The Sign Of Jonah

Jonah’s Disobedience

Now The Word of The Lord (God Almighty) came to Jonah, the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that Great City, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me (God Almighty).”  But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish, from The Presence of The Lord (God Almighty).  He (Jonah) went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he (Jonah) paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, from The Presence of The Lord (God Almighty).

The Storm At Sea

But The Lord (God Almighty) sent out a Great Wind on the Sea, and there was a Mighty Tempest on the Sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.  Then the Mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo, that was in the ship, into the Sea, to lighten the load.  But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep.  So the Captain came to him (Jonah), and said to him (Jonah), “What do YOU mean, sleeper?  Arise, call on your God (God Almighty); perhaps your God (God Almighty) will consider us, so that we may NOT perish.”  And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.”  So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.  Then they said to him (Jonah), “Please tell us!  For whose cause is this trouble upon us?  What is your occupation?  And where do YOU come from?  What is your country?  And of what people are YOU?”  So he (Jonah) said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear The Lord, The God of Heaven, who made the Sea and the dry land.”

Jonah Thrown Into The Sea

Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him (Jonah), “Why have YOU done this?” for the men knew that he (Jonah) fled, from The Presence of The Lord (God Almighty), because he (Jonah) had told them.  Then they said to him (Jonah), “What shall we do to YOU, that the Sea may be calm for us?”  For the Sea was growing more tempestuous.  And he (Jonah) said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the Sea; then the Sea will become calm for YOU, for I know that this Great Tempest is because of me.”  Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could NOT, for the Sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.  Therefore they cried out to The Lord (God Almighty) and said, “We pray, O Lord, please do NOT let us perish for this Man’s (Jonah’s) Life, and do NOT charge us with innocent blood; for YOU, O Lord, have done as it pleased YOU.”  So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the Sea, and the Sea ceased from its raging.  Then the men feared The Lord (God Almighty) exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to The Lord (God Almighty) and took vows.

Jonah’s Prayer And Deliverance

Now The Lord (God Almighty) had prepared a Great Fish to swallow Jonah.  And Jonah was in The Belly of The Fish, Three Days and Three Nights.  Then Jonah prayed to The Lord, His God, from The Fish’s Belly.  And he (Jonah) said: “I cried out to The Lord (God Almighty) because of my affliction, and He (God Almighty) answered me (Jonah).  “Out of The Belly of Sheol I (Jonah) cried, and YOU (God Almighty) heard my voice.  For YOU (God Almighty) cast me (Jonah) into the deep, into the heart of the Seas, and the floods surrounded me (Jonah); all Your (God Almighty’s) billows and Your (God Almighty’s) waves passed over me (Jonah).  Then I (Jonah) said, ‘I have been cast out of Your (God Almighty’s) Sight; yet I (Jonah) will look again toward Your (God Almighty’s) Holy Temple.’  The waters surrounded me (Jonah), even to My Soul; the deep closed around me (Jonah); weeds were wrapped around my (Jonah’s) head.  I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the Earth with its bars closed behind me (Jonah) Forever; yet YOU (God Almighty) have brought up My (Jonah’s) Life from The Pit, O Lord, My God (God Almighty).  “When My (Jonah’s) Soul fainted within me, I remembered The Lord (God Almighty); and my prayer went up to YOU, into Your (God Almighty’s) Holy Temple.  “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy.  But I (Jonah) will sacrifice to YOU (God Almighty) with the voice of thanksgiving; I (Jonah) will pay what I have vowed.  Salvation is of The Lord (God Almighty).”  So The Lord (God Almighty) spoke to The Fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

 

Jonah Preaches at Nineveh

Now The Word of The Lord (God Almighty) came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that Great City, and Preach to it The Message that I tell YOU.”  So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to The Word of The Lord (God Almighty).  Now Nineveh was an exceedingly Great City, a three-day journey in extent. And Jonah began to enter the City (Nineveh) on the first day’s walk.  Then he (Jonah) cried out and said, “Yet Forty Days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

 

The People of Nineveh Believe

So the people of Nineveh Believed God (God Almighty), proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.  Then word came to the King of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes.  And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the King and his Nobles, saying, let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do NOT let them eat, or drink water.  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God (God Almighty); yes, let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.  Who can tell if God (God Almighty) will turn and relent, and turn away from His (God Almighty’s) Fierce Anger, so that we may NOT perish?  Then God (God Almighty) saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God (God Almighty) relented from the disaster that He (God Almighty) had said He (God Almighty) would bring upon them, and He (God Almighty) did NOT do it.

 

Jonah’s Anger and God’s Kindness

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.  So he (Jonah) prayed to The Lord (God Almighty), and said, “Ah, Lord, was NOT this what I (Jonah) said, when I was still in my country?  Therefore I (Jonah) fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that YOU (God Almighty) are a Gracious and Merciful God (God Almighty), slow to anger and abundant in Loving-kindness, One who relents from doing harm.  Therefore now, O Lord, please take My (Jonah’s) Life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”  Then The Lord (God Almighty) said, “Is it right for YOU (Jonah) to be angry?”  So Jonah went out of the City (Nineveh) and sat on the east side of the City (Nineveh).  There he (Jonah) made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, till he might see what would become of the City (Nineveh).  And The Lord God (God Almighty) prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his (Jonah’s) head to deliver him from his misery.  So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.  But as morning dawned the next day God (God Almighty) prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered.  And it happened, when the Sun arose, that God (God Almighty) prepared a Vehement East Wind; and the Sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint.  Then he (Jonah) wished death for himself, and said, “It is better for me (Jonah) to die than to live.”  Then God (God Almighty) said to Jonah, “Is it right for YOU (Jonah) to be angry about the plant?”  And he (Jonah) said, “It is right for me to be angry, even to death!”  But The Lord (God Almighty) said, “YOU (Jonah) have had pity on the plant for which YOU have NOT labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night.  And should I (God Almighty) NOT pity Nineveh, that Great City, in which are more than One Hundred and Twenty Thousand (120,000) persons, who cannot discern, between their right hand and their left, and much livestock?”

Two Lessons

There are actually two lessons, We can learn from Jonah’s Story.  First, “The Sign of Jonah”, Jonah was in The Belly of a Great Fish, Three Days and Three Nights.  Our Lord Jesus Christ told the People, look for “The Sign of Jonah”, meaning Jesus, after His Crucifixion and burial, He would be Risen from the grave (His Resurrection), on The Third Day, by God Almighty, Himself.  Second, when God Almighty tells YOU to do something, YOU better do it, because YOU do NOT want to be put into The Belly of a Great Fish, do YOU?

YOU see, as Believers (Children of God Almighty), God creates a specific path (God’s Path) for each of Us to walk.  This also includes places He wants Us to go, things He wants Us to do and yes, Good Works for Us, to perform.  God Almighty can and will, Speak to YOU, at any given moment, remember this!  He may ask YOU, to speak to a specific person, or a specific group of people.  He may send YOU, out of your city, or out of your county, or out of your State, even out of your own Country, probably out of your “Comfort Zone”, so be prepared for this, at All times!  All of Us, Believers, are to be prepared, to Preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ, to everyone, everywhere, at any given moment!  We, Believers, are to have Our “Spiritual Bags” packed, ready to go, wherever God Almighty Calls Us to go, at a moment’s notice! 

We, Believers, are to be Jesus Christ’s Light upon the World, which means sharing with people, about God’s Amazing Saving Grace, through God’s Free Gift of Salvation!  Preaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ, to everyone!  Believers, as Children of God Almighty, We know the surety, the guarantee, of Everlasting Life, which comes ONLY through Our Lord Jesus Christ!  We know for certain, We will be in God’s Immediate Presence, with Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Angels, and the rest of The Children of God Almighty, Forever, for Eternity!  We should each feel, ready to “Spiritually Burst”, trying to restrain Our enthusiasm of wanting to share this Wonderful News, with each and every single person We encounter!

I have a few questions, for YOU.  Is God Almighty putting upon your heart, to do something out of your “Comfort Zone”?  Perhaps, God Almighty is asking YOU, to use your Spiritual Gift(s) to Preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Maybe, God Almighty is asking YOU to learn how to share The Gospel of Jesus Christ, about God’s Amazing Saving Grace, through God’s Free Gift of Salvation.  My advice to YOU is this, when God Almighty is telling YOU, to go somewhere or do something, in order to further The Kingdom of God Almighty, YOU better listen, because YOU do NOT want your own personal “Sign of Jonah”, do YOU?

The Light Of The LORD

Walk NOT in the counsel of the ungodly

Stand NOT in the path of unbelievers

Sit NOT in the seat of the scornful

But delight in The Light of The Lord

Meditate on His Word, day and night

Be like a tree, planted by the river

That brings forth its fruit, in its season

Yes, delight in The Light of The Lord

Stand boldly in The Light of The LORD

The Lord knows The Way of The Righteous

The way of the ungodly shall perish

Knowing NOT, The Light of The LORD

The ungodly shall NOT stand in The Judgment

Nor in The Congregation of The Righteous

Like the chaff which the wind blows away

Knowing NOT, The Light of The LORD

I’ve set My King on My Holy Mountain

I’ll Declare The Decree, The Lord said to Jesus

YOU are My Son, Today, I have Begotten YOU

Rejoice in The Light of The LORD

Blessed are all those, who put their trust in Jesus

Salvation belongs to The Lord

Your Blessing is upon Your Children

Let Us rejoice in The Light of The LORD

Let all those rejoice, who put their trust in YOU

Let them shout for joy, because YOU defend them

Let those who Love Your Name, be joyful in YOU
Yes, rejoice in The Light of The LORD

For YOU, O Lord, will Bless the Righteous       
With favor YOU will surround them as with a shield

And with The Full Armor of God Almighty

Let Us rejoice in The Light of The LORD

Taking A Stand For Jesus Christ

Now Peter and John went up together to The Temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man, lame from his mother’s womb, was carried whom they laid daily at The Gate of The Temple, which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered The Temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into The Temple, asked for alms. And fixing his (Peter’s) eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at Us.”  So he gave Them (Peter and John) his attention, expecting to receive something from Them (Peter and John).  Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do NOT have, but what I do have I give YOU: In The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”  And he (Peter) took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.  So he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered The Temple with Them (Peter and John), walking, leaping, and Praising God (God Almighty).  And all the People saw him walking and Praising God (God Almighty).  Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at The Beautiful Gate of The Temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Now as They (Peter and John) spoke to the People, the Priests, the Captain of The Temple, and the Sadducees came upon Them (Peter and John), being greatly disturbed that They (Peter and John) taught the People and Preached in Jesus, The Resurrection from the dead.  And they laid hands on Them (Peter and John), and put Them (Peter and John) in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.  However, many of those who heard The Word, Believed; and the number of the Men, came to be about Five Thousand.  And it came to pass, on the next day, that their Rulers, Elders, and Scribes, as well as Annas, the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the High Priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.  And when they had set Them (Peter and John) in the midst, they asked, “By what Power or by what Name, have YOU done this?”  Then Peter, filled with The Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the People and Elders of Israel: If We (Peter and John) this day are judged for a Good Deed, done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to YOU all, and to all the People of Israel, that by The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YOU Crucified, whom God (God Almighty) Raised from the dead, by Him (Jesus Christ) this man stands here before YOU whole.  This is the ‘Stone which was rejected by YOU builders, which has become The Chief Cornerstone.’  Nor is there Salvation in any other, for there is NO other name, under Heaven, given among Men, by which We must be Saved!”

 

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that They (Peter and John) were uneducated and untrained Men, they marveled.  And they realized that They (Peter and John) had been with Jesus (Jesus Christ).  And seeing the man, who had been healed, standing with Them (Peter and John), they could say nothing against it.  But when they had commanded Them (Peter and John) to go aside out of the Council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these Men (Peter and John)?  For, indeed, that a notable Miracle has been done, through Them (Peter and John), is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.  But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten Them (Peter and John), that from now on They (Peter and John) speak to no man in this Name.”

So they called Them (Peter and John) and commanded Them (Peter and John), NOT to Speak at all nor Teach, in The Name of Jesus (Jesus Christ).  But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is Right in The Sight of God (God Almighty) to listen to YOU, more than to God (God Almighty), YOU judge.  For We (Peter and John) cannot, but speak the things which We (Peter and John) have seen and heard.”  So when they had further threatened Them (Peter and John), they let Them (Peter and John) go, finding no way of punishing Them (Peter and John), because of the People, since they all Glorified God (God Almighty) for what had been done.

And being let go, They (Peter and John) went to Their (Peter’s and John’s) own companions and reported all that the Chief Priests and Elders had said to Them (Peter and John).  So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God (God Almighty) with One Accord and said: “Lord, YOU are God, who made Heaven and Earth and the Sea, and All that is in them, who by The Mouth of Your Servant David have said: ‘Why did the Nations rage, and the People plot vain things?  The Kings of the Earth took their stand, and the Rulers were gathered together against The Lord (God Almighty) and against His Christ (Jesus Christ).’  “For Truly against Your Holy Servant Jesus (Jesus Christ), whom YOU (God Almighty) Anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the People of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your Hand and Your Purpose determined before to be done.  Now, Lord (God Almighty), look on their threats, and grant to Your Servants, that with all boldness they may speak Your Word, by stretching out Your Hand to heal, and that Signs and Wonders may be done, through The Name of Your Holy Servant Jesus (Jesus Christ).”  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were All filled with The Holy Spirit, and they spoke The Word of God with boldness.

And through The Hands of The Apostles, many Signs and Wonders were done among the people.  And They (The Apostles) were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.  Yet none of the rest dared join Them (The Apostles), but the People esteemed Them (The Apostles) highly.  And Believers were increasingly added to The Lord (God Almighty), multitudes of both Men and Women.  Then the High Priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation, and laid their hands on The Apostles and put Them (The Apostles), in the common prison.  But at night, an Angel of The Lord (God Almighty) opened the prison doors and brought Them (The Apostles) out, and said, “Go, stand in The Temple and speak to the People, All The Words of this Life.”  And when They (The Apostles) heard that, They (The Apostles) entered The Temple early in the morning and taught. 

But the High Priest and those with him, came and called the Council together, with all the Elders of The Children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have Them (The Apostles) brought.  But when the officers came and did NOT find Them (The Apostles) in the prison, they returned and reported, saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!”  Now when the High Priest, the Captain of The Temple, and the Chief Priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 

So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the Men (The Apostles) whom YOU put in prison, are standing in The Temple and Teaching the People!”  Then the Captain went with the officers and brought Them (The Apostles) without violence, for they feared the People, lest they should be stoned.  And when they had brought Them (The Apostles), they set Them (The Apostles) before the Council.  And the High Priest asked Them (The Apostles), saying, “Did we NOT strictly command YOU, NOT to Teach in this Name?  And look, YOU (The Apostles) have filled Jerusalem with Your Doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s Blood on us!”  But Peter and the other Apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God (God Almighty), rather than Men.  The God of Our fathers (God Almighty), Raised up Jesus (Jesus Christ), whom YOU murdered, by hanging on a tree.  Him (Jesus Christ) God (God Almighty) has Exalted to His Right Hand, to be Prince and Savior, to give Repentance to Israel and Forgiveness of sins.  And We (The Apostles) are His (God Almighty’s) Witnesses to these things, and so also is The Holy Spirit, whom God (God Almighty) has given, to those who Obey Him.”

 

When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill Them (The Apostles).  Then one in the Council stood up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a Teacher of The Law, held in respect by all the People, and commanded them to put The Apostles outside for a little while.  And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what YOU intend to do regarding these Men (The Apostles).  And now I say to YOU, keep away from these Men (The Apostles) and let Them (The Apostles) alone; for if this plan or this work is of Men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God (God Almighty), YOU cannot overthrow it, lest YOU even be found to fight against God (God Almighty).”  And they agreed with him, and when they had called for The Apostles and beaten Them (The Apostles), they commanded that They (The Apostles) should NOT speak in The Name of Jesus (Jesus Christ), and let Them (The Apostles) go.  So They (The Apostles) departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that They (The Apostles) were counted worthy to suffer shame, for His (Jesus Christ’s) Name.  And daily in The Temple, and in every house, They (The Apostles) did NOT cease Teaching and Preaching Jesus, as The Christ.

IF YOU were told, to STOP Teaching and Preaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ, would YOU STOP doing it? 

IF YOU were facing, time in jail or physical punishment, for Teaching and Preaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ, would YOU STOP doing it?

IF YOU were facing certain death, for Teaching and Preaching The Gospel of Jesus Christ, would YOU STOP doing it?

The Holy Bible Tells Us, This Day Will Come!  What Will Your Answer Be?