Post by Lee on Dec 7, 2014 15:46:24 GMT
Ch. 4:1 "But—. Here is a change. A complete reversal from desolation to world dominion—
"BUT in the LAST DAYS, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains.
"And many nations shall say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
"And the Law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
No more corruption and confusion as at present under man's evil rule, but one universal law of righteousness.
V. 3: "Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation."
What a glorious change from man's evil history! War has always been his principal occupation. Again just yesterday (Dec. 4,1971), 2 large nations went to war, as all nations continually have, like vicious animals. And yet man makes such pious and pompous pretentions of being mature and civilized.
V. 4: "They shall sit every man under his vine and his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid."
Again, what a tremendous contrast to the evil present, with crime and violence doubling every 5 to 10 years, and getting closer and closer to all of us! How unerringly the prophetic Spirit of God puts its finger on the outstanding evils of these latter days of proud man's glorious civilization—war and violence, oppression, injustice and corruption. The US news media are constantly reporting police and political corruption on a larger and larger scale, reaching into the
highest places; and this is one of the world's supposedly more just and advanced and democratic societies. It is very interesting that these verses appear almost word for word in Isa. 2. Isaiah was contemporary with Micah, and very active in the affairs of Hezekiah. Clearly this double witness is to focus our attention on this remarkable prophecy of the glorious coming reign of Christ.
Vs. 6-8: "In THAT DAY will I assemble her that halteth . . And make her a strong nation, and the Lord shall reign over them in Mt. Zion for ever . . And the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem."
Truly a glorious destiny for Israel, the people of God, after all their travail has passed away! But in the meantime a long night of sorrow lay before them—
V. 10: "Thou shalt go even to Babylon."
Assyria was the then-current world power and oppressor, and Babylon at this time was of no power. But both Micah and Isaiah point to Babylon as the destined oppressor and destroyer of Judah, as Assyria was to be of Israel.
"There the Lord shall redeem thee."
Deliverance from Babylon should come in its time. Deliverance did come in 70 years from literal Babylon, but Judah was again carried captive centuries later into the much more terrible Babylon of universal Rome, where it is still scattered and oppressed unto this day.
V. 11: "Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion."
How strange and how wonderful that today, 2700 years later, we see these same nations surrounding Israel, barking like mad dogs, still seeking her destruction and backed up in their evil enterprise by Russia and the Papacy; for the Pope has never recognized Israel's existence, but has visited and fawned on her Arab enemies.
V. 12: "But they know not the thoughts of the Lord . . for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor."
Here is Armageddon—the gathering of Gog and the False Prophet of Rome and their bands for destruction on the mountains of Israel
V. 13: "Arise and thresh, Ο daughter of Zion, for I will make thine horn iron and thy hooves brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people, and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord."
This has never yet occurred. This is the "Great Day of God Almighty." How wonderfully we see things shaping up today before our eyes for this long-foretold and now soon-coming climax!
Rene - 1972 Berean 19
"BUT in the LAST DAYS, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains.
"And many nations shall say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
"And the Law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
No more corruption and confusion as at present under man's evil rule, but one universal law of righteousness.
V. 3: "Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation."
What a glorious change from man's evil history! War has always been his principal occupation. Again just yesterday (Dec. 4,1971), 2 large nations went to war, as all nations continually have, like vicious animals. And yet man makes such pious and pompous pretentions of being mature and civilized.
V. 4: "They shall sit every man under his vine and his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid."
Again, what a tremendous contrast to the evil present, with crime and violence doubling every 5 to 10 years, and getting closer and closer to all of us! How unerringly the prophetic Spirit of God puts its finger on the outstanding evils of these latter days of proud man's glorious civilization—war and violence, oppression, injustice and corruption. The US news media are constantly reporting police and political corruption on a larger and larger scale, reaching into the
highest places; and this is one of the world's supposedly more just and advanced and democratic societies. It is very interesting that these verses appear almost word for word in Isa. 2. Isaiah was contemporary with Micah, and very active in the affairs of Hezekiah. Clearly this double witness is to focus our attention on this remarkable prophecy of the glorious coming reign of Christ.
Vs. 6-8: "In THAT DAY will I assemble her that halteth . . And make her a strong nation, and the Lord shall reign over them in Mt. Zion for ever . . And the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem."
Truly a glorious destiny for Israel, the people of God, after all their travail has passed away! But in the meantime a long night of sorrow lay before them—
V. 10: "Thou shalt go even to Babylon."
Assyria was the then-current world power and oppressor, and Babylon at this time was of no power. But both Micah and Isaiah point to Babylon as the destined oppressor and destroyer of Judah, as Assyria was to be of Israel.
"There the Lord shall redeem thee."
Deliverance from Babylon should come in its time. Deliverance did come in 70 years from literal Babylon, but Judah was again carried captive centuries later into the much more terrible Babylon of universal Rome, where it is still scattered and oppressed unto this day.
V. 11: "Now also many nations are gathered against thee that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion."
How strange and how wonderful that today, 2700 years later, we see these same nations surrounding Israel, barking like mad dogs, still seeking her destruction and backed up in their evil enterprise by Russia and the Papacy; for the Pope has never recognized Israel's existence, but has visited and fawned on her Arab enemies.
V. 12: "But they know not the thoughts of the Lord . . for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor."
Here is Armageddon—the gathering of Gog and the False Prophet of Rome and their bands for destruction on the mountains of Israel
V. 13: "Arise and thresh, Ο daughter of Zion, for I will make thine horn iron and thy hooves brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people, and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord."
This has never yet occurred. This is the "Great Day of God Almighty." How wonderfully we see things shaping up today before our eyes for this long-foretold and now soon-coming climax!
Rene - 1972 Berean 19