The Trembling Nations

¹ The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. ² Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. ³ And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

It would appear, based on certain actions expected to take place in the days and months ahead, regarding the land of Israel, that the nations of the world will very soon reel to and fro as a drunkard, having succumbed to the effects of righteous punishment analogous to the effects of intoxication. This drunken stupor the nations of the world will find themselves experiencing will not have come from the cup of man, but from the cup of YAHWEH's wrath and the dregs of HIS indignation. Madness will take over, blindness will obstruct rationality, and astonishment of heart will seize the spirit of mankind, all of which is clearly prophesied in Scripture.

While it is true that the opening verses of this message point to a specific time in the future, to which YHVH will cut down all nations that come up against Jerusalem and Judah, the prophetic caution uttered within these verses should not be reserved strictly to describe the rationale behind the judgment brought upon the nations at the future date spoken of.

The author of the book of Hebrews declares in the eighth verse of the thirteenth chapter, that JESUS CHRIST, who is YHVH in flesh, is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

To simply say the prophetic message recorded by the prophet Zechariah applies to the future only, undermines the essence of the warning and the character of the one who is giving it, YHVH, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. That being said, the prophetic message is not only a foretelling of a future event, but a cautioning to the nations to avoid the steps toward the fulfillment of the prophecy being declared. The warning and declaration to the nations, thus saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him, by its very nature carries the same quality as the eternally unwavering character of YHVH, it doesn't change and is current without ceasing no matter the placement of past, present, or future.

The opening verses of Zechariah chapter twelve intensely illustrates the manner in which YHVH acts on behalf of HIS land as HE keeps the promises of HIS WORD HE has made through the entirety of Scripture regarding the past, current, and future intention HE has for the land of Israel.

Please pray about the following. If I have been led of the HOLY SPIRIT than reality will soon enough confirm the warning within this message, if I am wrong than I stand accountable for my words of flesh.

First, I feel it is necessary to recognize the Israeli / Palestinian "peace process" for what it is.

From its very onset, the "peace process," shaped and mothered by the United States of America, has given a more modern look to the transcendent conflict fought for ages over the physical land of Israel, the shadow of the spiritual land yet revealed. The United States America, under the semblance of the "peace process," has not only channeled the spirit of rebellion, but used "peace" as a vehicle of manifestation for the demonic influence upon the nations to be released. The United States of America, through "peace process" diplomacy, has done more damage and in turn created a greater threat to the "land" of Israel than any Islamic nation has managed through hate. The root of this battle, observable in this realm, stems from the original rebellion, the Great Rebellion that resulted in the fall of Lucifer and the third of the angels led by Satan in an insurrection against the MOST HIGH, resulting in the conflict evident in the countless spiritual theaters of warfare -past, present, and future.

One of the primary goals of this battle is to undermine, in the conscience of mankind, the validity of Holy Scripture, which affirms the promise of YHVH to establish HIS SON as the Eternal King of kings and Lord of lords over the land of Israel at a future date. These rebels have channeled all effort to plant the vicious seeds of doubt regarding Israel's historic connection to the land, which in turn encourages and promotes the growth of other more caustic seeds of disbelief to develop concerning the promises of YHVH in general, including the truth that JESUS CHRIST is the only path to salvation.

The WORD is clear, the land belongs to the SON of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, for the nations of the world to ignore or disregard this reality avowed in Scripture and embrace the demonically motivated plot that calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which goes rebelliously against the covenant blueprint YHVH has confirmed in Scripture for the land of HIS inheritance, can render only one outcome -destruction.

This destruction will lacerate, YHVH will cut down these nations with the weapons of HIS indignation.

Thus, it must be understood that the "land of Israel" is in large part the future inheritance and birth right of Jesus Christ, therefore Israel is the only "redeemable land." No other land (nation) can claim such a title, per the context of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

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

This promise of healing is not for the nations of the world, but for the land of Israel, a reminder of what YHVH spoke to the nation of Israel recorded in Deuteronomy 28, 29. The nation of Israel is the only nation that has a destiny with redemption, redemption fulfilled as JESUS CHRIST rules and reigns from within the land promised to Abraham.

So here we are, at this point in time the Palestinians have reached a potent level of credibility due in great part to the determination the United States of America has expended over the last 20-years in the effort to create, through negotiations, a Palestinian State cut from the flesh of the "land" of Israel, or otherwise known in Scripture as the future inheritance of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. The past 20-years don't even include the peace-accord brokered by President Jimmy Carter between Egypt and Israel, but let us keep our eyes focused on what is unfolding currently and anticipated to play out during the 66^th annual U.N. General Assembly at the end of September 2011, regarding the petition to elevate the status of the Palestinians. Based on Scripture, it is assured, repercussions for these defiant actions will certainly come down in judgment upon the nations.

As the nations of the world, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it, debate and vote upon the petition submitted by the Palestinians, a petition that asks the rest of the world to recognize a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the prophetic fulfillment of Zechariah chapter twelve moves many steps forward to fruition. I believe that the result of the coming vote, whether or not a sovereign Palestinian state results, will render the nations of the world subject to the judgment depicted by Zechariah.

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

Trembling here is rah'-al in Hebrew, interpreted as a reeling, from intoxication. This is the only verse in Scripture that uses this Hebrew word that the King James Version renders as trembling.

As I see the movements being made by the nations of the world to endeavor the creation of a Palestinian state, I cannot help but discern with trepidation through the lens of Scripture what the likely outcome such actions will bring upon this world.

If even to just casually observe the list of events that have taken place in this past year alone would give the impression the world has fallen ill to a sort of madness. The early stages of intoxication are coming more and more apparent in the behavior of many world leaders and within attitudes of the masses they represent. Whether in the United States of America, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, the reality is the world as a whole has come under the early stages of intoxication, some more than others. Stories beyond natural comprehension and filled with madness penetrate all levels of news, painting madness across all forms of tabloids. In every category, from local, national, international, entertainment, sports, fashion, and economic, the madness is everywhere, unbiased in its advance and take over. Spiritual wickedness is rampant and this intoxicating madness is sweeping the land of every nation that has aligned against the Covenants of YHVH.

To even think of the nations of the world all acting in a highly intoxicated fashion is terrifying to say the least. What will be affected when the mental and physical abilities of the various nations and the leaders that represent them become impaired by the intoxicating cup of trembling? What type of irrational decision making or foolish displays of behavioral and physical abnormalities typically associated with intoxication might we as the elect witness? What wars will be started in the madness?

The outcomes of intoxication are certainly far ranging and vary depending on the amount of alcohol or chemical consumed. But just think, how many wrong choices have been made under the influence of intoxication? How many lives have been irreversibly changed and permanently scared as a result of intoxication? How many people have died, lost their fortunes, destroyed a relationship, or have even sexually violated (or found themselves to have been sexually violated), all while intoxicated?

How many of us as the old man have felt the shock and dismay the next day when clarity attempts to break the fog of a previous night of binge drinking, just to be made aware of the shameful acts committed the night before, all done in utter abandon of conviction or dignity. Think of the panic that rushes into the mind of a young woman who wakes in a room that she is unfamiliar with and in clothes not of her own, not knowing for sure what she consented or failed to consent to the night before while intoxicated. Now imagine a world that operates with the same utter abandon, under the influence of an intoxicating mixture of Divine wrath?

The prophet Daniel once interpreted a message for a king named Belshazzar who in his intoxicated state thought it would brighten up the party to toast to the gods and drink from the golden vessels that had been taken from the temple of YHVH in Jerusalem. The message was simple.

²⁶ This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. ²⁷ TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

Daniel not only interpreted the writhing on the wall, but reminded Belshazzar that his own grandfather had gone mad for his attitude toward YHVH and that he too would pay the ultimate price for his disdain for the things of YHVH. Belshazzar would die that night and his nation would be forever changed. So yes, the Scriptures do give examples of the deadly consequences that can come upon those who are intoxicated and violate what belongs to YHVH.

The Bible is clear about the danger that lies ahead for the nations of the world as they continue in rebellion against the MOST HIGH. If the entirety of Scripture is to be true, than rest assured, global madness fueled by the intoxicating effects of the Cup of Trembling is soon to follow the votes for a Palestinian state.

JESUS CHRIST is the SON of GOD and the only hope of salvation. Run, do not walk to HIS outstretched arms. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the hope of our future and the King who will reign supreme.