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Sabbath Service
Saturday, February 24, 2007
“Why the Law?” — Part 3

(If you are meeting in a small group, select a leader for the day. The leader reads
the text printed in regular face. The rest of the group reads the text printed in
bold face and wherever it states “In Unison.” If you are worshipping as a single
individual, read all the parts.)

CALL TO WORSHIP (In Unison)

The agendas of the world place many gods before us,
but today we seek the counsel of the One who is truly God.
Let nothing stand in the way of our listening,
and no looking back prevent our following Christ.

INVITATION (In Unison)

God of our ancestors, we have heard of your wonderful deeds in freeing people from bondage. Now we come to you seeking true freedom within ourselves. We do not ask to be free of obligation or responsibility, but to be able to lay aside the unnecessary burdens we carry. Our self-preoccupation, worry, and anxiety have blocked our ability to do and to be our best. Come to us now in your saving and freeing power, that we may truly worship and joyously serve. Amen.

OPENING HYMN #223                     “Praise Ye the Lord!”

Psalm 148
Dwight Armstrong

Praise ye the Lord! Praise ye the Lord!
Praise from the heavens and praise in the heights.
Praise Him, ye angels, praise Him, ye hosts,
And praise Him ye sun, moon and stars in the heights.
Heaven of heavens, waters above;
Praise the Eternal let all praise His Name!
When He commanded they were created,
And by a decree fixed their bounds evermore!

Praise ye the Lord! Ye mammals and deeps too,
Fire, hail and wind storms fulfilling His word!
Vapours and show all hills too, and mountains,
All cedars and fruitful trees, let’s praise His Name!
Wild beasts and cattle, birds and all reptiles,
Earth’s kings and judges, all people and chiefs;
Young men and maidens, old men and children;
All praise ye the Name of our God evermore!

Praise ye the Lord! Praise ye the Lord!
Praise from the heavens and praise in the heights!
Praise Him ye angels Praise Him ye hosts,
His glory is higher than heaven above;
God lifted high the horn of His people;
He has exalted the praise of His saints;
They are a people near unto God
The children of Israel, praise ye the Lord!

OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)

O God of great compassion, we come to you with hopeful and trusting hearts. In our spoken words and in our deepest thoughts, we lift up to you the needs of ourselves and the world. Vibrant Spirit of Life, come and raise us up! Blow like spring wind through the stale spaces of our being and send us on our way renewed. In every experience, through every distress of mind and body, keep us ever mindful that your presence with us, O God, is our greatest health and true salvation. Amen.

MOMENTS OF SILENCE

PERSONAL PRAYER (In Silence)

HYMN # 95                                 “Sweet Hour of Prayer”

Wm. W. Walford
William B. Bradbury

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

PRESENTATIONS BEFORE GOD (Not monetary offerings)

Time for any in attendance to offer a musical or instrumental piece, a reading, comments, or anything they would like to present before God.

If no one is prepared or if you want more, the link below will open a vocal selection from the voice of Kathy Troccoli for your listening enjoyment.

“Go Light Your World”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Time for groups to make any necessary announcements relating to their own group.

Today we will complete the three-part study, “Why the Law?,” written by Neville V. Stevens.

COLLECT (Preparing for the lesson. In Unison)

Set before us the demands of discipleship, O God, even when we are not ready to hear and respond. Challenge us to put our hands to the plow and look ahead, walking by the Spirit and offering to the world the love, joy, and peace you intend. Curb our impatience when our faithfulness does not seem to match that of our ancestors. Keep us gentle and kind, self controlled, and abounding in good works. Amen.

THE LESSON
         (Use the lesson provided here, or conduct a study of your own selection.)

Why the Law?
Part 3

The Bible says Christ is the end of the LAW. What does it mean? Did He bring the LAW to an end? Did He repeal all LAWS? Is LAW still necessary today? Or should we be living LAWLESS lives. You need to understand what the Bible MEANS!

By Neville V. Stevens

New International Version used throughout unless otherwise stated.

Don’t you realize that the PROPHECIES of the LAW (those recorded by Moses) are about to descend on you? Read all of Deut 28 and Deut 29:1. Concerning EPHRAIM (U.S.), the nation that embodies all the brothers (Jer 7:15, the children of Israel), God has this to say: Hos 13:12 “The GUILT OF EPHRAIM is STORED UP, HIS SINS ARE KEPT ON RECORD.”

Yes, it’s true! God has allowed the sins of Ephraim to be stored up to await the promised punishment. They will pay the full price for their sins. These sins have been building up for hundreds of years. God had a very great purpose in allowing them to prosper and to strike fear into the hearts of all nations. WHEN EPHRAIM SPEAKS, MEN TREMBLE (Hos 13:1). But not for much longer!

There are some very specific prophecies concerning Ephraim. All of them give exact details of the final destruction of this nation. More importantly, they are also told why. When the might and power of Ephraim is brought low, men will no longer tremble when he speaks. Yet, it should always be remembered that God has a great love for Ephraim, but Ephraim has never served God faithfully. Notice what the prophets recorded: Hos 5:1 “Hear this, you PRIESTS! Pay attention, you ISRAELITES! Listen, O ROYAL HOUSE! THIS JUDGMENT IS AGAINST YOU. You have been a snare at MIZPAH, a net spread out on TABOR. The REBELS are deep in slaughter. I will discipline all of them. I know all about EPHRAIM; ISRAEL is not hidden from Me. EPHRAIM, you have now turned to prostitution; ISRAEL is corrupt.”

The name MIZPAH is mentioned here. What does it mean? Just a word of clarification before answering this.

Frequently, the Bible speaks of incidents that seem relatively insignificant. Most people consider it to be fill or padding for the story being related. But the Bible is a LAW BOOK that must be searched to determine the intent of the Legislator, and that Legislator is God. Throughout its pages, God has designed His LAW BOOK in such a way as to clarify every word He has spoken. It is not open to private interpretation.

Many people have come and gone who have claimed to be teachers of God’s Word. And what do they teach? The very PRINCIPLES OF THE WORLD which the Bible condemns! They build a scenario based on their own view that seems to ‘fit’ with certain scriptures. The halcyon days of the false prophets were during the second world war. They weaved their web of intrigue and claimed that Hitler was the prophesied beast. The fact that Hitler didn’t fulfil any of the Biblical requirements of the beast didn’t faze them. Their net of intrigue grew ever wider, and they made some of the most outrageous claims imaginable, yet fifty years later, it is patently obvious they were wrong! These pathetic frauds even promoted the belief that Hitler wasn’t really dead, and that he would arise again. The same evil spirit still pervades the minds of these evildoers today.

And now, through the same evil spirit, they continue to manipulate current event scenarios to match with certain Bible prophecies. They still quote all the same scriptures to prove that America, or Britain, or China, or Russia, or Japan, or Germany is the prophesied beast. Their forebears also taught that the League of Nations was the beast; but only changed their minds when Hitler arrived on the scene. Today some of them teach that the United Nations is the beast power. Their twisted, demented minds offer nothing from the Bible to support their beliefs. The sense of deja vu is evident in their twisted reasoning. What formerly was proven false, is exactly what they teach today, howbeit, with slight variations of name and circumstance.

Some of them, fearful of being proven wrong, go to extraordinary lengths to claim all are the beast. They claim Germany is the beast, then they suggest the United Nations and the New World Order are also the beast. But it doesn’t stop there. These same people also claim the U.S. is the beast, and also the Catholic Church. And their caveat also includes China and Russia. But Japan also causes them concern, so they also weave Japan into the equation. Every nation, organization or city that might possibly prove (in their own minds) to be the beast is included. They are determined not to be proven wrong. No matter what power arises, they will have all bets covered. Interestly enough, you only have to read their former teachings to learn what monumental hypocrites these people are! All their ‘prophecies’ have failed, they constantly contradict their own teachings, and they have no qualms at all. Their consciences are seared. They don’t fear and quake before the Almighty God, but they treat Him with absolute contempt.

The humorous side of all this is, they all claim to be prophets who are ‘searching’ for truth.

So why did God mention the word MIZPAH here in Hos 5:1? The name was first used by Jacob in Gen 31:44 “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.” So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. He said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap. LABAN called it JEGAR SAHADUTHA, and JACOB called it GALEED. Laban said, “This heap is a WITNESS between you and me today.” That is why it was called GALEED. It was ALSO called MIZPAH, because he said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other....” V52 “Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me. This HEAP IS A WITNESS, and this PILLAR IS A WITNESS, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to harm me. May the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Just a word of clarification: the title ‘God of Nahor’ should be transcribed ‘god of Nahor.’ Nahor was a pagan, and so was Laban. It should also be noted that Laban named the place of the covenant ‘JEGAR SAHADUTHA’ which in the ARAMAIC language of the BABYLONIANS, means ‘WITNESS HEAP.’

This was no ordinary covenant established only on verbal assurances. It was a monumental covenant set in stones. This pagan, Laban, set out to kill Jacob, but was warned by Almighty God (Gen 31:29) whom he recognized as the God of Jacob’s fathers, Abraham and Isaac. This man was a dyed-in-the-wool pagan, but he still recognized the Great God as the One to be obeyed—even though he never honoured Him. Well this man Laban died, and the covenant was never tested at that time. And neither was it tested by Jacob. What is more, it is not mentioned again UNTIL the prophet Hosea recorded God’s Words.

Jacob lived in his household for twenty years, before moving to establish his own household some distance away for a further seven to ten years. During this time, Laban changed the agreement (covenant) with Jacob ten times in order to cheat him. But everything he did turned against him. The final covenant was set with stones and Laban left.

That seemed to be the end of the matter. We hear no more of this covenant, nor of Laban. It appears to have passed into history. But God revives it with a reference in a passage of scripture relating to the endtime (Hos 5:1). The area referred to is in the territory of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. The site of this ancient witness pillar is RAMOTH GILEAD.

But you will also notice a reference to MOUNT TABOR in the same verse. MOUNT TABOR is west of the Jordan River and is a prominent feature overlooking the VALLEY OF JEZREEL in the former territory of GALILEE. These two sites, one on the east of the Jordan River, and the other on the west, just happen to be the sites of some amazing endtime prophecies that will be fulfilled in our day. Details of these things will be given in future articles and at the appropriate time. And God makes this point: Hos 5:9 “Among the TRIBES OF ISRAEL I proclaim that WHICH IS CERTAIN.”

Most Bible students don’t need to concern themselves with the infinitely detailed prophesied events for the endtime—YET! They need to FIRST begin to understand what the Bible is all about! The Apostle John made it very plain. This is what he recorded: 1John 3:8 “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The REASON THE SON OF GOD APPEARED was to DESTROY THE DEVIL’S WORK.” The Apostle Paul also spoke of this: Heb 2:14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humility so that by His death HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM WHO HOLDS THE POWER OF DEATH—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were HELD IN SLAVERY by their fear of death.”

Has the devil’s WORK been destroyed? The scripture also says that ‘He might destroy HIM who holds the power of death—that is, the devil....” Has the devil been destroyed? It’s obvious the answer to both questions is no! Paul makes the REASONS very clear in Heb 2:11 “For surely it is NOT THE ANGELS He helps, but ABRAHAM’S DESCENDANTS. For this REASON He had to be made like His BROTHERS in every way, in order that He might become a MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST IN SERVICE TO GOD, and that He might make ATONEMENT FOR THE SINS OF THE PEOPLE.” This is yet another verse showing that Christians, who must emulate Christ, must be like His BROTHERS in every way. And His BROTHERS are the Tribe of Judah, the Jewish people today. And the thing that most typifies the Jewish people today is their love for Jerusalem—the Holy City of God. In this regard, they are streets ahead of mainstream Christianity today.

You may not have noticed, but the seed of Satan the devil hates Jerusalem! In the past, they have taken every opportunity to desecrate and destroy it. They worship the city of Mecca. But this has not stopped them from wanting to control the Holy City of God. Ultimately, the seed of Satan will control the world for the express purpose of controlling Jerusalem and wresting it from the Tribe of Judah. And again, in case you haven’t noticed, it’s the CITY OF JERUSALEM that the RETURNING CHRIST WILL FIGHT FOR! And in the sight of the Holy City, Christ will destroy all those who have opposed it.

Some of you may say that you want more evidence on these things before you accept them. You refuse to believe God and His Word, choosing to retain your own views. In the past, you’ve willingly believed the Catholic Church is in some way involved with the prophesied beast power—with no Bible evidence whatsoever! You’ve willingly built whole scenarios of prophecy based on your own culpable and questionable self-delusion, BUT YOU REFUSE TO BELIEVE GOD AND HIS WORD! If the Word of God was nailed to your forehead you still wouldn’t believe it!

Under the principles of Rule of Law and its implied rules of evidence, all that you have believed as Bible prophecy is ranked as zero because it is not based on the ultimate LAW BOOK. Most of you are not troubled by this at all! What is more, what God has to say is not evidence to you either. In terms of the stated objectives of God, all that He has written in His LAW BOOK, you require evidence of the first rank. You want to see the ‘smoking gun.’ And only then will you believe God and His Word. Well, there’s some good news for you. You will certainly see the ‘smoking gun’!

Even the blindest of observers cannot help but notice that a central theme runs through the entire Bible concerning the HOLY LAND and the CITY OF GOD. Even though many cities and nations are mentioned, everything to do with endtime prophecy centers on GOD’S HOLY CITY. Insofar as the ancient city of Babylon has been variously described as Rome, New York, and a whole plethora of other cities, by the false prophets, it’s not surprising that some Churches have called themselves ‘spiritual Jerusalem’ in order to show their contempt for God’s actual Holy City Jerusalem.

It’s true that the New Jerusalem is the ultimate goal for all those who love God. Those who reject the Holy City Jerusalem—the City where Christ walked and talked; and the City He wept over (Luke 13:34)—do so on the basis of Heb 12:22-28. These verses are a central platform of doctrine, but in no way do they abrogate the importance of the present City of Jerusalem. The culmination of all prophecy will see the descent of the New Jerusalem, and through all the horror of what is yet to come, we should set our sights on this glorious event. And this is the intent of Paul’s comments. And just so this is clearly understood, this is what is written: Heb 12:22 “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, the CITY OF THE LIVING GOD. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the Church of the Firstborn, whose NAMES are WRITTEN in heaven. You have come to God, the JUDGE OF ALL MEN, to the SPIRITS OF RIGHTEOUS MEN MADE PERFECT, to Jesus the Mediator of a New Covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” We know this speaks of a future event because God has told us so (Rev 21:2). But we have come to the realization that this is our ultimate goal. Here Paul speaks of righteous men made perfect. And who was he speaking of? Notice: Heb 11:13 “All these people were still living in faith when they DIED. They DID NOT RECEIVE the things promised; but only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.” V16 “Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God for HE HAS PREPARED A CITY FOR THEM.”

All the faithful men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11 have not yet received the things promised them, and neither has anyone else on earth—yet! They died in faith and are still awaiting those promises. And they willingly died as martyrs: Heb 11:35 “...Others were tortured and REFUSED TO BE RELEASED, so that they might gain a better resurrection.” Yes, these people actually REFUSED to be released, and this is what is called FAITH (Heb 11:1). And Paul issues this warning: V25 “See to it that you do not REFUSE Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they REFUSED Him who WARNED them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from Him who WARNS us from heaven?” If we refuse or deny the teachings of Christ while He was on earth, how much worse will it be when He speaks from heaven? Again, Paul makes it clear. He speaks of events that will shake the earth and its inhabitants to pieces. V26 “At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “ONCE MORE I will shake NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVENS.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken will remain.”

Paul was speaking of a future time that was spoken of by the prophets. So which prophet was speaking of this time in this regard? And from where did Paul quote this verse? Here it is: Hag 2:6 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more SHAKE the HEAVENS and the EARTH, the SEA and the DRY LAND. I will shake ALL NATIONS and the DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS (see also Mal 3:1) will come, and I will fill this House with glory.” Here Paul affirms that the Book of Haggai concerns prophecy for our time. In fact, it deals with the ministry of the two endtime prophets, and contains a great deal of detail for the immediate future. Some of it is in parable form.

Is God really going to shake the HEAVENS, the EARTH, the SEA, the DRY LAND and ALL NATIONS? YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE IT! None of your dinky theories about tectonic plates and the other madness extruded from the minds of lunatics. ‘Scientists’ today believe they have all the answers. Believe them at your peril! If you want to align yourself with the ‘scientific intelligentsia’ who delude you into believing they understand the earth, then do so, but be aware that God is about to make fools of them all! If you believe God then you should also have the intelligence to burn holes through their theories.

It’s a strange thing that so many people who pretend to believe God, cannot believe God’s only explanation for the state of the earth. They can’t believe that AFTER Christ returns He will RESTORE EVERYTHING (Acts 3:21) before presenting the World Kingdom to the Father (1Cor 15:24). They think Christ is going to present a shattered wreck to our Heavenly Father. These people think ‘tectonic plate theory’ explains everything. They acknowledge that the continents were once all joined together, but apparently conclude that because of faulty workmanship by God they have continued to break up and drift for millions of years. Yet God speaks of a massive rebellion that destroyed the earth and erased all life. Christ even said He was there when this rebel was violently cast to earth (Luke 10:18). But this rebel’s rebels won’t believe God! These people are totally unconcerned with truth!

And finally Paul concludes the theme in Heb 12:28 “Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, FOR OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.” Not quite the concept envisaged by those who think God will accept them just as they are, is it? Those who labour so hard to expunge God’s Law from the face of the earth in order to be ‘saved by grace’ are at a disadvantage. Billions of people have gone before them who never kept God’s Law or obeyed Him. These are surely preeminent over those WHO ONCE OBEYED GOD and have now TURNED AWAY TO A FALSE GOSPEL and total DISOBEDIENCE. Their false gospel has nullified the whole content of the Bible. According to their concepts, everything recorded in the Bible was all for nothing! Presumably, God is a CONSUMING FIRE against those who LOVE, HONOUR and OBEY Him! These ‘wicked’ people who, like Abraham, keep God’s Commandments, Statutes and Laws, are ‘wicked’ because they BELIEVED God when He states, literally hundreds of times, that He must be OBEYED. If your child contemptuously spat in your face, would you rush out and buy him a new bicycle as a reward? This, apparently, is the reasoning of their demented minds.

But insofar as these people DARE to TEACH such nonsense, their fate is already sealed. All are required to serve God in Spirit and in Truth, and God says His Word is truth! His Word also includes the 39 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE that the ‘grace only’ advocates reject! And these are the very scriptures that Christ and all the Apostles taught and quoted from.

There are many references to Christ in the 39 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE these people reject; all the former prophets spoke of Him. Notice what Isaiah recorded: Isa 50:4 “The Sovereign LORD has given me an INSTRUCTED TONGUE, to know the WORD that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being TAUGHT. The Sovereign LORD has OPENED MY EARS, and I have not been rebellious; I HAVE NOT DRAWN BACK.” Yes, Jesus Christ did fulfill these words. He spoke ONLY the Words of the Father in all matters of doctrine (John 14:10). But these Words in Isaiah also speak of another. And years afterwards, the Apostle Paul again spoke of this, with particular reference to NOT DRAWING BACK. He was drawing on Scripture when he said this:

Heb 10:38 “He who is coming will come and will not delay. But MY RIGHTEOUS ONE will LIVE BY FAITH. And IF HE SHRINKS BACK, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who SHRINK BACK and are DESTROYED, but of those who BELIEVE and are SAVED.”

The man who Paul referred to is the one who will arise in the endtime. He was quoting from Habakkuk. God is speaking, notice what He says:

Hab 2:2 “Then the LORD replied, “Write down the REVELATION and make it plain on tablets so that a HERALD can run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; IT SPEAKS OF THE END and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; IT WILL CERTAINLY COME AND WILL NOT DELAY. See, he [the leader of the land of wickedness] is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but THE RIGHTEOUS [ONE] WILL LIVE BY HIS FAITH—indeed wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the GRAVE and like DEATH (see Rev 6:8) is never satisfied, he GATHERS TO HIMSELF ALL THE NATIONS and TAKES CAPTIVE ALL THE PEOPLES.”

We now stand on the threshold of these horrific events. Christ spoke of them (Matt 15:21), the Apostle John recorded them in the Book of Revelation. This beast is to take CAPTIVE ALL PEOPLES and GATHER ALL NATIONS FOR HIMSELF. The object of this whole exercise is to control God’s Holy Mountain. In the death throes of this power struggle, many attempts will be made to transgress the borders that God has set. And in the final attempt, all the armies of the world will amass against the Holy City, and the final outcome will be sure!

If you think you have understood the Bible, be aware that most of you have understood nothing! Most of you have no idea of what lies ahead and why! And never can you understand until you decide to be a PART OF GOD’S WORK and support it. You know yourselves that much of what you learn and prove from your own Bibles quickly fades away. You grasp nothing and most of what you do grasp fades the following day. Your enthusiasm is up and down like a yo-yo. In the past you have believed appalling rubbish that has no substance from the Bible. But because it gave you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, you accepted it as doctrine. We are now entering THE MOST CALAMITOUS TIME IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND, a time that will see few men left on the face of the earth: Isa 24:5 “The earth is defiled by its people; they have DISOBEYED THE LAWS, VIOLATED THE STATUTES and BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT. Therefore the EARTH’S INHABITANTS ARE BURNED UP, AND VERY FEW ARE LEFT.” Has this happened yet? Well the Apostle Peter said it was yet future! (See 2Pet 3:10-13). Did you notice WHY this will happen—YET IN THE FUTURE? Notice the words ‘DISOBEYED THE LAWS, VIOLATED THE STATUTES AND BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT’. You could say that if the EVERLASTING COVENANT (the one referred to here) is done away, then God has no basis for doing what He has stated! But the Apostle Peter’s comments don’t reflect any reversal by God. Years after Christ’s departure he affirmed that it would still happen. But many are convinced this doesn’t apply to them! They have believed the beasts that rule over them because, in their eyes, they appear as angels of light—so virtuous and filled with ‘love’—love of themselves! Believe it!

They will prove yourselves willing to go to their deaths—as the Son of God did—or they will die and go to the lake of fire. None of their ‘righteousnesses’ will be remembered! Unless they start BELIEVING God and OBEYING Him!

Reverting again to the previously quoted verses from Isaiah, and as evidence that Isaiah was prophesying of Christ, note the next verse: Isa 50:6 “I offered my back to those who BEAT me, my cheeks to those who PULLED OUT MY BEARD. I did not hide my face from MOCKING AND SPITTING. Because the LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I HAVE SET MY FACE LIKE FLINT, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who VINDICATES me is near. Who then will BRING CHARGES AGAINST ME? LET US FACE EACH OTHER! WHO IS MY ACCUSER? LET HIM CONFRONT ME! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out LIKE A GARMENT, the MOTHS WILL EAT THEM UP.”

Note that the Godly GARMENTS cannot be attacked by MOTHS. God’s GARMENTS are ARMOUR (Eph 6:13). Notice also that these verses also reflect the beating and humiliation inflicted on Christ. Then we see a complete change of character and emphasis. Here we see a defiant challenge and this one SETS HIS FACE LIKE FLINT to reflect the characteristics given him by God: Eze 3:7 “But the HOUSE OF ISRAEL is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to Me, for the whole HOUSE OF ISRAEL is hardened and obstinate. But I will make you as hardened as they are. I will make YOUR FOREHEAD like the HARDEST STONE, HARDER THAN FLINT. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house.”

The Lamb of God has come and gone, having fulfilled what was required of Him. His next appearance is as a LION—OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH (Rev 5:5). When Satan’s lion arises he will have a worthy and invincible adversary. Christ Himself said that He was a prophet just like Moses (Deut 18:15). God also spoke of another prophet just like Moses who would arise after Christ’s first appearance. This will be fulfilled by another prophet, and God makes it plain that His Work will be conducted by two men who are indeed prophets—and who have devastating power to destroy whole nations (Rev 11:6)—just like Moses!

But Isaiah also prophesies against a group of people AMONG the Tribes of Israel in the next verse: Isa 50:10 “Who AMONG you fears the LORD and OBEYS the WORD of His SERVANT? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his [the SERVANT’S] God.” This is yet another clear warning that the lives of many people will depend on the SERVANT of God. Speaking in the same theme, and in the very next verse, God focuses on part of this group who don’t OBEY the WORDS of His SERVANT—WHICH ARE THE WORDS OF GOD: V11 “But now, ALL YOU WHO LIGHT FIRES and provide yourselves with FLAMING TORCHES, go, walk in the LIGHT OF YOUR FIRES and of ALL THE TORCHES YOU HAVE SET ABLAZE. This is what you shall receive from My hand: YOU WILL LIE DOWN IN TORMENT.”

It’s very appropriate that hate mail on the Internet is called FLAME MAIL. And that which is directed to the SERVANT of God carries a heavy penalty. No-one will escape! In fact, this verse speaks of something far more radical. Didn’t Christ say that He came to bring a sword? What these verses describe is mob-rule. Many would like to believe that flame-mail is as bad as it will get. Unfortunately, this is not the case! Christ spoke of brothers hating one another—especially when they think Christ has delayed His coming. In the holocaust that will surround them, and the death and suffering that will accompany it, evil brothers will set upon those who remain faithful to God. They will not only use flaming torches to burn down their houses, they will also kill and betray them and deliver them to the tormentors. But those who do this will wish they had never been born!

Christ had this to say: Matt 10:21 “Brother will BETRAY brother to DEATH, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to DEATH. ALL MEN WILL HATE YOU BECAUSE OF ME, but he who stands firm to the END will be saved.” This plainly speaks of events triggered against those who are obedient to the Testimony of Jesus. But Christ also said this: Luke 12:49 “I have come to bring FIRE (see Matt 3:11) on the earth, and HOW I WISH IT WERE ALREADY KINDLED. But I have a BAPTISM to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed. Do you think I have come to bring PEACE on earth? NO, I tell you, but division.”

It’s always interesting to read some of the scriptures that the enemies of God ignore. Their rejection of 39 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE leaves them POWERLESS to understand anything. They simply lack the POWER of God. But not so the endtime prophets! They will have devastating POWER, not only to teach as TEACHERS OF THE LAW, but to destroy whole nations—and AS OFTEN AS THEY WANT (Rev 11:4-6).

Isa 49:7 “This is what the LORD says—the Redeemer of Israel—to him who was DESPISED and ABHORRED by the nation, to the SERVANT of rulers; “Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see you and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” This is what the LORD says: “IN THE TIME OF MY FAVOUR I will ANSWER YOU, and IN THE DAY OF SALVATION I will help you; I will KEEP YOU and will make YOU to be a COVENANT for the people, to RESTORE THE LAND and to REASSIGN ITS DESOLATE INHERITANCES, to say to the CAPTIVES, ‘COME OUT,’ and to those in DARKNESS, ‘BE FREE!’”

We are made a little lower than the angels—that is, just marginally lower—in as much as we are flesh and blood. But we have the same mind as angels. And like the angels, we have freedom of choice. While some angels chose to be faithful to God, one-third of them did not! This third became fascinated with ENDLESS CRUELTY, and like their LEADER became as GREEDY AS THE GRAVE. They also reasoned that as long as God’s eyes were not directly on them, He would fail to see. In fact, two of Satan’s lieutenants have been named by God as DEATH and the GRAVE [HELL]. God names people (and angels) to reflect what they are.

Most of you should be well aware that demons can possess animals and humans. You should also be aware that demons can be ordered to the ABYSS (Luke 8:31). And although it is suggested in previous articles, you may not yet understand that God can also order them into the body of an animal (Luke 8:32). Just as Christ served His time as an ordinary human, so Satan has also served his time as a serpent animal.

God did not create Satan as a dragon, but as a beautiful creature full of wisdom and exceptional in appearance. He was a masterstroke of creation, but numerous times he is described as a distinct dragon-like beast—the very epitome of ugliness. What, by his own choosing, he desired to be, that he also became. And each time he was reduced to a beast, he retained the mind of that beastly creature. And the LIGHT of that once glorious creature faded, and now he has NO LIGHT in him. For those who have any understanding at all, you will know that the LIGHT that God gives is wisdom and knowledge (and more than that). Satan will never return to his former glory—and this is one of the main principles of the Bible. Everything hinges on this great lesson.

Most people have no trouble believing that Christ appeared as a real man—yet He was the Son of God. He appeared in a form that was a little lower than the angels. And even after the resurrection, and after He had sat down on the Father’s throne, He again appeared to the Apostles over a 40-day period. Yet, on all of these occasions, He appeared as a man. They touched Him and ate with Him. On one occasion, Christ asked for something to eat because He was hungry. As a human being, He experienced the pangs of hunger. The Apostles gave Him some fried fish. But His human form was different. Some didn’t actually recognize Him in His resurrected form. Not to draw too long a bow on this, it seems that Christ chose a different appearance to His former form. Yet they recognized Him—eventually!

These writings have a lot of emphasised words in the quoted scriptures. Generally, these are POINTERS to other parts of the Bible, to MARKERS that will expand your knowledge of the subject matter. It is not possible in every case to digress to expand on them in an article, otherwise the article would become hopelessly disjointed and at variance with the theme. This happens anyway to some extent, because the Bible is a veritable STOREHOUSE of knowledge. It’s expected that those who have a sincere desire to serve God and to reverence His Word, will pursue these things and expand and fill their database of knowledge. If you make no effort to do this, then the very knowledge you have gained will quickly be taken away. It cannot be emphasised enough: the Words that God has entrusted to you should be your whole life (Deut 6:6-8, Deut 32:47). Every time you fail to acknowledge God’s truth and fail to act on it, you are degraded a little more. You are now being judged by your actions and by your words. When you know to do right and you fail to do it, this in the eyes of God is sin! James 4:14 “Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” V17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do AND DOESN’T DO IT, SINS.” God is not interested in those who only hear His Word, He is interested in those who do it, who love it—AND OBEY!

There are those among you who ignore the whole theme of the Bible and focus on certain verses that can be twisted to support their disobedience. They believe that after nearly 6,000 years of human suffering, God has abandoned His intentions, admitted His ‘mistakes’ and has now cowered to the ‘wisdom’ of these slavering beasts who insist that disobedience to God’s Law is the way to salvation.

In former days, the ten Tribes of Israel, collectively called EPHRAIM, were sent away as a GOAT laden with sins. They were driven from the GOAT that God retained and chose—the southern Tribe of Judah. Now in these last days, God refers to EPHRAIM as a beautiful HEIFER. This HEIFER will be slaughtered and burnt outside the Holy City and its ashes will bring healing to the nations. God describes not a white heifer but a RED HEIFER. And God makes it very plain where the might of their armies will be defeated! Soon they will be told—when their armies are comfortably settled in the area with all their might and power—the very might and power given them by God! And just as God gave it to them, He will also take it away. At that time, let no-one say it was a lucky guess—it has been recorded in the Bible for thousands of years. The problem is you have been listening to liars, what is more, you have believed them! Why don’t you believe God?

In this matter God has a lot to say. Christ is NOT described as a HEIFER, nor as a BULL or a GOAT. HE IS DESCRIBED AS A LAMB! Wake up to yourselves you blasphemous beasts out there! God Himself describes this HEIFER! And this HEIFER is EPHRAIM! Soon an article will appear explaining the meaning of the animal sacrifices. Be sure to read it!

And so you will know that God long ago planned this, notice what He said to Abraham after He had promised him the promised land: Gen 15:8 “But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I shall gain possession of it?” So the LORD said to him, “Bring me a HEIFER, a GOAT, and a RAM, each three years old, along with a DOVE and a YOUNG PIGEON.” Abram brought all these things to Him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other, the birds, however, he did not cut in half. Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.” God then told Abraham that his descendants will serve as slaves for 400 years. V17 “When the SUN HAD SET and DARKNESS HAD FALLEN, a SMOKING FIRE POT with a BLAZING TORCH appeared and passed BETWEEN THE PIECES.” God gave no further information to Abraham concerning these things, but simply told him he would go to his grave in peace at a very great age. What does it all mean? Why don’t you ask your ‘spiritual’ mentor to give his interpretation? There are plenty of them out there who feel qualified to offer their best guess. Many of them have already offered their fruitloop theories and without the slightest qualm or conscience—and certainly without any Bible support! BUT SOON YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH!

Some people reject the Old Testament because they think it has been superceded by the New Testament. They seem to forget that much of the writings of the Apostles referred in great depth to the Old Testament—and long after Christ departed. What then, is the point of quoting a redundant book that no longer has relevance. But say these subversives, ‘I still quote the Old Testament’ even though according to their own doctrine it’s been ‘done away’. Why on earth would they do that?

It must worry them no end to realize that none of the Book of Revelation would be explainable EXCEPT by reference to the prophets. And Christ Himself put us on notice that only the ENDTIME READERS of the BOOK OF DANIEL would understand prophecy. They have emasculated themselves and exhibit feminine characteristics—quite the opposite of the powerfully-built carpenter who was ALL MAN! You need to start listening to the very Words of God and BELIEVING Him! Sexual indulgence (Col 2:23) has been largely responsible for the corruption of the House of Israel in these latter years. God calls it the DOCTRINE OF BALAAM. To entice God’s people to sexual corruption, as did Balaam against God’s people Israel, is the ploy of Satan the devil. The disgraceful sexual conduct of some has almost made common adultery seem respectable (except of course, when it involves a nation’s president). DISGRACEFUL HYPOCRITES!

Isa 2:2-4 “IN THE LAST DAYS the MOUNTAIN of the LORD’s TEMPLE will be established AS CHIEF AMONG THE MOUNTAINS; it will be RAISED ABOVE THE HILLS (Zech 14:4, 10), and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the MOUNTAIN of the LORD, to the HOUSE OF THE GOD OF JACOB. He will TEACH US HIS WAYS, so that we may WALK IN HIS PATHS.” The LAW will go out from ZION, the WORD of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Be aware, that before this happens, war will continue to the end (Dan 9:26). So those who think the Law has been done away are in for a big shock! In those days, the LAW WILL GO OUT FROM ZION, and those who seek the LORD will need to LEARN HIS WAYS!

And when they see the destruction of the earth that God will inflict, they will be more than willing to surrender to obedience to God. This is what God says: Isa 24:3 “The earth will be COMPLETELY LAID WASTE and totally plundered. THE LORD HAS SPOKEN THIS WORD. The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth is defiled by its people; they have DISOBEYED the LAWS, violated the STATUTES and BROKEN the EVERLASTING COVENANT. Therefore a curse CONSUMES the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore EARTH’S INHABITANTS ARE BURNED UP (2Pet 3:10-11), and VERY FEW ARE LEFT.”

Oh dear! What about the cakewalk into God’s Kingdom that most Christians are expecting? Well, have they OBEYED GOD’S LAWS and HIS STATUTES and KEPT THE EVERLASTING COVENANT? THEY KNOW THEY HAVE NOT!

Don’t they read the Bible? Now hear what God has to say concerning the earth and its inhabitants. Isa 24:19 “....The FLOODGATES OF THE HEAVENS ARE OPENED, the FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH SHAKE. The EARTH IS BROKEN UP, the EARTH IS SPLIT ASUNDER, the EARTH IS THOROUGHLY SHAKEN. The EARTH REELS LIKE A DRUNKARD, it SWAYS LIKE A HUT IN THE WIND; so heavy upon it is the GUILT OF ITS REBELLION that it falls never to rise again.” Why don’t all you silly, would-be prophets go back to sleep. You’ll be awakened soon enough to face what you deserve! These verses describes massive continental destruction when cities will be totally levelled, and mountains will be brought tumbling down, with some being hurled into the sea. It will remain like this until Christ Himself returns to restore it: Acts 3:21 “He must REMAIN in heaven UNTIL the TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING, as He promised long ago THROUGH HIS HOLY PROPHETS.” Yes, God did promise the holy prophets that all would be restored to what it was in the beginning—just as it was when all the angels sang with joy—the original perfect creation—not the remake at the time of Adam. Most of you probably don’t even know what this refers to, because you have understood nothing! And how could you? Most of you spend your lives arguing AGAINST God’s LAWS, STATUTES and the EVERLASTING COVENANT!

And why do you do this? Because you don’t have the right Spirit. Those who fight against God are the offspring of Satan—and Satan is the architect of this subversion, and God will punish him and his generals accordingly. It’s recorded in the very next verse in Isaiah: Isa 24:21 “IN THAT DAY the LORD will PUNISH the POWERS IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE and the KINGS ON THE EARTH BELOW. They will be HERDED TOGETHER like PRISONERS bound in a DUNGEON; they will be SHUT UP IN PRISON and be PUNISHED AFTER MANY DAYS. The moon will be abashed, the SUN ASHAMED; for the LORD Almighty will REIGN ON MOUNT ZION and in JERUSALEM, and before its elders, gloriously.”

ABRAHAM—FATHER OF MANY

God sets Abraham as an example to us all. All that God has promised is through Abraham. Isa 51:1 “Listen to me, YOU WHO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS and who SEEK the LORD. Look to the ROCK FROM WHICH YOU WERE CUT and to the QUARRY from which you were HEWN; look to ABRAHAM, YOUR FATHER, AND TO SARAH, who GAVE YOU BIRTH. When I called him he was but ONE, and I BLESSED HIM AND MADE HIM MANY.” This is the ROCK from which we were cut, the MAN who gave us birth. This is also the rock or man WHO KEPT GOD’S COMMANDMENTS, STATUTES AND LAWS: Gen 26:3 “...For to you (Isaac) and your descendants I will give all these lands and confirm THE OATH I SWORE TO YOUR FATHER ABRAHAM. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham OBEYED Me, and kept My REQUIREMENTS, My [COMMANDMENTS], My DECREES and My LAWS.”

The LAW OF THE TEMPLE is also a schoolmaster for all those who believe God. Just as God SACRIFICED Pharoah’s hordes to the fish of the sea, on the third day after the Israelites left Egypt—and just as He promised, so will He sacrifice all those who oppose Him to the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field: Eze 39:17 “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the SACRIFICE I am preparing for you, the great SACRIFICE on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were RAMS and LAMBS, GOATS and BULLS—all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the SACRIFICE I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood until you are drunk. At MY TABLE you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,’ declares the Sovereign LORD.”

The LAWS OF GOD are far more than a means to instruct those who believe Him, they also prophesy of future events. Those who fail to understand these things will never understand prophecy; and what is more, they will never serve God faithfully as His servants! Those who choose to believe those who have no understanding of the Bible will soon face the most horrific events ever experienced on earth. Believe God! Christ spoke of these days (Luke 17:22, Matt 24:21). You must also believe Christ!

For this and other articles by Neville V. Stevens, see www.zionministry.com

CLOSING HYMN # 234                         “God Be With You”

Jeremiah E. Rankin, 1828-1904
William G. Tomer, 1832-1896

God be with you till we meet again; By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again; Neath His wings protecting hide you;
Daily bread still provide you; God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again; When life’s perils thick confound you;
Put His arms unfailing round you; God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again; Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Strike death’s threatening wave before you; God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

CLOSING WORDS (In Unison)

We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God’s own people,
that we may declare the wonderful deeds of God
who called us out of darkness into marvelous light.
We go into the world to live as God’s people,
through the grace of Jesus Christ
and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.