Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Zechariah 14
This passage has always been a little difficult for me to understand in terms of how it applies to the second advent of the Messiah. However, we read this prophecy in light of the Revelation of the Son of God and the new covenant it becomes easier to reconcile. We must understand that there are often immediate and distant fulfillments of a given prophesy. The olivet discourse of Matthew 24 is a perfect example as some of that prophesy was for AD 70 and some for the end of the age. Let's look at Zechariah 14 and show how this prophesy relates to the end of the age as well highlight portions that may have been fulfilled in either the Maccabean revolt or AD 70. Zechariah 14:1-2 1 Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The day of Jehovah is primarily the eschatological day when He comes and destroys the wicked at the end of the age and inaugurates the new heavens and new earth. However, the day of Jehovah could also denote anytime Jehovah breaks into history to perform judgement to Israel's enemies and deliverance for Israel. In the lens of the new covenant, the day of Jehovah God is the second advent of Jehoshua. In the above verses we see tribulation being described as coming upon the people of Jersuslem. The city taken, women ravished, houses rifled and the spoil divided. These things had their near fulfillment in the days of the Maccabees and AD 70. The remant will not be cut off means that there will be deliverance for them. Again, this applies to both the Maccabean revolt and AD 70 as both times a remnant were preserved. In AD 70, the Messianics left Jersuslem and escaped to Pella being delivered from the destruction of Jersuslem. In both the Maccabean times and AD 70 the nations were gathered against Jersuslem. So, how do we understand the above two passages with the lens of the new testament and New Jersuslem? All those circumstances of tribulation mentioned in verses 1 and 2 have been seen throughout the new covenant church age. In fact, we are told in the book of Acts that we enter into the Kingdom of God through much tribulation: Acts 14:21-22 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. One thing that has been lost in modern Churchianity, is that the life of a true Christian will be marked by tribulation. This was actually part of the apostles teaching to the disciples in that they were to expect many tribulations. Revelation 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" Unlike what many teach today the tribulation is not a 3 1/2 or 7 year period as it was already going on in the first century. John says that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is marked with tribulation echoing Acts 14:22. This also shows that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ was already present tense reality in the first century. So in the context of the new covenant the verses above in Zechariah could apply to the whole era at different places and times. Some might say that this prophecy is specific to Jerusalem and I would agree with them, however in the new covenant this applies to New Jersuslem. At the end of this age the book of Revelation says Gog and Magog will surround the holy city: Revelation 20:7-9 7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 land shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. Gog and Magog are not the literal nations from Ezekiel's time but rather they represent all the enemies of God's people. Just to show that these aren't literal Geographical nations, the above verses say they are gathered from the four corners of the earth. This proves that Gog and Magog symbolize the unbelieving world. We also know from the new testament that earthly Jersuslem is of no more significance and that the true holy city is New Jersuslem. Galatians 4:25-26 25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. Paul says that earthly Jersuslem is in bondage and that New Jersuslem is our mother. Hebrews 12:22-24 and 13:13-14 both show that in the new covenant the true saints of God don't look to earthly Jerusalem but instead worship at the Heavenly Zion, the New Jersuslem. The church is the New Jersuslem on earth and hence we are the holy city. The unbelieving nations (Gog and Magog) will surround us at the end of the age and then that is when Jehovah God will intervene and destroy them with fire and brimstone. Let's now go back to Zechariah 14: 3 Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Jehovah God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and will fight in the battle that will take place at the last day. Jehovah God will fight the unbelieving nations through His anointed King Jehoshua. The reference to Jehovah's feet standing on the mount of Olives can also be understood spiritually in that His shekinah presence apparently went to the mount of Olives when it left the temple in AD 70 as well as during the time of the Macabees. However, at the last day this verse will take be very literal as Acts chapter 1 says this: 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day`s journey off. Jehoshua ascended up to heaven from the mount of Olives. The two angels present told the apostles that Jehoshua's return would be in like manner, meaning it would be in reverse order of how he ascended up to heaven. This means that Jehoshua's return would end up with him landing on the mount of Olives. The mount of Olives being cleaved will take place, literally it appears, when Jehoshua lands on it. Apparently there is a road built by the Romans that currently divides the mount if Olives from East to Wesr creating a valley of sorts. This may have been the path that the 1st century Messianics took when fleeing Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:5 5 And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee. As stated, the fleeing by the valley was fulfilled during the Messianic s departure from Jersuslem in AD 66 when they saw the armies surrounding Jersuslem thereby heeding Jehoshua's warning in Luke 21. "Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee" What many churches fail to teach is that the second advent of Messiah also brings the coming of Jehovah God the Father. Jehoshua tells us this in Revelation 3:12: "He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name" New Jersuslem is Jehovah's tabernacle and it will come down to the earth after Jehoshua makes his return. The book of Jude echoes Zechariah 14: Jude 14-15 14 And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. The Lord mentioned by Jude is Jehovah God. 10 thousands of Jehovah's holy one's will accompany Jehoshua when he returns. Jehovah God is coming with the holy ones by way of his Son Jehoshua. It will be the Son of God as the Davidic King who returns in the name and glory of Jehovah God to pour out wrath upon the nations. Remember, the fulness of Jehovah's divinity dwells in Jehoshua so when he comes fo fight against the nations it's as if Jehovah comes. Verse 5 applies to the second coming of Jehoshua and the earthquake mentioned is prophesied to happenn at the sixth seal: Revelation 6:12 "And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood" Zechariah 14:6-7 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: 7 but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light" Verse also denotes features of the sixth seal: Revelation 6:13-14 13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.14 And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The heaven woll recede like a scroll on the great and terrible day of Jehovah God. The stars of heaven will not give light on that day as they will fall to the earth. In verse 7 Zechariah says only Jehovah knows when that day will come, this is what Jehoshua said as well: Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" This proves that Jehovah God is not Jehoshua as Zechariah says only Jehovah knows the day when these things at the end will happen and Jehoshua says only the Father knows. Zechariah 14:8 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in winter shall it be" This is a prophecy of the river of life coming out from the throne of God and His lamb in the New Jersuslem: Revelation 22 1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve [manner of] fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The prophecies in the old testament concerning the day of Jehovah in regards to Jersuslem need to be understood in the new covenant lens. New Jersuslem is now the city which we seek to come and which is the headquarters and mother of the saints. Zechariah 14:9 "And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one" We have to remember that when Jehoshua comes back and breaks the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel (Revelation 19) that he is going to hand over the Kingdom to the Father; 1 Corinthians 28:27-28 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. At the last day after Jehoshua vanquishes all enemies, the last of which is death, he will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father who will be all in all. This is another text that proves that the Father is Jehovah God. Zechariah 14:10-11 10 All the land shall be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she shall be lifted up, and shall dwell in her place, from Benjamin`s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel unto the king`s wine-presses. 11 And men shall dwell therein, and there shall be no more curse; but Jerusalem shall dwell safely Notice that the gate of Benjamin is mentioned here and that all men will dwell within the gate. We see this mentioned in Revelation 21: 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: This is describing the New Jersuslem in which the 12 gates are named after the children of Israel. This is what Zechariah 14:10-11 is referring to. Remember, we must read and understand old testament prophecies within the lens of the new testament. The city of Jersuslem no longer has any significance for God's people nor in bible prophecy. In verse 11 of Zechariah 14 we read that there will be no more curse in Jersuslem and that people will dwell safely in it. The book of Revelation describes New Jersuslem this way after the second advent: Revelation 21:4 "and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away" This shows that the prophecy of Zechariah 14 ultimately is about the second coming of Messiah and New Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:12-13 12 And this shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite all the peoples that have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from Jehovah shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. Verse 12 describes the plagues falling on the wicked at the last day. These are the ones who have persecuted Jehovah's New Jersuslem church. Verse 12 denotes fiery judgement on the day of Jehovah as Peter stated: 2 Peter 2:7 "but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" It is fire that makes ones flesh consume away. All throughout scripture we see that fire and brimstone will be the method used to destroy the wicked. Verse 13, there will be confusion in that day and men will turn on each other. Zechariah 14:14-15 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in those camps, as that plague. The new covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Judah here represents the new covenant Israel who will fight alongside Jehoshua when lands on the mount of Olives. The wealth of the nations will come to nothing and be burned up. All the animals will be destroyed as well in the day of Jehovah. Zechariah 14:16-19 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso of [all] the families of the earth goeth not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, neither [shall it be] upon them; there shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. The feast of Tabernacles is one of Jehovah's feasts. This feast will be celebrates after the resurrection of the dead and translation of the living. The 144,000 will be brought before the throne of Jehovah God and hold palm branches in their hands just as prescribed in the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23). Revelation 7:9 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" This great multitude are the redeemed of all time and they are symbolized by the number 144,000. Note that they have palms in their hands just like the feast of tabernacles: Leviticus 23:40 "And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days" This was to be done on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles. Revelation 7:5 "Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them" Jehovah God will literally tabernacle with us for the first time after our resurrection and translation into the consummated Kingdom. Revelation 21:1-3 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God: The coming down of the city of New Jersuslem will be the celebration of the feast of Tabernacles as Jehovah will be with (tabernacle) us. New Jerusalem is Jehovah's tabernacle. The punishment of the nations that don't go up to worship Jehovah at the feast of tabernacles will be stuck with plagues. Jehovah through Jehoshua will dash the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel. However, in the lens of the new covenant the nations not attending the feast of Tabernacles is due to them not knowing God nor obeying the gospel of God. They will not be invited to the feast and they will be destroyed prior to it at Jehoshua's second advent. Zechariah 14:20-21 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah`s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto Jehovah of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein: and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts. In the eternal Kingdom there will be no impure thing in Jehovah's tabernacle as everything will be holy. There will be no more Canaanite in the Kingdom meaning a wicked person or an unbeliever. In the churches today there is a mix of true disciples of the Son of God and those who are in name only i.e. tares. In the eternal Kingdom only the righteous will be there. ReplyForward Kingdom of the Son of GodThu, Dec 24, 6:42 AM (3 days ago) to me Zechariah 14 This passage has always been a little difficult for me to understand in terms of how it applies to the second advent of the Messiah. However, we read this prophecy in light of the Revelation of the Son of God and the new covenant it becomes easier to reconcile. We must understand that there are often immediate and distant fulfillments of a given prophesy. The olivet discourse of Matthew 24 is a perfect example as some of that prophesy was for AD 70 and some for the end of the age. Let's look at Zechariah 14 and show how this prophesy relates to the end of the age as well highlight portions that may have been fulfilled in either the Maccabean revolt or AD 70. Zechariah 14:1-2 1 Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The day of Jehovah is primarily the eschatological day when He comes and destroys the wicked at the end of the age and inaugurates the new heavens and new earth. However, the day of Jehovah could also denote anytime Jehovah breaks into history to perform judgement to Israel's enemies and deliverance for Israel. In the lens of the new covenant, the day of Jehovah God is the second advent of Jehoshua. In the above verses we see tribulation being described as coming upon the people of Jersuslem. The city taken, women ravished, houses rifled and the spoil divided. These things had their near fulfillment in the days of the Maccabees and AD 70. The remant will not be cut off means that there will be deliverance for them. Again, this applies to both the Maccabean revolt and AD 70 as both times a remnant were preserved. In AD 70, the Messianics left Jersuslem and escaped to Pella being delivered from the destruction of Jersuslem. In both the Maccabean times and AD 70 the nations were gathered against Jersuslem. So, how do we understand the above two passages with the lens of the new testament and New Jersuslem? All those circumstances of tribulation mentioned in verses 1 and 2 have been seen throughout the new covenant church age. In fact, we are told in the book of Acts that we enter into the Kingdom of God through much tribulation: Acts 14:21-22 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. One thing that has been lost in modern Churchianity, is that the life of a true Christian will be marked by tribulation. This was actually part of the apostles teaching to the disciples in that they were to expect many tribulations. Revelation 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" Unlike what many teach today the tribulation is not a 3 1/2 or 7 year period as it was already going on in the first century. John says that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is marked with tribulation echoing Acts 14:22. This also shows that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ was already present tense reality in the first century. So in the context of the new covenant the verses above in Zechariah could apply to the whole era at different places and times. Some might say that this prophecy is specific to Jerusalem and I would agree with them, however in the new covenant this applies to New Jersuslem. At the end of this age the book of Revelation says Gog and Magog will surround the holy city: Revelation 20:7-9 7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 land shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. Gog and Magog are not the literal nations from Ezekiel's time but rather they represent all the enemies of God's people. Just to show that these aren't literal Geographical nations, the above verses say they are gathered from the four corners of the earth. This proves that Gog and Magog symbolize the unbelieving world. We also know from the new testament that earthly Jersuslem is of no more significance and that the true holy city is New Jersuslem. Galatians 4:25-26 25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. Paul says that earthly Jersuslem is in bondage and that New Jersuslem is our mother. Hebrews 12:22-24 and 13:13-14 both show that in the new covenant the true saints of God don't look to earthly Jerusalem but instead worship at the Heavenly Zion, the New Jersuslem. The church is the New Jersuslem on earth and hence we are the holy city. The unbelieving nations (Gog and Magog) will surround us at the end of the age and then that is when Jehovah God will intervene and destroy them with fire and brimstone. Let's now go back to Zechariah 14: 3 Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Jehovah God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and will fight in the battle that will take place at the last day. Jehovah God will fight the unbelieving nations through His anointed King Jehoshua. The reference to Jehovah's feet standing on the mount of Olives can also be understood spiritually in that His shekinah presence apparently went to the mount of Olives when it left the temple in AD 70 as well as during the time of the Macabees. However, at the last day this verse will take be very literal as Acts chapter 1 says this: 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day`s journey off. Jehoshua ascended up to heaven from the mount of Olives. The two angels present told the apostles that Jehoshua's return would be in like manner, meaning it would be in reverse order of how he ascended up to heaven. This means that Jehoshua's return would end up with him landing on the mount of Olives. The mount of Olives being cleaved will take place, literally it appears, when Jehoshua lands on it. Apparently there is a road built by the Romans that currently divides the mount if Olives from East to Wesr creating a valley of sorts. This may have been the path that the 1st century Messianics took when fleeing Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:5 5 And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee. As stated, the fleeing by the valley was fulfilled during the Messianic s departure from Jersuslem in AD 66 when they saw the armies surrounding Jersuslem thereby heeding Jehoshua's warning in Luke 21. "Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee" What many churches fail to teach is that the second advent of Messiah also brings the coming of Jehovah God the Father. Jehoshua tells us this in Revelation 3:12: "He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name" New Jersuslem is Jehovah's tabernacle and it will come down to the earth after Jehoshua makes his return. The book of Jude echoes Zechariah 14: Jude 14-15 14 And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. The Lord mentioned by Jude is Jehovah God. 10 thousands of Jehovah's holy one's will accompany Jehoshua when he returns. Jehovah God is coming with the holy ones by way of his Son Jehoshua. It will be the Son of God as the Davidic King who returns in the name and glory of Jehovah God to pour out wrath upon the nations. Remember, the fulness of Jehovah's divinity dwells in Jehoshua so when he comes fo fight against the nations it's as if Jehovah comes. Verse 5 applies to the second coming of Jehoshua and the earthquake mentioned is prophesied to happenn at the sixth seal: Revelation 6:12 "And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood" Zechariah 14:6-7 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: 7 but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light" Verse also denotes features of the sixth seal: Revelation 6:13-14 13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.14 And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The heaven woll recede like a scroll on the great and terrible day of Jehovah God. The stars of heaven will not give light on that day as they will fall to the earth. In verse 7 Zechariah says only Jehovah knows when that day will come, this is what Jehoshua said as well: Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" This proves that Jehovah God is not Jehoshua as Zechariah says only Jehovah knows the day when these things at the end will happen and Jehoshua says only the Father knows. Zechariah 14:8 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in winter shall it be" This is a prophecy of the river of life coming out from the throne of God and His lamb in the New Jersuslem: Revelation 22 1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve [manner of] fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The prophecies in the old testament concerning the day of Jehovah in regards to Jersuslem need to be understood in the new covenant lens. New Jersuslem is now the city which we seek to come and which is the headquarters and mother of the saints. Zechariah 14:9 "And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one" We have to remember that when Jehoshua comes back and breaks the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel (Revelation 19) that he is going to hand over the Kingdom to the Father; 1 Corinthians 28:27-28 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. At the last day after Jehoshua vanquishes all enemies, the last of which is death, he will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father who will be all in all. This is another text that proves that the Father is Jehovah God. Zechariah 14:10-11 10 All the land shall be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she shall be lifted up, and shall dwell in her place, from Benjamin`s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel unto the king`s wine-presses. 11 And men shall dwell therein, and there shall be no more curse; but Jerusalem shall dwell safely Notice that the gate of Benjamin is mentioned here and that all men will dwell within the gate. We see this mentioned in Revelation 21: 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: This is describing the New Jersuslem in which the 12 gates are named after the children of Israel. This is what Zechariah 14:10-11 is referring to. Remember, we must read and understand old testament prophecies within the lens of the new testament. The city of Jersuslem no longer has any significance for God's people nor in bible prophecy. In verse 11 of Zechariah 14 we read that there will be no more curse in Jersuslem and that people will dwell safely in it. The book of Revelation describes New Jersuslem this way after the second advent: Revelation 21:4 "and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away" This shows that the prophecy of Zechariah 14 ultimately is about the second coming of Messiah and New Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:12-13 12 And this shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite all the peoples that have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from Jehovah shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. Verse 12 describes the plagues falling on the wicked at the last day. These are the ones who have persecuted Jehovah's New Jersuslem church. Verse 12 denotes fiery judgement on the day of Jehovah as Peter stated: 2 Peter 2:7 "but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" It is fire that makes ones flesh consume away. All throughout scripture we see that fire and brimstone will be the method used to destroy the wicked. Verse 13, there will be confusion in that day and men will turn on each other. Zechariah 14:14-15 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in those camps, as that plague. The new covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Judah here represents the new covenant Israel who will fight alongside Jehoshua when lands on the mount of Olives. The wealth of the nations will come to nothing and be burned up. All the animals will be destroyed as well in the day of Jehovah. Zechariah 14:16-19 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso of [all] the families of the earth goeth not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, neither [shall it be] upon them; there shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. The feast of Tabernacles is one of Jehovah's feasts. This feast will be celebrates after the resurrection of the dead and translation of the living. The 144,000 will be brought before the throne of Jehovah God and hold palm branches in their hands just as prescribed in the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23). Revelation 7:9 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" This great multitude are the redeemed of all time and they are symbolized by the number 144,000. Note that they have palms in their hands just like the feast of tabernacles: Leviticus 23:40 "And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days" This was to be done on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles. Revelation 7:5 "Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them" Jehovah God will literally tabernacle with us for the first time after our resurrection and translation into the consummated Kingdom. Revelation 21:1-3 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God: The coming down of the city of New Jersuslem will be the celebration of the feast of Tabernacles as Jehovah will be with (tabernacle) us. New Jerusalem is Jehovah's tabernacle. The punishment of the nations that don't go up to worship Jehovah at the feast of tabernacles will be stuck with plagues. Jehovah through Jehoshua will dash the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel. However, in the lens of the new covenant the nations not attending the feast of Tabernacles is due to them not knowing God nor obeying the gospel of God. They will not be invited to the feast and they will be destroyed prior to it at Jehoshua's second advent. Zechariah 14:20-21 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah`s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto Jehovah of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein: and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts. In the eternal Kingdom there will be no impure thing in Jehovah's tabernacle as everything will be holy. There will be no more Canaanite in the Kingdom meaning a wicked person or an unbeliever. In the churches today there is a mix of true disciples of the Son of God and those who are in name only i.e. tares. In the eternal Kingdom only the righteous will be there. ReplyForward Kingdom of the Son of GodThu, Dec 24, 6:42 AM (3 days ago) to me Zechariah 14 This passage has always been a little difficult for me to understand in terms of how it applies to the second advent of the Messiah. However, we read this prophecy in light of the Revelation of the Son of God and the new covenant it becomes easier to reconcile. We must understand that there are often immediate and distant fulfillments of a given prophesy. The olivet discourse of Matthew 24 is a perfect example as some of that prophesy was for AD 70 and some for the end of the age. Let's look at Zechariah 14 and show how this prophesy relates to the end of the age as well highlight portions that may have been fulfilled in either the Maccabean revolt or AD 70. Zechariah 14:1-2 1 Behold, a day of Jehovah cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The day of Jehovah is primarily the eschatological day when He comes and destroys the wicked at the end of the age and inaugurates the new heavens and new earth. However, the day of Jehovah could also denote anytime Jehovah breaks into history to perform judgement to Israel's enemies and deliverance for Israel. In the lens of the new covenant, the day of Jehovah God is the second advent of Jehoshua. In the above verses we see tribulation being described as coming upon the people of Jersuslem. The city taken, women ravished, houses rifled and the spoil divided. These things had their near fulfillment in the days of the Maccabees and AD 70. The remant will not be cut off means that there will be deliverance for them. Again, this applies to both the Maccabean revolt and AD 70 as both times a remnant were preserved. In AD 70, the Messianics left Jersuslem and escaped to Pella being delivered from the destruction of Jersuslem. In both the Maccabean times and AD 70 the nations were gathered against Jersuslem. So, how do we understand the above two passages with the lens of the new testament and New Jersuslem? All those circumstances of tribulation mentioned in verses 1 and 2 have been seen throughout the new covenant church age. In fact, we are told in the book of Acts that we enter into the Kingdom of God through much tribulation: Acts 14:21-22 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. One thing that has been lost in modern Churchianity, is that the life of a true Christian will be marked by tribulation. This was actually part of the apostles teaching to the disciples in that they were to expect many tribulations. Revelation 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ" Unlike what many teach today the tribulation is not a 3 1/2 or 7 year period as it was already going on in the first century. John says that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is marked with tribulation echoing Acts 14:22. This also shows that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ was already present tense reality in the first century. So in the context of the new covenant the verses above in Zechariah could apply to the whole era at different places and times. Some might say that this prophecy is specific to Jerusalem and I would agree with them, however in the new covenant this applies to New Jersuslem. At the end of this age the book of Revelation says Gog and Magog will surround the holy city: Revelation 20:7-9 7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 land shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. Gog and Magog are not the literal nations from Ezekiel's time but rather they represent all the enemies of God's people. Just to show that these aren't literal Geographical nations, the above verses say they are gathered from the four corners of the earth. This proves that Gog and Magog symbolize the unbelieving world. We also know from the new testament that earthly Jersuslem is of no more significance and that the true holy city is New Jersuslem. Galatians 4:25-26 25 Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. Paul says that earthly Jersuslem is in bondage and that New Jersuslem is our mother. Hebrews 12:22-24 and 13:13-14 both show that in the new covenant the true saints of God don't look to earthly Jerusalem but instead worship at the Heavenly Zion, the New Jersuslem. The church is the New Jersuslem on earth and hence we are the holy city. The unbelieving nations (Gog and Magog) will surround us at the end of the age and then that is when Jehovah God will intervene and destroy them with fire and brimstone. Let's now go back to Zechariah 14: 3 Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Jehovah God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and will fight in the battle that will take place at the last day. Jehovah God will fight the unbelieving nations through His anointed King Jehoshua. The reference to Jehovah's feet standing on the mount of Olives can also be understood spiritually in that His shekinah presence apparently went to the mount of Olives when it left the temple in AD 70 as well as during the time of the Macabees. However, at the last day this verse will take be very literal as Acts chapter 1 says this: 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day`s journey off. Jehoshua ascended up to heaven from the mount of Olives. The two angels present told the apostles that Jehoshua's return would be in like manner, meaning it would be in reverse order of how he ascended up to heaven. This means that Jehoshua's return would end up with him landing on the mount of Olives. The mount of Olives being cleaved will take place, literally it appears, when Jehoshua lands on it. Apparently there is a road built by the Romans that currently divides the mount if Olives from East to Wesr creating a valley of sorts. This may have been the path that the 1st century Messianics took when fleeing Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:5 5 And ye shall flee by the valley of my mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azel; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah; and Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee. As stated, the fleeing by the valley was fulfilled during the Messianic s departure from Jersuslem in AD 66 when they saw the armies surrounding Jersuslem thereby heeding Jehoshua's warning in Luke 21. "Jehovah my God shall come, and all the holy ones with thee" What many churches fail to teach is that the second advent of Messiah also brings the coming of Jehovah God the Father. Jehoshua tells us this in Revelation 3:12: "He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name" New Jersuslem is Jehovah's tabernacle and it will come down to the earth after Jehoshua makes his return. The book of Jude echoes Zechariah 14: Jude 14-15 14 And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. The Lord mentioned by Jude is Jehovah God. 10 thousands of Jehovah's holy one's will accompany Jehoshua when he returns. Jehovah God is coming with the holy ones by way of his Son Jehoshua. It will be the Son of God as the Davidic King who returns in the name and glory of Jehovah God to pour out wrath upon the nations. Remember, the fulness of Jehovah's divinity dwells in Jehoshua so when he comes fo fight against the nations it's as if Jehovah comes. Verse 5 applies to the second coming of Jehoshua and the earthquake mentioned is prophesied to happenn at the sixth seal: Revelation 6:12 "And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the whole moon became as blood" Zechariah 14:6-7 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be light; the bright ones shall withdraw themselves: 7 but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light" Verse also denotes features of the sixth seal: Revelation 6:13-14 13 and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.14 And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The heaven woll recede like a scroll on the great and terrible day of Jehovah God. The stars of heaven will not give light on that day as they will fall to the earth. In verse 7 Zechariah says only Jehovah knows when that day will come, this is what Jehoshua said as well: Matthew 24:36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" This proves that Jehovah God is not Jehoshua as Zechariah says only Jehovah knows the day when these things at the end will happen and Jehoshua says only the Father knows. Zechariah 14:8 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea: in summer and in winter shall it be" This is a prophecy of the river of life coming out from the throne of God and His lamb in the New Jersuslem: Revelation 22 1 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve [manner of] fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The prophecies in the old testament concerning the day of Jehovah in regards to Jersuslem need to be understood in the new covenant lens. New Jersuslem is now the city which we seek to come and which is the headquarters and mother of the saints. Zechariah 14:9 "And Jehovah shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall Jehovah be one, and his name one" We have to remember that when Jehoshua comes back and breaks the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel (Revelation 19) that he is going to hand over the Kingdom to the Father; 1 Corinthians 28:27-28 27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him. 28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. At the last day after Jehoshua vanquishes all enemies, the last of which is death, he will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father who will be all in all. This is another text that proves that the Father is Jehovah God. Zechariah 14:10-11 10 All the land shall be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she shall be lifted up, and shall dwell in her place, from Benjamin`s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel unto the king`s wine-presses. 11 And men shall dwell therein, and there shall be no more curse; but Jerusalem shall dwell safely Notice that the gate of Benjamin is mentioned here and that all men will dwell within the gate. We see this mentioned in Revelation 21: 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: This is describing the New Jersuslem in which the 12 gates are named after the children of Israel. This is what Zechariah 14:10-11 is referring to. Remember, we must read and understand old testament prophecies within the lens of the new testament. The city of Jersuslem no longer has any significance for God's people nor in bible prophecy. In verse 11 of Zechariah 14 we read that there will be no more curse in Jersuslem and that people will dwell safely in it. The book of Revelation describes New Jersuslem this way after the second advent: Revelation 21:4 "and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away" This shows that the prophecy of Zechariah 14 ultimately is about the second coming of Messiah and New Jersuslem. Zechariah 14:12-13 12 And this shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite all the peoples that have warred against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from Jehovah shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. Verse 12 describes the plagues falling on the wicked at the last day. These are the ones who have persecuted Jehovah's New Jersuslem church. Verse 12 denotes fiery judgement on the day of Jehovah as Peter stated: 2 Peter 2:7 "but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" It is fire that makes ones flesh consume away. All throughout scripture we see that fire and brimstone will be the method used to destroy the wicked. Verse 13, there will be confusion in that day and men will turn on each other. Zechariah 14:14-15 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the nations round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in those camps, as that plague. The new covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Judah here represents the new covenant Israel who will fight alongside Jehoshua when lands on the mount of Olives. The wealth of the nations will come to nothing and be burned up. All the animals will be destroyed as well in the day of Jehovah. Zechariah 14:16-19 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso of [all] the families of the earth goeth not up unto Jerusalem to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, upon them there shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, neither [shall it be] upon them; there shall be the plague wherewith Jehovah will smite the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all the nations that go not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. The feast of Tabernacles is one of Jehovah's feasts. This feast will be celebrates after the resurrection of the dead and translation of the living. The 144,000 will be brought before the throne of Jehovah God and hold palm branches in their hands just as prescribed in the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23). Revelation 7:9 "After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands" This great multitude are the redeemed of all time and they are symbolized by the number 144,000. Note that they have palms in their hands just like the feast of tabernacles: Leviticus 23:40 "And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days" This was to be done on the first day of the feast of Tabernacles. Revelation 7:5 "Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them" Jehovah God will literally tabernacle with us for the first time after our resurrection and translation into the consummated Kingdom. Revelation 21:1-3 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God: The coming down of the city of New Jersuslem will be the celebration of the feast of Tabernacles as Jehovah will be with (tabernacle) us. New Jerusalem is Jehovah's tabernacle. The punishment of the nations that don't go up to worship Jehovah at the feast of tabernacles will be stuck with plagues. Jehovah through Jehoshua will dash the nations to pieces like a potter's vessel. However, in the lens of the new covenant the nations not attending the feast of Tabernacles is due to them not knowing God nor obeying the gospel of God. They will not be invited to the feast and they will be destroyed prior to it at Jehoshua's second advent. Zechariah 14:20-21 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah`s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto Jehovah of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein: and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts. In the eternal Kingdom there will be no impure thing in Jehovah's tabernacle as everything will be holy. There will be no more Canaanite in the Kingdom meaning a wicked person or an unbeliever. In the churches today there is a mix of true disciples of the Son of God and those who are in name only i.e. tares. In the eternal Kingdom only the righteous will be there. ReplyForward
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Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; 13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Again, what does the whole counsel of God's word teach about who is God? It teaches that the Father is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Acts 3:13 "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him" Who is Jesus in relationship to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? He is the servant of the God of Israel. The KJV has Son instead of servant showing that the God of Israel is the Father. With Paul we have even more of a sample than Peter in regards who he thinks is God. Let's see who Paul thinks is God. This will help us understand the above verse in Titus better in determining whether Paul is describing one being or two beings in verse 13. 2nd Corinthians 11:31 "The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not" According to Paul, Jesus has a God and it is the Father. How can Paul be calling Jesus God in Titus 2:13 if Jesus has a God? It's simple, he is referring to the Father as God in Titus 2 and referring to Jesus as a separate distinct being who is our savior. Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" Paul says that Jesus has a God and it is the Father. The Father is the God of Jesus Christ. Obviously Jesus is not God but rather is the Son of God. 2nd Corinthians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort" Here we see again Paul saying that the Father is the God of Jesus Christ. We are seeing a pattern here. Clearly Paul believes that Jesus has a God. Romans 15:5-6 5 Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: 6 that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet again Paul says that Jesus has a God and it is the Father. The Father is the God of Jesus Christ. Jesus worships the same God that we do. We must sincerely ask ourselves, would Paul all of a sudden change course and identify Jesus as God when all throughout his writings he says that God is the Father? Ephesians 4:4-6 4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. Paul says that there is one God and he doesn't say it is a trinity but rather this one God is the Father who is above all. This means that the Father is above Jesus as he elsewhere states in 1 Corinthians 11:3: "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" There is no way to get out of Paul's simple statement, God is the head of Christ. If Jesus was God then how can God be his head? Also, this is about the resurrected Christ so even in his glorified state Jesus is subject to the authority of the Father. 1 Corinthians 8:6 "yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him" Notice who Paul identifies as the one God, it is the Father of whom are all things. Who is Jesus in relationship to the point one God? What did Paul's first sermon after conversion say about Jesus? Acts 9:20 "And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God" Paul believed that Jesus was the Son of God and that the Father was his God. 1 Corinthians 24:24-28 24Then [cometh] the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.27For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.28And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all. At the last day after Jesus puts down all rule and authority he will hand over the kingdom to God even the Father. How is Jesus God if he is going to hand over the kingdom to God? In verse 27, Paul says that God is excepted from being under the feet of Jesus. It was God Jehovah who put all things under the feet of Jesus (Psalm 110). This proves that God is head of Jesus. This also proves that Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are two separate distinct beings. In verse 28, Paul says that Jesus will be made subject to God at the end so that God will be all in all. This matches what he says in Ephesians 4:6 that the Father is above all. God is above Jesus. Jesus the Son of God is subject to the Father. When we read Titus 2:11-13 it should be done in the context of all Paul's writings concerning the identity of God and Jesus. |
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