Elisha Vision – Commentary

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.)