This book is the eleventh of my father's books, written in 2015. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.
Acknowledgements 
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023
First of all we acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ, without Whose presence we could never write anything of value. He is the only true Author. We are deeply indebted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for allowing us to experience and understand a small measure of His Truth, as written in the Word and as revealed by the Holy Spirit. NO man can understand the Word of God or the ways of God unless they are revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Unless the Holy Spirit reveals His meaning and significance to both the reader and the writer, then all the words in the world simply amount to a collection of information. Therefore we pray that the Holy Spirit will quicken to any and every reader that which He desires to impart. More importantly, may the Spirit of God make His Word to become flesh within each of us as we cooperate with Him.
Next, I acknowledge my wonderful wife, Linda, for her many years of faithfulness to the Lord and to me. She has always encouraged and supported me to press on in everything, particularly during the times of my discouragement. She also gave me her valuable comments for improvement of all of these books.
I also want to acknowledge Marion Fretwell, a precious fellow servant and bondservant of the Lord. Before Marion went to be with the Lord a few months ago, at the age of 97, a number of revelations that he received from the Lord, particularly concerning the Day of Atonement, helped to spark the writing of this book. He recorded some of his revelations in his book, “The Day of Atonement: Proclaim Liberty” (now out of print). Although we met only twice in the past 21 years (primarily because he lived on the West coast), Marion and I were, and will be, eternally linked together. All believers are joined together in Christ, but the arm has a closer relationship to the hand than does the foot.
I make no claim that everything contained in this book is the absolute truth of God; it is simply my understanding based on that which I have received at this point in life.
I seriously doubt that any human being understands everything in the Bible, particularly when it comes to all of the many Scriptures which speak of end-time events. We have heard and/or read expositions or exegeses concerning end-time events that range from “A” to “Z” and everything in-between. But as I heard my fellow servant Marion once say, “I believe my opinion is as good as that of anyone else.” Of course, I would never print any book unless I believed that everything contained herein is the truth of God … as revealed to me at this point in time.
I also acknowledge my maternal grandmother, who, like Hannah, prayed earnestly for a son. She never had a natural son, but I was the first grandson.
All verses quoted herein are taken from the Authorized or King James' version, except as specifically noted at the appropriate places.
Permission is freely given to anyone to copy all or parts of this book and to distribute this word in any way that you desire to whomever you desire, PROVIDED that you do so without any monetary remuneration. The word of God is free. "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
The Unfolding: Volume 11
This book is the eleventh in a series of books centered upon the unfolding of the word of God and the revelation or manifestation or unfolding of His great grace and glory.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
God has revealed more of Himself and His word over the years. But there is coming a time when God is going to roll everything back up into Himself. A possible analogy is that of unrolling a scroll so as to read what is written thereon and then rolling the scroll back up. That was the inspiration for the front and back covers of this book and for all the volumes in this series of books.
And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll ... Isaiah 34:4
God's purpose is to manifest His glory. Everything is designed to show forth the glory of God.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5
Some verses that clearly show that God has chosen to reveal more of Himself and His word over a period of time are:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. 1 Peter 1:20
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. Ephesians 3:5
God's revelation, by His Spirit, is not simply TO us, but WITHIN us. The Word of God must become flesh. For example,
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27
There is still more that God intends to reveal of His glory.
Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. John 12:28
But there will come a time when God folds everything back up. Many believers sense the folding up is near at hand.
And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed ...
Hebrews 1:12
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:28
The eleven books in this series are:
Volume 1: The Love of a Man for His Wife
Volume 2: In the Beginning
Volume 3: A Sure Foundation
Volume 4: Let Us Go On
Volume 5: Children Have You Any Meat?
Volume 6: Discerning Things That Differ
Volume 7: The Last Joel
Volume 8: Marriage Principles for Christians: A Journey of Love
Volume 9: Restoration
Volume 10: The He Goats Before the Flocks
Volume 11: Understanding the Times
About 100 years ago my maternal grandmother wrote in her Bible, “Lord, let me create hunger in their hearts; for until they hunger they cannot be fed.” How true! If we are not hungry for natural food, we will probably not eat. If we are not hungry spiritually, we will probably just continue in the status quo and build here three tabernacles. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Hopefully, some morsel in this book will prompt a few souls to cry out to the Lord and say, “Help, Lord! Increase my hunger and thirst after You!” No matter where we are in our walk with Him, there is always much more.
We hope this book will clarify somewhat the events that will occur in the end times, in which we live, and our responsibilities. All of the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation, speaks of the Kingdom of God, speaks of the coming of the Lord, and speaks of the spiritual fulfillment of all seven of the major Jewish feasts. As the Lord allowed me to write this, I was daily amazed at the richness of the Word of God, of which there is no end.
May the Lord bless you as you read and meditate on Understanding the Times. And may the Spirit of God quicken to you the spirit in which this book was written.
Chapter 1
The Need to Understand the Times
1a Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,
1b how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many [most] of them God was not well pleased [did not approve]: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil [depraved, worthless] things, as they also lusted [desired, set their heart upon].
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11a Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples
11b and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [ages] are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 1 Corinthians 10:1-15
Verse 1a:
Note the word, “moreover.” There are no Chapters in the Greek texts. To see what “moreover” refers to, we must go back a few Verses.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate [exercises self-control] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway [rejected for the prize]. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul is contrasting a natural race and natural boxing with the spiritual race and spiritual boxing that is set before all believers. Who is the “One” who receives the prize? only the Lord. Paul is not saying that he runs in the race and fights the good fight of faith in order that he might obtain an incorruptible crown. That would be totally contradictory to both what he is saying here and in Romans 9:3 – “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Paul’s only purpose was to glorify the Lord … that the Lord might be glorified through his life. In order to do that, Paul says he “keeps under his body.” He exercises self-control; he does not let his fleshly desires usurp the will of God. He brings his will into subjection to the will of God. That is also why Paul could tell the saints at Philippi, “follow me” or follow my example (Philippians 3:17). So the “moreover” is a continuation of this same attitude, and the Verses in 1 Corinthians 10 are an exhortation to, “Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
The Apostle Paul said, six different times, “I would not that ye should be ignorant” (Romans 1:13, Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 2 Corinthians 1:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13). To whom did Paul say that? to born-from-above, Spirit-filled Christians of his time, our time, and all of time. The Apostle Peter said the same thing in 2 Peter 3:18. That makes seven times. “Seven” in Scripture represents completeness or perfection. Whenever any word in Scripture is repeated two or three times, we need to pay particular attention. But for a word to be repeated seven times … well, we dare not brush it aside.
Now no man, at least in the natural realm, likes to be called “ignorant.” It is a rather harsh-sounding word which bruises our ego. “Ignorance” implies a lack of knowledge of something or someone. From Scripture, the word also can imply a dislike, disinterest, or unwillingness to learn. Today, a great multitude of born-from-above, Spirit-filled Christians can quote many Scriptures and have heard and read many things about the Bible. We have become super-saturated with Christian books, tapes, videos, “prophetic” conferences, and DVDs, in addition to our regular Sunday morning messages from our pastors and ministers. As a result, in some cases we tend to develop an “I know that” mentality. I doubt that there has ever been another human being who has received as much revelation as the Apostle Paul. Yet Paul said, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). Paul also said,
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:12-14
Once we are born from above and baptized into the Holy Spirit, we have no excuse for our ignorance. We can always ask the Lord to give us His knowledge and wisdom about anything. But that means we must hear the voice of the Lord for ourselves, which has become somewhat of a lost art. Further,
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:14
Peter and John may well have been ignorant in the ways of the world, but “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
Many years ago, a man named Asaph wrote 12 of the Psalms (Psalm 50 and 73-83). David called Asaph “the seer” (2 Chronicles 29:30). Listen to what Asaph said of himself.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:21-26
Let me be the first to say that I feel very ignorant. A number of significant truths in the Word of God were relatively unknown to me until recently. I am sure there are many more truths of which I am still ignorant.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2
Verse 1b – Verse 4:
Perhaps the first thing we should notice about the Verses in 1 Corinthians 10 is the five “alls.” The number “five” speaks of the grace of God. When time is no more, no one will be able to say to the Lord, “You never gave me a chance.”
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:11-12
The chosen people of God were all under God’s leadership and guidance when they came out of bondage in Egypt. His guidance never failed them. He led them through the sea. They were all baptized unto Moses; they all submitted to Moses, God’s appointed leader. This baptism depicted their submission to Moses as their deliverer and leader, just as Christian baptism should acknowledge the believers’ submission to Christ as Savior and Lord. The manna and the water from the rock foreshadow the spiritual sustenance that God continually provides for His people. Christ, of course, is the bread of life and the water of life.
Verses 5 - 10:
After being delivered from Egypt, after seeing the miracles, after seeing that the Lord never failed them, after they trusted in the leadership provided through Moses, after receiving the manna and the water from the rock that the Lord provided, it is rather amazing that most of God’s people later turned their backs on Him. Of the adults who came out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the promised land.
Those Verses outline five specific reasons why the Lord was displeased with, and overthrew, all but two of the adults. But we could categorize all five into one category … self, seeking after something for me. “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8). What is the first (and by implication the most important) of the ten commandments? “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). The biggest and most dangerous god for man, including you and me, is my SELF! “Self” kept hundreds of thousands of God’s chosen people out of the promised land (which speaks of the Kingdom of God), even though they had been sovereignly delivered from the bondage of Egypt (born from above). God is no respecter of persons. What happened to those Jews in the time of Moses can and will happen to His chosen people today unless we are very diligent.
24 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16: 24-26
Verse 11a:
Both Verse 6 and the first part of Verse 11 declare that what happened to God’s chosen people when they came out of Egypt are examples and written for our admonition, such that, hopefully, we do not make the same mistakes. But human nature has never changed.
Verse 12:
This Verse seems to counter the “All is well” attitude. “All is well” occurs two times in Scripture (2 Samuel 18:28 and 2 Kings 5:22). In neither case was all well … just the opposite. This Verse also should help to instill the Scriptural, holy fear of God within us. For many long years now I have been very aware that when it comes to Christ and His Word, I know very, very little. Paul said,
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 1 Corinthians 14:37-38
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
“If any man think …” Paul addresses that phrase three times (only to the Church at Corinth) … the two above and 1 Corinthians 7:36. Why only to the Church at Corinth? Because they were carnal, using their natural minds to seek after things of self. That phrase therefore applies to any and all believers who try to function in the same manner as did the Church at Corinth. I have heard a few professing Christians say, “Well, why did God give us a mind if He didn’t want us to use it?” True statement, but what is it that we should think about? something for me? my retirement income? or a myriad of things for me? Jesus and Paul both talked about that. See Matthew 6:25-32, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, Philippians 4:8, and others.
If you want to listen to some good music, go to www.vevo.com and type in “Sinner Saved by Grace,” Then click on the Bill Gaither version. The second verse is particularly good. The words are:
How could I boast of anything I've ever seen or done?
How could I dare to claim as mine the victories God has won?
Where would I be had God not brought me gently to this place?
I'm here to say I'm nothing but a sinner saved by grace.
Verse 13:
This Verse resounds with the grace of God and the faithfulness of God. We have no excuse. We MUST trust Him, for He is the only Faithful One.
Verse 14:
Flee from idolatry. The definition of idolatry is anything that reduces that which should be spiritual to the natural realm. The biggest threat for a believer when it comes to idolatry is SELF. “Self” includes using our natural minds to reason out things. A big temptation for believers is to try to reduce Scripture to the natural realm so that we can understand with our natural minds. That process will get us very quickly into a big swamp of misunderstanding concerning the things of the Kingdom of God. The real meaning of Scripture must be revealed to our spirit from the Holy Spirit … revelation knowledge. We believe that “flee from idolatry” refers not only to what has just preceded in Scripture but also to what follows.
Verse 11b:
Every generation needs to know about the end of the ages, especially us upon whom the end of the ages has come. Signs are being unfolded before our very eyes. The complete unfolding of the age will stretch our imaginations. More change is coming, both in the world and in the Church. When we see these things come to pass, we should not be afraid. The intention is for us to know what things will come to pass so that we will NOT be afraid! Further, as long as we are abiding in Christ and physically where the Lord tells us to be, we need not worry or be concerned about anything. Paul said,
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
In the past ten years we have seen a few believers who are hungry for more of the Lord in their lives. Unfortunately, many of them are “members” of a fellowship where they are not being fed the meat of the word, which they desire. We have a word of comfort to all of the hungry believers who are not being fed. If necessary, the Lord will command His ravens to feed you.
Chapter 2
Prerequisites for Understanding the Times
There are a number of prerequisites for any believer to be able to understand the times in which we live. What we present below is not intended to be exhaustive.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men;8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus made Himself of no reputation. Do we dare do any differently? Without meekness and humility, none of us will get very far as a servant of the Lord. Those two qualities MUST be wrought within us by the working of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,
I am meek and lowly [humble] in heart. Matthew 11:29
Meekness and humility are not the same. Meekness is a quality of spirit. The word meek means gentle, mild, kind, or forbearing. It speaks of a broken spirit. As one good brother put it, “It is a spirit in which all the fight has been taken out - no more retaliation, self-defensiveness, or revenge. We are not born meek. We have to be divinely processed.” Meek is not the same as weak. Meekness is the power of God which I allow to control my spirit and soul. Humility is a quality of the mind. It requires a (constant) decision on our part. The standard teaching is that our soul consists of our mind (or intellect, which includes our memory, thinking, and reasoning), our emotions (or feelings), and our will (or decision making capability). Our will MUST be in charge of our mind and emotions, and our will must be subject to His will. Note, in Philippians 2:8 above, that Jesus humbled Himself! Peter said the same thing.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
We must do the same. If we want to be used by God, we must humble our self or else God will humble us through His ways, which will be far less comfortable for us.
As soon as we begin to make a name for our self, even not deliberately, we are subject to increased pressures from the adversary, which will bring us down, unless there has been a deep work by the Holy Spirit within our spirit and soul. That was why the Lord worked on and within Moses for 40 years in the wilderness before He turned him loose to be used to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt. Look at all of the “great” men in the Bible and you will find the same pattern.
14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. Amos 7:14-15
Amos says that he was no prophet, neither was he a prophet’s son. Certainly this reflects a degree of humility on his part. Moreover, Amos’ words reflect one small part of the ways of the Lord. For in every age, including these end times, the Lord has chosen to use unknowns ... a group of nobodies.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
We should be grateful that we are also an unknown. We do not want to have a reputation with men, for if we please men, then we will not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Jeremiah 1:10
Note that the four “negative” functions must be done first. Even Esther was purified with bitter herbs before the sweet herbs (Esther 2:12). In this hour spiritual Zion must do the same before the Lord will return the contents to the ark in the form of Aaron’s rod that budded and the golden pot that had manna. No one can build or plant on debris. You have probably all heard the saying that “Jesus came to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted.” There is much truth to that word.
Another major prerequisite to understanding the times is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. The fear of the Lord seems to be defined in Proverbs.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Jesus said,
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Matthew 10:28-29
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a master, where is My fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name? Malachi 1:6
The last part of that verse clearly points to pure deception. It is more than worthwhile to look up all the verses in the Bible that speak of the fear of the Lord. For example, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the beginning of knowledge, and is a fountain of life. Moreover the fear of the Lord prolongs our days. The fear of the Lord was made flesh in the early disciples. Do our modern-day church communities have that same fear of the Lord or do we come up short?
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts 9:31
The only churches today where the congregation is being multiplied are megachurches. From various internet blogs, in 2011 some 6 million folks attended megachurches, in virtually every country in the world, particularly in Africa. Why are they so popular? From several research studies, “pastors” of megachurches have optimistic messages, sweet-talking, charismatic speakers, rock and roll bands to attract the younger folks, and small groups to fit every “need,” such as knitting and fishing groups. A woman named Eidemiller, after visiting a megachurch for the first time, was quoted as saying, “I had never been in a church with a lobby, welcome desk, café, people at tables having snacks and soft drinks, and a staff of friendly team members smiling and opening doors. It felt like opening night at the movies.” May God have mercy on the leaders of those churches! Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.”
We also need a circumcised ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to us. What man has to say is of little, if any, value.
To whom may I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? Behold their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. Jeremiah 6:10
This is a message for you and me … for every member of the body of Christ. It is for all those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. That which the Lord spoke to Jeremiah, above, in 612 B.C., He is speaking yet once more to every born-from-above Christian.
Chapter 3
What Time Is It?
The basic theme of the Book of Ecclesiastes, of course, is that all of life is meaningless, useless, hollow, futile, and vain if it is not rightly related to God. Only when based on God and His Word is life worthwhile. Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 briefly states the author’s theme. “Vanity” or “vanities” occurs 37 times in Ecclesiastes.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:2-31 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.11 He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh [has done] from the beginning to the end.12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Probably every believer is familiar with the essence of the above verses. Verses 1-8 speak of various times to do some things … things which in the natural realm are quite opposites. Clearly, only the Lord knows when it is time for one thing and then time for the opposite. The first time, the Lord told Moses to smite the rock. The second time, the Lord told Moses to speak to the rock. We all know that Moses disobeyed the word of the Lord the second time. For that action, based on his past experience or tradition, Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land. Therefore it is imperative for us to always hear what the Spirit is saying to us.
In Verse 10, the word “travail,” which occurs 8 times in Ecclesiastes, means “toil that brings about fatigue.” That travail speaks of the works of man but which are not led by the Spirit. But there is a paradox in that we can rest while working if we are led by the Spirit.
Verses 11-15 emphasize the fact that God lives in eternity. Those verses speak of,
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Verse 11 says, “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time.” The first question is, “What is time?” Time had a beginning around 4100 BC and eventually will have an end (1 Corinthians 15:28). Time exists within the eternal infinity that God Himself is. God is not merely looking down the corridors of time to see what happens. He already exists at any point in the human time line at all times. This is why Scripture (Acts 17:26) states that God determines all things. Eternity is not just an extension of time to “infinity.” Time is a creation that God defines as limitations within His infinity.
He is the Alpha and the Omega because God is not subordinate to time. The same principle holds true for knowledge. God is omniscient but we are defined by the limitations of knowledge created in his omniscience. We can only “know” what He reveals to us. God is all powerful or omnipotent; mans’ power is limited within that omnipotence. We receive a portion of His power only if and when He gives it to us. The main purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to receive the power to die to self. God is omnipresent whereas man is defined by the limitations of his presence. Our bodies do not let us extend in all directions for infinity. Everything in our being is simply limitations defined within the infinite. When Jesus came to the earth as a Man, He limited himself to time and all of its limitations.
1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.3 And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. Job 14:1-6
Now we turn to the questions, “What is His time?” and “What time is it?”
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:11-12For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3And sware by Him that liveth for ever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Revelation 10:6
That last verse says that at God’s appointed time, time shall be no more. But what is the time right now? The verses above give a general answer. Whereas it is true that no man knows the day or the hour, Scripture does give us a few clues.
On Saturday, January 20, 2007, my wife and I were very tired from the many ongoing activities so we went to bed early. Later that night we were awakened by the shrill sound of a smoke detector alarm which went off some eight feet from our heads. There are few things so piercing to the ear than the sound of a smoke detector. About 12 hours prior I had replaced the battery in that smoke detector with a new one, and everything had tested normal. Needless to say, when the smoke detector went off I got out of bed and went into the hallway, but there was no fire and no smoke. There was absolutely nothing in the natural realm that would have caused that smoke detector to alarm. I then looked at my watch. The smoke detector had gone off at precisely midnight! It had sounded an alarm twice. The alarm started by itself and then stopped by itself, so I thought. We both thought that was a very strange event, but, being tired, we tried to go back to sleep. I was very restless at that point. Then I heard the Lord speaking to my spirit. The Lord asked me a question, “Why did the smoke detector sound an alarm? And why did it go off at precisely midnight? What is significant about midnight?” Then equally as fast, the Lord answered the question.
Early Sunday morning, January 21, after I got up, I checked the concordance for every occurrence of the word “midnight.” There are 13 such occurrences, 7 in the Old Testament and 6 in the New Testament. Note that the first two, below, describe the same event.
(1) 4 And Moses said, Thus saith the Lord, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon the throne, even unto the first born of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. Exodus 11:4-5(2) And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. Exodus 12:29(3) And Samson lay until midnight, and arose at midnight, and took the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, and put them upon his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of a hill that is before Hebron. Judges 16:3(4) And it came to pass at midnight, that the man [Boaz] was afraid, and turned himself: and behold, a woman [Ruth] lay at his feet. Ruth 3:8(5) And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.
1 Kings 3:20(6) In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. Job 34:20(7) At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. Psalm 119:62(8) 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matthew 25:5-6
(9) Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning. Mark 13:35(10) And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves. Luke 11:5(11) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25(12) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. Acts 20:7(13) But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. Acts 27:27
What I heard from the Lord is as follows. An angel of the Lord had been sent to trigger the alarm to get my attention to the time in which we live. We (you and us and the entire Church) are living in the time of midnight! In 90 A.D., the apostle John wrote,
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:18
If it were the last time in 90 A.D., what is the time now? It is midnight! What happens at midnight? Peter said,
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. 2 Peter 3:10
Paul said,
1 But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Jesus said,
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come. Revelation 3:3Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Revelation 16:15
If we go back and look at the thirteen verses where the word “midnight” occurs and read the context of each one, what do they all have in common? They all speak of deliverance and redemption! And “redemption” speaks of far more than we realize! Jesus said, concerning the end of this age,
25 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;26 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.27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:25-28
Verse 28 clearly states that our redemption does not occur when we are born from above or when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Our redemption is yet to come! Much more on that subject later.
Chapter 4
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
The Handwriting On The WallBelshazzar, the king of Babylon, saw the handwriting on the wall but he could neither read nor interpret it. He saw the fingers of a man’s hand which wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king’s palace (Daniel 5:5-6). It filled him with fear and foreboding. His fears were well-founded! For him, the “days of recompense” were come. Daniel not only read the writing for Belshazzar but also interpreted it (Daniel 5:24-28).
MENE, MENE: means numbered, numbered. Any time any word is repeated in Scripture, it carries great emphasis. The significance is that the days of the king of Babylon are numbered and finished. TEKEL: means weighed. The king of Babylon is weighed in the balances and found wanting. UPHARSIN: (called PERES in Daniel 5:28) means divided or broken. His kingdom was divided.
Amos saw the handwriting on the wall. He read it rightly. He said, “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8). Amos continued, “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth” (Amos 9:8).
Hosea saw the handwriting on the wall. It spoke of judgment swift and sure, deadly and devastating. Hosea saw Israel following a path that could only end in complete destruction (Hosea 2:13, 4:7, 5:4, 5:7, 6:7, 7:13, 9:9, 10:4, 13:2, and many other Scriptures).
And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying ...
2 Chronicles 21:12
The most interesting aspect of what follows the above verse is that the letter came to Jehoram, the king of Judah, long AFTER Elijah had been translated. Elijah saw that some things had been set in motion by Jehoram and Elijah knew the consequences that must follow, barring a sovereign intervention by the Lord, because Elijah knew the ways of the Lord. Elijah saw the handwriting on the wall.
Call the roll of the prophets. Which of the Old Testament prophets did NOT see the handwriting on the wall? Moreover, the messages of the prophets are ageless and timeless, independent of any culture. It was not through the priesthood with its ritual and ceremony that God revealed Himself but through “His servants the prophets.”
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Current Events
“MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN” is current events; it speaks prophetically of the United States right now!
The destruction from hurricane Katrina, ten years ago, in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans, was perhaps the most devastating natural event in the history of the United States. Anyone who has any compassion for those who were disadvantaged must be powerfully moved. But not everyone sees the handwriting on the wall from that judgment. We sincerely doubt whether President Bush or members of Congress saw the significance of Katrina. They saw it only as a horrible natural event. Only the Lord knows how many genuine believers saw Katrina as the handwriting on the wall.
President Bush spoke about rebuilding New Orleans, to restore it into the once proud city that it used to be. That, of course, requires billions and billions of taxpayer dollars. Even in the natural realm, it does not seem wise to pour billions of dollars into rebuilding New Orleans unless the city is moved inland to higher ground. Scripture warns against building our house on sand. Otherwise, after the huge financial effort to rebuild the city, the Lord may send an even worse hurricane to destroy it again. New Orleans, like many other large cities, is full of evil, drugs, darkness, prostitutes, Mardi Gras orgies, crime of every sort, etc.
After 9-11 disaster in New York on September 11, 2001, hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, hurricane Rita in Texas, and all of the other “natural” disasters, is San Francisco the next “sin city” to experience the judgment of God? Only the Lord knows!
The Lord woke me up at 3:30 a.m. on September 3, 2005, and reminded me of the similarity between the New Orleans debacle and what I personally witnessed about ten years prior. A rather large Assembly of God Church, a few miles from where we live, after building a very large church structure decided to add on a full-size gymnasium for their “members.” Of course they had no problem raising the money for such a venture. All went smoothly until they started to put the roof on the gymnasium. Then the Lord sent a very strong wind and blew off many of the shingles and part of the plywood sheathing. Undoubtedly what happened next was that the pastor and the elders met together and determined what to do. They probably rebuked the devil and spent more money to repair the roof. Very shortly after that the Lord sent another strong wind and blew off the roof for a second time. They never got the message! I am sure that it never entered their minds that the gymnasium may have been displeasing to the Lord. So they repaired the roof yet once more! The last thing I heard about that Assembly of God Church was through some Christian friends of ours, who said they stopped going there when the pastor passed the collection plate four times in one service!
The Judgment of God
The Book of Hosea, like most other books in the Bible, is about two things: (1) the judgment of God, which is steadfast and sure to all those who willingly and knowingly disobey Him, and (2) the love of God for His people. God’s wrath can be terrible but His mercy is beyond understanding. God’s love is always extended, for this is His very nature, but His forgiveness is conditioned upon the attitude and response of the sinner. Without repentance and return there can be no forgiveness. God forgives when the conditions of forgiveness are met.
A spirit of complacency rests upon us as a nation which should give us considerable concern. Our resources, our wealth, our military might, our claim to democratic ideals and practices become our boast. Like Israel of old, we assume that God is on our side and that He is bound to protect us and prosper our cause. God bless America (so we can continue to do our own thing)!
Compare Hosea’s day with our own. Replace the altars of Baal with the modern idols of materialism, sensualism, secularism, intellectualism, humanism, religious liberalism, compromise and mixture. We have allowed foreigners who worship other gods to live with us, mix with us, and compromise our original, true, God-centered country. Is there a call to repentance? How long can any nation survive when the foundations are undermined by godless living?
Of course, we should not expect our secular leaders to see the handwriting on the wall. They do not have eyes to see or ears to hear or a heart to understand that which the Lord is about. The trumpet can only be blown in Zion (Joel 2:1, 15) because only those in Zion can hear the trumpet call. Perhaps every person reading this word has, at one time or other, quoted the following verse:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17
The question is, “Is it sufficient to just quote that verse?” Or does the Lord require something more?
Who Is Wise?
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14:9
Hosea emphasizes a number of great truths which stand out clearly. A wise man will take heed to all of these.
1. Idolatry of any sort means the transfer of affection from God to some other object or person, (particularly SELF), and constitutes spiritual adultery. (Hosea 4:12; 9:1)2. Sin carries the seeds of judgment within it and always bears fruit. No one can play with it with impunity. (Hosea 8:7; 10:13)3. God punishes sin ... especially sin in the hearts of His own people. The high privileges which He has bestowed upon them demand a corresponding sense of responsibility on their part. (Hosea 4:1-6)4. There is no easy road to forgiveness and restoration. Only sincere and wholehearted repentance can pave the way to a renewed fellowship. (Hosea 14:1-4)5. National apostasy and idolatry will inevitably mean national disintegration and destruction. (Hosea 9:1-7)6. God will never be satisfied with superficial, formal, external ritual. (Hosea 6:6)7. God’s heart is filled with a tender, gracious, inexhaustible love.(Hosea 2:15, 19-20; 6:4; 11:8; 14:4-8)
Chapter 5
The Time Is Short
But this I say, brethren, the time [or season] is short. 1 Corinthians 7:29
If that word were true when the Apostle Paul wrote it (in 59 A.D.), how much more true is it for us today? The book of 1 Corinthians was the first epistle written by Paul. Seven years later Paul wrote:
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
The book of 2 Timothy was the last epistle written by Paul (in 66 A.D.). Paul indicated in 2 Timothy 4:6 that he knew that the time of his departure was at hand. We assume that most people, when they know their days on earth are coming to an end, would write what they consider to be the most important word possible. So in the last Chapter of the last epistle that Paul wrote, we read those two verses above.
Paul says, “I have fought a good fight.” About one year earlier, Paul had told Timothy (and us) to:
Fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12
In other words, Paul practiced what he preached. It is much easier to have the right words to say than to live those same words. Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy!
Paul said that he had “finished his course.” In other words, he believed he had been faithful to complete the purpose, function, and ministry which had been given to him by the Lord. But Paul did more than simply finish his course. He also said that his desire was to finish his course with joy.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24
Then Paul said that he had “kept the faith,” which is the Greek word pistis, which means the living, Divinely implanted principle. In other words, this was not Paul’s faith in God, but rather the faith of Christ Himself, given to Paul and expressed through him. He kept that faith which had been given to him by the Lord Jesus through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Because Paul had fought a good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith delivered unto him, he said that there was “laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.” It is not our purpose here to speak of righteousness, but perhaps we believers do not ascribe enough emphasis to righteousness, which is almost always the first characteristic spoken of in Scripture.
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17
In Scripture, a “crown” represents that which we have become in Christ. Paul said there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness. ). A literal crown goes on a head. The Lord IS the Head. In other words, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Philippians 1:27), because Christ IS our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30Paul says that the Lord will give him a crown of righteousness at that day. What day is that? The day that the Lord rewards Paul for a life well lived by grace and faith and a ministry well completed (Revelation 22:12) ... the day that the Lord says,
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21
More importantly, that reward does not pertain just to Paul, “but unto all them also that love His appearing.” The word “appearing” is the Greek word epiphaneia, which means “a shining forth upon” or epiphany. This type of appearing usually refers to the return of Christ, but could also be interpreted in strictly a spiritual appearance.
Therefore the verses in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 apply to each one of us as believers. But there are four prerequisites to receiving that crown of righteousness. We must (1) fight a good fight, (2) finish our course, (3) keep the faith, and (4) love his appearing. Although we must choose or make that decision individually, the result still depends upon the great grace and mercy of the Lord.
The Book of Hebrews (which we believe was written by the Apostle Paul), also contains an exhortation for us as believers.
Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin, unto salvation. Hebrews 9:28
The word translated as “appearing” in 2 Timothy 4:8 could possibly be interpreted in strictly a spiritual context. However, the word “appear” in Hebrews 9:28 comes from the Greek word, horao, which means to “perceive with the eyes,” i.e., the natural bodily sight!
Is Jesus, Himself, returning to earth? Yes!
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Only the Father knows precisely when the Lord Jesus will return, but this one thing we DO know:
THE TIME IS SHORT.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:28 For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. Romans 9:27-28
Chapter 6
The Last Days
God’s chosen people have always been interested in when the Lord will return to the earth. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all contain the response of Jesus to the question, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?” If we compare the three accounts carefully, it is clear that there were at least two, and possibly three, separate events, but all in the same general time frame.
After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to the 120 disciples for 40 days, speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. The only question recorded in the Bible that the disciples asked Jesus during those 40 days was, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Clearly, after walking with the Lord for three years on earth, the disciples still had little understanding. They were thinking in the natural realm, not the spiritual realm. That same error is very common in the modern-day church at all levels … the tendency to reduce everything (including Scripture) down to the natural level so we can understand with our natural minds. (Idolatry, by definition, is any act which reduces that which is intended to be spiritual to the natural level.) 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that the things of the Spirit of God cannot be understood with the natural mind but must be spiritually discerned.
Likewise, men, both true believers in Christ and non-believers, always have been interested in when this world will end. One web site lists more than 200 prophecies concerning the date when the world will end. Undoubtedly there have been many more such predictions which few men know about. Jehovah’s Witnesses have predicted 10 different dates for the end of the world, ranging from 1874 to 1994. Even some folks in the Thessalonian church (in 53 AD) were deceived by someone who told them that Christ had already returned (2 Thessalonians 1:3 and 3:10-15), so they were afraid that they had already “missed” His coming. That was one of the major purposes of Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians. Every Chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ; and almost one third of the verses in 2 Thessalonians deals with eschatology (doctrine of end-time events). Of course, we all know that Jesus said,
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36
At the other end of the spectrum there are many whose attitude has always been “business as usual.”
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:48-51
But Jesus told us to watch … to always be prepared for His coming.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12 Looking for (anticipating in hope or fear) and hasting (hastening or speeding up) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:10-14
Some believe that Verses 10-12 will be caused by a nuclear war among the nations. A nuclear war may indeed happen, but we do not believe that will cause the earth to burn up and the heavens to pass away. Scientists have determined that lightning strikes the earth about 50 times each second. Each such lightning bolt can contain up to 1 billion volts of electricity. Further, the heat generated by one lightning bolt can be up to 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun and can burn up anything. That is a WOW! Then consider that the power of God exceeds the heat of the sun and exceeds the power of all of the lightning bolts. The Lord has much more power than a nuclear bomb. Therefore, we believe that what will cause the events in Verses 10-12 will be the second coming … the day of the Lord, which will be a day of judgment. Hebrews 1 seems to support that. All of the above should be sufficient to instill holy fear within us. In any event, the material, natural-level universe is transitory in nature.
10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands:11 They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;12 And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 1:10-12
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
2 Thessalonians 2:8
We have come into a scenario that has been unfolding before the foundation of the world. The first war recorded in the Bible appears to be in Genesis 14, a war between four “good” kings and five “bad” kings. That war was precipitated by Satan in an attempt to get Abraham involved in earthly matters, but Abraham had no part in either side. But that was NOT the first war; neither was it the most important. The first war started when Lucifer rebelled against God; it intensified when God chose us people, rather than the angels.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained;4 What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?5 For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8:3-9
At that point, war intensified in the heavenlies between the Creator and a created being called Lucifer, who was probably incensed that he was to be subjected to man. We have entered into that war. That greatest of all wars is still going on for the minds of men. Revelation 12:12 states that the devil is still trying to change the times, as in Daniel 7:25. Satan knows his time is short but he will try to extend his time. His intent is to destroy the saints, but the holy remnant will overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they will love not their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11).
Events are unfolding to force us to live by faith. If we try to live any other way, we will throw away our birthright. The first of the tri-part Babylon to fall will be economic (Revelation, Chapter 18). That could happen any day now. When economic Babylon falls we will see riots in our streets. People do desperate things when they are hungry and homeless.
Rational thinking blinds the minds of men. This is how some believers will be (have been/are) deceived; Jesus said that if it were possible, even the very elect will be deceived. Satan has created the cosmos … human systems. He tries to induce us to accept his systems rather than God. He has power and authority over his cosmos. He is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air. He is the great beast in Daniel 7. It is his systems that deceive us. He has a trap of global security, reliance on military might, commerce and trade, banking and finance. His cosmos has its own religion. Religious systems say let us all get together and be one. The problem is that man has always tried to bring about that unity. When one steps into those systems and into his domain, you give them power over you. He has the authority once you accept his systems, and he has the forces to back up his authority. The time is coming very soon when no one can buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast, but God cannot protect us if we accept the mark of the beast. For the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.
A tremendous amount of confusion is in the world with immense and far-reaching complications. The world is going from darkness to gross darkness. The United States is fast becoming as Sodom and Gomorrha. Nations and even U.S. cities are going bankrupt. Terrorists abound. Our highways are like the valley of the shadow of death. Food prices continue to rise. About 35 years ago, a woman in Florida spoke of a vision she had of a tidal wave that was going to sweep over all of Florida. Some saints fled the state, believing her word that Florida would be inundated with water. It turned out to be a tidal wave of deception, not water.
A crisis exists in the world and in the personal life of every human being. That crisis is precipitated by the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. His presence brings in and precipitates the world crisis. Just as when most of the people of God reveled in the golden calf that was made by Aaron, the Lord today asks the same question that He did through Moses (Exodus 32:25-28). Who is on the Lord’s side? Only the Levites stepped forward. That is why He shall purify the sons of Levi (Malachi 3:3) but mentions no other tribe. Jesus said,
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.37 He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me.39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it. Matthew 10:34-39
We need to be as the sons of Issachar, men of understanding, who know what Israel ought to do in these end times (1 Chronicles 12:32). In 1 Chronicles 12, about 333,200 men came to Hebron to make David king over all of Israel. Only 200 of that number were princes of Issachar. Many are called but few are chosen.
Peter, Paul, and John all proclaim that they were living in the last days (or the last times). If that were true then (and it must be) how much more are we living in the last days? The “last days” began with the first coming of Christ and will be fulfilled or completed at His second coming.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:14-21
Clearly, Verses 19-21 have not yet been fulfilled. Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, quotes Joel 2:28-32, but he changes one word. Joel said that “It shall come to pass afterward …” After what? After Joel 2:12-17 has been fulfilled. Joel 2:17 definitely has not yet been fulfilled; that will be followed by a temporal blessing. The eternal blessings for God’s people are described in Joel, Chapter 3. So what Peter said on the day of Pentecost, when he said “this is that,” is that “this” is a sample or an earnest of the same thing that will happen in fullness just prior to the events of Acts 2:19-21.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:1-3Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:1818 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 1 Peter 1:18-20
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-73 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude 17-18
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,4 And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:3-71 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. James 5:1-3
2 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.3 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. Isaiah 2:2-3
That word of prophecy is repeated in Micah 4:1, but has not yet been fulfilled. We believe those Verses speak of the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering), which are yet to come. (Much more on those subjects later.)
Chapter 7
The Christian Believer, the Religious, and the World
A multitude of “things,” as recorded in Scripture, come in sets of three. We see three types of people: the true born-from-above Christian believer, the morally “good” religious folks, and the morally “bad” or “evil” folks in the world (see a brief summary of Genesis 14, below). Likewise we see three types of true believers: those who are born from above, disciples of Christ Jesus, and overcomers. Gideon’s army is prophetic of those three types of believers.
The Wednesday, June 10, 2015, edition of The Washington Post newspaper carried at least two “interesting” articles. I say “interesting” because The Washington Post is widely known to be a very liberal, left-wing newspaper in the natural political realm. Page A13 contains an article, “A big day, and now a bigger market.” The subtitle is, “The U.S. wedding industry embraces gay marriage – and the added business that comes with it.” If you want to know about the “power” players of anything, just follow the money trail. Point in fact … he who has the gold has the power (in any realm). Just think about the hundreds of millions of dollars (if not billions) spent on each election year in the U.S. (Enough money to feed all the starving people in the world forever? Perhaps. But if that is not sufficient, consider the equal amount of gold sitting in the Vatican.) And who wins the election? usually the one with the most gold. Who has the most gold in the upcoming Presidential election? Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? Will gold prevail this time also? If so, that may be a fulfillment of Isaiah 3:12 – “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Note that the verse says “As for MY people,” not the people of the worldly realm. Judgment must begin with the leaders of the visible church.
HOWEVER, the one true God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the silver and the gold is His, not ours and not mans.
7 Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before Me.9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof.13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Psalm 50:7-13The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:8
Now let us re-visit the pithy statement, “He who has the gold has the power.” In reality, it is the Lord Himself who has all of the silver and the gold. He created it and He owns it. So the Lord alone has all of the real power. He is all-powerful, all knowing, and omnipresent. If we claim anything for ourselves that belongs to Him, we are asking for big trouble! We brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can take nothing out. Whatever we have received is by the grace of God.
The second “interesting” article in the June 15 edition of The Washington Post is a full-page spread on page A9, titled, “We ask you [the Supreme Court] not to force us to choose between the state and the Laws of God.” It is an open letter to the Supreme Court Justices of the United States. In the natural realm, it is very well written, opposing gay marriage. The entirety was at www.defendmarriage.org. One of its key statements is, “We [the undersigned] will not honor any decision by the Supreme Court which will force us to violate a clear biblical understanding of marriage as solely the union of one man and one woman.” It is signed by some 85 “big name” folks in the “religious” realm, many of whom are very well known. Fifty-three of them included their “titles”, ranging from “Father” to “Rev.” to “Dr.” etc. (That was supposed to “impress” the Supreme Court?) Some of them are undoubtedly true born-from-above Christian believers. (If you check their web site, they have many more “key signers” or “big names” who have now signed their petition plus about 56,000 other “smaller names,” and counting.) It is easy to see how all of the fundamentalists and literal interpreters of the Bible can heartily endorse such an ad. At the very bottom of that full-page spread, they quote Acts 5:29 – “But Peter and the apostles answered, we must obey God rather than men.” Does all of that sound good to you? Well, let us think about it a little.
I do not keep up in detail with American politics, but on June 26 the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is constitutional. That should have been no surprise to anyone. It is also my understanding that the issue was not whether or not “clergy” who have the state approval to officiate at weddings will be “forced” or required to marry gay couples. That will undoubtedly come later. The United States for many years has been moving closer to Sodom and Gomorrah. I see no Scriptural reason why it will not accelerate because the world is going from darkness to gross darkness.
I can certainly agree with Acts 5:29, and Scripture, as well as human nature, is clear enough when it comes to gay marriage. But I have a little difficulty with the principle behind that full-page article. First of all, our purpose as believers is not simply to memorize as many Scriptures as possible, only to use our natural, carnal minds to interpret them. Our purpose is that the Word might become flesh. Christ in you, the hope of glory. We can memorize every word in the Bible and totally miss what the Lord is after. That is the same principle that the Pharisees operated in when Jesus walked the face of the earth. Secondly, we must be doers of the word and not hearers (and/or speakers) only. Probably every Christian church will proclaim that they believe all of the Bible is true. What they are actually saying is that they believe that their interpretation of the Bible is true. There is a difference.
Throughout the history of the United States, there has been some number of real and professing Christians who have run for President, Congress, etc. I do not doubt their motivation but I do doubt their understanding of what the Lord is after. I believe it was Woodrow Wilson, in 1917, who first said that we (the United States) will make the world safe for democracy and the will of the people. But democracy never has been and never will be God’s form of government. No man, Christian or otherwise, will ever “clean up” democracy. The Lord will not allow it. And the Lord is sovereign. Does the Lord really want us to “patch up” that which has never been in His will or plan? The will of the people runs totally contrary to the will of God. Jesus said,
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.21 But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. John 15:18-21
14 I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16
Now in the natural realm it is entirely possible to be considered a legal citizen of two or more different countries. That is not true in the spiritual realm. We cannot walk with one foot in the world and one foot in heavenly places. We cannot have two masters (Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13). The citizenship for all true believers is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus … in the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 11:13-16). As such, we have NO vote concerning what activities we engage in. Our President is the Lord Himself; our Supreme Court Justice is the Lord Himself; our Congress, where laws are made, is the Lord Himself. If that be true, and it definitely IS true, then why are we concerned with earthly kingdoms and an earthly world that is going to melt with fervent heat anyway (2 Peter 3:10-14)? The world is going to be what it is going to be and no man can reverse it. The religious world is going to be what it is going to be and no man can reverse that either. All of man’s efforts to “make the world a better place to live in” will come to nought. The full page ad in The Washington Post, referenced above, may have been posted with all good intentions, but in the long run must amount to wood, hay, and stubble, because it has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. This will become clearer as you continue reading through the last paragraph of this chapter.
Does that mean that we never do any “good” deeds? No. It means that “Whatsoever He (the Lord Jesus) says unto you, do it” (John 2:5). But there are some solid scriptural principles that we must abide by if we want to please the Lord. Further, we must be very certain that we are hearing the voice of the Lord clearly and distinctly. Hearing the voice of the Lord has become somewhat of a lost art today. It is much easier just to hear what the pastor is saying.
I doubt that any professing believer would argue with a statement that “we should be like Jesus.” But even there we have to be careful, because no man, through his own efforts, can be like Jesus. No man except Jesus could live up to the Mosaic law. Likewise, no man except Christ Jesus can live the “Christian” life. That requires the power of the Holy Ghost working within us as we cooperate with Him. However, let us search the Scriptures to see the relationship of Jesus, in the form of a Man on earth, with both the “world” and the “religious” folks. Jesus said that He did not pray for the world. Should we be like Jesus?
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. John 17:9
In the four Gospels, I am not aware of any time that Jesus deliberately “confronted” the “world.” John the Baptist directly confronted the world in the form of Herod; for that, he had his head cut off. Those who have signed the petition which opposes gay marriage have directly confronted the world in the form of the Supreme Court. Will they be the first “targets” of the worldly systems? We can speak against and fight against every “negative” known to man, but even if we succeeded, some worse “negative” will arise to take its place. A number of true believers have published books and sent emails which expose many off-center doctrines and heresies. That may help to deliver a few believers out of those errors. But if the believers who are delivered do not have their senses exercised to discern both (not between) good and evil (Hebrews 5:14), they will gravitate right back into the next off-center doctrine or heresy. It happens too many times. Instead of confronting all of the “negatives” in the world, we do much better to allow the Holy Spirit to bring forth the positive … the fruit of the Spirit … Christ in you, the hope of glory.
I am aware of only one time when Jesus interfaced directly with the “world.” That was when He was on trial before Pontius Pilate, the Roman procurator of Judea and before Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee. An indirect reference is in Matthew 22:15-22, when Jesus said to “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s. Further, when Jesus sent forth the twelve, He commanded them, saying,
5 Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:5-6
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?26 Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children [sons] free.27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and thee. Matthew 17:24-27
The above account was one of many encounters between Jesus and the “religious” Jews. (See the many times that Jesus told the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers, the religious elite of the day, “Woe unto you!”) An annual temple tax, equal to about two days’ wages, was required of every Jewish male 20 years of age and older (Exodus 30:13). This was to be used for the upkeep of the temple. The implication is that Peter and the rest of the disciples belonged to God’s royal household, but unbelieving Jews, although originally part of God’s chosen people, did not. Those verses seem to say that we believers are not required to contribute to the upkeep of the earthly Jerusalem and its earthly temple, although at times we may do so in order not to offend them.
The first natural-level war among men that is recorded in the Bible is found in Genesis, Chapter 14. Four “good” kings (Genesis 14:1) fought a big battle with five “bad” or “evil” kings (Genesis 14:2). This appears to be another re-enactment of eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which was, and still is, forbidden by the Lord God. It is not too difficult to discern that which is “evil,” but discerning between that which seems “good” to our carnal minds as compared to the will of God? Ah, that is another matter! That war undoubtedly involved tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of folks. Scripture says that the “good” guys won and that they captured Lot and all of his possessions as a prisoner. Note that Abram never considered being involved in that war on either side. He had no interest whatsoever in that worldly war until he heard that his nephew, Lot, had been captured by the good (religious) guys. Note Genesis 14:20: Abram’s true enemies (and ours as well) are the “good” religious folks. This fact is also stated in Psalm 55:12-14.
Scripture reiterates that same principle in Joshua, Chapter 5.
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:13-15
The Lord is not on the side of the “good” religious folks, and of course He is not on the side of the “evil” folks, as in Sodom and Gomorrah. I hope everyone understands that He is likewise not on “our” side, as stated clearly in the verses above. It is just the opposite. Hopefully, we are on His side! Moses said (Exodus 12:26), “Who is on the Lord’s side?” Elijah (1 Kings 18:21) essentially asked the same question of the people of God: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” Amazing response! Simply amazing!
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Revelation 18:4
Who is “her”? Revelation 18 states very clearly that “her” is Babylon the great. Babylon, of course, is not a geographical location over in the Middle East. It is a spiritual state or realm. From Genesis 11, which records the natural foundation or beginning of Babylon, it represents man’s attempt to reach heaven by man’s “good” works, as motivated by man’s carnal mind. We are all born with Babylon in our hearts. The two articles in The Washington Post, as referenced above, typify the “evil” kings (gay marriage) and those who fight against that evil, or the “good” religious guys. Sooner or later, we will have to cease from both sides or else the Rock will fall on us. It seems to me that it would be better to “come out of her” now, rather than later, at the fulfillment of the last Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. Unfortunately, there are too many lovely believers who are not even aware that they need to “come out of her.” (I do not speak of those in denominational churches. In reality, I strongly believe there will be more grace extended to those folks in denominational churches than those in charismatic churches. To whom much is given, much is required.) We have become inoculated, immunized, and anesthesized by our personal experiences, our traditions, and our past teachings. We have built three tabernacles and we like the tabernacle where we are living. Fortunately, however, by the grace and mercy of God, one day in the very near future, the Lord will allow tremendous pressure, trials, and tribulations to increase in our lives to try to jolt us out of our lethargy and lukewarm state of mind.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision.
Chapter 8
Revelation 18: The Desolation of Babylon
After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil six times ... the first three are recorded in Luke, Chapter 4, and the last three are recorded in Matthew, Chapter 4. “Six” is the number of man.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
We read in the Gospel according to Luke:
5 And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.[It is not possible to see the whole earth from the top of any natural mountain.]6 And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.7 If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine.8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:5-8
We know, from Ezekiel 28:11-19, that Satan dwelled at one time in the Garden of Eden. That was why he was able to tempt Eve, and successfully, with his beauty and wisdom. After he sinned and iniquity was found in him, the Lord said, “By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire” (Ezekiel 28:16). The “stones of fire” must be the chosen people of God.
From Genesis 10 and 11, the beginning of the kingdom of Nimrod, a son of Cush, was Babel, which means “confusion.” That was the first world ruling empire. The tower of Babel represents man’s attempt (as inspired by the devil in the midst of the stones of fire) to reach heaven by his own means, by his own efforts. Lucifer was the first to try that (Isaiah 14). Ever since then many similar attempts have been made by men to create a world ruling empire.
Back in the mid-19th century, a French political thinker and historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, warned of the dangers of democracy. From Wikipedia,
“Tocqueville warned that modern democracy may be adept at inventing new forms of tyranny, because radical equality could lead to the materialism of an expanding bourgeoisie and to the selfishness of individualism. In such conditions we lose interest in the future of our descendants...and meekly allow ourselves to be led in ignorance by a despotic force all the more powerful because it does not resemble one. Tocqueville worried that if despotism were to take root in a modern democracy, it would be a much more dangerous version than the oppression under the Roman emperors or tyrants of the past who could only exert a pernicious influence on a small group of people at a time.In contrast, a despotism under a democracy could see "a multitude of men", uniformly alike, equal, "constantly circling for petty pleasures", unaware of fellow citizens, and subject to the will of a powerful state which exerted an "immense protective power". Tocqueville compared a potentially despotic democratic government to a protective parent who wants to keep its citizens (children) as "perpetual children", and which doesn't break men's wills but rather guides it, and presides over people in the same way as a shepherd looking after a "flock of timid animals".America, in contrast to the aristocratic ethic, was a society where hard work and money-making was the dominant ethic, where the common man enjoyed a level of dignity which was unprecedented, where commoners never deferred to elites, and where what he described as crass individualism and market capitalism had taken root to an extraordinary degree.”
In other words, follow the money trail because he who has the gold has the power. Is that not true in American politics? He who has the most millions of dollars to spend on trying to deceive the “timid humans” to vote for him/her is the one who wins the “democratic election.” Is it not true that in America today, most people serve mammon? How much money is enough? … just a little bit more. On our currency we still see the phrase, “In God we trust,” but in reality, for most folks, “in money we trust.”
Likewise, is it not true that what has been happening for many long years in the American version of democracy is a gradual move toward a dictatorship, where the “dictator” is the state (federal government)? We see many federal cabinets in the U.S. which have no grounds for their existence from our own Constitution. The President is taking (and being given) more and more unilateral powers. More and more individual rights are being usurped by the political government. De Tocqueville’s fears and warnings of “democracy” become more and more true every day, but on such a gradual basis that most folks don’t see what is happening or don’t care or both.
Now we are definitely NOT trying to start a campaign to try to change the government in the U.S. Far from it! It is what it is and it’s going to be what it’s going to be. We simply are leading up to what we read in Revelation 18 concerning the end-times. A much more pertinent question is, “What kingdom are you in?”
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. Revelation 18
Verse 1 says, “After these things …” after what things? after the description of “Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth” in Revelation 17. The next thing we should understand is that Babylon is not a city and not a country. It is a worldly system … the cosmos … which is ruled by Satan, who is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). It is a spiritual system. Babylon has been implanted in the heart of mankind. Satan has power and authority over his cosmos. When anyone steps into those systems, he/she gives them power over you. He has the authority once anyone accepts his systems, and those systems even have a measure of apparent glory associated with them (Luke 4:6). Babylon, the cosmos of the devil, has an economic, a political, and a religious department. They are all counterfeit and designed to confuse and deceive God’s chosen people.
Note that the fall of Babylon in Verse 2 precedes the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, which is the final call for God’s people to come out of Babylon. From Verse 3, “all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” When Scripture says “all” it means ALL. Is the United States a nation? Then the United States has drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. “And the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her.” “Kings” speak of rulers; that includes the presidents of the United States. But far too many of God’s people still cling to the democracy as exhibited by the United States. We tend to think that if we just vote the right person in, then everything will be alright. We still think that we can patch up and make better that which has never been God’s form of government. Democracy can never survive. But we are still holding on. We are like Lot’s wife who, although thrust out of Sodom, still had Sodom in her heart. So she looked back, longingly, and was turned into a pillar of salt.
In reality, the seeds for self-destruction rest in the Constitution and the Gettysburg Address. “We the people” speaks of what we will do. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people denies the government of God and puts man at the forefront. As for the Bill of Rights, we believers have no rights in the kingdom of God. We are citizens of another country; our citizenship is in heaven. We are in the world but not of the world. Some things have been Divinely given by God and then Divinely set aside. The Book of Hebrews speaks of some of these. Other things have never been given by God; these will always be set aside. “The kingdoms of this world must become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15).
Chapter 9
The Coming of the Lord
Orthodox Jews, in their doctrine at least, have for many hundreds of years been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Only the Lord knows how many Jews really desire in their hearts for their Messiah to come. We Christians know that the Messiah came 2000 years ago. “He came unto His own and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). Likewise, many Christians, in their doctrine at least, are waiting for the second coming of the Lord. Only the Lord knows how many Christians really desire in their hearts for the Lord to come again.
Fortunately, there are some who sincerely desire for the Lord to return, so that He may be glorified and His kingdom established on earth. They are called overcomers. They are not seeking something for themselves. They are seeking only for the will of God to be done and that His kingdom, not mine or yours, come. The biggest ploy of our adversary is to play up the kingdom of self in our minds.
Some Christian ministers teach that the Lord Jesus Christ is not literally returning to earth again. Instead, they claim that He will only return in His body, the Church. Let us search the Scriptures to see what the Holy Spirit has to say about the second advent.
1 Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, Whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:3 And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. Malachi 3:1-4
The “messenger of the covenant” is clearly the Lord Himself. “His temple” is clearly not a natural, physical temple or church. It is the temple of the Holy Ghost, the Church which is His body. It is in the realm of the Spirit. All those who have been born from above constitute His temple. And He shall come to His temple. Verse 3 says that He shall purify the sons of Levi. Who are the sons of Levi? They are called overcomers. They will rule and reign with Christ on earth for 1000 years. What about the other 11 tribes? That comes in Verse 4, after the purifying of the sons of Levi.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Malachi 4:5-6
Those verses cannot possibly refer to the prophet Elijah who had been translated 500 years earlier. Further, the great and dreadful day of the LORD has not yet come. It is true that Jesus said that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come. However, the chosen people of God rejected both the messenger and Jesus Himself. Therefore there awaits another fulfillment of this prophecy. In addition, John the Baptist did not fulfill Verse 6. An interesting question is whether Verse 6 refers to natural fathers and natural children or spiritual fathers and children, as in 1 John 2:12-14. We believe the latter is true.
In the New Testament, we need to distinguish among three different Greek words, each of which is translated at times as “coming” or “come.” They are erchomai, apokalupsis, and parousia. Erchomai is the most frequent verb, which signifies the act of coming or going, primarily in the natural realm. Apokalupsis literally means an uncovering, laying bare, or unveiling, and denotes a revelation or appearing. It is also translated as “manifestation” in Romans 8:19. That speaks of His coming in the hearts of the overcomers or the “elect.” Parousia literally means a “presence” or a “being alongside;” it denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with someone. It means a “return” or “advent.” Parousia is used to describe the literal presence of Christ with His three disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16). From Scripture, we can only conclude that the Lord Jesus Christ has come (erchomai), is coming (apokalupsis), and will yet come again to earth (parousia), where He will rule and reign for 1000 years along with the overcomers (Revelation 20:1-5).
Perhaps the best way to understand the difference between apokalupsis and parousia is as follows. After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Then He ascended into Heaven to sprinkle the spiritual mercy seat with His blood. Then He appeared to His disciples at several different times and to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. In His resurrected body, Jesus could enter closed doors and move between heaven and earth at will. He appeared and disappeared; He appeared and disappeared. Then after 40 days in which He spoke to the disciples about the kingdom of God, He disappeared into heaven, not to be seen again for some time period. His appearings to the disciples prior to His ascension were apokalupsis. His soon to come (literal) appearing will be His parousia. If we consider all the Scriptures on the subject, the Lord’s coming is a spiritual visitation in the midst of His people as well as a literal and bodily visitation.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come [erchomai] in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. Acts 1:10-11
In like manner … toward the end of the Church age, could Jesus appear and disappear, appear and disappear? I tend to believe that He has appeared to at least a few believers since His ascension. Then He shall appear and not disappear anymore because that will be His parousia as He reigns on earth for 1,000 years. Verse 28, below, seems to say precisely that, because none of those men that Jesus spoke about in that verse are still alive on earth in the natural realm.
27 For the Son of man shall come [erchomai] in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming [erchomai] in His kingdom.
Matthew 16:27-28
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming [erchomai] in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming [parousia] of the Son of man be.38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming [parousia] of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:36-39For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation [apokalupsis] of the sons of God. Romans 8:19
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming [parousia] of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16
I do not understand how anyone can rationalize away Verse 16, above, and say that the Lord Himself shall not return to earth except in His body.
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [parousia]of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
James associates the bestowal of the latter rain with the "coming" of the Lord.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming [parousia] of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming [parousia] of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:7-8
Peter associates the power and coming (parousia or presence) of Christ with the glory of God that appeared in the hour of Christ’s transfiguration. Christ had already come in the flesh; but here was a "coming" of the Lord not previously known. And so he says,
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 2 Peter 1:1611 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming [parousia] of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:11-12And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming [parousia]. 1 John 2:28
If the many occurrences of parousia, above, are not enough to convince you of the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, then consider what Jesus said.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me.2 In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come [erchomai] again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
Chapter 10
The Gospel
If ten different believers were asked to define and explain what the Bible means by the phrase, “the Gospel,” we might well receive ten different answers. Every believer knows that the word “gospel” means “good news.” To some believers, the Gospel means that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that, if we believe in Him and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, then we will be “saved” and one day go to heaven. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That certainly is good news, but we need to be careful that we do not view the Gospel simply as something for ME. Some might say that the good news is the coming of Jesus to earth as a man, His suffering, death on the cross at Calvary, His resurrection, and ascension. That is likewise good news, but is there more?
Scripture actually speaks of the gospel of the kingdom of God (4 times), the gospel of Jesus Christ (once), the gospel of the grace of God (once), the gospel of God (5 times), the gospel of His Son (once), the gospel of Christ (12 times), the gospel of peace (once), the gospel of our salvation (once), the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (once), and the gospel of the blessed God (once) … ten different wordings of “the gospel of …”. But clearly there is only one Gospel. They are all one and the same. If we check the number of times a phrase is used in the Bible, the most used phrase with respect to the Gospel is “the gospel of Christ.” Christ is the Gospel! He IS the Good News! He is the kingdom of God because Jesus Christ always did (does) the will of the Father. The definition of the kingdom of God is that place where the will of God is always done, and that is only in Christ. Many books have been written about the kingdom of God. The gospel of the kingdom of God occurs in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
As we stated in Chapter 5, every Chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming of Christ. That is indeed good news! The gospel, or the good news, is more than the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is a part of the gospel … yes. But the highlight of the good news is His second coming! a coming in total victory! a time of judgment, a time when sin is no more, a time when all of His enemies are put under the feet of Christ, a time when the Prince of Peace shall bring complete peace!
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:15
Note the word “preparation” in Ephesians 6:15 above. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” could easily be a summary of our purpose on earth. We can do no more than prepare for His coming. When the Lord sovereignly apprehended me, the very first thing that came to my mind was, “Surely this is the peace that passes all understanding.” It is true that a believer can and should have peace in his/her heart. But until the time when Jesus returns to earth, there can never be any “peace on earth.” Therefore the gospel of peace coincides with the gospel of His second coming.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Revelation 1:16 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to shew unto His servants the things which must shortly be done.7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth [not simply reads] the sayings of the prophecy of this book Revelation 22:6-7
Note that in both of the two sets of Verses, above, the revelation is to His servants. The Greek word is doulos, which means a bond servant, a slave, or a voluntary, fully devoted servant. The revelation is not given to anyone except those who have had their ear thrust through with an aul. Paul spoke of himself as a doulos of the Lord Jesus Christ.
16 And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise. Deuteronomy 15:16-17
Now let us consider another, very important part of the Gospel. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament, as well as the bulk of what Christ taught, is about His coming and judgment on the world ... what, when, how, and why. He mentioned His death, burial, and resurrection only a few times (for example, Matthew 12:39-40 and John 2:18-21). In fact, His second coming was the sign that His gospel was/is true. His second coming is the major context of 1 Corinthians 15. Look back at 1 Corinthians 1:6-8 and Revelation 22:12. The gospel of the kingdom is NOT simply death, burial, and resurrection. Full redemption was NOT completed at the cross (see Acts 3:19 and Luke 21:28). The cross was only the purchase price, not the redemption date. His coming is the gospel (see Matthew 24:13-14 and 2 Timothy 4:8). When Jesus was on trial before the high priest, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin,
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy.66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Matthew 26:64-66
They did not crucify Him because He told them to live good moral lives or that He claimed He would die and rise on the third day. They crucified Him when He told them about His return. After the resurrection of Jesus,
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Matthew 28:11-15
Many folks believe that Jesus was a good man, a prophet, and a teacher. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead; the Sadducees did not. When Jesus asked His disciples (Matthew 16:13-19), “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” they answered, “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Men can and do say many different things about who Jesus is. The Jews, of course, in general are still waiting for their Messiah. But no man will be able to deny Who Jesus is when He returns to the earth the second time in all of His glory, for every eye shall see Him.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:29-30
What is the sign of the Son of man? It is the Lord Himself!
But he that shall endure unto the end [telos], the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13
What or when is the telos? when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth. That will be the day of Jubilee … the consummation of the good news. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Chapter 11
End-time Events from the Gospels
Men have always been interested in the events which will occur in the end times. Men have also thought that the return of the Lord would be in their lifetime. In addition to what Jesus said about the end times in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, other books of the Bible which speak of the end times include Daniel, Ezekiel, Psalms, Revelation, 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, and 2 Thessalonians (and others). The Gospel according to John is remarkably silent concerning end time events, because John speaks primarily of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ ... His nature, His character ... Who He is, which is eternal.
There are two separate prophecies given by Jesus concerning the end times. The first is in Luke 21, when He spoke from just outside the temple in Jerusalem. The first prophecy was uttered in answer to two general questions: (1) When shall these things be? And (2) What shall be the sign of Thy coming? The answer to (1) is given in Verses 8-24; the answer to (2) is in Verses 25-28.
In Matthew 24, Jesus sat upon the Mount of Olives and the disciples came unto Him privately. In Mark 13, Jesus likewise was sitting upon the Mount of Olives and Peter, James, John, and Andrew privately asked Him the same type of question. This second prophecy was uttered in answer to three distinct questions: (1) When shall these things be? (2) What shall be the sign of Thy coming? and (3) What shall be the sign of the end of this age? The answer to (1) is in Matthew 24:4-14; the answer to (2) is in Matthew 24:15-27; the answer to (3) is in Matthew 24:29-31 and Mark 13:24-27 and Luke 21:25-28. The two prophecies are different both in time, place, and subject.
The rabbis, as well as the prophets, spoke of “birth pangs,” i.e., sufferings that would precede the coming of the Messiah. They will lead into “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).
Below we list the account in Matthew 24, with the minor differences in Mark inserted and indented in the corresponding places. We also include the major differences (or rather additions) that Luke includes in the appropriate place, likewise indented.
3 And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming [parousia, or second advent], and of the end [sunteleia, or entire completion, or consummation of the dispensation] of the world?4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.5 For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.6 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.7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
[Surely we have been in the beginning of sorrows for some time. Jesus spoke of signs of the end of the ages. Signs in the earth below precede signs in the heavens above. Matthew 24:4-9 speaks of signs in the earth below, which signify trouble. Luke 21:25-28 and Mark 13:24-27 foretell signs in the heavens above, which signify great tribulation.]
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
[9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils (Sanhedrins); and in the synagogues (any kind of religious meeting) ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them.11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Mark 13:9, 11
Who are the “they?” the religious systems of the world.18 But there shall not a hair of your head perish.19 In your patience possess ye your souls. Luke 21:18-19]
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
[Who are the “many”? those who claim to be Christians but have never offered themselves as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord. It is easy to say in the green times, “well that will not apply to me.” But human nature is human nature. It may well be the grace and mercy of God to take home some believers before they have a chance to betray Him.]
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.12 And because iniquity [anomia, or without law] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
[What happens to those who do not endure to the end (telos, uttermost, or ultimate purpose)? That is for the Lord to say, but who wants simply to hope for the best? This seems to be one of a number of verses which refute the “once saved, always saved” doctrine.]
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
[The gospel of being “saved” has been preached, but the gospel of the kingdom of God? Ah! That is another matter.]
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20
[Natural Jerusalem has been compassed with natural armies for quite some time. Even so, spiritual Jerusalem is likewise encompassed with armies.]
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
[More about the abomination of desolation in Chapter 17.]
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
[This has both a natural and spiritual application.]
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
[Apparently, being on the “housetop” is an idiom which means a favored place of prayer. See Isaiah 22:1, Zephaniah 1:5, and Acts 10:9.]
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
[This may have a natural interpretation, but the greater application is spiritual … a wife whose husband has never matured spiritually.]
20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
[Matthew alone includes this because he wrote primarily to Jews, who were forbidden to travel more than about a half a mile on the Sabbath.]
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
[Certainly there was great tribulation when Rome pillaged Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and destroyed the temple, but these verses likewise speak of the end times.]
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
[The grace and mercy of God will shorten the tribulation that we will soon experience. The “elect” are the overcomers, not all those who have been born from above.]
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.25 Behold, I have told you before.26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not.27 For as the lightning (astrape, or bright shining or dazzling) cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
[The next Chapter will amplify on this Verse.]
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles (vultures) be gathered together.29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
[“AFTER” the tribulation of those days. No pre-trib, no mid-trib, no “rapture” out of tribulation. No one is going to be caught up anywhere before Jesus returns. The erroneous “rapture” theory has given us a mentality of escape. We were never designed simply to live a good Christian life and then escape trouble. We were designed to demonstrate and manifest the glory of God in the midst of tribulation! See our Chapter 13. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 clearly says that there will be true believers on earth up until the Lord returns.]
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.
Luke 21:26
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And He shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
[From Verses 37-39 we are told of the parallel between the general state of the affairs of men in the time of Noah and those just before the Lord returns. In both cases, people will be eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. That is “normal” for the natural man. However, the people were/are so caught up with all of the natural events of life that they were/are not focusing or discerning spiritual matters. In Noah’s time only a few were saved. Many are called but few are chosen (because few choose).]
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:19 By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison;20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him. 1 Peter 3:18-22
40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
[Women performed grinding at the mill in the mornings. There is a very great tendency by many believers to look at Verses 40 and 41 as a distinction between those who are “saved” and those who are not “saved.” We doubt that is a true assumption because too many other verses speak of the same thing; e.g. the ten virgins in Matthew 25 and Matthew 7:21-23]
For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter [doorkeeper, watcher] to watch. Mark 13:34
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:3-51
It seems to us that the most important lesson for us in all of the above is that we always need to have oil in our lamps … we always need to abide in the Vine … we need to keep our garments clean … we need always to be prepared for the coming of the Lord … we always need to look for Him.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28
Christ appeared the first time without sin. To say that He is still without sin is rather redundant. Verse 28 states that Christ will appear the second time … unto them that look for (fully expect) Him. What about those who are NOT looking for Him? Certainly heathens are not looking for Him. That seems to speak of the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25 (who represent true believers but who did not have enough oil in their lamps). We believe Verse 28 speaks of the end of the matter concerning salvation and the removal of our sin nature, initially for the overcomers. (Much more on this subject later.) But who is eagerly looking for Him?
Chapter 12
Some Gleanings from Matthew 24:7
As we stated in the previous Chapter, Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 all contain details of what Jesus spoke about the end times … which are the times in which we live. We have been recently impressed to speak in more detail of a small portion of Matthew 24. May the Holy Spirit quicken to each of us that which He desires us to understand from these passages.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming [parousia, or literal coming] of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:27
In the Old Testament, the word “lightning” usually denotes a natural, physical phenomenon; in the New Testament, the word carries more of a spiritual meaning. The word, “lightning,” in Matthew 24:27, is the Greek astrade, which means bright shining or dazzling; that implies light, which is certainly visible to the natural eye with lightning. We do not know for sure, but we doubt that all physical lightning comes out of the physical east. However, it makes sense that lightning comes out of the spiritual east because both lightning and the “east” speak of the judgment of God. Cloud-to-ground lightning bolts are a common phenomenon … about 50 strike the earth’s surface every single second, yet their power is extraordinary. Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. Lightning is extremely hot; a flash can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the sun’s surface. Lightning is both spectacular and dangerous and inspires awe in the power of God. The major point of Verse 27 is that the second advent of the Lord will be sudden, rapid, unexpected, seen by all, and accompanied by His judgment.
I grew up in a “church” family. As long as I can remember I went to a Methodist Church; but it meant very little to me until the Lord sovereignly apprehended me on August 25, 1967. In those early years I went to “church” because that was the thing that good folks always do. One of my uncles was very active in the Methodist Church in North Carolina. When I was about 10 years old I went with him and his family one weekend to Lake Junaluska, N.C., which was a big Methodist retreat center in western North Carolina, about 35 miles west of Asheville. For some reason, which I have long forgotten, five or six of us Methodist kids went hiking through the woods early one evening. On our way back it was dark and raining. Then a big bolt of lightning, accompanied by a huge sound of thunder, struck less than a half mile away. That really scared me. I was terrified! But there was another young boy, about my age, who spoke a word of peace and faith to our little group. Still, I was very happy to get back to the retreat center that night.
About 25 years ago, a neighbor across the street from us invited me to join him and 4 or 5 other men in a weekly time to share about the Lord. It was not a Bible study. That continued for about 6 months. All of the men, except me, were going to a denominational church. At one point my neighbor, all smiles, said, “Boy! It can’t get any better than this!” I wanted to share many things with him, but I was reluctant to shatter his euphoria. A year or so later, lightning struck a rather large Bradford Pear tree in his front yard and severely damaged it. (That was a little unusual because there were many trees in his back yard that were 2 or 3 times taller. A Bradford Pear tree is a lovely ornamental tree but it never bears fruit. (Think of the spiritual parallel.) He hired a tree company to fix up the tree the best they could. About another year later, lightning struck the very same tree and demolished it. It is rather unusual for lightning to strike the same tree twice. You could see the burnt places on that tree. About another year later he broke his leg and hobbled on crutches for many months. He never seemed to get the message from the Lord. Although scientists might say that lightning strikes to the ground are not predictable, I for one do not agree. The same God who made the universe and all that is therein is also in charge of lightning. There are no coincidences for believers.
Recall also the time when the Lord sovereignly apprehended Saul of Tarsus. The great light from heaven at midday, which far exceeded the natural sun at its peak, blinded Paul for three days. Paul said that he could not see (in the natural realm) because of the glory of that light (Acts 22:11). He described the brightness of that light as exceeding the brightness of the sun (Acts 26:13). He knew it was the Lord (because of the great power), but at first he did not know it was Jesus.
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
Luke 11:34-36
In Verse 34, “thine eye is single” means that our focus, our desire, is only for the Lord that His will be done. In Verse 36, “bright shining” is again the Greek word astrade, as in Matthew 24:27. Not too long ago I saw a commercial on TV which said that on a totally clear, dark night the human eye can see a lit candle several miles away. Opthamologists study our eyes, but the Lord made our eyes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!
Chapter 13
What About the “Rapture”?
One of the most dubious and controversial aspects of modern Christian teaching is the subject of what has been called the “rapture” or the “catching away.” The “rapture” is a Christian belief that forms a major part of the current teaching and expectations of fundamentalist, other evangelical denominations, and some charismatics.
According to those teaching this theory, the coming of Jesus will be in two separate stages. The first will be a secret rapture of the Church at the beginning of a supposed seven-year tribulation period followed by a glorious, triumphant return of Christ to the Earth, accompanied by the Church at the end of the seven-year period. They believe that during this seven-year period the antichrist is going to come into power and God will select and seal 144,000 literal Jews who will take the Gospel to the whole world, converting immeasurable souls to Christ. They also believe the great battle of Armageddon is a literal national war against literal Israel, which occurs near the end of the seven years and is brought to a halt by Christ’s return with His Church. Then literal Israel accepts the Lord as the Messiah and enters with Him as His covenant people into the 1,000-year (millennial) reign on earth known as the Kingdom Age. Christ will rule directly over the earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem, where the typical temple services function again. Those who ultimately reject Christ’s rule are eventually judged and destroyed at the end of the Millennium. The new believers will then receive immortality and eternity will begin.
However, the Bible nowhere speaks of these two separate comings. The word “rapture” is also an invention of theologians and occurs nowhere in the Bible. The deception does not stop there; Christians also debate whether we will be taken before the tribulation or in the middle of the seven years or at the completion of the seven-year tribulation. These are called pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, and post tribulation. Through two Jesuit priests, Francisco Ribera, of Salamanca, Spain, and Robert Bellarmine, of Rome, Papacy put forth her Futurist interpretation. Rome had to somehow stop the bleeding from the effects of the Protestant Reformation because they were losing many of “their” people to the Protestants, who not only refuted some basic doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church but also declared the Papal system to be the Antichrist. Antichrist prophecies were to be fulfilled in a seven year period in the distant future. The Futurist "gap" theory has been widely accepted today by fundamentalist churches, which have made popular the "Left Behind" series.
Francisco Ribera published his 500-page commentary on the Book of Revelation in1590. He assigned the first three chapters of Revelation to ancient Rome. The rest of Revelation he restricted to a literal 3-1/2-year reign of an infidel Antichrist man who would oppose and blaspheme the saints just before the second advent. Ribera taught that Antichrist would be a literal man who would rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, abolish the Christian religion, deny Christ, be received by the Jews, pretend to be God, and conquer the world. [LeRoy Edwin Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. II, pp. 484-505, The Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D.C., 1948]
How could so many be drawn into this lie? very easily. That is certainly part of a “popular theology.” It is very popular because who would not like to have all sorts of blessings and prosperity now, heaven later, and get “raptured” out of this world when things get really rough?
It is a grave error to underestimate the enemy. It does not matter how many people believe a lie, it will never make it truth. Actually, if you see a multitude of professing believers all going one way, look at it carefully again. A million Jews, God’s chosen people, came out of Egypt. How many of them were “right”? Moses, Caleb, Joshua, and who else??? Jesus never worked with a multitude. Mark Twain once said, “A lie can travel halfway around the world, while truth puts on its shoes.” The only way to avoid the enemy’s deception and find truth is to ask the Lord to reveal the Truth as we study the scriptures diligently. Further, to say that all of us believers will be caught away just before the “great tribulation” runs contrary to the essence of the Bible. That promotes a theory of “escapism.” But “we must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). A multitude of scriptures say the same thing.
This false doctrine on the secret rapture is also contradictory to the words of Jesus in Matthew 13 (and other Verses) when He said the wheat and tares would grow together until the “end of the world” and then they would be separated.
24 Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn.36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.41 The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
The “rapture” theory was almost universally accepted as the correct interpretation of scripture concerning the return of the Lord to the earth until about sixty-five years ago. Since that time it has been hotly debated in many circles. Some of the misinterpretation may be because different believers have different understandings of what is meant by the “rapture.” If, by the “rapture,” we mean a literal “catching away” of the saints just before the “great tribulation” then we must respectfully disagree.
Many sincere questioners have been afraid to speak out, in fear of being branded a heretic and reprobate. The “any-minute-rapture” theory has been such an effective tool for persuading sinners to repent of their sins that any attack on the theory was (and still is, in many circles) well nigh to committing blasphemy. I have talked with two rather mature believers who became violently angry at the suggestion that the physical “rapture” might not be scriptural. In reality, just the fact that they became so angry indicates a lack of maturity, as well as a lack of understanding.
We cannot find any evidence that it was taught or emphasized by the early Church. Some say it was started by a man named Darby about 1830, but it had its roots as far back as Ribera in 1590. As the story is related, Brother Darby had a woman in his congregation who had a vision or a dream about the “catching away.” It was so vivid to her that she related it to her pastor. It became vivid to him also, so he started teaching what the woman had related to him. Like so many other fallacies, it rapidly took root and prospered. It became “sacred territory” quite soon, and not many people thought it proper or wise to question it. Eventually, however, many folks were being shown light on other scriptures, and some of these revelations were soon on a collision course with the “any minute” rapture theory. Now let us consider the following verses.
16 For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
A good question is, “What is AIR?” And what are “clouds?” One of the largest sources of errors in interpreting scripture is the tendency to try to interpret everything literally, in the natural realm, with the natural, carnal mind. Webster’s definitions are completely inadequate to explain scripture … scripture must interpret scripture. The one and ONLY scriptural definition of AIR is the realm from which Satan operates. It is his headquarters.
Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Ephesians 2:2
One purpose of the overcomers is the binding of Satan, and removing him from his headquarters to the bottomless pit (which is also a natural name for a spiritual phenomenon). The overcomers will be “caught up” (in spirit only) into the realm which Satan now occupies, and replace his influence of evil, hatred and war with the influence of the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy and peace, etc. Whereas the evil influence of Satan now fills all the air, the influence of the overcomers will counteract and replace it with the influence of God and goodness, not in their own strength, but by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. They will operate in a new realm after they have been “caught up” into it by the sovereign moving of the Spirit of God. This will occur when the last Day of Atonement is completed.
Then the swords will be beaten into plow shares and the spears into pruning hooks. They will not learn war any more. Why? Because the evil influence of Satan will have been bound, and in its place is the influence of love and peace, etc., going forth into the atmosphere from the saints who have been “caught up” into continual contact with the Lord, as Jesus was at the Jordan River.
Chapter 14
Armageddon
The term "Armageddon" is used once in the whole Bible, in Revelation 16:16. It is a combination of two Hebrew words … Har, meaning a range of hills (sometimes used symbolically), and Megiddown, meaning a rendezvous, or an appointed place of meeting. In the natural realm it is located on the southern rim of the Plain of Esdraelon. Esdraelon is the Greek form of the Hebrew word Jezreel, which means the seed of God, or where God sows. Armageddon, and the scenario it portrays, cannot be considered without reference to Megiddo and Jezreel.
Concerning the significance of Armageddon, most of the interpreters are using the standard textbooks of interpretation. And most of them are wrong, for they are based upon faulty interpretations of other scriptures which have a bearing on the subject. Armageddon is NOT a geographical location. It is a spiritual place that is crowded with multitudes of people. Literally, Har-Mageddon is the hill of Megiddo. Megiddo also means a place of crowds or crowded. A “hill” is a very small mountain; mountains in Scripture speak of kingdoms.
The best location from which to observe Armageddon is Mount Carmel, which rises 546 meters from the Mediterranean Sea. Carmel means “fruitful, plentiful, a planted garden, or God’s vineyard.” It is typified by full ears of corn. From the top of Mount Carmel we can observe Armageddon in every detail in the panorama of the Jezreel Valley, just to the east. Mount Carmel is where the question, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21) is settled. On Carmel His floor is purged and cleansed of the prophets of Baal. Carmel is the sanctified place where the sound of abundance of rain is heard coming upon a dry and thirsty land. From Carmel the Prophet Elijah outran the chariots through the valley of Jezreel. Therefore, Armageddon represents (and is) a fulfillment of,
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14
What is the “decision” that will become mandatory for multitudes to make? It is the same decision as recorded in the time of Moses.
25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. Exodus 32:25-26
The people were naked … they were not clothed upon with the garments of righteousness provided by the Lord. Aaron had made them naked. This represents the “ministers of the house” (Ezekiel 44) who have not fed the people with the whole truth of the Gospel.
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
2 Corinthians 5:1-4
So the decision always is, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who is ‘all in’ that the Lord might have his way?” Only the sons of Levi gathered themselves to Moses. That is why, “And He shall purify the sons of Levi” (Malachi 3:3). What about the sons of the other 11 tribes? They have been, are, and will be in the valley of decision. Further, what happened to all of those 3000 folks who did NOT step forward and declare they were on the Lord’s side? They were slain with the sword (Exodus 32:27-28).
We read of this same truth with respect to Elijah.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21
Amazing! The people answered him not a word! Then (1 Kings 18:22-38) the power of God was demonstrated in a mighty and dramatic way through Elijah. After the people saw that demonstration of the power of God, “they fell on their feet, and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God” (1 Kings 18:39). Then the false prophets were slain.
The event with Moses speaks of the Law; the event with Elijah speaks of grace.
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. Revelation 11:1-6
Verse 1 says that now is the time that judgment must begin at the house of God.
The two witnesses, on the surface, speak of Moses and Elijah, but they are only types of God’s law and His grace. Under the Old Covenant, only a few responded to the Law of God through Moses. Only a few responded to His grace until they saw the power of God being manifested through Elijah. Human nature has never and will never change. But it is better to fall on the Rock now than to have the Rock fall on us later!
Where will Armageddon take place? NOT in the valley of Megiddo, where many battles took place in Old Testament times. It is a God-appointed meeting place (rendezvous). On one side are the kings of the earth and of the whole world (governments and political-religious powers). On the other side is the Spirit of God through His anointed overcomers. Armageddon is not a flesh and blood battle on a small piece of real estate in the Middle East! Armageddon is world-wide. Changing our residence will not be a way of escape. Armageddon surrounds and envelops the entire human race; there is no avoiding it. It will try all those who dwell upon the earth. Armageddon has always been with man from the beginning, but it will come to its fullness soon. Armageddon is a battle for the souls of men. The battle takes place in our heart. It will be a fight-to-the-finish battle. It will be a "show down" similar to what Elijah had with the prophets and priests of Baal at Carmel. We believe the final Armageddon will be in the not-too-distant future. Let us look at Revelation, Chapter 16.
10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
[The word “seat” occurs only two times in scripture. The other place is in Revelation 2:13, which says that Satan’s seat was/is in Pergamos. Pergamos means “married to power.” The church and state were married by Constantine in 310 A.D.]
11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great River Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
[“Euphrates” means fruitfulness, or the "good and abounding River." Euphrates signifies prosperity and abundance … the Lord's gracious supply for mankind. But this is NOT the name-it-and-claim-it prosperity message. It is the abundant life which comes from abiding in Christ. In its fruitfulness it fulfills the purpose of the unnamed River of Life that flowed out of Eden to water its enclosed Garden and from there to cultivate the undeveloped earth.Notice how God gets the kings of the earth and the world to meet with His overcomers. There is no trumpet warning on this second and last visit of the sixth Angel to the Great River. When the provision abundantly supplied by the Father is taken for granted and is wasted on debauchery the messengers of judgment are released and all restraint is removed. The Source (Jesus) withdraws the waters of the good and abounding River. This is the last fulfillment of Hosea 5:15 – “I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: In their affliction they will seek Me early.” The way for the kings of the east is prepared; they will be gathered through deceptive miracles. Who are the kings of the east, whose "way is prepared" for them? If we check the Scripture, almost every time that the word “east” occurs, it is a reference to judgment or destruction; for example an “east wind,” which is a destructive force. So the “kings of the east” are part of what the Lord calls, “My great army” in the Book of Joel; i.e., forces of evil which the Lord allows to come against the people of God who have fallen away from the ways of the Lord.]
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
[God commands the services of unclean spirits to deceive and draw the political and religious leaders of the earth and the whole world into confrontation with Himself. Here we see the satanic tri-unity, the counterfeit of the one true Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This unholy tri-unity has its dedicated propaganda, designed to deceive the people of God.]
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
[Note that the spirits of devils work miracles. Many Christians have always been mesmerized by the working of miracles. But we should be enamored only with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.]
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
[Unless we keep our garments, supplied by the Lord Himself, we will walk naked and others will see our shame. The only way to be kept from Armageddon is to be watchful and keep our garments. Those defeated at Armageddon will be found naked.“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:3-5)]
16 And He gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Revelation 16:10-16
God has determined the time, the place, and the method He will use to bring down all false religions and man-made authorities. The kings of the earth and of the whole world will have military, political, economic, and ecclesiastic power at their disposal. They will not hesitate to use it. These present systems are all energized by the influence of Satan, who is the force behind all war and desire for world domination. But military might and political power are no threat to the Spirit of God. All military, political, and religious systems will be neutralized by the Spirit of God through His overcomers, who are the stone cut out of the mountain (Daniel 2:45). The overcomers will have ONLY the Spirit of God with which to do battle, but that will be sufficient! The "battle" will be one-sided from the start. God will"clean house" through His anointed overcomers. Jesus prophesied it when He "cleansed the temple."
Not by might (military strength), nor by power (authority of man), but by My Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
The overcomers will remain on the earth when the battle is over. Humanity will be set free from the influence of Satan. The desire to dominate and make war will no longer be an influence of deception over mankind.
What will be the result of Satan being bound (disabled)? Almost one whole generation of humanity will be snatched from the prince of the power of the air (when his influence over mankind is canceled) and will claim Jesus Christ as King. And, given the present population explosion, a very large harvest will be reaped for God. It will be the fulfillment of the last Feast of Tabernacles.
In the end of this age, the Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:41-43).
Chapter 15
The Book of Isaiah
Many years ago, the Holy Spirit quickened to at least two men (that I know of) that the Book of Isaiah, with its 66 Chapters, speaks prophetically of the history of man over time. In reality, since it was quickened independently to two men, it undoubtedly has been quickened to many more. God does not do anything in a corner or reveal His actions to only one or two. For example, Isaiah 52 speaks of the ministry of John the Baptist. Isaiah 53 clearly speaks of Calvary. Isaiah 54 speaks of Pentecost; Isaiah 55 refers to the call of the Gentiles; Isaiah 56 speaks of the rise of a mixed multitude within the Church (tares among the wheat); Isaiah 57 speaks of the rise of traditions of men and the persecution of the righteous; Isaiah 58 then tells of the voice of the Spirit to the reformers, or the Protestant Reformation; Isaiah 59 speaks of denominational strife; Isaiah 60 prophesies of the dawn of Zion’s glory when God visits the true Church to cause the conception of the man child; etc.
What about the first 51 Chapters of Isaiah? Fifty-one is 3 times 17, or the perfect completion of the number seventeen. Seventeen in Scripture symbolizes “complete victory” or “overcoming the enemy.” The great flood in the time of Noah started in the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month (Genesis 7:11). That speaks prophetically of the conception of the man child (see below). The 600th year of Noah’s life correlates to Isaiah 60. The ark rested on the mountains of Ararat on the seventeenth day of the seventh month (Genesis 8:4), in the future middle of the Feast of Tabernacles. That speaks of complete rest for the Bride of Christ. The whole Bible speaks of the Kingdom of God. In the Book of Genesis we find the prototypes of God’s purpose and plan for man throughout all of the history of time.
The Day of Atonement was/is on the tenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:27), which prophesies of the bringing forth of the man child and the binding of Satan (Revelation 20). The great red dragon had/has seven crowns on his seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 12:3 and Daniel 7), which speaks of the world ruling powers from Daniel’s time until the second coming of Christ. That represents the enemy’s attempt to bring forth his false victory, which is no victory at all, but results in a total defeat of his forces.
Isaiah 66 speaks of the culmination of time as we know it ... the time when Zion is brought forth and then the time when Zion brings forth her children (the rest of the body of Christ, in the wilderness). Note that there are 7 Chapters from conception (Isaiah 60) through the birth of the man child (Isaiah 66). Seven is the number which signifies spiritual perfection, which is all the magnificent work of God by the Holy Spirit.
7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith Thy God. Isaiah 66:7-9
In Verse 7, “she” is the woman, the body of Christ. But the body of Christ does not travail; the body of Christ, by her own actions, does not bring forth the man child. The woman does not see the need to bring forth the man child. The Lord Himself is and has been in the process of sovereignly bringing forth the man child (the remnant, the overcomers, spiritual Zion, etc.). “Her pain” is tribulation, suffering, difficulties, pressure, etc. But the Lord is sovereignly bringing forth that man child, and the Lord will sovereignly bring to birth and deliver that man child, just as the Man, Jesus, was sovereignly brought to birth as a Man. Note that the overcomers will be brought forth before great tribulation. It is a hidden work which the Lord will unveil soon, just as the Lord prepared Moses in the wilderness for 40 years. It corresponds to the manifestation of the sons of God. It has little to do with the visible church that we see today.
16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
Psalm 102:16-17
Note that it is the LORD, not man, Who will build up Zion. It is fair to say that despite all of the efforts of (Christian) man, the LORD will build up (spiritual) Zion. Jesus said that He will build His Church. The word, “prayer,” which occurs twice in Verse 17, means intercession or supplication. “Destitute” means “poor;” but not poor in the natural realm … poor in spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest?2 For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word. Isaiah 66:1-2
In turn, spiritual Zion will travail to bring forth the body of Christ (Isaiah 66:8). That travail has not yet happened, but will happen soon. Those verses in Isaiah 66 correspond to Revelation, Chapter 12.
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.
[Many, no doubt, interpret those first five verses to refer to the birth of Jesus. There certainly is a parallel, but if that is the meaning, then these verses are simply a recount of past history in the natural realm, rather than a prophecy of events to come. Further, Revelation 1:1 speaks of, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass …” Most scholars date the Book of Revelation about 95 A.D., long after the birth of Jesus.]
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
[The wilderness is outside the camp of organized religion. 1260 days is three and one-half years. “They” must refer to the man child, who will feed the body of Christ at God’s appointed time.]
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
[“They” again refers to the overcomers … the man child.]
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
[This speaks of “great tribulation.”]
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
[We do not believe that the “flood” speaks of literal water. Rather, it speaks of a flood of errors and heresies, which are far too evident within the visible church today. Jesus said that the deception will be so great that if it were possible even the very elect would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). A flood also speaks of violent persecutions. See, for example, Psalm 124:1-5 and Proverbs 18:4.]
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
[The sovereignty of God.]
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
[The remnant (spiritual Zion) keeps the commandments of God, and has the testimony of Jesus Christ. By implication, not all of the Church does this; for example, the Church at Corinth and its modern-day counterpart.]
Revelation 12
The Verses in Isaiah 66 also correspond to Joel 2:17-18, which are two of my favorite verses.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O LORD, and give not Thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?18 Then will the LORD be jealous for His land, and pity His people. Joel 2:17-18
Verse 18 will not be fulfilled until Verse 17 is fulfilled. The “ministers of the Lord” in Verse 17 does NOT speak of those who minister to the house (Ezekiel 44). It speaks of that remnant, the overcomers, the very elect, spiritual Zion, the man child, the sons of God who will be made manifest, those who will rule and reign with Him on earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20).
What a marvelous and amazing work the Lord is doing!
Now, if the Book of Isaiah does in fact prophesy of the time of man on earth until the Lord returns, then in what Chapter of Isaiah do we now live? We would suggest that we are now living in Isaiah 59 and toward the end of that Chapter. In other words, we are very close to the dawn of Zion’s glory.
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. Isaiah 59:19-20
Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Chapter 16
The Feet
The real significance of the Word of God is not in the natural realm but in the realm of the Spirit. Yes, it is true that many Scriptures speak only of the natural feet of man. And yes, Scripture always points to the Christ, but the Christ includes not only the Head but the body, and the body includes the feet. Feet, which are the extremities of the human anatomy, are used prophetically to portray what Jesus is planning for His faithful followers in these end times, i.e., the Church Age, which is drawing to a close.
One key which illustrates the prophetic nature of the feet is in Daniel, Chapter 2, from a dream given to Nebuchadnezzar. The essence of that dream was repeated two more times in dreams given to Daniel in Daniel, Chapters 7 and 8. The image was a chronological preview of the four great Gentile Kingdoms which were to come into being on the earth. The feet and toes represent what we have on the earth today in the politics of the world and in the visible church … a mixture.
31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.32 This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Daniel 2:31-33
NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S DREAM OF A GREAT IMAGE
Description of the Great Image
1. HEAD OF GOLD BABYLON 626 BC
2. CHEST AND ARMS OF SILVER MEDO‑PERSIAN EMPIRE 539 B.C.
3. BELLY AND THIGHS OF BRASS GREEKS, ALEXANDER THE GREAT 330 B.C.
4. LEGS OF IRON ROMAN EMPIRE 63 B.C. – 476 A.D.
5. FEET OF IRON & CLAY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ongoing
and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Luke 21:24
The image represents the times of the Gentiles. Jerusalem represents the Bride of Christ, which is not the same as the Church. Note the mixture that arose when the religious hierarchy (the feet of iron and clay) ascended to more power than the old, political Roman Empire. Unfortunately, this is a mixture that still pervades the modern-day Christian community.
34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:34-35
In Verse 34, we might ask the question, “Cut out of what?” The Lord, without the hands of any man, is in the process of cutting out that stone. Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build My Church …” But that stone will not be completely cut out until the Day of Atonement is completely fulfilled. The stone (the overcomers or the Bride) will smite the feet of iron and clay and break them to pieces. Then the image will have nothing left upon which to stand. The stone that smote the image will become the Kingdom of God, which will fill the whole earth at the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering, a great harvest of souls that the earth has never seen, far exceeding the early days of the Church as recorded in the Book of Acts.
41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Daniel 2:41-45
Running parallel to the world kingdoms is the Kingdom which God is in the process of bringing to perfection. Part of God's Kingdom is the stone which was hewn out of the mountain, which smote the image in the feet, and obliterated it. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed ..." (Daniel 2:44). The “stone which was hewn out of the mountain (kingdom) consists of the overcomers.
The body of Christ, the Church, also has been in existence for a long time and has gone through various stages, like the image which the King of Babylon saw in his dream. We are now living in the time of the feet.
The following Verse speaks of both the first coming of Jesus to earth as a man and of His soon second coming to earth as the all-victorious King.
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. Genesis 49:10And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day. Joshua 4:9
Why are the twelve stones “there unto this day” and what is “this day?” “This day” is this day … the day in which we live. It is every day when the priests which bare the ark of the Lord (Christ within) stand in the spiritual Jordan River, which represents the entrance to the Kingdom of God. Further, God promises to protect those priests against all of the wiles of our enemy.
He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 1 Samuel 2:9And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20
Asa was called a “good” king of Judah, both in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 16. Indeed, he did many good things which pleased the Lord. However, toward the end of his life he made a few mistakes.
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand.9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.11 And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.12 And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. 2 Chronicles 16:7-12
What we see in the visible church today are many in leadership positions who are diseased in their feet and lame in their feet like the son of Jonathan … ministers to the house (Ezekiel 44:9-14) who commit abominations … those who are not prepared to be used in a mighty way in these end times.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace: that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation: that saith unto Zion, 'Thy God reigneth'.8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: For they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Isaiah 52:7-8The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious. Isaiah 60:13
The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. Nahum 1:3
The previous several Verses all speak prophetically of the overcomers … those who have diligently been looking for Him to complete the Day of Atonement (much more on that subject later).
4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings.7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. Ezekiel 1:4-7
Have you ever noticed that very few people have straight feet? Most feet have toes that are bent inward, particularly women, who wear shoes with narrow, pointed toes. That seems to reflect the effect of mixture with worldly things. In Acts 9:10-11, the Lord told Ananias to go to Damascus unto a street called “Straight” and inquire of Saul of Tarsus. That street was actually very crooked. What men call straight is frequently crooked. But the Lord is in process of making straight that which is crooked (Isaiah 40:4). Now we turn to one of the many prophecies enacted by Jesus.
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God;4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.5 After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.6 Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.8 Peter saith unto Him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me.9 Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.11 For He knew who should betray Him; therefore said He, Ye are not all clean.12 So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?13 Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
John 13:3-15
In John 13 Jesus had taken a towel and a basin of water, and began to wash the feet of His disciples. It was customary in those days always to have large water pots at the door of the house; and a servant was there with a basin and a towel to wash the soiled feet of the guests as they came in to eat a meal. In this event, no servants were present, so Jesus functioned as the servant. But note from Verse 4 that the foot washing occurred after the meal. So this was something different from the usual foot washing. Jesus came to Peter, who said, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." Jesus replied and said, "What I do thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter." What was Jesus talking about? What was the hidden meaning of Him washing the feet of His disciples … His close followers? Why didn't He wash the feet of everybody instead of just His close followers? Were the feet of His disciples extra dirty? No. He was not giving them a lesson in personal cleanliness or health sanitation. Neither was He instituting a ritual of foot washing in the natural realm. It is true that Jesus was/is the great Servant; it is also true that He showed true humility. But there is much more.
Jesus was enacting a prophecy concerning the end times … the dispensation that He was just about to usher in upon the earth … grace. There will come a special cleansing to the close followers of Jesus in the last days, which will make them "beautiful." Just the close followers will receive it … those who are looking for Him. When Jesus said that He had given them an example that they should do to others, He meant the essence of the following verse.
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Paul was NOT saying to Timothy to pass on the information to others through teaching. He was referring to imparting, by the Spirit of God, understanding and discernment to faithful men (not to a mega-church crowd).
Listen to what John said he saw in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. "And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace." Revelation 1:15. This tells us that in the time of the feet, there will be "refined or exact judgment." "Judgment,” here, as in most usages of the word in Scripture, means putting things in their proper place, or putting proper value on things. We also recommend reading Revelation 4:3 and Revelation 21:11, 18-19. Those verses speak both of the Lord Himself and of the overcomers when the Day of Atonement is completely fulfilled by Jesus. Present day believers who are walking as closely to the Lord as they know how, constitute the "feet" of the body of Christ in the same sense that the present-day governments of the world mixed with the visible church constitute the "feet" of the Babylonian image.
Jesus also allowed a prophecy to be enacted concerning the believer in the last days while in Bethany at a supper in His honor. Mary took a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. See John 12:3. Why did she anoint the feet? Why not the head or the hands and arms? because the special anointing was to be poured out upon the saints in the last days. God has a special work for the overcomers to do, and it will take a special anointing to get the job done. There is a work to be completed and they need to fix their gaze in that direction instead of seeking an escape route, as we have been programmed to do for hundreds of years. Look at the many scriptures that talk about all things being put under His feet. That includes His enemies.
God intends to use His Saints …"My sanctified ones… My mighty ones for Mine anger, even them that rejoice in My Highness." They will be the "weapons of His indignation.” See Isaiah 13:1-5.
22 But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever27 Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High: and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Daniel 7:22, 27
Because "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds,” we cannot, by any fleshly means, overpower the forces of evil as they are seen in the governmental, financial and religious institutions of the world today. Legislation will not do it. Armies will not do it. Passing resolutions will not do it. Our only means of attack is the Spirit of Almighty God. But that is more than sufficient!
The best is yet to come! There may be hundreds of thousands of believers who think that Christianity is only about getting “saved” and going to heaven one day. But all of creation is groaning, waiting for deliverance … waiting for the priests, the ministers of the Lord, to weep between the porch and the altar … waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God … waiting for the man child to feed the church in the wilderness … waiting for the sons of Zadok who will teach God’s people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean …waiting for saviours to arise on Mount Zion (Obadiah 21). The Spirit and the Bride say, Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Selah.
Chapter 17
The Two Governments
About 10 years ago I wrote something about the “abomination of desolation.” Hindsight, I knew very little about what I wrote then. “If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). More recently I asked the Lord to reveal to me an understanding of what the “abomination of desolation” means. I share with you that which I believe I have heard. This is NOT to say that I fully understand these things. But perhaps the Lord will use this book to further enlighten a few readers and spark additional revelation on this topic. “The abomination of desolation” is also translated as “the abomination which makes desolate.”
Two key phrases that we should all understand concerning the end times are the “daily” and the “abomination of desolation.” Both the “daily” and the “abomination of desolation” are topics which are directly or indirectly talked about throughout all of Scripture. In reality, the “daily” and the “abomination of desolation” represent two forms of government … the government of, for, and by God and the government of, for, and by man. There is little or no life in simply talking about the “negative.” In order to understand “the abomination of desolation” or any other “negative” topic, we first need to understand the “daily,” which is the “positive.” However, we should recognize that there is nothing about the Word of God that is “negative.” All of the Word is for our benefit.
The Daily: The Government of, for, and by God
The first (indirect) reference to the “daily” is in Genesis.
9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:9, 16-17
Every true believer knows that the tree of life is the Lord Jesus Christ. The first Adam was given a choice. He (and we) can (and must) freely partake of the Tree of Life. But that was never intended to be a “one and done.” God’s original will was for Adam to partake of the Tree of Life daily but never to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which was the counterfeit. His will has never changed. Every believer throughout history has the choice to partake of the Tree of Life daily … continually … perpetually. But the tree of the knowledge of good and evil has never disappeared. Even after the initial salvation experience, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil remains a temptation to a true believer, for that speaks of our effort to attain to something by our own works or our own mind, independent of the Lord.
9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. Daniel 8:9-19
Note in Verses 11, 12, and 13 that the word “sacrifice” is in italics in the KJV. Five places in the Book of Daniel contain the phrase, "daily [sacrifice]". In all five places (Daniel 11:31 and 12:11 are the others), the word "sacrifice" is in italics … denoting that it is not in the original text. It was supplied by the King James translators to make a "more clear understanding" of the text. I believe they did the best they could have done, given the background from which they came … Roman Catholicism. But if the word "sacrifice" is misleading, what is the TRUE meaning of "daily"? It is critical that we understand what is meant by the “daily.” Indeed the very life of a believer depends upon the “daily.” The word, “daily,” is the Hebrew “tamiyd” (pronounced taw-meed’), which means continually, perpetually, constantly, or as an indefinite extension.
Under the Old Covenant, the priests were to offer twice daily (tamiyd) a burnt offering.
38 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually [tamiyd].39 The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even:40 And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.41 And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.42 This shall be a continual [tamiyd] burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to Me in the priest's office. Exodus 29:38-44
However, those daily sacrifices were but a type, a shadow of the reality to come. The burnt offering is the first (and therefore the most important) offering described in the Book of Leviticus. As such, the burnt offering speaks of the true believer who allows the fire of God to totally and completely consume his self. Paul stated the true daily sacrifice when he said,
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1 Corinthians 15:31
4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in My law, or no.5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. Exodus 16:4-5
Scripture says that the Israelites were not to save the manna from one day to the next, except for the day before the Sabbath day, for no manna rained down on the Sabbath day.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
Jesus said that He is the bread that came down from heaven.
Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto Thee daily. Psalm 86:3
The above verse is key to our entering the kingdom of God ... ask for His great mercy and cry unto the Lord daily.
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23And He taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy Him. Luke 19:47
The Lord is still teaching daily in His temple through the power of the Holy Ghost. But far too many of His people are still rejecting Him … how? by partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. That leads to the abomination of desolation. Why? Because of the first (and most important) of the ten commandments … “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). That commandment has never and will never change for a believer.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47
Do we, the charismatic/Spirit-filled community, continue daily with one accord in the spiritual temple today? Is the Lord adding to the church daily today?
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:42And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:5These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11
Do we, the charismatic/Spirit-filled community, search the scriptures daily?
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
Do we, the charismatic/Spirit-filled community, exhort one another daily? Who did you exhort today? Who exhorted you today?
According to the prophecy of Daniel, the "daily" was to be taken away. In its stead there would be established the "abomination which maketh desolate."
1 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: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days. Daniel 12:1-13
The Abomination of Desolation: The Government of, for, and by Man
Matthew 24:15 speaks of the abomination of desolation (desolation of the holy place). The first (natural) reference in Daniel (9:27, 11:31, and 12:11) was to 168 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes erected a pagan altar to Zeus on the sacred altar in the temple of Jerusalem. There are two more stages in the progressive fulfillment of the prophecies in Daniel and Matthew: (1) the Roman destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. and (2) the setting up of an image of the antichrist in spiritual Jerusalem in our time (2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 13:14-15).
We start our study of the “negative” in the Book of Daniel. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim (circa 605 B.C.), Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among the young Jewish nobility carried off to Babylon. Daniel was most likely a young teenager at the time. So Daniel lived almost all of his life in captivity in Babylon. From Chapter 7 to the end of the book of Daniel, apocalyptic dreams and visions are described. This marks a change in the narrative from Daniel interpreting the dreams of the kings of Babylon to messengers of God interpreting for Daniel. At that point in time, Daniel must have been about 75 years old.
All of Daniel, Chapter 7, speaks of the sovereignty and judgment of God. That Chapter also speaks of the struggles of man and man’s ever-historical battle between the forces of darkness and the Light. (Revelation 17 is intimately related to Daniel 7. It would be good for the reader to pause and read Revelation 17 at this point.) Like other Scriptures which speak of end-time events (particularly in the Book of Revelation, Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13), we believe that the seventh chapter of Daniel has more than one fulfillment, as we will see shortly. Further, Daniel, Chapter 7, presents a panoramic view of all of the major events pertaining to man since the time of the Babylonian Empire.
Daniel 7:1-28
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
The “four winds of the heaven” represent the entire kingdom of heaven. The “great sea” speaks of the vast sea of humanity or the world of nations and peoples. (And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Revelation 17:15) Note the “striving” between heaven and earth or between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, which are led by the prince of the power of the air, who has deceived much of humanity, including many Christians.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
The four great beasts came up from the sea … men in the flesh … in the world … inspired by the devil. In our previous Chapter, we described the common teaching (taken from Daniel 8) of the four beasts in Daniel 7. The lion represents the Babylonian empire. The last part of Verse 4 speaks of the humbling experience of Nebuchadnezzar, as recorded in Daniel 4. The bear represents the Medo-Persian Empire. The three ribs represent their three principal conquests of Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt. The leopard with four wings and four heads speaks of the speedy conquest by Alexander the Great and Greece, and the four heads correspond to the four main divisions into which his empire fell after his death. The fourth beast, which was dreadful and terrifying, represents the Roman Empire. Its ten horns correspond to the ten toes of the vision in Daniel, Chapter 2. From Daniel 2:41, the feet and toes were part of potter’s clay and part of iron. That speaks of a mixture … that which, unfortunately, is still in the visible church today. The ten horns are the 10 subdivisions of the Roman Empire.
8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
In Verse 8 another little horn came up among the ten horns. The little horn came up from the roots of the fourth beast, the Roman Empire. The little horn can therefore be no other than the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. Long before the pagan Roman Empire fell into decay, there was another governmental force making its presence felt among the people in the Empire. The “church” of that time was struggling for supreme power over the masses of humanity. In due time the world was to know ONLY the rule of the "church." The three horns were the Heruli, Vandals and the Ostrogoths. All three vehemently opposed the Papacy and obstructed them from rising to full supremacy, but the three horns of opposition were removed by harsh, merciless, military conquests between 493 A.D. and 538 A.D., leaving the Papacy in full control by that date. The Papacy began as a church in the city of Rome. However, by 538 A.D. the Papacy was no longer just a little church, it was a political force that controlled kings and queens of Europe. Those who supported the Papacy were found in all nations. The Papacy was diverse or different from the other powers before it. The Papacy rose to full supremacy in 538 A.D., and it came to its (first) end exactly 1260 years later in 1798 A.D. when Napoleon’s General Berthier marched into Rome and took Pope Pius VI prisoner, thus taking from the Vatican it’s political or temporal power. (This was the 1260 years in the “time and times and dividing of time” in Daniel 7:25) The Papacy had received its deadly wound, but this wound was to be healed (Revelation 13:3).
From Verse 11, the little horn spoke great words and the dominion of the political Roman Empire was slain. The "church" assumed supreme authority … even over kings of the earth and their kingdoms. Whole armies were "commandeered" by the leaders of the "church." Heathen nations were "evangelized" by these commandeered armies. The "stock in trade" of this new government would become, among other things, the souls of men. The doctrines of the "church" were taught with the guillotine or sword. This was the result of the "Abomination of Desolation."
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
In Verse 13, Daniel saw one like the Son of man who came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before Him. Note that the Verse does NOT speak of the Son of man but of one LIKE the Son of man. Pure deception! This must likewise speak of the little horn, the Roman Catholic system with the Papacy, cardinals … the hierarchical system … the counterfeit. This represents the time that Jesus spoke about when He said that in that day many shall be deceived. ONE like the Son of man … apparently refers to the pope (not necessarily the current pope). He even comes with the clouds of heaven. Compare that with Acts 1:9-11. The false always emerges before the true. A multitude of scriptures testify to that truth.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Who is the “him” in Verse 14? It sounds, superficially, like this speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ. But no kingdom and no dominion and no glory has to be given to the Lord. Therefore the “him” again refers to the little horn, who was brought before the Ancient of days (God the Father in Verse 13). Why? To receive permission from God to go out and deceive all the nations and to rule over them, just as God permitted Satan to tempt Job (Job 1:6-12).
15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Verse 18 seems almost out of place, but it speaks of the overcomers over all of time. The little horn is further described in Verses 20 and 25. He had eyes (which correspond to spirits, as in Revelation 5:6); he had a mouth that spoke very great things; his mouth speaks from assumed, usurped authority; his look is more stout than his fellows; in other words, he looks like a Christian, he acts like a Christian, he talks like a Christian, but he is a pure deceiver. He is warlike and seeks to control the lives of men. That is called witchcraft. This then is the abomination of desolation which God allows because His people have not continued in the daily.
21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
He is even now in the earth, making war with the saints, and is prevailing against them. The deception is so great that if it were possible, even the very elect might be deceived.
22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
The fourth beast is diverse in that it is religious, rather than political in nature. The people are not the antichrist but the system is the system of antichrist.
24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
“Speak great words against the Most High.” This shows that this organization was to be headed by a man and that this man would speak great words or blasphemies against the Most High. One blasphemy is to claim the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7); another blasphemy is when a man makes himself as God (John 10:30-33). The Papacy fulfils both of these by their own documents. From here to the end of this Chapter, what we present in quotes and in italics is taken from popery encyclicals and other reputable Catholic doctrinal statements.
“The Pope is so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God.”
“We hold upon this earth the place of God almighty.”
“The supreme teacher in the church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds requires complete submission and obedience of the will to the church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself.”
“And God Himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of His priest and either not to pardon or pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it.”
“The priest does not only declare that the sinner is forgiven, but he really forgives him...so great is the power of the priest that the judgments of heaven itself are subject to his decision.”
“Wear out the saints of the Most High.” The Papacy is well known for its persecution of so called heretics.
“...it is estimated by careful historians that more than fifty millions of the human family have been slaughtered for the crime of heresy by Popish persecutors, an average of more than forty thousand religious murders for every year of the existence of Popery.”
I have seen other “official” Catholic documents that estimate 68 million Christians have been slain. The Holocaust under Hitler pales in comparison to this slaughter.
“The Catholic Church...loudly proclaims that she has a horror of blood. Nevertheless when confronted by heresy she...has recourse to force, to corporal punishment, to torture. She creates tribunals like those of the inquisition...encourages a crusade or a religious war...especially did she act thus in the sixteenth century with regards to Protestants.”
The Papacy still justifies her position:
“...that the church of Rome possesses the supremacy of both powers, the spiritual and the temporal, that she has the right to employ both swords in the extirpation of heresy; that in the exercise of this right she has never exceeded by a hairs breadth her just prerogatives and that what she has done aforetime she may do in time to come as often as occasion shall require and opportunity may serve.”
“The pope has the power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ. He can pronounce sentences and judgments in contradiction to the rights of nations, to the law of God and man.”
But GOD … Fortunately for us, we still have Verses 26 and 27.
26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Note that “they shall take away his (the devil’s) dominion.” Who are “they”? the overcomers, who will be anointed with power when they are caught up in the realm of the Spirit when the last Day of Atonement is fulfilled. (Much more on this topic later.)
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart. Daniel 7:1-28
Note that Daniel was much troubled by the explanation given to him. How many of us believers today are likewise troubled by the interpretation? Parts of Daniel 7 have been fulfilled at least once but the complete fulfillment is yet to come. Protestants have forgotten why we protested.
The time is coming, and sooner than we think, when the “daily” will be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up. Just as in the time of the three Babylonian kings, it will be illegal to worship the true God. New laws will be passed such that only the antichrist can be worshipped. That will require a huge decision on the part of believers. Jesus said,
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:2
That happened about 70 AD; it happened again during the “Counter Reformation;” it will happen once more for the last time, perhaps sooner than we think. Is it time to set aside the forms, the types, the shadows, the routines, the customs, the rituals, the traditions of men, and press into God? Lord, have mercy on us!
In summary, the Lord seems to say and continues to say, “I created you. I breathed life into your nostrils. I made you just the way I wanted to make you. You were born again by My Spirit. I have always loved you, provided for you, cared for you, freely given to you everything you have ever needed, protected you, and have been ever faithful to you. All I want is for you to love Me, trust Me, depend upon Me and partake of Me daily. Why do you rather want to trust your own natural minds and will? Why do you still want to partake of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? That is the abomination which makes desolate.”
Chapter 18
The Last Three Feasts
Three major Jewish feasts are recorded in the Old Testament: Passover, Pentecost (or the Feast of Weeks or Harvest), and Tabernacles (or Booths or Ingathering). Associated with Passover (the 14th day of the first month, Abib) is the Feast of Unleavened Bread (seven days, from the 15th through the 21st day of Abib) and the Feast of First Fruits (the 16th day of Abib). Associated with Tabernacles (the 7th month of Tishri, days 15-21) is the Feast of Trumpets (the 1st day of the 7th month), and the Day of Atonement (10th day of the 7th month).
In addition we read about the feast of Purim (Esther 9:18-32) during days 14 and 15 of the 12th month, Adar, and the feast of dedication of festival of lights, mentioned in John 10:22. This latter feast is called Hanukkah, which occurs on Kislev 25 (December) and which commemorated the purification of the temple and altar in the Maccabean period (166 B.C. through 63 B.C.). We can read about Purim in Esther 9:18-32.
The references to the three major Jewish feasts are in Leviticus 16 and 23, Numbers 28 and 29, Deuteronomy 16, and Exodus 12, 20, and 23. Leviticus 23 records seven major feasts of the Lord, as given to Moses: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Sheaf of Firstfruits, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The first four feasts have already been fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) have not yet been fulfilled in time as we know it, but will be fulfilled by the Lord soon.
In this book we share some things concerning end-time events, particularly as they relate to the last three Feasts of the Lord and the ministry of those called overcomers. The Bible speaks of three classes of Christians: those who are born from above, those who are also baptized into the Holy Spirit, and the overcomers. Only those Christians who also become overcomers are referred to in the Bible as sons of God and members of the Bride. Not every "believer" is a part of the Bride. Most fundamentalist and evangelicals and even a few charismatics do not see any distinctions between those who are born from above. Believers are born from above and will go to heaven one day, but they are not necessarily a part of the Bride. Not everyone who has received the gift of salvation will respond to this closer walk. Believers who continue to live a worldly, or carnal, lifestyle will not be ready to meet the Bridegroom. This truth is also borne out in type by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who took their inheritance outside of the “promised land” on the other side of Jordan. (See 1 Chronicles 12:37, Deuteronomy 29:28, and others.) This truth is also born out by the three levels of Gideon’s original 32,000 and by 1 John 2:12-18 (to name but a few verses). In addition, the bride of the first Adam was taken out of the first man, Adam; likewise the Bride of the last Adam will be taken out of the second Man, the body of Christ.
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
[A wedding garment was supplied by the host. This speaks of His righteousness, which is a gift. We cannot earn it; no amount of our “works” will attain to His righteousness. See Romans 10:3, Titus 3:5, and many other scriptures.]
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[“Outer darkness” does not mean “hell” or the lake of fire. “Outer darkness” refers to a lack of light, ignorance, or a lack of understanding. A multitude of scriptures indicate that we can be “saved” but miss the Kingdom of God.]
14 For many are called, but few are chosen. [because few choose] Matthew 22:1-14
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:1-13
The above verses are NOT a distinction between those who are “saved” and those who are not saved. Neither do the five foolish virgins represent those who have “lost” their salvation. The five wise virgins are those overcomers who become part of the Bride of Christ and who will rule and reign with Him on earth for 1,000 years. The five foolish virgins are those “saved” believers who lived not again until the thousand years are finished (Revelation 20:5).
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23
The above verses speak of the same truth that is expressed in Matthew 25, above.
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:1-10
And the Spirit and the bride [not the church] say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:7-9
In eternity past God made a blue‑print for the future Church Age and He has never revised His plan. That plan calls for a remnant, a stone cut out of the mountain which fills the whole earth, a remnant that delivers a smashing blow to the forces of evil. It does not call for a weak, persecuted Church which has to be snatched away from total destruction.
The Sacred Year
When God told the children of Israel to make preparations for the final plague in Egypt, He said to Moses, “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2). In Exodus 13:4 the month is identified: "This day came ye out in the month Abib."
Abib starts what is called the “Levitical Year” or the “Sacred Year.” It corresponds to our months of March and April. The Sacred Year was not a full twelve‑month year, but rather a seven‑month period within the Civil Year, set apart for the purposes of God in His dealings with Israel. In this seven‑month period are contained the Feasts and Holy Convocations which served as a point of contact between God and Israel. Recall that on the 7th day, God ended His work and rested from all His work. (See the following chart of the Hebrew Calendar.)
This Sacred Year, which began in Abib, ended in the month Tishri, which was the first month of the Civil Year. It corresponds to our months of September and October. The Israelite months are lunar instead of solar, so an exact comparison cannot be made. The month of Tishri, the first month of the Civil Year, is also the end of the Sacred Year. In Exodus 34:22 we read, "And thou shalt observe … the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end." The same term is used in Exodus 23:16: " … and the Feast of Ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field."
After six months the Sacred Year started all over again, and the feasts and ceremonies were observed in their proper order all over again. This went on, from year to year, for many centuries.
The first observance was Passover, in memory of the night in Egypt when the Death Angel passed over the houses of those who had the blood of the lamb applied to their dwellings. This was also a type of Jesus, our Passover. The observance pointed both backward and forward. Passover was followed immediately by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven‑day observance. Israel was also commanded to bring a sheaf of the first‑ripe grain, which was called the Firstfruits. Those first three observances all pointed to Jesus and His atoning work at the cross and at the resurrection.
Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:620 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23
Fifty days after Passover was the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. There were fifty days between the day that Israel was thrust out of Egypt, and the time when Moses and Israel heard the Voice of the Lord thundering out of Mt. Sinai, giving them the ten commandments.
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days: and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour: they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the Lord. Leviticus 23:16-17
God insists that there be a response from our lives, leavened as they are by the nature of flesh.
True to the pattern in the Sacred Year of the Old Testament, Jesus became our Passover, Unleavened Bread, and the Firstfruits of them that slept. He was the first begotten from the dead. Also, true to the pattern, Acts 2:1-4: "When the day of Pentecost was fully come ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." As God had BEGUN to give the Law of Ordinances at Sinai fifty days after Passover, even so now, Jesus BEGAN to give the perfect law of liberty in the hearts of those who would ask Him for it. Pentecost was fifty days after Passover. The "sign" of speaking in other tongues was later to be taken as proof of acceptance in Jesus Christ. (As an aside tangent, many years ago a woman asked if it is possible to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and not speak in tongues. My answer was and still is “yes” because I have known and read testimonies of some to which that has happened. Experience trumps my doctrine and your doctrine. It is like the man born blind. When Jesus opened his eyes, the Pharisees asked the man about his experience. He replied, “Whether He be a sinner I know not; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”)
We must remember, however, that the experience of Pentecost is only the beginning of the writing of the Law of God in the hearts of the believers. Ephesians 1:14 refers it to as the "earnest of our inheritance." It is also called the “firstfruits of the Spirit” in Romans 8:23.
After Pentecost there was no outstanding activity as far as special ceremonies were concerned for a period of three and one-half months. If the Sacred Year was to be a sort of blueprint of God's dealings with the Church, (as we wholeheartedly believe) then the passage of time in the Sacred Year denotes the passage of time in God's dealings with the Church. The three-and one-half-month time lapse is not the important thing. The important aspect of it is that God waited until the last month of the sacred year to enact the last three observances. It is important to note that Jesus has also fulfilled Pentecost (John 14:16, 26). Ever since the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts, we humans have been living in the three-and-one-half-month period prior to the fulfillment of the last three Jewish feasts. This time period of almost 2000 years has certainly been a time of tribulation, for “we must with much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
The first of the last three observances came on the first day of the seventh month, Tishri. Leviticus 23:24: "In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation." This was the seventh month of the sacred year, the first month of the secular year, and also New Year's Day. Concerning the Feast of Trumpets, there were several distinct trumpet calls which every man of Israel was obligated to know and recognize and to know the proper response to each one. We will be dealing with the Feast of Trumpets later at greater length.
Next comes the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year. Leviticus 23:27‑28: "Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement; It shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a Day of Atonement for you before the Lord."
This was the one day of the year in which the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies with blood to make an atonement for the sins of the people. It was the day of the scapegoat also. On this day, at the end of every fifty years, the trumpet was blown to proclaim liberty throughout the land. It was known as the jubilee. We will be dealing later with the Day of Atonement at greater length. That day speaks of the promise of greater things to come in the lives of believers.
The last, but by no means the least, observance of the Sacred Year was the Feast of Tabernacles, or Ingathering. We will try to go into some detail of the significance of this Feast in a later Chapter.
We dare not dismiss these feasts as unimportant or too monotonous to bother ourselves with. They are a key to our understanding the time in which we live.
Hebrew Calendar and Feasts
Sacred Year Civil Year Hebrew Modern
Number of Month Name Equivalent
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1 7 Abib; Nisan March-April: Passover;
Unleavened Bread; Firstfruits
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Unleavened Bread; Firstfruits
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2 8 Ziv (Iyyar)* April-May
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3 9 Sivan May-June: Pentecost (Weeks)
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4 10 (Tammuz)* June-July
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5 11 (Ab)* July-Aug
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6 12 Elul Aug-Sept
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7 1 Ethanim Sept-Oct: Trumpets;
(Tishri)* Atonement; Tabernacles
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8 2 Bul Oct-Nov
8 2 Bul Oct-Nov
(Marcheshvan)*
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9 3 Kislev Nov-Dec: Hanukkah (Dedication)
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10 4 Tebeth Dec-Jan
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11 5 Shebat Jan-Feb
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12 6 Adar Purim
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* Names in parentheses are not in the Bible.
The Feast of Blowing of Trumpets
Leviticus 23 records seven major feasts of the Lord, as given to Moses: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Sheaf of Firstfruits, Pentecost, the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The first four feasts have already been fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) have not yet been fulfilled in time as we know it, but will be fulfilled by the Lord soon. Leviticus 23:24 states that the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets is in the seventh month (September-October), in the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. The Jewish people call it Rosh Hashanah. This also corresponds to the first day of the civil year (or the agricultural year) for the Jews. The phrase "blowing of trumpets" comes from the same Hebrew word that is used in several places in the sense of mustering the army for war, such as "shout, alarm, and other battle terms."
In the autumn of the year on the first day of the month Tishri trumpets are blown to announce the Hebrew holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year.” Christians refer to it as the Feast of Trumpets. It occurs at the new moon when only the slightest crescent would be visible. However, clouds could obscure the moon, so witnesses were required. Watchfulness was critical to start this feast. The rabbis later added a second day to this feast to make sure they didn't miss it. This need to watch and prepare in connection with the Feast of Trumpets is echoed throughout the New Testament in connection with the Lord's coming.
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9 3 Kislev Nov-Dec: Hanukkah (Dedication)
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10 4 Tebeth Dec-Jan
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11 5 Shebat Jan-Feb
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12 6 Adar Purim
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* Names in parentheses are not in the Bible.
Chapter 19
The Feast of Blowing of Trumpets
Leviticus 23 records seven major feasts of the Lord, as given to Moses: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Sheaf of Firstfruits, Pentecost, the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The first four feasts have already been fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ. The last three feasts (Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles) have not yet been fulfilled in time as we know it, but will be fulfilled by the Lord soon. Leviticus 23:24 states that the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets is in the seventh month (September-October), in the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishri. The Jewish people call it Rosh Hashanah. This also corresponds to the first day of the civil year (or the agricultural year) for the Jews. The phrase "blowing of trumpets" comes from the same Hebrew word that is used in several places in the sense of mustering the army for war, such as "shout, alarm, and other battle terms."
In the autumn of the year on the first day of the month Tishri trumpets are blown to announce the Hebrew holiday of Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year.” Christians refer to it as the Feast of Trumpets. It occurs at the new moon when only the slightest crescent would be visible. However, clouds could obscure the moon, so witnesses were required. Watchfulness was critical to start this feast. The rabbis later added a second day to this feast to make sure they didn't miss it. This need to watch and prepare in connection with the Feast of Trumpets is echoed throughout the New Testament in connection with the Lord's coming.
Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42Therefore, let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober-minded.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Numbers 10: 1-10 gives the initial reasons for blowing the trumpets:
(1) to call an assembly,(2) to signal the journeying of the camps,(3) to gather the congregation together,(4) to prepare for war, and(5) to herald the celebration of the feasts themselves.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.4 And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.5 When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God. Numbers 10:1-10
In addition, after Israel demanded an earthly king (about 378 years later) a trumpet was sounded when a king was anointed (2 Samuel 15:10, 1 Kings 1:34, 2 Kings 9:13). And, as indicated below, the trumpets are blown on the Day of Atonement and the Day of Jubilee.
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. Leviticus 25:9
Numbers 10:2 says, "Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them." Silver in scripture signifies redemption. The silver trumpets for the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets herald the start of full redemption or the unveiling of the sons of God. The "whole piece" undoubtedly refers to the one true body of Christ. This speaks prophetically of the coming of “the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
"Two" in scripture signifies difference. If two different persons agree in testimony it is conclusive; otherwise two implies opposition, enmity, and division. Moreover, the two trumpets probably gave a different sound, else how could the Israelites distinguish between an assembly (Numbers 10:4) and an alarm (Numbers 10:5-6)? Note also, in Numbers 10:3, "When they shall blow with them" (both of the trumpets).
Some say that the two trumpets may signify Israel and Judah, even though those two camps did not exist at that point in time. Others may say it may signify Jew and Gentile. But those interpretations place too much emphasis on man. The real significance is that God is making "in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace" (Ephesians 2:15). He is making in Himself ... in other words, man has no part in this making. Note the words “is making.” Christ is building His church, but it is not yet fully made. When will it be fully “made”? After all of the events of the Day of Atonement are fully completed, as we will see shortly. What is the twain? It is God and man. It is the Head and the body, but not the visible body of Christ that we see today. Further, it is only when Man and God are united as one new man that there can be lasting peace.
Another very important reason as to why two trumpets of silver were to be made is the fact that there are two distinct aspects to the complete redemption of man. The first occurred at Calvary. The second will occur when the Lord Jesus fulfills the Day of Atonement, as we will see later.
As George Warnock (and others) has rightly pointed out, Psalm 81 refers directly to the Day of Blowing of Trumpets. Some believe that Asaph wrote that Psalm especially for the Day of Trumpets. A careful reading of this Psalm (Verses 10-12) will reveal just why the trumpet-call of the saints thus far has failed to produce any notable results.
10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.11 But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me.12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. Psalm 81:10-12For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? 1 Corinthians 14:8
Psalm 81:5 (“ … through the land of Egypt: Where I heard a language that I understood not.”) seems to have been the trouble with those who have been blowing the trumpets of past and present-day revivals … the language has been a foreign language, and consequently there has been no genuine preparation for battle. Our language has been one that men have not understood, either because the language has been off-center or because the hearers have not had ears to hear what the Spirit is saying (or both).
The trumpet has been giving uncertain sounds for many long years. It is time for the trumpet to give a certain sound, a sure sound, one sound. But this sound MUST be the sound of the Holy Spirit, and NOT the sound of man. Just as trumpets were used in the Old Testament to herald the anointing of a natural king, so will the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets herald the second coming of the King of kings! It is time to "set the trumpet to thy mouth" (Hosea 8:1). For the fulfillment of the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets is at hand.
For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. Jeremiah 31:67 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion. Isaiah 52:7-8
It seems that many saints will suffer at the hands of the worldly powers when they blow the trumpet of alarm on that awesome future Rosh Hashanah (see Ezekiel 33 and 34). On that epic coming feast day the faithful watchmen of spiritual Israel will not be silent.
Any description of the Day of Blowing of Trumpets would be incomplete if we did not mention the Book of Joel. The Book of Joel presents a panoramic view of all of the history of man. A complete book could not contain all of the significance of those three Chapters in Joel. In particular, we see in the Book of Joel a prophetic reference to the last three feasts of the Lord: the feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles, with more emphasis on the latter feast. Joel, Chapter 1, describes the three months of “dry season” between Pentecost and the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. That is the time in which we now live.
We could rightly call Joel a trumpet player of the Lord. Twice, in Joel 2:1 and Joel 2:15, Joel says “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion. The first time (Joel 2:1) Joel says to blow the trumpet “for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” That is current events. The major purpose of that first trumpet call is summarized by the following verses.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Revelation 18:4-8
I knew a man many years ago who said that he once went to an intercessory conference. Upon arrival, a sweet, smiling, middle-age sister in Christ asked him, “What is your ministry?” He said that he replied, “I am just a messenger boy that the Lord has turned into a trumpet player.” She responded, “Oh, did you bring your trumpet?” The Lord has had His trumpet players from time to time throughout all of time. On that last, spiritual Feast of Trumpets, just prior to the second coming of the Lord, I am not convinced that we will hear the sound of natural trumpets or shofars. I tend to believe that it will be the voice of the Lord’s trumpet players, as in Gideon’s army, below.
The second time that Joel says to “Blow the trumpet in Zion” (Joel 2:15) refers not only to a “last call to repentance” but also a last trumpet call for the priests, the ministers of the Lord (as distinct from those who minister to the house) to “weep between the porch and the altar.” THEN (Joel 2:18) the Lord moves and ushers in the Day of Atonement. The rest of the Book of Joel speaks loudly of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the coming glory of the Lord when the corn and the wine and the oil are to be gathered in; and at the same time, the hour of the rain from Heaven …the former and the latter rain combined.
We must note that the trumpet is blown only in Zion (which represents the spiritual overcomers) because only those with ears to hear and eyes to see are able to discern the voice of Him that speaks with the sound of a Trumpet. But His voice is beginning to be heard in Zion and surely some saints are preparing in the realm of the Spirit for battle.
Gideon's Army
Gideon's army started with 32,000; was then reduced to 10,000; and finally reduced to 300, which is less than 1% of the original. The Lord said that by these 300 men He would deliver the enemy into their hands. And He did. Gideon is an imperfect type of the Lord.
16 And he [Gideon] divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.18 When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. Judges 7:16-18And the Lord shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. Zechariah 9:14
When the Holy Spirit signifies to blow the trumpets, the Elijah company (Joseph company, overcomers, a tenth of a tenth, the man child, etc.) will all blow their trumpets, as of ONE voice.
And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon. Judges 7:20
The breaking of the pitchers so that their lamps would instantly be seen represents the manifestation of the sons of God. One possible translation of the manifestation of the sons of God, in Romans 8, is the unveiling of the sons of God. The word translated manifestation is apokalupsis and is the same word that is translated "revelation" in Revelation 1:1. This will be like a valuable work of art that has been covered with a veil by the Master painter ... to be unveiled at the time appointed by the Master. "The kingdom of God cometh not by observation" (Luke 17:20). God has been doing a hidden work in the tenth of a tenth. The lamps are in process of being prepared. And when the trumpets sound, the unveiling will occur, and the pitchers will be instantly shattered so that the lamps of God can be unveiled.
Behold, I will send My messenger, and He shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:1
On a future Rosh Hashanah the spiritual trumpets will begin to sound on a day like no other. The ultimate New Covenant fulfillment of this future Jewish New Year will be spectacular beyond words. Moses declared that it would become a "memorial of blowing of trumpets" (Leviticus 23:24). All of God's covenant people from both houses of Israel will be "called out" and summoned to a solemn (spiritual) assembly. The saints will finally cry out to God and this will spark the climactic end-time revival that Joel saw (Joel 2:28-32).
After Trumpets on Tishri 1 comes the "Ten days of awe" which lead on to Yom Kippur on Tishri 10, which is the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year. On this awesome day of reckoning all accounts between the Lord and all His covenant people are settled. The Jubilee year is also announced on this same tenth day of Tishri. We will try to describe this final, awesome Day of Atonement in the next Chapters.
Chapter 20
The Need for the Day of Atonement
We have been looking at end-time events. Now we need to understand the need for the complete fulfillment of the Day of Atonement and how that relates to end-time events. The Jewish feasts, sacrifices, and ceremonies were visible portrayals, in symbolic form, of the activities which were to bring about our complete redemption. A better understanding of the symbolic ceremonies will result in a better understanding of what has already happened, what is now taking place, and what is yet to be expected in the process of redemption.
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Orthodox Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 24-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. The Biblical ceremonies of the Day of Atonement give us the most complete panoramic view of God's plan of full redemption of any we have in the Bible. We read about the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and 23. But before we get into Leviticus 16, let us describe some background as to why it is so important for us to understand the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
A good question is what, when, and how is the “day of redemption”? Is that simply the day when we are/were born from above (the initial salvation experience)? Or is there more to our redemption? God never does anything “half way.” God's plan of redemption is designed to take humanity back to and beyond the state of Adam and Eve on the day before they sinned. Anything short of this is not full redemption. We believe that much of the Christian community has settled for only half of that redemption.
We all know that the Lord God told Adam (which included Eve) that they could freely eat of any tree in the garden, except they were forbidden to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; and that if they did eat of that tree they would surely die. (Note: Part, but not all, of the next two pages are words written by Marion Fretwell.) Adam woke up that morning with no shame, no fear, and no guilt. He and Eve were in complete harmony with God and with each other. Adam was not created with the nature of sin. He was created in the image, after the likeness of God. That means he was created as a human being covered with the glory of God. But Adam was also a free moral agent with a free will to choose his own actions. Adam had dominion over all other creatures and all creation was at rest. There were no conflicts between Adam and nature and none among the other creatures which God had made. There were no creatures of prey and none preyed upon. The lambs were safe among the wolves; the calves had no fear of the lions. Then the serpent cast a doubt over the mind of Eve and she became deceived. Eve ate of that forbidden tree first because in the natural realm it seemed to be good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to make one wise. Then she gave of the fruit of that tree to her husband, who also ate. That act of sin (disobedience) resulted in their spiritual death, and that fallen, spiritual DNA has been passed on to all human beings since that time.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they immediately became ashamed of their nakedness, and a sense of guilt overwhelmed them. They became fugitives from God, and all other creatures became fugitives from man. Shame, fear, and guilt have been man’s constant companions ever since that hour. Suddenly, some of the beasts began to prey on others and those which were preyed upon began to cry in fear. The cries of every creature of prey have been cries for the “manifestation of the Sons of God” (Romans 8:19). Paul describes it in Romans 8:22-23: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Our body was mortgaged to Satan in the Garden, but God is in the process of redeeming and restoring that which was lost. God has never abandoned His pre‑determined plan of full redemption for those who "love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). When something is redeemed, it is fully brought back, or restored to its original status.
Also, as a result of the same disobedience, the human body was impregnated with the nature of sin. We are not sinners because we sin. We commit acts of sin because the root principle of sin is in our heart. Each one of us, even after we are born from above, has the potential of every possible sin, because we still have the nature of sin resident within us. We are admonished in Romans 8:13 to "Mortify the deeds of the flesh, through the Spirit." However, mortifying deeds does not take care of the nature of sin.
Romans, Chapters 6, 7, and 8, explain the condition of those who have had their sins forgiven and have received the firstfruits of the Spirit. Those Chapters speak of the warfare which is waged within us between the nature of God and the nature of man (flesh). Romans tells us that we can subdue the flesh by being full of the Spirit of God, and that we, ourselves, determine whether we shall live defeated or victorious lives, simply by how completely we let the Spirit of God rule in our lives … our obedience. Romans 6:12-13 says that we have the choice of obeying sin, unto death, or obedience unto righteousness. "Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it … but yield yourselves unto God."
The human race is still bound by corruption. The root‑principle of corruption is resident within our flesh. Strive as we might, we cannot be all that we want to be because we are held in this bondage. 2 Peter 1:4 tells us that it operates through lust, or the desires of the flesh. These desires can take on all sorts of dimensions. Paul refers to this condition in Romans 7:24 as, "the body of this death," and, as a believer, cries out for deliverance from it. Believers are still crying for freedom from the desires of the flesh. The desires of the body drag us down and keep us in a state of bondage of corruption. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7).
As long as the sin nature still resides within us, we are not free. As long as we want our own way, as long as there is strife in our midst, as long as we carry ill feelings or anger in our heart toward other people, we are still in bondage to the corruption within us. Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. We take this corruption with us everywhere we go. We are never free from the bondage of corruption.
On January 10, 2015, it seemed as though the Lord asked me a question: Why did the Lord tell Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? As usual, the Lord seemed to answer His own question before I could think about it. Yes, the Lord had created that tree and everything that He created was called good. And yes, the Lord gave us free will (and every believer still has a free will). And yes, the Lord wanted to see if Adam would be obedient. But more than that, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents a mixture. The ministry of Jesus on earth, from baptism to the cross, never had any mixture. His earthly ministry was without the frailties and imperfections of the flesh being mixed in with it.
For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. John 3:34
When we compare the present-day human ministry with that of Jesus, we are comparing “the earnest of the Spirit” which we have received (Ephesians 1:13-14) with the “not-measured Spirit” which Jesus received (John 3:34). Jesus was completely mortal while He ministered on earth, but His ministry was flawless and powerful because of the anointing which came upon Him at the River Jordan when He was baptized and the Spirit descended upon Him. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me …” (Isaiah 61:1). See also Acts 10:37-38. The same sequence is true of us today. If we desire to be anointed to be and do that which the Lord desires for us, we cannot embrace any mixture. We likewise have no excuse for unknowingly embracing mixture (Romans 1:18-32).
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:12-14
When the Pharisees questioned Jesus as to whether or not He paid taxes, He replied,
Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. Matthew 22:21
We might add, “But don’t ever mix the two.” Oil and water do not mix; neither do the things of God mix with the things of man. But the chosen people of God are forever trying to mix the two.
Likewise, Truth and tradition will not mix! We must throw off tradition in order to embrace the Truth. The Church world needs to get our eyes off of some of the traditional teachings, and onto what the Word of God actually says. That will require additional revelation, illumination, understanding, and action.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.7 Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mark 7:5-7
The religious elite in Jesus’ time on earth were certain they were speaking God’s words and doing what God wanted them to do. Yet God Himself showed up in the flesh and they crucified Him. Why? A lack of vision, a lack of understanding, ignorance, and the traditions of men, handed down for centuries.
Little by little, God is bringing us to a position of complete faith in His Word, not as it has been and is being taught by so many, but for what it actually says and means. God WILL perform His Word within and to His people who are looking for Him. But we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit. It is time to throw off the grave‑clothes of tradition and begin to equip ourselves with the freedom‑giving Truth of the Word of God. That Truth will lead us to an overwhelming victory over the forces of evil, both individually and collectively.
Chapter 21
The Day of Atonement
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation [assembly, calling out] unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls [humble yourself] , and offer an offering [burnt offering] made by fire unto the LORD.28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among the people.
31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. Leviticus 23:26-32
There is a great deal of prophetic significance in these verses; for example, doing no work speaks of no works of the flesh, or no mixture. Its counterpart in Hebrews, Chapters 3 and 4, is entering into His rest. The Old Testament is full of types. But when we are allowed to see and experience the reality in Christ, we no longer need the types.
2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.4 He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:12 And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:14 And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times.15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel
. . . .20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.. . .29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest's office in his father's stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses. Leviticus 16:2-17, 20-22, 29-34
The Tabernacle of Congregation (or the Tabernacle of Moses) was a portable tent with various curtains and coverings over a wooden structure. It had three compartments: (1) the holiest of all, which contained the ark of the covenant; (2) the holy place, which contained the golden altar of incense, the table of showbread, and the golden candlestick; and (3) the outer court, which contained the brazen altar and the brazen laver. In Leviticus 16, each occurrence of the phrase, “holy [place]”, actually refers to what we call the Holy of Holies. The Divine purpose in the building of the Tabernacle is summed up in Exodus 25:8. “Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” Of course we all know what (or rather, Who) the real Sanctuary is.
Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and that once a year, on the Day of Atonement. If the intercession of the high priest when he appeared in the Holy of Holies was rejected for any reason, he would immediately have been smitten by God and would die in the Holy of Holies. Further, the high priest had to fulfill many specific details or conditions before he could enter the Holy of Holies. After the high priest selected the animals for the sacrifices, he must make himself as clean as possible, with water, and clothe himself with the linen clothing specifically prescribed for the occasion. Linen speaks of righteousness. Jesus is our righteousness.
The first sacrifice of the day was a bullock for himself and his sons, who were priests under him. The priests were human also; therefore an atonement must be made for them before they can make an atonement for the people. (Judgment must begin at the house of God, so judgment must first begin with those in leadership positions in the house of God.) On this day, the high priest typifies the work of Jesus at both Calvary and at the closing of the church age, so he must be as clean as ceremonies can make him. However, ceremonies do NOT make one clean. They only typify cleanness. He completes the ceremony of personal atonement by sprinkling the blood of the bullock in front of the mercy seat seven times. Now he is a “ceremonially clean” human who will proceed to typify the work of the sinless Son of God … Jesus Christ.
(Note: Part, but not all of the next two pages were words written by Marion Fretwell.) Two goats were necessary for what the high priest was about to do next. The first goat was to be a sin offering for the people, and the shed blood must be sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. This first goat giving its life was typical of, and pointed to, Jesus Christ giving His life on the cross of Calvary for our sins. We see in the first goat the work of Jesus in providing a way for us to be free from the guilt of the acts of sin. We are told to come boldly to the throne of grace for this mercy, which will be freely given. All of the requirements of God for our forgiveness were fully met by Jesus Christ when He entered into "the true Tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man" (Hebrews 8:2).
There were times when the daily, the monthly, and the yearly sacrifices became tiresome. No one knew just what they pointed to. The ceremony of the High Priest taking the blood of the goat into the Holy of Holies once each year always pointed ahead to a day in the future when Jesus Christ would fulfill the type and appear in the presence of God, with His own blood, to make intercession for us. But no one had ever heard of Jesus Christ by name or of Calvary.
The two goats typify the two-fold work of Jesus Christ in the life of every believer. Two goats are necessary because when one has given its life, he has done all he can do. If giving His life was all Jesus had been capable of doing, we would be left with something lacking in our relationship with God. But thank God, Jesus rose from the grave, triumphant over both physical death and the kingdom of death, which is the last enemy that shall be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26).
When the high priest returned and appeared at the first veil of the Tabernacle, it signified that he had been successful in his mission before the mercy seat in the presence of God. He had been into the place where man ordinarily was forbidden to go. He had seen the unapproachable light. He had been in the presence of God. He had gone into the Holy of Holies to make an atonement for himself and for the children of Israel and had been successful in the effort. This typifies Calvary and the atoning work of Christ on the cross. The sins of the past were covered even though they had fallen short many times before. What grace and mercy! However, too many lovely believers stop there … stop at the finished work of the cross of Calvary. They are born-again and will go to heaven one day, provided that they later do not deny the Lord who bought them with a price, but what have they missed?
Jesus is the "sin‑bearer" in the two ways which were typified by the two goats. First, all of our sins of commission were laid upon Him while He was on the Cross. As it was done, He felt the guilt of sin for the first time in His life. At the same instant, God stripped Him of His righteousness. In that condition He cried out in anguish, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
BUT! The high priest is not finished yet with the ceremonies of the day. There is a second goat … the scapegoat. The second goat is waiting for its turn to portray another aspect of the provisions of Jesus Christ for His Church. Jesus is now in the presence of God the Father, seated at His right hand, making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). But the ceremony of the second goat has not yet been fulfilled while Jesus remains in the Holy of Holies! The ministry of Jesus Christ is not complete until He has fulfilled what the second goat is a type of.
As the High Priest lays his hands on the head of the scapegoat, he calls out the sins of the people. He puts them upon the head of this scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8, 10, 21). It is of utmost importance that we understand the spiritual significance of this second goat. What part does it play in our experience of salvation? What will it mean when our High Priest lays his hands on this goat, names all the sins of the people, and puts them upon the head of the goat before sending it away into the wilderness, never to return again? Does it mean that He sends our sin nature completely away from us? Will we finally be set at liberty? Scripture indicates a resounding YES!
He took His own blood and sprinkled it on the mercy seat in the heavenly tabernacle, which God pitched, and not man. He made a complete atonement for acts of sin and prepared the way for the remission of sins. His shed blood makes it possible for Him to become the means for our sin nature to be completely taken away … azazel. “Azazel” is translated "scapegoat.” It means "a complete taking away." The scapegoat was for a complete taking away, or a complete removal of our sin nature. This is what Jesus will do for those who "look for Him.”
What does this second goat … the scapegoat … represent? Is it possible that the scapegoat represents Satan? After the Lord has restored the redeemed by placing all the sins upon the scapegoat, He finally perfects the at-one-ment, making us truly joined in one. There will come a day when mortals will be set free from the bondage of corruption, free from the Adamic nature of sin. When God set out to redeem fallen humanity, He decreed that in no point should the redemption fall short of its goal. Sin, in its entirety, will be fully dealt with before we are given immortality. Freedom from sin … what amazing grace!
This is what our hearts have been groaning for all the time. This is worth the effort to get down to the Tabernacle Gate, so we will be able to see our High Priest when He returns from the Holy of Holies to complete His work of atonement. Any and all sufferings and sorrows of our walk are not worthy to be compared to the reward for having pressed into God. The nature of sin will be removed from our bodies and we will be free indeed. This is the redemption of our bodies spoken of in Romans 8. This is the year of Jubilee.
Our Great High Priest is getting closer to the time of His appearing. He is nearly finished with the "intercession aspect" of His ministry on behalf of His Church. We must, at all costs, get near the Tabernacle gate and look for Him to appear again!
Chapter 22
The Day of Atonement (Continued)
The tenth day of Tishri dawned the same as the other days before it. The wheat harvest was almost complete, but there would be no harvesting today. Today is the Day of Atonement … the most solemn day of the year. No one is to do any kind of work today. The only real activity is to be carried out in the Tabernacle by the high priest. He has to kill a bullock and make an atonement with the blood for himself and for his sons. Then he must kill one of the two goats selected for the occasion and make an atonement with the blood for the people. Then the other goat has to be sent into the wilderness, never to return, after the high priest lays his hands on its head and puts the sins of the people on it. The ceremonies of the day all pointed to the atoning work of Jesus, both at Calvary and at the end of the age.
In the previous Chapter, we saw the two aspects of the redemption of man by our Lord Jesus Christ on the last Day of Atonement, in the year of the Jubilee. The first was accomplished at Calvary many long years ago, when Jesus died on the cross for you and me and for whosoever will receive Him. That amazing act of love covered our acts of sin and provided the way for us to be born from above. But our Great High Priest is still in the Holy of Holies, making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The rest of the Day of Atonement has clearly not yet been fulfilled, but will be soon. That will occur when our Great High Priest comes out of the Holy of Holies and sends the second goat, the scapegoat (azazel) away. That will be the time when the Lord removes the sin nature from the overcomers. That is perhaps an even more amazing act of love. We also noted that the events of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 do not tell us the length of time (as we know it) between the time of His intercession for us in the Holy of Holies and the time when He sends away our sin nature. Because we humans are so time-conscious, we tend to think that events in Scripture, particularly those in the same verse, will happen immediately, one after the other. Such may not be the case. The first example of that is the unknown time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2.
"The darkness is passing away, and the true light now shineth" (1 John 2:8). Just as there are 12 grades in secondary school education, there are many groups in the Church, according to God's plan and purpose. But God has always had a believing remnant ... that group known as the overcomers. She is the "undefiled."
8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
[There are many in this category. See Revelation 7:9]
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
[Many in Verse 8, only one in Verse 9.]
10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Song of Solomon 6:8-10
The “mother” in Verse 9 is the church; my “dove” is “one” (one group of overcomers, who all continue in one accord). Many long years ago I heard a good brother say, “We need to be careful if we ask the Lord to make us an overcomer. He may then give us much to overcome.”
There is a place for all of God's people in His great house; but who seeks after that intimate place of fellowship and communion with Him in the very "secret place of the Most High?" Paul said,
20 In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2:20, 21
The challenge for all of the saints therefore, is to rid ourselves of the corrupting influences of the flesh and to diligently seek the things of the Spirit of God. There are many abodes or many mansions (or many levels) in Father’s house, depending on the level of our spiritual attainment through faith and obedience. In Christ the true rest is found in the midst of outward strife and warfare. The true abiding place is the one that is ever moving forward into a closer and more vital union with the Father. On our part, we must always keep an open face and always behold the glory of the Lord.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Many verses in the Bible indicate that the number "ten" signifies trial and testing. There is no doubt that from now until the fulfillment of the last Day of Atonement God's people are going to be subjected to great times of testing and trial …with a view to perfecting them, and rewarding those who become overcomers. The hour has come for judgment to "begin at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). God is allowing His people to be sifted as never before, in preparation for His coming.
Another perspective of sending away the sin nature of the overcomers on the Day of Atonement: that is the time when the Bride of Christ is purified and prepared for the wedding feast. We read about
Esther, chosen to be the bride of Ahasuerus.
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:7-9, 12, 15-17
From Verse 5, Mordecai was the son of Jair, which means “enlightener.” So Mordecai is a type of the Holy Spirit. From Verse 7, Mordecai “had brought up Esther.” In type, only the Holy Spirit brings up the overcomers as we cooperate with Him. It is His work, not ours. Esther had neither father nor mother. She is a type of the overcomers … those who are part of the order of Melchisedec … the manifestation of the sons of God. From Verse 8, many maidens were brought to the king’s house (multitudes are born from above). From Verse 9 the king preferred her and her maids, although there were many maidens in the king’s house. The Lord loves all of His chosen people, but some please Him more than others. They please Him by being obedient and faithful to Him. From Verse 12, Esther was purified six months with oil of myrrh and six months with sweet odors. The word “myrrh” comes from a root word which means “bitter.” So the remnant, the overcomers, are purified with suffering and tribulation first. “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). There is NO tribulation involved or required to be born from above. That is a free gift. From Verse 15, Esther asked for nothing for herself; she only needed and cared for that which the king’s chamberlain appointed. From Verse 16, the king’s “house royal” speaks of the kingdom of God. From Verse 17, there were other virgins in the king’s house, so Esther represents the “firstfruits” unto God. Vashti undoubtedly speaks of the natural Jews, who were chosen but who rejected their Messiah, the King of kings, and crucified Him. So Esther speaks of the Bride of Christ.
The first miracle recorded in the Bible (John 2) that Jesus did speaks of the new birth in Christ. But those verses also speak of the marriage of Christ and His Bride, which is yet to come.
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:2 And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage.3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine.4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come.5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.8 And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory; and His disciples believed on Him. John 2:1-11
The third day (Verse 1) always speaks of resurrection life. When we are born from above, we receive the earnest or the down payment of that resurrection life. The fullness of that resurrection life occurs at the marriage of Christ and His bride. That is when our Great High Priest sends away the sin nature of the overcomers. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. When we are born from above, we indeed taste of the good wine … a foretaste of glory Divine. But the best wine has been saved for the marriage supper of the Lamb with His Bride. From Verse 2, only Jesus and His disciples are called to the marriage. A disciple is one who has denied his self, taken up his cross, and followed Jesus … whithersoever the Lamb goes. From Verse 5, the key to becoming an overcomer and participating in the marriage supper of the Lamb is to “do whatsoever He says to us” … obedience. Note, from Verse 9, that only His servants … the bondservants of the Lord … the doulos, know from whence the best wine comes. Note also that the best wine is presented only to the governor of the feast … the Ruler over all … the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything we do must be as unto the Lord. But the bottom line is from Verse 11 … so that the glory of God might be manifested in all the earth. Jesus prayed (according to the will of the Father),
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;21 That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.22 And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one:23 I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.24 Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:20-247 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:7-9For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Isaiah 62:5
“Thy sons” speaks of the manifestation of the sons of God, which corresponds to the marriage supper of the Lamb, which will occur when the Day of Atonement is fully completed by the Lord.
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Joel 2:16
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6 And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Revelation 21:2-9
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
Chapter 23
Significance of the Day of Atonement
We have previously described the greatest significance of the full completion of the final Day of Atonement by our great High Priest … namely the complete removal of the sin nature for those who are looking for Him … those who have diligently pressed as close to the Tabernacle Gate as humanly possible … the overcomers. But what does that imply? It implies the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19). Paul says that all of creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. He states that even the true believers groan within ourselves, waiting to be set free from the bondage of corruption … waiting for the glory which shall be revealed in us … waiting for that glory of the latter house which shall be greater than of the former
Everyone knows that Jesus came to earth as a man about 2000 years ago. When He did that, He set aside the fullness of His glory (John 17:5); He limited Himself into our time and space. He could only be in one place at a time. He even limited His power while on earth! Jesus said that greater works than these shall ye do because I go unto My Father (John 14:12). After His resurrection He said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). While on earth He was dependent upon the Father. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). But before Jesus, as a Man, preached one word, before He taught one thing about the Kingdom of God, before He performed one miracle, He became! He became what? He became the first great Overcomer! He overcame all of the temptations of the devil ... all six of them. Six is the number of man. The first three are recorded in Luke 4:1-13.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season [a short time or awhile]. Luke 4:13
The second set of three temptations is recorded in Matthew 4:1-11, after which,
Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him. Matthew 4:11
What does that say to us? It appears to say that perhaps we charismatics have our priorities backwards because man, by nature, is a “doer.” We like to “do” things because it makes us feel important or worthwhile. But the Holy Ghost was given on the day of Pentecost for one major purpose … that we might receive the power to become martyrs … to die unto self. The so-called “prodigal son” in Luke 15 is one of many examples of that truth. Note that the “prodigal son” was already a son. He said, “father, give me.” After his father “gave” him, he went off to “do” and spend his inheritance on his own earthly pleasures. The grace of God intervened and helped him to repent, after which he went back and said, “father, make me.” But despite the clear word of God in that area, we charismatics still flock to the “doers” and many aspire to be “doers.” We seek after the “faith healers” and the “workers of miracles” and give lots of money to the false teachers and “prophets.” We are enamored with the supernatural. Who is enamored with the Lord “making” us? That is sometimes painful and requires some suffering. No one likes that.
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,2 And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. Matthew 17:1-5
Scripture does not specifically state which mountain was the site of the transfiguration of Jesus. The last geographical reference prior to this great event is Matthew 16:13, which speaks of the “coasts of Cesarea Philippi.” Matthew 17:1 says, “After six days.” The most likely mountain therefore was Mount Hermon, just northeast of Cesarea Philippi, which rises 9,232 feet and is the highest mountain in all of Israel. (Psalm 133:3, which speaks of the dew of Hermon, is worth contemplation, because it descends unto the mountains of Zion.) Note that only Peter, James, and John (not all of the disciples) saw Jesus in His transfiguration glory.
From Verse 5 the Father said “Hear ye Him (Jesus).” Sounds like a command to me. That is the best advice we could also receive. “Whatsoever He saith to you, do it.” That implies that we must hear His voice, which has become somewhat of a lost art.
Now when our great High Priest comes out of the Holy of Holies and sends away the scapegoat (removal of the sin nature for those who are looking for Him), what happens? Some number (144,000 or ???) of overcomers will be set free in that year of Jubilee to do everything that Jesus did while He was on earth as a Man. No wonder that there will be such a world-wide harvest of souls for the glory of God! What happened with the early church as recorded in the Book of Acts will pale in comparison! The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former. In “Greater works than these shall ye do,” the “greater” could also be interpreted as more numerous, i.e., greater in quantity. That will certainly be true.
Now, however, we arrive at a critical question. Does all of the above mean that nothing will happen until the Day of Atonement is fully complete? NO! Enoch, the seventh from Adam, walked with God, and he was not, because God took him. There is no higher calling than to walk with God, to be in complete unity with Him. Throughout the past 6,000 years, there have been a few human beings who have walked with God and who have done the works of God. The list includes many who were under the Old Covenant as well as the New Covenant. Every one of us has read about them.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40
One more time … a word of caution … the faith spoken of is not “our” faith, which is of no value.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:20-21
“Faith” does not come by the law nor by our good works. When the apostles said, “Lord, increase our faith,” (Luke 17:5) they knew not what they were saying, for Pentecost had not yet come.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
We have received the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (Ephesians 1:14). Until that redemption of the purchased possession occurs (at the completion of the Day of Atonement), our major function and calling is to get as close as possible to the Tabernacle Gate and look for His appearing.
1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.2 After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3
Chapter 24
Mans’ Reactions to God’s Actions
15 And when one of them that sat at meat with Him heard these things, he said unto Him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.16 Then said He unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Luke 14:15-24
It is easy to see how different men would react to the Day of Atonement in different ways. Much to the grief of the Holy Spirit, there are, within the “fold” of Christian society today, people with these same attitudes toward spiritual things. (Note: a “fold” is controlled by man; the Lord looks after His “flock.”) Some consider themselves to be Christians, but they are not mindful of the things of the Spirit. Human nature is no different today than it was then.
In those days, what were some of the excuses for not getting down to the Tabernacle Gate on the Day of Atonement? It’s just not convenient this year. Yesterday was a hard day, trying to get everything done that should have been done before the one‑day holiday, and tomorrow will be a rough day also; so I think I will just sit this one out. I have to get up so early to be at the site close enough to watch the proceedings. Even if I did get close to the gate, there really is not much to see. Most of the real work is performed by the high priest behind the second veil of the Tabernacle. I am tired. If I stand outside the Tabernacle Gate, the high priest might ask me to carry away the dead animals and dispose of their flesh or he might ask me to lead away the scapegoat; then I would have to cleanse myself with water and miss another day of work tomorrow. I cannot take that risk. I have a lot of bills to pay and I need a full pay check. Let someone else do that. It is a day off from work, and that means I can do about anything I want to do. So I will just indulge my pleasures and desires. After all, I don’t get many days off from work.
Another type of believer takes the time and spends the effort to get down to the Tabernacle to be among those who gather there. After all, this is the outstanding day of the year … the day when the High Priest takes his life in his hands and goes into the Holy of Holies with blood to sprinkle before the Mercy Seat. These believers however, don’t get too close to the scene of activity, lest they become too deeply involved. They are "attenders" but not "participators!" This may be the largest single category of people today who make up the vast company of those who "call on the Name of the Lord." Any social activity will attract their attention, but the deeper aspects of the Spirit of God do not interest them.
Another unfortunate attitude is displayed by those who do not get down to the Tabernacle Gate because they see no need for that. They believe that they are safely “in the camp,” surrounded by millions of other spiritual Jews. All is well; we like the peace and safety of our own homes. I’m OK, you’re OK. I am “saved” and I will go to heaven one day. After all, not many of our brothers and sisters are getting up early to go down to the Tabernacle Gate. Besides, there are no chairs and we just have to stand up all day.
None of the above is intimately acquainted with the Spirit of God. They could be, for a remnant of His people are, but for various reasons they have not pressed into God. They do not know that they are missing a lot of things. They are unaware that others are getting a lot more out of their Christian experience than they are getting. They do not feed daily on the Word of God. They are harassed by temptations and discouragement but know that they must continue to carry on as though nothing was wrong. They depend upon the pastor to give them the Word of God … as if one could absorb enough in 30 minutes to suffice for an additional week. If they could only see that the answer lies in getting closer to the Tabernacle Gate. What the soul cries out for is there. Spiritual thirst is quenched there. Spiritual food is abundant there. It takes desire, time and effort to get there. But the reward is sure!
From Leviticus 16:17, no man could be in the Tabernacle of Congregation until the high priest had come out of the Holy of Holies. Think of the spiritual significance of that fact! Further, what makes the Tabernacle so attractive anyway? nothing in the natural realm. It is a messy, smelly place, offensive to the eyes and nose. Animals are butchered there; flesh is burned there. Blood is shed there. Why would anyone want to get up early on the Day of Atonement and stand as close as possible to the Tabernacle Gate? Especially when it is much more pleasing to the senses to stand a little way back? The weather might not be so nice, and you could not see anything anyway because all of the real action was going on inside the Tabernacle. Besides, the high priest goes through the same old routine year after year; there is nothing new. I went last year. No need to go again. Unfortunately, many believers have dozens of different excuses as to why they decline to go down to the Tabernacle Gate on that day.
But a few of His people are waiting just outside the Tabernacle Gate. They are watching for Him. They are looking for Him to return from His ministrations. Those who are really interested in the things of God have worked their way as close to the gate of the Tabernacle as they can possibly get … watching for his appearing as He returns from the Holy of Holies to conclude the ceremonies of the day. There is more to be done. It is not completed yet! Those people by the Tabernacle Gate are the ones who are trying earnestly to do all the bidding of Jesus, and to incorporate His nature into their own. They are the ones who take Christianity seriously. The Bible says that certain activities will make Him turn His face away from us. Trying to do everything that is pleasing to God is the essence of "seeking His face". “When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face, my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:8). We seek His face by being obedient to His Word.
The phrase “getting close to the Tabernacle Gate” means a conscious desire and commitment to please the Lord in each and every situation that arises. Usually our biggest battle in this effort concerns our emotions. They are part of our human nature and are almost always the opposite of what is spiritual. We may make countless mistakes and experience many short-falls. But we must, whatever the cost, get near the Tabernacle Gate. We dare not allow pride or social status or anything else to keep us from it. Earthly duties must take second place to it. We must let nothing deter us from our goal of seeing Jesus when He appears from His ministration for us in the Holy of Holies, where He is now, making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
The faithful have learned that God meant what He said when He told them:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies and His statutes, which He hath commanded thee. Deuteronomy 6:7, 17
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him; then will the LORD ..." Deuteronomy 11:22
The principle is the same today as it was then. The Lord says, "If YOU will, I will; but if you do NOT ..." It is as simple as that.
We are NOT talking about salvation. Salvation is free; we cannot earn it, we cannot buy it. We can, in no way, become worthy of it. We accept it as a gift or we cannot have it. We are talking about what we do after we are born from above. We are talking about pressing onward to maturity after we have come to know and love Jesus Christ. We must die daily to self so that His will might be manifested in and through us. Lack of progress can in no way jeopardize our salvation, because it is a gift. Even if we were to achieve the highest degree of proper relationship between man and God, we are still not worthy of salvation. It must forever remain a gift. Of course, we do not live by the Mosaic law. No man, except Jesus, could ever live up to the law. It is also true that no man, except Christ Jesus, can live the Christian life. That is the secret to resting or abiding in Him!
Jesus is now in the presence of the Father, seated at His right hand, making intercession for us. But the ceremony of the second goat has not yet been fulfilled while Jesus remains in the Holy of Holies! Some of His people are waiting at the gate of the Tabernacle ... watching for Him. They are looking for Him to return from His ministrations. The second goat is waiting for its turn to portray another aspect of the provisions of Jesus Christ for His Church. The ministry of Jesus Christ is yet to fulfill what the second goat is a type of. When the last Day of Atonement arrives, what is pre-ordained to take place will take place exactly as it was typified in the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. The same will be true of the Feast of Ingathering.
We turn next to the Book of Hebrews for confirmation of what we have previously described.
Chapter 25
The Book of Hebrews
We believe that Paul was the author of the Book of Hebrews. Peter, in 2 Peter 3:15, says that Paul had written to the Hebrews. If this is not that epistle, then where is it? Further, for some 1,200 years (from A.D. 400 to 1600) the book was commonly called “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.” Considering all of the revelation that Paul received, who else could have written Hebrews 5:10-11, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of Whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing”? In addition, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:4 implies that he “was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
The theme of Hebrews is the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as revealer and mediator of the grace of God. The writer of Hebrews puts great emphasis on the events of the sixth feast of the Levitical Year, the Day of Atonement. Nine times in Hebrews Paul speaks of the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. That is also intimately related with the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, as we will see.
The Book of Hebrews helps us to understand the Day of Atonement because Hebrews affirms that the Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the type of the high priest in the Old Testament. We need to look in some depth in the Book of Hebrews, because almost half of Hebrews mirrors the Day of Atonement. Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Hebrews 6:19-20, Hebrews 7, 8, and 9, and Hebrews 10:1-18 are all pertinent to understanding the spiritual significance of the Day of Atonement and its meaning and exhortation for us today. Let us pursue that spiritual significance. Some pertinent Verses are listed below.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds;3 Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:1-31 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.5 So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee.6 As He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.7 Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared;8 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered;9 And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
[What happens to those who are born again but do not obey Him (like the Church at Corinth)? Is there a difference between the initial salvation experience and eternal salvation? Scripture seems to answer a resounding “Yes.”]
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.11 Of Whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. Hebrews 5:1-11
We know, from Genesis 14:17-24, that Abraham had just completed a long, tiresome pursuit of the four “good” kings, who had beaten the five “bad” kings and taken Lot prisoner. Abraham was never part of that war, but he knew he had to rescue Lot from the “good” kings, who were “thine enemies” (Genesis 14:20). Abraham, with the arm of the Lord and his 318 servants , slaughtered the four “good” kings, who probably had 318,000 warriors, and rescued Lot (“one shall chase a thousand,” Joshua 23:10). Genesis 14:20 says that the Lord delivered thine enemies into Abraham’s hand. Now the questions arise, Who is this Melchisedec? And what is the order of Melchisedec? From Hebrews 7:2-3, there can be no question but that the Lord Jesus Christ was/is that Melchisedec. At that point in time, Jesus had not set aside the fullness of His glory to come to earth as a Man. The “order of Melchisedec” speaks of the Lord in the fullness of His glory along with the overcomers, or the Bride ... those who will rule and reign with Him in His throne for 1000 years on earth. “He is bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). We should also note that Abraham, who had never seen Melchisedec before, recognized that He was Someone far greater than himself, in the same sense that Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus, recognized the Lord although he had never met the Lord before. The same is true for anyone who is truly born from above … there is an immediate recognition that Jesus Christ is Lord.
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;2 To Whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.13 For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:24 But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
[As we previously stated, this verse is of paramount significance in understanding what the fulfilling of the Day of Atonement means to us.]
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. Hebrews 7:1-4, 11-17, 22-28
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this Man have somewhat also to offer.4 For if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.6 But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:1-6
Hebrews, Chapter 9, contains much information about the Day of Atonement and how the ceremonies pointed to Jesus.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 9:11-12
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;26 For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:21-28
In Verse 21, the tabernacle speaks of the body of Christ … those who have been born from above; the vessels of ministry speak of individuals. In Verse 22, “almost all things are by the law purged with blood.” What is NOT purged by blood? The sin nature. In Verses 24-28, above, there are three appearings of Jesus as He fulfills the types of that great day. The first appearing is "in the presence of God for us.” This is a fulfillment of Aaron going into the Holy of Holies with the blood of the first goat. See verse 24. The second appearing refers to Him putting away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. This was His appearing to man (Calvary). See verse 26.
Now let us read verse 28. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin, unto salvation." Notice that He will only appear the second time to those who look for Him. The term “look for Him” denotes a strenuous effort to do what the Spirit and the Word says we should do. It does NOT mean "keep your natural eyes peeled."
Moffett translated Hebrews 9:28 as: "So Christ, after being once sacrificed to bear the sins of many, will appear again, not to deal with sin, but for the saving of those who are on the outlook for Him." The Revised Standard Version reads: "So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him." The Weymouth translation reads: “… will appear a second time, separated from sin, to those who are eagerly expecting Him, to make their salvation complete." It is the same type of language which Paul used when he referred to the Holy Spirit's seal being the "earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession" (Ephesians 1:14). The "earnest" has to be exactly like the fullness, only on a smaller scale.
We must practice strict obedience to the Word of God. If we find ourselves to have fallen short we must quickly repent. This sounds easy, but it requires much understanding and discipline. Our churches have programmed us to be entertained with a smooth program. Not much has been taught concerning how to press into the will of God.
Adam enslaved the human race to the nature of sin. That is why this nature of sin still arises in all of us from time to time and for which we continue to ask forgiveness. The redemption of the purchased possession will restore what was lost in Adam … complete right‑ness with God. We have it now only through the means of faith but to those who see the Great High Priest when He appears, it will become a reality.
Jesus is now in the presence of the Father making intercession for us. But the ceremony of the second goat has not yet been fulfilled while Jesus remains in the Holy of Holies! When the glorified Lord Jesus Christ fulfills the last Day of Atonement, then 1 Thessalonians 4:17 will be fulfilled.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:17
Who are “them”? the overcomers who have gone on before … the ten thousands of saints (overcomers) which the Lord will bring with Him when He returns (Jude 14). The “clouds” do not refer to those white, wispy, natural clouds we see in the natural atmosphere. The word “air” in the Verse above does not refer to the natural atmosphere which we breathe. The only place that “air” is defined is in Ephesians.
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Ephesians 2:2-3
In other words, the “catching up” will be in the realm of the spirit for all of the overcomers when the Lord Jesus fulfills the last part of the Day of Atonement. Note also that Scripture does not give a length of time between when the High Priest comes out of the Holy of Holies and the time when He sends the scapegoat away by the hand of a fit man. Leviticus 16:21 seems to imply that the High Priest Himself does not send the scapegoat away. Who is the fit man? The overcomers … those who have qualified for the Kingdom of God … those characterized by Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Are we earnestly looking for Him? Do we want His will to be done more than life itself? That was the desire of Jesus when He walked the earth as a Man. Should we be like Jesus? Should we let this mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus?
Chapter 26
The Book of Ezra
On the second Sunday in June, 1976, the Lord woke me up very early in the morning, about 3 a.m., and told me to get out of bed, go down to our living room, and read the “Restoration” books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah. (I suppose that in reality every book in the Bible is a “Restoration” book.) At one point I read the following verse.
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Ezra 6:14
Perhaps that verse means very little to most folks. But when I read that verse it was like a sledgehammer hit me! I have always called that the most powerful word I have ever heard from the Lord. There was no audible voice, no emotion, and no other person around. The word that I heard was, “If you (me) want to see the body of Christ prosper, then you function in the place I have called you.” At that point in time I had been a “functioning elder” in a New Testament house church for almost seven years. (Hindsight, it was the “best” church I have ever seen, before or since.) If every believer I knew at that point in time had all lined up and each one had told me that I was not functioning, I never would have believed it. But when the Lord spoke that to my spirit, I knew it was the truth. Further, I never sensed any guilt or condemnation. Almost immediately I heard another word from the Lord, which was, “I have given you the power to function in the place I have called you.” Ever since that moment I have been fully aware of the place whereunto the Lord has called me. Although I knew that was a specific rhema word to me, that word easily applies to every believer. If you want to see the body of Christ prosper, then you function in the place the Lord has called you. But even that word can be, and is, easily misunderstood. “Being” or “becoming,” not “doing,” is the number one priority for believers. Christ in you is the hope of glory.
Therefore, it seems appropriate to include separate Chapters on Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah, particularly since the Holy Spirit has made much more real to me the significance of those Books in the past 39 years. An exposition or exegesis of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah could easily fill up a book, but that is not our purpose here. We only want to share a few thoughts in this Chapter from the Book of Ezra and in the next Chapter from the Book of Nehemiah as they relate to The Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Both the books of Ezra and Nehemiah are at the very core of the Restoration that occurred almost 2500 years ago. As such, they are prophetic of the final Restoration that the Lord is about in our day, a Restoration that is sorely needful because of the same existing conditions in the church world today as those that preceded the exile of God’s people in those days.
It is useful to sketch the major events that had taken place prior to the ministry of Ezra and Nehemiah. The prophet Jeremiah had prophesied a 70-year Babylonian captivity. What follows is, hopefully, much more than a collection of historical facts. All of Scripture is written for our example and admonition. The many dates that follow are as accurate as I have been able to determine, but some of them could be “off” by a year or two.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim [605 B.C.] the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon;2 The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah [625 B.C.] the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
[Jeremiah prophesied a word of repentance to Judah and Jerusalem for 20 years but never made one convert. No one believed him. The Lord told Jeremiah what to prophesy to the people but He also warned Jeremiah that no one would receive his word (Jeremiah 1:17-19).]
4 And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.5 They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.7 Yet ye have not hearkened unto Me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt.8 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard My words,9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
10 Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.11 And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.12 And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. Jeremiah 25:1-12
True to the word of the Lord, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon and servant of God (Jeremiah 25:9), did take Jerusalem, and Judah was exiled to Babylon because she disobeyed God’s word regarding covenant-keeping, the Sabbath years, and idolatry (see Leviticus 25:1-7, Leviticus 26:27-35, and 2 Chronicles 36:14-21). The first deportation (605 B.C.) included Daniel, and the second (597 B.C.) included Ezekiel. A third deportation took place in 586 B.C., when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
Then the Persians, under Cyrus their king, captured the Babylonians (538 B.C.). Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1 speak of Cyrus as the Lord’s shepherd and His anointed. Cyrus instituted a new policy of placating the gods of his subject people. The first return by a remnant of Jews from Babylon was led by Sheshbazzar in 537 B.C. (Ezra 1:11). Sheshbazzar is the Persian name for Zerubbabel, whom Cyrus made governor of Judah. The remnant in that first return numbered slightly less than 50,000 (Ezra 2:64-65). “Zerubbabel” means “begotten in Babylon.”
When the seventh month was come (the month of the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles), some of the priests rebuilt the altar in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:2-3) and they kept the Feast of Tabernacles, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid (Ezra 3:4-6).
In the second year of their return (536 B.C.) to Judah and Jerusalem, the remnant started to rebuild the temple. The first thing they did was to lay the foundation (Ezra 3:10). The first event in the life of a believer, after the altar is laid in his heart (born from above) is to have the proper foundation laid in his life. Sadly, the proper foundation has never been laid in the hearts of some believers.
As soon as the foundation was laid, adversaries of Judah came to try to add mixture to the work of the Lord and thus dilute and pollute it. The adversaries came to the leaders of the remnant and said, “Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur (Assyria), which brought us up hither” (Ezra 4:2). Sounds good on the surface to the natural mind. Man has always tried to build the Lord’s church. No one is a threat to the enemy until they are born from above and a foundation is being laid. At that point the enemy always tries to turn the proper foundation into a mixture, an impure beginning through any and every means possible. Hindsight, I believe that one of the major reasons why the New Testament house church in Northern Virginia, back in the late 1960’s to the early 1980’s, disintegrated was because a sufficient foundation was never laid. That allowed a mixture to enter, including a democratic spirt, such that every man did that which was right in his own eyes. It was the grace and love of God that sovereignly shut it down, although the handwriting was on the wall for a number of years.
When Zerubbabel and the other leaders refused the “help” of the adversaries, the enemy went to plan “B,” which was to write a letter, full of lies and half-truths concerning the Jews, to Artaxerxes. That was successful such that work on the temple ceased from 530 B.C. until 520 B.C., the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia. In 520 B.C., Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the remnant in Judah and Jerusalem. The Jews were more to blame for their inactivity than their opponents, but Haggai and Zechariah succeeded in arousing them from their lethargy (Haggai 1-2 and Zechariah 4:8-10). Work on the temple was renewed during the second year of Darius the king (520 B.C.). When the enemy again tried to stop the work, a letter was sent to Darius for him to decide the issue. Darius, after a search, replied, “Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place” (Ezra 6:7). Further, Darius decreed that anyone who tried to stop the building of the temple should be hanged from timbers pulled down from his own house” (Ezra 6:11).
Then we arrive at Ezra 6:14, where this Chapter began. “And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.” “And this house [often called Zerubbabel’s Temple], was finished on the third day of the month Adar (our March), which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king (516 B.C.)” (Ezra 6:15). There followed a gap of some 58 years between the events of Ezra, Chapters 6 and 7. The only recorded event during that interval is the opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the reign of Ahasuerus (Ezra 4:6). Events in the Book of Esther also took place during that “gap.”
According to the traditional view, Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the seventh year (Ezra 7:8) of Artaxerxes (458 B.C.), followed by Nehemiah, who arrived in the king’s 20th year (445 B.C., from Nehemiah 2:1). The Persians were still in control of Babylon at that time.
Ezra was a “ready scribe in the law of Moses” (Ezra 7:6). “Ready” means “diligent.” It is interesting to note that “there went up [with Ezra] some of the children of Israel” (Ezra 7:7 and 7:13). We must remember that the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria) ended in 722 B.C., when Shalmaneser besieged and conquered Samaria, and led away 27,290 inhabitants as captives into Assyria. Shalmaneser also installed over those Jews remaining his officers and imposed upon them the tribute (tax) of the former king. So after 264 years of captivity in Assyria, then Babylon, and then Persia, some of the Israelite descendants went back with Ezra. That indicates the grace and mercy of God, Who wants all of His people to be included in the church which Jesus is building. Scripturally, from Psalm 76:1-2, Israel speaks of those who have been born from above, Judah speaks of those baptized in the Holy Spirit, Salem (Jerusalem) represents those who know the peace of God, and Zion represents the overcomers.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7:10
Note again, that although Ezra went back to Judah and Jerusalem, he had prepared his heart to “teach in Israel …” (not Judah). If there is any word for the people of God today (or any day) it is “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”
Ezra, Chapter 8 speaks of all of the preparations necessary for the journey to Jerusalem and of the actual journey itself. The journey took four months. Although the actual distance between Babylon and Jerusalem is about 500 miles, the people had to cover almost 900 miles, going northwest along the Euphrates River and then south. That would be an average of 7.5 miles a day. It was not an easy journey! Moreover they could expect to encounter the enemy, but they fasted and prayed (Ezra 8:23) and asked for the Lord’s protection. “And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way” (Ezra 8:31). Jesus said, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). Again, I do not believe this is “name-it-and-claim-it.” This does not mean that if I ask for one million dollars every year that I will receive it. Rather, whatever the Holy Spirit prompts us to pray for, we can receive; in other words, whatever is in the will of God.
Thirty nine years ago I was invited to attend a “church” meeting in the Washington, D.C. area. I was fully aware that the leaders of that group of churches were operating in psychic realms that approached witchcraft (man controlling man). Nevertheless, I sensed very strongly that I should go, although I did not know why. Before I went, I asked the Lord to surround me with a wall of fire. I had no fear for my physical safety but I was aware that some strong spiritual warfare would be going on. As I sat there, that wall of fire surrounding me was almost real enough to see and feel! The number one leader of that group spoke about some verses in Haggai; he had them exactly 100% opposite from the true meaning! How do I know? Because the Lord had just taken me through those verses three months earlier. There is much more to that story, but this is not the place for it. Hindsight, why did the Lord want me to go to that gathering? perhaps only to experience the power of God in action.
The last two Chapters in the Book of Ezra (Chapters 9 and 10) are critical to our understanding of that which the Lord is waiting for us to “do” today. All of Ezra, Chapter 9, tells of his intercession on behalf of himself and all of the Jews.
1 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
[Note that the major offenders were the leaders themselves. It is ever thus. It is the same today.]
3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied [stunned, devastated, stupefied].4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice. Ezra 9:1-4
What was the major transgression of the Jews? From Verses 1 and 2, they had committed abominations by incorporating the ways of the world into their lives. That resulted in an unholy mixture. It is the same today. How many believers today tremble at the words of the God of spiritual Israel? Only the Lord knows, but I suspect not too many. Fortunately, a slowly increasing few are becoming aware of the similar “problems” in the visible church today. But where are the Ezras of today?
I strongly urge every believer to read all of Ezra, Chapter 9, carefully. Note what Ezra “did” about the problem. He rent his garment and his mantle; he plucked the hair off his head and beard; he sat down devastated; he fell upon his knees and spread his hands unto the Lord; he included himself as a transgressor although he had never transgressed; in other words he identified with the body of Christ because he was part of that body; he confessed and repented before God; he even acknowledged (Ezra 9:13) that our righteous God has punished us less that our iniquities deserve. That is called intercession. Few today (or any day) have that level of intercession worked within them. Isaiah said the same thing; so did Jeremiah and all of the prophets.
What an amazing work the Lord had done within the heart and spirit of Ezra! But Ezra, Chapter 10, reveals perhaps an even greater work of God. After Ezra conveyed the truth of God for that time, and all of time, it produced immediate results in the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel (Ezra 10:5)! ALL Israel! “ALL the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do” (Ezra 10:12). They put away their strange wives. The “strange wives” of today for spiritual Israel are materialism, humanism, secularism, intellectualism, sensationalism, and all of the “isms” of the world.
Listen to what the prophet Joel said.
“Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth; be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen (pastors); howl, O ye vinedressers (keepers of the Garden of God) because the harvest of the field is perished; gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God; Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand; O Lord, to Thee will I cry; blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?; therefore turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your heart, and not your garments; Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord.”
So where are the Joels today? Where are the Ezras of today? Where are the Nehemiahs of today? They are hidden away in the wilderness, largely unknown to men. But they will appear in the power of God when the Day of Atonement is fully complete.
What man (or woman) do you know today who can speak with the same authority that Ezra did and produce immediate results for the glory of God? I know of none and I doubt that you do. But it is very easy to prophesy that the day will come, and sooner than we think, when some number of Joels, Ezras, and Nehemiahs will be manifested on this earth. Elijah is not alone! The Lord has 7.000 more that we do not know about. The Lord has decreed it and no man, beast, or demon can stop it. Be glorified, O Lord!
Chapter 27
The Book of Nehemiah
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. Nehemiah 1:1
Although the Book of Nehemiah starts with “The words of Nehemiah,” there is no question but what everything in that Book are the words of the Lord. “Hachaliah” means “the Lord is hidden.” Other Bible dictionaries define “Hachaliah” as “whom the Lord enlightens” or “who waits for the Lord.” “Nehemiah” means “the Lord comforts.” Nehemiah was born and grew up in exile in Babylon. But the Lord certainly comforted him and worked a mighty work into his heart because Nehemiah was one of the greatest intercessors of all time. He received a great vision and revelation from the Lord and fulfilled the purpose for which he had been created.
Though much of this book was clearly drawn from Nehemiah’s personal diaries and written from his first person perspective, both Jewish and Christian traditions recognize Ezra as the author. This is based on much evidence, both external and internal, from many early writers, like Josephus. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book and Ezra was a priest-scribe. As a scribe, Ezra had access to the royal archives of Persia, which accounts for the myriad of administrative documents found recorded in the two books, especially in the book of Ezra. Very few people would have been allowed access to the royal archives of the Persian Empire, but Ezra was the exception. The events in Nehemiah 1 begin late in the year 446 B.C., the 20th year of the Persian king, Artaxerxes. The exact dates are relatively unknown and relatively unimportant. What IS important is what that Book says to us today, because human nature has never changed.
When Nehemiah heard that the remnant who had returned to Jerusalem were in great affliction and reproach: that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and the gates were burnt with fire, his response or action was identical to that of Ezra. He sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven; he confessed the sins of the children of Israel; he identified with all Israel and said “we have sinned,” when he, himself had not sinned; he beseeched the Lord to hear the prayer of His servants, those who desire to fear His name; he asked for mercy.
Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer. As such, one of his duties was to choose and taste the king’s wine to make sure that it was not poisoned. That meant that the king had complete confidence in Nehemiah in times when treason was commonplace in the courts of kings. So when Nehemiah petitioned the king to allow him to return to Judah for a season in order to build the city, the king granted his request (because the good hand of God was upon him). Note that Nehemiah never told the king his specific mission in returning to Judah. Note also that even though the king asked him how long he would be gone, Nehemiah never answered.
Then Nehemiah arrived in Judah. Immediately, the enemies (Sanballat and Tobiah) heard of his arrival, which grieved the enemies exceedingly that a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem,
12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.16 And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. Nehemiah 2:12-16
Nehemiah did not make a complete circuit of the walls, but only of the southern area. Jerusalem was always attacked from the north because it was most vulnerable there, so the walls on the north side had probably been completely destroyed. Then the Jews began to rebuild the walls and the gates around Jerusalem. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, the tri-part enemy (Satan, the flesh, and the world, respectively), heard of it, they first laughed the Jews to scorn and despised them and intimidated them with lies, saying, “Will ye rebel against the king?” But Nehemiah knew his God and he knew what the Lord had called him to do, so he spoke the word of the Lord and ignored all of the tactics of the enemy. Nehemiah, Chapter 3, lists, by name, those who repaired all of the ten gates. A “gate” is an entrance into the presence of the Lord. Gates refer to the glory of a city … in our case, Zion. Nehemiah 3, on the surface, appears to be rather “dry” reading with little significance. On the contrary! The restoration of those 10 gates speaks of the spiritual progression of a believer from the time he is first born from above until the Lord’s second coming at the ends of the ages!
Sanballat, which means “the enemy is secret” or “hatred in secret,” clearly was the leader of the opposition. Sanballat is still very active in the visible church today. When Sanballat heard that God’s people were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews (Nehemiah 4:1). Sanballat always wants to keep us in captivity. He is an expert in his profession.
2 And he [Sanballat] spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Nehemiah 4:2-3
“What do these feeble Jews?” When the Lord brought His people out of captivity and bondage in Egypt, “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32).
“Will they fortify themselves?” Note again the subtle lie of this question. The enemy would love for us to try to fortify ourselves … works of the flesh. There are at least seven verses in Scripture that say that the Lord is our rock, our fortress, our refuge, our deliverer (2 Samuel 22:2, Psalms 18:2, 31:3, 71:3, 91:2, 144:2, and Jeremiah 16:19).
“Will they sacrifice?” It is not unusual for a non-believer to say, “What do I have to give up if I become a Christian?” Catholics speak of “giving up something for Lent.” Human nature does not like to give up anything. We do not like pain and suffering. We do not like sacrifices. “After all, I have worked long and hard for what I have accumulated in my life. I have to look out for number 1 (myself).” But what says the Scripture? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We must identify with Jesus in all points by denying our self-life, taking up our cross and following Him. That is much more than being born from above.
“Will they make an end in a day?” People today are looking for instant gratification. We want things NOW. The so-called “ecumenical” movement is a prime example. Let’s do everything we can NOW to bring about “unity” in the churches. Pure flesh! Haste makes waste. One of the major characteristic of the folks who tried to build the tower to heaven at Babel was “let’s hurry up. They made brick as fast as possible by burning them rather than the usual way of letting the sun dry them. Patience is a virtue. There are many works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20) but the fruit of the Spirit includes longsuffering. (Have you ever noticed the works (plural) of the flesh but the fruit (singular) of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is the nature, the character of Christ Jesus.) Many scriptures speak of waiting on the Lord. “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Teach us, Lord, to wait upon You, because waiting runs counter to human nature.
“Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt?”
This lie of the enemy is that the stones cannot be revived … they are too far gone. The spiritual stones are the believers. With man, reviving the stones is impossible, but nothing is impossible with God. Many believers today pray for revival. A better word is restoration. The Lord is in the process of restoring His church. When the Day of Atonement is fully complete, all of the world will see the Lord’s restoration.
Tobiah then added insult to injury when he said, “Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” Tobiah said that even if they build the walls, they will quickly crumble. But when the Lord gets through building His church, the gates of hell cannot stand against it. Further, “A curse causeless shall not come” (Proverbs 26:2). We, that is in our flesh, have no defense against the enemy, but “Greater is He in you than he that is in the world” (John 4:4).
When Nehemiah heard all of the lies of the enemy, he did exactly what we must do in that situation: “Cry out, “Help, Lord.” Further, Nehemiah said, and rightly so, that “They have provoked Thee to anger before the builders.” Nehemiah did not himself take action against his opponents; he simply called upon God to take care of the enemies. David, of course, had done the same thing when he refused to lift a hand upon Saul.
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8
Then we read one of my favorite verses in Scripture:
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. Nehemiah 4:10
The “bearers of burdens” are true intercessors, which every one of us believers should be, but that is not a popular activity. Their strength is decayed … there is not sufficient intercession in the visible church today, for “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). That has not yet happened in the history of mankind but will happen soon. The Lord is always “on time.” He brought forth Moses on time; He will bring forth his intercessors on time. Yes, there have been a number of revival spurts in history, probably all of which were initiated by intercession, but not to the level that will bring about the next, and final, restoration.
Moreover, no one can build a wall on rubbish; it will not stand the heat or pressure. There is much rubbish in the visible church today … at all levels. The rubbish stems ultimately from the flesh of man which succumbs to the many lies and subtleties of Sanballat.
In Nehemiah, Chapter 5, we see an economic crisis. The building of the walls took only 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15), but Nehemiah called a “great assembly” in the midst of the project of building the walls (Nehemiah 5:7). The economic crisis affected the landless, who were short of food (Nehemiah 5:2); it affected the landowners, who were compelled to mortgage their properties (Nehemiah 5:3); and it affected those who were forced to borrow money at exorbitant rates and sell their children into slavery (Nehemiah 5:4-5). The world, as well as the visible church, will see a similar economic crisis soon. What, then shall we do?
In Nehemiah’s time, he called a great assembly and told everyone that what they were doing was not right; he exhorted them to walk in the fear of God; he told them to leave off the usury; he told them to restore the lands to the original owners (Nehemiah 5:8-11). Then another amazing thing happened, just as with Ezra several years previously! All of the people promised to abide by the word of the Lord through Nehemiah! Again, could that happen again today? Not very likely! At least not until the Lord completes a mighty work within the hearts of His people. But the Lord will help us to finally cry out to Him by bringing about severe pressure, tribulation, suffering, etc. That is called the love of God.
In Nehemiah, Chapter 6, before the doors were set up on the gates, the enemy came one more time to try to disrupt the final completion. Four times, Sanballat et al said they just wanted to talk with Nehemiah. Each time, Nehemiah replied,
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Nehemiah 6:3
That response is applicable to every believer today … we must know the purpose and the work that the Lord has ordained for us and let nothing deter it. It is imperative that we hear the voice of the Lord clearly for ourselves. It is NOT sufficient to say, “Well the Bible says to do so-and-so, so let’s go do so-and-so.” That is Judaism, the works of the law and of the flesh. In general that results only in wood, hay, and stubble.
So the building of the walls was finished in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15), a remarkable achievement, particularly considering all of the opposition and economic crisis.
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. Nehemiah 6:16
Then, Tobiah sent letters to put Nehemiah in fear. About forty years ago, I received a phone call about 2 a.m. from a “Christian” (?) man who earlier had stayed in our home for two nights. He was the “number 2” man in a rather large “Christian” set of churches. When the phone rang, my wife and I both got up and went downstairs to the only phone set we had at that time. We sat in our small dining room. I recognized his voice right away. The man proceeded to tell me all of the horrible things that would happen to me unless I “joined” their new church; then he told me all of the horrible things that would happen to my wife if I did not “join up.” As he was speaking his words of witchcraft, shivers went up and down my spine. After he hung up, I immediately said, out loud, “I rebuke that spirit in the name of the Lord.” I have never, and will never, tell my wife what the man said. We went back to bed, slept soundly, and that was the end of that; it never surfaced again until about 18 months later they decided to give me one more chance to repent and join them. I refused. Less than 2 years later, the Lord smote their number 1 man.
I share that event only to say that Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem are still about their same tactics today. There is nothing special about me. I have made as many mistakes as the next person. But great is our God! And His grace and mercy endures forever!
Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. Nehemiah 7:4So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities. Nehemiah 7:73
What happens in the seventh month? The Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles! If we look carefully, we can see the amazing prophetic word of the Lord to us in every book in the Bible!
The rest of the Book of Nehemiah (Chapters 8-13) then reverts back to Ezra. Why? because Nehemiah had finished his course with joy. He had completed the building of the walls. He had completed the major purpose for which he had been created.
Everyone should read Nehemiah, Chapter 8, slowly and carefully. That Chapter speaks prophetically of the soon coming of the fulfillment of the spiritual Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Excerpts are below.
1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
[According to the traditional view, the reading of the law by Ezra was the first reference to him in 13 years since his arrival in 458 B.C. Why was there such a delay? perhaps because the people were not ready to hear the Word of God until that time. So it is today. The visible church today is not ready to hear the Word of God until after much persecution, pain, suffering, tribulation, lies of the enemy, and economic collapse.ALL the people gathered together as one man! The current visible church is not ready for that yet either.Why did they gather at the water gate? Why not at another of the ten gates around Jerusalem? because the water gate signifies the Holy Spirit, Who reveals and makes alive to us the Word of God.]
2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
[That was the day of the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. Ezra was the trumpet player of that day.]
3 And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
[WOW! The ears of ALL the people were attentive! Could that happen today? not likely, but will soon.]
4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
[ALL the people stood up when he had simply opened the book. He had not yet read from the book.]
6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.7 Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:1-8
They not only read from the book, they gave the sense or meaning. But the big WOW is they caused the people to understand the reading. That can happen only through the power of the Holy Ghost. That brings to mind Ezekiel 44:23.
And they [the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok] shall teach My people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23
That will be when the Day of Atonement is completely fulfilled. Nehemiah 8:14-18 speaks of the Feast of Tabernacles. From all of Nehemiah 8, most of the remnant could not understand the book of the law of Moses! The attitude of the people was, “Just tell us what to do and we will do it.” That same attitude is prevalent in many churches today. I have even heard it said with my natural ears. Nehemiah, Chapters 9 and 10, record Ezra’s prayer and acknowledgement of the majesty and glory of God and the making and signing of a sure covenant with the Lord. Another of my favorite verses is Nehemiah 10:38.
And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. Nehemiah 10:38
I suspect that many of the false faith and prosperity teachers use this verse to coerce money from unsuspecting believers. But our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He does not need “our” money (which never was ours in the first place) in order to build His church. I believe that verse speaks of is a tenth of a tenth of the people of God coming to spiritual Zion. That is our real treasure house. From Nehemiah 11:1, only one of ten (believers) dwell in spiritual Jerusalem and only a tenth of those allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to spiritual Zion.
Nehemiah, Chapter 13, speaks of the final day of the judgment of God.
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. Nehemiah 13:1-3
Israel here speaks of all born from above believers. Ezra said,
Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God. Nehemiah 9:31
NOTE: What we have presented in this Chapter is just a very small overview of the Book of Nehemiah, which contains so much significant truth for us today that a large book would never be sufficient to cover it all. Quite by accident (?) I ran across an internet site (www.Jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/Nehem3.htm), which seems to be quite accurate and well worth reading for additional depth of the Book of Nehemiah. I only glanced at a few paragraphs, but the author, whom I do not know, seems to have much spiritual understanding.
Chapter 28
The Book of Haggai
Haggai was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, exhorted and encouraged the exiles who had returned from Babylon to complete the building of the temple (Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14). Haggai was probably born on a Feast day, because his name means "Feast of the Lord." Next to Obadiah, Haggai is the shortest Book in the Old Testament, but the Book is very significant for us. The four messages of Haggai were given during a four month period in 520 B.C. Zerubbabel, the governor, was the political leader; Joshua, the high priest, was the religious leader. Haggai’s first message (primarily to Zerubbabel and Joshua) was a call to complete the rebuilding of the Temple (Haggai 1:1-11) followed by the response of Zerubbabel and Joshua (Haggai 1:12-15). His second message (both to the two leaders and to all of the remnant) was that the Temple would be filled with the glory of God (Haggai 2:1-9). His third message (to the priests) was that the Lord would purify and bless a defiled people (Haggai 2:10-19). His fourth and last message was a personal word to encourage Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:20-23). Note that the prophecies spoken by Haggai were primarily to the leaders of the remnant. That is because most of the “problems” within the visible church have always been caused by the leaders. That was true when Jesus walked the face of the earth as a Man, but “the common people heard Him gladly” (Mark 12:27).
1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
[The first message was to the human leaders of God’s people. So must it be today. If judgment must begin at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17), then judgment must first begin with the leaders of the Spirit-filled, modern-day spiritual Judah.]
2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.
[The phrase, “the Lord of hosts” occurs more than 80 times in the Books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi; it occurs 12 times in Haggai. Note the phrase, “this people,” not “My people,” because of their sins. What were those sins? lethargy, apathy, and the fact that they were more interested in building their own houses rather than the house of God. The modern-day response is the same, namely, let’s just wait on the Lord. He is in control. All is well. I am very comfortable in my present circumstances.]
3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
[A “ceiled” house signifies a house of luxury. This word may well have been directed to only the leaders. Most of the “big name” “evangelists” and self-proclaimed “prophets and apostles” today live in multi-million dollar homes and live a life of luxury.]
5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
[This may have had a natural level interpretation in that day, but it most certainly has only a spiritual interpretation for us. A “mountain” speaks of a kingdom; “wood” speaks of people; so the people who dwell in the kingdom are used to build the spiritual house.]
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
[The love of God in action, as always. He always tries to help us to repent and cry out to Him.]
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
[Another of the “amazing” verses! This is a remarkable response because most prophets were rejected. It reinforces the interpretation that one of their main problems was misunderstanding their responsibility to "time” (which was probably due to a lack of proper teaching from the leaders). This is the first time that all the remnant of the people is mentioned. Scripture does not indicate whether all the people heard Verses 4-11 or whether Zerubbabel and Joshua passed the word to the people. Just as with Ezra and Nehemiah, the people “did fear before the Lord.” Note also that all of the remnant recognized that it was the voice of the Lord but the words were spoken by Haggai.]
13 Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.
[True repentance quickly beings the blessing of God.]
14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
[We must, first of all, hear the voice of the Lord and recognize the Source; but then the Spirit of God must stir our spirit. The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.]
15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1: 1-15
The 24th day of the sixth month was one week before the start of the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. Jewish months alternate between 30 and 29 days, based on a lunar cycle. Then we come to Haggai, Chapter 2.
In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, ..." Haggai 2:1
The seventh month, and the twenty-first day of the month … in other words, in the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles! There is some evidence (like Haggai 2:3) that Haggai may have witnessed the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. Apparently so did part of his audience. If so, he must have been in his 70’s during his ministry.
The magnificence of Solomon's temple was utterly unsurpassable. There is nothing in history to compare with it, past or present. How could this remnant begin to erect a structure even comparable to that wonderful temple? How discouraging their work must have been as they contemplated the glory they had lost! But at that very moment, on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Haggai spoke the word of prophecy to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant:
3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so My spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:3-9
Our modern-day attempts at restoration are nothing compared to the glory of the early Church, the Temple of the living God erected in apostolic days. But the Lord was not speaking of an earthly house; He was speaking of the Temple not made with hands, composed of living stones. And the "Desire of all nations," the Lord Himself, would be the Glory of that Temple. All of creation itself is waiting eagerly for His appearing and for the "manifestation of the Sons of God" (Romans 8:19). Their hopes and expectations will not be disappointed.
"Be strong ... Be strong ... Be strong (all in Verse 4)" is the threefold prophecy of comfort and encouragement to the builders of the Temple, to the priesthood, to the political leaders, and to the remnant. Everything that can be shaken is going to tremble and fall before the Sons of God. And then those overcomers will ascend into the very heavenlies, first of all in the Spirit, to take possession of the kingdom left vacant by the casting out of Satan and his evil hosts. Then they will administer peace and life and blessing to a Church and a world that are in bondage, in captivity, and under oppression.
Haggai 2:8 on the surface seems like a rather strange interjection because Haggai 2:7 and Haggai 2:9 both speak of the glory of God. What does silver and gold have to do with the glory of God? Let us consider two possible reasons for this somewhat strange-sounding interjection. It is certainly true that God provided for Solomon’s temple and for Zerubbabel’s temple. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills. It is also true that too many modern-day ministers, either knowingly or unknowingly, look at natural silver and gold as being “theirs” and not “His.”
However, we believe that Haggai 2:8 does not speak of either of those two possibilities. “Silver” in the Bible speaks of the Lord’s redemptive ministry and power or His complete atonement. “Gold” speaks of His Divine glory and nature, or His Deity. Therefore, everything from our redemption to partaking of His glory is caused by and comes from the Lord. Man has no part in any of that. All we can do is accept, by His grace, that which Christ has done for us, continues to do for us, and will do for us at the last Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Haggai, Chapter 2, Verses 10-17, speak of the judgment of God and His sovereign destructive hand against “this people” and “this nation” of Israel, which had been called to be “His people” and “His nation,” but they had become unclean through disobedience. But then, the Lord of hosts said,
18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
[This is another promise from the Lord, to which we must respond by faith.]
Haggai 2:18-19
Haggai, Chapter 2, Verses 20-23 is the final message … this time only to Zerubbabel, the political leader of the remnant in Judah, who was in the Davidic line through which Jesus came (Matthew 1:12-13).
20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
[That shaking is confirmed in Hebrews 12:26-27 and in Joel 3:14-16. That shaking will cast Satan and his principalities from their heavenly throne, while the Sons of God ascend into "the heavenlies" on the Day of Atonement … first of all in the Spirit … to exercise the authority which belongs to those who are overcomers. After entering into this place of power and authority, the Sons of God will administer protection, comfort, deliverance, and blessing to such as are in need. This is confirmed in Obadiah 21 and Revelation 12.]
22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
[Scripture is clear that there are many kingdoms on earth for the devil took Jesus up into a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. But all earthly kingdoms must fall before the Kingdom of God can be fully manifest here on earth. All of the political kingdoms of man must crumble. “The kingdoms of this world must become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15).]
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
[This speaks prophetically of the ultimate rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.]
Haggai 2:20-23
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Chapter 29
The Book of Zechariah
1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto Me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto Me, saith the LORD.
Zechariah 1:1-4
“In the eighth month ...,” one month after the Feast of Tabernacles, which should have been a month of repentance. What is common with all of the Old Testament prophets? a call to repentance. To whom was the call to repentance made? Not to heathens but to God’s chosen people. It is the same today.
“Berechiah” means “one who bends the knee to God.” “Iddo” means “favorite of his power.” “Zechariah” means “the Lord remembers” or “the Lord is renowned.” Zechariah, who was born in Babylon, was one of the prophets whom God used to encourage the folks who had returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. When their courage sagged, and the rebuilding slowed, God would cause one of the prophets to give them new courage by a look into the future to see what their labors would lead to, if they would press on faithfully. There are no promises to the unfaithful, who do not respond to God's dealings with them.
Chapter 2 speaks of the coming judgment of God on those who disobey and the grace and mercy of God on those who obey Him.
1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
[The angel with a measuring line in his hand was sent by the Lord to measure Jerusalem. That measurement speaks of judgment, because the remnant in Jerusalem were not “measuring up” to the will of God.]
2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,4 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:
[The new message was, Run, speak to Zechariah. Run! Don’t walk! Hurry!]
5 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.
[The second (positive) message did not negate the first message of judgment. The Lord will have what He desires in Jerusalem one way or another.]
6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
[Spiritual progression is indicated scripturally from the north to the south.]
7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
Zechariah 2:1-7
Deliver thyself, O Zion. You do it! Peter, on the day of Pentecost, said, “Save (or deliver) yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40). It is a matter of choice. Many are called but few choose. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. “Come out of her [Babylon] My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins” (Revelation 18:4). It is one thing to come out of Babylon. It is another thing to remove Babylon from our heart. If we have received the earnest of the Spirit, then we have the power to do both, but it still requires a decision on our part. We still have free will.
In Chapter 3, Zechariah related what he saw, by the Sprit, about a man who was probably well known to most of the people, Joshua, the High Priest. He saw Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord, clothed in filthy garments. This Joshua could not be Jesus, because Jesus never had any filthy garments. As if this were not bad enough, for the High Priest to have dirty clothes on, Satan was standing close by to resist him in his efforts in behalf of the people whom he served. Double trouble!
Isn't this a vivid picture of the condition that exists in the Church world today? Most of us can see plenty of things which resemble "dirty clothes" and opposition from evil forces in almost any segment of the church where we happen to look. But, thanks be to God, the LORD took command of the matter, and rebuked Satan, and put a stop to his resistance in the life of the servant of the Lord. What Zechariah related to the builders was a prophecy of the very last days, and it was given more for our benefit than it was for those who listened to the prophet that day. If it gave them new courage then, what should it do for us today, if we can lay hold of the real meaning of it?
In Verse 3:4, Zechariah tells of God commanding that the filthy garments be taken from Joshua, and saying that He had caused his iniquity to pass from him. Can you imagine … a servant of God without any iniquity? Such is not possible today nor in the past. These things are in the mind of God, however, and He has told us of them in His Word. Human mortals shall serve in the presence of God, free of iniquity. God further said to Joshua, "I will clothe thee with a change of raiment." So they set a fair mitre on his head, and clothed him with garments.
We can know that this promise is to mortals when we read that the angel of the Lord said to Joshua, "If thou shalt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My House, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” (Zechariah 3:7).
The ministry of a High Priest was to represent God to the people, and to represent the people to God … a go‑between ... an intermediary. Paul gives us the New Testament pattern of the priestly labors. In 2 Corinthians 5:20 he says, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, 'Be ye reconciled to God'." Here, then, is the work of the Reapers in the time of the Ingathering. It is a ministry of reconciliation. It is a ministry of standing between God and man, a ministry of intercession.
We shudder when we see the attitudes displayed by some of the present day ministers toward the people to which they are ministering. We learn rather slowly sometimes and usually the hard way.
Surely we stand on the threshold of the greatest outpouring of the Spirit of God that the world has ever seen. It is almost impossible to perceive what will happen under the ministry of the Reapers (Matthew 13), who have been set free from iniquity, and have been clothed with new garments. In all probability it will be a re‑enactment of the type of ministry Jesus had between Jordan and Calvary. Jesus could be in only one place at a time, so His Ministry was, to a certain extent, localized. But the end‑time ministry will be carried out by a vast company of people, in all parts of the earth.
It will be a brand new type of ministering, as far as man is concerned. We have never yet experienced a complete freedom from a mixture of Spirit and flesh in our ministry. This new ministry will be all of God and none of man. And it will come to pass, because of what Jesus will do for His overcomers when He returns from the Heavenly Holy of Holies. Our bodies are to be redeemed. They were laden with the nature of sin when Adam fell. To be fully redeemed, they must be set free from that nature of sin. That will occur when the Day of Atonement is fully completed.
Joshua was given a change of raiment … a different ministry. The old would be done away with. A new ministry was to be given. A thorough cleansing was to take place, to prepare for a new work of the Spirit. The new work requires a clean vessel … one which will not contaminate the flow of the Spirit flowing through. God is, at this very moment, preparing a people for this experience … a change of garments. It is a people who are making Jesus LORD of their lives. He is more than Savior; He is the complete Sovereign of their lives.
Try to imagine what would happen if there were a great group of people sent forth into the world who each had the same capabilities of ministry that Jesus had from the time of His baptism until His crucifixion. If we have eyes attuned to see Jesus when He "returns" from His ministration before the Mercy Seat in Heaven, such a ministry will be ours ... a sending away of sin nature.
In the 12th and 13th chapters of the Book of Zechariah we have a picture of Christ returning and the reconciliation of the world beginning. Here the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets and Atonement is made plain. “In that day” occurs nine times in those two Chapters. Next, let us read the 14th chapter, which speaks of the Feast of Tabernacles and contains five more occurrences of the phrase, “in that day.” Five is the number of grace … amazing grace!
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.2 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.3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.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.5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
[Living waters … salvation … the Holy Spirit. The "waters" are literal as well as figurative. God often pictures His spiritual plan by material events.]
9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.
[The time is the Millennium. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.]
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.12 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.13 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 neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[In that day, when the earth is safely inhabited, what happens? After Christ returns, the nations … mortal Gentiles who have not yet received salvation … will come to spiritual Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Tabernacles! To receive salvation, even the Gentiles will have to keep this Feast. It is commanded forever! And what will happen if they refuse to obey God?]
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 nations will keep the Feast of Tabernacles, from year to year, when Christ is ruling the earth! And if the nations still won't obey?]
18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 14
During the Millennium Kingdom when Christ will rule for a thousand years from His throne in spiritual Jerusalem, all the nations of the earth will be commanded to come and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If they refuse to come, that means that they are not trusting in the Lord for their substance and living. Therefore the Lord will withhold rain from their nation for refusing God’s provision. Further, God will not pour out His Holy Spirit on those who refuse His offer of salvation, those who are invited to come and receive freely His mercy and grace.
The end-time visions (Verses 16-21) which speak of the coming of all nations to worship at Jerusalem (not a physical location) refer to the Feast of Tabernacles on the occasion of their pilgrimage. “And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.” No more flesh in His house. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Chapter 30
The Feast of Tabernacles
33 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:38 Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:33-43
13 Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. Deuteronomy 16:13-17
The Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering or Booths) started on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and was observed for seven days … each with a different offering. The Feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot) was considered the most important of all of the holidays, referred to simply as “the Feast” (1 Kings 12:32).
During the Feast of Tabernacles, two important ceremonies took place. The Hebrew people carried torches around the temple, illuminating bright candelabra along the walls of the temple to demonstrate that the Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. Also, the priest would draw water from the pool of Siloam and carry it to the temple where it was poured into a silver basin beside the altar. The priest would call upon the Lord to provide heavenly water in the form of rain for their supply. During this ceremony the people looked forward to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Some records reference the day spoken of by the prophet Joel. See Joel 2:23, 29.
The next morning, while the torches were still burning Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
What does the Feast of Tabernacles represent? At the most basic level it is a fall festival, celebrating the abundance of God’s blessings in connection with the ingathering of the fall harvest. This is Israel’s Thanksgiving feast, a happy celebration of the ingathering of corn and wine and a time of joy and rejoicing. God has reserved the best wine for the last (John 2:10). It is reserved for the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Tabernacles pointed both backward and forward. The backward look was to the time when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. They had to live in "booths,” as they are called in the Bible. It is a memorial of the Exodus, when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, living in tabernacles, or tents, in route to the Promised Land. It is, therefore, a representation of faith in God’s protection and promises.
On the first day of the feast each participant had to collect twigs of myrtle, willow, and palm in the area of Jerusalem for construction of their temporary shelters or booths. These "huts" or "booths" were constructed from bulrushes as joyful reminders of the temporary housing erected by their forefathers during the Exodus wanderings ... in remembrance of God's protection, provision, and care during their 40 years in the wilderness.
13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
[Even the priests and Levites did not understand the words of the law!]
14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
[The time period of not observing the Feast of Tabernacles had been almost 1000 years! Amazing! From Verse 14, above, apparently no one had been reading the law. While I was teaching Computer Science at Marymount University, the Provost specifically invited me to attend` a Catholic “conference” for a week. Perhaps the President of Marymount wanted to “convert” me to a good Catholic??? During a conversation in a small group seminar, one person said, “Oh, we Catholics don’t read the Bible.”]
18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner. Nehemiah 8:13-18
The forward look probably refers to the time when "The Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left ... " (Isaiah 11:11). The Feast of Tabernacles looks forward to the greatest ingathering of souls the world has ever seen, after the return of Christ, during the time of His millennial rule on earth. It speaks of a new beginning without the ravages of the curse of sin. In that day, the earth will give her full bounty, all animals will be docile (Isaiah 65:25), armies will no longer march, every man will sit under his own fig tree (Micah 4:4), and righteousness will become a reality in the earth.
Comparing scriptures and history, it appears that Jesus, at His first coming, was born during the fall holy day period. Many believe that John the Baptist was born on Passover and that Jesus was born six months later on the day of the Feast of Tabernacles, around September 25 on our calendar. Just as the tabernacles, or tents, represented temporary dwelling places, the Messiah was made manifest in a temporary dwelling (body) as He came to tabernacle among us (John 1:14). The symbolism of Tabernacles will ultimately be fulfilled at His second coming, when He will once again tabernacle among men, this time as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the mighty Ruler, finally providing a millennial rest for all mankind and the earth (see Hebrews, Chapter 4). Therefore, this feast shows us the picture of the Millennium, the 1,000 year period of time following Christ's visible return from heaven!
To portray His plan, God took the yearly material harvest seasons in ancient Israel as the picture of the spiritual harvest of souls. In the Holy Land there are two annual harvest seasons. The first season is in the spring, when grains are harvested. Later in the year comes the main harvest of fruit.
Note that the Feast of Tabernacles is to be held "at the year's end" (Exodus 34:22). In this verse the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths is specifically called the "feast of ingathering." The harvest year ended at the beginning of autumn. Just as Pentecost pictures the early harvest … this church age …so the Festival of Ingathering or Tabernacles pictures the fall harvest … the great harvest of souls in the Millennium! This great ingathering is the harvest for which the Husbandman has been waiting ever since the foundation of the world.
Remember that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were merely heirs when they dwelled on earth (Heb. 11:9). While heirs they dwelled in tabernacles, or booths, sojourning in the land of promise. Booths or temporary dwellings pictured that they were not yet inheritors. Thus we read of the Feast of Tabernacles that "ye shall dwell in booths seven days ... that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 23:42-43). Israel dwelled in booths in the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land. Those booths pictured that they were only heirs. Even during the Millennium, when the Kingdom of God is ruling over mortal nations, the people will be only heirs to the Kingdom. They must overcome and grow in knowledge and wisdom to inherit the promises. Israel in the wilderness was a type of all people who must go through trials and tribulations to inherit the promises. They were wanderers, waiting to inherit the promises of salvation.
After the Millennium, what happens? A resurrection! The dead stand before God. Those in this resurrection are the people who died in ignorance in past ages! They are not brought back to life until after the Millennium (Revelation 20:5).
This is that judgment day mentioned in Matthew 10:15. It is a time when Gentiles who died in ignorance will be given an opportunity to receive salvation. Ezekiel 16:53-55 makes this very plain. Even those in Israel who died in their sins will be given their first opportunity to understand the truth of God and His way (Ezekiel 37). The prophet wrote that God would pour out His Spirit on those resurrected (Verse 14). This is precisely the salvation that Jesus mentioned in His sermon on that great day of the feast.
This eighth day, which immediately follows the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, pictures the completion of the plan of redemption. It is just prior to the new heaven and the new earth. All, parents and children, young and old, will be resurrected.
Notice that the "book of life," typifying salvation, is opened (Revelation 20:12). Revelation presents the final view of the "judgment day" as the present material heaven and earth are perishing, and the faithful are receiving their eternal reward at the throne of Christ. The wicked … those who disobey … are seen perishing in the lake of fire!
No doubt Jesus was referring to the time typified by the Feast of Ingathering when He gave the parable of the sower who sowed good seed in his ground, but an enemy had sowed tares also. Jesus said that in the time of the harvest He would instruct the reapers how to handle the situation. See Matthew 13:24‑30. Note that the reapers are in a different category than the servants who were helping to grow the grain. Apparently there is a connection between this last feast being in the "end of the year" (Exodus 34:22 and Exodus 23:16) and the fact that Jesus, in explaining the parable of the tares, declared that the harvest was the end of the world (Matthew 13:39).
The period of reaping will be short and intense, like the ministry of Jesus. Joel 2 gives us a fair description, in symbolic language, of what it will be like. It will be a harvest of souls which defies description. God intends to let it be known who is King of kings and Lord of lords. The harvest will be on a world‑wide scale … out of every nation, kindred, and tongue. Almost an entire generation of human beings will be "reaped" for the Master.
The time of the harvest (Ingathering) is close at hand. God will have the reapers ready for the event, just as He had Moses ready when it was time to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Many scriptures indicate that there will be a shattering blow dealt to Satan and his cohorts by the people who do know their God. The world has yet to see what God can do through a people who are free to do His complete will, unhampered by their own fleshly desires and inclinations. It is the company of overcomers who shall go forth in the Day of the Lord working all manner of signs and wonders and miracles in the Name of the Lord; and nothing shall stand against them. "By my spirit," saith the Lord. This is a work of the Spirit of God. The anointing oil of the Spirit flowing through them is the secret of their power.
But, the world shall see it, and be amazed at what they see, just as the world which saw Jesus was amazed at what He did in the midst of them. Liberty was proclaimed on the Day of Atonement in the year of Jubilee. It was a type, and fore‑shadowing of the glorious liberty of the sons of God, which will become a reality to those who have met God's requirements for their own lives and thus stand before Him blameless in the day of His appearing.
Chapter 31
Significance of the Feast of Tabernacles
All the Feasts of the Lord were observed in connection with Sabbath days, for they were a time when Israel (in type) must cease from their own works, and rest in the work of Christ. However, the Feast of Tabernacles is the ultimate Feast of Rest, of which the others were but an earnest and foretaste. In the first place it was in the seventh month, even as God "rested on the seventh day from all his work." The first day of the Feast was the fifteenth, and it was observed for seven days. The last day of the Feast was therefore the twenty-first day of the seventh month, twenty-one being a triple of seven, which speaks of rest in the absolute sense … God's rest which "remaineth" for the people of God. The next day was likewise a Sabbath (the eighth day of the Feast); and though it was connected in some measure with the Feast, it was not one of the seven days of their festivities. The eighth day would speak of the completion of God's purposes in the Church, and the beginning of a new day.
The plans and purposes of God for the Church are infinitely far beyond our highest imaginations. Paul said, "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). We need "the spirit of wisdom and revelation" and to have the eyes of our understanding "enlightened" that in some small measure at least we may be able to grasp and understand the mystery, which is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Every believer knows the words; but the reality? that is another matter!
Just as the weekly Sabbath was the end of Israel's week of toil and labor, so the Feast of Tabernacles is the end of the Church's age of strife and turmoil. The natural, weekly "Sabbath" has no significance for us now, because the Substance has been revealed. "There remaineth therefore a rest (a Sabbath) to the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9). Watchman Nee, in his book, “Assembling Together,” page 75, says:
Nowhere in the Bible can we find a Christian Sabbath day, for these two are contradictory. If we are Christians, then there is no Sabbath. If there is a Sabbath, then we are not Christians. The Sabbath belongs to the Old Testament. In the New Testament it has passed away.
Although his statements perhaps seem rather blunt and harsh, they are true. Our Sabbath is not a day but a Person! the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Sabbath in the Old Testament is but a type. With the coming of the reality (the Lord Jesus Christ), the type has passed away. The Sabbath, like animal sacrifice, has passed away. The gospel has come. We, as believers in Christ, have entered into rest through the gospel. Jesus Christ is the gospel! He is our Sabbath! He is our rest! Through the gospel, that is through and in Christ, we are enabled to rest from all of our works. Only after entering into this rest can we rise up to serve.
One of man's major difficulties seems to be that in his limited and finite understanding he does not have the vision of greater and higher and deeper expanses of the Truth of God. He has failed to see that God is both infinite and eternal, and therefore in finding God we must be prepared to go ever onward and upward into the vast expanses of the Spirit of God. Instead, far too many of God’s people are content to dwell in the vast sea of religious mediocrity, not knowing or not emphasizing anything past “going to heaven” one day. If God is infinite, there is no limit to the experience which we might have in unity with Him by the Spirit. Likewise, there is no end to the measure of Truth into which He would lead us by the Spirit. It will take an eternity for the Holy Spirit to unveil all of the Truth which is Christ Jesus. But it is becoming apparent that only a remnant is returning to Jerusalem. The vast majority are content to remain in Babylon, for they have grown up in that state, and know nothing of the glory of God which once rested mightily on the Temple of God. They are prosperous enough; and the venture which a few fanatical Israelites have started upon seems so utterly hopeless that they will have nothing to do with it. The vast majority were/are content to remain in Babylon, with only about fifty thousand of the multitudes thinking it worth their while to go up and start work on the temple.
Another major significance of the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles is unity … the unity of the Spirit. This is a foundational truth of the whole restoration which God longs for the Church …that God would now bring His people together to form one body. This has nothing to do with the “ecumenical” movement, which is man’s attempt to bring about union. At the beginning it was hoped that Christians everywhere would catch the vision, and that before long the whole Body of saints would become one vital, living organism, united together in the bonds of the Spirit unto one common purpose. Indeed, just as freshly sprouted grass is always the greenest (because it has not yet been exposed to the worldly systems), the early Church, as recorded in the Book of Acts, had that God-given vision.
Ten times in the Book of Acts we see the phrase “with one accord” or “in one accord.” Five of those occurrences (Acts 7:57, 12:20, 15:25, 18:12, and 19:29) are of little interest to us because they either reflect a natural accord or an accord to kill Paul. Let us read the other five verses, and note the chronological spiritual progression in the life of a believer.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.
[Passover, or being born from above.]
Acts 1:12-14
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[Pentecost of the Feast of Weeks; anointing to become a martyr and to do the works of God.]
Acts 2:1-4
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
[How we today needs to recover that holy fear of God!]
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
[The three month time period between Pentecost and the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. When the Church does its part, the Lord adds to the Church such as should be saved. Man does not have to “beat the bushes” to try to make one convert. Neither does one become “saved” by repeating Romans 10:9-10 or by saying the “sinners’ prayer.” We must be born from above.]
Acts 2:42-47
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
[Separation of the tares and the wheat. Feast of Blowing of Trumpets. Because of the fate of Ananias and his wife, no pretenders or halfhearted followers risked identification with the believers.]
Acts 5:11-134 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
[This is the ingathering element of the Feast Tabernacles.]
Acts 8:4-6
Now let us note that none of those sets of verses tell us what the early church was “in one accord” about, but we find the answer to that question in Romans.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6
In the Verse above, “with one mind” is the Greek homothumadon, which elsewhere is translated as “with one accord.” In other words, the early Church was in one accord to glorify God. We must have that same mind.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
John 17:
No words about unity in the Spirit could ever be complete without mentioning the 17th Chapter of John. We will not here go into detail, but please read all of that Chapter. Five times in that Chapter Jesus prayed that we might be one (Verses 11, 21, 21, 22, and 23). In Verse 9, Jesus said that He prayed for all those who were given to Him by the Father. He also said that He prayed not for the world (those who have not known the Father). Should we do the same? Also,
Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Jesus did not pray that we would be with Him where He would be but where He was, even then. Where was Jesus at that point in time? at one with the Father in the realm of the Spirit. It is not possible to see His glory unless we abide in the Vine … unless we abide in the Spirit. That requires much more than being born from above and being baptized into the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 133: A song of Degrees of David
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Psalm 133:1-3
Verse 1
“Behold” is the word of the Holy Spirit, as “yea” is of the Father, and “verily” of the Son. The word “unity” reflects the mystery of the oneness which is in Christ.
And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants.
2 Samuel 19:14
Hezekiah’s purpose was to unite the tribes of the Northern Kingdom with the tribes of the South. Hermon’s dew was one with the dew on Zion. The same cloud of the night mist united Israel and Judah (2 Chronicles 30:11-20). The same dew descended on Zion in the south as on Hermon in the north. Zion’s dew represents the tribe of Judah; Hermon’s dew represents Asher, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, and Issachar.
Verse 2
Note that the anointing is first of all on the Head, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our great High Priest. From there the anointing covers the entire body whenever the members of the body dwell together in unity. From Psalm 133, above, there are four requirements for anointing: (1) the minister must be a member of the body of Christ, (2) be subject to the Head, (3) dwell together in unity with members of the body, and (4) stand in his particular place in the body as appointed by the Head; i.e., function in the calling wherein he has been called (2 Chronicles 30:16). Whenever all brethren dwell together in unity, there is a super abundance of anointing which covers the whole body.
What was the key to the anointing and power of the Holy Ghost upon the early Church? They dwelled together in unity ... the unity of the Holy Spirit, as specified five times in the Book of Acts.
Another key factor in the anointing is that each member must function in the place wherein they are called of God. Remember that the anointing is both an individual AND a corporate matter.
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him. 1 Corinthians 12:18Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:20
Some teachers have tried to function as a pastor, but it does not work. Some prophets have tried to function as a pastor, but that does not work either. Any time we try to function in a place where we have not been called, that seems to say that the Lord did not know what He was doing when He set the various ministries and gifts in the body. Does the hand see as well as the eye? Does the foot hear as well as the ear? It is of great importance for each member to know the specific gifts and ministries that they have received from the Lord. Further, we also need to know the place where the Lord has set the other members of the body. The reason that many are weak and sickly, and many sleep, is because we do not discern the Lord’s body (1 Corinthians 11:29-30).
Verse 3
Mount Hermon, which was a sacred mountain, is a mountain which rises almost 10,000 feet in the northernmost part of Palestine, about 30 miles southwest of Damascus. It is the most conspicuous and beautiful mountain in Palestine or Syria and is visible from afar. When the whole country is parched with the summer sun, white lines of snow still streak the head of Hermon. It has three peaks (designed by the Lord to reflect the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?). The word, Hermon, comes from a Hebrew word which means abrupt, secluded, devoted, or consecrated. Mount Hermon is believed by many to be the mountain where Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:1-13 and Luke 9:28-36). A dew as profuse as that of Mount Hermon would make the mountains of Zion richly fruitful.
Verse 3 says that “there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Where is “there?” “There” is Mount Zion, not a physical, natural mountain, but what Zion represents spiritually.
For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation. Psalm 132:13
The author of the book of Hebrews states,
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23 To the general assembly, and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:18, 22-24
What is the blessing of coming to spiritual Zion (which represents the kingdom of God)? Eternal life!
Chapter 32
John, Chapter 7
Jesus kept (and fulfilled) the Feast of Tabernacles. The Apostle John devoted the entire Chapter 7 of his gospel to describe what Jesus said and did during the Feast of Tabernacles in the last year of His ministry.
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
[This was the turning point in the ministry of Jesus on earth. “After these things.” After what things? John 6:4 speaks of the Feast of Passover, so six months had elapsed between the end of Chapter 6 and the start of Chapter 7. Our logical thinking minds tend to think it was the very next day. And what happened in John, Chapter 6? Jesus said some things that no man understood. He said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53). That sounded like heresy to the Jews because the law of Moses forbad the drinking of blood. In John 6:66 even many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.” “666” is the number of the beast, which is the number of man (Revelation 13:18). Carnal man with his logical reasoning must always depart from the Lord and His ways. “After these things,” a phrase that occurs 24 times in Scripture, is worth contemplating. It is worthwhile to read all 24 references and their contexts.]
2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.3 His brethren therefore said unto Him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that Thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest.
[All males were required to appear in Jerusalem on the three major feast days.]
4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If Thou do these things, shew Thyself to the world.
[True statement, but Jesus was not seeking to be known openly. Revelation knowledge, not carnal knowledge, is His way.]
5 For neither did His brethren believe in Him.6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
[The “time” of Jesus was in accordance to the will of the Father, not according to what man thinks. “Your time” is the time of man and his natural thinking.]
7 The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for My time is not yet full come.9 When He had said these words unto them, He abode still in Galilee.10 But when His brethren were gone up, then went He also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
[The Lord intentionally visited the Feast "in secret," which illustrates a great truth to us, the truth of His appearing. “Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” (Job 11:7).]
11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, Where is He?12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning Him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but He deceiveth the people.13 Howbeit no man spake openly of Him for fear of the Jews.14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.. . .25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this He, whom they seek to kill?26 But, lo, He speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is.28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as He taught, saying, Ye both know Me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me is true, whom ye know not.29 But I know Him: for I am from Him, and He hath sent Me.30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because His hour was not yet come.31 And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this man hath done?32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning Him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him.
33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent Me.34 Ye shall seek Me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
[Following His entry into Jerusalem Jesus attended the Feast of Tabernacles, went to the Temple, and proclaimedthese amazing words on the last and greatest day of the Feast:]
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.
[Jesus said in the clearest possible way that He alone was the source of life and blessing; that He could meet every need of the human heart. The words, “In the last day,” mean that this event occurred on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles, strictly speaking, is seven days long, and reflects the entire Millennium. Seven is the number of completeness. There were seven feasts. This eighth day, technically a separate feast, is called "the last day, that great day of the feast." It is sometimes referred to as "The Last Great Day."]
38 He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.39 (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.). . .53 And every man went unto his own house. John 7
In the original Greek texts, there are no Chapters. They were inserted by the translators at places which seemed “logical.” But there is a great significance associated with the last verse in John 7 and the first verse in Chapter 8. The last day of that great feast is the time when every man will go to his own place. (See Acts 1:25 and Revelation 22:11.) “But Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives” (John 8:1). John 7 and John 8:1 describe a natural event that has already taken place. But they speak prophetically of the equivalent spiritual event, soon to come … namely, when Christ returns to the spiritual Mount of Olives.
The Mount of Olives was originally named for the many olive groves that once covered the slopes of the hill, just outside Jerusalem on the east side. It is also the site of perhaps the largest cemetery in all of Israel and holds about 150,000 graves.
In the Old Testament, the Mount of Olives (or Olivet) is mentioned first in relation to King David. When David’s son Absalom wrested control of Jerusalem, David and his loyal followers fled the city via an eastern route. “And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.” (2 Samuel 15:30). David did not weep for himself! He wept, knowing what must befall his son Absalom. Later, King Solomon used the Mount of Olives for idol worship: “Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon” (1 Kings 11:7). In one of Ezekiel’s visions, the prophet sees the glory of the Lord depart from Jerusalem and come to rest “upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city” (Ezekiel 11:23).
Jesus made many visits to the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37). In fact, it was “usual” for Him to go there when in the vicinity of Jerusalem (Luke 22:39). The Bible records that Jesus visited the Mount of Olives three times in the last week of His earthly life, and each time something of significance happened. The first visit was to speak of end time events as recorded in Matthew 24 and 25. This was Jesus’ response to His disciples’ question “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" That teaching includes parables about those who wait for the Master’s coming: the faithful and unfaithful servants (Matthew 24:43-51), the five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and the good servant who uses his resources wisely (Matthew 25:14-30). Matthew 25:31-46 ends with Jesus’ warning about the final judgment of God.
Jesus’ second visit is what we call the triumphal entry. The donkey Jesus rode that day was found on the east side of the Mount of Olives (Luke 19:29-31). Then, “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;” (Luke 19:37). While still on the Mount of Olives, Jesus looked at the scene in front of Him, wept over the city, and pronounced a judgment against it (Verses 41–44).
Jesus’ third visit during the week of His passion was on the night He was betrayed. That evening began with the Last Supper in Jerusalem and ended in the Garden of Gethsemene (literally, “Garden of the Oil-press”), at the foot of the Mount of Olives. During that last Passover meal, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and then revealed Judas as the betrayer (John 13:1-30). At the conclusion of the meal, Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane located on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. There God sent an angel from heaven to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43), after which Jesus prayed in agony and His sweat was “like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44).
After Jesus prayed, Judas Iscariot arrived with a multitude of soldiers, high priests, Pharisees, and servants to arrest Jesus. Judas identified Jesus by the prearranged signal of a kiss, which he gave to Jesus. The mob arrested Jesus and took Him to face trial, while the disciples scattered in fear for their lives.
After the trials, crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus once again stood on the Mount of Olives. During His final post-resurrection appearance, Jesus led His disciples out to the vicinity of Bethany, and He lifted up his hands and blessed them. Then He left them and was taken up into heaven. Immediately following Jesus’ ascension, two angels told the disciples on the Mount of Olives that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). According to the prophet Zechariah, Jesus will return not only in the same way, but to the same place.
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.2 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.3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.
[This speaks of any occasion, of which there have been many, when the Lord supernaturally intervenes to deliver His people, such as in parting the Red Sea.]
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.
[The very location where David wept when his kingdom was usurped and where Jesus was betrayed and rejected will be the place where Jesus returns in triumph over all His enemies. BUT, it will not be a physical location! It is in the hearts and souls of men! “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual” (1 Corinthians 15:46). The “very great valley” is the valley of decision in the minds of men. “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision.” This is a contrast between the 150,000 graves and those overcomers who have allowed the oil press of God to form Christ within them.]
5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
[“Azal” comes from a Hebrew root word which means “to separate.” This will be the final separation of the wheat and the tares.]
6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. Zechariah 14:3-7
[The two Verses below shed much light on Verses 6 and 7, above. The new “light” will be the Parousia of the Lord.
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light: Mark 13:24And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:2 Thessalonians 2:8]
Chapter 33
What Shall This Man Do?
Up until this point, we have emphasized that which we believe will occur when the last Day of Atonement … the year of the last Jubilee … the end times, and the Feast of Tabernacles are fully complete. That does NOT mean that we do nothing until that time. Neither does it mean that a measure of the power of God cannot come forth until those end times.
Some say that all we need to “do” is to love everybody. Sounds good, but what does that mean and how do we implement that? Others say that we just need more good teaching. No one is opposed to more good teaching, but that has not got the job done in the past. I have also run across several groups and individuals who have basically vowed to bring about unity in the Church and/or start a world-wide revival. Very admirable. I admire their enthusiasm but my sense is that is more emotional hype than anything else.
For those readers who see the state of our country and of the Church in the United States (and many if not most of you do), much is required. From our experience as well as the witness of the Holy Spirit, at least three major actions are required on our part. The first is to keep our own personal garments clean; the second and third are related … intercession with weeping and groaning that the will of God may be completed within the body of Christ. We believers need to recognize that we are living in the last days. Therefore, the important question is, “What shall this man do?” or “How then shall we live?” Certainly not like the rich man which Jesus described in the following parable.
16 The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:16-21
There is never a better way to live than to live in the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Ghost MUST be in charge of our individual lives as well as all of the proceedings in all of our assemblies, whether two or three or thousands. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). That is easier said than done because of the pull of the flesh and of the world.
I heard a good friend of mine say many long years ago, “Unless we are heavenly minded we will be no earthly good.” We get so caught up with earthly things that we cannot appreciate nor understand the realities of the Spirit. We do not require a glorified body in order to do the things ordained for us from before the foundation of the world. We are able, by the power of the Holy Ghost, to work the works of Christ even now; but there is a caveat, namely that which is led by the Spirit. Moses was human when he parted the Red Sea (at the instruction of the Lord). Samson slew a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass. David slew a lion, a bear, and the Philistine giant, all with no sword or spear. Daniel was human, even in the lions’ den. The three Hebrew children had flesh and blood the same as we all have, and yet the fire meant nothing to them, except release from their bonds and a visit from One like unto the Son of Man. Philip was a natural human being, with a natural body, and yet he was caught away in the Spirit without the aid of any human means of transportation. Even the very shadow of Peter healed some folks. Peter had the same flesh and blood that we have, and yet the locked doors flew open and he went out of the prison by the hand of the Angel of the Lord. Elisha and Paul raised the dead. Handkerchiefs from Paul healed the sick. Many more miracles, some possibly never even imagined possible, will be performed by the sons of God in the day of their manifestation (the Day of Atonement).
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.
John 14:1220 Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21 Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Now we need to be a little careful. It is true that gifts of healing and the working of miracles are gifts of the Spirit. But the flesh can never manifest these or any of the other seven gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. “But all these [gifts] worketh that one and the selfsame [same] Spirit, dividing [or distributing] to every man severally [in His own way] as He will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). God bestows His gifts freely by His grace upon whomsoever He will; all we have to do is to receive them and use them. We are exhorted to desire spiritual gifts, but the Lord determines those which we receive. Likewise, I can desire to be an apostle or a prophet or a teacher, but unless the Lord has ordained for me to be any of those specific ministries, then it will never happen.
Gifts of the Spirit are not evidence of spiritual attainment; they are imparted by the Spirit … freely given to us. Likewise the ascension gifts are for the purpose of adding fruit to God's garden, that we "may grow up into Him" (Ephesians 4:15). Gifts are absolutely necessary, but they are only a means to the end. The fruit of the Spirit, and not the gifts of the Spirit, constitute the real test of spiritual life; the fruit is the nature and expression of Christ within our heart and soul. We all have read many times about the fruit of the Spirit: "Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22). But fruit must grow; and God has never intended that the Body of Christ should ever bring forth fruit except through a continual partaking of the Tree of Life. When God told Adam (and Eve) that they could eat of the tree of life, that was never intended to be a “one and done.” That was to be their daily food and nourishment. We must eat the Manna from heaven and drink of the Spiritual Rock on a daily basis.
God does not come to us looking for gifts; He has freely given those to us. What God wants is fruit; that is something which He desires to receive from us. The fruit must grow within us by our patient and continual walk with God and by appropriating His Spirit. Until now the Husbandman has come into His garden, tenderly caring for it by pruning, cultivating, and watering. But now the harvest time is approaching, and soon He will visit His garden for one purpose only … seeking for fruit, the fruit of the Spirit. We can never appreciate any measure of the real glory until the fruit of the Spirit becomes visibly manifest in the saints of God.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Luke 13:6-9The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 2 Timothy 2:6Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain. James 5:7
The Husbandman has received the early rain and some latter rain sprinkles, but not the fullness of that latter rain. Note that He will receive the early rain and the latter rain together! A double portion!
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Song of Solomon 4:161 And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. Leviticus 25:1-5
If any man, after being born from above and delivered from the bondage of Egypt, desires to enter the Promised Land (the Kingdom of God), then he must keep the Sabbath. Jesus is our Sabbath. All who dwell in the Kingdom of God must rest and abide in Him. Man is nearing the completion of the six years of sowing our field (6,000 years) and of pruning our vineyard (our souls and spirits) and of gathering in the fruit of the Spirit. But in the seventh year (the Feast of Tabernacles) there shall be a Sabbath rest for the Lord. When we rest in Him, He sows the field and He prunes the vineyard. “That which grows of its own accord” is the work of the flesh.
The major word that I believe the Lord is saying to His people today is (and always has been) "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." In Isaiah 40 we read:
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and thecrooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:3-5
Hosea 2:14 declares God's select company to be in the wilderness; and the rest of Hosea 2 corresponds to the gathering, as in Isaiah 40. Notice that the Lord says, in Hosea 2:15, that He will give His remnant in the wilderness "the valley of Achor (trouble) for a door of hope." The Lord today has scattered His people into the wilderness for the same reasons as in Isaiah 6. But the Lord is using suffering, trouble, and difficulties of all kinds to press those in the wilderness into Christ. He is refining His people in the wilderness as silver is refined by the fire.
That one voice crying in the wilderness will be a company of some number of believers. Only the Lord knows how many and who specifically will be a part of this company. This group of believers will constitute one voice, from the wilderness. Their unified message will not be as a result of conferring with one another. They will all get the word of God from the Source, directly.
We need to recognize that the time of John the Baptist was a time of transition ... a transition from the dispensation of law to the dispensation of grace. The time of the new Elijah company is also a time of transition ... a transition to the age of the kingdom. We are on the verge of the dawning of a new dispensation. And with a new dispensation, that which was divinely given in the previous dispensation is divinely set aside in the new dispensation. Abraham had three wives ... Hagar (the law), Sarah (the church age), and Keturah (the age of the kingdom). Keturah means to "turn into incense, as by fire." God is raising up a people who have been tried by the fire and turned into an altar of praise to our God. The new Elijah company will consist of people like Amos, who said, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." (Amos 9:14‑15)
Today, we personally know a few mature ministries who are in the wilderness. They have been tried by fire, tried through much suffering in a variety of forms, tried by a lack of (human) fellowship that is common to the temple. But they have been counted worthy by the Lord to suffer in His Name. They have found that the Lord Himself is sufficient for all of their needs. They have been chosen as a tenth of a tenth of believers. Many are called but few are chosen. It depends upon our response to God.
As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise. Proverbs 27:21
The New American Standard says "the crucible is for silver." We are being tried in a crucible, in the wilderness. Certainly the Lord is waiting to provide for all of our needs in the wilderness: food (manna), water (Moses struck the rock), money (Matthew 17:27), healing, guidance, protection, and on and on. Lord, increase our faith!
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:6
Consider the example of Jesus. In Matthew 4:1, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” The wilderness is God’s proving ground. Note that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. So it is also with all of the faithful believers who are suffering in the wilderness. They have been led into their place of suffering by the Holy Spirit. Now when we are in the wilderness, our response to God leading us there is crucial. We can murmur and complain and just die in the wilderness, as did all of the Israelites (except two adults) when they came out of Egypt. Or we can patiently endure, just waiting for relief. Or we can be overcomers. Only we as individuals can make that choice. It is OUR decision. When we look at the response of Jesus, in Matthew 4, it is abundantly clear that Jesus was the prime overcomer. What happened as a result? Well, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17); and in Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” So it shall be with the overcomers. When the Lord blows the trumpet, there will be a new release of a healing ministry. This healing ministry will NOT be like what we have seen to date. It will be a complete healing of body, soul, and spirit. “And saviours [deliverers, healers] shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S’ (Obadiah 21). In addition, the message to be preached is the gospel of the Kingdom.
And so God has all the while been preparing this remnant, the Elijah company, the Joseph company, overcomers, the man child, the tenth of the tenth. He has scattered them into the wilderness and has refined them as silver is refined in the fire. He has used suffering of all different kinds to press his remnant into Christ. And He has a timetable for the true to emerge. Only the Lord knows when that time is. But surely that time is close at hand.
One characteristic of the Elijah company is that they will trouble all Israel because of the apostasy of the church. Darkness hates the light.
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? I Kings 18:17
Isaiah 40:3 says "prepare ye the way of the Lord." John the Baptist was to have been the fulfillment of preaching the word of preparation. But repentance is never a popular word ... so John the Baptist was rejected and executed. Mark 1:2 says, “As it is written in the prophets, "Behold, I send my messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee."
So what kind of preparation occurred right before Jesus was rejected and crucified? It was a natural preparation. On what we now call Palm Sunday, upon Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people strewed their garments and palm branches and palm leaves in His path. Although there are many varieties of palm trees, what we see in scripture refers to the date‑palm, which brings forth fruit.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he (John the Baptist) said unto them, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:7‑8). But there was no genuine repentance. There was no fruit, just branches and leaves. Even the common people were simply looking for a natural king to deliver them from their oppressors.
But the preparation for the second coming of our King will no longer be purely natural ... it must be a spiritual preparation. We must prepare His way in our hearts. There will still be garments, palm branches, and palm leaves. But there will also be the fruit of the palm tree, the fruit of the Spirit. We must prepare His way with the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3), wearing linen garments … the garments of His righteousness.
The date‑palm tree is very striking in its appearance ... upright and beautiful. The tree is very fruitful, its foliage is perpetually green, and its foliage grows very high, as if reaching upward toward heaven. It grows ever upward, even when loaded with weights. And "the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree" (Psalm 92:12). The fruit of the Spirit must become a manifested reality. Jesus said that we will know them by their fruit … the fruit of the Spirit.
Our preparation is to allow the Holy Spirit to mold us into that which He desires. Our attitude is critical. Sometimes I get the impression that we are an "I know that" church. We have received so much (good) teaching and read so many books that "we know that." So we are no longer flexible and pliable in the Lord's hands. We have crystallized our doctrines, got it all down pat, searched the scriptures, and lead our own lives. We have built three tabernacles and here we stand. It is no wonder that after an initial spurt of growth, the real life of the Spirit departs from our fellowships. After some period of time, the Spirit of God is no longer in control. We are running on our own steam, following our own traditions, having a great time, and never knowing that something is wrong. Our preparation can be characterized by the following two scriptures, although there are many, many more we could use.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8
Chapter 34
What Shall This Man Do? (Continued)
The second major action on our part is intercession. But to attempt to fulfill this commandment we must have first learned to develop fruit.
The effectual, fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Samuel said that it was a sin against the Lord if he ceased to pray for the people.
23 Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:24 Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all of your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:23-24
Note that Samuel prayed for Saul even after God had rejected him from being king (1 Samuel 15:11). That verse says that Samuel cried unto the Lord all night on behalf of Saul.
To intercede literally means “to come in between.” The intercessor is one who comes in between God and man, on behalf of men, frequently those men who deserve His wrath and punishment. The great Intercessor, of course, was and still is Jesus.
Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12
In effect, when Jesus died on the cross, He was saying, “Let the judgment that is due to the people come upon Me.” Then after His death, resurrection, and ascension, we are told,
24 But this Man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:24-25
What a comfort we have to know that Jesus continues to make intercession on our behalf before the throne of the Father! Jesus spent thirty years in relative obscurity in “normal” family life; three and one-half years in public ministry; and now about two thousand years in intercession, unseen by any natural eye. Do those time frames say anything about the importance of intercession?
Some careful thought will bear witness that the greatest saints were often the greatest intercessors, for they were those who were closest to the heart of God. Some of these great intercessors were Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Esther, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and Paul, to name a few.
Abraham interceded on behalf of Sodom because his nephew, Lot, was there. Abraham knew that if judgment came upon Sodom, then Lot and his family would be part of the judgment. Abraham kept interceding for Sodom until the Lord promised that He would not destroy it if He found ten righteous persons in the city. I have read that at that point in time, Sodom was a major city with a population of no less than 10,000 people. So for the sake of ten righteous people out of 10,000 persons God was willing to spare the entire city. That is one out of a thousand! Elihu, in the Book of Job records this same proportion.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:24 Then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. Job 33:23-24
One out of a thousand! That does not seem like a very large percentage ... 0.1% ... or a tenth of a tenth of a tenth. Let us apply this same proportion to the United States. As of this point in time, the population of the United States is very close to 300,000,000 people. Does that mean, if we use the same proportion, that God will spare the United States if He finds 300,000 persons who walk in righteousness? A better question might be, are there 300,000 committed believers in the United States who walk in righteousness? (That does NOT mean those of us who have our names on a church roster; nor does it mean those of us who are born-again believers but are doing our own thing.) Do you think that America is in trouble? Is it time for the judgment of God to descend upon our country? Do we need some real intercessors, such as Abraham was in his time?
A second striking example of an intercessor was Moses. The apostasy of the Israelites who came out of Egypt during the Exodus was so great that only two of those over the age of twenty actually made it into the promised land. But Moses interceded.
31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.32 Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book, which Thou hast written. Exodus 32:31-32
That is intercession! How many such saints do you think there are in the United States who could sincerely make that same statement? Only the Lord knows, but I would guess not too many! The Lord surely would have destroyed His chosen people had not Moses stood before Him in the breach to turn away His wrath.
In Verse 31, the people had made gods of gold. Do you think that some believers today have likewise made gods of gold? Money is a HUGE driving force in America, both in the world and in the Church. Almost all of the teaching relating to money that I have heard in person and from the television preachers is WARPED and DISTORTED!
The apostle Paul made the same statement as did Moses.
1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. Romans 9:1-3
Ezekiel 22 records a different scene. Just as in the time of Abraham and Moses, the sins of God’s people are portrayed once more. But this time there was NO intercessor found to stand in the gap.
30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:30-31
One man ... one intercessor ... could have saved an entire nation, even though every section of society was corrupted (see Ezekiel 22:23-29 for proof of that). Can one man save the United States from the judgment of God? The same apostasy existed in the time of Isaiah. Please read all of Isaiah 59 to get the complete picture.
And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him. Isaiah 59:16
Even God Himself wondered that there was no intercessor! What an amazing verse! Not one intercessor! Therefore, He sent His son, Jesus to be that intercessor. Thank you Lord!
From my somewhat limited experience, I have seen very few saints who even know what intercession is, much less move in that vital ministry. Even the so-called “intercessor conference” that I attended in 2004 gave little sign of genuine intercessors.
Did anyone say, “But brother I have not been called to the ministry of intercession”? Let us examine that statement from a scriptural perspective. If you are a member of the body of Christ, you are automatically called to intercession because you are part of the holy, royal priesthood after the order of Melchisedec! Because He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25) we likewise, in identifying with Him in all points, are called to intercession for the lost (who will be found) and those already in the Church who have strayed, particularly those in leadership positions.
To elaborate on our call to intercession, let us consider what has always been, and still is, in the heart of God with respect to His chosen people. First, the Lord told Moses to say unto the people:
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine.6 And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5-6
Note that the people of God were (are) to be a kingdom of priests, with the Lord Jesus Christ as our great High Priest. This kingdom of priests will NOT consist of Levitical priests or the Aaronic priesthood, but priests after the order of Melchisedec. In the kingdom of God there is no such thing as a Catholic priest, or an Episcopal priest, or a Baptist priest or any other kind of man-made priest. Please note what Peter said to the Church many long years later:
4 To Whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.. . .9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His glorious light. 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9
So the mind of God always was and still is to have a kingdom of priests ... a holy priesthood ... a royal priesthood. This high calling was originally offered to the Jewish nation, but they rejected (and continue to reject) that call and crucified the Lord of glory. Therefore the chosen generation is no longer the natural Jewish nation but spiritual Israel ... the body of Christ. The chosen generation is not a natural generation but consists of ALL believers over all of time who accept and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6). Let us look at the function of priests, as first recorded in Scripture.
At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before Him to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name, unto this day. Deuteronomy 10:8
The above verse is the prophetical prototype of the Melchisedec priesthood that we have been called to in the spiritual realm. “Unto this day” still holds true for us today! The whole body of believers, as priests, are to (1) reflect the holiness of God and that of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ (bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord); (2) offer spiritual sacrifices (stand before Him to minister unto Him); (3) intercede for man before God; and (4) represent God before men. Functions (3) and (4) constitute “bless in His name.”
What shall intercessors pray for? that the spiritual leaders of the Church will return unto the Lord, laying aside all mixture, all pride, and all things that hinder. Scripture is clear that judgment is according to the light that has been given ... the greater the light, the more severe the judgment.
For unto whomsoever much is given, of him will be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48
In all of the history of the human race, there has never been a generation on the face of the earth that has been exposed to greater spiritual light than this generation in the United States. Most believers have heard an enormous amount of good teaching, both through first hand exposure and through books, tapes, and videos. Yet the Church in America has strayed far from what the Lord desires.
Intercessors also need to ask the Lord to open the eyes of each believer in our midst to come and see Jesus, to hear His voice, and to walk in His ways. Ask the Lord to give each member of the local church discernment concerning the body of Christ.
But the important aspect is that God have His way ... that God's will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. We MUST identify with the heart of God. To repeat, because we are in Christ, we likewise have been called after the priesthood of Melchisedec. Therefore, it is crucial for all who have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand, to ask the Lord to make real our ministry of intercession. There is no higher calling than that of an intercessor. This is a hidden ministry. Man will not see, recognize, or applaud you, but in the Kingdom of God your life will count for eternity.
And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
Closely associated with intercession is weeping. The pathway to the fullness of the kingdom of God MUST go, sooner or later, through the valley of Baca ... the valley of weeping. If we have been allowed to see in some small measure the heart of God, His purposes, His ways, then we must weep at the current state of affairs in the church.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee. Selah.5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. Psalm 84:4-7
In Verse 4, “they” is clearly plural and speaks of all true born-from-above believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Verse 5, “the man” (sometimes translated as “a man”) is clearly singular; and some translations say “in whose heart are the ways to Zion.” In any event, Verses 5-7 speak of a smaller subset of those mentioned in Verse 4. That truth is found in many different places in the Bible. Verses 6 and 7 seem to apply to those in Verse 5 but not necessarily to the larger set of believers in Verse 4.
Verses 5-7 speak of overcomers. They make the valley of Baca a well by their tears for the body of Christ to come into maturity. The rain (from heaven) also fills the pools. Scripture seems to describe several different reasons why His chosen people have wept. The first is because of sorrow when a relative or close friend has died. Such was the case with Mary when her brother, Lazarus, first died. That is a normal aspect of human nature, but there is a higher-level task of weeping set before us.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.35 Jesus wept. John 11:33-35
Why did Jesus weep, in Verse 35? Probably out of compassion for Mary; and perhaps Lazarus had not yet completed his purpose on earth.
A second reason for weeping is because one of His chosen people finally sees how they “missed” God’s best. Such was the case with Esau and Peter. Esau sold his birthright for a bread and pottage of lentils. Peter denied the Lord three times.
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. Genesis 27:38
69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Matthew 26:69-75
Peter, of course, because of his repentance, found grace in the eyes of the Lord but Esau did not.
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:15-17
Why did Esau not find repentance but Peter did? ... perhaps because Esau was a fornicator or profane person but Peter was a chosen vessel. We only know for certain that we should never question God’s decisions. The following two verses are also examples of the chosen people of God weeping when they saw what they had missed.
And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:9By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Psalm 137:1
Yet another reason to weep is as a result of exhortation, as in the Book of Joel. Unfortunately, the ministers of the Lord have not yet done this in these end times (to the degree that will satisfy the Lord), but will do so soon.
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. Joel 1:512 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.14 Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Joel 2:12-14
Revelation 7:1-8 speaks of the sealing of His servants in their foreheads. The word, “servants,” is the Greek doulos, which means a voluntary bond-servant or a slave. It means much more than simply a born-from-above believer. These Verses answer the question in Revelation 6:17: “Who shall be able to stand?” Note that the servants were sealed (not, will be sealed). This speaks of the sovereignty and the foreknowledge of God, who lives in eternity.
Scripture then says that 144,000 were sealed of all the tribes of the children of Israel (except for the tribes of Dan and Ephraim). The reason those two tribes are excluded is because they both participated in introducing idolatry (see Leviticus 24:10-16 and Judges 18:2, 30-31). And from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, idolaters shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (but they can still be saved and go to heaven one day). Therefore those two tribes remain unprotected from great tribulation. We have no reason to doubt that this refers to messianic Jews. We also have no reason to doubt that the number (144,000) is a literal number.
It is true that 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, and Ephesians 4:30 all speak of believers being sealed with or by the Holy Spirit, but that is a different type of sealing than what is described in Revelation 7. Further, to say that all born-from-above believers are servants is wishful thinking. The Church at Corinth is proof of that.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:9-10, 13-17
Revelation 7:9-14 says, “After this ... a great multitude, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues … which came out of great tribulation …” We believe this speaks of all, both Jew and Gentile, who have been born from above but have not qualified to walk in the Kingdom. Then in Revelation 7:17, “… and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Who is “their”? the great multitude, which no man could number. Clearly there is a distinction between the servants of God in Revelation 7:1-8 and the great multitude in Verses 9-17. The former speaks of overcomers. The latter speaks of true born-again believers, but who were like the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25. They wept because they finally saw what they had missed. They are like the 31,700 of Gideon’s men who “went back” because the Lord could use only 300 of them. The 300 are those referenced in Psalm 84:5-7 ... the overcomers. Note that this great multitude was crying, because all they knew was salvation. They had to go through great tribulation, which did not affect the servants of God. Revelation 7:14 says this multitude have washed their robes, and made them white through or by (not “in”) the blood of the Lamb. Nothing can be made white while washed in natural blood.
And they overcame him [the accuser of the brethren] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
So this great multitude met the first criteria to be an overcomer and possibly the second, but certainly not the third (and they loved not their lives unto the death).
Now we must consider Revelation 14.
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:1-5
These Verses definitely speak of overcomers, the firstfruits unto God. Moreover, these were redeemed from among men and from the earth, as distinct from the ten thousands of saints that will come with Jesus on the last Day of Atonement … His parousia (Jude 1:14). Are these 144,000 the same as the 144,000 in Revelation 7? I believe they are not the same. I believe this refers to the overcomers who are on earth when the Lord returns … two sets of 144,000 overcomers.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. Revelation 21:2-4, 7
In Revelation 21:4, “and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Who is “their” in this Chapter? These are not the same people as those in Revelation 7:9-17. God is not going to wipe away all tears from their eyes twice. These are overcomers ... the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2) ... those who have His name in their foreheads (Revelation 22:4) ... those who voluntarily offered themselves as a burnt offering … those who dwell in the secret place of the most High ... those who look for His appearing … those who are waiting at the Tabernacle Gate to see the High Priest come out of the Holy of Holies and complete the redemption of the saints … those who will reign with Christ on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). This includes both Jew and Gentile. Why did the overcomers weep? because they identified with the heart of God … they identified with the Lord Jesus in every respect. They had great compassion and love for their brethren who, for whatever reasons, were content with being saved and going to heaven one day. Even the great Apostle Paul said,
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:27
Paul is not saying that he might not be “saved” and go to heaven one day. That is not what he means when he says “lest he should be a castaway.” Many years prior, Paul had been caught up into the third heaven, into paradise, where he heard unspeakable words, which is not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Paul says that he keeps under his body, his flesh, his will, his desires, and subjects his will to the will of God. Paul further said,
10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11
In any event, the most important “work” for us as believers in Christ is that we always continue to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Only God can, and will, wipe away all of our tears. But it is important to understand WHY the great multitude in Revelation 7 and the overcomers in Revelation 21 were crying. When God wipes away the tears from the great multitude, it is because that great multitude (of believers) finally saw what they had missed … they were like the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25 and like Esau. When God wipes away the tears of the overcomers, in Revelation 21, it is because they had wept over spiritual Jerusalem, just as Jesus, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Ezra and many others have done.
There is no better example of weeping than that of Jesus. Jesus wept over Jerusalem; so did Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:1-4); so did Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 13:15-17, and others), who has often been called the “weeping prophet.”
41 And when He [Jesus] was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it,42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. Luke 19:41-44
I do not believe that Jesus wept over a piece of real estate in the Middle East called Jerusalem; neither did He weep over the physical temple or any other natural substance. He wept because “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not” (John 1:11). He wept because the people could have known and should have known who He was/is but they did not want to know. As Paul said in Romans 1:20, they were/are without excuse.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6
The above verse speaks of the great harvest of souls during the last spiritual Feast of Tabernacles. The precious seed is the word of the Kingdom of God. The “they” in Verse 5 and the “He” in Verse 6 both speak of the overcomers … those who have identified with the heart of God … those who weep over spiritual Jerusalem … those who fulfill Joel 2:17. Lord, open our eyes and ears that we may be attuned to your will in these last days! Selah!
Chapter 35
Epilog
No matter what our state of discouragement or euphoria is now, it can and will get better, provided of course that we continue to walk with the Lord, love Him with all of our heart, and look for His appearing.
Which historical figure recorded in the Bible do you think most highly of (other than Jesus)? Paul? Elijah? David? Moses? Abraham? or ??? Have you ever considered Enoch, the seventh from Adam? Scripture says very little about Enoch except that he walked with God; and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24). I can think of no greater state of being than to walk with God. Is that not what we will be doing in eternity?
9 But as it is written [in Isaiah 64:4], Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Now everyone can quote those verses. But only the Spirit of God can reveal to us the immense magnitude of that meaning. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, neither has entered into the heart of any man that which the Lord has prepared for them that love Him! We have only touched the tip of a gigantic iceberg!
I am aware of a few men who for many years have been talking about seeing and experiencing a large measure of the glory of God. From my personal exposure to them in some depth, I believe they speak of things of which they have very little knowledge. I believe they are simply referring to seeing healings, deliverances, etc. Nothing wrong with that, but God does not come to us looking for gifts. He is looking for fruit … the fruit of the Spirit. Further, even the fading-out glory of God is a wonder to behold.
Although we can see evidence of the glory of God even within the natural earth that He created, I am persuaded that there is much more of His glory which is yet to be revealed. When I awoke from sleep a few months ago, I strongly sensed an overwhelming awareness of the awesomeness of God … to a degree that I had never experienced before. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a high mountain apart (Matthew 17) and was transfigured before them. How many other folks have had that experience? probably not very many. That transfiguration was a revelation of the glory of the Son of God, a glory somewhat hidden now, but a glory to be fully revealed when Jesus returns … His parousia.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
The grace and the glory of God go together. His glory speaks of His nature, His character, the essence of Who He is. His grace is that which is extended and manifested to us. Perhaps the grace and the glory of God are one. His glory is like a tree (the tree of life) whose branches of grace are extended to us. By His grace we are allowed to partake of the Tree of Life.
This book has been an attempt to describe some of the events that must occur just prior to, as well as after, His coming. That includes the last fulfillment in the realm of the Spirit of the Feast of Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering).
On a future Rosh Hashanah the spiritual trumpets will begin to sound on a day like no other. The ultimate New Covenant fulfillment of this future Jewish New Year will be spectacular beyond words. Moses declared that it would become a "memorial of blowing of trumpets" (Leviticus 23:24). All of God's covenant people from both houses of Israel will be "called out" and summoned to a solemn (spiritual) assembly. The saints will finally cry out to God and this will spark the climactic end-time revival or restoration that Joel saw (Joel 2:28-32).
After Trumpets on Tishri 1 (the first day of the seventh month) comes the "Ten days of awe" which lead on to Yom Kippur on Tishri 10, which is the Day of Atonement, the most solemn day of the year. On this awesome day of reckoning all accounts between the Lord and all His covenant people are settled. The Jubilee year is also announced on this same tenth day of Tishri. This is the day that the High Priest comes out of the Holy of Holies (His second coming or parousia) and unveils or manifests the sons of God. The sin nature of the overcomers, those waiting at the Tabernacle Gate, those who are looking for Him, is sent away into the wilderness. It is the greatest year of Jubilee in the history of man.
Then on the 15th day of Tishri comes the final Feast of Ingathering, when an innumerable harvest of souls will be reaped for the Lord through the manifestation of the sons of God. Revelation 7:9 speaks of a great multitude, which no man could number. This ingathering will be accompanied by both the former rain and the latter rain together and with the corresponding glory of the latter house which will far exceed that which was manifested at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. This also ushers in the Millennium, when Christ rules and reigns on earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-6).
After the 1000 years, Satan will be loosed for a short season to go out and deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth (Revelation 20:7-10), after which the devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Next comes the great white throne judgment and the coming of the holy city, New Jerusalem. Then we shall ever be with the Lord, eating from the Tree of Life and drinking from that pure River of Water of life; and we shall see His face and His name shall be in our foreheads (Revelation 22:1-5).
Although no man knows the day or the hour when these things will occur, I believe that some who have read this book will see these glorious events unfold before their very eyes. In summary,
20 Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.21 But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
Isaiah 33:20-21
In spiritual Zion, in the heavenly Jerusalem, in the new temple that the Lord is building without the hands of any man and without the sound of a hammer, our glorious Lord, the One who is full of glory, will be our all in all. Further, no galley with oars shall go there. Man cannot direct that ship; he has no oars to guide the galley. The Holy Spirit steers the galley! Neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. No man, no matter how gallant, will receive honor, praise, and glory ... only the Lord Himself! What a marvelous day that will be!
May the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.
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