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Index
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Index
Figure 1. The Two Olive Trees (Zech. chapter 4)
I will give you shepherds after my own heart,
who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15 NRSV
The Order takes its name from Melchizedek, its first recorded priest:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18 NIV)
Following upon the 'Fall' in the Garden of Eden, Jesus had been appointed 'High Priest Designate' in a priesthood which was renamed following Melchizedek's appointment.
Salem: Hebrew, meaning 'peace' or 'whole'.
Jerusalem is the place in which to find peace and wholeness:
8 The former said to him, “Run to that young man and tell him:
“Jerusalem shall be peopled as a city without walls, so many shall be the men and cattle it contains. 9 And I Myself—declares the LORD—will be a wall of fire all around it, and I will be a glory inside it. (Zechariah 2:8-9 (Tanakh))
Salem is traditionally identified with Jerusalem (Salem - Wikipedia).
[Discuss: The pros and cons of such a tradition (the identification of Salem with Jerusalem).]
Scripture, on the other hand, explicitly identifies Salem with Zion, and therefore with Jerusalem:
Salem became His abode;
Zion, His den.
There He broke the fiery arrows of the bow,
the shield and the sword of war. Selah. (Psalms 76:3-4 (Tanakh))
From Canaanite City to Israelite Capital
[Dissertation: A complete account of the historical desecrations of Jerusalem up to the present day, together with implications and consequences.]
[Dissertation: International failure to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.]
[Dissertation: The single-minded imposition of Arab and world wills on Israel. Explain why the Most High has not intervened on Israel's behalf.]
The encounter with Abram:
18 And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him, saying,“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,And [Abram] gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:18-20 (Tanakh))
Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your foes into your hand.”
Melchizedek was a priest serving the Most High at the time he approached Abram. The context was not that of the Levitical Priesthood since that did not as yet exist. So, what was the Order in which Melchizedek served?
The only priesthood in operation at that time was the priesthood in which Jesus was High Priest Designate. That priesthood had a name - call it the 'Priesthood of Jesus', for want of a better title. At the time of expulsion from the Eden Annex, Jesus was its High Priest. That He was 'High Priest', suggests that Jesus had priests working under Him whose hearts were after the Father's own.
The Book of Teaching reveals that Melchizedek, being a priest of the Most High, was a priest in the Priesthood of Jesus - there being no other priesthood in force at that time. The temporary title of 'Priesthood of Jesus' was renamed the 'Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek'. The question now is, "Does the narrative offer any support as to Melchizedek's authority?
Is not the one who blesses greater than the one receiving the blessing?
Then there is the bread and wine brought out by Melchizedek!
There is no animal sacrifice to detract from the spiritual imperative; there is only the bread and wine, existing at the spiritual Level.
There is no escaping the direct link which the bread and wine makes with Jesus:
[26] While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said,
"Take, eat; this is my body."
[27] Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying,
"Drink from it, all of you; [28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28 NRSV)
But wait! The replacement of animal sacrifice by the bread-and-wine memorial of Jesus life and sacrifice, forms part of the Messianic Amendment of the Mosaic Covenant.
Therefore, in bringing out the bread and wine, Melchizedek was forging a direct link to the Messianic Amendment of the Mosaic Covenant. Not only that, but it confirmed the spiritual imperative superseded the physical imperative of animal sacrifice which was in operation at the time of Melchizedek.
The following schematic shows the changes of the Covenant viewpoint with regard to Jesus:
Covenant amendments ensure all eyes are on Jesus.
Note that the bread and wine, brought out by Melchizedek, maps directly to the Spiritual Level. as does Jesus' command to His disciples.
David's Tent currently lies in ruins. Meanwhile, as at the time of Ezekiel6C -
[30] And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.
[31] Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their heads, says the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 22:30-31 NRSV)
- the Lord is standing alone on the wall of Jerusalem. For some two thousand years He has been searching for someone to come forward and to stand upon Jerusalem's broken wall on His behalf. But while He was searching, the Lord did not stand idle for, as history confirms, He has been pouring out His indignation upon the House of Desolation.
Things, however, have changed. And it is now the Lord's intention to rebuild David's Fallen Tent, as He promised long ago:
[11] "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be (Amos8C 9:11 NIV)
However, the Levitical Priesthood brought utter shame on their office. Reduced to the ranks, they will carry out only the most menial tasks in the Church. To add to their shame, some Gentiles who helped rebuild David's Fallen Tent will be promoted to the Levitical Priesthood (previously proscribed: eg: Num. 3:10; Eze. 44:9):
[The time] has come to gather all the nations and tongues; they shall come and behold My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them, and send from them survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud—that draw the bow—to Tubal, Javan, and the distant coasts, that have never heard My fame nor beheld My glory. They shall declare My glory among these nations. 20 And out of all the nations, said the LORD, they shall bring all your brothers on horses, in chariots and drays, on mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem My holy mountain as an offering to the LORD—just as the Israelites bring an offering in a pure vessel to the House of the LORD. 21 And from them likewise I will take some to be levitical priests, said the LORD. (Isaiah 66:18b-21 (Tanakh))
The reduction of the shamed Levitical Priesthood to the ranks, has left a void. And, unless that void is filled, it will be filled with evil spirits even worse than before:
[43] "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. [44] Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. [45] Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:43-45 NIV)
Today, of course, we can see the truth of Jesus' words, for the new-covenant church have usurped the Covenant, defiled and annulled it, and replaced it with a doctrine implicating the Lord Spirit in their evil - a Blacklistable offence:
[31] For this reason I tell you: people can be forgiven any sin and any evil thing they say; but whoever says evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who says something against the Son of Man can be forgiven; but whoever says something against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven-now or ever. (Matthew 12:31-32 GNT)
Necessarily, therefore, the Lord must appoint Shepherds after His own heart - which He already has promised to do:
14 Turn back, rebellious children—declares the LORD.
Since I have espoused you, I will take you, one from a town and two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will pasture you with knowledge and skill. (Jeremiah 3:14-15 (Tanakh))
These shepherds are the two Olive Trees standing on either side of the Golden Lampstand (Zech. 4). They are Priests in the Order of Melchizedek.
The rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent will usher in a Golden Age for the Messianically Amended Covenant Church.
[1] And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. [2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. [3] He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. (Revelation 20:1-3 NIV)
The lord Satan will be bound and thrown into the Abyss. The Church will flourish. But after some time he will be set free. He will emerge from his incarceration enraged, vindictive, and defiant. The sequel is fully explained by Jesus (Mat. 24).
Like the Levitical Priesthood, appointment is bereditary. Scripture describes a tree structure:
[3] And by it there are two olive trees, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."
...
[11] Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" [12] And a second time I said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which pour out the oil through the two golden pipes?"
[13] He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." [14] Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:3,11-14 NRSV)
[3] And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth." [4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (Revelation 11:3-4 NRSV)
Each olive tree must commence with a shoot which will then grow and spread forth its branches.
Although the origin of the two shoots is, perhaps, unclear, they will need nurturing, a good education, instruction and training in the Kingdom of Heaven, and education and training in the Priesthood of Melchizedek (cf, Mat. 13:52).
Marriage has an important role to play. For without it, the tree would fail to grow ... until finally dying out as existing priests reached End of Life and died.
[Essay: The relationship of the Two Olive Trees to the Timeline.]
[Essay: The advantages of inherited appointment over the 'laying on of hands'.]
At the Lord's orders 24/7.
The accountability of the Levitical Priesthood: Levitical Priesthood - dereliction of duty.
At the individual level, those Levitical priests who broke their terms of service are excluded from the Lord's presence (ie, Spiritual Death). Collectively, they so defiled their office, that the Levitical Priesthood were reduced to the ranks, and tasked only with the most menial of work. To add to their shame, some of the Gentiles helping with the restoration of David's Fallen Tent will be taken as Levitical Priests.
The accountability of the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek is far removed from that of the Levitical Priesthood. Unlike the demoted Levitical priests, Priests in the Order of Melchizedek have hearts after that of the Lord God:
14 Turn back, rebellious children—declares the LORD. Since I have espoused you, I will take you, one from a town and two from a clan, and bring you to Zion.
15 And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will pasture you with knowledge and skill. (Jeremiah 3:14-15 (Tanakh))
[But note the timing! The appointment of priests in the Order [of Melchizedek] is directly linked to Israel's return. Jesus, too, speaks of the need for Israel to return to their Messiah:
"Look, your house is left to you desolate. [39] For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" (Matthew 23:38-39 NIV)]
The accountability of the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek makes heavy demands on its appointees!
Just how heavy is explained now - and it's really scary!
This is the vision I had when out walking my auntie's dog Benji:
Accountability: "To cast a shadow is to Die."
The demand was totally beyond my capability. To be honest, it it seemed to be a guarantee of failure, a guarantee of Death! Nevertheless, I accepted the terms of the contract and signed on the dotted line. Had I been foolish?
Since then, I have been reminded of the confidence the Lord had in His servant Job. The Adversary had been wandering the Earth like a lost soul ... eventually standing in front of the Lord God with the other divine beings (Job 1:7 T). It was the Lord's confidence in Job which allowed Him to provoke the Adversary. The Lord flaunts his servant Job in the Adverary's face - not once, but twice:
The LORD said to the Adversary, “Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil!" (Job 1:8 (Tanakh))
The LORD said to the Adversary, “Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil. He still keeps his integrity; so you have incited Me against him to destroy him for no good reason.” (Job 2:3 (Tanakh))
And the Lord's confidence is borne out, providing us with the Book of Job and a deep insight into the need for an amendment to the Post-Eden Covenant - realised with the Mosaic Contract (qv).
Those appointees to the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek, either direct or through inheritance, while looking at the precariousness of their position, must also look at the Lord's confidence in them and the support He offers.
Before leaving the topic, a quick reminder of the scale of the danger:
"To cast a shadow is to Die."
'Casting a shadow' is a two-edged sword, for it applies as much to deeds of omission as it does to existential wrongdoing. It is, in effect, a 'catch-all'. Thus, the new-covenant church are doubly condemned, both by their evil doctrine and by their failure to present the truth of the Mosaic Contract and the Messianic Amendment. For which, 'thanks' must go to Paul and the unknown writer to the Hebrews.
[Dissertation: "To cast a shadow is to Die."]
Failure will trigger the penalty clause. The offender will be Blacklisted, and they and their descendants will be excluded from the Priesthood. The precedent is established here, though less harshly:
10 But the Levites who forsook Me when Israel went astray — straying from Me to follow their fetishes — shall suffer their punishment: 11 They shall be servitors in My Sanctuary, appointed over the Temple gates, and performing the chores of My Temple; they shall slaughter the burnt offerings and the sacrifices for the people. They shall attend on them and serve them. 12 Because they served the House of Israel in the presence of their fetishes and made them stumble into guilt, therefore — declares the Lord GOD — I have sworn concerning them that they shall suffer their punishment: 13 They shall not approach Me to serve Me as priests, to come near any of My sacred offerings, the most holy things. They shall bear their shame for the abominations that they committed. 14 I will make them watchmen of the Temple, to perform all its chores, everything that needs to be done in it.
15 But the levitical priests descended from Zadok, who maintained the service of My Sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from Me — they shall approach Me to minister to Me; they shall stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood — declares the Lord GOD. 16 They alone may enter My Sanctuary and they alone shall approach My table to minister to Me; and they shall keep My charge.
(Ezekiel 44:10-16 (Tanakh))
The Levitical Priesthood was not destroyed because the Lord had made this promise:
17 For thus said the LORD: There shall never be an end to men of David's line who sit upon the throne of the House of Israel. 18 Nor shall there ever be an end to the line of the levitical priests before Me, of those who present burnt offerings and turn the meal offering to smoke and perform sacrifices. (Jeremiah 33:17-18 (Tanakh))
However, no such promise was made with regard to the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek. Existing at a much higher level than the Levitical Priesthood,
1 Ah, shepherds who let the flock of My pasture stray and scatter! — declares the LORD. 2 Assuredly, thus said the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who should tend My people: It is you who let My flock scatter and go astray. You gave no thought to them, but I am going to give thought to you, for your wicked acts — declares the LORD. 3 And I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will bring them back to their pasture, where they shall be fertile and increase. 4 And I will appoint over them shepherds who will tend them; they shall no longer fear or be dismayed, and none of them shall be missing — declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1-4 (Tanakh))
14 Turn back, rebellious children—declares the LORD. Since I have espoused you, I will take you, one from a town and two from a clan, and bring you to Zion.
15 And I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will pasture you with knowledge and skill. (Jeremiah 3:14-15 (Tanakh))
the punishment for breaking the Melchizedek Contract is necessarily implacably harsh. And the line of descent is cut: the offender together with their line of descent, is cut away - because that is what the Lord does with branches which fail to produce fruit:
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:2 NIV)
[Essay: Maintaining the integrity of the Two Olive Trees.]
[Analysis: The line of descent of a failed branch is cut because the error introduced by the offender becomes the starting point for an exponential descent into evil which would be carried forward by the offender's descendants. This is one of the Lord's preventative safeguards.]
12 And I further asked him, “What are the two tops of the olive trees that feed their gold through those two golden tubes?" 13 He asked me, “Don't you know what they are?"
And I replied, “No, my lord.”
14 Then he explained, “They are the two anointed dignitaries who attend the Lord of all the earth.” (Zechariah 4:12-14 (Tanakh))
[Discuss: The Authority of the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4).]
Marriage is essential if the line of descent is to be maintained. Marriage must be at the Covenant Level. Divorce is not allowed.
Revelation 11:5 NIV [5] If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.
Soft warning: explanation of Covenant and Model. This will be an important aspect of outreach when David's Tent is rebuilt.
But, with the exponential rise in evil, will come a hard warning:
[6] These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. (Revelation 11:6 NIV)
The Lord warns the House of Israel of the desolation of David's fallen Tent:
30 And to you, O dishonored wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come—the time set for your punishment—31 thus said the Lord GOD: Remove the turban and lift off the crown! This shall not remain as it is; exalt the low and abase the high. 32 Ruin, an utter ruin I will make it. It shall be no more until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs; and I will give it to him. (Ezekiel 21:30-32 (Tanakh))
Implied, is the upheaval which will accompany Israel's punishment and the rebuilding of David's fallen Tent.
(Tanakh) 1 A psalm of Asaph.
O God, heathens [nations or gentiles (KJVS)] have entered Your domain,
defiled Your holy temple,
and turned Jerusalem into ruins.
2 They have left Your servants' corpses
as food for the fowl of heaven,
and the flesh of Your faithful for the wild beasts.
3 Their blood was shed like water around Jerusalem,
with none to bury them.
4 We have become the butt of our neighbors,
the scorn and derision of those around us. (Psalm 79: 1-4 (Tanakh))
15 As you did, so shall it be done to you;
Your conduct shall be requited.
Yea, against all nations
The day of the LORD is at hand. (Obadiah 1:15 (Tanakh))
1 The prophecy of Obadiah.
would surely leave some gleanings.
How uWe have received tidings from the LORD,
And an envoy has been sent out among the nations:
“Up! Let us rise up against her for battle.”
Thus said my Lord GOD concerning Edom:
2 I will make you least among nations,
You shall be most despised.
3 Your arrogant heart has seduced you,
You who dwell in clefts of the rock,
In your lofty abode.
You think in your heart,
“Who can pull me down to earth?"
4 Should you nest as high as the eagle,
Should your eyrie be lodged 'mong the stars,
Even from there I will pull you down
—declares the LORD.
5 If thieves were to come to you,
Marauders by night,
They would steal no more than they needed.
If vintagers came to you,
They tterly you are destroyed!
6 How thoroughly rifled is Esau,
How ransacked his hoards!
7 All your allies turned you back
At the frontier;
Your own confederates
Have duped and overcome you;
[Those who ate] your bread
Have planted snares under you.
He is bereft of understanding.
8 In that day
— declares the LORD —
I will make the wise vanish from Edom,
Understanding from Esau's mount.
9 Your warriors shall lose heart, O Teman,
And not a man on Esau's mount
Shall survive the slaughter. (Obadiah 1:1-9 (Tanakh))
There will be no survivors! And why is that?
10 For the outrage to your brother Jacob,
Disgrace shall engulf you,
And you shall perish forever.
11 On that day when you stood aloof,
When aliens carried off his goods,
When foreigners entered his gates
And cast lots for Jerusalem,
You were as one of them.
12 How could you gaze with glee
On your brother that day,
On his day of calamity!
How could you gloat
Over the people of Judah
On that day of ruin!
How could you loudly jeer
On a day of anguish!
13 How could you enter the gate of My people
On its day of disaster,
Gaze in glee with the others
On its misfortune
On its day of disaster,
And lay hands on its wealth
On its day of disaster!
14 How could you stand at the passes
To cut down its fugitives!
How could you betray those who fled
On that day of anguish!
15 As you did, so shall it be done to you;
Your conduct shall be requited.
Yea, against all nations
The day of the LORD is at hand. (Obadiah 1:10-15 (Tanakh))
Those of Esau's House who wish to survive had better get off Mount Esau and sincerely commit to Mount Zion and the Messianically Amended Covenant of Moses. To delay is to Die!
[1] Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Come and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, [2] but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months.
[3] "And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth."
[4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.† (Revelation 11:1-4 NRSV)
[† A direct reference to Zechariah, chapter 4.]
Let us make the assumption that a month, on average, is about 30 days. But is such an assumption reasonable? Let's do the math:
365/12 = ?
365/12 ≈ 30.4166 (4 dp)
Rounded down, that is 30 days. So the original assumption isn't too far off.
but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2 NRSV)
42*30 = 1260 days
Why is there a time-limit on Olive-Tree testimony?
And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth." (Revelation 11:3 NRSV)
The starting point is clear enough, since it corresponds to the rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent. The end-point is less obvious, but there is a clue in Revelation:
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit [the Abyss] will make war on them and conquer them and kill them (Revelation 11:7 NRSV)
This corresponds with the release of the Lord Satan from the Abyss:
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. (Revelation 17:8 NIV)
However, our initial assumption contains an unvoiced assumption that a 'day' is 24 hours! Yet we know that in the Heavenly Realm a day is undefined, since there is no night. Which complicates things!
Nevertheless, we can say that a 'day' has a fixed duration, even if we aren't aware of the duration in the context of our own calendar.
What emerges from Revelation 11:1-4, is that the nations will trample the outer court of Jerusalem for 1,260 days. Which happens to be the same duration as the testimony of the Two Witnesses.
So, what is happening? What does this mean?
In order to make sense of Revelation 11:1-4, it must first be put into context.
The nations are restricted to the outer courts of Jerusalem [at the Physical Level] because of the Wall of Fire surrounding Jerusalem at the Spiritual Level. The 'measuring' reference of Revelation 11:1 links directly to Zechariah 2:5, at the same time introducing the concept of measurement at the Physical or the Spiritual Levels:
5 I looked up, and I saw a man holding a measuring line. 6 “Where are you going?" I asked. “To measure Jerusalem," he replied, “to see how long and wide it is to be.” 7 But the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him. 8 The former said to him, “Run to that young man and tell him:
“Jerusalem shall be peopled as a city without walls, so many shall be the men and cattle it contains. 9 And I Myself—declares the LORD—will be a wall of fire all around it, and I will be a glory inside it. (Zechariah 2:5-9 (Tanakh))
The nations do not have access to Jerusalem at the Spiritual Level.
When David's Fallen Tent is rebuilt, Priests in the Order of Melchizedek will undertake the shepherding of Israel. These are the Two Olive Trees mentioned in Zechariah 4. Each tree will have a special function: Isaiah explains:
12 Yea, you shall leave in joy and be led home secure.
Before you, mount and hill shall shout aloud,
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the brier, a cypress shall rise;
Instead of the nettle, a myrtle shall rise.
These shall stand as a testimony to the LORD,
As an everlasting sign that shall not perish. (Isaiah 55:12-13 (Tanakh))
See: The Cypress and the Myrtle.
Why is there a time-limit on Olive-Tree testimony?
And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth." (Revelation 11:3 NRSV)
The starting point is clear enough, since it corresponds to the rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent. The end-point is less obvious, but there is a clue in Revelation:
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit [the Abyss] will make war on them and conquer them and kill them (Revelation 11:7 NRSV)
This corresponds with the release of the Lord Satan from the Abyss:
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. (Revelation 17:8 NIV)
Correspondence with the imprisonment of the lord Satan:
[1] And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. [2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. [3] He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. (Revelation 20:1-3 NIV)
With a thousand years approximating to 365,000 days, there is an immediate problem reconciling that duration with the 1,260 days mentioned above! A ratio of some 290:1. Does Scripture offer any insight?
In the Garden Annex, the Serpent was focussed on encouraging AdamEve to break the [Eden] Covenant. This was as much as the Serpent was able to do at that time. Nevertheless, the Serpent was aware of the penalty clause for breaking his own Covenant with the Lord - that Covenant, parallelling the Covenant with Mankind, entailed expulsion from the Heavenly Realm. In short, the Serpent's options were limited. However, if AdamEve were driven out of the Eden Annex, that would leave mankind totally exposed to his machinations.
Yet although mankind were driven out of Eden, the Serpent's options remained limited. By way of example, the restrictions imposed upon him are to be found in the Book of Job, chapters 1 and 2:
The LORD replied to the Adversary, “See, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” The Adversary departed from the presence of the LORD." (Job 1:12 (Tanakh))
6 So the LORD said to the Adversary, “See, he is in your power; only spare his life.” (Job 2:6 (Tanakh))
Admittedly the lord Satan is able to wreak havoc, but there are restrictions. Luke records the incident which took place in the country of the Gerasenes (Luke 8:6 et seq):
[30] Jesus asked him [the possessed man], "What is your name?"
"Legion," he replied, because many demons had gone into him.
[31] And they [the evil spirits] begged him [Jesus] repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. [32] A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. (Luke 8:30-32 NIV)
Why did the demons balk at being thrown into the Abyss? Very probably because the Abyss is not a 'nice' place (Rev. 9:2); and perhaps because their master was imprisoned there, enraged at his confinement, and ready to make life hell for those who'd failed him!
Then there is the record of Jesus' temptation, in which the tempter is only able to confront Jesus face to face. There are, as yet, no weapons drawn (cf, the war in Heaven), there is only verbal sparring (Matthew 4:1-10) ... culminating with Jesus sending the tempter on his way:
[10] Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" (Matthew 4:10 NRSV)
Note that those who serve the lord Satan are identified as 'Satan' (Mat. 4:10). As was the case with Peter after he'd rebuked Jesus:
[23] But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." (Matthew 16:23 NRSV)
Weapons will be drawn when all-out war breaks out in Heaven:
[7] And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. [8] But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. [9] The great dragon was hurled down---that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Revelation 12:7-9 NIV)
This corresponds to the time of the lord Satan's release from the Abyss (Rev. 17:8) and to Jesus' mention of life in the End Times (Matthew 24).
However, it also corresponds to the deaths of the Witnesses, effectively terminating their testimony. Heretofore, the Witnesses had been able to defend themselves against attack (Rev. 11:5). Now, however, with Satan released from the Abyss, with the exponential growth of evil, the Witnesses become prey which the lord Satan can hunt down and kill wherever he finds them.
The lord Satan will have no difficulty in identifying those opposed to him! Those not having the mark of the Beast are his enemies:
[16] He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, [17] so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:16-17 NIV)
[Essay: The use of deduction and induction in this section dealing with Olive-Tree witness.]
At home and abroad.
[Dissertation: Promoting the Covenant Model.]
21 For liberators shall march up on Mount Zion to wreak judgment on Mount Esau; and dominion shall be the LORD's. (Obadiah 1:21 (Tanakh))
19 In that day, there shall be an altar to the LORD inside the land of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 They shall serve as a symbol and reminder of the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt, so that when [the Egyptians] cry out to the LORD against oppressors, He will send them a savior and champion to deliver them. (Isaiah 19:19-20 (Tanakh))
The rescuers will belong to the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek.
Those rescued from the clutches of the House of Esau: individuals, towns, cities, countries ... and alliances:
16 In that day, the Egyptians shall be like women, trembling and terrified because the LORD of Hosts will raise His hand against them. 17 And the land of Judah shall also be the dread of the Egyptians; they shall quake whenever anybody mentions it to them, because of what the LORD of Hosts is planning against them. 18 In that day, there shall be several towns in the land of Egypt speaking the language of Canaan and swearing loyalty to the LORD of Hosts; one shall be called Town of Heres.
19 In that day, there shall be an altar to the LORD inside the land of Egypt and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 They shall serve as a symbol and reminder of the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt, so that when [the Egyptians] cry out to the LORD against oppressors, He will send them a savior and champion to deliver them. 21 For the LORD will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians shall acknowledge the LORD in that day, and they shall serve [Him] with sacrifice and oblation and shall make vows to the LORD and fulfill them. 22 The LORD will first afflict and then heal the Egyptians; when they turn back to the LORD, He will respond to their entreaties and heal them.
23 In that day, there shall be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians shall join with the Egyptians and Egyptians with the Assyrians, and then the Egyptians together with the Assyrians shall serve [the LORD].
24 In that day, Israel shall be a third partner with Egypt and Assyria as a blessing on earth; 25 for the LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be My people Egypt, My handiwork Assyria, and My very own Israel.” (Isaiah 19:16-25 (Tanakh))
21 For liberators shall march up on Mount Zion to wreak judgment on Mount Esau; and dominion shall be the LORD's. (Obadiah 1:21 (Tanakh))
The liberators will belong to the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek, because only they will be qualified to execute Judgement.
When the Mosaic Contract was originally signed, Israel became a kingdom of priests set aside to serve the Most High:
4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Me. 5 Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples. Indeed, all the earth is Mine, 6 but you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel.” ( Exodus 19:4-6 (Tanakh))
However, this state of affairs didn't last long. Moses was fully aware that following his death the [Levitical] priesthood would lead Israel astray:
27 Well I know how defiant and stiff-necked you are: even now, while I am still alive in your midst, you have been defiant toward the LORD; how much more, then, when I am dead! 28 Gather to me all the elders of your tribes and your officials, that I may speak all these words to them and that I may call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that, when I am dead, you will act wickedly and turn away from the path that I enjoined upon you, and that in time to come misfortune will befall you for having done evil in the sight of the LORD and vexed Him by your deeds. (Deuteronomy 31:27-29 (Tanakh))
Scripture not only confirms this, but traces the progressive defilement of the original Mosaic Contract, and its replacement with the House of Desolation's covenant with Death. The culmination of this treachery was the rejection of their Messiah - a state which is still with us today.
At the time of Ezekiel6C, the Lord God told some elders of Israel that He would not respond to their enquiries:
1 In the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, certain elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat down before me. 2 And the word of the LORD came to me:
3 O mortal, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them: Thus said the Lord GOD: Have you come to inquire of Me? As I live, I will not respond to your inquiry—declares the Lord GOD.
4 Arraign, arraign them, O mortal! Declare to them the abhorrent deeds of their fathers. (Ezekiel 20:1-4 (Tanakh))
Because Israel had broken the contract, they were not protected by it. Of course, following Israel's rejection of their Messiah and their stated preference that the murderer Barabbas be released to them, Israel's situation worsened considerably:
[18] Then they all shouted out together, "Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!" [19] (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) [20] Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; [21] but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" [22] A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him." [23] But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. (Luke 23:18-23 NRSV)
Since then, the House of Israel have been left strictly alone by the Lord God. Having chosen to go their own way, the Lord had no other choice than to leave them to it. Recall that the Covenant - being a contract - grants people freedom of choice as to their participation or otherwise. Furthermore, to choose a false covenant is to choose a covenant with Death.
For the last two thousand or so years, the House of Israel have fared qute badly. They are no longer a kingdom ruled over by the Most High. Today, the nations have reduced the House of Israel to a State, and their land to that of a two-nation State. Holding firmly to their covenant with Death, they serve the lord Satan.
Nevertheless, Scripture assures us that David's Fallen Tent will be rebuilt. Whereupon, the kingdom will be restored, and there the House of Israel shall serve their King.
With Israel a Kingdom once again, obedient to their King, and shepherded by the Priesthood in the Order of Melchizedek, there are going to be amazing changes! Watch this space!
Version: 2024-11-15