THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL

All the prophets spoke of the endtime when all prophecy would be fulfilled. One of the great prophets was Ezekiel whose prophecies parallel the Book of Revelation. For the first time in history the Book of Ezekiel makes plain what will be in our time.

CHAPTER THREE

By Neville V. Stevens

New International Version used throughout unless otherwise specified

God appointed a young Israelite slave living in Babylon as a prophet. His name was Ezekiel. Ezekiel was quite familiar with two of the Tribes of Israel – those of the southern kingdom, but he never knew the 10 northern tribes since they had already gone into captivity some 124 years before. Yet God made him the prophet to all 12 tribes, and the prophecies of Ezekiel extend to the very endtime, even to describing the final Temple that will be built and never destroyed. This is the Temple from which the River of life will flow (Eze 47:1-12, Rev 22:1-2), and along its banks trees will bear fruit for the healing of the nations.

So right at the outset we know what God’s purpose for the Book of Ezekiel is. It’s prophetic significance was to extend to the very endtime. From the very outset God made it plain to all that Ezekiel was a prophet and even visited him when he was in the company of the elders of Judah (Eze 8:1-2) who were in his house at the time.

Ezekiel was a LEVITICAL PRIEST (Eze 1:3) and actually began his prophetic ministry at the age of 30 (Eze 1:1) just like Christ (Luke 3:23). As an exile and separated from the Temple in Jerusalem, he was unable to perform his priestly duties; instead, God made him a prophet to both Houses of Israel. There are some remarkable similarities between Christ and Ezekiel. Both spoke in parables (see Ezekiel chapters 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, and Matt 13:34) to cloud the meaning so they would not be understood. Yet both Christ and Ezekiel spoke of a time when all would be understood.

Christ usually referred to Himself as the ‘SON OF MAN’. Over 80 times, God refers to Ezekiel by the same title. Ezekiel lived and ministered to the House of Judah for his whole life, but nevertheless prepared a message for the whole 12 Tribes of Israel. Christ did exactly the same! And against all the pathetic teachings of present-day Christianity, Christ confirmed that He had come to the House of Israel – only! Matt 15:24 “He answered, “I was sent ONLY to the LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL.”” And just so there is no mistake, Christ gave these instructions to His disciples: Matt 10:5 “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL.”” Christ meant what He said, and confirmed the meaning in V23 “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the CITIES OF ISRAEL before the SON OF MAN comes.”

While Gentiles have virtually dominated Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, they have done so without any authority whatsoever from God! They have elevated their power and seized privileges never given them! They’ve always sought to dominate the House of Israel and to dictate the means of service to God. They twisted and corrupted everything, and the House of Israel has listened! They have provided a clever counterfeit, which has proven to be acceptable to all the LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL. The Gentiles have trampled on everything that is sacred to God; from the Holy Days that God appointed (Lev 23) to the only day of the week that God ever sanctified: Gen 2:2-3 “By the SEVENTH DAY God finished the work He had been doing; so on the SEVENTH DAY He rested from all His work. And God blessed the SEVENTH DAY and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” It is this day that God calls the Sabbath! And so does Christ! Several thousand years later, Christ observed the Sabbath Day, thereby proving the day had never been lost – as so many fakers claim today. Even the Gentiles never claimed this, but rather claimed the authority to change the Sabbath for the first day of the week. And again, Israel listened! In defiance of God and the Holy Day that He made, Israel has accepted the substitution.

God refers to the LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL as EPHRAIM because He gave all the northern ten tribes to the Tribe of EPHRAIM to rule over (1Kings 11:11-12, 31). Furthermore, God said that while He would tear TEN tribes away from the kingdom and give them to the Ephraimite Jeroboam, He would leave ONE tribe for David’s grandson Rehoboam. And this is what God says: 1Kings 11:31 “…See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you TEN TRIBES. But for the sake of My servant David and the City of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the Tribes of Israel, he will have ONE TRIBE.” V34 “But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David My servant, whom I chose and who observed My Command[ments] and statutes. I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you (Jeroboam) TEN TRIBES. I will give ONE TRIBE to his son so that David My servant may always have A LAMP before Me in Jerusalem, the City where I chose to put My Name.” So Jeroboam was given TEN tribes and Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) was given ONE tribe. That makes eleven tribes – but what about the other one? It’s certain that the Tribe of Levi stayed with the southern Tribe of Judah, but God clearly states that He gave only the Tribe of Judah to Rehoboam!

So what about the Tribe of Levi? The truth of the matter is this: Levi is the sacred tribe, the only tribe that God allowed to approach Him, and the only tribe entrusted with the sacred objects of God. This tribe was not given to anyone, and belongs to God even to this present day. Notice what God says: Num 8:13 “Have the LEVITES stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a WAVE OFFERING to the LORD. In this way you are to set the LEVITES apart from the other Israelites, and THE LEVITES WILL BE MINE. After you have purified the LEVITES and presented them as a WAVE OFFERING, they are to come to do their work at the Tent of Meeting. They are the Israelites who are to be given WHOLLY TO ME. I have taken them as MY OWN IN PLACE OF THE FIRSTBORN, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman.”

Most of the prophets of God were Levites. There were some notable exceptions like Daniel, Joseph, David, and of course, Christ. In support of God’s solemn promise to David His servant, God’s portion – the Levites – was to remain with the House of David with strong tribal bonds. God had a very good reason for ensuring this was so.

Ezekiel, as a young priest of the sacred tribe, the only tribe that God claimed for Himself, was certainly unique among the prophets. He was far removed from the Holy City Jerusalem, yet he spoke almost exclusively about it. Because of the seemingly narrow focus of his prophecies, most of Christianity today has chosen to ignore this book. Yet in many respects it’s the centerpiece of all endtime prophecy. In reality it’s the parallel book to the Book of Revelation.

The entire book deals with the two great houses of Israel – the northern and the southern – the House of Israel and the House of Judah. And to ensure that this is clearly understood, God had Ezekiel act out a parable that relates to both houses individually. For the House of Israel, Ezekiel describes the years of their sin at 390 years. For the House of Judah – 40 years. God permitted Ezekiel to act out the years of this prophecy by substituting days for the years: Eze 4:4 “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL upon yourself. You are to BEAR THEIR SIN (singular) for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will BEAR THE SIN (singular) of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL. After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and BEAR THE SIN (singular) of the HOUSE OF JUDAH. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year.”

Quite clearly, Ezekiel was a prophet to both Houses. What is more, he was required to BEAR THE SIN (singular) for both Houses. And here we see yet another similarity between Ezekiel and Christ. Christ also bore the SINS (plural) of many. Christ completed this with His own life’s blood. His death was required to pay the penalty of sin – which is death! It’s evident that the Book of Ezekiel is speaking of a particular sin – one of a national scale. In both cases it refers to land that God had given them. Many years before Ezekiel recorded these things, the whole House of Israel, that is, all 12 Tribes, entered the promised land. For 390 years they appointed a system of judges to rule over them, and rejected the kingly system of the pagan nations around them. And everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This is very similar to Christianity today! They don’t do as God commanded, instead they do what is right in their eyes. This is why there are thousands of differing groups that can’t agree on anything – let alone what the Bible says!

Let’s be very clear on a number of things. Firstly, let’s understand what Christ had to say in regard to prophecy: Matt 5:17 “Do NOT think I have come to ABOLISH the LAW OR THE PROPHETS; I have NOT come to ABOLISH them but to fulfill them.” The Law and the Prophets refers collectively to what is called today, ‘The Old Testament’. So what does Christianity today teach? They teach that Christ DID ABOLISH them! What sort of perverted mind would dare to contradict their Creator? Yet these people teach the absolute opposite of what Christ stated, and without any conscience whatsoever. Are they really deceived? The very next verse shows just how evil these people are! Christ explains further: V18 “I tell you the TRUTH (they think He’s lying), UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH DISAPPEAR, NOT THE SMALLEST LETTER, NOT THE LEAST STROKE OF A PEN, WILL BY ANY MEANS DISAPPEAR FROM THE LAW UNTIL EVERYTHING IS ACCOMPLISHED. Anyone who BREAKS one of the least of these COMMANDMENTS and TEACHES OTHERS TO DO THE SAME will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever PRACTICES and TEACHES these COMMAND[MENTS] will be called GREAT in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

And the reaction of the ‘teachers of evil’ to Christ’s plain statement? “It’s all lies. Christ was lying, and it took the Apostle Paul to challenge Christ’s doctrine, and establish the ‘once saved, always saved’ doctrine.” Perhaps not in these exact words but certainly by implication. In order to abolish the Law of God, these false teachers must also abolish prophecy – because Christ linked them together when He said DON’T THINK He’d come to ABOLISH them. Of course no Apostle of God ever taught ANYTHING that is contrary to what God has stated!

The fact is all that is written has not been fulfilled. Even Christ spoke of things in the distant future in regard to prophecy in Matt 24, Luke 21. Sixty years after His departure, He delivered the Book of Revelation that is full of prophecy! So by no stretch of the imagination has all prophecy been fulfilled! And this Book culminates in the establishment of a Kingdom over which the Father Himself presides (Rev 21:3-5). And it was the Apostle Paul that clearly stated this: 1Cor 15:24 “Then THE END WILL COME, when He HANDS OVER the Kingdom to GOD THE FATHER after He has DESTROYED all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put ALL ENEMIES under His feet.” Mainstream Christianity seems to think that THE END will come when Christ has SAVED all His enemies. It’s Christ’s intention to DESTROY them all. And Christ has many enemies, some of whom make up the vast majority of so-called Christians. They are His enemies because they teach lies in His Name. They don’t honour and worship THE FATHER as Christ instructed, and neither do they obey His instruction. Rather, they have abolished everything the Father has spoken and cling to the nothingness of their worthless doctrine.

Christ removed nothing from the Scriptures He used – the Old Testament! Not the least stroke of the pen! Yet these monstrous fakes have removed everything! They’ve discarded the lot! They replaced it with their own touchy-feely doctrine that would make one’s flesh crawl. Their weak, effeminate offerings are like dog’s vomit (2Pet 2:21-22). Where have all the stout-hearted, fearless men gone?

Not quite like David are they? Remember David’s words when he went into battle against Goliath? “Who is this PHILISTINE DOG that stands before THE ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD?” Yes, these soldiers were the ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD! And whenever the armies of Israel go out to battle, they are still the ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD! God appointed Leaders over the House of Israel, some good, some bad. But they are your leaders! And if you despise the government that has been placed over you – BY GOD – then you are worthless and useless in God’s eyes. And who is at the forefront of despising government? Those whom God once called to make up His treasured possession (Deut 7:6)! Among the whole House of Israel – which is represented by Ephraim, those who should know better have led the charge in despising their own leader. And what a hoot it is to hear the twisted words of those in the Churches of God who teach church government. What mendicants they are! They like to exercise authority over the people of God just like the Gentiles. Christ warned of this, and this was to the 12 men that Christ Himself had chosen from the seventy who were closest to Him (Matt 20:24-28, Luke 6:12).

The importance of these men is magnified in Rev 21:14 “The WALL OF THE CITY had TWELVE FOUNDATIONS, and on them were the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.” So the TWELVE APOSTLES made up the TWELVE FOUNDATIONS of the WALL of THE HOLY CITY.

In this great WALL are TWELVE GATEWAYS, and to the chagrine of all those who think God has discarded the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL, these TWELVE GATEWAYS are named after the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. And each of their names are written on the TWELVE GATEWAYS. So at the very end when the Father begins to rule, and the OLD ORDER has passed away, we find that the only entrances to the HOLY CITY is by one of TWELVE GATEWAYS, and these represent the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL.

Only those whose names are written in the Book of life will be allowed to enter (Rev 21:27). This implies that there will be others who will be refused entry. And God makes this clear: Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the RIGHT to the TREE OF LIFE and may go through the GATES OF THE CITY. Outside are DOGS, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolators and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Christ made it very clear that Gentiles are DOGS (Matt 15:26-27), and if anyone wants to disagree, then they should take it up with Him. Regardless of their ethnic background, as long as they remain DOGS then they have no RIGHTS to the HOLY CITY or the TREE OF LIFE. They MUST become Israelites or be forever separated from God! Salvation is of the Jews! Christ also made it plain that He reaps where He has not sown. The opportunities of the Gentiles are not limited as long as they are grafted into the tree (Rom 11:16-24).

In addition to the TWELVE GATEWAYS and the TWELVE FOUNDATIONS, the Book of Revelation also speaks of TWELVE PEARLS, which are the TWELVE GATES. And the point is made that each of these TWELVE GATES are made of a single pearl. Now we know that Christ spoke of a PEARL of very great price, and He likened it to the KINGDOM OF GOD (Matt 13:45-46). Yet the Book of Revelation speaks of TWELVE PEARLS, each of them are a DOOR to the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL who in turn are the GATEWAYS to the HOLY CITY.

Who are these TWELVE PEARLS?

Before we continue with the account of Ezekiel, let’s first establish a few facts. In answer to Pontius Pilate, Christ said He was born to be a king (John 18:36-37), but He also said that His Kingdom was not from that time (same verse). He also said that everyone on the side of Truth listens to Him (same verse).

Later, Pilate had a sign prepared which stated that Jesus was the KING OF THE JEWS, and refused to comply with a request to change it. The sign did not say that Jesus was the King and Lord of the whole earth, but merely that He was KING OF THE JEWS.

Yet we have another account of this Kingship. In faithfulness to the Father and His Word, Christ ensured that another prophecy was fulfilled which related to the King riding on an ass and entering Jerusalem. This account is found in Matt 21 and John 12. The disciples didn’t know what all this meant until after Christ was killed (John 12:16), and then they realized that He had to fulfill the prophecy (Zech 9:9). This is what Matthew recorded: Matt 21:4 “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to the DAUGHTER OF ZION, ‘See, your KING comes to you, GENTLE AND RIDING ON A DONKEY, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” In Matthew’s account, we find the first thing that Christ did after this was to drive the commercialism from His Father’s House (Matt 21:12).

So Christ fulfilled this prophecy! And what does the prophecy say? Zech 9:9 “But I WILL DEFEND MY HOUSE against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun My people, for now I am keeping watch. Rejoice greatly, O DAUGHTER OF ZION! Shout, DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM! See, your KING comes to you, righteous and having salvation, GENTLE AND RIDING ON A DONKEY, one a colt the foal of a donkey. I will take away the CHARIOTS FROM EPHRAIM and the WAR-HORSES FROM JERUSALEM, and the BATTLE-BOW WILL BE BROKEN. He will PROCLAIM PEACE to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the [Euphrates] river to the ends of the earth.” You will notice that Christ fulfilled only part of this entire prophecy. Forty years later oppressors did overrun the DAUGHTER OF JERUSALEM in 70CE.

Clearly, there is a latter fulfillment of this prophecy when all will be fulfilled exactly as written! But the prophecy doesn’t end here! Notice the rest of it: V11 “AS FOR YOU, because of the BLOOD OF MY COVENANT with YOU, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your FORTRESS, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. I will bend JUDAH as I bend My bow and fill it with EPHRAIM. I will rouse your sons, O ZION, against your sons, O GREECE, and make you like a WARRIOR’S SWORD.”

So we see that Christ came as a gentle man, having salvation, and riding on a lowly donkey. This He fulfilled, and the daughter of Zion honoured Him with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna. But the final fulfillment paints a wholly different picture! This is what it says: V14 “Then the LORD WILL APPEAR OVER THEM; His arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will SOUND THE TRUMPET; He will march in the storms of the south, and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will DESTROY and overcome with SLINGSTONES.” Recall that David overcame Goliath with SLINGSTONES when this giant stood against the ARMIES OF THE LIVING GOD. And the conclusion of this particular prophecy says this as we continue in V15 “…They will drink and roar as with WINE; they will be full like a BOWL used for SPRINKLING THE CORNERS OF THE ALTAR. The LORD will save them on that day AS THE FLOCK OF HIS PEOPLE. They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make young men thrive, and new wine the young women.” Did you notice that here we have a substitution for blood using wine? When Christ changed the Law for Passover FOR THOSE HE HAS CALLED – He also substituted the blood for wine. Those who FAIL to keep the Passover EXACTLY as Christ commanded – once a year – and on the very day, would be well advised to keep it in the old way. That is, kill a lamb and splash the blood above the doorway and proceed in the manner specified by God. Remember the reason WHY the Passover was instituted! It was to KILL THE FIRST BORN throughout all the land – and even any Israelites who failed to follow the instruction perfectly. The death angel’s instructions were very specific. Shortly we will examine where the prophet Ezekiel also speaks of this – and he speaks of our day!

It may seem detestable to many of the touchy-feely, creepy-crawly Christians today who have never BELIEVED God, but God has a PLAN in mind, and this PLAN involves TWELVE PEARLS once again. Christ made it plain that the time will come when people will forsake all in order to find a particular pearl of great price. This pearl represents the KINGDOM OF GOD (Matt 13:45). You will recall the original TWELVE APOSTLES are the foundation of the wall, the TWELVE TRIBES are the doorways, and the TWELVE PEARLS are the doors or gates (depending on which version of the Bible you are using). And believe it or not, Christ will again choose these TWELVE PEARLS. There is no doubt that many will claim to be the pearl of great price, or at very least, one of the TWELVE PEARLS. But unless they’re appointed by Christ Himself, they’re wasting their time! If you do not cling to, and live by, EVERY WORD OF GOD (Matt 4:4), then you are in danger of losing your very life. What is more, unless you do, you are not even God’s! And you can believe it or not!

The prophet Ezekiel speaks of the LAW OF THE TEMPLE: Eze 43:10-12 “Son of man, DESCRIBE THE TEMPLE to the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, that they may be ASHAMED OF THEIR SINS. Let them CONSIDER THE PLAN, and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the DESIGN OF THE TEMPLE – its arrangements, its EXITS AND ENTRANCES – its WHOLE DESIGN and all its REGULATIONS AND LAWS. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow its regulations. This is the LAW OF THE TEMPLE: All the surrounding area on top of the mountain will be MOST HOLY. Such is the LAW OF THE TEMPLE.” Everything on the top of this mountain (Zion) is to be MOST HOLY! God says that when the WHOLE DESIGN of this PLAN is considered, together with all its REGULATIONS AND LAWS, the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL may be very ASHAMED OF THEIR SINS. The whole structure is more than just a building it’s the key to life.

This Temple is markedly different to the one that Solomon built. The Temple described by Ezekiel has never been built! In fact, its WHOLE DESIGN and PLAN with its REGULATIONS AND LAWS have been totally ignored to this very day. And believe it or not, God planned it this way. But God also speaks of a time when the whole focus of the world will be on this mountain site. But most particularly, the HOUSE OF ISRAEL - and they will be ASHAMED OF THEIR SINS when the whole meaning is made known.

The Jewish people are the most persecuted on earth! No group has suffered as these have. Yet it’s the Jewish people who love the Temple of God and the Holy Mountain. They stand at the Western Wall and plead with their Creator for the right of entry to the Most Holy Place.

But the House of Israel? They couldn’t care less about the Most Holy Place! Their influence resulted in it being handed over to Philistine dogs - and the rightful heirs being denied access! By this defiant act, this very act, the House of Israel now has a loaded gun pointed at their head. They did it to themselves and now they will bear the consequences. The Law of the Temple reveals it all!

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY!

It may seem to mainstream Christianity today that they have a corner on God’s righteousness. They’ve devised various means to project their own righteousness for all to see. But have you ever noticed the distinct lack of God’s presence among them?

Recall the powerful presence of God among the whole House of Israel that were brought out of Egypt. God made His presence known to them all – and also to their enemies. With mighty signs and wonders He brought them out of Egypt. Even as they stood trapped on the seashore, all saw the pillar of fire, and what is more, it held the Egyptians at bay. Then they saw another mighty miracle – the sea opened up, and they went across dry-shod. We learn in 1Cor 10:2 that this crossing was a baptism. These people of the twelve tribes had no doubt about whom this Mighty Being was who was doing these miracles.

Yet nothing like this has happened in the past 2,000 years of this present era! Yes, there have been miraculous interventions by God in wartime, and in other transparent ways, but nothing that remotely approaches the scale of the miracles among the ancient Israelites. Anciently, and throughout the pages of the Old Testament, God revealed Himself in a manner that is not evident today. It could even be said that God has been distinctly absent from the affairs of humanity in comparison to His former involvement with the Tribes of Israel.

Certainly God may preempt the outcome of any battle or disaster, and there is no doubt that He has during the past two millennia, but He has not revealed Himself as the architect of any outcomes. At least, not in the way that He did formerly in the presence of all the Twelve Tribes.

Those who pursued the people of Israel knew they were dealing with the Almighty God as He lead His people out of Egypt. Gone were any perceptions by the Egyptians that they were only dealing with human beings. Everything the prophet Moses had said had been done to the land of Egypt. And now they find themselves pursuing the very people of God to do them harm. Perhaps many of the Egyptian soldiers wanted to call it a day and return to their land, but they feared their tyrant ruler more than the Mighty Being that had brought all the disasters. So they went on to their destruction.

God speaks of a lamp that will continue to exist in the southern nation for His servant David’s sake. That lamp is the Tribe of Judah – or more properly the House of David. This raises yet another question. Was the ‘lamp’ that God referred to anciently (1Kings 11:36) the same ‘lamp’ that is detailed in the later writings? Among the final comments delivered by Jesus Christ to John in the Book of Revelation was a confirmation of that ‘lamp’, and its identity! Here it is: Rev 21:23 “The City does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, AND THE LAMB IS IT’S LAMP.”

What should we say? Has Christ now replaced those nasty Jews from the Tribe of Judah, enabling all of Christianity to freely persecute them as the enemies of God!

DON’T BELIEVE IT!!

The role of the Tribe of Judah is the same as it always was! God put meticulous planning into everything He has done, and His Great Plan will stand! And Christ changed nothing. Why would He? He came to do the will of the Father!

Confirming the Jewish people as the ‘lamp’, Christ arose from the Tribe of Judah, and more particularly from the House of David – by direct linage of the Royal Seed (Matt 1 and Luke 3).

God Himself identifies who the House of David is! He also relates their importance in all the events of the endtime. This is what He says: Zech 12:8 “On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the HOUSE OF DAVID will BE LIKE GOD, like the angel of the LORD going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the HOUSE OF DAVID and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the One they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one MOURNS FOR AN ONLY CHILD, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a FIRSTBORN SON.”

Who gave birth to this child - this Son? God tells us! It’s the HOUSE OF DAVID – the inhabitants of Jerusalem! Mainstream Christianity believes their church gave birth to Christ! Do you realize how vile such blasphemy is, in the eyes of God?

Churchianity rather than Christianity is at the forefront of perverting everything. They’ve never believed God and nor do they obey Him. And God makes a clear distinction between those who serve Him and those who do not (Mal 3:16-18). Of course this description is found in the very Scriptures that Churchianity has rejected! The Old Testament – the personification of the Mighty Christ! (John 1:1).

And after Christ begins to reign over this earth (Rev 12:10), the Woman will be catapulted to prominence. They will be under divine protection (V13), and they will not only be like David, they will also be like God (Zech 12:8). And this Woman has offspring! (V17). Recall that Christ is the root and offspring of David (Rev 22:16). So this offspring is the Body of Christ, and they are also the offspring of the Woman – the House of David.

This offspring has some unusual qualities that identify them from the vast sea of professing Christianity. They obey the TEN COMMANDMENTS (all ten of them!) and have the TESTIMONY OF JESUS (V17) – which is the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY! (Rev 19:10). These people are predominantly from the House of Israel, but also have a mix of people from every nation.

These people will stay where they are to face the full fury of Satan the devil (V17). And God will decide whether they live or die (Rev 13:9-10), and He Himself will hand them over to the beast (Dan 7:21-25). It will be a time unequalled in the whole history of humanity (Matt 24:21); Christ Himself said so!

Those who want to follow the precepts of men who have never believed God have a difficult road ahead. Those who want their name recorded in the Book of Remembrance (Mal 3:16) as God’s treasured possession, had better start honouring Him, and fearing Him, and obeying Him in the manner which He prescribes. And those, who want to continue to believe those who hate the people of God, can never be a part of the Woman, and not even grafted in if not of the House of David by birth.

God has no concern for those who refuse to believe and obey Him. Christ made this very clear (Matt 7:22-23). The act of entering Jerusalem riding on a donkey was to fulfill the prophecy relating to it, but the prophecy that it relates to, represents a massive departure from the concept of the ‘Jesus’ that is preached today!

The description of the ‘offspring of the woman’ in Rev 12:17 clearly shows they are enjoined to the Woman as legitimate heirs. It is impossible for Christianity to be the ‘Woman’ since the Woman already existed long before them! It’s this Woman that wore the crown of 12 stars (which are the 12 Tribes of Israel in accord with the prophetic dream of Joseph – Gen 37:9-11). This is the Woman that ruled over all 12 Tribes! This is the Tribe from which David arose, and from which his most famous Son was born of his descendants. This is the Tribe that God says will never fail to have an heir to sit on the throne (Jer 33:17-26). If every human being was erased from the face of the earth, there would still be an heir.

By the mercy of God, the OFFSPRING of the Woman has inherited some remarkable privileges. The extent of these remarkable privileges will become even more evident in the future. Principally though, these have their rights granted regardless of their ethnic origins.

They, like Christ, are the OFFSPRING of the Tribe of God’s choosing. But just how like Christ are they? These people hold to the Commandments of God, and have the Testimony of Jesus. Well, that’s certainly very Christ-like. But what else?

Rev 12:1 speaks of the Woman that wore the crown of 12 stars. David was that head that wore that crown. But Christ said He would build a Church (Matt 16:18). This Church represents the BODY of Christ, and they are the OFFSPRING of the head that wore the crown. Did someone say, ‘Aha’? Before you add the word ‘blasphemy’, the BODY of Christ is many different people so they are the spiritual BODY of Christ rather than the literal. Yet in the framework of the intended meaning, they are the physical BODY of Christ AND His OFFSPRING! In exactly the same way, Christ is the root and offspring of David (Rev 22:16). And again, David is the head that wore the crown – and so is the Woman - as Rev 12:1 PLAINLY STATES!

Christ is the HEAD of the BODY – this point cannot be challenged! Though those who claim to be the BODY frequently challenge the authority of the HEAD to direct their lives. They pay lip-service (seemingly endlessly) but refuse to obey or believe Him. They refuse to let Him rule over them. They insist they have nothing to obey since they’ve rejected that Law of God. Yet they cling tenaciously to their demands for salvation, and insist on a trouble-free transition to their ultimate ‘reward’.

Let’s state clearly what the physical body of Christ endured. It was beaten and broken open with many blows. Then it was nailed to a tree to suffer an agonizing death. And finally, a spear was used to pierce the heart. This is the description in simple terms of what the BODY of Christ endured. And what do you claim to be? Yes, you claim to be the Body of Christ. And most affirmatively you are if you emulate Christ. And when the time comes, will you go as a sheep to the slaughter? Well, let’s hope you do if this is what God requires of you. Did God intend for the Body of Christ to escape persecution and death? If He did, then we could expect His decree to be established forthwith, from the earliest moment. Yet we know this is not the case! The early Christians, including the Apostles, were hunted down and put to death. In many cases, they were hunted down like animals, and were considered to be worthless, and unfit to live. And not just by a few Jewish leaders prior to 70 AD, but by all the rulers and authorities of the heavenly realm. These rulers, far and wide, sought the lives of all who would live by the principles taught by Christ.

Every attempt to extinguish them from the earth only led to more and more turning to the Way. Rather than fight a losing battle, they sought another method. This was to corrupt the teachings of Christ with clever counterfeits that would ultimately bring the damnation of God on their heads. Ultimately, the vast bulk of Christian converts turned to the siren song of the Gentiles – and believed it!

God raised up shepherds to gather the flock and to reestablish the true teachings of Christ – from time to time. Usually, just before the light was completely extinguished. This was to ensure that the ‘gates of hell’ would never prevail against the Church. There must have been many times when Death and the Grave imagined that victory was within their grasp. They still feel gob-smacked that Christ triumphed over them, and revenge looms even larger in their minds than total destruction.

And what of Christianity today? Do they look to Jesus Christ as the Mighty MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT? Not at all! And why would they? The Prophets speak of it, but not in the way that Christianity wants to hear: Mal 3:1-4 “See, I will send My messenger (partially fulfilled by John the Baptist), who will PREPARE THE WAY BEFORE ME. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His Temple; THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT, whom you desire, WILL COME,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He APPEARS? For He will be like a REFINER’S FIRE or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will PURIFY THE LEVITES and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of JUDAH and JERUSALEM will be acceptable to the LORD as in days gone by, as in former years.”

These verses are quite alarming for those who have never believed God! Mainstream Christianity have rejected the LEVITES and JUDAH as having no significance to the endtime events of prophecy. Yet here we have the LEVITE MESSENGER preparing the way BEFORE (see Mal 4:5) the GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY OF THE LORD.

And who is God to REFINE LIKE GOLD?

Christians?

No! It’s the LEVITES! They have always been the ones who prepare the way for Christ – from long before the days of John the Baptist until now.

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Christ lived a blameless life on earth – a life without sin! This means that He kept the Laws of God perfectly because sin is the transgression of the Law, that is, lawlessness! Isn’t it ironic that Christianity believes Christ came to do away with the Laws of God, which was the reason He had to come in the first place – to uphold LAW! The spirit of lawlessness has the devil as its author. It’s Christ’s avowed intention to destroy everything associated with the works of the devil (1John 3:8).

When Christ was on earth, He spoke many times about the Kingdom of God, but He made it clear that the Kingdom was not from that time. At the end of His ministry He confirmed this with these words: John 18:36 “My Kingdom is not of this world (Gr. Aion=age). If it were, MY SERVANTS WOULD FIGHT to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My Kingdom is from another place (time)”.

There are two major points made in these words. Firstly, the Kingdom of God has not yet been established. And secondly, the servants of God WILL fight for the establishment of that Kingdom.

King David spent most of his life fighting to establish the kingdom that God gave to him. Further, God established that kingdom forever, and appointed David a king forever over that kingdom. David will reign over all 12 Tribes of Israel forever. But a mightier One will also reestablish a Kingdom, one that will NEVER BE DESTROYED (unlike David’s), and He will reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords of the whole earth.

In accordance with the prayer outline given by Christ, we should be praying for the establishment of that Kingdom, and the hope that it will come soon. As Christ said, God’s Will will be done on earth exactly as it is done in Heaven. There will be no if, buts, or maybe’s. Justice will be dispensed with a ROD OF IRON. But then you’ve always known this. Well, haven’t you?

As the Master Potter, God has appointed some vessels for a noble purpose, and some for common use. It’s as well that no-one challenges God’s intentions by saying “Why have you made me so?” And God makes this very point: Isa 29:15 “Woe to those who go to great lengths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be the clay! Shall what is formed say to him that formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?

Of whom is God speaking? Is it the vastness of humanity? Is God concerned at all for the seed of the devil? Didn’t God destroy all humanity from the face of the earth in the days of Noah, sparing only him and his family? Didn’t Christ also say that it will be as in the days of Noah when all things are brought to bear?

God has brought some glory to some Gentiles, and many more will turn in obedience to the Great God at the appointed time. But God makes it clear to whom He is the Potter: Jer 18:5 “Then the word of the LORD came to me: “O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, can I not do WITH YOU as the potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.” This happened in the days of Jonah when God sent him to warn Ninevah, and the king and the people repented. This account is important enough for Christ to refer to it as proof of His Messiahship (Matt 12:39-40), and for a good purpose it should be noted.

In regard to the House of Israel being clay in God’s hands, Jeremiah adds some more: Jer 18:9 “And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be BUILT UP AND PLANTED, and if it DOES EVIL IN MY SIGHT and DOES NOT OBEY ME, then I will RECONSIDER the good I had intended to do for it.”

Just as God sends His servants to warn, so the time is coming when God will empower His servants to execute His Will – just as Moses did in the presence of Pharaoh! Can we be sure? Would God entrust such mighty Power to a human being? Leaving aside the mighty exploits of men like David, God speaks of two servants who will wield devastating Power to strike the earth or any part of it with destruction: Rev 11:3 “And I will give POWER to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them MUST DIE. These MEN have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying, and they have POWER to turn waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague AS OFTEN AS THEY WANT.”

Why would God entrust such POWER to TWO MEN? It could also be asked: ‘Why would Satan entrust his power and throne and great authority to a man?’ And this is exactly what he plans to do: Rev 13:2 “…. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.” And the stage is being set for some mighty battles between the forces of good and evil.

Reverting again to the Potter and the clay, we find that Paul wrote of this. In the same passage we find that Pharaoh is used as an example: Rom 9:14 “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE, that I may DISPLAY MY POWER in you and that My name may be PROCLAIMED IN ALL THE EARTH.” Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He HARDENS whom He WANTS TO HARDEN.”

Now these are tough verses for those who believe God is obligated to grant them rights! And it clearly says that God decides whom He will or will not harden to understand truth and obey. No-one in their right mind would do as Pharaoh did; to see such mighty miracles and great Power, and refuse to submit! But Pharaoh couldn’t do anything else! God raised him up FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE!

Paul makes the point strongly that no-one should consider God unjust. He is God and He can do as He pleases. God also makes the point that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, because we seem to forget that we are only the clay. He is the POTTER! V20 “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? Does not the Potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for NOBLE PURPOSES and some for COMMON USE?”

It seems today that all of Christendom claims to be the Body of Christ. And this sits very comfortably with them PROVIDED they don’t have to endure the same violence that the REAL body of Christ endured. These people are steadfast in their resolve to hold God to His side of the contract or Covenant, and they are just as steadfast in refusing to honour their side of it. And what a ‘contract’ they claim to have! A contract or Covenant where all the conditions are against the other party! Who would sign such a contract? And what would be the purpose of it? And for those who think that God would enter into such a stupid covenant, there is some cheap resort land for sale in Florida (you’ll need duck-waders or a snorkel to get there).

Yes, it’s truth that God does HARDEN some people so they can’t accept the Truth. He HARDENS whoever He wants to HARDEN and decides who will be used for a NOBLE PURPOSE and who will be used for COMMON USE. And He certainly HARDENS those who won’t OBEY Him! Christ was OBEDIENT even to going to His death!

Just as God told Abraham that He intended to enslave his offspring to the beast that then existed, so God plans to do so again. But this time, they will be accompanied by another offspring – the offspring of the ‘Woman’. All will go under a common purpose, but the offspring of the ‘Woman’ will be endowed with certain qualities – the qualities and characteristics of the ‘Woman’. They will hold to the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:10).

Those whom God has endowed with these qualities have an even greater endowment; and this is explained in the same verse: Rev 19:10 “At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘DO NOT DO IT! I am a FELLOW-SERVANT WITH YOU and with YOUR BROTHERS who HOLD TO THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS. Worship God! For the TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.” Who ever heard of such a thing? How could a mere man, who was made a little lower than the angels, be elevated to the stature of one of the mightiest beings in God’s realm?

Well this is the way it will be for all those who have the SPIRIT OF PROPHECY! Most have believed they’ve understood prophecy. They’re convinced that their church has a handle on it all. These leaders have woven endless fables relating to all sorts of things that have nothing in common with the teachings of the Bible. Did you notice how many of them milked the Y2K bug for all it was worth? They predicted mayhem and madness, and doom and gloom. How easily they were deceived! And why? Because they generated ‘prophecy’ from their own minds!

Well the Y2K bug proved something! Those who appoint themselves to prophesy from their own imaginations are prime candidates for the strong delusion that God Himself plans to send: 2Thess 2:9 “The coming of the LAWLESS ONE will be in accordance with the WORK OF SATAN displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they REFUSED TO LOVE THE TRUTH and so be saved. FOR THIS REASON GOD SENDS THEM A POWERFUL DELUSION so that they will BELIEVE THE LIE and so that ALL WILL BE CONDEMNED who have NOT BELIEVED the TRUTH but have DELIGHTED IN WICKEDNESS.” It’s interesting that those who refuse to obey God’s Laws are also called LAWLESS in the Bible! And it’s LAWLESSNESS that typifies the WORK OF SATAN. Those who live lawless lives will be an easy mark for the ‘mark of the beast’, and the image the ‘LAWLESS ONE’ will set up and enforce worship of it.

Most of Christendom don’t believe God can send them POWERFUL DELUSION. Nor do they believe that God will CONDEMN them all. They still believe they can throw their worthless contract in His face and demand salvation. Of course those who live by, and BELIEVE EVERY WORD OF GOD will NOT be placed in this position of condemnation. Those who don’t, will! And this is what God says: Rev 14:9 “If anyone WORSHIPS THE BEAST or his image and receives his mark on their forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” This calls for PATIENT ENDURANCE on the part of the SAINTS who obey GOD’S COMMANDMENTS and remain faithful to [THE TESTIMONY OF] JESUS.”

So it’s the saints that must PATIENTLY ENDURE. These are the ones WHO KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS! But this should come as no surprise to those who’ve read the Bible and believed it. Everything the Bible speaks of, concerns LAW AND ORDER! The Word of God utterly condemns LAWLESSNESS! Consider all the so-called Christian churches that teach LAWLESSNESS! It doesn’t take any powerful delusion to cause them to corrupt God’s instruction.

Of course those who submit to the mark of the beast will buy themselves a little time – but will pay with their lives forever! Those who REFUSE to worship the beast or his image will need to PATIENTLY ENDURE!

And what does this entail? We can be thankful to God that He has told us in advance. And there are many Scriptures that state it clearly. In the Book of Romans, Paul speaks of the role of Christianity and he quotes from the Book of Psalms. This is what Paul wrote: Rom 8:36 “As it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE FACE DEATH ALL DAY LONG; we are considered as SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” Doesn’t Scripture also describe Christ in this manner? Christ was described as one Lamb; this speaks of sheep in the plural. The rest of what Paul wrote makes it very plain. As Paul says, ‘It is written’, so let’s examine where it is written: Psalm 44:20-22 “If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands TO A FOREIGN GOD, would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart?” Let’s take a moment to establish the link of this verse with the ‘mark of the beast’. These people did NOT lift up their hand to a FOREIGN GOD! In this regard, they were blameless! But notice what the Scripture says: V22 “Yet for your sake we face death all day long; WE ARE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”

Does the Master Potter exercise His right to do with the clay as He wishes? Yes, He does! But He has also given ample warning! Let’s go back a few verses and examine this amazing prophecy of the current status of the Churches. Psalm 44 is a very important chapter because it details what God did in the days of the fathers long ago (V2), and it ends with the slaughter of the sheep of God. It’s worthy of a complete study, but let’s notice the transition from the Tribes of Israel to the Church of God: V9 “But now you have rejected and humbled us; you NO LONGER go out with OUR ARMIES. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have PLUNDERED us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have SCATTERED US AMONG THE NATIONS. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from the sale. You made us a REPROACH to our NEIGHBORS, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.” And now we see the transition: V15 “My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, WHO IS BENT ON REVENGE.”

Revenge for what? Well may we ask! But let’s continue in V17 “All this happened to us, though we had NOT forgotten You or been false to YOUR COVENANT. Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. BUT YOU CRUSHED US and made us a HAUNT FOR JACKALS and covered us with DEEP DARKNESS. If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, would not God have discovered it, since He knows the secrets of the heart? Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; WE ARE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” Some may be tempted to argue that this is speaking of the whole House of Israel, yet we find it quoted by Paul in connection with the Church in Rom 8:36. Those who have not been false to God’s Covenant, and whose feet ( a reference to the Gospel of peace – Eph 6:15) have not strayed from the Path or Way, and whose hearts had not turned back, ARE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED – just like Christ! Notice the words ‘but You crushed us…’. ‘us’ being plural. Yet we have another reference in Isa 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions, HE WAS CRUSHED for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.” And then we come to the verse quoted by the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:32, and which Philip identified as a reference to Christ: Isa 53:7 “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was LED LIKE A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment, He was taken away. And WHO CAN SPEAK OF HIS DESCENDANTS?” Hence the name ‘Lamb of God’. This wonderful and selfless deed will never be forgotten! But who can speak of his descendants since He was cut off from the land of the living?

Only God! Only God could ensure Him offspring! And God has done this: V10 “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the LORD makes His life a guilt offering, HE WILL SEE HIS OFFSPRING and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will proper in His hand.”

How can this be?

The Church is considered to be the very Body of Christ, and so they fulfill His very continued-existence on earth. By eating His flesh and drinking His blood (the Passover symbols – see also John 6:52-57) we continue to ensure our faithfulness to His Body and our destiny.

As far as mainstream Christianity is concerned, they are not the Body of Christ and never have been. The true Body of Christ has not been false to THE COVENANT under which Christ died. Their feet have not strayed from the path or way, and neither have their hearts turned back to the vomit of mainstream doctrine. They refuse to falsify the teachings of the Bible to suit their own doctrine, and instead believe God in everything He has said.

Even so, they are not entirely blameless! While these have clung to the Way of God that Christ taught, they’ve sought to enhance their doctrine with interpretations of prophecy. And while they teach that the Bible interprets itself, and repeat this ad nauseum, they’ve continued to weave a patchwork of lies without reference to the Bible! They forget they are sheep in the pasture, and sheep are tended by the shepherd, and the greatest Shepherd of all is Christ, and the greatest Prophet of all!

It may have gone unnoticed that in the past 2,000 years prophecies have abounded, with quotations from Scripture being applied to all sorts of global situations that have arisen. Many who have assumed the role of a prophet have taught that every war, disease, famine, disaster or whatever, has been the fulfillment of prophecy. How many times in the past 2,000 years has the start of the Great Tribulation been proclaimed, only to be a false alarm? For that matter, how many times in the 20^th century did it happen?

Those who teach false prophecy are false prophets! But this doesn’t worry them! They feel if they can claim one success, then they are absolved from all their errors.

Is this how God views those who teach lies in His name? No, He does not!! And those who teach these lies try to cover their mistakes by saying ‘I’m not really a prophet, so I wasn’t really prophesying’. One man, with the worst possible record of failed prophecies, delighted in being called the prophesied ‘Elijah’. His defenders, while claiming he was ‘Elijah’, are quick to point out that he wasn’t a prophet, but rather an apostle. So presumably, Elijah wasn’t a real prophet either, and an apostle can teach lies with impunity and still claim the title. One particularly stupid woman who claims the name of Abraham’s wife continues to promote the lies of her ‘Elijah’ while justifying his failed prophecies by claiming he wasn’t really a prophet. In terms of truth, her mind is blank! This woman ‘lives by every word’ of Herbert Armstrong – not God!

The question is: Is God’s Truth a mixture of truth and error? God says His Word is Truth! But error comes from the imagination of human beings. To some extent, God winked at ignorance in the past; ignorance being the admission that some things were not understood and could therefore not be explained. It’s the ungodly that go about teaching error and with no conscience at all! Only the sheep of the flock will be absolved, provided they have not continued to actively teach error. James made it very clear: James 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” It’s true that we all stumble from time to time, but what we say that is not in accordance with God’s teachings is very evil: V6 “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” It should be noted that this is not referring to the tongue of the President of the U.S., or for that matter, his libido, but it’s directed to you! And what a world of evil it is! They are so quick to identify the splinter in their President’s eye, but can’t see the beam in their own eye. So many have decided to judge the man that God has placed over them, but they forget that God also knows the intent of their hearts. Like their tongues, their hearts are a world of evil. How they despise the government God has placed over them!

And what a hoot it is to see so many of these people exercising iron-fisted rule over the Body of Christ all in the name of Church government! And who gave them authority to exercise power over the Body of Christ in the way of the Gentiles? Certainly not Christ!! This is Christ’s instruction: Matt 20:25 “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. NOT SO WITH YOU! Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

From earliest times among the House of Israel God set His own Tribe – the Levites – the task of administering the Law and the Temple. In order for them to do this, God gave them a special Power – His Holy Spirit. Even the builders of the Tabernacle and the Ark were given this Power, and these were of the Tribe of Judah and the Tribe of Dan: Ex 35:30 “Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the Tribe of Judah, and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts…” V34 “And He has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the Tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen…”. God bestows His Gift on whomever He chooses, and as the Master Potter, He does it for His own purposes. Similarly, God gave His Holy Spirit to all the prophets to direct them in His service.

There have been many great prophets during the past 6,000 years. Speaking of John the Baptist, Christ said of all those born of women, there is none greater than he (Matt 11:11). So John had the greatness of all those who had gone before him. And of all the prophets, Christ said this: Luke 13:28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and ALL THE PROPHETS in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.”

The importance of all the prophets cannot be overestimated. Everything hinges on what they have recorded. God makes it clear that all must be fulfilled. There were many things that Christ fulfilled according to what is written. Some of these things were seemingly insignificant in the former writings, yet He ensured that He fulfilled them. Other things were very obscure in the Scriptures, yet the Apostles referred to them and instructed us that Christ had fulfilled them. Many of these things are in the Psalms, and some of them appear to refer to David – yet Christ fulfilled them exactly as written. So this form of obscurity is part of the design of God’s Word.

Of all the Books of the Bible, none appear to be more obscure than the Book of Ezekiel. Yet this Book contains perhaps the most powerful endtime message of all. It was written almost entirely in parable form, just like much of the Psalms, and just like the teachings of Jesus.

Because the prophets wrote in a cryptic, obscure manner, it’s necessary to lay a firm foundation of understanding of the purpose of God’s Great Plan in order to understand the meaning. Not surprisingly, God’s Great Plan is at complete variance to the teachings of mainstream Christianity.

All the predictions of the Prophets concerning the 12 Tribes of Israel will be covered in this series, including the remarkable prophecies of Ezekiel. And then you will know what to expect, and you will also know that God will fulfill every thing He has spoken. You will see it with your own eyes.