Many have been created;

Many have been created, but only a few will be saved

2 Esdras 7:45-56 Therefore, on the Day of judgement, there can be no mercy for those who have lost their case and no reversal for those who have won. Ezra replied: But Lord, how much better it would be if Adam had been restrained from sinning. O Adam; what have you done? What good is the hope of eternity, in the wretched and futile state to which we have become?
You say that Y’hovah will save those who lead pure lives, but what of the many who fail to attain that standard and give no thought to what is in store after death.
2 Esdras 7:57-61 This is the thought for every person to keep in mind during the battle of life: Moses, in his time said to the people: “Choose life, that you may live”. But they believed neither him, or the prophets sent after him.
There will be no sorrow over their damnation, but there will be joy for the salvation of those who have believed and obeyed Y’hovah’s commands.
2 Esdras 7:62-70 I know that Y’hovah is merciful and compassionate. Without His forgiveness, there could be no hope for this worlds inhabitants. He is our Judge and unless He blots out our countless offences, there would be very few who could be spared. The angel replied: Y’hovah has made this world for many, the next world for but a few. It is the same with the earth, plenty of clay, not much gold – many have been created, but only a few will be saved. Romans 9:22-23
2 Esdras 8:19-39 This is the prayer offered by Ezra, before being taken up to heaven: O Lord, You inhabit eternity, everything belongs to You.....We and our fathers have lived evil lives, yet it is on account of us sinners that You are called merciful. What is man, that You should be angry with him? The truth is, no one who was ever born is entirely innocent of sin. Y’hovah will have joy in the salvation of those who trust Him
2 Esdras 8:59-62 Yours, then will be the joys I have predicted.
It is not that the Most High has wanted any person to be destroyed, but those He created, brought dishonour onto their Creators Name and show ingratitude to the One who put life within their reach. That is why My judgement is now close at hand. I have not made this known to all, only to you and a few like you.

2 Esdras 9:1-6 My Lord, tell me when the last days will be.
Watch carefully, you will see that some of the signs predicted have already passed, then you will understand that the time is near for Y’hovah to begin to judge the world that He has created. When the world becomes the scene of earthquakes, insurrections, plots among the nations, unstable governments and panic among rulers, then the end of the age, as prophesied, draws near. The times that Y’hovah has determined; the beginning is marked by portents and miracles, the end by manifestations of power.
2 Esdras 9:7-8 All who come safely through and escape destruction, thanks to their good deeds and faith they have shown, will survive the dangers I have fortold and witness the salvation I shall bring to My Land, the territory I have set apart from all eternity as My own. The just will be saved, the world is theirs and for their sake it exists. Reference: REB Apocrypha. Verses abridged

Rebuilding the Temple

The prophetic Scriptures clearly predict that the Third Temple will be built and the sacrifices reinstated, in the final years leading up to the Return of the Messiah. It is clear, too, that there will be more than just the Jewish people living in the Land of Greater Israel. All the Israelites from all 12 tribes of Israel, will migrate to New Israel soon after the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath, the terrible Day of fire and storms, that will clear and cleanse most of the Middle East.
The place of the new Temple, will be to the North of the existing Dome of the Rock, because this is in the direct line of the now sealed Eastern gate. The Bible, the Torah, and Josephus, all agree that the Temple was in that location. The Temple Institute, in Jerusalem, has made most of the utensils for the Temple worship, including the robes and breastplate for the High Priest. The instruments such as the silver trumpets are ready and musicians are trained for their use.

The Jewish sage, Moses Maimonides, known as Rambam, declared that the Temple will be rebuilt and the exiles from around the world gathered back into the Promised Land.
The Messiah will appear and re-establish the glory of King David.
In the Talmud Yerushalmi, Rabbi Acha says; The Beit Hamikdash [Holy Temple] will be built first, before the advent of the Kingdom of David.
The Pnei Moshe states; The Land will be settled first, then the people will become prosperous, after that they will build the Temple and finally, the Messiah will come.
In the Mar’eh Punim the Gaon Moshe Margolis wrote that when Jacob predicted the future of Judah, he foretold that the Temple would be rebuilt first, then the Messiah would come.

The whole scenario of the end times, has a logical sequence to it. At last, now in 2011, we can see how things are happening that will see a confederation of Islamic states and entities that will be motivated to get rid of the ‘ cancer ‘ in their midst, that is the State of Israel. The moment of their attack, is the moment that God will intervene. This great Day of the Lord, will take the form of a natural event – a coronal mass ejection, a massive sunstrike of cosmic particles, causing intense heat and electrical storms. The attacking armies will be destroyed by their own weaponry, as they all explode before firing. This literally fulfils the prayer in Psalm 83:13-18
Many prophesies speak of the regeneration of the Land of Greater Israel, “in a very short while” [Isaiah 29:17] after this great clearance and cleansing of the entire area. Righteous Israel- “those who love the Lord and follow in His ways” will then gather “on the mountains of Samaria”. This is described very well in Ezekiel 20:34-38.
Over 40 prophesies describe how all the Israelites will live in peace and security in their own Land. At last, they will be as God originally intended, “a light to the nations”, they will “exemplify My Holiness for all to see”. Ezekiel 39:27-29 [The attack by Gog/ Magog will come during this period]
They will build the Third Temple, and “the splendour of this latter House will surpass that of the former”. Haggai 2:9 Zechariah 8:9-13 has wonderful promises of restoration and redemption; Courage! Do not lose heart!

Our test of faith

Ezekiel 39:21-24 I shall display My glory among the nations, all will see the judgement that I execute [upon Gog and his army] From that day forward the Israelites will know that I am Y’hovah, their God, and the nations will know that the Israelites went into exile because of their sins. I hid My face from them, their enemies were able to kill and enslave them as My punishment.
Ezekiel 39:25-27 Y’hovah says: Now I shall restore the fortunes of Jacob [the 12 tribes of Israel] and show them My compassion for the sake of My holy Name.
They will forget their shame and unfaithfulness to Me, when they live once more in their homeland, undisturbed and free from terror. When I bring them back from where they are now scattered around the world, I shall show Myself holy through them for many nations to see.
Ezekiel 39:28-29 They will know that I am the Lord, their Y’hovah, because having sent them into exile, I bring them together again in their homeland and leave none behind No longer shall I hide My face from them, I, who have poured out My spirit upon them.

This Scripture passage is most interesting – it is only from the day that God destroys Gog and his army, that the Israelites are fully aware of their redeemer and protector. All 12 tribes of Israel regather and settle in New Israel after this next event in the Middle East- the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath, which depopulates the entire area, except for a remnant of Jews left in Jerusalem. This is clear from what it says in-
Ezekiel 38:8 [Gog will] ...invade a land that has recovered from war, where the Israelites, brought out from many nations are now living in safety and undisturbed.
[the KJV says.......a land brought back from the sword ]
Ezekiel 38:10-12 You will say: I will invade a rich land, of peaceful and unsuspecting people, without any defences. I will plunder and loot the settlements, which were ruined, now rebuilt. Its people, now gathered from around the world are rich in livestock and goods and making their home in the very centre of the world.

Ezekiel 39:27 ....”I will show Myself holy through them”.
This verse proves that Jesus has not yet returned in His glory, for all the world to see.
Y’hovah’s people, righteous Israel, are motivated to emigrate to Beulah [Isaiah 62:4] after the Land of Greater Israel is cleared and cleansed, then regenerated. Ezekiel 36:30
But because they will not necessarily see the Hand of God in this move, it is a test of faith for them.
Elijah will be their guide and he “will reconcile the families [Judah and Israel] to avoid “the Lord striking the Land with a curse”. Malachi 4:6 Ref: REB, NIV verses abridged

These are the End Times

It is amazing to think that we are now, at the very edge of the end of this age. Soon we will experience the fulfilment of many prophesies. The ancient prophets spoke of how all the Israelites will be brought back into their own Land. Ezekiel 37:21 ...I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own Land.
This Second Exodus began in 1948, with the return of part of the Southern Kingdom of Judah into part of the Land. Now we are seeing the world turning against the State of Israel and the emergence of an Islamic confederation, that is already preparing for an attack to: “erase all remembrance of them”. Then the Lord will act once again in His creation, to fulfil the rest of Psalm 83, Habakkuk 3:12-14, Revelation 6:12-17 and many other Bible passages. This clearance of the “evil neighbours” as described in Jeremiah 12:14-17, will allow the rest of the 12 tribes of Israel to join their kinsmen in the Land.

When will this happen? Just this question causes some Christians to quickly say; But of that Day and hour no man knows.” Those who seek clues from the Word are often criticized and told to focus on evangelism, and not to be concerned when the Lord will Return. This shows their lack of Bible knowledge, as the actual Return will be known to the day, when certain events take place preceding it. It is the Great Day of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath, that will take the world unawares. The doubters may mention the verses that say this event will come “as a thief” . Again, those people do not read scripture carefully, as Paul says; “But you, my friends, are not in the dark, that this Day should surprise you”. Jesus exhorted; Revelation 3:3b If you do not wake up, I will come upon you like a thief... Jesus rebuked: Matthew 16:3 You hypocrites, you can interpret the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of your times. Jesus will judge: Luke 3:16-17....He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork in His hand, to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat, but the chaff, He will burn up. Jesus promised: Luke 21:28 When all these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. John 15:15-17 I no longer call you servants, now I call you My friends, I have made known all that I have learned from My Father. You did not choose Me, but I chose you, that you would bear fruit. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name. This is My command; love one another.
There are many precedents for God revealing specific times in advance.
1/ He gave Noah the exact amount of time to build and load the ark, before the Flood.
2/ He told Abraham that the Israelites would be in Egypt for 400 years.
3/ He revealed the exact day of Elijah’s rapture.
4/ Jeremiah prophesied the 70 year time for the Babylonian exile.
5/ Daniel told exactly when the Messiah would come the first time.
6/ Now, Ezekiel 4:4-6, with the multiples as given in Leviticus 26, gives us the dates for the events of our time.
To leave us without clues now would be contrary to God’s established pattern. Obviously we are not “in the dark “, there are many signs. Let us be watchful, doing our Masters work and ready to heed His call to receive our inheritance.

Let us rejoice in His deliverance

Isaiah 24:18b-23 The windows of the sky above are opened and earth’s foundations shake, it is convulsed and reels wildly. The earth lurches like a drunkard because the sins of its inhabitants weigh heavily upon it.
On that Day Y’hovah will punish in heaven the host of heaven and on earth, the rulers of the earth. They are put in a prison, punished over many years.
The moon will grow pale and the sun will hide its face in shame, for Y’hovah reigns on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem. He is revealed in His glory to the elders of His people.
My comments;
He is not revealed to all the world, as yet, so this must be before the Return.
This passage describes the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath. On that Day – the rulers and the sinners on earth will be punished. The sun and moon are darkened because of fires and volcanic eruptions caused by a CME sunstrike, that will affect the whole world. But note that in Isaiah 30:26, it is the Day that He saves His people, now we see that He reveals His glory to the leaders of Righteous Israel, who gather into the Land soon after this judgement.

Isaiah 25:1-5 Y‘hovah, you are my God, I shall praise Your Name, for You have done great things, long planned and sure. You have turned cities into heaps of ruin and made destruction over the land. For this many a cruel nation now treat You with awe. You have subdued the ruthless enemy, their war cries die away.
Truly You have been a refuge for the poor and needy in their distress, their shelter from the tempest and shade from the heat.
My comments: This next prophesied event: the Lord’s Day of vengeance and wrath, will not destroy all of His enemies and sinners, but they will know that punishment has come upon them for their misdeeds. The poor and needy, is a metaphor for His people, Righteous Israel, until they are brought back and settled into Greater Israel. They are promised protection from the heat flash and storms of this CME that Y’hovah will use to punish His enemies.

Isaiah 25:9 On that Day, the people will say: See – this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will deliver us. This is the God for whom we have waited, let us rejoice and exult in His deliverance.

Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice with Him, you heavens, all bow down before Y’hovah. For He will avenge the blood of His people and take vengeance on is enemies. He will punish those who hate Him and cleanse His peoples Land.
Ref: REB verses
abridged.

Bruce McKerras July 2011