Category: Davidic Covenant

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #12

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

In his farewell sermon, Moses counseled Israel to obey the LORD to receive the blessing, “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land [on Earth!] which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth” (Deuteronomy 11:21). Notice the comparison to an heavenly Earth.

Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” From verse 2 onward, the Bible’s focus is “the earth.” The LORD God labors to make Himself a home with mankind on Earth (check Psalm 132:5,10-14), which encompasses the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-17 (cf. Luke 1:31-33). Recall again how God’s earthly kingdom loops all the way back to Adam and reaches all the way into the future to Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 25:34; Acts 3:20,21). Jesus’ return and subsequent kingdom is Earth-oriented: “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth…. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:35,44).

However, beginning in Acts chapter 9 with Paul’s salvation and commissioning, God shifts from restoring Earth to Himself, to restoring Heaven to Himself, for both realms must be brought back to the Creator God to achieve His eternal purpose….

A Hope Reserved for Israel in Heaven? #11

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,…” (1 Peter 1:3,4 KJV).

Perhaps we can search the Scriptures to resolve an apparent contradiction, thereby perfecting that which is lacking in superficial readers….

As Ezekiel witnessed the LORD’S glory leave Jerusalem 600 years before Christ (Ezekiel chapters 10 and 11), so God gave him a preview of that glory returning thousands of years later: “And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory…. And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house” (Ezekiel 43:2,4,5). Chapters 40–48 are the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, the same 1,000-year kingdom of Revelation chapter 20, which follows the Second Coming of Revelation chapter 19. In Revelation chapters 21 and 22, there are the New Heaven and New Earth, which involves the New Jerusalem (which eventually descends out of Heaven, not remaining in Heaven).

Overall, basic dispensational principles have not been violated, for Israel is still destined to inherit an earthly kingdom—one that originates from Heaven, yes, but never staying in Heaven. “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5; cf. Psalm 37:11). “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). “And, behold, 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).

David reigned on Earth, of course, and so will Jesus Christ….

God’s Perfect Timing

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4,5 KJV).

As today’s Scripture indicates, the birth of Jesus Christ was no accident—God planned its exact moment from eternity past.

When God placed the first man, Adam, on earth, He purposed that man would “subdue [control] it,” to “have dominion” over it and everything on it (Genesis 1:28). Nevertheless, Adam sinned by joining Satan in his rebellion against God. Because of sin, man was now unable to accomplish on earth what God originally created him to do. God left the human race a promise, however, that there would come a Man, who would do what Adam failed to do. Instead of cooperating with God’s adversary like Adam had, this “seed of the woman” would “bruise [Satan’s] head” (Genesis 3:15).

Traveling up through the Scriptures, we see how God lays the groundwork for that seedline. In Genesis 12:1-3, or 2,000 years after Adam’s sin, we read God’s covenant with Abraham, that through Abraham a nation, Israel, will be born, and salvation and blessing will flow to the Gentiles through Israel. The seed of the woman becomes the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16).

In 2 Samuel 7:12-16, and 1,000 years after Abraham, we read of God’s covenant with King David, that “his seed” will inherit his throne and reign forever. The seed of the woman and of Abraham becomes the seed of David.

About 1,000 years after David, Matthew 1:1 speaks of Christ’s birth, and declares, “…Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” This is exactly what God had promised for thousands of years!

Jesus Christ’s birth was not some haphazard event of nature. God the Father had preplanned the exact moment of the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture). Over a period of some 4,000 years, the three members of the Godhead worked to bring about the birth of man’s Redeemer, a plan they had even before man was created! Amazing!

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks #2

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11,12 KJV).

The third and fourth verses of the classic Christmas carol paraphrase today’s Scripture.

“‘To you, in David’s town, this day,
Is born of David’s line
A Savior, who is Christ the Lord;
And this shall be the sign
And this shall be the sign.
The heavenly Babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swaddling-clothes
And in a manger laid
And in a manger laid.’”

Bethlehem-Judah—not to be confused with the Bethlehem of northern Israel—was known for being King David’s birthplace (1 Samuel 16:18). It was also where his great-grandmother Ruth had lived (Ruth 1:19). But, Bethlehem-Judah (or Bethlehem-Ephratah, or Bethlehem-Judaea) was no Jerusalem, or Rome, or Alexandria, major cities at that time. Nevertheless, the shadows/types/previews were present.

Jesus Christ had come to fulfill the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16). He is the Son of David who can accomplish the governmental part of the Abrahamic Covenant. Reading from Luke chapter 1: “[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] 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: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” God had His Son born in Bethlehem of Judah, the same place where King David was born 1,000 years earlier!

The angel said it was easy for the shepherds to find Baby Jesus. There was only one Bethlehem-Judah, and there was only one manger in that little town that held a little Baby tightly wrapped in clothes. That little Baby would grow up to be a Man, mature and thus fully able to reign from David’s throne. No wonder the angels proceeded to sing such wonderful news!

What Child Is This? #1

Saturday, November 29, 2025

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, 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 1:30-33 KJV).

The first verse of the classic Christmas carol highlights today’s Scripture.

“What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Such an event had never before happened in human history. God had promised “the seed of the woman” to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15), but it was 4,000 years later that Mary was identified as that “woman.” That the Creator God would take upon Himself the flesh of sinful man, though Himself never being defiled by sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). Unheard of in pagan religions!

The angels understood the Old Testament prophecies about God’s Son being born of a human mother. She was a “virgin,” a young woman (perhaps in her teens) who had never had any sexual relations with a man (Luke 1:34). On the night of Baby Jesus’ birth into the human race—the culmination of humanity added to His deity—the angels appeared in the sky and sang, to encourage the shepherds in the nearby fields to hurry to Bethlehem to see a little Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes (Luke 2:8-14).

“[15] And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

Once the shepherds came to Bethlehem, and found Baby Jesus, they beheld such a strange sight!

The Kingdom of God is Within You #14

Thursday, July 24, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here? (NO!)

Re-read today’s Scripture in context one final time: “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Christ was not implying an invisible, spiritual reign in the hearts of men. Instead, He explained how a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom would not arrive so late in His earthly ministry. National Israel had already scorned Him for three years, so He was now heading to Calvary’s cross. One day, He would return in power and great glory to reign literally and physically and visibly in the Earth (Luke 17:24; Luke 19:11-15), “But first must he suffer many things [crucifixion], and be rejected of this generation” (Luke 17:25).

Contrary to what Amillennialists declare, today’s Scripture and its context is not an invisible, spiritual kingdom (“Jesus reigns in the hearts of men”). As touching the prophetic program, “the kingdom of God” is His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Otherwise, the LORD’s promise to King David is a lie, for the Davidic Covenant cannot be fulfilled (Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 23:5,6; Daniel 2:44,45; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:6; Acts 2:29,30). Contrary to what textual critics tell us, “The kingdom of God is within you” is not a mis-translation of our King James scholars. Its wording underscores Israel’s need to have faith in God’s words first. Lost Israel such as the Pharisees had to accept Christ by faith (“within you” meaning “within your souls”) before they could see and enter His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom (check John 3:1-8). Yet, the unbelieving Pharisees had reduced Christ’s role to mere political deliverance, seeing no need for their spiritual salvation (forgiveness of sins).

Finally, to believe our Dispensation of Grace fulfills Luke 17:20,21—“Jesus reigns invisibly in men’s hearts today”—is to destroy the dispensational distinctions in Scripture. It is also why modern “scholars” tend to “re-translate” the Authorized Version here. Lacking dispensational eyes, they tell spiritual lies. Avoid them!

The Kingdom of God is Within You #10

Sunday, July 20, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

Read the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Luke 13:6-9: “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

National Israel refused to repent and trust Jesus as Messiah-King (Gospel of the Kingdom) during His three years of earthly ministry, so Father God gave a one-year extension of mercy. The kingdom is delayed in prophecy, His return not occurring until at least one more year after His Ascension. In early Acts, He would have come back in flaming fire and vengeance within eight years or so after Calvary (Daniel’s 70th Week included) (see Acts 7:55,56; cf. Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-36; Acts 3:19-21). Note how Spirit-filled Peter recognized Christ was resurrected “to sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:29-32; cf. Acts 1:6).

Moreover, there is a second delay in Christ restoring Israel’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom—a mystery (secret) postponement connected to Paul’s ministry. That Pauline aspect is seldom recognized. Since what God is doing now through Paul’s ministry is not what He did before Paul, denominationalists soften those differences like this: If there is no literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom now—and it has been 2,000 years since Christ’s earthly ministry without such a kingdom—there must have never been any promise of restoring that literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. WRONG!

Paul’s ministry is “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest…” (Romans 16:25,26). What God is doing today in the mystery program is totally separate and distinct from the prophetic program. It is the unbelief that remains the same….

The Kingdom of God is Within You #9

Saturday, July 19, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

To put it as succinctly as possible, “the kingdom of God” is the realm or sphere over which God has influence. It excludes unbelievers, Satan, and fallen angels. The expression is found in both Pauline and non-Pauline Bible verses. As touching us in mystery, we the Church the Body of Christ are “the kingdom of God.” In the prophetic program, however, the term takes the form of a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom—and this is because Israel is God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly people. In today’s Scripture, Jesus tells the Pharisees they need to have faith in Him before they see His literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom founded. They must have God’s influence in their hearts (“the kingdom of God is within you”—today’s Scripture) before they observe with their physical eyes how He demolishes earthly governments.

Read Luke 17:20 again. By looking for a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom at so late a time during Christ’s earthly ministry, the unbelieving Pharisees (who have failed to receive Jesus by faith) and the rest of lost Israel have opened themselves up to the deception of the Antichrist’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom that will counterfeit and come before Jesus Christ’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom.

That is the warning of Luke 17:20-25: “…The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.”

Again, Calvary is just weeks away, which postpones the kingdom….

The Kingdom of God is Within You #8

Friday, July 18, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

Believing Israel—the Messianic Church, Little Flock, or believing remnant—received Messiah-King Jesus by trusting Him in their heart (“the kingdom of God is within you”). They had already admitted their sin problem and believed in Him for redemption. However, unbelieving Israel sought mere political deliverance, not spiritual salvation. This was the Pharisees in the context of today’s Scripture. Their self-righteousness did not allow them to believe they had sin or needed spiritual salvation! Now that they refused to trust Him in their heart, He would not reign literally, physically, and visibly (David’s throne restored—see Acts 1:6) until after they formally rejected Him at Calvary’s cross.

Read Luke 7:19-35. John the Baptist, whom King Herod Antipas had imprisoned (Luke 3:19,20), could not understand why the Lord Jesus had not yet rescued him by overthrowing that evil ruler. The answer is simple: apostate Israel’s unbelief postpones God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. With John the Baptist (Messiah’s forerunner or announcer) about to die by beheading, and Messiah Himself preparing for His crucifixion, there will be no literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom until Messiah returns to His Father in Heaven to bring His kingdom back to Earth at His Second Coming.

Skip ahead to Luke 19:11,12. Jesus declares He is departing to His Father to receive the kingdom but He will come back with it: “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Verses 13-14 cover His ascension (His leaving Earth) all the way to His Second Coming. His return is verses 15-27, with Jewish unbelievers destroyed when He comes back.

The key to today’s Scripture is verse 25: “But first [before His return to rule as King] must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.” Again, the tree of Calvary must precede the throne of David….

The Kingdom of God is Within You #7

Thursday, July 17, 2025

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21 KJV).

Is there really a “mis-translation” in the King James Bible here?

During a 40-day ministry after His death and resurrection, the Lord taught His Little Flock from the Old Testament about the kingdom of God. “Ought not Christ to have suffered these things [Calvary], and to enter into his glory [kingdom]? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself…. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me…. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,…” (Luke 24:26,27,44,45).

“The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:…. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:1-3,6,7).

Responding to His teaching, His disciples understood He, now (!) resurrected (!), would “restore again” (reinstate) David’s throne. Did David reign in the hearts of men?! (Utter nonsense! No!) Just as David governed a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Israeli kingdom, so Jesus Christ will reign in a literal, physical, visible, earthly, Israeli kingdom. That is the only way Christ can fulfill the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-14; Isaiah 9:6,7; Jeremiah 23:5,6; Luke 1:31-33). By the way, Christ never criticized their question in Acts 1:6, for it was a valid one, He merely kept its timetable a secret (verse 7)….