Last Days Timeline, A literal interpretation of biblical prophecy, second edition by Gregory Supina - HTML preview

Chapter 9: “The burden of the word of [Yahweh] is against the land of Hadrach [50 k. or 30

mi. SE of what is now Aleppo in modern Northwest Syria] and Damascus is its resting place [Damascus

is still the capital of Syria] . For [Yahweh] has an eye on mankind and on all the tribes of Israel,

[This also may be translated: ‘For the eyes of mankind will be on Yahweh and on all the tribes of Israel.’ Either

way, the meaning is similar. Both interpretations imply that God can manipulate the thoughts and deeds of all

men and He directs the course of history.] and on Hamath [now called Hama in Syria, 213 k. or 132 mi.

North of Damascus] also, which borders on it, Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. [Tyre

and Sidon are coastal cities in Lebanon and still exist. They were conquered by Assyrians, Babylonians and

Persians by the time Zechariah wrote this prophecy, in about 480 BC. But, by then, Tyre had grown very

wealthy and powerful with its large fleet of ships, through trade and colonization.] Tyre has built herself a

rampart and heaped up silver like dust, and fine gold like the mud of the streets. But behold,

[Yahweh] will strip her of her possessions and strike down her power on the sea, and she

shall be devoured by fire.

“Ashkelon shall see it, and be afraid; [Ashkelon is now in Israel, almost 50 k. or 30 mi. south of Tel Aviv,

about 17 k./11 mi. north of Gaza.] Gaza too, and shall writhe in anguish; [Gaza is a city in the Gaza

Strip, about 71 k./44 mi. south of Tel Aviv.] Ekron also, because its hopes are confounded. [Ekron no

longer exists. It was about 16 k./10 mi. north of Ashdod.] The king shall perish from Gaza; Ashkelon

shall be uninhabited [Another translation could be: ‘Ashkelon shall not remain at rest.’]; a mixed people

shall dwell in Ashdod [Ashdod is now in Israel, about 17 k./11 mi. north of Ashkelon.], and I will cut off

the pride of Philistia. [Philistia consisted of five city states: Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath.] I

will take away its blood from its mouth, and its abominations from between its teeth; it too

shall be a remnant for our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and Ekron shall be like

the Jebusites [Canaanite people from Jerusalem before David conquered it]. Then I will encamp at

My house as a guard [This refers to the Messiah coming to rule from the temple in Jerusalem. The temple

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Seventh Seal Prophecies

in Jerusalem is God’s ‘house.’], so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again

march over them, for now I see with My own eyes.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! 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. [This refers to the first advent of the Messiah.] I will cut off

the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut

off, and He shall speak peace to the nations; His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the

[Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth. [This refers to the Messiah’s second advent.]

“As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free

from the waterless pit. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I

will restore to you double. For I have bent Judah as My bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow.

I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's

sword. [This is the return of the Jews at double numbers and strength, to fight the Greek Seleucids at a time

before the Messiah Yahweh will come, that is, in the Maccabean Revolt, 167-160 BC.]

“Then [Yahweh ] will appear over them , and His arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord

[Yahweh] will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.

[ Yahweh] of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones,

and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the

corners of the altar. On that day [Yahweh ] their God will save them , as the flock of His

people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on His land. For how great is His

goodness, and how great His beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine

the young women. [This would be when the Messiah returns to save Israel in the end times.]