Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

Really? No man?

Revelation 13:15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; 17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

It occurred to me how amazing this is. I can see how they could make all in NYC or Chicago to not be able to buy or sell without some mark, but everyone in the whole world? My thought was what about upstate NY by the Adirondacks, or maybe run to the Black hills of South Dakota? How do you monitor what some guy in a gas station in some remote area does? Yet, wherever you go these stores have little card readers where you can swipe your credit card. If you eliminate US currency, replace it with a new digital currency with this mark then all of these stores wherever they are on earth would not be able to buy or sell without this mark.

20 years ago this was not the case. I still remember being able to pay for things with a check from the bank. I remember a time when I never used a credit card, and I remember going to stores that didn't have one of those card readers yet. Now these are not only ubiquitous in the US, they are everywhere in the whole world. This is the first time in human history that this prophecy could be fulfilled.

One of my pet peeves

One thing that really annoys me is the way David is portrayed in churches as a "boy" who slays a giant. I played football on a national championship team and what distinguished our team was the scouting report, the films of our opponents, and the strategy that we would devise based on their strengths. I also coached football and I did the same thing, designing a game plan based on our strengths compared to our opponents. This is standard procedure in the military. I think it is very clear from the account in 1Samuel 18 that this is what we see with David and Goliath.

In verses 1-11 we get the scouting report:

17 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle; and they were gathered together at Socoh, which belongeth to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the vale of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. 3 And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. 4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of brass. 6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a javelin of brass between his shoulders. 7 And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and his shield-bearer went before him. 8 And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. 9 If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. 10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 And when Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

From this we learn the following:

1. Goliath was a champion of the Philistine army.
2. He was from the city of Gath.
3. He was exceptionally tall, measuring six cubits and a span, which is approximately 9 feet and 9 inches tall.
4. He wore a helmet of brass on his head and was clad with a coat of mail that weighed 5,000 shekels of brass (approximately 120 pounds or 56 Kg).
5. He had greaves of brass on his legs and a javelin of brass between his shoulders.
6. The staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and the spear's head weighed 600 shekels of iron (more than 12 pounds or about 5-6 Kg).
7. He had a shield-bearer who went before him.
8. He challenged the armies of Israel to send a champion to fight him in single combat.
9. If the champion of Israel was able to defeat him, then the Philistines would become servants to the Israelites. However, if Goliath prevailed, then the Israelites would become servants to the Philistines.
10. His challenge caused fear and dismay among Saul and the Israelite army.

It seems unlikely to be able to penetrate his armor even if you can get past the shield. He also seems far stronger than David. No way a shield will be able to stop that spear, it would smash whatever shield you tried to use to block it. The same thing with armor, being hit with that spear would knock you to the ground even if it didn't run you through. I think you can rule out the use of a spear or sword in this battle, much less armor or the use of a shield. In any warfare you have two key factors, power and speed. Goliath is far more powerful than David and there is nothing you can do to even the scales, therefore you have to focus on speed. He has 120 pounds of armor on, he has a shield bearer walking in front of him and setting up the shield, he will be a relatively stationary target. What you need is to be light, quick, agile, and to be able to strike from outside the range of the spear or Javelin.

From my experience this is clearly the scouting report that a coach would use to design their strategy.

Breadcrumbs and clues

12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man was an old man in the days of Saul, stricken in years among men. 13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the first-born, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. 14 And David was the youngest; and the three eldest followed Saul. 15 Now David went to and fro from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Beth-lehem. 16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

David lived nearby, so close that he could go to the camp of the Israelites and deliver food in the same morning of the day he left. Also, three of his brothers are in the army. Surely he is paying attention to what is going on as is his father Jesse. Meanwhile this has been going on for forty days. That is plenty of time to devise a strategy and to practice it back at his home. This tells us that David went back and forth from the camp of the army to his father's home to feed the sheep. So he was in daily contact with Jesse and he also was in daily contact with Saul, being privy to any intelligence and scouting report they had put together.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to thy brethren; 18 and bring these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. 19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the vale of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the place of the wagons, as the host which was going forth to the fight shouted for the battle. 21 And Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army. 22 And David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and saluted his brethren. 23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the ranks of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid. 25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. 26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

This makes it look like David has just happened to hear this. But it doesn't align with the previous passage. We were told he would go back daily from Saul to his home to feed the sheep. Surely he knew about Goliath over those forty days and surely being in Saul's direct service he had heard the prize for killing Goliath. It appears that he just happened to show up at the right time. But the Bible is very precise and it never says that David just happened to show up on time. His father sent him and he ran to the army just in time. I have a very different theory on this story, and I believe the evidence is written clearly in the story. I believe Jesse has devised a strategy for David, that Jesse has worked with David to train him, and when he is ready Jesse sent him to the camp. You can't tell for certain yet, but so far, the scouting report, the forty days, and being sent by his father and his pretending to not know what the reward is all supports this theory.

8 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why art thou come down? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 30 And he turned away from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

Eliab is the person who knows David best, he also doesn't buy this bit about David not knowing about the reward. The Bible tells us his anger was kindled, everyone assumes his brothers are jealous, but he also would know that David has been traveling back and forth, that he was in the employ of Saul, and that he is up to something. David doesn't deny that, he simply says that there is a cause. You will see that this is very much a part of the strategy that Jesse has devised. It is straight out of Sun Tzu, you want your opponent to underestimate you, and so to sell that it is important that everyone in Israel's army believe this is just some delivery boy who has no idea what he is doing.

This is not trivial, we are in a spiritual warfare, but that doesn't mean we are ignorant of Satan's devices, or that we are foolish. We are well trained by the Lord. David was well trained. He might look like he is overmatched but he had a superior coach, superior strategy and he executed it perfectly.

31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him.

This should stand out like a thorn in the side. David played music for Saul. Therefore Saul knew him, he had paid his father so that David could come to his palace, and yet David doesn't go to Saul himself. This tells me that if he had tried to go to Saul directly Saul would have said no. So he gets the soldiers to go and say we have someone out here who is willing to fight Goliath. That was the point of the previous section and his brother, Eliab saw right through it. We assume that "is there not a cause" is referring to the need for someone to fight Goliath, but I suspect this word is a two edged sword and the other cause is David needs people from the Army to go tell Saul they have a challenger for Goliath.

32 And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

Look at his opening line, he is reminding Saul that he has a problem with morale in his army. If Saul refuses to let him fight that will get worse.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

This is a critical part of the story, if you were going to get someone to portray Goliath in a play you would get Arnold Schwartzneggar or some other guy looking like a giant marine soldier. Those guys have crew cuts because in warfare you don't want people grabbing your hair. Yet these trivial church plays always show the little boy David holding up Goliath's head by the hair. That is unreasonable, even worse we are told he is wearing a helmet. This may seem a small detail but it is a critical part of the story.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. 36 Thy servant smote both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

This is not his strategy. He has no plan to get into hand to hand combat with Goliath. This sounds like he has prepared this speech so that Saul will let him fight.

37 And David said, Jehovah that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and Jehovah shall be with thee. 38 And Saul clad David with his apparel, and he put a helmet of brass upon his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail. 39 And David girded his sword upon his apparel, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them.

I have not proved them means "I have not trained with them". This is my point, David has trained for this event.

And David put them off him. 40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

Why does he have the shepherds staff? He doesn't use this in fighting Goliath, and he doesn't use it later in the battle. So what is this here for? It is a prop to make him look like a little shepherd boy rather than a warrior that Goliath needs to take seriously. Remember a few chapters earlier Samuel sees the sons of Jesse and he says that each one looks like a king. David cannot possibly be a weakling having killed a lion and a bear. This is his disguise. Also he chose the five smooth stones, that tells you his plan in fighting Goliath and it never had anything to do with hand to hand battle, or using armor or any of that. He needed to keep his plans completely secret from even his own army so that Goliath does not get tipped off.

We see even more clues

41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair countenance.

This is straight out of Sun Tzu, it is foolish to assume that this was not part of the plan. In a few verses David will be standing in the middle of the field holding up Goliath's head with one hand, Goliath's sword in the other, and covered in blood. He will go from a ruddy youth of a fair countenance to a bloody monster in the blink of an eye. This is "shock and awe", this is like the horror film where the child's toy turns into a monster.

43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

The stave is referring to his staff. Of course Goliath looked at that with total disdain, you aren't going to beat Goliath with a stick. It was all for show, it wasn't David's plan.

44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the birds of the heavens, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day unto the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah’s, and he will give you into our hand.

How is David going to take his head from off his body, he has no sword, no knife? It takes a very good strategist to realize that David can take Goliath's sword.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Goliath "drew nigh" while David "hastened and ran toward". They are telling you that David is much quicker and more agile than Goliath.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth.

David was very skilled. He was like Larry Bird or Steph Curry or MJ. Those guys all train, they practice, they are known for how hard they practice. It is absurd to think this was some lucky shot. David practiced this. Maybe they put a melon on a pole, up there 9 feet high and let him practice.

The Proof that Jesse came up with this plan

50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

I believe that David could be very skilled with a sling so that he could kill Goliath without any strategy of Jesse. I think Jesse explained to him how he needed to get the soldiers to tell Saul rather than to go himself, how he needed to pretend like he had just heard this, and how he even needed to hide his plan from Saul. I think he would have had to have been fully persuaded about the plan from Jesse to reject Saul's armor and advice. I think it was Jesse's suggestion he take the shepherd's staff out onto the battlefield. But that is conjecture, what really stands out to me that it must have come from Jesse is this part right here. I don't see any discussion anywhere in the Bible about how they cut off their opponents heads after killing them. But what is really stunning is that after killing Goliath David takes his sword and his head and carries them throughout the battle with all the rest of the Philistines. A head, especially for a giant, is a very big thing. Presumably Goliath's sword is also a very big thing. Therefore he must have held the head in one hand throughout the battle and so he must have used it as a shield. This is brilliant, if anyone tries to attack him they will immediately see that he is the one who killed Goliath, he will be covered in blood, that severed head will be terrifying, and it says Goliath had a helmet, so it will be effective at being a shield. David is out in a field halfway between both armies, if the Philistines had rushed him he could have been killed, but by doing this he terrifies them, they turn tail and run and as a result all of the Israelites pursue after them. How could David, who has never served in the army, have thought of this? Even Saul recognizes this and asks his commanding general "whose son is this". He is asking "who trained this man?" He knows whose son he is, he paid Jesse to have David come to the palace to play music.

But here is how I got convinced. Goliath is wearing a helmet, so how did David hold the head, he couldn't hold it by the hair (and it is likely that Goliath's hair was short like a man of war anyway). The only way I could see doing this is to hold the head by the neck. But that means you have to sever it at the base of the neck so you have plenty to hold with your hand. This means David didn't just run up there and hack off the head but rather carefully severed it so that he would have a good hand hold.

This was all part of his plan, he rehearsed it with Jesse and then when he was ready Jesse sent him to the Army's camp. The one thing I know about these "champions" whether it is Mike Tyson, or MJ, or Larry Bird. They practice, they train, they are coached. Once I heard MJ say he knew he could beat an opponent off the dribble because he played on the balls of his feet and so when he cut back his defender would keep going. Their skills are the result of practice, training, and careful observation. They have scouted their opponents, they understand their strengths and they understand their weaknesses.

Jesus is the greater David.

Colossians 2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.

Whose son is this youth?

52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou comest to Gai, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. 53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. 54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.

55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell. 56 And the king said, Inquire thou whose son the stripling is. 57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand. 58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Beth-lehemite.

"King Jesus Coming Back Part 2" 4/19/23 | Pastor Sandy

War! Red Horse Released 04/17/2023

https://rumble.com/v2ix25c-war-red-horse-released-04172023.html

The Central verses of 1Samuel 1-17

here are the central verses for each of the first 16 chapters of 1 Samuel:

Chapter 1 - Verse 27: "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him."
1Samuel is about three children that were prayed for. Samuel, to replace Eli and his sons, King Saul (who the Israelites wanted as king) and David who God wanted as king

Chapter 2 - Verse 2: "There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God."

This is a major theme of this book. We see this when the ark is captured. We see this when some men look into the ark and are killed. We see this with King Saul.

Chapter 3 - Verse 10: "And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"

We all need to learn to hear the Lord's speaking.

Chapter 4 - Verse 22: "She said, 'The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.'"

This is a wonderful picture. If we sin our conscience will condemn us. If we ignore the warning then the Lord will ultimately depart.

Chapter 5 - Verse 3: "And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord."

There is none Holy like the Lord our God. All the idols and demons and fallen ones will one day bow the knee to the Lord.

Chapter 6 - Verse 20: "Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?'"

The Lord will use people to deliver a punishment and rebuke to Israel, but He will be glorified in all that He does.

Chapter 7 - Verse 12: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, 'Till now the Lord has helped us.'"

Reflect on your life and have faith.

Chapter 8 - Verse 7: "And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'"

This is how the Lord teaches us. We should learn that saying "beware what you pray for, you might just get it".

Chapter 9 - Verse 21: "And Saul answered and said, 'Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?'"

Saul doesn't get it, God is the one who will be glorified, not man.

Chapter 10 - Verse 24: "And Samuel said to all the people, 'Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.' And all the people shouted, 'Long live the king!'"

We need to pray to be able to see as the Lord sees. Even if we cannot see the hearts, God can and the Lord can speak to us.

Chapter 11 - Verse 6: "And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled."

Saul is a type of the Antichrist, not "against Christ" but rather "replaces Christ". The issue is not that he wasn't anointed, or that people were not praying for him, or that the Spirit of God was not upon him. The issue is he was incapable of obeying God as Lord.

Chapter 12 - Verse 14: "If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well."

This is impossible without a new heart. God knows this, but the Israelites didn't. They need to learn that of their own selves they can do nothing.

Chapter 13 - Verse 14: "But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."

You have to keep the Lord's commandments and apart from the Spirit in your heart you can't.

Chapter 14 - Verse 23: "So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the battle passed beyond Beth-aven."

This is the crux of the church. We bear the testimony of the Lord and we obey Him and He saves us.

Chapter 15 - Verse 22: "And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'"

Obeying the Lord is evidence of faith. Don't say you have faith in God if you do not obey His voice. It is also evidence of love, the Lord said if you love Him then obey His voice.

Chapter 16 - Verse 7: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Do not look on the outward appearance, if you are unable to look on the heart then look to the Lord to help you discern.

1 Samuel 17 is verse 29, which reads: "And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?"

David did obey the command, he did have faith, he did love the Lord.

Chapter 16 - Verse 7: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Chapter 16 is the central chapter of 1Samuel and so this verse can be seen as the central point for the whole book.

2Samuel 12:15 "And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick."

This is the central verse of 2Samuel. It is really the central event of the book. It includes David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite, and it also includes God's judgment which will ultimately include the rebellion of Absalom.

The Central verse

The book of Genesis contains 50 chapters and a total of 1,533 verses (in the KJV). Therefore, the middle verse of the book of Genesis would be the one located between the 766th and 767th verses. The exact middle verse in the book of Genesis is Genesis 25:11, which reads:

"And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi." (KJV)

Lahai-roi means "well of the living one seeing me". We are all here, like Isaac, laughing, being blessed by God, and dwelling by the well of the living one seeing me.

Exodus: The book of Exodus contains 40 chapters and a total of 1,213 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Exodus would be the one located between the 606th and 607th verses. The exact middle verse is Exodus 20:19, which reads:

"And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."

Moses is a type of Jesus Christ who has the words of life and came to save us out of this evil world.

Leviticus: The book of Leviticus contains 27 chapters and a total of 859 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Leviticus would be the one located between the 429th and 430th verses. The exact middle verse is Leviticus 13:33, which reads:

"He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more."

Leviticus is the book of the priesthood, which must diagnose and treat man's sinful, rebellious condition.

Numbers: The book of Numbers contains 36 chapters and a total of 1,288 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Numbers would be the one located between the 644th and 645th verses. The exact middle verse is Numbers 16:33, which reads:

"They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation."

This is the rebellion of Korah. The priests will diagnose and treat sin, God will judge sin.

Deuteronomy: The book of Deuteronomy contains 34 chapters and a total of 959 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Deuteronomy would be the one located between the 479th and 480th verses. The exact middle verse is Deuteronomy 17:11, which reads:

"According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left."

That is a good summary of the five books of the Torah.

The Central verse

Judges: The book of Judges contains 21 chapters and a total of 618 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Judges would be the one located between the 309th and 310th verses. The exact middle verse is Judges 10:8, which reads:

"And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead."

This was punishment for worshipping idols.

Ruth: The book of Ruth contains 4 chapters and a total of 85 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of Ruth would be the one located between the 42nd and 43rd verses. The exact middle verse is Ruth 2:13, which reads:

"Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens."

Ruth depicts the Gentile bride of Christ, the church.

1 Samuel: The book of 1 Samuel contains 31 chapters and a total of 811 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 1 Samuel would be the one located between the 405th and 406th verses. The exact middle verse is 1 Samuel 15:22, which reads:

"And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

Anyone and everyone can and does make sacrifices. That is not evidence of faith or love for the Lord. Obeying the Lord's word, that is evidence of faith and love.

2 Samuel: The book of 2 Samuel contains 24 chapters and a total of 695 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 2 Samuel would be the one located between the 347th and 348th verses. The exact middle verse is 2 Samuel 12:15, which reads:

"And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick."

We are all sinners and we must all deal with sin. That is what it means to take up your cross and follow the Lord. We crucify the flesh with the passions and lusts. The wages of sin is death. The child died, it was the fruit of adultery. David's reign also suffers the eventual coup masterminded by Athophel, who was related to Bathsheba and Uriah.

The Central Verse -- Rebellion and false prophets

1. 1 Kings: The book of 1 Kings contains 22 chapters and a total of 816 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 1 Kings would be the one located between the 407th and 408th verses. The exact middle verse is 1 Kings 11:26, which reads: "And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king."
2. 2 Kings: The book of 2 Kings contains 25 chapters and a total of 719 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 2 Kings would be the one located between the 359th and 360th verses. The exact middle verse is 2 Kings 13:13, which reads: "And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."
3. 1 Chronicles: The book of 1 Chronicles contains 29 chapters and a total of 942 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 1 Chronicles would be the one located between the 470th and 471st verses. The exact middle verse is 1 Chronicles 15:22, which reads: "And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skilful."
4. 2 Chronicles: The book of 2 Chronicles contains 36 chapters and a total of 822 verses. Therefore, the middle verse of 2 Chronicles would be the one located between the 410th and 411th verses. The exact middle verse is 2 Chronicles 18:10, which reads: "And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the Lord, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed."

This is what Samuel said when they chose a king, they didn't reject Samuel, they rejected God

The Central Verse

• Ezra: The central/middle verse of the book of Ezra is Ezra 4:8: "Rehum the commanding officer and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king as follows."
• Nehemiah: The central/middle verse of the book of Nehemiah is Nehemiah 6:15: "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days."
• Esther: The central/middle verse of the book of Esther is Esther 4:14b: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
• Job: The central/middle verse of the book of Job is Job 26:7: "He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing."

The attack against God and his people become more and more obvious culminating in the coup by Haman in Esther. When we get to Job the work that God does appears to be a magic trick, calling being out of not being.

The Central Verse

• Joshua: The central/middle verse of the book of Joshua is Joshua 10:13b: "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day."
• Psalms: The book of Psalms has 150 chapters, so there is no exact middle verse. However, the middle chapter is Psalm 78, and the central verses of the entire book are generally considered to be Psalm 118:8-9: "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes."
• Proverbs: The central/middle verse of the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 16:20: "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord."
• Ecclesiastes: The central/middle verse of the book of Ecclesiastes is Ecclesiastes 7:16: "Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?"
• Song of Songs: The central/middle verse of the Song of Songs is Song of Songs 4:7: "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."

The Central Verse

• Isaiah: The central/middle verse of the book of Isaiah is Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever."
• Jeremiah: The central/middle verse of the book of Jeremiah is Jeremiah 25:26: "all the kings of the north, near and far, one after the other—all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. And after all of them, the king of Sheshak will drink it too."
• Lamentations: The book of Lamentations has 5 chapters, and the central/middle verse is Lamentations 3:33: "For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone."
• Ezekiel: The central/middle verse of the book of Ezekiel is Ezekiel 21:27b: "And it will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs; to him I will give it."

The Central Verse

• Daniel: The central/middle verse of the book of Daniel is Daniel 6:22: "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."
• Hosea: The central/middle verse of the book of Hosea is Hosea 6:6: "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
• Joel: The central/middle verse of the book of Joel is Joel 2:13b: "For he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
• Amos: The central/middle verse of the book of Amos is Amos 5:14: "Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is."

The Central Verse

• Obadiah: The book of Obadiah has only one chapter, so the central/middle verse is Obadiah 1:11: "On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them."
• Jonah: The central/middle verse of the book of Jonah is Jonah 2:8: "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them."
• Micah: The central/middle verse of the book of Micah is Micah 4:5: "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever."
• Nahum: The central/middle verse of the book of Nahum is Nahum 2:6: "The river gates are thrown open and the palace collapses."

The Central verse

• Habakkuk: The central/middle verse of the book of Habakkuk is Habakkuk 2:20: "But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."
• Zephaniah: The central/middle verse of the book of Zephaniah is Zephaniah 2:13: "He will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert."
• Haggai: The central/middle verse of the book of Haggai is Haggai 1:8: "Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the Lord.
• Zechariah: The central/middle verse of the book of Zechariah is Zechariah 7:9: "This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'"
• Malachi: The book of Malachi has 4 chapters, and the central/middle verse is Malachi 2:10: "Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?"