God's Peace Plan
for the Holy Land
Delivered by Robert Leon Mendelson
Copyright October 2008.
All rights reserved. However, anyone may legally copy any part of this proposal
and share it with others, as long as no money or other form of financial exchange
and/or barter is involved. Eventually, when there are any proceeds, they'll go back
to God through His people. I'm looking for a good charitable organization for that.
All high-lighting by use of boldface type, italics, underlining, color, and font
size have been added by myself unless specifically noted otherwise. All Bible passages
in this book are from the New International version (NIV), but were cross-checked
with the "King James", "New American" (Catholic), and "New World Translation"
versions for accuracy. All Old Testament passages were also cross-checked with
"The Torah: The Five Books Of Moses" and "The Jewish Study Bible".
Introduction
We've come to the time Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24…
Matthew 24:21-22;
21 For then there will be great distress,
unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-
-and never to be equaled again.
22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive,
but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. "
I won't list all the trials and tribulations mankind faces at this time.
If you pay attention to the news at all, you know the world is in a mess
and world leaders don't know how to solve it. If ever we needed God to step
in and save us from our folly, it's now. As this book presents God's solution
written in the Bible, I will now acknowledge God. All credit, glory, and honor
goes to God through Jesus Christ for whatever is of value here. God's words
illuminate the path to peace, not mine. In several prophecies concerning the
Holy Land, God promises a peaceful outcome, not nuclear annihilation as many
Christians, Muslims, and Jews expect. Here are four of these prophecies;
Hosea 11:9;
I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath."
Isaiah 55:12;
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;…"
Isaiah 54:13-14;
13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be your children's peace.
14 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you."
Isaiah 19:23-25;
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.
The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria.
The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria,
a blessing on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork,
and Israel my inheritance."
Isaiah 54:13 says we'll all be taught by "the LORD". Yet, in Matthew 24,
the same passage in which Jesus prophesied the Tribulation, Jesus warned us…
Matthew 24:23-24, Jesus;
23 At that time if anyone says to you,
`Look, here is the Christ!' or, `There he is!' do not believe it.
24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear
and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-
-if that were possible."
With false Christs running around, how will we know we're being taught by
the LORD? Here's how--whatever God teaches us will agree with the Bible,
including the Old Testament.
Psalm 119:160; All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal."
Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus;
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear,
not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen,
will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do the same
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
but whoever practices and teaches these commands
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
In this passage and others, Jesus recommends reviewing what is written
in the Old Testament. Isaiah 19:23-25 has people from Egypt, Assyria (Iraq),
and Israel at peace with one another;
Isaiah 19:25; The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork,
and Israel my inheritance."
Egypt and Assyria (Iraq) are Muslim nations. If we're to be "led forth in
peace", Muslims must also agree to the Bible's terms for peace. Otherwise,
there won't be peace and the prophecies won't be fulfilled. Therefore,
"God's Peace Plan for the Holy Land" provides support from the Qur'an for
its principles alongside the Bible. All passages from the Qur'an are from the
J.M. Rodwell translation, but were cross-checked for accuracy with the
M. Pickthall and M.H. Shakir translations. While text for all three versions
of the Qur’an is virtually identical, literary style of the M.Shakir and Pickthall
versions is somewhat archaic [less readable], so they’re used only to verify
accuracy of Rodwell's translation. However, Rodwell's version only numbers
every tenth verse, so verse numbering from Pickthall is used, instead.
A note to Muslim readers: Please consider the honorific "pbuh" ("peace be
upon him") as following each occurrence of "Muhammad", and following each
occurrence of "Jesus" (or his Arabic name equivalent, "Isa").
You've just read several prophecies promising peaceful change, not violent.
What about the many prophecies depicting devastation? So that Bible-based
believers can in good conscience read a plan from the Bible leading to peace
rather than literal devastation, it's important we understand what the phrase
"destruction from the Almighty" means. In the book of Matthew, Jesus twice
alluded to this by pointing us to Hosea 6…
First, Matthew 12:7, Jesus;
"If you had known what these words mean, `I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'
you would not have condemned the innocent."
Then, Matthew 9:13, Jesus;
But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice. …"
And the passage to which Jesus referred…
Hosea 6:5-6;
5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth;
my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
Divine destruction may be spiritual and figurative, as well as literal.
Psalm 51:17;
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Prophecies of destruction may be fulfilled through literal destruction or
spiritual/ego destruction, i.e., repentance, shame, and humiliation. A short
article titled, "A Destruction from the Almighty: Jesus' Way" is included on
pages 43-62 to explain this Bible principle more fully. The point is, it is
completely in context with the Father's and Christ's character that their
promises (prophecies) are fulfilled peacefully. They even left a path for us
in scripture to come to repentance…
2 Peter 3:9;
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance."
Many people believe the Bible says God gave Israel to Jews as their
homeland. That's why many Americans supported the creation of the Jewish
state and why they still support it today. However, the Bible says it was
given to the Israelites, which includes Palestinians, so they have rights to
their fair share of the Holy Land, too. Proof Palestinians are descendents
of the Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh is included in a separate
article titled, "Who is Ephraim? - Addressing a heresy" on pages 24-42.
By 1948, the world had forgotten Palestinians were descendants of Joseph,
the middle tribes Ephraim and Manasseh, the "lost" tribe of Israel.
The partition of Palestine was based on a number of factors, one was
to ensure a Jewish majority within the borders of the new state of Israel.
To connect the northern Galilean region to the country's south, a strip of
land running north/south along the Mediterranean coast was given to Israel.
Tel Aviv sits in that area. This land was formerly the homeland of Ephraim
and Manasseh, from the day the Israelites returned from Egypt up to the
present day. For whatever reason, when the modern-day state of Israel
was given this land Ephraim's and Manasseh's lands were dismembered.
The dismemberment broke God's laws in both Joshua and Ezekiel, i.e.,
the covenant between the Israelites and God.
Psalm 105:8-11;
8 He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded…
9 the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
11 "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."
Surprisingly, or not surprisingly, honoring these covenants is the key to
peace with Muslims and Jews;
Sura 5:13 (speaking about "the children of Israel");
But for breaking their [the Israelites'] covenant We have cursed them,
and...hardened their hearts. …
…Thou wilt not cease to discover deceit on their part, except in a few of them.
But forgive them, and pass it over:
verily, God loveth those who act generously!"
The covenant was broken between all the "children of Israel", not just the
Jewish tribes that inhabited Judea and Galilee. The descendents of Ephraim
broke the covenant, too. Sura 5:13 refers to untrustworthy dealings between
two Israelite factions which led to division of ancient Israel and eventually,
the Jewish Diaspora and the misery suffered by Palestinians today. The deceit
was over sharing the land then and still is today. Had the tribes stayed united
they would not have been cursed with dispossession of their land--first the
Jewish tribes, and now, Ephraim's descendents--Palestinians. The next
passage indicates an avenue for peace between Muslims and Israel…
Sura 49:9-10; 9 If two bodies of the faithful are at war,
then make ye peace between them;
and if one of them wrong the other,
fight against that party which doth the wrong,
until they come back to the precepts of God;
if they come back, make peace between them with fairness,
and act impartially;
God loveth those who act with impartiality.
10 Only the faithful [those who obey God's statutes] are brethren;
wherefore make peace between your brethren;
and fear God, that ye may obtain mercy."
Can Jews be considered as "faithful" and "brethren", and so be eligible
for peace according to Sura 49?
Sura 2:62 & Sura 5:69 both say;
Verily, they who believe (Muslims),
and they who follow the Jewish religion, and the Christians,…
whoever of these believeth in God and the last day,
and doeth that which is right,
shall have their reward with their Lord:
fear shall not come upon them, neither shall they be grieved."
Sura 29:46;
Dispute not…with people of the Book [Muslims/Christians/Jews];
And say ye, "We believe in what hath been sent down to us [Muslims—Qur’an]
and what hath been sent down to you. [Old & New Testaments]
Our God and your God is one,..."
The answer is, "Yes." The next question is, "What statutes from the Bible
are binding on Muslims?"
Sura 46:12;
But before the Koran was the Book of Moses, a rule and a mercy;
and this Book confirmeth it (the Pentateuch)—in the Arabic tongue—
that those who are guilty of that wrong may be warned,
and as glad tidings to the doers of good."
Sura 5:48;
And to thee We have sent down the Book of the Koran with truth,
confirmatory of previous Scriptures, and their safe guard
…and the Evangel [the New Testament Gospels];"
Sura 3:3-4; 3 In truth hath He sent down to thee "the Book,"
which confirmeth those which precede it.
For he hath sent down the Law, and the Evangel aforetime,
4 as man’s guidance,
and now hath He sent down the "Illumination." [Qur'an] "
Sura 5:46; And in the footsteps of the prophets
caused We Jesus, the son of Mary, to follow,
confirming the Law which was before him:
and We gave him the Evangel with its guidance and light,
confirmatory of the preceding Law,
a guidance and warning to those who fear God;—"
Sura 2:136; Say ye: "We believe in God,
and that which hath been sent down to us [Qur’an],
and that which hath been sent down to Abraham
and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes [Joshua],
and in that was given to Moses, and to Jesus,
and that which was given to the prophets, from their Lord.
No difference do we make between any of them."
For emphasis, Muhammad repeated Sura 2:136 almost word for word in…
Sura 3:84; SAY: "We believe in God,
and in what hath been sent down to us [Qur’an],
and what hath been sent down to Abraham,
and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, [Joshua] ,
and in what was given to Moses, and Jesus,
and the prophets, from their Lord.
We make no difference between them."
Sura 5:68;
SAY: "O people of the Book!
"Ye have no ground to stand on,
Until ye observe the Law [Old Testament] and the Evangel,"… [The Gospels]
[ According to this passage from the Qur'an, by delegating authority to the
apostles, Jesus extended the "Evangel" to include the entire New Testament,.]
68 cont.; …"And that which hath been sent down to you [Muslims, the Qur’an]
from your Lord."
one-sidedly supporting one faction in breaking the covenant. As it turns out,
the solution for peace between Muslims and Jews in the Holy Land revolves
around Israelite tribal law and its proper application to the situation today.
Muslims can't be at peace with either Israel or America until it's resolved.
Here's why…
Sura 60:7-9;
7 God will, perhaps, establish good will between yourselves
and those of them whom ye take to be your enemies:
God is powerful: and God is gracious, merciful.
8 God doth not forbid you to deal with kindness and fairness
towards those who have not made war upon you on account of your religion,
or driven you forth from your homes:
for God loveth those who act with fairness.
9 Only doth God forbid you to make friends of those who,
on account of your religion,
have warred against you,
and have driven you forth from your homes,
and have aided [America and the West] those [Israel] whom drove you forth:
and whoever maketh friends of them are wrongdoers."
Palestinians weren’t allowed to return to their homes after the war in 1948.
Then, after the 1967 war, more Palestinians were displaced. The majority of
Palestinians are Muslims, and whether rightly or wrongly, injustices committed
by Israel against Palestinians is perceived as injustice against Muslims as a
religion. According to this belief, verse 9 forbids all Muslims from making peace
with either Israel or anyone who supports Israel until this issue is resolved.
There will never be peace in the Holy Land until the it's done in accordance
with the LORD. Thankfully, He promised…
Jeremiah 31:31,32,1;
31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt [Moses & Joshua],
because they broke my covenant,…"
1 "At that time," declares the Lord,
"I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."
Now, we'll see what He's promised us…
One Nation
Ezekiel 37:22, God;
I will make them one nation in the land…
…they will never again be two nations or divided into two kingdoms."
Isaiah 19:23-25;
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria,
a blessing on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork,
and Israel my inheritance."
Two States Within One Nation
Isaiah 11:13, God;
Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim."
The new, united nation of "Israel" includes the modern-day state of Israel
together with the West Bank and Gaza, with one national government
(democratic and parliamentary), with two tribal areas, "Judah" and "Ephraim",
each with it’s own civil administration.
Share Jerusalem as the National Capital
Ezekiel 45:1-6;
1 "When you allot the land as an inheritance,
you are to present to the Lord a portion of the land as a sacred district,
25,000 cubits long and 20,000 cubits wide;
the entire area will be holy.
2 Of this, a section 500 cubits square is to be for the sanctuary,
with 50 cubits around it for open land.
3 In the sacred district, measure off a section 25,000 cubits long
and 10,000 cubits wide.
In it will be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place.
[Both Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Wailing Wall]
4 It will be the sacred portion of the land for the priests,
who minister in the sanctuary and who draw near to minister before the Lord.
It will be a place for their houses as well as a holy place for the sanctuary.
5 An area 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide
will belong to the Levites, who serve in the temple,
as their possession for towns to live in.
6 "You are to give the city as its property an area 5,000 cubits wide
and 25,000 cubits long, adjoining the sacred portion;
it will belong to the whole house of Israel."
A cubit is a measurement of length equal to 1.5 feet (18 inches).
A mile is 5280 feet.
25,000 cubits x 1.5 = 37,500. 37,500/5280 = 7.1 miles
20,000 cubits x 1.5 = 30,000. 30,000/5280 = 5.68 miles.
So, an area 7.1 miles long and 5.68 miles wide
"you are to present to the Lord...as a sacred district,
...the entire area will be holy."
That's pretty much the size of present-day Jerusalem. Provision must be
made that eternal privileges be granted to members of all faiths to worship
God in Jerusalem and all shrines must be fully maintained and protected.
Isaiah has more to say about Jerusalem…
Isaiah 54:11-15, God;
11 "O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your sons will be taught by the [words of the] Lord,
and great will be your children’s peace.
14 In righteousness [following God’s laws] you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you.
15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you."
There will be no more "martyr brigades". With the arrival of justice,
those committing violence will be exposed as servants of Satan, not heroes!
God promises to put an end to terrorism and tyranny. There will be no more
crushing occupation by Israel and no more Palestinian suicide bombers.
Consider that Jerusalem of Ezekiel’s day was only a fraction of the size
mentioned in Ezekiel 45 and reached the proportions prophesied by Ezekiel
only in the present day. Add to that the following two passages by Jeremiah
and Zechariah from thousands of years ago. They perfectly describe the
geographical and political situation today, even down to Bush's "Road Map"
taking half the West Bank from Ephraim. Perhaps this is God’s way of telling
us this is His blueprint for peace and we’re meant to follow it!
Return to 1967 Boundaries
Jeremiah 31:31,32,1,5,21,22, God;
31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,..."
1 "At that time," declares the Lord,
"I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."
5 Again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria;
21 …Return, O Virgin Israel [Ephraim—ancient Israel], return to your towns.
22 How long will you wander, O unfaithful daughter?
The Lord will create a new thing on earth
—a woman will surround a man."
[West Bank & Gaza = modern Ephraim = "virgin" Israel = "woman". Judah = "man"
"a woman" (Ephraim (West Bank & Gaza) "will surround a man" (Judah (Israel)) ]
Zechariah 9:10, 12-13, God;
10 I will take away the chariots [light vehicles used for war] from Ephraim
and the war-horses [tanks] from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken…
12 Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope;
even now [over 2000 years ago] I announce
that I will restore twice as much [as the "Road Map" offers] to you.
13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim."
[Modern-day Israel (Judah) bent like a bow around the West Bank (Ephraim).
The "Road Map" takes away half the West Bank. God plans to return the entire
West Bank to Ephraim's descendents.]
Isaiah 61:7, God;
Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs."
Freedom of Religion
Sura 2:256; "Let there be no compulsion in religion.
Now is the right way made distinct from error.”
Full freedom of religion in both tribal areas must be national law.
All Palestinians are Citizens
Ezekiel 47:21-23;
21 "You are to distribute this land among yourselves
according to the tribes of Israel.
22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves
and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children.
You are to consider them as native-born Israelites;
along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance
among the tribes of Israel.
23 In whatever tribe the alien settles,
there you are to give him his inheritance,"
declares the Sovereign Lord."
All "Khazars" (Eastern European Jews) are Citizens
Israel 49:20-21;
20 The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing,
`This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.'
21 Then you will say in your heart, `Who bore me these?
I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected.
Who brought these up?
I was left all alone, but these--where have they come from?' "
Right of Return for Palestinian Exiles
God calls for right of return of exiled Palestinians;
Isaiah 11:11, God;
In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time [after 1948]
to reclaim the remnant [Palestinians] that is left of his people
[i.e., Israelites. The Jewish side of the Israelite family has already returned]
from Assyria [Iraq & Syria], from Lower Egypt [Sudan],
from Upper Egypt [Egypt], from Cush [Somalia, Ethiopia], from Elam [Iran],
from Babylonia [Iraq], from Hamath [Syria], and from the islands of the sea
[Palestinian expatriates in USA and Great Britain]."
Zechariah 10:6-10, God;
6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph.
I will restore them because I have compassion on them.
They will be as though I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them."
7 The Ephraimites [Palestinians] will become like mighty men,
and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord."
Zechariah 10:6-10, God, cont.;
8 I will signal for them and gather them in.
Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before.
9 Though I scatter them among the peoples,
yet in distant lands they will remember me.
They and their children will survive, and they will return."
[God decrees "right of return" for Palestinians]
10 I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria.
I will bring them to Gilead ["East Bank" of Jordan]
and Lebanon [some returnees will settle here],
and there will not be room enough [in Palestine] for them."
[There won't be enough space readily available in Palestine, so some returnees
will use their compensation to buy land in neighboring Jordan and Lebanon.]
Hosea 11:11, God;
They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria.
I will settle them in their homes,"
declares the LORD."
Note the prophecies say the second wave of Israelites will return from
Muslim countries. Zechariah’s prophecy calls for many returnees to resettle
in Lebanon and Gilead (the "East bank" of Jordan). However, Gilead will
remain "Jordan". The prophecy simply says exiles will move there. This implies
that reparations are made with which land is purchased by returning exiles.
Reparations
Reparations will come from two sources. The first source is whichever
tribe has a net gain of land beyond Biblical boundaries. The second source
comes from outside the Holy Land, and is described later. The borders of
Israel, Jordan, and Gaza prior to the 1967 war will be compared with the
tribal allotments Joshua gave the Israelite tribes. The total acreage of land
Israel occupied pre-1967 that rests upon land Joshua granted to Ephraim and
Manasseh will be added and totaled. This area is mostly Israel's coastal strip
running east-west from the Mediterranean Sea to the West Bank, and from
the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee south just a few miles north of
Jerusalem. The same method will be used to determine acreage lost by Judah
to Gaza and Jordan's pre-1967 West Bank. This area is the southern half of
the West Bank, starting at a line running east-west just north of Jerusalem.
A fund will be created by whichever tribe has the net gain in land. This tribe
will be assessed a yearly 10% income tax to pay for their net gain of the other
tribe's land. A flat rate will be set for all land. The price per acre will be set
at the current average cost of land in modern-day "Israel" north of Jerusalem.
Fifty percent (50%) of all contributions from overseas to either the nation of
Israel or organizations within Israel must be devoted to the reparations fund
for any confiscated land not covered by the 10% income tax. This must be a
top priority. Pay for land, not tanks and fighter planes. With nobody’s land
stolen, peace has a chance.
Anyone who produces a legal deed for confiscated land is eligible for
remuneration at the set rate. All claims must be filed within two years.
Every six months, filed claims will be processed, and lands for which claims
were held noted as now legally transferred to the tribe currently possessing
them. Money from the pool created for reparations will be distributed
equally among this batch of claimants. If there is a shortfall of available
funds, the claims will be viewed as a legal debt payable in the future.
The claims must be paid as soon as funds are available, always making the
effort to distribute them first to those most in need.
If conflicting claims for confiscated land arise, the tribe with the net
gain in land is responsible for paying for land only once. Conflicting claims
are jurisdiction of the claimants’ tribal judicial system. The process will be
repeated every six months until all claims filed within the two year period
are settled. This will serve to bring funds into the devastated areas in a
way that heals scars for loss of specific family land. Any funds left over
for which claimants couldn’t be found goes into the tribal treasury.
Ephraimites who’ve had land confiscated by Israeli settlements in the
West Bank or Gaza are entitled to compensation from the reparations fund.
The second source for reparations funds is mentioned in prophecy;
Isaiah 60:10-12,16;
10 "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion.
11 Your gates will always stand open,
they will never be shut, day or night,
so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations--
their kings led in triumphal procession.
12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;
it will be utterly ruined.
16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts.
Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior,
your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
Isaiah 49:23;
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers.
They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground;
they will lick the dust at your feet.
Then you will know that I am the LORD;
those who hope in me will not be disappointed."
These "kings and queens" are mainly the royalty of Muslim nations.
The Qur'an's only mention of kings isn't favorable. If any royal families want
God to bless them they'll have to live up to what the prophecies say. I'm not
going to go further into the prophecies regarding this issue at this time, some
from the Bible, some from prophetic hadiths (sayings by Muhammad not in the
Qur'an). Suffice it to say, some kingdoms will do the right thing and survive.
Others won't. Either way, funds will become available.
Rights of Israeli Settlers in the West Bank and Gaza
Israelis in the settlements have rights, too. The southern part of the
West Bank, which is being ceded to Ephraim, was property of the tribe
of Judah. Two thousand years after Judah was expelled by the Romans,
no legal deeds exist for their land. These undocumented yet legitimate rights
are transferred to the Israeli settlers. Therefore, the reparations fund must
provide new homes for them within the newly agreed upon borders of Judah.
Rights of all Citizens to own land anywhere in Israel
All citizens of Israel without prior convictions or pending trials for killing
members of the other tribe have the right to purchase land anywhere within
Israel. That settles "Right of Return". Compensation will be given to those
whose land was confiscated so they can buy land. No innocent Israeli or
Palestinian will be denied rights to own land anywhere in Israel.
Peace requires avoiding situations encouraging vengeance. For the next
fifty years anyone, including Palestinian "fighters" or "soldiers" of the
Israeli Defense Force (IDF), who has killed unarmed civilians of the other
tribe is not allowed in the other tribe’s territory. The only exception to
this is if specific permission is given by the other tribe’s government.
Guilty verdicts may not result in death sentences—life imprisonment must be
the maximum allowable penalty. People shouldn’t have to worry killers roam
freely among them. Nor is it desirable that people who’ve committed such acts
become victims of vigilante justice, provoking yet more bloodshed. Moses set
the principle for this law in the Torah, in the Book of Numbers;
Numbers 35:6, 12, 26-28;
6 Six of the towns…will be cities of refuge,
to which a person who has killed someone may flee.
12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger,
so that a person accused of murder may not die
before he stands trial before the assembly [Judgment Day].
26…if the accused ever goes outside the limits
of the city of refuge to which he has fled
27 and the avenger of blood [Tribal government] finds him outside the city,
the avenger of blood [Tribal government] may…*
[arrest the accused, try, and carry out the legal sentence for the crime].
28 The accused must stay in his city of refuge [his tribe's territory]
until the death of the high priest**;
only after the death of the high priest may he return to his own property."
* The ending clause of Numbers 35:27, states the "avenger of blood may"
"kill the accused without being guilty of murder". It has been omitted here
because since there will be no death penalty, this clause is inoperative today.
** In this case, "death of the high priest" will be taken as meaning the next
Year of Jubilee after the coming of peace—a 50 year limit.
Port Facilities for Palestinians
Because the western border of ancient Ephraim was the Mediterranean Sea,
port facilities must be allocated to Ephraim on the Mediterranean coast with
free road access to all other parts of Ephraim. This will stimulate the economy
and give all Ephraimites a real stake in maintaining the peace.
Hebron
The city of Hebron in the southern West Bank requires special attention.
Hebron was historically part of Judah's property. Now, Judah must cede
the area to Ephraim. However, Hebron is the burial site of the patriarchs
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so it's sacred to both tribes. To avoid further
discord while respecting sacred rights, the UN will handle civil and military
administration until Israel's Congress meets the following condition: at least
23 of 24 members must agree to a resolution granting this authority to the
state of Israel. When that many former enemies are in accord with one
another, they should handle their own business. Safe road access for tribal
members of Judah to Hebron is to be provided by the UN.
GOVERNMENT
Ezekiel 37:22,24, God;
22 "…There will be one king over all of them…"
24 " `My servant David will be king over them,
and they will all have one shepherd."
As king of Israel, Jesus may fulfill this role in person, or delegate
authority to a representative, as follows…
Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21; Jesus;
2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end,
I will give authority over the nations--
27 `He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery' --
just as I have received authority from my Father."
3:21 …I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,
just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."
Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:3-10 are an account in which Jesus healed
a centurion's servant. Jesus' power to heal from afar is likened to a ruler's
authority through their word alone. By accepting a peace plan according to
God's word, God Himself is "King", ruling us through His word. Perhaps king
David himself is resurrected. Perhaps this means an heir who upholds the Laws
David spoke of. Jesus Christ fulfills this role, but he has the option of
delegating this to a representative. Jews await a messiah. Muslims await a
"Mahdi". Prophetic passages of Ezekiel 44-48 mention a "prince" [of Israel]
fifteen times. Then, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the Bible says,
"16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,
with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel…"
As king of Israel, Jesus can delegate a spokesperson if he wants. "Prince"
could also mean "President". We'll know God's intention on this count shortly.
"CONGRESS"
Revelation 4:4;
Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones,
and seated on them were twenty-four elders."
Revelation 20:4; I saw thrones on which were seated
those who had been given authority to judge."
"Congress" will have one house with twenty-four members, with two
representatives for each tribe. Historically, Reuben and Gad were together
with Manasseh in Gilead. They were taken captive together by the Assyrians
in 1 Chronicles 5:23-26 to land in eastern and western Assyria (Iraq). These
would have mixed over time and are fairly represented by any Arabs or others
who may have joined the Samaritans at a later date. The other eight tribes
were expelled together by the Romans. Israeli Jews are the descendents of
these tribes. Therefore, sixteen "elders" would come from the Israeli side
and eight "elders" from the Palestinian side. However, in Isaiah, God states,
Isaiah 61:7;
Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance…"
As Palestinians are the ones dispossessed of their inheritance, the prophecy
refers to them. So, double their representation to sixteen, making a total
of 32 members, then reduce that to 12 for each tribe, making 24 total.
Integrated Military Forces
Historically, all Israelites were required to do their part in national
defense. Therefore, Palestinians must be integrated into the national army
in regular and growing numbers, with cultural sensitivity and forgiveness
required for basic training. If Americans (descendants of Yankees and
Confederates) can serve their country together, so can Israelites.
Isaiah11:13, God;
Ephraim’s jealousy will vanish, and Judah’s enemies will be cut off;
Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim."
Note that "Judah’s enemies [i.e., "Muslim" terrorists] will be cut off".
This is how to end the scourge of terrorism--God's way.
The Golan Heights
Israel will return the Golan Heights to Syrian civil administration. The Golan
Heights must be demilitarized, so responsibility for policing and security will
be given to the UN. Water rights to the Jordan River are vital to Israel,
so usage in the Syrian zone can’t exceed current levels. Enforcement is the
UN’s job. Isaiah 29:17-18;
17 In a very short time will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field…
18 In that day the [spiritually] deaf will hear the words of the scroll,…”
Syria's army had to withdraw from Lebanon before it could be "turned into
a fertile field". Since Syria has done this, it has earned the right by prophecy to regain control of the Golan Heights.
FORGIVENESS FOR PAST SINS
For there to be peace, forgiveness is a must. Fortunately, Palestinians
are descended from Joseph, who was famous for forgiving his brothers.
Muhammad says past Israeli sins are to be forgiven by Palestinians;
Sura 5:13;
But for breaking their covenant We have cursed them [all Israelites],
and have hardened their hearts…
Thou wilt not cease to discover deceit on their part, except in a few of them.
But forgive them, and pass it over:
verily, God loveth those who act generously!” "
In the Oslo Accords signed in 1993, Israel promised to halt construction
of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. After the signing no further
settlements should have been erected. By continuing to build settlements,
Israelis were de facto cementing inflexibility over sharing the land, and
provoking violence from Palestinians desperate for freedom. Therefore,
agreeing to any accords was done in bad faith and a disgrace before God.
Sura 5:8;
O believers! stand up as witnesses for God by righteousness:
and let not ill-will at any, induce you not to act uprightly.
Act uprightly. Next will this be to the fear of God.
And fear ye God: verily God is apprised of what ye do."
When Palestinians acknowledge brotherhood with Jews as fellow Israelites
by descent from Ephraim, they're entitled by Jewish and Islamic laws to
Ephraim's tribal lands.
Sura 49:9-10; 9 If two bodies of the faithful are at war,
then make ye peace between them;
and if one of them wrong the other,
fight against that party which doth the wrong,
until they come back to the precepts of God;
if they come back, make peace between them with fairness,
and act impartially; God loveth those who act with impartiality.
10 Only the faithful are brethren;…"
[ Remember, Sura 5:69 says Judaism properly followed is a form of Islam,
so Jews worshipping properly are considered brethren of the Faithful]
10 cont.; "…wherefore make peace between your brethren;
and fear God, that ye may obtain mercy."
Some Christians may think this plan is against Israeli interests and that
the Bible obligates them to support Israel. Christians should support Israel—
the real Israel, which consists of twelve tribes, not ten. A policy that unfairly
supports one side and encourages civil war isn't in the best interest of either
Israel’s or the world. Crucial problems like pollution, overpopulation, famine,
disease, and poverty are being ignored. Meanwhile, precious resources are
squandered by devoting them to destruction rather than building up humanity.
Revelation 20:4; I saw thrones on which were seated
those who had been given authority to judge…
They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
If we're ever to have peace, if we're ever to rule with Christ, it'll have
to be on God's terms, not ours. Let's start now. Let's do it by the Book.
Summary of Key Points of the Plan
1. Create a new nation, "Israel" composed of Israel, West Bank, & Gaza.
2. One national government, a democratically-elected "Congress" made up on
twenty-four "elders".
3. Two tribal areas, "Judah" and "Ephraim" with separate civil government.
4. "Judah" consists of what we call "Israel" today,
"Ephraim" consists of the West Bank and Gaza.
5. Settlers in settlements built after 1967 to receive new homes in "Judah".
6. Palestinian refugees receive the settlements in Ephraim for their housing.
7. All Jews and Palestinians will be citizens of Israel.
8. Palestinians who’ve had land confiscated are to receive compensation.
9. Port facilities on the Mediterranean to be provided to Ephraim.
10. Hebron placed under UN administration with NATO military support
until 23 of 24 elders in Congress agree on returning it to Israel’s control.
11. Freedom of religion in both tribal areas.
12. A national army made up of both tribes.
13. All citizens who haven’t killed civilians of the other tribe
may purchase land in both tribal areas.
14. The Golan Heights return to Syrian civil control, NATO military control.
Ephraim & Manasseh’s land according to Jewish Law*
To view the map displaying tribal boundaries set by Joshua for Ephraim
and Manasseh, and the ten tribes associated with Judah, click on the
following link…http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Valley_of_Jehoshaphat.
Go to the "Files" section, where you'll find "Map of the Holy Land" in
both WORD and ADOBE formats. Joshua, Moses’ authorized successor,
details name of cities and geographical features marking borders allotted
Ephraim and Manasseh…
Joshua 16:1-4;
1 The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan
of Jericho [just north of Jerusalem], east of the waters of Jericho,
and went up [north] from there through the desert
into the hill country of Bethel. 2 It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz),
crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth,
3 descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites
as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer,
ending at the [ Mediterranean ] sea.
4 So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph,
received their inheritance."
Joshua 17:10-11;
10 On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh.
The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north
[just below the Sea of Galilee] and Issachar on the east.
11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had
Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth)."
The ancient boundaries run like this: First, lump modern Israel and the
occupied territories together to make one country. On a present-day map
make a line running east/west from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean
Sea starting a little north of the West Bank and just south of the Sea of
Galilee. That's the north border of Ephraim and Manasseh's lands. Tel Aviv
and Haifa are located south of this line. The southern border of Ephraim
and Manasseh began just north of Jerusalem, again running west from the
Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. All of the West Bank south of
this, including Hebron and Bethlehem, belonged to the tribes of Judah and
Benjamin. In the end, Ephraim and Manasseh probably lost a little more
land than Judah.
* Muslim and Christian law, too.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The HOLY BIBLE
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Copyright 1984 by International Bible Society
Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan
The World Publishing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
The New American Bible
[Catholic]
World Bible Publishers, Inc., Copyright 1987
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
and International Bible Students Association, Inc.
tanakh Translation
Jewish Publication Society, Oxford University Press
THE TORAH
THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
The Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Holman Bible Atlas
Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee
The NIV Study Bible - Basic Library ( On CD ROM )
by Zondervan Publishing House which contains the NIV NAVE’S TOPICAL BIBLE
THE KORAN
Based on Translation by J.M.Rodwell
Ivy Books Published by Ballantine Books, New York, New York
THE KORAN
M. Pickthall, Translator
Alfred A Knopf, New York
Original copyright 1909 — Everyman’s Library
The Qur’an
Translated by M.H.Shakir.
Published by Tahrike Tarsile Qur’an, Inc., Elmhurst, New York
One Last Thing
Matthew 10:8, Jesus;
…Freely you have received, freely give."
Revelation 21:6;
To him who is thirsty
I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."
Sura 6:91, Muhammad;
…No pay do I ask of you for this.
Verily it is no other than the teaching for all creatures."
Daniel 12:3, Gabriel;
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars for ever and ever."
All glory goes to God!
Direct comments or questions to Robert Leon Mendelson
or
Who is Ephraim?
Addressing a heresy
Copyright August 2008. All rights reserved.
However, anyone may legally copy any part of this and share it with others,
as long as no money or other form of financial exchange and/or barter is involved.
Eventually, when there are any proceeds, they'll go back to God through His people.
I'm looking for a good charitable organization for that.
Psalm 122:6;
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure."
Brothers and sisters;
Time is short, so I'll get right to the point; a case of mistaken identity
is tragically causing Christians to repeatedly and horribly break many of God's
covenants. Mistakenly (for most Christians), we've broken God's covenants
with Abraham by dividing the Israelites and encouraging one tribe of Israelites
to oppress another. It's not a question of Jew vs. Arab, Edomite, Ammonite,
Philistine, and the like. It's not a matter of cousins feuding. It's right in the
same family: Jacob's descendents, the heirs of Abraham's covenant, include
Palestinians! They're Israelites along with the Jewish Israelis we already
recognize as being Israelites.
No one can rightly deny that the blood of Edomites, Philistines, and Arabs
is also present in the Palestinian gene pool. If this were the Palestinians' only
heritage the Bible would clearly say they have no rights to land in the West
Bank or elsewhere in Israel. It makes all the difference in the world that
they're also descended from Ephraim and Manasseh, the two tribes descended
from Joseph. All the Laws and prophecies say Christians are supposed to bless
Israel, not divide it! The hell we're bringing on our own country is driven by
our misperception it's God's will we one-sidedly support the modern-day state
of Israel only. God requires us to support all Israelites!
There's no point in referring to Old Testament proofs at this point;
Christians know Jesus freed us from the restrictions of Moses' Law. This is
the beauty of what God set up. The world hangs in the balance. No one but
Jesus can save us. With a single word, he can make millions change what
they're doing and save the world again! As soon as American Christians realize
God wants us to be even-handed in the Holy Land, we'll stop breaking the
covenant and be blessed once more. As long as we break it, disaster will befall
America. Now, people will know exactly why. The only person who can reach
Christians is Jesus, so he's stepped in to save the day. Thank you, Jesus.
Revelation 1:7
Look, he [Jesus] is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him [at the moment he shows us the way],
even those [descendents of the Jewish people] who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen."
Jewish Israelis will know Christians (and the USA) will no longer give
them one-sided support, and they'll know Jesus was responsible for it.
They'll see him at the same instant they read this and mourn. Christians
will realize they've been misled and mourn. Muslims will realize it was Jesus
who saved the day and they'll mourn, even though their lives are being saved.
All will realize their salvation comes from Jesus. As it is written;
Isaiah 45:23;
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear."
Authority and healing must come straight from Jesus' lips. Jesus gave his
life for all mankind two thousand years ago, not just for the people then--
it's for us today, too. It's time we hear irrefutable testimony…
Revelation 1:5, John; …from Jesus Christ,
who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."
John 4, verses 1-30, describes Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman
at a place known as "Jacob's well". Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a
drink of water. Here's what happened next…
John 4:9-13;
9 The Samaritan woman said to him,
"You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?"
(For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her,
"If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink,
you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
11 "Sir," the woman said,
"you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.
Where can you get this living water?
12 Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us the well and drank from it himself,
as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
13 Jesus answered,
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst."
By referring to Jacob as the Samaritans’ "father", the woman announced
her Israelite heritage. No one but an Israelite is descended from Jacob,
and Jesus didn't correct her on that point. If, as some believe, Samaritans
are full-blooded Gentiles put there hundreds of years earlier by the Assyrians
after every last Israelite was exiled, then Jacob (or his heirs) could not have
given the well to the Samaritans. The Samaritans would have taken possession
of a deserted town and their "father" would have been the king of Assyria,
not Jacob. In verses 17-18 Jesus told the woman details about her past that
no one but God or a prophet He was speaking through could have known. Jesus
accepted the Samaritan woman's claim to Israelite heritage by first listening
to her testimony and then making no attempt to correct her. This is no
accident. God put that scripture in the Bible for a purpose. In this case the
purpose is so Jesus can save Jews, Palestinians, and the rest of the world
through the awesome healing power of God's word! This testimony has been
saved up for now, as it is written;
1 Timothy 2:5-6, Paul;
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-
-the testimony given in its proper time."
Verses 9-13 are Jesus' testimony that Palestinians (Samaritans) are
Israelites, descendents of Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. The meeting
at Jacob's well took place in a town named "Sychar", which is situated in the
"mountains of Israel" between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It occurred at
a location connecting proof of the Palestinians' identity with the "mountains of
Israel" and plays a central role in the prophesied downfall of false teachers
who promote the heresy that Palestinians have no Biblical rights to their land.
Even the name "Armageddon" from Revelation 16:16 (from the Hebrew "Har-
megiddo" or "Mount Megiddo") refers to a site at the northern border of
Manasseh's hill country that today lies within modern-day Israel. A detailed
explanation of how these Israelite tribes came to be known collectively as
"Samaritans" and later, "Palestinians", follows shortly. Before that, we need
Jesus to testify a second time. After the Samaritan woman told her friends
about Jesus, many of them accepted him as the Messiah…
John 4:39-42;
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him [Jesus]
because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."
40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.
41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman,
"We no longer believe just because of what you said;
now we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."
5 "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel."
If Samaritans were strictly Gentiles, Jesus would have included them with
other Gentiles and just said "Gentiles". By making them a separate category,
Jesus indicated they were Israelites other than the Jewish tribes. Since the
Samaritans were accepting his gospel, they weren't "lost". Instead, Jesus sent
the apostles to the Israelites who hadn't accepted him, the tribes associated
with Judah. Jesus was clear about Samaritans being Israelites. An essential
part of his mission was to establish proof of their identity so that at the
"End of the Age" salvation would come through his gospel. Other examples of
this theme are found in Luke 9, 10, 17, and John 8. We begin with Luke 9…
Luke 9:52-56;
52 And he sent messengers on ahead,
who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him;
53 but the people there did not welcome him,
because he was heading for Jerusalem.
54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village."
Samaritans opposed Jesus. That's not the case. They didn't reject Jesus--
they were disappointed he chose to go to Jerusalem instead of staying with them.
Jesus understood this, which is why he rebuked James and John, who wanted
to deal harshly with the Samaritans. Next, there's the parable of the "Good
Samaritan" in Luke 10. The first four verses indicate Jesus is speaking about
salvation. In the following eight verses, Jesus presents a non-Jew Samaritan
as worthy of salvation. Because Palestinians are the Samaritans' descendants,
this could just as well be called the parable of the "Good Palestinian"…
Luke 10:26-37;
26 "What is written in the Law?" he [Jesus] replied. "How do you read it?"
27 He [a "teacher of the law" ] answered:
" `Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ;
and, `Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29 But he ["teacher of the law" ] wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Luke 10:26-37, cont.;
30 In reply Jesus said:
"A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes,
beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31
A priest happened to be going down the same
road,
and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him,
passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;
and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.
Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper.
`Look after him,' he said, `and when I return,
I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36 "Which of these three do you think
was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise [like a Samaritan!]."
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem,
Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice,
"Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."
And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back,
praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
19 Then he said to him,
"Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
The Jews answered him [Jesus],
"Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"
Acts 8:25;
When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord,
Peter and John returned to Jerusalem,
preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages."
All this was put in the Bible purposely. Don't misunderstand this message--
Samaritans (and their Palestinian descendents) were (and are) imperfect people
who backslid and brought much of their present woes on themselves. It's not
my place to judge. My job is only to present gospel truth written in the Bible.
Both Israelite factions broke the covenant binding them together. This ongoing
national sin of mutual contempt and in-fighting among family members led to
the destruction of both factions. For example, after the Babylonian exile
Sanballat, the Ephraimite governor of Samaria, tried to prevent Nehemiah
from rebuilding Jerusalem's walls.
In 66 A.D., the Jews of Judea and Galilee revolted against Rome, which
led to the siege of Jerusalem and destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.
Sixty two years later, in 132 A.D., the Jewish tribes of Judea and Galilee
again revolted against the Romans in the "Bar Kochba" rebellion. This was put
down in 135 A.D., after which the tribes associated with Judah were expelled
from both Galilee and Judea. The Samaritans never revolted. Consequently,
they weren't exiled. They remained in Samaria (later to become "Palestine")
as the "stump in the land" in the next prophecy…
Isaiah 6:13, God;
And though a tenth remains in the land [during the Babylonian captivity],
it will again be laid waste [by the Romans].
But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed [Ephraim—the Samaritans] will be the stump in the land."…
…where "stump" means the common people remaining after the lofty upper
branches, the ruling class, have been cut down. After the Romans drove out
the Jewish Israelites, their brothers, the Samaritans, moved in, along with
Edomites and later, Arabs. The early Samaritan Christians centuries later
were the Christians in the Holy Land the crusaders were supposedly coming
to save. Centuries later the land was called "Palestine" and the people first
known as Ephraimites, then Samaritans, now became known as "Palestinians".
Same people, name change only. The point is, Jesus clearly indicated who
and what Samaritans are. Why? Because God's promises, both in covenants
and prophecies, together with Jesus' testimony today, will heal and save
this sick world by divine grace and power. Let's take a look at what God has
in store for the Israelites, and in particular, the Palestinians (Ephraim);
Genesis 12:1-3;
1 The LORD had said to Abram,
"Leave your country, your people and your father's household
and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;
I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Every time a piece of U.S.-made military ordnance kills a Palestinian
Israelite on land granted him by God's covenants with Abraham, America
is cursed by God. Look around you, fellow Americans! Look what breaking
the Law does! Violence, unending violence, and the ruin of the nation!
Zechariah 2:8-9, the Lord Almighty;
8 "…for whoever touches you [Israelites] touches the apple of his eye--
9 I will surely raise my hand against them…
Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me."
This is one of the main reasons why we're suffering in this country today.
A historical explanation of how all this came to pass is on the following pages.
First, Christians need unmistakable proof the Father wants Palestinians saved
alongside Jewish Israelis. That's why Jesus stepped in to testify. Remember
as you read these prophecies, "Ephraim" means, "Palestinian".
Jeremiah 31:6, 9, God;
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim,
'Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.' "
9 "…I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son."
Hosea 11:8-9,11;
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?…
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath. …11 They will follow the LORD…"
[This and other passages foretell a return to Christ by all Palestinians.]
Zechariah 10:7-8, God;
7 The Ephraimites will become like mighty men,
and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and be joyful;
their hearts will rejoice in the LORD [of the Bible!].
8 I will signal for them and gather them in.
Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before."
Certainly, God loves "Ephraim". His prophecies promising salvation must
be fulfilled. Is it wise for us to oppose Him? Salvation and peace come only
through God. Believers must hold firm to the Rock and His Word, no matter
who tries to tear us away and destroy us. Trust God! Next, some history…
Jacob (a.k.a. "Israel") is father of the "Israelites". He had twelve sons;
six by Leah (his first wife), two by Rachel (his second wife), two by Bilhah
(Rachel's handmaiden) and two by Zilpah (Leah's handmaiden) (Genesis 35:22-26).
Each of his sons became head of a tribe of "Israelites". The sons of Leah,
Bilhah and Zilpah were jealous of their brother Joseph (Rachel's eldest son).
Following Judah's (Leah's fourth son) advice, rather than kill Joseph, they
sold him to a band of merchants (Genesis 37:12-28). Joseph was taken to Egypt,
where he married an Egyptian named Asenath (Genesis 41:45, 50). She bore him
two sons, "Manasseh" first, then "Ephraim". Arabs are descended from Abraham
and Hagar, who was Egyptian, also (Genesis 16;1 & 15, 25:9-18). Because both
Asenath and Hagar were Egyptian, Joseph's descendents are the same genetic
mix as Arabs. That's why Joseph's Israelite descendents (Palestinians) are
often mistaken for Arabs.
Jacob accepted Joseph's sons into his family (Genesis 48:5-20), but switched
their birth order, so Ephraim is regarded as the elder. Ephraim and Manasseh
were each given a separate inheritance in Canaan (Deuteronomy 33:13-17,
Joshua 14:1-5, 16:1-17:17, Ezekiel 48:5-6), making the Israelites essentially
thirteen tribes. Moses, God’s representative, authorized Joshua to set tribal
boundaries (Deuteronomy 31:7-13). Boundaries are one form of "covenant" in
the Bible. Joseph’s allotted portion ran from the Jordan River west to the
Mediterranean Sea and from the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee to just
north of Jerusalem (Joshua 16:1-9, 17:10-11).
Eventually, the Israelites united as a kingdom, "Israel", under King Saul,
who was followed by kings David and Solomon. After Solomon died, "Israel"
split into two kingdoms, "Judah" in the south and "Israel" in the north.
From this point on, the name "Israel" refers to the northern kingdom only,
an area half the size of Solomon's "Israel". "Judah" was comprised of the
tribes Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon. "Israel" (the northern kingdom) was
comprised of the tribes Ephraim and Manasseh (hereafter collectively called
"Ephraim"), Reuben, Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, and Gad.
Since all the prophets (other than Moses or the Psalmist) lived after the split,
whenever reference is made to "Israel" as either the region or its inhabitants, Ephraim must be included. However, sometimes other tribes aren't included as
"Israel". Examples of this are found in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where separate messages are directed to the "House of Israel" and "House of Judah".
In 722 B.C., the Assyrian (Iraqi) Empire conquered the northern kingdom of
Israel. Afterwards, they renamed Ephraim's and Manasseh's land, "Samaria".
The Ephraimite ruling class was exiled, but most common people were not. This
is a crucial distinction. Not realizing this fact has led generations of Christians
to disobey God by providing one-sided support to the modern-day state of
Israel. To serve God properly, Christians must support the Bible's "Israel",
the entire House of Israel, not a false "tradition". The following verse is oh,
so sadly, true… Hosea 4:6; my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge."
We must obediently allow God's word to illuminate the path of truth leading us
out of our present distress. 2 Kings 17 apparently says every last Ephraimite
was exiled by the Assyrians, part of the basis for the misunderstanding.
2 Kings 17:5-6, 23-24;
5 The king of Assyria invaded the entire land [Israel], marched against Samaria
and…6 …captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria…
23 So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria,
and they are still there.
24 The king of Assyria brought people
from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sepharvaim
and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites.
They took over Samaria and lived in its towns."
2 Kings 17:5-6, 23 appears to say the entire Israelite populace was
removed. Taking these verses literally, every last Ephraimite was carried off
into exile, leaving not a single soul behind. This has virtually no historical
precedent for a country the size of Israel, especially when the conquerors
were limited to foot soldiers and cavalry. Also, absolute exile was not in the
conquerors' best interest. The usual practice was to destroy the ruling class,
priesthood, and military for control and to scare away potential adversaries,
yet leave the poor behind for slaves and profit. That's what we see in the
following example of Judah's exile by the Babylonians…
2 Kings 25:21, 11-12;
21 So Judah went into captivity, away from her land."
11 Nebuzaradan the commander of the [Babylonian] guard carried into exile
the people who remained in the city [Jerusalem], along with the rest of the populace
and those who had gone over to the king of Babylon.
12 But the commander left behind some of the poorest people of the land
to work the vineyards and fields."
While verse 11 says all Jews were exiled, verse 12 qualifies that, saying
the poorest people remained to work the fields. It's highly likely the Assyrians
used the same approach with the Ephraimites. It's important to mention that
the "royal house" of a nation may be referred to as being the nation itself,
in the same way royalty uses the term "We" to mean the entire nation. Here's
an example; 1 Chronicles 9:1;
All Israel was listed in the genealogies
recorded in the book of the kings of Israel…"
If you go to 1 Chronicles you will not find the name of every last Israelite,
only the leaders. Once we include usage of the royal "We" to the list of
possible interpretations, we also discover it makes the most sense based on
criteria of historical precedent, scripture, and logic. 2 Kings 17:24 specifically
states the Assyrians resettled outsiders in the "towns" of Israel/Samaria, not
in the countryside. This helps explain why the Assyrian king sent an Ephraimite
priest back to Samaria in the following passage…
2 Kings 17:27-28;
27 Then the king of Assyria gave this order:
"Have one of the [Ephraimite] priests you took captive from Samaria
go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires."
28 So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel…"
[Note: Bethel was a city in Samaria.]
2 Kings 17:25-26 (not shown here) says "lions" were killing the newcomers
because they weren't doing "what the god of that country requires". Yet, if no
Ephraimites were present it's unlikely an Ephraimite priest would be needed to
solve the problem. More likely the king would have dispatched horsemen and
archers to kill the "lions". Examples of unruly people being "lions" are found in
Psalms 22:13, 21, 35:17, 57:4, Isaiah 5:29, and Jeremiah 50:17. Ephraimites
remaining in Samaria mixed with foreigners the Assyrians resettled from the
"nations", as it is written…
Hosea 7:8, God; "Ephraim mixes with the nations;
Ephraim is a flat cake not turned over."
The following passage takes place after the Babylonian exile, long after
the Assyrian Empire fell…1 Chronicles 9:1-3;
1 All Israel was listed in the genealogies
recorded in the book of the kings of Israel…
2 Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns
were some Israelites… 3 …from Judah, from Benjamin,
and from Ephraim and Manasseh…"
If Ephraimites returned from Babylon some must have either avoided the
earlier exile by the Assyrians or else returned later. Furthermore, even after
the Babylonians carried off Judah's ruling class, the Bible says Ephraimites
still remained in the land. This next passage takes place while most of Judah
was in Babylon… 2 Kings 25:25;
In the seventh month, however, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama,
who was of royal blood [Joseph], came with ten men and assassinated Gedaliah
and also the men of Judah and the Babylonians who were with him at Mizpah."
This is an example of what is stated as absolute in one place being clarified
elsewhere to mean something less extreme. Here it means the ruling class only
was taken away, while common people remained in the land. What was true for
Judah was also true for Ephraim. The "Holman Bible Atlas" (page 139) states,
credit for the capture of Samaria, the Bible implies that Shalmaneser was
primarily responsible for the final destruction of the Northern Kingdom Israel
(2 Kings 17:5). During Sargon’s early reign many Israelites were deported and
resettled in the upper Habor Valley (Gozan), near Nineveh at Halah, and as
far away as Media (2 Kgs 17:6; 1 Chr. 5:26). Sargon’s inscriptions mention
27,290 captives taken from Israel…Some Israelites fled southward, seeking
refuge in Jerusalem, but most had to suffer the indignity of Assyrian
occupation in the newly formed Assyrian province of Samaria."
The Assyrian Empire fell in 612 B.C., and in its place the Second Babylonian
Empire arose. In 586 B.C., the Babylonians defeated and exiled the populace
of Judah, the southern kingdom. Samaritans then violated the borders, occupying
vacant land belonging to Judah, breaking the Covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-32).
However, as a consequence of Judah’s unfaithfulness (1 Chronicles 9:1-3), God
gave land rights as Israelites to the Samaritans who moved into the vacated
areas during the Babylonian captivity.
Ezekiel 47:21-23, God;
21 "You are to distribute this land among yourselves
according to the tribes of Israel.
22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves
and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children.
You are to consider them as native-born Israelites;
along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
23 In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance,”
declares the Sovereign Lord."
Ezekiel 47 has tremendous redemptive value for the people of the entire
Middle East. One covenant that appears impossible to resolve peacefully is…
Genesis 15:18-21;
18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said,
"To your descendants I give this land,
from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates--
19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites."
Some believe Genesis 15 gives Jewish Israelis rights to Jordan, Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, as well as the Holy Land. However, we must remember
at least 30,000 Ephraimites were resettled in Iraq over two thousand years ago.
Ezekiel 47 provides legal recognition to mixed-bloods and aliens as Israelites.
People of mixed Arab/Israelite blood currently inhabit Jordan, Saudi Arabia,
Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. According to Ezekiel 47, Genesis 15's promise is
fulfilled by the region's current inhabitants. By being exiled and spreading their
seed in this manner, the Israelites "took possession" of all the lands eastward
and northward to the Euphrates. It's not Biblical for one group of Israelites
to dispossess another group of Israelites. By mixing, the sons of Ishmael and
Isaac became one! This partly explains how Isaiah 19:23-25 comes to pass…
Isaiah 19:23-25;
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.
The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria.
The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria,
a blessing on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
It's quite likely Ephraim's seed spread from Assyria to other parts of the
world, too. What important as far as peace is concerned is that Ephraim is in
Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and throughout the Middle East. Next, let's
look at more prophecies indicating Palestinians are descendents of Ephraim
and Manasseh. Please make note of the lands from which the refugees are
returning. By placing precise locations in ancient prophecies describing where
Palestinian exiles live today, God is proving He's here today watching us,
testing us to see how we choose to receive His counsel.
Isaiah 11:10-13;
10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;
the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious."
11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time
to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria [northern Iraq],
from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush [Sudan],
from Elam [Iran], from Babylonia [southern Iraq], from Hamath [Syria]
and from the islands of the sea [expatriate Palestinians worldwide]."
the places Palestinians fled to after 1948, 1967, etc.]
he will assemble the scattered people of Judah
from the four quarters of the earth.
13 Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be cut off;
Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim."
Zechariah 10:6-10, God;
6 "I will strengthen the house of Judah [Israeli Jews]
and save the house of Joseph [Palestinians].
I will restore them because I have compassion on them.
They will be as though I had not rejected them,
for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
7 The Ephraimites [Palestinians] will become like mighty men,
and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD.
8 I will signal for them and gather them in.
Surely I will redeem them; they will be as numerous as before."
What an awesome God, quick to save! Through His Word God promises
salvation for Palestinians and because of that, they will live and thrive!
Zechariah 10:6-10, God;
9 Though I scatter them among the peoples,
yet in distant lands they will remember me.
They and their children will survive, and they will return.
10 I will bring them back from Egypt
and gather them from Assyria [whose territory encompassed Iraq & Syria].
I will bring them to Gilead [Jordan's "East Bank"] and Lebanon,
and there will not be room enough for them."
Ephraim returns from "distant lands" and from the Muslim countries of
Egypt, Syria, and Iraq. Please note they're returning to Muslim Jordan, and
Muslim/Christian Lebanon. These aren't places European Jews would choose
to settle, but Palestinians who'd received compensation for their land would
happily settle in either Jordan and Lebanon. This is fully consistent with God's
promise to Ephraim in the prophecy above and the two following ones…
Jeremiah 31:8-9, God;
8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north
and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return.
9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son."
Hosea 11:8-12;
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath.
10 They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion.
When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria.
I will settle them in their homes,"
declares the LORD.
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit…"
So, we find God promising salvation for Ephraim. In verse 12 above and
elsewhere, scripture says Ephraim backslid and would pay the cost with exile.
However, it's clearly God's will Palestinians receive forgiveness and salvation
along with Israeli Jews. God decrees salvation for both Israelite tribes in His
prophecies. Remember when reading Jeremiah 31 (coming next) that after
Solomon's reign, Israel split into two kingdoms; "Israel" in the north (mainly
Ephraim and Manasseh) and "Judah" in the south, which included Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 31:31-34, God;
31 "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel [Ephraim] and with the house of Judah.
32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,"
declares the LORD.
33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,"
declares the LORD.
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people."
34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother,
[or a Jew or a Muslim or a Christian] saying, `Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Here God speaks of further of His will regarding the Israelites…
Ezekiel 37:16-22, God;
16 "Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it,
'Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.'
Then take another stick of wood, and write on it,
'Ephraim's stick, belonging to Joseph
and all the house of Israel associated with him.'
17 Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand."
18 "When your countrymen ask you,
'Won't you tell us what you mean by this?'
19 say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
I am going to take the stick of Joseph--which is in Ephraim's hand--
and of the Israelite tribes associated with him,
and join it to Judah's stick, making them a single stick of wood,
and they will become one in my hand.'"
[God clearly intends the Palestinians and Israelis be united as one nation, not two.]
Ezekiel 37:16-22, God, cont.;
20 Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on 21 and say to them,
'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone.
I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land.
22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.
There will be one king over all of them
and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms."
[Verse 22 is the key part of Covenant Law that George Bush's "Road Map" breaks.
The "Road Map" permanently separates the tribes and creates permanent enmity.]
There it is. The Bible confirms Palestinians are "Ephraim" and God promised
them deliverance. This is a central theme of Old Testament prophecy. As this
is the case, what are Christians doing? Do we serve God by giving one-sided
support to one Israelite tribe while encouraging both tribes to break God’s
covenant? According to the Bible, Christians' support of the modern-day state
of Israel’s settlement building policy in the West Bank defies God's Law.
Christians are helping one Israelite tribe break a sacred covenant by stealing
land allocated to another Israelite tribe. This is so important an issue that it
impacts our personal salvation, too. The following passages clarify that…
Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus;
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear,
not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen,
will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Many Christians believe since Jesus freed us from the Law's restrictions,
there's no value for us in applying the Law in regard to Israelite boundaries
or anything else. Look at it this way; we've borrowed a neighbor's power
saw to do some work. Our neighbor asked us to agree to some precautions
when using his saw. Now, if our neighbor said, forget those restrictions,
would that make us refrain from using the saw? Of course not! Jesus never
said "Forget the Law." Anything but that. So, Christians are free to use the
Law when by doing so it brings peace through God's word. This approach
makes even more sense considering what King David said;
Psalm 19:9-11, David;
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."
Psalm after Psalm David spoke of his love for the redemptive qualities
of the Law. If people are freed from its restrictions, it doesn't mean they
shouldn't partake of its benefits. Especially when Jesus appears quite upset
with people who ignored God's will (not restriction) written in the Law;
Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus, cont.;
19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do the same
will be called least in the kingdom of heaven,
but whoever practices and teaches these commands
will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus;
21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
23 Then I will tell them plainly,
'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "
God's children known as Christians, Jesus is talking to us! We're the only
ones on the planet who acknowledge him as "Lord". Here's what God thinks
about the value of His covenants, whether in the Old Testament or New;
Psalm 105:8-11; 8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded…
9 the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
11 "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."
Ecclesiastes 3:14;
I know that everything God does will endure forever;
nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it."
Isaiah 59:21;
"As for me, this is my covenant with them…
"My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth
will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children,
or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever,"
says the LORD."
Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, and Luke 21:33, Jesus;
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The HOLY BIBLE
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Copyright 1984 by International Bible Society
Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan
The World Publishing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
The New American Bible
[Catholic]
World Bible Publishers, Inc., Copyright 1987
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
and International Bible Students Association, Inc.
tanakh Translation
Jewish Publication Society, Oxford University Press
THE TORAH
THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
The Jewish Publication Society of America, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Holman Bible Atlas
Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee
The NIV Study Bible - Basic Library ( On CD ROM )
by Zondervan Publishing House which contains the NIV NAVE’S TOPICAL BIBLE
One Last Thing
Matthew 10:8, Jesus;
…Freely you have received, freely give."
Revelation 21:6;
To him who is thirsty
I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."
All glory goes to God!
Direct comments or questions to Robert Leon Mendelson
Elijah18901@yahoo.com or Israel19901@yahoo.com
A Destruction from
the Almighty:
Jesus' Way
By Robert Leon Mendelson
Copyright September, 2008. All rights reserved.
However, anyone may legally copy any part of this and share it with others,
as long as no money or other form of financial exchange and/or barter is involved.
Eventually, all proceeds from my share of the publishing rights will be donated
to a charitable foundation. I'm currently seeking a charity to whom this and future
articles may be donated. For this work to produce the maximum positive effect,
contributions should be passed along to a worthy cause. My first choice is a charity
that delivers clean water to those needing it, but I'm open to other possibilities.
For questions, contact
John 6:63, Jesus;
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
VERIFICATION PROCEDURES
for SCRIPTURE CITED IN TEXT
One problem when using scripture is differing versions of the same book.
How can we know which is the correct one? There's no foolproof method, but God
meant for us to use this knowledge, so I've done the next best thing. Wherever
possible passages are cross-checked in multiple sources and used only if all agree,
or else the difference is noted. With this in mind, all Bible passages are from the
NIV (New International version), unless noted, but are verified by these versions;
the King James (KJV) version, a Catholic version, "The New American Bible" (NAB),
and the Jehovah's Witnesses', "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures"
("NWT") version. Old Testament passages were also cross-checked with
"The Jewish Study Bible" ("JSB") and "The Torah: The Five Books of Moses".
A note for readers: All high-lighting of text by boldface type, italics,
underlining, color, and font size, is mine, unless specifically noted.
Isaiah 13:6;
Wail, for the day of the LORD is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty."
Joel 1:15; Alas for that day!
For the day of the LORD is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty."
Isaiah 10:22-23;
22 Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea,
only a remnant will return.
Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous.
23 The Lord, the LORD Almighty, will carry out
the destruction decreed upon the whole land."
Proverbs 16:18;
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
Psalm 51:17, David;
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
A Destruction from the Almighty: Jesus' Way
We previously learned the Bible says Palestinians are descendents of the
Israelite tribes Ephraim and Manasseh. (Read "Who is Ephraim? Addressing
a heresy" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Who_is_Ephraim_files/ ). Jesus
indicated the Palestinians' heritage as Ephraim's descendents in John 4 and
elsewhere. Mainstream Christian eschatology teaches that Palestinians are
Arabs, Canaanites, Philistines, and Edomites--anything but Israelites. It's
not rocket science to discover the Samaritans weren't expelled by the Romans
along with Jewish Israelite tribes in 135 AD. Generally speaking, Christians
are unaware of this--we're not taught this basic and vital piece of history
concerning the Holy Land. Instead, we're led to believe all Israelites were
driven out by the Romans after the first Jewish rebellion in 70 AD (when the
Temple was destroyed). Why is such a central and obvious piece of history
totally glossed over?
It also isn't rocket science to find the many Old Testament passages
which testify to Ephraim's presence enduring in Samaria long after the Assyrian Empire rose and fell. A crucially important point in all this is
that a decision was made to keep Christians in the dark about this.
We'll presently see how this ties into prophecy. That Satan intentionally
tries to mislead Christians is borne out by prophecy;
2 Peter 2:1-2;
1
But there were also false prophets among the
people,
just as there will be false teachers [in
the future] among you.
They
will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the
sovereign Lord who bought them
--bringing swift destruction on
themselves.
2
Many [i.e.,
modern mega-churches] will follow
their shameful ways
and will bring the way of truth into
disrepute. "
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul;
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen,
masquerading as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
15 It is not surprising, then,
if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.
Their end will be what their actions deserve."
2 Timothy 4:2-5, Paul;
2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead, to suit their own desires,
they will gather around them a great number of teachers
to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
By disguising the Palestinians' identity as Israelites, Satan and his helpers
deceived Christians and convinced us to violate God's covenant with Abraham,
encouraging theft, murder, and civil war among the Israelites--all of this in
Jesus' name. How else has Satan led Christians astray? Before answering this
question, it's important this letter be based on a firm foundation.
Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus;
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine
and puts them into practice
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose,
and the winds blew and beat against that house;
yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
For what I write to have any redemptive value, all glory and credit for
the information and whatever good comes of this letter goes to Jesus Christ,
and through him to the Father. May it be this way forever, amen! It's Jesus'
and the Father's words that carry authority and light the way. Without
them, nothing I write has power to make a positive difference. Jesus saves!
Speaking of whom, here's a commentary from Jesus on the current situation…
Matthew 7:13-15, Jesus;
13 "Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,
and many [connect "many" to 2 Peter 2:2, above] enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it."
What's happened is almost as if there's a fork in the road up ahead.
One path goes to the kingdom of Heaven while the other ends at a cliff from
which travelers fall into the abyss. Some unkind being covered over the way to
the kingdom of heaven so that most travelers see only one path, the one
heading over a cliff. Jesus put it this way…
Matthew 15:13-14;
13 He [Jesus] replied,
"Every plant [and theology] that my heavenly Father has not planted
will be pulled up by the roots.
14 Leave them; they are blind guides.
If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."
Matthew 7:13-15, Jesus;
15 "Watch out for false prophets.
They come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them."
Galatians 5:22-23, Paul;
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,…
23 gentleness and self-control."
Isaiah 32:17; The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever."
The prophecies foretelling false teachers have come to pass. Today, the
Christian community is beset by false teachers and wicked heresies. One of
the most "destructive heresies" taught today concerns "Armageddon". Pastors
such as John Hagee and books like the "Left Behind" series claim a horrible
event in which over three quarters of humanity dies and Earth is rendered
uninhabitable must occur because the Bible "says so". Since the Bible is God's
holy word, this heresy makes it appear God's will is to "judge" those who
aren't previously "saved" by permitting mass incineration in a nuclear war.
Many believers are taught the "Rapture" must be accompanied by the carnage
of nuclear war. In essence, nuclear war is an unfortunate but essential part of
the prophecy leading to their own salvation. Those duped by this heresy are are tempted to actively or passively support unholy things such as war in Iraq
or nuking Iran, believing it's God's plan. In turn, their unholy actions and
attitudes disgrace the Lord they want to serve. Tragic! However, the Bible
says this is false doctrine, and those who relish the prospect…
John 8:44, Jesus; …belong to your father, the devil,
and you want to carry out your father's desire.
He was a murderer from the beginning,
not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him."
We have a choice, and we've been taught the devil's choice, not God's.
Sadly, misled believers jeopardize their own souls by accepting a satanic
substitute doctrine as coming from Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We've come
to the point where things must change; the "End of the Age" is here…
Revelation 3:10;
…the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world
to test those who live on the earth."
The real questions are: Will Armageddon occur in a godly manner, Christ's
way, figuratively, through repentance, or satanically, literally, accompanied
by mass destruction, death, and misery for billions? Will misled Christians
overcome pride at being deceived? Will they obey God, love their neighbors,
choose life, and follow Christ? Or have their hearts become so hardened
that they choose Satan's deception, in which their non-"saved" neighbors
must perish? In the following pages and future articles, we'll see scripture
teaches we have a choice of whether prophecy is fulfilled peacefully (Christ-
like) or violently (satanically). We'll learn how to read Scriptures' spiritual
language so we can discern which option is God's and which is Satan's.
Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses;
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…"
John 6:63, Jesus;
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
Hosea 6:6; For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
John 10;10, Jesus;
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). He was never given the title,
"Prince of War". In Isaiah, God promises us…
Isaiah 55:12; You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;…"
Isaiah 57:15-16, 18-19;
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says--
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:…
16 I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry,
for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me--
the breath of man that I have created.
18 I have seen his [evil] ways, but I will heal him;
I will guide him and restore comfort to him,
19 creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel.
Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD.
"And I will heal them."
Hosea 11:9;
I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath."
And last, Isaiah 19:23-25;
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.
The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria.
The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria,
a blessing on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork,
and Israel my inheritance."
Hosea 11 refers to the Ephraim, which is the Palestinians. Isaiah 19 refers
to the greater part of the entire Middle East.
Jeremiah 33:6-7,14;
14 " `The days are coming,' declares the LORD,
`when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to
the house of Israel [Palestinians] and to the house of Judah [Israeli Jews]."
These are promises of peace from God, yet we know the Bible also foretells
destruction. We know Satan is the great deceiver;
Revelation 12:9;
"the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. …"
And we know evil people deceive us with false talk and hope for peace…
Jeremiah 6:14;
They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.
`Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace."
Ezekiel 13:10;
" `Because they lead my people astray, saying,"Peace,"
when there is no peace,…"
How can we discern God's peace from Satan's false peace? If we choose
wrong, we're serving Satan, and Jesus warns us this may be our fate…
Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus;
21"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' [i.e., Christians]
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me on that day,
`Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy [the Rapture & Armageddon] in your name,
and in your name drive out demons [false religions, drugs, etc.]
and perform many miracles [i.e., "save souls"]?'
23 Then I will tell them plainly,
`I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
Only Christians call Jesus, "Lord". Jesus is speaking about false and
misled Christians. There's only one way for us to get this right--listen to
the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. What did Jesus say about this?
Matthew 12:7 & 9:13, Jesus;
12:7 If you had known what these words mean,
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'
you would not have [read prophecies satanically and] condemned the innocent. "
9:13; But go and learn what this means:
'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'…"
The verse to which Jesus referred was…
Hosea 6:6;
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
The verse prior to that provides the definition for a godly "destruction
from the Almighty", the kind Jesus and the Father prefer;
Hosea 6:5-6;
5 Therefore I [God] cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth;
My judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
The phrase "burnt offerings" reads "holocausts" in the New American
(Catholic) version of the Bible. Jesus twice cited Hosea 6:6 in the two
passages following, proving he knew and recommended usage of figurative
forms of destruction in scripture. He was pointing to them. How can
God's promises of destruction like "fire from the sky" not require humans
be literally burned to death? Let Jesus explain…
John 16:25, Jesus;
Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming
when I will no longer use this kind of language [figurative speech]
but will tell you plainly about my Father."
Jesus repeatedly used figurative, non-literal, language…
John 10:6; Jesus used this figure of speech,
but they did not understand what he was telling them."
John 16:29; Then Jesus' disciples said,
"Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech."
Mark 4:33-34;
33 With many similar parables [allegorical language]
Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. …"
Paul taught the same thing, too…
1 Corinthians 2:13-14;
13 …we [the Apostles] speak,
not in words taught us by human wisdom [conventional definitions]
but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in [figurative] spiritual words."
14 The [literalist] man without the Spirit
does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually discerned."
Colossians 1:9, Paul;
For this reason, since the day we heard about you,
we have not stopped praying for you
and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will [prophecy]
through all spiritual wisdom and understanding [figurative usage]."
The "spiritual" words the "man without the Spirit does not accept" are
figurative words. And Peter verified the same when speaking about Paul…
2 Peter 3:15-16;
15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation,
just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
16 He writes the same way in all his letters,
speaking in them of these matters.
His letters contain some things that are hard to understand,
which ignorant and unstable people distort,
as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."
"Believers" who reject figurative language and insist on using only
"literal" interpretations literally deny Jesus and the Bible over and over.
This is antichrist. As Jesus said…"…I have been speaking figuratively…"
(John 16:25) and "…The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they
are life [not death—literal]." (John 6:63) Jesus pointed to Hosea 6:6 twice
(Matthew 9:13 & 12:7), indicating the way he and the Father prefers God's
prophecies/promises be read and fulfilled.
Prophecies foretelling doom are not only promises by God of future events,
they're also warnings, presenting a choice of equally valid paths. They'll be
fulfilled, but it's how we fulfill them that counts. Prophecies may be read
figuratively, using spiritual language. When read and acted upon this way,
we fulfill them peacefully by repentance, i.e., modifying something we're
doing "wrong". When read literally and carnally, destruction takes the form
of mass death and worldwide devastation. Our personal spiritual test is which
outcome we wish God to manifest, and which we work toward. Our choice
determines the form of fulfillment—whether it be "life" or "death", revealing
the condition of our hearts. This principle was explained by God to the
prophet Jeremiah in what I call "Jeremiah's Law"…
Jeremiah 18:7-11 (NIV);
7 If at any time [including Revelation]
I [God] announce [directly or through prophets]
that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed,
8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil,
then I will relent
and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.
9 And if at another time
I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted,
10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me,
then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it."
Verses 7-8 say if we heed God's prophecy of doom and repent (destroy
our pride and change what we're doing wrong, like foreign policy) God will spare us. On the other hand, verses 9-10 say if we ignore God we'll be
destroyed literally. Verse 11 sums up the situation: it's our choice…
Jeremiah 18:7-11, cont.;
11 "Now therefore
say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem,
'This is what the LORD says:
Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you.
So turn from your evil ways, each one of you,
and reform your ways and your actions.'"
God gave Jeremiah this Law and then ordered him to warn his people of
impending doom if they didn't repent. Jeremiah lived about 600 B.C., at the
time of the Second Babylonian Empire. Was Jeremiah's Law meant only for
that time? No! The Bible has two witnesses to Jesus pointing out the same
principle in the Book of Jonah;
Luke 11:29-30, 32, Jesus;
29 …"This is a wicked generation.
It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites,
so also will the Son of Man be to this generation."
[While Jesus spoke to a generation 2000 years ago, the principle applies today.]
32 The men of Nineveh
will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;
for they repented
at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here."
Matthew 12:41, Jesus;
The men of Nineveh
will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;
for they repented
at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here."
Let's examine the Book of Jonah. Jonah lived a hundred years before
Jeremiah, around 700 B.C., when the Assyrian Empire was the most powerful
empire in the Middle East. God sent Jonah to the Assyrians' capital city,
Nineveh, to deliver God's message to the Assyrian king. The message, or
prophecy, was that in forty days God was going to destroy Nineveh because
of the evil the king and his nation were committing.
Jonah 1:1-2;
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it,
because its wickedness has come up before me."
Instead, Jonah tried to run away from his mission. He set sail on a boat,
got thrown overboard, and was swallowed by a fish for three days and lived
to tell about it, but that's another story. When he got back on dry land God
spoke to him again;
Jonah 3:1-10;
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh
and proclaim to it the message I give you."
Jonah 3:1-10, cont.;
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh.
Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days.
4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed:
"Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."
5 The Ninevites believed God. …"
What follows next is very important. Not only did the Ninevites believe
God, they took appropriate action. They repented of their evil, and God
responded with mercy. …
Jonah 3:1-10, cont.;
5 cont.; "…They [the people of Nineveh] declared a fast,
and all of them, from the greatest to the least,
put on sackcloth [humbled themselves].
6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh,
he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes,
covered himself with sackcloth [like everyone else,] and sat down in the dust.
7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything;
do not let them eat or drink.
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth.
Let everyone call urgently on God.
Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
9 Who knows?
God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger
so that we will not perish."
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways,
he had compassion
and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."
The people of Nineveh repented, discontinued their "evil ways and their
violence", and were destroyed inwardly, not outwardly. This account of God's
mercy fully agrees with what the prophet Joel (about 830 B.C.) said over a
hundred years before Jonah and two hundred years before Jeremiah. Please
note Jonah 3:9 above and Joel 2:14 (following) use the phrase "Who knows?"
and nearly identical wording. God is making a point to us that figurative
destruction through repentance is an essential part of understanding how to
read His prophecies.
Joel 2:13-14;
13 Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows?
He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—…"
Back to the lesson of Jonah and the Assyrians…
Jonah 4:1-2;
1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.
2 He prayed to the LORD,
"O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home?
That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.
I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
a God who relents from sending calamity."
The Assyrians were enemies of Jonah's people, the Israelites, so Jonah
didn't want to warn them in initially. He didn’t want the Assyrians to repent
and be spared. He wanted God to destroy Nineveh, literally. He knew about
peaceful, figurative destruction by repentance because it was already part
of the Old Testament's teachings. Alright. Now that we know there are two
paths to fulfilling prophecy, let's look at how use of figurative language fits
into prophecy fulfillment. Following are two examples demonstrating how a
literal interpretation seems to turn Christ into Satan while providing corrupt
individuals a tool to use God's Word to promote war. We'll start by providing
figurative, spiritual definitions for "fire", and then "killing".
Matthew 13:41-42, Jesus;
41 The Son of Man [Jesus] will send out his angels…
they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin
and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Luke 12:49, Jesus; "I have come to bring fire on the earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled!…"
Mark 9:49, Jesus; Everyone will be salted with fire."
If literal, this is terrifying! Has Jesus forgotten to forgive? Note that in
Matthew 13:42 the evil people thrown into the "fiery furnace" are still alive.
They're suffering, weeping, and gnashing their teeth, but they're not turned into charcoal. Thank God for figurative, spiritual "word of God" "fire"…
Jeremiah 23:29, God;
"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD…"
Jeremiah 5:14, God;
…the LORD God Almighty says:
"Because the people have spoken these words,
I will make my words in your mouth a fire
and these people the wood it consumes."
This matches Hosea 6:5-6 below. As you recall, Jesus referred to this
passage twice in Matthew, verses 9:13 and 12:7. Jesus was emphasizing
that both he and the Father desired whatever killing take place be through
fiery, figurative, spiritual language.
Hosea 6:5-6;
5 Therefore I [God] cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth;
My judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
Remember, Jesus said: John 16:25, Jesus;
"…I have been speaking figuratively,…",
Prophecies of destruction may even be fulfilled through kindly behavior
that shames our enemies and gnaws away at their consciences!
20…"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
But many Christians are led astray and taught to read scripture in literal
terms only. Ironically, they ignore Jesus literally telling them he spoke
figuratively. These people are the ones Paul referred to in the next verse…
1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul;
"The man without the Spirit
does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,
for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually discerned."
These passages indicate the passages in Revelation where Jesus spoke
with John of the End Times are most likely meant figuratively, not literally.
To determine the correct interpretation, whether figurative or literal, we
see what is most consistent with Christ's gospel and the rest of the Bible.
Why read prophecies literally if when we do so they contradict Christ's
gospel and don't make sense? Use of figurative, spiritual words for reading
prophecy permits godly fulfillment of Armageddon through repentance,
which Christ's gospel requires Christians to support. In reality, this is a
core test of salvation which indicates whether we've truly accepted Christ.
The desire of our hearts is exposed—whether it be Christ-like love and
mercy for our neighbors, or satan's choice of death and condemnation for
God's other children. Old Testament prophecy is also subject to this rule
because Jesus said…John 5:19;
…"I tell you the truth,
the Son [meaning himself]…can do only what he sees his Father doing,
because whatever the Father does the Son also does."
If the Father didn't use figurative language, neither would Jesus.
Note clearly—in spiritual, figurative, holy scripture God "kills" with words—
not bombs. 2 Peter 3:9;
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance."
Peter reminds us God's words are meant to guide us to repentance.
There are many ways in which America needs to repent. We'll discuss some
of these in coming articles. Adjusting foreign policy and shifting the economy
so it is in balance with nature are two examples. By changing our course,
we "repent", destroying our actions. Doomsday prophecies are fulfilled in
the peaceful, figurative manner God desires. Following are two prophecies
coded in figurative language which literalists distort into a savage spectacle
of "death and gore", i.e., "Left Behind" theology where they're "saved",
and everyone else is left to die. This one by Peter is easily mistaken as
describing the effects of a nuclear blast, and is exploited by wayward
theologians to convince people nuclear war is inevitable…
Spiritual "Metal", "Elements", and "Grass"
2 Peter 3:10-13;
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar;
the elements will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way,…
12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. …"
2 Peter 3:10-13, cont.;
12 …That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat.
13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward
to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."
Jeremiah 6:27-30, God;
27 "I have made you a tester of metals and my people the ore,
that you may observe and test their ways.
28 They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander.
They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly.
29 The bellows blow fiercely to burn away the lead with fire,
but the refining goes on in vain; the wicked are not purged out.
30 They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them."
Malachi 3:2-3;
2 But who can endure the day of his coming?
Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap.
3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;
he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver."
There it is in plain print. People are refined and purified by the word,
not nukes. Like "launderer's soap". This isn't a nuclear war--this is a mass
shaming as duped believers come to grips with how wolves in sheep's clothing
led them astray. The message of God's prophecies should not be twisted from
godly repentance into a satanic spectacle of mass murder. Let's not choose
to read the Bible to require death for others and make a mockery of Christ's
gospel! Choose life! Let's read God's prophecies in a the context of Jesus'
gospel of love, not as the murderous final act of Christ's ministry predicted
and welcomed by many wayward pastors. If the following passage is read
without the Spirit, literally, it means the entire planet must be scorched…
Revelation 8:7;
The first angel sounded his trumpet,
and there came hail and fire mixed with blood,
and it was hurled down upon the earth.
A third of the earth was burned up,
a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up."
Isaiah 11:4, God;
but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked."
[Note how God's "breath" slays "the wicked". The "rod of his mouth",
is God's words. It's the iron "sceptre" found elsewhere in the Bible.]
Isaiah 45:22, God;
"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other."
Ezekiel 35:14, God;
This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
While the whole earth rejoices,
I will make you desolate."
TREES
Jeremiah 5:14, God;
Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says:
"Because the people have spoken these words,
I will make my words in your mouth a fire
and these people the wood it consumes."
Isaiah 11:10, God;
In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;
the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious."
Jeremiah 23:5, God;
"The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land."
GRASS
Psalm 90:5-6, Moses;
5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning--
6 though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered."
GRASS, cont.
Isaiah 40:6-8; 6 A voice says, "Cry out."
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
"Surely the people are grass." Muslims use the color "green" to represent
Islam. In Revelation 8:7, in the phrase, "all the green grass was burned up",
"grass" represents people, in this case Muslims. Looking at the Middle East
today, it's easy to see how the prophecies could be fulfilled literally with
nuclear war. The United States previously attacked Iraq and is confronting
Iran over it's nuclear program. A huge American naval armada sits in or near
the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, 1500 Russian citizens were recently murdered in
their sleep by a treacherous attack by the Georgian government, which got
Russia aroused. Now, China is siding with Russia, Iran, and Syria. This makes
the gathering forces opposing the US, its European allies, and Israel look
like the army of 200,000,000 prophesied in Revelation 9:16 and the army
of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38:1-6. The devil's choice is to have misled
Christians help him start a war that incinerates the whole planet in Jesus'
name. Thankfully, this isn't God's choice. God promises destruction of
Ephraim's rebellious spirit and a huge return to the Lord by Muslims…
Hosea 11:8-9,11;
8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?…
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath. …11 They will follow the LORD…"
[This and other passages foretell a return to Christ by all Palestinians.]
Jeremiah 31:6, 9, God;
6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim,
'Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.' "
9 "…I will lead them beside streams of water
on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son."
Zechariah 10:7, God;
The Ephraimites…will rejoice in the LORD [of the Bible!].
Isaiah 19:23-25;
23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.
The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria.
The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.
24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria,
a blessing on the earth.
25 The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,
"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."
Psalm 51:17 David;
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Isaiah 55:7-12;
7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;…"
In the next article, we'll discuss specific fulfillments relating to current
events. For now, remember what Moses, the Father, and Jesus said…
Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses;
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…"
Hosea 6:6; For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
John 6:63, Jesus;
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
Bibliography
The HOLY BIBLE
New International Version
Copyright 1984 by International Bible Society
Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan
The New American Bible
[Catholic]
World Bible Publishers, Inc., Copyright 1987
The HOLY BIBLE
[King James Version]
The World Publishing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
and International Bible Students Association, Inc.
THE TORAH
THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
The Jewish Publication Society of America
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
tanakh Translation
Jewish Publication Society, Oxford University Press
One Last Thing
Matthew 10:8, Jesus;
…Freely you have received, freely give."
Revelation 21:6;
To him who is thirsty
I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."
For questions, contact Robert Mendelson:
Elijah18901@yahoo.com or Israel19901@yahoo.com