‘I baptise you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
They bound on the tops of the mountains. Their sound is like the sound of chariots, like the sound of fiery flames consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for war.
Indeed! Topheth has been ready for the king for a long time. Its funeral pyre is deep and wide, with plenty of fire and wood. The breath of the Lord, like a torrent of burning sulphur, kindles it.
when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodguilt from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgement and a spirit of burning.
At the sound of the stamping hooves of his stallions, the rumbling of his chariots, and the clatter of their wheels, fathers will not turn back for their sons. They will be utterly helpless
Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck down one hundred and eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!
Listen, a commotion on the mountains, like that of a mighty people! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations being gathered together! The Lord of Armies is mobilising an army for war.
He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughs and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
‘Look, the days are coming’ #– #this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘when I will raise up a Righteous Branch for David. He will reign wisely as king and administer justice and righteousness in the land.
Now, daughter who is under attack, you slash yourself in grief; a siege is set against us! They are striking the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod.
Yes, he will build the Lord’s temple; he will bear royal splendour and will sit on his throne and rule. There will be a priest on his throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two of them.