Today’s selected reading continues in the Old Testament book of Second Kings, which describes the time period of the divided nation of Israel into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. More specifically, today’s selected reading is found in chapters nine through eleven of this Old Testament book. When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter the third part of the sword which the living and eternal God instructed Elijah to anoint while he was at the cave at Horeb the mountain of God in the wilderness. If you turn and direct your attention back to the nineteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of First Kings you will find Elijah fleeing from the murderous threat of Jezebel the Zidonian queen of Israel who had married Ahab who was the king of Israel. Once the living God was able to encounter Elijah there at the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness—not only did He reveal to Him that He had reserved seven thousand in the land of Israel who had not bowed down to worship Baal, nor had kissed him, the LORD also revealed and spoke unto Elijah concerning a three part sword that would be unleashed and released upon the earth. It would be there at the mountain the living and eternal God would reveal unto the prophet Elijah a sword He was going to raise up within and upon the earth—a sword that would be used to bring judgment upon a corrupt and wicked house in the midst of the northern kingdom of Israel. The living God had already brought down low and brought to destruction the houses of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, as well as the house of Baasha the son of Nimshi, and now the living God had determined and purposed to destroy the house of Ahab king of Israel. It should be noted when reading this particular passage that even before the LORD had spoken the word that He would bring to destruction the house of Ahab, He would anoint that which ultimately bring it to utter destruction. There at the mountain of God when Elijah was running out of fear, terror and dread from the murderous hand and threat of Jezebel the living God would instruct Elijah to anoint that which would not only bring to an end the house of Ahab, but He would also instruct Elijah to anoint that which would bring to an end Jezebel the queen of Israel. It’s quite incredible to think about the fact that even though Jezebel murdered the prophets, and even though Jezebel threatened to make the life of Elijah like the prophets of Baal whom he had slaughtered at mount Carmel, there would never be an encounter between Elijah and Jezebel from the moment he fled for his life until the time he was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind in a fiery chariot and horses. What’s more, is that you will read in the twenty-first chapter of the Old Testament book of First Kings that the prophet Elijah would even confront Ahab king of Israel one more time after he had conspired together with his wife to murder Naboth and steal his vineyard.

I am convinced that in order to understand the significance of what is written and recorded within this particular passage it is not only necessary to read and consider the words which describe the encounter between Elijah and the LORD there at Horeb the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness, as well as the encounter between Elijah and Ahab after Naboth had conspired with his wife Jezebel to murder Naboth the Jezreelite and stealing his vineyard. We dare not miss and lose sight of the significance of what is written and recorded within these chapters, for they help set the tone and the backdrop for what we find in the book of Second Kings. It’s interesting and worth noting that although Elijah would anoint the sword that would ultimately destroy the house of Ahab in the earth, and although the prophet Elijah would deliver the prophetic word concerning the house of Ahab and that it would ultimately be brought low, it would not actually take place until the next generation. In all reality—although the prophet Elijah would anoint the sword of judgment, and although Elijah would prophesy concerning the ultimate demise and destruction of the house of Ahab, it wouldn’t take place until the days of the prophet Elisha who would minister in the office of the prophetic in the place of Elijah. Elijah would anoint these three individuals, and he would of course disciple, mentor and train Elisha to minister in the office of the prophet, however, he would not live to see the days of the fulfillment of what he had prophesied. This is truly astonishing when you think about it, for I am convinced there is a very specific work that is being done during this day, and a very specific work which can and will take place during these days—a work that has been prophesied and spoken of by great men and women of old. I firmly believe there is a work that the Spirit of the living God has anointed in generations past, and it is going to be during these days when the work is actually being carried out and performed. I can’t help but get the strong sense within my heart and spirit that there is a work that we in this generation are being and have been called to, and it is one that was spoken of by great men and women of old. We dare not miss and lose sight of this absolutely astonishing reality, for there is indeed a work that needs to take place during this time—a work of destroying and bringing down low a corrupt house, as well as a corrupt and wicked practice that has been committed within this nation for decades.

As I sit here this evening I firmly believe with everything in my heart and spirit that there is a work that men and women are being called to during these days—a work to utterly and completely destroy a corrupt and rebellious house in the midst of the nation, as well a corrupt and wicked practice. There is not a doubt in my mind that this nation has given itself over to the false worship of idols—perhaps even to a modern day version of Baal worship—and the Spirit of the living God is calling for it to be absolutely and completely destroyed. I can’t help but be reminded of two distinct examples in Scripture when a great work was done in the earth to tear down and destroy idols and idolatrous worship within the earth. If you read and study the narrative of Josiah the final righteous king of Judah, as well as the narrative of Gideon in the book of Judges you will find another act of destroying and tearing down the altar and image of Baal. I am convinced that before we read and consider the accounts which are found in the nineteenth and twenty-first chapters of the Old Testament book of First Kings, we must first look at the narrative of Josiah the king of the southern kingdom of Judah, as well as the narrative of Gideon when he was called of the LORD to deliver the children of Israel out of the hand of the Midianites. Consider if you will the following words which are written and recorded in the Old Testament concerning Josiah the king of Judah, and Gideon the judge of Israel:

“And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: and build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night” (Judges 6:25-27).

“And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep all His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. And the king commanded Hilliard the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el. And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beer-Sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city. Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahab, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had buildest for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men. Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, and the high places which Jeroboam the son of NEbat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove. And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el. And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el. And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem” (2 Kings 23:1-20).

Upon reading each of these passages you will find two distinct individuals who were mightily used by the living God to tear down and destroy idolatrous practices in the midst of their generation. IN the case of Gideon he was instructed to tear down his father’s image of Baal, as well as the altar, and in the case of Josiah, he destroyed, tore down, broke in pieces, and destroyed all the idolatrous items of worship which were found in the house of the LORD, in the southern kingdom of Judah, as well as in the land of the northern kingdom of Israel. It is absolutely necessary and imperative that we recognize and understand this, for when we think about and consider that which the prophet Elijah was instructed to anoint, and that which the prophet Elijah proclaimed according to the word of the LORD, we must consider and recognize the fact that Elijah was specifically called—not only to anoint that which would bring about the destruction of the corrupt and vile house of Ahab, but he would also prophesy of that destruction after Ahab consented to the death of Naboth the Jezreelite and took possession of his vineyard. I would strongly invite you to read and consider the words which are written and recorded in both the nineteenth and twenty-first chapters of the Old Testament book of First Kings, for in order to understand that which is written and recorded in chapters nine through eleven of the book of Second Kings it is absolutely imperative that we understand the prophetic word that was released in the earth before it would ever come about. How absolutely astonishing it is that first came the anointing of the sword that would be unleashed upon the earth, and second would come the actual prophetic word that would commission and authorize the sword. It might very well be said that there at the mountain of God in the wilderness the living God would call for the anointing of the sword that would be unleashed in the earth to bring about the destruction of something before He actually revealed what that sword would accomplish. If you read and study the narrative that is found within the nineteenth and twenty-first chapters of the book of First Kings you will encounter and come face to face with the awesome and incredible truth that the prophet Elijah would first anoint the sword that would be unleashed in the earth before he would prophesy concerning the fulfillment and work of that sword, thus indicating and revealing an incredible truth that sometimes the living God can and will anoint before He actually reveals the work that needs to be accomplished and fulfilled within the earth.

I read and consider the words which are written and contained within these chapters and I am brought face to face with this absolutely reminds us reality that there are times when the LORD can and will anoint that which is going to be used to carry out and fulfill His purposes before He actually speaks the word concerning that work. There are times when the living God anoints those who will be used for and in the work before actually releasing the prophetic word that essentially sets in motion the fulfillment of the anointing. When we think about Hazael king of Syria, when we think about Jehu king of Israel, and when we consider Elisha the prophet in Israel who would minister in the stead and room of Elijah, it is absolutely necessary that we recognize and consider the fact that Elijah would first anoint that which be used to carry out and complete the work and will of the LORD before He would release and speak the word that would begin to set in motion the work which was previously anointed. If you read and study the words which are found within the Old Testament book of Second Kings you will find that during the days of Elisha the prophet in Israel there would be essentially a second anointing that would take place within the life of Jehu as Elisha would instruct one of the sons of the prophets to take a horn of oil, go unto Jehu a captain in the army of Israel, and anoint him to be king over the nation of Israel. Jehu, however, would first be anointed by the prophet Elijah after he was moved from the mountain of God in the wilderness and would return.to the northern kingdom of Israel. It’s actually quite astounding to think about and consider the fact that when you consider this three-fold sword that would be unleashed within and upon the earth—first would come the anointing, and next would come the prophetic word that would set in motion the release of that sword. Consider if you will the word which the living God spoke unto the prophet Elijah there at the mountain of God in the wilderness, as well as the prophetic word that was released through the prophet Elijah unto Ahab whose house the living God would utterly and completely destroy:

“…and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:12-18).

“And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, IN the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. And Ahab said to Elijah, hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreelite. Him that doeth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that doeth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat. But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house” (1 Kings 21:17-29).

THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE HOUSE OF AHAB! THE BEGINNING OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HOUSE OF BAAL! CUTTING OFF BAAL FROM THE LAND! If you read the words which are written and recorded within each of these passages you will find the LORD beginning to put into motion that which would ultimately bring to an end the house of Ahab. What I find to be absolutely incredible is when you consider the fact that as you read the narrative of the prophet Elijah and the house of Ahab you will find that it would be there at Horeb the mountain of God in the wilderness where the living God would first call for the anointing of that which which would ultimately bring about the destruction of the house of Ahab. Scripture isn’t clear as to whether or not it would be at that moment in time the living God purposed and ordained to destroy and bring to ruin the house of Ahab, but what we do know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that it would be the instruction given unto Elijah there at the mountain that would result in the anointing of the sword that would ultimately be raised against the house of Ahab to bring it to complete and utter ruin. It would be there at the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness where we encounter and come face to face with the beginning of the end of the house of Ahab, as the living God would call for the anointing of the sword that would strike the death blow in the house. What’s actually quite astonishing when you think about and consider this is that the LORD wouldn’t immediately reveal unto the prophet Elijah the purpose of this three-edged sword—with the notable exception of His declaring unto Elijah that Elisha would minister and serve as prophet in his stead. The LORD made absolutely no reference to the purpose of Hazael king of Syria, nor the purpose for Jehu the king of Israel, and it wouldn’t be until later on when the word of the LORD would instruct the prophet Elijah to go and confront Ahab after he had murdered Naboth the Jezreelite, and had taken possession of his vineyard. It’s important for us to recognize and understand this, for you get the strong and powerful sense that the LORD would first anoint the sword that would bring about the end and the destruction of the house of Ahab before actually releasing the word against that house. It’s almost as if the LORD would anoint this three-edged sword that would plunge deep into the house of Ahab to strike the death blow before He would actually release the word toward and against it. It wouldn’t be until the word of the LORD would instruct the prophet Elijah to go and confront Ahab after he had stolen and taken possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that we actually find the word that would bring about the end and the destruction of that wicked and evil house.

The more I think about and the more I consider the words which are written and recorded within this passage the more I can’t help but encounter and come face to face with the fact that at Horeb the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness the LORD would instruct the prophet Elijah to anoint three distinct and three specific individuals—those who would ultimately fulfill and serve a purpose of the LORD in the midst of the earth. The living God would call for Elijah to anoint Hazael to be king of Syria, and Jehu to be the king of Israel, and yet the LORD wouldn’t release the full prophetic word concerning these two men who would serve a very specific purpose in the midst of the earth. What the LORD did in fact speak was that it would come to pass that whoever would escape the sword of Hazel would Jehu slay, and whoever would escape the sword of Jehu would the prophet Elisha slay. Please don’t’ miss and lose sight of this astonishing reality, for this three-edged sword would begin in the political realm before it would ultimately be dealt the death blow in the prophetic realm. It’s truly remarkable to think about and consider the fact that the word which the prophet Elijah heard from the LORD would not only call for the anointing of the political end of the sword, but it would also call for the prophetic edge of the sword. If we are to truly understand this three-edged sword which the living God called to be anointed in the midst of the earth, it’s absolutely necessary that we recognize that what would begin in the political realm would ultimately be carried out and completed in the prophetic realm. In recent years popular contemporary Christian author Jonathan Cahn released a book entitled “The Paradigm,” and the entire premise of the book would center around the fact that the living God was raising up in this generation a modern day Jehu who would deal a death blow to the house of Ahab in the midst of the land, and that which would strike the very heart of Jezebel in the midst of the earth. If you take the time to read the book you will encounter and come face to face with the reality that Jonathan Cahn was ultimately expressing and ultimately writing how he believed that Donald Trump who was elected as the President of the United States was being raised up as a modern day Jehu, which would unleash the wrath and fury of the LORD toward and against the house Ahab in the land, and which would confront the spirit of Jezebel in the land. This is actually quite interesting and quite captivating when you think about the fact that of course Donal Trump would be elected to serve in the highest office in the land just as Jehu was anointed to serve in the highest office in the land. One might even argue that Donald Trump was elected into the highest office on the face of the earth, as the United States has arguably been the most powerful and most influential nation in the midst of the earth.

The reason I speak of and mention the book which Jonathan Cahn wrote a few years back is because it is through this book that he speaks about the political edge of the sword which would be unleashed in the midst of this nation—one that would strike a death blow upon and within the house of Ahab. What’s more, is that it would be in this book where Jonathan Cahn would describe how President Trump would be used to confront the spirit of Jezebel in the midst of the land, which he believed to be manifested in the person of Hillary Clinton. What’s so absolutely intriguing about the comparison of Jehu and President Trump is that despite the fact Jehu fulfilled and accomplished the purpose of the living God within the earth, he would not follow the LORD with all of his heart. Jehu would bring about the utter destruction of the house of Ahab in the midst of the land, and he would cut off and destroy Baal and the worship of this strange and foreign god in the midst of the land, yet he would continue in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. If there is one thing we must recognize and consider concerning Jehu the son of Nimshi in the midst of the land of Israel is that he would indeed carry out and fulfill the word and work of the LORD, and he would cut off the worship of Baal in the midst of the land, however, his heart would not be fully and completely toward the living God. The LORD would indeed appear and speak unto him and declare unto him that his house would serve as king in the midst of the nation of Israel unto the fourth generation, however, Jehu would not use that revelation and that word from the LORD as the grounds to worship, serve, and follow the living God. Instead of worshipping and serving the living God, Jehu would continue in the sins of the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which he would cause Israel to sin and transgress against the commandment of the LORD. In a similar manner, I would dare say that concerning President Trump—although he might very well be used as an instrument in the hand of the living God to bring about the fulfillment and carry out a supernatural and spiritual work in the midst of the land, his heart would not be wholly and fully after the living God as were the hearts of previous Presidents who served in the highest office in the midst of the land. In fact, this would not be the first time the Sovereign LORD would raise up a ruler and leader in the midst of the earth to serve and fulfill His plans and His purposes, for if you journey to the forty-fifth chapter of the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah you will find the prophetic word that would be spoken concerning Cyrus whom the LORD would raise up in the earth to fulfill His plans and His purposes. Consider if you will the words which were written concerning Cyrus as they were spoken by Isaiah an ancient Hebrew prophet:

“Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have Holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will lose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: and I will give the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: that they may know from the rising of the sun, and form the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What mayest thou? Or thy work, He that hath no hands?” (Isaiah 45:1-9).

With these words we encounter the absolutely tremendous reality that long before the children of Israel would enter into captivity in the midst of the land of Babylon, and long before the Persian Empire would rule as the dominant superpower in the midst of the earth, the LORD would release a prophetic word in the earth concerning one whose name was Cyrus. If you study the history of the Jewish people in the midst of the Scripture, you will find that it would Cyrus who would issue the decree that would not only call for the return of the Hebrew people from the midst of their captivity, but it would also be Cyrus who would call for the rebuilding of the Temple and sanctuary of the living God in the midst of the earth. It would be Cyrus who would not be an instrument of the LORD to bring about the restoration of the people of God in the midst of the earth, but it would also be Cyrus who would used by the living God to help bring about the rebuilding of the Temple of the living God in the earth as well. In fact, as you come to the final verses of the book of Second Chronicles, as well as the opening words of the Old Testament book of Ezra you will find the exact same description of the purpose which Cyrus king of Persia would accomplish and fulfill in the midst of the earth. It’s important for us to recognize and understand this absolutely astonishing reality, for even when the living God was releasing the prophetic word in the earth concerning Cyrus king of Persia, He would emphatically declare that He called him by name, and surnamed him, though he did not know him. Furthermore, the living God declared that He was the LORD, and there was none else, and there was no God beside Him, and that He burned Cyrus, though He had not known Him. The words which we find concerning Cyrus are actually quite remarkable and astonishing, for Cyrus would be a Gentile king that would be used to fulfill the divine plan and purpose of the living God in the midst of the earth. Cyrus—although he was a Gentile king who would rule over the Persian Empire at one point during history—would ultimately be used by the living God to bring about the return and restoration of the people of Israel to their land in the midst of the land of Israel, as well as the rebuilding of the Temple of the LORD in the city of Jerusalem. Please don’t miss and please don’t lose sight of this absolutely tremendous reality, for although Cyrus did not and would not know the living and eternal God, He would still fulfill and accomplish the divine plan and purpose of the LORD in the earth.

Concerning Jehu we must recognize and understand that the LORD would call for his anointing during the days of Elijah, and there would be an anointing that would come upon him during the days of Elisha, for it would be Elisha who would send one of the sons of the prophets with a horn of oil to anoint Jehu to be the next king of Israel. There seems to be every indication that Jehu the son of Nimshi did not know the LORD intimately and personally as David the king of Israel did, as Josiah king of Judah did, as Hezekiah king of Judah did, as Solomon king of Israel did, however, there was one thing he did know—the word of the LORD. Jehu did in fact know and understand the word which had been spoken by the living God, and he did in fact know and understand that which he was called to do, for if you read the narrative and language that was written concerning him, you will find that he would speak of that which the LORD sought to fulfill and accomplish in the midst of the earth. There is absolutely no denying that Jehu knew that he had been anointed and that he had been raised up for such a time as this. There is absolutely no mistaking the fact that Jehu knew and understood the mission, the task and the assignment that was before him in the midst of the earth, and that he was not only to strike a death blow to the house of Ahab, but also that he was called and anointed by the LORD to destroy Baal from the midst of the earth. As you will read in these chapters you will find that Jehu would not only strike the death blow to the house of Ahab, but he would also be used to destroy Baal worship from the midst of the land as he would not only destroy the prophets of Baal, but he would also destroy the house of Baal from the midst of the land. It’s absolutely and incredibly astonishing and fascinating to consider the fact that the LORD would call for a work to begin in the political realm in the midst of the earth—a work that would bring about the destruction of the house of Ahab, as well the house of Baal from the midst of the earth—and yet that work would ultimately be carried out and completed in the prophetic realm. How absolutely powerful it is to think about and consider that the work which would begin in the political realm would ultimately find its completion in the prophetic realm. Oh please don’t miss this particular reality, for it is this reality which I am absolutely convinced the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD desires to fulfill and accomplish today in this generation and in the midst of these days. It is very possible the living and eternal God can indeed and can in fact begin something in the political realm with Presidents and other leaders, and yet what the LORD would begin in and with the political realm would ultimately culminate in the prophetic realm. The work which Hazael king of Syria would begin would be continued by Jehu the king of Israel, and that work would ultimately find its fulfillment with and through the person of Elisha the prophet of the LORD in the midst of Israel.

As surely as I sit here this morning, I can’t help but come face to face with the absolutely tremendous reality that the Spirit of the living God is anointing and has anointed a prophetic movement and ministry in the midst of the earth—one that will be mightily used by the living God in this generation to fulfill and accomplish the plans and purposes of the living God. I am convinced the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is raising up a genuine and authentic prophetic movement in the midst of this generation that will strike at the very heart of that which has defiled, corrupted and polluted this nation. What’s more, is that it might even be said that the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is anointing and raising up this prophetic movement in the midst of the earth to strike a death blow to the false worship of Baal in the midst of the land, and even to strike a death blow to that which has so angered the living God and provoked Him to jealousy in the midst of the earth. I find it absolutely captivating to think about and consider the fact that the living and eternal God would instruct the prophet Elijah to anoint Hazael to be the next king of Syria, and to anoint Jehu to be the next king of Israel, as well as Elisha to minister in the office of the prophet in his room and in his stead, and these three individuals would be used to carry out and complete a truly tremendous assignment and purpose in the midst of the earth. What makes this even more interesting is when you think about and consider the fact that as you read the words which are written in this Old Testament book you will find that it would be Hazael who would wound the house of Ahab in the earth, and would send the house of Ahab wounded to Samaria, and it would be in Samaria as the house of Samaria was wounded and trying to recover that Jehu the son of Nimshi would begin striking the death blow upon this wicked house. If you begin reading with and from the words which are written and recorded in the eighth chapter of this Old Testament prophetic book you will find and read the words written concerning the days and time of Joram the son of Ahab the king of Israel, as well as Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah began to reign. It is absolutely necessary that we pay attention to the words which are found in the final verses of the eighth chapter of this Old Testament book, for it is that which we find in these final verses that sets the stage for what is found in chapters nine through eleven. It is in these verses where we read of Hazael king of Syria wounding the house of Ahab as the army of Syria would wound Joram in battle, and would ultimately result in Joram returning to Samaria. What’s interesting and worth noting is that Joram would return to Samaria to try and recover from the wounds which he suffered in battle against Hazael king of Syria, and yet it would be in the process of his trying to recover from those wounds that he would actually be killed by Jehu the son of Nimshi. Consider if you will the words which are written and recorded in the eighth chapter of the book of First Kings beginning to read with and from the twenty-fifth verse of the book:

“In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign. Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel. And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, as did the house of Ahab: for he was the son in law of the house of Ahab. And he went with Jordan the son of Ahab to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-GIlead; and the Syrians wounded JOram. And king JOrdam went back to be healed in Jezreelite of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram, the son of Ahab in Jezreelite because he was sick” (2 Kings 8:25-29).

It’s worth paying attention to the words which are written and recorded within this passage, for these words provide us with the beginning of the fulfillment which the prophet Elijah was told by the LORD at Horeb the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness. You will recall that it was there at the mountain where the living God declared unto Elijah that he was to go into the wilderness that was in Damascus and anoint Hazael as the king of Syria, and to anoint Jehu as the king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet in his stead and in his room. Moreover, the LORD also declared and spoke unto Elijah that he who escaped the sword of Hazael would be consumed by the sword of Jehu, and he who escaped the sword of Jehu would be consumed by the sword of Elisha. Please don’t miss and lose sight of this absolutely tremendous and astonishing reality, for within this passage we begin to see this three-edged sword manifested in the earth. What adds even more weight to this particular passage and narrative is that we find two kings waging war and going out to battle against the king of Syria, and what’s so significant concerning these kings is that they were related and were both connected to the house of Ahab. Joram was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, and Jehoram married into the family of Ahab. Scripture reveals how Jehoram was son in law to Ahab and Jezebel as he had married the daughter of this wicked and vile power couple in the northern kingdom of Israel. Please don’t miss this, for not only would Joram and Jehoram be directly linked and connected to the house of Ahab, but they would also both go out to battle against the king of Syria—that one who had been anointed by the prophet Elijah to serve a very specific purpose in the midst of the earth. I do not believe it is any coincidence that both Joram and Jehoram were drawn and enticed into battle with and against Hazael, for it would be Hazael that would begin the process of undoing and destroying the house of Ahab in the midst of the earth. It was the word of the LORD which came unto the prophet Elijah and declared that the house of Ahab would be brought to nothing in the earth, and what we find and read in this passage is a powerful picture of the beginning of the end of this house. What makes this even more interesting is when you think about and consider the Joram the son of Ahab would be wounded in battle against the Syrians just as his father Ahab would be wounded in battle against the Syrians. Consider if you will the narrative which is found in the twenty-second and final chapter of the Old Testament book of First Kings concerning Ahab’s death, and how the LORD would begin to bring to ruin and rubble that evil and idolatrous house:

“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-GIlead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the lints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the drive of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samara. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his arm our; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake” (1 Kings 22:29-38).

As you consider the words which are written and recorded in the final chapter of the Old Testament book of First Kings you will find that Ahab was enticed by a lying spirit to come unto the battle against the Syrians at Ramoth-GIlead, and it would be there at Ramoth-GIlead where he would not only be wounded in battle, but also where he would eventually die. What makes this even more interesting is that his son Joram would follow in the same path and the same footsteps as his father, for he too would go unto Ramoth-GIlead and enter into battle against the Syrians. What’s more, is that just as his father was wounded in battle against the Syrians at Ramoth-GIlead, so also would he be wounded by the Syrians in the battle. We don’t know who, what or how Joram was wounded—only that Joram was indeed wounded in battle. What’s more, is that Joram would return unto Jezreel in order that he might recover and be healed of his wounds. I happen to find it truly remarkable and truly astonishing to think about and consider the fact that both Ahab and Joram were wounded in battle against the same enemy in the same exact place, and what would begin with the father in his generation would be carried out to completion against his son in his generation. The word of the LORD spoken by and through Elijah would declare the end and destruction of the house of Ahab, and it’s worth noting that both Ahab in his generation, and Joram his son in his generation would enter into and engage in battle against the same enemy, and both would be wounded in the battle. There is one key difference between Ahab and Joram, for whereas Ahab would be wounded in battle, would be propped up in his chariot, and would eventually die at the evening, Joram his son would be wounded in battle and would return unto Jezreel to be healed of his wounds. Jezreel would be of extreme and profound significance, for the word of the LORD which came unto Elijah which he spoke concerning Jezebel would also have direct implications and a direct connection to her son Joram also in that same place. Joram would be wounded in the same place as was his father, and would be wounded by the same enemy as was his father, yet Joram would come to the place where it was prophesied that the house of Ahab would finally come to ruin and destruction. Please don’t miss and lose sight of this absolutely astonishing reality, for within this narrative we find both father and son going into battle against the same enemy, waging war against the enemy in the same place, being wounded by the enemy in the same place, and both according to the word of the LORD.

The eighth chapter of the book of Second Kings concludes with Joram son of Ahab returning unto Jezreel in order that he might somehow recover from his wounds, and Scripture isn’t entire, nor is it altogether clear whether or not he did in fact recover from his wounds which were suffered in battle. What we do know is that it would be in Jezreel where Joram would meet his end, and would suffer a fate that had been determined by the word of the LORD which had been spoken by the prophet Elijah. IT would be the prophet Elijah who would not only prophesy and proclaim the word of the LORD concerning the death of Ahab, but the prophet of Elijah would also proclaim unto Ahab the ultimate death and demise of Jezebel his wife and the death of his son and his entire house. As we will clearly see within this passage of Scripture is the death and destruction of the house of Ahab, and even though Jezebel would outlive both Ahab and her son Joram—both of whom would reign as king over the northern kingdom of Israel—she would ultimately suffer her own demise and destruction according to the word of the LORD. The more I read and the more I consider the words which are written and found within these chapters, the more I can’t help but think the undeniable fact that the living and eternal God was determined to bring to ruin and bring to destruction the house of Ahab—and not only the house of Ahab, but also the house of Baal. Through the prophetic word of the LORD that came through Elijah we find the LORD emphatically declaring that He was going to bring to ruin the house of Ahab, but it’s worth noting that the LORD didn’t merely declare he would bring to an end the house of Ahab, and would do it during the days of his son, but the LORD also had a specific and decisive word for Jezebel herself. The LORD wouldn’t merely destroy the house of Ahab as a whole—both the father Ahab the king of Israel, Joram his son who would also be king over Israel, but He would also destroy the sons which Ahab had. It’s truly remarkable to consider the fact not only would the LORD bring to ruin and destruction the house of Ahab, and not only would the LORD bring to ruin and destruction Jezebel the idolatrous and murderous queen of Israel, but the LORD would also cut off and destroy the house of Baal from the midst of Israel. It would be Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi would carry out the mission and assignment of the living God to destroy the idolatrous and murderous house of Ahab, as well as the house of Baal—that which represented a false religious system that was so prevalent and pervasive in the midst of the land of Israel. It would be Jehu king of Israel who would be the instrument and tool in the hand of the LORD. In fact, in the ninth chapter of the book of Second Kings you will find the word of the LORD being proclaimed and delivered unto Jehu by one of the sons of the prophets who was sent unto him to anoint him as king over the nation and kingdom of Israel:

“And he arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israe: and I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah: and the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door and fled” (2 Kings 9:6-10).

Pay careful and close attention to the words which are written and recorded within this passage of Scripture, for within it you will find this son of the prophet speaking unto Jehu concerning his being anointed as king over Israel—not necessarily to rule and reign over the nation of Israel, but in order that he might destroy and bring to an end the house of Ahab because of the blood of the prophets, and because of the blood of the servants of the LORD whom Jezebel slaughtered and shed during those days. It’s quite astounding and remarkable to think about and consider the fact that at the same time the living God would cut off Baal worship and drive out Baal worship from the midst of the land, He would also avenge the blood of His servants the prophets, and the blood of His servants whom Jezebel shed. If you recall the author of the book of First Kings would write how Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, and here we find the LORD declaring unto Jehu through one of the sons of the prophets that he would judge and bring to an end the house of Ahab because of the blood of the prophets, and the blood of the servants of the LORD which Jezebel had shed. Despite the fact that the LORD had reserved for and unto Himself seven thousand who had not bowed down before Baal to worship him, and who had not kissed him, the LORD would raise up that sword which would avenge the prophets and His servants whom Jezebel had slaughtered with the sword. How absolutely astonishing it is to think about and consider the words which the prophet Elijah heard from the LORD, for in the process of running from the murderous threat of Jezebel queen of Israel, Elijah would be instructed to anoint the very sword that would fall upon and consume Jezebel. What’s more, is that not only would this sword fall upon and consume Jezebel, but it would also be used to avenge His prophets and His servants whom she had slaughtered and murdered during those days. It is absolutely necessary and imperative that we recognize and understand this absolutely astonishing reality, for I am convinced that as surely and as much as the living God desires to destroy the house of Baal and its worship within this nation, so also the living and eternal God wants to avenge the blood of His servants the prophets. Scripture is replete with language concerning the shedding of the blood of the prophets, as Jesus Himself would speak of the shedding of the blood of the prophets—not only when speaking unto the scribes and the Pharisees, but also when He would weep and pray over Jerusalem. There is not a doubt in my mind that during these days the living God not only wants to cut off a false religious system from the midst of the land, but the living God also wants to begin to avenge the blood of His servants who were slain on account of the word of the LORD and on account of the name of Jesus Christ. Consider if you will the following words which were spoken by Jesus the Christ as written and recorded within the gospel narrative of His life and ministry:

“Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD” (Matthew 23:34-39).

“The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. And He said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the LORD” (Luke 13:31-35).

As I prepare to bring this writing to a close, I feel it absolutely necessary and imperative to draw and call your attention to the words which are written in the ninth and tenth chapters of these books, for it is in these chapters where you will not only encounter Jehu’s sword coming upon and destroying the house of Ahab, but also Jehu’s destruction of the house of Baal. I sit here today and I can’t help but get the strong sense within my heart and spirit that during these days the Spirit of the sovereign LORD is not only looking to utterly destroy an idolatrous house of false worship in the midst of the land, but the living God is also looking to avenge the blood of the prophets and the blood of the servants of the living God who have been slaughtered and shed in this generation. I am absolutely convinced that there is a work that is being done and performed during these days in which the LORD will not only begin to avenge His saints, His servants and His prophets, but when he can and will also destroy the house of Baal with its false worship and idolatrous practices. When the living God destroyed the wicked and evil house of Ahab—not only was he destroying that wicked and vile house itself, but he was also destroying the house of Baal which was directly linked and connected to it. Moreover, the living God would also avenge the blood of the prophets, and the blood of the servants of the most High God which had been shed by Jezebel during that time. Please don’t miss and lose sight of this absolutely astonishing reality, for there is not a doubt in my mind that during these days the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is looking to and is in fact raising up a sword—perhaps both a political and prophetic sword—which is going to be raised against a false house worship that has been so pervasive in the midst of the land, as well as avenging the blood of the prophets and servants of the living God which has been shed throughout the years. There is not a doubt in my mind that there is indeed a work that is being done in the midst of this generation—a work that will not only confront Baal in the midst of the land, but also a work that will direct confront Jezebel in the midst thereof. There is not a doubt in my mind that during these days the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD desires to confront the idolatrous house of Baal that has so captivated and gripped this nation, as well as the murderous spirit of Jezebel. I leave you with the words which were written and recorded in the ninth chapter of this book which describes Jehu’s vengeance—not only against the house of Ahab, but also against Jezebel and against the house of Baal:

“And JOram king of Israel and Ahaziah king of Judah went out, each in his chariot, and they went out against Jehu, and met him in the portion of Naboth the Jezreelite. And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many? And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah. And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and sunk down in his chariot. Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and Thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him; surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will require thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD. But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. And they did so at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there. And his servants carried him a chariot to Jerusalem, and buried him in his sepulchre with his fathers in the city of David. And in the eleventh year of Joram the son of Ahab began Ahaziah to reign over Judah. And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out a window. And as Jehu entered in at the gate, she said, had ZImri peace, who slew his master? And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? Who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he tried her under foot. And when he was come in, he did eat and drink, and said, Go, see now this cursed woman, and bury her: for she is a king’s daughter. And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Wherefore they came again, and told him, and he said, This is the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, In the portion of Jezreel shall dogs eat the flesh of Jezebel: and the carcass of Jezebel shall be as dung upon the face of the field in the portion of Jezreel; so that they shall not say, This is Jezebel” (2 Kings 9:21-37).

“And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jhonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up into the chariot. And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal of the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot. And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah. And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent through all Israe; and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments. And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshipers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only. And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the Garuda and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and burned them. And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day. Then Jehu destroyed Baal of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that ere in Bath-el, and that were in Dan. And the LORD said uunto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel” (2 Kings 10:15-30).