Part II A Basic Guide For Christians

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OMIT THIS PART Philippians 2 :12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

In verse 13 Where is God? What is He Doing?What is He working on? Why is He working on His Will?

START HERE

It’s a new year so How can the church be revived? Psalm 85:6 Wilt thou not revive us again :that thy people may rejoice in thee?

This is the Jewish Psalm that was written after the 70 years of captivity in Babylon Jer 29 Take a look at Psalms 85

1  LORD, thou hast been Favourable unto thy land:

Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people,
Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3  Thou hast taken away all thy wrath:
Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4  Turn us, O God of our salvation,
And cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5  Wilt thou be angry with us for ever?
Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6  Wilt thou not revive us again:
That thy people may rejoice in thee?
7  Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,
And grant us thy salvation.
8  I will hear what God the LORD will speak:
For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints:
But let them not turn again to folly.
9  Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;
That glory may dwell in our land.
10  Mercy and truth are met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
And so right here there are different accounts by different prophets about the 70 years of captivity of Israel in Babylon. Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah along with Jeremiah wrote about this particular time in biblical antiquity. We’re going to go through this with Zechariah.
And so here’s a little nugget from a famous Scottish Theologian by the name of George H. Morrison He said The victorious Christian’s life is a series of new beginnings.There comes a time when you ought to be tired of starting over and starting over. Because you start to get old and then after a while you just old and life so far gone that you can’t start over. What do I look like at this age trying too start over in life. Don’t get me wrong you and I can start over if need be, but since God has made a way why tempt Him like we are a cat. They say that a cat got nine lives. I only have one life to live.
Turn to Zechariah.
Zechariah and some of the other Prophets had an intricate role in talking directly to the Angel of the Lord. As we discover who that Angel of the Lord is in this text we can shout for victory!!!!

The book of Zechariah is often times overlooked because it has a lot of powerful, potent, and precious declarations and interpretations of current and future events especially the coming of the Messiah.

1. Zechariah was a prophet and his name means “God Remembers.” And Zechariah was given the message of hope, he was given a mission of rebuilding and he was given a method of operation to restore Israel.

2. Zechariah was born in captivity in Babylon. And historical research suggest that Zechariah and Haggai were post -exilic products of captivity. And In 536 B.C. they were amongst the Israelites who were returning home from Babylonian Captivity.

They tried to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem but local opposition stopped their progress for 16 years. Zerubabbel was the governor and a descendant of Jesse and an ancestor of Jesus. and Joshua was the High Priest. And God told the prophets Zechariah and Haggai that their roles were going to be to strengthen the people so that they would resume building the Temple of the Lord especially in trouble times.

And let me say for the record these are troubled times. And God is encouraging the saints of God who are in the Body of Christ to be on our steady march to get the kingdom and Ekklesia and ecclesiastical work accomplished for Him. Because the church Ekklesia is a community of persons who are whole- heartedly commited to doing what God wants to be accomplished on earth.And the ecclesiastical work is making sure that we don’t just serve in these four walls but that we come in to worship and go out to serve.

And what that means in relations to the Zechariah text is that Additionally speaking the Prophet Zechariah was commissioned and commanded even compelled to cleanse the land from the iniquities of their forefathers. Israel had become sinful and indifferent

And it’s bad when you have sinned so badly that your children have to come behind you and cleanse the land from your filth. Lord have Mercy and that’s what Zechariah had to do Because that’s the only way to break the generational curses.

Zechariah is a very important Prophet because he also wrote some of the Psalms too particularly the Psalm 85. Haggai prophesied and then two months later Zechariah prophesied. But Zechariah’s Prophecy had a long term vision. it was even eschatological in nature.

The broad scope of Zechariah’s prophecies will be look on through out the ages. because it talks about the coming of the Messiah, The coming King, and the dawning of a brighter day for Zion.

Zechariah had 8 Visions.

I.THE VISION OF THE HORSES

He was visited by the Great angel of the Lord. 1. The Man among the Myrtle Trees and the Drove of Horses. The Drove of Horses were red, brown, and white speckled. Zechariah Said to the angel Sir who are these? The angel said I’ll show you what they are. In Chapter 1 and Verse 10 the bible says Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD sent through all the earth.”11 Then they spoke to the LORD’s angel, who was standing among the myrtle trees. They said, “We have gone through all the earth, and everything is calm and quiet.” They said everything is calm and quiet. Brothers and sisters I want calm and quiet to be invited back the table of brotherhood and civility. But now 3x Don’t pass up the fact that Zechariah is sleep in a dream in a vision and in his vision Horses are talking to the Angel of the Lord. We know horses don’t talk but this is supernatural and the horses have been sent by God to go throughout the earth with jet lightning speed to give a detailed report to the Lord on what they have seen. And you can’t fool them because it’s their assignment to look for abnormalities. And then the Angel of the Lord begins to plead the case for mankind.Look at Zechariah 1:12 Then the LORD’s angel asked, “LORD All-Powerful, how long will it be before you show mercy to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah? You have been angry with them for seventy years now.” 13 So the LORD answered the angel who was talking with me, and his words were comforting and good.14 Then the angel who was talking to me said to me, “Announce this: This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: ‘I have a strong love for Jerusalem. I’m so glad that God have a strong love for Jerusalem and I’m included. you are included.

Then God says in verse 15 And I am very angry with the nations that feel so safe. I was only a little angry at them, but they made things worse.’ Brothers and sisters you do know that you can make God madder and madder with you if you don’t stop cutting up and carrying on.

Then in verse 16 the Lord All Powerful gives instruction to Zechariah that says “So this is what the LORD says: 1.‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy.

2.My Temple will be rebuilt,’ says the LORD All-Powerful, ‘and

3. The measuring line will be used to rebuild Jerusalem.’ Then in verse 17 “Also announce: This is what the LORD All-Powerful says:

4. ‘My towns will be rich again.

5. The LORD will comfort Jerusalem again, and

6. I will again choose Jerusalem.’ ”

I can’t help but feel like that particular Angel is Jesus Christ incarnate because He advocates for mankind. At any rate this called a Theophany. A Theophany is the appearance or manifestation of God posing as an Angel in human form.

II. The Vision of the Horns

18 Then I looked up and saw four animal horns. 19 I asked the angel who was talking with me, “What are these?”He said, “These are the horns that scattered the people of Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21 I asked, “What are they coming to do?”He answered, “They have come to scare and throw down the horns. These horns scattered the people of Judah so that no one could even lift up his head. These horns stand for the nations that attacked the people of Judah and scattered them.” Do you’ll remember that I taught you that God allow Israel’s enemies to come in capture ,punish, and even kill some of them for their disobedience and then God will turn right back around and beat up on the people He let beat up on Israel. I don’t worry about nobody beating up on me because sometimes it’s the Lord’s doing and if we repent of our sins Jesus is Just and faithful to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Yes indeed.

III. The Vision of the Measuring Line

Zechariah 2 :1 Then I looked up and saw a man holding a line for measuring things. 2. I asked him, “Where are you going?”He said to me, “I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is.”3. Then the angel who was talking with me left, and another angel came out to meet him. 4. The second angel said to him, “Run and tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will become a city without walls, because there will be so many people and cattle in it. 5. I will be a wall of fire around it,’ says the LORD. ‘And I will be the glory within it.’

I could be wrong 3x but it seems as though the second Angel is speaking of Himself as the All Powerful deity in the personality of the Holy Ghost . The Holy Ghost carries out the actions wishes and command of the Father and the Son because He is the third person in the trinity He’s God Himself. Further proof is in verse 6. “Oh no! Oh no! Run away from Babylon, because I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” says the LORD.7 “Oh no, Jerusalem! Escape, you who live right in Babylon.”

Then Chapter 2 and verse 8 BLEW MY MIND!!! “This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “After he has honored me and sent me against the nations who took your possessions—because whoever touches you hurts what is precious to me.” Then in the KJV it says if you touch what God loves you’re touching the apple of His eye. Don’t touch what God LOVES. Don’t touch em

Because just remember that when you go to reach your hand against God’s anointed ( Not just His preacher either) God ain’t playing with NO YOU!!!

NCV verse—9 I will shake my hand against them so that their slaves will rob them.”Then you will know that the LORD All-Powerful sent me.10 “Shout and be glad, Jerusalem. I am coming, and I will live among you,” says the LORD.

This is Messianic in nature because this text denotes depicts and declares that The Angel speaks like He is a Theophany with human qualities and the ability to live amongst us. To me AND I COULD BE WRONG BUT TO ME this is the Jesus the Monganes God 100% God and 100% man at the same time it’s got to be Jesus .

11 “At that time people from many nations will join with the LORD and will become my people. Then I will live among you, and you will know that the LORD All-Powerful has sent me to you.

I’m so glad that God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world I know that Jesus is New Testament and Zechariah is Old Testament but the corroboration lines up with the Character and nature of Jesus Christ . And Zechariah’s visions are spot on for the prophecy concerning Jesus.The Prophecy is right in front of your face even when you’re not looking for it. And then here’s something fresh and new in verse 12 The LORD will take Judah as his own part of the holy land, and Jerusalem will be his chosen city again. This is the first and only place in scripture that calls Israel the Holy Land. 13 Be silent, everyone, in the presence of the LORD. He is coming out of the holy place where he lives.” I’ve been at Shiloh MBC 22 years and I still I opened up Church with The Lord is in His Holy Temple let the earth keep silent before Him. And This text was designed to demonstrate a holy reverence for the All Mighty God and His dwelling place.

And so now the next Vision

IV. The Vision of the High Priest

3:1 Then he showed me Joshua, the high priest, standing in front of the LORD’s angel. And Satan was standing by Joshua’s right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD says no to you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem says no to you! This man was like a burning stick pulled from the fire.”3 Joshua was wearing dirty clothes and was standing in front of the angel. Joshua the High priest had done that which is right in the sight of the Lord and through trials and tribulations had become dirty worn down beaten down let down thrown down looked down upon Oh But God!!!! Because verse 4. The angel said to those standing in front of him, “Take off those dirty clothes.”Then the angel said to Joshua, “Look, I have taken away your sin from you, and I am giving you beautiful, fine clothes.” In other words Joshua I’m cleaning you up.5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and dressed him while the LORD’s angel stood there.

Zechariah’s vision of the High Priest Joshua describe ceremonies that purify Jeshua and empowers him with certain emblems of authority and get this now, Now Joshua the High Priest has prerogatives previously reserved for kings. He get a crown on his head like a king. And I noticed that in Zechariah’s vision Joshua the High Priest didn’t say a word in the dream and he was not ashamed to stand before God especially knowing that God is giving him something far better. It’s a better least on life than what he had. “Rev Dr Ricky Carter said, If what you have been doing haven’t been working, then why is it so hard for you to change.” Think about it Joshua’s clothes were filthy which indicates that something has gone terribly wrong.He’s the preacher pastor teacher leader elder poiman shepherd bishop minister and High Priest and there is an indication that if the pulpit is dirty and nasty then the parishioners out in the pews are filthy and smelly. I know I’m right about that because I’ve been down to the bottom and I know just what it feels like when you’re nasty dirty and filthy. And so when God wants to straighten me out because I’m all messed up, I know God is the only one who can clean me ALL UP!!! Look at Zechariah 3:6  Then the LORD’s angel said to Joshua, 7 “This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: ‘If you do as I tell you and serve me, you will be in charge of my Temple and my courtyards. And I will let you be with these angels who are standing here. Preachers we’ve got to be obedient to the voice of God which is the Word of God if we are going to be in charge of leading God’s people and being viable stewards over the church. Joshua was in charge of supervising the building of the second temple.

8 “ ‘Listen, Joshua, the high priest, and your friends who are sitting in front of you. They are symbols of what will happen. I am going to bring my servant called the Branch.

The Branch is a symbol of the Ontological Essence of God 9 Look, I put this stone in front of Joshua, a stone with seven sides. I will carve a message on it,’ says the LORD All-Powerful.

God is saying I wrote the sermon out for you. All you got to do is read it, study it, and then teach it and preach it.

Then the word of power says ‘And in one day I will take away the sin of this land.’ God says in one day!!!You’ve been struggling and straining for years and God says I will take away your iniquity, your sins, your short comings, your lack, your lust your lies, and your depression and oppression and get rid of your recession in one day. The country can be headed to a recession all it wants but in God’s economy there is Super Abundant Life. In One Day God can turn all that wrong into right for you.

10 “The LORD All-Powerful says, ‘In that day, each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your own grapevine and under your own fig tree.’ Sounds like prosperity to me. Sounds like God is fixing to open up windows and pour you out blessings that there is going to be enough room to receive it. ” Let’s stop here and pick it up next week.

V. The Vision of the Golden Lamp Stand

4:1 Then the angel who was talking with me returned and woke me up as if I had been asleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”I said, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top. And there are seven lamps and also seven places for wicks. 3 There are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on the left.”4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “Sir, what are these?”5 The angel said, “Don’t you know what they are?”“No, sir,” I said. 6 Then he told me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or by your own power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD All-Powerful.

Let me say something right here this is the formula for the secret of success in the Spiritual Enterprise . If we can just remember that like Zechariah’s name means that God remembers and because God remembers He also has a plan for our lives. 7 “Who are you, big mountain? In front of Zerubbabel you will become flat land, and he will bring out the topmost stone, shouting, ‘It’s beautiful! It’s beautiful!’ ”

God fixed it so that Joshua the High Priest and Zerubbabel the Governor were able to expand the geography of Jerusalem and made the land into a flat plain in order to expand the territory. Sometimes we need to excavate to the point that we can expand our territory. And our prayer ought to be Lord Please Expand our territory

Verse 8. Then the LORD spoke his word to me again, saying, 9. “Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD All-Powerful has sent me to you. When you experience success then you’ll know that it was God sending His special angel. I believe that this special angel in this text Jesus the Christ the Lord’s anointed the Branch sent to help you. It may be hard to get it done, but press on anyhow. “They said I wouldn’t make it they said I’d never amount to anything but I glad to say I’m on my way I ain’t going nowhere I’m right here to stay.

10 “The people should not think that small beginnings are unimportant. They will be happy when they see Zerubbabel with tools, building the Temple.“(These are the seven eyes of the LORD, which look back and forth across the earth.)” Despise not small beginnings 11 Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?”12 I also asked him, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold pipes, from which the olive oil flows to the lamps?”13 He answered, “Don’t you know what they are?”“No, sir,” I said. 14 So he said, “They are symbols of the two who have been appointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Brothers and sisters,There are divine assignments through out the bible. And when you’re on divine assignment nobody have to tell you step by step instruction on what to do next, no no no it just comes natural because you’re in your right position. You’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing. And when you’re doing what you supposed to be doing a special anointing come over you and allows you to be successful.

The Flying Roll

VI. The Vision of the Flying Scroll

5: 1 I looked up again and saw a flying scroll.2 The angel asked me, “What do you see?”I answered, “I see a flying scroll, thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide.”

“What are these, sir?”3 And he said to me, “This is the curse that will go all over the land. One side says every thief will be taken away. The other side says everyone who makes false promises will be taken away. 4 The LORD All-Powerful says, ‘I will send it to the houses of thieves and to those who use my name to make false promises. The scroll will stay in that person’s house and destroy it with its wood and stones.’ ” This is a fair warning to all of the Liars and thieves. God knows when you’re lying even when nobody else does. And God sees you stealing even with the perfect crime. And the word of Power says that the Good Lord is going to send a curse to those two different kinds of households.

The Vision of the Woman

5 Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said to me, “Look up and see what is going out.”6 “What is it?” I asked.He answered, “It is a measuring basket going out.” He also said, “It is a symbol of the people’s sins in all the land.”7 Then the lid made of lead was raised, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket. 8 The angel said, “The woman stands for wickedness.” Then he pushed her back into the basket and put the lid back down.9 Then I looked up and saw two women going out with the wind in their wings. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and the sky.10 I asked the angel who was talking with me, “Where are they taking the basket?”11 “They are going to Babylonia to build a temple for it,” he answered. “When the temple is ready, they will set the basket there in its place.” This representation depicts the world’s system. The system of the lust of the eyes the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. It represents the revelry and partying to the tune of Do what you want to. and the old popular song Fun Fun Fun, The woman in the basket that the angel pushed back down into it ,represents wickedness. How can you get a righteous thing out of something that is founded in wickedness. When someone some place and some thing’s core foundation is evil its a clear sign that Christian believers ought not build on that kind of foundation. Because at the very root of the matter it’s going to be rotten and wicked wayward and wanton. At it’s core it’s going to be ridiculously rude and rambunctious .At it’s core this woman is crazy chaotic and kooko , at it’s core this woman represents devilish demonic and deviant behavior. and the List goes on and on

“and What’s worst 3x” is the prophecy states that they are carrying her in a box meaning preserving her to promote her. When she gets to Babylonia they are going to build her a Temple. She will be honored in her shrine. In 2023 we honor so many things that are not holy unto God until it ain’t even funny. if you check the root of everything we honor outside of God it will be demonic in some shape form or fashion.

VIII. The Vision of the Four Chariots

6:1 I looked up again and saw four chariots going out between two mountains, mountains of bronze. 2 Red horses pulled the first chariot. Black horses pulled the second chariot. 3 White horses pulled the third chariot, and strong, spotted horses pulled the fourth chariot. 4 I asked the angel who was talking with me, “What are these, sir?” 5 He said, “These are the four spirits of heaven. They have just come from the presence of the Lord of the whole world. 6 The chariot pulled by the black horses will go to the land of the north. The white horses will go to the land of the west, and the spotted horses will go to the land of the south.”7 When the powerful horses went out, they were eager to go through all the earth. So he said, “Go through all the earth,” and they did. 8 Then he called to me, “Look, the horses that went north have caused my spirit to rest in the land of the north.

A Crown for Joshua

9 The LORD spoke his word to me, saying, 10 “Take silver and gold from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who were captives in Babylon. Go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah, who came from Babylon. 11 Make the silver and gold into a crown, and put it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Tell him this is what the LORD All-Powerful says: ‘A man whose name is the Branch will branch out from where he is, and he will build the Temple of the LORD. 13 One man will build the Temple of the LORD, and the other will receive honor. One man will sit on his throne and rule, and the other will be a priest on his throne. And these two men will work together in peace.’ 14 The crown will be kept in the Temple of the LORD to remind Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Josiah son of Zephaniah. 15 People living far away will come and build the Temple of the LORD. Then you will know the LORD All-Powerful has sent me to you. This will happen if you completely obey the LORD your God.”

The People Should Show Mercy

7:1 In the fourth year Darius was king, on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is called Kislev, the LORD spoke his word to Zechariah. 2 The city of Bethel sent Sharezer, Regem-Melech, and their men to ask the LORD a question. 3 They went to the prophets and priests who were at the Temple of the LORD All-Powerful. The men said, “For years in the fifth month of each year we have shown our sadness and fasted. Should we continue to do this?”4 The LORD All-Powerful spoke his word to me, saying, 5 “Tell the priests and the people in the land: ‘For seventy years you fasted and cried in the fifth and seventh months, but that was not really for me. 6 And when you ate and drank, it was really for yourselves. 7 The LORD used the earlier prophets to say the same thing, when Jerusalem and the surrounding towns were at peace and wealthy, and people lived in the southern area and the western hills.’8 And the LORD spoke his word to Zechariah again, saying, 9 “This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: ‘Do what is right and true. Be kind and merciful to each other. 10 Don’t hurt widows and orphans, foreigners or the poor; don’t even think of doing evil to somebody else.’11 “But they refused to pay attention; they were stubborn and did not want to listen anymore. 12 They made their hearts as hard as rock and would not listen to the teachings of the LORD All-Powerful. And they would not hear the words he sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD All-Powerful became very angry.

13 “ ‘When I called to them, they would not listen. So when they called to me, I would not listen,’ says the LORD All-Powerful. 14 ‘I scattered them like a hurricane to other countries they did not know. This good land was left so ruined behind them that no one could live there. They had made the desired land a ruin.’ 

The Lord Will Bless Jerusalem

Zechariah 8:1 The LORD All-Powerful spoke his word, saying, 2 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “I have a very strong love for Jerusalem. My strong love for her is like a fire burning in me.”3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Jerusalem and live in it. Then it will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD All-Powerful will be called the Holy Mountain.”4 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “Old men and old women will again sit along Jerusalem’s streets, each carrying a cane because of age. 5 And the streets will be filled with boys and girls playing.”6 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “Those who are left alive then may think it is too difficult to happen, but it is not too difficult for me,” says the LORD All-Powerful.7 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “I will save my people from countries in the east and west. 8 I will bring them back, and they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be their good and loyal God.”9 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “Work hard, you who are hearing these words today. The prophets spoke these words when the foundation was laid for the house of the LORD All-Powerful, for the building of the Temple. 10 Before that time there was no money to hire people or animals. People could not safely come and go because of the enemies; I had turned everyone against his neighbor. 11 But I will not do to these people who are left what I did in the past,” says the LORD All-Powerful.12 “They will plant their seeds in peace, their grapevines will have fruit, the ground will give good crops, and the sky will send rain. I will give all this to the people who are left alive. 13 Judah and Israel, your names have been used as curses in other nations. But I will save you, and you will become a blessing. So don’t be afraid; work hard.”14 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “When your ancestors made me angry, I planned to punish you. I did not change my mind,” says the LORD All-Powerful. 15 “But now I will do something different. I am planning to do good to Jerusalem and Judah. So don’t be afraid. 16 These are the things you should do: Tell each other the truth. In the courts judge with truth and complete fairness. 17 Do not make plans to hurt your neighbors, and don’t love false promises. I hate all these things,” says the LORD.18 The LORD All-Powerful spoke his word to me again. 19 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “The special days when you fast in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months will become good, joyful, happy feasts in Judah. But you must love truth and peace.”20 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “Many people from many cities will still come to Jerusalem. 21 People from one city will go and say to those from another city, ‘We are going to pray to the LORD and to ask the LORD All-Powerful for help. Come and go with us.’ 22 Many people and powerful nations will come to worship the LORD All-Powerful in Jerusalem and to pray to the LORD for help.”23 This is what the LORD All-Powerful says: “At that time, ten men from different countries will come and take hold of a Judean by his coat. They will say to him, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’ 

Punishment on Israel’s Enemies

9 This message is the word of the LORD. The message is against the land of Hadrach and the city of Damascus The tribes of Israel and all people belong to the LORD 2  The message is also against the city of Hamath, on the border,and against Tyre and Sidon, with their skill.3  Tyre has built a strong wall for herself.She has piled up silver like dust and gold like the mud in the streets.4 But the Lord will take away all she has and destroy her power on the sea.That city will be destroyed by fire.5  The city of Ashkelon will see it and be afraid.The people of Gaza will shake with fear, and the people of Ekron will lose hope. No king will be left in Gaza, and no one will live in Ashkelon anymore.6  Foreigners will live in Ashdod,and I will destroy the pride of the Philistines.7  I will stop them from drinking blood and from eating forbidden food.Those left alive will belong to God. They will be leaders in Judah,and Ekron will become like the Jebusites. 8  I will protect my Temple from armies who would come or go.No one will hurt my people again,because now I am watching them.

The King Is Coming

9  Rejoice greatly, people of Jerusalem! Shout for joy, people of Jerusalem!Your king is coming to you.He does what is right, and he saves. He is gentle and riding on a donkey, on the colt of a donkey.10  I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the horses from Jerusalem. The bows used in war will be broken.The king will talk to the nations about peace.His kingdom will go from sea to sea,and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. 11  As for you, because of the blood of the agreement with you I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.12  You prisoners who have hope,return to your place of safety. Today I am telling you that I will give you back twice as much as before 13  I will use Judah like a bow and Ephraim like the arrows.Jerusalem, I will use your men to fight the men of Greece. I will use you like a warrior’s sword. 14  Then the LORD will appear above them, and his arrows will shoot like lightning.The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and he will march in the storms of the south 15  The LORD All-Powerful will protect them;

they will destroy the enemy with slingshots.
They will drink and shout like drunks.
They will be filled like a bowl
used for sprinkling blood at the corners of the altar.
16  On that day the LORD their God will save them
as if his people were sheep.
They will shine in his land
like jewels in a crown.
17  They will be so pretty and beautiful.
The young men will grow strong on the grain
and the young women on new wine.
The Lord’s Promises
10 Ask the LORD for rain during the springtime rains.
The LORD is the one who makes the clouds.
He sends the showers
and gives everyone green fields.
2  Idols tell lies;
fortune-tellers see false visions
and tell about false dreams.
The comfort they give is worth nothing.
So the people are like lost sheep.
They are abused, because there is no shepherd.
3  The LORD says, “I am angry at my shepherds,
and I will punish the leaders.
I, the LORD All-Powerful, care
for my flock, the people of Judah.
I will make them like my proud war horses.
4  From Judah will come the cornerstone,
and the tent peg,
the battle bow,
and every ruler.
5  Together they will be like soldiers
marching to battle through muddy streets.
The LORD is with them,
so they will fight and defeat the horsemen.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Ps 85:1–10.
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