PROGRAM 33 LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS – (PART 1)

PROGRAM 33 LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS – (PART 1) I

RESTORATION OCCURS DURING DARKNESS

A.

Elijah’s Adversary: Jezebel

1. If the “spirit of Elijah” is present:  The message to return to the Torah of Moses,  The wild branch recognizing their obligation to keep His commandments. 2. Then the spirit of his nemesis is present as well. 3. That would be a controlling spirit called Jezebel, who sought to control by:  Stealing the vineyard - Naboth  Killing the fruit (Naboth and the prophets of YHVH).  Destroying the worship of YHVH. 4. Her methodology is to mingle the holy with the profane. “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.” - Revelation 2:20-22 (NKJV) 5. Much more than a controlling woman, Jezebel seduces Israel into mingled worship. 6. Days of Elijah are days of restoration but also of famine, darkness and sword.

II

ZECHARIAH’S VISION

A.

The Golden Menorah

“Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’ So I said, ‘I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.’ So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’ Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’ So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:1-6 (NKJV) 5. The prophet sees the seven-branched golden menorah flanked by two olive trees.

6. The word translated “olive trees” is:  zeytim. “Tree” is not there. 7. The word is plural form and expresses “branches loaded with olives.” 8. This is the interpretation that has been adopted by the state of Israel 9. This is the inspiration for the national seal of Israel. 10. Two olive branches (bearing much fruit) flanking the Golden Menorah a. The light of the Sanctuary 11. Menorah also represents the Light of the World. B.

Light of the World

1. The Messiah is represented by the Menorah. 2. When He appeared to John on Patmos: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.’ … Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man.” - Revelation 1:10-13 (NKJV) 3. First of all, more than likely said, “alef and tav.” a. An idiomatic way of saying, “I am the Word of God.” b. B’reshiyt bara Elohim… 4. He was standing in the midst of the seven branched lampstand. a. That middle branch is very important. 5. Ner Tamid or “eternal light” is in every synagogue to remind of Menorah. 6. On the menorah there was a branch that continued to burn while others cleaned. 7. Most believe it was the middle branch. a. The light emanates from this branch. 8. This is the branch that is referred to  shamash (servant). 9.  is also shemesh or “sun.” 10. Remember when Messiah was transfigured His face shone like sun. 11. He was standing in the MIDST of the seven lampstands: Eternal Light  In the beginning light before the sun, moon and stars were created.  In the end, He is the light of the New Jerusalem. (REF: REVELATION 21:23) 12. He is the servant (REF: MATTHEW 20:28) 13. He is the shemesh – the greater light. In fact, Malachi says: “But to you who fear my name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” - Malachi 4:2 (NKJV)

14. This is the same text that later declares that Elijah is to be sent before the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

PROGRAM 34 LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS – (PART 2) C.

Urim and Thummim

1. Scripture only mentions Urim and Thummim by name seven times. 2. It was worn as part of the breastplate by the High Priest (REF: EXODUS 28:30) 3. By it, the Priest would inquire of the LORD (REF: NUMBERS 27:21, EZRA 2:63) 4. No one is certain just how this worked – there are several legends. 5. This we know: Urim is lights and Thummim is perfection (pl). a. Thus, perfect light whereby the Priest went into the LORD to inquire. 6. Only thing in the Sanctuary dealing with light is Menorah. 7. According to one legend, Betzalel and Oholiav fashioned 22 letters on menorah. 8. Each branch contained 3 letters; one branch had extra letter. 9. That branch was the middle branch. Result was:   yikalem – (He) will make them whole.  In reverse  malkhi, “my king.” 10. When priest would inquire, lights of menorah would reflect off of breastplate illuminating letters on menorah and priest would get his answer. 11. In the end, when needing a Word from the LORD, they consulted the WORD! 12. Hebrew spelling of Urim and Thummim – Alef & Tav. D.

The Two Olive Branches

“Then I answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees — at the right of the lampstand and at its left?’ And I further answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?’ Then he answered me and said, ‘Do you not know what these are?’ And I said, ‘No, my lord.’ So he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.’ ” - Zechariah 4:11-14 (NKJV) 1. As already stated, the two olive trees are actually olive branches. 2. The prophet asks and learns what they represent: two anointed ones (sons of oil). 3. Notice they stand “BESIDE the LORD of the whole earth.” 4. Elijah and Moses with Messiah in Matthew 17 – on either side? a. The two witnesses (Torah and Prophets, Truth and Spirit) 5. Revelation 11:4 refers to these witnesses as “olive branches” and “lampstands.” 6. Remember that these two also represent the natural branch and wildbranch. 7. Might Zechariah’s vision and Matthew 17 be related? 8. Who will bring these two “opposing” elements together and make them one?

9. This is a picture that is repeated for us in Romans 11 – the olive tree becoming fruitful! 10. This vision is inspiration for the national emblem of Israel 11. The Light of the World flanked on either side by two olive branches full of olives. E.

We Are the Light of the World

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) 1. The Messiah shines in this world through us – we are the light. 2. Israel is to be a light to the nations. “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles.” - Isaiah 42:6 (NKJV) 3. How are we that light? We must produce fruit (olives). 4. The fuel for the menorah was olive oil pressed from olives. 5. No olives, no oil – no oil, no light. 6. The olives had to be pressed and crushed. 7. That is their flesh had to be pressed and crushed that the essence may surface! a. The Messiah was pressed in Gathshamani – “olive press” 8. It should be noted that everything associated with Sanctuary was holy. a. Even the olive tress intended for the holy oil had to be set apart. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice , holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 9. Suffering Issue expounded upon. 10. The Sanctuary – as it first was in Eden – will be restored. 11. Y’shua will bring together those who are of the seed that produces the fruit that the light may be in the world. 12. The two branches – Matthew 17, Romans 11, Ephesians 2, John 4, John 11 – come together and grafted into Y’shua!

PROGRAM 35 LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS – (PART 3) III

IN THE DARKNESS

A.

Arise and Shine

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” - Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) 1. This ultimately refers to Zion arising. But consider this in light of our discussion. 2. In my mind’s eye, this reminds me of Matthew 17 and Zechariah 4. 3. When does the glory of the Lord rise; when does the light come? 4. It is when darkness covers the earth and the peoples of the earth. a. Two words used: blackness; one is associated with neck (beheading). 5. In the beginning, Adversary desires to get into midst of the Sanctuary. 6. In the end, light will be in the midst of the darkness. a. Egypt in darkness, Goshen has light because God’s people are there. 7. In fact, darkness is required to accentuate the light. a. A lit candle in broad daylight as opposed to same in darkness. b. It is the same light but accentuated by change in circumstances. 8. People will be drawn to the brightness because it is dark. 9. But if we are not here, how can there be light in darkness? a. It is through us, that the light of the world shines. 10. Y’shua said: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” - John 9:5 (NKJV) 11. If He is not in the world, there is no light! 12. Where does the darkness come from? B.

Wickedness and The Curse

“Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll. And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’ So I answered, ‘I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.’ Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: Every thief shall be expelled, according to this side of the scroll; and, Every perjurer shall be expelled, according to that side of it. I will send out the curse,’ says the LORD of hosts; ‘It shall enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by my name. It shall remain in the midst of his house and consume it, with its timber and stones.’ Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, ‘Lift your eyes now, and

see what this is that goes forth.’ So I asked, ‘What is it?’ And he said, ‘It is a basket that is going forth.’ He also said, ‘This is their resemblance throughout the earth: Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket’; then he said, ‘This is Wickedness!’ And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth. Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven. So I said to the angel who talked with me, ‘Where are they carrying the basket?’ And he said to me, ‘To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.’ ” - Zechariah 5 (NKJV) 1. Concurrent with the vision of Zechariah 4, the prophet sees above. 2. Sees a curse and a woman regarded as Wickedness. 3. The woman is pushed down into a basket and relocated to Shinar – Babylon. 4. Presumably, when she emerges from basked, it will be in Babylon. 5. The curse that goes throughout the earth is  alah. 6. This convinces me we are living in the days of restoration of all things. C.

Revelation 17

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.’ So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” - Revelation 17:1-5 (NKJV) 1. The woman and the beast are both in the wilderness not Italy or USA. a. She is not the beast and the beast is not her. 2. On her name: Babylon which is also Shinar. 3. Is she the woman placed in the basket in Zechariah 5? a. She is wickedness 4. She has mingled the seeds – fornication with the kings of the earth. 5. It has corrupted the earth REF: REVELATION 19:2 6. The emphasis is not on who the AC is or even the woman but on that if these things are happening then we should be motivated to do what we were placed here for. 7. That is:

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.’ ” - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (NKJV) 8. Juxtapose this with tolerance and “mingling” (Obama’s Cairo speech concerning Jerusalem)