Storytime: The Black Panther Brutality

 

The sun was shining brightly over the Karnataka Forest in India. But its light never penetrated the densely packed leaves of the trees and overgrowth towering over them. Karnataka Forest is a realm of enchantment and secrets. It is a place where nature reigns supreme. Towering trees stretch towards the heavens. Their branches are interwoven like an intricate tapestry.

The locals who call the Karnataka Forest their home are residents and a self-reliant community. They knew intimately about the forest’s secrets. Living in harmony with its untamed splendour, with each passing day, they nurtured a profound respect for the forest’s power and charisma. Amidst this captivating backdrop, Mira, a 16-year-old girl from a local tribe in Karnataka, found herself alongside her mother Mirza by the tranquil river that flowed near their humble dwelling. The river, adorned with sparkling waters, mirrored the surrounding beauty and whispered ancient tales.

On this eventful day, Mira’s father Advik, ventured deep into the forest’s heart on a quest for firewood. His purpose was simple but essential. Ensuring the family’s warmth and survival. As he treaded through the foliage, the forest seemed to observe his every move, concealing unforeseen challenges and lurking dangers.

Meanwhile, Mizra rose from the riverbank to attend to the drying clothes, leaving Mira on the river’s edge. She entrusted her with the remaining laundry while she sought a suitable spot to hang the garments. The rhythmic sound of the water filled the air as Mira diligently continued to wash. Unaware of the horror that was about to unfold. Mizra was focused on laying their clothes dry when suddenly, she heard a piercing scream that shattered the tranquillity of the forest. Fear gripped her heart as she recognized the voice. It was Mira’s. Mizra sprinted towards the riverbank without hesitation. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

What Mizra beheld, chilled her to the bone. In the grasp of a horrifying nightmare, Mira fought for her life. A monstrous black cat, nearly seven feet long, had seized her in deadly clutches. It was no ordinary feline, this was a Black Panther. His eyes filled with a pang of predatory hunger. The ferocious beast sunk its razor-sharp teeth deeply into Mira’s shoulder, while its savage claws, mercilessly tore into her delicate face and body. Mira, filled with fierce determination, bravely resisted, fighting tooth and nail to break free from the clutches of the Black Panther. Time stood still as Mizra’s mind raced. Her instincts urged her into action. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the imminent danger threatening Mira’s young life.

With every fibre of her being, Mizra mustered her courage. Her protective maternal instinct propels her. Mizra’s heart pounded like a drum as she raced. Her legs carried her swiftly over the uneven terrain, gripping a massive stick tightly in her trembling hands. She pushed her body to its limits. Every ounce of energy focused on reaching her daughter in time. Her anguish screams pierced the night, a desperate plea to scare the sinister beast away from its prey. The Black Panther, a predator as swift as a shadow, moved with calculated grace. It released its grip on Mira’s delicate shoulder in a single fluid motion, only to replace it with a vicious assault. Like a deadly apparition, its razor-sharp teeth and formidable jaws found their mark, sinking deep into the tender flesh of Mira’s exposed neck. A horrifying sight unfolded before Mizra’s eyes. The ferocious assault tore through Mira’s delicate flesh, causing blood to gush and splatter in all directions. The predator's teeth punctured one of Mira’s veins, leaving a gruesome trail of crimson in its wake. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, mingling with Mizra’s screams of desperation. Time seemed to freeze as Mira’s body went limp. A haunting stillness settled over her as the life force slowly drained away, leaving behind a shell of what was once a vibrant and lively young girl. Mizra’s heart shattered as she witnessed the fading light in her daughter’s eyes.

An irreversible loss was etched upon her face. In that harrowing moment, Mira’s once vibrant form became motionless. Her life force steadily drained away. A delicate thread severed by the relentless onslaught of the Black Panther’s merciless assault. Time seemed to stand still, as the weight of the tragedy settled upon the silent forest. The stillness is broken by only the haunting echoes of a grieving mother’s screams.

Driven by vengeance, Mirza arrived at the harrowing scene, undeterred by the looming danger threatening her own life. Without a moment’s hesitation, she unleashed a relentless barrage of blows upon the beast, fueled by a mix of raw courage and anger. The weight of her strikes reverberated through her trembling body, as she fought with every ounce of strength she could master. The impact of Mizra’s assault struck the black panther with serious intensity. The predator recoiled in agonizing pain. Momentarily stunned by the unexpected counter-attack, the grip on Mira’s fragile form loosened as the beast disoriented and overwhelmed, abruptly halted its assault. Sensing defeat, it swiftly retreated, vanishing into the protective shroud of the surrounding forest.

Mizra collapsed to her knees. Her body was racked with sobs and screams that seemed to emanate from the depth of her soul. Her heartache was immeasurable as she cradled her daughter’s lifeless body. The world around her faded in insignificance as she mourned the unimaginable loss. Her cries echoed in the vast emptiness that now consumed her. Surviving the physical ordeal was but a hollow victory for Mirza. The haunting image of her beloved daughter savagely mutilated by the Black Panther was etched indelibly into her shattered heart and tormented mind. It would remain a haunting spectre, an unwelcomed companion accompanying her through the remaining chapters of her existence. The weight of that gruesome memory would forever haunt her. A constant reminder of the fateful encounter that forever altered the course of her life.

The Seven Feasts of the Lord

 

THE FEASTS IN OUTLINE

1. Passover

2. Unleavened Bread

3. Sheaf of Firstfruits

4. Pentecost

5. Trumpets

6. Atonement

7. Tabernacles

Passover Pentecost Trumpets

Unleavened Bread Atonement

Sheaf of fruits Interval Tabernacles

1st Month 3RD Month 4th /5th /6th 7th Month

THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL – Kevin J. Conner

THE BIBLICAL FEASTS – Marinda du Preez

BRIEF BACKGROUND

The Feasts are called the Feasts of the Lord;

Holy Convocations, High Days where Israel was not to work during them.

The twenty-third chapter of Leviticus sets forth the most suitable outline of the three, yet seven, Feasts

WHY STUDY THE FEASTS

Many Christians, the moment they hear someone speak of the Feasts of the Lord ask: “Why study the Feasts?”

They are like many in Israel, who, as Hosea lamented “I wrote for him the ten thousand things of My law, but they are counted as a strange thing (as something which does not concern him)” (Hosea 8:12, Amplified Old Testament). The intricate details of the Mosaic economy become meaningless unless all is seen through the Cross concerning Christ and the church.

The answer to the question is the same answer which is given as to why we study the Tabernacles of Moses, the Tabernacle of David, the Temple of Solomon, the Priesthood and the Offerings. The Scriptures given in answer to this question apply to any question as to why New Testament believers should study Old Testament revelation along with the New Testament revelation.

We note some of the major scriptural reasons why the Feasts should be studied.

1. The Feasts should be studied because they are a part of the Scriptures given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit which are profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17).

2. The Feasts should be studied because they are “a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1-2). They point to Christ Who is the substance.

3. The Feasts should be studied because they were prophetic types and en-samples, foreshadowing Israel’s history and future events. They shadowed forth that which Christ would fulfil in Himself and in the church, which is His Body (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11 Matthew 5:17-18:11:13). They were written for our admonition. Part has found fulfilment, and part is yet to find fulfilment.

4. The Feasts should be studied because the believer will find that there are things written therein for his learning (Romans 15:4).

5. The Feasts should be studied because Christ came to fulfil all that was written of Him in “the Law, the Psalms and the Prophets” (Luke24:26-27, 44-45; John5:45-46: Acts 3:22-23).

6. The Feasts should be studied because this part of the Law was also a “schoolmaster to bring us to Christ” (Galatians 3:24).

7. The Feasts should be studied because Jesus said: “In the volume of the Book it is written of Me” (Hebrews10:7; Psalm 40:6-8; 29:9). All the intricate details point to some aspect of the person, work and glory of the Christ of God.

8. The Feasts should be studied because there was knowledge and truth in the external form of the Law. We study the external form to discover the internal knowledge and truth that was hidden therein (Romans 2:20, Amp, N.T, Hebrews 1:1-2, Amp. N.T.).

9. The Feasts should be studied because they set forth “patterns” of heavenly things on earth (Hebrews 8:5; 9:9, 23-24).

10. The Feasts should be studied because they set forth the total ministry of Christ relative to the plan of redemption. They outlined in their time element the present Dispensation, from the first coming of Christ (Passover), through the Church Age (Pentecost to the second coming of Christ (Tabernacles).

11. The Feasts should be studied because the truths therein are part of the “present truth” which the Holy Spirit is quickening to the Church in these “last days” (IIPeter1:12: Matthew 4:4).

12. The Feast should be studied because there has never been a generation who has experienced all three Feasts, but the end-time generation will experience such, even as did that generation under King Solomon’s glorious reign (IIChronicles 8:13). This generation will hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches (Revelation 2:7).

The things involved in the Feasts of the Lord pertained to the material, the natural and the temporal. It is a principle of God’s dealings with His people that it is “First the natural, afterwards that which is spiritual” (1 Corinthians 15:46-47).

It is first the animal-lamb, then the Divine-human Lamb of God: first the natural loaves and leaven, then the spiritual loaves and leaven: first the earthly Sanctuary, then the heavenly Sanctuary.

When the Lord Jesus came, He came to fulfil and abolish the natural, the external and temporal, and bring in the Spiritual, the internal and the external (II Corinthians 4:18). The Letter of the Law was swallowed up in the Spirit of Life.

In the Feasts of Israel, as in the Tabernacle of Moses and its Priesthood and Offerings, God used the language of creation as the language of redemption. When we know the Creator we will understand the language of creation. When we know the Redeemer we will understand the language of redemption. Considering the visible things, the things we have been made will help us to understand the invisible things, even His eternal power and Godhead (Romans 1:20).

These then are the scriptural reasons why we should study the Feasts of the Lord.

Three times in the year all the males appear before the Lord, in the place which He shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Weeks and in the Feast of Tabernacles, and they shall not appear before Me empty; every man shall give as he is able (Deut16:16).

3 Major Feasts:

1. Feast of Unleavened Bread - PASSOVER – First month.

2. Feast of Weeks - PENTECOST – Third month.

3. Feast of Ingathering: TABERNACLES – seventh month.

Just as there are 3 major colours in the rainbow, and these 3 are manifested in 7 primary colours. 3 major feasts are broken up into 7 Feasts.

Feasts called the Feasts of the Lord/ Jehovah also known as Holy Days. The history of Israel records that the Feasts of the Lord degenerated into the Feasts of the Jews.

All 7 Feasts are outlined in Lev 23

I 

1. The Feast of Passover Lev23:4,5

2. The Feast of Unleavened Bread Lev23:6-8

3. The Feasts of Sheaf of Firstfruits Lev 23: 9-14

II 

4. The Feasts of Weeks(Pentecost) Lev 23:15-22

III

5. The Feasts of Trumpets Lev23:23-25

6. The Feasts Day of Atonement Lev23:26-32

7. The Feast of Tabernacles Lev 23:33-44

Our study approach

1. What happened in Israel historically in these Feasts?

2. How did Christ fulfil prophetically that which was foreshadowed in the Feasts?

3. What spiritual truths can be seen experientially in these Feasts? First relative to the believer individually and then to the church corporately.

The Old Covenant Feasts were fulfilled historically and literally in Israel up to the time of Christ ie. Passover and Pentecost. In the Cross, Christ fulfilled historically and personally the types and shadows in the Feast. Since the Cross, the Feast are spiritual and experiential in the believer individually, and in the church corporately.

Thus Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles must be experienced spiritually by the believer in Christ.

The Feast of Tabernacles could not be fulfilled literally in the Jewish nation as it would necessitate: 1) a literal rebuilt temple

2) restoration of animal sacrifices

3) restoration of the Aaronic priesthood.

4) Whole Mosaic Law.

To do so would be a violation of the Book of Hebrews, the New Covenant Sanctuary, the Sacrifice of Christ and His eternal Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.

It would be a rejection of Jesus Christ Himself.

It would be taking us back to before the Cross, and repudiating the New Covenant to re-instate the Old Covenant.