Jehoshaphat – Part 16
O Jerusalem
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. (2 Chronicles 20:27)
And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:28)
How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Psalm 137:5)
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:6)
After gathering in the spoil and the worship in the valley of blessing or Berachah, there is no more thought of the Moabites. Their minds (one and all) are set on the return to Jerusalem with their king leading them. There is also no mention of the king’s son, Jehoram; in fact, since his marriage to Athaliah, we have little mention of him until the death of Jehoshaphat. It seems that the Holy Spirit had already given Jehoram over to his wickedness and destruction. The Lord struck him with a fatal disease so that Jehoram departed out of this world not being desired. (2 Chronicles 21:19-20)
The Absence of the Passover
We must now center on Jehoshaphat and the rejoicing of his people. Jehovah had delivered them and they were going back to Jerusalem, the city of the king. In this last recovery of Jehoshaphat we have a final restoration of the king and his people to Jehovah. There seems to be something missing: the Holy Spirit does not mention any passover in Jehoshaphat’s reign. The only mention of any sacrifice would be the morning sacrifice in the valley of blood. I believe that the morning sacrifice is mentioned because of the presence of Elisha, the prophet. Remember that Elisha’s mentor, Elijah, earlier in 1st Kings, called down fire upon the altar that he had reconstructed for Jehovah at the time of the evening sacrifice; thus linking these two prophets together once more through both references to the sacrifice. It is difficult to believe that Jehoshaphat and his people would neglect the passover; yet, we read in connection with other kings that there had not been a passover for a long season. So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written. (2 Chronicles 30:5) This reference is in regard to Hezekiah’s passover, I merely want to show that throughout the course of the history of Israel there were periods when they neglected to observe the passover. The Holy Spirit only mentions the passover in 1st and 2nd Kings and 1st and 2nd Chronicles nineteen (19) times all concerning the two great passovers, one of Hezekiah, and one during Josiah’s reign. Towards the close of the history of Israel, (Israel without a king, and a high priest descended from the line of Aaron) God the Holy Spirit witnessed concerning two great passovers. One occurred under the reign of Hezekiah, So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 30:26) Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. (2 Chronicles 30:27) Hezekiah’s passover was so tremendous that the hearts of the people were in the right state of worship that their prayers soared to God’s holy throne in heaven. This is the only mention of such an occasion. The last great passover before the captivity was the passover of Josiah. And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 35:18)(2 Kings 23:22) These two passovers were marked out by the Holy Spirit of God. Every passover throughout the course of the history of Israel should have mirrored these two great passovers. The Holy Spirit gives us these two examples to show us that even in the days of ruin, He can gather the people of God together to worship the Almighty God with reverence and a triumphant heart filled with His presence. In the days of Jehoshaphat whether recorded in 2 Kings or 2 Chronicles there is no mention of the passover, there is no mention of the burnt offering, or the sin offering, as I said previously, the only offering mentioned was the morning sacrifice in 2 Kings 3:20 And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water. This morning sacrifice, I believe, was more in connection with Elisha than Jehoshaphat and his army. If God’s sacrifices were not the center of Jehoshaphat’s thought and heart, as well as his peoples it would explain the ups and downs of Jehoshaphat’s kingdom. Each time Jehoshaphat made an alliance with the house of Ahab it not only affected his position with Jehovah, but the people he ruled also fell back into the ways of idolatry, and re-established the high places that had been previously removed.
Peace — War — Peace — War — Peace
In the beginning of Jehoshaphat’s reign Jehovah had established peace in his kingdom. The nations around him feared Jehoshaphat and His God Jehovah. Then, we have the alliance with Ahab, and Jehoshaphat’s life went up and down in his relationship with Jehovah; yet, the Almighty God would not give up on this king. He continually wooed Jehoshaphat back unto Himself. In this final restoration of both Jehoshaphat and his people we find a new relationship with Jehovah and a new relationship of the people with their king. They returned to Jerusalem being led by Jehoshaphat with hearts full of joy for their great deliverance. In verse 27 it is every man of Judah and Jerusalem, every one is returning, not one is lost. When Jehoshaphat went up to Ramothgilead with Ahab, he could not say, All returned. When he fought against the Moabites with Jehoram (Ahab’s son) he could not say, All returned to Jerusalem; for he had lost many men in that conflict. But now under God’s direction, and God’s deliverance he is bringing all back to Jerusalem because it was Jehovah who had fought for them with a supernatural deliverance.
The Prophecies of the Supernatural Restoration of Israel
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (Isaiah 63:1)
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? (Isaiah 63:2)
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. (Isaiah 63:3)
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (Isaiah 63:4)
And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. (Isaiah 63:5)
And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. (Isaiah 63:6)
For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zechariah 2:5)
Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD. (Zechariah 2:6)
Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. (Zechariah 2:7)
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. (Zechariah 2:8)
For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me. (Zechariah 2:9)
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. (Zechariah 2:10)
These two prophecies bring forth the restoration of Israel. She will once again be the apple of God’s eye. She will no longer be the withered vine, but the choice vine, for the King of righteousness (the Lord Jesus Christ) will lead Israel into Jerusalem where they will celebrate with great joy. We compare the day of Jehoshaphat with Revelation 19, a far greater day for the nation and her King of kings, and Lord of lords, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 19, it is heaven opened, and the King comes forth to exercise vengeance upon the nations of the world (the united kingdom of the beast). Read Chapter 19 of Revelation* carefully and you will realize that every drop of blood of the children of Israel will be accounted for. All the years of persecution by this worlds system, both seen and unseen, in the dark rooms of political madness plotting against Israel will be accounted for. There will be a price that all these nations will have to pay for the blood that they have shed of the children of Israel (the apple of God’s eye).
The Approaching Prophecies for Israel
Turn to Isaiah, Chapter 63, verses 7 through 8, and Isaiah, Chapter 60, verses 1 through 22 to read about the prophecies of God yet to be fulfilled, or it could be said, The promises of God toward His people, Israel.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1)
For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:2)
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60:3)
Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. (Isaiah 60:4)
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. (Isaiah 60:5)
The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD. (Isaiah 60:6)
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory. (Isaiah 60:7)
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? (Isaiah 60:8)
Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee. (Isaiah 60:9)
And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. (Isaiah 60:10)
Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. (Isaiah 60:11)
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. (Isaiah 60:12)
The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. (Isaiah 60:13)
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 60:14)
Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. (Isaiah 60:15)
Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 60:16)
For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. (Isaiah 60:17)
Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isaiah 60:18)
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. (Isaiah 60:19)
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:20)
Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)
There are many prophecies that have already been fulfilled; however, these prophecies are yet to be fulfilled for the nation of Israel. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we can take encouragement from these prophecies in the written word of God. In Church history, we, as believers are waiting for the trump of God and the translation of all believers into the glorious presence of the Lord at the end of the Church age. As we have seen the first advent of the Lord Jesus Christ completely fulfilled, so we will see the 2nd advent completely fulfilled in the sure mercies of God. The nation of Israel will be delivered by the living Word of God, He will be their Savior, and they will receive Him as their God. We have the spoken or written word of God given by the Holy Spirit of God that will be fulfilled in His time, I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22) This time is in reference to Psalm 2, when Jehovah will set His king on His holy hill of Zion, and the Lord Jesus will reign over all the earth, concerning Jerusalem it is the place of the great king. We must remember that it was Jehovah, who chose Jerusalem, He put His name there when He not only picked the city, but He also selected His king, David.
The Prophecy of The House of God
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. (2 Chronicles 6:1)
But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. (2 Chronicles 6:2)
And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood. (2 Chronicles 6:3)
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying, (2 Chronicles 6:4)
Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: (2 Chronicles 6:5)
But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:6)
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:7)
But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: (2 Chronicles 6:8)
Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. (2 Chronicles 6:9)
The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:10)
And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:11)
Jehovah promised David that David’s son who would come out of his loins would build a house for God, and so it was fulfilled by Solomon. God’s word spoken by His mouth to David, he spake with his mouth to my father David,. (verse 4) We have a witness of the Holy Spirit of God, just as Jehovah spoke face to face with Moses, so too David received the very word from God Himself. This is the supernatural power of God to give and preserve His word for this word given to David was fulfilled exactly as it was spoken by his son Solomon. In the 7th Chapter of 2 Chronicles, the number 7 brings the glory of the Lord to the house that Solomon had built. Verse 1 brings fire down from heaven, this was a repeat of the fire that was sent down in the days of Moses as recorded in Leviticus 9:22-24.
The Fire of God
And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.(Leviticus 9:22)
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. (Leviticus 9:23)
And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. (Leviticus 9:24)
This fire that descended from God was God’s fire of judgment. No other fire could be used in the sacrifice of the burnt offering, and the sacrifice was to be completely consumed by God’s fire. This fire was so important that God judged Nadab and Abihu with death because they brought strange fire (Leviticus 10:1). It had to be God’s fire, any fire created other than by God Himself would be considered strange fire and not accepted by Jehovah. This was the first sin of the sanctuary. Why is this fire so important to God? I will try to make the point: God’s judgment belongs to Him and no other. The fire of God is a symbol of the eternal judgment of God in the lake of fire against the damned. It must be HIS fire as in Hebrews, Chapter 12, verse 29, For our God is a consuming fire. This fire is also the very fire of judgment that fell on His beloved Son, the Lamb of God. Although we cannot perceive the depth of the judgment of God upon the Lord Jesus, it was God’s fire and it had to consume the whole Lamb for us. Sin had to be destroyed in Christ’s death, Adam had to be completely removed from the presence of God. This could only be accomplished by the death and sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. There could be no new man until judgment was taken or completed upon the old man, of twain, the Lord Jesus made one new man, so making peace for us.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Ephesians 2:14)
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16)
In 2 Chronicles 7:1, Jehovah is renewing the covenant of fire that He had given earlier in Leviticus so that now in His new house the children of Israel would have a direct approach to the living God. This was God’s approval of everything that Solomon had built. This was the place that God would set His glory. And this is the place that He would consume the burnt offering as a sweet savor.
But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. (Leviticus 1:9)
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2)
In reference to the burnt offering: the fire of God would completely consume the offering showing us the tremendous depth of the sin of Adam. When Adam cut himself off from God he cut us off also, for we are the descendants of Adam. There was no man of Adam’s race who could change this standing before God. Man is lost and undone, and it is impossible for him to recover himself before God. Man is not capable of finding a way back to God. The only way back would have to come from God, and God alone. Before the glory could come to Solomon’s temple, the fire had to fall from God and consume the offering. Before we can be brought to God by the Holy Spirit the fire had to fall on God’s dear Son. We must see Him as the sacrifice before we can see Him in resurrection glory, as the new man for us. When the glory descended on Solomon’s temple, man had to be taken out of the way
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. (2 Chronicles 7:1)
And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house. (2 Chronicles 7:2)
In verse 2 we see that the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because of the Lord’s glory. Since the sacrifice had been consumed in verse 1, God’s glory could then enter into the temple for it has been cleansed in the sacrifice. Even though the priests could not enter in, notice that in verse 3 that the children of Israel were brought to a position of worship, and they understood that their worship was brought about by God’s mercy (for his mercy endureth forever). 2Ch 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. (2 Chronicles 7:3)
The Center Point of God’s Work with Man — Jerusalem
Even though this is not a perfect picture or type of the believer’s salvation, there are a lot of examples in these three verses that we can lay hold of. The burnt offering was a prefigure of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. The fires of judgment can be seen in Psalm 22, the consuming of His Son in the very words, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? The Holy Spirit shows the complete work of judgment on the Son of God, the man Christ Jesus. The sacrifice in the man had to be perfect, He had to be the perfect Lamb of God. He would build His house in His completed work of salvation. (Hebrews 3) The house that Solomon built and established was in the city of God. This Jerusalem would be the center point of God’s working and dealing with the sin of man. It would be in Jerusalem that His beloved Son would be crucified. And in the fulfillment of the latter prophecy it will be His Son who will triumphantly reign in Jerusalem.
When Jehoshaphat and his people were returning to Jerusalem (in their minds and hearts) it was to meet with their God. Now let’s put this in perspective: they had supernaturally been delivered. We, as believers, are supernaturally delivered by the Holy Spirit when we are born again. All their enemies were dead, all our enemies have been removed. They have been vanquished by the death of the Lord Jesus. The children of Israel have the glory of their deliverance or salvation. No one could tell them that they had not been delivered; just as we have a witness within ourselves of the Holy Spirit that God has delivered us by His Son.
Their Jewels Compared to Our Jewels
In the great spoil that they carried with them they could see the results of their deliverance. Each and every time they looked at the jewels they remembered that their enemy had been defeated and that Jehovah had given them an overwhelming victory.
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:15)
We, as believers, have an overwhelming amount of jewels that we carry with us. We have the infallible written word of God given by the Holy Spirit of God. He has given it to us as the jewels were given to them, and we rejoice in the valley of blessing because He has freed us from the valley of death.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, (Galatians 1:3)
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4)
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:5)
In our deliverance from the present evil world, the Holy Spirit of God fills our hearts with worship for the one who has delivered us, the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Jehoshaphat and his people worshiped in the valley of blessing celebrating the victory of Jehovah, as believers, we accomplish this celebration and worship when we remember the Lord Jesus Christ in the breaking of bread. We show forth the Lord’s death, and we remember the great victory that by His death He has given us life, and put us in the valley of blessing. In this scene of joy, Jehoshaphat went to the forefront, leading his people. The Holy Spirit fastens the eyes and the hearts of the people on Jehoshaphat as they return to Jerusalem, the city of their God. There is also a heavenly Jerusalem, as believers, we are attached to this Jerusalem.
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (Hebrews 12:22)
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,(Hebrews 12:23)
As believers, we have been redeemed from the valley of death. We are living in this world with the presence of the Holy Spirit in the valley of blessing, and we will soon be taken by that Spirit to the heavenly Jerusalem, which is above. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Psalm 20 fits this great deliverance of Jehoshaphat and his people.
The Sounds of the Great Deliverance
<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; (Psalm 20:1)
Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; (Psalm 20:2)
Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. (Psalm 20:3)
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. (Psalm 20:4)
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. (Psalm 20:5)
Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. (Psalm 20:6)
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)
They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. (Psalm 20:8)
Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call. (Psalm 20:9)
This Psalm covers the first cry of Jehoshaphat to the Lord to the return of the people and the return of their king. It ends with let the king hear us when we call. Of course, this refers to the heavenly throne, and the name that is above every name, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They went to Jerusalem playing the psaltery, harps, and trumpets; think of the remnant that was left in Jerusalem, as Jehoshaphat approached with his people the people who had remained in Jerusalem heard the sweet sounds of victory rolling over the landscape and echoing over the valleys and hills as the faint distant sounds grew louder and louder as they approached Mount Zion, the mount of God.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalm 2:6)
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalm 2:7)
O Jerusalem, what glory awaits thee when from heaven’s glory the Son of righteousness will descend and bring His eternal glory with Him. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2) It will be the fire of His glory that will destroy all the enemies of Jerusalem. Once again, the Almighty God will supernaturally deliver by the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ.
From Joy to Spiritual Darkness
Jehoshaphat had returned with his people. The bright memories of what they had seen and experienced would soon fade in the reign of Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son; and it would continue to grow darker in Azariah, Jehoram’s son, then Jerusalem would be plummeted into seven long years of physical terror and spiritual darkness for the true worshipers of Jehovah under the reign of Athaliah, the wicked daughter of Jezebel and Ahab. She would reign in Jerusalem as the only woman to reign in God’s city. She was the embodiment of all wickedness and can be compared to the woman of Revelation, Chapter 18, verse 7.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:5)
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (Revelation 18:6)
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (Revelation 18:7)
Supernatural God
Not only did Athaliah established Baal worship in Jerusalem, but she assassinated all the seed royal but one. She condemned and persecuted those who followed Jehovah, and made Jerusalem a dark city. God has never chosen a queen to rule over His people. The phrase ‘queen of heaven’ is only found in Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17, 18, 19, 25, and it is a description of the total apostasy and idolatrous worship of a rebellious nation. The example of Jezebel, Athaliah, and the scarlet woman of Babylon are all examples of evil rule. God only has eyes for one King, He is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, and His name is Jesus Christ. He is the God of heaven, and He is a supernatural Being. Man loves to believe that he is capable of understanding the supernatural, but it is impossible for man who is an earthly being and not a heavenly being to understand the supernatural work of God. There is only one qualification to the understanding of the supernatural and that is — one must be born again by the Holy Spirit. Being born again means becoming a supernatural being in Jesus Christ. Faith is given by a supernatural act of a supernatural God. It is supernatural faith that leads to supernatural grace, and that comes and is acquired by the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. His resurrection is to give us supernatural life. The world through it’s games and fantasies tries to display a knowledge of the supernatural, but they are void of any understanding. All their fantasies are lies and misdirection. If one knows nothing of the supernatural God, how then can anyone understand the supernatural realm that belongs to God? When the Lord Jesus comes to reign over His Jerusalem, the world will feel His wrath by His supernatural judgment. We live in a day of grace, but one day grace will come to it’s end.
The Age of Accountability
The apostle Paul was full of compassion for both the lost of the Gentile world, and for the house of Israel; yet, he put it all in perspective when he affirmed, Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (2 Timothy 4:14) Paul gave us a doctrine of accountability which has been lost in the Church, and in the present evil world. There is an accountability for sin, and the Lord will judge man and nations accordingly. It is God, and God alone who will recompense, and set things right.
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. (Proverbs 20:22)
For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 25:14)
And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD. (Ezekiel 7:4)
Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (2 Thessalonians 1:6)
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (2 Timothy 4:14)
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10)
The example that Paul left Timothy was to put all in the Lord’s hands, and He would recompense. All that is done against the children of God will be accounted for, man may think that it is all being done in secret, but the eyes of the Lord sees all. God will deal with both nations, and individuals. All that has ever been done to Israel by this wicked world will be accounted for. All that has been done to the Body of Christ by this evil world will be accounted for. There will be a day of reckoning, and it will truly be a supernatural day.
The City That God Loves
Jehoshaphat and the Israelites had no strength, there was a great opposing force coming to take away their kingdom. The only hope left for Jehoshaphat was to turn it all over to Jehovah, and Jehovah judged the Moabites supernaturally. What a time of joy to be delivered by a holy and righteous God. Both Jehoshaphat and his people could remember all that they had done in disobedience to their God; yet, in mercy He delivered them. They had returned to the city that they loved, much more it was the city that God loved! Could they not cry out in their hearts as later when the children of Israel cried by the rivers of Babylon.
How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Psalm 137:5)
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalm 137:6)
O Jerusalem
O Jerusalem, you have survived the darkness of this world. You have had days of glory and days of shame. You have been destroyed, yet you survived. The sand and the stones of your city are waiting for your King to come. He is the One who has been rejected, and yet, with loving arms He will take you back unto Himself. His glory will shine upon thee, for the world has only seen a small part of thy glory in your history. The queen of Sheba could say in the days of Solomon, Behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. And truly, we have only seen half of thy great glory. Half was in the Lord’s 1st advent of His suffering, but soon, the heaven’s will burst with His glory, and that glory shall receive you, O Jerusalem, unto Himself. We wait patiently for that day, whether on earth or in heaven, when Christ will take His throne from the world, and reign in righteousness in Jerusalem.
O Jerusalem, our eyes have not seen, nor our ears heard what glory awaits thee. When the bells on the horses will be inscribed with HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. (Zechariah 14:20) When young and old, and children will have joy in the Lord, and worship Him as their King.
O Jerusalem, sleep now for a season under all that ruin and evil that has been done to thee for a great glory awaits thee. O Jerusalem, soon my Savior will come and save you. He will remove all your fears and bring joy to your hearts. You will be led by your King of kings, as the psaltry, and the harp, and the trumpets ring out for joy as the King of kings, and Lord of lords leads you into Jerusalem. Amen.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:7)
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8)
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:9)
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. (Psalm 24:10)
* And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: (Revelation 19:1)
For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Revelation 19:2)
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (Revelation 19:3)
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:4)
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (Revelation 19:5)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (Revelation 19:8)
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9)
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Revelation 19:12)
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (Revelation 19:17)
That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Revelation 19:18)
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Revelation 19:19)
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)
And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.(Revelation 19:21)
© Copyright 2016, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)