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Yahweh has revealed to us through the prophecy contained in the book of Ezekiel, that the watchman of Ezekiel has a special job to do. He must warn physical and spiritual Israel - not save them, but warn them of their transgressions. The watchman is prophesied to be present, and warning, when modern Assyria (Central Europe, probably including Germany) rises to power and destroys us (U.S. and Britain) unless we repent. ""Again the word of Yahweh came unto me, saying, "Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, `When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a people of their coasts, and set him for their watchman'"" (Ezek. 33:1,2). Ezekiel was in prison. He was a Prophet not a watchman. Many verses in Ezekiel tell us that this book is for our time today. "If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet and warn the people" (v. 3). The watchman is to warn the people when he SEES the sword. He is on the scene and personally sees the invasion coming - only we can fully see that happening today. "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He [who] heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman sees the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand" (vv. 4-6). The blood of the people is going to be on the head of the watchman if he does not warn. This is repeated several times. If we (the elect) are able to understand this, we are obligated to accept the associated responsibility! "So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me" (Ez. 33:7). Yahweh chose us to "hear" (understand) this message, and therefore, He obligated us to "warn" modern spiritual and physical Israel! "Say unto them, as I live saith the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (v. 11). Yahweh has personally warned the elect of the congregation that Israel is going to die. The warning is about the death of great nations! "For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. Then shall they know that I am Yahweh, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed" (vv. 28,29). This is prophecy for the very end, just before our great nations collapse. "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness" (v. 31). This speaks of modern traditional Christianity, that "talks endlessly" of love and good works, but absolutely refuses to keep Yahweh's commandments. And they conduct their lives principally around their greed for material things. "And when this comes to pass, [lo, it will come], then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them" (v. 33). When the Tribulation comes, the people will realize that the prophetic warning message they heard was from Yahweh and that they should have repented. In Ezekiel's time there was only one nation of Israel. Today, Israel is comprised of many nations. "And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day" (Ez. 2:3). The word nation is actually "nations" in the Hebrew. This warning message is primarily to U.S., Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and many English speaking democracies of the world. "For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I DO SEND THEE UNTO THEM; and thou shalt say unto them;`Thus saith the Lord Yahweh. And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear ["refuse", New King James], [for they are a rebellious house], yet shall they know that there hath been a prophet among them'" (vv.4,5). Whether they will hear or not, Yahweh says we must deliver this message. "And thou, Son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house" (v. 6). Yahweh tells us that our message is not going to be well received; that we will be trying to warn angry, dangerous people, but that we should not fear them. "And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein; And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe" (vv. 9,10). Our message is very difficult to deliver, but it's better to speak about lamentations, mourning and woe, than to experience it! "Moreover he said unto me, `Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel'" (Ez. 3:1). Before we speak, we must eat and digest Yahweh's spiritual food. Then we will have the strength through faith to deliver this message. "Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river at Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days" (v. 15). Ezekiel was in captivity along with the Jews. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me" (v. 17). "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand" (v. 18). WE, because we understand this prophecy, are going to be there when Israel dies! If we fail to warn them, we die with them! Yahweh points out who the real CAUSE of the problem is - the shepherds or ministers of Israel. ""And the word of Yahweh came unto me, saying, "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them; `Thus saith the Lord Yahweh unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?'"" (Ez. 34:1,2). Traditional Christian pastors, and our modern governmental leaders, are simply self-centered, egotistical people, not faithfully concerned about the people or Yahweh's true work. Satan is always working to get to religious and political authorities; he can deceive many sheep via deceiving our leaders. "Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock" (Ez. 34:3). Satan got to these false ministers through self-centeredness. "The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but by brute force and with cruelty ye have ruled them" (v. 4). This speaks all too clearly of the things we see happening all around us these days! When Yahweh's people get their minds off basic Biblical realities, including the warning message of Ezekiel, they simply become consumed in the sin of selfishness! They don't know what the work of Yahweh is - they are too lost! This prophecy is being fulfilled right now! "And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered" (v. 5). Yahweh is talking about an event about to occur - RIGHT NOW! These words are symbolic. "Scattered", means taken captive by other heathen nations ("beasts"), of the world ("field"), and placed into captivity ("meat")! "For thus saith the Lord Yahweh; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out...of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country" (vv. 11-13). Yahweh is going to gather our people from the countries where they will be taken as PRISONERS! We are going to be driven out of our own land if we don't repent! "And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet" (v. 19). (Also see verses 17, 18 for more clarification.) Yahweh has given us "deep waters" - the truth as revealed by His Holy Spirit, which false ministers of traditional Christianity have "fouled", or polluted with their false doctrine. "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle" (v. 22). Yahweh's people are no more going to be a prey - this end-time scattering is the last time it will happen!
"And mine hand shall be
upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in
the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the
house of Israel,... and ye shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh" (13:9). Here
Yahweh is referring to the false ministers not being a part of Israel after the
Tribulation - when the rest of the people will finally know the true God.
"Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, `Peace; and there
was no peace'; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with
untempered mortar" (v. 10). Yahweh's own people are being seduced by a false
doctrine, or "wall"; created by "one", the papacy; and reinforced by "others",
the rest of traditional Christianity; using non-Biblical myths, or "untempered
mortar". This same prophecy is contained in many other Scriptures such as
"So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the FOUNDATION thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am Yahweh" (v. 14). During the Tribulation, when Yahweh destroys the false wall, He shall reveal its false foundations, which are the false doctrines taught by Satan's traditional Christianity. Yahweh's "Foundation" - His truths, referring to the true Gospel of the Kingdom of Yahweh that Yah’shua the Messiah preached, shall also be revealed. Destruction of the false wall also means permanent destruction of the false ministers and religious authorities - finally! "Therefore thus saith the Lord Yahweh; Behold, I, even I, am against thee, and will execute judgements in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations. And I will do to thee that which I have not done, and whereunto I will not do any more the like, because of all thine abominations" (vv. 8,9). Yahweh is going to punish Israel in an extreme manner, making them an example of shame to the world because of their sins. "In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate;...and your idols...and your images...and your works may be abolished" (6:6). "Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries. And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me,...and they shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed" (vv. 8,9). When some of the Israelites are taken captive around the world, they will tell their captors about these prophecies! The heathen nations will learn about Yahweh from their captives! So we see that even Israel's (our) captivity serves Yahweh's Work! "Again the word of Yahweh came unto me, saying, `Son of man, cause JERUSALEM to know her abominations'" (Ez. 16:1,2). Yahweh says His Elect (the Ezekiel watchman), must cause Jerusalem to know her abominations. In this chapter, Yahweh's primary focus is on "Jerusalem above", or the end-time Congregation of Yahweh. We get our truth from Jerusalem above. This is probably one of the most inspiring chapters in the entire Bible! The focus is on a wife that has broken her marriage vows.
Ezekiel discusses two
marriages. First, an old covenant marriage with ancient Israel, and second, the
new covenant marriage with modern Israel (U.S. and British Commonwealth) - the
True Congregation, which is led by His Holy Spirit. "Now when I passed by thee,
and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my
skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered
into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord Yahweh, and thou becamest mine" (Ez.
16:8). The expression "spread my skirt over thee" is a sign of marriage. (See
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Rev. 19:7). The Messiah's wife must be ready when He returns. WE ARE NOW TO BE PREPARING for that fabulous marriage - which the Messiah looks upon as already consummated! That's why we are called His "wife" and not His "fiancée". This is the most exalted award ever offered any human being in history, and most people are too stubborn and "hard-hearted" to grasp the reality of it. "Then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and anointed thee with oil" (Ez. 16:9). This is referring to the forgiveness of our sins due to the Messiah's shed blood, and our being anointed with His Holy Spirit. "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SAINTS. And he saith unto me, `Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb'" (Rev. 19:7-9). We are granted the right to clothe ourselves in "fine linen", or in other words, to behave righteously. This will ensure our "marriage" to the Messiah. "Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk,...and thou wast exceedingly beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom" (Ez. 16:13). This is history and prophecy. Ancient Israel prospered into a kingdom but failed Yahweh. Modern Spiritual Israel has prospered into many wealthy nations, and today, all of the "firstfruits" are the Kingdom of Yahweh in "embryo" - to be BORN AGAIN as that Kingdom. Rejecting this incredible firstfruit calling is the real tragedy of turning away from Yahweh - not dying for all eternity! It's the missed opportunity that is so sad - salvation to eternal life will be offered to all. "And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord Yahweh" (v. 14). This applies to us in modern Spiritual Israel - the Messiah's spiritual bride. Yahweh's perfect comeliness or character comes to us through His Holy Spirit, (See Phil. 2:5.) and the entire world seems to covet the "western", or American ways. "But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by..." (Ez. 16:15). The word "fornications" is better translated "adultery"! We are, whether we accept it or not, married to the Messiah today! If we turn away from Yahweh and Yahweh's true doctrine, to an atheistic point of view, or to other false gods, which is what most of spiritual Israel (U.S. and British Commonwealth) has done through traditional Christianity, we have in fact, committed spiritual adultery! This is prophecy for us as we read it! Only Yahweh's firstfruits bride (us, the House of Israel) can commit adultery in this end-time, because only we are married to the Messiah! That's why the Messiah was so specific in His choice of words in His marriage covenant. Worldly translators do not understand about Yahweh's marriage and Yahweh's family, that is why they use the word "fornications" instead of adultery! We are not officially married to the Messiah until He returns. However, Yahweh already looks upon the Congregation (Spiritual Israel) today as His wife. As in Rev. 19:7: "...His WIFE has made herself ready". The time frame here is just before our marriage to the Messiah. This verse alone reveals Yahweh's thinking. This lady was the Messiah's WIFE, while she was getting ready for the marriage. That is how we walk by faith. Yahweh views His side of the covenant as absolute, but we must prove ourselves.
"Yahweh, who quickeneth
the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Rom.
4:17). That is why we are called the Messiah's wife, even though the marriage
itself will not actually be official until the marriage supper is celebrated.
If we view this covenant through Yahweh's eyes and obey Him, the marriage is certain. That is why He views our turning away from Him as spiritual adultery. However, there is a human element. We are allowed to fail and NEVER be a part of that wedding. The lesson Yahweh is trying to teach (those of us who don't think we, "know too much" already), is that a covenant is a promise to keep your word. And our word should be fulfilled, if we manifest the character of Yahweh. Yahweh judges us on the basis of our promise to keep His commandments, which reflect our part of the marriage covenant. His rewards are promised to His saints: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those that keep the commandments of Yahweh and the faith of Yah’shua the Messiah" (Rev. 14:12). His part of the covenant is absolute. Our part is too - if we have the faith of Yah’shua the Messiah to keep Yahweh's commandments. Once we become the Messiah's wife, we cannot commit adultery, because we will have become one of the "Elohim" family, and Elohim or "Yahweh", cannot sin. Viewing it spiritually, we can only commit adultery during the engagement period - during this mortal lifetime. Carnal minded man cannot grasp the magnitude of our reward. They can't get it! It takes His Holy Spirit to grasp what is being offered to the firstfruits! Satan wants to destroy, or blur this wonderful, most inspiring vision. We must not let him! Yahweh says this adulterous sin is "no small matter"! "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy" (v. 38). The more we are given, the greater our responsibility toward Yahweh. When we are called to be the Messiah's wife, Yahweh expects us to act like His wife - not an adulterous harlot! This is why traditional Christians will be "spewed out" of Yahweh's mouth into the Tribulation (Rev. 3:14-20). "And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare" (v. 39). We have been blessed with great material wealth in the nations of modern Spiritual Israel, but because we are not thankful to Yahweh for this, but rather think we obtained it by our own devising, Yahweh will see us stripped of it all. "Behold, every one that uses proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, 'As is the mother, so is her daughter'" (v. 44). A woman is a type of congregation. Yahweh's marriage to ancient Israel is likened to the "mother", while His marriage to the firstfruits bride is compared to the "daughter", as happening later. When Yahweh discusses "mother" and "daughter" in this context, HE IS ILLUSTRATING THAT THIS PROPHECY IS DUAL! The wife rebelled anciently, and the wife (all but the Elect few who are not deceived) rebels today, even though today, we have His Holy Spirit. "When I shall bring again their captivity of Sodom and her Daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her Daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them" (v. 53). This is to be in the FUTURE! Yahweh sent His old covenant wife into captivity. Now in this end time, He must send His new covenant wife - Spiritual Israel - into captivity for transgression as well! "Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant" (Ez. 16:60). Spiritual Israel essentially began on the Day of Pentecost. Yahweh remembers the covenant He made with them in their "youth", meaning in the earliest days of New Covenant Israelite faith. We learn in 2 Thes. 2, that the early Israelites "betrayed" the wife of their youth - the marriage covenant. Traditional Christianity has continued this betrayal to this day! Yahweh, however, is going to punish His adulterous wife, and bring her BACK INTO THIS SAME MARRIAGE. All who repent during the Tribulation will be blessed by being allowed to MAINTAIN the marriage covenant even though they don't deserve it! This is not another covenant - it is the same covenant made "with thee in the days of thy youth", and it is maintained, or re-established, as "an everlasting covenant". This word "everlasting", according to Gesenius*, "refers to future time", and in this context, refers to Yahweh's wife today and for all eternity (present-continuous tense). "And I will betroth thee unto me forever" (Hos. 2:19). The firstfruits - those who respond to the call before the Messiah returns - will be the Messiah's Bride forever! *"Gesenius Lexicon" is a dictionary setting out the English meanings of Biblical words as translated from Greek. When we are married to the Messiah, what will our job be? "And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith Yahweh, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; and the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel" (Hos. 2:21,22). This means that our perception of Yahweh's physical and spiritual laws will finally be in perfect harmony. The heavens (plural) and earth are here personified as needing each other's cooperation. Everything in the heavens and earth - the WHOLE UNIVERSE - is brought into perfect harmony with Yahweh's laws! This is the monumental work that the Messiah AND HIS BRIDE WILL DIRECT AND ADMINISTER FOR ALL ETERNITY! We are not getting ready to marry the Messiah so that we can pluck harps forever! Our future job of "managing the universe", is of such magnitude that only the mind of Yahweh can comprehend it! "Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for DAUGHTERS, but NOT BY THE COVENANT" (Ez. 16:61). This means that all the millions who sadly miss this message in this lifetime, will come into Yahweh's family, but not on the WIFE level! Those who come into Yahweh's family later will be a type of DAUGHTER CONGREGATION - or likened to children in Yahweh's family. These "children" of Yahweh's will have eternal life, however the Bible depicts them as being the ones "administered", not "administering", as is the case with the Messiah's wife. Can we grasp the mind-staggering promise Yahweh has made to all His Saints - His Elect, that are not deceived! Nobody else for all eternity, will be on the wife level in the glorious Kingdom of Yahweh. Our great work is not ending when we marry the Messiah, it is just barely beginning! TOP ^
We, the Elect, are told to remember what we were taught (Mal. 4:4-6). Many prophecies for our time discuss and warn about our having turned away from past instructions (2 Thes. 2:2-3; Rev. 3:7-21). It is a book of remembrance, because the Elect remember - discern, what was originally taught them by His Holy Spirit. That is why we will be spared from the Great Tribulation (Mal. 3:17; Matt. 24:21,22; Rev. 3:10), and given a special position in Yahweh's Kingdom forever (Rev. 3:12)! Traditional Christians fail to escape "to a place of safety" because they forget, and turn to a "lukewarm" message. "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth Yahweh and him that serveth him not" (Mal. 3:18). The entire book of Malachi revolves around two groups; those that forget - the majority, and those that remember - the minority.
Yahweh sent Malachi to
firstly, correct the ministry, and secondly, warn the people. In
The attitude of most traditional religious authority is scornful. "...ye have snuffed at it" (Mal. 1:13). This literally means, "you snort at me". Soncino says the change of the pronoun to "it" from "me", is due to a deliberate alteration by the Scribes in order to remove the harshness of the expression! There is no greater responsibility than being entrusted with Yahweh's Word. History is filled with disasters when the religious authorities have failed to do their job.
The Apostle John tells
us; "I wrote unto the congregation [called out ones]: but Diotrephes, who loveth
to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I
will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words:
and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and
forbiddeth them that would, and CASTETH THEM OUT OF THE CONGREGATION" (3
John wrote this shortly before he died. The few faithful brethren left, were being "cast out", or put out of the local assembly by this self-appointed religious authority, who craved attention. Actually, what John is telling us, is that these cast out ones, were the ONLY ones still in the TRUE Congregation because they insisted on following the Messiah - not some self-appointed "authority". They WERE the CONGREGATION, because they were joined to the Messiah through, and being led by, His Holy Spirit. John spoke out in faith! The Elect are called to do the same thing today - to warn against false doctrine taught by false religious authority! Paul also openly challenged Peter in Galations 2:11. Sometimes it has to be done to keep the spirit of Yahweh's Word! The Apostle John was not concerned about his followers being cast out of the Ephesus assembly - because they were still following the Messiah! An Israelite is one who follows the Messiah - not a man or a church organization. Following the Messiah is exactly what Malachi's message is all about. "Unto the angel of the congregation of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou HAST TRIED THEM WHICH SAY THEY ARE APOSTLES, AND ARE NOT, AND HAST FOUND THEM LIARS" (Rev. 2:1,2). Some men, were saying that they were Apostles, when in fact they were not. Yahweh then praised the Ephesus congregation for detecting this falsehood. This is prophecy for our time, and Yahweh is saying that we MUST put religious authority to the test, or risk being deceived! We must place our focus on the Messiah - the one "in the midst" of the seven candlesticks. Our focus must not be on a man or church organization (as represented by the candlesticks). In plain words, we are in serious trouble if we follow any man-made church organization.
We can't be followers
of the Messiah unless we are testing and proving all things as the Bible
instructs. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of Yahweh: because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1
"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Yahweh shall send them STRONG DELUSION, that they [the worldly wise and disobedient] should believe a lie" (2 Thes. 2:10,11). Yahweh will personally send strong delusion! He is not sending it because He wants us to fail, rather, it is His way of "testing" us - whether we have "received the love of the truth" or not. It is not possible to deceive Yahweh's very Elect (Matt. 24:24). Our people today assume that there is safety in numbers, and they assume they are Yahweh's Elect simply because they are "members" of some man-made "church" congregation! Yahweh's Congregation has been flooded with His precious truth. Unfortunately, it has fallen predominantly on deaf ears and "stiff-necked" people. Now Yahweh is revealing to us in Malachi's message, that just prior to the Messiah's return, He is going to test us - whether we just talk about faith and good works, or whether we actually live by, "every word" of Yahweh - do we remember what we were taught by His Holy Spirit? This is an all-important question. Yahweh's purpose for the human race, is that He is using us to literally recreate Himself! Yahweh's Elect, those few that will partake of being "priests and kings forever" in the glorious Kingdom, are being separated from the rest - the majority, RIGHT NOW! This is the whole purpose of our life! There are probably more warnings in the New Covenant about being deceived on this matter by false ministers using false doctrine, than any other subject! "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and Yahweh, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith Yahweh, Lord of Hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap" (Mal. 3:1,2). The subject is obviously referring to the Messiah's Second Coming. Yahweh says He will send His "messenger", who would prepare the way for the Messiah. Just as John the Baptist came to "prepare the way" for the Messiah the first time, so a messenger will prepare the way for His return. That messenger is His Holy Spirit working through Yahweh's Elect! "Verily I say unto you; There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom" (Matt. 16:28). This verse is clearly about a vision of the Messiah's Second coming. "And his disciples asked him, saying; `Why then say the scribes that Elias [Elijah] must come first?' And Yah'shua answered and said unto them, `Elias truly shall come first, and restore all things'" (Matt. 17:9). Yah'shua plainly tells us that an "Elijah" will come first; prior to His SECOND Coming! The purpose of Malachi's message, is to reveal to us, that His Holy Spirit, operating through Yahweh's Elect, is that end-time Elijah! The mere fact that we can "understand" this prophetic message, reveals to us that it is our responsibility to BE this end-time Elijah. We must be preparing the way for the Messiah's return, if we hope to be His "firstfruits" Bride. We must know this by faith, based on Yahweh's Word. The Bible says the end-time Elijah - the Elect, will "remember", and declare basic Bible truths to the people, preparing the way for the Messiah's return. "And now, O ye priests, this COMMANDMENT is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Yahweh, Lord of Hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart" (Mal. 2:1,2). Here Yahweh is giving serious warning to the ministry. If we fail to heed this warning, then we are in effect, contributing to continuation of false doctrine that has caused so many traditional Christians to stumble at the law (v 8). "Yet ye say; Wherefore? Because Yahweh has been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant...Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth..." (Mal. 2:14-16). Malachi discusses marriage immediately after discussing the ministry. The context here is very important.
The New Covenant
Congregation that the Messiah said He would build, became the "wife of thy [our]
youth" when Yahweh sent us our "Helper" - His Holy Spirit, on the Day of
Pentecost. We, individually, are spiritual members of this Congregation (as set
out in
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgements" (Mal. 4:4). Yahweh is telling us to remember four things: first, the law; second, the statutes; third, the judgements; and fourth, "Horeb", the place where the law all began with physical Israel. Malachi is an end-time book that keeps referring back to the beginning. We too, must remember where our spiritual history began in this age - the wife of our youth. We are spiritual Israel today. Therefore we must "remember" what His Holy Spirit, through Yahweh's Word, taught us in the beginning of this era. We must have our names in the "book of remembrance" (Mal. 3:16), and we must be preparing the way - warning, by declaring the truth, prior to the Messiah's return. It is through these ACTIONS, that the Elect will qualify for a "place of safety" during the Great Tribulation, and to be "pillars" (rulers), in Yahweh's temple (Kingdom) when the Messiah returns. "If ye will not hear" (Mal. 2:2), means that Malachi's message has to be declared, in order that some (most) will not hear it. THIS IS THAT MESSAGE! YOU are holding it (to be confirmed by your own Bible study) in your own hands! It is prophecy being fulfilled this very instant. "Therefore have I made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law" (Mal. 2:9). Today, traditional ministers and religious authorities show partiality - and virtually none of them keep Yahweh's commandments (ways). They are respecters of persons rather than the truth. They show partiality or favour to those who move away from the instructions Yahweh gave us, which causes many to stumble at the law. They don't stop keeping all the law, they simply "stumble" at any of the laws they don't find "convenient", or "traditionally acceptable"! It leads them into a "lukewarm" attitude, usually motivated by insecurity, fear and/or money! Yahweh says that if you are rightfully in the ministry, you should "keep knowledge" (Mal. 2:7,8). The Hebrew word for "keep", means to "watch, to guard". Traditional Christianity has adopted the pagan "traditions of men", and "forgotten" the commandments of Yahweh - they have overwhelmingly failed to "remember what we were taught" (Mal. 4:4). The Prophet Malachi was a reformer trying to lead the religious leaders and the people back to the law. The priests were the usual expounders of the law. The prophets only appeared on special occasions - as in the case of Malachi who came chiefly because the priests were leading Yahweh's people astray. It's about people - Yahweh's congregation, the wife of the Messiah, being corrupted! Where did Malachi begin? Like Ezekiel and many other prophets, he began at Yahweh's sanctuary - the ministry today - where Yahweh's Word is supposed to be "guarded".
Yahweh's first
criticism of modern spiritual Israel contained in the book of Malachi, concerns
the sin of forgetting the Father. In
The Kingdom of Yahweh is the FAMILY of Yahweh. And who is the head of the family? the Messiah? Of course not! The Father is the head of the family. Yahweh the Father is the central theme to the TRUE GOSPEL! Yah'shua taught: "no man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44). The Father begets His own children. Not even the Messiah can do that in place of Yahweh! So we can see why these doctrinal "adulterations", lead the Father to ask, "WHERE IS MY HONOR?" This is the heart of the Gospel! Yah'shua taught us that the Father is the central figure, but this false traditional Christianity has relegated Him to a lesser status. They have moved away from the true Gospel and now preach a "gospel" with the Messiah as the central figure. When the Great Tribulation comes ("and, lo, it will come"), there will be no more "SCHOLARLY" reasoning around Yahweh's simple truths! TOP ^
Hosea also has much to say about building character. All of Yahweh's people must be concerned about building character. Without character, we will not enter into the Kingdom of Yahweh - to rule the earth and the universe, with the Messiah. The name "Hosea", means "salvation". This is Yahweh's goal for all mankind. He wants to save us! This chapter discusses the coming downfall of the British Commonwealth (Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others, herein called "Britain", in the fast-approaching Great Tribulation. The book of Hosea is a grave warning to Britain, but it is also a message of great hope to all who are willing to "hear" it and repent. So what has happened to the once, all-powerful, world-dominating Britain? Why have her nations degenerated so quickly? Because we have taken for granted our vast wealth and power, not recognizing that it was all given to us as promised by Yahweh to the patriarch, Abraham. We are reaping the benefits of having lived as a thankless, self-righteous, arrogant and selfish people. "The word of Yahweh came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel" (Hos. 1:1). These verses give us a clear time frame, as well as re-confirming the SEPARATE identities of Judah (Jews) and Israel. Yahweh's word, here came to Hosea, and through the Bible with the aid of His Holy Spirit, Yahweh has entrusted His Word to us, His Elect. Guarding Yahweh's Word is our individual, as well as our collective responsibility. Yahweh also (symbolically) entrusted the Throne of David (the one the Messiah will sit on at His return) to Ephraim (Britain), to preside over until Messiah's return, but something very tragic has happened. We, as nations, have rebelled against Yahweh's Word, and grave punishment is coming upon us! The book of Hosea is also unique in its story flow. There is not another book like it. Yahweh commanded Hosea to do some very unusual things to illustrate His hurt feelings, resulting from our rejection of His Way. "The beginning of the word of Yahweh by Hosea. And Yahweh said to Hosea; `Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from Yahweh'" (Hos. 1:2). How would you like the job that Hosea had? Imagine! Yahweh required Hosea to marry a practicing harlot, to show Israel and especially Ephraim, how deeply corrupt they were in the past, and in our present time. Hosea was commanded to have the most intimate relationship with a harlot, and allow her to have bastard children as his heirs. This was symbolically to show Yahweh's great emotional rejection, when His people, either the physical nation, or the spiritual Congregation, stray (commit spiritual adultery) from His Law. Yahweh has feelings, and He is here providing us a vivid example of how deeply we have hurt His feelings. We know how we would feel if our mates acted that way toward us! It would be very difficult to live with that type of betrayal. That is precisely how Yahweh feels! He has blessed us with the greatest national blessings of health, and wealth in the world, and we, because of our own self-centeredness, have in a most ungrateful manner, completely forgotten Him and His Ways. "And Yahweh said unto him; Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the House of Israel" (Hos. 1:4). Yahweh uses one of the bastard children to show what is going to happen to Israel, especially Britain, as a result of their sin. All the nations of Israel (including America) are going to come to a bloody end. It will be the same for the nations of Israel as it was for Naboth, when Ahab and Jezebel killed him in the city of Jezreel, to steal his vineyard (2 Kings 10:1-14). Yahweh says that Britain is going to suffer that SAME WAY! Yahweh is going to cause the king to "cease". "And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel" (Hos. 1:5). It is next to impossible for our nations today, to accept the fact that they are going to be destroyed in the coming Tribulation. We think that our great military power will protect us. It won't! The word "bow", is symbolic of military might (Ezekiel 39:1-4). America and Britain have won their last major war! "And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And Yahweh said unto him; `Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no longer have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away'" (Hos. 1:6). The time is coming on the nations of Britain when Yahweh will not have mercy on them. He says, "I will utterly take them away", meaning He will cause us to be destroyed and taken into a second captivity - to be imprisoned in our own homelands! "Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bare a son. Then Yahweh said; `Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God'" (Hos. 1:8,9). This is the reality that Israel must face. Yahweh is coming to the point of rejecting us! "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea,...and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them; Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them; Ye are the sons of the Living God" (Hos. 1:10). It is sometimes difficult for us to realize, that Yahweh is plunging us into the Tribulation, in order that we may finally see that we are potential "sons of the Living God". If it takes the Tribulation to get us acting like Sons of Yahweh and to quit acting like Satan, then that is what we will endure! There is a very positive message here in the midst of all this punishment. "Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel" (Hos. 1:11). Here is a wonderful prophecy of our near future. Judah (modern Israel) and Israel (modern Britain and U.S.), are going to be reunited under one head - the resurrected King David. This has not been the case since Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Judah and Israel (the Lost 10 Tribes), have been divided from the time of these two kings, and will remain so, until Messiah's return. "For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal" (Hos. 2:8). It is amazing that America and Britain have had all this power and wealth, and yet remained unaware that it came from Yahweh! Even people around the world, ask why these nations have such vast wealth and influence. Yahweh has GIVEN IT to us because of Abraham's obedience, and we have turned around, and used it to serve Baal - the pagan sun god! The god of Easter, Christmas, "Sun"day worship, and all of our other national "holi"days. "Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of my hand. I will cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her [false] sabbaths [pagan "holi"days] and all her solemn feasts" (Hos. 2:9-11). It is not going to be our enemies that expose our SPIRITUAL lewdness, rather it will be our heathen allies (lovers) such as modern Assyria (Europe including Germany). "Then said Yahweh unto me; `Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of Yahweh toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine'" (Hos. 3:1). Hosea was instructed to marry a whore! She had bastard children, and then Yahweh COMMANDED Hosea to LOVE THAT WOMAN! That was a difficult thing to do. His wife was still committing adultery at the time! She had not yet repented. But this is symbolic of how Yahweh is dealing with our nations, who have continually committed adultery by following Satan's myriad of false gods. But Yahweh STILL LOVES US! That kind of love is not natural for human beings. It IS natural for Yahweh! When we are seriously wronged, we strike back. Could we still love our mate under such conditions as Yahweh has loved Israel? When we sin Yahweh does not stop loving us! He does correct, or punish us, as any loving father should, but always in love! We need to learn what Yahweh's love is - we need to start living by every word of the Bible - by the law of Yahweh which is Yahweh's Love (and character) in written form. We need to learn how to react in love when someone mistreats us, and not to react out of our carnal instincts. We need to understand how much forgiveness Yahweh has extended to us, and to learn to show that same love and forgiveness to our mates and to others. "So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley. And I said unto her; thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee" (Hos. 3:2,3). These are the only personal words of Hosea in the entire book. There is a giant lesson here for us to learn. It is as if Yahweh is saying, that before we can go out and teach the whole world, we must first learn to live and love the way Yahweh does. If we can not love the way Yahweh does, then we will have no place as rulers in Yahweh's Kingdom! It really does not matter how much ability we have - if we do not rely on Yahweh's Love living in us, our abilities will inevitably lead us in the wrong way. One important way to build character, is to have your heart in Yahweh's Word and in His Work - "for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). "Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I also will reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy Yahweh, I will also forget thy children" (Hos. 4:5,6). Yahweh is going to destroy our nations because we have REJECTED HIS KNOWLEDGE! If we reject Yahweh's knowledge now - in this mortal lifetime, Yahweh says we can not be His priests in the Kingdom! We are all being "tested" right now - to see if we are the truly Elect, that cannot be deceived into "forgetting His Knowledge". "Ephraim [Britain] is joined to idols: let him alone. Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love..."(Hos. 4:17,18). Today's spiritual condition in Britain is at an all-time low. Yahweh says we are bonded to our idols - totally ensnared with the man-made, material pleasures of this world. He tells us to get out of her sins - to "let him alone". Who is primarily at fault? "Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgement is toward you, because you have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor. And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled" (Hos. 5:1-3). Yahweh is putting the blame squarely where it belongs - on the priests - the false religion, orchestrated by the false ministers under the approval of the Royal Family! "They will not frame their doings to turn unto their Yahweh: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known Yahweh. And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them" (Hos. 5:4,5). The spirit of whoredoms has thoroughly perverted our nations. The people like to act religious, but they have no desire to know Yahweh. The people are growing worse and worse. So Ephraim is going to "fall" hard and fast "in their iniquity". And the nation of Judah - modern-day Israel, is going to fall with them. This is prophecy for our time. Anciently, Ephraim and Judah did not fall together. Ephraim fell in 721 B.C., and Judah fell in 585 B.C. This verse speaks of a time when Ephraim, the other nations of Israel and Judah will all fall together! "They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Yahweh; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. They have dealt treacherously against Yahweh: for they have begotten strange children: NOW SHALL A MONTH DEVOUR THEM with their portions" (Hos. 5:6,7). When the Tribulation strikes Britain, the people will seek Yahweh, but will not be able to find Him (His "place of safety"), because He will have withdrawn Himself! Physically, it will be too late, they have waited too long. Hosea shows that our nations will be destroyed in one month! Yahweh tells His Elect what we are to do: "Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin" (Hos. 5:8). Yahweh expects us all to be part of a work of warning - of declaring the Truth. We should all want to be part of this warning effort to Britain and America. It is our demonstration of Yahweh's Love. We should not bury our heads in the sand and hope only to protect ourselves. We should not be ashamed to stand up, even if only by ourselves or with a few like-minded believers, wanting to deliver Yahweh's warning message, to our nation's people, our leaders, and our false religious authorities. "Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgement, because he willingly walked after the commandment" (Hos. 5:9-11). When Yahweh plunges Britain into the Tribulation, it will be made desolate. This has never happened to nations such as England, Canada, Australia and others in the history of the Commonwealth. This tragedy will catch the nations completely off guard, but, Yahweh says that He will not allow such devastation without first giving a warning, and a chance to repent and save themselves from this utter destruction. "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound" (Hos. 5:13). When the great crisis becomes obvious, Britain and Israel will look to Assyria (Europe including Germany) for help. Assyria is mentioned ten times in this book. It is interesting that Europe will be of no help, and that as other prophecies show us, America will not even be asked for help by Britain, because it will already be very weak, or even collapsed by this time. "They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me. Ephraim is a cake not turned" (Hos. 7:7,8). The phrase "hot as an oven", refers to Britain's corruption. There is no true justice left in the land. Our nations "appear" to be good on the surface, but we are all burned out, like a "cake unturned", our societies lack any real substance. When the Tribulation strikes, our nations will be taken off-guard. "Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it not" (Hos. 7:9). Our British nations have lost their strength. When modern Assyria attacks, there will be no financial or military strength left to resist! "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of Yahweh, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law" (Hos. 8:1). Understanding these prophecies, obligates us to get involved in the warning Work of Yahweh! It is our job to warn Britain that modern Assyria is about to swoop down on them like an eagle - and then the nightmare will begin. "When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them; Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves" (Hos. 13:1,2). Britain relies on its "craftsmen" for protection, rather than on Yahweh. They worship their technical ability, and "kiss the calves" of their achievements. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up" (Hos. 8:7). We all need to learn that the consequences of national sins are extremely painful. "I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing" (v. 12). We had the great things written in Yahweh's Holy Bible, but nationally, we have rejected them! "The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred" (Hos. 9:7). Britain and America will finally come to know that their former religious authorities were fools and madmen! Today there are so many different religions, all with their own creative "interpretations" of what the Bible says - created in such a manner as to support their various fear and money driven doctrines. It is literally mass confusion! "My God will cast them away, because they did not harken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations" (Hos. 9:17). Our nations have never learned the amazingly simple and obvious lesson, that we exist solely for Yahweh's purpose! We shall have to suffer at the hands of our captors in foreign countries before we will finally "get it"! "For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early" (Hos. 5:14,15). Verse 14 illustrates what our allies will do for our nations when we ask for help - nothing! Verse 15 shows that the outcome will eventually be very good. Israel will finally, in their affliction, turn back to Yahweh and repent of their ways. "Come, and let us return to Yahweh: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight" (Hos. 6:1,2). Our nations will have a much different attitude after the Tribulation. In humility, they will return to Yahweh. They will know that Yahweh authorized both their punishment and their healing. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt...How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together" (Hos. 11:1,8). This depicts how Yahweh feels about us. We were as a son to Yahweh. And Yahweh's heart and emotions are churning deeply because of our (Ephraim's) national sins. "Yet I am Yahweh thy God from the land of Egypt [land of sin], and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me...O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help" (Hos. 13:4,9). After the lessons of the Tribulation are learned, Yahweh will finally be able to work with His people. "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon ...Ephraim shall say; What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein" (Hos. 14:4,5,8,9). Yahweh will renew His Love for Britain and all Israel. We will have learned our lessons, and Yahweh will restore our former glory - only this time it will be far greater - the people will be enjoying their respective roles in the new Kingdom forever! TOP ^
Ezekiel and Daniel were contemporaries of Jeremiah (see Dan. 9:2). When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, Ezekiel and Daniel were taken captive. Jeremiah was released to complete his mission regarding David's throne. Jeremiah physically went only to Judah with his warning prophesies, which is one small part of Israel. Today, Judah is called "Israel", while Israel is called mainly the "United States" and the "British Commonwealth nations". "The word that came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, saying; "Thus speaketh Yahweh God of Israel, saying; `Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book'"" (Jer. 30:1,2; see also 45:1; 51:60-64). Why would Jeremiah write these prophecies about Israel's captivity, when in fact Israel had already gone into captivity 100 years prior to the writing of the book? Because the book is for our time today! "And these are the words that Yahweh spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah" (v. 4). Notice the book is addressed to both Israel and Judah. "The fierce anger of Yahweh shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: IN THE LATTER DAYS ye shall consider it" (Jer. 30:24). "Consider it", is better translated, "understand it". This means that Jeremiah's prophecies would not thoroughly be understood, until these end times - the "latter days", just prior to their fulfillment! Unfortunately, most people will not understand until after the prophesied disasters strike! But all of the people of spiritual Israel (only) COULD understand it NOW, if only they would heed Yahweh's Word! "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Yahweh. Therefore thus saith Yahweh God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; `Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith Yahweh'" (Jer. 23:1,2). Yahweh is addressing spiritual Israel, which has been "scattered" by false doctrine, and "driven" away from Yahweh's Truth by the false ministers of traditional Christianity (founded primarily on Catholic and protestant dogma). "Then the word of Yahweh came upon me, saying; `Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the NATIONS'" (Jer. 1:4,5). Jeremiah was sanctified, "set apart" to deliver his message to "nations" - plural. "Hear ye the word of Yahweh, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel" (Jer. 2:4). This message is to ALL of Israel - not just for Judah, but mostly for the Lost 10 Tribes - the modern nations of America and the British Commonwealth. "And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination" (v. 7). Who was brought into a beautiful country and then turned their backs on Yahweh? The American, Canadian and British peoples more than anyone in the history of the earth! Unless we - Yahweh's Elect - deliver this message, Jeremiah will have lived in vain! And Yahweh will NOT allow that to happen!
"The priests said not;
Where is Yahweh? And they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also
transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after
things that do not profit" (v. 8). Most of our religions of today reject
Yahweh's Law - but even those that have it in this end time, pervert it to suit
their needs. Even those ministers that seem to be so very sincere - those "good"
Christian ministers, are able to "appear" as ministers of righteousness, because
they have either been "DECEIVED" (2 Timothy 3:13), or they have had "THEIR OWN
CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON" (1 Timothy 4:2). It makes little difference
how or why these people end up as false ministers - it is simply a fact that
they do! As set out in
"Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say; `Return thou backsliding Israel, saith Yahweh; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful,...only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Yahweh thy God, and hast scattered the way to the strangers under every green tree,...for I AM MARRIED UNTO YOU: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion'" (Jer. 3:12-14). Yahweh says He is married to Israel, meaning of course, spiritual Israel (see chapter 28 on Ezekiel Watchman). The time setting is just prior to the Tribulation, and Yahweh is saying that He is going to select some of us to take to - Zion - His place of safety, to be pastors - to continue in the millennium: "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding"(v. 15). "Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction" (v. 6). If you want to escape the terrible trouble ahead, find out how to be a pastor in Zion - the True Congregation that Yahweh leads - His "fortress" of protection! Proclaim Yahweh's warning message to repent, and only then will you be taken to a place of safety! "How shall I pardon thee for this? Thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlot's houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife" (Jer. 5:7,8). Only the nations of Israel (America and British Commonwealth) have been given the greatest prosperity on earth. Our men neigh after their neighbour's wives - a very condemning statement, but true! Israel (us) is filled with adultery. It is the subject of most of our movies, television shows, and news events! THESE PHYSICAL REALITIES ARE SYMBOLIC OF WHAT Yahweh CALLS OUR "SPIRITUAL ADULTERY" that we are committing by turning to; feeding ourselves on, so many false religions, when we have had the TRUE FOOD of Yahweh's Word - which was FREELY GIVEN to us by Yahweh Himself! "Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from afar, O house of Israel, saith Yahweh: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. Their quiver is an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men" (vv. 15,16). This is referring to the ancient and famous warring nation of Assyria, now called Central Europe including Germany, that Yahweh says He "will bring" upon us. This area has recently risen again to be one of the world's mightiest financial and military powers. "Thus saith Yahweh; Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation shall be raised from the side of the earth. They shall lay hold on bow and spear; they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like a sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion" (vv. 22,23). Here is mentioned a great nation, north of Jerusalem and another great nation from the "side of the earth". These nations have a history of cruelty in warfare - showing no mercy. A very good description of an alliance between Europe including Germany, and the Japanese from the far east. "I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way" (v. 27). Here, Yahweh is still talking about His Congregation - Zion - the Elect, as being set up to watch from the tower and to warn Israel about Yahweh's prophesied invasion of our lands. Yahweh's Congregation is likened to a fortress that He will protect because of the warning work it conducts. "...Stand in the gate of Yahweh's house, and proclaim there this word, and say; `Hear the word of Yahweh, all ye Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship Yahweh'" (Jer. 7:1,2). Spiritually, we are the temple today. We are meant to warn all those in spiritual Israel of the false doctrines they follow and are being taught. "...Amend your ways and your doings...Trust ye not in lying words, saying; The temple of Yahweh, The Temple of Yahweh, The temple of Yahweh, are these" (vv. 3,4). Religious authorities today, say "the church, the church, the church", as if "the church" is going to solve all their problems. The reality is that the "church", is in fact, the root cause of all their problems! Simply calling themselves a Christian "Church", is in fact, a blatant lie! Calling themselves "Christians", is equally spurious! "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house [spiritual "house" of Israel], which is called by my name [Israelite - children of Yahweh], and say; We are delivered to do all these abominations?" (vv. 9,10). Our nations will not admit it, but they are world leaders in all of the above sins! We have "legalized" every form and type of false religion imaginable, and we ourselves (nationally) practice all the traditions of Baal - "Sun"day worship, Easter, Christmas, New Year's, Lenten, Halloween, etc. "And then come to present yourselves before me in this house, which belongs to me, thinking you are now quite safe - safe to go on with all these abominable practices!" (Moffatt translation of the above verse 10). Yahweh is warning traditional Christians, that although they consider themselves to be very religious, they are nonetheless, through their traditions, rebelling against Yahweh! Many atheists stupendously believe that they will be "immune" from Yahweh's punishment - AMAZING! "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward" (Jer. 7:24). "Thus saith Yahweh; Stand in the court of Yahweh's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in Yahweh's house, all the words that I command thee to speak to them; diminish not a word" (Jer. 26:1,2). This means we are never to compromise on Yahweh's word - never omit one single word! This is precisely why we see so much religious confusion today. Religious leaders continually compromise Yahweh's Word (often out of necessity), in order to "make" the Word better fit the financial and personal prestige requirements of their "church"! "Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; THROUGH DECEIT THEY REFUSE TO KNOW ME, saith Yahweh" (Jer. 9:6). False traditional Christian ministers find it very easy to twist and pervert what Yahweh has taught us, and still act so "righteously religious". And in this process, they deceive multiple millions of others, while abusing Yahweh's Word; using it as a "tool" to feed their ego and to attract financial reward! "Who is the wise man, that may understand this? And who is he to whom the mouth of Yahweh hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through" (Jer. 9:12). Our land is going to be burned like a wilderness! We that understand (Elect) must warn! "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Lord, correct me, but with judgement; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing" (Jer. 10:23,24). Do we humbly accept that we can not even direct our own steps? Yahweh says if we really know this, we will continually ask Him to guide and correct us! Jeremiah learned this lesson - that is why Yahweh was able to use him so effectively. This humble, prayerful attitude is the only attitude that Yahweh can use in His Kingdom. Sadly, it is rare these days. "Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man,...because of Yahweh, and because of the words of his holiness" (Jer. 23:9). Jeremiah's bones shook in terrified horror, because of the false prophets! He understood that they would refuse to warn Yahweh's people - because it would not be "personally rewarding" or "financially expedient" for them to do so! "For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness (Jer. 23:11)...Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets,...that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets...that use their tongues...that prophesy false dreams...and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies...therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith Yahweh (vv. 30-32)...And when this people, or the prophet, or the priest, shall ask thee, saying; `What is the burden of Yahweh?' Thou shalt then say unto them; `What burden?' I will even forsake you...And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say; `The burden of Yahweh', I will even punish that man and his house" (vv. 33 -34). Modern Christianity still maintains the pagan sun-worship traditions (Christmas, Easter, "Sun"day, Halloween, etc.) of the ancient Egyptians, because the Roman Catholic church that adopted them, claimed that it would be easier to adopt these pagan traditions, merging them into Christianity, as the people were "reluctant to change"! Remarkably, this is STILL why most every so-called Christian organization maintains these pagan abominations ("that Yahweh hates") - they are "traditionally accepted", and thereby, "more convenient" than telling the people the truth - the so-called "burden of Yahweh"! "...for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living Yahweh...but since ye say; `The burden of Yahweh', and I have sent unto you, saying; `Ye shall not say, the burden of Yahweh'; Therefore...I will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: and I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten" (vv. 35-40). The irony of this is that keeping Yahweh's Sabbaths, Holy Days, annual Feasts and commandments, is by far easier and much more enjoyable (even in this physical life), than keeping the pagan traditions of traditional Christianity. I know - I have experienced both! Unfortunately, for the majority, everlasting reproach and perpetual shame means, that even when they repent as a result of the Tribulation, they will lose a wonderful aspect of, and endure a certain eternal shame in, Yahweh's Kingdom!
"Yahweh hath appeared of old unto me, saying; `Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee'" (v. 3). Finally, our people will see that Yahweh has NEVER STOPPED LOVING THEM! All the punishment was designed to bring them back to Yahweh - to correct the error of their ways. Then Yahweh is going to shower His blessings on us like never before! The greatest prosperity the earth has ever seen! "Again I will build thee...O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchman upon the mount Ephraim shall cry; Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto Yahweh our God. For thus saith Yahweh; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say; O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel" (vv. 4-7). The "firstfruits bride", called from our people of the lost 10 tribes (mostly British Commonwealth and America), and from Judah (Israel), - spiritual Israel when combined, are literally going to LEAD THE WORLD. This leadership will be through Yahweh's grace, rather than through the people's own arrogance, as in the past. LEADING THE WORLD (MORE PRECISELY, THE UNIVERSE), IS WHAT SPIRITUAL ISRAEL WAS CREATED FOR - "TO BE KINGS AND PRIESTS" IN THE KINGDOM FOREVER! "Behold, the days come...that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant 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 to them...But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be my people" (Jer. 31:31-33). This New Covenant is already in force - IF WE RESPOND BY ACCEPTING Yahweh'S HOLY SPIRIT! Those of us who have accepted - the Elect, are already MARRIED TO the Messiah in this New Covenant. The rest of Yahweh's Congregation will have to wait until after "the thousand years were finished"! "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith Yahweh" (vv. 13,14). This pictures us; Yahweh's chosen Elect, teaching those born during the millennium, every word of Yahweh. We will also be responsible for being priests (and kings or rulers), in Yahweh's Kingdom forever! "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying; Know Yahweh: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (v. 34). Jeremiah's prophecy of temporary "doom" contains a message of incredible hope. If all those in spiritual Israel could only grasp the magnitude of this wonderful message now, so very much suffering could be avoided. TOP ^
Acknowledge this theme and the book is very easy to understand. This prophecy is dual! It was delivered to ancient Israel during the construction of the second temple, however, most of its message would not make sense until these end-times. Yahweh is working out His great master-plan. That plan involves both the "world" and the "Congregation", or the "called out ones", where indeed His Holy Spirit resides. We must realize that the events happening within Yahweh's Congregation, from the Greek, "Ekklesia", meaning collectively, the "congregation", are a currently a priority to Yahweh compared to events happening to the rest of the "world". Yahweh's main concern right now is with His people who are striving and struggling to be OBEDIENT to His every word, and to enter into His Family as the "firstfruits" bride. "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Yahweh unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, `Yahweh hath been sore displeased with your fathers'" (Zech. 1:1-2). Yahweh was very displeased with our "fathers" - meaning ancient Israel. "Therefore say thou unto them, `Thus saith Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the FORMER PROPHETS have cried, saying, "Thus saith Yahweh, the Lord of hosts: Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings": but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith Yahweh'" (Zech. 1:3-4). Yahweh is highly displeased with His modern-day Congregation - His temple, as most people in modern spiritual Israel have become spiritual "adulterers", by following the false traditional "Christians" and other philosophies! "Do you not know that your bodies are members of the Messiah? Shall I then take the members of the Messiah and make them [by practicing false religions] members of a harlot?" (1 Cor. 6:15). What is Yahweh going to do about this spiritual adultery? "If anyone defiles the temple of Yahweh, Yahweh will destroy him" (1 Cor. 3:17)! Yahweh pleads with us not to be like our fathers - ancient Israel. They did not hear Yahweh, nor did they respond to His call to repentance. For their refusal to obey, Yahweh punished them severely. That is not what Yahweh desires for us. "Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?" (Zech. 1:5). Why did Yahweh inspire this question? One, two, three or more prophets would take their message to the people, and then die (or be killed), but the people who heard the message were STILL ALIVE! Yahweh wanted this to cause us in these end-times to think deeply about the events we are witnessing. Do prophets or Apostles live forever? No, they do not. We must recognize this fact in these end-times. These verses show us that Yahweh places the onus on we who are alive, to grasp the impact of the messages left to us by the New Covenant Apostles. The New Covenant Apostles all died (or were killed), just as the Old Covenant Prophets - but their message - Yahweh's inspired Word, abides forever! "But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers?" (Zech. 1:6). Prophets or Apostles do not live forever. Yahweh's Word does! When one of Yahweh's chosen leaders delivers a message, we must learn to put our focus in the right place. We should not look to the men who die, but to the ever-living Words of Yahweh that those men deliver. So what has all this to do with us in modern spiritual Israel? Plenty! "...and they returned and said, `Like as Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us'" (Zech. 1:6). Yahweh dealt harshly with those ancient Israelites, according to their doings. He is going to deal with us the same way!
This end-time message must be delivered by, "they whom Yahweh hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth"; (Zech. 1:10), by Yahweh's Elect! We must take this message to the people - if we are able to understand it we are obligated to deliver it - to share it with all others who will "hear" it! Study verses 12 to 16. They show that Israel (today the United States, British Commonwealth and others) is in a great crisis. Notice what Yahweh says in verse 17: "Cry yet, saying, `Thus saith Yahweh, the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and Yahweh shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem'". Remember, "Zion" in prophecy is synonymous with Yahweh's Congregation (Heb. 12:22-23). The Congregation - the temple, is in a crisis that Yahweh will "yet comfort". Yahweh has not comforted it yet! Why has Yahweh yet refused to comfort His Congregation? "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, `What be these?' And he answered me, `These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem'" (Zech. 1:18-19). The four horns represent Yahweh's power given to other nations to carry out His earthly plans. Yahweh's end-time Congregation - our modern nations of spiritual Israel, must be severely punished for its transgressions, before it will finally grasp the true meaning of Yahweh's plan. "Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith Yahweh: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith Yahweh. Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon" (Zech. 2:6-7). This is Yahweh's message to flee from "Babylon" - the land of sin, which we know refers to the great false church - the Roman Catholic church, as led by the Vatican in these New Covenant times. Many Bible prophecies talk of a great world crisis to come upon us in these end-times. Yah'shua told us that we would know that the time of the end was near, when we saw the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Matt. 24:15). In literally dozens of places in your Bible, you will find the word "abomination" used to describe the use of pagan traditions in the worship of Yahweh. The word "desolation" is used equally as often in the Bible to describe the state of condition of mankind that results from following these "abominations". Yahweh warns us that WE ARE IN BABYLON! We are following pagan traditions - abominations - such as "Sun"day worship, Christmas, Easter, New Year's, Halloween, etc., all in the name of Christianity! "The things which Yahweh hates"! We must notice carefully, Yahweh's wording: "Deliver thyself" - we must DELIVER OURSELVES from Babylon, and from the crisis that lies ahead! We must not sit back and hope that Yahweh will "do it all for us"! Yahweh is now doing His part - He is providing everyone the opportunity to respond to this message; His promised warning!
The biggest problem faced by those trying to do Yahweh's Will in these end-times, is the "day of small things"! "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of Yahweh, which run to and fro through the whole earth" (Zech. 4:10). This reveals one of Yahweh's main concerns for His people in our time. A plummet is a builder's measuring device, used to ensure accuracy. In the "hand of Zerubbabel with those seven", is referring to the seven Congregations, or groups of called out ones throughout the ages, that see through the "eyes of Yahweh", and that have been led by His Holy Spirit "to and fro through the whole earth" sharing Yahweh's revealed truths. This verse shows that many are going to be tripped up on the issues in these end-times by "small things". Many people, especially in these end-times, have developed a problem with believing in small things. They despise small things, or "small beginnings" as this verse could read. They have real trouble seeing Yahweh behind an individual or even a small group of people. They feel comfortable following the traditionally convenient ways of mainstream "Christianity", modern Jewish “Judaism”, or other false eastern philosophies, expecting and assuming that it is correct, as evidenced only by its sheer number of followers. After all, they say, "All these people can't be wrong!" But that is precisely what ancient Israel said too! And they were WRONG! We must learn to realize that Yahweh's Word stands on its own - all by itself, without the need of any man-made religious organizations. And most importantly, the simple truths of Yahweh's Word, as freely revealed by His Holy Spirit to His Elect (including the former Prophets and Apostles), are continually being shared with the "many" for their spiritual benefit. We must not focus on the fact that these revealed truths are only being proclaimed by a "small number", or even only one person. This "one" person, will die, just as surely as did all the former Prophets and Apostles. It is the inspired MESSAGE of OBEDIENCE TO THE LAWS OF Yahweh's GOVERNMENT that we must pay attention to! And we have this word written in our hearts, that when we hear the truth, even if from only one man with few if any followers, we "shall know the truth" (John 8:32). Also, we are given instruction to "prove all things" through the Word of Yahweh with the aid of His Holy Spirit. It is very clear in Yahweh's Word, that neither the former Prophets or the Apostles had great numbers of followers at all times during their lives. In fact, most of them were ridiculed and killed by their audiences, while their messages were being resisted by the political authorities. On this earth today, only the minds and hearts of Yahweh's Elect - His "temples", can comprehend the true intent of His government. This is an astounding but true statement. The nations of modern spiritual Israel (the "Lost 10 Tribes"; United States and British Commonwealth, plus physical Israel; Tribe of Judah) do not follow Yahweh's laws in their governments in any way. Now look at another aspect of Zechariah's incredible vision related to Yahweh's work and Yahweh's government. "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll [scroll]. And he said unto me, `What seest thou?' And I answered, `I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits'" (Zech. 5:1-2). Yahweh shows Zechariah a "flying scroll", which measurements translate to about 30 feet long and 15 feet wide. This was not a small piece of writing! The very large size was deliberately used to emphasize the importance of the message being delivered by one "small man"! Yahweh inspired this vision to be recorded because He wanted His Elect to understand its message. Remember that the key to understanding Zechariah's message is that the book almost entirely deals with the "temple". The measurements of the scroll are coincidentally related to the temple, in such a way as to tend to incline readers to link the two topically. "And it came to pass...in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel...that he began to build the house [temple] of Yahweh. ...the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house (1 Kings 6:1-3). The physical temple in Solomon's time represented the centre of Yahweh's work. The same is true of Yahweh's "temples" - the Elect members of His Congregation, represent the centre of His work today! The flying scroll was the same size as the porch to the temple. The porch was where you would first gain entrance into the temple courtyard; from the courtyard, you would gain entrance to the Holy of Holies - the place where the Spirit of Yahweh dwelled in the Old Covenant times. The porch represented entrance to a very large work - the redeeming Spirit of Yahweh! The flying scroll is also the same dimension as the fantastic cherubim (angels) that were built inside the temple to guard the Holy of Holies. "And within the oracle he made two cherubim...each ten cubits high. And five cubits was the one wing...and five cubits the other...and they stretched forth the wings...so that the wing of the one touched the wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house" (1 Kings 6:22-27). It is an interesting coincidence that the size of the flying scroll, the porch (entrance) to the temple, and the cherubim (guardians of the temple) are all nearly the same size. The flying scroll is symbolic of Yahweh's true message. The references to the builder's plummet and the specific dimensions can be interpreted as tools we can use to "prove all things". We are first meant to hear Yahweh's messengers; then we are to measure the message up to Yahweh's Word to determine if it contains His true intent. The scroll itself is symbolic of Yahweh's Word. It is by "entering" into an understanding of Yahweh's Word, that we will gain access to His Holy Spirit. His Holy Spirit will reveal to us the benefits of "guarding" and keeping the law of Yahweh, and sharing this revealed understanding with others. The symbology is clear. Zechariah delivered a very big message to do with Yahweh's work. But it was delivered by only one "small man", and was not well received by the people of ancient Israel, who "despised the day of small things". We are meant to deliver that same message in these New Covenant times. It is a very big message that will definitely not be well received! Warning people in our modern nations to follow Yahweh's laws and form of government is indeed a big work. It is a work that the traditional churches and (false) ministries are failing to come even close to doing properly. In fact they are doing everything possible in most instances, to undermine the true message of Yahweh! This is why the Yahweh-given commission of "guarding" the Word of Yahweh is so very important! Only Yahweh's Elect "few" are concerned; the majority, speaking of the "worldly wise and disobedient", as well as the traditional "Christians" or modern Jews, don't even know or understand the truth of Yahweh's Word, let alone the importance of guarding it! When the majority turn away from Yahweh, what does He do about it? In ancient Israel He revived His work by sending the Prophets to show the people the error of their ways and to lead them back to Yahweh. In modern spiritual Israel, He shows the people the error of their ways and leads them back to the truth through the messages written by His Spirit-filled Apostles and by His Holy Spirit working through His Elect. When the nations are following pagan ways, legalizing everything that is an "abomination to Yahweh", then Yahweh's Elect are called upon to deliver His message of warning. Our nations must repent of their evil ways or risk "desolation"! We, Yahweh's Elect are a very small group, doing a very large work: "For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; THEY ARE THE EYES OF Yahweh, WHICH RUN TO AND FRO through the whole earth [delivering Yahweh's message about His laws and government]" (Zech. 4:10). And as Zechariah further prophesied, the majority will "despise the day of [these] small things" or "small beginnings" as this verse is otherwise translated. Yahweh requires us to issue this "flying scroll" warning message to the whole world! The following verses show us that the whole world is breaking Yahweh's laws! "This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth...I will bring it forth...and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name...and shall consume [destroy] it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof" (Zech. 5:3-4). We have a choice - we can choose blessings or cursings: "And he said, `This is an ephah that goeth forth.' He said moreover, `This is their resemblance through all the earth.' And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah" (Zech. 5:5-7). To most this may seem strange. The angel now shows Zechariah an ephah that goes forth and a woman sitting in its midst. This vision is indirectly related to the flying scroll, the porch and the cherubim of the temple. An ephah is a device used for measuring grain. However, here it is a "woman" that is being measured. We know that a "woman" in the Bible is a symbol for a Congregation - whether a true one or false. Yahweh's Congregation - modern spiritual Israel - those that have the blessed opportunity to be the Messiah's "firstfruits bride", are being measured NOW (1 Peter 4:7)! The "world" is not yet being judged! At this time, during our day, at this very moment, only the "House of Israel" - you and I, are being judged by Yahweh! The rest of the world's population will have to wait until "after the thousand years are finished". Let's look at how Yahweh judged the woman: "And he said, `This is wickedness.' And he cast it into the midst of the ephah" (Zech. 5:8). Yahweh finds wickedness in His own Congregation - His own called out ones are rebelling against His laws of government! Now look what happens next: "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out TWO WOMEN, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then I said to the angel that talked with me, `Whither do these bear the ephah?' And he said unto me, `To build it an house in the land of Shinar [that is Babylon]: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base" (Zech. 5:9-11).
This is reconfirming
that this is an end-time event. We see two women discussed in Scripture
elsewhere. Two women are grinding grain in Matt. 24:41 and in
Now there are two women, working in the land of Shinar, just prior to the Messiah's return. Shinar, or Babylon is mentioned here for a very good reason. One woman - found with wickedness; represents people following false traditional man-made religious organizations or philosophies, that are "dwelling" in Babylon. The other woman represents Yahweh's Elect, who have "heard" the message of the flying scroll, and are doing the work of guarding Yahweh's Word AND warning Yahweh's people who are in Babylon, to "come out of her"! Notice that Yahweh refers to both women as His temple(s), unfortunately, one woman, or group of called out ones, is going to have to go into the Tribulation because they refuse to "hear" Yahweh's message now - they can't understand what the flying scroll is all about! We must all work very hard to understand Yahweh's Word and to "live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh". In other words to be obedient to all of Yahweh's laws of government. The interesting aspect of most Bible prophecy for our time, is that it is almost never completely understood until just immediately prior to its fulfillment. Events are happening in our world around us, that only now allow us to fully understand the meaning behind Zechariah's flying scroll! It has to do with guarding the law of Yahweh for the protection of His "temples" - His Congregation of called out ones. Guarding the laws of Yahweh serves no purpose unless we are intent on being OBEDIENT to those same laws! All of Yahweh's laws relate to government of individuals as well as society. Yahweh's laws are meant to be the foundation of our government! Being obedient to the laws of Yahweh means we must be striving for a government that puts Yahweh's laws first - first before man-made laws. The book of Zechariah and many other prophecies, discuss Yahweh's laws as they relate to the prophesied governmental crisis that would occur in our nations just prior to the Messiah's return. We are instructed that the "abominations" committed by our nations will be that crisis! And that the crisis will bring our nations to utter destruction, meaning "desolation"! Biblical symbology for sin is clear - BABYLON! Zech. 5:11, tells us that we, as Yahweh's Congregation, have set ourselves up on our own false foundation - in BABYLON! "To build it an house in the land of Shinar [that is Babylon]: and it shall be established, and set there UPON HER OWN [THE WICKED WOMAN'S] BASE [OR FOUNDATION]". This false religion that our nations practice in the name of Christianity is not set on Yahweh's foundation, it is set on "her own" foundation! Yahweh is clearly very angry. That is why He is sending the flying scroll warning. Angry or not, Yahweh promised He would warn everyone in modern spiritual Israel, so that all who will "hear" Him might be saved from the Tribulation. Do we believe Yahweh when He says our governments are in a crisis? Unfortunately, most do not. But let's look objectively at a few examples of our current governmental "leadership". I am not going to provide detailed explanations for these, suffice it to say that only the truly Spirit-filled Israelite - Yahweh's Elect, will understand them in any event - and they will simply KNOW when they hear the self-evident truth, because the "Spirit will make it known" to them! Yahweh commands us not to adopt pagan customs and traditions into our land. Our governments have "legalized" what they call, "freedom of religion", including eastern and other philosophies! Yahweh instructs that the institution of marriage is "honourable among all". Our governments recognize "living in sin" as a "legal common-law relationship"! Yahweh clearly commands against homosexual activities. Our governments have recognized the "rights of gays" and are even talking of instituting "gay family rights" legislation! Yahweh commands against sexual immorality. Our governments have "legalized" most every form of pornography, prostitution and pre-marital sex. We even have "laws" that refer to "adult advertising", "adult entertainment", "consenting adults" and "parental consent" for minors, among others! Yahweh commands us not to murder. Our governments have legislated "justifiable homicide"! Yahweh commands us to love our enemies. Our governments enlist us to go to war and kill them! Yah'shua commands that we do not call anyone on earth our father, meaning, with reverence. Catholic and other "Christian" authorities universally set themselves up to be called "father"! Yahweh commands that we do not charge interest or usury on money loaned to each other. We have entire economic and banking systems based on interest and usury, that would not work without it! And the list goes on and on and on! Yahweh says of these "abominations", "Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury...follow other gods...and say, `We are safe' - safe to do all these detestable things?" (Jer. 7:9-10). We must realize that all of these abominations are being committed by our peoples, because our nations have refused to take the Word of Yahweh seriously. Our (false) religious authority has been leading us down the proverbial garden path! Our nations, Yahweh warns, are on the brink of crisis; "the abomination of desolation"! It is virtually impossible to find a single one of Yahweh's laws that our nations have not "legislated" directly in opposition to! (If you don't believe this, try it yourself!) As mentioned earlier, the Bible uses the word "abomination" literally dozens of times to refer to the influence of pagan traditions and phoney man-made laws. And the Biblical word "desolation" refers to the resulting state that mankind brings upon himself by following these abominations in his government. The Bible word "Babylon" is synonymous with "sin". "Babylon the Great" is the Biblical term for the Vatican - the Roman Catholic Church! The "mother of harlots and of the ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:5)! The "harlots" are referring to the "protestant" (daughter) churches that "came out of her"! Yahweh refers to all forms of sinning nations as Babylon. Only once in the Bible does Yahweh ever refer to anything as "BABYLON THE GREAT"! And He was referring to the Vatican; the great false church - the "BEAST" that gets its power from Satan (Rev. 13:2)! It is this same BEAST that is the mother of all of the "ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH"! And we know that it is through following these abominations, that our nations have been blindly led into their current crisis of "DESOLATION". How do we know when the "abomination of desolation" will be? "Therefore when you see the `abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE" (Matt. 24:15). By Yahweh's own words, there is not a greater abomination of desolation than the "pagan-come-Christian" traditions of the Catholic Church and the Vatican. Following their pagan traditions have resulted in our nations being labelled as "BABYLON" by Yahweh! And Yahweh labels the Vatican itself as "BABYLON THE GREAT" - the greatest promoter of sin in the earth's entire history! When we see this great abomination "standing in the holy place", we know we have seen the "abomination of desolation"!
Many instances in the
Bible, Yahweh refers to the people of ancient Israel as His chosen ones, and
Jerusalem as the Holy City, as in
So the Bible says the HOLY PLACE was ANCIENT ISRAEL! On December 30, 1993, the Vatican and Israel stunned the world by signing an agreement on diplomatic relations. Since then the Pope has publicly talked of moving his headquarters there! For many years the Vatican DEMANDED that Jerusalem be "internationalized"; ruled by the international community with the Vatican being the official "neutral" authority. In recent months, Yassir Arafat has been pleading for the same thing - even though these people have been enemies for centuries! This is not necessarily "the" sign OF THE END. It is however, ANOTHER sign. Much controversy already exists between these nations over the "religious" centre of the Holy city. The Islamic, Jewish and Catholic faiths, all of which are false, or non-Biblical, all have passionate desire to control Jerusalem. "He [the king of the north] shall enter also into the GLORIOUS LAND [Jerusalem], and many countries shall be overthrown [at the time of the end]" (Dan. 11:41). The king of the north conquers the king of the south and then "enters" into "the glorious land" - the Holy Land and the city of Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for "enter" indicates this is a peaceful entry, not done by military force. The king of the north symbolically represents "Babylon", or the sinning, heathen nations such as ancient Assyria. Here is another statement made by the Pope: "We trust, that with the approach of the year 2,000, Jerusalem will become the city of peace for the entire world and that all people will be able to meet there, in particular the believers in the religions that find their birthright in the faith of Abraham". The Vatican is now "using" the concept of it being the great "peace-keeper", in order to gain support for its proposed authoritative role in the new "international" Jerusalem. The Pope is undoubtedly very accurate in his statement: "Jerusalem will become the city of peace for the entire world", but not the way he thinks! If we truly follow the message of Zechariah's flying scroll, and measure, or prove all these things concerning the time of the end, it becomes clear that Yah’shua the Messiah is going to be here in the very near future! Of these events, Yah'shua says: "But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matt. 24:36). In order to fully appreciate, through spiritual discernment of these events, we must think "spiritually", and remember that we are under the New (spiritual) Priesthood. If, while the ancient Israelites were under the Old (material) Covenant the Holy place was in the Holy Land and the city of Jerusalem; where the Temple and the keepers of the Law (priests and elders) were, then it stands to reason, that the Holy place in these end-times, is also in the Holy Land where the Temple is, which is in our MINDS - as Yahweh said: "I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts" (Heb. 8:10). And "Do you not know that you are the temple of Yahweh and that the Spirit of Yahweh dwells in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16). These verses help us to prove that when we recognize, that as nations, we are "legalizing", and thereby following all manner of pagan traditions as promoted by "Babylon the Great" (the Catholic and Protestant "traditional Christians"), that in fact, the Abomination of Desolation IS NOW STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE! The modern nations of Spiritual Israel (primarily the British Commonwealth and United States), have indeed incorporated into their civil laws, ALL OF THE ANCIENT PAGAN TRADITIONS CURRENTLY PROMOTED BY THE VATICAN and all of its daughter Protestants, including many of the rituals associated with Baal's false sun-worship, such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, New Year's, "Sun"day worship, not to mention the "legal" changes in Yahweh's times or seasons; hours of the day, months of the calendar, etc. These state endorsed changes of Yahweh's Law have become so ingrained in our modern societies, that most everyone simply "accepts" them, along with their pagan traditions, as being "normal"! The minds, or Temples of His Holy Spirit in modern Spiritual Israel have become an ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION! It is in fact, difficult to imagine how this could be any more clear in the Biblical revelations. Our Governments, being deceived by the great false Church - the Vatican, have, unwittingly or not, succeeded in deceiving almost "the whole world" (Rev. 12:9). If you've obtained an understanding of Zechariah's Flying Scroll, whether on your own, or as a result of reading this book, you will without a doubt KNOW that "the time is near", in fact, "when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled" (Matt. 24:34). Understanding this is a blessing, BUT ONLY if we are OBEDIENT TO Yahweh's COMMAND to see that this warning work is completed without delay! Zechariah's message is not a request or a suggestion! It is clearly a COMMAND! "THEREFORE SAY TO THEM, `Thus says Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts: "Return to me," says Yahweh, the Lord of Hosts, "and I will return to you'" (Zech. 1:3). Yah'shua said: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear [understand] the words of this prophecy, and KEEP [or do] those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3). THEREFORE SAY TO THEM [Yahweh's PEOPLE; HIS TEMPLE], "RETURN TO Yahweh"!
Grace and peace to you, from our Father, Yahweh, and Yah'shua our Messiah!
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The
book of Ezekiel is addressed to Israel. But Israel had been in captivity over
100 years when Ezekiel wrote this message. Ezekiel also warned Judah about being
taken captive by Babylon. Judah was conquered and Ezekiel was a prisoner. The
captivity of Judah was only a TYPE of what is to happen to America and the
British Commonwealth (Biblical Spiritual Israel), as well as Judah (modern-day
physical Israel), in the near future! |
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