ZION MINISTRY - BIBLE PROPHECY

 

THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL

CHAPTER TWO

By Neville V. Stevens

New International Version used throughout unless otherwise specified.

In the days of Noah, God chose to destroy all humanity and all the animals, sparing only Noah and his family and the animals entrusted to his care. Christ used the experience of Noah to indicate similar events in the endtime (Matt 24:37, Isa 54:9).

God has never felt obligated to reveal His Great Plan to humanity. In fact, He has deliberately withheld all knowledge of it. Almost every book in the Bible was delivered in a cryptic and hard-to-understand manner. Many of the prophets of old delivered messages that were not fulfilled in their lifetimes. They understood that the words they recorded would have a later fulfilment. Even Christ ensured that His message was not understood at that time (Luke 8:10). Yet we have people today who think that message was so foolishly simple that it abolished all the Law and the Prophets. Christ said the exact opposite (Matt 5:17). In addition to this, He spoke extensively on horrific prophecies for the endtime (Matt 24, Luke 21). Many years after His resurrection He visited the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos and delivered a prophetic message that links to many of the prophets of old. So what of those who claim Christ abolished the Law and the Prophets? Do they have any credibility?

Today, whole sections of the Bible are not understood, just as they were not understood at the time of writing. Why all the secrecy? Does God have a purpose for hiding the truth? What if God had inspired all the prophets to speak clearly and explain everything? Had He done so, there would have been no reason for Christ to explain the manner in which He fulfilled prophecy (Luke 24:27). Clearly it was necessary for Him to explain the prophecies concerning Him even to His closest companions - and this was after He had fulfilled them! And it's important to realize that Christ fulfilled ONLY those prophecies that concerned Him.

If God had revealed His Plan to everyone, then there would be no reason to reveal it to the prophets exclusively. Everyone would have understood it and everyone would know their purpose in life. But God didn't plan it this way at all!

The very fact that the prophets recorded so much detail about Christ's first appearance ensures that we understand that God's purpose was established long before His arrival. If this information was injected into the ancient writings concerning Christ, it's very clear that all other prophecy was also intended to be fulfilled. What is more, Christ made this very clear (Matt 10:26-27).

Centuries after Noah, God again made a choice from the pool of humanity; this time He chose Abram (later Abraham). And it was through Abraham that God established a dynasty that would continue forever.

Even prior to the creation of this present world, God made plans to repair the damage of a destroyed planet. God discussed His plan with His companion while His Spirit brooded over the face of the earth. There has been much controversy surrounding the meaning of this creation. Some have even branded the meaning of God's Word contemptuously as the 'gap theory' in an effort to discredit the proposal of a previous world together with lifeforms. In the original Hebrew, two words were used in the opening verse of the Bible; they were 'tohu' and 'bohu'. These words indicate chaos and destruction.

Long before mankind was put on this earth, a being called ‘Lucifer’ existed. He was outstanding in beauty and wisdom, and was created perfect. His name was later changed to Satan. But of this being, Christ said, Luke 10:18 "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." So there was a time when this being was unceremoniously dumped to the earth. In the Book of Isaiah, we have another account of this event: Isa 14:12 "How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!" Some versions use the name 'Lucifer' which means 'lightbringer'. At the time when he was cast to earth, he was the lightbringer, but Christ, in recounting the event, later called him 'Satan'. This was the event that transformed Lucifer to Satan. No longer was he the bright morning star (or sun), he was condemned to roam the earth as a serpent. No longer does he radiate the glory of God, and neither does he have the Wisdom of God.

The Bible is very clear that snakes and serpents are held in low esteem. When Adam and Eve were created, they encountered the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Adam, who had been given the task of naming all the animals of the earth according to the wisdom God had given him, also identified Satan as a serpent. If the serpent had any credibility, it quickly evaporated after he deceived the woman. And God pronounced a further curse on him (Gen 3:14-15).

Why would God transform the glorious creature that once existed into an animal-like creature, and for what purpose? The Scripture makes it clear that the serpent had no desirable visual characteristics. His appearance was loathsome and ugly.

But what of Christ? Why was a member of the God family required to be a common human being, and made a little lower than the angels? It could be suggested that if Christ had been 10 feet tall and shone like the sun, then all of mankind would have accepted Him, but it was not this way! God had a wholly different purpose in mind.

It cannot have gone unnoticed by most students of the Bible that God frequently refers to the most evil of human beings as animals or beasts. Christ used the word ‘dogs’ and also ‘snakes and vipers’. And of these snakes and vipers, He said their father was Satan the devil. So there is a clear message in the Bible that identifies the offspring of Satan as bestial animals.

On the other hand, God refers to His people as sheep and lambs. And even God’s only begotten Son is called the LAMB of God.

God is surely telling us something when He refers to certain groups and individuals as animals, beasts and serpents. The question is "What?"

There are many examples in the Bible. It is God’s purpose that all who seek to understand would have the means to do so. One such example is found in 2Sam 8:3 and also 1Chron 18:4. David set out to establish his dominion in the land of Babylon along the Euphrates River. He captured a thousand chariots and their horses. David hamstrung hundreds of horses, sparing only one tenth of them, and while some may believe this to be a cruel act, it establishes an important principle. This principle is found in the Book of Job. God is speaking: Job 39:19 "Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a LOCUST, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and the lance. In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground; he cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds. At the blast of the trumpet he snorts, ‘Aha!’ He catches the scent of battle from afar, the shout of commanders and the battle cry." The battle horse is clearly more than a dumb creature in the heat of battle. Like the rider, he too, gets caught up in the frenzy of the battle.

God has a lot to say about horses and riders. The horses are as bad as the riders. David recognized that the horses he captured were not mere animals but were committed, like their riders, to the destruction of Israel. He knew what was in these horses, and rather than kill them, he angrily crippled them.

Christ made the point that when demons enter animals they become violent and unpredictable (Matt 8:31-32). And for all the scoffers in this world, God will also allow them to suffer the torment of this very circumstance (Rev 9:3). Just like an enemy horse in battle, these LOCUSTS will do great harm to those they torment. Remember Paul’s words in Eph 6:12. These ‘locusts’ will be sent out with specific instructions not to kill, but only to torment. And they emerge from the Abyss – the most dreaded place for all demons (Luke 8:31). And like the horse in battle, they too, will fulfill their allotted task with great enthusiasm!

It’s not without great purpose that Christ was lifted up like the Nehushtan (the serpent on the pole – Num 21:8-9, 2Kings 18:14) and fulfilled the destiny of that Serpent (John 3:14-15). What follows next is the famous verse that everyone quotes (John 3:16). What they never quote, it seems, are verses 18-21. What these verses say is that MANY ARE ALREADY CONDEMNED because their DEEDS are evil, and in order to come into the light, they would have to ADMIT THEIR EVIL DEEDS! Mainstream Christianity prefer to believe they are without sin (sin is…1John 3:4) because Christ fulfilled all the law and abolished it. CHRIST SAID NO SUCH THING! (Matt 5:17). But they prefer to make Christ a liar! These people prefer darkness to light, and will go to their deaths accordingly.

Christ made a point of linking the Law and the Prophets together, and said ‘Don’t think I have come to abolish them….’ But what do we find? The snakes and vipers say He nailed the Law to the Cross. Paul made it very plain what was nailed to the Cross! He said it was ‘THE PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD’ – NOT THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD! Of course the very nature of these snakes and vipers that teach some lying delusions has already CONDEMNED them, because their nature is that of their father the devil. These evil beasts, these snakes and vipers, love to deceive! Their sense of victory is evident when they successfully delude someone. They take great pride in their ability to pervert the Words of God, and twist it out of context to reflect their evil view. And they do it willfully and knowingly. There remains no further sacrifice for such people, they are already condemned – by the very one whose Words they misquote!

And how willing are the many, who formerly loved God’s Word, to accept the perverted view offered by the offspring of Satan. They consider the abolition of God’s righteous Law to be liberation. They speak of liberty and freedom from the Law, yet James called it the perfect Law of freedom (James 1:25). And which Law is this? He explains: James 2:10 "For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For He who said, "Do not commit adultery (7^th Commandment)", also said, "Do not murder (6^th Commandment)." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker." The PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD are completely different to the PRINCIPLES OF GOD. And the Principles of God are the 10 Commandments.

But let’s be very clear on this, because everything that is written in the Scriptures concerns the Tribes of Israel. They are the only people God has ever called to service. And Christ even affirmed that He had come ONLY to the lost sheep of Israel (Matt 15:24). You will have to decide for yourself whether to believe Christ! The Apostle Paul spoke very clearly about what was nailed to the cross which is mentioned in Col 2:14. Firstly, he says this: Col 2:8 "See to it that no-one takes you captive through HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY, which depends on HUMAN TRADITION and the basic PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD rather than on Christ." And then he states plainly what was nailed to the cross: Col 2:20 "Since you DIED WITH CHRIST (see V12) to the BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS WORLD, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!" These are all destined to perish with use, because they are BASED ON HUMAN COMMANDS AND TEACHINGS."

No one in their right mind would ever suggest that the Laws of God were HOLLOW AND DECEPTIVE PHILOSOPHY! Nor can anyone call them HUMAN TRADITION! They were spoken by God and recorded on Tables of Stone.

Perhaps the clearest description of what was nailed to the cross is given by the NAB version of the Bible: Col 2:14 "Obliterating the bond against us, He also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross; despoiling the PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, he made a public spectacle of them, leading them away in triumph by it." And who are these principalities and powers? Paul explains: Eph 6:12 "For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the PRINCIPALITIES, with the POWERS, with the WORLD RULERS OF THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, with the evil spirits in the heavens." And it’s these PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS that Christ put to public shame! They did exactly what they were prophesied to do – they killed the Son of God! They have condemned themselves.

But what has all this to do with Christianity? Was Christ’s triumph over the rulers of the heavenly realm that significant? Isn’t Christianity all about saving human beings? If it is, then mentioning Christ’s triumph over the evil rulers of darkness would seem pointless. So there must be more to it. But what?

God says He loved the world, that is the ‘cosmos’, the ‘terra firma’, the globe of the earth on which we stand. When it was first created the heavenly beings shouted for joy at its perfection (Job 38:7). The Scriptures tell us that Christ must remain in heaven UNTIL the time comes to RESTORE EVERYTHING just as He predicted through the holy prophets long ago (Acts 3:21).

Finally, in unmistakable terms, we are told exactly what Christ’s purpose is: 1Cor 15:24 "Then the end will come, when He hands over the Kingdom to the Father after He has DESTROYED ALL DOMINION, AUTHORITY AND POWER. For He must reign until He has put ALL ENEMIES under His feet." Here we have the confirmation of why Christ triumphed over them by the cross. The spirit rulers of this world have lost their right to life. What is more, when Christ has restored everything, He will hand the Kingdom - which will fill the whole world - to the Father, and Christ will be subject to Him (1Cor 15:28) and will serve Him as a faithful Son. And this faithful Son would never violate His Father’s Commandments! And the record of Scripture shows that He never did! He was without sin – and sin is the transgression of the Law of God (1John 3:4).

Christ is described as a sacrifice – a Lamb to the slaughter. God says He is preparing some sacrifices of His own in this endtime. Formerly, He sacrificed Pharaoh’s armies – all the horses and riders – to the fish of the Red Sea. When God prepares HIS GREAT SACRIFICE for the carrion of the air, He will SACRIFICE both HORSES AND RIDERS (Eze 39:20). (And take note that Rev 6 speaks of horses and riders that will all exist together and will be destroyed together. And it will be the rejected Cornerstone - that Mighty Conqueror Christ - that will strike them all down – see Dan 2:45). Eze 39:18 "You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were RAMS AND LAMBS, GOATS AND BULLS, all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the SACRIFICE I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood until you are drunk."

There was a time when God instructed Moses to travel three days into the desert, with all the Tribes of Israel, for the purpose of making a sacrifice. But Pharaoh withstood Moses and wouldn't let them go. Again and again, Moses reaffirmed to Pharaoh that this SACRIFICE must take place, but still Pharaoh refused to allow it. Pharaoh's primary objection was not against the sacrifice, but against allowing his slaves their freedom.

There were times when Pharaoh wanted to let them go, pure logic dictated this to be the sensible option after the carnage and destruction he saw, but each time God hardened his heart, and against all logic and sound judgment, he was forced to refuse. And each refusal brought greater disasters. It should be noted that Pharaoh didn't object to the sacrifice, but to the release of his prisoners - the Children of Israel! He might have had more respect for that sacrifice had he known that his HORSES AND RIDERS were the great SACRIFICE that God intended! And God duly SACRIFICED them all to the FISH OF THE SEA.

And this is the only sacrifice that was made at that time, and the only one recorded in the Bible. God instructed Moses to speak adamantly of this sacrifice that was to be made in three days. But the scoffers believe that God failed to record anything about it. So they have invented their own sacrifice. They claim to have found ash heaps somewhere in the Sinai peninsula, and this they claim is where the Israelites sacrificed. The advocate of this preposterous theory is even more outrageous in another claim. This man (who is now dead) claimed the Red Sea crossing occurred in the Gulf of Aqaba (which refutes his claim about the ash heap). He claims to have found the remains of wooden chariots there. Has anyone observed what remains of a wooden ship after just 300 years on the bottom of the ocean? This man claims that flimsy wooden chariots survived 3½ thousand years. Additionally, it would be quite a feat for 600,000 men (not counting women and children) and all their livestock to travel nearly 400 miles in less than three days, and reach the Gulf of Aqaba. Why do people believe these illogical liars?

The Bible makes it clear that Satan and his demons are marooned on earth. They live out their lives in the human realm. But God makes a clear distinction between them and humanity. He still describes them as the rulers of the heavenly realm. God also makes the distinction that there exists degrees of wickedness among them. Some are like the slavering animals they emulate, while others are timid and frightened and fearful of everything.

God made humanity a little lower than the angels, but He nevertheless made them in His image, and in His likeness. Humanity is forever a constant reminder of the former estate of the rulers of the heavenly realms. They too, were once of the likeness and image of God, but not any more! But still they rule over those who are, and this fact is central to the overall Plan of God.

In the days of Noah, God imprisoned many of these rulers in gloomy dungeons to await their fate (2Pet 2:4). Among these are the most wicked and evil of all beings that have ever lived. Many others, however, are not restrained, and these live freely among all the creatures of this creation. And they too, have a life in whatever form it takes. In order to have a life, they must also have a home or house in which to dwell. And Jesus Christ made it clear to us the very nature of their home (Matt 12:43-45).

Whenever they lose their home, they go into panic mode to find another. Outside of their home they cannot experience any of the normal senses that human beings can. They wander around seeking rest. Their ideal home is a human being, but a less favoured option is an animal (Luke 8:31-32).

Christianity has no trouble grasping this concept when they claim that Christ dwells in them. Most Christians lack any evidence of this phenomenon, but still they believe it. The point is that it's true! But only for those who BELIEVE God and OBEY Him.

In Matt 24:15 Christ spoke of a time when the prophecies of Daniel would be fulfilled. There would be few students of the Bible who would fail to understand that Daniel spoke of a Rock that would smash the kingdoms of the earth and set up a Kingdom that would never be destroyed (Dan 2:44). And which kingdoms are they? They are the very kingdoms that make up the component parts of the great statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his vision. This is the description given in the Bible: Dan 2:32 "The head of the statue was made of pure GOLD, its chest and arms of SILVER, its belly and thighs of BRONZE, its legs of IRON, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a ROCK was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRONZE, THE SILVER AND THE GOLD were broken to pieces AT THE SAME TIME."

Perhaps this is not what you want to hear! After all, don’t most teach that only the feet of iron and clay are to be destroyed in the endtime? It’s hard to imagine anyone getting it so wrong! This Scripture identifies the principle players in all the endtime prophecies. And it all centres on Babylon – that evil city! The city on the Euphrates River!

But it’s the ROCK that smashes all these kingdoms that is the focal point of this theme. The Bible identifies this ROCK in many places. And there is something very marvellous about this Rock!

Matt 21:42 "Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone the builders rejected has become the CAPSTONE [margin: CORNERSTONE], the Lord has done this, and it is MARVELLOUS IN OUR EYES'?" The KJV actually describes it better: Matt 21:42 "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, 'The STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, the same is become the HEAD of the CORNER: this is the Lord's doing, and it is MARVELLOUS IN OUR EYES?'" The KJV describes it as the 'HEAD' or TOP of the CORNER. Other versions call it the CAPSTONE (or uppermost stone), and others the CORNERSTONE. And this is a reference to the only geometrical form that has a single stone at its apex - the pyramid! This is not new knowledge - it's been around for hundreds of years. The founding fathers of the U.S. understood these verses and KNEW IT WAS A REFERENCE TO THE GREAT PYRAMID. They used an imprint of a pyramid on one side of the Great Presidential Seal of the United States. And they ILLUMINATED THE UPPERMOST STONE. And of course, it was also depicted on the U.S. national currency.

The Great Seal of the United States, the Presidential Seal, is kept in the City of Washington DC.

Because of the words that Christ spoke which related to a chief cornerstone at the head or top of the corner, much interest has focused on a pyramid structure that has the chief cornerstone missing. Christ plainly said this UPPERMOST STONE was REJECTED BY THE BUILDERS. He also said it is MARVELLOUS in our eyes! So there is something very MARVELLOUS about this!

Today, it's common knowledge that the cornerstone of the Great Cheop's Pyramid was never laid. In fact it's the only pyramid that exists where the cornerstone was rejected. For hundreds of years it's been known that Cheop's pyramid was the subject of Christ's reference, but no-one has ever understood why! But the U.S. founding fathers chose to honour Christ by including a pyramid with a detached cornerstone as a memorial of Christ's words. Yet Christ's words were in fact a quotation from the former prophets, who PROPHESIED OF CERTAIN EVENTS in relation to this CORNERSTONE. Christ merely reinforced the importance of what the prophets recorded.

Christ quoted from the Book of Psalms: Ps 118:22 "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone [or cornerstone]; the LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes." And we find that Isaiah had more to say on this subject: Isa 28:16 "So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE for a sure foundation; the one WHO TRUSTS will never be dismayed." Is it a coincidence that the dollar bill, which carries the imprint of the Great Pyramid also says: "In God we TRUST"? If it is a coincidence, then there is an even greater coincidence in the 28th chapter of Isaiah. It starts in V1 and sets the stage for the whole theme: Isa 28:1 "Woe to that wreath, the pride of EPHRAIM'S drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the HEAD OF A FERTILE VALLEY - to THAT CITY, the pride of those laid low by wine!" Which city is set at the head of a great fertile valley? Which CITY of Ephraim makes men tremble (Hos 13:1)? Which city wears the victory wreath of unlimited, God-like power before which all men tremble? There is only one - that Great City of power on the Potomac River: WASHINGTON DC! And Isaiah links the cornerstone to the great CITY which is the capital of EPHRAIM - the United States of America!

For fear that lunacy may prevail (which is usually the case), Washington DC and Ephraim are NOT the beast! Incredulously, there are some today who think the U.S. is the beast. In the madness of their twisted minds, they make these assumptions - not on anything that is recorded in the Bible, but on fabrications of their own minds.

And what does God have to say about Ephraim? He says this wreath (the CITY - V1) will be trampled underfoot: Isa 28:3 "The wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards, will be trampled underfoot." This is the CITY of Ephraim that has been the jewel of their pride for 200 years. But this city is not God's City! Jerusalem is God's City! And the purpose of this chapter of Isaiah is to make a CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM.

Ephraim in their DRUNKEN state have made a covenant with Death and the Grave. Ephraim rules over the people of Jerusalem and dictate terms of 'peace' for them. Now notice what God says in the same chapter: V14 "Therefore hear the Word of the LORD, you scoffers who RULE [OVER] this people in JERUSALEM. You boast, "We have entered into a COVENANT with DEATH, with the GRAVE we have made an AGREEMENT. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a LIE OUR REFUGE and FALSEHOOD OUR HIDING PLACE."

Remember the Declaration of Independence? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN WERE CREATED EQUAL and endowed with certain unalienable rights...." THIS IS LIE NUMBER ONE!

Firstly, God never made all men equal! To make such a claim is to call God a liar, because God consistently states that He has chosen His own from the vast sea of humanity. What is more, the time will come when ALL HIS PEOPLE will dwell in safety, and God will bring all the hordes of the world against Jerusalem for the very purpose of putting them to death. These people are not God's people and they never were! And just as He SACRIFICED Pharoah's hordes to the fish of the sea, so He will SACRIFICE these hordes to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field (Eze 39:18-20). And this is planned for a very great purpose!

God makes the clear division between all of humanity - between those who will dwell in safety in the Promised Land and all the rest of humanity.

But notice with whom Ephraim is making an agreement or covenant with in order to enforce 'peace' in Jerusalem! It's DEATH and the GRAVE! These two evil rulers are also mentioned in Rev 5:8 "I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! It's rider was NAMED DEATH, and HADES (Grave) was following close behind HIM." Notice the capitalisation of these names in your own Bible - they are dangerous spirit beings. Right now they are jockeying for positions of power, and Ephraim is happily accommodating them.

From their geographically remote position, Ephraim can grandstand to the world about justice and mercy for the enemies of God. Even if the results of the 'peace' deal means mutilation and slaughter for the Israelis, they will win a lot of favour from the Moslems nations. Even in the worst case scenario the OVERWHELMING SCOURGE will not reach Ephraim - THEY HOPE!!

But what does God say? Isa 28:16 "So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious CORNERSTONE for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make JUSTICE THE MEASURING-LINE and RIGHTEOUSNESS THE PLUMBLINE; hail will sweep away your refuge, THE LIE, and water will overflow your hiding-place. Your COVENANT with DEATH will be annulled; your AGREEMENT with the GRAVE will not stand. When the OVERWHELMING SCOURGE sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through." THE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS MESSAGE WILL BRING SHEER TERROR."

Just bear in mind that V1 is addressing EPHRAIM and their CITY! This is the theme for the whole chapter. And God makes it very plain that the wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards, will be trampled underfoot (V3). But is it only the RULERS OF EPHRAIM who are drunkards? Notice: V7 "And these ALSO stagger from wine and reel from beer: PRIESTS AND PROPHETS stagger from beer and are befuddled by wine; they reel from beer, they STAGGER WHEN SEEING VISIONS, they STUMBLE WHEN RENDERING DECISIONS. All the tables are FILLED WITH VOMIT and THERE IS NOT A SPOT WITHOUT FILTH."

Well thank you so much, Washington, for your LACK OF MERCY towards GOD'S CITY!! You DARE to make agreements with the enemies of God and enforce your views on others! In your drunken stupor you have ranked God's enemies above His own people. You've had plenty of support from those who have set themselves up as teachers, priests and prophets. In fact, among these fakers "THERE IS NOT A SPOT WITHOUT FILTH!" Isaiah further describes this FILTH: Isa 64:5 "YOU [GOD] COME TO THE HELP OF THOSE WHO GLADLY DO RIGHT, WHO REMEMBER YOUR WAYS. But when WE CONTINUED TO SIN AGAINST THEM, you were angry. HOW THEN CAN WE BE SAVED? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and ALL OUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS ARE LIKE FILTHY RAGS; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind OUR SINS SWEEP US AWAY. No-one calls on Your Name or strives to lay hold of You; for You have HIDDEN YOUR FACE FROM US and MADE US WASTE AWAY BECAUSE OF OUR SINS."

Yes indeed! "HOW THEN CAN THEY BE SAVED?" In their befuddled minds they are filled with the wine of the present Ruler of this earth. In their drunken stupor they have assumed THE LIE that all men were created equal, and have willingly SACRIFICED the rightful inhabitants of Jerusalem for the DOGS who surround it. They have assumed the ENEMIES OF GOD to be more important than those whom God has chosen as His own. How willing they are to drink the wine of Satan, and learn all his so-called deep secrets. Well soon they will drink the wine of God's wrath - along with all the enemies of God.

All the enemies of God will drink from the cup of God's wrath! See Jer 25:15-26 and notice V26 "..and all the the kings of the north, near and far, one after the other - ALL THE KINGDOMS ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. And after all of them, the king of Sheshach (margin: BABYLON) WILL DRINK IT TOO." What is God telling us? And when will this occur? The Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel tell us a lot about this. But's let's notice what else Jeremiah recorded in this same chapter: V30 "Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them: 'The LORD will ROAR from on high; he will lift His voice from His holy dwelling and ROAR mightily against His land. He will shout like those who TREAD THE GRAPES, shout against ALL WHO LIVE ON THE EARTH. The tumult will resound to the ENDS OF THE EARTH, for the LORD will BRING CHARGES AGAINST THE NATIONS; He will BRING JUDGMENT ON ALL MANKIND and put the wicked to the sword' declares the LORD."

But God has much more to say about this time of which He speaks: V32 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Look! Disaster is spreading from NATION TO NATION; a MIGHTY STORM IS RISING from the ends of the earth." At that time those slain by the LORD will be everywhere - from ONE END OF THE EARTH TO THE OTHER. They will NOT BE MOURNED OR GATHERED UP OR BURIED, but will be like refuse lying on the ground." And all this occurs BEFORE the Great and final battle when God brings all the nations of the earth against Him and the Holy City and the people that bear His Name. At that time ALL the dead WILL BE BURIED!

And God again speaks of the shepherds of His flock: V34 "Weep and wail, YOU SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOCK. For YOUR TIME TO BE SLAUGHTERED HAS COME; you will fall and be shattered like fine POTTERY. The SHEPHERDS will have nowhere to flee, the leaders of the flock NO PLACE TO ESCAPE." Where did you say your 'PLACE OF SAFETY' was? Where did you plan to lead the flock to ESCAPE all these things? Let's hear it! Why don't you astound us all with your 'wisdom'? See also Jer 23:1-6,16-20 and notice the STORM OF THE LORD mentioned in V19.

But let's hear what God says: V36 "Hear the cry of the SHEPHERDS, the wailing of the LEADERS OF THE FLOCK, for the LORD is destroying their pasture. The PEACEFUL MEADOWS WILL BE LAID WASTE because of the fierce anger of the LORD. LIKE A LION HE WILL LEAVE HIS LAIR, and their land will be become desolate because of the sword of the oppressor and because of the LORD's fierce anger."

These worthless shepherds still beguile the flock with promises of a 'PLACE OF SAFETY' and glowing outcomes. They refuse to see the Mighty Christ as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH and the MIGHTY COMMANDER OF ARMIES. Instead they see Him as a man - a humble carpenter. When the transformation occurs from the LAMB OF GOD to the LION OF GOD (Rev 5:5), the dead will be strewn from one end of the earth to the other.

God has a purpose for all this. The worthless shepherds refuse to learn God's purpose. They are so engaged in promoting their own pseudo-righteousness that they ignore what God is trying to teach them. THEY REFUSE TO LEARN!

There was a time when Christ encountered the same circumstance. He gave an instruction to GO AND LEARN! The reference is found in Matt 9:13, and is again repeated in Matt 12:7. This is what He said: Matt 9:13 "But GO AND LEARN what this means: 'I desire MERCY and NOT SACRIFICE.'" The self-righteous men to whom Christ was speaking probably didn’t bother to GO AND LEARN the lesson. But here is your chance to be different! Christ was quoting from Hos 6:4. And this is what He wanted them to LEARN: Hos 6:4 "What can I do with you, EPHRAIM? What can I do with you, JUDAH? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. Therefore I CUT YOU IN PIECES WITH MY PROPHETS, I KILLED YOU WITH THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH; MY JUDGMENTS FLASHED LIKE LIGHTNING UPON YOU. For I DESIRE MERCY, NOT SACRIFICE, and ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD rather than burnt offerings."

The time is fast approaching when God will require this to be fulfilled. This judgment must first begin with the family of God (1Pet 4:17), then EPHRAIM and JUDAH, and finally the world. It's important to realize that Christ was speaking to those who should have known better. We are confronted with the same situation today.

And don't blame your President for speaking of PEACE WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE! He's learned it all from you! He's the victim of all the worthless shepherds who are scattered throughout EPHRAIM and JUDAH. He too, believes that "all men were created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights...." because you have all made a dog's breakfast of promoting this idea! It's clear the founding fathers of the nation of Ephraim (U.S.) had something slightly different in mind when they penned these words. And it's only in the last few years that the meaning has been extended to promote the interests of the enemies of God above those whom He has called and chosen (Amos 3:1-2, Deut 7:6, 2Sam 7:23). But all those who have refused to believe God are destined to learn the hard way!

The very words the worthless shepherds REFUSED to teach the flock of God, are the very words that will condemn them. They were willing to sacrifice the flock to promote their own brand of 'mercy' together with the promise of a 'place of safety'. THEY'VE KILLED THOSE WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE DIED, AND SPARED THOSE WHO SHOULD NOT LIVE! Is this what they call 'MERCY'? Now learn the meaning of these words: "Therefore I CUT YOU IN PIECES WITH MY PROPHETS, I KILLED YOU WITH THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH; MY JUDGMENTS FLASHED LIKE LIGHTNING UPON YOU." Perhaps when the time comes, they will believe Christ! But then, perhaps not!

Of these crazy teachers and 'prophets' God says He is going to KILL them - all of them! Perhaps some will repent and return to God and receive His MERCY and His blessing. This will never happen as long as they continue to LIE in His name. It's worth noting that many are ALREADY CONDEMNED! And you can believe this or not!

The famous CORNERSTONE is mentioned many times in the Bible. And just as the 'uppermost building block' is very important, so too, is the rest of the MONUMENT.

Isa 19:19 "IN THAT DAY there will be an ALTAR to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a MONUMENT to the LORD at it's border. It will be a SIGN and WITNESS to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt." At the border of upper and lower Egypt, right at this border, there is a MONUMENT! Christ referred to it and identified Himself as the CORNERSTONE. This ALTAR will have great significance in the endtime. As evidence that the words 'IN THAT DAY' refer to the very endtime is obvious in V21 "So the LORD will make Himself KNOWN TO THE EGYPTIANS, and IN THAT DAY they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them." (For further evidence see Zech 14:18).

So this MONUMENT in Egypt is a SIGN and a WITNESS! And it's flat top, that lacks a CORNERSTONE, is an ALTAR! It is all of these things IN THE ENDTIME! But don't go running off to see what hundreds of dreamers have written concerning the Great Pyramid of Cheops. They are hopelessly and stupidly wrong!

But this Great Pyramid holds one of the greatest mysteries you will ever learn! It's stood there silently for thousands of years, and in full view of the land of Goshen where the Israelites once lived in slavery. Christ referred to it, and so did many prophets and apostles. They spoke of the missing CORNERSTONE.

God gave very specific instructions on how the Tabernacle site was to be populated and constructed. Each tribe has a specific area allocated to them. Moses was very careful to ensure that God’s instructions were followed to the letter.

An artists impression of the Tabernacle site from an ancient drawing and a birds eyeview of the Tabernacle as described in the Bible. It becomes very evident why God’s instructions to Moses were so precise when you realize they were emulating the structure of a pyramid seen from above and looking directly at the ALTAR.

The Apostle Peter wanted to ensure that this was all clearly understood: 1Pet 2:4 "As you come to Him, the LIVING STONE - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him - YOU ALSO LIKE LIVING STONES, are being BUILT INTO A SPIRITUAL HOUSE to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in SCRIPTURE it says: "See, I lay a STONE in Zion, a chosen and PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, THIS STONE IS PRECIOUS. But to those who do NOT believe, "The STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED has become the capstone (Cornerstone)", and "A STONE that causes them to STUMBLE and a ROCK that makes them FALL." Peter left nothing to chance in this explanation, citing many of the Scriptures that relate to this PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE.

Did you also notice the words "YOU ALSO LIKE LIVING STONES are being BUILT INTO A SPIRITUAL HOUSE"? Which HOUSE is that? We don't need to guess - GOD TELLS US! Here it is: Rev 21:9 "One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I WILL SHOW YOU THE BRIDE, the WIFE of the Lamb. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and SHOWED ME THE HOLY CITY, JERUSALEM, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL." So here we see a great building and it's described as the BRIDE and the WIFE of CHRIST. In the previously quoted Scripture by Peter, we learn that Christ represents the CORNERSTONE of this building, so like the Great Pyramid of Cheops, this HOLY CITY is also a PYRAMID! It represents the BRIDE or WIFE of Christ because, like the Great Pyramid, it is built layer upon layer of very PRECIOUS STONES who are also God's TREASURED POSSESSION.

But the Apostle Paul also spoke of these things. Eph 2:19 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's HOUSEHOLD, built on the FOUNDATION of the APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, with Christ Himself as the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. In Him the WHOLE BUILDING IS JOINED TOGETHER and rises to become A HOLY TEMPLE in the Lord. And in Him you too are BEING BUILT TOGETHER to become a DWELLING in which GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT." It's interesting to note that Paul wrote this long before the Book of Revelation was written. How did he know all this? Because of the FOUNDATION that was LAID by the APOSTLES AND PROPHETS!

Of course, almost every Christian church on the face of the earth quotes these verses ad nauseum without ever understanding the meaning. And frequently, this is their 'proof' that they are the household of God. But they overlook the true message, and the true meaning of all that the APOSTLES and PROPHETS wrote.

For instance, if you also are 'LIVING STONES', that is a portion of the Rock, shouldn't you also be like THE LIVING STONE - THE MIGHTY ROCK OF GOD? When Christ becomes the LION of the TRIBE OF JUDAH, will you also become like LIONS? Can Christ count on you to emulate Him? Those who are not with Him are against Him! Be sure it's clear in your mind just Who you're supposed to be following!

The prophet Isaiah also foreshadowed these things. Isa 8:13 "The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the One you are to FEAR, He is the One you are to dread, and He will be a SANCTUARY; but for BOTH HOUSES OF ISRAEL He will be a STONE that causes men to stumble and a ROCK that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem He will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured. Bind up the TESTIMONY and SEAL UP THE LAW AMONG MY DISCIPLES. I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the House of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him."

The Scriptures tell us the FEAR of God is the beginning of WISDOM (Job 28:28, Ps 111:10, Isa 33:5-6). Of particular significance is Isa 33:5-6 "The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill ZION with justice and righteousness. He will be a SURE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR TIMES, a rich store of SALVATION and WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE; the FEAR OF GOD is the KEY TO THIS TREASURE." Christ is the WISDOM OF GOD (1Cor 1:24). Those who claim to be ‘AMONG MY DISCIPLES’, it seems, are foremost in refusing to FEAR the Great Creator God! And there is little chance of them ever making the TESTIMONY binding – they don’t understand what the Testimony of Jesus is!

As previously stated, the founding fathers of the U.S. knew well that Christ was the Cornerstone that the builders of the pyramid rejected. This realization hundreds of years ago started a great deal of activity to re-examine the Great Pyramid. What they found was a perfection of accuracy that can only be wondered at.

No one would build a monument to memorialize something from the past, and then incorporate such phenomenal accuracy of scale without a clear mandate of their intention. Furthermore, since the Great Pyramid was not used in a practical way for anything, and all internal passages were sealed, there was no requirement for any degree of perfection on the inside.

But what do we find? The internal passageways are built to such tolerances and craftsmanship that it beggars the imagination!

Like the capital city of Ephraim today, the Great Pyramid also stands at the head of a great valley – the valley that was once occupied by the 12 Tribes of Israel – the land of Goshen. From the mouth of God we learn this massive structure is a sign and a witness, and also an altar.

It’s worth noting the historical background of the building of the Great Pyramid, known today as Cheop’s Pyramid. Since this pyramid is a SIGN and a WITNESS and also a VERY SACRED ALTAR, Bible protocol requires it to be built by a prophet. Cheop was also known as Khufu, but in more precise terms, he was also known as Job of the Bible. In the Book of James, he is confirmed as a prophet (James 5:10-11). God ranks Job among the greatest men who have ever lived (Eze 14:12, 20). The fact that God ranks Job so highly indicates his importance in the Great Plan of God, but words are just words unless they are supported by evidence. What evidence, then, exists to link Job to the building of the Great Pyramid?

We already know the significance of the Chief Cornerstone and it’s relationship to the Pyramid. We know that it was built layer upon layer in perfection and carefully fitted together. But the Great Pyramid reveals one of the greatest secrets that will ever be known. From the Book of Job we learn the Chief Cornerstone is linked to the landmass of the earth – the original creation when the sons of God shouted for joy. This is what God says: Job 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who MARKED OFF ITS DIMENSIONS? Surely you know! Who stretched a MEASURING LINE ACROSS IT? On what were it’s footings set, or WHO LAID the CORNERSTONE – while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" Here God speaks of the landmass of the earth which originally had a distinct shape and precise DIMENSIONS. There is nothing distinctive about the shape of the landmasses today. It’s commonly known today the continents have moved from their original positions, and are a fragmented mess with no defined shape. And there is certainly nothing that resembles a cornerstone that would invoke the response of the morning stars and sons of God in the manner of the former creation.

And God adds more! Even though the translators of the Bible were uncertain of what they were describing, they recorded a close proximity to the original meaning (the reader who has wisdom will understand!) This is what God says: V12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the DAWN its place, that it might take the earth by the EDGES and shake the WICKED out of it? The EARTH TAKES SHAPE LIKE CLAY UNDER A SEAL; its FEATURES STAND OUT like those of a garment. The WICKED are denied [the] LIGHT, and THEIR UPRAISED ARM IS BROKEN." A SEAL when pressed into CLAY leaves a distinct impression. Those who form the layers of the building with the Chief Cornerstone are the CLAY in the hands of the POTTER – which is God! The prophecies of Job reveal some of the greatest truths you will ever learn.

When God said to Job, "Who marked off its dimensions" and "Who laid the Cornerstone", He also said, "Surely you know!". The builder of the Great Pyramid NEVER LAID THE CORNERSTONE! This builder KNEW that it was God who would lay this vital STONE. Interestingly, many pyramids were built after the Great Pyramid, all of which had the cornerstone laid.

Daniel spoke of this STONE or ROCK. God is preparing this ROCK to smash all the kingdoms of the earth and He will fill the whole earth: Dan 2:31 "You looked O king, and there before you stood a large statue – an enormous dazzling statue, awesome in appearance. The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. While you were watching, a ROCK was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. Then the IRON, the CLAY, the BRONZE, the SILVER and the GOLD were broken to pieces AT THE SAME TIME and became like chaff on the threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the ROCK that struck the statue BECAME A HUGE MOUNTAIN AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH." It’s clear from many Bible references that this ROCK is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE, and this CORNERSTONE IS CHRIST!

No true prophet would DARE to lay the Chief Cornerstone! And Job never did! JOB SURELY DID KNOW that only God can lay this precious CORNERSTONE. And God likens this shape of the CORNERSTONE to a SEAL that imprints on clay. The SEAL to which He refers is the SEAL of the signet ring of His right hand. Further study of this can be found in Rev 7:2-5, Jer 22:24, all of which will be explained in later chapters of this article.

It’s interesting to note that the one nation (Ephraim) whom God calls His son (Jer 31:9) adopted a seal that bears the imprint of a pyramid with a detached cornerstone. In a vague way they recognized their exclusive right to that seal. The founding fathers wanted to ensure that posterity recognized the roots of 13 tribes were established in the great land that God had given to them. The 13^th tribe being the lastborn son of Joseph – EPHRAIM!

Almost any book you can buy today dealing with the Great Pyramid endorses one important fact: The geometry of the circle is well established in the incredible mathematics embodied in this structure. It’s beyond the scope of this article (at least at the present time) to expand on the mathematical marvels of the Great Pyramid, but one figure that is a constant feature is the number 365.24 – the precise number of days for the earth to circumnavigate the sun.

Job was the greatest of all the MEN OF THE EAST (Job 1:3). The eldest of his friends was Eliphaz the Temanite. He was the son of Jacob’s brother Esau. Another of Job’s friends was Zepho (or Zophar), the son of Eliphaz. The third friend was Bildad the Shuhite. He was the son of Shuah, the son of Abraham through Keturah (Gen 25:1-4). While Abraham was still alive, he sent all these away to the East: Gen 25:5 "Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the LAND OF THE EAST." This graph depicts the genealogy of the various individuals as recorded in the Bible.

 

An excerpt from 'Genealogy of the Bible' by Neville V. Stevens.  The circles on the graph denote the principle people connected to Job's genealogy.  Click on the image for an enlargement.

You will notice that both Abraham and Job sprung from the line of Eber, from where the name ‘Hebrews’ is derived. During the time of Eber’s two sons (Peleg and Joktan) the earth was divided into east and west (Gen 10:25). Job (Jobab) was the last born son of Joktan, and became the greatest of all the MEN OF THE EAST. The recorded linage of Joktan ends abruptly with Job. Following the death of all Job’s sons and daughters it may have been the end of his line except for the grace of God. But we learn that God gave Job an additional 140 years of life as well as great wealth and seven sons and three daughters (Job 42:12-16). The sons aren’t named in the Bible, but the daughters are, and their names are Jemimah, Keziah and Keren-Happuch (V14). Everything recorded in the Bible is there for a purpose! These daughters started a line of wild olive trees that will have significance in the endtime.

The fourth and youngest of Job’s friends was Elihu the Aramite. He was from the very land that God called Abraham from – the territory of the Babylon kingdom.

Significantly, God divided all the nations of the earth according to the number of the Tribes of Israel: Deut 32:8 "When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He DIVIDED ALL MANKIND, He set up boundaries for the peoples ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL. For the LORD’S portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance." Interestingly enough, this verse is found in the Song of Moses. The Song of Moses is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation where it’s also called the Song of the Lamb (Rev 15:2-4). And if you read these verses you will know who the righteous are. These are the ones who FEAR God and bring glory to His Name. In this Song we learn what justice and truth is! It is God’s ways not our own. What is more, at this time, the saints will understand because His righteous acts will be revealed – AND UNDERSTOOD! Here are the verses: Rev 15:2 "And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been VICTORIOUS OVER THE BEAST and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God and sang the SONG OF MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD and the SONG OF THE LAMB: "Great and marvellous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. JUST AND TRUE ARE YOUR WAYS, KING OF AGES. Who will not FEAR YOU, O Lord, and bring GLORY TO YOUR NAME? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED." It’s only those who see past the filth and vomit of false teachers and so-called ‘prophets’ who will understand God’s purpose – and that purpose is of far greater magnitude than saving a few human beings.

But only the Tribes of Israel He separated for Himself (Deut 7:6, 2Sam 7:23, Amos 3:2). Of all the divisions of humanity on the face of the earth, God chose only these. And while God has made provision for peoples of every nation, language and tribe, He has promised them absolutely nothing! All promises were made to Abraham and his seed. And here we come full circle once more! The nations of this earth are considered as worthless and less than nothing! In the chapter where John the Baptist began his ministry (see Isa 40:3, Luke 3:4), God has this to say: Isa 40:15 "Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales…." V17 "Before Him ALL THE NATIONS are AS NOTHING; they are regarded by Him as WORTHLESS and LESS THAN NOTHING." If you choose to disagree with God then you too are worthless and less than nothing. There is no middle ground as the rolling behemoth of endtime prophecy begins to engulf the world. God made it clear from earliest times that He had a very great purpose in mind. To Him the nations are worthless and less than nothing – these are God’s own Words and He means it!

You should know that God refers to the 12 Tribes of Israel as His VINEYARD (Isa 5:7) and that Ephraim is a choice vine. What is not so well known is, Christ linked this VINEYARD to the CORNERSTONE: Mark 12:9 "What then will the OWNER (God) of the VINEYARD do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the VINEYARD to others. Haven’t you read the Scripture: ‘The STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED has become the CORNERSTONE; the Lord has done this, and it is MARVELLOUS IN OUR EYES.’" The same account is given in Luke 20:14-19. In V19 it is clear that it’s the teachers of the Law and the priests to whom these comments referred. These teachers of the Law were also the legislators of their own version of the Law, just like Ephraim today. Again and again Christ warned them they were perverting the Law with their own interpretations and additions.

While Ephraim today enacts legislature without reference to God’s requirements, they do however recognize the need for Law and order. Ephraim has gored nations to the ends of the earth over issues of Law and order, just as God appointed him to (Deut 33:17), and their strong stance has reached all nations, and few nations dare risk offending the mightiest power on earth.

But what of the modern counterpart of the priests, those appointed as teachers of righteousness in the land of Ephraim? Have they taught God’s righteousness? Any sincere student of the Bible knows they have not! Most hate the Laws of God, and particularly the fourth Commandment! They despise prophecy, and they reject the entire Old Testament Scriptures that Christ and all the Apostles used. And they claim to follow Christ!

God has a gentle reminder for these teachers who HATE the Law of God:

Mal 2:4 "And you will know that I have sent you this admonition so that MY COVENANT with Levi may continue," says the LORD Almighty. "MY COVENANT was with him, a Covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered My Name. TRUE INSTRUCTION was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, AND TURNED MANY FROM SIN. For the lips of a priest ought to PRESERVE KNOWLEDGE, and from his mouth men should seek INSTRUCTION – because he is the MESSENGER of the LORD Almighty." This is certainly not what the haters of God’s Covenant of life and peace want to hear.

In the Book of Malachi, God speaks of two messengers. One of them, like John the Baptist, precedes the True Shepherd – the Messenger of the Covenant (Mal 3:1). And finally the Book of Malachi identifies this first messenger: Mal 4:4 "REMEMBER the LAW of My servant Moses, the decrees and Laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. See, I will send you the prophet Elijah BEFORE the GREAT AND DREADFUL DAY OF THE LORD COMES. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to [the] children, and the hearts of the children to [the] fathers; or ELSE I WILL COME AND STRIKE THE [LANDMASS OF THE EARTH] WITH [UTTER DESTRUCTION]"

So the Bible speaks of Levi as one man – just like John the Baptist. This same man is a messenger that precedes the True Messenger – Christ. He preserves knowledge, he walks with God in peace and uprightness. And he gives true instruction. So does your religious leader fulfil this role? If he does, then you should know that if he fails in his commission God will erase the face of the earth in utter destruction.

But if your religious leader doesn’t give true instruction why are you still listening to him? Perhaps you think you might receive just enough true instruction to ‘get you over the line’.

This story is only just beginning. The Bible has much, much more to say. We have only touched on the finely-honed and extensive prophecies that will affect your life. Successive chapters of this article will reveal it all.

Chapter three will follow soon.

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