Taking another look at Isaiah 17

 

Taking another look at Isaiah 17

D.P. Weary

December 2024

In this analysis of Isaiah 17 I am looking at the chapter as two events. The first is an attack on Israel in the latter days. An attack that is also prophesied in Ezekiel 38. In this view the chapter adds information about the Ezekiel war called the War of Gog and Magog. In this view the prophecy is not completely fulfilled and the complete fulfillment is yet to come. The complete fulfillment of Isaiah 17 occurs with the battles of Armageddon just before the LORD returns as King of kings and Lord of lords to establish His Kingdom on the Earth.

 

 

[Isa 17:1 NKJV] The burden against Damascus. "Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap.

 

[Isa 17:1 AMP] The [mournful, inspired] oracle (a burden to be carried) concerning Damascus [capital of Aram (Syria), and Israel's defense against Assyria]. "Listen carefully, Damascus will cease to be a city And will become a fallen ruin.

 

Historically Damascus has been conquered many times but it has never ceased to be a city.

·         965 BCE – Ezron, King of Aram-Zobah conquers Damascus

·         843 BCE – Hazael assassinated Ben-Hadad I and made himself king of Damascus.^[1]

·         732 BCE – Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers Damascus

·         572 BCE – Neo-Babylonians conquered Damascus

·         538 BCE – Achaemenid Empire annexes Damascus

·         333 BCE – Alexander the Great conquers Damascus

·         112 BCE – Damascus fell to Antiochus IX Cyzicenus.^[1]

·         150 CE – Damascus became a Roman provincial city under Trajan.^[1]

 

The prophecy begins with the destruction of Damascus, Syria. The destruction leaves the city just a heap of ruins and it ceases from being a city. The remainder of Isaiah 17 deals with other cities and with Israel, especially the northern part of Israel. While some of these prophecies have been partially fulfilled in history, the primary prophecy about the complete destruction of Damascus has never been fulfilled and these other prophecies are associated with this destruction of Damascus. Therefore, we can safely assume that the complete fulfillment of the Isaiah 17 prophecy is yet in the future.

 [Isa 17:2 NKJV] The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks Which lie down, and no one will make them afraid.

[Isa 17:2 AMP] "The cities of Aroer [east of the Jordan] are deserted; They will be [only a refuge] for flocks to lie down in, And there will be no one to make them afraid.

The cities of Aroer are cities that were on the northern banks of the river Arnon in Jordan, in the original land of Rueben. There was also an area in the land of Gad near the current city of Rabbah (Amman, Jordan) that was known as Aroer. These cities are forsaken or deserted and become grazing land and there will be nothing in the area that can make the flocks afraid. Because the area becomes grazing land, it is unlikely that they are destroyed with nuclear weapons (they are destroyed by fire, conventional weaponry – Jer. 49:2).

 

[Jer 49:2 NKJV] Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "That I will cause to be heard an alarm of war In Rabbah of the Ammonites; It shall be a desolate mound, And her villages shall be burned with fire. Then Israel shall take possession of his inheritance," says the LORD.

 

Isa 17:2 reveals to us that Jordan will be involved at the time that Damascus is destroyed. Jer. 49 reveals to us that Amman will be destroyed and the neighboring cities burned with fire (conventional weaponry). There are also prophecies against Moab and Amman (Jordan) given in Isaiah 15-16 and Jer. 48-49. These prophecies tell of great destruction and cities destroyed in the areas east of Israel.

 

[Isa 17:3 NKJV] The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, The kingdom from Damascus, And the remnant of Syria; They will be as the glory of the children of Israel," Says the LORD of hosts.

 

[Isa 17:3 AMP] "The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim, And the kingdom from Damascus And the remnant of Aram (Syria); They will be like the [departed] glory of [her ally] the children of Israel," Declares the LORD of hosts.

 

Hear we learn that the fortress (or places or positions of power) of Ephraim (Ephraim is another title for the northern nation of Israel) shall cease (be overrun or destroyed) and the kingdom from Damascus or the power of Damascus will end (the sovereignty, royal power and authority will be removed). Those left in Syria, the remnant, will be like the remnant of Israel (few in number and left in a devested land) after the Assyrians had devastated the northern kingdom of Israel. What we are seeing here is a time when warfare in Syria, northern Israel, and Jordan brings great devastation.

 

[Isa 17:4 NKJV] "In that day it shall come to pass That the glory of Jacob will wane, And the fatness of his flesh grow lean.

 

[Isa 17:4 AMP] "Now in that day the [former] glory of Jacob [Israel--his might, his population, his prosperity] will fade, And the fatness of his flesh will become lean.

 

Israel will suffer during these days and events. During and because of the war in Syria, northern Israel, and Jordan Israel will fall from a place of glory, might, and prosperity. Israel will suffer much with deaths, essential shortages, a failing military, and fear.

 

[Isa 17:5 NKJV] It shall be as when the harvester gathers the grain, And reaps the heads with his arm; It shall be as he who gathers heads of grain In the Valley of Rephaim.

 

[Isa 17:5 AMP] "And it will be like the reaper gathering the standing grain, As his arm harvests the ears of grain; Yes, it will be like one gleaning ears of grain In the [fertile] Valley of Rephaim.

 

It will seem that Israel has been abandoned like fields after the harvest. The gleaning of the fields occurs after the harvest when the poor are allowed to go out into the corners of the reaped fields and gather whatever remnants of grain they can. The valley of Rephaim is the area west and southwest of Jerusalem (it would include the Tel Aviv-Joppa area).

 

This tells us that the area west of Jerusalem including Tel Aviv will suffer during this time of military activity, stripped bare and abandoned like fields after the harvest.

 

[Isa 17:6 NKJV] Yet gleaning grapes will be left in it, Like the shaking of an olive tree, Two or three olives at the top of the uppermost bough, Four or five in its most fruitful branches," Says the LORD God of Israel.

 

[Isa 17:6 AMP] "Yet gleanings will be left in the land [of Israel] like the shaking of the olive tree, Two or three olives on the topmost branch, Four or five on the [outermost] branches of the fruitful tree," Declares the LORD, the God of Israel.

 

There will be great destruction in Israel and only a remnant or gleaning of “grapes” (fruit of the fruitful tree, people) will remain. Only those in "the highest branches" will survive. Israel will be stripped bare of people.

 

Here we learn that there will be a surviving remnant in Israel. The surviving remnant will be in a "high place". The only safe and high place that I can imagine in such a time as this will be in the Lord. I believe that the believers in the land will survive. At least part of the surviving remnant will be in the High Place of the Lord's protection, the Rock, their hiding place.

 

It is here that the prophecy seems to begin taking on meaning that goes beyond that of the Ezekiel 38 war. After the seven years of tribulation preceding the LORDS return, there will be some saved but only a remnant. According to the prophet Zechariah only 1/3 of Israel will survive.

 

[Zec 13:8 NKJV] And it shall come to pass in all the land," Says the LORD, "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it:

[Zec 13:9 NKJV] I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.' "

 

[Isa 17:7 NKJV] In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.

 

[Isa 17:7 AMP] In that day man will have regard for his Maker, And his eyes will regard the Holy One of Israel [with awe-inspired reverence].

 

The events of Ezekiel 38 will cause surely cause some to look to the Lord their maker. But it will also be a catalyst for many to turn to a man as their savior from a devastating war and call him their messiah. The great turning back to God awaits the Lord’s second coming.

 

All the events of the last days are intended to bring God's people Israel back to him. The remnant will look to their God, their creator and have respect for the Holy one of Israel. These events drive the Jews back to God and in fact drive them to come to believe that Jesus is their Messiah. The believers in the land today are a “voice crying in the wilderness, behold Jeshua Māšîaḥ.”

 

[Rev 12:11 NKJV] 11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

[Isa 17:8 NKJV] He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars.

[Isa 17:8 AMP] And he will not have regard for the [idolatrous] altars, the work of his hands, Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made, Neither the Asherim (symbols of the goddess Asherah) nor the incense altars.

Here again we see scripture that refers more to the second coming of the Lord rather than to the Ezekiel 38 war that occurs at the beginning of the last 7 years of tribulation. The survivors will forsake their idol worship in whatever form they have made it. Humanism, false religion, spiritism in all its forms, and materialism will fall. The remnant in Israel will give up their idol worship of human greatness, money, power, pleasure, humanism, and materialism.

 

[Isa 17:9 NKJV] In that day his strong cities will be as a forsaken bough And an uppermost branch, Which they left because of the children of Israel; And there will be desolation.

 

[Isa 17:9 AMP] In that day the strong cities of Aram and Israel will be like deserted places in the forest, Or like branches which they abandoned before the children of Israel; And the land will be a desolation.

 

The strong, largest cities of Israel and Syria (Aram) will be forsaken. They will become just like the cities of the Hivites and Amorites abandoned when the Israelites (Joshua and company) came long ago. And there will be desolation. This could be partially true because of the Ezekiel war but certainly true because of the battles of Armageddon just before the Lord returns.

 

[Isa 17:10 NKJV] Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings;

 

[Isa 17:10 AMP] Because you [Judah] have forgotten the God of your salvation And have not remembered the Rock of your Stronghold-- Therefore you plant lovely plants And set the grounds with vine slips of a strange god,

 

All of this will happen because Israel turned from the only God who could save them. They turned from the Rock that could hide them. They planted the finest imported crops but not to honor God and they did not give Him any credit or glory for the fruit of their plantings. Israel planted their nation in 1948 and it grew quite quickly. But it was without their creator and despite his many blessings and help, they refused to acknowledge or honor him who created them and gave them the land in the first place.

 

[Isa 17:11 NKJV] In the day you will make your plant to grow, And in the morning, you will make your seed to flourish; But the harvest will be a heap of ruins In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.

 

[Isa 17:11 AMP] In the day that you plant it you carefully fence it in, And in the morning you bring your seed to blossom; Yet [promising as it is] the harvest will be a heap [of ruins that passes away] In the day of sickness and incurable pain.

These plants or crops grew very quickly (Israel grew very quickly from 1948 through lots of trials and tribulations) but in the end the harvest will be a load of grief and desperate, incurable pain and sorrow during the last 7 years of tribulation before the Lord returns. All their political efforts to establish themselves as a respected nation in the international community fail. They refused to trust God, and relied on their own capabilities and contrivances. It all turns to grief, pain, and sorrow. But God's promises to them, His covenants, are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). So, all these last day's events are God's plan to bring his people back to him so that he can bless them and fulfill his covenants with them.

Rom. 11:25-32 - Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in, 26And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob. ²⁷And this will be My covenant (My agreement) with them when I shall take away their sins. ²⁸From the point of view of the Gospel (good news), they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit. But from the point of view of God's choice (of election, of divine selection), they are still the beloved (dear to Him) for the sake of their forefathers. ²⁹For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.]  ³⁰Just as you were once disobedient and rebellious toward God but now have obtained [His] mercy, through their disobedience, 31So they also now are being disobedient [when you are receiving mercy], that they in turn may one day, through the mercy you are enjoying, also receive mercy [that they may share the mercy which has been shown to you--through you as messengers of the Gospel to them]. ³²For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike].

Back to Isaiah:

Again we will see that these verses can relate to Ezekiel 38 but we can also see a greater fulfillment in the second coming of our Lord.

[Isa 17:12 NKJV] Woe to the multitude of many people Who make a noise like the roar of the seas, And to the rushing of nations That make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

[Isa 17:12 AMP] Oh, the uproar of many peoples Who roar like the roaring of the seas, And the noise of nations Who roar like the rumbling of mighty waters!

  [Isa 17:13 NKJV] The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, Like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

 

[Isa 17:13 AMP] The nations roar on like the roaring of many waters, But God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before the storm.

[Isa 17:14 NKJV] Then behold, at eventide, trouble! And before the morning, he is no more. This is the portion of those who plunder us, And the lot of those who rob us.

[Isa 17:14 AMP] At evening time, now look, sudden terror! Before morning the Assyrians are no more. This is the portion (fate) of those who plunder us, And the lot of those who pillage us.

Ezekiel saw armies from the north coming against Israel but on the mountains of Israel, God defeats them. In the Ezekiel scenario while the attack causes a stir in the nations, many simply make a verbal protest (Ezekiel 38:13). In Isa 17:12 and 13 it is nations who roar.

[Eze 38:1-10, 12-16 NKJV] 1 Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 "and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 "I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 "Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you. 7 "Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. 8 "After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 "You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you." 10 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: ... 12 "to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 "Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?' " ' 14 "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 "Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 "You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes."

Ezek 38:18-23 (NKJV) ¹⁸ "And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says the Lord God, "that My fury will show in My face. ¹⁹ For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ²⁰ so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.' ²¹ I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord God. "Every man's sword will be against his brother. ²² And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. ²³ Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord." '

 

Much of this is related to the first 6 seals of Rev. 6. This activity sets up a great falling away from the faith in the nations due to great persecution of Jews and Christians who support Israel. This war initiates political activities that enable a powerful world leader (really the Antichrist) to arrange a 7-year peace treaty between Israel and those attacking her. This will initiate Daniel's last week of years, the time of the tribulation, the days of the wrath of God.

 

[Dan 9:26-27 AMP] 26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks [of years] the Anointed One will be cut off [and denied His Messianic kingdom] and have nothing [and no one to defend Him], and the people of the [other] prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 "And he will enter into a binding and irrevocable covenant with the many for one week (seven years), but in the middle of the week he will stop the sacrifice and grain offering [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until the complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who causes the horror."

With the breaking of the 6^th seal of Revelation 6, a great earthquake signals the coming of the wrath of God.

Rev 6:12-17 (NKJV)

¹² I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. ¹³ And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. ¹⁴ Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. ¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

The 7 years of tribulation are about to begin and the times of the Gentiles are coming to an end.

[Rom 11:25-29 NKJV] 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins." 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

 

Daniel’s last week of years, the 7 years of tribulation, deal with Israel and the Jews and the judgment of the kingdoms of the world. As God judges and cleanses the nations of the world, He completes His irrevocable covenant promises to Israel. These promises are a National Land forever (Gen 12:1; 13:14-15, 17; 15:18-21), spiritual blessings and redemption (Isa. 61:8; Jer. 31:31-40; 32:40; 50:5; Heb 8:6-13; 13:20), a dynasty (Kingdom of no end), a nation (the house of Jacob), and a throne (the throne of David, 2 Sam 7:11, 13, 16; Jeremiah 33:3-26; 31:35-40; 1 Chron. 7:12; 22:10; Isa. 55:3; Ezek. 37:25; Hosea 3:4-5; Ezek. 37:21-28; Amos 9:11-12; Jer. 30:7,11,18).  They guarantee Israel a permanent national existence, perpetual title to the land of promise, material and spiritual blessing through the Messiah, and a King forever.

 

These last verses of Isa 17 also relate to the Lord’s second coming. Israel waits in terror in the evening, but by dawn he (or the Assyrians – AMP) are no more. This is the reward of those who plunder and destroy the people of God.

These verses are in line with and associated with the second coming of the Lord.

[Zec 14:2-9 NKJV] 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the LORD my God will come, And all the saints with You. 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the LORD--Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be--"The LORD is one," And His name one.

The climax is the Lord’s triumphal return to establish His Kingdom on earth and take His rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords over all the earth. And He will rule and reign for 1000 years from His throne in Jerusalem with His Bride, the true Church at His side.

 

P.S.  Ezekiel 38 and 39 are about war or battles in the Middle East. Most experts agree that these wars have not yet occurred. The question is when do they happen relative to the prophetic Biblical narrative?

 

Options for the timing of Ezekiel 38 and 39

1.    The battles of these chapters occur at the end of the seven years of tribulation.

2.    They occur at the beginning of the seven years of tribulation.

3.    Ezekiel 38 occurs at the beginning of the seven years of tribulation and Ezekiel 39 at the end of these years.

4.    Ezekiel 38 and 39 are just two views of the same war spread over about ten years with 3 ½ years of a cease-fire during the ten years. Ezekiel. 39 adds additional information to that presented in Ezekiel 38 as do other scriptures dealing with the battles of the last days.

Option 4 is the option this author believes to be the most credible. Ps. 83, Isa. 17, 29, and Jer. 49, 50, 51, Zech. 12, 13, 14, Zephaniah 1, 2, Joel 2, 3, Rev. 16, 19, and other scriptures dealing with the days just before Christ’s return are a part of the battles of Ezekiel 38/39. These scriptures add additional information to that presented in the Ezekiel chapters. It is interesting to note that Ezekiel 40 to 48 deal with the millennial Kingdom of God on Earth after the Lord’s return. By integrating all this information, a very vivid picture of the war just before Christ’s return emerges; a picture of “The Last War” on the planet Earth before Christ returns. This study can be found on my blog at: dpweary.blogspot.com.

 

What is really going on in Gaza and Lebanon?

 

What is really going on in Gaza and Lebanon?

D.P. Weary, November 2024

 

[Jer 47:1 RSV] The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before Pharaoh smote Gaza.

While history records an early fulfillment of this prophecy, our presupposition is that the historical fulfillment was a foreshadowing of future events. Events that may be occurring in our day.

Though there is much historical controversy about who the Philistines are and where they came from, many scholars believe that they were Phoenicians. The Phoenicians succeeded the Bronze Age Canaanites and were an ancient Semitic people.

“Phoenicia was an ancient civilization composed of independent city-states located along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea stretching through what is now Syria, Lebanon and northern Israel. The Phoenicians were a great maritime people, known for their mighty ships adorned with horses' heads in honor of their god of the sea, Yamm, the brother of Mot, the god of death.”

“The island city of Tyre and the city of Sidon were the most powerful states in Phoenicia with Gebal/Byblos and Baalbek as the most important spiritual/religious centers.” (World History Encyclopedia) 

[Jer 47:2 RSV] "Thus says the LORD: Behold, waters are rising out of the north, and shall become an overflowing torrent; they shall overflow the land and all that fills it, the city and those who dwell in it. Men shall cry out, and every inhabitant of the land shall wail.

[Jer 47:3 RSV] At the noise of the stamping of the hoofs of his stallions, at the rushing of his chariots, at the rumbling of their wheels, the fathers look not back to their children, so feeble are their hands,

[Jer 47:4 RSV] because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper that remains. For the LORD is destroying the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.

Note that the Lord is destroying all the Philistines from Tyre, Sidon, and the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor. Today that would include the territory from Gaza to Lebanon.

[Jer 47:5 RSV] Baldness has come upon Gaza, Ash'kelon has perished. O remnant of the Anakim, how long will you gash yourselves?

The Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor (Gaza to Lebanon) is called the remnant of the Anakim. Who are they?

[Num 13:33 ESV] 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

The Anakim or “sons of Anak” came from the Nephilim.

[Gen 6:4 ESV] The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

The O.T. presents “the sons of God” as fallen angels like Satan.

[Job 2:1 NKJV] Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

The Nephilim had corrupted DNA, part human, part fallen angel. They were very evil, unredeemable creatures.

[Jos 11:22 NLT] None of the descendants of Anak were left in all the land of Israel, though some still remained in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.

Do some of these descendants of Anak still remain in our world today? If so, that would explain the despicable evil nature and behavior of the notable despots of history, and some of the terrorists fighting Israel these days.

 

Now, considering the ancient prophecies concerning the destruction of the Philistines coming about in our day. Could this be what Israel’s battles in Gaza and Lebanon are all about? It seems that Israel is about to defeat Hamas and Hezbollah and establish a security zone around Israel. Could all this lead to at least a temporary time of “security, peace, and safely” for Israel that would fulfill the Prophecies of Ezekiel 38, the coming war of Gog and Magog.

[Eze 38:8 ESV] After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.

Securely – Hebrew, beṭaḥ:  safely, securely

Added to Israel’s defeat of Hamas and Hezbollah is the recent American election. Our world is a mess these days. There are wars and rumors of war, lawlessness is rampant, governments are in turmoil and filled with corruption, and just plain evil is manifesting itself throughout the world. Israel is fighting terrorists on all sides, Iran and most of the Islamic world is bent on destroying them. The American government for the past many years has been a very bad joke leading to bad economic conditions, corruption, and rampant deception and deceit from the government and the mainstream media. Then came the elections of 2024! Almost miraculously a man named Trump was elected president and suddenly there is a sense of hope and promise in the land. If the newly elected president and the people he is bringing with him can keep their promises to American and to Israel, at least a temporary season of “security, peace, and safety” just very well be upon American, Israel, and even extending to many parts of the world.

While this “peace and safety” may exist for a season, it is naïve to think that it will be a lasting peace and safety. The extent and scope of corruption, evil, and just the nature of fallen mankind is so great that just one change of leadership in America will not fix it all for very long. But, this season of a false sense of peace, safety, and security just might be the season that fulfills Bible prophecy that precedes the rapture of the Church and the second coming of the Lord to the earth.

[1Th 5:1 ESV] Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

[1Th 5:2 ESV] For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

[1Th 5:3 ESV] While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

If these current events in America and Israel do produce a season of “security, peace, and safety,” even if is for just a short season, then the war of Gog and Magog and the coming of the Lord is close at hand.

[Luk 21:28 NKJV] "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

 

This leads us to Noah’s day.

[Mat 24:37 ESV] For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

[Mat 24:38 ESV] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,

 

[Gen 6:5 ESV] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

[Gen 6:7 ESV] So the LORD said, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them."

[Gen 6:8 ESV] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

This led to the great flood of Noah’s day and the rescue of Noah and his family. Like in Noah’s day, when the world seems to be secure, living normal lives then suddenly God removes His children, His Church, the Lord’s Bride from the earth. This occurs before Jesus returns to the earth in as King of kings and Lord of lords in judgment and wrath to really, and finally deal with a fallen world.

[Rev 6:12 ESV] When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,

[Rev 6:13 ESV] and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.

[Rev 6:14 ESV] The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

[Rev 6:15 ESV] Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,

[Rev 6:16 ESV] calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,

[Rev 6:17 ESV] for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

But God’s children, the Lord’s Bride, the true church are not destined for God’s wrath.

[1Th 5:9 NKJV] For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

[Rev 3:10 NKJV] "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Zep 2:3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.

Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter into your rooms And close your doors behind you; Hide for a little while Until indignation runs {its} course.

Isa 26:21 For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; And the earth will reveal her bloodshed And will no longer cover her slain.

Psa 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings

Psa 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

Psa 57:1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.

Psalms 12:1 (NKJV) 1 To the Chief Musician. On an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David. Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

Noah and his family entering the arc before the great flood and Lot and his daughters being removed from Sodom before God in His wrath rained down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah are foreshadowing of the rapture of the true church.

The promise to the true church is this:

[1Co 15:51 NKJV] Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--

[1Co 15:52 NKJV] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

[1Co 15:53 NKJV] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.

[1Co 15:54 NKJV] So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

 

[1Th 4:13 NKJV] But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

[1Th 4:14 NKJV] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

[1Th 4:15 NKJV] For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive [and] remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

[1Th 4:16 NKJV] For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

[1Th 4:17 NKJV] Then we who are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

[1Th 4:18 NKJV] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

 

The Valley of Decision for America

 

 

The Valley of Decision for America

D.P. Weary

October 23, 2024

In a few days an Election will be held that will set the future for America. God has put before the people of the USA, and especially the true church, a choice.

Joe 3:14 ESV] 14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

[Jos 24:15 ESV] 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

The deciding factor in this decision will be the true church. We are living in a time of great trouble and turmoil. In times such as these the true church holds the key to either blessings or judgment from God.

[2Ch 7:13-14 ESV] 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

We are living in special days. The signs are all around us.

[Mat 24:3-14 NKJV] 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what [will be] the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 "All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

[Luke 21:8-19 NKJV] 8 And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am [He],' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore, do not go after them. 9 "But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end [will] not [come] immediately." 10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. 13 "But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 "Therefore, settle [it] in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 "for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put [some] of you to death. 17 "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. 18 "But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 "By your patience possess your souls.

While America cannot be specifically found in the Bible, we can apply the principles given to God’s people Israel and get a picture of the conditions that will exist in America in the days preceding the Lord’s return for His true church. There are two possible conditions. One is peace, safety, and relative normalcy, the other debauchery and turmoil. Either condition could exist and still be consistent with Biblical prophecy regarding America.

But if God’s people humble themselves, pray, the Lord, and turn from their wicked ways God will hear and a time of blessing will come for a season.

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

One of the signs of these days of the Lord’s return is a great war in the Middle East when forces from the north of Israel attack Israel in the war of God and Magog (Ezekiel 38). At the time of the attack Israel is in a time of peace and safety and it is reasonable, but not necessary, to assume the America is also in such a time.

[Eze 38:11 NKJV] 11 "You will say, 'I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates'—

The other great indication that these will be times of peace, safety and normalcy is the sign of “the days of Noah” and the days of Lot.

[Luke 17:26-29 ESV] 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot--they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when[DW1]  Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all—

It will be during this season of peace, safety, and normalcy when suddenly, the Lord will come for His Bride, the true church.

[1Th 4:15-18 ESV] 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

[1Th 5:1-3 NKJV] 1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

 

The second possible condition in America, like the rest of the world before the Lord’s return is anything but peace, safety, and normalcy. They will be days filled with unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, and malice. Days of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. The people will be gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. They will be people that worship the created rather than the Creator.

[Rom 1:24-32 ESV] 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

This America will be marked by worshipping “diversity, equity, and integration” (DEI). Abortion, sexual perversion, worshiping the great “green god,” hatred of Jews and Israel, and persecution of true Christians will permeate the society. It will be during such times as these when the Lord comes for the remnant, His true church.

So, America, what will it be? God has put before us a choice, choose wisely.

Vote wisely!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---

 [DW1]

The Last War - A Study of Ezekiel 38

 

The Last War - A Study of Ezekiel 38

Biblical events are occurring in our world today!

The prophecies in the Bible dealing with “signs of the times” and wars in the Middle East, especially those dealing with Israel are quickly becoming history right before our eyes. Current events are setting the stage for the fulfillment of end times prophecies, especially those dealing with Ezekiel 38. We are living in very special days; days that are the prelude to the rapture of the church and the beginning of the seven years of the great tribulation. If you have never studied these prophecies, especially Ezekiel 38, I have reposted my study on my blog. I hope you take the time to look at this study. Troubling times are upon us but the scriptures assure and comfort us because we can be sure that God is control. For those that have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, these are exciting times because we know the end of the story. And the end the story is very good for all who believe in Jesus.

For those who are not believers, perhaps it is time to consider that the Bible is truth. That only a God that is all knowing and controls all things could have prophesied thousands of years age, things that are occurring in our day. That the Gospel, the good news that Jesus, the Son of God came to this earth to give His life as a ransom and payment for mankind’s sins so that those that believe in Him, love Him, and make Him their Lord and Savior can have eternal life and escape the judgment and wrath of God that is about to come upon the earth.

[Jhn 3:16-18 ESV] 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

[Rom 10:8-13 ESV] 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GeLkXPFIwxyXVZAG29kKGpFFbqgWKv2M/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=110911195458394075036&rtpof=true&sd=true

Teshuvah - a season of return

Teshuvah

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 is Elul 1, 5784 on the Jewish calendar. This begins a season of return and repentance leading up to the first fall Feast of the Lord, Rosh haShanah. Because the fall festivals are prophecies of the days of the Lord’s return to the Earth, these days of Teshuvah have a special significance to believers. These are days to remind us that the Lord’s return is coming soon. These are days to make sure that we have accepted Jesus as our savior and Lord, and the gift of His righteousness. These are days to motivate us to tell others the good news of the Gospel. These are days to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord. Prophetically, these days may speak of a season of revival and ingathering.

o        The Fall Festivals – The Latter Rain

o        TESHUVAH - A season of repentance and return from Elul 1 to Tishri 10 (Sept.-Oct.)

The season of the fall festivals begins with a period of repentance and a call to return. It is called Teshuvah. Teshuvah literally means to return or repent. The last 10 days are the “High Holy Days” (Rosh haShanah – The Feast of Trumpets to Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement). It is the universal desire of God that all repent and not face the penalty of sin (2 Pet 3:9; Ezek. 18:21-23; 30-32). The Torah requires two sacrifices, the "asham" or guilt offering to restore relationships between men, and the "hataat" or sin offering to restore relationship with God (Matt. 5:23-24). The days of the month of Elul, are a national call for Israel to repent before Rosh haShanah, the Day of Judgment (Zeph 2:1-3; Ps 27). Each day of Elul the shofar is blown to warn the people that Rosh haShanah is approaching and that this is the season for repentance. Psalm 27 is read aloud, and in many Jewish communities Ezek. 33:1-7 is also read. Yom Kippur is the mo'ed for the Messiah to return to earth and is the conclusion of Teshuvah. The 10 days between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur teach on the testing or tribulation (Time of Jacob's Trouble) and are called “Yamim Nora-im” or “The Awesome Days” (Joel 2:11).

According to Jewish tradition and religious practice the days of Elul preceding Rosh haShanah re days to repent of one's sins before Rosh haShanah so that your name may be inscribed in the book of the Righteous and escape the time of the "Awesome Days". This is accomplished by accepting the righteousness of the Righteous One, the Messiah, remembering that man's righteousness is not acceptable to God (Isa. 64:6; Jer. 33:15- 16). The Day of Rosh haShanah represents the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. Judgment has been passed and those that have repented and accepted the Messiah have been written into the Book of Life. They are sealed and protected from the cleansing and purging to come during the Days of Awe or Jacob's Trouble. For the majorities who have not made a decision for or against God, Rosh haShanah is a final warning to them. They have ten days to return to God. The days between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur are the "Yamim Nora-im" or the Awesome Days. During this period, it is still possible to repent and be redeemed by God on the day of redemption or atonement. The Jewish greeting used during this period is "May you be sealed until the day of redemption". These ten days of tribulation may be a prophecy related to the ten days of trouble spoken of in Rev. 2:10 in the letter to Smyrna. This prophecy could then be a prophecy of ten years of tribulation between the breaking of the first seal of the great scroll in Rev.6 and the seven years of the great tribulation.

 The day of Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement or the Day of Redemption. It teaches the second coming of the Messiah. At this time, He saves and redeems Israel (Rom. 11:25-27; Zech. 12; 13:1-9; 14; Isa. 59:20), reestablishes His throne in Jerusalem, and reigns from there for 1000 years.  

 

Given the conditions and events of the days we are living in, I believe that all true believers in Jesus as the Messiah should take the words of Ezekiel 33 very seriously.

[Eze 33:1-7 NLT] 1 Once again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 "Son of man, give your people this message: 'When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman. 3 When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. 4 Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. 5 They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. 6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.' 7 "Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.

We should also be comforted by, and proclaim the words of Psalm 27.

[Psa 27:1-14 NLT] 1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD--the thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. 7 Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. 11 Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.