Posted on 12/21/2004 11:49:02 PM PST by JohnHuang2
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
By Joseph Farah
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness. From then on and forevermore ..."
– Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this week and prepare for 2005 next week, I can't help but think about how close we must be to the Second Coming – when the Lord will return for His church and personally rule over the Earth for 1,000 years.
Oh, I know, some of you don't believe in such things. You think it's just a bunch of silly superstition. Even some Christians don't believe in the Second Coming. Many prefer I stick to writing about news events of the physical world rather than arcane spiritual matters.
But, as a journalist, I can't ignore hard evidence – no matter where it may lead me. And the more I study the prophetic scriptures of the Holy Bible and look at the condition of our world today, the more convinced I become that we are nearing that time. In fact, I think we are very close.
For just as Jesus' virgin birth in Bethlehem was foretold by the Hebrew prophets hundreds of years earlier, so, too, was His return to Earth predicted. The only question is when.
The most dramatic evidence for His imminent return our generation has witnessed was the rebirth of the nation of Israel more than 50 years ago. The Jews, God's chosen people, were, as prophesied, scattered over the whole earth for nearly two millennia beginning shortly after Jesus' death on the cross. Yet, in my opinion, the scriptures leave no doubt that the Jewish state would exist once again before He returned.
Interestingly, Orthodox Jews have long taught that the world would last for 6,000 years before the Messiah would come and usher in a 1,000-year period of restful human history. Since God created the world in six days, according to Genesis 1:31, and rested on the seventh day, according to Genesis 2:1, they reasoned the world's history would climax the same way. They cite Psalms 90:4, which says: "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by."
Likewise, Christians have looked to II Peter 3:8: "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
The early church understood this "six-day theory" of world history. It was widely accepted teaching for the first three centuries of the church. From the time of Adam, we've got genealogical records to show that 4,000 years passed until the time of Christ. From Jesus' time until the present age represents another 2,000 years for a total of 6,000 years or six days.
There's also a three-day theory: Jesus rose on the third day. Would the beginning of the third millennium – or thousand-year period – not be the likely time for His return to Earth? There is even strong scriptural evidence for such a theory provided in Hosea 6:2: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Note that this prophecy is not about the Resurrection of Jesus – it's either about the resurrection of Israel after 2,000 years of dispersal or the physical return of the Lord.
In 1772, Edward Gibbons published "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," in which he cites early documents suggesting the Christian disciples of the first century were taught that Jesus would return after 2,000 years. We'll soon find out if they were right.
For many reasons, I believe Jesus is returning soon. But I'm especially drawn to II Timothy 3:1-5, which describes the state of the world in the "last days." Tell me if this doesn't sound like our world:
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
To me, that sounds like our world today.
Christmas represents a time of great hope for Christians. Of course, we're grateful that Jesus came about 2,000 years ago and died for our sins. Now we should be hopeful and expectant of His imminent return.
Merry Christmas. And happy birthday, Jesus.
You've hit the nail right on the head on two points:
First, your statement, contradicting all the predictions as to the timing of the return of Christ, comparing the 'second coming' to the coming of a 'thief in the night," ergo, unanticipatedly.
The more important thing is this notion of a thousand year reign of Christ on earth. The only mention of this is in the book of Revelation. The number of people, biblical scholars and laity alike, that take certain portions of Revelation literally while within the same sentences taking other portions figuratively is astonishing to say the least.
Revelation is a high-level big-picture view of the history of man and beyond on the front end as everything relates to God in perspective. It is not some snapshot view of a bunch of things indicative of what the scriptures says will not be 'broadcast' or 'forecasted' for anyone with a simple fourth-grade education to be able to ascertain the exact day of the return of the Lord. Yet, this is the perception.
As well, this "thousand year reign" actually began shortly after Christ's ascension!
Without elaborating in the interests of brevity, Jesus told us that the kingdom of God was "at hand" meaning he was it. He began to reign appropriately following his death and ascension and has since sat at the right hand of the Father reigning from there and in a figurative/metaphorical sense with us reigning with him during the gospel age.
Many falsely attempt to take something that Jesus said was not of this world, namely his kingdom, and make it of this world. It isn't nor ever will be.
Romans 5 lays out perfectly that this reign is a "reign with Christ" and there is absolutely no mention anywhere of a reign "over" anyone or anything. The reign is "[with Christ] and [by grace] in righteousness for trhe sole purpose of highlighting Christ and eternal life through him.
It is that simple. The return of Christ is the finality of life on earth as we all know it! There are no options for anyone following that.
I personally believe that the anti-christian sentiment is going to grow much worse prior to the return of Christ. JMO however.
Some scholars have said that in the original, GREEK, it indicates that ALL PEOPLE GROUPS, tribes, must be exposed to The Gospel.
About 18 years ago, I heard a prediction that considering the newer pattern of translating Scriptures orally and distributing them on cassette tapes; as well as the pattern of many languages dying in favor of more broad based languages like English--it would take another approximately 30 years to get The Gospel to all remaining language/people groups.
Perhaps we have 12 or less years left on that score. The process was being speeded up and I haven't heard a current projection. It's probably available on the web somewhere.
AMEN!
I still don't remotely have it all figured out.
And, I think it could be either way.
However, I have often wondered if the one taken/one left didn't mean that the evil one was taken out of the world.
There's nothing in Scripture that would preclude Him from ruling and reigning in some physically mannifested way from this globe and a LOT of Scriptures indicating He will.
HE wrote it.
HE'S THE BOSS.
It's HIS script.
IT'S HIS gig.
IT'S HIS MANDATE.
It's HIS pleasure.
I'm HIS SERVANT.
EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW; EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS THE CHRIST IS LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS.
I suppose we could speculate about spirit knees bowing and spirit tongues confessing.
And, I've often wondered about how we'll be doing out part in glorified bodies as other Believers who've lived through/come out of The Great Tribulation will be doing their part in mortal bodies . . . But I'm enormously confident that God has that ALL WORKED OUT.
Quix, I'm reasonably certain that left-behinders who get saved during the tribulation will be changed into an immortal body upon Christ's Armageddon return; can't remember the specific reference, but I'm pretty sure I've read it.
MM
If one has a "Bible" with gaping holes and missing verses, I don't know that we can have a meaningful discussion.
The Scriptures about the Ascension wherein the angels tell that in LIKE MANNER HE WILL RETURN is ample Scripture pointing to at least His 2nd Coming. But it could also refer to our being caught away and meeting Him in the air.
Christ's presentation in Matt 24 is also quite plausibly inclusive of the being caught up to meet Him event.
Actually, Daniel, Ezekiel, the shorter prophets etc. all have Scriptures which have not yet been fulfilled.
I'm sorry if your Bible is missing these passages. You might consider obtaining a more complete one.
The guy is brilliant, and his research is much more intellectually credible because he backs up his interpretations with exploration of the ORIGINAL texts, shows how various issues became muddled in translation, etc.
MM
What scripture indicates that Jesus will "physically rule from this globe."
There is no "era of tribulation" it is something all saints may experience, at any time while standing for the truth.
The problem comes when you determine there has to be a scripture which says, "there are 3 groups of people". You can find the 3 groups mentioned by name hundreds of times.
However, in the KJV:
the word "Jews" is used beginning in 2Kings 16:6
the word "church" is used beginning in Matt 16:18 (by Jesus)
the word "nations" is used beginning in Acts 14:16
The words are all there - all THREE groups .. they're just not all in the same scripture.
>That same old line <- "REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND" is the Shephards warning call to accept Christ Jesus as Lord before the snarling lion overtakes His flock. For then it will be too late. One cannot be baptised in the Holy Spirit AFTER physical death.
>In fact I believe our support of Israel is the only thing that has thus far saved our evermore hedonistic nation from the wrath of God<
I agree. Well said, MM.
bttt
1) God never expected sinful flesh to be able to hold it's end of anything up very long. Why did Christ come and die on The Cross?
2) God's everlasting covenant with ABRAHAM was
(A) God's plan to bring about more manifested GLORY OF GOD before man THROUGH AND IN BEHALF OF HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE.
(B) God's Love, blessing, thanks, gifting TO ABRAHAM. In a LOT of respects, it was irrelevant what the seed of Abraham did--GOD WOULD STILL WORK IT OUT THAT HIS EVERLASTING PROMISE TO ABRAHAM WOULD BE FULFILLED. That's GOD'S NATURE. As He said, He is not a man that HE should lie.
3) I'm sorry your Bible is missing the following verses. Perhaps you could print them out and insert them:
Or perhaps you feel that God was lying when HE stated the following. If so, I'm very grieved about that.
Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and your seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto you, and to your seed after you.
Genesis 17:13
He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
Genesis 17:19
Then God said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. [ Isaac means he laughs . ] I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
1 Chronicles 16:17
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
1 Chronicles 16:17
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
1 Chronicles 16:36
Praise be to the LORD , the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said "Amen" and "Praise the LORD ."
Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-
Psalm 105:10
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
Isaiah 45:17
But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.
Isaiah 54:8
In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.
Isaiah 55:3
Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Isaiah 55:13
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
[QUIX: Doesn't sound like something intangible, pie in the sky or only 'spirit' to me, AT ALL.]
Isaiah 60:15
"Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations.
> [QUIX: This prophecy also has yet to be literally fulfilled. The wise anticipate it's fulfillment literally--in ISRAEL.]
Isaiah 60:19
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
[QUIX: This fascinating prophecy also has yet to be fulfilled. Clearly HE IS TALKING ABOUT BOTH BLOOD ISRAEL AND THE GRAFTED IN. The FAITHFUL have utter confidence that God said what He meant and will fulfill it as He said it. EVIDENTLY there are to be some dramatic changes either before and after this Heaven and earth pass away.]
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
[QUIX: I realize your Bible evidently translates it as they [ONLY the adopted in upstarts] will inherit [be graciously granted an unmerited] double portion [not rightfully given the nonBlood seed but magnanimously given via Christ's Blood and their acceptance thereof] in their land [DEFINITELY NOT IN THEIR *LAND*!!!--it's all some spirit metaphor for some spirit-only Heavenly only mumbo jumbo that only those allergic to God saying what He means and doing what He says really understand.]
[QUIX CONTINUED: I realize taxes, that your "Bible" must read something as the above. But I suggest you toss it out and get a more authentic one.]
Jeremiah 32:40
I will make an everlasting covenant with them [BLOOD ISRAEL!]: I will never stop doing good to them [BLOOD ISRAEL], and I will inspire them [BLOOD ISRAEL!!!] to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
[QUIX: Clearly God has YET to fulfill this prophecy. But there are many other Scriptures similar. imho No faith-filled, Spirit-led authentic Believer doubts GOD WILL FULFILL THAT PROPHECY LITERALLY TO THE LETTER.
Jeremiah 50:5
They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.
[QUIX: This prophecy too, has yet to be fulfilled. IT WILL BE FULFILLED. Who is the they? It is AT LEAST Blood Israel. Nothing else comes close to making sense consistent with the context and language. Nor is THE WAY TO ZION remotely likely to be some etherial, intangible path.]
> "the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the LORD their God.
Ezekiel 16:60
Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.
Ezekiel 37:26
I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever.
[QUIX: I realize, taxes, that your 'Bible' would likely be worded quite differently in this passage. Or, perhaps you just don't believe it. Personally, I believe Father God when He declares that HE WILL make HIS SANCTUARY amongst the Blood seed of Abraham forever. I may not know precisely what that means--but it seems clear to me that it has a very literal, obvious, tangible reality yet to be manifested--but which we will likely see manifested in our lifetimes]
Daniel 7:27
Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms [QX: NOT 'the eternal pseudotangible figurative ground of our essential being projected upon the only and totally spiritual realm as collections of etherial pseudo entities pretending to be fiefdoms . . . etc. etc. and etc.' but KINGDOMS in some sense congruent with what we think of as KINGDOMS.] under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'
[QX: Logically, at this future point, THE SAINTS consists of BOTH BLOOD ISRAEL AND CHRISTIANS--ALL WHO OUTSIDE THE BLOODLINE *ALSO* HAVE BY THEN ACCEPTED CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD]
QUITE SO--QUITE UNCONDITIONAL. GOD WILL HAVE A PEOPLE. HE HAS ALWAYS HAD A REMNANT.
AND, evidently, HE WILL HAVE AT LEAST A REMNANT FROM EVERY ONE OF THE 12 TRIBES.
It is clear from Scripture that the leaders in eterenity are headed by 12--one from each of the 12 tribes--as well as the 12 Apostles.
THAT *ALSO* makes clear God's determination to fulfill HIS EVERLASTING promises to BLOOD ISRAEL.
REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY is from the pit, if anything in this discussion is. It is hostile to Scripture. It is illogical. It is contrary to God's Nature. It is contrary to prophecies yet to be fulfilled.
It's very difficult to imagine what type of 'Bible' you have been reading.
There's absolutely NOTHING from Christ's comments about HIS KINGDOM to preclude HIS KINGDOM BEING BOTH spiritual and tangible--given HIS priorities and HIS TIMING and HIS WAYS OF DOING IT TO SUIT HIS GOALS.
Similarly, there's absolutely NOTHING in Scripture or logic which prevents GOD from writing a text of mixed literal and symbolic portions--even in the same sentence--as a puzzle He desires Believers to sort out and nonbelievers to be mystified by.
Sorry it's so seemingly mystifying to you. We may not know precisely what a given portion means ahead of time or perhaps until just prior to the time. Nevertheless, I am quite happy to trust God that He meant what He said and said what He meant and that it will become clearer either before, during or after the moment of fulfillment.
I can't recall a single Scripture that would remotely clearly indicate that.
It COULD sort of conceivably be. But I'm very skeptical.
For one, there will be children born during that thousand year reign.
Now, if Armageddon is at the end of the thousand year reign . . . I don't know. Not much said about the therefore then what's.
Thanks for the suggestion. Perhaps if I win a prize of some sort! Too little cash and too many other priorities.
I agree he's a great researcher with a wealth of insights.
I've just presented a ton of Scriptures about everlasting. I'm not interested nor with time and energy to devote to another such gleaning any time soon.
I'm skeptical that you'd find The SCRIPTURES enlightening anyway since you have failed to do so to this point in your life.
Some have been mentioned above.
The Scriptures related to the New Jerusalem coming down to earth from Heaven could apply quite easily and obviously.
The Scriptures about all nations going to Jerusalem with their products, worship and tribute are another set.
etc. etc. etc.
Perhaps others will do your research for you.
There's an abundance of such Scriptures for those with eyes to see.
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