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THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE, THE 2300 DAYS AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

By Neville V. Stevens

CHAPTER TWO

7. Period of sacrifices. How long the daily sacrifice continues is not yet clear.

The daily sacrifices may continue for several months, or they may continue longer. The establishment of the means to offer these sacrifices will be a time of testing for those in Jerusalem and Judah. During this time, some will be marked for captivity, and some will be marked for slaughter. It will be a time of testing for ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL because what begins in Judea will spread to all the tribes wherever they are. Daniel prayed to God, and the answer he was given to that prayer was the detail of the SEVENTY 'SEVENS' (Dan 9:20-27). Here is what he said in part: Dan 9:7 "Lord, you are righteous, but his day we are covered with shame - the men of JUDAH and people of JERUSALEM and ALL ISRAEL, BOTH NEAR AND FAR, in ALL THE COUNTRIES where you have scattered us because of our UNFAITHFULNESS to You." V11 "ALL ISRAEL has TRANSGRESSED YOUR LAW and TURNED AWAY, REFUSING TO OBEY YOU. Therefore the curses and sworn JUDGMENTS written in the LAW OF MOSES, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you." And it all starts in the CITY that bears God's NAME (V18-19).

8. The throne of David is established in Jerusalem.

Royalty will once again become the compulsory form of government. All attempts to destroy God's preferred method of government with democracy is soon to end.

You will notice that JOSHUA is crowned and the crown is set aside as a memorial. This is described in Zech 6:9-14. You will also notice that this occurs BEFORE the TEMPLE is built (yet another proof that it doesn't refer to Christ! The second Temple was already built when Christ appeared on earth!). Now this man JOSHUA the Levite, is a father to those in JERUSALEM and JUDAH. Zerubbabel is a father to those of the scattered tribes of Israel, and particularly to the tribe of Ephraim.

The materials for the crown, the gold, silver and precious stones, will be brought from BABYLON by three of the EXILES (Zech 6:10). Here again, is Bible proof that Judah will be in exile when this event occurs. The Bible means what it says!

It's significant that the crown is fashioned from materials brought from BABYLON! And again, this is the BABYLON of old - the one that the prophets spoke of, from the writings of MOSES to the writings of JOHN. It's the BABYLON on the banks of the EUPHRATES RIVER, the one that was built in the land of SHINAR, and the one where the original TOWER OF BABEL stood. Its name typifies the babbling confusion that has always emanated from this land. And it’s in this LAND or COUNTRY where God confounded the languages of all peoples.

9. Construction of the Final Temple begins.

Those of us who mourn for the glorious Holy City Jerusalem, and long for the glory of God to descend on it, the building of the Temple is one of the great events in our lives. Only God's true servants think this way about the Holy Temple and Jerusalem. Most Christians today have no real expectation of a Temple being built. Nor do they consider it to be important. They live in the fairy-floss world of their own delusions. Never do they consider the things that are important to God. While they have great expectations of a REWARD at Christ's return, they have no idea what God requires of them in order to EARN that REWARD. A REWARD is given in exchange for services rendered. This REWARD that Christ says He will have when He returns (Rev 22:12) is given in return for SERVICES to God. A true SERVANT of God renders SERVICES to God. They SERVE Him now, and will continue to SERVE Him in the future and forever (Rev 1:6). In this life, a true SERVANT pledges loyalty even in the face of death - AND NEVER QUESTIONS GOD'S JUDGMENT! It is not the SERVANTS right to mould God to conform to their standards of 'righteousness' and 'spirituality' (Rom 8:11-21, Isa 29:16).

God's thoughts and ways are completely different from that of mere human beings (Ps 92:5, Isa 55:8). All those mighty heavenly beings that stand in His presence are not equal to Him: Ps 89:6 "For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly FEARED; He is more AWESOME than all who SURROUND Him." And who SURROUNDS the Almighty God? The Bible mentions quite a number, including 24 elders. But it also mentions another Being - Jesus Christ! He stands with those who SURROUND the throne (Rev 5:6-7, Dan 7:13). Even the mighty Christ doesn't compare with the AWESOME might and power of the FATHER - the Almighty God. At the appropriate time, the FATHER will endow Christ with all power, authority and wealth, but that time is not yet: Rev 5:11 "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to RECEIVE power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise." At this specific time, the mighty Christ is empowered! (See also Dan 7:13).

Does God cede all power, including His own, to Christ? No, He does not! ICor 15:24 "Then the END WILL COME, when He [Christ] hands over the kingdom to God the Father, AFTER He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He (Christ) must REIGN until He has put all His ENEMIES under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is DEATH. For He "has put everything under His feet". Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under Him, it is clear that this DOES NOT INCLUDE GOD HIMSELF, who put[s] everything under Christ. WHEN HE HAS DONE THIS, then the Son Himself WILL BE MADE SUBJECT TO HIM that put everything under Him, so that God may be all in all."

At the time of the casting down of Satan the devil, Christ begins to REIGN. And it is from this time that He sets out to DESTROY all DOMINION, AUTHORITY and POWER. Rev 12:10 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the SALVATION and the POWER and the KINGDOM OF GOD, and the AUTHORITY OF HIS CHRIST. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them BEFORE our God day and night, HAS BEEN HURLED DOWN."" This is when Christ is empowered to act!

In view of the foregoing, the DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY looks rather sick! Christ is not equal to the Father and never will be! They are certainly bound together by certain principles set out by the Father, and they certainly are one in stated objectives - but THEY ARE ENTIRELY SEPARATE BEINGS! Christ EARNED the right to the enormous POWER and GLORY that the Father will embue Him with, and at the appropriate time will receive His REWARD. Nothing and nobody that exists anywhere will ever eclipse the power and might of the Father!

Those who have sought to elevate the Son above - or even equal to - the Father are in gross error! Only the Father has immortality abiding in Him (1Tim 6:15) and He can impart it to whomever He chooses. And those to whom the Father chooses to impart immortality have it abiding within through His Spirit. And just so this is thoroughly understood - THE FATHER CAN WITHDRAW HIS SPIRIT FROM WHOMSOEVER HE CHOOSES! No being - apart from the Father - is immuned from destruction! The Apostle Paul had this to say: Rom 8:11 "And if the Spirit of Him [the Father] who RAISED Jesus from the dead is LIVING in you, He [the Father] who RAISED Christ from the dead will also GIVE LIFE to your mortal bodies THROUGH HIS [the Father's] SPIRIT, who lives in you."

So is eternal life the reward? No, this is a GIFT from God. A REWARD is something entirely different! The GIFT is enacted through the power of the Holy Spirit in those WHO HAVE GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT (Rom 8:11). Many of God's people, who received the Holy Spirit when they repented and were baptized, have since allowed its power to flounder within them. They have failed to exercise the Holy Spirit. In some cases, the Holy Spirit has been completely taken away from them. This was David's greatest fear after he committed adultery with Bathsheba (Ps 51:11).

It's very clear that Christ’s coronation is some time prior to the seventh trumpet! And with His coronation He receives power over all the nations and begins to rule - though not from earth! This occurs at the time that Satan is cast down to the earth and denied all further access to the heavenly realm. The Great Tribulation begins immediately after this. But many prophecies must be fulfilled prior to this event - prophecies that will be years in duration. Massive wars and uprisings of nations will occur before this, and the main focus of these will be in the Middle East. BUT BEFORE ALL THIS, a massive persecution against Christianity will begin: Luke 21:9 "When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen FIRST, but the END will not come right away. Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. BUT BEFORE ALL THIS, they will lay hands on you and persecute you."

Spearheading this persecution will be the Babylonian mysteries religion - the same fanatical madness that characterized all of Satan's seven reigns (see Rev 12:3 and note the seven crowns). Speaking of God's final revenge against this monster, Jeremiah recorded this: Jer 51:6 "Flee from BABYLON! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of HER sins. It is time for the LORD'S vengeance; He will pay HER what SHE deserves. BABYLON was a GOLD CUP in the LORD'S hand; SHE made the WHOLE WORLD drunk. The nations drank HER wine; therefore they have NOW GONE MAD. BABYLON will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over HER!" V11 "Sharpen the arrows, take up the shields! The LORD has stirred up the KINGS OF THE MEDES, because His PURPOSE is to DESTROY BABYLON. The LORD will take vengeance, VENGEANCE FOR HIS TEMPLE."

Those who are WISE will recognize the many pointers in these verses to the very verses that John recorded in Revelation chapters 13 and 17 and elsewhere. This is the SAME BABYLON! This is the dreadful system that is spreading to the whole world under the banner of fundamentalist ISLAM. It's right now spreading to all the nations of the world. This growing monster is only in the embryo stage, but already it's beginning to flex its muscles. Australia opened its doors to many of these fanatical, Middle-Eastern Moslems as refugees from brutal regimes. While many of them claim Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator, they still sided with him against Australia, when Australia sent troops to the Middle East. Thousands of them rallied in the streets of the Australian cities, burning flags and carrying on like slavering animals!

Christians be warned now! This evil system that is emerging from the very cradle of humanity - BABYLON! - is soon to engulf you. Perhaps you are still too blind to see it! But you will have all the graphic evidence imaginable in your own lifetimes. Then you will know that God has spoken through His servants the prophets!

Many of you still sit in your armchairs pondering the next move of the Roman Catholic Church and Germany, and wondering when they are to make their move. You have been so indoctrinated by power-mad lunatics who have fabricated a great web of intrigue and lies that you have failed to notice what the Bible is saying. And where did these lunatics get their information? Not from the Bible! They got it all from the concepts of men! And to completely befuddle you, these ignorant frauds stress that the Bible interprets itself - A PRINCIPLE THAT THEY TOTALLY IGNORE in favour of their own mindless fabrications! Whatsoever is not from the Bible is NOT truth - God's Word is truth! Most of you are thoroughly deceived by these people!

But God's Temple will be completed! And when it is, God will take VENGEANCE FOR HIS TEMPLE (Jer 51:11). This is after God has concluded His JUDGMENT against those He hates! The final JUDGMENT on BABYLON will bring destruction on her. When Iran (Persia) and her federated accomplices seize power from Iraq (Babylon) they will rule over Babylon as they did anciently. A huge block of nations will secure relative peace in the region. This new 'king' of the region will ensure that the TEMPLE will be built and will provide funding. The problems of the Middle East will SEEM to abate. You will note that there are two major Islamic factions identified on the enclosed map - the Sunni and the Shia. The Shia are predominantly the Iranians (formerly Persia).

This is what Zechariah recorded IN A VISION during the second year of the reign of DARIUS: Zech 1:8-11 "During the night I had a VISION - and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. I asked, "What are these, my lord?" The angel who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are." Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, "They are the ones THE LORD HAS SENT to GO THROUGHOUT THE EARTH." And they reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have gone throughout the earth and found the WHOLE WORLD AT REST AND IN PEACE."

This vision of Zechariah continues for several chapters and is a continuing theme. Continuing in V12: "Then the angel of the LORD said, "LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from JERUSALEM and from the towns of JUDAH, which you have been angry with these SEVENTY YEARS?" So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. Then the angel who was speaking to me said, "Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I am very jealous for JERUSALEM and ZION, but I am very angry with the NATIONS that FEEL SECURE. I was only a little angry, but they have added to the calamity.' Therefore, this is what the LORD says, 'I will return to JERUSALEM with mercy, and there My HOUSE will be REBUILT. And the MEASURING LINE will be stretched out over JERUSALEM,' declares the LORD Almighty. PROCLAIM FURTHER: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'MY TOWNS will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will AGAIN comfort ZION and CHOOSE JERUSALEM.'

We might be left to ponder the meaning of these horsemen if there was no further explanation. But, as always, the Bible explains. These are the engineers or craftsmen of God's great plan. They are also the counter agents of Satan's seed. They are sent out by God to trigger events necessary for the successful fulfillment of God's will. This is explained as Zechariah's vision continues: V18 "Then I looked up - and there before me were FOUR HORNS! I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these?" He answered me, "These are the HORNS that scattered JUDAH, ISRAEL and JERUSALEM." Then THE LORD SHOWED ME FOUR CRAFTSMEN. I asked, "What are these coming to do?" He answered, "These are the HORNS that scattered JUDAH so that no-one could raise his head, BUT THE CRAFTSMEN have come to TERRIFY THEM and THROW DOWN THESE HORNS OF THE NATIONS who lifted up their HORNS against the land of JUDAH to SCATTER ITS PEOPLE." So these craftsmen are to terrify and throw down these HORNS - the ones that scatter the PEOPLE of the LAND OF JUDAH. The four horns are those spoken of by Daniel (Dan 8:22).

Zechariah's vision continues through the next four chapters of the book. These four chapters deal with the measuring of the holy city of JERUSALEM and the building of the Temple in accordance with what God said in Zech 1:16. These chapters also detail the two endtime prophets. Then in chapter five the Great Harlot finally achieves his goal of planting his representative in Babylon. This representative is called DESTROYER and DESTRUCTION. The king through whom this spirit-being rules is called the second beast or false prophet. The Apostle Paul explained that such rulers are not mere men, but are the front-men for something far more sinister and evil. Eph 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, but against the RULERS, against the AUTHORITIES, against the POWERS of this DARK WORLD and against the SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS."

Then in chapter six of Zechariah's vision, he sees two mountains of bronze, or two nations of the bronze kingdom - which is Greece (Dan 2:32, 39, 4:23, 8:21-22). The beast king of Greece (the King of the North) has, at this point, brought the King of the South under submission (Dan 11:40). Appearing from between them are the four craftsmen of God; now they are very powerful. These craftsmen are now mounted on chariots pulled by many horses. In one, the brown horses have been replaced by black horses. The craftsman with the black horses goes to the north country (of Jerusalem) and is followed by the white horse. After they have done their work there is rest (instead of unrest) in the north country. At this time the Palestinian nations are overthrown and conquered and left to rot like the human dung that they are. Here's how Zechariah describes this vision: Zech 6:1 "I looked again - and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains - mountains of BRONZE! The first chariot had red horses, the second black, the third white, and the fourth dappled - all of them powerful. I asked the angel who was speaking to me, "What are these, my lord?" The angel answered me, "These are the four spirits [spirit beings] of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. The one with the black horses is going towards the north country, the one with the white horses after them (margin) and the one with the dappled horses towards the south." When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, "Go throughout the earth. So they went throughout the earth. Then he called to me, "Look, those going towards the NORTH COUNTRY have given my spirit REST in the land of the north."

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE

The colour of the horses represent the target nations to which God sends His Spirit-being commanders (Zech 1:20). The riders and horses correspond to, and are the counter-agents of, the FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE. When they are elevated to their most POWERFUL status, that is, in chariots with many horses, they are sent into all the world, because the FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE will, at that time, be operating globally. This event stretches to the very brink of the Great Tribulation and corresponds to the fourth rider of the FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE.

These horsemen or riders are men. But they are merely glove puppets in the hands of the true rulers and conquerors (Eph 6:10). In the Book of Revelation the fourth rider is identified by name. He is called DEATH. And another called HADES follows close behind him. Rev 6:7 "When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named DEATH, and HADES was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the field." The Apostle Paul also speaks of this being; and tells us when he previously reigned. Some people seem to think that no-one died after Moses because of this verse, which says: Rom 5:14 "Nevertheless, DEATH REIGNED from the time of ADAM to the time of MOSES, even OVER those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did ADAM, who was a PATTERN OF ONE TO COME." Note this well!

The FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE correspond to the GREAT IMAGE that Nebuchednezzar saw. The first is the country of Babylonia (Iraq), the second is Persia (Iran - and the nations of Medes), the third is the region of the Greeks and Macedonians (Slavic and Bosnians), and the fourth is the unified territories of the former Alexandrian Empire. This leader is called the BEAST and is named DEATH. After the conquest of all the Moslem/Arabic territories, and the appointment of 10 regional rulers, another beast or horn arises FROM AMONG THEM. He destroys three of these puppet kingdoms and seizes power after being planted in Babylon. His name is HADES, and he follows DEATH (Rev 6:8) - the first BEAST. This second BEAST or FALSE PROPHET exercises ALL THE POWER of the FIRST BEAST and unilaterally supports him and causes the inhabitants of the earth to worship him (Rev 13:11-12).

God's spirit commanders are called to duty in the precise order of events requiring their services. Zech 6:2 "The first chariot had red horses, the second black, the third white, and the fourth dappled (pale)." Yet this appears to be out of sync with the four horsemen of the Apocalypse! The first rider sits astride a white horse (Rev 6:2). This rider corresponds to the head of gold of the GREAT IMAGE - which is BABYLON! He rides out AS a conqueror bent on conquest but without any real success. He is dangerous and succeeds in galvanizing the western world against him. But sprinkled throughout every nation on earth are his Islamic supporters. Although bent on conquest, he cannot succeed militarily. This is SADDAM HUSSEIN of IRAQ! When he becomes troublesome again, he will be killed and the Medes and Persians (Iran) will overrun his country and seize power. And the western world will applaud their success. The problem is that when Saddam Hussein is unfettered he will react against Judah and Jerusalem to destroy them. Great numbers of people will be taken captive. This is when the rider on the red horse appears and conquers Babylon (Iraq).

Before the time when the rider on the black horse makes his appearance in the Middle East, which is described in the early part of Zechariah's vision (Zech 1:8), the site of the Holy City is measured (Zech 2:1-2) in preparation for the building of the Temple which God has stated will be built (Zech 1:16). Then God has this to say in Zech 2:6-7 "Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north," declares the LORD, "for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven," declares the LORD. "Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the DAUGHTER OF BABYLON!" This is NOT Babylon but Babylon's DAUGHTER - the one who succeeds her and takes her name! This is the kingdom of the Medes and Persians just as Bible history clearly states! Now notice what God says: V8 "For this is what the LORD ALMIGHTY SAYS: "AFTER HE HAS HONOURED ME...". Here GOD IS SPEAKING! And He is speaking of the RULER of the DAUGHTER OF BABYLON that is PERSIA and the MEDES! There is no translation of the Bible that gets this right! The Jerusalem Bible comes closest. The NKJV has God actually sending Himself on a mission! A crazy translation! Even the NIV descends into complete confusion. But these verses actually speak of the RULER of the DAUGHTER OF BABYLON HONOURING GOD.

How can we know this for sure?

The answer is: we check with other Bible references. It just happens that there are many! Firstly, let's see what God says about the RULER of PERSIA that deposes the KING OF BABYLON. Isa 44:24, 26-28 "This is what the LORD says: ...who carries out the words of His servants and fulfils the predictions of His messengers, who says of JERUSALEM, 'It shall be inhabited,' of the towns of JUDAH, 'They shall be built,' and of their ruins, 'I will restore them,' who says of the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,' who says of CYRUS, 'He is My SHEPHERD and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the TEMPLE, "Let its FOUNDATIONS BE LAID." This is what the LORD says to His ANOINTED, TO CYRUS, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him....". Cyrus did these things even though he NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED GOD (Isa 45:4). God further states this: Isa 45:13 "I will raise up CYRUS in My righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will REBUILD MY CITY and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward," says the LORD Almighty." CYRUS did however acknowledge that the GOD OF HEAVEN was the God of the Israelites (Ezra 1:1-4) but only because he was told of the prophecy that concerned him in Isaiah.

Well now, we all know that this happened a long time ago. Not quite! There is another reference to this 'ANOINTED'! And this scripture is linked to the anointing of the MOST HOLY PLACE (the ROCK), and the 'ABOMINATION THAT MAKES DESOLATE'. Here it is: Dan 9:24 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your Holy City to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the MOST HOLY PLACE (margin). KNOW and UNDERSTAND this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed one, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens', and sixty-two 'sevens'. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, BUT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. After the sixty-two 'sevens', the anointed one will be cut off and will have nothing. The PEOPLE of the RULER WHO WILL COME will destroy the CITY and the SANCTUARY. The END WILL COME LIKE A FLOOD: war will CONTINUE UNTIL THE END, and DESOLATIONS have been decreed. He (the ruler who destroys the city and the sanctuary) will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven', but in the middle of that 'seven' he will put an end to SACRIFICE AND OFFERING. And ONE WHO CAUSES DESOLATION will place ABOMINATIONS on a wing of the TEMPLE until the END that is decreed is POURED OUT ON HIM."

Now those who know very little about the Bible, and even less about prophecy, have ascribed some abominable translations to these verses. In the worst case they have actually named Christ as the one who destroys the City of Jerusalem and the sanctuary! History records that Cyrus was the one who issued the decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple.

The New International Dictionary of the Bible records this history: Page 247, heading 'Cyrus': The son of Cambyses, king of Anshan. With the rise of Cyrus began the renowned Persian Empire that was to continue until the coming of Alexander the Great. Seven years after the death of Nebuchednezzar, Nabonidus ascended the throne of Babylon, in 555 BC. He was destined to be the last ruling sovereign of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, for in the highlands of IRAN another kingdom was forging out its own program of conquest. When the Medes and their king, Astyages, were defeated by Cyrus, the realm of Persia began to assume threatening proportions. Cyrus himself announced his genealogy: "I am Cyrus, king of the hosts, the great king, KING OF BABYLON, king of Sumer and Akkad..... son of Cambyses, the king, king of Anshan; the grandson of Cyrus...the great-grandson of Teispes.... king of Anshan..." In this same inscription Cyrus proceeds to relate how the city of Babylon opened its gates to him without resistance, confirming the biblical account recorded in Daniel 5 when Darius, acting as vice-regent for Cyrus, took the city of Babylon in the name of Cyrus the Great. The neo-Babylonian Empire was in no condition to resist the advance of Cyrus, and fell easily into the hands of the Persians. The Old Testament sets the framework of reference against the backdrop of Belshazzar's impious feast (Dan 5:1-30). CYRUS entered Babylon on October 29, 539 BC, and presented himself in the role of the liberator of the people. He allowed the images of gods to be transported back to their original cities and instituted a kindly policy of repatriation for captive peoples. His policies of moderation naturally extended to the Hebrews, whom he encouraged to return to Judea to rebuild their Temple (2Chron 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-6). Isaiah refers to Cyrus as "his [i.e., the LORD's] anointed" (Isa 45:1).

End of quote.

There are many mistakes in this passage, but there are also many truths. Let's now go to the Bible to clarify these.

WHO WAS DARIUS?

It's not widely understood what the relationship is between Cyrus and Darius in the Bible. Historians generally believe that Darius was the vice-regent under Cyrus, but the Bible evidence doesn't support this. Cyrus conquered Babylon, God confirms this, and history also confirms it. This is what the Bible says: Dan 5:30 "That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and DARIUS the MEDE took over the kingdom at the age of sixty-two." Here we find that DARIUS THE MEDE deposes Belshazzar, king of Babylon. Was Darius a general in the army, or was he a KING? Dan 6:1 "It pleased DARIUS to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was DANIEL. ...Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the KING planned to set him over the WHOLE KINGDOM." After Daniel emerged unharmed from the lion's den, note what KING DARIUS said: Dan 6:25 "Then KING DARIUS wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of MY kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For He is the LIVING GOD and He endures for ever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He RESCUES and He SAVES; He performs SIGNS and WONDERS in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." DARIUS ACKNOWLEDGES the Almighty God's greatness and power! God says CYRUS never did! Isa 45:4 "For the SAKE of JACOB My SERVANT, of ISRAEL My CHOSEN, I call you (CYRUS - V1) by NAME and bestow on you a TITLE OF HONOUR, though you HAVE NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ME...."

Daniel also recorded this: Dan 6:28 "So Daniel prospered during the reign of DARIUS and the reign of CYRUS THE PERSIAN." This would certainly indicate two separate kings. But the Bible margin (NIV) suggests this: "So Daniel prospered during the reign of DARIUS, that is, the reign of CYRUS." In this instance, the margin rendering is correct. In fact, both are true. Both reigned at the same time! Only one is human! In fact, most of the Persian rulers called themselves 'Darius', even Dast, which was a pseudonym for Darius. It's very important that these things are clearly understood.

THE IDENTITY OF GERMANY

During this century, another Mede arose from the backstreets of Bohemia, a mediocre artist with political ambitions. He weaseled his way into Austria, surrounded himself with low-life Hungarian and Bulgarian gypsies and then claimed to be Germanic. Even though he and most of his henchman did NOT have the blonde hair and blue eyes that he believed typified the 'master' race.

But why did he choose Germany? Hitler was an untalented nobody! But his master, though equally untalented, knew enough about the plan of God to attempt to pervert the course of prophecy. This 'being' planned to kill all the Jews and the Levites (not just the male babies under two years old) at the start of the seventy year prophecy. And who better to indoctrinate but the silly SIMEONITES who lived right in the heartland of dispersed Israel, and who, from days of old had a curse pronounced on them by their father Jacob. Simeon and Levi slaughtered a whole city of Hivites over the perceived rape of their sister Dinah, by Shecham the son of Hamor. Jacob cursed them for this wanton slaughter, but also because they had endangered the lives of their whole family. Levi repented and God later chose his descendants, and Moses in particular, to become the most favoured tribe - that of the priesthood. Simeon never did repent. In the final benediction and PROPHECY OF ENDTIME EVENTS of all the tribes, Moses omitted all mention of Simeon (Deut 33). They will only be re-admitted to the tribes of Israel at the final carve-up mentioned in Rev 7:7, at the conclusion of the FINAL HOLOCAUST - in which they will suffer terribly! But not so much for what they did to their brothers, the Jews - of the tribe of Judah! They are required to perform a service for God, and in so doing will cover a multitude of sins. They are required, against the opinions of the rest of the world, to identify the evil generation of Satan - who will be living in their land. They will react violently against these people, and the world will side with the Moslems against them. And in the interests of absolute clarity, the GERMAN people are the tribe of SIMEON - not the Assyrians as the fakes and frauds would have you believe! For a more detailed explanation see the article, The Twelve Tribes of Israel (not posted yet - but soon!).

As a point of interest, Judas Iscariot was a Simeonite. The arch-betrayer of most famous Jew of all. Judas fulfilled prophecy. The Old Testament has much to say on this! One of the first acts of the Apostles was to determine the replacement of Judas Iscariot. (You might like to study Peter's Old Testament references: Acts 1:20, Ps 69:25, 109:8). The name 'Iscariot' comes from the Hebrew 'Ish Kerioth' and means 'a man from Kerioth.' The tribe of Simeon was given their portion of the promised land within the borders of Judah. The town of Kerioth was in the most southerly part of Judah (Jos 19:9) and on the southern border of Simeon. The Bible makes a point of mentioning three times that Judas was the son of Simon (Gr: Simeon - Jo 6:71, 13:2, 26). Judas was certainly a Simeonite. With the whole of Simeon's allotment of the promised land set within the borders of Judah as an enclave, there is reason to believe that a distrust developed between the Simeonites and Judah. Simeon was always vicious and arrogant. And it was Simeon who settled in the very heartland of Europe, among his brothers, in the territory of Germany. The Germanic people are the Simeonites - NOT Assyrians! In fact, the Welsh people - who are of the tribe of Levi, speak a language today that is assimilated from the old Germanic language; this is supported by most linguistic experts. Levi and Simeon are brothers (the children of Jacob and Leah) and dwelt together anciently until God dispersed them.

But just to further digress from the main theme and deal with the madness that has emanated from lunatics that never understood the Bible, and yet sought to project themselves as an authority; let's consider what they have been teaching.

Firstly, the assumption that Germany was ancient Assyria seems to have been born in the mind of Herbert W. Armstrong. He reasoned that the nation that had started two great wars in the 20th century somehow equated to the verse in Matt 24 that speaks of 'wars, wars and rumours of wars.' No Bible support was sought; he assumed this to be true. Then he discovered a picture of a piece of pottery that had a reversed pattern that resembled a swaztika. That was enough evidence for him. He proclaimed Germany to be ancient Assyria. Now this 'Assyria' was supposed to form a group of ten kings EVEN THOUGH THE BIBLE SUGGESTS NO SUCH THING! And the number of times that Assyria is mentioned in connection with the 10 kings is zero! In fact, Daniel doesn't even mention Assyria - and neither does John!

Then Armstrong noticed a trading bloc emerging in Europe. This was the embryo of the 10 kings that are to arise - he reasoned! It didn't worry him that the Bible states that the BEAST will appoint these ten kings! And neither did it worry him that the leaders of these European nations - which he proposes - are NOT kings! But the madness continues! Not only did he ignore the fact that the BEAST AND THE TEN KINGS will persecute ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL - he actually identified the BEAST POWER as WESTERN EUROPE, which the BIBLE describes as the REMNANT of the tribes of Israel. So his theory was that the TRIBES OF ISRAEL were going to CONQUER THEMSELVES and take THEMSELVES CAPTIVE.

Even when the membership of the E.E.C. exceeded the ten nations, no-one chose to question this madness. Nor did anyone seek to ask him the embarrassing questions relating to all his 'prophecies', and whenever questions were raised, he assiduously avoided them. Herbert Armstrong didn't tolerate any challenge to his 'prophecies' even when they frequently failed.

Then through a system of smokes and mirrors, he managed to weave the Pope and the Catholic Church into the theory. His solitary reference for this is what is found in Rev 17:18. This 'woman' is a CITY that reigns over the kings of the earth. And that CITY is called BABYLON in the Bible - just as it was anciently! Not ROME! Oddly enough, Rome doesn't rule over any of the nations of the Middle East - the subject of most prophecy! But BABYLON WILL! Herbert Armstrong may have gleaned this theory from the foreword in the KJV (written by the translators to King James) or he might have read the articles by Ellen J. White (who antedated him), which were published by the Seventh Day Adventists. But wherever he got it from, he never got it FROM THE BIBLE!

The article mentioned (The 12 Tribes of Israel) covers all these things in greater detail.

ABOUT THE 70 'SEVENS'

You will note that CYRUS issued the decree to rebuild the CITY of JERUSALEM and the TEMPLE (Isa 44:28) a short time after he became KING OF BABYLON, probably in 537BC. For those who calculate the 490 years from 70 weeks, why don't you deduct it from 537 BC? This is when the decree was given to build the city and the Temple! Instead they use the year 457 BC when Ezra restored the Levitical priesthood, the sacrifices and the Temple ordinances. Their foolish calculations are against everything that the Bible has to say on the matter! They are so keen to prove with their misguided machinations, that Christ destroys the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, that they ignore the REAL TRUTH!

But now, all you who have a little wisdom, calculate 490 years from 537 BC. The answer is 47BC. And what happened in 47BC? An important dynasty began! This was the dynasty of Antipater, the father of Herod the Great. Interesting name that! Antipater! It means ANTI-FATHER. Another king, soon to arise is called the ANTI-CHRIST in the Bible. Antipater was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau. Esau married into the Canaanite/Philistine trash of the area against his FATHER'S will (Gen 36:2). They were then, and still are today, living in the Palestine area and are today called the Palestinians. God hated them then, and He hates them today (Mal 1:3, Obad 1:18, Eze 35:1). JUDGE GOD AT YOUR PERIL!

Antipater began as the senior officer to John Hyrcanus (who was an appointed priestly ruler over all of the provinces of the Holy Land). Antipater connived his way to the procuratorship of Judea. He later succeeded in getting his son, Phasael, appointed prefect to Jerusalem. Then, after the death of Hyrcanus, and his brother Phasael (who killed himself), HEROD succeeded in becoming absolute KING over Judea and Jerusalem - the first king in Jerusalem for hundreds of years.

But did HEROD fulfil this entire scripture? By no means! And nor was this intended. Just as Jannes and Jambres (2Tim 3:8) also partially fulfilled endtime events with the appearance of Moses, so also will a similar sequence of events occur in the endtime. Christ Himself, only partially fulfilled certain scriptures with His first appearance (Luke 4:18, Isa 61:1-2). In the scripture that Christ quoted from the Book of Isaiah He stopped in the middle of a sentence and sat down.

But the legacy of HEROD was the trademark of the beast ruler who controlled him. Like the beast who ruled as the Pharoah of Egypt, he also killed all the first born to ensure that a LEADER would not emerge. You will also note that the Pharoah who killed the first-born, eighty years before Moses appeared, was not the same man who Moses stood before, and of whom Moses demanded that he let God's people go. But the ACTUAL RULER was!

Reverting back now to the original theme concerning DARIUS and CYRUS, we still have the problem of determining, which is which. In the THIRD YEAR of CYRUS, KING OF PERSIA (Dan 10:1), Daniel had a vision. Gabriel the mighty archangel was sent to explain the meaning. But there was a delay of three weeks. Something happened that prevented him from visiting Daniel. Here's the account of what happened: Dan 10:12 "Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the FIRST DAY that you set your mind to GAIN UNDERSTANDING and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in RESPONSE TO THEM. But the PRINCE of the PERSIAN KINGDOM resisted me twenty-one days. Then MICHAEL, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was DETAINED there with the KING OF PERSIA. Now I have come to explain to you what will HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, for the VISION concerns a TIME YET TO COME." This TIME YET TO COME is clarified in Dan 12:5-13 and means THE TIME OF THE END!

Let's be very clear about one thing here! This PRINCE and KING of PERSIA would have no hope whatsoever of resisting or detaining Gabriel if he was only a man. This PERSIAN RULER is a SPIRIT BEING who has his own agenda and is disobedient to God's commands. The visible ruler of Persia is only a man! A puppet! The REAL ruler is a spirit being, and a very powerful one at that! Michael the great PRINCE had to be sent to overpower this PRINCE OF PERSIA.

Gabriel continues to speak to Daniel: V20 "So he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will come to FIGHT against the PRINCE OF PERSIA, and WHEN I GO, the PRINCE OF GREECE will come; but FIRST I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No-one SUPPORTS me against them except Michael, YOUR PRINCE. And in the FIRST YEAR of DARIUS THE MEDE, I took my stand to SUPPORT and PROTECT him." This speaks of DARIUS the MEDE not MICHAEL! Michael SUPPORTS Gabriel! Gabriel SUPPORTS and PROTECTS DARIUS THE MEDE. All this happened in the THIRD YEAR of CYRUS KING of PERSIA (Dan 10:1) and follows sequentially. From the FIRST YEAR of this REIGN, Gabriel sets out to protect DARIUS THE MEDE.

Gabriel speaks of the FIRST DAY that Daniel set out to gain understanding and to humble himself before God (V12). This is a reference to Dan 9:3-19. This prayer of Daniel is too lengthy to include here, but note the final verses: V18 "Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the CITY THAT BEARS YOUR NAME. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For YOUR sake, O my God, do not delay, because YOUR CITY and YOUR PEOPLE BEAR YOUR NAME."

At the appointed time, Gabriel will go out and fight against the PRINCE OF PERSIA. AFTER he goes, the PRINCE OF GREECE will come. But then he stresses that FIRST he wanted to tell Daniel what is written in the BOOK OF TRUTH. Starting with Dan 11:2 he has this to say: "Now then, I tell you the TRUTH....". He then goes on to give great detail about two kings: the KING OF THE NORTH and the KING OF THE SOUTH. All of these things are covered in the 11th chapter of the Book of Daniel. At the conclusion of the explanation of what is written in the Book of Truth, a great battle occurs between the KING OF THE NORTH and the KING OF THE SOUTH. It concludes with the KING OF THE NORTH establishing himself at the BEAUTIFUL HOLY MOUNTAIN (V45). This is the KING OF GREECE, which is made VERY CLEAR from the eleventh chapter of Daniel.

We should all know what those who are in JUDEA (Matt 24:16) are to do when this happens! Notice the next verse: Dan 12:1 "AT THAT TIME Michael, the GREAT PRINCE who PROTECTS YOUR PEOPLE, will arise. There will be a TIME OF DISTRESS SUCH AS HAS NOT HAPPENED FROM THE BEGINNING OF NATIONS UNTIL THEN."

After ALL these things have occurred - ALL that is written in the BOOK OF TRUTH, the GREAT TRIBULATION will begin!

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At this moment in time, God has not revealed all the final details of the events described in the Book of Truth and recorded in Daniel 11. So this writer will not comment on them.

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It should be pointed out here that all the Apostles went to great lengths to prove that Jesus was the Messiah in what they wrote. And these were Christ's instructions: Luke 24:44 "He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written ABOUT ME in the LAW OF MOSES, the PROPHETS, and the PSALMS." Then He OPENED THEIR MINDS so they could UNDERSTAND the SCRIPTURES. He told them, "This is what is WRITTEN: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His NAME to all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM. You are WITNESSES of these things. I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been CLOTHED with POWER from ON HIGH."" In all that the Apostles, and particularly the Apostle Paul, wrote in proving that Christ was the Messiah, NONE OF THEM EVER QUOTED Dan 9:25-27. Isn't that strange? Today we have all the so-called Christian Churches quoting these scriptures to prove that Christ was the Messiah. And the one that is to come and destroy the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary - they say - is Christ! Utter lunatics!

Notice also Christ's words again, and note that they will preach in His NAME. And what NAME is that? There is a growing movement developing among those who understand nothing to rename JESUS CHRIST to the LANGUAGE OF THE BEAST - THAT IS, GREEK! There is nothing wrong with the Greek language, or for that matter, Hebrew or Aramaic - all of which Christ Himself used. But why this mad scramble to use so-called 'sacred' names? All you mighty pillars of spiritual perfection, who go out and anoint the blind, crippled, diseased and the demon-possessed, which NAME do you use to provide INSTANT MIRACULOUS HEALING? Come on, let's hear it! Think about that for a while, you fakes!

JANNES AND JAMBRES

Did you take the time to read Paul's reference to JANNES and JAMBRES? These were the RULERS of Egypt who opposed Moses. And who did Paul liken them to? Notice this: 2Tim 3:1 "But mark this: There will be TERRIBLE TIMES IN THE LAST DAYS." Paul then lists a lengthy description of the evil that will exist. Then in V5: "...having a FORM OF GODLINESS, but DENYING ITS POWER. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM." V7 "...always LEARNING but NEVER ABLE to ACKNOWLEDGE the TRUTH. Just as JANNES and JAMBRES opposed MOSES, so also these men OPPOSE THE TRUTH - men of DEPRAVED MINDS, who, as far as FAITH is concerned, are REJECTED. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men (Jannes and Jambres) their FOLLY will be CLEAR TO EVERYONE (in the last days - V1)."

Perhaps some of you will now understand the extent of the terrible days ahead. In the second chapter of 2Timothy Paul describes circumstances that existed in his time and gave details on how to handle them. But with the start of chapter 3 he steps up a gear and speaks of the same group of people who will exist IN THE ENDTIME. All conciliation disappears and he warns 'HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM'. These people try to counter everything that God's prophets say - surreptitiously at first. They become like JANNES and JAMBRES and oppose this endtime MOSES. And this endtime MOSES will taunt them into declaring their hand! More and more they will feel the weighty hand of God crushing them until they are no more! You lying sons of the devil have been warned!

This endtime Moses, the Levitical prophet, will be sent to BABYLON - by God! His instructions will be to confront two rulers and to demand that they let God's people go. The earlier account of Moses and the Exodus will be repeated. God's prophets will leave Babylon in ruins, with chaos, with destruction and death everywhere. And the Medes to the north will move in and plunder them and ENSLAVE THEM!

The time is fast approaching when you will no longer need to wonder - you will know! And what will you know? You will know how God chooses to complete His WORK here on earth. And you sanctimonious, lying bigots who lord it over God's flock will rue the day you chose to pervert the truth of God and to teach your lies!

SAINTS: THE HOLY SEED!

And what of the flock? Many of you still won't acknowledge God's truth. You have been so indoctrinated with candy-floss lies that you read right over everything in the Bible that doesn't fit your own concepts of God's word. You ally yourselves with anyone who offers a comfort zone of peace and well-being. You are not building the spiritual character that typified all of God's faithful and true servants. These great men and women went to their deaths in martyrdom without a whimper. Totally faithful to God and His word, they didn't love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Do you fit into this category? If you think you do, then be aware that God will fully test you!

The sheer logic of God's plan is so perfect that no one in the whole universe will be able to fault it forever into the future. The evidence-gathering process is so extensive for a correct JUDGMENT that when it's finally given, you will understand that God is just and merciful beyond all human concepts. Yes, God's people are victims! We are to go as lambs to the slaughter. Why should we have any other expectation? Christ Himself was a victim, and an innocent one at that! He too, went as a Lamb to the slaughter. But by this magnificent act of faithfulness to the Father, Christ was able to obtain redemption for OUR sin-laden, degenerate lives. But our trial still goes on until the judgment or death. During this trial, Christ is our lawyer or ADVOCATE; He is defending us in the presence of the JUST JUDGE.

And just so you clearly understand the nature of this courtroom drama, notice who the prosecutor is: Rev 12:10 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the AUTHORITY of His Christ. For the ACCUSER of our brothers, who ACCUSES THEM before our God day and night, has been hurled down."

So you've read these verses many times! To most of you, this is just some 'pretend' trial because most of you BELIEVE that you are immune from such judgment because of the blood of the Lamb of God. Well, believe this - you are on trial for your life right now!!

Many of you who live in the chaos and confusion of deception, taught by those who have never made ANY effort to understand the reasons for 6,000 years of human suffering, who continue to live in delusion, who fail to acknowledge that God is faithful and true and rules according to law - watch out! You should be trembling with fear for your conduct! You are NOT innocent! AND NOR WILL YOU BE JUDGED AS SUCH!

The day will come when you will pray for death - but death won't come to you! You will then understand your appalling disregard for God's truth and pray for martyrdom in order to achieve a good verdict that will spare you the second death. For many of you, it will be too late! Notice what Christ said: "No GREATER LOVE has any man than this, than he lays down his life for his FRIENDS." And who are your FRIENDS? Are you FRIENDS with the WORLD? Or are your FRIENDS the BELOVED of the Almighty God? Only if you are granted this 'GREATER LOVE', that is MARTYRDOM, will you be able to enter into God's Kingdom. Start studying your Bible as God intended you to, and stop listening to liars! The word 'shockwave' is soon to add a new dimension to your life! Alternatively, of course, if you are prepared to lose your life now, then you will save it (Luke 9:24). What typifies the teachings of the self-appointed shepherds of God's flock is the outrageous focus they put on a 'place of safety' and false sense of well-being that is constantly stressed. Listen to them at your peril!

It's become socially fashionable to avoid 'politically incorrect' comments. You are being brain-washed into believing that you must be conciliatory in your whole approach to others, and particularly the most evil degenerates who live amongst us. Among the scattered tribes of Israel, it is quite permissable to denigrate true Israelites, but speak against the Canaanite degenerates or the faggots and lesbians and you will receive instant retribution. Never has this been more evident than among 'Christianity' today. Well, understand this! Among God's called-out ones, the days of conciliation are over! Christ's instructions are to shout from the roof-top and be heard. God's true endtime servants will no longer engage in the soft-soaping or the appalling nonsense that is typical of the conduct even in God's Churches. In the next few years you will be tested severely. You must be warned! Don't look for the Great Tribulation yet! Your testing, as God's people, will come before this. And some of your WILL BE MARTYRED! You will certainly be hated by all. If this doesn't happen, then you will know that God hasn't spoken through His servants the prophets. And if it does (and it certainly will) then you will know that a prophet has been among you.

If you don't like this message then go and look for another. Find someone who will preach smooth and comforting things to you. Eat drink and be merry! But remember - you have been warned! Every word of prophecy will be fulfilled EXACTLY AS WRITTEN!

JUDGMENT OF THE VINEYARD

Now notice the plight of 'THE PEOPLE' of the VINEYARD when God takes His place in COURT:

Isaiah spoke of these days: Isa 3:13 "The LORD takes His PLACE IN COURT (see Dan 7:9); He rises to JUDGE the people. The LORD enters INTO JUDGMENT against the ELDERS and LEADERS of His people: "It is you who have ruined My VINEYARD [the house of Israel - Isa 5:7]; the plunder from the poor is in your houses." Isa 4:1 "IN THAT DAY seven women will take hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!" IN THAT DAY the BRANCH (see Zech 6:11-13) of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the SURVIVORS in Israel. Those who are left in ZION, who REMAIN in JERUSALEM, will be called HOLY, all who are RECORDED among the LIVING in JERUSALEM. The LORD will wash away the filth of the women of ZION; He will CLEANSE the bloodstains from JERUSALEM by a SPIRIT OF JUDGMENT and a SPIRIT OF FIRE. Then the LORD will create over all of MOUNT ZION and over all those who assemble there, a CLOUD OF SMOKE by day and a GLOW OF FLAMING FIRE by night; over all the GLORY will be a CANOPY. It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding-place from the storm and rain." Has this happened yet?

God is speaking of the HOUSE OF ISRAEL and the HOUSE OF JUDAH: Isa 5:7 "The VINEYARD of the LORD Almighty is the HOUSE OF ISRAEL, and the men of JUDAH is the GARDEN of His delight."

You will note the mention of a 'BRANCH' which is also mentioned in Zech 6:11-13. This is a man - not Christ! He is the one from whom all the twigs and offshoots will receive their sustenance. Isaiah recorded this PARABLE for the latter days: Isa 22:20 "In that day I will summon My servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. I will CLOTHE him with your ROBE and fasten your SASH around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a FATHER to those who live in Jerusalem and to the HOUSE OF JUDAH. I will place on his shoulder the KEY TO THE HOUSE OF DAVID, what he opens no-one can shut, and what he shuts no-one can open. I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will be a SEAT OF HONOUR for the HOUSE of his FATHER. All the glory of his family will hang on him: its OFFSPRING and OFFSHOOTS - all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to the jars. "IN THAT DAY" declares the LORD Almighty, the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the LOAD hanging on it will be CUT DOWN." The LORD has spoken."

It is certainly fashionable to ascribe these words to Christ. But there are many things that show this does not refer to Christ.

1. Firstly, the person mentioned here is of the priestly line of Levi - Christ was of the tribe of Judah. Christ always stressed that He was a SON - the SON of man! This man is to be a FATHER to those who are in Jerusalem. He will be a man of advancing years.

2. He will be given a seat of HONOUR (that is an honorary position) in the HOUSE OF HIS FATHER. Christ was not given any position in the HOUSE OF HIS FATHER while on earth (but He did stress that the TEMPLE was the FATHER'S HOUSE - John 2:16).

3. In fact, if Christ was on earth today He would NOT be a PRIEST! (Heb 8:4). This man is to be a PRIEST and a KING! Christ is a PRIEST - and will be forever, but He serves in a heavenly sanctuary of which the earthly sanctuary is only a copy (Heb 9:24).

4. He serves under an entirely DIFFERENT priesthood! (Heb 7:12-13).

5. Never did Christ wear the PRIESTLY ROBES while on earth.

Note that the Bible strongly suggests that this ELIAKIM, son of HILKIAH, described in this PARABLE is of the same linage as the LEVITE PROPHET, JEREMIAH - the son of HILKIAH! (Jer 1:1).

Now this Levitical priest, described in the PARABLE, is further described in detail in the Book of Zechariah. At that time, two men are spoken of. One from the tribe of Judah (Zerubbabel) and the other from the tribe of Levi (Joshua). It just so happens that the name 'Joshua' is the same name, the Hebrew equivilent, of 'Jesus.' And again, the 'HONOUR' that is spoken of goes to the LEVITE. Speaking firstly about the CLOTHING (the robe and the sash) this is what Zechariah recorded: Zech 3:3 "Now JOSHUA was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to JOSHUA, "See, I have TAKEN AWAY YOUR SIN, and I will put RICH GARMENTS on you." Note well that no-one took away CHRIST'S SIN! He was WITHOUT SIN!

Zechariah's vision (Zech 1:8) gives many details of endtime events. But notice where JOSHUA is when he first appears in this vision: Zech 3:1 "Then he showed me JOSHUA the high priest STANDING BEFORE THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, and SATAN standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to SATAN, "The LORD rebuke you, SATAN! The LORD who has CHOSEN JERUSALEM rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"

So this man has been redeemed from certain disaster for a HOLY PURPOSE. He is called while Satan is still able to accuse him (see Rev 12:10). Not because of his noble past or his great virtue - because he had none! This man dies daily for his past conduct and is the MOST REPENTANT MAN ON EARTH! Totally crushed and humiliated in every way possible, but through it all remained TOTALLY FAITHFUL TO HIS HEAVENLY FATHER! This man was called from birth. What this man considers to be SIN many of you still believe to be VIRTUE! You focus on sins that are seen of men, but you disregard the weightier matters that are SIN to God! Your focus is on men - but God looks on the heart! Our hearts and minds are to be focused on God - not men! If you have set your hearts on pleasing and impressing men then you are an offence to God! Consider these things carefully!

So what does the vision of Zechariah describe in relation to this 'JOSHUA'? Here Zechariah describes men who are familiar to him in relation to this vision: Zech 6:9 "The word of the LORD came to me: "Take silver and gold from the EXILES Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from BABYLON. Go the SAME DAY to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, JOSHUA son of Jehozadak. Tell HIM this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Here is the man whose NAME is the BRANCH, and he will BRANCH OUT from his place and BUILD THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. It is HE who will build the TEMPLE of the LORD, and HE will be CLOTHED with majesty and will SIT AND RULE ON THE THRONE. And HE will be a PRIEST on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.' The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Helem son of Zephaniah as a MEMORIAL in the TEMPLE of the LORD. Those who are FAR AWAY will COME and help BUILD the TEMPLE of the LORD, and you will know that the LORD has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the LORD your God.""

So the crown is to be set aside as a MEMORIAL. This is to ensure that it is reserved for the One who will come whose RIGHT it is. This is Christ - and He will wear this crown which will be set aside safely in the TEMPLE. Even though Zerubbabel was prominent in this vision of Zechariah, and even though of the royal seed, it is JOSHUA of the tribe of Levi that will be the caretaker king in preparation for the arrival of the King of kings.

But a modern-day ZERUBBABEL of the royal seed will be present at Jerusalem and will play an important role as a prophet. He too will be an OLIVE TREE and a BRANCH; also a LAMPSTAND, a WITNESS, and a PROPHET together with JOSHUA the LEVITE. The prophet of Judah arrives on the scene after the PROPHET of LEVI. Both will know absolutely that they are of these respective tribes. This JOSHUA will be aware that he is indeed a LEVITE. Family names, going back centuries, will reflect the name 'Levi' or 'Levy'. Many people had their names changed in the last hundred years or so in an attempt to de-judaize their identities. Such was the persecution of those who were thought to be Jews.

JOSHUA knows he is a LEVITE! Not a 'pretend' Levite as Herbert Armstrong claimed to be when he was told that ONLY LEVI HAS THE RIGHT TO COLLECT TITHES. And this in spite of the fact that he had previously claimed to be of a different tribe in the U.S. & Brit. in Prophecy booklet. He was never one to allow Bible truth to muddy up the balance sheet. And just a further admonition, if you are supporting those who pollute the word of God - those whom God says DESPISES Him - then be aware that God will shortly curse the very ground you walk on! And the ground you now walk on is not holy ground! Only Moses walked on the HOLY GROUND! And only those who were with Moses were permitted to walk on the Holy Mountain. The time has come for you to sing the SONG OF MOSES AND THE SONG OF CHRIST! (Rev 15:3).

Did you notice Zech 6:15 where it says 'Those who are far away will come and help to build the Temple of the LORD'? Who are these?

They are the holy seed. They are the OFFSPRING of Christ. Yes, the OFFSPRING! Speaking of Christ, Isaiah recorded this: Isa 53:10 "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 prosper in His hand."

And who are 'His OFFSPRING'? They are the ones that have the SPIRIT OF CHRIST! Rom 8:9 "You, however, are controlled not by sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, he does NOT belong to Christ. But if Christ IS IN YOU, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."

These two verses (Isa 53:10, Rom 8:9) are far more expansive than they appear in just a quick reading. Does Christ live on earth today? You'd better believe that He lives in you - if you have the SPIRIT OF CHRIST. Those of you who have the SPIRIT OF GOD and THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST are truly His if you continue in obedience.

Speaking of those who live in the land of the 10 tribes of Israel - the FAITHLESS people (see Jer 3:11) God has this to say: Jer 3:14 "Return, FAITHLESS people," declares the LORD, "for I am your HUSBAND. I will CHOOSE one of you from every town and two from every clan and BRING YOU TO ZION. Then I will give you SHEPHERDS after My own heart who will lead you with KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING." At the appropriate time, those who become faithful and repentant will be brought to ZION and they will help build the TEMPLE. God will arrange this! You don't need to be concerned how He will do it.

Speaking of this time, the period immediately before the TEMPLE is established in ZION (Isa 2:1-2), Isaiah recorded this: Isa 1:26-27 "I will RESTORE your JUDGES as in DAYS OF OLD, your COUNSELLORS as at the BEGINNING. AFTERWARDS, you will be called The City of Righteousness, The Faithful City. ZION will be REDEEMED with justice, her PENITENT ONES with righteousness. But rebels and sinners will both be broken together, and those who forsake the LORD will perish."

Yes, those whom God CHOOSES will have a place in ZION - the Holy City of God. These are a very special people! Called here the PENITENT ONES, God also refers to them as those who will make up His 'TREASURED POSSESSION' (Mal 3:17). The whole Book of Malachi is about the endtime people of ZION! If you really want to understand what God requires of you - READ THIS BOOK! It summarizes the entire ENDTIME WORK OF GOD. And remember this: The Book of Malachi is NOT a sealed book - it means EXACTLY what it says! It does not mean what a certain lunatic in a FLURRY OF MADNESS says it means!

If you took the time to read the Book of Malachi, you will understand what God's feelings are on animal sacrifices. You will understand that they are VERY IMPORTANT TO GOD! You have just read in Isa 1:26 that God is to establish JUDGES and COUNSELLORS in ZION. These are the people who will COUNSEL the great numbers of people that will come to the Holy City to learn of God's way (Isa 2:1-4). If you have just read the Book of Malachi, you will have read these words: Mal 4:4 "Remember the LAW OF MY SERVANT MOSES, the DECREES and LAWS I GAVE HIM AT MOUNT HOREB." Perhaps you now understand why you MUST REMEMBER the LAW OF MOSES!

The Promised Land will be filled with people - human beings - who will be sacrificing 'AS IN DAYS OF OLD' and these sacrifices will be acceptable to God. And why will they be acceptable? What is their purpose? Can the blood of bulls and goats take away sin? The answer is an emphatic no! Yet God requires it according to law! The purpose of animal sacrifice was never intended to take away sin. Rather it was intended as a reminder of sin. The Apostle Paul makes this clear: Heb 10:1 "The law is only a SHADOW of the good things THAT ARE COMING - not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshippers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But THOSE sacrifices are AN ANNUAL REMINDER of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin."

God has a purpose to totally eradicate the works of the devil (1John 3:8). It is His purpose to ensure that everyone REMEMBERS these works and never repeats them. There will be ANNUAL REMINDERS forever!

How long the daily sacrifices last, is not yet clear. But we do know that from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination is set up in the wing of the TEMPLE will be 3½ years. During this period, the foundations will be laid for the REAL TEMPLE, and at the end of this period, the beast will sit in the TEMPLE and claim to be God. We do know, however, that the actual TEMPLE will be under construction for sixty-two weeks and be built in time of trouble. During this period, the 'anointed one', that is, the KING of PERSIA, will pass into history, and the KING OF GREECE will come.

10. Judgment begins.

The JUDGMENT begins long before the GREAT TRIBULATION! This is when God takes His seat in the GREAT ASSEMBLY. The Prophet Daniel described this, and so did the Prophet John.

The Apostle Peter also spoke of this time and the judgment. He made it clear that JUDGMENT was to begin with the family of God. Which family of God? He makes it very clear that he is speaking to the Church of God, and he addresses his letter to the scattered tribes of Israel (1Pet 1:1-2) - those who were FOREKNOWN of God. This is what he says: 1Pet 4:16 "However, if you suffer as a CHRISTIAN, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that NAME. For it is time for the JUDGMENT TO BEGIN WITH THE FAMILY OF GOD; and if it BEGINS WITH US, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Be aware that JUDGMENT ALWAYS BEGINS with the FAMILY OF GOD. This is God's way! His seed are His primary concern! The FAMILY OF GOD must set the standard, and they must set the example. In this JUDGMENT, justice must be seen to be done! If He doesn't spare you from persecution and death - who else would have the right to claim mercy? Particularly since the ACCUSER AND HIS SEED are going to persecute and kill you! And you will provide the evidence for a conviction - if you go as LAMBS to the slaughter! You will be greatly REWARDED for your efforts.

This is the process that will SEPARATE THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS! (Eze 34:17, Matt 25:32-33). You need to be certain whose side you are on, and whose standards you obey! Christ gave another example: He spoke of the good SEED and the TARES (Matt 13:37-43). At the appropriate time, the TARES - which grow among the good SEED are to gathered up and burnt! Which are you?

Why should anyone wonder about the JUDGMENT - as if it were something that was superfluous to the Gospel of God. The truth is that it's the most central part of the Gospel. It's the event that will have all the angels shouting for joy! And while it will be very bad news for this world, it will be a time for great rejoicing in heaven. Did you ever wonder why Satan spent so much time ACCUSING the brothers of Christ in the presence of God? Notice what the Prophet John recorded: Rev 12:10 "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the SALVATION and the POWER and the KINGDOM OF OUR GOD, and the AUTHORITY of His Christ. For the ACCUSER of our brothers, who ACCUSES them day and night, HAS BEEN HURLED DOWN. THEY (the brothers) overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the WORD of [His] TESTIMONY." Some of you will need to read these verses a second time, and note when SALVATION and the KINGDOM OF OUR GOD comes! Most of you have some very twisted and perverted ideas about this!

11. The daily sacrifice is taken away.

This event, that is the taking away of the daily sacrifice, is the trigger for the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. It's immediately AFTER this phase of prophecy, which lasts 1290 days, when the second beast sets up an image of the first beast. But prior to this, the KING OF BABYLON plots against the city of Jerusalem. It's in his mind to seize the city of Jerusalem and claim it for himself. From the purely secular point of view, Jerusalem has very little to commend it as a desirable city and certainly nothing that would cause foreign powers to wage global war in order to conquer it. And when you think about it, why do the Islamics have this fetish about wanting to possess it? They have their own city, Mecca, which they bow down to several times a day. They reverence the city of fortresses - the city that was to be the bastion of world conquest in the mind and aspirations of Mohammed. The conquest of Mecca by Mohammed proved to be his nemesis (he died two years later in 632 AD). His successor Abu Bakr became the caliph to all Islam. Some of the followers of Mohammed sought independence from his rule. All opposition was put down when he sent his armies to kill his own people. This show of outrageous brutality succeeded in galvanizing all Islamic or Moslems to his authority. And his authority extended throughout Arabia. He died two years after becoming caliph. Two caliphs succeeded him, Omar and Othman. Omar became dominant and set his heart on conquest.

Not content with total subservience from all the nations he conquered, including Persia and Syria, he overran Jerusalem. On learning that Mount Moriah was the site of the famous Temple of Solomon, he decided to hijack this site for his own religion. Still not content, he demanded to be shown the Most Holy Place, the exact site of the Holy of Holies, and there on that very site, he built the mosque that bears his name - the Mosque of Omar. More properly referred to today as the Dome of the Rock. But in doing this, he was acknowledging this site as the Holy Place of the God of Israel - the God of the NATION of which he was NOT a part! And never can be! This is what God says: Amos 3:1 "Here this word that LORD has spoken against you, O people of ISRAEL, against the WHOLE FAMILY I brought up out of EGYPT: "You ONLY HAVE I CHOSEN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH; therefore I will punish you for your sins.""

Contrary to all you may have believed, only the people of Israel, all twelve tribes - those who were led out of Egypt - these alone of all the families on earth has God chosen!

Then the Moslems hijacked the BOOK OF THE LAW that was handed down through Moses and changed this LAW to reflect the importance of ISMAEL - their forefather, as the son of Abraham. In fact, Ishmael is NOT the son of Abraham, and nor are the six children born to Abraham through Keturah, his second wife (Gen 25:1). God Himself stresses that ISAAC is Abraham's ONLY SON (Gen 22:16). God knew in advance that this evil brood would attempt to hijack the NAME and the INHERITANCE of the TRUE SON!

Following the building of the Dome of the Rock, Omar decided that the Sabbath was not to be observed as a holy day within his kingdom, and supplanted it with Friday. Effectively, this man changed the TIMES and LAWS set by God.

Following the conquest of the northern 10 tribes of Israel, Asherbanipal king of Assyria repopulated the area with Phoenicians (Canaanites), Syrians, Chaldeans, and Philistines - all those from the region of the Euphrates River. The former lands of the northern ten tribes became known as the Trans-Euphrates, that is those on the other side of the Euphrates River (Ezra 4:9-11). They were the low-life dregs of his kingdom. These people still live in the area, and are known today as Palestinians.

They are predominantly Moslem. While these people acknowledge the Great God, they refuse to serve Him. This was also true in the days of the Exiles, those who returned from Babylon, in the company of Joshua, Zerubbabel and the first Ezra. In a letter to Darius, this is what they wrote: Ezra 5:7 "The report they sent him read as follows: 'To king Darius, Cordial greetings. The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the TEMPLE OF THE GREAT GOD...." Yes, they recognize that the site is the Temple of the GREAT GOD! And they will do anything to stop it from being built - today as then! But all this will backfire on them because a king will ensure the Temple is built, and in order to do this, he will slaughter the Palestinians - the ones who mocked the tribe of Judah - when the Jewish inhabitants of the state of Israel are taken captive.

God speaks of EPHRAIM being drunk - but not with wine! They are drunk with the cup of the GREAT HARLOT. The evil cup of BABYLON THE CITY. Ephraim will be trampled underfoot! This same fanatical and tyrannical force of evil has swept the world, and is now set to conquer it! And it will! These beasts of Satan the devil will rise up in every nation on earth. They are ruthless, evil degenerates who have no fear of the Almighty God. Islam is the fastest growing religion on earth! They worship their RULERS, and the CITIES of their RULERS. And their RULERS have one objective: to rule the world from the CITY that bears God's name (Dan 9:18-19 - JERUSALEM!)

This map shows the Islamic nations of the world. It does not reflect the Islamic incursion to the many nations of the western world. There are millions of them scattered throughout the nations of the earth. There goal is world conquest!muslim2.jpg (87011 bytes)

When you get sick of learning Satan's 'so-called deep secrets' (which are no secret at all!), and WHICH GOD FORBIDS YOU TO DO (Rev 2:24), then your eyes may be opened to see the danger that is developing all around you!

God says that He will kindle a fire in Judah, and the flames will spread to the whole house of Israel. That fire is the desecration of the Tabernacle, the taking away of the daily sacrifice and the carnage that follows. This act, in fact, is the vehicle of God to cleanse the City of those who oppose Him and refuse to acknowledge Him. When God gave the nation of Israel (Judah) the invincibility to protect the CITY and to defeat their enemies, they recognized that this was the hand of God. But did they honour God? No!

What did they do? They gave back the lands that God had delivered into their hands and ceded the authority of the TEMPLE MOUNT - the MOST HOLY PLACE - to the degenerates that control it today! The Moslems are the enemy of the GREAT GOD! For their insolence and defiance of God, and for refuting God's blessing, the people of Jerusalem will be cut down, and many will be taken away as slaves and sold like cattle. Those who willingly go into slavery - who recognize their guilt against God, will be considered to be the 'good figs' (Jer 24:5-7). And these will return to Jerusalem after 3½ years. They will be led out by the 21st century Moses, the prophet of the tribe of Levi.

The rest will die!

Many of you in the Churches of God in Ephraim, who sit in your cloistered towers of arrogance who listen every week to a false Gospel, who love to learn 'Satan's so-called deep secrets', who feel superior because you think you know the truth, and have the answers for everything: Hear this! The flame that is kindled in Jerusalem will spread to your nation and engulf you just as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow! Then perhaps some of you will have the remorse to see how flagrantly you have violated God's truth!

At that time, many will come and help build the TEMPLE OF GOD - the real TEMPLE that will be built in the PROPER PLACE - after the timber TABERNACLE is destroyed along with the city of JERUSALEM.

Let's be very clear on what you are about to see and why!

The prophet Haggai begins the narrative: Hag 1:1 "In the SECOND YEAR of KING DARIUS, on the FIRST DAY of the SIXTH MONTH, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD'S house to be built.'" So at this date God's House was not yet built!

Then seven weeks later: Hag 2:1 "On the TWENTY-FIRST DAY of the SEVENTH MONTH, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai, "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw THIS house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it seem to you like nothing?" V6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill THIS HOUSE with glory,' says the LORD Almighty."

Be sure you understand what is being said here! A little while after the timber TABERNACLE is built (in a SEVEN WEEK period), God is going to shake the earth - and the DESIRED of all nations will come. God also adds this: V9 "The glory of this PRESENT HOUSE will be greater than the glory of the FORMER HOUSE," says the LORD Almighty. "And in THIS PLACE I will grant PEACE," declares the LORD Almighty."

Now after the tabernacle was built by the TWENTY-FIRST DAY of the SEVENTH MONTH of the SECOND YEAR of the reign of KING DARIUS, the Prophet Zechariah enters the narrative: Zech 1:1 "In the EIGHTH MONTH of the SECOND YEAR of DARIUS, the word of the LORD came to the Prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo."

This is one month after the Tabernacle is completed in SEVEN WEEKS in accordance with the prophecy recorded in the Book of Daniel. You will notice that the SEVENTY 'sevens' are divided into SEVEN, SIXTY-TWO, and ONE 'seven.' Dan 9:25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the [word] to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the anointed one, the ruler comes, there will be SEVEN 'sevens', and SIXTY-TWO 'sevens'. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble."

So one month after the Tabernacle is completed, Zechariah records this: Zech 1:2 "The LORD was very angry with your forefathers. Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to Me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty. Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices. But they would not listen or pay attention to me,' declares the LORD. Where are your forefathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not My words and My decrees, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your forefathers? Then they repented and said, 'The LORD Almighty HAS DONE TO US what our WAYS AND PRACTICES DESERVE, just as He DETERMINED to do.'"

Even after they complete the Tabernacle, God is not pleased with them, and God brings against them what He DETERMINED TO DO.

Now the calendar advances another four months: Zech 1:7 "On the TWENTY-FOURTH DAY of the ELEVENTH MONTH of Shebat, in the SECOND YEAR of DARIUS, the word of the LORD came to the Prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo." At this DATE, a description follows relating to the staging of the counter-agents or craftsmen to the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, and a mention of the seventy year prophecy (which the speaker indicates was then complete). Then God says this in V16 "Therefore, this is what the LORD says, 'I will return to JERUSALEM with mercy, and there My HOUSE WILL BE RE-BUILT. And the MEASURING LINE will be stretched over JERUSALEM,' declares the LORD Almighty. Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort ZION and choose JERUSALEM.'"

The description of the MEASURING of Jerusalem is described in Zech 2:1. And then God says this in V4 "...'Jerusalem will be a city without walls, because of the great number of livestock in it. And I Myself will be a WALL OF FIRE around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its GLORY within.'" At this stage the inhabitants of Judah have been scattered. This is what God says: V6 "Come! Come! Flee from the land of the NORTH," declares the LORD, 'for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven," declares the LORD."

Then God describes when this will occur in V13 "Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because He has ROUSED HIMSELF FROM HIS HOLY DWELLING." This is when the thrones are set in place and the Ancient of Days (the Father) takes His seat in the GREAT COURT (Dan 7:9, Rev 5:11).

Then Zechariah is shown a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD and Satan is standing at his right side to accuse him. If you read the whole Book of Zechariah carefully, you will know that this occurs immediately after God cleanses Jerusalem of the rebels and prepares to RE-build it. The measuring line is laid across the area of significance (Jer 31:38-40) and God calls forth the holy seed that was a stump in the ground (Isa 6:18). And just to make this absolutely clear, this is what God says: Isa 6:8 "Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" He said, "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their eyes dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Then I said, "FOR HOW LONG, O LORD?" And He answered: "UNTIL THE CITIES LIE RUINED and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone FAR AWAY and the land is utterly forsaken. And though a TENTH remains in the land, it will AGAIN be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the HOLY SEED WILL BE A STUMP IN THE LAND."

Speaking of this time, Ezekiel recorded this: Eze 5:1 "Now, son of man, take a sharp sword and use it as a barber's razor to shave your head and your beard. Then take a set of scales and divide up the hair. When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair with fire inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword. But take A FEW STRANDS OF HAIR and tuck them away in the folds of your garment. Again, take a few of THESE and throw them into the fire and burn them up. A FIRE WILL SPREAD FROM THERE TO THE WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL." Note well that no conflict that has started in Judah in modern times has spread to the WHOLE HOUSE OF ISRAEL - YET!.

The whole Book of Ezekiel records great detail of the ENDTIME PROPHECIES. Infinite detail is recorded to allow those who seek the truth to know the final outcome. The last nine chapters is devoted entirely to the 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL (Eze 48:1) and the building of the final TEMPLE from where the RIVER OF LIFE (Eze 47:1-12) will flow. God send a mighty spirit being to tell Ezekiel this: Eze 40:4 "The man said to me, "Son of man, LOOK WITH YOUR EYES and HEAR WITH YOUR EARS, and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for this is why you have been brought here. TELL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL EVERYTHING YOU SEE."

You have been told!

Now remember the words of Hosea the prophet: Hos 14:8 "O EPHRAIM, what more have I to do with idols? I will ANSWER HIM (Ephraim) and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; YOUR FRUITFULNESS COMES FROM ME." Who is WISE? He will REALIZE THESE THINGS. Who is DISCERNING? He will understand them. The WAYS OF THE LORD ARE RIGHT; the RIGHTEOUS walk in them, but the REBELLIOUS stumble in them."

Now we come to the final ABSOLUTE DATE recorded by Zechariah: Zech 7:1 "In the FOURTH YEAR of KING DARIUS, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the FOURTH DAY of the NINTH MONTH, the month of Kislev."

Those who recorded the Holy Scriptures knew what a 'week' was! Even Adam and Eve were made aware that a week was seven days. Yet the original manuscripts were recorded using the term 'sevens' instead of 'weeks' in regard to Daniel's prophecy (Dan 9:24), and all reliable translations follow this protocol. Why was that? To simplify things, the use of the word 'weeks' seems more appropriate. But it was never used! In regard to Daniel's prophecies, Christ said, 'Let the READER UNDERSTAND' (Matt 24:15). It's the READER of the HOLY SCRIPTURES that will understand! Daniel also recorded this: Dan 12:10 "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will UNDERSTAND, but those who are WISE will UNDERSTAND." And this is what Christ referred to! The READER of the Holy Scriptures ARE the WISE who will UNDERSTAND!

The 'anointed one' who is CYRUS (Isa 44:28, 45:1, 13) and who is also DARIUS (Dan 5:31), will be cut off after a period of seven 'sevens' and another period of sixty-two 'sevens', which will leave just one 'seven.'

Who is it that destroys the city and the sanctuary? Daniel tells us: Dan 9:26 "...The PEOPLE of the RULER who WILL COME will destroy the city and the sanctuary." Who are these people? They are the arch-enemies of God's people - the seed of Satan! They are Moslems! And you had better believe it!

Now we know that from the time that the DAILY SACRIFICE is taken away, until the time when the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION is set up in the courtyard, there will be 1290 days. The mighty angel tells Daniel this: Dan 12:11 "From the time that the DAILY SACRIFICE is abolished and the ABOMINATION is set up, there will be 1290 days."

During the 1290 days Joshua is honoured, Zerubbabel organizes the foundations for the TEMPLE, Joshua receives the Crown of David as caretaker king, and told to build the TEMPLE. The gold, silver and precious stones are brought by captive exiles from BABYLON. It will be built in times of trouble. Those who are far away will come and help build the TEMPLE.

At the conclusion of the 1290 days an ABOMINATION is set up - an image of the FIRST BEAST. This is how Daniel describes this: Dan 9:27 "....And ONE who causes DESOLATION will place ABOMINATIONS on a wing of the TEMPLE until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

The Prophet John describes this 'ONE'. Rev 13:13 "And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on BEHALF OF THE FIRST BEAST, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them TO SET UP AN IMAGE in HONOUR of the BEAST who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the IMAGE of the FIRST BEAST, so that it could speak and cause ALL WHO REFUSED TO WORSHIP THE IMAGE TO BE KILLED."

So this SECOND BEAST, also called the FALSE PROPHET (a reference to his people's mentor: Mohammed) is going to perform miraculous signs and deceive the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH.

End of Chapter two.

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