Introduction:The Daniel Extremity

An Introduction to the Daniel Extremity

2ND Kings 24:1-5
1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets. 3 Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; 4 And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon. 5 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

King Nebuchadnezzar ll ruled over the Babylonian empire after his father gained independence from the Assyrian empire. The city of Nineveh fell under Babylonian siege in the year 612bc.

Easton's Bible Dictionary describes his name as having the following meaning.
NEBUCHADNEZZAR, OR NEBUCHADREZZAR:
(may Nebo protect the crown), was the greatest and most powerful of the Babylonian kings. His name is explained to mean "Nebo is the protector against misfortune."

King Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar ll was dispatched by his father Nabopolassar to attack Egypt. In the ensuing Battle of Carchemish in 605 BC, the Egyptian army was defeated and driven back, and Syria and Phoenicia were brought under the control of Babylon. Nabopolassar died in August of that year, and Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to ascend to the throne.

Nebuchadnezzar engaged in several military campaigns designed to increase Babylonian influence in Syria and Judah. An attempted invasion of Egypt in 601 BC was met with setbacks, however, leading to numerous rebellions among the states of the Levant, including Judah. Nebuchadnezzar soon dealt with these rebellions, capturing Jerusalem in 597 BC and deposing King Jeconiah, then in 587 BC due to rebellion, destroying both the city and the temple, and deporting many of the prominent citizens along with a sizable portion of the Jewish population of Judea to Babylon. These events are described in the Prophets (Nevi'im) and Writings (Ketuvim), sections of the Hebrew Bible (in the books 2 Kings and Jeremiah, and 2 Chronicles, respectively). After the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar engaged in a thirteen year siege of Tyre (585–572 BC), which ended in a compromise, with the Tyrians accepting Babylonian authority.

Following the pacification of Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar turned again to Egypt. A clay tablet now in the British Museum, states: "In the 37th year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of the country of Babylon, he went to Mitzraim (Egypt) to make war. Amasis, king of Egypt, collected [his army], and marched and spread abroad." Having completed the subjugation of Phoenicia, and a campaign against Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar set himself to rebuild and adorn the city of Babylon, and constructed canals, aqueducts, temples and reservoirs.

Building Inscription of King Nebuchadnezar II at the Ishtar Gate. An abridged excerpt says: "I (Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground water level and had them built out of pure blue stone. Upon the walls in the inner room of the gate are bulls and dragons and thus I magnificently adorned them with luxurious splendour for all mankind to behold in awe."

Nebuchadnezzar is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens, for his homesick wife Amyitis (or Amytis) to remind her of her homeland, Medis (Media) in Persia. However, some scholars argue that they may have been constructed by a queen from the Assyrian city, Nineveh.

Daniel 1:1-4
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
 

 
The book of Daniel is without a doubt one of the most extreme books of scripture for many different reasons. This is where the title of this study the Daniel Extremity comes about. In this book God reveals much of Himself, Jesus, global history, His power and His love for those who love Him. The more human factors involved are extreme faith and power of prayer. He also displays a little wrath at times for the unbelievers. However the main subject of extremity involved with the book of Daniel is faith. The book concentrates on the faith of a young man of nobility named Daniel. There are also 3 friends of his who are mentioned in the course of these events who also held tight to their faith. Their names are Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. We can indulge in the word studies of their names and see that they have very much to do with their relationship with God.
 
Daniel
01840:
1840 Daniye'l daw-nee-yale' in Ezekiel it is: Daniel daw-nee-ale'; from 1835 and 410; judge of God; Daniel or Danjiel, the name of two Israelites:--Daniel. see HEBREW for 01835 see HEBREW for 0410

01835:
1835 Dan dawn from 1777; judge; Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in Palestine colonized by them:--Dan. see HEBREW for 01777

01777:
1777 diyn deen or (Gen. 6:3) duwn doon; a primitive roy a straight course, i.e. sail direct:--(come) with a straight course.

00410:
410 'el ale shortened from 352; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity):--God (god), X goodly, X great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in "-el." see HEBREW for 0352

00352:
352 'ayil ah'-yil from the same as 193; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree:--mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. see HEBREW for 0193

Smith's Bible Dictionary
DANIEL:
(judgment of God).
 
Daniel as we can see and also as the book will demonstrate is defined by all these words. He is a straightforward man of royalty mighty in the Lord's sight who both announces judgment upon the kingdoms of earth and brings forth judgment due to the treatment of himself and his friends. Daniel and some of his prophecy are directly called forth by Jesus. Jesus addresses him by name in regards to end time prophetic scenarios. This is only fitting since Daniel receives prophetic visions which take us right up to events spoken of in the book of Revelation.
 
Hananiah
02608:
2608 Chananyah khan-an-yaw' or Chananyahuw khan-an-yaw'-hoo; from 2603 and 3050; Jah has favored; Chananjah, the name of thirteen Israelites:--Hananiah. see HEBREW for 02603 see HEBREW for 03050

03050:
3050 Yahh yaw contraction for 3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name:--Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in "-iah," "- jah." see HEBREW for 03068

03068:
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069. see HEBREW for 01961 see HEBREW for 03050 see HEBREW for 03069

Smith's Bible Dictionary
HANANIAH:
(gift of God).

Although the time frames are not that far apart this Hananiah is not to be confused with the false prophet of the same name found in the book of Jeremiah. Indeed as his name implies due to extreme faith he certainly is favored by God. Some interpret the name to mean gift of God.

Mishael
04332:
4332Miysha'el mee-shaw-ale' from 4310 and 410 with the abbrev. insep. relatively (see 834) interposed; who (is) what God (is)?; Mishael, the name of three Israelites:--Mishael. see HEBREW for 04310 see HEBREW for 0410 see HEBREW for 0834

04310:
4310 miy me an interrogative pronoun of persons, as 4100 is of things, who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix:--any (man), X he, X him, + O that! what, which, who(-m, -se, -soever), + would to God.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
MISHAEL:
who is like God!

This is a 2 way meaning in both the behavior and attitude of Mishael as well as comparison to God in the sense of who is like God.

Azariah
05838:
5838 `Azaryah az-ar-yaw' or mAzaryahuw az-ar-yaw'-hoo; from 5826 and 3050; Jah has helped; Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites:--Azariah. see HEBREW for 05826 see HEBREW for 03050

05826:
5826 `azar aw-zar' a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:--help, succour.

Smith's Bible Dictionary
AZARIAH:
(whom the Lord helps)   
 
This is a pretty self explanatory name which will also as well as the others be demonstrated in the book of Daniel.
 
The importance of these names come into play due to the fact that Nebuchadnezzar changes the names of the 4 young Hebrew noblemen. Daniel is given a name based upon the Babylon god Bel which is the Aramaic word for Baal meaning lord or master. The worship of this Canaanite god was forbidden by God. Baal was the supreme deity of the pantheon of Canaanite and Phoenician worship. There was also a female deity who served as the supreme female deity Ashtoreth. The name given to Daniel was Belteshazzar.
 
01095:
1095 Beltsha'tstsar bale-tesh-ats-tsar' of foreign derivation; Belteshatstsar, the Babylonian name of Daniel:--Belteshazzar.

Translations of the word vary but most seem to imply the same meaning as we find in the Smith's Bible Dictionary.

BELTESHAZZAR:
favored by Bel .)

Other translations include Bel protect the king or prince of Bel.

Hananiah received the name Shadrach.

07714:
7714 Shadrak shad-rak' probably of foreign origin; Shadrak, the Bab. name of one of Daniel's companions:--Shadrach.

Smith's defines the name shadrach as meaning
SHADRACH:
(royal , or the great scribe)  
 
Azariah receives the name Abednego

05664:
5664 `Abed Ngow ab-ade' neg-o' the same as 5665; Abed-Nego, the Babylonian name of one of Daniel's companions:--Abed-nego.
 05665:
5665 `Abed Ngow' ab-ade' neg-o' (Aramaic) of foreign origin; Abed-Nego, the name of Azariah:--Abed-nego.

Both Smith's and Easton's Dictionaries seem to agree on the meaning of this name
ABEDNEGO:
(i.e. servant of Nego, perhaps the same as Nebo), the Chaldean name given to Azariah, one of the three friends of Daniel, miraculously save from the fiery furnace. Dan. 3. (B.C. about 600.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
NEBO:
proclaimer; prophet
 
Nebo in the Aramaic is a Chaldean god who was introduced into Assyria by the king Pul. There was also a great temple dedicated to this false god and idol. The most notable city associated with this idol god was Calah. The city of Calah references the ancient city of Calneh a great city built by Nimrod after the flood.
 
Many scholars today have now began to date the book of Daniel to around the time of the Maccabees revolt approximately 161bc. They have “good arguments” for this according to some. If these we'll use the word skeptics are secular individuals it's not hard to see where this ideology comes from. If these individuals are so-called religious scholars then we are dealing with a complete loss of faith in the scripture. We have addressed in other studies particularly the Katrina studies how attempts to limit the power of God come about. Now to address the skepticism of either believer or unbeliever we are dealing with a book of prophecy given by God through visions and explanations. God being what most people of belief know and what skeptics challenge concerning His omnipotence delivers a history of prophetic events so precise that skeptics now try to conclude could not have been written during the Babylonian captivity. This kind of mentality has even led to the denial in some churches to have the prophecies of Daniel preached about. There are so many subjects of which God defeats the thoughts of skeptics that skeptics now have to resort to simply dismissing things like the accuracy of Daniel without any proof or justification together. Now the question becomes do the scholars believe they are smarter than God?
 
 

 
Now we have gotten to know a little bit about our main personalities in the book of Daniel we can describe how God physically prepares today's generation for the spiritual things that are coming upon the world quickly.
 
One of the first things we learn is how to stay clear of unwanted worldly temptations by clinging to our faith. The power of prayer is repeatedly demonstrated in this book. The act of deliverance is also demonstrated repeatedly(this is putting it mildly). We learn a little bit about spiritual warfare struggles concerning principalities or wicked spirits in heavenly places. The future in regards to the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms to prepare us for the return of the lord and the kingdom of heaven. The power of love that God demonstrates for those who love Him. All of these things are subjects that we need to hold in our hearts, souls and minds. In addition we can safely say that Daniel is an extreme book of prophecy which does indeed take us into the very last days approaching the Jesus' return. We know this because Jesus tells us in the signs of the end of the age

  
Mark13:14-23
14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not,(let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
 
One thing as we move forward please keep in mind passages that relate to the ancient kingdoms that ruled from the city of Babylon. These would be Babylon, Media-Persia and Greece. Many scholars base their opinion of Daniel in the fact that his name is not found anywhere in the OT. This is contradicted by the fact that Ezekiel mentions his name 3 times in 2 different passages of scripture. Not that there is a criteria in this having to be met to begin with.
 

 
Ezekiel 14:12-20
12 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, 13 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: 14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. 15 If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: 16 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. 17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: 18 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. 19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: 20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
 
This prophecy against Jerusalem.
 
Ezekiel 28:1-8
1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD;thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: 3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: 4 With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: 5 By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: 6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; 7 Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. 8 They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.

This prophecy concerning the Babylonian invasion of Tyre.

Now we not only have the idea Daniel was not well known in the OT world disproven but we also have the most important person of scripture Jesus also calling attention to his name in association with a specific period of time. This period of time being the last days. This brief introduction to the book of Daniel is for aid in our study of the book in our next series of studies. There are 2 well known sites that could be tombs for Daniel and his 3 friends. The most well known and thought to be the tomb of Daniel is in the city of Susa or Shushan in the OT. Daniel is known to have had one of his visions in this location and thought by many to have lived out his days there.

The Tomb of Daniel in Susa (Shushan) Iran

A tomb attributed to Daniel is located within the Kirkuk Citadel in the city of Kirkuk, Iraq. Originally the site was a Jewish temple then later it was turned into a Christian church and finally into a Muslim mosque. The mosque has arches, pillars and two domes on a decorated base and beside it there are three minarets which belong to the end of the Mongolian reign. The mosque is about 400 square meters and houses four tombs believed to belong to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. As the respect of Kirkuk people towards Christians and Jews was so boundless, they desired to bury their dead next to Daniel's Tomb. This graveyard may be regarded as the first cemetery in Kirkuk. It is most likely that Daniel is buried in Iran, but as we will discover in our journey through the book both Daniel and his friends were set up to rule different provinces within Babylonian territory.
Please buckle your seat belts and prepare to be launched into a time of the past and learn some things about the future.
 As always thank You and God Bless

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Roles Reversed:Ezekiel 13 and Hurricane Katrina Revisited Part 5

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:29-33
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. 31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? 32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We left off in part 4 looking at the last 9 presidential administrations covering approximately 46 years of history. In doing so we discovered that each and every one of these administrations supported the the ideology that Israeli settlements had to be done away with. The current Obama administration's attitude toward Israel is no better as Secretary of State Hilary Clinton arrived for a visit a few months ago Israeli officials were announcing new settlement constructions. This drew the scrutiny of the white house immediately. This administration’s efforts and attitudes toward Israel will be developed at another time.

It would appear until Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided upon unilateral disengagement from Gaza and the 4 settlements in the West Bank our leaders here in the United States had very little influence concerning the subject. It would also appear that behind closed doors the U.S. was pushing hard for the withdrawal from these settlements and maybe many more. The reasoning being it would be a so called grand step in the direction of peace and security. The area known as east Jerusalem is the area the Palestinians state they want for the capitol of their statehood. Israel's enemies mostly made up of Palestinian terrorists will keep pressing for more land until Israel is no bigger than a period on this page if they had their way. They want nothing less than another holocaust. The beginning passages from John's gospel represent the world's one and only hope for peace and He being Jesus. Amen!

1ST Thessalonians 5:1-5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Ecclesiastes 3:15-17
15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Mahmoud Abbas Addressing the Annapolis Conference 2007

Deuteronomy 30:7
7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

Ezekiel 7:20-27
20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. 21 And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it. 22 My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it. 23 Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence. 24 Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled. 25 Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. 26 Mischief <01943> shall come upon mischief, and rumour <08052> shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients. 27 The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
 
The passages from Thessalonians and Ezekiel make up a version of our prophetic mirror. Here we have messages from both testaments describing the same warning. A couple of word studies from Ezekiel 7 may put a little more emphasis on the use of the word mischief. Although not that inappropriate the word mischief may be a little lighthearted in this case. We will explore the words mischief and rumour to provide just a little more specific information.

01943:1943 hovah ho-vaw' another form for 1942; ruin:--mischief. see HEBREW for 01942

01942:1942 havvah hav-vaw' from 1933 (in the sense of eagerly coveting and rushing upon; by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin:--calamity, iniquity, mischief, mischievous (thing), naughtiness, naughty, noisome, perverse thing, substance, very wickedness. see HEBREW for 01933

08052:8052 shmuw`ah sehm-oo-aw' feminine passive participle of 8074; something heard, i.e. an announcement:--bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings. see HEBREW for 08074

08074:8074 shamem shaw-mame' a primitive root; to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense):--make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder.

In the case of the words hovah and havvah we can see that mischief implies ruin and calamity due to an eager willingness to embrace upon a perverse idea or iniquity. In this case we can see a rush to embrace the thought of peace when it is not there. In this case the type of peace that the world cannot provide although it may appear to be real as Thessalonians spoke about.

The next word shmuwah works in unison with the rush to embrace false announcements that lead to a destructive outcome. In combination we can see that this would entail an overwhelming urge to put our faith into false announcements in this case involving the subject of peace that will ultimately lead to destruction. This would be a good time to remember the words peace and security spoken by leaders of the world especially when it's concerning God's land. This fits the future fulfillments of prophecy concerning the subject of a coming peace treaty that will be violated in the middle of a 7 year period and lead to what in prophecy is known as the great tribulation. We will not take this subject any further at the moment.

The 4 West Bank settlements were evacuated on 23 August 2005.

This is a date that starts to make the prophetic clock tick. This is the date hurricane Katrina officially became a category 1 hurricane. At this point we will turn in our bibles to Ezekiel 13 and what we find there may put some fresh spirit into the situation. 

Ezekiel 13
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. 7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? 8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD. 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. 12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. 14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; 16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD. 17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, 18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? 19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? 20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. 21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.  
 
Ezekiel 13:1-4
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets <05030> of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; 3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

The prophecy is addressed to the lying and false prophets of Israel. They have no connection to God in their prophecies and spout off foolishness with their words. The biggest problem they have created for themselves is by declaring their false visions are from God. The leaders of the United States above insist that Israel continue to give and give concerning their land. In unison with this they are denying God and His word concerning the biblical deed to the real estate involved. Although they are looked upon as leaders as opposed to prophets all of these presidents forecasts that if Israel gives up settlements there will be peace making them agents of falsehoods. This can be demonstrated through word study. Please take note that this is not limited to the leaders of our nation. It will eventually involve all the major players in world power. In order to present this profound subject matter it's easier to start with home. However if you are reading this in an overseas location which some people are it might not be a bad idea to see if your respective leaders have had any type of thoughts concerning Mideast peace.

05030:
5030 nabiy' naw-bee' from 5012; a prophet or (generally) inspired man:--prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. see HEBREW for 05012

05012:
5012 naba' naw-baw' a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse):--prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.

Ezekiel 13:5-9
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. 6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. 7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken? 8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD. 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 
 
In the time Ezekiel was writing this word he received from God the Babylonian conquest were not far off for the history of Israel. Isaiah wrote about this about 150 years earlier when king Hezekiah made the mistake of showing all of the treasures of the house of Israel to Babylonian envoys who came to Jerusalem no doubt proclaiming good tidings of peace. In the book of Jeremiah we briefly touched upon the so called prophet Hananiah who was proclaiming a 2 year siege at the hands of Babylon when the Lord was proclaiming 70. We have a present day situation in which the world is being seen through rose colored spectacles involving leaders and their false ideologies of a lasting peace between a Palestinian state and Israel.
 
10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a a wall <02434>,, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered <08602> morter: 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy <05591> wind <07307> shall rend it. 12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. 14 So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; 16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
 
The methods at work in all this are described through word studies. Apparently there were as many people screaming about Mideast peace in Ezekiel's day as in ours. Let's explore the spiritual significance of the wall.
 
02434:
2434 chayits khah'-yits another form for 2351; a wall:--wall. see HEBREW for 02351

02351:
2351 chuwts khoots or (shortened) chuts khoots; (both forms feminine in the plural) from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors:--abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without.

08602:
8602 taphel taw-fale' from an unused root meaning to smear; plaster (as gummy) or slime; (figuratively) frivolity:--foolish things, unsavoury, untempered.

The spiritual side to all this is better demonstrated through word study. The false barrier or security in the thought of peace that is not there. A man-made spiritual wall that God is going to break down. The means of which He puts forth for this is described as a hurricane. Let's explore a couple of more things that spiritually connect the situation. We studied the word used for storm in the last section of study. We have the same word used here.

05591:
5591 ca`ar sah'-ar or (feminine) ctarah seh-aw-raw'; from 5590; a hurricane:--storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind. see HEBREW for 05590

05590:
5590 ca`ar saw-ar' a primitive root; to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative):--be (toss with) tempest(-uous), be sore, troubled, come out as a (drive with the, scatter with a) whirlwind.

07307:
7307 ruwach roo'-akh from 7306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y). see HEBREW for 07306

The word ruwach is the same word found in the creation representing the breath of life God placed in the nostrils of Adam. Here we also have an association specifically to a rational being which provides the spiritual assault on the foolishness described by the word taphel above. In this passage we are looking at God's spiritual description of the Babylonian conquest. We could just as easily be looking at a literal storm of judgment straight from the breath of God. According to the word studies God is referencing both. Please keep in mind the spiritual connections between things having been in the OT and the things which shall be in the NT.

After reading thus far and seeing what happened with the breaches in these levees, the word of God comes alive and speaks through the spirit. Some believe and some don't but the challenge to the unbeliever would be where else in any holy book are these things forecast. Remember the things which have been are those things which shall be for an OT world and the NT world. As we have mentioned before God is in control and He has a way of setting off wake up calls. Again some will listen and some will not. Remember yours truly has been on both sides of the fence on these issues. We have dealt in spirit with politically incorrect errors regarding God's land. We have also covered the fact that a multitude of sins including my own fueled by an entire nation having played a role in all this. Now we will turn our attention to some spiritual issues concerning the city of New Orleans specifically.

Ezekiel 13:17-20

17 Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, 18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? 19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? 20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

The problem in Jerusalem was not associated with the men only. God is addressing the apostasy of those women who chose to ignore His wishes. They are described in the sense of sewing pillows which are representative of charms placed upon the wrist or arm. The kerchief symbolic of a veil worn on the head used to identify and associate those would be fortune tellers, mind readers, psychics and possibly some form of voodoo practice. God explains how He will separate His people from these false forms of divination and prophesying. God demands that the people seduced by these falsehoods that were destined for spiritual life have fallen prey to those who are taking away their salvation. This in turn reversing the natural order of God's intentions.

Ezekiel 13:21-23
21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

God vows that the symbolism of these false prophetesses which is apparently in the form of veils to distinguish them and solicit or in God's words ensnare the souls of the righteous. At this stage one should take a deep breath and think about what is going on in this prophecy. We have God's fury described in the form of hurricane upon a society full of false prophets, occultism, black magic and voodoo. New Orleans is the voodoo capital of the United States and some may even include the entire earth.

Louisiana Voodoo, also known as New Orleans Voodoo, describes a set of underground religious practices which originated from the traditions of the African diaspora. It is a cultural form of the Afro-American religions which developed within the French, Spanish, and Creole African American population of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is one of many incarnations of African-based religions rooted in West African Dahomeyan Vodun. They became syncretized with the Catholicism and Francophone culture of south Louisiana as a result of the slave trade. Louisiana Voodoo is often confused with—but is not completely separable from—Haitian Vodou and southern Hoodoo. It differs from Vodou in its emphasis upon Gris-gris, voodoo queens, use of Hoodoo occult paraphernalia, and Li Grand Zombi (snake deity). It was through Louisiana Voodoo that such terms as gris-gris (a Wolof term) and voodoo dolls were introduced into the American lexicon. 

The practice of making and wearing charms and amulets for protection, healing, or the harm of others was a key aspect to early Louisiana Voodoo. The ouanga, a charm used to poison an enemy, contained the poisonous roots of the figure maudit tree, brought from Africa and preserved in the West Indies. The ground up root was combined with other elements such as bones, nails, roots, holy water, holy candles, holy incense, holy bread, or crucifixes. The administrator of the ritual frequently evoked protection from Allah, the Christian God, and Jesus Christ. This openness of African belief allowed for the adoption of Catholic practices into Louisiana Voodoo.

Another component of Louisiana Voodoo brought from Africa was the worship of ancestors and the subsequent emphasis on respect for elders. For this reason, the rate of survival among elderly slaves was high, further “Africanizing Louisiana Creole culture.” 

Catholic influence
The slave trade also brought the belief in spirits which is central to Louisiana Voodoo. The spirits presided over every day matters of life, such as family, love, and justice. Originally, these spirits were called by their African names, but once French Creole replaced native African languages, their original names were no longer used. The spirits then adopted the names of Catholic Saints. Each spirit was paired with a Saint in charge of similar spheres of life.[2] The adoption of Catholic practices to the voodoo faith soon became an integral part of what is known today as New Orleans voodoo. Catholic traditions, such as prayers including the Hail Mary and the Lord’s Prayer, baptism, and the sign of the cross were incorporated into voodoo practices

During the nineteenth century, Voodoo queens became central figures to Voodoo in the United States. Voodoo queens presided over ceremonial meetings and ritual dances. They also earned an income by administrating charms, amulets, and magical powders guaranteed to cure ailments, grant desires, and confound or destroy one’s enemies.

Most noted for her achievements as voodoo Queen of New Orleans in the 1830’s was Marie Laveau. Once the news of her powers spread, she successfully overthrew the other voodoo queens of New Orleans. She acted as an oracle, conducted private rituals behind her cottage on St. Ann Street of the New Orleans French Quarter, performed exorcisms, and offered sacrifices to spirits. Also a devout Catholic, Marie encouraged her followers to attend Catholic Mass. The influence of her Catholic beliefs further facilitated the adoption of Catholic practices into the Voodoo belief system. Today, she is remembered for her skill and compassion for the less fortunate, and her spirit is considered one of the central figures of Louisiana Voodoo.

Today, thousands visit the tomb of Marie Laveau to ask favors. Across the street from the cemetery, offerings of pound cake are left to the statue of Saint Expedite; these offerings are believed to expedite the favors asked of Marie Laveau. Saint Expedite represents the spirit standing between life and death. The chapel where the statue stands was once used only for holding funerals.

Marie Laveau continues to be a central figure of Louisiana Voodoo and of New Orleans culture. Gamblers shout her name when throwing dice, and multiple tales of sightings of the Voodoo queen have been told. Her grave has more visitors than the grave of Elvis Presley. Although she is not yet officially considered a saint, there is a strong movement to have her canonized.

Let's stop here before we write a book. We can no longer get into one subject until another one is thrown into the pot. We'll look into the “king” at another time. These facts are not being laid out to attack any nationality of people. They are however aimed at the spiritual behaviors of people just as God does with each and every one of us. Even going so far as to combine voodoo and Christianity into one. Does this sound a little bit like Ezekiel's description of the problems of Jerusalem having been and the things that happened in New Orleans which shall be. Many critics from different realms in society slammed the clergy that would associate the actions of a city and the fact that God was sending a warning.

The people from the gay community stated that because the landfall was not precise with the gay pride festival taking place that this could not possibly have been from God. They are right in the sense it was just about a month later. The people that were wanting to run wild in the streets and get drunk either in unison with the gay pride or the mardi-gras crowd had the idea that because the French District was spared that God was not a contributing factor. In light of this they thought their drunken behavior was justified. It appears this could have been a spiritul test for the city just as Jonah and his message for Nineveh.

Personally the one thing that was being looked for was the city officials to maybe offer the evacuees who wished to return and their families a room in these districts to live in and help rebuild the city. However the political idea was to let people run wild in the streets and drink at the mardi-gras festival approaching in the following months as tens of thousands of their citizens were homeless sleeping upon cots in Gymnasiums. This all works for the best as we can see in another statement from Ezekiel 13.

21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: 23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 18:9-14
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Indeed God did shake and separate the people of New Orleans in addition to other locations along the landfall area. It's quite possible that the events at the very least led some of the evacuees to reassess their spiritual outlook on life. With the number of Christians involved in helping and comforting people caught in the situation it's a fact the Lord won back or won new souls in the aftermath of these tragic events. This of course happens with any disaster of any size. It's so easy to say “God if you get me through this I'll do anything for you.” The problem is we have to mean it. This is being put forth as personal experience.

Let's summarize a bit here. In the day Ezekiel is given this prophecy the nation of Israel is suffering from delusions of peace. The so called prophets or leaders have a sense of false security building a weakened spiritual barrier God intends to strike down. The means He describes comes in the form of a hurricane. The women of Jerusalem are seen just as guilty in God's eyes. Ezekiel describes what symbolizes some form of black magic or voodoo being practiced by the so called prophetesses within the city. The descriptions of charms, cushions, veils and kerchiefs all fit the practices of black magic. These are the things which have been.

In addition to all this we have a city that actively promotes its history of voodoo culture to help generate tourism dollars. The city of New Orleans is also described by some as the most haunted city in the United States. The following information is promoted upon one of the websites that can easily be found by searching for New Orleans voodoo tours.

New Orleans Voodoo Tour

Our Famous New Orleans Voodoo Tour explore the mystical world of Voodoo in New Orleans. You'll hear Stories about practitioners, visit real Voodoo altars, & an authentic New Orleans Voodoo shop. This New Orleans Voodoo Tour blends history, fact, fiction and folklore together for an unforgettable experience on this New Orleans Voodoo Tour! THIS TOUR IS OFFERED FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY NIGHTS ONLY .
 
Then of course we have the New Orleans Voodoo Music Festival and the acts associated with it.

In 2005, the Voodoo Music Experience was an early post-Hurricane Katrina event, billed as the "first full-scale, large entertainment event within city limits since the disastrous hurricane and subsequent flood hit the city on August 29." At the insistence of event producer Steve Rehage, the festival was held as a free tribute concert for the first responders, military, volunteers, and returning residents six weeks after the storms. The festival took place at Riverview Park, a part of Audubon Park, and featured Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Secret Machines, The New York Dolls and local bands including Cowboy Mouth and ReBirth Brass Band. As New Orleans recovered, Voodoo Experience returned fully to City Park in 2006 with a record-breaking attendance of over 100,000.

The Voodoo Experience is known for its blending of high profile national artists from all genres such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiss, Black Keys, Duran Duran, NIN, R.E.M., and 311 with local Louisiana musicians including The Original Meters, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue and Dr. John.

We will not get into the spiritual warfare involving music but it should be said none of the rock bands listed above have much to do with the works of God. The picture of the festival says it all when it states worship the music. It's almost as if they want to get inside the heads of people and turn them away from religion.
 
The things which shall be.

The word study involving the word prophet we looked at earlier.

05012:
5012 naba' naw-baw' a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse):--prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.

The examples and statement provided by the leadership of the United States over a 46 year period all seemed to call for one specific measure to be taken. Israel should give up more land in order to establish peace and security in the region. We have looked at the maps in several different ways and all the demands from the nations of the world are consistent that Israel give up land areas that God established for the nation over 4000 years ago. After the withdrawal or evictions the number of rocket attacks upon Israel rose from 2005 and 179 attacks to 946 in 2006 and 896 in 2007. This would be after Israel gave up the land that our U.S. Leaders called for. It's not become apparent to our leaders including president Obama that giving up more and more land is only shrinking the amount of territory for Israel to defend itself. Not to mention no one is consulting scripture about these matters. The reason being because our so called intellectual leaders think we live in a world that has outgrown the OT(old testament).

Rocket being fired from Gaza

As we have mentioned in the earlier parts of the study the sins of our nation as a whole not just New Orleans brought about the events concerning hurricane Katrina. It appears that God also was very tired of the spiritual foolishness and even more so combining the black magic rituals with the religion of Christianity. The city of New Orleans a perfect picture of what God addressed in the prophecy of Ezekiel 13. We could go on and on with the reasoning and the methods involved in all this. We will explore many of these conditions as our studies move forward. Please look at these connections and give them some critical thought before God is dismissed from having any indulgence concerning things like Katrina.

Think about the levees and the storms effects upon them as you read Ezekiel 13:13-16. Think about the number of Israeli citizens misplaced or evicted from their dwellings. Then consider how God responded within a week to the actions encouraged so heavily by our leadership. Katrina misplaced over 800,000 people in the southeast regions along the Gulf coast.

Deaths by state
Alabama  
2
Florida
14
Georgia
2
Kentucky
1
Louisiana
1,577*
Mississippi
238
Ohio
2
Total
1,836
Missing
705
*Includes out-of-state evacuees
counted by Louisiana

There were over 50 levees breached in the same manner God explains the collapse of the spiritual wall. At least 15 states and 2 Canadian provinces reported weather effects associated to Katrina. These were mostly reports of localized flooding, tornadoes and gusty winds and thunderstorms. God described every last one of these situations regarding the spiritual conditions in Jerusalem. There were at least 62 tornadoes associated with Katrina. Then there were the damages to the food supply,diseases,the criminal elements, and of course the political blame game.

We should be looking at the prophetic mirrors that God describes in the midst of all this. We should also be considering the Bible when making persuasive suggestions concerning God's land. The one way we have to overcome the world is Jesus. We have said this before and will repeat it often. He is a deliverer of many things starting most importantly with our salvation. He also delivers the perfect love and some very good reasons why we should accept Him. One of which we just took a look at.

Job 37:11-14
11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: 12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. 13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. 14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

God Bless and Thank You for sharing this word

Roles Reversed: Politically and Prophetically Incorrect Hurricane Katrina Part 4

Hebrews 11:8-14
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country

This is a promise that will be kept and fulfilled in the not so distant future. We have counted off approximately 4,062 years so far and seen many attempts by Satan to prevent this promise from being kept. People have helped Satan out a great deal throughout history. People having different backgrounds and status in society. None so dangerous as those who were and are his political allies. Let's explore some scriptural facts in regards to this situation.

Matthew 4:8-11
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms <3588> <932> of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
 
In this final effort to tempt Jesus Satan offers Jesus not only the world itself, but also the kingdoms that come with it. Let's explore a word study concerning this word kingdoms just to make sure we have the proper understanding of Satan's offer.
 
00932:
932 basileia bas-il-i'-ah from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign. see GREEK for 935

00935:
935 basileus bas-il-yooce' probably from 939 (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king. see GREEK for 939

0939:
939 basis bas'-ece from baino (to walk); a pace ("base"), i.e. (by implication) the foot:--foot.

It appears that Satan was holding the keys to the kingdom since he made the offer. Notice Jesus does not dispute the fact that Satan had control over these kingdoms. Of course Jesus would not recognize Satan's authority by receiving the kingdoms of the world from him knowing there were bigger things in store. Now let's explore some attempts of Satan's governmental pawns to destroy the nation of Israel.

Exodus 1:15-22
15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? 19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

The first attempt in world history to annihilate a nation from the face of the earth. However the midwives feared the Lord more than Pharaoh who just as easily could have taken their lives. Of course Egypt was not the only kingdom that dealt with God's people, but the Assyrian and Babylonian kingdoms were also unable to complete the task. Then we come to the Persian empire and a man of noble authority named Haman who was planning an all out holocaust against the Jewish people. This is detailed in the epic actions of Esther whose influence over the king turned the wishes of Haman back upon his own head and his entire family. Ariel Sharon might be in better shape today had he taken the attitude of the midwives toward his own people. 

Esther 3:8-15
8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 12 Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.
 
In this we have another deliberate attempt to destroy God's people as a whole. Just a little food for prophetic thought. After the flood Canaan grandson of Ham is cursed by Noah. Later in the days of Joshua there is a territory called Hamath which was a border area for the nation of Israel. Then we have a man named Haman who desires to destroy the nation of Israel. Finally we have a problematic terrorist group named Hamas who are out to destroy the nation of Israel as we speak. Hamas would probably like to the United States out as well. The next and final example we will look into is during the days of the birth of Jesus.
 
Matthew 2:16-18
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
 

The outcome of all this being Satan desired to destroy completely the nation of Israel. In doing so Satan whose ultimate fate was first put forth in Genesis 3 could disrupt God's prophetic statement of Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:14-15

14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel

If Satan could deny just one of God's prophecies then he could gain a helping aid in the denial of God's existence. Praise the Lord He gave us His prophetic word which will stand in truth while the world is on fire.
Amen!

Acts 13:16-1916 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. 19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

Today we have many nations involved in the future and territorial issues of God's chosen nation of Israel. The one we as Americans should be most concerned with is our own nation the United States. Let's explore some of our political attitudes concerning Israel starting with the Lyndon Johnson administration.

"Although we have expressed our views to the Foreign Ministry and are confident there can be little doubt among GOI(Government of Israel) leaders as to our continuing opposition to any Israeli settlements in the occupied areas, we believe it would be timely and useful for the Embassy to restate in strongest terms the US position on this question.

You should refer to Prime Minister Eshkol's Knesset statement and our awareness of internal Israeli pressures for settling civilians in occupied areas. The GOI is aware of our continuing concern that nothing be done in the occupied areas which might prejudice the search for a peace settlement. By setting up civilian or quasi-civilian outposts in the occupied areas the GOI adds serious complications to the eventual task of drawing up a peace settlement. Further, the transfer of civilians to occupied areas, whether or not in settlements which are under military control, is contrary to Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, which states 'The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.'

One of the main descriptions of Israel's enemies is that Israel is an occupying force. This is what happens when a secular world clashes with the Bible's intentions. Below is Article 49 of the Geneva Convention
Article 49
Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive.
Nevertheless, the Occupying Power may undertake total or partial evacuation of a given area if the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand. Such evacuations may not involve the displacement of protected persons outside the bounds of the occupied territory except when for material reasons it is impossible to avoid such displacement. Persons thus evacuated shall be transferred back to their homes as soon as hostilities in the area in question have ceased.
The Occupying Power undertaking such transfers or evacuations shall ensure, to the greatest practicable extent, that proper accommodation is provided to receive the protected persons, that the removals are effected in satisfactory conditions of hygiene, health, safety and nutrition, and that members of the same family are not separated.
The Protecting Power shall be informed of any transfers and evacuations as soon as they have taken place.
The Occupying Power shall not detain protected persons in an area particularly exposed to the dangers of war unless the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand.
The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.

The Nixon Administration 1969

The United States considers that the part of Jerusalem that came under the control of Israel in the June war, like other areas occupied by Israel, is governing the rights and obligations of an occupying Power. Among the provisions of international law which bind Israel, as they would bind any occupier, are the provisions that the occupier has no right to make changes in laws or in administration other than those which are temporarily necessitated by his security interests, and that an occupier may not confiscate or destroy private property. The pattern of behavior authorized under the Geneva Convention and international law is clear: the occupier must maintain the occupied area as intact and unaltered as possible, without interfering with the customary life of the area, and any changes must be necessitated by the immediate needs of the occupation.” Charles Yost, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN Security Council -- July 1, 1969

The Ford Administration 1976

“Substantial resettlement of the Israeli civilian population in occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under the convention and cannot be considered to have prejudged the outcome of future negotiations between the parties on the locations of the borders of states by the Middle East. Indeed, the presence of these settlements is seen by my government as an obstacle to the success of the negotiations for a just and final peace between Israel and its neighbors.” William Scranton, US Ambassador to the United Nations, UN Security Council -- March 23, 1976

The Carter Administration

“Our position on the settlements is very clear. We do not think they are legal.” President Carter -- April 1980 interview

"U.S. Policy toward the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories is unequivocal and has long been a matter of public record. We consider it to be contrary to international law and an impediment to the successful conclusion of the Middle East peace process…Article 49, paragraph 6, of the Fourth Geneva Convention is, in my judgment, and has been in judgment of each of the legal advisors of the State Department for many, many years, to be. . .that [settlements] are illegal and that [the Convention] applies to the territories.” Secretary of State Cyrus Vance before House Ctee. on Foreign Affairs -- March 21, 1980

The Reagan Administration

In Reagan’s view, Israeli settlement was not illegal, but merely “ill-advised” and “unnecessarily provocative.”
“The Reagan Plan states that ‘the United States will not support the use of any additional land for the purpose of settlements during the transition period (5 years after Palestinian election for a self-governing authority). Indeed, the immediate adoption of a settlements freeze by Israel, more than any other action, could create the confidence needed for wider participation in these talks. Further settlement activity is in no way necessary for the security of Israel and only diminishes the confidence of the Arabs that a final outcome can be fee and fairly negotiated.” Reagan Plan –September 1982
 

President George H.W. Bush

"Since the end of the 1967 war, the U.S. has regarded Israel as the occupying power in the occupied territories, which includes the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The U.S. considers Israel's occupation to be governed by the Hague Regulations of 1907 and the 1949 Geneva Conventions concerning the protection of civilian populations under military occupation." Thomas Pickering, US Ambassador to the United Nations -- November 27, 1989

U.S. Secretary of State James Baker – May 22, 1991

When President Bush was asked about Baker’s criticism of Israel’s settlement policy, he told reporters, “Secretary Baker was speaking for this administration, and I strongly support what he said. . .It would make a big contribution to peace if these settlements would stop. That’s what the secretary was trying to say. . .and I’m one hundred percent for him.”

“My position is that the foreign policy of the United States says we do not believe there should be new settlements in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem. And I will conduct that policy as if it’s firm, which it is, and I will be shaped in whatever decisions we make to see whether people can comply with that policy. And that’s our strongly held view.”

“The United States believes that no party should take unilateral actions that seek to predetermine issues that can only be reached through negotiations. In this regard the United States has opposed, and will continue to oppose, settlement activity in territories occupied in 1967 which remain an obstacle to peace.”

US Letter of Assurances to the Palestinians on the terms of the Madrid Peace Conference excerpts -- 24 October 1991

“Every time I have gone to Israel in connection with the peace process on each of my trips I have been met with the announcement of new settlement activity. This does violate United States policy. It is the first thing that Arabs--Arab governments—the first thing that Palestinians in the territories—whose situation is really quite desperate—the first thing they raise when we talk to them. I don’t think there is any greater obstacle to peace than settlement activity that continues not only unabated but at an advanced pace."

“We write you because we are concerned that unilateral actions, such as expansion of settlements, would be strongly counterproductive to the goal of a negotiated solution and, if carried forward, could halt progress made by the peace process over the last two decades. Such a tragic result would threaten the security of Israel, the Palestinians, friendly Arab states, and undermine U.S. interests in the Middle East.” Excerpt from a letter written to H.E. Benjamin Netanyahu on December 14, 1996. The letter was signed by: James A. Baker III (Former Secretary of State), Zbigniew Brzezinski (Former National Security Adviser), Frank C. Carlucci (Former National Security Adviser), Lawrence S. Eagleburger (Former Secretary of State), Richard Fairbanks (Former Middle East Peace Negotiator), Brent Scowcroft (Former National Security Adviser), Robert S. Straus (Former Middle East Peace Negotiator), Cyrus R. Vance (Former Secretary of State).

“The Israeli people also must understand that . . . the settlement enterprise and building bypass roads in the heart of what they already know will one day be part of a Palestinian state is inconsistent with the Oslo commitment that both sides negotiate a compromise.”

President Clinton’s farewell address to the Middle East -- January 7, 2001

 
The George W. Bush Administration
 
“During the half-century of its existence, Israel has had the strong support of the United States. In international forums, the United States has at times cast the only vote on Israel’s behalf. Yet, even in such a close relationship there are some difficulties. Prominent among those differences is the U.S. government’s long-standing opposition to the Government of Israel’s policies and practices regarding settlements.” …..“The GOI should freeze all settlement activity, including the “natural growth” of existing settlements. The kind of security cooperation desired by the GOI cannot for long co-exist with settlement activity described very recently by the European Union as causing “great concern” and by the United States as “provocative.” The Mitchell Report – April 30, 2001  

Secretary of State Colin Powell -- NBC's Meet the Press --May 1, 2002

“Consistent with the Mitchell plan, Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must stop, and the occupation must end through withdrawal to secure and recognized boundaries, consistent with United Nations Resolutions 242 and 338.” President Bush’s Rose Garden Address – April 4, 2002

"Something has to be done about the problem of the settlements, the settlements continue to grow and continue to expand. . . .It's not going to go away."

Secretary of State Colin Powell -- NBC's Meet the Press --May 1, 2002

“Our opposition to the settlements is political. Washington feels that Israel would be better protected and more accepted inside borders where there are no settlements, so a decision on their future must be accepted on the basis of their feasibility. It is a fact that we have opposed the settlements for decades and you continue to build them and we have done nothing untoward to you [in response]. If Israel wants, it can even expand to the borders promised in the Bible. The question is whether it is able to do so from a security and political standpoint.” Daniel Kurtzer, U.S. Ambassador to Israel -- May 29, 2002 – Ha’aretz

Our position on settlements, I think, has been very consistent, very clear. The secretary expressed it not too long ago. He said settlement activity has severely undermined Palestinian trust and hope, preempts and prejudges the outcome of negotiations, and in doing so, cripples chances for real peace and prosperity. The U.S. has long opposed settlement activity and, consistent with the report of the Mitchell Committee, settlement activity must stop.” 

Richard Boucher, U.S. Department of State –Daily Press Briefing -- November 25, 2002

"Settlement activity must stop. And it has not stopped to our satisfaction." Secretary Colin Powell — September 21, 2003

"Israel has got responsibilities. Israel must deal with the settlements. Israel must make sure there is a contiguous territory that the Palestinians can call home." President Bush – June 3, 2003

The combination of the words of peace and security occur 16 times unless one or two might have been missed from the above statements concerning the land of Israel. We have been studying at length how what Israel received in the past would be received by the world in the future. Perhaps one of the more definable moments of this for the United States took place during the week of 23-29 August 2005.

Zechariah 12:1-3

1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

  

Obadiah Verses 15-17

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. 16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. 17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.