Prophesy From the Prophet Nahum
“He calleth them all by their names (Psalms 147:4).” When God placed people’s names in prophecy he made a way for seekers to discover who it is that the prophecy pertains to; but when God used city names in prophecy, he made a way for seekers to know the thoughts of offenders. “For I know their works and their thoughts (Isaiah 66:18).” Knowing the thoughts of offenders is yet another tool which is beneficial for interpreting prophecy. City names also provide a second benefit: they serve as a reminder that man's thoughts and ways, are changeable. So before getting into the interpretation of the book of Nahum, this lesson will show believers how they can use city names to interpret prophecy, and understand man's thoughts.
Since the burden of Nineveh is about cutting of the Assyrian, we are going to be looking at three city names, each of which are associated with the Assyrian. Everyone that is familiar with the covenant message already knows that the name "Assyrian," was used in prophecy to represent priests and prophets which have heard some, if not all of the covenant message, but they have not spoken of it publicly. Assyrians are hiding the newly revealed truths of prophecy. In essence, a priest or prophet becomes an Assyrian from the moment that he hears the covenant message, and he remains an Assyrian until the day he articulates it honestly, openly, and publicly, before the congregation. By the very definition of his name, Assyrians are God’s adversaries.
The first city name to be considered, is Nineveh. “Out of the land went forth Asshur and builded Nineveh (Genesis 10:11).” The Hebrew word which was translated “Asshur” is the very same Hebrew word which was translated "Assyrian." For this reason, this verse is testifying that the Assyrian’s teachings have built Nineveh. To discover what group of believers are spiritually dwelling in the spiritual city of Nineveh, search the scriptures to find unique characteristics which are credited to Nineveh. A couple of findings include: Nineveh is called a great city (Jonah 1:2); and Nineveh repented and believed God through the preaching of a prophet (Matthew 12:41). Put these two findings together with the knowledge that the Assyrian’s teachings have built Nineveh, and believers can perceive that the parable of the city named "Nineveh" pertains to priests and prophets which have heard the king of Assyria’s message, and they repented of their religious mistakes, and they have changed some of their teachings. This is the mindset of the leaders that are spiritually dwelling in Nineveh.
Another city name which appears in prophecy, and which is associated with the Assyrian, is Assyria. “Blessed be… Assyria the work of my hands (Isaiah 19:25).” Although this verse gives glory to Assyria, other prophecies identify that Assyria cannot save God’s people (Hosea 14:3); it is ready to perish (Isaiah 27:13); and it will be cast down into hell (Ezekiel 32:22). These findings suggest that the spiritual city named Assyria pertains to priests and prophets which have heard some of the covenant message, but their thoughts were either to ignore it, or discredit it. They are trusting in their forefather’s teachings, and relying upon their own mistaken interpretations of prophecy. Believers that dwell in the spiritual city of Assyria would rather fight against God’s message, then waste any time studying it. So when the city of Assyria's name appears in prophecy, it represents the mindset of believers that have rejected the covenant message: and they will loose the Holy Spirit.
The Assyrian also participated in building the spiritual city of Chaldea. “Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them (Isaiah 23:13).” Prophecy reveals that people who dwell in the spiritual city of Chaldea, are the Lord’s weapons of indignation. “The Lord… hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 50:25).” In other words, the thoughts of the people that are spiritually dwelling in the spiritual city of Chaldea, are fixated on destroying religion, and on bringing down religious deceivers. “Lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation… They shall come all for violence (Habakkuk 1:6; 1:9).” Regardless of what they believe, the destructive ways of the Chaldeans will have serious consequences. “Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied (Jeremiah 50:10).” “I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 51:24).”
Chapter one:
The book of Nahum begins with an elaborate detailed description of who God is, then after it manifests the wonderful presence of the Lord, it boldly states that religion is finished. “God is jealous… The Lord revengeth, and is furious… The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked… Mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence… With an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do you imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up a second time (taken from Nahum 1:2-9).”
The book of Nahum begins with an elaborate detailed description of who God is, then after it manifests the wonderful presence of the Lord, it boldly states that religion is finished. “God is jealous… The Lord revengeth, and is furious… The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked… Mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence… With an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do you imagine against the Lord? He will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up a second time (taken from Nahum 1:2-9).”
“There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor (Nahum 1:11).” The deeds of a wicked counselor are perhaps best brought to light by the prophet Nahum. The first clue as to this counselor’s identity is that he has come out of Nineveh, which translates that he has heard at least some of the covenant message, and afterwards he repented and changed some of his teachings. Go deeper into the mystery of this wicked counselor by revisiting the six, or seven things that God hates; because if scripture deems this man to be wicked, then he is definitely doing something that God hates. “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).”
Partaking in any one of these offenses is wicked, but according to the list, God hates the heart of a person with a wicked imagination, and the prophet Nahum has identified that this counselor has "imagined evil against the Lord." “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil (Proverbs 12:20).” Not only has this counselor’s imagination estranged his own soul, but his wickedness is passed down upon the souls of his followers. “They have made them crooked paths (Isaiah 59:8).” “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity (Psalm 125:5).” “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18).” “Thou hatest all workers of iniquity (Psalm 5:5).” “Destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity (Proverbs 10:29).”
The most likely suspect in the case of the wicked counselor, is Moab. Consider the evidence: not only has Moab spoken lies, but he is also guilty of being proud. “Moab, (he is exceedingly proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart. I know his wrath, saith the Lord; but it shall not be so: his lies shall not so effect it (Jeremiah 48:29-30).” Consider how the words "his lies shall not so effect it" are altogether everything that's necessary to incriminate Moab. However scripture also supplies more evidence against Moab: it verifies that Moab’s “arm is broken (Jeremiah 48:25).” Incurring this injury is a parable which implies that not only is Moab wicked, but that God will turn away the hearts of his followers. “The arms of the wicked shall be broken (Psalm 37:17).” “Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord (Ezekiel 13:8).”
Moab has counseled his followers to lie in wait and be ready to come against unsuspecting Christian priests that are not afflicted when God pours out the afflicting pestilence. All of Islam has banded together under his counsel. Moab hopes to discredit the Christian faith by devouring Christianity. Consequently, all of his followers are about to come against God’s word. “They that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones… They have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre: Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot (Psalm 83:2-8).” An important key to take away from this verse, is that Moab's counsel is coming against the Lord's hidden ones.
The Lord's "hidden ones” are leaders which will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue. In essence, "hidden ones" are Christian priests and prophets which will escape the affliction, but they will loose the Holy Spirit. They will be hidden, and protected by God within his pavilion. “In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion (Psalm 27:5).” “Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues (Psalm 31:20).” “He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters (Psalms 18:11).” See how the words "dark" and "darkness," imply, as well as affirm, that believers within God's pavilion do not have the Holy Spirit. But regardless of their offense, the truth of the matter is that God is watching over, and protecting these religious leaders.
Who are the people that Moab has bewitched with his wicked counsel? They are people of every religious denomination, and of every faith. However, whereas many people have heard Moab's counsel, his teachings will disproportionately effect and destroy believers that are spiritually dwelling in the spiritual city of Egypt. So before continuing on with the mystery of the wicked counsellor, it is beneficial for believers to know the meaning of Egypt's name in prophecy. The spiritual city of "Egypt" pertains to believers that are completely ignorant of the covenant message, while at the same time their thoughts are to destroy Christianity. “Egypt risesth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof (Jeremiah 46:8).”
The trouble with Moab's counsel is that it fails to warn its followers that the priesthood is holiness to the Lord. To find evidence for reaching this conclusion, note that Judah's name in prophecy pertains to the priesthood (Psalm 60:7). "Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen (Ezekiel 25:8)." "We are many; the land is given us for inheritance (Ezekiel 33:24)." Every follower that is participating in Moab's wicked attack against God's hidden ones, will be afflicted by God's curse (Zachariah 12:9). The word “net” was used in scripture to identify secrets concerning the unexpected calamity of these attackers. “Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength (Psalm 31:4).” The book of Isaiah likens Moab’s victims to a wild bull that is caught in a net, and it testifies of their affliction, and it speaks of their confusion. “Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all streets, as a wild bull in a net… Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine (Isaiah 51:20-21).” The confused, and snared followers of Moab are advised to put their trust in God, for he is fully aware of the deeds of their counselors, and he will repay them. “The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surly I will never forget any of their works (Amos 8:7).”
“There shall be no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation (Jeremiah 48:2).” The name of "Heshbon" is good example of how God used city names in prophecy to show believers that man’s thoughts and ways, are changeable: Heshbon is where Moab was dwelling when he devised his wicked counsel, whereas Moab's thoughts may have changed.
Moab is not the only offender that is working against God, for God has not forgotten the wicked deeds of the king of Assyria. “And the Lord hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make they grave; for thou art vile (Nahum 1:14).” The king of Assyria has oppressed God’s people, for he has been cutting off the truth of the God's prophetic message: and thereby he has caused God’s name to be blasphemed, continually, everyday (Isaiah 52:4-5). Therefore God will cut off the king of Assyria's name, as well as his teachings. “I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land (Zechariah 13:2).”
“The Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets,… but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined the ear… Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north… and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land (Jeremiah 25:3; 25:8-9).” For the good of his people, as well as for the Assyrian's removal, God hath chosen an Islamic man, surnamed him Nebuchadnezzar, drew him to his feet, and revealed the hidden truths of prophecy to him (Isaiah 41:2). Collectively, God, and Nebuchadnezzar, and Nebuchadnezzar's followers, are God’s glittering sword. “Behold, I… will draw forth my sword out of his sheath… It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter… It contemned the rod of my son, as every tree (Ezekiel 21:3; 21:9-10).”
In prophecy, the word “sword” pertains to speaking the truth of God’s word. “They shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword (Micah 5:6).” “The Assyrian shall fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him (Isaiah 31:8).” “I will make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain (Ezekiel 30:10-12).”
“Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace (Nahum 1:15)!” Nebuchadnezzar and his followers will come forth from the nation of Islam to broadcast the covenant message, which is peace. “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God (Isaiah 40:9)!” “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace (Isaiah 52:7).”
“O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts… for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off (Nahum 1:15).” The words “solemn feast” lead believers to discover that Nebuchadnezzar’s appearance will be sometime prior to the feast of tabernacles; for it is written: “I will return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and flax given to cover her nakedness (Hosea 2:9).” The key words are “corn” and “wine” which are gathered sometime prior to the feast of tabernacles. “Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine (Deuteronomy 16:13).” The reason that God could have had for selecting this season, is because, like as the sickle of harvest, once Nebuchadnezzar speaks the truth of covenant message, it will cut off what remains of religion’s mistakes, including the mistakes of Moab, and it will leave hypocrites unprepared, exposed, and with no place to hide.
The feast of tabernacles was one of the feasts wherein God required all males to go up, and appear before him (Deuteronomy 16:16). So shall it be during the harvest of end times: for the Lord God will require every hearing priest to go up unto the high place of his house, and pray before him. “It shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up… to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up… there shall be the plague… This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-19).” "It shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray, but he shall not prevail (Isaiah 16:12)."
During the feast days, prophets are to cast their books, and their erred teachings unto the Lord for a sacrificial burnt offering. These works, which appear to be a loss, will be counted a sweet savour to the Lord. “In the day of your gladness… ye shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God (Numbers 10:10).”
“O Judah… perform thy vows (Nahum 1:15).” This simple request is a reminder which is meant to cause priests to acknowledge that the vow is now a requirement for all believers, for it is their new covenant: Vow to Learn of Jesus, and keep that vow. “Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day… yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord, and perform it (Isaiah 19:21).” “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee (Deuteronomy 23:21).” “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:5).” “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me (Psalm 50:14-15).” “The righteous see it, and are glad… Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth (Job 22:19-21).”
Chapter Two:
The second chapter of Nahum’s prophecy is the trumpet call to get ready. “He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches (Nahum 2:1-2).” The highly insinuated declaration of these two verses is that Nebuchadnezzar has appeared. The Assyrians are the emptiers that have “emptied out” the iniquities of God's people, and they have “marred their vine branches,” for they were sent before that day, to bring down the loftiness of religion, and make ready God's people. “He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree… the branches thereof are made white (Joel 1:7).” At Nebuchadnezzar’s appearance, every leader that is even remotely familiar with the covenant message is to know that it is God’s sign, and that it is time to publish the new covenant, and to teach the instructions of the covenant message. “He will lift up an ensign to the nations… and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly: None shall be weary nor stumble among them (Isaiah 5:26-27).”
“The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet… in the day of his preparation (Nahum 2:3).” “The shields of earth belong unto God (Psalm 47:9).” The word “shield” implies that these men are putting their trust in God’s word. “His truth shall be thy shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4).” These are the days of preparation, days wherein Nebuchadnezzar and his follows will seek to warn all of Islam not to attack Christian priests. The words “scarlet” and “red” confess that the sins and iniquities of the armies are showing. “Put away the evil of your doings… Learn to do well… Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:16-18).”
“The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall be seen like torches, they shall run like lightnings (Nahum 2:4).” The word “chariot” acknowledges that this commotion is coming from priests and prophets. The word “street” confesses that they are without the Holy Spirit. “They wandered as blind men in the streets (Lamentations 4:14).” Along with the implied haste, the words “torches” and “lightnings” are evidence that these leaders are running with truth of God’s word. “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly (Psalm 147:15).” This verse is testifying that the priesthood will get passionately involved with Nebuchadnezzar’s message, as soon as they hear it.
“He shall recount his worthies (Nahum 2:5).” Believers who are hoping in God, will be delivered from the net. “Thou hast given commandment to save me (Psalm 71:3).” “The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and is punished (Proverbs 27:12).” Nebuchadnezzar’s warnings are yet another sign that it is God at work, fulfilling his word. “Shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid (Amos 3:5-6)?” God will be merciful to believers that receive Nebuchadnezzar’s message, if they change their ways and do that which is lawful and right (Ezekiel 33:16). “I, even I, am he that blotted out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25).”
“They shall stumble in their walk (Nahum 2:5).” Use of the parable word "stumble" implies that believers will lose confidence in their understanding of God's word, as they see their teachers being corrected. So this verse is insinuating, as well as testifying that troubles will come upon everyone that despises Nebuchadnezzar's message, for God will be protecting Nebuchadnezzar. “He shall be… for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense (Isaiah 8:14).” Everyone that is coming against Nebuchadnezzar, is coming against God, for they are rebelling against his word. They will be afflicted by the curse, for affliction will cause them to stop offending. “When the wicked… came upon me… they stumbled and fell (Psalm 27:2).” “They intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous devise, which they are not able to perform. Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back, when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them (Psalm 21:11-12).” “When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence (Psalm 9:3).” “Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord (Isaiah 3:8).” Even people within Nebuchadnezzar’s army will stumble and fall if they are not following God’s instructions (Daniel 11:35). “The mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together (Jeremiah 46:12).” “They shall stumble, and fall toward the north (Jeremiah 46:6).” “He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword (Jeremiah 46:16).”
“They shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defense shall be prepared (Nahum 2:5).” When God pours out the affliction, believers who stumbled in their understanding of his word will flee back to the safety of their own people, where they can regroup and discuss what God did, and search the scriptures to find meaning and understanding. “For fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn everyone to his people, and they shall flee everyone to his own land (Jeremiah 50:16).” Another thing to consider is that no matter which side of the battle they are on, God will defend every believer whose heart is right, and who fights against wickedness to defend their understanding of his word. “Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them (Psalm 5:11).” “They that stumbled are girded with strength (1Samuel 2:4).”
“The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved (Nahum 2:6).” The word “river” pertains to the voices of God’s people as they take the messages of God’s word into the thirsting world. So the words “gates of the rivers” identify the the covenant message is being taught before the congregation, for priests can either shut up the truth of God's word, or they can open it up to the world. This verse is testifying that the preaching of the covenant message will open up heaven’s gates, whereby people can hear the prophetic message being taught, and they can receive his Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord (Psalm 118:19).” And the “palace” which is to be dissolved, is a parable word that pertains to a stronghold of the heart, a place wherein every religious rule that kept the Islamic faith alive for centuries, could never be defeated or broken into. This impenetrable "palace" of the heart will be “dissolved” by the voices of God's witnesses. “He uttered his voice, the earth melted (Psalm 46:6).”
“And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts (Nahum 2:7).” Huzzab’s name represents the priests and prophets which will be persuaded by the testimonies of their fellow believers to enter into the armies of the north, regardless of their lack of knowledge and understanding. “They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord; then I will bring them up, and restore them to this place (Jeremiah 27:22).” The word “captive” implies that they have not yet received the Holy Spirit, but if they vow to learn of Jesus, and if they keep that vow, then God will be merciful unto them. “I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive (Jeremiah 29:14).”
“But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back (Nahum 2:8).” Remember that Nineveh’s name in prophecy pertains to priests and prophets which have heard some of the king of Assyrian’s message, and they have repented and changed some of their teachings. Wherefore the people that are not looking back, are the leaders who have prepared their hearts, the hearts of their congregation, for quick end time understanding. They will perceive the truth of Nebuchadnezzar's message, and they will flee to God for refuge. They are fleeing from religion's mistakes. These leaders will be among the first believers to pick up their swords, and fight for the covenant message. “Flee, save your lives… for the spoiler shall come upon every city, and no city shall escape… Give wings to Moab, that it may flee and get away (Jeremiah 48:6-9).” “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for it is the time of the Lord’s vengeance (Jeremiah 51:6).”
“Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of the pleasant furniture (Nahum 2:9).” This verse is prophesying that Nebuchadnezzar will gain a host of coverts from Nineveh, because her leaders responded to the voice of the Lord. “Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures (Isaiah 2:7).” “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord (Haggai 2:8).” The Lord has taken Moab’s counsel, and he turned it into a blessing for every hearing priest that did righteously. “Moab is my wash pot (Psalm 60:8).” “She did not know that I… multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal (Hosea 2:8).” “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner (Proverbs 25:4).” “Bring my sons for far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth (Isaiah 43:6).”
“She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness (Nahum 2:10).” The opposite is true for priests and prophets which remained faithful to their traditional Islamic beliefs. They ignored Moab’s counsel and did not prepare, so they will be fearful. “The sinners of Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites (Isaiah 33:14).” They will fear their circumstances when they see their fellow Muslims abandoning their religious beliefs. “The Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattered abroad the inhabitants thereof (Isaiah 24:1).” “I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me (Isaiah 21:3-4).”
“Where is the dwelling place of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid? The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin (Nahum 2:11-12).” This cleverly worded question is a riddle, and it was placed in the middle of Nahum’s prophecy where it can best expose God’s comparison of prophets, to lions. “The fear of the king is as a roaring lion (Proverbs 20:2).” Through the voices of many prophets, God will roar scripture's truths upon his own people. “The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout… against all the inhabitants of the earth (Jeremiah 25:30).” “He shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west (Hosea 11:10).” Nahum's riddle is implying that the stedfast prophets of religion are disappearing, and that when believers see the prophets altering their course, and deserting their old familiar ways, it is yet another sign that God is at work, fulfilling his word. “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy (Amos 3:8)?”
“Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard (Nahum 2:13).” This verse is testifying that not only is God against religion, but he is also against every prophet that is telling lies. The words “thy young lions” further expose the identity of the prophets, and incriminated these offenders, because prophets are the teachers that are feeding the priesthood. “Judah is a lion’s whelp (Genesis 49:9).” God repeatedly used the word “thy” in the verse, to imply that deceived prophets are robbing him of his children, and that their converts are none of his.
Chapter Three:
“Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery, and the prey departeth not (Nahum 3:1).” Woe to the “bloody city,” because it is ultimate enemy that God intends to destroy. The "bloody city" is the spiritual dwelling place of every worshipper that is not observing God's instructions. “Wilt thou judge the bloody city? Yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations (Ezekiel 22:2).” Leaders within the bloody city are prideful, which means that they will despise God's messengers, for they hate receiving correction from anyone. “I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged (Ezekiel 24:13).” “Woe… to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near her God (Zephaniah 3:1).” Because the bloody city is behaving rebelliously, her transgressions have been uncovered, and all of the righteous blood which was shed upon earth in the name of religion, will be imputed upon her (Ezekiel chapter 22). “The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say (Jeremiah 51:35).”
Before proceeding into the battle of that great day, it is beneficial to learn the mysteries behind three city names which are purposed to help believers identify the immediate casualties of the battle. “The day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the Lord will spoil the Philistines (Jeremiah 47:4).” “Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul loathed them, and their soul abhorred me (Zechariah 11:8).”
Tyrus is one of these names. Tyrus’ name in prophecy pertains to Christian priests and prophets that failed to consider the king of Assyria’s message. They will be the first casualties of God's pestilence. “What city is like Tyrus… When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many people; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise (Ezekiel 27:32-33).” Despite their renown and their beloved glory, these leaders have forgotten God. They have been so preoccupied with their riches and merchandise that had no time for God's messengers. They allowed pride and iniquity to, in effect, cause them to say within their hearts, “I am God, I sit in the seat of God (Ezekiel 28:2).” The Hebrew word which was translated "Tyrus" was also translated "Tyre." A prophecy concerning Tyre proclaims the absolute certainty of Tyrus' demise. “Howl… for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, there is no entering in… Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth (Isaiah 23:1; 23:8)?”
Zidon is another immediate casualty in the war. Along with Tyrus, Zidon's name in prophecy pertains to a spiritual city of priests and prophets. The difference between Tyrus and Zidon, is that Zidon’s priests and prophets have listened to some of the king of Assyria’s message. Even so, these leaders walked away from the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and they continued to traffic in their own beliefs, which are in keeping with the traditional teachings of religion (Ezekiel 27:8). Spiritual death is prophesied to come upon these leaders for their mistake (Ezekiel 32:30). After witnessing Tyrus’ affliction, as well as its sanctification, the priests and prophets of Zidon will pass over to join the army of the north, but their transgressions will go with them, until they understand their need to repent, and to follow God's instructions. “I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her (Ezekiel 28:22).” “Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest (Isaiah 23:12).”
The last group of immediate casualties in the war, are the Philistines. Their name in prophecy pertains to believers who come bearing news of the covenant message, however they come with ungodly motives, for they come with a vengeful heart, intending to bring evil upon their enemies. “The Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred (Ezekiel 25:15).”
“The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the prancing horses, and the jumping chariots. The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear. There is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcasses; and there is none end of their corpses (Nahum 3:2-3).” This battle is about bringing news of the covenant message against Christianity's uninformed priests and prophets. “The Lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof (Isaiah 23:11).” “I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadnezzar… a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots… and much people… He shall set engines of war against thy walls… They shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, an destroy thy pleasant houses… Thus saith the Lord God to Tyrus, Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?” (quotes from Ezekiel chapter twenty six).
“They stumble upon their corpses: Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts (Nahum 3:3-4).” These scathing words are written against the out of covenant priests and prophets which are causing God’s people to err. The casualties of that day will include the unsightly afflicted bodies of Tyrus and the Philistines, but there will also be the spiritually dead bodies of Zidon. “Thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle (Isaiah 22:2).” God will cast abominable filth upon everyone that has ignored his instructions, and he will withdraw his Holy Spirit from the priest and prophets of Zidon. “And what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidion, and all the coasts of Palestine? Will ye render me a recompense (Joel 3:4)?” “They shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring to all flesh (Isaiah 66:24).”
“Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame. And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing stock. And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who shall bemoan her? Whence shall I seek comforters for thee (Nahum 3:5-7)?” These scathing words are a threat against the leaders that are dwelling in Nineveh, for the same affliction that was poured upon leaders and followers who refused to hear and follow instruction, will be poured on the king of Assyria, as well as on all of his spiritually dead followers, if they fail to comply with the Lord's instructions. God is compelling these leaders to teach the truth of end times before its too late, for everyone that is not teaching the truth after witnessing the affliction, is dwelling in the "bloody city;" and everyone that is within the bloody city on Judgment Day, will be destroyed. "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues (Revelation 18:4)."
“Art thou better than populous No… Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite… Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all streets, and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains (Nahum 3:8-10).” In prophecy, the name "Ethiopia" pertains to Islamic leaders that trusted in Moab’s counsel, and so they taught it to Egypt. Afterwards God sent messengers to the Ethiopians, but they rejected knowledge, and came against God's messengers, wherefore God afflicted them. “In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them (Ezekiel 30:9).” “The sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. Ethiopia… and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword (Ezekiel 30:4-5).” Ethiopians were, and are, honorable, and mighty Islamic leaders. “Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shields (Jeremiah 46:9).” After obtaining understanding in these things, believers can perceive that the portion of the verse which reads, "art thou better than populous No," is an insinuation that Nineveh's teachers are making the same mistakes that the careless Ethiopians made, therefore since they are no better than the Ethiopians, they can expect to receive the same punishments.
Exactly what is their punishment? “They shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation (Isaiah 20:5).” Ethiopians were afflicted with God's pestilence, and they remained afflicted until they went to Nebuchadnezzar for answers: for God kept them under the curse of his affliction, until they had respect his instructions. “The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains shall they come over, and they shall fall down unto thee… saying, Surely God is in thee (Isaiah 45:14).” After surmising the meaning of Ethiopia’s great pain, then the little word, “also,” becomes evidence and proof of Nineveh's predicament: “Her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all streets.” This piece of evidence is informing believers that if Christian leaders continue to hide and ignore the revealed truths of prophecy, then they too will have their young children ripped apart, and their great men will be bound in chains. In other words, not only will they be afflicted by the noisome pestilence, but they will also suffer God's curse, until they repent of their iniquities and teach the revealed truths of prophecy.
“Put and Lubim were thy helpers (Nahum 3:9).” “Put” is in Tyrus’ army (Ezekiel 27:10); howsoever the Hebrew word that was translated “Lubim” was also translated “Libyan;” and this word associates the Lubims with Nebuchadnezzar. “The Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps (Daniel 11:43).” So by affirming that, "Put and Lubim were thy helpers" the evidence is insinuating that the true enemy which is being reprimanded by God in Nahum's prophecy, is the “bloody city,” for its name pertains to people on both sides of the controversy. Remember that after God pours out the afflicting curse, the bloody city is where believers dwell if they are not executing God’s instructions in accordance with God's word. “I saw… the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there (Ecclesiastes 3:16).”
“Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy (Nahum 3:11).” This verse concerns the leaders that have lost the Holy Spirit and are in the bloody city, because they are still not following God's instructions, and promoting the revealed truths of prophecy. They are the Lord's hidden ones because there is no outward evidence of their sins. The word “drunken” means that they are confused. They are confusing themselves by holding onto mistaken religious beliefs, and following the teachings of spiritually dead counselors. “A man’s enemies are the men of his own house (Micah 7:6).” “The enemy… hath made me to dwell in darkness (Psalm 143:3).” They will seek to get strength in the Lord, but God will not hear their prayers because they are not cooperating with his word. “When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes (Isaiah 1:15-16). “The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered (Isaiah 29:10).”
“All thy strongholds shall be like fig trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater (Nahum 3:12).” When believers are not grounded in the truth of God’s word, they can easily be persuaded to take a verse of scripture out of context, and magnify it, so that it takes precedence over all of God’s word. God refers to this as being "devoured by a devourer." Both Nebuchadnezzar, and the Assyrian, are said to be devourers (Jeremiah 50:17; 51:34). Therefore, in accordance with scripture, “All they that devour thee shall be devoured (Jeremiah 30:16).” The Chaldeans, filled with indignation, will come and devour their armies. “Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger… his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire (Isaiah 30:27-30).” Chaldean’s will come, and they will magnify certain scripture verses, which were specially selected for the purpose of enticing the naive and vulnerable to join them in their enterprise. “Your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers (Isaiah 1:7).” “They shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword (Jeremiah (5:17).”
“Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars (Nahum 3:13).” The word “women” is a reminder that God is our husband, and every believer within the bloody city is left vulnerable without him. “Thy maker is thine husband… The Lord hath called thee as a women forsaken and grieved in spirit… For a small moment I have forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee (Isaiah 54:5-7).” The “bars” which are being devoured, are the scripture verses that deceived leaders are propagating against other religions, as well as believers of other faiths. “Their contentions are like bars of a castle (Proverbs 18:19).” The “fire” that is devouring their bars, are the explosive arguments of the Chaldeans. “The fire of thine enemies shall devour them (Isaiah 26:11).” “Wickedness burns as the fire (Isaiah 9:18).”
“Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strongholds: go into clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick kiln. There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts (Nahum 3:14-15).” These words decry the utter futility of trying to disregard God’s instructions: Whether you decide to hunker down in your religious strongholds, or whether you elect to join the ranks of the wicked devourers, you cannot win. Locusts, grasshoppers, and cankerworms are all wondrously famous for destroying the land. God used their names to depict the unreserved passions of the multitudes which will come to destroy religion. “He spake, and the locusts came, and the caterpillars, and that without number, and did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground (Psalm 105:34-35).”
“Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away (Nahum 3:16).” This part of Nahum's prophetic message implies that the king of Assyria himself is dwelling in the bloody city: for he is the one who has greatly multiplied the number of priests and prophets which are trafficking his message. This notorious leader has covenanted with a few of his followers, and they have agreed to hide their involvement with the covenant message, so that no one will ever know. “They said, He shall not see our last end (Jeremiah 12:4).” But God knows their thoughts. They are leaving their follow believers snared, so God has set up a snare for them: Cankerworms will come and spoil them. Cankerworms are provokers which will come for the purpose of stirring up trouble. They will come against the Assyrians, because they are not obeying God's instructions. One by one, as Assyrians rise up to fight against God’s word, they will be afflicted, and they will be cast out of God’s pavilion. “Earth shall cast out the dead (Isaiah 26:19).” “And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar (Isaiah 33:4).”
There are two prophecies of scripture wherein there is evidence which insinuates, as well as reveals, that the deceitful deeds of the king of Assyria will be exposed by a cankerworm. Ezekiel delivered a prophecy that declares that God will use his sword to take away from them their strength, which is their sons and daughters. This prophecy discretely identifies that Assyrians will hide information that can help God's people, and they keep their mouths shut while they pine away for their iniquities, and they mourn for one another (Ezekiel 24:21-27). A second confirmation of the matter is written within a parable: “The Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon… The waters made him great… all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because... his heart is lifted up in his height; I have delivered him into the hand of the mighty of the heathen; and he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness (from Ezekiel 31:3-11).”
“Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth thy flee away, and their place is not known where they are (Nahum 3:17).” Before interpreting this verse, note the similarities between the king of Assyria’s army, and that of Nebuchadnezzar's. Both armies have within them, believers that fear God, as well as leaders that are making mistakes. The king of Assyria's army is famous for devouring priests and prophets which were making denominational mistakes: they destroyed the foundations upon which the various religious denominations were established. Nebuchadnezzar’s army will come forth to devour whatever if left of religion. So, while this portion of Nahum's vision is testifying truths against the Assyrian, the same testimony also applies and pertains to the enemy, for, as evidence would have it, both of their armies are capable of accomplishing God’s will, even without following God’s instructions.
“Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness (Psalm 112:4).” When prophecy refers to the "sun arising", or in this case to the "light" that ariseth, it is insinuating that new understanding will begin to dawn in the hearts of believers. When his happens news of the covenant message will be heard throughout the land, which means that is will be heard by believers on both sides of the controversy. “The Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard (Isaiah 30:30).” There are two ways in which the truth of God's message will be heard by believers on both sides, and one of those ways is by receiving the truth through a messenger. “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).” The other way is by force: for God will pour out the prophesied affliction upon rebellious leaders and he will scatter their followers. “God shall shoot at them with an arrow: suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away (Psalm 64:7-8).” The king Assyria has chosen the later, which means that he will be afflicted, and his followers will be scattered. This is how God will cause the Assyrian's helpers to go out, and seek for the truth. “It shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste (Nahum 3:7).”
Once again consider the portion of Nahum's prophecy which reads: “Their place is not known where they are (Nahum 3:17).” “Both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not (Jeremiah 14:18).” Scattering the followers of a deceived prophet does not always equate to bringing them into agreement with God's word. When they are scattered, some of the Assyrian's followers will continue to remain in the bloody city. Truths concerning the fate of the bloody city are prophesied under the parable name of "Tophet," but that connection must be discerned. Both of these parable names reveal truths about a city that is sentenced to burn. “Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great (Ezekiel 24:9).” “Tophet is ordained of old… the pile thereof is fire and much wood (Isaiah 30:33).” Perceiving that these names pertain to the same city is important because prophecies concerning Tophet offer additional evidence and proof that on Judgment Day, everyone who is still refusing to acknowledge and follow God's instructions, will suffer God's wrath. “Thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth (Jeremiah 7:28).” “And they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury (Jeremiah 19:11).” “I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words (Jeremiah 19:15).”
“Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, no man gathers them (Nahum 5:18).” The words “thy shepherds slumber” and “thy nobles dwell in the dust,” are taunting words which insinuate that the king of Assyria's teachings have left his followers spiritually dead, so that even his nobles are not able to deliver themselves. The initial “scattering” occurred when Nebuchadnezzar sounded the alarm, and Tyrus was afflicted. “At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered (Isaiah 33:3).” And the "scatterings" continued to occur every time that an Assyrian was afflicted. Therefore the words “no man gathers them” signify that the king of Assyria is simply watching as the affliction comes upon his followers. So despite all of God’s signs, and despite all of God's promises, and despite all of the messengers that came unto him, the king of Assyria has continued to refuse to stand up and publish the covenant message, and confess his involvement, when it was in the power of his hands to remove their snare. “Because thou hast not given him warning… his blood will I require at thy hand (Ezekiel 3:20).”
“There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually (Nahum 5:18-19).” These words testify of the lack of compassion and forgiveness that God's people will have towards the king of Assyria: however, God will not turn away from him forever. Although the king of Assyria will be cursed by God's affliction, and he will suffer the abuse of God's noisome pestilence, the only incurable wound that he shall incur is his own sorrows. “All thy lovers have forgotten thee; they seek thee not; for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one… Why criest thou for thine affliction? Thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, have I done these things unto thee. Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured… For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord, because they called thee an Outcast, saying, this is Zion, whom no man seeketh after (Jeremiah 30:14-17).”
Through the works and words of the righteous, God will gather all Assyrians to himself, and they will receive his instructions (Zechariah 10:10). “I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered… And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face… and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me (Ezekiel 20:34-38).” “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations… Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient times? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? And there is no God else beside me… Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else (Isaiah 45:20-22).”
“My soul shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell… Thou wilt show me the path of life (Psalm 16:9-11).” And the Assyrians will be converted. “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs (Isaiah 26:19).” “O Clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth (Psalm 47:1-2)!”
