Yes, Micah speaks of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ, and of the coming of the gospel, and of heaven and hell. Also Micah clearly speaks of Israel’s former dominion in the Middle East as to be restored.
No! This is not about any so-called “millennium.” Rather of things yet to happen in history.
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Also Micah clearly speaks of two gigantic assemblies of ALL nations against the Jews, neither of which has happened YET!. Both of these are preceded by world-wide persecution of Christians. The first is during that great time of stress in which the Jews turn to their own Messiah, Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. The second is at the end of time.
Modern men very smugly assert that they make their own choices. Many ministers confidently assure people that they make the final choices about their salvation. In their zeal to deny Calvinism, I have heard others strongly assure people that God would never violate their free will. For a fact, that makes most people feel more confident about their salvation. I mean, who would decide to go to eternal punishment? However that seriously overlooks plain things like,
There is a final “judgment” of all men.
“For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2Cor 5:10
So there is final judgment, and God does at the end pass judgment on you and me. So God makes the final choices! Not men.
And God makes choices.
One of the key words in Greek for those chosen or elect, is the Greek word eklektos. God, being all knowing, is able to foresee how you and I will turn out, and thus able to make His decisions ahead of time. So it says,
“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;” Eph 1:4
Contrary to what some Calvinists teach, Peter writes to,
“1 … to the chosen … 2 according to the foreknowledge of God” 1Pe 1:2
God knows ahead of time what will happen, so makes His choices. Some say God only chooses classes of people, not the individuals; but that is not true per Rev 17:8.
To be chosen brings many benefits.
Jesus says of the last days of this universe.
“Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.” Mtt 24:22
Or again,
“Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, …” Lk 18:7
Will anyone be able to shoot us down?
“Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies.” Rom 8:33
Or on a sterner note.
“What then? That which Israel seeks for, that he didn’t obtain, but the chosen ones obtained it, and the rest were hardened.” Rom 11:7
And of God in His infinite wisdom, it says,
“27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;” 1Cor 1:27
And can we be chosen and then “blow it”?
Indeed we can, just we can for many things in everyday life. So Peter summarizes,
“Therefore, brothers be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.” 2Pe 1:10
But if we neglect these things we may stumble and perish.
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
I am reminded of some events in my own life. I became a Christian as a young adult, and was aghast at how much I had been deceived both about life, and current events and Scripture. I wasn’t sure that I should ever become a preacher, but I did know that I should do whatever I could, and that I needed to know more about the Bible. In that spirit I went back to college to seek a degree in Bible. Part of the requirements was a minimum of one year of Koine Greek, and an English proficiency test to be taken before a degree was conferred! Where I went to college, no English proficiency, then no degree, no matter how many hours one had!
But whoa! My worst subject in school had been English,
although I had good grades overall. And in High School Latin, my teacher passed me on a “D,” if I promised to not come back next year! And I did promise!
For my college entrance exams, my worse scores were in English!! Even so, I really wanted to know the Bible, and I didn’t want anyone shoot the bull to me about the Bible, especially along the lines of, “Well if you could read the Greek you would know, …”, and so on. So I made up my mind, no matter what … I was going to master Greek! So with no little anxiety, I dove into that course.
I passed with good grades, and then a strange thing happened. At the end of my Freshman year we were administered another set of standardized tests, and guess what! On those tests now my English scores jumped from the bottom of the heap, to very top! My English scores were higher than those in any other subject. Amazing! The truth of course is that often we really do not understand our own language, until we come understand some other language.
Then came the real surprise. Because my scores were so high on that test, I was automatically exempted from any English proficiency test before graduation. Such was simply not necessary. I had already proved myself.
Such also happens in the spiritual world.
“Blessed is he who considers the poor: Yahweh will deliver him in the day of evil.” Psa 41:1
In Luke 21 Jesus speaks of more than one subject, including those special stresses which will come upon men at the end of our age. Jesus says we should be careful and sober and alert,
“Therefore be watchful all the time, asking that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Lk 21:35
Even whole churches may escape special testing.
The church at Philadelphia has been faithful in the little things of life, and in the everyday testing that goes on, They are told,
“Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Rev 3:10
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
It is true that the wicked aims to kill the righteous.
“For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, That they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.” Psa 11:2
These are the very ones,
“Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And aim their arrows, deadly words,” Psa 64:3
Still we should see that the threats of the wicked are not all of the story, for God shoots back, Psa 64:7, and so on. Further,
If you live with God, He WILL protect you.
We are talking about the man who places his confidence in God’s protection. The man who lives with God.
“1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.” ” Psa 91:1-2
What then will God do for this man?
“3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day; 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.” Psa 91:3-6
You will only see these things
“7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it will not come near you. 8 You will only look with your eyes, And see the recompense of the wicked. ” Psa 91:7-8
In verse 8 at least, it jumps to eternal things, “you” seeing the punishment of the wicked!
Why would God do these things?
“9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, And the Most High your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall happen to you, Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For he will give his angels charge over you, To guard you in all your ways. ” Psa 91:9
That is definitely in line with Psalm 34.
“The angel of Yahweh encamps round about those who fear him, And delivers them. ” Psa 34:7
But, Wait a minute Preacher, Psalm 91 is about Jesus!
Yes, it is quoted by the devil in Mtt 4:6 and Lk 4:10-11. OK, thenyou tell me how it fits Jesus, who died on a cross! It is all the same issue! But Jesus still says not a jot or a tittle of Scripture can fail, Mtt 5:18. However, Jesus survived the cross and lived! And you my Christian friend, are you not in Jesus, having the same protection!
Of you who dwell In the shadow of the Most High it says,
“He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.” Psa 91:15
Or did you not believe? Or where do you really live?
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
“shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Dan 2:44
See the earlier blog “The Kingdom HAS come!” and search at the top right of this blog for posts concerning the kingdom.
God still rules in the kingdom of men.
The Jews will yet be a blessing to ALL nations, and Jew and Gentile will be united in Rabbi Jesus the Christ. This and more is discussed in Jewish Chronicles, to be released Friday, November 6, 2020. See your bookseller.
“He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; …” Dan 2:21
Likewise, Paul says,
“… there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.” Rom 13:1
Further, that authority in our times is exercised by Rabbi Jesus of Nazareth, the One and Only Christ.
“… All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” Mtt 28:18
Jesus can do as He pleases with rulers of the earth Psa 2:10-11, and they are warned.
“Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, For his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psa 2:12
In fact even Psalm 2 also describes the insane revolt against the Son’s rule near the end of our present age.
But there is more!
Then all the material of the Daniel 2 image, “the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold,” was broken into powder and the wind blew it away. These ancient empires were to no longer be found, which of course is what has happened. All of these empires disappeared, Dan 2:35.
Notice, although the church / kingdom was not a political entity, was not of this world (Jn 18:36), but the truth which it taught, did destroy all of these pagan empires. The crowning point or this verse comes in the very last part.
… and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” Dan 2:35
This is the stone cut without hands, the kingdom / church which was established “in the days of those kings,” Dan 2:44. A spiritual kingdom. However, any which way you take it, this last part of Dan 2:35 has NOT happened Yet! The church, the Lord’s kingdom in this world, has not filled the earth, YET !
But when the Jews turn to Jesus of Nazareth,
when they turn in the time of great stress, it says that then God
“… will send such as escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, who have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.” Isa 66:19
The Jews will lead the way in completing the Great Commission of preaching the gospel to all men. Then will the last part of Dan 2:35 be fulfilled. Then the end will come, Mtt 24:14
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
Not ALL Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled with the coming of the Christ in the first century of our age. For instance, many New Testament prophecies of the end of this present universe are quotes from the Old Testament. For instance Heb 1:10-12, and 1Cor 15:54-55, and much more. So it is with many things concerning the Jews. Their conversion will be in a time of severe stress on both Christians (first), and then the Jews. Of the Jews it says,
“11 He will pass through the sea of affliction, … 12 I will strengthen them in Yahweh; And they will walk up and down in his name,” says Yahweh.” Zech 10:11
Jesus will NOT be on earth again.
Instead we will meet Him in the air, 1Thes 4:16-17.
“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; ‘Behold, he is in the inner chambers,’ don’t believe it.” Mtt 24:26
You may or may not believe that, but that IS what Jesus says. In fact, Jeremiah tells us that no descendant of Jeconiah/Coniah will ever rule “in Judah.”
“Thus says Yahweh, Write you this man childless, a man who shall not prosper in his days; for no more shall a man of his seed prosper, sitting on the throne of David, and ruling in Judah.” Jer 22:30
However, Jesus is a descendant of Jeconiah/Coniah, Mtt 1:11-12. Now that fits 1Thes 4:16-17, but not premillennialism.
Jesus has NOW “ALL authority … in heaven and on earth,” Mtt 28.18
Jesus NOW rules over the kings of the earth, Rev 1:5, from heaven!
In prophecy there are often subtle shifts in subject.
Prophecy commonly ties the immediate things talked about, with the ultimate things which will happen. A prophecy of Israel’s sins of old will often jump from ancient Israel’s punishments by Assyria and Babylon, to the ultimate punishments at the end of this universe. Also many prophecies of the good that will come from the church or the Jews being faithful to God, jump from temporal benefits in this world to eternal benefits in “the world to come” (Heb 2:5).
An example is Isaiah 65.
Jewish Chronicles, to be released Friday November 6, 2020, described how Ezekiel 37 (pictured from an engraving by Dore, on the book cover) will be fulfilled in world history, and the glorious results that will have. See your book seller.
God speaks of the new heavens and new earth, Isa 65:17-19. There will be no weeping or crying, Isa 65:19. That is only in heaven itself, Rev 21:4. But a child will die at age 100, and the sinner dying at age 100 will be considered cursed, Isa 65:20. But that does not fit heaven-or-this worldso far. A shift of subject matter.
The faithful Jews will cause an astonishing extension of human life on earth. This will be the golden age of the church in this world, but it will not quite be heaven. The Jews will still just be men, converting to Jesus. Jew and gentile will truly be one in Christ, Eph 2:18-22. Even so, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,” 2Tim 3:13. Mystery Babylon the Great (Revelation 14 to 18), and the Mystery of Lawlessness (2Thessalonians 2) will still be biding their time.
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
Some act as if this was a great mistake. That it messed up God’s plans. God’s Purpose was that His kingdom be established in the days of the Roman empire, as clearly prophesied in Daniel 2. However you can see that it was known that this would happen from the first, as you can see from the previous post.
Jesus could have easily set up a literal earthly kingdom of the Jews in the first century of our age.
Jesus could support an army out of nothing. In John 6 he fed 5,000 men, not counting women and children, with a mere five barley loaves and two fish, and at the end had over twelve baskets of broken pieces left over, Jn 6:9-13.
“14 When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.” 15 Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” Jn 6:14-15
He could have had a literal kingdom in the first century, and such a worldly kingdom would have been accepted, but He rejected such! When He was on trial, He plainly said,
“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.” Jn 18:36
Almost every line of the gospel emphasizes this purpose.
If He was to be the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, that implies He would be slaughtered, Jn 1:29. He was asked for a sign for His authority for throwing the merchants out of the temple for the first time, early in His ministry.
“19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews therefore said, “Forty-six years was this temple in building, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body.” Jn 2:19-20
The Jews said they had been building this temple of 46 years. Herod’s temple was begun in 20 BC, and was still not completed. So this means this incident happened in 26 AD, very early in His ministry! So no, the rejection of the Jews was not an unanticipated “accident.”
And Jesus repeatedly tried to prepare his disciples for His coming murder at the hands of the Jews and Gentiles, but knowing that He was indeed the Christ, they didn’t understand what He was saying.
This was the determined plan and fore-counsel of God.
“27 For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.” Acts 4:27-28
The kingdom was established, a kingdom not from here.
And we are translated / transferred into this kingdom, past tense, Col 1:13.
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
It was clear from the first that Moses law was temporary. It was only to last until the Great Prophet, the Messiah, the Christ, had come. The seed of the woman still had to come and crush the seed of the serpent, Gen 3:15. Further, it was known from Jacob’s time that the Messiah would be of the house of Judah.
“The scepter will not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be. ” Gen 49:10
What “peoples”? Those of all the earth!
Moses the Law Giver, said it plainly.
“Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me; to him you shall listen;” Deut 18:15
If this prophet like Moses was to be of Judah, then He would most certainly be “from the midst of you, of your brothers.” If He is like Moses, would certainly also be a lawgiver, and one whom all would have to listen to.
“18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.” Deut 18:18-19
So God will require ALL to obey Him. There is more to tell, but this will do.
Also this prophet will be rejected by Leaders of the Jews!
“22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. 23 This is Yahweh’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psa 118:22-23
It says plainly that this is God’s doing.
But the Christ was not only to be rejected, but murdered … by the Jews.
To be released Friday November 6, 2020, Jewish Chronicles, $19.95, 350 pages, illustrated, outlines how the Jews with the gentiles came to kill their own Messiah. See your bookseller.
A judicial murder is outlined by the prophet Isaiah.
“7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn’t open his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn’t open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; …” Isa 53:7-8a
For what purpose?
“he was cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people to whom the stroke was due?” Isa 53:8c
He was to be murdered by the leaders, and the Jewish people, … yet survive to live forever.
He was to pierced, Isa 53:5. Psalm 22 tells us His hands and His feet would be pierced, Psa 22:16. Who is that murders Him? It is the “builders” of the Jews, Psa 118:22. It is lions, it is dogs, it is “bulls … of Bashan,” Psa 22:12. It is the Jews who murdered their own savior! Yet,
“He is the ruler over the nations.” Psa 22:28b
“All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him,” Psa 22:29b
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
Actually this is true almost irrespective of your point of view, but especially from a Scriptural point of view.
Israel behaved very badly in the wilderness.
When they worshiped the golden calf, God said,
“Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go, get down; for your people, who you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves!”” Ex 32:7
Moses reminded them.
“Remember, don’t forget, how you provoked Yahweh your God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that you went forth out of the land of Egypt, until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Yahweh.” Deut 9:7
Then Moses summarized their conduct in the following verses, and followed up by saying,
“You have been rebellious against Yahweh from the day that I knew you.” Deut 9:24
Moses says the Jews were unfaithful in his day.
Moses grand summary of the Jews and their position with respect to God is given in Deuteronomy chapter 32. Then Moses, speaking by the Holy Spirit of God, says of Israel after the flesh,
“They have dealt corruptly with him, they are not his children, it is their blemish; They are a perverse and crooked generation.” Deut 32:5
Moses asks Israel, are they paying God back? What for?
“Do you thus requite Yahweh, Foolish people and unwise? Isn’t he your father who has bought you? He has made you, and established you.” Deut 32:5
The psalmist Asaph pleaded with physical Israel in the days of King David,
“And might not be as their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that didn’t make their hearts loyal, Whose spirit was not steadfast with God.” Psa 78.8
And Moses says the Jews will be worse later.
To be released Friday November 6, 2020, Jewish Chronicles, $19.95, 350 pages, illustrated, outlines the spiritual history of the Jew. See your bookseller.
“For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against Yahweh; and how much more after my death?” Deut 31:26
Moses goes on to say,
“They sacrificed to demons, which were no God, To gods that they didn’t know, To new gods that came up of late, Which your fathers didn’t dread.” Deut 32:17
“32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, Of the fields of Gomorrah: Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter: 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents, The cruel venom of asps.” Deut 32:32-33
And Moses Prophesied of the Jews of later times.
“For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days; because you will do that which is evil in the sight of Yahweh, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.” Deut 31:29
And that is what has happened, even to this very day.
The details of the major twists and turns the Jews have made down through history are detailed in the upcoming book Jewish Chronicles.
And first step to repentance is facing your past.
Scriptures are from the World English Bible WEB, a copyright free revision of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901.
