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"The Lord Of Hosts will give power to His two witnesses, who will prophesy 1,260 non consecutive days, clothed in rags. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (See Zechariah Four, this report.) And if any man desires to hurt them, HIS words will proceed out of their mouth and devour their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with any and all types of plagues, as often as they please." (Also see Revelation 11:3-6)
D I S C E R N I N G
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Z E C H A R I A H
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C H A P T E R F O U R
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"And the angel that talked to Zechariah came again, and awoke him as a man that is wakened out of his sleep." (Zechariah 4:1) The angel said to Zechariah:
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"What do you see? Zechariah said, I have looked, and behold I see a (singular) CANDLESTICK all of gold (Jesus),
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With a bowl (ALMIGHTY GOD) upon the top of it (above Jesus in Authority),
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and his (ALMIGHTY GOD'S) seven lamps thereon (seven churches),
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and seven pipes to the seven lamps (churches)
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(the seven pipes represent conduits which are used to provide The Word Of God to His seven churches, for His churches to diseminate), which are on the top thereof (meaning, the Word of God to His churches, comes from The Father): And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the BOWL (beside ALMIGHTY GOD), and the other upon the left side thereof." (Zechariah 4:2-3)
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"As for the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." (Revelation 1:20)
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NOTE: Lamps, lampstands, and candlesticks, are one and the same. They are all "lights" that are used by God Almighty to attract mankind to His Holy Word.
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"So Zechariah answered and spoke to the angel that talked with him, saying, What are these, my lord? The angel answered and spoke to Zechariah, saying, This is the Word of The Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', saith The Lord Of Hosts." (Zechariah 4:4-6)
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"Who art thou, O great mountain (continent)? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: And he shall bring forth the headstone (death) thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." (Zechariah 4:7)
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"Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain (continent), which destroyest all the earth, saith The Lord: And I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks (from your solid foundation), and will make thee a burnt mountain (continent). And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; But thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith The Lord." (Jeremiah 51:25-26)
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"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains (continents), on which the woman sitteth (over which the great whore economically controls or otherwise rules)." (Revelation 17:9)
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"Moreover the word of The Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; And thou shalt know that The Lord of Hosts hath sent me unto you." (Zechariah 4:8-9)
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"For who hath despised the day of small things? For they (the two olive trees that stand on the right and left of GODS' Throne), shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet (measuring rod) in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven (churches);"
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"They (the two olive trees) are the eyes of The Lord (The Lord Of Hosts), which run to and fro throughout the whole earth." (Zechariah 4:10)
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As I, BANDS, have repeatedly stated in my writings, The Lord teaches in a Mosiac fashion. That is, He will almost always start out by providing the general idea regarding a particular subject; Then, add to that same subject, a little bit at a time; Often using a totally different prophet to confirm the teachings of the original prophet who first issued the (same) teaching. And, that which is being provided by Zechariah is no different.
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With regard to the abovementioned "measuring rod", the responsibility with which The Lord Of Hosts has charged ZERUBBABEL, is described in the Tenth and Eleventh Chapter of the Book of Revelation. To wit:
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"And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me (John) again, and said, Go and take the little book (the modified copyrighted bible) which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth." (see Revelation 10:8) (also see Revelation 13)
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"And John went to the angel, and said to him, Give me the little book. And he said to John, Take it, and eat it up (absorb it); And it shall make thy belly bitter, But it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey." (Revelation 10:9) (Referring to the false doctrines which man now claims are found in it.)
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"And John took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up (and absorbed it); And it was sweet as honey in his mouth: And as soon as he ate it, his belly was bitter." (Revelation 10:10)
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ALMIGHTY GOD TAKES STOCK OF TODAY'S CHRISTIAN CHURCHES:
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"And the angel said to John, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." (Revelation 10:11)
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"And there was given to John a reed like unto a rod (a plummet): And the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God (His Seven Churches), and the altar, and them that worship therein." (Revelation 11:1) (In other words, take stock of The Lords' Churches.)
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"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; For it is given unto the Gentiles (Christians): And the holy city (America) shall they tread under foot (destroy it with false doctrines) forty and two months (three and one half years)." (Revelation 11:2)
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Now, as stated in the fourth chapter of the Book of Zechariah, and in Revelation 11:1-2: After The Lord has taken stock of the gentile (Christian) churches; He Appoints His two olive trees to sit on the left and on the right of His Son Jesus' Throne; And makes them HIS eyes that watch out for false doctrines in the future. .(Matthew 20:23)"And Jesus saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father." (Matthew 20:23)And as part of the above, The Lord Grants to them the Authority mentioned in Revelation 11:4-6. Declaring:
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"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (before Jesus' throne). And if any man will hurt them, fire (the Word Of God) proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: And if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, And to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast (government) that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit (america) shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."
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And whereas, in Zechariah 4:11-14: Zechariah said to the angel: What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the (singular) CANDLESTICK (which represents Jesus) and upon the left side thereof? And again asked him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes (conduits) empty the golden oil (The Word Of Almighty God) out of they themselves? And the angel answered him and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And Zechariah said, No, my lord.
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Then the angel replied, these are the two anointed ones, that stand by The Lord of the whole earth. (Which is Jesus)
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Please take note that, pursuant to Revelation 11:1-2, the Authority God mentions in Revelation 11:6 does not take effect until AFTER God has taken stock of His churches. That is, in spite of the fact that they may have previously prophesied against their NATION; The Authority being Granted by Revelation 11:6, is for them to prophesy to, or against, The Lord's CHURCHES. (His fallen Sanctuary for mankind)
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BACK TO THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH:
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"Then Zechariah answered, and said to the angel, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the CANDLESTICK (Jesus) and upon the left side thereof?" (Zechariah 4:11)
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Notice that previously Zechariah 4:3 was referring to the 2 olive trees that stand before the Throne of ALMIGHTY GOD. And, that Zechariah 4:11 is now referring to these - SAME - two olive trees, now standing before JESUS' Throne.
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"And Zechariah answered again, and said unto him (the angel), What be these two olive branches which, through the two golden pipes (conduits to convey The Word Of God) empty the golden oil (The Word of God) out of themselves?" (in other words prophesy to the churches in the last days) (Zechariah 4:12)
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Notice that pursuant to the above: The (true) Word of God is no longer being provided by the previously mentioned SEVEN golden conduits (pipes) that go to His seven churches; But instead, by way of TWO conduits, the (true) Word of God is now being provided to His two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:3.The purpose of the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation Eleven, is to correct the doctrines of The Lord's seven churches; And notice that they are Appointed by God Almighty Himself.
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However, most churches teach that at least one of the two witnesses has to be Elijah the prophet, because, according to them, Elijah never actually died, but was taken up into Heaven by God Almighty. They then base their beliefs on the Scripture that it is Appointed to every man to die.
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Moreover, in Zechariah 11:7, 10, and 14, THE LORD OF HOSTS specifically identifies His two witnesses by name. (kjv)
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And according to Jesus Himself, neither one is named Elijah.
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And, that's not to even mention the fact that, as clearly stated by Jesus Himself: At the time of His First Coming, Elijah had already been here, and gone! (John the baptist)
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"And the angel answered Zechariah and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And Zechariah said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones (Appointed ones) that stand by The Lord of the whole earth. (which is Jesus)" (Zechariah 4:13-14)
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The above Decree is then further confirmed by JESUS, in the Book of Matthew. To wit:
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"Then came to Jesus the mother of Zebedees' children with their sons, worshipping Him, and desiring a certain thing of Him. And He said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto Jesus, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of (which is physical death, as will be endured by The Lord's two witnesses), and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They (her two children) said to Jesus, We are able." (Matthew 20:21-22)
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"And Jesus answered them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give; But it shall be given to them (the two olive trees) for whom it is prepared of My Father." (Matthew 20:23) (In other words, those who fill these positions are Appointed by God The Father.)
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Note that Zechariah 4:3 was referring to the 2 olive trees that stand before the Throne of ALMIGHTY GOD.
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And, that Zechariah 4:11 is now referring to these same two olive trees, now standing before JESUS' Throne.
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Now notice that Jesus Himself confirms that such WILL be the case; But that, at the time He made the above statement in Matthew 20:23, it was obviously NOT the case.
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BACK TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION, TO CONFIRM THE ABOVE:
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After using Revelation 11:1 and 2 to Declare that He (The Lord Of Hosts) is having John take stock of His churches (by measuring them with a plummet (measuring rod), The Lord Declares:
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"And I will give power unto MY two witnesses, and they shall prophesy (concerning His churches) a thousand two hundred and threescore (non consecutive) days, clothed in sackcloth." (Revelation 11:3)Please take note from the previous verse (Rev 11:2) that when THE LORD intends to refer to the time period of 3 1/2 years, HE uses the phrase "forty and two months"."These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God Of The Earth." (Revelation 11:4) (the phrase "God Of The Earth" clearly refers to Jesus, who will be King of kings, and Lord of Lords over all the kings of the earth; As is very clearly Declared in Daniel 7:13-14).
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But, when HE intends to refer to - non-consecutive - days, HE uses the phrase "a thousand two hundred and threescore days". ...As in Rev 11:3 !
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Therefore, Revelation 11:3 is NOT referring to consecutive days!
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All of which is reiterated in Zechariah 4:11:
"Then I answered, and said to him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of THE CANDLESTICK (Jesus), and upon the left side thereof?" (Zechariah 4:11)
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"And if any man will hurt them, fire (the Word of God) proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: And if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." (Revelation 11:5)
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"These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: And have power over waters to turn them to blood, And to smite the earth with all plagues, As often as they will." (Revelation 11:6)
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"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them." (Revelation 11:7)
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"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt," (Revelation 11:8)
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The "Great City" refers to the United States of America, the nation that most people on earth so dearly worship. Referred to as Sodom, because her moral fabric is no better than that of the Sodom that God already Destroyed; Referred to as Egypt, because she has taken Gods' people into bondage to a worse degree than ancient Egypt; Wherein our Lord was ALSO crucified, refers to the utterly false doctrines that now spew out of America's churches.
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Moreover, allow me to call your attention to the fact that Revelation 11:8 does NOT use the phrase WHERE our Lord was crucified;
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But instead: It clearly states "where ALSO our lord was crucified!"
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Which therefore eliminates JERUSALEM as being the place that He is referring to!
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Moreover, contrary to what is often being taught: THE LORD has referred to SEVERAL places as being "a great city".
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AND moreover, allow me to also remind you that it is in AMERICA where Jesus is NOW being crucified; By all the false doctrines that are now spewing out of her commercialized churches; who will say literally ANYTHING to increase their congregation, AND to increase the huge sums of money they are now making; AND/OR, in order to pay the HUGE amounts of payments they have unchristian-like committed their churches to pay to banks, etc., in their efforts to bring COMMERCE into The Lord's House - against HIS will!
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And yes, I'm aware that most churches are teaching that, because of the phrase "the great city", this Scripture has to be referring to Jerusalem. (jer USA lem)
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However, allow me to remind you that God has referred to SEVERAL places as "the great city".
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The Great city GIBEON (Joshua 4:11); The Great city NINEVEH (Jonah 1:2, 3:2, and 3:3); and, The Great city JUDAH (Jeremiah 22:1-8); Just to name a few.
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Moreover, as I have documented time and again: The Judah mentioned in Jeremiah as being Israel's treacherous sister, is AMERICA !
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For more documentation that AMERICA is the nation God Almighty will Destroy, consider the following statement made by the Israeli Counsulate:
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"After World War II ended, in 1947 The British ended its mandate to govern Palestine; And the U.N. voted to partition Palestine. When the British officially withdrew on May 14, 1948, the Jewish National Council proclaimed the state of Israel; and U.S. recognition came within hours.
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The next day, Arab forces from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq invaded the new nation. By the cease-fire on Jan. 7, 1949, Israel had increased its original territory by 50%, taking western Galilee, a broad corridor through central Palestine to Jerusalem, and part of modern Jerusalem. Chaim Weizmann and David Ben-Gurion became Israel's first president and prime minister. And Israel's new government was admitted to the U.N. on May 11, 1949." (end quote) (as per the Israeli Consulate)
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Thereby making AMERICA the sister of ISRAEL, by way of their common mother, "Mother England".
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Also consider the following Scriptures which refer to the fourth kingdom:
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"Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: Behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert."
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"Because of the wrath of The Lord it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: Every one that goeth by Babylon (america, the 4th kingdom) shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues." (Jeremiah 50:12-13)
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The 137th Psalm also identifies the kingdom that is to be Destroyed, as the "daughter" of Babylon.
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Obviously, the daughter of the third kingdom, because the first three "babylons" were obviously not destroyed. And whereas, the Book of Daniel clearly labels all four of its subject kingdoms (nations) as being referred to as Babylon. To wit:
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"0'Daughter of Babylon, who is to be Destroyed..." (Psalm 137:8)
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Now, let me ask you, does the "Mother England" sound familiar? It should! It was a very common term throughout America, clear up through the late 1960's. Which makes The United States the DAUGHTER of England, which is part of the Third Kingdom God refers to as Babylon!
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You might also want to read Jeremiah 50:42, and 51:33.Scriptural support for the fact that AMERICA is the subject fourth kingdom can be found by clicking the button in the left column titled "4 kingdoms"."And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their (The Lords' two witnesses') dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; Because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half, the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; And great fear fell upon them which saw them." (Revelation 11:9-11)This by Decree of THE MOST HOLY GOD, JEHOVAH."And they (the two witnesses) heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them." (Revelation 11:12)
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"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (Revelation 11:13)
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As for WHY God Almighty Appoints what began as - HIS - two olive trees that formerly sat to HIS right, and to HIS left, To sit on the right, and on the left of Jesus' Throne: This is clearly explained in Revelation 12:9-11. To wit:
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"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world: He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
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And they (The Lords' two olive trees/witnesses) overcame him (satan) by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus), and by the word of their (own) testimony (by exposing satan's false doctrines); And they (the two olive trees - two witnesses) loved not their (own) lives, not even unto their death."BACK TO THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH:
"Thus saith The Lord my God: Feed the flock of the slaughter; Whose possessors slay them (over-work them), and hold themselves not guilty: And they that sell them (they who sell these people's services), say, Blessed be The Lord; for I am rich: and their own pastors and preachers (shepherds) pity them not (do not pitty those in bondage)." (Zechariah 11:4-5)
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"For I (The Lord) will no more pity the inhabitants of the land: But, lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbour's hand (and force him to work for them), and into the hand of his leader (force them to serve him): And they shall smite the land (work for wages), and out of their hand I will not deliver them." (Zechariah 11:6)
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"And I will (spiritually) feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock (the humble members of His church). And I took unto me two staves; The one I called Beauty, The other I called BANDS; And I (spiritually) fed the flock (with The Word Of God)." (Zechariah 11:7) (also see Revelation 11:3)
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"Three shepherds (well known spiritual leaders in America) also I cut off (took their lives) in one month; And my soul lothed (hated) them, and their soul also abhorred (hated) me." (Zechariah 11:8)
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"Then said I, I will not feed you (the flock that is doomed to Destruction): That that (spiritually) dies (from false doctrines), let it die; And that that is to be cut off (no longer hear The Word Of God, due to false doctrines), let it be cut off; And let the rest eat the flesh (pride) of another." (Zechariah 11:9)Which is what many of those in America's churches, in her streets, and on the internet, are now seeing, and doing."And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder (literally allowed her to be cut to pieces), that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people (americans)." (Zechariah 11:10) (also see Revelation 11:7 and 11)
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"And it was broken in that day: And so the poor of the flock (the humble) that waited upon Me (actually served Me), knew that it was The Word Of The Lord." (Zechariah 11:11)
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"And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (instead of listening to the TRUE Word Of God, they betrayed Him for false doctrines)." (Zechariah 11:12)
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"And The Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I (Zechariah) took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of The Lord." (Zechariah 11:13)
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"Then I cut asunder mine other staff member, even BANDS, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel." (Zechariah 11:14) - (also see Revelation 11:7 and 11)
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"And, The Lord said, take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd." (Zechariah 11:15)
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"For, lo, I (The Lord) will raise up a shepherd (prophet) in the land (singular/bands). Which shall not visit those that be cut off (shall not visit prisoners); Neither shall he seek the young one (nor shall he seek to convert new believers); Nor heal that that is broken (nor heal the sick); Nor feed that that standeth still (nor support any type of organization).
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But he (bands) shall consume the flesh (pride) of the fat (spiritually comfortable),
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And tear their claws in pieces (and tear off their proverbial feet)." (Zechariah 11:16)
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(So they will no longer be prancing around in their stupor of arrogance when The Lord Destroys their entire continent with His all consuming fire of Destruction; And thereby makes their land totally desolate.
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Thus said The Lord to me, bands, His most unworthy bond servant, bands:
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"Woe to the idol shepherd (pastor/preacher) that leaves his flock (congregation)! The sword (Word Of God) shall be upon his arm (directed at his strength), And upon his right eye (at his ability to continue to "discern" scripture):"
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"His arm (strength) shall be clean dried up (gone),"
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"And his right eye shall be utterly darkened (no longer be sure of WHAT scriptures mean)."
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"Thus, said The Lord regarding The burden of His Word for Israel, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:"
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"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah (america) and against Jerusalem." (See Zechariah 11:17 and 12:1-2)
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"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: All that burden themselves with it (fight against it) shall be cut in pieces, though (even if) the people of the earth should - ALL - gather together against it." (Zechariah 12:3)
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"In that day, saith The Lord, I will smite every horse (government) with astonishment, and his rider (leader) with madness: And I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah (america), and will smite every horse (government) of the people therein with blindness." (Zechariah 12:4)
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"And the governors of America (Judah) shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in The Lord Of Hosts, their God." (Zech. 12:5)
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"In that day will I make the governors of America (Judah) like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; And they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: And Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place;
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... Even in Jerusalem! ! !" (Zechariah 12:6)Which clearly knocks the Palestinian's present day efforts to take possession of Jerusalem in the dirt !"The Lord also shall save (Rapture) the tents (poorer congregations) of America (Judah) first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah." (Zechariah 12:7)(also see the third of her population mentioned in Zechariah 13:7-9)"In that day shall The Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; And the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of The Lord before them." (Zechariah 12:8)
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"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:9)
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"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: And they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for HIS only son, And shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for - HIS - firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)
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Just as GOD ALMIGHTY mourned for Jesus, who was and is - HIS - first son!!
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.I hope this helps.BANDS