Cleansing the House of David

Chapter 13 is a continuation of chapter 12. It is the Day of the Lord, when the Lord makes himself known to Israel.

 

Zec 12:8  In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
Zec 12:9  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Zec 12:11  In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
Zec 12:12  And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;

 

A fountain to cleans sins

 

Zec 13:1  In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

 

What is the fountain? It is the Blood of the LAMB.

 

Eze 36:24  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

 

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

Cleansing from idolatry and false prophets

 

Zec 13:2  And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

 

There will be the Antichrist beast, the false prophet and many false ones, including the evil spirits that will be removed at His coming.

 

Exo 23:13  And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

 

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Zec 13:3  And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

 

Lying is so common today that it has little consequences, but the Lord hates lying and all liars will be judged if they do not repent. The law was without mercy, but coming to Jesus there is grace. The law was strict concerning false prophets. 

 

Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

 Deu 13:6  If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Deu 13:7  Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
Deu 13:8  Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:
Deu 13:9  But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

 

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Zec 13:4  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

 

Mic 3:6  Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
Mic 3:7  Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

 

They may try to look like a prophet to deceive. There are many deceivers today, appearing to be something that they are not. False teachers lead many into a false hope and a false gospel. Back then a false prophet may have dressed himself to look like Elijah, in camel hair garments.

 

2Ki 1:8  And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

 

Mar 1:6  And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

 

A false prophet today would dress himself to look prosperous. Some wear worn out clothes to appeal to the casual dress style of today's people.

Zec 13:5  But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

 

This was the prophet Amos who was known before Zechariah. I suppose some would pretend to be like him?

 

Amos 7:14  Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

Zec 13:6  And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

 

This sounds like Jesus, but the original  Greek  speaks of wounds between the hands. The context was about false prophets, a false prophet speaking, perhaps a false Christ? However in Zech 12 it says that they will look upon the one they had pierced.

 

Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

 

The Shepherd struck, the nation scattered

 

Israel is becoming aware that they had killed their Messiah. 

 

Zec 13:7  Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

 

Isa 40:10  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isa 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

 

Mat 26:31  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Mat 26:67  Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Mat 26:68  Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

 Israel scattered, smitten, refined, and saved.

 

A remnant will be saved out of the time of tribulation.

Zec 13:8  And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

 

Only a third of Israel will be saved and receive their Messiah.

 

Rom 11:5  Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

The remnant will receive their Messiah. They were tried as by fire.

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

 

Refined silver is to remove all dross or sin until the refiner can see his image in the silver.

 

Isa 48:10  Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

 

Gold refined is pure. The remnant will be purified as by fire. The LORD will hear them and they shall be his people.

 

1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

Can you say with me"the LORD is my God?"

 

Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

 

Eaglewings Ministries

Shaken

  Shaken

 

There was an earthquake Sunday at Napa California, the wine country. Many barrels of wine and bottles were destroyed. About 65 miles to the south lives Trisha. She felt the quake there and responded to my email: " We woke up with the bed shaking hard and fast. The house is ok but lots of cracks in the roads and patios with uplifted bricks.  Praise The Lord that we are ok."

 

 I thought of the end time warnings of Jesus.

 

Luk 21:25  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

We need to be awake and ready spiritually, for his coming. Troubled times are here. It means real trouble for the lost who are not under the blood of the Lamb. Satan will shake all that can be shaken. Job felt the destructive power of the devil, but God allowed this for good.

Job 16:12  I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

 

When the people of the LORD turn from him, he may bring troubles to bring them back to trust in him.

 

Isa 54:7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
Isa 54:9  For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
Isa 54:10  For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 

 

Jesus was sent to save the lost. Whosoever would come to him would be saved from the wrath of God.

 

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
John 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

The Day of the LORD brings trouble and the wrath of God to the enemies of God.

 

Amos 5:18  Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

 

By faith and the power of God, we who are in Christ Jesus have the light and truth of God to see.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

Watch and pray so that you will not be unaware of the season of Christ's return. I believe that the church will be taken up before the days of tribulation.

Mar 13:33  Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mar 13:34  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mar 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Mar 13:36  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mar 13:37  And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

 

We are not to be fearful and lazy for we have work to do until he comes. We may have sufferings, afflictions and persecutions, it may not be easy but do not leave Jesus in your time of trouble.

 

2Ti 1:6  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2Ti 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
2Ti 1:10  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

 

Be bold in God's grace to speak the words of life.

 

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30  By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

 

A shaking

Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
Act 4:35  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

 

The things that cannot be shaken or burned up are of God's kingdom.

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

 

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

The Day of the LORD will end with a consuming fire. All will be tested as by fire. A thousand years is as a day. I see this as the Millennium as part of the day of the LORD, followed by a new earth and new heavens for God's Spirit born people. The Day of the Lord is a thousand years or more.

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
2Pe 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 

We are promised everlasting life and are saved from the wrath of God.

 

2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

 

A warning to not fall away.

2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

 

Along with the New earth and new heavens, the LORD  will also bring down New Jerusalem as our dwelling place.

 

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

 

Hold onto that which is everlasting, be fruitful in prayer and good works, keeping your faith strong in the Lord. Do not be shaken with fear or doubt for He has promised us everlasting life in his eternal kingdom.

 

Gary, (Superragman)

 

Eaglewings Ministries

Pierced for our sins

We all have suffered spiritual attacks on our heart, on our body or our souls. These may have been the fiery darts of the devil. We have an enemy who wants to hurt us, to kill and to  destroy us. Jesus is the Savior, He is the power of God to overcome the devil.

He took our piercings upon himself

The prophecy of the Messiah on the cross.

Psa 22:15  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Jesus on the cross was already dead when he was pierced by a sword

John 19:33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
John 19:34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:35  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 19:36  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:37  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

 

The resurrected Christ

John 20:19  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
John 20:20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
John 20:24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
John 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

The prophecy of his return

Rev 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 

Jesus will reign on the earth and Israel will receives their Messiah

Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

The Spirit of grace and supplication poured out by Jesus upon those convicted of their sins.  Jesus, the Son of God and Jesus the son of man, from the lineage of king David. The Messiah has come to reconcile fallen humanity back to fellowship with Almighty God. He loves you and gave his life for you.

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Stealing Attention

Just a thought about all the emails about every subject but the Lord. They take time to read and usually leave me upset or empty. Many point to the mess our nation is in and it makes me angry or upset. We are not to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We become like what we hear and follow. 

Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 
Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 
Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 
Eph 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 
Eph 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 
Eph 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ; 
Eph 4:21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 
Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 
Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 
Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
Eph 4:25  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 
Eph 4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 
Eph 4:27  Neither give place to the devil. 

Pray and seek the LORD.

Eaglewings Ministries

Shepherd

Zec 11:16  For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

Eze 34:1  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 34:2  Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Eze 34:3  Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
Eze 34:4  The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
Eze 34:5  And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
Eze 34:6  My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Eze 34:7  Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 

Eze 34:8  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 

Eze 34:9  Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD; 

Eze 34:10  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. 

Eze 34:11  For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 

I have a few thoughts about this. First is that as a shepherd or pastor of a flock, the Lord's flock that pastors have been given responsibility to care for their flock. The unworthy shepherd is described; He " shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still...

James, described pure religion as this:

Jas 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 

The LORD also requires that they be healed and fed. Nothing heals like the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ with prayers. The pastor is to minister to the young as well, "to seek the young ones".

Sheep need a shepherd and yes the Lord is our shepherd, but he also appointed shepherds, pastors to care for their flocks that belong to the Lord. I think that we all should be under a shepherd in a local church. A TV minister may feed you, but they do not know you or care for you personally. I also like the smaller groups; home Bible studies or outside meeting places from the church. We have the Eaglewings ministry with AOL chat rooms to feed the flock and to have fellowship which is very good, but we also need a local body of believers with a shepherd. Troubling times will come and it is the local body of believers with a pastor that looks out for the flock.

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 

John 10:12  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 

John 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

As a shepherd in Eaglewings ministries I ask that each take on the responsibilities of caring servant shepherds, seeking to return the stray sheep to the fold. We are our brother's keeper in our responsibility to serve and to seek and to save the lost.

Eaglewings Ministries

Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken

I recently made arrangements for are Brass instrument group from a familiar old tune. The tune has broader meaning, being used by Germany as their national anthem.

Psa 87:3  Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

Isa 33:20  Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
Isa 33:21  But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
Isa 33:22  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken was a hymn written by John Newton, with the music of Haydn's "Austria". This was said to be Newton's most joyful hymn. He also wrote "Amazing Grace" to the music of the slaves on the ships as they were being transported to America under chain in miserable conditions.

It is ironic that Newton's hymn about Zion, the city of God. Or Jerusalem, which was so associated with the Hebrews; was the music to be used for the German national anthem. I suppose replacement theology, replacing the church for the promises to Israel, and Darwin's natural selection, or survival of the fittest, twisted the thinking of Adolf Hitler who wanted Germany to be the place of the 1000 year reign. Hitler was an antichrist, wanted to make a "master" race while also destroying the Jews. By his policies 6 million Hebrews were killed. Another antichrist will come who will set himself up as king of Zion in the rebuilt temple at Jerusalem. He will rule the New World Order, that the world is so determined to bring about. This new world order at most will last seven years, the final week of Daniel's 70 week prophecy. Then comes the Day of the Lord and the Millennial Kingdom in Zion with our Lord Jesus Christ bringing peace to this troubled world. May all the nations adore the King of kings.

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (United Methodist Hymnal #731) - YouTube

German National Anthem with Lyrics - YouTube

The Latter Rain

There was a large forest fire about 60 miles from us and it was approaching a town where several in our church had friends and relatives. They were in danger of losing their homes. Sunday we prayed for rain to put out the fires. By Wednesday the LORD sent rain that stopped the fire from destroying the town. It rarely rains here in August, but the LORD answered our prayers. We are to pray to the LORD and obey the LORD. so that our prayers will be answered. 

 

Zec 10:1  Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

 

The latter rain comes in the spring and it gives growth to the crops before the final harvest in May or June. Although it is expected and normal for rain to fall in the spring, we are to ask God for it and not take it for granted. Spiritually, we are to ask God for his blessings and not to just take them for granted.  Now that we are in the last days, we understand the latter rain is promised to fall so as to equip God's obedient workers with the necessary skills to proclaim the  truth of God far and wide so as to assure a bountiful harvest for the Lord when He returns seeking His bride.

 

Jas 5:7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

 

It is important to get our priorities right and to pray for all things good. Also pray for the lost, the afflicted and the persecuted christians. The Lord wants us to pray and to do his will. Is there any higher goal than to serve him?

Times and the Seasons

1Th 5:1  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 
1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 
1Th 5:3  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. 
1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 
1Th 5:5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness

The day of the Lord will surprise the lost people of the world. They will think that they have peace and safety and then sudden destruction will come upon them. Our nations borders are open to every nation with the potential of bringing violence, pestilence and destruction. So much bad news and evil and yet most live in a delusion, a false reality. Destruction will come from satan and with it persecution of God's people. We have been forewarned by God in the Bible. But the worst is yet to come when the Lord will bring his wrath upon the evil of this world. We will not be in the wrath of God.

The good news is that even if the world gives us trouble that we will be with Jesus, by the rapture of the church or by martyrdom. We are not blind, we see the evil, the madness, the delusions of the world that most are unaware of. We continue in Christ, doing his work, making disciples and bringing light to a sin darkened world.

Last night our Christian Brass Band played the old hymns at our church. The music was mellow and well blended. The audience sang along the praises to God from the older hymns. In a time of uncertainty, we are to be one with Christ, in perfect harmony, a people in one accord bringing glory and praise to our Lord. We are not to be like "Chicken Little" but we are to soar as the eagles in the perfect assurance that we are victorious in Christ Jesus our Lord.