When the Yanks Fall

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book "Decoding the Last Days, Volume 2: Jeremiah and Lamentations."

Your mother shall be deeply ashamed; She who bore you shall be ashamed. Behold, the least of the nations shall be a wilderness, A dry land and a desert.  Jeremiah 50:12

“Your mother shall be deeply ashamed.”  People have come up with all sorts of ideas regarding the identity of this latter-day Babylon.  Some say it’s a city, some say it’s a world-wide system of evil used by Satan.  But the truth is these same people refuse to study God’s Word.  They fail to look closely at the characteristics we are given.  They key in on the word “city” and fail to notice that she is also called a nation. (ER 3.1.1)  Not only is she a nation but she also has a motherland which is still in existence at the time of her demise.  The phrase “deeply ashamed” is taken from words meaning vehement and to be pale.  It could be translated a number of different ways, but all we need to do is consider the scene before us.

America has just been completely destroyed in one fell swoop.  The celestial cloud passes over and does much damage.  Then, in the evening, a company of nations arrive with nuclear weapons to destroy all major population centers.  The nation will never again be rebuilt.  Close to 300 million people, in this land alone, are dead.  Their corpses are scattered upon the land like so much rubbish.  Within a short time this news arrives in Europe.  Reports begin to filter into America’s motherland, Great Britian, that America has been utterly destroyed.  Put yourself in their shoes.  They probably heard about the outbreak of war in the Middle East  as they sat down for dinner.  They stayed awake all night as the world endured violent earthquakes.  Now reports start coming in that the Yankees across the sea are gone.  The nation they birthed, the nation they fought side-by-side with in two world wars, the nation they watched rise to global dominance, is finished.  Just like that.  Life itself has been turned upside down in one day.  Many of them are now astonished to the point of hysteria.  Whatever mixed feelings they may have had about us Yanks are now swept away by grief and desperate sorrow.  They just lost a brother.

Boldea's "The Eagle and the Serpents"

As many of you know, Michael Boldea is a grandson of Dumitru Duduman.  Michael had this dream back in 2004, and I believe it's from the Lord.  What triggered my memory of this dream was a passage found in Ezekiel:

You therefore, son of man, prophesy, and strike your hands together.  The third time let the sword do double damage. It is the sword that slays, the sword that slays the great men, that enters their private chambers.  Ezekiel 21:14

What many people may not know is that all the prophets discuss one rich, prominent, superpower at the end of the age.  They use her downfall as a marker to denote the beginning of Tribulation.  Her complete destruction is often described as a double judgment.  The country is America.  The date of her destruction is 2016/06/05.

I was silent as I watched the eagle, and was beginning to grow somewhat impatient, when suddenly, it seemed out of nowhere, a brown snake lunged at the eagle, and bit down on its left wing.  The snake's strike was very quick and very precise.  The eagle reacted without delay, clawing and pecking at the snake cutting deep wounds in its underbelly, trying to defend itself and ward off the serpent.  Just as it seemed the eagle was winning the battle, and the serpent was retreating, another serpent appeared, red and black diagonal stripes covering its body, and without hesitation struck out at the eagle's right wing, biting down, and refusing to release.  After a momentary tug of war the serpent tore off flesh and feathers, leaving a large wound on the eagle's right wing.  The second bite was much worse than the first, and for an instant the eagle was stunned.  Then a serpent much larger than the previous two, made up of many colors, slithered toward the eagle, opened its jaws, and lunged, taking the whole of the eagle's head in its mouth before biting down.

Source: http://www.handofhelp.com/vision_52.php

Related?
Four U.S. Soldiers Accused of Plotting to Overthrow the Government and Kill Obama

Swapping Allies

Those who say the Tribulation can "begin at any time" are mistaken.  One thing we are told is that certain countries will be allied with certain other countries.  In my view, Syria must be allied with America, which we are seeing take place because of the rebel uprising.  Though she is currently allied to Russia, she will be an American ally by 2016.

The other bit of news you may have noticed was the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Monday.  Interim PM Hailemariam Desalegn will remain at the helm until 2015, at which point elections will be held.  The reason this is important is because Ethiopia is an American ally today, but will be a Russian ally in 2016 when the Tribulation begins.

Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them  shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you. 7 Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.  Ezekiel 38:3-7

In other news, keep an eye on Turkey.

"The friendliness of Turkey towards the United States has declined markedly over the past five years. The decline of U.S.-Turkish relations is primarily a result of the United States' instigation of and action in the Iraq War."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey%E2%80%93United_States_relations

Why is this important?  Turkey (Lydia) is mentioned as being allied with Ethiopia and Libya on "the day of the Lord."

Come up, O horses, and rage, O chariots! And let the mighty men come forth: The Ethiopians and the Libyans who handle the shield, and the Lydians (Turkey) who handle and bend the bow.  For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts...  Jeremiah 46:9-10

Ah, here we go...watch the red line

Obama Warns of Military Action on Syria Over Chemical Weapons

“We cannot have a situation in which chemical or biological weapons are falling into the hands of the wrong people,” Mr. Obama said in an impromptu appearance in the White House briefing room. “We have put together a range of contingency plans. We have communicated in no uncertain terms with every player in the region that that’s a red line for us.”

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/world/middleeast/syria-violence.html


Every military action needs a justifiable cover story...at least the ones the public will hear about.  The movement of chemical weapons should suffice.  After all, we don't want to start a war with Russia.  Speaking of Russia, why is she not fighting, I mean with bullets, to keep Assad in power?  Didn't our ally, Britain, join us in taking down the (not so) super powerful countries of Iraq and Afghanistan?  Didn't the revived Bear quash Georgia two Olympics ago?  Why won't Russia quash those pesky rebels and prop up their "key ally."  If you have a good answer for that, email me.  I'd like to hear it.  Maybe some readers in Russia can enlighten me on this.

Leonid Kalashnikov, deputy head of the Duma's foreign affairs committee, said that, aside from some weapons sales, Russia has not had close political or economic ties to Syria for years, a reflection of Moscow's diminished role in the region.
"That is why it would be wrong to consider Syria the last Russian stronghold in the Middle East; in fact, we no longer have any," he said.

Source: http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/28/world/la-fg-russia-syria-20120729


Uh, I'm not really buying that either.  "Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops--many people are with you. 7 Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them." (Ez. 38:5-7)

I suppose Russia just doesn't view an alliance with Syria as all that important.  Nevertheless, Syria will fall to the rebel faction and the new government will ally with America before 2016.  That is, if I interpreted parts of Isaiah correctly.

Very Enjoyable and Entertaining!!!!

My wife and I were driving past a church the other day and noticed they were throwing their annual carnival in the parking lot.  We both looked at each other and burst out laughing.  I said, "Yep, that's what the Church has become, a carnival."

It's laughable but it's also very disturbing.  We were at a relative's house and as I was flipping through the television channels I landed on the Christian station.  I watch very little TV so what I saw was as equally disturbing as the carnival church.  A husband and wife pastor team were talking about some perceived move of God and it sounded like an infomercial.  The woman, whose face remained near expressionless, would periodically raise her voice as if to grab the attention of the viewer.  The whole scene seemed very contrived.

Oh, what non-believers must be thinking.  "My name is blasphemed continually every day." (Is. 52:5)  God's people give God a bad name in America today.  Do you think you are not backslidden because you attend church?  Yeah, I thought that too.  Now I don't attend church and I know I'm no longer backslidden.  Interesting how deluded I was.  But people say, "Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together."  The actual meaning of that verse is "Don't utterly desert the body of Christ, so much more as you see the Day approaching."  He's saying, don't just leave because you realize the church is polluted at the end of the age and God is no longer attending.  Instead, find a way to provoke the body to love and good works!

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?  (Jer. 5:31)

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"The main reason that people are gravitating towards these churches is because they do offer a wide variety of programs, and they have very enjoyable and entertaining services with messages that a lot of people feel comfortable with."

"Corcoran attributes the rise in megachurches to charismatic pastors, optimistic messages and activities for every interest."

"Members report that the experience of worshiping with thousands is intoxicating, the researchers find."

"It's an addicting experience, it's so large, it's so huge."

"They're very happy with their megachurch."

"One respondent said you can look up to the balcony and see the Holy Spirit go over the crowd like a wave in a football game."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/americans-increasingly-super-sizing-churches-121105602.html
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I'm not sure what that "respondent" saw but it sure wasn't the Holy Spirit.  How do I know this?  Because God is not attending church today.

Where's the real power in the Church today?  Oh, OK, so you get goose bumps during worship service.  Sorry, folks, your emotions don't prove God is attending.  It just means God made people with emotions.  Are people in your church living clean lives and doing what God says to do?  What's the divorce rate in your church?  Does the pastor talk about turning away from all sin and living holy lives?  Is his favorite topic, grace, balanced with a teaching of God's holiness and hatred of sin?  Are people being miraculously and instantly healed of all sorts of infirmities in your church? (Ex. 15)  Is your church known and praised in the community for your service to the homeless, orphans, widows and foster community?  Is community service expected of all members of your church?  Is your church partnering with local agencies such as the homeless shelter?  Oh, you're too busy being entertained... right...  I forgot.


There comes a point in time, and we are there now, when the sin of God's people causes him to leave. He does not want to listen to our songs anymore. (Amos 5:23) He rhetorically asks if someone would be so bold as to lock the doors of his house so we would stop worshiping in vain. (Mal. 1:10) God cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. (Is. 1:13) Though we think Matthew 18 promises he will always attend, we are mistaken. The same chapter talks about plucking out our eyes if they cause us to sin.

The point comes, and now is, when all tables (religious services) are full of vomit and filth, no place is clean. (Is. 28:8) Paul's quote of Isaiah 28 proves it's talking about a Christian speaking in tongues before the overflowing scourge of Tribulation. (1 Cor. 14:21)  Let that sink in for a minute.

But this is exactly the message most Christians will not tolerate. The bride has convinced herself that God sees something other than what we have become. I have lost friendships due to this message. But the truth is, our sin causes God to become like a traveler just passing through every once in a while. (Jer. 14:8)

The time is coming, and now is, when everything that can be shaken will be shaken.  Your nice little comfy church pew is about to be overturned.  Before the Tribulation begins, God, in his mercy, will wake up those who will be woken up.  An opportunity of revival is coming to this land which will be unmistakable.  But it won't be coming through a defiled Church.  Decide today what side you want to be on.

Miracle of God or Lie of Satan?

The question was recently posed: How do we know if a sign is from God or from Satan?

The context of the question was regarding the coming Elijah.  If you are familiar with my teachings then you know I believe Elijah will go before his own people with great signs and wonders.  Yahshua (Jesus) promised that at least one person would do greater signs than even he did.  Furthermore, that person will believe in him.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  John 14:12

I don't know what life is like where you live, but in my corner of the world this is a moot point right now.  We are not seeing great signs and wonders right now.  But the day is coming when we will see great signs and wonders.  This will take place in the year preceding the start of the Tribulation.  Elijah will not only perform great miracles, but will also warn us of the coming sudden destruction of the first day of Tribulation and will also preach a hard message of sin and repentance. (Hos. 7:1 YLT, Mic. 3:8, Is. 58:1)

But during the Tribulation the world will also see wicked men perform great signs and wonders. "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved." (2 Thes. 2:9-10)  So how do we know which is which?  How do we know if we are watching God's prophet Elijah or Satan's anti-Christ?  The answer to this question has already been given to us:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3

The word confess (G3670) means to come into agreement with.  The word is also used in this passage: "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." (Mat. 10:32)  This passage is going beyond merely stating that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.  Even demons acknowledged that the Son of God had come down to earth.  "And suddenly they cried out, saying, 'What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?' " (Mat. 8:29)  The passage regarding confession is referring to one's acknowledgment of who Yahshua the Christ is in their life.  They are claiming allegiance to him and come into agreement with the work he did in the flesh.  The demons merely acknowledged his identity.

Here's the difference, which is plain to see.  Elijah will perform signs in the name of Yahshua, that the Father would be glorified.  He will acknowledge that Jesus Christ is his Savior and is the Son of the living God, come in the flesh two thousand years ago to redeem sinful man back to God.  But wicked men will acknowledge no such allegiance.  Their signs will not be accompanied with this truth.  Those who believe signs of the wicked do so "because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

Is every teacher right as long as they confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?  No, such a notion would be silly.  Many Bible teachers disagree about many different things.  The Bereans did not use this test to determine if a teacher spoke the truth.  Instead they searched the Scriptures diligently to see if his teaching lined up with the whole Word of God. (Acts 17:10-11)  Therefore, we know that 1 John 4:1-3 is not a blanket litmus test.  It can't be used to verify the truth of teaching.  But we know this: it's the very first test to know whether or not we should even pay attention.  Can people teach falsely and still profess Yahshua as their Lord and Savior?  Yes, it happens all the time.  But can people profess allegiance to Yahshua by his work in the flesh, but be from Satan?  No, not according to this passage in 1 John 4.  "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." (Mark 3:4)  Someone who is of Satan cannot cast out a demon, nor can they profess allegiance to Yahshua the Christ.

But what about angels of light and wolves in sheep's clothing? (2 Cor. 11:14, Mat. 7:15)  "You will know them by their fruits." (Mat. 7:16)  Take a closer look at their life.  What kind of fruit do they bear?  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Gal. 5:22-23)

"Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord." (Eph. 5:8-10)

Jeremiah 6

The "ER" numbers below refer to an Exhaustive Reference; a table of events to occur in the last days, with corresponding Scripture references.


In the previous chapter we saw very clear proof that Jeremiah’s words speak down through the ages, to our day.  When we understand what happened to that ancient house of Israel (not to be confused with Judah), we must begin to ask serious questions.  No longer can we skim over these words lightly.  God did not give us these words in vain.  These are not merely nice stories and horrible tragedies spoken of a people long ago in a land far, far away.  These words foretell events soon to befall us!  And with great detail God tells us how these things will play out.  This chapter reveals the strategy of the nations coming to destroy America in 2016, when her 70-year reign as world’s superpower will come to an end.


Summary by Section

1.  (v.1-3)  [ER 3.1.7, 3.1.14, 3.5.4, 5.4]

“O you children of Benjamin.”  The phrase is a play on words.  It speaks of two generations separated by a great span of time, who both receive the same type of judgment.  Benjamin (H1144) means son of my right hand.  The right hand in the Bible denotes power and strength.  Most of us favor our right hand, therefore it is stronger than the left.  Benjamin was the youngest of Jacob’s twelve sons.  These two characteristics (young, powerful) are the same two characteristics of the stronghold of the daughter of Zion (Mic. 4:8) at the end of the age. (Mic. 4:1)  This phrase represents that young, rich and powerful nation filled with God’s people, America.

In the days of Solomon’s successor, there was a schism between Israel and Judah.  The kingdom became divided and Benjamin sided with Judah.  Because of the abhorrent and blatant idol worship in Israel (the northern kingdom), Levi, the priesthood, also sided with Judah.  These three tribes, Judah, Benjamin and Levi, became known as the southern kingdom and are called by the name of the lead tribe, Judah.  The northern kingdom, the house of Israel, is called by her lead tribe, Ephraim.

So we see this phrase, sons of the son of my right hand, speaks of both Jeremiah’s generation and ours.  We saw the same thing in chapter 2.  “And against your children's children I will bring charges.” (Jer. 2:9)  The same two words are used here: your sons son, the bens of ben, the bens of Ben-jamin.  In chapter 2 we saw the last generation in the phrase “children’s children.”  But now we see more detail using a similar phrase: the nation of the last days characterized by great strength as well as youth.

“Midst of Jerusalem…daughter of Zion.”  It is not by chance these words are used.  We are being drawn to Hebrews 12:22, which identifies the Church as Zion and Jerusalem.  Though God’s Church is found in all nations, there is one nation today which meets the other characteristics we are given.

“Blow the trumpet in Tekoa.”  This phrase is also a play on words.  Tekoa is a form of H8619, which means trumpet.  More than a play on words, God is trying to show us that some of the names in the Bible lend additional meaning to the passage.  We must look beyond the name, and understand the definition of the word being used.  “Set up a signal-fire in Beth Haccerem.”  The word for signal fire (H4864) means to lift up, as one lifts up hands in prayer.  Beth Haccerem (H1021) means house of the vineyard.  In Isaiah 5 we see God refers to his people as a vineyard.  The trumpet and signal fire speak of a time of warning and a call to repentance before the calamity overtakes the land.  “For disaster appears out of the north, and great destruction.”

“Each one shall pasture in his own place.”  It is not just one nation coming to destroy America but a confederate of nations.  Though the bombers come from the north under the concealment of the celestial object, others surround her in submarines.  Each nation is assigned a specific point of attack.

2.  (v.4-6)  [ER 2.3, 2.7, 3.5.4]

“Arise, and let us go up at noon.”  There exists, perhaps, no better description of the enemy’s strategy than this.  If we miss what we are being told here we may miss the sequence of events of that first day of Tribulation.  In the New King James version of the Bible, the phrase “before them” is used four times in Joel chapter 2.  Notice what occurs before them, before the army arrives.  A fire devours, the land is like the Garden of Eden (v. 3), the people writhe in pain (v. 6), the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and moon grow dark, the stars diminish their brightness. (v. 10)  The only one not like the others is the reference to the Garden of Eden.  It speaks of the time of year, when the new life of springtime overtakes the barrenness of winter.  The other references indicate the destruction of the land before the destroying army arrives.  How is this possible?  The celestial cloud begins to pass between the earth and the sun at midday.  It is around noon in America.  The exact time is not known.  It’s around midday.  The sun is directly over North America when these events begin to take place.  However, from Joel 1 we know many are still in their houses of worship on that particular Sunday.

The reason they arise and go up at noon is because they are coming from a far country. (Is. 46:11)  They leave from their “farthest border.” (Jer. 50:26)  They leave at the precise moment the celestial object begins to pass over North America.  When discussing Isaiah 21 we learned that they come over the North Pole.  Also in Isaiah we learned that they are concealed by that celestial event which wreaks havoc on this great land.  Because of the disturbance the cloud causes, we won’t even see them coming.  Our advanced technology will be rendered useless.  They must leave at noon and arrive by early evening (Is. 17:14), otherwise they fear trouble may come to them.  I discuss this at length in “Quenched Like a Wick.”  We will see this same thought repeated in Jeremiah 15.

3.  (v.6-9)  [ER 3.1.2, 3.1.8, 3.2]

“Violence and plundering are heard in her.”  A consistent theme of latter-day Babylon is the pervasive violence found in her. (ER 3.1.8)  Her wickedness springs forth from her like a fountain welling up.  “Before Me continually are grief and wounds.”  God sees everything going on in the land.  The violence and oppression within the nation wearies God as well as us.  And God sees his Church not as a lovely bride he’s about to marry but like a woman in an automobile accident, in the hospital bed, covered with wounds and bruises and sores not yet bandaged. (Is. 1:5-6)  The call goes forth at this time to God’s heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22), “be instructed My people!”

4.  (v.10-15)  [ER 3.1.5.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5.2, 4.3, 7.3]

“To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?”  Following the thought that God’s people are to be instructed in these things, God now makes reference to his servants.  Who has ears to hear these things?  Who will listen and hear for the time to come? (Is. 42:23)  Who can I make to understand the message? (Is. 28:9)  Who will go for Me and warn the people?  “Here I am, send me!” (Is. 6:8)

“And they cannot give heed.”  Though God raises up servants to warn the people, and though he raises up Elijah from within their land of America, yet they will not hear and see and understand and return and be healed. (Is. 6:10)  But God is faithful to warn the people.  Even though they despise his Word by letting it collect dust on the shelf, and by refusing to do the things it says to do, yet he sends messengers to them.  If they will not read his Dabar, still he sends prophets with his Rhema.  Though they refuse both, still he sends rebukes to thwart their way, to turn their eyes upward.  And yet they persist in rebellion, he sends Elijah before the assembly (Zeph. 2:1-2) with the trumpet of the Lord, to declare their sin (Mic. 3:8, Is. 58:1) and warn of the coming calamity. (Is. 32:10)

“I will pour it out on the children outside, and on the assembly of young men together.”  The fury of the Lord speaks not only of judgment but also of warning.  The young men (H970), or selected ones, or elect ones, will hear the warning when they are assembled. (Zeph. 2:1-2)  Those outside will hear it as well.  The entire nation will reap the whirlwind. (Hos. 8:7)  Civilians will die alongside soldiers.  “For even the husband shall be taken with the wife.”  We saw this in Isaiah.  There is no distinction between men of war and civilians.  Bombs are dropped from planes and fired from submarines indiscriminately.  “Their houses shall be turned over to others.”  The entire land is being given to another.  The one who destroys it will also take the spoil of the land. (Is. 10:6)

“And from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.”  Do you believe the whole truth and nothing but the truth is being preached from your local church pulpit?  Think again.  The land is filled with falsity and churches are no exception.  In fact, the greatest deception is found in Christian teachings.  The very source of truth intended to free the people instead binds them in invisible chains because that truth is taught falsely.  And what is that false message?

“They offer superficial treatments for my people's mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:14 NLT)  We need to be very careful with certain “translations,” but the NLT did a good job with this verse.  This perfectly captures the thought.  The treat the mortal wound of the people (Is. 1:5-6) as if it’s a very small thing.  Why?  Because they have become drunk on the excessive doctrine of grace. (Is. 28:1)  The saving grace of God was never intended to cause us to think God winks at our sin.  Yet this is exactly what the multitude of pastors teach today.  And the self-proclaimed watchmen, the false prophets of our day, nail the coffin shut with a doctrine which ensures the people will not repent at the very hour when repentance in critical.  Like the false prophet Hananiah (Jer. 28) they cause people to believe a lie rather than the truth.  They convince the people peace is coming to them instead of punishment.

“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?”  There may be a better translation of this.  It makes little sense to think they aren’t ashamed when these events finally come to pass.  Elsewhere we are told they will be astonished.  Gesenius’s Lexicon conveys the word ashamed (H954) as paleness and terror more so than ashamed.  And the word blush (H3637) has to do with being pierced.  With this in mind we say that, as they were chanting this message of peace, they were not at all afraid of Jeremiah’s message, nor were their hearts even pierced in the least little bit.  The false teachers today simply do not believe there is any reason to be concerned of the coming judgment.  Because of their excessive doctrine of grace, and their pre-tribulation rapture lie, they are out of the way of truth and they stumble in judgment. (Is. 28:7)  They say, “It will not come to us,” meaning the Tribulation. (Is. 28:15)  But truth will prevail; they will be trampled down by it as God sweeps away their lies. (Is. 28:18)

5.  (v.16-21)  [ER 3.1.4, 3.2, 3.7, 4.3, 5.6]

“Stand in the ways and see.”  While the word way (H1870) means road, we know that such advice is not given to stand in the roads.  Figuratively the word means course of life.  Swedenborg takes this a step further, saying it means the understanding of truth. (http://www.biblemeanings.info/Words /Religious/Way.htm)  The call goes out to the people to wake up, look around, and understand the truth.  Recognize the deceptions of the enemy, and learn the way of truth.  But from where does truth originate?  Where is that way?  “Ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.”  The word for old (H5769) means concealed or veiled.  It’s the old way, the ancient way, the way which is hidden from view of most today.  But why is it hidden?  “The word of the LORD is a reproach to them; they have no delight in it.”

The very thing that offers rest for the weary and refreshing for the thirsty is ignored by the majority of Christians. (Is. 28:12)  “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mat. 11:29)  But rather than taking his way and his yoke, we have instead treaded every crooked path the world has to offer.  It is for this reason we are admonished to remember the law of Moses before the Day of the Lord. (Mal. 4:4)  We have gotten so far away from law that we have become lawless.  We have forgotten the law of truth, which turns God’s people away from sin. (Mal. 2:6)

“Listen to the sound of the trumpet!”  The trumpet is sounded by the watchmen on the wall, warning the people of impending doom.  Yet the people refuse to wake.  They roll over and go back to sleep.  But the time comes when not just the nation hears the final trumpet, but the nations are invited to hear as well.  “Hear, you nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.  Hear, O earth!”  Elijah, the last trumpet, goes before the assembled congregation.  The cameras are rolling and the satellites are in position.  The entire world is invited to hear the verdict as the harlot is exposed for what she is. (ER 5.6)

“Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.”  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  First obey God, then offer a sacrifice.  Why do you bother attending church service?  It’s not likely God is even there!  “I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.” (Is. 1)  What do you suppose “cannot endure” means?  If I lack the endurance to finish the race, will you see me cross the finish line?  Though everyone else is there, I will not be.  Sorry, I couldn’t endure it!  The thought has to do with tolerance.  When all tables are full of vomit and filth (Is. 28), do you suppose our holy God is going to be there?  “Oh, but he doesn’t see our sin, he sees the blood of Jesus.”  “They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face.” (Hos. 7:2)  “Oh, I love that new song the worship team is singing.  It gives me goose bumps!”  “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.” (Amos 5:23)  Sorry, your goose bump song isn’t reaching past the ceiling.  “Oh, but where two or three are gathered together in his name, he must be in our midst.”  Yes, and that same chapter (Mat. 18) speaks of plucking out our eyes if they cause us to sin.  Why do we only remember the verses that make us feel good?

6.  (v.22-25)  [ER 3.5.4, 6.5]

“And a great nation will be raised from the farthest parts of the earth.”  As we saw in the previous chapter, neither Assyria nor Babylon were from the farthest parts of the earth.  But now, at the end of the age, the earth is filled with people.  Now a nation can leave their “farthest border” at noon, from the other side of the world, and arrive in the early evening to deliver their payload.  The flight from Murmansk, Russia to Chicago, Illinois takes an old bomber about 9.5 hours at just cruising speed.  “Then behold, at eventide, trouble!  And before the morning, he is no more.” (Is 17:14)

“Their voice roars like the sea.”  What do you suppose 600 bombers sound like?
“We have heard the report of it.”  Before the day begins God sends his prophet Elijah before the people.  We saw him discussed extensively by Isaiah.  His ministry consists of two things:  first, great signs and wonders as God uses him to heal severe afflictions, including autism, and second, a hard message of sin and repentance as he warns the people of the coming calamity.

“Pain as of a woman in labor.”  The woman in labor is a common theme denoting the daughter of Zion at the beginning of worldwide Tribulation. (ER 6.5)

7.  (v.26-30)  [ER 3.1.4, 3.2, 3.5.9, 4.3, 5.4]

“Dress in sackcloth and roll about in ashes.”  In Joel 2 and James 5 we find the same call to repentance to this last, rich generation before the start of Tribulation.  An assayer of metals is one who refines the metal and removes impurities.  He also tests the metals for purity.  But this assayer uses the Word of God test the people.  He compares the people of the day against what the Word of God says about them.  He’s also like a fortress; the shadow of great rock in a weary land. (Is. 32:2)  A strong message against sin becomes a defense to the people in the day of their visitation.  Those who turn and repent have a sure defense in that day and will be preserved by God.  But fools continue on and suffer harm.  Contrast this fortress and the wall built by the false prophets in Ezekiel 13.  Their wall falls suddenly on that day because it’s not built on truth, but lies.  But alas, the smelter refines in vain. (Is. 49:4)  Though some do repent and are preserved, still the land is destroyed.


Recap

1. Coming soon to that young, powerful nation called by My name.
2. They leave at noon and arrive in the early evening.
3. Wake up and realize the dire situation.
4. Your leaders are clueless. Your sin deafens your ears.
5. The verdict is delivered. The nations listen in.
6. We heard about it, now it's here.
7. The people do not repent, destruction comes.


End of Age Context

We are consistently provided context pointing to the end of the age.  The previous chapter ruled out Assyria and Babylon.  This chapter uses the woman in labor theme.


End of Age Themes

• God’s people are rebellious
• Their leaders deceive them with a false message of peace.
• Their nation is young and powerful.
• God sends them a prophet to warn them.
• God’s people refuse to repent, collectively.
• God sends an army from far away to destroy their nation.

Sequence of Events

Before the Day begins God sends them watchmen to wake them up.  Finally he sends them Elijah to sound the final trumpet.  Still they refuse to repent so God sends the nation from afar to destroy them.  As we overlay the prophecies we come to understand how the events of that first day unfold.  The leave from their farthest border at the same time the cloud begins to pass over.  By this they are concealed.  They arrive in the early evening to destroy the land.


Final Thoughts

“Because they have not heeded My words nor My law, but rejected it.”  What’s the very next thought after this one?  It speaks of things of worship.  The people reject Yahshua’s commandments, they also reject God’s law, yet they still worship!  The people still attend worship service every Sunday.  They still sing songs to God.  Some even lift their hands in worship.  Yet their lives do not line up with God’s Word.  Instead they follow the dictates of their hearts while God’s Word collects dust.  They sin all week long and the cause of the poor does not approach them.  They are wise to do evil but to do good they have no knowledge.  Yet they believe God will reward them by snatching them away into heaven before the trouble begins.  This scenario is true today in the Church in America.  It epitomizes the very definition of delusion.  Lord, help us!

Damascus not in danger...yet

Despite what you may have heard recently, Damascus is not in danger of being reduced to a heap of rubble during the current uprising.  In my recently published book "Decoding the Last Days, Volume 1: Isaiah" I explained how Isaiah applies to the very day in which we are living.  Simply stated, Syria must ally with America before the Tribulation begins.

God did not mix and match when he wrote the Bible through his servants.  He did not sprinkle it with historical records and throw in a dash of "latter days" here and there like one would make a salad.  The second chapter of Isaiah is not an island floating in the sea because it uses the phrases "the latter days" and "the day of the Lord."  Rather, God is pointing out that although his Word had application for an ancient generation, still it speaks down through the ages to the last generation before the return of Christ.  Every chapter of the prophets has application for our day.  Every historical record shows events that will befall us.

The burden against Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap....The cities of Aroer are forsaken...The fortress also will cease from Ephraim...In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.  Isaiah 17:1-3, 7

The burden of the word of the LORD against the land of Hadrach, and Damascus its resting place (For the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD). Zechariah 9:1

What would cause the eyes of all humanity to drop what they are doing and pay attention to what God is doing?  Could it be related the sudden destruction that Paul discussed?

For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.  1 Thes. 5:3

When the Tribulation begins in 2016, it will begin with sudden destruction.  On that day both Damascus and America, the fortress of Ephraim, will be reduced to a heap of rubble.  Though Syria is currently a key ally of Russia, this will not be the case in 2016.  In Volume 1 I showed that Gog of Magog (Russia) will destroy both America and Damascus on the first day of Tribulation.

Even the fish of the sea

There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. 2 By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away.  Hosea 4:1-3



Thousands Of Dead Fish Worth $10 Million

“It’s something I’ve never seen in my career, and I’ve been here for more than 17 years,” said Mark Flammang, a biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “I think what we’re mainly dealing with here are the extremely low flows and this unparalleled heat.”

Source: http://www.webpronews.com/thousands-of-dead-fish-worth-10-million-2012-08

Those who might be inclined to think this is a random verse taken out of context are sorely mistaken.  The Bible has much to say about our day.  What Ephraim's fortress nation (Is. 17:3), America, is experiencing today was foretold long ago.

Related:

Ouch! July in US was hottest ever in history books
http://news.yahoo.com/ouch-july-us-hottest-ever-history-books-153026499.html

Mass Animal Deaths
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=201817256339889828327.0004991bca25af104a22b

Jeremiah 3

The "ER" numbers below refer to an Exhaustive Reference; a table of events to occur in the last days, with corresponding Scripture references.



The Word of God is amazing as it reveals the hidden mysteries of this life and the course of mankind.  The love of God knows no bounds as he searches for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.  How far would you go to redeem a lost loved one?  At what point would you allow your wayward spouse to fade from view, losing all hope for reconciliation?  But God is not like man.  He searches the depths of the heart of man.  He knows all and sees all.  When his nation departs, still he redeems their children.  When the children backslide, still he intervenes, saving them from the recklessness of their way, to establish them in truth and righteousness, a bride adorned for her Husband.


Summary by Section

1.  (v.1-5)  [ER 3.2, 3.3]

“But you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return to Me.”  Notice that God addresses his people who are still worshiping him.  This is important because in just a few verses we are going to read about the house who did not return.  Who is God addressing here?  Is he only addressing the ancient house of Judah?  No, we saw in both chapters 1 and 2 that Jeremiah was commissioned to speak not only to his generation but also to God’s people today.  But are God’s people today in America defiled yet still worshiping?  This is what the prophets tell us time and again in so many various ways.  And all the honest Christian has to do is lift their eyes and look around.  What websites does your husband visit?  What do your wife’s phone conversations sound like?  How does your conversation go when someone has offended you?  Do either of you volunteer your time at the homeless shelter?  The women’s shelter?  The teen pregnancy home?  Do you consider the foster children who need a place to call home?  Have you considered adopting an orphan because it pleases God?  Have you lifted a finger for the widows in your own church?  How much TV do you watch and how much time do you spend studying the Bible?  How much do you give?  How much do you spend on vacations and entertainment and shoes and ipods?  Do your children look or sound any different than the children of unbelievers?  Do you guard your eyes from evil?  Have you kept yourself spotless for your Savior?  Are you even the least bit bothered by sin in the Church?  Would you even recognize sin if you saw it?  Are you at all angry that God’s holy name is profaned by the fleshly walk of his own people?

“Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men?”  Just lift up your eyes and look around.  The spirit of harlotry pervades the land.  And it’s not limited to unbelievers.  But the land is polluted by Christian harlotry.  Our attention is constantly pulled in a thousand directions away from the Lord; away from his holiness and righteousness.  God’s people are a mere shadow of what he has called us to be; yet we act like nothing at all is wrong.  The Church in America is like a silly child, her clothes filthy, her hair a frazzled mess as she carelessly stops to play with every little distraction in the toy store.

“Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there has been no latter rain.”  We saw the allusion to this in the previous chapter.  When God prepares to send the final calamity against the land, he first tries to warn her.  He shuts up the heavens.  He sends blistering heat.  He sends drought against the land.  He sends pestilence.  He sends destroying worms and blight and mildew against their crops.  The grocery store shelves go empty for a season.  The dryness of the land is a reflection of the spiritual dryness of God’s people.  God’s people are void of the cleansing, refreshing water of his Word.  Though we are told the nation will not repent, perhaps some will gain wisdom as they consider his rebukes.  Perhaps some will turn back to God and repent.

“Will you not from this time cry to Me?”  Shouldn’t the people now begin to cry out to God in repentance?  Why do the lesser chastisements not wake them up?  What will it take to bring this people back to pure worship?  What will it take before they begin to cry out to God?  “His cities are burned, without inhabitant.” (Jer. 2:15)

2.  (v.6-13)

“Israel… Judah… Israel… Judah…”  Have you seen what Israel has done?  Well, Judah didn’t learn anything from it.  Israel is in Assyria at this point in time.  Why does God bother to address Israel?  It’s imperative we understand what happened to Israel, the northern kingdom.  We must understand the distinction being made between Israel and Judah.  The names are not used synonymously.  The two houses were distinct and followed two very different paths.  Judah became known as the Jews during their Babylonian captivity.  “Oh, but part of Israel came back and mixed with Judah.”  Then why are the two houses still treated distinctly, even to the end of the age, our day?  Just look at Ezekiel 37.  The two houses, Israel and Judah, will be reunited again during the Tribulation.  “Oh, well, God still knows who belongs to each tribe.”  Then why do the books of Ezra and Nehemiah list only the families of Judah as they returned from Babylon to rebuild the land?

Why are Christians today so reluctant to believe the Bible?  If we don’t rightly understand identity then we won’t understand the message.  If we continue to call the apple an orange, we won’t get it.  We will have to learn the hard way.  We’ll have to see it with our own eyes as these events play out before us over the course of the next few years.

Jeremiah tells us plainly what happened to Israel.  “But she did not return.  And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.”  “Oh, well, this means Israel did not return in heart.  But she came back and mixed with Judah.”  Then why did God divorce Israel?  The two kingdoms now dwell together but only Judah is still married to God at this point?!  “Uh, well, God must have remarried Israel after their Assyrian captivity.”  Then why does it say Judah saw her leave but not return?

So you’re going to tell me that Israel and Judah became one family at this time even though such a thing is only predicted to occur at the end of the age?  Did I miss something?  Did the Tribulation and the return of Christ occur about 600 years before his first arrival?

Truth is, the Bible mentions only two times in history when Israel and Judah are one family in the land.  The first already happened during the reign of David and his son Solomon.  The second occurs at the end of the age when our Savior arises as Judge.  “A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.  In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely.” (Jer. 23:5-6)  The context of that passage, as we shall see, is the time when King Yahshua (Jesus) begins judging at the house of God. (1 Pet. 4:17)

“Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.”  How is this possible?  In what way did God consider Israel more righteous, or more justified, than Judah?  Israel left God, rejected his first covenant, mixed with Gentiles and became Gentile.  But Judah saw this and didn’t learn anything from it.  It says Judah returned only in pretense.  In what way is Israel better off than Judah?  The essence of pretense is self deception.  “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.” (Rev. 3:15)  Do you know someone who is backslidden?  Perhaps you are backslidden in heart, still attending church service every week.  Pray that you or your friend would leave that lukewarm state as quickly as possible.  Pray that your friend would either turn wholeheartedly toward God or that he would run with all his might as far away from God as he can possibly get.  The most difficult person for God to reach is one who has deceived himself.

It is for this reason that Israel was in better position to hear from God than Judah.  Israel was not in self-deception.  Israel knew she was far from God and his ways.  The most wretched, despicable sinner can hear from God more easily than a lukewarm Christian.  It is for this very reason that Israel’s descendants accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When the apostles brought that good news to the lands to which Israel traveled after Assyrian captivity, they largely embraced it with open arms.  Christianity became the unofficial religion of the Anglo-Saxon people.

“And have scattered your charms to alien deities under every green tree.”  But did the house of Israel travel to distant lands after Assyria?  The word for charms (H1870) means road, or figuratively, course in life.  The word for “alien deities” (H2114) means to turn aside.  The house of Israel scattered themselves to foreign lands after their Assyrian captivity.  They did not return to the land of their fathers.  But like a wild donkey in her time of heat, they went out and followed after every desirable earthly prize.

3.  (v.14-18)  [ER 7.1, 8.1.1, 8.1.3, 8.1.4, 8.1.6, 8.1.7]

“Return, O backsliding children.”  The focus now shifts from Israel to both Judah and Israel.  “For I am married to you.”  What?!  How can this be?  Were we not just told that God divorced Israel and that Judah returned only in pretense?  What kind of riddle is this?  And what is this about taking one from a city and two from a family?  Was it not typical that an entire family practices the family religion?  Was it not common that the entire city served the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

“In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel.”  We must understand that the previous passage speaks of history and this passage speaks of yet future events.  Though Israel and Judah went their separate ways so very long ago, the end of the age is characterized by their reunion.  The reunification of Israel and Judah is a common theme when the prophets speak of our day.

One from a city and two from a family refer to the just who live by their faith.  In chapter 23 we see that Judah will be saved.  Paul spoke of this when he indicated that the branches of Judah will be grafted back in if they do not continue in unbelief.  Those branches will be grafted back in when Judah’s horses are struck with blindness and he opens his eyes on both houses (Christians and Jews), in the latter days. (Zech. 12:4)  Is it for this reason that the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of the first covenant, will not come to mind or be remade.

“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart.”  Another common theme of the last days is a return to true knowledge and understanding of God’s whole nature.  While Christians today understand God’s mercy and grace, we don’t understand his justice and righteousness.  It’s for this reason the Bible says we don’t fear him.  Teachers today will be judged very harshly for promoting a one-sided view of our Holy God.

“When you are multiplied and increased in the land.”  We saw this theme repeated often in Isaiah.  When the Tribulation begins God will preserve a remnant and deliver them to the borders of Zion.  After Gog of Magog is destroyed, the remnant inherits the land.  The borders of the land will have to stretch to accommodate the influx of people.

“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD.”  It is not by coincidence or happenstance that both Zion and Jerusalem are mentioned in this passage, as well as Hebrews 12:22.  When Christians and Jews are reunited as one family under faith in Yahshua, God will exalt that nation in the earth.  Many people from all over the earth will come to that mountain and worship the Lord. (Is. 2)  These events occur during the first year of Tribulation.  In perfect agreement, Jeremiah confirms Isaiah.

4.  (v.19-25)  [ER 3.2, 3.5.2, 7.1, 8.1.2]

“But I said: How can I put you among the children and give you a pleasant land.”  After showing us the good will and intention of the Father, he now takes  a step back to view the situation.  God rhetorically asks, How is this going to happen?  The people are defiled.  How will I take them from point A to point B?  They are to Me like a wife who treacherously departs from her husband.

“A voice was heard on the desolate heights…shame has devoured the labor of our fathers.”  The barren high place refers to the nation that has become desolate.  In verse 2 the word refers to the lesser judgments, such as drought.  But now fire has devoured the whole land, as locusts consume the land. (Nah. 3:15, Amos 7)  They lie down in that shame, meaning there is no strength left.  God has destroyed their land.

“Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains.”  Hills and mountains in the Bible usually refer to lesser and greater nations.  The people of God are not to trust in allies, but in God alone.  This is spoken within the context of the destruction of the land.  Isaiah 47 tells us that no one will come to America’s aid on that day.  This should also serve as a lesson to those who go down to Egypt.  Salvation is found in God.  In him do we hope.

“Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God.”  It is in this way, the destruction of the land, that the question is answered.  How will the people of God go from defilement to blessing?  They will not repent of their own accord, so God sends a destroying army against the land.  But even in the midst of destruction, God preserves a remnant and brings them back to himself.  In Jeremiah 50:4 we see both Israel and Judah departing a burning America together.


Recap

1. Sin invites rebuke, a precursor of greater judgment.
2. The house of Israel left and did not return.
3. Israel and Judah reunite and are blessed.
4. But first their end-time fortress-nation is destroyed.


End of Age Context

In the first two chapters we saw how Jeremiah was commissioned to speak to both his generation and ours.  This chapter confirms this as it speaks of the end of the age when Judah and Israel will once again walk together.


End of Age Themes

• God’s people are defiled.
• Lesser judgments precede the final calamity.
• Their land is destroyed.
• God spares a remnant that returns to Zion.
• The two houses are reunited.
• God’s people experience increase and blessing in Zion.

Sequence of Events

Just as we saw in Isaiah, the pattern is the same here.  End-time Babylon, the nation of God’s people, is destroyed and God returns his remnant to Zion.  There God corrects them and rejoins the two families.  The nation is increased and God blesses them during the Tribulation.


Final Thoughts

“And you have polluted the land with your harlotries and your wickedness.”  Notice where God lays the blame: squarely at the feet of his own people.  Is America defiled today?  “Oh, but this is not our fault!  We aren’t to blame for America’s sin.”  By thinking this, by deflecting blame, we make the Word of God of no effect.  “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!  Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Is. 48:14)  Had God’s people eschewed evil, had we remained salt and light, had we obeyed God, none of this would have happened.  The country would not have to be destroyed.  The sin of God’s people has polluted the land.  Why then should we expect anything other than God’s judgment?  “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:26-27)

Just look up and lift up your eyes.  God no longer blesses this nation.  We are under his rebukes today.  Soon the day is coming when the final judgment will strike the land.  The time is now to wake up and serve God with our whole hearts.

Jeremiah 2

The "ER" numbers below refer to an Exhaustive Reference; a table of events to occur in the last days, with corresponding Scripture references.


The two visions of chapter 1 set the stage for the entire book.  Just as Daniel discovered, Jeremiah was commissioned by God to bring charges against both his generation and the last generation of this present age.  That theme will be confirmed again in this chapter.  His words now alight upon us today.  But what nation is being addressed?  In Isaiah 13 we see the Tribulation begins with the destruction of a nation called Babylon.  Though Judah is addressed here, before she was taken captive to Babylon, the language is generic enough to also apply to latter-day Babylon.  Jeremiah will make that clear in chapter 25.


Summary by Section

1.  (v.1-3)  

“Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem.”  Although many Christians read the Bible, and especially the Old Testament, in a very detached manner, it was not intended to be this way.  The first implementation can be thought of as the people received the law during their exodus from Egypt.  But notice how this is addressed to Jerusalem.  The Church was delicate and precious in God’s sight when he sent his only begotten Son, Yahshua, to redeem his lost sheep.  All who would come against his tender bride would certainly offend.

“All that devour him will offend.”  But now look at what we’re told about God’s people of the last generation before the return of Christ.  “All who found them have devoured them; and their adversaries said, ‘We have not offended, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ ” (Jer. 50:7)  This statement is made within the context of the destruction of latter-day Babylon, who is America.  In our day God will send a great army against America.  This is not an offense to God because God is the one directing it. (Is. 5, 13)

2.  (v.4-8)  [ER 3.2, 3.4]

“Hear the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob and all the families of the house of Israel.”  Where is the house of Israel at this point in time?  As we already saw, they are gone.  But Jacob was father to all twelve tribes.  And God calls out the house of Israel here specifically.  But the ancient house of Israel is not so much in view here as Christians today.  God calls down through the ages to speak this word to us today.

“What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me.”  But God, we haven’t gone far from you!  We attend church service every week.  Some of us even attend twice a week, nearly every three days.  “Come to Bethel and transgress, at Gilgal multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days.”  Bethel means house of God.  Gilgal means a rolling away.  Go ahead, attend your church.  Bring your sacrifices every morning as you tune to the Christian radio station.  But God is never pleased with sacrifices from a polluted, backslidden-in-heart people.  Isaiah says that all tables (religious services) are full of vomit and filth. (Is. 28)  It’s like this across the entire land.  Though our lips are near to God, yet our hearts are far from him and his ways as we feast on the sin of the land.

“Neither did they say, ‘Where is the LORD?’ ”  God’s people today don’t even bother to ask where he is.  God, where is your power?  Why don’t we see your glory manifested in the earth?  Instead of glory we receive shame.  Why are we oppressed and plundered?  If only God’s people would just begin to ask.  The land is defiled under the harlot and God’s people play along as if nothing is wrong.

“I brought you into a bountiful country…But when you entered, you defiled My land.”  Can God’s people handle prosperity?  If history is any guide then no, we cannot.  God desires to give us good things, but unless we walk in the spirit and abide his Word, those things quickly turn our hearts.  Such was the case for ancient Israel and such is the case of us today.  We are the rich of the earth that James discusses in chapter 5.

“And those who handle the law did not know Me.”  While we’d like to believe our pastors are teaching us right things, the Bible says otherwise.  Time and again in the prophets we find mentioned their sin and subsequent judgment.  Some may protest, not believing this chapter speaks of our day.  To these I say, just skip forward to chapter 23.  Clearly the context is the latter days, as we will see.

3.  (v.9)  [ER 3.2]

“And against your children's children I will bring charges.”  Once again we see the dual nature of prophecy.  I will bring charges against you and your grandchildren!?!  What are we to make of this?  Are no charges to be brought against the children?  No, but what we understand Jeremiah to mean by this is the end of the age.  Moses spoke the same thing.  He prophesied of both an ancient generation and our generation: “For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you.  And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.” (Deut. 31:29)  As we shall see, the evil shortly to befall us is the destruction of our land, America.

4.  (v.10-13)  [ER 3.1.5.1, 3.2, 3.3]

“But My people have changed their glory for what does not profit.”  God is trying to make us understand the plight of our situation.  Has a people ever changed their understanding and worship of God?  Yet we have.  And we have done it in such a way as to trade something which could benefit us (the favor of God) for something which does not profit (defiled worship out of false mindsets).  Understand the situation.  The chapter begins discussing the betrothal of God’s bride.  She was precious in God’s eyes.  She was holiness unto the Lord.  But now she is defiled.  Not only that, she still worships God, but it’s ineffectual.  The only thing her worship does is anger her holy God.  But she hasn’t a clue!  She has no idea that God is angry with her.  She has no idea that God is upset.  She doesn’t even bother to ask these questions.  Though she is plundered and experiencing evil and trouble at every turn, she doesn’t stop and wonder.  She is completely and utterly deluded.  She continues to worship, not even considering how skewed things have become.  In her mind everything is fine.

“Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate.”  In many cases the land becomes a reflection of God’s people.  Often times God will hold up a mirror before us to show us what we have become.  Concerning nations, he uses the weather to chastise us, to wake us up to repentance with the hope that severe disaster will be averted.  Is the land dry?  Water symbolizes the Word of God.  Such spiritual dryness pervades the people that the land responds in like manner.  Be astonished, O heavens, at this!  What comes from the sky, but rain?  Be parched O heavens!  Drought is a curse which precedes the final judgment on the land. (Deut. 28:22-23)

“They have forsaken Me…and hewn themselves cisterns.”  Though the people continue to worship, they do not worship God in truth.  Though we understand God’s mercy and grace via the shed blood of Yahshua, yet we do not truly understand the whole character of God.  We think God somehow changed his very nature when he sent his Son to redeem us.  We have hewn for ourselves things created to hold doctrinal beliefs about our God.  Yet those cisterns are no good.  Though we think they hold water, in reality they do not.  Our understanding is not according to the whole Word of God.  Our understanding is deficient, and our actions prove it.  Collectively we have become polluted.  We do not eschew evil as we ought, nor do we serve the poor and downtrodden as we are commanded.  Our wine has been mixed with water (Is. 1) and the byproduct of true faith, love, has grown cold.

5.  (v.14-18)  [ER 3.2, 3.5.2, 7.6]

“His cities are burned, without inhabitant.”  After describing his people today, God now cuts to the chase.  This is what’s going to happen to you: all your cities will be burned.  “Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; strangers devour your land in your presence.” (Is. 1:7)  In “Quenched” I show when this will take place.

The very next thought after the destruction of the land is Egypt.  Why do you suppose this is the case?  In Isaiah we saw that after America is destroyed, the remnant that God preserves will end up within the ancient boundaries of the tribe of Gad.  That land now resides within Jordan, just north-east of the Dead Sea.  But some of the remnant get a bright idea.  They decide to head down to Egypt to see if they can buy Egypt’s help.  It’s a faithless act of a desperate people.  These Christians, rather than repenting for all their evil in America, make a plan which doesn’t include the God who just supernaturally rescued them from a burning land.

“Have broken the crown of your head.”  In Isaiah 28 we saw how the crown of pride referred to the pastors and end-time teachers who refuse to believe God will punish his backslidden people.  But they did not make it beyond the first day of Tribulation.  So who could this be?  In that chapter the crown had to do with leaders filled with pride.  But now in a foreign land, the crown has been replaced with a new crown.  These are the outspoken horsemen (Is. 31:1) who say action must be taken.  These are the ones who fill the people with fear and worst-case scenarios. (Is. 10:1)  The people who take that road to Egypt refuse to humble themselves and repent.  The prideful American Christians go down to Egypt.

6.  (v.19-29)  [ER 3.1.5.1, 3.1.19, 3.2, 3.4, 7.2, 7.5.2, 7.6]

“Your own wickedness will correct you.”  The very next thought after Egypt is this statement about correction.  In Isaiah we saw what will happen to the unfaithful of the remnant.  Two-thirds of them will go with the enemy when he offers food and land.  One-third will repent and wait on God for deliverance. (Zech. 13:8)  Though they are all God’s people, not all have enough faith to make it through to the next day.  It’s in this correction and rebuke that their robes are washed and made white in the opening months of Tribulation. (Rev. 7:14)

But the reason for this is all plain before the eyes of God.  They do not possess the proper fear of God because they trust in broken cisterns of false mindsets.  They do not delight in the Word of God but despise it. (Jer. 6:10)  It sits on the shelf for months on end collecting dust.  Though God provided Christians the power over sin (breaking the yoke and bonds of sin), yet they do not take advantage of it.  Instead they tell themselves, God does not care about perfection.  He knows I am weak and but dust.  “When on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down, playing the harlot.”  In Isaiah 57 we saw how trees symbolically represent people, and worshiping green trees denotes a lusting after young flesh.  Jeremiah confirms this and calls it harlotry.  Indeed, the spirit of harlotry has swept the land.  And the people of God, mostly men, have no power over pornography because 1) they do not consider the holiness of God and 2) they do not spend much time at all in the Word of God.  “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11)

“Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine.”  This theme is repeated in Isaiah 5.  Though he planted his Church as a beautiful vine, how is it at the end of the age she has become a wild, degenerate vine?  Simply, she has followed the dictates of her heart and built her doctrines on the vain imaginations of her mind.  She has become drunk on grace (Is. 28) and has forgotten the holiness and justice of God.

“For though you wash yourself with lye, and use much soap, yet your iniquity is marked before Me.  How can you say ‘I am not polluted’? ”  As this passage pertains to Christians today, it begins to become clear what those cisterns look like that we have hewn for ourselves.  Our doctrines are such that we do not believe we are defiled.  ‘But God, how can our iniquity be marked before you?’  “They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face.” (Hos. 7:2)  Christians in America today do not consider that our holy God expects us to be holy as well.  They do not understand that an inner righteousness obtained by faith in Yahshua was always supposed to result in a holy, careful walk (outward righteousness).  He has made us free from the bonds of sin as we abide in him and his Word.

“See your way in the valley; know what you have done.”  God pleads with his people to wake up and to understand their situation.  “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.  Cease to do evil, learn to do good.” (Is. 1:16-17)  A valley represents profane worship.  The people of God started out holiness to the Lord, but now they are corrupt, yet still worshiping.  The noble vine has become an alien vine.  She has become like a wild donkey in her time of heat.

“Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst.”  The thought of this passage now comes full circle.  Don’t go to strange lands!  Stop seeking help outside of God’s provision!  “No, there is no hope outside of our own effort.”  So you have spoken, so it is.  You will be caught up in the conflagration coming to that land.  As you have placed your hope in aliens, now let your aliens save you.  But we already know how this story ends.  “For the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose.” (Is. 30:7)

“Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’  For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face.”  There is a connection here to be made to Isaiah chapter 8.  There we learned the time is coming when the house of Israel (the Church) will once again realize their place in the family of God.  Before the two sticks are reunited (Ez. 37), both the house of Israel and the house of Judah must understand the plan of God and family of origin.  But we learn that those who turn their back on God, those who defect to the enemy, will not understand.  They rely on chariots, because they are many. (Is. 31:1)  They rely on the base things of truth because they are readily available.  They do not search out the deeper things of God.  They are not concerned with the precious gold and silver, but of things of the senses.  They have enough faith to the saving of the soul but not enough to make it through this day to the next.

“For according to the number of your cities are your gods, O Judah.”  Notice that Judah is in view here, not just Christians.  This time of sifting during the first few months of Tribulation is for Judah as well.  At the end of it, when Gog of Magog is defeated, “the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in the LORD of hosts, their God.’ ” (Zech. 12:5)  Only when we understand that Jerusalem is used here to identify Christians (Heb. 12:22) does this prophecy begin to make sense.

“Why will you plead with Me?  You all have transgressed against Me.”  A better word for plead (H7378) would be grapple or contend.  As we saw exhaustively in Isaiah, God spares his remnant from a burning America and places them in the wilderness for a time.  There they are oppressed as God contends with his defiled people.  The people don’t immediately repent, but they turn to their own way, as the horse rushes into battle. (Jer. 8:6)  The people fight against Elijah before the Tribulation and we find them in the wilderness, still fighting!  But God is not done with them yet.  By the time this ordeal is done, Gog of Magog, both the destroyer of their land and their oppressor in the wilderness, will be destroyed along with all those with him.  God will bring the faithful of the remnant through that second fire (Ez. 15:7), will refine them as silver and try them as gold.  The one-third will be allowed to cross over the Jordan and enter through the gates of the land. (Is. 26)  God will then bless them mightily and pour out his Spirit upon them. (Is. 2)

7.  (v30-35)  [ER 3.1.4, 3.1.5.1, 3.1.18, 3.2, 3.3]

“In vain I have chastened your children; they received no correction.”  America, latter-day Babylon, receives many lesser judgments leading up to the start of Tribulation, but to no avail.  The  lesser judgments do not produce the desired response: repentance.  Isaiah echoes these words when he says, “Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more.” (Is. 1:5)  Some of those chastisements can be found in Amos 4.  America is experiencing drought today (2012).  But the day is coming when those chastisements will cease for a time.  A time of great peace and safety will sweep the earth.  Things will seem great.  It will seem like the worst is over.  It’s at that time that Elijah will go before the people as God assembles them. (Zeph. 2:1-2)

“Your sword has devoured your prophets like a destroying lion.”  One of the more common themes of the last days is the sin and judgment coming to the leaders of God’s people.  We will see this echoed many times in Jeremiah and the rest of the prophets.  God abhors a message of peace delivered to a defiled people.  The message causes the people to believe a lie.  It causes the people to think there is no need for repentance.  It is the exact opposite message the people need to hear in this crucial hour before the final judgment strikes the land.

“O generation, see the word of the LORD!”  Open your eyes and look around, people of God!  Don’t just hear the Word, but see the Word in action!  Do you not see the Word of the Lord bringing his arm of punishment to this land?!  But why do you still resist?  “We are lords.”  The word lords (H7300) means to roam freely.  “We are free to do what we want.  We will come no more to You.”  In the face of these chastisements the people are insolent.

“Therefore you have also taught the wicked women your ways.”  Just as we saw in Isaiah 27:11, I believe the women refer to other nations.  The consistent picture we are given of end-time Babylon is that she has raised up all other nations under her wicked influence.  Remember that there are three implementations of these prophetic words.  The first is Judah before Babylon carried her captive.  The second is ancient Babylon before the Medo-Persian Empire overtook her.  The third is latter-day Babylon, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion. (Zec. 2:6-7, Mic. 4:8)  She is the fortress of Ephraim, who is the house of Israel, who are Christians in America today. (Is. 17:3)  She is the virgin of Israel, which will fall and rise no more at all. (Amos 5:2)

“Also on your skirts is found the blood of the lives of the poor innocents.”  Here we find a nation so defiled that her sin is not hidden, but made plain for all to see.  The innocent is one who is blameless, free of any guilt.  These are children who are murdered.  Furthermore this murder is not hidden, but legal and plain for all to see.  As it pertains to America today, I believe this refers to abortion.

“Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.’ ”  Once again the broken cisterns of false doctrinal mindsets come into view.  The people believe they are innocent and not disserving of God’s punishment.  But notice these are not godless unbelievers, but believers who believe they will not experience God’s anger.  Why would they believe any different?  They don’t study their Bibles and all their teachers are saying the same thing: “When the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us.” (Is. 28:15)  “We have no need to fear the Tribulation.  That’s for everyone else, not us!”  The people have come to believe a lie.  They think because of the blood covenant of Yahshua (Jesus), God does not see their sin.  The time is now, of which it was written: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:3)

8.  (v.36-37)  [ER 1.1.4.8, 7.6]

“Why do you gad about so much to change your way?”  Those who read the first volume in this series will have a much easier time with this thought.  The people were just rescued from a burning America and supernaturally transported to a foreign land (Jordan).  But now a portion of them hatch a plan to go down to Egypt to try to buy their help using gold collected as an offering for God.  Now God asks, “On the heels of all this that just transpired, why are you now so quickly and urgently trying to change your situation?”  What the people should be doing now is repenting!  But instead they talk amongst themselves and come up with this plan.  Did they seek God?  No.  Did they spend time in prayer, waiting on him to answer?  No.  Yet here they are, so ready and eager to execute this great plan.  Apparently they didn’t familiarize themselves with what the Bible says about the first day of Tribulation.  Much of the Middle East, including Egypt, will be hard hit by modern warfare.  Egypt won’t be able to help even if they wanted to.  But these, it will not end well for them.  “Indeed you will go forth from him with your hands on your head.”  We saw in Isaiah that Gog of Magog will carry these away as captives from Egypt.  You should have repented and waited on God.


Recap

1. God once delighted in his people.
2. Now they are defiled and don't really know Me.
3. Dual nature of prophecy.
4. God's people trade truth for falsities.
5. Their land is destroyed and they seek help from Egypt.
6. God contends with his people in the wilderness.
7. Chastisements before the Tribulation.
8. Hatching the "Egypt" plan so quickly.


End of Age Context

In verse 9 we learned that Jeremiah is commissioned by God to bring charges against not only his generation but also the last generation before the return of Christ.  We can find fulfillment in our day.


End of Age Themes

• God’s defiled people.
• The false mindsets and doctrines of God’s people.
• The land filled with God’s people is destroyed.
• The people go down to Egypt instead of repenting.
• The time of wilderness sifting at the start of Tribulation.

Sequence of Events

God’s people are defiled before the Tribulation and they carry their false mindsets into the wilderness after God destroys their land.  There God contends with their broken cisterns.  But instead of immediately repenting, they send a troop down to Egypt to seek their help.


Final Thoughts

“Yet you say, ‘Because I am innocent, surely His anger shall turn from me.’ ”  What do you say to someone who thinks they are innocent?  Christians today do not think God will hold any sin to their charge.  But they conveniently forget that Paul admonished born-again, blood-bought Christians to remember the severity of God, along with his goodness. (Rom. 11:22)  And they forget that judgment (of the Tribulation) begins at the house of God. (1 Pet. 4:17)  Furthermore, we are to awake to righteousness as we cease sinning. (1 Cor. 15:34)  Moreover, we are not to use our liberty in Christ as a cloak for vice. (1 Pet. 2:16)  And that to take the blood of the covenant for granted (by living carelessly) is to count it a common thing, thereby trampling the Son of God and insulting the Spirit of Grace. (Heb. 10:29)  While we praise God for his mercy, may we not take it for granted by forgetting his justice.

Jeremiah 1

The "ER" numbers below refer to an Exhaustive Reference; a table of events to occur in the last days, with corresponding Scripture references.



In the first volume of this series we saw how nearly every word of Isaiah has application for our day.  Even though his words, words given to him by God Almighty, alighted on an ancient generation, still they speak directly to us, the last generation before the return of Christ.  Such is the case of all the prophets, including Jeremiah.  We would do well to understand, firstly, that these words are addressed to us; and secondly, how these words reveal the details of events soon to come.

Depending on which source you believe, the name Jeremiah either means “Jah will rise” or “whom Jehovah lifts up.”  The Strong’s Dictionary derives the former from the two words meaning “to be high” (H7311) and “Jah” (H3050).  Jah is the shortened form of Jehovah, which Strong’s defines as “Jah, the Lord, most vehement.”  But do God’s people today consider their God to be vehement, meaning forceful, passionate and intense?  Or do we rather think of Yahshua (Jesus) and his first arrival: “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Is. 42:2-3)

Is it wrong to think of our God in such terms?  Certainly not.  Many of us have come into relationship with God specifically because of his grace and mercy.  He sent his only begotten Son, in great lovingkindness, to redeem fallen man.  His kindness leads us to repentance.  No, the error is thinking of God only in these terms.  As we saw in Isaiah, the day is fast approaching when Yahshua will rise up in fierce anger to “destroy and devour at once.” (Is. 42:14 KJV)  For we know he is returning and “will render to each one according to his deeds.” (Rom. 2:6, Ps. 62:12, Prov. 24:12)

Whether Jeremiah means “Jah will rise” or “whom Jehovah lifts up” is a moot point.  For we see that both are true at the same time.  Before his first arrival God raised up John the Baptist, a type of Elijah. (Mat. 17:12-13)  Now, as he prepares to arise in fierce anger, God is sending out another Elijah to prepare the way. (Mal. 4:5, Mat. 17:11)  In every generation God uses ordinary individuals as his mouthpiece, to show forth his glory and to feed the people right things at the right time. (Mat. 24:45)  As we will see, Jeremiah declared God’s impending judgment to both his generation and ours.

It’s important to understand, as we proceed through these prophecies, how they apply to America today.  As we will see in chapter 2, Jeremiah was commissioned by God to utter charges against both the people of his day, Jews in Judea, and also to the last generation before the return of Christ, their “children’s children.”  Some will protest, saying it means only Jews today.  But such is not the case.  For we see that Jeremiah distinguishes between, and prophesies to, both Judah and Israel, and not Judah alone.

Jeremiah’s prophecies speak to God’s people before their land is overthrown.  In his day that was Judea.  In our day, America is in the view of all the prophets.  The house of Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity for 70 years.  Jeremiah’s prophecies cover this as well.  But we know there is not just one Babylon, but two.  Present day Babylon is America.  We know this because of the characteristics we are given. (ER 3.1)  Only one nation today fits the descriptions we are given.  So while his earlier prophecies to Judah and Israel apply to us, so do his latter prophecies regarding Babylon.


Summary by Section

1.  (v.1-3)  

“The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin.”  Sometimes we can look at the meanings of these words and draw out additional understanding.  Hilkiah means “my portion is Jehovah” or “the portion of Jehovah.”  Jeremiah was the son of a priest, of the tribe of Levi.  Remember that the tribe of Levi was not given a physical allotment of land as were the other tribes.  Their portion was the Lord himself.  But now we see Jeremiah is being called out by God.  The Lord is taking a portion of his specially chosen people, the priesthood.

That Anathoth means “answers to prayers” signifies a partnering with Jehovah.  Often times we see a remnant of God’s people begin to cry out to our Holy God.  Not as many do, petitioning God only for personal favors, but these cry out for his honor, for his name.  They see and understand how far the people have fallen.  They mourn over the appointed assembly. (Zeph. 3:8)

Josiah means “founded of Jah” and Jehoiakim means “Jehovah will raise.”  Zedekiah means “right of Jehovah” and Amon means “skilled craftsmen.”  In Zechariah 1:20 we see God is sending four craftsmen to terrify the horns, or powers, of the Gentiles.  It becomes clear by the use of these names that God is establishing a new order in the earth.  And while so many concern themselves with learning about a new world order that the powerful elite are trying to establish today, there is only one new order which will succeed.  Perhaps we should study with all diligence the new order that God is now beginning to establish in the earth.

“Until the carrying away of Jerusalem captive.”  Sadly it has become the rare exception when a man of God or a woman of God reads these words with understanding.  Spiritual blindness has darkened the land.  But those who have eyes to see, and not dimly so (Is. 32:3), understand that the use of the word Jerusalem, as it pertains to our day, indicates the house of Israel.  Such definition is found all throughout the Word of God.  No chapter of the Bible more clearly proves this than Isaiah 28.  There we saw how an end-time Elijah, a Christian raised up in America, is commissioned to go before his people, speaking in tongues.  Paul proves this point by quoting from Isaiah 28 in the context of speaking in tongues, something that did not exist before his time. (1 Cor. 14:21)  In Isaiah 28 we also learn of a severe judgment coming to the “rulers of Jerusalem,” who are the priests and prophets of Ephraim, or the house of Israel.  Isaiah was using the name Jerusalem synonymously with Ephraim, which we know was the lead tribe, the representative tribe, of the northern kingdom, also called the house of Israel.  Paul, who called Christians the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16), confirms that Jerusalem and Ephraim refer to Christians of the latter days.  For those who think I am promoting replacement theology, rest assured I am not.  The house of Judah refers to Jews today.  During the Tribulation many Jews will come to a saving knowledge of Yahshua the Messiah. (Jer. 23:6)

We will see this many times in the book of Jeremiah.  Hebrews 12:22 states that the Church is to be known as Zion, the heavenly, or spiritual Jerusalem.  This is key to understanding who the prophets are addressing as it concerns our day.  Rightly understanding identity is key to understanding what the prophets predict for our day.  So while Jeremiah was commissioned to speak to the people of his day, his words now alight on God’s people today, as we shall see in just a few short verses; it is the dual nature of prophecy.

2.  (v.4-10)  [ER 4.3]

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”  Many Christians today acknowledge that God has everything planned out.  He saw the end from the beginning.  This is how he was able to communicate his plan to his prophets.  But now watch how this plays out in the lives of individuals.  The prophet is not God, but merely a man.  Furthermore, he is not even a great man when God calls him.  Rarely does God call the great and the wise to be his mouthpiece in the earth.  More often he chooses the foolish to confound the wise.  He chooses the base things, that which is despised, that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Cor. 1:27-29)

This is what we saw in Isaiah regarding God’s end-time messenger.  Just as he touches Jeremiah’s mouth, which speaks of his walk, so he touches Elijah’s mouth, purifying his walk. (Is. 6:7)  Just as God marks out Jeremiah, even before birth, so God marks Elijah from the womb. (Is. 49:1)  And just as Jeremiah is set over nations and kingdoms, so this end-time Cyrus is used by God to subdue nations and loose the armor of kings. (Is. 45:1)

3.  (v.11-14)  [ER 3.2]

“You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.”  In this passage we see the dual nature of prophecy.  In the days of the prophets God spoke to them and then shortly after God did that which he spoke.  Jeremiah predicted judgment for the nation, then a short while later God judged the nation.  Predicted events came to pass within the lifetime of the prophet.  We saw this same principle in Isaiah.  “I have declared the former things from the beginning; they went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it.  Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.” (Is. 48:3)  Such is the pattern of all the prophets.  Historical events were used as the backdrop of the prophetic language.  But that is only half the story.  The other half concerns our day.

Much of the prophetic language is dual in nature.  If we only read the Bible casually we may not understand this point.  Through the prophets God spoke to at least two generations separated by a great span of time.  God spoke to the prophet’s generation and he spoke to our generation.  Furthermore, God gives us understanding (Is. 28:26) so we can discern how the predictions apply to our day.

“I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.”  It is not by coincidence that Jeremiah was given two visions back-to-back.  The first vision speaks of God’s words alighting on Jeremiah’s generation.  “Good job.  Now I’m ready to perform My word.”  But the second vision can be applied to both his day and our day, but not in exactly the same way.  If we do not understand this point, we have to conclude Jeremiah was a false prophet.

Allow me to underscore this point.  Either Jeremiah was a false prophet or part of his message is still unfulfilled.  There can be no other conclusion.  We either have to disregard the entire book of Jeremiah, or we have to understand that Jeremiah was also speaking of things which, to this day, have not yet come to pass.  Speaking in the name of the Lord is not a trivial thing.  In fact, the prophet who falsely speaks in God’s name is deserving of death if his prophecies do not come to pass. (Deut. 18:20-22)  But the fact of the matter is this, certain things did not transpire like Jeremiah predicted.  His words were only partially fulfilled.  It is for this reason that we now understand he was speaking of our day.  We can compare Jeremiah’s predictions with the other prophets to gain a more complete picture of how events will unfold in days soon to come.

“Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land.”  What God is predicting here is not just regarding Judea a few thousand years ago.  In fact, what we see within the book of Jeremiah is calamity coming from the north not once, but three times.  God sends the ancient Babylonian army against Judea, then he sends the Medo-Persian Empire against Babylon, and at the end of the age he sends a great destroying army against latter-day Babylon.  All three armies come from the north.  In “Quenched Like  a Wick” I detailed how one particular day in the near future will give the enemies of America unprecedented advantage and ensure victory.  The pot is facing away from the north because we won’t even see them coming on that day.

4.  (v.15-16)  [ER 3.2]

“At the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah.”  Notice the recipients of this judgment: Jerusalem and the cities of Judah.  Only when we rightly understand identity will we truly understand the prophecies.  In Jeremiah 13 God addresses the house of Israel by two names.  In verse 9 he calls them Jerusalem; in verse 11 he calls them the house of Israel.  But in each instance he calls Judah by only one name, Judah.  In Hebrews 12:22 the Church is referred to as Zion and Jerusalem.  In Isaiah 28 the house of Israel is called Ephraim and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah was commissioned to root out nations and plant nations.  As we will see, this is exactly what happened.  Although Judah (the Jews) remained a distinct people throughout history, the same is not true of the house of Israel.  In fact, when Jeremiah wrote his words, the house of Israel had already been taken captive to Assyria.  According to Isaiah 7:8, the northern kingdom was broken within 65 years from the occurrence of those events, which took place when Pekah was king of Israel and Ahaz was king of Judah.  In 2 Kings 15:30 we learn that Hoshea killed Pekah during those last 65 years.  So Hoshea was the last king of the ancient house of Israel.  But the kings of Judah, from that point in time, were Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.  Notice in Jeremiah 1:3 that Zedekiah was the last king before Jerusalem was finally overthrown by, and taken captive to, Babylon.

After the house of Israel was broken during the reign of Hoshea, we see that eight kings reigned over Judah until she was finally taken captive to Babylon.  Where was the house of Israel during that time?  They had been taken captive to Assyria. (1 Chr. 5:26, 2 Kin. 15:29, 17:3-6, 18:11-12)  So why does Jeremiah continue to address them as if they were right there?  The same reason Ezekiel does, who also lived during the time of Jeremiah.  God implored the ancient house of Israel to return, yet they refused. (Jer. 3:7-8)  But when speaking of Jerusalem and the house of Israel, God addresses Christians today in the land of Babylon, which is America.

“I will utter My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness.”  Many Christians today have believed a lie.  They think God won’t punish us for all our wickedness.  The Church today in America has become nearly indistinguishable from the corrupt country in which we live.  Yet they believe the same God who punished his people all throughout history is going to reward this generation by sparing us from trouble.  As we saw in Isaiah, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  We are God’s witnesses in the earth.  All nations will watch as God punishes us, cleans us up, teaches us right things, and then blesses us…during the Tribulation.  God will be hallowed in the eyes of the nations.  Even Jews will understand that the Messiah of the Christians, Yahshua (Jesus), is the one they pierced so long ago.  And he will become their Messiah as well.

5.  (v.17-19)  [ER 3.4, 4.3]

“Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them.”  The same pattern of Jeremiah’s calling is that of end-time Elijah’s as well.  We saw extensively in Isaiah how God’s end-time messenger is prepared to go before the people.  He is polished and hidden in the quiver until such time as God chooses. (Is. 49:2)  But do the people welcome him and his message with open arms?  No!  Just like Jeremiah, they fight against him. (Is. 45:9)


Recap

1. God rises up to establish a new order in the earth.
2. God ordains his prophet to be his voice.
3. Two visions; the dual-nature of prophecy.
4. God punishes his people who have become backslidden.
5. The prophet is prepared to battle his own people.


End of Age Context

As we progress through the book of Jeremiah it will become clear that Jeremiah was commissioned to speak to both his generation and ours.  This is what Daniel realized (in chapter 9) when prophesied events did not happen as he expected.


End of Age Themes

• God rises up to establish his kingdom in the earth.
• God raises a prophet to go before his people.
• God punishes his backslidden people.
• The people of God fight against the prophet of God.

Sequence of Events

God first prepares his prophet by touching his mouth, which is associated with the purification of his walk.  God sends his prophet before the people of God before sending the final judgment against the backslidden people.


Final Thoughts

“Do not be afraid of their faces.”  Why would Jeremiah be told not to be afraid of their faces?  Just as it was then, so it is today.  A backslidden people like to hear about goodness and grace and mercy.  They do not want to hear about sin and rebellion and judgment.  The countenance reflects the manner in which the people process the message.