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Rapture Generation |
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Rapture Generation |
*** Mass Return w/ Ark of the Covenant (timeframe 2) *** |
Phase
1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 3 |
Phase 4 |
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| Phase 3 Page 2 |
Jews shipped to Egypt from many nations to rid of them | Nation of Israel flees to Egypt in 'Day of Calamity' | Jews repent in Egypt. All eyes on Ethiopia as Ark reappears | 2nd exodus out of Egypt with the Ark of the Covenant |
Phase 3 -Page 2: When the Jews repent in Egypt, God now sanctifies His Holy Name among the Gentiles. First; the 'Ark of the Covenant' appears in Ethiopia with the first major defeat for Antichrist and armies connected with him. Second; the 'Ark' is given to the Jews to lead them out of Egypt a second time (see phase 4).
Isaiah 18: The reappearing of the 'Ark of the Covenant' with power confirming God's acceptance of Jews repentance in the
wilderness of Egypt (phase 3 page 1).
Isaiah 18
1 Woe to the land shadowing with
wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters,
saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible
from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers
have spoiled
3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when
he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
4 For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling
place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the
flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down
the branches.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the
earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter
upon them.
7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered
and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out
and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of
the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.
1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings,
which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
The word 'Woe' better translated 'Ho'. Jamieson, Fausset,
Brown critical commentary says:
Woe--The
heading in English Version, "God will destroy the Ethiopians," is a
mistake arising from the wrong rendering "Woe," whereas the Hebrew does
not express a threat, but is an appeal calling attention (as used in Isaiah 55:1, Zechariah 2:6):
"Ho." He is not speaking against but to the Ethiopians, calling on
them to hear his prophetical announcement as to the destruction of their enemies.
the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of
Ethiopia:
This prophetic word is addressed to a land beyond the
rivers of Ethiopia - a land that is shadowed with wings. These would be numerous winged
flying insects of so many kind in this area. Their is something very special about this
part of Ethiopia that God addresses this amazing prophecy to.
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in
vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation
scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted
out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled
First, we start out with a land beyond the rivers of Ethiopia that sends
ambassadors swiftly as messengers who travel to a land that these same rivers have
spoiled. It is well known and documented in any encyclopedia that the rivers of Ethiopia (the Blue Nile and the Atbara river) flow into
the Nile River. From these great heights in the mountainlands of Ethiopia the Nile brings
its rich deposits of fertile top soil that has spoiled the banks of the Nile in Egypt for thousands of years by depositing its topsoil there.
The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching for 4,187 mile
. The Nile flows from south to north and is formed by three major
tributaries: the White Nile, the Blue Nile and the Atbara.
The Blue Nile has its source in
the highlands of the African country of Ethiopia, by Lake Tana. The runoff from spring
rain and melting snow caused the annual summer flood of the Nile that the Egyptians
depended on for water to irrigate their crops, and deposit fertile top soil. Just north of
Khartoum the combined White and Blue Nile meet their final major tributary, the Atbara
which also has its source in the Ethiopian highlands.
We have identified the land that the rivers of
Ethiopia have spoiled as Egypt. In Egypt then these swift messengers are to go to a
nation that has been scattered and peeled, measured and trodden upon, a people terrible
from their beginning as a nation up to this time? These words are not a reference to Egypt
but a nation, a people dwelling in Egypt. The clear answer is the nation of Israel! A
nation terrible from it's beginning. Israel became a nation under Moses at Mount Sinai
where God entered into Covenant with them. The nation crossed over Jordan River under
Joshua into the promised land and defeated 31 kings including that great city of
Jericho. A nation that reached its height under King David and Solomon. However, because
of sin and disobedience to the covenant God made with them they have been scattered and
peeled off their land among all nations for over 2500 years. We studied the verses in phase 1 about the coming 'Day of calamity' that will bring many Jews
back to Egypt by ship from nations they have been living in for centuries. Also, as part
of the 'Day of calamity' we saw
in phase 2 that the land of Israel has become a
prey to their worst enemies and they have destroyed many of its cities and made the land most desolate. Many Jews are killed
and ones that were able to make it out had no where to flee but Egypt. We studied in phase 3 page 1 that God will plead with the Jews in
Egypt face to face as He did with their fathers in the days of Moses. We read that a
remnant will repent and turn to obey all that God had commanded them through Moses. Those
that do not repent die in the wilderness of Egypt. The Jews in Egypt at this time is that
great nation that has been scattered and peeled, a people terrible from their beginning
hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down.
What do these ambassadors have to offer that they travel swiftly in 'vessels of bulrushes' by sea all the way from Ethiopia?
Isaiah never saw light speed boats but is using his words 'vessels of bulrushes' to describing a future event. The answer to the great joy of the Jews is
they have the 'Ark of the Covenant' - the emblem/banner/pledge of the covenant God made with Moses to bring
them into the promised land and defeat their enemies as God did in the past when the Ark
was brought into battle. The promised land of Israel was given by God to the Jews through
Abraham, Issac and Jacob. For over 2500 years the Jews scattered among all nations were
serving out their 'time of iniquity' (Ezekiel 4, phase 1, phase 2, phase 3 page 1 - also chart
above) for their sin and disobedience to the Mosaic Covenant.
The 'time of iniquity' ended on
1967 A.D. concerning Jerusalem and 1948 concerning nation of Israel. 1967 to 2007 A.D. is
a 40 year time of preparation of the land for events of the mass return following 2007
A.D.. Now God with His outstretched hand and fury poured out has brought the Jews back
into Covenant with Him in phase 3 page 1 through their
repentance. Now God will magnify His great name that has been profaned throughout the
nations and especially a world deceived by Antichrist. At Antichrist's rise, Satan used
his fallen angels to give Antichrist's land forces visible air support and star war
Satanic warfare that both amazed and deceived the whole world and he formed his empire (see timeframe 1 that precedes timeframe 2 - mass return).
3 All ye inhabitants of the world,
and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when
he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
4 For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling
place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the
flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down
the branches.
This is amazing. God says to all the inhabitants and dwellers of the earth to watch what
happens in Ethiopia. This prophecy could only be filled in the modern day of television
and internet. A time when any inhabitant dwelling anywhere on the earth having access to
television or the internet can watch as these events in Ethiopia are fulfilled before
their very eyes. God said 'see ye'
that means watch. These
prophecies have not been fulofilled in the past, but will be fulfilled during phase 3 of the mass return that we are studying. The
reappearing of the 'Ark of the Covenant' will be a worldwide event where the whole world will see and hear God's
victorious power over His enemies. What is it that the Ethiopians have to offer that will
turn the tide of the 'Day of calamity'?. It will be the 'Ark of the Covenant' that they will give as a present to a nation and a people that were about
to perish - the Jews in Egypt.
Because of the Jews repentance in Egypt we studied in phase 3 page 1, the Ark's appearing signals
God is ready once again to bring them out of Egypt a second time as a mighty nation (first was under Moses). They will come out as
an exceedingly great army(see phase 4) by His mighty hand and power and
His presense with the Ark their banner. God's Spirit and power will be upon them as
they walk in covenant with the God of their fathers - JEHOVAH - and the impending terrible and awesome fear now falls
upon their enemies before them.
3 when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains;
The word 'ensign' comes from the Hebrew word 'nes' meaning an object to rally around. An example would be a flag, a banner.
We read in Exodus 17:14-16 where
Moses built an alter to the Lord and called it 'Jehovahnissi' which means 'Jehovah, my banner'.
Exodus 17:14-16
14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial
in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the
remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from
generation to generation.
This altar was a reminder of the pledge by God that He
made to Moses that He will fight Amalek and in time would put out the remembrance of
Amalek from under heaven.
Why would the 'Ark of the Covenant' reappear in the mountains of Ethiopia?
The answer will amaze many if they study the early oral
history of Ethiopia that begins with the bible story of when the Queen of Sheba visited
King Solomon. After her visit with Solomon, the Queen of Sheba returned
to Ethiopia and gave birth to a son and named him Menelik. When the son was older he
visited his father Solomon who gave him a replica of the ark of the covenant. When Menelik
departed back to Ethiopia, the true Ark
of the Covenant
went with them along with a number of priests. For the real Ark in the temple they
replaced it with the replica. When you read the history of Ethiopia, you will find that it
has been ruled by the Solomonic dynasty going all the way back to the time
of Menelik. Also, Israel has recognized a large community of Jews in Ethiopia called 'Falashas' who trace their roots to Menelik. Israel has airlifted most of
the Falashans to Israel in two dramatic airlifts called 'Operation Moses' and 'Solomon'
which made worldwide news . Only about 2000 are currently left in Ethiopia and claim to be
in possession of the 'Ark of the Covenant'. Here are some articles from Encarta encyclopedia
and Grollier
{fah-lah'-shuhz}
| Ethiopia (History) according to tradition, the kingdom of Ethiopia was founded (10th cent. B.C.) by Menelik I, Solomon's first son, supposedly by the Queen of Sheba.
The first recorded kingdom, however, is that of Aksum (Axum), probably founded (1st cent. A.D.) by traders from S Arabia and converted to Coptic Christianity in the
4th cent. With the rise of Islam in the 7th cent., Aksum lost control of the Red Sea
routes, and a period of chaos followed. Order was restored in the 13th cent. with the
founding of a new Solomonic dynasty. However, a war to expel the encroaching Somali, while
successful (1543), exhausted the nation, which for the next two
centuries was beset by ruinous civil wars. Finally, in 1889, Menelik II supported by
Italy, instituted a strong rule. Claiming that Menelik had agreed to the establishment of
a protectorate, Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1895 but was decisively defeated at Aduwa (1896). Haile Helassie, who ascended the throne in 1930, faced a renewed
Italian threat, which culminated in a full-scale invasion in 1935. Ethiopia remained
occupied until 1941, when it was liberated by the British. In 1952 the UN joined the
former Italian colony of Eritrea in a federation with Ethiopia; Eritrea was annexed in
1962. In 1974 Haile Selassie was overthrown by army officers who proclaimed a socialist
state and nationalized the economy. Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam brutally established (1977) himself as an authoritarian president. Under Mengistu, Ethiopia
experienced serious political and economic problems, particularly a secessionist movement
in Eritrea, a rebellion in Tigré prov. in the north, war with Somalia over the Ogaden,
and a drought that caused widespread famine. In 1991 guerrilla successes drove Mengistu
into exile. Tigréan guerrillas subsequently captured Addis Ababa, establishing an interim
government with Meles Zenawi as president. The Eritreans triumphed as well, and in 1993
Eritrea became independent. Kebra Nagast ("The glory of Kings") The Ethiopian national epic. Probably first composed between 6th and 9th centuries AD. Received definitive form in 14th century, during the reign of King Amda Seyon (1314-1344); served as "charter legend" for new dynasty who based their legitimacy on claim of descent from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. [Kaplan "Beta Israel" pp. 22-23]
A Beta Israel oral tradition noted by the 18th-century Scottish explorer James Bruce said that their ancestors had come to Ethiopia along with Menelik; and that later, when the descendants of Menelik converted to Christianity, the Beta Israel chose a prince of the tribe of Judah as their ruler and refused to convert to Christianity. [Kaplan "Beta Israel" p.23; Quirin "Evolution of Ethiopian Jews" p.22] |
|
1 Kings 10:13 says Solomon gave her ALL here desire
besides the things he gave her. Oral history of Ethiopia that is known through out the
land is that she gave birth to Solomon's son after she returned to Ethiopia and name him
Menelik. When Menelik got older he visited his father Solomon and when he left, the Ark of
the Covenant and many priests accompanied him back to Ethiopia. It is well documented that
there has been a community of Jews called Falasha's that trace their lineage back to being
the offspring of Menelik and the priests. They have practiced a strict form of Judaism
which had not changed since the time of Solomon. Ethiopia has been ruled by the Solomonic
dynasty for most of its history. Israel accepted the Ethiopian Jews as true Jews. In the
last few decades thousands of Ethiopian Jews have been airlifted to Israel by Israel. A
few thousand are left in Ethiopia and claim to have the Ark of the Covenant in Askum. 1 Kings 10:1-13 1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, 5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the Lord; there was no more spirit in her. 6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 8 Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. 9 Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 10 And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon. 11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. 12 And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. 13 And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants. |
The 'Ark of the Covenant' is a 'nes' and an object like Moses alter 'Jehovahnissi'. Jehovah God's presence
was with the Ark to defeat Israel's enemies so they could possess the land promised to
them through Abraham. God's presence and power was only manifested over their enemies when
the Jews were in obedience to God's covenant made with them under Moses.
3 and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
As we study this verse let us see if we can paint the background for why
the 'Ark of the Covenant' is
brought forth on the mountains of Ethiopia when it reappears. Remember, Antichrist's rise
and empire (timeframe 1) takes place
before the prophecies of the mass return (timeframe 2 - see rapture generation time chart below and phase chart above).
It would seem
that Antichrist and those foreign forces that are behind him feel that they have
accomplished their purpose against the Jews in driving them out of Gentile lands and their
own land (phase1, phase 2). Now, in the name of world peace are
marching on to other trouble spots - one most likely the ongoing war between
Ethiopia and Eritrea or simply the remaining Jews in Ethiopia. Antichrist overlooks one
great fact - the Ethiopians have the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark is
carefully gaurded by its lifetime keeper and protector (see
documentaion - bottom of page). When the Jews repent (phase 3 page 1), God may again speak from the Ark itself and
give orders to the priest to bring it forth. Moses communed with God before the Ark (Ex 25:22).
Ex 25:22
And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune
with thee from above the mercy seat,
from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things
which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The Ethiopians come forth with an object more powerful than all the world's armies
combined - ' Ark of the Covenant'.
The 'Ark' has been kept by the priests who were of the line of the priests that
came to Ethiopia with the Ark in the days of Solomon (see
above table of Ethiopian history
and conversations below with the keeper and protector of the Ark). In a time when the world has been deceived and amazed by Antichrist's
Satanic power and star war air support from Satan and his angels who help Antichrist's
land forces (see Daniel 7, Daniel 8), Antichrist is seen as a
valiant man putting down all the world trouble spots to bring about a false millenium, and
to worship his god, new age religion and a 'God of
forces' (Daniel 11:36).
Daniel 11:36
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and
he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous
things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished:
for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any
god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew
not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
But now, God faithful to the bond of the Covenant between Hin and the
Jewish nation, God puts it into the hearts of the priests that house and protect the Ark
since the time of Solomon to bring forth the 'Ark of the
Covenant' for his covenant people -the Jews - who have
repented in Egypt (see phase 3 page 1).
God is now going to deliver the Jews a second time out of Egypt. God will demonstrate His
power and covenant faithfulness and the power of His Spirit (as
opposed to Antichrist's and his Satanic spirit), by given the
Jews complete victories over their enemies for the whole world to see (phase 4 ). God will
magnify His name among the Gentiles who mock and say - where is the living God of the Jews
and the Christians. No wonder Isaiah 18:2 above says that the nation of Israel was terrible from its beginning.
Look at what God had to say and which He accomplished when the children of Israel crossed
the Jordan under Joshua to face their enemies having the 'Ark
of the Covenant'.
Joshua 3:9-11
9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither,
and hear the words of the Lord your God.
10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he
will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the
Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you
into Jordan.
Back to Isaiah 18:3
3 and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
God tells all the inhabitants of the whole earth to
not only watch but to hear the blowing of the trumpet that accompanies the reappearing of
the 'Ark of the Covenant'.
When the 'Ark' went into
battle it was always accompanied by the blowing of trumpets (Josh
6:1-4) - another confirmation.
Joshua 6:1-4 Fall of Jericho
1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up
because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
2 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king
thereof, and the mighty men of valor.
3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus
shalt thou do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets
of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city
seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Isaiah 27:13 speaks
of a future time (see phase 4) when the great trumpet will sound.
Isaiah 27:13
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet
shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and
the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at
Jerusalem.
This is the same trumpet (Ram's horn) that Isaiah 18
says will be blown from the mountains of Ethiopia accompanied by the 'Ark of the Covenant' that the whole world will see and hear.
Notice Isaiah says in Isa 27:13
notice the reference to outcasts in the land of Egypt. They are the Jews in Egypt from phase 1, phase 2 (see phase chart - top of page) of the mass
return (timeframe 2). Notice also the reference to them
that were ready to perish in land of Assyria. Land of Assyria is Isaiah's name of
Antichrist' empire. Many of the Jews were deported from nations within His empire in phase 1 and those that remain in Antichrist's Empire will be
sought after to be killed but as we are studying the Jews in Egypt repent
and the Ark of the Covenant reappears and God goes into action. Those Jews that were about
to perish when they see God's great deliverance will return to Israel (phase 4). Every prophet had their own unique name of
Antichrist. Isaiah calls him the Assyrian. When God is finished using Antichrist and
accomplishes His goal to make Mount Zion His Holy Mountain and Jerusalem His
captitol God will judge the Assyrian (Antichrist). This is summed up in Isaiah 10:12. The defeat of Antichrist will be when Chirst returns (see Kingdom).
Isa 10:12
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord
hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of
the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
The main subject of our study is Isaiah
18 and reappearing of the Ark of the Covenant. Notice Isa 18:7 the outcasts and those that were
about to perish will woship the Lord in Mount Zion. Now compare that to the last verse of Isa 18 which is Isa
18:7
Isaiah 18:7
7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people
scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation
meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the
name of the Lord of hosts, the Mount Zion.
Isa 18:7 says the 'Ark of the Covenant' will be brought to 'Mount Zion' as
a present from Ethiopia. No wonder the Jews will worship there in Zion for the presence of
the Lord of the whole earth - Jehovah - will be there. More later on this verse as we have
to return to Isa 18:4 where we left off.
4 For so the
Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a
clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
critical commentary says: take . . . rest . . . consider--I will calmly look on
and not interpose, while all seems to promise success to the enemy; when figuratively, the
sun's heat" and "the night dews" ripen their "harvest"; but "before" it reaches its maturity I will
destroy it (Isaiah 18:5, Ecclesiastes 8:11,12)
God is at rest and watching and considering. God has
been in His place of rest in waiting for the Jews to seek His face and turn to obey. In
the 'Day of calamity' the Jews
are in affliction (phase 1, phase 2 see
chart above). Hosea 5:14,
15 sum up the fact that God has been in His rest since they
have been scattered for over 2500 years but will turn to Jews in the time of their
affliction ('Day of calamity').
Hosea 5:14,15
14 For I will be unto Ephraim
as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I
will take away, and none shall rescue him.
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my
face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
God as a lion and a
young loin scattered both the house of Israel and Judah in the Assyrian and Babylonian
captivities ( see charts - Intro).
God then returns to His place of rest until they seek His face which God says they will do
early in their affliction. Over 2500 years have passed and now
they have served their 'time of
iniquity' (Ezekiel 4). The 'Day of calamity'
has now come upon them and in their affliction they seek God early
which results in their repentance in the land of Egypt (phase 3). God delivers them from Egypt in a
second Exodus led by the 'Ark of the
Covenant' (phase 4). Once the 'Ark of the Covenant' comes to 'Mount
Zion' it is a signal for all
remaining Jews to come home to Israel
(all of them!).
5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in
the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut
down the branches.
5. For--rather,
"But."
perfect--perfected. When the enemy's plans are on the verge of completion.
sour grape . . . flower--rather, "when the flower shall become the ripening grape" [MAURER].
sprigs--the shoots with the grapes on them. God will not only
disconcert their present plans, but prevent them forming any future ones.
The Jews in Egypt
which are seeking Jehovah's face review their whole past history of blessings and curses
and then turn to obey God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to obey all
that is in their law (see phase 3 page 1).
God hears their cry and upon the mountains of Ethiopia the 'Ark of the Covenant is lifted up - the 'Ark' signifying Gods
pledge to give them the promised land and defeat their enemies. Antichrist armies and foreign forces have been successful in forming Antichrist's Empire (time frame 1) and promoting the New Age god
of Antichrist. Antichrist has deceived the whole world with his star war rise to
glory with the visible help of Satan and his angels. After Antichrist has formed his
empire he turns to deal with the Middle East and the Arab/Israel battle for who controls
the land and other trouble spots. After driving out the Jews with the
help of foreigners and the Arab nations (phase 1, phase 2) he now marches on toward Ethiopia. However, God's timing is perfect and just when Antichrist seems he is going to
get glory for putting down like a valiant man every trouble spot, the remaining
Ethiopian priests in Ethiopia bring forth the 'Ark of the Covenant'
on the mountains, sounding the trumpet for the whole world to hear and see what happens.
God now brings about a mighty victory because of His faithfulness as Jehovah - the
covenant God of mercy and truth.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of
the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and
all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
So
numerous will the destruction of their enemies that the beasts of the earth and the fowls
of the air shall summer and winter upon them for about a year. Antichrist and any foreign
forces involved will not be able to recoup and mount another invasion. That is what God
meant in the previous verse that He will cut the sprigs with pruning hooks and the
circumstances for Antichrist and his armies to do this again will not happen.
7 In that time shall the present be
brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people
terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose
land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the Mount
Zion.
We are not told what
God will do to bring about this mass destruction seen worldwide upon the enemy. However,
the next verse refers to the 'Lord of
hosts'. Antichrist came to power with
the visible help of Satan and his angels and now the Lord's angel's
which are His hosts go into action.
There are many examples of the Lord's hosts going into action on behalf of the Jews when
they were in covenant agreement with Jehovah God. We now read that 'In that time' - that is - when these events occur the 'Ark of the Covenant' (Ark is not mentioned by name in Isa 18:7 but called 'the
present' for Mount Zion) will be
brought to the Lord of hosts of a people scattered, peeled, meted out and trodden (the nation of Israel - see verse 2 above), to the place in Israel called Mount Zion. The 'Ark of the Covenant' is the only object Isa 18 could be referring to that makes total sense. Consider Jer 3:16 referring to the future role of the
Ark of the Covenant as a much talked about object, a tourist attraction until Chirst the
true and living Ark returns and then the wooden Ark of the Covenant will have finished its
role in point to Christ.
Jeremiah 3:16
16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied
and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark
of the covenant of the Lord: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember
it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations
shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk
any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall
come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an
inheritance unto your fathers.
In verse 16,
Jeremiah says that in the days when the Jews are multiplied and increased in the land
-that is - after the mass return (timeframe 2) is complete
and all the Jews have returned from all nations wherein they were scattered for over 2500
years, they shall no longer say the 'Ark of the covenant' or visit or even remember it. The Jews do not do that today, so
what is Jeremiah saying? Verse 18
has the answer 'At that time they shall call Jerusalem the
throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered to it'. This would be when Jesus returns (see charts above, Kingdom). The 'Ark of the covenant' is God's emblem or
standard of His pledge to give the Jews victory over their enemies and to give them the
land promised to Abraham, Issac and Jacob (see phase 3 page 2). When Christ returns the
promises to the Jews have been completely fulfilled and they will be in total possession
of their land and their enemies totally vanquished (see Kingdom) . Christ as Lord in Jerusalem is that 'Mighty and living Ark of the Covenant' that
only Moses 'Ark' always pointed
to. Jeremiah is clearly saying that the 'Ark of the
Covenant' will be a great tourist attraction in the last days
and will be on many minds, but will end when Christ reigns gloriously Himself in Jerusalem. "T
1930 - 1974 Emperor Haile Selassie I
the Tribe of Judah, Light of the World, Root of David, Elect of God.)
The Coronation of Ras Tafari As Sunday, November 2, dawned clear, all in Addis Ababa began to prepare for the impressive event of the morning. The Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah and his Empress have just completed a night of prayer and devotion at the most high alter within. Through the early morning the chanting of praises continued, accompanied by the dancing of the priest with their great pulsating drums, the whole suggestive of the Ancient Jewish rites which were in use at the time when King David danced before the Arc of the Covenant.
Proceeded by waving incense burners, His Imperial Majesty, attired in white silk communion robes, entered the ceremonial hall with an escort of aides and clergy, and took his place upon the Throne. The thrilling but solemn silence gently breaks to the throaty voice of his holiness the Abuna Kyrillos: "Ye princes and ministers, ye nobles and chiefs of the army, ye soldiers and people of Ethiopia, and ye doctors and chiefs of the clergy, ye professors and priest, look ye upon our Emperor Haile Selassie the First, descended from the dynasty of Menelic the First, who was born of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, a dynasty perpetuated without interruption from the time of King Sehale and our times.
Forty nine bishops and priests of this ancient Christian country, in groups of seven, have held place for seven days and nights in the seven corners of the National Cathedral to chant without ceasing nine Psalms of David. They are now joined by hundreds more. The established Coptic Church is revered and all-powerful in Ethiopia. This is a day when it may and does show its impressive might and splendor.
The Emperor, whose name is Anglicized as
Power of the Holy Trinity, before the questioning of the Abuna gives his sacred pledge to
uphold the Orthodox religion of the Church, to support and administer the laws of the
country for the betterment of the people, to maintain the integrity of Ethiopia, and to
found schools for development the Spiritual and Material welfare of her subjects.
Chanting and prayers to the God of Gods rise from a multitude of
priestly throats and reverberate from the lofty ceiling of the Cathedral. One by one with
the solemn rites and blessings of the high Ethiopian clergy, He received the
Gold-Embroidered Scarlet Robes, the Jeweled Sword, Imperial Gold Septer, the Orb, the
Diamond Encrusted Ring, and two Gold Filigree Lances in token of His position and
responsibility. Following ancient customs, as when Samuel anointed David, and Zodak and
Nathan anointed Solomon, so the Abuna anointed His Majesty's head with oil. Seven
differently scented ointments of ancient prescription are received on the Imperial head,
brow, and shoulders. He then concluded with the words,: "That God make this Crown a
Crown of Glory. That, by the Grace and the blessing which we have given, you may have an
Unshaken Faith and a Pure Heart, in order that you may inherit the Crown Eternal. So be
it."
The centuries seemed to have slipped suddenly backwards into Biblical ritual.
The assembly applauded their greeting, and the visiting naval band played the National Anthem, while outside cannons roared a salute of 101 guns, and cheer after cheer came from thousands of subjects massed in the vicinity of the Cathedral.
The final ceremonies is a
grand tour of the Cathedral by their Imperial Majesties. There are escorted by the bishops
and priest, the princes and high dignitaries, assistants and others, carrying Palm
Branches and chanting in Mighty Volume, "Blessed be the King of Israel!"
By: Addison E. Southard
National Geographic, June 1931
reached the age of
twenty, Menelik himself traveled from Ethiopia to Israel and arrived at his father's
court. There he was instantly recognized and accorded great honor. After a year had
passed, however, the elders of the land became jealous of him. They complained that
Solomon showed him too much favor and they insisted that he must go back to Ethiopia. This
the king accepted on the condition that the first-born sons of all the elders should also
be sent to accompany him. Amongst these latter was Azarius, son of Zadok the High Priest
of Israel, and it was Azarius, not Menelik, who stole the Ark of the Covenant from its
place in the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Indeed the group of young men did not reveal
the theft to Menelik until they were far away from Jerusalem. When at last they told him
what they had done he understood that they could not have succeeded in so bold a venture
unless God had willed it. Therefore he agreed that the Ark should remain with them. And it
was thus that it was brought to Ethiopia, to this sacred city... and here it has remained
ever since.' 'And are you telling me that this legend is literally true?'
'It is not a legend. It is history.'
'How can you be so sure of that?'
'Because I am the guardian. I know the nature of the object that has been placed in my care.'
We sat in silence for a few moments while I adjusted my mind to the calm and rational way in which the monk had told me these bizarre and impossible things. Then I asked him how and why he had been appointed to his position. He replied that it was a great honor that he should have been chosen, that he had been nominated with the last words of his predecessor, and that when he himself lay on his death-bed his turn would come to nominate his own successor.
'What qualities will you look for in that man?'
'Love of God, purity of heart, cleanliness of mind and body.'
'Other than you,' I asked next, 'is anyone else allowed to see the Ark?'
'No. I alone may see it.'
'So does that mean that it is never brought out of the sanctuary chapel?'
The guardian paused for a long while before answering this question. Then, finally, he told me that in the very distant past the relic had been brought out during all the most important church festivals. More recently its use in religious processions had been limited to just one occasion a year. That occasion was the ceremony known as Timkat which took place every January.
'So if I come back next January will I have a chance of seeing the Ark?'
The monk looked at me in a way that I
found strangely disconcerting and then said: 'You must know that there is turmoil and
civil war in the land... Our government is evil, the people oppose it, and the fighting
comes closer every day. In such circumstances it is unlikely that the true Ark will be
used again in the ceremonies.
We cannot risk the possibility that any harm might come to something so precious ... Besides, even in time of peace you would not be able to see it. It is my responsibility to wrap it entirely in thick cloths before it is carried in the processions...'
I remember asking my interpreter to clarify the translation of this last puzzling remark: had the monk really meant 'to protect the laity from it'? Or had he meant 'to protect it from the laity'? It was some time before I got my answer. 'To protect the laity from it. The Ark is powerful.'
From Graham Hancock book 'The
Sign and the Seal' (a conversation between Grahan Hancock and the Ethiopian guardian of
the Ark of the Covenant. This begins with the son of Solomon and Queen of Sheba called
Menelik leaving Ethiopia when he was about 20 years old to see his father Solomon.
Writer's comment - having read the book I was disappointed in that when Grahan Hancock was
seemingly convinced of the truth of the Ark of the Covenant he then proceeded to attach a
magic to it that was alien to Jehovah's power as recorded in scripture.
Immigration from Ethiopia
The last decade has witnessed the airlifting of the ancient Jewish community of Ethiopia call the 'Falashas' (see documentation above) who trace their origins back to Solomon and his son Menelik born to Queen of Sheba. In 1984, some 7,000 Ethiopian Jews walked hundreds of miles to Sudan, where a secret effort known as Operation Moses brought them to Israel. Another 15,000 arrived in a dramatic airlift, Operation Solomon, in May 1991. Within thirty hours, forty-one flights from Addis Ababa carried almost all the remaining community to Israel. There are about 2000 left and this writer believes they are mostly priests and will bring forth the 'Ark of the Covenant' during the 'Day of Calamity' after the Jews repent (see phase 3).
1 Woe to the land
shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters,
saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible
from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers
have spoiled
3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when
he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
4 For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling
place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the
flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down
the branches.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the
earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter
upon them.
7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered
and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out
and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of
the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.
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