David and Zechariah both tell us about shepherds. They both prophesy of future tribulation times and events. We learn from both of these prophets the way the future will unfold and who will be ruling in the millennial kingdom. We also learn about the false shepherd who will not care about the people and will expect all people on the earth at that time to wear his symbol. John tells us to do the math and put it together. Those who are sons of the Most High God will have an opportunity to shepherd alongside the King of kings and Lord of lords. As we put the Old Covenant prophesies and the New Covenant prophesies together, we gain insight into the future. From the fall of Adam, many of the prophecies have all been about the time at the end of this age and the beginning of the Kingdom of our Lord. Let’s start with David.
Psalm 2:1 Wherefore did the heathen rage, and the nations imagine vain things? 2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ; 3 saying, Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.
Let’s compare this to Revelation 17.
Rev 17:Revelation 17:9-16 (KJV)
9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
The ten kings will give their power to the beast who will kill Babylon. The ten kings hate Babylon. God has put it in their hearts to hate Babylon.
Rev 17:Revelation 17:16-17 (KJV)
16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
Then the beast will try to make war against the Lamb. But the Lamb comes back with his called, chosen, and faithful. Psalm 2 says “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers gathered themselves together, against the Lord, and against his Christ; saying, Let us break through their bonds, and cast away their yoke from us.” Now since we know what will happen, we recognize they will not be able to accomplish this.
Rev 19:Revelation 19:16-21 (KJV)
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
David tells us what the Father does during that time.
Psalm 2:4 He that dwells in the heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and the Lord shall mock them. 5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his fury. 6 But I have been made king by him on Sion his holy mountain, 7 declaring the ordinance of the Lord: the Lord said to me, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel.
Psalm 2:9G4165You shall tend G1473them G1722with G4464a rod G4603of iron; G5613as G4632vessels G2763of a potter G4937you shall break G1473them.
4464 LSJ Gloss:ῥάβδοςa rod, wand, stick, switch
Dodson: ῤάβδοςa rod, staff a rod, staff, staff of authority, scepter.
Strong’s: ῥάβδος a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty)
Derivation: from the base of G4474;KJV Usage: rod, sceptre, staff.
Thayer:
1) a staff, a walking stick, a twig, rod, branch
2) a rod with which one is beaten
3) a staff
3a) as used on a journey, or to lean upon, or by shepherds
3b) when applied to kings
3b1) with a rod of iron, indicates the severest, most rigorous rule
3b2) a royal sceptre
ῥάβδος
rhabdos hrab'-dos From the base of G4474; a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty)KJV Usage: rod, sceptre, staff.
4603LSJ Gloss: σιδήρεος made of iron
Dodson: σιδήρεος made of iron.
Strong’s: σιδήρεος made of iron Derivation: from G4604; KJV Usage: (of) iron.
Thayer:
1) made of iron
σιδήρεος
sidēreos sid-ay'-reh-os From G4604; made of iron KJV Usage: (of) iron.
The word tend is usually translated “ruled”, but it really means “shepherd”. Jesus shall shepherd the nations with a rod of iron, and, like a ceramic vase, will break the defective pottery in pieces. This tells us that the vessels must be good, not bad, or else they will be discarded. There will be a strong leader, our Lord and Christ. He will rule with righteousness, and judge in holiness, but he will be strict. This is why the Lord says to the kings of the earth, and all those who are in a position to judge, to serve the Lord with fear.
Psalm 2:10 Now therefore understand, ye kings: be instructed, all ye that judge the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice in him with trembling. 12 Accept correction, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and ye should perish from the righteous way: whensoever his wrath shall be suddenly kindled, blessed are all they that trust in him.
Psalm 2 is an interesting warning. All will be judged at one point in time or another. Dead kings do not escape judgment. The warning is to behave rightly now. This also tells us that there will be a time that the earthly kings gather to make war against the Lord and his Christ. But the Lord God laughs and Christ will rule them with a rod of iron. Comparing this to Revelation we see the time David was prophesying. Jesus will rule during the millennial kingdom and he will use a rod of iron.
After the Babylonian captivity Zechariah had a few interesting things to reveal. Although it should have been a time of joy and excitement, it was not. The temple rebuild had been stalled until the city walls were built first. Even though we think this should have solved everything, and the leaders and the people should have been wholly committed to Yahweh, they were not. Zechariah wrote this after the people left Babylon to re-inhabit Judea. This tells us our timing. When Zechariah is prophesying, he is speaking of the future not the past.
Zechariah 11:1 Open thy doors, O Libanus, and let the fire devour thy cedars. 2 Let the pine howl, because the cedar has fallen; for the mighty men have been greatly afflicted: howl, ye oaks of the land of Basan; for the thickly planted forest has been torn down.
3 There is a voice of the shepherds mourning; for their greatness is brought low: a voice of roaring lions; for the pride of Jordan is brought down.
4 Thus saith the Lord Almighty, Feed the sheep of the slaughter; 5 which their possessors have slain, and have not repented: and they that sold them said, Blessed be the Lord; for we have become rich: and their shepherds have suffered no sorrow for them.
Zechariah 11:4G3592Thus G3004says G2962the lord G3841almighty, G4165Tend G3588the G4263sheep G3588of the G4967slaughter,
5G3739which G3588the ones G2932acquiring G2695butcher, G2532and G3756are repenting not. G3338 G2532And G3588the ones G4453selling G1473them G3004said, G2128Blessed be G2962the lord, G4147we were enriched. G2532And G3588 G4166their shepherds G1473 G3756suffered not G3958 G3762anything G1909for G1473them.
3841 LSJ Gloss: παντοκράτωρ almighty
Dodson: παντοκράτωρ ruler of the universe
ruler of all, ruler of the universe, the almighty.
Thayer:
1) he who holds sway over all things
2) the ruler of all
3) almighty: God
παντοκράτωρ
pantokratōr pan-tok-rat'-ore From G3956 and G2904; the all ruling, that is,God (as absolute and universal sovereign) KJV Usage: Almighty, Omnipotent.
3958 LSJ Gloss: πάσχω to receive an impression from without, to suffer
Dodson: πάσχω I am acted upon, suffer I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.
Strong’s: πάσχω, including the forms πάθω , and πένθω , used only in certain tenses for it to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) Derivation: apparently a primary verb; KJV Usage: feel, passion, suffer, vex.
Thayer:
1) to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo
1a) in a good sense, to be well off, in good case
1b) in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight
1b1) of a sick person
πάσχω, πάθω, πένθω
paschō pathō penthō pas'-kho, path'-o, pen'-tho Apparently a primary verb (the third form used only in certain tenses for it); to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) KJV Usage: feel, passion, suffer, vex.
Who is speaking? The Lord Omnipotent. If we look at the section in an overview there is buying and selling of the sheep. Not literal sheep, but people. The Lord says the ones buying the people butchered them and they don’t repent. The Lord says the ones selling the people are exclaiming how blessed they are because they are rich. There is a double negative here stating that these shepherds have definitely not suffered at all. There are shepherds in verse 3 who mourn, but the shepherds in verse 5 are rejoicing that they are prospering and not suffering. That is curious. The shepherds of verse 3 mourn because the land is destroyed, whereas the shepherds of verse 5 are rejoicing because they have made humans a commodity. Let’s put this into perspective for today. Today, there are shepherds who use people and mislead people for money. Shepherds can not only be pastors, but civil leaders, kings, politicians, and other social or spiritual leaders. This is one of the curses of Babylon.
Revelation 18:9-13 (KJV)
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10 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.
11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
12 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,
13 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.
Remember that Zechariah is prophesying in the future after the return from captivity. What else does the Lord Almighty say?
Zechariah 11:6 Therefore I will no longer have mercy upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: but, behold, I will deliver up the men every one into the hand of his neighbour, and into the hand of his king; and they shall destroy the land, and I will not rescue out of their hand.
It seems like the abomination and the desolation of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Remember the fascists and the civil war, the seven warning signs Josephus records to get out of the city, as well as Jesus’ prophetic words? This was a period in time, as Zechariah was writing this prophecy, where things seemed to be going well, as Judah was being restored, the temple was being rebuilt, and the people were allowed to live in their homeland due to Cyrus conquering Babylon and allowing the sons of Jacob to return from exile. Yet we see that there will be no mercy on the people and they will be captured by different nations. Then Israel will be destroyed and the Lord will not rescue anyone. Incidentally, Cyrus is called a shepherd of God’s people in Isaiah.
We know that from the time of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, until our time, 1948, Israel was not a nation. The people were scattered again, and this time they would not return for a long while. Yahweh tended the people with two rods.
Zechariah 11:7 And I will tend the flock of slaughter in the land of Chanaan: and I will take for myself two rods; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Line; and I will tend the flock. 8 And I will cut off three shepherds in one month; and my soul shall grieve over them, for their souls cried out against me. 9 And I said, I will not tend you: that which dies, let it die; and that which falls off, let it fall off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of his neighbour.
Zechariah is speaking prophetically, he is describing a vision. Most translations other than the Septuagint reword this section to sound like Zechariah is a shepherd, but that is not quite right. Zechariah is not killing the people or the three evil leaders. In his vision, Zechariah sees the land of Canaan as the Lord tends the flock of slaughter. The sheep of the slaughter were the people who were merchandized. The first rod is called “Beauty or good”. The second rod is called a “line, or a piece of measured out land”. Zechariah is seeing this scene, he is seeing the Lord Almighty as a shepherd. The Lord will tend the flock and cut off those who were against him. He cuts off the unjust rulers and priests. The Lord grieves because they did not know Him and they spoke against Him, which tells us they led the people away from the Lord Almighty. The Lord, the shepherd, cuts off three shepherds over the people and the people who followed these shepherds kill each other. Civil war. Now look at the rest of the people.
Zechariah 11:10 And I will take my beautiful staff, and cast it away, that I may break my covenant which I made with all the people. 11 And it shall be broken in that day; and the Chananites, the sheep that are kept for me, shall know that it is the word of the Lord. 12 And I will say to them, If it be good in your eyes, give me my price, or refuse it. And they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the Lord said to me, Drop them into the furnace, and I will see if it is good metal, as I was proved for their sakes. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the furnace in the house of the Lord.
The Lord Almighty breaks the covenant with his people. Zechariah does not have the authority to break the covenant between the sons of Jacob, but the Lord Almighty does. And the true sheep, the people who were scattered among the Canaanites will know that this is of the Lord. The Lord says to the people in Canaan “either pay me or don’t pay me”. The people pay the Lord thirty pieces of silver, and then the Lord tells Zechariah to throw it in the furnace to see if it is good metal. The Lord is being proved as a shepherd. Remember the payment Judas was given for turning over the Lord?
Matthew 27:3-10 (KJV)
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
10 And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.
Jeremiah once bought this potter’s field. The prophecy of the Lord was that one day people would again inhabit the land. But they first went into exile to Babylon. Now the field is being bought by the evil religious leaders to use for burying dead strangers.
Thirty pieces of silver were thrown into the temple and Judas announced that Jesus was innocent blood. Thirty pieces of silver were paid by the Canaanites to the shepherd. Canaanites are not sons of Jacob. Isn’t that a parallel to the evil religious shepherds who are not sons of Jacob, who paid for Jesus’ blood with thirty pieces of silver? Zechariah’s vision was that the Lord was being proved as a shepherd. He took the wage, thirty pieces of silver, and threw it in the temple furnace to see what was left after the fire. The fire proved the wage of the shepherd. If we take a sneak peek ahead to chapter 13 we then understand this better.
Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherds, and against the man who is my citizen, saith the Lord Almighty: smite the shepherds, and draw out the sheep: and I will bring mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts thereof shall be cut off and perish; but the third shall be left therein. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will try them as silver is tried, and I will prove them as gold is proved: they shall call upon my name, and I will hear them, and say, This is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
This time period is the “Day of the Lord”, when the Lord returns with his armies and then the angels gather the sons of Jacob from heaven and earth to inhabit Israel. The people have to go through the fire. They have to be proved. As for the sons of God today, our works are proved, not for salvation but for reward.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (KJV)
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Our works are tried by fire. But rarely do we take this seriously. If we remember, Josephus told us of an Essene prophet who thought his prophecy was wrong and the prophet was ready to die. In Antiquities 13:11:2, Judas the Essene prophesied that Antigonus was going to be slain in Strato’s Tower, which was a place near Caesarea by the Sea. However, it was also the name for an area in the underground catacombs of the Fortress Antonia, and Antigonus was killed on that very day, in an underground place called Strato’s Tower. True prophets don’t make false prophecies, and if they do they are ready themselves to die. People should treat prophecy just as seriously today as the true prophets, the Essenes, did. Zechariah tells us that parents will kill their children who falsely prophesied, Zechariah 13.
We understand that we suffer adversity now while we’re living under the devil’s rule, even though we are no longer of this world. The prince of the power of the lower air, the one who works in the children of disobedience, is the same one who persecutes the children of God. This is the story of the overcomer.
Sirach 2:5 (KJVApocrypha)
5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
Now the second rod called the “Line, or the piece of measured out land”, is going to be broken. The Lord says to break the bond of brotherhood between Judea and Israel, and that he would raise up a shepherd against the land.
Zechariah 11:14 And I cast away my second rod, even Line, that I might break the possession between Juda and Israel. 15 And the Lord said to me, Take yet to thee shepherd’s implements belonging to an unskillful shepherd. 16 For, behold, I will raise up a shepherd against the land: he shall not visit that which is perishing, and he shall not seek that which is scattered, and he shall not heal that which is bruised, nor guide that which is whole: but he shall devour the flesh of the choice ones, and shall dislocate the joints of their necks.
The shepherd that the Lord raises up in the land will be uncaring regarding the land and the people. He will devour the people and not care about them. That seems to have been the story of Judea from Zechariah’s point in time through the time of the Romans. Then Israel becomes a nation again in 1948. But now look at what the Lord says next.
Zechariah 11:17 Alas for the vain shepherds that have forsaken the sheep! the sword shall be upon the arms of such a one, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be completely withered, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
The sword shall be upon his arms and upon his right eye. This is quite literal. This vain shepherd will be one of three shepherds who lead Israel in the end days. He will have a sword upon his arms and upon his right eye. He will have a withered arm and a blind eye.
Zechariah 11:17G5599O G3588the ones G4165tending G3588the G3152vain things, G2532and G2641leaving behind G3588the G4263sheep; G3162a sword shall be G1909against G3588 G1023his arm, G1473 G2532and G1909against G3588 G3788[eye G3588 G1188 his right]. G1473 G3588 G1023His arm G1473 G3583withering G3583shall be withered, G2532and G3588 G3788[eyeG3588 G11881his right] G1473 G1626.4by blinding G1626.4shall be blinded
“Ones” is the word shepherds who tend the sheep. When we read vain things, we can understand idols or idolatrous things. These are shepherds feeding people idolatry and abandoning them. This one individual will have a sword against his arm and against his right eye. This is a double meaning, he will have a wound by a sword in his arm and in his right eye. Notice how specific Zechariah is in identifying this person’s right eye. It cannot be his left eye, only his right eye. This is true prophecy. The second meaning is that on the wound, the person will probably have a tourniquet for his arm and an eye patch for his eye. Printed or embroidered onto the cloth will be a double sword. “The sword will be against his arm and against his right eye”. To show allegiance to this individual, people will wear arm bands and head bands with a double sword.
Revelation 13:2-4 (KJV)
2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
The world wondered about the beast and they worshipped the dragon. Well, understand, the world just saw someone rise from the dead. The whole world saw the two witnesses also rise up from the dead by this point in time. However they went up to heaven and did not remain on the earth. This individual was raised from the dead, then remained on the earth.
Revelation 13:11-18 (KJV)
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
The people were told by the second beast to make an image of the first beast. Now, the image of the beast will have “life”, not life as in flesh life, but the word is pneuma, or spirit. The image will be filled with a spirit so that it will speak. If people do not worship the image with the spirit in it, they will be killed. Others will take his imprint, the total of his authority. Notice the three evil shepherds are working together, the risen wounded beast, the dragon, and the second beast with lamb horns.
Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Wisdom says compute the number of the beast, it is the number of a man.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom: let him that hath intelligence, compute the number of the beast of prey; for it is the number of a man: and its number is six hundred and sixty and six.
Let’s look at the word for number. It is not really number but “counting, reckoning, or arithmetic”.
Revelation 13:18G5602ADVὧδεG3588T-NSFἡG4678N-NSFσοφίαG1510V-PAI-3Sἐστίν·G3588T-NSMὁG2192V-PAP-NSMἔχωνG3563N-ASMνοῦνG5585V-AAM-3SψηφισάτωG3588T-ASMτὸνG706N-ASMἀριθμὸνG3588T-GSNτοῦG2342N-GSNθηρίου,G706N-NSMἀριθμὸςG1063CONJγὰρG444N-GSMἀνθρώπουG1510V-PAI-3Sἐστίν·G2532CONJκαὶG3588T-NSMὁG706N-NSMἀριθμὸςG846P-GSNαὐτοῦG5516A-NUI-ABBχξϛ'.
5585LSJ Gloss: ψηφίζω to count
Dodson: ψηφίζω I reckon, computeI reckon, compute, calculate.
Strong’s: ψηφίζω to use pebbles in enumeration, i.e. (generally) to compute
Derivation: from G5586; KJV Usage: count.
Thayer:
1) to count with pebbles, to compute, calculate, reckon
2) to give one's vote by casting a pebble into the urn
3) to decide by voting
ψηφίζω
psēphizō psay-fid'-zo From G5586; to use pebbles in enumeration, that is, (genitive case) to compute KJV Usage: count.
706 LSJ Gloss: ἀριθμός number
Dodson: ἀριθμός a number, total.
Thayer:
1) a fixed and definite number
2) an indefinite number, a multitude
2) an indefinite number, a multitude
142 LSJ Gloss: αἴρω to take up, raise, lift up
Dodson: αἴρω I raise, lift up I raise, lift up, take away, remove.
Strong's: αἴρω to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare H5375) to expiate sin
Derivation: a primary root; KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
Derivation: a primary root; KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
Thayer:
1) to raise up, elevate, lift up
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
3i) cause to cease
1a) to raise from the ground, take up: stones
1b) to raise upwards, elevate, lift up: the hand
1c) to draw up: a fish
2) to take upon one's self and carry what has been raised up, to bear
3) to bear away what has been raised, carry off
3a) to move from its place
3b) to take off or away what is attached to anything
3c) to remove
3d) to carry off, carry away with one
3e) to appropriate what is taken
3f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force
3g) to take and apply to any use
3h) to take from among the living, either by a natural death, or by violence
3i) cause to cease
αἴρω
airō ah'ee-ro A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
airō ah'ee-ro A primary verb; to lift; by implication to take up or away; figuratively to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind); specifically to sail away (that is, weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare [H5375]) to expiate sin KJV Usage: away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
Here is the understanding of the 666. It is not the number of a man, it is the arithmetic or sum total, counting or rising up, of a man, the man wearing this symbol. It is computing, counting, reckoning, estimating, adding up, or totaling.
We could read verse 18 this way: Let him that hath understanding compute the sum total of the beast: for it is the sum total of a man; and his sum total is…..
Or:Let him that hath understanding calculate the arithmetic of the beast: for it is the arithmetic of a man; and his arithmetic is…
Or: Let him that hath understanding calculate the estimate of the beast: for it is the estimate of a man; and his estimate is….
Or: Let him that hath understanding count the reckoning of the beast: for it is the reckoning of a man; and his reckoning is…..
Or: Let him that hath understanding reckon the rising of the beast: for it is the rising of a man; and his rising is…
Or: Let him that hath understanding compute the tally of the beast: for it is the tally of a man; and his tally is…
In modern speak we would say “put it all together” or “add everything up” or “do the math” regarding the beast.
People will imprint something upon their hand or their forehead. Most Bible translators have mistakenly thought this was an actual number. It is not. It is not Greek at all, it is Arabic. Notice how the definitions are not well defined, calling this combination of symbols obsolete and vain speculation.
5516 Strong's:
χξϛ
666 as a numeral Derivation: the 22nd, 14th and an obsolete letter (G4742 as a cross) of the Greek alphabet (intermediate between the 5th and 6th), used as numbers; denoting respectively 600, 60 and 6;KJV Usage: six hundred threescore and six.
Thayer:
1) six hundred and sixty six, the meaning of which is the basis of much vain speculation
χξς
chi xi stigma khee xee stig'-ma The 22nd, 14th and an obsolete letter (G4742 as a cross) of the Greek alphabet (intermediate between the 5th and 6th), used as numbers; denoting respectively 600, 60 and 6; 666 as a numeral KJV Usage: six hundred threescore and six.
Now look at this from the Tischendorf Greek, these are not Greek letters, these are Arabic. Anyone who reads Arabic can read this. Reading from right to left these two symbols ξϛ' read:
χξϛ'.
ϛ' In the name of
ξ allah
The two letters are slightly tilted downward to the right. The third symbol χ is understood as a double sword, in which the bottom of the χ actually has two “feet”. This is not my work, but I would direct you to view the online work of Walid Shoebat which has been around for some time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtquNNEO7Fw
Let’s read this again:
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding calculate the rising up of the beast: for it is the rising up of a man; and his rising up is in the name of allah χ (double sword symbol)
Or:
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding calculate the computation of the beast: for it is the computation of a man; and his computation is in the name of allah χ (double sword symbol)
John is saying “do the math, calculate the statistics and put it all together”.
This is far more logical as the beast rises from the dead, having a mortal wound. He is not completely whole, but he is risen in the name of his god and wears the double sword logo of his army. Compute or calculate the rising from the dead of the beast. Prophecy has always been extremely detailed and accurate.
Understanding Zechariah, the sword will be against his arm and against his eye, we see a double sword, the symbol of two crossed swords. Revelation 14 gives us a perspective on our timeline. Remember, it is important to keep time linear. The beast suffers a mortal wound and is raised to life. Then people are told to worship the image which has pneuma, spirit. Jesus comes for the 144,000 and they are harpazo’d. Then Babylon falls.
Revelation 14:8-10 (KJV)
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Zechariah just told us that the army of the evil one will have a double sword imprint. People will wear it on their foreheads or arm/hand. We saw from Psalm 2 why the Day of the Lord takes place. The kings of the earth want to separate themselves from the Lord and from His Christ. By this point in the tribulation many have recognized that they were wrong and were then martyred for Christ. After Babylon is killed off by the beast, those that are left want to become independent of the Creator. They will be deceived into believing that they can separate themselves and take His Creation. This is why they make war with the Lamb. But the Lord laughs. He sends His Son to rule with a rod of iron.
Hebrews tells us that Jesus’ throne will be for the ages of the ages. He will have a rod of uprightness for His kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8-9 (KJV)
8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Hebrews 1:8G4314But to G1161 G3588the G5207son, saying G3588 G2362Your throne, G1473 G3588O G2316God, G1519into G3588the G165eon G3588of the G165eon. G4464A rod G2118of uprightness G3588is the G4464rod G3588 G932of your kingdom.G1473
Jesus is going to shepherd with righteousness. That does tell us something about the millennial kingdom. Not everyone will behave righteously. That also helps us to understand that when satan is loosed at the end of the one thousand years how it is possible that he will be able to deceive the nations. Unfortunately, people will still be responsible for their own minds, thoughts, and behaviors. We know that if the nations don’t go to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts on Tabernacles, they will have no rain, Zechariah 14:16-ff. That also suggests that some will not do what they should and will be corrected with a rod of iron.
Jesus has washed us in his own blood and made us to be kings and priests, Revelation 1:5-6. It is the very song we sing as we watch the seals being opened, Revelation 5:9-10. And Jesus says to the overcomer he will give a rod of iron.
Revelation 2:26-29 (KJV)
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
To the one who keeps his works to the end, he will have exousia, authority, over nations and he will shepherd them just as Psalm 2:9 says was given to Jesus. Thou shalt rule [shepherd] them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces as a potter’s vessel. This tells us there will be some of the children of the Living God who will have right judgment to correct the tribes of the world.
The back story of Revelation 12 says that the woman birthed a son. The son will shepherd the nations.
Revelation 12:5 (KJV)
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Revelation12:5 G2532AndG5088she boreG5207[2sonG7301a male]G3739whoG3195is aboutG4165to tendG3956allG3588theG1484nationsG1722withG4464a rodG4603of iron;G2532andG726[2was snatched awayG3588 G50431her child]G1473 G4314toG3588 G2316God,G2532andG4314toG3588 G2362his throne.G1473
726 LSJ Gloss: ἁρπάζω to snatch away, carry off
Dodson: ἁρπάζω I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
Strong’s: ἁρπάζω to seize (in various applications) Derivation: from a derivative of G138; KJV Usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Thayer:
1) to seize, carry off by force
2) to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly
3) to snatch out or away
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
ἁρπάζω
harpazō har-pad'-zo From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications) KJV Usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Again the words rule and tend mean to “shepherd”. Jesus will shepherd the ethnos, ethnic groups or tribes, with a rod of iron. This is the same idea we saw from David and Zechariah. But it gets better, the male child was harpazo’d to the throne of God. This is a throne of power. Remember David saying ‘the Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand..’ Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. Jesus was snatched to the throne just as we will be harpazo’d.
When Jesus comes back with his armies on the Day of the Lord, he will smite the nations, those kings prophesied in Psalm 2 who gather against the Lord and His Christ. And again we see Christ will shepherd them with a rod of iron.
Revelation 19:14-16 (KJV)
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The final word of who is King and Lord is not for the human kings, rulers, or priests to decide. If the kings of the earth were smart, they would heed David’s warning. As we saw, Zechariah prophesies that the shepherds bought and sold the people. They were acting just like Babylon, buying and selling slaves and the souls of men. The evil shepherds were happy thinking that they were rich. The Lord scattered the people everywhere. Then the Lord will raise up a shepherd who really doesn’t care about the people. He will be mortally wounded and brought back to life, but have a withered arm and blind right eye. He will wear the symbol of a double cross and the Arabic words, and the people who make an allegiance will wear these symbols as well. Those who refuse this allegiance will be martyred.
When Jesus establishes his kingdom on the earth, he will shepherd it with a rod of iron. Judgment will be righteously enforced. Jesus will give some of his people the same ability to shepherd with a rod of iron. Those who overcome to the end will be trusted with this position. The idea is that the rod is unbendable, but the shepherd is good. Let’s consider David’s words and remind ourselves that our shepherd, our Lord, loves us and we who believe on him and call on his name will dwell in the house of the Lord.
Psalm 23:1 The Lord tends me as a shepherd, and I shall want nothing. 2 In a place of green grass, there he has made me dwell: he has nourished me by the water of rest. 3 He has restored my soul: he has guided me into the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of evils: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, these have comforted me. 5 Thou has prepared a table before me in presence of them that afflict me: thou hast thoroughly anointed my head with oil; and thy cup cheers me like the best wine. 6 Thy mercy also shall follow me all the days of my life: and my dwelling shall be in the house of the Lord for a very long time.
