Micah, part 2

Last week we looked at the first two chapters of Micah. In chapter 3 God blames Israel’s leaders and in chapter 4 there are some end times prophecies.

God will establish a great earth power, a supreme kingdom, with lesser powers or nations beneath it. This will be a universal kingdom with a teacher, Jesus, who will teach us. It will be a peaceful kingdom and there will be universal prosperity.

Do you want to read about Armageddon and the Tribulation period? Here you go (my comments are in parentheses and red ink):

1 In the last days

   the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established  (the mountain is a symbol of a great earth power)

   as the highest of the mountains; (a supreme kingdom)
it will be exalted above the hills, (the hills are lesser powers or nations)
   and peoples will stream to it.
   to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, (“He” who will teach us is Jesus)
   so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
   the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3 He will judge between many peoples
   and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. (it will be a peaceful kingdom)
They will beat their swords into plowshares
   and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
   nor will they train for war anymore.
4 Everyone will sit under their own vine  (having your own vine and fig tree illustrates universal prosperity)
   and under their own fig tree,
and no one will make them afraid,
   for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
5 All the nations may walk
   in the name of their gods, (“gods” is the Hebrew word “elohim”)
but we will walk in the name of the LORD
   our God for ever and ever. (“God” here is also the Hebrew word “Elohim” referring to Jehovah)
   I will assemble the exiles
   and those I have brought to grief.
7 I will make the lame my remnant,
   those driven away a strong nation.
The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion  (Israel is regathered – this is the tribulation time)
   from that day and forever.
8 As for you, watchtower of the flock,
   stronghold of Daughter Zion,
the former dominion will be restored to you;
   kingship will come to Daughter Jerusalem.”
   have you no king?
Has your ruler perished,
   that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?
10 Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,
   like a woman in labor,
for now you must leave the city
   to camp in the open field.
You will go to Babylon;
   there you will be rescued.
There the LORD will redeem you
   out of the hand of your enemies.
   are gathered against you.
They say, “Let her be defiled,
   let our eyes gloat over Zion!”
12 But they do not know
   the thoughts of the LORD;
they do not understand his plan,
   that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
13 “Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion,
   for I will give you horns of iron; (this is the time of Armageddon)
I will give you hooves of bronze,
   and you will break to pieces many nations.”
You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD,
   their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.

 2 Many nations will come and say,

   “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, (a universal kingdom)

The LORD’s Plan

 6 “In that day,” declares the LORD,

   “I will gather the lame;

 9 Why do you now cry aloud— (intervening time period of Babylonian captivity)

 11 But now many nations

Pretty heavy stuff and I would recommend that you do your own research and study to better understand it.

Next week: fulfilled prophecy from Micah.