I AM ASTONISHED AT TIMES AS TO HOW BADLY PROTESTANT PROPHETS READ THE BIBLE. I HAD TO READ THIS FOLLOWING SECTION TWICE TO MAKE SURE I WAS READING WHAT IT REALLY SAID, WHICH IT DID - Keith Hunt
From the book: "The End Times in Chronological Order" by Ron Rhodes:
During the Millennial Kingdom
IN THIS CHAPTER
The Millennial Kingdom Begins
Tribulation Saints Enter the Millennial
Kingdom
Israel Is Restored and Possesses the Land
A Millennial Temple Is Built
Christ Reigns from the Davidic Throne
Resurrected Saints Reign with Christ
Christ Brings Physical Blessings
Christ Institutes a Perfect Government
Christ Bestows Great Spiritual Blessing .......
The Millennial Kingdom Begins
Following the second coming of Christ, Jesus will personally set up His kingdom on earth. In theological circles, this is known as the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:2-7; see also Psalm 2:6-9; Isaiah 65:18-23; Jeremiah 31:12-14,31-37; Ezekiel 34:25-29; 37:1-13; 40-48; Daniel 2:35; 7:13-14; Joel 2:21-27; Amos 9:13-14; Micah 4:1-7; Zeph-aniah 3:9-20).
In the chronology of the book of Revelation, the millennial kingdom clearly follows the second coming of Jesus Christ. Revelation 19 and 20 are chronological, with the second coming described in chapter 19 and the millennial kingdom described in chapter 20. The second coming lays a foundation for the establishment of the millennial kingdom. John Walvoord explains that the second coming...
includes the destruction of the armies gathered against God in the Holy Land (Revelation 19:17,21), the capture of the Beast and the False Prophet and their being cast into the lake of fire (v. 20), the binding of Satan (20:1-3), and the resurrection of the martyred dead of the tribulation to reign with Christ a thousand years (w. 4-6). A literal interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6 requires that Christ reign on earth for a thousand years following his second coming.1
(I FULLY AGREE - Keith Hunt)
The Tribulation Saints Enter the Millennial Kingdom
We have seen that following the second coming of Christ, the Gentiles will face Christ at the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46). Only believers will be invited into Christ's millennial kingdom in their mortal bodies (verses 34,46). Likewise, the redeemed remnant among the Jews will be invited to enter into the millennial kingdom in their mortal bodies (Ezekiel 20:34-38).
(THIS I HAD TO READ TWICE, COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! FIRST MATTHEW 25 IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT WILL TRANSPIRE AFTER JESUS RULES ON HIS THRONE.....THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS WILL CONTINUE ALL THROUGH THE 1,000. IT IS NOT JUST ONE EVENT OF A FEW DAYS OR WEEKS....I'LL PROVE IT LATER - AND YES PHYSICAL ISRAELITES WILL BE RE-GATHERED FROM THE NATIONS AND BROUGHT BACK TO THE HOLY LAND - ISAIAH 11 - Keith Hunt)
Though longevity will characterize the millennial kingdom, Scripture reveals that both mortal Jews and Gentiles will continue to age and die (Isaiah 65:20). Scripture also reveals that married couples among both groups will continue to have children throughout the millennium. All who die during this time will be resurrected at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:4-5).
(THE RESURRECTION OF SUCH IS NOWHERE TOLD TO US IN THE BIBLE. WE SHALL FIND OUT WHEN JESUS HAS RETURNED, WE CAN ASK HIM. REV. 20:4-5 IS TELLING US ABOUT THE SAINTS IN GENERAL IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION WHICH HAPPENS WHEN JESUS RETURNS AS I'VE SHOWN IN THE PAST - Keith Hunt)
Some Bible interpreters in recent days—Robert Gundry is one example—-have suggested that both saved and unsaved people will enter into Christ's 1000-year millennial kingdom. Such a view, however, does not fit the facts of biblical prophecy.
The Bible clearly indicates that only saved people enter the millennium, and the wicked are cut off (see Isaiah 1:19-28; 65:11-12; 66:15-16; Jeremiah 25:27-33; 30:23-24; Ezekiel 11:21; 20:33-44; Micah 5:9-15; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:2-6,18; 4:3). Isaiah 60:21 seems explicit: "Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified" (see also Isaiah 26:2).
(NOW THEY CAN THROW AT YOU 50 VERSES OR MORE, TO SHOW THE AGE TO COME WILL BE RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, NO WARS, SALVATION, HEALTH, GOODNESS AND ETC. BUT, SMALL WORD WITH A BIG MEANING, BUT, IF I CAN SHOW YOU JUST ONE VERSE THAT SAYS DIFFERENTLY, ALL THEIR IDEA COMES CRASHING DOWN IN A MILLION PIECES.
WHEN PEOPLE READ THE BIBLE THEY SHOULD READ IT ALL!! - Keith Hunt)
Scripture reveals that Gentiles will definitely enter into Christ's millennial kingdom, but they will be converted prior to their admission (see Isaiah 16:5; 18:7; 19:19-21; 23:17-18; 55:5-6; 56:6-8; 60:3-5; 61:8-9; Jeremiah 3:17; 16:19-21; Amos 9:12; Obadiah 17-21). Moreover, Scripture positively states that they will be in subjection to the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1; 49:6; Zechariah 8:22-23).
(SO.....FOR THEM FROM THE VERSES THEY GIVE, ONLY CONVERTED GENTILES WILL ENTER THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM [AND HE ALSO STATES THE SAME FOR JEWS OR ISRAELITES - JEWS ARE ONLY PART OF ISRAEL].
SO NOW FOR THE VERSES THAT BLOW THEIR IDEA OUT OF THE WATER......MARK THEM..... "For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: you shall weep no more: he will be very gracious to you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear it, he shall answer you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall NOT your teachers be removed into a corner any more [as they went through the great tribulation of the end times] BUT your eyes shall see your teacherS; And your ears shall HEAR a word BEHIND you, saying, THIS IS THE WAY, WALK YOU IN IT, WHEN YOU TURN TO THE RIGHT HAND, AND WHEN YOU TURN TO THE LEFT" [Isaiah 30:19-21].
SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THAT MANY ISRAELITES MAY TURN TO THE LEFT WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE RIGHT, OR TURN TO THE RIGHT WHEN IT SHOULD BE THE LEFT.....THEY WILL BE CORRECTED AT TIMES IF NOT GOING GOD'S WAY.....DOES NOT SOUND LIKE ALL WILL BE FULLY CONVERTED TO ME.
BUT WE HAVE MORE....."Behold the Lord will come with fire....and his rebuke with flames of fire....[coming of Christ in glory - second coming]....And I will set a sign among THEM, and I will send those that escape of them unto the NATIONS, [some are then mentioned],....THAT HAVE NOT HEARD MY FAME, NEITHER HAVE SEEN MY GLORY, AND THEY SHALL DECLARE MY GLORY AMONG THE GENTILES" [Isaiah 66:15,19].
SOUNDS LIKE TO ME MANY NATIONS WILL BE IN THE MILLENNIUM WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD OR MUCH ABOUT HIM AT ALL.....STILL IN THE DARK.....STILL UNCONVERTED.
OH THERE IS MORE....SAME CONTEXT, SAME CHAPTER....."And it shall come to pass......shall all flesh come to worship before me, says the Lord. And they shall go forth, and LOOK UPON THE CARCASES OF THE MEN THAT HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST ME.....AND THEY SHALL BE AN ABHORRING UNTO ALL FLESH" [Isaiah 66:23-24].
SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THERE WILL STILL BE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR CRIMES WORTHY OF DEATH IN THE MILLENNIUM AGE.
WE ARE NOT FINISHED.... THERE IS MORE. TURN TO ZECHARIAH 14. JESUS HAS COME, HE IS ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, HE REIGNS AS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. THOSE THAT ARE LEFT OF THE NATIONS THAT COME COME UP AGAINST JERUSALEM [SO NOT ALL CARNAL UNCONVERTED NATIONS ARE DESTROYED] SHALL EVEN GO UP FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO WORSHIP THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS, AND TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES."
THEN NOTICE, MARK IT....."AND IT SHALL BE THAT WHOSO WILL NOT COME UP OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH, TO WORSHIP THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS, EVEN UPON THEM SHALL BE NO RAIN, AND IF EGYPT GO NOT UP, AND COME NOT, THAT HAVE NO RAIN, THERE SHALL BE THE PLAGUE, WHEREWITH THE LORD WILL SMITE THE HEATHEN THAT COME NOT UP TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. THIS SHALL BE THE PUNISHMENT OF EGYPT, AND THE PUNISHMENT OF ALL NATIONS THAT COME NOT UP TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES" [ZECHARIAH 14:16-19].
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES IS ONLY HELD ONCE A YEAR. SOUNDS LIKE TO ME THERE MAY BE A NUMBER OF NATIONS STILL UN-CONVERTED AS WE GO INTO THE FIRST NUMBER OF YEARS OF THE MILLENNIUM AGE.
THESE VERSES ARE PLAIN AND CLEAR, A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND THEM. NO NEED FOR A PhD OR THEOLOGY SCHOOL.
THERE WILL BE ANY NUMBER OF UNCONVERTED NATIONS AND PEOPLE ON EARTH IN THE FIRST NUMBER OF YEARS OF THE NEW AGE TO COME. YES IT WILL BE THE MINORITY PERHAPS, BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY BE THERE.
THEN WHEN YOU GET THE CORRECT TIME FOR EZEKIEL 38 AND 39.......AFTER JESUS HAS RETURNED, YOU ALSO GET MANY NATIONS UNCONVERTED WHO WITH CARNAL SELFISH WARLIKE NATURE, WILL COME AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL NOW DWELLING PROSPEROUSLY, WITHOUT WALLS, BARS, GATES, KNOWING THE MESSIAH IS LIVING AT JERUSALEM AND WILL DESTROY ANY ARMY COMING TO PLUNDER THEM.
THE FIRST NUMBER OF YEARS OF THE MILLENNIUM WILL HAVE PLENTY OF CARNAL UNCONVERTED PEOPLE, SOME WHO HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD ABOUT THE GLORY OF GOD, AND PEOPLE WILL BE SENT OUT TO TELL THEM - WE CALL THEM TODAY - MISSIONARIES!
Keith Hunt)
Daniels prophetic book also informs us that only the saints enter into God's kingdom. We are told that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom....The time came when the saints possessed the kingdom" (Daniel 7:18,22). The word saint in Daniel is from an Aramaic word that is derived from a Hebrew root oilp. This word has the connotation of a divine claim and ownership of the person. It connotes that which is distinct from the common or profane. In other words, profane people do not enter into the millennial kingdom. Only those who are Gods people—those "owned" by God-—enter in.
(AND THIS IS TALKING ABOUT THE SAINTS WHO INHERIT THE GLORIFIED ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD, NOT THE MILLENNIUM KINGDOM OF CHRIST THAT RULES THE PHYSICAL NATIONS ON EARTH.....PEOPLE JUST NEED TO READ ALL VERSES ON ANY GIVEN TOPIC OF THE BIBLE, AND NOTE WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN ANY CONTEXT, AND THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE BIBLE - Keith Hunt)
Further, it seems inconceivable that the wicked and the saints could together inherit a kingdom universally characterized by righteousness (Isaiah 61:11), peace (Isaiah 2:4), holiness (Isaiah 4:3-4), and justice (Isaiah 9:7). The parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:30-31) and the parable of the good and bad fish (Matthew 13:49-50) confirm that only the saved go into the kingdom.
(NOT SO AT ALL....THOSE PARABLES CONTINUE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE 1,000 YEARS. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO UNDERSTAND ALL THAT IS WRITTEN ON THE SUBJECT. THE WAY THESE PROTESTANT PROPHETS READ THE BIBLE [SELECT VERSES - TUNNEL VISION] IS WHY AGNOSTICS SAY, "YOU CAN PROVE ANYTHING BY THE BIBLE." OF COURSE SIN CAN STILL BE HERE AND THERE IN A BASIC MAJORITY RIGHTEOUS WORLD - Keith Hunt)
Of course, the fact that only saints enter into the kingdom does not stand against the possibility that some of the children of the saints will not be believers. After a few years have passed there will be people, born during the early days of the millennium, who will grow to adulthood rejecting the Savior-King in their hearts (though outwardly obeying Him). Some of these will eventually participate in the final revolt against God that takes place at the end of the millermium under Satan's lead (who is released from the abyss after the thousand years).
WHAT A POOR WAY OF GETTING AROUND THE VERSES I'VE JUST SHOWN YOU, SO IN THE END THEY HAVE TO ADMIT, SOME ON EARTH WILL STILL BE UNCONVERTED AND REBELLIOUS. BUT FOR THEM AT THE BEGINNING EVERY PHYSICAL PERSON WILL BE HOLY ............... AND RIGHTEOUS.....CONVERTED.....JUST NOT SO AS I'VE PLAINLY SHOWN YOU.
Keith Hunt
To be continued
END TIMES CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
From the book by Ron Rhodes
Continued from previous post
Israel Is Restored and Possesses the Land
Jeremiah 31:31-34, a pivotal prophecy dealing with the new covenant, promises the regeneration of Israel.
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord . But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord : I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
This covenant promises the necessary internal power for the Jews (NO! MORE THAN JEWS - ALL TRIBES OF ISRAEL, THE "JEWS" ARE ONLY THREE TRIBES - Keith Hunt) to obey Gods commands—something the Mosaic covenant of the law could never accomplish. This covenant promises a complete national regeneration of Israel, and every Jew in the millennial kingdom will personally know the Lord (see Isaiah 29:22-24; 30:18-22; 44:1-5; 45:17; Jeremiah 24:7; 50:19-20; Ezekiel 11:19-20; 36:25-27; Hosea 1:10-2:1; 14:4-8; Joel 2:28-32; Micah 7:8-20; Zephaniah 3:9-13; Romans 11:25-27).
(ALL TRIBES OF ISRAEL. IT IS LIKE TALKING TO A BRICK WALL TO GET PROTESTANT PROPHETS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE JEWS ARE ONLY 3 TRIBES OF ISRAEL - THE 10 OTHER TRIBES ARE NATIONS OF THE WEST. ALL PROVED ON MY WEBSITE STUDIES - Keith Hunt)
Israel will not only experience regeneration in fulfillment of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) but also be regathered. The land covenant recorded in Deuteronomy 29—30 is eternal and unconditional. God promised that even though Israel would be dispersed all over the world, He would gather them and restore them to the land (see Isaiah 43:5-7; Jeremiah 16:14-18). This will take place in Christ's millennial kingdom.
This is highly significant from a prophetic standpoint.
(YES FOR BIBLE PROPHECY CLEARLY SHOWS THAT WHEN JESUS RETURNS ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL ARE IN CAPTIVITY TO THEIR ENEMIES, SCATTERED OVER THE WORLD....WELL THE WESTERN WORLD - Keith Hunt)
God long ago made specific land promises to Abraham.
On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from theWadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites,Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites" (Genesis 15:18-21 NIV).
God passed these land promises down to Isaac and his descendants.
Stay in this land for awhile, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed (Genesis 26:3-4 NIV).
God also reiterated the land promises to Jacob and his descendants.
I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring (Genesis 28:13-14 NIV).
The Bible later affirmed that God's covenant promises would be fulfilled through this distinct family line.
He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: "To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit" (Psalm 105:8-11 NIV).
It is clear, then, that after God gathers the Jews (ALL ISRAEL TRIBES - Keith Hunt) from around the world, they will finally and completely come into full possession of the land that God promised them. The fulfillment comes thousands of years after the promise was initially made, but God is utterly faithful. Israel will be in full possession of the land just as God said they would be. This will happen at the beginning of Christ's millennial kingdom.
(I AGREE.....ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL WILL BE GATHERED AND BROUGHT BACK TO THE PROMISED LAND - Keith Hunt)
A Millennial Temple Is Built
In Ezekiel 40-48, a millennial temple is built (see Isaiah 2:3; 60:13; Joel 3:18) and millennial animal sacrifices are instituted (see Isaiah 56:7; 60:7; Jeremiah 33:17-18; Zechariah 14:19-21). Scholars have debated the question about whether these prophecies should be taken literally
or in some figurative sense.
Some interpret the chapters symbolically, suggesting that the temple is somehow representative of the church. The problem is, those who see it as representative of the church do not agree among themselves what the symbol is supposed to say about the church. Because the text reads quite literally, providing precise dimensions, specifications, and instructions (just as specific as those for the tabernacle and the temple of Solomon), it seems obvious to the unbiased interpreter that the passage is intended to be taken literally—that is, there will in fact be a millennial temple and millennial animal sacrifices.
(I FULLY AGREE....SO IT IS SPECIFICALLY WRITTEN, AND SO SHALL IT BE - Keith Hunt)
Further, in view of the fact that Ezekiel was told, "Declare all that you see to the house of Israel? (Ezekiel 40:4), it seems impossible to conclude that this is supposed to symbolize the future church.
The millennial temple will be the final temple for Israel. The dimensions provided for this temple make it significantly larger than the three other temples built in Israels history (Solomons temple, the postexilic temple, and the tribulation temple).
(THERE WILL BE NO TRIBULATION TEMPLE.
BIBLE PROPHECY TEACHES NO SUCH THING. ALL GONE INTO IN DETAIL ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
This large temple will apparently represent God's presence among His people during the millennium (see Ezekiel 37:26-27). The restoration of Israel as a nation will appear to include a restoration of God's presence (and glory) visibly reentering the temple and being with His people. This temple will be a worship center of Jesus Christ during the entire millennium. It will be built at the beginning of the messianic kingdom (Ezekiel 37:26-28) by Christ (Zechariah 6:12-13), redeemed Jews (Ezekiel 43:10-11), (ISRAELITES not just Jews - Keith Hunt) and representatives from the Gentile nations (Haggai 2:7; Zechariah 6:15).
Ezekiel 37:26-28 describes this temple as God's dwelling place among the people:
I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.
Even redeemed Gentiles will be included in worship in this millennial temple (see Isaiah 60:6; Zephaniah 3:10; Zechariah 2:11). The worship of Jesus Christ in the future temple is a key aspect of divine revelation on this subject (see Jeremiah 33:15-22; Zechariah 14:16-21).
Why Sacrifices?
Why will sacrifices be offered in this temple? Christ's once-for-all sacrifice has taken away sin and has caused the Mosaic law of sacrifices to be abolished (see Hebrews 7—10). Why, then, is the sacrificial system predicted here? John E Walvoord summarizes the question this way:
The question is naturally raised why the sacrifices would be observed in the millennium if the sacrifice of Christ once for all fulfilled the typical expectation of the Old Testament sacrificial system. While other objections are also made of a lesser character, it is obvious that this constitutes the major obstacle, not only to accepting the sacrificial system but the possibility of the future temple in the millennium as well.2
In answering this issue, we begin with the observation that Israel and the church are not only distinct today (1 Corinthians 10:32; Romans 9-11) but will also be distinct in the millennial kingdom. We might surmise, then, that temple activities in the millennium relate primarily to Israel (though redeemed Gentiles can also participate) and not to the church (see Isaiah 60—61).
(YES, I WILL AGREE - Keith Hunt)
This being the case, some Bible expositors have surmised that the millennial sacrifices will be a kind of Jewish memorial of the awful price Christ—-the Lamb of God, who now lives in their midst—-had to pay for the salvation of these believing but not yet glorified Jews. (They are yet in their mortal bodies, having entered into the millennial kingdom following the tribulation, which they survived.) (REMEMBER ISRAELITES not just "Jews" - Keith Hunt). The temple system will thus allegedly function much like the Lords Supper does today, as a memorial ritual (1 Corinthians 11:25-26; see also Isaiah 56:7; 66:20-23; Jeremiah 33:17-18; Ezekiel 43:18-27; 45:13-46:24; Malachi 3:3-4).
According to this view the sacrifices offered during the earthly reign of Christ will be visible reminders of His work on the cross. Thus, these sacrifices will not have any efficacy except to memorialize Christ's death. The primary support for this argument is the parallel of the Lord's Supper. It is argued that just as the communion table looks back on the Cross without besmirching its glory, so millennial sacrifices will do the same.3
(YES, I CAN ACCEPT THAT THOUGHT TO A POINT - Keith Hunt)
The problem with this viewpoint is that Ezekiel says the sacrifices are "to make atonement" (Ezekiel 45:15,17,20). The "memorial" viewpoint seems to fall short of explaining these sacrifices.
(WELL UNDER THE OLD COVENANT WE HAD THE SAME KIND OF WORDS "TO MAKE ATONEMENT" - IT DID BUT ONLY IN SOME PHYSICAL WAY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GOD. PAUL WAS INSPIRED TO SAY, "BUT IN THOSE SACRIFICES THERE IS A REMEMBRANCE AGAIN MADE OF SINS EVERY YEAR. FOR IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS SHOULD TAKE AWAY SINS - HEBREWS 10: 3-4 - Keith Hunt)
The solution may be that the purpose of the sacrifices in the millennial temple is to remove ceremonial uncleanness and prevent defilement from polluting the purity of the temple environment. According to this view, such will be necessary because Yahweh will again be dwelling on the earth in the midst of sinful (and therefore unclean) mortal people. (Remember, these people survive the tribulation period and enter the millennial kingdom in their mortal bodies. They retain their sin natures even though they are redeemed by Christ as believers.) The sacrifices will thus remove any ceremonial uncleanness in the temple.
(THAT MAY HAVE SOME MERIT OF THOUGHT, BUT THE MAIN POINT WILL BE TO SHOW AND REMIND THE PHYSICAL PEOPLE OF ISRAEL [ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ALSO] THAT THEY WERE GREAT SINNERS AS PEOPLES OVER THE LAST 2,000 YEARS OR SO TO CHRIST'S RETURN. IT WILL REMIND THEM OF SIN, AND ALL THE PAST GENERATIONS OF SINS DONE BY ISRAEL AND ALL PEOPLES OF THE EARTH - Keith Hunt)
Because of God's promise to dwell on earth during the millennium (as stated in the New Covenant), it is necessary that He protect His presence through sacrifice....It should further be added that this sacrificial system will be a temporary one in that the millennium (with its partial population of unglorified humanity) will last only one thousand years. During the eternal state all inhabitants of the New Jerusalem will be glorified and will therefore not be a source of contagious impurities to defile the holiness of Yahweh.4
(A WEAK IDEA, BUT I GIVE IT SOME MERIT, THAT IN THE MILLENNIUM THERE WILL BE PHYSICAL HUMANS IN JERUSALEM AND IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD. BUT THE MAIN REASON IS TO REMIND PHYSICAL PEOPLE OF SIN, AND THE SINS OF THEIR FOREFATHERS IN OFTEN REJECTING THE TRUTH AND LAWS OF GOD BY REJECTING THE BIBLE, AND DOING WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO, THE WAYS THAT SEEM RIGHT TO MAN, BUT END IN DEATH - Keith Hunt)
Seen in this light, the sacrifices are not a return to the Mosaic law. The law has forever been done away with through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:14-15; 7:1-6; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; 2 Corinthians 3:7-11; Galatians 4:1-7; 5:18; Hebrews 8:13; 10:1-14). The sacrifices relate only to removing ritual impurities in the temple as long as fallen but redeemed human beings remain on earth.
(AGAIN THE BETTER THOUGHT IS AS PAUL WROTE.....TO BRING TO REMEMBRANCE SIN DONE, AND ESPECIALLY THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND SINCE 70 A.D. WHEN THE TEMPLE AND SACRIFICES STOPPED - Keith Hunt)
Christ Reigns from the Davidic Throne
God promised David that one of his descendants would rule forever on his throne (2 Samuel 7:12-13; 22:51). Like the land promise to Abraham and his descendants, this is an unconditional covenant. It did not depend on David in any way for its fulfillment. David realized this when he received the promise from God, and he responded with humility and a recognition of God's sovereignty over human affairs.
The three keywords of the covenant are kingdom, house, and throne. Such words point to the political future of Israel. The word translated house here refers to a royal dynasty.
This covenant finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who was born from the line of David (Matthew 1:1). In the millennial kingdom, He will rule from the throne of David in Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-5; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Zechariah 14). This reign of Christ during the millennial kingdom will extend beyond the Jews to include the Gentile nations as well.
(WELL NOW INTERESTING TO SEE SOME PROTESTANT PROPHETS REALIZING GOD PROMISED DAVID THAT HIS LINE AND THRONE WOULD LAST FOREVER. AND JESUS CANNOT BE GIVEN THE THRONE OF DAVID IF IT CEASED TO EXIST. BUT PROTESTANT PROPHETS KINDA THINK IT ALL OF A SUDDEN RE-APPEARS. LIKE PULLING A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. THE THRONE OF DAVID EXISTS TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST TILL IT IS GIVEN TO JESUS.......THAT THRONE NOW RESIDES IN BRITAIN. ALL QUITE PROVABLE AS GIVEN ON MY WEBSITE - Keith Hunt)
Multiple prophecies in Scripture point to Christ's reign during the millennial kingdom:
• "May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!" (Psalm 72:8).
• "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
•"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).
•"He shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" (Zechariah 9:10; see also Revelation 20:4).
Note also that when the angel Gabriel appeared to the young virgin Mary to inform her that the Messiah was to be born through her womb, he spoke to her in Davidic terms.
And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:30-33).
The three key words used by the angel to describe the future rule of Jesus Christ were throne, house, and kingdom—-the same words God used when he promised David that one from his line would rule forever (2 Samuel 7:16).
Gabriels words must have immediately brought these Old Testament promises to mind for Mary, a devout young Jew. Indeed, Gabriels words constituted a clear announcement that Mary's Son would come into this world to fulfill the promise given to David that one of his sons would sit on his throne and rule over his kingdom.
Now that the millennial kingdom is instituted following the second coming of Jesus the Messiah, these long-anticipated prophetic promises are fulfilled: Christ reigns from the throne of David.
(YES AMEN AND I SAY AGAIN AMEN - Keith Hunt)
Resurrected Saints Reign with Christ
Scripture promises that Christ will gloriously reign from the Davidic throne. But Scripture also promises that the saints will reign with Christ. In 2 Timothy 2:12, for example, the apostle Paul instructs, "If we endure, we will also reign with him." Those who endure through trials will one day rule with Christ in His future kingdom.
This provides an interesting parallel between Jesus Christ and Christians. Christ Himself endured and will one day reign (1 Corinthians 15:25). In the same way—though obviously to a much lesser degree, and under the lordship of Christ-—-believers must endure and will one day reign with Him (Revelation 3:21).
The idea of reigning with Christ is compatible with what we learn elsewhere in the book of Revelation. For example, Revelation 5:10 reveals that believers have been made "a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." Revelation 20:6 makes a similar affirmation: "Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years."
Even beyond the millennial kingdom and into the eternal state, this privilege of reigning with Christ continues. "Night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5). What an awesome privilege and blessing!
(AMEM AGAIN AND AMEN - Keith Hunt)
In what capacity will believers reign? Peoples rank or office, as it were, will apparently be commensurate with their commitment and faithfulness during their earthly lives. How wonderful it would be to hear these words from Christ: ""Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much" (Matthew 25:21).
(WE ARE REWARDED ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS; WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN, SO IT IS WRITTEN - REV. 22:12 - Keith Hunt)
Christ Brings Physical Blessings
Scripture reveals that those who enter into Christ's millennial kingdom will enjoy some unique physical blessings. These six are representative sampling.
1. People will live in a blessed and enhanced environment.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God (Isaiah 35:1-2).
2. Rain and food will be plentiful.
And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that dayyour livestock will graze in large pastures, and the oxen and the donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned fodder, which has been winnowed with shovel and fork (Isaiah 30:23-24).
3. Animals will live in harmony with each other and with humans.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a litde child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox (Isaiah 11:6-7).
..........
AMEN, SO INDEED IT SHALL BE - Keith Hunt
To be continued
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST
4. Longevity will be gready increased.
"No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed" (Isaiah 65:20).
5. Physical infirmities and illnesses will be removed.
"In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see" (Isaiah 29:18).
"And no inhabitant will say, I am sick; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity" (Isaiah 33:24).
6. Prosperity will prevail, resulting in joy and gladness.
"They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:12-14).
These and many other physical blessings will be abundandy present during the future millennial kingdom.
Christ Institutes a Perfect Government
Scripture reveals that Christ will institute a perfect government in the millennial kingdom. Here are five representative characteristics of His government.
1. Christ's government will be global.
"As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill. I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potters vessel" (Psalm 2:6-9).
"And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:14).
2. Christ's global government will be centered in Jerusalem.
"It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations" (Isaiah 2:2-4; see also Jeremiah 3:17; Ezekiel 48:30-35; Joel 3:16-17; Micah 4:1,6-8; Zechariah 8:2-3).
3. Jesus will reign on the throne of David.
"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The Lord is our righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
4. Christ's government will be perfect and effective.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forever-more. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this" (Isaiah 9:6-7).
5. Christ's government will bring lasting global peace.
"He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations afar off and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken" (Micah 4:3-4).
In short, Christ's government will yield an ideal climate for living on earth. Christ will succeed where all human governments have failed!
Christ Bestows Great Spiritual Blessing
Christ will bring great spiritual blessing in His millennial kingdom. These blessings relate to the wonderful reality that Jesus Christ Himself will be present with His people on earth. Christ being with His people on earth will affect "the spiritual life of the human race to an extent never realized in previous dispensations."5
No wonder Isaiah the prophet tells us that "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). When we combine this fact with the reality that Satan will be bound during the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-3), we can scarcely imagine the depth of spiritual blessings that will prevail on earth during this time.
The spiritual blessings that will predominate during the millennial kingdom are based on the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). As an outworking of this wondrous covenant, abundant spiritual blessings will shower the earth. Here are seven examples.
1. The Holy Spirit will be present and will indwell all believers.
"I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants" (Isaiah 44:3).
"I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules" (Ezekiel 36:27).
"And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord" (Ezekiel 37:14).
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit" (Joel 2:28-29).
2. Righteousness will prevail around the world.
"I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory" (Isaiah 46:13).
"My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait" (Isaiah 51:5).
"Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified" (Isaiah 60:21).
3. Obedience to the Lord will prevail.
"All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you" (Psalm 22:27).
"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord : I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:33).
4. Holiness will prevail.
"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way....The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:8-10).
"You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it" (Joel 3:17).
5- Faithfulness will prevail.
"Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground,and righteousness looks down from the sky" (Psalm 85:10-11).
"Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain" (Zechariah 8:3).
6. All the world's residents will worship the Messiah.
"From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 1:11).
"At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord" (Zephaniah 3:9).
"Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you" (Zechariah 8:23).
7. God s presence will be made manifest.
"My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore" (Ezekiel 37:27-28).
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord. And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you" (Zechariah 2:10-13).
How awesome it will all be!
..........
THAT IS INDEED WHAT THE HOLY SCRIPTURE TEACH ABOUT THE AGE TO COME - Keith Hunt
No comments:
Post a Comment