1. AN ALLEGORY IN HISTORY-ELVIS PRESLEY & “WAY DOWN”
Sin is everywhere. In fact, much of it is, by many, no longer even regarded as sin. Because God loves his people, as these pages demonstrate, the tribulation will begin late next year, 2017, and great suffering is just ahead. Indeed, the people are being, and will be, shamed. There is one answer for all and He is Jesus. People need to cast aside their pride and submit fully to Him. Note the following from a recent portion of God’s design in history and compare it with Dan 12:1-7 NASB:
Elvis Presley, having been raised in the church, divorced with a young child, with his fiancée asleep in the next room, his body containing many pharmaceuticals, a book called “Sex and Psychic Energy” with him, having on occasion preached to a group of women and then engaged in sex with one of his choosing, who once gave his wife a black eye, who read, apparently with more than academic interest, much in the way of false religion, who was also known by many as mostly and exceptionally fun-loving, kind, and generous, laid near the toilet, along with his “resistance”, with his buttocks exposed, on his bathroom floor at Graceland and, before he died, experienced the love of God “Way Down”. Check out the Elvis Presley story including the song “Way Down”, the A-side of what turned out to be his last nonposthumously released single.
October 15, 2016
Elvis, of course, is also typological of Christ, the true head of Graceland, the truly righteous one who died a humiliating death, paying the price for sin so that sinners would be saved if they would believe in him.
May 13, 2021
2. 33 Years of the Life of Jacob in Parallel with 33 Years of the Life of Christ (PDF)
3. “BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER”
Famed Jewish songwriter Paul Simon, who wrote “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, has indicated he considers the song a gift. He has stated that “sometimes you can channel something that’s going on and it comes through you and its yours but it isn’t really yours . . . its greater than who you are and you’re fortunate enough to be the channel”. Exactly what Paul Simon was experiencing is difficult to know but “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is clearly a Messianic message, a part of a history designed by God. The repeated phrase “Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down” has reference to the help Christ offers as a result of his crucifixion and resurrection. He helps the “weary”, the “down and out”, he will dry “tears”, he will take away the “pain”, and he offers friendship to those who ”need a friend” (Mt 11:28-30; Rev 21:4; John 15:13).
In the final verse, Simon speaks of “silver girl”. The idea was the result of the discovery of his soon-to-be wife’s first gray hair (or, possibly, gray hairs) and clearly connotes age. Age, in turn, connotes various problems including pain and even eventual death, all the result of sin. Furthermore and importantly, the female gender is, biblically, strongly symbolic of the church (Rev 19:7-9; 2 Cor 11:2). Thus, Paul Simon’s soon-to-be wife he called “silver girl”, while “silver girl” is also an aging church in trouble.
It is an amazing fact that, although “silver girl” is in trouble, she is, nevertheless, portrayed in this final verse as about to be greatly blessed. This is the exact situation that today’s church is in. It is a spiritually poor, troubled church about to go through the “tribulation” (see preceding pages). However, the tribulation is not just a time of suffering but, for some, a time of purification as well (Dan 12:1-10). Furthermore, Jesus stated that he would come “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Mt 24:29-30). Click Bridge Over Troubled Water to hear a portion of God’s design in history.
November 13, 2016 Link change for “Bridge Over Troubled Water” 1/31/18
4. KAREN CARPENTER & “NOW”
On February 4, 1983, Karen Carpenter died at the age of 32 having lost a battle with anorexia nervosa. Released posthumously was a song she had recently recorded called “Now” .
September 17, 2018
5. “ISLANDS IN THE STREAM”
A song from two more unfinished stories in a music culture very much a part of God’s design for history. Barry Gibb’s three famous brothers, Andy, Maurice, and Robin, died at ages 30, 53, and 62. Olivia Newton-John is suffering from a third bout with cancer, now at an advanced stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpdPiy-cxkc The Promise (The Dolphin Song) (with lyrics) [Added 1/3/21]* For Sandy 3, it ends with a kiss. [Added 1/29/21] The Window in the Wall (Lyrics) [Added 2/11/21]* Rest Your Love on Me [Added 5/22/21] Olivia State Memorial Service (54:28-56:55) [Added 3/9/23]
* The Promise – new site 2/1/22; The Window in the Wall – new site 2/1/22
September 24, 2020
February 16, 2021