RaptureChrist Newsletter
Oct 1, 2001

Prophecy of Zephaniah

The destruction of the twin towers was prophesied by Zephaniah, a prophet who lived in the reign (640–609 B.C.) of King Josiah of Judah.  The prophet Zephaniah was the great grandson of  King Hezekiah.

Zephaniah 1:11
Howl, ye inhabitants of the hollow place, For cut off hath been all the merchant people, cut off have been all bearing silver.

The original Hebrew word translated "hollow place" is "maktesh",  which means a mortar, like mortar and pestle,  it also means the hollow socket where a tooth is inserted into the bone.  The prophet used this word instead of city or house because many people lived and worked in these two buildings, but the twin towers could not be considered a city.  He did not use the word "towers" because people did not live in towers.

Next the prophet states "cut off has been all the merchants".  The original word is "canaan" because this word is also used to refer to merchants.  That the word merchant is the implied true meaning is given in the next sentence "cut off have been all bearing silver." These are the bankers.

Zephaniah 1:12
And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men that are settled on their lees, that say in their heart, Jehovah will not do good, neither will he do evil.

The original word translated "lees" is the Hebrew word "shemer", which means dregs, sediment, or something that settles down, so we think the right translation is "punish the men that are settled on their  settlements." Therefore, God is telling us that the destruction of the twin towers occurs at the time that God punishes men that live in settlements and that say JHWH does no good or evil.

Sadly so, many of the Jewish residents in Israel have this line of thought due to their suffering during the holocaust.  They do not pray to JHWH for deliverance in their time of trouble. They rely more and more on the United States for help.

Zephaniah 1:13
And their wealth shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation; and they shall build houses, and not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and not drink the wine thereof.

This is happening right before our eyes. Many of the settlements have been left for Arabs to enjoy: Hebron, Bethlehem, and many more.

Zephaniah 1:14
The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near, and hastens greatly. The voice of the day of Jehovah: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

The great day of the Lord is near. This event is also prophesied in the book of Revelation. See Wrath of God. It is preceded by the return of the Messiah.

Therefore the destruction of the twin towers, sad as it may be, is a sign that the rapture is at the doors.

Zephaniah 1:15
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and gross darkness,

Zephaniah 1:16
A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

 We Are Losing our Civil Liberties

People are now willing to give up their rights for more security. In a poll taken by a major news service several days after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center, over 2/3 of the voters expressed this view.

The U.S. has now taken the center stage in rallying other nations against terrorism.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair(L) and French President Jacques Chirac(R).

During a meeting in Paris on September 20, 2001- they said that their countries would support any U.S. military action they considered a justifiable reply to the attack on the twin towers. Their reunion is part of a diplomatic tour by Blair intended to garner support for an international coalition in favor of the U.S. anti-terrorism stance.

Vladimir V. Putin, President of Russia, agreed to help the United States in the fight against terrorism by sharing intelligence information and allowing the United States to use Central Asian airfields. 

Vincente Fox, President of Mexico, will help the United States in its crusade against terrorism by purveying oil, stopping the flow of terrorists' money and preventing them from crossing the U.S.-Mexican border.

In its war on terrorism, the United States will use the United Nations as the world legal body.

The United Nations Security Council last Friday September 28, 2001 voted unanimously 15-0 approving  a U.S.-sponsored resolution that would freeze the financial assets of suspected terrorists. The resolution requires all countries to deny "safe haven" to anyone financing or committing a terrorist act. This will expand the power of the United Nations to fight terrorism.

The measure to fight terrorism was introduced Thursday September 19, 2001 by U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte.

It will be prohibited for any country to furnish assistance  to anyone involved in terrorist acts. Bin Laden's supporters will have all their assets frozen. Countries must  fully cooperate with one another in investigating terrorist acts, including helping member states in acquiring evidence.

Diplomats said that in accepting the legally binding Security Council resolution, all countries are now required to immediately implement them. This effectively supersedes other anti-terrorism treaties that many countries have ratified.

To maintain international peace and security, the United Nations has become the new world policeman, enacting laws that supersede national laws.

National sovereignty is become a thing of the past, leading us into a one world government as the bible prophesied.

Revelation 13:8
And shall bow before it all who are dwelling upon the earth, whose names have not been written in the scroll of the life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world;