IT’S NOT ABOUT CHRISTMAS OR BIRTHDAYS – IT’S ABOUT YEHOVAH’S ROYAL GOVERNMENT

                                                                Reprinted from December 2020

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9.6-7

Many in the assembly of Yeshua, or mainstream Christianity, have no idea what “Christmas” is really about. Yeshua was not born on December 25^th or anywhere near that date. A strong argument for his birth occurring during the Lord’s Feast of Tabernacles can be made through a thorough study of the scriptures.

It begins with 1 Chronicles 24.10 with the priestly course/order of service in the Temple established by King David. In this verse we understand in Luke 1.5 that John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias was serving in the Temple during the 8^th course of service as stated in 1 Chronicles.

With the information contained in Luke chapters 1 and 2 we can determine that Yeshua was most likely born during the Feast of Tabernacles. This Feast celebrates God dwelling with his people—living with them in his tabernacle. For a great video on this go to: https://ascensionministries.biz/products/the-appointed-time-of-messiahs-birth

The birth of Messiah was the re-establishment of Yehovah’s Kingdom on this earth. King Yeshua was born as the Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He came to re-establish His government on earth with judgment and justice forever! The Creator was sending a message to haSatan, the adversary, that there was a new sheriff in town—Yeshua HaMashiach—the Messiah.

Yehovah’s Kingdom began with the birth of this infant and will rule the earth forever more. It’s all about the establishment of the Kingdom of God!

Oh, how Christianity has lost the vision of the Kingdom! 

A Kingdom has laws, a calendar, and holidays does it not? What holidays is Roman Christianity celebrating? All of Christianity is Roman in nature. The Protestant Reformation did not go all the way. They retained many of Rome’s holidays—the pagan holidays—and “Christianized” them. This is not the Kingdom of God!

The Biblical/Hebrew Calendar is part of God’s Commandments as contained in the Torah—the first five books of the Old Testament. The Feasts or Holidays of God’s Kingdom are found in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29. These are the Lord’s Feasts, not Jewish Feasts. They are the official and lawful Feasts of God’s Kingdom.

They are Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost (Shavuot), Trumpets, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Tabernacles (Sukkot), and the Last Great Day.

When we read the Gospel accounts of Yeshua’s life and ministry we will note that he observed all of these feasts during his life and ministry. He was moving prophetically in lock step with these feasts.

He was showing us the way. He was faithful to observe them and the one and only lawful Sabbath—Saturday. His life and ministry revolved around the “Feasts of the Lord.” Ref: Leviticus 23.1

This is the Calendar of the Kingdom. These feasts contain prophetic information which allows us to understand the scriptures of past, present, and especially, events to come. The Book of Revelation cannot be understood without an understanding of the Feasts and Calendar of the Kingdom of God. Note: There are many postings on this blog you can search for additional information and understanding of these things.

Mainstream Christians have a woeful lack of knowledge of these truths. Yeshua did not come to establish a new religion. He came to establish his Kingdom according to the writings of Moses and the Prophets contained in the Hebrew Bible.

We, as servants of our King, Yeshua, who were formally Gentiles, with no knowledge of these things have been called out and grafted into the Kingdom! Ref: Ephesians 1, 2, 3.

Many will say these are “Jewish Feasts” and we are not required to observe them. If that is the case why is the Apostle Paul saying we are grafted into Israel? He was teaching these things to the early Gentile believers. Luke 2.32 says Yeshua is a light unto the Gentiles! We become part of Israel. We need to truly understand what grafted in means.

Note that I said we become part of Israel—not Jewish. There is a difference. Israel is the UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL. In 1 Kings 11 and 12 we read the story of civil war in Israel and a division between the North and South—Judah in the south and Israel in the North.

This division of the Kingdom has not been totally healed and re-united. This is an event to come. Our grafting in is part one and the redemption of the Jewish people is part two—yet to be totally fulfilled.

When a Gentile or a Jewish person accepts Yeshua as Master, Savior, and King he or she BECOMES AN ISRAELITE. They are united in Yeshua and become Israel. Think about this. Jew and Israelite Gentile become one new man!

In Genesis 14.13 Abram was called a “Hebrew.” He is never referred to as a Jew in scripture. He is a Hebrew. He was called out of pagan Chaldea and crossed over the river Euphrates. The word Hebrew means = “One who has crossed over.”

Abram crossed over from paganism to the worship of and following the one true God—Yehovah! When we accept Yeshua we crossover into new and abundant life in HIM! In effect, we are now Hebrew Israelites! The one new man!

We become lawful and legal immigrant new citizens of the Kingdom of God. If you are not following King Yeshua you are an illegal immigrant!

Christmas is based on Roman pagan celebrations. When Emperor Constantine, and those emperors which followed him, decided to make Christianity the religion of Rome they turned away from Yehovah’s calendar and feasts. They took their pagan feasts and Christianized them. 

It no longer mattered if you were a “legal immigrant.” It didn’t matter if you followed Yeshua in your heart. As long as you accepted the doctrine of Rome and the new holidays you were now considered a “Christian.” You didn’t have to be “born again.”

Anything “Jewish” was banned and if you worshipped God on the Jewish Sabbath you were a heretic and could be executed. Rome was now the leader of the “Christian World” and they decided what days were holy and what days were the holidays. The Hebrew Scriptures were no longer consulted.

An entire hierarchal worldly institution led by a “Pope” which replaced Yehsua—that is what “Vicar of Christ” means—replacing Christ—became the false religion of Christianity.  

So, here we are today…Fake holidays, fake religion, and fake holiness. Sorry, this is not the Kingdom of God. It is difficult to swallow—but true. 

We are members of God’s Kingdom as long as we obey Him and his lawful commands. Our Kingdom’s Constitution is contained in the entire Bible—both testaments. We search for truth and strive to allow the scriptures to interpret themselves. 

Isn’t it interesting that today in America lawlessness abounds. The Constitution is under attack and many of our elected officials are receiving bribes from foreign countries rather than upholding our Constitution.

Just as reform is taking place in America so it is taking place in the spiritual Kingdom of God. Many are returning to the “ancient and true ways” of our Founding Father Yehovah! The Kingdom is being restored! 

As the world and America is experiencing an awakening to the corruption of our governments so the mainstream church will soon re-discover the true Biblical Kingdom. Many will return to the pure word of God and be refreshed. It is coming!

A SPECIAL HANUKKAH MESSAGE FROM ISRAEL

Caroline B. Glick is a Conservative commentator and Israeli Patriot. If you have not read the previous posts on The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble which begin on Tuesday October 31, 2023 on this blog through November: https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2023/10/

 Ms. Glick’s Hanukkah video is very important. She understands the serious consequences of the current conflict in Israel. It is a fight for survival of the Jewish people exactly as it was 2,135 years ago during the revolt of the Maccabees against the Greeks.

The Greeks were looking to wipe out the Jewish people and their God. There are many similarities today as the world is coalescing against the Jewish people. Her short video (29 minutes) is a must watch and here it is:  https://www.jns.org/the-maccabean-revolt-of-2023/

I also posted on the Maccabees revolt here in 2019: https://burningbush647.blogspot.com/2019/12/daniels-hanukkah-prophecy-historical.html

It is most important we understand that the war in Israel at this current time may be the beginning of sorrows for the world. The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble is the 7 year tribulation period when the world will turn against the State of Israel, Jewish people, and the elect of Yeshua the Messiah (Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21).

God’s “church” will be severely tested at this time. They will not be raptured out because the true “church” has been grafted into Israel (Romans 11) and will be purified and tested during that time.

I am not predicting that we are in the tribulation now. I am saying that this is the prelude to that time. We need to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and understand the times:

 And of the sons of Issachar, two hundred chief men, who had understanding of the times and were wise to know what Israel ought to do; and all their brethren followed their word. 1 Chronicles 12.32

All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and likewise, all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.  And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them. 1 Chronicles 12.38-29

Like these believers in the time of King David we will be called to serve our King Yeshua during the tribulation times. Now is the day of our preparation and training. We need to keep our eyes on Jerusalem and the events unfolding in Israel. A time of great tribulation upon the earth is coming. We are now in training for this time no matter how long this training period will be.

Understanding The Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble unlocks the mystery of the coming tribulation. Yeshua is preparing His Army of Believers for that coming Day of the Lord. Prepare!

It is slowly playing out before our eyes. We are to “occupy until I come,” Luke 19.11-27. He comes after the tribulation of those days:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. And he shall send his angels with a trumpet and a great voice, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matt 24.29-31

Our King is only coming once. He will be coming to save all Israel at that time. We are grafted into Israel (Eph 2.11-13). We will be part of the Great Tribulation. We, along with all Israel will be a testimony to the world during this terrible time. His glory will be revealed to the world by our testimony in that day.

As the British said during World War Two: Keep Calm and Carry On. Let’s all walk softly and follow our King one day at a time. He will call us when the time comes. Only the Father knows the day and hour. Amen!

 

THE FOUR THOUSAND YEAR HISTORY OF ESAU’S GENEALOGY—ESAU IS EDOM – GENESIS 36

Today we examine Esau’s genealogy beginning with the Biblical record and modern history. Jacob and Esau have been in a blood feud since Biblical times. Surprising information contained in this post will help us to understand the current crisis in the Controversy of Zion and Jacob’s Trouble.

The previous five posts are part of this series.

The Biblical record of Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael show that God desired Abraham’s son Isaac would be the son of promise (God’s promise that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, would have a son). Abraham’s son with midwife Hagar would be mightily blessed but the birthright would be given to Isaac. Genesis 21.1-21 explains the birth of Isaac and God’s promise that Ishmael would become a great nation. Ishmael would have 12 sons and become the Arab nations.

Most of us know the story of Jacob and Esau and their birthright controversy. God told Rebekah in Genesis 25.23 that she would have twins and one people shall be stronger than the other people and the elder would serve the younger. Genesis 25.24-34 recounts how Esau glibly sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red pottage.

The 12 tribes of Ishmael and Esau, who is Edom are distant cousins. Esau went to his uncle Ishmael for wives (Gen 28.8-9) while Jacob went to Haran and took wives of his uncle Laban.

From the National Library of Medicine: Archaeologic and genetic data support that both Jews and Palestinians came from the ancient Canaanites, who extensively mixed with Egyptians, Mesopotamian, and Anatolian peoples in ancient times. Thus, Palestinian-Jewish rivalry is based in cultural and religious, but not in genetic, differences.

Jacob, Ishmael, and Esau have been at odds ever since. This is root of the Controversy of Zion. It is a family feud! It also proves the truth of the Bible.

Later, instead of Rebekah waiting for God to bring about his promise of the elder serving the younger, she conspired with Jacob to receive Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 27.1-40). The result of this has been a four thousand year blood feud between the brothers. We know about Jacob’s sons and how they became Israel but we know little about Esau. Today we will examine Esau’s history and genealogy.

We must keep in mind that when God makes a promise it is immutable and unchangeable. God is God. He is our creator and His word is unchangeable. The controversy exists between the brothers. God blessed Esau and was fair to him. Esau has never forgiven Jacob or God. If he would have accepted God’s decision the world would be a different place.

God’s word and the world’s refusal to accept it are the cause of all of the problems we now face. God has given us free will to accept or decline His Law and truth. He is still the one true God. The world will experience and know this at the end of the age. The Holy Scriptures explain everything—but mankind chooses to go their own way. Elohim, Jehovah, God will reveal His glory to the world when all things are fulfilled. The time is short.

THE ANCIENT ERA

Genesis 36 details the promises and blessing God bestowed upon Esau. It tells us Esau is Edom (Edomites). Esau took his wives and family and all his cattle and riches to Mount Seir and settled there. This is south east of the Dead Sea and Esau’s descendants would build the fortress city of Petra to protect themselves.

One of Esau’s descendants was Amalek who fought against Moses and the children of Israel at Rephidim (Exodus 17.8-16). At this time the Lord told Moses to write in a scroll that the Lord would have war with Amalek throughout the generations for this attack on the Israelites.

This is the first recorded attack on Israel by Esau/Edom. They started the war against the Israelites.

1 Samuel 15 is the account of Samuel the priest telling Saul, the first king of Israel, to smite the Amalekites because of what they did to Moses in the wilderness. Saul was instructed to kill all of the Amalekites—even the animals. Saul did not follow these instructions and kept the best of the animals and took Agag, king of Amalek alive. Samuel would later kill Agag.

Now we look at the Book of Esther and the story of Haman the Agagite. Haman is considered to be a descendant of Agag. The name Haman means violence or hate in Hebrew. King Herod the Great is considered to be a descendant of Haman.

The Greek name for Edom is Idumea. King Herod was an Idumean a descendant of Esau. This is why the Jews hated Herod even though he rebuilt the Temple to appease them. We are beginning to see how this is all connected.

Now we go to the overlooked book of Obadiah. This book is an ancient prophecy against the Edomites/Esau for the attack on Moses in the wilderness, for not allowing the children of Israel to travel through their land (Num 20.14-21) on their way to Canaan, and for looting Jerusalem when it fell to the Babylonians.

Remember the Biblical pattern for Chastising nations and Israel. Elohim allows enemy nations to come against them as His rod of chastisement. The Babylonians came against Judah because of their sins, but later the Persians came against the Babylonians for their cruelty to Judah. Obadiah is a prophecy of this kind.

The vision of Obadiah. Thus hath the Lord GOD said concerning Edom: We have heard the message from the LORD, and a messenger is sent to the Gentiles, Arise, and let us rise up against her in battle. Behold, I have made thee small among the Gentiles: thou shalt be greatly humbled. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle and though thou set thy nest among the stars, from there I will bring thee down, said the LORD. Obadiah 1-4…for your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you and you shall be cut off forever. Verse 10

The prophet is telling Edom they feel safe in their impregnable city of Petra but they are going to be brought down by the Nabateans. Nebajoth, son of Ishmael and brother in law of Edom (Gen 25.13; 28.9) is the connection. They would be the agent of chastisement against Edom and take Petra from the Edomites. This was 500 years before the birth of Yeshua.

Edomites fled to the area south of Judah and later became known as Idumeans the Greek name for Edomites. Herod would later be installed as King over Judea by the Romans. He was an Edomite.

THE MODERN ERA

As we move into the modern era things begin to get really interesting. Jerusalem fell to General Allenby and the British army in December 1917. This was the end of the 500 year Ottoman Empire.

Hussein al-Husayni a Palestinian politician surrendered to General Allenby and died shortly thereafter in 1918. His relative Haj Amin al-Husseini (1897-1974) was appointed Mufti of Jerusalem by the British in 1921 and was the most important Palestinian in Palestine during the Mandatory period prior to Israel becoming a state in 1948.

Al-Amin was a spokesman for the Palestinian Arabs during these times. He fled to Berlin in 1941 during unrest in the Middle East where he met with Adolph Hitler. The Nazi’s used him to gain support from the Arab world and to kill their common enemy—the Jews. He reportedly toured in Yugoslavia to recruit Muslims for Germany’s SS and Wehrmacht and wrote to various European leaders urging them to bar Jews from leaving their countries contributing to their demise in the Holocaust.

Some scholars believe descendants of Edom migrated to what is now called the Balkans.

Yasser Arafat claimed to be a member of Haj Amin al-Husseini clan, claiming Haj Amin was his uncle but that is not true. Arafat said that to strengthen his position as leader of the PLO.

Today Mahmoud Abbas is president of the State of Palestine and chairman of the PLO.

Hamas is led by Ismail Haniyeh. The Hamas army is 15,000 to 40,000 strong. They are not regular army but can be classified as a terrorist group. There is disillusionment among Palestinians as to who the leader should be and the goals of Hamas.

The people groups in Gaza have connection to Esau and the Philistines of ancient history. The name Palestine was given to Judea by the Romans after the Bar Kokhba revolt against the Romans in 132-135 A.D. The Roman name was in honor of the Philistines who resided in Gaza and were the Biblical enemies of Israel.

The enmity will continue until Yeshua the Messiah returns and restores order. God gave Jacob and Esau blessing of riches and territory. Esau has never been satisfied with his portion. Esau/Edom struck first in Exodus 17.8-16. That is the true history and root of the Controversy of the Land.

In 1948 the Arab nations were given a state along with the Jewish people. The Arabs rejected the offer and Israel accepted the offer. The Palestinians were told to leave by their Arab brothers in order that the Jews could be annihilated. Then the Palestinians would be allowed to return and possess the Land for themselves. The Jews won the war and the area is still contested.

Nations and men refuse to accept God’s will. Therefore there will be bloodshed and suffering by the entire world until the Messiah returns.

All hearts will be tested in the coming tribulation. After the tribulation Messiah will rule and reign for a thousand years in peace. At the end of the thousand years the nations will rebel for the final time (Rev 20). It is written and it will come to pass.

This is the history of Esau who is Edom. Prophetically in Obadiah Edom can also represent the nations that will join with them at the end of this age to destroy God’s chosen people. Ishmael and Edom are distant cousins. As I write the world is coalescing to support them in the Controversy of Zion.

In closing a video: https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/11/journalist-douglas-murray-schools-piers-morgan-true-horror/

The Nations are going to rage (Ps2) against the Jewish people and any who follow Yeshua. It may make many of us uncomfortable but it is the truth. Truth sets us free. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Ask for courage and fortitude in the coming trouble. Amen.

 

 

A SCRIPTURAL REVIEW OF JACOB’S TROUBLE AND THE ASCENT OF THE ANTI-MESSIAH - PART THREE

This post goes along with the previous two posts. Here we will uncover the scriptural basis for Israel’s final dispersion and re-gathering to their homeland at the end of this current wicked age. The current situation in the State of Israel is a harbinger of things to come.

Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.  Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. Ezekiel 37.25-26

The above verse is one of many in the Tanakh (Old Testament) confirming the covenant which Elohim (GOD) made with Abraham in Genesis 15. Ezekiel was speaking of the time when the two Houses of Judah and Israel (Ephraim) would become reunited during the Millennial Age (Ezekiel 37.15-28). When Judah and Israel reunite at that time they will once again become ISRAEL. (Search this blog for information on the two houses.)

We have seen throughout the Tanakh Elohim warns the Israelites that if they become disobedient and stray from Him they would temporarily be expelled from the land (Lev 26 and Deut 28). When this occurs the “rod of chastisement” is through a nation(s) that attacks them and takes them into captivity.

Nations rise and nations fall. Temporal world empires will always rise and fall. Those who attack the apple of Elohim’s eye, Israel, are later chastised in the same way by another nation more powerful than they were. This is the scriptural pattern.

Elohim does not do this to us. Elohim allows us to do it to each other. This is why there is violence in this world. Elohim created us with free will. He gave us the Torah/law to guide our lives. If the nations would follow Torah/Law there would be no violence. Creating us with free will allows us to choose. Rather than choose life the nations choose death.

The Law is our Code of Conduct. Disobedience brings disaster on the world…please do not blame God for the injustice and violence in this world—it is our choice. When our King returns at the end of “the time of the Gentiles” and righteously judges the nations there will be a thousand years of peace. Choose wisely. Read Psalm 119 to understand Elohim’s righteous judgment and Royal Law.

THE CURRENT STATE OF ISRAEL

Israel is a modern nation state today. The prior post gave a short history of how they got there. They are a secular state at this time. They are in disobedience to their Elohim. They are far from obeying and worshipping Him as the books of the prophets reveal: In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.

And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, Isaiah 4.2-4

The above is not the current condition of Israel or her people, nor this: And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. Isaiah 10.20-23 also read Isaiah 51, these are future prophecies.

Future re-gathering. Jeremiah 30.4-11 (Chapters 30-33 focus on restoration) speaks of coming terror. Verses 8-11 happen chronologically. There are 10 promises in vv 4-7. Read Jeremiah 31.1-14 in connection with ch 30. We see a remnant in Isaiah 4.2-6, Zechariah 13.8-9.

In Isaiah 49.13-26 we see comfort, people forsaken, re-gathering to blessed land, and restoration in sight of nations, rescue of captives, and punishment of oppressors. Joel 3 speaks of final battle for the land. None of this has occurred in total fulfillment.

This re-gathering will be after Elohim’s final judgment for “The time of the Gentiles” which will end the current age and move us into the thousand year Millennial Age (Read Revelation 19-22).

THAT WHICH IS TO COME

Daniel 11.12-12.13 gives us many more details. Though difficult to understand these verses describe the coming crisis the controversy of the land will create. I will give a few key verses here, you may read the entire section on your own:

Chapter 11 - And a vile person shall succeed in his place, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: nevertheless he shall come in with peace and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.²² And with the arms they shall be overflown of a flood before him and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.²³ And after the union made with him he shall work deceit and shall rise and shall overcome with few people.

²⁸ Then he shall return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits and return to his own land.³⁰ For the ships of Chittim (today the Western Mediterranean area) shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved and return and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return and have an understanding with those that have forsaken the holy covenant.

³¹ And arms shall be placed on his behalf, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.³³ And the wise among the people shall give wisdom to many, yet they shall fall by the sword, and by fire, by captivity, and by spoil, for some days.

³⁵ And some of the wise shall fall to be purged and cleaned and made white, even to the time of the end because even for this there is time appointed.³⁶ And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and shall speak marvels against the God of gods and shall prosper until the indignation is accomplished, for the determination has been made.

³⁹ And with the people of the strange god that he shall know, he shall make strong fortresses, increase their glory; and cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. Chapter 12 - And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who is for the sons of thy people, and it shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there were people until now, but in that time thy people shall escape, all those that are found written in the book. And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall be awakened, some for eternal life, and some for shame and everlasting confusion.³ And those that understand shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and those that teach righteousness to the multitude as the stars in perpetual eternity.⁴ But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end: many shall pass by, and knowledge shall be multiplied.

⁷ And I heard the Man clothed in linens, who was upon the waters of the river, who raised his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by the living one in the ages that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when the scattering of the power of the holy people shall be finished, all these things shall be fulfilled. ⁸ And I heard, but I did not understand; then I said, O my Lord, what is the fulfillment of these things?⁹ And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the fulfillment. ¹⁰ Many shall be purified and made white and purged, but the wicked shall get worse; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

We are getting a preview of the above verses as I write. The wicked are rising and the State of Israel is being blamed for ALL the tension in the Middle East. World opinion is quickly turning against the Jewish people. Those who support Israel will be targeted. Those who think they will be “raptured out” are in for a rude awakening. The church will be tested. Hearts will be tried. 

We are grafted into Israel (Romans 11; Ephesians 2.11-19) and will suffer along with the Jewish people. There will be many betrayals and disappointments among us but the true Bride will be purified like gold!

Also read Mark 13, Matthew 24, and Luke 21.

The key issue that teachers of the Great Tribulation miss is that these things are happening because of the Controversy of Zion (the LAND) which brings on Jacob’s Trouble. It is Elohim allowing the nations to become Lawless and violent towards one another in their hatred for the People of God and their presence in the land He has allotted them.

This includes Jews and Christians who will be the main targets. The “Church” for lack of a better word will not be raptured out! They/we are going to be required to assist our Jewish brothers and stand beside them. Our witness towards them of the Messiah will save many. (We have been grafted into Israel)

When Yeshua came into Jerusalem prior to His death he said:  For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me from now on until ye shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Matt 23.39

Read Zachariah 12 describing that day:

And I will pour upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and of prayer, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn over him as one mourns for his only son, afflicting themselves over him as one afflicts himself over his firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn…Zechariah 12.10-12

A GLORIOUS FUTURE

We will all experience the Great Tribulation. Daniel says the wise will understand and do great things. This is why Joel says:

The LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for many are his camps and strong, that execute his word; for the day of the LORD is great, and very terrible; and who can abide it? Joel 2.11…read the entire chapter and you will see what will be happening in Israel at this time…For, behold, in those days and in that time when I shall cause the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem to end,² I will gather together all the Gentiles, and will cause them to descend into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and there I will enter into judgment with them because of my people and of my heritage Israel, whom they scattered among the nations, and parted my land. Joel 3.1-2

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the LORD will be the hope of his people and the strength of the sons of Israel.¹⁷ So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God, that I inhabit Zion, the mountain of my holiness: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more. Joel 3.16-17

All of these things are yet to come. The Controversy of the Land will lead to Jacob’s trouble. This will bring an end to the time of the Gentiles. Jerusalem will be a praise in all the earth. Israel will be restored (Ezekiel 37.15-28) and we who have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11.15-24) will dwell in peace as citizens of Israel on our own plot of land! (Ezekiel 47.22-23)

In summation I also want to bring your attention to a little known unrecognized book on this subject: The Controversy of Zion, by Dalton Lifsey. Unfortunately this book is out of print. It can be found at online book sellers for $97.00 or less. It is very detailed and makes the case above by allowing the Bible to interpret itself.

There are so many additional verses and information on this topic I will be posting on this important information moving forward the next couple of months. In closing here is a great video by Jonathan Cahn: https://wltreport.com/2023/11/09/rollingstone-attacks-jonathan-cahn/

I pray this short study will help God’s people to have a solid understanding of the things which are to come and help us pass this knowledge forward to those who need to understand. Amen.

The next post will review Esau/Edom genealogy and their position in the end time prophecies.

 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR CONTROVERSY OF ZION/JACOB’S TROUBLE

 A noise will come to the ends of the earth—For the Lord has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 25.31

Next post in series Sunday November 12

Daniel 11.21-12.13 - ²¹ ¶ And a vile person shall succeed in his place, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom: nevertheless he shall come in with peace and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.²² And with the arms they shall be overflown of a flood before him and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.²³ And after the union made with him he shall work deceit and shall rise and shall overcome with few people.

²⁴ With the province in peace and in abundance, he shall enter and do that which his fathers have never done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall distribute prey and spoil and riches to his soldiers; and against the fortresses he shall forecast his devices, even for a time…²⁷ And the heart of both these kings shall be to do evil, and at the same table they shall speak lies; but it shall not prosper, for the time appointed is not yet come.²⁸ Then he shall return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits and return to his own land.

²⁹ At the time appointed he shall turn toward the south, but the latter coming shall not be as the former.³⁰ For the ships of Chittim (Greece/Mediterranean) shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved and return and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return and have an understanding with those that have forsaken the holy covenant.³¹ And arms shall be placed on his behalf, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate.

³² And with flatteries he shall cause to sin those that violate the covenant, but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.³³ And the wise among the people shall give wisdom to many, yet they shall fall by the sword, and by fire, by captivity, and by spoil, for some days.³⁴ And in their fall, they shall be helped with a little help, but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

³⁵ And some of the wise shall fall to be purged and cleaned and made white, even to the time of the end because even for this there is time appointed.³⁶ And the king shall do according to his will, and he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god and shall speak marvels against the God of gods and shall prosper until the indignation is accomplished, for the determination has been made.

³⁷ Neither shall he care for the God of his fathers, nor the love of women, nor care for any god, for he shall magnify himself above all.³⁸ But in his place shall he honor the god of fortresses, {Ala Mahozim} a god whom his fathers did not know; he shall honor it with gold and silver and precious stones and with things of great price.

³⁹ And with the people of the strange god that he shall know, he shall make strong fortresses, increase their glory; and cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.⁴⁰ But at the end of the time the king of the south shall lock horns with him, and the king of the north shall raise up a storm against him with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships, and he shall enter into the lands and shall overflow and pass over.

⁴¹ He shall come to the glorious land, and many provinces shall fall, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom and Moab and the first of the sons of Ammon.⁴² He shall stretch forth his hand to the lands, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

⁴³ And he shall take over the treasures of gold and of silver and of all the precious things of Egypt, of Libya, and Ethiopia where he passes.⁴⁴ But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and to kill many.⁴⁵ And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas, in the desirable mountain of the sanctuary; and he shall come to his end, and shall have no one to help him.

12 ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who is for the sons of thy people, and it shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there were people until now, but in that time thy people shall escape, all those that are found written in the book.² And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall be awakened, some for eternal life, and some for shame and everlasting confusion.³ And those that understand shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and those that teach righteousness to the multitude as the stars in perpetual eternity.⁴ But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end: many shall pass by, and knowledge shall be multiplied.⁵ ¶ Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, another two who stood, one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.⁶ And one said to the Man clothed in linens, who was upon the waters of the river, When shall be the end of these wonders?

⁷ And I heard the Man clothed in linens, who was upon the waters of the river, who raised his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by the living one in the ages that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when the scattering of the power of the holy people shall be finished, all these things shall be fulfilled.

⁸ And I heard, but I did not understand; then I said, O my Lord, what is the fulfillment of these things?⁹ And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the fulfillment.

¹⁰ Many shall be purified and made white and purged, but the wicked shall get worse; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.¹¹ And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away until the abomination of desolation, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Should read mornings and evenings: two sacrifices each day = 1145 days)

¹² Blessed is he that waits and comes unto one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.¹³ And thou shall go to the end and shalt rest, and thou shalt raise up in thy lot {or in thine inheritance} at the end of the days.

An important promise in Hosea 2.14-17: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her. I will give her her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; She shall sing there, As in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

“And it shall be, in that day, ”Says the Lord, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband, And no longer call Me ‘My Master, For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals (Baal means Lord or master), And they shall be remembered by their name no more.

Isaiah 11.11-12 - It shall come to pass in that day That the Lord shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth.

Ezekiel 37.21 - Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land….

Jeremiah 31.31-33 - “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 

Deuteronomy 4.26-31 - I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you…But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days…obey His voice (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

Zechariah 14.1-4 - Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Zechariah 13.8-9 - And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, says the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 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.

Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.

Jeremiah 30.4-7 - Now these are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah. “For thus says the Lord: ‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.

1 Chr 16.15-18 - Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance. 

 Joel 3.2; 11-14 - I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; They have also divided up My land…Assemble and come, all you nations, and gather together all around. Cause Yyur mighty ones to go down there, O Lord. “Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations…Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

 Zephaniah 3.8 - “Therefore wait for Me,” says the Lord, “Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations To My assembly of kingdoms, To pour on them My indignation, All My fierce anger; All the earth shall be devoured With the fire of My jealousy.

 Zechariah 12.2-3; 9 - “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it…It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

 Ezekiel 20.33-38 - As I live, says the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, says the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

 Rev 12.6, 12.14, 13.5-7 - 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…And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent…

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred, and tongues, and nations.

 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matt 24.36

 Isaiah 28.16-19 - Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet;

The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.”

 2 Thess 2.1-4 -Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that The Day of Yeshua is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God….

Ezekiel 37.25-28 - 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 forever.

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. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

 Amos 9.9-15 - For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, the evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this.

Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that sows seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. 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. 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, says the Lord thy God.

 Ezekiel 39.25-29 - Therefore thus says the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.

 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them anymore there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.