“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman (Israel) clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head…She gave birth to a Son, a male child, who “will RULE ALL THE NATIONS WITH A ROD OF IRON.” And her Child (Jesus) was snatched up to God and TO HIS THRONE. The woman FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS to a place prepared for her BY GOD, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. (The last half of the tribulation)” (Revelation 12:1,5-6) The First Commandment had been drilled into the minds of the Jewish people, “Hear, O Israel: THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD…” (Deuteronomy 6:4) When Jesus stated this, “I AND MY FATHER ARE ONE.” Then the Jews TOOK UP STONES TO STONE HIM.” (John 10:30-31) The Jews believed Jesus was committing blaspheme, because He claimed to be God but there was only “ONE” God. So, when the anti-christ comes along, gets shot and rises from the dead, they accept him as their messiah.
God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and when God promises something He will keep His promise. “…there was God’s promise to Abraham: that He would bless Abraham again and again and give him a son and make him THE FATHER OF A GREAT NATION OF PEOPLE. God bound Himself with an oath, so that those He promised to help would be perfectly sure and NEVER NEED TO WONDER WHETHER HE MIGHT CHANGE HIS PLANS.” (Hebrews 6:13-18)
God said, “Because my heart YEARNS FOR JERUSALEM, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the LORD’s own mouth. The LORD will hold you in His hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God. NEVER AGAIN WILL YOU BE CALLED “THE FORSAKEN CITY” OR “THE DESOLATE LAND.” Your new name will be “THE CITY OF GOD’S DELIGHT” and “THE BRIDE OF GOD,” for the LORD delights in you and will CLAIM YOU as HIS BRIDE.” (Isaiah 62:1-4)
“Give the LORD no rest until HE COMPLETES HIS WORK, UNTIL HE MAKES JERUSALEM THE PRIDE OF THE EARTH. The LORD HAS SWORN TO JERUSALEM by His own strength: “I will never again hand you over to your enemies. Never again will foreign warriors come and take away your grain and new wine…The LORD has sent this message to every land: “Tell the people of Israel, ‘Look, your Savior is coming. See, HE BRINGS HIS REWARD WITH HIM as He comes. (“See, I am coming soon, and MY REWARD IS WITH ME…” (Revelation 22:12))’” They will be called “THE HOLY PEOPLE” and “THE PEOPLE REDEEMED BY THE LORD.” And JERUSALEM will be known as “THE DESIRABLE PLACE” and “THE CITY NO LONGER FORSAKEN.” (Isaiah 62:7-8, 11-12)
“And they will bring all your people, from all the nations to MY HOLY MOUNTAIN IN JERUSALEM as an offering to the LORD—on horses, in chariots and wagons, and on mules and camels,” says the LORD. “They will bring them, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings, to the temple of the LORD in ceremonially clean vessels. And I will select some of them also TO BE PRIESTS AND LEVITES,” says the LORD. “As THE NEW HEAVENS and THE NEW EARTH that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “SO WILL YOUR NAME AND DESCENDANTS ENDURE.” (Isaiah 66:20-22)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham