In the Yahweh In A Box article, [1] we looked at several ways that people try to limit how Yahweh can reach or teach them. In this article, we will look at some of the ways that Yahweh outside the box has reached me, and perhaps many others.
A long, long time ago in a “Galaxie” far, far away . . . well, on second thought, it was probably a Falcon, not a Galaxie, or perhaps a Fairlane, Mustang, or MG-B. Anyway, at least half a century or more ago, well before I had ever cracked open a Bible or any religious text, Yahweh was already outside the box in his efforts to wake me up.
The Rock and Roll Method
Rock and Roll has always been a favorite genre for me to listen to. And who would have thought that some of the best-known sixties and seventies rock and roll bands sang songs with a Biblical theme . . .
Revelation 21:4 – “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
One of the first songs that grabbed my attention was “Wayfaring Stranger” (1967), sung by H.P. Lovecraft, a psychedelic rock band that was a frequent performer at Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco from 1967 to the early 1970s. This song spoke of a bright land where there was no sickness, toil, nor danger. Sounds a bit like Revelation 21:4, doesn’t it?
Romans 6:23 – “…Eternal life is what one receives as a free gift from the Messiah Yeshua.”
Matthew 14:25 – “Yeshua came toward them, walking on the water!”
The next two tunes to grab my attention were sung by The Chambers Brothers, also performers at Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium. “People Get Ready” (1966) spoke of a train one could board without any luggage or payment (Romans 6:23). Sounded like a fun ride to me. “Wade In The Water” (1969) speaks about God walking on the water (Matthew 14:25). Since water skiing was somewhat of a passion for me at the time, I thought how awesome if I could just walk to the boat after skipping across the waves as a result of flying off the ski at high speeds.
Seatrain, an American-roots fusion band, was formed in 1969 in Marin County, California. Tossed in the midst of their rock and roll hits was a song called “Book of Job” (1970). The tune grabbed me, and the words amazed me. One more huge Yahweh outside the box attempt to get me to change a few bad habits, no doubt.
Daniel 5:6 – “As frightening thoughts rose up within him, the joints of his loins were loosed.”
Several of us were flying high as a white bird (my shout out to “It’s A Beautiful Day”), again at a live concert somewhere in the heart of San Francisco, when on the stage appeared this apparition of a multicolored mask out of which came the gravelly voice of Arthur Brown singing, “I am the god of hellfire – and I bring you FIRE, I’ll take you to burn.” At the same time that the gravelly voice shouted FIRE, the mask went up in flames. Scared the pee-duncles out of all of us, or as the Bible puts it, loosed the joints of our loins (Daniel 5:6).
Before leaving rock and roll, there is one more song I will mention. As if to be blunt, Yahweh took the proverbial baseball bat and hit me upside my head with a song sung by the Doobie Brothers called “Jesus Is Just Alright” (1972).
The Impact of Music
Music can have a powerful impact on a person’s soul, spirit, and emotional state – either positive or negative. Well-played music with a Biblical message can be uplifting and positive. Poorly played music, though it may contain a Biblical message, can have the opposite effect and negatively affect a person’s soul, spirit, and emotional state.
Music, today, continues to be one of the primary ways Yahweh reaches and teaches me. “Wand’rin’ Star” from the movie Paint Your Wagon could be the theme song for my life! Tradition from the movie Fiddler on the Roof teaches me not to hold on too tightly to those traditions that are man-made, only to those established by Yahweh.
The Mountaintop Experience Method
Numbers 14:40 – “They arose early the next morning and came up to the top of the mountain.”
Revelation 21:10 – “Yahweh carried me to the top of a great, high mountain.”
Psalm 95:1 – “Come, let’s sing to Yahweh! Let’s shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation!”
There truly is no more amazing sight that shows the majesty and power of Yahweh than the view from the top of Pike’s Peak in Colorado Springs. On the clearest days, you can see five states (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Kansas) and even the curvature of the earth fading into the distance! [2] Rock climbing is a blast and reminds one to keep on striving to reach the goal for which Yeshua took hold of you. But there really is no greater rush than to rappel down a mountaintop cliff, taking large hops to make the descent even quicker. The dependence upon the ropes and belay person instantly reminds you that only by clinging tightly to Yeshua does one have salvation.
Various Other Methods
The Wind in My Hair Method
Psalm 147:18 – “Yahweh makes the winds blow, and the water flows.”
There is an exhilaration that can be experienced by boating fast and skiing fast – all of which I have experienced multiple times. And it always involves wind in the hair and flowing water, reminding me that Yahweh has created both wind and water.
The Flying Through the Clouds Method
Deuteronomy 33:26 – “There is no one like Yahweh, riding through the heavens on the clouds.”
Who doesn’t like to hop in an airplane and fly off to parts known and unknown? And if you just happen to throw in a barrel roll or a loop, so much the better. But nothing compares to flying through a cloud, reminding me of the true cloud rider – Yahweh.
The Fast-Driving Method
Psalm 71:18 – “So now that I’m old, and my hair is gray, don’t abandon me, Yahweh.”
Proverbs 20:29 – “The dignity of the old is gray hair.”
Psalm 119:116 – “Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live.”
Driving fast with the convertible top down, or pushing the motorcycle to the limit during a person’s younger years, is perhaps one of the reasons their hair turns gray, haha! But now, despite numerous high-speed drives which could have, and probably should have ended in crashes (or gray hair), I’m reminded that through it all, Yahweh upheld me and did not abandon me.
Conclusions
Revelation 19:4 – “And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.”
Yahweh has thousands of ways to bring awareness of himself, his majesty, and protection to a person. Music, wind in the hair, flying through the clouds, and gray hairs are just a few of the methods that he is able to employ if a person is willing to listen to the message within. There are many more. Praise him greatly that he will always be outside any box we try to put him in to limit his abilities. Perhaps you could sing alleluia along with the little band of “Glories.”
Final Thought
The prophetic signs are burgeoning and not abating. Time is incredibly short – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach is coming soon – so be of great cheer, keep looking up, keep maintaining an attitude of gratitude, and let Yahweh stay outside the box and reach you. Be sure you are believing The Truth, not The Lie. Be sure Yeshua is your Redeemer, King, and High Priest, and your sins are forgiven.
Links
[1] https://www.raptureready.com/2021/05/25/yahweh-in-a-box-by-jeff-van-hatten/
[2] https://www.pikes-peak.com/attractions/pikes-peak-americas-mountain/
The Songs
If you’d like to take a listen to the songs mentioned above, here’s some YouTube links:
Wayfaring Stranger Studio Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsfPkfHKwxE
People Get Ready Live Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L82_N3UPPDs
Wade In The Water Live Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HakRXIyq_M
Book of Job Studio Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnJNT_xzDMA
Fire (1968) Live Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GCSWEgZT94
Jesus is Just Alright Studio Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEvy8mROAj0
The Glories by Ishmael United: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5D8IuB57U
Website: https://raptureparty.net/
Email: jeff@raptureparty.net