The Time Draws Near For the Judgement
2 Esdras 7:70 When the Most high was making the world and all that is in it, He made Adam and Eve, but first of all, He planned the judgement and what goes with it.
2 Esdras 6:18-20 A Voice from heaven spoke; The time draws near when I shall come to judge the earth’s inhabitants, the time when I shall enquire into the wickedness of wrongdoers, the time when Zion’s humiliation will be over, the time when a seal will be set on the age about to pass away. Then, I shall perform these signs: the books will be opened out against the vault of heaven and all will see My judgement at the same moment.
2 Esdras 6:25-28 Whoever is left after all that I have foretold, will be saved and see the salvation that I bring, with the culmination of My plans for this world. Then will the earth’s inhabitants have a change of heart and wickedness will be blotted out. Faithfulness will flourish and truth, so long unfruitful, will be revealed.
2 Esdras 2:10-14 These are the words of the Lord to Ezra; Tell My people that I shall give to them the Kingdom of Jerusalem, which I once offered to Israel. I shall also withdraw the splendour of My presence from Israel and the home that was to be theirs forever, I shall give to My [righteous] people. The Tree of Life will spread it’s fragrance over them, they will neither toil nor grow weary. Ask and you will receive; pray to shorten your time of waiting. Even now, the Kingdom is ready for you, be vigilant! All witness – I have cancelled evil and only good prevails; for I am the Living One, says the Lord.
2 Esdras 7:55-61 The Lord says; Those who have kept My commandments, will shine bright as the stars, but not those who, in a lifetime of iniquity, never give a thought to the sufferings in store after death. This is the thought for every person on earth to keep in mind during the battle of life – if you are defeated, you must accept the penalty and if you are victorious, great will be the reward. Moses said to the people; “Choose life and live”. But they believed neither him or the prophets after him. There will be no sorrow over their damnation, but there will be joy for the salvation of those who have believed.
2 Esdras 2:24-29 Be calm, My people, your time of rest will come. Teach your children the right paths. Do not be anxious when the time of trouble and hardship comes, others will lament and be sad, but you will have happiness and plenty. My power will protect and save you.
2 Esdras 8:38-39 I shall not give thought to the death, judgement and damnation of sinners, but I shall have joy in the just, their pilgrimage through this world, their salvation and their final reward.
2 Esdras 2:42-48 I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a throng too vast to count, all singing hymns of praise to the Lord. In the middle stood a young man. He was taller than the others and He was setting crowns onto the heads of the others. I asked the angel; My lord, who are these and who is the young man? They are the people who acknowledged the Man, who is the Son of God and stood valiantly for Him in their mortal life. Go, tell My people of the great and wonderful acts of the Lord God that you have seen.
Reference: REB Apocrypha. Some verses abridged.
Bruce McKerras February 2011 91
THE FATE OF THE EVIL NEIGHBORS Part One
Not if, but when, the confederation of Islamic nations and entities such as Hamas and Hezbollah, attack Israel in their desperate effort to overcome the humiliation of previous failed attempts to “wipe Israel off the map “- then, Y’hovah will act against His enemies - the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath. Ezekiel 20:46-47
Here is an abridged quotation of Bible verses that reveals the fates of those “evil neighbours”. Jeremiah 12:14.
THE NATIONS
Psalm 83 Do not keep silent, O God, for your enemies have devised a plot against your people. Let us wipe them out as a nation, they say- Let Israel be remembered no more.
Scatter them; make them as dung on the ground. As a fire rages through a forest, may they perish in disgrace.
Zechariah 12:1-9 This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. I am about to make Jerusalem an intoxicating cup that sends all the surrounding nations reeling. Judah will be involved. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All who try to move her will be cut to pieces. The armies of those nations will be struck with blindness and madness. Judah will praise Me on that day and their leaders will be as a burning torch among the sheaves. All the nations right and left will be consumed.
Zechariah 14:12-15 This is the plague that will strike the nations who fight against Jerusalem – their flesh will consume away while they are still standing on their feet. Panic will cause them to fight each other.
Isaiah 33:10-12 Now I shall arise, says the Lord. You will conceive chaff and stubble. Whole nations will be heaps of white ash, like thorns set ablaze.
Jeremiah 9:25-26 The Lord says, the time is coming when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh. All those who live in the desert regions are uncircumcised in their hearts.
Ezekiel 28:26 When I execute judgement on all of Israel’s scornful neighbours, then My people will live in the Land, undisturbed. then, they will know that I am Y’hovah.
Bruce McKerras August 2010 92
THE FATE OF THE EVIL NEIGHBORS Part two
Modern place names from Strong’s Concordance; Elam= Persia, now Iran. Philistines =
Palestinians. Tyre and Sidon = Cities in Lebanon. Damascus = Capital of Syria. Rabbah- Ammon= Amman, capital of Jordan. Gilead= The area of northwestern Jordan. Gad = the Israelite tribe given the Gilead area. Milcom= the high God of the Ammonites. Kedar & Tema= Sons of Ishmael, ancestors of the Arabs. Hazor = the area of Eastern Arabia, including Mecca and Medina.
IRAN
Jeremiah 49:35-39 The Lord says, I shall break the bow of Elam, their chief weapon. I will bring disaster upon them, destroy their President and officials and scatter them around the earth.
Ezekiel 32:24 Elam is buried in Sheol, with all her people- victims of the sword. Those who spread terror in the land of the living, now bear disgrace with all those in the abyss
PALESTINIANS
Ezekiel 25:15-17 The Lord says, because the Philistines have resorted to revenge with malice in their hearts and with ancient hostility, they seek to destroy Judah. I shall stretch out My hand against them and take mighty vengeance.
Amos 1:6-8 For crime after crime of Gaza, they will have no reprieve – I shall send fire until the last of the Philistines is dead.
Zephaniah 2:4-7 At midday Gaza will be left in ruins, I will destroy you. You will be left with no inhabitants.
LEBANON
Luke 10:14 Tyre and Sidon will be judged.
Amos 1:9-10 For the sins of Tyre, I will not hold back My wrath. They ignored the brotherly alliance; therefore, I shall send fire to consume their fortresses
Zechariah 9:3-5 The word of the Lord alights on Tyre and Sidon – I will take away your possessions and the cities will be destroyed by fire.
SYRIA
Amos 1:3-5 For crime after crime of Damascus, I will grant them no reprieve. I shall send fire on their fortresses.
Jeremiah 49:23-27 News comes of a disaster, confusion and anxiety reign, they try to escape, but all her soldiers die on that day.
Isaiah 17:1-14 Damascus will cease to be a city, forever desolate. Listen - it is the thunder of vast forces, at evening all is terror, before morning all is gone. Such is the fate of our adversaries.
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ARABIA
This prophecy in Jeremiah mentions King Nebuchadrezzer of Babylon attacking Kedar and Hazor. This did happen during Jeremiah’s lifetime, but not to the full extent of this prophecy.
Jeremiah 49:28-33 Arise, attack Kedar and destroy the desert peoples of the East. Your possessions will be taken. A cry of terror will go up – flee quickly away and hide in remote places. Hazor will become a desolate place forever, totally uninhabited.
Isaiah 21:13-17 An oracle concerning Arabia. You, who live in Arabia and Tema, meet the fugitives with food and water, those who flee from the sword, from the heat of the battle. Then, within a year, all of Kedar’s glory will come to an end, only a few of her soldiers will be left. [This is interesting: “meet the fugitives”, may mean those escaping from Jordan, down the Desert Highway or the old Kings Highway.]
JORDAN
Ezekiel 25:1-11 Prophesy against the Ammonites – because you exulted over the Land of Israel with spiteful contempt, I shall give you up to be plundered by the nations. I will cut you off from other peoples and exterminate you from every country. Peoples from the East will camp on your land.
Jeremiah 49:1-8 Has Israel no heirs? Why, then do Milcom’s people possess the towns of Gad? Therefore a time is coming when you will hear the battle cry. Ammon will become a desolate mound, all its towns burnt to ashes.
Ezekiel 21:28-32 A sword of slaughter will flash like lightning. The visions that you have are false, advising you to bring the sword against the unbelievers, but the time of their punishment will come later. In the land of your ancestry, I will judge you, I shall hand you over to brutal men. You will be fuel for the fire and be remembered no more.
Amos 1:13-15 For crime after crime of the Ammonites, I shall grant them no reprieve, because in their greed for land, they ripped open pregnant women in Gilead. Therefore, fire will destroy Rabbah - Ammon [Amman] with a whirlwind on that day. Their King will go into exile and his officers with him.
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EGYPT
Isaiah 19:1-10 The Lord comes riding swiftly on a cloud, He descends on Egypt and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them. I will stir them up against each other. They will be confused, all their plans fail. Idols and spirit mediums are useless. I shall hand Egypt over to a hard master. The Nile will dry up. Fishing, agriculture and industry will all fail.
Isaiah 19:11-16 Egypt’s leaders give senseless advice – the Lord has poured a spirit of confusion into them. The Egyptians will become weak and terror stricken.
Isaiah 19:17 Judah will bring terror to the Egyptians, even the mention of Israel will terrify them.
Isaiah 19:18 In that day there will be 5 cities who speak the ancient language and who worship the Lord. [Coptic Christians?]
Isaiah 19:19-20 Also, on that day there will be an altar and a monument to the Lord, as a witness when they cry out to Him, and He will send a deliverer to rescue them. Egypt will acknowledge and worship the Lord, He will respond to them and heal them.
Ezekiel 29:8 The Lord God says, I am bringing a sword against you. Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. For 40 years the people will be scattered among the nations. Then regathered to upper Egypt.
Ezekiel chapter 30 Alas for the day, a sword will come on Egypt, by the hand of foreigners, I shall lay waste to the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel chapter 31 The pride of Pharaoh cut down.
Ezekiel chapter 32 Many peoples will be appalled at the fate of Egypt, the cattle destroyed, the land laid waste and empty.
There are other prophecies which give the fates of Edom, Moab, Assyria, etc. As the modern identity of these peoples is uncertain, I have not included them.
Bruce McKerras August 2010 95
THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Life and business continues as usual in the Middle East, planning, building, marrying and diplomatic efforts to resolve the “Israel situation”. We, as Bible students, have some idea about God’s plans as given to us through His prophets. It’s clear that the next major event will be a nuclear war started by Iran, but Y’hovah will intervene with His Day of vengeance and wrath against His enemies. There won’t be a winner, as such, as the entire region will be depopulated – mostly killed, some evacuated, excepting Israel, where a remnant of the Jews will remain in the Land.
After a short period, God will motivate His people, Israel, that is, all the twelve tribes, to move to the Promised Land. Millions will gather to face His Judgement and then will enter the land in peace in security after they “pass under the rod”. Ezekiel 20:35-38
In Deuteronomy 32:36 Moses said that after Israel has sinned and been dispersed, that the Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants, for He will see that their strength has gone and no one is left, slave or free.
Deuteronomy 32:41 I will sharpen My sword and set My hand to judgement, then I shall punish My adversaries and take vengeance on My foes.
Hosea 12:2 The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah and is resolved to punish Jacob for his misconduct.
Ezekiel 20:35-36 I shall confront Israel and bring you to judgement. Even as I did in the Wilderness of Egypt against your forefathers, so against you I shall state My case.
Isaiah 1:25 Once again I shall act against you, to refine and purge away all your impurities.
Ezekiel 22:17-22 The Lord says, all Israelites are a debased alloy, I shall gather you in My anger and wrath into Jerusalem, where I will melt and refine you.
Hosea 7:1 When I am minded to restore the fortunes of My people their guilt will stand revealed.
Amos 3:1 You alone I have chosen of all the nations, therefore I shall punish you for your sins.
Nahum 1:3 The Lord is longsuffering, but does not let the guilty go unpunished.
Zechariah 8:11 But now I will deal differently toward the remnant of this people than as I did in the past.
Psalm 68:6 God leads the prisoners home, but the rebels must remain in the desert.
Ezekiel 20:37-38 I shall make you pass under the rod, counting you as you enter. I shall purge you of those who revolt and rebel against Me. I shall take them out of the lands where they now live, but they will not set foot on the soil of Israel.
Isaiah 10:17-22 The Holy One of Israel will become as a flame which in one day will consume his thorns and briars. On that day the remnant of Israel, the survivors of Jacob, will rely only on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Israel, your people may be as many as the sands of the sea, but only a remnant will return (into the Land) Destruction has been decreed- righteous and just.
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Isaiah 51:22-23 I take from your hand My bowl of wrath, I shall hand it to your tormentors
Ezekiel 20:40-41 On the Holy mountain of Israel, all the Israelites will serve Me. There I will accept them, after I have brought you out from the peoples and lands to which I dispersed you. I alone will have your worship and the nations will witness it.
Hosea 2:14-23 But now I shall woo My people and lead them into the wilderness. I will speak words of encouragement to them. I shall betroth you to Myself forever. Israel will be My new sowing in the Land. I will say “You are My people “and you will say “You are our God “
Isaiah 41:1 Listen in silence to Me, you coasts and islands, together we go to the place of Judgement. v8-10 Israel My servant, summoned from the ends of the earth. Have no fear, for I am with you, I shall strengthen you and uphold you with My victorious right hand.
Psalm 30:4-5 Sing to the Lord, all you loyal servants. His anger lasts but a moment, His favour a lifetime. Weeping for a night, rejoicing comes in the morning.
Psalm 22:23-25 You that fear the Lord, praise Him, revere Him, you descendants of Jacob. The Lord listens to your cry for help. I shall fulfil My vows in the sight of those who fear you.
Isaiah 32:15-20 The Land is forsaken until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high. The land will become fertile. Justice, righteousness and peace will reign in the Land and My people will dwell undisturbed in peace and security.
Acts 26:6-7 Paul says: And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, serving God day and night, hope to come.
Bible references: KJV, NIV, REB. (Some verses abridged.) Bruce McKerras August 2010 97
The Lord’s Judgement On the Middle East
Isaiah 29:1-2 Woe to you Ariel! Ariel, the city where David settled. Add year to year and carry out your festivals. Yet, I shall reduce Ariel to dire straits. There will be suffering and sorrow, when I make her My fire altar. [Ariel – sounds like the Hebrew word for ‘fire altar’. Refers to Jerusalem and all Israel]
Isaiah 29:3-4 I shall encircle you with My army and besiege you. You will be brought low, you will hide underground, your voice will whisper out of the earth. [The survivors, hiding in bunkers] Zechariah 12:6
Isaiah 29:5-8 But, your enemies will become like dust, those ruthless hordes, like blown chaff. Suddenly, in an instant, punishment will come from the Lord Almighty, with earthquakes, thunder, storms and devouring fire. All the nations warring against Mt Zion, will fade as a dream, like one who is hungry or thirsty; then wakes to find himself empty, so it will be with all those nations attacking Israel. [The fire judgement on the Middle east, a CME sunstrike. Psalm 83:13-18, Isaiah 34:5, Ezekiel 20:45-48, Malachi 4:1]
Isaiah 29:9-10 If you confuse yourself, you will stay confused; if you blind yourself, you will stay blinded. Be drunk and stagger, but not from strong drink, for the Lord has poured on you a spirit of deep stupor, He has closed your eyes (that is the prophets) and covered your heads (the seers)
Isaiah 29:11 For you the whole vision is nothing but words in a sealed book. If you hand the book to one who can read, he will answer: I cannot, it is sealed.
Isaiah 29:13-14 The Lord says: Because this people worship Me with empty words, while their hearts are far from Me and their religion is but human precept, learnt by rote, therefore I shall shock them yet again, their wisdom and intelligence will vanish.
Isaiah 29:15-16 Woe to those who hide their plans from the Lord, they say; who sees us? Can the pot say to the Potter ‘He knows nothing’?
Isaiah 29:17-21 In a very short time, the Land will be made prosperous again. On that Day, the deaf will hear and the blind will see and the lowly and poor will exult in the Holy One of Israel. The ruthless and evil will disappear, all who practise falsehood will be cut down.
Isaiah 29:22-23 Therefore, these are the words of the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, about the House of Jacob: [all 12 tribes of Israel] This is no time for you to be ashamed, no time to be frightened, for his descendants will praise My Name, when they see what I have done for them. They will stand in awe of the Holy God of Israel. [Righteous Israel, gathered in the Land, ”in a very short time” after the Lord’s day of vengeance and wrath. Ezekiel 20: 34-38, Isaiah 11:11-12]
Isaiah 29:24 Then, the confused will gain understanding and the obstinate will accept instruction. Reference: REB, NIV. Some verses abridged
My comments in [ ]
Bruce McKerras August 2010 98
The Lord Will Laugh At the Wicked
Psalm 37:1-2 Do not worry about or envy evildoers, for like grass, they soon wither.
Psalm 37:3-7 Trust in the Lord and do good, settle in the Land and find a good home. Commit your way to the Lord, trust Him and He will act. Wait quietly for the Lord.
Psalm 37:8-12 Be angry no more; that leads to evil. For evildoers will be destroyed and those who trust in the Lord will inherit the Land, they will enjoy great peace. The wicked plot against the righteous and grind their teeth at the sight of them, but in a little while, they will be no more, their place will be empty.
Psalm 37:13-15 The Lord will laugh at the wicked, for He sees their Day of judgement coming. They have drawn their swords to slaughter those who are honest, but they will pierce their own hearts.
Psalm 37:16-19 Better is the little which the righteous person has, than all the wealth of the wicked, for their power will be broken. The Lord watches over the upright all their days.... in famine, they will have enough.
Psalm 37:20 The enemies of the Lord will perish like fuel in a furnace, they will go up in smoke.
Psalm 37:22 Those whom the Lord has blessed will possess the Land and those who are cursed will be cut off.
Psalm 37:23-25 It is the Lord who directs a person’s steps, though he may fall, He will hold him firmly. I was young, but now have grown old, never have I seen the righteous forsaken.
Psalm 37:27-29 If you shun evil and do good you will live at peace forever, for the Lord is a lover of justice and will not forsake His loyal servants. The lawless are banished, while the righteous will possess the Land and will live there forever.
Psalm 37:30-31 The Laws of God are in the heart of the righteous and they know justice and wisdom.
Psalm 37:32-33 The wicked look to ensnare and kill the righteous, but the Lord will not leave them in their power, nor let them be condemned if brought to trial.
Psalm 37:34 Wait for the Lord and hold to His ways, He will raise you up to be masters of the Land. When the wicked are destroyed, you will be there to watch.
Psalm 37:37-39 Observe the good person, watch those who are honest, for they leave descendants, but transgressors are wiped out, one and all – their descendants are cut off.
Psalm 37:39-40 Deliverance for the righteous comes from the Lord, their refuge in times of trouble. The Lord will help them and keep them safe from the wicked. He will save them because they seek shelter in Him.
Reference: Revised English Bible, some verses abridged
My comments: This Psalm tells us very clearly, that those who put their trust in the Lord, are the ones that He will save. It is sensible to have some preparation for the coming time of troubles, but verse 5 is our best advice. Isaiah 49:10-13
Bruce McKerras Nov 2010
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Gold and Silver Are Worthless
Isaiah 2:6-8 The Lord has abandoned His people – the House of Jacob [the 12 tribes of Israel] They are full of superstitions from the East, and occult practices. Their lands are rich, with no end to their chariots. They have many idols and they worship what they have made.
Isaiah 2:9-18 So, mankind will be brought low, everyone will be humbled. The Lord will not forgive nor forget their sins. On the Day of the Lord’s judgement, Y’hovah alone will be exalted, all the pride of men will be brought low. Their idols will utterly pass away.
Isaiah 2:19-22 Creep into caves and try to hide from the dread manifestation of the Lord when He arises to strike the world with terror. On that Day, people will fling away their idols, that they have made, to the dung beetles and bats. They will panic and attempt to escape, when the Lord comes to shake the earth. Do not rely on mere mortals. What are they worth?
Isaiah 31:6-7 Israel, you have been deeply disloyal, yet, come back to your God. For on the Day of deliverance, you will spurn your idols of gold and silver, gained by the work of your hands.
My comments and matching verses: Israel and Judah were scattered because of their sins. Now they are following atheism and false gods. They are wealthy, but they worship materialism. [The Western nations, including the Jewish State of Israel]
On the Day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath, all people will be judged. Rev 6:12-17 Those who are arrogant and proud will be brought low. The time must come for God to restore His creation. This process will be done in several steps. Firstly a Day of Deliverance, cleansing His Land and people. Deuteronomy 32:40-43, Isaiah 63:4 Later, will come the Millennium reign of Jesus and finally the new heavens and the new earth. Revelation 21.
A terrifying judgement of fire will be caused by a C.M.E. sunstrike upon the earth. Isaiah 30:26-28, Ezekiel 7:1-27, Malachi 4:1. This event will mostly affect the Middle East, destroying those nations about to attack Israel. There will be no nuclear exchange, as that would cause radiation pollution in the Land.
Some of the worldwide repercussions will be oil shortages, communications disrupted, refugee problems, food shortages and economic disasters.
As prophesied, Righteous Israel will gather and settle in New Israel. Ezekiel 20:34-38, Isaiah 11:11-12 But the stage will be set for a One World government to be established, eventually ruled by a dictator. Daniel 8:23-26
Revelation 3:18 I advise you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire to make you truly rich and white robe to put on to hide the shame of your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes that you may see.
In this passage in Revelation, Jesus advises all of us to obtain the gold of His salvation, the white clothes of His righteousness and the ointment of wisdom to understand His Word.
Bruce McKerras March 2011