4) The affliction of the Servants

In what way are the Jewish people a witness to us, as the people of the living God?

Because there were not just one people of affliction. There were two. And both were given 1260 years of affliction. Revelation is clear.

When the way and truth became corrupted by 'greviuos wolves', as the Apostles foresaw, the true servants were afflicted.

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

(Revelation 12:5-6)

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev 12:14-17)

Do we consider that what we do today is remarkable in history? Do we meet in peace? For well over 1000 years of recent history there was nowhere the true servants were not in affliction. For most the habitable world was allowed to be dominated by the political power of false worship. It was spoken of.

He shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25)

Why was this? Why wasn't it all made easy? What had Yahweh Elohim learned about his people when they had prosperity? What happened when they were living in the Promised land? Did they then desire it? Did they hope for it? Or did they have their consolation then?

Like most of the christians of world, we do not have to hide our copy of the Bible, we are not likely to have to flee if we preach, except in a few places. We expect that none will have to give their life, as for example Stephen and Paul did.

There is another famous exile. While oppressing the true servants, the Papacy gained power over all of Spain and exiled Jews and seized their property in 1492.

On the day the expulsion was announced Columbus sailed with some Jews and with some hope to explore and establish settlement in the new world. Funding from two wealthy converted court Jews to Columbus persuaded Queen Isabella, and the rest which was given by Queen Isabella, was sourced from confiscated Jewish property. It appears the very first European settler of the new world was Jewish. There followed many settlers to the new world who were escaping the inquisition. A bit over 100 years later they left from England famously for freedom of worship. Again it was a loss of prosperity and exile to a kind of wilderness. The turkey obtained its name from Hebrew for 'peacock', thanks to Columbus. And there came to be even Jewish Pirates of the Caribean.

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. (Eze 11:16)

But Isaiah 49 is addressed to the Isles or coasts and the people from afar. To us.

Listen, O isles, unto me;!!!

and hearken, ye people, from far;

The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

And said unto me, “Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. (Isaiah 49:1-5)

Are we striving to enter the straight gate? Or are we in the promised land? We might consider the events of the valley of Achor. It was a door of hope. It was where the sin of covetousness for Babylonish garments, gold and silver was confessed and removed from Israel. Then and only then could they possess the land. We must confess all our labour for material things is vanity.

There will be a memorial in the future in the kingdom, for the valley of trouble, for Achor,

Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. (Isa 65:8-10)

Today the Papacy targets through overt and covert diplomacy. It has moved the nations to be enemies of the people being prepared by Yahweh. In these last days we witness again people who are reviled. We see those Jews who most seek the words of the prophets, being condemned for seeking to live on the mountains of Israel, Judea and Samaria, especially in Benjamin region.

It is written that,

And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. (Eze 34:13-15)

And with great clearness with the exact circumstances as predicted,

prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD: Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession: Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people:

Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, .. Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey. Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, ... Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame. But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: (Eze 36:1-10)

The nations have made it hard for Jews to build on the mountains. Jews might build in many places, but they are specifically condemned and restricted from builing on eth moutains. When they seek to obey God and defy the 'laws' of men the houses they build are demolished. The more they try to restrict Jews from settling on the mountains, the more Jews seem to multiply there. The more the international community leaders pressure Jews to stop building, the more the Jews seek to build (this artcile is to hand but is one of many “John Kerry's position that the US deems Jewish building in Judea and Samaria as "illegitimate.” . http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/173790#.UoPwYyekOTx)

We see once again the pattern of the scriptures, of a time of trouble as a door of hope. Do we consider these people as a work in progress? Do we see the pattern of redemption? Does it not indicate that our redemption must be close?

Of the 7 congregations sent letters only Philadelphia was specifically given respite from trial and temptation, as they kept the word of patience. It is mentioned they loved the name.

Laodicea had an increase in goods and no specific trial. They were wealthy. But the individuals who loved in truth, and are loved are rebuked and chastened, as Israel was.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:19-20)

Once the Bridegroom comes, and those found with oil to enter, the door is opened and the marriage supper is made. This promise is similar to the one given to the apostles.

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:28-30)

But do we call him 'Lord, Lord', or do we know him by name, knowing the full meaning of that Hebrew name given by his Father, Y'shua, meaning 'Yah shall save'. If we know this in practice doing his words then we can know him as a friend.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:14-15)

At that supper he explains why there would be 1260 years of affliction to the servants of Yahweh,

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. (John 15:18-21)

If we are true sons we will go through trial to enter. If we do not feel that we are rebuked and chastened as sons, as Israel was and is, it is perhaps because do we do not consider deeply enough what has been made known unto us: what Yahweh does and what Y'shua heard and told us.

This is so that we might also have fellowship with those who went through great tribulation, and who will enter the door of hope, the same door we wish to enter. If we don't desire to enter above every possession, we won't enter.

and we won't be given Y'shua new name,

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after Yahweh, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith Yahweh, who does all these things.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:14-18)

For more see The Fig Tree

♦

• Site Index

Sections

• Site Contents
• God & the Bible
• BFn Notes
• Consider
• The Living Word
• Faith In Action
• Quotes
• About this Site

• What's New
• 2pi Bible Pages