THE BATTLE for JERUSALEM
THE JEWS WANT IT, THE ARABS WANT IT, THE POPE WANTS, THE USA WANTS IT, GOD CLAIMS IT FOR
THE REMNANT. WHO WILL FINALLY HAVE IT ?
ISRAEL BRACES FOR UNREST AFTER HAMAS CALLS TRUMP’S JERUSALEM DECISION A
“DECLARATION OF WAR”
The Daily Telegraph – India Dec 7, 2017 – “Washington: President Trump on Wednesday formally recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing nearly seven decades of American foreign policy and setting in motion a plan to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the fiercely contested Holy City.”
What does the present day controversy over who controls Jerusalem has to do with Bible prophecy? Let us just draw your attention to a few passages of passages of scriptures and you will see the unprecedented connection and why it should be every ones concern – Jew, Christian, Moslem, Gentile, Hindu, etc, etc. We will later get into the details of the situation which you cannot afford to neglect reading.
CHRIST own words:
Luke 21: 20- 24 – “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Zech. 8: 1- 8 – Again the word of the LORD of hosts came [to me], saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. Thus saith the lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”
Zech. 2: 10- 13 – “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.”
Acts 1: 3- 7 – “To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, [saith he], ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
We guarantee you that after reading through this whole document, you will clearly understand the above scriptures pertaining to the long-predicted restoration of JERUSALEM, which has been baffling the minds of many theologians.
For one to properly understand the phraseologies of the Bible pertaining to the gathering and restoration of Israel, the background knowledge of the scattering must be highlighted. This all started after the death of Solomon when his son Rehoboam became king. See 1 Kings 11 and 12;
“The breach created by the rash speech of Rehoboam proved irreparable. Thenceforth the twelve tribes of Israel were divided, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin composing the lower or southern kingdom of Judah, under the rulership of Rehoboam; while the ten northern tribes formed and maintained a separate government, known as the kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as their ruler. Thus was fulfilled the prediction of the prophet concerning the rending of the kingdom. “The cause was from the Lord”.” – Prophets and Kings p. 91.1
Not long there after because of idolatry the lord had to disperse the 10 tribe kingdom of Israel, who to day are referred to as the lost ten tribes. The name Jews is referring only to the descendants of the remnant of the two tribe kingdom --- Judah and Benjamin and remember also that Jacob’s twelve sons came from four women – Laban’s two daughters and their two servants. (see Gen. 46)
2 Kings 17: 22- 23 – “For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.”
Please keep these thoughts in mind as we go through this presentation.
PRESIDENT TRUMP EMBASSY SPEECH: goo.gl/H8L9yU
Raf Sanchez, Jerusalem 7 December 2017, 11:50
AM. – “Hamas has called for new intifada against Israel in response to Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.”
“This Zionist policy supported by the US cannot be confronted unless we ignite a new intifada,” said Ismail Haniyeh, the Islamist militant group’s leader, during a speech in Gaza. He added: “The US decision is an aggression, a declaration of war on us, on the best Muslim and Christian shrines in the heart of Palestine, Jerusalem.”
“Palestinian protesters burn pictures of US President Donald Trump and his Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in Gaza City, on December 7.” – CREDIT: MOHAMMED ABED /AFP
See Palestinian reaction:
goo.gl/7bcXjo
goo.gl/eH1thG
goo.gl/rq4GgW
“It is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” said Trump, speaking from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, saying that past approaches to the conflict, like delaying that recognition, had not moved the peace process forward. “This is a long overdue step to advance the peace process and to work towards a lasting agreement,” he added, Trump’s remarks will be the most closely scrutinized of his presidency on West Asia, where he has vowed to broker the “ultimate deal” between Israelis and Palestinians but has yet to find a breakthrough to end the conflict.
The President’s recognition of Jerusalem isolates the US on one of the world’s most sensitive diplomatic issues. It has drawn a storm of criticism from Arab and European leaders, which swelled on Tuesday night after the White House confirmed Trump’s plans.
Pope Francis and the Chinese foreign ministry joined the chorus of voices warning that the move could unleash a wave of violence across the region. At a meeting in Brussels, secretary of state Rex W. Tillerson was sternly reproached by European allies. Standing next to Tillerson, the EU’s top diplomat, Federica Mogherini, made clear that Europe saw the President’s announcement as a threat to peace in West Asia.
“We believe that any action that would undermine these efforts must absolutely be avoided,” she said. “A way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as a future capital of both states.” – The Daily Telegraph – India Dec 7, 2017
2:5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD [is] against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
2:6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
2:7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
The Lord is to destroy all the inhabitants in the land of the Philistines (Zeph. 2:5), and at the same time make it dwellings for "shepherds, and folds for flocks," shows that He is first to drive out of the land all the wicked, all those who are not seeking meekness, then He is to set up the "house of Judah" in it.
The only Jews and Arabs that may remain in the land will be those who seek the Lord, the God of Moses.
And the only people that will get there are those who will stay there. The land is reserved for the kingdom of antitypical Judah. The nation and the kingdom that will not serve her "shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted." Isa. 60:12.
Zech. 14:3, 4
14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
At the time Jerusalem, that now is, falls, the Lord's feet shall stand upon Mount of Olives and there make a very great valley; that is, remove the obstacles and hindrances, and thus prepare the land for the returning of His people.
POPE FRANCIS CHALLENGED
TRUMP ON HIS JERUSALEM
DECISION AT THE VATICAN
Reuters and Michal Kranz, Reuters – Dec. 6, 2017, 6:37 AM
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, speaking hours before U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Jerusalem, called on Wednesday for the city’s “status quo” to be respected, saying new tension in the Middle East would further inflame world conflicts.
The pope delivered a similar message in an Instagram post following his statements, in which he the sacredness of the city to all three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and said “it has a special vocation for peace.
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
Jerusalem, by virtue of the number and diversity of people who have held it sacred, may be considered the most holy city in the world.
Jerusalem is important to the Jewish people because it is Ir Ha-Kodesh (the Holy City), the Biblical Zion, the City of David, the site of Solomon’s Temple, and the eternal capital of the Israelite nation.
Jerusalem is important to Christians because it is where the young Jesus impressed the sages at the Jewish Temple, where he spent the last days of his ministry, and where the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection took place.
Jerusalem is important to Muslims because it is where the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. After the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, Jerusalem is the third most sacred place of Islam. While highly charged with intense religious devotion and visited by countless pilgrims and sages, Jerusalem has also been ravaged by thirty centuries of warfare and strife.
Jerusalem is a holy place with a rich and ancient history.
For further information go to: goo.gl/Uk7oB4
Now we would like to draw your attention to the bible and the spirit of prophecy to show you how the unprecedent current events that are now taking place in the world are but the fulfilment of bible prophecy and especially the present mid- east crisis.
SIGNS OF THE TIME
Matthew 24: 5- 8 – “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.”
“The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.
“The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.
“We are standing on the threshold of the crisis of the ages. In quick succession the judgments of God will follow one another -- fire, flood and earthquake, with war and bloodshed.” [Last Day Events: 11, 12]
“How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man, but in them all God’s purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.” [Last Day Events, p. 28.3].
“The nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear of the things that are coming upon the earth. But those who believe in God will hear His voice amid the storm, saying, “It is I; be not afraid.”--ST Oct. 9, 1901. [Last Day Events 19.4] “Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven--events which it was declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state”.3MR 313 (1908). [Last Day Events p. 20.1]
O that God’s people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost given to idolatry!” {Maranatha, p. 25.2}
There are many un-precedented crises that are transpiring in the world today, that are baffling the minds of great men, within and without the church. As for us who are in the SDA church many of these incidents seem not to be correlating with our prophetic expectations. The Mid East crisis has been very outstanding for decades, but seeing that it, apparently has nothing to do with the Mark of the Beast or the #666 it seems not to catch our attention. The attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2003 has caught us all off guard, so much so that it led the country to cry out to God. This barbarous act has sent a shockwave throughout the world. With the Syrian crisis and the America President announcing America’s acceptance of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moving its embassy there, this surely could trigger World War III of Zach. 14.1-3 We are very much concerned about the prophecy of Daniel 11:45 in relation to current events.
Daniel 11:45 – “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. "Daniel 12:1, 2 – “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: ...”
Here it says the King of the North will plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas of the glorious Holy Mountain (Palestine) and he shall come to his end and none shall help him. There are a lot of speculations as to who the King of the North could be, but in the booklet by Sister White and James White entitled: “A Word To The Little Flock,” pp. 8, 9, it is clearly stated that the King of the North in Daniel 11:45 in these last days is the Two Horn Beast (Rev. 13:11-18) - the USA), Bear in mind that the King of the North has gone through many regime and we quote:
“That Jesus rose up, and shut the door, and came to the Ancient of days, to receive His kingdom, at the 7th month, 1844, I fully believe. See Luke 13:25; Mat. 25:10; Dan. 7:13, 14. But the standing up of Michael, Dan. 12:1, appears to be another event, for another purpose. Michael is to stand up at the time that the last power in chapter 11, comes to his end, and none to help him. This power is the last that treads down the true church of God: and as the true church is still trodden down, and cast out by all Christendom, it follows that the last oppressive power has not `come to his end;’ and Michael has not stood up. This last power that treads down the saints is brought to view in Rev. 13:11-18. His number is 666.” – A Word To The Little Flock, pp. 8, 9
Some mistakenly teach that the King of the North in Daniel 11: 45 is the Papacy, but that does not fit into current events nor the prophecy. Daniel 11:45 is pointing to a major Arab, Israeli/USA war–World War III. Overall what Daniel 11: 45 is saying, is that the USA/England (King of the North) will eventually get themselves bogged down and humiliated in a military confrontation in the Mid East, and no one will be able to deliver them out of the humiliating and disciplining hand of God.
This is not because she is out-matched militarily, but because God so dictates. This is suggesting that thereafter the USA will eventually become estranged from the United Nations as we have just witnessed in the UN overwhelming vote to disapprove President Trump decision to move the US Embassy from Tela Viv to Jerusalem. The U.N. thus having becoming non-supportive of the USA, may ultimately be replaced by the woman BABYLON THE GREAT (Rev. 17) the supposed remedy for the world’s problems. This woman Babylon represents the forthcoming predicted One-World, Religio-Political-Commercial Empire to be instigated by the USA in the time of the Mark of the Beast. (Rev. 13:15, 16). This will then ensue into the great Time of Trouble in Daniel 12:1, at which time Michael will have to stand up to deliver the saints whose names are written in the Book's of Life. What is the President’s road-map to peace (some Palestinian refer to it as the road map to hell) in the Mid-East will evolve into, only time will tell. Stay with us now as we view the present crisis through the super lenses of the “more sure Word of prophecy.”
Watch UN approves resolution condemning US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital: goo.gl/a5g6up
“Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God’s people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences.
They must perform their duty and leave results with God.” – The Great Controversy p. 609.1
“There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter.” – Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9 p. 97.21
THE MIDEAST WAR A PROPHETIC WAR
Just prior to Christ’s return there is to be a world wide declaration of war. This war will ripen many souls for Christ’s Kingdom as all their earthly properties, wealth and security become uncertain.
Joel 3: 9- 14 – “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen roundabout. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”
This is a very significant statement as we consider the present world crisis. The rest of Joel 3 shows that this is a prophecy referring to the last days.
Jeremiah 25:30, 31 – “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter His voice from His holy habitation; He shall mightily roar upon His habitation; He shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, He will plead with all flesh; He will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord.”
The wicked will be destroyed.
Jeremiah 25: 32 – “Thus saith the Lord of hosts Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.” Evil will go forth from nation to nation, for God will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth. It means war.
Jeremiah 25: 33 “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.”
This verse is not describing the conditions that will prevail as a result of the coming of the brightness of the Lord when He comes in the clouds. This is a slaughter from the great whirlwind of Jer. 25:32. It is from war: Why should the Lord first bring this on Judah and Jerusalem and then to the nations?
Because they had the greatest light and therefore they had the least reason to be wicked. Then when this war starts in the time of the deliverance of God’s people, the most enlightened people will suffer first. Please return now to:
Jeremiah 30: 23 – “Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked.” This whirlwind is warfare which does not arrive and then quickly die out. It stays long. It is to start in the latter end of the time God’s people are scattered among the Gentiles just before His people are delivered.
The Bible reveals that the God of the universe chose to establish His earthly throne at the physical center of the world. This disclosure was made through the great Jewish prophet.
Ezekiel: “Thus saith the Lord God: This is Jerusalem; I have set her in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.” – Eze. 5:5
Widespread belief that Jerusalem is truly situated at the geographical heart of the planet is even reflected in the common term for the region, Middle East.
Spiritually speaking, the holy city also lies at the apex of many people’s religious affections. No fewer than three faiths regard Jerusalem as sacred. More than two billion self-professing Christians– from the Philippines toArgentina, from Siberia to South Africa, indeed from virtually every nation on Earth–gaze toward Earth’s central city with reverent eyes. More than one billion Muslims also hold Jerusalem in high esteem, even though their primary hallowed sites are in nearby Saudi Arabia. And although the Jewish people are far fewer in number, they undeniably look to the Old City’s Temple Mount as the earthly center of their faith, as they have done for more than 3,000 years. Consequently, Jerusalem is sacred to around half the people on earth. This fact alone helps explain why Israel’s growing capital city has now become the lightning rod of world media attention and the future address of Earth’s final conflict. [Excerpts from “Israel My Glory” or www.foigm.orgIMG/epicentr.htm]
Watch more on Arab/Israeli conflict:
goo.gl/uUiWTb
17th Century (BC)
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob - patriarchs of the Jewish people and bearers of a belief in one God - settle in the Land of Israel.
13th Century (BC)
Exodus from Egypt: Moses leads Israelites from Egypt, followed by 40 years of wandering in the desert. Torah, including the Ten Commandments, received at Mount Sinai.
13th - 12th Centuries (BC)
Israelites settle the Land of Israel.
1020 BC.
Jewish Monarchy established; Saul, first king.
1000 BC.
Jerusalem made capital of David’s kingdom.
960 BC.
First Temple, the national and spiritual center of the Jewish people, built in Jerusalem by King Solomon.
930 BC.
Divided kingdom; Judah and Israel.
722-720 BC.
Israel crushed by Assyrians: 10 tribes exiled (Ten Lost Tribes).
586 BC.
Judah conquered by Babylonia; Jerusalem and First Temple destroyed; most Jews exiled to Babylonia.
63 BC - 313 CE - ROMAN RULE
CE (The Common Era)
37 BC - 4 CE
Herod, Roman vassal king, rules the Land of Israel; Temple in Jerusalem refurbished.
20 - 33
Ministry of Jesus of Nazareth
66
Jewish revolt against the Romans
70
Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Temple.
73
Last stand of Jews at Masada
132 - 135
Bar Kokhba uprising against Rome.
210
Codification of Jewish oral law (Mishnah) completed.
639 - 1099 - ARAB RULE
691
On site of First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Dome of the Rock built by Caliph Abdel Malik
1099 - 1291
CRUSADER DOMINATION (Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem)
1291 - 1516 MAMLUK RULE
1517-1917 - OTTOMAN RULE
1564
Code of Jewish law (Shulhan Arukh) published
1860
First neighborhood, Mishkenot Sha’ananim, built outside Jerusalem’s walls.
1882-1903
First Aliya (large scale immigration) mainly from Russia.
1897
First Zionist Congress convened by Theodor Herzi in Basel, Switzwrland; Zionist Organization founded.
1904-1914
Second Aliya, mainly from Russia and Poland.
1909
First kibbutz, Degania, and first modern all Jewish city, Tel Aviv founded.
1917
400 years of Ottoman rule ended by British conquest. British Foreign Minister Balfour pledges support for establishment of a `Jewish national home in Palestine.’
1918-1948 - BRITISH RULE
1919-1923
Third Aliya, mainly from Russia
1920
Histadrut (Jewish labor federation) and Haganah (Jewish defense organization) founded. Vaad Leumi (National Council) set up by Jewish community (yishuv) to conduct its affairs.
1921
First moshav, Nahalal, founded
1922
Britain granted Mandate for Palestine (Land of Israel) by League of Nations; Transjordan set up on three-fourths of the area, leaving one-fourth for the Jewish national home. Jewish Agency representing Jewish community vis-a-vis Mandate authorities set up.
1924
Technion, first institute of technology, founded in Haifa.
1924-1932
Fourth Aliya, mainly from Poland.
1925
Hebrew University of Jerusalem opened on Mt. Scopus.
1929
Hebron Jews massacred by Arab militants
1931
Etzel, Jewish underground
1933-1939
Fifth Aliya, mainly from Germany
1936-1939
Anti-Jewish riots instigated by Arab militants.
1939
Jewish immigration severely limited by British White Paper.
1939-1945
World War II; Holocaust in Europe.
1941
Lehi underground movement formed; Palmach, strike force of Haganah, set up.
1944
Jewish Brigade formed as part of British forces.
1947
UN proposes the establishment of Arab and Jewish states in the Land.
1948 - STATE OF ISRAEL
1948
End of British Mandate (14 May) State of Israel proclaimed (14 May) Israel invaded by five Arab states (15 May) War of Independence (May 1948-July 1949) Israel Defense Forces (IDF) established.
1949
Armistice agreements signed with Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon. Jerusalem divided under Israeli and Jordanian rule. First Knesset (parliament elected). Israel admitted to United Nations as 59th member.
1948- 1952
Mass immigration from Europe and Arab countries.
1956
Sinai Campaign
1962
Adolf Eichmann tried and executed in Israel for his part in the Holocaust.
1964
National Water Carrier completed, bringing water from Lake Kinneret in the north to the semi-arid south.
1967
Six-Day War, Jerusalem reunited.
1968- 1970
Egypt’s War of Attrition against Israel.
1973
Yom Kippur War; Israel becomes an associate member of the European Common Market.
1977
Likud forms government after Knesset elections end of 30 years of Labor rule. Visit of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Jerusalem.
1978
Camp David accords include framework for comprehensive peace in the Middle East and proposal for Palestinian self-government.
1979
Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty signed. Prime Minister Menachem Begin and President Anwar Sadat awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
1981
Israel Air Force destroys Iraqi nuclear reactor just before it is to become operative.
1982
Israel’s three-stage withdrawal from Sinai completed. Operation Peace for Galilee removes PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) terrorists from Lebanon.
1984
National Unity government (Likud and Labor) formed after elections. Operation Moses, Immigration of Jews from Ethiopia.
1985
Free Trade Agreement signed with United States.
1987
Widespread violence (intifada) starts in Israeli administered areas.
1988
Likud government in power following elections.
1989
Four point peace initiative proposed by Israel. Start of mass immigration of Jews from former Soviet Union.
1991
Israel attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles during Gulf War. Middle East peace conference convened in Madrid. Operation Solomon, airlift of Jews from Ethiopia.
1992
Diplomatic relations established with China and India. New government headed by Yitzhak Rabin of Labor party.
1993
Declaration of Principles of Interim Self-Government Arrangements for the Palestinians signed by Israel and PLO, as representative of the Palestinian people.
1994
Implementation of Palestinian self-government in Gaza Strip and Jericho area. Full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. Morocco and Tunisia interest offices set up. Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty signed. Rabin, Peres, Arafat awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
1995
Broadened Palestinian self-government implemented in West Bank and Gaza Strip; Palestinian Council elected. Prime Minister Rabin assassinated at peace rally. Shimon Peres becomes prime minister.
1996
Fundamentalist Arab terrorism against Israel. Operation Grapes of Wrath retaliation for Hizbullah terrorists’ attacks on northern Israel. Trade representation offices set up in Oman and Qatar. Likud forms government after Knesset elections. Benjamin Netanyahu becomes prime minister, Omani trade representation office opened in Tel Aviv.
1997
Hebron Protocol signed by Israel and the P.A.
1998
Israel celebrates its 50th anniversary. Israel and the PLO sign the Wye River Memorandum to facilitate implementation of the Interim Agreement.(Taken from “Facts About Israel” at www.israel.org/ mfa/go.asp?)
THE US AND THE PEACE PROCESS
From the very beginning of the peace process, the United States has been there to help Israel minimize the risks it takes for peace. Successive presidents and Congresses have remained strongly committed to this policy, having provided Israel with the economic and military assistance it needs to implement its commitments under the various peace agreement it has signed. Such assistance by the United States–which has played an indispensable role as convener, mediator and supporter of the peace process–has become a hallmark of the U.S. effort to help Israel and the Arabs reach a comprehensive Middle East peace.
Disengagement Agreement with Egypt
January 18, 1974
Secretary of State Henry Kissinger shuttled between Israel and Egypt to secure this agreement, which was the first step toward peace between the two nations. The agreement outlined three courses of action. First, it called for a cease-fire between Israel and Egypt. Second, a buffer zone was established, utilizing U.N. peacekeeping forces. Third, both nations agreed to negotiate disengagement. American reconnaissance monitored compliance with the agreement.
Disengagement Agreement with Syria
May 29, 1974
Kissinger spent 33 days in the Middle East brokering this agreement, which demarcated the disengagement line between Israel and Syria. The Israelis gave up the Syrian territory they had conquered in 1973 plus the town of Kuneitra, capital of the Golan. In return, they gained an exchange of prisoners of war and relief from the war and attrition on the Golan Heights.
Interim Agreement with Egypt
September 1, 1975
Beginning in November 1973, Kissinger made eleven trips to the Middle East. These shuttles resulted in three interim agreements involving Israel, Egypt and Syria. In the 1975 Interim Agreement, the third and most far-reaching accord, Israel agreed to withdraw from strategic mountain passes in the Sinai Peninsula, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin did this in exchange for the Israeli right to pass through the Suez Canal and the stationing of an early warning system in the Sinai. The United States helped Israel implement its part of the agreement by providing it with $500 million to build a new defense line in Sinai and purchase oil since Israel gave up vast oil fields in the Sinai when it withdrew. This agreement was an important step toward peace between Israel and Egypt, which was achieved at Camp David three years later.
Camp David Accords
September 17, 1978
Convened at Camp David by President Carter, these talks brought together Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian Anwar Sadat to negotiate a framework agreement that led to the Egyptian-Israeli peace agreement, which was signed the following year. The framework agreement committed Israel to a full withdrawal from the Sinai and offered autonomy to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza–which they rejected–in return for a formal peace treaty with Egypt. The United States provided Israel with $3 billion, $2.2 billion of which was in the form of high-interest loans, to build air bases in Negev, which replaced those in Sinai that Israel relinquished, and to redeploy Israeli forces.
Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty
March 26, 1979
Signed in Washington by Begin, Sadat and Carter, this was the first full-fledged formal peace treaty between Israel and any Arab country. It was achieved thanks to intensive meditation efforts by Carter and his team, and led to full Israel withdrawal from the Sinai by April 1982 in return for peaceful and full diplomatic relations. The United States has supported this historic treaty by providing Israel and Egypt with nearly $5 billion a year in combined annual aid.
Madrid Conference
October 30-November 1, 1991
After the U.S.-led coalition’s victory in the Persian Gulf war, President Bush and Secretary of State James Baker organized the Madrid Conference seeking to capitalize on America’s influence within the Middle East and the historic assemblage of Arab and Western countries aligned together against Iraq. Convened in Spain by Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the Madrid Conference was attended by Israel, Syria, Lebanon and a Jordanian Palestinian delegation. It became the launching pad for the current peace process, inaugurating the first direct talks among the various parties, both on bilateral and on regional issues.
Israel-PLO Mutual Recognition
September 9, 1993
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) exchanged letters of mutual recognition for the first time ever following lengthy secret negotiations. While the United States played no direct role in these talks, its indirect role was crucial: After President Clinton rebuffed Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s efforts in early 1993 to solicit U.S. pressure on Israel to make unilateral concessions, Arafat had no choice but to enter into direct and secret negotiations with Israel in Oslo. These talks led to the sides mutual recognition and paved the way for Israel and the Palestinians to negotiate an end to their more than 50-year conflict.
Declaration of Principles - “Oslo I”
September 13, 1993
“Oslo I,” signed by Rabin and Arafat on the White House South Lawn, outlined a general framework for the transfer of self-governing authority to the Palestinians as envisioned fifteen years earlier in the Camp David accords. Israel agreed in principle to redeploy troops from the Gaza Strip and Jericho, and later from other parts of the West Bank. The agreement also defined the most contentious issues–Jerusalem borders, settlements and refugees -- as “permanent-status issues,” which were reserved for a later date so that trust could be built between the two parties. Secretary of State Warren Christopher organized forty-three nations to pledge a total of $2.4 billion to help the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza. The U.S. share, over a five-year period, was $500 million.
Gaza-Jericho Agreement
May 4, 1994
This agreement signaled the beginning of Palestinian self-government in the Gaza Strip and areas in and around Jericho in the West Bank. Israel began withdrawing from these areas immediately, retaining forces in Gaza only to protect settlements. The size and powers of the Palestinian police force were agreed upon, as were certain economic arrangements between Israel, and the PLO. The Palestinian Authority (PA) was created to assume administrative responsibility in the transferred areas. The money from international donors raised by the U.S. directly following Oslo I helped to implement and secure this agreement.
The Washington Declaration
July 25, 1994
Rabin and Jordan’s King Hussein signed this non-belligerency agreement ending the 46 year state of war between the two nations. President Clinton, who also signed the declaration, hosted the signing ceremony on the White House Lawn. The declaration called on the two countries to establish direct telephone links, connect their electricity grids, establish border crossings at Eclat and Aqaba and continue negotiations to reach a formal peace treaty.
Peace Treaty with Jordan
October 26, 1994
At an Arava desert border crossing south of the Dead Sea, Clinton and 5,000 others watched as Israel and Jordan signed their formal peace treaty, the second full-fledged peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state. Rabin signed for Israel and Jordanian Prime Minister Abdel Salam Majali initialed the accord, with King Hussein at his side. Specific provisions were made to engage in joint projects, cooperate in the war against terrorism and conclude agreements on economic matters. The United States granted Jordan $700 million in debt relief to help bolster Jordan’s shaky economy.
Interim Agreement - “Oslo II”
September 28, 1995
Rabin and Arafat signed the “Oslo II” agreement, which superseded the Gaza-Jericho agreement, at the White House. It committed Israel to withdrawing from six major Palestinian cities on the West Bank. The P.A. assumed responsibility for civil affairs and security–mainly preventing terrorist attacks-- in the cities, the civilian control in the Palestinian villages. The Israeli Defense Forces retained responsibility for the safety of Israelis. Israel released some Palestinian prisoners, but none convicted of killing Israelis.
Hebron Protocol
January 15, 1997
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to withdraw from 80 percent of Hebron, while maintaining security control over the remaining 20 percent of the city. He also agreed to further troop re deployments, limited prisoner releases and to negotiate a safe passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the opening of an airport in Gaza. In return, the Palestinians reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate on security, prevent incitement and combat terrorism. The parties also agreed to restart stalled permanent status negotiations. The United States played a large role in securing this agreement. President Clinton encouraged both sides to act decisively, and U.S. Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross spent a full month in the Middle East working with the leaders. In addition, Christopher, who was ending his tenure as secretary of state, sent secret letters to Netanyahu and Arafat confirming U.S. intentions to continue aiding the process.
Wye River Memorandum
October 23, 1998
Netanyahu agreed to a phased withdrawal from additional West Bank territory in exchange for specific and verifiable Palestinian steps to fight terrorism, collect illegal weapons an nullify clauses in the PLO charter calling for Israel’s destruction. The United States, which assumed a more visible role in monitoring PA compliance with its obligations under the accord, provided Israel, the Palestinians and Jordan nearly $2 billion in assistance to help the sides meet their commitments. U.S. aid totaling $1.2 billion helped Israel offset the costs of withdrawal and the upgrading of its defense and counter-terrorism programs that was necessary because Israel gave up strategically important territory.
Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement
September 5, 1999
This agreement, closed by Secretary of State Madeline Albright and signed by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Arafat, reaffirmed the commitment of Israel and Palestinians to the full implementation of all previous agreements. The sides also agreed to tackle the toughest permanent status issues, with the goal of reaching a framework agreement within five months and a comprehensive agreement within one year. The United States announced its intention to do whatever it could to facilitate the achievement of a final-status agreement by September 13, 2001.
The Camp David Summit
July 11-25, 2000
Barak and Arafat joined Clinton at Camp David to discuss all permanent-status issues. While no agreement was reached, the parties reviewed American bridging proposals that went beyond any ideas formally discussed between the parties prior to the summit. Subsequently, Clinton announced that Barak had gone further than Arafat in moving the peace process forward. After the summit, talks between the parties continued with intensive American mediation.
The Palestinian Violence
September 2000 - present
President Bush assumed office during a period of crisis in the Middle East peace process. The Palestinians rejected far-reaching Israeli offers at Camp David and in subsequent talks in Taba, Egypt, and then launched a violent campaign against Israel in an effort to win even further concessions. The president has consistently urged the Palestinians to renounce the use of violence and return to peaceful negotiations. “I think he [Arafat] can do a lot more to be convincing the people on the street to stop these acts of terrorism and the acts of violence.” Bush said Aug. 13. “We recognize that there could be isolated incidents of terror, but these are not isolated. This is a continuing terrorist campaign.
“The Bush administration is playing a positive and engaging role in organizing and hosting renewed Israeli-Palestinian security talks, as well as hosting a series of meetings in Washington with leaders from the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israeli foreign Minister Shimon Peres, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.”
[Excerpts from: www.aipac.org/documents/aidandpeace.html]
What Does Prophecy Have To Say About The Current World Crisis?
“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. Every element of power is about to be set to work. Past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God’s people on every side. Intensity is taking hold of the human family. It is permeating everything upon the earth.” – Testimonies to Ministers, p. 6
We as a people always have our minds focused on the Vatican as if that is where the next signal should be coming from. That is, the rise of the Papacy–“The Mark of the Beast”, “The Sunday Law”, The “666”. Here is a very important point that must be understood pertaining to this issue.
Rev. 7: 1- 4 – “And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”
It is very, very important to know what the four winds symbolize. Let us now shed some light on that point from the Spirit of prophecy.
“The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since; but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds.
As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth. That will be a decisive time for God’s children, a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. Now is our opportunity to work.” – Testimonies for the church Vol. 5 p. 152.
Be it known that before the four winds — the mark of the beast is instituted the Lord will have to SEAL the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel. Although for decades, strides have been stealthily made in those directions, yet nothing dramatic has really materialized. Instead, there has been a continual upheaval in the Mideast, constant tension between Jews and Palestinians as to who should occupy and control the Holy Land. The USA’s involvement in her allying with Israel has incurred the wrath of the Muslim world. And she being the world’s super power and world police, makes her the target of the enemies of Israel.
History proves that great nations such as ancient Babylon, and Rome were brought to their knees when they were best armed, and most independent of God. They were brought down in the most humiliating way by cruel and heartless Barbarians.
The USA has been humiliated on September 11, 2001. Her symbol of wealth, World Trade Center, (WTC) and military might (The Pentagon) has been damaged. This has sent a shock wave of depression world wide. In one week the Wall Street lost over one trillion dollars as a result of the crushing of the WTC. Fear has paralyzed the civilized world while the Barbarians are rejoicing in triumph. Take heed, the end is not yet come, this is only the beginning of sorrows.
Mark 13: 7, 8 – “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows.”
As Seventh-day Adventists, we are very familiar with the term “the fall of Babylon” referring to the Papacy and her allied churches. This you will find fully explained in the book, “The Great Controversy,” pages 375-390. But as those pages make clear, Babylon will not be completely fallen until the church and state unite in the time of the Loud Cry just prior to the falling of the seven last plagues.
The War centered in the Mideast is not just another rumor of war, this is a prophetic war that is to bring the anger of the nations and the culmination of the international one world religio-political commercial empire of the ages controlled by the woman Babylon of Revelation 17 and 18.
Having now been made aware of these prophecies, it is for us to observe the developments of the present war of America and her allies against the terrorists, which, if not now, will sooner or later evolve into a bloody World War in the Holy Land with Israel at the Epicenter.
The Greatest of all Wars is to be Fought About The Holy Land.
Zech. 1:18, 19 -- “Then lifted I up mine eyes and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”
The prophet saw symbolic four horns, and the angel that talked with him made him to understand that these horns were symbolical of the Gentile nations which had scattered Judah (the two-tribe kingdom), and Israel (the ten-tribe kingdom), and also Jerusalem (the capital city of the two-tribe kingdom -- Judah). In other words, in the symbol of the four horns, Zechariah saw those Gentile nations which scattered God’s ancient people and destroyed their kingdom.
Zech. 1:20, 21 -- “And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.”
To reiterate the prophet first saw four horns which perfectly symbolize those Gentile nations which scattered God’s people, for horns are used to push and scatter. Afterwards though, he saw four carpenters, thus lending the impression that they have come to build; for that is the business of carpenters. When the prophet saw the carpenters he wanted to know the purpose of their presence.
In his answer, the angel first told him that these carpenters are none other than the same four horns (Gentile nations) which had scattered Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. And these same horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem have now returned as carpenters to cast out the Gentiles and thus free God’s people. It therefore becomes obvious that the four horns which Zechariah first saw point back to the time when Israel and Judah were scattered, and the symbolism of the four carpenters must point forward, to a time years later in our day when God is to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Briefly, then the symbolism of the horns looks back to the destruction of the kingdom, whereas the other, the carpenters, looks forward to the repairing of it.
The question we ought next to consider is whether the fulfillment of the work of the carpenters took place in the time when the Jews returned from Babylon after their 70 years captivity, or whether it refers to some other time; for you remember that the Jews were scattered, and their land was taken, and they went into captivity under Babylon for the 70 years of Jeremiah’s prophecy, after which they returned and the city was rebuilt.
Zechariah says there were four horns which would include all the nations that had a part in scattering God’s ancient people out of the Holy Land. And, moreover, if this prediction met its fulfillment in Nehemiah and Haggai’s time, all the Gentiles should have been driven out forever. But they were not. Besides, the horns were those nations that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem, and now they have returned to free them and repair the kingdom, and in chapter two of Zechariah’s prophecy, God declared that not only would His people’s kingdom be restored, but many nations would join themselves to the Lord. Since both Israel and Judah did not return, and since other nations did not join themselves to the Lord and His people when the Jews returned from Babylon, we cannot say that this prophecy met its fulfillment in the return of the Jews from Babylon, neither did it take place in 1948 to now and since this prophecy has never been fulfilled, it must take place some time in the future.
Zechariah 8; confirms God’s ultimate intention;
Zech. 8: 1- 8 -- “Again the word of the LORD of hosts came [to me], saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the LORD of hosts. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”
The things that we listen to on the News Media in these days, show that these prophecies are soon to be completely fulfilled.
Through it all we see in Zechariah’s prophecy a prediction that one day Gentile nations would be engaged in rebuilding the Israelitish kingdom in Palestine that was once destroyed.
We see also that there is to be a world war in which Gentiles outside of Palestine and the Gentiles within will be involved. In that war God’s faithful multinational people, Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem, are to be delivered and made free and the kingdom will be rebuilt. That is as plain as anything we have ever seen.
In Luke 21: 24 we find these words of JESUS referring to the destruction of Jerusalem Rome : “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Now observe this ; Romans 11:25, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in (read further- Romans 11;1-26).
Clearly ancient Israel stumbled so that time could be allowed for God to engraft the wild olive branch (the gentiles) into the chosen olive root (the seed of Jacob) This grafting period for the gentile is now coming to its end and it is time for Jerusalem to be restored to it intended glory but not through the unbelieving Jews that now occupy the land. In God’s eyes they are just gentiles that need to vacate the land.
IT IS AT THIS TIME WHEN GOD INTEND TO RESTORE JERUSALEM THAT ALL THESE GENTILE ELEMENTS ARE RANGGLING TO CONTROL IT.
God is about to rise up and manifest his mighty power to the nations. All the parts of the puzzle are coming together.
It is at the time Zechariah’s prophecy is fulfilled
-- when the four carpenters drive out the Gentiles
-- that Jerusalem shall no more be trodden by the Gentiles, for their time to occupy the Holy Land shall be brought to its end.
Let us now go to Zechariah chapter 14 for further light on this conflict in the Promised Land.
THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM
Zech. 14:1-3 -- “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations as when he fought in the day of battle.”
Here is brought to view a war in Jerusalem in which all nations will be involved. In this war Jerusalem is defeated and ravished. We notice too, that a faithful remnant will be spared. Verse 3 then states that after the apparent victory of the nations that fought against Jerusalem, the Lord Himself will fight against those nations.
Verses 12 and 13 explains how God will miraculously fight against these nations.
Zech. 14:12, 13 -- “And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.”
Zech 14: 11 says: And [men] shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
We see here that a flesh consuming plague from the Lord will fall upon these warring factions in the Holy Land and to compound their calamity a tumult of confusion from the Lord shall be among them and they shall slay their own men, similar to the victory Gedeon and his 300 men army (Judges 7: 11-116)
The destruction of Jerusalem here described in Zechariah 14, cannot be referring to the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, nor Titus of Rome in AD 70, because at no time in the past to the present have the inhabitants of Jerusalem ever dwelt safely. After this war, men will dwell peacefully in the Holy Land. Zechariah is here saying that, just prior to the long looked for restoration of Jerusalem there is to be a major World War about the Holy Land. The cry and search for peace in the Mideast between Jews and Arabs at this time, cannot, and will not be found. In fact, the tensions will worsen until it evolves into a World War. A war in which there will be no winner.
THE PROPHECTIC DECLARATION OF A WORLD WAR
Joel 3: 9- 15 – “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I [am] strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to comedown, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.”
This says it all. The nations are girding themselves for war. The weak countries are challenging the super powers even at the sacrifice of food for weapons. (Turning their plowshares into spears).
This distress of the nations will bring such fear, instability and financial insecurity that many souls will be brought into the valley of decision concerning their soul’s salvation. Only thus could the spiritual harvest be ripened and the Lord puts in His sickle and gathers in a great harvest of souls. The present distress of nations is a part of the plan of God to bring multitudes to the saving knowledge of God. What a mighty God we serve. Get ready, get ready, surrender your souls to God, He is even at the door. Isaiah 2 verses 2 - 4 describes these warring nations turning to God after the war.
Observe this wonderful arrangement of the Word of God. After the Lord clears the land of the belligerent forces, He miraculously restores the land (see Eze. 36:34-36), and Jerusalem becomes a city of truth. (Zechariah 8:2). It will then become the Mecca of the day for the Jews, Christians, Muslims etc. etc. The new converts to God’s Kingdom church will turn their weapons of war into farming tools whereas before the restoration they were turning their farming tools into weapons.
Isa. 2:2-4 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
God is soon to exalt His mountain (His church) above all powers on earth and nations will eventually turn to God and learn war no more. Better days are ahead of us. This same truth is repeated in Micah 4:2-4.
Micah 4:1-4 – “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.”
To the newly restored land of Israel the nations who come to seek the Lord will bring their wealth. (See Isaiah 60:5; Zechariah 14:14). Not all nations will be drawn to this spectacular event transpiring in Palestine. They too, will be rewarded accordingly.
Zechariah 14:17 – “And it shall be, [that] whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.”
THE EXTENTION OF THE HOLY LAND -- All the lands between the Euphrates and the Nile.
Gen. 15:18 – “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
- PEACE AT LAST IN THE HOLY LAND -
THE RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM
Zeph 3:13 -- “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”
At what time will the remnant lie down safely and none shall make them afraid? Let us read Hosea 2: 15 & 18.
Hosea 2:15, 18 -- “And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt..... And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.”
We see here, that after God gives the “Valley of Achor” (Joshua 7:26) as a door of hope for his church, then he makes a covenant of peace with man and beast and allows them to lie down safely. The Valley of Achor is just another way of expressing the Purification of the Church, or, the slaughter of Ezekiel 9.
Jer. 23:5-8 -- “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.”
This is one of the text used by the Jews in teaching that when the Messiah comes He would deliver them from Roman bondage enabling them to live in peace. Let us examine the following text of Scripture.
Acts 1:3, 6, 7. -- “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking things pertaining to the kingdom of God:... When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
We see here that even after the resurrection, the disciples were still not too clear about this issue of the restoration of Jerusalem. When they asked Jesus when will He restore the Kingdom of Israel, Jesus did not tell them that they were misinterpreting the Scriptures. He simply said he would not tell them the times. They did not know that the Jews had to be scattered among the Gentile nations just as the other ten tribes, before they were to be united and become one nation. They did not understand that Jerusalem was to be trodden underfoot for another 2000 years until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled (Luke 21:24). Now the time has come for the Lord to “...perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.” Micah 7:20. God’s church today, instead of longing for, and praying for the Kingdom are relentlessly opposing it. Day by day even through the upheavals in the Middle East, the Lord is making it known that the time has come for the “Lord’s Prayer,” to be answered “Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”
What is the time projected here, when this King shall reign and Israel shall dwell safely?
Hosea 3:4, 5 -- “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.”
Note: that the time of the reigning of this king when Israel shall dwell safely is in the latter days. This is surely an unfamiliar thought, but remember what we have been admonished. “New meaning will flash from the familiar text.”
Eze. 34:13, 25, 28 -- “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.”
Jeremiah 31: 7- 10 -- “For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, [and] with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn. Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.”
The unbelieving Jews from all over the world who have been migrating to Israel since 1948 think that they are fulfilling these prophecies, but unfortunately they have never been able to lie down safely. This promise is for God’s Christian believing saints - Jews and Gentiles still scattered throughout the whole world. Strange it may sound, just keep reading prayerfully, and it will get clearer and clearer. Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
THE ENSIGN
Isaiah 11: 1- 5 -- “And there shall come forth a rod out of the steam of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”
In this illustration there are three persons brought to view: Jesse (the father of David), the rod (David), and the Branch (Christ). The relationship shows that David (the rod) is not Christ (the Branch), for the “rod” sprang from the stem of Jesse, and the Branch from the rod–a fact which is born out in the cry of the multitude when Christ entered Jerusalem. They shouted: “Hosannah to the son of David.” Matt. 21: 15. Plainly, therefore, the “rod,” coming from the stem of Jesse, is symbolical of David; and the Branch, coming from the rod, is symbolical of the Son of David–Christ.
Upon this “ensign” (Branch and rod) “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest...the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isa. 11:2-5.
So though the “ensign” emblematizes the connection of three persons (Jesse, the root; David, the rod; and Christ, the Branch), yet the power and wisdom of Christ is its underlying and controlling force. Wherefore says Christ: “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Rev. 22:16), bearing out that He is all and in all.”
No one will deny that verses 1- 5 is a prediction of Christ’s first advent. To collaborate with the many verses we have previously quoted concerning the peace of Jerusalem, let us continue by reading verses 6- 9.
Isa. 11:6-9 --“The wolf also 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. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
These verses do sound like the expected peace and tranquility in the earth made new. But after the saints have lived 1,000 years in Heaven, feeding from the Tree of Life, would we expect to have suckling children in the earth made new when there will be no births there?
“There are men today who express their belief that there will be marriages and births in the new earth; but those who believe the Scriptures cannot accept such doctrines. The doctrine that children will be born in the new earth is not a part of the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19). The words of Christ are too plain to be misunderstood.” 1 Selected Messages, pg. 172.
With the present controversy over who control Jerusalem, the world’s attention is now being drawn to the Holy Land. This is the Lord’s doing. This is just a prelude to what the Lord is about to do to bring back his remnant people from the four corners of the earth back to the land of their fore fathers.
Furthermore, Isaiah 11: 10 says; “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
It is God’s intention to use this peaceful Edenic situation in the promised land to be an ensign to the nations who will in turn seek this ensign and find rest therein; [in probationary time]. This then could not apply to the earth made new. If we continue to read the rest of the chapter, it will be seen that the whole chapter is to be fulfilled before the second return of Christ.
Isa. 11:11-16 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off, Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”
These verses need no explanation they mean just what they say. There is to be a second Exodus, not just from Egypt, but from the four corners of the earth. Millions and millions of people will then be brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but not until God manifest His mighty power in the land where they crucified him and where the gospel started and there bring an end to the controversy as to who owns Jerusalem, and at which time there will be only one EMBASSY there, that of the LORD JESUS CHRIST – THE LORD OUR RIGHTIOUSNESS.
“The language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed.” The Great Controversy, p. 599.
“Among earth’s inhabitants, scattered in every land, there are those who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Like the stars of heaven, which appear only at night, these faithful ones will shine forth when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people. In heathen Africa, in the Catholic lands of Europe and of South America, in China, in India, in the islands of the sea, and in all the dark corners of the earth, God has in reserve a firmament of chosen ones that will yet shine forth amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an apostate world the transforming power of obedience to His law.” Prophets and Kings, pp. 188, 189.
Let us now return to Jeremiah 23: 2- 8 and see how abundantly clearer this subject becomes.
Jer. 23: 2- 8 -- “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.”
Can we now see what is God’s plan for the remnant in these last days? Let us listen to the God of Heaven reiterate this most vital point.
Jer. 16:13-15 -- “Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.”
Zech. 8: 1-8 -- “Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? Saith the Lord of hosts. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.”
These prophecies have never been fulfilled and the time has come for the Lord to perform His strange act. We will now continue with verses 20-23:
Zech. 8: 20-23 -- “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”
These promises are not for the unbelieving ZIONISTS that have been returning to Palestine. They have never been able to dwell safely since 1948. It is logical to conclude that the ten men who take hold of all the languages of the nations in the time of this great ingathering are figurative of a group of people (the church freed from tares in the harvest time), just as the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1) are figurative of the church while the tares are still commingled with wheat. The ten servants (Luke 19:13), and the ten horns (Rev. 12:3, 17:3) are numbers of universality. These ten men will speak all the languages as did the Apostles on the Pentecost.
Why should God speak so much about the restoration and yet not bring it to pass?
This is the clearest Bible doctrine and is least spoken of. It was so clear to the disciples and in eager anticipation they could not contain themselves, they could not but ask;
Acts 1: 6, 7 – “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
For two millenniums Christian have repeating the Lord’s prayer , not knowing what they are praying about. Please give keen attention to the following statement.
“Thy kingdom come.” – Matthew 6:10
“The disciples of Christ were looking for the immediate coming of the kingdom of His glory, but in giving them this prayer Jesus taught that the kingdom was not then to be established. They were to pray for its coming as an event yet future. But this petition was also an assurance to them. While they were not to behold the coming of the kingdom in their day, the fact that Jesus bade them pray for it is evidence that in God’s own time it will surely come.” – Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 107.3
1 Peter 3: 9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness.”
PLEASE UNDERSTAND BRETHREN GOD CANNOT LIE!
Mark 13: 30- 31 – “Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
Micah 7:18 - 20 – “Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth [in] mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, [and] the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.”
What did God swore to Abraham?
Psalm 105: 8 - 11 “He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations. Which [covenant] he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.”
Genesis 15: 18 – “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Strange enough only a hand full people a midst the multitude of theologians, who understand these prophecies.
Amos 3: 7 – “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Luke 10: 21 – “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”
Let us now quote from the Spirit of Prophecy for a splendid vision of the future evangelistic crusade.
“It is with an earnest longing that I look forward to the time when the events of the day of Pentecost shall be repeated with even greater power than on that occasion, John says, (Revelation 18:1).
Then, as at the Pentecostal season, the people will hear the truth spoken to them, every man in his own tongue.” Review and Herald, July 20, 1886.
“There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of the time. But we are not ignorant of his devises. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God the blessing will come.” Review and Herald, March 22, 1887. Brethren, this is God’s plan. A great multitude of souls that no one can number from all nations, kindreds and tongues and people just prior to His coming will be saved. 20 million SDAs world wide today is nothing in comparison to what God is about to do.
How will God’s people get to Palestine from all over the world?
Isa. 11: 15, 16 -- “And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.”
Do you believe that God divided the Red Sea? He plans to divide the seven (7) streams this time (eg Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Sea ) . God will not bring this earth to an abrupt end OR RAPTURE without some major manifestation of his power.
Take note of the expressions used in the following Bible texts.
“The Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people.” Isa. 11: 11
“I will bring them” Ezekiel 34:13
“I will take you from among the heathen.”
“I will bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24
“I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen... I will gather them on every side.” Ezekiel 37: 21
“And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.” Zechariah 8:6
“The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the North country.” Jeremiah 23:8
From the evidences produced it is clear that God says He will ultimately take His people to Palestine. He also says that He will divide the seas just as He divided the Red Sea and led the Israelites through on dry ground. Do you believe that our God is capable of taking us to Heaven, a distance which cannot be imagined? Why then, can He not take His people to Palestine just a few thousand miles away? Isaiah chapter 60 gives us a clue as to how God may also take the saints to Palestine.
Isa. 60: 5- 9 -- “Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah, all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord. All the flocks of Kedar, shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.”
Isa. 60: 10- 12 – “And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, [those].”
ALL ROADS SOON WILL LEAD TO THE HOLY LAND
Isa. 66: 16 - 20 – “For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, [to] Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, [to] Tubal, and Javan, [to] the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. And they shall bring all your brethren [for] an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.”
Note that after the Lord cleanses His church, (see also Mal. 3:1-4, Isa. 7 : 1-4) those who escape or survive this judgement of the living (see GC 483 – 490) — the 144,000 first fruits servants of God, they will be sent to all nation to gather the faithful remnant and take them to the Holy Land. This the time of the LOUD CRY of the Third Angel’s Message. We anticipate that during this time they will be operation like Philip and the eunuch.
Acts 8:37 - 39 – “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”
Our sons and daughters in the faith shall come as a storm by air and by sea. They shall come because the Lord will glorify all His people. The call, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4), shall indeed along with the wealth of the Gentiles bring out “a great multitude which no man can number.” (Rev. 7:9).
“The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.” The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612.
The 144,000 being sealed, will be immune to death during this international glorification of the saving grace of God.
“The living saints, 144,000, in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spake the time, He poured on us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai. {RH July 21, 1851, Art. B, par. 2}
“The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” – Early Writings p. 15
My dear brethren, God is here declaring that the gospel of the Kingdom is to close at the very same place where it began - in the land of Palestine.
“Satan has ability to suggest doubts and to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence. God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.” – Testimonies, Vol. 5 pgs. 675-676.
“The same trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past. Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all doctrines be brought to the test of the Bible and declared that they would renounce everything that it condemned. Against these men persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they ceased not to declare the truth.
“Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God’s people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands His servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty and leave results with God.” The Great Controversy
pg. 609-610.
Many have claimed that all these promises of the restoration of Israel were conditional upon their obedience. Since Israel failed in their commitment of obedience to God, He has forsaken these promises. Why don’t we hear from God Himself concerning this matter.
UNCONDITIONAL PROMISES
Jer. 31: 7- 10, 35- 37 -- “For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
“Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. Thus said the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.”
Do we need a clearer declaration that God will not disannul His promise of the restoration of Jerusalem because of ancient Israel’s misdeeds. There has just been a delay so that the Gentiles could be grafted in and share in the promised blessings.
“That which God purposed to do for the world through Israel, the chosen nation, He will finally accomplish through His church on earth today.” Prophets & Kings, p. 713.
Romans 11: 24- 28 -- “For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grated into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer. And shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”
Hosea 1:10 -- “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.”
Romans 10: 11, 12 -- “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
How privileged are we, and how glad ought we to be living when these long anticipated prophecies are to be fulfilled, and to have the grand privilege in partaking of this glory.
Let us examine further evidences:
Eze. 36: 16-23 -- “Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it: And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them. And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them,
These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land. But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.”
WHERE WILL GOD DO THIS?
Eze. 36:24 -- “For I will take you from the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.”
Ezekiel makes it clear that for God to sanctify His great name, He must take His faithful people from the four corners of the earth and take them back to the Promised Land and from there the final call will be made to mankind to return to God. Instead of bringing this world to an abrupt end, intention is to sanctify His Great Name that has been profaned (disgraced) among the heathen. He plan to sanctify His name through the remnant (144,000) before the eyes of the heathen. To do this, He says:
Eze. 36: 25- 27, 33- 35 -- “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean, from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statues, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.”
As is stated in Isaiah 11 that the lamb and the lion will be feeding together, Ezekiel 36 is describing the same Edenic condition that will exist only in that part of the world when the Lord makes Jerusalem a city of praise.
Unfamiliar as these things may sound, that is the plan of the Lord. These verses need no interpretation or explanation, they mean just what they say.
Counsels to Writers & Editors pg. 37 tells us that we will have many lessons to learn and many many things to unlearn. “We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed.”
Isaiah 11 said the lion will be eating straw like the ox. Ezekiel 36 is now saying that the land of Palestine will miraculously become like the Garden of Eden.
To show that all this takes place in probationary time let us take a look at the following verses of the same chapter.
Eze. 36:36-38 -- “Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.”
Before God brings this world to an end, He will let the heathen know that He is God. To do this he will manifest a little of His creative powers to defy the evolutionists who have taken over the world. Notice also that when this Edenic state is recreate, probation is not yet closed. It will be the time for the Ingathering of the Great Multitude. All God's people will be protected and fed when the seven last plagues will be falling. Why do you think that when the 6th plague begins to fall that all the great men are being gathered at Armageddon to fight? The Spirit of Prophecy says that the wicked will blame the saints for the plagues that are falling on them.
Let us read carefully the following verses on the same subject of restoration and see what is common about them.
Eze. 37:15-22, 24,25 “The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in Thine hand. And when the children of they people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in Thine hand before their eyes.
“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. ... And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statues, and do them.
And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.”
Hosea 3:4, 5 -- “For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim. Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.”
Eze. 34:11-13, 23, 24 -- “For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. ... And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.”
Have you seen what is common about these Scriptures just quoted? Let us continue:
Jer. 30: 1- 9 -- “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.”
As we review Jacob’s experience we see where he stole Esau’s birthright, then fled to Padanaram, and after becoming rich the Lord instructed him to return to his father’s land. On his way back home, he was informed that Esau was before him and Laban was behind; He was in great fear. On his way back to Palestine he had an encounter with an angel who he thought was an enemy. He struggled all night with this supposed foe and finally realized it was the Lord. This struggle was called, ‘Jacob’s Time of Trouble.’ How perfect are the Scriptures! Here we are told that just before modern Israel returns to the promised land they too will have a Time of Trouble brought upon them by their uncle Laban and their brother Esau.
This represents persecution that will be brought upon the remnant people of God by their own brethren and also the civil authorities. But praise the Lord He has promised us deliverance from our anguish and pain. All these profound Scriptures are proclaiming far and near that the time is at hand for the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom.
During this short stay in Palestine, prior to going to Heaven, the Lord is to appoint a prophet– antitypical David. This will be a manifestation of God’s power and glory to the universe just prior to the falling of the seven last plagues and Christ’s coming. There are some who have the religious belief of this restoration but they put it in the time of the millennium. As we know the earth is void of human occupancy and activities during this 1000 years.
What prophecy are the Jews fulfilling in their returning to Palestine since 1948?
Let us hear from Zephaniah on this point.
Zeph. 2:1, 2 -- “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.”
Let us note that the nation in question is to gather itself together; that she is not desired; that the anger of the Lord is to fall upon her; and that she is to gather herself together before the decree brings forth and before the anger of the Lord falls upon her.
What makes this nation gather together? --
Certainly not the decree and not the Lord’s anger, for these are to come upon her after she gathers together. The “decree” certainly cannot be the beast’s decree, for there is not even a thought in the scripture that would so indicate; but it certainly points out that the decree is none other than the Lord’s decree -- the fierce anger of the Lord in the day that passes as chaff.
According to the verse that follows, this undesirable nation’s gathering together, is a sign post to God’s people, urging them to continue seeking Him so much the more:
Zeph. 2:3 -- “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
When this Judgment-bound nation begins together then it is, if never before, that the meek of the earth needs to seek meekness.
The meek of the earth are those who have wrought the Lord’s judgments, who have proclaimed the message of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. They are His people, His church. The nation that is not desired, therefore, is one people, and the meek of the earth, the church, those who are hid in the day of the Lord’s anger are another people. The one is gathering together, the other is seeking meekness. Definitely, then, the “nation” of verses 1 and 2 is not His church, but the people of verse three are His people, His church.
Let us now read verses 1 and 2 connectively with verses 4 and 5, omitting verse 3, the verse which has reference to the church.
Zeph. 2:1, 2, 4, 5 --”Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you.... For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the Word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.” The fourth verse definitely implies that the “nation” is to gather together in the cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron, in the land of the Philistines, in the land of Canaan -- in Palestine.
In view of the fact that this Scripture is now being unfolded, and also the fact that there is but one people, one nation (the descendants of the ancient scribes, priests, and Pharisees who rejected the Lord and who have not even to this day accepted Him, that are hardly desired anywhere in the world) that is now doing all she can to gather together in Palestine -- in view of all this, the present-day Jews are that undesired nation. Upon her, therefore, the Lord’s anger is to fall if she continues to deny Christ. Yes, the universally hated Jew is the only nation that has been scattered throughout the Gentile world, and is the only one that is now gathering together in Palestine.
“At the time when Jerusalem was destroyed and the temple in ruins, many thousands of the Jews were sold to serve as bondmen in heathen lands. Like wrecks on a desert shore, they were scattered among the nations. For eighteen hundred years the Jews have wandered from land to land throughout the world, and in no place have they been given the privilege of regaining their ancient prestige as a nation. Maligned, hated, persecuted, from century to century theirs has been a heritage of suffering.” Gospel Workers, p. 397.
Matt. 27:20, 23-25 -- “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
Moreover, in these verses, two truths stand out clearly: (1) that in vain the Jews seek to establish themselves in the Promised Land; (2) that we who are bearing the message of the great and dreadful day of the Lord are counseled to seek meekness and righteousness, for thus only shall we “be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger,” that is, merely to bear knowledge of the message will not save us, there should be corresponding deeds with it.
Let us now connect verse 3 with verses 6 and 7, the verses that are applicable to the people of God, the meek.
Zeph. 2:3, 6, 7 -- “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.... And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.”
Now, the fact that the Lord is to destroy all the inhabitants in the land of the Philistines (Zeph. 2:5), and at the same time make it dwellings for “shepherds, and folds for flocks,” shows that He is first to drive out of the land all the wicked, all those who are not seeking meekness, then He is to set up the “house of Judah” in it.
Let us summarize some of the things we have been studying so far.
Since 1948 the Jews from all over the world have been gathering together in Palestine and have been occupying Arab lands which led to a continual bloody conflict in the region. According to Joel 3 a call is to be made to all nations to arm themselves.
The next great event is World War III that will be centered in the Mideast. The root of this war is the 2500 years of conflict between the seed of Jacob and the seeds Ismael, Isaac, Lot (Israeli and Arabs). This will spread until the whole world will be involved or affected. The United States alliance with Israel has, and will continue to provoke the Arabs.
By the USA and her allies allying themselves with the Jews, they will eventually share in the wrath of God that will be poured out upon them. In this war God is to intervene against Assyria to humble her and her allies militarily. This humiliation will thus draw Assyria to God. Many will be brought to repentance through humiliation and will be saved in God’s eternal Kingdom. During this war a final call will be made to God’s church (the SDA) for a “revival and reformation.” This will result in God’s sealing the 144,000 first fruits, then He will endow them with Pentecostal Power to proclaim the Loud Cry of the Third Angel’s Message to the rest of the world. According to Zechariah 14: 1, 2, Jerusalem will eventually be taken by its enemy. Immediately thereafter, God will interpose against the victors by bringing upon them a flesh consuming plague which will clear the land of those warring elements. This plague will also cause them to kill their own men.
Note: When we say “this war” we are not positively referring to the present war against the terrorists, although it may eventually lead up to the complete fulfillment of the prophecy; but instead we are referring to the war of Zech. 14.
God will then restore the land to an Edenic condition, and will gather all the saints from the four corners of the earth into the Holy Land. There they will live in peace for a short time before Christ’s return. Let us note at this point that the Promised Land, according to Genesis 15:18 stretches from the River Euphrates to the River of Egypt. That means, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, are also in the Promised Land.
Gen. 15: 18 -- “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
The magnitude of what God is about to do we cannot comprehend or even imagine. The present war is just a precursor of these great events. In the midst of all this crisis God’s people who are proclaiming this unpopular message will incur the wrath of many in the church and in the world. This will bring upon them a time of trouble symbolized by “Jacob’s Time Of Trouble.” They are admonished by the Lord not to fear because God will deliver them.
GOG AND MAGOG
The nations that shall refuse to be converted to the Lord (Gog and Magog) will become jealous of the saints and shall marshal their forces together to launch an aerial attack (as a cloud) upon the newly established Kingdom, but little will they know that the saints have an invisible impenetrable protection.
Eze. 38:8, 11, 12, 14, 16 -- “After many days thou shall be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Therefore, son of man, prophecy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.”
We notice here that when the saints shall have returned to the Holy Land there will be wicked men who will want to launch an aerial attack (as a cloud) upon the place, not knowing that the saints will be under divine protection.
Isa. 31: 5 “As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.”
Zech. 2: 4, 5 “And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.”
Further Proof Of The Peaceful Restoration: At the time that these rebellious nations choose to attack the restored Kingdom, God will manifest His power in a way that it will be felt world wide. This will bring us to the time of the plagues just prior to the saints being taken to heaven to spend the millennium (1000 years) with the Lord.
Ezekiel 38: 18- 23 -- “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, [that] my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy [and] in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that [are] upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.”
We notice again that the Lord’s weapon against His enemies is to let them kill themselves as was seen in Gideon’s case and the forthcoming war in Jerusalem. Manifestly clear, He allows all these things to take place, so that the nations can acknowledge that He is the Creator and Redeemer. Wonderful indeed is God’s plan to finally glorify His name. No doubt you may be concluding that these are strange unpopular doctrines. The good news is that it is written in the Holy Scriptures. If we are wrong on these Scriptures, please give us some better explanation. Be reminded of the following quotation;
“There is yet much precious truth to be revealed to the people in this time of peril and darkness, but it is Satan’s determined purpose to prevent the light of truth from shining into the hearts of men. If we would have the light that has been provided for us, we should show our desire for it by diligently searching the word of God. Precious truths that have long been in obscurity are to be revealed in a light that will make manifest their sacred worth; for God will glorify His word, that it may appear in a light in which we have never before beheld it.” -- Counsels on Sabbath School Work p. 26
One may refuse to believe that men cannot live in peace on the earth before the earth is made new. I want you to carefully take note of the amount of times the Lord has repeated Himself concerning this subject. Let us now turn to Isaiah chapter 11 for more light on this subject.
DO NOT FORM AN ALLIANCE WITH THE WORLD
What stand should God’s people take when the nations are forming coalitions and arming themselves for war?
A Warning Comes To Us From Isaiah:
Isa. 8:9-13 -- “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”
With World War I we began to hear serious proposals for the associating of nations into a single league. Today the proposal is revived, and efforts are being made toward forming a strong and workable union of nations. Indeed, not only is the idea of international federation growing more and more prevalent, but in the minds of many great men, there is the positive conviction that the successful continuance of their nation’s way of life is utterly dependent upon the closest association and cooperation of all those nations which share their way of life.
The warning given in this chapter to nations and peoples is not to associate and gird themselves or take counsel together, as it would only come to naught.
Isa. 8:10 -- “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word and it shall not stand: for God is with us.”
God’s people take a strong and independent attitude because they believe that God is with them. Most human beings are somewhat like Peter. We have great faith until we meet face to face a trial. When the trial here prophesied comes, though, God’s people must know that God is with them, and they must firmly stand on His side. Through this verse we are made to understand the real reason for the certain failure of the nations in their attempt to obviate the fulfillment of their fears. God is not with them. It becomes distinctly apparent, therefore, that it is the pressing duty of every God-fearing country and individual sincerely to seek God’s will and be with Him, if we are to survive and prosper.
Isa. 8:11, 12 -- “For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.”
God’s people are not only commanded not to participate in the confederacy, but they are to oppose it “to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy.”
“Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” It is upon the root of some fear that the confederacy is formed. But that which constitutes their fear is not to constitute the fear of God’s people.
Isa. 8:13 -- “Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”
God alone is to be revered; God alone is to be feared and dreaded. If there were no possibility for fear at the fulfillment of this chapter, there would be no need for this reassurance and instruction. It is indicative of the fact that God’s People will see themselves absolutely helpless, and they will appear helpless to all others. Then they will receive deliverance from God, and all will behold it.
Isa. 8:15 -- “And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.”
This prophecy declares that the confederacy will be a snare -- a trap -- and that many will fall and be taken in it. It will be a fearful trap and will separate God’s people. Thus is the Lord going to test all His people and let them reveal just how much faith each of them has. In the face of this warning, we must make the necessary preparation so that we will not fall into the snare. God has clearly forewarned His people so that they will not be taken by surprise.
All those who are not expecting the confederacy, but instead are expecting next the reassertion of Roman church supremacy or the battle of Armageddon or something else are going to fall into this snare, for it will appear to them harmless and perhaps even a good thing. But it will be their trap.
The nations have many fears. They fear Nuclear Bombs, Chemical and Biological Bombs, Financial Security, Terrorists Airplanes etc. Fear will be one of our greatest enemies as the crisis progress.
Luke 21:25, 26, 32 -- “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” We shall now endeavor to show you that before the rise of ancient Babylon there was an empire called Assyria with its capital city, Nineveh along the River Tigris in Iran. This power collapsed before the rise of Babylon. Likewise, before the rise of antitypical Babylon of Revelation chapters 17 and 18 (the Image of the Beast), there is an antitypical Assyria that is to go down. As you meditate on these unfamiliar Scripture you will see that the mighty USA/England and their allies is to be brought low by God’s intervention and not by the hand of some mighty nation. All this God allows in an endeavor to save humanity from their sins, and like Nebuchadnezzar, they will be led to acknowledge God as the Creator and Redeemer.
Now let us get our Bibles and follow as we dig deep into the mine of truth to acquire some extra oil that the wise virgins will need to carry them all the way.
THE PREDICTED FALL OF ANTITYPICAL ASSYRIA
The Past
“Among the cities of the ancient world in the days of divided Israel one of the greatest was Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian realm. Founded on the fertile bank of the Tigris, soon after the dispersion from the tower of Babel, it had flourished through the centuries until it had become `an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.’ Jonah 3:3. PK, p. 265.
The Present And The Future
Isa. 31:5, 6 -- “As birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem, defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it. Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.” God is calling for reformation in a people other than the ancient children of Israel who have deeply revolted against God.
Isa. 31:7, 8 -- “For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin. Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.”
The Assyrian will fall by a sword which God Himself shall send. Assyria will not fall by a mean man. His fall will come under circumstances that will clearly show that God caused it to happen.
When ancient Israel fell it was God who brought it; it was God who was responsible for it. So it will be also with Assyria unless she, too, turns to God. Moreover, it is a vain thing for them to look to some other nation for help. None can stay God’s punishment. Only God can help at such a time.
Isa. 31:9 -- “And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.”
As you will later see more clearly, this verse proves that the fall of Assyria under discussion is not talking about ancient Assyria. So far, there is no clear indication as to who this antitypical Assyria is. All we know so far is that, there is an antitypical Assyria to fall when God’s people cast away their idols.
Why should the fall of Assyria be of importance to God’s people at this time?
Jer. 30:3-8 -- “For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him.”
Here is brought to view the antitypical Time of Jacob’s Trouble. Notice that God will deliver His people from this trouble by breaking His yoke from off their neck. Who is this person or power whose yoke will be broken to relieve God’s people during this terrible ordeal?
Isa. 14:24-27 -- “The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”
It is from the Assyrian yoke that Jacob (God’s latter people) is to be made free. In freeing Jacob, let it be noted that God will break this antitypical Assyria in the Holy Land. Let us remember that the Land of Promise lies between the River Euphrates and the River Nile. (Genesis 15: 18- 21) Let us now turn to the prophet Zephaniah to see who Antitypical Assyria is.
THE FATE OF ASSYRIA’S CAPITAL CITY
Chapter 3 of Zephaniah is what we intend to study, but we will first go to a few verses from Chapter 2 (last part) to get some back ground information.
Zeph. 2:12, 13 -- “This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts. The Lord will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen. Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by My sword. And He will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.”
Zeph. 2:14 -- “And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her [in Nineveh], all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds; for He shall uncover the cedar work.”
Zeph. 2:15 -- “This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.”
The capital city of Assyria is to become a desolation. This Nineveh is evidently the antitype of ancient Nineveh, as is the Babylon of The Revelation the antitype of ancient Babylon.
Let us now turn to Zephaniah 3, and begin with the first verse.
A PREDICTION ABOUT ASSYRIA AND THE CHURCH OF GOD
Zeph. 3: 1 -- “Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!”
The antecedent of the pronoun “her” is found in the thirteenth verse of the preceding chapter. In it is seen that the “city” here pointed out is Nineveh, the capital city of ancient Assyria. Now to ascertain whether this Nineveh is actually the capital city of ancient Assyria or of some other Assyria, we shall study the remaining verses of the chapter.
Zeph. 3: 2 -- “She obeyed not the Voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.” This verse points out the fact that the city and nation here mentioned had the privilege of hearing the voice of Inspiration, of knowing God’s Truth, but has failed to take heed -- received not correction, trusted not in the Lord, drew not near to her God.
Zeph. 3: 3 -- “Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.”
Her princes, being like roaring lions, must be frightful persons who evidently think “might makes right.” Her judges are, as it were, evening wolves; that is, they are in business, not to execute judgment, justice, and righteousness, but to catch and tear, to fill their den with prey although they may have more than they know what to do with.
“They gnaw not the bones till the morrow.”
Zeph. 3: 4 -- “Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.”
In the language of today this verse would read, “Her teachers are light-hearted, not serious and sober-minded; they are trifling; they are of no account; they are treacherous persons. Her ministers, rather than having kept the church clean, have polluted it, and have done violence to the law” (have declared It void).
Thus far is seen that the Assyria of this chapter represents a people who have been well instructed in the things of God, the law and the sanctuary.
But instead of obeying the Lord and ruling justly and righteously, they have greatly transgressed, have gone down into sin as deep as any people can possibly go.
Zeph. 3:5 -- “The just Lord is in the midst thereof; He will not do iniquity: every morning doth He bring His judgment to light, He faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.”
In view of the fact that God is in the midst of them, they must be well informed in the things of God, well aware that in due season He makes known to them His judgment. In view of all these, the only possible conclusion one can come to, is that God’s church must be in their midst.
Zeph. 3:6-8 -- “I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. I said, Surely thou wilt fear Me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings. Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them Mine indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.”
The Lord Himself warns that He has cut off nations, that He has made their towers desolate and their streets waste, that He has destroyed their cities and has left no inhabitants in them. He points out that all this He did as an object lesson for future good, so that they as a nation might fear Him and receive instruction, that their dwellings not be cut off. But in spite of these examples, they rise early and corrupt all their doings. So it is that at long last the Lord arises to the prey, gathers the nations, assembles the kingdoms, and Assyria gets her punishment.
From this we see that the Assyria under discussion exists in the time of the end, the time in which the great and dreadful day of the Lord takes place. This Assyria, therefore, is an antitype of ancient Assyria just as the Babylon of Revelation 17 and 18 is an antitype of ancient Babylon.
Assyria, charges Inspiration, is a rejoicing city that dwells carelessly, that says in her heart, “I am, and there is none beside me.” (Zeph. 2:15). Which nation or power in these last days speaks like this? There is only one super-power of the day.
At this point let us pause a moment and summarize the characteristics by which this modern Assyria is to be identified. (1) As man looks at things, she is so great that there is none like her. She is well instructed in the things of God. (2) She is oppressive, a hard ruling nation. (3) She has polluted the sanctuary and has declared the law of God void. (4) She has piled up wealth by going after it as an evening wolf goes after its prey. (5) She harbors the church of God. (6) She exists in the time the Lord is to manifest His power and destroy all the wicked nations. (7) She is an Assyria-like nation, widespread, a nation of conquests.
There is but one people under the sun that answers to all these descriptions, and that people is, of course, the English-speaking people, in whose midst is the church, and from whose midst the Gospel and the Bible flow out to all nations. As clear as language can make it, the burden of the prophet Zephaniah is for the English-speaking Christian world. (Chiefly the USA and England).
God is now saying to Assyria’s capital city, “Indeed, you are doing all these abominations, but you will not thus continue long. The time is at hand.” Put a stop to your absurdities.
Zeph. 3:9 -- “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.”
Inspiration for certainty declares that after Assyria receives her punishment, and after the wicked are taken out of His church, then will the Gospel be proclaimed in a pure language (in pure Gospel Truth) that whosoever will, may call upon the name of the Lord, “to serve Him” with heart and soul. Then it is that “only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will have a right to proclaim it [Third Angel’s Message] when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry.” -- “Review and Herald,” Nov. 19, 1908.
THE FALL OF ASSYRIA
Nah. 2: 3, 4 -- “The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”
Since this prophecy meets its fulfillment in the day when the chariots are with “flaming torches”; when they run like lightning; when they jostle one against another in the highways and in the broadways, and since the automotive traffic of today completely and perfectly answers the prophet’s description of it, then there is no other conclusion but that the day in which we are now living is the day in which Nahum’s prophecy is to be fulfilled.
Now, in view of the truth that we are living in such a period as described by Nahum, together with the fact that preparations for Nahum’s war are made during a time of such lightning-like travel, the evidence clearly stands out that Nahum’s prophecy is to meet its fulfillment in our day, and that the “Assyria” here in prophecy, therefore, is not ancient Assyria, but another widespread power that exists “in the time of the end” (Dan. 12:9, 10) the time in which its yoke is removed from God’s people. This yoke is not fully put on God’s people as yet, but the great fear that will evolve from the crises will lead to many rules and regulations that will affect and restrict the freedom of God’s people.
Moreover, since this antitypical Assyria’s fall liberates God’s people, and since from then on the wicked no longer pass through their midst, the time and the events are solidly clinched: All these predictions come to pass in the time of the purification of the church, in the Judgment day of the living, during the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
ASSYRIA FALLS BY GOD’S INTERVENTION
Isa. 30:30, 31 -- “And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.”
Nahum makes clear that in this conflict God interposes against Assyria, and that as a result she is unable to withstand him who “dasheth in pieces.” Having set Himself to humble her, He therefore strengthens the arms of her enemy. Accordingly, Assyria falls, not because she is weak and small nor because she is out-numbered and out-matched, but because God’s purpose determines her downfall. In other words, the coalition which may have the greater resources and man-power, and which from the human point of view may seem sure to win, is in this case sure to lose out finally.
Their safety, however, does not depend on fear and armament, nor on the man we elect for president, but on God, on Him Who holds the earth in space, and Who still rules the affairs of mankind. From the dawn of history till today the great nations that have fallen, fell when they were best armed and most independent of God. This should be a great lesson to all, but who realizes it!
Such is the ironic pattern of history. Always has God visited judgment upon enlightened nations or peoples who have become so self-righteous and self-sufficient that their lights have gone out and their works become wicked and hypocritical. Ever has He punished them by the sword of the unenlightened and outright wicked barbarian. This He does for two reasons: first, that they might see the folly of professing themselves to be a righteous people, when they are in fact worse than barbarians; and second, that while these hypocritical ones are thereby led to repent, their conquerors may thereby be led to see that their victory is not of their own strength. Thus both victor and vanquished are brought to a place where they may surrender to God and give glory to Him.
THE TRANSITION THE LAMB LIKE BEAST SPEAKING LIKE A DRAGON
In the days Christ Jerusalem was control by Rome, during which time it was referred to as PAGAN ROME. Rome later lost out militarily at hands of the BARBARIANS and she came back into power and influence by adopting a church and state system called the Papacy, which lasted for 1260 years, from 538 ad to 1798. Since then we are living in multi- sectarian world, with the USA now being the the number one super power acting as the world police. Prophecy is now predicting her military humiliation not at the hand of another more powerful nation but at the hand of God HIMSELF. After this experience she will institute a church and state system similar to the PAPACY in the dark age.
“When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism.” --Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 712
“By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near”. -- Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 451
CATHOLICS AND LUTHERANS RELEASE ‘DECLARATION ON THE WAY’ TO FULL UNITY
October 30, 2015, WASHINGTON—
Drawing on 50 years of national and international dialogue, Lutherans and Catholics together have issued the “Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist,” a unique ecumenical document that marks a pathway toward greater visible unity between Catholics and Lutherans. The October 30 release of the document comes on the eve of the anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting the 95 Theses, which sparked the Protestant Reformation.
“Pope Francis in his recent visit to the United States emphasized again and again the need for and importance of dialogue. This Declaration on the Way represents in concrete form an opportunity for Lutherans and Catholics to join together now in a unifying manner on a way finally to full communion,” said Bishop Denis J. Madden, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Catholic co-chair of the task force creating the declaration.”
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