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No King But Caesar?

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In the Book of Exodus 7:10-12 Moses records the following: So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had commanded; Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent.11 Then Pharaoh called for the wise men [skilled in magic and divination] and the sorcerers (wizards and jugglers). And they also, these magicians of Egypt, did similar things with their enchantments and secret arts.12 For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. Interestingly enough in Exodus 3 Moses’ shepherds rod becomes a serpent. When taking the account regarding Aaron, Pharaohs magicians, and the showdown of the serpent rods one could deduce that the “King Snake” swallowed up all the other snakes. Also, you must add that the Shepherd became a King – this is true regarding Moses and Jesus.

I was curious about the etymology of our English word king and wondered where it all derived. The online etymology dictionary provides the following: a late Old English contraction of cyning “king, ruler” (also used as a title), from Proto-Germanic *kuningaz (source also of Dutch koning, Old Norse konungr, Danish konge, Old Saxon and Old High German kuning, Middle High German künic, German König). It proceeds to state that the word implied a leader of the people, noble birth, a chief, or ruler.

What I found interesting was the late Old English contraction cyning. When I seek to sound it out at first it sounds like I am saying, sinning. Which calls us back to the accounts in Exodus 3, and 7. Were you aware that Pharaoh wore a headdress which bore the symbol of a cobra? Incidentally you will see that symbol on King Tuts burial mask. The cobra symbol is called the uraeus, which is an upright or rearing cobra. It derives from the worship of the goddess Widget – the patroness and protector of the Nile Delta and all of Lower Egypt. Uraeus was a symbol of royalty, divine authority, and sovereignty. Pharaohs wore the uraeus as part of their crown, and it was often depicted with a golden sun-disk on top. The pharaohs thought they were gods and it was only fitting that their “priests” were able to perform supernatural feats.

What many Christians and Jews fail to realize is that Moses and Aaron were sent by God for a showdown with the “so-called” gods of Egypt, and to force all of these idols to bow before the feet of the True Shepherd-King – Jesus! It’s interesting to note that even in Herod’s day (1445 years from the reign of Pharaoh) it was a crime, (whose punishment was immediate death) to say you were a king – as there was no king except Caesar. Which sadly during Jesus’ trial before Pilate the chief priests stated, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). (The chief priests would not even acknowledge that only God was their King).

In 2025 you need to ask are you “cyning“ “making anything other than Jesus your Leader, King, Ruler, or Chief? Jesus is the King Snake who has come to swallow up all other so-called gods, or rulers and He rewards those who make that distinction with a crown of their own. But His crown will not have the depiction of the serpent, satan. No, Jesus’ crown, will only fit on the heads of those who have made Jesus their Crown. In 2025 why not surrender and bow your thoughts and actions to the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords? Will He be your King? Will you allow Him to swallow up all that has ruled your life?

Confession and Declaration 4

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Revelation 12:9 And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.

It’s interesting when you study the Bible topically. For in your search you discover nuances regarding those topics that were totally unexpected. Take the topic of serpents, and what the Bible has to say. You soon discover that there’s more than one way of looking at this negative topic that’s extremely encouraging. Typically when you see the symbol of the snake your mind reverts back to the Garden of Eden and the fall of man. Yet imbedded in that awful failure is a message of hope.In Genesis 3:15 God the Father utters a prophecy intended for more than just the reptile. The Berean Study Bible brings out the nuances when it states: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Notice two things: First, it prophesies a woman having seed. No where in the Bible is it said that a woman has seed except here. In this context, humanly speaking, the only one who has seed is a man. Thus God is prophesying the virgin birth. Second, it states that the serpent is going to strike the heel of this male child – BUT…He (Jesus) will crush its head!

Next we move forward topically to discover Moses’ serpent and the sorcerers of Egypts serpents. What happens? Exodus 7:8-12 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 When Pharaoh says to you, Prove [your authority] by a miracle, then tell Aaron, Throw your rod down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent. 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had commanded; Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh called for the wise men [skilled in magic and divination] and the sorcerers (wizards and jugglers). And they also, these magicians of Egypt, did similar things with their enchantments and secret arts. 12 For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.

Did you catch that last part? Aaron’s rod, or serpent, swallowed up their serpents. Now that’s an interesting point. For we know that Jesus the Nazarene is the Branch, and the Rod of Jesse, and Moses and Aaron. The Servant Branch, has swallowed up the rods and serpents of satans’ sorcerers. But as the topic progresses it get’s even better: Numbers 21:7-9 Then the Lord sent fiery (burning) serpents among the people; and they bit the people, and many Israelites died. 7 And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that He may take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said to Moses, Make a fiery serpent [of bronze] and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of bronze and put it on a pole, and if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked to the serpent of bronze [attentively, expectantly, with a steady and absorbing gaze], he lived.

Why is this significant? John 3:14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross],…

John 12:31-32 Now the judgment (crisis) of this world is coming on [sentence is now being passed on this world]. Now the ruler (evil genius, prince) of this world shall be cast out (expelled). 32 And I, if and when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw andattract all men [Gentiles as well as Jews] to Myself.

Jesus was lifted up, as the Serpent in the wilderness, so that all who would look to Him would be healed. Jesus, became the bronze serpent on the pole to neutralize the poisonous lies of the serpent – satan, and free us from the judgment of death.

The topic progresses with Jesus promising His Disciples power and authority over the powers of the evil one when He says in Luke 10:19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

In Romans 16:20 the Apostle Paul promises the believers in Rome: And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you.

When I was a young man I was the demon buster (in my mind). After accepting an invitation to pastor my first church I began tackling any and everything demonic. My approach only exacerbated the situation making my problems doubly worse. During this time Jackie had a dream in which the men of the church were attempting to kill poisonous snakes that were coming on to the property. As the men and I proceeded to chop the heads off the snakes they would become two snakes. Making the situation go from bad to worse. During the siege a snake began making its way into our fray. As the men pressed into to chop its head off Jackie stopped us, shouting, Stop! Its a good snake. It’s a king snake! We watched in amazement as the King snake swallowed up all the other snakes.

During the days of the serpents poisonous lies, deceit and deception, it’s time we get our vision back through declaring the Truth of God’s Word.

Day 4, Declaration 4: Today we thank You Jesus that the deceiver, the lier, who has injected his death into our hearts has been defeated. Thank You Jesus, that although he struck Your heel – that You crushed His head. Thank You Jesus, that You are the Rod of God, Who was lifted up so that I could be drawn to You and be saved! Thank You Jesus, that I am a part of Your Body and that through Your Body I too have been granted to crush satan under my feet. Thank You Jesus that lies no longer have a hold on me. Thank You Jesus that satan can run but He cannot hide from the Light of Your Presence. Thank You that the Fire of Your Holy Spirit dwells in me, and that I can pick up the serpent, and shake him off in Your Fiery Brilliance. Thank You Jesus, that the God of Peace – of Shalom – has crushed, and will continue to crush satan under my feet. His lies, deception, deceit, death, malice, and temptations are under my feet. Now loose my feet to dance, and my heart to sing of Your Victory and Triumph. Hallelu – JAH! Hallelujah-JAH! Thank You Jesus!