The Scapegoat Pattern Watch
May 27, 2008 - email from The Open Scroll email list - Click here to subscribe
Greetings!
April was filled with exciting news and events as the key dates I had awaited for many years finally arrived. I was disappointed in some ways, not seeing the fullness of what I had eagerly hoped for, but yet not discouraged because I know the Lord has an even better plan than I had expected. Given what was expected, and when, there are some patterns in biblical history that seem to me worth watching for further developments.
For the sake of review, I had expected the 13th day of the first month to mark the baptism and anointing of the lawless one. The Pope Benedict XVI and Bill Clinton, the two I had been particularly watching, did come together on the right day, but there was nothing reported in the media about any direct interaction so I can't say what did or did not happen. Certainly, what dramatic fruit I had hoped to see at that time remains to be seen. I had expected much on that day because I understand it as a trigger event that would shortly precede the Bride Theft resurrection and judgment upon the church. That event is pictured in biblical typology as occurring on the 21st day of the first month in similar ways to how the baptism of the lawless one is pictured on the 13th day. Although I'm convinced the Bride Theft did not occur, I'm not quite so certain the baptism did not. I'm still not clear on exactly where and how I missed the mark, but given what did happen at those times I'm sure not going to toss everything overboard tied to the anchor. I'm continuing to pray and study and watch, and, Lord willing, and by much mercy and grace, I will be where I need to be and will be doing what I need to be doing when the time comes for which I have been and am being prepared.
With that said, if there was a baptism just before the Pope left NYC in Shepherd One it may be that a pattern of Y'shua's baptism is being followed. After being baptized by John in the Jordan Y'shua went out into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. Then He was tempted by the devil. Then he went to Galilee and while there began to preach and gather disciples. Then miracles began to occur. It seems to me from reading the news written about Bill he has been having a bit of a wilderness experience. When Y'shua went into the wilderness he went on the high holy day Yom Kippur fulfilling the role of the scapegoat. (Leviticus 16) Bill has been willing to accept much of the blame for his wife's troubles on the campaign trail, which is what a scapegoat would do, in the common understanding. Counting 40 days from April 20 (Aviv 13) brings us up to May 29/30. If there's a sudden surge in the level of respect and consideration given Bill at that time or in days following I'll be paying real close attention to that situation! With regard to the Pope, if he's somehow seen to be "taken into custody" that will be noteworthy as well.
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10) Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;
11) and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased."
12) Immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness.
13) And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.
14) Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
15) and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Mark 1:9-15
The account from Matthew is more detailed.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2) And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.
3) And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
Matthew 4:1-3
Verses 4-10 describe the temptation.
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
12) Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;
13) and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
14) This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
15) "THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI,
BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES--
16) "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT,
AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH,
UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED."
17) From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:11-17
Then Y'shua gathers his disciples. Will Bill do likewise? Will the pattern play out with a similar timing and sequence of events? Watch with me, and pray.
Blessings in Y'shua!
Bob Schlenker
TheOpenScroll.com