Prophecies Jesus gave in Mathew 24 and Revevelation require internet and smartphone

Before I go any further in the life of Joseph - I want to backtrack on a question many ask - and that is, why did God rename Jacob Israel:

You'll find some of the answers to that question here:

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Small excerpt:

I am reading the book of Genesis, and I have noticed that God changes certain people's names, such as Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel. Why does he change their names? What does it symbolize?

Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, saying, "Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel." So God renamed him Israel. (Genesis 35:9-10, NLT )...

A change in name is a change in God's description of you. This usually means God changing your circumstance or some part of your life to fulfill His ultimate plan for you.

In the case of Israel; if you read the subsequent books of the bible you will discover Israel goes through many hardships and even persecution (just look at history in general) and yet through out all of these hardships; Israel seems to "prevail" by virtue of coming back to God or crying out to God (He who prevails with God).

Oops - mangled - here's repost:

Before I go any further in the life of Joseph - I want to backtrack on a question many ask - and that is, why did God rename Jacob Israel?

You'll find some of the answers to that question here:

[link to christianity.stackexchange.com (secure)]

Small excerpt:

I am reading the book of Genesis, and I have noticed that God changes certain people's names, such as Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel. Why does he change their names? What does it symbolize?

Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, saying, "Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel." So God renamed him Israel. (Genesis 35:9-10, NLT )...

A change in name is a change in God's description of you. This usually means God changing your circumstance or some part of your life to fulfill His ultimate plan for you.

In the case of Israel; if you read the subsequent books of the bible you will discover Israel goes through many hardships and even persecution (just look at history in general) and yet through out all of these hardships; Israel seems to "prevail" by virtue of coming back to God or crying out to God (He who prevails with God).

There's also a very fascinating story behind Joseph's father - but suffice it to say by deception Jacob 'essentially' stole his brother's blessing from his Father Isaah (the son of Abraham) - that was meant for his older brother Esau.

This act set off a rivalry between brothers that continues to this day.

After Isaah blessed Jacob - God honored it.

Why?

Why Jacob wasn’t punished by God after he had stolen Esau’s blessing?

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Correction Isaah = Isaac

And Abraham of course is the person God made the covenant with, and has kept it with the Israelis; not because they deserved it - but in spite of.

Continuing the story of Jacob:

Genesis 37:2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

------

We already know one reason why Joseph's brothers could have hostilities towards him.

Now we've got a second reason - Jacob had a favorite among them-Joseph.

To show his love for Joseph - he made him a very gaudy coat.

And back to Joseph's story:


Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him

And when they had anything to say about him - it was venomous

Genesis 37:4....and could not speak peaceably unto him

Does to me too.

Most times I've made a copy and just make shorter posts.

Of course, there are certain words that are not allowed - so it's not always easy to re-post.

I imagine the family atmosphere is quit uncomfortable - and I'm will to bet - Jacob defends Joseph in any personal insults.

Just when you think the brothers couldn't hate him more:

Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

like I said: I'm willing to bet - Jacob defends Joseph in any personal insults;

Except when he thinks Joseph has gone too far - and the dreams are one of those occasions.

I would like to take a moment here to reflect on how we can draw a comparison to Joseph and Israel (the nation).

What most of us know is that Israel has been reviled and hated through all of her modern history.

What many may not know is Israel and her neighbors are essentially brethren - both being descendants of Abraham.

Joseph tells his brothers his dream; which seemed to arouse in them much consternation:

Genesis 37:6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us?

Genesis 37:8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

---

Of course this dream would be even more incendiary and outrageous than the first.

It was even too much for Jacob:

Genesis 37:10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him

Connections from Joseph that relate to the 144,000.
Joseph was a sheep herder.144,000 Apostles collect the flock.
Joseph was the kings cup bearer.The 144,000 will be cup bearers to the king of kings.(most likely the same cup Jesus passed around to the 12 Apostles).
Joseph was in charge of the grain(bread of life) during a famine.The 144,000 give bread during a spiritual famine.
There's probably some things I forgot.Joseph himself called himself a remnant so that Israel can be saved.

Never gave much thought to Joseph's influence on end times prophecies - but from what you said it may be possible he's one of the 2 witnesses of the great tribulation :)

What is it they said of him - he was the closest 'Jesus like' personality of the old testament?

Joseph, A Type of Christ

His life shines forth from the pages of Holy Scripture as practically flawless. It is not indeed that he was actually sinless, for he had in himself the same corrupt nature that any other child of Adam has, but it has not pleased God to speak of any flaws or blemishes which His holy eye may have discerned in this devoted servant, but He has rather emphasized his faithfulness and practical godliness.

If we study him as a type of Christ, we would first notice him as

The Beloved of the Father's Heart...

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It's the ones God has set aside who give witness to the Word of the Lord.Like Moses and his brother Aaron.Both who are a remnant of Israel who are held as slaves in Egypt.They are two witnesses.
Remember that God told Moses that Aaron would speak to the people for Moses and it will be as if his mouth would be as it were as if Moses were speaking,and would be as if Moses were God to him?(Aaron).

Both are a remnant and two witnesses.

Another would be Joshua and Caleb.The only Two that made it across the Jordan river into the promise land.Two of whom witnessed God freeing Israel from Egypt.Both are a remnant and two witnesses in that sense.

Even the two spies sent into Jericho are two witnesses and a remnant.(sent to give a testimony on Jericho defences.
The remaining remnant of Israel after 40 years in the dessert,who are set aside as a remnant from the remnant lol.
Crazy huh?.
Theres even more to that story.When Rahab hides the two spies under stalks of flax it represents the Two Witnesses building the walls/roads of New Jerusalem.Flax was used to strengthen bricks in thoses days.
Rahab made them promise to spare her and her family and all that are her's.And she lives among the Israelites to this day.Rahab the prostitute is a spiritual prostitute today.The two spies gave her their word by saying "our lifes for yours"which is what the 144,000 do.The Rev verse saying "come out from her my people" fulfills that promise.
Who laid down the scarlet rope which is symbolic of the blood of Jesus?The two witnesses,who are infact set aside as a remnant.

One more connection on who the Two Witnesses is in the story of Gideon's army.God said Gideon's army was too big so he cut it down smaller and smaller,till only a remnant was left.
During the night God told Gideon to go along with his servant Purah to spie on the enemy encampment before giving the Midianites into their hands.
Again,the remnant and two witnesses are one and the same.
In Rev the 144,000 will be spies of sorts,which I don't quite understand just yet,but check out youtube videos and you'll have people testifying that the 144,000 will be as spies.
The Two Witnesses give testimony of it.(OT/NT)

This is a long post considering i'm on a gaming console.And theres alot more.Didn't the Levites rally to Moses when asked who is for God after coming down with the 10 commandments and later set aside to serve God as priests?
Who later rebuilt the walls of Israel after being slaves in Babylon? A remnant of Israel.Not only that,it was the Levites who rebuilt the walls and gates.Who was among them and led the task?Zerubbabel! Who is given the Lords signet ring in Haggia 2:23 and in Zechariah 4:9 says the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple;his hands will also complete it.

Then theres this.Zechariah 3:8-9
Listen,O high priest Joshua and your associates sitted before you,who are men symbolic of things to come.(remnant)
I am going to bring my servant the branch.See the stone I have set in front of Joshua!There are seven eyes on that one,and i'll engrave an inscription on it,'says the Lord Almighty,and I'll remove the sin of this land in a single day.

After that chapter is the one about the gold lampstand and the two olive trees.

Most of what you say is true and some good points.

It would make a lot of sense for the 2 witnesses to be compatible, since they will be together for 3 1/2 years.

What I don't understand is - what purpose would it serve for the 144k to be spies?

Seems to me - they'll have to 'secretly' spread the gospel - since it will probably be illegal.

What about this dream made Jacob rebuke Joseph?

Genesis 37:10 ...[Jacob] said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

Jacob asks - what is this dream?

The dream is a dream of Israel - a land that is not known at that time.

Yet - it is the land that God promised Abraham's offspring would inherit.

In Rev 12 we see this same scenario - but it includes Joseph as one of the stars:

Rev 12:And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars

The 12 stars are symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel:

The twelve tribes of Israel are referred to twice in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) - and twice in the Book of Revelation

Probably had the J word in it.. Banning the word merely increaes the hatred towards those people.

That would be a fulfilled prophecy -

All nations turn against Israel