9 In the
same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill
their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
As we see “when the books are closed” the wicked are punished
immediately. In this view as hinted about in my personal statement of faith,
what Christians call “the rapture” and Armageddon occur simultaneously, meaning
the remnant ride out, live through and are protected during the Great
Tribulation.
Since Philistia is prophesied against in this book of
Zephaniah, the Rabbi’s and Sages believe this verse refers to their god Dagon.
I Sam. 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any
that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto
this day.
The King James Version says “leap on,” most other
translations, including Jewish translations say “leap over.”
This is speaking not to Philistia, but to Judah who has
adopted Philistine religious rites.
10 And it
shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise
of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great
crashing from the hills. 11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the
merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
Rashi says the second gate was called the Bird Gate. This is
speaking specifically of Jerusalem. Basically the idol making industry will
crash and those who profit from it will be no more.
Nelson’s Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible says that
Maktesh was a, “place near Jerusalem where silversmiths and silver traders
conducted their business during the reign of King Josiah… Literally Maktesh
means, “The Mortar” (NAS, RSV).”
This reminds me of Babylon who conquers disobedient Judah,
that one day, virtually the same thing will be said about them.
Rev. 18:10-13 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment,
saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour
is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over
her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and
silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and
silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and
all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil,
and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and
slaves, and souls of men.
12 And it
shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and
punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The
LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold
nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Paganism and sin will be ferreted out with a search light and
those who are apathetic and have thickened and congealed like spoiled wine;
those who have become stagnant and set in their pagan ways and thinks that YHWH
is just another god who can be tricked with appeasements, those peoples time is
up, there days are numbered.
“Like wine sitting tranquilly on its lees, complacent people
sit around and say that God does not reward or punish.” – Stones Tanak
“The promise in this verse may be used to condemn the
philosophy of the deists in that God will punish those who merely acknowledge
God’s existence and do not believe that he is involved in the affairs of this
world, neither judging nor blessing the actions of men. To God, this is the
same as denying Him (cf. Heb.11:6)…” – Key Word Study Bible
“Some in Judah had a deistic view of God… Those who had this
attitude would fearfully discover on the day of judgment that God did indeed
hold them accountable for these sins that they refused to abandon… He will
reward those who seek Him and judge those who turn from Him and do evil. (Rom.
2:5-11).” – Full Life Study Bible
Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him.
Isa 41:23 Declare the things that are going to come
afterward, That we may know that you are gods; Indeed, do good or evil, that we
may anxiously look about us and fear together. (NASB)
13
Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they
shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards,
but not drink the wine thereof.
Through posh and provided for, these people will be swept
away by judgment and their possessions will be left behind and therefore,
meaningless. This is the meaning of Yeshua’s words about being “left behind,”
it is judgment, not the rapture. Who was swept away in the flood waters of
judgment? And who was left behind in an ark?
Matt. 24:36-44 But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no,
not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe [were], so
shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before
the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until
the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and
took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall
two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two [women
shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this,
that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come,
he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Wake up “church,” you have perverted he plain meaning of the
Scriptures, worse yet, Messiah’s own words!
Who was “hidden” in the ark, who was “left behind”? Noah and
his family. Who was “taken”? The wicked and unrepentant. There will be a
remnant safely hidden during the time of the Great Tribulation.
In Scriptural examples of judgment who is always “taken”? The
disobedient! The Pre-tribulation theory is a doctrine of a demon, only barely
100 years old. The early believers sure didn’t believe such rubbish. The
pretribulationist doctrine is a lie and many will lose their faith and pastors
dragged out into the streets and beaten to death with cries of “YOU LIED TO ME!
IT WAS ALL A LIE! YOU SAID WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS!”
14 The
great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice
of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
It will be the “Great Day of the LORD,” He will own it, no
more will the wicked run amuck. It will be a day of….
