Psalm 20:1-4

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Zechariah 14. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind throughout this chapter, but the last verse got my particular attention:

Zechariah 14:21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

The prophecy concerns the “Day of the LORD” (Zechariah 14:1; Isaiah 2:12). The Day of the LORD is announced by the signs associated with the return of the LORD (Joel 2:31 with Acts 2:20; see Matthew 24:29-31). It begins with the return of Christ (Revelation 19:11-20), continues with His reign during the Millennial (Revelation 20:1-10), and concludes,  with the removal of the present heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:10; see Revelation 20:11-15) and the creation of the new Heaven and Earth (Revelation 21:1).

The Canaanites refer to the Gentiles dwelling in Canaan, the land God promised to Abraham and the nation that would come from his seed (Genesis 12:12-5). The Canaanite was forbidden to enter the House of the LORD. The fact that this Day of the LORD prophecy tells us the Canaanite will no longer be allowed in the “house of the LORD” tells me that during the time leading up to the Day of the LORD, Gentiles will tread the floors of the house of the LORD.

Zechariah 14:21 envisions a period of time prior to the fulfillment of this prophecy, a time when Israel occupies her land, with her Temple, but the Canaanite has access to the “House of the LORD” in the Land. This is something strictly forbidden by the Law of Moses and the traditions of Israel. What time would this be?

The period during which this will happen is described in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4.*

Along the still waters, I reflected on all of this and the Spirit moved me to alarm that so many today do not understand what is developing in the Middle East. Many today read Isaiah 2 and Micah 4 as if they describe the Millennial reign of Christ. It will be a false peace, and the people who go about “saying” it’s the Millennial will deceive as they are deceived.

On the other hand, in today’s world, that lieth in wickedness (1 John 5:19), the best we can hope for is a “peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14), a peace that will only slightly heal the hurt of His people. We cannot position ourselves against peace. But we must not be deceived thereby.

Nor can we, today, take the position of Zechariah 14:9, and use the sword of Romans 13 to impose Christ’s rule on the Earth now. In truth, we subscribe to a policy that allows each man to worship according to the dictates of his or her conscience (Micah 4:5). We will not position ourselves as against this development, but neither will we be deceived therewith.

We use the Sword of the Spirit and follow the policy of our LORD that while all men are commanded to repent and believe on our Lord Jesus Christ, we do not compel them to do this. We employ no coercive measures. We abhor coercive manipulation, even clever “salesmanship” methods. We offer the terms of surrender to the conquering KING, but we do not enforce this through compulsion. Our KING has decreed His policy, at this time, is “whosoever will.” It is not until He returns that He will bring an end of this world system and impose His rule over all mankind. And that will not occur until His word is fulfilled: “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world … and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).

The wicked work to take the kingdom by force with violence (Matthew 11:12). We offer the Kingdom as Ambassadors for Christ, the KING. As many as accept the terms of surrender, and receive Christ are given power to become the children of GOD (John 1:12-13). They are translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13), and made “kings and priests unto GOD” (Revelation 1:6) serving the “Prince of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:5), Who is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High, “above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (presently lying in wickedness—1 John 5:19), but also in the world to come—to be established at the return of the KING!

Our mission is to preach this Gospel of the Kingdom in all the world as a witness to all nations (Matthew 24:14). He is gathering His bride, and will receive only those who receive Him (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-13). When He has gathered all He foreknew (1 Peter 1:2; see 2:9-10; Romans 8:29; see Ephesians 1:11-14), He will assemble us to Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17; see 1 Corinthians 15:51-57)—invading the current domain of the prince of hell (Ephesians 2:1-2). Our Lord has been given “all power,” including that over which Satan currently presides. Jesus demoted him from Prince of this world, and soon will demote him from being prince of the power of the air. After which He will demote him to the bottomless pit, and finally rid  us of him eternally—when he is made the gazing stock and mock of Hell, when it with him burn forever in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20).

In the valley, He reconfirmed my gifts and calling, reminding me these are without repentance (Romans 11:29). I heard the voice in my heart as loudly as I’ve ever heard it in my ears: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I reconfirmed my surrender and obeyed! And I thought, indeed, my surrender is without repentance.

At His table, I thanked Him with a humble heart. We spoke again of the great work before us. He anointed my head with His oil, filled my cup with His grace, called goodness and mercy to follow, and we moved into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live asap:

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[*See Isaiah 2:1-9, which describes a period leading up to the Day of the Lord (Zechariah 2:10-12), during which Israel is in her land, with her Temple, enjoying the toleration of her “Canaanite” neighbors, and prospering materially, but in a condition spiritually answering to John’s prophecy in Revelation: “The great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” (Revelation 11:8). Isaiah describres Israel as prospering, but countenancing idolatry in her streets (Isaiah 2:8), and Zechariah reveals she will invite the “Canaanite” into the House of the LORD (See Acts 21:26-30 where the Jews accused Paul of bringing an uncircumcised Gentile into the Temple). See Micah 4:1-5 and compare Micah 4:5 “For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever,” with Zechariah 14:9 “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” During the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy, Israel will celebrate freedom of religion and allow the Canaanites to enter their Temple.]