the Fabled Russian Firebird illustration circa 1899
From this afternoon’s news – Hurricane Igor strengthens to a dangerous Category 4 storm and although at this time it is not certain whether this storm will impact the Eastern United States; it remains a threat which bares watching.
It’s always fascinating to look at the meaning behind names, as insight can at times be gleaned from such things. Igor as I found out by doing a quick search is Norse in origin and means “Warrior Archer” or “Warrior of Peace” and is derived from the name of the Norse god Ing; the god of peace and fertility. If Igor should take a course towards the eastern seaboard, it will be anything but peaceful, striking its intended target with the precision of a master archer.
On thinking about the name Igor, I was reminded of the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. Stravinsky was a Russian born composer, pianist and conductor who was born in 1882 and lived until 1971. Internationally renowned, he first gained fame for three ballets for which he componsed; the Fire Bird, Petrushka and The Rites of Spring. I found his work on Firebird to be of particular interest as it is centered around the fabled magic bird from Russian fairy tales known as the firebird.
From Wikipedia – “In Slavic folklore, the firebird (literally ember bird in Old Russian) is a magical glowing bird from a faraway land, which is both a blessing and a bringer of doom to its captor. A typical role of a firebird in fairy tales, is that of a difficult quest.”
It’s interesting, that the ember bird or firebird as it is known in Russian is not unique to Russian culture, but, actually dates back to the ancient cultures of Persia, Egypt, Greece and Rome where it was known by a variety of names, one of which is the Phoenix. The Phoenix of course, is a mythological bird with the incredible power to self-destruct and resurrect; a term which is still in use today for something making a rather miraculous and unexpected come-back after a long period of absence. From Wikipedia:
A phoenix is a mythical bird that is a fire spirit with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue, and green according to some legends). It has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. In some stories, the new phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and deposits it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (literally “sun-city” in Greek). It is said that the bird’s cry is that of a beautiful song. In very few stories they are able to change into people.
As diverse as these ancient cultures were, it’s interesting that the concept of the firebird is one which is shared. Amazingly, out of the ashes of history, these ancient pagan cultures, like the Phoenix, are rising up once again to challenge the God of Israel. And, while they think they are blessed, they will indeed find themselves cursed.
With the peace talks slated to resume in the next few days (Sept. 14, 15 in Egypt) it will be interesting to see what happens with Hurricane Igor.
Many of us expected a Rosh HaShanah rapture (me included) and while I feel slightly dejected, I am convinced more than ever, that our God is on the move! I feel that the next few days and months will be pivotal and with each passing day, we will see with ever increasing clarity the unfolding of God’s miraculous plan. In the parable of the ten virgins, we are told that the bridegroom tarried, (and I believe, that is what is happening now) so don’t be discouraged, don’t give up – Jesus is coming and coming soon!
In John 11, Jesus is given news that his friend Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha is ill. Instead of going to him right away, Jesus waits two days, but, in two days time, Lazarus is no longer ill, Lazarus is dead! Why, we ask did Jesus wait? What would cause him to tarry when his friends needed him so? And although we may never fully understand the answer to this question, we are told this in verse 4 –
“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
Was Jesus then unkind, dispassionate towards the needs of his friends by keeping them waiting? Assuredly not, for scripture tells us that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Why, then did he wait? The only answer we are given is this –“that God may be glorified,” and when you think about it, whether we understand it or not, that answer is quite simply enough.
In these days of waiting and watching, I remind myself that it is by faith we walk and not by sight – and while things often make little sense from a human stand point, it is during these times of sightlessness that our faith grows just a little bit closer to that which God desires.
The world is on a collision course with the holy God of Israel. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, nations and cultures once confined to the dust bin of history rise under the influence of the most ancient of adversaries to fight one more time against God. And, though the world is poised for perishing, Jesus tarries – just a little while longer, for there is one more yet, like Lazarus to be rescued from death.
“For God is not willing that any should perish, but, that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6 Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
I too was lamenting to God about still being here after Rosh HaShanah and was reminded about the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12 cheering us on and clearly heard the following : If you could see how close you are to the finish line you would be rejoicing! When I looked at things from that perspective the lamenting stopped and joy flooded my soul and I thought – yeah let’s continue running this race with endurance from on high – we’re almost at the finish line!! God Bless you dear Cindy – I really enjoyed reading this post!
By: Linda Adcock on September 13, 2010
at 2:28 pm
I, too, felt dejected when He did not come for us this past week end, but the spirit also led me to the parable of the ten virgins and the words about the bridegroom tarrying. I will keep watching and waiting with you Cindy!
By: Kim on September 13, 2010
at 2:36 pm
The rapture is a FAIRY TALE.
Everyone needs to open up their Bibles and study the regathering of the WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.
If you are a believer – you are part of ISRAEL. You will be protected by the Lord in these last days and regathered into His Kingdom on this earth.
By: Jason on September 13, 2010
at 3:09 pm
Hi Jason, While you are certainly welcome to your opinion, there are more than a few very devoted and learned Bible scholars who would disagree with you. I am a believer and I am not a Jew, per Romans 11, I am a gentile “grafted in” to the promises given to Israel – grafted in does not mean replaced for as it says in Romans 11 God’s gifts and call are irrevocable. Whether the rapture comes now, later or not at all, I belong to the Lord – He will keep me safe or take to heaven via the rapture or death – and whatever He chooses is just fine with me.
By: cindybythesea on September 14, 2010
at 7:34 am
Cindy, your observations about Igor as archer remind me of Revelation 6:2 and the one on the white horse with a bow who, “went out conquering and to conquer” (the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse who in other respects also seems to point to BHO. (That white horse is NOT to be confused with Yahshuah, on another white horse, later in Revelation).
Re. the Lazarus delay, the late Art Katz conjectures that that scene (all of whose participants were Jewish) may signify the two-thousand years’ time during which the Jewish people have been ‘dead’ to Christ, according to the Father’s sovereign plan and to his eternal glory. (See Isaiah 6:9-13).
Whether now or later, I trust he knows best where he needs me and how to get me there.
By: ultraguy on September 13, 2010
at 4:41 pm
Hallelujah! We serve an awesome God! Thank you Cindy for your great blog.
As disappointed as I am that dates and times came and went this weekend, I am so grateful that I was able to invite a new friend to church today and that we have a service of worship planned for Wednesday evening.
AND I was able to buy tickets to Third Day at the Tulsa Fair!!!
Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!
By: Cathy on September 13, 2010
at 4:56 pm
Excellent post Cindy,
We know Jesus fulfilled each of the three spring feasts literally on the very day of the event. It is not unreasonable to expect a literal fulfillment of the fall feasts. Celestially Passover is near the full moon of the Vernal Equinox, Tabernacles is near the full moon of the Autumn Equinox. You might say in relative length of days, Passover marks “brighter days ahead”, Tabernacles marks “darker days ahead” Agriculturally Passover relates to first fruits, Tabernacles is the end of the harvest beginning of planting.
-Passover represents the penal substitutionary atonement by The Lamb of God for our sins.
-Unleavened Bread; His burial, our communion in humility to accept the Bread of Life.
-The Feast of First fruits is representative of the resurrection, “He is risen indeed!”
The Fall Feasts are Trumpets; a call to repentance, followed by the “Ten Days of Awe” ending with Yom Kippur a “Day of Atonement” when the books are sealed, preceding Tabernacles is when God dwells with man.
I am new to the study of the Jewish roots of Christianity, and gave one of the books I had read on the subject to my 13 year old son. He picked up right away, that the three feasts are related. My son asked me… “If the books are not sealed until Yom Kippur, then how can the Rapture can be on Trumpets?”, good question, I thought.
Is Yom Kippur the day the Shofar will sound the Jubilee for the Church? Are the seven days of Tabernacles representative of seven years with the Bridegroom? Some things you just have to watch for, I think that’s His plan.
In the meantime, here is a link to an outstanding series of teachings on the Feast of Tabernacles by Pastor Mark Blitz
Blessings
Michael
By: Michael on September 13, 2010
at 6:11 pm
“Hopefully the Obamas get some rest Thursday or Friday, because they will be back in formalwear on Saturday night for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) annual Phoenix Awards dinner.”
http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/118269-big-party-week-for-the-obamas
By: kev on September 13, 2010
at 6:53 pm
I was looking at Rosh Hashanah as the date as well but am now inclined to agree with Jack Kelley that’s it’s a number not a date. When the “number” of gentiles is reached—–whatever day it happens to be—–the Rapture happens. Link below–
http://www.raptureforums.com/FeaturedCommentary/thefallfeastsofisrael2.cfm
By: John B on September 13, 2010
at 11:10 pm
Dear Cindy by the Sea,
Your question of why did Yeshua let his friend die was answered correctly. ” So that God may be glorified.!” But there is more to this answer.
The elegantatized and most fantastic answer is from the words of Yeshua to Martha. Martha prods her friend Our Christ. In her emotional state of denial, saddness, loss, and maybe anger, she blames Our Saviour for her brothers death by saying, “Lord, If thou had been here, my brother had not died.” Then continuing, “But I know that even NOW, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
Martha’s faith was leaping at the Lord Yeshua. She couldn’t contain her emotions anymore and even possibly had a momemt to question her faith (why should I believe in this man? ) Her emotions and faith were as I say, “On the anvel, awaiting the forge, being beaten into shape desired by the mastercraftsman.”
Jesus knew this. He knows all thing. He knew what He would do.
His words are in the sentence verse 25 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurection, and the life: he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Now for the glory of God.
Christ said with great purpose to Martha in verse 26, “AND WHOSOEVER L I V E T H AND BELIEVETH IN ME SHALL N E V E R Die. Believeth thou this?” Then Martha answered by saying She believed that Yeshua was the Christ.
Every christian I have mets loves this story. But when asked about our Saviours best Friend Lazarus, they say, yes, he was raised from the dead and the Sanhedrin tried to kill him again. Then, asked what do you think happened to Lazarus, they forget verse 26 as if Our Lord never said the words.
I say, LAZARUS LIVES. He lives today. He lives because that is the continuing glory of the Lord Yeshua. He planned it, said it and is doing it.
The Angel that is mentioned in the Inaugural Address of President Bush, was there also. How do I know?
I saw them both. I saw my Lord’s best friend Lazarus. December 14 2000, Washington D.C.
Lazarus lives.
He will witness his best friend’s return.
YosoY
By: YosoY on September 14, 2010
at 12:57 am