OK \u2013 we\u2019re here. The last week of this series. We\u2019ve been through some heavy scriptures, not only for historical purposes (to see how God dealt with nations, and with His covenant people IN THE PAST) \u2013 but also so that we might understand how God deals with nations and with His covenant people ALWAYS \u2013 and how He will deal with all people as the end of this age comes upon us. <\/p>\n
The glorious work of Calvary provided, and continues to provide, an ESCAPE ROUTE from the wrath to come to WHOSOEVER WILL. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile we are becoming more and more aware of the state of the world, and more understanding, both by biblical text as well as by global conditions, that most people have not, and will not, turn to God. So we find ourselves, as believers, functionally SWIMMING UPSTREAM in a flow of situations that scriptures point to increasing in frequency and intensity:
\n1. As darkness continues to cover the land, and people become more and more resistant to light, and many in fact will actively rage against the light of the gospel; AND ALSO
\n2. As our kind and merciful God, not wanting any to perish, does what He said He would do: Shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land \u2013 the intent being to draw all men to the Desire of the Nations (Haggai)<\/p>\n
Isaiah 24-34 lays out a prophetic scenario that:<\/strong> B. IN PART<\/strong> was to be fulfilled during numerous subsequent judgments by God on His covenant people, throughout the age, as they continued to disobey Him and His commandments and resist His more gentle callings to repentance, the greatest act of disobedience and offense being the rejection of their promised Messiah; AND <\/p>\n C. IN FULFILLMENT<\/strong> – is to be fully filled, including all of the missing HHY components prior to, during, and then subsequent to, the return and appearance of Messiah, in Jerusalem, to deliver His covenant people, both Jew and Gentile. <\/p>\n REGARDING THE SUFFERING OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE NT – THE JEWISH RULERS SET THE TONE AND PUT IT THIS WAY: AND PETER PUT IT THIS WAY: (major edit here over earlier notes) That NT verse, ALONE, ought to defuse the credibility of doctrines that would simply point to, a post-Calvary \u201cgrace grace grace\u201d sloppy and unjustified outpouring of love and acceptance – WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD REMAINS UNREPENTANT AND DEFIANT – and in fact becomes increasingly more sinful, that sinfulness to eventually escalate to a corporate as well as personal level deserving the judgments predicted in scripture. <\/p>\n Additionally, this kind of understanding of the spiritual climate that will be prevalent prior to our Lord\u2019s return, ought to help us NOT envision ourselves as simply preparing the \u201cwedding party\u201d \u2013 which some popular end-of-age doctrines put forth. Most of the world continues to lie in darkness, and will continue to rage against the light. The word of God tells us that. And that word been accurate so far\u2026.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important for us to understand the MAGNITUDE OF ACCOUNTABILITY that is incurred in purposely denying OR disobeying the edicts of heaven \u2013 to the Jew first and then the Gentile (in fact the writer of Hebrews tells us READERS OF HEBREWS that the bar of accountability has not been LOWERED in the NT dispensation, but rather RAISED):<\/p>\n Hebrews 12:25-29<\/strong> FURTHER TO THE PERTINENCE OF ISAIAH 24-34 is its pointing to definite END-OF-AGE events, because things will indeed get wrapped up at that time, and as Jesus said in Matthew 5- \u201cevery jot and tittle of the law\u2026\u201d (\u201cnomos\u201d \u2013 used for all the prophetic writings of the OT, including the prophetic writings of the major prophets) will all be fulfilled, down to the last \u201cjot and tittle\u201d \u2013 the smallest punctuation mark. <\/p>\n I spoke several months ago about the \u201cspecificity of scripture\u201d (its EXACTNESS). We would do well to understand and appreciate that. It is this kind of understanding and appreciation that will usher us into the camp of those who \u201ctremble at the word\u201d \u2013 and soberly look to the scriptures for our hope and our confidence and our understanding as to what still has to occur. <\/p>\n So the prophetic scenario laid out by Isaiah: Mercifully, anointed Isaiah speaks not only of the judgments that have to come upon unrepentant hearts, but also, FOR OUR BENEFIT AND OUR SUCCESS, lays out a lifestyle of holiness that is acceptable to the Lord, so that the people of God, forgiven and set free from the CONTROL OF SIN, can continue to choose to align themselves w the purposes of heaven. <\/p>\n That successful lifestyle speaks to: God has always wanted to partner w His people in the establishment and maintenance of righteousness on earth. It was THE PLAN in the GARDEN. <\/p>\n It was THE INTENDED PLAN that involved the separation of the NATION OF ISRAEL. BACK TO WORSHIP FOR A MOMENT – We spent some time looking at the call to prophetic worship (Isaiah 30) and its critical impact upon the forces of evil (Assyria will come down). <\/p>\n BACK TO SUCCESSFUL GODLY LIVING (holiness, obedience, generosity, etc \u2013 all of this aligns perfectly w this Psalm: <\/p>\n Psalm 37:5-29<\/strong> OVER THE WEEKS WE LOOKED AT THE GLOBAL NATURE OF THE WORK \u2013 clearly HHY AND WE SAW THE WARNING TO NOT TRY TO DISCOUNT THAT WORK We saw that God, in having His eye upon His covenant people, has it upon them both FOR BLESSING and also FOR ACCOUNTABILITY. <\/p>\n Another thing I am hoping you picked up was the overall understanding that SCRIPTURE BEST TESTIFIES OF ITSELF \u2013 and that sound doctrine will be confirmed THROUGHOUT the entire word of God. <\/p>\n This is a far more global matter than simply these chapters and verses, and even this subject matter. This is something for us to take into our lives as we study the entire word of God. <\/p>\n It will help keep us rooted and grounded in the fullness of truth, and will drastically reduce the jeopardy of latching onto a verse or a chapter and falling prey to some doctrine that cannot withstand the scrutiny of the entire word of God, nor the multi-faceted BUT ALWAYS RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY personality of God that is displayed throughout the entire word. <\/p>\n Back-tracking a little in Isaiah 33 and then going forward into 34 and 35 (this portion ends at 35, as chapter 36 starts addressing a real-time situation of Sennacherib coming, from Babylon to trouble Jerusalem, only to be turned away by God \u2013 but that event marked the beginning of the active troubling by Babylon that eventually would culminate in the first partial fulfillment of these prophecies). <\/p>\n ISA 33<\/strong> (earlier my notes said 34, sorry): (interestingly, we saw in Ezek that it will not be until the end of the age that: Ezekiel 39:22,27-28 BACK TO ISAIAH 33 SERIOUS TROUBLE A TESTIMONY TO THE WHOLE WORLD THE JUDGMENT ON THE \u201cCOVENANT HYPOCRITES\u201d THE SURVIVAL QUESTION: THE HOLY ANSWER (HERE IS TRUE \u201cPREPPING\u201d): THE PROMISE CLEARLY END OF AGE \u2013since this has not yet happened THE CLEANSING OF THE LAND OF EVIL THE ASSURANCE OF (FINALLY) NO MORE INVADERS (notable in that chapter 36 has Jerusalem seeing and hearing those fierce people at their city walls, so this obviously points forward in time, and definitely cannot point to any other yet-to-come troubling period, EXCEPT THE FINAL ONE, when those nations are defeated by Messiah Himself) THE EVENTUAL RESTORATION OF THE COVENANT PRACTICES (GRANTED, UPDATED PRACTICES) THE PRESENCE OF MESSIAH HIS RULE AND REIGN (HHY) THEN 33:23-24 \u2013 MORE DISMANTLING OF THE WARRING NATIONS NOW:<\/strong> ISA 34<\/strong> IS GOD HAPPY RIGHT NOW? IS HE IS A GOOD MOOD TOWARDS THE DISOBEDIENT? ISAIAH LOOKS TO THE CONCLUSION \u2013 they actually are ALREADY JUDGED by their activity). This is in perfect harmony w Jesus saying that condemnation was already in the world, because people chose darkness <\/p>\n THIS ALIGNS W THE WORDS OF OUR LORD re the people already condemned ISAIAH 34:3<\/strong> – SEEING FORWARD TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED NATIONS \u2013 declare it as a done deal: Gruesome and picturesque, aligning itself w the yet to be fulfilled descriptions of THE CHALLENGE SET FORTH BOTH TO THE NATIONS and also TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD who might prefer to teach and believe an easier, \u201canother” gospel. BACK TO CHAPTER 34 I believe this is part of the \u201cI will shake heaven and earth\u201d \u2013 the heaven part. I don\u2019t see this perfectly clearly, yet I see Paul clearly telling us we are at war against principalities and powers in heavenly places \u2013 so much still has to be accomplished for there to be a thorough purging of evil. <\/p>\n Even the Isa 30 proclamation, that through prophetic worship \u201cAssyria will fall\u201d, ought to give us some insight into the magnitude of what has to SUPERNATURALLY OCCUR for holiness to prevail \u2013 and also to encourage us re the invitation to PARTNER W GOD. ISA 34 \u2013 GOD ASSURES US OF HIS OWN SUPERNATURAL PARTICIPATION AND KEY ROLE IN THIS CONCLUSIVE DRAMA AND GOD\u2019S SWORD AGAINST MAN IS LIKENED TO THE SLAYING OF ANIMALS 7 The wild oxen shall come down with them, WHAT KIND OF DAY WILL IT BE? AND WHOSE DAY IS IT? AND WHAT IS ITS REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE? WILL IT BE PEACEFUL AND PRETTY? THE CONCLUSION OF THAT JUDGED-LAND (Edom), AFTER ITS JUDGMENT, WILL BE A DEDICATED WILDERNESS \u2013 AND THIS SPEAKS ALSO TO THERE BEING ONGOING CONDITIONS ON PLANET EARTH – in our early days we were originally taught when Jesus returns the world would be comletely over – but Peter’s “new heaven and new earth” is best translated “RENEWED…” 11 But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it, SOME MAY EVEN ATTEMPT A WORK OF RESTORATION, BUT TO NO AVAIL 13 And thorns shall come up in its palaces, 14 The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the jackals, 15 There the arrow snake shall make her nest and lay eggs THE INVITATION AND ALSO THE CHALLENGE TO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD \u2013 because all of the word will be accomplished, and will be validated by the activity on the earth. THE INHABITATION BY WILD ANIMALS 17 He has cast the lot for them, EDOM \u2013 representative of the anti-Semitic nature of natural man, and warring against God, and therefore incurring the curse of Gen 12:3 \u2013 \u201cI WILL ARAR THOSE WHO QALAL YOU\u201d – WILL NOT GO BACK TO BEING INHABITED BY MANKIND. <\/p>\n IT WILL REMAIN A TESTIMONY OF GOD\u2019S JUDGMENT \u2013 just as the Dead Sea, once the most beautiful region, chosen by Lot, now currently stands as a memorial to judgment IN OUR AGE of the PAST AGE\u2026 Chapter 35<\/strong> THE BOUNDARIES OF ISRAEL SHALL BE ITS ORGINAL BOUNDARIES \u2013 instead of the evil plans of man chomping away at the borders, they will be expanded:<\/p>\n The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, A VERSE QUOTED IN THE NT \u2013 in case anyone requires validation of its eternal purpose and promise. It is also an encouragement for the saints looking forward to the final redemption and resolution, all the while soberly understanding what has to come upon the earth PRIOR TO such redemption and resolution\u2026. <\/p>\n 3 Strengthen the weak hands, WE\u2019RE TO PURPOSELY ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER (CRITICAL \u2013 we\u2019re strengthened and encouraged NOT BE DENYING or IGNORING what the scriptures assure us HAS TO HAPPEN, but instead we\u2019re strengthened and encouraged by RECOGNIZING AND EMBRACING what the scriptures assure HAS TO HAPPEN.<\/p>\n AT THE SAME TIME, besides encouragement, WE\u2019RE TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE JEOPARDY OF FAILING TO RECEIVE THAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO DITCH FEARFULNESS:<\/p>\n Revelation 21:6-8<\/strong> THIS IS WHY WE WANT TO PRESS IN NOW, and LEARN NOW, so that we might lay hold of the grace sufficient to cause us to be overcomers. <\/p>\n I believe this is one reason why our Lord is taking us through some of the things we are going through in this PREPARATORY SEASON, so that we, HAVING DONE ALL, MIGHT STAND. <\/p>\n AND HERE\u2019S WHY WE\u2019RE TO BE ENCOURAGED: THIS COORDINATES PERFECTLY W THE WRITER OF HEBREWS, as he goes about to encourages his readers (including us) and also quotes Habakkuk:<\/p>\n Hebrews 10:35-39<\/strong> ISA 35<\/strong> HEALING OF THE CREATION \u2013 Remember, it is groaning along w us 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, INTERESTING \u2013 and in support of the \u201cResistors Theory\u201d we discussed last week (some not yet fully sanctified, or maybe not yet walking in Kingdom truths, and yet mercifully not destroyed w the wicked at our Lord\u2019s appearance\u2026). Remember, we looked at the verses in Zechariah 14 where God, after the return of Messiah and the calling of all surviving nations to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, is still dealing w defiant people who will not attend \u2013 they will suffer drought and even disease.<\/p>\n Zechariah 14:16-19<\/strong> ISA 35<\/strong> ALMOST AN EDEN-LIKE PEACE UPON EARTH 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, ALL SCRIPTURE NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" OK \u2013 we\u2019re here. The last week of this series. We\u2019ve been through some heavy scriptures, not only for historical purposes (to see how God dealt with nations, and with His covenant people IN THE PAST) \u2013 but also so … Continue reading
\nA. IN PART<\/strong> was to be fulfilled during the upcoming siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the rest of the Southern Kingdom \u2013 with the people being violently removed to Babylon for a 70 year captivity \u2013 and it was non-negotiable; AND<\/p>\n
\nMatt 27<\/strong>
\n24 When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, \u201cI am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.\u201d
\n25 And all t<\/em>he people answered and said, \u201cHis blood be on us and on our children.<\/p>\n
\nActs 3:13-23<\/strong>
\n13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go.
\n14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
\n15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.<\/em>
\n(Then a dialogue of mercy \u2013 declaring they did it ignorantly and in unbelief\u2026..AND THEN THE CULMINATING VERSES that are soberly awaiting fulfillment \u2013 to the support of our position as to what still needs to occur\u2026.
\n\u2026..22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, \u2018The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
\n23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. \u2019<\/em><\/p>\n
\n25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,
\n26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, \u201c Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.\u201d
\n27 Now this, \u201c Yet once more,\u201d indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.
\n28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
\n29 For our God is a consuming fire.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEXAMPLE 1:<\/strong>
\nJESUS SAID (referring to I AM as opposed to I WAS \u2013 a confirmation of TENSE):
\nMatthew 22:29-32<\/strong>
\n29 Jesus answered and said to them, \u201c You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
\n30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
\n31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
\n32 \u201c I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob \u2019? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.<\/em>
\n
\nEXAMPLE 2:<\/strong>
\nAnd looking at Paul\u2019s understanding of the EXACTNESS OF SCRIPTURE, he validates a point by pointing out the SINGULAR as opposed to the PLURAL:
\nGalatians 3:16<\/strong>
\n16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, \u201c And to seeds,\u201d as of many, but as of one, \u201c And to your Seed,\u201d who is Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nApplied <\/strong>to the faithful of his time;
\nApplies<\/strong> to NT saints;
\nApplies<\/strong> to ALL TRYING TIMES;
\nESPECIALLY APPLIES<\/strong> TO THE FINAL TRYING TIMES, about which we have taken many anointed bunny trails \u2013 into Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Matthew, Luke, Revelation, and elsewhere. We\u2019ve done some mileage into those eschatological (end times) books. <\/p>\n
\nHoliness \u2013 including warring against OUR OWN idolatry
\nWorship \u2013 understanding and appreciating its critical significance and effect – andFaldo taking opportunity of its doorway to intimacy w God
\nGenerosity \u2013 refusing to hoard or hunker down in some \u201cpersonal survival\u201d mode
\nOngoing service to God \u2013 sowing beside all waters \u2013 being busy about the Master\u2019s business as lights in the world
\nObedience to the Spirit and Partnership w God<\/p>\n
\nAnd it has been THE PLAN for the consecrated CHURCH OF GOD, both Jew and Gentile, in the NT age. <\/p>\n
\n5 Commit your way to the Lord,
\nTrust also in Him,
\nAnd He shall bring it to pass.
\n6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
\nAnd your justice as the noonday.
\n7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
\nDo not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
\nBecause of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
\n8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
\nDo not fret \u2014 it only causes harm.
\n9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
\nBut those who wait on the Lord,
\nThey shall inherit the earth.
\n10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
\nIndeed, you will look carefully for his place,
\nBut it shall be no more.
\n11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
\nAnd shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
\n12 The wicked plots against the just,
\nAnd gnashes at him with his teeth.
\n13 The Lord laughs at him,
\nFor He sees that his day is coming.
\n14 The wicked have drawn the sword
\nAnd have bent their bow,
\nTo cast down the poor and needy,
\nTo slay those who are of upright conduct.
\n15 Their sword shall enter their own heart,
\nAnd their bows shall be broken.
\n16 A little that a righteous man has
\nIs better than the riches of many wicked.
\n17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
\nBut the Lord upholds the righteous.
\n18 The Lord knows the days of the upright,
\nAnd their inheritance shall be forever.
\n19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,
\nAnd in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
\n20 But the wicked shall perish;
\nAnd the enemies of the Lord,
\nLike the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.
\nInto smoke they shall vanish away.
\n21 The wicked borrows and does not repay,
\nBut the righteous shows mercy and gives.
\n22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,
\nBut those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
\n23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
\nAnd He delights in his way.
\n24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
\nFor the Lord upholds him with His hand.
\n25 I have been young, and now am old;
\nYet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
\nNor his descendants begging bread.
\n26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
\nAnd his descendants are blessed.
\n27 Depart from evil, and do good;
\nAnd dwell forevermore.
\n28 For the Lord loves justice,
\nAnd does not forsake His saints;
\nThey are preserved forever,
\nBut the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.
\n29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
\nAnd dwell in it forever.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nWe saw that the work of God is definitely determined, not only upon regional nations, but upon the whole earth.
\nAnd we saw that the work will be violent and forceful, involving a BREAKING IN\u2026
\n
\nIsaiah 28:21-22<\/strong>
\n21 For the Lord will rise up as at Mount Perazim (BREECH, BREAK-IN),
\nHe will be angry as in the Valley of Gibeon \u2014
\nThat He may do His work, His awesome work,
\nAnd bring to pass His act, His unusual act.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n22 Now therefore, do not be mockers,
\nLest your bonds be made strong;
\nFor I have heard from the Lord God of hosts,
\nA destruction determined even upon the whole earth.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nGOD\u2019S TIMING
\n10 \u201cNow I will rise,\u201d says the Lord;
\n\u201cNow I will be exalted,
\nNow I will lift Myself up.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA. Israel will fully understand why they suffered, AND
\nB. The nations will fully understand why Israel suffered, and also WHY and HOW it SEEMED LIKE the false gods of the rebellious nations APPEARED TO BE stronger than the one and only true God. <\/p>\n
\nGENTILES KNOWING:<\/strong>
\n23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.
\nISRAEL KNOWING:<\/strong>
\n27 When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies \u2019 lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 28 then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe people, through disobedient, had set themselves up for futility (like we read in Haggai) \u2013 and they will be condemned by their own words of falsehood:
\n11 You shall conceive chaff,
\nYou shall bring forth stubble;
\nYour breath, as fire, shall devour you.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n12 And the people shall be like the burnings of lime;
\nLike thorns cut up they shall be burned in the fire.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n13 Hear, you who are afar off, what I have done;
\nAnd you who are near, acknowledge My might.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
\nFearfulness has seized the hypocrites:<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cWho among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
\nWho among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
\nHe who despises the gain of oppressions,
\nWho gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
\nWho stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
\nAnd shuts his eyes from seeing evil:<\/em><\/p>\n
\n16 He will dwell on high;
\nHis place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
\nBread will be given him,<\/em>
\nHis water will be sure.<\/p>\n
\n17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty;
\nThey will see the land that is very far off<\/em>.<\/p>\n
\n18 Your heart will meditate on terror:
\n\u201c Where is the scribe?
\nWhere is he who weighs?
\nWhere is he who counts the towers?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n19 You will not see a fierce people,
\nA people of obscure speech, beyond perception,
\nOf a stammering tongue that you cannot understand.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n20 Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; (certainly NOT pointing to a period after the upcoming captivity, nor pointing to post 70 AD destruction, where some would want to position these verses)
\nYour eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet home,
\nA tabernacle that will not be taken down;
\nNot one of its stakes will ever be removed,
\nNor will any of its cords be broken.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n21 But there the majestic Lord will be for us
\nA place of broad rivers and streams,
\nIn which no galley with oars will sail,
\nNor majestic ships pass by<\/em><\/p>\n
\n22 (For the Lord is our Judge,
\nThe Lord is our Lawgiver,
\nThe Lord is our King;
\nHe will save us);<\/em><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/strong>GOING FORWARD
\nWE SAW THIS CALL TO THE NATIONS IN EZEK and ZECH \u2013 God will be calling them to Israel, for their judgment IN HIS LAND<\/p>\n
\n1 Come near, you nations, to hear; <\/em>(we know God will be getting everyone\u2019s attention, including even calling many INTO THE LAND, for judgment there Ps 110, Ezekiel 38, Zech 14, Isa 14 -“I will break Assyria in My land…”)
\nAnd heed, you people!
\nLet the earth hear, and all that is in it,
\nThe world and all things that come forth from it.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n2 For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations,
\nAnd His fury against all their armies;<\/em><\/p>\n
\nJohn 3<\/strong>
\n18 \u201c He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
\n19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHe has utterly destroyed them,
\nHe has given them over to the slaughter.
\n3 Also their slain shall be thrown out;
\nTheir stench shall rise from their corpses,
\nAnd the mountains shall be melted with their blood.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nEzekiel 39:12-13<\/strong>
\n12 For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.
\n13 Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,\u201d says the Lord God.
\n<\/em>
\nISA 14<\/strong>
\n24 The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying,
\n\u201c Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass,
\nAnd as I have purposed, so it shall stand:
\n25 That I will break the Assyrian in My land,
\nAnd on My mountains tread him underfoot.
\nThen his yoke shall be removed from them,
\nAnd his burden removed from their shoulders.
\n26 This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth,
\nAnd this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n27 For the Lord of hosts has purposed,
\nAnd who will annul it?
\nHis hand is stretched out,
\nAnd who will turn it back?<\/em><\/p>\n
\n4 All the host of heaven shall be dissolved,
\nAnd the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll;
\nAll their host shall fall down
\nAs the leaf falls from the vine,
\nAnd as fruit falling from a fig tree.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe final conflict will include military struggle, but it will not be won by military struggle, and we would do well to remember that. <\/p>\n
\n5 \u201cFor My sword shall be bathed in heaven;
\nIndeed it shall come down on Edom,
\nAnd on the people of My curse, for judgment.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood,
\nIt is made overflowing with fatness,
\nWith the blood of lambs and goats,
\nWith the fat of the kidneys of rams.
\nFor the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah,
\nAnd a great slaughter in the land of Edom.<\/em>
\n(EDOM, southeast of Israel, is a prophetic marker for anti-Semitism and all raging against God and His people. Bozrah is a town there)<\/p>\n
\nAnd the young bulls with the mighty bulls;
\nTheir land shall be soaked with blood,
\nAnd their dust saturated with fatness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n8 For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance,
\nThe year of recompense for the cause of Zion.<\/em> – a good day of vindication by God Himself, for His people, who have suffered.<\/p>\n
\n9 Its streams shall be turned into pitch,
\nAnd its dust into brimstone;
\nIts land shall become burning pitch.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n10 It shall not be quenched night or day;
\nIts smoke shall ascend forever.
\nFrom generation to generation it shall lie waste;
\nNo one shall pass through it forever and ever.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAlso the owl and the raven shall dwell in it.
\nAnd He shall stretch out over it
\nThe line of confusion and the stones of emptiness.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n12 They shall call its nobles to the kingdom,
\nBut none shall be there, and all its princes shall be nothing.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nNettles and brambles in its fortresses;
\nIt shall be a habitation of jackals,
\nA courtyard for ostriches.<\/p>\n
\nAnd the wild goat shall bleat to its companion;
\nAlso the night creature shall rest there,
\nAnd find for herself a place of rest.<\/p>\n
\nAnd hatch, and gather them under her shadow;
\nThere also shall the hawks be gathered,
\nEvery one with her mate.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n16 \u201c Search from the book of the Lord, and read:
\nNot one of these shall fail;<\/em><\/p>\n
\nNot one shall lack her mate.
\nFor My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd His hand has divided it among them with a measuring line.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThey (the wild and untamable beasts) shall possess it forever;
\nFrom generation to generation they shall dwell in it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMEANWHIILE, GOOD STUFF TO LOOK FORWARD TO:
\n1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them,
\nAnd the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose;
\n2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice,
\nEven with joy and singing.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThe excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
\nThey shall see the glory of the Lord,
\nThe excellency of our God.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd make firm the feeble knees.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,
\n\u201cBe strong, do not fear!<\/em><\/p>\n
\n6 And He said to me, \u201cIt is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
\n7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
\n8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nBehold, your God will come with vengeance,
\nWith the recompense of God;
\nHe will come and save you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
\n37 \u201c For yet a little while,
\nAnd He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
\n38 Now the just shall live by faith;
\nBut if anyone draws back,
\nMy soul has no pleasure in him.\u201d
\n39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n(I SO LOVE THAT GOD HAS CONTINUALLY RESPONDED TO THE PRAYERS OF HIS PEOPLE FOR HEALING, EVEN PRIOR TO THIS PROMISE \u2013 because we have seen outbreaks of healing and supernatural miracles throughout these past 2,000 years. BUT WE SURE NEED MORE, and THANKFULLY, we are assured that eventually, upon His return, WE SEE WHOLESALE HEALING!)
\n5 Then (AT THIS TIME \u2013 and as modeled by the amazing full-healing ministry of Jesus during His first advent)
\nthe eyes of the blind shall be opened,
\nAnd the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
\n6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
\nAnd the tongue of the dumb sing.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFor waters shall burst forth in the wilderness,
\nAnd streams in the desert.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd the thirsty land springs of water;
\nIn the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
\nThere shall be grass with reeds and rushes.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
\n17 And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain.
\n18 If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.
\n19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTHE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS
\nThe unclean shall not pass over it,
\nBut it shall be for others.
\nWhoever walks the roa<\/em>d, although a fool,
\nShall not go astray.<\/p>\n
\n9 No lion shall be there,
\nNor shall any ravenous beast go up on it;
\nIt shall not be found there.
\nBut the redeemed shall walk there,<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd come to Zion with singing, <\/em>
\n(WORSHIP STILL \u2013 no longer needed for prophetic warfare, but instead fully ministering to the Lord for His goodness \u2013 He\u2019s seeking those who will worship Him \u2013 remember: we looked at the temptation of our Lord by satan \u2013 \u201cif you will worship me\u2026\u201d \u2013 GOD WILL BE THE RIGHTFUL RECIPIENT OF ALL ETERNAL WORSHIP.
\nWith everlasting joy on their heads.
\nThey shall obtain joy and gladness,
\nAnd sorrow and sighing shall flee away<\/em><\/p>\n