Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth: but he that remaineth, even he, shall be for our GOD, and he shall be as a governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite. And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes. (Zechariah 9:5-8)
Palestine, for all their posturing now will one day bow before GOD. The Philistines will finally be subdued and absorbed into the Jewish Nation and culture just as all the rest of the enemies that were not outright destroyed as GOD had commanded. For all their troubles with them, that continue to this day, Israel as the people of GOD will be victorious, after a fashion. GOD Himself has stated here that those of the cities of the Philistines, which we know of as Palestine now, will be no more. Their argument with Israel will cease. We can take comfort in this, that no matter how bad it seems to be in Israel; no matter how her enemies seem to be against the nation, our GOD has already declared victory: and He will bring it to pass. This gives us peace and comfort despite the news we hear. We still pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem, but passages like these give us hope that we who trust in the Lord will see His day, and His Word fulfilled.
But only those that know Him; that have a relationship with Him based on repentance, complete surrender to Him on His terms; will see that day. Those that reject Jesus Christ will be cast aside, not because He doesn't love them, nor because He is vindictive or petty, but because He is Holy and just and cannot allow sIn in His presence. Just as the Philistines will one day bow before our GOD, so will all peoples and nations bow before their Creator. They can bow to Him as their Lord and Saviour, or they will bow to Him as Judge. He is not willing that anyone perish, but He will not force anyone to accept His free gift of salvation.
Receive Him today and be born again, that you might live. And if you already know Him, tell others of His grace.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
But only those that know Him; that have a relationship with Him based on repentance, complete surrender to Him on His terms; will see that day. Those that reject Jesus Christ will be cast aside, not because He doesn't love them, nor because He is vindictive or petty, but because He is Holy and just and cannot allow sIn in His presence. Just as the Philistines will one day bow before our GOD, so will all peoples and nations bow before their Creator. They can bow to Him as their Lord and Saviour, or they will bow to Him as Judge. He is not willing that anyone perish, but He will not force anyone to accept His free gift of salvation.
Receive Him today and be born again, that you might live. And if you already know Him, tell others of His grace.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
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