THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE

 One of the  first mysteries mentioned in the Bible is found in Matthew 13 is told by Christ and pertains to the “kingdom of heaven”.  So of course the next question is; “What is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ ”?  The next major mysteries, also the majority of mysteries come from the writings of Paul.  These are the ones that pertain to the Church Age, which is the present time or age that we are living in right now.  The last major mystery listed in the Bible is found in Revelation 1: 20 which is the mystery of the seven stars.  The mysteries are explained in God’s Word, but one must get off the milk and study for the “meat” of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).

First we will start with a short explanation of the “kingdom of Heaven”.  The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” was announced by John the Baptist and first found in Matt. 3:2.  This is referring to Christ, the Messiah who was among them right then and there, in physical form walking among them, ministering, healing and showing miracle and signs proving who He was (1 Cor. 1:22).  We can gather from this that Christ has to be physically present in order for the “kingdom of heaven” to be here on earth.  We also know that the kingdom is what the Jew has been looking for as is mentioned many times throughout prophecies listed in the Old Testament.  Christ is now in heaven, so the kingdom is currently in heaven.  This kingdom will not return to the earth till King’s second coming and then He will reign 1000 years as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19 and 20).  This time is known as the seventh dispensation, the kingdom and it is also referred to as the Millennial Reign.  So when the Bible talks about the “kingdom of heaven” it is talking about an earthly event (as far as man is concerned) and this is exactly what Israel was looking for the first time Christ was on earth.  This seventh dispensation also is referenced in Eph. 1:10 as, “the dispensation of the fullness of times”, where Christ brings together things of heaven and earth in His reign in this 1000 year kingdom.  One should always keep in mind that these covenants and promises of this wonderful kingdom and age have always been directed to the Jews.  So when this happens it will once again be a fulfillment of prophecies, covenants and promises made to the forefathers (the Jewish nation).

The next mystery mentioned is that of Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, . . .that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”.   Another reference found in Rom. 11:7-8, “Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear) unto this day”.  These verses tell that Israel will be spiritually blinded by God for a time.  And additional verses found in 2 Cor. 3:14 and 4:4 tells of Israel’s blindness today.  But God’s hiding His meaning to the Jews is not new, (look up Luke 18:34).  What are they blinded to:  they are blinded to the fact that God walked among them 2000 years ago.  This blindness in turn leaves the Jewish majority blinded to the Gospel of Grace (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10: 9-10 or the “death, burial and resurrection), naturally if you do not believe that Christ was here in the first place (1 Cor. 2:7-8), then certainly one cannot believe in His death or resurrection. 

Another mystery revealed by Paul is found in Romans 16:25-26 and this mystery tells about salvation going to “all nations”, meaning the Gentiles.  It will be taken by the apostle Paul to the Gentiles and their conversion being by faith alone.  A better detailed explanation of this mystery is found in Eph. 3:2-7, here you will discover that this was a revelation given to Paul by the ascended Christ to give to the Gentiles and that past ages had no knowledge of it.   Now in this time period God is giving salvation through grace alone to all having faith in that gospel of grace. 

Another mystery found in 1 Cor. 2:7, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory”.  For further explanation drop down to verse 12 which tells us that we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (Dt. 29:29).  Then drop down to verse 14 to find out why not all can understand the deeper meanings of Scripture, “But the natural (carnal or the unbelieving) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. . .”, but this means that the believer can. 

One more mystery is that now the Church is now the body of Christ, (Col. 1:24-27). 

Another mystery that all Christians are waiting for is found in 1 Cor. 15:51”Behold I show you a mystery:  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  More information about this event is found in 1 Thess. 4:13-17 and in verse 17 we find the words, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”  These underlined phrases answers much confusion today.   Also found in 2 Thess. 2:1-3 which tells us about the being gathered unto to the Lord and that the “man of sin” cannot be revealed until there comes a “departure” (which is what “falling away” means and is what word most older version use).  This brings about another mystery mentioned in verses 7 and 8.

The mystery of 2 Thess. 7 and 8 where the antichrist is revealed is another mystery which of course takes place in the tribulation period.  This section of scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is hindering the man of iniquity.  And how is this accomplished today?  The indwelling Holy Spirit in Christians is a hindrance to keep sin from taking over the world today.  Now what is going to happen when all believers depart?  When those doing the hindrance will no longer be here and now verse 8 can come about, “And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth…”   What we have here is a verse that validates a pre-tribulation rapture.

When we READ and study the Bible we find that it is definitely multi-leveled and when we actually do what Christians are supposed to do (that is to mature in the Word), then we are following 2 Tim. 2:15 by rightly dividing the Word of truth.  And when the Bible is rightly divided into the applicable groups we find that the Bible is not confusing (1 Cor. 14:33), it actually fits nicely like a puzzle.

Col. 1:26, “Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”.  (Gal. 2:20”…but Christ liveth in in me:…”.)  To understand about this mystery read and apply what Jesus told the Pharisees in John 8: 12-19 about “…if you had known me, you should have known my Father also”, again reference to the trinity all in one.  The Church now has the indwelling Holy Spirit which is the third part of the trinity, so statements like “God in us” or “Christ in us” or “the Holy Spirit in us” is concerning the trinity and all become one in the same.  Romans 8:9, ”But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you,.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”  1 Cor. 3:16”…and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you”  1 Cor. 6:19, Eph. 4:6, “But God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”    Of course there are other references to the indwelling Spirit, but this is just one more new thing to identify this age of grace like Col. 1:27, etc. 

Many more things are brought out to this age of grace here in the Pauline writings; such as the Church is the Bride of Christ, Eph. 5:23-32.  Christ is the head of body (the Church), Col. 1:18.  Sin is not imputed, Romans 5:13; Col. 2:13; 2 Cor. 5:19.  The Church’s citizenship is in heaven, Phil. 3:20 and Col. 1:13.  Paul’s important part when he was given these revelations to reveal to us, Gal. 1:10-19, Eph. 1:9, 3:3.  The Church is joint-heirs with Christ, Eph. 1:11, Rom. 8:17, and the list could continue.  But we must realize that we are living in a very special time this “Age of Grace” and these mysteries revealed mostly here in the Pauline Epistles give us great insight to what is happening today and how special we really are to God.

The last major mystery spoken of is the one of seven stars in Rev. 1:20.  These seven stars are angels or messengers that take God’s message to a believer.  In this particular instance the message was sent to the seven listed churches found in chapter two and three of Revelation.  A star represents light and God is light and His Word represents God’s light, so consequently any bringing a message of God’s Word could be considered such a messenger.

Mysteries are only secret until God decides to reveal them to man (Dt. 29:29).  Now our job as believers is a combination of 1 Cor. 4:1-2 and Rom. 10:14-15 and here we are to be “ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.”  And in Romans it tells us that we are to proclaim or teach God’s Word.  Rom. 10:17, “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Our job is not to SAVE sinners, but to present the Word to sinners and leave the saving of the soul to the one who can 1 Cor. 3:6.  To present the truth to sinners we must first know what we are talking about and that requires knowledge and wisdom of God’s Word that He has given us.  That requires searching the scriptures for the truth and this will prevent the spreading of false doctrine and teachings so often warned about in the scriptures.  All should often re-read 2 Tim. 2:15.

THE GREAT MYSTERIES LISTED IN THE BIBLE is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

What did Christ mean by the statement “It is finished” in John 19:30?  Another term often used for the word finished is “fulfilled”.   Well what was Christ’s purpose for coming to earth as the “Son of man” or as God in the flesh?  When Christ stated that it was finished, He was meaning that His purpose up to that time, had been accomplished.  God’s plan was now completed. Christ finished another critical step that man could not do himself.  Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection has now redeemed man from the bondage of sin.

What was it that man could not do?  Man could not offer an acceptable sacrifice that would permanently cover sin and heal the relationship between man and God.  Without this sacrifice man was doomed by God’s own judgment in Romans 6:23.

God’s ultimate judgment upon man.  God said all are guilty and the sentence is death, Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death. . .” then add Romans 3:23a “For all have sinned. . .” equates, from God’s point of view, all men deserve death.  But this was not God’s purpose for man.  2 Peter 3:9b tells us that God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  So God devised a plan to bring man to an acceptable righteous being Romans 5:20b, “but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”  But first the law had to be fulfilled.

God’s plan for man’s redemption began in Gen. 3:15 with the prophecy about woman’s seed.  Over the next 4000 years that one prophecy was followed by over 350 more written concerning the first advent which would bring us up to the time of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  To fulfill the law there had to be a perfect sacrifice.  Jesus did not have an earthly father, therefore the sin of Adam was not present in the blood.  Because Jesus had no sin then He could be the eternal sacrifice without “any” blemish.

How the Mosaic Law affected man can be found in Romans 3:19-20, “Now we know that whatever things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law, (Israel) that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world (the law was given to Israel, but was expanded to every man and condemned the entire world.) may become guilty before God.  20.  Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  also in Gal. 2:16 “for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The law is by definition God’s character.  To God, the law is just how He is every day.  But for man, who is not perfect, man can never be free of sin on his own.  Remember if one has an earthly father, then he already has the Adam sin nature in his blood.  To man the law is a death sentence.  The law was never a saving tool, it was a judgment tool in that it showed man that no matter how hard he tried, he would still have sin, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. . .”  Romans 6:23 “For the wages (sentence) of sin is death. . .”.

The law was the “schoolmaster” Gal. 3:24, in that it taught us that we do sin.  Keeping the law has never saved anyone nor will it ever save anyone.  Keeping the law would be saving by works and we know what the Scripture says in Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. 9.  not of works lest any man should boast.”  The action of being good is doing something to earn salvation.  Being good or doing good never saved anyone, Isa. 54:6, “our righteousness are as filthy rags. . .” .  Again in Luke 18:19 Jesus said, “Why callest thou me good?  None is good, save one, that is God.”  Now if Christ was not considered “good” then what chance does man have?  Man does not have the ability to be good and be called righteous by God.  What does Eph. 2:8-9 say?  That we are saved through what? (Faith, not works).  So in conclusion the law just lets us know that we had to have a Savior.

God’s perfect world demanded a perfect sacrifice.  Christ bore all the sins of the world (past, present and future), while on the cross.  He and He alone, could pay the price required by God.  Only Christ is worthy, Rev. 5:4-5, no man could be found that was worthy.   Only the “Lion of the tribe of Judah. . .a lamb as though it has been slain.”   Christ is the only one who had no sin in His blood.  Jesus’ father was the Holy Spirit, Luke 1:35.  Therefore, perfect blood for the perfect sacrifice.  Christ is the only one that would have the qualifications and power to bare every sin in the entire world on His shoulders and He did this at the cross.  “It is finished” meant that the perfect sacrifice had been given.   The Law was now fulfilled.  The prophecies of the first advent were fulfilled.  this part of God’s plan to redeem man was completed.

IT IS FINISHED part one is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

It has been told that one of the Biblical mysteries is that the Gentiles were to be presented the Gospel. It plainly stated in the Old Testament otherwise. I will show you where.

First lets define “Biblical Mystery”. It is  talking about an event that has never previously been explained in Scripture. For some reason God chose not to reveal all to man, Isa. 55:8-9. Then in some instances God chose not to reveal certain events until later. Such as Dan. 12:4, where God told him to seal up the book until the latter days.

Many of the great mysteries of the Old Testament are revealed in the New Testament. There are over ten mysteries revealed throughout the New Testament. (For a list of some check writing on “Mysteries in Scripture” on 12/01/08). Some events have been called mysteries that are not. Searching the scriptures one will find that they were explained in the Old Testament prophecies. One of these is the presenting the Gospel, that is offering the plan of salvation to the Gentiles/heathen/Greek/nations, referring to those who were not Jews. The Old Testament prophesied that this would be offered. Consequently the Gospel being presented to someone other than a Jews is not considered one of the mysteries of the Bible.

Hosea, a prophet around 750 to 700 B.C., is a book about his faithfulness to an adulterous wife. God is using this to compare this relationship between Hosea and Gomer to that of God and His relationship with His wife, Israel. In chapter one of Hosea God commanded Hosea to “Go, take unto thee a wife of [harlotry]“. In this book you will read how Hosea had so much trouble with Gomer. Just the same as God has had so much trouble with Israel.

In Hosea 2:23, “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them who were not my people. Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou are my God.” Israel has always been God’s people since the covenant made with Abraham in Gen 17:7. So the statement, “who were not my people” above cannot mean the Israelites. Here “my people” is talking about the Gentiles.

Another prophet Isaiah foretells where Christ will bring justice to the Gentiles. Is. 42:1, “he shall bring forth judgment to the gentiles.” 6, “for a light of the gentiles.” 49:6, “I will also give thee for a light to the gentiles that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” 55:5-6, “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD, thy God, and for the HOLY One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” You can find more in Is. 56:8.

You will also find references in the Gospels of the New Testament. Remember that only about five percent of the Gospels are considered to be under the new covenant. The new covenant started at the resurrection of Christ. So before this time you can still refer to the prophecy as under the law of the Old Testament. Mt. 21:43 “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits of it.” Again in Mt. 12:18. These verses are typical of several others found in the Gospels. And are sufficient to point out that the Gentiles were to be brought in and that this concept was indeed prophesied. So the idea that the Gentiles were to be given the chance to become Sons of God, “grafted in” (Rom. 11:17-24), was not one of the mysteries of the Bible. This process has been prophesied many times in the Bible.

There are over ten great mysteries presented in the Bible. We can cover these topics at another time, but for now one should be aware that bringing the Gentiles into the family of God was not one of these mysteries.

We keep searching to “rightly divide the word of truth”. 2 Tim. 2:15

Prophecy For Saving Gentiles is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The time of this kingdom begins when Christ comes back to earth.  This will not happen until the Time of the Gentiles are fulfilled, Romans 11:25.  Which is the completion of today’s Chruch Age.  At the end of the “Great Tribulation” Christ will come back with all His armies of saints and angels, Rev. 19:14.  Then the Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 19:17-20.  The beast and false prophet will then be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 19:20.  The imprisonment of Satan in the bottomless pit for the 1000 years, Rev. 20:1-3.  This all happens when Christ first returns to earth the second time.  Christ will now set up His reign.  This is the reign of “The King of kings”.

During this time the curse of the earth will be lifted.  The curse of man will be held captive for 1000 years.  There will be changes in agriculture (Joel 3:19).  Changes in the animal kingdom (Isa. 65:20-22).  There will be no Satan to influence the people.  This is the last test for mankind.  And as usual man will fail the test.  This is the seventh time (dispensation), and the eighth number is known Biblically as the new beginning.  1.  Innocence (Gen. 1:28).  2.  Conscience (Gen. 3:17).  3.  Human Government (Gen. 8:15).  4.  Promise (Gen. 12:1).  5.  Law (Ex. 19:1).  6.  Church (Acts 2:1).  7.  Kingdom (Rev. 20:4).  8.  Perfect Age (Rev. 21).

[The eighth dispensation, the last kingdom or age is called the Perfect Age.  This is the new earth and new Heaven (Rev. 21:1-2).  This dispensation will last for eternity.  This is a promose from God for all His people.]

Who are the people that will go into the Millennium?  Only Believers.  For at the judgment of nations when Christ divides the sheep (righteous) to his right and the goats (unrighteous) to the left and in Mt. 25:46 Christ sends the unrighteous into everlasting punishment.  Yes, only the righteous will enter into the Millennial era.

Now who are these righteous ones?  1.  The Saints.  These include all the ones of the first resurrections.   First-Fruits, Tribulation Saints, guest and family of the Bridegroom and the Bride herself, the Church at the rapture.  These all have their glorified bodies.  2.  Armies of Heaven who follow Christ into this battle.  Which are probably the Church and angelic beings.  3.  The believers that survived the tribulation.  This last group does not have glorified bodies, they still are flesh and blood.  They will have the sinful nature of man.  These will be the ones who will repopulate the earth.  From out of these new born will be the ones that Satan will get to follow him into the final battle of Gog and MaGog.

The Kingdoms (part three) is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The Millennial Kingdom-prophets foretold of a kingdgom and reign of peace.  This kingdom of peace is for a people that have never known peace, the Jew or more specific Israel.  Prophets have been foretelling of this time for centuries, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, all the way up to the last prophet, Christ.  This kingdom is a promise that began in Genesis and continues all the way through Revelation.  This promise is for the Jews.  Israel has been waiting for this kingdom for several thousand years.  This kingdom is for God’s bride, Israel (Isa. 54:5).  Israel could also have been Christ’s bride, but His proposal was refused.

Yes, this means that Israel is not Christ’s bride.  When John the Baptist was saying, “repent the kingdom is at hand” (Mt. 3:2), Jesus was on earth.  when the apostles were sent out (Mt. 10:7) to (whom) Israel, saying repent the kingdom is at hand, Jesus was on the earth.  The King of kings was right there among them.  All Israel had to do nationally accept Jesus.  They refused, so the king left.  Consequently the kingdom has been postponed.  This time-out made way for the age of the Church.  This is an age that the prophets did not see.  This age is one of the great mysteries.  The mystery of the kingdom of heaven in the parables of Mt. 13.

God’s promises are always kept, so the kingdom of peace promised to the Jews will be an actual event.  Now a kingdom has to have a king, or a ruler.  The ruler of this peaceful kingdom is Christ.  The time for this kingdom is called the Millennium or the 1000 year reign and it’s capital is in the city of Jerusalem.  Christ’s rule will be over the entire world.  Yes, the entire world will be under the law of Christ.  He will rule with an “iron hand”, but this will be a justly and righteous rule.  Christ will rule supreme and none will challenge His decisions.

How does the kingdom affect us today?  First we must decide who we are, Jew or Gentile.  For the Jew, this kingdom is what they have been waiting for since Abraham and David.  The Jew sees there being two classification of people, ones that are Jews and those that are not.   The ones that are not Jews are called Gentiles.  Remember that the Jew did not accept the Messiah, and they were spiritually blinded.  They feel He hasn’t come yet.  They were/are expecting a king, a conqueror, and not a carpenter’s son.  The Jew does not accept the death, burial, resurrection or the Gospel of Salvation.  In one sense we can consider them still under the law.  For the Jew the law has not been fulfilled or replaced with grace.  Now there are a few Jewish exceptions who believe.  And what do we call the Jews that have believed?  Christians.  The same as the Gentiles that have believed.  Remember there are three classes of people in the Bible, Jew, Christian (Church), and the Gentile.  Jews that have accepted the Gospel of Salvation are now part of the Church.

By now you should have an idea who is Christ’s bride.  Right, the Christians.  Christ is the head and the Christians are the body.  The Christians are those who make up the “Church”.

What dispensation are we in today?  From Moses to the cross has been under the dispensation of law.  Since the resurrection we have been under the sixth dispensation called the Church Age.   Also known as the dispensation of the Spirit or the Age of Grace.  This is the time that has been set aside for the Church to be fulfilled.  This dispensation will end with the second coming of Christ.  The second advent will start the seventh dispensation the one of “The Kingdom”.

The Kingdom (part two) is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Approximately 400 references to kingdom/s are made in the Bible.  The Bible uses many kingdom terms, such as “kingdom/s”, “The Kingdom”, “Kingdom of God”, “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Gospel of the Kingdom”.  I will try to shed some light on these terms and characteristics associated with them and especially the Millennial Kingdom.

What is a kingdom?  What do kingdoms have to do with us today?  Do the terms “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” mean the same?  What is the mystery of the Kingdom of God?  Whom do these kingdoms involve?  What does it mean to preach the “Gospel of the Kingdom”?  When are these kingdoms to be?

What does the word kingdom mean?  Basically it means that which is under the authority of a “king”.  We have two words that are associated with the word “kingdom”, one in the Old Testament Malkut or Mamlakah.   This is to reign over, to have dominion over or authority over.  Also the Greek translation in the New Testament is Basileia.  One thing common is that they both indicate something goverened by a “king”.

The word kingdom/s refers to what has been an earthly rule of a king.  Such kings as Nebuchadnezzar, David or Ahaz.  These kingdoms are of an earthly rule by an earthly king.  When the Bible talks of these it refers to events in the past.

The “Kingdom of God” consists of all that God has the authority to rule.  God is omnipotent and He rules over all things.  Consequently, all the kingdoms are under His control.  His kingdom begins in eternity past and will continue to eternity future.  God controls the physical and spiritual domains.  God controls the unseen or mysterious realm like that of Mt. 13; Luke 17:20-21, to the physical kingdom like that of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:37; Pilate in John 19:11, and will control that of the Millennial Kingdom through Christ.  It is important to remember that God’s major domicile is in heaven so the authroity or power originates here.  All other kingdoms will be subject to the Kingdom of God.

Next term “Kingdom of Heaven” contains a mystery part.  The mystery is where an invisible power is governing the Christian’s work from the cross to the rapture.  The parables in Mt. 13 are about the Christian’s work in the world today.  Matthew portrays Christ as The King and the power is coming from the future King who is now in heaven.

The word “kingdom” also is used in the Bible to denote a physical rule of a territory and all within that land, the earth.  The Biblical term kingdom often refers to the actual physical rule of Christ during the Millennial 1000 year Age.  Christ, The King of Kings, will be the supreme ruler at this time.  The “stone Kingdom” from the smiting stone in Daniel, is another name for this reign.

Another term used in the Bible is the “Gospel of the Kingdom” found in Mt. 24:14.  This is the preaching of the 144,000 chosen Jews to all the world during the tribulation.  One needs to be reminded that this is not the Gospel of Salvation.  That the Gospel of Salvation is for this Age of Grace.

The Kingdoms (part one) is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

The purpose of this series has been to bring out the truth about restorations and resurrections. Trying to point out the differences. From restoring physical life to restoring spiritual life. Even the restoring of a nation from a remnant.

A Restorations of natural man means to breathe life back into the SAME physical body that was dead. It happened to some in biblical times as Christ, Paul, Elijah and others prophets called people back from death to return to their physical world. These would die again. Another restoration we spoke of was when Israel would be restored to their homeland.

The resurrection from death unto life when a person is re-born. This is a spiritual re-birth, not a physical one.

Differentiating between the first and second resurrection and how many we have. “The Resurrections” have tried to develop a better understanding about what happens after death. Illustrating that death is just the toll gate to eternity.

Quickly, at death the physical body and spirit separate. The physical body goes to what we refer to as the grave. And the spirit or what some refer to as the “soulish” body goes on to one of two places. The unsaved goes to where the rich man is in Luke 16. The saved went to a place called paradise, that was where Lazarus and Abraham were. But Christ emptied that paradise at His resurrection. Now the saved go to a new paradise to be with Christ. Paul said in 2 Cor. 5:8 that to be “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”. Here now resides the “soulish” or “spiritual” body upon which age and death has no effect.

The Sadducees claimed not to believe in a resurrection, but yet tested Jesus with the question concerning the resurrection (Mt. 22: 23-33, Acts. 23:8). But Jesus, Daniel, Isaiah, Paul, Peter, David etc. all spoke of the resurrection of the dead. You will have to chose whom to believe.

We also found out that after a resurrection one would immediately proceed to a judgment. The saved to a Bema Seat and the unsaved to the Great White Throne. After the judgment comes eternity, the saved would be with Christ and for the unsaved, to the lake of fire and the second death.

 

In conclusion in 2 Peter chapter 3 we are told about the last day scoffers where they forget the past, make fun of the future and live just for today. Here and in Matt 18:14, you will find that the Lord does not want any to perish and again in Ezek. 18:23. God gives chance after chance, but sure is the day of judgment. When it arrives it will be sure and immediate.

I will leave you with this final thought. The same that Paul asked of Agrippa in Acts 26:8. “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”Restorations, First Resurrection, Second Resurrection, Great White Throne Judgment, lake of fire, second death, rich man and Lazarus, Abraham’s bosom, Biblical Prophecy,

Resurrection Bible Prophecy Summary part 7 of 7 is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Now lets take a quick look at our Table of Contents for future events.

1. The rapture.

2. Tribulation part one.

3. Gog and MaGog I.

4. Great Tribulation part two.

5. Armageddon.

6. Millennium Age,

7. Satan being loosed for a short season.

8. Gog and MaGog II.

9. After this Satan will be cast into the lake of fire.

10. The fallen angels to join him there.

11. Second resurrection.

12. Great White Throne Judgment.

13. Second death.

14. Unsaved are put in the lake of fire.

This is just a very quick look at the sequence of events. To get more information about this individual events check in my other writings.

Rapture is the resurrection of the Church. 1 Thess. 4:13-18, There are no signs to foretell us of the rapture. Signs are for the Jews, not the Church. The word “rapture” does not appear in the Scriptures. E. L. Towns writes in his book Bible Answers for Almost All Your Questions, “It is from the word for ‘caught up’ (Greek harpazo) in the Latin translation [rapto] that we get our word rapture. The word in the original means ‘snatch,’ or ‘seize.” Paul also tells of the resurrection in the fifteenth chapter of 1 Cor. (For more on the topic rapture check out ” The First Resurrection part 5).

Tribulation part one. This is the first three and one-half years which the antichrist takes over as ruler and sets himself up as the king. A treaty of peace is made with Israel. The temple is rebuilt.

Gog and MaGog I. This war is one of the many wars and rumors of wars during the seven year period. The little horn will appear and take over three of the ten nations. But the countries of the North will have hooks put into their jaws and invade Israel and God will destroy their armies. Read James (Thru the Bible Commentary), Vol. 3, pages 512-517.

The Great Tribulation or the second three and one-half years. Which starts in the eleventh chapter of Revelation.

Armageddon is the battle that ends the tribulation period. God’s wrath upon the Jews is over now by Christ’s return and defeating the Satanic triad. Satan to be bound in the abyss and the false prophet and beast to cast into the lake of fire.

The Millennium Age is the Kingdom that is ruled by Christ Himself. For a period of 1000 years this earth will be without the influences of evil. At the end of the 1000 years Satan will be loosed for a short season.

Gog and MaGog II will be the battle between Satan’s army and Christ. Fire will come down for God and devour them.

Now starts the last judgments. First Satan will be sentenced to join his cohorts in the lake of fire. The fallen angels will also be sent here.

The second resurrection of all that have not been previously resurrected and judged.

This is the Great White Throne Judgment. This will happen in a place away from heaven and earth. All will be present here for the judgment for all that have not been previously judged.

The unsaved judged here will be sentenced to the second death and cast into the lake of fire.

Sequence of Events Now to the New Heaven in Bible Prophecy is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

Resurrection of Israel

The resurrection of Israel, being brought back from the dead or a non-functioning nation to a viable one. This has now happened twice. This time Israel has become a nation that all other nations will have to contend with either for or against. This is fulfilling Bible prophecy once again.

There are many Scriptures telling about the restoration of Israel to their own land. There have been three times that Israel has been a viable (self-sustaining) nation.  The first time when Joshua led the children into the promised land, secondly after the return from the Babylonian captivity, and thirdly when the Jews  became a nation in 1948.

The first restoration was when Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity. (When Joshua led the people into the promised land was the original inhabitation of the land as a nation and not a restoration.) The first restoration account can be read in Nehemiah and in Ezra. When Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission and means to rebuild the city Jerusalem, in 445 B.C. Over a period of several years they rebuilt the temple, found in Ezra. The rebuilding of their homes and the walls of the city is found in Nehemiah. Most of these had been demolished during the Babylonian siege and while they were in captivity.

Israel was brought home a second time to rebuild their homeland and nation in 1948. Scripture tells us about this time when God restored His people in Isa. 11:11-12. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, who shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Which roughly covered a radius of 1800 to 2000 miles. S to Somalia, E to Iran, W  for the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea and N toward the Black Sea. This was the geographic region then.   Today some Jews have migrated back from Russia, Africa, United States and all these regions will  encompss the “four corners of the earth”.

Notice that this is the second time for the restoration or resurrection of Israel. This is from all points of the compass, not like the return from Babylon which was just from the East. This second resurrection started in 1948 and will continue through the Millennial Kingdom and beyond. Now, for the second time Israel is brought back to life through a remnant of the Jews that have not forgotten God. Israel a country that was dead to the world for around 1900 years has once again emerged as a viable nation. Not only emerged as a viable this time, but as a “thorn” (burdensome stone, Zech. 12:2-3) in the sides of the other nations of the world.

God is setting up an “ensign”, which is a flag or a symbol for all other nations to see. When you consider the rank of Israel in size with its 8,000 square miles with the surrounding 22 Arab countries which is about 6 million square miles. The Arab countries are about 750 times larger. Then consider the rank in military might which is estimated by Global Fire Power, Israel is ranked 26^th and Iran 16^th, Egypt next, Saudi Arabia 22^nd and Iraq 34^th, and that still leaves 18 more. Now think about this question. Why if these 22 Arab countries have all this land mass and military might do they not squash Israel like a size twelve stomps a tiny insect? I will give you a few seconds to ponder this, and by now it should become very evident that this tiny country has something that others do not.

What does Israel have that the Arab countries do not. The covenant that God made with Abraham. It was and is everlasting. Gen 12:1-2. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” This is a covenant that has never been and never will be withdrawn, altered or changed. Not only did God make this covenant with Abram, but it is repeated after God changes Abram’s name to Abraham in Gen. 17: 7-8.

And the covenant is repeated to Isaac in Gen 26:3. “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father.” 

Also in Jacob’s vision in Gen. 28:10-14. “And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”Another covenant is made with David. Called the Davidic Covenant and is found in 2 Sam. 6: 7-16, but the last verse here is very important. This verse tells us that Israel will last forever. In Ezek. 16:60-63 God says He will fulfill His covenants. God said that He would remain faithful to Israel even if they were unfaithful.

The Jews did not remain in God’s favor at all times. It is true that Israel has been chastised by God several times. She has been liked to the “harlot” wife of Hosea. The Jews have been in some sort of bondage many times. Many have been slaughtered. But when things got really bad they cried out to God, He brought them once again to freedom. Out of Egypt and into the land God promised Abraham. Then again from out of Babylonian captivity they traveled east back to Jerusalem. Finally out of the Nazi massacres to reunite and start Israel again.

Now that the Jews have been restored to a nation the second time, another prophecy about the Jews is surfacing. The prophecy about the Jews to be a problem for all the world.

Zech. 12:2-3. “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the peoples round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, and through all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”Earlier I mentioned about Israel having many troubles. Many times Jews had their population dwindled to just a few. Many, many years ago God’s people were dwindled to eight, Noah and his family. Elijah tells about a time of only 7,000 left (1 Kings 19:18). The Bible calls this small number, “the remnant”. Isa. 1:9; Rom. 11:4-5 and in Ezek. 6:8 we read. “Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.” There is no question whether Israel will last forever, God said so. He has always maintained a remnant who remembers His name. A remnant will remain through the Great Tribulation and into the new world.

Scriptures prove that the remnant will continue. Read in Isa. 10:20-23. “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob shall no more again stay upon him who smote them, but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”Isa. 66:22. “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” More Scriptures in Isa. 43: 5-7; Ezek. 20: 34-38, chapter 36 :14 to the end of chapter 37; Jer. 16: 14-15, 24: 6, 30:10-11; Amos 9: 14-15.

Even though they will have a remnant forever, there will be many troubles. There was trouble between the Jews and Arabs before either was born. In Gen. 16:4-6 when Haggar was pregnant with Ishmael, she started fussing with Sari. These two women had major trouble years before Isaac was ever conceived. Remember that out of Ishmael came a great nation (the Arabic nations). And out of Isaac came the Jews. God chose Isaac not Ishmael Gen. 17:19. The trouble has continued ever since. But here is a warning for any nation that has trouble with the Jews, beware God has foretold their fortune in Zech. 14:12 “And this shall be the plague which the LORD will smite all the peoples that have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” Perhaps nuclear?? Discuss this at another time.

The Jews have returned home. They will never be totally put out of their country again. Israel will have many more trials and even a “great tribulation” and will even be partially run out of some territory in the future, but the remnant will survive forever, and that remnant will have a ruler called the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.

Many of the subjects presented in this article will be covered more in more detail in later writings. Check in later, but until then have a great day and remember that we are not “Children of darkness” we are “Children of the light”. Watch and you will see prophecy being fulfilled at an ever increasing rate.

Resurrection and Bible Prophecy pt4 is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy

To be restored is not to be confused with resurrected. Many people of the Bible were restored or brought back to life. That is life in a physical or worldly body just the same as when they died. Webster definition of restoration is a bring something back to its former position or condition. Back to a corruptible body.  Now restoration does not only apply to bringing back the dead, it also is used in the Bible to tell about withered body parts such as in Mark 3:5 and blindness Mk. 8:3.

Restoration also applies to other things in the Bible such as a man’s position, land or even spiritual things like joy, or a blessing. Another restoration was promised by the prophets, the restoration of Israel,  which will be covered in other writings.

Restoration is something that is hoped for just like United States hopes that after Obama’s Inaugural address we will be restored.

Now that I have explained restoration.  We can compare where it is confused with resurrection when talking about people who were restored to life. Elisha in 2 Kings 4:35 raised the Shunammite’s son. But after reading this account continue to read 2 Kings 8:1 and you will find, “. . .whose son he had restored to life. . .” . Notice the word “restored”.  Even Elisha’s body restores life once more to a dead body in 2 Kings 13:21.

Jesus also restored life to the dead in Mt. 9:25 where He raised the maid; a widow’s son in Luke 7:15; a ruler’s daughter in Mk. 5:41; Lazarus in John 11:43; and the one in which our salvation rests found in John 10:17-18 where Jesus raised Himself. Mt. 27:52-53 where Jesus brought back with Him those in the grave. Yes, these last two are actually resurrections. But because people just naturally read from one event right into the next and the distinction between the two can easily be missed.

When Jesus raised Himself and became the “First of the First Fruits” (which is the first of four parts of the “First Resurrection”) all these resurrected bodies will no longer be subject to death. Where on the other hand the ones restored to life, their bodies will face death or corruption again. All those resurrected will have new bodies, bodies that are not corruptible. For more explanation on this subject read The First Resurrection part five.

Peter also raised a woman from the dead in Acts 9:41. Paul raised Eutychus from the dead in Acts 20:9-12.

Remember that all these “restored” back to life is to their original condition.   That of a worldly carnal body and it will see physical death again. This death is not to be confused with the “second death” for the second death is reserved for the wicked at the Great White Throne Judgment. More on this subject in The Second Resurrection part six.

The RESURRECTION in Bible Prophecy part-2 of 7 THE RESTORATION is a post from: Study Bible Prophecy