Zion, the Promised Land

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keras

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[SIZE=11pt]Isaiah 49:14-23 Zion says: The Lord has forsaken me. The Lord says: Can a woman forget her child? I shall never forget you. I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands. Your dwellings are always before My eyes.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Your people will hasten back, while your enemies depart.[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Look around, your children gather and come to you. They will be as ornaments in the Land.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Once the Land was desolate. Your enemies are now far away. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]The children born while the Land was occupied by foreigners will now say: This place is too small for us. Zion will say; who bore these children, when I was deserted, where did they come from?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]The Lord says; I shall signal to the nations, they will carefully transport My people to their Promised Land.[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] Kings will be your sponsors and great people will serve and honour you. You will know that I am the Lord, none who trust in Me will be disappointed.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Zion:[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] The holy Land, forsaken and desolate, Jer. 22:6-7, Hosea 4:3, that is how it will be after the next prophesied event: The Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath, an explosion of the sun, directed at the Middle East that will clear and cleanse the entire area. Currently most of the holy Land is occupied by atheists or false religion worshippers. The Jews will be judged, Zechariah 13:7-9, Ezekiel 30:1-5, Hosea 4:3, Zephaniah 1:18, 2 Peter 3:7, Rev. 6:12-17[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]‘the enemies depart, they are now far away’[/SIZE]: [SIZE=11pt]Psalm 83 and Micah 4:11 tell us how the surrounding nations and entities all hate Israel and want to ‘wipe them off the map’. Those attackers will all be killed, some by their own weapons; Psalm 7:12-16, and the rest of the inhabitants will flee. Jer. 49:4-5 & 35-37[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]‘Your people will hasten back’[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]:[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] A part of Judah has returned, but very few are true believers and they all face judgement. A remnant will survive in Jerusalem. Isaiah 6:13 We are told who are the Lord’s people: Romans 9:24-26, Psalm 24:3-5, Malachi 3:16-17[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt] ‘The Lord’s people, all those who put their trust in Him’: are gathered and transported to all the area from the Nile to the Euphrates. Isaiah 66:18b-20, Psalm 107, Jer. 23:3-4, Zechariah 9:16 On that Day their God will save them, they will sparkle like jewels in the Land.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt] ‘The Promised Land’[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]: will be regenerated and become fruitful. Joel 2:21-24, Psalm 126:1-5[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Ezekiel 36:8-12 You, mountains of Israel, put forth your branches and bear fruit, for the homecoming of your people is near. Isaiah 51:3[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Isaiah 35:1-10 Let the desert be glad, let it flower and rejoice!...Be strong, My people, fear not your God comes to save you with His vengeance and retribution. Then understanding will be given to all who couldn’t see or comprehend the Prophetic Word. A highway will appear and by that road, the Lord’s redeemed people will travel into their heritage. His holy people, set free will enter Zion with shouts of praise for their Redeemer. Gladness and joy will come upon them and suffering and sorrow will be gone. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Psalm 48:11-14 The hills of Zion rejoice, Judah’s cities are glad. Walk about the holy Land, count the towers. Note the fortifications and buildings, so that you can tell about them to the coming generations. For this God is our God, our guide and protector, now and forever.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Psalm 69:35-36 For God will deliver Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. The children of those who serve Him will inherit the Land and those who love His Name will dwell there. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Isaiah 55:11-13 You will go out with joy and be led forth in peace....the Land will rejoice at your coming. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Reference: Revised English Bible, some verses abridged.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]That all this happens before the Return of Jesus in His glory, is made clear by Isaiah 49:23, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] ‘you will know that I am the Lord’’. First, His people will gather and settle in all of the holy Land. All who serve the Lord will inherit the Land. They will fulfil prophecies and prepare for the eventual Millennial reign of Jesus. [/SIZE]
 

keras

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Isaiah 63:7-10 I shall tell of the Lord’s unfailing love and of the great things He has done for His people, in His compassion for Israel. He said: surely they are My people, they will not be false with Me. So, He, Himself delivered then from their troubles. He carried them through all the days of old. Yet, they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit, so He turned against them and allowed enemies to conquer them.
[God chose and prepared a nation that would be His friends and a witness about Him to the world. Sadly, they rebelled against their Maker, so their punishment was exile. This was to be for a defined period, Ezekiel 4:4-6, Leviticus 26:18 and now we look forward to the full gathering of all righteous believers into the Holy Land.]

Isaiah 63:11-14 When in exile, they recalled the days long past and how Moses shepherded his flock through the sea and into the Promised Land, by the power of the Holy spirit. Thus, You led Your people and thereby gained everlasting renown.

Isaiah 63:15-16 Look down from the heavens – Your lofty throne and see us, Lord, for You are our Father. Where now, is Your zeal and Your valour, You are withholding Your compassion from us. Even though Abraham may not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us, You, Lord, are our Father and our Redeemer from of old.
Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us” The ten Northern tribes, now lost to general knowledge, can still call on their Father and Redeemer of old. They are todays Christians, from every nation and language. Revelation 5:9 & 7:9

Isaiah 63:17-19 Why, Lord, do You let us wander from Your ways and harden our hearts, so that we no longer revere You? Turn again for the sake of Your servants, the people that are Your inheritance.
Why have enemies trespassed on Your sanctuary? Why have our enemies trampled the Land? You have not ruled over them, they are not Your subjects. We are Your people from ancient times, Your servants and witnesses.

Psalm 106:47 Deliver us, Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, so that we may give thanks to Your Name and make Your praise our pride.

Reference: Revised English Bible. Some verses abridged.
 

keras

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It seems to me that many people don’t see how the Bible prophesies tie together to make a whole coherent picture.
There is no doubt that Daniel and Revelation have many parallel prophesies, that can also be seen; giving more details, in the other Bible books.
Regarding a One World Government: This concept has been around for a long time and many overt and covert movements have promoted it. That such a political entity will happen, led by a charismatic man known to us as the Anti-Christ, is quite clearly prophesied in Daniel 7:23-24 and described in Daniel 11:21-45, paralleled in Revelation 17:12-13 and described in Revelation 13:1-18.
The problem the promoters of the OWG have, is the refusal of the nations to relinquish their sovereignty. We all prefer to do our own thing and with the current world situation, this works OK. There are hiccups with nations that mismanage their economies, but it is against the interests of the IMF and the ‘gnomes of Zurich’ to allow a nation to go bankrupt.
So, in order to force the nations to agree to a OWG; initially 10 regions, governed by 10 Presidents*, they know there has to be some kind of dramatic event to start this process. That planned event is to be a nuke attack in the Middle East. A mini WW3, that will shake up the world and have the beneficial effect of solving the Palestinian/ Israel conflict - they would both be gone!
The recent agreement with Iran gives them the green light to proceed with their avowed plans to wipe Israel off the map and the recent tests of nukes and missiles in North Korea is an indication of how close we are to this attack. They know such an attack will result in their own destruction, but they will do it, as their religion pushes them into it. Ezekiel 35:6, Proverbs 8:32
However, it won’t be retaliation by Israel or America that will thwart this secret attack by Iran and her allies onto Israel, the Lord will take action and He will destroy them all, Psalms 11:4-6, virtually depopulating the entire Middle East region. Ezekiel 7:14, Ezekiel 30:2-5, Jeremiah 10:18, Jeremiah 49:35, Isaiah 34:5, Zephaniah 2:4-5 and many other prophesies about the terrible Day of the Lord’s wrath.
The rest of the world will mostly survive and as things will be then, agreement on a OWG will be easy. Not quite as planned, but a similar result!
What happens to all the true believers in the Lord? Raptured to heaven? Nowhere does the Bible say that will happen at any time. 1 Peter 3:12 says it clearly; it will be the fiery test of our faith and we must stand firm, believing in His protection. Then: look up, for our redemption is near. Luke 21:25-28 Jesus will Return within 20 years.

*Google - 10 world regions.
 

keras

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Who is it that says; BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

Matthew 23:39 & Luke 13:35 For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”
Luke 18:8...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?

Who are the inhabitants of Israel and Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’s Return?
Zechariah 13:7-9... says how the Lord will judge Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem. Two thirds will die and the remainder will be refined, they will call on the Lord and be accepted as His people. Ezekiel 21:1-7, Ezekiel 22:17-22. Isaiah 6:11-13
Ezekiel 20:30-38 The House of Israel, the people that we know now refers to every true Christian, Isaiah 51:1-2, Romans 9:6-9, Galatians 3:26-29, are told how they have defiled themselves. Then, how they will be brought out of the peoples and lands where they have been dispersed to. They are judged and the righteous will be allowed to enter and settle into all of the Promised Land. Isaiah 62:1-5, Isaiah 66:15-21, Ezekiel 34:11-31, Jeremiah 12:14
Note, in v36...the same as I did in Egypt – see also Ezekiel 20:9....the Lord says- how I revealed Myself to the Israelites. That was in a cloud, not as a visible Person. So, these judgements are before the Lords Return.

Zechariah 14:1-3 A Day is coming for the Lord to act and plunder taken from you will be shared out, while you stand by. I shall gather the nations to make war on Jerusalem- the city will be taken, houses ransacked and women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, the rest will stay.... Then, the Lord will Return in glory. He will destroy the armies of the nations. Revelation 16:13
Verses 1-2 only fit at the time the Anti-Christ and his army comes to the holy Land, Daniel 7:25, to the new nation of Beulah, Isaiah 62:1-5, 3½ years after he has made a peace treaty with them. He will set up his image in the Temple at that time. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Daniel 11:31
Those who go into exile are righteous Israel are the ‘woman’ of Revelation 12. Those who remain must face further refinement and testing. Daniel 11:35 During this 3½ year Tribulation period, the two witnesses will preach in Jerusalem to them. When the two witnesses are killed and taken up to heaven there is an earthquake that kills 7000 people. Revelation 11:13
Those who remain are the royal house of priests, who will reign with Jesus on earth. Revelation 5:9-10. THEY will welcome Jesus as He Returns in His glory, at the end of the Tribulation and the armies of all the nations will be there, Revelation 16:12-14, under the command of the Anti Christ. Revelation 19:19 Jesus destroys them and chains up Satan. Revelation 19:20-21
2 Esdras 13:11-13 A stream of fire, the breath of flame poured from His mouth and fell on the enormous army advancing to attack. They were totally burned up. After that, the Man, (Jesus) came down from the mountain and brought to Himself a peaceful company of people, some with joy on their faces, some with sorrow.

Psalms 68:28-31 Summon Your power, show Your strength, O God, as you have done before. Kings will bring gifts to Your Temple.
Rebuke those wild beasts, scatter those nations who make war. Envoys will come from the other nations in submission to God. Reference, REB, some verses abridged
 

Retrobyter

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keras said:
Who is it that says; BLESSED IS HE THAT COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

Matthew 23:39 & Luke 13:35 For I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”
Luke 18:8...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?

Who are the inhabitants of Israel and Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’s Return?
Zechariah 13:7-9... says how the Lord will judge Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem. Two thirds will die and the remainder will be refined, they will call on the Lord and be accepted as His people. Ezekiel 21:1-7, Ezekiel 22:17-22. Isaiah 6:11-13
Ezekiel 20:30-38 The House of Israel, the people that we know now refers to every true Christian, Isaiah 51:1-2, Romans 9:6-9, Galatians 3:26-29, are told how they have defiled themselves. Then, how they will be brought out of the peoples and lands where they have been dispersed to. They are judged and the righteous will be allowed to enter and settle into all of the Promised Land. Isaiah 62:1-5, Isaiah 66:15-21, Ezekiel 34:11-31, Jeremiah 12:14
Note, in v36...the same as I did in Egypt – see also Ezekiel 20:9....the Lord says- how I revealed Myself to the Israelites. That was in a cloud, not as a visible Person. So, these judgements are before the Lords Return.

Zechariah 14:1-3 A Day is coming for the Lord to act and plunder taken from you will be shared out, while you stand by. I shall gather the nations to make war on Jerusalem- the city will be taken, houses ransacked and women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, the rest will stay.... Then, the Lord will Return in glory. He will destroy the armies of the nations. Revelation 16:13
Verses 1-2 only fit at the time the Anti-Christ and his army comes to the holy Land, Daniel 7:25, to the new nation of Beulah, Isaiah 62:1-5, 3½ years after he has made a peace treaty with them. He will set up his image in the Temple at that time. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Daniel 11:31
Those who go into exile are righteous Israel are the ‘woman’ of Revelation 12. Those who remain must face further refinement and testing. Daniel 11:35 During this 3½ year Tribulation period, the two witnesses will preach in Jerusalem to them. When the two witnesses are killed and taken up to heaven there is an earthquake that kills 7000 people. Revelation 11:13
Those who remain are the royal house of priests, who will reign with Jesus on earth. Revelation 5:9-10. THEY will welcome Jesus as He Returns in His glory, at the end of the Tribulation and the armies of all the nations will be there, Revelation 16:12-14, under the command of the Anti Christ. Revelation 19:19 Jesus destroys them and chains up Satan. Revelation 19:20-21
2 Esdras 13:11-13 A stream of fire, the breath of flame poured from His mouth and fell on the enormous army advancing to attack. They were totally burned up. After that, the Man, (Jesus) came down from the mountain and brought to Himself a peaceful company of people, some with joy on their faces, some with sorrow.

Psalms 68:28-31 Summon Your power, show Your strength, O God, as you have done before. Kings will bring gifts to Your Temple.
Rebuke those wild beasts, scatter those nations who make war. Envoys will come from the other nations in submission to God. Reference, REB, some verses abridged
Shalom, keras.

I need to inform you of two things: First, you're right when you said that "they will welcome Jesus (Yeshua`) as He returns in His glory," The phrase "blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord" is originally found in Psalm 118:26:

Psalm 118:26
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
KJV


Yeshua` quoted this passage when He was leaving the Jews of Jerusalem "desolate" (see Daniel 9:27). THEY are the ones who were left "desolate!"

The phrase in Hebrew is "Baruwkh haba' bshem YHWH." The phrase does indeed mean "Welcome, comer on the authority of YHWH." The phrase "baruwkh haba'" can be seen in the plural at all the airports and seaports in Israel today as welcome signs! "Welcome, comers!" or "Welcome, visitors!"

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fm9.i.pbase.com%2Fo6%2F17%2F782717%2F1%2F81254949.SLVa8A9h.000_050331WelcometoIsrael.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Fnjutaren%2Fimage%2F81254949&docid=ni1POkY9Gh-MNM&tbnid=KOcII5XF5pJSkM%3A&w=800&h=600&client=safari&bih=650&biw=1278&ved=0ahUKEwjWh-3Uz_TNAhWBdh4KHe4aBfYQMwgkKAIwAg&iact=mrc&uact=8

The Hebrew at the top of the sign is transliterated as "Baruwkhiym haba'iym l'Isra'el." Welcome, visitors, to Israel."

Second, don't forget that the Resurrection comes into play here. Zechariah 12 talks about the Resurrection in a covert way:

Zechariah 12:7-14
7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.
8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.
KJV


Here's the same passage in the Complete Jewish Bible:

Zechariah 12:7-14
7 Adonai will save the tents of Y’hudah first,

so that the glory of the house of David
and the glory of those living in Yerushalayim
will not appear greater than that of Y’hudah.
8 When that day comes, Adonai will defend
those living in Yerushalayim.
On that day, even someone who stumbles
will be like David;
and the house of David will be like God,
like the angel of Adonai before them.

9 “When that day comes, I will seek to destroy
all nations attacking Yerushalayim;
10 and I will pour out on the house of David
and on those living in Yerushalayim
a spirit of grace and prayer;
and they will look to me, whom they pierced.”

They will mourn for him
as one mourns for an only son;
they will be in bitterness on his behalf
like the bitterness for a firstborn son.
11 When that day comes, there will be
great mourning in Yerushalayim,
mourning like that for Hadad-Rimmon
in the Megiddo Valley.
12 Then the land will mourn,
each family by itself

the family of the house of David by itself,
and their wives by themselves;
the family of the house of Natan by itself,
and their wives by themselves;
13 the family of the house of Levi by itself,
and their wives by themselves;
the family of the Shim‘i by itself,
and their wives by themselves;
14 all the remaining families, each by itself,
and their wives by themselves.
CJB


(Notice that the "Shim`i" is not an individual's name; therefore, it doesn't say, "the family of the house of Shim`i," as it did for the other three names. It says rather "the family of the Shim`i" because it's a CLAN name.)

We find these same names in another place in Scripture:

Luke 3:23-38
23 Yeshua was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. It was supposed that he was a son of Yosef who was of Eli,
24 of Mattat, of Levi, of Malki, of Yannai, of Yosef,
25 of Mattityahu, of Amotz, of Nachum, of Hesli, of Naggai,
26 of Machat, of Mattityahu, of Shim‘i, of Yosef, of Yodah,
27 of Yochanan, of Reisha, of Z’rubavel, of Sh’altiel, of Neri,
28 of Malki, of Addi, of Kosam, of Elmadan, of Er,
29 of Yeshua, of Eli‘ezer, of Yoram, of Mattat, of Levi,
30 of Shim‘on, of Y’hudah, of Yosef, of Yonam, of Elyakim,
31 of Mal’ah, of Manah, of Mattatah, of Natan, of David,
32 of Yishai, of ‘Oved, of Bo‘az, of Salmon, of Nachshon,
33 of Amminadav, of Admin, of Arni, of Hetzron, of Peretz, of Y’hudah,
34 of Ya‘akov, of Yitz’chak, of Avraham, of Terach, of Nachor,
35 of S’rug, of Re‘u, of Peleg, of ‘Ever, of Shelah,
36 of Keinan, of Arpakhshad, of Shem, of Noach, of Lemekh,
37 of Metushelach, of Hanokh, of Yered, of Mahalal’el, of Keinan,
38 of Enosh, of Shet, of Adam, of God.
CJB


Thus, this is the point for the listing of these four names; these are the names of Yeshua`s ANCESTORS!

Therefore, for them to be mourning what had been done to the Messiah as though He was their "firstborn son" or their "only son," it was because their actual "firstborn son" or their actual "only son" was also an ancestor of Yeshua`! He was their GREAT GRANDSON, however many "GREATS" removed!

And, if you can accept this, for them to be physically present and mourning for their great Grandson, the Messiah Yeshua`, the Resurrection had to have already taken place!
 

keras

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Thank you, Retrobyter.
My point with 'who is it that says; Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord', is those who say it must be true righteous Christians, tested and tried thru the Great Trib. They are, therefore, not the current inhabitants of Israel. The survivors of Judah will mourn, but the Lord's people, by then living in all of the holy land, will rejoice and welcome Jesus.

Re the resurrection of the dead Patriarchs, prophets and the saints.
We see that some of them were raised at the moment of Jesus' death. Matthew 27:31-32 This may be the case at His Return, however Revelation 20:4 puts it after Jesus has destroyed Satan's army and chained him up.

These are all matters that will happen in due course and don't affect the big picture.
The event that we must all be aware of and prepared spiritually and physically for is the soon to happen Lord's Day of wrath, that will change everything and set the scene for all that is to follow.
 

Retrobyter

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Shabbat shalom, keras.

Ummm.... not necessarily. Modern Christians have a dichotomy of "Christianity" that is biased in the wrong direction. They think "Christian vs. non-Christian," but the Scriptures teach something else. Explore this with me:

Would you say that all who claim they are "Christians" are justified by God; that is, "saved" - true believers?

On the other hand, would you say that every true Jew; that is, a true child of Israel (regardless the tribe), is a non-believer?

Does a child of Israel have to be labeled a "Christian" to be a true believer?

Which came first, a trust in God and His promises for a Messiah, or the fact that the Messiah turned out to be Yeshua` (Jesus)? What do the Scriptures say?

Romans 4:3-8
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
KJV


Was Avraham (Abraham) justified by the deeds he performed? No, of course not! Avraham was justified by God because He TRUSTED ("believed") God!

Was David justified by keeping the Law? No, of course not! He was justified by God when YHWH refused to impute sin to him and forgave his iniquities and covered his sins!

You absolutely MUST understand that Old Testament saints were "saved" (justified by God) in the SAME WAY as we are today! They may not have known who the Messiah would be, but they trusted that there would be a Messiah as per God's promises, and more importantly, they trusted GOD for their eternal life!

`Iyov (Job) said,

Job 19:23-27
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
KJV


Also, you must understand this: The miracles that Yeshua` performed when He was on earth in the first century A.D. were TEMPORARY modifications to the results of natural laws. They were demonstrations of God's power through His Messiah, Yeshua`, and His disciples to AUTHENTICATE the message, the "gospel," the "good news," that they proclaimed, and that message was NOT the "death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua`," by the way! Those of the five thousand who were fed by the 5 loaves and 2 fish had to eat again. Those who were healed of some disease would fall to disease and death again. Those whose limbs were restored would die and those limbs would decay. Those who were brought to life would die again. Consider the following:

John 12:9-11
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
KJV


Elezar (Lazarus) not only COULD die again, he WOULD die again. Only Yeshua` is said to be the "firstfruits":

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
KJV


Only HIS resurrection was eternal ... so far. Those who "came out of the graves" at His death, would die again, and I strongly doubt they would be people that the common people living would not recognize. Otherwise, those living wouldn't be able to know that those who rose again were once dead! We're not told that any of these who were brought back to life were the famous saints of the OT. We know, for instance, that David was NOT one of them:

Acts 2:29-35
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
KJV


However, if they had seen "cousin Yosef," who died by falling off his donkey and breaking his neck, alive again, THAT they would recognize as a miracle from God!

Paul continued in the Resurrection Chapter,

1 Corinthians 15:35-54
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies (Greek: soomata epourania = "bodies of-above-the-sky"), and bodies terrestrial (Greek: soomata epigeia = "bodies of-above-the-ground"): but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body (Greek: sooma psuchikon = a "breathing body"); it is raised a spiritual body (Greek: sooma pneumatikon = a "blowing/blasting body"). There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (a living air-breather); the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (a life-giving wind).
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy ("of the ground, dirty"): the second man is the Lord from heaven ("the Master from the sky").
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
KJV


The resurrection is tied to the Second Coming of our Master, Yeshua` the Messiah; that is, the One anointed to become King.

Also, this Second Coming is portrayed in 1 Thessalonians 4:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (with Yeshua` - horizontally, not vertically!).
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
KJV


I know that this passage is frequently used for the "Rapture," but take a GOOD look: It doesn't say we shall "go to heaven!" It simply means that we shall stay with the Master Yeshua` WHEREVER He goes from there! It says that the Master Himself shall descend from the sky with a shout, with the voice of the chief messenger, and with the trumpeting of God. But, we SHALL BE SNATCHED AWAY (Greek: harpageesometha) together with them IN THE CLOUDS (Greek: en nefalais) - LITERAL CLOUDS - to meet the Master IN THE AIR (Greek: eis aera = "into [the] air," from which came our word "aeroplane"), and like that we shall remain with the Master.

Now, if Yeshua` has made the trip from the New Jerusalem above the skies to the earth, WHY WOULD HE GO BACK?! He WON'T! He will continue on to Israel to begin the Rescue (Salvation) of His LITERAL, PHYSICAL, NATURAL FAMILY, the children of Israel, with us in tow!

The Resurrection doesn't occur in Revelation 20:4; they've already BEEN resurrected by then! With whom is Yeshua` coming in Revelation 19?

Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
KJV


Be careful and be sure that you can actually recognize the "big picture!"
 

keras

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RB, you have the wrong impression of my beliefs. In no way do I believe in a rapture to heaven. I agree with your assessment of 2 Thess 4:15-17.

My definition of who are the people of God is: All who believe in a Creator God and have accepted the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.
They can and will be people from every tribe, race, nation and language. Revelation 5:9-10, Isaiah 56:1-8

Re who accompanies Jesus at His Return; The angelic armies of heaven, as stated in many prophesies. They are, of course, clothed in white, as the dead martyrs will be also. Rev 6:11 and Rev 19:8
 

keras

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THE SONG OF MOSES:
Deuteronomy 32:1-43 Give ear, you heavens and earth to what I say- the words that I speak. Let my teaching fall like fine rain onto growing plants.
When I proclaim the Creator – the Lord whose ways are just and righteous, you will respond: “Great is our God “

But you are a perverted and crooked generation. Is this how you repay the Lord? You stupid people, He is the one who made you. Remember the old days, your fathers will tell of God’s favour to them.
When the Most High gave each nation it’s heritage and laid the boundaries for each peoples, the Lord took as His share, Israel, His own people. He found them in a desert land, protected and trained them, watched over and led them to a fertile Land. They grew fat and healthy, but then forsook the Lord: their Maker.
The Lord hid His face from them, saying; Let Me see what their end will be, for they are not to be trusted. In My anger, I shall heap disasters upon them. I had resolved to totally destroy them, but I thought that their enemies would take the credit, saying; it was us that defeated Israel.
Israel are a people that lack understanding – if only they realized what their end is to be! They are only defeated because I have handed them over, their enemies are just fools without a Rock like Israel. I, the Lord, have sealed up in My storehouses a reserve of punishment and vengeance for the moment when the foot of your enemies slips, for the Day of their doom is fast approaching.

The Lord will judge His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone. He will ask; Where are your false gods now? Let them help you.
See, now that I: I am the Lord your God, there is none other.
I swear; As I live forever, when I have sharpened My flashing sword and set My hand to judgement, then I shall punish My adversaries and wreak vengeance on My foes. My sword will devour flesh and spill the blood of the enemy princes.
Rejoice you heavens, worship Him, for He will avenge the blood of His people. He will punish those who hate Him and will cleanse the Land belonging to His people.
Great is our God! Reference, Revised English Bible. Some verses abridged

From this passage, we see, in verse 35, that the Lord is waiting for His enemies “foot to slip” – in other words, for them to make a mistaken move and then He will act against them. That move will be an attack onto Israel and the Lord will respond with fire from His storehouse, the sun. Isaiah 30:26-30, Deuteronomy 32:22, Malachi 4:1-3
Verse 43- the NIV says; ....He will take vengeance on His enemies and make atonement for His Land and people.
A parallel passage is in Jeremiah 12:14 I shall uproot those evil neighbours who encroach on the Land which I allotted to My people, Israelites, as their holding. Israelites: Now, every true believer in God and Jesus. Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 9:6-8
Psalm 125:3 The rule of the wicked will not remain over the Land allotted to the righteous. Jeremiah 10:18, Hosea 4:3
The Lord hid His Face from them….. Ezekiel 39:25-29 When I bring My people into their heritage……..No longer shall I hide My face from them……Revelation 7:9