K03.11.83.htm

IS LEBANON LIKE A "WOMAN GIVING BIRTH"?

THE "BIRTH PANGS" OF LEBANON.
The writings of the prophet Isaiah are thought to have been written between 778 and 732 BCE, the writings of the prophet Jeremiah between 647 and 580 BCE. After careful scrutiny, and in accordance with the evidence of certain current events, the following scriptures are now undergoing fulfilment: "The time is but short before Lebanon goes back to grassland and the grassland is no better than scrub." (Isaiah 29:17 NEB). The spirit of the inhabitants of Lebanon is being desolated.

Question: Was the "time is but short" describing a period of the prophet Jeremiah's time, when he prophesied: "O you who are dwelling in Lebanon, being nested in the cedars, how you will certainly sigh when there come to you birth pangs, the labour pains like those of a woman giving birth"? Certainly not, for proof, read verses 20 to 23 of Jeremiah Ch.22.

And further scrutiny of Isaiah 29:18-20 reveals important developments soon to be fulfilled: "… out of the gloom and out of the darkness even the eyes of the blind ones will see… rejoicing in Jehovah Himself… because the tyrant must reach his end".

WHO IS THE TYRANT?
AND WHO IS THE "WOMAN GIVING BIRTH"?
The desolating events continuing to unfold in Lebanon, causing its inhabitants to groan as if suffering "birth pangs", is evidence that satan the tyrant "king of Babylon" who had been magnifying himself, is being forced to lie down. (See Page 10/12/82. Isaiah 14:12,13). Jehovah Himself is creating a new heavens and a new earth. (Isaiah 65:17). And the heavenly "woman" of God is soon to give new spirit birth to her anointed sons; those that are to rule over the new earth from the new spirit heavens. (Rev 2:26,27. 21:1-4). Lebanon's desolation is evidence of the fulfilment of the above scriptures in the "time of the end".

Even the "cedars" of Lebanon rejoice at the tyrant's end. Of the "king of Babylon" (satan) they will say: "Ever since you have lain down, no [wood]cutter comes up against us." (From Isaiah 14:4-8). The agents of satan's tyranny, the "false prophet" (religious factions) and the political "image" of the "wild beast", will be abyssed. (Rev 19:20). The composite "wild beast" includes all kingly and political rulers since king Nebuchadnezzar.

The spirit desolation of Lebanon, such that "the grassland is no better than scrub", is one of many events leading up to the beginning of the new heavens and the new earth, just as it is written: "With all these things the birth-pangs (pangs of distress. NWT) of the new age begin." (From Matt 24:7,8 NEB). These "birth pangs" on earth precede the new spirit birth of the sons of God's heavenly "woman", the 144,000 anointed underpriests. (Rev 7:4-8) (Heb 12:22‑24).

"Look! Their very heroes have cried out in the street; the very messengers of peace will weep bitterly. The highways have been made desolate; the one passing over the path has ceased. He has broken the covenant; He has contemned the cities; He has taken no account of mortal man. The land has gone mourning, has withered away. Lebanon has become abashed; it has mouldered. Sharon has become like the desert plain; and Bashan and Carmel are shaking off their leaves. Now I will rise up," says Jehovah, "now I will exalt Myself; now I will lift Myself up. You people conceive dried grass; you will give birth to stubble. Your own spirit, as a fire, will eat you up. And peoples must become as the burnings of lime. As thorns cut away, they will be set ablaze even with fire."" (Isaiah 33:7-12).

3/11/83.