Archive for Ezekiel

ZECHARIAH: GOD REMEMBERS -Mark Wilson

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Mark Wilson with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2026 by paulthepoke

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

A figure dressed in biblical attire stands on a rocky ledge, overlooking a city with ancient architecture under a dramatic sky filled with rays of sunlight and clouds.

Zechariah is one of the most breathtaking books in all of Scripture.

Its name means “YHWH remembers,” and that truth runs through the entire book.

God remembers His covenant.
The LORD remembers Jerusalem.
The Holy One of Israel remembers His people.
The King remembers every promise He has spoken.

Zechariah begins with a returned remnant, a damaged city, and a Temple being rebuilt. But the prophecy quickly moves far beyond Zechariah’s own generation.

The horizon expands to Israel’s future, Messiah’s coming, Jerusalem’s central role, Israel’s repentance, the judgment of the nations, and the establishment of the Kingdom.

Zechariah is a prophetic mountain range.

GOD HAS NOT FORGOTTEN JERUSALEM

The LORD declares: “I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion.” Zechariah 1:14

And again: “I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.” Zechariah 8:3

Then comes one of the most beautiful pictures of restoration: “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem… and the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing.” Zechariah 8:4–5

Jeremiah gives the same assurance: “If this fixed order departs from before Me… then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before Me forever.” Jeremiah 31:35–36

And in that same chapter: “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” Jeremiah 31:31

Ezekiel adds: “I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24

Then comes spiritual renewal: “I will sprinkle clean water on you… and I will give you a new heart.” Ezekiel 36:25–26

Zechariah is not standing alone. He is part of a much larger prophetic chorus.

THE KING CAME HUMBLE

Zechariah foretold the arrival of Israel’s King: “Behold, your king is coming to you, righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9

Yeshua fulfilled that prophecy literally. But the next verse looks beyond His humble arrival: “His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:10

The same Messiah who came in humility will rule in glory. First the suffering. Then the crown.

THE SHEPHERD WOULD BE STRUCK

Zechariah also foretold Messiah’s rejection: “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” Zechariah 13:7

Yeshua Himself applied this passage to what was about to happen to Him. But Zechariah never leaves the story at rejection. The Shepherd who was struck will return as King.

ISRAEL WILL LOOK UPON THE ONE THEY PIERCED

Zechariah 12 is one of the most remarkable passages in the Tanakh. The LORD says: “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy.” Zechariah 12:10

Then comes the stunning line: “They will look on Me, on Him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him.”

Recognition. Repentance. Grace. Restoration.

And the next chapter follows with cleansing: “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1

Yeshua later spoke of a future day when Jerusalem would welcome Him: “You will not see Me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” Matthew 23:39

Paul says the same storyline continues in Romans 11: “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” Romans 11:25

Then: “And in this way all Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:26

And why can we trust that promise? “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

Israel’s story is not finished.

JERUSALEM WILL STAND AT THE CENTER OF WORLD EVENTS

Zechariah says: “I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples.” Zechariah 12:3

The nations gather against the city.

But Jerusalem is not only the center of conflict. It is also the center of the coming Kingdom.

Isaiah saw the same future: “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established.” Isaiah 2:2

And: “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3

Jerusalem is not erased from the prophetic story. It becomes central to it.

THE GOD OF ISRAEL WILL INTERVENE

Zechariah describes a future moment when the nations gather against Jerusalem. Then: “The LORD will go out and fight against those nations as when He fights on a day of battle.” Zechariah 14:3

And then comes one of the most dramatic prophecies in Scripture: “On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east.” Zechariah 14:4

The mountain splits. The geography is specific. Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives. A real city. A real mountain. A real intervention.

Revelation 19 describes Messiah’s triumphant return as heaven opens and the King comes in righteousness and judgment.

Then Revelation 20 follows with His thousand-year reign.

The sequence is powerful: The King returns. His enemies are judged. Israel is restored. The nations come under His rule. The Kingdom is established.

THE KING WILL REIGN OVER ALL THE EARTH

Zechariah reaches its climax here: “The LORD will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

That is where history is heading. Not toward the failure of God’s promises. Not toward the abandonment of Israel. Not toward the disappearance of Jerusalem from the prophetic plan.

But toward the reign of the King.

Living waters will flow from Jerusalem. The nations will come to worship. The city will be holy.

And: “Everyone who survives of all the nations… shall go up year after year to worship the King.” Zechariah 14:16

That is the breathtaking message of Zechariah.

The God of Israel remembers. The Shepherd was struck. The King is coming. Jerusalem will see Him. Israel will be restored. The nations will worship.

And one day: “The LORD will be King over all the earth.” Zechariah 14:9

Every promise will stand.

~

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

Leave a comment »

WILL THERE BE A THIRD AND FOURTH JEWISH TEMPLE? – Mark Wilson

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Mark Wilson, Prophecy, Temple with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 3, 2026 by paulthepoke

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

Infographic discussing the potential for a third and fourth Jewish temple, comparing the size of today's Temple Mount (36 acres) to Ezekiel's envisioned sacred enclosure (630 acres).

Here is a remarkable problem: Ezekiel’s future Temple complex does not fit on today’s Temple Mount.

The present Temple Mount covers approximately: 36 acres.

But on the traditional 500-reed reading of Ezekiel 42:15–20, Ezekiel’s sacred enclosure would cover roughly: 630 acres.

That is about 17½ times larger. 36 acres today.

630 acres in Ezekiel.

That is not a minor architectural difference. It may be an important clue that Scripture describes two different future Temple settings.

A TEMPLE BEFORE MESSIAH RETURNS

Daniel writes: “In the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Daniel 9:27

For sacrifice to be stopped, sacrifice must first be occurring.

Jesus then points directly back to Daniel: “When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…” Matthew 24:15

Paul adds that the man of lawlessness: “sits as God in the temple of God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4

And John is told: “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.” Revelation 11:1

The surrounding context gives us Jerusalem and 42 months.
Notice the progression:

Daniel: sacrifice.
Jesus: holy place.
Paul: Temple.
Revelation: Temple, altar, worshipers, Jerusalem, 42 months.

This is what Christians commonly call the Third Temple. The Bible never uses that number. It is simply shorthand for a Jewish sanctuary existing after the Second Temple and before Messiah’s kingdom.

AND THIS IS NO LONGER PURELY THEORETICAL

No Third Temple is currently under construction.

But preparations associated with future Temple worship are real.

The Temple Institute in Jerusalem continues preparing sacred vessels, priestly garments, and other elements connected with renewed Temple service. It has also clarified recent speculation about the red heifers: an earlier burning was only a practice exercise, while several heifers remain under evaluation. Jewish worship on the Temple Mount has also become more visible in 2026, including expanded use of prayer materials and public prayer in circumstances that would have been highly restricted in previous years.

None of this proves Daniel’s seventieth week has begun.

Prophecy calls for watchfulness, not date-setting.

But after nearly 2,000 years without a Jewish Temple, renewed discussion of Temple worship is no longer purely hypothetical.

THEN COMES JACOB’S TROUBLE

Jeremiah describes an unprecedented future crisis: “It is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7

Daniel echoes it: “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” Daniel 12:1

Jesus uses almost identical language: “Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world.” Matthew 24:21

Jeremiah.

Daniel.

Jesus.

An unparalleled crisis centered on Israel and Jerusalem, followed by deliverance.

ZECHARIAH SHOWS WHY THIS IS STILL FUTURE

Zechariah says: “Two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it.” Zechariah 13:8

Then the surviving third is refined: “They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘YHVY is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9

And the prophecy continues directly into chapter 14:

Jerusalem attacked. The nations gathered. YHVY goes forth to fight. His feet stand upon the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:1–4

That complete sequence has never occurred.

Neither Antiochus IV nor AD 70 fulfilled it.

The Holocaust was an unspeakable catastrophe, but it did not culminate in the full Zechariah 13–14 sequence of national refining, YHVY’s intervention, and His feet standing upon the Mount of Olives.

That is why the futurist reading understands Jacob’s Trouble as still future.

DOES THE TANAKH REALLY REQUIRE TWO FUTURE TEMPLES?

This is one of the strongest Jewish objections.
A Jewish reader can reasonably argue:

Daniel’s desecration prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, while Ezekiel 40–48 describes the future Messianic Temple. Why introduce another Temple between them?

So leave the New Testament aside for a moment.
Daniel 12 itself gives us:

Sacrifice.
Abomination.
Unparalleled trouble.
Israel’s deliverance.
Resurrection.

Daniel 12:1–2, 11
Antiochus IV did not complete that sequence.
Neither did Titus in AD 70.

Zechariah likewise points to a future crisis culminating in YHVY’s direct intervention at Jerusalem.

The Tanakh itself therefore points toward a future climactic period involving Israel, Jerusalem, sacrifice, desecration, national refining, divine intervention, and deliverance.

The New Testament does not invent that expectation.

It adds further detail.

COULDN’T EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE SIMPLY BE THE NEXT TEMPLE?

Possibly, if the settings were the same. But they are not.

The sanctuary associated with Daniel exists amid: Sacrifice. Desecration. Unprecedented trouble. Jerusalem under assault.

Ezekiel’s Temple exists after restoration, in a reordered land, with tribal allotments, a supernatural river flowing from the sanctuary, and YHVY declaring:

“This is the place of My throne… where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.” Ezekiel 43:7

Then comes the size problem again:

Present Temple Mount: ~36 acres. Ezekiel’s enclosure: ~630 acres.

How could it fit?

Perhaps it is not supposed to fit today’s Jerusalem.

Zechariah says that when Messiah comes: “The Mount of Olives shall be split in two.” Zechariah 14:4

And: “All the land shall be turned into a plain… Jerusalem shall be raised up.” Zechariah 14:10

Ezekiel’s Temple belongs to a transformed Jerusalem after Messiah returns.

DOESN’T THE CROSS END TEMPLE SACRIFICES FOREVER?

This is probably the strongest Christian objection.

Hebrews is unmistakable: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

Christ’s sacrifice cannot be repeated or supplemented.

Yet Ezekiel 40–48 unmistakably describes sacrifices.

Therefore those sacrifices cannot provide eternal redemption.

Whatever ceremonial function they serve in Messiah’s kingdom, they cannot compete with Calvary.

Hebrews must mean exactly what Hebrews says.
And Ezekiel must mean exactly what Ezekiel says.

THE PROPHETIC SEQUENCE

Second Temple destroyed

↓

Future Jewish Temple

↓

Sacrifice restored

↓

Abomination of desolation

↓

Jacob’s Trouble

↓

Two-thirds cut off, one-third refined

↓

Israel calls upon YHVY

↓

The nations gather against Jerusalem

↓

Messiah returns

↓

Mount of Olives splits

↓

Jerusalem is transformed

↓

Ezekiel’s approximately 630-acre sacred enclosure

↓

Messiah’s kingdom

And eventually comes the New Jerusalem: “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Revelation 21:22

So will there be a Third and Fourth Jewish Temple?

If these prophetic texts retain their ordinary historical, geographical, and national meaning, the sequence is remarkably coherent:

A Temple before Messiah returns.

A vastly different Temple after He returns.

“And YHVY shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be, YHVY is one,’ and His name one.” Zechariah 14:9

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

Leave a comment »

Historic Tombs of Bible Figures Desecrated

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , on May 17, 2020 by paulthepoke

Today, Hamadan is believed to have approximately 554,000 people per 2016 census numbers. Hamadan is home to the tombs of Esther and Mordechai.

May 16, 2020: The tombs of Esther and Mordechai have been set on fire. Allegedly, there was not significant damage.

“Since February, members of the Iranian Basij militia have once again threatened to raze the tomb of historic Jewish heroes Mordechai and Queen Esther. It appears that these domestic terrorists attempted to carry out this outrageous act of desecration with this premeditated attack,” Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/tomb-of-mordechai-and-esther-in-iran-reportedly-set-ablaze

The Basij is a volunteer militia of the Iranian government. The Basij was set up by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. The stated purpose of the Basij is as follows: “create the necessary capabilities in all individuals believing in the Constitution and the goals of the Islamic Republic to defend the country, the regime of the Islamic Republic, and aid people in cases of disasters and unexpected events.”

The role of the Basij is to handle “resistance areas” within Iran…

Here is a quote that likely best describes the role of the Basij in Iran. This is a group of enforcers.

“But because they receive less training than other Iranian security forces, their tactics are often the toughest against dissidents—and in turn generate more public anger that could weaken rather than strengthen the regime long-term.”

If interested (highly recommended) in more detail of the Iranian Basij, click on the link below.

https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/basij-resistance-force

Kifl, Iraq: An ancient synagogue at the tomb of Ezekiel has been replaced by a Shiite Mosque. Ezekiel is a prophet listed in the Quran as well as the Bible. He is called Thel Kifl in the Quran. Hence, the town in Iraq is named after Ezekiel. Iraqis call him Hidkel.

Kifl is located about an hour and 45 minutes south of Baghdad on the Euphrates River.

It is thought Ezekiel died in 569 BC.

Now it is Muslims making the trip to Ezekiel’s tomb instead of Jews and Christians.

https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium-jewish-shrine-of-prophet-ezekiel-s-tomb-open-to-visitors-in-shi-ite-iraq-1.8508401

Esther, Mordechai, and Ezekiel were real people. They lived and died and they were buried. Esther and Mordechai were buried in what is modern day Hamadan, Iran. Ezekiel was buried in the middle of Iraq and has a town named after him. The book of Esther and Ezekiel are not fables or a fairy tales. Shiite Islam is trying to erase their memory from history.

Leave a comment »

Ezekiel’s Whirling Wheels

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Angels with tags , , , , , , on November 25, 2019 by paulthepoke

Ezekiel 1:15 When I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces.

Ezekiel 10:2 And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim.

These are Ezekiel’s whirling wheels. These creatures come from visions on the Kebar River which is in modern day eastern Syria. The Kebar eventually dumps into the Euphrates River.

Ezekiel 10:13 As for the wheels, they were called in my hearing “the whirling wheels.”

Ezekiel has a name for these creatures and they are called “the whirling wheels”.

The Hebrew vocabulary of the term “wheels” is distinct and in some cases different.

As for the wheels… This is the Hebrew word “ophan” and it is translated as wheel. Ophan is the primary term used in Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10.

“…the whirling wheels..” This is the Hebrew word “galgal” and it can be translated as a wheel, whirl, or whirlwind per Strong’s Concordance. This term is used 11 times in the Old Testament. Within the context of Ezekiel 10, galgal is used 3 times (Ezekiel 10:2, 10:6, and 10:13). The term is translated as wheelwork or whirling wheels in these instances. It would appear these wheels are spinning and in motion, perhaps like a whirlwind or tornado.

~

The construction of the wheel is described consistently in both Ezekiel 1 and Ezekiel 10.

Ezekiel 10:10 And as for their appearance, the four had the same likeness, as if a wheel were within a wheel.

See also Ezekiel 1:16.

The color of the wheel is described as like beryl. This a yellow colored stone. The beryl is one of the stones identified in the high priest’s breast plate (Exodus 28:20). This stone is also associated with Satan’s appearance and covering in (Ezekiel 28:13). A human like being presents himself in Daniel 10 and his body is described like beryl. Lastly, the walls of New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 has beryl as part of its construction.

Ezekiel 1:16a As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of beryl. And the four had the same likeness, their appearance and construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel.

See also Ezekiel 10:9.

~

Fire is located inside of the wheels.

Ezekiel 10:6a And when he commanded the man clothed in linen, “Take fire from between the whirling wheels, from between the cherubim…”

~

The wheels are noted with eyes throughout the structure.

Ezekiel 1:18b …and the rims of all four were full of eyes all around.

Ezekiel 10:12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, hands, and wings, were full of eyes all around, as were their four wheels.

~

Ezekiel 1:18a And their rims were tall and awesome…

The “rims” or the back of the wheels are described as grand in height and fearful to view. The Hebrew word “yirah” is used in this context. Yirah is also the same word used in the phrase “the fear of the Lord” or “the fear of God”.

These wheels would drop one to their knees in awe.

1 Comment »

Trend Update: Sanhedrin to Establish Jerusalem Borders, May 2017

Posted in Pentecost/Shavuot/Feast of Weeks, Prophecy, Sanhedrin, Temple, Trend Update with tags , , , , , on May 10, 2017 by paulthepoke

The Sanhedrin has announced they will re-establish the borders of Jerusalem. The reason is for the initiation of Temple services and the sacrificial system. The borders will be established on the day after the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot. Christians know this day as Pentecost. This year, God’s appointed feast falls on June 1, 2017 on the Gregorian calendar.

The Sanhedrin reconvened in 2005 after a 1,600 year absence. They oversee legal matters and future construction of the pending third temple.

This is the same Sanhedrin who illegally arrested, tried, and convicted Jesus (Luke 22:66, Mark 14:55-56). They also pressured Pilate for Jesus’ death on a cross (Mark 15:1-15).

The borders of Jerusalem were established back in the day of Nehemiah. The construction takes place in roughly the first four chapters of Nehemiah. Remember, the sacrificial services were started before there was a Temple in Nehemiah’s day. There is a precedent. The sacrificial worship service can begin before the third Temple is built.

Sanhedrin spokesman Rabbi Hillel Weiss indicated this is the last step necessary for Temple worship.

“The only thing lacking today to begin bringing sacrifices is the altar. When that is ready, we will need to have these borders firmly established.”

The city borders are necessary because the sacrifices need to be eaten within the city. The idea is the holiness of the city of Jerusalem.

Political motives are also on the mind of the Sanhedrin.

“Jerusalem’s Jubilee is the time to re-establish the holiness of Jerusalem. President Trump is coming on his first official visit. We have to make clear to him, as a leader of a nation friendly to Israel, that the eternal Jewish capital is once again ready to fulfill its Biblical role. This is also in direct response to the absurd UNESCO proclamations, which come to prevent the Jews from performing their Biblically mandated purpose.” -Rabbi Hillel Weiss

The Sanhedrin also has other ideas. Discussions have begun for the defining the city border as related to the third Temple. The Sanhedrin is studying the prophet Ezekiel for direction. It is being estimated the borders will extend seven miles from the Temple.

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/87807/sanhedrin-revives-2000-year-old-temple-rite-reestablishing-jerusalems-borders/#fVDYhrPqyAgwY0rb.99

 

1 Comment »

Heaven’s Throne Room

Posted in Isaiah with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 21, 2012 by paulthepoke

Expanding on Isaiah 6:1, what does the throne room of Heaven look like? There are other references to the physical description of the Heavenly throne in Scripture. The majority of the physical description noted is about God Himself. One of the references is in the Old Testament and one of the references is in the New Testament.

The first example is from Revelation. The apostle John who is imprisoned on Patmos is the author and he is the one in the Spirit.

Revelation 4:2-3 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

The two stones of jasper and sardius are of interest as they describe God. Jasper is defined as a precious stone of various colors (purple, blue, green, white, clear, and brass in color). Sardius is a precious stone that is fleshly colored.

The color of the throne room is a green, gem like emerald. The rainbow encompasses the throne.

Verse 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 

Imagine the visual and acoustic environment this would create. Lightning and thunder are emanating from the throne.  Lamps representing the Spirit of God are blazing with fire in front of the throne. The number seven is symbolic of completeness, fullness, perfection.

Verse 6a and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal… 

The Old Testament description is provided by the prophet Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 1:26-28 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

The throne is compared to lapis luzuli. What is that? It is translated as a sapphire stone in some cases. Sapphires can come in many colors. The most common color is blue.

The Ezekiel passage discusses the physical appearance of God. He looks like a man. God told us in the Genesis creation account that humanity was made in His image. Ezekiel confirms this with his observation. God looks like a man.

The physical description of God is consistent with fire. Fire is a symbol of judgment and purification.

Genesis 9:9-17, God establishes a covenant and a promise with man and all living creatures. Notice, man’s actions affect the living environment around him. The rainbow is a reminder and a symbol of God’s mercy. Specifically, Genesis 9:15 indicates… and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The Triune God is present in the throne room in Heaven. The Father is seated on the throne. The Spirit is present as lampstands. The Son is the One who will open the scrolls later in the scene in Revelation 5. 

The symbols and description of God in the throne room depict: strength, power, beauty, judgment, preciousness, and mercy.

2 Comments »