Good morning, 

Are we in the end times? Most Christians who read their Bibles would say, yes. Yet, if you were asked to prove it from the Bible, could you? 

This week we will look at Bible passages that confirm we are in the end times. 

TESTS OF THE END TIMES 

Ezekiel 37:21 Return of Israel to their homeland 

“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:” 

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:25-26) 

The tribulation has Israel back in their own land. God then deals with Israel, sending 144,000 Jewish evangelists to witness to Israel. Many get saved.  

 Ezekiel 38-39 Russia, Iran, Turkey coalition 

“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:⁶ Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.” 

Rosh = Russia 

Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan 

Persia = Iran 

Cush = Sudan 

Put = Libya 

Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey 

According to Ezekiel 38 that Israel will be at peace when this coalition attacks. Israel is not at peace at this time. So, the war of Ezekiel 38-39 may not happen till the tribulation.  

However, the alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey has taken place.  

Things are coming together. The end times are here. You need to know what the Bible says.  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Are we in the end times? Most Christians who read their Bibles would say, yes. Yet, if you were asked to prove it from the Bible, could you? 

This week we will look at Bible passages that confirm we are in the end times. 

TESTS OF THE END TIMES 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 Perilous times  

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,⁴ Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 

We do not have to go any further. The characteristics listed above are in play right now. Over my lifetime, these have grown worse and worse. Observe the most current crop of young people. Many of them exbibit these qualities of life.   

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Apostacy 

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 

Many churches across America are closing. Many have lost significant numbers because of COVID-19. The number of young people who attend church has fallen dramatically.   

2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 Lawlessness 

“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?⁶ And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.⁷ For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” 

Crime is up. Levels of crime, murders, arson, and rape, are all rampant in our cities. In some cities crimes are not even prosecuted.  

These are just the beginning of sorrows. “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:8) 

Believers in Christ should be living in the exact opposite way. We should be loving, law abiding, and ready to tell others about Jesus. 

Are we? 

2 Peter 3:1-7 Scoffers will come 

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:² That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:³ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,⁴ And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.⁵ For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 

The Bible has many prophetic references to the coming of Christ. 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) 

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:5-7) 

Psalm 2:1-3 Assemble one world government 

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,³ Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” 

Many nations oppose God and are trying to form a government that will rule the whole world. It will finally happen during the tribulation period, under the Antichrist. 

Genesis 11:1-9 First attempt at one world government 

“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.³ And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.⁴ And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.⁵ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. ⁶ And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.⁷ Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.⁸ So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.⁹ Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” 

When we see these things happening, what should we do? “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28) 

Ezekiel 37:21 Return of Israel to their homeland 

“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:” 

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.” (Ezekiel 28:25-26) 

The tribulation has Israel back in their own land. God then deals with Israel, sending 144,000 Jewish evangelists to witness to Israel. Many get saved. 

Ezekiel 38-39 Russia, Iran, Turkey coalition 

“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:⁶ Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.” 

Rosh = Russia 

Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan 

Persia = Iran 

Cush = Sudan 

Put = Libya 

Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey 

According to Ezekiel 38 that Israel will be at peace when this coalition attacks. Israel is not at peace at this time. So, the war of Ezekiel 38-39 may not happen till the tribulation.  

However, the alliance between Russia, Iran, and Turkey has taken place.  

Things are coming together. The end times are here. You need to know what the Bible says. 

What happens next? 

We are in the end times. The next event on God’s prophetic calendar is the rapture. First Thessalonians 4:16-18 says: 

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”  

First Corinthians 15:51-52 says: 

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 

Are you ready? Have you trusted Christ to be your Savior and Lord?  

John 3:16-18 tells us what God did, what we must do, and the consequences of our decision. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 

Believe on Jesus right now. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Are we in the end times? Most Christians who read their Bibles would say, yes. Yet, if you were asked to prove it from the Bible, could you? 

This week we will look at Bible passages that confirm we are in the end times. 

TESTS OF THE END TIMES 

2 Peter 3:1-7 Scoffers will come 

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:² That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:³ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,⁴ And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.⁵ For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 

The Bible has many prophetic references to the coming of Christ.

“ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:5-7)

Psalm 2:1-3 Assemble one world government 

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?² The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,³ Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” 

Many nations oppose God and are trying to form a government that will rule the whole world. It will finally happen during the tribulation period, under the Antichrist.

Genesis 11:1-9 First attempt at one world government 

“And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.³ And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.⁴ And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.⁵ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. ⁶ And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.⁷ Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.⁸ So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.⁹ Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” 

When we see these things happening, what should we do? “ And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

Are we in the end times? Most Christians who read their Bibles would say, yes. Yet, if you were asked to prove it from the Bible, could you? 

This week we will look at Bible passages that confirm we are in the end times. 

TESTS OF THE END TIMES 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 Perilous times  

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,⁴ Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 

We do not have to go any further. The characteristics listed above are in play right now. Over my lifetime, these have grown worse and worse. Observe the most current crop of young people. Many of them exbibit these qualities of life.

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Apostacy 

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 

Many church’s across America are closing. Many have lost significant numbers because of COVID-19. The number of young people who attend church has fallen dramatically.

2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 Lawlessness 

“Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?⁶ And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.⁷ For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” 

Crime is up. Levels of crime, murders, arson, and rape, are all rampant in our cities. In some cities the crimes are not even prosecuted.

These are just the beginning of sorrows. “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:8)

Believers in Christ should be living in the exact opposite way. We should be loving, law abiding, and ready to tell others about Jesus?

Are we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

Our Heaven, our glory, and our portion! 

(James Smith, “The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior’s Grace Displayed!”) 

Play Audio!  Download Audio 

“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23 

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am!” John 14:3 

We shall be forever with Christ! 

Now, we have to mourn His absence. Now we exclaim, “O that I knew where I could find Him!” But He has provided something better for us–even to dwell forever in His presence, which will constitute our Heaven, our glory, and our portion! 

O with what rapture shall we fix and feast our eyes upon Him, and how will the thought that we are to be forever with Him, thrill through our souls, and open ten thousand gushing streams of unutterable delight and joy! O with what joy shall we hear Him say, “Come, you who are blessed of my Father!” 

The presence of Jesus will . . . 
  dissipate all gloom, 
  disperse all slavish fears, 
  chase away all darkness, 
  free from all pain, 
  deliver from all sorrow, 
  preserve from all sickness, 
  raise us above all temptations, and 
  fill us with unspeakably glorious joy. 

Here on earth, we may be cast down, for the way is rough and our trials are many. Here we may mourn the absence of our God, but the love of Jesus will soon rescue us, and we shall be received into His presence to abide forever! 

To be with Christ, to be with Christ forever–this comprises all that we now desire, and all that we can wish! 

“And so we will be with the Lord forever!” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 9-10, Jews prevail and Purim initiated.

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated.  It has been celebrated from that time till today.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-4)

God avenges the enemies of the Jews.

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)

Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.

So the story has a happy ending.

God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today is provided the Scriptural text of chapters 7-10, with chapter headings.

ESTHER 7-10

So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified. (7:10)

Chapter 7

Second Banquet (7:1-2)

So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.² And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.

Esther’s Request (7:3-4)

³ Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:⁴ For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.

The King Asks “Who is he…”  and Esther’s Reply (7:5-6)

⁵ Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?⁶ And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

Haman’s Request to Queen Esther (7:7)

⁷ And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.

Haman Sentenced to Die on the Gallows Built for Mordecai (7:8-10)

⁸ Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.⁹ And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.¹⁰ So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.

Chapter 8

House of Haman to Esther, Mordecai takes Haman’s Position (8:1-2)

On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.² And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Esther’s Request to the King (8:3-6)

³ And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.⁴ Then the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, ⁵ And said, If it please the king, and if I have favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king’s provinces:⁶ For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

Kings Response (8:7-8)

⁷ Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. ⁸ Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

New Letter Written and Sent (8:9-14)

⁹ Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.¹⁰ And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:¹¹ Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,¹² Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.¹³ The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.¹⁴ So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king’s commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

Mordecai Honored and the People Rejoice (8:15)

¹⁵ And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.

Jews Rejoice (8:16-17)

¹⁶ The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.¹⁷ And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

Chapter 9

Jews Defend Themselves Successfully (9:1-10)

Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;² The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.³ And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.⁴ For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.⁵ Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.⁶ And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.⁷ And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha,⁸ And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,⁹ And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,¹⁰ The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

Number Slain Brought to the King (9:11-12)

¹¹ On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. ¹² And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done.

Esther’s Request (9:13)

 ¹³ Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do tomorrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows.

King’s Command (9:14)

¹⁴ And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.

Jews Defend Themselves for a Second Day (9:15-19)

¹⁵ For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand.¹⁶ But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,¹⁷ On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.¹⁸ But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.¹⁹ Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

Feast of Purim Begun (9:20-32)

²⁰ And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,²¹ To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,²² As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.²³ And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;²⁴ Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;²⁵ But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.²⁶ Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,²⁷ The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;²⁸ And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed.²⁹ Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim.³⁰ And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,³¹ To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.³² And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

CHAPTER 10

Mordecai Promoted (10:1-3)

And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea.² And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?³ For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 8, Mordecai is promoted and writes a new letter.

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

The problem still exists, what will become of the Jews? The king’s decree could not be revoked.

The king promotes Mordecai to Haman’s position. He suggests that Haman write a new decree. He does. Verses 10-11 above tell us what Mordecai wrote. Basically, he gave the Jews the ability to defend themselves, to destroy, to slay and cause to perish, all those that would try to destroy them.

The anti-Semites of that day were about to understand the power of God.

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; ¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)

He did!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 7, Haman’s plot revealed.

Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)

Esther tells the king that Haman has plotted to kill her people the Jews. As the king contemplates what to do, Haman throws himself on Queen Esther for mercy. The king, however, thought that Haman was assaulting the queen. Haman is sentenced to be hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

 Everyone in Shushan knew the wickedness and pride of Haman. So, when his plot is revealed, the king’s advisors were able to tell the king about the gallows made for Mordecai.  Haman’s pride truly did destroy him. Proverbs 16:19 states, Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Are we proud or humble? Scripture states that this is a life or death issue.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March. 

Today we will look at Chapters 6 Mordecai Rewarded and Haman Shamed 

Chapter 6

King’s Insomnia (1) 

On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 

Mordecai Saves the King’s Life (2-3) 

² And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. ³ And the king said, What honor and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. 

Haman’s Pride Turned to Mourning (4-10) 

⁴ And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. ⁵ And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in .⁶ So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honor more than to myself? ⁷ And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honor, ⁸ Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: ⁹ And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor. ¹⁰ Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. ¹¹ Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor. 

Haman’s Shame and Wife’s Prophetic Proclamation (12-14) 

¹² And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. ¹³ And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. ¹⁴ And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared. 

Chapter 6 Summary 

The king could not sleep. They brought the book of records of the chronicles and they were read to him. They read the entry about how Mordecai saved the king’s life. The king asks, “What honor and dignity hath been done to honor Mordecai?” the answer was that nothing had been done for him.  

Mordecai has come to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows.  

The king asks Haman, “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honor?” Haman’s pride kicks in and he describes what he would like the king to do for him. When he gets finished, the king tells him to all these things for Mordecai. The irony is that Haman had to honor Mordecai. Haman was utterly shamed. It gets worse for Haman. 

Next week the story concludes. Will the Jews be saved? Does Haman’s plot come to fruition? What happens to Esther and Mordecai? How is Purim initiated? 

Come back next week and find out! 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com