Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 275

A NEW MONTH – THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 275 – Reading – Matthew 1 and Luke 2

Read and believe in Jesus!

MATTHEW.

Yes! Read the genealogy! (Don’t worry about pronunciation.)

If you’ve been with me in the Old Testament study, you will recognize some names. (Most recently, Jechoniah/Jehoiachin [the king who surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar and was later honored] and Zerubbabel.) Also, there are FOUR women mentioned, three by name. (Can you find them?) THIS genealogy is the history of Joseph, Mary’s husband, and the stepfather of Jesus. It traces the ROYAL line and places Jesus firmly in the kingly heritage of King David, as God promised this “man after His heart.”

(Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus’ lineage through another son of King David, Nathan (not the prophet), down to Mary, which avoids the curse on the later kings of Judah).

Matthew 1.

The genealogy of Jesus Christ from Abraham down, through King Solomon to Jesus’ stepfather, Joseph.

Matthew also gives us a glimpse of the man, Joseph, who is called a “just man.” When he learned/SAW that his fiancée, Mary, was pregnant and knew the baby was NOT his, Joseph had the right by Jewish Law to either have her “stoned to death” or divorce her. He loved Mary, so he decided to divorce her quietly.

Had Mary told him the story of Gabriel’s announcement? Did he not believe her? Was it too outlandish?

But before he could start proceedings, the angel of the Lord (Gabriel?) appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph! son of David! Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus (Savior), for He will save His people from their sins.

This fulfilled what the LORD had spoken to the prophet Isaiah, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son” (Isaiah 7:14), and “they will call Him Immanuel, or ‘God with us.'” (Isaiah 8:8, 10)

So, the “just, but obedient” man, Joseph, did as the angel commanded and married the pregnant Mary. But they stayed apart, intimately, until after she gave birth.

Oh, and they did call the baby JESUS, as the angel told Joseph.

Luke 2.

This is the most familiar account of the birth of Jesus, with portions of it printed on many Christmas cards each year. So often is it read in December that many of us could recite the 20 verses by heart. (Our son, a 6th grader at the time, did just that for Bible reading at our church one Christmas Sunday.).

Old Caesar Augustus thought it a good idea to “register” everyone in the Roman Empire. He commanded “all the world” to go to their ancestral town and be counted. It was primarily to register young Roman men for the draft. Formerly, Israel had been exempt from a census because Jewish men did not serve in the Roman army. But this census (to be repeated every 14 years) would also enable Augustus to levy poll taxes on everyone.

So, as we’ve seen in the genealogies, Joseph was in the line of David, so he had to travel the 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, David’s ancestral home. The same with Mary.

But … Mary’s due date was only days away! Nevertheless, they traveled with a large family group to Bethlehem. (Of course, we KNOW this was to fulfill prophecy about where the Messiah would be born. (Micah 5:2).

They walked (or rode) and arrived in a completely packed town. Mary started having contractions. The only private place was where they kept the animals, so Joseph booked it. Mary started labor as the animals looked on.

In hours, Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the second Person of the Holy Trinity, was pushed out into a hostile world which would, in a mere 33 years, horrifically kill Him. But for now, He was held safely in warm swaddling cloths, close to Mary’s breast. Later, he was placed in a straw-filled, stone feed trough while Mary slept.

So many prophecies fulfilled. So many more to be fulfilled. God’s plan of salvation had begun.

Meanwhile, those shepherds outside Bethlehem got a FIVE-STAR show in the midnight sky. First, an angel appeared in lightning brightness with a heavenly birth announcement.

“FEAR NOT! For behold, I bring you Good News of great joy for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ (Messiah), the Lord.”

The angel went on to tell the shepherds HOW they would recognize this Savior-Messiah. “You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger …. YES, a manger.”

Then that glorious, brilliant, light and song of a million angels began. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.”

Then a silence and blackness. It took the shepherds a few minutes for their hearts to slow, their vision and hearing to return. They looked at each other. “Did you…?” “Yes!” “The Messiah…?” “I KNOW!” And then, the agreed, “Let’s go!” And forsaking their sheep (sleeping through it all, no doubt), and ran as one towards Bethlehem. The star – Yes, THAT star – pointed to the stable. AND THEY FOUND HIM just as they’d been told.

When the excitement ended, and the now-awake Jesus was shown around, the shepherds told the young family about the angels, the announcement, and the glorious singing. Mary, eyes large as saucers, “treasured up all these things in her heart.”

Eventually, the shepherds left, but they weren’t finished. They went back glorifying and praising God, and sharing all they had heard and seen with everyone they met.

Eight days later, as per the Law of Moses, baby Jesus was circumcised as a sign he was a Son of the Covenant (a Jew). At that time, He also officially got his name, Jesus.

Forty days after his birthday, Mary and Joseph, again according to the Law of Moses, went to the temple to present (and redeem) Jesus, and to offer the sacrifice of 2 doves to show that the purification of Mary had been completed. (Only then could her marriage to Joseph be consummated.)

While they were there, they met two elderly senior citizens: the righteous and devout Simeon, and the godly, widowed praying prophetess, Anna. Both had been waiting a lifetime for that day….. the day they would see the Messiah of Israel.

Simeon took the baby in his arms and prophesied over him.

“My eyes, Lord, have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

Simeon handed back Jesus and said with a sweet sigh, “Now I can depart in peace.”

After seeing Jesus, Anna began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Luke here omits the visit from the Eastern Kings, and the family’s hurried trip to and stay in Egypt.)

He tells of them going back to Nazareth, and Jesus growing strong and filled with wisdom. His parents also saw God’s favor on Him.

Luke then fast-forwards to when Jesus was twelve and the family made the annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover. After the feast days, they returned, but later discovered that Jesus was nowhere to be found. His parents hurried back to Jerusalem and searched high and low for the boy.

Yes, they found him and were both relieved and angry.

He was at the Temple conversing with the Teachers of the Law (scribes and Pharisees). He was asking and answering questions about the Law, and these learned men were amazed at His wisdom.

Mary scolded Him (hopefully not in front of the Teachers, for at 12, He was considered a man).

Jesus answered that He was in His Father’s House. Whoa, a slight that Joseph, whom He obeyed and respected, was NOT His true Father.

“What….?” they answered. (More stuff for Mary to ponder in her heart.)

But Jesus obediently returned to Nazareth with them. And He continued to grow in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man (….for 18 more years).

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 273

Sep30

Day 273 – Reading – Malachi 1 – 4

Malachi is the last prophetic word from God until John the Baptist comes to announce the “Lamb of God/Messiah”; a long 400 years. (Although in the earlier Jewish Bible, Nehemiah was the last book, as it finishes Israel’s history.)

Malachi’s prophecy was most likely written during the time Nehemiah temporarily returned to Persia after completing and dedicating the wall of Jerusalem. Remember how angry the cupbearer was when he heard all the ways the Jews had slipped back into their old ways? (Nehemiah 13).

He hurried back to Jerusalem to try and correct the corrupt priests, the failure to support the Temple work by tithing, their working and selling on the Sabbath, and their intermarriage with pagans, even among the priests. Also, their earlier injustice towards the poor.

Malachi also addresses these sins.

Malachi 1.

“The word of the LORD to Israel.” And n insightful conversation with them.

The LORD: “I have loved you.”

People: “How have you loved us?”

The LORD: “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother, and I hated Esau.” See all the ways I have judged and destroyed Esau’s people. I will be angry with THEM forever. But you, O Jacob, I have loved, even in judgment.

Then God zooms down on the corrupt PRIESTS.

The LORD: “Where is My honor, My fear, O priests who despise My name?”

Priests: “How have we despised Your name?”

The LORD: “By offering polluted food on My altar.”

Priests: “How have we polluted you?”

The LORD: “When you offer blind animals as sacrifice. You offer the lame and sick. I have no pleasure in you, and I will not accept the offering from your hand. My Name will be great among the NATIONS, and in every place incense and a pure offering will be offered in My Name.”

Priests: “Snort! What a weariness this is.”

The LORD: “Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.”

Malachi 2.

MORE judgment comes onto the corrupt priests. God gives these men (who are supposed to represent God to the people) a choice – Listen and obey, OR “I will send the curse upon you and will curse your blessings. I will rebuke your offspring. I will spread dung on your faces and on your offerings. (WHOA!) “And you will be taken away as the waste of the sacrifices is carried outside the camp and burned.”

Originally, God’s covenant with the Levite priests was “one of life and peace.” As they feared God and stood in awe of His Name, “true instruction was in their mouths.” They “walked with God in peace and uprightness, and they turned many from iniquities.“

(This is what our church leaders should do today as well.)

Then the LORD blasts those corrupt priests again. “But YOU have turned aside from the way. YOU have caused many to stumble by your instruction. YOU have corrupted the covenant of Levi. And so, I will make YOU despised and abased before the people.”

Then the people of Judah get into the conversation again. It’s about the foreign women again.

People: “Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us all? Then why do You say we are faithless and profane the covenant of our fathers?

The LORD: “You have been faithless, and abomination has been committed. You have profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which I love, and have married the daughter of a foreign god. May any descendant of Jacob who does this be cut off from my people.”

People: “Why don’t you regard our offerings or accept them? Don’t you see our weeping and groaning?

The LORD: “Because I see the wives of your youth, to whom you have been faithless. Did I not make you ONE, with a portion of the Spirit in your union? I desired godly offspring. The man who does not love his wife but divorces her (and marries a pagan woman), covers his garment with violence. GUARD YOURSELVES IN YOUR SPIRIT AND DO NOT BE FAITHLESS.”

And then it seems God has had enough.

The LORD: “You have wearied the LORD with your words.”

People and priests: “How have we wearied Him?

Answer: “By saying that, everyone who does evil (inferior offerings, pagan wives), is ‘good’ in the sight of the LORD because He ‘delights’ in them.”

Malachi 3.

Then, one of the familiar passages in the book, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, Behold, He is coming, says the LORD of Hosts.

He is like a refiner’s FIRE and like fullers’ SOAP. He will refine and purify the sons of Levi as silver and gold, so they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD.”

Notice the TWO MESSENGERS that God promises to send.

The messenger who will prepare the way…. (John the Baptist).
The Messenger of the Covenant will suddenly come to his temple. He will refine and purify… (Jesus, in both his first and second comings, refining the remnant).

Then comes more of their rebellious conversation with God.

The LORD: “I, the LORD, do not change, therefore YOU, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. As of old, you have not kept my statutes. RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU. But you will ask how to return. Will a man rob God? YOU are robbing me!

The people: “How have we robbed you?

The LORD: “In your tithes and contributions. The whole nation of you are ROBBING ME!

Again, another very familiar passage of God telling them (and us) that we can “test Him” on this.

The LORD: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. PUT ME TO THE TEST, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

(I have done this – I have tested the Lord by giving a regular, full tithe. And He proved more than faithful and delightful in His blessings to me. You won’t believe how he can stretch the amount that is left from the tithe! We couldn’t see how it happened, but it did. God was faithful. He delighted in proving Himself in this test. PRAISE HIM!)

Next, the whining people of the God of Israel bring up another point. They say that “God is not fair. We serve Him by walking in His laws, and we are chastised, whereas evildoers do what they want and prosper. They defy God and escape. It’s not fair!”

Malachi now mentions the “book of remembrance,” to counter the people’s complaint that the evildoers always prosper. In that book are all the names of those who fear the LORD and esteem His Name.

“THEY are mine!” says the LORD. “In the day of judgment, I will spare them. And you will see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does NOT serve Him.”

Malachi 4.

Malachi continues the thought of the differences between the evildoer and the faithful.

“The day of the LORD is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble, set ablaze till nothing is left.
“But for those who fear God’s name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. They will walk all over the wicked for they will be ashes under their feet.

So, God’s final word to the arguing, complaining people of His Name? “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and the rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.”

(Israel was still obligated to keep the Law……. until their Messiah came as the Lamb of God, sacrificed for their sin (fulfilling the Law).

That time was coming!
The saving Messiah was coming.
Watch out for the herald who will announce Him!
Watch and be ready!

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers …………. lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

John the Baptist was a “type” of Elijah, “preparing the way” of Jesus, in His first coming.

Elijah and Moses both appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.

Maybe it is Elijah and Moses as the two witnesses in the Great Tribulation.

Okay, now. It will be 400 years before they again hear the voice of God. It comes in the form of Gabriel the angel, speaking to the priest Zacharias.

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, AND GO BEFORE HIM IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH … to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

WOW. Tomorrow’s study will be 400 years later than todays!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 265

Sep22

Sunday and Monday studies are (usually, but not this week) posted together on Mondays

Day 265 – Reading Zechariah 9 – 14.

Read the Scriptures first. Look for HOPE!

In the two “oracles” (prophetic sections) in the last five chapters, Zechariah deals with the future. (Look for the phrase “in that day.” He speaks of 1) the downfall of the nation, 2) the salvation of Israel, and 3) the Messiah, as king.

In chapters 9-11, Zechariah deals with #1 and #3, and ends with the rejection of Christ as their Messiah at His first coming. In chapters 12-14, he covers the #2 and #3 aspects of the future, and ends with the millennial kingdom of Messiah Christ.

Zechariah 9.

First, here is a judgment on the nations surrounding Israel. They cover Greece (Alexander the Great), who conquered Assyria, Medo-Persia, Tyre and Sidon, and Philistia. God promised to protect Jerusalem from him.

Next, Zechariah covers the two comings of Christ compressed together. Old Testament prophets didn’t see the time between the to comings of Christ as the church age. It was a mystery to them. (See Ephesians 3:1-9 and Colossians 1:27)

Verse 9 speaks of the well-known event of Jesus coming into Jerusalem a week before Passover. “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Verse 10 speaks of Christ’s rule in the Millennium. “…He shall speak peace to the nations; His rule shall be from sea to sea…”.

Zechariah 10.

Judah and Israel is restored by the LORD. They will become like a war-horse instead of sheep. And from Israel shall come “the Cornerstone.” (Jesus) See Ephesians 2:20 and 1 Peter 2:6-8.

Zechariah 11.

The flock of Israel seems doomed to Slaughter. The sheep reject their True Shepherd, the Messiah at His first coming. And the people are judged for it, like trees in a sweeping fire. God uses Zechariah, acting as a shepherd, giving up on his disobedient sheep (breaking his staffs and walking away from them without even getting his paycheck).

Zechariah 12,

Zechariah now encourages the people with a description of restoration and blessing. God will defend them from their enemies and strengthen them to fight as well. The LORD will give salvation to the “tents of Judah first. He will protect Jerusalem, and the house of David shall be like the angel of the Lord.

“I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirt of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on Me, on Him who they have pierced, they shall MOURN, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over Him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”

Zechariah 13.

“And on that day, there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the in habitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.”

How was this to happen? The True Shepherd will be killed as an atonement for the sheep. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Only 2/3 of Jews will believe, and those, God says, “I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people.” and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’

Zechariah 14.

“Behold, a day is coming for the LORD.

“On that day, the LORD will go out and fight for Israel. His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives… and it shall be split in two, and You shall flee to the mountains…. And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day, the LORD will be one and His Name One.

“Then everyone who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to WORSHIP the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.”

“And there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts … on that day.”

Wow, such promises and pictures, and warnings. So hard to understand. Zechariah spoke as the LORD told him, but even he did not understand the prophesies. Today, we see Jesus, as Messiah and Savior. But we also see Jews – for the most part – not identifying Him as their Lord. But praise God for the promise in chapter 12, that when He returns, they will LOOK on Him and mourn. They will finally believe.

Oh, God of heaven, thank You for Your so great SALVATION!

“

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 263

Sep20

Day 263 – Reading – Zechariah 1 – 4.

Read the Scriptures first. Do you like reading prophetic visions?

Today begins three days in the book of Zechariah. Remember in Ezra 5:1-2, God sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to get the Jews off their recliners and back to work to finish rebuilding the Temple. He was in a priestly line, born in Babylon and raised by his priest-grandfather, Iddo. He’s described as a “young man” in Zechariah 2:4, so he was probably younger than Haggai and hadn’t begun his priestly duties (age 30). According to Matthew 23:35, he was murdered between the temple and the altar!

Not only did Zechariah challenge the Jews to complete the Temple rebuild, but he went on to encourage them concerning their Messiah and His glorious kingdom and new Temple in the future.

In each of his three main prophesies, Zechariah begins with the present situation in Judah and goes forward to the exaltation of the Messiah’s reign. It is sometimes called “the apocalypse of the Old Testament.”

God used Zechariah to bring an outburst of promise for the future to sustain the faithful remnant through the coming 400 “silent years” when no word from God was heard until John the Baptist’s words announcing “the Lamb of God.”

(I think it’s cool that Israel was in Egypt for 400 years, until they killed the Passover Lamb. And soon there would be another 400 dark years until they heard the announcement of (and killed) Jesus, “the Lamb of God.” See Mark 1:1-11)

Zechariah 1.

“‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the LORD.” were Zechariah’s first words. And the people repented. Then Zechariah gave these two visions for the comfort of the exiles.

1.) In the night, Zechariah “saw” a Man/angel among the myrtle trees, and 3 other riders of colored horses. These men on horses patrolled the earth, and discovered all the nations (Gentiles) were at ease/rest, while Jerusalem & Zion lay in disaster.
The Man/angel then told Zechariah and the Jews these gracious and comforting words from the LORD.
“I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem (the walls were finished 75 years later). My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again “choose Jerusalem.” (during the Millennial Kingdom.)

2.) Next, Zechariah “saw” four horns! He asked what they represented.
The angel said they were “the horns (or powers) that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” (Maybe the four who attacked Israel: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia, but most likely the four world empires of Daniel 2:7: Babylon, Persia, Greece & Rome.)
Then Zechariah “saw” four craftsmen (“hammers”), and asked the angel/man what these were coming to do.
The angel said, “These have come to terrify the “horns” that scattered Judah. The craftsmen will terrify them and cast them down.“

Zechariah 2.

3.) Next, the prophet “sees” a man with a measuring line, and he asks the man where he’s going and what he’s planning to do.
“To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and length.” The angel/man then sends a runner after the measuring man to tell him that the future Jerusalem will have NO WALL. The LORD will be a “wall of fire” all around the city, AND He will also be the Glory in her midst.

Then Zechariah comes back to the present with a message to the Jews still remaining in Babylon. “Up! Up! Flee from the land of the north, declares the LORD. Up! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon, who plundered you. For he who touches you touches the apple of His (God’s) eye. I will shake my hand over them, and they (captors) shall become the plunder for those who served them.”

Then Zechariah again resorts to the distant future when the LORD will dwell in Zion, and many nations shall join themselves to the LORD and also be His people. He will dwell in their midst, in “the holy land.” He will again “choose Jerusalem.” So, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion!”

Zechariah 3.

This next vision reveals the need for Israel’s cleansing and restoration as a priestly nation.

4.) The LORD showed Zechariah the High Priest Jeshua, standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand (God’s or Jeshua’s?) to ACCUSE HIM. This is symbolic. Jeshua stands in for Israel as a whole. Will he be rejected or accepted?
The LORD rebukes Satan for his accusation. He tells the enemy that He has snatched him (Jeshua/Israel) out of the fire of destruction/exile, like a stick about to burn.
Satan fires back, pointing out Jeshua’s filthy garments (Israel’s sin).
The LORD commands that the filthy garments be removed from Jeshua. Then He says to the priest representing all of Israel, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”

(This is righteousness imputed, as God does to those who believe in Jesus, the Christ. Nothing that they/we do can make us clean. God changes our filthiness to purity and glory, and the ability now to serve Him.)

Then, Zechariah joins the scene and reminds them to put a clean turban on Jeshua’s head. The priestly turban, inscribed “Holy to the LORD,” is placed on Jeshua’s head.
The LORD of Hosts then charges Jeshua, “If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access with those who stand here.” (Access to God’s throne room through offerings and prayer.) “And behold, I will bring my servant, “the Branch.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6) I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day. “

Zechariah 4.

5.) The angel/man came again to Zechariah and showed him a lampstand, all of gold. It had a bowl on top and seven lamps. There were two olive trees by it, on the right and left, which supplied a continual flow of oil to burn.
Then the angel/man gave a message from the LORD to Zerubbabel. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” He was speaking of the task of finishing the rebuilding of the Temple.
“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the “top stone” (finishing stone of the temple) amid shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall complete it!”

(And it WAS completed 6 years later.)

Zechariah asked about the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand with pipes to pour in the oil.
“Do you know what these represent?” asked the angel/man.
“No, my lord,” said Zechariah.
“These are the “anointed ones” who stand by the LORD of the whole earth.”

Who were anointed to serve in Israel? The king and the priest. Representing these two offices (for the returned exiles) through which the blessing of God would flow were Zerubbabel, descended from the royal line, and Jeshua, from the priestly line. Both together foreshadowed the Messiah, as priest and king.

****LORD, thank you for all the imagery in this section, especially the courtroom scene where Jeshua stood before You, clothed in filthy garments. This is like all the people of the world, sinners in need of cleansing. Then YOU took off the dirty clothes and put on clean ones. YOU, not Jeshua. And you gave him access to YOU!

This is such a beautiful picture of what Jesus did for all who believe in Him. Just like 2 Corinthians 5:21 says. “For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.” Thank you, oh, thank you!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 262

Sep19

Day 262 – Reading – Haggai 1 – 2

Read the Scriptures first. What catches your attention?

Haggai 1.

(Remember back in Ezra, when the Samaritan adversaries had caused the rebuilding of the Temple to be stopped for many years? Ezra said God sent two prophets to encourage them. We’ll study them today and over the weekend. (“Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Then Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.” Ezra 5:1-2) Today we’ll read Haggai’s message.)

During the time when they were “forbidden” to work on the Temple, the people had begun building and remodeling their own houses, and planting crops and weaving material for new clothes. But… the harvests were nothing, and the people were hungry and cold. There was no money to furnish their homes. WHY?

The prophet Haggai said why. Because the Temple lay unfinished, with only the foundation built. Now that Darius had given the green light, they were to “go up to the hills and bring wood and build the House, that I (God) may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified.”

Then Zerubbabel and Jeshua the high priest, with all the remnant of people feared the Lord and obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet.

“I am with you,” declared the LORD.

And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.

Haggai 2.

As the people worked on the rebuilding, they couldn’t help but see (or remember hearing of) the difference between what they were doing, and the great Temple that Solomon build.

“Who of you saw this House in its former glory?” asked Haggai. “How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? But be strong O Zerubbabel and O Jeshua. Be strong, all you people of the land, for the LORD says,

‘Work, for I am with you. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. I will shake the heavens and the earth, the see and dry land, and all the nations, so the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I WILL FILL THIS HOUSE WITH MY GLORY. THE LATTER GLORY OF THIS HOUSE SHALL BE GREATER THAN THE FORMER. AND IN THIS PLACE I WILL GIVE PEACE.'”

(NOTE: God, of course was referring to the glorious Millennial Kingdom and Temple. The Jews viewed the Temple as one continual building, existing in different forms at different times. Solomon’s until now. And then Herod’s great renovated one in Jesus’ time which would be again destroyed. And then, perhaps a rebuilt one in time of Antichrist, but then … the final one in which God would dwell among them for 1,000 years.)

Haggai reminds the people how nothing went right for them when the neglected the rebuilding. But now, since they had begun, God promises to bless them.

Then, Haggai was spoke God’s words to Zerubbabel the governor of Judah, about the future of the nations. And “I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, and make you like a signet ring, for I HAVE CHOSEN YOU.”

Zerubbabel was in the royal line of King David. He was also in the line of both Joseph (Jesus’s step father) and Mary (Jesus’s own flesh & blood mother). See Matthew 1:12-13 and Luke 3:27.

A signet ring was a symbol of honor, authority and power. It responded to a king’s scepter. Zerubbabel represents the Davidic dynasty and resumes the Messianic line disrupted by the exile.

(Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin, who gave himself up to Nebuchadnezzar in the second deportation, and years later was brought from prison and honored all the rest of his life by a later king of Babylon.)

(God is so faithful to accomplish all He promises. Hallelujah! I can trust Him explicitly to do as He says. Thank YOU!!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 259

Sep16

Day 259 – Reading – Daniel 10 – 12

Read the Scriptures.

Daniel 10.

Here is another of the “end-time” prophesies that is hard to understand. At least it seemed that Daniel understood some of it.

“In the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia, a word was REVEALED to Daniel. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he UNDERSTOOD the word and had understanding of the vision.”

(This is now two years after the first decree was made to let Israel return to their land.) Daniel had been mourning and waiting for three weeks concerning the visions he’d already seen. He was on the beach of the Tigris River when he saw a man (a vision?) He describes this man much the way John described the risen/exalted Jesus in Revelation 1:13-14. Could this have been a Pre-Christ “Christophany?” Also, Daniel’s reaction (He fell to the ground with no strength) was like John’s. Rev. 1:17.

(HOWEVER, many believe this “being” was again the angel Gabriel.)

A hand touched Daniel and “set him trembling on his hands and knees,” and the being said the sweetest words. “O Daniel, man much loved…” Daniel stood, still trembling to hear the words, “From the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of them.”

Then the holy being explained a bit of invisible warfare that you and I are mostly unaware of. “The prince (demonic ruler) of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.”

He now tells Daniel why he is there. He has come to “make Daniel understand what is to happen to Israel in the latter days.” At this, the being had to once again strengthen Daniel,

“O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.

I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth.”

Daniel 11.

The being first confirms that Darius has been tasked to show kindness towards Israel in helping them return to their land.

Then, as in chapter 8:3-26, “a great huge chunk” of future events is retold. There will be conflict among the world nations, which will follow each other in conquest and power up to Antiochus Epiphanes and the desecration of the Temple. (Only a preview of what will happen later with the Antichrist. see Dan. 11:36)

(This account is so accurate in history that critics think that it was written 400 years AFTER Daniel. But, hey, we know that GOD knows all things from eternity past to eternity future, and He simply let Daniel in on a few items.)

The account continues with great persecution for the Jews until the “time of the end.” The evil antichrist will reign until the Lord Jesus Christ returns in power and defeats him once and for all. “He shall come to his end, with none to help him.”

Daniel 12.

Encouragement is now given to Daniel and Daniel’s people, Israel. When that great evil antichrist is in power, the archangel Michael (keeper of Israel) will arise to help.

“And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people (Israel) SHALL BE DELIVERED, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. MANY of those who sleep … shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And THOSE who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above. THOSE who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.”

Then, Daniel is told to “shut of the words and seal the book” until the time of the end, when many will run to and fro and knowledge shall increase. (WOW, DOESN’T THAT SEEM LIKE THESE DAYS, TODAY?)

Then Daniel looked and heard someone call out, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?”

And the being (Christ?) who was above the waters of the stream (Tigris) raised both hands to heaven, and swore, cryptically … “It will be for a time…times…and half a time. When the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end … all these things will be FINISHED.

Daniel: “I heard, but I did not understand.” (You are not alone, Daniel.)

The being said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and “the abomination” that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.”

Then He assures Daniel that he will “rest” (die) and “shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

(Oh, YES! In eternity, Daniel will be there in his allotted place, and we will get to meet him.)

(LORD, I surely do not understand much of this. Like Daniel I have many questions. But I will trust YOU to put me where I’m to be, and at Your perfect time. Oh, help me to be faithful!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 258.

Sep15

Day 258 – Reading – Daniel 7 – 9

Read the Scriptures. Meditate on what the prophet is saying.

Day 258. Daniel 7.

In the following three (6) giantchapters are the prophetic visions that Daniel had of the near and distant future. They are hard to understand, but with some help, we can gain a little knowledge.

This prophetic vision backtracks to the time of Belshazzar, the Babylonian king. This time, Daniel had a dream, and in the morning, he wrote down the dream and the “sum” of it.

He saw four huge beasts emerge from the sea.

One was like a lion with wings. The wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up to stand on two feet. It was given the mind of a man.
The second beast was like a bear. It had three ribs in its mouth. It was told to go and devour much flesh.
The third beast was like a leopard with four wings on its back. It also had four heads. Dominion was given to it.
Then, Daniel saw a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth, and it devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet. It had ten horns. Then a little horn grew up and plucked out three of the horns by the roots. And this little horn had the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Whoa!

These four beasts represent the same empires that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream-statue portrayed. The “sea” that they emerged from is the Mediterranean Sea (area).

The lion with wings represents Babylon. (Images of these were carved into the city gates.)
The bear is Medo-Persia, with the ribs representing all its vanquished nations.
The leopard represents Greece. The four heads represent the four generals who divided the kingdom after Alexander the Great died. (Macedonia, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt)
The fourth beast represents the Roman Empire. Its dominion fell apart, but it will be revived and returned to greatness near Christ’s second coming. It will consist of 10 parts ruled by 10 kings, then a final 11th king who will be Antichrist.

Daniel’s vision then goes forward to when the Ancient of Days will give judgment on him, and Christ will destroy him. And glory and dominion will then be given to the King of Kings.

More details are then given about these end times, including the 3.5 years of great tribulation.

And Daniel? Whoa. His thoughts greatly alarmed him, he paled, but he kept the matter in his heart.

Daniel 8.

The next dream that Daniel had was while Belshazzar was still king.

He saw a ram on the bank of a Canal. It had two tall horns, but one was taller. He charged westward, northward, and southward. No beast could stand before him. He did as he pleased and became great.

Then a male goat came from the west across the face of the earth, without touching the ground. It had a prominent horn between its eyes. It came to the ram on the bank of the canal and ran at it. The goat struck and broke the ram’s two horns, so it had no more power. The goat trampled the ram, and it died. The goat then became exceedingly great.

But when it was great, the big horn was broken, and there came up four smaller horns facing the four winds. ONE of the horns grew really great, even to the stars. It faced “the Glorious Land.” And the burnt offerings and sanctuary were given to him for 2,300 days.

Okay, whoa again.

Then he heard a voice from heaven. “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” And Gabriel told Daniel that this vision was for the time of the End, and Daniel was told to “seal it up.”

First came the ram (Persia) and the goat (Greece) and the divided parts, one of whose leaders became Antiochus Epiphanes, who was then mirrored in the Antichrist, who would be in power for 6 1/3 years: the tribulation and Great Tribulation.

“I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision, and did not understand it.” (We didn’t either, Daniel!)

Daniel 9.

Now we jump forward until after the defeat of Babylon, in the first year that Darius is reigning as king over the Chaldeans.

Daniel was reading in the books of Israel, and read in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, that 70 years would pass after the destruction of Jerusalem for Judah to be in exile. The end of those 70 years was near, so Daniel began to pray.

Such a long, heart-felt prayer of confession, and adoration, and petition!! (Oh, read the whole prayer several times!)

O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keeps His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from Your commandments and rules.

We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name … To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame … because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O LORD belongs open shame … because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us… by bringing about this great calamity.

Yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our god. We have not turned from our iniquities and gained insight by your truth. We have not obeyed… We have sinned, we have done wickedly.

O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from your city Jerusalem, your Holy hill, because, for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers. Jerusalem and your people have become a byword among all who are around us!

Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for Your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.

O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by Your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive, O Lord, pay attention and act.

Delay not, for Your own sake, O my God, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.

And while he was praying, confessing his sin and the sin of his people Israel, and presenting his plea before the LORD for the holy hill of God… while he was speaking, the man, Gabriel came to him.

“O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy, a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you (for you are greatly loved) understanding of the vision.

It was not just 70 years, but 470 years about the people and the holy city, when God would put an end to sin and atone for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness.

And he gives Danial more specific amounts of time until “the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

(WOW. What a prayer. Oh, to pray that way for myself and others, my fellow believers and the unsaved!!)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 256

Sep13

Day 256 – Reading – Daniel 1 – 3.

Read Today’s Scriptures. What do you see in Daniel that is new?

Daniel.

The book of Daniel covers the life of the prophet, from a teenager to an old man, and bridges the entire 70 years of captivity. Daniel was taken captive from Jerusalem (along with his three friends) in Nebuchadnezzar’s first deportation. (Ezekiel went in the second.) (Ezekiel calls Daniel both righteous and wise.) He was a prophet of God through two world empires. (Babylon, Medo-Persia)

God, through Daniel, revealed to kings the meaning of their visions and dreams, even showing world powers way beyond their years. What Revelation is to the New Testament, Daniel is to the Old Testament.

Daniel 1.

Daniel is taken to Babylon (the land of Shinar) along with “SOME of the vessels of the Temple.” (Do you remember King Hezekiah showing off all the treasures of the Temple to emissaries from Babylon, in Isaiah 39:1-6? Nebuchadnezzar will take all of them in his second siege, and will even melt the precious metal from the Temple to take away in the final siege.) These golden vessels were placed in the temple treasury of the Babylonian god, Bel, or Marduk.

Next, Nebuchadnezzar designated some young men of the royal and noble Jewish families to be trained to work in his courts. He sent the chief of the eunuchs** to train them in the wisdom and learning of Babylon, deportment in royal ways, informed of the literature and language of the Chaldeans. They must also be without blemish, handsome, and healthy looking.

Among the ones chosen were Daniel and his three friends. The chief of the eunuchs** was tasked to train them for three years. First, he changed their Jewish names to Babylonian ones.

**Does this mean Daniel and the others were made eunuchs?

Daniel resolved to keep himself from being defiled by pagan foods. He requested of the chief of the eunuch to be able to eat only Kosher food. The man gave him (and his friends) ten days. At the end, they were more healthy-looking than all the others, so he allowed them to continue with that diet.

God also gave them extra learning and skill in literature and wisdom. And Daniel had special understanding of all visions and dreams. (He reminds me of Joseph, in Genesis.)

At then end of the 3-year training, they all were brought before Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel and his friends were shown to be the “top of the class.,” better even than the older court magicians and enchanters!

(God honors those who honor Him!)

Daniel 2.

Then came a test. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. (No, not like Martin Luther King Jr.) It bothered him terribly. He called all his magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers to TELL him his dream and then INTERPRET his dream.

Of course none of those imposters could tell the King what he dreamed. They were used to HIM telling THEM the dream, and they’d make up an interpretation.

Wise men: We can’t tell you YOUR dream, O King. Tell it to us and we’ll tell you what it means.
King Neb.: NO! You must tell me my dream, or…or… or you are imposters!! And if so, you are dead men!
Wise men: But, we can’t!
King Neb.: GRRRRRRR!! LET ALL THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON BE DESTROYED!!

Wise men, Daniel and his friends, heard the decree to kill all of them. He went to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, and inquired with prudence and discretion what the hoop-la was about. After he was told, Daniel requested an appointment with the King, that HE might show the King HIS dream.

THEN, Daniel (wise man that he was) asked his three friends to pray with him all night that God would show him the mystery of the king’s dream.

AND THE MYSTERY WAS REVEALED TO DANIEL IN A VISION.

Next morning, Daniel went to King Nebuchadnezzar and calmly told him the dream and the interpretation, after first telling the pagan king that it was the JEWISH GOD who’d revealed it to him.

You saw a great image and it was scary.
From top to bottom, it was made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron mixed with clay.
A stone struck the image on its feet and broke them to pieces, then the whole thing fell and the wind carried it all away.
The stone became an unstoppable Kingdom forever.

Yes, cried the king. That’s right. What does it mean?

And Daniel prophetically told him of the coming world empires after Babylon, represented by the golden head: silver chest and arms = Medo-Persian, bronze middle and thighs = Greece, iron legs = Rome, and mixed iron and clay = revived Rome. And the stone? Christ destroying the fourth empire and establishing the Millennian.

King Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed by Daniel’s God telling the future. And he gave Daniel gifts and made him ruler over the whole province, and became chief prefect over all the king’s men. He also placed Daniel’s three friends in high places.

Daniel 3.

Perhaps the king got so enamored with himself as the “head of gold,” that he had a huge 90-foot golden statue made in his likeness. Not just the head, but the whole thing was gold. He had a dedication party where he invited everybody who was somebody to it. When the music began to play, they all would fall down and worship the image.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Um, no. As obedient Jews, they would not worship the king’s golden statue. (Their ancestors had worshiped a few golden calves, and see what happened. Other idols in Jerusalem had caused the fall of that great city and the ruin of the magnificent Temple of God! Bow to a golden statue? NO WAY!)

The jealous ministers tattled on them.
Nebuchadnezzar gave them a second chance, and started up the music.
The three stood firm shaking their heads.
Then the infuriated king threw the miscreants into the blazing, hot furnace. So there!
But wait.
The three walked around in the furnace as if it were a Yogurt Land. Their ropes were gone. And… a fourth person was with them looking very much like “the Son of God.”

Nebuchadnezzar ordered them out, and quizzed them. After all not a thread or hair was scorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke.

“Our faithful God kept us.”

Now it was the king to stand in awe. “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has delivered his servants, who trusted Him and disobeyed the king’s command, and yielded up their lives rather than worship him.

So King Nebuchadnezzar made a NEW law than anyone who speaks against their God, would be killed and their houses ruined. And once again, the three were promoted.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 255

Sep12

Day 255 – Reading – Joel 1 – 3

Read the Scriptures. Meditate on what the prophet JOEL is saying.

Joel 1.

Joel’s message is timeless and applicable to any age. God judges sin, no matter what kind, or when. Joel calls for repentance, as in “rend your hearts and not your garments.” Joel refers often to “the Day of the LORD.” which speaks of God’s wrath and judgment on sin anywhere and in any time.

In this chapter, it’s probably wise to see the invasion of locusts as ACTUAL locusts, rather than invading armies. And drought is another calamity Israel is facing. Not only do these affect the people personally, but there there is no grain for the Priests to offer. Both vines and fig trees are affected – the very last things that locusts will eat.

Joel calls for a fast to the LORD. This horrendous agricultural devastation is just a hint of the “Day of the LORD” to come in the future.

Joel 2.

Joel uses the locust plague and the drought as a metaphor of the coming invasion of Judah, and even farther, the future Day of the LORD.

“…the day of the LORD is coming: it is near. A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been seen, nor will be again…”

God is so gracious! Even in the coming invasion, He gives Judah (and us) a chance to repent!

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your HEARTS and not your garments.”

“Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster. WHO KNOWS? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him.”

(No, the people did not repent, and yes, the LORD did send destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. But after the time He designated, God wanted to “restore” them.)

“Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given the early rain for you vindication; He has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.”

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter. My great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the Name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.”

Then, he gives a marvelous prophecy that Peter later picks up in his sermon at Pentecost.

“And it shall come to pass AFTERWARD that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. EVEN on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.”

“And it shall come to pass that EVERYONE who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Joel 3.

Joel writes of the time when the nation of Israel will be regathered to the Land. And He will gather the other nations to a final confrontation at the battle of Armageddon. God will judge the nations.

“Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. Beat your plows into sword, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I AM A WARRIOR.”

“Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. (See Rev. 14:20) The vats overflow, for their evil is great. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LRD is near in the valley of decision.”

“The LORD ROARS from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake.

“But the LORD is a refuge to His people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; AND A FOUNTAIN SHALL COME FORTH FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AND WATER THE VALLEY OF SHITTIM.” (See Ezekiel 47)

“Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations.”

Amen!

(Thank You, LORD, for Joel, and the promises of restoration that reach even to our day: the time of the Gentiles. And, O, may MY heart repent of my sins, and be softened toward You.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 254

Sep11

Day 254 – Reading – EZEKIEL 46 – 48

Read the Scriptures. Meditate on what the prophet is saying.

EZEKIEL 46.

New/old rules for worship and offerings are covered here. The priest will offer the sacrifices and grain offering to the LORD as always, but the prince will have a part too (such as supplying some of the offerings). He shall enter the vestibule (inner court) in front of the Temple, do his thing, and leave by the same way. All the others who come to worship will enter one gate and leave by another.

Ezekiel 47.

Ezekiel, in his vision, is now brought to the door of the temple. He sees water leaking from below the threshold, south of the altar. (???) Ezekiel is led out of the NORTH gate and is walked around the outside of the Temple compound to the SOUTH side. There, flowing eastward, he sees the trickling water.

The measuring man measures out 1,000 cubits (approx. 1,500 feet), and the water is “ankle deep.” Another 1,000 cubits, and the water flowing out is now “knee deep.” And 1,000 cubits more, and the water is “waist-deep.” After 1,000 more cubits, it was a river he could not walk though and deep enough to swim in. (Can you picture that?)

Then amazing words from the measuring man, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah (ravine), and enters the sea (Dead Sea): when the water flows into the sea, the water will become FRESH! And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be many fish! And fishermen will cast nets! (But there will be marshes for salt.) Fruit trees will grow there! The fruit will be for food, and the leaves for healing! WOW!

Then the man gives the boundaries of the Millennial Israel. Damascus, the East side of the Sea, the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea (Mediterranean). See the map below.

Ezekiel 48.

A Map of how the tribal lands will be divided during the Millennial Kingdom.

Seven of the tribes will be located in the north, followed by the “holy portion” in the middle with the Temple. Finally, the five remaining tribes will have their land in the south.

On the walls of the CITY in the middle (not the Temple compound), there will be three gates facing north with the names of 3 tribes (Reuben, Judah, and Levi).

On the east side of the city, the three gates are named Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan.

The three south-facing gates of the city will be named Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun.

And on the west side of the city, the gates are named Gad, Asher, and Naphtali.

NOTE: All the unconditional promises that God had made to Israel in 1) the Abrahamic Covenant; 2) the Priestly Covenant, 3) the Davidic Covenant, and 4) the New Covenant have here been fulfilled

The departed glory has returned, and God is dwelling again in the midst of His people. And the name of THIS city, from that time on, shall be YHWH Shammah, “The LORD is there.”