RESTORING A PEOPLE PM Let's discuss the reclamation or restoration of a people.

Our Father has given us many, many examples of how it would be in this generation, and I'd like to start with one about 6,500 years ago. A people moved into an area known as Assyria and established a civilized community. About three thousand years later we find that they were pushed up against the mountains to their north in the area of Armenia, but then decided that they wanted the fertile valley below and moved into Shinar, which later became Babylonia. This happened well before the time of Nebuchadnezzar and they were known as the Assyrians. For an example of what is happening today, we should look at those people who took the northern ten tribes of Israel into captivity. The same tribes that later went north and populated Europe and North America. It was this captivity, not the Babylonian captivity, that is a sample of the events happening today. The Assyrian kingdom is, in this present time, Iraq. The events of this of the past have been very interesting as we see the continuation of our Father's history. Not too long ago we saw the city of Tel Aviv attacked on prime-time TV. It brought to my mind Luke, Chapter 21. Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. He is not talking about a people here; instead he is speaking of a particular geographical location. It does not matter which "fig tree" is planted there; good, bad, or both, but when you see armies encompassing Jerusalem. Almost ALL the armies of the world were then present in that area. The point is that Israel has now become a part of this war in the gulf (Europe) and for the first time in history the nations are united in a one-world, new-world order. You might think of the Babylonian empire as responsible for the captivity of the ten tribes, but it wasn't. They were already in captivity when Babylon came into power under Nebuchadnezzar. So we have to go back farther to find the example of what Iraq means to those ten tribes (America, Great Britain, Canada: the Christian nations of today). Let's go to the book of Hosea. Hosea means "salvation" or "savior" or you might even say this book is about the saving of a people. God told Hosea to marry a harlot. He used harlot to describe the Northern ten tribes of Israel because they had gone whoring (spiritually), away from God. Starting with the two calves they worshipped in Samaria (Heb. /"watch mountain"/). From that mountain come the prophecies God has given us for these end days. Hosea 9:1 "Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor." The house of Jacob (complete Israel) was split at this time. God is speaking to the northern ten tribes here as the house of Israel. He said they've bargained under the table with every nation of the world. With their gods and with their beliefs. Hosea 9:2 "The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her." When the world comes to this point it is as our Savior spoke when He said, /"You cannot put new wine in old skins."/ The subject was not wine then, nor is it now. The /"new wine"/ or pure Word of God is no longer available in the holy places (churches, synagogues, cathedrals, etc.). When the true Word of God is brought into most churches, the church breaks asunder for it is founded in the traditions of men, rather than His Word. Hosea 9:3 "They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim

shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria." God is referring, not only to Great Britain, but those northern ten tribes of which Ephraim was the largest. As I said before, Assyria is Iraq of today. Hosea 9:4 "They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto Him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD." They will not worship the true God. There is only one bread and that is the body of Christ. When you drift from the Living Word and take on traditions, you have diluted and polluted His Truth. Hosea 9:5-6 "What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD? "For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles." This is what we're looking toward. The restoration of God's people. The great /"hatred"/ is for those who love the Word of God. Hosea 9:8-9 "The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore He will remember their iniquity, He will visit their sins." Do you remember Gibeah? Research it (Judges 19)!! It is very important to you. God has made it part of this prophecy. Our Father knew long ago how it would be today. Hosea 9:10 "I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baal-peor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved. They didn't go to Bethel, the house of God, they had to go bask in idolatry such as Baal-peor (another reference you should call to mind). Hosea 11:1-3 "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them." Even today, Governments deny children a moment of silence for prayer with our Almighty God, yet they open all their sessions with a prayer. Man hasn't preserved those rights through his own power, God has. He has lead and preserved those rights through our countries great Constitution(s). A Constitution that had it's beginning long ago. Even from those days in Assyria. But, they don't even know Who their Father is. Hosea 11:4 "I drew them with cords of a man <hebrew.html#adam>, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them." It says _cords of "adam"_. There is not another nation that receives more blessing than this free nation (North America). Hosea 11:5 "He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return." Remember the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah where the Assyrian is used as a type of antichrist. Wake up! There is another /*type*/ of antichrist before you today in Assyria. Hosea 11:6 "And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels." "Branches" refers to his "sons." Anytime man's counsel is other than the Word of God, he is lost.

Hosea 11:7-8 "And My people are bent to backsliding from Me: though they called them to the Most High, none at all would exalt Him. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee a Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? Mine heart is turned within Me, My repentings are kindled together." How can He make Israel a /"strong fortress"/ (Admah). Someone that can defend themslves, spiritually. How can He use this people? His compassion and His promises are all that save us. Hosea 11:9-11 "I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. They shall walk after the LORD: He shall roar like a lion: when He shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD." God WILL restore His people. Hosea 11:12 Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. Hosea 12:1 "Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth after the east wind: He daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt." Ephraim feeds on /"rauch"/ (spirit), but unfortunately, it is often the false spirit. The oil is not the olive oil of our people, but, it is an anointing oil. It is the black oil of commerce by which the economical system is manipulated. The next verses are history, and for lack of RAM let's skip to: Hosea 12:10 "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." God has given us examples, spoken by the prophets over and over. Won't we ever learn? The teaching continues and His Words call to mind repeatedly His samples that are set for us in the end. Do they bore you? Don't go to sleep, you haven't seen anything yet. There is a wounding to come and WE _need to be ready_ for it. Our Father expects it! In Chapter 14, God explains the manner in which He will gather His people back to Him. It is a time when Lo-ammi {/not My people/) become Ammi (/My people/) again. Hosea 14:4-8 "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away form him. I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, "What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard Him, and observed Him: I am like a green fir tree. From Me is thy fruit found. The ten tribes were taken captive by Assyria long ago. The Assyrian (in type) is back, but it means that deliverance is just around the corner. God helps those that are doing His work, so don't tremble and fall into the confusion that overwhelms so many in this day and age. It is a time for clear understanding, and watchfulness. You are His watchnmen whom He forewarned and in doing so, are forearmed. "Every day is a beautiful day, because Jesus Is the Living Word"