Elisha Vision – Commentary

The prophet Jeremiah prophesied judgement on Jerusalem before, during, and after Babylon conquered the great city of God. But, the most amazing part is found in chapter 33 where God reveals the great forgiveness, healing, and restoration of Jerusalem. Most of Jeremiah’s contemporaries hated him because of his “doom and gloom” words. Check out this prophecy from Yehovah through Jeremiah:

“You expect to fight the Babylonians, but the men of this city are already as good as dead, for I have determined to destroy them in my terrible anger. I have abandoned them because of all their wickedness.” Jeremiah 33:5 NLT

Yet, this word came immediately after Yehovah made His promise of secrets to Jeremiah.

“This is what Yehovah says—Yehovah who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is Yehovah: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Jeremiah 33:2-3 NLT

You might expect the secrets would be all good news, but the first prophecy was very bad news for Jerusalem during its three-year siege by Nebuchadnezzar. The corrupt false prophets of Jerusalem, who had sacrificed to the gods of Baal, were certain that God would never destroy the city. But they were “dead” wrong! I think it should sober us today about our own nation. Yehovah has the final say!

However, the prophecy does not end in gloom, but in great joy and mercy by Yehovah, for His name’s sake, because of His promises to their fathers. He did indeed abandon the godless ones in Jeremiah’s day, but revealed the greatest secret of the last day restoration of all that Yehovah had promised.

“Nevertheless, the time will come when I will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and give it prosperity and true peace. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Israel and rebuild their towns. I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion. Then this city will bring me joy, glory, and honor before all the nations of the earth! The people of the world will see all the good I do for my people, and they will tremble with awe at the peace and prosperity I provide for them.” Jeremiah 33:6-9 NLT

Notice that the “people of the world” will see all the good and tremble with awe! Wow! Did this happen at the return from Babylon? Did it happen when Jesus came? No, and it did not happen for nearly two thousand years after. But in 1948, Israel became a resurrected nation miraculously and is clearly experiencing the promised restoration and favor of Yehovah. Psalm 102 details the last horrible destruction of the Holocaust followed by the “time to favor Zion, yes, the set time has come.” God has certainly turned the page from judgement to mercy! Now we are seeing with our own eyes the fulfillment in process of Jeremiah’s “remarkable secrets.”

Hallelujah! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for seasonal rains.

Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists                   (Read more)

Why  do I use God’s literal covenant Name: Yehovah? Here is a link to the explanation in my book: The Hebrew God Who Has No Name. And here is a link to a great visual from my friend Keith Johnson.