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| SCRIPTURAL TARSHISH AND FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECIES PART 1 |
SCRIPTURAL TARSHISH AND FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECIES PART 1
PART 1--ACCORDING TO HISTORIANS
A SPECIAL INTRODUCTION
NOTICE THAT GOD PERFORMS HIS WILL AS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS—WE ARE TO LEARN TO SUBMIT TO THE CREATOR—
Creator God has to be glorified by His creation, it is the men who understand.
Beasts do not understand, men understand.
Nobody could teach KNOWLEDGE to GOD, Job 21: 22. Whatever HE DESIRES, would BE PERFORMED, Job 23: 13-14.
In last chapters of Revelations we see that He comes to dwell with a prepared ministers (servants) to dwell with them, Re 22: 2-5, they reign with Him. But He would not dwell with those who commit sin, Re 21: 8.
Read--
184. LORD PERFORMS WHAT HE DESIRES
In---http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
In history, God’s prophet Nathan told David, that his son Solomon, would build a HOUSE for GOD’S NAME, 2 Sam 7: 12,13. From 1 Ki. 6, we see the commencement of building, THE TEMPLE.
GOD HAD DESIRED TO MAKE ISRAEL HIS PEOPLE, 2 Sam 7: 23-26, and David’s generations to rule ISRAEL, (please read that chapter and 1 Chr 17).
God told Solomon that he should keep God’s statutes, Judgments, commandments, --the RULER should be walking in them (and teach others to do so), so that the ruler would NOT BE CUT OFF, then LORD will dwell among ISRAEL, 1 Ki 6: 11-13.
Read--
195. LESSONS FROM KING SOLOMON
In---http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
So Solomon built the temple, vs. 14, during that time, ships of Tarshish were used as written in this article.
As time went on, people of God had forgotten the ways GOD WILLED, ---but---He overlooked time of ignorance, Ac 17:30, then JESUS CHRIST, the ALMIGHTY GOD, Isa 9: 6, Jn 10: 18, chose a time to reform all what He desired, --HE HIMSELF as the High Priest, Heb 9:9-11, Heb 8: 1,2, and with His atonement, Eze. 16: 63, He would PERFORM His will. (this is the end time, when He performed prophecies, Eze. 12: 25-28.
NOW DAVID PROPHESIED OF GENTILES—
That thorns (sons of rebellion)would be in David’s throne (the ministry under a leader who is of David type), BUT THAT THEY WOULD BE BURNED, with FIRE, 2 Sam 23: 6-7. He also prophesied that foreigners (gentiles), would serve Him, 2 Sam 22: 44-45. in prophecies you see that gentile work burning with LORD’S fire, which is His words, Jer 5: 14, 23: 29, to burn wickedness, Isa 9; 18.
Notice –David said--
2 Sam 23: 2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
So the prophecies of David, are the words of JESUS CHRIST, the GOD OF WHOLE EARTH!----RULERS SHOULD FEAR HIM, very specially, RULERS OF GOD’S CHURCH, should RULE, with the FEAR OF GOD, to do what He had commanded!
His will is recorded, prophecies are HIS WILL, THEY WOULD BE PERFORMED!
RULERS ARE TO BE VERY CAREFUL!
So the things that were prophesied for last days would happen—
Jacob prophesied that JESUS CHRIST would come during last days as scepter, Ge 49: 1, 10, Moses prophesied, Deut 18: 15,18,19, Acts 3: 22, even Balaam prophesied , Num 24: 17, as a branch of Righteousness, Jer 33: 15-26.
NOW THE SONS OF REBELLION, the THORNS (whom David prophesied) were with the prophet in last days, Eze. 2: 5,6---therefore the gentiles would submit to JESUS CHRIST when He comes as a branch of David, Jer 33: 15-17, and would serve Him to BURN THESE THORNS.
Read—
26. WHEN HE BAPTIZES WITH FIRE AND SPIRIT, MT 3: 11
198. FIRE OF GOD Jer 5.14 CONTAINS PARABLES TO TEST MINISTRY AS GOLD
214. NOT PROFANED FIRE, BUT FIRE OF THE LORD, SEEKS OUT WICKEDNESS OF MAN, UNTIL THERE IS NONE Ps. 10.15
In---http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
NOW LORD CONSIDERS ISRAEL AS THOSE WHOM GOD CALLED TO BE IN HIS CHURCH, Jn 6: 44. out of them, A REMNANT was chosen, with whom LORD made the covenant , Eze. 16: 8-14, LORD gave them the responsibility of David, Isa 22: 20-24. they are Philadelphia Church of God (PCG, the leader being Gerald Flurry). But, SINCE THEY BROKE THE COVENANT , through Bamah matter, Eze. 44: 7, (written in this article), his responsibility was removed, Isa 22: 25.
They were blinded, and sent into captivity in Babylon , Eze. 12: 3-15. after that LORD’S words fulfill, Eze. 12: 25-28.
NOTICE---Philadelphia Church of God leader was killed spiritually, Eze. 9: 6, it is as SAUL DIED, because he went after a MEDIUM, 1 Chr. 10: 13, Gerald Flurry goes after a MEDIUM, H.W.Armstrong! we are to learn lessons from history!
JESUS CHRIST requires to consume these sins, so that they be without sin to be holy to see Him. this leader is cleansed as Joshua, Zec 3.
Read about how Joshua was cleansed--
216. SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD TESTED THE MINISTRY TO GIVE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST
In---http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
As prophesied JESUS CHRIST would come performing His words, Eze. 12: 25-28, but He came in clouds, Eze. 30: 3, that is raining His words, Ps. 72: 6. JESUS CHRIST poured His spirit, which is life giving words, Jn 6: 63, on all flesh, gentiles too, Joel 2; 28,29.----Therefore gentiles could serve during day of the LORD, Eze. 30: 3, it is the time LORD purifies a MINISTRY for His TABERNACLE too, Mal 3: 2,3. Notice that it is the SAME TIME---THE DAY OF THE LORD!
BECAUSE HE IS RAINING HIS WORDS, during gentiles’ times, YOU SHOULD SEE A WORK WITH GOD’S WORDS among gentiles! David prophesied , that gentiles would serve as David, Zec 12: 8-10, (those gentiles were grafted to ISRAEL, Ro 11: 17-22), that means THESE GENTILES WERE IN PCG (Philadelphia Church of God), they noticed PCG leaders were as THORNS, Eze. 2: 5,6, even breaking the covenant, in India, that is Bamah matter.----THEY DO NOT FEAR TO BREAK LORD’S COVENANT! ---sons who rebels—thorns David prophesied!---then David said that gentiles would serve him!
The minister of India and Sri Lanka (Philadelphia Church of God) then, was a Sri Lankan, N. Wickramasinghe, so he and a few more members experienced Bamah matter, getting strangers into altar, (violation of Le 22: 25), -- as he served under Alex Harrison, the Regional Director , who devised the Bamah abomination. –Eze. 39; 21-23.
Therefore these gentile members had first hand knowledge of how it all happened. The Sri Lankan minister even visited Gerald Flurry, all the way from Sri Lanka to Edmond, US, escaping from Regional Director, Eze. 24: 26, but was disfellowshipped by Gerald Flurry, Ps 14:4, Ps 53:4!
LORD’S COUNSEL IS TO PURIFY THIS SAME MINISTRY TO MAKE THE NEW COVENANT, Ez 16: 60-63. (a reason could be that all people of God would learn a good lesson, never to go astray from God’s Judgments and commandments, WHEN THEY SEE HOW ASHAMED THIS CHURCH HAS TO BE WHEN ALL THEIR REBELLION IS KNOWN TO THE WORLD!)---IT IS A LESSON TO ALL BELIEVERS FOREVER!
Therefore, LORD CORRECTS THE SAME MINISTRY OF Philadelphia Church of God –THROUGH LORD’S FIRE, words, Jer 5: 14, 23: 29, to burn wickedness, Isa 9: 18, --and these words are swords, cleansing even thoughts, Heb 4: 12.
By the LORD’S swords, LORD cleanses the ministry, Mal 3: 2,3. LORD CHOSE THE GENTILES TO SEND THESE MESSAGES, comparing them TO BE SHIPS OF TARSHISH, messengers in ships, Eze. 30: 3,9---ships of TARSHISH, Isa 60: 9.
So this is LORD’S DAY, Eze. 30: 3, which would end as a “yesterday” compared to “thousand years”, Ps. 90: 4.
When Philadelphia Church of God MINISTRY is cleansed , THEY ARE LIKE LIVING STONES , A SPECIAL ROYAL MINISTRY built up as A SPIRITUAL HOUSE, 1Pe 2:5, since JESUS CHRIST is also a LIVING STONE, 1 Pe 2: 4 (gentiles were made like that through His blood, Eph 2: 13, as first born of poor, Isa 14: 30, and when Tarshish and Sheba offer them as presents, Ps. 72: 10-15, the ISRAEL too would be as stones, (a present is as a stone to Him, Pr 17: 8).
Philadelphia Church of God is to mother the rest of the chosen ISRAEL , when they make the new covenant, Eze. 16: 60-62, with the atonement LORD provides, vs. 63.
THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD WHO WOULD PERFORM ALL HIS WILL!
HISTORIANS AND BIBLICAL PROPHECIES PROVE SRI LANKA AS TARSHISH!
ALL PRAISE BE TO GOD OF WHOLE EARTH. AMEN.
Please read the following articles as preludes to this article.
200. INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTURAL TARSHISH
215. PRELUDE TO SCRIPTURAL TARSHISH AS THEY BRING STONES AS PRESENTS
196. PSALM 72 TARSHISH AND SHEBA BRINGING PRESENTS TO THE LORD CONFIRMS NOAH’S COVENANT WITH GOD
207. BALAAM PROPHESIED THAT SHIPS OF TARSHISH WOULD LIVE DURING THE DAY OF THE LORD
In---http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
The history of ancient Tarshish transporting gold, silver and precious things to the TEMPLE OF KING SOLOMON pictures the present day gentiles of Tarshish (Sri Lanka) and Sheba (India) offering gold , silver and precious things, AS PRESENTS, Ps. 72: 10-15, PRESENTS BEING LIVING STONES, 1Pe 2:5 , to be A SPIRITUAL HOUSE OF JESUS CHRIST, WHICH HE HIMSELF HAD PITCHED THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE.
(According to Pe 1: 20, prophecies cannot be interpreted privately, but we are to find answers from scriptures!)
Therefore one should read the biblical answers without prejudice, God’s words stand, Jer 44:28, 29!
Sheba is India as H.W.Armstrong too proved and as Philadelphia Church of God acknowledges. There were some members from India and Sri Lanka among Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), which was the last era church, which too fell as Laodiceans after they committed Bamah abomination in India, Eze. 20: 29.
Since Laodiceans are blind, Re 3: 17, they do not see their sin of this covenant breaking sin, Eze. 44: 7, which is against Le 22: 25.
Those members from India and Sri Lanka are gentiles eye-witnessed the Bamah abomination , and , the writer of this article, from Sri Lanka, witnessed as Le 5: 1 says (if you hear of an abomination of SANCTUARY OF GOD, you sin and should witness!). Almost all articles found in http://www.restoringcaptivity.com refer to this abomination, and how God deals with it. LORD punished PCG leaders through word of God , making us to rule them, some references are; Isa 3: 4,12, Re 11: 2-4, La 1: 15, Eze. 16: 40-42.
Ps. 72: 10-15 mentions of Tarshish and Sheba bringing presents to God, those vss. mentions of our gentile work which would bear fruits AS JESUS CHRIST IS LEADING US, Zec 12: 8-10, Eze. 30: 3.
Please read more facts about the abomination from other articles in the above website.
The facts in this article prove that Sri Lanka is Tarshish, which was a part of India anciently. Facts from several websites are also included.
PROPHECIES OF Tarshish, (Isa 60: 9 as an example), FULFILL IN ISRAEL CHURCH, RO 9: 4,6. (the vss. say that all ISRAEL are not ISRAEL, but they are those who had the covenant and God’s service, (church which is called by His name, Jer 7:14, it is CHURCH OF GOD, which had the covenant, Eze. 16: 8). It is Philadelphia Church of God which follow WCG leader H.W.Armstrong, after his death). There was a great falling away in church of God, 2Th 2:3, and Philadelphia Church of God continued keeping traditions of H.W.Armstrong.
So we should be sure of biblical prophecies happen in GOD’S church, as it is LORD who purposes things to fulfill as He said in Eze. 12: 25-28!
Now when Re 3: 17 indicates the fall of last era church among ISRAEL as being Laodiceans, they had fallen and are blind, to biblical prophecies, they are having a famine of the word, Amos 8; 11, (THEREFORE, they could err!).
In Isa 8: 8-13- God says His law is abandoned, everyone deals falsely and that LORD will consume them. (law was given to church people, they who kept all commandments!—it is they who could be abandoned—MINISTRY IS RESPONSIBLE!). SO A CONSUMING WORK HAS TO HAPPEN, AND LORD IS PURIFYING MINISTRY, Mal 3: 2,3, amidst LORD’S own church, PCG, to make the everlasting covenant with them again, Eze. 16: 60-63.
According to God’s words their wickedness would be consumed, Isa 9: 18, and they would be purified of their sins through the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST, and HE WOULD MAKE A NEW COVENANT, Eze. 16: 60-63, as they broke the covenant, Eze. 16: 59.
Gerald Flurry, leader of Philadelphia Church of God , wrote in his booklet “Former prophets 1998”---pg 5- “if a leader commits iniquity—I will chasten him with the rod of men and with stripes of children”. The leader of God’s church might weaken and think he is above law. God promises His leaders--- that He will correct them with the rod of men of this world”! --That is an unbreakable promise of God- that is part of ACTS 15;16 Amos 9:11- to CORRECT MINISTRY IN David’s throne. ---Ex. 32:34-forgives---but punishments would come.
THEREFORE, WHEN THE LEADERS REBEL THROUGH BREAKING GOD’S LAWS, GOD WOULD PUNISH WITH THE ROD OF MEN, 2Sa 7:14.
Ps 75:7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another.
With such prophecies, God had put down Philadelphia Church of God, and made Tarshish to rule PCG, Isa 3: 4,12. LORD does a work to redeem Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) ministry whom HE HAD SCATTERED spiritually in nations, Eze. 12: 3,15. (LORD speaks in parables, Mt 13:34, Eze 20:49, LORD pictures the church AS NOT IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL, AS HE HAD TAKEN THEIR NAMES OUT FROM THE REGISTRY OF ISRAEL, Eze. 13: 9). After purifying, their names would be written again on the walls of new Jerusalem, Re 21: 12.
When LORD’S church failed, it is JESUS CHRIST who leads the WORK, as stated in Re 5: 9—LORD CORRECTS HIS CHOSEN ISRAEL OF RO 9: 4,6, TO MAKE THE NEW COVENANT, providing the atonement needed, Ez 16: 60-63.
After that THEY WOULD BE A BLESSING TO THOSE AROUND THEM, . Eze 34:26, that means they would be a blessing to the world! But right now they are Laodiceans! Their blindness, Re 3; 17, has to be removed by JESUS CHRIST!-- Isa 29:18
For that LORD uses gentiles to serve Him TO SEND MESSAGES IN SHIPS, Eze. 30: 9, it is gentiles serving during LORD’S DAY, Eze. 30: 3.
GOD PERFORMS HIS WORDS, Eze. 12: 25-28, after scattering LORD’S ISRAEL ministry in spiritual nations, Eze. 32: 9 (the “NATIONS” are not known---IT IS A PARABLE picturing as “NATIONS”) .----but H.W.Armstrong had erred and taught the “NATIONS’ as physical nations. It is true that physical nations too would get LORD’S curses, but in prophecies, LORD pictures the church as in “nations”, FOR HE WOULD GATHER THEM FROM CAPTIVITY from “NATIONS”, Eze. 39: 28,29, Jer 23: 7,8. –Jer 33: 26.
LORD alone prevailed to do a work in Revelations, 5: 9! His church people were not there!
But it is prophesied that gentiles would hear Him, Acts 28: 28, Ro 15:12, Ps 98: 1,2, Lu 2:32 , Then one has to find this work among gentiles!
Coastlands , Ge 10: 4 (Tarshish), would wait on His law, Isa 42:4, Isa 60:9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first,
These SHIPS are MESSENGERS OF THE LORD, Eze. 30: 9.
SO IT IS TARSHISH.----therefore as written above, the gentile work done by members of India and Sri Lanka who were disfellowshipped from PCG, for speaking of the Bamah abomination, ARE THE ONES LORD SPEAKS AS Tarshish and Sheba!
LORD’S WORK IS A GLORIOUS WORK , AND AWESOME WORK TO BRING BACK THE CAPTIVITY OF ISRAEL from “nations”, Eze. 39: 28,29, A SECOND EXODUS, Isa 11: 11, FROM MANY NATIONS, Jer 23: 7,8.
This article proves of that work of JESUS CHRIST as among gentiles of Tarshish.
Acts 15: 17-- That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.—NOW JESUS CHRIST HAD PUT HIS NAME ON US---THEY SERVE IN HOUSE OF GOD, Isa 56: 4-7.
THOSE GENTILES ARE NAMED BY JESUS CHRIST TO SEEK HIM—
Isa 60:9 Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first,-- Isa 51:5-- The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.Isa 49:23-- Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me."-- Isa 42:4-- the coastlands shall wait for His law."-- La 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.
COASTLANDS—SHIPS OF TARSHISH—TRUST HIM AND WAIT UPON HIM—THEY ARE NOT ASHAMED OF HIM—LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM!
So those coastlands, ships of Tarshish has a work trusting His arm! (arm is to do a work—and these gentiles as descending from Ge 10: 4, (creator God thinks like that as He knows all whom He created)---they trust His work—BELIEVE HIM TO SERVE HIM!
(H.W.Armstrong had taught that using God’s name is a vain thing, ----and the cross as a means of killing people, so he taught not to have any regard for the cross!
PCG believe in such nonsense, Paul taught he would preach nothing but---JESUS CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED, 1 Co 2: 2!----we gentiles are not ashamed of JESUS CHRIST and HIS CROSS---one could see how the CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST IS EXPLAINED in –http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
Therefore, God intended to do a scriptural work with Tarshish, Jer 10: 9, to GLORIFY HIS NAME--- scriptural prophecies of Tarshish had fulfilled in Sri Lanka and India (Sheba), Eze. 39: 21-23, Ps 72:10, Eze. 38: 13 and many more prophecies are explained in this article, which proves the LORD’S END TIME work is in Tarshish, TO THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST, THE CREATOR GOD OF WHOLE EARTH.
EARLY HISTORY OF SRI LANKA and INDIA HELPS TO UNDERSTAND these PROPHECIES.
While spiritual work of Tarshish is done among us, we prove this physical location of Tarshish too AS SRI LANKA –by records of historians and people who dealt with archeology.
The facts of the history of India and Sri Lanka are helpful to understand scriptures.
An ancient map of South India and Sri Lanka as closely connected could be seen in – lankapura.com .
Sri Lanka had a natural harbour in Galle, (now it is different than those days) and that may be where the ships of Tarshish functioned, to take spices, pea cocks, silver, gold etc. to king Solomon. These were taken from India and Sri Lanka.
Earlier Sri Lanka was known as Heladiva, Seylan, Taprobane, Ceylon and even by some other names. The people were known as “sinhalayo” (until very recently)—“sinhale”, “Sinhalese” now “Sri Lankans”. (sinha means LION, le means BLOOD---“sinhale” denotes a brave nation! (just as Ps. 72: 10-15 indicates that we bring a present to JESUS CHRIST, Isa 18:2, 7 indicates that these who bring the present are a terrible, powerful and treading down people, from the beginning! –that show Tarshish has a long history, brave and strong in their works!---even our historians, and the books Ramayana, Mahawamsa say such things!)
Some facts below could be confirmed by historians through their websites, which are quoted here below—one would see that Sri Lanka had a great history.
(Tarshish is son of Javan, son of Japheth, son of Noah, Gen 10: 2-4 –from that time coastlands had a history!).
THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES CONFIRM FACTS OF ANCIENT SRI LANKA—
http://www.trulysrilanka.com
Galle is the name of a major harbour city and a historic place .
History of Galle
Galle is Sri Lanka’s fourth largest city that boasts an interesting history.
During British rule, the Galle fort was very well preserved and was used as Galle’s administrative centre. However, it is believed that Galle has been an important port even before western rule. Early history reveals that Indians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Arabs and even Persians have been trading goods through this port.
http://www.lankalibrary.com/heritage/galle6.htm
Galle : "Tarshish" of the Old Testament
According to Sir James Emerson Tennant, Galle was the "Tarshish" referred to in the Bible as the port where ships trading with King Solomon obtained their Elephants, Peacocks and Gemstones. Most certainly the place where the Galle Fort now stands as well as other areas in Galle like Unawatuna, Magalle, Kaluwella and even the China Gardens (which held a colony of Chinese traders several years ago) were all areas with historic connections which go back long before the Portuguese Era.
International traders, Persians, Moor traders from the Persian Gulf, South Indian traders, Malays and a host of other nationalities lived and traded in Galle.
The Cripps Road inscription reveals the polyglot and poly-ethnic character of Galle. Even in early British times the earliest Embassies were situated in Galle.
For example the first Consul from USA was resident in Galle.
Quotations from www.ramayanaresearch.com
Sri Lanka was then called Heladiva, Heladvipa, Helanka, Seylan, Taprobane, Heladiva, and Lanka and was internationally famous, as Dhammadvipa.
Traders from the West and Far East visited Heladiva in search of gems, ivory, spices, and pearls, peacocks and elephants. During this period indigenous Helayo’s lived in Heladiva, as it is strategically placed in the Indian Ocean, which often attracted traders and invaders from neighbouring and distant countries. Non-Aryans and the Indo-Aryans came in as friends and foe in the distant past. Ships with the Persian pennant came to Heladiva to purchase its produce. The ancient Sinhalayo grew rice for consumption and export. The Romans, Europeans, and Greeks from distant Europe and Arabs from Middle East and Chinese from the Far East visited Heladiva in the early days to learn Buddha Dhamma, on good will missions and on trade as well.
A Bertius map of South India and Sri Lanka could be seen in – lankapura.com
which would help to understand the facts stated below—(this map was included in
e-mails sent on “Introduction to scriptural Tarshish”).
In those times, Sri Lanka was a part of India. BUT a tsunami more than 2000 years ago had caused the separation. --The following quotations prove that a Tsunami had separated Sri Lanka from India--
QUOTATIONS FROM -- The Talk Delivered By N.C.K Kiriella – Chairman Ramayana Trail Executive Committee Of The Sri Lankan Tourism Ministry At The Indian Cultural Centre Of The Indian High Commission On July 16th 2009.
“According to Ramayana Sri Lanka was a huge continent. The early Indian astronomers established that the capital of Sri Lanka, as the equinoctial point in the universe. Rawana-Kotte [the great and little basses] is located off the southeast coast. This was one of Rawana's Fortresses, and an impregnable stronghold renowned for its seven concentric ramparts and parapet of brass. Maritime archaeological researchers have found a number of places and objects of archaeological and historical value from this zone, which can be accessed by boat from Kirinda. The decision to proclaim this area a security zone was taken at a discussion held in last July (2007) between the Archaeological Department, Central Cultural Fund and Sri Lanka Navy. King Rawana had built one of his fortresses at these locations which are submerged in the sea now.
Another interesting question is whether Sri Lanka had been connected to Indian subcontinent during this period. According to Ramayana, Hanuman could bring his entire army to Lanka without much difficulty. So it is again possible that there had been some sort of land connection between the subcontinent and the isle of Lanka (Even as later as 300 BC, Megasthenes, the Grecian Ambassador of the court of Chandra Gupta, had mentioned that Taprobane was separated from the mainland by a ‘river’. The fact that he opted for the word ‘river’, instead of ‘sea’, indicates that this gap could not have been wide.) It is also quite possible that this connection was destroyed as a result of a combination of an earthquake and a powerful tsunami”.
“According to the belief of Sri Lankan populace the only tsunami they have ever heard before was the one that took place nearly 2,200 years ago during the reign of the King Kelanitissa. This tsunami is recorded in Mahawansa and is accepted as a tsunami.
Since the last tsunami of 2004 which shocked the world many evidences of many tsunamis that had taken place since prehistory were highlighted. It’s interesting to note that more frequent tsunamis have shattered the isle of Lanka than most of us have ever thought. Information of different incidents related to earthquakes and tsunamis can be gathered by carefully studying diverse sources of history.
The first incident, which has not been recorded in any of the ancient Sri Lankan texts, allegedly has taken place at the end of Rawana’s reign. According to Ramayana, Rawana’s kingdom, with 25 Palaces and over 400,000 streets were swallowed by the sea. Let’s think over whether it could have actually happened. Though the exact location of the Rawana’s kingdom is not historically identified but it is accepted as Sri Lanka. However, with the findings of rock edicts pertaining to Rawana and his dynasty in Sri Lanka, it proves that Sri Lanka is the Lanka stated in Ramayana. So it was quite possible that this pre-historic or rather pre-Mahawansa kingdom near present Arugambay has been completely destroyed by a tsunami or an earthquake.
From “Mahawamsa” history of Sri Lanka (web site).
Brief History
One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian epic Ramayana, which described the emperor Ravana as monarch of the powerful kingdom of Lanka. English historian James Emerson Tennent also theorized Galle, a southern city in Sri Lanka, was the ancient seaport of Tarshish from which King Solomon is said to have drawn ivory, peacocks and other valuables. The main written accounts of the country’s history are the Buddhist chronicles of Mahavansa and Dipavamsa.
The earliest-known inhabitants of the island now known as Sri Lanka were probably the ancestors of the Wanniyala-Aetto people, also known as Veddahs and numbering roughly 3,000. Linguistic analysis has found a correlation of the Sinhalese language with the languages of the Sindh and Gujarat, although most historians believe that the Sinhala community emerged well after the assimilation of various ethnic groups. Dravidian people may have begun migrating to the island from the pre-historic period. From the ancient period date some remarkable archaeological sites including the ruins of Sigiriya, the so-called “Fortress in the Sky”, and huge public works. Among the latter are large “tanks” or reservoirs, important for conserving water in a climate that alternates rainy seasons with dry times, and elaborate aqueducts, some with a slope as finely calibrated as one inch to the mile. Ancient Sri Lanka was also the first in the world to have established a dedicated hospital in Mihintale in the 4th century BCE. Ancient Sri Lanka was also the world’s leading exporter of cinnamon, which was exported to Egypt as early as 1400 BCE. Sri Lanka was also the first Asian nation to have a female ruler in Queen Anula (47 – 42 BC)
From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia
TARSHISH
Tarshish also occurs in various places in the Hebrew Bible with various meanings:
One of the sons of Javan (Gen 10:4).
In the Bible Solomon set up a trade with Tarshish and received ivory, apes, and peacocks (2Chronicles 9:21, 1Kings 10:22) from Tarshish which are all native to the jungles in India. India's state bird for example is the peacock
• Bochart first suggested eastern localities for the ports of Ophir and Tarshish during King Solomon's reign, specifically the Tamilakkam continent (present day South India and Northern Ceylon) where the Dravidians were well known for their gold, pearls, ivory and peacock trade.
• In the Oracle against Tyre, the prophet Ezekiel (27:12) mentions that silver, iron, lead and tin came to Tyre from Tarshish (Trsys).
• One of King Ahasuerus' seven advisers who were princes of Persia and Media (Esther 1:14).
English historian James Emerson Tennent also theorized Galle, a southern city in Sri Lanka, was the ancient seaport of Tarshish from which King Solomon is said to have drawn ivory, peacocks and other valuables.
Some believe the Tarshish power to be Britain and possibly related to an Eastern Tarshish, namely India. Some, looking for the 2nd coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God based round the land of Israel, believe that the prophecies regarding the Tarshish power have their latter day fulfillment in modern times.
As stated above ----From Wikipedia, free encyclopedia
Explaining TARSHISH the following was stated
• In the Oracle against Tyre, the prophet Ezekiel (27:12) mentions that silver, iron, lead and tin came to Tyre from Tarshish (Trsys).
HERE IS PROOF THAT Tarshish HAD IRON—
Prophet Ezekiel lived BC 550, that is about 2562 years ago, from now.
ARCHELOGISTS of Sri Lanka have found RECENTTLY, that the OLDEST IRON IN ASIA, more than 3000 years old were from Haldemulla, a town of Sri Lanka. therefore it is proof that iron came from Tarshish, Sri Lanka , it proves Eze. 27: 12!
THEN WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
History shows that Ezekiel lived during the period around BC 550. Daniel’s recordings were written after Ezekiel book, that too dates back to BC 550.
So during the time of Ezekiel of BIBLE, Sri Lanka had IRON—and that means THE work of SHIPS OF Tarshish in---Ez 27: 12!
Now---The Biblical Ezekiel is a sign to the prophet of Eze. 2: 5, 33; 33, says Eze. 24: 24 ----since the leader claimed he represent the prophet Ezekiel, and now that we as ships of Tarshish send Him LORD’s messages, Ez 30: 9, proves of the SCRIPTURAL WORK OF THE LORD!
Ezekiel (27:12) mentions that silver, iron, lead and tin came to Tyre from Tarshish
Jer 10: 9--Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish,
Interpreting from scriptures, silver is God’s words purified seven times, Ps. 12: 6, and Sri Lanka God’s servants work with words of God and send them to Philadelphia Church of God . so Jer 10: 9 prophecy is fulfilled in Sri Lanka!
-http://www.restoringcaptivity.com prove the work LORD is doing with Sri Lanka!
God in His work requires to burn the wickedness of the leaders of PCG! The following articles and many other explain that God’s words are fire, Jer 5: 14, to burn wickedness, Isa 9: 18.
206. FIRE OF THE LORD CONSUMES WICKEDNESS TO END CAPTIVITY
214. NOT PROFANED FIRE, BUT FIRE OF THE LORD, SEEKS OUT WICKEDNESS OF MAN, UNTIL THERE IS NONE Ps. 10.15
Read---in--http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
Therefore the LORD’S FIRE---His words are sent as LORD’S MESSAGES TO Philadelphia Church of God MINISTERS, messages are taken by us, but the LORD calls us SHIPS, Eze. 30: 9, SHIPS of Tarshish, Isa 60: 9.
JESUS CHRIST DOES A WORK WITH HIS WORDS.
LORD SPEAKS OF THE INQUITY AMONG ISRAEL CHURCH, (as they were not obedient to His laws, Isa 1: 13), AND HOW THE LORD IS DOING A WORK AMONG THEM, through Tarshish, Eze. 30: 3, TO MAKE ISRAEL OF RO 9: 4,6 , purify as gold and silver, MAL 3: 2,3 , that is to make them UNDERSTAND THE TRUE WAYS TO WORSHIP HIM, KNOWING HIS WAYS!
PCG broke the covenant, Eze. 16: 15-59, as a great harlot, Re 17: 5—and she is not making efforts to reconcile with God, THAT IS THE SONG OF THE HARLOT SUNG BY TYRE, at the end of the 70 year period, Isa 23: 15,
(who had the covenant of God , did not guard it as said in Le 22: 25, but made strangers to come as ministers into altar, Eze. 44: 7).
Tyre was mentioned in Eze. 27: 12 as shown above.
JESUS CHRIST IS TEACHING A HARD LESSON TO HIS OWN CHURCH, THROUGH US, HAVING CLEANSED US THROUGH HIS BLOOD, Eph 2; 11-13.
God is Holy, no UNHOLY person could see or serve Him, Heb 12: 14.
SO THE WORK OF Tarshish INVOLVES CLEANSING HIS OWN PEOPLE SO THAT THEY COULD COME NEAR HIM!
THIS IS LIKE A DRAMA!—a strange act—says JESUS CHRIST!
Isa 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.
LORD would act to save ISRAEL and David, as they are the two chosen families of God, Jer 33: 24-26, (they had fallen through sin)---so now, when the present day ISRAEL had broken the covenant, HE WOULD ACT----A STRANGE ACT, in His short work, Ro 9: 28—IN ANGER, AFTERWARDS HE SAVES THEM THROUGH HIS SACRIFICE, Ro 6: 3-7, which would make them AS NEW BORN, WITHOUT SIN, to serve Him in Righteousness unto Holiness, Ro 6: 19,22!
LORD’s work contains many parables, riddles, visions, Hos 12: 10, now that Tarshish wait on God, Isa 60: 9, they too are shown as LORD’S parables—in one instance,
Tarshish people are silver and gold smiths, Jer 10: 9, smiths who are mentioned in the good basket of figs, Jer 24: 1,5-7, HAVE TO USE an IRON ANVIL , Isa 41: 7, to work the silver (which is God’s words, Ps. 12: 6) and gold (wisdom of God)! ---
THIS PARABLE would be FURTHER fully EXPLAINED UNDER THE SCRIPTURE, Jer 10: 9. (since Tarshish had iron during biblical Ezekiel’s time too, they could work with silver!)
Spiritually gold for us, is God Himself—but a testing for gold would be done spiritually, 1Pe 1:7, Re 3:18.
God therefore is our silver and gold, Job 22: 25, and the ISRAEL of LORD, Ro 9: 4,6 should become as silver and gold to be as perfect as He is, Mt 5:48 , and holy as LORD is, 1Pe 1:16, because without holiness, NO ONE COULD SEE HIM, Heb 12:14, ISRAEL has to be given Holiness, through His sacrifice, Ro 6: 19,22, SO THAT THEY SEE HIM WHEN HE COMES, Re 22: 12.
Therefore LORD’s short work is to give light of Him to ISRAEL through gentiles of Tarshish and Sheba, giving Him presents, Ps. 72: 10-15, presents being STONES for LORD’S TABERNACLE, Pr 17: 8.
WE ARE TO EXPECT GOD’S SHORT WORK TO BE FULL OF THINGS HE HAD CREATED, SEEN FOR ETERNITY! He uses places, things, men, animals, birds, fish, serpents, trees, herbs, grass, insects, things connected to water and food, weather, metals and non-metals, sky , clouds, rain, hail, fire, coal, rainbow, and all things He created IN HIS STRANGE ACT!
That is why it is hard to understand the scriptures. Unless LORD opens the minds, we are blind! HE WOULD NOT DO SO UNLESS WE FEAR HIM-- Ps 111:10, Pr 1:7 , Pr 15:33 , Isa 33:6 -LORD purposed to make Tarshish wait on Him, Isa 60: 9, so He had given the understanding to them, so that ISRAEL would hear from them. Acts 28: 28.
It is interesting reading, to see how the WORD OF GOD is fulfilling in ISRAEL of Ro 9: 4,6 and Tarshish , Sri Lanka! (this article is mainly of Tarshish).
God said His words will fulfil, Eze. 12: 25-28, and until the last they would fulfil, Re 17:17. God created the world for His purpose, and His will would be done, Ro 11:36.
HE MAKES HIS FOLLOWERS, the ministry (the Levi), Mal 3: 2,3, TO UNDERSTAND HIS PURPOSES BY MANY WAYS, even through disasters! Lu 17:26, 27, Lu 18:8, (because they are doing a work of their own!)---EVEN THE WIFE OF THE LEADER WAS TAKEN BY A STROKE, Eze. 24: 16! Still, the leader did not understand that he had broken the marriage covenant with God, Eze. 16: 8, LORD showed how he would feel when the wife is taken!
LORD comes, Re 22: 12, and before that, He does a work, Rom 9: 28, Hab 1: 5, TO PURIFY AND SANCTIFY ISRAEL of Ro 9: 4,6 --- Jerusalem (place where LORD would be worshipped) will be built even in troublesome times UNTO JESUS CHRIST, Dan 9: 25.
Ruined Jerusalem will become a New Jerusalem, she is bride of JESUS CHRIST, Re 21: 2,3, LORD is sending floods, Dan 9: 26, they are spiritual floods of Revelations to build New Jerusalem (it is like clothes to the bride, Re 19: 8), who would become righteous to serve JESUS CHRIST , Re 22: 3,4.
THIS IS A GREAT WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, THE GOD OF WHOLE EARTH, Isa 54:5, as the husband of the land of New Jerusalem, Re 21: 2,3, Isa 62: 4,5, Isa 54: 5.
CHURCH HAS TO UNDERSTAND THAT LORD’S way is in a SANCTUARY , Ps. 77: 13, therefore the LORD speaks of His CORRECTED SANCTUARY, as the land of New Jerusalem!
THERE IS A WORK OF CORRECTION ----WHICH IS THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, AMONG THE SANCTUARY PRIESTS!---if they are corrected, they would help JESUS CHRIST to correct the rest of His believers of all flesh!
Therefore New Jerusalem would be as a help-meet to JESUS CHRIST, to create holy children! A Holy seed!
In these writings, one would see what JESUS CHRIST had purposed , how He would accomplish His will, and His wonderful prophecies which had come to pass, and other prophecies that would be fulfilled very soon!—THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED TO Tarshish and to PCG, and all whom God had called to believe Him, Jn 6: 44, to all flesh who would worship Him as Isa 66: 23 says.
SHIPS OF TARSHISH AND INDIA ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GOLD OF OPHIR THAT WAS BROUGHT TO KING SOLOMON AS SCRIPTURES RECORDS—
We should get facts from history, to understand the prophecies of gold of Ophir too. And as said in the beginning of this article, scriptures answer these prophecies.
2Pe 1:20 - no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Interpretations belong to God, Ge 40:8, therefore scriptural interpretations should be sought from God’s words, to explain prophecies appearing in bible.
Therefore---as we understand history and get facts to visualize the place, scriptural understanding would benefit us to see HOW GOD HAD REPEATED HISTORY TO SHOW HOW HE WOULD ACT IN PROPHECIES FOR TODAY!
FACTS KNOWN OF OPHIR
Encyclopedia Britannica says--
OPHIR, a region celebrated in antiquity for its gold, which was proverbially fine (Job xxii. 24, xxviii. 16; Psalms xlv. 9; Isa. xiii. 12). Thence Solomon's Phoenician sailors brought gold for their master (1 Kings ix. 28, x. 11; 2 Chr. viii. 18, ix. 10); Ophir gold was stored up among the materials for the Temple (1 Chr. xxix. 4).
Catholic Encyclopedia ON OPHIR--
Ophir, in the Bible, designates a people and a country. (www. Newadvent.org)
The people, for whom a Semitic descent is claimed, is mentioned in Genesis 10:29 with the other "sons of Jectan", whose dwelling "was from Messa as we go on as far as Sehar, a mountain in the east" (Genesis 10:30).
The place Ophir was that from which the Bible represents Solomon's fleet bringing gold, silver, thyine (probably sandal) wood, precious stones, ivory, apes, and peacocks (1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:11, 22; 2 Chronicles 8:17-18; 9:10). Its location has been sought where the articles mentioned are native productions; still, while Ophir is repeatedly spoken of as a gold-producing region (Job 22:24; 28:16; Psalm 44:10; Isaiah 13:12), it does not follow that the other articles came from there; whether they were natural products, or only bought and sold there, or even purchased by the merchantmen at intervening ports, cannot be gathered from the text, as it states merely that they were fetched to Asiongaber. The Bible does not give the geographical position of Ophir; it only says that the voyage out from Asiongaber and back lasted three years (1 Kings 10:22). Scholars have been guided in their several identifications of the site by the importance they attach to this or that particular indication in the sacred text—especially the products brought to Solomon—also by resemblances, real or fanciful, between the Hebrew names of Ophir and of the articles mentioned in connexion therewith and names used in various countries and languages. The Greek translators of the Bible, by rendering the Hebrew Ophir into Sophir, the Coptic name for India, would locate the Biblical El Dorado in India, according to some in the land of the Abhira, east of the delta of the Indus, according to others, on the coast of Malabar or at Ceylon, and according to others still in the Malay Peninsula. The opinion that it was situated on the southern or south-eastern coast of Arabia has many advocates, who contend from the text of Genesis 10:29-30, that Ophir must be located between Saba and Hevilath. Another opinion says it was not in Asia, but either on the south-eastern coast of Africa (Sofala) or inland in Mashonaland.
1 kings 10: 22—the wares mentioned are more of less appropriate to India –“Almug” wood is supposed to be sandalwood.
1 kings 10: 11, --1 kings 22: 48, --1 Chr 29: 4---2 Chr 8: 18---2 Chr 9: 10--Job 22: 24
--Job 28: 16---Isa 13: 12
(those quotations were from the above sources mentioned).
OPHIR
www. wikipedia
Ophir is a port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth. King Solomon is supposed to have received a cargo of gold, silver, sandalwood, precious stones...
Asia
Most modern scholars still place Ophir either on the coast of either Pakistan or India, in what is now Poovar, or somewhere in southwestArabia in the region of modern Yemen. This is also the assumed location of Sheba.
A more specific possibility is Southern India or Northern Sri Lanka, where the Dravidians were well known for their gold, ivory and peacocks. A dictionary of the Bible by Sir William Smith published in 1863,[4] notes the Hebrew word for peacock Thukki, derived from the Classical Tamil for peacock Thogkai joins other Classical Tamil words for ivory, cotton-cloth and apes preserved in the Hebrew Bible. This theory of Ophir's location in Tamilakkam is further supported by other historians.[5][6][7] Ophir, referring to the country of the port Tarshish may well refer to the nation of the Tamil Velir-Naga tribe Oviyar in ancient Jaffna, who lived around the famous port towns of Mantai and Kudiramalai, home to the historic Thiruketheeswaram temple.
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) adds a connection to "Sofir," the Coptic name for India. Josephus connected it with "Cophen, an Indian river, and in part of Asia adjoining to it," (Antiquities of the Jews I:6), sometimes associated with a part of Afghanistan.
(my comment—Jaffna is a northern city of Sri Lanka, where people speak the language TAMIL. But Galle had the natural harbour, ---please see the below--)
http://www.trulysrilanka.com
Galle is the name of a major harbour city and a historic place
History of Galle
Galle is Sri Lanka’s fourth largest city that boasts an interesting history.
During British rule, the Galle fort was very well preserved and was used as Galle’s administrative centre. However, it is believed that Galle has been an important port even before western rule. Early history reveals that Indians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, Arabs and even Persians have been trading goods through this port.
• PRECIOUS STONES
Ophir is a port or region mentioned in the Bible, famous for its wealth. King Solomon is supposed to have received a cargo of gold, silver, sandalwood, precious stones...
HYDERABAD HAVING PRECIOUS STONES
HISTORY, WIKIPEDIA
Hyderabad is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the Musi River in the Deccan Plateau in southern India.
Wikipedia
The New City Flourishes
The early history of Hyderabad is inextricably intertwined and fortune rose during the 16th and early 17th centuries, Hyderabad became a center of a vibrant diamond trade. All seven Qutb Shahi sultans were patrons of learning and were great builders. They contributed to the growth and development of Indo-Persian and Indo-Islamic literature and culture in Hyderabad. Some of the sultans were known as patrons of local Telugu culture as well. During the Qutb Shahi reign Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world for diamonds, pearls, steel, arms, and also printed fabric. In the 16th century the city grew to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda and eventually became the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Hyderabad became known for its gardens (called baghs) and its comfortable climate. Visitors from other lands compared the city most to the beautiful city of Isfahan in Iran.
PRECIOUS STONES OF INDIA
Fred Ward Gem services, prove some facts as discovering of Diamonds in India…(www.erols.com/forward)-
Some excerpts from page 1 of the book “Diamonds” of Mr Ward, a graduate Gemologist (GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA) too, proves that India had precious stones.
Mr Ward had received the gem traders highest academic achievement, he had done many research work on gems, published many books and they are mines of education on gems.
page 1 of Fred Ward’s book on “Diamonds” had this to say--
Indians had already enjoyed other gems for millennia when they discovered diamonds about 400 BC. This is around Golconda, India (Golconda is Hyderabad).
My comment—
So those findings of people prove that India had precious stones from long ago, gold and silver too---even Sri Lanka is famous for it’s precious stones.
Quoting from the above sources again—the things that were brought by ships of Tarshish were—
Solomon's fleet bringing gold, silver, thyine (probably sandal wood), precious stones, ivory, apes, and peacocks (1 Kings 9:26-28; 10:11, 22; 2 Chronicles 8:17-18; 9:10). Its location has been sought where the articles mentioned are native productions; still, while Ophir is repeatedly spoken of as a gold-producing region (Job 22:24; 28:16; Psalm 44:10; Isaiah 13:12),
As you read this article proving from the scriptures, you would understand why God speaks of Tarshish!
GOD SAYS THERE IS A GOLD THAT IS BETTER THAN GOLD OF OPHIR OR PRECIOUS STONES!
Read---
189. JESUS CHRIST MAKES BETTER GOLD THAN GOLD OF OPHIR
181. ALMIGHTY WILL BE YOUR GOLD AND SILVER JOB 22.25 THEREFORE LEVI OF MAL 3.3 ARE TO SEEK HIM
In----http://www.restoringcaptivity.com
Job 28:16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
Isa 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
HOW WILL THE LORD MAKE A MAN PRECIOUS THAN GOLD OF OPHIR?
Articles written on “SCRIPTURAL TARSHISH” MAKES one understand how JESUS CHRIST is doing such a work!
Therefore scriptural verses are explained as those things had fulfilled in Tarshish, namely Sri Lanka. Tarshish work IS ALL FOR THE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST, so we humbly explain the LORD’s work among us.
Await part 2 ---
ALL PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING BE TO THE GOD OF WHOLE EARTH, JESUS CHRIST , AMEN AND AMEN.
Gentile witness 2
messages.2005@gmail.com
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