Prophecy 26 – www.Tribulation102.com

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PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 267

March 17, 2006

WHERE ISRAEL HAS BEEN IN PROPHECY! Part 3

WHERE JEWS AND GENTILES ARE AT PRESENT!

WHERE BOTH ARE HEADING IN PROPHECY!

I Closed Part 2 of this series with the following message:

“Verse 12 continues to explain the symbolism of verses 7 through 10: “Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. This outlines the gradual drawing of Jews from out of their places in the Gentile world to their natural homeland – the land of Israel. This began over 100 years ago and is still continuing.”

Now, in Part 3 we will present the final aspect of God’s work – The spiritual rebirth of the nation of Israel.

In Part 2, beginning at Ezekiel 37:6, we presented the building of a living nation (Israel) over her dead, dry bones in the Gentile valleys of the world: “And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” The details of how this was done Ezekiel outlined in verses 7 through 12. The outline’s conclusion was the placing of Jews in their natural homeland – the land of Israel. In this update we will present the final aspect of God’s work – the spiritual rebirth of the nation of Israel, as described in Ezekiel 37, verses 13 & 14: “And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, [14] And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.”

Verse 13 begins, “And ye shall KNOW that I am the Lord.” This represents the final aspect of God’s word outlined in verse 6. It is the spiritual rebirth of the remnant of Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation Period. Only one-third of the population of Israel will survive 3 & ½ years of terror, according to Zechariah 13:8,9 – And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. [9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” And, according to Revelation 12:6 & 17, they are to flee into the Negev, with a remnant of the woman’s seed (Jesus Christ) in their midst for 3 and ½ years: “[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” “[17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Verse 13 continues: “WHEN I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves.” Between the word “WHEN” in verse 13, and the word “THEN” in verse 14, is the prophecy of the gathering, the physical rebirth, spiritual rebirth, and millennial restoration of the nation of Israel. It is a description of a physical gathering and rebirth of a nation brought up out of a worldwide Gentile graveyard. The close of verse 13 shows Israel as we know her today – a nation physically reborn from the foreign ground of Gentile nations to her home ground of Israel.

Ezekiel 37:13 – And ye shall know that I am the Lord, WHEN I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

Many Arab nations have come against Israel since she became a nation, in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973, but they do not know the thoughts of the Lord for her future. In all these wars and conflicts Israel has torn them with her horns, trampled them with her feet, and beat their armies into pieces, and Israel has taken great gain and substance from her enemies.

Micah 4:11-13 – Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. [12] But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. [13] Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

Israel’s enemies will not be successful against her until the thoughts of God will it in the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation Period.

Special Prophecy Update Number 267A

March 18, 2006

We escape by grace, NOT to be recaptured by the Law!

We escape by grace to unite with his local body in Love!

Loving Jesus is Abiding in the Work of His Local Body!

Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This was spoken to 11 disciples, all baptized by John the Baptist after repentance of their sins, and all of whom had faithfully followed Jesus for more than three years. Jesus had called them out after their baptism, choosing them by direction from his Father, as the first church of the New Testament Church period. They were a local, visible assembly of scripturally baptized believers who obeyed the commandments Jesus had spoken to them as they were given by his Father. Jesus also, as directed by his Father, had been baptized by John, even though he had no sins to confess.

So what were they in reference to their head Jesus, who had kept them together for more than three years, and what was their roll to be, particularly after his leaving them by ascending into heaven?

Ephesians 5:30 – For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (they were a local visible church)

They were the extensions of his body and, as such, were an assembly of scripturally baptized believers that were assembling as a local, visible body, a church, in the city of Jerusalem, And, out of that body each part of it was to be used to start other such local, visible bodies called churches across all the earth by the authority Christ Jesus, their Head, had given them. He gave authority to them as a body, a local church, the first church, to carry out the great commission of Matthew 28:19,20.

Each new local church that came out of this first church was given the authority to baptize and keep the two ordinances delivered to the local church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. And the churches that came out of the first church were given the same authority as the first church gave them. This was meant to be the way that churches were to multiply across the earth – each one to evangelize and teach where it was locally, and to send out missionaries with church authority to start new churches in other areas. Each church was to give glory to God by Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:21 – Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The head of each church was to be Jesus Christ, and his Spirit was to indwell each church.

Ephesians 1:22,23 – And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 5:30 – For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 2:22 – In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

All the saved are children of God, an eternal part of the Family of God, each one born again, eternally indwelt by the Spirit of God, and all are heaven bound.

Galatians 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

They are children of God by faith in his Son to save them from what we all are, natural sinners from birth. Baptism and works after salvation do mean a lot as to where you live in heaven, but they have nothing to do with your salvation. You should be baptized as your Savior was baptized, by immersion and by the proper authority. Jesus gave the authority to the first church he called out, and a local church today should still be teaching all that he taught them during his earthly ministry, plus what he taught them by his Spirit after his ascension to complete the New Testament, especially the two ordinances he gave to the church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Jesus knew that after his departure the Devil would do everything in his power to destroy his teachings once delivered to his first church. In fact, he indicated there would not be very many churches when he came again still teaching the doctrines of the faith he had delivered to them.

Luke 18:7,8 – And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? [8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

John 15:1-12 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

The local church is his body on this earth, it is the body representing the vine, and it is through that body that the Father, the husbandman receives fruit it produces.

[15:2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

If one of his local churches does not produce the fruit he desires, after a while he removes his Son’s Spirit from it and no longer considers it one of his churches. If it does produce the fruit he desires, he brings it through all the trials it must endure to purge it, and it produces more and more fruit.

[15:3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

He reminds the eleven disciples they have been purged by his living words he has spoken to them. They were saved and baptized before they ever heard him speak. He is referring to the post salvation process of John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

[15:4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Except a person abides in one of his local churches, and his Spirit abides in it because it teaches the truth, no fruit will be produced that honors God in the manner he wants to be honored.

[15:5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The vine represents the local church as the body of Christ. Individual church members represent branches that extend out from it. The power of Christ in his local body, the church, extends out from the body through his branches, the local church members.

[15:6] – If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

I will always be in Christ Jesus and he will always be in me by the New Birth. But many born again believers do not abide in one of his churches, each one representing his body. Once they do this they dry up spiritually, and unbelievers ridicule them for the once great testimony they gave for Christ, and they are all categorized as not believing what they once stood for, and are like wood that is only fit to be burned in the fires of adversity.

[15:7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

If the branches (local church members) remain in the local church, and the words (teachings of Christ) abide in them, what they ask (if it accords with his words) will be done unto them.

[15:8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

“Herein” refers back to “my words” in verse 7, and this principle is mirrored in John 8:31,32 – “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

[15:9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

This is the mark of a disciple, his love for Jesus by the love he has for his fellow disciples. Jesus gave this new commandment to only the true disciples after Judas had departed to betray him in John 13:34,35 – “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” If one always tries to keep this commandment, the rest of them seem to fall into place.

[15:10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

If you do not keep on trying to keep his commands as a church member, you do not lose your salvation, but you do lose the joy of close fellowship with him and, while he is still your friend, you are not his in this situation.

[15:11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Unless you are walking in the truth taught in one of his local churches, you cannot know the full joy of being his friend in full fellowship. I John 1:3,4 – “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” III John 1:3,4 – “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

[15:12] This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [13] Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [14] Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. [15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

I Peter 2:2-5 – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: [3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, [5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Special Prophecy Update Number 267B

March 20, 2006

Escaping by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law! Part 18

The first heresy found among the local churches was probably the one that occurred some 1950 years ago in the church at Galatia, where false teachers were telling the church that unless you kept the law after you had been saved by grace, you would lose your salvation. It was apparent to Paul it was if they had been bewitched, put under a spell by demons, to believe that what God had given them as an eternal gift, could be completed in them by keeping the law. Either they were complete in Christ, or they were not complete, and thought that they could be made complete, or perfect, in him.

Galatians 3:1-3 – O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? [2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Colossians 2:9,10 – For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Works can make a person look good on the outside, whether Christ is living in them or not, but it is not the works that makes them complete, but Christ living in them who is their completeness, and he does the works. The works are done by the one living in them, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. If Christ is not in you, you cannot work the works of God.

Someone who is a saved man is not a saved man because he tries to keep the law – he is a saved man because God has spiritually circumcised his heart.

Romans 2:28,29 – For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: [29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The saved grow in grace by grace! All of our saved lives we are meant to come to understand, more and more, that growing in grace is growing in the awareness that, with each passing year, we learn that the grace of God is much greater than we believed it was the year before. Keeping the law to grow in grace actually gives one a haughty spirit. We are not to live our lives in the strength of the law, but in the strength of Christ.

I Corinthians 15:56b – And the strength of sin is the law.

As long as people remain under the law, they remain under the power of sin. God gave us the law not only to lead us to Christ that we might be saved by grace through faith in him, but that it might keep on revealing how sinful we are in the flesh after we have been saved, and thereby keep us from becoming like the Pharisees, The law has kept me daily exercising I John 1:8,9 for 61 years.

Romans 3:19,20 – Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

I look upon myself as a much greater sinner than I was last year, because the law has revealed to me things about myself this year that I did not know about myself last year. I understand what Paul meant in Romans 7:24,25.

Romans 7:24,25 – O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Most of the religious world today believes a person can lose his or her salvation, and consequently most church buildings are filled with millions of men and women who firmly believe they can lose their salvation by what they call “backsliding,” which is some invisible mark passed when their sins build up passed a certain level. No one except extreme religionists seem to know exactly what that level is, the extreme believing one sin will cancel out your salvation and sent you to hell, if you do not confess it one second before you die in a car crash. What a horrible way to live – That is not freedom, it is the bondage of the law!

They seem to believe you can be removed from under the condemnation of God, then be put right back under it when you sin, or be passed from spiritual death to spiritual life by the new birth, and them pass right back again to spiritual death the minute you sin.

John 5:24 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

They seem to believe when God gives everlasting life it is only temporary, and that God will cast them out of his hand if they backslide. The only place I backslide to is the grace of God every time I sin, exercising what I John 1:8,9 teaches. God’s commandment spoken by his Son is life everlasting in his Son, received when we put our faith in the words spoken by his Son to forgive of all our sins forever.

John 12:48-50 – He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. [49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. [50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

John 10:27-30 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and my Father are one.

What don’t you understand about “never perish” or “any man” or “no man?” And don’t tell me, well, I can pluck myself out? You are a “man,” and secondly, who in heaven’s name would want to pluck themselves out?

They seem to believe God will stop loving them if they “backslide.”

Romans 8:37,39 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I sometimes wonder if they know the same God I know in Christ!

PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 268

March 23, 2006

WHERE ISRAEL HAS BEEN IN PROPHECY! Part 4

WHERE JEWS AND GENTILES ARE AT PRESENT!

WHERE BOTH ARE HEADING IN PROPHECY!

In previous Prophecy Updates, we used a prophecy in Ezekiel 37, written in about 592 B.C., in order to show its fulfillment from A.D. 70 to the present. Chapter 37, verses 1 through 14, which we covered in Parts 1 through 3, not only brought us up to the present, but also carried us into our future in verses 13 and 14. We closed Part 3 by stating: “The closing statement of verse 14 leaves no doubt that, at this point in time, the entire remnant of the nation of Israel, having survived the time of ‘Jacob’s Trouble,’ will have been made aware of, and will know, that all the words spoken by the Lord, concerning His remnant, have been performed by His power alone.” So, verse 14 marks the end of 3 and ½ years of Great Tribulation and the start of the reign of Daniel’s Messiah the Prince, Jesus Christ. Christ will rule and reign over the entire earth from the throne of David in Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14:9 – And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

A REUNITING OF THE TWO JEWISH KINGDOMS! Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah are reunited in the Millennial reign of Christ!

Ezekiel 37:15-28 – The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, [16] Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions [17] And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. [18] And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? [19] Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. [20] And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. [21] And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: [22] And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: [23] Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. [24] And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. [25] And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. [26] Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. [27] My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [28] And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Verses 15 through 28 of Ezekiel 37 discuss the reuniting of the two kingdoms that were caused by the split in the kingdom of Solomon after his death. These were the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. They are pictured as two rejoined sticks in verse 17: “And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.” This is reiterated in verse 22: “And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:” Verses 24 and 25 clearly identify the Messiah sitting on the throne of David as Israel’s eternal king: “And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. [25] And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.” Verses 27 and 28 leave little doubt this is Israel’s time of having her Messiah living in her midst: “My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [28] And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when MY SANCTUARY shall be in the midst of them for evermore.”

Ezekiel 43:1-9 – Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: [2] And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. [3] And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. [4] And the glory of the Lord came into THE HOUSE by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. [5] So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house. [6] And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. [7] And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places. [8] In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. [9] Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.

Ezekiel 37:28 – And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Zechariah 14:9 – And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 268A

March 25, 2006

Saved as a Workmanship of God to Produce His Fruit – Part 1

We are saved by grace through faith to produce a crop! What we produce will be eternally seen in us in heaven! He produces the crop in us from salvation to the grave! Size of the crop depends on how much we let him work!

1. Believer’s are saved by the spiritual workmanship of God in the new birth in Jesus to produce the fruit of good works. A new birth is salvation by grace through faith in Christ.

Galatians 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

John 3:6,7 – That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

2. The Spirit of Jesus working in the believer produces the good works of fruit pleasing to him. The believer’s role is to yield and let him produce the works of God

Philippians 2:13 – For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

3. The degree of good works we let Jesus produce in us will be manifested eternally in our glorified bodies in heaven. Some believers will appear more glorious than others.

I Corinthians 15:35-38 – But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: [38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

I Corinthians 15:41-43 – There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power

Believers will reap the kind of body they allowed God’s Spirit to create in them by the fruit of his good works in them. They will reap what they sowed in the new body.

Galatians 6:7 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

4. Those who were wise where the ones who let God work in them, and their bodies will be more glorious than the ones who failed to submit their wills to him.

Daniel 12:3 – And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

5. The believer’s glorified body will reflect the things he allowed God to do in his body – the believer will receive the things done in his body – reaping what he sowed. What the believer sowed to the flesh will profit nothing, but what the believer sowed to the will of the Spirit will reap a great reward.

II Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Galatians 6:7 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

6. Believers have the spiritual mind of Christ, which follows the Spirit of Christ received at the new spiritual birth, but still possess a carnal mind in the flesh, which follows the law of sin received at physical birth. These two minds are continually at war from the instant of the new birth, and the battle rages until physically death. The daily battle is a simple one: will I yield to the mind, the will, of Christ or will I yield to the will of the carnal nature in my flesh? It is daily war between the old and new natures. The degree of your yielding to the mind of Christ in you will determine the glory received by God, and that glory will be eternally manifested in your heavenly appearance.

Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Romans 7:24 to 8:2 – O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

7. Believers are eternally set free at the instant of their new birth in Christ from the law of sin and death, which is the condemnation of God to hell for sin.

John 5:24 –Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

8. They were saved to eternal liberty, freedom from the condemnation of God. But they are not to use their new found freedom to continually give in to the flesh because they are free from eternal condemnation in hell. That is the reason for the warning given to those in the church at Galatia about reaping what they sow after salvation.

Galatians 5:13-18 – For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. [16] This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. [18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Romans 8:1,2 –There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Hebrews 9:24-28 – For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: [25] Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; [26] For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

9. Jesus will judge, both the quick (living), changed at the rapture, as well as those whose bodies arise from the graves. It is no secret that most of today’s preaching is following the path of least resistance and acceptance by the listeners. I had to choose which path I would follow when I was called to Dardanelle to pastor more than 31 years ago. I do not regret my choice.

II Timothy 4:1,2 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

I Timothy 3:14,15 – These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: [15] But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

John 4:23,24 – But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 268B

March 29, 2006

Escaped by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law! Part 19

“Beware of the Concision” – the word translated as “concision” means “a cutting off” so as to produce one section cut off from another, such as a circumcision of a part of a male’s body, or a schism, a division, in a local church body.

A Jew was identified physically by the Jews as a child of God by the circumcision of his male organ. But Paul, in Philippines 3:1-9, makes it plain that this is no longer acceptable to God, but that it has always been spiritual circumcision of the heart that makes one a child of God. He advises the Philippians that they have become the family of God by Christ’s spiritual circumcision of their hearts, and the Jews are now the concision, because they have been cut off, and their circumcision is now only counted as a mutilation of the male organ.

Philippians 3:1-9 – Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. [2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. [3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, [9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Galatians 3:24-26 – Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Salvation is God’s Spiritual Circumcision of the Heart! A circumcised heart rejoices passionately when it hears God’s word!

Luke 24:30-32 – And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. [31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. [32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

John 6:62,63 – What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? [63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Romans 2:28,29 – For he is not a Jew, which is one out-wardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: [29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Luke 24:32-36 – And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? [33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, [34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. [36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

I John 3:2 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Heart Circumcision is God’s Spiritual Workmanship on the hearts of men and women when they repent toward God and put their faith for salvation in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Colossians 2:11 – In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Physical circumcision was a picture of the separation of the sins of the flesh from the physical body. Spiritual circumcision of the heart is the picture of the eternal spiritual separation of the sins of the flesh from the heart of the man at the time of the new birth.

Psalm 103:12 – As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Romans 4:6-8 –Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin

We were not justified by keeping the law to be saved by our works, neither is our justification maintained by doing the works of the law after we are saved by grace through faith. The believer is saved by God’s grace and kept by God’s grace. If, after the believer has been saved by grace, he or she believes they can commit a sin that will return them under the condemnation, they are saying the blood of Christ was not enough, and thereby make him a minister of sin, and not of grace.

Galatians 2:16-21 – Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. [18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. [20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John 5:24 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and SHALL NOT come into condemnation; but IS PASSED from death unto life.

Romans 4:6-8 – Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Galatians 2:21 – I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 269

March 31, 2006

WHERE ISRAEL HAS BEEN IN PROPHECY! Part 5

WHERE JEWS AND GENTILES ARE AT PRESENT!

WHERE BOTH ARE HEADING IN PROPHECY!

In Part 5, we will move back before the Millennial reign into a time we have yet to experience, namely the attack of 10 Arab nations against Israel, as outlined in Ezekiel 38.

Let me show you another reason among many others I have given on our web site as to why I believe the 10 toes of Daniel 2, and the 10 horns of Daniel 7 are Arab, not European nations

Ezekiel and Daniel were contemporary prophets, who both wrote in 600 B.C.! Find a reputable commentary with a map of the Persian Empire (648 to 330 B.C.) at its maximum extent. You will find one at the following web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persia

Then consider the following – although there are some variations as to where the individual peoples of Ezekiel 38 were located precisely across the vast area of the Persian Empire at its maximum extension, they were all inside the boundaries of the map.

In the area where the descendants of Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, Togarmah, Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish were clustered at the time Ezekiel and Daniel wrote, you will find the Islamic countries of today, namely Libya, Egypt, Sudan (Formerly northern Ethiopia), northern Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Afghanistan, plus several nations bordering on the northern border of Iran that have majority Islamic populations.

Now, Let us get down as to the specific locations where the peoples of Meshech and Tubal were located when Ezekiel wrote his prophecies.

Ezekiel 38:1,2 – “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” Gog (high extension) appears for the first time in Ezekiel. He is the Anti-christ of whom so much has been written. Please note that he is identified as the “chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.” Many commentators, especially in the last 100 years, have not identified him as the Antichrist, but have identified him as the ruler or chief prince of the land of Magog, which I do not believe Scripture justifies. Before the 20th Century, most identified him as the Antichrist. In verse 2 Ezekiel is told to set his face against two separate things, a person and a place. The person is Gog (Antichrist), and the place is the land of the descendants of Magog where it existed in Ezekiel’s day. If we do not locate the territories of Magog, Meshech, and Tubal as they existed in Ezekiel’s day, then we can have no idea as to where the Antichrist will soon rear his head, or the area from which his attack will be launched. Why – Because more than 2500 years have slipped by since Ezekiel wrote his prophecies, and the bloodlines of all three men been distributed across the entire planet. In order to correctly identify the area, from whence the Antichrist will attack Israel, we must identify where the descendants of Meshech and Tubal were residing in 500 and 600 B.C. Why? Because the Antichrist is not the chief prince of Magog, he is the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. He will come from the area where their descendants were settled in 500 and 600 B.C.

I will attempt to use two different sources to locate where the descendants of Meshech and Tubal were clustered at the time of Ezekiel’s writings. The first is found in the 27th chapter of Ezekiel, and the second is from the Assyrian monument stones of that period. Ezekiel 27:3 – “And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord God; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I am of perfect beauty.” Tyrus (Tyre) was a seaport on the southern coast of what we know today as Lebanon, which is directly north of Israel. Tyrus built its first great sea wall to protect its harbored ships more than 3000 years ago, and was a thriving seaport in Ezekiel’s day. Its ships carried merchandise from the countries of the east across all the Mediterranean, and even as far north as the shores of the English Channel. Zidon (Sidon) was also a sea port, and less than 20 miles separated the two cities. The wise men of Tyrus were the navigators of the ships, and the men of Zidon were the deck hands, as portrayed in Ezekiel 27:8 – “The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.” Now, bearing all this in mind, let us look at Ezekiel 27:13 – “Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.” Meshech and Tubal were warlike tribes, who often took their captives (persons of men) and the vessels of brass they had captured, or hammered out themselves, and carried them to the NEAREST seaport. The captives were, of course, loaded on the ships and sold as slaves in foreign ports of trade. Why the NEAREST seaport? Because, in Ezekiel’s day, travel was by foot, donkey, camel, and horse. People always carried their trading goods to the nearest port, particularly slaves. Therefore, I conclude that Meshech and Tubal must have roamed in the area we know today as Syria, Lebanon, northwestern Iraq, and southern Turkey. Meshech and Tubal are the Mushki and Tabali of the Assyrian stone monuments. In the time of Sargon and Sennacherib (700 B.C.) the territory of Tubal adjoined southern Cilicia, while that of Meshech filled the highlands to the east of Tubal. Considering the locations derived from the Bible and stone tablets, it appears that the Antichrist, as the chief prince of the area once occupied by Meshech and Tubal, is likely to arise, and eventually to attack Israel, from Syria or Lebanon. Considering the current Middle East power structure, Syria seems the most likely of the two.

But what about the land of Magog? Where were the Magogites settled in Ezekiel’s day? Lord willing, we will attempt to zero in on that area in Part 6.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 269A

April 2, 2006

Escaped by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law! Part 20

Many are led to Christ by their inability to keep the Law of God, which is his standard of righteousness, and are eternally saved when they put their faith in Jesus to save them, believing he kept it and died for them.

The purpose of the law was to teach us how sinful we are from our natural physical birth. I hope you do not think that it ever stops teaching us this as long as we live in this body of flesh. I hope you do not try to tell me that you realized the depth of how sinful you really were when you put your faith in Christ to save you. If you do, then you are a spiritual hypocrite and little more than a Pharisee. The Law continues to teach us, until the day we die a physical death, that we are even greater sinners than we thought we were at the time he saved our souls. I have discovered hundreds, perhaps thousands, of things about myself that are sinful, which I did not recognize as such at the time I was saved.

Many people, after they have been genuinely saved, try to go back under the law by believing they can change what they are in the flesh and, because they continue to sin in the flesh, live miserable lives, wondering if they really are saved, because they keep on sinning. Before we were saved we were powerless against sin, but tried, through the human conscience of reasoning, to develop a defense against what we made sin to be in our own eyes. But there is no genuine battle against sin that God accepts until after we are saved. Many mistake the battle our saved soul puts up against sin by the Spirit of Christ in us, when it loses by yielding to the desires of the flesh, as a sign they are not saved, and consequently live guilt ridden lives. The fact that we do battle the flesh, even when we yield to it, is one of the surest signs of eternal salvation by the Spirit of Christ in us, because he is the one who strengthens our soul to battle the flesh. He gave us I John 1:8-10 knowing our souls would yield to the flesh over and over again throughout our lives in the flesh.

I John 1:8-10 – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

We can never, living in bodies of flesh, change them to the extent we never commit sin. The best we can ever do, by the Spirit of Christ in us and the study of his life changing word, is to control the sinful urges of the flesh more and more with each passing year, but we cannot even come close to controlling the flesh to the extent we can live a sinless life.

I know a saved man who was carnal, had sin dwelling in him, did evil things God hated, served the law of sin, at times was held captive by sin, and was sold under sin, but that man is in heaven today.

Romans 7:12 to 8:4 – Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. [13] Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. [14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: [4] That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

John 3:6 – That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 269B

April 5, 2006

Escaped by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law – Part 21

Philippians 4:8,9 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The same man who wrote this, also wrote the Epistle to the Romans. So how could his soul have had peace with God?

Paul was a saved man who was carnal, had sin dwelling in him, did evil things God hated, served the law of sin, at times was held captive by sin, and was sold under sin, but Paul is in heaven today.

Romans 7:14-25 – For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

How can a soul have peace with God, and yet do what Paul said he did?

My soul has the “rest” of eternal assurance that God will never separate me from him because of my sins, but when I do not “do” the things that Paul advocated in Philippians 4:8,9, my soul loses the “peace” of God. When I yield to the flesh and follow it, I have no “peace” with God until I repent of what I have done by asking him to forgive me for Jesus’ sake.

I John 1:8,9 – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I know I can never be separated from the “rest” of security in God’s love, but I can be separated from the “peace” that he gives me I if I fail to “do” what he tells me in his commandments.

Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

John 5:40 – And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

John 3:18 – He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 4:6-8 – Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 8:31-39 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul was a wretched man when he followed the flesh, but knew God would never forsake him because of his sins. He had the “rest” of God, no matter what he did, and knew he had eternal life, but he had no peace with God when he followed the desires of the flesh, rather than the Spirit of Christ in him.

Romans 7:24 to 8:7 – O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. [1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Philippians 4:9 – Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13,14 – Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. [14] And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Ephesians 4:3 – Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 270

April 7, 2006

WHERE ISRAEL HAS BEEN IN PROPHECY! Part 6

WHERE JEWS AND GENTILES ARE AT PRESENT!

WHERE BOTH ARE HEADING IN PROPHECY!

Thus far, in Parts 1 through 5, we have covered Ezekiel 37:1 to 38:2. I promised in Part 6 to exposit on where the land of Magog was located when Ezekiel wrote his prophecies in 600 B.C., so that we can identify what country occupies this territory today.

Ezekiel 38:1-3 – “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, [3] And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal:”

In Part 5 we established, from the Scriptures and the Assyrian stone monuments, that the descendants of Meshech and Tubal, at the time Ezekiel wrote his prophecies, were primarily located in what we know as Syria and Lebanon. We also established that the prophecy is again a person, Gog (Antichrist), and against a land, the land of Magog. I am convinced that the Antichrist will attack Israel from Syria. Now, what about the “land of Magog?” Where were the Magogites located at the time of Ezekiel’s writings? Flavius Josephus, the noted Jewish historian makes the following statements concerning the Magogites in Antiquities of the Jews, Chapter VI, under the title, HOW EVERY NATION WAS DENOMINATED FROM THEIR FIRST INHABITANTS: “Japhet, the son of Noah, had seven sons.” “They called the nations by their own names.” “Magog founded those that from him were called Magogites, but who by the Greeks were called Scythians.” The Greek writers of the Classic Age said the Scythians occupied the area which today we identify as stretching from Moldova eastward across the Ukraine, southern Russia, and into Kazakhstan, then southward into Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan – Roughly the area north of the Black Sea, between the Black and Caspian Seas, and the area northwest, north, and northeast of the Caspian Sea. I do not believe the nations in this area will join in the initial attack against Israel, but I am certain they will come down for the final battle of Gog’s war, which is the Battle of Armageddon. The Battle of Armageddon, found in Revelation 16:16, is the final battle in Gog’s war, which began 3 and ½ years earlier.

Verse 3 fails to include the “land of Magog,” and is a message directly pointed, and personally addressed, against the Antichrist Gog, who once again is identified as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Popular writers in the last century brought a teaching into play that is simply not true. They said the word “chief” was “rosh” in the Hebrew language, which is true. But they said it meant “Russian,” which is not true. The Russian and Hebrew language have never overlapped in history to support such a claim. He is not a Russian prince. He is the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, most likely having a Syrian father. The word “rosh,” in the KJV, is translated as “chief” 90 times, as “head” 349 times, as “top” 75 times, as “beginning” 14 times, as “company” 12 times, as “captain” 10 times, as “sum” 9 times, as “first” 6 times, as “principle” 5 times, as “chief man” 4 times, and as “ruler” on two occasions. At no time, in all of history, could it legitimately be identified as someone who is a Russian.

I am convinced this chief prince of Meshech and Tubal will come from northwestern Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, or southern Turkey, but I will be very much surprised if his father is not a Syrian. He will be the leader of a multilateral Arab force that will carry out a surprise attack against Israel from the north. I believe this is spoken of in Revelation 17:12,13 – “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. [13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Although he will have the support of ten Arab nations, I believe the nations directly involved in the initial attack will be Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran from without, and the Palestinians from within. I believe the other nations, which will then immediately become involved in the Jihad, are most likely Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Sudan.

Now, let us continue from Ezekiel 38:4 – “And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” This portrays a man overtaking a fleeing beast, putting hooks into its jaws, then turning and pulling it along a path the man desires to lead it. The Antichrist will have no choice in this matter. God will create political and economic circumstances whereby he must come down at exactly the appointed time. I protest the efforts of some commentators to take the weapons of Ezekiel’s day, and attempt to carry them into our day and time. Suppose God had inspired Ezekiel to write 2020 tanks, 923 MIG JETS, 32838 katyusha launchers, 1200000 katyusha rockets, 7230 SAM shoulder held launchers with 14673 SAM’s, and 20730 flamethrowers. The readers of Ezekiel’s day would have laughed him to scorn. I am persuaded that God meant for our final generation to picture a great, mighty, army, fully armed to the teeth with all the known modern weapons of warfare.

Verse 5 names three of the peoples from which the Antichrist will draw his initial attacking horde: “Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:” Persia was basically the people east of the Euphrates, which today would be Iran and Iraq. Libya corresponds with the location of modern day Libya. And Ethiopia in Ezekiel’s day was made up mostly of what we call Sudan today. Once again the point is made that they will be fully armed for all out war. I do not believe this attack will occur prior to 2007, but I am of the OPINION it will occur before 2012, with the most likely time being 2008 to 2010. Again, I emphasize, this TIMING is an OPINION based on the events in Israel since 1967, and it may not be correct. The Scriptures clearly teach it WILL occur, and my GUESS is that it will be before 2012.

Verse 6 continues to name the peoples of Ezekiel’s day from which he will draw his support, and by knowing where they lived at that time, we can at least attempt to identify those nations that occupy these areas today: “Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.” Quite frankly, I have searched, and researched the writings of many historians, both ancient and modern, and, in the end, knowing that honesty is always the best policy, I can only say there is a wide diversity of opinion as to the precise location of these two tribes. Up to this point, as regards the locations of Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Libya, and Ethiopia, I have presented a case from both the Scriptures and historical records, which I believe is substantial. But in the case of Gomer, and the house of Togarmah, as to where they were settled in Ezekiel’s day, I can only give a rough approximation. The house of Togarmah and the descendants of Gomer were sandwiched between the Magogites (Scythians) to the north, and Meshach, Tubal, and Persia to the south. They stretched from west to east across modern day Turkey into the area south of the Caucasus Mountains, and through extreme northern Iraq and Iran.

Lord willing, we will continue our verse by verse exposition of Ezekiel 38 in Part 7.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 270A

April 9, 2006

Escaped by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law – Part 22

Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Belief in Christ for Salvation = Righteousness

Keeping the Law for Salvation = Self-Righteousness

The righteousness which is of the Law = Self-Righteousness

The righteousness which is of faith = Righteousness

There is only one kind of righteousness a man can have before he is saved – SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. There are two kinds of righteousness a man can have after he is saved – CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SELF- RIGHTEOUSNESS. He MUST have the righteousness of Christ to be saved. He MAY, OR MAY NOT, HAVE SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. If he continues to try and obey the commandments of God to KEEP his salvation, then he is SELF-RIGHTEOUS – he has chosen to be recaptured by the law. You do not have to HELP God to SAVE you or to KEEP you after you are saved – both THE SAVING AND THE KEEPING OF THE SOUL ARE TOTALLY BY GRACE.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF THE LAW IS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE IT IS NOT BY FAITH IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.

Romans 10:1-13 – Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [10:5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. (Can you keep the law in every point?)

James 2:10 – For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

John 5:39,40 – Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [40] And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (Christ alone gives eternal life)

Galatians 3:26 – For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

[10:6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

Do you hear what the righteousness which is of faith is saying to you? Do you understand what it is telling you NOT to do in your heart to be saved?

Did you have to ascend into heaven to help God save you? How did you help him? Did you have to assist God in bringing his Son down from above?

[10:7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

Did you have to die and go to the grave with Christ? Did you help God raise him from the Dead? Did he, or does he, need your help to be saved or to stay saved? Did he do enough all by himself without your help? So, if you are not to think these things in verses 6 and 7 to be saved, what does the righteousness which is of faith say you are supposed to do to be saved and stay saved?

[10:8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Belief in Christ for Salvation = Righteousness

Keeping the Law for Salvation = Self-Righteousness

The righteousness which is of the Law = Self-Righteousness

The righteousness which is of faith = Righteousness

So, where is your faith placed for the salvation of your soul?

(a) In your works

(b) In Jesus plus your works of self-righteousness

1 John 1:8-10 – If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I long ago lost count of the number of people who have said to me, “I am just as good as those people who tell me that have been saved.” They seem to have difficulty in confessing they have any faults. So do saved people!

Luke 18:18,19 – And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

James 5:16,17 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [17] Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (Elias was a man of sinful passions like Paul, like me, and like you, but he confessed his faults before God, and he answered his prayer. So who is a righteous man? Which one of the two in Luke 18:9-17 is the righteous man? Whose prayer did God answer?)

Luke 18:9-17 – And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. [15] And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. [17] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 270B

April 12, 2006

Escaped by Grace, Only to be Recaptured by the Law – part 23

Matthew 11:28 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Are you saved, how heavy is the old dead man you are still carrying? Is he still tied to your back weighing you down?

He is, if you believe you can lose your salvation?

Many children of God do not understand they were “made dead” to the condemnation of God for sins of the flesh they commit after they have been saved.

You will never get the dead man off your back until you learn of the true graciousness of Jesus Christ after he has saved you.

Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

And this is what you will discover as you learn of Jesus!

John 3:18 – He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is what you will discover as you learn of Jesus!

John 11:25,26 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

And this is what you will discover as you learn of Jesus!

Romans 8:38,39 – For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And this is what you will discover as you learn of Jesus!

John 10:28-30 – And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. [30] I and my Father are one.

And after you learn these things about Jesus from the Scriptures, the old dead man begins to slide off your back and you “find rest unto your soul” in him, which is a much lighter burden on your back that the old dead man of the law.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The burden is light and the yoke is easy because Jesus has set you free forever from God’s condemnation for what you were from fleshly birth – a sinner! He has set your soul free from God’s condemnation to hell by a new birth of the Spirit.

John 8:30-33,36 – As he spake these words, many believed on him. [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Colossians 3:3 – For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Romans 4:7,8 – Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans 6:6-11 – Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. [11] Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:20,21 – I am crucified with Christ: never-theless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Hebrews 9:25-28 – Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; [26] For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

I John 5:12,13 – He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. [13] These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,

John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

I Thessalonians 5:9 – For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 7:25 – Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Philippians 3:20,21 – For our conversation (permanent home address) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Ephesians 2:6-10 – And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: [7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

John 5:40 – And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 271

April 14, 2006

Escaped by “Finished” Grace, Never Again a Prisoner of the Law – Eternally set free by the work of the King on Easter Through his One Time Passover Offering for us! The King and His Kingdom will Soon Arrive to Complete our Final Redemption – The First Resurrection.

Matthew 3:1,2 – In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, [2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Luke 22:15,16 – And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: [16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

Matthew 26:62-67 – And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? [63] But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. [64] Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. [65] Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. [66] What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. [67] Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

Luke 21:27 – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Revelation 19:16 – And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

John 18:33-37 – Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? [34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? [35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? [36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. [37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:37A –Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.

Matthew 2:1,2 –Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Revelation 22:16 –I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Luke 1:31-33 – And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Daniel 2:44 – And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

John 18:37B – Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born,

Daniel 7:13,14 – I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. [14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

John 18:37C – To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.

Galatians 4:4-6 – But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

John 19:30 – When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (The law had been fulfilled)

John 18:37D – Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (The word of God is the voice of Jesus)

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 271A

April 16, 2006

An Exposition of Isaiah 61 – Part 1

This is a line by line, phrase by phrase, exposition of the 61st Chapter of the book of Isaiah. Part 1 contains an exposition of Isaiah 61:1 parallel with its quotation by Jesus in Luke 4:18.

Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is UPON ME; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

61:1A – The Spirit of the Lord God is UPON ME;

Luke 4:18A – The Spirit of the Lord is UPON ME,

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus after John baptized him. This marked the beginning of the earthly ministry of the Son of God. Mary was the daughter of Heli. He was a direct descendant of Seth, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and King David.

Luke 3:21-23 – Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, [22] And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove UPON HIM, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. [23] And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

He began his earthly ministry by withstanding all the temptations of the Devil in the Judean Wilderness, after which he went north into Galilee, read from Isaiah 61:1 in the synagogue, and confirmed that it had now been fulfilled at his reading of it.

Luke 4:1 – And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Luke 4:14-21 – And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. [15] And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. [16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. [17] And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, [18] The Spirit of the Lord is UPON ME, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, [19] To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. [20] And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21] And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

The words used for “meek” in Isaiah 61:1B, and for “poor” in Luke 4:18B, are descriptive words for the character of the individuals that would receive the message Jesus was anointed to preach to Israel.

Isaiah 61:1B – Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the MEEK;

Luke 4:18B – Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the POOR;

This was not the general attitude of the Jewish people at that time – they were neither meek nor poor in spirit.

The attitude of the Jewish priests, rulers, and leaders of Jesus’ day were not interested in the coming of Messiah. They had carved themselves power and authority seats within the Roman governmental structure, and were very satisfied with the status quo. Their attitude is well reflected in their troubled state of mind when the wise men came looking for the new King born in Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:3 – When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And from the time that John was cast into prison, Jesus began to preach the gospel, the good news that at last the promised kingdom was in the immediate future for all who had believed Messiah would come to bring it.

Matthew 4:11-12,17 – Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. [12] Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; [17] From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is at hand.

Luke 4:43,44 – And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. [44] And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.

However, only the poor in spirit, the humble, received it and believed they could inherit a kingdom on this earth.

Matthew 5:3,5 – Blessed are the POOR in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [5] Blessed are the MEEK: for they shall inherit the earth.

This was the kingdom Israel had been awaiting for the Messiah to bring in since Daniel defined it more than 600 years earlier.

Daniel 7:13,14 – I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. [14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and A KINGDOM, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his KINGDOM that which shall not be destroyed.

Israel rejected the king and his gospel of his kingdom! But a remnant of Israel repented with broken hearts from contrite spirits, and they were comforted by the Messiah, being filled with his imputed righteousness.

Isaiah 61C – He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

Luke 4:18C – He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,

Matthew 5:4,6 – Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 51:17 – The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

The promised Seed of Genesis 3:15 crushed the head of the serpent Satan, who had held mankind captive in the bondage of spiritual blindness since Adam’s fall in the garden. Messiah the Seed had his own body bruised on the cross as the price of our deliverance. Messiah came to proclaim that message to all who would receive it.

Isaiah 61D – To proclaim liberty to the CAPTIVES,

Luke 4:18D – To preach deliverance to the CAPTIVES, and recovering of sight to the Blind.

Genesis 3:15 – And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her SEED; it shall BRUISE thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Hebrews 2:14-17 – Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; [15] And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject TO BONDAGE. [16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. [17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

II Corinthians 5:19-21 – To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the WORD OF RECONCILIATION. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Colossians 1:13,14 – Who hath DELIVERED US from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into THE KINGDOM of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Messiah delivered us from the captivity of the spiritual blindness that existed until he came to give us the light of the glorious gospel in himself.

Luke 4:18E – And recovering of sight to the blind,

John 9:39-41 – And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. [40] And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? [41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Ephesians 4:18 – Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Matthew 6:23B – If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Romans 11:25 – For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Isaiah 61:1F – And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Luke 4:18F – To set at liberty them that are bruised,

Messiah opened the prison doors by which Satan had held all mankind, bringing grace and true in him, and with him, to set men free in the liberty he purchased with his own blood.

John 1:16,17 – And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. [17] For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 8:32,36 – And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The prison doors have been opened and men set free from condemnation for sin by the new birth in Christ.

John 3:6,7 – That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The purpose of the new birth is not just to save you from hell, it is to give you an opportunity to serve God, after Christ comes to eternally live in you, by letting him lead you in your new found liberty to be more and more like him, and less and less like your carnal man.

II Corinthians 3:17,18 – Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. [18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

John 6:63 – It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

James 1:25 – But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Galatians 2:4 – And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Galatians 5:1,13 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

SPECIAL PROPHECY UPDATE NUMBER 271B

April 19, 2006

An Exposition of Isaiah 61 – Part 2

ISAIAH 61:2 – To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Jesus came as the messenger of the covenant, and John the Baptist was the messenger who announced Messiah had arrived. They both announced the acceptable year of the king and his kingdom had arrived, but Israel did not accept the king or his kingdom. Jesus was baptized by John and later in his ministry, following his 40 days of testing in the wilderness, suddenly appeared at his Temple, and gave it a spiritual cleansing. He gave it a second cleansing as he closed his earthly ministry more than three years later.

Malachi 3:1 – Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 3:1,2 – In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, [2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John 1:29-34 – The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. [30] This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. [31] And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. [32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. [33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. [34] And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Matthew 4:17 – From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

ISAIAH 61:2 – To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Israel would not accept the king and the kingdom at the time of the acceptable year and, has a result, the day of the vengeance of their God will continue on them until the day that their king comes again to comfort them.

Matthew 23:37-39 – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! [38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. [39] For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Israel and its temple have been spiritually desolate for a very long time, and will continue to be so until the final time of Jacob’s trouble ends.

Jeremiah 30:7 – Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Malachi 4:1,2, Zechariah 13:8,9, and Micah 5:3,4 all give a picture of Jacob’s (Israel’s) trouble, but with a remnant of Israel being saved out of it at the end

Malachi 4:1,2 – For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. [2] But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Zechariah 13:8,9 – And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. [9] And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

Micah 5:3,4 – Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. [4] And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

ISAIAH 61:3A – To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

The mourning for the burning, that left only ashes from the time of Jacob’s trouble, will be followed by a great mourning in the city of Jerusalem for their forefather’s rejection of the Messiah at his First Advent. But the mourning will be replaced by great rejoicing in the beauty of their returned Messiah, and they will weave the garments of worship to use in the millennial temple.

Zechariah 12:8-14 – In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. [9] And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. [10] And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. [11] In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddon. [12] And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; [13] The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; [14] All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

The kings, prophets, and priesthood of Israel’s history are delineated in this national assembly of repentance. David represents the kings of Israel from his lineage. David’s and Solomon’s seer, Nathan, represents the long line of prophets of Israel. Levi and his grandson Shimei represent the Priesthood. And all of Israel will be restored to much greater glory than it has ever known.

Isaiah 61:3B – That they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

God will plant in them his Spirit by the new birth, and will plant them in Israel in the midst of unbelievable fertility.

Amos 9:13-15 – Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. [14] And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. [15] And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.

Ezekiel 36:33-38 – Thus saith the Lord God; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. [34] And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. [35] And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. [36] Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the Lord build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it. [37] Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. [38] As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

John 10:16 – And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Micah 5:3 – Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

Zechariah 14:9 – And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.