Category: earthly kingdom / Millennial Reign of Christ

What Child Is This? #3

Sunday, December 1, 2024

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20,21 KJV).

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

“So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

While commonly assumed the wise men came to visit Baby Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem, a careful study of Matthew chapter 2 shows us that they met Jesus in Joseph’s house in Nazareth, when He was as much as two years old (verse 16). The Bible never specifies “three” wise men or three “kings,” either. Regardless of their number, these wise men, Gentiles from the East, came to Jerusalem looking for Israel’s King. Upon hearing the wise men, King Herod and all of Jerusalem were “troubled” (verse 3). Israel should be ready to receive her Messiah-King, but she is not. Gentiles are seeking Israel’s King, and they, the Gentiles, are ready! How odd!

The wise men learn that Israel’s Messiah was born in Bethlehem-Judah (verses 4-6), but a “star” (angel) leads them to Nazareth (verses 7-10). Verse 11: “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Jesus is a King, so the wise men have brought gold to Him. They have brought Him frankincense because He is a Priest. Myrrh has been brought to Him because He is a Prophet. Gentiles treat Israel’s King with more respect than Israel does!

Nothing has changed today. Some reject Jesus Christ while others accept Him. The songwriter, as does this author, urges people to accept Him!

David’s Two Wives #5

Sunday, November 10, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

Though David’s first wife Michal was married off to another man, David demanded she be returned to him after the Philistines slew King Saul in battle (see 1 Samuel 31:1-13 and 2 Samuel 3:13-16). David was anointed Israel’s new monarch, Saul’s successor, in 2 Samuel chapter 5—which corresponds to Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign in the ages to come. In dozens upon dozens of ways, David symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ. As touching today’s Scripture, both men are married to one woman, then to two women, before the relationship to the original woman is restored.

Let us tie it all together now in one succinct narrative. David’s marriage to Michal was dissolved due to sin; she was taken from him and given to another man. Likewise, the LORD’S nation (Israel) was stolen from Him and given to another man (heathen gods or pagan idols). David subsequently married two women, Ahinoam and Abigail, and Michal later rejoined him once he became king. After David’s idolatrous son Solomon died, Israel was divided into two kingdoms or two nations, Israel and Judah (two women or wives). Yet, the New Covenant will reconcile Israel and Judah to each other, and reunite them to the Lord Jesus Christ (JEHOVAH God). In that day of His Second Coming, He will reign as their King—and there will be one wife, one nation, one kingdom (Michal’s return), serving one God (no more idols).

We can see how sin complicates life, whether short-term or long-term. Again, polygamy or polyandry was never God’s intention, but we live in a fallen world. David’s marital situations were not easy or justifiable, yet the Holy Spirit placed them into the record of Scripture forever to illustrate how the LORD God would have a similar relationship with Israel: one wife (one kingdom/nation), then two wives (divided kingdoms/nations), with the original wife finally returning (united kingdom/nation). In fact, in various ways David is most unlike Christ too, for, as his influence grew, King David kept multiplying wives as per eastern custom (2 Samuel 5:12,13; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9). Again, the Bible tells the truth—even about its heroes!

Note the Horizon! #15

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

For three years, Jesus Christ preached repentance (change in mind) to Israel because God’s earthly kingdom was at hand. Alas, most of the nation was uninterested. Luke chapter 13: “[6] 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. [7] 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? [8] And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”

Israel received a one-year extension to believe, a renewed opportunity for repentance (verse 8)—the first seven chapters of Acts. As they blasphemed against the Son of Man and crucified Him, so they spoke against the Holy Ghost and stoned His prophet Stephen. By Acts chapter 7, wrath could no longer be delayed—as far as the prophetic program was concerned. In Acts chapter 9, the mystery program began: Jesus Christ poured out grace, mercy, and peace on Saul of Tarsus, His chief enemy in the Earth (see 1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Read Peter’s words in 2 Peter chapter 3: “[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance…. [15] And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

As God was gracious, merciful, and peaceful to save Saul/Paul, so Saul/Paul is a pattern of God’s longsuffering, His attitude toward sinful mankind even now….

Note the Horizon! #13

Sunday, October 20, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

Let us again remind ourselves of what the Scriptures teach in Ephesians 1:8-10: “Wherein he [Father God] hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:….” The sister epistle of Colossians defines “the things… in heaven… on earth.”

Colossians 1:16-20: “For by him [God’s dear Son, Jesus Christ; verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Father God purposes to bring “all things”—all offices of government (“thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, mights, and every name that is named”) (cf. Ephesians 1:21)—under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. These offices are in both Heaven and Earth. Using Christ’s shed blood as the forgiveness of sins, Father will sanctify or set apart two groups—one for Heaven and another for Earth. Israel is His earthly people (Matthew 5:5; Revelation 1:5,6; Revelation 5:9,10), and we the Church the Body of Christ are His heavenly people (Ephesians 1:19-23; Ephesians 2:6,7; 2 Timothy 4:18). Whether in Heaven or on Earth, Jesus Christ is glorified in both realms in the ages to come….

Note the Horizon! #8

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

When we come to Paul’s ministry, there is not simply good news about Jesus Christ—but good news that extends beyond Israel and out to all the world without Israel’s rise to kingdom glory. See Paul’s “all-nations” apostleship in Romans 1:5 and Romans 16:25,26.

Calvary’s cross was indeed preached in early Acts, yet Christ’s crucifixion was bad news because Israel killed Him in unbelief (Acts 2:22-24,36; Acts 3:13-18; Acts 4:10-12,24-28; Acts 7:52,53). They did not crucify Jesus in faith, as sufficient payment for their sins. No, as the Apostles proclaimed in early Acts, Israel wanted Him dead and out of the way so they could continue unopposed with their works-religion! One religious fanatic who was thrilled in this regard was Saul of Tarsus. As pious as he was, he was headed for Hell at a breakneck speed!

Whereas God would use Christ’s blood in the prophetic program to cleanse Israel of her national sin problem (“my [Isaiah’s] people” of Isaiah 53:8; “give his life a ransom for many” in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45), Paul (formerly lost Saul of Tarsus) learned a secret from the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ in Acts chapter 9. Christ died not for Israel only, but for all people without distinction: “[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity” (1 Timothy 2:3-7).

Paul is the “due-time testifier”—the apostle or preacher who proclaims according to God’s schedule—how Christ died as “a ransom for all.” Let us see why God kept the secret, a secret….

Note the Horizon! #7

Monday, October 14, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

Going all the way back to when God placed man on the Earth, Adam’s creation, He has always had some Gospel (good news) to share with man (Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:16,17; Genesis 3:15; and so on). Father God has spoken about His Son Jesus Christ in some capacity, as Peter preached in Acts 3:20,21: “…Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

Christ would reign in an earthly kingdom—the very earthly kingdom Adam and Eve would have enjoyed but lost because of sin in Genesis chapter 3 (Matthew 25:34, “the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”). This was the same earthly kingdom that was passed on to Israel, the one at the heart of the Gospel of the Kingdom preached during Matthew to John and early Acts (see Matthew 3:1,2; Matthew 4:17,23,24; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 10:5-7; Mark 1:14,15; Luke 10:9; Acts 2:29,30; Acts 3:21; Acts 5:31).

The above earthly kingdom, however, was contingent upon Israel’s rise to kingdom glory in accepting the King, Messiah Jesus—whom they refused and crucified in unbelief because they were too self-righteous to admit their sin problem (see Romans 9:30–10:4). After prolonged national unbelief in early Acts, resulting in Stephen’s murder, Israel loses her special status before God and Paul’s apostleship now begins. “I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:…” (Romans 11:11-13).

With Israel’s fall comes a new Gospel, the Gospel of Grace….

Note the Horizon! #4

Friday, October 11, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

When we look out to the horizon, we see a clear boundary between earth (bottom) and sky (top). Primarily a gas, the sky suspends small solid particles and water droplets, plus ice crystals in its higher layers. It reflects blue light. Most of Earth’s surface is liquid (water); the rest is solid (rock, soil, and ice). Earth and its vegetation reflect green, yellow, and brown light. Blending sky and earth results in confusion or disorientation (knowing neither where you are nor where you are going). Put the horizon back where it belongs and all becomes clear.

The Greek word for “separated” in today’s Scripture in “aphoridzo,” derived from “apo” (“from, away, off”) and “horidzo” (“mark out, limit, specify”). “Horion” means “border, coast.” Such is the basis for the English “horizon.” As there is a physical horizon, so there is a spiritual horizon that we dare not overlook. It is Paul being “separated” from the other Apostles, isolated from the rest of mankind. The beginning of his ministry marks a clear boundary: it is a break in prophecy, a departure from God’s prior dealings with man.

In prophecy, Israel is first: God saves Israel nationally to use redeemed and converted Israel as His kingdom of priests, His channel of salvation and blessing to the world/Gentiles/nations. “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:25,26). This is the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23).

Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ and His 12 Apostles were sent to Israel first (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24). Once all of Israel was converted via this Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus is Christ), Israel would preach to the Gentiles (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). Yet, as the Books of Matthew through John and the opening seven chapters of Acts show, all Jews did not believe….

Magdala

Monday, October 7, 2024

“And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala” (Matthew 15:39 KJV).

This little obscure town in Galilee is more familiar than you realize….

After miraculously feeding the 4,000-plus in northern Israel, the Lord Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee by ship and entered the “coasts” (borders) of the town of Magdala (today’s Scripture). Magdala, apparently, was near the westernmost shore of the Sea of Galilee, slightly south of the midpoint between the little cities of Capernaum and Tiberias. It was one of the elevated or fortified places in Palestine (“migdal” is Hebrew for “tower”). According to the parallel passage (Mark 8:10), the town was located in the vicinity of Dalmanutha. Do we know any Bible character from Magdala? Yes!

“Magdala” forms part of the designation of a famous Bible character. She is none other than “Mary Magdalene,” a believer who is mentioned a dozen times in Scripture (Matthew 27:56,61; Matthew 28:1; Mark 15:40,47; Mark 16:1,9; Luke 8:2; Luke 24:10; John 19:25; John 20:1,18). It is unclear exactly when she trusted Jesus as Messiah, but she definitely resided in Magdala at some point before following Him. Her appellation is no different from the names “Simon the Canaanite [from Cana, a town in Galilee]” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18) and “Judas Iscariot [Hebrew for ‘man of Kerioth,’ a town near Jerusalem]” (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19).

Hopefully, we will remember how the Bible declares of her, “Mary Magdalene, out of whom he [Christ] had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2). It is unknown just when this miracle occurred, but, Mary Magdalene herself was doubtless a fortified tower of devils—seven evil spirits, to be precise, who had taken over her body. She was a graphic representation of her sinful nation Israel and its polluted land of Canaan, quite useful to Satan in preventing God’s earthly kingdom from being founded. Of course, the Lord Jesus threw out all seven devils, reversing her complete and utter spiritual defilement. Also, by subsequently accompanying and serving Him—especially at His crucifixion, resurrection, and beyond—Mary Magdalene’s conduct ensured her tiny town of Magdala is noteworthy. Now, the Holy Spirit has written these verses so it will never be forgotten.

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #10

Saturday, September 21, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Being a “publican” or tax collector, Matthew/Levi was financially able to host a large banquet at his house in Jesus’ honor (Matthew 9:9,10; Mark 2:14,15; Luke 5:27-29). Apparently, a great many people attending this feast were Matthew’s friends and/or acquaintances, for the Bible says “publicans and sinners” were present. These were the very societal outcasts, the souls, Christ had come to save. They were the same spiritually-sick people the Great Physician purposed to deliver from their satanic blindness and ignorance: “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31).

The adjective “righteous” in the above three verses designates those who do not regard themselves as sinners. They are thus the self-righteous, those who saw no need for any personal Saviour. In contradistinction to such smugness, the “sinners” who recognized their pitiful and lost estate were continually attracted to the Lord Jesus Christ in large numbers—which only sparked more moans and grumbles from the Jewish “religious” community. “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:1,2).

It is at this point (Luke chapter 15) that Christ issued three parables—The Parable of the Lost Sheep (verses 3-7), The Parable of the Lost Coin (verses 8-10), and The Parable of the Lost/Prodigal Son (verses 11-32). Respectively, these apply to Christ’s earthly ministry, the early Acts period, and Daniel’s 70th Week (yet future). In each case, it is a believing remnant in Israel—never the entire nation. That Little Flock will become the new nation Israel, that which is given the New Covenant and filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #9

Friday, September 20, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

John the Baptist expected the Pharisees and Sadducees (works-religionists in Judaism) to offer the lame excuse that they needed no repentance (change in mind) or water baptism because of their Jewish heritage. They would say something like, “Abraham is our father, and this alone automatically gives us a right standing before God. We have no sins to confess!” (We infer this based on John’s own words in Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8, plus the Apostle John’s comments in 1 John 1:6,8,10.)

While God the Father designed John the Baptist’s ministry to introduce Israel to His Son, Messiah Jesus, some of John’s disciples (followers) never actually transferred to Jesus like those in John 3:26. They joined the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees by opposing Him instead of coming to Him by faith (see Matthew 9:14 and Mark 2:18). In Matthew 21:33-46, Mark 12:1-12, and Luke 20:9-20; apostate Israel plots to kill the King so as to take His kingdom (nation Israel) from Him!

The New Covenant cannot be given to lost Israel, for they will not come by faith to the God-Man who can inaugurate that New Covenant via His shed blood. Likewise, if they are not partakers of the New Covenant, they are prohibited from entering His literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you [unbelieving Israel], and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). This “nation” is believing Israel, the Messianic Church, the “little flock” of Luke 12:31,32: “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Again, like today’s Scripture declares, Old Covenant self-righteousness cannot mix with New Covenant righteousness….