COMPILED
by
Keith Hunt
CHRIST SAID HE WAS BORN TO BE A KING - HE HAD BEEN APPOINTED A
KINGDOM. HE TOLD HIS DISCIPLES THEY COULD HAVE A PLACE A PLACE
WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM. IS THIS KINGDOM A LITERAL KINGDOM
OR JUST SOMETHING IN THE HEARTS OF MEN? WILL IT BE SET UP ON THIS
EARTH OR IN HEAVEN? WHEN WILL THIS KINGDOM COME - HAS IT ALREADY
COME? WILL THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST BE IN TWO STAGES WITH
THREE AND A HALF, SEVEN OR ONE THOUSAND YEARS BETWEEN EACH
COMING? THE WORD OF GOD CAN ANSWER ALL THESE QUESTIONS AND OTHERS
BESIDE, IF WE WILL SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO FIND WHAT GOD TELLS
US. CHRISTIANS ARE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD - WE NEED TO KNOW
- WE CAN KNOW WHAT THAT KINGDOM IS. HERE THEN ARE THE MAIN
PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE THAT SHOW US WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
Job 19:25,26
Job said he knew his Savior was alive and that in the latter day
He (the Redeemer) shall STAND ON THE EARTH.
Job said nothing about a 1,000 years after the latter day or a
third return of Christ to this earth. In verse 26 he went on to
show EXACTLY what time he knew his Redeemer would stand on this
earth - when he (Job) is RESURRECTED - Job was to die - yet in
his flesh (a resurrection) he shall see God.
That resurrection of the righteous takes place at the return of
Christ (I Thes. 4:16) and Job will be in it, and Job said that at
that time the Redeemer would stand on the earth.
Isa. 2:1-4
God gave two prophets living at different times (Micah 4:1)
the same truth. (Isa. 2:2) Mountain is a symbol for kingdom (Dan.
2:35, 44). In the LAST DAYS God is going to set up His kingdom,
mountain of the Lord's house - Christ is preparing us a place in
it, Jn. 14:1-3. He brings it with Him on His return (Rev. 22:12)
and on top of, above the other kingdoms and all nations will look
to it, flow to it.
v. 3 Notice! People will say after God has set up His kingdom,
let us go up to it and let God teach us HIS WAYS - they will be
willing to walk in His ways. Here then are people who do NOT KNOW
God's ways, saying we WANT TO LEARN His ways. This cannot be the
new earth for only the immortal righteous dwell on it - only
those who ALREADY know God's ways and have been made eternal dwell on
the new earth - sin and death have been destroyed (Rev. 20:14,15).
v. 4 He shall REBUKE many people. This cannot be on the new
earth, only sinless saints are on it. Swords into ploughshares -
here are people that still have weapons of war, and God makes
them turn those weapons into implements of peace - they are
TAUGHT not to fight anymore. NONE Or THIS WILL HAPPEN ON THE NEW
EARTH - it has not happened yet - it must be for the 1,000 years
after God sets up His kingdom over this earth.
Micah 4:6-13. This is a continuation of Isaiah's prophecy - God
gathers Israel - all the prophecies about Israel at Christ's
return find them in a state of captivity - v.8, the kingdom comes
to Jerusalem - v.10, Zion is delivered from enemies - v.13, Zion
or Judah shall break their enemies. None of this will happen on
the new earth. It is speaking of the SAME DAY (v.6) as v.1-5.
Isa. 11:1-16
v. 1-3 Most Bible scholars agree that this is Christ
talked about here.
v.4 Smite the earth ... slay the wicked. The second advent of Christ.
v. 6-9 The earth full of God's knowledge - wild animals tame - no
more destruction. Notice! A little child, sucking child (months
old) and weaned children (v.6,8) are playing with these animals.
The NEW EARTH will not be for bearing; and rearing children -
only for immortal saints - see Mt. 22:29 30
v. 10 AND IN THAT DAY - the same time as v. 1-9 - the Gentiles
shall seek Christ - cannot be the new earth.
v. 11-12. Again we are told about Israel being regathered at this
time.
v. 13-14 Israel will literally subdue some countries.
v. 15-16 At this same time there will be a SECOND EXODUS for
physical Israelites.
None of Isaiah 11 has happened yet - it will not take place on
the new earth - it must be for the 1,000 years.
Isa. 24:1-6
This is a prophecy for the yet future - when God comes
to punish the earth. v.6 Few men are left. v.19,20 The earth
reeling to and fro.
v. 23 Heavenly signs (see Mt.24:29) God reigns in JERUSALEM.
Isa. 25
It is a continuation of the same prophecy.
v. 7 Spiritual blindness is removed (see II Cor. 3:15)
v. 8 No more tears.
v. 9 People will be saved -people rejoicing in salvation.
Isa. 26
IN THAT DAY - this prophecy continues - Judah will sing
this song.
v. 19 the resurrection!!
Isa. 27
Still continuing the same prophecy - IN THAT DAY
v. 1 Satan is bound (compare with Rev. 12:3,9. 13:1, 20:1-3).
v. 6 Israel will blossom and be a blessing to all the world.
v. 11 God will show them favour.
v. 13 Notice! The great trumpet shall blow - Israel is regathered
and they come to worship God AT JERUSALEM. This is the second
return of Christ - the last or great trumpet - Israel gathered -
the resurrection - salvation - spiritual blindness removed - the
earth punished - heavenly signs.
Isa. 66:15-24
Verses 15 and 18 tell us when this prophecy will be
fulfilled - "...the LORD WILL COME with fire... and His rebuke
...I will gather all nations... they shall come and see my
glory."
This has never yet happened - it will at this second advent - he
will gather all nations to fight them at the battle of
Armageddon. (Rev. 16,17:12-14, 19:19, 20) - see my text on
"Armageddon and the Age to come" v. 19 People will be sent out to
other nations, isles that have NOT HEARD of Christ's fame nor
seen his glory. This cannot be on the new earth.
v. 23 People will keep the Sabbath and worship God.
v. 24 The stubborn wicked will be destroyed from one Sabbath to
another - for a long period and the righteous shall view their
carcasses.
None of this can be on the new earth, There is no sin or death
then (see Rev. 21:4,5, 20:14); no salvation offered then - no
need - only immortal saints on the new earth.
Dan. 2:31-44
Daniel's image is well known by most Bible scholars as depicting
the four world-ruling empires of Babylon, Persia, Greece and
Rome. Rome was to have a final ten-nation resurrection at the
time of Christ's return (the ten toes). See also Rev. 17:12-14.
v. 35 the stone smashes the image and becomes a great mountain.
v. 44 Interpreted as a kingdom.
v. 35 WHEN this stone (Christ, Acts 4:10-11) smashes the image -
God sets up a kingdom - THEN, not three and a half or 1,000 years
later, but in the DAYS OF THESE (TEN KINGS) NATIONS v. 44. And
this stone becomes a great kingdom and fills the WHOLE EARTH, not
heaven. There's no mention of heaven AT ALL for THIS kingdom
(Christ's kingdom).
Dan. 7:9
The earthly kingdoms have been cast down.
v. 11 gives us the time setting - the beast is slain, his body
given to the burning flame - compare with Rev. 19:19, 20. This is
the second advent of Christ.
v. 13 Son of Man coming with clouds - see Acts 1:9-11.
v. 14 Christ receives DOMINION - GLORY - KINGDOM - that all
people, nations (plural), languages (plural - different
languages) should SERVE HIM - you can not serve someone if you DO
NOT EXIST.
There will not be DIFFERENT nations and languages in the new
earth - God will dwell with us, we all shall be HIS PEOPLE then -
immortal and like him, I Jn. 3:2; one family of God.
v. 27 The kingdom is UNDER the whole heaven - not in heaven - no
three and a half or seven years in heaven stated here.
All dominions (plural - different ones) shall SERVE and OBEY Him.
The saints are IN the kingdom - all other kings and kingdoms obey
the overall kingdom - God's kingdom - which is set up UNDER the
whole heaven - as Daniel in chapter 2 tells us, it fills the
whole earth.
No mention at all in these two chapters of Christ's kingdom being
in heaven for a 1,000 years. Just the opposite - in the days of
these kings (last ten nations to compose the last Roman Empire)
the God of heaven sets up a kingdom, and it "filled the whole
earth". 2:35,44
Zech. 12:1,2,3
A prophecy directed to Israel.
Zech.12:2-5
THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON - Nations are gathered at Jerusalem. God
will destroy them verses 9,11. See my text on "The Battle of
Armageddon."
Zech. 12:10
This is at Christ's second advent - NOT 1,000 years later. Proof
- When this battle takes place, the house of David (Judah), the
Jews will have God's spirit and grace poured out on them. They
do not have it today. They have rejected Christ and grace.
"...... and the (house of Judah - Jews) shall look upon me
(Christ) whom they have pierced and they shall mourn for him
...... "
Zech. 12:11-14
The Jews shall weep when they see that the king they have waited
for, for so many centuries, is the very person they - the Jews -
crucified 2,000 years earlier.
Zech. 13:6
IN THAT DAY (see v.1) a person shall ask Christ about the wound
scars in His hands. He shall tell them about how He was put to
death by His own people 2,000 years earlier.
These two chapters of Zechariah are yet to be fulfilled. They
will be fulfilled at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - not a 1,000 years
after or on the new earth.
Zech. 14:1
The time setting is clearly given for this prophecy - DAY OF GOD
- Christ's return to punish this earth.
Zech. 11:2-3
The Battle of Armageddon
Zech. 14:4
IN THAT DAY - the day of God - the Armageddon battle - HIS FEET
SHALL STAND UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES - from whence he left (Acts
1:9-12).
Zech. 14:5
THE LORD SHALL COME and all the saints. Yes, the resurrection has
taken place (1 Cor.15). We have been caught up to meet the
descending Christ in the air - the clouds (1 Thes. 4:16), and we
continue to descend with him to the Mount of Olives outside
Jerusalem.
This is at Christ's SECOND ADVENT - NOT three and a half, seven
or one thousand years later. The rest of the chapter proves it
will not be on the new earth nor at the end of the Millennium.
Zech. 14:6
IN THAT DAY - as preceding verses. The light not clear or dark.
(See Mt. 24:29).
Zech. 14:7
ONE DAY - a literal twenty-four hour period. WHICH SHALL BE KNOWN
TO THE LORD - Compare this with Mt. 24:36. This is the SAME DAY
Christ talked about.
Zech. 14:8
IN THAT DAY - a literal river going from Jerusalem representing
the Holy Spirit - living water - God's word and salvation going
forth.
Zech. 14:9
Christ is king over the earth.
Zech.14:8
Notice! This river flows to the EASTERN sea (see margin
ref.) and the Hinder Sea - to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean
Sea. On the NEW EARTH there is NO SEA - Rev. 21:1.
Zech: 14:10-11
Specific areas of land and what God will do to them at this time
of His return and after.
Zech. 14:12-15
How God will destroy the nations at the great battle. IN THAT DAY
- the same day as the previous verses.
Zech. 14:16.
Continuing - what shall happen IN THAT DAY (v. 13) and after -
the people LEFT of the nations who fought at Jerusalem will come
to worship the King Christ.
Zech. 14:17
If any family - families (plural - different ones) WILL
NOT send representatives to Jerusalem to worship God - God shall
withhold the rain from them - they will be punished.
On the new earth there is no unrighteousness, rebellion, sin
(Rev. 21:1-8).
Zech. 14:18
Here is a specific nation mentioned - Egypt - if they
rebel God will send a plague upon them - God will smite the
heathen (unconverted, rebellious, sinners) if they do not do as
God says.
Zech. 14:19
God repeats what He just declared.
None of this will happen on the new earth.
Zech. 14:20,21
SACRIFICES will once again be done in Jerusalem - to remind
people of sin (Heb. 10:3, 4). This is all foretold in great
detail in Ezekiel, chap.40-48. This will not happen on the new
earth.
Rev. 14:1
A COUNTERPART OF ZECH. 14 - it is the same day and the Lamb
(Christ, Jn.1:29) is standing on Mount Zion - the
resurrection has taken place, v.1-5.
Rev.14: 6-7
Then - AFTER v.1-5 an angel is sent out to preach
to them that dwell - ARE STILL DWELLING ON THE EARTH - to
every nation (different ones), kindred, tongues (different people
speaking various languages) and people. The angel says to fear
God and worship him - THEY ARE NOT YET DOING SO.
Rev. 14:8
Another angel cries that Babylon HAS fallen (who Babylon IS I
have explained in my text on "The Beasts of Daniel and
Revelation" which one day shall be on this Website).
Rev. 14:9-11
Another angel cries out that if anyone still wants to worship the
false way, he will be in the WINE OF THE WRATH OF GOD - see v.
19,20; 16:13-16; 19:11-21 - the battle of Armageddon.
Lk. 1:31-33
Christ was to be given THREE things: 1. The throne of
David, 2. rulership over Israel, 3. a kingdom.
He never received ANY of these the time He was here in the flesh.
Did Christ believe He would receive these three things?
1. THE THRONE OF DAVID
It was foretold in the prophets - see Ps. 132:11-18; Isa. 9:6-7;
16:1-5. Christ BELIEVED he would receive a throne - Mt. 19:28 -
Christ has NOT YET been given that throne.
Rev. 3:21.
He is now sitting on the Father's throne in heaven.
Christ receives that throne when He returns - Mt. 25:31. The
throne of David is a LITERAL throne - it is somewhere on this
earth today - God knows where. It will be given to Christ at
Jerusalem on His return - Jer. 3:17.
2. RULERSHIP OVER ISRAEL
It was foretold in the prophets - see Micah 4:6,7. I have already
explained Micah's prophecy. Christ never denied that Israel was
to be a great kingdom. Acts 1:6, the disciples ask if He would at
THAT TIME in history restore the kingdom to Israel - they knew
and expected Israel to have a great kingdom - they knew what was
prophesied in the Old Testament. Verse 7, Christ did NOT say "oh,
you misunderstand the prophets, you've got it all wrong, here is
the truth, let me put you straight." He said it was not FOR THEM
at that time (2,000 years ago) to be given the understanding when
that (Israel to be a great kingdom) should take place.
3. A KINGDOM - It was foretold in the prophets Ps. 45:6, 7. I
have given you dozens of passages that foretell Christ is to have
a kingdom. Christ plainly said He was to be a king and that's why
He was born - Jn. 18,37. But His kingdom was not to start at that
time in history, verse 36. It starts when He returns - Lk. 19:11,
12, Mt. 25:31,32; Rev. 19:11-15. These verses depict Christ's
return in power and glory - He comes to punish the nations. BUT
LOOK, verse 15, He is to RULE THEM also. If there is no one left
on this earth, how is He going to rule them?
Rev.20:1-3
Satan is bound. Why? So he WILL NOT deceive the nations,
verse 3. If there are no nations, people that could be deceived,
why bother saying he is bound so he WILL NOT deceive them.
Rev. 20:4,6
Christ and the saints REIGN - rule for a 1,000 years.
A king or priest reigns over people or nations who are subject to
him. Rev.19:15 has stated Christ will rule the nations.
Rev.20:7,8.
After the 1,000 years, Satan is loosed to go out to
deceive the nations - notice it - which ARE - already there -
already living - in the earth.
The second resurrection has NOT YET happened. It does not occur
until after verse 7-10 have been fulfilled.
Rev. 5:10
In chap. 20 we are told that the saints shall be priests
and kings with Christ - they shall reign for a 1,000 years. Where
shall they reign? In heaven? On Mars? Under the sea? The Bible
must tell us - not our own idea or dreams--"AND HAS MADE US UNTO
OUR GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." Rev.
5:10
Mt. 5:5
THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. We have never EVER been
promised in the Bible to go to where God the Father is now. You
try to find it. God the Father is coming to be with us, see Rev.
21:3
Rev. 22:12
Christians are to receive REWARDS at Christ's return.
Mt. 19:27
Notice the SPECIFIC reward that Christ promised each
of the twelve disciples, "Jesus said to them, truly, I say to
you, in the new age (the Messianic rebirth of the world ) when
the Son of Man shall sit down on the throne of His glory, you
(who have become my disciples, and followed me) will also sit on
twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of
Israel" (Amplified Bible).
The literal twelve disciples are to sit on literal thrones
judging the literal tribes of Israel. Christ will sit on the
literal throne He was promised - the throne of David.
Rev. 2:26,27
The overcomers will have rulership over nations (plural - many
different ones).
Lk. 19:11-27
Because some at Christ's first advent thought His kingdom should
IMMEDIATELY BE SET UP, He gave them this analogy. A nobleman was
to receive a kingdom but first must take a long journey. He gave
his servants a job to do while he was away.
Lk. 19:15. When he returned and had received the kingdom he
called his servants to reward them according to their works.
Lk. 19:16-19. Those who had done something with what he gave
them, the nobleman (Christ) gave them rulership over CITIES.
Lk. 19:20-26. The Christian who did nothing - received nothing.
Lk. 19:27. The ones who rejected Christ - were slain.
Christ is the nobleman - He has gone to heaven - He will return
and set up his kingdom - His servants will be given RULE OVER
CITIES.
Mt. 25:14-30. Is the same parable given by Matthew.
Mt. 13:24-30. Parable of the sown seed.
Mt. 13:36-43. Christ gives us the interpretation in verse 40: the
harvest is the end of THIS AGE (world - see the Greek). Compare
with Rev. 14:18-1; 19:11-21; 16:13-16. See my text on "The Battle
of Armageddon."
Verse 41 Christ will start dividing the righteous and
unrighteous.
But the question is how long will this take? A day? A month? A
year? In THIS PARABLE Christ does not say. We must look elsewhere
in the scriptures to find the answer.
Mt. 25:31-46
Parable of the sheep and goats - gives us some of the
answer to the parable of the seed and how long the harvest lasts.
v. 31, Christ comes and sits on HIS throne - the throne of David
(Lk. 1:31-33) at Jerusalem (Jer. 3:17). V. 32 and THEN - after He
is on this earth - after the battle of Armageddon - after He
receives the throne of David and His kingdom - ALL NATIONS are
before - under His rule - and THEN starts the dividing.
Yes, this dividing - this harvest - starts at Armageddon and
continues through the 1,000 years. All the prophets of old
testify to this truth.
Read again the whole chapters of Zech.12,13,14, and Isa. 66:15-
24.
Mat. 13:31-33
Christ likened His kingdom to a small mustard seed - it will
start small (at Jerusalem) spread over Israel and eventually the
entire earth (the stone becomes a great mountain and fills the
whole earth, Daniel 2) and then the nations will lodge in its
protection, strength, and goodness.
The little leaven put in the bread so all became leaven is
another example Christ gave, to show how His kingdom will spread
over all the earth when He comes to set it up and sit on the
throne of David.
THY KINGDOM COME LORD, THY KINGDOM COME!
................
Written 1980
|
No comments:
Post a Comment