Unveiling the Mystery of Abomination of Desolation

“When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains (Mark 13:14).”

When Jesus included the abomination of desolation on his list of end time signs, he magnified the importance of Daniel’s vision, and caused his followers to know that they would not see this sign until it was the time of the end. Jesus prophesied additional clues that are to aid in the interpretation of Daniel's vision: The abomination will stand in the holy place (Matthew 24:15), and the holy place is a place where it ought not stand (Mark 13:14). The mystery concerning the abomination was sealed up till the time of the end, which is why solving it is unprecedented. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us… that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).”

The abomination of desolation is also called the transgression of desolation, therefore it is necessary to know the God's interpretation of the word, transgression (Daniel 8:13). Transgressions are sins against God, but transgressions and iniquities are not the same thing. Iniquities are unintentional mistakes which are being made against God because his people are observing religion's laws, for they are professing and believing certain misrepresentations of the deep and hidden mysteries of God's word; whereas transgressions are sins which happen because people know and understand the truth of God's word, but fail to do it. Religious iniquities become transgression in the day that believers discover religion's errs, and they forsake the truth of God's word, and continue to promote their long standing traditional religious beliefs. “His power and wrath are against all them that forsake him (Ezra 8:22).”

From the beginning of time God determined that spiritual death would be the punishment of transgressors (Proverbs 14:12). When Adam and Eve transgressed in the garden, God recorded their eviction as a pattern for our edification (Genesis 3:23). The pattern of their eviction from the garden suggests that when people transgress against God's word, they are separated from God. It’s what John eluded to in the verse: “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it (1John 5:16).” It’s also what Ezekiel expressed in the words: “The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression (Ezekiel 33:12).”

When a priest perceives the truth of the covenant message but elects to ignore it, then even his words become transgression and abomination. “Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, O house of Israel (Ezekiel 18:30-31)?”

Being able to see the abomination of desolation requires finding a solution to the eleventh chapter of the book of Daniel. This chapter orates a battle between a mighty king of the north, and a strong king of the south. Right there in the midst of the battle, helpers stand to assist the king of the north, and they place the abomination that maketh desolate. “Arms stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate (Daniel 11:31).”

Above all else, the battle of end times is a battle which is meant to cause believers to accept the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and convert their understandings of God's word. God will cause Islam, Judaism, and Christianity to be united into one way of serving him, for he is giving them a new covenant. “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south (Zechariah 14:4).” The dividing lines for the north and south are based upon one thing: whether or not people will hear and receive the covenant message. “Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south (Psalms 75:6).” This informative verse implies that promotion comes from the north.

God grouped together every person that has not heard the covenant message, and they are the people of the south; and everyone that has heard the covenant message is of the north, regardless of whether they believed the message, or not. A big mistake which is being made by the northerners, is documented in the words, “He that cometh against him shall do according to his own will (Daniel 11:16).” Believers are suppose act in accordance with God's will, and they are do all things in accordance with his word. Be aware that people on both sides of this controversy are making big mistakes, for they are under the very powerful influence and persuasions of their forefather's teachings. Also be aware that when believers perform a work which promotes the new covenant, then God removes them from these kingdoms, and they are received into everlasting habitations.

“His kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides those (Daniel 11:4).” In essence, God will be plucking up the occupants of these kingdoms, casting them down in their pride, and setting others in their stead. This means that ever changing faces will be coming in and going out of these kingdoms, with massive exchanges taking place when God changes the times. This precept is especially evident in verses nineteen through twenty one, wherein one king falls, and another king stands in his estate, then after a few days he is destroyed, and still another stands in his estate. 

The details which are necessary for interpreting Daniel’s vision are strewn throughout scripture. To insure that all of the proper details are applied to the vision, parable names must first be ascribed to the kings. Start by aligning occurrences which are prophesied throughout scripture with events that occur in the vision. Next, find out who God is addressing in the aligned prophecy, and therein you will have the king’s name. When parable names are ascribed to the kings of this vision, then the prophecy is understood, and knowledge concerning the time of the end, is increased.

Another vision which was delivered by Daniel, aligns itself with this vision and thereby it is used to identify and name the first king to stand up in this vision: “The rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation (Daniel 8:21-22).” Grecia is the name of the first king to stand up and entertain the covenant message. The name "Grecia" also translates into the word, Greece. Both of these city names were used in the new testament to elude to Christianity, for it is the gentile nation. “When he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided towards the four winds of heaven (Daniel 11:4).” This verse is suggesting that as soon as even one Christian priest stands up and acquires understanding of the covenant message, then the thoughts, beliefs, and ways of its people will be divided, and they will go in four different directions. See how that thought aligns itself with the vision from chapter eight that is quoted above.

The next name to be applied to the vision, is the king of Tyrus: this name is used in prophecy to represent Christian priests which have either ignored, or refused to hear the covenant message. “The king of the south shall be strong, and one of his princes (Daniel 11:5).” Scripture records lamentations for the king of Tyrus, as well as for the prince of Tyrus (Ezekiel 28:2; 28:12). By studying these lamentations, believers can conclude that the king of Tyrus' name represents those priests which have either ignored, or refused to hear the covenant message. Being titled a king, means that Tyrus already possess a crown: the crown is an inerrant symbol that Tyrus is righteous in the Lord's eyes. The same symbolic meaning of the crown applies to all the other kings of Daniel's vision. Tyrus was beautiful, and perfect in his ways until the day that iniquity was found in him. Pride lifted his heart, and iniquity corrupted his wisdom. His own merchandise is a factor that is warring against him: but his books and his merchandise will fall into the midst of the sea. God will judge Tyrus for not listening to his messengers: Tyrus will be afflicted by the loathsome pestilence. “I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” (Ezekiel chapter 28 and Ezekiel 27:34).

Tyrus was forewarned: “If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book… then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and long continuance, and sore sickness (from Deuteronomy 28:58-60).” This is God’s answer against those priests which have refused to listen to the warnings of his messengers. “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; what wisdom is in them (Jeremiah 8:9)?” Pestilence will humble Tyrus, and it will repay him for what he’s done unto the congregation (Isaiah 59:18). “Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty (Ezekiel 28:12).” “I am against the shepherds; I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock (Ezekiel 34:10).”

The Assyrian is the next king to stand up on behalf of Christianity, and he stands up in the north. Although he has entertained the covenant message, he remained unconvinced, therefore he’s not sharing its controversial news with the congregation. Nevertheless, the covenant message is being propelled by his newly awakened passions. “Oh my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt. For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction (Isaiah 10:24-25).” The Assyrian is identified by his escapades with Ephraim:

Ephraim is called the daughter of the south in the vision. The name of Ephraim applies to Christianity; and use of the female gender suggests that the parable name of Ephraim represents the elders, as well as the other people that are helping to run the Christian church. “In the end of years they shall join themselves together; for the king’s daughter of the south shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement: But she shall not retain the power of the arm; neither shall he stand, nor his arm (Daniel 11:6).” Ephraim goes to the Assyrian when her priest is afflicted, because she is looking for a new priest. “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian (Hosea 5:13).”

Ephraim is either ignorant of, or fighting against the covenant message. “I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not I healed them… He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refuse to return (Hosea 11:3, 11:5).”

Because the Assyrian took the time to at least consider the covenant message, he will escape the afflicting pestilence. However, if the Assyrian fails to tell the congregation the truth, then his transgressions will be discovered. Therefore the Assyrian will taste of spiritual death, which is the punishment that is ordained for transgressors. This is God’s way of not only punishing the Assyrian, but also of encouraging him to change his direction. The Assyrian is guilty of ignoring the end time instructions of God's word. When the Assyrian does finally change his direction, then the noisome pestilence will be waiting. Find evidence that both of these punishments are prophesied to come against the Assyrian, in the verse: “Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon... I have delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness (Ezekiel 31:11).”

“Out of the branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: and shall carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes… and he shall continue more years than the king of the north (Daniel 11:7-8)." The word, Egypt, is the prominent clue which identifies the next king to stand up in Daniel's vision. Pharaoh is the reigning king of the south, and he retains the title of "king of the south" throughout the remainder of the vision. Pharaoh is Islamic. Believers can be certain of this, because the prophesies concerning that name are connected to the descendants of Esau, Ishmael and Lot. Also remember that the parable of the south, pertains unto the people that are ignorant of the covenant message, and Christian priests that are ignorant of it, were given the parable name of Tyrus (Ezekiel 28:19). The words “carry captives into Egypt” insinuate that some Christian believers will be persuaded to turn unto Islam, and the Koran for answers.

But as the covenant message gets louder, God's messengers will carry news of the newly revealed truths of prophecy unto those who went into the captivity. “They of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man (Zachariah 10:7).” Their messages will be heard by the sons of Islam. “One shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through (Daniel 11:10).” Islamic leaders will be offended by this. “The king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north (Daniel 11:11).”

In this battle, the beliefs of Islam shall prevail. “When he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it (Daniel 11:12).” This is God’s way of purging our iniquities. “My people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoices, shall descend into it (Isaiah 5:13-14).”

“I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms (Ezekiel 30:22).” This is one of those prophesies which align itself with Daniel’s vision, and confirm that Pharaoh is the king of the south. “The arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand (Daniel 11:15).” Pharaoh was strong as long as he was ignorant of the covenant message, however his strength is broken by the voice of prophecy. “The spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof (Isaiah 19:3).”

After God pours affliction upon Christian priests, a sound of rejoicing is heard coming from the princes of Tyrus: “Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned me (Ezekiel 26:2).” That same offensive sound is heard coming from the sons of Islam. “Say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned… and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity; Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession (Ezekiel 25:3-4).” The voices of these princes are an offense to God, as well as to his people, for they are celebrating the adversity of others. Whereas these princes ought to be fearing the Lord and having concern for the condition of their own souls, instead they are viewing the affliction as an opportunity to advance their own religious beliefs, and increase their riches. They will be delivered into the hands of their enemies, for God will cut off their rejoicings.

When affliction causes priests to be removed from ministry, then church officials will inadvertently hire false teachers as replacements. These false teachers will not regard the voice of the church, and they will oppress the congregations which they lead. In their eyes the congregation is corrupt, because their leaders were afflicted by God. “Ephraim has hired lovers (Hosea 8:9).” “Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee… and I will bring them against thee on every side; the Babylonians… and all the Assyrians with them (Ezekiel 23:22-23).” The souls of these replacements are not right with God, for they have despised the covenant message. In essence, strangers are occupying the pulpits, and these strangers will rage against the congregation. “We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers (Jeremiah 50:7).”

The bible warns about this development. “My face will I turn from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for robbers shall enter into it, and defile it (Ezekiel 7:22).” “You have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it… they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations (Ezekiel 44:7).” Robbers are prophesied to lead all congregations that are refusing to listen to God. “If ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me… I will send the pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy… And if you will not for all this hearken unto me, but will walk contrary unto me… I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation (from Leviticus 26:21-31).”

These robbers will bring into the sanctuary divisive and offensive religious memorabilia. “They shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate (Daniel 11:31).” There it is: the abomination that maketh desolate. Robbers are brought into the sanctuary, to stand in the pulpits and teach God's people. These robbers will bring religious memorabilia into the sanctuary with them, and set it before the eyes of the people. This is an attempt to propagate a religion. “I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable things (Jeremiah 16:18).”

It’s time to take courage: Asa took courage and put away the idols which his fathers had made (1Kings 15:12); Hezekiah removed high places and broke down images, including the brazen serpent which Moses made (2Kings 18:4). Manasseh destroyed idols, including all the altars which he was responsible for building (2Chronicles 33:15); Josiah purged the high places of Israel and Judah, destroying all of their carved images, molten images, and their altars and groves (2Chronicles 34:3-7). These were courageous acts which took great boldness. “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past (Ecclesiastes 3:15).”

In order for God to unite the religions, the sanctuary must be free of offensive memorabilia; memorabilia it is the stumbling block of our iniquity (Ezekiel 7:19). “They ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity (Ezekiel 44:12).” Should Christianity be exempt from the purposes of God? “He that exalts his gate seeketh destruction (Proverbs 17:19).” God prophesied that during these times we will remove our idols. “In that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin (Isaiah 31: 7).” “Thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth (Isaiah 30:22).” “Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword (Isaiah 31: 7).”

Memorabilia in the sanctuary, is iniquity. “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee (Deuteronomy 4:23).” “Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the Lord thy God hateth (Deuteronomy 16:22).” “Cursed be the man that maketh any graven image, or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and puts it in the secret place (Deuteronomy 27:15).”

In the vision, another king stands up in the north. “Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom (Daniel 11:20).” Behold Nebuchadnezzar, the forth king which stands up on behalf of Christianity: Grecia, Tyrus, the Assyrian, and Nebuchadnezzar. The best way to identify this king is to delve into the Hebrew word which was translated “taxes.” That same word was translated “oppressor” and it was used in the verse, “Take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased (Isaiah 14:4)!” The king of Babylon is being dubbed, the oppressor, or, the raiser of taxes. Nebuchadnezzar is the king of Babylon, however, in prophecy, the names, king of Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar, are considered separately. Nebuchadnezzar is the first king to stand up and believe the covenant message, therefore his name is used to represent all of the priests and prophets which are rising up and believing the covenant message, even though they are not following the instructions of it. “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms (Jeremiah 51:20).” These kings are moving in the right direction, however their practices are not perfect. Pride, covetousness, and the mistreatment of others, are some of their offenses. “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria (Jeremiah 50:18).”

“In his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom.” The Hebrew word which was translated into the word “vile” credits this appearance as being that of the king of Moab, for that same Hebrew word was translated “despised” and it was used in the verse, “I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised (Obadiah 1-2).” Moab is the first Islamic king to stand up and entertain the teachings of the covenant message, but he rejects them. He is throughly convinced that the heritage of the Lord is Islam’s for the taking (Ezekiel 35:10; 36:5). He and his fellows devise a crafty plan to work together with Edom and come against Christianity, when its priests are afflicted by God (Psalms 83:2-8).

“Keep not thou silence, O God… they that hate thee have lifted the head (Psalms 83:1-2).” “My sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment… The Lord hath a great sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea… it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance (Isaiah 34:5-8).” “I will lay vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord (Ezekiel 25:14).”

Because Moab is the instigator of this battle, indignation will rise up against him, and it will destroy him. “The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood (Daniel 9:26).” “With an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof (Nahum 1:8).” “With the arms of a flood shall they be over flown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant (Daniel 11:22).”

After the flood, Gog, who is referred to as the prince of the covenant, makes his debut in the north (Ezekiel 38:15). Gog is a prince, for he has no crown, because his works have not been pleasing to the Lord. “If a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully (2Timothy 2:5).” “There shall stand up yet three kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than they all (Daniel 11:2).” Gog is the anticipated fourth presence to stand up on behalf of Islam: Pharaoh, Moab, Edom, and Gog. Gog represents the reinvented princes of Islam. These princes have heard the covenant message, and they believed it, however they also continue to believe that God favors the Islamic religion. Gog gains a following, and becomes a strong host (Daniel 11:23). “I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth (Ezekiel 38:3-4).”

“By his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia (Daniel 11:2).” Gog is against the Christian priests which are leading Islamic congregations. The Hebrew word “Grecia” also translates “Javan,” and this word provides evidence that Grecian’s are backslidden Christian believers (Isaiah 66:19). “The children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold to the Grecians (Joel 3:6).” These backslidden leaders are ignoring the warnings of God's word, and they are meddling with Islam. This is known as defiling their neighbor’s wife (Ezekiel 18:6). Certain priests are electing to ease themselves from studying God's word, and they opting to sell their congregations into the hands of preachers of other religions. Not only do some Islamic priests sell their congregations into the hands of the Grecians, but there are also some Christian priests which are selling their congregations into the hands of Islam. “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head (Joel 3:6).”

Prophesy reveals that Ephraim will be sold unto Egypt by the Assyrian: “He shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him (Daniel 11:17).” Hosea concurred, “They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt (Hosea 9:3).” Defilement is God's punishment for pride, and it will cause the ignorance of the congregation to cease. “I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken it (Joel 3:8).”

Gog's discontentment is for good reason. Grecian's are strangers unto God, for they have ignored the truth of his word. They are endangering the congregation because they are misrepresenting God's intended meanings of prophecy. Having false teachers is the punishment which is prophesied to come against rebellious congregations. Believers who despise and refuse to obey the instructions of God's word, are reserved unto the day of his wrath. “In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee (Ezekiel 24:13).” “I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it (Leviticus 26:32).”

Daniel describes Gog as coming “like a whirlwind” (Daniel 11:40); Ezekiel calls it, “like a storm” (Ezekiel 38:9). The day wherein Gog leads his people to attack the deceived Christian priests which are preaching before Islamic congregations, is the day of God's wrath. In that day God will pour afflicting pestilence upon everyone that is fighting against his word; and the rebellion of the rebellious will be destroyed, forever. "It shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face… I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon all his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (from Ezekiel 38:18-22-23)." "The destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed (Isaiah 1:28)." "Then shall ye know that I am the Lord, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars (Ezekiel 6:13)."

“Yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God (Ezekiel 28:26).”

The Moon Shall Not Give Her Light

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not… While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2).” In prophecy, the words, "sun" and "moon" and "stars" are all parable words. The "stars" are the people of the congregation, however this message is about the interpretations of the words the sun and moon. Knowing the interpretation of these words, is beneficial for end time understanding. In prophecy, these words pertain to worship leaders, and their teachings. God used two different words because he allowed believers to know that has made a distinction between priests which have heard the covenant message, and those which have not heard it. The word "moon" refers unto priests which have heard; and the word "sun"refers unto the priests which have not heard. Although the moon has gained a certain amount of understanding, these priests have not confessed the controversial parts of the covenant message to their congregations.

“He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down (Psalms 104:19).” Proving God's interpretation of parable words is done by studying all of the prophecies of scripture which pertain to that word, and then building its interpretation one piece of evidence at a time. When a true parable meaning of a word is discovered, then each and every verse which uses that parable word, will make sense. "At that time... they shall bring out the bones... and they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved,  and whom they have served... and whom they have worshipped (Jeremiah 8:1-2)." This piece of evidence is suggesting that believers have been serving their priests; for they are promoting the mistaken beliefs and thoughts of their teachers. The words of this verse are also suggesting that one day priests will come face to face with the true spiritual condition of their own congregations.

God used the names of these two distinctly different types of light to show believers that during end times he will be judging priests based upon whether or not they have heard the covenant message. “There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differs from another star in glory (1Corinthians 15:41)." Consider that the moon's light is simply a reflection of the sun's glory. Likewise, if priests which have actually heard the truth, hide it, and simply teach the portions of the covenant message which are convenient for them, then they are just reflecting religion's glory. Believers should be looking forward to the day of a new moon, wherein God's glory is all that matters. "Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on the solemn feast day (Psalm 81:3)."

Certain verses of prophecy testify that God has elevated the role of the moon and its followers during end times: “The moon and stars to rule by night (Psalms 136:9).” This verse suggests that the priests which know the covenant message will be leading God's people during the end times. Another prophecy confesses that the moon shall possess God's end time instructions, and that those instructions shall never depart. “Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night… If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever (Jeremiah 31:35-36).”

“He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass… In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endures (Psalms 72:6-7).” This verse is implying that peace and prosperity will come from the moon's teachings, however the "abundance of peace" which comes from the moon, is temporary, because the moon is teaching truths which are incomplete, and which can never bring peace between the nations of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Rather, the moon's teachings are bringing peace between religion's denominations. This peace came about because God caused certain leaders to rise up and read the covenant message, and they have been teaching some of the less controversial portions of it. "The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound (Isaiah 30:26)."

There are prophecies of scripture which testify that there will come a day in the which the sun will be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light (Ecclesiastes 12:2). "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine (Isaiah 13:9-10)." "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord shall roar... and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people (Joel 3:14-16)." That day is will be a day of repentance; but so long as the moon continues to shine, there is no repentance. "He maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45)."

There is one verse of scripture which seemingly suggests that the moon will continue in its strength forever. "I have found David... His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven (Psalm 89:20; 89:35-36)." But what is this verse actually verifying? Is it not testifying that God's people will endure forever? And is it not validating God's promise to bring the moon and his ordinances?

"The sun knoweth his going down (Psalms 104:19)." "God commands the sun and it riseth not (Job 9:7)" The Hebrew word which was translated into the word “sun,” was also translated into the word “itch,” and it was used in the verse, “The Lord will smite thee... with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed (Deuteronomy 28:27).” God's peculiar, albeit, very precise placement of this word, is designed to imply that every priest who is refusing to hear the covenant message, will be taken by the curse. God's warning about the itch appears within Israel's covenant: it is God's testimony against believers who received the prosperity of his blessings, and then stop listening to his commandments (Deuteronomy 28:15). The sun shall be turned into darkness, because God commanded it to be dark in that day, and every priest who ignores God's commandment will suffer God's correcting punishment. “He knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; because they turned back from him, and would not consider his ways (Job 34:25-27).”

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the notable day of the Lord come (Acts 2:20; Joel 2:31).” The same word which was translated into the word “turned,” was also translated into the word “converted.” This is true in the book of Acts, as well as in the book of Joel.  In other words, both verses could have been translated: the sun shall be converted into darkness, and the moon into blood. These verses pertain to the day wherein the sun will receive God's messengers, and many priests will be corrected, and they will convert their understandings of scripture. In other words, the sun is darkened because it submits itself unto the authority of God's word. This happens when priests which are silencing the covenant message, start promoting it. "The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood (Revelation 6:12)." Blood depicts the righteousness of working to please God. “Being in agony Jesus prayed the more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44).” Suggesting that the moon is turned into blood, is God's way of acknowledging that he sees the anguish of those priests which sacrifice themselves and share the controversial parts of his end time message with their congregation. These priests will, in effect, be laying down their lives for the word of God.

"The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining (Joel 2:10)." The word, dark, has to do with believers repenting and humbling themselves, and giving God the glory. The earth will quake because priests are teaching the controversial parts of the covenant message, because God's army is being released. “The Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide (Joel 2:11).” The world will hear God's instructions, as well as his warnings. "He was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. The armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine lined, white and clean (Revelation 19:13-14)." “Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces gather blackness (Joel 2:6).”

Despite the vast size of the Lord's army, there will still be leaders that refuse to accept the truth, and they will not receive God's messengers. Their lights shall be put out in the day of God's wrath (Habakkuk 1:5). “When I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light… I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at every moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall (Ezekiel 32:7-10).” God will pour affliction upon these leaders, and he will violently remove their beauty, and will not spare, but he will utterly destroy all their places of assembly (Lamentations chapter two). “Heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him (Job 20:27).”

“They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously (Isaiah 24:22-23).” This verse eludes to the afflicting pestilence which will be poured upon some priests. The sun will be taken hostage in an unwalled prison of public opinion, for these priests have transgressed against the Lord, and God will make them an abhorrence to all flesh (Isaiah 66:24). This is God's promise and his punishment which will be forever correcting the priesthood. "I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogance of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible (Isaiah 13:11)." “He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word (Psalms 105:28).”

When believers hear the new covenant, and when they learn what Jesus’ sacrifice accomplished for every believer, then New Jerusalem be lit by God's glory, and by the teachings of Jesus Christ. “The city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23).” “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).”

One final thought: “There appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered (Revelation 12:1-2).” So long as priests are permitted to preach iniquity in our pulpits, all of creation is travailing together in birth pains. Along with that thought, be aware that our iniquities are causing righteous priests who are privy to the covenant message, to remain silent and cleave to their traditional religious teachings. Understanding these two things brings interpretation to the prophecy concerning the appearance of a great wonder in heaven. This prophecy is showing believers a portrait of the final victory: The final enemy which still needs to be defeated is seen under the woman’s feet. “He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet (1Corinthians 15:25).” The moon is the final enemy, and the moon is depicted as being put under the feet of the those who are travailing in the birth of the covenant message! The moon will be defeated and put under the woman's feet, when these priests see the mistakes which they are making, and they confess their own failures.

Shaking the Heavens

“Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven (Hebrews 12:26).” God testified in his word that there will be a time of shaking, and that that time will occur just prior to the day of the Lord. “The stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory (Mark 13:25-26).” The first step towards being able to interpret God's intended meaning of the shaking, is for believers to understand God's parable use of the word, heaven. In prophecy God used the parable name of "heaven" to refer to places wherein men have crafted laws which govern salvation, and wherein believers have respect for, and obey those laws. In other words, our sanctuaries, and our religions, are our heavens. "The heavens declare his righteousness (Psalm 97:6)." "I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass (Leviticus 26:19). "

Within the parable place called heaven there exists such names as, the powers of heaven, the angels, and the stars of heaven. The "powers of heaven" are church officials who look after, and control, what is, or isn't, taught in the pulpits. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for you souls, as they that must give an account (Hebrews 13:17).” The powers of heaven will shake at the realization that their forefather's have made mistakes, and that they are making those same mistakes. "The powers that are in heaven shall be shaken (Matthew 13:25)." Angel, is another name that is used in prophecy to refer to priests. Jesus revealed the parable meaning of this word in the prophesies of Revelation when he spoke unto John asking him to write letters unto the angels of the seven churches (Revelation 2:1). The stars of heaven are the people within the congregation, for they shine the light of understanding into a dark world. "Be blameless... sons of God... in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15)." "I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven (Genesis 22:11)."

The prophesied time of shaking has little to do with the wicked. “There is no fear of God before their eyes (Romans 3:18).” The wicked have no idea that there is even a need to shake. “We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented (Matthew 11:17).” “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (1Corinthians 10:12).” “Hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time (Luke 12:56)?”

When God does shake the heavens, the fig trees will be among those that are shaken. “The stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind (Revelation 6:13).” Consider who the parable of the fig tree represents. It represents priests which have already heard portions of the covenant message, and which have already changed some of their teachings. These priests believed the report that they heard, therefore they are teaching things which go against their former religious beliefs. Their hope and desire is to teach the truth of God’s word, however because of deeply embedded religious beliefs, and because of their uncertainties, these priests have not confessed the controversial parts of the covenant message before their congregations. “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken (Luke 24:25).” When God promised to shake the heavens, he was referring to that day when nervous priests would stand before their congregations, and confess the controversial parts of the covenant message.

When the controversial parts of the message are openly confessed and the powers of heaven are shaken, then some of the people within the congregation will also be shaken, "and the stars of heaven shall fall (Mark 13:25)." "We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word... as that the day of Christ is at hand (2Thessalonians 2:1-2)." God's people have respect for the laws of religion, so hearing their own priest confessing and preaching controversial things which go against their traditional beliefs, will be strange, wherefore some people will be shaken, however the word "fall" suggests that the overall reaction of the congregation will be one of being humbled by the almightiness of God. "When the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid (Matthew 17:6-7)." God, in his infinite mercy, will pour his Holy Spirit upon them, and calm their fears. "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3)." 

God anticipated our fears, which is why he prophesied truths which will strengthen his people. When believers understand the truths of prophecy, then they know what is coming, and they will be ready for that day. "He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken... that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (Hebrews 12:26-27)."

“He thunders with the voice of his Excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard (Job 37:4).” Priests already know that end time prophecy must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44). “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed (Acts 16:26).” Truths which are being proclaimed through the covenant message, will suddenly be confirmed. However, for the past seven years a remnant of believers have already been at work raising, proving, and confirming the truths of prophecy. They have reported their findings to the priesthood, as well as to the religious authorities. Wherefore unto these believers, end time understanding did not come in an instant, but they were made weary by the unbelief of God's people. In essence, God called a weary remnant to do the work of encouraging and persuading his priesthood. “The Lord of hosts hath visited Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle (Zechariah 10:3).”

"Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail (Micah 4:10)." This verse is evidence that much work needed to be done before God's people could enter into the everlasting kingdom: "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22)." "In those days, after that tribulation... the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken (Mark 13:24-25)." The very words, "after that tribulation... the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken," are proof that God allowed for seven years of travail while believers worked to convince the authorities and the priesthood, before that day when the powers of heaven would suddenly be shaken. Those seven years of travail have been accomplished, and the covenant message is complete, and therefore the day of sudden shaking is at hand. "To you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels (2Thessalonians 1:7)."

Prophecy also speaks about a gathering which will take place during end times. “In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn (Matthew 13:30).” The first step in being able to understand the work of gathering, is to consider that God foretold believers that one day he would separate the righteous from the hypocrites. "Before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32)." Every believer will have to make a decision concerning what message they will believe. If they oppose what is being taught in their pulpits, they will go out from their places of assembly, and they will be gathered unto places which promote their beliefs. Therefore the separating of the righteous from the rebellious is based upon what is being taught in the pulpit. The faithful will be gathered unto God's house to learn the truths of the covenant message, but the rebellious will be gathered therein to fight against God's word. "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire (John 15:6)."

Sudden destruction is also prophesied to take place. Sudden destruction has everything to do with God pouring out the affliction for the purpose of enforcing his ways. Priests who refuse to receive God's messengers, will be the first casualties of sudden destruction. “He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy (Proverbs 29:1).” “This is a rebellious people… that will not hear the law of the Lord… Thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word… Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. (Isaiah 30:9; 30:12-13).” “He shall break it as the breaking of the potter’s vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare (Isaiah 30:14).” “Suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment (Jeremiah 4:20).”

Now discover an important lesson from the parable of the ten virgins, five of which prepared themselves for the bridegroom by bringing oil for their lamps, and five of which did foolishly and neglected to bring any oil. The ten virgins are ten groups, or bodies of believers, and each of these groups are referred to as virgins, which confirms that all ten of these bodies are innocent and righteous in God's eyes. The difference is that five of the groups have the joy of the Lord. “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (Hebrews 1:9).” Having the “oil of gladness” is an act of obedience which insures that believers are keeping their lamps lit. Be happy witnesses, and rejoice and be glad that God is faithfully fulfilling his word, and that he has made a way for all believers of every religion! “At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).” 

Be happy that God is putting an end to religious warfare. He is giving the nations answers concerning Jesus Christ, and now every believer can receive his gift of the Holy Spirit! “They sung a new song, saying... thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10).” Don’t fly past the fantastic news that believers of every kindred, tongue and nation will be rejoicing, for good came from their sacrifices. Rejoicing witnesses will inherit praise, for they will safely guide many into glorious truth, and the kingdom of God will be enlarged by their sacrifices! How excellent are His ways! “Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty (Psalms 29:1).” “Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people… Give unto the Lord the glory due his name (Psalms 96:7-8).”

It is also necessary for believers to have a spirit of repentance. "He began to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not (Matthew 11:20)." We, as individuals, and as religions, have made grievous mistakes, for we upheld and promoted iniquities and lies which caused others to stumble in their walk with the Lord. Weep and pray for the mistakes of religion, as well as for those who have stumbled in their walk. Pray that God will open the eyes of their understanding. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).”

“I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth… saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come (Revelation 14:6-7).” The covenant message is an end time gospel message, which been delivered into the very capable hands of the God's people. “That he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad (John 11:52).”

The confusion over the covenant message will end when Satan is cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:1-9). “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9).” This happens when believing priests stand before their congregations and confess the controversial parts of the message, for then religion's lies will be cast out of God's pulpits, forever. “I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before God day and night (Revelation 12:10).” The casting down of Satan is a casting down of his countenance, for deceived priests will be forced to deal with the reality of their mistaken ways. “Cast down, but not destroyed (2Corinthians 4:9).” 

Rejoice, for God made a way which unites the believers of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity together, giving them one way in which they may serve him forever. God will fulfill all of his prophecies, and all of his promises, while at the same time he will maintain the integrity of all of the apostles and the prophets. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out (Romans 11:33).” “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15).”

For God So Loved the World & The Unjust Steward

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).” This verse does not only declare God's love for the world, but it is also implies that God gave Jesus Christ to the nations as a gift which confirms his love for them. "For God so loved the world." How does a biblical account of Jesus Christ confirm God's love for the nations? The teachings of Jesus, as well as those of his followers, are especially meant to perfect the world's understanding of who God is (Ephesians 4:12). In essence, God loved the world so much that he gave them not only Jesus Christ, but also Jesus' followers; so that when the world witnesses their acts of kindness, and of impartiality, and compassion, and heard their words, the world would see and know, the love, and mercy, and the forgiveness that God has for them.

To identify an end time truth which was written in, John, chapter three, verse sixteen, the facts of this law were established when Jesus taught them again for a second time, saying: "Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life (John 5:24)." The unpopular testimony of John, chapter five, verse twenty four, works together with, John, three, sixteen, and it verifies that if believer's hear Jesus' teachings, and if they already believed in God, then they are passed from death unto everlasting life, without condemnation. Jesus taught the truth concerning this law of pardon, twice, therefore it was established by God. Nevertheless, these two verses work together to produce evidence which insinuates, and testifies that the new covenant is to learn of Jesus. "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? ... He will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19)." 

God sent the people the prophet Jesus Christ, for their sanctification. “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Jesus (Matthew 11:6).” “By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses (Acts 13:39).” As previously stated, God gave the world the teachings of Jesus to perfect their understanding of his love, however Jesus' death served yet another purpose for the nations. Jesus went to the cross and willingly gave his life as an offering: his death was God's offering which established all of God's covenant promises. "Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers (Romans 15:8)." "This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12)."

How could, and did, the priests of Jesus' day make the unlawful mistake of condemning God's son, who was a prophet, and a righteous man, unto death? Answer: It was no mistake (Deuteronomy 33:9). The crucifixion was a necessary part of God's plan to fulfill scripture, even fulfilling some prophecies which Jesus Christ himself delivered (Isaiah chapter 53). "The Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again (Matthew 20:19)." Jesus' death was purposed for the gathering of God's people of every nation into one understanding, in the last days, and at the end of time. "The high priest prophesied that Jesus should die… and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad (John 11:51-52).” Jesus gave his life so that during end times believers might see the truth, and turn from the mistakes of religion: for his death testifies that religion rehearses, and promotes mistaken beliefs. “He gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1Timothy 2:6).”

The priests of Jesus' day refused to consider that Jesus' new doctrine could be of God. They consented to his death because they were deceived by their own mistaken understandings of God's word, or in other words, by their religious iniquities. Likewise, today's priests are also being deceived by the mistaken beliefs of their forefathers, and by their own mistaken understandings of God's word. Jesus' crucifixion is evidence that religion and tradition are stumbling blocks for God's people (John 19:7). For God so loved the world that he gave them Jesus, and Jesus' death is evidence that seemingly good and godly religious doctrines, are in fact, riddled with errs. Jesus gave himself as an offering that he might reveal the sin of relying upon, and trusting in, our forefather's teachings, for trusting in religion is iniquity. “He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity (Titus 2:14). Religion's shortcomings are evidenced by the crucifixion, and teaching the congregation this true fact will put understanding into the hearts of God's people: “The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).” “Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).”

Through Jesus’ teachings the world, is, and has been, awarded an opportunity to get a glimpse at the Father’s love. Jesus commanded his followers to have love for one another, and those who have kept his commandments have a spirit of love that comes from the father. Therefore God's love is seen through the true followers of Jesus Christ. “I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you (Matthew 5:44).” “A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another (John 13:34).” “For love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God (1John 4:7).” “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if you have love one to another (John 13:35).”

Priests' often allow the pressures and demands of religion to dictate what is taught in their pulpit. This type of pressure is eluded to in a parable of the unjust steward. Think of the priest as being a steward of God's word. “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful (1Corinthians 4:2).” Now think of the unjust steward as being a priest who has been withholding the newly revealed end time truths of scripture from God's people. The unjust steward is accused of wasting the goods of his lord. “How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest no longer steward (Luke 16:2).” Jesus could be demanding these things of the steward, however these words actually represent certain accusations which are coming from the dictates of religion, against priests. Compare the accountability demanded in this parable, to that which is commanded in a parable about a certain nobleman: “It came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him… that he might know how much every man had gained (Luke 19:15).” When the truths of the covenant message are openly professed before the nations, the dictates and authorities of religion will demand those priests which were not sharing its truths before the congregation, to give an account. God gave the priesthood time to prepare everyone, so what about the priests who failed to heed the warnings of God's messengers? Is bowing down to the pressures of religion a good reason for not serving the Lord and following after his truths?

What will happen when priests are confronted by their authorities? The unjust steward resolved what he would do, and then he went to work. “He called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? (Luke 16:5).” The wisdom of the unjust steward was to respond by taking all of his understanding directly to the people, in a one on one basis. The steward exacted less from his lord's debtors then they owed, for he explained unto them that God exacts less from believers than our iniquities deserve. The unjust steward actions not only remind people to be gracious when instructing others, but they also remind believers that righteousness is not of the law, but it is by faith. The debts of his lord's debtors were not completely resolved by the steward, neither could they be, for everyone must personally perform a work for the Lord in order to inherit the blessings of the kingdom. The reason that God provided the parable of the unjust steward is to show priests that they should have charity towards the congregation, for it pleases the Lord: “The Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely (Luke 16:8).”

At the conclusion of this parable are lessons which pertain to "unrighteous mammon." These parable words refer to our iniquities: God used them to represent the portions of our religious doctrines which are deceitful, and which misrepresent him before the people. “If ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches (Luke 16:11)?” In other words, if you were unfaithful at keeping and promoting the laws of your own religious beliefs, then who is going to help you understand the kingdom’s secrets?

“I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9).” The secret to discerning the truth of this verse, is to understand that the counsel of this verse is directly linked to the parable of the unjust steward. Consider that each and every religion has a certain amount of unrighteous mammon. So this verse is encouraging priests that hear the covenant message, to win allies unto themselves by directly sharing their understanding of it with some of the people within their own congregation, in a one on one basis. This way when the end does come, the people whom they informed will rise up, and they will help them by declaring the things which they heard, and which they now believe. “Who is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season (Luke 12:42)?”

“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Luke 16:13).” The truth is, believers now face an all important decision: who will they serve? Will it be God, or religion's long standing inaccuracies: no one can serve both. “He will thoroughly purge his floor (Luke 3:17).” Make no mistake about it, every err of our religious teachings will be destroyed. “That servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke 12:47).” “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)."

The words "everlasting habitations" are written among the lessons of the unrighteous mammon.  "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9)." What are these words referring to? Where is the place of everlasting habitations? The Greek word which was translated into the word “habitations,” was also translated into the word “tabernacle” and it was used in the verse: “David; who found favor before God, desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob (Acts 7:46).” In other words, is was David's desire to find God an everlasting habitation. David's desire is realized through yet another covenant promise of God: Jesus Christ is being made our high priest forever, by an oath (Hebrews 7:20). “The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Psalms 110:4; Hebrews 7:21).” Through our great high priest, Jesus Christ, God's people are being made one: this is the unity that God approves of, and it is his everlasting habitation, it is Zion, and it is the fulfillment of David's desire. “He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:33).” Believe God, and believe on his Son. “So all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Psalms 14:7; Romans 11:26).”

Malachi and the Windows of Heaven

Malachi delivered a message which is especially meant for today's priests. “O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces… and ye shall know that I have sent this commandment to you (Malachi 2:1-4).” This announcement is purposed to get the attention of righteous priests, and cause them to listen to God's messengers, for these words verify that priests who are refusing to receive the newly revealed truths of prophecy, are already being punished. This book is God's testimony wherein he lifted his hand and sworn that he is grieved against priests, and that he will correct them. The covenant message, is, in essence, God's voice, for it rehearses God's very words. Wherefore every priest who refuses to hear and receive the newly revealed truths of the covenant message will suffer God's affliction, for they have irresponsibly withheld truth from the people, and they given the congregation over to the end time pestilences.

In the testimony which God delivered through Malachi, God spoke directly unto priests asking them why they are doing things which displease and grieve him: Why do you offer up incomplete truth's in your sermons (Malachi 1:8)? Why are you more loyal to your religion than to your God (Malachi 2:11)? Why do you despise the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and profane your covenant (Malachi 1:7; 2:10; Joshua 1:8-9)? “The Lord will cut off the man that does this (Malachi 2:12).” Priests are called to stand before God's people with a clean heart, and with a pure conscience. Many of today's priests have already heard the newly revealed truths of prophecy as well as the instruction of God's word, and yet they continue to stand before God's people and promote religion's lies. This is abomination (Ezekiel 34:2). “Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off (Zephaniah 3:7).” Priests who claim to be a child of God should believe the evidences of scripture, and they should do all things according to God's word.

God informed his people that he would send them a prophet before the great and terrible day of his coming. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5)." This is evidence, so hear this evidence and believe God. The prophet whom God promised to send was to be a messenger who would deliver the covenant message. "I will send my messenger… even the messenger of the covenant (Malachi 3:1)." This is the message of the covenant: for it boldly declares the new covenant, and along with that news came the newly revealed understandings of prophecy, and all of this was delivered before the great and terrible day of his coming. In other words, God's prophecy concerning Elijah has been fulfilled. "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness (Malachi 3:3)." The objective of this message is to change the hearts and minds of believing priests, so that they might acknowledge their offense, change their teachings, and get God's people prepared and ready for that day (Psalms 13:3).

“Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; Lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited (Jeremiah 6:8).” The counsel and instruction of the covenant message is awarded to priests for their good, and for the good of all of God's people. “Whoso loves instruction loves knowledge (Proverbs 12:1).” God caused the understandings of prophecy to be sealed up and misunderstood until the day that he clarified their true meaning (Isaiah 48:8; Ezekiel 21:27). So priests had no way of accurately knowing everything that was prophesied to come upon believers at the time of the end. Therefore forget everything that was previously taught and believed about end times, for end times will be according to the newly revealed truths of prophecy. Believers will need to study and pray for wisdom and understanding: for God intends to destroy every false and mistaken belief of every religion. Don't presume to know anything. Find evidence of everything in his word. “The soul that does presumptuously… the same reproaches the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him (Numbers 15:30-31).”

The curse which will come upon the priests who continue to ignore or reject the revealed truths of prophecy, was eluded to, and prophesied about, throughout the testimonies of God's word. Here are some of the evidences: "O ye priests... I will even send a curse upon you  (Malachi 2:2)." "Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats (Zechariah 10:3)." "All the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them (Ezekiel 39:21)." "Thou shalt mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, and say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof (Proverbs 5:11-12)." God will afflict the face of every priest who refuses to accept his end time truths, but Christianity's rebellious priests will be the first ones that will suffer his correction. "What is the vine tree more than any tree (Ezekiel 15:2)." "Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God (1Peter 4:17)?" "Be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1).” "They shall go forth, and look upon the carcases 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 unto all flesh (Isaiah 66:24).""O ye priests... I will... spread dung upon your faces (Malachi 2:3)."

The covenant message has shown evidence that God groups likeminded believers together as one body of believers, calling them by one parable name. Malachi's prophecy concerning Elijah is an example of God calling many people by one name. The wilderness is what caused these believers to be grouped together in likemindedness with Elijah (John 1:23). "The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3)." To truly understand the prophecy concerning Elijah, believers must learn the parable of the wilderness: "Who can cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man (Job 38:26)?" God caused a rain to come down upon earth in the form of understanding, and it fell in a place where no man was: in a place where it was said, there is no way. "I will make a way in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19)." "Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring forth (Joel 2:22)." The word 'wilderness,' in prophecy, pertains to every unaccepted believer who goes against the majority and its traditional way of thinking, and who ventures out to question the truths and beliefs which are being taught in today's pulpits. Believers who are in the wilderness are searching through God's word, and they are relying upon God for answers to their questions. "I make rivers in the wilderness (Isaiah 50:2)." Just one other quick little side note: the word, river, is another parable word in prophecy, and it signifies that the truth of God's word is flowing freely out of the mouths of his people. Therefore, in saying that rivers will flow from the wilderness, the implication is that priests will be teaching some of the newly revealed truths of prophecy, and their lessons will be flowing out from places wherein believers once thought: There is no way (Ezekiel chapter 47).

"Judgment shall dwell in the wilderness and righteousness remain in the fruitful field (Isaiah 32:16)." For a time religion will stay intact, and it may even thrive, but the seeds of God's ways have already been planted in the place where it is said, "There is no way." "I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree… That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel created it (Isaiah 41:19-20)." The names of these four trees represent believers of the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths, as well as the priesthood; for these believers are the messengers who are grouped together under the name of Elijah, and they are bringing forth the covenant message. God planted them in the wilderness, therefore the wilderness will blossom and burst forth, in his time. “He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody (Isaiah 51:3).”

As soon as the covenant message is openly being heard and proclaimed, the parable of the wilderness undergoes a horrific change: for the threat which God made against religion, will be validated: "Plead with your mother, plead… Lest I strip her naked… and make her as a wilderness (Hosea 2:2-3)." Rebellious believers will find themselves cast out of God's presence, and they will become the unaccepted and despised minority in the wilderness. "I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger (Jeremiah 4:26)." "Who is the wise man, that may understand this? Who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord has spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perishes and is burned up like a wilderness, that none pass through (Jeremiah 9:12)?" "Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness (Jeremiah 12:10)." The work of studying the scriptures and searching to find out God's answers concerning the prophecies of end times, will be transferred from believers of the covenant message, unto those who are still cleaving to the traditional beliefs of religion.

A prayer revealing the hearts of the remnant who stand firm and continue to promote their religious beliefs, is recorded in the book of Isaiah: “Lord, thou art our father… Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold… we are thy people. Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? Wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore (Isaiah 64:8-12).” God has not forsaken these believers, however they will be required to convert their understandings, as well as their teachings. "Except you be converted... ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3)." "Ye have done all this wickedness… Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you. But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both you and your king (1Samuel 12:20; 20:24-25)."

In the book of Malachi, God indicates that he hates the rebellion of the deceived. Before contemplating this truth, note that the parable word "dragon," in prophecy, pertains to priests who are telling lies (Jeremiah 5:14).  "I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness (Malachi 1:3)." This verse is testifying that God hates the rebellious, for God only hates those people who hate him. Esau's name in prophecy represents people who have never truly known the Lord, therefore they hate the righteous and despise hearing the newly revealed truths of prophecy (Genesis 25:34). God is angry with everyone that rebels against his word. "I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein (Amos 6:8)." "I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant (Jeremiah 9:11)." These verses verify God's anger, as well as his impartiality, for Jerusalem is the mother of us all, and her name in prophecy, represents believers of all four of the nations of Abraham (Galatians 4:26). Judah's name in prophecy, represents the priesthood (Psalm 60:7). Scripture also testifies that God's wrath is against Babylon, whose name represents backslidden believers. Babylon will be cut off, and it will remain desolate, for ever (Jeremiah 51:60-62). God is not a respecter of persons, therefore he is against the mistaken beliefs of every nation. "For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it (Jeremiah 4:28)." "Who hath disposed the whole world (Job 34:13)?"

"Saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau (Obadiah 21)." These words insinuate that people will learn the truth, and then they will come up to help guide and correct Esau. Are you among the stubborn and rebellious unbelievers that are grouped together under the parable name of "Esau?" These scorners refuse to accept and believe that God allowed faithful believers from all four of the nations of Abraham to inherit salvation, wherefore they need to hear and receive the evidence: God testified that Ishmael, who was the beginning of the Islamic faith, would become a great nation (Genesis 21:18). Factor into that his commandment concerning the birthright of the firstborn: "Ye may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed firstborn (Deuteronomy 21:16)." Would God, who chose faithful Abraham, and who established a covenant with him and with his seed, and who swore that he would be their God if they would be circumcised, would he turn and make void his promise by refusing to allow the circumcised sons of Ishmael and Esau to come into his presence (Genesis 17:7-14)? Islam's fathers refused to receive instruction, and they were recompensed for their err: Islam was given statutes which were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live (Ezekiel 20:25; Jeremiah 16:2-12; 43:7; 44:26-28). However, God swore that the sons of the wicked would not be liable for their father’s mistakes (Ezekiel chapter 18). Would God, who is a just, banish a faithful Islamic believer, and cast them out of his presence forever?

The book of Lamentations conveys a prophesied prayer which is meant to represent the cries and prayers of faithful Islamic believers (Lamentations 4:22). "Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach… Our necks are under persecution: we labor, and have no rest. We have given our hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread. Our fathers sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities… We gat our bread with the peril of our lives… The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned… Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?" (From Lamentations chapter 5). One of the primary reasons why God is destroying the laws of every religion at this time, is to insure that each and every prisoner who is bond in destructive religious practices is released from the fears which have kept them in bondage (Isaiah 42:7). "He hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death (Psalms 102:19-20)." "The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed (Psalms 103:6)." "They shall know I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them (Ezekiel 34:27)."

Faithful Islamic believers who obey God's instructions, will do marvelously in that day (Psalms 60:8). One of the instructions which is especially meant for the Islamic nation, is a commandment instructing them in the way of peace. “Because they say unto you, Thou land devourest up men, and hast bereaved thy nations; Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord God (Ezekiel 36:13-14).” Violence, from henceforth, is an unaccepted practice, for it is a sinful practice against God. Prophecy contains evidence that God allowed for an Islamic nation, and that he made a high way for Islam's conversions. Nevertheless, God will punish every Islamic believer who refuses to accept his end time truths, just as surely as he will punish every rebellious believer in each of the other nations. “But to the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instructions, and casteth my words behind thee (Psalms 50:16-17).” “Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? (Obadiah 8).”

The book of Malachi confirms that the teachings of Islam will be destroyed forever. “Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They will build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever. Your eyes shall see, and you shall say, The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel (Malachi 1:4-5).” The tyrants of Islam will not escape God's wrath (Jeremiah 25:21). "I will make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returns. And I will fill his mountains with his slain men... and I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and you shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 35:7-9)." "He will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries (Deuteronomy 32:43)." God is in the wilderness with his people, but he will not inhabit the waste places of any religion. “I will stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness… and they shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 6:14).”

“Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel (Malachi 4:4).” God is requesting believers to recall the covenant which he made with his people. The entire book of Deuteronomy, is that law and covenant. The prevailing theme of the covenant was to obey God's voice, and do his commandments. Within the law and covenant, God promised blessings upon the obedient, and cursing upon those who disobeyed him. Whereas God is instructing his people to recall Moses' law, he is, in effect, reminding his people that he has sworn and promised that he would bring blessings upon everyone who listens to his voice, and that he would curse those who refuse to obey him (Deuteronomy 26:17-18; 29:19-20).

The newly revealed truths of the covenant message require all believers to change some of their core religious beliefs. This is unnatural, and it takes faith. Therefore believers must prayerfully study the scriptures, along with the message. Our forefathers, the priests, misunderstood God's word. They made some false claims which were based upon their own mistaken interpretations of scripture, and they passed down their erred beliefs through their followers. Throughout the generations people used their forefather's mistaken claims and built their own mistaken interpretations upon the original ones, wherefore mistaken interpretations have become unchangeable laws. This is iniquity, and iniquity is responsible for causing many of God's people to backslide, and it has caused multitudes to become indifferent towards God (Deuteronomy 8:19-20). God is about to clean house. His people are being called back into the pure doctrine of his word (Nehemiah 9:29). Believers will have a new way to serve God, so that the mistakes of the forefathers are not repeated. The faithful will perish from off the land of their former religious beliefs, and the land of their mistaken beliefs will be destroyed forever. “When ye shalt begat children, and children’s children, and shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves… to provoke him to anger: I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you shall soon utterly perish from off the land… ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed (Deuteronomy 4:25-26).”

“Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do you kindle a fire on my altar for nought (Malachi 1:10)." The words "kindle a fire" suggest that the covenant message has already caused some priests to become more passionate towards teaching the truth of God's word; however the words "shut the door" imply that these priests are withholding the truth of it from God's people. Scripture testifies that Zion's doors will never be closed (Isaiah 60:11); but the doors to the kingdom of heaven are closed if teachers know the truth, and withhold it from the congregation (Ecclesiastes 12 3-4). How long will these priests continue to remain silent and let their congregations suffer the consequences of their fears?

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me... You are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me herewith… if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive (Malachi 3:8-11).” God is insinuating that priests have robbed him, and he is offering them a provocative challenge. The challenge begins with a reminder: The church receives tithes, but in addition, priests are required to bring the tenth part of all the tithes into the storehouse. “The Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house (Nehemiah 10:38).” To more fully understand God's challenge, believers must learn the parable of the storehouse, as well as the parable of the chambers. The storehouse's location is discerned by merging information from the two verses which are written above: the storehouse is the house of God. Chambers are rooms within the church, designed for those who do the service of the Lord. So according to the merged understandings of Nehemiah's instruction and Malachi's prophecy, if priests will bring a tenth part of their understanding of the covenant message into the chambers, and share it with their deacons, elders, their choir directors, and anyone else who is instrumental in the service of the church, then God will open the windows of heaven and he will pour them out blessings of the Holy Spirit and he will bless the people (Deuteronomy 31:28).

"The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouse, and in all thou settest thine hand to do; and he shall bless thee (Deuteronomy 28:8)." "Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord created it (Isaiah 45:8)." "I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing (Ezekiel 34:26)." "For the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake (Isaiah 24:18)." "For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring (Isaiah 44:3)."

One final thought concerning the prophesies of Malachi: In prophecy, God used the parable names, "husband" and "husbandmen," to pertain to priests (Joel 1:11); then he aptly supplied them with a suitable companion whom he lovingly termed, the wife: so the parable names of "bride" and "wife" embody all the deacons, elders, choir directors and anyone else who is instrumental in the life of the church (Ruth 1:8-9). Understanding of these parable words is necessary for interpreting some of the prophecies of Malachi. “Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth (Malachi 2:15).” “She is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant (Malachi 2:14).” “For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith he hateth putting away (Malachi 2:16).” There are verses of scripture which are highly critical of the wife (Proverbs 19:13; Ecclesiastes 7:26); nevertheless, maybe now it is time for priests to discover the blessing that she truly is: “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life… She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness… Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (From Proverbs 31:10-31).”

“By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted (Proverbs 11:11).”

Learning Judgment: The Prophesies of Job

"Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who hath given understanding to the heart (Job 38:36)." When it comes to understanding prophecy, God puts wisdom and understanding into the hearts and minds of his people by using patterns. A pattern is God's requirement that for every prophecy of scripture there would be a true life experience recorded in scripture which would align itself with the prophecy and cause people to perceive the meaning of the prophecy. Evidence that patterns exist, and that they are a requirement of God, is secured in the verse, "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past (Ecclesiastes 3:15)." In other words, according to God's requirement, everything that is prophesied to happen during end times, has a pattern. Job's physical suffering, and his confusion and anguish, are the required pattern which was recorded to give his people answers concerning the afflictions and judgments of end times. In other words, what Job experienced was for our edification, and although he had no warning, his testimony serves as our warning. "Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me (Job 31:35-36)."

The word "priest" is not found in the book of Job, however there are certain clues which insinuate that Job was a priest. This is important because it demonstrates that afflictions will come upon seemingly innocent, and beloved priests (Malachi 2:2). One clue regarding Job's position, is a verse which says that Job sent and sanctified his sons by offering burnt offerings for them, which is the responsibility of a priest (Job 1:5). A second clue is that Job admitted to ruling as a king over an army of God’s people. "I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army (Job 29:25)." It is also important to understand that Job was a righteous man. This is evidenced by the respect which Job claimed to have had. "When I went out to the gate through the city... the young men saw me and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained their talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace... because I delivered the poor that cried (Job 29:7-12)." Job's righteousness is also evidenced in the testimony of a friend who acknowledged the good works that he did, "Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees (Job 4:4)." But the ultimate glory of Job's righteousnes is heard in God's own words: “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil (Job 1:8)?”

Without contradiction Job was a righteous priest who loved the Lord (Job 29:12-17). But was Job staying alert to the voice of the Lord? When God moved to do a new thing, was Job willing to follow? "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (Job 13:15)." "Changes and war are against me (Job 10:17)." Before religion was even born, God began scripting a plan against it, to defeat it (Proverbs 8:27). God knew that hypocrisy and wickedness would enter into his house and ensnare his people, and that deceivers would reign over them (Job 34:17; 38:13). So God planned an overthrow of every religion (Job 9:5; Isaiah 40:17; Romans 3:10). "That the hypocrite reign not, least the people be ensnared (Job 34:30)." God wrote truths which will lead his people out of religion's clutches, and which will guide them into that one way that they may serve him from henceforth and forevermore (Zephaniah 3:9). When God moves, every priest needs to pay attention, even if that means listening unto God's voice through the warnings of other believers (Isaiah 44:26). Job had said, "I will maintain my own ways before him," which means that he was not willing to follow the Lord and make changes, or to listen to the warnings of a messenger. His spirit of rebellion was recorded that believers might know that punishments of correction will come upon priests who ignore, and, or, reject God's messengers. “His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; they are brought low, but he perceives it not of them. But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn (Job 14:21-22).”

“Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes… until the cities be wasted (Isaiah 6:10-11).” Pride and complacency are the sins which cause priests to harden their hearts against receiving the newly revealed truths of prophecy. "Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of sleep (Job 14:12)." They must be awakened, because end time truths will come against everyone's core religious beliefs. Job is our pattern. Job was doing the works of the Lord and he believed that God would sustain him, and yet the curse came upon him because Job was determined to always maintain his own ways (Deuteronomy 28:15; Job 23:10-12). "I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came (Job 3:26)." "He causeth it to come (Job 37:13)." "He preformeth the thing that is appointed for me (Job 23:14)." Gone were Job's oxen and asses, his camels and sheep; and gone were his children and his servants. His skin was made loathsome with sores, and everyone that saw him, despised him. Moreover, Job was made to suffer visions and dreams which terrified him (Job 1:15-19; 2:7; 7:14; 19:13). "God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment (Job 19:6-7)."

"Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing which I greatly feared of is come upon me (Job 3:23-25)." Job desperately needed the right answers. Wasn't he doing righteousness? "Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery? (Job 3:21)?" Why did God allow him to have understanding, and yet hide things in scripture from men? "My sighing cometh before I eat." This remark insinuates that believers who refuse to look into the covenant message will suffer Job’s fate (Psalms 34:8). “I esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:12).” Job knew the scriptures, and he he did study them and he cried out to God for answers, but that was not enough to give Job the answers that were necessary for his healing.

“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Job 31:1).” Job wanted to know, Why should I think upon a messenger? The words of his protest accomplish three things: first of all, they supply additional evidence that God planned for the covenant message to come forth from a woman (Jeremiah 30:6). Secondly, they suggest that Job had made a covenant with God, and that he would have to brake it in order to change to his theology. The final thing that this verse accomplishes, is that it raises an important prophetic question: Why, if I’m already secure in the Lord, should I waste my time listening to a messenger, or studying the covenant message? Answer: because the covenant message is the long anticipated end time plan of God, and it is his will (Malachi 3:1).

"Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps (Psalm 85:13)." The covenant message is purposed to go before the Lord and correct the hearts, minds, and teachings of his people, so that believers can avoid suffering God's correction, or his wrath. Believers have the scriptures for evidence, and God has sent his messengers forth, therefore priests are without excuse. "The curse causeless shall not come (Proverbs 26:2)." "Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice (Job 8:3)?" Job had access unto truths which he overlooked and refused to believe. “The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat (Job 6:7).” Believers are to pray and find out what God's will is, and then they are to follow God's end time instructions. “If thou say, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that ponders the heart consider it? He that keeps thy soul, doth not he know it? Shall not he render to every man according to his works (Proverbs 24:12)?”

Because Job had refused to know the truth, he was stripped of his royalty, and found guilty before the world. "He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head (Job 19:9)." Prophecy reveals that the glorious crown of righteousness will be cast off the head of David's seed during end times. "Thou hast been wrought with thine anointed... Thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground (Psalm 89:38-39)." "He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways (Job 34:26-27)." What more could God have done to convince every priest to receive the truth, and get prepared? They were given the covenant message, and they had seven years to heed the warnings of his messengers. "For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not (Job 33:14)." "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear (Zechariah 7:13)." "I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early (Hosea 5:15)."

When Job’s friends came to comfort him, they had no answers: Why did the curse come upon him? When Job pressed upon them for answers, his friends rehearsed mistakes that unwise and backslidden believers make, and they told Job truths that he already knew. Their words were of no benefit; they were offensive, and they were condemning. "Ye are forgers of lies, ye are physicians of no value (Job 13:4)." This pattern is for our edification: when people that are without covenant understanding come forth to comfort to the afflicted, their words will be offensive, because they have no answers. Job was condemned by his peers because they did not believe that God would strike an innocent man. "Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off (Job 4:7)?" Job stirred himself up against his friends and declared his own innocence. "God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live (Job 27:5-6)." "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes... They had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job (Job 32:1-3)."

"Why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity (Job 7:21)." After being insulted and accused by his friends, Job received counsel from a wise counselor named Elihu. Job was made to realize that he had ignored God's will, and that by claiming his own innocence, he was, in effect, accusing God. Elihu said: "I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy...  In this thou art not just: I will answer thee that God is greater than man (Job 33:8-12)." "Should it be according to thy mind (Job 34:33)?" "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not. He will deliver his soul from the pit, and his life shall see the light (Job 33:27-28)." Elihu was successful at opening Job's ears, so that after receiving his reprimand Job was able to hear God's rebuke. And the Lord said unto Job: "Wilt thou disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous (Job 40:8)?"

“If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him (Job 33:23).” It will be a blessing for the afflicted when they receive one of God's messengers, for God's messengers will bring forth the truths which will cause the afflicted to see and know the mistakes that they are making against God, and then God will be gracious unto them. “If they be bound in fretters of iron, and holden in cords of affliction; Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity (Job 36:8-10).” After Job received the truth, he prayed for, and forgave his friends. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10)."

A second message from the prophecies of Job:

Among the lessons of Job is the parable of leviathan, who is prophesied to be a sea monster playing among the unsaved (Lamentations 4:3). "There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein (Psalms 104:26)." Leviathan's name represents well respected priests who know the Lord (Job 41:22; Job 41:25), but prophecy indicates that these priests are guilty of allowing their pride to cause them to maintain their silence concerning the covenant message (Job 41:15-16). The parable of leviathan discloses man’s utter inability to cause priests to teach the covenant message. “His scales are his pride, shut up together as a close seal (Job 41:15).” Although men cannot persuade leviathan to talk, God will persuade him (Isaiah 66:9). "Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him (Job 41:11)?"

In the parable, God coyly suggests the various tactics which he has stored up and prophesied to come against leviathan. "Wilt thou play with him as a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens... Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? ...Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him (Job 41:5-9)." The words “cast down at the sight of him” convey the disheartening frustrations of God's messengers as they try to convince and persuade leviathan. "With lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad (Ezekiel 13:22)." What more can the people do? "Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? And to princes, Ye are ungodly (Job 34:18)?" "In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea (Isaiah 27:1)."

"By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning (Job 41:18)." Although leviathan will not be persuaded until after God gets involved, victory starts moving rather quickly when these priests start to preach the truths of prophecy. "Sorrow is turned to joy before him (Job 41:22)." Leviathan's influences are powerful. “When he raises up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold… The arrows cannot make him flee.. he laughs at the shaking of the spear… Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear” (from Job 41:25-33). These priests will teach the congregation the truth. “I will not fear what flesh and blood can do unto me (Psalms 56:4).”

"I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and that though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God (Job 19:25-26)." These words are words of encouragement and strength for priests that will suffer the afflicting pestilence of end times. Job suffered his sores as a pattern for their edification. "He delivers the poor in affliction (Job 36:15)." "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not the chastening of the Lord (Job 5:17)." Because some priests are not willing to receive the truth, they made it necessary for God to use affliction to get their attention. Affliction will convince these priests to accept the counsel of a messenger. Elihu's counsel brought Job to repentance, and thereby Job was able to come before the throne of grace where he beheld the terrible mightiness of our God. "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5)." "And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10)."