Why you haven't heard much about it

 

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing
but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Prov. 25:2

I was walking through a busy airport.

A large poster ad caught my eye.

It read like this: "There's only one problem with religions that have all the answers . . . they don't allow questions. If you sometimes have questions about God and the meaning of life, come join the search for answers."

This was an advertisement for a mainstream denomination. I thought it was a good ad. It looked good. It read smoothly. Yet, to me, it was somewhat ironic. It was inviting me, not to have the answers per se, but rather to join a search party to look for them.

Didn't this church have the answers? Answers to:

"Who am I?"

"Why was I born?"

"Where am I going?"

"How should I live?"

"Is there a life after death?"

"What will it be like?"

Maybe they did have answers, but this ad didn't convey that feeling. If you went to a doctor, would you feel confident if she said 'Come join me in the search for the answer to your condition'? Should it be different for a spiritual matter?

Why you haven't heard much about it

I think I know why this church took this approach. After Jonestown, Hare Krishna, 'Moonies,' Eternal Flame, Aum, and other cults, it seems better, and safer, not to be too authoritarian. Hey, it's just not politically correct. When you say what you believe forthrightly, it can really ruffle the feathers. And, after all, the answers to those questions are not always so simple and obvious.1

The Bible is not simple. It contains some difficult passages. It contains mysteries. Even some of the prophets, like Daniel, did not understand their own prophecies.2

So we must indeed 'search for answers.' Sincere men and women of all ages have always 'searched for the answers.' The Bereans earned for themselves the title 'noble' for searching the Scriptures daily.3

And if you dig long and hard enough, you, too, can find the answers. But relatively few do dig into the Bible, and the ones that do often don't look in the right places. And not without some reason.

Pardon me for getting very real. But I respect your time and don't want to waste it. The Bible, even to many Christians, has a dry, dull and unreal air to it. Most copies are written in language hundreds of years old about places thousands of miles away. And about things that took place thousands of years ago. Some passages in the Old Testament seem so difficult -- even to Bible teachers -- that they are just plain avoided. "It's not about me . . . not about the way my life is today," many say or think to themselves. Undoubtedly, the most inaccessible part of the Bible has to do with prophecy and the kingdom of heaven.

Many Christians who are expert on many matters of the faith readily confess they know little about God's kingdom on the earth. Hence, this book. There are thousands of titles on other Bible themes, but surprisingly few on the kingdom of heaven, the real kingdom, what it will be like, and what you'll be doing there.

I hope this book will take some of the mystery and confusion out of the future. I hope this book will make it much more real to you. After all, this is an important subject. As a believer, this is where you are going to spend the rest of your (eternal) life.

The kingdom of heaven is the focal point of the entire Word. In a very real sense, the Bible is about nothing but that kingdom. Adam lost it in the Garden, Jesus Christ died to restore and repopulate it, and he's returning to make it a reality on this earth. The promised land is a type of it. The prophets wrote about it. The apostles preached about it. And they assumed their listeners knew all about it from the Old Testament.

Yet, ironically, like most of prophecy, the kingdom of heaven is the least studied and least discussed part of Christian theology. Why? Well, quite a few folks believe: "The Bible doesn't say too much about the future."

And not only lay folks. Bible scholars, too. For example: "To live in the blessed hope and continual expectation of the Lord's Coming is one thing: to have a theory about the Millennium is quite another. Some think the Millennium will be an Age of Blessedness in this present world; others, that it will be one of the Ages of Eternity after the flesh and blood order of existence has passed. And some talk as if they knew all about it."4

Or: "A study of the prophets will enrich the life of anyone who applies himself to learn their teaching; conversely, it will only add to the confusion of those who would use their writings as a basis on which to speculate about the future."5

William E. Biederwolf, the author of the excellent Second Coming Bible, said he ministered for 20 years without once mentioning the return of Jesus Christ to this earth before he wrote his important and exhaustive work.6

Since not much is said about the return of Christ and his kingdom in many seminaries, nor by many leading Christian scholars, most ministers don't know much about it, and consequently, most parishioners don't hear much about it. And for those who do want more on the subject for private study, the literature is somewhat limited, (though this has begun to change of late).

There are two main choices: A few excellent, comprehensive (and published) doctoral theses. These are somewhat inaccessible to the average person. They're just not a fun, quick "read," to put it another way. You've got to work your way through them. The other choice: several short works. Compared to the doctoral theses, these are superficial. They leave out too much to really give you a good picture of what it will be like on "the other side." The kind of picture God himself would like you to have, and has provided for in his Word.

The irony in all this is just how much detail the Lord has provided in his Word for those who would like to know more about the next life. Have you ever gotten a postcard from a friend visiting Europe? Perhaps it was a postcard of a magnificent cathedral . . . or a dramatic panoramic view of one of the capitals. Maybe it made you wish you were there, too. That's what God has sent each one of us in his Word. Only the scene depicted is a scene right out of the future. And it is just as detailed as a beautiful, highly ornate, baroque building in Europe. Quite literally!

For example, Ezekiel 40 through 48 presents an architectural blueprint in minute detail of the palace sanctuary of the millennium. The precise dimension of every hall, wall, courtyard, terrace and pillar. The palm tree decorations on the pillars. The wood panelling in the Temple and the Holy of Holies. The walls decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces. One face -- that of a man -- looking toward the palm tree on one side, and the other face -- that of a young lion -- looking toward the palm tree on the other side.7

And on and on and on the description goes. But Christians don't make it their business to master the Old Testament, perhaps feeling that it doesn't apply to them, that it is a history book of the Jews. The irony, and it's a huge one, is that it is just the opposite: it's a message from the future -- and a highly detailed one at that. God promises that his Holy Spirit will, in fact, show each of us the things that are to come.8

And in tremendous detail. So this knowledge is there for the taking. Much of it is in the Old Testament. Another common reason that more Christians don't look into the future: "I'm just too busy struggling with just being a Christian, and living the Christian life, to look into the future." These folks don't feel it's practical. They feel that being a Christian is for now, and heaven's for later, and that thinking about heaven doesn't change what happens now. And what happens now is what really counts. But, actually, knowledge of the kingdom is an eminently practical insight into many everyday problems.

Take death, for example. That's a big everyday problem. Knowledge of the kingdom helped at least one-person face death with courage. Jesus Christ. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.9

The Lord said that his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge.10

And that where there is no vision, the people perish.11

Conclusion: a working knowledge of that great future kingdom on this earth doesn't add to the struggle of the Christian life, it helps overcome the struggle. It helps you live a purposeful, secure life here and now. It sets the stage for a breathtaking eternal life in the world to come. And it motivates us to endure to the end and not grow weary.

There's one last problem that really gets in our way of seeing the kingdom clearly, and it is a particular affliction of the earnest Christian believer. False humility. It seems 'worldly,' doesn't it, to dwell on the rewards of the world to come? Just a little too ambitious, too self-seeking. After all, 'I'm just a sinner saved by grace,' many say. And as the hymn says: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." Someone once said there is a lot of bad theology in a lot of good hymns. We once were sinners and wretches, but we're not accounted that by God anymore, not since Christ died to pay in full, once and for all, for our sins. We can confidently say that we are sons and daughters of God himself.

This is not a new problem, however. This was a problem in the time of the Lord Jesus as well. Speaking to a group of religious leaders during the feast of dedication at Solomon's porch at the temple, Jesus, as often was the case, had incensed them. This time it seems he had gone too far. This time they were accusing him of blasphemy. Jesus answered them: Is it not written in your law, "I said, Ye are gods?"12

Jesus was quoting Psalm 82. "Gods" here, in the Hebrew, is ha-elohim. That is a generic form, if you will, of God. This is what the judges were called in ancient Israel. Apparently, it was not an affront to the God who washed the disciples feet that these judges from the days of old were called 'gods.' But it was an outrage to the Jewish leaders of the day that Jesus would consider himself such a one. All Christians are "gods" -- in the sense that we are sons of God, for as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God. 13

Not the original Father God, or the original Son God, of course, but we are members of the God family, nevertheless. Hence, 'gods.' Like the Smiths, or the Joneses. God's plan, simply put, is to create a family with whom to share his magnificent existence. The Lord Jesus Christ had all the power, wealth, glory, and honour that anybody could ever want right in heaven. He didn't come to earth and die to achieve any of those things. He came only for us. To create a family of like-minded beings, a new species, with whom to share his rule, his wealth, his world.14

So false humility should not stand in our way of accepting those things. As the late Golda Meir is reported to have said, "Don't be so humble, you're not that great." So, too, with us. We shouldn't be so humble that we can't accept what Christ has made available to us, and at great personal cost. Christians are God's kids, called by his name. So here is the God you always wanted. Here is the Father you always wanted. Your Father with an exciting future to offer you into eternity, and very real help for you now as well. The Lord God you can worship, involuntarily, from the heart. The Lord God you can pray to and talk to not in forced minutes per day once or twice a week, but across untimed minutes, frequently. Here is the Lord God who makes you the head and not the tail, and puts you above only and not beneath. 15

The Lord God who will take every care and set you free once and for all.16

If we can grasp it, there is contained in these truths a greater thrill, a greater exhilaration, more security than anything the world has to offer. There is power. Power to solve all our problems of identity crises, mid-life crises, middle-child complexes, anxieties and the other assorted psychological ills that beset us. In this realization is the power to tie up all the loose ends of our relationship with the Lord. To complete the loop from ritual to reality. There is the motivating power to live confidently. To minister to others. To minister to the Lord himself.


FOOTNOTES
1 Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
2 Dan. 12:8,9 I heard what he said but I didn't understand what he meant, so I said, 'Sir, how will this all come out?' But he said, 'Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end.' LB
3 Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
4 Henry H. Halley, Halley's Bible Handbook, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House), p. 612
5 Homer Hailey, A Commentary on the Minor Prophets, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1972) p. 11
6 William E. Biederwolf, The Second Coming Bible, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House), 1972, Introduction
7 Ez. 41:16-20, LB
8 John 16:13 He will show you things to come.
9 Heb. 12:2 He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards. LB
10 Hosea 4:6 My People are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
11 Prov. 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish.
12 John 10:34 "'In your own Law it says that men are gods!' he replied.
13 John 1:12 "But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God.
14 Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
15 Deut. 28:13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath.
16 Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.

 

He will show you things to come. John 16:13

 

You can't believe in the kingdom if you don't believe in God.

So, first of all, how can we know he's really out there?

There are several ways. First, by the evidence of things around us.1 Creation demands a creator. Life requires a life-giver. The design inherent in the universe requires a designer. And the laws of the universe demand a lawgiver. Once set in motion, the universe requires a sustainer to continue to keep the laws, designs, various kinds of life and created things in motion. Nothing in your life just "happens." Nothing in the universe does either.

To the not-so-scientific mind, these facts may seem abstract. Another, and for some, more pertinent, proof of the existence of God is fulfilled prophecy. In fact, God refers to the fact of fulfilled prophecy as his own revealing mark, like a signature. "For I am God -- I only -- and there is no other like me who can tell you what is going to happen. All I say will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish."2 And again, "Time and again I told you what was going to happen in the future. My words were scarcely spoken when suddenly I did just what I said."3 And again, "Let them try to tell us what occurred in years gone by, or what the future holds. Yes, that's it! If you are gods, tell what will happen in the days ahead."4

The succession of world empires prophesied in Daniel -- Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek and Roman -- came to pass. The prophecies of the Messiah came to pass. And so, too, will the prophecies of the kingdom.

All real Christians believe that God exists. That's not a problem. What is a problem for many Christians, however, is gaining a full understanding of what God -- God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ -- is really like. Some questions that many have:

What does God look like?

Like us, in form and shape, at least. Genesis tells us that we're made in his image, after the God kind.5 He has eyes and eyelids.6 He has a face.7 He has a back.8 He has hands.9 The Lord Jesus Christ said: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!"10

Four major prophets have recorded their visions of God. These visions of God and his surroundings were recorded so that we can have a better insight into what the Lord looks like:

Isaiah : The year King Uzziah died I saw the Lord! He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the Temple was filled with his glory. Hovering about him were mighty, six-winged seraphs. With two of their wings they covered their faces; with two others they covered their feet, and with two they flew. In a great antiphonal chorus they sang, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is filled with his glory.' Such singing it was! It shook the Temple to its foundations, and suddenly the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke.11

Ezekiel : One day late in June, when I was thirty years old, the heavens were suddenly opened to me and I saw visions from God. I saw, in this vision, a great storm coming toward me from the north, driving before it a huge cloud glowing with fire, with a mass of fire inside that flashed continually; and in the fire there was something that shone like polished brass. Then from the centre of the cloud, four strange forms appeared that looked like men, except that each had four faces and two pairs of wings! Their legs were like those of men, but their feet were cloven like calves' feet, and shone like burnished brass. And beneath each of their wings I could see human hands . . . For high in the sky above them was what looked like a throne made of beautiful blue sapphire stones, and upon it sat someone who appeared to be a Man. From his waist up, he seemed to be all glowing bronze, dazzling like fire; and from his waist down he seemed to be entirely flame, and there was a glowing halo like a rainbow all around him. That was the way the glory of the Lord appeared to me.12

Daniel : I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient of Days -- the Almighty God -- sat down to judgge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like whitest wool. He sat upon a fiery throne brought in on flaming wheels, and a river of fire flowed from before him. Millions of angels ministered to him and hundreds of millions of people stood before him, waiting to be judged. Then the court began its session and the Books were opened.13

John : When I turned to see who was speaking, there behind me were seven candlesticks of gold. And standing among them was one who looked like Jesus who called himself the Son of Man, wearing a long robe circled with a golden band across his chest. His hair was white as wool or snow, and his eyes penetrated like flames of fire. His feet gleamed like burnished bronze, and his voice thundered like the waves against the shore . . . His face shone like the power of the sun in unclouded brilliance."14

Where does He live?

God lives in the heavenly temple, set within an ivory palace -- one of a number of such palaces -- on the heavenly mount Zion.15 His throne is set beneath a rainbow that casts a powerful greenish hue like emerald.16 Before the throne is a sea of glass. Lightning and thunder emanate from the throne of God. Around that throne are twenty-four seats for the heavenly elders. There are also four beasts around the throne, as well as heavenly animals in the surrounding areas of the ivory palaces.17

The apostle Paul was transported to heaven18, either bodily or in a vision, and saw a remarkable scene. Not having the benefit of that experience, we can only take these insights and imagine a heavenly Versailles, a corporate headquarters for the universe, landscaped with perfectly symmetrical gardens, shining in glory, home for God the Father, God the Son, heavenly beings and innumerable angels. God will one day soon establish a like environment on the earth when he restores his kingdom.

What is he really like?

Warm, close, affectionate. The same kind of strange and wonderful love that we have seen in Jesus Christ is in the Father. "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."19 He is the kind of Father that carries us about with hugs and kisses just like an earthly father carries around a beloved two-year-old child, but our heavenly Father carries us about after that fashion even to our old age.20 Truly, this is the love that makes the Christian who is close to the Father cry out, "Abba, Father," or translating, "Daddy, Father" just as the Lord did. "And He said, 'Abba' (or Daddy), Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt."21 And just as every Christian can. 22 23

What are some of his names besides "God"?

God always names things for what they are. So, too, with himself:

Elohim. The creator.
Jehovah. The covenant maker and keeper. For example:
Jehovah Jireh. Jehovah our provider.24
Jehovah Ropheka. Jehovah our healer.25
Jehovah Nissi. Jehovah our banner.26
Jehovah Mekaddishkem. Jehovah our sanctifier.27
Jehovah Shalom. Jehovah our peace sender.28
Jehovah Zebaoth. Jehovah of hosts.29
Jehovah Zidkenu. Jehovah our righteousness.30
Jehovah Shammah. Jehovah is there.31
Jehovah Elyon. Jehovah most high.32
Jehovah Roi. Jehovah my shepherd.33
Jah. Jehovah having become our salvation.
El. Elohim in all his strength and power.
Eloah. Elohim, the living God who is to be worshipped as contrasted with inanimate idols.
Elyon. Elohim, the most high God.
Shaddai. The Almighty, able to supply every need.
Adonai. Lord, Blesser.
Adon. Lord, Ruler.
Adonim. Lord, Owner.

What does God do all day?

I have heard it said that God does and enjoys many of the same things that we do, and I believe it. It makes a lot of sense, him and us being a lot alike. After dispatching his executive duties, delegating other responsibilities to angels, conferring with the Father, I imagine that Jesus enjoys a wide range of activities.

Take music, for example. As the poet says, music is the greatest good that mortals know, and all of heaven that we have below. I expect that Jesus and his father Jehovah are composers and musicians. We know, for example, that the Lord sang hymns with his followers while on the earth. We'll see later in this book he'll sing out loud for joy in his kingdom. Is it not reasonable to expect that he continues to enjoy music back in his heavenly home? Well, it is. We know it for a fact.34 And it's not unreasonable if we have a clear picture of the real Lord. So I expect that the Gods of heaven play chamber music and then gather, on occasion, with angels and other heavenly beings to perform major symphonic and other large-scale works. I expect that they perform a kind of music that we have not heard or imagined as yet, as well as the kind of Bach, Beethoven, Bruckner and Brahms that we do know.

The Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are real, indeed . . . real enough to enjoy music.

Real enough to enjoy sports and athletic contests, too. To wear a sweatshirt. To play soccer, racquetball, football . . . and other heavenly games. Real enough to enjoy food and drink, as Christ did after he was resurrected and yet still on this earth, and as he promised to do with us in the kingdom.35

In short, real enough to do the things we do. Real enough to read, to plan, to act, to think, to dream.

And to do some things we don't do. To receive and answer prayer, to heal, to bless, to watch after his children, day and night. To notice if a sparrow falls to the ground, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." and to keep track of how many hairs are on each of our heads.37 And, most significantly to the subject at hand, to prepare for the restoration of the kingdom to the earth.38

A day is as a thousand years to the Lord.39 He is not bound by time like we are. So he has time to do all this.

Once we get a good handle on the reality that we are God's children, that we're made to look like him, and that he's coming to live with us, none of the above should seem strange at all. In fact, what should seem strange to us is praying to and worshipping a God for so long that we knew so very little about.

FOOTNOTES:
1 Romans 1:20-21 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2 Is. 46:9,10, LB
3 Is. 48:3, LB
4 Is. 41:22,23 LB
5 Gen. 1:26 And God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.
6 Psalm 11:4 His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men."
7 Ex. 33:20 But you may not see the glory of my face, for man may not see me and live
8 Ex. 33:23 Then I will remove my hand and you shall see my back, but not my face."
9 Ex. 33:23 And I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts: but My face shall not be seen.
10 John 14:9
11 Is. 6:1-4 LB
12 Ez. 1
13 Daniel 7:9-10
14 Rev. 1:12-16
15 Psalm 45:8 In your inlaid palaces of ivory; lovely music is being played for your enjoyment.
16 Rev. 4:3 Great bursts of light flashed forth from him as from a glittering diamond, or from a shining ruby, and a rainbow glowing like an emerald encircled his throne.
17 Gen. 1:24 And God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind (implied here, his kind in heaven: and it was so.
18 Cor. 12:4 Fourteen years ago I was taken up to heaven for a visit. Don't ask me whether my body was there or just my spirit, for I don't know; only God can answer that. But anyway, there I was in paradise, and heard things so astounding that they are beyond a man's power to describe or put in words.
19 John 14:9 LB
20 Is. 46:4 "And even to your old age I am He: and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."
21 Mark 14:36
22 Rom. 8:15, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"
23 Gal. 4:6 "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father.'"
24 Gen. 22:14
25 Ex. 15:26
26 Ex. 17:15
27 Ex. 31:13
28 Jud. 6:24
29 1 Sam. 1:3
30 Jer. 23:6
31 Ez. 48:35
32 Psalm 7:17
33 Psalm 23:1
34 Psalm 45:8 ". . . lovely music is being played for your enjoyment."
35 Matt. 26:29 "Mark my words -- I will not drink this wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my father's kingdom." LB
36 Matt. 10:29 "Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?
37 Matt. 10:30 "And the very hairs of your head are numbered" LB
38 John 14:2 "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
39 2 Peter 3:8
40 Rev. 21:1-3 "Then I saw a new earth (with no oceans!) and a new sky, for the present earth and sky had disappeared. And I, John, saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. It was a glorious sight, beautiful as a bride at her wedding. I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among men, and he will live with them and they will be his people; yes, God himself will be among them.'"

 

For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jer. 29:11

How would you like to find a book that not only can help make you healthier, happier and more prosperous, but can tell you about your future in minute detail? You've already got one. It's your Bible.

We have already seen that one of the proofs that God is real is fulfilled prophecy. Now maybe the sceptic would not put much stock in prophecies about things that happened long ago.

"These things could have been written about after they happened," one could reason. "I'm not an expert on these things . . . how can I know if it really happened?"

But what about things that were predicted long ago for now? Today. The 20th century. They couldn't have been written after the fact. If those prophecies were obviously and undeniably true, would that make a difference?

I think it makes a powerful difference.

It is by these very prophecies that we can know that the Bible is God's own Word, that it is true, and that we can believe it without reservation. Here are several:

Babylon . Babylonia was the first world kingdom, in full flower from 1850 B.C. to 539 B.C. Babylon was its capital. This was a truly magnificent city. Check an encyclopaedia. You can tell from pictures of the broken pieces of this civilization that have been left behind. Its ziggurats (spiral towers) and hanging gardens were famous all over the world. It was the New York, Paris, London and Rome of the ancient world -- all in one.

Nevertheless, for its persecution of Israel, God prophesied the destruction of this empire by the prophet Isaiah: "And so Babylon, the most glorious of kingdoms, the flower of Chaldean culture, will be as utterly destroyed as Sodom and Gomorrah were when God sent fire from heaven; Babylon will never rise again. Generation after generation will come and go, but the land will never again be lived in. The nomads will not even camp there. The shepherds won't let their sheep stay overnight. The wild animals of the desert will make it their home. The houses will be haunted by howling creatures. Ostriches will live there, and the demons will come there to dance. Hyenas and jackals will den within the palaces. Babylon's days are numbered; her time of doom will soon be here."1

Unlike other civilizations that have been decimated and yet were resurrected from the ashes, phoenix-like, such as Rome from ancient times through modern history, or Germany from World War II, or Israel, Babylon has not. This prophecy came true and has remained true down to the last detail.

The ruins of Babylon are in Iraq, 55 miles south of Baghdad. There are enamel animal sculptures, building fragments, streets. But just as prophesied, great Babylon of yore is uninhabited. None of the locals will live there. They have a superstition against it, and in fact, they will not even camp there overnight. But ostriches, storks and other wild, howling animals of the desert do make their home there -- just as predicted.

Is this merely a self-fulfilling prophecy? Today, in the age of the hydrogen bomb, a prediction that any city -- or the entire world itself -- would be wasted and left desolate forever would be credible. But back in the days when men fought in hand-to-hand combat, how could Isaiah have known that his prophecy would stick for 2,500 years? Only one way. Only if the Living God had decreed it.

Egypt . Egypt was a leading ancient culture from 3100 B.C. to 642 A.D. It was the seat of great learning, and home for a large population, some seven million at the time of the Pharaohs.

God also prophesied about Egypt. He was going to punish this land for vanity, and for offences against Israel, but unlike Babylon, Egypt would rise again, though not to her former glory.

Here is how God put it: "Because you said: 'The Nile is mine! I made it!' therefore I am against you and your river and I will utterly destroy the land of Egypt, from Migdol to Syene, as far south as the border of Ethiopia. For forty years not a soul will pass that way neither men nor animals. It will be completely uninhabited. I will make Egypt desolate, surrounded by desolate nations, and her cities will lie as wastelands for forty years. I will exile the Egyptians to other lands.

"But the Lord God says that at the end of the forty years he will bring the Egyptians home again from the nations to which they will be banished. And I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring her people back to the land of Pathros in southern Egypt where they were born, but she will be an unimportant, minor kingdom. She will be the lowliest of all the nations; never again will she raise herself above the other nations; never again will Egypt be great enough for that."2

The first part of the prophecy -- desolation for 40 years -- was carried out by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 670 B.C. He carried the Egyptians captive, wasted the land, and then allowed many Greeks to migrate to Egypt.

The second part of the prophecy -- on her status to the present day -- has also been carried out. Today the population of Egypt stands at less than 46 million, not quite seven times greater than in its ancient days of world leadership. Not much progress for all that time. Outside of her proximity to Israel, and her consequent political importance, Egypt is indeed an unimportant, minor kingdom by comparison to the great nations of the world. In terms of her economy, poverty-wracked Egypt is indeed "lowliest of all the nations" -- the land that was once the breadbasket of the Middle East.

And so the prophecy stands. Egypt is today a minor, impoverished nation.

Yet unlike Babylon, Egypt still exists.

Ashkelon and the coastal cities. Back when Israel was just a little wandering tribe, surrounded by powerful neighbours, Ashkelon belonged to the Philistines, along with Gaza, Ashdod and Ekron. God foretells the future of these cities:

"Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up . . . .And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon.3

And:

"Ashkelon shall not be inhabited . . . ."4

And so again, just as in the case of Babylon, the ruins are there.

Ancient Ashkelon proper is not inhabited. But, the remnant of Judah, modern Israel, does indeed "feed upon" or own the area. A new, modern Ashkelon is in its place.

Ancient Ashkelon gone, save its ruins, now in the hands of the Jewish state.

Egypt remaining, but in a humbled state.

Ancient Babylon gone, save its ruins.

By these prophecies we get an insight into God's power, and the power of his Word.

But the greatest prophecies of all have to do with the Messiah, the anointed one. There are literally hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah, each one of which the Lord Jesus Christ has conscientiously and painstakingly fulfilled. These prophecies are here a little, there a little, precept upon precept, line upon line -- not all in one place.5

Because there are some 300 Old Testament prophecies about the life and ministry of the Messiah, and because it is beyond our mission to examine each one, here are just a relative few submitted as examples showing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament:

Sold for thirty pieces of silver. "They weighed for my price 30 pieces of silver."6

Forsaken by his disciples. "Strike down the Shepherd and the sheep will scatter."7

Accused by false witnesses. "They have spoken against me with a lying tongue."8

Beaten and mocked. "They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek."9 "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting."10

Pierced in hands and feet. "They pierced my hands and feet."11

Crucified with thieves. "He was buried like a criminal in a rich man's grave."12

The object of ridicule. "They shoot out the lip, they shake the head."13 "When they looked upon me they shaked their heads."14

Garments gambled for. "They divide my clothes among themselves by a toss of the dice."15

Deserted by God. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why do you refuse to help me or even to listen to my groans?16

Hid from a gaping crowd in darkness. "At that time I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in the daytime."17

Prayed for his persecutors. "He was counted as a sinner, and he bore the sins of many, and he pled with God for sinners."18

Buried with the rich. "He made his grave . . . with the rich in his death."19

Resurrected. "For you will not leave me among the dead; you will not allow your beloved one to rot in the grave."20 "I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with your likeness."21

A penultimate point.

One next-to-last point that proves the Bible is the existence of the Jews. The Bible, notably in Ezekiel 38, says that Israel would be around -- and in their land -- in the latter days. This is a precursor to the great homecoming of Israel in the kingdom age. This fact alone is rather amazing when you realize that their land was sacked in 70 A.D., the people taken captive and dispersed throughout the world. Only a relative few Jews lived in the land for nearly 2,000 years thereafter; the "nation," as such, was elsewhere. Then, in the 19th century, the Zionist movement was born, and gathered steam into the 20th century, culminating in the creation of the state of Israel in May, 1948. This after their being confined to the ghettos, and being made a target of annihilation for so long. That we have an Israel today proves the veracity of the Bible.

The most amazing prophecy of all

God is an incredibly generous and an incredibly precise person. He gave Israel a sign by which they could know how long it would be before the promised kingdom would be established, ending wholesale transgression and sin, and bringing in everlasting righteousness. Within this prophecy, God also provided the means by which to make an absolutely positive, unmistakable identification of the Messiah. The sign was in the book of Daniel, chapter 9.

Here it is, as delivered by the angel Gabriel:

"Seventy sevens are determined upon thy People and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself:"

The Hebrew word here for seven is shabua. This can mean seventy days, or weeks, or years. Which one it is must be gleaned from the context. In this case, it clearly means years. Now seven weeks, and threescore, and two weeks would be 69 weeks. And 69 weeks would be exactly 483 days. In this prophetic denotation then, this would be 483 years.

The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was given by Asteiages, "Artexerxes," "Darius the Median," the "Ahasuerus" or 'great king' of the book of Esther, in 454 B.C.

Many scholars agree that the Lord Jesus Christ was born during the fall feast of tabernacles in 4 B.C. This was exactly 4,000 years after the creation of Adam, a completion of 80 Jubilee (50 year) cycles. He began his ministry at the age of 30, in the fall of the year 25 A.D. The Jews regarded the age of 30 as the fullness of manhood. His ministry lasted 3 and 1/2 years. He was crucified -- "cut off" -- at the age off 33 and 1/2 in 29 A.D. - exactly 483 years after the edict to rebuild Jerusalem!

When the Lord entered Jerusalem on that fateful 11 Nisan (the seventh Jewish month), 29 A.D., his whole multitude of disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: "Blessed be the King that comes in the name of the Lord." When the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke his disciples for talking that way, He said: "If they keep quiet, the stones along the road will burst into cheers."22 Indeed, somebody or something was going to proclaim Jesus King -- whether it was disciples, or even the stones by the road. This was that glorious day which the angel Gabriel had predicted some 500 years earlier, the day Messiah would be declared Prince.. . the day that was exactly 483 years after the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. As proven out by the prophetic clock, this man Jesus, being hailed as King, had to be the Messiah. God himself had said so 500 years earlier.

Thus, the corrected reading of Luke 19:42, spoken as our Lord came into Jerusalem on that day is most significant: "If thou also hadst known, even on this day, the things which belong to thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes!"

There are hundreds of other prophecies of Christ, and hundreds of other prophecies about things in general. We've looked at just a few.

We've looked at Babylon, Egypt, Ashkelon.

We've looked at some of the 300 prophecies pointing out the true Messiah.

These all speak powerfully; but for the one seeking a still deeper gut, marrow and bone conviction that God, Jesus and the Bible are all true, one final fact speaks more powerfully than any of these ancient prophecies -- as awesome, as powerful as they all are.

And that is the transformation of the disciples from fearful to fearless.

The night Jesus was arrested was traumatic for the men who had given up everything to follow him. While they didn't always fully understand him, they believed he was the long-awaited Messiah; they believed he would establish his kingdom and restore their Roman-occupied land to a glory greater even than that of David and Solomon.

But when the fateful moment came, fear took over.

Peter, who had, only hours before, promised Jesus he would follow him to prison or death, denied even knowing him. The other disciples forsook him, too, leaving Jesus to face trial by the high priest and Pontius Pilate alone.

The next day, when Jesus was crucified, was agonizing for these men. How could this have happened to their leader? They didn't realize that he would come back to life in just three days.23

Fear reigned. Fear of the Jewish leaders,24 fear for themselves. They locked themselves in the upper room.

You can imagine the confusion, the despair, the heaviness, and the unspeakable sense of loss in the air. You can imagine the queasiness down deep in the entrails. Obviously, the three-and-one-half years invested in following this man Jesus had been a bad investment. No one said it. But they were all thinking it.

"They killed him. My God, how could it have happened? They'll come to arrest us next . . . or kill us. What if they crucify me like that . . . ?"

Then a strange thing happened -- right in the middle of that thought.

Jesus appeared. He appeared out of nowhere -- right in the middle of the room.

"Shalom," He said. "Peace be unto you."

You can imagine the shock. They were seeing a ghost, or so it seemed.

He showed them his hands. He showed them his side. Then again he said to them: "Peace be unto you, as my Father has sent me, even so I send you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said, "Receive you the Holy Spirit."

Jesus spent the next 40 days with his disciples, teaching them about the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, promises of the Father that they should wait for, the restoration of the kingdom, and their witness to him all over the world.

The rest is history. And that history is the strongest proof of all -- of God, Jesus and the Bible: the transformation of these men from fearful, desolate followers of a messiah that was arrested, crucified and buried, to the emboldened, fearless followers of a man they had seen come back from the dead.

And they proceeded to turn the world upside down25 with the (Holy Spirit) power26 of their testimony. They freely and fearlessly risked their lives for the name of this man they saw come back from the dead.27

Now someone might say that the books of the Old Testament that predict the fall of Babylon and Ashkelon and the decline of Egypt were Jewish folklore written after the fact.

Or that this was just some rather lucky guessing...this business about Babylon never rising again, or Egypt going into decline. Or even Israel being back in the land someday.

But for the prophecy of the seventy sevens, and story of the man Jesus Christ and his disciples, there is no such easy disqualification. We can be absolutely certain that no man would have risked his life to advance a fable about a charismatic man called Jesus who claimed to be the long-awaited Messiah, but was arrested, crucified and buried. And then stayed dead and buried. After all, there were "messiahs" before Jesus, and "messiahs" after Jesus. Some 40 in all, according to Jewish historians. You've probably never heard of them. Neither have I. They were forgotten.

But these disciples had seen Jesus come back from the dead, just as he predicted. And that changed their lives, as it has the lives of millions after them down through the centuries.

That is a fact.

And it means that Jesus Christ was who he said he was.

It means the Bible is true, the whole Bible.

It means that there is a real, living, breathing God.

And most pertinent to the theme of this book, it means that he will come again28 to establish his kingdom, just as promised, right on this earth.

Chapter 3
ORIGINAL POWERBOOK
1. Is. 13:19-22 LB
2. Ez. 29:10-15 LB
3. Zech. 2:4-7
4. Zech. 9:5
5. Is. 28:10
6. Zech. 11:12 LB
7. Zech. 13:7 LB
8. Psalm 109:2
9. Micah 5:1
10. Is. 50:6
11. Psalm 22:16
12. Is. 53:9
13. Psalm 22:7
14. Psalm 109:25
15. Psalm 22:18
16. Psalm 22:1
17. Amos 8:9 LB
18. Is. 53:12
19. Is. 53:9
20. Psalm 16:10 LB
21. Psalm 17:15
22. Luke 19:40 LB
23. John 20:9 "For until then we hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would come to life again!" LB
24. John 20:19
25. Acts 17:6
26. Acts 1:8
27. Acts 15:26
28. John 14:3 "I will come again."

Babylon the great, the mother of whores and of every obscenity on earth. Rev. 17:5

Seems like just about every issue of The New Yorker carries a cartoon picturing heaven. Invariably, the cartoon characters sport wings and live on clouds. They play harps. They wear white robes. That is the common, popular picture of heaven. And that's about it: wings, clouds, and harps.

Just where did we get that picture?

Where did we get our religions that give us that picture?

What really happens when you die?

These are incredibly important questions.

Let's take the first one first.

Our picture of heaven -- here's how many people think it works:

You live your life. Somebody somewhere -- either God or his angels -- is keeping score. If you do enough good deeds along the way, when you die you'll be admitted to heaven. If you don't, you go to hell.

In the western world, probably since Peter was given the "keys to heaven",1 we have him standing "at the pearly gates" determining who gets in and who doesn't. If you're "good," you get in. If not, well . . . The main thought here is that we, by ourselves, earn -- or forfeit -- passage to heaven.

This is a very old picture -- pre-Jesus and not Christian.

The ancient Egyptians had it like this:

Cerberus is the guardian of the gates. The scales of justice are erected nearby. Anubis, the director of the weight, places a vase representing the good actions of the deceased in one scale, and the figure or emblem of truth in the other. He proceeds to ascertain his claims for admission. If, on being weighed, he is found wanting, he is rejected. Osiris, the judge of the dead, inclining his sceptre in token of condemnation, pronounces judgment upon him, and condemns his soul to return to earth under the form of a pig or some unclean animal. But if his virtues so far predominate as to entitle him to admission to the mansions of the blessed, Horus, taking in his hand the tablet of Thoth, introduces him to the presence of Osiris, who, in his palace, attended by Isis and Nepthys, sits on his throne in the midst of the waters, from which rises the lotus, bearing expanded flowers.2

In the Parsee system, which borrowed extensively from the Babylonian, the story goes like this:

"For three days after dissolution, the soul is supposed to flit round its tenement of clay, in hopes of reunion; on the fourth, the Angel Seroch appears, and conducts it to the bridge of Chinevad. On this structure, which they assert connects heaven and earth, sits the Angel of Justice, to weigh the actions of mortals; when the good deeds prevail, the soul is met on the bridge by a dazzling figure, which says, 'I am thy good angel; I was pure originally, but thy good deeds have rendered me purer;' and passing his hand over the neck of the blessed soul, leads it to Paradise. If iniquities preponderate, the soul is met by a hideous spectre, which howls out, 'I am thy evil genius; I was impure from the first, but thy misdeeds have made me fouler; through thee we shall remain miserable until the resurrection;' the sinning soul is then dragged away to hell, where Ahriman sits to taunt it with its crimes."3

The same basic story may be found as part of folklore of ancient China and Greece.

Conclusion: The supposedly "Christian" conception of heaven started long before Christianity. But that's where we get the picture still popular today. It is not an accurate picture. The Bible says all have sinned,4 and that the wages of sin are death.5 Nobody gets into heaven on his own merits. But that's what our popular culture, and some churches, unfortunately, teach.

The next, logical question might be: Where do we get our religions?

Where do we get our religions?

Now that we have examined where we get our ideas on heaven, let's see where we get the religions that give us that picture.

Again, just as with our picture of heaven, the source is that first world empire, ancient Babylon: "Babylon the Great, mother of prostitutes and of idol worship everywhere around the world."6

The Babylonian system of idolatrous worship was established by a historical personage by the name of Semiramis, queen of Babylon, wife of Nimrod, only a few centuries after the Flood, about the year 2000 B.C.

Babylon was to become the foremost state of that day, and prevail until approximately 539 B.C. But the real God Jehovah was unknown in that land. Instead, the Satan-inspired "Mysteries" were established, chief features of which included: worshipping of the mother-divine child (Semiramis-and her son Tammuz), establishment of a celibate priesthood with extensive authority, licentious observance of festivals, and justification by works.

These features have been preserved and passed down to us substantially intact via the Roman Catholic Church.

Where do we get our holidays?

The clearest insight into the Babylonian mysteries, and how our modern-day religions have descended from them, may be had by quickly reviewing the festivals of the church.

Christmas . Christmas is regarded as the most joyous time of the year, the time to celebrate the birth of Christ, the time of peace and goodwill toward men. But "Christmas," as we know it, was celebrated long before Jesus Christ was born in 4 B.C. As many scholars note, Christ was actually much more likely born at the time of the feast of tabernacles in the autumn than on December 25. He was more likely conceived on December 25.

Why do we celebrate December 25 as the date of his birth in the first place, we might ask -- with not one word in the scriptures as to the actual date of his birth?

December 25 is when the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven was celebrated 2,000 years before Jesus was born. The name of the day itself -- "Yule" -- is the Chaldean (Babylon) name for "infant" or "little child," the pagan counterpart of Jesus Christ.

In ancient Babylon, drunken revels were held to celebrate the birth of this "divine" child. Our office Christmas party, and slightly more antiquated and genteel wassailing bowl, are the exact counterparts of the "drunken festival" of ancient Babylon. There is obviously no connection with the birth of Christ.

Our Christmas candles, too, had a forerunner in the lighted wax candles on the altar of the Babylonian god, Tammuz, lit on the eve of the festival in his honour.

The Christmas tree itself was also used in pagan Egypt (where it was a palm tree) and pagan Rome (where it was a fir). While the Christmas tree has become so beloved that many of us put them up immediately after Thanksgiving (especially retailers), it was not always so.

Traditionally, a Yule log was burned in the fireplace on Christmas Eve and during the night as the log's embers died, there appeared in the room, as if by magic, a Christmas tree surrounded by gifts. The Yule log represented the sun god Nimrod and the Christmas tree represented himself resurrected as his own son Tammuz, the tree or "branch" that brings all divine gifts to men. This is a counterfeit of the story of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.

So our Christmas tree -- and our Yule log -- have tremendous meaning, but not a Christian meaning. The Yule log is the dead Nimrod, human ruler of ancient Babylon, who was eventually deified as the sun incarnate, and hence a god. The Christmas tree is mystical Tammuz, the slain god come to life again.

The traditional feast of Christmas, at least in picture books that we all treasured as children, was a roasted boar garnished with an apple in its mouth. There's a reason for that, too. Tammuz was killed by a boar. So each year, the boar is 'sacrificed' to the gods to make propitiation for the loss of Tammuz.

The other traditional Christmas feast entree -- stuffed goose -- also was a favourite dish in Babylon at the occasion of the festival of the winter solstice. For the goose, too, was offered in sacrifice at this time.

Mistletoe, also, has Babylonian, not Christian origins, and represents the divine branch that came from heaven, and grew upon a tree that sprang out of the earth. Thus heaven and earth, which sin had severed, were rejoined and the mistletoe bough became the token of God reconciled to man, with the kiss denoting pardon and reconciliation."7

So in Christmas, we have Satan counterfeiting the real truth of God. Mistletoe. Roasted boar and stuffed goose. The Yule log and Christmas tree. The office Christmas party and wassailing bowl. All may be traced to ancient Babylon and the Mysteries of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz -- Satan's incredibly clever counterfeit of the true story of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Easter . This festival, of which we read in Church history in the third or fourth century, was quite a different festival from that now observed in the Romish Church, and at that time was not known by any such name as Easter. It was called Pasch, or the Passover, and though not of Apostolic institution, was very early observed by many professing Christians, in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ. That festival agreed originally with the time of the Jewish Passover, when Christ was crucified. That festival was not idolatrous, and it was preceded by no Lent.8

The very name "Easter," however, is the name of a pagan god, Astarte, one of the names of Beltis, the queen of heaven, (Semiramis). The people of Nineveh pronounced it "Ishtar."

The dyed eggs of Easter Sunday are symbols of fertility that figured heavily in the ancient Babylonian rites.

Easter ham and sausage represents the sacrifice of a boar in appeasement to the queen of heaven for the loss of her son Tammuz.

Lent is directly borrowed from Babylon, too:

"This Egyptian Lent of forty days, we are informed by Landseer, in his Sabean Researches, was held expressly in commemoration of Adonis or Osiris, the great mediatorial god. Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz, which was celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing, and which, in many countries, was considerably later than the Christian festival, being observed in Palestine and Assyria in June, therefore called the 'month of Tammuz;' in Egypt, about the middle of May, and in Britain, some time in April. To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity -- now far sunk into idolatry -- in this as in so many other things, to shake hands."9

Even if Easter was to be celebrated, and nowhere does the Bible command the observance of this day, it would not be kept as we do, because it did not happen as we observe it. Jesus Christ was crucified on a Wednesday, not a Friday, and rose at the end of the Sabbath (seventh day), not on Sunday morning.

How do we know that?

The religious officials of the day were, as usual, giving Jesus a difficult time of it. One said, "Master, give us a sign. Prove to us that you're really the Messiah."

Jesus replied, "Only an evil, faithless nation would ask for further proof; and none will be given except what happened to Jonah the prophet! For as Jonah was in the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Messiah, shall be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights."10

No matter how you count it out, there just aren't three days and three nights between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Some people say, "Well, that was just a Hebrew expression. It meant any part of three days -- it was an approximation."

But as Bullinger points out in Appendix 144 to his Companion Bible:

"The fact that 'three days' is used by Hebrew idiom for any part of three days and three nights is not disputed; because that was the common way of reckoning, just as it was when used of years. Three or any number of years was used inclusively of any part of those years, as may be seen in the reckoning of the reigns of any of the kings of Israel and Judah.

"But, when the number of 'nights' is stated as well as the number of 'days,' then the expression ceases to be an idiom, and becomes a literal statement of fact.

"Moreover, as the Hebrew day began at sunset the day was reckoned from one sunset to another, the 'twelve hours in the day,' (John ll:9) being reckoned from sunrise, and the twelve hours of the night from sunset. An evening-morning was thus used for a whole day of twenty-four hours, as in the first chapter of Genesis. Hence the expression 'a night and a day' in II Cor. 11:25 denotes a complete day (Gr. nuchthemeron).

"When Esther says (Est. 4:l6) 'fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days,' she defines her meaning as being three complete days, because she adds (being a Jewess) 'night or day.' And when it is written that the fast ended on "the third day" (5:l), 'the third day' must have succeeded and included the third night.

"In like manner the sacred record states that the young man (in I Sam. 30:l2) 'had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.' Hence, when the young man explains the reason, he says, 'because three days agone I fell sick.' He means therefore three complete days and nights, because, being an Egyptian (vv. ll, l3) he naturally reckoned his day as beginning at sunrise according to the Egyptian manner (see Encycl. Brit., llth Cambridge] ed., vol. xi, p. 77). His 'three days agone' refers to the beginning of his sickness, and includes the whole period, giving the reason for his having gone without food during the whole period stated.

"Hence, when it says that "Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights" (Jonah l:l7) it means exactly what it says, and that this can be the only meaning of the expression in Matt. l2:40; l6:4, and Luke ll:30."

So if you count back from Sunday morning, starting the day at sunset as the Jews did, since all agree and the Scripture is plain that Jesus first appeared again on the morning of the first day of the week, he must have been crucified on Wednesday and placed in the tomb on Wednesday night. This particular Wednesday was the preparation day, the l4th of Nisan, when the Passover lambs were sacrificed at the Temple from about l p.m. to 3 p.m. -- as Jesus himself was being sacrificed! He was buried in haste before the Sabbath -- not the weekly Saturday Sabbath, as many have believed, but the Sabbath of the first day of unleavened bread, the l5th of Nisan, Thursday, which started at Wednesday sunset.

We also know this because the Bible tells us that Jesus spent the day that was six days before the Passover in Jerusalem and records his activities there. Counting inclusively, as the Jews did, this would be then the 9th of Nisan. The next day was the weekly Sabbath. He spent it in Bethany. So the 9th of Nisan would correspond to our Friday. The l4th of Nisan would be a Wednesday. The 14th day of Nisan is Passover.11

So Jesus was dead Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights -- and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday days. He arose at the weekly Sabbath’s (Saturday's) sunset. He fulfilled this prophecy of Jonah as scrupulously as he fulfilled the other hundreds of prophecies about himself.

Look at the precision with which God works: the Passover lambs were sacrificed in the temple at the same time that Christ, our Passover, was laying down his life on the cross. And the first fruits were being offered to God just as Jesus Christ stood before God. Indeed, the law, as Paul wrote, was but a shadow of the things that were to come.12

So we must conclude that observing the Wednesday crucifixion on a Friday, and then calling the supposed resurrection day by the name of a pagan goddess is something less than Biblically accurate.

Conclusion: Easter, with all its colored eggs, chocolate rabbits, hams and so forth, is Satan's counterfeit of the holy days of God, designed to obscure the tremendous meaning behind these days, and to obscure God's glorious plan for mankind.

A little more directly: Satan uses Christmas and Easter to keep you in the dark about the kingdom that's coming.

How God's own holy days foretell your future

Christians have adopted many traditions celebrating the ancient pagan holidays and are told simply that it's o.k. -- the church long ago "baptized" those days into Christian observance by focusing on Christ. But with closer scrutiny you will see that celebrating these holidays has helped us lose our focus on his plan for us. And, instead, we have unknowingly adopted Satan's counterfeit theology. Just as Satan hoped we would. This doesn't mean loss of salvation, just loss of understanding.

Indeed, the early Christian church did not observe pagan, Babylonian rituals, but the Jewish Christians, especially, observed the feasts of Jehovah outlined in Leviticus 23. The New Testament references to some of these holy days being observed by the early Church are as follows:

I. Sabbath: Acts l3:44, l7:2, and l8:4.
II. Passover: Acts l2:4.
III. Days of unleavened bread: Acts l2:3, 20:6.
IV. Pentecost: Acts 2:1, 20:16
V. Day of atonement: Acts 27:9.
VI. Feast of tabernacles: Acts l8:21.

The feasts of Jehovah, and their meanings, culminate in the kingdom.

In brief, they are:

Passover . The sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, as payment once and for all time, for all the sins of mankind.

The days of unleavened bread . Repentance: The putting out of vanity and sin -- symbolized by leavened bread -- from our lives by Jesus Christ, and eating unleavened bread, representing this sinless Christ pierced by holes, and striped just as Christ, in sacrifice, was. Follows the Passover and foreshadows the gift of the Holy Spirit.

First fruits . Jesus Christ, first fruits of the dead, resurrected as our High Priest and Intercessor.

Pentecost . The gift of the Holy Spirit to the first fruits, or church of the firstborn.

Feast of trumpets . The return of Jesus Christ, heralded by powerful trumpet blasts.

Day of atonement . The binding and imprisonment of the originator of sin, Satan the Devil.

Feast of tabernacles . The earthly l,000-year reign of the Messiah, the kingdom of God on this earth.

Weekly Sabbath . The earthly 1,000-year reign of Messiah. The 'rest' of the Lord.

The beauty of God's own system of holy days is that they tell us, year after year, and week after week, as faithful witnesses, God's plans for us. They do it more clearly than modern-day Christian holidays which are laden with pagan rites and rituals, and which tell us nothing of the return of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom.

Does the keeping of God's holy days, or any others, earn salvation for us?

No, nothing we might do can earn our salvation. Furthermore, the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, did not require Gentile converts to keep the Mosaic law.13

Salvation comes only by faith -- believing God -- not by our own good works. It has been that way from the time of Abraham, before the law was given; it has never been any other way. But, at the least, the knowledge and understanding of these days does add a dimension of vision to our worship.
Where do we get our ideas?

And the observation of the Mysteries muddies our vision of God's plans for us. And this is what Paul feared: "Let no man deceive you by any means . . . for the mystery of iniquity does already work . . . and then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."14

Indeed, after the brightness of his coming, to set up his kingdom on earth, a new order of holy days shall be established, based on the original holy days of Jehovah.15 More on that later.

What really happens when you die?

One last operational question remains: What really happens when you die?

There are two schools of thought on this. One says: surprisingly, nothing happens. You go to a nice long sleep . . . to await the resurrection. The thinking here goes like this:

No less an authority than Jesus Christ himself said that no man has ascended to heaven.16 So, too, did the writer of the Proverbs.17 In fact, after Jesus Christ had laid down his life for his friends, laid in the rich man's tomb for three days and three nights, awoke, arose, and neatly folded his shroud, and appeared the next day to Mary, he specifically said he had not yet ascended to his Father.18

He afterwards allowed the women to hold him by the feet.19 On this day, the day after the Sabbath, the high priest would be waving the sheaf of the first fruits before the Lord20 while he, the first fruits from the dead21 would be fulfilling the symbol by presenting himself before the Father. (Just as he fulfilled the type of the Passover Lamb, being crucified at the exact moment the High Priest was slaying the Passover lamb.)

Christ had lain unconscious in the grave. For the dead know nothing, nor remember anything.22, 23 At death, one's thoughts perish.24

The Bible is just as specific about the great King of Israel, David. After he served his own generation by the will of God, he fell asleep.25 He did not ascend to heaven at that time and the Bible says it specifically.26 Indeed, scholars of this school of thought maintain he is still sleeping and will sleep until the time Jesus Christ returns.

Stephen, too, after being martyred, the Bible says, fell asleep.27

Jesus Christ said it Himself: "And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, that where I am there you may be also."28 29

Paul expounds on that sequence in an absolutely explicit fashion: the resurrection has an order, first Christ and then they that are Christ's at his coming.30 We won't all sleep, he told the Church at Corinth, but we'll be changed! In a moment! In the twinkling of an eye! At the trumpet sound when Jesus Christ returns. That's when the dead shall be raised incorruptible.31

He explained this to the Church at Thessalonica, because he didn't want them to be in ignorance.32

Jesus slept.

David sleeps.

Stephen sleeps.

And all those holy men of old and fellow brethren in Christ sleep.

The Greek word for this sleep is koimaomai. It means to fall asleep unintentionally. The Greek word kathendo means to fall asleep voluntarily. Koimaomei occurs l8 times in the Bible, and it always denotes death, except a very few cases where an individual slept unintentionally due to fatigue.

In Matthew 28:13, the unintentional sleep here describes what happened to the Roman soldiers who were overcome by fatigue while guarding the tomb of Jesus. In Gethsemane, the disciples with Jesus were also overcome with fatigue;33 they thought Lazarus was, too,34 and the bound Peter was indeed, overcome with fatigue, chained between two soldiers.35

That's one school of thought. Some call it "soul-sleep."

The other school of thought says that you go to heaven when you die -- that is, your soul does, if you're a believer. And later at the resurrection, soul and body are re-united on earth. This is, by far, the most traditional and accepted view. There are several major verses quoted by proponents of this classic view:

1. "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment and seeth Abraham."36 Speaking of death, the Pharisees would say "this day he sits in Abraham's bosom."37

2. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."38

3. And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise."39

4. "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I... desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better; . . . nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you."40

Paradise and the place of torment used to be in the heart of the earth,41 the lower parts separated there one from another by a great gulf. Both believers and non-believers were 'captives' there. But Christ descended into that place (called Sheol Hadis), led captivity captive, meaning he led his believers up into heaven.42 That's where the believing dead are now, awaiting the return of Christ to establish his kingdom on the earth.

This present conscious state of the dead is not the future resurrected state of the dead. It has been described as a "soulish" state. It's conscious . . . recognizable. An individual can converse, be comforted, and remember earthly events. But he or she is without the eternal glorified body. That will be received when Christ returns to the earth, Paul tells us. So this "soulish" state is temporary.

So with either school of thought, when you boil it all down, you come up with the interesting fact that heaven is man's temporary home, and earth (and then the new earth) is his eternal home. Just sort of backwards from the way many teach it! But true, nonetheless.

Special note: So in either case, whether you go to heaven in a "soulish" state when you die, or whether you just have a nice, long anaesthetising sleep until he returns, it is important to note that when we die the immediate reality for our conscious mind is to be with Christ.

All of us at any moment could be just one breath away from meeting the Lord face to face. What a thought.

Chapter 4
WHERE DO WE GET OUR IDEAS?

1. Matt. 16:19
2. Paraphrased from Wilkinson, Egyptians, vol. v. p. 447.
3. Vaux, Nineveh and Persepolis, P. 113.
4. Rom. 3:23
5. Rom. 6:23
6. Rev. l7:5
7. Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylon’s, (Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, 1959), p. 99.
8. Hislop, Op. Cit., p. 104.
9. IBID., p. 105
10. Matt. 12:40
11. Lev. 23:5
12. Col. 2:17
13. Acts 15
14. II Thess. 2:7
15. Zech. 14
16. John 3:13 "And no man has ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
17. Proverbs 30:4 "Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?"
18. John 20:17 "Jesus saith unto her, 'Touch me not for I am not ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.'"
19. Matt. 28:9
20. Lev. 23:10, 11
21. I Cor. l5:23
22. Ecc. 9:5 "For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."
23. Psalm 6:5 "For in death there is no remembrance of Thee. In the grave who shall give thee thanks?"
24. Psalm l46:4 "At death, one's thoughts perish."
25. Acts l3:36 "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption."
26. Acts 2:34 "For David is not ascended into the heavens; but he saith himself, 'The Lord said unto my (cont.) Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool.'" Bullinger: "Is not ascended = went not up. Therefore still sleeping."
27. Acts 7:60
28. John 14:1-3 "And If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
29. John 8:22, 13:33, 14:2-3 "Whither I go, you cannot come."
30. I Cor. l5:22, 23 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming."
31. I Cor. l5 all, especially v. 5l, 52: "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
32. I Thess. 4:13-18 "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
33. Luke 22:45
34. John ll:12
35. Acts 12:6
36. Luke l6:22
37. Lightfoot, vol. xi, pp. l65-7.
38. II Cor. 5:1-8
39. Luke 23:43
40. Phil. 1:21-24
41. Eph. 4:9
42. Eph. 4:8

He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

Psalm 147:4

There is a deeper, more fascinating meaning in the signs of the zodiac than you will ever find in the daily horoscope column.

Each of these astrological signs, in one way or another, talks about a mighty Person who is going to come, triumph over a great enemy, take away sin and its terrible consequences, and establish an era of great health, wealth and well-being right here on this earth. This person is Jesus Christ. Each of these signs tell a part of the story of his return in triumphant glory -- returning to establish his kingdom on this earth.

Before there was a written Word, the astrological signs were God's own testimony, his own sign language, the revelation of his plan for man to man. Moses, who wrote the first five books of the Bible, was not born until 1571 B.C., some 2,433 years after the creation of Adam, yet he knew and understood God's plan.

"And the sound of this testimony has gone into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world," the apostle Paul wrote, quoting Psalm 19, where David writes about the stars, and how they declare the glory of God, a very specific, prophetic glory, not just the glory of shining orbs lighting up an otherwise pitch-dark night.1

The word zodiac itself is taken from the Greek word zodiakos. It means 'a circle.' Since so many astrological signs depict animals, like that of a lion, fish, scorpion, ram, and so on, many have assumed that the word 'zodiac' comes from the Greek zoe, to live, the same place we get our word zoo, or zoology. But the root of zodiakos, is actually zoad. Zoad means a way, or a path, or a going by steps. In this connection, the word zoad describes how the sun appears to move through the stars -- step by step -- every twelve months. As the sun returns to almost the exact spot that it occupied on the same date a year earlier, this course is repeated every year. So the path, or way, or the going by steps through the sky is called the zodiac.

Starting with Job

Most assume that Genesis is probably the oldest book in the Bible, since it starts at the beginning of the story. Surprisingly, this is not the case. Possibly dating from as early as 2000 B.C., the book of Job is regarded by most scholars as the oldest book in the Bible. Interestingly, this is the book which most often mentions the stars. Job refers to two zodiac signs: Taurus, distinguished by the Pleiades, and Scorpio, called the "Chambers of the South" in the King James Version. Three other constellations are mentioned as well: Orion, the Bear and Hydra.

After Job endured his immense suffering, God asks him a number of questions, including: "Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season?"

Now this strange word Mazzaroth occurs twice in Scripture, first in Job 38:32 and again in a slightly different form, Mazzaloth, in 2 Kings 23:5. It means The Separated, The Divided, or The Apportioned. It refers to the allotted spaces given to the twelve signs in the circle of the zodiac.

So the great God Jehovah is asking Job if he can bring forth the twelve signs in their successive order. Of course he could not. Only Jehovah could bring these signs into view, at the appointed time, and for his own purpose.

Take that thought one step further and you quickly realize that these zodiac signs belong to Jehovah -- not the astrologers. He invented them. He used them as his own "neon signs" during the early years of the history of man. (That's how Enoch, seventh from Adam, was able to "see" the Lord coming with ten thousands of his saints.2

Jehovah, indeed, did regard the stars with a proprietary perspective. He created them. He created them for a purpose: to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.3

"A sign" is from the Hebrew avah. It means a prophetic mark.

"Seasons" is from the Hebrew moed. It means an appointed time, here a prophetic appointed time.

Days and years have a natural meaning here. The sun is a star. We get day and night from the turning of the earth in reference to our sun star.

But days and years, as Biblical terms, also have prophetic significance. For example, to the Lord, a thousand years is as a day, and a day as a thousand years.4 Or the day of Jacob's trouble.5 Or the three-and-one-half years of great tribulation.6

God also put the stars in specific places.7 They are his work, his design.

And most important of all, God named the stars.8 As a shepherd leads his sheep, calling each by its pet name, and counts them to see that none are lost or strayed, so God does with stars and planets!9 God left the naming of the animals to man, but He named the stars himself -- because of their prophetic significance.

It's by those names that God's plan is revealed in the stars. Spica means The Branch. Arcturus means He Comes. Pollux means Who Comes to Suffer. Antares means The Wounded. Elnath means Slain. Procyon means The Redeemer. Orion means Coming as Light. Sirius means The Prince. Vega means He Shall Be Exalted.

In fact, many of our words have come down to us from God's naming of the stars. For example, the brightest star in the sky is Sirius. Coming from this very same root are is the Egyptian osiris, the Hebrew sirai, the Etruscan aesar, and the Indian aswara. These mean prince, sire or sir. Those of us in the English-speaking world use the word sir everyday as a term of dignity and respect.

If the ancients took words from these stars, did they in fact know the prophetic messages that God was presenting to them? They did, but unfortunately it wasn't long before the ancient Babylonian astrologers had twisted many of these stories, and then later the Greeks expanded them into their fantastic myths. And so the truth of the stars, the truth in the zodiac was lost.

However, it's interesting to note that all cultures -- the Hebrews, the Aztecs, the Babylonians, the Norsemen, the Egyptians, and the Chinese -- all recognized the same names for the stars and the same patterns they make up. This has led some scholars to conclude that Judaism and Christianity descended from the "original religions." Actually, just the opposite is true. Just as Satan has taken everything else that God has made, and fashioned his own imitation, so too, did he take the original, true religion that God wrote in the stars and transmogrify it into the heathen religions.

If this information was lost for so long, how did we get it back?

In the middle of the 19th century a scholar of the ancient classics and the history of language was struck by Psalm 147:4 which says that God calls the stars by their names. This scholar, Frances Rolleston, spent most of the rest of her life studying the root meanings of the names of the stars in many ancient languages. Though most of the names of the stars were lost, some 100 or so were preserved in either Hebrew or Arabic. These continue to be used by astronomers today, though the meanings are unknown to them.

Frances Rolleston published her findings in 1863 in a book entitled, appropriately enough, Mazzaroth . Several other writers also took up the theme and popularised her work.

What she learned can help us be more sure of the reality of the 'rest of the story,' the kingdom of heaven -- where it is and what it will be like.

Walking the circle written in the sky

Twelve signs forming a circle.

How can we know where to begin?

Through the "procession of the Equinoxes" the sun gradually shifts its position a little each year, till in about every 2,000 years it begins the year in a different sign. This was foreseen by the ancient Egyptians; and it was also foreseen that succeeding generations would not know when and where the sun had begun its course, and where the teaching of this heavenly book commenced, and where we were to open its first page. And so the Sphinx was invented as a memorial guide to the heavens. It had the head of a woman and the body and tail of a lion, to tell us where to start and stop. The word "Sphinx" is from the Greek "sphingo," to join -- because it binds together the story's two ends, making this circle of the heavens.

Confirmation of this is found in one of the oldest zodiacs, dating back to approximately the year 2000 B.C. This is the zodiac of Dendereh. It was discovered by scholars in the ceiling of the portico of the temple of Esneh in Egypt. In this zodiac there is placed between the signs of Virgo and Leo a picture of the Sphinx.

That, then, solves the "riddle" of the Sphinx.

Compare the prophecies in the Bible with the prophecies in the heavens and you may quickly further confirm that the place to begin is Virgo . . . the place to end is Leo.

Why?

In Genesis 3:15 (the first book of the Bible) we have a promise concerning the Seed of the woman who would be wounded in the heel, but in turn crush the head of his enemy. Virgo signifies a woman.

And then, in Revelation 5:5, (the last book of the Bible) we have a promise concerning triumph of the lion of the tribe of Judah. Leo signifies that lion.

The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into three books of four signs each. As Bullinger brings out in an appendix of his Companion Bible, God is indeed a highly organized, precise personage. Here is how his heavenly book is organized:10

First Book. The Redeemer. (His first coming.)

A. Virgo. The prophecy of the promised seed of the woman. Christ the Incarnate Son.

B. Libra. The Redeemer's work (grace). Christ the Redeemer.

B. Scorpio. The Redeemer's conflict. Christ the Sufferer.

A. Sagittarius. The prophecy fulfilled. Christ the Conqueror.

Second Book. The Redeemed. (His work and its results.)

C. Capricornus. The prophecy of deliverance. Christ the Sacrifice.

D. Aquarius. Results of work bestowed. Christ the Living Water.

D. Pisces. Results of work enjoyed. Christ the Liberator.

C. Aries. The prophesied deliverance fulfilled. Christ the Crowned Lamb.

Third Book. The Redeemer. (His second coming.)

E. Taurus. The prophecy of coming judgment. Christ the Judge.

F. Gemini. The Redeemer's reign in glory. Christ the King.

F. Cancer. The Redeemer's possession safe. Christ the Protector.

E. Leo. The prophecy of triumph fulfilled. Christ the Victor.

Simplifying that magnificent organization just a bit, the meanings of the signs would be as follows:

Again, it's important to emphasize that we don't know the meanings of these star groups because of the physical patterns they make up. They don't make up patterns that look like fish or rams. We know the meanings from the names of the stars themselves, the names that God himself gave them.

To really get a good grasp of the magnificence of the meanings of the 12 signs and 36 related constellations, (three to each sign) let's take a closer look at each one. Let's begin at the beginning.

Virgo. The sign Virgo depicts a virgin that would have a Son (her Seed) who would be called the Branch of Jehovah. Here is the star Spica, or Branch.

Coma. The first constellation of the first sign, Virgo, is Coma. Most modern charts call it Coma Berenices, or Berenice's Hair. (This is a good example of how ancient truths of God are corrupted.) Berenice was the wife of Ptolemy III of Egypt. She vowed to dedicate her fine hair to the temple of Venus if her husband returned safely from an expedition. He did return and she did place her hair in the temple, but it was stolen. To comfort her, the astronomer Conon declared that the god Jupiter had taken it and made it a constellation. And so the ancient meaning of the constellation was corrupted.

In antiquity, however, the constellation Coma was considered to be a picture of a woman, a virgin furthermore, with her child. The name Coma in Hebrew means The Desired, or The Longed For. In ancient Egypt, the name was Shes-nu, The Desired Son.

Centaurus. The next constellation in Virgo is Centaurus, the one with two natures, meaning both God and man. In the Hebrew, Bezeh, this constellation means The Despised, which we know represents the despised sin offering. The Greek name for Centaurus was Cherion, or The Pierced. In mythology, he was famous for his skills in hunting, medicine, music, athletics and prophecy. Even more interesting, Cherion was immortal but voluntarily agreed to die when wounded by a poison arrow, and he transferred his immortality to Prometheus. We can readily discern in this legend a corrupted version of the story of the heroic Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man, who voluntarily laid down his life that others might have eternal life.

Bootes. Finally, in Virgo, we come to what we in the U.S. call the Herdsman, or Bootes. The Hebrew bo means to come. Most ancient zodiacs picture Bootes as a herdsman, an Oriental shepherd. The Egyptians called Bootes Smat, which means Who Rules. In this constellation, the star Mizar means Guarding; Muphride means Who Separates. Putting it together, we have a shepherd who will be returning to rule.

And so, the sign Virgo portrays to us a desired virgin-born Son, with two natures, God and man, who was to also be a despised sin offering, but return to earth for his fold.

Libra. The sign of the scales indicates the Price Which Is Deficient, and the Price Which Covers, describing the fact that Christ has paid in full our penalty for sin and also the meaning of the two bright stars of this sign, Zuben al Genubu and Zuben al Chemali. The three constellations:

Crux. Here we have the crucifixion foretold in the sky. This is the constellation of the revered Southern Cross. Its ancient name in Hebrew, Adom, means Cutting Off. This is the same phrase as that used in Daniel 9:26, referring to the great prophesy of the 70 weeks.

Lupus. This means To Be Slain. The Latin’s called it Victima, or The Victim.

Corona. Here, in the Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, we have a Corona, or Crown, for the worthy redeemer. The Hebrew for Corona is Atarah, Royal Crown. In Arabic, it means Ornament or Jewel. The bright star in this constellation is Alpacca and means The Shining.

Summarizing Libra: a crucified victim who receives a crown.

Scorpio. The sign of the scorpion illustrates just what scorpions do that make them so feared among creature’s great and small -- attack. This sign portrays the battle that Christ waged against his adversary, Satan. At the heart of the Scorpio sign is the bright red star, Antares, which means Wounding.

Serpens, Ophiuchus. These constellations are intertwined to show wrestling, struggle, conflict. Ophiuchus, the Mighty Man, is in combat with a Snake, Serpens, who is trying to seize the Crown -- the Corona constellation of neighbouring Libra.

Hercules. The Greeks were not sure of the proper meaning and origin of the names of the stars, these having been clouded over by the Babylonians many centuries earlier. And so they didn't know what it was that Hercules, or properly, Jesus Christ, our Mighty Man, was labouring for. But we know he was labouring on the cross, in his war with Satan, to overcome Satan, and re-establish heaven on the earth.

And so in Scorpio, we see a mighty man locked in struggle with a snake who is trying to steal a crown that rightfully belongs to the man. Hercules, the Greeks called him. We know him as Jesus Christ.

Sagittarius. This is the sign of the centaurean archer, again a being with two natures, but this time, as the curtain falls on act one of the three acts of the heavenly prophecies, a victorious centaur, instead of despised as before in the sign Virgo. Here we have stars such as Naim, meaning the Gracious One, and Al Warida, Who Comes Forth.

Lyra. Here is a picture of a lyre or harp. The bright star Vega is in this constellation. Vega means He Shall Be Exalted. And so music becomes the vehicle of praise to this conquering archer.

Ara. Here is an altar placed in the upside-down position. On it the fire is blazing toward the lower regions of "outer darkness." The ancient Arabs called it the Completing or Finishing. So here are the fires of judgment on Satan and his angels.

Draco. The last scenes of each of the acts in this drama correspond to one another. Here is Draco, The Dragon, being cast out. Act two ends with Cetus,

Sea Monster, bound. Act three concludes with Hydra, the old, multi-headed serpent, destroyed. The stars in the head of Draco are Rastaban, The Head of the Subtle, and Ethanin, The Long Serpent. Thuban means The Subtle. Giansar is The Punished Enemy. El Atik is The Fraudulent.

In Sagittarius then, we have the portrayal of a returning, victorious archer, receiving musical praise, and sentencing his enemy to the eternal fires of hell.

Capricorn. Here opens act two . . . the results of act one. This is the sign of the goat with the fish's tail...a most unusual figure. What does it mean? It means life coming from death. The goat was a sacrificial animal and was used extensively as a sin offering. The fish, as a symbol of the kingdom in Matthew 13:47-50, was a symbol of life. Here we have a fish emerging from the dying goat as a new kind of life, depicting the fact that the believer in Christ is, in fact, a new creation.11 The brightest star here is Al-gedi, The Kid.

Sagitta. This means arrow. In Hebrew, Sham, or Destroying. This is the arrow as the instrument of divine justice in Christ.

Aquila. This means the falling eagle, or Christ. The star, Altair, here means The Wounding. Al Cair means The Piercing. And Tarared, Wounded or Torn. Al Shain, in the throat of the eagle, means Bright and is from a root meaning red-colored. The same word is used of the scarlet thread that Rahab let down the wall of Jericho to mark her house. Red is also the colour of the blood covenant we have with Christ. The star in the tail, Al Okal, means Wounded in the Heel.

Delphinus. Here we see the resurrection in the picture of a fish full of life, head uplifted, springing out of the water.

Capricorn teaches us about the resurrection life that comes from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the pierced eagle who fell but who was reborn as a fish full of life.

Aquarius. If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. That is what Christ invited people to do. When he made that great statement, he might have thought of the time he placed the star Sa'ad al Melik, or the Record of the Pouring Forth, in its place. Christ is the great Aquarius, the water bearer and pourer, who bestows the water of life.

Piscis Australis. The fish -- or the believer -- receives the water from the water pourer. The bright star in this constellation is Fomalhaut, The Mouth of the Fish.

Pegasus. Pega means chief. Sus means horse. Here we have the figure of the chief on a horse, Christ returning to earth. The star names in this famous constellation include: Markab, Returning From Afar; Scheat, Who Carries; Enif, The Branch; and Matar, Who Causes to Overflow (with Joy).

Cygnus. Sometimes called the Northern Cross, this is the perfect counterpoint to the anguish of the Southern Cross. For here is a picture of a swan circling, and then returning to, earth. The brightest star, Deneb, means The Lord Comes, also called Arided, He Shall Come Down.

Aquarius speaks to us of a Waterman pouring out the water of life on his fish, and returning soon to claim his own . . . Jesus Christ watering his Church, and then returning to earth to live in the midst of his Church and mankind.

Pisces. In Aquarius we have a fish drinking in the water poured forth from the Waterman. Here in Pisces, we have two fish bound together with a cord. The cord is fastened to the neck of Cetus, the monster of the sea. This is Satan, and the two fish are Israel and Judah. In Scripture, the heathen nations are sometimes symbolized by the sea.12 And so God's people Israel are seen as fish in the sea of nations, taken away from their place of promise and blessing . . . scattered among the nations without national identity themselves. In the Dendereh zodiac, Pisces was called Pisces Hori (Orion), The Fishes of Him Who Comes. Even though these fishes are bound, the hope of Messiah's coming is before them.

The Band. The one-day-to-be-redeemed Israel bound is depicted here. It is interesting to note that the front foot of Aries, the victorious Lamb, rests on this band, indicating that when Jesus Christ returns He will break the band that ties Israel and Judah to Cetus, or Satan, the adversary.

Andromeda. This is a woman with chains on her feet and hands. She is suffering in her captivity. This further amplifies Israel's bondage during the period after the rejection of Messiah and before his Second Coming. The stars in the constellation illustrate the condition: Alpheratz, The Broken Down; Mirach, The Weak; Almaak, Struck Down; Almara, The Afflicted.

Cepheus. This is the crowned King, Jesus Christ, who is coming to rule.

Pisces tells us about the blessings of salvation held in abeyance for Israel, her suffering, and the King that will come to free her.

Aries. This sign means ram to most of us today, but the oldest zodiacs indicate a lamb, rather than a full-grown ram. The connotation here, then, is gentle, merciful -- attributes of Jesus Christ. This is the vigorous Lamb of God, not falling in death like the Capricorn goat, but alive, well, whole, victorious.

Cassiopeia. This is Andromeda, Israel, after the return of Messiah -- free, happy, blessed. The name means The Beautiful, The Enthroned, the Daughter of Splendor.

Cetus. The sea monster. The great enemy is shown here bound. The star Menkar here means The Enemy Chained. Diphda means Overthrown. Mira means The Rebel.

Perseus. The Breaker delivering the redeemed. Here is Jesus Christ breaking the head of his enemy. The star Mirfak means Who Helps. Al Genib means Who Carries Away. Athik, Who Breaks.

And so we close the second act with Aries, a sign that shows us Israel blessed at last, the Champion subduing and destroying his enemy from the earth.

This all still lies ahead

Taurus. We open the last act of the heavenly drama. Much of what we've seen in the skies is behind us. The crucifixion. The resurrection. The Church receiving her blessings from the Waterman right now, today. Israel still bound up by Satan, waiting for Messiah to come and break the band.

This last act is exciting because it hasn't happened yet . . . but it isn't too far off, either.

To most casual students of astrology, Taurus is a placid sign. The big, old, earthbound bull. Not too quick. Not too creative. Massive. Substantial. Those born under this sign make good bankers, the astrology books tell us.

But Taurus, in the plan of God written in the skies, is not a docile, domestic bull at all! In the ancient Hebrew scriptures, this animal was called a rimu. Now extinct, this was a ferocious relative of domestic cattle -- a rough equivalent of what the wild boar is to the modern pig. Famous for its size and ferocity, it was a prize of ancient hunters, as chronicled in the records of Egyptian kings like Tutmose III.

The bright-reddish star in the Bull's eye is Aldeberan, The Governor, Captain, Leader. The bright star at the tip of the left horn of the bull is Elnath, The Wounded. This is talking about Jesus Christ, the wounded one, who will return to earth with fury and vengeance, and destroy the armies assembled against him in the Valley of Armageddon.

Orion. This is the coming Prince. In the Hebrew, Oarion, or Coming Forth as Light. The brightest star is Betelgeuse, The Coming of The Branch. Bellatrix, Swiftly Destroying. Rigel, The Foot That Crushes.

Eridanus. This is a river of fiery judgment. Achernar means The After part of The River; Cursa, Bent Down; Zourac, Flowing. This constellation depicts the fire of God's judgment poured out on the world that still rejects him at his return.

Auriga. The Shepherd, protecting his own in the day of wrath. He sits in calm command of the situation above the rushing wild bull. In his left hand he holds a mother goat which has just given birth to the pair of kids he holds in his lap. The goat rests with its front feet on the shoulders of The Shepherd. In the heart of this goat is the brilliant star, Capella, which means She Goat. This illustrates that even in the midst of such fury and retribution, Jesus Christ cares for his own.

So Taurus opens the last -- and yet future -- book of God by illustrating the triumph and brightness of the Judge who is coming to rule, the fiery wrath poured out on his enemies, and the protection of his people at this time.

Gemini. This is the sign of the twins. In the Latin, these are Castor and Pollux. The former meant Ruler; the latter, The Labouring Sufferer. So here we have the dual assignments of Jesus Christ, the Mighty One who is coming as Ruling Prince and Saviour who suffered.

Lepus. The star here is Arneb, The Enemy of Him Who Comes. Another, Nihal, means The Mad. This is Satan.

Canis Major. Canis Major means Great Dog. That came down to us from the Greeks who supposed Orion had a pair of hunting dogs. The real meaning here, as indicated by the star Sirius, is Prince. Other stars: Wesen, The Shining. Adhara, The Glorious.

Canis Minor. This is supposed to be the lesser dog, again a Greek misappropriation of the real meaning here. To get to the real meaning of these constellations, the rule is to go with star names, rather than picture patterns. Procyon is the major star here, Redeemer, Saviour.

So the meaning of Gemini becomes clear. The key is twin ship, duality. Both in Gemini itself, and in its attending constellations. Canis Major has Sirius, The Glorious Prince. Canis Minor has Procyon, The Exalted Redeemer and Saviour. Canis Major has a star called The Prince of the Right Hand; Canis Minor has a star named The Prince of the Left Hand. Everything here bespeaks the twofold nature of Jesus Christ: Prince and Saviour, King and Redeemer.

Cancer. This is the sign of the crab. The meaning here is that of holding on tight. The brightest star in Cancer in Tegmine, Holding. Another is Acubene, Sheltering, Hiding Place. Ma'alaph, Assembled Thousands. And Alhimarean, The Kids or The Lambs. The crab almost certainly was not the original symbol for this section of the zodiac. Much more likely is the idea of an inn or sheltering place. One star cluster is named Praesepe, The Manger. Another, Aselli, Asses or Donkeys. The zodiac of Dendereh named it Klaria, Cattlefolds. The idea here then is shelter, safety, security for the people of God during the last days of tribulation.

Ursa Minor. This is widely known as the Little Bear. The real meaning may be had from the root of the constellation name Arcas, The Stronghold of the Saved. Other stars lend further insight. Kochab, Waiting for the Coming. Alkaid, The Assembled. Alpherkadain, The Redeemed Assembly. Annassurra, High In Rising.

Ursa Major. Ursa Major means great bear, again a name that the Greeks applied themselves, and not related to the names of the stars themselves. Scholars believe that the Greeks may have mistaken the Persian word Dob (Hebrew Dowb), which means Bear, for Dubeh, (the name of the brightest star), which means A Herd, A Flock. The Herd, or Flock is the meaning of this constellation. Other stars bear this out: Merak, Flock in Hebrew, or Purchased in Arabic; Phad, Guarded or Numbered; and Megrez means Separated (as a flock in a fold). All these go toward the idea of assembling the once-scattered flock.

Argo. In mythology, this is the ship that carried Jason and his companions in their search for the Golden Fleece. It is A Company of Travellers, a prophetic illustration of the secure arrival of God's people back to the land of blessing. The lead star is Canopus, The Possession of Him Who Comes. Tureis, Possession (in hand). Soheil, The Desired.

So in Cancer we see the secure resting place for the people of God, both the Church and the people Israel, when Jesus Christ returns to the earth to establish his reign.

Leo. The sign of the lion, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and the last heavenly sign of revelation. Here is the Messiah in consummated triumph. The star Regulus means Treading Underfoot. Denebola is The Judge Who Comes. Algiebha, The Exaltation, meaning the Great Lion. Alasad, The Tearing of the Lion. Aldafera, Enemy Put Down.

Hydra. That old serpent, the name meaning He Is Abhorred. The ancient name of the brightest star is Alphard, The Put Away.

Crater. This is The Cup of God's wrath. In the skies, it is behind the lion's hind feet, and resting on Hydra, the serpent, who shall at the beginning of the

kingdom reign of Jesus Christ, take in God's wrath in reward for his rebellion

Corvus. The Raven. The star Algoreb means, simply, Raven. Minchar Algoreb means The Raven Tearing to Pieces, and Minchar Alsugia means The Deceiver Torn to Pieces. This constellation pictures for us the last episode in the conflict of the ages.

The enemy of God and man is finally defeated, torn to pieces and devoured -- consigned forever and ever to the lake of fire.

Leo provides us with the heavenly image of a Triumphant Redeemer, the cup of wrath poured out on the enemy, and the enemy destroyed.

The story ends. And the 'rest of the story' begins.

As we know from God's written revelation in the Bible, the ages of eternity are at this point just beginning in the new Jerusalem, the eternal hometown-to-be of all the saints. No rush, no hurry, no sickness, no disease -- just prosperity, wealth, health, friendship, and pleasure to enjoy, ministering to each other forevermore.

Jehovah's adversary, however, is absolutely dedicated to keeping you in the dark about that, hence his perversion of the real meaning of the stars, the constellations and their names. Because if you really knew what was in store for you now as one of Christ's own -- all the healing, prosperity, and well-being that can only come through him -- and what is in store for you as a prince or princess in the great reign of Christ on this earth, you would run to Jehovah for salvation if unconverted.

And if already a son or daughter, you would run to the Lord -- El Shaddai, All-Bountiful, Nurturing, Providing God, Friend and Companion -- for a powerful moving of his Spirit in you and on you and through you. You'd make it your business to get close to him.

He has already made it his business to get close to you.

Chapter 5
THE REST OF THE STORY: WRITTEN IN THE SKY
1 Rom. 10:18
2 Jude v.14
3 Gen. 1:14-19
4 Peter 3:8
5 Jer. 30:7
6 Matt. 24:21
7 Psalms 8:3
8 Psalms 147:4 "He counts the stars and calls them all by name." LB
9 Is. 40:26
10 The Companion Bible. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Bible Publishers) Appendix 12.
11 2 Cor. 5:17
12 Dan. 7:2; Rev. 13:1

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3:29

 

In Western society, a contract is a sometimes thing. Sometimes it might be taken seriously, sometimes not. Even the physical process of making a contract is not too terribly demanding.

You just sign your name on a piece of paper. If you break it, more papers will follow...you'll find yourself in court someday. But so what? That's common. That happens everyday. People are blasé about it. Some attorneys like to say: 'There's not a contract made that can't be broken.' Marriage, among other things, is a contract . . . but not one that many folks take very seriously. If it doesn't work out -- well, break it. Start over. You know, everybody does it.

But a contract, to El Shaddai, the Almighty God, is a powerful thing. It's not made in paper, it's made in blood. In fact, a blood covenant contract, also called a covenant of strong friendship, is more sacred than life itself. Because blood is the sign of life, an intact, ongoing and viable blood covenant signifies that the two parties of the covenant are joined in one life together. The two become one. Everything that the one party has belongs to the other, and vice versa. They are blood brothers. This kind of covenant is still extant among primitive peoples.

Now, violating such a sacred trust is no light thing. It means that the 'one life' has been broken up, ripped up, rendered. And that's exactly what happens to the party that breaks the blood covenant. His blood must be spilled, his life must be destroyed. No angry letters exchanged between prestigious law firms. No gentlemanly court proceedings. But rather, blood spilled, life lost. That's how serious a blood covenant was and is to God.

You might think: 'Well that's rather harsh.' (For an interesting study on this, see God, A Biography, by Jack Miles.)

Well, God is just a whole lot more serious about things than people are. His thoughts aren't our thoughts, neither are our ways his ways.1 But one thing is certain or so it should be: when God makes a blood covenant, there is absolutely no way for him to break it since his breaking it would require him to die, and he cannot die.

The Abrahamic covenant

God made this kind of covenant with Abraham. He would have made it with others before Abraham, but no one would do it. No one would take God on as a covenant partner, give up everything he had in return for everything God had. Allow God to make demands on him . . . and then make demands on God in return. To be blood covenant brothers, strong friends with God himself. That kind of covenant requires unconditional faith and trust, from each party to the other party. No one had that until Abraham.

This man Abraham was willing to do anything for his covenant partner -- with absolutely no conditions attached. He would move to a new land. He would circumcise himself when he was 99 years old. He would trust his covenant partner to provide a son, despite his physical age, despite his wife's barrenness, despite everything. And then, finally, he was willing to sacrifice his son at the behest of his covenant partner because he knew that covenant partner would raise him up again from the dead.

God made a number of promises to his covenant partner and strong friend Abraham. Many of these have been fulfilled . . . but some haven't.2 The ones that haven't are our absolute, signed and sealed, blood covenant contracts for the future kingdom of heaven on this earth. They are our claims on the future kingdom. Deeds, if you will. Because now that we are Christ's, we are the true descendants of Abraham, and all of God's promises to him belong to us.3

What are those promises?

First, let's go back to the beginning of this remarkable story.

The year was 1946 B.C. Abram (as he was then called) was 50 years old, a Chaldean man. He was living with his family in Ur of the Chaldees. Ur means urban or city. Ur was a luxurious, modern for the time, up-to-date city, recent excavations show. Today, that city is Mugheir, on the west bank of the Euphrates. Now God called upon Abram to leave the Babylonian society and move to the land of Canaan. Abram and his family moved, but they didn't make it to Canaan.

They stopped at the city of Haran on the outer edge of the Babylonian empire and settled there. And that's where Abram's father, Terah, died at the age of 205. After the death of Abram's father, God told him, "Leave your own country behind you, and your own people, and go to the land I will guide you to. If you do, I will cause you to become the father of a great nation; I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and the entire world will be blessed because of you."4

Not a bad offer. But you had to believe in it to do it. Most people wouldn't have. But Abram wasn't most people. He took up the offer. He departed. Abram was 75.

We pick up the story:

Travelling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem, and set up camp beside the oak at Moreh. (This area was inhabited by Canaanites at that time.) Then Jehovah appeared to Abram and said, "I am going to give this land to your descendants." Abram didn't have any descendants at this time. But he didn't question God, he didn't doubt. Instead, he built an altar there to commemorate Jehovah's visit.5

Jehovah expanded on this promise. He said: "Look as far as you can see in every direction, for I am going to give it all to you and your descendants. And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they can't be counted! Hike in all directions and explore the new possessions I am giving you."6

Jehovah spoke again to Abram, this time in a vision, and promised descendants too numerous to count, like the stars of heaven. And Abram believed God; then God considered him righteous on account of his faith.7 (Just as God effects salvation today -- because we believe.)

Because Abram believed God, God was ready to cut the formal covenant with him. And there was indeed a literal cutting, a sacred blood covenant, to be made. After Abram had asked Jehovah for a surety that his words would come to pass, Jehovah told him to take a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon, and to slay them and to cut them apart down the middle, and to separate the halves, but not to divide the birds.

That evening as the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a vision of terrible foreboding, darkness, and horror. Then Jehovah told Abram, "Your descendants will be oppressed as slaves in a foreign land for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and at the end they will come away with great wealth. (But you will die in peace, at a ripe old age. [Abraham lived to be 175.] ) After four generations they will return here to this land; for the wickedness of the Amorite nations living here now will not be ready for punishment until then."

Jehovah was serious about his promises; here he was explaining them in great detail.

Then, as the sun went down, came the formal "signing" of the contract.

Abram saw a smoking fire-pot and a flaming torch that passed between the halves of the carcasses. So that day Jehovah made this covenant with Abram: "I have given this land to your descendants from the River of Egypt (Nile) to the Euphrates River. And I give to them these nations: Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, Jebusites."8

This was the custom in many ancient nations: to slaughter an animal when concluding a covenant, and after dividing them into pieces, laying the pieces opposite to one another, that the persons making the covenant might pass between them. And so it is that God condescended to follow the custom of the Chaldeans, that he might in the most solemn manner confirm his oath to Abram, the Chaldean. The spreading of this custom is evident from the expression used to denote the conclusion of a covenant "to hew" or "to cut" a covenant. In the vernacular, to "cut a deal." This custom was still continued for at least another 1,000 years among the Jews themselves, as indicated by the prophet Jeremiah.9 10

The key point here is that Abram did not pass between the carcase halves, only Jehovah did. And so did Jehovah bind himself to perform all that he had said. In no way was this covenant dependent on what the other covenant partner to it, Abram, did or did not do. This was a covenant forever.

When Abram was 99, Jehovah appeared to him and changed his name from Abram ('Exalted Father') to Abraham ('Father of Nations'). "For that is what you will be," he said. "I have declared it. I will give you millions of descendants who will form many nations! Kings shall be among your descendants! And I will continue this agreement between us generation after generation, forever, for it shall be between me and your children as well. It is a contract that I shall be your God and the God of your posterity. And I will give all this land of Canaan to you and them, forever. And I will be your God.11

"Your part of the contract," God told him, "is to obey its terms. You personally and all your posterity have this continual responsibility: that every male among you shall be circumcised; the foreskin of his penis shall be cut off. This will be the proof that you and they accept the covenant. Every male shall be circumcised on the eighth day after birth. This applies to every foreign-born slave as well as to everyone born in your household. This is a permanent part of this contract, and it applies to all your posterity. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will thus be marked as participants in my everlasting covenant. Anyone who refuses these terms shall be cut off from his people; for he has violated my contract."12

After Abraham had offered up Isaac (because he knew God would raise him again from the dead right on the spot to fulfil his own promises), God made his last pronouncement of the covenant to Abraham: "I, the LORD, have sworn by myself that because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son from me, I will bless you with incredible blessings and multiply your descendants into countless thousands and millions, like the stars above you in the sky, and like the sands along the seashore. These descendants of yours will conquer their enemies, and be a blessing to all the nations of the earth -- all because you have obeyed me."13

Summarizing, the promises to Abraham:

1. Abraham would have a great name.

2. Great nations would come from him.

3. He would be a blessing to all families of the earth.

4. He and his seed would inherit Palestine -- from the Nile to the Euphrates -- forever.

5. The covenant would be an "everlasting" covenant.

6. Kings would come from him.

7. Whoever would call him blessed would be blessed, and whoever would curse him would be cursed.

8. His descendants would be innumerable.

9. God would be a God to him and to his seed.

l0. His seed would possess the gate of his enemies. (And indeed, Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ, did eventually possess the gates of hell, those gates of the enemy, Satan.)

This was an everlasting, unconditional covenant between the Jehovah God and Abraham, man of faith, man of belief in his covenant partner.

This great covenant was further amplified and developed within the following three covenants:

The Palestinian covenant. When Israel was ready to move into the promised land, and at the same time was passing from under the leadership of Moses to that of Joshua, God reiterated his promises to Abraham's children related to the land.

This covenant looks ahead to the time of the millennium.

Here's how it reads:

"When all these things have happened to you -- the blessings and the curses I have listed -- you will meditate upon them as you are living among the nations where the Lord your God will have driven you. If at that time you want to return to the Lord your God, and you and your children have begun wholeheartedly to obey all of the commandments I have given you today, then the Lord your God will rescue you from your captivity! He will have mercy upon you and come and gather you out of all the nations where he will have scattered you. Though you are at the ends of the earth, he will go and find you and bring you back again to the land of your ancestors.

You shall possess the land again, and he will do you good and bless you even more than he did your ancestors! He will cleanse your hearts and the hearts of your children and of your children's children so that you will love the Lord your God with all your hearts and souls, and Israel shall come alive again! If you return to the Lord and obey all the commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will take his curses and turn them against your enemies -- against those who hate you and persecute you.

The Lord your God will prosper everything you do and give you many children and much cattle and wonderful crops; for the Lord will again rejoice over you as he did over your fathers. He will rejoice if you but obey the commandments written in this book of the law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your hearts and souls."14

The year of the Palestinian covenant was 145l B.C., the year of the entry into the promised land. Some 1,000 years later, God reaffirms this everlasting covenant through the prophet Ezekiel:

"Yet I will keep the pledge I made to you when you were young. Just entering the land at the time of the Palestinian covenant.] I will establish an everlasting covenant with you forever, and you will remember with shame all the evil you have done; and you will be overcome by my favour when I take your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, and make them your daughters, for you to rule over. You will know you don't deserve this gracious act, for you did not keep my covenant. I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know I am the Lord."15

As J. Dwight Pentecost points out,16 there are seven main features in the program:

1. The nation will be plucked off the land for its unfaithfulness. (Fulfilled by the Babylonian captivity 497 B.C., and the Roman destruction and consequent dispersion of 70 A.D.) These have happened.

2. There will be a future repentance of Israel. This hasn't happened yet.

3. Their Messiah will return (a second time). This hasn't happened yet.

4. Israel will be restored to the land. This hasn't happened yet, although the process has begun.

5. Israel will be converted as a nation to Jesus Christ. This hasn't happened yet.

6. Israel's enemies will be judged. This hasn't happened yet, including the judgment of Satan the devil.

7. Israel will receive her full blessing. This hasn't happened yet.

These promises have just plain not been fulfilled yet. They will be in the kingdom that lies ahead. And that is when the prophets who spoke to Israel expected them to be fulfilled.17

The Davidic covenant. This is an amplification of the promise to Abraham that kings should come from him. Here's how it reads as spoken to King David:

"For when you die, I will put one of your sons upon your throne and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who shall build me a temple. And I will continue his kingdom into eternity. I will be his father and he will be my son. If he sins, I will use other nations to punish him, but my love and kindness shall not leave him as I took it from Saul, your predecessor. Your family shall rule my kingdom forever.18

The King James puts it even more strongly:

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever."

This promise was repeated in the Psalms:

"I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever. And build up thy throne to all generations."19

Isaiah prophesies: "For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counsellor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace." His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness and justice from the throne of his father David."20

This, of course, was fulfilled by Jesus. The angel spoke to Mary:

"Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to wonderfully bless you! Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name him 'Jesus.' He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God. And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he shall reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom shall never end!"21

Jeremiah prophesies: "For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David's throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth. And this is his name: The Lord Our Righteousness. At that time Judah will be saved and Israel will live in peace."

And then most pertinent to the Palestinian covenant, the next sentence reads:

"In that day people will no longer say when taking an oath, 'As the Lord lives who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but they will say, 'As the Lord lives who brought the Jews back to their own land of Israel from the countries to which he had exiled them.'22

And:

"Yes, the day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good I promised them."23

Finally, Ezekiel writes: "And David, My Servant -- the Messiah -- shall be their King, their only Shepherd; and they shall obey my laws and all my wishes."24

Jesus Christ has not yet returned to assume David's throne. These promises look ahead to a future reality on this earth.

The new covenant. So, too, does the new covenant for Israel:

"The day will come, says the Lord, when I will make a new contract with the people of Israel and Judah. It won't be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt -- a contract they broke, forcing me to reject them, says the Lord. But this is the new contract I will make with them: I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honour me; then they shall truly be my people and I will be their God. At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know me then, says the Lord, and I will forgive and forget their sins.25

Unconverted Israel (as a nation not as individuals), unfortunately, has to wait for the fulfilment of this covenant.

But Christians do not.

We have become blood brothers with Jesus Christ by entering into a blood covenant with him now. Jesus Christ made this relationship of strong friendship available at the last supper just before he went to the cross. "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.' Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.'"26

Now "testament" is not a common, everyday word, except among attorneys. So to get a better understanding of just what is being done here, let's look at a dictionary definition of it. According to Webster's New Twentieth Century Unabridged Dictionary, "testament" means, in the Bible, "covenant", or "contract." It also means a will. So here Jesus is establishing a blood covenant and a will with his followers, just as he, as Jehovah, did earlier with Abraham. So we are to be blood covenant partners, blood brothers, strong friends, family, with Jesus, just as Abraham was with him. And since it's also a will, we are to receive an inheritance -- now, since he has already died, as well as in the future. And that inheritance includes friendship, healing, knowledge, wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance, faith, and prosperity.

And so in taking the elements of this Lord's Supper remembrance in an understanding manner, Christians symbolically take in the blood and body of Jesus Christ, reaffirming the 'one life' that we have with him. We reaffirm that we are blood brothers with Christ, partners in a blood covenant. We reaffirm that all that we are and have is his, and all that he has and is, is ours. We reaffirm that he is the one in whom we live and move and have our being.27 We reaffirm God as our healer...that is, as the apostle Paul wrote, if we judge ourselves, or properly translated, "discern" ourselves . . . discern ourselves as blood covenant partners with the El Shaddai, or All-Bountiful God who wants to supply our every need more than we ourselves even want those needs supplied.28, 29

We reaffirm that we are, with Jesus Christ, joint heirs of the literal kingdom coming to this earth. Real, actual kings-and-priests-to-be in the world to come.

We reaffirm that this is the covenant that takes away our sins and makes us fit to be joint heirs with the sinless one.30

We are, ourselves, right now, ministers of this new testament, the apostle Paul tells us.31

Paul explains it like this:

"Now in that first agreement between God and his people there were rules for worship and there was a sacred tent down here on earth. Inside this place of worship there were two rooms. The first one contained the golden candlestick and a table with special loaves of holy bread upon it; this part was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain and behind the curtain was a room called the Holy of Holies. In that room there were a golden incense-altar and the golden chest, called the ark of the covenant, completely covered on all sides with pure gold. Inside the ark were the tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments written on them, and a golden jar with some manna in it, and Aaron's wooden cane that budded. Above the golden chest were statues of angels called the cherubim -- the guardians of God's glory -- with their wings stretched out over the ark's golden cover, called the mercy seat. But enough of such details.

"Well, when all was ready the priests went in and out of the first room whenever they wanted to, doing their work. But only the high priest went into the inner room, and then only once a year, all alone, and always with blood which he sprinkled on the mercy seat as an offering to God to cover his own mistakes and sins, and the mistakes and sins of all the people.

"And the Holy Spirit uses all this to point out to us that under the old system the common people could not go into the Holy of Holies as long as the outer room and the entire system it represents were still in use.

"This has an important lesson for us today. For under the old system, gifts and sacrifices were offered, but these failed to cleanse the hearts of the people who brought them. For the old system dealt only with certain rituals -- what foods to eat and drink, rules ffor washing themselves, and rules about this and that. The people had to keep these rules to tide them over until Christ came with God's new and better way.

"He came as High Priest of this better system which we now have. He went into that greater, perfect tabernacle in heaven, not made by men nor part of this world, and once for all took blood into that inner room, the Holy of Holies, and sprinkled it on the mercy seat; but it was not the blood of goats and calves. No, he took his own blood, and with it he, by himself, made sure of our eternal salvation.

"And if under the old system the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of young cows could cleanse men's bodies from sin, just think how much more surely the blood of Christ will transform our lives and hearts. His sacrifice frees us from the worry of having to obey the old rules, and makes us want to serve the living God. For by the help of the eternal Holy Spirit, Christ willingly gave himself to God to die for our sins -- he being perfect, without a single sin or fault. Christ came with this new agreement so that all who are invited may come and have forever all the wonders God has promised them. For Christ died to rescue them from the penalty of the sins they had committed while still under that old system.

"Now, if someone dies and leaves a will -- a list of things to be given away to certain people when he dies -- no one gets anything until it is proved that the person who wrote the will is dead. The will goes into effect only after the death of the person who wrote it. While he is still alive no one can use it to get any of those things he has promised them.

"That is why blood was sprinkled as proof of Christ's death32 before even the first agreement could go into effect. For after Moses had given the people all of God's laws, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled the blood over the book of God's laws and over all the people, using branches of hyssop bushes and scarlet wool to sprinkle with.

"Then he said, "This is the blood that marks the beginning of the agreement God commanded me to make with you. And in the same way he sprinkled blood on the sacred tent and on whatever instruments were used for worship. In fact we can say that under the old agreement almost everything was cleansed by sprinkling it with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is not forgiveness of sins.

"That is why the sacred tent down here on earth, and everything in it -- all copied from things in heaven -- all had to be made pure by Moses in this way by being sprinkled with the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven, of which these down here are copies, were made pure with far more precious offerings.

"For Christ has entered into heaven itself, to appear now before God as our Friend. It was not in the earthly place of worship that he did this, for that was merely a copy of the real temple in heaven. Nor has he offered himself again and again, as the high priest down here on earth offers animal blood in the Holy of Holies each year. If that had been necessary, then he would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But no! He came once for all, at the end of the age, to put away the power of sin forever by dying for us.

"And just as it is destined that men die only once, and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as an offering for the sins of many people; and he will come again, but not to deal again with our sins.

"This time he will come bringing salvation to all those who are eagerly and patiently waiting for him."33

A long explanation, perhaps, but a fascinating one nevertheless, of how that new covenant works for the Christian now and how it will work for Israel in the kingdom.

So where do we stand?

Have these covenants -- the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic and New covenants -- already come to pass, as some say? HHave they already been fulfilled?

Abraham himself did not inherit any of the land God promised him.34 "Then God brought him here to the land of Israel, but gave him no property of his own, not one little tract of land." "Here I am, a visitor in a foreign land, with no place to bury my wife. Please sell me a piece of ground for this purpose." 35

Nor has Israel possessed the land God promised to Abraham. Solomon came the closest, his kingdom being from the river Euphrates down to the border of Egypt, not the Nile River.36

Jesus Christ is not ruling from the earthly throne of David.

Israel has not received the new blood covenant of Jesus Christ.

And we're not out past the age of man into eternity.

We have to conclude that all these sacred covenants, that God instituted, that he has guaranteed by his own passing through the split carcases as with Abraham, and by his own Word, are yet to be fulfilled. They're talking about the future. And that furthermore, these things will all be fulfilled "in that day," as the prophets wrote, or, in the glorious, literal kingdom of Jesus Christ on this earth.

And indeed, that's what the Word tells us.

Abraham, and all the other men of faith of days gone by, died without ever receiving all that God had promised them. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country . . . but now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."37

Israel must inherit the promised land, from the Euphrates to the Nile, and then that eternal city that Paul writes of, described by John in the last chapter of the Word.

Jesus Christ must actually return to the earth and actually sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem.

Israel, indeed all peoples, must enter into the new blood covenant with Jesus Christ.

Jehovah has solemnly blood-covenanted with his strong friend Abraham to do all these things -- and more. He has blood covenanted with us as well.

And these are your covenants . . . or contracts on the future.

Chapter 6
YOUR CONTRACTS ON THE FUTURE
1 Is. 55:8
2 Heb. 11:l3 "These men of faith I have mentioned died without ever receiving all that God had promised them." LB
3 Gal. 3:29 LB
4 Gen. 12:3 LB The first pronouncement of the Abrahamic covenant.
5 Gen. 12:6-7 LB
6 Gen. l3:14-17 LB
7 Gen. 15:6 LB
8 Gen. 15 LB
9 Jer. 34:18 "Because you have refused the terms of our contract I will cut you apart just as you cut apart the calf when you walked between its halves to solemnize your vows. Yes, I will butcher you, whether you are princes, court officials, priests or people -- for you have broken your oath."
10 Keil, Carl Friedrich and Franz Delitzsch. The Pentateuch. Edinburgh: T. T. Clark, 1886, 3 volumes.
11 Gen. 17:5-9 LB
12 Gen 17:10-14 LB
13 Gen. 22: 15-18
14 Deut. 30:1-10 LB
15 Ez. 16:60-62
16 Pentecost, J. Dwight, Things to Come, Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1958
17 Is. 11:11-12; 14:1-3; 27:12-13; 43:1-8; 49:8-16; 66:20-22; Jeremiah 16:14-16; 23:3-8; 30:10-11; 31:8,31-37; Ezekiel 11:17-21; 20:30-38; 34:11-16; 39:25-29; Hosea 1:10-11; Joel 3:17-21; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 4:4-7; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Zechariah 8:4-8.
18 2 Sam. 7:12-16 LB
19 Psalms 89:3-4
20 Is. 9:6,7 LB
21 Luke 1:30-33 LB
22 Jer. 23:5,6 LB)22
23 Jer. 33:14 LB
24 Ez. 37:24 LB
25 Jer. 31:31-34 LB
26 Luke 22:20
27 Acts 17:28
28 1 Cor. 11:31
29 Is. 53:5
30 Rom. 11:27
31 2 Cor. 3:6
32 Implied
33 Hebrews 9 LB
34 Acts 7:5
35 Gen. 23:4
36 I Kings 4:21,24)36
37 Heb. ll:13-16 KJV

Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend!

Job 19:27

A lot of people can't understand their Bibles. And the least understandable part of it all, many feel, is the Old Testament.

There are a number of reasons for this:

One is the language. There are more King James Version Bibles out there than any other. And even though that translation is often the most accurate, and gives the clearest meanings (once you understand what is being said), that archaic language is tough to work through.

Another is the poetical style. Those of us in the television generation don't have much time for or rapport with figurative language.

Another related problem is that sometimes the prophets talk about things that are yet future as though they had already taken place. They have projected themselves so completely into the future that they look back upon the return of Christ and the establishment of his kingdom.

And then sometimes events appeared to the prophets like distant mountain peaks .. . seemingly very close together, but in reality having great valleys, or great distances of time between them. The best example of this can be found in Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted, to announce liberty to captives and to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God's favour to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies."1

Now Jesus quoted the first part of this verse from Isaiah, but he left off the part about wrath and vengeance, the underlined part.2 Why? The time for that vengeance would not be until the end of the Great Tribulation, possibly some 2,000 years from that time. But Isaiah had compressed both the first and second comings of Jesus Christ together in the same paragraph, in the same breath.

Scholars call this "telescoping". It can make the Old Testament hard to understand, if you don't know when it's talking about ancient history, or the first coming of Christ, or the second coming of Christ, or the kingdom of the future. (How can anybody know? It takes work and study . . . and some help from the expert commentators, men who have devoted their entire lives to studying the scriptures and other commentators.)

But maybe the biggest obstacle of all to understanding the Old Testament, and especially the prophets, is understanding that they were looking forward to a real kingdom on this earth. Once the reader understands that, everything else falls into place. The Old Testament prophets almost never, ever talk about going to heaven. This literal, earthly, glorious kingdom with a floor under it was the common thread that ties up all the thoughts of the prophets, from the first on down to the last.

The Lord, via the Holy Spirit, revealed this truth of the kingdom to all the different prophets.3 Different men, different times, different places -- but one, unified, singular concept of the kingdom of heaven!

Here is an abbreviated survey of the prophets on the promised kingdom:

Job. (1520 B.C.) "But as for me I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And I know that after this body has decayed, . . . Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend!"4

David . (990 B.C. - 920 B.C.) David wrote most of the Psalms. The following ones look ahead to the kingdom: 1, 2, 8, 16, 22, 24, 45, 48, 68, 69, 72, 85, 89, 93-99, 102, and 110.

Psalm 72 says: "He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace, till the moon shall be no more." (The latter referring to the eternal state when there shall be no more need of the sun and moon.)

Psalm 45 says: "Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou shalt make princes in all the earth." Or as the Living Bible puts it: "Your sons will some day be kings like their father. They shall sit on thrones around the world!"

Psalm 96 says: "Say among the heathen that the Lord reigns: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness’ thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and people with his truth."

Isaiah . (760 B.C. - 698 B.C.) "And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain (prophetic language for government) of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."5

"In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night (note: the Shekinah glory that was with ancient Israel in the wilderness); for over all the glory shall be spread a covering. And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain."

Or, as the Living Bible puts it:

"Those whose names are written down to escape the destruction of Jerusalem will be washed and rinsed of all their moral filth by the horrors and the fire. They will be God's holy people. And the land will produce for them its lushest bounty and its richest fruit. Then the Lord will provide shade on all Jerusalem -- over every home and all its public ggrounds -- a canopy of smoke and cloud throughout the day, and clouds of fire at night, covering the Glorious Land, protecting it from daytime heat and from rains and storms."6

And:

"The royal line of David will be cut off, chopped down like a tree; but from the stump will grow a Shoot -- yes, a new Branch from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel and might; the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight will be obedience to the Lord. He will not judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked who oppress them. For he will be clothed with fairness and with truth.

"In that day the wolf and the lamb will lie down together, and the leopard and goats will be at peace. Calves and fat cattle will be safe among lions, and a little child shall lead them all. The cows will graze among bears; cubs and calves will lie down together, and lions will eat grass like the cows. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes, and a little child who puts his hand in a nest of deadly adders will pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so shall the earth be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

"In that day he who created the royal dynasty of David will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, for the land where he lives will be a glorious place. At that time the Lord will bring back a remnant of his people for the second time, returning them to the land of Israel from Assyria, Upper and Lower Egypt, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, Hamath and all the distant coastal lands. He will raise a flag among the nations for them to rally to; he will gather the scattered Israelites from the ends of the earth. Then, at last, the jealousy between Israel and Judah will end; they will not fight each other any more. Together they will fly against the nations possessing their land on the east and on the west, uniting forces to destroy them and they will occupy the nations of Edom and Moab and Ammon. The Lord will dry a path through the Red Sea, and wave his hand over the Euphrates, sending a mighty wind to divide it into seven streams that can easily be crossed. He will make a highway from Assyria for the remnant there, just as he did for all of Israel long ago when they returned from Egypt."7

"Here on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, the Lord of Hosts will spread a wondrous feast for everyone around the world -- a delicious feast of good food, with clear, well-aged wine and choice beef. At that time he will remove the cloud of gloom, the pall of death that hangs over the earth; he will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away all tears and take away forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken -- he will surely do it! In that day the people will proclaim, 'This is our God, in whom we trust, for whom we waited. Now at last he is here.' What a day of rejoicing!"8

"Look, a righteous King is coming, with honest princes! He will shelter Israel from the storm and wind. He will refresh her as a river in the desert and as the cooling shadow of a mighty rock within a hot and weary land. Then at last the eyes of Israel will open wide to God; his people will listen to his voice. Even the hotheads among them will be full of sense and understanding, and those who stammer in uncertainty will speak out plainly."9

"Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God, with a recompense; he will come and save you."10

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."11

"And the Redeemer shall come to Zion."12

"Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Eternal is risen upon thee."13

Jeremiah . (518 B.C. - 477 B.C.) "O sinful children, come home, for I am your Master and I will bring you again to the land of Israel -- one from here and two from there, wherever you are scattered. And I will give you leaders after my own heart, who will guide you with wisdom and understanding. Then, when your land is once more filled with people, says the Lord, you will no longer wish for 'the good old days of long ago' when you possessed the Ark of God's covenant. Those days will not be missed or even thought about, and the Ark will not be reconstructed, for the Lord himself will be among you, and the whole city of Jerusalem will be known as the throne of the Lord, and all nations will come to him there and no longer stubbornly follow their evil desires. At that time the people of Judah and of Israel will return together from their exile in the north, to the land I gave their fathers as an inheritance forever."14

"But there will come a glorious day, says the Lord, when the whole topic of conversation will be that God is bringing his people home from the countries of the north, where he had sent them as slaves for punishment. You will look back no longer to the time I brought you out from slavery in Egypt. That mighty miracle will scarcely be mentioned any more. Yes, I will bring you back again, says the Lord, to the same land I gave your fathers."15

"For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David's throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earth. And this is his name: The Lord Our Righteousness. At that time Judah will be saved and Israel will live in peace."16

"The fierce anger of Jehovah shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it."17

"The day will come, says the Lord, when I will make a new contract with the people of Israel and Judah. It won't be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt -- a contract they broke, forcing me to reject them, says the Lord. But this is the new contract I will make with them: I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honour me; then they shall truly be my people and I will be their God. At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know me then, says the Lord, and I will forgive and forget their sins.

"For the time is coming, says the Lord, when all Jerusalem shall be rebuilt for the Lord, from the Tower of Hananel at the northeast corner, to the Corner Gate at the northwest, and from the Hill of Gareb at the southwest, across to Goah on the southeast. And the entire city including the graveyard and ash dump in the valley shall be holy to the Lord, and so shall all the fields out to the brook of Kidron, and from there to the Horse Gate on the east side of the city; it shall never again be captured or destroyed."18

"At that time I will bring to the throne the true Son of David, and he shall rule justly. In that day the people of Judah and Jerusalem shall live in safety and their motto will be, 'The Lord is our righteousness!' For the Lord declares that from then on, David shall forever have an heir sitting on the throne of Israel. And there shall always be Levites to offer burnt offerings and meal offerings and sacrifices to the Lord.

"Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: If you can break my covenant with the day and with the night so that day and night don't come on their usual schedule, only then will my covenant with David, my servant, be broken so that he shall not have a son to reign upon his throne."19

Ezekiel . (484 B.C. - 463 B.C.) "Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant."20

"As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you."21

"And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my Servant David shall be a Prince among my people. I, the Lord, have spoken it. I will make a peace pact with them, and drive away the dangerous animals from the land so that my people can safely camp in the wildest places and sleep safely in the woods. I will make my people and their homes around my hill a blessing. And there shall be showers, showers of blessing, for I will not shut off the rains but send them in their seasons. Their fruit trees and fields will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken off their chains of slavery and delivered them from those who profiteered at their expense, they shall know I am the Lord. No more will other nations conquer them nor wild animals attack. They shall live in safety and no one shall make them afraid. And I will raise up a notable Vine (the Messiah), in Israel so that my people will never again go hungry nor be shamed by heathen conquest. In this way they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Lord God. You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my men and I am your God, so says the Lord."22

"For the Lord God says: I am gathering the people of Israel from among the nations, and bringing them home from around the world to their own land, to unify them into one nation. One king shall be king of them all; no longer shall they be divided into two nations. They shall stop polluting themselves with idols and their other sins, for I will save them from all this foulness. Then they shall truly be my people and I their God.

"And David, my Servant -- the Messiah -- shall be their King, their only Shepherd; and they shall obey my laws and all my wishes. They shall live in the land of Israel where their fathers lived, the land I gave my servant Jacob. They and their children after them shall live there, and their grandchildren, for all generations. And my Servant David, their Messiah, shall be their Prince forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting pact. I will bless them and multiply them and put my Temple among them forever. And I will make my home among them. Yes, I will be their God and they shall be my people, and when my Temple remains among them, then the nations shall know that I, the Lord, have set Israel apart for special blessings."23

Chapters 40 through 48. Here God gives Ezekiel a highly detailed picture of the millennial temple, the new order of service and the new division of the land among the tribes of Israel. This fulfils God's promise in chapter 37 where he says he will place his temple in the midst of them and dwell among them as their God forever. This is such an important aspect of the millennial kingdom of heaven that we will devote an entire chapter to it later.

Daniel . (607 B.C. - 534 B.C.) "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."24

"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a Son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."25

"And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Here is the end of the matter."26

Hosea . (785 B.C. - 725 B.C.) "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that, in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God."27

"But I will court her again, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly there. There I will give back her vineyards to her, and transform her Valley of Troubles into a Door of Hope. She will respond to me there, singing with joy as in days long ago in her youth, after I had freed her from captivity in Egypt.

"In that coming day, says the Lord, she will call me "My Husband" instead of "My Master." O Israel, I will cause you to forget your idols, and their names will not be spoken anymore.

"At that time I will make a treaty between you and the wild animals, birds, and snakes, not to fear each other any more; and I will destroy all weapons, and all wars will end.

"Then you will lie down in peace and safety, unafraid; and I will bind you to me forever with chains of righteousness and justice and love and mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and love, and you will really know me then as you never have before."28

Joel . (800 B.C.) "The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people; and the strength of the children of Israel."29

"Then you shall know at last that I am the Lord your God in Zion, my holy mountain. Jerusalem shall be mine forever; the time will come when no foreign armies will pass through her any more. Sweet wine will drip from the mountains, and the hills shall flow with milk. Water will fill the dry streambeds of Judah, and a fountain will burst forth from the Temple of the Lord to water Acacia Valley. Egypt will be destroyed, and Edom too, because of their violence against the Jews, for they killed innocent people in those nations. But Israel will prosper forever, and Jerusalem will thrive as generations pass. For I will avenge the blood of my people; I will not clear their oppressors of guilt. For my home is in Jerusalem with my people."30

Amos . (787 B.C. - 763 B.C.) "The eyes of the Lord God are watching Israel, that sinful nation, and I will root her up and scatter her across the world. Yet I have promised that this rooting out will not be permanent. For I have commanded that Israel be sifted by the other nations as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet not one true kernel will be lost. But all these sinners who say, 'God will not touch us,' will die by the sword.

"Then, at that time, I will rebuild the City of David, which is now lying in ruins, and return it to its former glory, and Israel will possess what is left of Edom, and of all the nations that belong to me." For so the Lord, who plans it all, has said.

"The time will come when there will be such abundance of crops, that the harvest time will scarcely end before the farmer starts again to sow another crop, and the terraces of grapes upon the hills of Israel will drip sweet wine! I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild their ruined cities, and live in them again, and they shall plant vineyards and gardens and eat their crops and drink their wine. I will firmly plant them there upon the land that I have given them; they shall not be pulled up again," says the Lord your God."31

Micah . (750 B.C. - 710 B.C.) "But in the last days Mount Zion will be the most renowned of all the mountains of the world, praised by all nations; people from all over the world will make pilgrimages there.

"Come," they will say to one another, "let us visit the mountain of the Lord, and see the Temple of the God of Israel; he will tell us what to do, and we will do it." For in those days the whole world will be ruled by the Lord from Jerusalem! He will issue his laws and announce his decrees from there.

"He will arbitrate among the nations, and dictate to strong nations far away. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall no longer fight each other, for all war will end. There will be universal peace, and all the military academies and training camps will be closed down.

"Everyone will live quietly in his own home in peace and prosperity, for there will be nothing to fear. The Lord himself has promised this. (Therefore we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever, even though all the nations around us worship idols!)

"In that coming day, the Lord says that he will bring back his punished people -- sick and lame and dispossessed -- and make them strong again in their own land, a mighty nation, and the Lord himself shall be their King from Mount Zion forever. O Jerusalem -- the Watchtower of God's people -- your royal might and power will come back to you again, just as before."32

"O Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my King who is alive from everlasting ages past! God will abandon his people to their enemies until the time of Israel's spiritual rebirth; then at last the exile remnants of Israel will rejoin their brethren in their own land."33

The American Standard Version has it this way:

"Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth: then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel."

Zephaniah . (630 B.C. - 611 B.C.) "At that time, I will gather you together and bring you home again, and give you a good name, a name of distinction among all the peoples of the earth, and they will praise you when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the Lord."34

Haggai . (520 B.C.) "For the Lord of Hosts says, 'In just a little while I will begin to shake the heavens and earth -- and the oceans, too, and the dry land -- I will shake all nations, and the Desire of All Nations shall come to this Temple, and I will fill this place with my glory,' says the Lord of Hosts. The future splendour of this Temple will be greater than the splendour of the first one! For I have plenty of silver and gold to do it! And here I will give peace,' says the Lord."35

Zechariah . (520 B.C. - 487 B.C.) "When I looked around me again, I saw a man carrying a yardstick in his hand.

"'Where are you going?' I asked.

"'To measure Jerusalem,' he said. 'I want to see whether it is big enough for all the people!'

"Then the angel who was talking to me went over to meet another angel coming toward him.

"'Go tell this young man,' said the other angel, 'that Jerusalem will some day be so full of people that she won't have room enough for all! Many will live outside the city walls, with all their many cattle -- and yet they will be safe. For the Lord himself will be a wall of fire protecting them and all Jerusalem; he will be the glory of the city.'"36

"Listen to me, O Joshua the High Priest, and all you other priests, you are illustrations of the good things to come. Don't you see? -- Joshua represents my servant the Branch whom I will send.37 He will be the Foundation Stone of the Temple that Joshua is standing beside, and I will engrave this inscription on it seven times: I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. 'And after that,' the Lord of Hosts declares, 'you will all live in peace and prosperity and each of you will own a home of your own where you can invite your neighbors.'"38

Or as the American Standard Version has it in engaging al fresco fashion:

"In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, shall ye invite every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig-tree."

And:

"The Lord of Hosts says, I am greatly concerned -- yes, furiously angry -- because of all that Jerusalem's enemies have done to her. Now I am going to return to my land and I, myself, will live within Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called 'The Faithful City,' and 'The Holy Mountain,' and 'The Mountain of the Lord of Hosts.'

"The Lord of Hosts declares that Jerusalem will have peace and prosperity so long that there will once again be aged men and women . . . with canes, and the streets will be filled with boys and girls at play."39

"The traditional fast and times of mourning you have kept in July, August, October and January are ended. They will be changed to joyous festivals if you love truth and peace! People from around the world will come on pilgrimages and pour into Jerusalem from many foreign cities to attend these celebrations. People will write their friends in other cities and say, 'Let's go to Jerusalem to ask the Lord to bless us, and be merciful to us. I'm going! Please come with me. Let's go now! Yes, many people, even strong nations, will come to the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem to ask for his blessing and help. In those days ten men from ten different nations will clutch at the coat sleeves of one Jew and say, 'Please be my friend, for I know that God is with you.'"40

"The Lord will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David! And the royal line will be as God, like the Angel of the Lord who goes before them! For my plan is to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

"Then I will pour out the spirit of grace and prayer on all the people of Jerusalem, and they will look on him they pierced, and mourn for him as for an only son, and grieve bitterly for him as for an oldest child who died. The sorrow and mourning in Jerusalem at that time will be even greater than the grievous mourning for the godly King Josiah, who was killed in the valley of Megiddo. All of Israel will weep in profound sorrow. The whole nation will be bowed down with universal grief -- king, prophet, priest, and people. Each family will go into private mourning, husbands and wives apart, to face their sorrow alone."41

And then, finally the great 14th chapter of Zechariah:

"Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming soon! On that day the Lord will gather together the nations to fight Jerusalem; the city will be taken, the houses rifled, the loot divided, the women raped; half the population will be taken away as slaves, and half will be left in what remains of the city.

"Then the Lord will go out fully armed for war, to fight against those nations. That day his feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a very wide valley running from east to west, for half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. You will escape through that valley, for it will reach across to the city gate. Yes, you will escape as your people did long centuries ago from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and the Lord my God shall come, and all his saints and angels with him.

Here we look ahead to the eternal state:

"The sun and moon and stars will no longer shine, yet there will be continuous day! Only the Lord knows how! There will be no normal day and night -- at evening time it will still be ligght. Life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously both in winter and in summer.

Back to the millennium:

"And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day there shall be one Lord -- his name alone will be worshipped. All the land from Geba (the northern border of Judah) to Rimmon (the southern border) will become one vast plain, but Jerusalem will be on an elevated site, covering the area all the way from the Gate of Benjamin over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king's wine presses. And Jerusalem shall be inhabited, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed."

Here the prophet looks back to the actual physical war that Jesus Christ makes on the enemies of Jerusalem at his coming.

"And the Lord will send a plague on all the people who fought Jerusalem. They will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away; their eyes will shrivel in their sockets, and their tongues will decay in their mouths.

"They will be seized with terror, panic-stricken from the Lord, and will fight against each other in hand-to-hand combat. All Judah will be fighting at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the neighbouring nations will be confiscated -- great quantities of gold and silver and fine clothing. (This same plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy camp.)"

Now the prophet looks ahead to religious life in the new world order.

"In the end, those who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, to celebrate a time of thanksgiving (author's note: the feast of tabernacles, in many translations). And any nation anywhere in all the world that refuses to come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, will have no rain. But if Egypt refuses to come, God will punish her with some other plague. And so Egypt and the other nations will all be punished if they refuse to come.

"In that day the bells on the horses will have written on them, 'These Are Holy Property'; and the trash cans in the Temple of the Lord will be as sacred as the bowls beside the altar. In fact, every container in Jerusalem and Judah shall be sacred to the Lord of Hosts; all who come to worship may use any of them free of charge to boil their sacrifices in; there will be no more grasping traders in the Temple of the Lord of Hosts!"42

Malachi . (397 B.C.) "And then the one you are looking for will come suddenly to his Temple -- the Messenger of God's promises, to bring you great joy. Yes, he is surely coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can live when he appears? Who can endure his coming? For he is like a blazing fire refining precious metal and he can bleach the dirtiest garments! Like a refiner of silver he will sit and closely watch as the dross is burned away. He will purify the Levites, the ministers of God, refining them like gold or silver, so that they will do their work for God with pure hearts. Then once more the Lord will enjoy the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did before. At that time my punishments will be quick and certain; I will move swiftly against wicked men who trick the innocent, against adulterers, and liars, against all those who cheat their hired hands, or oppress widows and orphans, or defraud strangers, and do not fear me, says the Lord of Hosts."43

And the Old Testament closes with this thought from God through Malachi:

"See, I will send you another prophet like Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful judgment day of God. His preaching will bring fathers and children together again, to be of one mind and heart, for they will know that if they do not repent, I will come and utterly destroy their land."44

New testament prophets

All the Old Testament prophets -- Job, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi -- were looking for the same thing: a restoration to the land of the two divisions, Israel and Judah, great blessings upon the unified kingdom, and spiritual and physical blessings that would pour out of their land throughout the whole world because God himself was to come and live in their midst.

Did this expectation somehow change when Jesus and his apostles and followers arrived on the scene some 400 years later?

Should we, like many Christians, close out the book on the Old Testament and just look to the New Testament for our information and theology?

Should the believer in the true God now point toward making his way toward the third heaven where God himself lives at this time, and expect to live there forever?

Did God change his plans for Israel -- and for the rest of us?

Absolutely not.

Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."45

It was the early Christians who lost this vision of heaven some 300 years after the time of Christ. (A full explanation follows in a later chapter.)

But 400 years after the prophet Malachi, the vision of this great kingdom was still alive and well. There was a man named Simeon, for example, a good man, very devout, filled with the Holy Spirit and constantly expecting the Messiah to come soon.46 A prophetess named Anna was also looking for the Messiah.47 And so, too, was Joseph of Arimathea.48

When we pick up the story even before the birth of Jesus we find the angel Gabriel sent to Nazareth to deliver a message to Mary.

"Congratulations, favoured lady! The Lord is with you!" Gabriel said.

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

"Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to wonderfully bless you! Very soon now, you will become pregnant and have a baby boy, and you are to name him 'Jesus'. He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God. And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he shall reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom shall never end!"

So here we have, not a whole new regime being introduced, but rather a fulfilment of the old promises to Abraham and David.

Some 33 years later under the interrogation of Pilate, Jesus said that he was indeed a king, and that that was the very reason he was born into the world.49

He was a king when he was born.

He was a king through the time that he died.

And, in the early part of his ministry, he engaged himself in the affairs of his state, as we might expect a king to do.

The first order of business was to proclaim the kingdom. And he did, everywhere he went.50

"At last the time has come!" he announced. "God's Kingdom is near! Turn from your sins and act on this glorious news!"51

That was in Galilee.

He soon attracted a following. The crowds started to follow him everywhere. At Capernaum, they begged him not to leave, but he said: "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places, too, for that is why I was sent." So he continued to travel around preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.52

And he manifested the signs of the kingdom: the healing, the miracles, the power over nature itself. He became so famous that he started to attract people from as far away as Syria.

And as soon as he had selected his staff of twelve, he sent them out to do the very same thing . . . to preach the kingdom, and manifest the signs of the kingdom.53

Was Jesus really serious? Did he really want the long-promised kingdom to be established at that time?

Yes, he was, and yes, he did. That's one of the more important facets of the so-called Lord's Prayer. As the Living Bible puts it: "Our Father in heaven, we honour your holy name. We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven."

What about us Christians? What would have happened to us?

Well, for those of us not fortunate enough to be the physical seed of Abraham, we would have learned about God from the Jews. The Jews would have become a nation of priests to the Gentile world. That would have fulfilled that part of the covenant with Abraham that called for Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth. That will yet again be the role for the Levites in the millennium -- to administer the holy things of God for the other nations of the world.

To put it simply, and in other words, the Jews would have become the 'Christians,' or the 'insiders,' and the Gentiles would have become like the Jews of today, 'outsiders' with respect to their relationship with God. Our roles would have been reversed.

But didn't Jesus know that the kingdom was not going to be established at that time?

Yes, he surely did. He was the one that inspired Isaiah to write that 'his visage was marred more than any man.'54 He inspired David to compose the thoughts that he was to have on the cross.55 He fully knew what lay ahead of him.

"But then it was all planned out in advance -- the Jews really didn't have a chance!" you say.

Not true. They really could have had the kingdom the first time Jesus Christ came. If they had counted 483 years -- and some did -- from the commandment to rebuild the temple by Artaxerxes to the Messiah, they would have gotten a pretty good indication of the time that Messiah was due. If they had believed the healings, the miracles, they would have known this man was different. But they were hard of heart. So hard, in fact, that at one point Jesus said that if a man came back from the dead to admonish the living, they wouldn't believe that either.56

Do you know somebody so well that you know what they are going to do, in a given situation, ahead of time? Of course you do. You know your family that well. Well, the Jews were family to Jesus. Family in the deepest sense. He made them. Then he was born one of them. He lived alongside them -- working, playing, drinking, eating -- for 33 years. Of course he knew what they were going to do.

But, nevertheless, for the sake of justice and for the record, he gave them a full opportunity.

They turned it down. As Jesus said: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets, and stones all those God sends to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me. And now your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you are ready to welcome the one sent to you from God."57

Jesus was disappointed. He wants this kingdom to be set up much more than we do. But he wasn't surprised.

As early as the ninth chapter of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to have to suffer, in fact, be rejected by the Jewish leaders, the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the Law. And then be killed. And then be brought back to life!

He went on to say that when he comes (back) in glory, he would be ashamed of all who are ashamed of him and his words.

We also see the change in his preaching and teaching when he went to visit Zacchaeus, a tax collector. The kingdom changed from one that was 'at hand' to one that would be established when he returned at a later time.

Parable of a certain nobleman

Because Jesus was getting close to Jerusalem, he told a story to correct the impression that the kingdom of God would begin right away:

"A nobleman living in a certain province was called away to the distant capital of the empire to be crowned king of his province. Before he left he called together ten assistants and gave them each $2,000 to invest while he was gone. But some of his people hated him and sent him their declaration of independence, stating that they had rebelled and would not acknowledge him as their king.

"Upon his return he called in the men to whom he had given the money, to find out what they had done with it, and what their profits were.

"The first man reported a tremendous gain -- ten times as much as the original amount!

"'Fine!' the king exclaimed. 'You are a good man. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, and as you reward, you shall be governor of ten cities.'

"The next man also reported a splendid gain -- five times the original amount.

"'All right!' his master said. 'You can be governor over five cities.'

"But the third man brought back only the money he had started with. 'I've kept it safe,' he said, 'because I was afraid (you would demand my profits), for you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn't yours and even confiscating the crops that others plant.'

"'You vile and wicked slave,' the king roared. 'Hard, am I? That's exactly how I'll be toward you! If you knew so much about me and how tough I am, then why didn't you deposit the money in the bank so that I could at least get some interest on it?'

"Then turning to the others standing by he ordered, 'Take the money away from him and give it to the man who earned the most.'

"'But, sir,' they said, 'he has enough already!'

"'Yes,' the king replied, 'but it is always true that those who have, get more, and those who have little, soon lose even that. And now about these enemies of mine who revolted -- bring them in and execute them before me.'"58

So Jesus was going to go on a journey back to the capital (Heaven), and invest (the Holy Spirit) with us until his return and the establishment of his kingdom, when successful investors would be rewarded with rule over cities.

The same story is told another way in Matthew:

Parable of a certain landowner

"A certain landowner planted a vineyard with a hedge around it, and built a platform for the watchman, then leased the vineyard to some farmers on a sharecrop basis, and went away to live in another country.

"At the time of the grape harvest he sent his agents to the farmers to collect his share. But the farmers attacked his men, beat one, killed one and stoned another.

"Then he sent a larger group of his men to collect for him, but the results were the same. Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking they would surely respect him.

"But when these farmers saw the son coming they said among themselves, 'Here comes the heir to this estate; come on, let's kill him and get it for ourselves!' So they dragged him out of the vineyard and killed him.

"When the owner returns, what do you think he will do to those farmers?

"The Jewish leaders replied, 'He will put the wicked men to a horrible death, and lease the vineyard to others who will pay him promptly.'

"Then Jesus asked them, 'Didn't you ever read in the Scriptures: The stone rejected by the builders has been made the honored cornerstone; how remarkable! what an amazing thing the Lord has done?'

"'What I mean is that the Kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and given to a nation that will give God his share of the crop. All who stumble on this rock of truth shall be broken, but those it falls on will be scattered as dust.'

"When the chief priests and other Jewish leaders realized that Jesus was talking about them -- that they were the farmers in his story -- they wanted to get rid of him, but were afraid to try because of the crowds, for they accepted Jesus as a prophet."59

To come again

After an early ministry of proclaiming his kingdom, and yearning for its establishment at that time, Jesus spent the latter time of his ministry talking about the fact that he would come again:

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds."60

"Then Peter said to him, 'We left everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?' And Jesus replied, 'When I, the Messiah, shall sit upon my glorious throne in the kingdom, you my disciples shall certainly sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And anyone who gives up his home, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or property, to follow me, shall receive a hundred times as much in return, and shall have eternal life.'"61

By the time of the prophecy on the Mount of Olives, the disciples had begun to accept the fact that Jesus was going to have to leave, and then return to establish the kingdom: "What events will signal your return, and the end of the world?"62

Jesus went on to say:

"For as the lightning flashes across the sky from east to west, so shall my coming be, when I, the Messiah, return."63

"And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens and there will be deep mourning (note: as Zechariah predicted) all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory."64

"Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh."65

"So stay awake and be prepared, for you do not know the date or moment of my return."66

He also compared himself to a bridegroom who was to be delayed in his coming.67

"But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."68

"And in the future you will see me, the Messiah, sitting at the right hand of God and returning on the clouds of heaven."69

"When the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?"70

And John again records it, this time just as plainly and directly as possible: "I will come again."71

And again, as for emphasis: "I will come to you."72

Confirmed by angels and apostles

Following the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with the disciples. He had always talked to them about the kingdom of God. They wanted to know if it was then to be established. But he replied that it was not for them to know. Only the Father knew.

Was the program changed now?

Now that the nation had rejected him, crucified him, and then seen him resurrected?

Was it all off for Israel, and 'all on' for the Church that was about to be formed?

Were we going to heaven now, instead of Jesus coming back to us?

Not at all.

It was now time for the certain nobleman, the certain owner of the vineyard to go on his journey. " . . . he rose into the sky and disappeared into a cloud, leaving them staring after him. As they were straining their eyes for another glimpse, suddenly two white-robed men were standing there among them, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some day, just as he went, he will return!'"

Ten days later came the Pentecost. This was the feast of weeks for the Jews, a holy time. Jerusalem was packed. As the believers met together, the Holy Ghost, as promised, roared down upon the disciples. Tongues of fire sat on their heads. They spoke in strange languages.

When the crowds heard the roaring above the house where the believers were meeting, they came running. They had never seen anything like it. Someone said: "They're just drunk!"

But Peter explained that this was most definitely not the case. That King David had foreseen the day when the Messiah would be resurrected from the grave. And that Messiah had poured out the Holy Spirit on this gathering of believers. And David knew that God had sworn an oath to him that his seed would rule the house of Israel forever. Peter knew this seed was the Messiah.73

Peter later exhorted: "Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old."74

Stephen was another member of the early church. He was not an original disciple who walked with Jesus. He was one of seven disciples chosen from many to handle routine business matters in the church, such as the ministry to widows. We would call him a deacon. As a newcomer, perhaps he had a new and revolutionary idea about the ultimate destiny of the believer, perhaps one about 'going to heaven' permanently and omitting the establishment of the kingdom on this earth?

In fact, he was charged by the Jewish officials of the same thing that Jesus was: blasphemy. Specifically, teaching the changing of the Mosaic customs.

How did he answer?

He went back to Abraham's covenant, and noted that Abraham had not yet received his promises from God: "And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a posssession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."75 This meant that the fulfilment of those promises and establishment of the promised kingdom were yet future. He went on to explicate the Old Testament Scriptures concerning the Messiah who was to come, and how Jesus fulfilled these Scriptures.

He didn't mince his words. And so he was stoned to death.

All the Jewish leaders approved.

One of them was a man named Saul of Tarsus. He was a devout Pharisee, educated by the finest teachers, respected by all the Jewish leaders, a leader among the leaders himself. But God struck him down, turned him around and drafted him into his service as apostle to the Gentiles.76 Now no prophet of old foresaw the calling of the Gentiles. This was a controversial idea. One that Peter had some difficulty accepting.

Now since Paul was addressing these Gentiles who were formerly outside the faith, did he pioneer a new message for them . . . one of 'going to heaven, omitting Christ's kingdom on the earth?' Or did Paul stick with the traditional, accepted idea of the return of Messiah to rule on earth? (with a temporary period in heaven for the dead in Christ?77

That's exactly what he did.

Paul taught the return of Messiah and the establishment of his kingdom:

"He expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."78

And, as has always been the case, some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Paul talked about:

"The revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ."79

"Until the Lord come . . . ."80

"Don't you know that some day we Christians are going to judge and govern the world?"81

"The world in its present form will soon be gone."82

"For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are re-telling the message of the Lord's death, that he has died for you. Do this until he comes again."83

"But the fact is that Christ did actually rise from the dead, and has become the first of millions who will come back to life again some day . . . . Each, however, in his own turn: Christ rose first, then when Christ comes back, all his people will become alive again."84

"And when Christ who is our real life comes back again, you will shine with him and share in all his glories."85

"For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back again."86

"And may the Lord make your love to grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love does toward you. This will result in your hearts being made strong, sinless and holy by God our Father, so that you may stand before him guiltless on that day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns with all those who belong to him."87

"And now, dear brothers, I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those are who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and then came back to life again, we can also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him all the Christians who have died.

"I can tell you this directly from the Lord: that we who are still living when the Lord returns (note: Paul thought that Jesus would return almost immediately; he did not foresee a 2,000 year hiatus) will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with this news."88

"May the God of peace himself make you entirely pure and devoted to God; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong and blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again."89

" . . . at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire . . . when he shall come to be glorified in his saints."90

" . . . fulfil all he has told you to do, so that no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. For in due season Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."91

"If we endure we shall also reign with Him."92

"The Lord . . . will save me unto his heavenly kingdom . . . . "93

"Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."94

"And even when he reached God's promised land, he lived in tents like a mere visitor, as did Isaac and Jacob, to whom God gave the same promise. Abraham did this because he was confidently waiting for God to bring him to that strong heavenly city whose designer and builder is God . . . . If they had wanted to, they could have gone back to the good things of this world. But they didn't want to. They were living for heaven. And now God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has made a heavenly city for them." (Note: Speaking of the eternal state following the millennium.)95

And, of course, the entire 11th chapter of Paul's writings to the Hebrews is a chronicle of many who were 'living for heaven.' The heaven that Jesus would establish in his reign here in the earth . . . and the eternal heaven in the new earth that would follow when the new Jerusalem would come down out of heaven.96

James admonished believers to be patient until the coming of the Lord.97

Peter wrote about the revelation of Christ that was to come.98 "For we have not been telling you fairy tales when we explained to you the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. My own eyes have seen his splendour and his glory: I was there on the holy mountain when he shone out with honour given him by God his Father; I heard that glorious, majestic voice calling down from heaven, saying, "This is my much-loved Son; I am well pleased with him."99

John admonished believers to live such that they would not be ashamed at his coming.100 He said that when he comes, we would be made to look like him.101 And that everyone who has this hope purifies himself. And to John, the apostle whom Jesus loved, was given the great (book) Revelation of Jesus Christ concerning the end times, and the establishment of the 1,000 year kingdom.

"Then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those who had been given the right to judge . . . . Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection. For them the Second Death holds no terrors, for they will be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.102

All the prophets -- starting with Job some 2,000 years B.C. through John up to 96 A.D. -- had the same destination in view: the kingdom of God on this earth. They knew it was promised to Abraham, and then to David. The prophets of the ancient days saw that Messiah would come to fulfil this promise and establish the kingdom -- but first suffer, and suffer horribly. The New Testament prophets actually saw the Messiah suffer -- and then be resurrected. They didn't necessarily expect a church age to intervene between them and that coming, but then they always said that day would come like a thief in the night . . . when least expected. For them, that day came the day they died.

Jesus said he came to fulfil the prophets and the ancient promises they banked on. Stephen hooked up to the ancient promises. So did Paul. So did John, Peter, James. These men were knit together with the prophets of the ancient days like links in a chain.

When you read your Bible from this perspective, it starts to make sense. Any part of it, every part of it makes sense. It's no longer just the history book of one people, or a sentimental story about a good man named Jesus, it's the destiny of the world. It's your destiny -- you, the reader.

For the apostles of the early church, there was a time when the Lord was with them, and then a time when he was crucified, and then a time when he was resurrected, and with them again for a short while, and then a time when he was gone . . . returned to heaven to wait for the restoration of all things, the times of refreshing.

For us, there will be a time when we will have been in the church age, and then a time when he returns, and a time when the kingdom is established. It's not far off.

One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.103

Chapter 7

THE PROPHETS KNEW ALL ABOUT IT

1 Is. 61:1,2 LB

2 Luke 4:18

3 Amos 3:7, Dan. 2:28

4 Job 19:25-27 LB

5 Is. 2:1-4

6 Is. 4:2-6

7 Is. 11 LB

8 Is. 25:4-9 LB)8

9 Is. 32:1-4 LB

10 Is. 35:4

11 Is. 40:5

12 Is. 59:20

13 Is. 60:1

14 Jer. 3:14-18 LB

15 Jer. 16:14,15 LB

16 Jer. 23:4,5 LB

17 Jer. 30:24

18 Jer. 31:31-34, 38-39 LB

19 Jer. 33:15-21 LB

20 Ez. 16:60 (Note: Palestinian covenant.)

21 Ez. 20:33

22 Ez. 34:24-31 LB

23 Ez. 37:21-28 LB

24 Dan. 2:44

25 Dan. 7:13,14

26 Dan. 7:27

27 Hosea 1:10

28 Hosea 2:14-20 LB

29 Joel 3:16

30 Joel 3:l7-21 LB

31 Amos 9:8-15 LB

32 Micah 4:1-8 LB

33 Micah 5:2,3 LB

34 Zeph. 3:20 LB

35 Haggai 2:6-9 LB

36 Zech. 2:1-5 LB

37 Jesus-Jeshua-Joshua

38 Zech. 3:8-10 LB

39 Zech. 8:2-5 LB

40 Zech. 8:19-23 LB

41 Zech. 12:8-14 LB

42 Zech. 14 LB

43 Mal. 3:1-5 LB

44 Mal. 4:5,6 LB

45 Matt. 5:17

46 Luke 2:25

47 Luke 2:36

48 Mark 15:42

49 John 18:36,37

50 Matt. 4:23, 6:10; Mark 1:15, 4:11; Luke 4:43; 8:10, 9:2,11

51 Mark 1:15

52 Luke 4:43 LB

53 Matt. 9:35, 10:7; Luke 9:2

54 Is. 52:14, 53

55 Psalm 22

56 Luke 16:31

57 Matt. 23:27-39 LB

58 Luke 19 LB

59 Matt. 21 LB

60 Matt. 16:27 ASV

61 Matt. 19:28, 29 LB

62 Matt. 24:3 LB

63 Matt. 24:27 LB

64 Matt. 24:30 LB

65 Matt. 24:44

66 Matt. 25:13 LB

67 Matt. 25:1-3

68 Matt. 26:29

69 Matt. 26:64 LB

70 Luke 18:8

71 John 14:3

72 John 14:18

73 Acts 2:29-36

74 Acts 3:19-21

75 Acts 7:5

76 Rom. 11:13

77 2 Cor. 5

78 Acts 28:23, also Acts 19:8, 20:25

79 1 Cor. 1:7

80 1 Cor. 4:5

81 1 Cor. 6:2

82 1 Cor. 7:31 LB

83 1 Cor. 11:26 LB

84 1 Cor. 15:20, 23 LB

85 Col. 3:4 LB

86 1 Thess. 2:19 LB

87 1 Thess. 3:12,13 LB

88 1 Thess. 4:13-15 LB

89 1 Thess. 5:23 LB

90 2 Thess. 1:7,10

91 1 Tim. 6:14 LB

92 2 Tim. 2:12

93 2 Tim. 4:18

94 Titus 2:13

95 Heb. 11:9,15,16 LB

96 Rev. 21:2

97 James 5:7

98 1 Peter 1:5,7,13; 4:13; 5:1

99 2 Peter 1:16-18 LB

100 1 John 2:28

101 1 John 3:2

102 Rev. 20:4,6 LB

103 2 Peter 3:8

For the created universe waits with eager expectation
for God's sons to be revealed. Rom. 8:19

 

Back around 600 B.C., in the time of Jeremiah, there was a tribe living in the land of Canaan called the Rechabites. They were not actually Israelites by birth; they were Kenites of Hemath, of the family of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law. They came into Canaan with the Israelites, but, in order to stay independent, they chose a nomadic lifestyle.

They were known for two things:

1. They drank no wine.

2. They built no houses. Instead, they lived in tents.

Why?

They were commanded to keep these customs by their father Jonadab, son of Rechab. They were commanded not to drink wine in order to maintain sobriety, and avoid doing anything injurious to a neighbour, or dishonorable to God.

That's understandable enough. A lot of people don't drink.

But why the nomadic lifestyle? Why the tents?

The reason was that their father wanted them to emulate the lifestyle of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who, though quite wealthy, had their hearts set on the kingdom of heaven as their final and permanent home. And so as not to court earthly possessions, not to be caught up in materialism first, putting God and his great heavenly home second, they chose a lifestyle that would make materialistic distractions much less probable.

The kingdom was real to the Rechabites.

It was real, too, to James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

On one certain occasion, they came over and spoke to Jesus in a low voice.

"Master," they said, "we want you to do us a favour."

"What is it?" he asked.

"We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your kingdom," they said, "one at your right and one at your left!"1

These thrones were real to James and John.

And the kingdom was real to the violent men who tried to seize it by force, some before Jesus, some after.2

God wants his long-planned-for kingdom to be just as real, even more so, to us.

We said in the preface to this book that we would have to wash away some false tradition to make the kingdom make sense, to make it real. That we would have to take a radical approach. To get down to the roots. Perhaps now is a good time to consolidate and reinforce what we've covered.

Briefly . . .

God has given us at least five major avenues with which to get a good handle on the real kingdom on this real earth. They are:

The stars. The stars tell us about a Mighty One who is to return to earth, put down his adversary once and for all, and rule in prosperity and righteousness. God named the stars himself, and put the meanings of his plan in those names.

The covenants. God promised the land from the Nile to the Euphrates to Abraham and his descendents forever. He promised David that his family would rule his kingdom forever. Later, in Luke, the angel Gabriel tells Mary that Jesus would receive the throne of his father David, and fulfil this promise. And the new covenant, the covenant in Jesus' own blood, will bind Israel and Judah in obedience to their God. All three still remain to be fulfilled.

The holy days. The feast of trumpets foreshadows the trumpet blast that will herald the return of Christ to the earth. The day of atonement depicts the binding of the scapegoat, Satan, during the reign of Christ. The feast of tabernacles and the last great day depict the prosperous reign of Jesus Christ on this earth. The meanings behind the passover, days of unleavened bread, first fruits and pentecost have already been fulfilled, giving further credence to the soon-to-come fulfilment of the last four.

The Old Testament prophets. From Job through Malachi, verse upon verse, all the prophets have looked for the Messiah and his remarkable kingdom where men would be holy, rich and happy, and when even the wild animals would be at peace with one another. They saw that Messiah would return from heaven to establish this kingdom on the earth.

The New Testament prophets. Starting with Jesus, on down through John, they quoted the Old Testament Scriptures about the kingdom, and expected all of them to be fulfilled. Jesus himself was careful to fulfil all the Old Testament Scriptures pertaining to his first coming, and reaffirm all the other scriptures pertaining to his glorious second coming.

Each of these five witnesses are perfectly consistent with each of the others.

With all these witnesses, we can more deeply understand how it is that the whole creation groans and travails in pain for the coming of this kingdom, and how it is that the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the revealing of the sons of God.3

Each of these witnesses testifies to the absolute authenticity of the other. Each testifies to the absolute reality of this kingdom. And so we ourselves may be absolutely sure that all the things that the stars, the contracts, the holy days, the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament prophets spoke about will come to pass on this earth.

Now . . .

Now when we read of temple service in the Old Testament it should mean a lot more to us since there will be temple service again in the kingdom.

Now we can know why it is that we are supposed to love the gates of Zion, like the Lord does.4 Because it means home.

Now when we read that those that wait upon the Lord will inherit the earth,5 or that the meek will inherit the earth,6 or that he that puts his trust in the Lord shall possess the land, and inherit the Lord's holy mountain (prophetic language for government),7 it should make a lot more sense because that's your inheritance it's talking about. Because now that we are Christ's we are the true descendants of Abraham, and all of God's promises to him belong to us.8

Now when we study the Bible, we can do it with a real purpose and plan: to find out more about the details of the kingdom.

Now when we plan for the future, we can truly begin to think in a long range fashion if we're thinking about the kingdom.

Now when we work or sacrifice for the Lord, we know why we're doing it, just as the Lord himself knew what he was suffering for on the cross. We can work for the Lord with a goal in mind, and hence, vigor and dispatch.

Now we can intelligently pray: 'may your kingdom come' . . . and know what it is we're asking for!

Chapter 8

A REAL KINGDOM ON THE REAL EARTH

1. Mark 10:35-37 LB

2. Matt. 11:12

3. Rom. 8:19,22

4. Psalm 87

5. Psalm 37:9

6. Psalm 37:11

7. Is. 57:13

8. Gal. 3:29 LB

1 Mark 10:35-37 LB

2 Matt. 11:12

3 Rom. 8:19,22

4 Psalm 87

5 Psalm 37:9

6 Psalm 37:11

7 Is. 57:13

8 Gal. 3:29 LB

 

If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
we are of all men most miserable.

1 Cor. 15:19

The "going-up-in-the-air," "earn-my-way," "going-to-meet-God," vague concept of the afterlife came from the ancient pagan Babylonians.

The "coming-down-to-earth," "promises-made-to-Abraham," "God-returning-to-meet-us," specific and traditional view of the afterlife came from Israel, God's people. This traditional view was maintained through the prophets, Jesus Christ, the apostles, and the early church.

How did the two get mixed up?

You can trace the confusion back to a man named Philo.

Philo was a first century Jew. He lived in Alexandria, Egypt. Like a number of Jews in Egypt at this time, he was a devout admirer of Greek culture, and especially Plato. But he was also proud of his Jewish heritage. So proud, in fact, he felt he had a high calling to represent and convey the nobility of the Jewish religion to the educated Greek world, and to show the Jewish and divine origins of Greek philosophy.

A magnanimous enough ambition on the surface, to be sure, but to blend the Greek and Hebrew thought, Philo had to resort to an allegorizing method of interpreting scripture. He chose not to interpret Scripture literally, as Ezra did when the forgotten "book of the law" was found by Hilkiah during the reign of Josiah, 513 B.C. The Jewish rabbis had been literal to a zealous degree, even to a fault. But now Philo interpreted the old covenant allegorically: It didn't really mean what it said, in other words. It was just a figurative way of espousing morality.

Philo, without citing him, drew upon the teachings of the Greek Aristobulus. Aristobulus believed the Greek philosophy was borrowed from the Old Testament and the law. He also believed that all the significant tenets of Greek philosophy, especially those tenets of the greatest Greek philosopher, Aristotle, could be found in Moses and the Prophets.

So, taking Philo's thinking a little further, one might believe that the old covenant wasn't really so much a set of iron-clad, specific promises made to the nation Israel about land, prosperity, spiritual blessings, and an eternal future, it was a moral code . . . a guide for all men of all cultures. More how men should live, than a covenant, or contract with one particular nation. And since, as wise Aristobulus knew, it came from the Jews, shouldn't the Jews get the credit?

This was something new. In fact, within the Alexandrian Jewish community, Philo defended this allegorical system of interpretation against traditional, literal-minded opponents by saying that the only reason these opposed it was that it was new, not that the system itself had any fault.

Nothing could have been further from the truth.

My guess is that Philo, being an Egyptian Jew, removed from the land of the Temple and all the holy ordinances, probably wasn't that familiar with the covenant himself, and so he didn't know any better. A high-minded, humanistic sort of individual, he probably thought he was doing God, his fellow Jews and the world at large, a tremendous service.

But what he really did was to effectively bury knowledge about the destiny of man for generations of Christians and non-Christians alike.

His ideas caught on in a big way. Alexandria became the seat of a theological school. As with any sort of school of thought, the ideas of the founders are worked with, kneaded, developed. So it was with the theological school of Alexandria.

Clement of Alexandria (150 AD - 215 AD) was the next major figure after Philo. He, too, believed in the divine origin of Greek philosophy. He openly propounded the principle that all Scripture must be understood allegorically.

(Perhaps, as is the custom today with scholarly masters and doctoral theses, he ended his dissertations with a call for more research.) In any case, if all Scripture was to be allegorically understood, that invited a kind of scientific-minded scholar to develop a system of understanding.

That's what Origen (185 - 254 AD) contributed -- a system of allegorizing Scripture. Also of the theological school of Alexandria, Origen had tradition behind him now. He made the most of it. He was industrious and ingenious, writing a long series of works on just how the Scripture could be understood. He regarded the Bible as a tripartite living organism, its three elements corresponding to the Platonic model of the three parts of man: body, soul, and spirit.

The body part of the Bible furnished the immediate, literal, or historical sense. But these actual meanings really only served as a veil for a higher idea.

The soul part of the Bible was the psychic or moral sense. This gave life to the body sense. It provided edification on how to live.

The spirit part of the Bible, then, was the mystic or ideal sense that the body and soul parts were really pointing to. This was for those who could grasp and live in the rarefied atmosphere of philosophical knowledge.

Origen, like Philo, in applying this system to the Bible, capriciously and with a sort of airy wave of the hand, dismisssed the literal, actual meanings. Instead, he replaced these with foreign ideas, irrelevant fancies. This was, at that time, very modern, very exciting. It suited the taste of the intellectual front-runners. Learned, quick, prolific, Origen was the darling of the avant-garde. Heaven became theology, not reality. So, everyone "thought" what seemed right in his own mind, paraphrasing Judges. And the Bible had no more absolute authority to these men.

But was this the way the early Church thought?

Absolutely not. All scholars agree that the early Church (29-325 A.D.) believed in the literal, actual, physical reign of Jesus Christ on this earth. While some think that this is a new idea, originating with revivalism in l9th and 20th century America, or even more recently, with television evangelists on Christian media, just the opposite is true. The idea of the kingdom of heaven on this earth was held by the early Church itself. They had received it from the apostles, who had received it from Christ, who had confirmed the teachings of the prophets, who were expressing their visions about the fulfilment of God's promises to Abraham.

Here are some notable proofs:

The Didache . Dated from about the year l00 A.D., this early Christian document says about the resurrection: "And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first, the sign of an outspreading in heaven; then the sign of the sound of the trumpet; and the third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all."

This quote doesn't directly address the kingdom of heaven on the earth, but it does indicate more than one resurrection -- a key point in understanding the kingdom and salvation.

Clement of Rome . In 96 or 97 A.D., this man writes to the church at Corinth: "Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the Scriptures also bear witness, saying, 'Speedily will He come, and will not tarry:' and 'The LORD shall suddenly come to his temple, even the Holy One, for whom you look.'"

The Shepherd of Hermas . Between l40 and l50 A.D., he writes: "You have escaped from great tribulation on account of your faith, and because you did not doubt the presence of such a beast. Go, therefore, and tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming."

Barnabas . He preached that God had a seven thousand year plan for the world modeled after the seven days of the week. The first six thousand years would consummate the age of man. The next l,000 years would begin with the return of Christ to the earth to set up his kingdom for a seventh day sabbath rest. The eighth day, then, would begin the new world.

Ignatius of Antioch . He died somewhere between 50 and ll5 A.D. He says little about prophecy in his writings, but he does refer to the "last times" and urges Christians to have the attitude of expectancy.

Papias . This bishop of Hierapolis (80-l63 A.D.), on the other hand, had lots to say about the millennium, and "the personal reign of Christ . . . established on the earth." And: "The days will come in which vines shall grow, having each ten thousand branches, and in each branch ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten thousand shoots, and in every one of the shoots ten thousand clusters, and on every one of the clusters ten thousand grapes, and every grape when pressed will give five-and-twenty metres of wine."

Justin Martyr . Born about l00 A.D., this man was a lion of kingdom teaching and preaching. He put tremendous importance on this hope and regarded the expectation of the earthly perfection of Christ's kingdom as the cornerstone, the starting place, the beginning of pure doctrine. He said the second coming of Jesus Christ would be preceded by the appearance of the man of sin who would speak blasphemies against the most high God and would rule on the earth for three and one-half years. Quoting from his Dialogus cum Tryphone: "But I and whoever are on all points right-minded Christians know that there will be a resurrection of the dead and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged as the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and the others declare. . . . And further, a certain man with us, named John, one of the Apostles of Christ, predicted by a revelation that was made to him that those who believed in our Christ would spend a thousand years in Jerusalem, and thereafter the general, or to speak briefly, the eternal resurrection and judgment of all men would likewise take place."

Irenaeus . Another lion of kingdom preaching and teaching. This man was bishop of Lyons. He died in 200 A.D. He was a student of Polycarp, who in turn, was a student of the apostle John. He writes: "But when this antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who followed him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, that is, the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that 'many coming from the east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. . . .'"

The predicted blessing, therefore, belongs unquestionably to the times of the kingdom, when the righteous shall bear rule upon their rising from the dead.

Tertullian . A Christian leader who lived from l50 to 225 A.D., he wrote: "But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon this earth, although before heaven, only in another state of existence; inasmuch as it will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built city of Jerusalem."

Cyprian . He lived from 195 to 258 A.D. A millennialist of strong persuasion, he wrote graphically of the imminence of the kingdom of God and the surety of the reign of Christ. For example: "Why with frequently repeated prayers do we entreat and beg that the day of his kingdom may hasten, if our greater desires and stronger wishes are to obey the devil here, rather than to reign with Christ?"

Commodianus . Writing about 250 A.D., this bishop of North Africa said: "They shall come also who overcame cruel martyrdom under Antichrist, and they themselves live for the whole time. But from the thousand years God will destroy all those evils."

Nepos . Bishop of Egypt, an eminent and spiritual man, wrote around 230 to 250 A.D. a defense of the earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ after Origen had attacked the idea. Excerpt: "After this first resurrection the kingdom of Christ was to be upon earth for a thousand years, and the saints were to reign with him."

Lactantius . A learned man who lived from 240 to 330 A.D. He wrote: "About the same time also the prince of the devils, who is the contriver of all evils shall be bound with chains, and shall be imprisoned during the thousand years of the heavenly rule in which righteousness shall reign in the world, so that he may contrive no evil against the people of God."

The School of Antioch . Standing in sharp contradistinction to the allegorical School of Alexandria was the literal method School of Antioch. This group of men made it their goal to determine the original meaning of Scripture. They kept this end in view at all times, and this was their great achievement. Their interpretations were extremely plain and simple by comparison to the florid, flamboyant, arbitrary "intellectual" interpretations of the Alexandrians.

Diodorus of Tarsus was the founder of the School of Antioch. His books were devoted to the explication of Scripture in its plain literal sense. His magnum opus, unfortunately lost to us, was "on the difference between allegory and spiritual insight." A man of erudition and piety, he was the teacher of noted saints Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia.

In contrast to the self-styled intellectual giants like Origen, Theodore was a real giant of interpretation.

As Farrar1 writes: "That clear-minded and original thinker, (Theodore) stands out like a 'rock in the morass of ancient exegesis.' He was a Voice not an Echo; a Voice amid thousands of echoes which repeated only the emptiest sounds. He rejected the theories of Origen, but he had learnt from him the indispensable importance of attention to linguistic details especially in commenting on the New Testament. He pays close attention to particles, moods, prepositions, and to terminology in general. He points out the idiosyncrasies . . . of St. Paul's style . . . . He is almost the earliest writer who gives much attention to hermeneutic (prophetic) matter, as for instance in his Introductions to the Epistles to Ephesus and Colossae . . . . His highest merit is his constant endeavor to study each passage as a whole and not as 'an isolated congeries of separate texts.' He first considers the sequence of thought, then examines the phraseology and the separate clauses, and finally furnishes us with an exegesis which is often brilliantly characteristic and profoundly suggestive."

So during the approximate period 50-325 A.D., we have pitted in intellectual and spiritual conflict the School of Alexandria and the School of Antioch. The allegorists versus the literalists. The ones who wanted to make their own interpretation of Scriptures against the ones who aimed to determine the original and inspired meaning.

Who won?

The School of Alexandria.

It happened when the church became an official institution. The edict of Constantine (325 A.D.) made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. He stopped the persecution of the church by uniting church and state.

It was now, as we say in the common parlance, "a new ball game." Now the church was no longer poor and persecuted. It was "official." It was o.k. It was accorded wealth and worldly honors. The church, seeing that this new status was not all bad, did not want to offend Constantine by hoping for and looking forward to a coming King and a new kingdom on this earth. So to put it simply, when the church gained official status, she let slide the hope of the soon coming of her Lord.

Up to this time, the Scriptures had supported the Church in a walk with the Lord, separated, called-out from the world. Her interpretation of the scriptures would now have to change.

Augustine (354-430 A.D.), the famous bishop of Hippo and revered church father, was the man for the job. In brief, here's what he believed and taught, all of it absolutely unscriptural: the first resurrection is the rising of dead souls into spiritual life beginning with the ministry of Christ, from which time the millennium dates; the devil is bound and expelled from the hearts of Christ's disciples and not from the earth itself at the beginning of Christ's reign; the reign of the saints is their personal victory over sin and the devil; the beast is this wicked world and his image is hypocrisy; the millennium will end in 650 A.D., terminating the 6,000 year period and introducing the rise of Antichrist.

By the time of Augustine, the tradition of allegorical interpretation was commonly accepted and because the church had "official" status, his views were readily accepted. The ground-breaking had been done by Philo, the development by men like Clement and Origen. Now the meaning-depleted Scriptures were ready to be put into the service of the Roman state church.

Augustine was a company man all the way. He taught that the Bible must be interpreted with reference to Church Orthodoxy, not the other way around. Working from the old Philonic rule that everything in Scripture that appeared to be 'unorthodox,' or strange had to be interpreted mystically, he opened the floodgates of his arbitrary fancy. He just "made up" doctrine.

There are still people like that today. You can also spot them because they always lead off their thoughts in a spiritual discussion with the words: "Well, I think . . . "

So did Philo, Clement, Origen, and Augustine.

And so the curtain falls, in the fourth century, the door clanks shut on the knowledge of the kingdom.

Through the next 1,000 years or more, we know only of two groups -- the Waldensians and the Paulicians -- who had hope of the return of Christ or any knowledge of the kingdom whatsoever.

The Reformation (1500 - 1650) produced a partial return to the knowledge of the kingdom, but prophecy was not a major area of work for Wycliffe, Calvin, Luther, Zwingli and Melanchthon; they basically accepted the Roman teaching on things of the end, and readily admitted that many parts of the Bible were still obscure to them.

In subsequent years, dissemination of information on the kingdom was the work of various ministers, at times a large number of them, but was far from uniformly accepted. In recent years, more and more Christians have turned with interest to the doctrine of the kingdom of God on this earth, with roots of this movement in books such as Maranantha (1870) by James H. Brookes, Jesus Is Coming (1878) by W.E. Blackstone and the Scofield Reference Bible, (1909). This movement continues to gather steam, powered by the rise of the electronic ministry, and Christian contemporary music, not only in America, but throughout the whole world.

Indeed, this is a fulfilment of the prophecy to Daniel: "Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end."2

And Christ's own words: "And the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come."3

End of this age.

And beginning of that great kingdom.

Chapter 9

HOW DID WE LOSE THE REST OF THE STORY?

1. Farrar, F.W., History of Interpretation, pp. 47-48

2. Dan 12:9

3. Matt. 24:14 LB

I will come to you.

John 14:18

There is no lack of books about prophecy. Any Christian bookstore has any number of titles.

And there is no lack of different opinions on the details of prophecy. One good case in point is the rapture. Some believe that, at his coming, Christ will sweep his church up into the air and then return immediately to the earth to establish his kingdom. This is called posttribulation rapture. Some believe that Christ will come for his church at the beginning of the great tribulation, sweep them up into the air and return with them to heaven for a seven year period, and then return to earth to establish his kingdom. This is called pretribulation rapture.

Others believe the latter scenario, except that Christ will come for them in the middle of the great tribulation, at the 3 and 1/2 year mark. This is called midtribulation rapture. And if you get to talking with some who hold these opinions, you'll find that they themselves have changed from pre- to mid- to post-tribulationism along the way . . . and maybe back again. And while they might vigorously argue for their position, all these have one thing in common: They are all sincere, devout believers who look at the same Scriptures (maybe in different sequence) and draw different conclusions.

There are similar questions abounding as to the identity of the Antichrist, the Beast, the False Prophet and so on.

Nevertheless, there is some unanimity of opinion about the broad outlines of prophecy. Because it is the purpose of this book to explore what happens after the convulsive events of the latter days, rather than those events themselves, here is a very abbreviated, simplified, plain-language survey of the circumstances of the return of Jesus Christ.

The 70th seven, or the last of the seven year periods of Daniel, remains to be fulfilled. This is to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

This is the place to start when attempting to put the prophetic puzzle pieces together.

Daniel's seventieth week begins when Antichrist, head of the revived Holy Roman Empire, makes a covenant with Israel.1 He promises a period of rest and peace. After 3 and 1/2 years, however, he breaks this covenant by ordering sacrifices and offerings to cease at the restored Temple. He then becomes as much an enemy as before he was a friend to Israel. He conquers Israel,2 and establishes a residence there.3 No less than two-thirds of the Jewish nation perishes in the carnage.4 God permits it to happen to prepare Israel to receive the Messiah.

At the same time, as symbolized by the broken seals, blown trumpets and poured out vials of Revelation, a series of catastrophic punishments is directed against the entire gentile world as retribution for its continued rejection of God and his will throughout the ages.

While this time of great trouble is underway, pre- and mid-tribulation rapturists believe that they will be in heaven, to stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive appropriate rewards, and to participate in the the marriage supper of the Lamb, the marriage of Christ and the church. Posttribulation rapturists believe that, even though on the earth at this tumultuous time, that they will be protected by God against the horrors falling on the world around them.

Next comes deliverance. The army of the Antichrist assembles in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, also known as the Kidron Valley lying at the foot of the Mount of Olives. In full view of this army, Christ will roar out of heaven (like the "Rimu" of Taurus) with trumpet blasts and shouts, and come in a terrible display of power.5 He lands on the Mount of Olives. It splits open.6

His first act is to throw both the Antichrist and his compatriot, the False Prophet,7 into the lake of fire.8 He does this quickly. He will then slay the entire army that is in the valley.9 The Jews of Jerusalem will be eyewitnesses. After seeing that, they will then be ready to accept the Messiah. In fact, when they look at him, and see the holes in his hands, they mourn for him with intensity, just as they would for a lost first-born child.

Jesus Christ then binds Satan, and throws him into 'the bottomless pit.'10 He determines which of the individuals of the nations of the world gains entry into the kingdom by their attitude towards the Jews during the tribulation.11

He appoints his saints to their respective positions in the new government, assigns them their jobs, and takes up residence in Jerusalem.

The kingdom is underway!

Now the breathtaking second coming of Christ -- this once-in-history event -- is history, just like the first coming. That time he came like a lamb to the slaughter. This time he comes as the roaring, victorious Lion of the tribe of Judah, the God and man come to rule with a rod of iron for those who need a rod of iron, and with tenderness and mercy for those who need tenderness and mercy.

The kingdom is underway!

Chapter 10

CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS RETURN

1. Dan. 9:27

2. Zech. 14:2

3. Dan. 11:45

4. Zech. 13:8,9

5. 2 Thess. 1:7,8; Rev. 19:14,15

6. Zech. 14:4

7. Rev. 13:11-18

8. Rev. 19:20

9. Rev. 19:21

10. Rev. 20:3

11. Matt. 25:31-46

But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. Now we have received . . . the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

I Cor. 2:9-11

 

I am a stranger in the earth.1

Have you ever felt that way? Most people have. For one reason or another, at one time or another. When you did, you probably thought you were alone in this feeling. That all the rich people, or the beautiful people, or the talented people -- they were having the good time. Or maybe even just the people down the block. They were living the 'good life.' You weren't. That's what mattered.

Maybe on closer examination, however, you learned that the rich and famous and powerful people of the world -- or even just the people down the block -- were having their own problems, too, and maybe not so different from your own. That first line in this chapter, for example, was written by a king, and kings are generally rich, famous and powerful.

At some time or another, everyone who ever lived must have felt like a stranger here. It can be a pretty 'strange' place, after all . . . strange as in terrible, heartbreaking, crushing. Maybe Friday night you go to a great party and Saturday morning you find out you have cancer. Maybe you lose a loved one in a terrible accident. Maybe you watch a child die. Maybe you lose your job. Maybe you stay unemployed for a long, long time. Maybe you get divorced. Maybe you lose some money. Maybe you lose all of it. Maybe you get mugged and a lot of people just stand around and watch. You could fill up ten volumes with these kinds of 'maybes.' And anybody could fill up at least one volume of their own with just these kinds of 'maybes' that actually happened to them or to their families.

Even for someone fortunately spared from these kinds of terrible, but commonplace tragedies, daily life provides plenty of stimulation for tension, anxiety, stress, and neuroses.

Fortunately, there seems to be, for most people, enough good things in life mixed in to make it worthwhile. Else we'd all probably kill ourselves.

But the world remains a pretty risky, difficult and 'strange' place.

Utopias past

That hasn't stopped men from dreaming about the 'perfect world', however. We probably started dreaming about the perfect world on our way out of the Garden of Eden, that real place that was here some 6,000 years ago in Asia Minor.

Plato had his republic. Augustine, his city of God, and Marx, the classless society.

And there were quite a few other visionaries along the way.

Sir Thomas More had his 1516 book Utopia, and we've taken this term for ourselves as a synonym for 'the perfect world.' ('Utopia' is a pun on the Greek words for "no place" and "good place.") Utopia is an island discovered by shipwrecked sailors. Here adults work six hours a day for the common good. All children receive schooling. There is no money, no private wealth. All citizens are treated equally. They democratically elect their political and religious leaders. There is total religious freedom, but not for anyone who denies Providence and the immortality of the soul. Conceived from the puritannical perspective that was to help launch the Reformation, there are "no wine-taverns, no ale houses, no brothels, no opportunities for seduction, no secret meeting places. Everyone has his eye on you." The chief pleasures in this Utopia are good behavior and a clear conscience.

May not sound so bad to some, but Sir Francis Bacon had it a little different. In his 1627 New Atlantis, he discourses on the dawning of a new era for mankind. His perfect world in founded upon science and human achievement, not law, as with Plato and More. Science as the rightful complement to religion, not a substitute for it, by the way. Bacon borrows the sailors-coming-upon-an-island theme from More. His island is called Bensalem, "The Son of Peace."

The main building on this island is Solomon's House, a huge laboratory aimed at "the effecting of all things possible," and dedicated to the study of "the Works and Creatures of God." Scientific knowledge is the "gold" of this society, the real wealth, and it is not only the possession of the state, it is the possession of the elite that controls the state. Bacon writes about an elaborate system where "mystery men," "merchants of light" and other scientific types gather biological samples, undertake experiments and exchange research with other workers abroad.

The goal: to expand human knowledge and power, and to create a society that enjoys progress, comfort, and luxury. Take this science, apply it to the real world, and you get industry. Some secular visionaries like Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward, 1888, felt comfortable with industry. In his vision of the future, a citizen is educated, he joins the industrial army, and in time, he retires. "Each man is a member of a vast industrial partnership...as large as humanity," he wrote.

Some secular visionaries, however, were not comfortable with industry. Some nostalgically yearned for a return to the pre-industrial past. William Morris, for example. In News from Nowhere, 1890, he fantasized about getting rid of machines -- these were evil -- and returning to creative hand workmanship: "Thus at last and by slow degrees we got pleasure into our work . . . and then all was gained and we were happy."

For H.G. Wells, author of Things to Come, 1936, this must have seemed incredibly naive. For Wells, technology was where it was at, so to speak. Life was made meaningful only by man's quest for knowledge and power. In Wells' story set in the 21st century, engineers and mechanics team up to save the world from meaningless warfare. This "brotherhood of science" effects the "triumph of human invention and human will." Everyone shares equally in the work, everyone shares the abundance of the nation.

By the time we arrive in Aldous Huxley's 26th century Brave New World, (actually written in 1932 before Things to Come), we see that all men are happy and equal, but we can tell something is very wrong. They are so equal they are like Stepford wives (women in a town where men turned them into flesh and blood robots). They have no individuality whatsoever. This is accomplished through science.

In the brave new world, the principle of mass production is applied to human reproduction. One fertilized egg produces 96 identical twins. Some are alphas. These are the leaders. Some are gammas. These are the workers. Teaching tools include electroshock and dream hypnosis. Adults are controlled through pleasure: narcotics, casual sex, and pornographic-movie-like "feelies." The intellectual life of the brave new world consists of "Suggestions from the State."

George Orwell, 1984, foresaw many of the same sorts of problems, but earlier. Technology again becomes a tool of the repressive state, here named Big Brother. Big Brother is everywhere. Telescreens watch every word and movement. Thought police hunt down the most dangerous criminals of all -- those who stray in their thoughts. Rebels soon become "unpersons." Computers erase all records of their very existence.

Without a book as famous as 1984, or Brave New World, the late computer scientist Christopher Evans is not nearly as widely known. But his views are interesting in that they seem to be pretty clear-eyed about the (secular) future. He neither yearned romantically for a return to the past, nor was unduly phobic about technology. He thought, simply, machines will do our work for us. He expected people to be committed to sport and exercise, as well as cultural and artistic activities. For religion, he thought people would worship gods centered around the computer. But the aspiration, the Herculean struggle, the conquest of new worlds, new frontiers that Wells felt deeply and wrote about? All gone. "Twenty-first century homo sapiens," he speculated, "will immerse himself totally in TV, leaving the twin challenges of space and time to the computers."

TV.

Is that what it's all about, Alfie? TV?

Another utopia

It's an early morning in the capital. He's there for the feast of tabernacles for the first time. It's only 5 a.m., but he's excited and he can't sleep. He's one of only a few hundred representing his nation so he's there...right in the capital. Most of the rest of the world will have to watch it all on television.

He slips on his running shoes quietly in the living room of his suite so as not to disturb the rest of his family. He slips out of the room for a long jog to the sanctuary. That's about 11 and 1/2 miles from the north gate of the city. Then he'll ride the (hydrogen-powered) monorail back to the hotel.

It's cool out. Just the way he likes it.

(Bounce, bounce, bounce.) He's thinking . . .

There are a few people out, but it's still pretty quiet. That's good. Gives a fellow time to think. Lot to think about . . . .

That man there . . . . I've seen his picture before. That's . . . that's Daniel. He's going to speak today. I think I'll wave . . . .

"Good morning."

"Good morning to you!"

Boy, nice guy. Really down to earth.

(Bounce, bounce, bounce.)

I just love these stone buildings . . . and the gardens. The trees, the flowers, the smells. That's the best thing about jogging. You get to get out, see things, feel the seasons.

Not the only one out here this early . . . there's a guy walking his dog. That's a big dog. No. That's not a dog. That's a lion. Whoa. Can't get used to lions as pets . . . .

"Good morning."

"Hello, friend."

Can't really get used to running either. Oh, how I used to want to run . . . kid in a wheelchair . . . then healed in an instant.

It all happened so fast . . . the wars, and then . . . .

Newspaper guy is out . . . get a paper.

"Good morning to you!"

"Peace, shalom, to you, my son."

Always like to read the local newspaper when I travel . . . local color . . . Jerusalem Post . . . October 2,...Big headline . . . "Jesus opens Feast."

There he is, Jesus Christ. (Pride swells up.) Face-to-face. Boy I love that guy. Right here on earth -- God and man, man and God. They told me I'd see him face-to-face some day. It's not that I didn't believe. I did. Sort of. Well, not really. It just seemed, well, too far out. Too incredible.

This is all strange all right . . . strange . . . and wonderful.

(Bounce, bounce, bounce.) Miles go by.

There it is just ahead . . . the Sanctuary. Hmm ...just like the Lord said last night at the opening service, he hid the blueprints right in the Book. There it was and there it is.

Animal sacrifices . . . they didn't make sense to some people at first. Sure makes an impression on me now though . . . the cutting, the blood. Can't say I enjoy it, I don't think I'm supposed to . . . cuts me right to the heart. Right to the gut. And then when you see the Lord's wounds . . . then you know, you really know how he hurt, what he paid for all this.

Used to want to be like this movie star or that sports star . . . (laughs).

Now I want to be like him.

Service at 10 a.m. . . . Daniel to speak . . . .

Then back at 2 p.m. . . . the Lord will to speak to us again. . . televised to the whole world. The news media treat him like they used to treat the Pope . . . reverence and awe.

What should we do tonight? This place is really alive for the feast2 . . . too much to choose from . . . like New York used to be in the old world with Carnegie Hall, Fisher Hall, the Met, the New York City Opera ... all at the same time. Tonight, an all-Bach concert, Symphony Hall, Mendelssohn's Elijah in the King's Auditorium . . . . I think the paper said yesterday that Elijah was going to be there.

Then there's the film festival . . . films made by angels over the whole history of the old world . . . glad I was there, at least for awhile. Can explain it, really appreciate where I'm at now.

Restaurants . . . all the food, "the fat things",3 the wine on the lees, like out of the book of Isaiah . . . good I run . . . could really gain a lot just this week . . . .

And all the things for the kids . . . the youth symphony, the sports events in the stadium, soccer, football, fencing, swimming, like a little Olympics.

Maybe we'll just go to a cafe this afternoon . . . sit outside . . . eat a pastry. Drink a Turkish coffee . . . plan out this whole week. Yes . . . plan it all out. Sit under the trees. Take our time. Make a few new friends . . . . That feels better, take your time. Don't try to do it all at once. You can't. It's a good thing I've got forever to enjoy Jerusalem . . . it'll take forever to take it all in . . . .

The golden age

Every nation has some time in history they look back on as their golden age. For Israel, it was the time of David and Solomon. For the Greeks, it was the time of Alexander. Even nations that have not so often occupied centre stage in world history, like Hungary, have their golden age heroes, like King Matyas of the Renaissance.

But the real golden age of man -- for all men, not just some who happened to have conquered others and wound up on top -- lies ahead.

It's called by many names. Its called by different titles in the Scriptures, most commonly, the kingdom of heaven,4 but also the kingdom of God,5 the kingdom of Christ,6 the regeneration,7 the times of restitution,8 the times of refreshing,9 the fullness of times,10 and the world to come.11

It will be right here on the earth, not up in heaven. " . . . the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord."12 "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth."13

It will be the golden age of man. This kingdom will be glorious, the golden age of man, the one we couldn't quite achieve by ourselves. Truly a remarkable time on the earth.14

People will be proud of the Lord. Today, some people worship the Pope. Others worship rock stars. Or Hollywood stars. Or superstar athletes. Worship means to be proud of, to admire, to want to be like. It's where your heart really is. It's absolutely involuntary. You can't make yourself worship, really worship, anything. You just have your strong emotions which themselves are involuntary.

In the future, people will worship Jesus Christ. Not because they are drugged as in the Brave New World, or because they're forced to, as in 1984, but because they want to. People will want to worship Jesus Christ because he embodies love itself. He will heal them of all their diseases and ailments, give them freely of his Spirit -- a Spirit of joy -- make them secure, and prosper them. Wouldn't you worship someone who made you permanently healthy, happy, and rich? So will everyone else.

There is no one at the present time who commands this sort of unmitigated acclaim. About the closest we come, at least in the western world, is the Pope. When his travels are described by the media on television or radio, the reporters generally speak in hushed, reverent tones. It befits his office. That's how people will talk about Jesus Christ. Sometimes hushed and reverent, sometimes excited and enthusiastic, sometimes somewhere in the middle, but always with genuine affection, love and respect. We will be proud of our king. Various flags and emblems and banners have the power to evoke this kind of pride, to stir the blood. In the kingdom, Jesus Christ will be a flag that all men proudly fly. He will be Jehovah-Nissi, or Jehovah-my-banner, what Moses named the altar he built after a victory in war against the Amalekites. "I am the Lord's," future Israelites will say, or "I am a Jew," and thus "tattoo" upon their hands the name of God or the honored name of Israel, figuratively, and perhaps even physically.15

The physical shape of the land of Israel is going to change. When Jesus Christ roars out of heaven to personally bring an end to world war Armageddon, he will land on the Mount of Olives. In response to having to bear the weight of an angry God, the mountain splits in two, towards east and west, leaving a great valley in the middle. This valley allows those who are caught in the fighting around Jerusalem to flee.16 Jesus Christ immediately comes to their aid.17

Jerusalem herself will be elevated, set on a high place as befits the new world capital. All the land of Israel from Geba (the old northern border of Judah) to Rimmon (the old southern border of Benjamin) will become one vast, rich and productive plain, but Jerusalem herself will be on an elevated site. And Jerusalem shall be inhabited, safe at last, never again to be cursed and destroyed.18

A great river of 'living waters' will flow out of the millennial sanctuary north of Jerusalem through this valley, east through the desert and the Jordan Valley to water the Dead Sea and west to the Mediterranean. Miraculously, it will transform the salty waters of the Dead Sea to make them fresh and pure. Everything touching the water of this river shall live. Fish will thrive in the Dead Sea. All different kinds of fish -- just like in the Mediterranean! Fishermen will take fish out of the Dead Sea. Perhaps at that time the Dead Sea will be renamed, or even better, left as the 'Dead Sea,' for the sake of irony. And all kinds of fruit trees will grow along the banks of this river. Indeed it is a miraculous river, because the leaves of the fruit trees along it never turn brown and fall off. They stay green. Furthermore, the trees produce a new crop of fruit each and every month!19

The splitting of the Mount of Olives into a great valley, the elevation of Jerusalem, and the creation of a river from out of the Temple in Jerusalem are probably the most notable physical miracles to take place in Israel. But many lesser changes will also take place.20

Rivers will gush forth from barren rock on the high plateaus.

And fountains will be created in the valleys.

In the deserts will be pools of water, and rivers fed by springs.

Trees will be planted on barren land: cedars, myrtle, olive trees, the cypress, fir and pine.

Israel was once a verdant, lush place -- before her invaders wantonly destroyed the land. It will be made rich, lush, verdant again -- by the hand of Messiah.

Finally, a main road will be constructed through Israel. It will be named "The Holy Highway." It will run right through Israel and connect Egypt to Iraq as well.21 This will be the main road to the capital22 for the millions of people who will come to Jerusalem at holy day seasons and throughout the year.23

Just about all of Israel and a good part of the world will have to be rebuilt. That highway is not the only new construction that's going to get underway at the start of the kingdom period. With 200,000,000 soldiers tramping through the valley of Megiddo, and spilling over into southern Israel, nearly all of Israel is going to have to be rebuilt.

(Hot stock tip: sell defense, buy construction companies.)

"Israel shall rebuild their ruined cities, and live in them again, and they shall plant vineyards and gardens and eat their crops and drink their wine."24

The first city to be rebuilt will be Jerusalem.

Jerusalem will be the new world capital -- the New York, Paris, London, Tokyo and Rome -- of the new world. Jerusalem will have the culture, the architecture, the prestige people crave. It will, first of all, be breathtakingly beautiful. Even more so than Paris, or Vienna, or San Francisco. It will probably be built largely of stone, for permanence. Jesus himself is referred to as stone.25 And so is his reign.26 And our works before him are compared to gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, and stubble, as the case may be.27 And not just plain stone buildings -- not for this capital. But magnificent white stone structures with pillars, and ornaments and designs. As well as works of art. And then dramatically spotlit at night for artistic effect.

While the Bible does not go into detail about it, we can also envision that Jerusalem, as world capital, will have grand parks, beautiful boulevards, tree-lined streets, impeccable townhomes, backyard flower and vegetable gardens, fig trees and vineyards, sidewalk cafes, museums, restaurants. All the trappings of a beautiful world capital. And no bad neighborhoods to worry about. "May you be prosperous and happy as Judah is," people will say.28

And similarly, we can imagine that Jerusalem will be home to a thriving hotel and catering trade for all the guests from all over the world who will visit there.29

And like a world capital, it will be the seat of government. The law will emanate from Jerusalem30 just as the law of the United States comes from Washington, the law of West Germany from Bonn, the law of Canada from Ottawa, and so forth.

Jerusalem will be where the Temple will be located. (More on the Temple later.)

But most distinctively, it will be where God as King will live among people. As magnificent as many other cities of the world may claim to be, none but Jerusalem will be able to claim that incredible distinction. In fact, that will be a name of the city, Jehovah-Shammah, meaning Jehovah is There.31

That's what will put the crackle in the air.

In that day, when someone asks a traveler where he's going, and he says he's going to Jerusalem, he will receive in turn a knowing nod of appreciation. He's going to the capital city, where God himself lives. Rising above the plains of Jerusalem, glistening in the sun, built out of beautiful crafted white stone, impeccable, exciting, breathtaking. The city of the great King.32

Israel and Judah will be regathered and finally inherit the land. Jerusalem will be a 12 mile by 12 mile area that is itself part of a bigger area called the holy oblation. The holy oblation is 60 miles by 60 miles square. This area contains some 3,600 square miles all together. This is an area that is holy and separate to the Lord. The total oblation, all 3,600 square miles, is divided: 40 percent to the Temple and the priests, 40 percent for the Levites, and the remaining 20 percent for the city of Jerusalem itself.

Venture out still further, in any direction, and you'll find the descendents of the twelve tribes living in the land promised to Abraham! Not just the Jews of Judah, but the lost ten tribes of Israel as well, the tribes that did not return to the land after their exile to Assyria, as the Jews did after their 70 years in Babylon.33 Both the bound fishes of Pisces, Israel and Judah, are to return to the land this time. And to receive the whole area promised to Abraham, from the Nile to the Euphrates.34 The entire Saudi Arabian peninsula. Half the tribes to the north and half to the south. These are the ceremonial plots. So actually millennial Israel will be divided into four parts. The northern part will be divided into sections for the tribes of Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben and Judah.35 The southern part will be divided into sections for the tribes of Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad.36 In between the northern and southern sections is the holy oblation. And then the rest of the entire peninsula.

Here is a picture of how it all lays out:

The allotment of the land

The millennial sanctuary and oblation

Though this arrangement of tribes and territories would not fit into the topography of Israel today, it seems that the tumultous earthquakes and splitting of the Mount of Olives at the beginning of the kingdom will re-shape the land to fulfil both the promises to Abraham and the visions of Ezekiel. The one who made it can -- and will -- reshape it. But, says the Lord, when I bring you home again from your captivity and restore your fortunes, Jerusalem will be rebuilt upon her ruins; the palace will be reconstructed as it was before. The cities will be filled with joy and great thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people and make of them a great and honored nation. Their children shall prosper as in David's reign; their nations shall be established before me . . . . 37

The Lord will also put the nations in their own lands. They will continue to reproduce and carry on business-as-usual (almost). Matthew 25 talks about the nations of the world being separated into sheep and goats, the criterion being how they treated the 'brethren' of the Messiah, or literally speaking, the Jews during the great tribulation -- the hour of their great trouble, also called Jacob's trouble. The individuals in the nations who extended kindness are admitted to the kingdom. These will be people. Real flesh and blood, living, breathing, eating, and sleeping people. These individuals and their children born in the kingdom age will be real people, not spirit beings, so they'll need salvation. And they'll get salvation by free-choice trusting in the Lord, not by faith.38 The Lord will be on the earth. Everyone will see him, so no faith will be required. The church age, or the age of faith, ends when Jesus Christ returns to the earth, and every eye sees him.

Peace will break out all over. Americans don't appreciate the devastation of war like some people because, except for our own civil war, no wars have been fought on our own soil. But after the great tribulation, everyone will have a new appreciation of peace. The Messiah comes with a rod of iron for those who need it, to insure that there will be no more war.39 No more bloodshed, loss of limb, and life. No more veterans hospitals. (Nor homes for the retarded or nursing homes. All these individuals will be healed at the beginning of the new world.) In the kingdom age, military hardware really will be melted down and made into farm equipment, and fulfil prophecy. People will remark: That Massey-Ferguson combine over there had a past life as an Israeli F-15. That Ford tractor used to be a Russian tank.

Ford? Massey-Ferguson? Will they still be around? Most likely. These are the companies with the expertise to build the machinery the world will need to farm the deserts and harvest the crops. Who else is going to do it?

The U.S. government operates on a budget approaching $1 trillion dollars. More than $250 billion of that goes to defense. Imagine the boost in the economy if that defense budget wealth was instead re-invested in research and development of technology for American agriculture. Multiply that times the approximately 800 countries of the world, each re-investing their military budgets in basic, productive, wealth-producing industries like agriculture, mining, housing and the like.

With all this peace breaking out, can prosperity be far behind?

There will be one world language, as well as national dialects. With all the nations at peace, all peoples can then begin to understand one another. As a result, they begin to communicate. Individuals begin to appreciate foreign cultures. And begin to share the spirit of a new world brotherhood. "For I will turn to the peoples a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent."40

The Lord will strike a new contract with Israel. Israel gets favored nation status. The day will have come in the kingdom age, when the Lord will make a new contract with the people of Israel and Judah. He says: "It won't be like the one I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt -- a contract they broke, forcing me to reject them. But this is the new contract I will make with them: I will inscribe my laws upon their hearts, so that they shall want to honour me, then they shall truly be my people and I will be their God. At that time it will no longer be necessary to admonish one another to know the Lord. For everyone, both great and small, shall really know me then, says the Lord, and I will forgive and forget their sins."41

Israel will be deeply moved when they see the Messiah, the actual holes in his wrists. They will be moved for him as for the loss of a first-born child. Israel will accept Jesus Christ in a deep and profound way when he returns.42

Israel, as the nation with the King, the world capital, the Temple, the holy oblation, gains unparalled prestige in the new world. This is where people will come to celebrate the holy days, to see the holy places, to see the King himself. The other nations will be just as rich, just as happy, just as healthy. But just as Paris is Paris, Vienna is Vienna, and New York is 'the big apple,' Israel will be Israel . . . someplace special where everyone will want to go. For the sake of his own reputation, Jehovah will redeem and restore Israel to the peculiar and special status he had originally intended for it to have.

People will keep different 'holidays,' or holy days.The Christian ordinances, as we know them, will be terminated. The Lord's Supper is to be observed, for example, "till He come."43 Similarly, the making and baptizing of disciples is for today, the age of grace.44 In the kingdom age, with all men under the new covenant, people won't say 'know the Lord,' for all men will see him face to face, and know him very well.45 The day of evangelism will be over.

Instead of celebrating Christmas and Easter, millennial people will celebrate the feasts of God, as outlined in Leviticus 23: the weekly sabbath, passover, days of unleavened bread, first fruits, pentecost, feast of trumpets, day of atonement, and feast of tabernacles and the last great day. This will seem very new and revolutionary to many, but actually it will be the re-inauguration of the traditional way that God instructed his people to worship him.

You mean we'll keep the sabbath? Wasn't that 'done away' with the Old Testament?

Were the ten commandments done away?

It wasn't done away,46 and yes, all men will keep the sabbath. And the new moons as well. "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord."47

The sabbath was never 'done away.' It is forever.48 It is to be remembered.49

As strange as these days may seem to the early millennial people who will not have been familiar with them, it may seem stranger still to re-institute animal sacrifices at the temple, but that's what will take place.50

"Why have animal sacrifices?" one might wonder. "Didn't the sacrifice of Jesus Christ pay in full for sins once and for all?"

Absolutely.

As Paul wrote to the Hebrews, it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats really to ever take away sins.51 Only the blood of Jesus Christ could do that, and only our faith, our belief, our attitude toward that sacrifice brings us into a covenant with God.

So why have the sacrifices again?

Simply as a memorial. In ancient Israel they looked ahead to the sacrifice of Messiah; in new Israel, they will look back to the sacrifice of Messiah. In the day of grace that we are in right now, animal sacrifices would be out of place; in the kingdom age, with Jerusalem as world capital, and the re-institution of the holy days of God, they will be proper and appropriate and in place.

These sacrifices will be administered by the Zadok family of the Levite tribe.52

Seen from this perspective, the millenium will itself be a continuation of the old order for Israel, except for one very major difference: this time, they accept and worship Messiah.

This all sounds very Jewish, you might think: the temple, sacrifices, passover, first fruits, unleavened bread, and so on.

Surely God doesn't really intend all people to keep these days?

In fact, that was his very plan, that all men would keep these days.53 Not just Israel. His plan for Israel was that they would be a 'kingdom of priests' for all nations, a pattern, an example, a type for the whole world. In the kingdom age, this will finally become a reality. Indeed, people from around the world will come on pilgrimages and pour into Jerusalem from many foreign cities to attend these celebrations. People will write their friends in other cities and say, "Let's go to Jerusalem to ask the Lord to bless us, and be merciful to us. I'm going! Please come with me. Let's go now!" Yes, many people, even strong nations, will come to the Lord of Hosts in Jerusalem to ask for his blessing and help. In those days ten men from ten different nations will clutch at the coat sleeves of one Jew and say, 'Please be my friend, for I know that God is with you.'54

This process is already starting. Just as the re-gathering of Israel is taking place prior to the complete regathering in the millennium, so, too, are the holy days beginning to be recognized and celebrated by believers. Since its establishment in 1980, the International Christian Embassy has sponsored the International Christian Celebration During the Feast of Tabernacles. The next year, 3,000 Christians -- mostly Charismatics -- from 35 lands attended. Attendance increased in subsequent years with pilgrims from the United States, Canada, Holland, Denmark, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and India, to name a few of the nations represented. They hold services, study in workshops, and put on a colorful parade through Jerusalem. They manifestly demonstrate their support for the Jewish people. Put in the Biblical language, they comfort Zion.

Christians -- especially the Charismatics -- are discovering their roots, looking ahead to the time when Jesus Christ himself will be in Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles.55

Some day, all men will look to that city and that feast to worship the Lord.

All men will see the Lord, and nearly all will be saved. Today, believers are the minority. In the kingdom age, with Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, on television, in the newspaper, on the radio, no faith will be required to believe he exists -- no more than it takes to believe that there really is a President of the United States who really lives in the White House. At that time many nations will be converted to the Lord, and they too will be his people. He will live among them all.56

The enemies of Christ are eliminated at the outset of the kingdom age,57 so we begin with a society in which all men are saved. But there is still a free will. We know this because when Satan is released toward the end of this age, he is able to appeal to some to staff his rebellion.58 But until that time, it is safe to assume that nearly every individual believes and obeys Jesus Christ, and hence is saved. Yes, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.59

They believe and obey him because he comforts the broken-hearted, liberates the captives, opens the eyes of the blind. He delivers the needy, the poor, the one who has no helper. He gives beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness.60

He is charismatic; people admire him. They want to please him.

People will be more than just saved, too; they will be filled up with the Holy Spirit. It's one thing to be saved. It's quite another to have power . . . what the Greeks called dunamis, inherent power. The English "dynamics," "dynamo," etc. are derived from "dunamis." To be filled with the Holy Spirit. All men will know this feeling in the kingdom age.

They will have what the Jews call "shalom, shalom" or "peace upon peace" -- a divine and heavenly joy that is independent of material circumstance, or achievement, or the many other things we measure "happiness" by in this world -- instead of the anxiety, strife, worry, tension, and disease that are commonplace in this world.

When the Spirit is poured down from heaven at this time, men will have quietness, and confidence.61 Men will want what's good.62 As hard as it is to believe now, people will actually glow in love for one another.63 64 Sort of like a big family gathering at a celebratory feast, and not just for one family, but for all humanity.

People just don't act this way of and by themselves. This will come about strictly because men will fill up on the Holy Spirit, and be really satisfied. With Jesus Christ as the new focus of world events, people's minds will be fixed on him, just as we now fix our attention on the various world leaders of today. And because men's minds will be fixed on the great King, he will keep them in perfect peace, not peace as the world gives peace, but a strange, and wonderful, and more real kind of peace.65 A peace that passes understanding.66 That's the gift that Jesus left his followers, and the gift that we can enjoy now.67 But in the next age of man, all men will receive it. All men will be brimming with the good, positive, energized feelings of the Holy Spirit. Good feelings.

Good feelings.

Let's stop here for one moment. Feeling good, feeling happy. Isn't that what everybody wants anyway? Isn't that what everyone's after? Everyone has his or her own way to try to get those good feelings . . . maybe through exercise, or est, or transcendental meditation, or sex, or alcohol, or drugs, or money, or fame, or status. Some of these things are good, some are extremely destructive. But isn't that what everybody's after?

Most assuredly, it is.

Dr. Robert Schuller calls it self-esteem. In his book, Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, he poses the essential question: "Why is this need for self-esteem so all consuming in individual behavior and so all-important? It is because we are made in the image of God! We were spiritually designed to enjoy the honour that befits a Prince of Heaven. We lost that position and privilege when our first parents divorced themselves from the Creator God."68

He goes on to quote Matthew Henry: "The immediate consequences of Adam and Eve's transgression: Shame and fear came into the world . . . they saw themselves disrobed of all their ornaments and ensigns of honour, degraded from their dignity, and disgraced in the highest degree, laid open to the contempt and reproach of heaven and earth and their own consciences."

In the next age, people won't hurt. People won't crave glory, dignity, or just plain feeling good. In the next age, the Holy Spirit will flood the heart of every man and woman and child with good feelings. People will feast on those good feelings, and share them with others.

And though this section is not listed first or last, it is the very best gift of the kingdom age, better by far than all the other riches.

People will be really healthy; all diseases and deformities will be healed. Jesus won't stop with healing people of their psychological problems and leave their bodies freighted-down with sickness, disease and deformity. He will heal everyone. God never puts disease on a person; Satan does. God never kills a little child; Satan does. If we come into covenant relationship with him now, we can be healed and protected from Satan now. All men will experience this in the kingdom age.

All cancers, leukemias, multiple sclerosises, and other dread diseases will be healed, and no new ones will come upon anyone. "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity."70

All physical disabilities and deformities will be instantly healed at the outset of the kingdom age, as well. "In that day, the deaf will hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the blind will see my plans."71 "And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf. The lame man will leap up like a deer, and those who could not speak will shout and sing!"72

There will be no more homes for the retarded, no nursing homes for the aged, no schools for the blind.

People bound up in psychiatric institutions -- the ones broken in heart and mind -- will be healed as well.73

No hurt, disease, wound or ailment will be untouched by the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will supernaturally protect human life.74

What will this mean?

Without disease, people will live a lot longer. A person who dies at the age of 100 will be considered like a 'child' in years.75 The Living Bible translates this verse to mean that only a sinner will die that young! And God's people will live as long as trees.76 Perhaps as long as the famous 2,000-plus-year-old olive trees in Gethsemane! If so, this would indicate that many will live all the way through the millennial age, right up into the great white throne judgment and past it into eternity.

The population will grow by leaps and bounds. "The cities will be filled with joy and great thanksgiving, and I will multiply my people and make of them a great and honored nation. Their children shall prosper as in David's reign; their nations shall be established before me."77 This will be equally true of all other nations as well.

The medical establishment, as we know it, will be out of business. We'll still need doctors, nurses and technicians, however, for routine work such as childbirth, setting broken bones, and the like. But the great scientific wars waged against cancer, leukemia, and the many, many other diseases will be over. No one will be able to find any employment as a researcher in these areas. There will be very few companies that manufacture medical supplies, wheelchairs, and the like. They'll have to rely on temporary injuries for their business, and there won't be a great deal of that.

Healthwise, and otherwise, people will live a pampered existence. Malachi describes it as being like a "calf in the stall" -- an agricultural figure for a pampered, brushed, combed and prized pet. The Living Bible puts it a little differently: " . . . the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture."78

Not health, as in absence of disease, but health as in robust, leaping, frisky, energized.

This kind of healing is available today, and it's happening today. You can see reports of it everyday on different Christian television programs. Jesus Christ made healing available to us now by volunteering to take our infirmities and our sicknesses with him to the cross.79 Supernaturally, he was afflicted with all manner of diseases. He was beaten so severely that he no longer looked like a man.80 Get this point and you'll understanding the doctrine of healing: he didn't have to do it. Whenever an animal was sacrificed, it was never beaten or tortured. It was always treated with the greatest respect. Jesus could have sacrificed his life quickly, painlessly. We would still have salvation. We would still have eternal life. We would still be justified before the Father.

But he chose to be beaten and crucified, suffering the pain of sickness and disease in our place. He paid for the iniquities leading to physical diseases, disabilities and death just as much as he paid for the ones leading to spiritual diseases (sin) and death.

Healing is a big subject. It deserves careful study and meditation. If you're sick, you may not necessarily receive healing ten minutes after first hearing about it, although you might and can. But maybe you need healing now, and need to know how it works, at least in brief. So here is a brief explanation. One is healed when one is forgiven of one's sins by God. Jesus almost always said: "Your sins are forgiven" when he was healing an individual. He also instructed us to forgive others when we are praying, so that our Father in heaven can forgive us. We do that by clearing out any roots of bitterness toward anyone. We repent of chronic sins. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear."81 We take positive action toward others.82 Finally, we believe that Jesus Christ paid, in full, the price for disease, just as he did for salvation.83 "Body" and "blood." (Salvation and healing both come from the cross.) You step out in faith, claiming your healing, believing you have it even as you ask."84 Then, healing comes. Absolutely, incontrovertibly, guaranteed. Sometimes not as quickly as we would like. Sometimes over time, gradually. But it comes.

As I mentioned, you can hear reports of healing on television everyday. To many, it seems just too incredible. It doesn't seem true. But in the early days of the kingdom, it will be common. It will be an everyday thing, and everyone will believe it.

Nature itself will be healed; the curse on the earth will be lifted. Emotions will be healed by the Holy Spirit; bodies will be healed by the Holy Spirit. Even the earth itself will be healed.

Not too many people know it, but there's a curse on the earth right now. It happened that dreadful day God threw Adam and Eve out of the Garden for choosing Satan over him. He said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit when I told you not to, I have placed a curse upon the soil. All your life you will struggle to extract a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, and you shall eat its grasses. All your life you will sweat to master it, until your dying day."85

That pretty well says it. We all sweat to make a living. Really, from the lowliest worker to some of the highest ranking executives, it's a hard, sweaty game. Sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't. Sometimes the worker loses his job; sometimes the executive loses his whole company in bankruptcy. Part of the reason is that there's a curse on the earth.

This is not how God originally intended us to live. He wanted us to enjoy the Garden, manage it to produce its fruits and vegetables and produce for us. A sort of light labor that was more fun than sweat and struggle. But it would produce for us, not us for it.

And that's just how it's going to be again. The revered 18-hour day of puritannical, workaholic America is going to give way to a work day of say four or six or sometimes eight hours a day. The capital, the land, are going to produce richly for all men . . . in the same way that the capital for a millionaire produces dividends, interest, profit -- and allows him to live in whatever manner he chooses. He can still choose to work very hard if he likes, on those things he likes, or he can take it easy. That freedom is going to be widely available to men in the kingdom age because the curse on the earth is going to be lifted.

America is the richest country of the world. The foundation for that wealth is in the land, in American agriculture, and our natural resources. In the next age, all nations will have a flourishing agriculture, thus releasing other enterprise to develop the luxury goods and services that define wealth.

The sunlight will intensify, and intensify the photosynthetic process by which plants grow. The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sunlight brighter than seven days! So it will be when the Lord begins to heal his people and to cure the wounds he gave them.86 The sparkling, dazzling light will be so intense, in fact, that it will be necessary to shade the cities . . . and the Lord provides for this, too: "He will provide shade on all Jerusalem -- over every home and all its public grounds -- a canopy of smoke and cloud throughout the day, and clouds of fire at night, covering the Glorious Land, protecting it from daytime heat and from rains and storms."87

The other major part of the photosynthetic process is the uptake of water by the plants. God intensifies the rainfall, too.88 The parched ground will become a pool, with springs of water in the thirsty land. Where desert jackals lived, there will be reeds and rushes!89

There will be an abundance of livestock as well.90

More light, more rainfall -- this is what is going to make men rich.

And the world's hungry, having satisfied their appetites for bread, beef, fruits and vegetables, will turn their attention to cultivation of flower crops for sheer beauty and enjoyment.

Even the wilderness and desert will rejoice in those days; the desert will blossom with flowers. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the Lebanon mountains, as lovely as Mount Carmel's pastures and Sharon's meadows; for the Lord will display his glory there, the excellency of our God.91

The earth will work for man, instead of man working for the earth.

Even the animals will be different. When man delegated his authority over this world to Satan, Satan made the animals vicious. They weren't that way in the Garden. Adam named them, lived among them, had no fear of them.

That's the way it's going to be again. Wolves, lions, snakes, spiders . . . no beast of any kind will hurt or destroy.92 God is going to make a treaty between man and the wild animals -- not to fear each other any more.

There will still be zoos, so that people can admire the different kinds of animals, but all the different animals will qualify for a place in the children's zoo, instead of just the lambs, and guinea pigs and rabbits. A lion will be as gentle as a lamb; a hippo like a guinea pig, and an ape as harmless as a rabbit. You'll be able to walk over to the amazing anteater, feed him some raisins, and get a warm nuzzle around the ankles in return. You won't have to worry about being bitten or clawed, and then facing rabies shots.

Some people will undoubtedly make pets of lions, tigers and bears, as well as stranger beasts such as anteaters, aardvarks and the like. At first, the early millennial people will react viscerally to the sight of such a formerly wild beast playing with a little two-year-old. But after several hundred years (or less), it will be as commonplace as our man and dog.

All the animals will qualify for the title "man's best friend." Every man will know and see his real Best Friend, though.

People will be absolutely secure, relaxed and peaceful; they will be able to 'sleep in the woods.' It will have by this time occurred to the campers, hikers and outdoorsmen that they will be safe from any animal attacks. This is absolutely correct. So secure, in fact, that they will be able to dwell safely in the wilderness, even to sleep in the woods, as the Lord says.93 They won't need that 'sixth sense' to protect them out there during the kingdom age; there won't be attacks from wild animals or spiders or scorpions to worry about and try to fend off.

This is really a broader figure for the peace that men will know in the kingdom age. That same remarkable, otherworldly peace will be in the cities as much as in the forests. Everyone will become very peaceful, or in the common parlance, very 'laid back.' So relaxed that they will be able to sleep in the woods. Camp safely in the wilderness. Or in the city, to sit safely under his own vine, his own fig tree.94 This is the seventh day of the earth, the sabbath, the rest. The earth -- stimulated by intensified sunlight and rainfall -- will produce food in great quantities. You won't have to worry about it. Computers and robotics will do a lot of the work. You won't have to worry about it. Things will be a lot easier, a lot more relaxed.

This peace comes only from the Lord. He will do it all. He will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young.95 He will feed this remarkable peace to the spirits of the people that came out of great tribulation. He will heal their ripped-up nerves. They'll be able to sleep in the forest, sit under the fig tree, rest, relax, take it all in.

Just as we won't need huge teams of doctors, nurses, medical technologists, physical therapists, X-ray technicians, and the like, so too we won't need huge departments of police, FBI, CIA, private detectives and the like. There will be very, very little crime at all, and the crimes that are committed will be dealt with summarily.

If anyone leaves God's paths and goes astray, he will hear the voice of a glorified spirit being behind him saying, "No, this is the way, walk here."96 A few of those occurances will discourage -- and probably frighten pretty well -- the would-be criminal. People will not be afraid to go out at night. There will be no more 'bad neighborhoods.'

The Lord says: "And My People shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places."97

All men will be free. Americans take this for granted. We have a bill of rights. We can say anything. Do anything. Travel anywhere. Change jobs. Start a business. Sell a business. Go to church. Stay home from church. And do any of it anytime we want.

This is most certainly not true of much of the world. In some parts of the world, it is a crime just to own a Bible, while many American Christians own five or ten.

Jesus Christ came to set men free, really free, from sin, sickness, disease and want -- all the things that Satan wants man to have, and in abundance. Jesus espoused freedom. He said the truth would set men free.98 He was sent to announce liberty to the captives.99 Being a free Prince of Heaven, he loves freedom, hates slavery.

Quite simply, there will be no social, political or religious oppression in his kingdom. There will be no more slavery for any people. God will repay each prisoner two mercies for each woe he suffered.100 He'll heal each one of them.

The greatest slavery is that of being bound in ignorance by Satan, who goes around free on this earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.101 But at that time, the accounts will be settled by the Lord. Satan himself will be bound, and men will be free.

Everyone will be educated. The Holy Spirit has many means of expression. Several concern the intellect, or wisdom, understanding and knowledge.102 The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord in the time of his kingdom.103 Everyone will be taught by the Teacher,104 seeing him face to face, and their peace and prosperity will be great.105

The prosperity will be there because people will understand the laws of success. "Come," everyone will say, "let us go up the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Israel; there he will teach us his laws, and we will obey them."

The laws of success, miracles, reciprocity, use, perseverance, among others.106

The laws of success:

Reciprocity. Give and it will be given to you.

Use. Use what you have. Make it increase.

Perseverance. Never give up. Overcome obstacles. Success will come.

Responsibility. To whom much is given, much is required.

Unity. Work together as one with family, company, city, state and nation. Success will be multiplied exponentially.

Greatness. Be a servant to become great.

Miracles. Forgive, intercede for others, declare, claim, believe, (and in this world, rout Satan with the Word of God when he comes to steal back your miracle.) Amazing things will happen.

Dominion. Reclaim the authority over the earth that God intended for man and that Satan stole.

Man has never had trouble getting head knowledge. He can compose remarkable symphonies. He can go to the moon. Create a hydrogen bomb. Build skyscrapers, submarines, aircraft carriers. He can develop high-yielding strains of wheat, corn and cotton. He can wage war against diseases like polio, and win.

That's never really been the problem.

The problem's been how to live.

Very few people really know how to do it. How to be successful as individuals. How to map out a life. This is the kind of information that's going to become available.

Everyone will be rich. Instead of just a few fertile places across the whole world, all the earth will be like Iowa.

Instead of devoting 50 percent or 60 percent of the workplace to agriculture, as in underdeveloped nations, put just 2 percent or 3 percent on the land, as in the U.S.A. Put everyone else to work making other goods and services, including luxuries.

Then, instead of taxing this productivity at 50 percent, 70 percent or higher, to build cruise missiles, MX missiles, aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, jet fighters and the like, tax at just 10 percent -- the ancient tithe of Israel -- to run the government. And then pour that money into productive investments such as public buildings, roads, parks, and universities.

Wipe out sickness, disease and disability.

What happens?

People get rich, very rich.

So rich, in fact, that the work week declines still further from our 35 or 40 hour week to, say, 20 or 25. Give people more time to spend with their families, more time to socialize, more time to sit under the vine and under the fig tree. More time to visit Jerusalem. More time to be creative, to love and serve others.

More time to enjoy their new lives as millionaires.

The economic form will clearly be free enterprise, private ownership, with each man sitting under his own vine, his own fig tree. Building his own house.

Everyone will be rightfully compensated for his or her contribution to the economy. One won't plant, and another eat.107

People will have just as much as they want. For those living in Jerusalem, if they want to have a garden, the land will be provided for it. "Outside the city, stretching east and west for three miles alongside the holy grounds, is garden area belonging to the city, for public use. It is open to anyone working in the city, no matter where he comes from in Israel."108 Those gardens will yield tremendous harvests, too. "The time will come when there will be such abundance of crops, that the harvest time will scarcely end before the farmers start again to sow another crop, and the terraces of grapes upon the hills of Israel will drip sweet wine!"109 Fresh produce year 'round. The Lord says he will satisfy his people with his bounty.110

The priests and ministers of our society don't go into that service for the money. In fact, many take a vow of poverty. But God won't forget them in the kingdom age either. They'll be just as rich as anyone else. "I will feast the priests with the abundance of offerings brought to them at the Temple."111

Everybody -- everybody -- will be rich!

And, importantly, the wealth will be permanent wealth. Not the kind of wealth that can be wiped out overnight in a stock market crash, a war, death. In this world, it's one thing to make a fortune, another to keep it. A man can spend a lot of time heaping up riches only for someone else to spend.112 But that won't be the case in the kingdom age. People will be rich, secure, generous and sharing.

The Lord will make a feast for all peoples . . . a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. That's what the government of the Lord will produce.113

That's what the kingdom age will be like. Rich, very rich.

People will socialize . . . have a good time together in the kingdom age. God is a 'people person.' He's a family man. He enjoys a good party. One of the first miracles that Jesus Christ performed was to renew the wine supply at the wedding in Cana.

In the kingdom, there will be many opportunities to socialize. At the holy days, for example, in Jerusalem and around the world. This will be a time of family reunion for the resurrected saints. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob -- grandfather, father and son -- will sit together and reminisce. Many others will sit with them, too.114

That's what made Paul excited. That's what 'made him tick.' "Dear brothers, after we left you and had been away from you but a very little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried hard to come back to see you once more. We wanted very much to come and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan stopped us. For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes back again. For you are our trophy and our joy."115

Jesus Christ looked forward to a reunion as well. In fact, after Jesus sealed the new covenant, he solemnly declared that he would never again taste the wine until the day he would drink it new in the kingdom.116

There will be all kinds of socializing, too.

For example, with greater wealth and leisure time, people will turn to the arts to find personal identity and expression. Chamber music societies will be created. They will flourish. The members will form close and permanent friendships.

Similarly, rather than watching professional sports on television, (which it probably will still be possible to do), many will themselves participate in athletics. Soccer, baseball, lacrosse, football, and rugby contests will be frequent. (Any injuries will be healed on the spot by resurrected saints.) So will recreational swimming, sailing, boating, mountain climbing, hiking . . . list goes on and on and on.

God made all different kinds of personalities: melancholies, cholerics, phlegmatics, and sanguines. Ectomorphs, endomorphs, and mesomorphs. Athletes and artists. Scholars and 'people-people.' Thinkers and doers. Readers and writers. Skiers and skaters. Builders and dreamers. And varigated combinations of every sort. They are all God's artistic creations. And everyone will be able to find free expression for their very own, particular kind of personality, in social settings as well as by themselves.

Resurrected saints will rule on the earth, and interact with the living people. They'll know them personally as friends, as well as rulers.

A big problem of the modern society is loneliness. No one will be lonely in the age to come. No one will be cast out. No one will be put down. Everyone will have just as busy a social life as he or she would like.

Everyone will be happy. Very few people in modern society are genuinely happy. The poor want to be rich. The rich want to be famous. The famous want to be happy. And on and on it goes.

Even fewer have joy -- which might be defined as being so happy that it bubbles up and out of you. Hardly anyone feels that good. (And anyone who does is viewed with suspicion by the rest.) Most people are just struggling to make a living, cope with their problems, have a good time once in a while.

But in the kingdom, people will have happiness and joy all the time. They will be flushed with the good feelings of the Holy Spirit. They will enjoy perfect, robust health. They will be free, educated, and rich. They will be secure, relaxed and full of peace. They will have as many friends and social activities as they care to undertake. They will be proud of the King, and his government. They will have purpose, meaning and direction in their lives. And they will have the time and energy to enjoy leisure activities. This is how Jesus Christ will fulfil the many, many prophecies on how he will comfort his people in the new age.117

In a word, it will be heavenly. Everyone will be happy, in fact, people will have double portions of happiness.118 "In that wonderful day you will say, "Thank the Lord! Praise his name! . . . for he has done wonderful things."119 Real, honest-to-goodness, wonderful things. And: "Let me tell you how happy God has made me! For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and draped about me the robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels."120

When someone becomes very, very happy, it overflows. They can't contain it. They have to let it out . . . by dancing, or singing, or shouting. That's how it will be in the next era. "The young girls will dance for joy, and men folk -- old and young -- will take their part in all the fun; for I will turn their mourning into joy and I will comfort them and make them rejoice."121

Even God himself -- Jesus Christ -- will sing for happiness!! "On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, don't be afraid. For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Saviour. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you in great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you. Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song . . . ."122

The writer of Psalm 144 puts it this way:

"Here is my description of a truly happy land where Jehovah is God:

Sons vigorous and tall as growing plants.

Daughters of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall.

Barns full to the brim with crops of every kind.

Sheep by the thousands out in our fields.

Oxen loaded down with produce.

No enemy attacking the walls, but peace everywhere.

No one complaining.

No crime in our streets.

Yes, happy are those whose God is Jehovah."

In Psalm 91, the Lord writes: "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation." A salvation of good feelings, joy, wealth, freedom, education -- and everything else that anyone could ever want from the One who is able to do above all we ask.123 Adam Clarke, author of the famous and widely used Clarke's Commentary, says: "He shall discover infinite lengths, breadths, depths, and heights, in my salvation. He shall feel boundless desires, and shall discover that I have provided boundless gratifications for them. He shall dwell in my glory, and throughout eternity increase in his resemblance to and enjoyment of me. Thus shall it be done to the man whom the Lord delights to honour; and he delights to honour that man who places his love on him. In a word, he shall live a long life in this world, and an eternity of blessedness in the world to come."124

A time of fun and adventure. Of the five billion residents of the world, very few, comparatively speaking, have time for regular fun and adventure. But everyone will have time for it in the new world.

The number one spot to visit will be Jerusalem. But with a new international language, people will also travel to foreign lands -- for no other purpose than the fun, the adventure of it. To just enjoy and appreciate the Indian culture, the African culture, the Chinese culture, the Japanese culture. Just to spend time and get acquainted with and make friends with others in foreign lands. To enjoy millennial places that would correspond to the Fisherman's Wharf or Ghiradelli Square of San Francisco, Georgetown in Washington, D.C., Society Hill of Philadelphia, residential Old Town of Chicago . . . or the Rive Gauche of Paris, the Castle District of Budapest.

Go there just to have a good time. People will have the time, and they'll have the money. Take in the mansions and the museums and the quiet tree-lined streets. Spend an afternoon just enjoying an outdoor cafe, and not feeling guilty about it either. Any everyone you meet will have praise in his heart and on his lips for the Lord. Everyone will be a friend.

For some, this might seem a little tame. They might need a little more action. That's no problem. For them, there will be safaris, or mountains to climb, or businesses to build.

It's not going to end. Once you do achieve a bit of happiness in this world, it's hard to keep it with Satan trying to destroy each of us. You get a job -- then can lose it. You make a little money in the stock market -- and then the market takes a dive. You get romantically attached to someone -- and then it's over. Even with only a modicum of bad things happening to you, you still have to get old. And then the lights go out, or so it seems.

Not so in the kingdom age. The best part is that it never ends -- instead, it just keeps getting better and better. Everything that characterizes the millennial age also characterizes the eternal age. People will receive shower upon shower of blessing.125

Israel will prosper forever.126 (And so will the other nations.) God will plant Israel on the land and not pull them up again.127 He will put his Temple among them forever, and God will live among Israel forever,128 even into the new heaven and the new earth described in the last two chapters of the Bible: "Look high in the skies and watch the earth beneath, for the skies shall disappear like smoke, the earth shall wear out like a garment, and the people of the earth shall die like flies. But my salvation lasts forever; my righteous rule will never die nor end. Listen to me, you who know the right from wrong and cherish my laws in your hearts: don't be afraid of people's scorn or their slanderous talk. For the moth shall destroy them like garments; the worm shall eat them like wool; but my justice and mercy shall last forever, and my salvation from generation to generation."129 God's covenant with his people is an eternal, everlasting, covenant. "His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end."130

His kingdom will never end.

Chapter 11

FROM THE NEW WORLD

1. Psalm 119:19

2. Feast of tabernacles

3. Is.25:6

4. Matt. 6:10

5. Luke 19:11

6. Rev. 11:15

7. Matt. 19:28

8. Acts 3:18-24

9. Acts 3:19

10. Eph. 1:10

11. Heb. 2:5

12. Is. 11:9

13. Zech. 14:9, but also Ps. 2:8; Is. 42:4; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 2:35-44, 7:26; Luke 1:31-33

14. Is. 24:23; 4:2; 35:2; 40:5; 60:1-9

15. Is. 44:4,5 LB

16. Zech. 14:3-4

17. Zech. 14, Acts 1:11-12

18. Zech. 14:10, 11 LB

19. Ez. 47 LB; Ps. 46:4

20. Is. 41:18-20 LB

21. Is. 19:23

22. Is. 35:8 LB

23. Zech. 8:21

24. Amos 9:14 LB; also Is. 61

25. 1 Peter 2:4-8

26. Dan. 2

27. 1 Cor. 3:12

28. Zech. 8:13 LB

29. Zech. 8:20

30. Is. 2:3

31. Ez. 48:35

32. Psalm 48:2

33. Jer. 33:7-9

34. Gen. 15:18-21

35. Ez. 48:1-7

36. Ez. 48:23-27

37. Jer. 30:18-20

38. Heb. 11:1

39. Is. 2:4; 9:4-7; 11:6-9; 32:17,18; 33:5,6; 54:13; 55:12; 60:18; 65:25; 66:12; Ezek. 28:26; 34:25,28; 39:9; Hos. 2:18; Mic. 4:2-3; 5:5,10; Zech. 9:10; Ps. 46:9

40. Zeph. 3:9

41. Jer. 31:31-34

42. Zech. 12

43. 1 Cor. 11:26

44. Matt. 28:20

45. Jer. 31:34

46. Matt. 5:17

47. Is. 66:23

48. Ex. 31:12-17

49. Ex. 20

50. Ez. 43:18 - 46:24

51. Heb. 10:4 LB

52. Ez. 43:19

53. Is. 27:13

54. Zech. 8:20 - 23 LB

55. Zech. 14

56. Zech. 2:11 LB

57. Rev. 19:21

58. Rev. 20:8-9

59. Psalm 72:11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

60. Is. 61; Ps. 72:11

61. Is. 32:17 LB, also Is. 44:3

62. Is. 59:21 LB

63. Ez. 36:26,27

64. Ez. 11:19,20; 37:14; 39:29; Joel 2:28,29

65. Is. 26:3

66. Phil. 4:7

67. John 14:27

68. Robert H. Schuller, Self-Esteem, The New Reformation (Word Books Publisher, 1982), p. 16

69. Luke 10:27

70. Is. 33:24; Jer. 30:17; Ezek. 34:16

71. Is. 29:18 LB

72. Is. 35:5,6 LB; also Isa. 29:17-19; 61:1,2; Jer. 31:8; Mic. 4:6,7; Zeph. 3:19

73. Is. 61:1-3

74. Zech. 14:11

75. Is. 65:20

76. Is. 65:22 LB

77. Jer. 30:19-20

78. Mal. 4:2

79. Is. 53, Matt. 8

80. Is. 52

81. Is. 59:1, 2

82. Is. 58

83. 1 Peter 2:24

84. Mark 11:24

85. Gen. 3:17-19 LB

86. Is. 30:26

87. Is. 4:5 LB; also see Zech. 2:5

88. Is. 30:23

89. Is. 35:7 LB

90. Is. 30:24

91. Is. 35

92. Is. 65:25; also Is. 11:6-9; Hosea 2:18

93. Ez. 34:25

94. 1 Kings 4:25

95. Is. 40:11 LB

96. Is. 30:21 LB

97. Is. 32:18

98. John 8

99. Is. 61:1 LB

100. Is. 14:3; 42:6; 61:7; Zech. 9:11, 12

101. 1 Peter 5:8

102. Is. 11:2

103. Is. 11:9

104. Is. 30:20

105. Is. 54:13

106. Pat Robertson, The Secret Kingdom, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers).

107. Is. 65:21-25

108. Ez. 48:18-19 LB

109. Amos 9:13 LB

110. Jer. 31:14 LB

111. Jer. 31:14 LB

112. Psalm 39:6 LB

113. Is. 25:6

114. Matt. 8:11

115. 1 Thess. 2:19, 20 LB

116. Mark 14:25 LB

117. Is. 12:1-2; 29:22-23; 30:26; 40:1-2; 49:13; 51:3; 61:3-7; 66:13-14; Jer. 31:23-25; Zeph. 3:18-20; Zech. 9:11-12; Rev. 21:4

118. Is. 61:7

119. Is. 12:4, 5 LB

120. Is. 61:10 LB

121. Jer. 31:13 LB

122. Zeph. 3:16-18 LB; other verses include: Is. 9:3-4; 12:3-6; 14:7-8; 25:8-9; 30:29; 42:1, 10-12; 52:9; 60:15; 65:18-19; 66:10-14; Jer. 30:18-19; Zech. 8:18-19; 10:6-7

123. Eph. 3:20

124. Adam Clark, Clark's Commentary, The Old Testament, Vol. III. (Published by Abington, Nashville, Kentucky) p. 511.

125. Ez. 34:26

126. Joel 3:20

127. Amos 9:15

128. Ez. 37:26-28; 43:7-9

129. Is. 51:6-8

130. Dan. 7:13-14, 27; 9:24; Hos. 2:19-23; Ez. 16:60; 43:7-9; Jer. 32-40; 33:14-17, 20-21; Is. 9:6-7; 66:3, 13; 56:5; 60:19-20; 51:8; 2 Samuel 7:16, 28-29; Psalms 89:3-4, 34-37; 45:6; 72:5, 17; Luke 1:30-33; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 11:15

And those who are wise -- the people of God -- shall shine as brightly as the sun's brilliance . . . .

Daniel 12:3

One day in the seared wastelands of Judea is about like any other day. The picture never changes. It's hot. It's bright. It's barren. Rocks heaped on sand. Sand heaped on rocks.

This day was a little bit different, however. This day God himself was out walking these barren acres, deep in meditation and prayer.

He was fasting as well. He ate nothing whatsoever for 40 days. A healthy, normal, working man up through the time he started his ministry, Jesus had always liked to eat and drink. He had an excellent appetite, relishing a good meal. To him, that was one of life's great pleasures. They had even called him a glutton and a winebibber.1

But the change was startling. It didn't even look like him now. He was emaciated. The veins stuck out on his arms. His ribs showed. Underneath his beard, the line along his jaw was sharp and angular. His face was creased, his cheeks a bit sunken.

But it was worth it. He was as close to God the Father as it was possible to be. Together they carefully reconfirmed plans for the next three and one-half years, step by step, detail by detail, prophecy against prophecy to be fulfilled. At that time, two things were on his mind: how hungry he was, and the kingdom of heaven that would one day transform the spot he was sitting on into a lush garden.

As he sat by a rock deep in these thoughts, he was startled by another person who had walked up to him. He recognized him at once.

It was Satan.

Jesus said nothing.

"If you are God's Son, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread." (Satan always denies that we are God's own children.)

But Jesus kept his composure. "It is written in the Scriptures, 'Other things in life are much more important than bread!'"

Satan knew he probably couldn't tempt Jesus with food. After all, Jesus had now fasted for nearly 40 days. He probably would finish it.

But then Satan took him high up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

"I will give you all these splendid kingdoms and their glory -- for they are mine to give to anyone I wish -- if you will only get down on your knees and worship me."

Jesus took it all in. He didn't debate Satan, because he knew that the unbound Satan is, indeed, the prince of this world.2 Instead, Jesus went back to the Scripture for his answer: "We must worship God, and him alone. So it is written in the Scriptures."

So Satan, in his way, acknowledged that and returned Jesus to a high roof of the Temple -- the seat of God's authority on the earth.

"So if you are who you say you are, if you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say that God will send his angels to guard you and to keep you from crashing to the pavement below!"

Going back to the Scriptures one more time, (a good strategy for all of us), Jesus said: "The Scriptures also say, 'Do not put the Lord your God to a foolish test.'"

Satan knew he wasn't getting anywhere, so he gave up. He left. He would have another chance another day, he thought.

This exchange is a fascinating one for many reasons, but most pertinently here, it's fascinating because it tells us who's in charge here -- on earth.

Satan is, the superarchangel God had put in charge of the earth, to minister to his new creation, man, more than 4,000 years before.

When first assigned, Satan (then called Lucifer before his rebellion) was told to take good care of man because God was creating this new form of life to become his very children! They would populate the earth, enjoy a close relationship with God, and live forever. As children, they would be even more like God than Lucifer himself, even as intelligent, glorious and beautiful as he was.

As this sunk in, Lucifer became sick. Then he became furious. He was already unhappy that he himself was not recognized as the consummate most High God. And now God was going to extend family privileges to millions of other beings that . . . that he made out of clay! Lucifer choked on his rage. He would not be keeper for these new human beings -- not him, the great Lucifer.

Time for action. Rebellious Lucifer collected one-third of the angels that followed him (Michael and Gabriel were the other two great archangels of God, each of whom was captain of a third of the angels), and he launched a blitzkreig on the very throne of God.

What happened?

Isaiah tells us.

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground -- mighty though you were against the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and rule the angels. I will take the highest throne. I will preside on the Mount of Assembly far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' But instead, you will be brought down to the pit of hell, down to its lowest depths. Everyone there will stare at you and ask, 'Can this be the one who shook the earth and the kingdoms of the world? Can this be the one who destroyed the world and made it into a shambles and demolished its greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?'

"The kings of the nations lie in stately glory in their graves, but your body is thrown out like a broken branch; it lies in an open grave, covered with the dead bodies of those slain in battle. It lies as a carcass on the road, trampled and mangled by the horses' hoofs. No monument will be given you, for you have destroyed your nation and slain your people. Your son will not succeed you as the king. Slay the children of this sinner. Do not let them rise and conquer the land nor rebuild the cities of the world."3

That latter honour belongs to Jesus Christ and him alone. When he returns to the earth, he will sit and reign on the throne of David. And he will be king over all the earth.4 There is only one person who is uniquely worthy to be king over all the earth, someone who is God, and yet someone who is man, and there is only one who fits that description, and that is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.5

In all his wisdom and insight, God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Jesus Christ. God's plan, which he will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth with Christ as head.6

Because the kingdom is the Lord's, and he is read 'will be' governor among the nations.7 The government will rest squarely on his muscular shoulders.8 He will, at long last, inherit the Davidic throne.9

Right here on the earth. Right in Jerusalem.

Few people are expecting this. People will be shocked down to the roots of their teeth. The whole earth will register shock. "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem...."10

Zion here is the royal residence, like Buckingham Palace.

Never so glorious a king

Jesus Christ can show himself in at least two ways. As we have seen earlier, when the prophets saw him in his heavenly glory, they saw him as made up of fire, glowing like bronze. A halo surrounds him, with all colors of the rainbow. He shines with the power of the sun. Jesus Christ in his heavenly glory is so powerful that we can't look at him in the face. We would die.11

But among men, as he did after his resurrection, Jesus takes on human appearance. He has a spiritual, eternal kind of flesh and bone. He can do some strange things, like walk through walls and rock. He can do some rather ordinary things, like eating.

When Jesus reigns on the earth, he will appear in his heavenly glory to his resurrected saints, but in earthly form to humans. People will be able to see him face-to-face and not die.12

What will he look like? What will he be like?

It is impossible to know exactly what his face will look like, but we can know that his face will draw people to him. It will be a face that conveys beauty, wisdom, insight, compassion, determination. It will be a charismatic face, if you will. And it will be a face familiar to every living person, by means of television, newspapers, magazines.

We know that he will still have the holes and the scars in his wrists and side.13 There will be no mistaking his identity.

He will have a regal bearing, being called Lion.14

Being called Shiloh,15 or 'the tranquilizer,' he will immediately put people at ease in his presence.

Being called Shepherd,16 he will have a nurturing, caring demeanor, hospitable to visitors, and kind.

Being called Stone,17 he will have an unparalled sense of presence, and a marvelous stability that will again cause people to stand in awe of him.

Being called Star,18 he will be charismatic, the foremost celebrity on earth. People will be fans of his in the way that they're fans of their favourite sports or film stars today.

He will put on the symbols of his office: the crown,19 the robe, the girdle or baldric, the scepter and the key.20

All kings wear crowns and royal robes. That's very much our picture of a king. Typically, the crowns are of gold. The robes are done in royal colors such as scarlet, purple, and the like. So, too, with Jesus Christ. His crown will be handworked with exquisite designs, pictures, emblems, jewels. His robes will be perfumed.21

The girdle or baldric is not quite so familiar a symbol of power to us as the crown and the robe. This is not the girdle as we know it today, the elastic device designed to hold in flabby tummies. This is a decorative belt, worn to express office, station, power. Our word belt comes from Old High German "balz" and the Old French "baldrei." The modern English is "baldric." This is not a common word, because royalty is not a common subject in the democratic West. But Webster tells us that a baldric is "a broad belt, worn over the right or left shoulder, diagonally across the body, to the waist or below it, either simply as an ornament or to suspend a sword, dagger, or horn. Some were magnificently decorated with bells and precious stones. The baldric was worn in feudal times, partly as a military and partly as a heraldic symbol, and its style served to indicate the rank of the wearer." He quotes from Pope's Iliad: "A radiant baldric o'er his shoulder tied."

The scepter,22 Webster tells us, is a "staff or rod held by sovereigns on solemn occasions, as a badge of authority." This can also be very ornate, inlaid with wrought gold, precious stones, ivory and the like.

As unfamiliar as we are with the scepter and baldric, we are even less familiar with the key. I quote from Clarke's Commentary, a long quote, but one I think worth it:

"As the robe and the baldric . . . were the ensigns of power and authority, so likewise was the key the mark of office, either sacred or civil. The priestess of Juno is said to be the key-bearer of the goddess. A female high in office under a great queen has the same title: 'Callithoe was the key-bearer of the Olympian queen.' This mark of office was likewise among the Greeks, as here in Isaiah, borne on the shoulder; the priestess of Ceres had the key on her shoulder. To comprehend how the key could be borne on the shoulder, it will be necessary to say something of the form of it: but without entering into a long disquisition, and a great deal of obscure learning, concerning the locks and keys of the ancients, it will be sufficient to observe, that one sort of keys, and that probably the most ancient, was of considerable magnitude, and as to the shape, very much bent and crooked. Aratus, to give his reader an idea of the form of the constellation Cassiopeia, compares it to a key. It must be owned that the passage is very obscure; but the learned Huetius has bestowed a great deal of pains in explaining it . . . He says the constellation Cassiopeia answers to this description; the stars to the north making the curve part, that is, the principal part of the key; the southern stars, the handle. The curve part was introduced into the key-hole; and, being properly directed by the handle, took hold of the bolts within, and moved them from their places. We may easily collect from this account, that such a key would lie very well upon the shoulder; that it must be of some considerable size and weight, and could hardly be commodiously carried otherwise. Ulysses' key was of brass, and the handle of ivory: but this was a royal key. The more common ones were probably of wood . . . . But was it not the representation of a key, either cut out in cloth and sewed on the shoulder of the garment, or embroidered on that part of the garment itself? The idea of a huge key of a gate, in any kind of metal, laid across the shoulder, is to me very ridiculous.

"In allusion to the image of the key as the ensign of power, the unlimited extent of that power is expressed with great clearness as well as force by the sole and exclusive authority to open and shut. Our Saviour, therefore, has upon a similar occasion made use of like manner of expression, Matt. 16:19, and in Rev. 3:7 has applied to himself the very words of the prophet."

Whether made of gold, or of royal cloth23 and sewed on his garment, we know from Isaiah that Jesus Christ will wear the key of the house of David. "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder." I imagine it to be an actual key of gold, encrusted with precious stones, and worn over the shoulder, as a five-star general wears his stars on his shoulder.

When formally attired, then, the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, with royal robes, baldric and key of David, will be a breathtaking figure.

Just as the Queen of England does not always wear her royal attire, neither will the Lord. But the different pieces will hang in the royal closets for special occasions, like the holy days, when many descend on Jerusalem to see him, seek his blessing and worship him.

The president of any nation, government, business or organization sets the tone for that entity. But he's still just one person. He cannot undertake every task, make every decision, do all the work himself. How will 'the Stone become a great mountain prophetic language for government] and fill the whole earth'?24

He will turn to his family for help, just as he turned to his disciples the first time he lived on the earth. The government of the next era, in fact, will be a 'family business.'

Elijah and Moses: Church and State

It was an incredible thing to say. The disciples of the man Jesus were astonished. They heard him right: "Some of you standing right here now will certainly live to see me coming in my Kingdom."25

It won't be long now, they thought. Just a period of months, maybe years, we'll work hard, we'll preach the good news to our countrymen . . . we'll overthrow the Romans . . . .

But that's not what Jesus had in mind.

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John to the top of a high and lonely hill, and as they watched, his appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with him. Somehow they knew exactly who it was. What a miracle!

Peter blurted out: "Sir, it's wonderful that we can be here! If you want me to, I'll make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

But even as he said it, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him. Obey him."

Jesus had said six days earlier that some would see him coming in his kingdom.

Here was Elijah, perhaps the most spiritual man who ever lived. A man who could shut heaven, multiply the oil, resurrect the dead, bring fire or rain down from heaven, and strike the Jordan River with his coat and have it split in two so he could cross it on dry ground.

And Moses, the highly educated man, who forsook all the pleasures of Egypt to become head of the state of Israel.

In these two individuals, we have church and state. We have a priest and a king.

Jesus Christ himself is both our King,26 and our High Priest.27 When it comes time to divide the responsibilities of government in the new world, however, it may be that Jesus will call upon the resurrected Elijah to be in charge of things religious, and Moses to be in charge of things political.

It's entirely likely that that was one of the meanings of the transfiguration.

David: king of Israel

Who else will help Jesus Christ govern in the new world?

David. The man after God's own heart.

God will raise up David to be King of Israel. "For they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up for them, says the Lord. Written concerning Israel and Judah.28

The disciples: kings of the twelve tribes

The Bible is just as specific about what the disciples will do. We have it on the authority of Jesus Christ himself:

"When I, the Messiah, shall sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you my disciples shall certainly sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

And:

"Nevertheless, because you have stood true to me in these terrible days, and because my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I, here and now, grant you the right to eat and drink at my table in that Kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."29

This was not an airy abstraction to these men. They believed it straightaway, because they even argued, like men, who would enjoy the highest rank in that kingdom.

Paul, similarly, looked forward to a government position, as did the twelve. "Don't you know that some day we Christians are going to judge and govern the world? . . . Don't you realize that we Christians will judge and reward the very angels in heaven?"30 This is how he encouraged Timothy: "And if we think that our present service for him is hard, just remember that some day we are going to sit with him and rule with him."31

What about the rest of us (believers)?

All other believers will receive positions in the new government as well. When Jesus told the twelve about their assignments in the world to come, he also said: "And anyone who gives up his home, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or property, to follow me, shall receive a hundred times as much in return, and shall have eternal life. But many who are first now will be last then; and some who are last now will be first then."32

And, as the Lord reveals to John again in the Revelation:

"Then I saw thrones, and sitting on them were those who had been given the right to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus, for proclaiming the Word of God, and who had not worshipped the Creature or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They had come to life again and now they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the First Resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no terrors, for they will be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."33

And:

"To every one who overcomes -- who to the very end keeps on doing things that please me -- I will give power over the nations. You will rule them with a rod of iron just as my Father gave me the authority to rule them."34

And:

"I will let every one who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered."35

And:

"And you have gathered them into a kingdom and made them priests of our God; they shall reign upon the earth."36

Paul explains it this way:

"For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him -- and all along he knew who would -- should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us 'not guilty,' filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory."37

And he further explains:

"Before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his in Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him. Because of his love, God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would bring us to himself as his sons -- this was his pleasure and his purpose."38

Paul fully expected to rule with Christ on the earth.39 This was basic, common knowledge to Paul, and he expected everyone else to take it as a matter of course: "Don't you know that some day we Christians are going to judge and govern the world?" he asked the Corinthians. "Don't you realize that we Christians will judge and reward the very angels in heaven?"40 And to Timothy: "If we continue to endure, we shall also rule with him."41

The ones who rule are the ones who enter in at the narrow gate and find life.42 The ones who are crucifying the old man,43 overcoming the life of the flesh.44 The ones who are close to God, pray to him, know him, pray for others, forgive others, intercede. As Jesus said: "Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as 'Lord,' but still won't get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. At the Judgment many will tell me, 'Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out demons and to do many other great miracles.' But I will reply, 'You have never been mine. Go away, for your deeds are evil.'"45

We can only attain this status if we are led by the Holy Spirit, and indeed, all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.46

And all those brothers (and sisters) will be put to work in the family business, sharing the rule of the new world, in one life with Jesus Christ. The 'family' nature of this organization was emphasized by Jesus himself: "Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will have a great reward and you will be sons of the Most High God."47 And: "Jesus answered: 'Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?' He looked at the people sitting around him and said, 'Look! Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother.'"48 This was not new knowledge either. The writer of Psalm 82 put it this way: "I have said, You are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High."

This, then, is the reward of the believer. Not sitting around all day on a cloud, playing the harp. But helping Christ make the new world a reality for all the earth's people, working together with other members of the family.

And our assignment in the new world is what we'll receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ.49 Some scholars believe this happens during the seven-year period that the church is in heaven during the great tribulation. Others think it will take place shortly after Christ returns to the earth, for example, 1335 days after the start of the great tribulation, which is 75 days after the return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem. "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."50 Or, as the Hebrew accent suggests: "Blessed is he that expecteth and shall reach the goal: he shall reach today, 1335."

In either case, we will stand before Jesus Christ. And, in either, case, he'll have the time for each one of us, since he has the ability to suspend time, since a thousand years is as a day with him, and a day as a thousand years.51

 

A crown for you

The Lord especially wants to give us authority in the kingdom age. We are now in the process -- whether we're aware of it or not -- of earning our position of service for Christ during the coming kingdom. We will fill various positions in the new government. Some over five cities, some over 10, some over entire nations, some over certain aspects of the government for a certain nation.

But all princes and princesses in the new world.

He has outlined in the Word, five different symbols of that authority, and how these positions are earned:

Crown of righteousness. "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day; and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing."61 There are two thoughts here. One is righteousness, or purifying oneself, as we've just learned, by confession. The other is the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, and those who are looking forward to it. One seems to enhance the other, and in fact, this special crown is reserved for those Christians who, inspired by the imminent return of Christ, live a clean and holy life.

The incorruptible crown. "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."62 This is sometimes called the "victor's crown." It's for those who stretch themselves and reach for higher levels of Christian service, just as an athlete pushes himself or herself harder and harder for greater athletic glory.

The crown of life. "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him."63 Sometimes called the "martyr's crown" or the "sufferer's crown," this crown is for those who have borne temptation, pain or hurt, and remained faithful to Jesus, even "faithful unto death."64

Crown of rejoicing. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"65 This crown is for the soul winner, whether a soul winner who planted, cultivated, or was there for the final harvest. These individuals, whether working in the spotlight or behind the scenes, the evangelist or the intercessory prayer maker, will have this very special crown awarded to them. Daniel said: "those who turn many to righteousness will glitter like stars forever."66

Crown of glory. "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."67 This is sometimes called the "shepherd's crown" or the pastor's crown. This crown is for all who shepherd and teach the flock, all the pastors, teachers, Bible study group leaders, Sunday school leaders, and so on.

These crowns are all very real, in keeping with the literalness of the rest of God's promises. You will be able to touch them, see them, feel and wear them. Rulers of the kingdom age won't wear them all the time, but rather only on special occasions, such as holy days, just as the Queen of England or the King of Sweden do now. Whether worn on the head, or sitting neatly on display in your palace, they symbolize the authority, power, royalty and rulership that believers will enjoy in their kingdom.

Following the judgment we will be actually coronated with these crowns. This will take place either in heaven, or on the earth in Jerusalem. This event is described in minute detail in Psalm 45 addressed to Jesus Christ:

"My heart is overflowing with a beautiful thought!

I will write a lovely poem to the King, for I am as full of words as the speediest writer pouring out his story.

You are the fairest of all;

Your words are filled with grace;

God himself is blessing you forever.

Arm yourself, O Mighty One,

So glorious, so majestic!

And in your majesty

Go on to victory,

Defending truth, humility, and justice.

Go forth to awe-inspiring deeds!

Your arrows are sharp

In your enemies' hearts;

They fall before you.

Your throne, O God, endures forever.

Justice is your royal scepter.

You love what is good

And hate what is wrong.

Therefore God, your God,

Has given you more gladness

Than anyone else.

Your robes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes and cassia.

In your inlaid palaces of ivory, lovely music is being played for enjoyment.

Kings' daughters are among your concubines.

Standing beside you is the queen (the church), wearing jewelry of finest gold from Ophir.

"I advise you, O daughter, not to fret about your parents in your homeland far away in the world.

Your royal husband [Jesus Christ] delights in your beauty.

Reverence him, for he is your lord.

The people of Tyre, the richest people of our day, will shower you with gifts and entreat your favors."

The bride, [literally, the king's daughter, or the church], a princess, waits within her chamber, robed in beautiful clothing woven with gold.

Lovely she is, led beside her maids of honour to the king!

What a joyful, glad procession as they enter in the palace gates!

(And then switching back to the King James for a clearer meaning) . . .

Instead of thy fathers [Abraham, David, etc.] shall be thy children [the born-into-the-kingdom, resurrected saints],

whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.

"I will cause your name to be honored in all generations; the nations of the earth will praise you forever."

Whether to occur in heaven or in Jerusalem, this is a remarkable scene, the nuptials of the King, and certainly something worth sacrificing for to attend. When we're standing there, bedecked with the same kind of regalia as Jesus Christ, crowns, baldrics, robes, and scepters, sitting beside him on the throne, we will get the full meaning of this from Isaiah:

"I am the Lord, your God, which teaches you to profit."68

We will say:

"Let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."69

And:

"Humble men are very fortunate . . . for the kingdom of heaven is given to them. Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted. The meek and lowly are fortunate! for the whole wide world belongs to them.

"Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied. Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Happy are those whose hearts are pure, for they shall see God. Happy are those who strive for peace -- they shall be called the sons of God. Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

"When you are reviled and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers -- wonderful! Be happy about it! Be very glad! for a tremendous reward awaits you up in heaven."70

Now we can see why the Psalmist advised us to delight in the Lord and he shall give us the desires of our heart.71 And that the inheritance of the upright, upright via Christ, shall be forever.72

Now we can understand what it means to "wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it."73

As part of the government that is given to Christ, all the land, all the nations are held in a sort of fiduciary trust by that government, and hence, the believer does inherit the land, in fact, the whole earth, just as physical Israel inherits the actual land of Palestine. Believers, rulers in the next world, will hold all the nations in trust.

Some Christians wonder today why God brings this hurt or that pain upon them, why he gives a little child and then takes the child away. But God is only a good God. He sees us as his sons and daughters, princes and princesses of the kingdom. Satan is the one who is trying to hurt us; God never does. Sometimes Christians say they don't know God's will in a certain health matter, or financial matter, or spiritual matter. But God is consistent. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.74 He always wants us to prosper, to be in health, to abound. Jesus said that he came so that we would have life, and have it more abundantly.75

We may not always know God's thoughts, but he does: "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."76

He has gathered us into his kingdom and made us priests of God his Father.77

The saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever.78 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.79

What does this really mean -- "all dominions shall serve . . . "? The Bible is amazingly specific.

Isaiah 60, 61 and 62 talks about blessings in the millennial age. Much of it seems to be aimed at Israel, but many of those blessings are equally applicable to resurrected saints, since we are the true descendants of Abraham.80 Former kings and business magnates of this world will be dazzled by the glory of the new regime. They will come seeking favour, they will come as servants. They will contribute tithes and offerings -- gold converted from the seas81 -- with which to build Jerusalem and fund the new government.

"Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee."82

And:

"And he shall live; and to him will be given the gold of Sheba, and there will be constant praise for him."83 This, speaking of Jesus.

Though Jesus could turn all the clay of the earth into gold, he will accept these offerings from the nations because it is their expression of solidarity with the new government. He will accept the offerings because it's good for them, not because he needs the money. The gates of Jerusalem will have to stay open around the clock to receive the shipments of precious metals.84 These offerings will be used to decorate the new Temple, and the other buildings of official Jerusalem.85

Besides gold, the oceans also are rich in copper, zinc, tin, silver, platinum, and interestingly, phosphate ores which produce fertilizer for agriculture. Scientists estimate that the Red Sea alone contains some $3.4 billion worth of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc.

This has not escaped the attention of the multi-national corporations. Several groups of companies are preparing to mine the oceans on a vast scale in the coming decade. One such group links no less than 23 Japanese companies plus a West German group called AMR, and the U.S. subsidiary of Canada's International Nickel. Another ties the Union Miniere of Belgium with U.S. Steel, and the Sun Company (U.S.). Yet another unites the Noranda of Canada with Mitsubishi of Japan, Rio Tinto Zinc, and Consolidated Gold Fields of the United Kingdom. Yet another is a collaboration between Lockheed and the Royal Dutch/Shell group. The Financial Times of London expects these joint efforts to "revolutionize world mining activities for selected minerals."

The technology exists to mine the oceans, and they will be mined, but few people know that this wealth ultimately will be used to build Jerusalem.

Furthermore, people will not only send gold and silver, they will actually come to Jerusalem to build it, working together with the Israelis. "And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, and the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers."86

Jerusalem will be a very rich and ornate capital for the new government. It will be called "The Land of Desire" and "The City God Has Blessed."

Securing your position

This all sounds pretty fantastic, you might think: 'I didn't know about all these things that Christ has in store for me. I guess I heard about it, but I didn't really realize that I was going to have a position in government in the new world.

'But how can I make sure I achieve my full potential?

'How can I make certain I get my full reward?'

The best way to start is to analyze your spiritual gifts.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 in its entirety, and 13 and 14 as well. Paul writes:

"Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it. Here is a list of some of the parts he has placed in his church, which is his body:

"Apostles.

"Prophets -- those who preach God's Word.

"Teachers,

"Those who do miracles,

"Those who have the gift of healing,

"Those who can help others,

"Those who can get others to work together,

"Those who speak in languages they have never learned.

"Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a preacher? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? Can everyone heal the sick? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in languages we've never learned? Can just anyone understand and translate what those are saying who have that gift of foreign speech? No, but try your best to have the more important of these gifts."

And then Paul goes on to say that love is the most important gift of all.

Every believer has at least one gift of the Holy Spirit, some have more. Discern what yours is, and then go to work to develop it.87 Become a profitable servant for the Lord.

Five short stories: Two business briefs, three love stories

The nobleman. A nobleman living in a certain province was called away to the distant capital of the empire to be crowned king of his province. Before he left he called together ten assistants and gave them each $2,000 gifts of the Holy Spirit to invest while he was gone. But some of his people hated him and sent him their declaration of independence, stating that they had rebelled and would not acknowledge him as their king. Upon his return he called in the men to whom he had given the money, to find out what they had done with it service], and what their profits were.

The first man reported a tremendous gain -- ten times as much as the original amount!

"Fine!" the king exclaimed. "You are a good man. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, and as your reward, you shall be governor of ten cities."

The next man also reported a splendid gain -- five times the original amount.

"All right!" his master said. "You can be governor over five cities."

But the third man brought back only the money he had started with. "I've kept it safe," he said, "because I was afraid you would demand my profits, for you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn't yours and even confiscating the crops that others plant."

"You vile and wicked slave," the king roared. "Hard, am I? that's exactly how I'll be toward you! If you knew so much about me and how tough I am, then why didn't you deposit the money in the bank so that I could at least get some interest on it?"

Then turning to the others standing by he ordered, "Take the money away from him and give it to the man who earned the most."

"But sir," they said, "he has enough already!"

"Yes," the king replied, "but it is always true that those who have, get more, and those who have little, soon lose even that. And now about these enemies of mine who revolted -- bring them in and execute them before me."88

The second story:

The man going into another country. Again, the kingdom of heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going into another country, who called together his servants and loaned them money to invest for him while he was gone.

He gave $5,000 to one, $2,000 to another, and $1,000 to the last -- dividing it in proportion to their abilities -- and then left on his trip. The man who received the $5,000 began immediately to buy and sell with it and soon earned another $5,000. The man with $2,000 went right to work, too, and earned another $2,000.

But the man who received the $1,000 dug a hole in the ground and hid the money for safekeeping.

After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to him to account for his money. The man to whom he had entrusted the $5,000 brought him $10,000.

His master praised him for good work.

"You have been faithful in handling this small amount," he told him, "so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Begin the joyous tasks I have assigned to you."

Next came the man who had received the $2,000, with the report, "Sir, You gave me $2,000 to use, and I have doubled it."

"Good work," his master said. "You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over this small amount, so now I will give you much more."

Then the man with the $1,000 came and said, "Sir, I knew you were a hard man, and I was afraid you would rob me of what I earned, so I hid your money in the earth and here it is!"

But his master replied, "Wicked man! Lazy slave! Since you knew I would demand your profit, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this man and give it to the man with the $10,000. For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more, and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. And throw this useless servant out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."89

A love story:

The meaning of the Song of Solomon.90 "There was a family living at Shulem, consisting of a widowed mother, several sons, and one daughter, who maintained themselves by farming and pasturage. The brothers were particularly fond of their sister, (the church) and took her under their special care, promising that her prudence and virtue should be greatly rewarded by them.

"In the course of time, while tending the flock, and, according to the custom of the shepherds, resorting at noon beneath a tree for shelter against the meridian sun, she met with a graceful shepherd youth (Jesus Christ) to whom she afterward became espoused.

"One morning, in the spring, this youth invited her to accompany him into the field; but the brothers, overhearing the invitation, and anxious for the reputation of their sister, sent her (in order to prevent their meeting) to take care of the vineyards.

"The damsel, however, consoled her beloved and herself with the assurance that, though separated bodily, indissoluble ties subsisted between them, over which her brothers had no control.

"She requested him to meet her in the evening; and, as he did not come, she feared that some accident had befallen him on the way, and went in search of him, and found him.

"The evening now was the only time in which they could enjoy each other's companionship, as, during the day, the damsel was occupied in the vineyards.

"On one occasion, when entering a garden, she accidentally came into the presence of the King, (here representing Satan), who happened to be on a summer visit to that neighborhood.

"Struck with the beauty of the damsel, the King conducted her into his royal tent and there, assisted by his court-ladies, endeavoured with alluring flatteries and promises, to gain her affection, but without effect.

"Released from the King's presence, the damsel soon sought an interview with her beloved shepherd.

"The King, however, took her with him to his capital in great pomp, in the hope of dazzling her with his splendour; but neither did this prevail; for while even there, she told her beloved shepherd, who had followed her into the capital, and obtained an interview with her, that she was anxious to quit the gaudy scene for her own home.

"The shepherd, on hearing this, praised her constancy; and such a manifestation of their mutual attachment took place, that several of the court-ladies were greatly affected by it.

"The King, still determined if possible to win her affections, watched for another favourable opportunity; and with flatteries and allurements, surpassing all that he had used before, tried to obtain his purpose.

"He promised to elevate her to the highest rank, and to raise her above all his concubines and queens, if she would comply with his wishes; but faithful to her espousals, she refused all his overtures, on the plea that her affections were pledged to another.

"The King, convinced at last that he could not possibly prevail, was obliged to dismiss her; and the shepherdess, in company with her beloved shepherd, returned to her native place.

"On their way home, they visited the tree under which they had first met, and there renewed their vows of fidelity to each other.

"On her arrival in safety at her home, her brothers, according to their promise, rewarded her greatly for her virtuous conduct."

Bullinger says:91 The above is an Interpretation. The Application is an incentive to loyalty and fidelity to the One "Who loved us and gave Himself for us"; and to stand fast, in our love and loyalty to Him, in the face of the fiercest temptations and severest trials.

To Israel this would be expressed: "Be thou faithful unto death."92

To the Church of God this would be expressed in such passages as Gal. 5:1, Eph. 4:14; 6:13, 18, Phil. 1:6, 4:1, Col. 1:10, 22, 25, 2:7, 2, Tim. 3:14, Tit. 1:9, Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26.

Love story explained. The Song of Solomon expresses the freshness of the feeling, the passion, between the young shepherd and maiden, figures for Jesus and the Church. It also represents some of the trials of the relationship and its ultimate success. But it leaves off before telling several more fascinating details of the love reality that Christ himself enacted while here on the earth, and is now enacting. These reinforce the love bonds that bind the believer to Christ. These include the price to be paid, the cup to be drunk, the place to be prepared and the sudden return.

When a young man in ancient Israel saw the girl he wanted, or the girl his father had picked out for him, he would approach her with a marriage contract. There was really no romantic dating or courtship as we know it at that time; marriage was more a legal agreement with business ramifications. Now this marriage contract gave the terms under which he would propose. The most important part was the price he would pay for the wife he wanted.

How archaic! How insulting all this may seem to the modern mind. But in this "first wave" agricultural civilization, a male was worth more as a worker than a female. So a father had sustained some economic losses in raising his daughter up to become the wife of a stranger. His receiving a price was a way of recouping some of the loss. It was the common practice. Accepted. Everybody did it this way.

This was no token price, either. It purposefully was set very high. A wife was worth a lot. A young man had to sacrifice to have one.

Now if the price and terms were suitable, the bride and groom would seal the contract by drinking a cup of wine together.

After that, the groom would leave. He would make a little speech to his bride, saying, "I go to prepare a place for you."93 He would go to his father's house. Back there, he would build her a bridal chamber, a mini-mansion, where they would one day honeymoon.

This was a big job. It usually took more than a year. The father of the groom would be the one to advise on the construction, give assistance along the way, and then finally determine when the structure was complete, inside and out. The honeymoon house was not only to be beautiful and well-decorated, but it was to be well-stocked with provisions. The bride and groom would stay in their honeymoon house for seven days.

Meanwhile the bride would be waiting. She was "consecrated," "set apart," "bought with a price." Whenever she went out of the house, she would wear a veil to communicate to other would-be covenanters that she was already in contract with another.

She would wait, and wait, and wait. It seemed like an awfully long time. Towards the end of the year, she would sleep in her wedding dress, expecting her husband to come any night.

Finally, the chamber would, in fact, pass the father's inspection, and the bridegroom would round up his friends to accompany him to claim his bride. They would set out in the night, making every effort to surprise the bride.

That was the romantic part. All Jewish brides were "stolen," "abducted" and carried off into the night, by one who loved her and wanted her so much that he had paid a very high price for her!

Then off to the honeymoon house. The marriage was consummated. Then the celebration would begin outside . . . and last for an entire week. At the end of the week, the bride and groom would appear to the crowd of well-wishers. Then would follow a joyous meal, a marriage supper, or to us, a wedding reception, a tremendous conclusion to a week of celebration. After the marriage supper, the bride and groom would depart to their own house.

The meanings to us:

The contract: the new covenant.

The cup: communion.

The honeymoon house: mansions or apartments in heavenly palaces.

The stealing of the bride: the rapture.

The week-long celebration: the seven years in heaven during the tribulation.

Departing to their own house: returning to earth to claim the government of the new world.94

Now, having read this . . . one last story.

The imperative story of the ten bridesmaids. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. But only five of them were wise enough to fill their lamps with oil the Holy Spirit, while the other five were foolish and forgot.

So, when the bridegroom was delayed, they lay down to rest until midnight, when they were roused by the shout, 'The bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!'

All the girls jumped up and trimmed their lamps. Then the five who hadn't any oil begged the others to share with them, for their lamps were going out.

But the other replied, "We haven't enough. Go instead to the shops and buy some for yourselves."

But while they were gone, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

Later, when the other five returned, they stood outside, calling "Sir, open the door for us!"

But he called back, "Go away! It is too late."

Right now it's not too late to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour, to worship God, to witness, to begin a Bible study group. It's not too late to take on a new position in your local church.

Most important of all, if you're reading this in the old world, it's not too late to be filled up with the oil of the Holy Spirit.

But someday it will be.

This is a highly leveraged proposition. You win; you win big. You lose; you lose big. There's nothing in the middle.

Without the Holy Spirit leading you in confession, in power, in service, you wind up with a loss. All the money you might have made, all the achievements in this earth you might have won, all the struggle and effort of living will seem like a waste. Having been called out by God as a follower of Christ, you will have missed the whole purpose of your new life.

With the Spirit in you invested in genuine service, however, you wind up with one or more crowns, and a fulfilling position in the world to come. One that you'd like, one that you'd choose yourself, one that's just right for you. You wind up with glory, honour, wealth, fame, peace and power.

If you've put off becoming a Bible school teacher, now's the time to take it up.

If you've put off telling your family and friends about Jesus Christ, now's the time to do it.

If you haven't confessed your sins in a long, long time, there will never be a better time to look God up and do it -- than now.

And then you'll be wise, and the day will come when you will shine as brightly as the sun's brilliance. Just as Jesus Christ intends you to.

Chapter 12

A NEW GOVERNMENT

1. Matt. 11:19

2. John 12:31; l4:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:2

3. Is. 14:12-21 LB

4. Zech. 14:9

5. Rev. 5:5

6. Eph. 1:9,10 Good News for Modern Man translation

7. Psalm 22:28

8. Is. 9:6

9. Luke 1:31

10. Is. 24:23

11. Ex. 33:20

12. Zech. 12:10

13. John 20:27,28, Zech.12

14. Rev. 5:5

15. Gen. 49:10

16. Gen. 49:24

17. Gen. 49:24; Dan. 2:28

18. Num. 24:17

19. Rev. 14:16; Ps. 21:3

20. Is. 22:21, 22

21. Psalm 45

22. Gen. 49:10

23. Adam Clarke, Clarke's Commentary, (Abingdon/Nashville) Vol. III, p. 105

24. Dan. 2:35

25. Matt. 16:28

26. Zech. 14

27. Heb. 2,3,4

28. Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25

29. Luke 22:30 LB

30. 1 Cor. 6:2,3 LB

31. 2 Tim. 2:12 LB

32. Matt. 19:30

33. Rev. 20:4-6

34. Rev. 2:26,27

35. Rev. 3:21 LB

36. Rev. 5:10 LB

37. Rom. 8:29

38. Eph. 1:4,5 Good News for Modern Man

39. Eph. 2:5,6

40. 1 Cor. 6:2,3 LB

41. 2 Tim. 2:12 Good News for Modern Man

42. Matt. 7:13

43. Rom. 6:6

44. Rev. 2:17

45. Matt. 7:21-23 LB

46. Rom. 8:14

47. Luke 6:35

48. Mark 3:33

49. Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10

50. Dan. 12:12

51. 2 Peter 3:8

52. 2 Cor. 5:10

53. 1 Cor. 3:9-15

54. Luke 19

55. Matt. 25

56. 1 Cor. 4:5

57. 1 Cor. 11:31

58. Is. 59:1,2 LB

59. Rom. 7:21-25 LB

60. 1 John 1:9 LB

61. 2 Tim. 4:8

62. 1 Cor. 9:25-27

63. James 1:12

64. Rev. 2:10

65. 1 Thess. 2:19

66. Dan. 12:3 LB

67. 1 Peter 5:1, 4

68. Is. 48:17

69. Psalm 35:27

70. Matt. 5:11,12 LB

71. Psalm 37:4

72. Psalm 37:18

73. Psalm 37:34

74. Heb. 13:8

75. John 10:10

76. Jer. 29:11 LB

77. Rev. 1:6

78. Dan. 7:18

79. Dan. 7:27

80. Gal. 3:29

81. Is. 60:5

82. Is. 60:5

83. Psalm 72:15 LB

84. Is. 60:11

85. Is. 60:7

86. Is. 61:4,5

87. I Tim. 4:14, 15

88. Luke 19

89. Matt. 25

90. Commentary, Dr. C.D. Ginsbury; London, 1857, p. 4-6

91. The Bullinger Publications Trust, Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1964, p. 921

92. James. 1:3

93. John 14:2

94. A Christian Love Story, Zola Levitt, Dallas, TX

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share.

Eph. 1:18

Now we have seen who will make up this new government.

We know how long it will last.

But what will it be like? How will it work?

What will the 'management style' of Jesus Christ be like? And all the government offices around the world that represent him and his administration?

How will the average man on the street feel when he steps inside a government building, or reads about the government in the morning newspaper, or sees his own prince or princess interviewed on tv?

Will he have sort of a muffled sense of anger and hostility? That he's being ripped off? Or oppressed? Enslaved? Or will he be absolutely indifferent to it? Will it be something that makes no difference to him whatsoever -- like the price of tea in China?

Since the top man in any group always sets the tone, let's start at the top. Let's start with the King of Kings.

A government with a feeling. Well, the man at the top is the same Man who was so unhindered by vanity that he could wash the feet of the disciples. This is the One who is called 'Shiloh,' or tranquilizer. The same One who might be compared to the waters of Shiloah, a small fountain and brook just outside Jerusalem, which supplied a pool within the city, versus the waters of the Euphrates, river of Babylon, great, rapid, impetuous. The One who said his yoke was easy, and his burden light.1 The One who shall feed his flock as a shepherd.2 The One who lives in the high and holy place, in eternity, and yet says he is of a humble and contrite spirit.

Humble and contrite to the point of engraving a symbol of his own children on the palms of his hands by way of the cross. "Can a mother forget her little child and not have love for her own son? Yet even if that should be, I will not forget you. See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm."3

And:

"Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne from the belly by me, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made and I will bear; even I will carry and will deliver you."4

And again:

"Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him."5

In most cases, whether capitalistic or communistic society, governors simply don't care that much about the people they govern. It will be a totally new experience for mankind to have governors that will relate to them in such a way. That will serve as mentors for mankind ... instead of oppressors.

Everything else will fall into place because the government will have a heart and mind that really cares. Today, quite a few people go into government service for selfish reasons, usually for reasons of vanity or money. The governors of the new world will be infinitely rich and powerful already. They will have absolutely nothing to gain from oppressing the peoples. More importantly, as followers and servants of Christ, they will have long since built the character -- through prayer and works in the Spirit -- to handle such a position. They will have long since had the new heart of the new covenant with Christ.6 Their 'old man' will have died completely and permanently; they will have shed the skin of their old creature.

A government with money to give instead of take. Since the kingdom age is essentially a recommencement of God's plan for Israel, God will request and receive the tithes to operate his government.

Will this seem onerous?

Not at all.

The tithe will be regarded as a bargain right off the bat. Many high achievers in Western countries are faced with tax brackets of 50 percent, 70 percent, and even higher. East bloc nations pay the same or more in different ways. Not only is the tithe bracket percentage much lower, people will quickly come to realize that that 10 percent is more like an investment than a tax.

Why?

Because they will see the windows of heaven open up and pour them out a blessing for it.

"Try it!" Jesus will say at first. "Let me prove it to you! Your crops will be large, for I will guard them from insects and plagues. Your grapes won't shrivel away before they ripen. And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land sparkling with happiness."7

At this time, everyone on the face of the earth will know, really know, what this passage means: "Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks you for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks you for fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, your Father in heaven will give good things to those who ask him!"8

The upside down organization chart. Only a very few leaders really understand that the most effective leader is the servant of those he leads.9

Jesus, of course, understood this profoundly.

"You know that the rulers have power over the people, and their leaders rule over them," he told his followers. "This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, he must be your slave -- like the Son of man who did not comee to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."10

Jesus further said that his followers were to become like children -- by contrast to the rich, sophisticated, powerful ways of the leaders of the world of that day.11 And that whoever wants to be first, must place himself last.12

Standing up for the people. When faced with success, the common scenario in our society is to divorce yourself from everyone that helped you on the way up, and hobnob with your new friends among the rich and powerful. This is the opposite of what Christ and his princes will do.

He will be gentle -- he will not shout nor quarrel in the streets making harangues like a demagogue. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame.

What does this mean? Reading on . . . .

He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged. He won't be satisfied until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the whole earth, nor until even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in him.13

When Jesus was on the earth the first time, he offered Israel their kingdom, but they turned him down. But he will offer it again, and they will accept. And what he read in the synagogue that day will be fulfilled:

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted, to announce liberty to the captives, and to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God's favour to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness."14

Justice . . . fast, smooth and simple. In our society, justice is not a very simple thing. The courts are hopelessly backlogged, plea bargaining is the common modus operandi, jails are overcrowded, dangerous criminals roam the streets.

In the kingdom age, this won't be the case. Those few who refuse to receive the Holy Spirit, and follow God's ways, and who then go on to commit crimes will be quickly judged and sentenced. Those resurrected saints who serve as judges in the new world will have Christ's own ability to look at someone and know them intimately, and to know what manner of sentence is absolutely just and right for the situation.

Today, with the way our system works, it's often the victim who is punished. In the next world, the system will work for the innocent and against offenders.

A government with great ability. In addition to being called "Wonderful,"15 Jesus will also be called "Counsellor," "the mighty God," "The Prince of Peace." His counsels, his advice, executed through his administration will make the world, as we have seen, rich, healthy, peaceful and happy. "In him lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowledge."16

Multiple billions are spent in research each year, research on everything from cancer to compact disc technology. Jesus has the knowledge of all these things and more. He will share it freely when he returns.

A government loved and respected by the people. In totalitarian regimes, the government is a thing to be greatly feared and hated. In the West, the feeling is much more neutral . . . government is sort of a necessary evil, the butt of many jokes, something you have to live with. Nothing that can actually change people's lives.

A new president is elected, and the average workingman shrugs and says: "I'll still have to go to work tomorrow. My life won't change one bit." And he's right. A government is elected. A government is defeated. Life goes on.

But one day soon, the leading figure of the new government, the King, will be regarded as "wonderful." People will be as enthusiastic about Jesus then as they are about their favourite sports team or film star now.

A government that no one will trifle with. Behind all the tenderness, the concern, the desire to give, to share, to love, is an extremely powerful Person. He will not be mocked. "Out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron."

He will give out punishment just as quickly as wealth and health and happiness -- to the ones who want to test him.
The Scripture seems to indicate that Egypt, for example, may not want to celebrate the feast of tabernacles.17 And there may be other nations, too.

First, they'll lose some money. No rain, no crops, no harvest, no wealth.

Then, they'll lose even more. Just as with their ancient counterparts, a plague will be sent.

Just as the strong-willed child has to discover in a practical, physical way who's in charge, so it may be that one or more nations will have to see if Jesus is worthy of their respect. They'll find out he is.

And then settle in for 1,000 years of unparalled health, wealth, splendour and glory.

In this time when the Lord pours out his Spirit and blessings, people will thrive like watered grass or willows on a river bank.

And people will respond in kind to the tattoo and marks in the hand that Jesus himself bears.

"I am the Lord's," they'll proudly say. Or "I am a Jew." And tattoo upon their hands the name of God or the honored name of Israel. So says the prophet Isaiah.18

Such will be the feeling towards the new government.

Chapter 13

UPSIDE DOWN ORGANIZATION CHART

1. Matt. 11:30

2. Is. 40:11

3. Is. 49:15-17 LB

4. Is. 46:3

5. Psalm 103:13

6. Ez. 36:26; 11:19; Jer. 31:31

7. Mal. 3:10-12

8. Matt. 7:9-11

9. Mal. 3 LB

10. Matt. 20:25-28

11. Matt. 18:1-5

12. Mark 9:35

13. Is. 42:2-4 LB

14. Is. 61:1-3 LB

15. Is. 9:6

16. Col. 2:3 LB

17. Zech. 14

18. Is. 44:3-5

 

Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither.

Ezek. 40:4

Miniature model in Jerusalem presages future activity.

You approach it with awe. You followed the reports of its construction -- and now it is finished. Back in the old world, you were in churches where the Holy Spirit was present; but now you're on your way to the long-prophesied palace temple where Jesus himself will be seen face-to-face, plainly, by everyone. These are people from all over the world -- all coming to see what you came to see.

You leave the north part of the city that sits high up on the north side of the new valley. The eleven and one-half mile1 trip seems to take forever, but actually it takes less than twenty minutes. The highway from the city to the palace temple, (also called sanctuary) is lined with palm trees. The land boasts a cover crop of flowers. There are fountains along the way.

Then you catch sight of it. 'It's huge,' you think to yourself. With six sets of pillars soaring 120 feet into the sky. A mile long and a mile wide. (Later you'll see that it's a series of buildings, not just one.)

It's all made of white, polished, carved stone. Gold ornamentation catches and multiplies the dazzling effect of the sun. Palm trees, gardens, pools and fountains surround the complex. Brilliant flowers -- scarlet, purple, blue, orange, red, yellow -- all neatly landscaped, compete for your attention.

Back in the old world, you had a book about Versailles, home of French kings, on your coffee table, but it was not half of this. You had seen pictures of the Taj Mahal -- but this is more exquisite.

You go to the south gate . . . that's where you'll enter. There are three gates -- north, east and south. Since Jesus eentered at the east gate during the dedication of the Temple, it has been closed off to the public. No one will ever enter there again, except the prince, resurrected David, King of Israel. He may sit inside the passageway to celebrate feasts there before the Lord.

Inside the south gate now, you walk up seven steps, seven, the number of completion. (The seventh of the seven thousand-year periods ends the age of man. Sabbath means seventh day, the day of rest; and a day is with the Lord as 1,000 years.)

Then you're in the passageway. You notice palm tree decorations along the wall. You notice three guardrooms on each side of the passageway. Each one is about twelve and one-half feet square. Each one has a window. There is about ten feet between each guardroom, you estimate.

The first passageway

First you notice the outer wall of the sanctuary, about twelve and one-half feet high and twelve and one-half feet wide.

Beyond the guardrooms is a twelve and one-half foot doorway opening into a seventeen-foot exit hall with four-foot columns. Beyond this hall, at the inner end of the passageway is a vestibule about 27 feet by 20 feet. The pillars on each side are very high, about 120 feet high. These pillars are decorated with palm tree decorations. This whole first passageway is about 105 feet long.

And so we pass through this first passageway into this "outer court." It is about 208 feet from here to the next wall, a courtyard inside. A stone pavement runs around the inside of the walls, and thirty rooms are built on it. These rooms open onto the pavement, called the "lower pavement." It extends out from the outer wall into the outer court the same distance as the passageway does -- about 105 feet.

The second passageway

The north gate is just like the south gate.

We pass through the outer court, and into the next passageway. It has eight steps leading up to it, eight, the number of new beginnings. (The beginning of God's rest; and we are about to see a new beginning, a new way of worshipping.)

It is exactly like the outer passageway: the guardrooms, the palm tree decorations, the entrance and exit halls . . . even the 120-foot pillars with palm tree decorations on them, too.

The east and north inner gates were made just the same way.

But off the north inner gate, a door leads into a side room where the flesh of the sacrifices is washed before being taken to the altar. On each side of the entry hall of the passageway there are two tables where the animals for sacrifice are slaughtered for the burnt offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings to be presented in the Temple. Outside the entry hall, on each side of the stairs going up to the north entrance, there are two more tables. So, in all, there are eight tables, four inside and four outside, where the sacrifices are cut up and prepared. There are also four stone tables where the butchering knives and other implements are laid. There are hooks, three or four inches long, fastened along the walls of the entry hall, and on the tables the flesh of the offering is laid.

Also by the north gate are some rooms for singers.

Buildings for the priests

In the inner court, there are also two one-room buildings. These are for the priests. One is by the north inner gate and faces south; the other is by the south inner gate and faces north.

The building beside the inner north gate is for the priests who supervise the maintenance (the Levites).

The building beside the inner south entrance is for the priests in charge of the altar (the descendants of Zadok). They're the only ones of all the Levites who may come near to the Lord to minister to him because they remained faithful to the Lord when Israel abandoned God for idols.

The altar

The inner court is approximately 600 feet square.

Precisely in the middle stands the altar. It is quite large. On the east side, steps lead up to it. It has four sections. The base is about 29 feet square and has a two-foot curb around it. The next section is a little narrower, about four feet high. Same with the next section, but about eight feet high, and then the next section, too, again eight feet high. So altogether: about 22 feet high. Four horns project about another two feet higher.

This altar is for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood upon it -- all as a memorial to the sacrifice tthe Lord made at the cross.

Behind it stands the porch to the Temple.

The river

There is a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple, and passing to the right of the altar. For the first 1,500 feet or so it is ankle deep. After another 1,500 feet or so, it is knee deep. Another 1,500 feet, waist-high. And then, another 1,500 feet and it is over one's head.

This is the river that flows east through the desert and the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, healing the salty waters and making them fresh and pure. All kinds of fruit trees thrive along its banks: apples, pears, plums, oranges, peaches, and figs. And they produce a crop each and every month.

The Temple itself

And behind that is the entrance hall of the Temple. Ten steps lead up to it from the inner court. Its walls extend up on either side to form two pillars, each of them about ten and one-half feet thick, and quite high. The entrance is about 41 feet wide and 23 feet long.

The large main room of the Temple itself is called the nave. Two 12-foot square pillars stood at its doorway. The nave itself is about 83 feet long by 41 feet wide.

At the end of the nave is an inner room called "the most holy place." There are columns also at its entrance, about four feet thick. Its doorway is about 12 feet wide. There is a hallway about 14 and one-half feet behind it. This "most holy place" is about 41 feet square.

The nave of the Temple and the Holy of Holies are paneled, and all three have recessed windows. There are recessed windows and carved trees also on both sides of the entry hall, the hallways beside the Temple, and on the canopy on the entrance. The space above the door leading into the Holy of Holies is paneled, too. The walls are decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and of palm trees alternating with the cherubim. One face -- that of a man -- looks toward the palm tree on one side, and the other face -- that of a young lion -- looks toward the palm tree on the other side.

There are square doorposts at the doors of the nave, and in front of the Holy of Holies is what appears to be an altar, but it isn't because it is made of wood. This is the table which is before the Lord, the table of the Lord.

Both the nave and the Holy of Holies have double doors, each with two swinging sections. The doors leading into the nave are decorated with cherubim and palm trees, just as on the walls. There is a wooden canopy over the entry hall.

The Temple is the place of the throne of Jesus. This is where he shall remain, his home, living among the people of Israel forever.

Heading back outside, you notice a row of rooms along the outside of the Temple wall. The wall is about 12 feet thick. Each room is about eight feet wide. These rooms are in three tiers, one above the other, 30 rooms to a tier. They have beautiful little balconies, too. The whole structure is supported by girders and not attached to the Temple wall itself for support. Each tier is wider than the one below it, corresponding to the narrowing of the Temple wall as it rises higher. There is a stairway at the side of the Temple that leads up from floor to floor.

There are other rooms as well, out on the inner wall of the court, instead of alongside the Temple itself. These are also in three tiers. This group of rooms is about 208 feet long by 104 feet wide. These rooms are for the priests. This is where the priests that offer up the sacrifices to the Lord eat of the most holy offerings and store them, too: cereal offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings.

There is yet another block of sacred chambers that faces north. There, at the extreme west end of these rooms, is a place where the priests boil the meat of the trespass offering and sin offering and bake the flour of the flour offerings into bread.

There is a similar place in each of the four areas of the outer court. These rooms are about 60 feet by 80 feet, enclosed by walls. Around the inside of these walls there runs a line of brick boiling vats, with ovens underneath. These rooms are for the Temple assistants -- the Levites -- to boil the sacrifices offered by the people.

Temple worship

The millennial age will be a time of reward for the resurrected saints who will share the rule with Christ. We know a good deal about that. But it will also be a time of reward for certain humans, such as the sons of Zadok of the tribe of Levi. Because they continued as faithful priests when all of Israel turned to following idols, they will be the ministers of Jesus. They will stand before him to offer the fat and the blood of the sacrifices. Apparelled in linen turbans, robes and trousers, they will enter his sanctuary and come to his Table to minister to him.

They will also serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among any parties in Israel. They will be responsible for seeing to it that the Sabbath is kept a sacred day.

They will not own property per se, because their very close and personal relationship with Jesus will be their "property," their wealth. And just as wealth itself produces profit year after year, they will eat the gifts and sacrifices brought to the Temple by the people year after year: cereal, sin and guilt offerings, as well as first-ripe fruits, and first harvests of grains.

Other branches of the tribe of Levi will be Temple guards and gatemen. They'll slay the animals brought for burnt offerings. They'll do maintenance work around the Temple. They'll be present to help the people. But unfortunately, because their fathers encouraged the people to worship other gods, they will not have the same privileges of the Zadok line to come near to the Lord to minister.

New holy days

The new holy days that will be observed are actually the ancient holy days given to ancient Israel. It makes sense. After all, God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

These include:

The feast days. Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, and the feast of tabernacles are mentioned specifically.2 The other days, while not mentioned specifically, are implied as well: first fruits, pentecost, trumpets, atonement.

The new moons. 3

The Sabbaths. 4 Memorial sacrifices will also play a major role in the new scheme of worship. For example:

New year's day. On each new year's day, a young bull will be sacrificed to purify the Temple. The priest will take some of the blood of this sin offering and put in on the door posts of the Temple and upon the four corners of the base of the altar and upon the walls at the entry of the inner court.

Passover. So, too, on the passover.

On the passover, the prince shall provide a young bull for a sin offering for himself and all the people of Israel. On each of the seven days of the feast of passover, he shall prepare a burnt offering to the Lord. This daily offering will consist of seven young bulls and seven rams without blemish. A young goat will also be given each day for a sin offering. And the prince shall provide fourteen bushels of grain for the meal offering: one bushel for each bullock and ram; and 21 gallons of olive oil, one and one-half gallons to go with each bushel.

The prince, the resurrected David, King of Israel again, in fact, is required to make offerings for the people of the the nation on all occasions of importance: the feast days, the sabbaths, as well as new moon.

On the sabbath, the prince will offer six lambs and a ram, all perfect, just as Jesus was and is, a meal offering of one bushel of flour to go with the ram, and more meal to go with the six lambs. Also, one and one-half gallons of olive oil for each bushel of flour.

At the new moon celebration, he shall bring one young bull, in perfect condition; six lambs and one ram, all perfect. With the young bull, he must bring a bushel of flour for a meal offering. With the ram, he is to bring one bushel of flour. With the lamb, he is to bring whatever he is willing to give. With each bushel, he is to bring one and one-half gallons of olive oil.

The daily sacrifice

And each morning of the year, a yearling lamb will be sacrificed as a burnt offering to the Lord, along with a meal offering each morning of one-sixth bushel of flour and half a gallon of oil with which to mix it.

The people of Israel will be taxed to provide the means for these national offerings as follows:

One bushel of wheat or barley for every sixty reaped.

One percent of the olive oil.

One sheep for every 200 in the flock.

These will go to meal, burnt and thank offerings from the nation to Jesus -- supplied by the prince, David.

These foodstuffs will be for the attending priests.

Coming in and going out

When the common people come in through the north passageway to sacrifice during the religious feasts, they must go out through the south passageway. Those coming in from the south must go out by the north. They must never go out the same way they come in.

That's the physical law, a metaphor for the spiritual. The spiritual translation is encouraging. After approaching near to God, we are not the same, nor do we walk in the same paths, but rather we walk a new way. And so we have these laws of egress and exit in the Temple.

One true, vital, meaningful religion

And so all the denominations of this age will flow into one unified worship of the Lord at Jerusalem in the sanctuary, and all around the world.

Instead of Christmas and Easter, we will have passover, unleavened bread, the feast of tabernacles.

Instead of Sunday worship, we will return to the weekly sabbath.

Instead of walking by faith, all will see Jesus face to face.

And the focal point for all religious activity will be this one-square-mile complex of passageways, courts, priests' rooms, sacrificial rooms, the altar, the temple, and holy of holies called the sanctuary, where God himself will reside right on the earth.

Chapter 14

THE PALACE TEMPLE

1. Bible scholars differ on the dimensions of the sanctuary. Ez. 48:20 says, "All the oblation is five and twenty thousand by five and five and twenty thousand." But what unit of measurement is this? Some scholars think cubits, which are approximately two feet; others think reeds, which are about twelve feet, six inches. The difference is significant -- a factor of six! If cubits, the city is about two miles square. If reeds, it is about twelve miles square. Similarly, if cubits, the sanctuary is about 875 feet square. If reeds, more like one mile square. If cubits, the whole oblation would be less than ten miles square. If reeds, more like sixty miles square.

Some say the oblation can't be measured in reeds, because a 60 square mile block wouldn't fit into the land today. It may not now, others retort, but with the many earthquakes and topographical changes predicted, it could in the millennial age.

This author is inclined to expect the larger dimensions. There are several reasons: The first measurement the angel uses when speaking to Ezekiel is the reed, and so it becomes the standard of measurement. Second, this will be the world capital. As such, it would be built on a grand scale. It will play host to many visitors from all over the world, especially at holy day seasons, another reason it needs to be big. And it will be the capital, also, of the regathered Israel's entire Promised Land, which itself will extend from the Nile to the Euphrates on out to the Persian Gulf -- the entire Saudi Arabian peninsula.

The description of the temple may be found in Ez. 40-48.

2. Ez. 45 and Zech. 14

3. Ez. 45, 46

4. Ez. 45, 46

 

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone . . . .

Rev. 20:7-10

 

Just four short verses in the book of Revelation describe a rather surprising (and tragic) ending to the kingdom age: rebellion.

Why does this happen? Why does God let Satan loose?

It may be because by this time in the kingdom age, men have stopped really appreciating, really worshipping the King. It may be because they begin to take the health, the wealth, the peace and the plenty for granted. Maybe, like the ancient Israelites, people become materialistic, selfish, and God allows Satan to test them.

Or perhaps it is just for the record, to demonstrate to everyone one last time before the eternal age commences, what life is like with Satan in charge. To prove, once and for all, that God is good, Satan is evil, (and humans vulnerable) and not the other way around.

In any case, those who join Satan in his last-ditch, last-chance run at the throne surround Jerusalem. Perhaps this will be at the time of the feast of tabernacles, when the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings, and all the other saints will be inside . . . Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Paul, Peter, Mark, Luke, John and others of the apostles, and millions of other saints. All the saints will have long since known this was coming, but nevertheless, it will have an aura of strangeness about it.

People from nations they visited, taught in, ruled over, were now about to attack the fabulous capital city.

Some of the saints sit stoic, arms folded, lips pursed, nodding. They knew it was coming, uh-huh, and here it is. Others are grieved, shocked and horrified to see this outbreak of violence after so many exquisite years, one upon another.

Satan has only been loosed a short span of time earlier, but it didn't take him long to undo the good, the blessings, the peace upon peace that the King and the saints had built up over 1,000 years, working together. He actually had the ability to turn people against Jesus. Amazing.

And as they were thinking, Crrraaaaasshhhh!!! Huge bolts of lightening pound the earth from heaven. Like millions of kettledrums. The earth shakes. Fires break out all over and all around the rebellious armies. Within minutes, they are burned up.

Within a few more minutes Jesus has sent Michael and Gabriel, assisted by a battalion of angels, to lay hold of Satan, and bind him, and cast him into the lake of fire.. . forever. Forever to suffer torment, forever to rage -- alone -- in the darkness. Forever to have somme point and stare in astonishment and say, "Was this the one who shook the earth?"1

As things settle back down, it becomes apparent to all the saints, and humans that what they have just witnessed is no different from what had happened in the Garden of Eden. Satan deceiving men. Deceiving the first man Adam. Trying, and failing, to deceive the man Jesus. Deceiving the last physical man. The pattern never broken, the theme never varied. God always good, right and true. Satan always evil, false, a liar, thief and deceiver of men.

And so the story of man, living, eating, walking, talking, breathing, sleeping, man as we know him, ends.

Well, almost.

Chapter 15 REBELLION

1. Is. 14

 

And I saw a great white throne.

Rev. 20:11

Most of this book has been about heaven -- heaven in heaven and heaven on earth. But one chapter must be written about judgment. One chapter must be written about hell.

Every one of us must stand before God one day to give an account of himself.1 For the believer, this will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ.2 Cleansed of all sin by the grace of Jesus Christ, this judgment will be to receive rewards, assignments in the new world order.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."3

For the unbeliever, the judgment will take place at the close of the kingdom age, and just before the eternal state is ushered in. This judgment is called The Great White Throne Judgment.4 The place is, strangely enough, neither in heaven nor on earth, but somewhere in outer space.

Jesus tells us about the judgment in a parable.5 A man sows good seed in his field. While he sleeps, an enemy comes in and sows weeds. Both grow up. What to do? "Let them grow together until the harvest," the man decides. "At that time we will have the reapers collect the weeds and burn them. Then we will gather the wheat and bring it into my barn."

Jesus goes on to explain. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The weeds (or "tares") are the ungodly. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are God's angels. "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire," the Lord says, "so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

This judgment is further described in Revelation:6

And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works by the things which were written in the books. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

How does one get one's name written into the Lamb's Book of Life? Simply by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. We come back to the very simple verse many of us learned as children: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."7

What are the first books that were opened? These are complete records of every person's life, right on down to every word the person has spoken,8 and every secret thing the person has done.9 And who are the dead here? These people have not, for various reasons, accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, so they must be judged under law. Since all have sinned, and since the wages of sin are death, all of these must pay that penalty themselves by being cast into hell.

Will some have it worse than others?

Some people believe that there will be degrees of punishment in hell. Jesus said it would be more tolerable in the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for Chorazin and Bethsaida, because if the mighty works done in the latter had been done in the former, they would have repented.10

Other people believe that hell is hell and punishment will be equal for all.

Some people believe that those in hell will burn and suffer indescribably forever. This is because the beast and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the kingdom age, and seem to still be there, burning, when Satan and his angels are thrown back in after the rebellion at the end of the kingdom age.11 (The word "are," however, you'll notice is in italics in the King James version of the Bible. That means it was not in the original versions, but was added by the translators. Another addition here could as well be, as commentators point out, "were" or "were cast.")

There is another school of thought, annihilationism, that espouses that when the unbelieving, unredeemed, judged dead are cast into the lake of fire, they die. Permanently, once and for all, never to be resurrected again. They de-materialize in the lake of fire that roars with the power of nuclear fission. Consequently, they don't suffer in torment forever. They say that the only ones who it says suffer forever are the immortal beings Satan and his fallen angels. Man, they say, is not an immortal being.

In either case, whether these souls suffer forever or are simply annihilated, this is an awesome, overwhelming event that lies ahead in human history. It cannot be taken lightly.

But nevertheless, it may not be very easy for most people to accept, or even take seriously. Many have had their consciences seared by secular humanism or evolution or Eastern mysticism and reincarnation theories. Man believes himself to be the judge, not Christ. Do your own thing, you know. Have it your way. If it feels good, do it. But our thoughts are not God's thoughts. Our justice is not God's justice. We did not create ourselves. He did.

The strange story of George Wilson

Back in the time of President Andrew Jackson, there was a man named George Wilson. He was a criminal. George Wilson was sentenced to die by hanging. His story came to the attention of the President who was motivated to grant a pardon.

Then something strange happened. To everyone's profound amazement, when he was handed the actual pardon document, Wilson tore it in pieces and threw it on the floor of his cell. This prompted a question: what to do with Wilson? Was he pardoned because of what the President did? Or did his bold act of rejection nullify the pardon? This was a legal question, and a tough one at that.

After extended deliberation, the United States Supreme Court put forth the following verdict: "A pardon is a writing, the value of which is dependent upon the acceptance by the individual for whom it is intended." George Wilson was to be hanged -- not because there was no pardon, but because the pardon was not accepted.

And so it is with the pardon of God the Father through the sacrifice at the cross of his son Jesus Christ for all mankind. If the pardon is not accepted, it has no effect.

The bad part of this chapter of human history is its staggering finality. Few things are this, well . . . final. If you lose money in this world, chances are you can make it back. If you fail a course in school, you can repeat. If you get sick, you can recover. If you lose your job, you can get another. But if you're without the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the day of the great white throne judgment, there is simply no other salvation. It's too late.

The good part of this story is that it doesn't have to happen to anyone. It's just a matter of choice. And God urges us all to "choose life."12

Chapter 16

RESURRECTION

1. Rom. 14:12; Heb. 9:27

2. II Cor. 5:10

3. 1 John 1:9

4. Rev. 20:11-15

5. Matt. 13:37-43

6. Rev. 20:11-15

7. John 3:16

8. Matt. 12:36

9. Ecc. 12:14

10. Matt. 11:21, 22

11. Rev. 20:10 -- "Then the devil that decived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."

12. Deut. 30:19

At your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16:11

The dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Dan. 2:45

Heaven is a place as real as Chicago.

Dwight L. Moody

Here starts a new age. And the last age. One that lasts forever.

This one always gets superficial treatment for some reason. Maybe because it's last. Or so incredibly good that it's hard to relate to. Or sooo distant, being aaalllll the way over on the other side of the millennium. But let's take a very close look. This is your home. So the "eternal-ness" shouldn't put anyone off. It's a home of perfect love. And "perfect love casts out fear."1 This is going to be a good time after all.

It starts off with a bang. A quite literal bang.

"But the day of the Lord is surely coming, as unexpectedly as the thief, and the the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise and the heavenly bodies will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be burned up."2 "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth."3 The day of the Lord includes everything from the beginning of the Great Tribulation to the new heaven and the new earth.] We know that only a nuclear explosion causes simultaneous noise, heat and melting this way. God will release the power in all the atoms of the universe, and turn it all into energy that will be spent, thus clearing the way for the new creation.

And he will comfort anyone who needs comforting as the former things pass away. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And, after that, there shall be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain. Because everything becomes new.

Your new home

Your city, Jerusalem, is 1,500 miles in each direction -- a perfect cube. This allows for some pretty amazing skyscrapers.

The basic building material of the new Jerusalem is transparent gold, for buildings and for streets, a special kind of monochromatic splendour.

The city is surrounded by a wall that is 144 cubits, or 300 feet high. This wall is made of jasper, again a clear diamond-like substance. It has twelve foundations. The twelve foundations of the wall of the city are decorated with all manner of precious stones.4

The first, jasper.

The second, sapphire.

The third, chalcedony.

The fourth, emerald.

The fifth, sardonyx.

The sixth, sardius.

The seventh, chrysolyte.

The eighth, beryl.

The ninth, topaz.

The tenth, chrysoprasus.

The eleventh, jacinth.

The twelfth, amethyst.

The wall has twelve gates, each made of pearl. And on the gates are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. At these gates stand twelve angels.

You can imagine that all the buildings in new Jerusalem will be architectural wonders. But one building will be conspicuous by its absence.

There will not be a temple

The magnificent palace-sanctuary of the millennium will be gone, burned up with the old earth. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb will be the Temple, Revelation tells us.

Something else will be conspicuous by its absence. No sun. No moon, either. God's own glory will lighten Jerusalem, both God the Father, and God the Son. And so there will be no night as we know it.

Does this all sound just a little bit austere? God. Shining powerfully, almost audibly. No night. A city made up of building blocks of gold. With transparent, shining walls. Does it sound too sterile? Too divorced from life as we know it? Too, too . . . cold?

It really won't be. After all, by this time you will have worked side-by-side for 1,000 years with your brother Jesus Christ in government service. You will know him very well, and continue to know him as your brother. And you will then relate to God, your Father, face-to-face as your Father. It will be a time of indescribable family joy. You'll have all the feelings of love, happiness, joy that you may ever have yearned to have and share with others . . . but maybe never did, or never could. And you'll have these feelings to live and repeat forever and ever. Affection, approval and recognition. In abundance. In extravagant abundance. From God himself, Father and Son.

You'll have lots of friends there, too. All the 'nations of the saved' will be there, on the new earth, and be bringing their own glory and honour into new Jerusalem. All the people from the kingdom age, and all your friends from the government.

A bigger blue marble

The Bible doesn't really say, but we can imagine that if new Jerusalem itself is a 1,500-mile square city, the new earth would be much larger than the present earth to accomodate it proportionally. And after all, if the nations of the saved bring their glory into the new capital, they must be coming from somewhere. So we can imagine that they are coming from their own nations and cities in the rest of the new earth.

Some remarkable dimensions

Various scholars at various times have calculated:

* If we took all the cities of the world, and gathered them together, we would get only a 300-mile cube (compared to the new Jerusalem's 1,500-mile cube).

* Allowing fifteen feet to the story, new Jerusalem would be 5,028 stories high. This would equal the distance from Dallas to Washington D.C. or Tampa to Des Moines. Each of these 5,028 stories would contain 2,250,000 square miles; and all the stories combined would total 11,313,000,000 (11.3 billion) square miles.

* Were the city to be divided into blocks as in our American cities, there would be at least 625 million blocks. But since it is as high as it is wide long, and to accomodate the highest buildings yet erected in New York, there would be at least 7,500,000 streets and 937 billion blocks. In such a city there would be ample room for 10 million houses, each large enough for 12,500 denizens (perhaps an entire family) measured by today's standards, or a total population of 125,000,000,000 (125 billion).

Creationist scientists estimate that only about 80 to 100 billion humans have been born since Adam.

* If the world stood as it is for 100,000 years, and a billion people died in each generation, there would still be more than enough space for all -- another 5,000,000,000,000 (5 trillion) in the heavenly city.

And this is just the city! There is still the new earth as well!

Rivers and trees

There will also be some rather lush and exquisite vegetation in the new city, a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal. This river runs right out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, just as the millennial river flowed out of the sanctuary, east and west. (So even though there is no Temple as such, there will be a very special palace for our Father and oldest Brother, and that's where the river will come from.)

And just as in the kingdom age, this miraculous, spiritually-enlivened river of water gives life to remarkable vegetation, the tree of life, just as was in the Garden of Eden. The tree of life gives twelve manner of fruits, and yields the fruit every month. And the leaves will be for the health or the "benefit" of the nations.5 That's how the word "healing" should be translated here.

We'll eat the fruit of the tree that is nourished by this river of living water, and so be nourished in our family relationships with our Father and Brother. This tree of life in the new city assures us of eternal fellowship and closeness with our family.

And even though the Bible doesn't say it explicitly, we can imagine beautiful forests and mountains in the rest of the new earth. Meadows of grass, meadows of flowers, all different kinds of flowers. And animals. Fountains. Waterfalls. And other cities in the nations, each with its own personality and character. Lots of places to go and things to do.

Serving the Lord

You've heard about the beatific vision -- the reward of the believer supposedly to sit around all day and stare at God. While it will be a thrill to see him face-to-face at last,6 and while his face will be exquisite, and something to behold for a long time, indeed, he is not that narcissistic, to say the least, to have us staring at him -- and doing nothing else -- for eternity. While he does want our adoration, he also adores us with a perfect love.7 And he has much more in mind for us to do.

We will serve him.8 And we will reign forevermore.9 We will reign over the new earth, the universe. We will rule angels, as well, meaning serving, befriending, helping them, just as they have helped us in times past.10 Perhaps we'll also administrate the cities and the nations of the myriad of saved from the kingdom age, the second-born, to our being first-born from the old world.

We will minister to the Lord God our Father, and to the Lord God our Brother. (And they will minister to us, as well.) One way to do this, submitted here as a thought-starter, is through music. We know God likes music.11 We know Jesus sang psalms. We even know he breaks out in song for joy when his millennial kingdom is established. So in the eternal age, can you see Bruckner's Symphony No. 8? or 880? Can you hear Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand? Or 100,000?

Music is one service. Imagine dance as well. And drama. And art. And the written word. And the spoken word. Imagine creativity. Drama. Excitement. And electricity in the air. Imagine worshipping the Father face-to-face, there thanking him afterwards, in person for your salvation and all your gifts and blessings.

And doing it all in the most remarkable physical (and spiritual) circumstances. The heavenly new Jerusalem. Your home forever.

Not a one-dimensional life

Some private time. And then after the joy and excitement of serving the Lord as part of a chorus, or part of a symphony, or a chamber group, or in some other artistic event, or having an exciting talk with him, there will be a release. There will be some rest to make the excitement meaningful.12 Maybe this is a Godly nap. Or a vacation. Or walking in a meadow, or sitting under a tree all alone, some private time for some very private meditation. Or time with old friends or new friends. Or other family. Or reading. Or working on your job. Whatever you like to do. Whatever you do to recreate.

A life full of knowledge. We will have full and perfect knowledge at that time. As Paul says, " . . . . now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."13 Most importantly, we will know, firsthand, face-to-face, no longer by faith alone, just how much we're loved, each one of us, individually by God. Loved for our personalities. For our individuality. For what we are as perfected by the Holy Spirit. Because we'll hear God say it. We'll feel his own arms around us. His kiss will be on our cheek.

Many (most?) Christians never quite fill up that void in them that is a God-placed void for fellowship with him. They never fully accept themselves or God's love for them. But in that day, actually starting in the kingdom age, they will be sated on the love of God they crave. They will be fully cognizant of their stature as princes and princesses of heaven. It won't be an idea any more. It will be reality.

A holy life. Nothing of Satan will be in the new Jerusalem or the new earth, or the new universe. Satan will be in hell, burning. And with him all pain, sickness, lies, murder, hatred, poverty, loss, grief, death, tears, sorrow, and crying. All these former things will be passed away.14 And holiness, a life of real separation unto God will result.

Joy. When you go to the left, when you go to the right. Joy of abundance. Of family, friends, people. Of wealth. Of power. Joy, spilling over, like a river.

And glory. Earlier we cited a quote which said that how human beings handle their hunger for glory explains all psychological problems, all spiritual sickness, and all human sin.

We all need and crave and must have divine dignity. The glory of God. That is God's will for us.

And we will have it in full in the new Jerusalem.

As Paul says:

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."15

And:

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."16

And as John says:

"We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him."17 Eternal, sinless, deathless, victorious, loving, joyful, powerful, wealthy, creative, experiencing the absolute perfection of development.

You, yourself, will experience that. Forever!

You will be so new at that time that you'll need and have a new name!18

Do you ever feel like you'll never be what you want to be? Whatever that is?

Do you ever feel that all the best parts of your life are behind you instead of in front of you?

Do you ever want to just start over? Or did you ever feel that way?

Good news.

Your real life is still ahead of you.

Because after this age of grace is over, and when the kingdom age is over, you will come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, and to God himself, your Father.19

He'll welcome you home.

And you will live there, with him, and the Lord Jesus, forever.

You'll be home.

Really home.

Chapter 17

NEW HEAVENS, NEW EARTH, NEW JERUSALEM

1. 1 John 4:18

2. 2 Peter 3:10

3. 2 Peter 3:12, 13

4. Rev. 21:19

5. Rev. 22:2

6. 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2; John 14:3; Rev. 22:4

7. Eph. 1:11, 3:18-20

8. Rev. 3:22

9. Rev. 22:5

10. 1 Cor. 6:3

11. Zeph. 3:14-18

12. Rev. 14:13

13. 1 Cor. 13:12

14. Rev. 21:27

15. 2 Cor. 4:17

16. Col. 3:4

17. 1 John 3:2

18. Rev. 3:12

19. Heb. 12:22-23

If you have never committed your life to Jesus Christ, now is a great time. Simply pray this prayer from your heart:

Lord God of the ivory palaces in heaven, in whose very image I am made, I have read of the things you have prepared for those that love you. I believe they will come to pass, and I want to be a part of that future. I want to know for certain that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth to pay the full price of my sins, and I accept Him into my life now, as my Lord and Saviour. I confess my past sins, and repent of them now, becoming an entirely new creature, your very own child.

Thank you for giving me salvation. Thank you for taking care of me in this life forever after now, as a Father cares for his little children, and thank you, Father, for the great future you have planned for me.

In the name of Jesus, the firstborn among many brothers and sisters . . . Amen.

 

Main

 

 

Let me out!