The Restoration Of The Kingdom – Micah Part 2
Book of Micah Chapters 3-5
First, before we start we need to remember, If we cannot accept the truth, then we will believe a lie.
What is the truth?
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Most all people look at prophets as men who foretell of doom only, but the truth of God's Prophets is their message was more a message of hope!
There are many highly educated men that can give us a vision of the future that we can find agreeable.
They even promise that education and technology will make things much better in our future.
The Scriptures on the other hand promise that Jesus Christ is the future of every human being and He will be our "Savior" or He will be our "Judge" and that is a choice that we make ourselves.
This my friends is the truth!
Chapter 3 teaches us that national leaders are to know and practice "good judgment"! They are to use God's standards and not man's standards!
Chapter 3 also teaches us that the preachers are to preach the full council of God and not their own twisted versions!
Chapter 3 also teaches us that we are not a Christian nation just because we say so, we must live by the Word of God!
What is the truth of our nation today?
Mic 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
We can see that just as Israel and Judah were living in sin this day of Micah, this message fits this day we live also!
The truth is no matter what this world teaches, Jesus Christ is the future of our world! As Christians we know that our hope lies in the Lord!
Chapter 4 verse 1
*****Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
The truth is, the wicked and sinful world will one day transition into a kingdom of glory, a kingdom of peace, and a kingdom of victory!
Corruption and greed rule our world today and many people live in hopelessness and die without Christ.
The hope of our world lies in the Second Coming of the Messiah!
The hope of the Christian lies in "Faith" in the things of God before we die a physical death!
Only the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, offers real hope to all those who are lost!
The only thing that will change despair is "HOPE"!
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. "Let no man despise thee".
The truth is, that here Micah teaches us that Jerusalem will be exalted above all nations!
Jerusalem will become the capitol city of this world!
I know this breaks the heart of many people but the truth is still the truth!
Jerusalem will also be the religious capitol of this world and people from all nations will come to be taught the ways of God!
The truth is, it will be the same Word of God that we have today with most all prophesy fulfilled.
Jerusalem will also be the legislative capitol of this world and this Word of God will flow from Jerusalem.
Rev 19:15 And "out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword", that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
There will be no voting to see which laws will be obeyed!
Because the truth is Jerusalem will also be the "judicial" capitol of this world and the Word of God has already been approved in Heaven.
*****Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
In this world today there are always wars and or rumors of wars. In fact the threat of war is even used to sway righteous judgment many times.
There is always the fear of economic collapse, the fear of violence, the fear of injustice, and most all people live a life of uncertainty, anxiety and fear.
That will all come to an end with the return of the Messiah and the world will then see true peace!
All nations will disarm and disband their military forces!
That equipment and that technology and that money, will then be used to feed and maintain a thriving society.
The people of earth will live in perfect peace and security for 1000 years.
People will live without fear for the very first time!
There will be no starving children, and no homeless people and no crooked politicians!
This describes the Millennial reign of the King Of Kings!
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
People will finally know the truth!
Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
For the Jews who are so hated and despised today, will then be honored by all nations and all people!
Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Most all nations honor Abraham and God will then fulfill the promises He made to Abraham!
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
We know that the Millennial Kingdom does not take place until after the "Rapture" of the Church but let's look at what happens at that time:
1) All believers will be glorified in Christ Jesus.
2) All believers will be privileged to be with God throughout eternity.
3) All believers will rule with Christ Jesus once His Kingdom has been established.
4) All believers will be joint-heirs with Christ Jesus of the glorious things of God!
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Fear will be a word not found in books anymore!
*****Mic 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Mic 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
These are not just somebody's wishes or somebody's thoughts, these are the promises of a Holy God!
Beginning with the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ, Israel will worship the Lord forever.
All "believers", then and now "will", (not maybe, not under certain circumstances, not because of works but because of faith) will walk in the name of the LORD, "our God" for all eternity!
This is a promise and it is a sure promise to everyone who loves the Lord Jesus Christ!
What had Joshua told the nation of Israel as they entered the promise land?
Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
As we take a stand for the Lord in these final days we need to remember the words of Joshua and of Micah because they will lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ every time!
At the presentation of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ, we "all" must make a choice!
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Jews have been slowly returning to their homeland but at that time God will bring them all back home.
*****Mic 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
Mic 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
**The "halted" are those who do not have the ability to move by their own power.
Spiritually speaking, the halted are those incapable of spiritual movement.
**The "banished" are those that are condemned by the laws of man and are friends to God's enemies.
They will all repent and return to the Lord.
**Those afflicted may be lame, or blind, or deaf, or dumb, or lepers, or sinners and belong to Satan.
But their eyes will be opened, their bodies healed, their hearing restored, their sins forgiven and they will be released from the bondage of Satan.
No matter what the world thinks or says, the Lord Himself promises that Israel will be restored.'
This lost world simply does not understand the truth of God or they just reject Him!
*****Mic 4:12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
Under the rule of the Messiah, Jerusalem will be the authority and all the land promised to Abraham will be restored to them.
The truth is, mankind in ignorance, fight against God's purpose and in fighting against God's purpose mankind will bring ruin upon themselves!
God will use the plans they have made against Him be used to destroy themselves!
God will gather the enemies of Israel, like sheaves to the threshing floor and then allow Israel to trample and crush all her enemies!
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
At this point Micah gives us one the greatest prophesies that has been fulfilled that the entire world knows about.
The first coming of the Messiah!
The "Birth" that changed our world!
*****Mic 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
It is a fact that our world is full of immoral leaders who are also corrupt in their ways and in their thoughts.
In truth this world has always been full of immoral, corrupt leaders.
This has been more noticeable in our own nation than ever before!
It astounds me that no one seems to care, but it is also a fact that the lost will always defend the lost!
The truth is revolutions, revolts, and social upheavals have occurred almost everywhere on this planet.
America is more divided now than it ever has been and even our own government is preparing for a revolt that our own government has been instigating.
It is not so much the people who are rebelling, as it is the government who have been rebelling against the people and this is the difference this time in America!
There is coming a day when all these things will cease!
The truth is, our hope lies in the Lord!
The Lord Jesus could have come in any way He chose to come but there was only one way for God's purpose to be fulfilled.
Bethlehem means the "house of bread".
Ephratah means "fruitfulness".
This place known for it's "natural fruitfulness" would also be a place of "spiritual fruitfulness"!
This place, which was so remote that it would never become a place of importance, in one night became the most famous place in all the world.
This place, which was also the birthplace of King David was also the birth place of the Messiah who was to fulfill the prophesies God had given to David.
Out of this same place came Christ "the ruler of all Israel"!
Out of this place came the eternity of God "the Son"!
Out of this insignificant city, born in a manger, in the most humble of all places, came the Messiah, the foundation of Christianity!
The symbol of Rome was it's military.
The Jews required a conquering General to obtain freedom.
Out of Bethlehem came the hope of Israel!
Out of Bethlehem came the hope of all mankind!
Out of Bethlehem came the God of Love saying: Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
As Christians our greatest example of true life, is our own Lord!
God makes the weak to be strong and the strong to be weak.
Christ came to teach us to serve, as a humble servant Himself!
2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Why would God choose these things?
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
The purpose of the prophesies of Christ's birth were intended to bring hope!
The purpose of the prophecy of the Second Coming of Christ is still intended to bring hope!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
This is to be the same message of the Church today!
It is the job of the Church to teach these things as the truth, for they are, and they have proven to be so!
The Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Ephratah 700 years after Micah had said these things.
What the world needed was a Savior, a Deliverer, a Redeemer and all these things are of the Christ and the other things would come later.
Shortly after the time of Micah until the birth of Jesus Christ, God was silent.
An in 70 AD Israel was decimated by the Romans.
Israel had paid no attention to the words of Micah.
It would be a great benefit to the Church, if we paid very close attention not only to Micah but all the prophesies of the Bible, in fact to every Scripture, rightly divided!
*****Mic 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
From the birth of Jesus Christ until May 14, 1948, Israel was then "Born Again".
Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psa 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
Psa 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
**But we must clearly understand that Israel will remain in travail as a pregnant virgin until they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
What did Micah preach?
*****Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
The ministry of Jesus Christ will be in the strength and the majesty of God Himself!
It is the strength of God that will rule and dominate the earth at this time, (a rod of iron).
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
At that time there will be no one on this earth that does not know the Lord Jesus Christ!
The only ones left now are those who are lost, Hell is full of believers along with the true Church!
Jesus will bring peace to the earth but the peace that Christ brings will be much more than the absence of war!
There will be absolute security for all God's people.
There will be a prosperity of the like that this world has never been seen.
There will be generosity from all people and all nations.
But more important there will be "spiritual peace", God and His people will be reconciled forever!
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We will all be rejoicing in the "glory of God" on that day!
*****Mic 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
The Church will have already been with the Lord at least 7 years at this time and will return with the Lord.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The remnant of Israel will be saved and joined with the Church.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Those "many people" are those that survived the 7 year tribulation period!
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
And there will only be a remnant of Israel.
*****Mic 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Mic 5:9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
But notice none of this will take place until Israel has defeated all her enemies!
Israel has always been chosen to set the example of obedience to God's Laws:
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Israel has always been chosen to preach the Word of God to all Gentiles:
Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Luk 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
All the enemies of the Word of God will have been cut off by this time.
Luk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The Book of Micah will lead us to the truth of the end times if we will just listen to his words.
Next week we will see what God requires of us.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Book of Micah Chapters 3-5
First, before we start we need to remember, If we cannot accept the truth, then we will believe a lie.
What is the truth?
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Most all people look at prophets as men who foretell of doom only, but the truth of God's Prophets is their message was more a message of hope!
There are many highly educated men that can give us a vision of the future that we can find agreeable.
They even promise that education and technology will make things much better in our future.
The Scriptures on the other hand promise that Jesus Christ is the future of every human being and He will be our "Savior" or He will be our "Judge" and that is a choice that we make ourselves.
This my friends is the truth!
Chapter 3 teaches us that national leaders are to know and practice "good judgment"! They are to use God's standards and not man's standards!
Chapter 3 also teaches us that the preachers are to preach the full council of God and not their own twisted versions!
Chapter 3 also teaches us that we are not a Christian nation just because we say so, we must live by the Word of God!
What is the truth of our nation today?
Mic 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.
We can see that just as Israel and Judah were living in sin this day of Micah, this message fits this day we live also!
The truth is no matter what this world teaches, Jesus Christ is the future of our world! As Christians we know that our hope lies in the Lord!
Chapter 4 verse 1
*****Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
The truth is, the wicked and sinful world will one day transition into a kingdom of glory, a kingdom of peace, and a kingdom of victory!
Corruption and greed rule our world today and many people live in hopelessness and die without Christ.
The hope of our world lies in the Second Coming of the Messiah!
The hope of the Christian lies in "Faith" in the things of God before we die a physical death!
Only the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, offers real hope to all those who are lost!
The only thing that will change despair is "HOPE"!
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. "Let no man despise thee".
The truth is, that here Micah teaches us that Jerusalem will be exalted above all nations!
Jerusalem will become the capitol city of this world!
I know this breaks the heart of many people but the truth is still the truth!
Jerusalem will also be the religious capitol of this world and people from all nations will come to be taught the ways of God!
The truth is, it will be the same Word of God that we have today with most all prophesy fulfilled.
Jerusalem will also be the legislative capitol of this world and this Word of God will flow from Jerusalem.
Rev 19:15 And "out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword", that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
There will be no voting to see which laws will be obeyed!
Because the truth is Jerusalem will also be the "judicial" capitol of this world and the Word of God has already been approved in Heaven.
*****Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
In this world today there are always wars and or rumors of wars. In fact the threat of war is even used to sway righteous judgment many times.
There is always the fear of economic collapse, the fear of violence, the fear of injustice, and most all people live a life of uncertainty, anxiety and fear.
That will all come to an end with the return of the Messiah and the world will then see true peace!
All nations will disarm and disband their military forces!
That equipment and that technology and that money, will then be used to feed and maintain a thriving society.
The people of earth will live in perfect peace and security for 1000 years.
People will live without fear for the very first time!
There will be no starving children, and no homeless people and no crooked politicians!
This describes the Millennial reign of the King Of Kings!
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
People will finally know the truth!
Psa 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
For the Jews who are so hated and despised today, will then be honored by all nations and all people!
Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
Deu 28:2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Most all nations honor Abraham and God will then fulfill the promises He made to Abraham!
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
We know that the Millennial Kingdom does not take place until after the "Rapture" of the Church but let's look at what happens at that time:
1) All believers will be glorified in Christ Jesus.
2) All believers will be privileged to be with God throughout eternity.
3) All believers will rule with Christ Jesus once His Kingdom has been established.
4) All believers will be joint-heirs with Christ Jesus of the glorious things of God!
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Fear will be a word not found in books anymore!
*****Mic 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Mic 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
These are not just somebody's wishes or somebody's thoughts, these are the promises of a Holy God!
Beginning with the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ, Israel will worship the Lord forever.
All "believers", then and now "will", (not maybe, not under certain circumstances, not because of works but because of faith) will walk in the name of the LORD, "our God" for all eternity!
This is a promise and it is a sure promise to everyone who loves the Lord Jesus Christ!
What had Joshua told the nation of Israel as they entered the promise land?
Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
As we take a stand for the Lord in these final days we need to remember the words of Joshua and of Micah because they will lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ every time!
At the presentation of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ, we "all" must make a choice!
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
The Jews have been slowly returning to their homeland but at that time God will bring them all back home.
*****Mic 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;
Mic 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
**The "halted" are those who do not have the ability to move by their own power.
Spiritually speaking, the halted are those incapable of spiritual movement.
**The "banished" are those that are condemned by the laws of man and are friends to God's enemies.
They will all repent and return to the Lord.
**Those afflicted may be lame, or blind, or deaf, or dumb, or lepers, or sinners and belong to Satan.
But their eyes will be opened, their bodies healed, their hearing restored, their sins forgiven and they will be released from the bondage of Satan.
No matter what the world thinks or says, the Lord Himself promises that Israel will be restored.'
This lost world simply does not understand the truth of God or they just reject Him!
*****Mic 4:12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.
Under the rule of the Messiah, Jerusalem will be the authority and all the land promised to Abraham will be restored to them.
The truth is, mankind in ignorance, fight against God's purpose and in fighting against God's purpose mankind will bring ruin upon themselves!
God will use the plans they have made against Him be used to destroy themselves!
God will gather the enemies of Israel, like sheaves to the threshing floor and then allow Israel to trample and crush all her enemies!
Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
At this point Micah gives us one the greatest prophesies that has been fulfilled that the entire world knows about.
The first coming of the Messiah!
The "Birth" that changed our world!
*****Mic 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
It is a fact that our world is full of immoral leaders who are also corrupt in their ways and in their thoughts.
In truth this world has always been full of immoral, corrupt leaders.
This has been more noticeable in our own nation than ever before!
It astounds me that no one seems to care, but it is also a fact that the lost will always defend the lost!
The truth is revolutions, revolts, and social upheavals have occurred almost everywhere on this planet.
America is more divided now than it ever has been and even our own government is preparing for a revolt that our own government has been instigating.
It is not so much the people who are rebelling, as it is the government who have been rebelling against the people and this is the difference this time in America!
There is coming a day when all these things will cease!
The truth is, our hope lies in the Lord!
The Lord Jesus could have come in any way He chose to come but there was only one way for God's purpose to be fulfilled.
Bethlehem means the "house of bread".
Ephratah means "fruitfulness".
This place known for it's "natural fruitfulness" would also be a place of "spiritual fruitfulness"!
This place, which was so remote that it would never become a place of importance, in one night became the most famous place in all the world.
This place, which was also the birthplace of King David was also the birth place of the Messiah who was to fulfill the prophesies God had given to David.
Out of this same place came Christ "the ruler of all Israel"!
Out of this place came the eternity of God "the Son"!
Out of this insignificant city, born in a manger, in the most humble of all places, came the Messiah, the foundation of Christianity!
The symbol of Rome was it's military.
The Jews required a conquering General to obtain freedom.
Out of Bethlehem came the hope of Israel!
Out of Bethlehem came the hope of all mankind!
Out of Bethlehem came the God of Love saying: Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
As Christians our greatest example of true life, is our own Lord!
God makes the weak to be strong and the strong to be weak.
Christ came to teach us to serve, as a humble servant Himself!
2Co 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Why would God choose these things?
1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
The purpose of the prophesies of Christ's birth were intended to bring hope!
The purpose of the prophecy of the Second Coming of Christ is still intended to bring hope!
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
This is to be the same message of the Church today!
It is the job of the Church to teach these things as the truth, for they are, and they have proven to be so!
The Lord Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem Ephratah 700 years after Micah had said these things.
What the world needed was a Savior, a Deliverer, a Redeemer and all these things are of the Christ and the other things would come later.
Shortly after the time of Micah until the birth of Jesus Christ, God was silent.
An in 70 AD Israel was decimated by the Romans.
Israel had paid no attention to the words of Micah.
It would be a great benefit to the Church, if we paid very close attention not only to Micah but all the prophesies of the Bible, in fact to every Scripture, rightly divided!
*****Mic 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
From the birth of Jesus Christ until May 14, 1948, Israel was then "Born Again".
Psa 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psa 90:3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
Psa 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
**But we must clearly understand that Israel will remain in travail as a pregnant virgin until they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the true Messiah.
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
What did Micah preach?
*****Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
The ministry of Jesus Christ will be in the strength and the majesty of God Himself!
It is the strength of God that will rule and dominate the earth at this time, (a rod of iron).
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
At that time there will be no one on this earth that does not know the Lord Jesus Christ!
The only ones left now are those who are lost, Hell is full of believers along with the true Church!
Jesus will bring peace to the earth but the peace that Christ brings will be much more than the absence of war!
There will be absolute security for all God's people.
There will be a prosperity of the like that this world has never been seen.
There will be generosity from all people and all nations.
But more important there will be "spiritual peace", God and His people will be reconciled forever!
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
We will all be rejoicing in the "glory of God" on that day!
*****Mic 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
The Church will have already been with the Lord at least 7 years at this time and will return with the Lord.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The remnant of Israel will be saved and joined with the Church.
Rom 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Those "many people" are those that survived the 7 year tribulation period!
Psa 4:3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.
Psa 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
And there will only be a remnant of Israel.
*****Mic 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Mic 5:9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
But notice none of this will take place until Israel has defeated all her enemies!
Israel has always been chosen to set the example of obedience to God's Laws:
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Israel has always been chosen to preach the Word of God to all Gentiles:
Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
Luk 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
All the enemies of the Word of God will have been cut off by this time.
Luk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
The Book of Micah will lead us to the truth of the end times if we will just listen to his words.
Next week we will see what God requires of us.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
