Category: earthly kingdom / Millennial Reign of Christ

Training Replacements #4

Thursday, June 12, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Israel’s opposition to the Lord Jesus Christ gradually increased during those three years. He ordained 12 Apostles in Matthew chapter 10. Israel’s unbelief culminated in chapter 12 (see verses 14-21), with the nation’s religious leaders plotting to murder Him. It is here that His public ministry begins to close and a private ministry commences.

By the time of chapter 13 (cf. Mark chapter 4 and Luke chapter 8), He preaches to the multitudes in parables (riddles, stories with hidden meanings), but, in private, He explains all of these parables to His disciples—especially His Apostles. Note particularly Matthew 13:1-17, Mark 4:1-13, and Luke 8:1-10. These parables are spoken in light of His soon departure—His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. His First Coming will end with His return to His Heavenly Father. While He is gone, the parables are in force all the way to His Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Kingdom.

In the context of today’s Scripture (John chapters 13–16)—what is known as the “Upper-Room Sermon”—Christ is having a final meal (Passover) with His Apostles and other members of the Little Flock. He is then on His way with them to the Garden of Gethsemane (chapter 18) following His “high priestly” prayer of chapter 17. As He makes numerous references to the Holy Spirit’s coming in Acts chapter 2 (cf. John 14:16-18,26 [today’s Scripture]; John 15:26,27; John 16:7-15), He is preparing those 12 Apostles to go on without Him as the Holy Spirit arrives to take over His ministry. They will draw on the Holy Spirit’s power to know where they are on the Bible timeline and be able to preach to Israel in early Acts all that they heard during those three years of Matthew to John. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ has been training replacements, and they now conduct their ministry as the Book of Acts opens….

I Will Love Them Freely #5

Friday, June 6, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

Earlier in Hosea (4:17), “Ephraim is joined to idols”—and God wanted that Northern Kingdom to be left alone in that pagan idolatry they desired. They would soon face judgment under the Assyrian Captivity (as in 2 Kings 17:1-23). As Hosea’s Book draws to a close now, however, Ephraim has a believing remnant (especially in the ages to come) confessing and forsaking that foolish sin of idolatry of their forefathers. Hosea 14:8 reads: “Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.” “Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God” (Ezekiel 37:23).

“And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [my lord]. For I will take away the names of Baalim [idols] out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name” (Hosea 2:16,17). Ephraim’s idols could not hear, for they were dead and deaf, but the living LORD has heard and saved Ephraim (cf. Psalm 115:1-11). The evergreen fir tree (Hosea 14:8) symbolizes that living LORD as the answer to Israel’s spiritual and functional death. Again, Israel is seen prospering in God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic kingdom. Israel’s model prayer is thus, Matthew 6:9-13: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

We reach the final verse of Hosea now….

I Will Love Them Freely #4

Thursday, June 5, 2025

“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4 KJV).

Behold, the LORD God’s free love for the nation Israel!

JEHOVAH God continues talking in verse 5: “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” The imagery is figurative, of course, but a literal truth is nevertheless conveyed. Heathen idolatry rendered the nation Israel spiritually dead and functionally dead, separated from the Creator’s life and totally unable to accomplish His will in the Earth. With New Covenant blessings (as in Jeremiah 31:31-34 or Ezekiel 36:25-38), Israel thrives, matures, and blossoms like a plant receiving sufficient rainfall, sunlight, and nutrients. Observe the reference to the cedars of “Lebanon”—the most prized Middle Eastern trees!

Psalm 1:1-3 is such a saint who belongs to that Jewish believing remnant: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Now, Hosea 14:6: “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.” Israel is as a strong, massive tree—deriving life from the LORD God and His words of life. The ugliness of sin has given way to the attractiveness of righteousness. Enjoying access to God means the nation Israel now emits a wonderful or pleasant odor to the LORD, as the cedars of “Lebanon!”

Consider verse 7: “They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.” This “shadow” is protection with Israel (as in Song of Solomon 2:3 or Ezekiel 31:6). The “vine” is national Israel in the LORD, able to bear spiritual fruit (John 15:1-8; cf. Isaiah 5:1-7; Hosea 10:1) for all the nations to be blessed (Zechariah 8:20-23)….

The “Terrible” God #5

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Of these eight cases the LORD God is designated “terrible,” four times He defends His Jewish people against their enemies. “Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21). “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses” (Nehemiah 4:14). “O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God” (Psalm 68:35). “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11).

Thrice, He is “terrible” as He metes out justice and punishes sin. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:…” (Deuteronomy 10:17). “And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:…” (Nehemiah 1:5). “Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day” (Nehemiah 9:32).

Once, the LORD God is “terrible” while He exercises governmental authority. “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). Lest we misunderstand the sense of these passages, we now concentrate on studying and defining the word “terrible” itself….

The “Terrible” God #4

Monday, May 5, 2025

“Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible” (Deuteronomy 7:21 KJV).

The Authorized Version features eight references to the LORD God being “terrible.” Why?

Go to Psalm 47:1-4: “[To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah] O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.” The Psalmist writes about the world rejoicing as God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom is founded. King Jesus Christ reigns victoriously as the “terrible” “LORD most high!”

Now, Psalm 68:32-35: “Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the LORD; Selah: To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.” This is Christ’s Second Coming leading up to that earthly kingdom of God. Again, the LORD is labeled as “terrible.”

Finally, Jeremiah 20:11-13: “But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I opened my cause. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.” Unbelievers have abused the Prophet Jeremiah. Holding a pity party, he cries out for justice to the LORD “a mighty terrible one!”

Let us review what we have studied up to this point….

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel #8

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24 KJV).

What precisely are these seventy weeks of Daniel? How do they form the backbone of prophecy?

The purpose of Daniel’s seventy weeks of years is to prepare Israel to serve as God’s earthly kingdom of priests. During the last of these weeks of years, the Antichrist will reign, commencing the final phase of eliminating unbelievers that have contaminated the nation for centuries. The Antichrist is God’s method of exposing the tares (spiritual weeds) or unbelievers in Israel (Matthew 13:1-51), for they will worship the Antichrist, his image, and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9-11). They are the idolaters whose Law-breaking ancestors caused the fifth course of chastisement in the first place (Babylonian Captivity 600 years before Christ).

Again, Daniel’s seventy weeks cleanse the Jewish people of idolatry just as the 70-year Babylonian Captivity purified the land of Canaan of idolatry: Satan’s influence will be addressed and reversed. The Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming terminates Daniel’s 70th Week and brings God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom. Once more, we have absolutely no reason whatsoever to place us the Church the Body of Christ into any of Daniel’s seventy weeks. Today’s Scripture indicates those 490 years are for Israel’s sake alone, not us. If we fail to “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)—like (!) many (!) do (!)—we will combine Daniel and Paul, law and grace, prophecy and mystery, Israel and the Body of Christ, Earth and Heaven. Nothing but unanswerable confusion will result.

Prophecy is quite interesting. Since it is God’s inspired Word, we can, should, and do study it. Yet, because it is not God’s Word to us or about us, many prophetic verses are unclear to us. This should not bother us in the least, for to whom and about whom they are written these passages will make complete sense in due time. Doubtless, this we know: our victorious Christian living in this the Dispensation of the Grace of God is found exclusively in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel #7

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24 KJV).

What precisely are these seventy weeks of Daniel? How do they form the backbone of prophecy?

Daniel 9:25-27: “…the Messiah the Prince… Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week….” Two “princes” are in Daniel’s seventy weeks. One is “Messiah the Prince… Messiah,” Jesus. The other is “the prince that shall come,” the Antichrist, who will sign a seven-year peace treaty with Israel (Daniel’s 70th Week). Basically, he flatters lost Israel with lies and rebuilds their Jerusalem Temple (see Daniel 8:13,14) that the Romans destroyed in A.D. 70. Animal sacrifices under the Law will resume… temporarily.

Remember, Daniel’s 70th Week is divided “in the midst” (verse 27)—42 months and 42 months, or 1260 days and 1260 days, or 3½ years and 3½ years. Why? Midway through those seven years, the Antichrist “shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27). For this “abomination of desolation,” and the Antichrist’s military betrayal of Israel/Jerusalem, see Matthew 24:15-21, Mark 13:14-19, and Luke 21:20-24.

That final week is halved because the Antichrist is assassinated (Zechariah 11:15-17; Revelation 13:1-18), “the man of sin” (first half) transforming into “the son of perdition” (second half) (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). An evil spirit reanimates his corpse—a counterfeit resurrection (!). The Antichrist now claims to be God Himself (really a fake messiah!), and continues reigning for the remainder of Daniel’s 70th Week with more worshipping him or being executed for refusal. Ultimately, the true Messiah (Jesus) returns in power and great glory to end it all and save redeemed Israel (Zechariah 14:1-4; Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19:11-21)!

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel #6

Monday, April 28, 2025

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24 KJV).

What precisely are these seventy weeks of Daniel? How do they form the backbone of prophecy?

Let us repeat. In Daniel 9:16-23, God sent Gabriel to instruct Daniel because the Prophet sought clarification regarding Israel’s redemption and Jerusalem’s restoration from the Babylonian Captivity. A series of prophecies during seventy weeks of years (490 years) will lead up to Christ’s Second Coming and Israel’s subsequent kingdom glory. Today’s Scripture reveals six purposes or goals of these seventy weeks of Daniel.

Firstly, to “finish the transgression.” Israel’s “transgression”—all her “stepping across the boundaries,” or her national sin—will be done away. Redeemed Israel stops crossing the borders of righteousness God has erected. She will cease rejecting the LORD’S words and finally accept her Messiah (see Matthew 23:31-39; Luke 11:46-52; Acts 7:51,52).

Secondly, to “make an end of sins.” Israel quits wallowing in her unbelief and disobedience to God. Thirdly, to “make reconciliation for iniquity.” On the national Day of Atonement at Christ’s Second Coming, God forgives Israel’s sins via the New Covenant based on Christ’s shed blood (Acts 3:19,20; Romans 11:26-28; cf. Leviticus chapter 16; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 33:7,8; Hebrews chapters 8–10). Remember, Christ’s blood was shed when Messiah was “cut off” (killed) in Daniel 9:26.

Fourthly, to “bring in everlasting righteousness.” God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom is founded (Jeremiah 23:5,6; Hebrews 1:8,9; Revelation 20:4-6). Fifthly, to “seal up the vision and prophecy.” All of God’s promises to Israel are ultimately fulfilled. Lastly, to “anoint the most Holy.” The sanctuary will be cleansed and the Shekinah glory (God’s presence) returns to the newly-rebuilt Millennial Jerusalem Temple (Daniel 8:14; cf. Malachi 3:1; Matthew 23:38–24:1; cf. Ezekiel 43:1-6).

At Christ’s Second Coming in Revelation chapter 19 to conclude Daniel’s 70th Week, God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—exactly as He promised in Leviticus 26:42,45. He makes the Promised Land His land and Israel His people in that literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom of Revelation chapter 20.…

Christ Liveth in Me

Sunday, April 20, 2025

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

“He is risen” is not a simple blasé cliché!

When Jesus’ disciples came to His tomb on that glorious Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago, they were startled to find it empty! Angels inform them that He has resurrected, but they are still in shock (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-8). Jesus Christ Himself must later explain the Scriptures to them regarding what happened those last few days (Luke 24:44-46).

However, until Paul’s ministry, Christ’s finished crosswork is not preached as good news for salvation. Peter and Israel’s other apostles simply preach that Jesus Christ is now resurrected to “sit on [David’s] throne” (Acts 2:30)—that is bad news for much of Israel, for they still reject Him, weeks and months after His resurrection and ascension. Throughout early Acts, Israel’s apostles warn her that Jesus Christ is coming back to judge them.

When we come to the Apostle Paul’s ministry, we learn that we Gentiles can benefit from Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Israel’s rejected Messiah is now our way to heaven! Yes, Israel hated Him, and demanded that He experience the most awful method of execution devised, but God allowed it in order to accomplish His will. Satan attempted to hinder God’s will by having Christ killed, but all that did was provide the method whereby God could save us pagan Gentiles. Calvary’s finished crosswork frees us from Satan’s evil system and gives us a chance to be God’s people (Acts 26:17,18)!

As people who have trusted Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins, that crucifixion is our death to self and sin, and that resurrection is our raising to walk in newness of life—His life (today’s Scripture; cf. Romans 6:1-11)!

Indeed, Jesus Christ is alive, and He lives in and through those who walk by faith in God’s Word to them, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon! 🙂

HAPPY EASTER!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study by the same name. That study can be read here or watched here.

Messiah’s Joy Amidst Calvary’s Grief #2

Saturday, April 19, 2025

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).

Do you ever wonder what our Lord Jesus Christ was thinking about while He hung there on Calvary’s cross?

Jesus knew Bible prophecy had to be fulfilled: He had to suffer in accordance with the Old Testament prophets. Even when He spoke seven times from the cross, He quoted various Old Testament verses. The Old Testament prophets also gave Him comfort: “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (today’s Scripture).

For instance, He remembered that Jonah’s prophecy had to be fulfilled: “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40). On the third day, He would live again, and be reunited with His heavenly Father!

He knew that His Father would resurrect Him. His spiritual torment and physical death were only temporarily, as David quoted Jesus 1000 B.C., “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10; cf. Acts 2:24-31).

Our Lord thought of reigning over that glorious kingdom that His Heavenly Father would give Him after His resurrection. As the psalmist wrote centuries before Calvary’s crosswork, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:6-8). “Begotten” refers to Jesus’ resurrection, not His nativity in Bethlehem (Acts 13:33,34).

Jesus Christ, during His torturous crucifixion, thought about and rejoiced in the promises in the Scriptures that applied to Him. Likewise, we, during difficult circumstances, can remember and joy in God’s promises to us—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

We too can share Messiah’s joy amidst grief! 🙂

See our archived Q&A: “Did the disciples go to the wrong tomb on Resurrection Sunday?”