Category Archives: Israel

Zechariah 9- Judgement Coming

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The burden of the word of the LORD Against the land of Hadrach, And Damascus its resting place (For the eyes of men And all the tribes of Israel Are on the LORD); Also against Hamath, which borders on it, And against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise.  Zechariah 9:1-2

Regardless of how much the world hates Israel and wants to destroy them, God has a plan and divine providence over them. This has been demonstrated in the past, and this will be demonstrated in the future, as Christ will return to save Israel (Romans 11)

What is really interesting, most believe these prophetic words are about the Greek conquer Alexander the Great, however its also a foreshadow of Christ!

Notice this Word of The Lord are a burden, this is the judgement of God on all the nations who have come against and persecuted Israel, the wrath of God will be poured out upon them, we see this happening even today!

And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The LORD is one,” And His name one. Zechariah 14:9

For Tyre built herself a tower, Heaped up silver like the dust, And gold like the mire of the streets. Behold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, And she will be devoured by fire. Zechariah 9:3-4

As nation rise against nation, as Jesus prophesied, understand God is in complete control. Many great empires and militaries have come and gone, God allowed them as instruments of judgement and to fulfill His plan for salvation and The Kingdom that will reign forever and ever. 

Notice it says “The Lord will cast her out and destroy her power” God is in complete control

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places Matthew 24:7

Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. “A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. Zechariah 9:5-6

The Philistines, which we most remember from Goliath, were a powerful empire for many years, however God cut them down, just as He did before with a little shepherd boy named David and a stone. Don’t think any nation or empire is too mighty and strong to fall to the power of our Lord, the King of King and Lord of Lords

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Samuel 17:50

I will take away the blood from his mouth, And the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, And shall be like a leader in Judah, And Ekron like a Jebusite. I will camp around My house Because of the army, Because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, For now I have seen with My eyes Zechariah 9:7-8

The pagan practices and idolatry performed by the Philistines will be judged by God, wake up Church! The reference to “blood from his mouth” is reference to the pagan practice of drinking blood, a ritual still practiced by the evil and elite of this world. “Abominations from his teeth” the eating of sacrifices to idols and demons, all of this evil will be judged by The Lord 

In the end God promises His divine protection to Israel “no more shall an oppressor pass through them” 

In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them. Zechariah 12:8

Zechariah 8- The Millennial Kingdom

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But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘For the seed shall be prosperous, The vine shall give its fruit, The ground shall give her increase, And the heavens shall give their dew— I will cause the remnant of this people To possess all these. And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.’ Zechariah 8:11-13

Now we are seeing a shift in Gods dealing with Israel, “I (God) will not treat the remnant (The True Israel) of these people in the former days. This appears to be a promise of the Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1-6) When Jesus returns , defends and restores the remnant, the elected nation of Israel (Romans 11)

So I (God) will save You, Israel can’t save itself, just as nobody can save themselves. Only Christ can save Israel, just as only Christ can save us. The promise of God , he will save and restore Israel once again is echoed throughout the entire Bible

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD. Joel 2:32

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Just as I determined to punish you When your fathers provoked Me to wrath,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘And I would not relent, So again in these days I am determined to do good To Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear. Zechariah 8:14-15

What a prophetic message, even today! God loves those he disciplines (Hebrews 12:6) Just as God punished Israel for its wickedness and rebellion, God will also save and restore them, because Israel is the “Apple of His eyes” (Zechariah 2:8) 

God has determined to do good to Jerusalem and the house of Judah (Israel) Do not fear! While the world lives in hopelessness and despair, God is in complete control, and everything that is happening right now is part of His divine plan to restore Israel

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace; Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the LORD.” Zechariah 8:16-17

Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) If Israel truly loves The Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5) Then they must obey and love The Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

When Israel is truly restored in Christ, you will see the fruits of Israel that love God and love their Neighbor!

Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:11-12

Revelation Chapter 7- The 144 Thousand

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After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” v1-3

4 Angels- 4 Corners of the Earth meaning the entire world

And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:31

We begin with this scene, the angels who were given permission to open the seals of judgement, have now been given orders to cease. The good news here is we can see, that many people have become saved through the tribulation! God is going to “seal the bond-servants on their foreheads” , meaning they will be sealed with the Holy Spirit and granted eternal life

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation– having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. v4-8

The 144,000 mentioned here is a very highly debated topic among Christians. Its very clear from the text that these men are all Jewish from the 12 tribes of Israel. These are Jews who have accepted Christ during the Tribulation period

Many groups like to claim that they are the 144,000 the Jehovah Witnesses, The Mormons, even Islam has claimed this right. But the Bible makes it clear these are the 12 tribes of Israel. Make no mistake about it, God is not finished with the Jewish people or Israel

Notice all of these men are sealed by the Holy Spirit also

And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” v9-10

So while the 144K are saved Jews, the Great Multitude are obviously Gentiles, (all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues) And notice the location (standing before the throne) which is Heaven

Another interesting note is the parallels between this event and Palm Sunday, the great crowd, waving Palm Branches to Jesus (Lamb) shouting Salvation (Hosanna)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:28

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” v11-12

Everyone is around the throne (angels, four living creatures, elders) worshipping God! Heaven is an eternal worship service!

And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. v13-14

The answer is confirmed on who is the “Great Multitude”, “they are the one who come out of the great tribulation and accepted Jesus Christ”.  Why would God allow a great tribulation? Because many people will come to Christ and gain eternal life through it!

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” v15-17

The Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be our Shepherd and give us the Living Water, where we will thirst no more! Again notice the continual worship of God, they served him day and night! Heaven is more than just about eternal life, its about being in the presence of your Creator, your Heavenly Father, your Lord and God, your Redeemer, do you want to be in his presence?

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6