Continuing with the greatest news that will be heard in our time, even heard by this evil and corrupted generation.
Zechariah 4
1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.
2 And said unto me, What see you? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
4 So I answered and spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my LORD?
5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Know you not what these be? And I said, No, my LORD.
6 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
7 Who are you, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me unto you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
13 And he answered me and said, Know you not what these be? And I said, No, my LORD.
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
These are the two we have often discussed, the two coming in the name of the LORD in this time, sent by the LORD into this darkness. It speaks of us, the LORD sending me with the light that has now shined into and lighted those who have receive it, our mission to bring down the high places of power in church and nation, those looming over and destroying humanity (the inhabited earth).
The translation of name Zerubbabel speaks of one brought to life in this time and place (state) of confusion. He and the children God has given him are for signs and wonders to those held captive under the shadow death casts in this confused state. I am, and you are these anointed ones God has sent.
This is great news for those who see its reality, and not so much for those only seeing the condition from their own private perspective of what they have gained (saying all the rest can go to hell).
It was this word, as if a great scroll, then flying to the leaders who have chosen to continue on in the same old corrupted ways of destruction – to popes and presidents. We saw in the above chapter we and they are told that in the new creation things will not happen by the old ways of corruption and deceit, not by your power nor by might, but rather by the Holy Spirit of the LORD. This where Zechariah 5 begins.
Zechariah 5
1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
2 And he said unto me, What see you? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
3 Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
4 I will bring it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swear falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
5 Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now your eyes, and see what is this that goes forth.
6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goes forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sits in the midst of the ephah.
8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
10 Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
11 And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
The two women tell of the rebuilding of these institutions, and replacing the women who has fully worked her corruption into the old until it was good for nothing, as a women working in leaven until the whole lump was corrupted.
The “ephah” mentioned beginning in verse 6 is from the Hebrew word ‘eyphah, meaning to measure, and is used for a measure of grain. It is telling of injustice as an improper measurement. It speaks of the thief in the house, spoken of in verse 4, and those who swear falsely by the name of the LORD.
It is a reference to both Deuteronomy 25:14 and Proverbs 20:10.
Deuteronomy 25:14 tells of the thief who kept “diverse measures” (weights) of different size to be used as needed to alter the balance in whatever way needed for their advantage. This is the wickedness in measure (the ephah), the practice an abomination in the eyes of the LORD, and here in Zechariah we see it is being perpetrated by those swearing to this falsification in the name of the LORD. The greater suggestion here is to Exodus 17 and seen when LORD immediately after telling of this as an abomination says to remember what Amalek did.
The reference is to when the people of God murmured against Moses’ authority to lead them. The LORD answered this by telling Moses, “Go on before the people, and take with you of the elders of Israel; and your rod, wherewith you smote the river, take in your hand, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there upon the rock in Horeb; and you shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink.”
This murmuring it then defined as the people tempting the LORD their God, saying, “Is the LORD among us, or not?”
After this we are told Amalek (these wicked workmen) fighting against God’s people in Rephidim (the bed they had spread for themselves). God tells Moses to stand upon the hill, (sit on the stone when needed), and to hold up the staff, the same one the LORD had given into his hand to turn the water of the enemies to blood, and to bring life giving water from the stone. As long as Moses held up the staff God’s people prevailed, and when he let it down Amalek prevailed. (The picture is the same as the candlestick [Moses] and the palm trees [Aaron and Hur] in Zechariah 4 above)
I am not saying I am, or thinking myself Moses, but I am come in the name of the LORD as did he, with the same staff (branch) that was in his hand, and standing upon the same Rock he stood and rested upon.
The point being made hear is to all in power – specifically to President and Pope, you will accomplish nothing unless it is according to this word of the LORD. (Trump, hear the word of the LORD – Publicly demand the Congress immediately send you a bill that totally repeals Obamacare – as they and you promised.)
In Proverbs 20:10 where ‘eyphah is also used telling of weights and diverse measures being and abomination to the LORD, it is preceded by speaking of the counsel in the heart (basis of reasoning) of a man is like deep waters, and a man of understand will draw from these waters.
Proverbs 20
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sits in the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, says the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boast.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
When the LORD tells of the kingdom of heaven being likened to a woman who works leaven into three measures of meal He is referring to Zechariah and corruption risen into total wickedness that covers the world in darkness (as the great mountain spoken of in Zechariah 4 and the wickedness of Zechariah 5).
The opposite of this metaphor is found in the LORD telling of his calm [smallest] voice of advice that grows into a great mustard tree, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, and its mustard for drawing disease out of the body. This is the kingdom of God founded in the waters that flow from the throne of the LORD.
Luke 13
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
6 He spoke also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbers it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, LORD, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shall cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.
15 The LORD then answered him, and said, You hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, LORD, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, LORD, LORD, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence you are:
26 Then shall you begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence you are; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get you out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill you.
32 And he said unto them, Go you, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent unto you; how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and you would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, You shall not see me, until the time come when you shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD.
In these last verses of Luke 13 the LORD tells of this time and of the house long ago become desolate. It is the time to say the words, “Blessed is he that has come in the name of the LORD.”
We know this is a quote from Psalms 118:26, which Psalm we have in prior posts discussed as the origin of other well known quotes; of the stone the builders rejected becoming the headstone of the returning, and telling us that if the LORD is on our side we have no need to fear what man can do to us. The Psalm actually tells of the gate of righteousness where we enter the kingdom of God, and this righteousness coming by our receiving correction.
Psalm 118
1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures for ever.
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
13 You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
18 The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD, which has shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.
29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.
