Whom do you listen too?

 

August 24, 2020

 

Zechariah 8:14-23

 

For thus says the Lord of hosts: “As I purposed to bring disaster to you when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again have I purposed in these days to bring good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not.   These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”

God promised Judah in His wrath that they would be taken into captivity and now the God who keeps His promises and has promised to bring good to Jerusalem.  But these were God’s instructions; “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”

As one who is a follower of Christ, I try not to refer to myself as a Christian, for I’m not sure what anyone's definition of Christian is today.  But if you are a follower of Christ, that means you are part of God’s family, and a member of His Church, the Holy Catholic Church, for those who do not understand that is the universal Church, not a denomination.  If so, how are you doing with these requirements of our Father?

Areas that I’ve struggled with, and I also know some of you do also and as followers of Christ, they bring shame on His name.  That is passing on email, some or funny but many are unfounded attacks on people you fear, or they are of a different view than yours and you attack their person in emails.  Make sure it the truth first and foremost, and then that it does not bring shame on His name.

From the Back Porch, 

Bob Rice

Going from judgment to blessing

 Zechariah 8:9-13

 

Thus, says the Lord of hosts: “Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who were present on the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.   For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in, for I set every man against his neighbor.   But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the Lord of hosts.   For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.   And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

 

Going from judgment to blessing would be a great title and going from being a byword of cursing among the nations to a people and nation that has been a blessing.  You may be wondering how have they the chosen people of God bless me?

 

The Jerusalem Post did a paper on how the Jewish nation is blessing the world. The Jewish nation is tiny yet its contribution to humanity is astounding; its footprints of blessing, innovation, and aid etched into the areas of mankind’s greatest need.

The promise is ancient, given by God nearly 4,000 years ago. The recipient, a man from Ur of the Chaldeans from whose lineage the Almighty desired to birth a people for Himself.  “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you,” God instructs Abraham.

 

In fact, some four millennia after God gave this pledge, we continue to see its fulfillment in the numerous ways Israel blesses the nations. The Jewish Nation is tiny, its members less than 1/1000th of the world’s population. Yet its contribution to humanity is astounding; its footprints of blessing, innovation, and aid etched into the areas of mankind’s greatest need. 
 

Children injured in the Syrian civil war receive life-saving treatment in Israel. Developing nations feed their hungry using Israeli expertise. Countries caught in drought grow crops thanks to Israel’s innovations. The physically disabled in poverty-stricken areas, burn victims, the wheelchair-bound, those suffering from cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or post-traumatic stress – all these and more have the prospect of a better life because of Israel.
 

The list of Jewish initiatives and inventions making the world a better place is certainly a long and impressive one. Yet perhaps the best practical proof of Abraham’s descendants blessing the nations is Israel’s emergency assistance missions to countries in the aftermath of natural disasters. Regardless of where catastrophe hits, the Jewish state is often the first on the frontlines, flying thousands of miles, to bring doctors and nurses, rescue workers, medical supplies, equipment, and more to devastated areas. The tiny country’s huge heart of compassion and care is often most clearly visible in a nation far from home, helping people who are not their own survive the rubble of their shattered lives.

 

I would like the reader to hear the words of wisdom, that came from the mouth of a pastor who was no longer in the ministry, because of his adultery.  “Satan has a plan to destroy you, it has no timeline, it may take 10 or 40 years, but he is out to destroy your life.  Once again, the evil one is putting in the heart of evil people to kill, and destroy the Jewish people, will you be silent, or take a stand for God’s chosen?

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion

 August 21, 2020

 

Zechariah 8:1-8

 

The Coming Peace and Prosperity of Zion

And the word of the Lord of hosts came, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath.   Thus, says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain.   Thus, says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age.   And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.   Thus, says the Lord of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, declares the Lord of hosts?   Thus, says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

This is a dramatic change from Judgement, to restoration.  God has spoken to Zechariah in this manner, I’m no longer going to bring judgment on my people, for I long for a relationship with them, l long to have fellowship with my people, so I’m going to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, my Spirit will dwell with the people.  

Most of these Jewish people had spent 70 years in pagan lands with pagan gods made of wood and stone, made by the hand of a craftsman, they had eyes but could not see, mouths but could not speak, and now Zechariah is telling them the God who is, wants to bless them and have fellowship with them.  That He was angry with their fathers but will show mercy to them, for He desires to have a relationship with them.

So many in the church have gods that cannot see, nor heard, yet they keep returning to them.  What the problem, could it be ignorance of God’s written word, or that we become too proud to agree with God’s written word?  All things have a beginning a first a person must agree that God is true, and all people are lawbreakers.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  God designed us to need to be loved but many are not looking to God, but as the song goes; “looking for love in all  the wrong places.”  Many very religious people are trying to earn God’s acceptance by going good acts, yet God’s written word is very clear that is not the way to the Father.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 Our God, He is a Promise Keeper, and this was how verse eight ended; And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Vision of Four Chariots

 

 

Zechariah 6:1-15

 

A Vision of Four Chariots

Again, I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze.   The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled horses—all of them strong.  Then I answered and said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”   And the angel answered and said to me, “These are going out to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the Lord of all the earth.   The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go after them, and the dappled ones go toward the south country.”   When the strong horses came out, they were impatient to go and patrol the earth. And he said, “Go, patrol the earth.” So, they patrolled the earth.   Then he cried to me, “Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country.”

The Crown and the Temple

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah.  Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.   And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.  It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”’  And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord as a reminder to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah.

 “And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. And you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

 

Chapter 1 began the first of Zechariah’s vision from God, it was about God being sovereign over the heavens and the earth.  In chapter 6 we have the eighth vision, and it also is all about God being sovereign. Until a man understands this truth and submits to God's authority over all things, he will never lead his family into righteousness.

 

You and I may not be seminarians but that’s why we buy Study Bibles, to help us when it talks about mountains made of bronze.  My notes HCSB say it may be referring to heaven or the gates of heaven, in that the chariots came out of them.  The Bible identified them and the horses as the four spirits of heaven or the four winds.

 

God did not pick His prophet to lead in the building of the temple, but to encourage and pick the one that would be in charge of getting the job done.  Leadership always requires a person who will hear from God and obey His orders and put the right people around them to get the job done.  In this case, it was the high priest's son Joshua.

 

It was important for Joshua to understand the big job the Lord had assigned to him; in that, he would need the people returning to feel part of all that God was up to in Jerusalem.  But it was also important to get the people to return, and fully obey God’s commandments.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

It is not about Worship but the object of our Worship

 

Zechariah 5:5-11

 

A Vision of a Woman in a Basket

Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.”   And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.”  And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket!   And he said, “This is Wickedness.” And he thrust her back into the basket and thrust down the leaden weight on its opening.

Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.  Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they taking the basket?”   He said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base.”

 

In the Scriptures, God uses the woman as an example of His chosen people, His bride and she also is a symbol of wickedness or evil, such as idol worship.  Do you recall they spent 400 years in Egypt, for many of those years they been slaves, most had become accustomed to the customs and gods of Egypt and only a few looked to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as the one and only God?  If you need a recall they have heard about what God did in the past but they had not yet experienced, God parted the Red Sea, and walked across on dry land, and the Army of Egypt, got to the middle and the waters came back over them and they all drown, and today many Jews and Christian have heard the account, but it more of a story, most do not believe that God would rescue them.  They had heard about God being a fire at night and a cloud by day to lead them and how He feeds them the bread of angels, but they did not know that God, and they also had heard the story even about Joseph.  Now, go to Exodus 32:1-8, and read how they went back to little gods, gods that were worshiped by the pagan of Egypt when Moses did not come off the mountain in their timeline.

 

Let us understand, we also have become a nation that has many customs and gods, that have drawn us away from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We have been asked to worship and put trust in big government, and what it can do for us, and have turned away keeping our eyes on Jesus, and doing what He leads us by His Spirit to do.  I’m fearful the two angels or women with wings, have carried the basket to the USA and we have allowed her to lead us to the worship of the forbidden.  And now in 2020 we have a choice, join the Army of Jesus Christ, or be an enemy of the Cross.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

A Vision of a Flying Scroll

 August 17, 2020

 

Zechariah 5

 

A Vision of a Flying Scroll

Again, I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll!   And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”  Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side.   I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”

As I’ve often stated I’m an uneducated man, and like many of you, do not have insight into the message or vision.   But this I know each person is held accountable because God has given all people knowledge of Him.  Romans 1:18-23, ^“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.   For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them.   For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse.   Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.   Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”

 

The Jews had the first five books of the Torah, the Law and it was not a recommendation but the Commands of their God and yours.  So, Zechariah is telling them that God’s judgment is coming on the house of the thief and the house of the one swears falsely by My name.

 

It is a very dangerous thing to be a prophet like Hananiah who said he had a message from God.  “And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.   Therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’”

 

From the Back Porch,

 

 

Bob Rice

A Vision of a Golden Lampstand

 

Zechariah 4: 1-14

 

A Vision of a Golden Lampstand

And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep.  And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it.   And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”   And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”   Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”   Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.   Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.   For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

“These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”   Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”   And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?”  He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”   Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

 

One name mention often by the angel of the Lord, is Zerubbabel who was governor of Judah in the second year of Darius (520 B.C).  If you think it has been hard to govern during the China Virus, try getting into Zerubbabel’s shoes.  He had opposition within and without.  The Samaritans were accusing him of treason (Ezra 4:6-24) and while many insides of Jerusalem thought it was foolish to believe that such a project was possible.

 

But God, if only we would believe that our God is the God of the impossible, for that was the vision, it was not Zerubbabel that was going to provide what the people needed to rebuild the temple and the walls to protect Jerusalem, it was God.  

 

Our God has always had a man who would believe Him for the impossible, for it is common for a man to be about the small things, not the impossible, but our God does what many believe is impossible.

 

Ponder on this truth, God is holy, and pure and cannot look on sin, yet He did the impossible for all who would put their trust and faith in the redeeming blood of Jesus His only Son.  Removing our sins that made us unclean and transferred them to His Son, taking the wrath we deserved, and by His blood, we are made right with God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

A Vision of Joshua the High Priest

 August 15, 2020

 

Zechariah 3:1-10

 

A Vision of Joshua the High Priest

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.   And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”  Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.   And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him, he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”   And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”  So, they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord was standing by.

And the angel of the Lord solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.   Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.   For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.   In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor to come under his vine and under his fig tree.”

As you read the first verse you should recall that the battle that took place in heaven in Revelation 12:8-10, But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels. “but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.   And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.   And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”

When I was just a young man on my first mission trip with my mentor Jack Archer, and we met Pastor Joe, who was a missionary in Mexico and when the day had ended, and we were getting dinner it was still very bright outside and as we enter the bar where we ate it was so dark you could see just the person close to you.  But as we sat at our table it became apparent that people were sitting all around us.  Pastor Joe ask me if I knew these people were all around us and I said no.  He said young man that is how sin works at first it looks so dark, but the longer you allow yourself to stay in the darkness it just gets lighter and lighter, as did this room.  We live in darkness it is on our TVs and in the books, we read and in the movies, but it’s a choice, do we let the darkness in, or do we say no to it.  

Joshua, the high priest is being accused by Satan before God, and the devil is one slick dude, first, he deceives us and then he accuses us, he is a master in both areas.  As one that is a follower of Christ, we are his biggest targets, and pastors and leader get special attention from him and his co-workers.  We see in the vision Joshua standing before the angel of the Lord in his filthy clothes.  That is, you and me, but because of the blood of Jesus, we have been declared not guilty.  Sweeter words have never been spoken that these about Joshua the high priest, who is representative of the people and the nation of Israel.  “And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” 

What is the brand plucked from the fire?  We see the prophet, Amos, using those same words, and he is referring to Israel and Judah, in Amos 4:11, “I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning, yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord.  And so, they entered judgment, and now God is showing mercy and forgiveness to a people of His own choosing.

 

God gives Joshua the same promise, He has given us in Jesus, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.   

 

Do not forget the deceiver and accuser is very real and it is up to you to not allow him access to your life.  Also, you have access to God in the form of the Holy Spirit, He is referred to as the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, the Intercessor and He is a gentleman and will not force you to listen to His still quiet voice, but a wise person will find a quiet room and be still and wait for Him to speak.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line

  

Zechariah 2:1-13

 

A Vision of a Man with a Measuring Line

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!   Then I said, “Where are you going?”  And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”   And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.   And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the Lord. For I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, declares the Lord.   Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.   For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:   “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me.   Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.   And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.   And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”   Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

 

One of the most important tools in my shop, not my table saw or chop saw, it's a much smaller tool, one that is used on each project, it is a measuring tape.  It is a must for a builder, and most people in that business have one on their belt while working.  So, when Zechariah saw the man with a measuring line in his hand he asks where are you going, and the answer that came back was to Jerusalem to determine its width and length.  That’s a must before beginning the project, how else would you know the materials needed to do the job, are determine the magnitude of the project.

 

Did you notice in the vision about the surveyor and angel is speaking with Zechariah and the angel goes out and another angel goes out to him.  The second angel tells the one that was speaking to Zachariah to run out and tell the young man, I’m assuming refers to the surveyor that Jerusalem will have no walls, because of the numerous numbers of people that will inhabit the city and also the livestock in it.

 

What was the message to Zechariah, it is of utmost importance for the message to go out that God is up to something new or was it new, no in that God is a promise keeper, and is keeping a promise made to Abraham?  But it is urgent to let the people know who are scattered to many nations, to leave and come home, for God is going to judge those nations for how they have treated His people.  

 

But this is part of the message is of great importance, to live in a city without walls at that time made you easy prey and that was not what anyone would desire.  But if God was going to be your wall, if he promises to be a ring of fire around your city, that was a game-changer. 

 

God is going to make the nations that capture Israel and Judah become plunder for those they took from the nations they conquer.  That will be a sign to all but especially the women, in that their Creator understands how they are made and the need to know they will be protected and secure.

 

God is making them a promise, Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come, and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.   And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.   And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem.”  

 

And the message ends in this way; be still and know that I am God.  That is always a message for all people, and especially for the people of God, His Church.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

A Vision of Horns and Craftsmen

 August 13, 2020

 

Zechariah 1:18-21

 

A Vision of Horns and Craftsmen

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns!   And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”   Then the Lord showed me, four craftsmen.   And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

I’m not sure I understand all that God is saying in this vision, in fact, I’m not sure if I’m on the right track, but it seems as if the four Horns are the Nations God used to bring judgment on Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem.  If that is close then the four craftsmen are the tools God will use to bring Judgment on the nations that have come against  Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem.

 

Now let us go to 2020, and who are the United States of America’s four horns?  Many in the press and in Government would desire that we believe they it is; Russia, China, Iran, and Islam, and not look at craftsmen who are the tools Satan is using in the press and in Government to destroy our nation.

 

I never played organized football, but I’ve been an observer of it for many years and I come to understand that great coaches are masters of deception.  A good offense does not work without deception, for if a defense knew what was going to happen, they would not do very well.

 

The same game is being played by the master of deception, Satan.  Our danger does not lie outside our shores, but within.  It is not those that proclaim they do not believe in God that we should be on guard against, but those who are Satan’s tools his craftsmen, many in our government, both elected and bureaucrats.  Also, very wealthy, mostly men who have given their lives to Satan looking to him and they hate the things he hates, and that includes freedom, and authority both moral and government, that is unless it under their control.

 

Maybe the Church ones more need to understand the fundamentals of faith, maybe too many have put their trust in religious activities and have more of a virtual relationship with God than a personal one?  It is time not to read but to act by faith and ask the Father to guide you into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  If you are one that has embraced Jesus Christ as Savior, that was not the finish line, just the beginning of a lifetime of allowing Jesus to be the only Lord in your life.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

A Vision of a Horseman

 Zechariah 1:7-17

 

A Vision of a Horseman

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying,  “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red sorrel and white horses.  Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?’ The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.’  So, the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the Lord has sent to patrol the earth.’  And they answered the angel of the Lord who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.’  Then the angel of the Lord said, ‘O Lord of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?’  And the Lord answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.   So, the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.   And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster.  Therefore, thus says the Lord, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the Lord of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. ⁷ Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’”

A wise man learns that appearances and the way things seem are not always what is true.  If you were living in the time of Zechariah one might think God hates Jerusalem and the Jewish people, how wrong they would have been.  Perception, or maybe a better word is “Observation” does not make it a reality.  We must recall these words of God found in Isaiah 55:8,9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth,  so are my ways higher than your ways   and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  “A wise man knows he doesn't know everything. A fool thinks he knows everything.” (author unknown)  

 

God has spoken in Deuteronomy 14:2, “For you are  a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the people who are on the face of the earth.”  Also read God’s promise to Abram, in Genesis chapter 17.  As one that is a follower of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, must read and understand they also have been grafted into Abraham by faith and grace, and the blood of Jesus Christ, was given to cover your sins and mine on the Cross.

Look with me at 1 Peter 2: 9,10,” But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

 

Note: The article is from google and may or may not be true.  But this you can believe the Scripture is true.  I google I put no faith, but in God, I know He is True to His Word.

 

“Most Jews hold that being the "Chosen People" means that they have been placed on earth to fulfill a certain purpose. Traditional proof for Jewish "closeness" is found in the Torah, the Jewish bible, in the Book of Deuteronomy (chapter 14) where it says: "For you are a holy people to Hashem your God, and God has chosen you to be his treasured people from all the nations that are on the face of the earth."  (Taken from the Jewish Virtual Library) 

 

If you were born in early 1940 as I was you have been a witness to God’s blessing on Israel, and once more they have become a nation, but they are still a stiff neck people, many do not believe God can or did part the Red Sea.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Call to Return to the Lord

 

Zechariah Introduction

 

Zechariah prophesied to a group of discouraged Israelites announcing that it was a new day for God’s chosen people.  He sought to inspire those who had returned from captivity to rebuild the temple and rededicate their lives to the Lord.  The message of encouragement involved surrealistic visions and vivid poetic images focused on a reversal of God’s judgment, and called for a reversal of the people’s behavior.

 

Zechariah returned to Judah with the former exiles and was apparently a priest Neh12:16).   He was a contemporary of Haggai.  Though nothing is known of cooperation between the two prophets, they had similar missions and are credited with the successful reconstruction of the temple (Zeh\ 5:1-2; 6:14). (Taken from the Holman Study Bible)

 

 

Chapter 1:1-6

 

A Call to Return to the Lord

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying,  “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.  Therefore, say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.  Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.  Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?   But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?  So, they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

 

As we explore Zechariah, we must also recall the prophet Haggai in that both men were responsible for the temple being rebuild.  In fact, they both began the call to rebuild about two months apart.  King Cyrus of Persia had issued an edict giving the Israelites permission to return from exile to their homeland 19 years earlier.

Because their fathers would not listen to God’s prophet they reaped what they sowed, and God sent the Assyrians to destroy Samaria and the northern 10 tribes, and the Babylonians demolished Jerusalem and the southern two tribes.  

 

We see the Lord speaking through His prophet Zechariah almost begging the people not to do as their fathers.  Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the Lord.  Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?   But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?  So, they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

 

I believe the USA would be very wise to not only listen to these words but to take action on this message.  For God has spoken in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Wake up, God is Love, Mercy, Kindness, Goodness, and Faithfulness, but He is also a Mighty Judge, and a Mighty Warrior, who has contempt for posers who believe that doing good will put them in right standing with a Holy God.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Israel's Joy and Restoration

 

 

Zechariah 3:14-

 

Israel's Joy and Restoration

“Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!  Rejoice and exult with all your heart,              O daughter of Jerusalem!  The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.  The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.  On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:  “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.  The Lord your God is in your midst,  a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival so that you will no longer suffer reproach.  Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors.  And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.   At that time, I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.”

 

In Psalm 22:3, it is recorded, “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.”  (ESV)  It’s an often-quoted verse used by worship leaders is from the King James translation of Psalm 22:3 “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.”  After looking into what others have to say on this verse, most agree that ESV is the better translation of Psalm 22:3.  But that does not mean God does not desire the worship of his people, for we are reminded often in the Scriptures to do so.  John 4:24, “ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  In that God does not look on the outward appearance of a person but on the heart, worship happens at any time we give God praise with a pure heart.

Now, let’s look at the rest of the story; Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of 

Jerusalem!  The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.  At the Cross, Jesus overcame death, the grave, and sin.   All the judgments against us have been taken away, and you are not under the control of sin.  That is great news, for one and all that is had by grace and faith entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  But we still have a problem, it‘s called “the flesh” when a person desires to live life outside of God’s control.  It happens when we want to be the captain of our own ship, it is the self-life.  What many a follower of Christ must learn is that we do have flesh, and to understand our version of the flesh, for that is where the “want creators” will attack you and me.  Who are the want creators, look at Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Once we allow our flesh to be in charge, we moved out of the protective umbrella of God's Spirit, allowing the rulers of darkness to have access to our lives.

That is bad news, but the good news, is you are God’s child, you have been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, and all it takes to move back under the Fathers protective umbrella is to come to the Father, with a broken and contrite spirit, confessing your desire to run the show.  For the Father was always close by and His desire is to renew your fellowship.

Obedience brings blessing, and disobedience brings discipline. 

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice