The prophet Jeremiah faced off with false prophets during the siege of Jerusalem. All of Judea was about to fall into the hands of the Babylonians. The other prophets were telling everyone that although the situation ‘looked bad’, things would be just fine—don’t panic, don’t prepare; it will be fine. You are good people!
Today, Israel faces a brutal enemy. In fact, the terrorists and those associated with them are supported in their “Palestinian cause” by many nations that surround Israel—even from the Palestinian Authority area that is within Israel!
People were telling the prophet Jeremiah, something like this: “Don’t preach; don’t tell us what God said; we are at war! We want to hear encouragement; don’t tell us that our evil ways caused this. Don’t tell us we need to repent! Can’t you see this is not the time? Tell us something of comfort!”
Jeremiah knew that God does not send calamity; He is a good God. God is love, just, true, righteous, pure, holy. However, He will allow bad times to come, with the intent that it brings His ultimate good. He wants those who have left Him, or never have known Him, to turn to Him in the time of need; then to stay with Him since He loves to sustain them.
Why would it be, that time and again, since becoming a nation, once more—in their homeland—that Israel has faced so many enemies; sometimes, they had to defend themselves from their adversaries, all at once! Perhaps (as the cold truth states) to turn the hearts of the large numbers of them who are atheists. Nevertheless, this is the reason that each time they were attacked, God delivered them. At all times, despite overwhelming odds, they miraculously overcame.
He is very patient, wanting all flesh to turn to Him, and be saved. But there will come a time when our Holy God’s patience will run out—He will not tolerate sin forever. Scripture is clear about it. Time and again, their people fell by the sword, others faced famine, and some were carried away as captives. As always, a remnant survived; and they returned.
No one knows the day or hour when His patience wears out. Will it be soon? Will such a destruction as Jeremiah’s era faced, occur once again? All the signs are there—especially now—that we are building up to that Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord, which the prophets foretold.
And now as Israel fights for her survival in the midst of war, with enemies all around; their “allies” seem like more of a hinderance than help. We wonder if the violence and battle will spread to Jerusalem. That is the goal for Hamas, which is why they call it “Al-Aqsa Flood”.
Jeremiah understood from God’s Word the reason for what was happening was due to complacency and open rebellion to God. So, the brutal Babylonians were the enemy; but, they were also an instrument used by God to instigate a strong message of repentance. America had a strong message on 9.11…have they changed? Things only worsened. Israel had a warning in 10.7…will they change?
Jeremiah was burdened to tell this message to the people; his message did not fair well. And I suspect mine will not either. But God’s word is clear on many things, including HOW He desires His people to live. When we deviate from that Way, and act in rebellion, it hurts and saddens the Creator of all things.
Jermaine was a watchman for his day. If a watchman warns, and someone takes heed; they both are saved. If a watchman warns, and someone does not take heed; the watchman will be saved, but the one failing to heed will perish. But if the watchman fails to warn, he will be held accountable.
Jeremiah and I did not want to be watchman who did not warn—even if it means doing it during a time of war. If the Vice President of the United States can talk about what will happen “the day after” war ends, certainly this message about what should happen within the hearts of God’s People, out weighs it.
So what is the warning about the day after—or even during war? The obvious message is to turn to and follow the God of our fathers. His Word is true. Those who rebel, remain in their sin. Those who sin, die in their sin. Although everyone has sinned; and fall short of the glory of God, we do not stay in sin. Our hearts should convict us, and not harden. We turn our face toward Him for light. Even now if a watchman warns and convicts, set your mind and heart from wicked ways and repent—before a worse thing comes upon you.
While it seems hard, He is there to help you. He would never call you into His light, to leave you wandering alone. He will not stay angry forever if you repent. “Adonai’s fierce anger will not turn back until he has done it, until he fulfills the purposes of His heart. In the last days you will understand” (Jer. 30:24).
What is this war all about? What was 9.11 all about? A Holy, Righteous and Just God can not look upon sin and unrighteousness without feeling hurt and slighted. He will eventually display Righteous Indignation. Sin must be punished; even put to the sword. In The End all who fall will be the rebellious. As in the Days of Noah, the righteous will be saved. Now, however the righteous fall among unbelievers.
Where does the world stand today? We surely near the End, “Justice and Righteousness has not prevailed in the land. Rather, it is Lies, and not faithfulness” (Jer. 9:23; 9:2). Not to say that obedience to God does not exist in the world—and in Israel, for that matter—but the truth is: faithfulness to God’s Word is NOT the prevailing in it. Faith and obedience to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God of Noah and Adam, is not the world’s majority.
Why does destruction come? Because of sin. The Evil One deceives people into ignoring justice and righteousness. “They have become like wormwood and drink poisoned water”. They “threw righteousness to the ground” (Rev 8:11; Jer 9:12; Amos 5:7). But as in the time of Joseph, “What was meant for evil” God saw in it, their ultimate salvation.
When Preachers oppress the poor (in spirit) and deny them the truth of God’s Word, which is Justice and Righteousness; the straight path in which to walk—wormwood occurs. When Teachers crush the needy (soul) crying out for answers; their people vainly go about looking for comfort elsewhere: in addictions or fleshly fetishes that go against God’s Word. (Matt.5:1-2).
God always saves a remnant of people, though. They discern righteousness & right teaching. They survive to learn about God, and His Messiah—the One who the prophecies said would come to die in their place; and give their souls eternal rest. Jeremiah knew this, “The prophets keep telling them: ‘You will not see sword or famine, but I will give you true peace in this place.’ But Adonai spoke to me: ‘The prophets speak lies in My Name, though I did not send them—…by sword and famine, those prophets will be consumed’” (Jerm 14:14-15).
The only lasting peace is “the Prince of Peace, the child born, the son given”—as the Prophet Isaiah told us about him. “Of the increase of his government there shall be no end—and he will reign over his Kingdom—to establish and uphold it from now and forevermore” (Isa 9). King David told us he was the Anointed One, chosen from the beginning, the Son; the LORD’s Lord (Ps 2;110).
Yeshua came in the first century and his followers called him all of those things; even a demon he exorcised recognized him (Mark1:24). He told his disciples not to tell anyone he was Messiah (Matt 16:20). He did not come to establish a new religion; he lived and died an observant Jew; the Servant of the Most High God. A voice from heaven called him “Son” on more than one occasion; yet, he preferred to use the term “Son of Man” since he was born of a virgin, of the tribe of Judah, at Bethlehem; and raised in Nazareth of the Galilees.
His story is History. It runs throughout time and space, and is recorded in many places—even by the first century historian Flavius Josephus. But these verses support the prophecy of Isaiah, below: Luke 2:28-32; 3:4-6; Phil 2:5-11; John 12:38; Rom 10:16; Luke 18:31; John 10:10-11; Matt 8:7; John 19:34-37; Rev 1:7; Acts 8:26-39; 1Pet 2:21-25; Matt 26:57-63; 27:12-14, 57-60; Luke 23: 8-11; John 19: 1-16; Matt 27:57-60; 1Pet 2:21-25.
Isaiah prophesied many things of him, including his life and death: “Behold, My Servant will prosper, he will be high and lifted up…many were appalled at You—his appearance was disfigured more than any man…So he will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of him, for what had been told them they will see, and what they had not heard they will perceive.”
“Who has believed our report? To whom has the Arm of the Adonai been revealed?…a tender shoot…despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief…He bore our griefs, yet we esteemed him stricken by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities.”
“The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes, we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray. Each one of us turned his own way. So Adonai has laid on him the inequity of us all.”
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted yet he did not open his mouth like a lamb slaughter like a sheep before his shears is silent, so we did not open his mouth. Because of oppression and judgment he was taken away.”
“As for his generation, who considered? For he was cut off from the land of the living, for the transgression of my people—the stroke was theirs. His grave was given with the wicked, and by a rich man in his death, thought he had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in his mouth.”
“Yet pleased Adonai to bruise him. He caused him to suffer. If he makes his soul, a guilt offering, He will see his offspring, and prolong his days, and the will of Adonai will succeed by His Hand. As a result of the anguish of his soul, He will see it and be satisfied by His knowledge.”
“The Righteous One, My Servant will make many righteous, and He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will give Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoil with the mighty— because He poured out His soul to death and was counted with transgressors. But He bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.” (Isa 52:13-15; 53).
Why does Isaiah’s message go so ignored? Is it because we can’t admit the God of the Universe would love us so immensely that He would send His only Son, to willing die for our sins?
Isaiah told us he would! His perfect, sinless life was a sin offering that we were unable to offer up. “All Paid”; “Nothing due”; “No Balance”. That’s it. But the road to accepting God’s Righteousness is narrow and few find it. Many want to take the wide road of self-righteousness, struggle and work to no avail.
Such Grace, however, deserves Love and respect of God, out of our sincere gratitude. So, therefore the Watchman calls. For those who do not listen to the watchman’s call, The End will come as a thief in the night. As the cup of His fury, for disobedience to His Word, sent through all His prophets, is poured out.
There is no better time to clothe yourself in His truth, righteousness and justice—which come only from the LORD. During war or the day after…
They say, “This is not the time to bring up a message of repentance; we are at war!” But it is the perfect time.you see, in war, there are no atheists.
Why not learn of His work, when He sent to us His Messiah? In the first Servant role, he was (as the Dead Sea Scrolls put it, “Messiah of Aaron”. He offered up himself as the perfect lamb sacrifice; once for all—the Servant role of the Most High Priest. However, in his second Servant Role, he will come again—to rid all evil; as “Messiah of David”. The warrior-King; eternal King (Psalm 2).
Jerusalem will be at the center of this.
“Awake! Awake, Jerusalem! From Adonai’s Hand you have drunk the cup of His fury, the chalice of reeling, that you have drained to the dregs. There is none to guide her among all the sons she has born, nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she is raised.”
“These two things have befallen you—devastation and destruction, famine and the sword. How will I comfort you? Your sons have fainted…the rebuke of your God. Therefore, hear this, you who are afflicted, you who are drunk, but not with wine.*” “Thus says your Lord, Adonai your God, who defends his people: Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of reeling, the bowl of my wrath. You will never drink it again; then, I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Lay down, so we may walk over you.’ You have made your back like a ground and like the street for passers by.” (Isa 51:17-23).
*The afflicted was drunk, but not with wine. John’s Revelation of the End times describe a whore who was drunk on “detestable things in the filth of her immorality” (Rev 17:4). In the End, there is a whore, a city upon many waters; upon a scarlet beast who was full of blasphemous names. She was drunk and reeling from the cup of filth. She drank from the same cup that the rest of world drank from—yet, she was adorned in royal colors; perhaps, at one time, set apart for God! Could it be Jerusalem? Rome? New York? Sherry is called, “Mystery Babylon”.
Of all places on earth to maintain God’s Word, it would be a travesty if the city that astounded everyone was Jerusalem. Does she now drink from the cup of immorality—the same one the world drinks? Does she allow abortions (murder); homosexuality (pride parades); rising divorce rates, adulteries, and idolatry? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
But there’s more, that whore of the End is depicted in that prophecy as “drunk on the blood of the kedoshim (righteous) and the blood of the witnesses of Messiah Yeshua” (Rev 17:6). History, we know this is true of Jerusalem.
In the End, she will have “prostituted herself with the kings of the nations”.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote, “To a prostitute gifts are given—but you gave your gifts to all your lovers! You bribed them to come to you from every side in your harlotry. So you were the opposite of other women—no one runs after you for favors. You give payment, and none is given to you. So you are the opposite!” (Ezekiel 16.)
The harlot in the End, called “Mystery Babylon, is the mother of all prostitutes”. She rides the same beast as do the other whoring nations; but ironically, although doing the same things, these other nations “hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flash, and burn her up with fire.” (Rev 17:16).
Those nations hate her and will abandon, even destroy her, in the End. Through these prophecies we find but only one nation in the world, that, although similar to other nations who tell her, “We’re behind you”—they really aren’t. And they all seek her destruction in the End time.
In our era we see many nations hate Israel. They call it a Palestinian issue; but in reality it is as if sibling jealously. She was chosen by God. Perhaps that is why many nations have even abandoned God all together. They were jealous that they were not chosen, too.
But why was Israel chosen? She was entrusted with God’s covenant, the prophets who spoke the Word of God. But if that Word has fallen by the wayside—even there—then she has failed in her part of the covenant with God.
Israel’s Jerusalem, above all other cities, should stand out as a light on the hill.
In fact, wherever you are in the world, you who are entrusted with the Word must show God’s Light—through following God‘s Word.
Since Israel is already hated by the world, there is nothing left to lose and much to gain. So, show the world what God’s Righteousness through His Word really looks like—set your nation apart from the Ways of the World. Don’t be content to be their doormat. Can they hate you even more? Just know that God will deal them a far-greater blow than you can. I assure you, when Messiah comes, His Truth and Justice will slice through them like a two edged Sword, dividing even bone and marrow.
Our duty is to maintain Righteousness in His Sanctuary. “Adonai said to him, ‘Go throughout the city, through the midst of Jerusalem. Make a mark on the foreheads of the people who sigh and moan over all the abominations that are committed in it.’ To the others, he said, in my hearing, ‘Go throughout the city after him, and strike, showing no pity or compassion; kill off old men, young men, and girls, little children and women. But touch no one who has My mark. Begin at My Sanctuary” (Ezekiel 9).
Adonai marks those who are His, those who mourn over the abomination. He begins in His sanctuary. He always preserves His faithful remnant. In the End these who are marked come from every tribe, from the four corners of the earth. The End Time prophecy in Revelation says He marks the tribes with His seal. And they will stand with Messiah Yeshua on Mount Zion, and sing a new song (which no one else could learn). They will also stand among the multitude in heaven, which no man can even number (Rev 7; 14:1-5).
The prophet Jeremiah—during a time of impending war, and then the siege, and even captivity—had no problem in telling others,”We should mend our ways! Avoid disaster!”
9.11 was a wake up call for America, yet did a majority of the people turn away from following the abominations of other nations? No through political abominations, societal values grew worse. What will happen in Israel as calm returns after their 10.7? As things settle down and get comfortable again, will there be a great number who have reflected, repented, learned, and returned to the Word of God. OR will they be like America, whose majority rebels against the unchanging, unalterable, Word of the Almighty Creator?
Time will tell. But one thing is for sure, even if a heart had been hard as stone to the Word; it is not too hard for God to make it back into flesh. The Truth is in there. He has written it on your heart—inscribe it on your hands and wear it on your foreheads. What is in your mind will come out in what you do. Reach in and follow His plan He provided for your peace (Messiah); the Holy One; His Arm.
G.R.A.C.E. has been remembered as “God’s riches and Christ’s Expense”. His Grace deserves Love and respect of God, out of our sincere gratitude. Through that Light, we reflect His Light. When our light goes out the world will be plunged into total darkness.
Yeshua spoke, “I tell you He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). As it is written, “I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own Arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me” (Isaiah, 63:5). @achadpeace Peace, שלום, سلام
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