Isaiah 10:34

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Isaiah 10:34ues

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34 And he shall cut down [naqaph] the thickets [cabak] of the forest [ya`ar] with iron, [barzel] and Lebanon [Labanown] shall fall [naphal] by a mighty one. ['addiyr] KJV-Interlinear

34 And He will cut down the thickets of the forest with an iron axe, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One. NASB

The finality of the invasion will result in the ultimate and total annihilation of the northern invading army.

The army of the north is described as a forest, dense and thick.  That makes it massive to the point beyond counting.

If you have ever been flying over a forest or driving down a highway through a forested area, then you have some idea as the massive magnitude of these invading armies.  Huge numbers of people, spread in all directions over miles and miles and miles of territory.

Its demise will be as a forest being cut down with an axe, as trees are generally cut down with an axe.  When an axe is used, there is nothing left but a stump.

Where once you could only see a short distance between trees, then after the use of an axe which cuts down all of the trees, then there is no forest and nothing to see, for many miles.  It is all gone.

He, is singular.  It does not refer to the defenders of Jerusalem, or any other invading army, such as the army of the west or the army of the east, which will be a part of this last and final great battle.  Each counter attacking on the respective flanks of the northern army.

By this time, if you remember the study of the Armageddon campaign, the southern army which will begin this whole war, has already been defeated when the northern army double crosses it.

To fall by a mighty one, ‘addiyr,’ means a glorious one, and this is an epithet of Jehovah, a personal reference to Jesus Christ.

Lebanon, has not been referred to until now, and even though it is a reference to a geographical area, it does not describe the empire of Assyria, because that nation was spread out over what is present day Syria and Iraq.

Lebanon is a direction relative from Jerusalem, or the north.

The finality of this battle, the reference to the general direction, the use of final days of history references, in that day, all point not to the upcoming Assyrian invasion, nor even the Babylonian invasion that would follow, nor any other invasion after that, but is a reference to the final great battle of history.

In the battle of Armageddon, Satan is the ultimate commander over all of the invasion forces, north, south, east and west.  They are all there to destroy Jerusalem.  They will all fail.

This chapter outlines the final results of the northern invasion component of that battle.  Not only will they fail, but they will be totally destroyed, with not one single survivor.

Isaiah 10:33

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Isaiah 10:33ues

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33 Behold, the Lord, ['adown] the LORD [Yahovah] of hosts, [tsaba'] shall lop [ca`aph] the bough [pa'orah] with terror: [ma`aratsah] and the high ones [ruwm] of stature [qowmah] shall be hewn down, [gada`] and the haughty [gaboahh] shall be humbled. [shaphel] KJV-Interlinear

33 Behold, the Lord, the God of hosts, will lop off the boughs with a terrible crash; Those also who are tall in stature will be cut down, And those who are lofty will be abased. NASB

In verses 18 and 19, the northern army was described as a magnificent forest, and here the boughs or branches of the trees of that forest are going to be cut off, destroyed.

The boughs, means to beautify, to adorn, and is the expression of magnificence.

And in the mind of that northern army, and probably most armies of history, they look upon themselves as magnificent when they are arrayed and advancing.

But in Gods mind, they are evil and defeated already.

The northern army has been described as advancing swiftly and successfully.  The description of fear at their advance is expressed from the cities that are in their path.

However, here their demise is given, and that demise is intended to give faith and hope to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

A mighty enemy is advancing on them, but they, the mature believers of Jerusalem, will be spared and rescued, and their enemy will be destroyed.

In terror, is ascribed to the enemy of Jerusalem.  They will be cut down little by little and great by great, and that will destroy their self-image of magnificence.  That will replace their ego with terror.

How can a magnificent army be defeated by such feeble opposition?  And yet the defenses of Jerusalem will become an impenetrable barrier and obstacle.

Their belligerence will be frustrated and their arrogance will be humbled.

Lop, hewn, and humbled means total defeat.

This did not occur historically, but it will occur at the end of the Tribulation.

Isaiah 10:32

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Isaiah 10:32ues

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32 As yet shall he remain [`amad] at Nob [Nob] that day: [yowm] he shall shake [nuwph] his hand [yad] against the mount [har] of the daughter [bath] [bayith] of Zion, [Tsiyown] the hill [gib`ah] of Jerusalem. [Yaruwshalaim] KJV-Interlinear

32 Yet today he will halt at Nob; He shakes his fist at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem. NASB

The city of Nob is a city in the Tribe of Benjamin, near and within eyesight of Jerusalem, and to the northeast, of Jerusalem.  It is situated on the ridge of the Mt. of Olives.

And this is of course near the, location of where Christ will set his foot upon the ground when He returns at the Second Advent.  A massive earthquake will split that hill when Christ steps on the ground.

The northern army command will advance to Nob and no further.  Remain, means to halt and advance no further.

Nob is the city where Ahimelech the priest gave David some supplies.  Saul later had the priests killed.

To shake his fist, is the manner of a bully, of menace, of threatening, and also of frustration.

The northern army has been advancing rapidly and has been sweeping through cities with ease, but now is forced to halt.  And this is frustrating to that enemy invader. He has overwhelming forces and power and supplies, and yet his advance is somehow halted.

His target city is Jerusalem, but his frustration and anger are directed at the daughter or offspring, the hill of Zion which is in Jerusalem.  This hill, Zion, is used as the symbolic residence of God.  And therefore, even though this is an invasion of the geographical region of Israel, the real agenda here is satanic in nature and the attack is on the plan of God.

God has promised to deliver or rescue Jewish believers in Jerusalem, and Satan of course would love to destroy Jerusalem, thus preventing God from keeping His promise.

But this invader is stopped at the outskirts of Jerusalem and is prevented from advancing no further.

We do not know the exact details, but it should be obvious that those defending Jerusalem are putting up a horrific fight, thus stopping the invader.  This makes him angry, to the point of shaking his fist at Zion.

Isaiah 10:31

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Isaiah 10:31ues

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31 Madmenah [Madmenah] is removed; [nadad] the inhabitants [yashab] of Gebim [Gebiym] gather themselves to flee. [`uwz]KJV-Interlinear

31 Madmenah has fled. The inhabitants of Gebim have sought refuge. NASB

Both of these cities or villages are nowhere else mentioned, except here.

Their inclusion certainly places them north of Jerusalem and in line with the advance of the northern army.  Often times in archeology, places are identified when they are discovered within or near other known places.  Ancient texts are often used to help identify discoveries within an area.

And these villages are as yet not identified in archeology.

That is probably appropriate for this study as both references to these villages, removed and flee, indicate a total abandonment of those locations.

If they were just a couple of miles to the north of Jerusalem back in Isaiah’s day, then their locations would most certainly now exist within the boundaries of present day Jerusalem, which has grown to a pretty large city.  Today its population is over 800,000 and covers about 50 square miles as opposed to Isaiah’s day when it was much, much smaller.

Using this logic then, the northern portions of the present day city of Jerusalem will be abandoned as those people flee to the south and to the more inner portions of the city.

But too, realize that these events are future with respect to our present day.  They could still be a century away, or a decade away or seven years away from our present day.  If the rapture were to occur today then the final great battle which occurs at the end of the tribulation which is seven years in length will occur in seven years.  So a rapture today would mean Armageddon in seven years.

A future Jerusalem will be larger than the present day Jerusalem, we can reasonably assume.

And of course we do not know when any of these events will occur because we do not know when the Rapture will occur.

Right now we are advancing on a calendar with an unknown termination for our dispensation.  But, when the Rapture does occur, then the seven year clock countdown for the Tribulation begins.  And it will be those folks who as unbelievers will enter into the Tribulation, with most likely very little biblical knowledge if any.

Those who begin to have concerns about the course of history, will have a crash course of learning before them.  Most people even today, have little clue as to the content of the Bible, let alone Isaiah.

Very few will figure it out, while most will not.

Isaiah 10:30

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Isaiah 10:30ues

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30 Lift up [tsahal] thy voice, [qowl] O daughter [bath] of [gal] Gallim: [Galliym] cause it to be heard [qashab] unto Laish, [Layish] O poor [`aniy] Anathoth. [`Anathowth] KJV-Interlinear

30 Cry aloud with your voice, O daughter of Gallim! Pay attention, Laishah and wretched Anathoth! NASB

The cities in the area we have been studying, are told to raise the alarm as to the impending invasion and approaching army.

Gallim was the birthplace of the man who became the second husband (after David) of Sauls daughter, Michal, 1 Sam 24:44.

Laish is not mentioned as a village being in the tribe of Benjamin, but there is a village mentioned as being in the northern part of Palestine in the tribe of Dan, Judg. 18:7, 29.  But since our context is in the vicinity of the tribe of Benjamin, then it most likely refers to a village within the tribe boundaries of Benjamin, that no longer exists and was not otherwise mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.

Anathoth is a city in the tribe of Benjamin and the location where Jeremiah was born, Josh. 21:18; Jere. 1:1.

And finally the word for poor, ‘aniy,’ does not refer to the financial state of the people, but here is used to refer to them in pity.  And it is such a pity that implies that they should have known but did not pay attention.

They are being invaded.  The invading army is advancing rapidly. The occupying army has been brutal to all it conquers.  And so they are in its path and therein is the pity. They are about to be crushed without mercy.

These events, as we have already seen, are future events that will occur in the Tribulation, which is also called the final days.  This invasion will occur at the very end of the Tribulation.  This invasion is a part of the last great war which is commonly called Armageddon.

Since Isaiah was written many centuries B.C., and we are now 2013 years A.D. and we still have not seen the final days of our own dispensation, then the people who will be living in the area have ample notice given them regarding these events.  If they were positive toward God and doctrine then they would probably not be living there, or at least they would not be caught by surprise.

Lift up thy voice, simply means the startling cry of alarm with total surprise.  They are shocked.  They are stunned.  And that should seem rather odd, since for the previous seven years, or perhaps six-and-a-half years, the entire world will have been under the most phenomenal judgments ever.  By this time, well over half of the population of the world will be dead.  And yet, these people are shocked, stunned by the invasion that is moving toward them.

One would think that by this time, they would be seeking answers, but in fact they were not.  Our study in Revelation presents a more lucid view of the attitudes of the people in that future time.

Isaiah 10:29

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Isaiah 10:29ues

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29 They are gone over [`abar] the passage: [ma`abar] they have taken up their lodging [malown] at Geba; [Geba`] Ramah [Ramah] is afraid; [charad] Gibeah [Gib`ah] of Saul [Sha'uwl] is fled. [nuwc] KJV-Interlinear

29 They have gone through the pass, saying, "Geba will be our lodging place." Ramah is terrified, and Gibeah of Saul has fled away. NASB

The passage, ‘maabar,’ refers to a crossing of a river or stream, but it can also refer to a narrow pass through which an army can travel.

The passage is not specified, but it could not have been the crossing of the Jordan River because all of these landmarks are already on the west side of the Jordan.

In 1 Sam 13:23, the 'passage of Michmash' is mentioned as the boundary of the garrison of the Philistines.

Between Jeba and Mukhmas there is a steep valley, which is probably the passage referred to. This valley, runs into another that joins it on the north, and then comes out on the plain near Jericho. In the valley are two hills having steep rocky sides, which are probably the rocks mentioned, in connection with Jonathan's adventure, as a narrow way between the rock Bozez on the one side, and Seneh on the other, 1 Sam 14:4-5.

This valley is the dividing line between the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin, for Geba on the south side of this valley was the northern limit of Judah and Benjamin, 2 Kings 23:8.  And Bethel on its north side was on the southern border of Ephraim, Judg 16:1-2.  

This was an important place, and could normally be easily defended.

So, by the invading army’s having passed this place means an unhindered advance toward Jerusalem, showing that nothing impeded their progress, and that its leaders were rapidly moving with their army toward the city of Jerusalem.

Once the units of the northern army have passed through the pass, then they set up their headquarters near Geba.

Geba was a city located in the tribe of Benjamin just outside of the northern boundary of Judah, 1 Kg. 15:22.

Ramah, meaning elevated ground, is to the east between Geba and Gibeah.  The residents there are shuddering with fear.  Their state of mind is not one of defense or even of surrender, but one of paralysis in fear.

Gibeah was the birthplace of Saul, 1 Sam. 11:4; 15:34; 2 Sam. 21:6, and is so mentioned in order to distinguish it from the other Gibeah’s, one in Judah and one where Eleazar was buried.  This city is within the boundary of tribe of Benjamin.  And again showing the advance of the enemy not yet into the boundary of the Tribe of Judah.

Gibeah is fled, means that they all left in a hurry.  The meaning of fled here is to be put in commotion, to abandon, to leave in a hurry, to run in panic.

They were at least thinking, and since the invasion is coming rapidly from the northeast, then it is reasonable to assume that they will head toward the safety Jerusalem to the southwest.

This also shows that the invasion was rapid, unexpected, and caught the general population off guard.  That means that they did not know doctrine, or at least this portion of Isaiah.

Isaiah 10:28

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Isaiah 10:28ues

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28 He is come [bow'] to Aiath, [`Ay] he is passed [`abar] to Migron; [Migrown] at Michmash [Mikmac ] he hath laid up [paqad] his carriages: [kaliy] KJV-Interlinear

28 He has come against Aiath, He has passed through Migron; At Michmash he deposited his baggage. NASB

The invasion advances according to this prophecy, through Aiath, Migron, and Michmash.

Michmash is about nine miles north and slightly east of Jerusalem.  Migron is a little more to the north and slightly east of Michmash by just a couple of miles.  And, Aiath is a little further north and a bit east again from Migron.  All three of these cities are within just a few miles of each other.

If you drew a line southwest of Shiloh to Jerusalem, then these cities would fall parallel along that line but slightly to the east as the armies advance southwestward toward Jerusalem, eventually stopping at Nob (see verse 32).

Nob is almost directly east of Jerusalem, perhaps slightly to the north.

Note something here if you happen to have a bible map of that area with references to the conquest of Canaan by Joshua.  You might have to look at several maps in order to get the general locations of these cities.  Some of the cities have long since been lost to history, but archeology places their approximate locations with some degree of certainty.

When Christ returns at the Second Advent, then when His foot touches the ground on the Mt of Olives, then there will be a huge earthquake that will split the land moving it to the north and to the south making a giant valley from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea.  The army of that northern invasion force will be sitting right on top of that earthquake or a bit north of it.

You recall the study of verse 26 just the other day, as God will do to them as He did to the Egyptians with Moses’ rod.  The waters will cover them over from that huge valley which will connect the Dead Sea to the Med.

Now we have some important information being revealed here.

We have the advance path of the army.  They will set up their equipment and supplies are Michmash.  That is what the carriages refer to.  These are the logistical supply carts that carry the food and amo and supplies for the army.

When these days occur in the future in the Tribulation, there will be those in Jerusalem who will be defending the city against huge odds. They will be studying or at least made aware of this information. That will give them an advantage and some advanced preparation opportunities for making their defense as well as harassing the enemy forces.

Many commentaries attribute these verses to the advance of the Assyrians into Judah, however, that past history was completed without the destruction of the Assyrians.  In the final days of history, the northern army will be stopped and ultimately destroyed.

Now understand one more thing.  There are other references to the northern army commanders as they move against Jerusalem.  In other passages (Gog, Magog) are described a much larger battle field that covers the entire Middle East, wherein the armies of the south push northward and then are double crossed by the armies of the north who sweep down through Israel into Africa.  This is followed by counter-attacks by the armies of the east and the west.

But the initial invasion will see most of the cities and region passed by as the northern army will seek to control the entire region, and then will be followed by other units that will begin taking control of the territory city by city.

Jerusalem is of course the ultimate objective.  For those studies you have to review Ezekiel and Zachariah as well as Revelation.

But for the moment, we have a specific advance of the northern army, the leadership command unit, moving along a line, advancing to the southwest through specific cities and setting up their main logistical supply site.

And when we get to verse 32, he will shake his fist at Jerusalem.  Do you know why?

Isaiah 10:27

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Isaiah 10:27ues

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27 And it shall come to pass in that day, [yowm] that his burden [cobel] shall be taken away [cuwr] from off thy shoulder, [shakem] and his yoke [`ol] from off thy neck, [tsavva'r] and the yoke [`ol] shall be destroyed [chabal] because [paniym] of the anointing. [shemen] KJV-Interlinear

27 So it will be in that day, that his burden will be removed from your shoulders and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be broken because of fatness. NASB

These next several verses describe the advancing armies of the northern invaders into Israel, as they advance toward Jerusalem.

And here in the face of that rapid advance, is the promise that despite the overwhelming numbers and power of those armies, their invasion will come to a swift end, and the burdens and oppressions that they threaten will be removed completely.

The phrase, in that day, refers to the time in history when all of these events will occur.

And while history has already recorded several invasions since the time of the Assyrian invasion, none of the past historical events have been completed to the letter as described in these verses.

The phrase, in that day, then still refers to some future event, when all of these things will occur and then history will terminate.  That time is the final days of the dispensation of the Age of Israel, that period we call the Tribulation, which is the last seven years of that dispensation.

Recall that when Christ went to the Cross, and was risen and ascended into heaven, these events were the very next events on the historical calendar from the Old Testament view, but they did not occur immediately.  Our dispensation, the Church Age, interrupted the Age of Israel and postponed the end of the Age of Israel. There are still seven years remaining in that dispensation.

Meanwhile, our dispensation has been in effect for well over 1,900 years now (about 1,980 years) and counting. When our dispensation comes to an end with the final event of our dispensation which is the Rapture, then the Age of Israel will resume, and its final seven years will be completed.

That is the time of the, in that day, period being referred to here.

The reason of the removal of the invading forces and the removal of the burdens and hardships and sufferings they were intending to cause, is because of the believers in Christ, who will be residents in Israel and Jerusalem at that time.

God has promised to deliver and rescue them, therefore, as they look into the face of the invading forces, they are to keep this promise in mind. 

The invaders will be coming with ill intent, but they will not succeed.

The burdens that have been imposed by the anti-christ during those final seven years, and culminating with this invasion, will be brought to an end, for the sake of the believers that are still alive and there in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 10:26

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Isaiah 10:26ues

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26 And the LORD [Yahovah] of hosts [tsaba'] shall stir up [`uwr] a scourge [showt] for him according to the slaughter [makkah] of Midian [Midyan] at the rock [tsuwr] of Oreb: [`Oreb] and as his rod [matteh] was upon the sea, [yam] so shall he lift it up [nasa'] after the manner [derek] of Egypt. [Mitsrayim] KJV-Interlinear

26 And the Lord of hosts will arouse a scourge against him like the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and His staff will be over the sea, and He will lift it up the way He did in Egypt. NASB

The Lord of hosts is Jesus Christ.  He is the second person of the trinity, and the visible person of the Godhead who commands the armies of the heavens and of all believers.

It will be God, namely Jesus Christ, not man, who will stir up a scourge, ‘showt,’ a whip, curse, menace.

As in the slaughter of Midian, Judg. 7:19-25, wherein Gideon led the night charge of 300 men against an overwhelming number of Midianites, numbering well over 120,000.

When Gideon began the charge, the Midianites were already in fear of the reputation of Gideon, and when the charge began, it was dark.  The Midianites were disoriented and disorganized and began killing each other as they ran in terror from the charging forces that they could not see.

The rod of Moses was lifted up at the Red Sea, parting the sea, making a way of escape for the Isaelites, and a trap for the Egyptian army. This was a supernatural miracle event caused by God, delivering the Israelites and destroying the Egyptian army.

In the Assyrian history, the army of Sennacherib, numbering 185,000, was killed overnight in a miraculous event, as they went to bed one evening and did not get up the next morning, 2 Kg. 19:35.

However, this event being described here by Isaiah, applies to the final days of history, and more specifically, the final days of the Age of Israel, which is called the Tribulation.  And several things are evident in these descriptions. 

The evil forces that will be driving through Israel in those final days will be large forces, they will be disorganized, and disoriented, and they will be in fear of things that are going on, themselves.  Most likely they will possess some semblance of knowledge that God is coming very soon and that they are going to be destroyed.

They will be turning on themselves, and killing themselves from their own friendly fire.  Immediately before the Second Advent, a supernatural darkness will occur.  This is the second of two supernatural darkness events that will occur in history.  The first was during those three hours of the crucifixion when Christ was receiving the punishment of mans sins.  That was during a supernatural dark period, a courtesy that God gave Jesus for his privacy during that punishment, as well as preventing man from trying to imitate what was happening by means of mans ideas of works or suffering for Jesus ideas.

During this darkness, in those final days of history, you can imagine the chaos that will occur when all you can hear are the noises of war and the carnage that will accompany it when everyone is struck with total fear, unable to see anything, and begin shooting anything and everything.

And finally when Christ finally does arrive, in full light, and His foot touches down on the ground, then the entire battle field, worldwide, will see the total annihilation of all evil forces in virtually an instant. The miracle of Gods intervention and ending of evil.

Isaiah 10:25

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Isaiah 10:25ues

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25 For yet a very [miz`ar] little while, [ma`at] and the indignation [za`am] shall cease, [kalah] and mine anger ['aph] in their destruction. [tabliyth] KJV-Interlinear

25 "For in a very little while My indignation against you will be spent, and My anger will be directed to their destruction." NASB

For their rejection of God, Israel is going to be punished.

For their abuse of authority and power, in addition to their rejection of God, Assyria is going to be destroyed.

All of these events are set in history in Isaiah’s day as an example of the events that will occur in the final days of history.

In general, many of these events did occur, but not to the extent nor to the ultimate finality that they indicate, therefore the ultimate application of these prophecies are both to that generation of Isaiah’s day as a warning of the ultimate repercussions of their indifference toward God and truth, to later generations for the same reasons, and finally to the last generation of the Age of Israel dispensation, who will suffer the worst of the worst of the humiliations and sufferings in all of human history.

Likewise, these warnings are directed to all who might or will oppose Israel and Jews in general.  Anti-Semitism is an evil.  God alone reserves the right to discipline and punish His people.  No one else has that right.

And even Satan who is the ultimate anti-semitic, will be dealt with in due course, for his many attempts to destroy all Jews.

The Jewish race is both genetic and symbolic. Genetic as to the physical descendants of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob.  And symbolic, as to the chosen people of God, referring to all believers in Christ.

Satan wants nothing to do with any of them.

But since these verses were first written by Isaiah and others, God has made promises to preserve Abrahams genetic descendants, through to the end of history and to rescue them.  Not only will He rescue them, but many will turn from their indifferent ways and turn to Gods legitimate messiah and redeemer, Jesus Christ.  The same Jesus who they rejected way back at the First Advent, crucifying Him on the Cross.

Isaiah is painting the picture of those future events that are going to take place.

You cannot wish them away, pray them away, or wish them on someone else.

Just as there are those who cry foul because of the occurrence of the Cross.  That was Gods plan and that provided salvation for us all.  Satan tried to corrupt the cross by making Jesus sin prior or during the cross events.  Satan tried to prevent the cross from occurring altogether.  But Satan himself failed to prevent Gods plan from proceeding according to Gods plan.

Satan will again try to derail the Jewish people by setting up a false new Israel.  Today he has the country, but not the Temple. There happens to be a Muslim Mosque sitting on that site at the moment.  Sooner or later it will come down. How and when we do not know, but do not be surprised if or when it comes down, either in an earthquake, by some rocket which strays off course, or by some other method.

We can assume that the Muslims will not simply give it to Israel, but who knows.

Also, since the new temple will be dedicated at the mid-point of the Tribulation, which is three-and-a-half years into the Tribulation, and since one might assume that the construction of a new temple will take somewhat longer than that, then it stands to reason that at some time during our dispensation the mosque that is there will somehow come down.  But again, who knows.  It could all happen rapidly immediately after the Rapture.

And since we do not know when the Rapture will occur, do not begin predicting dates, as many did when Israel became a nation back in 1948.  A demolished mosque could sit in rubble for decades with everyone arguing over the site.

Anyway that is all sort of speculation as to what or when things may or may not happen.

The point here is that, Gods indignation, or discipline against Israel, will be short lived.  The term, a little while, means a short time, and not something that will go on and on indefinitely.

Since Isaiah wrote these words, many, many, many centuries have passed.  That cannot be interpreted as ‘a little while.’  Assyria took their turn, Babylon took their turn, Persia took their turn, Greece took their turn, Rome took their term and finally destroyed the temple and the nation as it stood as a nation.

The nation did not resurface again until 1948.  And, since that time, nearly everything in this world has rocketed skyward at an accelerated pace, just as Jesus said it would.

What remains is the ‘Great Apostasy’ which is supposed to occur near the end of our dispensation, together with whatever else needs to be in place before the Rapture will occur.  And as to that, you can speculate until you are blue.  Those things could range from the politics changes of the day, to larger population levels, to technology needed for folks to survive in the woods during the Tribulation, folks who would otherwise be clueless as to how to survive out in the wilderness, to the middle east running out of oil perhaps, to anything else you can think of that would be necessary before the Tribulation begins.

But in any case, when the Tribulation does occur, there will be only seven years remaining in human history, prior to the Kingdom of God being established.  At the mid-point is when things get really ugly leaving only three-and-a-half years for that period to end, and that certainly can be considered ‘a little while.’

Once Israel has been sufficiently punished and virtually destroyed, then God will turn His attention to those aggressors against Israel, and then execute their final destruction. That destruction will be thorough, total, and final.

God has a plan.  Gods plan extends throughout all of history and was put into place in eternity past.  Gods plan includes all of the details of every person, place, and thing throughout all of history.  His plan includes you in every aspect of your life.

Despite Satan's attempts to disrupt Gods plan over the span of many thousands or millions of years, Satan will fail.

Despite your attempts to define your own personal plan in difference to that which God has in mind for you, you will ultimately fail as well.

God can manage a universe and beyond.  You cannot manage your own life for even a minute without some semblance of Gods grace.  Where then should you place your trust and priorities?

Isaiah 10:24

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Isaiah 10:24ues

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24 Therefore thus saith ['amar] the Lord ['Adonay] GOD [Yahovih] of hosts, [tsaba'] O my people [`am] that dwellest [yashab] in Zion, [Tsiyown] be not afraid [yare'] of the Assyrian: ['Ashshuwr] he shall smite [nakah] thee with a rod, [shebet] and shall lift up [nasa'] his staff [matteh] against thee, after the manner [derek] of Egypt. [Mitsrayim] KJV-Interlinear

24 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, "O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, the way Egypt did. NASB

The Lord God of hosts is a title of the second person of the trinity, Jesus Christ.  He is the one who commands and executes the will of God.

The Father is known as the author of the divine plan, but Christ is the one who gets it done.

The phrase, people who dwell in Zion, has two meanings.

Zion is a mountain or hill located inside of the city of Jerusalem. It is often referred to as the dwelling place of God. 

God being truth, makes this dwelling place the dwelling place of truth or doctrine.

Jerusalem is known as the city of peace.  This is symbolically the spiritual dwelling place of mature believers.  That is to say, doctrine is resident in them creating a dwelling place of peace.  Just as Zion resides within the city of Jerusalem.

Not all Jews can live on the hill, so the symbolism of Zion is applied here as spiritually mature believers, whether Jew or Gentile, will be living virtually anywhere and everywhere within the country or even around the world.

Since doctrine is the source of inner peace, then only the mature believer, who obviously possesses doctrine in their soul, can possess this inner peace.

Now, God warns and in the form of advice, that these things are designed to be and will occur.  There is no way around them.

Israel will exist, Israel will turn negative, Israel will be pounded by Assyria in Isaiah’s time, and certainly in the end days of history, and therefore, knowing this will bring concern, but not to worry.

Who can relax in the midst of trouble?  The spiritually mature believer.

After the manner of Egypt, is a reference to the oppression that Egypt caused against the Israelites when they were enslaved for over four-hundred years.  And especially in those last months, the oppression was at its greatest.

But too, God delivered the Israelites at the Passover, as they were led out of Egypt.

So the point here is that in the end days, there is going to be a destruction of Israel as there has never been before in history.  However, there will also be mature believers living within that destruction region, and it is they, who will be able to remain calm in the midst of all of this disaster which is going to come about.

Praying for it to not happen, will not prevent it.  It is decreed and it will occur. 

The best preparation for the believer in this future time of history, or any time of history for that matter, is to study and grow up within ones spiritual life, and then be prepared in the spiritual sense.  Because when life overwhelms you, just as the Egyptians placed the Israelites in deep oppression, for which the Israelites had no defense, no options, no way out, then there is only one place to turn, and that is to God.

Learn doctrine, learn Bible promises, learn and memorize verses, stabilize yourself with a vast volume of scriptural knowledge and therefore growth obtained through your daily studies, and then wait.  Options and answers will come to you through your common sense, through your logic, through your patience, and so forth.

The key to everyone s life is the study of doctrine.  Doctrine prepares you for the worse and for the best.

The key to ones certain failure is to ignore the daily study of doctrine.  No doctrine, no discernment, no preparation, no success.

Isaiah 10:23

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 10:23ues

http://www.dailybiblestudy.org

23 For the Lord ['Adonay] GOD [Yahovih] of hosts [tsaba'] shall make [`asah] a consumption, [kalah] even determined, [charats] in the midst [qereb] of all the land. ['erets] KJV-Interlinear

23 For a complete destruction, one that is decreed, the Lord God of hosts will execute in the midst of the whole land. NASB

When history is finally brought to an end, which by these words is a reference to the end of the dispensation of the Age of Israel.

Then the Lord of hosts, which is Jesus Christ, the Son and second person of the trinity, the messiah who is both man and God.

Then it is He, Christ, who will bring about the destruction, consumption, which was decreed in eternity past by God.

Even determined is a phrase quoted by Paul in Rom. 9:27-28, wherein Paul states that Christ will finish the work, which work is the finality of the divine plan for the end of Israel as established by man, before God establishes the official restored nation of Israel which will occur immediately after the Second Advent.

To cut it short, from Rom., means to end it with great speed.

Upon the earth is a reference to the end of the history of the dispensation, which is the Age of Israel.

This then will be the end of the rule of both Satan and man, and the beginning of the rule of God, upon the earth.

And so, in accordance with the prophecy of Isaiah, which is quoted by Paul, then Israel, meaning both Samaria and Judah, will be destroyed by God, using the powers that exist at that time.

Israel has turned against God, both in Isaiah’s day and in Christ’s day, and again at the end of the age in the final days of history.

In the former days, in Isaiah’s day, spiritual dysfunction brought about their demise. 

In Jesus day, spiritual dysfunction brought about the rejection of the messiah but at the same time provided the path for salvation.

In the Tribulation, spiritual dysfunction will again see Israel trying to bring about the kingdom of God on mans terms, in the form of the anti-christ, who will double cross the Jews of that future day, causing the greatest revival of faith in Christ by the Jewish people, but unfortunately their demise will simultaneously occur causing the crushing destruction again of Israel, which will in turn lead to the deliverance of those surviving Jews, by Christ at His Second Advent.

This is all a part of Gods plan.  The Father authored the plan, Christ executes the plan, and man and Satan on their own bring the plan together.  Mans and Satan’s own plans leading to their own destruction, while fulfilling Gods plan for good.

In the end, Jesus Christ controls history and all things related to every person, in every generation, in every circumstance.  You can pursue your own plans to your own demise, or you can grow up spiritually and responsibly and let God drive your life.

Isaiah 10:22

Copyright Ó 2013 J. Neely

Isaiah 10:22ues

http://www.dailybiblestudy.org

22 For though thy people [`am] Israel [Yisra'el] be as the sand [chowl] of the sea, [yam] yet a remnant [sha'ar] of them shall return: [shuwb] the consumption [killayown] decreed [charats] shall overflow [shataph] with righteousness. [tsadaqah] KJV-Interlinear

22 For though your people, O Israel, may be like the sand of the sea, Only a remnant within them will return; A destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. NASB

Although this verse identifies a huge population of Jewish people that will be alive during this period of judgments, the point of all of this is not the numbers, not their existence, not even the faithful few that will survive when it is all over.

The principle of these verses, is Gods plan versus mans plan.

There is a parallel component in history that matches this verse in the end days of history.

That parallel tie was back in the time of Jesus.

First, Jesus lived during the dispensation of the Age of Israel.  And as such, He complied with all of the expectations and requirements of the Mosaic Law that were in force during that era. 

This is not the same as the ritual burdens that had been building up for centuries due to the works requirements of the Levitical Priesthood.  Those works programs and mandates were not legitimate and were far from the original intent of the Mosaic Law.

The Mosaic Law taught the righteousness of God, the total depravity of man, the need for a savior, and Gods plan for fulfilling that need, together with the design of the spiritual life through doctrine, learning and faith and so forth.

When Jesus was born into the world and went to the Cross, He fulfilled all of the requirements of the Mosaic Law.  He lived the ten commandments, became the prefect sacrifice and fulfilled that requirement.  Once fulfilled they were no longer pertinent, and were thus abrogated. 

The Cross had occurred and therefore the feasts, the rituals, and so forth were no longer necessary.  Those things were looking forward to the Cross, and taught the necessity of the Messiah.  Once fulfilled, we now look backward in hindsight to Christ and not to ritual.

The Priests and Jews, continued to observe the feasts and sacrifices, and the only way to stop it, was to destroy the temple and Jerusalem and Israel, which was done in 70 A.D.

As the decades and centuries went by, these practices were lost and forgotten, but in Judaism they were replaced with other rituals that too were false and a rejection of the work of Christ in salvation.

Now, in our present day we have another nation called Israel.  It came into being in 1948.  This is not the re-establishment of the Nation of Israel, but has been viewed as such by many and even viewed as a fulfillment of prophecy, which it was not.

Over the course of time, this nation will continue we presume, because the nation of Israel will exist in the Tribulation.  This only stands to reason.

But in the Tribulation, the Temple, which was destroyed way back in 70 A.D., will be rebuilt.  I am sure that you know that there is an Islamic Mosque currently occupying that site.  And of course this raises the question as to when that mosque will be removed as well as how.

But that is not important for this verse.

In the Tribulation, a new Jewish Temple will be constructed and at the mid-point of the Tribulation, at the 3 ½ year mark it will be dedicated but not by Christ, but by the anti-christ.  This is the desolation of abominations, elsewhere mentioned, of the temple, wherein the Bible tells all who witness this event, to get out of town, run to the mountains, go now and do not hesitate even for a minute.  This is when the destruction of Israel will swing into full force and will continue for the remaining 3 ½ years of the Tribulation.

Now, in this verse and the next we will see that this destruction is designed by God and is necessary.

The word for consumption, ‘killayown,’ refers to destruction, a series of destructions, a completion, a destruction series that will continue until it is completed.  It is a pining away which makes it a slow and continual series of events that inevitably lead to total destruction.

Now remember that the Kingdom of God will be formed by Christ upon His return at the Second Advent.  The nation of Israel of prophecy, will not be established by man at mans convenience.  And as such the popularity of the rebuilding of the Temple will demonstrate the rejection of Gods plan in favor of mans plan.  Satan will be behind it of course, but the general population of the Jewish people will support it as their heritage, as their fulfilled destiny.

And therefore Israel will once again be destroyed.

Their huge numbers will be of no consequence.  Only those determined by God, only those who turn to Him through faith in Christ, and are protected through to the Second Advent, will enter into the Kingdom and form the seed population for the millennial reign of Christ, and the new restored nation of Israel.

This destruction is decreed and will overflow with righteousness. This is Gods decision, Gods righteousness, Gods application of justice against an evil nation and world.

Just as when Samaria and Judah were destroyed, and Judea as well, so too will this man-made Israel will be destroyed in the midst of and during the final years and months of the Tribulation.

The nation of Israel was destroyed millennia ago, the temple was abrogated and destroyed centuries ago, and so too, the newest attempt of Satan and man to establish the new Israel, will fail.

The destruction is decreed by God and even though Satan and man will carry out that decree, it is still God who controls history and applies justice appropriately to the fulfillment of Gods plan, not mans.