God is One LORD

Deuteronomy 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD

One + One + One = One LORD

God the Father + God the Son, Jesus Christ + the Holy Spirit = Adonai Echad

The key to understanding the complexity of the shema lies in the simplicity of observing our own triune nature internally.  This is a portion of what it means to be made in His image: spirit, soul, and body. When He manifests Himself during the millennial reign, His name will be one. As it is written,

Zechariah 14:9

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.

See also A Nail in a Sure Place; The Souls Which God Has Made; Working In the Day

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:1-25; Zechariah 14:1-11

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

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; Miry Clay

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

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.

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.

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

He Magnified His Word

Psalm 138:2

I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name.

He has magnified His Word above all His name. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s passion for mankind. This is His lovingkindness, and His truth: that He poured out His Godhood and walked with us, so that we would be able to walk with Him again, eternally, in the cool of the day in the perfection of creation.

See also The Nature of Works Will Be Manifest; Every Good and Perfect Gift; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1-14; Isaiah 53:1-12; Genesis 3:8; Hebrews 4:9-16; Acts 1:1-11

Christ, The True Vine

John 15:5

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

The new age concept of liberty does not abide in the Vine. The perfect law of liberty is only found in Christ, and He said of Himself that he can do nothing without the Father. Likewise, we can do nothing without Him. No person, group, or nation can stand in works built outside of God. Those works are built on sinking sand and will collapse. Let liberty be rededicated to dependence on the LORD, and may His fire fall on your heart as you do so, in Jesus’ name! Without Him, no one can do anything that will last.

See also Latter and Former Rain; Scepter of Righteousness; Tree of Life - Perfect Law of Liberty

Related Scriptures: James 1:17-25; John 5:19-32; Matthew 7:24-29; Revelation 3:14-22; 2Chronicles 7:14-22

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

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

Abide In the True Vine

John 15:4

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

Jesus makes it very clear with this statement: He is the source of life. If you snap a branch from a tree, it has absolutely no chance of survival. It withers up, dries out, and is only useful to be burned at that point. Our works must abide in Him, or be fuel for the fire. Our lives must remain in Him, just as surely as He must remain in the Father. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and anything we ever hope to accomplish is contained within Him and Him alone. All creation is contained within Him, and all creation ultimately must glorify Him.

See also The Promise of His Coming; Every Good and Perfect Gift; Run With the Vision

Related Scriptures: 1John 5:20; Romans 8:1-39; John 15:6; 1Corinthians 3:10-15; John 17:1-26; John 1:1-5; Revelation 15:3-4

Gleaning Grapes

Isaiah 17:6

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

Isaiah 24:13

When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.

The day will come, and seems to be approaching sooner rather than later, that Damascus will be a ruinous heap. Yet the LORD has promised to gather up the select remnant in Syria and all the nations: the chosen and faithful gleaning grapes among the called. Persecuted believers around the world: Take heart! He is ever faithful to hold onto those who are His, and none will be plucked from His hand. The vintage is nearly done. The winepress is nearly filled with the grapes of wrath in preparation for the Treader. This ministry is fulfilling the calling to walk, watch, and warn. As it is written,

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

See also The Treader of the Grapes; The Souls Which God Has Made; Walking With God Through the Blood

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 17:1-14; Isaiah 24:1-23; Revelation 17:14; John 10:22-30; Micah 7:1-20; Revelation 14:6-12

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

Watch Ye Therefore

Luke 21:35-36

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Prophetic events are unfolding at a heightened pace, signaling that the end of the age is close.  The Lord cautioned us to be vigilant, so as not to be caught unawares at the coming of the day of the Lord.  It shall come as a snare to those who are not paying attention: to unbelievers certainly, but also to believers who have fallen asleep or have let themselves be overly burdened by the cares of this present world.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.  Watch the Word that He has given you.  Take authority over the forces of darkness around you and cast them out.  Pray day and night according to His divine direction.  He is risen, and He is coming in power and great glory.  Praise the Lord!

See also The Realm of the Sky; Caught Up; The Promise of His Coming

Related Scriptures: Luke 10:1-24; Matthew 24:1-51; Matthew 25:1-13; Matthew 28:18-20

Walk in the Day

John 11:9-10

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

Walk in the light of the revelation He has given you.  Regardless of where He sends you and whatever dangers you may face, be obedient to perform His will.  Prepare your soul for warfare and affliction in these end times, for the battle is raging as the Tribulation night approaches.  As dark as the darkness seems now, when the Restrainer is removed there will be gross, deep darkness over the people as they stumble into eternity.  If any man be in Christ, as a new creation he is not of the night, for He is the Light by which we walk into our ordained destiny.

See also Working in the Day; Out of the Midst of the Fire; Pluck Out

Related Scriptures: Ephesians 2:10; Ephesians 5:1-21; Philippians 3:1-21; 2Thessalonians 2:1-17

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

By Him All Things Consist

Colossians 1:16-17

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

All things great and small were created by Him: thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. Everything visible in the earth and everything in the spirit realm. When we put on the armor, the Word warns us that we are wrestling with principalities, and powers, and rulers of darkness. We are opposed by fallen spiritual hosts, opposition which He allows, in order to develop us in our transformation into His image and likeness. Whenever we are tested, whatever the reason, His goal is to make us in His image. When Christ shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.

See also Catch Away; Change Them As A Vesture; Through the Midst

Related Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 6:1-20; Romans 8:1-39; 1John 3:1-24

Cast Out of the Vineyard

Luke 20:14-15

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

The LORD of the vineyard has promised to cast out of His vineyard that which does not please Him. The Jews that stumbled at the Son of God sealed their own judgment by casting Him out. Yet God has not permanently cast out Israel in this: they have stumbled but not fallen. Instead this was an opportunity for the church to be born, and the Gentiles to receive inheritance from the Son. Let us be faithful husbandmen in the vineyard of the LORD of hosts. His kingdom come.

See also A Vesture Dipped In Blood; Take By Force; The Realm of the Sky

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 13:11-15; Romans 11:1-36; John 12:37-50

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

Fall Upon That Stone

Luke 20:18

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

The Living Word of God is His commandment; and as New Testament believers Jesus Christ is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees of Israel, religious spirits of their time, were so caught up in the stone tablets of Mosaic Law that they were unable to receive the Person of God. Their hearts had hardened to the point that God could not write on them, and the Stone fell on them and ground them to powder. Today we must still align ourselves with the Chief Cornerstone in order to function within His Body, and be set free from religious spirits. We fall on the Stone in order to be broken, and then he can fit us into place as living stones.

See also The Fruit of the Lips: Peace

Related Scriptures: 2Corinthians 3:1-18; Matthew 13:10-23; 1Peter 2:1-10; Hebrews 13:8-18; Isaiah 57:15-21

The Stone Which the Builders Rejected

Luke 20:16-17

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid. And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

God DID forbid that any man would come to Him in any other way than by the Stone, Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the Corner, and every other stone must line up with Him or be rejected from the building. The Body of Christ will be fitly framed together for all eternity.

See also Cut Out Without Hands; Christ: The Architect of Souls;  THE TRUE TABERNACLE

Related Scriptures: John 14:1-31; Luke 20:1-19; Ephesians 2:1-22

Increase In Lawlessness

Matthew 24:11-13 ISR98

“And many false prophets shall rise up and lead many astray. “And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold. “But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.

The KJV translated "increase in lawlessness" as "iniquity shall abound." These concepts are synonymous to God: iniquity is a form of lawlessness, and He sees that as a demonstration of cold love toward Him. His wish is that the Church is hot or cold in these end times, and that all buy from Him the gold tried in His fire, which is the wisdom of His law. To endure to the end, we must hate every false way, stand against all lawlessness, and refuse to compromise. As it is written,

Joshua 24:20-22 KJV

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve Him. And they said, We are witnesses.

See also Smoking Flax; Valley of Vision; Building Spiritual Houses

Related Scriptures: Matthew 24:11-13 KJV; Revelation 3:14-22; Psalm 12:1-8; 1Peter 1:1-25; James 5:7-12; Joshua 24:13-28; Matthew 10:22; Psalm 119:104; Psalm 119:128

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

The Mystery of Iniquity

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:

Who works in the mystery of iniquity?

Tares in the field

Who fan the fires of hell.

Who is the restrainer?

That man speaking by the Spirit of God

Proclaiming that Jesus is Lord.

Who is He who now letteth?

It is God who laid the foundation

When the morning stars sang together.

Who will be taken out of the way?

His Spirit shall not always strive with man;

The olive trees stand by the throne.

When will that Wicked be revealed?

The seventieth week, like never before.

Then never again.

Whom shall the Lord consume?

The people of the prince that shall come,

The defiler of His sanctuary.

How will He consume them?

With seven lamps of fire

which proceed out of His mouth.

Behold the brightness of His coming!

Lift up your heads ye everlasting doors!

The Son of Righteousness comes from the east.

Destroyer of darkness.

Treader of the grapes.

As it is written,

Isaiah 63:1

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

See also The Spirit Shall Lift Up A Standard; Treader of the Grapes; Perfect Law of Liberty: Lightning Strike!

Related Scriptures: Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17; 1Corinthians 12:3; Job 38:1-41; Genesis 6:3; Zechariah 4:11-14; Daniel 9:21-27; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 24:1-10; Malachi 4:1-2; Amos 9:11-15; Isaiah 63:1-19

Eye to Eye

Isaiah 52:8

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

The LORD has promised, covenanted in His blood, to deliver Israel out of the fire. Even now as the forces of evil gather at her doorstep it is the Holy One, blessed be He, who is in control. Their crafty counsel will only accomplish His purpose: to show Israel His face when Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives. As they look upon Him whom they pierced they will mourn as for their own firstborn, and then shall they see eye to eye with the Messiah for whom they have longed, for they shall see Him through the eyes of God.

See also A Nail in a Sure Place; He Commands the Locusts; The True Tabernacle

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 52:1-15; Psalm 83:1-18; Zechariah 12:1-14

All Shall Know Him

Hebrews 8:11

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest.

The Lord has promised a time when all mankind will know Him. His laws will be at the forefront of every soul, and written indelibly on hearts rather than tablets of stone or paper. There will be no doubt as to the sovereignty of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform universal peace.

See also They Held Their Peace; He Will Raise Us Up; Elijah and Restoration

Related Scriptures: Hebrews 8:8-13; 2 Corinthians 3:1-6; Revelation 19:1-21; Isaiah 9:5-7

Fallen Corn of Wheat

John 12:24

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Jesus spoke here of the crucifixion of His own body. This earthly shell called the flesh must be crucified in order to be resurrected in righteousness. This corruption will put on incorruption as we submit to God and are transformed into the image of His Son. As we shed this earthly body, the glory of the risen Savior will be seen shining out of our own spirits.

See also Smite the Shepherd; The Fruit of the Lips: Peace; Working in the Day

Related Scriptures: John 12:1-50; 1 Corinthians 15:1-58; Isaiah 60:1-3; Galatians 3:27

The Coming of the Lord Draws Near

James 5:7-8

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Jesus Christ sowed His life on earth as a seed, that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. When a farmer plants his crops he knows that, with the right conditions of soil and water, patience will bring him the harvest according to the seed sown. God Almighty knows that He will reap many sons from the redemptive sacrifice that his Son made on the cross. He also is looking to us, the children that He has drawn to Him, to patiently cultivate and establish our hearts in the knowledge of His coming. Now more than ever before, we should be looking to that blessed hope moment by moment, and maturing into our position in the body of Christ. The glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ draws near.

See also Fallen Corn of Wheat; Firstborn From the Dead

Related Scriptures: John 12:23-36; Romans 8:28-39; Colossians 2:6-15; 2Thessalonians 2:13-17; Titus 2:1-15

The Tower of Salvation

2Samuel 22:51

He is the tower of salvation for His king: and sheweth mercy to His anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

The LORD is the tower of salvation (yeshua) to all who place their trust in Him. Trust is a matter of the whole heart, and when your whole heart is after God He responds with His anointing (mashiyach). This is the extension of the secret place of the most high God, a dwelling place under His wings where there is peace and safety in the midst of all the storms of life. Yeshuah Ha’Mashiyach, Jesus our Messiah, beloved Son of God: we trust that you are ever watchful over those whose hearts are fixed on you. Thank You LORD, for keeping us in perfect peace in the midst of the rising tide of deep darkness, as the stormy seas of the nations toss up their foam. As the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ draws near, we remember that it often seems darkest before the Day dawns. As it is written,

Isaiah 60:1-2

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.

See also Cleft of the Rock; The LORD Put Forth His Hand; Miry Clay

Related Scriptures: 2Samuel 22:1-51; Isaiah 17:1-14

Beyond Jordan

Matthew 4:15

The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

Beyond Jordan is the promised land, the land of milk and honey which God has ordained for His people. There lies the land of Zebulun: the habitation of exaltation. Along the way lies the land of Naphtali: the wrestling. This land of light affliction and temporal burdens leads to a much greater prize: the yoke of heaven and the eternal weight of glory. In the meantime, we wrestle with the spiritual principalities of the world, the flesh, and Satan to occupy the land that the Lord has given us personally. As the Tribulation approaches be diligent to see to the land He appointed you beyond Jordan, on this side of the  shadow of death, until such time as the Sun of Righteousness arises the second time. As it is written,

Isaiah 9:1-2

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

See also Be Made Righteousness In Him; The Spirit Shall Lift Up A Standard; What Is the Chaff to the Wheat?

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-16; 2Corinthians 4:1-18; Malachi 4:1-6

Smoking Flax

Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory.

Isaiah 19:9

Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.

Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together in a vain attempt to cover their sinful fallen state. Ever since, mankind has increasingly developed more intricate methods to try to escape the reality of the sinful condition of separation from God: working in fine flax and weaving networks of false white linen. These are nothing more than the garments of self righteousness, the same flax that has been smoking since Eden. Every attempt of man to put out the fires of iniquity apart from God will be exposed and confounded. Moreover, when the smoldering works of self righteousness are uncovered and these fires are fanned the lake of fire will burn hotter, consuming these works. Those who rely on the righteousness of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be like brands plucked out of the eternal fires of judgment and rescued from the punishment for spiritual death as the LORD rebukes Satan Himself.

As it is written,

Zechariah 3:2

And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

See also A Bruised Reed; Firstborn From the Dead; God Poured Out

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 19:1-25; Isaiah 64:1-12; Zechariah 3:1-10

A Bruised Reed

2Kings 18:21

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Isaiah 42:3

A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Matthew 12:20

A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory.

Egypt is clearly identified as the bruised reed in the first passage of Scripture above. When Isaiah prophesied of Christ the Holy Spirit said through the prophet that the Lord would not break a bruised reed until He brings forth judgment. Pharaoh king of Egypt has been carried forward in Babylon, and all those who are leaning on this world system are presently feeling the piercings of misplaced trust. The book of Revelation details the final judgment of Babylon, at which time Jesus Christ will break this modern day bruised reed and establish His eternal government, and the judgment sent forth will establish truth and bring victory. As it is written,

1Chronicles 29:11

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

See also The Treader of Grapes; Warn Every One; TREE OF LIFE: Perfect Law of Liberty

Related Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1-17; Jeremiah 51:1-64; Isaiah 21:1-10; Revelation 14:6-12