Jerusalem, The City Of God - Part Three

Isaiah 62:1,2 says, "For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory."

At the beginning of Isaiah 62, we learned of Isaiah proclaiming he will not be silent until Jerusalem's righteousness goes forth throughout the world resulting in the Kings of the earth seeing her glory! What exactly is Isaiah saying? He is proclaiming that he will CONTINUALLY be a witness for Jehovah God proclaiming Jerusalem as the City of God. Isaiah believes this is a fulltime "calling" from God. Psalm 122:6 confirms this by saying "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

Additionally, Isaiah 60:1-4 says, "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around and see; they all gather together, they come to you." The Glory of God will shine as a light over Jerusalem and the Gentiles and the Kings of the world will be drawn to this light and will come to Jerusalem. Also, the darkness that covered the earth will be gone covered over by the brightness of God's Glory. Bless His Holy Name!

When will this take place? Most prophetic scholars believe God's Glory and Righteousness will shine forth during the One Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem. Please also notice that the wealth of the Gentiles will be brought to Jerusalem as mentioned in Isaiah 60:5,9,11. 

What A Mighty God We Serve!

What A Mighty God We Serve!

Angels Bow Before Him

Heaven And Earth Adore Him

What A Mighty God We Serve!

Yes, Jerusalem was the City of God in the past; is the City of God now and will be the City of God in the future and for all Eternity! Hallelujah!

Blessed New Year,

Frank

     

Immanuel - "God With Us"

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel" which is translated "God with us." {Matthew 1:23} Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel." {Isaiah 7:14}

In a few days, Christians throughout the world will attend Christmas Eve services and then on Christmas day gather with their families and friends to exchange gifts. These gatherings are to worship Jehovah God and thank Him for sending His Son Jesus Christ to earth bringing salvation to all people. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus is the most important gift from God in all of history. Bless His Holy Name!

Please take note in the announcement of Jesus's Birth in Matthew 1:23 that Jesus will be called Immanuel meaning "God With Us." Possibly, this is one aspect of Jesus coming to earth that might not be appreciated or totally understood. What does "God With Us" really mean?

We need to start by understanding how Jesus comes to live with us. When a person either Jew or Gentile receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, part of the Triune God - The Holy Spirit - comes to live within them. Yes, this means God is with us every moment of every day! What A Mighty God We Serve!

How does having The Holy Spirit living within us affect our daily lives? Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven He told the Disciples you will not be alone for I leave with you a Counselor, The Holy Spirit. As a result, when we spend time with God as His modern-day disciples, The Holy Spirit will guide and direct us in the ways of our God so that we can honor Him and please Him each and every day. Hallelujah!

Possibly, you have read this Christmas Message and realized it is now time to receive Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior. Please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins

I Proclaim Jesus As Lord And God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come Live Within My Heart

Thank You For Saving My Soul And Granting Me Eternal Life

Please Help Me To Honor You Each Day

A Most Blessed Christmas,

Frank     

Jerusalem, The City Of God - Part Two

Last week, we announced the start of a new series of messages about Jerusalem from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. Possibly, you were surprised and confused by the mention of the Garden of Eden in connection with Jerusalem. Is there a connection? Maybe the location of Jerusalem could also have been the center of the Garden of Eden.

It appears that no one except Lord God Almighty knows the exact location of the Garden of Eden other than it was in the Middle East. Genesis 2:8,10,11,13,14 says, "The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden and there He put the man whom He had formed . . . Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which encompasses the whole land of Havilah . . . The name of the second river is Dihon; it is the one which encompasses the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris . . . the fourth river is the Euphrates."

Please notice there were four rivers in the Garden of Eden. The Pishon flowed through Havilah which is current day Egypt. The Gishon river flowed through Cush that is current day Ethiopia. The other two rivers flowing are the Tigris and the Euphrates located north of Jerusalem in current day Syria and Iraq.

Is it possible these four rivers formed the boundaries of the Garden of Eden with the current location of Jerusalem directly in the center? Ethiopia would be the southern boundary; the Mediterranean Sea the western boundary; the Tigris River the northern boundary and the Euphrates River the eastern boundary.

Also, when we look at the land God gave to the Israelites through Abraham, we find it is possibly the same size as the Garden of Eden. Genesis 15:18 says, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the River of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." Going a step further, we also find the dimensions of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, with current Jerusalem at the center, is possibly the same size as the Garden of Eden and the land God gave to His people.

Is it possible the Garden of Eden; the land God gave to Israel and the New Jerusalem are all the same size?

Our God Works In Mysterious Ways! Bless His Holy Name!

Frank

The study of this possible land connection was completed by Tom Hess who is the founder and leader of The House Of Prayer For All Nations In Jerusalem.      

Jerusalem - The City Of God

This week we are starting a new series focusing on Jerusalem from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. This new study will include the Earthly Jerusalem and the Heavenly Jerusalem and how they were divided at the Fall of Man but will be united forever when Jesus returns to earth.

Is this study important? It has been said that all earthly events revolve around Jerusalem as the most significant city on earth. This week's message will give you an overview about Jerusalem to emphasize this importance. Please notice the title calls Jerusalem, The City Of God, as illustrated below:

"Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house . . . But I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there." (2Chronicles 6:5-6)

"For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it." (Psalm 132:13-14)

"The Lord loves the Gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God!" (Psalm 87:2-3)

How important is Jerusalem to Jehovah God? Extremely important! Psalm 122:6-7 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces." Please notice this is a directive from God not a mere suggestion. Also, Isaiah 62:6-7 says, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of The Lord, do not keep silent and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

Our Lord God desires for His people to pray day and night for the physical protection of Jerusalem causing God to respond by allowing Him no rest. Jerusalem is important and special to our Lord God Almighty! It has been the capital of Israel for over 3,000 years and is mentioned in the Word of God 811 times. 

Most important, all who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity in the New Jerusalem! 

HALLELUJAH . . . HALLELUJAH . . . HALLELUJAH

May The Lord Surround You With His Peace,

Frank    

 

Giving Thanks Continually

 "Oh come, let us sing to The Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms. For The Lord is the great God." Psalm 95:1-3

"Make a joyful shout to The Lord, all you lands! Serve The Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that The Lord He is God; it is He who made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." Psalm 100:1-4

Last Thursday we dedicated a day for giving thanks to our Lord God for all the blessings in our lives. However, in our last message we recommended that everyday should be a Thanksgiving Day for all people. When we study these two Psalms, we notice three main themes:

We Should Worship Our Lord Everyday

We Should Come Into His Presence Everyday

We Should Offer Thanksgiving To Our Lord Everyday

Jehovah God desires for His People to worship Him on a daily basis not just on holidays and Sunday mornings. When we spend time before Him each day, it would please Him if we would start with worship. The two Psalms clearly encourage us in this regard. Also, Ephesians 5:19 says we would honor our Lord by "Speaking to one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to The Lord." Hallelujah!

Please also notice that the Psalms promote coming into God's presence. We just finished studying how blessed we are to be living under The New Covenant. Hebrews 10:19-22 says, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." We are encouraged to enter into God's presence anytime and anywhere through the shed blood of Jesus. Bless His Holy Name!

In conclusion, in addition to worshipping God in His Presence, we should come before Him with Thanksgiving. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

Thank The Lord for everything good in your life because it comes from Him and do it throughout the day in every situation! Our Lord God will be pleased!

Happy Thanksgiving This Day And Every Day,

Frank      

The New Covenant - Part Three

Our last two messages explained Jehovah God sent Jesus Christ to earth to establish the New Covenant by dying on a cross and rising again. The Old Covenant became obsolete since no one could totally keep the Law. Through Jesus's death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins, salvation and eternal life are now available. {Romans 10:9}

Who is eligible for the New Covenant? Notice when Jesus declared at the Last Supper, "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood." He was addressing only Jewish men! Does this mean the New Covenant is only for the Jewish people? Absolutely Not! Ephesians chapter 2 thoroughly illustrates that through the shed Blood of Jesus both Jews and Gentiles have become one before Jehovah God and are equally eligible for the New Covenant. Ephesians 2:13-14 is a message to Gentiles saying, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the Blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one." We serve a loving and compassionate God!

We now raise the question - What has been the result of equal eligibility for the New Covenant? Currently, the majority of people receiving Jesus Christ as Savior are Gentiles. WHY? Romans 9:31-32 says, "But Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law." Israel is seeking Salvation by works not by faith!

Will this scenario ever change? YES, YES, YES And AMEN! The Apostle Paul answers this question emphatically in Romans 11:1,2,11 saying, "I say then, has God caste away His people? Certainly not . . . God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew . . . I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not!" Jehovah God has not abandoned His Chosen People!

In closing, we learn that the Jewish People will accept Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. Romans 11:26,27 says, "And so all Israel will be saved, as It is written: 'The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My Covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'"

Blessed Thanksgiving! May we remember to thank our Lord every day for all the Blessings in our lives and not just one day in November. Let Us Especially Thank The Lord For All The Blessings Of The New Covenant.

Frank

     

        

The New Covenant - Part Two

Hebrews 8:6,7 says about Jesus, "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established on better promises. For if that first Covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second."

In our message last week, we started studying the New Covenant that Jesus established upon His Death and Resurrection. The basis of this message are the two verses above from Hebrews 8 that says Jesus came to earth to establish a New and Better Covenant. What was wrong with the Old Covenant? The Old Covenant referred to in Hebrews 8 is the Mosaic Covenant that established God's Law. The reason it needed to be replaced was that no one could keep all 613 Laws.

As a result, a system of sacrificing animals was established that was not the forgiveness of the sins of the people but just the covering over of their sins. Hebrews 10:3,4 says, "But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins."

What was God's solution to this situation in order that He could forgive the sins of people - Jews and Gentiles - and grant them Salvation and Eternal Life? He Sent His Son Jesus Christ To Earth! Referring to Jesus Hebrew 10:5-10 says, "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: 'Sacrifice an offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, behold, I have come - in the volume of the book it is written of Me - to do Your will, O God. "Previously saying, 'sacrifice and offering, burnet offerings and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them.' Then He said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ established a New and Better Covenant! We should be thanking Jehovah God every day for His plan of Salvation, Eternal Life and Forgiveness of Sins! Bless His Holy Name!

May The Lord Bless And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank  

The New Covenant

When Jesus shared the "Last Supper" with His Disciples shortly before His Crucifixion He said to them "This cup that is poured out for you is the New Covenant In My Blood." He was proclaiming to His Disciples that He was about to become the vehicle by which Jehovah God would initiate the New Covenant. The death and Resurrection of Jesus opened a pathway by which all people, Jews and Gentiles, can be saved. Romans 10:9 says, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Our messages of the New Covenant will last a number of weeks completing our study of the Covenants that identified Jesus as our Messiah and Savior. A number of Old Testament Books prophesy about the coming of the New Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31,33,34 illustrates God saying, "Behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, when I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel . . . I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts . . . For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more." God is saying that through the shed blood of Jesus the law will become part of their being and they will be empowered to keep the law.

Also, Ezekiel 36:25-27 says, "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and you shall be clean . . . I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you . . . I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." Critically Important! Notice Jehovah God is declaring that once a person accepts Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, He will cleanse them from all uncleanness. He also at the same time will Give Them The Holy Spirit - Part Of The Triune God - To Live Within Them Helping Them Keep The Law. What A Mighty God We Serve!

Possibly, as you have read these messages about Jesus as our Messiah and Savior, you now realize it is time to receive Jesus as YOUR Messiah and Savior. Please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins - Past, Present, Future

I Proclaim Jesus Is Lord & God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Live In My Heart And Become My Savior

Thank You Jesus For Becoming My Savior

Thank You Jesus For Forgiving My Sins

Thank You Jesus For Giving Me Eternal Life

Blessings!

Frank         

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

During the last two months, For Zion's Sake Ministries has emphasized in its weekly messages the importance of all people knowing Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. We have illustrated that Jesus is Messiah and Savior in the entire Bible and we are studying the Covenants established by Jehovah God for His Covenant People as examples.

This week we will study the Davidic Covenant, God's promise to David that his descendants will rule in Israel forever. The book of 2 Samuel 7:12-14 shows God speaking to David through the Prophet Nathan, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and he shall be My son."

These verses need explanation since they have a twofold meaning. In verse 12, God is saying to David that when he dies God will continue David's Kingdom through his son Solomon. Also in verse 13 God says Solomon will build a temple in Jerusalem.  However, there is also a spiritual message in verse 14 saying, "I will be his Father, and he shall be My son." Jehovah God is prophesying in verse 14 declaring that through David's lineage the Messiah will be born, Jesus of Nazareth. Bless His Holy Name!

We feel it is important to also point out that Jehovah God will never break any of the Covenants He established with His Covenant People. The Word of God illustrates David sinning numerous times. At the same time, we should notice Psalm 89:30-36 shows God saying about David, "If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgements, if they break My statutes and do not keep My commandants, then I will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My Covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David; His seed shall endure forever."

In closing, the theme of Jesus reigning on David's throne is at the beginning of the Bible and also at the end. From the Old Testament, we shared with you from 2 Samuel. Notice also Revelation 5:5 refers to Jesus as "The Root of David" and Revelation 22:16 calls Jesus "The Root and The Offspring of David."

Jehovah God Keeps Every Covenant! Jesus Is Reigning On David's Throne! Hallelujah!,

Frank 

                 

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

A quick review of our recent weekly messages reveal that we have adopted a new theme, "Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior." Why did we make this change? After the take over of Afghanistan by the terrorist group Taliban, many prophets now sense  the Prophetic Calendar has been advanced. As a result, the message of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and Savior of the world we believe has become a more urgent message and is the message of the entire Bible. 

Last week we studied the Abrahamic Covenant and we will now study the Mosaic Covenant showing Jehovah God presenting His Law to Moses on MT. Sinai for His Chosen People. There is an important difference between these two Covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant is Unconditional meaning God will keep all His promises not depending on the response of His People. The Mosaic Covenant is Conditional meaning God will keep His promises based on His People obeying His Law. God's People responded to the receiving of God's Law saying in Exodus 19:8 "All that The Lord has spoken we will do." 

In reality, how did God's Covenant People respond? They were not able to keep their promise of Exodus 19:8 and not one person alive today is able to totally obey God's Law. This raises an important question - what is the purpose of God's Law? The Law was not given as a path to salvation! The main purpose of The Law was to show people how they were unable to live a life without sin and needed a Savior! Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant by living a sinless life.

When a person receives Jesus Christ as their Messiah and Savior, they receive Forgiveness Of Sins, Salvation and Eternal Life. Does The Law play any role in their lives? Yes It Most Certainly Does! The Law is still the standard for Holiness! Also, the infilling of The Holy Spirit at Salvation empowers us to obey The Law by faith. Amen And Hallelujah!

If you have never accepted Jesus as your Messiah and Savior and now realize this is an important decision to make in your life, please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins - Past, Present And Future

I Believe In My Heart And Confess With My Mouth Jesus Is Lord

And That God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come To Live In My Heart And Grant Me Salvation

Thank You Jesus For Saving My Soul

I Ask You To Help Me Live A Life Pleasing To You

BLESSINGS!

Frank

      

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

We are in the process of studying the Covenants that Jehovah God established with His Chosen People in the Old Testament. To date, we have looked at the Adamic, Edenic and Noahic Covenants noticing that Jesus is an integral part of each. Studying the Covenants has helped us discover Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior in the Old Testament.

The Abrahamic Covenant is our topic to discover this week. Many Bible Scholars agree the Abrahamic Covenant is a major turning point in Bible history because this Covenant puts in motion God's Plan Of Redemption. Genesis 12:2,3 shows Jehovah God speaking to Abraham saying:

God Will Make Abraham's Name Great

God Will Bless Those That Bless Him

God Will Curse Those That Curse Him

God Will Make A Great Nation {Israel} Out Of Him

God Will Bless Abraham

All The Nations Of The World Will Be Blessed Through Abraham

When Jehovah God is speaking to Abraham, He is speaking to Abraham and his descendants who became God's Chosen People - The Jewish People. Part of the Abrahamic Covenant shows God giving to His people the land of Israel. Genesis 15:18 shows God speaking to Abraham and saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." The land God gave to His Chosen People is much larger than current day Israel. The day is coming when they will inhabit all of this land. Bless His Holy Name!

The Abrahamic Covenant points to Jesus for it is through Jesus that all nations will be blessed by receiving Him as their Messiah and Savior. Peter was addressing his people in Acts 3:25,26 when he said, "You are sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away everyone of you from your iniquities.'"

Salvation was first offered to the Jewish People! However, Peter also proclaimed about Jesus in Acts 10:43 saying, "To Him all the prophets witnessed that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." Peter is clarifying that salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life is available to all people - Jew and Gentile!  Hallelujah!   Hallelujah!   Hallelujah!   

Frank     

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

Recently, For Zion's Sake Ministry changed the emphasis of its messages in order to show Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and the Gentile Savior throughout the entire Bible. To date, we have learned Jesus was present with Jehovah God even before Creation and was one of the Creators in the Creation Story. The last two messages have shown Jesus as a key figure in the Edenic and Adamic Covenants.

We are now ready to study The Noahic Covenant. Genesis 6:5-7 explains that man had become so wicked that God determined to destroy the human race. However, Jehovah God in this process would not allow His Redemption Plan to end. Noah was a righteous man and God decided to save Noah and his family in an Arc during the flood. Genesis 9:8-9 says, "Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him saying: 'And as for Me, behold, I establish My Covenant with you and with your descendants after you.'"

Why is The Noahic Covenant important? By saving Noah and his family, Jehovah God maintained the family lineage from which Jesus The Messiah would be born. When we study the family lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1, we learn that "Jesus is The Son of David, The Son of Abraham; Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob . . . and Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ."

Jehovah God saved His Plan Of Salvation for all people, Jew and Gentile, by saving Noah and his family from the flood. The Noahic Covenant is an outpouring of God's Grace. The Lord said in Genesis 9:11-13, "Thus I established My Covenant with you; never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said; 'This is the sign of The Covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the clouds and it shall be the sign of The Covenant between Me and the earth.'"

We believe this sign of God's Grace is similar to His sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross to wipe away all our sins also granting us salvation and eternal life. Bless His Holy Name! We should thank our God everyday for the Noahic Covenant and the Grace of His Redemption Plan. Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care,

Frank

Jesus - Our Messiah And Savior

Our weekly messages are looking at the Covenants Jehovah God established with His Chosen People showing Jesus our Messiah and Savior as an integral part of each. Our previous message looked at the Edenic Covenant and this message will study the Adamic Covenant.

The Edenic Covenant focused on the results for all people when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. The Adamic Covenant continues this theme where Jehovah God informs Satan there will be consequences for your deceiving Adam and Eve. There is even an effect for Jesus and all people. 

Genesis 3:15 says, "He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel." We referred to this verse briefly in another message but feel it is appropriate to look at it once again. In this verse Jehovah God is speaking to Satan. Notice that God FIRST talks about Jesus bruising the head of Satan. What does this mean? Romans 16:20 says, "And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly." Jesus daily defeats Satan through our prayers but the day is coming when Jesus totally and forever will destroy Satan. Revelation 20:10 says, "And the devil who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone."

Now, we will turn to Satan "Bruising The Heel Of Jesus." Possibly, you might think, why would God allow this? In reality, it is Jehovah God's Plan of Redemption! The bruising of Jesus' heel is referring to all the pain and torment Jesus experienced when He hung on the cross and died for our sins, granting us salvation and eternal life.          Bless His Holy Name!

Satan was only allowed to attack Jesus because Jesus allowed it to happen. Jesus knew this was the primary reason He left Heaven and came to live among us. Our Lord actually carried all our sins to the cross to redeem us from our sins. He became man for the purpose of defeating Satan, sin and death! Hallelujah!

Possibly, you have been hesitant to receive Jesus as Messiah and Savior because of a lack of understanding why the Son of God had to be physically abused on a cross. We trust these messages have illustrated Jesus as your Messiah and Savior. Please pray the following prayer to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior:

Jesus, I Know I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins - Past, Present And Future

I Confess Jesus As Lord And That God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come To Live In My Heart As My Savior 

Granting Me Eternal Life With You In Heaven

Thank You Jesus For Saving My Soul

BLESSINGS!

Frank

      

  

Jesus, Your Messiah And Savior

Bible teacher Graham Scroggie once said "Christ dominates the whole revelation of the Bible." This statement effectively describes the new emphasis of our messages each week - "Jesus Is Your Messiah And Savior" throughout the whole Bible.

We now are going to turn our attention to the Covenants Jehovah God established first with His Chosen People and then with all people of the world. What is a Covenant? It is a binding commitment agreed upon by God and two or more parties. A Conditional Covenant means God commits to keeping His promises but the parties involved must also keep their commitments. An Unconditional Covenant means God keeps His promises but other parties involved do not need to keep their promises.

The first Covenant established in the Bible is the Conditional Edenic Covenant. With the Edenic Covenant Adam and Eve are given permission to eat from every tree of the garden except from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the eating from which would lead to death. {Genesis 2:16-17} 

The story of Adam and Eve illustrates a Covenant broken because they disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit. Their disobedience led to death - both physical and spiritual. As a result, all people will experience a physical death at some point in their life. Also, a person's relationship with Jehovah God was destroyed. Remember, before their disobedience Jehovah God walked with them in the Garden of Eden. How does Jesus, Your Messiah and Savior, fit into the Edenic Covenant? In reality, the Fall of Man laid the groundwork for God's Gracious Plan Of Redemption. 

How does a person receive the free gift from Jehovah God of becoming saved and receiving Eternal Life? Romans 10:9-13 says, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the name of The Lord shall be saved."

  Thank You . . . Our Lord  Messiah And Savior!

Adam and Eve broke the Edenic Covenant through their disobedience. However, even before Creation,  Jehovah God had a future Plan Of Redemption! Stay Tuned!

Hallelujah . .  Hallelujah . . . Hallelujah . . . Hallelujah        

 Frank

Jesus, Your Messiah And Savior

"The Messiah and the mysteries wrapped around Him are found throughout the entire Bible, starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation." This quote is from Rabbi Jason Sobel who authored the book, Mysteries Of The Messiah. This quote illustrates a new theme for our weekly messages - Jesus is our Messiah and Savior throughout the entire Bible not just in the New Testament.

This message will show Jesus present with His Heavenly Father even before the start of Creation as well as showing Him taking an active part in Creation. In John17:24 Jesus is referring to God by saying "For You loved Me before the foundation of the world." As part of the Triune God {Father, Son, Holy Spirit}, Jesus was present with God even before the world was created. Hallelujah!

John 1:1-3 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, All Things were made through Him." We need to realize the "Word" referred to in these verses is Jesus Himself. Verse 1 says the "Word" was with God and was God and He was with God in the beginning. There is no other way to interpret these verses other than Jesus is the Son of God, He is part of the Triune God and was with God at the start of Creation.

Verse 3 also is critically important because it says Jesus "Created All Things." Once again this verse proves Jesus is The Son of God participating with Father God in the Creation of the world. Jesus is our Messiah and Savior from Genesis to Revelation. Bless His Holy Name!

John3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be The Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our Salvation!"

The time of the Tribulation Period some believe is closer than ever before. There is no better time to know Jesus as your Messiah and Savior. Please pray this prayer with me insuring your salvation: 

Jesus, I Know That I Am A Sinner

Please Forgive Me Of All My Sins

I Proclaim Jesus Is Lord And God Raised Him From The Dead

Please Come Into My Life To Be My Savior And Lord

Thank You Jesus For Saving My Soul

I Rejoice With You, Your Name Is Now Written In The Lamb's Book Of Life,

Frank      

Jesus, Your Messiah And Savior

For Zion's Sake Ministry is approaching their 10th anniversary of distributing, on a weekly basis, a message from our Lord. To date, we have published 462 messages read by approximately 46,000 people around the world. We are humbled and privileged by this opportunity of service to our Lord. Bless His Holy Name!

For Zion's Sake Ministry is sensing it is time to have one primary theme for future messages - Jesus, Your Messiah And Savior. We have heard from a number of prophetic ministries who believe that the Rapture Of The Church is closer now than any time in history. It is believed that the events in Afghanistan the last two weeks have moved God's Prophetic calendar forward. 

Now that we have your attention, let us share details. Israel will experience two major wars before Jesus returns to earth - The Battle Of Gog And Magog (Ezekiel 38, 39)  and The Battle Of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-16). It is believed Gog And Magog will take place just before the start of the Tribulation Period. During this war a coalition of countries will invade Israel, Afghanistan is one of these countries. Now that Afghanistan is controlled by a combination of terrorist groups all with a goal of destroying Israel, Afghanistan is now free to participate in this war. The Battle Of Armageddon will take place at the end of The Tribulation Period. As a result, we believe now more than ever, people all around the world, Jews and Gentiles, need to hear about Jesus as their Messiah And Savior! 

Let's get started! Many people believe that Jesus as Messiah And Savior is only mentioned in the New Testament. In reality, the entire Bible illustrates Jesus as Messiah And Savior. Our new ministry emphasis will be to discover Jesus throughout the whole Bible. Hallelujah!

For example, Jesus is a key participant in the Creation Story. Genesis 3:14-15 says, "So The Lord God said to the serpent; 'Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle . . . He shall bruise your head.'" Jehovah God is talking to the serpent (Satan) after he deceived Adam and Eve and tells him "You are cursed" and "He will crush your head." He Is Jesus!! Everyday, when we turn our problems over to Jesus, He defeats Satan on our behalf and as we pray, we can use the name of Jesus to defeat Satan. What A Mighty God We Serve!

We trust your interest has been aroused and you will benefit in the new direction of For Zion's Sake Ministry.

Blessings From Your Messiah And Savior Jesus,

Frank

"From That Day Forward" - Part Four

Ezekiel 39:29 says, "And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel," says The Lord God. This will be the last message in this brief series determining the meaning of Ezekiel 39:22 that says, "So the house of Israel shall know that I Am The Lord their God from That Day Forward." To date we have learned God's Covenant People will know He is Lord "From That Day Forward" when He defeats their enemies and when He brings them back to Israel.

We feel our last message in this series is the most important. Verse 29 describes Jehovah God pouring out His Spirit on The House Of Israel. Also, as a result, He will not hide His face from them anymore. 

How is all this going to happen? Isaiah 54:7,8 says, "For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," says The Lord, your Redeemer. Both of these verses bring forth a similar  message. They say God, for a time, hid His face from them because of their disobedience. However, we should also notice Jehovah God says in both verses He will have mercy on His people. Let Us Bless His Holy Name.

How will God show His mercy to His people? Please take note, verse 29 says God will pour our His Spirit on the House Of Israel! In reality, God has already shown His mercy on His people and is pouring out His Spirit through the establishment of the New Blood Covenant. Jeremiah 31:31,33 says, "Behold, the days are coming, says The Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the House Of Israel . . . I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be My People."

This New Blood Covenant was established when Jesus Christ - True Son Of The True God - Shed His Blood And Died On A Cross And Was Resurrected Back To Life. 

Once a person receives Jesus as their Lord and Savior they receive the following:

Spending Eternity With God Upon Death

Receiving Forgiveness Of Sins

A Close Relationship With Jesus

Receiving A Personal Counselor - The Holy Spirit

Possibly, as you have read this message, you now believe it is time to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Please pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I know I am a sinner . . . Please forgive me of all my sins . . . I believe Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead . . . Please come to live in my heart and grant me salvation . . . Thank you Jesus for saving my soul. 

The Angels In Heaven Are Now Rejoicing And Celebrating,

Frank       

"From That Day Forward" - Part Three

Ezekiel 39:25,28 says, "Therefore thus says The Lord God; 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the Whole House of Israel . . . Then they shall know that I am The Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their own land, and left NONE of them captive any longer.'" These two verses talk about our Lord God bringing His Chosen People back to Israel from all the nations. He had scattered them because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness.

Tom Hess is the leader of a ministry in Jerusalem entitled The International House Of Prayer For All Nations located on the Mount Of Olives. People come here to pray from around the world for The Peace Of Jerusalem. Tom assigned a staff member to search the Word Of God to determine how many times Jehovah God says He will bring His People back to Israel. This obviously is important to Jehovah God since there are more than 700 verses describing this prophetic event. Bless His Holy Name!

Please notice in verse 25 God says "Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob." This is not a future event, it is continual and has been happening for many years. When God's People come down the stairs of their airplane in Jerusalem, a major welcoming celebration takes place on the tarmac. As the people of Israel witness God's Word before them, they respond with joy and thanksgiving. This event is also referred to as the Jewish People making Aliyah! 

We should also look in detail at verse 28 in which Jehovah God says that He "Brought them back to their own land and left None Of Them captive any longer." Let us be sure we understand this bold statement by our Lord. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords will bring back to Israel ALL of His Covenant People! 

What A Mighty God We Serve

What A Mighty God We Serve

Angels Bow Before Him

Heaven And Earth Adore Him

What A Mighty God We Serve

Where does the phrase "From That Time Forward" fit into this scenario? Please notice in verse 28 God is saying "Then they shall know I am The Lord" in the midst of His bringing His People home. As a result, we believe "From That Day Forward" is a continuing timeframe while God's People are making Aliyah! Stay Tuned.

May The Lord Bless And Keep You Today And Everyday,

Frank     

"From That Day Forward" - Part Two

Last week we started a new series entitled "From That Day Forward" mentioned in Ezekiel 39:22. We learned Israel will know God is their Lord "From That Day Forward" after God judges Israel's enemies by defeating them in battle.

Our message this week will look at Ezekiel 39:23 that says, "The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them." Jehovah God is saying:

Israel Was Sent Into Captivity For Their Iniquity

They Were Unfaithful To God

God Hid His Face From Israel

Why would a loving and caring God do this to His Chosen People? Jehovah God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai The Law for His people outlining how they should live obeying and honoring Him. How did His people respond? A major portion of The Old Testament illustrates God's Covenant People disobeying Him. Hosea 8:4 shows God saying, "They set up kings, but not by Me; they made princes and I did not acknowledge it. From their silver and gold they made idols for themselves."

God's Chosen People broke the Mt. Sinai Covenant in the following manner:

They Rebelled Against God's Law

They Set Up Kings Other Than God

They Made Idols Of Silver And Gold

They Made Princes Not Authorized By God

As a result, God scattered His Chosen People around the world and the majority of them still live where God has scattered them. However, Hosea 8:10 says, "Now I will gather them." Our Lord God has not forgotten His Chosen People and is in the process of bringing them home to Israel. Hallelujah! 

We believe God's Covenant People will know He is Lord "From That Day Forward" in the process of God bringing them home again. Bless His Holy Name! We will examine Jehovah God bringing His People home and its results in more detail in our next message. Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Continue Blessing You Today And Everyday,

Frank     

"From That Day Forward"

Ezekiel 39:21-22 says, "I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgement which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am The Lord their God from that day forward."

Possibly as you are starting to read this message, you are thinking "From That Day Forward" is a curious title. As a result, we are dedicating a number of messages to determine our Lord's meaning in this brief phrase.

We need to start by looking at verse 21 as Jehovah God is saying:

I Set My Glory Among The Nations

All The Nations Shall See My Judgement

The Nations Shall See My Hand I Have Laid On Them

How does God judge people? The Word Of God illustrates many forms of God's Judgement. However, we believe in verse 21 God is saying He will judge the nations for their treatment of Israel by defeating them in battles.

Israel will be involved in two major wars - The Battle Of Gog And Magog and The Battle Of Armageddon. Ezekiel 38,39 studies Gog and Magog where God allows Israel to be invaded by many nations. However, He then defeats these nations for Israel. This illustrates God showing His Glory and judging Israel's enemies. Bless His Holy Name!

In the same manner, The Battle Of Armageddon will take place at the end of The Tribulation Period. The Anti-Christ will gather the largest army in history to invade Israel at the Valley Of Megiddo in order to totally destroy Israel. However, Revelation 20:11-15 describe Jesus arriving in the sky on a white horse with a sharp sword coming out of His mouth, using this sword to destroy the vast army. Again, God is showing His Glory by judging the nations. What A Mighty God We Serve!

We will close our message by looking again at our title "From That Day Forward." We believe "That Day" has multiple meanings. Notice verse 22 says "From That Day Forward" Israel will know that God is their Lord. This message has illustrated that when God wins wars for Israel they will know He is their Lord "From That Day Forward."

We are just getting started. Ezekiel 39:23-29 illustrates numerous current and future events in which our Lord shows His Lordship to Israel "From That Day Forward." Stay tuned!

May The Lord Bless You Today And Every Day,

Frank   

"Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord" - Part Six

Last week's message showed our Lord God saying "Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord" after He wins the Battle Of Gog and Magog for His People Israel. This week's message will be the last in this series revealing Jehovah God making this declaration to three different groups of people.

In the beginning of Ezekiel 39, God continues to speak to Gog who is the leader of the nations that will invade Israel. He says in verse 5, "You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken," says The Lord God. Similar to Ezekiel 38, Jehovah God is declaring that He will win this war for His People.  Then He declares in verse 6 "Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord." In other words, our Lord is declaring He will win this battle for His People Israel so that their enemies will know that "He Is The Lord."

The second group to which our Lord makes this declaration is the Nations Of The World. Ezekiel 39:7 says, "So I will make My Holy Name known in the midst of My People Israel . . . Then The Nations Shall Know That I Am The Lord, the Holy One in Israel." Jehovah God says He desires to make His name known in Israel. Why is this a desire of The Lord? Verse 7 ends with Jehovah God saying, "Then The Nations Shall Know That I Am The Lord."

At the beginning of this message we explained that our message will show God making His declaration to three different groups. So far we have shown Him making it to the enemies of Israel and to the nations of the world. Who is the third group? Ezekiel 39:21-22 says, "I will set My Glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgement which I have executed and My hand which I have laid on them. So The house of Israel shall know that I am The Lord their God from that day forward." Our Lord says He will make His Glory known among the nations so that "The House of Israel will know He is The Lord," Bless His Holy Name!

The last six messages have shown Jehovah God declaring over and over again, "Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord." Why? We believe Ezekiel 36-39 brings forth a very clear message from our Lord:

He Is The Lord!

He Rules And Reigns As The King Of Kings!

He Rules And Reigns As The Lord Of Lords!

He desires for every person on earth to understand these messages and receive Him as Lord and Savior! If you desire to receive Jesus as your Savior please pray this prayer with me: Jesus, I know I am a sinner; Please forgive me of all of my sins; I believe and declare that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead; Thank you Jesus for saving my soul. Hallelujah and AMEN!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care,

Frank

"Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord" - Part Five

We are in the middle of a series of messages entitled "Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord." We have learned that Jehovah God uses this phrase repeatedly in Ezekiel 36-39. In last week's message we also started studying Ezekiel 38-39 that illustrates the Battle of Gog and Magog showing a collation of nations invading the Mountains of Israel.

Possibly answering why God would allow this war against Israel, Ezekiel 38:17-23 is entitled "Judgement of God." Verse 18 shows the Lord God saying, "And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says The Lord God, "That My fury will show in My face." Remembering that Gog is the leader of the nations that will invade Israel, Jehovah God says when this invasion takes place, "Fury will show in My face." He is going to react to this attack upon His People!

Ezekiel 38:19 says, "For in My jealously and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.'" Jehovah God will bring about a great earthquake in Israel. In reality, verse 20 says this earthquake will be so extensive it will affect all people on earth who will shake at His presence.

What A Mighty God We Serve

What A Mighty God We Serve

Angels Bow Before Him

Heaven And Earth Adore Him

What A Mighty God We Serve

However, Almighty God is not done! He continues to say in Ezekiel 38:21-22, "I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains . . . And I will bring him to judgement with pestilence and bloodshed."

In conclusion, we raise the question - Why will Jehovah God allow this war to take place and then judge and defeat Israel's enemies:

Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord . . . Amen And Amen!

May The Lord Bless You Each And Every Day,

Frank   

    

"Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord" - Part Four

Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39 are entitled "Attack By Gog" and describe a future war that will take place in Israel. We will be dedicating a number of messages studying these chapters as they can be challenging to understand. Also, we will study them attempting to determine why The Lord says repeatedly "Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord." 

Ezekiel 38:1-16 illustrates Jehovah God speaking to a person called Gog from the Land of Magog. It is believed Gog is the leader of Russia. Our Lord is calling on Gog to lead a coalition of nations including Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, Turkey and Germany who will invade Israel. They will invade the Mountains of Israel that have been populated by Jews who have moved back to Israel. 

Ezekiel 38:10,11 show God continuing to speak to Gog, "Thus says The Lord God; 'On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind and you will make an evil plan; you will say, I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people.'"

These verses are challenging to understand regarding the timing of this invasion. Please notice it will take place when Israel is at peace with "Unwalled Villages." As a result, this war will not take place any time soon. Current events in Israel reveal uneasiness and tensions realizing terror attacks are a constant threat plus the possibility of rocket attacks from Gaza at any time. Also, a wall divides Israel proper from Judea and Samaria. A strong possible time of this war is during the Tribulation Period when many Israelis believe the Anti-Christ is bringing peace to Israel.

Ezekiel 38:14-16 says, "Therefore, Son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says The Lord God; on that day when My People Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far North . . . You will come up against My People Israel like a cloud, to cover the land.'" In conclusion, note the following in these verses:

Gog And His Army Come From The North - Verse 15

Israel Is Living In Safety - Verse 14

Gog And His Army Cover The Land - Verse 16

This Event Will Happen In Latter Days - Verse 16

We believe the most important and intriguing statement Jehovah God says in Ezekiel 38 is at the end of verse 16 when He says:

"So That The Nations May Know Me"

Is Jehovah God saying He will bring about this war So That The Nations Will Know Him? Stay Tuned!

Many Blessings To You Now And Always,

Frank        

"Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord" - Part Three

This week's message will use as a source Ezekiel 37 entitled "Vision Of Dry Bones." Ezekiel 36-39 illustrates Jehovah God using the phrase "Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord" numerous times. In this series we are attempting, with the Lord's assistance, to determine why He uses this phrase?

Ezekiel 37 describes a vision Jehovah God showed to His Son Jesus. Ezekiel 37:1-5 says, "The hand of The Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of The Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around and behold there were very many in the open valley and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' So I answered, 'O Lord God, You know.' Again He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of The Lord!' Thus says The Lord God to these bones; 'surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live.'"

Jehovah God shows Jesus a valley full of dry bones and says to Jesus "Can these bones live?" Jesus replies, "O Lord God, You know." There are numerous interpretations about the identity of the dry bones. The bones could be a person, a church or a nation.

Notice in verse 5 God causes breath to enter these bones. Jehovah God through Jesus can bring a spiritually dead entity back to life. This can only happen through receiving Jesus as ones Lord and Savior. {Romans 10:9} Then in verse 6 our Lord proclaims . . .

"Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord."

Our Lord then takes this message a step further. In Ezekiel 37:11 He says, "Then He said to me, 'Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, Our bones are dry, our hope is lost and we ourselves are cut off!'" The Lord God responds, "Behold, O My People, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves and bring you into the land of Israel." He will bring them Spiritually to life again and will bring them back to Israel! Hallelujah!

Ezekiel 37:13 explains why our Lord will accomplish this for all people . . .

"Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord."

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You In His Care,

Frank  

"Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord" - Part Two

Last week we started a new series learning that in Ezekiel 36-39 our Lord repeats continually the phrase "Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord." We also learned why Jehovah God makes this declaration in addition to learning He is bringing His People back to Israel locating them on the Mountains of Israel.

We will now look at Ezekiel 36:28, 29, 31, 32 that says, "Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My People, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your unclean-nesses . . . Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good . . . Not for your sake do I do this," Says The Lord God.

There are numerous messages from our Lord in these verses. Initially, God reminds His People "You are My People and I am your God." Then He reminds them that He will cleanse them, their land will be fruitful and they will remember their evil ways. Jehovah God then ends these messages by proclaiming, "Not for your sake do I do this." Why would Jehovah God make such a statement?

Our Lord continues this important message by saying in Ezekiel 36:33-36, "On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the city and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden.'"

Again, our Lord is presenting multiple messages. He reminds His People He is cleansing them and they will dwell in rebuilt cities. Jehovah God then proclaims He rebuilt the cities so the nations surrounding the Mountains of Israel will know The Lord God Almighty Accomplished This Task! What A Mighty God We Serve!

In closing, what have we learned in this message? Jehovah God is bringing His People back to the Mountains of Israel; He will cleanse them but He did not do this for their sake. He desires for all surrounding nations to know He is The One who rebuilt the cities.

Why did Our Lord accomplish all this? Ezekiel 36 ends with this proclamation:

Then They Shall Know That I Am The Lord! 

Amen And Amen!

Lord Bless And Keep Us In Your Tender Care,

Frank     

"Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord"

Our message this week starts a new series in which Jehovah God says repeatedly in Ezekiel 36 - 39 "Then You Shall Know That I Am The Lord." A proper place to begin this new series is to raise this question - why would our Lord declare this statement over and over again? 

A place to start is to look at Ezekiel 36:1-3 saying, "And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, 'O mountains of Israel, hear the word of The Lord!' Thus says The Lord God; 'Because the enemy has said of you, aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,' Therefore prophesy and say, Thus says The Lord God; 'Because they made you desolate and swallowed you up on every side, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations.'"

This is a prophetic word to the mountains of Israel that comprise the Eastern half of Israel with the Jordan River as the Eastern boundary. These mountains include Judea and Samaria and run North to South from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea with Jerusalem in the center.

Looking now at this prophetic word from Jehovah God is extremely appropriate. Why is this so? This land is the disputed land that the Palestinians believe belong to them, world media call it the West Bank.

What does our Lord have to say about the Mountains of Israel? Ezekiel 36:5 says, "Therefore thus says The Lord God; 'surely I have spoken in My burning jealously against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave My land to themselves as a possession.'" Jehovah God says He has "Burning Jealously" against the nations who took this land as their possession. Then The Lord says in verse 7 that He will cause those nations to "Bear Their Own Shame."

How is Jehovah God going to make this happen? Please take note Ezekiel 36:8-10 says, "But you, O Mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My People Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for you and I will turn to you and you shall be tilled and sown. I will multiply men upon you all the House of Israel."

Jehovah God is saying the People of Israel will come back to the Mountains of Israel from all over the world causing the land to be fruitful. He also says He will multiply His people on this land. This is taking place and has been for many years and will continue resulting in the population of Israel increasing each year.

In closing, please notice that Ezekiel 36:11 says, "Then you shall know that I am The Lord." Our Lord repeats this phrase numerous times to emphasize to all of us:

He Is Lord God Almighty . . .

He Rules And Reigns From His Throne . . .

He Keeps All His Promises . . .

He Fulfills All His Prophetic Words . . .

He Takes Care Of His People Israel . . .

AMEN AND AMEN!

May Our Lord Bless You Mightily Today And Always,

Frank      

"Your Enemies Make A Tumult"

Psalm 83:1-4 says, "Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, 'come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'"

Last week's message revolved around Psalm 2 that says there is a coalition of nations and groups who are working together to eliminate Israel as a nation. However, Psalm 2 also proclaimed that Jehovah God is still reigning from His Throne Room and will destroy all of Israel's enemies in the future. Bless His Holy Name!

We believe God desires for us to clearly understand this message since Psalm 83 is the same message but in a different format. The first four verses again reveal a coalition of nations plotting to destroy Israel. In fact, verses 5 through 8 actually identifies the nations in this coalition but uses their Old Testament names:

Moab and Edom are areas of current day Jordan

Amalek Is Syria

Philistia Is Gaza

Tyre Is Part Of Lebanon

Assyria Is Iraq

The last half of Psalm 83 actually becomes a prayer or request to Jehovah God "To Deal With Them" who we know are Israel's enemies. The remainder of Psalm 83 illustrates this prayer to Jehovah God suggesting how He should deal with these  enemies:

Make Them Like A Whirling Dust - Verse 13

Pursue Them With Your Tempest - Verse 15

Frighten Them With Your Storm - Verse 15

Fill Their Faces With Shame - Verse 16

Let Them Be Put To Shame And Perish - Verse 17 

In closing, Psalm 83 ends by explaining why God should defeat Israel's enemies, "That men may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth." Amen And Amen!

May Our Precious Lord Bless You Today And Every Day,

Frank

   

"Why Do The Nations Rage?"

Psalm 2:1-3 says, "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against The Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.'"

News headlines recently declared that a ceasefire between Israel and the terror group Hamas had been established. This was after an eleven day conflict in which Hamas fired 4,000 rockets and missiles into Israel. The Iron Dome Defense System in Israel shot down the majority of the rockets and missiles so the number of deaths and physical damage in Israel was minimal.

This is the fourth time in ten years that a similar conflict has taken place. Why? The Palestinians and a major portion of Arab nations believe the land of Israel belongs to the Palestinians. This is totally untrue according to the Word Of God! Immediately after Jehovah God established the Abrahamic Covenant He said to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates." The land God gave to His Covenant People includes all of current day Israel and almost all of the Middle East!

Please notice how Psalm 2 starts by asking, "Why do the nations rage?" The first verses say kings and rulers of nations have joined together to destroy Israel. This includes all the following nations or groups of people: Iran, Turkey, Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah, the European Union, the United Nations, Fatah and segments of the United States Government.

How does Jehovah God react to these last eleven days of conflict? Please notice in Psalm 2 the following statements illustrate how God will react to Israel's enemies:

He Shall Laugh - Verse 4

He Shall Hold Them In Derision - Verse 4

He Shall Speak To Them In His Wrath - Verse 5

He Shall Distress Them In His Displeasure - Verse 5

Jehovah God is still in control on His Heavenly Throne; He knows all about every earthly event and the day is coming when He will defeat all of Israel's enemies! Amen and Amen! 

May The Lord Continue Blessing You Every Day,

Frank