Thesis: To reestablish some pertinent facts about Christ and His kingdom, in order to instill a deeper faith in the hearers.
Text: Micah 5:2-9
Introduction,
Today we will be looking into the book of the prophet “Micah,” his name means “who is like Jehovah,” he lived in a small town about 25 mi SW of Jerusalem known as “Moresheth-gath”, he prophesied from about 740-700 BC in the southern kingdom, and was a contemporary of Isaiah, they seem to have been a team that Jehovah set up at that time, Isaiah prophesied to the kings and in the political arenas of the city, while Micah at the same time was delivering the message to the country folk, God always thoroughly warns His people when they are in error, and of judgment to come. Micah, as a prophet is said to have the strict judgment of Amos, the steadfast love of Hosea, and the humble submission of Isaiah.
The condition of Judah at this time was not good, the poor were taken being advantage of by the rich, the political, legal, and commercial systems were corrupt, and this all stemmed from a weak shell of a religious system, combined with the practice of idolatry. There were some religious reforms brought about by Hezekiah, but they were seemingly more outward that anything else, they were too little, too late.
We need to understand that it is God’s will that the Faith, the Way is to rule over all facets of our lives (1 Pet 1:15; Col 3:17) . . .
1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
a. It is to be that guiding force, prompting us to do all things, even that which we would consider secular “as unto the Lord” (Eph 6:7); when a separation between the gospel and the rest of one’s life is made, that is when God becomes displeased, the only reason God would be left out of an endeavor would be for the fact that it is “ungodly,” because God does not “fit in,” and that certainly would not be pleasing in the sight of the Most High (Ja 4:13-17) . . .
Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"—
Jas 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."
Jas 4:16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Jas 4:17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
b. And in this context the “right thing to do” is including God in all our endeavors.
The purpose of the book, likened to many of the Minor Prophets, is to declare the transgressions of the people, to better enable them to see them, in order to prompt them to repent, to change, in order to avert the coming wrath of God.
a. This is a steadfast theme throughout the book of God, and as always, God puts out in His message of repentance to His people along with a reason to have hope, to help bring about their heartfelt obedience, in this case that hope would be the Messiah, His rule, and His kingdom of which the prophet Daniel wrote (Dan 2:44) . . .
Dan 2:44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
b. Seeing that God’s kingdom is spiritual thus incorruptible in nature (Heb 12:28; Lk 17:21), and Christians have been a part of it since the 1st century (Col 1:13), it therefore has much application to us today, and to look into the prophesies concerning it, and contemplate about it, and to know it’s here, and what its end result will be, can only build us up in the like precious faith (Rom 15:4);
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
c. In the 1st through the 3rd chapters of the book Micah declares the impending doom that is to come about for the cause of sin, but in the 4th chapter the prophet declares some visions of hope, looking forward to “the latter days” the New Covenant age, when the Messiah would come and establish His kingdom beginning from Jerusalem (4:2).
d. And in the 5th chapter there is an astounding prophecy concerning the Messiah, and some very interesting facts about new Zion, new Jerusalem, the Messianic kingdom, which is Christ’s church (Mt 16:18-19; Heb 12:23, 28), the called out ones (2 Thess 2:14), that one body (Eph 4:4), which God promised to save (Eph 5:23), therefore in this lesson we will look at . . .
a. The nature of the Ruler (Micah 5:2-3)
b. The work of the Ruler (Micah 5:4-6)
c. The remnant prevails through the work of the Ruler (Micah 5:7-9)
I. THE NATURE OF THE RULER (Micah 5:2-3)
(v 2)
Mic 5:2 “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for (unto) Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (NASB)
There were 2 Bethlehems in Israel, one in Zebulun in the northern region of Galilee (Jos 19:15), and the other Bethlehem Ephrathah in Judah which is in the south, This shows us the exacting nature of biblical prophecy, this is one of the many evidences that God uses to show others that He alone is God, and only He can accurately declare future events, apart from Him others are simply charlatans, which He stated through the prophet Isaiah (Isa 41:26; 46:9b-10a) . . .
Isa 41:26 Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words.
Isa 46:9b I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10a declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done,
Beth-lehem literally means “house of bread,” Jesus declares that He is the bread of life, He is that all sufficient spiritual food, that when consumed will result in eternal life (John 6:33-35)
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Joh 6:34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
Joh 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
And Ephrathah means “fruit-fullness,” the Lord stated that through Him alone is one able to produce true spiritual fruit, and apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:4-5).
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
The question is “how does one abide in Jesus and Jesus abide in him?” the answer is given by the Lord in John 14:23.
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home (abode) with him.
a. Thus the question must be posed, “who do you love?” Jesus said (Mt 10:37-39),
Mat 10:37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
b. Also we can ask “why do we love God, why do we love Jesus?” (Jn 3:16; 1 Jn 4:9-19),
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in(to; eis) him should not perish but have eternal life.
1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation (sacrifice; payment) for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1Jn 4:13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1Jn 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
1Jn 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1Jn 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
c. The love of God is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5), which is given to us at belief/faith (Eph 1:13-14), when we learned of the gospel (Gal 3:2), which enables us to manifest faith working through love (Gal 5:6).
Beth-lehem Ephrathah is and was a small insignificant village comparatively, but out of her would come Him Who would rule over the entirety of spiritual Israel (Rom 9:6; Gal 6:16) whose boundaries would fill all creation (Mt 28:18).
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
a. He was born in an insignificant town (Bethlehem Ephrathah), He was raised in a despised town (Nazareth), He was not an overly attractive man (Isa 53:2), He was not formally schooled (John 7:15), all this in order that His followers may be drawn by the message, God loves you (John 3:16), died for you (John 12:32), and perfects you (Heb 10:14), and gives you a living hope (1 Pet 1:3-4), that one unsubjective truth, which is able to save the soul (Ja 1:21), the Lord stated (John 12:32-33) . . .
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
1Co 1:18 For the word (message) of the cross is folly (foolishness) to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
b. How do we draw people to God today? With rock bands, videos, camping trips, plays, life centers, giveaways, fun, thrills and events for the entire family; by telling them certain biblical sins are now OK because society accepts them, what draws them keeps them, none of these things are spiritual in nature, nor do they promote such, in fact they are opposed to spiritual things (Gal 5:17).
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires (fulfill the lusts) of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
This Ruler of course is the Lord Jesus Christ, He rules with a rod of iron (Ps 2:9; Rev 12:5; 19:15), a rod depicts “strength” or “power” which is the “gospel” God’s power unto salvation (Rom 1:16), with its “facts to believe, commands to obey, promises to receive, and warnings to heed,” through these the Christ would rule in the hearts of individuals, through, over and despite the nations of men, it, being spiritual in nature, makes it unstoppable.
Take note “where” Christ would be ruling, He would “come forth unto Me (the Father) that is to be ruler in Israel”. This speaks of Jesus ruling in and from heaven, on His throne, seated at the right hand of the Father, that position of power (Mt 28:18), this is similar to what we see in Dan 7:13-14 . . .
Dan 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.
Dan 7:14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Christ, despite what some false teachers propagate, is eternal in nature, His goings forth are from “everlasting” (ASV), “from the days of eternity” (NASB; John 1:1; Heb 13:8; Isa 44:6 vs. Rev 1:17; 2:8; 22:13).
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
a. He even declared Himself to be the eternal One, the great I AM (John 8:24, 58; Ex 3:14),
Joh 8:24 Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins. For if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins. (LITV)
b. And the Jews were going to stone him for such a proclamation (John 8:58-59), I wonder if the JW’s would do the same to Him today for claiming such?
c. He created “all things” that have been created (John 1:3; Col 1:16)
Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
d. And if He did not exist, He could not create Himself, therefore He is not a created being, the JW’s have the audacity to add the word “other” to Col 1:16 (“other things”), and that in direct defiance to God’s commands (Deut 4:2; Pro 30:6; Rev 22:18-19), to propagate this false doctrine, they usually cite Rev 3:14 as a proof text on this matter, where Christ states He is the “beginning of creation” yet the most literal bible versions render this the “chief of creation” (YLT) or the “Head of creation” (LITV), others state the “source” (CEV) or the “Originator of God’s creation” (HCSB), all these line up with what Strong’s and Thayer definition of this Greek word “arche” (as in arch-angel), Christ is the Firstborn over all creation, as a father would give his eldest son the reigns of his estate, in like manner God the Father gave His Divine Son charge over all creation (Col 1:15), so let us teach them (Mt 28:20), warn them (Jn 8:24), and pray for them concerning this matter (Phili 4:6-7; Col 2:9).
Col 2:9 for in him (Christ) dwells all the fullness (characteristics) of the Godhead bodily, (that includes the eternal nature)
B. (v 3)
Mic 5:3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest (residue; remnant) of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
With the coming of the Messiah in view, God would keep the physical nation of Israel under the thumb of one nation or another until she (the nation of Israel, who is also the woman of Rev 12) would bring forth the Christ (“until Shiloh come”; Gen 49:10), until the Word became flesh (John 1:18), God with us “Immanuel” (Mt 1:23). Because of their habitual disobedience combined with the just nature of God this was necessary.
1. But also within that nation there would be a remnant (NKJV; “the residue of his brethren” ASV) who would return unto God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
a. The same has been true throughout the ages, there has always only been a remnant faithful unto God, the proverbial 7,000 who have not bowed the knee the Baal (Rom 11:4), and the same is true today (Mt 7:13-14).
Mat 7:13 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
Mat 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
b. Yet when all the faithful throughout the ages are combined they will make up quite a large number (Rev 7:9).
Rev 7:9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
Rev 7:10 and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
c. When posed with the question of many being lost, here was the Lord’s teaching on that matter (Luke 13:23-24; Mt 7:21).
Luk 13:23 And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them,
Luk 13:24 “Strive to enter in through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (NASB)
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
d. Therefore, let us give the more diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Pet 1:10) in order that we may be found among the “residue” the “remnant” the “few” who shall “submit, subject themselves” to the Ruler whose goings forth are from “everlasting” lit. the “days of eternity” (Rom 8:4-9a; Eph 5:24a; Ja 4:7).
Rom 8:4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9a You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.
Eph 5:24a . . . the church is subject to Christ . . .
Jam 4:7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
II. THE WORK OF THE RULER (Micah 5:4-6)
A. (v 4)
Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and shepherd (feed) his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall (abide) dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
The Ruler, the Messiah is described as One Who shall “stand,” I believe this talks about two things, His abiding uprightly, His being tempted in all points (1 Jn 2:16) yet without sin (Heb 4:15), His perfection which is imputed to us through the gospel (Rom 8:4; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 10:14), and His resurrection, the Greek word translated “resurrection” in our Bibles is “anastasis” it literally means “a standing up,” Jesus’ resurrection is the first of its kind, other have been raised from the dead, yet they tasted death again, but His resurrection is unique, in that He is the “firstfruits,” of those raised from the dead to never die again (Rev 1:18; 1 Cor 15:20-23),
Rev 1:18 . . . and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
1. The Ruler shepherds/feeds His people, He provides all the food that the flock needs to be spiritually complete, He is the Christian’s Bread and Water, Light and Life, there is nothing that will be lacking spiritually to one who submits under the rule and guidance of the good Shepherd (John 10:27-28).
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
a. Thus it is through the strength, the power of God unto salvation, the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16), that they (we) are able to abide (dwell secure) unto the life eternal, because we become the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor 5:21), as we live according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4), walk in the light of God’s word (Jn 1:7), in other words as we live according to God’s will at least in a general sense we are perfect as Jesus was perfect even though we are not (Heb 10:14). . .
Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
2. And because of the eternal purpose of God (the church), which lays salvation at the feet of all people according the great commission (Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16), the name of Jesus Christ is “great throughout (to) the ends of the earth” it is known throughout the entire world, as it is written (Ps 22:27; Isa 52:10; Rev 11:15) . . .
Psa 22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.
a. His name is even know by His most fervent enemies, and often times declared in anger prompted by an evil spirit within them, as when one may hit his thumb with a hammer and yell . . . JESUS CHRIST!!!
b. And also much of the civilized world marks time from His birth (as in AD 2020; “AD” is short for “anno Domini”; which is Latin for “the year of our Lord” a reference to His becoming flesh and dwelling among us, Jn 1:14; BC is short for “before Christ” before He was physically born into this world, Mt 1:23; Lk 1:35).
B. (v 5a)
Mic 5:5a And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces,
The Messiah, the “Prince of peace” (Isa 9:6) will bring His followers peace, not the peace which is defined as “that which is without hostility” this is never promised in the Bible, in fact just the opposite is promised (2 Tim 3:12).
2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
1. This is even affirmed by the Lord himself (Mt 10:34-36). . .
Mat 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Mat 10:36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.
a. Jesus oftentimes sets His followers at odds with their earthly families, why? Because Jesus calls us out of the ways of the world (2 Cor 6:14-7:1) which many of our family members love (1 Jn 2:15-17), He shifts our priorities to the things above (Col 3:1-4), which many of our family members would rather put on the back burner, so we are way different than them, and because of Jesus, have little in common with them.
b. But there is peace, peace within our heavenly family, between those that were formerly enemies, such as the Jew and the Gentile, also master and slave, man and woman, all who would become as “one” of “one mind” and “one purpose” in Christ (Isa 11:6; Gal 3:28-29)
Isa 11:6 And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring (seed), heirs according to promise.
c. This type of peace is also affirmed in the gospel account of Luke (Luke 2:14) . . .
Luk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
d. But the major peace that Christ brings is reconciliation, peace with God, which was broken for the cause of sin (Rom 5:8-11).
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
e. And this peace, this reconciliation, brings about an inner peace, which cannot be shaken by any amount of persecutions, or turmoils, or deaths, for we keep our sights on our true home (Col 3:1-2; Phili 4:7), getting closer to it day by day (Phili 1:21).
Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2. The Assyrian in this context (Micah 5:5a) is a figure for all the enemies of God’s faithful, external and internal, and when they come to assault His children, they will not be able to move the faithful (Rom 8:35-39).
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
a. Today I believe we can apply the Assyrian to LBGTLMNOP, BLM, Antifa, the CCP, many antigod factions within our government, and anyone else opposed to the Christian way of life.
(v 5b-6)
Mic 5:5b then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of (principle) men;
Mic 5:6 they shall shepherd (lay waste) the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.
We, (God’s people) will raise against him (the Assyrian/antichrists) 7 shepherds (who are these 7?), I believe this refers to the 7 patriarchs who rule over the Eastern Orthodox Church, who rule over Putin and Russia, they prompted Putin and Russia to take action against these anti-Christ terrorists of our day, like ISIS in Syria, whom Russia defeated at the prompting of the Orthodox church.
Who are the 8 princes of men? The leaders of 8 nations; Russia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen? Maybe even China being used for judgment? (Let us note that the US and NATO are not on this list, they are the originators and financiers of these terror groups through the deep state which I believe they use to destabilize and rule over other nations in order that they might fulfill their role as “MYSTERY BABYLON”; Rev 17:5).
a. They (Russia prompted by the Orthodox church and their alliance) shall lay waste to all that is opposed to the true God and His Ruler, Jesus Christ (which is described as Assyria and the land of Nimrod in this context), which probably includes destroying the US who have rejected God and Christ from the public sector and are heavily anti-Christ at this present time.
How does this apply to us individually? By imitating the example of Christ (1 Cor 11:1), and through the instrumentality of the Christ delivered living and active word of God (John 6:63; Heb 1:2; 4:12), that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), applied to our lives (Ja 1:22), we have the ability to conquer any and all our foes also, inward and outward, when properly wielded (2 Cor 10:3-5).
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh
2Co 10:4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds),
2Co 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
This is how the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Ruler, will accomplish His work upon this earth, physically and spiritually, He will make individuals perfect, complete, (spiritually mature), and holy (set apart; sanctified), through belief and obedience to the living word of the living God, Jesus said (John 17:8, 14, 17, 20-21) . . .
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth.
III. THE REMNANT PREVAILS THROUGH THE WORK OF THE RULER (Micah 5:7-9)
A. (v 7)
Mic 5:7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man.
The remnant of Jacob, spiritual Israel (Rom 9:6; Gal 6:16), the called out ones, the church, whose boundaries exceed the physical creation, would be “in” the world, though not “of” the world (2 Cor 6:17); they would be like a refreshing shower, or as morning dew sent by God to revitalize a spiritually dead world, dead because of their inordinate desires (lusts) (Mt 5:13-16; Phili 2:15-16a).
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
Mat 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Phi 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Phi 2:16 holding forth the word of life;
1. And these spiritual refreshers would not be driven according to the schedules of men, but rather by the word, thus the wisdom of God (2 Tim 4:2; Col 1:27-28; 1 Pet 4:11a).
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Col 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;
(v 8)
Mic 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
Christians would live side by side with unbelievers, again they would be “in” but not “of” the world (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), they would be strong, faithful, like lions, through the abiding word of God (1 John 2:14b; Rom 10:17).
1Jo 2:14b I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Rom 10:17 So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
1. And they will preach and teach that word, and spiritually save or destroy all those that hear, in order that all will be without excuse (Mk 16:15-16; 2 Cor 2:15-17; Isa 55:10-11).
Mar 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
2Co 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
2Co 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing,
2Co 2:16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life
Isa 55:10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
(v 9)
Mic 5:9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.
This verse is the assurance of victory for the children of God, this is the book of Revelation condensed into one short verse.
When you look down the portals of time, where are all those that opposed God’s faithful children? They are gone!
a. What about those today that oppose the Truth (John 17:17) through the various “isms” and the religions of men today contrary to the word of God, through the spirit of anti-Christ that seems to be prevailing in the world today, what will their end be? The same.
b. No one can fight against the one true God and win, it may seem like they are in the lead upon this earth, but God’s plan is unfolding just as purposed, and that remnant, the faithful few to God through His word will ultimately prevail on that Last Eternal Day (John 11:24; Rev 21:25) turn to Rev 20:7-15 . . .
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
Rev 20:8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
Rev 20:9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened (i.e. the books of the Bible): and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire.
Rev 20:15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
c. Note that individuals were not cast into the lake of fire based upon their works, even though they were judged according to their works. The question is, where is our names written? Anyone can look in the Bible and know exactly where they stand (2 Pet 1:3), John wrote (1 John 5:13) . . .
1Jn 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
d. And in 1 John 3:4-10 it is written that we can know who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil, it is based upon our “practice”, our walk of life (1 John 3:4-10) . . .
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
1Jn 3:6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.
1Jn 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
1Jn 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
e. God is longsuffering, He is not willing that any should perish, (2 Pet 3:9) but rather that all would come to repentance, believe and obey from the heart, that pattern of teaching that was delivered in the 1st century (Rom 6:17-18).
f. What is it? It hasn’t changed, it’s not going to change, it was once for all delivered (Jude 3), it is all the truth (John 16:13) and there is no other gospel (Gal 1:6-9) . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief/faith is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15).
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s (1 Cor 11:1).
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom.
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
And finally one is to . . . Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is; “separated” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), doing, “practicing” the will of the Father, being “doers” of the word (Ja 1:22) in order that you won’t have your name blotted out that book, that you may enter into the eternal phase of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:10-11) . . .
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for by doing these things you shall by no means stumble at any time.
2Pe 1:11 For in this way the entrance will be supplied to you richly into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (EMTV)