The Spirit of Slumber

Romans 11:8

(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

The dispensation of God was suspended in order that the fullness of the Gentiles might obtain the salvation offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Daniel’s seventieth week is approaching, during which time the LORD God will gather His elect out of Israel and bring them into the eternal Promised Land. The former and latter rains of Joel are in progress, and will soon accelerate. Watch for the signs that the nation of Israel is awakening from the spirit of slumber. The Lord will pour out His Spirit upon them liberally at the end of the Great Tribulation, when He brings the third part through the fire. As it is written,

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

See also Prophesy the Breath of Life; Eye to Eye; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 29:1-24; Romans 11:25-36; Daniel 9:1-27; Joel 2:12-32; Zechariah 12:1-14; Zechariah 13:1-9

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 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

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

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

Prophesy the Breath of Life

Ezekiel 37:9

Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

From the north, south, east, and west, the Spirit of the Lord GOD of hosts will breathe the breath of life into His chosen people Israel. They will rise up as one man, anointed by His Spirit, clothed with glory and on fire for the Lord. Born again nation in a heartbeat, for all the world to witness the glory of the Holy One of Israel. The planting of the Lord: Israel will glorify Him before all the nations of the earth, and all will say, “This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes!” The fullness of the engrafted gentiles will join with them, as His plan and purpose for this age is consummated.

See also Given From Heaven; The Testimony of Jesus; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 11:9-16; Ezekiel 37:1-28; Romans 11:1-36; Ezekiel 39:1-29; Mark 12:1-12

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

Gog, The Chief Prince

Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

A chief prince is a head of rulers: essentially the main general of a military force. In this case, I believe the Scripture is describing the spiritual principality over the land of Magog, where Meshech and Tubal, descendants of Japheth son of Noah once settled. This is modern day Turkey (the central and eastern parts) and Armenia, and especially the mountainous regions between Cappadocia and Media (the BDB literal translation of Gog is "mountain"). Gog is a fallen archangel, the spiritual principality over the areas to the north of Israel from which the armies of the nations in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will rise up against God and His people. He is also the tool by which Satan will deceive the nations at the end of the millennium, his last allowed act of rebellion before God casts him into the lake of fire eternally.

Gog is not a person. He is a spiritual peer of the prince of Persia who withstood Michael. Could it be that he is the prince of Grecia named in the same verses of Scripture? The LORD will reveal the truth of this matter more fully as the time approaches. Let God be true, and every man a liar.

See also By Him All Things Consist; Warn Every One; The Realm of the Sky

Related Scriptures: Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29; Daniel 10:1-21

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

Refuge in the Rock

Isaiah 16:3

Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.

Before Christ returns to rescue His people Israel from what will seem like certain destruction, they will again be divided, and a portion of them will take refuge in the rock city of Petra. Yet in truth, their refuge will be in the Rock Himself, as He delivers them once and for all from the hands of those who would destroy them. The kingdom of God is come nigh unto the earth, and the increase of His government will know no boundaries. The knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth, as the waters cover the seas.

See also The LORD of the Vineyard; The Earth Shall Be Filled; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-22; Psalm 62:1-12; Romans 11:1-29; Luke 21:29-36; Isaiah 9:6-7; Habakkuk 2:1-14

The Two Anointed Ones

Zechariah 4:14

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Two men are currently reserved, before the presence of God Almighty, as witnesses to Jerusalem, Israel, and the whole world during the tribulation. They have spent many centuries in the most excellent glory, held in readiness for their three and one half year testimony to the blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor and power and might of God. One of them is clearly identified as Elijah, and the other I believe to be Enoch. The earth is groaning in anticipation of the spiritual outpouring that is about to occur, in preparation for the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

See also The Assyrian In My Land; All Shall Know Him; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Revelation 11:3-4; Revelation 7:9-17; Malachi 4:1-6 Romans 8:16-23; Acts 2:14-32; Revelation 19:11-16

Garments Rolled in Blood

Isaiah 9:5

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

When the Lord descends from heaven to consummate the redemption of Earth, it will have been purged with burning and fuel of fire as a result of the twenty one judgments during the Tribulation. His garments will be stained with blood from trampling out the vintage of the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God. His right hand will redeem Israel from the clutches of the Antichrist as His outstretched arm deals with all His enemies swiftly in the righteousness of His judgment. 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 The Treader of Grapes; Be Made Righteousness In Him; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-21; Isaiah 63:1-19; Isaiah 52:1-15; Revelation 5:1-14; Zechariah 14:3-9

Warn Every One

Act 20:29-31

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The most powerful and deadly assault against the Church during these end times is deception.  Christ warned of this throughout the Olivet discourse, with direct or indirect references to guard against deceit seven times.  An eighth reference describes the same condition in the world as in the days of Noah, when the people refused to heed the warnings Noah spoke by the Holy Spirit and continued in their unrepentant state.  God, in His covenant keeping faithfulness which endures forever, has sworn never to destroy the earth by flood again.  Indeed, it is the very perversity of fallen mankind’s own wickedness that is sweeping the earth like a tsunami now, threatening to eliminate even those in the Church who fail to listen to the Holy Spirit in these perilous times.  The writing is on the wall to heed the wake-up call!

Jesus says it this way:

“Behold, I have told you before.”

See also To Build and To Plant; Pulling Out; Dark Speeches

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:1-51; Hebrews 11:6-7; 2Peter 2:1-22

Precept Upon Precept

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

History shows that Israel paid an extremely high price for rebellion against God. They went; they fell backward; they were broken, and snared, and taken. For many centuries they lived in exile. Now that they have been regathered according to His plan and purpose, the word of the Lord will deliver them FROM the captivity. Let no man or nation stand in the way of the LORD God of hosts and His love for His chosen people, Israel. In blessing them we receive our own deliverance and blessing.

See also Clouds and Thick Darkness; The LORD Hath Chosen; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: Galatians 1:3-5; Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 43:1-7; Romans 11:1-36

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

Gog, The Chief Prince

Ezekiel 38:2

Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

A chief prince is a head of rulers: essentially the main general of a military force. In this case, I believe the Scripture is describing the spiritual principality over the land of Magog, where Meshech and Tubal, descendants of Japheth son of Noah once settled. This is modern day Turkey (the central and eastern parts) and Armenia, and especially the mountainous regions between Cappadocia and Media (the BDB literal translation of Gog is "mountain"). Gog is a fallen archangel, the spiritual principality over the areas to the north of Israel from which the armies of the nations in Ezekiel 38 and 39 will rise up against God and His people. He is also the tool by which Satan will deceive the nations at the end of the millennium, his last allowed act of rebellion before God casts him into the lake of fire eternally.

Gog is not a person. He is a spiritual peer of the prince of Persia who withstood Michael. Could it be that he is the prince of Grecia named in the same verses of Scripture? The LORD will reveal the truth of this matter more fully as the time approaches. Let God be true, and every man a liar.

See also By Him All Things Consist; Warn Every One; The Realm of the Sky

Related Scriptures: Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29; Daniel 10:1-21

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

Warn Every One

Act 20:29-31

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The most powerful and deadly assault against the Church during these end times is deception.  Christ warned of this throughout the Olivet discourse, with direct or indirect references to guard against deceit seven times.  An eighth reference describes the same condition in the world as in the days of Noah, when the people refused to heed the warnings Noah spoke by the Holy Spirit and continued in their unrepentant state.  God, in His covenant keeping faithfulness which endures forever, has sworn never to destroy the earth by flood again.  Indeed, it is the very perversity of fallen mankind’s own wickedness that is sweeping the earth like a tsunami now, threatening to eliminate even those in the church who fail to listen to the Holy Spirit in these perilous times.  The writing is on the wall to heed the wake-up call!

Jesus says it this way:

“Behold, I have told you before.”

See also To Build and To Plant; Pulling Out; Dark Speeches

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:1-51; Hebrews 11:6-7; 2Peter 2:1-22

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