Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Father God please extend Your blessing upon this study and use it to help us better understand the attributes of Your Kingdom, Your Glory and Your Power.
Amen
We begin our study by reading the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. To do this let us go to,
[31] Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, [32] which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” [33] Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three £measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
To more fully appreciate the depth of these parables we will explore:
1. The growth of God’s Kingdom within an individual.
2. The growth of God’s Kingdom throughout the earth.
With the above in mind we begin with,
Perhaps the best way to see how God’s Kingdom grows within an individual is by example. To do this we will,
1. Read from the Old Testament to see how God’s Kingdom grew within the person of Moses.
2. Read from the New Testament to see how God’s Kingdom grew within the person of Paul.
3. Review the call for you and I to become a disciple of Jesus Christ and a child of God.
We begin the example of Moses with the following,
At the time Moses was born Pharaoh, being afraid of the growth of the Israelite population, decreed that all male Israelite children were to be put to death. However, Moses’ mother did not obey Pharaoh’s command. Instead of carrying out the king’s order, she placed Moses in a basket and hid him in the Nile River. She did this with the hope that somehow Moses would survive. To see this let us read from,
Exodus 2:1-4
[1] And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. [2] So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. [3] But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. [4] And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby Moses, felt compassion for him and decided to raise him as her own son. As a result, Moses became a grandson of the Pharaoh. This is recorded in,
[5] Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. [6] And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” [7] Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?”[8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. [9] Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. [10] And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name £Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”
Further in the Old Testament we discover that through a set of circumstances, Moses, in order to save his life from the wrath of Pharaoh, fled from Egypt and went to the land of Midian. While in Midian Moses became a shepherd and lived with his wife Zipporah and their son, Gershom. To see exactly what occurred let us read from,
Exodus 2:11-22
[11] Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. [12] So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. [13] And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, “Why are you striking your companion?” [14] Then he said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” So Moses feared and said, “Surely this thing is known!” [15] When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.[16] Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. [17] Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. [18] When they came to Reuel their father, he said, “How is it that you have come so soon today?”[19] And they said, “An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.”[20] So he said to his daughters, “And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.”[21] Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. [22] And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”
It was in Midian where,
To read what happened let us go to,
Exodus 3:1-12
[1] Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. [2] And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. [3] Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” [4] So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”[5] Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” [6] Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.[7] And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. [8] So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. [9] Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. [10] Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”[11] But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” [12] So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Let us notice the following verses,
2-6 … While Moses was tending a flock of sheep God, from within a burning bush, spoke to him.
10 … God told Moses that He was sending him back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from their bondage to Pharaoh. As a side note, at this time of Moses life the Pharaoh, who was Moses grandfather, died and a new Pharaoh had taken his place (see Exodus 2:23).
11 … Moses told God he was not up to the task. In other words, Moses, now being a shepherd, did not believe he had the skills or qualifications to accomplish such a momentous task.
12a ... God assured Moses He would certainly be with him.
The questions arise as to: “What happened?” and “How does this relate to the growth of God’s Kingdom within an individual?” To find out let us consider the following brief summary of,
1. Through the hand of Moses God performed miracle after miracle.
2. Through the hand of Moses God led Israel out of Egypt and their bondage to Pharaoh.
3. Through the hand of Moses God wrote the first five books of the Bible.
4. After being in God’s presence Moses’ face would glow with God’s glory (see Exodus 34:29-35).
For our New Testament example we will look to,
Before we read about the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ call for Paul to become one of His disciples let us first go over the following brief
The Bible teaches us that Paul, who is sometimes referred to as Saul, was extremely well educated in the Old Testament Scriptures. He also lived his life in strict accordance with the law, which is as a Pharisee. To see this let us read an excerpt from his defense to King Agrippa as to why he was preaching and teaching about Jesus. The passage of interest is in,
Acts 26:4-5
[4] “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. [5] They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
It was Paul’s zeal for the strict adherence to the law that led him to persecute anyone or any organization that professed and taught that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah.
While on his way to persecute the Christian church in Damascus Saul met the Lord Jesus Christ. It was here that
This miraculous event is recorded in,
Acts 9:1-6
[1] Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest [2] and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. [4] Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”[5] And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”[6] So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
With Jesus’ call to Paul in mind let us now read a brief summary of
1. Paul proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ to a myriad of people, including governors, magistrates and a king.
2. Through the hand of Paul God penned fourteen of the New Testament epistles.
3. The most significant thing that happened to Paul is how the growth of God’s Kingdom grew within him. The Apostle Paul beautifully described this growth in,
Galatians 2:20
[20] I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
The question now arises as to: “What about us?” Specifically, “What about you and I?” To address these questions let us briefly examine
To do this let us first read the following excerpt from the Gospel according to John. This excerpt reveals the tremendous gift God, through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, has extended to each and every one of us. It is recorded in,
John 1:6-13
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. [11] He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. [12] But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [13] who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Let us notice the following verses,
12 … All who received Jesus, which are those who have accepted and submitted to Him as their Lord and Savior also have received the right or privilege to become a child of God.
13 … Those who did receive and accepted Him are now born again of the Holy Spirit. In other words, as we saw with the examples of Moses and Paul we too, who have been born again, are new creatures. We have been filled with God the Holy Spirit and hence, the Kingdom of God is now within us. To see this, consider Jesus’ response to those who wanted to know when the Kingdom of God would come. To read Jesus’ response to them let us go to,
Luke 17:20-21
[20] Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; [21] nor will they say, See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
If you have received and accepted God’s call let us briefly consider
1. Consider how much closer the Lord Jesus Christ has brought you to Him and God the Father.
2. Consider the spiritual state you were in and where you are now.
3. Consider all the sinful things Jesus Christ has delivered from you.
In the previous portion of this study we saw examples of why Jesus Christ described the Kingdom of God to be like a mustard seed and leaven (yeast). However, the previous portion only addressed the effects and growth of God’s Kingdom within an individual.
As we study the Scriptures we also discover like yeast, which will ultimately leaven the whole lump of baking dough, the Kingdom of God will also grow throughout the earth. This now brings us to the second portion of our study, which is
To explore this facet of God’s Kingdom we will,
1. See how God has spread His Word, the Bible, throughout the earth.
2. Review the promise God made to firmly establish His Kingdom throughout the earth.
3. Read about the fulfillment of God’s promise to establish His Kingdom here, upon the earth.
We begin the first section for this portion of our study by exploring
To explore this topic we begin by reviewing some of
The, “Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament and New Testament”; by John H. Walton show that the Bible was written over a 1536 year time span. During this time period we find that the universally accepted books of the Old Testament were written in the interval from around 1446BC to about 433BC. The New Testament books were penned from around 40AD to approximately 90AD.1&2
Over this 1536 year time span we find that the Bible was written by 40 authors from various walks of life. To illustrate this point, the following partial list of Bible authors along with their occupations is provided.
1. Moses was an adopted son of Pharaoh and then became leader over the nation of Israel.
2. Amos was a shepherd.
3. Solomon was a king of Israel.
4. Peter was a fisherman.
5. Daniel was ruler over the province of Babylon during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.
6. Luke was a physician.
7. Matthew was a tax collector.
8. Paul was a Jewish Rabbi and tent maker.
Another interesting characteristic of the Bible is its survivability. History tells us that many kings, nations and religions tried to burn it, ban it and outlaw it. For example, we read in Josh McDowel’s book, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict” that, the Roman emperor Diocletian in 303AD issued an edict to destroy the scriptures and to Christians from worshipping the Lord. Voltaire, a Frenchman, who died in 1778, was an advocate for having the Bible confiscated.3
In our modern day history we still find intense persecution towards Christianity and the Bible. For an example, today we read in the newspapers or see on television how in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Albania, Vietnam and Sudan, just to name a few, it is illegal to possess a Bible or conduct a Christian assembly. The punishment for violating this law is prison, torture and possibly death. For our last example, we find that, in our very own country, the United States of America, it is against state statutes to read the Bible or pray, in the Name of Jesus Christ, in public classrooms.
In spite of severe and intense persecution we also find that God had and still has His servants to not only preserve His Word but even make it accessible to those who are under these oppressions. For example in the publication of, “Christian History” that was devoted to William Tyndale we find that in the 1500’s the English Catholic Church had in effect a law that made it punishable by death to translate the Bible into English.4 However, William Tyndale believed that the Bible should be made available and readable to all people. Thus, he translated and published, in 1526, the first printed English language New Testament. At the age of 42, he was strangled and then burned at the stake for the heresy of translating the Bible into English. As we all know the English Bible was not eradicated but it continues to flourish throughout the English speaking world.
Another example is Reverend Richard Wurmbrand. In his book, “Tortured For Christ” we read how, in 1945, when the communists seized Rumania and attempted to control the church, that Richard Wurmbrand began an underground ministry and church for those who remained faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was eventually arrested and suffered much physical and mental torture for his faith.5 However, it is through people like him that the Bible and Christianity has survived in countries that had experienced some of the darkest moments of the communist reign.
Even today, 2010, in countries such as Afghanistan, Albania, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda and Iran there is intense oppression and persecution of Christianity. In the midst of this, we also find missionaries from organizations such as the New International Bible Society that continue to enter into these countries to bring Bibles, comfort and help to those who remain faithful to our Lord.
In addition to surviving physical persecution we also find the Bible has and continues to survive slander and criticism. Many men, learned or otherwise, attacked and still attack it with skepticism and mockery. For example, some scientists, such as the late astronomer and philosopher Carl Sagan, declared that the Bible is just a book about religious myths and fables. Many psychologists, such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, whose writings and theories form the basis of our modern day psychological counseling, also had a dim view of the Bible and stated that It is just a book of irrelevant tales and myths.
In contrast with all the slander and mockery there are also in past generations many distinguished personalities who promoted the reading of the Bible. In Fred Heeren’s book, “Show Me God” we can read about the religious convictions of many respected scientists. For example, there is Robert Boyle, the chief founder of modern chemistry. He turned basically turned alchemy into chemistry, and is the originator of what is now known as “Boyle’s Law." This law, a fundamental principle of gases. Mr. Boyle gave large portions of his income for Bible translation work so that God’s Word would be available in the native language for those who did not have it.6
Another example is Sir Francis Bacon, the father of the “scientific method” of
reasoning. In order to find truth, he advised two steps: first, the elimination
of common prejudices (which he called idols) and second, the application of his
famous “scientific method.” This method of induction involves observation,
hypothesis and experimentation. Being a student of the Scriptures, Francis
Bacon once wrote: “No one should maintain that a man can search too far, or be
too well studied in the book of God’s Word or in the book of God’s works;
divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavor an endless progress or
proficiency in both.”7
Given the above discussions, the question to be asked is, “What is the purpose of reviewing all this?” Perhaps put another way, “What is the point?” Actually, there are two points to be made.
The first is that in spite of all the attempts to ban it, burn it and stamp it out, the Bible, as compared to other ancient writings, has more surviving manuscript evidence than any ten pieces of ancient literature combined. In Charles Leache’s book, “Our Bible, How We Got It.”, we read that there are now more than 5,300 known Greek manuscripts of the New Testament or portions of the New Testament. Similarly, there are over 10,000 manuscripts in the Latin Vulgate. Thus, in existence today, there are more than 15,300 manuscript copies of the Bible. In comparison, the Iliad by Homer is second with only 643 manuscripts that still remain.8
The second point to be made is that with all the attempts to ridicule, discredit and persecute those who read or promote the reading of the Bible, we still find the Bible has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book. Encyclopedia Britannica says that by 1966 the whole Bible had appeared in 240 languages and dialects and one or more whole books of the Bible has appeared in 739 additional languages/dialects.9
The second section for this portion of our study is the review of
We begin this second section of our study in the Old Testament. Specifically, we will read about the dream God gave King Nebuchadnezzar that revealed what would occur in the later days. Before we explore the explanation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream it would be helpful for us to quickly review the following
During his reign over the Babylonian kingdom God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. Nebuchadnezzar was quite troubled by the dream. Consequently, he summed all the magicians, soothsayers, sorcerers and astrologers to interpret the dream. To be sure they would give him the proper interpretation he commanded them to first describe the dream and then provide the interpretation. As you would expect, all these so called wise men could not describe Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Their inability made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the so called wise men of Babylon. God’s prophet, Daniel, heard of the king’s execution order and requested an audience with the king.
With the above background in mind let us now read about,
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream along with its interpretation is recorded in,
Daniel 2:24-45
[24] Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.” [25] Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, “I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation.” [26] The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?” [27] Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. [28] But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these: [29] As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. [30] But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart. [31] “You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. [32] This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, [33] its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. [34] You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. [35] Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. [36] “This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king. [37] You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; [38] and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold. [39] But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. [40] And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. [41] Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. [42] And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. [43] As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. [44] And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. [45] Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”
Let us notice the following verses,
27-28 … In other words, Daniel made it clear to the king that man alone is not able to reveal or interpret the mysteries of God. Only God Himself working through a man can do this. The same can be said with the respect to the writing and understanding of the Holy Scriptures (see 2 Peter 1:19-21).
29 … God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream concerning the future and the great kingdoms that were to come upon the earth.
30-35 … To confirm the truth of the interpretation God was going to provide Nebuchadnezzar, through His prophet Daniel, God recounted the vision He gave him. Note that the vision depicted of a great image of a man.
32a, 36-38 … The first kingdom depicted by the head of gold was a representation for the kingdom of Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar.
32b, 39a … The second kingdom depicted by breast and arms of silver was a representation for the Medo-Persion Kingdom10.
32c, 39b … The third kingdom depicted by the belly and thighs of brass was a representation for Alexander the Great and the kingdom of Greece10.
33a, 40 … The fourth kingdom depicted by the legs of iron was a representation for the Roman Empire10.
33b, 41-43 … The toes and feet composed of iron and clay was a representation for a revived Roman Empire commonly known today as the New World Order10.
44-45 … The stone or rock was a representation of God’s Kingdom which will supplant man’s kingdoms.
This prophecy raises the following question as to; “How and when will God firmly establish His Kingdom upon this earth?” The answer to this question brings us to the third and last section for this portion of our study, which is
The answer to the question as to when God will establish His Kingdom is provided to us in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Specifically, it will come about when the New World Order is firmly established.
As to the question of how will God establish His Kingdom, the Bible clearly tells us that it will be through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. To see this we will,
1. Briefly review the beginning of the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth.
2. Briefly read about the final phase of what will happen when God completes the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.
We begin with,
In the Gospel according to John we read about the physical or human birth of Jesus Christ. In other words, it is in the following passages we discover that the third person of the God Head stepped out of heaven to dwell among us. To see this let us read from,
John 1:1-4
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And,
John 1:14
[14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Through the observation of a star the wise men or magi from the East recognized that something of great importance had occurred. They also recognized that the infant Jesus was born to be King of the Jews. To see this let us read from,
Matthew 2:1-2
[1] Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
From this point on all four Gospels of the New Testament provide us with an account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. They also provide us with an account of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Following Jesus’ physical resurrection from the dead and after God the Holy Spirit fell from Heaven on the Day of Pentecost it was realized that Jesus was not only King of the Jews but that He was and is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. To see this let us read the following exhortation the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy and now to us. It is recorded in,
1 Timothy 6:11-16
[11] But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. [12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [13] I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, [14] that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, [15] which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
Let us notice the following verses,
11 … We are to flee from our sinful ways and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.
14 … Jesus Christ will come again!
15 … Jesus Christ is the only Sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
The Epistles of the New Testament reveal to us the reason Jesus allowed Himself to suffer the death of crucifixion was to make atonement for our sins. They also reveal to us that His resurrection not only demonstrated that His sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins was accepted by God the Father but also provides those who are in Him power over sin and Satan. The Epistles also teach us that Jesus did these things so we can become everlasting citizens of His Kingdom. To see this let us read what the Holy Spirit said when He moved Paul to pray for the Christians then and now for us. His prayer is recorded in,
Colossians 1:9-14
[9] For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; [12] giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. [13] He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, [14] in whom we have redemption £through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Unfortunately, as we all know not everyone will receive or accept the Gospel. Not everyone will receive or accept Jesus Christ as their King, their Lord and their Savior. Consequently, when Jesus returns to earth to firmly establish God’s Kingdom He will come with an iron scepter to rule the earth and thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
In other words, it will be at this time when,
This will be the period of human history that the Bible describes as Jesus Christ’s 1000 year reign. To receive a picture of what will occur let us read and excerpt from the vision God gave to the Apostle John. The Scriptures of interest are recorded in,
Revelation 19:11-20:6
[11] Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. [12] His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. [13] He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. [15] Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
[17] Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, [18] that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.” [19] And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. [20] Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. [21] And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
[20:1] Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [2] He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; [3] and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
As noted in the last portion of chapter 20, verse 3 after the 1000 year reign Satan will be released from his prison to once more deceive the nations. After a set period of time, Satan will then be cast into the Lake of Fire. Following this the great judgment will come for all peoples followed by the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. To receive a picture of what this will be like let us read from, Revelation 20:7-21:7.
Revelation 20:7-21:8
[7] Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. [9] They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. [10] The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [11] Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. [14]Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second £death. [15] And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
[21:1]
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first
heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more
sea. [2] Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down
out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [3]
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of
God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His
people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. [4] And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor
sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
passed away.” [5] Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all
things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and
faithful.” [6] And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of
life freely to him who thirsts. [7] He who overcomes shall inherit all
things, and I will be his God and he shall be My
son. [8] But the cowardly, £unbelieving,
abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is
the second death.”
As one reflects upon all we have covered one might ask: “What is the point?” “What is the message of this study?”
The answer to these questions is best summarized by reading Jesus’ parable of the leaven or yeast. To do this let us go to,
Matthew 13:33
[33] … “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”