Defeating Depression Part I [Charismatic Devotional Thread]

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” Proverbs 12:25

Low spirits, gloominess, dejection, sadness, a decrease in force, or activity, or amount, a decrease in functional activity. An emotional condition either normal or pathological characterized by discouragement, a feeling of inadequacy, the act of humbling abasement as a depression of pride. Abasement, reduction, sinking, fall, humiliation, dejection, melancholy.

Major Depression Facts Major depression is the No.1 psychological disorder in the western world.(1) It is growing in all age groups, in virtually every community, and the growth is seen most in the young, especially teens. At the rate of increase, it will be the 2nd most disabling condition in the world by 2020, behind heart disease. http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/Depression_Information/facts.htm Shalom dearly beloved:

I am taking the opportunity this Shabbat to touch on a subject that is plaguing many people, that is DEPRESSION. Nearly everywhere that we go to minister, The Lord gives me a Word of Knowledge concerning depression and suicide. Many people have been miraculously set free from depression and hopelessness as we bring forth The MAP Revolution Message to the nations. Some times people that have suffered from over 50 years of chronic depression are able to smile and rejoice for the FIRST time in their lives!

One such case happened to us in Ecuador. As we were leaving from the Guayaquil airport after and intense time of ministry in Ecuador, some people came to bid us good-bye and among them there was a middle age toothless lady. She was smiling from ear to ear and had no front teeth at all!!! She made a considerable effort to come to the airport from a remote village and without any private transport. Her purpose for coming was to show us her “toothless smile” as a sign of appreciation for our ministry. She told us that she had suffered from chronic depression for over 50 years and that she was healed under our ministry and could now genuinely smile and be happy for the FIRST time in 50 years!!! Needless to say we were overjoyed and tears ran down our cheeks as we received this marvelous testimony as a gift from heaven and as full reward for our time spent in Ecuador. What a privilege it is to make people SMILE and rejoice from their hearts after so many years of suffering!

In one of our meetings in Mexico, as I was asking for people to give their testimonies of healing, a young man came to answer the altar call for salvation, tears streaming down his face as The Lord had healed him from depression right there on the spot. His testimony caused around 100 people to answer the altar call for salvation on that day! The lady that brought him to our meeting was HIS OWN CHRISTIAN THERAPIST that in desperation hoped for a miracle for her own patient! What medicine could not do, The Holy Spirit did it in a split second! To Him is all the glory forever!

I am not disclaiming in this article the use of drugs and medications in certain cases. Psychiatric help can be as a ¨life boat¨ to a drowning person. Many of my loved ones have been greatly helped by medication, however if you know the root cause of depression you can live a life of freedom from this plague that is a major attack on modern day man.

My own testimony It is in my weakness that YAH (The Lord) uses me in the area of depression as nearly every member of my immediate family has been plagued from depression and one even committed suicide due to it. I have suffered the deep distress of catering to people in serious, critical depressions and mental disease all my life. As I am writing these very lines my own son who is a soldier in the Israeli Army is suffering from depression that has been caused by pressure and anxiety. As a mother I am going through a very painful time, yet in the midst of my own pain I feel compelled to write this letter so that all those that are suffering from depression can receive HOPE and a WAY OUT!

A family curse that is repeated throughout the generations due to witchcraft, involvement in the occult, Kabbala and the active membership in secret lodges such as the Free Masons, Odd Fellows, etc…It can also manifest as a “genetical chemical imbalance” (Deuteronomy 5:8, 28:28,29) A root of bitterness, hidden anger and unforgiveness. (Matthew 18:34,35) Fear, anxiety and stress. (Proverbs 12:25, 1 John 4:18) A serious disappointment in life such as broken promises, divorce or a broken relationship, the death of a loved one or any frustrated expectation. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12) Unresolved grief. (Genesis 37:34-36) Vitamin and nutritional deficiency

TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION 1. Repentance: In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we have the antidote for all sickness, be it spiritual, emotional or physical,

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

*Turn from our wicked ways of mistrust, and fear rather than faith, disobedience to God’s Commandments and any unforgiveness and hidden anger. Forgiveness is a KEY issue, forgive yourself, others and even God!

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14,15

2. Confess your sins to someone you trust that has a holy walk with God and have that person pray for you.

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

“He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalms 107:20

“My son give attention to My word, incline your ear to my sayings do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them, and health to ALL their flesh” Proverbs 4:20-22

Make for yourself a Word Prayer of at least 5-7 scripture promises, declare and meditate on those scripture promises day and night and at least 3 times a day! Record this scripture prayer and listen to it while you are driving, speaking it out loud and also silently to yourself all day long.

“The work of righteousness will be peace and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever” Isaiah 32:17

“The actions of those that are made just by doing what is right in the eyes of God will be shalom, wellbeing and wholeness in every way; And those who worship Him according to His Commandments (Holy Worship!) will be quietness and absolute confidence forever.”

Right in wise manner, upright, virtuous, acting in a just way, morally right, good, excellent, satisfying, pleasant, authentic, Godly, just, upright, virtuous.

Our righteousness comes from having been made right with YAH (God) through Y’shua’s blood sacrifice and it is to be followed by obedience to His Commandments and by a right walk with Him. When we are made right with Elohim through Y’shua, in a forgiven state we then begin a personal walk with Him, a walk of loving obedience to His Commandments as written in our hearts by The Holy Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10

Walking in love, obedience and forgiveness is an antidote for fear and thus fights and defeats the torment of depression.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

5. Total trust in Elohim-God, His Word, His Plan and His Character. Trust is the antidote against anxiety, one of the major root causes of depression in the 21st century. Trust develops through continual prayer and meditation of the Word of God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through the Messiah Y’shua. Philippians 4:6,7

This is actually a commandment- “Be anxious for NOTHING” and the way to achieve it is by,

Most people are anxious because they lead a prayer-less and unthankful life, so they are always revolving around themselves and their own problems.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Yahveh my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12

7. Inner Healing is the key for inner soul and heart pain. Inner healing happens when we acknowledge the pain and let the Spirit of Truth and the Word of God bring light to the most hidden corners of our soul.

Then Y’shua said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31,32,

“The Spirit of Yahveh GOD is upon Me, Because Yahveh has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahveh, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of Yahveh, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3.

Inner healing can happen when someone else prays for you or when you pray and let YAH work on your soul to bring truth and light to your deepest painful emotions.

8. Conventional treatment- In some cases there is a need to receive conventional medication and drug treatment before a person can be settled enough to allow for God’s word and spirit to work. In these cases by all means receive treatment and then apply all the rest.

9. Deliverance from demons- is an important part in defeating depression as in many cases there is demonic activity involved in depression, however depression is not only caused by evils spirits and it is important to treat spirit, soul and body!

Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:24

10. Nutritional supplements are very important in order to treat depression and most particularly vitamin B complex and Vitamin C, however for a more thorough list consult with a professional nutritionist and health consultant. There are also some herbs that can be helpful such as St. John’s Wort, Chamomille, Valerian Root, etc…It is also important to change your nutritional habits to healthy habits decreasing white sugar, processed foods, chemicals such as nitrates and MSG.

For thus says Yahveh GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “ In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15A

On the next issue we will talk about fear and anxiety as a root cause of depression, meanwhile have a Shabbat Shalom, full of wellbeing and DO NOT GIVE UP! Remember that we love you and care for you.

Rabbi Baruch, Bishop Dominiquae Bierman and the Kad-Esh MAP Team © Bishop Dr Dominiquae Bierman 2006

And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. ’ Matthew 25:40

Shabbat Shalom dearly beloved:

This past Tuesday we left together with our Jerusalem Team to the North of Israel. Our purpose was to bring healing and encouragement to the Israelis in the North. We were “armed” as usual with Shofars, guitars and drums in order to do our 4 AM Praise Watch in the North. But we were also “armed” with Bishop’s Testimony Book in Hebrew and with attractive looking food parcels for needy families that had suffered through the month of war with Lebanon . The Food Parcels that we distributed were due to your donations and each of them had a card that read as follows,

“With love from Christians and Jews who care” www.besorot-tovot.org (our new web site in Hebrew called Besorot Tovot or “Good News”)

It is impossible to describe the satisfaction that we all had in doing this, bringing the Gospel in a spiritual and practical manner. It is also hard to explain what we felt when we spoke with different people in the town of Kiryat Shmone that suffered 1000 katyushas during the recent war with Lebanon . Nearly every person we spoke to was a native of Kiryat Shmone and they had suffered katyushas already in their childhood; because Lebanon has been firing and aiming at Israeli civilians already for over 30 years!

Our people are traumatized, they need comfort, they need “A HUG“ and they need the miraculous healing that only Y’shua can offer. One lady said as she spoke to our cameras, “Your coming here, knowing that you care for us that is what we need. We need love and we need a HUG ”

We are inviting you our precious “huggers” from the nations to come and HUG Israel at this time. Your hugs will be extremely appreciated! (Please see our website for all the information on the tours that will enable you to practically HUG ISRAEL ).

As we were going all over the Upper Galilee and all the way to the extreme border of Metula blowing the shofars, encouraging, praying and singing, we realized how important it is to come and blow the shofar in Israel at this time!

One lady near the Kineret, ( Sea of Galilee ) said after we blew the shofar, “I have goose bumps. It reminds me that when I was sick with breast cancer, an orthodox Jew blew the shofar in prayer for me and I recovered…”

We began to say- “May the Galilee and the North of Israel hear the Sound of the Shofars rather than the sirens of war!”

We pray that many obedient warriors will come to blow the shofar in Zion in our last minute urgent Apostolic Shofar Convocation from the 18-25 of September THIS YEAR 2006 during The Feast of Trumpets! (Please see www.kad-esh.org).

One of the beautiful highlights during this mission was the networking between ministries, believers and even Israelis that do not know Y’shua. We all helped each other in order to help the People in the North; and the message was being heard LOUD and CLEAR- God loves Israel . Y’shua is the Key for the healing, and the only savior, and the “Grafted In” Christians are our brothers. Thank you for enabling us to keep doing this important mission of “Comforting Zion”, and of preaching the Gospel through our books, food parcels, prayers, praises and actions.

Thank you for eternity! Your friends in Israel, Rabbi Baruch and Bishop Dominiquae Bierman, and the Kad-Esh MAP Team

Another email from kad-esh.org

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:

In the midst of a two day retreat with my husband on the Mountains of Upper Galilee, in a place that only a few days earlier had suffered from the Hizbollah onslaught of Katiusha rockets; I received the following, Elohim made us to be “Vessels of Clay” and highly breakable!

I am sure that in the back of our minds we all know that, but it is different to know it in our minds than to have a revelation on it. This was a revelation! I have been meditating on the fact that so many people suffer from depression and on the emotional frailty of this present generation. Past generations seem to have been stronger emotionally and able to stand a lot more hardship. This seemingly “puffed cream generation” tends to have breakdowns more often. Life is a lot more stressed, fast paced and demanding.

Communication abounds to the point of obsessiveness. The “rat race” is at its worst and with it the escalation of divorces, single parent families, absent fathers, etc., ... The use of drugs and any kind of “emotional anesthetics” is at an all-time high; people just want to numb the pain that does not seem to go away. It would be nice if I could report that in the “church” people suffer less from all this, yet I would be seriously mistaken. The ones that come to Y’shua are those that need a doctor. However many times there is no real doctor to be found in His House.

The healing and the RETRAINING of the mind is one of the most important End Time Ministries. Broken vessels are unuseable because they cannot hold any substance; they leak and so in times past broken vessels had to be discarded. However praise be to YAH who is so merciful! He is not going to discard an entire generation of broken clay vessels. He is going to “fix” it!

He is fixing to release some amazing ministries of RESTORATION and the world will be divided between those that are broken clay vessels and between those that will restore them in order to recruit them to restore others!

In the midst of all this we will need to remember that restored vessels have weak points in the place of their past breaking, therefore the way they can make it is as the Master Potter uses them.

Any time that they are sold for the use of any other master besides The Master Potter, they will break into million pieces. The Master Potter is Y’shua, and as long as we submit to His hand in everything, though we are weak, though we are HIGHLY BREAKABLE yet we will stand and be WHOLE. Any time that we choose to get out of His Hand and serve anyone rather than Him or any cause rather than His Kingdom cause, we will fall apart.

This generation can stand no more pressure! It has had all the sin it can take, all the stress it can stand and all the selfishness it can muster, it is time for a radical change of course for an entire generation! People are now asking the question, “what now? Where are we headed?

There are many “apocalyptic films” because everyone is sensing that we have come to The Crossroads of History. It is time for repentance and for a turning! Those that will arise and shine during these time need to have answers, if not the broken vessels of this generation will turn more and more to New Age and occult and eventually be part of the great deception of the New World Order that is already here.

Vessels of Clay will minister to vessels of clay

The difference between human and human, vessel and vessel is not the outer substance but rather the “inner substance”. Every person upon the face of the earth, including the toughest “oil tycoon” is made out of clay and is HIGHLY BREAKABLE! It really takes only a “straw to break the camel’s back” as the saying goes, and you never know when is that “straw” of a circumstance going to hit your back! No, the difference between human and human is not in any other but in the CONTENTS of that human.

Those that are filled with Y’shua have a TREASURE, yet that treasure called The Holy Spirit is in “earthen” or Clay Vessels. For us to be able to stand the pressure from within, the pressure of the Treasure and the pressure from without- Life’s Circumstances, we must realize the following,

WE ARE VERY NEEDY PEOPLE

And we need *all* of His compassion and mercy. Yes. We need all of His strength, beyond our capabilities. We need to realize how weak we are so that we can be made strong in Him. We need to realize that He pities even the one that thinks to be Himself a great “power house”.

He knows that we are but clay and highly breakable! The moment that we break, the treasure leaks out, so we need to be repaired quickly. That is why Mr. Jeremiah the Prophet said,

Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery For the health of the daughter of my people? Jeremiah 8:22

Earlier on in the same chapter, he had made the following statement,

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace. Jeremiah 8:11

He knew full well that the wound that sin and rebellion leaves is too deep a wound to cure with only a bandaid called “peace”. There is a need for a balm and for a physician. The balm is the Word mixed with The Holy Spirit -- His Word, His Torah and Spirit makes for the best balm in the world. It cleanses with truth (Word) and it heals with Ruach - Spirit.

Today BOTH Israel and The Church worldwide are in need of the TRUE balm of His Word with His Spirit and many of YAH’S Vessels of Clay are to be filled with this precious ointment. The Good News is that as we “house” this marvelous balm of healing, it will heal us first!

A balm is thick, not like oil that is “runny” and so even imperfect vessels like me and maybe you that are reading this word, are able to “house” it inside of us. As we begin to give it away, as we touch it to dispense it, He will be healing us FIRST. This is Great News!

The more that you are restored to The Full Canon of The Holy Scripture, to The Torah and His unchanging Word in BOTH Covenants and you mix this with the oil of The Holy Spirit, this miraculous BALM will be formed in you! You will be a “physician” to heal others. To give them answers, to dispense true love and AT THE SAME TIME, you will be made whole by administering it.

Right after Paul states that we have this treasure in clay vessels, he goes on to say that he is suffering great tribulation and he could break but he does not, because He is in the hands of the Master Potter!

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

This Healing Balm from Gilead (called also GOLAN) is from the North of Israel.

In Psalms 133, the Psalmist talks about this precious oil coming from Mount Hermon who is also in the Golan Heights, the most threatened region of Israel.

He talks about the precious oil of UNITY - YACHAD, when the whole of Israel is in one accord and with singleness of vision, then YAHVEH will bless with revival and with eternal life.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion ; For there Yahveh commanded the blessing — Life forevermore. Psalms 133

As we become YACHAD, united with singleness of vision that it is time for the restoration of all things, The Jewish Roots of the Faith, The Holy Feasts, The Shabbat, The Holiness and of course ISRAEL, we will then experience this OIL that comes from the highest “ Mount Hermon ”, from The Throne of Glory Himself! And as we “mix” it with the Ruach (the Holy Spirit) it will form THE BALM OF GILEAD that this generation needs.

Until now we only spoke about the importance of THE ANOINTING, from now on we will speak about THE BALM OF HEALING, THE BALM OF GILEAD. And this precious BALM will be dispensed out of very imperfect Vessels of Clay like you and I that love His Word, His Commandments, Instructions and Promises as well as the manifestations and demonstrations of His Holy Spirit.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by the Messiah Y’shua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

Thank you for being YACHAD with us as we co-operate with The Physician and The Master Potter in the preparation of Clay Vessels that will dispense The Healing Balm of Gilead to this broken generation. Both in Israel, in The Church and in the Nations.

Shalom (Healing, Wholeness and Wellbeing) in Y’shua

Your friends in Israel,
Rabbi Baruch and Bishop Dominiquae Bierman

http://www.kad-esh.org/about.htm

Received this evening via email:

[Bishop M.A. Thomas Update -- I'm sure you are aware of the persecution that has been going on in Rajasthan, India. The imprisonment of native missionaries, the freezing of bank accounts of Emmanuel Mission / Hopegivers, the siege against their orphanages so that supplies couldn't get in or out, removing children from the orphanage to be taken to poorly-run state facilities, etc. There are still major breakthroughs that need to happen but Bishop M.A. Thomas who heads up Hopegivers has been released from prison and most of the others have too. Below is a letter from Bishop Thomas that will cause you to be in awe over how the Indian church has responded to such persecution. RJ.V.]

August 22, 2006

Dearly beloved,

I praise God for the deliverance the Lord granted August 8 from the Rajasthan High Court. Here are the main points of the judgment as handed down in the language of the court:

“Hence, we deem it appropriate to stay the effect and operation of the order dated 28 February 2006 by which the functioning of the society had been stopped by a stroke of five orders as a consequence of which the functioning of the society, which had been functioning ever since 1969 has been put to a stand still. This order will remain effective till further order is passed by this court. We, further clarify in view of the order of stay, the appellant-society shall be at full liberty to run all its registered institutions.

Consequently, the Bank account of the society henceforth shall not remain under seizure and it will be allowed to be operated by the appellant society”.

This is a direct answer to our prayers. I praise God together with you for this marvelous answer from heaven and thank you very much for your support, prayers, fasting and cries unto the Lord.

May God bless and reward you!

It is true the damage which was brought to the ministries is irreparable by us, only God can heal it. Whatever we may be able to do, it would be only patchwork but when God does it, it will be totally new. He can double it or triple it by a simple word from His mouth. His one word created everything and He can remove every trial from Emmanuel Ministries/Hopegivers International. He can renew all that has been lost and double it in a very short period of time.

When I was in Delhi during my time of exile, I read Song of Solomon 8: 5 and 6 in my daily study. These verses became a great blessing for me. The question was “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?”

Wilderness experiences are a privilege for God’s people. Jesus was in the wilderness for over 40 days and nights. Paul was in the wilderness for 3-1/2 years. Elijah was in the wilderness and angels fed him. Moses was in the wilderness for 80 years—he spent the first 40 years taking care of Jethro’s sheep and next 40 years leading God’s people. Thus he became the meekest person in the whole world. God used his example to comfort his son Jesus Christ before going to the cross.

I praise God for our wilderness experience these last six months. We started our journey on February 14 and came back to Kota on August 9. In between we traveled thousands of miles through rough roads and modern highways—through valleys and mountains. We stayed in houses small and big, some times changing houses and locations every day to escape our pursuers. We stayed in nine different states.

Dr. Sam suffered in the Central Jail for over 47 days. We have been through wilderness and the valley of the shadow of death. Death was sometimes only inches away.

Enemies repeatedly threatened that Dr. Sam and I would never be allowed to come back to Kota. They celebrated their “victory” several times. Every time they won a perceived victory, they would even have a fireworks show and distribute candy and awards in celebration of our “defeat”.

They challenged and mocked us saying, “Where is your God?”

Every time discouragement, fatigue and problems came, we leaned on our Beloved. I was so happy to find that even in the wilderness, God kept us “under the apple tree” where there was good shade and sweet apples to eat. I can say that during the six months of my wilderness journey, my blood pressure was always normal, my blood sugar was normal, even the swelling in my feet were normal. I praise God for those miracles and good health.

In houses great and small, we always received royal treatment as the servants of the King. His love toward us was strong every step of the way. I praise God for His faithfulness.

Despite the severe persecutions, not one orphanage or Bible Institute was closed. I am also proud to say that not one of our pastors left God’s work and went to another job. It is true we could not send the regular support for the orphanages but we borrowed money and helped pay their emergency bills. Some of the leaders even had to go to jail because they could not pay the money to the shopkeepers on time. But still they remain, steadfast in their commitment to the children and to the Gospel.

I have never seen this much unity, prayer and fasting among the pastors, orphans and Bible students. Even in the midst of this severe persecution and opposition, the Lord is expanding His work. One place in Madhya Pradesh recorded 51 new baptisms and in Orissa, 20 people have accepted baptism for the first time.

In Rajasthan, two ladies who suffered with evil spirits for 13 years were set free and healed. In the same place, one man who had eight evil spirits in him for the last eight years was set free as well. As a result of these healings, 125 people accepted Jesus as their Savior.

We just had a reunion leadership meeting and excitement is high. During the last week, we had board meetings for all five of our non-profit corporations and a Rajasthan Pastors Conference. I encouraged the leaders, board members and Rajasthani pastors with why I feel we have seen this persecution for the last six months.

FIRST, to give us a double portion of blessing and double the success of Emmanuel/Hopegivers. We learn in the scriptures from the example of Job that trial comes before blessing. Job was the richest person in Asia and the most spiritual person in the entire world, but to double both his material and spiritual blessings, he needed to endure tribulation and prove his faith. This is the same reason God has allowed all these trials to come to us.

SECOND, to purify and correct us all—pastors, leaders, board members and every person involved in our ministry. We all accepted the chastisement and every one of us humbled ourselves. We turned to God, repented for our sins and asked for His mercy. I am sure God is going to bless Emmanuel Ministries and Hopegivers International in a great and mighty way!

But it will take several months to get operations back to normal. Dr. Samuel Thomas, who was planning to leave for the U.S. on August 23, has been delayed. His presence is still required for court appearances in some of the still unresolved cases. God willing, he will be able to travel after August 30. I may be going to the U.S. as well, but only after two or three months. Pray that God will make a way for us to travel abroad on the King’s business.

We need your prayers and support now more than ever before. We did get bail and legal stays, but we still have to fight the cases. This is costly. For one appearance for the Supreme Court, we had to pay about $8,000 plus travel expenses. We are continuing to count on our strong Lord to provide.

In the midst of all this tribulation, we learned in the newspapers here that over one million girls are being killed by selective-sex abortions in our country with many being murdered at birth. Oh how this breaks by heart. Now I have a desire to take care of as many as we can. This is why we cannot give up the “Million Orphan Vision” of Hopegivers International. The numbers of street children are increasing as well as the number of brothel babies and HIV orphans, but our Lord is powerful. He can enable us to care for more. We will never give up our calling from God.

Today, I challenge you to take care of one child with an offering of $1 a day. Encourage your friends, family members and church members to do the same. One of the High Court Advocates, after meeting with some of our orphans, promised to support three children! He also said he would encourage his sisters and other friends to support at least one child. No child should be without food or a home; that is why we do this work.

Please give my special love and regards to your dear family, church members and friends. Dr. Samuel Thomas is sending greetings to you all as well. Our prayers are with you.

Lovingly Yours in His Grace,

Bishop M.A. Thomas
Kota Junction, Rajasthan

Hebrews 12
1Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3For consider Him that endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4In striving against sin, ye have not yet resisted unto bloodshed.

5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children: "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked by Him;

6for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth."

7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all arepartakers, then ye are bastards and not sons.

9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not far rather be in subjection unto the Father of Spirits, and live?

10For verily they chastened us for a few days according to their own pleasure, but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.

11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto those who are exercised thereby.

12Therefore, lift up the hands which hang down and the feeble knees,

13and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.

14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,

15looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17For ye know how afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

18For ye have not come unto the mount which might be touched and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness and darkness and tempest,

19and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, which voice those who heard entreated that the Word should not be spoken to them any more.

20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, that: "if even so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned or thrust through with a dart."

21And so terrible was the sight that Moses said, "I fear exceedingly and quake.")

22But ye have come unto Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh, for if they escaped not who refused Him that spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him that speaketh from Heaven,

26whose voice then shook the earth. But now He hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven."

27And these words, "yet once more," signifieth the removing of those things which can be shaken, such as things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28Therefore, we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

29For our God is a consuming fire.

DON'T LEAVE IT ON THE DESK!

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman but was studying with the intent of going into the seminary for the ministry.

Steve was popular, he was well-liked and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the Professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

"How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good Steve," Dr. Christianson said, "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know. I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of 10 for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it!" said the Professor.

Steve said, "Well, I think I can. Yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the Professor pulled out a big box of doughnuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of doughnuts; they were the extra fancy BIG kind with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these doughnuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked,
"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a doughnut."

"Sure," and Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in the desk. Dr. Christianson then put a doughnut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a doughnut?"

Joe said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a doughnut."

Steve did ten push-ups; Joe got a doughnut. And so it went, down the first aisle. Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their doughnut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacked for female companionship.

When the Professor asked, "Scott, do you want a doughnut?"

Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No. Steve has to do them."

Then Scott replied, "No, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a doughnut he doesn't want."

With perfect obedience, Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, "Hey! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desk and these are my doughnuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a doughnut on Scott's desk.

Now, by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now, the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a doughnut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "NO!"

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve would you do ten more push-ups so that Jenny can have a doughnut she doesn't want."

Steve did ten; Jenny got the doughnut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten doughnuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each doughnut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push-up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all those uneaten doughnuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room.

When the Professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You're in charge now. You can do them any way you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student,came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No. Let him come in."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in, you will have to do ten push-ups for him."

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a doughnut."

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a doughnut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on.

"Yes," he said, "Give me a doughnut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a doughnut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a doughnut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time, sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.

Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last,and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said,very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Linda can have a doughnut that she doesn't want."

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. Then, Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan.

"Susan, do you want a doughnut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry.

"Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a doughnut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups.

I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a doughnut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said,
"And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into Thy hands I commend My spirit.' with the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up his life. And, like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the Professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the Professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God spared not only his Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

+* +* +*

Commentary on Current Middle East Situation
Maurice Sklar
Aug 03, 2006

All of us have been watching the news concerning Israel’s offensive against Hezbollah into Lebanon and to the south against Hamas in Gaza. Our government can’t really say anything to Israel considering our presence in Iraq. For the first time, the United States has actually encouraged Israel in its’ war against militant Arab Islamic terror. This is a major shift in our foreign policy which has polarized world opinion even more between those who love Israel and those who hate her very existence.

In making our stand solidly with Israel, we have honored God and He will bless the United States for it. However, it also will isolate us further from the arising antiMessiah spirit in the nations all over the world. The rest of the world has a very warped view of Israel and the Jewish people. In the late 1980’s we began to hear the phrase “the New World Order”, referring to an alliance of the post-Soviet-era democratic nations that promote free trade and the victory of capitalism, etc. We now call it the “G8” nations or “the economic community of nations”.

This will eventually become the ten toes of Daniel’s image – the ten kings that will rule the world under the antiMessiah to come. At this time, they are exerting enormous pressure to unite the world economically, culturally, and even religiously. The Bible prophets refers to this end time economic system as a revived form of ancient Babylon, also including aspects of ancient Tyre, Greece, and Rome: for it operates in rebellion against God in the same Satanic spirits as these ancient empires did.

- - -

What are Satan’s goals through this end-time Babylon system? They are:

1. To unite and ultimately enslave all of the world through computer and internet technology, electronic surveillance, trade and commerce, and the power of mammon through debt and unjust interest.

2. To unite and ultimately enslave all of the world through false religion, spiritual deception, and seduction. The Bible calls this “The Whore of Babylon” or “Mystery Babylon”.

She has risen up and drinks the blood of millions of souls through militant religions built on hate and murder (such as in radical Islam and others); false “new age” religions that counterfeit the gospel and are being preached in many pulpits in so-called Christian churches today; the approximately 40 year reign of secular humanism in our political and social public arenas; the militant rise and acceptance of witchcraft, occult practices, and other ‘supernatural’ demonic phenomena, and the saturation of sexual perversion, lust, homosexuality, abortion, greed, drug and alcohol abuse, and hedonism that popular music, the mass media, and the internet are constantly spewing at us.

The television, movies, music, and our educational systems have been the hypnotic teachers and carriers of all of these demonic spirits by their constant reinforcement/brainwashing of these lies into our minds and hearts: starting from the earliest days of our childhood. Mystery Babylon - this great whore - has caused the epidemic of the breakdown of families and the destruction of much good in our society, especially since World War II.

Millions of souls are now burning in hell because of her deception. Many more millions will follow them into hell in the days to come. We must work in the Gospel fields while it is still day and rescue as many as we can. The night comes soon, in which no man can work.

3. To unite and ultimately enslave all of the world by destroying all who are opposed to it. There are three groups of people that will never accept the antiMessiah and the Babylon system: The Arab Muslims and fundamental Islamics, the true Christian Church, and the Jewish people/the nation of Israel. Why? - Because all three believe in absolutes concerning God and truth.

- - -

The radical Arab Muslims and all who fully believe in Islam say that they are right and they have to destroy all who disagree with them. The Church will never embrace the antiMessiah system because they believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the only Messiah and the only path to the salvation of mankind. The Jews believe in the One God who is the Almighty and they (as a whole) will worship no other. They are waiting for the true Messiah. So, there are specifically laid plans to consecutively destroy these three peoples and their “intolerance” by Satan and his Babylon war machine.

The first group is now being openly target ed: the Arab Muslims are the most dangerous and must be destroyed for there to be “peace and safety” in the whole world. That is why we are in Iraq and Afghanistan and fighting our war on terrorism. That is why for the first time, the United States and the “community of nations” are not forcing Israel to stop this time in Lebanon and Gaza. That is why even the news media are being allowed to side against “the Arab terrorists” and public opinion is somewhat favorable here in the west.

Of course, it is right to fight and do our best to destroy this evil before there are even more innocent deaths through acts of terror. They WILL be removed for the most part (as far as their ability to control and manipulate through terror), although they will not be totally eliminated. There will continue to be more and more bombings and other violence from these militant groups in the days to come, in spite of all of the efforts to stop them.

The true believing Church of Yeshua the Messiah (those who are born again spiritually and are living with Yeshua as Lord) will never accept that there is another way to God. This is directly contrary to the agenda of Mystery Babylon which wants everyone to be included by combining and homogenizing all religions into one “faith” that accepts all and doesn’t “judge” others. That is their thinking.

Actually, however, it is a spiritual battle. The Church, through her prayers and intercession, is holding back this system from totally taking over until the harvest of the Gospel is completed. The Great Commission of our Lord must be fulfilled by the Gospel being published into every nation. Then this Babylon antiMessiah spirit will be allowed to take over everything for seven years until the Messiah comes and sets up His Kingdom by taking up His throne in Jerusalem.

We have not felt the sting of persecution yet here in the West (although in China and many other nations it is happening), but it is certainly coming! When the fanatic Muslims and the nations that support them are subdued and brought under control for the most part, then Babylon will turn on the believers in the Church.

Our rights and privileges that we currently enjoy will be taken away. We will see open persecution, unjust imprisonment, confiscation of our wealth and property, and even torture and martyrdom here in America before it is over. It will be accompanied, however, by great revival and glory from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in signs, miracles and wonders that the earth will marvel at.

This will bring in millions of souls for God’s Kingdom, for they will see the truth of the resurrected Messiah Yeshua in the faithful suffering, the agape love, and the miracles of the true Church. But for now for a short time longer, we can still enjoy our freedom and blessings. Then our turn will come.

First, Babylon will deal with Islam and then turn on us. Satan will surely attack the church to try to destroy her in open persecution in the days and years ahead. Thank God, we can remain strong because of Yeshua’s promise that the gates of hell will NOT prevail against the Church of the living God! Those that endure to the end shall be saved!

Finally, there will be an all out war to once and for all destroy the nation of Israel and the Jewish people. The prophetic time clock just shifted forward when we entered the second half of 2006. God had mercy and He withheld many “birthpangs” of nature and war in the earth. In the first half of this year, we didn’t experience as much of these judgments.

Many in the church prayed and interceded, and the Lord allowed for more time to let the nations repent and turn to Him. Many did. Praise the Lord! This is a great time for the Gospel! Millions are being saved! To God be the glory!

But when July came, the Lord spoke again to me and said, “I am now moving the clock forward. I am accelerating time itself. I will wait no longer. I must allow for these birthpangs to increase, for as soon as Zion travails, she brings forth to birth.” Then a few days later, the trains were bombed in Mumbai, India. There was another massive earthquake in Indonesia, which created a Tsunami that killed many. North Korea and Iran are brazenly and defiantly rattling their nuclear sabers at the world.

Even Pakistan is trying desperately to get on the nuclear bandwagon. Then Hamas and Hezbollah, under the command of Iran and Syria, provoked Israel by kidnapping three Israeli soldiers and began firing rockets at them from both sides. Israel went to war shortly after.

The outcome of this war will be the defeat of Hezbollah and Hamas. They will be crippled and be out of commission for a season. However, there will be a united war that will come in response to this victory by Israel. Ezekiel 38-39 describes this sudden and massive attack that will come against Israel; it will be a united Arab invasion in alliance with the Russian Islamic nations.

It will be led and commanded by a military leader that the prophet Ezekiel calls “Gog” from the land of the north. He is very specific in identifying by the ancient tribes that settled in present day Russia, both this leader and the nation that he comes from.

It is an alliance that includes the African nations of Libya and Egypt along with a nation he calls Ethiopia. It will be an all-out invasion into Israel to once and for all destroy her. Even though this military general, Gog, is of Russian descent and “Magog’s” mighty army includes some nations that were once in the Soviet Union but are now only loosely associated with Russia, this will be primarily an Arab Muslim confederacy of nations.

It will be overwhelming for little Israel, but God Himself will intervene and this huge army will be completely wiped out. It is written that it will take seven months to clean up all the mess and bury the dead.

There will be much more land taken from this war by Israel. Actually, it will be God who gives it back to them. The whole world will know that this was a supernatural victory. The living God will be vindicated by all the nations and His Name will be feared as never before. From the spoils and victory over Gog and Magog, Israel will experience the greatest season of prosperity she has ever known. The temple will then be rebuilt.

However, the world will turn against Israel and the Jews. It will be even worse than the hatred in Nazi Germany and it will be worldwide. The Jews will be envied, hated and persecuted once again. They will thrown out of many nations. But the Spirit of God will fall upon them then and they will see clearly that Yeshua is indeed their Messiah.

From the combination of anti-Semitism even here in the west against the Jews and the economic shaking to come, Jews from New York, Los Angeles, and many other cities and nations will no longer prosper in comfort as they once did. Even they will then desire to return to Israel.

So, as the Bible says, all Israel will be once again gathered into their ancient homeland. Most will not return until it gets so bad that they are compelled to leave. This will surely happen for the Bible declares that God will gather His people from the four corners of the earth. He will bring them home to the land that He promised to Abraham and his children. They shall dwell there forever in peace and prosperity.

As for the current crisis in the Middle East, we will see a further division and war between the Arab Muslims themselves. This is occurring in Iraq right now. The Sunnis and the Shiites are not very fond of each other, to say the least. Also, the most militant terrorists are being spawned, supported and trained in Iran and Syria: not Iraq. They REALLY hate Israel and the Jews. They actually WANT to die in a holy war murdering them. They are consumed by this hatred and they feed on it day and night. This is so sick!!

Not all Arab Muslims are like this, however. Many are very tolerant of each other. They are open to western ideas. Many are coming to the Lord Yeshua in all of this turmoil in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. This has created a great division between the moderate Arabs and the radical fundamentalists. The more moderate Arab nations of Saudi Arabia, Jordan etc. (and even many of the Lebanese) do not like the fanatic Moslems any more than the west does.

There is only one thing that they ALL seem to agree about: they hate Israel and the Jews and want to drive them into the sea. This will be the fuel that will ignite the coming war described in Ezekiel 38-39. It isn’t that far away, you know.

Get ready! The Lord could return for His Bride at any moment in this midnight hour. Keep your lamps burning brightly! Watch and pray as you see these things come to pass!

Look up, for your redemption draws near! The Bridegroom is coming soon! Amen.

Love in our Messiah,

Maurice Sklar

Maurice Sklar Ministries, Victorville, CA

www.mauricesklar.com

Ezekiel 38
1And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2"Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him

3and say, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

4And I will turn thee back and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords;

5Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them, all of them with shield and helmet;

6Gomer and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters and all his bands -- and many people with thee.

7"`Be thou prepared and prepare for thyself, thou and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

8After many days thou shalt be visited. In the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste; but it is brought forth out of the nations and they shall dwell safely, all of them.

9Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm. Thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou and all thy troops, and many people with thee.

10"`Thus saith the Lord GOD: It shall also come to pass that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought;

11and thou shalt say, "I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls and having neither bars nor gates"--

12to take a spoil and to take a prey, to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited and upon the people who are gathered out of the nations, who have gotten cattle and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.

13Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, "Art thou come to despoil us? Hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?"'

14"Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: On that day when My people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?

15And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army.

16And thou shalt come up against My people of Israel as a cloud to cover the land. It shall be in the latter days; and I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

17"`Thus saith the Lord GOD: Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old times by My servants the prophets of Israel who prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?

18And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that My fury shall come upon My face.

19For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath have I spoken: Surely on that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel,

20so that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at My presence; and the mountains shall be thrown down and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

21And I will call for a sword against him throughout all My mountains, saith the Lord GOD. Every man's sword shall be against his brother.

22And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him and upon his troops and upon the many people that are with him an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

23Thus will I magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.'

Ezekiel 39
1"Therefore, thou son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, `Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.

2And I will turn thee back and leave but a sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel;

3and I will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand.

4Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou and all thy forces and the people that are with thee. I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

5Thou shalt fall upon the open field, for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

6And I will send a fire on Magog and among them that dwell confidently in the isles; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

7"`So will I make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them pollute My holy name any more; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

8Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD. This is the day whereof I have spoken.

9"`And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the javelins and the spears; and they shall burn them with fire seven years,

10so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests. For they shall burn the weapons with fire, and they shall despoil those that despoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

11"`And it shall come to pass on that day that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passersby on the east of the sea; and it shall stop the noses of the passersby. And there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude; and they shall call it the Valley of Hamongog [that is, The multitude of Gog].

12And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land.

13Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a day of renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.

14And they shall separate out men for continual employment, passing through the land, to bury with the passersby those who remain upon the face of the earth to cleanse it. At the end of seven months shall they search.

15And the passersby who pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamongog.

16And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah [that is, The multitude]. Thus shall they cleanse the land.'

17"And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD: Speak unto every feathered fowl and to every beast of the field: `Assemble yourselves and come. Gather yourselves on every side to My sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh and drink blood.

18Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.

19And ye shall eat fat till ye be full and drink blood till ye be drunken of My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.

20Thus ye shall be filled at My table with horses and chariots, with mighty men and with all men of war,' saith the Lord GOD.

21"And I will set My glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see My judgment that I have executed and My hand that I have laid upon them.

22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.

23And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity. Because they trespassed against Me, therefore hid I My face from them and gave them into the hand of their enemies; so fell they all by the sword.

24According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid My face from them.

25"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Now will I bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for My holy name

26after they have borne their shame and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against Me, when they dwelt safely in their land and none made them afraid.

27When I have brought them back from the people and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations,

28then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, who caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen. But I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there;

29neither will I hide My face any more from them, for I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD."

Easy-to-understand version

Ezekiel 38
Words Against Gog
1 The Word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 "Son of man, look toward Gog of the land of Magog, the leader of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and speak against him. 3 Tell him, 'The Lord God says, "I am against you, O Gog, leader of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.

4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your mouth, and bring you out with your whole army. Your horses and horsemen will be dressed for battle. The army will be very large, with all the men holding battle-coverings and waving swords.

5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Put will be with you, all with battle- coverings and head-coverings. 6 There will be Gomer with all its army, and Beth-togarmah from the farthest parts of the north with all its army. Many nations will be with you.

7 "Get ready and keep ready, you and all the armies gathered around you, and watch over them. 8 After many days you will be called. In future years you will come into the land where people have been gathered from many nations and have lived without fear of war. You will come to the mountains of Israel, which had been a waste land for a long time. But its people were brought out from the nations, and all of them are living without fear.

9 You and all your army will come up against them like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land. Many nations will be with you."

10 'The Lord God says, "On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will make a sinful plan. 11 You will say, 'I will go up against the open country, where people are quiet and live in peace. They live in villages without walls and have no iron pieces or gates.'

12 You will go to rob the land and fight in the waste places where people now live. You will go up against the people who were gathered from the nations and are rich with cattle and good things and who live at the center of the land.

13 Sheba and Dedan and the traders of Tarshish and all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to take prizes of war? Have you gathered your army to carry away silver and gold, cattle, good things, and many prizes of war?' " '

14 "So, son of man, speak in My name and tell Gog, 'The Lord God says, "On that day when My people Israel are living in peace and without fear, will you not know it? 15 You will come from your place in the far north, and many nations will be with you. All of them will be riding on horses, a large and powerful army.

16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. In the last days, O Gog, I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy through you in front of their eyes."

17 'The Lord God says, "Are you the one I spoke of in the past, through My servants of Israel who spoke in My name? At that time they said for many years that I would bring you against them.

18 "On the day when Gog comes against the land of Israel, I will become very angry," says the Lord God. 19 "In My jealousy and in My burning anger I have said that on that day the earth will shake in the land of Israel.

20 The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the wild animals of the field, all the animals that move upon the earth, and all the men on the earth will shake before Me. Mountains will be thrown down, the mountain sides will fall, and every wall will fall to the ground. 21 I will call for a sword against Gog on all My mountains," says the Lord God. "His men will turn their swords against one another.

22 I will punish him with disease and with blood. I will send down a hard rain, hailstones, fire and sulphur upon him and his army and the many nations with him. 23 I will show the many nations that I am great and holy. And they will know that I am the Lord."

Ezekiel 39
Gog's Armies Are Destroyed
1 "Son of man, speak against Gog, and tell him, 'The Lord God says, "I am against you, O Gog, leader of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 2 I will turn you around and drive you on. I will bring you from the farthest parts of the north and lead you against the mountains of Israel. 3 I will knock your bow out of your left hand, and knock your arrows out of your right hand.

4 You will fall dead on the mountains of Israel, you and all your army and the nations who are with you. I will feed you to every kind of meat-eating bird and wild animal of the field. 5 You will fall dead in the open field, for I have spoken," says the Lord God. 6 "I will send fire upon Magog and upon those who think they are safe in the islands. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

7 "I will make My holy name known among My people Israel. I will not let My holy name be made unclean any more. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. 8 It is coming, and it will be done," says the Lord God. "This is the day I have spoken of.

9 "Then those who live in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires to burn up the objects of war. They will burn battle-coverings, bows and arrows, heavy sticks, and spears. For seven years they will use them to make fires. 10 They will not take wood from the field or from among the trees to burn. For they will make fires with the objects of war. And they will rob those who robbed them," says the Lord God.

Gog Is Buried
11 "On that day I will give Gog a place in Israel for burying his dead. It will be the valley of those who travel east of the sea. And it will close that road to travelers, for Gog and all his people will be buried there. They will call it the Valley of Hamon-Gog. 12 It will take the people of Israel seven months to bury the dead and make the land clean again.

13 All the people of the land will bury them, and they will be honored for this on the day that I show My greatness," says the Lord God. 14 "At the end of seven months, they will choose men to pass through the land to look for bodies that may be left on the ground. And the bodies will be buried to make the land clean.

15 Those who pass through and see a man's bone will set up something to mark the place, until it is buried in the Valley of HamonGog. 16 (There will be a city called Hamonah there also.) And so they will make the land clean." ' "

17 "Son of man, the Lord God says, 'Speak to every kind of bird and to every wild animal of the field. Say to them, "Gather together and come. Come together from every side to the special supper I have made for you. Much food has been killed for you on the mountains of Israel. You will eat flesh and drink blood.

18 You will eat the flesh of powerful men, and drink the blood of the leaders of the earth. It will be as if they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls, all of them fat animals of Bashan.

19 You will eat fat until you are filled, and drink blood until you are drunk, at the special supper I have killed and made ready for you. 20 You will be filled at My table with horses and horsemen, with powerful men and all the men of war," says the Lord God.

The Land Is Given Back To Israel
21 "I will show My greatness among the nations. All the nations will see how I have punished Israel and My hand which I have laid on them. 22 Then the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God from that day on. 23 The nations will know that the people of Israel were taken from their land because of their sin, because they were not faithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and gave them over to those who hated them, and they died in battle.

24 I punished them because they were unclean and sinful, and I hid My face from them." ' "

25 So the Lord God says, "Now I will return the people of Jacob to their land and show loving-kindness to all the people of Israel. And I will be jealous for My holy name. 26 They will forget their shame and how unfaithful they were to Me, when they live in peace on their own land with no one to make them afraid. 27 I will bring them back from the nations and gather them from the lands of those who hate them. In this way I will show the many nations that I am holy.

28 Then they will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away into the other nations and then gathered them again to their own land. And I will not leave any of them there any longer. 29 I will not hide My face from them again, for I will pour out My Spirit on the people of Israel," says the Lord God.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.