What does your God require of you?
What does your God require of you?
Greetings. This is intended as a follow up to the article; “Come out of her my people” which is an attempt to call the godly out of deception and to return to God’s ways. This means observing the Mosaic Law, and setting our sights on God’s temple at Jerusalem. The temple is about to be rebuilt – Sept 2012, then destroyed by fire – August 2016, then again built up and reconsecrated – Nov 2022. The significance of the temple is that it is God’s future throne among men , and the focal point of the righteous kingdom that is coming, to which all men will go to worship and entreat God. Here I will first restate the basic falsehoods we have been laboring under, then highlight from God’s word what it is we should be doing as his kingdom approaches.
Temple – see; Deuteronomy 12, Haggai, Psalm 74:7, 79:1, Ezekiel 23:39, Jeremiah 50:28, 51:11, Daniel 8:14, Ezekiel 43:7, Zechariah 1:16,17, 4:8-10, 6:9-15, 14:16-21, Psalm 86:9, Isaiah 2:2, 56:7, 64:11, Matt 21:13
This is another attempt to present the word of God in such a way as to snap God’s people out of complacency, and to seek the true God while he may be found. Then anyone who is convicted of their sin can change their ways and pass the message on to their neighbors and their loved ones. All my work is intended to point out that God’s people, including those believers who have faith in God and good works toward their fellow man, have universally fallen into deception concerning God’s requirements, and have become subject to God’s wrath, which is about to be poured out on all mankind, starting with the “righteous”, and ending with the ungodly. For Christians who trust the God of grace and love, but don’t know their God well enough to dread his word, this is a foreign concept. I hope to expose the false foundations of the Christian religion, and present a more sure foundation from the word of God that came by his servants the prophets, and by his son Jesus.
But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways…. Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. Jeremiah 23:22,28
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. Matt 7:24 [Jesus' sermon on the Mount - But we have not put Matthew 5:17-19 into practice, preferring instead the teachings of men – therefore our house will fall.]
These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. Isaiah 29:13,14
Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? [Jesus] Luke 6:46
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. [Jesus] Luke 11:28
If you love me, you will obey what I command. [Jesus] John 14:15
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. [Jesus] Matt 24:12
I have heard “devout” Christians tell me that they would abandon their faith rather than be subject to God’s Law. This seems like a love grown cold, and hardly indicates that Jesus is their king, does it? But don’t worry, when these people are confronted by the king of glory they won’t argue. No-one will. My religious background is Christianity, and I owe the Christian religion greatly for fostering my faith in God. But I have to tell you that the entire Christian religion is corrupt, and even the most righteous of us are defiled in God’s sight, since we have forsaken God’s ways, and rejected his Law.
“So it is with this people and this nation in my sight” declares the LORD. “Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” Haggai 2:14
There are numerous errors in Christian doctrine. Here are the three fundamental errors from which all the other errors have grown;
All the bible is the word of God – No, in particular, the letters of the apostles are only the teachings of men. Much of it is correct, but Paul’s work is predominantly false.
We are under a new covenant – Not yet, and it will never make the Mosaic covenant redundant.
God’s salvation plan is Christianity [as per Romans 10:9, which is demonstrably false, see Matt 7:21-23] – No, Israel is God’s salvation plan;
Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation…. All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exalt….. You are my servant Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. Isaiah 45:17,25, 49:3
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:11
We all need to believe these words, and then reexamine how each of us fit into God’s salvation plan for Israel. This is explained to the best of my ability in some of my previous articles. My conclusion is that all mankind are descended from Israel. [also called Jacob] Most importantly, in identifying with Israel, we can start to hear God’s rebuke against us in the warnings that came to Israel by his prophets, and then begin to amend our conduct and our attitude towards God. By this process we begin to serve the true God – the Holy One of Israel, instead of the Baals – false lords. Here are some scriptures I have chosen to illustrate how God sees our current state of righteousness;
You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. [see Malachi 4:4, Matt 5:17-19] But when we continued to sin against your ways you were angry. How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. No-one calls upon your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins. Isaiah 64:5-7
Here is how Israel will be saved; 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 [This salvation is for those that go through the wide door. See Matthew 7:8]
The earth is defiled by it’s people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; it’s people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. Isaiah 24:5,6
Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD!…. I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies…. Away with the noise of your songs…. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream! … You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god – which you made for yourselves. Amos 5:18-24 Consider this as a reference to the soon to emerge false messiah, and to our man made religions.
Will not pain grip you like that of a woman in labor? And if you ask yourself, “Why has this happened to me?” – it is because of your many sins that your skirts have been torn off and your body mistreated. Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard his spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil. Jeremiah 13:21-23
We are not accustomed to following Jesus, who obeyed the Laws, and upheld the word of God. By the deception we are under, we have dismissed God’s word as irrelevant, and have gone astray. [Ezekiel 13:17-23] I’ve heard many lies used for the purpose of rejecting God’s word. But if you live and draw breath, all God’s words are for you.
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 1:12, also Isaiah 65:5
This is the attitude of most Christians towards God’s Law, and God’s table. If you can’t hear God’s rebuke against us in these scriptures then ask him to give you understanding. You may think, “So what? If my conduct leads to my death then so be it.” I have heard this said by some of my acquaintances. They might as well say, “I would rather die than obey Jesus.” If you think this way, then understand that you are no better than those who were destroyed in the flood, or at Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what God says about Sodom, and about us [spiritual Jerusalem];
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and the needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen….. However, I will restore the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters and of Samaria and her daughters, and your fortunes along with them…. You would not even mention your sister Sodom in the day of your pride, before your wickedness was uncovered…. I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you…. I will give [your sisters - Sodom and Samaria] to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant with you. Then, when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 16:49-63
Aside from the rebuke inherent in this scripture, there are some interesting doctrinal points. In verse 60, God says he will honor the covenant made in Jerusalem’s youth, that being the Mosaic covenant, the only one we are able to break. [see Exodus 19:5,6] So God hasn’t forgotten this covenant, even if you have. Also, it appears from verse 61 that although the fortunes of spiritual Sodom and Samaria will be restored, they will not be beneficiaries of the new covenant, whereas spiritual Jerusalem will. So, it is in your interest to be Jerusalem, and not in your interest to reject prophesy against Jerusalem. It is impossible that this prophesy has already been fulfilled, because Sodom has in no way been restored. Remember also that Nineveh will stand at the judgment of God as an accuser, [Luke 11:32] and Sodom will be there as well. [Luke 10:12] Now listen to the prophesy of James. It’s contains the same rebuke;
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the LORD Almighty. You have lived on the earth in luxury and self indulgence. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you. James 5:1-6
Note:-Further study regarding this prophesy:- Ezekiel 7 – the end, 34:17-31 – fat and lean sheep, Jeremiah 5:26-31 – unjust nation, 22:11-17 – unjust king, Amos 8 and 9, Micah 2, Zephaniah 1, Isaiah 2:6-22, 5:8-10, 10:1-4 – judgment against an unjust nation, Malachi 3:5 – laborers wages
It is the Jews in Israel who have tended our inheritance – the land of Israel. It is mainly the western nations who are rich and are spending the last days motivated by self indulgence. We urgently need to listen to this rebuke and make amendment. The condemned and murdered being referred too here are most likely the two witnesses of Revelation 11, who will be put to death at the time of the abomination that causes desolation, and for the following 3 ½ years – if my assessment of prophesy is correct. Not two individual men, but a multitude of witnesses from Judah and Israel, calling us to return to God’s law – a call that is antithesis to Christianity, despite all the evidence from the Law, the prophets, and Jesus.
Friend, consider this – If you believe Jesus is the Word of God, [see Revelation 19:13] and if you believe the Law is the word of God, [see Deuteronomy 4:12-14] then understand that you cannot despise God’s Law except you despise Jesus. Let’s get it straight. According to Jesus, the Law is honorable – synonymous with justice, mercy, faithfulness, and we are required to observe all God’s laws, neglecting none of them;
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the Law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter Laws, without neglecting the former Laws. [Jesus] Matt 23:23 [also see Matt 5:17-20]
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. [Jesus] Matthew 5:20
That’s right. If we don’t make a better job of obedience than the Pharisees were doing, we won’t enter his kingdom. Therefore we will die for our sin, and then be born again at the resurrection of the saints, in order to enter the kingdom. [see John 3:3-8, Luke 20:34-36, Rev 20:4-6, Ezekiel 37:1-14 – the slain, Ezekiel 36:24-36 – the survivors]
For such as in their life have received benefits, and have not known me; And they that have loathed my Law, while they had yet liberty, and, when as yet place of repentance was open unto them, understood not, but despised my Law; The same must know it after death by pain. 2 Esdras 9:10-12
The flock detested me, and I grew weary of them and said, “I will not be your shepherd. Let the dying die, and the perishing perish. Let those who are left eat one another’s flesh.” [brother against brother – not canabalism] Then I took my staff called Favour and broke it, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations. Zechariah 11:8-10
But the main reason I have brought these words of Jesus to your attention is so that when you read the next section of this article, concerning what God requires of us, you have no reason for thinking that any of God’s exhortations are separate from adherence to the covenant of the Law that came by his servant Moses. Some of the following scriptures state the requirement of obeying God’s Law, and some of them don’t. Doesn’t matter. All God’s Laws are to be adhered too as we faithfully carry out God’s requirements. Here is the way we should live;
The Way
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…. only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; and everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10 [also see Revelation 7:17, 21:4 – no more tears.]
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11 [an undivided heart does not waver between two opinions – see 1 Kings 18:21, Joshua 24:15]
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalm 25:9,10
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17,18
The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. Psalm 18:20-23
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken…. Psalm 112:1-5
Justice
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel. Psalm 103:6,7
Maintain justice and do what is right…. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil…. And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the authority of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Isaiah 56:1,2,6,7
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice, and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked to clothe him, and not turn away from your own flesh and blood? [Possibly means the increasing number of disaster victims, or the coming oppression against Judah - Proverbs 24:11] If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourself in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness….. If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 58:6-14
If you do not fast from the world, you will not find the kingdom. If you do not keep the sabbath as sabbath, you will not see the father. [Jesus] Thomas 27
Note:- The Sabbath is Saturday- To be confident of this read; Exodus 31:12-17, Luke 23:55-24:1, Matt 28:1, Mark 16:1,2, and Ezekiel 46:1. God has never decreed any other day. Not the Christian Sunday, nor the Islamic Friday. Other references; Ex 20:8, 23:12, Lev 23:3, 26:2, Num 15:32, 28:9, Deut 5:12, Neh 13:15, Jer 17:19.
Some of the meanings of the laws are unclear. An is example is Leviticus 25:1-7 – the Sabbath year, which states in my NIV bible that we may not reap what grows of itself, yet whatever the land yields that year may be eaten. So what did God mean? That we should not reap a harvest for selling, perhaps? I think this law is prophetic – see Isaiah 37:30, Hosea 6:2. My decision is to not get too legalistic about God’s Law, [see Ecclesiastes 7:16-20] but to be steadfast in knowing that all God’s laws remain current, and that my sin against his law requires confession and repentance, whether I sinned knowingly or not. The sinners prayer is; “Father, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Luke 18:13 and 11:2-4 [A useless prayer if we ourselves don't show mercy – see Luke 6:37, 11:4, Matt 18:21-35]
Who can dwell with the consuming fire? Who can dwell with the everlasting burning? He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ear against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil – this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar. Isaiah 33:14-17 [similar to Proverbs 1:10-19]
LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his heart to an idol or swear falsely. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Psalm 24:3
Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other. Zechariah 7:9,10
This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3
Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, Just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts, Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14.15 [And God will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph / Ephraim, see Hosea 11:8,9]
Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the LORD. Zechariah 8:16,17
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law. Proverbs 29:18
Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Proverbs 28:4,5
Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. Daniel 11:32
Note:- Understand this; We honor the Antichrist when we forsake God’s Law. We honor God by obeying his Law. Come out from your delusion and seek the truth – now. This ignorant fool is about to become our ruler.
Truth
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from spreading lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:11-14
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Psalm 141:3,4
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. As for the deeds of men – by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent. Psalm 17:3,4 [violence against God's law - Zeph 1:9, 3:4, Ezek 22:26, Dan 11:14, Mic 6:12]
For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction – because he is a messenger of the LORD Almighty. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi, says the LORD Almighty. So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the Law. Malachi 2:7-9 [symptomatic of the Christian religion, don't you think? Also see Ezekiel 44:10-16]
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Psalm 26:4-8
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. I never sat in the company of revelers, I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation….
If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. [read; “witness”] Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 15:16-20 [similar to Isaiah 50:4-9]
Note; It isn’t in the scope of this article to discuss the witnesses of Revelation 11. Just know that you could be one.
Cursed is the one who trusts in man,….. and whose heart turns away from the LORD….But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:5-7
Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant – the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron -smelting furnace. I said; “Obey me in everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. Jeremiah 11:3,4
Note; Will you claim the blessing of trusting God, and ignore the curse of disobeying God? Don’t be double minded. In this scripture, God has not distinguished between circumcised Jew and uncircumcised Gentile, or between those who believe they are under a new covenant, and those who know they are not. God has simply said that if you do not obey the terms of this covenant you are cursed by God.
The Terms of the Covenant
The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, [see Exodus 19:5,6] and that you are to keep his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame, and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised. Deuteronomy 26:16-19 [So make up your mind; Is the LORD your God or not? Are you his people or not? Stop ignoring what he has said.]
I am making this covenant, with it’s oath, not only for you who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God but also with those who are not here today. Deuteronomy 29:14,15 [So which were you; there or not there? This covenant excludes no-one, which is why all mankind will be judged by it. See Isaiah 24:5,6]
When such a person hears the words of this oath, and he invokes a blessing on himself and [continues to] think; “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way.” This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. The LORD will never be willing to forgive him; his wrath and zeal will burn against that man. All the curses written in this book will fall upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. The LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law. Deuteronomy 29:19-21
Note; In my opinion, this scripture defines the only eternal sin – blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. [see Matt 12:31] My point from this scripture is; Why risk eternal condemnation by considering yourself blessed by God, while disregarding the authority of the Law in your life? And make no mistake, it is God’s authority you are disregarding. Please read this scripture in your own Bible, because I have exchanged the word “therefore” for “[continues to]”, thinking that it makes more sense and is easier to understand when phrased that way.
Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbors wife or lie with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food for the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend at usury or take interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 18:5-9
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 3:5-7
Sowing and reaping
Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. When a farmer ploughs for planting, does he plough continually? Does he keep breaking up and harrowing the soil? When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow carraway and scatter cummin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in it’s plot, and spelt in it’s field? His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. Isaiah 28:23-26
Give careful thought: Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:18
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 10:12
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Isaiah 3:10
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence for ever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest….. how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream…. Isaiah 32:17-20
Note; I believe these scriptures are talking about repentance and restoration, see also; Psalm 32, 126, Joel 1:13-20 – repentance / restoration, Jeremiah 4:3, 9:25, Ezekiel 44:9 – circumcision of heart and flesh, Amos 7:1 – the king’s share and the second crop. Proverbs 20:4, 24:30-34 – sluggard at harvest. Jesus’ parables of sowing and reaping.
Repentance
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and Live! Ezekiel 18:31,32 also see Psalm 51:10-13
Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful, declares the LORD. I will not be angry forever. Only 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 3:12,13
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. Isaiah 59:12
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. Zephaniah 2:3
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15
Few will be saved
Then he answered me and said; This is the condition of the battle which man that is born upon the earth shall fight; that if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said, but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say. For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying; “Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.” Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, nor me…. 2 Esdras 7:57-60
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not [listen to me either.] [Jesus] Luke 16:31
Enter though the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. [Jesus] Matthew 7:13, also see Luke 13:22
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who practices falsehood. Revelation 22:14,15
Note; In God’s kingdom, even the dogs get their share. [see Psalm 68:23] The condition of the battle is whether you will overcome and receive your inheritance. To be Israel means to struggle with God and man to receive God’s blessing. [see Genesis 32:22-32, Matthew 11:12, Luke 16:16] In my opinion there is no time left for complacency – we need to be wrestling with God’s word the teachings of men in order to stamp out falsehood. If we succeed we gain the right to enter his kingdom. [also see Proverbs 4:7]
I do not say anyone should abandon the normal responsibilities of this life – yet. Our exile is not quite over anyway. But it is definitely time to shift our focus away from the cares of this life, so that we may become ready for what God is about to do. All the endevours of this life are about to go up in flames. [Jeremiah 51:58, Habbakkuk 2:13, Ezekiel 7:11] God says our endevour should be the establihment of his kingdom;
You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. Isaiah 62:6,7
I will not enter my house or go to my bed – I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob. We heard it in Ephrathah, we found it in the fields of Jaar. Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool – arise, O LORD, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with righteousness; may your saints sing for joy. Psalm 132:3-5
Here are some scriptures that I believe define the “few” who will enter by the narrow gate;
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his authority. “They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day will set them on fire,” says the LORD God Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my authority, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in it’s wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall…. Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.” Malachi 3:16 – 4:4
How long, O men, will you dishonor my Glorious One? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear me when I call to him. Psalm 4:2,3
The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary….. Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among my disciples. I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Isaiah 8:13,16,17
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked….. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:1-11 [also see Revelation 7:3, 9:4]
Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor….. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [Jesus] Luke 12:32-34
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I will help you, declares the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. [see Micah 4:13] You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:14,15
Note; It is an easy connection to make here. Jesus little flock is little Israel. They will receive the kingdom and become the Sons of God. [see Hosea 1:10] By the indwelling of God’s Spirit they will receive authority, rule the kingdoms of the earth with an iron scepter and dash them to pieces like pottery. [see Psalm 2:7-9, 18:30-50, 110:1-3, Revelation 12:5] The mountains are kingdoms and peoples of the earth. I cannot explain the reference to “worm Jacob” yet. The only other mention I’ve seen is Job 25:6 and Psalm 22:6. Both are derogatory.
Blessed are they who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are they whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage… They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalm 84:5
Return faithless people, declares the LORD, for I am your husband. I will choose you – one from a town and two from a clan – and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding….. At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the authority of the LORD. [see Zechariah 14:16] No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their own evil hearts. In those days the house of Judah will join the house of Israel, [see Ezekiel 37] and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your forefathers as an inheritance. Jeremiah 3:14-18
Jesus said; I shall choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand. And they will stand as a single one. Thomas 23 [see also Zechariah 6:13, 4:7, Thomas 48, John 10:14-16, Psalm 133]
Note; By my assessment of prophesy, these chosen are the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14, the Kings share, [Amos 7:1] and the future kings over all Israel. [Isaiah 32:1,2, Revelation 21:17, Psalm 89:15-29 ] Also, prophesy for Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Ezra [as in 2nd Esdras] and the Joshua / Zerubbabel / Eliakim figure, represents prophesy for the chosen 144,000. They are integral with the two witnesses, Israel and Judah. [see Micah 4:8 – watchtower / kingship] I won’t expand on this assessment here, but you might consider this possibility as you examine prophesy. There is no question that these chosen people will remain on earth during the Judgment, even though in their nature they are “caught up to heaven.” [Revelation 7:3, 9:4, 12:5, Zechariah 3, Psalm 45, Jeremiah 17:12-18, Job 29:14-17]
This scripture from Jeremiah, in context, has God primarily addressing the 10 lost tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, to whom he has previously given a certificate of divorce, rather than to the Jews / Judah. If you are not Jewish, then this is talking about you, a descendant of these 10 tribes. The return of the 10 tribes is detailed in Ezekiel 37 – describing the first resurrection [also see Revelation 20:6] and the return and reunification of the surviving remnant. But these chosen 144,000 will unify before the Judgment. If you have access to the Apocrypha then the return of the 10 tribes is detailed in 2 Esdras 13. Also re-examine Luke 15 – lost sheep, prodigal son.
I have highlighted the references to Zion and Jerusalem to draw attention to the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven will be in physical Jerusalem. That is where our pilgrimage shall be towards. The reference to “a northern land” is part of the riddle of prophesy. The “north” can in fact be east, west, or south – anywhere on earth that the northern kingdom of Israel was exiled too. [see Isaiah 43:6] The reason that Judah also comes from the north, is that the Jews are about to be exiled from the promised land again, [see Revelation 12, Zechariah 14:1-5] and will take shelter among their northern brothers. Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy.
Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer. Isaiah 16:3,4 [Don't be too distracted by the reference to Moab. Remember Ruth the Moabitess, who married Boaz ben Judah. Everybody is related to everybody if you go back far enough, and Ruth is easily far enough.]
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering towards slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? Proverbs 24:11,12
The Blessed Remnant
The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no-one will make them afraid. Zephaniah 3:13
In that day the LORD Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5,6
Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1335 days. Daniel 12:12
He that shall endure the peril in that time hath kept himself: they that be fallen into danger are such as have works and faith toward the Almighty. Know this therefore, that they which are left behind are more blessed than those that be dead… Whereas thou saw a man coming up from the midst of the sea: The same is he whom God hath kept a great season, which by his own self shall deliver his creation: and he shall rule them that are left behind. 2 Esdras 13:23-26
Note; The dead who die in the Lord are also blessed, [see Rev 14:13] but not as blessed as the living presumably. Also notice that this scripture makes a mockery of the pre-tribulation rapture theory, which says that the righteous will be taken and the ungodly will be left behind. If you read Matthew 24:36-41 again you may discover that the ungodly are taken and the righteous are left behind. Forget about the escape theory. There will be no escape from God’s wrath except we adhere to his commands and show mercy to our brothers and neighbors. Consider this;
All the sinners among my people will die by the sword, all those who say, “Disaster will not overtake or meet us.” Amos 9:10
Yet there will be some survivors – sons and daughters who will be brought out of it. They will come to you, and when you see their conduct and their actions, you will be consoled regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem – every disaster I have brought upon it. You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 14:22,23
God’s Temple….and you….
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it…. And the Law will go out from Zion… Isaiah 2:2
Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:5
Give careful thought to your ways; Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD. You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD Almighty. Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you builds his own house. Therefore because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth it’s crops. I called for a drought on the fields and mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands. Haggai 1:7-11
Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD, and work. [see Isaiah 62:6,7, Psalm 132:3-5] For I am with you, declares the LORD Almighty. This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear. 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, and I will fill this house with glory…. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the LORD Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace, declares the LORD Almighty. Haggai 2:4-9
On the twenty forth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai….. Now give careful thought to this from this day on – consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD’s temple. Haggai 2:10-15
From this day on, from this twenty forth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. From this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:18
Does anyone agree with me, that the prophesy of Haggai requires careful thought? I require no more thought to know that the physical temple will be rebuilt. Ezekiel and Daniel state this in plain Hebrew. So what is the mystery? What is the significance of the date 24-9-02, that God has determined is the day He will bless us? He has already stated that his Spirit remains among us as of 21-7-02. [see Haggai 2:1] So what new thing will God do? And what new thing should we do that requires such careful thought?
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland…. to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43:18-21 [see Isaiah 49:5, Jeremiah 1:5]
From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, “Yes, I knew of them.” You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ear has not been open. Isaiah 48:6-8 [see Deuteronomy 29:4]
I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:3
The ninth month is the month Kislev. It matches none of the feasts of the LORD, which fall in the 1st, 3rd, and 7th months, [see Leviticus 23] nor is it included in the additional fasts of Judah in the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 10th months. [see Zechariah 8:19] The Jews celebrate Hanukka, the feast of Dedication, from the 25th day of Kislev, because the temple was cleansed from that day after the defilement of Antiochus Epiphanes. On my prophesy timeline, the day 24-9-02 is a Sabbath day, 8th December 2012. If 25-9-02 is correct, it falls on Sunday 9th December. These dates fit reasonably well with dedicating the pre-judgment temple. Although the temple is not completed until 24-11-02, [see Zechariah 1:7, 4:8] it seems only the altar needs to be consecrated for the daily sacrifice to recommence.
Now on the five and twentieth day of the ninth month, which is the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and eighth year, they rose up betimes in the morning and offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings, which they had made…..And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance with praise. 1 Maccabees 5:52-56
Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, even the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Casleu. And they kept eight days with gladness….. 2 Maccabees 10:5,6
So, two scriptures tell us that the Jews got the right day for the dedication of the temple – 25 Kislev, and they may have additional support for this date in their archives. But the prophet Haggai states 24 Kislev twice as well.
My prophesy timeline puts the final reconsecration of the temple, that is, after God’s judgment against the saints [see Daniel 8:14 – 2300 evenings and mornings] on Tuesday 8th November 2022, which equates to 14 Heshvan on the Hebrew calendar, the 8th month, so that’s no help, and is probably incorrect. Supposing 25 Kislev is the correct date, it falls on Monday 19th December 2022, not the Sabbath, which best fits an eight day celebration. [that is, from Sabbath to Sabbath. See also Ezekiel 43:18-27] So, there is no pattern to be observed there either. Reasonably, we ought to look for some other significance to attach to this day.
The Sabbath is significant as a day of rest, for not going our own way, for remembering God’s creation week. It testifies to the Sabbath 1000 year kingdom of peace and rest, when Satan, the deceiver, will be bound for 1000years. [see Revelation 20] And it is a day for sacred assembly. I believe all these factors are relevant in terms of the the blessing God has for us on the day 24-9-02.
If we assemble there it will be because we have chosen God’s way, not our own way, we want to honor the God of creation, and we are looking towards the Kingdom of Heaven. If God chooses to bless us, it will mean rest for those he has chosen. If God permits, I hope to be there to honor God and receive his blessing, and I hope you will be too. It is a disgrace to Israel if God’s people don’t turn up to honor him – it’s not as if God hasn’t called to us enough times;
To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, “Here am I, here am I.” All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations – a people who continually provoke me to my very face…. who say, “Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!” Isaiah 65:1-5 [Which is what Christian's are saying when they despise God's commands, his Temple, and his altar.]
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, “Seek me in vain.” I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right. Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Isaiah 45:19,20
Note; It hardly matters if the date I’ve identified is the wrong date for this blessing. [8th December 2012] All you need to do is notice the day the foundation of the LORD’s temple is laid. This will be big news. Then use that date as the reference point for determining the correct day for God’s blessing from Haggai’s prophesy. Haggai 1:15 states that work began on the temple 24-6-02, so that is the reference date I would look at firstly, but only if the foundation is laid that day. It should be easy to figure this out once these things start to occur, but we need to be diligently watching to see God’s word fulfilled, [see Zechariah 11:11] and we need to know our God in order to understand what he requires of us as these things occur and this age draws to a close.
More references to the temple; 1 Chronicles 22, 28,29, 2 Chronicles 2,3,4,5,6,7, Ezekiel 40,41,42.
If it turns out to be the Jews who build the temple, then it is unlikely they will let a disciple of Jesus near the place, even if we have been circumcised according to the Law. Don’t worry about that too much. It’s not as if God won’t know that you have assembled there to honor him. Remember that the spirit of God descended upon his disciples while they waited for him sitting assembled in a house, and it probably wasn’t the LORD’s house. [see Acts 2:2] Here is what God says about being excluded because of Jesus name;
They shall deny the name of the Lord of spirits, and shall expel him from the temples in which they assemble, [see Ezekiel 8:6] and with him the faithful, who suffer in the name of the Lord of spirits. Enoch 46:5
See, I have placed before you an open door that no-one can shut. [also see Isaiah 22:22] I know that you have little strength, [O worm Jacob?] yet you have kept my word and have not denied my authority. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, [see Ezekiel 8:16-18, Psalm 50:16-21] who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars – I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Revelation 3:8,9
Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: Your brothers who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, “Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!” Yet they will be put to shame. Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies what they deserve.
Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her, she delivers a son. Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be bought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children. Isaiah 66:5-8
The Sons of God
So here is the birth of the chosen Sons of God, who will be kings and priests of the righteous Kingdom of God, occurring prior to the labor pains of the Judgment. This is my pick for the blessing of 24-9-02 that God will bestow on those he chooses and brings to Zion to appear before him;
Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” [see Jeremiah 3:8, Isaiah 54:1,6] they will be called, “Sons of the Living God.” The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited, and they will appoint one leader, and they will come up out of the land…. Hosea 1:10,11 [also see Psalm 2:7]
When their rule is established, this will be a blessing for all Israel, like a way in the desert or streams in a wasteland. [Isaiah 43] This is the new thing that God will do that we have not heard of or seen before;
I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes – one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treds on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay. [God is the potter, man is the clay – Isaiah 29:16, 45:9] Who told this from the beginning, so that we could know, or beforehand, so that we could say, “He was right”?
No-one told of this, no-one foretold it, no-one heard any words from you. I was the first to tell Zion, “Look, here they are!” I gave Jerusalem a messanger of good tidings. [read “witness”, also see Isaiah 43:10, 44:8,26, 55:4, 40:9, 52:7, Nahum 1:15] I look but there is no-one – no-one amoung them to give councel, [see Ezekiel 22:30] no-one to give answer when I ask them. See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my spirit on him [see Isaiah 44:3, 59:21] and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth….. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Isaiah 41:25 – 42:9
Note; This “one” ruler that calls on God’s name, are many Sons of God. This is why Jesus voice is like the sound of a multitude, or the sound of rushing waters. [Revelation 1:15, Daniel 10:5, Ezekiel 1:24, 43:2] and may explain why God says that Zion will marry her sons. [Isaiah 62:5] This “one” is stirred up from the north, meaning the northern kingdom – Joseph / Ephraim, which may explain why the sun, moon, and eleven stars all bow down to Joseph’s star, [Genesis 37:9-11] and why God calls Ephraim his firstborn. [Jeremiah 31:9] This same “one” comes from the rising sun. [Isaiah 58:8, 60:1, Malachi 4:2] “They” are the 144,000, whom God calls the firstfruits, [Revelation 14:4] because they are the firstfruits of his righteous kingdom – the Kings share.
They are not Cyrus, [see Isaiah 44:28] who is one of the personas of the antichrist, a bird of prey – a man from the east, [Isaiah 46:11] a king anointed by God for the purpose of destroying mankind, [Isaiah 45:1-3, 51:12-14, 54:16, 37:26] for rebuilding Jerusalem, and releasing the captives, [Isaiah 44:28, 45:13] even though he does not acknowledge God, [Isaiah 45:4,5, Daniel 11:36-38] nor receives any reward. [Isaiah 45:13, also see Ezekiel 29:18] I doubt he will do any actual rebuilding, but by destroying the old order he makes way for the new. It is God’s people who will build Jerusalem. [see Isaiah 54:11, 61:4] I doubt he will gladly release any captives [see Isaiah 14:17] but by putting us to death he releases us from the bondage of corruption, which allows us resurection to a life of righteousness.
I’m not particularly interested in identifying this fellow. The important thing to know is that he is appointed by God for our destruction, unless we turn and follow God’s ways. If you are interested, then look out for references to the King of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Tyre, Judah, [or king of the south], Israel, [or king of the north] Pharaoh, mighty man, commander, destroyer, wicked, traitor, thief, worthless shepherd, and other representative figures, such as Sisera, Shebna, or spirit beings, such as Gog, Abbaddon. As far as I’m aware all these titles will be embodied in just one man, known to Christians as the Antichrist. He will seem like the answer to our prayers, and we will give him our allegience, and we will become party to his crimes, unless we stand firm in obeying God’s law and holding to the testimony of Jesus;
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Isaiah 4:1 The seven women possibly represent 7 remaining adulterous religions of an original 10 – Revelation 17, Daniel 7, or could also be the seven churches – Revelation 2, 3.]
If the “one from the north” are the chosen 144,000, as I suggest, then it is also worth discussing the term; “from the rising sun”. This may simply mean the dawning of God’s kingdom, and have no geographical meaning, but a few scriptures tell me that it might. To the east of Jerusalem is modern Jordan, which equates to ancient Moab, Edom, and Ammon, which will be delivered from the antichrist, and not be invaded. [see Daniel 11:41] My point is that this is quite a likely haven for the 144,000 and the Judean Jews during the first phase of God’s wrath. Then after their authority is established [see Ezekiel 29:21] they would return to Jerusalem “from the rising sun” in the east. [sometime from 2017 onwards, on my prophesy timeline, and before the temple is reconsecrated, 2022]. Here is one more pointer I have seen;
Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father,and do not go to your brothers house when disaster strikes you – better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. Proverbs 27:10
All mankind are brothers, but for the pilgrims from the nations of the north, our closest brothers will be in the distant nations we originated from – also true for the Judean Jews, with Jews currently living amoungst many nations – and this scripture says it’s best not to go back there when the disaster strikes. So this Jordanian refuge theory fits with this Proverb, the Isaiah 41, 42 prophesy, Daniels prophesy, Zechariah 14:1-5, and maybe the Isaiah 15,16 prophesy for Moab, if, as I have previously suggested, the Moabite refugees are actually the Judean Jews sheltering in Moab. Otherwise there is an unacceptable conflict between Daniel 11:41 and every other prophesy for Edom, Ammon, and Moab, which are quite nasty.
Once again, we are all descended from Edom, Ammon, and Moab, so we cannot ignore God’s word against them, but we don’t have to take on their attributes, nor receive their judgments. Moab and Ammon were the illegitimate sons of Lot, Abrahams nephew, and Edom is Jacobs brother Esau, who despised his inheritance, earning God’s hatred. [see Malachi 1:3] I know that for a Christian, the law, the temple, Jerusalem, and the land of Israel, may seem like a poor eternal inheritance, because I have thought this myself in the past. But after studying the word of God I definitly do not think this way any longer. Now I cant wait for God’s kingdom to come. For this reason I recommend you read God’s word over and over again until you start to see what God sees.
The Pilgrimage
Our pilgrimage is not just a physical journey. Come out of the deadly stupor you are in. Seek God’s truth and reject the teachings of men. Become circumcised in heart and flesh. Know the LORD your God. Follow in his ways;
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard, obey it, and repent. Revelation 3:2 [Let it be so.]
And now I say unto thee, That thou lay up in thy heart the signs that I have shown, and the dreams thou hast seen, and the interpretations thou hast heard:
For thou shalt be taken away from all, and from henceforth thou shalt remain with my Son, and with such as be like thee, until the times be ended…..
Now therefore set thine house in order, and reprove thy people. Comfort such of them as be in trouble, and now renounce corruption. Let go from thee mortal thoughts. Cast away the burdens of man. Put off now the weak nature, and set aside the thoughts that are most heavy unto thee, and haste thee to flee from these times. For yet greater evils than those which thou hast seen happen shall be done hereafter…..
For the truth is fled far away, and leasing is hard at hand: for now hasteth the vision to come, which thou hast seen.
2 Esdras 14:7-18
I would love to copy all of 2nd Esdras to present here, but it is too large a work to comptemplate. Make it your priority to obtain a copy of the Apocrypha, if for no other reason than to read Ezra’s conversation with Uriel, the angel of God. There is plenty more to be gained from the other authors as well.
Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains and on the hills and under every spreading tree where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods…. You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. But 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…. Deuteronomy 12:2-5
Israel has already dispossessed the nations throughout the whole earth, [see Isaiah 14:2, 54:3, Thomas 113 - below] by the inevitable process of integration, but we have continued to worship the LORD our God in the ways of all the nations that we have dispossessed. Get rid of your idolatry and set your sights on the temple of God at Jerusalem.
His disciples said to him; “When will the kingdom come?” Jesus said; “It does not come by one’s looking for it. They will not say, “Look here!” or “Look there!” But the fathers kingdom is spread out over the earth, and people fail to see it. Thomas 113
Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. [This phrase is reminiscent of the giving over of “devoted things” to God for utter destruction. Don't get caught out like Achan did. – see Joshua 7:1, 15,19] Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water….. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:7-12
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear…. Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! These are the true words of God. Revelation 19:9
Note; see Matthew 25:1-13, 22:1-14 – the wedding feast. Regarding the parable of the ten virgins, I’ve still not seen a definition for “oil” in scripture. The best I can suggest is; “Your word is a light to my path and a lamp to my feet,” somewhere in the Psalms probably. In Psalm 133 God says that unity of brothers is like precious oil, but I’ve yet to discover how that fits the 10 virgins parable. If anything they seem rather disorganised and disunited.
A king of Israel is required to write for himself a copy of the Law when he takes the throne, and keep it with him all the days of his life. [see Deuteronomy 17:14-20] This is a practical step you could take in your pilgrimage if you believe that you may be one of the Kings share, or even if not. All the saints will be kings and priests of God, from the least to the greatest. [see Revelation 20:6, Matthew 11:11, 22:30] I don’t see how it can do any harm, being one more thing the bride can do to make herself ready. I havn’t done this myself yet, but I imagine the Jews have condensed the Torah into a concise list of laws, easy enough to copy.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who practices falsehood. Revelation 22:14,15
Regarding the physical journey to Jerusalem, there is really no confusion at all. When the temple is rebuilt, all mankind are required to come and appear before the LORD their God, excluding no-one. A great many Jews can be expected to make this pilgrimage, but not many Ephraimites of the Northern kingdom will recognise God’s call, considering the temple to be an irrelevant monument to a by-gone age. But it is our glorious future.
There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God. Jeremiah 31:6
My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They roamed over hill and mountain and forgot their own resting place. Jeremiah 50:6
Why have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No-one repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues his own course, like a horse charging into battle. Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of their LORD. Jeremiah 8:5-7
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests: because you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your children. The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged my glory for something disgraceful. Hosea 4:5-7
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. On that day I will punish all who avoid stepping on the threshold, [see Isaiah 6:4, Ezekiel 41:16, 43:8] 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…. Zephaniah 1:2,7,8,9,12
Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice. Psalm 50:5
Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: He who sacrifices thank offerings honours me, and to him who considers his way I will show the salvation of God. Psalm 50:22 [also see Psalm 51:17]
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13,14