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren”.

(The Bible shows that the word “brethren” can refer to those who are brothers physically or brothers spiritually, in the Church.

The Bible predicts that in the last days the priests and ministers will unite in a spiritual brotherhood.

GENESIS 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

Keyword: instruments (of cruelty) in their habitations

Strongs #3627-something prepared, as a weapon

#3615-to end, to perish

Keyword: cruelty

Strongs #2555-violence

(So, the Bible predicts that in the last days the priests and ministers will unite in a spiritual brotherhood and then the Church will use force and cruelty (persecution).

Now, again the Bible is warning us that there will be a uniting of the religious leaders and that they will become so angry with some people that they will cause them to be killed.

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GENESIS 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

Keyword: selfwill

Strongs#7522-own will, self will, own pleasure

Keyword: digged

Strongs#6131-pluck up, dig down, exterminate

Keyword: wall

Strongs#7792-wall

The Bible also warns us that the priests and ministers will attempt to “dig down a wall” or will attempt to “exterminate” or do away with a “wall”

Since it doesn’t make literal sense for them to tear down a physical wall, then the Bible must be describing a spiritual “wall“. We will have to let the Bible tell us what the spiritual wall represents as we compare Scripture.

Keyword: wall

Lam.2:18 “..O wall of the daughter of zion… let not the apple of thine eye cease”.

Prov.7:2 “Keep… my law as the apple of thine eye”.

Wall = Apple = Law

(10 Commandments)

GENESIS 49:6 … in their selfwill they digged down a wall.

Now we know what that spiritual “wall” is that the religious leaders are predicted to attempt to “dig down” or “do away with”!!

They will try to “do away with God’s Law”!!

(Note: When the Church changed the day of worship from the 7^th day to the 1^st day they were in reality “doing away with God’s Law” because they were CHANGING the 4^th commandment which was given by God Himself!!!)

The 4^th Commandment:

Ex.20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God”.

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GENESIS 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

Keyword: divide Strongs #2505-separate

Keyword: scatter Strongs #6327-break in pieces

(Note: before a “uniting” there must be a “division”)

Thus, the Bible predicted the division in the Church which took place between Catholics and Protestants.

GENESIS 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies: thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.

Keyword: Judah Strongs #3063-celebrated

Keyword: brethren Strongs #251-brother (physical or spiritual)

Keyword: praise Strongs #3034-hold out the hand, to revere or worship

Keyword: bow Strongs #7812-prostrate in homage, bow down, worship

(Thus, the Bible predicts that in the last days a part of the Church will arise that will “rule over” the rest of the Church or “other brothers” and it will have the characteristics of “Judah”).

1Chr.5:1 “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn) but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright”.

1Chr.5:2 “For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler, but the birthright was Joseph’s”.

The above Bible texts parallels the experience of Reuben and Judah. Reuben excelled above all, and Judah is the chief ruler. “Reuben” lost the birthright blessing of God, and “Judah” will not have the birthright blessing of God even though this power will become the “chief ruler” in the Church!!!

(Thus, there is a relationship between “Reuben” and “Judah”)

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Let us discover the “relationship” between the early part of the Church represented by “Reuben” and a later part of the Church represented by “Judah”.

Keyword: Judah

Hos.1:11 “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together and appoint themselves one head…”

1Chr.5:5 “For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler, but the birthright was Joseph’s”.

Isa.9:8 “The Lord sent a word unto Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel”.

Isa.9:15 “The ancient and honorable, he is the head: and the prophet that teachth lies, he is the tail”.

The above texts make it clear that the Bible predicts the “gathering together” or “uniting” of the Church or “brothers”. It also predicts that “Judah” will be proclaimed as the “head” or leader of this united group. The Bible also tells us that the leader or “head” or this united group is “the ancient and honorable” or an old power. The “ancient” part of the Church can only be represented by “Reuben” the “beginning” or first part of the Church.

Thus, the Bible says that:

The “head” is “Judah” (appointed by the “gathering”)

The “head” is “Ruben” (the ancient and honorable)

Here again we see a relationship between Judah and Reuben.

Judah = “head” = Reuben

We know “Reuben” represents the Catholic part of the Church (lost the birthright-changed the Sabbath) and if Judah=Reuben then the Bible is telling us that “Judah” also represents the Catholic part of the Church and the “other brothers” Protestants.

Thus, the Bible is predicting that in the last days the Catholic part of the Church (Judah) will unite together with the Protestant part of the Church (Israel).

Furthermore, the Bible has predicted that the “head” or leader of this united Church group will be Catholic (Judah).

Gen.49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies: thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.

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Gen.49:9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?

The Bible describes “Judah” as the “whelp” of an old lion.

Keyword: whelp Strongs #1482-cub of a lion. Young one

Ezk.19:2 “And say, what is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among lions”.

Thus, the Bible is showing us a second time that there is a relationship between “Judah” and an older power.

(Judah is the cub of an older lioness)

(Judah is the child of an older mother)

We know that the “mother” or older Church power is represented by “Reuben” or the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages. The “child” of that Church would be the Modern Catholic Church.

(“Judah” is the Modern Catholic Church (child) related to the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages (mother church) - “Reuben”).

Gen.49:4 ...thou wentest up to thy father’s bed;… he went up to my couch.

Gen.49:9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion: who shall rouse him up?

Keyword: couched Strongs #7257-lie down, make to rest

“… he (Judah) couched as a lion. And as an old lion…”

Thus, the Bible is predicting that the Church represented by Judah (Modern Catholic) will “rest” and “make to rest” just like the “old lion” (Catholic Church of the Middle Ages).

As we have seen, in the 1883 American Catholic Quarterly, the Catholic Church of the Middle Ages “rested” on Sunday and passed laws to “make others rest” on that same day!

Now, the Bible is warning us that the Modern Catholic Church will do the same thing!!! It will “rest and make to rest” just like the “old lion” (Catholic Church of the Middle Ages).

Thus, the Bible is warning us that we can expect laws to be passed in the future which will require us to worship on Sunday.

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Gen.49:9 … who shall rouse him up?

Keyword: rouse Strongs #6965-to rise, to rouse up

The Bible implies: that no one will be able to “remove him from his place of rest”.

(No one will be able to “change the mind of the Catholic Church (Judah) about resting on Sunday”)

Gen.49:10 “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”

Keyword: sceptre Strongs #7626-a stick or staff or rod for ruling

Isa.14:5 “The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers”.

The Bible associates the “sceptre” with rulership.

Keyword: lawgiver

Strongs #2710-to engrave. Enact laws (cut in stone), decree

Deut.33:21 “… in a portion of the lawgiver was he seated; and … he executed the justice of the LORD…”

The Bible associates the “lawgiver” with civil government.

Keyword: feet Strongs #7676-foot, a step

Heb.2:8 “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet…”

1Cor.15:25 “…till he hath put all enemies under his feet”.

The Bible associates the “feet” with having control of others.

Keyword: Shiloh

Strongs #7686-tranquil, an epithet of the Messiah

The Bible uses the word “Shiloh” to represent Jesus.

As a lion keeps its prey “between his feet” in order to control it, the Bible predicts that in the last days the Catholic Church (Judah) will have control of the Civil Government (lawgiver) and will rule like a king (scepter) and continue until Jesus comes.

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SUMMARY OF LAST DAY EVENTS

We have discovered, that God in His wisdom, has outlined in the book of Genesis, the following events to take place in the Church in the Last Days!

In its beginning and in its purity, the Church was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and in strength went to all the World with the Gospel!

Then, people began to put their ideas instead of Gods’ ideas into the Church, and it began to CHANGE.

The Fathers’ place of “rest” (the SABBATH), was “defiled” or CHANGED by PEOPLE in the Church, and Sunday (the 1^st day) replaced Saturday (the 7^th day).

History tells us that it was during the rule of the Roman Catholic Church, in the Middles Ages, that this change took place.

But God did not approve of the change and He removed the birthright blessing from the Church when it made the change!! He gave His birthright blessing to another part of the Church that would come later that would have the characteristics of “Joseph”.

The Church began to use force and cruelty and it persecuted people that disagreed with it.

The Church became divided and split into two parts. Part of the Church remained Catholic and the other part of the Church became Protestants.

Now the Bible has warned us that there will be a re-uniting of the religious leaders.

The Bible has predicted that in the last days the Catholic part of the Church will unite together with the Protestant part of the Church. Furthermore, the Bible has predicted that the “head” or leader of this united Church group will be Catholic.

But, the Bible warns us that just as before, when the Church was “united” there was persecution, there will be persecution again!!!

The Bible tells us that the Church leaders, will attempt to make people do “their will” instead of “God’s will” and they will become so angry at some people that they will put them to death!!

The Bible has warned us that the Catholic Church will have great power. It tells us that it will not only have great Religious Power, as the Head of all the Churches, but it will also have great Civil Power over the Government!!!

The Church will attempt to “do away with” (dig down a wall) the Commandment of God that specifies which day to worship Him on. The Bible predicts that the Catholic Church will “rest” on the same day it established during the Middle Ages (Sunday) and that it will attempt to “make others rest” on that same day by passing Civil Laws!! It also says that it will remain in power until Jesus comes!

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“JOSEPH”

Now, lets see what the Bible says about part of the Church represented by “Joseph” that was to receive God’s birthright blessing in the last days!

1Chr.5:1 “Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn) but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright”.

Thus, the birthright blessing of God was REMOVED from the CHURCH when it CHANGED or defiled the SABBATH and it was GIVEN to another part of the CHURCH that would come later represented by “Joseph”.

Why did God give the “birthright blessing” to “Joseph”?

Logically, if the “problem” with the Church was that it was not keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, but rather keeping a “man made Sabbath” then God would look for a part of the Church that was keeping His Sabbath Holy and give that part of the Church His Blessing!!!

Lets continue comparing Scripture and see if our reasoning is correct.

GEN.49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel). 25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breast, and of the womb. 26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

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Last Day Events (cont.)

GEN.49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.

Keyword: bough Strongs #1121-branch, son

Keyword: branches Strongs #1121- branch, son

(Thus, “bough” and “branches” is the same Hebrew word)

What does the Bible say a “branch” represents?

John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches…”

(So, a “branch” represents a person)

What does a “fruitful branch” represent?

John 15:4 “A bide in me, and I in you”.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me.

John 15:5 “…He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…”

(So, a “fruitful branch” represents a person who has a close relationship with Jesus).

So far we have learned that “Joseph” represents a Church in the last days filled with people who “have a close relationship with Jesus!!!``

Gen.49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.

What does the Bible say a “well” represents?

2Peter2:1,17 “…there shall be false teachers among you… these are wells without water…”

(So, a “well without water” is a false teacher)

Prov.10:11 “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life”.

(So, a “well” with water” is a truthful teacher).

Does the “well” in Gen.49:22 have water in it? Yes, because the branches are fruitful they must be receiving water.

Thus, we have learned that “Joseph” represents a Church in the last days that is filled with people who “teach the truth”!

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Gen.49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.

What does the “wall” represent?

Lam.2:18 …O wall of the daughter of zion… let not the apple of thine eye cease.

Prov.7:2 Keep… my law as the apple of thine eye.

wall = apple = law

WALL = LAW

all = apple

law = apple

(So, the “wall” represents God’s law of 10 Commandments)

What does the Bible say a “branch” represents?

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches…

(So, a “branch” represents a person).

Thus, we have learned that “Joseph” represents a Church in the last days that is filled with people who “stick close” to the ”law” of God like the branch of a vine sticks close to a wall!!

Now, we see why God has given the “birthright blessing” to the Church represented by “Joseph”. It is because it keeps all of the Law of 10 Commandments, which includes the 4^th Commandment which says to keep the 7^th day Sabbath of the Lord Holy!!

Gen49:23,24 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him. But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).

An “archer” is someone that handles a “bow” and shoots an “arrow”.

What does a “bow” represent?

Hab.3:9 …Thy bow was made quite naked… even thy word.

(So, the “bow” represents the Bible or God’s Word)

What does the “arrow” represent?

Jer.9:8 …Their tongue is as an arrow; it speaketh…

Psm.64:3 … shoot their arrows even bitter words.

(So, an “arrow” represents a message or spoken words)

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What does an “archer” represent?

Someone who takes a “bow” and shoots an “arrow”.

Someone who takes the Bible and speaks a message.

(So, an “archer” represents a Minister who takes the Bible and speaks a message)

Gen.49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:…

Thus, we have learned that “Joseph” represents a Church in the last days that will “not be popular” with the other “brothers” or Ministers, who will say unkind and hateful things about the Church that has God’s “birthright blessing”.

GEN.49:23,24 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel).

Thus, the Bible predicts a “bow” battle or Bible Battle between the Ministers of the other churches and the Ministers of the Church represented by “Joseph”. The above text makes it clear that God is on the side of the Church represented by “Joseph” and He will “strengthen the hands” of its Ministers so that they will win the Bible Battle for truth!!

GEN.49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breast, and of the womb.

The above text makes it clear that in the last days the Church represented by “Joseph” will receive great blessings from God!!!

Since the Bible is specific concerning the blessings received, we need to study each specific blessing.

The specific blessings upon God’s last day Church (“Joseph”)are:

Blessings of heaven above

Blessings of the deep that lieth under

Blessings of the breasts

Blessings of the womb

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In order to understand what God is saying we will first look at the Physical meaning and then we will look at the Spiritual meaning of the blessings.

Blessings of heaven above:

The physical rain that falls upon the earth.

The spiritual rain that falls upon the earth.

(Holy Spirit- latter rain) Hosea 6:3 Joel 2:28

Blessings of the deep that lieth under:

The harvest of physical fish that comes from physical water.

The harvest of spiritual fish that comes from spiritual water.

(converted Christians) (people)

Hab.1:14 Rev.17:15 Matt.4:18,19

Blessings of the breasts:

The physical milk that provides physical food for physical babies.

The spiritual milk that provides spiritual food for spiritual babies.

(the Word of God-Bible) (new born Christians)

Heb.5:12 Isa.28:9 1Peter 2:2 1Peter 1:23

Blessings of the womb:

The ability to give physical birth and produce a physical baby.

The ability to give spiritual birth and produce a spiritual baby.

(to bring a person to conversion) (a new convert)

Galatians 4:19 1Peter 2:2 Hebrews 5:13

Thus, God will bless His last day Church with the Holy Spirit and a Great Harvest of Converted People who understand the Bible.

GEN.49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

Keyword: progenitors

Strongs # 2029-to conceive, to be with child

Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary-a forefather or parent

Keyword: head

Dan.2:28,29 “…thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed… came into thy mind upon thy bed”,

(so, “head” represents the mind)`

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Keyword: crown

Strongs # 6936-top of the head, (as the part most bowed)

2 Sam.14:25 “…from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head”.

(So, the “crown” represents the top or highest part.)

Keyword: crown

2 Sam.12:30 “And he took their king’s crown from off his head”.

(So, the “crown” represents authority or the highest power)

Keyword: separate

Strongs # 5139-separate, set apart, consecrated (as a prince)

Strongs # 5144-to abstain (from food and drink, from impurity)

(So, “separate” means not only to be physically separated, but to also be spiritually “set apart” or consecrated, which includes separating one’s self from all impurities including impure food or drink).

Keyword: progenitors a forefather or parent

Keyword: head represents the mind

Keyword: crown represents the top or highest part

Keyword: crown represents authority or the highest power

Keyword: separate physical and spiritual setting apart from impurity

Thus, the blessings of God upon the last day Church will be even greater than upon the Early Church (forefathers). He will bless the minds (head) of the Church members (Joseph) and He will bless the Leaders (crown) of the Church. God’s last day Church will separate itself from all impurities, including impure food or impure drink and will be consecrated to God.

Before we list the Identifying Characteristics of God’s Last Day Church we need to look at two other important Identifying Characteristics found in the story of Joseph:

Gen.37:3,4 “Now Israel loved Joseph… and he made him a coat of many colours… when his brethren saw… they hated him”.

(So, Joseph was given a special garment by his father (by God)).

(Note: “Clothing” represents the character or life of a person)

Gen.37:5-8 “… Joseph dreamed a dream… and they hated him…”

(So, Joseph was given the gift of “visions” or prophecy by God).

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SUMMARY OF IDENTIFYING

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S LAST DAY CHURCH

1. The Church will consist of:

people who have a close relationship with Jesus

2. They will be teachers of truth.

3. They will keep all of the 10 Commandments.

4. They will base all their beliefs on the Bible.

5. They will not be popular with the ministers of other churches who cannot defend all their beliefs from the Bible, and who will say hateful things about the Church.

6. They will receive Special Blessings from God:

They will have the gift of the Holy Spirit

They will be able to Understand the Bible

They will be able to show God’s love and bring people to Conversion

They will reap a Great Harvest of Converted Souls

7. God will bless the minds of the people and He will bless the Leaders of the Church.

8. The blessings of the Last Day Church will be greater than the blessings received by the Early Church

9. The Church will have the Gift of Visions or Prophecy.

10. The people of the Church will be developing Characters that will be like Jesus, but they will not be spoken of kindly by the ministers of the other churches.

11. The people of the Church will be Consecrated to God and they will separate themselves from all impurities including impure food or impure drink.

12. The Church will not Unite with the other churches who will make the Catholic Church the head.

13. The Church will resist the laws that will be made to force people to worship on Sunday.

14. The Church will suffer persecution and some people will even lose their lives as they choose to obey God and refuse to obey the civil laws enforcing Sunday worship.

15. The Church will have the Birthright Blessing of God because it keeps the Seventh day Sabbath.

16. The people of the Church will be looking for the Second Coming or Advent of Jesus, to save them.

CONCLUSION:

If we can find a Church in the Last Days, with the above Identifying Characteristics that God has given us in His Word, then we will have discovered God’s Last Day Church that has His Birthright Blessing!!!

May God help each of us to find that Church.

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