Child Of Zion

When God comes to stay

 

 

Greetings. I have heard it said that Jesus the messiah has already come and gone. This is nothing new, the believers in Thessalonia heard this report more than 1900 years ago. [see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12] This doctrine is rather sad for anyone who believes it, because it means that God’s word has already been fulfilled, and this sordid life we live is as good as it gets. No, thank you. I’m waiting for the real messiah to come and bring justice and righteousness upon the earth. And you can count on this – he will come, and all his promises will be fulfilled. Everlasting life. Everlasting joy, Everlasting peace, Everlasting righteousness. Don’t be satisfied with anything less. Here is the warning Jesus gave concerning false reports of his return;

 

So if anyone tells you, “There he is, out in the desert,” or, “Here he is, in the inner rooms,” do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man….. Immediately after the distress of those days;

“the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give it’s light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken .”

They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory, and he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:26-31

 

 

Quite unmistakable, I would have thought. Here follows some of the scriptures that define the return of Jesus the messiah. I was surprised how many there are. I don’t see how anyone can believe what God has said here and still think that Jesus has already come and gone, or remain confused about what his coming will mean for the inhabitants of earth. It will be destruction for most of earths inhabitants, pending resurrection to eternal life. Obviously, this hasn’t occurred yet! I hope you also discover that the messiah is not coming to us just to then leave again. He is coming to dwell among mankind forever, here in a renewed earth, at his temple near Jerusalem. He will rule the earth forever in righteousness. We are all entitled to dread his return, because we have all rebelled against his Law and are subject to destruction, but we should also be eagerly awaiting the renewal, and the righteous kingdom that will soon come;

 

Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple, the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the LORD Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiners fire or a launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring him offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. So I will come near you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me, says the LORD Almighty. I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:1-7

 

Note; This scripture from Malachi names the Levite priesthood for purification, so you might have decided that it is not talking about you personally. Change your mind about this. God has said that the descendants of both Levi and of David will be more numerous than the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. [Jeremiah 33:22] You cannot possibly have missed out. Everybody is related to everybody, and no matter who you think you are, you are certainly a descendant of Levi. He lived about 3800 years ago and has become the ancestor of all mankind who live today. God has decreed this to be so, therefore you are better off to believe this is so, if you care about what God is saying to us today. Here are some more hard truths that God has said, relating to the coming of the messiah;

 

 

 

 

 

THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH

 

The days of punishment are coming, the days of reckoning are at hand. Let Israel know this….. Woe to them when I turn away from them! I have seen Ephraim,[the northern kingdom of Israel] like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But Ephraim will bring out their children to the slayer…… [also see Hosea 5:9, Zechariah 11:4-9 – the flock marked for slaughter] Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”…… Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 9:7,12, 10:8,12

 

Therefore this is what I will do to you Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel. Amos 4:12

 

This is what the LORD Almighty says: In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, [the messiah] and I will fill this house with glory…. Haggai 2:6,7

 

I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roaring of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory…… I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple. He said, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile my holy name…….[This hasn't happened yet!] Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider the plan….. Ezekiel 43:1-10 [for the temple description see Ezekiel 40-42]

 

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. [This hasn't happened yet!] His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. [This hasn't happened yet!] Daniel 7:13,27

 

 

Note; If you are a Christian, pay particular attention to the term “coming with the clouds of heaven.” As a young Christian I was taught that Jesus would appear in the clouds of the sky, but now I no longer think so. The question to ask is – What exactly are “clouds of heaven”? I don’t know for sure, but “heaven” is most accurately defined as the invisible spiritual realm, rather than a particular place. I suspect that “clouds of heaven” refers to the “host of the saints,” sometimes referred too as the “holy ones,” or “angels.” This could include you and I, if we are found worthy. These holy ones are Gods warriors, who will take vengeance and destroy the wicked from his land. [see Isaiah 13:3 and Deuteronomy 33:26-29] Also see what you make of this next scripture;

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn…… Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests…. your sons from afar, with their silver and gold, to honor the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. Isaiah 60

 

Furthermore, from examining the available prophesies thoroughly and repeatedly, the overview I have now formed is not to expect a single Jesus arriving in the sky with a band of angels with him, but rather 144000 “Sons of God,” collectively being “the messiah,” who have the indwelling of God’s spirit. They are also called the “offspring of David.” The man known as Jesus certainly WAS NOT descended from David. He was conceived by the power of God’s spirit, not by natural descent. From the Book of Revelation it is apparent that the 144000 are caught up to the spiritual realm, [heaven] but that they actually remain on earth, “standing on Mount Zion,” which is simultaneously a spiritual entity as well as a physical place at Jerusalem.

 

It must be obvious that all of creation is still groaning with injustice, [see Romans 8:18-25] awaiting the revelation of the righteous king, also known as the offspring / offshoot / branch of David, the Sons of God, through whom God will display his splendor. [see Isaiah 49:3, Hosea 1:10, Psalm 2,]

 

The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days, Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: “Yahweh our righteousness.” Jeremiah 33:14-16 [the next scripture connects this name with the 144000]

 

….. 144000 who had his name and his fathers name written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1

 

I realize how much this “second coming” concept differs from standard Christian doctrine. I am explaining all this in the hope that you will examine the prophesies for yourself with an open mind, rather than relying too heavily on what you already “know” to be true. Also, it may be useful in order to recognize your eternal king when he appears [or rather, when they appear]. Just as Jesus was rejected and put to death when he last came, it looks likely that the 144000 will be rejected by men and put to death – temporarily. [see Revelation 1:18, 11:7, Zechariah 13:7]

 

If the 144000 are the messiah, we still need to identify their army [the clouds of heaven]. These are probably the resurrected saints of God, based on the information given in Ezekiel 37:1-14 concerning Israel’s resurrected army. Another possibility is an army of saints who have survived the judgment, and who receive a new spirit. [see Ezekiel 36:24-29] A number of scriptures suggest that those who survive are more blessed than those who have died. [see Daniel 12:12] I have not seen enough to decide what this additional blessing is all about, except to say that it will be greater stature in God’s kingdom as a result of being obedient to God’s Law here and now. [see Matthew 5:17-20]

 

Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophesy in this book. Revelation 22:7

 

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live…. [the Father] has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 25-29 [similar to Daniel 12:1,2]

 

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. Revelation 22:12

 

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels [or holy ones – the saints], and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:27

 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so no one will take your crown….. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:11, 21

 

Note; This hasn’t happened yet. There is no mortal man or any other being that shares God’s throne other than Jesus, who died and was resurrected to immortality. [see Revelation 1:12-18 and 5:6]

 

Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed! Revelation 16:15

 

Note; The clothes mentioned here should be thought of in spiritual terms. Fine linen to wear represents the righteous acts of the saints. [see Revelation 19:8] Obedience to God’s Law is our righteousness. [see Genesis 22:18, 26:5, Deuteronomy 6:25, Ezekiel 18:9] Therefore, wake up, and do the things we were told to do – namely, obey God’s Law, the Law given to Moses for you and I. [see Revelation 3:2,3, 2:5, 14:12, Deuteronomy 4:9, Matthew 5:17-20, 7:24-27, 23:23, 24:42-25:30 and Malachi 4:4]

 

From the scriptures we have looked at already, it should be obvious that the coming of the messiah will create a massive upheaval upon mankind, and our lives will not continue along in our present state. When he comes, we will not be permitted to go on defying the Word of the Living God. Therefore, as long as mankind continues in the way of injustice, unrighteousness, self interest, and disobedience, there is no good reason to suppose that the messiah has already come.

 

Another outcome I hope for from compiling these scriptures, is to dispel any trust we might have in the “rapture” escape theory, which is a popular doctrine of the Christian faith. The only possible escape from God’s wrath against us is to obey his Law and to show mercy to the oppressed. Otherwise, God has said that he will cut off both the righteous and the wicked. [Ezekiel 21:3-5] The big problem with the rapture escape theory is that it is not true. All it achieves is to give a false sense of security, which leads to complacency, so that we don’t fear God, don’t seek the One True God, and don’t repent.

 

It is by God’s decree that the godly will be handed over to the wicked, because we have preferred Baal worship to true worship. We have invented a false god to serve and bow down too, and have not faithfully obeyed the One True God, the Holy One of Israel. Every Christian I explain this too is appalled at the suggestion of Baal worship – we all think we are so much better than our forefathers!!! Before you reject this assertion, ask God what this next scripture means, and how it applies to us today;

 

My people have exchanged my glory for worthless idols….. How can you say, “I am not defiled; I have not run after the Baals”?….. acknowledge your guilt – you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 2:11, 23, and 3:13

 

The answer, based on Deuteronomy 12, is that any place of worship, other than the temple at Jerusalem, is an illegitimate altar to Baal. That means that by God’s Law, every church, synagogue, mosque, and shrine is an altar to Baal, and any religion that preaches rebellion against the Law that God gave to Moses is Baal worship. In other words – all of our religions are Baal worship.

 

The following scriptures deal predominantly with God’s vengeance upon the godless, which will occur after the godless have destroyed the godly from the earth. The destruction of the saints will not benefit the godless, because we are all mortal, and each of us are destined for death from this present age. The time frame for God’s judgment, usually interpreted to be seven years from beginning to end, allows almost no time for the godless to enjoy their ill gotten gains. Eternity without reward is the final price for faithlessness, disobedience, and pride. If you are an ungodly person, you are better off to humble yourself to seek God now, because God’s eternal rewards are for those who do his will in this life.

 

If you think, “No, I would never become an oppressor, because I’m a good person,” it is because you have never experienced what is about to come. You have no defense against the influence of unclean evil spirits, unless your trust is in God. God is “Mister Big” in the spiritual realm, and the spirits do as He decrees. When God turns his face away from us, and the spirits are cast down to earth, then the influence of evil spirits will increase, the effect on godless mortals being :- stubbornness, pride, rebellion, greed, and blood lust. In the terms of the Bible prophets, “the nations will all go mad.”

 

 

 

 

ARISE O LORD

 

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. Psalm 12:1

 

Arise, O LORD, let man not triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Psalm 9:19,20

 

O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise up, O judge of the earth; pay back the proud what they deserve. How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant? Psalm 94:1-3 [see also Revelation 11:10]

 

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather round you. Rule over them from on high; let the LORD judge the peoples….. bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Psalm 7:6-9

 

Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. [also see Psalm 57:4, 58:6, Job 4:10 – broken teeth] From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on all your people. Psalm 3:7

 

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless…. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out. The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land…. in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more. Psalm 10:12-18 [also see Isaiah 29:20, Ezekiel 32:17-32 – those who caused terror, and 30:21 – Pharaoh's broken arm]

 

Arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me….. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away….. Psalm 35:2-5

 

Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword….. And I – in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. Psalm 17:13-15

 

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. Psalm 68:1,2

 

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come…. The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. Psalm 102:13-16

 

Arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. [also see Revelation 11:19] May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy…… I will clothe her priests with salvation, her saints will forever sing for joy. Psalm 132:8,16

 

God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment against the “gods.”: How long will you [plural – many] defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?…. They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

I said, “You are “gods”: you are all sons of the Most High. But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.

Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance. [which means that all mankind are Israelites, the tribe of God's inheritance.] Psalm 82

 

Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression. Psalm 44:23,24

 

Compare:- When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. Revelation 6:9-11

 

Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD. Psalm 12:5

 

“Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now I will be exalted; now I will be lifted up…… The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless…. your eyes will see the king in his beauty, and view a land that stretches afar. Isaiah 33:10-17

 

I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain. Zechariah 8:3

 

Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the LORD. Many nations will be joined to the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the LORD all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. Zechariah 2:10-13

 

 

 

 

 

 

EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM

 

Some of the following scriptures are repeated from earlier. The reason I have done this is to compile scripture with a common theme. The theme, in this case, is that you can expect to see the messiah with your own eyes. So if you haven’t yet seen the glory of God personally, then it can’t have happened yet. These scriptures also give an indication of what you can expect to see;

 

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:1-6

 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:7-11

 

Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrows will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. [Probably hailstones, in fulfillment of the law requiring death by stoning – also see Revelation 16:21] They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. Zechariah 9:14-16 [So none of us are “saved” yet.]

 

“Now I will arise,” says the LORD. “Now I will be exalted; now I will be lifted up…… The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless…. your eyes will see the king in his beauty, and view a land that stretches afar. Isaiah 33:10-17

 

Note; As a side issue, this prophecy from from Isaiah puts the lifting up of the LORD in our future, which gives what Jesus said about his being lifted up a whole new interpretation – that all mankind will serve God, and receive eternal life. According to the apostle John, the LORD was lifted up on the cross in fulfillment of Jesus words. But that is unlikely to be what Jesus meant in the following verses;

 

But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. John 12:32 [As yet not all men have been drawn to Jesus – but they will be.]

 

When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM. John 8:28 [Actually, when Jesus died on the cross it proved he was mortal. It required his resurrection to prove him immortal, and it will require his appearance with the glory of the Father to prove that he is the I AM.]

 

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14,15 [When every eye sees him, we will all believe.]

 

 

 

 

Seeing and mourning;

 

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. Revelation 1:7

 

At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. Matt 24:30

 

On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem….. They will look to me, the one they have pierced, and they will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 8-10

 

In that day, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. I will turn your religious feasts into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day. Amos 8:9,10 [So no one has any excuse for complacency.]

 

O my people, put on sackcloth and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. Jeremiah 6:26

 

Note; In the context of these prophecies, it could be concluded that the “destroyer” is the Word of God. [see Jeremiah 5:14, 23:29, Hosea 6:5, Revelation 11:5, 19:11-13] God will employ the Antichrist to do the job of destroying his saints, but no one could possibly touch us for our harm except God speaks the word. If you look for it with your eyes opened, you cannot help but find out that God has repeatedly spoken the word for our destruction, all because we have rejected his Law.

 

Therefore the earth will mourn and the heavens above grow dark, because I have spoken and will not relent, I have decided and will not turn back. Jeremiah 4:28

 

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5,6 [This is the correct response for anyone of this life whose eyes see the king of glory. It would be better, and eternally more rewarding, to repent right now.]

 

 

 

Seeing and rejoicing;

 

They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Isaiah 35:2-4

 

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken….. You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. Isaiah 40:5-10

 

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer. Although the LORD gives you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:19

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LORD COMES

 

From the following series scriptures, It can be concluded that the glory of God will not be revealed to all people until the armies of the Antichrist surround Jerusalem the second time within seven years. The first time is when the “abomination that causes desolation” occurs, at which time the temple, Jerusalem, and the land of Israel will be overrun, and the saints persecuted to death, probably starting with the 144000, then Judah [the Jews], then the remainder of the servants of God [Ephraim]. The second time they approach, they will not be permitted to enter the land, and will be destroyed at Israel’s borders. In my opinion, this occurs near the very end of the seven years of judgment

 

Your voice will come ghostlike from the earth; out of the dust your speech will whisper. But your many enemies will become like fine dust, the ruthless hordes like blown chaff. Suddenly, in an instant, the LORD Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames of devouring fire. Then all the hordes of all the nations that fight against Ariel, that attack her fortress and besiege her, will be as it is with a dream…. So it will be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion. Isaiah 29:4-8

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah 60:1-3

 

I will surely gather you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in it’s pasture; the place will throng with people. One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. [Out from the captivity of spiritual Babylon, probably.] Their king will go through before them, the LORD at their head. Micah 2:12,13

 

Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime – a day known to the LORD, when evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. [river of life – Ezekiel 47] The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. Zechariah 14:5-9 [the end for Babylon – all false religion]

 

Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrows will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet, he will march in the storms of the south, [south – southern kingdom – Judah] and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. Zechariah 9:14-16

 

Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations. Micah 4:13

 

The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD,….. like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed. Micah 5:7-9 [similar to Psalm 72]

 

I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. Zechariah 12:2,3 [also Proverbs 26:27, Matthew 21:44, Daniel 2:34,44]

 

In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing River to the Wadi of Egypt, and you O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one. And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:12,13

 

Note; The Israelites being gathered up here are probably the souls of the godless armies as they are being threshed – see Revelation 14:14-20.

 

Look! The LORD is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads the high places of the earth. [the places of Baal worship] The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before a fire, like water rushing down a slope. All this is because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel. Micah 1:3-5 [meaning the sins of all mankind – see Isaiah 24:5,6]

 

 

God came from Teman, [Edom] the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him, pestilence followed in his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. I saw the tents of Cush in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish. Were you angry with the rivers, O LORD? Was your wrath against the streams? Did you rage against the sea when you rode with your horses and your victorious chariots? You uncovered your bow and called for many arrows. You split the earth with rivers; the mountains saw you and writhed. Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted it’s waves on high. Sun and moon stood still in the heavens at the glint of your flying arrows, at the lightning of your flashing spear. In wrath you strode through the earth and in your anger you threshed the nations. You came to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Habakkuk 3:3-13

 

Note; Often the prophetic “mountain” represents a kingdom – see Revelation 17:9, Daniel 2:35,44. However, I think the judgments against the rivers, sea, and mountains in this particular prophesy are actual physical effects of the continents being rejoined into one great triangular land mass, as it was in the beginning, with the promised land of Israel located in the center. None of the prophesies I have seen state the “one landmass” phenomenon directly. But there are prophesies that state a change of earths landscape at the time of God’s coming – see Revelation 6:12-14, 16:17-20, 21:1, Psalm 66:6, 114, Isaiah 30:25.

 

The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; [Edom] he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of his holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes. Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction, the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

There is no-one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, “Destroy him!” So Israel will live in safety alone; Jacobs spring is secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew. Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places. Deuteronomy 33:2-4, 26-29

 

When the princes of Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves – praise the LORD….. O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel….. My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people…..[the 144000 – the house of David] Then the men who were left [the survivors of God's judgment against the saints] came down to the nobles; the people of the LORD came to [Zion] with the mighty…. Kings came, they fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they carried off no plunder. From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera…… So may all your enemies perish, O LORD! But may those who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. Judges 5:2-31

 

The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

The LORD is at your right hand; He will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. The One who grants succession will grant him authority, therefore he will lift up his head. Psalm 110

 

Raise a banner on a hilltop, [Mount Zion] shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles

I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath – those who rejoice in my triumph. Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens – the LORD and the weapons of his wrath – to destroy the whole country. Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13:2-6

 

The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation. Isaiah 42:13-15

 

Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemies; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hand of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. Psalm 144:5-8

 

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him – the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The LORD thundered from heaven, the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils. Psalm 18:7-15

 

No-one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and righteousness he does not oppress. Therefore, men, revere him, for he does not have regard for any who think they are wise. Job 37:21-24

 

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David… [see Ezekiel 29:21, Psalm 2:1-12, 89:17, 132:17, Jeremiah 23:5,6, Revelation 11:17] salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us – to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness all our days. [This best resembles the promises of Genesis 17:4-16, 22:15-18 and Exodus 19:5,5]

 

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, [where we still are] to guide our feet into the path of peace. [which is yet to come] Luke 1:68-79

 

Note; This second part of Zechariah’s prophesy may refer to you personally. [see Revelation 11:1-13, Malachi 4:5] If the spirit of Elijah was imparted to Elisha, [see 2 Kings 2:9-15] and to John the Baptist, [see Matthew 17:11-13] then it could also be imparted to you.

 

 

THE GREAT SACRIFICE

 

This segment is compiled of scripture that ought to challenge the commonly held doctrine that Jesus death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and that God no longer requires sacrifice. It should be obvious from the following scriptures that the “great sacrifice” remains in our future. If so, then we may need to re-evaluate what exactly Jesus death on the cross meant. Unfortunately, I am still unable to say with confidence what Jesus death meant, in terms of the mechanics of our salvation from sin and death. From a personal standpoint, it means that God loves me, despite my failings and my rebellious nature, enough to redeem me from my sorry life and death, so that I can be restored to righteousness – all this at great cost to God himself;

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.    2 Samuel 14:14

 

So while I can’t explain the mechanics of our salvation, I am confident of our salvation, because God has made it his business to redeem his creation from sin and death. I do know with absolute confidence what Jesus death doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean we are permitted to break God’s Law without consequence. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira should have made this obvious to anyone with eyes to see. [Acts 5:1-11] The Christian doctrine of “grace not law” is a LIE. God’s grace has always accompanied God’s Law, otherwise no one could ever have continued to live. Even when God sentences us to death for our crimes, we still have his promise of a renewed life of righteousness;

 

But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult. Isaiah 45:25

 

So what are the consequences of ignoring God’s commands? At the very least our eternal reward is diminished by ignoring God’s Law. [see Matthew 5:17-20] And for those of us who live at the time of the great rebellion, and God’s outpouring of wrath, there will be a dreadful punishment for rebelling against God’s commands;

 

I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the LORD…. Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited. On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes and the kings sons and all those clad in foreign clothes. [see Revelation 19:7-9, Matthew 22:11-14 – wedding clothes] On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, [see Isaiah 6:4, Ezekiel 41:16, 43:8 - threshold] who fill the temple of their gods with violence and falsehood…. on that day I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on it’s dregs, who think, “The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.” Zephaniah 1:1-12

 

Note; It stands to reason that on the day of the LORD, God will not only be concerned about the complacent people who live in the physical city of Jerusalem. He will be concerned about all of us, and will punish the people who are Jerusalem, you and I. [see Revelation 21:2] Also refer to Isaiah 33:14 – the sinners in Zion are terrified – those complacent ones who think God wouldn’t dream of punishing us for disobedience, those who ignore God’s Law and avoid stepping on the threshold of his temple. [see Ezekiel 43:7, Deuteronomy 12:5, 16:16]

 

I am calling down a sword against all who live on the earth, …. The LORD will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword….. At that time those slain by the LORD will be everywhere – from one end of the earth to the other. Jeremiah 25:29-33

 

Is the Spirit of the LORD angry? Does he do such things? Lately my people have risen up like an enemy. Micah 2:7,8

 

 

 

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forth in the greatness of his strength?

“It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save….. I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no-one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and stained all my clothing. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come. I looked, but there was no-one to help, I was appalled that no-one gave support; so my own arm worked salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground.” Isaiah 63:1-6

 

Note; Here God says that no one from the nations helps execute his wrath, and yet other scriptures indicate that the people of Ephraim, Israel, Judah, Zion will rise up and destroy their enemies. My assessment of this apparent conflict of prophecy is that when the spirit of God indwells us [see Ezekiel 18:31, 36:22-32] then we are unified with God. This doctrine may also be evident from examining Revelation 14:1-5; “….144000 who had his name and his fathers name written on their foreheads.” and Zechariah 12:8“……the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them.”

 

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With Justice he judges and makes war….. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an Iron scepter.” [see Psalm 2:9] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty…..

“Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, commanders and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.”

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured….. The rest of them were killed by the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse…… Revelation 19:11-21

 

Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls – all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. Ezekiel 39:17-23 [be sure to read all of this chapter]

 

Note; The saints are handed over for their destruction, because we have not been faithful by adhering to God’s Law, but have followed instead the teachings of men – see; Matthew 24:9, Revelation 13:7,10, Daniel 7:21, 8:12,24, 11:6, 12:7, Isaiah 50:1, 52:3-5, Psalm 44:11, 105:11, Jeremiah 15:13,14, Joel 3:6, Lamentations 1:14, 2:3, Deuteronomy 32:30

 

The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees that their strength is gone [see Daniel 12:7] and no-one is left, slave or free. He will say: Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in, the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up to help you! Let them give you shelter! See now that I myself am He! There is no God besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no-one can deliver out of my hand….. Rejoice, O nations, with his people, and let all the holy ones worship him, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and his people. Deuteronomy 32:36-43

 

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill the world with fruit. [You are this fruit] Has the LORD struck her as he struck down those who struck her? Has she been killed as those were killed who killed her? By warfare and exile you contend with her – with his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows. By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruitage of the removal of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones to be like chalk stones crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing….. [The end of Babylon – all false religion] For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. Isaiah 27:6-11 [Also see Zechariah 11:10 – the staff called favor is broken.]

 

The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter…. All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved, and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall…. My sword has drunk it’s fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment upon Edom, the people I have totally destroyed…. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom. Isaiah 34:2-6

 

But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD Almighty – a day for vengeance, for vengeance on his foes, the sword will devour until it is satisfied, till it has quenched it’s thirst for blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Jeremiah 46:10

 

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the righteous. Proverbs 21:18

 

In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel……

Bring down your warriors, O LORD! Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge the nations on every side. Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the wine press is full and the vats overflow – so great is their wickedness!

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her…. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house….. [river of life - see Ezekiel 47, Revelation 22:1,2] Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem through all generations. Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon. The LORD dwells in Zion! Joel 3

 

“Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earths vine, because it’s grapes are ripe.”

The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered it’s grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses bridles for a distance of 300 kilometers. Revelation 14:18-20

 

Note; The depression of the Jordan valley, from near the Gulf of Aquaba in the south, to the Sea of Galilee in the north, is about 300km long, and is low ground [below sea level]. It forms a likely catchment for blood at the border of Israel. When the armies of the earth are destroyed in the “land of the north, by the River Euphrates” and at Megiddo, and in Edom, and Kadesh, it is quite possible that blood could run down into this catchment area. Refer to Ezekiel 11:10-12, and 20:30-38 – judgment against Israel at Israel’s borders [11:10] – though they will not enter the land of Israel. [20:38] Rather, these rebels will be winepressed and threshed in the great harvest;

 

In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing River to the Wadi of Egypt, and you O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one. And in that day a great trumpet will sound. Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:12,13

 

Then shall my Son be declared, whom thou saw as a man ascending. And when all the people hear his voice, every man shall in their own land leave the battle they have one against another, and an innumerable multitude shall be gathered together, as thou saw them, willing to come, and to overcome him by fighting. But he shall stand upon the top of Mount Sion….. And this my Son shall rebuke the wicked inventions of those nations, which for their wicked life are fallen into the tempest, and shall lay before them their evil thoughts, and the torments by which they will begin to be tormented, which are like unto a flame, and he shall destroy them without labor by the Law which is like unto fire……. Now when he destroys the multitude of the nations that are gathered together, he shall defend his people that remain…… They shall smite one upon another, and they shall shall smite down a great multitude of stars upon the earth, even their own star, and blood shall be from the sword unto the belly, and the refuse of men unto the camel’s hough. And there shall be great fearfulness and trembling upon earth, and they that see the wrath shall be afraid…. 2 Esdras 13:32-38 and 49, 15:35-37

 

This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day, men will be stricken by the LORD by great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. Zechariah 14:12,13

 

Note; The point I hope will be evident from all these prophesies, is that God is about to prepare a great sacrifice, trampling the nations in the wine press of his fury, in order to make atonement for his land and his people. So if you believe that these particular scriptures have yet to be fulfilled, as I do, then why continue to believe that Jesus death on the cross was the final sacrifice God requires for all time?

 

From my efforts so far, the reintroduction of animal sacrifice – as required by the Law – is one of the biggest issues for a Christian to reconcile when considering obedience to God’s Law. Somehow we have taught ourselves to believe that the observance of sacrifice would be an offense against Jesus work on the cross, but there is no basis for this belief from scripture. Instead, God says this;

 

My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations. But you profane my name by saying of the Lord’s table, “It is defiled,” and of it’s food, “It is contemptible.” And you say, “What a burden!” and you sniff at it contemptuously, says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 1:11-13

 

If you are interested in following up on this issue, you might also read Malachi 3:3,4 – offerings in righteousness, as in days gone by, Ezekiel 43:13-27 – sacrifice and offerings in God’s kingdom, and Daniel 8:11 – the daily sacrifice due the Prince of the host. Some of the Psalms also discuss the offering of sacrifice, but not in terms sufficient to build a doctrine around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE VOICE OF GOD

 

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live…. [the Father] has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out – those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. John 25-29 [similar to Daniel 12:1,2]

 

The LORD will cause men to hear his majestic voice and will make them see his arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire, with cloudburst, thunderstorm and hail. The voice of the LORD will shatter Assyria; with his scepter he will strike them down. Isaiah 30:30-31 [also see Psalm 60:7, 108:8 - Judah is God's scepter.]

 

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of Glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Mount Herman like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” The LORD sat enthroned above the waters; the LORD is enthroned forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:3-11

 

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: Gather to me my consecrated ones…. Psalm 50:2-5

 

 

 

GOD IS IN HIS CITIDEL

 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:7-11

 

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:1-6

 

Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and all that is in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth. Psalm 96:10-13 [similar to Psalm 98]

 

Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds [OR who rides through the desert] – his name is the LORD – and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling…… When you went out before your people, O God, you marched through the wasteland, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever? …..The LORD has come from Sinai into his sanctuary….. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts…… You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Psalm 68:4-17

 

The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done for you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been. But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance. The house of Jacob will be a fire and the house of Joseph a flame; the house of Esau will be stubble, and they will set it on fire and consume it. There will be no survivors from the house of Esau. The LORD has spoken…… Deliverers will go up from Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD’s. Obadiah 15-21

 

O Daughter of Zion, your punishment will end; he will not prolong your exile. But, O Daughter of Edom, [Esau] he will punish your sin and expose your wickedness. Lamentations 4:22

 

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his anointed one.

“Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw of their fetters.” [see Genesis 27:40 – Esau vs Israel]

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the LORD scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying; “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy hill.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me;

“You are my Son, today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2

 

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the LORD laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming…. for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. Psalm 37:12-17

 

The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies. Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn you will receive the dew of your youth. The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind:

“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

The LORD is at your right hand; He will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. The One who grants succession will grant him authority, therefore he will lift up his head. Psalm 110

 

Note; According to Hebrews 7, this oath is referring to Jesus, but that is not correct. Jesus is the Word of God, the oath itself, and he is Almighty God, the oath maker. He is not the recipient of this oath. Why would Jesus follow after or model himself on any man or spiritual being except the Father? Rather than being ordained a priest in the order of Melchizedek, Jesus was the original Melchizedek in person. Eternal King, Eternal Priest, King of Righteousness, King of Peace, who received Abraham’s tithe, and blessed him. [Genesis 14:18-20] So this oath recorded in Psalm 110, is our assurance that the Sons of God [see Hosea 1:10, Psalm 2:7] will be righteous kings and priests of Israel forever, [see Revelation 20:6] modeled on Jesus, having the indwelling of God’s spirit, and exercising his authority;

 

Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. Psalm 72:1,2

 

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, [river of life – Ezekiel 47] the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolation he has brought on the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:4-10

 

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in it’s loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Mount Zion, on the northern side of the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels, he has shown himself to be her fortress. When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror…. God makes her secure forever. Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love….. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers….. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:1-12

 

O Daughter of Zion, your punishment will end; he will not prolong your exile. But, O Daughter of Edom, [Esau] he will punish your sin and expose your wickedness. Lamentations 4:22

 

Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you, never again will you fear any harm. Zephaniah 3:14,15

 

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet – when you, O God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land….. He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth. Psalm 76:7-12

 

With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Psalm 77:15-19

 

In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and punished after many days. The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before it’s elders, gloriously. Isaiah 24:21-23

 

We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great – and for destroying those who destroy the earth. Revelation 11:17,18

 

 

 

 

 

THE SWORD OF THE LORD

 

I am calling down a sword against all who live on the earth, …. The LORD will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword….. At that time those slain by the LORD will be everywhere – from one end of the earth to the other. Jeremiah 25:29-33

 

Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warriors sword. Zechariah 9:12,13

 

The LORD Almighty will come down and do battle on Mount Zion and on it’s heights. Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will “pass over” it and will rescue it. Isaiah 31:4,5

 

But that day belongs to the Lord, the LORD Almighty – a day for vengeance, for vengeance on his foes, the sword will devour until it is satisfied, till it has quenched it’s thirst for blood. For the Lord, the LORD Almighty will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. Jeremiah 46:10

 

The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter… All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved, and the sky rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall…. My sword has drunk it’s fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment upon Edom, the people I have totally destroyed…. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom. Isaiah 34:2-6

 

On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem….. They will look to me, the one they have pierced, and they will grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 8-10

 

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his wrath will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. Psalm 21:8-10

 

The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel. Jeremiah 31:2

 

 

 

 

WRATH AND MERCY

 

The LORD will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees that their strength is gone [see Daniel 12:7] and no-one is left, slave or free. He will say:

“Now where are their gods, the rock they took refuge in, the gods who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up to help you! Let them give you shelter! See now that I myself am He! There is no God besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no-one can deliver out of my hand…..” Rejoice, O nations, with his people, and let all the holy ones worship him, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and his people. Deuteronomy 32:36-43

 

Note; This is how God will save those of his people that enter through the wide door that leads to destruction. [See Matthew 7:8] To enter through the narrow door that leads to life requires that we eliminate the false beliefs, false actions and lies from our walk with God, and “do the will of the Father.” [see Matthew 7:21, Revelation 22:14] This means following Gods ways, and adhering to his Law.

 

The LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them. Isaiah 19:1 And the land of Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians; everyone to whom Judah is mentioned will be terrified, because of what the LORD Almighty is planning against them. Isaiah 19:17 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt….. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them….. they will make vows to the LORD and keep them…. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. Isaiah 19:19-21

 

Note; In the context of this prophesy, Egypt is the whole earth – all mankind who have chosen the life of bondage associated with breaking God’s covenant by not following his decrees. [see Psalm 119:44,45] Assyria is also the whole earth, representing those fat sheep of Ezekiel 34:20 who oppress their fellow man, and Israel is the nation at the hub of the whole earth – those who walk in God’s ways as Abraham did – being counted as righteous by their faith [see Genesis 15:6] and by their obedience. [see Genesis 22:18, 26:5] They will be the eternal kings and priests of God’s kingdom. So when God says there will be an altar in the heart of Egypt, this means the altar at God’s temple in Jerusalem, set in the center of the rejoined landmass of the earth. There will only be one altar in God’s kingdom;

 

You are to seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks…… Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please. Offer them only at the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribes, and there observe everything I command you. Deuteronomy 12:5-14

 

For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling. This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it – Psalm 132:13,14

 

Send forth you light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. Psalm 43:3,4

 

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her. Ezekiel 5:5

 

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” [see also Zechariah 8:20-23] Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel. There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David. Psalm 122:1-5 [see also Isaiah 32:2]

 

I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roaring of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory…… I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple. He said, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites forever. The house of Israel will never again defile my holy name……. Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider the plan….. Ezekiel 43:1-10

 

Note; The plan for the temple is given in Ezekiel chapters 40, 41 and 42, and the future layout of the land of Israel is detailed in Ezekiel 45:1-8 and 47:13 – 48:35. It should be obvious from these scriptures that what God is prophesying is still in the future for Israel, yet the temple described is a physical temple, similar to the original temple of Solomon. [2 Chronicles 3:1-17] All that remains, in order for us to understand and be ashamed of our sin, is to realize that we are the people of Israel, that this temple is our temple, where in the future, we will forever worship God, and that we have currently strayed far from God’s ways;

 

For the Israelites [meaning the northern kingdom – the lost tribes, rather than the southern kingdom of Judah, the Jews – see Hosea 4:15] will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, [the altar] without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea 3:4 [This means you and I.]

 

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after I awake, though this body has been destroyed, then in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

 

 

 

 

 

APPENDIX

 

From the book of Enoch;

 

From [God's angels] I heard all things, and understood what I saw, that which will not take place in this [Enoch's] generation, but in a generation which is to succeed at a distant period, for the benefit of the elect. For their benefit I spoke and conversed with Him, who will go forth from his habitation, the Holy and Mighty One, the God of the world, who will hereafter stand upon Mount Sinai, appearing with his hosts [the 144000 elect – see Revelation 7 and 14] and be manifested in the strength of his power from heaven. All shall be afraid, and the watchers be terrified. [In context, probably meaning the fallen angels.] Great fear and trembling shall seize them, even to the ends of the earth.

 

The lofty mountains shall be troubled, and the exalted hills brought low, melting like a honeycomb in the flame. The earth shall be inundated, and all things that are in it perish: judgment shall come upon all – even upon the righteous. [See Ezekiel 21:3, this judgment is eased somewhat in Hosea 11:8,9] But to [the elect] shall he give peace: he shall preserve the elect and exercise mercy towards them. [also see Malachi 3:16-18] Then shall all belong[ing] to God be happy and blessed, and the splendor of God shall illuminate them. Behold, he comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon and destroy the wicked, and reprove all the carnal for everything which the sinful and ungodly have done and committed against him. Enoch 1:2- 2:1

 

 

“See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the blasphemies ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Jude 14,15 [biblical quote from Enoch 2:1]

 

 

I beheld the Ancient of Days, whose head was like white wool, and with him another, whose countenance resembled that of a man. His countenance was full of grace, like one of the holy angels…. This is the Son of man, to whom righteousness belongs, with whom righteousness has dwelt, and who will reveal all the treasures of God that have been concealed, for the Lord of spirits has chosen him, and his reward surpasses all others who stand before the Lord of Spirits in everlasting uprightness. This Son of man, whom you behold, shall depose kings and the mighty from their dwelling places, and the powerful from their thrones. He shall remove the yoke of the powerful [from his people], and break in pieces the teeth of sinners. He shall hurl kings from their thrones and dominions, because they will not exalt and praise, nor humble themselves toward the One who granted them their kingdoms. Enoch 46:1-4

 

In those days shall the kings of the earth and the mighty men, who have gained the earth by their achievements, become humble in their countenance. For in the day of trouble their souls shall not be saved [from mortal destruction], but they shall be in subjection to those whom I have chosen. Enoch 48:7,8 [Also see

 

Nor shall any be able to utter a single word before him, for the Elect One is in the presence of the Lord of Spirits, according to his pleasure. Enoch 48A:4

 

In those days the saints and the chosen shall undergo a change. The light of day shall rest upon them, and the splendor and glory of the saints will be changed. Enoch 49:1 [also see Isaiah 44:23, 46:13, 49:3, Daniel 12:3]

 

O you kings, O you mighty, who inhabit the world. You shall behold my Elect One, sitting upon the throne of my glory. And he shall judge Azazeel, all his associates, and all his hosts, in the authority of the Lord of Spirits. Enoch 54:5

 

Note; The Elect One / the Son of man / the Messiah, is the 144000 elect. By the indwelling of God’s spirit they are unified with Jesus, and exercise his authority. Jesus is the Lord of Spirits, and the Messiah. Azazeel is a fallen angel, also known as Abaddon [see Revelation 9:11]. His associates are seven fallen angels, who counsel and probably inhabit the man known as the Antichrist. The hosts of Azazeel are the mortal kings and armies of the earth, who will be judged and slain at the borders of Israel. There is no way this has happened already. The saints and elect are currently no more glorious that our ancient forefathers, and quite a bit more disobedient.

 

 

Then shall the spirit kings combine together and conspire. The chiefs of the east, among the Parthians and Medes, shall [incite] kings, into whom a spirit of agitation shall enter. They shall hurl them from their thrones, springing as lions from their dens, and like famished wolves into the midst of the flock. They shall go up to invade the land of their elect. The land of the elect shall be before them. The threshing floor, the path, and the city of my righteous people shall impede their horses. They shall rise up against each other – their right hand shall be strengthened, nor shall a man acknowledge his friend or brother. Nor the son his father and mother, until the number of the dead bodies shall be completed by their death and punishment. Neither shall this take place without cause…..

 

After this I beheld another army of chariots with men riding in them. [The armies of heaven] And they came upon the wind [of heaven] from the east, west, south, [and north]….. And when that agitation took place, the saints of heaven heard it, and the pillar of the earth shook from it’s foundation, and the sound was heard from the extremities of the earth unto the extremities of heaven at the same time. [see Revelation 11:15-19 and 16:17-21] Then they all fell down and worshiped the Lord of Spirits. Enoch 54:9-55:5

 

 

 

I was incapable of enduring the vision of violence, it’s agitation, and the concussion from heaven. Then holy Michael said to me, “Why are you disturbed at this vision? Up until now has existed the day of mercy, and he has been merciful and long-suffering towards all who dwell upon the earth. But when the time shall come, then shall the power, the punishment, and the judgment take place, which the Lord of Spirits has prepared for those who humble themselves to the Law of righteousness, for those who forsake that Law, and for those who misuse his name.. That day has been preserved for the elect as a day of covenant, and for sinners as a day of inquisition.” Enoch 58:2-6 [new covenant – Jeremiah 31:31]

 

The change;

 

Then I fell upon my face, while all my flesh was dissolved, and my spirit became changed. [see Luke 20:36 – like the angels.] I cried out with a loud voice, with a powerful spirit, blessing, glorifying, and exalting. And those blessings, which proceeded from my mouth, became acceptable in the presence of the Ancient of Days. [see Malachi 3:3] The Ancient of Days came with Michael and Gabriel, Raphael and Phanuel, with thousands of thousands, and myriads of myriads, which could not be numbered. Then that angel came to me, and with his voice he saluted me, saying, You are the Son of Man, who art born for righteousness, and righteousness has rested upon you. The righteousness of the Ancient of Days shall not forsake you. Enoch 70:13-18

 

 

 

The Admonition of Enoch;

 

Let the righteous man arise from his slumber. Let him arise and proceed in the path of righteousness, in all it’s paths, and let him proceed in goodness and forgiveness. Mercy shall be shown to the righteous man. Upon him shall be conferred integrity and power forever. In goodness and in righteousness shall he exist, and shall walk in everlasting light, but sin shall perish in eternal darkness, nor be seen from that time forward and forever. Enoch 91:3

 

Woe to you simple ones, for you shall perish in your simplicity. To the wise you will not listen, and that which is good you shall not obtain. Enoch 96:17

 

Woe to you who change the word of integrity. They distort the eternal Law, and cause the heads of those who are not sinners to be trodden down upon the earth. Enoch 97:2,3

 

But in those days blessed shall they be to whom the word of wisdom is delivered, who point out and pursue the path of the Most High, who walk in the way of righteousness, and who do not walk in the way of the proud. They shall be saved. Enoch 97:9

 

To the righteous and the wise shall be given books of joy, integrity, and great wisdom….. And all the righteous shall be rewarded, who from these shall acquire the knowledge of every upright path. In those days saith the Lord, they shall call to the children of the earth, and make them listen to their wisdom. Show them that you are their leaders, and that remuneration shall take place over the whole earth. I and my Son shall forever hold communion with them in the paths of uprightness, while they are still alive. Peace shall be yours. Rejoice, children of integrity, in the truth. Enoch 104:10-104A:2

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