Not only does the Hebrew language give us a depth in scripture containing infinite layers, but its restoration in our generation is also a sign of the End Times, and the approaching judgment of God according to scripture. All of God's creation was centered around the Word, and language. God Himself, and His Son, Jesus the Messiah, describe Themselves in the unique and deep Hebrew language used in Their holy names. Jesus referred to the completed work and plan of God in terms of the Hebrew "Aleph-beth", or alphabet. Let's take a look.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." Jn. 1:1-5
The gospel of John reveals that the beginning work of creation contained the Word, Who was God, and with God, inseparable. All things were made by this Word. Life was composed of this Word, and became the light in men. John later identifies this powerful Word as Jesus, who became flesh, and dwelt among us. Here John reveals the depth of the Hebrew language used in the Genesis 1 account of the beginning of creation:
"In the beginning (Baresheit: translated from each pictographic early Hebrew letter -the son crushed, his hand on the cross), God (Elohim Aleph-Tav- plural character of God from the first letter of the Hebrew Aleph-beth, aleph, to the last letter, tav) created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." Gen 1:1-4
God spoke the Word, and created everything from it. By the use of the Hebrew language, we can understand the truth of the presence all three members of the Trinity from the very beginning of the creation. Jesus also referred to the Hebrew aleph-beth alphabet when He described Himself in the Book of Revelation as the Alpha and Omega, which are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, into which the New Testament was translated. In Hebrew, He would be describing Himself as the Aleph-Tav, as Elohim is described in Genesis. The Church's unfortunate separation from its Jewish roots meant the loss of the Hebrew language for us as well, deeply impacting our understanding of scripture in all of its beauty and power. However, God would not let this loss stand forever.
As the prophets of God (Zeph. 1, 2, 3), describe the corrupt, defiled, polluted, sinful, rebellious, unrepentant, shameless condition of God's own people, which we see today, and the coming day of judgment by fire, God also makes promises that will be signs for us of this approaching time of judgment. Though God brought destruction to other nations as a warning to His people, they still did not return to Him from fear of seeing these things, nor seek His instruction (Zeph. 3:6-7). It is the same today. We see terrible destruction, but people do not turn back to God. It is vital that we recognize these signs, and know the times.
The first sign of coming judgment that we will discuss, is one in which the LORD prophesies that He will gather His people and bring them back to the land:
"...ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria (success), and the outcasts in the land of Egypt (distress), and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem." Isa. 27:12-13
"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my supplicants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering...I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out...At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Zeph. 3:10, 19-20
The LORD prophesied that He will gather the humble of His people back to their land. We have seen a great fulfillment of this promise as the nation of Israel was miraculously re-established, and Jews and others from all over the world have returned to the land. This return is ongoing.
The LORD makes another interesting promise at this time of wickedness and judgment:
"For then I will turn to the people a pure (chosen, purified, proven, to polish arrows, to clarify, cleanse) language (remove, gather, be caught up, joined, to make an end or conclusion), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent....The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." Zeph. 3:9, 12-13
As the nation of Israel was restored as promised, so also was the Hebrew language. It is the only dead language in history that was ever resurrected. As we have already discovered, the Hebrew language as the Word of God, directly reveals God, and His Son, Jesus. The knowledge and use of this language once again, the pure language, the language of the end, or conclusion, brings yet another opportunity for people to find God, and our Savior. Jesus said:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (debauchery, drunken hangover), and drunkenness, and cares (anxiety, distraction, to be drawn in different directions) of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares (unexpected, unforeseen, sudden). For as a snare it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Lk. 21:33-36 (see also 2 Chron. 7:14). The candle of God's Spirit is searching His own people:
"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled (thickened, condensed, curdled, congealed) on their lees (dregs, settlings of wine, something preserved): that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." Zeph. 1:12
As we see these two prophesied End Time signs come to pass, are we caught up in the cares and activities of this world that ensnare the unprepared? Or are we watching and praying, as Jesus instructed?
*The above is based upon the 6/30/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH":
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
The first sign of coming judgment that we will discuss, is one in which the LORD prophesies that He will gather His people and bring them back to the land:
"...ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria (success), and the outcasts in the land of Egypt (distress), and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem." Isa. 27:12-13
"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my supplicants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering...I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out...At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Zeph. 3:10, 19-20
The LORD prophesied that He will gather the humble of His people back to their land. We have seen a great fulfillment of this promise as the nation of Israel was miraculously re-established, and Jews and others from all over the world have returned to the land. This return is ongoing.
The LORD makes another interesting promise at this time of wickedness and judgment:
"For then I will turn to the people a pure (chosen, purified, proven, to polish arrows, to clarify, cleanse) language (remove, gather, be caught up, joined, to make an end or conclusion), that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one consent....The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem." Zeph. 3:9, 12-13
As the nation of Israel was restored as promised, so also was the Hebrew language. It is the only dead language in history that was ever resurrected. As we have already discovered, the Hebrew language as the Word of God, directly reveals God, and His Son, Jesus. The knowledge and use of this language once again, the pure language, the language of the end, or conclusion, brings yet another opportunity for people to find God, and our Savior. Jesus said:
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged (weighed down) with surfeiting (debauchery, drunken hangover), and drunkenness, and cares (anxiety, distraction, to be drawn in different directions) of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares (unexpected, unforeseen, sudden). For as a snare it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." Lk. 21:33-36 (see also 2 Chron. 7:14). The candle of God's Spirit is searching His own people:
"And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled (thickened, condensed, curdled, congealed) on their lees (dregs, settlings of wine, something preserved): that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." Zeph. 1:12
As we see these two prophesied End Time signs come to pass, are we caught up in the cares and activities of this world that ensnare the unprepared? Or are we watching and praying, as Jesus instructed?
*The above is based upon the 6/30/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
