In the ongoing battle between Good and Evil, it is often believed that these two forces are at odds with each other. However, it is essential to understand that there are actually three factions involved:

1. the heaven dwellers,

2. the inhabitants of the Earth,

3. and the inhabitants of the Sea.

This article explores the Inhabitants of the Earth.

The Inhabitants of Earth

When the slaves were freed from the bondage of Egypt by God, He miraculously parted the Red Sea, creating a path for the “Inhabitants of the Earth” to cross on dry land. Not a drop of the Red Sea touched them. The pursuing Egyptians unfortunately met their demise within the waters of the Red Sea. It is interesting to note the connection between the Red Sea and the Red Horse in the two articles referenced below.

The belief among the "Inhabitants of the Sea" is that they possess god-like qualities.

“…Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god… “
Ezekiel 28:2

On the other hand, the "Inhabitants of the Earth" recognize the presence of God but often get lost in the wilderness. Despite experiencing the miraculous event of God parting the Red Sea to rescue them from the Egyptians, they faltered just a few days later by worshipping a calf.

The symbolism behind the "Inhabitants of the Earth" represents a mental journey towards the promised land or the figurative ascent of Jacob's Ladder. Although the physical journey to the promised land could have been completed in a few days on foot, it took them 40 years to reach their destination.

It is all about knowing God’s Identity

While someone can acknowledge the existence of God, they can be absolutely confused about who God is. The entire Bible is designed to reveal God's identity through His Son who came in the flesh. The sentence in the Bible, "Thus, you shall know that I am the Lord," is the most repeated sentence in the Bible. If you do not know the identity of God, you will end up worshipping a calf and all the different versions of the calf.

Just a few examples:

THUS YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; for you have not walked in My statutes nor have you executed My ordinances, but have acted according to the ordinances of the nations around you.
Ezekiel 11:12

Then the Egyptians WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”
Exodus 14:18

Thus says the Lord, “By this YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood.
Exodus 7:17

The slain shall fall in your midst, and YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
Ezekiel‬ ‭6‬:‭7

And I will establish My covenant with you. Then YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD,
Ezekiel‬ ‭16‬:‭62‬ ‭

“You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
Ezekiel‬ ‭22‬:‭16‬ ‭

“Then THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, When I have set a fire in Egypt And all her helpers are destroyed.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭30‬:‭8‬ ‭

Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
Ezekiel‬ ‭26‬:‭6‬ ‭

And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
Ezekiel‬ ‭39‬:‭6‬ ‭

Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
Ezekiel‬ ‭38‬:‭23‬ ‭

I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then YOU SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭6‬ ‭

The Field of Sharp Swords

The world is currently a Field of Sharp Swords. “Swords” are symbolic representation of words or idealogy.

So they arose and went over by number, twelve from Benjamin, followers of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve from the servants of David. And each one grasped his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side; so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called the Field of Sharp Swords, which is in Gibeon.
2 Samuel 2:15-16

The 12 servants of David, symbolizing the Inhabitants of the Earth, and the 12 servants of Saul, representing the Inhabitants of the Sea, are embroiled in a conflict where they are at war with each other with their words (Sword).

“…And each one grasped his opponent by the head…”, the head is where thoughts manifest.

The number 12 holds a significant meaning as it symbolizes completeness, representing the full knowledge of God’s identity. It is analogous to the 12 hours in a day and 12 hours in a night. Understanding the identity of God requires comprehending both what God loves and what God hates (i.e. 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night)

Regrettably, many Christians today find themselves embracing what God hates while tolerating what God loves. If they persist in engaging with the "Inhabitants of the Sea" instead of embarking on the ascent of "Jacob's Ladder," they risk facing spiritual demise in the Field of Sharp Swords.

In contrast, the overcomers from both sides are symbolized by the 24 elders who are adorned in white robes, signifying their victory in the mind’s battle and ascension to the throne.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
Revelation 4:4

The number also links back to Revelation 12:12, where the presence of 12 on each side symbolizes the contrast between light and darkness, while the summation represents completeness.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:12

Sodom and Egypt

Those who successfully overcome this spiritual and mental test undergo a change in their thinking, shifting from the “left vs right” arguments to an understanding of the vertical nature of Jacob's Ladder.

Ultimately, the focal point lies in "Knowing who God is" through the process of ascension.

Those who resist the ability to change their mindset often find themselves “looking back”.

An example of this can be seen in the story of Lot's wife, who famously looked back at the "Sea" of Sodom and faced consequences. When Lot and his family escaped from Sodom, it mirrors the Israelites escaping the bondage of Egypt. Both situations involve escaping from the "Inhabitants of the Sea".

It is intriguing to note that modern-day tourists visit Mount Sodom to witness the "Dead Sea" (referred to as the "Salt Sea" in Hebrew).

But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Genesis 19:26

Similarly, the Israelites looked back at the “Sea of Egypt”. Instead of embracing their new found freedom, they expressed dissatisfaction towards God and desired to return to Egypt.

Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”
Numbers 14:3

“Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.
1 Samuel 8:6

Despite being provided with the "Bread of Life," the Israelites remained dissatisfied because they were accustomed to the luxury and false security they had experienced in Egypt. They wanted a king to rule over them, and getting back to the “political system” that God freed them from.

Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
Numbers 11:4-6

Sodom and Egypt serve as symbols for individuals who remain trapped in the mentality of their previous enslavement. Egypt represents a voluntary bondage as seen when the Israelites desired to return to Egypt. On the other hand, Sodom represents a coerced bondage, as shown by Lot residing in Sodom. You can see it in the manifestations of people’s choice day, where some vountarily accepts a mark and another is coerced.

The Two Witnesses

That is why, when referring to the "two witnesses," Revelation 11:8 mentions "Sodom and Egypt" rather than the more commonly used "Sodom and Gomorrah."

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Revelation 11:8

The two witnesses symbolize those who have ascended Jacob's Ladder and act as witnesses. As witnesses, their role is to speak the truth rather than engaging in conflict between the Sea and Earth (representing the left and the right). Only two individuals from the inhabitants of the earth, namely Joshua and Caleb, successfully reached the promised land.

Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in.
Numbers 14:30

For the Lord had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Numbers 26:65

COME UP HERE!

In summary, this picture is an illustration between the 3 sides.

And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “COME UP HERE.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Revelation 11:12

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “COME UP HERE, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
Revelation 4:1

Signing off for now!
P.S. With the three different sides now clarified, we can delve into a detailed examination of the two Beasts mentioned in Revelation 13: the Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth. Get ready for Part 4!

In the ongoing battle between Good and Evil, it is often believed that these two forces are at odds with each other. However, it is essential to understand that there are actually three factions involved:

1. the heaven dwellers,

2. the inhabitants of the Earth,

3. and the inhabitants of the Sea.

This article explores the Inhabitants of the Sea.

It is crucial to comprehend the distinct characteristics of the "Inhabitants of the Earth" and the "Inhabitants of the Sea" as the Book of Revelation draws significant distinctions between them. Here are a few examples:

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.”
Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭

“So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”
Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬ ‭

“Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭

Revelation 13 portrays the ultimate manifestations of the Inhabitants of the Sea and the Earth, referred to as "beast."

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”
Revelation‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭

Inhabitants of the Sea defined in Ezekiel 27 and 28

In Ezekiel 27, a comprehensive portrayal of the “Inhabitants of the Sea” emerges, illuminating their shared characteristics as a united collective.

The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, “Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, and say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the SEA, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord God: “O Tyre, you have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Ezekiel 27:1-3

The symbolic representation of "Globalism" or "Collectivism" can be observed through the concept of the "Sea," representing the interconnectedness that exists among all lands and peoples across the world.

Your borders are in the midst of the SEAS. Your builders have perfected your beauty. They made all your planks of fir trees from Senir; They took a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast. Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; The company of Ashurites have inlaid your planks With ivory from the coasts of Cyprus. Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you. “Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; They became your pilots. Elders of Gebal and its wise men Were in you to caulk your seams; All the ships of the sea And their oarsmen were in you To market your merchandise.
Ezekiel 27:4-11

Ezekiel 27:4-11 draws our attention to the formation of this assembly, which consists of elite individuals from diverse nations coming together with a united purpose: to collaborate and combine their efforts and resources in the construction of a beautiful city. In a sense, this collective can be likened to a "United Nations," where individuals from different nations join forces to achieve a common objective.

“Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya Were in your army as men of war; They hung shield and helmet in you; They gave splendor to you. Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, And the men of Gammad were in your towers; They hung their shields on your walls all around; They made your beauty perfect.
Ezekiel 27:10-11

The passage emphasizes the formidable military might that emerges from the United Nations.

“Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules. The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment. Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm. Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool. Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise. Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats. The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. These were your merchants in choice items—in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace. “The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise. You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas.
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭27‬:‭12-‭26

Ezekiel 27:12-26 reveals the far-reaching commercial networks established by the "Inhabitants of the Sea," showcasing their impressive trade connections with nations across the globe. This collective's remarkable combination of commercial expertise and military power, and driven by their values of diversity and inclusion, serves as their defining attributes.

The Destiny of the Inhabitants of the Sea

The rest of Ezekiel 27 highlights the destruction of the “Inhabitants of the Sea”. It ends with “You will become a horror, and be no more forever.’ (Ezekiel‬ ‭27‬:‭‭36‬) and repeated in Revelation 21:1

“The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; You will become a horror, and be no more forever.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭27‬:‭‭36‬ ‭

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was NO MORE SEA.”
Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭

Ezekiel 28:1-10 reveals the false self-perception of the Governors of the Sea as divine beings, highlighting their arrogant attitudes and their eventual downfall at the hands of unknown strangers. Their mistaken belief in their own godhood will be disproven, and they will face the consequences of their pride and conceit.

Read Part 3: Inhabitants of the Earth here!

Signing off for now!
-A17

PS: Here is a representation of the thoughts manifested by the "Inhabitants of the Sea." (i.e. “collectivism”, "common good”, “global commons”, “water”)

1. the heaven dwellers,

2. the inhabitants of the Earth,

3. and the inhabitants of the Sea.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:12

If you choose to embrace citizenship in Heaven, your state of mind can be likened to ascending a vertical ladder, reminiscent of Jacob's dream in which he witnessed angels (messengers) ascending and descending upon it.

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Genesis 28:12

This repetition occurs in Revelation when a voice beckons, saying, "Come up here."

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.””
Revelation‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭

“And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬

Alternatively, inhabitant of the earth and the sea, have their state of minds shift horizontally (from left to right and right to left, sea to earth and earth to sea), in contrast to the vertical ascent mentioned earlier.

This reflects the essence of the man-made political system, symbolized by "Gog and Magog," signifying "The king and his mountain."

And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Revelation 20:8

In this realm, "revelation" is often supplanted by confusion as individuals become entangled in the politics of the Land of Shinar. Shinar, which signifies "the land of two rivers," is the place where the Tower of Babel, commonly known as the Tower of Confusion, was built. Rivers are symbolic of thought processes. The place where the tower of Babel (confusion) stands, known as the land of Shinar (Two Rivers), is where both the left wing and the right wing are situated (referring to two distinct groups or ideologies).

Now the whole world had one language and a common form of speech. And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. “Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.” Then the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of men were building. And the LORD said, “If they have begun to do this as one people speaking the same language, then nothing they devise will be beyond them. Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:2-16

Repent = Shifting from Horizontal Thinking to Vertical Ascent like Jacob's Ladder.

The term "Repent" is found roughly 40 times in the KJV Bible, with an almost even distribution between the Old and New Testaments. What's particularly intriguing is that in these two sections, it originates from entirely distinct linguistic sources.

In the Old Testament, "Repent" frequently stems from the Hebrew term "nāḥam," signifying "to feel sorrow or regret," often accompanied by a sense of guilt.

In contrast, in the New Testament, the term "Repent" is derived from "metanoeō," which conveys the idea of "changing one's mind."

Guilt is no longer attached to us, for the sacrifice of Jesus has liberated us from the burden of sin.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matt 11:28

This is precisely why the Apostle Paul emphasized:

"There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 8:1

Here are some verses in the New Testament where the word "Repent" signifies "to change one's mind" rather than "to be sorry."

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and REPENT (“change your mind!"), and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou REPENT (“change your mind!").
Revelation 2:5

REPENT(“change your mind!”); or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 2:16

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and REPENT(“change your mind!"). If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 3:3

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and REPENT(“change your mind!").
Revelation 3:19

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT(“change your mind!"): for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17

To continue exploring the topic of "The Inhabitants of the Sea," please follow the link for Part 2 of this series.

Signing off for now
A17