
Is the Western Hemisphere even in the Bible? Others have offered their thoughts, but I have never heard anyone mention Ezekiel 20. The key is synching history and geography with the text. Let me give it a shot. First the background passage of Ezekiel 20.
The Sin: Yehovah God is pronouncing judgment on Israel for Baal worship that included human sacrifice of their own children. The pagan deity demanded they kill their firstborn by throwing them in a fire through the mouth of the stone idol. Loud drums were used to drown out the crying infant. That’s what this verse means:
“For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day.” Ezekiel 20:31
The Timing: When does this prophecy occur in history? Verse 34 reveals the time Israel is regathered from being scattered to “all the countries.” It is not Egypt or Babylon, which were to a single country, so it must refer to the great Diaspora (or dispersion) to the whole world by the Romans. This has lasted nearly 2,000 years, and is only now ending with the supernatural restoration of the nation and land of Israel.
“I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.” Ezekiel 20:34
The Geography: When God gathers them, where are they gathered? This is an important historical point not to be missed. After the Holocaust most of the surviving Jews did not go to Israel as you may think. They went West. Until recently there were more Jews in America alone than in Israel, not even counting Canada and South America. In the total span of history, America is relatively new and had even been considered an uncharted wilderness for much of our existence. I submit that the U.S. is “the wilderness of the peoples.”
“And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,” says the Lord Yehovah.” Ezekiel 20:35-36
The Judgment: If you are still with me, you see they have a very specific purpose in this “wilderness of the people” stage. God will cause them to “pass under the rod”, a reference to the way the shepherds counted and separated sheep. (Remember the story of Jacob and Laban.) God will “purge the rebels”, who will not be allowed to go to Israel because of their rebellion against Yehovah. Not all Jews love God. Some hate Him and are leading purveyors of evil (such as pornography and atheistic Marxism).
“I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am Yehovah.” Ezekiel 20:37-38
The Promise: The implication is clear. Since the rebels cannot make “aliyah” (immigrate to Israel), the Jews who are not rebels will ultimately go to Israel. This separation is taking place as we speak in 2019. You can see it happening even in the political realm. As the Democrat party becomes less and less Biblical, and more and more rebellious, God-fearing Jews are forced to choose. Of course this applies to Christians as well. Both parties used to be pro-Israel, but no more. There is even a youth movement called “Exodus”, of Jews leaving the Democrat party.
“For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,” says the Lord Yehovah, “there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with all your holy things. I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the Gentiles.” Ezekiel 20:40-41
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
(Why do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the best simple explanation I know, from my friend, Keith Johnson. Also, here is a link to my book which explains it in detail, The Hebrew God Who Has No Name.)
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Why is Hanukkah Happy?
12 12 2020We are in the eight days of Hanukkah and many have no idea of the meaning, even though it is in the New Testament. The simple definition is “dedication.” That is how you discover it in John’s Gospel. You may be surprised to learn that Jesus observed this holiday.
Hanukkah is called the Feast of Dedication for a reason. About 150 years before Jesus came, the Greeks desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and were going to destroy it. The Jew defeated them under Judas Maccabee, but then needed to rededicate the Temple. The special nine-candle menorah, called a Chanukkiah, commemorates that great victory.
Jewish tradition tells us they had only enough oil for one day, but needed eight days to consecrated more oil. Thus the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. Yet, the real miracle was the defeat of the Greeks. So, they have eight candles that are lit sequentially each day. But what about the ninth candle? The Jews call it the servant candle, used to light the others. What an amazing revelation for Christians of Jesus who is called the servant-king and is the light of the world!
There is one more thing about the context of Jesus in the Temple for Hanukkah. They asked Him if He really was the Messiah to tell them plainly. A bit further down in John 10, the answer comes when He says he told them and they did not believe, and ends the paragraph with this declaration:
They did not kill Him this time. It was one of half a dozen times they tried to kill Him before His time. But why? They considered it blasphemy to equate Himself with God. The reason they drew Him into declaring as the Messiah was so they had an excuse to kill Him. Yet, that would only come in the appointed manner and time of God’s own choosing.
I hope you see the value as a Christian to lighting the Hanukkah candles. Yes, we identify with our Jewish roots, but more importantly we worship and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, Yeshua ben Yehovah!
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and continue to pray for seasonal rains in Israel.
Les Lawrence, voice of Christian Zionists (Read more)
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Tags: Elisha Vision, Hanukkah, Jerusalem, Jesus, Light of the world, Yeshua ben Yehovah
Categories : Israel Commentary