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Solomon's Temple - entrance and the Boaz and Jachin Pillars
I saw my LORD standing by the altar, and He said:Strike the capitals so that the thresholds quake, and make an end of the first of them all. And I will slay the last of them with the sword; not one of them shall escape, and not one of them shall survive.
Amos 9:1 (Tanakh)
Jerusalem - Temple Mount and Temples:
Why had it been necessary to appoint a hitman? And was the hitman simply a 'hitman'? And what, if any, was his role?
The context is the present day.
The current Semitic religions fall into three main groups:
[Messianic Jews have one foot in Orthodox Judaism and the other foot in Christianity.]
These three groups are the main options which are available to the nations. Yet, as can be seen in Identity, all three are false.
With each mainstream group at ease with its choices and underlying doctrine, any change to the status quo is unlikely. If there is to be any change, then it will only result from a serious wake-up call.
Enter the Slayer, whose functions include the provision of a wake-up call, and the execution of judgement upon the necks of those who defiantly oppose the Lord.
[Essay: The Judaism of the Messianically-Amended-Covenant is conspicuous by its absence!]
Teman, Darom, and Negeb
The text:
1 The word of the LORD came to me:
2 O mortal, set your face toward Teman, and proclaim to Darom, and prophesy against the brushland of the Negeb. 3 Say to the brushland of the Negeb: Hear the word of the LORD. Thus said the Lord GOD: I am going to kindle a fire in you, which shall devour every tree of yours, both green and withered. Its leaping flame shall not go out, and every face from south to north shall be scorched by it. 4 Then all flesh shall recognize that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not go out.
5 And I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! They say of me: He is just a riddlemonger.” (Ezekiel 21:1-5 (Tanakh))
Teman, Darom, and Negeb - meaning.
The Lord's message was dismissed by those who heard it. At the Physical Level the message does seem far-fetched!
The reality, however, is that the proclamation is made at the Spiritual Level. The message is intended for a later time. That time is now!
The message explains the need to approach Jerusalem with great care; as for those dwelling in Jerusalem, they must do so without putting a foot wrong. The penalty is not 'death', for all men die; the penalty is 'Death', everlasting exclusion from the Lord's presence.
Zechariah6C fills in more of the details:
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 relevance of Ezekiel 21:1-5 (Tanakh) and Zechariah 2:5-9 (Tanakh) for us today, is authenticated by Jesus:
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24 NIV84)
2 Ki. chapters 22-23 and 2 Chr. chapters 34-35, provide a snapshot of Jerusalem at the time Josiah7C became king. Compare that snapshot with Jerusalem today, and there is not a lot of difference.
When Josiah became king there was no covenant; the Covenant and its Book of the Law had long been missing. Jerusalem today is no different, with the fake covenants of Orthodox Judaism, new-covenant doctrine, and Islam.
Jerusalem had been defiled by various practices, as is the case today
Jerusalem had been defiled by articles and shrines dedicated to false gods. Today, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock dominate the Temple Court and the skyline.
Today, Jerusalem is in thrall to the three, false, mainstream religions - each with its articles and shrines dedicated to the lord Satan.
The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. But although the Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, was destroyed, its location remains known. Bear in mind that - following the shift of worship to the Spiritual Level (John 4:23-24) - the Holy of Holies, wherein dwelt the Lord, became an abstraction directing people to Jerusalem and its abstraction at the Spiritual Level (Zechariah 2:5-9 T). And it was upon this abstraction of the Holy Place that the House of Islam built the Dome of the Rock, their shrine to the lord Satan. Not only does the Dome of the Rock dominate Jerusalem's skyline, but it places Ehyeh firmly under the jackboot of the lord Satan.
On His own admission, the Lord is a jealous God:
1 The word of the LORD of Hosts came [to me]:
2 Thus said the LORD of Hosts: I am very jealous for Zion, I am fiercely jealous for her. 3 Thus said the LORD: I have returned to Zion, and I will dwell in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Faithfulness, and the mount of the LORD of Hosts the Holy Mount. (Zechariah 8:1-3 (Tanakh))
Consequently, each and every abomination which defiles Zion and the land, is to be desecrated, destroyed, and disposed of - something which will take place with the rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent.
[Dissertation: Compare and contrast Jerusalem as it was when Josiah7C became king, and Jerusalem as it is today.]
Man lives by [obedience to] every word of God:
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (Luke 4:4 KJV)
Expressed more precisely, "Man shall live by being obedient to the Covenant and to God's personal instructions." Recall that the Covenant explains how we are to live our lives; while the jump from academic knowledge to face-to-face meeting with the Lord allows Him to explain how we can serve Him in the World: both are necessary. The Covenant explains how we can dwell safely with the Lord; through personal discussion, the Lord can explain how we can go out into the world and bear fruit.
All God's words, then, are the Sword. And this is the Sword which comes from the mouth of the Lord Jesus:
In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. (Revelation 1:16 NIV)
Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16 NIV)
Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty." (Revelation 19:15 NIV)
Obedience to God's words will lead to Life; but to those who are defiant, His words become a sword which will be used against them.
The Lord's plan is to draw His Sword against the House of Israel:
8 Say to the land of Israel: Thus said the LORD: I am going to deal with you! I will draw My sword from its sheath, and I will wipe out from you both the righteous and the wicked. 9 In order to wipe out from you both the righteous and the wicked, My sword shall assuredly be unsheathed against all flesh from south to north; 10 and all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn My sword from its sheath, not to be sheathed again. (Ezekiel 21:8-10 (Tanakh))
This should come as no surprise! With their rejection of Jesus and their efforts to have Him executed, the evil of the House of Israel had reached a peak. And that rejection has continued to this day.
But note that the Sword will never be sheathed, even after the rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent: it will forever hover - like the sword of Damocles - over the heads of the House of Israel. So, while Israel remain faithful, all will be well; but should Israel stray from the Path, then the Sword will swiftly strike.
The question now is, "How will the Lord monitor what is happening in Israel?"
Recall that Jerusalem now exists at the Spiritual Level and is surrounded by a Wall of Fire (Zech. 2:5-9 Tanakh).
The Lord has appointed watchmen to stand guard over Jerusalem:
6 Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen,
Who shall never be silent
By day or by night.
O you, the LORD's remembrancers,
Take no rest
7 And give no rest to Him,
Until He establish Jerusalem
And make her renowned on earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7 (Tanakh))
But who is able to stand on the Wall of Fire?!
Certainly not the Levitical Priesthood! Because they rejected Jesus and sought His execution, they have been reduced to the rank of Levitical Servitor, where they will endure their shame as they carry out the most menial tasks assigned them by Priests in the Order of Melchizedek.
These Watchmen (Isaiah 62:6-7 (Tanakh)) are shepherds after God's own heart, Priests in the Order of Melchizedek who have replaced the Levitical Priesthood. With the rebuilding of David's Fallen Tent, they will watch over Jerusalem, shepherd the Flock and, at the same time, act as God's witnesses in the World (Rev. 11).
13 The word of the LORD came to me: 14 O mortal, prophesy and say: Thus said the Lord GOD: A sword! A sword has been whetted and polished. 15 It has been whetted to wreak slaughter; [therefore] it has been ground to a brilliant polish. How can we rejoice? My son, it scorns the rod and every stick. 16 It has been given to be polished and then grasped in the hand; for this has the sword been whetted, for this polished — to be put into the hand of a slayer. (Ezekiel 21:13-16 (Tanakh))
Why did the Sword require sharpening, whetting, and polishing? Wasn't the Mosaic Covenant already perfect?
At the time of Ezekiel6C, the Mosaic Covenant was in operation. Since then, the House of Desolation rejected Jesus, even going to the extraordinary lengths of seeking His death. So the context had significantly changed since the time of Moses and the establishment of the Mosaic Contract.
The Lord monitors the Covenant. And He foresaw, at the time of Ezekiel, that the Covenant would require updating following His Son's sacrifice. The Lord explains this in Ezekiel 21:13-16 (Tanakh).
In order to proceed with His plans, it was necessary to whet and polish the Sword. This amounted to bringing His words - the Covenant - up to date. Jesus explained it thus:
"If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. [47] But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” (John 5:46-47 NIV)
Jesus explained, in so many words, that He had updated the Mosaic Covenant to the Messianically-Amended-Covenant. Thus the Sword had been whetted and polished. Those who broke the Messianically-Amended-Covenant would be struck down. The upside, was that the knowledge and experience gained would help with the education of the community, and lead to the formation of a remnant faithful to the Lord:
13 The remnant of Israel
Shall do no wrong
And speak no falsehood;
A deceitful tongue
Shall not be in their mouths.
Only such as these shall graze and lie down,
With none to trouble them. (Zephaniah 3:13 (Tanakh) + chapter)
This undoubtedly corresponds to the golden age of David's Rebuilt Tent. But all hell will break loose when the 'Beast' is released from the Abyss (Rev. 11:7; Matthew chapter 24). At that time, steadfast commitment to the Messianically-Amended-Covenant will be necessary for survival.
16 It has been given to be polished and then grasped in the hand; for this has the sword been whetted, for this polished — to be put into the hand of a slayer. (Ezekiel 21:16 (Tanakh))
With the Messianic update to the Mosaic Contract complete, the 'Sword' is now ready to be placed into the hand of the Slayer.
17 The word of the LORD came to me: 18 O mortal, the House of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all copper, tin, iron, and lead. But in a crucible, the dross shall turn into silver. 19 Assuredly, thus said the Lord GOD: Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin are gathered into a crucible to blow the fire upon them, so as to melt them, so will I gather you in My fierce anger and cast you [into the fire] and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow upon you the fire of My fury, and you shall be melted in it. 22 As silver is melted in a crucible, so shall you be melted in it. And you shall know that I the LORD have poured out My fury upon you. (Ezekiel 22:17-22 (Tanakh))
As it was at the time of Ezekiel, it is more so now.
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 Further, O mortal,arraign, arraign the city of bloodshed; declare to her all her abhorrent deeds! 3 Say: Thus said the Lord GOD: O city in whose midst blood is shed, so that your hour is approaching; within which fetishes are made, so that you have become unclean! 4 You stand guilty of the blood you have shed, defiled by the fetishes you have made. You have brought on your day;you have reached your year. Therefore I will make you the mockery of the nations and the scorn of all the lands. 5 Both the near and the far shall scorn you, O besmirched of name, O laden with iniquity!
6 Every one of the princes of Israel in your midst used his strength for the shedding of blood. 7 Fathers and mothers have been humiliated within you; strangers have been cheated in your midst; orphans and widows have been wronged within you. 8 You have despised My holy things and profaned My sabbaths. (Ezekiel 22:1-8 etc (Tanakh))
These were the accusations brought at the time of Ezekiel. Today, the accusations are much worse. With regard to evidence, this is catalogued in the Books of Record on the Day of Judgement.
17 Cry and wail, O mortal, for this shall befall My people, this shall befall all the chieftains of Israel: they shall be cast before the sword together with My people; oh, strike the thigh [in grief]. (Ezekiel 21:17 (Tanakh))
The Sword will be stayed when the Lord
19 Further, O mortal, prophesy, striking hand against hand. Let the sword strike a second time and yet a third time; it is a sword for massacre, a sword for great carnage, that presses upon them. 20 Thus hearts shall lose courage and many shall fall. At all their gates I have appointed slaughter by the sword. Ah! it is made to flash brilliantly, it is honed for slaughter. 21 Be united, go to the right, turn left; whither are you bound? 22 I, too, will strike hand against hand and will satisfy My fury upon you; I the LORD have spoken. (Ezekiel 21:19-22 (Tanakh))
NIV I too will strike my hands together, and my wrath will subside. I the LORD have spoken. (Ezekiel 21:17 NIV)
YLT: And I also, I smite My hand on my hand, And have caused My fury to rest; I, Jehovah, have spoken. (Ezekiel 21:17 YLT)
Note that the Sword will remain unsheathed:
and all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn My sword from its sheath, not to be sheathed again. (Ezekiel 21:10 (Tanakh))
33 Further, O mortal, prophesy and say: Thus said the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites and their blasphemies: Proclaim: O sword! O sword unsheathed for slaughter, polished to the utmost, to a flashing brilliance! 34 Because they have prophesied falsely about you and have divined deceitfully concerning you, you shall be wielded over the necks of the dishonored wicked ones, for their day has come, the time set for their punishment. (Ezekiel 21:33-34 (Tanakh))
We may expand 'Ammonites' to include the House of Desolation, new-covenant doctrine, and Islam, because of their blasphemies and their false prophesies.
But, whereas the Sword remained unsheathed against Israel, once the Ammonites were dealt with the Sword would be returned to its sheath:
35 Return it to its sheath! In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you. 36 I will pour out My indignation upon you, I will blow upon you with the fire of My wrath; and I will deliver you into the hands of barbarians, craftsmen of destruction. 37 You shall be fuel for the fire, your blood shall sink into the earth, you shall not be remembered, for I the LORD have spoken. (Ezekiel 21:35-37 (Tanakh))
Version: 2025-03-18