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Found 10 results

  1. "If this has happened to you, you will never let this happen to you again." I believe it will for a while (USA be downtrodden, overtaken by troops), then reinstated just like Washington saw in a vision at Valley Forge when he was praying there. It feels like he was close to God in those memoirs that were written at Valley Forge. Here is a snippet from his vision in the Library of Congress: https://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/washington/vision.html Wartime: "And again I heard the mysterious voice saying "Son of the Republic, look and learn." At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. Throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America. Our country was enveloped in this volume of cloud, and I saw these vast armies devastate the whole county and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of sword, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn" When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast. "Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word Union, and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were will nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn." As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious! Rebuilding after the 3rd war: Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice: "While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last." And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word "Union," he placed it upon the Standard while the people, kneeling down, said, "Amen. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and the Union." With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager Luke 16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. Additional Teachings 16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. 17 It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. 18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. The Rich Man and Lazarus 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
  2. Germany Risks Forgetting Its History In deciding to supply Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine, Olaf Scholz breaks the self-imposed constraints on the military’s role in German foreign policy that had been in place since the end of WWII. by Scott Ritter writing for Consortium News - [abridged] Two days before Holocaust Remembrance Day last week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, under heavy pressure from Washington and pro-war members of his own government, announced that Germany would be sending 14 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Answering media questions at the German Bundestag, Scholz declared: “It is right that we act closely with our international partners to support Ukraine — financially, with humanitarian aid, but also with weapons deliveries. Now we can say that, in Europe, it is us and Britain who have made the most weapons available for Ukraine. Germany will always be at the forefront when it comes to supporting Ukraine.” Two days later, at her own press conference, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded: “We all remember what are German tanks. These are machines which became a symbol, not only of death…not only of deathly ideology. They became a symbol of misanthropy, as a global existential threat to the planet. When you read about Nazism and fascism about those times in the Second World War, I think that these SS uniforms and these very German tanks and these symbols of the Third Reich had become a global symbol of the fall of the humankind into the abyss of hatred and horror and massacre.” Zakharova had more to say: “It was exactly the German tanks which became the symbol — the anti-symbol, I would say — which will stay in the memory of all humankind forever. Now these German tanks will once again be on our land. … So what does Berlin expect? That these armoured vehicles, with all their symbols back then and now, that they will cross our villages and settlements? We remember the end of those times. Does Berlin remember?” In the aftermath of the horrific atrocities inflicted on the world by Nazi Germany, there were many who believed that Germany no longer had the moral right to exist. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. was one of those people. In 1944 he promulgated a plan, subsequently known as the “Morgenthau Plan,” which called for the demilitarization and dismemberment of Germany after the Second World War. “It should be the aim of the Allied Forces,” Morgenthau wrote, “to accomplish the complete demilitarization of Germany in the shortest possible period of time after surrender. This means completely disarming the German Army and people (including the removal or destruction of all war material), the total destruction of the whole German armament industry, and the removal or destruction of other key industries which are basic to military strength.” In this speech, Sholz turned his back on the German experiences of both the First and Second World Wars, where unrestrained German militarism worked in concert with German industrialists to build massive military capability, which was then married to aggressive German foreign policies that turned into global conflict. Sholz was now proclaiming military-based deterrence as the national security model for Germany going forward, including a massive increase in defense expenditures that would dramatically increase the profit margins of companies like Papperger’s Rheinmetall AG [the company that manufactured German Tiger and Panzer tanks with slave labour during WWII]. Germany’s current foreign minister, Baerbock, has foregone all pretense as to what the true policy of Germany toward Russia is. During a keynote address last week to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, Baerbock declared, “We are fighting a war against Russia and not against each other.” SCOTT RITTER: Germany Risks Forgetting Its History (consortiumnews.com)
  3. It has been said that we (America) are similar to the Ottoman Empire which existed before WW1. If this is true, America must be taken down incrementally, or not so incrementally, idk. I assume this would equate to the nations needing to cooperate more diplomatically with China & Russia on a more long term basis. If this down sizing of the USA were from God Almighty, then it might be written for us to understand the end times governmental changes in Daniel 7. (Please read the scripture below and pray). The heart of a man given to the lion England (to think like a man, not a beast) while the eagle's (America's) wings are plucked off of it. This creates separation between the USA and England. It might be making a way for the four headed panther government to have authority, China? Which nations (animals) are the 3 ribs in the Bear's mouth?? (Ukraine, USA, ?, ?) Note: Israel has not committed weapons for the Ukraine war effort. This may be pivotal. I think it is likely Putin has gone beyond the point of life on this earth with eternal ramifications mounting because of innocent youth's deaths in Ukraine. If this is true, Russia will still continue on this path without him. Also, because of innocent youth's being exterminated by the millions in the USA, once areas have been bombed, the US government will abandon those areas on United States soil during the war. I call this is the "Isaiah 23 modern Phoenician city paradox." NYC + Dubai other western culture cities as well... I guess plan, pray and prepare for the heathen exercisers' in the church, get ready for safe zones in this time. They might be safe zones, or they might be slave camps like the one prophesied by Chuck Youngbrant in the 70s near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I guess whichever church is leading in hope and praise music will be blessed with governing sovereignty in this time. Isaiah 23:1-3 Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbor. From the land of Cyprus word has come to them. Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched. On the great watersc ame the grain of the Shihor; the harvest of the Nile[ was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations. Daniel 7:4-6 “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it. “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’ “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
  4. The Peaceful Nature of the Kingdom of God Jesus taught that the church which he was to build and the kingdom of heaven were one and the same. This is made clear by his use of the terms interchangably in Matthew 16:16-19. In Paul's writings he specifically says that Christians have been "translated into the kingdom" of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). So Christ rules today over the lives of Christians who make up God's kingdom, the church. But what is the nature of this kingdom? May its subjects participate in warfare, with carnal weapons, and still have the approval of its King? In order to answer these questions, let us examine several Old Testament prophecies which point to the kingdom of Christ in the New Testament. In Micah 4:1-4, we have a prophecy which contains the following elements: (1) Its fulfillment would occur in the last days (of political Israel, not of the world). (2) The mountain of the house of the Lord would be established (a reference to the kingdom or church). (3) People of all nations would flow into this kingdom. (4) Its law, the Word of God, would go forth from Jerusalem. The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in the establishment of the church on the day of Pentecost and is recorded in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts. Briefly, here are the reasons why: (1) The events of Acts the 2nd chapter are said by the apostle Peter to have occurred on "the last days" (Compare Joel 2:28ff with Acts 2:17ff). (2) The church is repeatedly spoken of in the New Testament as the "house of God" (I Timothy 3:15; I Peter 4: 17). (3) The church was to be composed of people of all nations (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19) and on the day of Pentecost there were people present from "every nation under heaven" (Acts 2:5). (4) The apostles were told to begin their preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom from the city of Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:4, 12). Now let us notice an important element of the Micah prophecy. Among the nations who were to flow unto this "mountain of Jehovah's house" (the kingdom or church) there would be those who would "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks" (Micah 4:3). It further states that "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." The references to "many nations" inviting people to come to the Lord's house (verse 2) and one "nation" not lifting up sword against another (verse 3) refer to the people from all nations who embrace this house of God. Zerr's Commentary says, "Many nations means people from many nations." 18 This period of time does not refer to some golden age of the church on earth when everyone will be converted, nor does it refer to conditions in heaven. The context shows clearly that it is speaking of the church age which began on the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, and which continues today. Thus, this prophecy tells of conditions in which we now live, when Christians from the various nations of the world will not take up arms to fight against each other. Commenting on this prophecy, Larry Jonas said, in "The Pattern", "It need only be a time when church members in every nation give up weapons...This prophecy is to be fulfilled by all who obey Jesus."19 Here, then, appears a prophecy of the peaceful nature of the kingdom of Christ, in which Christians would not be engaged in carnal warfare. Another prophecy bearing directly upon the peaceful nature of Christ's kingdom, the church, is found in Isaiah 11:1-10. That this passage alludes to the kingdom of Christ is seen by the fact that the apostle Paul quotes from this passage and applies it to Christ (Romans 15:12). Notice in Isaiah 11:6-9 that various wild animals are pictured as lying down together and even playing with children without harming them. Some have supposed that this refers to a future state of heavenly bliss, but recall that Paul attributes its fulfillment to the time when the Gentiles would have hope in Christ. This, of course, is the Christian dispensation, the church age in which we now live. The language of Isaiah describing the marvelous peace and contentment existing between animal life is simply prophetic imagery indicating the peaceful nature of God's people in the kingdom of Christ. Wallace gives the following comment on this section of Scripture: "The wolf, the leopard and the lion are representative of the wicked and violent passions of men—the wild beasts of human character. It is a prophetic Gospel promise that such evil spirits should be subdued by the reign of the Prince of Peace in the hearts and lives of his subjects."20 The above reference to Christ as "Prince of Peace" is taken from the unmistakable allusion to the Savior recorded in Isaiah 9:6-7. These prophecies, together with others which could be cited, show that Jesus' rule over the hearts of men in his New Testament kingdom would produce in them a nature totally adverse to the practices required by armed warfare. But so much for prophecy. Let us now turn our attention to the explicit teaching of the New Testament Scriptures concerning the peaceful nature of members of Christ's church. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus bestowed his blessing upon the "peacemakers," stating that "they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Peace making was to be a notable characteristic of Christians. But members of the armed forces are rigorously trained in the art of war making. If, somehow, a fighting soldier could be considered a "peacemaker," then who should properly be classed as a "warmaker?" If being a peacemaker brings the promise of being called "children of God," what might those who wage war be called? Peacemakers do not fight, and warmakers are not peaceful! Perhaps one of the clearest passages of Scripture showing that Christians are not permitted to engage in carnal warfare is found in II Corinthians 10:3-4. These verses state: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds)." Paul here teaches that, although Christians live on earth in a human body, they are not to conduct themselves according to human standards. He does not deny that a Christian is at war, but he points out that the weapons used by the child of God are not the same as those used by non-Christians. The Christian is engaged in "the good fight of the faith," but he uses only those spiritual weapons which God mightily blesses in the overthrow of evil. Weymouth translates this passage, "The weapons with which we fight are not human weapons..." Taylor's "Living New Testament" paraphrases it in these words: "I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds." Phillips puts it this way: "The battle we are fighting is on the spiritual level. The very weapons we use are not those of human warfare but powerful in God's warfare for the destruction of the enemy's strongholds." So the Christian is engaged in a spiritual battle, against spiritual enemies and therefore must use spiritual weapons. This same conflict is described by the figure of "wrestling" in Ephesians 6:12, "For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." (American Standard Version) From this we can see that the Christian's struggle is against evil ideas; against wicked tendencies; against ungodly influences; against false philosophies; against all the powers of sin and wrongdoing. Even though these are formidable enemies, the weapons to be used in combating them involve no violence or bloodshed. To insure victory in this spiritual battle, the New Testament Scriptures refer us to the proper equipment called "the armour of God." This armour consists of truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18). How different these weapons are from those used in human warfare! They are specially designed to cast down "imaginations" and to capture "thoughts" with a view to bringing people to a "knowledge of God" and into "the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). They are to be used for elevating and blessing the spirit of man and not for harming or destroying his body. The nature, methods, equipment and aims of the Christian warfare are on a totally different plane than those of human warfare, which requires arms and violence to gain its temporal ends. Carnal weapons are not used in a spiritual war, and spiritual weapons are powerless in a carnal war. The Christian is engaged in only one war, a spiritual one. He is authorized to use only one type of weapon by his Commander, spiritual ones. This means that he has absolutely no place participating in the carnal wars of men, fighting with fleshly weapons, devoted to a mere earthly cause, however noble that cause may appear in the eyes of men. Jesus made this principle clear on the occasion of his mock trial before Pilate. He said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). Again we see the peaceful nature of the kingdom expressed by Christ himself. His disciples were forbidden to fight, even for the just cause of delivering the innocent Savior from the injustice of hateful men. Jesus acknowledged that if his kingdom had been as any other worldly kingdom, it would have been a natural consequence for his followers to engage in armed conflict to protect their king and to advance their cause. But Christians sustain such a relationship to Christ which demands that their primary allegiance be to him. If they are not permitted to fight to protect or promote his kingdom, how could they possibly be allowed to engage in a war involving a lesser, earthly kingdom? If a servant of Christ is forbidden to kill on behalf of the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe, how could he be allowed to kill on behalf of a temporal government led by fallible men? Unless it can be shown that earthly kingdoms take preeminence over the heavenly kingdom, it stands that whatever is not permitted for the highest order is certainly forbidden for all lower orders. One incident in Jesus' life stands out as an example of the enforcement of this principle. As Jesus was being arrested in the garden of Gethsemene, one of his disciples drew a sword and attempted to slay one of the arresters. The blow failed to inflict a mortal wound and resulted only in severing the man's ear. Jesus immediately touched the ear and healed him, and then said to Peter, "Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Here is the case of a small band of disciples being accosted by an angry, armed mob intent on taking their leader to what appeared his certain death. If the use of a defensive sword on behalf of a righteous cause were ever justified, it would certainly have been proper in this instance. But Jesus said, "Put up again thy sword." By this command the Lord disarmed every person who would resort to unrestrained, destructive violence as a means of accomplishing his aim. Jesus was not denying the use of the sword simply because he realized that his earthly mission required submitting to death, for he gives, as the reason, a universal principle. "All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" is equivalent to saying, "Killing is futile, for it only results in being killed." This principle holds true generally whether death comes through the vengeance of a victim's friends or whether it comes from an enemy soldier on the battlefield of war. Jesus denies the use of a deadly weapon for the purpose of maliciously killing people. And this prohibition serves as another stone in the mountain of New Testament teaching which restricts a Christian from participating in armed warfare. NOTES FROM CHAPTER NINE 18. E. M. Zetr, BIBLE COMMENTARY, (St. Louis, Mo.: Mission Messenger: 1955) Vol. 4, p. 327. 19. Larry Jonas, "Nationalistic Militarism," THE PATTERN (Vancouver, Wash.: Vol. 7, No. 11, Nov. 1, 1964) 20. Foy E. Wallace, Jr., GOD'S PROPHETIC WORD, (Oklahoma City: Foy E. Wallace, Jr. Publications: Revised edition, 1960) p. 492.
  5. Are You a Soldier? What does Scripture say about engaging in earthly warfare? In what sense is every Christian a soldier of Jesus Christ? Do you realize that we are involved in a great spiritual conflict every day? This study will discuss these and other relevant topics! The Christian is a soldier. He is a participant in a war of immense proportions. His entire life is involved in this conflict! The war will continue until Christ returns in victory over His foes. Scripture repeatedly refers to this lifelong spiritual battle we are waging against our spiritual, unseen enemy—Satan. Paul makes reference to this spiritual warfare when he writes, "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Notice that we are soldiers of Christ and not of Caesar or any other earthly ruler, whether he be president, king, or sovereign dictator. Because of this, Paul was able to call Epaphroditus and Archippus his "fellow-soldiers" (cf. Phil. 2:25; Phile. 2). Furthermore, we are so devoted to our responsibilities as the Lord’s soldiers and so intent on pleasing Him that we have neither the time nor the interest to become entangled in "the affairs of everyday life" (v. 4; cf. 1 Cor. 7:29-31). A Spiritual War We must realize that we are participating in spiritual warfare, not carnal or fleshly warfare. Paul specifically says, "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses" (2 Cor. 10:3-4). With spiritual weapons, we are actively "destroying" and "demolishing" everything that would oppose the knowledge of God (v. 5, NASB, NIV). With the spiritual "armor of God" we are enabled to "stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:11) and resist his wicked advance in the world and in our lives (v. 13). Paul definitely says that our warfare is spiritual in nature: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (v. 12; cf. vv. 13-20; 1 Thess. 5:8). We fight unseen realities rather than national opponents. We believe in warfare, but ours is a spiritual war, far greater than the carnal wars fought to defend and advance the transitory and imperfect kingdoms of men. The "domain" and "glory" of "the kingdoms of the world" belong to Satan our adversary (Luke 4:5-6), but John the apostle, in vision, heard the announcement that "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of the Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever" (Rev. 11:15; cf. v. 17). The words of Christ bear like testimony: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm" (John 18:36). Jesus was king of truth (v. 37; cf. 14:6) and we who have received Him as truth fight a spiritual war, as spiritual soldiers, wearing spiritual armor, bearing spiritual weapons, in His spiritual kingdom! Christ is King of King and Lord of lords! Our Sovereign Commander will be victor over Satan, his angels, and the world (Rev. 17:14; 19:11-18). What should be the Christian’s attitude toward carnal or earthly warfare, in contrast to spiritual warfare? How should he view the military profession, the military industry, and production of instruments of war and bloodshed? These questions do have answers but they will only make sense if you, personally, know God the Father through Jesus Christ His Son. Only if you know the Prince of Peace will you be able to understand the way of peace that He brings to our hearts (John 16:33) and brings to His followers (Eph. 2:14-17). Paul the apostle wrote, "A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one" (1 Cor. 2:14-15). While certain facts of the Bible may be seen and acknowledged (including the truths which follow), the deeper import of them simply will not be perceived or embraced. With these thoughts in mind, the following considerations should help the sincere follower of Christ to decide what Scripture says about participating in earthly, carnal warfare. Questions that You Must Face (1) Would Jesus Christ, the "Prince of Peace," engage in armed warfare in support of an earthly kingdom on earth? (Isaiah 9:6; Luke 9:54-55; 23:33-34) The Christian is to be Christlike in his attitudes, words, and behavior. He should ask, "What would Jesus do?" as he makes decisions in life. Can you conceive of Jesus clothed in a military uniform, bearing arms, under an earthly commander, taking orders to kill enemies from another nation? "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). " Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21b). (2) Is the Christian to love all people and do good to all people, including his enemies? Every Christian is to be characterized by love and goodwill toward others, including those who have made themselves his enemy. We are instructed how we should respond to others who hate us and harm us. Just as God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), so the Christian walks in the way of love and goodwill. Is it loving to destroy the enemy and his family? Is it good to maim, harm, and injure both our enemy and innocent people from our enemy’s country? "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28; cf. vv. 32-36; Matt. 5:43-48). " May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men" (1 Thess. 3:12). " See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men" (1 Thess. 5:15). (3) Would war cause Christian to fight against Christian if they were to fight for their respective nations? Christians are found in all the nations of the world (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rev. 7:9; Col. 1:23). Instead of fighting against His brothers, the Christian is to love his brothers just as Christ loved him! He is to lay down his life for his brothers rather than harming them and killing them because they happen to live in another country. "A new commandments I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35; cf. 15:12). " We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). See also: 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8; 1 John 3:10, 14-16; 4:7, 11-12, 20-21; 1 Thess. 4:9-10; Heb. 13:1. (4) Does war tend to brutalize and harden the participant? War definitely does cause the soldier to lose compassion, tenderness, kindness, and sympathy. Many men testify that they learned to hate, to injure, and even to kill others while learning to fulfill the duties required in the military. Men harden their conscience so they can carry out brutal acts of violence against other people. "Holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience" (Col. 3:12; cf. vv. 13-15). " Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Eph. 4:31-32). " Let your gentle spirit be known to all men" (Phil. 4:5). (5) Did Jesus refuse to become involved in the political and nationalistic issues of His day? Jesus maintained a neutrality in the kingdoms of the world for He represented a spiritual kingdom while dwelling on earth. Although nationalistic fervor was intense during the period in which He lived, Jesus did not become embroiled in this attitude. He even prophesied that his nation would soon be destroyed because of their sin (in AD 66-70; cf. Luke 19:43-44; 21:20-24; 23:27-31), but His followers should escape Jerusalem and not join the rebellious resistance force (Luke 21:21; cf. Matt. 24:15-22). His disciples maintained the same perspective of neutrality and partook of a heavenly citizenship where their ultimate loyalty belonged. The body of Christ itself was a spiritual nation, scattered as pilgrims in the midst of the corrupt nations of earth. "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is My kingdom is not of this realm" (John 18:36-37). " Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s" (Matt. 22:21; cf. vv. 17-21; Mark 12:17; Luke 20:25). (Give to Caesar that which bears his image [the coin = taxes that are due], but give to God that which bears His image [man himself who bears the image of God].) " Our citizenship [commonwealth, homeland] is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20). " You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession" (1 Peter 2:9a; cf. Matt. 21:43). (6) Were the early Christians instructed to flee when persecuted or were they told to defend themselves? When confronted with armed resistance, the early followers of Jesus were to flee to another place rather than fight with earthly weapons. When the cruel and idolatrous Romans would come upon Jerusalem, believers were to flee rather than fight. "Whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to the next" (Matt. 1023a). " When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies . . . . Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (Luke 21:20-21; cf. Matt. 24:16; 13:14). See: 2 Cor. 11:32-33; Acts 9:23-25; 12:17; 14:6; 17:10; 20:3; 22:18-21; Matt. 12:14-15). (7) Is the spirit or attitude of Christ in harmony with the spirit of warfare? Indeed, the spirit and demeanor of the Lord Jesus is in complete contrast to the violent spirit of war. Nearly every characteristic that makes a good soldier (except order and discipline) is in conflict with the traits that make a worthy follower of Jesus. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves" (Matt. 10:16; cf. Luke 10:3). " [War is] a brutal, dirty, deadly affair" (General Thomas D. White). " I want every devilish, subtle device and every upper-handed operation possible to use against the Germans and Japs" (General William J. Donovan). " War is the trade of barbarians" (Napoleon). " The profession of a soldier is a damnable profession" (Sir John Sinclair). " War is nothing less than a temporary repeal of the principles of virtue" (Robert Hall). " God is forgotten in war; every principle of Christianity is trampled upon" (Sidney Smith). " War is antagonistic to Christianity for many reasons, but chiefly on account of the ugly passion it excites and the untold misery that it inflicts" (J.B. Remensnyder). " War is the concentration of all human crimes. Under its standard gather violence, malignity, rage, fraud, perfidy, rapacity, and lust. If it only slew men, it would do little. It turns man into a beast of prey" (Dr. Channing). " Its destructive effect upon the moral character of the nation that wages it is war’s final condemnation" (Walter Walsh). " Yes, war is hell, as General Sherman long ago told us; but he did not go on to tell us why. There is only one possible reason. Hell is not a geographical term; it is merely the expression of the spirit or condition of its inhabitants. War is hell because it transforms men into devils" (E.H. Crosby). (8) Is war a blatant violation of Christ’s "Golden" commandment and does it negate the principle of mercy or compassion? Do you want others to harm you or kill your loved ones? Then you must not destroy others or their loved ones. War does the opposite to the enemy nation as you would want that nation to do to yours. Instead of harming or killing our enemies, you must love, bless, and care for them. "Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them" (Matt. 7:12). "Just as you want men to treat you, treat them in the same way" (Luke 6:31). " Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matt. 5:7; cf. James 2:13). (9) Do Christ’s servants fight fleshly battles for human state governments? Rather than fighting carnal battles, the Christian engages in spiritual warfare against spiritual enemies (evil demonic powers at work in the world, particularly in the lives of the unsaved). "We do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses" (2 Cor. 10:3b-4; cf. John 18:36-37). " Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword" (Matt. 26:52; cf. vv. 53-54; John 18:11). (Notice that Jesus here forbids a defensive sword for a just cause.) (10) What does Christ’s death on the cross demonstrate? When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He manifested the epitome of nonresistant love. He laid down his life not only for his friends but also for His enemies. He offered Himself without retaliation, without reviling, and without bitterness. "Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps . . . while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:21, 23; cf. 3:9; 4:19; Matt. 26:53). " He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth" (Acts 8:32; cf. Isaiah 53:7). " I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting" (Isaiah 50:6). (11) What does the Great Commission have to do with carnal warfare? When one engages in carnal warfare, he violates Christ’s parting commission to proclaim His good news to every creature on earth. Instead of sharing the glad message of redeeming love, war sends a message of bloodshed and death. We cannot tell the gospel of peace and love to one we have killed! "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15). " Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19a). " Repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations" (Luke 24:47; cf. Acts 1:8). (12) What is the result of killing an unsaved enemy? If one kills a lost or unsaved enemy in warfare, this will result in his eternal condemnation and will send him to an everlasting hell. Can I have part in this dreadful finality to his opportunity of responding to Christ for salvation? "It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). " The rich man . . . died and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment" (Luke 16:22-23). " He who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36b). (13) Is the Christian to be peaceful and be a peacemaker? The believer definitely is to be characterized by a peaceful disposition and he is to seek peace with others and between others. He is to be a peace-maker and not a war-maker. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matt. 5:9). " If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18). " Pursue peace with all men" (Heb. 12:14a). (14) Should the Christian retaliate against his personal enemies? The disciple of Christ must not pay back evil for evil. Then how can he be used as a pawn of the earthly power to retaliate against national enemies? Retaliation is part of the very makeup of warfare. Personal ethics must not be abdicated in acquiescence to the state. "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone . . . . Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17, 19-21). " Do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matt. 5:39; cf. vv. 38-42; Luke 6:29-30). " You [wicked rich men] have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you" (James 5:6; cf. 1 Peter 2:18-24; 1 Thess. 5:15; 1 Cor. 4:12). " Not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead" (1 Peter 3:9a). (15) Should the Christian be used as an arm of the state in bearing the sword? The Christian is commanded to be subject to human civil government, but he is not instructed to participate in civil affairs nor bear the sword for the governmental powers. The believer must be absolutely submissive to the requirements of the civil authority (e.g., paying taxes, obtaining licenses, observing speed limits, etc.)—unless such submission violates the will of God (cf. Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves" (Rom. 13:1-2; cf. vv. 3-7; contrast 12:41-21 with this). " Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities" (Titus 3:1a). " Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. . . . fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:13-14, 17b; cf. Matt. 22:21). (16) Could the Christian pray to God to bless his participation in waging carnal war? Obviously a disciple of the Lord could not pray for the blessings of God to rest on his taking the life and destroying the property of his enemy. "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14b). " Pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28b). " Pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44b). " I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made in behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim. 2:1-2; cf. vv. 3-4; Eph. 6:18). (17) Can the Christian wage a deadly, bloody, wicked war in the name of Christ his Lord? A believer really cannot participate in carnal warfare and do so by the authority of Christ, under His direction, according to His spirit of love, and as a follower of Him. "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17a). (18) Is the Christian justified in doing wrong so that there might be a positive result? No, we must never do evil so that good may result. We must never do wrong in order to do right. We (Christians) must not wage carnal warfare (or prepare war materials, weapons, and munitions to support war) in order to overthrow an evil national ruler and secure earthly peace. (For instance, according to Christ, was killing hundreds of thousands of defenseless Germans or Japanese civilians justified in order to bring a more speedy end to the war? Or was rebelling against the British crown, thereby taking up arms, justified in order to secure political representation or obtain political liberty?) Paul said that some misguided people "slanderously reported" that he affirmed, "Let us do evil that good may come." His response was unequivocal: "Their condemnation is just" (Rom. 3:8). The doctrine that we are justified in doing wrong in order to bring good is false! We are never justified in doing evil to secure good. For the Christian, the means must be good as well as the end. (19) What does early church history demonstrate? History tells us that the early Christians refused to participate in warfare for one hundred years or longer after the days of the apostles. Some strong opposition continued for the next century, but a leavening influence had begun with some professing "Christians" in the military ranks. After the time of Augustine (AD 400-430), opposition, for the most part, ceased because of his "just war" doctrine. "No Christian ever thought of enlisting in the army after his conversion until the reign of Marcus Aurelius" around AD 173 (C.J. Cadoux). " It is quite clear that prior to about A.D. 174 it is impossible to speak of Christian soldiers" (Guy F. Hershberger). " Early second-century literature gives no direct evidence in regard to Christian participation in military service. The general statements which do occur imply a negative attitude. They reflect the Christian abhorrence of bloodshed and a general Christian affirmation about peace. . . . Only in the early 170’s do we find the first explicit evidence since apostolic times to the presence of [professing] Christians in the military service. . . . Finally Theodosius II in 416 decreed that only Christians could be in the army, for he wanted divine favor to rest with the armies of the Empire against the barbarian threat" (Everett Ferguson). " From the end of the New Testament period to the decade A.D. 170-180 there is no evidence whatever of Christians in the army" (Roland H. Bainton). " From about 174 A.D. on to the time of Constantine, about 313 A.D., there are indications that a few [professing] Christians were in the military service" (William Paul). " The period from A.D. 180 until the time of Constantine exhibits both in the East and West a number of more or less explicit condemnations of military service" (Bainton). (20) What did early church leaders actually write about warfare? There are too many quotations to include them all in this short treatment. As the above quotations reveal, the overwhelming testimony of the second and third centuries is that professing "Christians" opposed war and participation in warfare. Even after there is evidence that some professing "Christians" were found in the army by the latter second century, leaders continued to write of the peaceful nature of the way of Christ. Several of these quotations follow. "You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not hate any man" (Didache, ca. AD 115). " Do not seek to avenge yourselves on those who injure you. . . . And let us imitate the Lord, ‘who, when he was reviled, reviled not again’; when he was crucified, he answered not; ‘when he suffered, he threatened not’; but prayed for his enemies" (Ignatius, AD 110). " We who were full of war and murder of one another and all wickedness have each changed his warlike instruments—swords into plows and spears into agricultural implements" (Justin, AD 153). " I do not want to rule, I do not wish to be rich, I reject military command, I have hated fornication" (Tatian, ca. AD 170). " We have learned not only not to return blow for blow, nor to go to law with those who plunder and rob us, but to those who smite us on one side of the face to offer the other side also, and to those who take away our coat to give likewise our cloak" (Athenagoras, AD 180). " Since we consider that to see a man put to death is next to killing him, we have renounced such spectacles [gladiator contests]. How then can we, who do not look lest we be stained with guilt and defilement, commit murder?" (Athenagoras, AD 180). " How will a Christian war, indeed how will he serve even in peace without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? . . . The Lord, in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier" (Tertullian, ca. AD 200). " A soldier of the government must be told not to execute men; if he should be ordered to do it, he shall not do it. He must be told not to take the military oath. If he will not agree, let him be rejected [from baptism]. A military governor or a magistrate of a city who wears the purple, either let him desist or let him be rejected. If a catechumen or a baptized Christian wishes to become a soldier, let him be cast out. For he has despised God" (Hippolytus, ca. AD 210-220). " We have come in accordance with the counsel of Jesus to cut down our warlike and arrogant swords of argument into ploughshares, and we convert into sickles the spears we formerly used in fighting. For we no longer take ‘sword against a nation,’ nor do we learn ‘any more to make war,’ having become sons of peace for the sake of Jesus, who is our leader" (Origen, ca. AD 250). " We fight better on behalf of the king. Indeed we do not fight at his side, even if he should command it, but we fight on his behalf, organizing our own army of piety through our petitions to God" (Origen, ca. AD 250). " Christians decline public offices not in order to escape these duties but in order to keep themselves for a more divine and necessary service in the church of God for the salvation of men" (Origen). " When God forbids us to kill, he not only prohibits us from open violence . . . but he warns us against the commission of those things which are esteemed lawful among men. Thus it will be neither lawful for a just man to engage in warfare" (Lactantius, early 300s). " If all without exception . . . would lend an ear for a little to his [Christ’s] salutary and peaceful rules . . . the whole world, having turned the use of steel into more peaceful occupations, would now be living in the most placed tranquility, and would unite in blessed harmony, maintaining inviolate the sanctity of treaties" (Arnobius, AD 310). Conclusion In view of these twenty weighty points against the Christian’s participation in warfare, we must determine to live nonconformed to the world. Paul wrote, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). We must choose to walk the "narrow way" that leads to life even when that way is far different from the "broad way" that the vast majority choose to walk (Matt. 7:13-14). The narrow way is one of love, peace and kindness—not only to fellow-believers but also to one’s enemies. The broad way is one of selfishness, hatred, violence, hostility, retaliation, and brutality. Rather than participating in carnal warfare with carnal weapons for carnal objectives, the Christian is involved in a life and death spiritual war against Satan and his evil allies. This war involves spiritual armor and spiritual weapons. What side will you choose? Questions for Your Consideration Sources for Your Study Some of the following books and pamphlets are available at the present time while a few of them may no longer be in print. If you cannot locate them, please write for further information about their availability. (You may also ask your library to obtain them through inter-library loan.) While each of these publications has merit, we cannot endorse all of the contents. William Paul, A Christian View of Armed Warfare! (P.O. Box 30526, Seattle, WA 98103). Everett Ferguson, Early Christians Speak (ACU Press, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX 79699). H. Leo Boles, The New Testament Teaching on War (Gospel Advocate Company, 1006 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210). War: A Trilogy, Three Perspectives—One Biblical Position (Star Bible Publications, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas 76182). Handbook for Conscientious Objectors (Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, 2208 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146). J. C. Wenger, Separated unto God (Christian Light Publications, P.O. Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-1212). Guy Franklin Hershberger, War, Peace, and Nonresistance (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). John H. Yoder, What Would You Do? (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). David Lipscomb, Civil Government (Gospel Advocate Company, 1006 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN 37210). John Driver, How Christians Made Peace with War (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, The Christian and Jury Duty (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). Lois Barrett, The Way God Fights (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). John Horsch, The Principle of Nonresistance as Held by the Mennonite Church (Eastern Mennonite Publishing, Ephrata, PA). Bennie Lee Fudge, Can a Christian Kill for His Government? (C.E.I. Publishing Co., Athens, AL). Jean-Michel Hornus, It Is Not Lawful For Me to Fight (Herald Press, Scottdale, PA). Roland H. Bainton, Christian Attitudes Toward War and Peace (Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN). Joyce Miller, War-Torn Valley (Rod and Staff Publishers, P.O. Box 3, Hwy. 172, Crockett, KY 41413-0003). Aaron M. Shank, Studies in the Doctrine of Nonresistance (Rod and Staff Publishing, P.O. Box 3, Hwy. 172, Crockett, KY 41413-0003). Kniss, Why I Couldn’t Fight (Christian Light Publications, P.O. Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22801). Lee M. Rogers, God and Government (Lee M. Rogers, Sheffield, AL). Richard Hollerma
  6. As a quick disclaimer: I have seen your replies and clearly some of you have a heart for God. Others, spend far too much time listening to the doctrines of demons. Know this, unless they block me I will not quit. I write for a world that is filled with people with a heart like mine; one that has learned to err on the side of mercy. Have a great day basking in the love of Jesus Christ our soon coming King. Now, on with the post. Having addressed who or what Gog could be in my previous post, we now look at the directive given to Ezekiel to prophecy against Gog (from a great distance, and through time,) about what God's plan is, for the last days. Ezekiel 38:3 NASB and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. Eugene Peterson's “The Message” gives us this, “Be warned, Gog. I am against you. Ezekiel 38:4 CJB I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all completely equipped, a great horde with breastplates and shields, all wielding swords. Why would verse four be immensely significant in the Jewish mind? If you think back to the story of Jonah you remember that Jonah was asked to prophesy against Nineveh and tell them their days were numbered. While that might seem appropriate, especially if you had an intense hatred for the Ninevehites and wanted them dead because they were sadistically cruel and bloody people. But Jonah also knew something about God that most of us miss, and that was that God's nature was one of mercy. The other thing that Jonah understood was that the Ninevehites were a part of the Assyrian nation, just as Gog is, and they had the nasty habit of dragging their victims back to their lands by putting hooks in their mouths, among other places. “I will turn you around.” Another piece of insight for you. Having recently gone to the beach to be with family, I took an ice chest of cold drinks. I dragged that chest from the car, across the beach sand, and now, later in the day, I was dragging it back again. By the time I got to the stairs that lead up to the car, I was exhausted. I could feel the full weight of the ice chest as I went up the first step. Suddenly it got lighter. I actually thought I was going to turn around and see an angel. What I saw was the long-haired young man whom I had just passed carrying a skateboard. My wife, who was about 22 meters behind me, saw the skateboarder and internally had said, Lord, that would be great if that young man helped my husband. With that, the young man stopped, turned, and began to help me without saying a word. You see, God has ways of his will without a word being exchanged; and, the young man, he probably thought it was his great idea. “and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all completely equipped, a great horde with breastplates and shields, all wielding swords.” In one of my posts on Ezekiel 38, I went into great detail about the people of that region, the Scythians. One of their claims to fame is that they were skillful horsemen and deadly with weapons as they rode. Would Ezekiel have known that? It is highly possible as the line of descendants that produced these people existed long before Ezekiel did and he would have learned this through oral history. At this point, I only wish to say, that someone attempted to challenge my previous assertions about Gog, saying, Gog was Satan. Based upon verse four alone is that probable? Not likely seeing as 1Chronicles 5:4 shows us the lineage of a man named Gog, a descendant of Reuben – the disinherited son of Jacob, but then, Ezekiel's prophecy and the actual occurrence of these events spans well over two thousand years and no one lives that long. The only other thing that has credence is a demonic spirit/ fallen angel that carries that name. In this battle coming against Israel, who are the players? Ezekiel 38:5-6 NASB Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6) Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops-many peoples with you. Persia – Modern day Iran Ethiopia – At one time Ethiopia was known as Cush. Put - Put is the Libyans. While Qaddafi may have been a wild man, since his removal the nation has turned into a violent Muslim nation. Gomer - Sits squarely in modern day Turkey. Beth-togarmah - This was territory from which the Medes emanated. It is the region in which the Armenians resided. At one point in time, the Assyrian nations bordered Beth-togarmah, and it is the Caucasus region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. While Russia has dominated these people at times they seem to be independent of Russia while maintaining civil war amongst themselves. There is a strong clue embedded within the verse that says, “in the far reaches of the north, with all its troops-many peoples are with you." Again, this is the Scythian region and one of their claims to fame was Genghis Khan. Ezekiel 38:7 CJB Prepare yourself, get ready, you and all your crowd gathered around you; and take charge of them. Consider something here. Ezekiel is writing this while he is in Babylonian captivity; which for him, began around 570 B.C. Now, over 2570 years later, God is finally bringing this collection of assailants together for a horrendous battle. A battle, that for Israel, will look impossible. Many will add another war in here, the Psalm 83 war. Some even insert it before the events that Ezekiel lays out before us. Psalms 83:3-8 ISV They plot against your people and conspire against your cherished ones. 4) They say, "Let us go and erase them as a nation so the name of Israel will not be remembered anymore." 5) Indeed, they shrewdly planned together, forming an alliance against you— 6) the tents of Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, 7) Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, and the inhabitants of Tyre. ? Even Assyria joined them to strengthen the descendants of Lot. Interlude. Psalm 83 has similarities to what we see in Ezekiel 38 and 39, but what I don't see is Cush, and Put – Egypt and Libya. I am not sure those nations can be excluded as the descendants traveled extensively. Ezekiel 38:8 CJB After many days have passed, you will be mustered for service; in later years you will invade the land which has been brought back from the sword, gathered out of many peoples, the mountains of Isra'el. They had been lying in ruins for a long time, but now Isra'el has been extracted from the peoples and all of them are living there securely. “After many days have passed,” Far too many read this and think it merely means weeks later. This phrase, like “the prince that shall come,” that is defined for us in Daniel 9:26, has several encroachments into history. The problem is, these intrusions are spread across thousands of years. Many is the Hebrew word rab meaning much, many, numerous, and abundance, among others. Verse eight is clearly a description of Israel. Ezekiel 38:9 CJB You will come up like a storm, you will be like a cloud covering the land—you and all your troops, and many other peoples with you.' “You will come up like a storm,” Sudden and overwhelming. Are all storms sudden? No, in many cases people will say, this is storm weather and it always starts like this. So, the implication is that we have a strong probability of knowing when this will come. Just today (6/29/2018), through the MEMRI website, I learned of a Middle Eastern newspaper that leans heavily toward Erdoğan, publishing an article calling for the Muslim of the world to gather in Jihad against Israel (this article was published in Dec of 2017 – not that long ago. An aspect of the article was a map which showed Israel surrounded on every side with army tanks. Surrounded on every side sounds very much like Ezekiel's words. “you will be like a cloud covering the land.” - Clouds are formed by thousands of drops of water. We are told that the number seems innumerable. “you and all your troops, and many other peoples with you.” - These are people of a like mind – Muslims may not be unified in “religion” but they all seem to understand the idea of Jihad. Ezekiel 38:10-12 CJB "Adonai Elohim says: 'When that day comes, thoughts will well up in your mind, and you will devise a sinister scheme. 11) You will say, "I am going to invade this land of unwalled villages; I will take by surprise these people who are at peace, living securely, all in places without walls, bars or gates. 12) I will seize the spoil and take the plunder." You will attack the former ruins that are now inhabited and come against the people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and other wealth and are living in the central parts of the land. “ When that day comes,” - Question, does God do anything at random? The answer is NO, as everything is part of a precise and well thought out plan; a plan which includes giving man a free will and the opportunity to choose life or death. Regardless of the optional qualities, the plan is still in place and intact. So, is it possible that God would leave the option for Gog to design and plan out “his” own destiny? Not a chance and verse ten is no different, as “that day” is entirely in God's hands, and, a part of God's plan. Another consideration is the terminology “that day.” The phrase is attributed to several events; one of which is the return of Jesus as the warring and conquering Messiah, who also fights a bloody battle in the Jezreel Valley; there is the great white throne judgment and the entirety of the seven-years of God's wrath upon the earth. Are any of those events what we are looking at here? I do not believe so as there are always other events associated, which we do not see here. “thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil plan,” - The Hebrew word for thoughts is dāḇār and literally means words. I could read this when that day comes, words will pop into your head, you are going to think this is your sinister scheme, but in reality, you will be doing what I have planned all along. Mind is the Hebrew word lēḇāḇ and also means heart. In God's understanding, the heart and the mind are one in the same. Devise is from the Hebrew word châshab and means to weave, fabricate, or plot. “You will say, "I am going to invade this land of unwalled villages; I will take by surprise these people who are at peace, living securely, all in places without walls, bars or gates. 12) I will seize the spoil and take the plunder.” The context of Deuteronomy 3:5 is applied to Israel's conquer of Og, the King of Bashan. Having destroyed Og's fortified cities they were never rebuilt by Israel. It also demonstrates that cities were typically fortresses; this is not what you see in Israel today. Deuteronomy 3:3-6 NASB "All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, besides a great many unwalled towns. Zechariah 2:4 NASB and said to him, "Run, speak to that young man, saying, 'Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the multitude of men and cattle within it. I like the way the ISV version translates Ezekiel 38:12, “the people … who live at the center of the world's attention.” Currently, all the world seems to be looking at Israel, once again. Whether Israel is at the center of the world or not is debatable, but God is making that nation the center of attention. And, although we have not covered the verse yet, it sums up the reason behind all this tumult. Ezekiel 38:16 ERV...I will bring you to fight against my land. Then, Gog, the nations will learn how powerful I am! They will learn to respect me and know that I am holy.
  7. I was asked by my pastor why I study eschatology (end times events.) Ignoring the negativity of a challenge like this, I find that "end times events" are tied in with almost everything I read in scripture. Ezekiel 38 and 39 is such an event, as it speaks of a horrific situation that may happen at any minute. Try opening a conversation about what you find in Ezekiel 38 and 39 and the eyes of your audience will glaze over and you can watch them begin to look at their watches, wondering if there isn't somewhere else they need to go. There are reasons behind this lack of interest, and they stem from confusion; a lack of understanding; the inability of the speaker to put flesh and blood on the characters; and, the worst part is that there is a veil over the eyes and ears of the hearer so that they cannot comprehend. Along with those factors, there is a multitude of answers as to who the players are and when this event will take place. Ambiguity plays a role in the disinterest because an honest dissertation of an end-times scenario will typically put you in the ballpark, perhaps even provide the audience with the team name, but at this point, I am not sure we specifically say who the main characters are. Furthermore, two simple sentences can inspire books of commentary. I am going to try and condense but still give you an understanding of this prophecy. An introduction to Ezekiel: He was a priest, the son of a priest, and he was taken captive into Babylon. Already, you should be thinking, odds are not in his favor. Ezekiel was one of the few that give us precise dates. According to Dr. John Gill's commentary, chapter 38 gives an account of "an enemy of the Jews, under the name of Gog, that shall invade their land, and disturb their peace after they are settled in it;" J. Vernon McGee, in his commentary, demonstrates some classic old-school thinking as he tells us the theme of Ezekiel 38 is Russia's invasion of Israel. McGee is making his case for Gog to be Russia. I happen to think McGee's assessment is wrong and we should not be focused on the Russian President Putin. You have to keep in mind what was going on in the world that would have inspired the McGee's particular emphasis on Russia in his commentary. For example, The United States was deeply entrenched in the Korean war; the Vietnam conflict, with the cold war with Russia waiting just around the corner. I too assumed that Russia would be one of the major players (and no doubt they are, but we are trying to think biblically while paying attention to the context.) as we lived with the verified threat of Russian missiles 90 miles off our coast in Cuba - a Russian ally, as children. The Summarized Bible commentary conveys that “God does not only see those who are now the enemies of His people, but foresees those who will be so in the last days, and lets them know by His Word that He is against them, and will make their movements to serve His own purposes.” I know, every generation has had those that have said, "we are in the last days," and I would tell you that they were right. Now how would I come to the understanding that every generation comprehended that we are in the last days? Daniel chapter 9, spells out a seventy-week decree against Israel. Sixty-nine of those weeks have been fulfilled. The seventieth week of years (7years) has been on hold for over 2000 years. Therefore, we, the church, have been in the last days for over 2000 years. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, filled with Holy Spirit, preached to the thousands milling about the streets of Jerusalem that day. An aspect of what Peter said came from Joel chapter 2 which speaks about the time of God's wrath which the seventieth year portrays. However, within that period, people are acting out in the power of the Holy Spirit as the prophets of old did. Peter said this part of Joel's prophecy had been fulfilled in your hearing. What did he say? We are living in the last days. Since the last days seems to be very focused on the seven-years of wrath, are we, at the moment, living in the seventieth week? No, and that will not come until the church is removed from the earth. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 The NASB opens our look into Ezekiel 38 with: Prophecy Against Gog Ezekiel 38:1-2 NASB And the word of the LORD came to me saying, 2) "Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him Note how the passage provided has no appropriate punctuation at the end. That is because the thought continues and we will pursue that shortly. But for the moment let's dissect the verses. “Son of man,” Is there any question as to whom the Lord is talking? The answer is Ezekiel. “set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him,” Okay, what just happened? Ezekiel was told to prophesy against two entities: Gog; this person also happens to be the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And, the land of Magog; If Ezekiel is told to prophesy against him, and "him" includes the land, then we should be considering the possibility that this is: A nation? A people group? A demonic operation that controls a people group? As I try to understand, I turn my attention to my concordances and look up the word Gog. BDB Definition: Gog = “mountain” - A Reubenite, the son of Shemaiah (1 Ch 5:4); The prophetic prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and Magog (Read Ezekiel 32) Strong's concordance merely adds Gog, the name of an Israelite. The KJC keeps us in Ezekiel with one exception: 1 Chronicles 5:1-4 MKJV And the sons of Reuben, the first-born of Israel (for he was the first-born; but since he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, and the genealogy is not to be counted according to the birthright; 2) For Judah prevailed among his brothers, and from him came the chief ruler, but the birthright was Joseph's); 3) the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel: Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. 4) The sons of Joel: Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, and Shimei, his son. The dishonor carried by the family due to Reuben's indiscretion, which excluded them from any rights of birth, surely plays a role in all of this. The Word Study Dictionary tells us this about Gog: He is pictured as a great enemy against God's people. Ezekiel 38:9 NASB "You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you." He is from the land of Magog or possibly "from the land of Gog." Gog. i.e., mountain, in reference to the Caucasus mountains, the chief seat of the Scythian people. Note: Rather, "Gog (the prince) of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." The Ultimate Cross-Reference Treasury The Lord sets Himself against Gog (Eze_38:2). Gog will lead a coalition of nations against God's people who are then dwelling securely in the land of Israel (Eze_38:14-16). With the addition of the words, God's people who are then dwelling securely in ...Israel. They have turned this so that we are looking at the church and not Israel, which is incorrect. But God, in fact, will bring Gog forth and will destroy him and his people. Ezekiel 39:1-2; Ezekiel 38:19-23 The Lord spoke about this through other prophets (Eze_38:17-18). Ezekiel 38:17 MKJV So says the Lord Jehovah: Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days, by the hand of My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days and years that I would bring you against them? The multitudes of Gog will be buried in the Valley of Hamon Gog, that is, "multitudes of Gog" (Eze_39:11), Ezekiel 39:11 CJB " 'When that day comes, I will give Gog a place there in Isra'el for graves, the Travelers' Valley, east of the sea; and it will block the travelers' passage. There they will bury Gog and all his horde, and they will rename it the Valley of Hamon-Gog [horde of Gog]. The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature informs us that: They are the name of a mixed race dwelling in the extreme north, comprehended by the Greeks under the name of the Scythians; (2.) to the center and representative of their race, i.e. their king (Ezekiel 38:39). Gog comes forth from the distant north (Eze_38:15-23; Eze_39:2), ... And, if you are stickler for history - Interpreters have given very different explanations of the terms Gog and Magog; but they have generally understood them as symbolical expressions for the heathen nations of Asia, or more particularly for the Scythians, a vague knowledge of whom seems to have reached the Jews in Palestine about that period. Thus Josephus (Ant. 1:6, 3) has dropped the Hebrew word Magog, and rendered it by Σκύθαι; See attachment - Classic Bible Maps, The World as known to the Hebrews Of the maps, I looked at to better understand this ancient classic version shows me more and divergent details than any other map, as it points out Gog and Magog, and where they were located. I have also provided a link to Wikipedia which continues to fill in the blanks in understanding and prophecy with highly detailed information about the Scythians. Because of the quantity of information found there, which all seems important, I am only going to suggest that the interested pursue that there. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians] As you read the information, consider where Gog might come from. It may help you to understand more clearly how the Turkish "president" Recep Tayyip Erdoğan might best fill the role of Gog. Just for the fun of it, I searched the internet to find out if Genghis Khan could have been a Scythian. The Headline read, “Not Just Genghis Khan - Scythians Show Genetic Blending With Europe 2,000 Years Ago.” http://www.science20.com/news_articles/not_just_genghis_khan_scythians_show_genetic_blending_europe_2000_years_ago-96314 Here is was I gather so far. Gog, from the disinherited family line of Reuben, moves North and becomes a nomadic mounted and warring nation known as the Scythians. They ranged into China, Siberia, Egypt, Asia Minor and as far south as the Northern African nations, however, they seem to be centrally located around Turkey and the Caspian Sea. They are heavily influenced and integrated by the surrounding nations such as Persia, Syria, and the Caucasus regions. They conquered Nineveh, the Assyrians, and the Medes. Having relations as violent as Genghis Khan one can assume that slaughter was their general theme. This is the people that God sees as one of Israel's few remaining thorns in the flesh.
  8. Typology in the Book of Joel I wrote this years ago, but I believe it is prophetic, and full of hope for today. I think considering typology can be encouraging, can broaden our understanding, and cause us to look for important questions asked in Scripture. I believe the Scripture asks important questions and riddles to cause us to think, and that these questions are being largely ignored. We have to be very careful to stick to what the Scripture spells out (and not give the same emphasis to our insights on types and shadows). Will I get some things wrong, and someone be able to point out a difference using Scripture -- yes. Chapter 1 The word of the Lord comes to the prophet Joel, and he is asked a question. Has this been, or in the days of your fathers? [Has this ever happened before. Some amazing event has occurred, something that never happened to the Jews. Could this mean that the church is gone? Solomon said 'there is no new thing under the sun,' Ecclesiastes 1:9. I think this event has happened before in the rapture of Enoch, and of Elijah, but this event could be the harvesting by God of souls worldwide. Peter refers to Joel 2 in Acts.] Tell the children of it on and on. [This is an extremely important event. Will this be told of even during the millenium?] Desolation by worms and locusts. [Could it be that the Jews realize that they've been left behind, deluded, erred in not recognizing their Messiah?] Awake. Wail because no new wine. [Could this indicate that communion with God and the sacrifices to Him are gone with the church?] A strong nation, lion-like, has come upon God's land and ruined God's vine and tree. [This indicates that their spiritual enemy has kept Israel from bearing fruit for the Lord, caused them to be a wasted vine and a barkless fig tree.] Lament like a virgin in sackcloth who loses the husband of her youth. [This sounds like a bride whose husband dies or is killed.] The meat and drink offerings are gone from God's house. [The Jews are told they have no offerings being made to God, and they may realize that is because the church, who accepted the Messiah Jesus, is supernaturally taken from the earth.] The priests mourn. [The priests realize what has happened. These might be compared to those Jews who seek Him, pray to Him, and long for Him.] Be ashamed farmers, vinedressers. [This is referring to those who were to care for God's people of His fields and vineyard and did not.] The harvest is perished. [These Jews haven't been included in the harvest of souls. A silent harvest of the world has been accomplished, but the fields of Jewish souls without Jesus stand desolate, out in the open. This brings to mind the Scripture, "The summer is past, the harvest is over and we are not saved."] Dead vine. [Israel is rejected, they realize that they are the vine that is dead without their rejected Messiah.] Fig tree wilted. [Perhaps they realize they are as a fruitless fig tree and withered as Jesus has passed by and they were not ready when He came? Here is a Scripture I just saw last week, 2017: Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. ] Pomegranite, palm, apple all withered. Joy is withered away. [When they realize all of this, they are full of grief. The pomegranite and mention of joy brings to my mind the pomegranite fruit and bells on the hem of the priests' garments.] Dress, lament, priests. [They decide to grieve and wail and seek the Lord. The Lord speaks to the seekers, tells them what to do.] Wail ministers of the altar. Lie all night in sackcloth. Meal and drink offering withheld from the house of your God. [They realize fully that they are left, rejected, and that they have made no offering for sin.] Call a fast. [They still look to the Lord God and hope in Him even as old Job did.] Call an assembly. Gather elders. Cry to the Lord. [They cry to God for help.] Alas for the day. For the day of the Lord is at hand. [The day of the Lord refers to the time of His wrath. They are distressed.] Destruction from the Almighty. [They know His wrath and judgments are terrible, and are before them.] Food, joy and gladness cut off from the house of God. [Famine, Israel feels rejected and left.] Seeds rot. Beasts groan and are perplexed. [Even the animals are suffering and troubled.] Flocks desolate. [They know they are the sheep of His pasture, but realize that their shepherds have scattered.] O Lord to Thee will I cry. [They still cry to the true God, and hope in Him.] Chapter 2: Blow the trumpet. [The trumpet was blown to gather the people, and also it was blown to order them to march.] Sound an alarm in My holy mountain. [The trumpet warns the people.] Let all in Israel/land tremble. For the day of the Lord comes. [They know Armageddon is coming.] Dark day. Thick darkness. Great people and a strong, none ever like them. Fire before. Flame behind, desolate behind. [This army has left desolation behind it.] Like horses, like horsemen. Noisy as chariots. Like flame, devouring. [These sound like the evil beings in the Book of Revelation.] Before their face, people will be pained, all faces shall gather blackness. [This army that is leaving desolation behind it causes God's people to suffer and people's faces to be darkened because of either burns or perhaps dark emotions of distress and fear.] Run like mighty men. Shall climb wall. Shall march not break rank. Shall stay in formation. Not thrust each other, fall on sword not injured. [This seems to indicate that these are spirit beings. They could be the demon possessed army of the Antichrist who will be in control of the earth.] Run to and fro in city. [Would this city be Jerusalem?] On wall.... on houses.... in windows.... Earth shall quake before them. Sun, moon dark, stars withdrawn. [Much of this echoes Jesus's descriptions, and the words in the Book of Revelation, which should cause us to compare the two books.] The Lord shall utter His voice before His army. Day of the Lord, who can abide. The Lord says, turn to Me, fasting, weeping and mourning. [The Lord responds to their seeking and orders His army.] Tear your heart not garments. [They are told to repent.] Turn to the Lord. He is graceful, merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness and repenteth Him of the evil. [The Lord wants His people to look to Him, He loves them and encourages them.] Who knows if He will leave a blessing, meal and drink offering unto the Lord. [They begin to have hope.] Gather the people. [The earlier trumpet was to alarm. Now all the people are to gather.] Sanctify a fast.... assemble.... gather children and sucklings.... bridegroom and bride. [Everyone is to weep before God, even infants and newlyweds.] Let priests weep between the porch and altar. [The priests are told to pray in a specified area which is on the temple mount, not down at the bottom of the wall.] And let them say: spare Thy people, give not Thine heritage to reproach. [The Lord continues to prescribe to His people, urging them to pray, fast, weep.] Let not nations rule over them, why should nations say where is their God. [They are to ask for help from being conquered by the nations. The Lord will come to Israel and defeat all others.] Then the Lord was jealous for His land and pitied the people. [The Lord is moved to help them.] I'll send you grain, wine, oil, you will be satisfied. [Note again the wine and bread, spiritual food I think, as well as a promise of food during their time of trouble.] God will no more make Israel a reproach among nations. [God will vindicate them publicly.] But I will remove far off from you the northern army. [This may match Joel up with the time of Ezekiel 39. God will fix the armies of the north. If I am correct that the earlier verses of Joel are a lament about being left behind when the believers in Jesus are taken up, then this might put the attack from the northern army after the believers are gone and the Jews are aware of what has happened.] Drive him into a barren land.... face to east.... rear to west. [Not toward Israel.] His stench shall come up. [The enemy turns, and this again seems to compare to Ezekiel's prophecy about when the enemies fight each other and die from the outpouring from the Lord.] His ill savor. [The odor of death I think. See Ezekiel 39. This is a third witness in the Scripture which may tie this to Ezekiel's prophecy about the great number of bodies.] Fear not, O land, be glad, rejoice, the Lord will do great things. [Now that the Jews have started to tear their hearts, fast, and seek the Lord, He does a tremendous thing and protects them from the army from the north. They will indeed rejoice.] Be not afraid ye beasts, pastures do spring, the tree beareth her fruit, the vine do yield their strength. [His fig tree comes alive and bears fruit. Both tree and vine are alive in Him. Even the troubled animals are gently spoken to by the Lord.] Be glad ye children of Zion. [Could this indicate that the Jews living within Israel are particularly to be glad, that as He has told them to gather and they have done so they will have special protection as in no other place?] Rejoice in the Lord your God. [The Jews are to rejoice for they are restored to God at this point.] For He hath given former rain. [The former rain is the autumn rains.] And the latter rain in the first month. [The rain in the month of Nisan which is March of April. Exodus 12:2, "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you." The Romans made the Jews shift their New Year to the fall so it would fit with the Roman New Year. Tishri, September/October, is the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.] The floors will be full of wheat, vats overflow with wine and oil. [This is the promise of God that they too will have a harvest of souls and a blessing. Also, the wine and oil are gathered by the Feast of Tabernacles, which commences on the full moon in late September/October.] And I will restore to you the years the canker has eaten, locust, cankerworm, caterpillar, palmer worm. [God promises He will restore all they've lost. Only God can truly restore that which has been destroyed. The worm, the devil, has eaten their understanding of the meaning out of their Scriptures, and he has stolen all of the New Testament from them. God can do this restoration quickly.] My great army which I sent among you. [This follows the verse which specifies the armies of locusts, worms, caterpillars that God has permitted. "Shall there be evil in the city and the Lord has not done it?"] Ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied. Your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. [He has done wonderful things, allowing the difficulties, bringing Israel to blessing.] And My people shall never be ashamed. [He promises to do more for them. If I am correct and this describes the seven year tribulation, then they are aware He is with them and that He won't leave them ashamed, will keep all of His promises to them, revealing to the world.] And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour My Spirit upon all flesh. [Could this mean after the great event in Joel 1:2, or after He has smashed the northern armies? He will turn to His own, pour out His Spirit on them all. These and the following verses would be a marvelous encouragement and blessing to the Jews during the tribulation.] And your sons ans your daughters shall prophesy.... old men shall dream dreams. [Revelations in the night, and these will encourage them greatly as awful things are occuring in the world.] Young men see visions. [Just like Daniel did, and they will get more understanding and information.] And also upon the servants and handmaids. [This could point to those who are not of the family of the Jews, and that they shall also receive if they will listen to the Jews. The Jews were to take care of their servants, permit them to keep the Sabbath, and also to proseletize strangers and teach about the Lord.] In those days will I pour out My Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens, fire and smoke, and in the earth, blood and pillars of smoke. [Jesus spoke of signs in the sky, and I believe the Book of Joel indicates when this will be happening. This would be encouraging to the Jews, and frightening to the people of the Antichrist.] The sun shall be turned into darkness. [Before a star "novas," it darkens, then becomes far brighter and hotter briefly. Some scientists think our sun may be getting close to novaing.] The moon into blood. Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. [He will give signs to the whole world before the latter half of the tribulation I believe.] And it shall come to pass that whosoever will call upon the Lord shall be delivered. [All who call on Yeshua! This shall be a time of revival, when God is ready to save.] For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance. [Many will realize that the Lord is God, and they will be delivered from the wrath of God.] As the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. Chapter 3: I will gather all nations and will bring them down to the Valley of Jehosaphat. [All nations gather to Armageddon in the land of Israel.] And will judge them there for My people. [He promises to protect His own, and will war against the nations north of Jerusalem.] And for My heritage Israel. Whom they have scattered among the nations. [The nations will be judged there.] And parted My land. [The nations won't be able to scatter the Jews from the land this time! God has been angry about the way His land has been partitioned and His people treated and He will express His wrath. The royal land grant given to Abraham was from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates river, and much bigger than it is now.] And they have cast lots for My people and given a boy for a harlot and sold a girl for wine that they might drink. [The Lord begins to state His reasons for His anger.] Yea and what have ye to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon and all the coasts of Philistia. [He speaks to the nations, seeming to say, You can't get near Me. Tyre means "to distress," and Sidon means "hunting."] Will ye render Me a recompense? [The nations can do nothing against Him.] And if ye recompense Me, swiftly speedily will I return your recompense on your own head. [God warns His enemies that He will speedily recompense them.] Because ye have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My precious things. The children also of Judah, and the children of Jerusalem, have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border. [He states that He is angry about the things His enemies have stolen and taken away. Jerusalem means "dual peace shall be taught, lay ye double peace" and Grecia means "unstable, the miry one."] Behold I will raise them out of the place to which ye have sold them and will return your recompense upon your own head. And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah. And they shall sell them to the men of Sheba to a people far off.... for the Lord hath spoken it. [He will have angels take the children from those who took the children of Jews and believers away from them.] Proclaim this among the nations. [These nations are to be told of this.] Prepare war. [They will do so.] Wake up the mighty men. [Could these refer to the demon princes who preside over all the nations?] Let all the men of war draw near.... let them come up. [God tells the nations to come on.] Beat your plowshares into swords.... and your pruninghooks into spears. [Use every scrap of metal and make weapons to fight God -- it will do no good.] Let the weak say I am strong. [Could the Lord be indicating 'go on and kid yourselves, you're nothing compared to Me.'] Let the nations be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehosaphat. [Come to Israel, where I am, the Lord says.] For there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. [Come to where I sit and I'll judge you there.] Put in the sickle for the harvest is ripe.... come get down for the press is full the vats overflow for their wickedness is great. [There are several Scriptures about God's good Vine, and the Husbandman. In this Scripture, these are evil grapes in the press and vats. Compare Revelation 14:18, 19 "Thrust in thy sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God."] Multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision for the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of decision. The moon and the stars shall be darkened.... and the stars shall withdraw their shining. [He gives heavenly signs.] The Lord also shall roar out of Zion. [Jesus the Lord will roar from out of Mount Zion, in the midst of His people, as the Lion of Judah. This roar will terrify the enemies of God.] And utter His voice from Jerusalem.... and the heavens and the earth shall shake.... but the Lord will be the hope of His people. [During this time God's people will have hope in God.] And the strength of the children of Israel. [Once young David was the strength of his people and killed the mighty one of the enemy. Now Jesus will do so.] So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion My Holy Mountain. Then shall Jerusalem be holy and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. [Only His people who know Him will live in God's land.] And it shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drop new wine. [The joy of communion with God.] And the hills flow with milk. [Cattle no longer confounded, but contented.] And all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters.... And a fountain shall come forth from the House of the Lord. [The fresh water will flow out of Jerusalem. The Temple mount has never had a source of water, and one million gallons of water per day had to be piped in through a six foot round tunnel cut through rock, but in the mid-eighties it was discovered that there is dampness and dripping under the Temple area.] And shall water the valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a desolation and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness for the violence against the children of Judah because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall dwell forever and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will avenge their blood that I have not avenged; for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. **********
  9. Hello there WorthyChristianForums Community, I couldn't find a better section to write my personal story, I hope you read it until the last word because otherwise you won't get the idea. This is my story as a Lebanese person living in Israel and a message to the people around the world. I'm a young person who suffered from war and lost the childhood he was supposed to live surrounded by his family and friends. In a normal day Israel withdrew unexpectedly from South Lebanon after twenty-five years of war followed by many Lebanese families who served under the Israeli regiment, who had little choice but to, leave or die as was promised by the terrorists that were and still in Lebanon. We barely made it out alive leaving everything behind, some lost their lives even as we were trying to escape. We were shot at the border as we were denied to enter Israel at first. The only thing I took with me is a toy. We were held in a place that was full of mad and depressed people, so much yelling and crying, kids and grownups, people from all ages trying to find their loved ones and see if they survived. I don't remember all that happened that day and why did our car disappear, i was told they blew it up. Later on I found myself in a safe place living in a bungalow and riding a bicycle with my friends the whole day, the sea is few meters away from us, everything is alright, peace, no shooting, no booms no screams and cries, well, as far as I remember, you must keep in mind i was just a child… and my uncle's family is at the same place. My parents asked around to know where is the rest of the family, until we finally got to know that we have only two uncles here, one on my mom's side and one on my father's side and the rest remained in Lebanon. Later we were moved to another place leaving one uncle behind and joining the other. (Not by choice) After two years we were moved to a new place. Fresh new life, we rented an apartment, got some furniture, but no uncles and no cousins around, we didn't know anyone. Israel helped us moving and aided us some, slowly we understood that it will be hard to get back to Lebanon and that wasn't a thing I really wanted because of the fact that... Lebanon is in a deep war, bombs everywhere and people dying every day, and because of the fact that if we return to Lebanon my father will be imprisoned and they will torture him like they did to my grandfather, an old man, he was jailed and beaten and denied medication. Fifteen years passed since the day we came to this country. During these years I have met so many people, from all religions Jews, Muslims, Druze and Christians. I wish I could get to know some of them more and I wish I didn't meet some. What I learned by being around them is that religion is not the main problem. The problem is that everyone believes that this land is theirs to keep and want to kick the rest out or even kill them if they could. What they don't understand is that this land is not going with them after they die, instead of sharing it and enjoying life for what it really is, they make it hard for everyone. The reason behind our involvement is because we didn't want the people who were seeking asylum in Lebanon from using our homes as attack bases to fire on Israel which they did and to protect our families from rape, theft, being kidnapped and killed like they did to one of my uncles that i didn't get to know. As a result the South Lebanese people decided to unite and make an army by the order of the legitimate Lebanese government to keep peace in our lands under the Israeli regiment. Muslims, Druze, but mostly Christians stood together and joined the army to protect their home from terrorism and to stop the killing and the kidnapping. Now each and every person who was in the South Lebanese Army that left to Israel is considered a traitor in Lebanon. The terrorist organization is forcing the Lebanese people to believe that they are the protectors of Lebanon and that we the South Lebanese people who left to Israel and the Israeli people are the real terrorists. I can't blame my country it never had a moment of peace, throughout history nations conquered it and enslaved its people, there is no real government because anyone who has the power can take it and do whatever he likes, no one can really protect it from the terror, and most of Lebanon leaders support the terror because they are scared of them. Things escalated since, we got attacked by our own people, let alone those who sought asylum in Lebanon, and so we fought back, we alongside the Israeli people fought terror, we wanted to protect and free our land. But by year 2000 Israel decided to withdraw from Lebanon as it wasn't really leading anywhere and it was costing them a lot, money and blood, as it did us. Most of the families had young children like my family, who had me and my brother on the way, didn’t think twice and left, but the older people like my grandparents were unable to leave, they were rooted to their home and land. My grandmother and grandfather lived alone they didn't see their grandchildren growing and not their own children, my grandfather left us while I was writing this, I can't explain my feelings.. I wanted to be next to him I wanted to help him… I wish I can be next to my grandmother this moment… South Lebanon is an hour drive from us but we cannot visit for a second, leaving to Lebanon will be permanent and may cost us our lives. Despite all we have been through and being mistreated on several occasions, we were raised to be good to everyone and to forgive and forget… It's not easy though, especially when you are reminded of it every day by people who refuse to forgive or forget or try to understand. We have been living in a Jewish City for thirteen years (Arabs live in separate cities and settlements). We've seen a lot, bad things and good things, things like being called Arabs in school and being hated for it, even creating random fights with us just because we speak the language. Although I had a great teacher who took good care of me and helped me like I was her son and even helped me to find a job and she is a religious person. A while after I started college and started traveling around the country I was really surprised to hear for the first time from Arabs - Christians, Muslims, Druze what do they think about us. Confusing… Honestly… I'm a traitor in some people eyes… a weak person who betrayed his country… and living between Jews… can't be any worse, they actually hate us and make fun of us. Christians didn't welcome us especially at first, we found our cars smashed when we went to pray in one of their churches, so we can't expect the rest to treat us any better. Some people think that all the Lebanese people are the same as they see them in Media – Having fun, hanging out with many women, drinking, poker, casinos… no this is not South Lebanon! We were not able even to go to Beirut… The Jewish people main problem is thinking that we are "Arabs" ... as long as I talk Arabic around them it will be weird for them and I understand that… but for those some who got to know us, they started to show us some respect, supporting us morally. It is enough to get a smile from a neighbor, especially that we are living between them and we study with them, to make us happy. While studying software engineering I met a great Jewish friend who changed some of my views and I respect him like my brother (He lives in a village close to the border of Israel and Lebanon). It’s really confusing... From all the religions there are some people who like us and some who don't... But if you ask me who I like more or who I feel more close to? I will say "Don't hate, forgive, and respect me for who I am" In those fifteen years living in Israel we've had a lot of troubles, starting from all kind of people around who think that we are "Arabs" and "Terrorists" and "Betrayers" for not understanding who we are and what we went through, to personal issues as the Epilepsy of my brother that crashed us, and thank god he is alright now. I can't say that Israel should have helped us more than it did, but separating between us was a bad move, for us that is. For them they got what they wanted, two groups busy disliking each other over envy with no combined effort to pursue anything from the country… Two groups that one of them got more and the second one got much less, it's not fair… the result today is that one group has their own house, a new car, and having a normal life even traveling abroad … While the second group are struggling to raise their families dreaming about the day they might have a house that they won't be kicked out of. We personally moved 6 times from house to house ruining our stuff and paying a lot of money moving because the house owner decided to raise the rent. My family consists of five people, two parents and three sons, two of them under age, living in a rented two bedroom house paying for it 2,500 Shekels plus municipality taxes. After paying the rest of the bills, we are left with little money that we can't afford to buy the required food and clothing, my dad found himself at the end of every month in a bigger debt having to ask the bank for a loan after a loan to be able to go on, and asking all the government organizations for help and for a public housing that kept rejecting us. I respect him and I will never forget how strong he is for keeping us together and teaching us what’s right and what’s wrong, and for fighting to feed us with all the mental and financial pressures and every other hurdle, so many things that I learned from him and I will be passing it on. I can't explain how my mom is important in my life, the one problem she has is that she couldn't work and she's not able to work, I won't explain it here, but she is the heart of this family, she made me and my brothers so close to each other to take care of each other, to love each other, to forgive each other no matter what happens. I finished my high school years plus college and I got employed, I have been working for almost half a year and I'm helping my family a bit now, it is going to be hard for us to reach the main goal to buy a house for our family to live in and finally say we have a home and it's ours, let alone pursue my own life and my family to be… with all the problems that we have such as my little brother and mom's health issues "Celiac disease" (They can't eat anything that contains wheat, almost every product has wheat added just for the weight) just makes it harder to us because we must pay four times the normal price for their food, while we are fixing the damage that have been caused by the loans. I know that we are not the only family struggling to survive, many around the world are. However, it's important for me to pass this over so people around the world understand that we are not bad people, all we did is try to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Our presence in Israel isn't by choice, Israel after all is for the Jewish people, always been, always will be, it's not for us (A fact that was made clear through many occasions and by several means) but … Where else can we be? We have fallen prey to political games and we were too weak to do anything about it, I wish I could see Lebanon again for few seconds just to see my house and my family… my grandparents who aged alone. I want to feel how it is like being at home or to belong to somewhere, and not spend my days being shunned by the people I am living amongst for a crime I did not commit. It has been quite the journey and I still have a lot to tell, who knows what fate is holding for me. I will be working hard in the few next years trying to save money to be eligible to take a loan to buy a house or even to immigrate to another country searching for a better life, if I didn't mention it before life in Israel is very expensive with little income to the common man, but it's hard to find a country that will accept us all, maybe I can do it alone but it is hard for me to leave my family after all what we have gone through together. (I must say that this is only one story from so many more Lebanese who live in Israel who suffered a lot) If you wish to comment on my story , or offer any advice, you can reach me on lebaneselivinginisrael@gmail.com I would like to add and thank God very much for his guidance if it wasn't for our strong faith no christian lebanese family would have survived. Thank you for reading and God Bless.
  10. Cease Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. Isaiah 1:4-7 The Daily Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:16-18 Drum-Roll Against Israel Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellers as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed. Isaiah 1:24-28 For They Are As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19 His Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 31:20 Beloved Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 31:31-37 ~ May The LORD My God Have Mercy Upon Zion And On Her Many Many Enemies Too And May He Bless Her Children The IDF In Yeshua's Holy Holy Holy Name In The Name Of Jesus I Cry Amen~!
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