THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS A WHOLE.
B2 A1 1:3-6:14. Literal. Prophetic.
B1 7:1-9. Symbolic. Grasshoppers. Fire. Plum-line.
A2 7:10-17. Literal. Prophetic.
B2 8:1-3. Symbolic. Basket of summer fruit.
A3 8:4-14. Literal. Prophetic.
B3 9:1-4. Symbolic. Striking the lintel.
A4 9:5-15. Literal. Prophetic.
Amos corresponds to Hosea, the link being Jeroboam II [2 Kings 14:27]. A native of Judah, he prophesied in Israel [1:1; 7:10], and against Israel. As Jeroboam II died in the 14th year of Uzziah king of Judah, Amos was among the earliest of all the prophets [chronologically]. Hence:
The references to Israel's Religious History shows that the Law and Commandments were known [2:4] though not kept, but despised [2:4]; that Israel was oppressive [2:6], impure [2:7], luxurious [6:1-6]; idolatrous [2:8]; and they had had their earlier prophets [2:11; 7:14; 8:11]; that Israel alone knew the true God [3:2]; that Beth-el and Gilgal had been places of transgressions [3:14; 4:4; 5:5].
The references to Israel's Internal History shows that the nation had once been one [3:1]; that Joseph's history was well known [6:6]; that the high place of Israel were known [7;9]; as was David [6:5].
The references to Israel's External History show that the Exodus was known [2:10; 3:1; 5:25; 9:7]; that the nation had wandered in the wilderness [2:10; 5;25]; and were idolaters there [5:25,26]; that the Amorites had been destroyed [2:9,10]; that Gilead [1:13] and Solomon [4:11] had been destroyed.
The references to the Ceremonial Law show that it could not have been written after the days of Amos. Note the references to Burn offerings [4:4; 5:22], and the Altar of Burnt offerings [9:1]; Meal offerings [5:22]; Peace offerings [5:22]; Thank offerings [4:5] Free-will offerings [4:5]; Feast days [5:21]; Feast of New Moon [8:5]; the Sabbath laws [8:5]; laws as to debt [8:6]; to vows [2:11,12]; to baldness for the dead [8:10]; to pledges [2:8], and many other things.
As to the dating of Amos, it is "concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah and Jeroboam II, 2 years before the earthquake" [1:1].
Uzziah and Jeroboam II were contemporary from the 27th year of Jeroboam till his 42nd year: i.e. 14 years [from 701-687 B.C.].
The inference is that the earthquake and Jeroboam's end coincide; and that the "gap" of 24 years in the history of Israel was caused by, or in some way related to, the earthquake [687 B.C.], and before Zachariah began his reign of 6 months.
"Two years before the earthquake" would be 689-688 B.C. [a jubilee year]. At that time the prophecy of Amos commenced [689 B.C.]. He declared the death of Jeroboam by the sword [7:11], and the captivity [7:11], which took place 78 years later [in 611 B.C.].
Possibly he was "chased out" of Israel into Judah by Amaziah the priest of Beth-el, on the charge of treason against Jeroboam [7:10-17]; or he may have remained [most probably] and perished in the earthquake, as there is no reference to that catastrophe, which might be expected, if his prophecies extended beyond that great landmark in the history of Israel. It would, in that case, follow that the period covered by Amos was during those 2 years, which would be 689-687 B.C.
The death of Jeroboam II presumably took place before, or about the time of, the earthquake.
(Shows God's compassion for His Children.)
689-687 B.C.
Amos 1:1 The words of Amos,
(Are the words of Yahaveh by Amos. See v.3. Amos = burden [for the children])
who was among the herdmen
(Heb. nok'dim; so called from a peculiar breed of stunted sheep [with fine wool]. But Amos was also a herdsman, as is clear from 7:14; where boker is from bokar, an ox, and hence is connected with plowing [1 Kings 19:19,21,&c.]. See 7:14)
of Tekoa,
(Now Khan Teku'a, 5 miles south of Bethlehem, and 10 from Jerusalem. Cp. 2 Sam. 14:2. 2 Chron. 20:20.)
which he saw
(Cp. Num. 24:4,16. Isa. 30:10. Ezek. 12:27)
concerning Israel
(This gives us the subject of the book.)
in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam
(Cp. Hos. 1:1. See 7:10)
the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
(I.e. before the one well known and remembered. Zechariah 14:5 "And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains: for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto A'-zal; yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uz-zi'-ah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee."
Anytime a sequence of earthquakes takes place, we better pay attention, especially when they are out of the ordinary. They would give us here a two year warning.
What happened here when Zechariah's earthquake takes place? The Lord's feet touched the Mount of Olives. Zechariah and Amos are projecting far into their future to a time just prior to Christ's return to earth.
So they are sending messages to our generation of symptoms that will show up two years prior to the Lord's Day. That message is "earthquakes" strong enough to cause great concern. Have you seen or heard of any lately? We are watchmen and when something unusual like an earthquake happens, sharpen up and look for the other signs of the times also so you can know that the end of the age is near. The prophecy of an unusual earthquake means it will be one unforgettable on a world-wide scale of knowledge, and where it wasn't expected.
We have just gone through a series of earthquakes that we should take note of. We should use this as a key to watch of other signs of the times, and God will reveal them to you, if you even know what God's Word has revealed them to be.)
:-5. NORTH. DAMASCUS.
2,3-. Transgressions. [General.]
-3-. Threatening. [Negative.]
-3. Transgressions. [Particular.]
4,5. Threatening. [Positive.]
2 And he said, "The LORD will roar
(Or, thunder. It is always, when predicated on the Lord, connected with the end of Gentile dominion. Cp. Jer. 25:30. Joel. 3:16)
from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither."
(Mount Carmel in the north, thus embracing the whole land; now Jebel Kurmul; not Carmel in Judah [south of Hebron]; now el Kurmul. Cp. 1 Sam. 25:2. Isa. 33:9.
What is interesting here is that the shepherds spoken of are a different type of shepherd. The term in Hebrew is "Ra'-ah". The wool from these sheep is far more valuable than common wool. In a prophetic sense, these shepherds are the leaders of the end times.
Like we saw in Joel 3:16, Amos is again stating how the Lord will come as a roaring fury from Zion (Jerusalem), for that's where His kingdom will be established. From there it will cover the whole earth.)
3 Thus saith the LORD;
(Yahaveh's words: not the words of Amos. The Prophetic formula.)
"For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four,
(Hebrew idiom to express several, or many [Job 33:29]. Cp. Prov. 30:15,18,21,29.)
I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:
4 But I will send a fire
(See Jer. 17:27; 49:27; 50:32. Hos. 8:14)
into the house of Hazael,
(Cp. 2 Kings 8:12; 10:32,33; 13:3)
which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad.
(An official title of the Syrian kings = son of Hadad: i.e. the sun-god. The Ben-hadad of 2 Kings 13:3; not of 2 Kings 8:7-15.)
5 I will break also the bar
(Put for the gates, and then the gates put for defense of the city. Cp. Deut. 3:5. 1 Kings 4;13. Jer. 51:30. Lam. 2:9)
of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant
(Or, him that is seated: i.e. the ruler, corresponding with the next line.)
from the plain of Aven,
(Same as Beth-aven = house of nothingness, east of Beth-el = house of God, belonging to Benjamin. Cp. Hosea 4;15; 5:8; 10:5,8)
and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden: and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir,"
(So in 9:7. 2 Kings 16:19. Isa. 22:6. In other words, God says, I'm going to make slaves of their people, just like they made slaves of mine.)
saith the LORD.
6-8. SOUTH. GAZA.
6-. Transgressions. [General.]
-6-. Threatening. [Negative.]
-6. Transgressions. [Particular.]
7,8. Threatening. [Positive.]
6 Thus saith the LORD; "For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity,
(See Jer. 13:19. Cp. Jer. 47:1. 2 Chron. 21:16,17; 28:17)
to deliver them up to Edom:
(Who is Edom? It's Esau's children. Edom of today are the Russian people and their lands. It is talking of Syria in close alliance with Russia.)
7 But I will send a fire on the wall
(Put for the whole city.)
of Gaza, which shall devour the palaces thereof:
(The transgressions God will bring on Edom (Russia) will be in exchange for what Russia has done to God's children. Remember, Amos is writing about the end times, that we are now living in today.)
8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod,
(Now Esdud, in the plain of Philistia, 35 north of Gaza.)
and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron:
(Now 'Akir, 6 miles west of Gezer. For Gezer, see 1 Kings 9:15-17)
and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish," saith the Lord GOD.
("Ashdod" means "stronghold", while "Askkelon" means "migration". In studying Amos, we must keep in mind that Amos is writing of God's punishments in our generation. The "scepter" refers both to a king and a priest.
God does not like the political and religious leaders to lead His children into the religions and traditions, contrary to His word. God will punish those who do. Most of the deceit and suffering put on God's children can be traced to "Kenite" leadership within each of the heathen nations. This extends through the upper core of Russia, through their allies, to even friendly nations to the United States and Canada.
Don't think communism is over yet, when the walls came tumbling down. Even more deceitful is to what depths these Godless socialists are infiltrating our ranks and offices from the local to the national level. Keep alert. The words from their mouths will betray them.)
9,10. MIDDLE. TYRE.
9-. Transgressions. [General.]
-9-. Threatening. [Negative.]
-9. Transgressions. [Particular.]
10. Threatening. [Positive.]
9 Thus saith the LORD; "For three transgressions of Tyrus,
(Now es Sur. See Isa. 23. Jer. 25;22; 47:4. Also Ezek. 26-28. Joel 3:4,5)
and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:
(Cp. 2 Sam. 5:11. 1 Kings 5:1; 9:11-14.
"Tyrus" is one of the names of Satan from Ezekiel 28. It was Satan who turned Jacob over to Esau. However, in speaking in terms of the final days, the peace treaty recently signed between Jacob (The United States and NATO) and Edom (Russia) will be broken, and Russia shall come against the United States. (See Ezekiel 39.) It will be because of this assault that God will send punishment in fulfillment of His Word. God will judge Satan's kids (the Kenites) harshly.)
10 But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof".
(Edom will live by the sword, and die by the sword. Once more we see "the fire on the wall" expressed in verse 7. God again is saying that as they have given out to my people, I will bring that upon their children also. This punishment will be one thing you can count on. The ruler of the entire earth at this "time of the end" is Satan, the "Prince of Tyrus". Satan's rule will end when God shall bind him in the pit. Then, at the end of the millennium, God will turn this "King of Tyrus" (Antichrist) to ashes.)
11,12. SOUTH. EDOM.
11-. Transgressions. [General.]
-11-. Threatening. [Negative.]
-11. Transgressions. [Particular.]
12. Threatening. [Positive.]
11 Thus saith the LORD; "For three transgressions of Edom,
(Cp. Isa. 21;11; 34;5. Jer. 49:8,&c. Ezek. 25:12-14; 35:2,&c. Joel 3:19. Obad. 1. Mal. 1:4)
and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword,
(Gen. 47:21. Cp. Deut. 23:7. Cp. Mal. 1:2)
and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually,
(Ginsberg thinks = kept his grudge. Cp. 2 Chron. 28:17)
and he kept his wrath for ever:
(This is directed at Russia (Edom) herself. The former, in verses dealt with the rulers of Edom, and their offspring; they being under Satan. Though it appears Russia is down, it is not out. As God's words shout out the warnings, the church world, led by the Kenites, and their voices (the media), have taken on a new religion (Babylon, which is confusion). Esau's (Russia's) hatred for God will never change, though some will be save, the national heart is Godless. The anger in Esau's heart for his brother, Jacob, as recorded in Genesis 27:30-46 also will never change. The character of Esau is the character of Russia, the children of Esau.
Esau, in Genesis, placed no value on what was valued by God then, nor does Russia (Esau) today. He sold his birthright then, and today Russia foolishly places her wealth in her sword, instead of her peoples' well being. It was a bowl of soup 4,000 years ago; but today it's a bag of wheat that he comes to Jacob (America) for. The prisons of America are full of men with the exact character of Esau.
Though Russia as a nation is a Godless nation, the Christians within Russia are the most firm Christians in the world. They pay a price for their stand for the Lord; not only in social and monetary standards, but many with their own blood. These Christians do pay a great price to stand on the Lord's side.)
12 But I will send a fire upon Teman,
(cp. Jer. 49:7. Obad. 9. Hab. 3;3. Eliphaz was a Temanite [Job 2:11,&c.)
which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah."
(South-east of the Dead Sea.)
13-15. NORTH. AMMON.
13-. Transgressions. [General.]
-13. Threatening. [Negative.]
-13. Transgressions. [Particular.]
14,15. Threatening. [Positive.]
13 Thus saith the LORD; "For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead,
(Foretold in Hos. 13:16. 2 Kings 8:12; 15:16)
that they might enlarge their border:
(Cp. Jer. 49:1.
Ammon is not heathen outsiders, but within the family of Abraham. It is a brother nation. How then does this attack by Ammon relate to end times? In the "time of the end" there are two different swords spoken of that are used. One is God's Words, which is a two-edged sword that cuts, to make come to pass that which He has spoken. That sword comes from the mouth of Christ. The second sword is the flood of lies spoken by Satan. That sword will cut all who believe him (all the world but the elect). These lies will destroy children spiritually. Why? They're misled through traditions and false teachings and traditions.
The borders of Ammon are expanded by the slope and false teaching infiltrated into God's teachings, to draw God's children into their border through their beliefs. They have only one interest, and that's to enlarge their church body. To do that may require changing God's standards, like opening their doors to Sodomites, bring worldly projects into the church to draw attention, and outright changing God's Word to compromise with all people of the community.
Why? To increase membership rolls, help pay for building plans, feed a power-hungry pastor or denomination, or any of a number of reasons you can name. These are those groups that play church and lose the realism of tied them to our Lord. God to them is a system, and form.)
14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah,
(Now 'Ammon [on the highlands of Gilead], "the city of waters", 25 miles north of the Dead Sea. Cp. 2 Sam. 11:1; 12:26,27. Jer. 49:2. Ref. Deut. 3:10,11)
and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:
( Amos is not speaking of a city, but this is a symbol of what is to be at the "time of the end". The "waters", speaking in a spiritual sense, is shown in Revelation 17:1, where the false religion (church) called "the great whore", is setting upon many "waters". "Waters", like the word "sea", refers to peoples or nations.
What is this "whirlwind"? In Ezekiel 1, it was a means of God physically coming to earth. In that day and in the very near future, Christ will return physically, with an army of His followers, to set up His kingdom on earth, and all will bow to Jesus Christ on that day. There will be a tempest as God shakes this earth and "kindles the fire on the wall", which is to bring back two-fold the harm that each person of Ammon inflicted upon God's children.)
15 And their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together," saith the LORD.
(Now, what is "the captivity of the king and his princes"? Satan is the king, and he will rule the earth with deceit. All men and women of the earth will think he is Christ, except for the "elect" of God. That rule of Satan's reign as king and false Christ will be for five months (Revelation 9:5, 10); then is the time Amos the prophet speaks of here in verse 15. At that time, the "Day of the Lord", Satan will be thrown into the pit, and all power stripped from him. When Satan enters the pit, all people on earth will see and know him for the fake he is. They will bow to Jesus Christ, who will return on that day to reign for 1,000 years. The confusion caused by Satan will be gone, and for 1,000 years you will learn and obey all of God's feast days, laws, and instructions. Then, at the end of that 1,000 years, called the Millennium, you will be judged by your works done in that Millennium age, and go either to eternity with Our Lord, or ashes.
It is then, at the end of the Millennium that Satan, and all those judged to be with him, will enter the "lake of fire". (Revelation 19:20-21.)
The burning in II Peter 3:9-10, is when Christ comes to set up His kingdom; those "elements" are "evil rudiments", evil spiritual things. They will not be around to hinder those who have ignorantly followed Antichrist, and are in Christ's 1,000 years of learning and testing. Remember, Satan and his hoards of fallen angels are gone then.
So, what is God saying in verse 15? I'm going to take Satan and those hindering the teaching of my word and put them away for awhile. Then, in His kingdom (the millennium) all will have 1,000 years to study in their spiritual bodies and to learn the truth of His Word. Then comes the judgment (rewards).)