JUST what do you mean, "The kingdom of God"? That, too, is an
unsolved mystery,
not only to all in the world but to the world's churches, theologians and
"Bible
scholars" as well.
Actually that mystery is connected with its associated mystery, the gospel of
Jesus
Christ.
Why do the churches disagree on what actually is "the gospel of Jesus
Christ"?
During the first twenty or thirty years after the founding of the Church in
A.D. 31 a
violent controversy arose over the very question of what is "the gospel
of Jesus
Christ." There ensued a hundred years in which all history of the New
Testament
Church was destroyed. It has been called "the lost century of Church
history."
When the curtain lifted, about the middle of the second century, there
appeared an
entirely different type of church calling itself Christian, but in the main
preaching its
own gospel ABOUT Christ, not the gospel OF Christ. The gospel OF Christ was
the gospel
Christ proclaimed. Jesus was a Messenger sent from God with a message, and
that message
was THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Christ's message was Christ's gospel -- the gospel OF
Christ. It
had not been proclaimed to the world until the first week in 1953, when for
the first time
in about 1,900 years -- a century of time cycles -- it went out on the world's
most
powerful radio station, Radio Luxembourg in Europe.
It seems that today all churches have lost the gospel of Jesus Christ. They
preach
primarily their gospel ABOUT Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. Yet few preach
about the
kingdom of God today, for they have lost all knowledge of what it is! But does
any, except
God's true Church, proclaim the true gospel of the kingdom of God today?
A prominent evangelist said to a worldwide radio audience that the gospel of
the kingdom
of God is not for us today. Some denominations proclaim a "gospel of
grace",
some what they call a "gospel of salvation"; most a gospel about
Christ; some a
social gospel; some the "Science of Mind" or "Religious
Science."
Not One Is Right!
Some churches claim either that their particular denomination, or
"Christianity"
as a whole, constitutes the kingdom of God. A prominent television evangelist
said,
"The kingdom of God is within you." Some have even quoted Luke
17:21: "The
kingdom of God is within you." The marginal correction as well as the
Revised
Standard, the Moffatt and other translations all show it should read, "in
the midst
of you" -- that is, Jesus Christ was in the midst of them. He is the King
of the
future kingdom of God, and the Bible in Daniel 7 and other places uses the
terms king and
kingdom interchangeably, that is, the king is, or represents, the kingdom he
rules.
Not one is right! Could anything seem more incredible? Yes, to the mind reared
in this
world's concepts, one thing is, indeed, still more incredible! And that is the
PLAIN TRUTH
about what the kingdom of God really is!
The truth is not merely surprising -- it is shocking -- staggering! It is a
Great Mystery!
Yet it is truly GOOD NEWS -- the most glorious GOOD NEWS ever to enter human
consciousness!
CHRIST'S Gospel
What is the one and only gospel of Jesus Christ? THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW! It
has not been
preached for 19 centuries, strange as that may seem. Look into your BIBLE.
Look at it from
the very beginning!
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ" you'll read in Mark
1:1. "Now
after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
GOSPEL OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is
at hand:
repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:14-15).
It is necessary to believe that GOSPEL to be saved! And how can you believe
it, unless you
know what it is? And for 1,900 years, the world did not know. That gospel was
suppressed
and replaced by man's gospel about Christ.
Jesus went everywhere preaching the GOOD NEWS of the KINGDOM OF GOD. He taught
in parables
about the KINGDOM OF GOD. He sent out seventy men preaching, and commanded
them to preach
THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Luke 10:9). He sent the apostles, on whom the Church of
God was
founded, to preach only THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Luke 9:1-2). After the
resurrection, before
ascending to heaven, Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom of God (Acts
1:3).
Isn't it amazing that the world has LOST the knowledge of what it is?
The apostle Paul preached THE KINGDOM OF GOD (Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31).
And God
Almighty, through Paul, pronounced a double curse on man or angel that would
DARE preach
any other gospel! (Gal. 1:8-9.)
Why, then, do so many DARE to preach so many other gospels? The good news of
THE KINGDOM
OF GOD is something you must understand, and BELlEVE, in order to be saved!
Jesus Christ
said so! You had better be finding out what it is!
That gospel -- the kingdom of God -- is the subject of this chapter. It
follows the
chapter on the mystery of the Church, because the kingdom of God follows the
Church. The
purpose of the Church, remember, is to prepare "called-out-ones" to
teach and to
rule in the kingdom of God.
Daniel Knew!
Haven't you heard men speak of the kingdom of God something like this:
"By Christians
everywhere working together to bring about world peace, tolerance and
brotherly love, the
kingdom of God may at last be established in the hearts of men."
Because they rejected Christ's gospel 1,900 years ago, the world had to
supplant something
else in its place. They had to invent a counterfeit! So we have heard the
kingdom of God
spoken of as merely a pretty platitude -- a nice sentiment in human hearts --
reducing it
to an ethereal, unreal NOTHING! Others have misrepresented that the
"CHURCH" is
the kingdom. Others confuse it with the millennium. Still others have, earlier
in our
century, claimed the British Empire is the kingdom of God. But no one makes
that claim any
longer. How DECEIVED CAN THIS WORLD GET?
The prophet Daniel, who lived 600 years before Christ, knew that the kingdom
of God was a
real kingdom -- a government ruling over literal PEOPLE on the earth.
Jesus Christ brought additional knowledge about it that the prophet Daniel
might not have
known. Still, Daniel knew there was going to be a real, literal kingdom of God
on the
earth.
Daniel was one of four extraordinary, intelligent and brilliant Jewish lads in
the Judean
captivity. These four men were stationed in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar
of the
Chaldean Empire, in training for special responsibilities in the Babylonian
government.
Daniel was a prophet who had been given special understanding in visions and
dreams (Dan.
1:17).
Nebuchadnezzar was the first real world ruler. He had conquered a vast empire,
including
the nation Judah. This king had a dream so impressive it troubled him -- moved
him to
tremendous concern. He demanded that his magicians, astrologers and sorcerers
tell him
both what he had dreamed, and what it meant. They could not. They were
baffled. Then
Daniel was brought before the king.
Daniel disclaimed any more human ability to interpret dreams than the Chaldean
magicians,
"BUT," he said, "there is a GOD in heaven that revealeth
secrets, and
maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days"
(Dan.
2:28).
First, God's purpose was to reveal to this world-ruling human king that there
is a GOD in
heaven -- that GOD IS SUPREME RULER over all nations, governments and kings --
that God
RULES THE UNIVERSE! It was God who placed the cherub Lucifer on the throne of
the earth
and Lucifer, who has become Satan the Devil, remains on earth's throne only
because God
allows it, and only until God sends Jesus Christ to sit on that throne when he
removes
Satan. This Chaldean king knew only about the many pagan demon gods. He knew
nothing of
the true living ALMIGHTY God. Like people and rulers, even today, he did not
know that GOD
is the living, REAL, active, RULING and GOVERNING PERSONAGE who actually and
literally
governs not only what is on earth, but the UNIVERSE ENTIRELY!
The whole purpose of this DREAM was to reveal GOD'S GOVERNMENT -- the fact
that God RULES
-- the truth of THE KINGDOM OF GOD -- the very thing that is the one and only
true GOSPEL
OF JESUS CHRIST! And, secondly, to reveal -- preserved in writing for us TODAY
-- what is
to happen "in the latter days" -- actually within the next two
decades -- THIS
LAST HALF OF THE TWENTIETH century!
For US, Today!
This is no dry, dull, dead writing for a people of 2,500 years ago. This is
LIVING,
TREMENDOUS, BIG NEWS for OUR DAY! It is advance news for us, NOW. News before
it happens
-- of the most colossal event of all earth's history certain to occur in your
lifetime --
during the very next few years!
This is THE TRUE Gospel! It is the very gospel Christ preached! It is intended
for you and
me TODAY! It is vital that you UNDERSTAND!
Read, in your own Bible, Daniel 2, verses 28 through 35. In his dream, this
king had seen
a vast statue -- larger than any image or statue ever built by man -- so
tremendous it was
terrifying, even in a dream. Its head was of fine gold, its breast and arms of
silver, the
belly and thighs of brass, legs of solid iron, feet a mixture of iron and
clay.
There was a time element. Nebuchadnezzar had viewed it until a supernatural
STONE came
from heaven, smashing the statue on its feet. Then the whole of the statue
broke into
small pieces, and was actually blown away by the wind -- it disappeared! Then
this STONE
expanded miraculously and quickly became a great MOUNTAIN -- so great it
filled the whole
earth!
What did it mean? Did it have meaning? Yes, because this was God's doing.
Unlike ordinary
dreams, this one was caused by God to convey the message of God's sovereignty
to
Nebuchadnezzar -- and, because it is part of the written Word of God, to us
today -- to
reveal important facts of the TRUE GOSPEL!
"This is the dream," said Daniel (verse 36), "and we will tell
the
interpretation thereof before the king."
This, then, is GOD'S interpretation. It is decidedly not Herbert W.
Armstrong's
interpretation. Men ought never to interpret the Bible. The Bible gives us
GOD'S OWN
INTERPRETATION! Here it is:
"Thou, O king, art a king of kings" -- he was the first real WORLD
RULER over a
world empire! "... for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom,
power, and
strength, and glory." God was revealing himself to this human world-
dictator as the
MOST HIGH Ruler over all.
People today, like this Chaldean king, seem not to think of God as a RULER --
as the
Supreme One who Governs -- as the Head of GOVERNMENT. The Eternal was
revealing himself
through Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar and through the Bible to you and to me TODAY
-- as a
SOVEREIGN, ALL POWERFUL, GOVERNING GOD who is to be obeyed!
"Thou," continued Daniel to this human emperor, "art this head
of gold. And
after thee shall arise another KINGDOM inferior to thee, and another third
KINGDOM of
brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth" (verses 37-39).
What IS a Kingdom?
Notice! This is speaking of KINGDOMS. It is referring to Kingdoms that bear
rule over the
people on earth. It is speaking of Governments! It is not speaking of ethereal
sentiments
"set up in the hearts of men." It is not speaking of churches. It is
speaking of
the kind of GOVERNMENTS that bear RULE and AUTHORITY over nations of PEOPLE
here on earth.
It is literal. It is specific. There is no misunderstanding, here, as to what
is meant by
the word kingdom.
There is no misunderstanding the interpretation. GOD gives his own
interpretation through
the prophet Daniel. The great metallic image represented national and
international
GOVERNMENTS -- real, literal KINGDOMS.
It represented a succession of world-ruling governments. First was the head of
gold. That
represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom -- the Chaldean Empire. After him -
- later, in
time sequence -- was to come a second, then a third KINGDOM "which shall
bear RULE
over all the earth" -- world empire!
Then, verse 40, the legs of iron represent a fourth world empire. It was to be
strong,
even as iron is strong -- stronger militarily than its predecessors. Yet, as
silver is
less valuable than gold, brass than silver, iron than brass, though each metal
was harder
and stronger, the succession would deteriorate morally and spiritually. The
two legs meant
the fourth empire would be divided.
After the Chaldean Empire came the still larger Persian Empire, then the
Greco-Macedonian,
and fourth, the Roman Empire. It was divided, with capitals at Rome and
Constantinople.
Now -- verse 44! Read it! Get your Bible. See it with your own eyes in your
own Bible.
Here, in PLAIN LANGUAGE, is God's explanation of what the KINGDOM OF GOD IS:
"And in the days of these kings ..." -- it is here speaking of the
ten toes,
part of iron and part of brittle clay. This, by connecting the prophecy with
Daniel 7, and
Revelation 13 and 17, is referring to the new UNITED STATES OF EUROPE that is
now forming,
out of the European Common Market, before your very eyes! Revelation 17:12
makes plain the
detail that it shall be a union of TEN KINGS OR KINGDOMS that (Rev. 17:8)
shall resurrect
the old ROMAN EMPIRE.
So, mark carefully the time element! "In the days of these kings" --
in the days
of these ten nations or groups of nations that shall, IN OUR TIME, resurrect
briefly the
Roman Empire -- notice what shall happen:
"... shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed ... but
it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
for
ever"!
Yes, in OUR TIME!
Now here we have described FOUR universal world empires -- the only four that
ever
existed! Revelation 13 and 17 show that, after the fall of the original Roman
Empire,
there would be ten revivals -- SEVEN of which would be ruled over by a gentile
CHURCH --
the "daughter" of ancient BABYLON -- a church claiming to be
Christian, but
actually named by God "MYSTERY, BABYLON the great" -- or, more
plainly,
BABYLONIAN MYSTERIES!
Six of those have come and gone. The seventh is now forming -- the last,
final, brief
resurrection of the Roman Empire by ten European groups or nations. These are
revealed in
Daniel 2 as the ten toes of iron and clay mixed.
In their days -- and they shall last but a very short space, possibly no more
than two to
three-and-a-half years -- shall the GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM that shall
never be
destroyed.
This, then, shall be THE KINGDOM OF GOD!
Compare with Revelation 17. Here is pictured a church. Not a small church -- a
GREAT
church. She rules over "many waters" (verse 1), which are described
in verse 15
as different nations speaking different languages. She posed as the Church of
GOD -- which
Scripture says (Eph. 5:23; Rev. 19:7; Matt. 25:1-10; etc.) is the affianced
"bride" of CHRIST, to be spiritually MARRIED to him at his Second
COMING.
But she has committed fornication. How? By having direct political union with
HUMAN
GOVERNMENTS of THIS WORLD! She "sat on" (Rev. 17:3) all seven of
these
resurrections of the Roman Empire -- called the "Holy Roman Empire."
She RULED
OVER the human kingdoms -- as a common-law and unmarried "wife"
ruling her
paramour "husband" -- a totally unnatural and ungodly relationship.
She is, therefore, to "sit on" this last "head of the
Beast" -- this
final resurrection of the Roman Empire It will be a union of church and state.
It is to
endure but a very short time. It is to FIGHT AGAINST CHRIST at HIS SECOND
COMING! That
will be its END.
We see it in process of rising, now. (The members of the European Common
Market are
probably not the same ten that will resurrect the Holy Roman Empire.)
Therefore we are
CLOSE to the coming of Christ! We are now very near the END of this world!
Christ to Rule All Nations
When Christ comes, he is coming as KING of kings, ruling the whole earth (Rev.
19:11-16);
and HIS KINGDOM -- the KINGDOM OF GOD -- said Daniel, is to CONSUME all these
worldly
kingdoms.
Revelation 11:15 states it in these words: "The kingdoms of this world
are become THE
KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; and he shall reign for ever and
ever"!
This is THE KINGDOM OF GOD. It is the END of present governments -- yes, and
even the
United States and the British nations. They then shall become the kingdoms --
the
GOVERNMENTS -- of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, then KING of kings over the entire
earth.
This makes completely PLAIN the fact that the KINGDOM OF GOD is a literal
GOVERNMENT. Even
as the Chaldean Empire was a KINGDOM -- even as the Roman Empire was a KINGDOM
-- so the
KINGDOM OF GOD is a government. It is to take over the GOVERNMENT of the
NATIONS of the
world.
Jesus Christ was BORN to be a KING -- a RULER!
When he stood, on trial for his life, before Pilate, "Pilate therefore
said unto him,
Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this
end was I
born, and for this cause came I into the world." But Jesus also said to
Pilate:
"My kingdom is not of this world" -- (John 18:37, 36). How amazing -
- what a
tragedy -- that in church services and gospel preaching today, one seldom, if
ever, hears
of Christ as a coming king and world ruler. Spiritual principalities and
powers of evil
(Eph. 6:12) are ruling the world today. It is these earthly governments of
Satan that will
be destroyed and replaced by Christ at his Second Coming. Christ's kingdom is
of THE WORLD
Tomorrow!
Have you not read what the angel proclaimed to Mary, the mother of Jesus,
prior to his
birth? Jesus told Pilate he was born to become a KING. The angel of God said
to Mary:
"... thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt
call his name
JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God
shall give unto him the THRONE of his father David: and he shall reign over
the house of
Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be NO END" (Luke 1:31-33).
Why do the churches of this world never mention any of these scriptures?
Millions have
attended churches all their lives and never heard any of these scriptures
about Christ
becoming a king or about the coming kingdom of God.
These scriptures tell you PLAINLY that GOD is supreme RULER. They tell you in
plainest
language that Jesus was born to be a KING -- that he is going to RULE ALL
NATIONS -- that
his kingdom shall rule eternally.
But all this is only part of the fantastic, amazing, actually SHOCKING TRUTH
about the
KINGDOM OF GOD.
The KINGDOM OF GOD will rule over the peoples and nations of the earth. Yet
these mortal
peoples and nations will NOT be the kingdom, not even in the kingdom of God.
They shall be
merely RULED OVER BY IT!
How Utopia Will Come!
But now let's be specific. Let's see just how tomorrow's utopia is to be
ushered in.
Remember, this wonderful world-state will not be achieved all at once.
Every major step of these soon-coming events is laid bare before our eyes in
biblical
prophecy.
The same Jesus Christ who walked over the hills and valleys of the Holy Land
and the
streets of Jerusalem more than 1,900 years ago is coming again. He said he
would come
again. After he was crucified, God raised him from the dead after three days
and three
nights (Matt. 12:40; Acts 2:32; I Cor. 15:3-4). He ascended to the Throne of
God,
Headquarters of the Government of the Universe (Acts 1:9-11; Heb. 1:3; 8:1;
10:12; Rev.
3:21).
He is the "nobleman" of the parable, who went to the Throne of God -
- the
"far country" -- to be coronated as King of kings over all nations,
and then to
return to earth (Luke 19:12-27).
Again, he is in heaven until the "times of restitution of all
things" (Acts
3:19-21). Restitution means restoring to a former state or condition. In this
case, the
restoring of God's government on earth, and thus, the restoring of world
peace, and
utopian conditions.
Present world turmoil, escalating wars and contentions will climax in world
trouble so
great that, unless God intervenes, no human flesh would be saved alive (Matt.
24:22). At
its very climax when delay would result in blasting all life from off this
planet, Jesus
Christ will return. This time he is coming as divine God. He is coming in all
the power
and glory of the universe-ruling Creator. (Matt. 24:30; 25:31.) He is coming
as "King
of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16), to establish world super-
government and
rule all nations "with a rod of iron" (Rev. 19:15; 12:5). Why do the
professing
Christian churches omit all these scriptures about Christ coming and of his
ruling the
earth? Jesus' very gospel was that of the kingdom of God he shall then
establish on earth.
The millions of church members have never heard these scriptures or the actual
gospel of
Jesus Christ.
Think of it. The glorified Christ -- coming in all the splendor, the
supernatural power
and the glory of God Almighty -- coming to save mankind alive -- coming to
stop escalating
wars, nuclear mass destruction, human pain and suffering -- coming to usher in
peace,
abundant well-being, happiness and joy for all mankind. But will he be
welcomed by the
nations?
World famous scientists now say frankly that the only hope for survival on
earth is a
supreme world-ruling government, controlling all military power. They admit
that is
impossible for man to accomplish. Christ is coming to give us just that.
But will he be welcome?
A leading American news weekly gave the following surprising appraisal of
man's only hope:
The once optimistic hope of Americans, the article said, for a well-ordered
and stable
world, is fading. Expenditures close to a trillion dollars have failed to
provide
stability. Rather conditions have worsened. This appraisal indicated that
among officials,
the prevailing view is gaining acceptance that tensions and world problems are
becoming
too deep-seated to be solved "except by a strong hand from
someplace."
"A strong hand from someplace." God Almighty is going to send a very
strong Hand
from "someplace" to save humanity!
Christ Unwelcome?
But will humanity shout with joy, and welcome him in frenzied ecstasy and
enthusiasm? Will
even the churches of traditional Christianity?
They will not! They will believe, because the false ministers of Satan (II
Cor. 11:13-15)
have deceived them, that he is the Antichrist. The churches and the nations
will be angry
at his coming (Rev. 11:15 with 11:18), and the military forces will actually
attempt to
fight him to destroy him (Rev. 17:14)!
The nations will be engaged in the climactic battle of the coming World War
III, with the
battle front at Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-2) and then Christ will return. In
supernatural
power he will "fight against those nations" that fight against him
(verse 3). He
will totally defeat them (Rev. 17:14)! "His feet shall stand in that day
upon the
mount of Olives," a very short distance to the east of Jerusalem (Zech.
14:4).
How Nations Will Submit
When the glorified all-powerful Christ first comes again to earth, the nations
will be
angry. The military forces gathered at Jerusalem will try to fight him! I said
"try." But far more powerful armies follow Christ from heaven -- all
the holy
angels (Rev. 19:14, identified in Matt. 25:31).
Want to see a description of that battle -- and what will happen to those
hostile human
armies?
In Revelation 17, the armies of the now-rising United States of Europe -- the
resurrected
Roman Emperor referred to in verse 14: "These shall make war with the
Lamb [Christ],
and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings
...."
But how will he overcome them? We find that in the 14th chapter of Zechariah:
"And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the
people [armies]
that have fought against Jerusalem; their flesh shall consume away while they
stand upon
their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue
shall
consume away in their mouth" (Zech. 14:12).
Perhaps it is even plainer in the Revised Standard Version: "And this
shall be the
plague with which the Lord will smite all the peoples that wage war against
Jerusalem:
their flesh shall rot while they are still on their feet, their eyes shall rot
in their
sockets, and their tongues shall rot in their mouths."
This rotting of their flesh off their bones will happen almost instantaneously
-- while
they are still on their feet.
What a divine retribution against armies that will fight against Christ. What
a
demonstration of the divine power with which the glorified Christ will rule
all nations.
Rebellion against God's law and God's rule must, and speedily will be, put
down.
Can you realize that every unhappiness, every evil that has come to humanity,
has been the
result of transgressing God's law?
If no one ever had any other god before the true God; if all children were
reared to
honor, respect and obey their parents, and all parents reared their children
in God's
ways; if no one ever allowed the spirit of murder to enter his heart, if there
were no
wars, no killing of humans by humans; if all marriages were kept happy and
there were no
transgressions of chastity before or after marriage; if all had so much
concern for the
good and welfare of others that no one would steal -- and we could throw away
all locks,
keys and safes; if everyone told the truth -- everyone's word were good --
everyone were
honest; if no one ever coveted what was not rightfully his, but had so much
outgoing
concern for the welfare of others that he really believed it is more blessed
to give than
to receive -- what a happy world we would have!
In such a world, with all loving and worshiping God with all their minds,
hearts and
strength -- with all having concern for the welfare of all others equal to
concern for
self -- there would be no divorce -- no broken homes or families, no juvenile
delinquency,
no crime, no jails or prisons, no police except for peaceful direction and
supervision as
a public service for all, no wars, no military establishments.
But, further, God has set in motion physical laws that operate in our bodies
and minds, as
well as the spiritual law. There would be no sickness, ill health, pain or
suffering.
There would be, on the contrary, vigorous, vibrant good health, filled with
dynamic
interest in life, enthusiastic interest in constructive activities bringing
happiness and
joy. There would be cleanliness, vigorous activity, real progress, no slums,
no degenerate
backward races or areas of earth.
Resurrected Saints
As the resurrected Christ ascended to heaven in clouds, so he shall return to
earth in
clouds (Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:30). Just as he is returning (I Thess. 4:14-17),
the dead in
Christ -- those who have received and been led by God's Holy Spirit (Rom.
8:11, 14) --
will rise in a gigantic resurrection, made immortal -- including all the
prophets of old
(Luke 13:28). Those who have the Spirit of God, then living, shall be
instantaneously
changed from mortal to immortal (I Cor. 15:50-54) and, together with those
resurrected,
shall rise to meet the descending glorified Jesus Christ (I Thess. 4:17) in
the clouds in
the air.
They shall be with him, where he is, forever (John 14:3). They shall -- with
him -- come
down out of the clouds, and stand with him, therefore, that very same day, on
the Mount of
Olives (Zech. 14:4-5).
These changed, converted saints, now made immortal, will then rule the nations
-- nations
of mortals -- under Christ (Dan. 7:22; Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21).
Satan Removed at Last!
This most glorious event in all earth's history -- the supernatural majestic
descent to
earth, in the clouds, of the glorified all-powerful Christ -- will at long
last put an end
to the subtile, deceitful, invisible rule of Satan.
The coming of Christ in supreme glory as King of kings and Lord of lords is
recorded in
Revelation 19. But what other great event will have to take place before there
can be
peace, HAPPINESS and JOY on the earth? SATAN the devil will have to be removed
from the
throne of the earth.
But in Revelation 20:1-3, the advance news is recorded: "And I saw an
angel come down
from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. And he
laid hold on ... that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound
him a thousand
years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal
upon him,
that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be
fulfilled:
and after that he must be loosed a little season."
The day of man, swayed, deceived, misled by Satan for 6,000 years, will be
over.
No longer will Satan be able to broadcast through the air into the spirit in
man. No
longer shall he be able to inject into unsuspecting humans his satanic nature
-- which we
have been misled into calling "human nature."
Human Nature Not to Disappear at Once
But that does not mean that the acquired satanic attitude will disappear from
human minds
immediately. The multiplied millions shall have acquired it. And even though
Satan will
then be restrained from continuing to broadcast it, what has been acquired as
habit will
not be automatically removed.
Yet God has made us humans free moral agents. He has given us control over our
own minds,
except as we may be blinded by Satan's pull of evil by deception.
But no longer will earth's mortal humans be deceived! Now the all-powerful
Christ, and the
immortal saints ruling under him, will begin removing the scales that have
blinded human
minds.
That is why I say complete utopia cannot be ushered in all at once. Multiple
millions will
still hold to the attitude of rebellion -- of vanity, lust and greed. But with
Christ's
coming shall begin the process of re-education -- of opening deceived minds --
of
undeceiving minds, and bringing them to a voluntary repentance.
From the time of Christ's supernatural takeover, and Satan's banishment, God's
law and the
word of the Eternal shall go forth from Zion, spreading over the whole earth
(Isa. 2:3).
The 6,000-year sentence God placed on Adam's world, of being cut off from God,
will be
ended. Christ will begin calling all mortals on earth to repentance and
spiritual
salvation! God's Holy Spirit shall flow out from Jerusalem (Zech. 14:8).
What glory! A new day shall have dawned. Peace shall soon come. Men shall turn
from the
way of "get" to the way of "give" -- God's way of love.
A NEW CIVILIZATION shall now grip the earth! But what kind of a new world
tomorrow will
from then be developed? In Isaiah 2:2-4 and in Micah 4:1-3 it says: "And
it shall
come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be
established
in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all
nations shall
flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to
the mountain
of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his
ways, and we
shall walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word
of the Lord
from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many
people: 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 any
more."
Think of it! No more wars. No fear of man or beast. World peace at last.
Something will
have to cause that peace. The law of God, which a professed
"Christianity"
teaches was done away, shall go out from Jerusalem and the earth will be as
full of the
knowledge of God's way of life as the ocean beds are full of water.
Even the wild animals will be tamed and at peace: "The wolf also shall
dwell with the
lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young
lion and the
fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear
shall feed;
their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like
the ox. And
the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child
shall put his
hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain: for
the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea"
(Isa. 11:6-9).
Now picture the changed conditions!
Look now at the solved problems!
See, now, a glimpse into a world of no illiteracy, no poverty, no famine and
starvation,
into a world where crime decreases rapidly, people learn honesty, chastity,
human kindness
and happiness -- a world of peace, prosperity, abundant well-being.
The Population Explosion Solved
God predicts vast reforms everywhere in the wonderful utopian era he says will
soon break
out on this earth.
Can you imagine it? A world of great strides in solving the most crucial
problems facing
mankind.
Today -- the greatest and most awesome problem of all is the population
explosion. Growing
populations in all nations are rapidly outstripping the ability of the world
to sustain
them.
And the areas of the greatest rise in population are the underdeveloped parts
of the world
-- the "have-not" nations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and
superstition.
Remember, not more than 10 percent of the earth's surface is tillable, or
arable, land.
And now the latest UN figures indicate the world will double in population in
about 34
short years.
The daily, ominous pressure of people is one of the truly incomprehensible
problems today.
But God has the solution, and how simple it is. Simply make most of the earth
cultivatable. Reduce the bare, snow-swept and craggy mountains, raise up some
of the deep,
arid desert valleys, change the world weather patterns. Make all the deserts
green and
fertile. Open up huge slices of the earth, like the Kalahari Desert, the Lake
Chad basin
and the Sahara in Africa, the Gobi Desert in Asia, and the great American
deserts. Make
green and verdant the vast wastes of Mongolia, Siberia, Saudi Arabia and much
of the
Western U.S.
Thaw out the deep ice packs and snowdrifts, the permafrost and tundra from the
vast,
almost limitless expanses of Antarctica, North America, Greenland, Northern
Europe and
Siberia. Make level the awesome Pamir Knot, the huge giants of the Himalayas,
the Atlas,
Taurus, Pyrenees, Rockies, Sierras and Hindu Kush -- level the immense sweep
of the Andes,
and all the other forbidding, towering, virtually uninhabitable mountains of
earth.
Then, provide good, gentle rainfall, in right balance, just at the right
season.
And what happens?
Multiple millions of acres of unbelievably fertile, productive, wonderful
farmland
suddenly become available -- just waiting to be discovered, and pioneered.
Impossible? In
the hands of man -- certainly.
But look what God promises. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of
Israel; I will
help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth:
thou shalt
thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
Thou shalt
fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter
them: and
thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue
faileth for
thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will NOT forsake them.
I will open
rivers in high places, and fountains [artesian wells] in the midst of the
valleys: I will
make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
"I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah [acacia] tree, and
the myrtle,
and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the
box tree
[cypress] together: that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand
together,
that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath
created it"
(Isa. 41:14-20).
Pure Water -- Fertile Deserts
Can you imagine such a fabulous scene? Deserts becoming green, fertile, garden
lands of
trees, shrubs, bubbling springs and brooks; mountains brought low, and made
inhabitable.
Notice how God describes these conditions in many parts of the Bible.
"Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb
sing: for in the
wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched
ground shall
become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of
dragons
[jackals], where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes" (Isa.
35:6-7).
Read the whole 35th chapter of Isaiah.
God says: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them;
and the
desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice
even with joy and singing ..." (verses 1-2).
Some years ago, in a dry, dusty canyon deep in the profusion of hills between
Bakersfield
and Los Angeles, California, a minor earthquake struck. The proprietors of a
small resort,
now almost totally ignored, and nearly always deserted because of the parched
conditions
of the area, were considering closing up and moving elsewhere.
Suddenly, a groaning, jolting earthquake rippled through the arid hills. Not
long after
the earth rocked and groaned beneath their feet, they heard a faint gurgling
sound. They
ran to the dry, dusty creek bed that coursed through their property -- and
were utterly
amazed to see water flowing swiftly along. As the creek gradually cleared up,
they found
the water to be crystal clear and pure -- sweet and refreshing to drink.
Needless to say, their business picked up again.
Somehow, the earthquake had broken open an underground water source, sending
it cascading
through their property.
Think about the vast wastes of this earth. Does it sound incredible,
unbelievable that God
could make them blossom like a rose? Why should it?
The mountains were formed. Great forces caused gigantic upheavals, or huge
cracks and
slippages in the crust of the earth. Massive blocks of granite lunged up into
the sky --
the earth rocking and reeling in the throes of the greatest earthquakes in its
history.
Mountains were made -- they didn't just happen.
The God of all power, who formed the hills and mountains (Amos 4:13; Ps.
90:2), will
reform them -- will reshape the surface of this earth.
Read of the huge earthquakes yet to come that will directly accomplish much of
the
rehabilitation of the land surfaces. (See Revelation 16:18; Zechariah 14:4.)
God says,
"The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt ..." (Nah. 1:15).
Land Beneath Sea Reclaimed
Man recognizes much of the wealth of the world lies beneath the seas. Oil,
gold, silver,
and dozens of minerals -- these all remain unobtainable today, lying untapped
deep under
the vast oceans. Also, seawater contains a great deal of gold and most of the
world's gold
supplies are under the oceans.
Many areas of the earth are ravaged by tidal action -- by the ceaseless
pounding of the
surf that gradually wears away additional land. The lowlands of Europe,
Holland in
particular, consist to quite an extent of land reclaimed from the sea.
Think of the multiple millions of additional acres available to mankind if
some of the
world's oceans were reduced in size. And God says they shall be! Notice it,
"And the
Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty
wind shall
he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and
make men go
over dry shod" (Isa. 11:15).
Sounds incredible -- but it's true!
When Jesus Christ becomes the great Ruler of this earth, he will use that
great power. In
vision, John saw the angels praising Christ at his coming to rule this earth.
They said: "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and
wast, and art to
come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned"
(Rev.
11:17).
The combined force of right education about true health, and healing of all
sickness, when
it is repented of, will mean perfect, utopian health.
Notice how God describes it.
"But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and
streams;
wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
For the
Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will
save us.
"And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell
therein shall be
forgiven their iniquity" (Isa. 33:21-22, 24).
Listen to this wonderful promise: "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and
confirm the
feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not:
behold, your
God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and
save you. Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be
unstopped. Then
shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing.. ."
(Isa.
35:3-6)
God describes the rewards for obedience to his laws of mercy and love. Notice
Isaiah 58:8:
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall
spring forth
speedily ...."
Happiness in Health
In describing the conditions of good health and plenty to be ushered in upon
the earth,
God says, "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of
thy wounds
..." (Jer. 30:17).
"Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow
together to
the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the
young of the
flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they
shall not
sorrow any more at all.
"Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old
together: for I
will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them
rejoice from their
sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people
shall be
satisfied with my goodness, saith the [Eternal]" (Jer. 31:12-14).
And why not have good health?
Why should we be so willing to believe such a perfect state of health and joy
is
impossible? Why are all these scriptures ignored by professing Christian
preaching?
Instead they picture going to heaven with idleness and ease and no
accomplishment.
There are blessings for observing the laws of health -- absolute guarantees
good health
will result -- and that sickness and disease will become in the third and
fourth
generations a thing of the past.
Notice what God promised his people: "... if thou shalt hearken
diligently unto the
voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I
command thee
this day ... all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if
thou shalt
hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.
"Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the
field. Blessed
shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of
thy cattle,
the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy
basket and thy
store" (Deut. 28: 1-5) .
Also, God shows individual races returning to their own lands, repopulating
them. "He
shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and
bud, and fill
the face of the world with fruit" (Isa. 27:6).
God says the wastes will be rebuilt.
"For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be
tilled and
sown: and I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of
it: and the
cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: and I will
multiply upon you
man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you
after your
old estates ..." (Ezek. 36:9-11).
Read the whole chapter of Ezekiel 36. God says: "... I will also cause
you to dwell
in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded .... This land that was
desolate is become
like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are
become fenced,
and are inhabited" (verses 33, 35).
And what about all other nations?
Notice: "In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt [Egypt still
exists as a
nation] to Assyria [many of whose people migrated centuries ago to north
central Europe --
modern Germany], and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into
Assyria,
and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be
the third
with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: whom
the Lord of
hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of
my hands,
and Israel mine inheritance" (Isa. 19:23-25).
Total Literacy
Think what an almost unbelievable step forward it would be, if all nations and
peoples
everywhere spoke, and read, and wrote the same language.
But today, vast areas of the earth do not even possess a written language.
Millions upon
millions are illiterate -- cannot read or write, even their own names.
Once the returning Christ conquers this earth, he will usher in an era of
total literacy,
total education -- and give the world one, new, pure language.
This subject by itself needs a book to describe. The whole literary processes
of the whole
earth changed. Today, all languages are corrupt. They are literally filled
with pagan,
heathen terms -- superstition -- misnomers -- exceptions to rules -- peculiar
idioms.
God says: "For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they
may all call
upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent" (Zeph. 3:9).
Think of the new era of good literature, good music, and of the avoiding of
duplicated
effort, misunderstandings through linguistic difficulties and thousands of
painstaking
hours of translations. What an age it will be, when all the world becomes
truly educated
-- and speaks the same language.
What about the Economic Structure?
God shows Jerusalem will become the financial capital, as well as the
spiritual capital,
of earth.
The Creator says, of the newly built city: "Then thou shalt see, and flow
together,
and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea
[the world's
gold and silver reserves are mostly under the seas] shall be converted unto
thee, the
forces [wealth, margin] of the Gentiles shall come unto thee" (Isa.
60:5).
But, as we've read, God Almighty says he'll raise many places now covered by
waters of the
oceans; that he'll make much more land available. Scientists know most of the
earth's raw
materials lie in the strata beneath the depths of the seas.
God says this vast wealth will become available for use during the reign of
Jesus Christ
on this earth.
God says the wealth of the world will be centered in Jerusalem, and that the
vast
rebuilding programs, rehabilitation processes and new-age pioneering that
begin will be
backed by that wealth.
"... Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and
the earth, and
the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire
[desirable things,
margin] of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,
saith the Lord
of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of
hosts" (Hag.
2:6-8). But God's great treasury will be for public display. No gold bricks,
reposing in
deep, subterranean vaults -- utterly useless except for their meaning -- no
fear of
thievery, or robbery. But breathtakingly beautiful decorations for the capital
building,
the Temple in which Christ will dwell.
A fixed standard will be set up, and values will never change. No more
speculating or
gambling on other people's ability.
Never again will any person become rich from investing in the labors and
creative ability
of another person. No more stock markets, world banks, financing centers,
insurance
companies, mortgage companies, loan agencies, or time payments.
In God's abundant government people will buy only what they need, when they
can afford it,
when they have the cash to pay for it. No more interest. And no more taxes.
The Tithing System
But the tithing system will be universal. Today's governments demand up to 40,
50, and
even 90 percent in inheritance taxes, income taxes, hidden taxes; federal,
state, county,
school board and city taxes.
But God requires only ten percent. And out of that ten percent will be
financed the entire
governmental, educational and spiritual leadership of the whole earth.
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we
robbed thee?
[And God answers] In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye
have robbed
me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that
there may be
meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I
will not open
you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not
be room
enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:8-10). That's a prophecy for now.
And what a blessing that will be. None of the financial burdens that curse
most peoples
today.
God says financial blessings are to become the order of the day.
Take away thievery, robbery, accidents, weather damage, rust, rot and decay,
from plants,
stores, manufacturing concerns. How much less could merchandise then sell for
-- and at
how much greater profits?
The Weather Patterns
Take away weather problems, insect damage, blight and fungus from farmers --
losses
through government price controls and over flooding of markets -- and what
would be their
lot in life?
God will accomplish these things. Our God is a multibillionaire heavenly
Father. "The
gold is mine," he says (Hag. 2:8).
And God wants every child of his to truly prosper. "Beloved, I wish above
all things
that thou mayest prosper and be in health ..." (III John 2). Christ said,
"I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly" (John
10:10).
God wants fullness, abundance in every life. But look at the material
"successes" you've known. How truly happy are they? As J. Paul
Getty, one of the
world's richest men, is reputed to have said, "I'd give all my millions
for just one
happy marriage!"
In God's kingdom, commands of his will be obeyed. They'll become the standard
for
regulating commerce, business, finance, and the entire economic structure of
the world.
And all will be on the giving basis. Christ said: "Give, and it shall be
given unto
you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall
men give
into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you
again" (Luke 6:38).
The giving standard will be followed in God's rule on this earth -- not the
grasping,
conniving, striving, deceitful, clandestine, furtive, scurrilous, devious,
cheating and
lying chicanery that is commonplace in today's business world.
But when God converts rebellious mankind by the display of his mighty power --
when he
brings to pass his promise: "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall
bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God" (Rom. 14:11), when he humbles the
vain, proud
spirit of man -- then man will be made willing to give.
And until God breaks the haughty spirit of man (Isa. 2:10-12, 17) -- the
peoples of earth
will not be ready to accept such a wonderful, loving, generous, honest, giving
standard
for the whole economy.
It would require a thick book to begin to describe the wonderful conditions
that could
prevail on this earth -- and that will finally prevail, when the human heart
is humbled,
converted -- given the very nature of God (II Pet. 1:4).
Never again will anyone build a building he can't afford, and doesn't need, to
lease and
rent to tenants who help him pay for it. No more interest. God says it is sin
to lend
money at "usury" or interest.
Once each fifty years, all debts, public and private, will be canceled,
completely.
Economy of the World Healed
Since governments will be in the hands of the spiritual family of God, and
partially
administered by those human leaders directly under that great ruling family --
and since
there will be no huge bureaus watching other huge bureaus, which are
suspiciously watching
other bureaus; no military establishment; no "intelligence" (spy)
agencies or
members of Interpol; no huge cartels, monopolies, unions, or giant government
spending --
the economy of the world will be healed.
Think of it. No more foreign aid -- none of the wasted billions to buy
"lovers"
(allies) (Ezek. 23:9, 22; Lam. 1:2, 19; Ezekiel, 16th chapter) who turn and
rend you
later. No more strings-attached government grants to industry, to science and
space
technology, to schools and institutions for research.
Instead, every necessary industry, educational institution, and business will
be in sound
financial condition. What a world that will be!
Tomorrow's World Governmental Structure
Now notice just how the new world government will function during the next
thousand years.
It will not be so-called democracy. It will not be socialism. It will not be
communism or
fascism. It will not be human monarchy, oligarchy or plutocracy. It will not
be man's
government over man. Man has proven his utter incapability of ruling himself.
It will be divine government -- theocracy -- the government of God ruling over
humans. It
will not be government from the bottom up. The people will have no votes. It
will not be
government of or by the people -- but it will be government for the people. It
will be
government from the top (God Almighty) down. It will be hierarchy in form.
There will be no election campaigns. No campaign fund-raising dinners. No
dirty political
campaigns, where each candidate attempts to put himself forward in the most
favorable
light, defaming, denouncing, discrediting his opponents' No time will be
wasted in
mudslinging campaigns in the lust for power.
No human will be given any government office. All in government service will
then be
divine Spirit beings, in the kingdom of God -- the God family.
All officials will be appointed -- and by the divine Christ, who reads and
knows men's
hearts, their inner character, and abilities or lack of ability. You'll find a
description
of Christ's supernatural insight into the very character of others in Isaiah
11:2-5.
Notice it: "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and
understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of
the fear of
the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding ... and he shall not judge
after the
sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears [hearsay]:
but with
righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of
the earth
..." (Isa. 11:2-4).
Remember, God is the Supreme One who is love -- who gives -- who rules with
outgoing
concern for the ruled. He will rule for the highest good of the people. The
most able, the
most righteous, those best fitted for office will be placed in all offices of
responsibility and power.
There will then be two kinds of beings on earth -- humans, being ruled by
those made
divine. Some resurrected saints will rule over ten cities, some over five
(Luke 19:17-19).
Think of it -- no money wasted on political campaigns. No splits in political
parties with
quarreling and hatreds. No political parties!
What Is the New Covenant?
In short, under the New Covenant, which Christ is coming to usher in, what we
shall see on
earth is happiness, peace, abundance and justice for all. Did you ever read
just what this
New Covenant will consist of? Did you suppose it will do away with God's law?
Exactly the
opposite. "For this is the covenant [that Christ is coming to establish,
you'll read
in Hebrews 8:10] ... I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in
their hearts
...."
When God's laws are in our hearts -- when we love God's ways, and in our
hearts want to
live by them, human nature will be put under subjection -- people will want to
live the
way that causes peace, happiness, abundance, joyful well-being!
But remember, the humans remaining on the earth after Christ's return -- ruled
then by
Christ and those resurrected or changed to immortality -- will themselves
still have human
nature. They will be still unconverted.
Two Courses of Action
But Christ and the governing kingdom of God, then set up as the governing
family, will
bring about the coming utopia by two basic courses of action.
1) All crime and organized rebellion will be put down by force -- divine
supernatural
force.
2) Christ will then set his hand to reeducate and to save or spiritually
convert the
world.
Notice, first, how the social and religious customs will be changed by divine
force.
God gave seven annual Festivals and Holy Days he commanded to be observed.
They contained
great and important meaning. They pictured God's master plan for working out
his purpose
for humanity. They were established forever. Jesus observed them, setting us
an example.
The apostles observed them (Acts 18:21; 20:6, 16; I Cor. 5:8; 16:8). The true,
Original
Church -- including gentile converts -- kept them.
They were God's way -- God's customs for his people. But people rejected God's
ways and
customs, and turned, instead, to the ways and customs of the pagan religions.
People did
what seemed right to themselves. And since human minds in this world have been
hostile
against God (Rom. 8:7), attitudes of hostility against God's way of life have
prevailed.
The ways that seem right to a man have been ways contrary to the ways that
produce peace,
happiness and abundant living. These same wrong ways seem right to most people
today! We
realize they seem right -- not wrong -- to most who will be reading these
words.
But can we realize that "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man,
but the end
thereof are the ways of death"? (Prov. 14:12). And if you turn to
Proverbs 16:25 you
will see the same thing repeated: "There is a way that seemeth right unto
a man, but
the end thereof are the ways of death."
God said through Moses: "Ye shall not do after all the things that we do
here this
day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes" (Deut. 12:8). And
again:
"Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them [pagan
religious
customs] ... and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these
nations
serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the
Lord thy God:
for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their
gods
..." (Deut. 12:30-31).
Today the professing Christian world rejects God's Holy Days; holy to him, but
which a
deceived "Christianity" hates. They observe instead the pagan days -
- Christmas,
New Year's, Easter, and others -- "which God hateth"! Many know and
confess that
these are pagan -- but they argue, "We don't observe these in worshiping
the pagan
gods, we use their customs in worshiping Christ and the true God."
That is the way that "seemeth right" to people. They may not mean
any wrong.
They are deceived. A deceived man doesn't know he is wrong. He thinks he is
right. He may
be as sincere as those who have found God's way and obey it. Yet God says he
will not
accept that kind of observance or worship. It is an abomination to him --
"which he
hateth."
But it is those who have been deceived, whose eyes God will open to his truth
when Christ
returns to rule all nations of mortals still left alive.
All Will Keep God's Festivals
People will no longer be blinded and deceived in regard to God's commands and
ways. Then
he will enforce obedience to his customs. Go back to the 14th chapter of
Zechariah:
"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the
nations which came
against Jerusalem [that is, those who were not in the armies supernaturally
destroyed]
shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and
to keep the
feast of tabernacles" (verse 16).
This Feast of Tabernacles is one of the seven annual Festivals God commanded
his people to
observe. But ancient Israel rebelled. They rejected God's Festivals, and
turned to pagan
festivals. The Jewish people, after Ezra and Nehemiah, observed them. But
false
"Christian" ministers taught that God's Festivals were "part of
the old
Mosaic system -- not for us today." The clergy deceived and prejudiced
the people.
The people were deceived into believing that Christmas, New Year's, Easter,
etc., were
days Christ ordained.
But now Christ is returning to earth to restore God's ways -- including God's
Festivals.
Those who rebelliously won't keep God's Holy Days now -- who sneer at them in
scathing
contempt -- will observe them when Christ returns. Notice what this scripture
says:
"And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the
earth
[including gentile nations] unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of
hosts, even
upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of 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" (Zech.
14:17-19).
These passages give us the method by which Christ will "rule with a rod
of iron"
-- of how he will use supernatural force to bring people of all nations to his
right ways
-- ways that are the cause of real blessings.
The Perfect Government
Yes, Jesus Christ very soon is going to return to this earth. He is coming in
power and
glory. He is coming to rule all nations!
But he is not going to do this ruling, supervising, all alone, by himself. He
is coming to
set up world government. It will be a highly organized government. There will
be many
positions of authority.
Right here, it is time we stop to explain the mechanics of this perfect form
of
government.
First, it is the government of God -- not human government. Man won't
acknowledge it yet,
but man has demonstrated by 6,000 years of inefficient, bungling, wasteful
efforts of
human government that mortal man is utterly incapable of rightly governing
himself.
As for man being qualified to rule and administer government, God says of
government
officials today: "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth:
they trust in
vanity and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity ....
Their feet
run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are
thoughts of
iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they
know not; and
there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths:
whosoever goeth
therein shall not know peace."
Then the people, under this human mis-government, say: "Therefore is
judgment far
from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light [solution of
civil, personal,
national and world problems], but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we
walk in
darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no
eyes: we
stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead
men" (Isa.
59:4, 7-10).
Then, in this chapter foretelling our time, the final solution is given:
"And the
Redeemer shall come to Zion ..." (verse 20). And, continuing:
"Arise, shine; for
thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee" (Isa.
60:1).
The only hope of justice -- of peace -- of truth -- of right solutions to all
this world's
problems -- is the coming in power and glory of Christ to set up world
government. Right
government. The government of God!
In this, and many other passages, God shows in his Word to mankind how utterly
helpless
man is to govern himself and his fellows. Now 6,000 years of human experience
have brought
mankind to the very brink of world suicide.
So, in other words, the first 6,000 years of God's 7,000-year plan were
allotted to Satan
to labor at his work of deceiving the world, followed by 1.000 years (one
millennial day)
when Satan shall not be allowed to do any of his "work" of
deception. Put
another way, God marked out six millennial days to allow man to indulge in the
spiritual
labor of sin, followed by a millennium spiritual rest under the enforced
government of
God.
Government Planned from Beginning
And now comes a wonderful truth. Now we come to a revealed insight into the
wonderful
planning, preparing and organizing of the perfect government of God.
There will be no incompetent and selfishly ambitious politicians seeking to
get their
covetous hands on the throttle of government power by the deceptive political
methods of
this world. Today people are asked to vote into office men they know little
about -- men
whose qualifications are largely misrepresented. In the soon-coming government
of God,
every official placed in authority shall have been tried and tested, trained,
experienced
and qualified, by God's qualifications. The fact illustrates the purpose and
necessity of
the Church. The function of the Church is not merely to convert the
"first
fruits" -- not merely to bring about salvation to those specially called
out of the
world and into the Church, but to prepare and train them for these positions
of leadership
in the kingdom when salvation will be opened to all the living.
God has planned ahead, but not only for his government to rule the earth. He
had said to
Adam, in effect: "Go, plan your own human governments, create in your own
imaginations your own gods and religions; develop your own knowledge and
educational
structure, plan your own social systems (in a word, organize your own human
civilization)."
But in sentencing man to 6,000 years of being cut off from God, he reserved
the
prerogative of calling to special service and contact with God such as he
should choose
for his purpose. During this day of man, God has prepared for his own
millennial
civilization, in all its phases -- governmental, educational, religious -- his
whole
civilization.
It all began with Abraham. In his day, there was only one man on earth who was
at once a
man of strong character and at the same time meekly and wholly submissive and
obedient to
God -- to God's laws and his direction and rule. That man was Abraham.
God began training men for top positions of authority in his coming world,
with Abraham.
Abraham lived in the most "advanced" civilization -- the most
developed and, as
people thought, most desirable locality.
God said to Abraham (then named Abram), "Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy
kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee"
(Gen. 12:1).
There was no argument. Abraham didn't say, "But why? Why must I give up
all the
pleasures of this civilization -- give up even my relatives and friends?"
Abraham
didn't argue or delay.
It is written, simply, "So Abram departed ..." (verse 4).
Abraham was put to severe tests. But, after he died, God said, "Abraham
obeyed my
voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes [of government], and
my laws"
(Gen. 26:5).
Abraham was being trained for high position in the government of God, now soon
to rule the
world. He believed in, was obedient and loyal to, God's government -- its
statutes and
laws.
Abraham was given the promises on which the salvation of every person, through
Christ, is
based. He is called the father (humanly) of the faithful (Gal. 3:7). To the
gentiles of
Galatia, the apostle Paul wrote: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
[gentiles]
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29). In the
16th verse,
he had said: "Now to Abraham and his seed [descendant -- Christ] were the
promises
made ...."
God was starting to prepare for his kingdom -- to train topflight personnel
for positions
in God's civilization with Abraham. When Abraham proved obedient, God blessed
his labors
and allowed him to become wealthy. God gave him experience in the wise
handling of wealth
and in directing a great force of men.
Isaac was reared by God-fearing, God-obeying Abraham, in God's ways, obedient
to God's
government. He became heir along with his father Abraham. He too, was trained
in
obedience, and also in directing and ruling over others.
Then Jacob, born with this rich heredity, was educated to follow through on
the same
pattern Abraham and Isaac had learned. Even though his father-in-law deceived
him, and
held him down, Jacob also became wealthy. He was human -- as were Abraham and
Isaac and
all humans. He made mistakes. But he overcame. He repented. He prevailed with
God. He
never quit! He developed the qualities and character of leadership. He became
the father
of the twelve greatest nations-to-be in the soon-coming world tomorrow.
The Pattern of Government Organization
God has not told us, in so many words, precisely how his coming world super
government
will be organized. Yet he has given us the general pattern. He has told us
specifically
where 14 high executives (including Christ) will fit in. And from them we may
deduce a
great deal of the remaining governmental structure. Much of the coming
structure of
government is at least strongly indicated by what is plainly revealed.
We know it will be the government of God. God Almighty -- the Father of Jesus
Christ -- is
Supreme Lawgiver, and Head over Christ, and over all that is. We know that
Jesus Christ is
to be King of kings, and Lord of lords -- over both state and church, united
through him.
We know that King David of ancient Israel (details later) will be king over
the twelve
great nations composed of literal descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel.
We know the
twelve apostles will each be a king, sitting on a throne, over one of those
great nations
descended from the tribes of Israel.
We know it will be government from the top down. There is to be a definite
chain of
authority. No one will be elected by the people. Mortal humans have proved
they do not
know how to judge qualifications, and do not know the inner minds, hearts,
intents and
abilities of men. All will be divinely appointed from above. All, in positions
of
governmental authority, will be resurrected immortals, born of God -- no
longer
flesh-and-blood humans.
With this in mind -- with the knowledge that Abraham is (humanly) the father
of all who
are Christ's and heirs of salvation -- it becomes plain that Abraham will be
given a
greater position of authority in God's kingdom than David -- and that he will
be over both
Israelites and gentiles. He is "father" of gentile converts as well
as
Israelites.
Then again, repeatedly the Bible uses the phrase, "Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob,"
grouping them together as a team, and calling them, together, "the
fathers." For
the promises were repromised, also, to Isaac and Jacob, whose name was changed
to Israel.
What is plainly revealed indicates, then, that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will
function as a
topflight team, with Abraham as chairman of the team, next under Christ in the
coming
world government of God.
Jesus himself said, definitely, that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob shall be in that
glorious
and glorified kingdom (Luke 13:28). Joseph qualified in a very special way,
but we shall
come back to him a little later.
Both Church and State
Another principle is made clear in God's Word: church and state will be united
under
Christ. There will be one government, over all nations. There will be one
Church -- one
God -- one religion -- one educational system -- one social order. And, as in
God's
original pattern in ancient Israel, they will be united.
Three men -- Peter, James and John, among the original twelve disciples --
were privileged
to see the kingdom of God in a vision (Matt. 17:9). In this vision, Jesus, who
was
actually with them in person, became transfigured -- appearing as the
glorified Christ.
His face became bright, shining as the sun, his clothing white as light. Two
others
appeared with him in this vision -- this glimpse into the coming kingdom --
and they were
Moses and Elijah. These two, in the vision, represented the offices of church
and state,
with and under Christ, as they will be in God's kingdom. Both Moses and Elijah
qualified
in their human lifetime for very high positions in the kingdom of God. Moses
was the one
through whom Christ (yes, he was the God of the Old Testament, as many, many
scriptures
prove) gave the laws and the statutes of government for the nation Israel.
Moses was
trained as a son of a pharaoh (king of Egypt). His training and experience
were among
gentiles, as well as the children of Israel.
Elijah, above all others, is represented in Scripture as the prophet who
restored the
worship of the true God -- and obedience to his commandments. When Elijah
ordered King
Ahab to gather on Mount Carmel "all Israel" (I Kings 18:19-21) and
the prophets
of Baal and of Asherah (Easter), he said: "How long halt ye between two
opinions? if
the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him ...." (verse
21). And when,
at Elijah's 18-second prayer (verses 36-37), the fire fell miraculously from
heaven
consuming Elijah's sacrifice, the people fell on their faces, and said,
"The Lord, he
is the God; the Lord, he is the God" (verse 39).
The vision of the Transfiguration (Matt. 16:27 through 17:9) gave the apostles
Peter,
James and John a preview of Christ coming in his kingdom -- as he shall come.
The
indication is thus given that Moses and Elijah represented the heads, under
Christ, of
state or national world government (under Moses), and church or religious
activity (under
Elijah).
These two men, like the "fathers," Abraham, Isaac and Israel, will
then be
resurrected immortal, in power and glory. Certainly the indication is given us
that, under
Christ as King of kings, and under Christ's top team -- the
"fathers" -- will be
Moses over all organized national and international government; and Elijah,
over all
organized church, religious and educational activity.
Actually, the gospel and religious development is merely spiritual education.
And it is
significant that Elijah had organized and headed three schools or colleges (II
Kings 2:3,
5; 4:38 -- at Bethel, Jericho and Gilgal) teaching God's truth in a world
corrupted by
false pagan education.
On the National Level
Now we gain further insight into God's coming world government organization.
On the purely
national level, the nations descended from the two tribes of Ephraim and
Manasseh
(descended from Joseph), will become the two leading nations of the world
(Jer. 30:16-18;
31:4-11, 18-20; Isa. 14:1-2; Deut. 28:13).
But, next to them will be the nations descended from the other tribes of
Israel. And,
after them, but still prosperous and full of abundant blessings, the gentile
nations.
King David, resurrected, immortal, in power and glory, will be king, under
Moses, over all
twelve nations of Israel (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25). Each of the
original
twelve apostles will be king, under David, over one of these then super-
prosperous nations
(Matt. 19:28).
Under the apostles, each now king over a great nation, will be the rulers over
districts,
states, shires, counties or provinces, and over cities.
But, in every case, these kings and rulers will be resurrected immortals, born
into the
kingdom (family) of God as Spirit beings -- not flesh-and-blood mortals. And,
in every
case, they will be those who qualified not only by conversion, but by
overcoming,
spiritual character development, growth in Christ's knowledge training in
being ruled by
God's law and government, as well as learning to rule.
The parables of the pounds (Luke 19:11-27) and talents (Matt. 25:14-30) make
this very
clear. The one who multiplied his spiritual abilities ten times over is
pictured as ruling
over ten cities. The one who developed only half as much in God's character
and abilities
is pictured as being given rule over five cities. The parable of the talents
shows the
same thing, but also we are to be judged by how ,well we do with what we have
to do with.
That is, one of lesser ability will be judged according to motivation,
application,
diligence and persistence according to ability. To whom much -- in natural
ability, and
spiritual gifts -- is inherited and given, much will be required. The one of
lesser
ability stands just as good a chance for reward in God's kingdom as the one of
great
ability -- if he tries as hard.
But what of all the gentile nations? Who will be given top positions of rule
over them?
There is strong indication -- not a definite, specific statement -- but
indication,
according to principles and specific assignments that are revealed, that the
prophet
Daniel will be made king over them all, directly under Moses. What prophet --
what man of
God -- did God send to be trained at top-level government authority, in the
world's very
first world empire? And what man refused to follow pagan ways and customs,
even while
serving next in authority to the king himself? What man proved loyal to God,
and the
worship of God, and obedient to the laws of God -- even while serving at the
top in the
first world empire?
Why, of course, it was the prophet Daniel. At first thought, one might suppose
Christ will
put the apostle Paul at the head -- under Moses and under Christ -- of all
gentile
nations. And indeed Paul qualified for high position over gentiles.
But Daniel was thrown into almost daily contact with the king in the world's
first world
government. And though that was human government, Daniel proved completely
loyal and
obedient to God and God's rule. He was used, to reveal to King Nebuchadnezzar,
and
immediate successors, that it is God who rules over all kingdoms. Daniel
refused the
king's rich food and delicacies -- including what was unclean according to
God's health
laws. He prayed three times a day to God, even though it meant being thrown
into the den
of lions. He trusted God to protect and deliver him from the lions. He gained
knowledge
and wisdom in the affairs and administration of government over nations.
When God, through the prophet Ezekiel, named three of the most righteous men
who ever
lived, he named Daniel as one of them. The other two were Noah and Job (Ezek.
14:14, 20).
And it is evident that God will assign Noah and Job to offices of very great
magnitude.
More of that, later.
God in his Word gave Daniel the assurance that he shall be in the kingdom of
God, at the
time of resurrection (Dan. 12:13).
It is an interesting possibility, in passing, to consider that Daniel's three
colleagues
in this Chaldean Empire service -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego -- might
serve as a
team directly with and under Daniel, even as the three "fathers"
very possibly
may serve as a team directly with and under Christ himself. In fact, there are
a number of
such teams that appear to be possibilities.
But what about Paul? As the twelve original apostles were sent to the lost
house of
Israel, Paul was the apostle to the gentiles. That is the key. Christ himself
said
specifically that each of the twelve shall be a king over one of the nations
of Israel. It
is inconceivable that Paul would be over no more than one gentile nation. It
might even be
inferred that Paul rated a little higher in ability and accomplishment than
any one of the
twelve apostles. And, again, no gentile nation will be as great as one of the
Israelite
nations.
The indication, then, seems to be that Paul will be given position over all
gentile
nations, but under Daniel.
Of course there will be kings appointed by Christ over every gentile nation.
And district
rulers under them, and rulers over cities. There is no indication as to the
identity of
any of these, except that those apostles and evangelists who worked with and
directly
under Paul -- Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus, Luke, Mark, Philemon, etc. --
undoubtedly
will be given offices of importance. And what of other saints of that same
time, in the
first flush years of the Church, when its membership at first multiplied in
number of
converts? And what of many converted since, and down to our present day?
We can mention, here, only what seems to be rather clearly indicated from what
God has
already revealed.
The International Level
Besides these revealed and indicated assignments of government over nations
and groups of
nations on the national level, there will be positions of great magnitude on
the
international level in the areas of scientific and social functions. And there
are a few
indications of what some of those operations will be, and the possible -- if
not probable
-- personnel.
Since Noah lived first, we now take a look at Noah. In Noah's day, the chief
cause of the
violence and chaos of world conditions was racial hatreds, interracial
marriages, and
racial violence caused by man's efforts toward integration and amalgamation of
races,
contrary to God's laws. God had set the boundary lines for the nations and the
races at
the beginning (Deut. 32:8-9; Acts 17:26). But men had refused to remain in the
lands to
which God had assigned them. That was the cause of the corruption and violence
that ended
that world. For 100 years Noah had preached God's ways to the people -- but
they didn't
heed.
At that time, even as today, that world faced a population explosion. It was
when
"men began to multiply on the face of the earth" (Gen. 6:1). Jesus
said, of our
time, right now, "But as the days of Noe [Noah] were, so shall also the
coming of the
Son of man be" (Matt. 24:37) -- or, as in Luke 17:26, "And as it was
in the days
of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." That is, the
days just
before Christ returns. Today race wars, race hatreds, race riots and race
problems are
among the world's greatest social troubles.
Noah merely preached to people in his human lifetime. But Noah, in the
resurrection,
immortal, in power and glory, will be given the power to enforce God's ways in
regard to
race.
It seems evident that the resurrected Noah will head a vast project of the
relocation of
the races and nations, within the boundaries God has set, for their own best
good,
happiness and richest blessings. This will be a tremendous operation. It will
require
great and vast organization, reinforced with power to move whole nations and
races. This
time, peoples and nations will move where God has planned for them, and no
defiance will
be tolerated.
What a paradox. People are going to be forced to be happy, to have peace, to
find abundant
and joyful living!
Above, we said we would come back, later, to Joseph, son of Israel and great-
grandson of
Abraham.
Joseph became food administrator of the greatest nation on earth of that time
-- Egypt.
Joseph was synonymous with "prosperity." "And the Lord was with
Joseph, and
he was a prosperous man; and ... the Lord made all that he did to prosper in
his
hand" (Gen. ,9:2-3). He was made actual ruler for the pharaoh of the
world's greatest
nation. But his specialty was dealing with the economy -- with prosperity. And
what he
did, he did God's way.
It seems evident, therefore, that Joseph will be made director of the world's
economy --
its agriculture, its industry, its technology, and its commerce -- as well as
its money
and monetary system. These systems will be on the international level, the
same in every
nation.
Undoubtedly Joseph will develop a large and perfectly efficient organization
of immortals
made perfect, with and under him in this vast administration. This will be an
administration that will eliminate famine, starvation, poverty. There will be
no
poverty-stricken slums. There will be universal prosperity!
Another tremendous project on the worldwide international level will be that
of rebuilding
the waste places, and the construction of whatever really great and large
buildings or
structures Christ will require for the world he will create. "And they
shall build
the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall
repair the
waste cities, the desolations of many generations" (Isa. 61:4).
Job was the wealthiest and greatest man of the east (Job 1:3) and a noted
builder.
(Compare Job 3:13-14 with God's challenge in Job 38:4-6.) He was so upright
and perfect,
God even dared Satan to find a flaw in his character. Actually, there was a
terrible sin
in his life -- self-righteousness. But God brought him to repentance. (See
Job, chapters
38-42.) Once this man, of such strength of self-mastery that he could be so
righteous in
his own strength, was humbled, brought to reliance on God, filled with God's
Spirit --
well, surely no man who ever lived could equal him as an engineer over vast
stupendous
world projects.
Indication is strong, therefore, that Job will be director of worldwide urban
renewal,
rebuilding the waste places and the destroyed cities, not as they are now, but
according
to God's pattern; vast engineering projects, such as dams and power plants --
or whatever
the ruling Christ shall decree.
At least one other man seems indicated as a top assistant in this vast
administration.
That is Zerubbabel (Haggai, and Zech. 4). So much for the new world super-
civilization on
the national and international level.
Now we come to the world tomorrow on the individual level -- the Church -- the
religion --
the educational system.
Education and Religion Tomorrow
When Jesus Christ returns to earth in the full supreme power and glory of the
Creator God,
he is coming, this time, to save the world, spiritually.
When he sits on the throne of his glory, in Jerusalem, all nations composed of
flesh-and-blood mortal humans will be there before him. He shall begin
dividing the
"sheep from the goats." To the sheep, on his right hand, "Then
shall the
King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit
the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).
Those converted, now, are heirs. We shall inherit the kingdom at Christ's
coming. The dead
in Christ shall be resurrected, rising first -- changed to Spirit immortality.
We that are
then alive, in Christ, shall be instantaneously changed to Spirit immortality,
and caught
up with the resurrected ones, to meet the descending Christ in the air.
We shall then be separated by immortality from the mortal humans on earth.
Wherever Jesus is, from there, we shall be ever with him. Where, then, will he
be? His
feet shall stand that same day on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).
It is after this that he separates the sheep (those who repent, believe, and
receive his
Holy Spirit) from the goats (those who rebel). This separation -- this
educating of
converts for God's kingdom -- will continue throughout the entire thousand
years of
Christ's reign on earth.
Christ will give to all nations a new and pure language: "For then will I
turn to the
people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to
serve him
with one consent" (Zeph. 3:9).
The pure truth of God will be proclaimed to all people. No one will be
deceived any
longer. But "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the
waters
cover the sea" (Isa. 11:9).
Christ is the "root of Jesse," father of David. To Christ, then,
will the
gentiles seek (Isa. 11:10). Christ will set his hand to save all Israel (verse
11). (See
also Romans 11:25-26.)
But all this work of world evangelism -- of spiritually saving the world (as a
whole, not
necessarily every individual but surely a majority) -- will require,
simultaneously,
reeducating the world.
One of the great problems facing the returned glorified Christ, will be that
of
reeducating the supposedly educated. These minds -- and they are, indeed, the
world's
finest and best minds -- have become so perverted with false education that
they will be
unable to accept truth until they first unlearn error. And it is at least ten
times more
difficult to unlearn error, firmly imbedded in the mind, than it is to start
from
"scratch" and learn new truth.
It may actually take them longer to come to a knowledge of truth -- to become
truly
educated -- than the illiterate of this world. God's inspired Word, the Holy
Bible, is the
foundation of knowledge. But they have been trained to hold this true
foundation in
prejudiced contempt.
Yes, indeed, the educating and reeducating of the world will be one of the
most important
tasks the kingdom of God will face, after Christ returns to rule. Today people
follow the
false and deceptive values. Their entire thinking will require a reorientation
-- a change
of direction.
A Headquarters Church
We have seen that the earth, after this thousand-year period begins, will be
as full of
the true knowledge of God as the oceans are full of water (Isa. 11:9). How
will this be
brought about?
The prophet Micah gives part of the answer: "But in the last days it
shall come to
pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the
top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto
it"
(Mic. 4:1).
Prophecy uses "mountain" as a symbol of a major nation, and
"hills" as
a symbol of smaller nations. In other words, the kingdom of God, the kingdom
of
resurrected immortals -- the ruling kingdom -- will be established in complete
authority
over the major nations (of mortals) and exalted above the small nations -- and
people will
flow to God's kingdom. Now continue:
"And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the
mountain of the
Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways,
and we will
walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion [the Church], and the
word of the
Lord from Jerusalem. And he [Christ] shall judge among many people, and rebuke
strong
nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their
spears into
pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall
they learn
war any more" (verses 2-3).
This knowledge -- this teaching -- and even knowledge of God's law -- shall go
forth from
the Church -- and from Jerusalem, the new world capital.
Christ, himself, will be ruling from Jerusalem. Stationed there with Christ,
under
immediate direction of Elijah, it is indicated, will be those immortals chosen
by Christ
to constitute the Headquarters Church. Revelation 3:12 indicates those of the
"Philadelphia era" will be pillars in that Headquarters Church.
Next, in this all-important Headquarters Church organization, working with and
directly
under Elijah, it appears, will be the resurrected John the Baptist. He came
"in the
spirit and power of [Elijah]" (Luke 1:17). Of him, Jesus said,
"Verily I say
unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater
than John the
Baptist ..." (Matt. 11:11). He was the Elijah prophesied to come (Matt.
11:7-11).
Jesus said that no man who ever lived was greater than John the Baptist. Yet,
even the
least in the resurrected kingdom will be greater (Matt. 11:11). It is evident
that John
the Baptist will be placed in very high office. It seems logical that he
should be placed
with, or immediately under, Elijah.
Elijah to Come in Our Day
Remember, once again, God's principle of duality. As Jesus said in Matthew,
the prophecy
of Malachi 3:1 applied to John the Baptist in type; but if you will continue
reading
through verse 5, it becomes very clear that the prophecy is speaking of one to
prepare the
way before the Second Coming of Christ. John the Baptist was a voice crying
out in the
physical wilderness of the Jordan River, preparing the way for the First
Coming of Christ,
as a physical human being, to his physical Temple at Jerusalem and to the
physical people
of Judah, announcing the advance good news that the kingdom of God would in
the future be
established. But also preparing the way before his Second Coming was a
messenger of whom
Elijah was a type. A voice crying out in the worldwide spiritual wilderness of
religious
confusion, preparing the way for the spiritual glorified King of kings and
Lord of lords
to come in the supreme power and glory of God to his spiritual temple, the
Church (Eph.
2:21), to actually establish the kingdom of God.
Further, in Matthew 17:1-8, Peter, James and John saw the vision of Moses,
Elijah and
Christ glorified in the kingdom of God. Then in verse 10 the disciples asked
Jesus,
"Why then say the scribes that Elias [Elijah] must first come?"
Remember John
the Baptist had finished his ministry and had been imprisoned before Jesus
even began his
ministry. At the time the disciples asked this question, John the Baptist had
come and
been put to death. Yet Jesus answered, speaking of the yet future,
"[Elijah] truly
shall first come, and restore all things" (verse 11).
This could not possibly refer to John the Baptist. John the Baptist restored
nothing, but
called on people to repent in preparation for the First Coming of Jesus as a
physical
human. In the first few years of the New Testament Church, Jesus' true gospel
had been
suppressed and supplanted with a false gospel -- not the gospel of Christ (the
kingdom of
God) but man's false gospel about a Christ who did away with his Father's
commandments.
Also Malachi 4:5-6 pictures the Elijah to come at the very end of the Church
age -- at a
time when, if this end-time message were not proclaimed, the glorified Christ
would come
and smite the world with total destruction. (The word curse in this verse is
translated
from the Hebrew, which in Moffatt's translation is given the meaning total
destruction.)
Education the World Tomorrow
This Headquarters Church, at Christ's own world capital of Jerusalem, then,
undoubtedly
will be given the administration of the world's new system of education.
Also the indication is that the teaching of spiritual truth -- of the true
gospel, the
spiritual conversion of the world -- will be directed, worldwide, from this
Headquarters
Church, under Elijah and the overall direct supervision of Jesus Christ.
The principal purpose for which Christ is returning to earth is to spiritually
develop in
humanity godly character, and to save the world. Most religious people,
ministers, and
evangelists (fundamentalist) have supposed that this time, now, is the only
day of
salvation. The verse of Scripture they rely on is a mistranslation (II Cor.
6:2). It
should read "a day of salvation," not "the" (quoted from
Isaiah 49:8,
where it is a not the). If Christ had been trying to "save" the
world, he would
have saved the world. It hasn't been "saved." God doesn't use a
Babylon of
confused, disagreeing religious organizations, divided into hundreds of
different concepts
of theological doctrine, as his instruments.
But the real world evangelism will be administered by this Headquarters
Church, composed
of resurrected immortals, under direct personal supervision of Christ himself.
One thing there will not be in the millennial Headquarters Church is a
doctrinal committee
of intellectual "scholars" to decide whether Christ's teachings are
true
doctrines.
There was no such doctrinal committee in the first century Headquarters Church
at
Jerusalem. All teaching came from Christ through the apostles -- and a few
times Christ
communicated to apostles via the prophets (of which there are none in God's
Church today
since the Bible for our time is complete). God's Church today, as in the first
century,
receives its teachings from the living Christ, through an apostle, just as in
A.D. 31.
One other tremendous organizational function will be directed from this
Headquarters
Church -- that of direction of all the local churches over the world. These
churches will
be composed of those who become converted -- begotten of God by receiving his
Holy Spirit
-- though still mortal.
Millennial Growth in Knowledge, Overcoming
Just as the converted Christian in this present age must continue to live a
life of
overcoming, and of spiritual growth and development (II Pet. 3: 18), so will
they in the
millennium. Happily they then will not have to overcome Satan. But they shall
have to
overcome all evil impulses, habits or temptations, innate within themselves.
With only one Church -- one religion -- one faith there will be many church
congregations
in every city, others scattered through rural areas. There will be district
superintendents over areas, and pastors, elders, deacons and deaconesses in
every local
church.
This, then, gives an insight into how the world will be organized. This shows
how a super
world government can, and will, be established on earth.
The very purpose of the Church of this present time is to provide God's
training school or
teachers' college to train in spiritual knowledge, education and godly
character, to
supply all the positions at the beginning of this wonderful 1,000-year reign
of Christ on
earth.
After the end of this coming millennial rule of Christ on earth, will come the
final
judgment.
I have mentioned in this book that at the time of the first Adam's sin, God
closed off
from humanity as a whole the "tree of life" symbolizing God's gift
of his Holy
Spirit and begettal of immortal God-life, until Christ the second Adam shall
have replaced
Satan on earth's throne and come to reign over all nations on earth.
Meanwhile, we have covered how the prophets were a pre-foundation of the
Church of God.
And the apostle Peter mentioned (I Pet. 4:17) that the JUDGMENT had begun with
the Church.
Those God has called to come to him through Jesus Christ during this Church
age have been
here and now judged, during this life. But judgment has not yet come to the
world.
Does that mean the world is freed to commit sin? Not at all. God allows people
to sin, but
they are not now as yet judged for their sins.
After the Millennium
Following the millennial reign of Christ and the Church on earth, however,
shall come the
time of God's JUDGMENT on this world. A criminal may have committed a great
crime -- even
murder. But until caught, and brought to trial before a judge, he has not yet
been judged
or condemned.
In the final judgment, with Christ on the judgment seat, every human who has
lived in this
world shall be brought back to life (Rev. 20:11-12). They shall then give
account for
their sins committed in their first life.
The dead IN Christ at the time of Jesus' Second Coming shall be resurrected to
immortal
God-life if they shall have died, and those Still living who are IN Christ at
his coming
and led by his Holy Spirit shall be changed instantly into immortal God-life.
They shall
rule and teach with and under Christ during the thousand years. But all others
who have
died shall not live again until the end of the millennium (Rev. 20:5).
The 37th chapter of Ezekiel also shows the resurrection at the time of the
judgment. This
37th chapter is the prophecy of the "dry bones." The Bible itself
interprets
these dry bones in verse 11 where it says these dry bones are the House of
Israel:
"... behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost
...." Like the
prophecy says: "Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say
unto them,
O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these
bones;
Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will
lay sinews
upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put
breath in
you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord" (verses 4-
6).
Next this prophecy tells of the Great White Throne Judgment when this whole
house of
Israel, who sinned so greatly against God, shall be resurrected.
The prophecy continues: "So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I
prophesied,
there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to
his bone.
And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the
skin covered
them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy
unto the wind,
prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from
the four
winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and
they lived,
and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" (verses 7-10).
This shows
being brought back to mortal life, sustained by breathing of air, just as in
their
original life. That is, mortal lifestyle unconverted. Then God says,
"Behold, O my
people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves,
and bring
you into the land of Israel." This is the resurrection in the Great White
Throne
Judgment. All the ancient Israelites are resurrected mortal, precisely as in
their first
life. Then what? "And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have
opened your
graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my
spirit in
you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye
know that I
the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord" (verses 13,
14).
In other words, in the Great White Throne Judgment after the millennium, Old
Testament
Israel will be resurrected; then they shall come to "know the Lord."
God's
knowledge will come to them. The resurrected then will read this: "And
there shall ye
remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye
shall lothe
yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed. And ye
shall know
that I am the Lord, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not
according to your
wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith
the Lord
God" (Ezek. 20:43-44).
Then upon this repentance, notice again in Ezek. 37:14: "And shall put my
spirit in
you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye
know that I
the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord."
Thus, in the Great White Throne Judgment, they will come to know that Christ
the Savior
had come and died for them. And upon their repentance they shall receive the
Holy Spirit
and with it salvation and eternal life.
All who had lived, previously unjudged, not only Israel, but of all nations,
will be
resurrected MORTAL, physical, as they were in their first life up to the time
of death.
Those in this judgment will be mortals. They will then give account and be
judged.
Concerning this Great White Throne Judgment Jesus said: "The men of
Nineveh shall
rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they
repented at the
preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of
the south
shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for
she came
from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and,
behold, a
greater than Solomon is here" (Matt. 12:41-42; also in Luke 11:31-32).
Also:
"But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for
Sodom, than for
that city .... But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the
judgment, than for
you" (Luke 10:12, 14). There will be punishments. Those who have sinned
little will
be beaten with few stripes, but those who have sinned greatly, knowing God's
will, with
many stripes (Luke 12:47-48).
But the penalty for sin is DEATH in the final last judgment. Since all have
sinned, all
shall be judged guilty and sentenced. But they shall learn that Jesus Christ
paid their
penalty in their stead. And in repentance, demonstrated by performance, they
will be given
an opportunity yet at that time to choose LIFE, and be made immortal.
What a merciful God is the Creator, whose mercy is as great toward us as the
heavens are
high above the earth. And he is able to remove our transgressions from us as
far as the
east is from the west (Ps. 103:12).
BUT THERE IS MORE! MUCH MORE!
Incredible Human Potential Revealed
In the book of Hebrews we read: "For unto the angels hath he [God] not
put in
subjection the world to come, whereof we speak" (Heb. 2:5). The theme of
the context
here is "the world to come."
There is but one earth, but the Bible speaks of three worlds, ages or
civilizations on the
earth -- the "world that then was" (the antediluvian world from Adam
to Noah);
this "present evil world" (from the Flood until Christ's return, yet
future);
and "the world to come" (which will start when Christ comes and sets
up the
kingdom of God).
This verse speaks of angels as if the world had been put in subjection to
angels; in fact,
in the very beginning of this book of Hebrews, the first chapter, it is
speaking of Christ
and angels and the relation of angels to humans. This was explained in Chapter
2 of this
book.
But bear in mind the general theme here, or context, is "the world to
come, whereof
we speak" -- not this present age, now coming rapidly to its end!
Continue on in
verse 6: "But one in a certain place testified, saying ...." Then
follows a
quotation from the first six verses only of the eighth Psalm.
In this psalm, David continued showing specifically that God has now placed in
subjection
under man the solid earth, the earth's atmosphere or air, and the sea. But now
the writer
of the book of Hebrews is inspired to expand David's prophecy to add something
radically
different -- something to happen in the world to come!
This revealed knowledge of God's purpose for mankind -- of man's incredible
awesome
potential staggers the imagination. Science knows nothing of it -- no religion
reveals it,
so far as I know -- and certainly higher education is in utter ignorance of
it.
Nevertheless, it is what God says he has prepared for them that love him (I
Cor. 2:9-10).
I have said before that God revealed necessary knowledge to our first parents,
but they
didn't believe what he said! Some 4,000 years later, Jesus Christ the second
Adam appeared
on earth with a message direct from God the Father in heaven, revealing the
same necessary
knowledge -- but only a handful -- a hundred and twenty -- believed what he
said, though
many professed to "believe on him" (as in John 8:30-31, 37-38, 40,
45-46).
Today science, religion and education still do not believe WHAT HE SAID.
But now let's see what is said in this passage in Hebrews, beginning where
Hebrews leaves
off quoting the eighth Psalm: "Thou hast put all things in subjection
under his
[man's] feet. For in that he [God] put all in subjection under him [man], he
[God] left
NOTHING that is not put under him" (Heb. 2:8).
Is it possible God could mean what he says ("all things")? Nothing
excluded?
In the first chapter, the Moffatt translation of the Bible renders the Greek
word
translated "all things" as "the universe" (verse 8).
In other words, for those willing to believe what God says, he says that he
has decreed
the entire universe -- with all its galaxies, its countless suns and planets -
- everything
-- will be put under man's subjection.
But wait a moment! Before you disbelieve, read the next words in the same
eighth verse:
"But now we see not yet all things [the endless universe] put under him
[man]."
Remember (verse 5), this is speaking of the "world to come" -- not
today's
world. But what do we see now, today? "But we see Jesus, who was made a
little lower
than the angels [or, "for a little while lower"] for the suffering
of death,
crowned with glory and honour." Man, other than Christ, is NOT YET
"crowned with
glory and honour."
But see how Christ is already crowned with glory and honor. Continue:
"For it became
him, for whom are all things [the entire universe] and by whom are all things,
in bringing
many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings
.... for which cause he [Christ] is not ashamed to call them brethren"
(verses
10-11).
In other words, Christians having God's Spirit are joint heirs with Christ to
INHERIT all
that Christ already has inherited. He is now in glory! He has already
inherited the entire
universe. He sustains it by his power. Man, if he is converted, having God's
Holy Spirit
(Rom. 8:9), is now only an HEIR -- not yet a possessor.
But see now how Christ already has been crowned with glory and honor -- and is
already in
possession -- has already inherited. Begin with Hebrews, chapter 1:
"God ... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed
heir of all things [the entire universe], by whom also he made the worlds; who
being the
brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding
[sustaining]
all things [the entire universe] by the word of his power ..." (Heb. 1:1-
3).
The living Christ already sustains the entire universe by his limitless divine
power. The
passage continues to show his superiority over the angels -- he is the
begotten and born
Son of God -- angels are merely individually created beings. Angels are now
administering
spirits (invisible to us), ministering to us -- to us who are now in lower
status than
angels -- but who are heirs of salvation, when we, like Christ, shall become
born sons of
God (Heb. 1:4-14).
Outer Space -- Planets Now Dead
Now put this together with what is revealed in the eighth chapter of Romans.
Here it speaks of Christ as God's Son: "... that he might be the
firstborn among many
brethren" (Rom. 8:29). Humans, having God's Holy Spirit, are heirs of God
and joint
heirs with Christ -- who, alone of all humans, has already been born as God's
Son by a
resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4). He is the FIRST of the human family to
be born into
the family of God -- the kingdom of God. He is our pioneer who has gone on
before. We
shall follow at the resurrection of the just at Christ's return to earth in
supreme power
and glory.
This eighth chapter of Romans, verse 9, says if we have within us the Holy
Spirit of God
we are his begotten sons, but if we do not have his Spirit we are none of his
-- not
Christians at all. But verse 11 says that if we have God's Holy Spirit growing
within and
leading us we shall be raised from the dead by his Spirit -- (or if living
when Christ
comes we shall be changed from mortal to immortal).
Now continue: "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
sons of God
.... The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God:
and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ...
also glorified
together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy
to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us ..." (Rom. 8:14-
18).
Continue, Revised Standard Version: "For the creation waits with eager
longing for
the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation [all the suns, planets,
stars, moons]
was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who
subjected it in
hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay
and obtain
the glorious liberty of the children of God. We know that the whole creation
[stars, suns
and moons now in decay and futility] has been groaning in travail together
until now; and
not only the creation, but we ourselves [we Spirit-begotten humans], who have
the first
fruits of the Spirit [the very FEW now being called to salvation -- the
"first
fruits"], groan inwardly as we wait for the [birth] as sons" (verses
19-23).
What an amazing marvelous revelation of knowledge! No more amazing, awesome,
eye-opening
passage could be written!
It is so astonishingly revealing, one doesn't fully grasp it just reading
quickly through.
First I quoted from verse 29 of Romans 8 stating Christ WAS the firstborn of
MANY
BRETHREN.
In Hebrews 1, we see that Christ, the first human to be born by a resurrection
from the
dead, has been glorified and now sustains the entire universe. He is our
Pioneer who has
gone on ahead. At his return to earth in power and glory, those who have been
converted
and received God's Holy Spirit shall be born into the God family by a
resurrection. Then
the entire universe will be put into subjection UNDER them!
Then, from Romans 8, if we have and are led by the Holy Spirit of God, we
shall be raised
to Spirit composition and immortality in the God family even as Christ was in
A.D. 31 upon
his resurrection.
Now once again from verse 19: "For the creation waits with eager longing
for the
revealing of the sons of God" (RSV). This shall happen after the time of
the
resurrection, when those who are human actually become -- by a resurrection or
instantaneous change from mortal flesh to Spirit immortality -- sons of God.
Astonishing? -- Entire Universe to Be Renewed
Now understand please. Why should the whole universe -- the creation -- be
waiting with
eager longing for the actual birth and appearing of all these sons of God, to
be born into
the family of God? The following verses portray a universe filled with planets
in decay
and futility -- yet as if subjected now to this dead state in hope!
"Because the
creation itself [the universe not now capable of sustaining life] will be set
free from
its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of
God."
How did all the planets fall into the bondage of decay? Surely God did not so
create them!
Decay signifies a state or condition caused by degeneration and decomposition
from a
previous undecayed state. God, then, created these planets in a state of
NONdecay.
But something caused deterioration to set in. What could have caused all this
"bondage to decay"?
It cannot be the state in which God created them! Everything we read in God's
revealed
Word about God's creation shows it to have been a perfect creation. The earth
was first
created a perfect creation of glorious beauty.
We see that angels inhabited the earth prior to the creation of man. Angels,
who were
perfect from the creation until iniquity or lawlessness was found in them,
caused the
whole surface of the earth to turn into a state of decay, confusion and
emptiness, as
shown in chapter 2.
Could the whole universe with its myriad of other planets have been created
for the
eventual purpose of sustaining life? We are not told specifically by
revelation in God's
Word whether it was or not, but what we are told throws additional light on
why God
decided to create man!
Continue this passage in Romans 8:22: "We know that the whole creation
[universe] has
been groaning in travail together until now." Consider that the creation
is compared
to a mother about to be delivered of her child. The creation is pictured as
groaning in
travail in hope (verse 20), awaiting the birth by resurrection to immortality,
of the
children of God. It is as if the creation is the mother and God is the father.
Anyway the
whole thrust of the passage is that when we (converted humans) are born of God
-- then
having the power and glory of God -- we are going to do as God did when this
earth had
been laid "waste and empty" -- Hebrew, tohu and bohu (Gen. 1:2).
Christ, who
renewed "the face of the earth" (Ps. 104:30), was renewing what had
been
destroyed by the rebellion of the sinning angels.
What these wonderful passages imply and indicate goes far beyond the amount
specifically
revealed.
This passage indicates precisely what all astronomers and scientific evidence
indicate --
the suns are as balls of fire, giving out light and heat; but the planets,
except for this
earth, are in a state of death, decay and futility -- but not forever --
waiting until
converted humans are BORN the children of God; born into the very divine
family of God,
forming the kingdom of God.
Jesus' gospel was the kingdom of God. What I am showing you here is that
Christ's gospel
of the kingdom actually includes all this knowledge here revealed -- even the
whole
universe is to be ruled by us, who, with God the Father and Christ, become the
kingdom of
God.
God is first of all Creator, but God is also Ruler. And he is Educator, who
reveals
knowledge beyond and outside the scope of human mind of itself to comprehend!
Put together all these scriptures I have used in this chapter, and you begin
to grasp the
incredible human potential. Our potential is to be born into the God family,
receiving
total power! We are to be given jurisdiction over the entire universe!
What are we going to do then? These scriptures indicate we shall impart life
to billions
and billions of dead planets, as life has been imparted to this earth. We
shall create, as
God directs and instructs. We shall rule through all eternity! Revelation 21
and 22 show
there will then be no pain, no suffering, no evil, because we shall have
learned to choose
God's way of good. It will be an eternal life of accomplishment, constantly
looking
forward in super-joyous anticipation to new creative projects, and still
looking back also
on accomplishments with happiness and joy over what shall have been already
accomplished.
We shall never grow tired and weary. Always alive -- full of joyous energy,
vitality,
exuberant life and strength and power! Earth To Become UNIVERSE Headquarters
Finally, even God the Father will come to this earth. His throne over the
whole universe
will be established on this earth.
Notice in I Corinthians 15:24, after speaking of the various resurrections, it
is
recorded: "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the
kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and
power."
In Revelation 21:3: "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be
his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
And further in Revelation 22:3: "And there shall be no more curse: but
the throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him."
When it speaks of God and the LAMB, the LAMB represents Christ and God refers
to the
FATHER.
Finally the at-one-ment shall be completed. Both God the Father and the Son
Jesus Christ
in us and we united with them as the one great supreme God family.
How wonderful beyond the ability of words to express is the glory of God and
his wonderful
purpose actually now in progress. Praise, honor and glory be to God and to
Jesus Christ
forever and forever.
With God's great master plan of seven thousand years finally completed -- the
mystery of
the ages finally revealed, and with the re-creating of the vast universe and
eternity
lying ahead, we come finally to
THE BEGINNING.
--------------------------------------
SUGGESTED READING
from the published works of Herbert W. Armstrong
The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong -- The Early Years
Did God Create a Devil?
Does God Exist?
Human Nature -- Did God Create It?
The Incredible Human Potential
Just What Do You Mean -- Born Again?
Just What Do You Mean -- -Conversion?
Just What Do You Mean -- Kingdom of God?
The Missing Dimension in Sex
Never Before Understood -- Why Humanity Cannot Solve Its Evils
Predestination -- Does the Bible Teach It?
The United States and Britain in Prophecy
What Do You Mean -- Salvation?
What Is the Reward of the Saved?
What Is the True Gospel?
What Science Can't Discover About the Human Mind
Where Is the True Church?
Why Were You Born?
The Wonderful World Tomorrow -- What It Will Be Like
A World Held Captive
World Peace How It Will Come
Your Awesome Future -- How Religion Deceives You