The Third Part Through The Fire

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. 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.

The landscape of the human heart is cluttered with the cumulative effects of iniquity, transgression, and sin. Before the Lord fulfills His Word to restore hearts of flesh to us, He pulls up the stones and prepares the soil. The remainder is passed through the fire to be purified and sanctified to the Lord. The LORD, He is our God! Call on His name in the midst of the fire, as it is written,

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

See also Search The Heart; Make Up the Hedge; Living Stones

Related Scriptures: Exodus 34:1-17 (KJV); Exodus 34:1-17; John 16:7-11; Matthew 3:11-12; 1Corinthians 1:1-9; Psalm 18:1-50

In Power and In the Holy Ghost

1Thessalonians 1:5-6

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

The power of God comes into our lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is conveyed by the Holy Spirit. It is sound doctrine, but it is also far more: it is the Word of God that releases both the authority and explosive power of the Creator into our world to shape our circumstances. When affliction rises up and we walk in the power of God, the joy of the Lord will overtake us and we can rejoice in the middle of tribulation as the Kingdom of God manifests through us. Thanks be to God, Who fills us with His power, and equips us to walk as witnesses to the risen Christ! As it is written,

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

See also It Shall Stand Forever; The Mystery of the Gospel; Spirit, Soul, and Body

Related Scriptures: John 14:12-31; Hebrews 6:1-20; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-12; Romans 14:1-23; 1Corinthians 15:34-58

The LORD Shall Roar

Jeremiah 25:30

Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.

The Lord poured out His soul unto death to redeem the nations of the earth. He will bring this age to a close before long. The LORD has a controversy with the nations, and He will plead with all flesh. He will execute judgment on all flesh, for vindication or for punishment. Vindication will have already occurred for the Church when this shout is heard. The rapture has occurred prior to fulfillment of this prophecy, and the Lord is coming as the treader of grapes. He will glean some out of the Tribulation, and the rest will be gathered in the Valley of Jezreel. As it is written,

Joel 3:14

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

See also God Poured Out; Treader of Grapes; Watch Ye Therefore

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 25:13-38; Isaiah 17:1-14; Joel 3:1-21; Hosea 1:10-11

Philip Opened His Mouth

Acts 8:32-33

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

The Lord opened not His mouth in order that the Scripture would be fulfilled, and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit would move upon the hearts of men after His resurrection.

Acts 8:34

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

The prophets foretold of the redemption of mankind by the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, who remained dumb before His shearer. The gift of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit is the bold witness that caused Philip to become the mouth of the Lord.

Acts 8:35

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Jesus Christ will not keep silence much longer. As it is written,

Revelation 19:15-16

And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

See also The Two Anointed Ones; From the Four Winds; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Acts 8:1-40; Hebrews 9:1-28; Revelation 19:5-16

A Cup Of Trembling

Zechariah 12:2

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

In ancient siege warfare, an attacker would at times throw up a massive ramp of earth in order to gain entrance into a walled city and overcome its inhabitants. Israel is increasingly being surrounded by the siege mounds of her enemies. It is the first stage of encircling prior to the final assaults against Jerusalem by the Antichrist. The Messiah is pleading with His people for awakening. They are to respond by putting off the arm of the flesh and turning to the Lord, the only true source of protection. The Holy One of Israel will gather them under His wings when they do so. Sadly, that time is not quite yet. As it is written,

Isaiah 10:20

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.

See also Take Thee A Tile; Walk In the Day; The Wind and the Fountain

Related Scriptures: Zechariah 12:1-14; Isaiah 29:1-24; Luke 13:31-35; Matthew 23:37-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18

A Rod of an Almond Tree

Jeremiah 1:11

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

The almond tree bears the earliest spring blossoms, and the rod described here is the earliest green shoot. What this generation witnessed in 1948 with the rebirth of Israel was the "rod of an almond tree": the earliest blossoms of the performance of God's plan for the regathering of Israel prior to the Tribulation. When the former and latter rains begin to pour out on God's planting, we will witness His intention as He hastens His word to perform it once again. Before this generation passes away He will be sanctified in Israel, and His heartfelt desire for all mankind to be saved will manifest before all the nations. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. As it is written,

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

See also The Tower of Salvation; He Has Given the Former Rain Moderately; Perfect Law of Liberty

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:1-19; Matthew 24:32-51; Ezekiel 28:22-26; Isaiah 61:1-11

The Assyrian in My Land

Isaiah 14:25

That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and upon My mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

The yoke of the Assyrian will be broken by the LORD of hosts, as surely as the evening and the morning fulfill the day. He shall be tread under foot by the Holy One of Israel upon the mountains of Jerusalem. Even now their forces are converging on those mountains ready for the first stage of fulfillment: the Psalm 83 war. The burden of the Assyrian will depart from the shoulders of Judah, and then shall they dwell safely (yashab betach). Witness the pre dawn light of the risen Sun of Righteousness, the King of Glory! Awake, O Jerusalem, for the arm of the Lord shall put on strength. As it is written,

Isaiah 51:9

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

See also Beyond Jordan; Inherit the Holy Mountain; Prayer for Israel: Time of Trouble

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 14:1-32; Isaiah 51:1-23; Psalm 83:1-18

The Testimony of Jesus

Revelation 19:10-11

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.

The testimony of Jesus is our receipt of the promises of God, which are in Him yes, and in Him Amen. Through our testimony the Holy Spirit releases instruction, encouragement, and comfort to the saints on earth. We can receive His promises now: health and healing, soul restoration, dominion, continuous and continual blessing. Through the manifestation of these things the heavens are opened to us on earth, and we work the works of Him Who sent us in righteousness. As we do so the Lord Jesus, Faithful and True, will judge and make war on our behalf even now, until such time as the Scripture is fulfilled and He returns to redeem the earth.

See also Scepter of Righteousness; Christ: The Breastplate of Righteousness; Targeting Our Weapons

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 1:12-24; 1Corinthians 14:1-40; John 6:28-50; Philippians 3:8-15; Micah 4:1-13

Clouds and Thick Darkness

Deuteronomy 4:11

And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

When the LORD first spoke to Israel from Mount Sinai to deliver the Ten Commandments, He spoke from the midst of clouds and thick darkness. The people trembled at the sight and sound of His splendor, and intreated Moses to speak with Him on their behalf. They could not bear His direct witness. Moses warned them multiple times not to go after foreign gods, according to the Word of the LORD.

Joel 2:2

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains:...

Soon He will set foot upon a different mount: the Mount of Olives. Those whose hearts have not received the indwelling Holy Spirit will be encompassed by the clouds and thick darkness of judgment for their failure to heed this simple instruction: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Worship the One True Living God! As it is written,

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

See also The Lord and Harpazo; Eye To Eye; The Holy Spirit

Related Scriptures: Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 34:1-35; Hebrews 12:1-29; 2Corinthians 3:1-6; John 14:1-31; Deuteronomy 4:1-20; Joel 2:1-32

Fire Shut Up In My Bones

Jeremiah 20:9

Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

There are remedial judgments sweeping the United States, for the land is under fierce wrath for a people who have turned their backs on the LORD of hosts. He is not mocked by the outcry of the ungodly against His laws, His will, and His way. He is the commander of the angelic hosts. He is mighty to save and just. He is faithful to keep His covenant for those who perform His word, and He is faithful to perform His Word upon those who do not keep His covenant. As it is written,

Psalm 103:17-18

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

See also A Bruised Reed; The LORD Shall Roar; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 20:1-18; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Deuteronomy 7:1-26; Exodus 34:1-35; Psalm 103:1-22

The LORD Hath Chosen

Jeremiah 33:24

Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off? thus they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before them.

The nations are increasingly confederate against the chosen people of God. They have refused to accept the planting of the LORD since 1948, and what was deemed impossible after nearly 1900 years of captivity and dispersion has intensely motivated them to take crafty counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed. Yet He has promised that when they gather against Israel to "drive them into the sea", they will instead be utterly and miraculously defeated in the sight of the whole world as the Lord of hosts is sanctified in His righteous judgment upon His enemies. Those who are rising up in opposition to Israel, considering them to be an infamy among the nations, need to prepare to stand before the Great White Throne of God to account for their alliance with the forces of darkness. As it is written,

Isaiah 52:10

The LORD hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

See also Take Thee A Tile; High Places; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: Jeremiah 33:6-26; Psalm 83:1-8; Ezekiel 28:20-26; Ezekiel 36:1-15; Psalm 2:1-12

They Held Their Peace

Luke 20:26

And they could not take hold of His words before the people: and they marvelled at His answer, and held their peace.

Many have tried since the birth of the Son of man to pick apart His words, and thereby to seize Him in attempts to undermine the truth before the people. Inevitably everyone will stand before God, silent and alone, marveling and in awe at the simplicity of His Truth and the righteousness of His judgment. To those who strive to manipulate His Word, the Word will judge them and grind them to powder, as Jesus Christ passes through their midst untouched. His desire is for mercy to triumph over judgment, but this can only happen after we submit to His Word.

See also Mercy Rejoices Against Judgment; Out Of the Iron Furnace; Miry Clay

Related Scriptures: Luke 20:1-26; 2Corinthians 5:1-21; Revelation 20:10-15; James 2:1-13

A Vesture Dipped In Blood

Revelation 19:12-13

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself. And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called The Word of God.

When Jesus Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to establish His Millennial reign, He will be coming from the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, and clothed with a vesture dipped in blood. It is the great and terrible day of the Lord, and He will bring God’s judgment upon His sworn enemies. Christ did not come the first time to judge the world, but to save it, yet rejection of His word will judge those who do. God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He should repent. The Son of man will return to judge by the Word God sent out, and that never returns void. Adore the King of kings, and Lord of Lords, for His mercy endures forever to those who choose mercy over judgment.

See also Mercy Rejoices Against Judgment; Garments Rolled in Blood; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Revelation 19:14-21; Joel 2:11-14; John 12:44-50; Numbers 23:19-24; Isaiah 55:1-13; Jeremiah 33:1-11

Latter and Former Rain

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

During the millennium and beyond we shall know, as we follow on to know Him, for He Who is perfect will be revealed and we shall be changed to perfection. He is the Sun of Righteousness, whose way is prepared as the glorious sunrise. The former and latter rain will usher in the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Holy Spirit is about to be poured out on all flesh, as a glorious witness of the Prince of Peace for eternity.

See also Beyond Jordan; The Stone Which the Builders Rejected; Jericho Mindset

Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:9-13; Isaiah 9:1-7; Joel 2:21-32; Malachi 4:1-6

He Will Raise Us Up

Hosea 6:2

After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.

Here is a picture of the coming resurrection. The Lord Jesus was two days in hell before He led captivity captive. He was raised up on the third day. Since the cross it has been two thousand years, which is as two days to the LORD. During this time He has purposed to revive humanity. Now we are in the third day when He will raise up mankind. Make straight paths for your feet, He is even at the door. The time is at hand when the faithful shall live in His sight for eternity, even as He purposed from the foundation of the world.

See also Great Light Rising; The Spirit Shall Lift Up A Standard; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:8; Matthew 12:39-41; Matthew 24:33; Hebrews 12:12-14; Matthew 13:35; Matthew 25:34-40; Hebrews 4:1-9

He Will Heal Us

Hosea 6:1

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.

The LORD corrects according to His ways of judgment: righteously, and always on the side of His truth. There are no grey areas with God, only unbelief by men. Consider this: if one ignores God’s law of gravity and steps off a cliff, there are consequences. So when this passage describes tearing and smiting, this is His faithfulness to His judgment. When it describes healing and binding up of wounds, it is His abundant mercy when we return to Him.

See also Clouds and Thick Darkness; Depart From Evil; Pray For the Peace/Prayer for Israel in time of trouble

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 19:1-25; Romans 3:1-31; Psalm 119:9-16

Revealed Unto Children

Luke 10:21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight.

It is essential that we humble ourselves as children before the LORD. The difficulty only arises when we think we know more than we do. Become like a child before Him, and receive His revelation of redemptive authority. This is the power that transforms our lives and shapes us in His image

See also The LORD Shall Roar; In Power and In the Holy Ghost; Dark Speeches

Related Scriptures: Proverbs 2:1-8; Isaiah 11:1-5; 1 Peter 5:6-11

Freely Given To Us

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

What has God freely given to mankind? He has generously provided every good and perfect gift, which included His original creation before the fall of Adam and Eve. Even in the current corrupted state, the earth still sustains our lives in fulfillment of His promise to restore all things. This subjection to bondage will soon be delivered into the glory of perfect liberty. The Lord has set the events in motion that will soon lead to full restitution, culminating with the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. The establishment of the millennial reign of the Messiah will usher in the flow of a river of peace that will flood the earth with righteousness and true holiness. As it is written,

Habakkuk 2:14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

See also Latter and Former Rain; All Shall Know Him; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, Acts 3:1-26, Habakkuk 2:1-20, Job 38:1-41; Romans 8:1-39

Every Good and Perfect Gift

James 1:17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

When we confessed with our mouths that Jesus Christ is our Lord, and believed in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we were adopted by the Father of lights. This was done of His own will, our heavenly Father drew us to Himself to be partakers of His good and perfect gifts, every one of them. The Word of Truth, placed in our mouths and planted in our hearts, gave us access to the first gift immediately: the indwelling of His Holy Spirit as our personal leader, guide, and mentor. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps us to immediately grow in the likeness of His beloved Son and to lay hold of our inheritance. Thank you, Abba!

See also Freely Given To Us; In Him That Is True; Receiving Our Inheritance

Related Scriptures: Romans 10:4-13; John 6:37-51: John 15:26-27; Romans 8:1-39

Discern Both Good and Evil

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

In the midst of gross darkness, there is Light from the Lord Jesus. He is the Light of the world in the believer, yet in order to perceive light we must fully receive His Word and bear witness to the Light within us. Maturity in Christ begins by exercising the senses of discernment, and continues as one is increasingly able to perceive the fullness of the Light of Jesus Christ within.

See also The Candle of the LORD; Have the Light of Life; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-5; John 1:1-18; 1John 2:1-11; Malachi 3:1-18

The LORD of the Vineyard

Luke 20:13

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit took counsel in the ageless past of predawn creation. Before the foundation of the world, the LORD of the vineyard declared His decree to His beloved Son: You will be the Lamb slain for the sins of rebellious mankind. The kingdom of God and of His Christ were clearly foreshadowed by God, throughout the holy Scriptures, and also at Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Spirit and at His transfiguration. All of this to patiently and eternally carry out His original purpose for mankind: Adam made from the dust of the created world in His image. Reverence the LORD of the vineyard!

See also By Him All Things Consist; To Build and To Plant; Miry Clay

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-14; Matthew 13:34-43; Mark 1:9-13; Mark 9:1-10; Genesis 1:26-28; Revelation 12:10-11

Make Up the Hedge

Ezekiel 22:30

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Land for peace will never, ever work for Israel. It is just one more step toward the crafty counsel intended to cut them off from being a nation. As the day of the Lord approaches He is gathering the nations of the earth to rise up against Israel, and as they roar against her like the waves of the sea He will rebuke them after His purpose is served: that the remnant of Israel shall be born again in one day. By the Spirit of grace and of supplication, they will finally recognize and accept Jesus as their Messiah, knowing that He alone has plucked them out of the fire. In the meantime, we pray that God will turn the hearts of their leaders to face the dark days ahead with courage and strength, and trust that He will breathe the breath of life into these slain. Ultimately, it is the Lamb who will stand in the gap for the whole earth, and He will make up the hedge for Israel. As it is written,

Revelation 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

See also The Assyrian in My Land; Prophesy the Breath of Life; Building Spiritual Houses

Related Scriptures: Ezekiel 28:22-26; Psalm 83:1-8; Joel 3:1-21; Ezekiel 39:1-8; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Revelation 5:1-14, Zechariah 3:1-10

The Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 6:18-20

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

By praying in the Spirit we can truly access the throne of God, where Jesus sits at His right hand interceding for the saints. His intercessory ministry began at the cross, and will conclude with the eternal defeat of all forms of rebellion against God. Like the first coming, He will be preceded by the spirit and power of Elijah, already rising up in the saints who are boldly crying out for repentance. When He returns, the full mystery of the gospel will be revealed in the heavens with Him, as He catches up His saints. Then Elijah himself will preach the gospel with boldness again to the Jews in the streets of Jerusalem. When Christ sets foot on the Mount of Olives His everlasting kingdom will come to the earth.

See also The Two Anointed Ones; In Power and In the Holy Ghost; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:26-27; Revelation 20:1-15; Matthew 11:1-30; Malachi 4:5-6; Zechariah 14:1-11

Cut Out Without Hands

Daniel 2:45

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Iron, brass, clay, silver and gold: all the elements by which mankind deems to rule himself will be proven to be futile. Every idol of the human heart will be thrown down and broken in pieces by the coming kingdom of God, which will be established by His Christ, the stone cut out without hands. The dream vision that God revealed to Daniel will surely become reality; there is no doubt of the interpretation. Let God be true regardless of the unbelief of men.

See also Valley of Vision; Search the Heart; LIVING STONES

Related Scriptures: Proverbs 21:30-31; Numbers 31:21-24; 1Corinthians 10:1-22; Romans 3:1-31

A Cup Of Trembling

Zechariah 12:2

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

In ancient siege warfare, an attacker would at times throw up a massive ramp of earth in order to gain entrance into a walled city and overcome its inhabitants. Israel is increasingly being surrounded by the siege mounds of her enemies. It is the first stage of encircling prior to the final assaults against Jerusalem by the Antichrist. The Messiah is pleading with His people for awakening. They are to respond by putting off the arm of the flesh and turning to the only true source of protection. The Holy One of Israel will gather them under His wings when they do so. Sadly, that time is not quite yet. As it is written,

Zephaniah 1:15

That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

See also Take Thee A Tile; Walk In the Day; The Wind and the Fountain

Related Scriptures: Zechariah 12:1-14; Isaiah 29:1-24; Luke 13:31-35; Matthew 23:37-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18

Out Of the Iron Furnace

Deuteronomy 4:20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Israel was delivered out of the iron furnace of oppression and bondage by the LORD. The furnace is where the purification begins, preparation for receipt of His promises according to His covenant. Until the human heart is purified it cannot receive the promise of God. That is why He has promised a new heart and a new spirit.

Genesis 15:17

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

The Abrahamic covenant began with this vision of a furnace, and God's promise of the land. The burning lamp represented the LORD Himself walking through the blood of the sacrifice to establish His covenant with Abraham. We can partake of this same covenant by faith in God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 31:9

And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

God specifically calls Jerusalem His furnace. All the nations of the earth will be purified in this furnace. Those outside of Christ will dwell eternally in Satan's furnace. As it is written,

Matthew 13:37-42

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I pray that you have ears to hear. Cast away all confidence in anything else, and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

See also Eye to Eye; Depart From Evil; The True Tabernacle

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 4:1-20; Genesis 15:1-21; Isaiah 31:1-9; Matthew 13:34-53

Christ: The Breastplate of Righteousness

Ephesians 6:14-15

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

The truth that sets mankind free is that Christ was made sin for us. He knew no sin, yet He took it upon Himself in order to liberate man from his sinful fallen nature, and reestablish the covering of righteousness with which God endued Adam. We can rest in the peace of God wearing the breastplate of righteousness. When we dwell in Christ we have put on the Lord in our spirits, and this realization protects the very core of our being. Thereby are we made the righteousness of God in the gospel of Christ, and filled with His glory the way He intended.

See also The Refuge of Lies; Laborers Into His Harvest; Beth: God’s Cleansing Word

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 5:1-21; Genesis 1:26-31; Philippians 4:4-9; Romans 13:10-14; Proverbs 4:20-27; 1Corinthians 1:18-31

Withstand in the Evil Day

Ephesians 6:12-13

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The flesh and blood battle is about taking up the cross and walking in the Spirit. But when we are in the spirit and the conflict becomes heated, the battle is now against dark spiritual forces. This is when the enemy directly engages us, and we must always have on the full armor and be ready to respond. These conflicts are accelerating in pace and severity as the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ approaches, just as He prophesied in Matthew 24. Events around the world and especially in the Middle East, while they are of deep concern, are merely the beginning of sorrows. We can take hope in all of this, however, for the LORD has promised that believers are not appointed to wrath, and He also gave us His Word that He would never leave us, nor forsake us.

See also Tower of Salvation; The Power of God’s Might; Gimel: Bountiful Life in God’s Word

Related Scriptures: Luke 9:18-27; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 24:1-14; 1Thessalonians 5:1-25; Hebrews 13:5-21

The Fruit of the Lips: Peace

Isaiah 57:18-19

I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

The LORD sees the iniquities of the human heart, and every aspect of transgression and sin that is conceived in the heart is laid open before Him. He set out to make mankind in His own image, and He will perform it. It is the express will of God to remove all iniquity and heal us of its effects. When we repent and receive the Lord Jesus into our hearts, the healing can begin, by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. Then, by placing His Word in our mouths, peace will begin to flood our souls and the healing becomes progressive. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life: and He is restoration in our souls that leads to eternal right relationship. Glory to God!

See also The Lord and Harpazo; The Spirit Shall Lift Up A Standard; Daleth: Quickened By God’s Word

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 4:11-16; Psalm 107:1-43; Psalm 41:1-13; Psalm 23:1-6

To Revive the Spirit of the Humble

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

When our hearts are crushed, broken, and oppressed, the LORD has promised to move in and inhabit them. When our spirits are depressed and abased, this is when the LORD abides to make us alive again. This is the revival that speaks of the Lord’s peace: nourishment, restoration, wholeness, and energizing. There is the power of God behind His promise and His Word, He dwells in eternity, and here He is describing His second home. This is what draws the Creator of the universe to draw us; a humble spirit and a broken heart, submitted to Him.

See also The Valley of Vision; Fall Upon That Stone; The True Tabernacle

Related Scriptures: Psalm 34:1-22; Luke 18:9-14; Psalm 51:10-17; John 14:23-31; James 4:1-12