Judgement: 9 Judgement and Restoration of Israel and the Nations

Index:

Restoration of Israel

The Promises of God to Certain Nations and People

Judging of different cities

By Mark Farquharson

Other Prophecy on the Coming Eons

Understanding Other Prophecy Covering the Coming Eons

When you look at other prophecy that covers this time, you have to do it in the knowledge that all the people in all the restored nations, will have salvation, and gain immortality. I have already covered numerous verses that prove this fact. This you have to remember and hold on to as fact, as the truth.

While some scripture states that certain nations will perish, be deserted, or become a desolation, or a wilderness desolation, you have to view these in the light of the fact that they will have salvation. Thus these terms should not be view literally. No nation on the new earth will literally become a wilderness desolation or literally perish. If that did happen it would contradict numerous other verses, some of which I have already covered, that prove all mankind will have salvation.

Remember from part 7, that the river of the water of life comes from the kingdom, this will in time water all the nations in the kingdom, bringing any desert nation or desolation area into spiritual life.

Isaiah 60

Isaiah 60:1-5 Light up! Light up, Jerusalem! For come has your light, and the glory of Yahweh over you is radiant." For behold! The darkness is covering the earth, and murkiness the folkstems, yet, over you, radiant is Yahweh, and His glory over you is appearing." And the nations will go to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance." Lift your eyes around and see your children. All of them are convened. They come to you. Behold! All your sons from afar are coming, and your daughters on the side are being fostered." Then you shall see and beam. And awed and wide will be your heart, for turned to you shall be the throng of the sea. The estate of nations shall come to you." {CLV}

This here is the new Jerusalem, which houses those who are spiritual Jerusalem, the chosen, those who are ruling over the rest of mankind. Outside the new Jerusalem will be the restored Israel, restored Jerusalem and the other restored nations and cities. Physical darkness will not be covering the new earth. The nations will be in spiritual darkness, and they will go to the spiritual light that is coming from spiritual Jerusalem. Throng of the sea is not the sea creatures, it is the rest of mankind who are figuratively the throng of the sea. They will turn to the new Jerusalem. All the rest of mankind will come to Jerusalem for they are the estate of nations.

Isaiah 60:6-9 An accumulation of camels shall cover you, dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all those from Sheba shall come. Gold and frankincense and precious stones shall they carry, and of the praises of Yahweh shall they bear tidings." All the flocks of Kedar shall be convened to you, and the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you. They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar, and My house of prayer will I beautify." Who are these? As a thick cloud are they flying, and as doves to their crevices." For to Me the boats of the coastlands are stretching, and the ships of Tharshish among the first, to bring your sons from afar, their silver and their gold with them, to the name of Yahweh, your Elohim, and to the Holy One of Israel, for He beautifies you." {CLV}

Those in the new Jerusalem will not need Gold, silver, frankincense or precious stones. You can not buy you way into the kingdom of the heavens. These are not actual Gold, silver and frankincense and precious stones, these are spiritual gifts that they bring. In the lake of fire a person is spiritually purified, like gold is purified. They obtain spiritual gifts when they have come to spiritual life. For they bear the tidings of the praises of Yahweh.

Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third into the fire. And I will refine them as silver is refined. And I will test them as gold is tested. It shall call in My name, and I will answer it. I will say, My people is it. And it will say, Yahweh is my Elohim {God}." {CLV}

Revelation 3:18 I am advising you to buy of Me gold refined by the fire, that you should be rich, and white garments, that you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness may not be made manifest, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes, that you may be observing."

Actual gold and garments can not be brought from the Lord. However spiritually the gold and the garments can be obtained. People can be refined as sliver and tested as gold. Garments are gathered in Zechariah 14, which is covered below.

Psalms 51:7 Expiate me with the hyssop, and I shall be clean; Rinse me, and I shall be whiter than snow." {CLV}

Revelation 22:14 Happy are those who are rinsing their robes, that it will be their license to the log of life, and they may be entering the portals into the city.

Rinsing the robes, is symbolical of rinsing the person spiritually, those that are rinsed will be whiter than snow. Those in the nations will be rinsing their robes. The garments, the clean robes, will be gathered. The gold and silver then means that figuratively all the gold and silver are gathered. Actually all the people from the nations who have been cleansed and purified spiritually, will be gathered into the kingdom, for they are the gold and silver and garments.

Isaiah 60:10-11 And your walls are built by sons of foreigners, and their kings shall minister to you. For, in My wrath, I smote you, yet, in My acceptance, I have compassion on you." And your gates are open continually. By day and night they shall not be closed, for bringing to you the estate of the nations, with their kings leading." {CLV}

The spiritual walls of the new Jerusalem will have been built by the chosen that come from the nations. The kings of the nations will minister to Jerusalem. The estate of the nations is not the physical property of the nations. The gates are open, as explained already to bring in the people who have obtain glory and honor.

Isaiah 60:12 For the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and these nations shall be deserted, yea deserted." {CLV}

As stated already this not to be taken literally. There will be nations, kingdoms, people who will not serve the new Jerusalem to start with. They will not go to the spiritual light, preferring to stay in spiritual darkness. No one will literally perish, physically die again. However their fleshly natures that are preventing them from going up, will perish.

Romans 7:5 For, when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were through the law, operated in our members to be bearing fruit to Death."

Here it is not talking about physical flesh. The brethren were in the flesh, they had the passions of sins. This bearing fruit to death. The nations on the new earth are figuratively in the flesh, as well as being in flesh and blood bodies. There will still have the passions of sins, this need to perish. These nations will spiritually be deserted, having no light in them.

Isaiah 60:13-14 Its glory does Lebanon give to you, and to you it shall come; the fir, and the elm, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary, when the place of My feet will I glorify." And go to you to prostrate shall all the sons of your humiliators, and worship at the soles of your feet shall all your spurners. And they call you the city of Yahweh, Zion of the Holy One of Israel." {CLV}

The glory of Lebanon is given to Jerusalem, being the people of Lebanon who have obtained glory. The plants here, the fir, and the elm, and the box tree are to beautify the sanctuary, these again are people, not actual plants. Those who humiliated and spurned the chosen, will prostrate at their feet and call the new Jerusalem the city of Yahweh, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 60:15 Insomuch as you became forsaken and hated, and there was no help, I constitute you a pomp eonian, an elation of generation after generation." {CLV}

Pomp: ceremonial splendour.

The new Jerusalem will be a magnificent display of splendour.

Isaiah 60:16-18 And you suck the milk of nations, and the breast of kings shall you suck. Then you will know that I, Yahweh, am your Saviour, and your Redeemer is the Sturdy One of Jacob." Instead of the copper, I will bring gold, and instead of iron, I will bring silver, and instead of wood, copper, and instead of stones, iron. And I constitute your supervisor, welfare, and your exactors, righteousness." And no further shall violence be heard in your land, devastation and breaking within your boundaries. And you call your walls "Salvation, and your gates "Praise." {CLV}

Not actual milk, but figuratively the milk from the nations. This will be the good food from the nations. The people who are the gold, and silver as explained before. Gold and silver will be brought in. The new Jerusalem is for salvation for the nations.

Isaiah 60:19-22 No further, for you, is the sun coming to be for light by day, and for brightness the moon shall not give light to you at night. Yet Yahweh comes to be your light eonian, and your Elohim to be your beauty." No further shall your sun set, nor your moon be gathered in, for Yahweh shall be yours for light eonian; and repaid are the days of your mourning." And your people, all of them are righteous; for the eon shall they tenant the land, the scion of Yahweh's planting, the making of His hand, to beautify itself." The small one shall become a thousand, and the inferior a staunch nation. I, Yahweh, in its era, will hurry it." {CLV}

Yahweh will provide actual light for the new Jerusalem, for the kingdom will be an actual city. There will be a whole new universe, for this present universe will be destroyed. In the new universe the Sun and moon will not be need as physical light will be provided. For more refer to my article: “The Kingdom”

Zechariah 14

Zechariah 14:1-5 Lo! a day, cometh, pertaining to Yahweh,—when apportioned shall be thy spoil in thy midst; Yea I will gather together all the nations unto Jerusalem, to battle, and the city, shall be captured, and the houses, plundered, and, the women, ravished,—and half of the city, shall go forth, into exile, but, the remainder of the people, shall not be cut off out of the city. Then will Yahweh go forth, and fight against those nations,—just as he did in the day when he fought, in the day of battle; Yea his feet, shall stand, in that day, on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives, shall cleave asunder, from the midst thereof, towards the east and towards the west, an exceeding great valley,—and half of the mountain, shall give way, toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Then shall ye flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains, shall reach, very near, Yea, ye shall flee, just as ye fled from before the earthquake, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah,—Then, shall arrive, Yahweh my God, All thy holy ones, with thee! {REB}

There have been many days of Yahweh, when Yahweh has brought judgement against Israel, or the nations or both. This one details the attack on Israel by the Antiochus and the Seleucid armies, who were joined in their attack by the surrounding nations, which happened in 2nd century BC. God fought on the side of Israel and give them victory in the end, but first Israel would be severely damaged. Which brings us to Yahweh, the Lord, standing on the mount. This is not to do with the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a lot of people think. Nowhere in the New Testament, does it state that He will stand or even return to the Mount of Olives. This is to do with Yahweh’s presence on the Mount of Olives, to provide an escape for the people, figuratively cleaving the mountain. Yahweh providing a means of escape. Later, Jesus physically stood many times on the Mount of Olives. There were earthquakes both when he died on the Mount and when He was resurrected on the Mount. These being both physical and spiritual, figuratively splitting the Mount forming the valley of judgement and a means of escape for the fleeing people. And in the war in 66-70 AD people escaped by way of the mountains.

Now Zechariah 14:5, ends with the line “Then, shall arrive, Yahweh my God, All thy holy ones, with thee!”

This can refer to the coming Day of the Lord, for when He comes, He will bring with Him, the angels {Matthew 24:30-31 & Mark 13:26-27}. “Then,” does not have mean straight after, it can mean sometime after the previous event. Thus then means there is the era of the nations gap here, that is not covered in the Old Testament, but is revealed in the New Testament. This part then of Zechariah 14:5, would be better in the next verse.

Zechariah 14:5-7 Then, shall arrive, Yahweh my God, All thy holy ones, with thee! And it shall come to pass, in that day,—that there shall be no light, the bright stars, shall be withdrawn; And it shall be a day by itself, The same, shall be known unto Yahweh—Not day, nor night,—But it shall come to pass, that, at evening time, there shall be light. {REB}

I will not be getting into great detail here as to what happens when Jesus Christ returns. His return is cover in great detail in my article “The Day of the Lord.” In brief on that day the Sun, the moon and the stars will darken, it will be unusually dark on that day, before the Lord returns. He is the light that will come, and He will collect His saints at that time.

Zechariah 14:8 And it comes to be in that day, that living waters shall fare forth from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea, and half of them to the latter sea. In summer and in winter shall it be thus." {CLV}

The living waters shall go forth form the new Jerusalem. Not actual water, the spiritual living water, which is the holy spirit {John 7:37-39}. As was covered earlier in part 7, the water of life comes out of the throne of God and the Lambkin {Revelation 22:1-2}. In Revelation the new Jerusalem descents to the New earth, however when the Lord returns it will be the start of the millennium on the old earth.

Zechariah 14:9 Then Yahweh shall come to be King over the entire earth. In that day Yahweh is coming to be one, and His name one." {CLV}

Zechariah 14:10-11 All the land shall be round about as the gorge from Geba to Rimmon, as the south rim of Jerusalem. Yet it is high, and under itself it shall be indwelt from the gate of Benjamin unto the place of the first gate, unto the gate of the corners and from the tower of Hananeel, unto the king's wine vats." And they shall dwell in it, and doom is coming no more, and Jerusalem shall dwell trustingly." {CLV}

Zechariah 14:12-15 And this shall come to be the stroke with which Yahweh will strike all the peoples who mustered their hosts against Jerusalem: Putrefied is their flesh, yet they are standing on their feet, and their eyes shall putrefy in their holes, and their tongue shall putrefy in their mouths." And it comes to be in that day, much discomfiture is coming from Yahweh among them. And they take fast hold, each to the hand of his associate. Yet his hand will come up against the hand of his associate." And, moreover, Judah shall fight in Jerusalem, and the estate of all the nations round about shall be gathered, gold and silver and garments exceedingly much." And so shall come to be the stroke of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and all the beasts, which shall come to be in these camps, as this stroke." {CLV}

Just before Jesus Christ returns people incorrectly believe that there will be a massive literal army gathered against actual Jerusalem. There is no actual army from the nations gathered against actual Jerusalem when Christ returns. That is not what is detailed here, and it is not what is detailed in Revelation 19. Today Israel has a well prepared army, not to mention jet fighters and nuclear weapons. There will be no massive army, and an army of the size that it is meant to be gathered in the valley, would not fit in the valley of Megiddo.

The question then is what is detail here in Zechariah 14. Clearly it is not detailing any battle that would happen today. What army today would come with horses and camels and mules in their camps? They would come with tanks and armed personal carriers. This is not detailing an actual literal battle between Jerusalem and the nations. Note what it says here, “Putrefied is their flesh, yet they are standing on their feet.” Now “Putrefied” means to make or become putrid, that is to decompose with a revolting smell. When this happens to their flesh, they still stand on their feet. if someone’s flesh is decomposing how can they still stand on their feet? Thus this is not a physical rotting of actual flesh. The stroke is not physical as you may think, their physical flesh will not become Putrefied. Flesh in the bible does not always mean physical flesh.

Romans 8:9 Yet you are not in flesh, but in spirit, if so be that God's spirit is making its home in you. Now if anyone has not Christ's spirit, this one is not His." {CLV}

Romans 8:3-4 For what was impossible to the law, in which it was infirm through the flesh, did God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sin's flesh and concerning sin, He condemns sin in the flesh, that the just requirement of the law may be fulfilled in us, who are not walking in accord with flesh, but in accord with spirit."

A believer is not in the flesh, but in the spirit. Now the believers in Rome were physically still in their flesh and blood bodies, which means that Paul was not refer to their physical bodies. When a person is born physically, in a body of flesh and blood they are in the flesh, that is figuratively they are in flesh. Now if your in flesh you are dead spiritually. Believers are no longer figuratively in flesh, but in spirit, having had a spiritual birth and resurrection. For believers are no longer walking according to the flesh, but in accord with the spirit.

Romans 7:5 For, when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were through the law, operated in our members to be bearing fruit to Death."

There will be much discomfiture coming from Yahweh among them. Discomfiture is not the rotting of the flesh. They will feel discomfit.

What of the estate of all the nations, the gold and silver and garments exceedingly much. These again do not have to mean actual gold, silver, and garments. As I already explained.

Zechariah 14:16-19 And it shall come to be that everyone left of all the nations coming against Jerusalem, shall also go up, a quota, year by year, to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, and to celebrate the celebration of booths." And it comes, whoever will not go up from the families of the earth, to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts, then the downpour shall not come on them." And if a family of Egypt shall not go up, and shall not come, then it is not on them; to it shall come the stroke with which Yahweh will strike all the nations, which will not go up to celebrate the celebration of booths." This shall be the sin of Egypt, and the sin of all the nations, that will not go up to celebrate the celebration of booths." {CLV}

Other translations have it as the feast or festival of Tabernacles. Those who are not effected by the stroke, will come up. There will be a quota and year by year they will come up to worship the king and to celebrate the celebration of tabernacles. Those who do not go up when they are meant to, will miss out on the spiritual downpour. Which will have an effect on their fleshly passions.

Isaiah 19:21-22 Then Yahweh shall be known to Egypt, and Egypt shall know Yahweh in that day, and they serve with sacrifice and approach present, and vow a vow to Yahweh and pay it." And Yahweh struck Egypt with a great stroke, yet, heal, yea He will heal them. And they return unto Yahweh. And He is entreated for them and heals them." {CLV}

Those effected by the stroke will be healed by Yahweh. They will return unto Yahweh. Over time those that do not go up, will go up, for eventually they will all celebrate the festival of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:20-21 In that day there shall be on the horse shades: Holy to Yahweh of hosts. And the pots in the house of Yahweh shall be as sprinkling bowls before the altar. And every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall come to be holy to Yahweh of hosts. And all who are sacrificing shall come and take of them and cook in them. And no longer shall there be a trafficker in the house of Yahweh of hosts, in that day." {CLV}

John 2:6 Now there were six stone water pots lying there, in accord with the cleansing of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece." {CLV}

Jesus takes the water from the pots and turns it into wine John 2:2-11. Notice the pots are in accord with cleansing the Jews.

The house of Yahweh, here is the new Jerusalem, the kingdom, that has the chosen ones, the saints who are already holy, the pots will be sprinkling bowels. For the saints in the kingdom will sprinkle the living water over the people who come up for the celebration year by year. Every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will become holy. There will no longer be a trafficker, no one will be trading in illegal goods any longer.

There will be no sacrificing of animals in the future, Christ was the ultimate sacrifice for all of sin, there needs to be no more sacrificing of animals.

Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Him, then, we may be offering up the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips avowing His name." Now of well doing and contributing be not forgetful, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." {CLV}

Thus the nations will not be sacrificing animals, they will be offering up the sacrifice of praise to God and with such sacrifices God is well pleased. They will come and take the pots, the sprinkling bowels and cook in them, thus they will become holy as well.

Isaiah 35:

Isaiah 35:2-4 It will bud, yea bud and exult, indeed, with exultation and jubilation. And the glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the honor of Carmel and Sharon. And My people shall see the glory of Yahweh, and the honor of our Elohim {God}." Make steadfast the hands that are slack, and the faltering knees make resolute." Say to the hasty of heart:" Be steadfast! You must not fear! Behold! Your Elohim with vengeance shall come, and with the requital of Elohim shall He come and save you." {CLV}

Vengeance shall come when the Lord returns at the end of the eon. The faithful will be save out of the vengeance coming to the whole earth.

Isaiah 35:5-6 Then unclosed shall be the eyes of the blind, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened." Then leap as a deer shall the lame, and jubilate shall the tongue of the mute. For rent in the wilderness shall be waters, and watercourses in the gorge shall go." {CLV}

Those that were blind or deaf or lame or mute in their former life, will no long be blind or deaf or lame or mute. That is not to say they will have their final immortal bodies at this stage.

Isaiah 35:7-10 And the seared sink becomes a pond, and the thirsty land has fonts of water. In the homestead of jackals shall be a morass, an environ for reed and papyrus." And there comes to be a highway and a clean one. And the holy way shall it be called. The unclean shall not pass there. And it shall be for those going that way, yet the dispersed shall not go astray on it, and the foolish shall not stray." Nor shall a lion come there, and a breacher of living things will fail to ascend it. It shall not be found there. Yet the redeemed shall go into it, and the ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and they shall enter Zion with jubilation, and rejoicing eonian shall be on their head. Elation and rejoicing shall they overtake, and flee shall affliction and sighing." {CLV}

The ransomed of Yahweh are all mankind, the ransom was the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, the price he had to pay to set all free. However the chosen, the saints will be the first to enter Zion with jubilation, and rejoicing.

There will be a highway that goes to mount Zion. The people of Israel and of all nations will go to the mountain for at the summit will be the tabernacle the new Jerusalem. On the mount of Zion there will be jubilation, and rejoicing.

Restoration of Israel

Romans 11:25-27 For I am not willing for you to be ignorant of this secret, brethren, lest you may be passing for prudent among yourselves, that callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering." And thus all Israel shall be saved, according as it is written, Arriving out of Zion shall be the Rescuer. He will be turning away irreverence from Jacob." And this is my covenant with them Whenever I should be eliminating their sins. {CLV}

Callousness has come on Israel, “until the complement of the nations may be entering.” That is the chosen, the saints from the nations, are the complement of the nations. When these people have entered, then the callousness will end. They will have all entered when Christ returns. “And thus all Israel shall be saved, according as it is written, Arriving out of Zion shall be the Rescuer.” All of Israel will be resurrected. Over time all of Israel will gain salvation.

Hebrews 8:6-7 Yet now He has happened upon a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is the Mediator, also, of a better covenant, which has been instituted on better promises." For if that first one were unblamable, no place would have been sought for a second. " {CLV}

If the first covenant was without blame there would be on need of the second covenant.

Hebrews 8:8-9 For, blaming them, He is saying, "Lo! the days are coming, the Lord is saying, "And I shall be concluding with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah a new covenant, Not in accord with the covenant which I make with their fathers In the day of My taking hold of their hand To be leading them out of the land of Egypt, Seeing that they do not remain in My covenant, And I neglect them, the Lord is saying, {CLV}

The new covenant will not be in accord or agreement with the first covenant.

Hebrews 8:10-12 For this is the covenant which I shall be covenanting with the house of Israel after those days, the Lord is saying: "Imparting My laws to their comprehension, On their hearts, also, shall I be inscribing them, And I shall be to them for a God, And they shall be to Me for a people." And by no means should each be teaching his fellow citizen, And each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord!' For all shall be acquainted with Me, From their little to their great, For I shall be propitious to their injustices, And of their sins and their lawlessnesses should I under no circumstances still be reminded." {CLV}

Hebrews 10:16-17 'This is the covenant which I shall be covenanting with them after those days,' the Lord is saying, 'imparting My laws to their hearts, I shall be inscribing them on their comprehension also, and of their sins and their lawlessnesses shall I under no circumstances still be reminded.'" {CLV}

They will understand the new covenant and it will be on their hearts. All in the restored Israel will know the Lord. And He will not be reminded of their sins and lawlessness. They will not be paying for their sins or punished for their sins, because an on going payment or punishment for sins would be a constant reminder of the sins.

Old Testament Verses Covering the Restoration of Israel

There are many Old Testament verses that seem to be covering the restoration of Israel. However many of these like Ezekiel 36 & 37 and others are not covering the resurrection of the actual people that lived in ancient Israel. When I say ancient Israel I am talk about Israel before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. These verses are covering the resurrection of spiritual Israel. That is the chosen, the faithful are spiritual a nation {1 Peter 2:9}, they are the spiritual nation of Israel. Some verses mention the people gathered from the nations. The chosen are being gathered from the nations during the eras of the nations {Acts 15:14}, for it is the chosen from the nations and the chosen from Israel that make up the body of Christ.

Just because I relate these verses to the spiritual resurrection of the chosen from the nations, does not mean I rule out an actual resurrection of the people of ancient Israel. All the people of ancient and modern day Israel will be resurrected in the future. However that does not mean these verses detail those actual resurrections. Also all the people of ancient and modern day Israel will be spiritual resurrected at some point in the future. It is at the Throne Judgement that they will actual be resurrected. Later on the new earth they will be resurrected spiritually.

The Promises of God to Certain Nations and People

The scriptures contain promises to certain nations, and cities, that involve their restoration. Two of the cities are Sodom and Gomorrah, but were not they completely destroyed.

Jude 1:7 As Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner to these committing ultra-prostitution, and coming away after other flesh, are lying before us, a specimen, experiencing the justice of fire eonian." {CLV}

Sodom and Gomorrah were Judged and completely destroyed, there was nothing left of these two cities. It would be easy for one to completely forget about both these two cities after such a destructive Judgement. However both will one day be restored, and this is link to the promise to restore Judah.

The prophecy of restoration is in chapter 16 of Ezekiel. Chapter 16 begins with symbolic language describing ancient Jerusalem’s birth and the caring by the Lord as it grow into a woman. Then the Lord Yahweh covers the nakedness of the woman and confirms a covenant with her, Jerusalem becomes His {Ezekiel 16:8}. Then Yahweh adorns her in adornments and clothes her in fine linen and silk, Jerusalem is very very beautiful {Ezekiel 16:9-14}. However due to her trust in her beauty, she goes a-whoring, and does pour out her whoredoms on every passer by, and takes of her clothes {Ezekiel 16:15-16}. The making of High places mentioned here, is the making of places of worship to other gods. High places where built a number of times, and when a ruler came in that followed God, the high places would be torn down. However another ruler would follow and the high places would be rebuilt, and there would be new ones. The list of abominations and whoredoms continues until in verse 35. Then there is judgement against ancient Jerusalem, as he hands her over to her lovers and the ones she hates:

Ezekiel 16:39-41 And I have given you into their hand, And they have thrown down your arch, And they have broken down your high places, And they have stript you of your garments, And they have taken your beauteous vessels, And they have left you naked and bare." And have caused an assembly to come up against you, And stoned you with stones, And thrust you through with their swords, And burnt your houses with fire, {CLV}

Lovers and hates of course are other nations. These other nations attacked Jerusalem, they destroyed the high places, and took the treasures of Jerusalem, and attack the people with swords, and burnt the houses of Jerusalem.

The next verse can seem a bit confusing when Yahweh declares who the sisters of Jerusalem are:

Ezekiel 16:46 And your elder sister [is] Samaria, she and her daughters, Who is dwelling at your left hand, And your younger sister, who is dwelling on your right hand, [is] Sodom and her daughters." {CLV}

How is it that Sodom is Jerusalem’s younger sister? Long ago Sodom was destroyed {Genesis 19:24-25}, and this was long before Jerusalem became a city. Sodom can not be younger than Jerusalem, this is impossible. Clearly it is not talking about the age of the cities. All three cities have done abominations and are thus related in their sins. Sodom is younger because it received least light and privileges. Samaria receive much more light and privileges and is therefore the elder sister. Jerusalem of course received the most light, privileges, blessings and opportunities.

Ezekiel 16:46-7 And your elder sister [is] Samaria, she and her daughters, Who is dwelling at your left hand, And your younger sister, who is dwelling on your right hand, [is] Sodom and her daughters." And--in their ways you have not walked, And according to their abominations done, As a little thing it has been loathed, And you do more corruptly than they in all your ways." {CLV}

For ancient Jerusalem did not walk in the ways of Sodom, or do their abominations, BUT Jerusalem has done more corruptly than Sodom. Jerusalem did more corruptly than Sodom and Samaria. The corruption of Jerusalem was so immense and far larger than that of Sodom. In fact the abominations of Sodom are a little thing compare to the abominations of Jerusalem.

People may think that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, most have done very evil sinful things, which where more sinful than want other cities did, to deserve the destruction that was cause to them, however that is NOT the case at all.

Genesis 18:20 And saying is Yahweh, "Seeing that the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is much, and that their sin is exceedingly heavy, {CLV}

The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was exceedingly heavy, however it was a little thing, compare to the corruption of Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 16:48 I live--an affirmation of the Lord Yahweh, Sodom your sister has not done--she and her daughters--As you have done--you and your daughters." {CLV}

Sodom has not done as Jerusalem has done. That is to say Sodom has not done the abominations that Jerusalem has done. Then Yahweh lists the sins of Sodom:

Ezekiel 16:49-50 Lo, this has been the iniquity of Sodom your sister, Arrogancy, fulness of bread, and quiet ease, Have been to her and to her daughters, And the hand of the afflicted and needy She has not strengthened." And they are haughty and do abomination before Me, And I turn them aside when I have seen." {CLV}

All cities that have existed in the past and today have done these same things that Sodom did, and some have done them more abundantly. Just take any major city today, surely these sins would be accruing in these cities today. They were not destroyed because they were more sinful than any other city. In fact their sins were “As a little thing” and they sinned less than Jerusalem.

Why was the corruption of Jerusalem greater than Sodom? Because Sodom never had the great light that Jerusalem had. The people of Jerusalem reject the truth, they reject the light. The people of Sodom could not reject the light, or the True God, because they had not be exposed to it, and they did not know God.

Ezekiel 16:51 As to Samaria, as the half of your sins--she has not sinned, And you do multiply your abominations more than they, And do justify your sisters by all your abominations that you have done." {CLV}

Samaria has not sinned half of the sins that Jerusalem has sinned.

Ezekiel 16:52 You also--bear your shame, That you have adjudged to your sisters, Because of your sins that you have done more abominably than they, They are more righteous than you, And you, also, be ashamed and bear your shame, In your justifying your sisters." {CLV}

Yahweh declared that Jerusalem had done abominations, and had sinned more abominably then Samaria and Sodom. One may think that Sodom would have sinned more, but you would be wrong.

Ezekiel 16:53-62 And I have turned back [to] their captivity, The captivity of Sodom and her daughters, And the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, And the captivity of your captives in their midst, So that you do bear your shame, And have been ashamed of all that you have done, In your comforting them." And your sisters, Sodom and her daughters, Do turn back to their former state, And Samaria and her daughters Do turn back to their former state, And you and your daughters do turn back to your former state." And your sister Sodom has not been for a report in your mouth, In the day of your arrogancy, Before your wickedness is revealed, As [at] the time of the reproach of the daughters of Aram, And of all her neighbors, the daughters of the Philistines, Who are despising you round about." Your devices and your abominations, You have borne them, an affirmation of Yahweh." For thus said the Lord Yahweh: I have dealt with you as you have done, In that you have despised an oath--to break covenant." And I--I have remembered My covenant with you, In the days of your youth, And I have established for you a covenant eonian." And you have remembered your ways, And you have been ashamed, In your receiving your sisters--Your elder with your younger, And I have given them to you for daughters, And not by your covenant." And I--I have established My covenant with you, And you have known that I [am] Yahweh." {CLV}

Sodom and her daughters, Do turn back to their former state? Has this happened? Clearly it has not, but one day Sodom will turn back to their former state. Yahweh states “I have turned back [to] their captivity, The captivity of Sodom and her daughters.” That is Yahweh has turn back their captivity, this has clearly not happened yet. Their captivity is referring to the inhabitants of these cities not the cities themselves. Sodom and the other cities will not be resurrected on their former lands. This whole earth is to be destroyed by fire on the day the lord returns. There is no way a city will be able to be resurrected on it’s former lands. The inhabitants will be resurrected and place on the new earth. However they will not be resurrected, so that they can keep on sinning more abominably and have greater abominations, that would be pointless.

And when Sodom and Samaria and their daughters are resurrected, then Jerusalem will bear her shame, And will be ashamed of all that she have done.

There is a future blessing for all nations, and this includes all peoples. There is a great future blessing for Jerusalem, that is for the people of Jerusalem. We should not expect any lesser blessing for Sodom and Samaria, that actually done far less abominations than Jerusalem done.

This prophecy is not about another chance for Sodom, many cities like Sodom have had no chance, they have never been exposed to the truth, to the light, to the blessings. In God’s plan everyone will be shown the truth, everyone will receive blessings, and everyone will be disciplined, and tested in the fire. For the fire will expose the truth and get rid of the impurities.

The traditional denominational creeds only allow for the redemption of someone in their present life, in the present age. However the prophecy is in full harmony with the actual truth that is in the scriptures, that has been hidden from view, the truth that all mankind will be saved. It is in harmony with those few of use that believe that this present age and a person’s present life is not the only time for redemption. In fact all have been redeemed on the cross, by Christ. In the coming eon all mankind will see the salvation of God.

Malachi 3:1-4 Behold Me sending My messenger, and he surfaces the way before Me. And suddenly, the Lord Whom you are seeking is coming to his temple, and the Messenger of the covenant, in Whom you are delighting. Behold! He comes! says Yahweh of hosts." Yet who will endure the day of His coming? And who will stand when He appears? For He is coming like a refiner's fire, and as launderers' soap." And he shall sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and gold. And he shall cleanse the sons of Levi, and cupel them as gold and as silver. And they shall come to be for Yahweh, bringing close the approach present in righteousness." Then the approach present of Judah and Jerusalem is congenial to Yahweh, as in the days of the eon, and as in former years." {CLV}

The Sons of Levi are refined and cleansed, “and they shall come to be for Yahweh, bringing close the approach present in righteousness." After that there is the approach present of Judah and Jerusalem and this is congenial to Yahweh. That is they are a present to Yahweh.

Judging of different cities:

Matthew 10:12-15 {& Mark 6:10-11} Now, on entering into a house, salute it, and if, indeed, the house should be worthy, let your peace come on it. Yet if it should not be worthy, let your peace be turned back on you." And whosoever should not be receiving you, nor yet be hearing your words, coming outside of that house or city or village, shake off the dust from your feet." Verily, I am saying to you, More tolerable will it be for the land of Sodom and the land of Gomorrah in the day of judging than for that city." {CLV}

Sodom and Gomorrah were completely destroyed. However the people of these two cities will be resurrected. In the day of judging it will be will tolerable for these two cities, than for a city or village that did not receive the disciples.

Matthew 11:20-24 {& Luke 10:10-16} Then He begins to reproach the cities in which most of His powerful deeds occurred, for they do not repent." Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful deeds which are occurring in you occurred in Tyre and Sidon, long ago they would repent, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." Moreover, I am saying to you, For Tyre and Sidon shall it be more tolerable in the day of judging than for you." And you, Capernaum! Not to heaven shall you be exalted! To the unseen shall you subside, for, if the powerful deeds which are occurring in you had occurred in Sodom, it might remain unto today." Moreover, I am saying to you that for the land of Sodom shall it be more tolerable in the day of judging than for you." {CLV}

It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, than for Chorazin and Bethsaida. That is the people of these cities will be resurrected. In the day of Judging it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, than for Chorazin and Bethsaida. These cities Chorazin and Bethsaida did not repent, but if the powerful deeds had been done in Tyre or Sidon or Sodom, these cities would have repented. The people of Tyre, Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah, will be brought into obedience, and righteousness more easily than Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum.

It is from these scriptures that some of those of the traditional creeds teach of the ludicrous doctrine of more tolerable never ending torture in hell. This is utter nonsense, and anyone teaching it should be utterly ashamed. The problem with the traditional creeds is that all peoples receive the same punishment of endless torture no matter what, but the bible is clear, it will be more tolerable for some, than for others.

Sodom did not receive the light as I mentioned earlier. If Sodom had seen the truth, the light they would have repented, but they where never shown the truth, it was with held from them. In fact it has been with held from many cities. It was not their fault that they where not shown the truth. God in His grand plan decided which cities through the eons would receive the light.

Why God would decided not to show the light to a city that would of repented, is hard to fathom in the traditional view. If Sodom is going to go to some endless hell, then why did He not chose to save them, by showing them the light so that they would repent. Instead He destroyed them all expect for Lot. Surely if God is trying hopeless to save people before they burn in hell then he should have shown them the light, why didn’t He? Not only did he not show them the light, he sealed their fate by destroying them all. How then does this fit with the loving god of the traditional creed? Clearly the traditional view is hopeless flawed. There is no way the orthodox teaching can be correct. God is not running around trying to save a few people here and there. God has a plan to save everybody, and that involves saving them at different times. Most of the world will be save in the Lake of Fire.

For cities like Sodom it will be more tolerable for them, who committed sins in ignorance, than those cities like Jerusalem that were more corrupt because they rejecting the light and they abused the great advantages that they where given. Those cities that rejected the apostles will receive more serve discipline than those that did not receive any light. Even thou the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, and cities like them were exceedingly heavy, other cities like Jerusalem are considered to have done more abominations than they, because Jerusalem reject the light.

Assyria & Egypt:

Before Babylon, the great Assyria empire reign over the civilised world.

The Judgement against Assyria:

Zephaniah 2:13-15 He will stretch out His hand against the north, and He will destroy Assyria, and He will make Nineveh {capital of Assyria} a desolation, arid as a wilderness." And droves shall recline in its midst, all the field life. Moreover, the pelican, and the hedgehog shall lodge in its shelters. A voice shall sing in the window, a raven in the threshold, for the cedar is razed." This is the joyous city dwelling trustingly, saying in her heart, I, and still only I! How she has become a desolation, a reclining place for the animal! Every one passing over her shall hiss and shall wag his hand." {CLV}

The kingdom of Assyria was long ago destroyed, and Nineveh is desolated today.

Restoration and Blessing:

Isaiah 19:21-22 Then Yahweh shall be known to Egypt, and Egypt shall know Yahweh in that day, and they serve with sacrifice and approach present, and vow a vow to Yahweh and pay it." And Yahweh struck Egypt with a great stroke, yet, heal, yea He will heal them. And they return unto Yahweh. And He is entreated for them and heals them." {CLV}

The Moslem nation of Egypt will not only be resurrected they shall know Yahweh and in that day they will serve him.

Isaiah 19:23-25 In that day a highway will come from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria comes into Egypt, and Egypt goes into Assyria. And Egypt serves with Assyria." In that day Israel shall become third to Egypt and to Assyria. They shall be a blessing within the earth, who are blessed by Yahweh of hosts, who says, "Blessed be My people, Egypt, and the making of My hands, Assyria, and My allotment, Israel." {CLV}

In that day, the day that Egypt shall know Yahweh, a highway will come Egypt to Assyria. Not only will Egypt serve Yahweh, but they will serve Yahweh with Assyria. For not only will Assyria be resurrected, but they will also serve Yahweh. And something that maybe even more unexpected, they will both be blessed by Yahweh.

Moab & Ammon

Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, Living am I, (averring is Yahweh of hosts, the Elohim of Israel), for: Moab shall become as Sodom, and the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah: A tenancy of prickly acanthus, and salt diggings, and a desolation till the eon. {CLV}

Note it is till the eon, it is NOT perpetual as in the KJV.

Moab and Ammon became as Sodom and Gomorrah: A tenancy of prickly acanthus, and salt diggings, and a desolation till the eon. That is complete desolation till the end of this eon.

Jeremiah 48:47 Yet will I bring back the captivity of Moab in the latter days, says Yahweh. Thus far is the judgment of Moab. {World English Bible}

Jeremiah 49:6 And after this I turn back the captivity of the sons of Ammon, An affirmation of Yahweh.'" {CLV}

Yahweh will turn back the captivity of both Moab and Ammon. To accomplish this the people of both Moab and Ammon will need to be resurrected. The desolation of these two cities is not the end for these people, these people will be resurrected.

Note some bible use the incorrect “latter end of the days” or the incorrect “last days”in Jeremiah 48:47, instead of “latter days,” which is correct, meaning future days.

Elam

Jeremiah 49:35-38 `Thus said Yahweh of Hosts: Lo, I am breaking the bow of Elam, The beginning of their might." And I have brought in to Elam four winds, From the four ends of the heavens, And have scattered them to all these winds, And there is no nation whither outcasts of Elam come not in." And I have affrighted Elam before their enemies, And before those seeking their life, And I have brought in against them evil, The heat of Mine anger, An affirmation of Yahweh, And I have sent after them the sword, Till I have consumed them;" And I have set My throne in Elam, And I have destroyed thence King and princes--an affirmation of Yahweh." {CLV}

This was the judgement against Elam at that time they were Judged.

Jeremiah 49:39 But it shall happen in the latter days, that I will bring back the captivity of Elam, says Yahweh.{World English Bible}

Just like Moab and Ammon, Yahweh will also turn back the captivity of Elam. These people will be resurrected.

Copyright © Mark J Farquharson 2010-2011

Articles