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ARTICLES ON ESCHATOLOGY
By Duane V. Maxey

* * * * * * *

Digital Edition 09/19/05

By Holiness Data Ministry

* * * * * * *

CONTENTS

Introduction

01 -- The Second-Coming Prophetic Scheme -- As I See It

02 -- The 9:11 Fall And The 9:11 Rebuilding Of David's Tabernacle
03 -- Christ Shall Return As Judge -- Not As Savior And Priest
04 -- Earthly Israel -- Has Been -- Cast Out!
05 -- How The Israel Of God Shall Have The First Dominion
06 -- The General Resurrection
07 -- Two Dangerous Presumptions Regarding Second-Coming Prophecy
08 -- The Animals Will Also Be Delivered In God's Ark
09 -- The Israel Of God Shall Dwell Forever Alone
10 -- Christ Shall Remain In Heaven Until...
11 -- The World -- Out Of Whack And Back
12 -- The Consumption Determined Upon The Whole Earth
13 -- Heaven And Earth Shall Pass Away At Christ's Return
14 -- Margaret McDonald And The Interesting Pre-Trib Origin
15 -- The Voices Of The Prophets -- Literally Unknown
16 -- Chiliasm -- Is It The Right Messianic Interpretation?
17 -- The Second Coming Significance Of Hebrews 9:26-28
18 -- A Priest Forever -- But Never, On Earth
19 -- Shall These Unbiblical Mixtures Be In A Coming Millennium?
20 -- To Whom, And Where, This Scripture Shall Be Fulfilled
21 -- Because Christ Is Greater Than...
22 -- The Last Gentile And Jew -- Saved Before The Revelation
23 -- Where On Earth Will You Live For 1,000 Years?
24 -- No Such Thing As A Visible, Hopeless Salvation
25 -- The Church-Age Binding And Loosing Of Satan
26 -- The Things Prepared For God's People
27 -- Shall The Shadows Supplant The Substance?
28 -- Not Two Earthly Sojourns -- Just One
29 -- When That Which Is Perfect Is Come
30 -- The Tribulation Saints Are The Church
31 -- The Reign Of Jesus-Israel And His 12 Spiritual Sons
32 -- Christ's Everlasting, Messianic Kingdom
33 -- First The Spiritual Resurrection -- Then The Bodily Resurrection
34 -- Revelation 20 Verse By Verse
35 -- The Kingdom Fulfillments Of Revelation 21-22
36 -- Caiaphas And The Revelation Of The Invisible King
37 -- Pertaining To The Manifestation Of The Sons Of God
38 -- No Mundane Messianic Kingdom Shall Come
39 -- Galatians 4:30 Correctly Interpreted
40 -- When The Tares Shall Be Gathered Out
41 -- Dr. Daniel Steele Opposed Premillennialism
42 -- The Hidden Significance Of The Name Israel
43 -- Three Implausible Millennial Implications
44 -- Three Millennial Considerations
45 -- Facts About Israel From Romans 9-11
46 -- The Two Appearances Of Christ Contrasted
47 -- On The Perfect Day -- Everything In Part Shall Be Done Away
48 -- Climactic Events -- At Christ's Return -- Not 1,000 Years Later
49 -- Earthly Canaan -- A Strange Country To Abraham
50 -- The Coming Restitution Of All Things
51 -- Where The Saints' Affection Is Set -- And Why
52 -- The Third Day The Lord Will Come -- (A Sermon Outline)
53 -- An Important Factor In Prophetic Interpretation

* * * * * * *

INTRODUCTION

I make no apology for presenting my Second Coming views in this publication, which
views differ greatly from those Pre-Tribulational-Pre-Millennial interpretations that are in such
great circulation today. However, in publishing them, I would emphasize that I consider one's
views on Eschatology to be of far lesser importance than his or her views on Salvation. While I
believe as I do strongly, I am at the same time content for all to disagree with me on the subject
who choose so to do.

This is a potpourri collection of most of my writings to date on Second Coming themes

since the publication of my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom" (hdm0124). I refer the
reader of this file to that publication for a more orderly arrangement of my thoughts on the
subject. However, while this publication lacks such arrangement, the reader will find much in it
that amplifies and enlarges upon thoughts brought forth in "His Appearing and His Kingdom." It
is my hope that this potpourri of eschatological writings will be a blessing to all who take the
time to read and study it, and I invite all who do so to "search the scriptures.. whether these
things are so" (Acts 17:11) that are found in this file.

* * * * * * *

01 -- THE SECOND-COMING PROPHETIC SCHEME -- AS I SEE IT

INTRODUCTION

"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." It is an old saying, but
still very true today. In presenting this article, I do not expect to persuade large numbers thereby
to see things as do I. If you want to believe otherwise, you will. If you feel compelled to believe
otherwise, you may. This article is simply an attempt on my part to present concisely the same
views that I have more largely detailed in my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom."

You can do three things with this article: (1) Ignore it; (2) Read it and disagree; or (3)
Read it and agree with it in part or in whole. One thing you cannot do with it:-- debate its
contents with me. So, please do not write me in detail, or even briefly, regarding why and how
you and I don't see eye to eye on this subject. It is quite peripheral to the main line -- Second
Blessing Holiness -- and I prefer to express my views on the subject without raising "a tempest
in a tea-pot" over them.

Why raise the subject at all, then? Because it is what I believe, and to be honest, I do
hope to convince some to accept these views -- but not at the expense of debate and alienation
that will hinder the main purpose of Holiness Data Ministry. If you simply cannot refrain from
making some dissenting remark, please make it nothing more than a simple statement of the fact
that you disagree, coupled with, I hope, your affirmation of continued love for me and support of
HDM. -- DVM

* * *

I. WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? -- THE ONLY SAFE GAUGE OF INTERPRETATION

Let me begin by stating that neither the late-discovery nor the antiquity of a prophetic
interpretation disproves or proves it. Because an interpretation is hit upon in later centuries does
not disprove it, and because an interpretation (such as Pre-Millennialism) dates back to antiquity
does not prove its validity. Some of the most precious holiness truth was re-discovered by the
Moravians and the Wesleys in a late century, and some of the most pernicious errors (among
them Pantheism and Anti-nomianism) date back to the very earliest centuries of the Church. The
one -- the only -- test for any doctrine is: "What saith the Scriptures?"

For that reason, I fear not to disagree with Pre-Tribulationism that was not heard of in the
Church until 1830 when it was supposedly discovered by Margaret McDonald in Scotland, nor
do I scruple to disagree with Pre-Millennialism though its roots date back to the earliest
centuries. I do not perceive the former as false because it was supposedly revealed in 1830, nor
do I accept the latter as true because it dates back to antiquity. I once worked with a devout, but
deceived Mormon man, and the reason he gave me for not abandoning Mormonism was, in
effect: It was good enough for my ancestors, and it is good enough for me!

Such prejudiced reasoning is sure to lead one astray. Every doctrine, including
Pre-Tribulationism and Wesleyanism must stand or fall when measured by one criterion only --
the Word of God; and Pre-Millennialism or Amillennialism must stand or fall when examined by
that one and only correct measuring stick.

* * *

II. MY ABANDONMENT OF PRE-TRIUBLATIONISM AS UNSCRIPTURAL

For years, I was taught, read, and preached the Pre-Tribulational, Pre-Millennial scheme
of Second Coming prophecy -- but deep down inside there were questions in my mind about the
validity of these teachings, things which appeared to me as honestly irreconcilable with some
quite plain statements in the Bible. So, in about 1974, I decided to study into these matters for
myself and embarked upon some immediate and concentrated study which to begin with lasted
perhaps 3-6 months and involved comparing Scripture with Scripture, as well as delving into a
number of books at a Seminary Library or two in Portland, Oregon, where I was then pastoring.

Since I have presented my views extensively in my book, "His Appearing and His
Kingdom," hdm0124, I will not go into detail here, but rather present quite concisely the steps
and results in my arrival at my present views on the subject. Please do not take it that the brief
statements made in this short article constitute the whole, or even the greatest part of my reasons
for adopting the views which I now hold. For the much more detailed account, please read
hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," that appears on the HDM CD.

(1) THE FOUR SERIES OF SEVENS IN REVELATION ARE NOT END TO END --
One of the first conclusions at which I arrived, before later discovering that another student of
eschatology had hit upon the same thing, is that the four series of sevens in Revelation -- viz.
The 7 Churches, The 7 Seals, The 7 Trumpets, and the 7 Vials -- should not be interpreted as in a
consecutive, chronological order.

We live the weeks of our lives one after the other:-- days 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 are repeatedly
preceded and followed by another such, end to end series thus: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 -- 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 --
1-2-3-4-5-6-7 -- 1-2-3-4-5-6-7. Thus, it is only natural that when we read the four series of 7s in
the Book of Revelation one after another, we are inclined to take them as in their chronological
sequence: First, The 7 Churches -- Second, The 7 Seals -- Third, The 7 Trumpets -- and Fourth,
The 7 Vials.

However, it struck me, in reading Revelation that the 7th in each of these 4 series all had
a commonality to them -- things strikingly similar to those things occurring in each of the other
7s. It was then, after studying this fact that I hit upon an interpretation of these that I had never
read, nor heard, before:-- i. e., that the 7th in each of these series spoke of the exact same time,
but that the 1st of each of the series began at progressively different times, roughly thus:
1--------2-------3-------4-------5-------6-------7 -- CHURCHES
1-----2----3----4----5----6------7 -- SEALS
1---2---3---4---5---6-----7 -- TRUMPETS
1-2-3-4-5-6---7 -- VIALS

Thus, as I perceive the correct interpretation of the 4 series of 7s in Revelation, each has
a different time of beginning (the 7 Churches spanning from the beginning of the Church Age to
the Day of the Lord), but each series has a common 7th, ending at the same time (on the Day of
the Lord). See in the graphics folder of the HDM CD hdm0124b.jpg.

For a number of reasons, I interpret that the Church shall pass through the 7-year
Tribulation, rather than be wafted off to heaven, spared from its sufferings and martyrdoms; and
thus, the time of the 7th Church extends through the Tribulation into The Day of the Lord, and
the 7th Seal, 7th Trumpet, and 7th Vial also usher in The Day of the Lord.

Another important discovery I made is that the cosmic signs frequently mentioned in both
Old and New Testament prophecy DIVIDE the Tribulation from the following Day of the Lord,
thus: THE 7-YEAR TRIBULATION -- THE COSMIC SIGNS -- THE DAY OF THE LORD.
Therefore, it is erroneous to say that the Tribulation is part of The Day of the Lord. See in the
graphics folder, hdm0124a.jpg -- and note the sequence given by Christ in Matthew 24:29-30 --
"Immediately [1. AFTER THE TRIBULATION] of those days [2. SHALL THE SUN BE
DARKENED, AND THE MOON SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS
SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN... [3. THEN... THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN
COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY."

A number of other discoveries also played a great part in my abandonment of

Pre-Tribulationism, among them being that there is absolutely nothing in the meaning of the
Greek words Parousia, Apokalupsis, and Epiphany to support the interpretation that the Parousia
refers to a Secret Rapture and that Apokalupsis and Epiphany refer to the Revelation of Christ,
supposed to take place 7 years after the Secret Parousia. Indeed, all three of these Greek words
are used interchangeably, so much so that any honest student of eschatology (with no prejudiced
ax to grind) must conclude that the Parousia, Apokalupsis, and Epiphany all speak of the one and
only Return of Christ -- at which time the saints will be resurrected and raptured to meet Christ
in the air, at which same time also the August Person of Christ will be Revealed (apokalupsis) to
all, in the blazing splendor of His outshining Epiphany!

Furthermore, it is clear from an honest study of all passages where Parousia,

Apokalupsis, and Epiphany are used, that CHRISTIANS SHALL NOT BE RAPTURED UNTIL
THE TIME WHEN ALL THREE OF THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE -- Christ's Parousia
(Coming), His Apokalupsis (Revelation), and His Epiphany (Outshining Glory) being merely
different aspects of the same awesome event -- Christ's Second Coming. Taken
straightforwardly, this is what the entire New Testament sets forth, and it is only when one has
adopted the supposed revelation of a Split-Second-Coming -- the Rapture 7 years before the
Revelation -- that one is forced to make a distinction between the time of the Parousia and the
time of the Revelation and Epiphany, which obviously occur at the same time, as different
expressions of the one, the same, and the only Second Coming of Christ.
 As I see it, some folks need to re-read what Jesus said in John 14:3 -- "I will come
AGAIN." He did not say, "I will come AGAIN AND AGAIN." He meant what he said. He was
never guilty of duplicity. Furthermore, the straightforward, unmuddled and unaltered chronology
of Christ for Second Coming events as set forth in Matthew 25-26 places the Tribulation First,
The Cosmic Signs Next, The Second Coming and Rapture next, The Marriage Supper Next, The
General Judgment immediately after this, and finally the Eternal Rewards of the Righteous and
of the Wicked. Did Jesus relate these out of order? I trow not! His Olivet Discourse is a simple
and straightforward setting forth of Second Coming events in the exact order in which they shall
occur -- and THE RAPTURE FOLLOWS (DOES NOT PRECEDE) THE TRIBULATION!

Revelation 19:10 declares that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy," and I
believe that in His Olivet Discourse He set forth the succession of events at His Second Coming
in such a simple and straightforward manner, that even a child (unprejudiced by other teaching)
can trace them in their unaltered and proper order.

* * *

III. MY ABANDONMENT OF PRE-MILLENNIALISM

My abandonment of Pre-Millennialism did not come until about 10 years after I had
abandoned Pre-Triublational teachings, and there were a number of Scriptures that led me to do
this. Once again, I refer the student who wishes to examine all of this more thoroughly to Part II
of "His Appearing and His Kingdom," hdm0124.

A REAL EYE-OPENER TO ME -- As I studied the matter of Pre-Millennialism, which

interprets that THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS shall precede by 1000 years THE
RESURRECTION OF THE WICKED -- I came upon a statement of Jesus that knocks that
interpretation in the head so strongly that it should make any honest believer in
Pre-Millennialism sit up and take notice!

Matthew 26:57 -- "And THEY THAT HAD LAID HOLD ON JESUS LED HIM AWAY
TO CAIAPHAS the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.... 62 And the
high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness
against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I
adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64
JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, [TO THE WICKED CAIAPHAS] Thou hast said: nevertheless I
say unto you, HEREAFTER SHALL YE SEE THE SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of
power, and COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."

ANSWER ME THIS: -- As Pre-Millennialists teach, IF THE WICKED CAIAPHAS IS

RESURRECTED 1000 YEARS AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS AT
CHRIST'S SECOND COMING IN THE CLOUDS -- HOW COULD CAIAPHAS POSSIBLY
SEE CHRIST COMING IN THE CLOUDS??????? -- THAT COMING HAVING OCCURRED
1000 YEARS PRIOR TO CAIAPHAS' RESURRECTION??????
 None who believe in the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures and in the infallible
testimony of Christ, could possibly imagine that Christ slipped here, and said something
prophetically that could not possibly occur. But, one who clings to the idea of the resurrection of
the wicked 1000 years after the resurrection of the righteous is forced to reconcile Jesus'
statement here in some way -- perhaps in one of the following ways:

(1) When Jesus told the wicked Caiaphas that he would see Him "coming in the clouds of
heaven" he was referring to some other "coming in the clouds" rather than to His "coming in the
clouds" at the time of His Second Coming -- possible, perhaps, but I think that the validity of
such an interpretation is highly unlikely! -- Or --

(2) When Jesus told Caiaphas that he would see Him "coming in the clouds of heaven,"
Christ was recognizing Caiaphas as a deceived, but righteous man, who would be resurrected
with the righteous at the time of His Second "coming in the clouds of heaven." This, I believe, is
even less likely to be so! -- Or --

(3) When Jesus told Caiaphas that he would see Him "coming in the clouds of heaven,"
Christ was foreseeing the fact that even though Caiaphas was wicked at that time, he would later
before his death be converted, and thus would be resurrected with the righteous and with them
see Christ "coming in the clouds of heaven" -- another possibility which I think to be very
unlikely!

MY OWN CONCLUSIONS RELATIVE TO JESUS' STATEMENT IN MATTHEW

26:64 ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(1) Jesus knew exactly what He was saying, and made no slip.

(2) Jesus did not foresee in any case that Caiaphas would be resurrected among the Just.
Instead, Jesus was warning this very religious, but wicked man, that at the time of His Return
Caiaphas would be resurrected among the wicked, all of whom shall see Christ "coming in the
clouds of heaven," much to their shock and chagrin!

(3) Jesus' statement clearly reveals that the resurrection of the wicked will follow on the
heels of the resurrection and rapture of the righteous so quickly that the wicked, too, will see
Christ's August presence as He is "coming in the clouds" -- thus negating all possibility of 1000
years separating the resurrection of the righteous from that of the wicked.

(4) AS I SEE IT THEN, REVELATION 20:5, ALONG WITH THE WHOLE OF

REVELATION 20 MUST BE INTERPRETED SO AS TO CORRESPOND WITH JESUS'
OWN WORDS. Indeed, when Revelation 20 is interpreted so that the completion of the 1000
years, rather than their commencement, occurs at the Return of Christ, there can be seen a
beautiful harmony, not only with Jesus' statement in Matthew 26:64, but a beautiful harmony as
well with all of the rest of both O. T. and N. T. Second Coming Prophecy! [SEE HDM0124.TXT
AND CHARTS HDM0124AJPG -- HDM0124LJPG in support of my view of the Millennium as
Synonymous with The Church Age, both concluding on The Day of the Lord, and followed
immediately by the Judgment of All and the Reward of All -- in Eternity.]
 The most convincing thing to most Pre-Millennialists of the supposed validity of this
ancient teaching is that taken literally, Revelation 20 seems to demand that the 1000 years shall
FOLLOW the Return of Christ and the Resurrection of the Just. I allow that the Resurrection of
the Just shall precede that of the Wicked, but not that the time between these two resurrections is
separated by a 1000 year period of time following Christ's return. Make Revelation 20 bow to
the vast majority of other prophetic statements in the Bible (including that of Jesus in Matthew
26:64), and we can see the Millennium as taking place in the Church Age, during which time the
Righteous are spiritually resurrected and then bodily resurrected at its close when Christ Returns,
and their resurrection is immediately followed by the resurrection of the wicked, in such rapid
succession that wicked, old Caiaphas will see Jesus "coming in the clouds."

(5) JESUS' STATEMENT IN MATTHEW 26:64 HARMONIZES WITH HIS

STATEMENT IN JOHN 5:28-29 WHICH REVEALS ONE GENERAL TIME OF
RESURRECTION UNTO TWO DIFFERENT DESTINIES.

Read closely John 5:28-29 [caps and bracketed comments mine] "Marvel not at this: for
the HOUR [NOT MILLENNIUM] is coming, in the which ALL [BOTH THE RIGHTEOUS
AND THE WICKED] that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that
have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection
of damnation."

Jesus does not here speak of the resurrection of the wicked following that of the righteous
by 1000 years! He speaks, rather of the resurrection of ALL as taking place in an HOUR! Yes,
the Bible does say in 2 Peter 3:8 that "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years," but
nowhere do we find AN HOUR SPOKEN OF AS EQUAL TO 1000 YEARS!

Does not candor and honest interpretation here demand the interpretation that ALL are
going to be resurrected in an AWESOME HOUR -- THAT HOUR BEING THE HOUR OF
CHRIST'S RETURN?!! The resurrection of the Wicked will follow so quickly that of the
Righteous that all of the Wicked, including Caiaphas will see Jesus "coming in the clouds of
heaven." THIS IS THE WAY I SEE IT!

* * *

III. ETERNITY -- NOT 1007 MORE YEARS ON THIS EARTH -- FOLLOWS CHRIST'S
RETURN

With Pre-Tribulationism and Pre-Millennialism laid aside as erroneous, even though

multitudes have, and still do, believe in them, a number of what I consider to be palpable
absurdities and contradictions are all swept aside, and the purity, integrity, and eternity of
Christ's Messianic Kingdom are both clarified and magnified.

Amillennialism (I prefer to call my views "The Millennium in the Church Age)

eliminates all of the following:
 (1) The idea of a Second Chance for those who miss the Rapture.

(2) The idea of a Second Chance for people living in an extension of 1000 more years on
this present earth (supposedly partially and temporarily patched up).

(3) The idea of people being saved during the Millennium By Sight (the visible sight of
the Glorified Christ and His Saints and Angels), while all others who were ever saved before
them were saved and walked "by faith and not by sight."

(4) The idea of Christ having 3 Kingdoms: First, a Spiritual Kingdom now, made up of
only those really born again and sanctified wholly; Second, an Earthly Kingdom populated by
both glorified and holy saints, angels, and Christ, along with flesh and blood citizens who are
compelled to obey, though unregenerate, unsanctified, and unhappy with their King!; and Third,
a Heavenly Kingdom, made up once again of only the regenerate and purified saints with Christ
and His Holy angels. THE VERY IDEA OF SUCH AN INTERIM KINGDOM STRIKES ME
AS NOT ONLY ABSURD, BUT ALSO AS UNEQUAL AND UNSCRIPTURAL! In Ezekiel
18:29, God asked of Israel, "are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?" As I see it, the
idea of an earthly Messianic Kingdom for 1000 years with the muddled and unequal mixtures
taught by its advocates would bring about a violation of both the equity of God and the integrity
of numerous Scriptures!

(5) Finally, DOING AWAY WITH THE NOTION OF CHRIST'S MESSIANIC

KINGDOM EVER BEING LOCATED ON THIS EARTH ELIMINATES THE
CONTRADICTION OF A NUMBER OF SCRIPTURES THAT DENY SUCH A CONCEPT --
among them, the following:

PAUL'S DECLARATION THAT EARTHLY JERUSALEM HAS BEEN CAST OUT! --

In Galatians 4:22-30 -- (A) Paul likens SARAH AND ISAAC TO HEAVENLY JERUSALEM
AND SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, and (B) he likens HAGAR AND ISHMAEL TO EARTHLY
JERUSALEM AND FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL.

Now get this! -- HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT EARTHLY JERUSALEM AND FLESH
AND BLOOD ISRAEL ARE "CAST OUT"!!! -- Gal. 4:30 "Nevertheless what saith the
scripture? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN [= CAST OUT EARTHLY JERUSALEM, THE
JERUSALEM THAT NOW IS] -- AND HER SON [= CAST OUT FLESH AND BLOOD
ISRAEL AS THE PEOPLE OF GOD]: for the son of the bondwoman SHALL NOT BE HEIR
with the son of the freewoman."

Yes indeed, just as it is prophesied in Zech. 14:4, Christ's feet shall stand upon the Mount
of Olives, but as I see it this Divine "touch-down" shall occur just before the collapse of the
entire universe, and Christ's THRONE SHALL NOT BE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME IN THIS
PRESENT EVIL WORLD, FOR EVEN ONE DAY, LET ALONE FOR 1000 YEARS!

Why? Because EARTHLY JERUSALEM HAS BEEN ETERNALLY CAST OUT! and
because KINGS SIT ON THEIR THRONE TO REIGN, AND NOT ON THEIR FOOTSTOOL.
 What earthly monarch have you ever seen sitting on his footstool to reign!!! Think you,
then, that THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS IS GOING TO SIT ON HIS
FOOTSTOOL TO REIGN FOR 1 SECOND, LET ALONE FOR 1000 YEARS IN SUCH AN
UNDIGNIFIED POSITION!!

What am I talking about? Answer: This Scripture: Isa. 66:1 "Thus saith the Lord, The
HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and the EARTH IS MY FOOTSTOOL: where is the house that ye
build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?"

Should we not see that it is preposterous to imagine that the King of Kings is going to sit
here on earth, His footstool, while reigning in his Messianic Kingdom!!! -- and especially in "a
house built for Him by human hands!" -- even if it were to be renovated by His own miraculous
touch. NO FRIENDS -- THE KING IS GOING TO SIT ON HIS THRONE -- IN HEAVEN --
IN THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM.

It seems to me that the palpable absurdities and unScriptural contradictions of

Pre-Tribulationism and Pre-Millennialism are so numerous that any honest, Spirit-inspired,
Bible-Believing Christian must reject them! Is it not far more consistent with good exegesis to
place a spiritual, but non-literal interpretation on Revelation 20 so as to reconcile it with the
overwhelming preponderance of Scriptures telling us that at Christ's Return ALL shall be
resurrected in that awesome Hour, Time shall end, the Judgment shall occur, and Eternity shall
begin, none having a second chance, and each going into his or her Divinely sentenced Eternal
Abode? I THINK IT IS!

FINALLY -- IN THEIR HEART OF HEARTS, PRE-TRIBULATIONISTS AND

PRE-MILLENNIALISTS DON'T REALLY BELIEVE THEY ARE GOING TO THE
EARTHLY JERUSALEM WHEN THEY DIE!

Listen to Pre-Millennial Saints Sing: "I am going to a City, where the roses never fade!"
-- not, "I am going to the Earthly Jerusalem for 1000 years"! The very hope, the very songs, the
very testimonies, of both living and dying saints are all focused on THE HEAVENLY
JERUSALEM -- AND RIGHTLY SO!

Throughout the New Testament, we see that the inheritance and the goal of Christians
has nothing to do with this earth, either before or after the Return of Christ. HERE THE
CHRISTIAN HAS "NO CONTINUING CITY" BUT SEEKS "ONE TO COME" (Heb 13:14).

It is written of Abraham that "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder
and maker is God," and of those who follow in his footsteps it is written: "God is not ashamed to
be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Heb. 11:10, 16). What? and Where? is
that PREPARED CITY? -- YOU KNOW:-- IT IS NEW JERUSALEM -- IN HEAVEN!

DO YOU THINK that after all God's Word has recorded and promised regarding the
ushering of His People into the Heavenly Jerusalem, THAT CHRIST IS GOING TO BRING
HIS SAINTS INTO AN EARTHLY CITY FOR EVEN 1 DAY? -- LET ALONE FOR 365,000
DAYS OF A CONTINUATION OF THIS PRESENT WORLD!!!??? Abraham looked for the
New Jerusalem! Is Christ going to drag him back to the earthly Jerusalem for 1000 years!! -- I
trow not!

THE GREAT SHAKING AT CHRIST'S RETURN "WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO

FALL" is not going to RESTRUCTURE this old world for 1000 years, it is going to REMOVE
IT FOREVER AS NOW CONSTITUTED!

IT IS THUS WRITTEN: "Now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the
earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth THE REMOVING OF
THOSE THINGS THAT ARE SHAKEN, as of things that are made, THAT THOSE THINGS
WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN MAY REMAIN. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which
cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and
godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:26-29).

As I see it, the Great Shaking that ushers in The Day of the Lord at Jesus' Return shall
remove this world and be followed in quick succession after the Judgment by the saints'
reception and entrance into Christ's Eternal "KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE MOVED."
Conversely, and also in quick succession following the Judgment, sinners shall also be placed in
an abode THAT CANNOT BE MOVED -- not a place of eternal felicity, however, but that awful
place of eternal punishment.

As I see it, the glorified saints will no more spend 1000 years on this earth before THEY
go to heaven than will condemned sinners spend 1000 years in a mythical purgatory before
THEY go to heaven! NOBODY IS GOING ANYWHERE TEMPORARILY AFTER CHRIST'S
RETURN -- EXCEPT TO THE JUDGMENT. At the Return of Christ, All shall be resurrected,
All shall be brought into Judgment, and THEN EVERYONE SHALL GO "TO HIS LONG
HOME" (Ecclesiastes 12:5) -- NEVER TO DEPART FROM THENCE -- NO, NOT AFTER
1000 YEARS, NOR EVEN AFTER ONE MILLION THOUSAND YEARS!

Were Edgar Allen Poe's mythical raven to be perched above the locked door of dark
damnation, his answer to every pleading inquiry about when that door shall be once more opened
would forever be -- NEVERMORE!

Were the joyous saint, after a million years in glory to inquire, "When shall it all END?"
likewise, the answer would forever be -- NEVERMORE!

"I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in
their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any
more, as at the beginning" (1 Chronicles 17:9). This Scripture shall have its endless fulfillment to
the Church, Spiritual Israel, in the ETERNAL MESSIANIC KINGDOM OF CHRIST --
WORLD WITHOUT END!

* * * * * * *

02 -- THE 9:11 FALL AND THE 9:11 REBUILDING OF DAVID'S TABERNACLE

 [This article was written and published on 09/11/05.]

AMOS 9:11-- In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close
up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old."

HEBREWS 9:11 -- But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a
greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.

* * *

I. -- THE AMOS 9:11 TABERNACLE OF DAVID IN PROPHECY

A -- Christ, Not David, Not Solomon, To Raise Up The True, Spiritual Tabernacle Of
David

King David envisioned the building of a great Tabernacle for Jehovah in Jerusalem, and
he confided his plan with the prophet Nathan, who quickly told him to do what he planned.
Nevertheless, it was NOT God's will for David to build a Tabernacle of worship for the Lord,
and in 2 Samuel 7:4-12 we read a prophetic passage that clearly indicates that the Son of David,
Christ Jesus, was to build the Tabernacle -- not David, and not Solomon:

"And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying, 5
Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell
in? 6 Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of
Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all the
places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes
of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of
cedar? 8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I
took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy
sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell
in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them
any more, as beforetime, 11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my
people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the Lord telleth thee that
he will make thee an house. 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy
fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will
establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of
his kingdom for ever.

Obviously, in this passage, prophetically, God tells David that David's Greater Son,
Christ Jesus, not Solomon, would raise up the True, Spiritual Tabernacle of David, and that it
would never be destroyed, for it would be placed in that land from which Spiritual Israel shall
never move, and into which there would never enter any "children of wickedness" to threaten or
harm.
 B -- Nebuchadnezzar Destroyed The Tabernacle Of David, Built By Solomon

Even though God's prophesy through Nathan to David pointed to Christ, NOT Solomon,
as the Great Builder of God's Tabernacle, in Acts 7:47-49 we read: -- "But Solomon built him an
house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or
what is the place of my rest?"

And, in 2 Chronicles 36:16-19, we read of how, many years later, after Israel had
forsaken God, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the Tabernacle of David, built by Solomon:

"But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his
prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17
Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the
sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old
man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 18 And all the vessels of the
house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the
king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. 19 And they burnt the house of God,
and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed
all the goodly vessels thereof."

In their 70-year captivity, Israel bemoaned the destruction of the Tabernacle of David,
built by Solomon: Isaiah 64:11 -- "Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised
thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste."

C -- The Great Rejoicing When The Rebuilding Of Solomon's Temple Began

Ezra 3:8-13 -- "Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at
Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of
Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were
come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and
upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord. 9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and
his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in
the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10 And
when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their
apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after
the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving
thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all
the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the
house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who
were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid
before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: 13 So that the people
could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for
the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off."

D -- The Earthly Tabernacle Was Again Destroyed, Will Again Be Rebuilt

 King Herod greatly enhanced the Temple built under Zerubbabel, but once again, after
Israel rejected Christ, that earthly Tabernacle was destroyed by the Roman general Titus in A. D.
70, and Israel was again scattered. Then, most of two millenia later, in 1948 the Jewish Nation
was restored, and I believe that they shall again rebuild the earthy Tabernacle in Jerusalem:

Daniel 9:25 -- "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven
weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in
troublous times."

All of these buildings, destructions, and rebuildings of an earthly Tabernacle of David

have been, and shall be -- in spite of the Divine Protest: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my
throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the
place of my rest?" (Isaiah 66:1).

And, even though permitted by God, and patterned by God as typical of spiritual and
heavenly realities, none of these earthly Tabernacles of David are "THE TRUE TABERNACLE,
WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, AND NOT MAN" (Heb. 8:2). They do NOT fulfill the
prophesy of God given through Nathan to David.

After his conversion, Saul of Tarsus become Paul the Apostle, chided the Athenians thus:
"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar
with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him
declare I unto you. GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD and all things therein, seeing that he is
Lord of heaven and earth, DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS; Neither is
worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and
breath, and all things." (Acts 17:22-25).

* * *

II. -- THE HEBREWS 9:11 FULFILLMENT OF RAISING UP DAVID'S TABERNACLE

St. Paul said: "GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD.. DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES
MADE WITH HANDS" -- And WHO IS THAT GOD THAT MADE THE WORLDS? Answer:
-- NONE OTHER THAN DAVID'S GREATER SON, CHRIST JESUS: -- "All things were
made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).

Therefore, dear heart, Christ will NEVER dwell in a Tabernacle in the earthly Jerusalem,
"made with hands"! Yes, it WILL be rebuilt -- but it will be anti-Christ, NOT Christ, who
inhabits it: "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2
Thess 2:4).
 Christ Himself will destroy, once again, that last, man-made, earthly Tabernacle of David
at His Return, for He shall "come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10). One of the "works" in this present, evil world at
Christ's Return will be that rebuilt, man-made Tabernacle of David -- and along with the earth,
and everything in it, that building will be burned up! Dear heart, Christ will NEVER sit in a
"Tabernacle made with hands," and especially not in a Tabernacle that was inhabited by the
anti-Christ! No! Ten thousand times, No! He is going to burn up that building, along with all of
the world, all of the material universe, and all of the wicked!

In Acts 16:15-18, St. James recognized that the "raising up again of the Tabernacle of
David" was Christ's building of the Church:

"After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen
down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men
might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord,
who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the
world."

Hebrews 8:2-4 below tells us that if Christ were on earth, he would not be a priest, and I
assert that CHRIST WILL NEVER BE A PRIEST IN, NOR DWELL IN, ANY TABERNACLE
ON THIS EARTH!

Instead, Christ is "A minister of the sanctuary, and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE,
which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and
sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For IF HE
WERE ON EARTH, HE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIEST, seeing that there are priests that offer
gifts according to the law."

Again, Hebrews 9:11 tells us: -- "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to
come, by A GREATER AND MORE PERFECT TABERNACLE, NOT MADE WITH HANDS,
that is to say, NOT OF THIS BUILDING."

"Not of this building" (or any building on this earth) but of the "GREATER AND MORE
PERFECT TABERNACLE" in the Eternal, New Jerusalem, Christ is the Minister! Indeed,
Christ Himself IS that Tabernacle: "And I saw no temple therein [in the New Jerusalem]: for the
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Revelation 21:22).

The apostle Peter also saw the spiritual fulfillment of the "raising up of the Tabernacle of
David" that was fallen, when he wrote: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,
an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore
also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and
he that believeth on him shall not be confounded" (2 Peter 2:5-6).

Even now, on 09/11/05 -- four years after the destruction of America's WTC on 09/11/01
-- Christ is still in the process of "raising up the Tabernacle of David." It is a Spiritual Raising of
a Spiritual Tabernacle of David, consisting of Christ Himself and all of the "Living Stones"
whom he has raised to Spiritual Life. When being finally completed, at His Second Coming, the
final Remnant of earthly Israel will be made part of it, and then the Lord will "pitch it" -- i.e., in
the New Jerusalem, where it will be forever "planted" to "move no more" and where "the
children of wickedness" shall never threaten its Eternal Purity and Security! -- "World Without
End"!

* * * * * * *

03 -- CHRIST SHALL RETURN AS JUDGE -- NOT AS SAVIOR AND PRIEST

"He cometh to JUDGE the earth" (1 Chronicles 16:33).

"He cometh to JUDGE the world" (Psalm 96:13; 98:9).
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him
shall he APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28 -- KVJ).

Young's Literal Translation renders the All-Caps Phrase in Hebrews 9:28 above: --
"APART FROM A SIN-OFFERING, SHALL APPEAR."

Adam Clarke's Commentary expounds it: -- "appear a second time without sin, CHORIS
HAMARTIA, WITHOUT A SIN-OFFERING.."

Both the American Standard Version and the New King James Version render it:
"APPEAR A SECOND TIME, APART FROM SIN."

Weymouth's New Testament translates it: -- "APPEAR A SECOND TIME,

SEPARATED FROM SIN."

The Twentieth Century New Testament renders it: -- "APPEAR--BUT WITHOUT ANY
BURDEN OF SIN."

Quite clearly, then, the meaning of Hebrews 9:28 is: "Christ came the First Time to
BEAR THE BURDEN OF SIN for men -- i.e., to become the Sin-Offering for men, but when He
appears the Second Time, it shall be "WITHOUT BEARING THE BURDEN OF SIN,"
WITHOUT BEING THE SIN OFFERING OF MEN, AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED
FROM ALL SIN AND ALL SINNERS!

At Christ's First Coming, the Lord laid on Him "the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6) -- He
was OUR SUBSTITUTIONAL LAMB who next ascended into Heaven to act as our HIGH
PRIEST.

At Christ's Second Coming, He shall bear the sins of none; He shall be the sin-offering of
none; He shall be the priest of no sinner; HE SHALL COME -- NOT AS A LAMB -- BUT AS A
LION TO IMMEDIATELY DEVOUR ALL OF HIS ADVERSARIES, AND AS THE JUDGE
OF ALL!
 This means THERE SHALL BE NONE SAVED AFTER CHRIST ARISES FROM HIS
MEDIATORIAL THRONE AND RETURNS FROM HEAVEN! This obviously means that
none shall be saved after the Rapture -- none saved in a 7-Year Tribulation mistakenly thought to
occur after the Rapture instead of before it -- and none saved in a millennium of Time mistakenly
thought to occur after Christ's Return.

"The day approaching" in which Christ shall Return shall be a day when "there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb. 10:25-27).

The Day of the Lord in which Christ shall Come Again is described by Malachi thus:

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all
that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of
hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. 4:1).

When Christ splits the eastern skies, resurrects and raptures His saints to meet Him in the
air, His Second Coming will be in a "flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God"
(2 Thess. 1:8) of such magnitude that it shall leave the wicked "neither root nor branch" on this
earth!

Those prepared for Christ's Second Coming will find Eternal "healing in his wings" but
they are not going to rule for a thousand years over a suppressed but wicked, earthly people!
Nay! Malachi says of Christ's People at that awesome time: "Ye shall tread down the wicked; for
they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of
hosts" (Mal. 4:2-3).

James 5:9 declares: -- "THE JUDGE standeth before the door" -- not the Sacrifice for
Man's Sin -- not the Priest as Man's Mediator!

Ezekiel condemned those who "strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not
return from his wicked way, by PROMISING HIM LIFE." (Ezek. 13:22).

To say that there shall be 1,007 years of Time following the Rapture, and 1,000 years of
Time following Christ's Return, is A DE FACTO PROMISE OF LIFE to some wicked people
following those climactic occurrences, during which they may be both saved and sanctified!

No doubt many, and perhaps millions, who believe in the Pre-Trib\Pre-Mil teachings
shall be shocked beyond words to discover that when the Rapture and Revelation occur, all
TIME and all POSSIBILITY of Salvation shall be forever past!

J. Wilbur Chapman related the following story -- (Caps Mine):

"Some years ago a man driving down the streets of one of the great cities lost control of
his horses and was in danger of being dashed to death. Suddenly, there sprang out into the streets
a man who, seizing the horses by the bit, stopped them in their mad career and saved the driver's
life. By a singular coincidence, years afterwards the man whose life was saved was on trial
before the one who had stopped the horses, who sat in the judge's chair. The trial was ended; the
lawyers had made the plea and the jury had returned with its verdict, when the judge said, 'Have
you anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced upon you?' Then, rising, trembling
with great emotion, he said: 'Judge, don't you remember me?' And the judge said once again,
'Have you anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced?' And then he said, 'Why,
Judge, I am the man you saved; have mercy, have mercy.' And with a look full of pity, his honor
replied, 'I do remember you and I am very sorry for you, but THEN I WAS YOUR SAVIOUR,
and TODAY I AM YOUR JUDGE;' and the sentence of death was passed."

As per the above story, now Christ is Man's Savior and Man's High Priest, but at His
Second Coming, He shall be Man's Judge! -- both His Sacrificial and Mediatorial work for men
on earth being forever finished. At Calvary, His Sacrificial work was finished. At His Return,
His Priestly work for men on earth shall have been eternally finished.

Hebrews 8:4 tells us of Christ: -- "If He were on earth, he SHOULD NOT be a priest,"
and let me warn all who read this: -- When Christ Returns He SHALL NOT "be a Priest"!
Instead, He "shall judge the quick and the dead AT His appearing (2 Tim. 4:1) -- not 1,000 years
thereafter!

Premillennialists not only assert that there shall be people saved after Christ's Return, but
they also assert that it shall be during the supposed millennium after Christ's Second Coming that
"nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they LEARN WAR ANY MORE"
(Micah 4:3). Then, they turn right around and tell us that after men shall not "learn war any
more" they shall LEARN WAR AGAIN and rise up to try to overthrow Christ in a Great War at
the close of the supposed millennium!

Dear Heart, can you not see how utterly contradictory to the Bible Premillennial teaching
really is?! This fact DEMANDS that the book of Revelation, including Revelation 20, be
interpreted with that figurative and spiritual meaning which places it harmony with the rest of
the Book on the subject!

Again, IT IS THE JUDGE that standeth before the door; IT IS THE JUDGE OF ALL
WHO SHALL RETURN FROM HEAVEN -- NOT THE SIN-OFFERING, NOT THE PRIEST!

Matthew 25:31-46 describes what shall occur "WHEN THE SON OF MAY SHALL
COME IN HIS GLORY" -- NOT ONE THOUSAND YEARS LATER:

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then
shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he
shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them
on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world... Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels... And these [the wicked, the
goats] shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous [sheep] into life eternal."
 THIS, I declare -- and warn -- is the scenario Jesus Himself set forth in His Olivet
Discourse. Revelation 19:10 tells us that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." And
if, without twisting it, we follow the order of events as set forth by "the testimony of Jesus" in
His Olivet discourse, we will see that THE JUDGMENT OF ALL FOLLOWS HIS SECOND
COMING -- not a supposed, additional one thousand years of time during which men may be
saved!

* * * * * * *

04 -- EARTHLY ISRAEL -- HAS BEEN -- CAST OUT!

This fact is very clear from a proper understanding and interpretation of Galatians
4:22-31. I shall first present this passage below, followed by an explanation of its primary
meaning:

(22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a
freewoman.

(23) But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the
freewoman was by promise.

(24) Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the
mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

(25) For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is,
and is in bondage with her children.

(26) But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

(27) For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that
travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

(28) Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

(29) But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the
Spirit, even so it is now.

(30) Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the
son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

(31) So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

* * *

EXPLANATION OF THE PRIMARY MEANING OF THIS PASSAGE

 HAGAR TYPIFIES EARTHLY JERUSALEM: -- (Verse 25) -- "Agar... answereth to
Jerusalem which now is.."

SARAH TYPIFIES THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM... (Verse 26) -- " Jerusalem which
is above"

ISHMAEL TYPIFIES FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL: -- (Verse 23) -- "But he who
was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh."

ISAAC TYPIFIES SPIRITUAL ISRAEL: -- (Verse 28) -- "Now we, brethren, as Isaac
was, are the children of promise."

THE CASTING OUT OF HAGAR TYPIFIES THE CASTING OUT OF EARTHLY

JERUSALEM AS THE CAPITAL CITY OF GOD'S TRUE PEOPLE: -- (Verse 30) --
"Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman" -- Nothing could be plainer! --
Cast out Hagar = Cast out "the Jerusalem which now is" (Earthly Jerusalem) as God's Capital
City!

THE CASTING OUT OF ISHMAEL TYPIFIES THE CASTING OUT OF FLESH AND
BLOOD ISRAEL AS GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE!!! -- (Verse 30) -- "Nevertheless what saith the
scripture? Cast out the bondwoman (Earthly Jerusalem) AND HER SON (FLESH AND BLOOD
ISRAEL): for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman" =
(Flesh and Blood Israel shall "not be heir" -- SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF
GOD! -- with "the son of the freewoman" = WITH SPIRITUAL ISRAEL!!!!

Nothing could be plainer than the true meaning of this passage! The Old Covenant, The
Old, Earthly Jerusalem, and the Old, Flesh and Blood Israel HAVE BEEN CAST OUT --
REPLACED BY THE NEW COVENANT, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, AND
SPIRITUAL ISRAEL!!!!

How anyone can read this passage and not see that is beyond me! -- unless they have
some "ax to grind" in their prophetic interpretation -- or their minds have been blinded with
teachings on this passage that distort the true meaning.

No, "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew" (Romans 11:2) -- but, dear
believer, the people whom God foreknew constitute SPIRITUAL ISRAEL! -- NOT FLESH
AND BLOOD ISRAEL!

Do I hear someone declare: "SEE THERE! It says in Romans 11:2 that God has not cast
away flesh and blood Israel!"

I reply: "Romans 11:2 says no such thing!" This is made clear by Romans 11:15, a few
verses later: -- "For if THE CASTING AWAY OF THEM (THE CASTING AWAY OF FLESH
AND BLOOD ISRAEL) be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but
life from the dead?"
 Beloved saint, FROM BEFORE THE WORLD WAS... GOD INTENDED THAT THE
NEW COVENANT BE THAT WHICH WOULD BRING FORTH HIS PEOPLE, THAT
SPIRITUAL ISRAEL WOULD BE THAT PEOPLE, AND THAT THE HEAVENLY
JERUSALEM WOULD BE HIS CAPITAL CITY! Repeatedly in the Scripture, and especially
in Hebrews, the New Testament makes these facts clear!

"A Remnant" of Earthly Israel "shall be graffed in" on The Day of the Lord, "for God is
able to graff them in again" (Romans 11:23).

It is true that God is not done dealing with Flesh and Blood Israel, even though they do
not constitute the true Israel of God. But, never forget: "He is not a Jew, which is one
outwardly.. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly.. of the heart, in the spirit.." (Romans
2:28-29).

The Old Covenant, The Old Flesh and Blood People, The Old Earthly City -- all of these
have been forever cast out! -- THEY CONSTITUTED ONLY FORESHADOWS OF, THE
NEW COVENANT, THE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, AND THE HEAVENLY CITY!

"In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but A NEW
CREATURE. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and
upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD" (Gal. 6:15-16).

By the way, Child of God, WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU PLAN TO LIVE during a
supposed, millennial reign on this planet??? If this earth is to be your first abode after the
Rapture, why is it that you (along with millions of other saints, past and present) have always
sung such as the following: "I AM GOING TO A CITY WHERE THE ROSES NEVER
FADE"??!!!

I'll tell you why the saints of God always look forward to, and sing about "GOING TO
HEAVEN AFTER THEY DIE" -- IT'S BECAUSE THAT'S THE FIRST, AND ONLY, PLACE
THEY ARE GOING TO RESIDE AFTER THEIR TRANSLATION!!!

In John 14:2-3, where Christ said to his disciples, "In my Father's house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also." -- HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT "A PLACE FOR YOU" HERE ON
THIS EARTH!!! -- NOT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS -- NOT FOR ONE YEAR -- NOT
EVEN FOR ONE MINUTE! The "many mansions" of "my Father's house" to which Christ
referred are obviously located in Heaven, not on earth!!!

When Jesus made the above promise, He was speaking of that which would fulfill 1
Chronicles 17:9 -- "Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they
shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness
waste them any more.."
 Who are the "My People" spoken of in that prophetic verse?: The Spiritual "Israel of
God"!

What is that "Place For My People" from which they "SHALL BE MOVED NO MORE"
and in which "the children of wickedness" shall no more attack and "waste" them? -- Obviously,
that place is: HEAVEN, AND THE HEAVENLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM! Christ isn't going
to rapture the saints to meet Him in the air, and then place them back on this earth in the Earthly
Jerusalem for a thousand years, at the end of which "the children of wickedness" shall again
attack and attempt to "waste" them one more time! No sir! When Jesus said, "that where I am,
there ye may be also" HE MEANT FIRST, AND ONLY, THAT PLACE IN THE HEAVENLY
JERUSALEM -- where the saints will be forever glorified, fortified, satisfied, and sheltered -- far
removed from the devil, his imps, and his people -- "WORLD WITHOUT END"! (See both
Isaiah 45:17 and Ephesians 3:21).

After the last Gentile is saved that ever shall be saved, when "the fullness of the Gentiles
be come in" (Rom. 11:25), a Remnant of Flesh and Blood Israel SHALL BE SAVED -- Praise
God! But, at Christ's Appearing, they -- along with all of the Ransomed Church of God -- shall
be caught up to meet the Lord in the air -- "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written"
(Romans 11:26).

What a Day, Glorious Day, that will be! St. Paul wrote of it in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 --
"Then we which 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."

This, I believe, is the true scenario, the true interpretation of how things shall climax
regarding the Remnant of Israel and the Church of God when Jesus Returns.

I challenge you to "search the Scriptures" -- as did the noble, teachable, Bereans -- to
determine whether what I have said is so. (Acts 17:10-11). You may disagree with me if you
wish... However, I shall not debate the matter with any. -- Duane

* * * * * * *

05 -- HOW THE ISRAEL OF GOD SHALL HAVE THE FIRST DOMINION

"And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it
come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem" (Micah
4:8).

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at
this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).

* * *

A -- EARTHLY ISRAEL'S LONG-EXPECTED EARTHLY PREEMINENCE

 Since the days of the prophet Micah, earthly Israel has been expecting the time to come
when they shall have the preeminence over all nations -- "EVEN THE FIRST DOMINION."

But, when the lowly Jesus of Nazareth appeared, he did not usher in that long-expected,
highly-visible revolution that would turn the world upside down and bring about the world-wide
dominance of the Jewish nation. Instead of riding into Jerusalem on a White Horse in splendor,
having brought all nations to their knees before earthly Israel, Jesus rode into the city on a
borrowed donkey! In the eyes of carnal and proud Judaism, this was NOT how it was supposed
to be! -- and thus, they imagined that He was an impostor, flung epithets into his ears, spat in his
face, flogged him, crowned him with thorns, nailed him to the cross, and then mocked him as he
hung there, dying in agony, challenging him -- if he really was their long expected Messiah -- to
demonstrate his mighty power by descending from the cross!

But the unbelieving Jews responsible for killing their King were not the only ones who
expected something more from Jesus RIGHT SOON. After Christ rose from the dead and
privately manifested himself to His disciples, they too revealed their hope that Micah's prophecy
might soon be fulfilled in the exaltation and Dominance of earthly Israel. Just before Jesus'
ascension, "they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel?" (Acts 1:6). But the kingdom will never be "restored" to earthly Israel.

* * *

B -- WHY THE KINGDOM WILL NEVER BE "RESTORED" TO EARTHLY ISRAEL

Jesus answered the disciples inquiry indirectly, by saying: "It is not for you to know the
times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power" (1:7). Many read into this that
Jesus only inferred that there would be a delay in that fulfillment, when in fact, as I read the
Scriptures, earthly Israel, -- viz., the Jewish Nation on earth -- will NEVER become the
preeminent nation on earth -- THE KINGDOM WILL NOT BE "RESTORED" TO EARTHLY
ISRAEL, FOR IT NEVER BELONGED TO EARTHLY ISRAEL in the first place! To interpret
Micah's prophecy as did the Jews who crucified Christ, and as did the Pre-Pentecostal disciples,
is to misinterpret it. The kingdom will not be "restored" to earthly Israel because "the Kingdom
is THE LORD'S"! (Psa. 22:28). Let me show you more about how "THE KINGDOM IS THE
LORD'S," AND HAS NEVER BELONGED TO EARTHLY ISRAEL.

* * *

C -- JESUS "IS" ISRAEL, GOD'S SON!

Follow me now, for this is crucial to the point I make:

(1) ISRAEL IS ONE OF THE NAMES OF GOD: -- God changed Jacob's name to
"Israel" and the nation springing from Jacob, God labeled as "my people which are called by MY
NAME" (2 Chr. 7:14). "Israel," therefore, is one of the names of God Himself.
 (2) ISRAEL IS THE NAME OF GOD'S SON: -- More specifically now, "Israel" is the
name of God's Son. Hosea shows us this: Hosea 11:1 -- "When ISRAEL was a child, then I
LOVED HIM, and CALLED MY SON out of Egypt." Notice: "Israel... My Son." But lets go
further with the explanation:

(3) JESUS, GOD'S SON, IS ISRAEL -- The greater fulfillment of Hosea 11:1 above is
seen at the time that God brought JESUS BACK UP OUT OF EGYPT: Matthew 2:15 "And was
there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, OUT OF EGYPT HAVE I CALLED MY SON." In the great Person of Christ
JESUS, AS ISRAEL, GOD'S SON, WAS CALLED OUT OF EGYPT.

* * *

D -- JESUS AND SPIRITUAL ISRAEL VS. JACOB AND FLESHLY ISRAEL

DO YOU GET THE PROPHETIC PICTURE? -- Jacob, renamed "Israel," and his fleshly
offspring are "ISRAEL THE LESSER," while Jesus as Israel, God's Son, along with His spiritual
offspring are "ISRAEL THE GREATER," and the Kingdom, the FIRST DOMINION is to come
to Jesus and Spiritual Israel, not to earthly Israel at all.

St. Paul tells us WHO THEY ARE THAT CONSTITUTE "THE ISRAEL OF GOD":
Gal. 6:15-16 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision,
but A NEW CREATURE. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and
mercy, and upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD."

Jacob-Israel had 12 sons from whom sprang earthly Israel. Jesus-Israel had 12 disciples
from whom sprang spiritual Israel, the true Israel of God.

* * *

E -- EARTHLY JERUSALEM AND EARTHLY ISRAEL ARE CAST OUT

In Galatians 4, Paul likened earthly Jerusalem and earthly Israel to "the bondwoman
(Hagar) and her son (Ishmael)." Sarah, he likened unto the Heavenly Jerusalem, and Isaac he
likened onto Spiritual Israel, The Church.

NOW GET THIS: -- Then, Paul says: "Cast out the bondwoman (Hagar -- Earthly
Jerusalem) and her son (Ishmael, Earthly Israel, the Jewish Nation).

Thus, THE FIRST DOMINION shall come to Christ, the Greater Israel, in the New
Jerusalem with Spiritual Israel -- not on this earth, not in the earthly Jerusalem, nor to earthly
Israel, the flesh and blood Jewish Nation! Hope as they may, strive as they will, the kingdom
shall never be restored to earthly Israel, for it belongs to Israel, God's Son and His spiritual
offspring, the true Israel of God. Earthly Jerusalem and Earthly Israel are forever cast out, and
Heavenly Jerusalem and Spiritual Israel are now God's City and God's people.
* * *

F -- A FINAL REMNANT OF EARTHLY ISRAEL TO JOIN SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

However, even though earthly Jerusalem and earthly Israel shall not see the kingdom
"restored" to them -- "a remnant" of flesh and blood Israel shall be saved on the Day of the Lord,
"according to the election of grace." But note: THAT REMNANT WILL BECOME PART OF
THE TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD, HAVING RECEIVED GOD'S SAVING-SANCTIFYING
"GRACE" on that Great Day! AFTER this remnant is brought into the Spiritual Israel of God, it
is then that "ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED" (Rom. 11:26, Plus see the entire Chapter).

* * *

G -- CHRIST SHALL REIGN FROM HIS THRONE, NOT FROM HIS FOOTSTOOL!

Because Kings sit ON THEIR THRONE to reign, and NOT ON THEIR FOOTSTOOL,
can you imagine even a carnal potentate sitting on his footstool instead of on his throne to rule?

What is my point? Just this: HEAVEN is Christ's THRONE and EARTH is His
FOOTSTOOL: Acts 7:49 -- "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye
build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?"

As the Great Israel of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords -- JESUS IS NOT
GOING TO SIT ON HIS FOOTSTOOL IN AN EARTHLY JERUSALEM TO REIGN. No! Ten
Thousand Times, No! He is going to SIT ON HIS THRONE IN THE HEAVENLY CITY!

He says, "What house will ye build me?" No temple on His Footstool, Earth, is
magnificent enough to hold His Splendor and Glory! Only the Heavenly City, where "the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Rev. 21:22) shall suffice for His worship and
His Throne!

Christians are never told to look for any city on this earth, but of the Israel of God it is
written: "here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (Heb. 13:14). Spiritual
Israel shall indeed have THE FIRST DOMINION and INHERIT THE KINGDOM: Matthew
25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," BUT THE CITY IN
WHICH THEY SHALL THUS RULE WITH CHRIST WILL NOT BE ON THIS EARTH -- IT
SHALL BE IN THE CITY FOR WHICH ABRAHAM LOOKED, and "he looked for a city
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10).

* * *

H -- THE BARABBAS BACKFIRE -- WHY THE JEWS ARE ROBBED OF PEACE

 Christians are prone to "root for" the Jewish Nation in its armed conflicts of this tragic
time, when Palistininan-Arab suicide bombers are massacring their civilians and the Israeli
Army is retaliating with tanks, bombs, missiles, and troops, and slaying scores of Arabs.

Yes, probably most Christians are siding in their hearts with earthly Israel, the Jewish
Nation -- re-gathered and reconstituted in 1948. But, shall they EVER as an earthly nation have
peace, having rejected the Prince of Peace? I say, NO -- they shall not, until they blindly accept
the anti-Christ as their long-expected Messiah, and that peace will last only three and one-half
years.

As I interpret Second Coming prophecy, right now, and until the Lord Returns, Israel
shall suffer THE BARABBAS BACKFIRE. When they cried out nearly 2000 years ago: "Not
this man [Jesus], but Barabbas," they robbed themselves of true peace forever as a nation.
"Barabbas was a robber," and their choice of the Robber instead of the Redeemer has been costly
to earthly Israel -- Oh, so costly!

No, ten million times No! -- the Holocaust was not justified, and those who perpetrated
this upon the Jews shall suffer the eternal vengeance of Almighty God, unless they repented and
found forgiveness before their death. But again, I say -- this has been part of the awful price
earthly Israel has paid for choosing the Robber instead of the Redeemer. The curse of Matthew
27:25 has been, and is still, being fulfilled: "Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be
on us, and on our children."

Perhaps 10 days ago or so, I heard well-known Radio Host, Rush Limbaugh say that it
was his opinion that there will be no peace between Israel and the Palestinians -- UNTIL --
UNTIL, ONE SIDE HAS ANNIHILATED THE OTHER.

Let me tell you what I think is more likely to be the final outcome:

Bloody violence will continue between earthly Israel and her Arab neighbors UNTIL --
UNTIL THE JEWISH NATION ACCEPTS THE ANTI-CHRIST AS THEIR MESSIAH.
Remember, earthly Israel has returned to Palestine IN UNBELIEF. While there are Orthodox
Jews praying and mourning at the Wailing Wall, the nudity on Jewish beaches is nearly as bad, if
not just as bad, as you will find anywhere on earth. As a nation, even the most Orthodox among
them are still rejecting Jesus, the true Israel of God. To a great extent, Jews in Israel are just as
worldly and wicked as most others on earth. DON'T FOOL YOURSELF -- AS SUCH -- THEY
ARE NOT -- I REPEAT, ARE NOT -- GOD'S PEOPLE. Never has Paul's statement in Romans
9:6 been more true: "they are not all Israel, which are of Israel." Indeed, only a small fraction of
Jews today are a part of the Spiritual Israel of God. Those who are only of Israel the earthly
nation, are not God's people. There shall yet be a remnant therefrom saved, but only a remnant.

Jesus prophesied in John 5:43 "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if
another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."

When earthly Israel receives the False Messiah, anti-Christ -- THEN, FOR THREE AND
ONE-HALF YEARS shall come the most marvelous peace ever seen in the Middle East! Jews
and Arabs will be united in their acceptance of this 666-Man as THE Prince of Peace! Indeed,
the whole world will accept him as such. So convinced shall Israel, the Arabs, and the entire
World be that AT LAST... PEACE HAS COME, that Paul said: "They shall say PEACE and
SAFETY."

It will seem like a rosy, dream-world of undisturbed tranquillity and that richer-than-ever
trade has come on earth to stay! Amidst world-wide peace and tranquillity, the commerce of
Babylon the Great shall flourish immensely. Millions will be convinced that the False Christ is
the True Christ, and Peace and Prosperity will shine in such abundance that it will appear that
the Golden Age of Christ's Kingdom has come at last! Satanic miracles will also convince a
deceived world that the Man of Sin is "The Prince of Peace"!

BUT LOOK OUT! "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thess.
5:3)! When the Proud-As-A-Peacock Man of Sin sits himself in the temple of God, proclaiming
to the world that he IS God, THEN THE WRATH OF THE TRUE ISRAEL, GOD'S SON,
SHALL BEGIN TO FALL UPON THIS WORLD!

Happily, Out of the final "BARABBAS BACKFIRE," near the close of those awful, final
three and one-half years, a final remnant of earthly Israel shall see the Light, mourn over their
sins, and be born again "at once" (Isa. 66:8). If you don't believe in sudden conversions, you
don't believe in Second Coming prophecy, for suddenly -- "at once" -- that final remnant shall be
born again, and along with the resurrected and raptured saints, they shall rise up "to meet the
Lord in the air" and even "so all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:26).

Shall that spiritual, heavenly, raptured "Israel of God" ever be robbed of their peace?
NAY. NEVER! For concerning Israel, God's Son and His Kingdom it is written: "Of the increase
of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his
kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for
ever." YOU HAD BETTER BELIEVE IT TOO, FOR "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will
perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).

* * * * * * *

06 -- THE GENERAL RESURRECTION

This item is Chapter 15 in my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," hdm0124 -- to
which publication I refer the reader who may wish to examine my eschatological beliefs more
fully.

The Time When All Shall Be Resurrected

Concerning the fact that both the righteous and the wicked will be resurrected at Christ's
return on the day of the Lord, see Chapter 12, The 144,000 And The Final Harvests, where the
resurrection of the wicked is pictured as immediately following that of the righteous, and not
1007 years thereafter. Also, in support of the fact that at Christ's second coming there will then
be a general resurrection of all of the dead, consider the following scriptural proof:

Dan. 12:1-2 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for
the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, (for a time, times, and an half)
such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (2) And many (or the many)
of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to
shame and everlasting contempt.

Here, the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked is seen to follow the 3 1/2
year long "time of trouble," or great tribulation. The context suggests that those who are
resurrected "to everlasting.. contempt" will be raised immediately after the resurrection of those
raised "to everlasting life," with little or no intermission between the two: "at that time... them
that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting
shame and contempt."

One Resurrection Unto Two Different Fates

John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

In the above verses Jesus said that all of the dead will be resurrected at the same hour, not
1007 years apart as would be the case if the pre-trib, pre-millennial rapture teaching was so.
Further proof that the resurrection of the wicked will not be separated from that of the righteous
by a millennium or more is seen in a statement which Jesus made to the wicked Caiaphas. Jesus'
statement to him presents a fact which perhaps many pre-millennialists have overlooked.

The Wicked Will See Christ Coming In The Clouds

In Matt. 26:69 Jesus said to the wicked Caiaphas: "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of Man
sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

This Proves A General Resurrection At Christ's Return

Reader, Please note: The pre-millennial teaching places the resurrection of the wicked
1000 years after the post-tribulational revelation of Christ. It would be utterly impossible for
Caiaphas to see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven at the close of the great tribulation if he, as
a wicked man, was resurrected 1000 years after that event took place!

Matt. 26:69 forces us to conclude one of two things:

(a) Jesus saw that Caiaphas was, or would become, righteous, so as to be resurrected with
the righteous at His revelation; or
 (b) Jesus was telling Caiaphas that all of the dead would be resurrected at His revelation,
the wicked as well as the righteous, and that Caiaphas, among the wicked dead raised in that
hour, would thus "see the Son of man... coming in the clouds of heaven."

I submit that it is the latter of these two possibilities which is correct, proving that there
will not be 1000 years between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the
wicked, but rather that the wicked will be raised at the same hour in which the righteous are
raised, at "the last trump"!

The 7th Trumpet Shows One Time Of Resurrection For All Of The Dead

Rev. 11:15,18 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and
he shall reign for ever and ever. (18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the
time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy
servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and
shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

The evidence in the above verses points to the fact that "the time of the dead" spoken of
is "the time" at which all "of the dead" shall be raised. Nothing within these verses suggests that
there will be a millennium or more between "the time" at which the righteous dead are raised and
"the time" when the wicked dead are raised. Instead, here again, the wicked and the righteous are
shown to be resurrected at the same hour on the day of the Lord, with no 1000-year hiatus
between the resurrection of the righteous and the resurrection of the wicked.

The Time When All Of The Dead Shall Be Resurrected Points To A Pre-Second Advent
Fulfillment Of The Millennium

Hopefully, the reader can see that, uniformly, the scriptures show that both the wicked
and the righteous dead shall be resurrected at Christ's second coming, and that therefore the
"1000 years" and the "little season" of Revelation 20:1-8 must be interpreted as having their
fulfillment before the second advent of Christ.

Rev. 11:18 places the time of the dead at time of the time of Christ's second coming.
From Rev. 20:12 we can see that this same time of the dead will be after the millennium and the
little season. Thus, the writer interprets that when all of the dead are raised at the time of Christ's
second coming, the millennium and the little season of great tribulation will be past, having been
fulfilled in the Church Age before Christ's return.

Further, the writer hopes that the reader can see that an interpretation of Rev. 20:5-7
which places the resurrection of the wicked dead 1000 years after Christ's second advent is in
plain contradiction to the majority of other Bible passages bearing on this subject which show
that both the righteous and the wicked shall be resurrected at the same hour on the day of the
Lord.

In Conclusion
 When the apostle Paul says in Acts 24:15, "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead,
both of the just and unjust," it is noted that a resurrection, singular, is mentioned and not
resurrections, plural. It is seen from this along with the other scriptures that there shall be a
single time of resurrection during which all the dead, both the just and the unjust, shall come
forth from their graves, and that general resurrection is seen to occur after the great tribulation on
the day of the Lord.

* * * * * * *

07 -- TWO DANGEROUS PRESUMPTIONS REGARDING SECOND-COMING PROPHECY

2 Peter 3:3-4 "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days SCOFFERS,
walking after their own lusts, 4 And SAYING, WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?
for since the fathers fell asleep, ALL THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY WERE FROM THE
BEGINNING OF THE CREATION."

Deuteronomy 18:22 "WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKETH in the name of the Lord, IF THE
THING FOLLOW NOT, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but
THE PROPHET HATH SPOKEN IT PRESUMPTUOUSLY: thou shalt not be afraid of him."

* * *

INTRODUCTION

The Internet is now awash with prophecies and skepticism about prophecy. Today is
December 8, 1999. Only 23 days remain until that momentous time when 12:00 p.m. December
31, 1999 shall pass and the world shall see a new second, a new minute, a new hour, a new
month, a new year, a new decade, a new century, and a NEW MILLENNIUM with the arrival of
Y2K -- YEAR 2000.

The Internet -- the WWW (World Wide Web) -- is awash with warnings of what shall
come with the dawn of the 3rd Millennium, and the dark, doomsday-type predictions of some
apparently go far beyond the problems arising from the Y2K Millennium-Bug, and predict the
Apocalypse with all things pertaining thereto. At the same time, the Internet is also flooded with
a number of Web Pages containing the writings of those who are skeptics of Deity, skeptics of
Christianity, and skeptics of Second Coming Prophecy.

Twenty centuries shall have passed in the Christian era, 2000 years, and at the dawn of
Century 21 and the 3rd Millennium, perhaps as never before, many will be strongly tempted to
gravitate toward one of TWO DANGEROUS PRESUMPTIONS REGARDING SECOND
COMING PROPHECY.

* * *

Part 1
THE PRESUMPTION THAT SECOND COMING PROPHECY IS A MYTH

The Internet is freighted with the Web Pages of those who think all things are now
rocking on just as they have since the creation -- those who proclaim in print that all who teach
and believe Second Coming Prophecy are dead-wrong doomsayers and ignorant, gullible
believers who shall eternally be proven wrong. The Web Sites are easy to find of those who
doubt, who question, who deny, and who mock the Biblical Prophecies of Christ's Second
Coming to this world. One of the many statements being published on the Internet is, to the
effect, that Jesus proved himself to be a false prophet by stating to his disciples in Matthew
16:28: "...there shall be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of
Man coming in his kingdom." The skeptic who authored this paragraph goes on to say: "Since
the life expectancy in those days was little over 30 years, Jesus predicted his second coming
sometime during the 1st century CE. It didn't happen."

Unless this bold unbeliever repents of, and renounces, his proud misinterpretation of
Jesus' statement in Matthew 16:28, he will quail in indescribable fear and dread on Judgment
Day before the One Whose word he doubted and Whose character he maligned in the above
sentence! Within the lifetime of some who stood with Jesus that day, the day of Pentecost fully
came, and they witnessed the Son of Man coming in his kingdom spiritually. Let there be no
doubt about it -- it was JESUS Who came on Pentecost -- Who inaugurated His spiritual
Kingdom visibly and powerfully in that momentous event!

In the verses preceding John 16:7-15, Jesus had been instructing the disciples about His
coming to them in the Person of the Comforter. Thus, in John 16:16 Jesus told the disciples: "A
little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to
the Father." In the next verse, His disciples puzzled over His statement that again, a little while,
they would see Jesus: "Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he
saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see
me..?"

Jesus was using spiritual language, and He was telling them that He had been WITH
them bodily as their Divine Comforter, and that soon they would see Him again spiritually when
He became their Comforter, spiritually IN them at Pentecost. However, their "seeing" Him then
was not altogether a spiritual vision, for they also heard Him with physical ears in the great and
mighty wind, and saw Him with physical eyes in the cloven tongues of fire.

In support of the above interpretation of Jesus' statements in John 16 and Matthew 16,
Please consider the following: John 16:18-22 is taken up with this question of the disciples and
Jesus' explanation to them of its meaning. Now notice something: at the close of verse 22 Jesus
again says: "but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh
from you."

When Jesus thus told the disciples, "I will see you again," at which time they would also
see Him again, WAS HE REFERRING TO THEIR MEETING AT THE SECOND COMING?
-- NO, NOT AT ALL! The time at which Jesus was to see the disciples again, and they to see
Him again, was at Pentecost -- at the time they were to see Him coming spiritually and
powerfully into His Kingdom. Further, the time of their mutual meeting was to be a time in
which prayer was still necessary. In the next verse Jesus said: "And in that day ye shall ask me
nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will
give it you." Since all prayer will have been answered at the time of Christ's Second Coming, the
time that the disciples were to see Jesus again, was that spiritual time at Pentecost when they
would be empowered to petition the Father with more effectiveness than ever before!

Obviously then, when Jesus spoke of his disciples seeing Him again in Matthew 16 and
John 16, He referred to a time during their earthly lifetime -- a time when they would see Him
coming into His spiritual Kingdom, a time when they would see Him better than they had ever
seen Him before, and a time when as never before their prayers would avail. That time, I say,
was Pentecost.

So, Mr. Skeptic, look out! You have boldly, but erroneously interpreted Jesus' statement
in Matthew 16:28 when he said: "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which
shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." Some of those
standing there DID SEE HIM COMING IN HIS KINGDOM AT PENTECOST -- "a little while,
and ye shall see me" was genuinely fulfilled "in that day" -- the Day of Pentecost!

Proverbs 20:3 tells us that "every fool will be meddling," and some of those fools are
those who think themselves capable of interpreting Second Coming Prophecy whose eyes are
totally blind spiritually, and whose minds are reprobate to the truth! Let me borrow some words
from 2 Chr. 35:21 and make a little comparison: Those who meddle with Second Coming
prophecy in the attempt to prove Jesus wrong are meddling with GOD! Locked within the vault
of Divine concealment, as it were, lies every God-inspired, Second Coming prophecy, and upon
its door, impenetrable to mocking skeptics, is inscribed its warning: "Forbear thee from
meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not."

God is IN the inspired prophet, and WITH the inspired prophecy. Fools cannot unlock its
true meaning, but they can, and often do, meddle with its hidden meaning, misinterpreting it to
their own damnation. The fool who accuses Jesus of being a false prophet by his statement in
Matthew 16:28 dwells both in dark delusion and in danger of hell fire!

But Jesus' statement of Matthew 16:28 may have been fulfilled only 6 days after He made
it, for in the next two verses of Matthew we read: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James,
and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured
before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (Matthew
17:1-2) This too, might have been the fulfillment of Jesus' statement.

Whatever the correct explanation of Jesus' prophecy was, be sure of this, IT TOOK
PLACE WITHIN THE LIVES OF SOME WHO STOOD THERE WITH HIM THE DAY HE
MADE IT. There is less danger to a boy on a tree-limb reaching out to a high-voltage line to
untangle his kite than there is to a fool who presumes to know more about the correct
interpretation of Second Coming Prophecy than does JESUS, "for the testimony of Jesus is the
spirit of prophecy." He knew what he meant in the statement of Matthew 16:28, and it was
fulfilled precisely according to its true interpretation during the lifetime of the "some" who stood
in His Divine presence that day.

The same presumer also branded the apostle Paul deluded when he wrote: "Paul of
Tarsus believed that Jesus would return and usher in a rapture during the lifetime of persons who
were living in the middle of the 1st century."

Along with a total lack of spiritual discernment, whoever the author of these bold
accusations against Jesus and Paul is, he or she is also obviously deficient in the knowledge of
the Scriptures. Nowhere did Paul ever assert that Jesus would certainly come in his lifetime!
When Paul wrote such things as: "then we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord," he wrote in the present tense only in the sense that he believed that Jesus "might" return
in his lifetime, not in the sense that of a certainty He would return then. This is Paul's true
meaning in all such similar statements.

On the other hand, the presumptuous skeptic completely overlooks Paul's warning in 2
Thessalonians 2:2-3: "That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor
by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by
any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed, the son of perdition." The fact is, Paul taught the "possibility" of Christ's soon
return, not "the absolute certainty" of Christ's return in his lifetime, and they are in gross error of
his true teachings who say otherwise!

But again, "every fool will be meddling." Through the prophet Zechariah, God declared:
"And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden
themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together
against it." (Zech. 12:3)

Hear this, all ye, who with blinded eyes and reprobate minds, burden yourselves with the
attempt to brand Jesus as a false prophet: -- In that Day of all DAYS when HE RETURNS AS
HE PROMISED, unless you have disavowed your deluded misinterpretations of Second Coming
prophecy, YOU WILL "BE CUT IN PIECES" BY HIS JUST INDIGNATION, having blindly
"stumbled at that Stumblingstone" over which you shall plunge into the eternal Lake of Fire!
Heaven and earth shall pass away, and your proud misinterpretation of Jesus' statements shall
pass away, but the absolute verity of His words shall abide forever!

* * *

Part 2
THE PRESUMPTION OF SETTING DATES FOR THE SECOND COMING

All true Christians wisely avoid the first type of presumption, that of doubting or denying
the truth of Christ's Second Coming, for they know that, all skepticism to the contrary
notwithstanding, heaven and earth SHALL pass away, but Christ's words SHALL NOT PASS
AWAY and JESUS SHALL RETURN! God-haters, Christ-rejecters, proud skeptics, and all of
their ilk, in awe-struck fear shall flee from the face of Him that "every eye shall see" as He
comes to judge the world. They will rue the day they ever began to spoof the fact of Christ's
Return, and dumbfounded by His fearful Revelation, they will plead with the very rocks, crying
out to them, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the
wrath of the Lamb!" No, there will be no skeptics about the truth of Second Coming Prophecy
then!

But there is another form of presumption I would like to treat upon in this section of my
article: -- the presumption of those who set dates for Christ's Second Coming.

Will Rogers once said that it isn't "what people don't know that's the problem; it's what
they know for sure that just isn't so!"

The true Biblical position on the interpretation of Second Coming Prophecy is not: (a)
That Christians know that His Second Coming will be delayed beyond now, or (b) That
Christians know that His Return is imminent. No, it is not certainty about either of these
possibilities. It is uncertainty as to which shall be the case.

I believe that God has so constructed and so worded Second Coming Prophecy in His
Word that no man can certainly perceive and set the date. So hidden is the knowledge of that
day, that Jesus said: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are
in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." (Mark 13:32) And, to the prying disciples just before
His ascension, He said: "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath
put in his own power." (Acts 1:7)

Nonetheless, scores of professed Christians down through the centuries have disregarded
Jesus' statements and have presumed to set the date of Christ's Return. And, their FAILED
SECOND COMING PROPHECIES HAVE BOTH FED SKEPTICISM in the minds of doubters
and unbelievers, and have BROUGHT A REPROACH UPON THE CHURCH OF GOD!

In many cases, there is nearly as much carnal ego, if not fully as much carnal ego,
involved in presuming to set the date of Christ's Return as there is in denying that it will occur!
But even if it is brought forth by the purest of motives, a false prediction by a professed
Christian of Christ's Return on a stated date always brings a reproach on the Church of God and
upon Christ when it is seen to be in error by an onlooking world.

It is presumptuous for a student of prophecy to set a date for the Return of Christ.
Deuteronomy 18:22 clearly states that "WHEN A PROPHET SPEAKETH... IF THE THING
FOLLOW NOT... THE PROPHET HATH SPOKEN IT PRESUMPTUOUSLY..."

Furthermore, WHEN A SECOND-COMING DATE-SETTER PRESUMES TO KNOW

AND PUBLISH THE PRECISE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN -- year, month, week, day, or
hour -- HE OR SHE COMES UNDER A DIVINE DEATH SENTENCE for so doing: "But the
prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to
speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die." (Deuteronomy
18:20)
 God does not consider it of little importance when date-setting prophets, presuming to
speak for Him, are repeatedly proven to be false prophets! Why? First: because He did not tell
them to make the false prediction, and Second: Because EVERY FALSE DATE SET FOR
CHRIST'S SECOND COMING ENCOURAGES MORE SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE TRUTH
OF HIS SECOND COMING!!!

Those prophecy-hobbyists who have a hunch, go exploring in the Book, and then fancy
that they have discovered the exact date of Christ's Return could scarcely bring less reproach on
the cause of God by "playing the horses" or by "playing the lottery" than they bring upon the
Church by their false interpretations and predictions! A man who bets on horses or lotteries only
hopes his hunch will pay off, but the ego of Second Coming date-setters expands beyond a stated
hunch or hope -- they sometimes avow an air-tight certainty why Christ must come on the date
they have supposedly discovered!

When asked to state the exact time of Christ's Return, a genuinely humble Christian
should reply with this sentiment: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot
attain unto it." (Psalms 139:6) But alas! False Prophet Date-Setters will not "condescend to men
of such low estate." Continually puffed and expanded by their own carnal ego, Second Coming
Date-Setters have a hunch that enlarges to an "I think so," then to an "I know so," and then to the
bloated persuasion that they are duty-bound to announce their discovery to the whole world!

Are you tempted to publish to the whole universe that Christ will return in the year 2000?
or maybe 2004? or some other date close to the dawn of the 3rd Millennium? Here is some good
advice: "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own
conceits." (Romans 12:16) You must admit that if one professes to know the date of the Second
Coming, he claims some pretty high-flown knowledge! But, the fact is, his or her professed
knowledge is nothing more than "heady, highminded" speculation, and is certainly not humble
and heaven-sent, for He Who has withheld this knowledge from the angels and from the Son of
Man (Christ in His Humanity) would have to esteem you more highly than they to tell you a
secret that is withheld from them: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." (Mark 13:32)

There have probably been cases in which the mistaken date-setter was sincere, but in the
eyes of a gainsaying world it matters not what the motive of a professed Christian is. When his
or her prediction is proven wrong, it still reinforces their sadly mistaken notion that ALL Second
Coming Prophecy is wrong, and that none of it shall be fulfilled.

If a Christian will not take a drink because he does not want to do that which may lead
another to become a drunkard, then neither should he set dates for Christ's Return, lest it lead
some doubter to believe that Christ will not Return, and that all Second Coming Prophecy is at
best only wishful thinking. He or she who must answer for a wrong influence in the former, must
also answer for a wrong influence in the latter as well. Both wrongdoings come under Divine
condemnation, and neither is considered a small matter! And, the more the mistaken date-setter
spreads his false prediction, the more he or she will have to answer for it at the Judgment.
 The story is told of a man who rented an opera house in a small Pennsylvania town --
rented it perhaps about one month in advance, but for one night only. A month or so before his
scheduled use of the theater auditorium, he posted a big sign on a prominent billboard in the
town -- a sign that read in huge letters: "He Is Coming"! Seeing the huge announcement, no
doubt local people began to wonder: "Who might this be?" It sounded as if someone of
importance, someone of great interest, was coming to town, but who was it? and when was he
coming?

Then, just a week before the scheduled night, the stranger who had rented the opera
house replaced his original sign with one that read: "He Will Be At The Opera House On
October 31!"

"Oh! now we know the date, but WHO is coming?" The mystery of it all probably
excited their interest even more as the day approached.

Then, on October 30th the one who rented the opera house replaced the second sign with
one that read: "He Is Here!" And by this time some might have paid a day's wages to get inside
that theater, if for nothing more than to discover who this important visitor was!

Finally, on the morning of October 31st, the third sign was replaced with a fourth,
reading: "He Will Be At The Opera House Tonight At 8:30!" By this time, perhaps some who
felt slightly ill, or who had important things to do, or who could not afford to pay a nickel for
admittance, were still fully decided to get into the theater that night, regardless!

So, the stranger who had rented the opera house sold tickets at the box office at $1 per
person -- perhaps a handsome fee at that time -- and the place was packed to capacity.

The crowd waited in the darkened theater -- waited for the mysterious visitor to come on
stage -- waited anxious to have their curiosity satisfied -- but it was not -- at least not as they had
presumed and desired. When the lights were turned up, there sitting on the stage for all to see
was a fifth sign, reading: "He Is Gone!"

And I presume the "con artist" who had taken their money was also "gone"!

NOW, let me ask you a question: If another charlatan had come to town a month later
and tried to stage the same sort of fraudulent hoax, HOW MANY WHO WERE TAKEN IN
THE FIRST TIME WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT "HE IS COMING" THE SECOND
TIME? -- Answer: NONE EXCEPT THE MOST NAIVE IMBECILES!

NOW, let me make the application: Satan is shrewd. He knows that Jesus is Coming
Again to this sin-benighted world. He can't stop that, and he knows it. However, he has hit upon
a method that will cause many to disbelieve that "He is Coming!" -- the devil has gone about
through the centuries to inspire one after another to announce: "Jesus is Coming... on this date,
that date, the other date, yet another date... etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc.,
etc., etc., etc." He realizes that the more false dates that he gets professed Christians to set and
announce, the smaller will be the number of people who believe that there ever shall be a time
that Christ Returns!

The most sinister part of the whole Satanic scheme is this: he is getting professed
Christians to do the job! He is getting the Church to "shoot itself in the foot" over and over
again! Meantime, "He is gone!" with every soul he can steal from God's flock and every soul he
has managed to keep out of the flock! And for Christians to allow themselves to be thus used of
the devil is more than pathetic, -- it is tragic!

With regard to his Second Coming, Jesus told Christians to "Watch" -- watch, not
because they shall know the day and hour, not because they know His Return is imminent or
because they know it will be delayed -- but "Watch" because they know none of these things!
Therefore, it follows that He did not commission any human herald to announce what he or she
does not know of a certainty! -- and those who presume and speak differently about the matter
fall under His condemnation, not His smile. It is one thing to admonish His flock to be prepared,
for they know not the day nor the hour of Christ's Return, but -- it is quite another thing to
admonish His flock to be prepared for a specific date in which He shall come again!!! -- and too
many have failed to make that distinction.

* * * * * * *

08 -- THE ANIMALS WILL ALSO BE DELIVERED IN GOD'S ARK

"O LORD, THOU PRESERVEST MAN AND BEAST" (Psalms 36:6).

"And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to
keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female... Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are
not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, there went in two and
two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah" (Gen. 6:19,
7:8-9).

"Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into
the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Rom 8:21).

* * *

This is what I consider to be a non-essential -- something about which none need to agree
in order to enter heaven -- but still, to me it is a very interesting subject of which I hold the views
expressed in this article. I do not send it forth with any desire to debate the matter, but rather to
express what appears to me as the eternally blissful prospect of all of God's animal creatures.

According to 1 Timothy 4:4, "every creature of God is good" and in the New Testament
era the flesh of no creature needs "to be refused" as food for mankind if it is "received with
thanksgiving." Today, I briefly heard a female advocate on a radio program who decried the
merciless slaying of turkeys for Thanksgiving, and who advocated a vegetarian diet -- all
because in her unBiblical, and misguided notions it was wrong to kill animals for meat! It is true
that God limited the types of animals that man could eat in the O. T. era, and this after the Fall,
but in the New Testament era, the only clear limitation God now places upon the eating of
animal-meat for food is that this food be received with thanksgiving.

Still, as I see it, God DOES have something more in mind for the Thanksgiving Turkeys,
and for all others of His creatures, besides being food for our stomachs -- their lives being
suddenly ended on a chopping-block or by some other instrument, and their existence snuffed
out forever. In a word, as I interpret the Scriptures, literally ALL -- A-DOUBLE-L of God's
earthly creatures are good, and none of them are to be "refused" a blissful existence in eternity.

Prior to Man's Fall, it seems to me that none of God's earthly creatures had the slightest
bit of ferocity in their natures -- not having been created with that warp in their make-up. When
the Creator "brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them," (Gen. 2:19), Adam had
no fear any of them, and there is no mention of God needing to miraculously "shut the mouths of
the lions lest they eat Adam" while he was naming them. Daniel's encounter with that species
involved such a Divine restraint, but there is no evidence in the Bible that the animals, as
originally created by God, had any killer instincts or a ravenous nature.

What made the animals ferocious? I maintain that it was the Fall of Man that brought
about this dramatic change in their nature. We read in Romans 8:20 that "the creature was made
subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope." In
this verse, the NIV brings out my point a bit more clearly by translating the words "not
willingly" as "not by its own choice."

My point here is: By his own choice, Man (through Adam) fell, and inherited the carnal
nature; whereas, through no choice of their own, the animals also came under God's curse at the
Fall, and thereby many of them inherited a ferocious, predatory nature.

Likewise, prior to the Fall of Man -- death had not passed upon Man, Beast, or the
Material Universe, but with that Fall, Mankind, Animals, and the Material Universe became
subject to death -- i. e., decay and the dissolution of their present form of existence. With the Fall
of Man, came the murderous nature into Mankind, the ferocious, killer instinct into animals, the
universal discordance in God's Material Creation, and the sentence of dissolution upon them all.

The glorious deliverance from all such has come through Christ, Who is the First of "the
firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18). As I see it, Christ's deliverance is not only FROM ALL
of the consequences of the Fall, but it is also FOR ALL OF HIS CREATION (including the
animals and the elements), the only creatures who shall not share in the glorified, eternal bliss of
the New Heavens and New Earth being those accountable men and angels who by their own
choice rejected that deliverance.

This glorious deliverance from "the bondage of corruption" shall be brought to all
Redeemed men, to all of the Animals, and to the entire Material Universe at the return of Christ.
When Christ's glory is revealed in Heaven, and when the effulgence of His unspeakable glory is
also manifested in His raptured saints, even then shall the animals and elements also share in the
transformation and entrance into eternal bliss. I believe that ALL OF THE PRECEDING IS
BORNE OUT BY THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE:

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of
God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage
of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-21).

On the Day of Christ, "the children of God" shall receive glorified bodies, never to wither
or die again, and likewise God's animals, who did not, could not, sin shall also inherit glorified
bodies and live forever -- in the New Earth, which, along with the New Heavens, shall not have
the slightest discord in its elements! -- "world without end"! (Do I hear someone shouting
HALLELUJAH!?)

But now, "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain," waiting for that glorious
"manifestation of the sons of God" which shall occur at the Return of Christ. Now, men groan
and travail amidst all that is out-of-kilter in human hearts and in earthly societies -- suffering
from war, murder, thuggery, terrorism, and what have you. Now also, animals prey upon one
another, fight with a ferocity that can frighten the bravest man, or flee in terror of being slain.
Now too, the entire Universe is beginning to suffer the throes of its coming death -- asteroids,
comets, and wandering stars flying "out of orbit" on collision courses with other heavenly
bodies. As a part of the Universe, the material make-up of our own planet is also groaning
because of all the discordant forces working upon it and within it.

Since last May, our own little spot on the globe has been trembling and shaking. Day and
night, we are struck with muffled booms and tremors that make one feel like he is sitting in a
vibrator chair. I can feel them when lying on the bed at night, and when sitting here at the
computer during the day. Within a few miles of directly beneath our apartment, they suspect that
there is a geological fracture, perhaps as large as 200-300 yards in length that is causing all this
shaking. Another report suggests that a geological plate extending from the Pacific is grating
against another such plate beneath us and thus causing "the whole lota shakin'" that's "goin' on"
beneath Spokane. Seismologists say that Spokane may suffer a quake as large as 5.0 -- and who
knows? it may strike us any time.

Along with all of the other elements in our Universe, this earth is groaning and travailing
in pain, and right on time with God's clock, "the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.. [and] all these
things shall be dissolved" (2 Peter 3:10-11).

But with God, "dissolved" doesn't mean "annihilated"! The material substance of
everything -- all matter, all men, and all animals -- shall be "dissolved" but they shall not be
"annihilated". At the Resurrection, the wicked shall receive damnation bodies that are incapable
of annihilation though eternally subject to suffering, while redeemed and glorified saints,
animals, and the universe shall receive bodies made of what Hebrews 10:34 calls "a better and an
enduring substance" -- a substance that will never again "groan" nor "travail in pain" but which
will exist in perfect bliss and harmony in the New Heavens and the New Earth!

Shall not God, as it were, speak to redeemed Men, Animals, and Matter with one voice
and say: At your dissolution, "thou sowest not that body that shall be." He could say to the
Material Universe: "Once you existed in discord and decay -- rust corrupted, and your beauty
was transient, but when you exist in "that body that shall be" in the New Heaven and New Earth,
no discord, no decay, and no destruction of your luster and beauty shall ever come!"

God says to His presently suffering children, that when they inherit their bodies made of
this "better and enduring substance," then "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

Now, here it is, regarding the animals, that some may disagree with me:-- As I see it, the
glorified state of God's animals -- the time when they received their "glorified body that shall be"
-- will not come in a supposed Golden Age on this old earth. As I interpret passages relevant to
this subject, the deliverance and transformation of the animals SHALL NOT COME UNTIL
CHRIST BRINGS ALL (ALL REDEEMED MEN, ANIMALS, AND MATTER) INTO THEIR
ETERNAL STATE.

The O. T. prophetic language pertaining to this is somewhat figurative, but I believe that
it shall not be during a Millennium on this earth -- which still groans under the curse -- but in the
New, Eternal Earth that such passages as the following shall have their fulfillment:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and
the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the
cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall
put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for
the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isa 11:6-9)."

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock:
and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain,
saith the Lord" (Isa 65:25).

I believe that passages such as the preceding should be interpreted in accordance with
Paul's prophecies in Romans 8 -- pointing, as I see it, to at least their greatest -- if not their only
-- fulfillment in the New Heavens and New Earth.

I think that the location of Christ's Kingdom during the time when the animals shall be
sharing in the deliverance from the bondage of corruption is seen in the very next verse
following Isaiah 65:25 above, which is Isaiah 66:1, where we read: "Thus saith the Lord, The
heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool..."
 Friends, kings do not sit upon their "footstool" to reign! I believe that during His
Messianic Reign, Christ will sit upon His THRONE -- HEAVEN! -- and not upon His footstool
-- earth -- and especially not on THIS earth.

If I be correct, the transformation of the animals, the universe, and redeemed men, shall
take place, not during a passing millennium in this world, but when Christ sits upon HIS
THRONE in the NEW HEAVENS. Perhaps the glorified creatures who have all been delivered
out of the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God shall never
inhabit "the New Heavens," for the Bible does say of the Holy City that "without are dogs" (Rev.
22:15). Whether this shall also apply literally to dogs I know not, "yet the dogs [do] eat of the
crumbs which fall from their Masters' table" (Matthew 15:27), and it may be that Jesus will place
His glorified animals in a lower place, their abode possibly being only upon the "New Earth".

I shall not try to iron out all of the particulars regarding this non-essential subject, but I
say this: If God made Man and Matter to exist forever, I strongly suspect that He also made
Animals to have an existence like that of Redeemed Men and Transformed Matter, free from
"the bondage of corruption" in a blissful eternity!

"Doth God take care for oxen?" (1 Cor. 9:9). Yes, and the Bible is replete with verses
revealing that He cares for every one of his creatures, and so much so, that not even one sparrow
falls to the ground without His notice and allowance (Matt. 10:29). Furthermore, if God can
transform an ugly sinner into a beautiful saint, He can also make the most repulsive-looking
creature on this earth into a thing that is radiantly lovely when "God giveth it a body" in the New
Earth! (1 Cor. 15:38).

To carry the subject just one little step further: If God could make the beast that carried
the wayward Balaam preach His message on earth, could He not also enable glorified animals to
praise Him in Eternity, along with "the four and twenty elders and the four beasts" spoken of in
Rev. 19:4 who "fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia!"?

I conclude with this:-- When Jesus summons His saints into the ark of deliverance on the
Day of the Lord, shall it not then be seen and said, "O LORD, THOU PRESERVEST MAN
AND BEAST" (Psalms 36:6).

* * * * * * *

09 -- THE ISRAEL OF GOD SHALL DWELL FOREVER ALONE

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a
new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and
upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD" (Gal. 6:15-16).

"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, THE
PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE, and shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Num. 23:9).

* * *
CONTENTS

A -- Jesus-Israel, Who "Will Rule As God"

B -- The Kingdom Taken From Earthly, Flesh-And-Blood Israel
C -- The Kingdom Given To Spiritual Israel, "The Israel Of God."
D -- Most Of The Jews Were Angered At The "Foolish Nation" -- Spiritual Israel
E -- Nevertheless, A Remnant Joined Spiritual Israel
F -- A Final Remnant Of Believing Jews Will Also Join Spiritual Israel
G -- The Israel Of God In The Eternal, Messianic Kingdom

* * *

A -- JESUS-ISRAEL, WHO "WILL RULE AS GOD"

In an article titled, "The Hidden Significance of the Name Israel" (Article 21 of

hdm0123, my publication, "Articles of Faith"), I endeavored to show my readers that ISRAEL,
THE DIVINE PERSON, IS NONE OTHER THAN JESUS, THE SON OF GOD. I refer the
reader of this article first to that article as foundational to this article. Jacob-Israel had 12 sons
from whom sprang the earthly nation; Israel. Jesus-Israel had 12 apostles (excluding Judas and
including Paul) from whom sprang Spiritual Israel, "the Israel of God." The very meaning of the
name Israel, "He will rule as God," indicates that it was God's Eternal purpose that Jesus-Israel
"rule as God," and I assert that it was always God's Eternal purpose that the "Israel of God," i. e.,
Spiritual Israel, be that nation to whom, and through whom, the glowing and golden promises
shall be fulfilled in Christ's Everlasting Messianic Kingdom.

"The Kingdom is the Lord's" (Psa. 22:28) -- it belongs to Jesus-Israel, and in a very real
sense it never did belong to anyone but HIM. When the unsanctified disciples asked Jesus before
His Ascension, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" ironically,
THEY WERE TALKING TO ISRAEL HIMSELF, TO WHOM THE KINGDOM BELONGS!
He never gave His Kingdom to anyone, nor does it need to be "restored" to Him. However, the
Day of the Lord fast approaches when the "at the name of Jesus every knee sh[all] bow, of things
in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue sh[all] confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:10-11). HE LIVES! -- and "As I
live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God"
(Romans 14:11). The Assembled Universe at the Judgment shall acknowledge Jesus-Israel as the
rightful and eternal Owner and Ruler of THE KINGDOM, and "in His times He shall show,
WHO IS the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15)!

* * *

B -- THE KINGDOM TAKEN FROM EARTHLY, FLESH-AND-BLOOD ISRAEL

In another sense, the Kingdom belongs to "the Israel of God" -- God's nation, and the
Scripture is clear that God's chosen nation is NOT Israel in the flesh. Jesus said to the Jews in
Matthew 21:43 "Therefore say I unto you, THE KINGDOM OF GOD SHALL BE TAKEN
FROM YOU..." -- AND IT WAS TAKEN FROM THEM! -- or Jesus prophesied falsely -- but
you know that He spoke the truth -- IT WAS TAKEN FROM THEM! -- and two of the reasons
why The Kingdom was taken from the Jews are:

FIRST, BECAUSE THEY REJECTED JESUS-ISRAEL AS THEIR KING:-- something

foreshadowed by 1 Samuel 8:6-7 "But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a
king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel,
Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected
thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." More specifically, earthly
Israel rejected their King when they crucified Christ, loudly proclaiming, as it were, "We will
not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14), and when they literally "cried out, Away with
him, away with him, crucify him." After that outcry, "Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your
King?" -- to which "The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar" (John 19:15).

SECOND, BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT NOT FORTH THE FRUITS OF THE

KINGDOM OF GOD:-- "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone
which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken
from you, and GIVEN TO A NATION BRINGING FORTH THE FRUITS THEREOF" (Matt.
21:42-43).

The first fruit Jesus sought from earthly Israel was repentance, and because most of the
Jews failed to bring forth that fruit, their National Tree was cut down in 70 A.D. with the siege
and destruction of Jerusalem under the Roman General, Titus: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree
planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto
the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and
find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?" (Luke 13:5-7).

* * *

C -- THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, "THE ISRAEL OF GOD."

"... Before the foundation of the world," God ordained that His Nation "should be holy
and without blame before him in love" (Eph. 1:4) -- holy both inwardly and outwardly -- "a
nation bringing forth the fruits" of His Spirit. IT WAS NEVER GOD'S INTENTION THAT
FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL HAVE THE KINGDOM WITHOUT THOSE FRUITS -- and
none shall EVER be part of "the Israel of God" without having and bringing forth those fruits!
"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in
the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the
spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom 2:28-29).

Therefore, Micah's prophecy in Micah 4:8 shall have its fulfillment, not to flesh and
blood Israel, but to Spiritual Israel, "the Israel of God": "And thou, O tower of the flock, the
strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom
shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem."
 In awful pride, the Jews of Jesus' day rejected the lowly Nazarene. He did not fit their
picture of a Regal Royalty capable of leading them out from under the galling yoke of Rome and
into the world-wide prominence they envisioned to be theirs in the Messianic Kingdom! Caught
up in that same spirit, Jesus' own brothers said to Him: "For there is no man that doeth any thing
in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the
world" (John 7:4).

But while the Jews looked for an Highly Visible King and Kingdom, Jesus hid Himself
from the lime-light "and when He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God
should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you"
(Luke 17:20-21). While the Jews looked Him over from head to foot, incredulously, for some
outwardly visible sign that He was their Messiah, for some ocular proof that the Kingdom of
God had come nigh unto them, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Seeing and hearing nothing but that
which aroused their contempt for Jesus, most of the Jews rejected Him, "But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
(John 1:12).

The Kingdom was given to those born of His Spirit, "a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, AN HOLY NATION, a peculiar people; that" showed "forth the praises of Him
Who" had called them "out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a
people, but" who were "now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but" who now
had "obtained mercy" (1 Pet 2:9-10).

* * *

D -- MOST OF THE JEWS WERE ANGERED AT THE "FOOLISH NATION" -- SPIRITUAL

ISRAEL, THE CHURCH

In the sight of the Jews, the Gentiles were looked upon as "foolish" and ignorant souls,
deprived of the favor of God shown by God to earthly Israel, unless as proselytes they joined the
Jewish worship. But many years before Christ came, Moses prophesied of how God would
provoke the Jews to anger with "a foolish nation" -- i. e., a nation formed from both humble Jews
and Gentiles: Deuteronomy 32:21 "They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God;
they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those
which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation."

It is exceedingly clear that the "foolish nation" that would anger the Jews is none other
than Spiritual Israel, otherwise called The Church and "the Israel of God". St. Paul made this
clear in Romans 10:19-20 when he wrote: "Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them
that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I
was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me."
 In Rom. 10:20 directly above, Paul refers to the prophecy in Isaiah 55:3-5 -- "Incline
your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting
covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him [The Greater
David, Christ Jesus] for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 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."

Declaring in John 10:16, "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice," Jesus has been doing just that for nearly 2,000 years now --
"calling a nation that He knew not" as "His Own" earthly people. And, instead of giving the
Kingdom of God to those proud Jewish Ecclesiastics and Pharisees who looked for a Messiah
who would break off the yoke of Rome, and elevate earthly Israel into "the first dominion" of
world-wide prominence and dominance spoken of in Micah, God gave the Kingdom to those
who were looked upon as "foolish"!

Thus it was, that Paul wrote to that "foolish nation," the Church: "For ye see your calling,
brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath
chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of
the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence" (1 Cor 1:26). First,
we see a proud Saul of Tarsus, MAD AT that "foolish nation" -- going about to destroy it -- and
then after his conversion we see the humble Paul GLAD WITH that "foolish nation" -- going
about to spread its borders and increase its citizenship as much as possible!

* * *

E -- NEVERTHELESS, A REMNANT JOINED SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

In taking the Kingdom from earthly Israel, God was not casting away "His people which
he foreknew" (Rom. 11:2). Why? Once again:-- because "before the foundation of the world,"
God foreknew that His Nation was to be Spiritual Israel -- those born of His Spirit. Therefore, in
casting away that greater part of earthly Israel who did not bring forth the fruits foreordained to
be brought forth by His people, He was but fulfilling His eternal purpose.

Further describing what took place after most of earthly Israel rejected Christ, Paul
wrote: "But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient
and gainsaying people. I say then, HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? GOD FORBID.
For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast
away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he
maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and
digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of
God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to
the image of Baal. Even so then AT THIS PRESENT TIME ALSO THERE IS A REMNANT
ACCORDING TO THE ELECTION OF GRACE" (Rom 10:21--11:5).
 What Paul is saying here is: From before the time that the earth was, God ordained that
His Nation be made up of those who were elected thereto by obtaining the grace of God through
Christ, and -- at that present time there was "a remnant" of the Jews (including himself) who
were part of "the Israel of God" by reason of having obtained the fruits of God's Grace through
faith in Christ Jesus.

* * *

F -- A FINAL REMNANT OF BELIEVING JEWS WILL ALSO JOIN SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

ON THE DAY OF THE LORD.

Across the centuries, numbers of Jews have been born again, thus joining "the Israel of
God," but it is a mistake to say that nationally GOD IS DONE WITH THE JEWS. In reference
to a final ingathering of Jews into the Spiritual "Israel of God" on the Day of the Lord, Paul
wrote:

"I say then, Have they 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 fullness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my
flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the
world, WHAT SHALL THE RECEIVING OF THEM BE, BUT LIFE FROM THE DEAD?"
(Rom. 11:11-15).

I believe that a correct interpretation of the prophecies surrounding this dramatic

conversion and regeneration of a final remnant of Jews into Spiritual Israel is: IT SHALL
OCCUR DIRECTLY BEFORE THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD! -- THEIR
RECEPTION INTO THE KINGDOM SHALL BE FOLLOWED BY "LIFE FROM THE
DEAD" -- OR -- THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

As I see it, just before Christ's Revelation at the close of the Great Tribulation, out of
great mourning and anguish that final remnant shall repent, believe and be born again: Isaiah
66:8 -- "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to
bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she
brought forth her children."

Thus also, I believe that this finally converted remnant from among flesh and blood Israel
shall be caught up with the dead in Christ to meet Him in the air at His Revelation, along with all
of the rest who are alive and "remain unto the coming of the Lord."

When "the fullness of the Gentiles is come in," and when that "life from the dead"
Rapture occurs, the entire "Israel of God" shall be totally assembled "unto a perfect man" -- a
perfect body of Christ -- "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:25-26).

* * *
G -- THE ISRAEL OF GOD IN THE ETERNAL, MESSIANIC KINGDOM

"The Israel of God" shall be ETERNALLY BLESSED:

BLESSED AS THEY ENTER THE PEARLY GATES:-- Isaiah 26:2 "Open ye the gates,
that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in."

BLESSED AND REJOICING WITH REALIZED HOPE: -- Psalms 106:5 "That I may
see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with
thine inheritance.

BLESSED BEYOND ALL WORDS TO DESCRIBE:-- Psalms 33:12 "Blessed is the

nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

BLESSED ALONE, WITH NO OTHER NATION IN THE KINGDOM:-- "For from the
top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL
ALONE, and shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Num. 23:9).

Friends, Jesus-Israel "will rule as God" ALONE -- and Spiritual Israel shall dwell
ALONE with God, the Holy Angels, AND NONE OTHERS!

In Acts 19:29 we read of Ephesus, how "the whole city was filled with confusion," but --
be ye sure of this: "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace" (1 Cor. 14:33), and
there is not going to be a mixed muddle of sinners with saints, glorified people with flesh and
blood people, and devils turned loose in Christ's Messianic Kingdom! -- no confusion in The
Holy City.

The City in which Christ shall reign is The Holy City, New Jerusalem, and only there
shall He sit upon His Throne -- no "mixed multitude" -- no muddled masses -- no confusion --
only HE AND HIS HOLY NATION, SPIRITUAL ISRAEL -- DWELLING ALONE with none
but holy company -- NOT FOR 1,000 YEARS -- BUT FOREVER!

Some might want to take the NIV version of Num. 23:9, which reads: "From the rocky
peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider
themselves one of the nations."

Here is some mighty good Bible for those who want to preach Christian isolation in this
world, but as I see it, Numbers 23:9 shall have its fulfillment when the glorified, Spiritual Israel
dwells forever ALONE WITH GOD -- ALL ELSE FOREVER FORBIDDEN!

Then also, Micah 4:7 shall have its final and fullest fulfillment: "And I will make her that
halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them
in mount Zion [New Jerusalem] from henceforth, even for ever."

* * * * * * *
10 -- CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL...

CONTENTS

Scripture Reading

A -- Christ Shall Remain In Heaven Until Time Of "The Restitution Of All Things"
B -- Christ Shall Remain In Heaven Until His Revelation
C -- Christ Shall Remain In Heaven Until The Last Trump Sounds
D -- Cutting The Gordian Knots Of Pre-Tribulationism And Pre-Millennialism
E -- In Conclusion

* * *

SCRIPTURE READING:

"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"
(KJV Acts 3:21).

"He must remain in heaven UNTIL THE TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE
EVERYTHING, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (NIV Acts 3:21).

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a
great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. And he said unto
me, Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Rev. 21:1-5).

* * *

A -- CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL TIME OF "THE RESTITUTION OF

ALL THINGS"

In Mark 16:19 "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into
heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." There was a precise time of Christ's Ascension into
heaven -- a fact that no fundamental Christian would dispute, but all should take note: THE
SCRIPTURE IS ALSO VERY CLEAR THAT CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN
"UNTIL THE TIMES OF RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS," or as put by the NIV: "UNTIL
THE TIME COMES FOR GOD TO RESTORE EVERYTHING."
 Thus, we should understand that Christ will not leave heaven until the time arrives for the
"restitution" or "reconstitution" of all things. According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek
word for "restitution" in Acts 3:21 is "apokatastasis" and means "reconstitution: -- restitution".

The English word "reconstitute" has a number of synonyms: "rebuild, reclaim,

recompose, recondition, reconstruct, recover, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, reorganize, restore. Thus,
obviously, the time of the restitution, or reconstitution, of all things will be the time when "all
things are made new."

As I see it, CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL THE TIME WHEN "ALL
THINGS ARE MADE NEW" -- until the time when all things are reconstituted into their new
and eternal state -- until the time spoken of in Rev. 21:1-5 when Jesus said, "Behold, I make all
things new."

THIS ELIMINATES A PARTIAL RESTORATION FOR 1000 YEARS! -- When Christ

Returns, "all things shall be made new" -- and new forever! At his Second Coming, Jesus is not
going to do a little patch-up job on this world that will last but a thousand years and be followed
by its fiery destruction, renovation, and final "reconstitution". No, friends, ALL THINGS WILL
BE MADE NEW FOREVER! -- "reconstituted" into "a better and enduring substance" (Heb.
10:34), that will never pass away!

Furthermore, who can show that this complete "restitution-reconstitution" of all things
shall transpire over a 1000 year period of time! If Christ created the entire universe in 6 days, do
you think he is going to take 1000 years to recreate it!? Don't you believe in "instantaneous"
works of grace? God does not need, nor will he take, 1000 years to "make all things new"! He of
Whom it is said concerning the present creation, "he spake, and it was done" (Psa. 33:9), is going
to "make all things new" with the same instantaneousness he uses to spiritually create new
creatures in Christ Jesus! In the twinkling of an eye at His Return, "the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10). And then, "POOF," all things shall be "made new"
in that same twinkling of an eye. In fact, long ago, both the Lake of Fire and the Holy City were
created by the One who has "prepared a place" for both the evil and the righteous. At His return,
in quite short order all shall be reconstituted -- the General Judgment shall take place, and all
shall be set in order -- all evil beings and things being separated from God into the Lake of Fire
forever, and all righteous beings and things being brought into His Presence forever with a
newness that shall never wax old.

I see nothing in the Bible, rightly interpreted, supporting the idea that following Christ's
Return, things are going to drag on for 1000 years in a protracted, half-way, patched up state
prior to the complete "restitution-reconstitution" of all things! Nay, Paul said in Romans 9:28
"For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because A SHORT WORK WILL
THE LORD MAKE UPON THE EARTH." -- MUCH, MUCH SHORTER, I ASSERT, THAN
PREMILLENNIALISTS IMAGINE!

PreMillennialists teach that "all things shall be made new" AFTER the millennium. They
are right! -- but, since Christ shall remain in heaven until the time when all things are made new,
then obviously, we must interpret that the millennium shall have taken place BEFORE Christ
Returns. In hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," I have gone into detail to show how
that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 can be scripturally interpreted as synonymous with that
long, indefinite-in-length, period of time known as The Church Age, which ENDS at the Return
of Christ. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the
Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24)
-- the restitution and reconstitution of all things having been accomplished.

* * *

B -- CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL HIS REVELATION

In Acts 1:9 we read another account of Christ's reception into heaven: "And when he had
spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him OUT OF
THEIR SIGHT." Christ Jesus is He "Whom the heavens must receive," hidden and out of sight,
"until the time of His awesome Revelation, when "He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall
see him.." (Rev. 1:7).

All Pre-Tribulationists agree that the Revelation shall occur AFTER the Tribulation, but
they staunchly maintain (in accordance with the 1830 vision of Scotch Lassie, Margaret
McDonald) that Christians will see Jesus at a Secret Rapture 7 years earlier -- the glorifying
grace of God having been brought to them 7 years prior to the Revelation.

However, there is absolutely NOTHING in the Bible, nor in the Greek meaning of the
words Parousia, Epiphany, and Apokalupsis (Revelation) to support this claim. In fact, there is
much Biblical evidence showing that the supposed Pre-Trib Rapture is unScriptural. Consider
just one of many such verses:

1 Peter 1:13 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for
the GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO YOU AT THE REVELATION of Jesus
Christ."

Note: Peter here clearly states that there is a "grace that is to be brought" to Christians "at
the Revelation (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ." I assert that the "grace" Christians are to receive
"at the Revelation" is the "grace of glorification" which Pre-Tribulationists erroneously claim
will be received by them 7 years before the Revelation! Many other Old and New Testament
scriptures show that Christians shall pass through, not escape from, the 7-year Tribulation, and
that they are to "hope to the end" that is coming "at the Revelation," at which time they shall
receive the long-promised "grace" of glorification.

Christ does not picture His Return as Secret. Indeed, He warns against believing in a
Secret Second Coming: Matthew 24:26 "Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in
the desert; go not forth: behold, HE IS IN THE SECRET CHAMBERS; BELIEVE IT NOT."
Again, in Luke: 17:22-24, we read:
 "The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and
ye shall not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor
follow them. For AS THE LIGHTNING, THAT LIGHTENETH OUT OF THE ONE PART
UNDER HEAVEN, SHINETH UNTO THE OTHER PART UNDER HEAVEN; SO SHALL
ALSO THE SON OF MAN BE IN HIS DAY."

Reader: Lightning appears in a flash! It is often accompanied by a loud clap of thunder,

and sometimes, like Jesus described above, it illumines the entire sky from east to west! --
THERE IS NOTHING SECRET ABOUT A BOLT OR FLASH OF LIGHTNING! This is the
way Jesus described His Return. It will be a Single-Stage, Sudden, and Earth-Shocking event,
but there will be nothing secret about it! -- "every eye" around the entire globe "shall see Him" at
His Revelation, and it will be then that Christians receive the grace of glorification that is to be
brought unto them; whereupon, they shall rise to meet Him in the air. Then, "the Indignation"
shall be poured out upon the wicked, and it is THIS that the Church shall escape -- not the
Tribulation.

To reiterate in closing this point: a heavenly "cloud received Him out of their sight" as
the awestruck disciples watched Christ's Ascension. "The heavens must receive" Him (i. e. retain
Him), thus hidden from human view until the time of the Reconstitution of all things, and that
time of making all things new shall occur directly after His Revelation -- at the close of the
7-year Tribulation.

I refer my readers once again to hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," where I
endeavor to show that while I believe that the Tribulation is an event that is yet to take place,
there are ways in which most of its occurrences may have already had their fulfillment spiritually
and historically. Therefore, I believe that the Last Trump may sound at any moment! Christ
could return today! But in no case do I see Second Coming prophecy including a 1000-year
extension of time on this earth following Christ's Second Advent. This takes me to my next
point:

* * *

C -- CHRIST SHALL REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL THE LAST TRUMP SOUNDS

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to
heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things
that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which
are therein, that THERE SHOULD BE TIME NO LONGER: 7 But in the days of the voice of
the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he
hath declared to his servants the prophets... 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders,
which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We
give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast
taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And the nations were angry, and THY
WRATH IS COME, AND THE TIME OF THE DEAD, THAT THEY SHOULD BE JUDGED,
and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them
that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Rev.
10:5-7; 11:15-18).

The 7th Trumpet (synonymous with "the Last Trump") shall sound at the close of the
7-year Tribulation, and it shall be when this Last Trump sounds that Christ's Revelation shall
occur. This is proven by Jesus' own recitation of the order of events at His Second Coming:

"IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be

darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF
MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory. And HE SHALL
SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, and THEY SHALL
GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other"
(Matt. 24:29-31).

A little uncomplicated and straightforward examination of the above scriptures shows the
following:

(a) Christ's Return and Revelation shall occur AFTER the Tribulation.

(b) The Last Trump shall sound at Christ's Return-Revelation

(c) The Rapture or "Gathering Together Of His Elect" shall also follow the Tribulation.

(d) The Resurrection and Judgment of all of the Dead shall occur immediately after
Christ's Return-Revelation.

(e) TIME SHALL END WHEN THE LAST TRUMP SOUNDS!

Now, dear reader, let me ask you this question:-- IF TIME ENDS WHEN THE 7TH
TRUMP, THE LAST TRUMP, SOUNDS -- HOW COULD THERE POSSIBLY BE 1,000
MORE YEARS OF TIME FOLLOWING THAT LAST TRUMP!? -- AND -- IF THE LAST
TRUMP SOUNDS AT CHRIST'S RETURN, SHOULD WE NOT SEE THAT THERE WILL
BE NO MILLENNIUM ON THIS EARTH FOLLOWING CHRIST'S RETURN?! My answer is
a resounding "YES" -- WE SHOULD SEE THAT TIME ENDS WITH CHRIST'S RETURN! --
negating all possibility of an earthly millennium of time following His Second Coming!

* * *

D -- CUTTING THE GORDIAN KNOTS OF PRETRIBULATIONISM AND

PREMILLENNIALISM

"According to ancient legend, Gordius was a poor peasant who became king of Phrygia
in Asia Minor. In response to the prophecy of an oracle, as the first man coming into the city in a
wagon and approaching the public square and the temple of Zeus, he had been declared king. In
gratitude, Gordius dedicated his wagon to the god Zeus. It was placed in the grove of the temple,
and the pole of the wagon was tied to the yoke with a very intricate knot that defied untying. No
one could untie it. With the passing of time, the saying developed that whoever was successful in
untying the knot would be ruler of all of Asia. The story goes that in 333 B.C. Alexander the
Great came through in his conquest of the world. Faced with the disturbing difficulty of being
unable to untie the Gordian knot, he took his sword and with one decisive stroke cut through it.
This is the origin of the expression "cut the Gordian knot," and it is used to describe a situation
where a perplexing (and seemingly insurmountable) problem is solved by a quick and decisive
action."

* *

(a) The Gordian Knot of PreTribulationism

As I see it, the "Gordian Knot" of PreTribulationism is the matter of "Imminence".

PreTribulationists feel duty-bound to insist that Christ's Coming and the Rapture of the Saints is
certainly "imminent" -- impending, about to occur, and without question nothing yet unfulfilled
preventing their occurrence. Thus, as they see it, an interpretation of prophecy that places the
Rapture after the Tribulation must be false, because it destroys the possibility of an imminent
Rapture.

But as I see it, The Sword of the Spirit cuts directly through this erroneous, but Gordian
Knot in this way: A careful study of Second Coming prophecy reveals that IT IS NOT
CERTAINTY ABOUT IMMINENCE that is taught by the Bible, but rather IT IS
UNCERTAINTY REGARDING THE EXACT TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN:

Matthew 24:42 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

Mark 13:33-35 "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For
the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his
servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore:
for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the
cockcrowing, or in the morning."

A Pre-Tribulationist errs if declares that he knows that the Coming of Christ and the
Rapture are Imminent. He knows no such thing!

A Mid-Tribulationist, or Post-Tribulationist (such as I) errs if he declares that he knows

that the coming of Christ and the Rapture are not Imminent. He knows no such thing.

Well, how could you be uncertain that the coming of Christ is NOT imminent and still
believe in a Post-Tribulation Return and Rapture?

Answer: Easily, for in the first place I believe that enough of Second Coming prophecy
may have already been fulfilled spiritually and historically to make Christ's Imminent Return and
an Imminent Rapture possible -- and -- in the second place I believe that my interpretations could
be mistaken. Thus, while I am certain that I believe as I do, I am not certain that I could not be
mistaken and I am not certain that Jesus will not come at any moment.

If students of prophecy are totally honest, they must admit that they may be mistaken in
their views, and they must allow that Jesus might come much sooner or much later than they
think! The fact is, no man is certain that Christ will Delay His Return beyond the present
moment, and no man is certain that His Return and the Rapture are Imminent! Therefore, it is
just as erroneous to insist that Post-Tribulationism is wrong because it destroys the an Imminent
Coming of Christ and Rapture of the Church as it is to declare that Christ could not possibly
come today because the anti-Christ has not yet appeared.

Again -- IT IS UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN, NOT

CERTAINTY THAT CHRIST'S COMING AND THE RAPTURE ARE IMMINENT, THAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES. To admit this may be a bit humbling, but to be honest, one must.

* *

(b) The Gordian Knot of PreMillennialism

As I see it, the "Gordian Knot" that has PreMillennialists tied up within their
interpretation is that they feel duty-bound to interpret Revelation 20 literally, and as taking place
following Christ's return. But, as I see it, this bound-up approach to interpreting Revelation 20
gives birth to more problems than it solves, raises more questions than it answers, contradicts
many scriptures that cannot be reconciled with such an interpretation, and leaves many who
accept it bewildered about how such things could possibly be.

How is it possible that 1,000 years shall follow that 7th Trump (the Last Trump) when it
is said that with the sounding of that Trumpet "time shall be no longer"? It does little good to
follow the NIV interpretation here: "there shall be delay no longer," for the things that are not
delayed are the resurrection and judgment of all of the dead, and not the delay of an additional
1,000 years of earthly time!

How is it possible that unregenerate sinners could enter into Christ's supposed Messianic
Kingdom of God after He said in John 3:5, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."?

How is it possible that some PreMillennialists believe that flesh and blood people will be
able to live 1,000 years in the presence of Him Who is "The Brightness of God's Glory" -- a
glory that is "above the brightness of the sun" -- and a glory that shall destroy the wicked "with
the brightness of His coming" (Heb. 1:3, Acts 26:13, 2 Thess. 2:8)? If God put the Sun millions
of miles from earth so that we can benefit by from its distanced brightness without being slain by
a close proximity to its fiery heat, how will flesh and blood sinners dwell here on earth with "The
Sun of Righteousness" whose brightness is "above the brightness of the sun"!? Indeed, how
could the earth itself, as now constituted, exist under the blazing splendor of a brightness above
that of our distant Sun?
 How is it possible that during a supposed earthly Millennium Old Testament Jewish
rituals and practices will be re-instated, a-la-the-literal interpretation of Zechariah 14, when the
New Testament, and especially the book of Hebrews, make it exceedingly clear that these things
are done away in Christ?

How is it possible that earthly Jerusalem shall ever be Christ's capital city when Paul
made it very clear in Galatians 4 that Hagar (earthly Jerusalem) is forever cast out!?

How is that the King of Kings could possibly sit on His Footstool (Earth) to reign instead
of sitting on His Throne (Heaven) to reign when no earthly monarch would sit on his footstool
instead of on his throne to reign? See both Isaiah 66:1 and Acts 7:49.

How is it that Christ would allow in His supposed 1,000-year Messianic Kingdom an
outward obeisance from unregenerate, impenitent who hate him, when the Bible says in 1 Cor.
6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?"

How is it that PreMillennialists can insist upon an interim Kingdom of God lasting 1,000
years when the Word of God tells us in Isaiah 9:7, "Of the increase of His [Christ's] government
and peace there shall be no end," and when Luke 1:33 declares of Jesus that "he shall reign over
the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."?

How is it possible that saints who "looked for a city whose builder and maker is God,"
and who sang, "I am going to a City where the roses never fade," shall be first dragged back
instead for 1,000 years into the earthly Jerusalem?

Ad Infinitum... The Gordian Knot of PreMillennialism raises more questions and presents
more quandaries than it answers and solves. As I read the Bible, there is not only far too much in
the PreMillennial teaching that contradicts sound reasoning, but far too much as well that
contradicts hundreds of scriptures for me to accept it -- ancient as is its origin.

As I see it, the way to use "The Sword of The Spirit" to cut the Gordian Knot of
PreMillennialism is to place a genuine, scriptural, but non-literal interpretation on Revelation 20.
Those who care to examine my own effort so to do can read it in hdm0124, "His Appearing and
His Kingdom." Those who wish to disagree with any or all of my eschatological views may do
that also. Nevertheless, it is hoped that these articles will at least stir up some students of
prophecy to do some honest, objective study into the subject, without being bound by Gordian
Knots tied with Denominational Ropes on these subjects.

* * *

E -- IN CONCLUSION

Too many, I think, fear losing their ecclesiastical head on the denominational chopping
block if they do not accept, statedly declare their adherence to, and echo, the prophetic belief of
their Church. Often, perhaps, Candor and Courage bow before, and kow-tow to, Compliance and
Camaraderie. Just before his beheading, when asked by the executioner if his head was lying
comfortably, Sir Walter Raleigh replied with the following sentiment, if not exact words: "It
matters not which way the head lies if the heart is lying right."

In the final analysis, it matters not which way your head lies concerning prophetic
interpretation, so long as your heart is right. And, I suppose that often it may be wise not to
needlessly "rock the boat" by adopting different prophetic views than those insisted upon by
one's denomination. But, must expedience always tie expansion of one's heart and mind into a
neat little knot of denominational dogma! It seem sad to me that there is not more room in
holiness denominations for a diversity of opinion on these subjects. It also seems sad to me that
many today have apparently swallowed Pre-Triublational and PreMillennial teachings, "hook,
line, and sinker," without question, and without ever once approaching the subject objectively,
free from prejudice and bias, free from the fear of ostracism, and with a determination to
discover for themselves what they really do personally and honestly believe about Second
Coming Prophecy. Hopefully the reader is not numbered among such. Selah.

* * * * * * *

11 -- THE WORLD -- OUT OF WHACK AND BACK

SCRIPTURES AND INTRODUCTION

Psa 82:5 "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH ARE OUT OF COURSE" (Hebrew word "mowt"
which includes the meaning of having "slipped" -- having "slidden" or been "shaken, moved,
carried, or cast off course").

1 Chr. 16:30 "...THE WORLD also SHALL BE STABLE, THAT IT BE NOT MOVED
("mowt" -- that it be not "slipped" or "slidden, shaken, moved, carried, or cast off course").

It should be clear from the above Scriptures that Psalm 82:5 speaks of the present,
deplorable condition of the world resulting from the Fall of accountable creatures and the curse
of God, and that 1 Chronicles 16:30 tells of the state of the world after its Divine renovation and
restoration as the "New World" or "The World To Come."

In the following discussion, I shall not attempt to explain WHY the world is now "out of
course" or "out of whack," but only the FACT that it is so, and WHEN and HOW it shall be
brought "back" from being "out of whack." I address my remarks to Bible believers, and not to
those whose sin-darkened minds refuse to accept the facts of Divine Revelation on these matters.
The highminded theories of scientists, evolutionists, and environmentalists to the contrary
notwithstanding, the chaos in our cosmos IS the consequence of sin against God by accountable
angels and men, and only the Living God can and shall restore order in His Creation.

* * *

I. THE OBVIOUS FACT THAT THIS WORLD IS "OUT OF WHACK"

 There are many words and expressions in the English language that accurately describe
the incongruous state of things in this sin-cursed world:

A. -- RELATIVE TO MELODY AND HARMONY, things are off-key, inharmonious,

dissonant, discordant, harsh, and as irritable to the ear as the screeching of chalk down a
blackboard! In this regard, things are rapidly getting much worse! When I was a lad, 55 years
ago, even the secular songs had melody and harmony in them -- today, even much of the pseudo,
so-called, Christian music has in it more acidic, discordant screeching than it does of melody and
harmony that is sweet to the ear. It is a toss-up which will send more chills down one's spine and
force one to cover his ears today:-- the screeching of chalk down a blackboard or the sour,
ear-drum-irritating sounds of today's acid-rock, so-called, "music". Such dissonant sounds are
grating reminders of how horribly "out of harmony" with God the world now is!

* *

B. -- RELATIVE TO PROPER PITCH AND VOLUME, things are ear-piercing, too

loud, banging, booming, thundering, and deafening. Never before, has the world more needed to
heed the following admonitions: "BE STILL, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among
the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalms 46:10). "Let the lying lips be put to silence;
which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous" (Psalms 31:18).
And never before has there been such a desperate need for God to "put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men" (1 Peter 2:15). The high-pitched, high-volume decibels of the devil today are
doing something far worse than deafening people physically, they are also deafening people
spiritually, and many of those devilish decibels are emanating from pseudo-Christian musicians.
Some of these deceived "music-makers?" of Satan are so deaf to the Spirit of God that their
renditions of "Blessed Quietness" would be better titled "Blasted Quietness"! How wonderful
that some day, Jesus will say, "Peace, BE STILL," and forever banish such vile volumes from
the airwaves of Heaven!

* *

C. -- RELATIVE TO PROPER ALIGNMENT, things are bent, crooked, askew, awry,

and out of alignment. God is a God of symmetry, straightness, and alignment. You can be sure
that nothing will be askew in the New Jerusalem. If there are such in the Holy City, no pictures
will be hanging crooked on the walls. The city will be four-square, and perfectly square, without
being off even one one-millionth in its alignment anywhere in its structure. Now, we must put up
with much that is awry, for absolute precision is impossible to both men and machines in this
world. When viewed in God's transit and placed against God's square, the most precise
alignments in this world are still at least "a tad bit off." If you want to dwell in an abode where
nothing ever needs to be straightened and where nothing is ever askew, then you must make it
into the City Four-square.

* *
 D. -- RELATIVE TO PERFECT LEVEL, things in this world are often more than "half a
bubble off," slanted, sloping, and off-level. According to Ps. 82:5 above, the very foundations of
our world are "out of course," or "out of level." Apparently it was when the Curse fell on
creation that the earth was tilted on its axis, and since that time, nothing in the world has been
perfectly "on the level" with no sloping up or down in the slightest degree. I dare say that if it
were possible for man to create his most perfect plane in a vacuum, God could place His own
perfectly round ball-bearing on the very center of that plane and it would eventually run toward
one end or the other. And, probably most of us have either lived in, been in, or perhaps even
built, structures where a marble would run down the slope of our supposedly level floor! In more
ways and places than one, things in this world are far more than "half a bubble off"!

* *

E. -- RELATIVE TO PERFECT UPRIGHTNESS, things in this world are slanted, tilted,

leaning, sagging, and out of plumb. The entire sphere of this earth is tilted on its axis, and
physically or materially, there is nothing perfectly perpendicular on this planet. If you consider
God's Word much, you must conclude that He has an Up, a Down, a Left, and a Right, and I
believe that all such directions are relative to a fixed point determined by the Creator. Further,
things in this Universe and on this Earth were thrown "out of plumb" by the Curse. Hang God's
plumb-line beside the most perfectly perpendicular structure man has made, and it will be "out of
plumb". You'll have to live in the New Heaven and the New Earth if you want things to be
perfectly plumb in your eternal abode.

* *

F. -- RELATIVE TO PROPER CONDITION, things in our world are out of kilter, out of
repair, decrepit, run-down, and ruined. In their best possible condition, things in this world are
really "out of condition" and will soon be run-down and ruined. The proud columns and castles
of earlier centuries in Europe now lying in ruins, and the wrecking yards across our nation, are
mute, but vivid witnesses to the fact that nothing stays in good condition materially in this world.

* *

G. -- RELATIVE TO PROPER SHAPE, things are bent, bulged, bloated, shrunk,

warped, twisted, malformed, deformed, asymmetrical, and out of shape. I was born with one ear
that has a flat spot on its top curve. I am, and always have been, asymmetrical -- but not always
so badly "out of shape" as I am now physically! God loves, and demands, perfection in shape --
DID YOU KNOW THAT? Read Leviticus 21:18 regarding who could not serve in the Aaronic
Priesthood: "For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man,
or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous..."

That tells me something: My physically misshapen brother who was also born horribly
retarded will have a perfectly shaped body in heaven. In that glory world, there will be no
hydrocephalics -- children with heads like watermelons that are longer than the rest of their
entire body! In this world, both human beings and animals are often born horribly misshapen! --
and the bodies of some of the rest of us have, since birth, been warped, twisted, bent, shrunk,
bloated, or otherwise deformed by various causes.

One old saint looked in the mirror and was disappointed to see that with the loss of teeth
his chin had moved up and his nose had gone down! And when he looked in the mirror and saw
his eyes, he said, "I couldn't hardly think it -- they looked like two burnt holes in a blanket!" But
the Lord cheered him saying: "Now don't you worry, and don't you fret -- for what you saw in
the glass, you'll soon forget!"

* *

H. -- RELATIVE TO CORRECT VISION AND PERFECT LIGHT, things in this world

are blurred, distorted, enlarged, diminished, shaded, obscured, and hidden. These aberrations are
due in part to the imperfections in the human eyes, humanly constructed aids to vision, and due
in part to the fact that there is no perfect light in this world. All earthly light is refracted,
impeded, and clouded in some way. This latter, however, is no doubt for our own good. 1 John
1:5 tells us: "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all," but so perfect and brilliant is the
Divine LIGHT, that no flesh and blood human being could even survive its splendor! The only
Human Being now capable of dwelling in that PERFECT LIGHT is the Glorified Christ: "Who
only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man
hath seen, nor can see..." (1 Timothy 6:16).

One reason why "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians
15:50), is because the overwhelming brilliance of the Divine Light and Glory of Christ would
(and will) instantly slay any flesh and blood human being! This is one of the many reasons I do
not believe that the Kingdom of Christ shall ever take place in a millennium on THIS earth. If
during Old Testament times the partially revealed glory of Christ was so staggering "that the
priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the
house of the Lord" (1 Kings 8:11), HOW IN THIS WORLD do you think that "unchanged" flesh
and blood human beings could possibly live and dwell "IN THE LIGHT WHICH NO MAN
CAN APPROACH UNTO" when all men, without any restraint of His splendor "SEE HIM AS
HE IS" at His Return!

It is going to take glorified bodies to dwell in the presence of Christ in His Kingdom! --
and only the damnation bodies of the wicked will endure His sight temporarily at the Judgment
-- all flesh and blood bodies having been "changed" (for the better or for the worse) at Christ's
Return. The whole idea of a supposed Kingdom of Christ on THIS earth populated with an
incongruous mixture of flesh-and-blood human beings along with glorified saints and along with
the UNRESTRAINED LIGHT AND GLORY OF CHRIST, not only strikes me as absurd, but
also as very, very unScriptural. Revelation Chapter 20, then, must be interpreted so as to be in
accord with all of the rest of the Bible, including both prophetic and non-prophetic truths, and I
believe that such an exegesis precludes a millennial reign of Christ on THIS earth after His
Return.

St. John told us twice: "No man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:18; 1 John 4:12).
And "unchanged" flesh-and-blood human beings are not going to be dwelling on earth or
anywhere "IN THE LIGHT WHICH NO MAN CAN APPROACH UNTO." Furthermore, we
can be sure that Job's statement, "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:26), shall have it's fulfillment in his "glorified flesh," and not in
that same body that was destroyed by the worms. Likewise, Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:8,
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God," shall have its fulfillment when the pure in
heart are also "changed" into bodies capable of both enduring and enjoying forever the brilliance
"THE LIGHT WHICH NO [EARTHLY] MAN CAN APPROACH UNTO."

* *

I. -- RELATIVE TO PERFECT ADJUSTMENT, things in our world and universe are

out of joint, disjointed, dislocated, out of place, out of their element, disconnected, disjoined,
mismatched, ill-fitted, misfitted, incongruous, clashing, incompatible, inappropriate, and
maladjusted. Lucifer became the first misfit. When by pride he supposed he fit a larger place and
refused to fill his proper place, he no longer fit ANY place in heaven, and God prepared for him
the ONLY place where he does fit -- the Lake of Fire. Since Lucifer's forced departure with his
deceived cohorts, there have never been any more misfits in heaven -- nor shall there ever be
again. Earth is a place of many misfits, but when eternity dawns, all shall be forever fit into their
proper place. The final ADJUSTMENT at the Judgment will place all in Hell who fit there, and
in Heaven, the whole glorified Body of Christ, "fitly joined together and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,"
shall eternally and joyously contribute to "the edifying of itself in love" (Ephesians 4:16).

* *

J. -- RELATIVE TO PROPER FUNCTIONING, things as they now exist are out of

whack, dysfunctional, not hitting on all cylinders, and have slipped a cog. As the result of the
devil's doings everything in the material and physical universe is running wrong. It was he who
"threw the monkey-wrench into the works," causing both men and matter to become
dysfunctional, and it's going to take Someone wiser than psychiatrists and would-be,
world-savior environmentalists to fix things! The engine of the universe is going to do more than
"throw a rod," the entire mechanism is about to fly into a jillion pieces with a loud bang! -- and
no bunch of smug, little "shade-tree mechanics" is going to even prevent it -- let alone fix it!

* *

K. -- RELATIVE TO PEACE, things universally are restless, disturbed, troubled,

unsettled, tumultuous, contentious, hostile, conflictive, and warring. Such has been the inevitable
development when "The Prince of Peace" was rejected and nailed to the Cross. To the very end,
deceived men will pursue and fancy that at last peace on earth has been achieved. But, said the
apostle Paul, "When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon
them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Lasting peace in Israel, or anywhere else on earth before the Return of Christ? Forget it! It's
going to get worse, much worse -- for "the end is not yet" and the horrors already seen are only
"the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:6-8).
* *

L. -- RELATIVE TO LOVE, things are inordinate, perverted, unnatural, without natural

affection, unkind, unloving, hateful, malicious, and murderous. With wild abandon, both men
and women have given themselves over to the most vile, sensual, and selfish indulgences -- and
calling them "love"! The very word "love" itself has become so sullied that one must be careful
how it is used, lest a vile connotation be attached to it. Gay used to be a perfectly innocuous
word, but because of its adoption by the vile perverts now proudly parading themselves
throughout the world, one must be careful in using the word. The same thing applies to the word
"love". To many, "love" is the illicit engagement in some selfish, immoral, unnatural, and
perverted act, instead of the pure, unselfish, God-inspired, and humanly-uplifting and
soul-ennobling affection that constitutes true love. There is a vast difference between real love
and fleshly lust, but that distinction is not clearly seen by millions today.

* *

N. -- RELATIVE TO TIMING, things today are off-beat, out of step, out of time, too
fast, too slow, too early, or too late. Timing is something far more important than to be of
interest only to those who are juggling balls, jumping rope, beating a drum, marching on parade,
or playing a game. Being out of time can cost one his job, his health, his life, and his soul. Jesus
rued the fate of Jerusalem prior to its fall in 70 AD., saying, "... they shall not leave in thee one
stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:44). When the
curse fell on creation, the timing of the universe was thrown off. For millennia now, the timing
of the earth around the sun has run like clock-work, but as the end nears more and more things
are going to mess up this clock-work, until just before the Day of Christ, "The earth shall reel to
and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall
be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again" (Isaiah 24:20). Only when the New Heaven
and New Earth appear, shall perfect timing be restored in God's creation.

* *

O. -- RELATIVE TO SEVERAL OTHER THINGS VERY BRIEFLY: -- RELATIVE

TO LAW AND ORDER, things are now anarchical, disordered, out of order, disarranged, badly
messed up, and chaotic. RELATIVE TO MENTAL SOUNDNESS AND SANITY, things are
confused, deranged, unbalanced, demented, and just plain crazy. RELATIVE TO NORMALCY,
things are weird, abnormal, odd, eccentric, off the wall, and bizarre. RELATIVE TO HEALTH,
things are unhealthy, ill, sick, diseased, afflicted, plagued, suffering, and fatal. RELATIVE TO
MORALITY, things are debauched, debased, defiled, filthy, immoral and amoral. RELATIVE
TO SPIRITUAL LIFE, things are degenerate, declining, dying, and dead. RELATIVE TO
PROPER DIRECTION, things are deviant, off course, out of course, and disoriented.

The list could be continued ad infinitum. Let me just sum up by saying: "It's a crazy
world -- things are badly "out of whack"! One need not be a pessimist, but merely a
clear-thinking and perceptive realist, to see that our world is rapidly approaching -- if not already
in -- a state that is far worse than that of the proverbial situation where "the inmates have taken
over the asylum"!
* * *

II. OUT OF WHACK -- WHEN AND HOW BROUGHT BACK

Regarding WHEN Christ shall set the Universe back "in course," however, let me begin
by presenting the words to an old Negro Spiritual titled, "My Lord, What a Morning." It begins
with the Refrain. [If I thought you could, or might be able to, receive attachments, I have
attached the MIDI with this article, which you can play as you read the words below:

Refrain:
My Lord, what a morning.
My Lord, what a morning;
Oh, my Lord, what a morning,
When the stars begin to fall.

Verse 1
You'll hear the trumpet sound,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand,
When the stars begin to fall.

Refrain:

* * *

Verse 2
You'll hear the sinners cry,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand,
When the stars begin to fall.

Refrain:

* * *

You'll hear the Christians shout,

To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God's right hand,
When the stars begin to fall.

Refrain:

* *
 As I understand the Word, the time when "...THE WORLD also SHALL BE STABLE,
THAT IT BE NOT MOVED" shall first be preceded by the chaos in the universe "When The
Stars Begin To Fall." Please see my book on the HDM CD, "His Appearing and His Kingdom,"
hdm0124, for a detailed explanation of how the cosmic chaos, repeatedly described in prophecy,
divides the 7 year Tribulation Period from the Day of the Lord. The order is this: THE
TRIBULATION -- THE COSMIC CHAOS -- THE DAY OF THE LORD. To put it a bit
differently, First the Tribulation -- Next The Cosmic Chaos -- Followed By The Return of Christ
on the Day of the Lord. Here are Jesus' own words verifying these three distinctions -- caps,
brackets, and numbering mine:

"Immediately [1. AFTER THE TRIBULATION] of those days [2. SHALL THE SUN BE
DARKENED, AND THE MOON SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS
SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN], and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [3. AND
THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN: and then shall all
the tribes of the earth mourn, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING] in the
clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-30).

"When The Stars Begin To Fall," the universe and world as now constituted shall
collapse and depart with the loudest noise ever heard. Creation did not BEGIN with the "Big
Bang" but it shall END (as it now exists) with a "Big Bang"! Then shall begin the Day of Christ;
all of the dead shall be raised; the saints shall rise to meet the Christ in the air, and ALL shall be
ushered into the General Judgment:

"And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from
another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right
hand, but the goats on the left" (Matthew 25:32-33).

Two observations here:

(1) THIS SHALL NOT BE A JUDGMENT OF "NATIONS" EN MASSE, BUT OF

"NATIONS" AS INDIVIDUALS. When Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and
TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost: TEACHING THEM to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,"
PLEASE NOTE: CHRIST COMMANDED THEM TO TEACH AND BAPTIZE
INDIVIDUALS -- NOT NATIONS EN MASSE! He did not advocate gathering all nations
together into one huge masse to teach them as a unit or to baptize them as a unit -- but as
individuals! And, IN MATTHEW 28:19-20 while we have all nations gathered en masse, THE
NATIONS WILL BE JUDGED INDIVIDUALLY -- ONE PERSON AT A TIME and separated
into two great groups of THE SAVED and THE DAMNED! The Judgment of Matthew 28:19-20
is none other than the same General Judgment spoken of in Rev. 20:11. None should question or
doubt this!

(2) THE REWARDS OF THIS JUDGMENT ARE ETERNAL -- People with prophetic
interpretations to defend confuse both the identity and consequences of this Great General
Judgment seen in Matthew 25:32-46. Leave off this tinkering with truth and you can easily see
that THINGS ARE FOREVER WRAPPED UP AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS
JUDGMENT. It is not a Judgment that ushers in another millennium on this earth, but rather a
Judgment that ushers in Eternity!

Hear Christ's Eternal Sentence to the Goats (individuals) on His Left, and to the Sheep
(individuals) on His Right:-- "These [the Damned, the Individual Goats on His Left] shall go
away into EVERLASTING punishment: but the righteous [the Saved, the Individual Sheep on
His Right] into LIFE ETERNAL" (Matthew 25:46).

Away with this nonsense that asserts that the Judgment of Matthew 25 is not the General
and Final Judgment of ALL! At the conclusion of the Judgment as described in Matthew 25, the
Goats are sent into "everlasting punishment" which compares exactly to the fate of the wicked at
the conclusion of The Great White Throne Judgment, who are "cast into the lake of fire" (Rev
20:15).

When after that Judgment of Matthew 25 Jesus says to his individual Sheep, "Come, ye
blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"
(Mat. 25:34), He is inviting them into that Eternal Kingdom which is described immediately
after the Great White Throne Judgment as the reward of those whose names are written in the
Book of Life: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth
were passed away.."

"THE WORLD -- OUT OF WHACK AND BACK" with its renovation and
transformation into "THE NEW EARTH" -- immediately following the General Judgment
described in both Matthew 25 and Revelation 20.

As I understand the Word, God is not going to be passing out Second Chances to the Lost
after a Secret Rapture and during 1000 long years on this "old earth". He isn't going to do a
partial fix on things as they now are -- a fix that will last only 1000 more years. He isn't going to
create an absurd kingdom mixed with flesh and blood and glorified, populated with saved and
lost, and let people be saved "by sight" during 1000 years when all who ever got saved before
them were saved and sanctified "by faith"! No! -- 1000 times No! -- not 1000 years Yes!

There will be no second chances during 7 years, no saved-by-sighters during 1000 more
years, and no mingling of sinners and saints in Christ's Messianic Kingdom! When the Trumpet
blows folks -- it will not be like a "two minute warning" at some worldly sports event! -- giving
folks 1,000 more years before the final "buzzer"! No sir! When the seventh angel "shall begin to
sound, the mystery of God should be [and shall be] FINISHED" ... and there shall be "TIME NO
LONGER"! PERIOD! (Rev. 10:6-7).

It shall only be when TIME ENDS FOREVER that Christ's Messianic Kingdom with His
Saints shall begin -- and that in the "New Heavens and New Earth". EveryONE that was "out of
whack" spiritually when the Trumpet blew shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, and EveryONE
and EveryTHING that had been "out of whack" but that is redeemed at that time shall be brought
"back" and/or into a state of eternal perfection -- NOT FOR 1000 YEARS, BUT FOREVER
AND EVER:
 Isaiah 9:7 "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the
throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there
shall be no end.

* * * * * * *

12 -- THE CONSUMPTION DETERMINED UPON THE WHOLE EARTH

"In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty,
unto the residue of his people, and for a spirit of judgment... Now therefore be ye not mockers,
lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts A
CONSUMPTION, EVEN DETERMINED UPON THE WHOLE EARTH" (Isa. 28:5-6, 22).

* * *

INTRODUCTION

The prophetic overtones in Isaiah 28 are unmistakable, and the events mentioned in the
above verses are futuristic -- they shall have their greatest and final fulfillment in connection
with those "things to come" at the Second Advent of Christ. Many O. T. prophecies have had an
earlier fulfillment relative to things closer to, or contemporary with the prophet, while at the
same time those prophecies shall have a later, greater, and final fulfillment at the time of Christ's
Return. It seems clear to me that the events mentioned in the above text shall have their greater
and final fulfillment in connection with the Second Coming -- as the universal CONSUMPTION
YET TO BEFALL THE WHOLE EARTH.

* * *

A -- THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE DETERMINED CONSUMPTION

According to Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew word for "consumption" in the above
verse is: "kalah, kaw-law'; from H3615;" meaning: "a completion; adv. completely; also
destruction:-- altogether, (be, utterly) consume (-d), consummation (-ption), was determined,
(full, utter) end, riddance.

In other scriptures, it is clear that THE NATURE of the determined "Consumption" shall
be FIERY: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and
all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the
LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. 4:1). "The mountains
quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all
that dwell therein" (Nah. 1:5).
 At the same time, it is clear that the EXTENT of the determined "Consumption" shall be
UNIVERSAL -- a burning up of "the whole earth" along with making a "full, utter, end, and
riddance" of the wicked from the earth.

The Determined Consumption will burn up the earth and universe as they now exist and
remove from them all evil beings -- including men and devils: "the heavens shall pass away with
a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10).

* * *

B -- THE PERSON WHO SHALL DO THE CONSUMING

It is Christ Who shall do the consuming. Thrice in the Scriptures, He is denoted as "A
CONSUMING FIRE": In Deuteronomy 4:24, Moses told Israel, "For THE LORD THY God IS
A CONSUMING FIRE, even a jealous God. Again, in Deuteronomy 9:3 we read: "Understand
therefore this day, that THE LORD THY GOD IS He which goeth over before thee; as A
CONSUMING FIRE..." Hebrews 12:28-29 describes Him likewise: "Wherefore we receiving a
kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear: For our GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE."

A search of the KJV of my QuickVerse computer Bible of "consum*" -- which locates

every place in the Bible where are located the words "consume, consummation, and
consumption" totals 165 instances in 156 verses -- nearly all of which refer to a consuming by
God! He Who is the compassionate Father and Friend of His people is also "A CONSUMING
FIRE" to wickedness and to everything and everyone corrupted by the devil. Thus, it shall not be
natural laws gone awry that brings about the Consumption of this universe and its evil
inhabitants; the Consumption shall be the result of the "determined" act of Christ. They are
utterly deceived and blind who think that they can be the "environmental saviors" of this world.
Christ has purposed to burn it up and then make it new. The hearts of such deluded
environmentalists will be "failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are
coming on the earth" as the Consumption is seen approaching, but they shall not prevent it, "for
the powers of heaven shall be shaken" (Luke 21:26) and "the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10) by Him Who is "The Consuming Fire."

* * *

C -- THE DAY IN WHICH THE UNIVERSAL CONSUMPTION SHALL OCCUR

It is exceedingly clear that the Universal Consumption shall occur on THE DAY OF
THE LORD.

"But THE DAY OF THE LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall
be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of THE DAY OF GOD, wherein the heavens being on
fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according
to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Pet.
3:10-13).

The Day of the Lord follows fast on the heels of the 7-year Tribulation, and Daniel
7:25-27 also locates the consumption directly after the Tribulation: "And he shall speak great
words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change
times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of
time. BUT THE JUDGMENT SHALL SIT, and they shall take away his dominion, TO
CONSUME AND TO DESTROY IT UNTO THE END. And the kingdom and dominion, and
the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints
of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and
obey him."

The Consumption of "this present evil world," the kingdom of anti-Christ, and the
dissolution of the universe shall occur -- not 1,000 years AFTER the close of the Tribulation, but
quite immediately after the Tribulation:

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon
shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall
be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the
tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with
power and great glory" (Matt. 24:29-30).

The Cosmic Chaos ushering in the Day of The Lord "immediately after the tribulation"
shall be culminated, after the resurrection and rapture of the saints, by THE CONSUMPTION
OF THE UNIVERSE AS IT NOW EXISTS. Therefore, no millennium of time on this earth
could possibly follow Christ's Return.

Immediately following Christ's Revelation and the Rapture of the saints, shall come "'the
CONSUMMATION [KALAH = CONSUMPTION], and that determined shall be poured upon
the desolate" (Dan. 9:27) -- "and the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up."

While it is true that the apostle Peter says "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand
years," it is not a viable interpretation to assert that the Consumption shall occur at the end of a
1,000-Year Day of the Lord following the Tribulation. Note the context in which Peter makes
that observation:

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that ONE DAY IS WITH THE LORD
AS A THOUSAND YEARS, and a thousand years as one day. 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. BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL
COME as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye
to be in all holy conversation and godliness" (2 Pet. 3:8-11). Peter speaks of the 1,000-year-day
as preceding -- not as being -- The Day of the Lord! He exhorts Christians to be patient for the
coming of "the day of the Lord" even if it took 1,000 years. He does not tell them that The Day
of the Lord will consist of 1,000 additional years of time in this world.

Probably even the great apostle Peter did not realize how long Christ would tarry before
Returning. The Lord has now tarried nearly 2,000 years! -- but, make no mistake about it, when
The Day of the Lord does finally COME, Christ is not going to dally around for 1,000 more
years before He brings about the determined Consumption! Nay! "For he will finish the work,
and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."

* * *

D -- WHO SHALL SURVIVE THE CONSUMPTION?

Malachi 3:2 -- "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he
appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap."

So BRIGHT and so HOT shall be the vehemence of His GLORY and His WRATH at His
Return that "the Lord shall consume" the wicked "with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy"
all of His enemies "with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thess. 2:8)

When "the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do
wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts,
that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Malachi 4:1).

Deuteronomy 32:22 reveals God's purpose for this present, evil world: "For a fire is
kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her
increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains."

WHO IS GOING TO LIVE IN THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM WITH HIM WHO IS "A
CONSUMING FIRE"? Let none be deceived here: -- only those who are right with God at
Christ's Return! This is proven with extreme clarity in Isaiah 33:14-17:

"The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. WHO AMONG
US SHALL DWELL WITH THE DEVOURING FIRE? WHO AMONG US SHALL DWELL
WITH EVERLASTING BURNINGS? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he
that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that
stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on
high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters
shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very
far off."
 CHRIST IS "THE DEVOURING FIRE" mentioned in Isaiah 33:14! Read the NIV
translation of this verse: "The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: "WHO
OF US CAN DWELL WITH THE CONSUMING FIRE? Who of us can dwell with everlasting
burning?"

It shall be utterly impossible for wicked sinners and unregenerate people, who do nothing
more than submit to an outward kow-tow to Christ, to survive His Coming, let alone dwell with
Him for 1,000 years!

A final Remnant of Israel shall survive the Consumption, but only because directly
before Christ's Revelation they have repented and been born again: Isaiah 10:22 -- "For though
thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet A REMNANT OF THEM SHALL RETURN:
THE CONSUMPTION DECREED SHALL OVERFLOW WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Lamentations 3:22 declares: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not." Let me ask you something: DO YOU THINK GOD'S
MERCIES SHALL BE EXTENDED TO A WICKED WORLD "AFTER" HIS SECOND
COMING? By no means shall this occur! The Day of the Lord is none other than "the day of
wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God" (Rom. 2:5)!

Now, Christians are exhorted to "Be patient therefore, brethren, UNTO THE COMING
OF THE LORD. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath
long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your
hearts: for THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH. Grudge not one against another,
brethren, lest ye be condemned: BEHOLD, THE JUDGE STANDETH BEFORE THE DOOR."
(James 5:7-9).

Friend, can you not see that God's Mercy to a wicked world shall extend only "UNTO
THE COMING OF THE LORD"??? There will be no souls saved after His Return! -- no
supposed millennial people to whom mercy and salvation "by sight" shall be granted AFTER
THE COMING OF THE LORD! Mark this down indelibly in your mind: GOD'S MERCY
SHALL EXTEND ONLY UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD -- and not 1 second beyond
that! For this reason also, the supposed millennial kingdom simply cannot be.

At Christ's Return, the wicked shall be consumed by Him Who is "A Consuming Fire,"
but the righteous "shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off"
(Isa. 33:17). Let me tell you something folks, God is going to take His people to a "land that is
very far off" from this old world! He isn't going to set them back down on this present world for
1,000 years after His Return! No! After the Judgment they shall go immediately into the Holy
City in the New Heavens and New Earth -- forever!

* * *

E -- AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH AND LOT

 "In the days of Noah" (1 Peter 3:20), only 8 survived the watery flood of God's wrath,
and all of the rest were "taken away." In the determined Consumption at Christ's Return, "with
an overrunning flood [of Fire] he will make an utter end of the place" where wicked men have
dwelt, and destroying all of them along with that flood as well (Nah. 1:8).

In the days of Lot, "The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire
from the Lord out of heaven" (Gen. 19:24); forewarning "Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and
thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city" (Gen.
19:15).

You know the consequence: Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly consumed! -- and this is
only a tiny little foreshadow of what shall occur at Christ's Return. In Luke 17:28, Jesus said that
His Return would be "as it was in the days of Lot." None of those upon whom judgment fell
survived, and even thus shall it be at Jesus' Wrathful Return -- ABSOLUTELY NONE OF THE
WICKED SHALL SURVIVE!

In Luke 17:26-27 Jesus said, "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the
days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until THE DAY THAT NOE ENTERED INTO THE ARK, and the flood came, and
DESTROYED THEM ALL."

Do you get the picture? Those taken into the ark typify the saved and raptured Church,
and immediately following that rapture Christ shall "DESTROY THEM ALL" who are not taken
into the ark.

The vast difference between the typical events of the Flood and the destruction of Sodom
is that with the Return of Christ the destruction shall be literally UNIVERSAL. Except the
Judgment, nothing shall follow his Second Coming but The New Heavens and New Earth for
Christ and his preserved race, and eternal damnation for the lost in Hell.

Repeatedly, throughout both the Old and New Testament, we see the Universal
Consumption of the wicked and the dissolution of the Universe occurring at the Time of Christ's
Return. This is one more reason why, as I see it, Revelation 20 can only be correctly interpreted
as CONCLUDING AT THE RETURN OF CHRIST, AND NOT BEGINNING WITH HIS
RETURN.

Therefore, I interpret Rev. 20:9 as another description of The Consumption -- the battle
of Gog and Magog being identical to the battle of Armageddon, occurring at the time of Christ's
Return: "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints
about, and the beloved city: and FIRE CAME DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, AND
DEVOURED THEM."

I conclude with this observation: We must either take the Olivet Discourse as "out of
chronological order" in relating the events at Jesus' Second Coming, or we must interpret the
book of Revelation as not relating those same events in chronological sequence. If we take Jesus'
relation of the order of events in His Olivet Discourse as in true chronological order, then there
appears throughout the Bible a beautiful harmony and simplicity regarding the order of Second
Coming events. But, if we insist that it is Revelation that must be taken in chronological order,
then comes a real maze of confusion that opens a Pandora's Box of Biblical contradictions,
quandaries, and impossibilities -- particularly regarding a supposed millennium AFTER Christ's
Return.

Good Biblical exegesis demands that the lesser bow to the greater -- If, as I see it, the
Pre-Millennial interpretation of Revelation 20 (one chapter in the Bible) places it in
contradiction to the overwhelming majority of the rest of Biblical Testimony on the subject, then
I think that we not only may, but must, look for a different interpretation of Revelation 20 that
harmonizes it with the rest of the Bible on the subject. Please see my book, hdm0124, "His
Appearing and His Kingdom," Chapters 7 and 8 for my own interpretations of the book of
Revelation and of Revelation 20 -- interpretations that place THE CONSUMPTION AT
CHRIST'S RETURN, AND NOT 1,000 YEARS LATER.

* * * * * * *

13 -- HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY AT CHRIST'S RETURN

The purpose of this article shall be to present Scriptural proofs showing that the time
when this present earth and universe shall pass away will be at the time of Christ's return, and
not 1000 years later. First, please study carefully the verses below -- especially the portions that I
have put in caps.

"HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY: but my words shall not pass away.
BUT OF THAT DAY AND THAT HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN, no, not the angels which are
in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when
the time is" (Mark 13:31-33).

"Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE
THINGS BE FULFILLED. HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY, but my words shall
not pass away. BUT OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN, no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only" (Matt. 24:34-36).

[In passing, before embarking on the main focus of this treatise, I would note that if the
heavens and earth pass away AFTER a supposed Millennium, it would be possible to pinpoint
quite accurately THE DAY in which their dissolution occurred. But Christ says here that no man
knows the day and hour that this shall occur.]

No Pre-Trib, Pre-Mil student of prophecy would deny that the unknown time to which
Jesus refers in the above scriptures is THE TIME OF HIS RETURN. What they would deny is
that when Jesus said "Heaven and earth shall pass away" He is connecting that passing away of
heaven and earth with the time of His Return. What I assert is this: When Jesus made reference
to the passing away of the present Heaven and Earth when speaking of His Return, it was
because THAT IS WHEN THIS HEAVENS AND THIS EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY -- AT
THE TIME OF HIS RETURN, AND NOT 1000 YEARS LATER!
 Pre-Mil interpreters would insist: "No! when Jesus mentioned that "Heaven and earth
shall pass away" in the same breath with His remarks about His Return, He was not saying that
this great event would occur at His Return; He was only emphasizing that HIS WORDS SHALL
ALL COME TO PASS, AND EVENTUALLY -- 1,000 YEARS LATER -- THIS HEAVEN
AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY."

However, besides the above verses, there is more in the Bible supporting the
interpretation that I have placed upon them -- Scriptures that place the time of this world's
demise AT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN -- Scriptures that demonstrate the impossibility
of that demise taking place 1,000 years later.

Consider the following:

"For the earnest expectation of the creature [this creation] waiteth for the manifestation of
the sons of God. For the creature [this creation] was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by
reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because THE creature [CREATION]
ITSELF ALSO SHALL BE DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the
glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that THE WHOLE CREATION
GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW. And not only they,
but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, WAITING FOR THE ADOPTION, TO WIT, THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY"
(Rom. 8:19-23).

Reader, I hope you see the importance of the above passage in connection with the
subject at hand: THE TIME AT WHICH THE PRESENT HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL
PASS AWAY AND THEN BE TRANSFORMED INTO THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW
EARTH SHALL BE -- NOW PLEASE GET THIS -- SHALL BE AT THE TIME THE SAINTS
ARE GLORIFIED!!!

What Pre-Trib, Pre-Millennialist would deny that the saints' bodies shall be redeemed, i.
e., be glorified, at the time of Christ's Return?! -- NONE WOULD DENY THIS!

But, here Paul connects the time at which the creation "ITSELF ALSO SHALL BE
DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION" with the exact same time when the
saints are brought "into the glorious liberty of the children of God," -- AND IRREFUTABLY,
THAT TIME SHALL BE AT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN -- NOT 1,000 YEARS
LATER.

Shall the saints be glorified 1,000 years after Christ's Return? NO, A THOUSAND
TIMES MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS, NO! The saints will receive the redemption of
their body at the time of Christ's return, and that is the same time at which this present heaven
and earth shall pass away and be resurrected into the "better and enduring substance" of the New
Heavens and the New Earth.

But yet further, consider the following:

 Matthew 24:39 "And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also
the coming of the Son of man be."

Here, without question, Jesus is speaking of what shall occur at His Return. Noah and the
7 with him in the ark were the only ones who survived the Flood, and that universal Judgment
"took them ALL away" who were not in the ark. Likewise, when Christ Returns, only those who
are in Christ Jesus shall survive -- ALL others shall be TAKEN AWAY.

Nahum 1:5-8 describes what shall occur when the blazing glory of Christ appears at His
Revelation -- a glory multiplied millions of times brighter and hotter than the Sun: "The
mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and THE EARTH IS BURNED AT HIS
PRESENCE, YEA, THE WORLD, AND ALL THAT DWELL THEREIN. Who can stand
before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out
like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of
trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But WITH AN OVERRUNNING FLOOD HE
WILL MAKE AN UTTER END OF THE PLACE THEREOF, and darkness shall pursue his
enemies."

The immeasurable, vehement magnitude of Christ's glory and wrath at the time of His
Second Coming has been immensely underestimated!!! There will be no millennium on this
present earth following Christ's Return because this world shall be "burned at His presence"
along with all of the wicked who shall be destroyed "with the brightness of His coming" (2
Thess. 2:8)! But, even if the present universe did survive, the picture is clear: there would be
none to live on it except the righteous who survived the "overrunning flood" of God's fiery
wrath.

Read Malachi's description of The Day of Christ's Return:

The Day when Christ "makes up his Jewels" -- the day when He Returns, He shall spare
His Children, "as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." A clear distinction shall be made
"between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him
not." And, THE DAY OF CHRIST'S RETURN -- the day when His Children are glorified like
Jewels -- "SHALL BURN AS AN OVEN; AND ALL THE PROUD, YEA, AND ALL THAT
DO WICKEDLY, SHALL BE STUBBLE: AND THE DAY THAT COMETH SHALL BURN
THEM UP, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto
you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.." (Mal.
3:17--4:2).

Jesus referred to the passing away of this heaven and this earth in connection with His
Return on purpose, because THAT IS WHEN IT SHALL OCCUR. He did not get things out of
chronological order in His Olivet Discourse. That close connection between His Return and the
passing away of this heaven and earth is seen in Mat 24:29-30, along with 33-34: "Immediately
after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her
light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and THE POWERS OF THE HEAVENS SHALL BE
SHAKEN: AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN in heaven: and
then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN
COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory... HEAVEN AND
EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24 pictures the events connected with His Return, which include the passing
away of this present heaven and earth; Matthew 25 describes the General Judgment. Quite
clearly, the order of events shall be: Christ's Return, the Resurrection, Transformation and
Rapture of the Righteous, the Fiery Destruction of the wicked, the Dissolution of the Universe
that now is, the Judgment of all at the Great White Throne Judgment, then the appearance of the
New Heavens and New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness -- IN RAPID SUCCESSION --
NOT WITH 1,000 YEARS OF TIME between any of these events.

Notice John the Revelator's description in Rev. 20:11 "And I SAW A GREAT WHITE
THRONE, AND HIM THAT SAT ON IT, from whose face THE EARTH AND THE HEAVEN
FLED AWAY; and there was FOUND NO PLACE FOR THEM" [this last phrase meaning:-- the
present heaven and earth were nowhere to be found].

When Christ Returns, "the earth and the heavens shall flee away before His face" -- then,
the wicked, having been raised, shall be brought to Judgment: Rev 20:12 "And I saw the dead,
small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened,
which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works."

Then, rapidly following the Judgment we read in Rev. 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and
a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

In confirmation of my assertion that the Bible teaches that this present heavens and earth
shall pass away at Christ's Return, and not 1,000 years later, I also present the following:

In John 18:36, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world..."

Search as you may, neither Jesus, nor the entire Bible, speak of more than 2 different
worlds:-- nothing is said about 3 different worlds: this world, the millennial world, and the world
to come. Please read the following:

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,
neither in THIS WORLD, neither in THE WORLD TO COME.

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in THIS WORLD, but also in THAT WHICH IS TO
COME."
 Mark 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now IN THIS TIME, houses, and
brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and IN THE
WORLD TO COME eternal life.

Luke 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more IN THIS PRESENT TIME, and IN
THE WORLD TO COME life everlasting.

1 Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all
things, having promise of THE LIFE THAT NOW IS, and of THAT WHICH IS TO COME."

Unless one has a prophetic "ax to grind," it should be clear that both Jesus and the Bible
speak of only 2 Worlds in which the Christian shall live, and only 2 Lives for them: This world,
and the Eternal, New World to Come, and This Life, and that Eternal Life to come.

Colossians 3:2 tells the Christian: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on
the earth." Is it any wonder, then, that the saints of God do not think affectionately about coming
back to spend another 1,000 years on this present earth after their resurrection and glorification!
Many whose minds are confused by the Millennialist teaching have hearts that are "set on things
above" and in their prayers, godly living, and fondest hopes their goal is "The Holy City," not the
earthly Jerusalem and not on a dwelling-place somewhere on this earth for 1,000 more years
after their resurrection and rapture. I SAY, THEIR HEARTS SQUARE WITH THE BIBLE IN
BEING SET UPON THE CITY FOURSQUARE -- FOR THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE
GOING DIRECTLY AFTER THE RETURN OF CHRIST, FOLLOWING THE JUDGMENT!

James 2:5 says: "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this
world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"
Christ has not promised His children a kingdom that is located in "this world" -- for even 1,000
years -- but rather "the kingdom which he hath promised them" is an heavenly kingdom that
shall be everlasting! Anyone reading James 2:5 should be able to see clearly that the apostle
makes a clear distinction between the present location of God's people in "this world" and their
promised relocation "in the Kingdom" of Christ -- the former being a mundane residence in "this
world" but the latter being located in the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Revelation 11:15 tells us that following the sounding of the Seventh Angel Christ "shall
reign for ever and ever," not for 1,000 years.

But what about Matthew 5:5?: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."?
Peter answers that for the Christian: "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same
word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men... Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness" (3:7, 13). THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT -- "THE NEW
EARTH" WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS -- AND NOTHING BUT
RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOREVER! This must be so, for in another place Peter says that God's
people are destined "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.."
(1 Pet. 1:4 ).
 I conclude with this:

When the Grace of God teaches the saint to deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts," and to
"live soberly, righteously, and godly, IN THIS PRESENT WORLD," while "looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus
2:12-13), I believe that part of the realization of that "blessed hope" shall be their soon and sweet
ushering into the New Heavens and New Earth -- not delayed by 1,000 long years in this present
world -- even in a temporarily "patched up" condition.

Before His Crucifixion, Jesus announced to His Father, "I have glorified thee ON THE
EARTH: I HAVE FINISHED THE WORK WHICH THOU GAVEST ME TO DO." (John
17:4).

Nothing remained for Him to do on earth but to die on the Cross, and then tarry shortly
for 40 days teaching his disciples, after which came his Ascension and disappearance into Glory.
I maintain that the only work on this earth that remains for Christ to do is the work of fiery
Judgment which shall be totally accomplished at his Second Coming, and that work will be
quick and will not drag on for 1,000 years, "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in
righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28).

Acts 17:24 tell us: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord
of heaven and earth, DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS." How then, do
folks expect the glorified Christ to inhabit for 1,000 years an earthly temple?

In Acts 7:49, the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house
will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?" -- How then do folks expect
Him to reign for even 1 second, let alone for 1,000 years, sitting on this earth, His Footstool.

The Hope and Home of the Saints is the New Heavens and the New Earth, and the
Throne of Christ is in the Heavenly City! Therefore, shortly after His Return, that is where they
shall be! -- FOREVER!

* * * * * * *

14 -- MARGARET MCDONALD AND THE INTERESTING PRE-TRIB ORIGIN

A -- INTRODUCTION

I shall present the following information as a matter of fact. PLEASE NOTE:-- I SHALL
NOT ENTER INTO DEBATE UPON THE SUBJECT. Before ever I came across the book,
revealing to me the modern origin of the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory, after extensive research and
study I had already discarded this theory as both unBiblical and unsupported by a sound exegesis
of Second Coming prophecy. I reached this conclusion: (a) After having been schooled in the
Pre-Trib teaching and preaching it for a number of years; and (b) After trying to rid my mind of
all prejudice and embarking upon a study of the subject objectively, regardless of whether my
final conclusions led me to believe differently from the stated position of the Church in which I
was an ordained elder, and regardless of whether or not taking a different position would subject
me to censure and ridicule. In short, I sought TO KNOW FOR MYSELF WHAT I HONESTLY
BELIEVED THAT THE BIBLE TAUGHT REGARDING THIS AND OTHER SECOND
COMING PROPHECY.

Have you ever tried to honestly discern for yourself -- free from all prejudices and
ecclesiastical pressures -- what you believe about this or that? No, there is no virtue in being a
maverick, but sometimes it does take a bit of courage to be objective in one's study on Bible
topics, and the easiest thing for any preacher to do is "follow the accepted line" -- the one
everyone else in your denomination believes, and the one which by accepting will cause you the
least difficulty.

At one time, I was denied my District Preacher's License because I honestly voiced my
opinion on a matter which I then believed, and still do believe, is totally secondary and
peripheral to the main line: heart holiness. Don't bother asking me what that was, for I shall not
answer the inquiry, and indeed I shall not respond to challenges to what is set forth in this article.
I do not publish it to open a debate -- but merely to present to my readers some facts and my
views regarding them.

Let me preface the information which I shall present below with this statement:-- THE
CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF ANY SCRIPTURAL SUBJECT (INCLUDING SECOND
COMING PROPHECY) DOES NOT DEPEND UPON ITS ANTIQUITY, NOR IS IT
NECESSARILY WRONG BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE FOUND WIDELY
TAUGHT IN THE EARLIEST CENTURIES OF CHURCH HISTORY. Also, a teaching is not
necessarily wrong because the first, modern exponent of it was in error regarding some other
Biblical doctrine(s). We all know that true doctrine (in any and every realm) depends upon only
one thing: "WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE?" -- Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30.

NOW -- HOLD ONTO OUR SEAT, CONSERVATIVE HOLINESS BELIEVERS IN

THE PRE-TRIB THEORY -- therefore, the fact that THE MODERN, PRE-TRIB TEACHING
ORIGINATED WITH A TONGUES LASSIE, MARGARET MCDONALD, IN 1830, DOES
NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT IS UNTRUE. However, I am convinced that most
believers in the Pre-Trib Rapture do not know this, and further, I am convinced that most of
today's conservative holiness advocates know little or nothing of HOW THE PRE-TRIB
TEACHING WAS SCATTERED ABROAD BY THE CALVINIST, SCOFIELD BIBLE before
being accepted by many of those in the Holiness Movement. Nevertheless, I assert that these are
facts.

So far as I am aware, the teaching of a Split-Second-Coming was never known to be

taught by anyone in the Christian Church prior to 1830, when it was then first set forth by one
Margaret McDonald, a Scottish, Tongues Lassie. While some writers have suggested that
Victorinus, who lived in the third century, may have hinted at a secret Rapture, I think that this is
probably more of "a stretch" than a fact, and one writer says, "it is certain that no body of
Christians ever taught it before 1830."
 Wesley knew nothing of it, nor Fletcher, nor Adam Clarke, nor any of the early
Methodists. Those who advocate Wesleyan doctrine should be aware that the Pre-Trib teaching
is NOT a Wesleyan doctrine. After Margaret McDonald claimed to have had a vision, revealing
a Split-Rapture-Revelation, this teaching was taken up by other Tongues people, the Irvingites,
and it was later adopted by the Darbyites and Plymouth Brethren, and by C. I. Scofield, who
widely disseminated the Pre-Trib theory in his Calvinistic Bible.

It does not appear to be until some time after the Civil War in America that the Pre-Trib
theory being scattered abroad in this Calvinistic Bible was first taken up by some in the Holiness
Movement. So far as I am aware Mid-1800s Holiness Leaders like John S. Inskip, William
McDonald, Alfred Cookman, M. L. Haney, and Beverly Carradine never did endorse this
teaching, if ever they even heard of it -- and, it was decried by the likes of George Muller and A.
M. Hills!

Two of the early Holiness proponents of the Scofield-Bible-scattered Pre-Trib Teaching

were W. B. Godbey and L. L. Pickett, and it seems to have been Dr. Godbey who may have
converted M. W. Knapp to the Pre-Trib teaching. And, if I recall correctly from my past reading,
because of his strong belief in the Pre-Trib teaching L. L. Pickett ceased selling the books of the
great A. M. Hills because Dr. Hills was against that teaching, or at least did not endorse it.

I was quite unaware of these things when I came to the conclusion that -- for myself -- I
was no longer a believer in, nor teacher of, what I came to consider as the mistaken teaching of a
Split-Rapture-Revelation. One's opinion on the matter should not be decided by what others have
or have not believed about it. However, I think that probably MOST conservative holiness folks
today who have swallowed this teaching without question are unaware of just how unWesleyan
it is in its origin, and how closely connected its roots are with Tongues folks, with C. I Scofield's
Calvinistic Bible, and with those diametrically opposed to heart holiness as a second, definite
work of grace.

It seems passing strange to me, and quite incongruous, that so many Holiness folks, who
shun with utter abhorrence the Tongues and Calvinistic teachings, should at the same time
"Parrot" with little or no investigation a teaching that originated with a Tongues girl, and that
was, and is, widely spread by Calvinists and those who denounce the Wesleyan doctrine of entire
sanctification. Nevertheless, as stated above, these associations neither disprove nor verify the
Pre-Trib theory.

To see a comprehensive presentation of my views on eschatology -- which are by no

means based on a discrediting of Pre-Trib teaching because of the above -- the reader is invited
to read my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," in the HDM Library under my listings as
hdm0124. THAT BOOK IS MY REPLY TO THE QUESTIONS OF THOSE WHO WISH TO
DEBATE WHAT IS PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE.

Do you say, "That is unfair; you present things in this article and will not allow me to
rebut them to you." Well, think of it what you will -- I DO have a desire to present this article,
but I DO NOT desire to debate the matter with you -- AND I SHALL NOT. Personally, I
believe what I believe about eschatology -- for reasons which are to me both sound and
satisfactory. However, at the same time, I also confess that I could be wrong.

Further, after much examination, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT "ANY" -- AND I MEAN
"ANY" -- INTERPRETATION OF SECOND COMING PROPHECY CAN BE NAILED
DOWN WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY! I have looked at it much like a fellow trying to
nail-down a badly-warped board, who -- after nailing down the first 3 corners of that board --
drives in and clinches the nail in the 4th corner -- whereupon one of the other corners pops back
up! -- and, try as he may, using any combination he may select, every time he tries to nail down
with absolute certainty the 4th corner of his "board of Second Coming interpretation" then one of
the other corners pops up!

Do you say, "Not so! I have them all nailed down with absolute certainty!" I doubt that;
you may have them all nailed down to your own satisfaction, but I think that it behooves every
advocate of a particular theory on the Second Coming to be totally honest -- and if they are, I
think that we all must admit -- "I MAY BE WRONG"!

Yes, I may be wrong! Margaret McDonald may have gotten a genuine revelation from
the Lord, and the Pre-Trib teaching may be right, even though first espoused by a Tongues
Lassie in 1830 -- the Truth IS progressively revealed -- and, maybe God chose to bring this
revelation into the world through this Tongues girl at this late date. Maybe, in spite of all doubts
to the contrary, it is the correct view, even though it was early-on advocated by Calvinist
Darbyites, Plymouth Brethren, and C. I. Scofield in his Calvinist Bible. Maybe, even though it
was unknown to Wesley, Fletcher, Clarke, Early Methodists, not advocated by Inskip, Cookman,
McDonald, Haney, and Carradine, and repudiated by George Muller and A. M. Hills -- yes,
maybe it is still the right teaching. I simply do not accept it as such.

Those who are 1000 % per cent positive, that the Lord will come Before, During, or After
the Tribulation, might do well to consider again Jesus' own warning in Matthew 24:44 "...in
such an hour as YE think not the Son of man cometh."

* * *

B -- THE 1830 ORIGIN OF THE PRE-TRIB TEACHING

In about 1974, while I was pastor of the Bible Missionary Church in Portland, Oregon I
entered upon my own extensive study of eschatology and subsequently abandoned the Pre-Trib
teaching. Some time later, I came upon a book by Dave MacPherson titled: "THE
UNBELIEVABLE PRE-TRIB ORIGIN." He was -- and may still be -- a Baptist and no doubt a
Calvinist, of all things, but HE DECIDED TO FIND OUT THE TRUE ORIGIN OF THE
PRE-TRIB TEACHING -- probably having already discarded it as the true teaching on the
subject. His discoveries only added fuel to his reasons for repudiating and disowning the
Pre-Trib theory.

Because his book is copyrighted, I cannot present the digital version to you en toto --
even though I have created one for myself. I will therefore confine myself to some brief
quotations therefrom, and some recitations of facts found in the book, which was published by
Dave MacPherson's "Heart of America Bible Society," Kansas City, Missouri, in 1973.

In the Foreword to MacPherson's book, Dr. Arthur D. Katterjohn (another Calvinist who
disowned the Pre-Trib teaching) states the following:

"This is a well-researched book containing a great number of excellent quotes from a

variety of sources including some of the great evangelical scholars, both past and present. Mr.
MacPherson's research was conducted in this country as well as in Scotland and England.

"This is a fascinating book written in a light, readable style. The author employs many
short sentences, some well-turned phrases, and even a dash of humor here and there. I read it
almost as a mystery book with a cast of characters, plots, and subplots.

"This is an important book in that Mr. MacPherson has found evidence that no one else
has found concerning the origin of the Pre-Trib Rapture theory. He has clarified a point that has
eluded many evangelical prophecy writers and teachers. He has found a source book which
documents the exact beginnings of the Pre-Trib school of interpretation.

"This is a book that needs to be published. It will be the basis of many articles and books
in the years to come. Mr. MacPherson's book will not only be quoted by writers of differing
prophetic positions but must inevitably be answered, and admitted or denied, by every leading
Pre-Trib author, radio evangelist, and Bible teacher. -- Wheaton College, Prof. Arthur D.
Katterjohn"

In his Preface to "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin," dated January 31, 1973, author
Dave MacPherson states that for 18 years following his graduation from college in 1955 he was
a news reporter, but he said, "nothing -- absolutely nothing -- has ever intrigued me as much as
my search into the origin of Pre-Trib (or two-stage) Rapture teaching."

He goes on to state that his search began in 1971 after the discovery of a rare book by
Robert Norton that he found in an Illinois bookstore. His extensive and exhaustive research on
the origin of the Pre-Trib theory took him to England and Scotland, and the sources of that
research included: the British Museum, Edinburgh University Library, Evangelical Library,
Mitchell Library, National Library of Scotland, and New College Library, as well as at other
sources in the US such as the Central Baptist Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Wheaton College.

In his Chapter 1, the Introduction, MacPherson discusses the Pre-Trib vs. Post-Trib
theories, and in Chapter 2, titled "Some Post-Scripts" he discusses how that while many
Post-Trib writers pointed to 1830 as the year in which the Pre-Trib teaching originated, none did
so with certainty, and none had pinpointed the precise source. In Chapter 3, titled "A Few
Rebuttals" MacPherson quotes popular Pre-Trib writer Hal Lindsey as stating on page 181 of his
book, "The Late Great Planet Earth" the following: "Christians after the early second century
spent little time really defining prophetic truth until the middle of the nineteenth century. Then
there seems to have been a great revival of interest in the prophetic themes of the Bible."
 Pre-Trib teachers assert that there was a late, modern-day "revival" of an ancient teaching
on the Split Rapture-Revelation theory, while Post-Trib teachers assert that the occurrence of
1830 can in no sense be properly interpreted as a "revival of an ancient Pre-Trib teaching" and
that, rather, those occurrences constitute the very origin of that teaching in 1830.

In Chapter 4, "Can A Scribe Ascribe," and Chapter 5, "Narrowing The Nineteenth,"

MacPherson discusses the opinions of various writers concerning the origin of the Pre-Trib
teaching -- none of which had all of their facts totally correct. But, he goes on to state:

"The two-stage Rapture view of the Brethren spread to America and other parts of the
world in the latter part of the last century, and Darby visited the U.S. at least five times during
that period. Darbyist dispensationalism was injected into the Scofield Reference Bible (1909),
which has done much in this present century to further the idea of a two-stage, Pre-Trib
Rapture."

"...The Irvingites [a Tongues group] were teaching it, as we have already noted, as early
as September of 1830 in their prophetic journal the Morning Watch. And I think we can
conclude that Darby was attempting to verify it by scripture towards the end of 1830. We also
know that the Brethren in Plymouth, England, took up this teaching not long after Darby's
analysis of 2 Thess. 2:1-2."

It is in Chapter 6 that MacPherson reveals that it was Robert Norton's 1861 book "The
Restoration of Apostles and Prophets; In the Catholic Apostolic Church," that put him on the
search for how, when, and by whom, the Pre-Trib teaching first originated. MacPherson
discovered and bought Norton's book on October 20, 1971 after "rummaging through stacks of
uncatalogued and not-for-sale books on Irvingism in the back of an Illinois bookstore..."
Norton's Book revealed that the Pre-Trib Teaching had originated with Miss Margaret
McDonald of Port Glasgow Scotland.

Quoting MacPherson: "Norton says it was Miss M. M. (Margaret McDonald, as the

context shows) who saw a two-stage coming, and declares that her account was the first time
such a distinction was made! Immediately after this amazing paragraph are her words: 'I felt this
needed to be revealed, and that there was great darkness and error about it; but suddenly what it
was burst upon me with a glorious light.'"

In subsequent paragraphs of his Chapter 6, MacPherson chronicles the discovered

character of Norton as one whose writings could be trusted, and states: "On the thirty-first of
January, 1883, Dr. Robert Norton, the almost unknown and unsung chronicler of the Pre-Trib
Rapture origin, died at 75 years of age."

In chapter 7, titled "Pattern of Events" MacPherson mentions the 1830 Scottish revival of
charismatic gifts, and states that Norton's Book, "The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets; In
the Apostolic Church" had thrown "much valuable light on the years immediately preceding the
1830 charismatic outburst."
 One of those involved in the Scottish revival of those days was Margaret McDonald. She
and her family were members of the Church of Scotland but held private prayer meetings "of
great length and fervor, being concerned with the salvation of their neighbors and the world at
large." Norton states that about this time Margaret "had become increasingly an invalid, and was
thought to be dying; when all at once she received the gift of prophecy."

Then came the revelation to Margaret of the Split-Rapture Revelation. According to

Norton it came to her on a certain morning in early 1830, and she afterward wrote down a
narrative of her vision titled: "Recollections of the first morning of the outpouring of the Spirit."

Margaret McDonald and her sister Mary, along with her brothers, all spoke in tongues --
this is true. However, in fairness to Margaret McDonald, I must admit that according to
MacPherson: "Margaret's Pre-Trib revelation occurred sometime in the early part of 1830 before
she and her brothers ever spoke in unknown tongues, that her views were being circulated in her
hometown of Port Glasgow soon after her revelation and healing, and that the unknown tongues
did not create her views but rather emphasized them..."

Margaret McDonald's entire "Pre-Trib-Originating Vision" is recorded in the Appendix

of MacPherson's book, which in turn is taken from the Norton book. Students of the subject may
still be able to obtain printed copies of Dave MacPherson's "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin,"
however, I am not sure that it is still in print.

In her vision, Margaret McDonald claims to have perceived that the Rapture of the Saints
will be unseen by human eyes -- i. e., be "Secret" -- something that Pre-Trib believers and
preachers still teach. As I see it, this cannot honestly square with Jesus' statement that His
coming would be "as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west"
(Matthew 24:27). When a bolt of lightning streaks across the sky -- it IS SUDDEN, but there is
NO SECRET ABOUT IT! This contradiction of the Pre-Trib theory, however, is only the tip of
a huge iceberg of contradictions as I see it. So, please do not think that I rest my opinions on this
alone. Far from proclaiming a SECRET RAPTURE, in fact, Jesus warned the Church not to
believe in such: "Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth:
behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not" (Matthew 24:26).

Neither can an honest, straightforward interpretation of the Greek words parousia,

apokalupsis, and epiphany prove a split Rapture-Revelation -- but this is Margaret McDonald's
teaching after her reported revelation. A letter from one converted to her theory in 1834 states:
"you cannot be sealed where you are, it is because if you are not sealed you must be left in the
tribulations."

* * *

C -- THE CONCLUSION

Whether one accepts or rejects the teaching itself, most seem to be agreed that the
modern teaching of a Split Rapture-Revelation originated at or near the year 1830. Robert
Norton's book, and subsequently Dave MacPherson's book, "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin,"
pinpoint it to the exact year, 1830, and to the exact person, Scottish lassie Margaret McDonald.

Were the results of her vision the revival of a long-lost truth? Perhaps, but I am more
inclined to believe that the vision originated a teaching that was never once heard of nor believed
in by the apostles, the early Church fathers, nor by John Wesley and the earliest Methodists --
indeed by none until after Margaret McDonald's vision. MAKE OF IT WHAT YOU WILL.

In his biography of M. W. Knapp, A. M. Hills wrote:

"About the close of the five years of his life covered by this chapter, our brother became
a Premillennialist, and made the following announcement in his paper, under date of February,
1897...

"What books he read and studied which led to this change of views I can not learn. I
presume it was the influence of Brother Godbey. About this time there grew up a strong and
intimate friendship between these two earnest souls, that continually deepened while life lasted.
Business relations brought them much together, and probably it led to this change of opinion on
this much-discussed doctrine. It occurs to me also that his association with Brother Pickett in
revival work and in the making of "Tears and Triumphs" might have been a potent influence
upon his mind.

"Upon this subject the holiness people are much divided, and equally good and scholarly
people are on both sides. But the grace of sanctification enables them to work together on the
main issue of the sanctifying work of our Savior, and to respect each other's opinions and the
right honestly to entertain them. Certainly neither side will win their argument and convert those
of an opposite mind by the use of bitter epithets and clubs and pitchforks. The time for that is
past, especially among those professing holiness. These new views of Brother Knapp seemed to
be a great comfort to him."

In light of Aaron Merritt Hills' magnanimity on this matter, if true, it is sad that Leander
Lycurgus Pickett felt that he could no longer publish A. M. Hills' writings because Hills
disagreed with the Pre-Trib theory. Eschatological beliefs -- as I see it -- should always take a
back seat to the main theme: -- "Holiness Unto The Lord." You certainly need not agree with my
views on the Second Coming.

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind," (Rom. 14:5) -- but none should be
"cock-sure" on this subject. Will Rogers once hit the nail pretty well on the head when he
observed: "It isn't what folks don't know that's the problem -- IT'S WHAT THEY KNOW FOR
SURE THAT JUST ISN'T SO!" Selah.

* * * * * * *

15 -- THE VOICES OF THE PROPHETS -- LITERALLY UNKNOWN

 Acts 13:27 "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because THEY KNEW
HIM NOT, NOR YET THE VOICES OF THE PROPHETS which are read every Sabbath day,
they have fulfilled them in condemning him."

* * *

INTRODUCTION

Hyper-literalism -- an interpretation of Bible prophecy that insists upon this-earthly

fulfillments of things pertaining to the Messianic Kingdom -- WAS the error of the Rabbinists at
the time of Jesus' First Coming, and unfortunately it remains the error of many yet today
regarding Messianic fulfillments connected with His Second Coming.

Three things stand out in the text above:

FIRST, THE JEWISH RULERS KNEW NOT JESUS -- According to Strong's

Concordance, the Greek word for "knew" here is "agnoeo, ag-no-eh'-o" and means: "not to know
(through lack of information or intelligence); by implication to ignore (through
disinclination):--(be) ignorant (-ly), not know, not understand, unknown." The Jewish Rulers had
neither the inward, spiritual perception necessary to "know" who Jesus was, and "through
disinclination" they really did not care to discover the truth about Him.

SECOND, THE JEWISH RULERS ALSO KNEW NOT THE VOICES OF THE
PROPHETS. -- In their blinded minds Kingdom prophecy was to be fulfilled literally,
materialistically, and visibly, and spiritually they perceived it as being fulfilled only relative to
things in this world. Therefore, when Jesus said in John 8:18, "I am one that bear witness of
myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me," these spiritually blind rules insisted
that Jesus show them His Father: John 8:19, "Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father?
Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known
my Father also." 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us that "the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned." Thus, these natural-minded, spiritually-undiscerning, Jewish Rulers knew
not who Jesus was and knew not that "the voices of the voices of the prophets" were to have a
spiritual and other-worldly fulfillment, rather than natural and materialistic fulfillment on this
earth.

THIRD, THE LITERAL CONDEMNATION OF CHRIST FULFILLED THE

SPIRITUAL VOICES OF THE PROPHETS.

But please allow me to enlarge further upon the subject under Points A, B, and C below:

* * *

A -- THE VOICES OF THE PROPHETS NOT KNOWN AT CHRIST'S FIRST COMING

 Even though Isaiah 53 had pictured a Messiah who would grow up in obscurity, be
unrecognized, and that the God would lay on Him "the iniquity of us all," the Jewish Rulers of
Jesus' time had no stomach nor desire for a Messiah who would die. According to their
expectation, their Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a White Horse, having delivered the
Jews from the hated dominion of Rome. He would be the One who would bring to Israel, "THE
FIRST DOMINION" (Micah 4:8) -- a world-wide prominence greater than that of Solomon!

Therefore, when Jesus proclaimed of Himself that "a greater than Solomon is here"
(Matt. 12:42), he was SPEAKING TO THOSE WHO EXPECTED THEIR MESSIAH TO
LITERALLY, POLITICALLY, AND MATERIALISTICALLY BRING THEM AN EARTHLY
KINGDOM GREATER AND MORE GLORIOUS THAN THAT OF SOLOMON! Furthermore,
they expected their Messiah to "abide forever" on this earth.

Thus, when they perceived the meaning of Jesus' statement about His being "lifted up" as
"signifying what death he should die, the people answered him, We have heard out of the law
that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this
Son of man?" (John 12:32-34). In other words, they said: "OUR LAW SAYS THAT OUR
GLORIOUS, COMING MESSIAH SHALL LIVE FOREVER -- HOW IS IT THAT YOU
CLAIM TO BE THE MESSIAH AND YET AT THE SAME TIME SAY THAT YOU ARE
SOME "SON OF MAN" WHO SHALL DIE!??

Failing to see anything in Jesus that fulfilled their materialistic, mundane, political, and
visible expectations of the one who would be their Messiah, the Jewish Rulers fulfilled the
spiritual meaning of "the voices of the prophets" in literally condemning Jesus to death on the
Cross.

But, I think it likely that even the most spiritual in Israel who did recognize and receive
Jesus as their Messiah, really did not discern "the voices of the prophets" entirely correctly. For
example, when Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist declared that his son would be "the
prophet of the Highest" through whom Israel would be "delivered out of the hands of our
enemies," I suspect that Zacharias probably thought that deliverance would involve a political,
materialistic deliverance from Rome. Even though he saw that Messiah's deliverance would
enable Israel to serve God "without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of
our life," I think it likely that he still considered that it would be, at least in part, a deliverance
from political oppression, such as that which the Jews were then enduring under Rome. When
Zacharias also prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and
redeemed his people, and hath RAISED UP AN HORN OF SALVATION FOR US IN THE
HOUSE OF HIS SERVANT DAVID; as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have
been since the world began: THAT WE SHOULD BE SAVED FROM OUR ENEMIES, AND
FROM THE HAND OF ALL THAT HATE US," I think that he probably had deliverance from
Rome and their ilk, at least partly, in mind. (See Luke 1:67-79)

And, I think that such may have been the case also with the devout Simeon and Anna
who saw the infant Jesus at the temple -- along with all those who were then "waiting for the
consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25). A certain admixture of the expectation of political
deliverance was connected with their spiritual expectations of Him and His Kingdom.
 Also, even after they began following Christ, His disciples did not correctly discern "the
voices of the prophets" concerning the death of Christ. Thus, WHEN JESUS BEGAN "TO
SHOW UNTO HIS DISCIPLES, HOW THAT HE MUST go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many
things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and BE KILLED, and be raised again the third
day. Then PETER TOOK HIM, AND BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM, SAYING, BE IT FAR
FROM THEE, LORD: THIS SHALL NOT BE UNTO THEE. But He turned, and said unto
Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things
that be of God, but those that be of men" (Matt. 16:21-23).

Later, of course, as seen in out text, Peter DID perceive the spiritual "voices of the
prophets" as having prophesied the death of Christ -- but, at the time Peter rebuked Jesus for
speaking of His impending death, Peter was looking for an earthly fulfillment of Messianic
promises that did not include the death of His Messiah -- Whom, no doubt like others, Peter
expected to "abide forever" on this planet. But let's go further...

* * *

B -- EVEN AFTER HIS RESURRECTION JESUS' DISCIPLES FAILED TO KNOW THE

VOICES OF THE PROPHETS

Following Jesus' Crucifixion, the doleful two on the road to Emmaus told the
unrecognized, resurrected Messiah, "We trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed
Israel" (Luke 24:21). Why were they sad? Not only because they thought that Jesus was dead,
but because they felt that he had FAILED TO REDEEM ISRAEL -- FAILED TO BRING THE
MUNDANE AND POLITICAL REDEMPTION TO THE JEWS THAT THEY THOUGHT
THE TRUE CHRIST WOULD BRING.

At different times, Jesus marveled at how dull were the spiritual perceptions of even His
close followers. Once, after relating a parable, "Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this
parable. And Jesus said, ARE YE ALSO YET WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING?" (Matt.
15:15-16).

After the dismal statement of the two on the road to Emmaus -- one that suggested that it
looked like Jesus might have failed to fulfill His mission as Israel's Messiah, Jesus reply was
vehement: "Then he said unto them, O FOOLS, AND SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL
THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and
to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in
all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:25-27).

None of the visible miracles of Christ:-- the humanly impossible healings, the marvelous
raisings from the dead, the astounding feedings of thousands with a few loaves and fishes, His
stilling of raging waves on the sea of Galilee, His walking on those boisterous waves -- none of
these visible miracles had given Jesus' disciples that spiritual perception of "the voices of the
prophets" necessary for them to correctly interpret Kingdom prophecy. But let's go farther yet...
* * *

C -- BEFORE PENTECOST, JESUS' DISCIPLES STILL KNEW NOT CLEARLY THE

VOICES OF THE PROPHETS

After Jesus' astonishing Resurrection and "Until the day in which he was taken up... He
showed himself alive" to His disciples, "being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the
things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:1-2) It seems amazing that even 40 days of
visible appearances and numerous expoundings by Christ to his disciples during that time "of
things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, did not suffice to totally clear-up their misconceptions
about His Kingdom -- its spiritual nature versus a materialistic concept, its spiritual deliverance
versus a political deliverance, its New Heaven and New Earth location versus a location on this
planet, and its Eternity versus a Temporality during Time on this earth.

But, it takes something more to reveal Kingdom Truth than even the vision of a
Resurrected Christ and something more than audible words heard by the physical ear, for: "Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.." (1 Cor.
2:9-10).

Of course, even while discoursing to His disciples for 40 days, being seen by their eyes
and heard by their ears, Jesus knew that before those disciples could grasp Kingdom truth as they
should, they would have to receive the mighty Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, "being assembled together with them," He "commanded them that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard
of me" (Acts 1:4).

On the mount of Transfiguration, after seeing the transfigured Christ in shining raiment,
"exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them," along with Moses and
Elijah, Peter had said, "Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one
for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias" (Mark 9:3-5). He was quite ready to see an
earthly fulfillment of Christ's Kingdom come right then!

And just before Jesus' Ascension, after forty days of speaking to His disciples "of things
pertaining to the Kingdom of God, those disciples, still hoping for an early and earthly
fulfillment of Kingdom promises, "asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore
again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). They had seen and heard amazing things with their
physical eyes and ears, but they were still dull in their spiritual perception of "the voices of the
prophets" pertaining to the Kingdom, still hoping for that Kingdom to come ON THIS EARTH
-- AND SOON!

Jesus brushed aside their question, saying: "It is not for you to know the times or the
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:-7-8). But let me
conclude with the following point:

* * *

D -- PETER GOT IT STRAIGHT AFTER HE WAS SANCTIFIED WHOLLY

Dispensationalists today still insist that "the voices of the prophets" tell us that there shall
come a Messianic Kingdom ON THIS EARTH. They insist that in Jesus' reply:-- "It is not for
you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power" -- we have
proof that in the future Christ's Kingdom shall be on this earth. This, I assert, is reading more
into Jesus' reply than should be read into it.

After he was Baptized by the Holy Ghost, Peter got it all straight. Thus it was, that he
wrote in His First Epistle that Christians should "pass the time of your sojourning HERE in fear"
(1 Peter 1:17). No longer did he look forward to an inheritance in a Kingdom of Christ HERE --
ON THIS EARTH!

NO! Instead, he gleefully proclaimed to the saints, "Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, TO AN INHERITANCE incorruptible,
and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN for you, who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Peter finally saw that "the heavens and the earth, which are now.. are kept in store,
reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:7).
Further, the Spirit-baptized and illuminated Peter saw that at Christ's Return, "the heavens and
the earth, which are now... shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:7, 10).

Since Peter now knew the spiritual, other-worldly "voices of the prophets" clearly, it
posed no problem to Him that at Christ's Second Coming THIS EARTH shall be burned up.
Peter told the saints that even though THIS EARTH AND HEAVEN SHALL BE BURNED UP,
"Nevertheless WE, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE, LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS AND A
NEW EARTH, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Pet. 3:13).

After his Pentecostal Purging, Peter got it straight! He no longer looked for Christ's
Kingdom to come in 3 Tabernacles on the Mount of Transfiguration, nor even in THIS WORLD
ANYWHERE, INCLUDING THE EARTHLY JERUSALEM. He saw the Christian's sojourn
HERE -- ON THIS EARTH -- as transitory, fleeting, and forever past at the time of death, or at
the time of Christ's Return -- whichever came first. He saw that when "the voices of the
prophets" are correctly interpreted, "according to God's promise" the saints shall enter the
Messianic Kingdom in "the new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." Peter
saw that Messiah shall indeed "abide forever" in His Kingdom -- however, not on this earth for
1,000 years -- but in "an inheritance... that FADETH NOT AWAY, reserved IN HEAVEN for"
Him and for His children (1 Pet 1:4 ) forever!
 NOW -- PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING AS I CLOSE:-- In 1 Peter 1:4, Peter said
that the saints would receive "an inheritance... THAT FADETH NOT AWAY. In 1 Pet 5:4 he
tells us WHEN the saints shall receive that fadeless inheritance:

"And WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD SHALL APPEAR, ye shall receive A CROWN
OF GLORY THAT FADETH NOT AWAY."

Do you not see it, my friend? The saints shall inherit their fadeless, eternal crown and
kingdom WHEN CHRIST APPEARS! -- NOT 1,000 YEARS LATER.

When Jesus splits the Eastern Sky, THEN -- "WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR" -- all shall
be brought to a conclusion: the saints resurrected and raptured, Christ's foes destroyed, this
universe dissolved, the dead raised, and all judged. THEN -- NOT 1,000 YEARS OF EARTHLY
TIME LATER -- "THEN shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" -- AND
"THEN shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:34, 41).

When the Last Trump sounds, IT SHALL SUDDENLY BE ALL OVER FOR THIS
WORLD AND LIFE IN THIS WORLD. THIS INTERPRETATION may not sit well with those
who still insist that after the saints are raptured, shall yet come 7 + 1,000 years of time on this
earth, during which people can be saved. Nevertheless, THIS INTERPRETATION, I assert, is
"The voices of the prophets," -- including the voice of John the Revelator -- correctly interpreted.

* * * * * * *

16 -- CHILIASM -- IS IT THE RIGHT MESSIANIC INTERPRETATION?

Basically, "Chiliasm" is synonymous with "Pre-Millennialism," the Chiliast doctrine

stating that Jesus will reign on earth for 1,000 years, and the word being from the New Latin
chiliasmus, and from the Late Latin chilias, and chiliad, meaning 1,000 years.

One cannot deny the thousand years, or millennium, of Revelation 20:5 for it is there in
God's Word, and therefore, in one sense a Bible believer cannot be a true "A-Millennialist" in the
sense of believing in "no thousand years." However, I believe that one CAN believe the Bible
without believing in a millennium in time on this earth that will follow Christ's Return. The
question is: what is the correct interpretation of the thousand years. I assert that those thousand
years shall end before Christ's Return, and that they are even now being fulfilled. Chiliasts insist
that they shall be fulfilled AFTER Christ's Return. Is that the right interpretation? I think not.

Nevertheless, Chiliasm is an ancient doctrine, and therefore many believe that this in
itself should argue for its authenticity as THE only acceptable and scriptural teaching for Christ's
Church -- he who does not believe that there shall yet come a Golden Messianic Age of 1,000
Years on this earth being perhaps sometimes branded as an heretic, or at least something close to
it. The fact is, however, not all of God's people have always, or do now, believe in such a
Millennial concept. Many, students of Second Coming Prophecy, even today, not only reject the
Pre-Millennial teaching, but consider it to be unScriptural -- and it is unfair to brand such as
heretical.

It is my belief that Chiliasm creates a chaotic hodge-podge of teachings and that not only
confound good and sound logic, but which also contradict Scripture, after Scripture, after
Scripture! I do not brand those who accept and teach Chiliasm, or Pre-Millennialism, as heretics,
nor necessarily as unthinking interpreters, but I do believe that the acceptance of Chiliasm
creates questions and quandaries than can be answered and solved, neither by human logic nor
by Scriptural proofs.

As one of our HDM Users, Lance Fredrickson put it, to quote him roughly: "Many folks
today have more answers than they have questions" regarding Second Coming Prophecy -- "pat
answers" that do not really answer the question, if you please, but suffice in their minds to quell
the questions, even when they have no real Bible answers to those questions and no logical
solutions to the quandaries and unanswerable puzzles that result from adopting the
Pre-Millennial teachings.

To continue, I again assert that accepting Chiliasm as the correct interpretation of

Messianic Prophecy creates and opens a Pandora's Box of quandaries and Scripturally
unanswerable questions that ought to give pause to any serious, thinking, student of prophecy
who wants to "get it right" in his interpretation of Second Coming events.

In the following, I shall present only a few of the quandaries and questions that I think
are Scripturally unsolvable and unanswerable when one adopts Chiliasm, or the Pre-Millennialist
line of Second Coming interpretation:

(1) If the wicked dead are resurrected 1,000 years AFTER Christ's Return, as
Pre-Millennialists insist, how is that Christ told the wicked Caiaphas in Matthew 26:64 --
"Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the
clouds of heaven"? If Caiaphas was resurrected AFTER Christ's Return, it would be impossible
for him to see Jesus "coming in the clouds of heaven," that event having taken place 1,000 years
before Caiaphas' resurrection! Rationalizing around this verse by declaring that he may have
been a righteous man, may have been saved later before he died, or that Christ might have been
referring to "some other coming in the clouds" does not answer the question, as I see it! The only
rational and Scriptural answer that I can see is: Caiaphas will be resurrected along with all of the
other wicked AT CHRIST'S SECOND COMING, and that resurrection of the wicked will follow
so closely upon the heels of the resurrection and rapture of the righteous that wicked, old
Caiphas will literally SEE CHRIST'S SECOND COMING IN THE CLOUDS!

(2) When Jesus clearly stated in John 18:36, "My kingdom is NOT of this world," how is
it that Chiliasts insist that Christ's Messianic Kingdom MUST be in this world for 1,000 years? It
does not suffice, in my mind, to reply by quoting the last part of that verse, and stating that here
merely said, "NOW is my kingdom not from hence." I answer: Christ's statement that "NOW"
his Kingdom is not in this world only proves that the earth shall be part of His Kingdom "later"
-- and that "later" I interpret to be AFTER He has removed it as it now exists, purged it from all
sinners, and renovated it into that "better and enduring substance" of "The New Earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13). I say that there is another way of interpreting that
"NOW" of John 18:36 that is much more Scriptural than the interpretation forced upon it by
Chiliasts!

(3) How is it that Pre-Millennialists teach that the unrighteous shall dwell in a supposed
Messianic Kingdom on this earth -- suppressed into doing right!? SINCE WHEN DID JESUS
EVER ADVOCATE SUPPRESSION OF, OR FOR, HIS SERVANTS???? Christ never has, and
never will, force anyone to serve in His Kingdom. One MUST choose to enter His Kingdom, or
they never shall! Furthermore, the Bible clearly says in 1 Cor. 6:9-10 -- "Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves,
nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." I
believe that means "SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, ANYTIME,
ANYWHERE -- PERIOD -- END OF STATEMENT!

Christ is not going to take anyone, apart from the choice preceding His Return into His
Kingdom, and He is not going to rule on this earth over a mixed multitude of glorified and
sanctified saints and people who are unrighteous in their hearts -- people who are suppressed into
doing right, and then let go to create another war, another hell on earth at the end of a supposed
millennium after His return! For those who enter his Kingdom, Eradication, is what He
advocates now, and always shall. One must allow Him now to eradicate sin from the heart and
life, or you don't get into, or stay in, His Kingdom.

Do you mean to tell me that after making this the standard for long millenniums, He is
going to change that when He comes again? NEVER! Christ is not going to take unrighteous
(either outwardly OR inwardly) into His Messianic Kingdom! Away with such a notion! Here is
what the BIBLE says He will do AT HIS SECOND COMING: "The Son of man shall send forth
his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth"
(Matt. 13:41-42).

(4) When Jesus said in John 3:3, 6 -- "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit," and when St. Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15:50 -- "Now this I say,
brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption," -- HOW IS IT THAT PRE-MILLENNIALISTS INSIST THAT THERE SHALL
BE FLESH AND BLOOD PEOPLE IN CHRIST'S KINGDOM DURING 1,000 YEARS
AFTER HIS RETURN!!!!????? Folks, I believe the Christ's Messianic Kingdom is none other
than THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and when Jesus said one MUST be born again to see it, He
meant what he said! -- and when God's Book says flesh and blood CANNOT inherit God's
Kingdom, it means what it says, period -- end of statement.

(5) How is it that Chiliasts teach that it shall be during a coming Golden Messianic
Millennium that men shall "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, NEITHER SHALL THEY LEARN
WAR ANY MORE" (Isa. 2:4; Micah 4:3), AND AT THE SAME TIME TEACH THAT THE
COMING MESSIANIC MILLENNIUM SHALL END WITH THE GREAT BATTLE OF GOG
AND MAGOG!!!!

Can they not see the palpable contradiction here!? If the Messianic Kingdom ushers in
the time when men shall not "learn war any more," then the Messianic Kingdom must not end
with the battle of Gog and Magog! I assert that THIS IS EXACTLY THE CASE! There shall
indeed be no more war in Christ's Messianic Kingdom -- forever! -- and that Messianic Kingdom
shall Begin, after the battle of Gog and Magog -- which I interpret to be identical with
Armageddon. [See my book, hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom."] When the 1,000
years of John 20:5 are interpreted as ending, not beginning at the Return of Christ, all falls into
place, and there SHALL BE NO WAR FOREVER IN CHRIST'S MESSIANIC KINGDOM.
Once Jesus' Messianic Kingdom begins, then "Of the increase of his government and peace there
shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it
with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will
perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).

(6) How is it that Pre-Millennialists insist that Christ shall reign on earth, in the earthly
Jerusalem, when Paul told us in Gal. 4:30 that Hagar (the bondwoman typifying the Jerusalem
that now is) has been CAST OUT!? Paul makes it exceedingly clear in Galatians 4 that the City
of Christ's Kingdom is the Jerusalem typified by Sarah (the freewoman) -- the Jerusalem that is
above -- New Jerusalem! He also makes it clear that Hagar son, Ishmael, typified flesh and blood
Israel, and that they too were CAST OUT -- leaving only Spiritual Israel in Christ's Kingdom
and the New Jerusalem as Christ's capital city -- The Holy City! Much is made of these verses in
Galatians 4 to the effect that the casting out of Ishmael typifies the casting out of the carnal
nature. I do not deny that this application can also be made, but I do say that Paul's primary
meaning in Galatians 4 regarding his comparison of Hagar-Ishmael with Sarah-Isaac is that
Earthly Jerusalem and Flesh and Blood Israel have been cast out, eternally replaced by the
Heavenly Jerusalem and Spiritual Israel. Yes, a final remnant of flesh and blood Israel shall be
saved, but they shall then become an integral part of Spiritual Israel, and they shall live and reign
with Christ, not in the earthly Jerusalem, but in the Holy City, New Jerusalem!

(7) How is it that Chiliasts insist that Christ must sit upon His Footstool to reign? -- when
no earthly monarch would suffer that indignity? What do I mean? Simply this: In Isaiah 66:1 we
read: THUS SAITH THE LORD: The HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and the EARTH IS MY
FOOTSTOOL: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
This truth is echoed again in Acts 7:49 -- "HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, and EARTH IS MY
FOOTSTOOL: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? If
earthly kings would not sit on their footstool to reign, how is it that some expect Him to do so
Who is that "Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim. 6:15)?
No, friends, He is going to sit only on His Throne in Heaven in the Holy City, New Jerusalem to
reign -- not on this earth -- and especially not on this earth before it is once and for all, forever,
purged of all sin and sinful beings!

I could go on and on -- but here -- for this little article -- I forebear. I maintain that the
enigmas of Chiliasm can only be solved by abandoning it altogether, and by adopting an
interpretation of Revelation 20 such as I put forth in my book, hdm0124, "His Appearing and His
Kingdom." I invite the readers of this publication to resort to it for the most detailed setting forth
of my own views on the eschatology.

* * * * * * *

17 -- THE SECOND COMING SIGNIFICANCE OF HEBREWS 9:26-28

Heb. 9:26 -- "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but
now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Heb. 9:27 -- "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Heb. 9:28 -- "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that
look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

* * *

INTRODUCTION

There is more than "a world" of significance in the above passage from Hebrews -- there
is "an eternity" of significance therein. In this article, I shall endeavor to bring forth some of it,
especially the significance of Hebrews 9:26-28 relative to the Second Coming of Christ. I
believe we can see therein some things that point quite clearly to what men should expect when
He comes again, versus what is often taught.

* * *

A -- CHRIST'S FIRST APPEARANCE WAS "IN THE END OF THE WORLD"

The KJV of Hebrews 9:26 states that Christ's First Coming to sacrificially put away sin
occurred "in the end of the world." The NIV translates this, "at the end of the ages."

Dispensationalists would have us believe that the time during which Christ died for sin
was NOT the final age, but I assert that however you translate this verse it literally means that
CHRIST'S SACRIFICE FOR SIN WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FINAL AGE -- THE
FINAL TIME THAT SHALL BE KNOWN TO THIS WORLD!

Repeatedly in the New Testament, "this present world" is contra-distinguished from "the
world to come" and "this present age" is set over against "the age to come":

Matthew 12:32 --KJV "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall
be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,
neither in THIS WORLD, neither in THE WORLD TO COME." -- KJV
 Matthew 12:32 NIV -- "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be
forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either IN THIS
AGE or in THE AGE TO COME."

There IS AN AGE TO COME, but it shall be in THE WORLD TO COME. Over and
over again, this is the clear message of the New Testament.

The same John who wrote Revelation also wrote in 1 John 2:18 -- "Little children, IT IS
THE LAST TIME: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many
antichrists; whereby we know that IT IS THE LAST TIME." The Greek for "time" here is
"hora," which according to Strong's means: "hour (literally or figuratively) or day, instant,
season, or time."

Quite obviously, John the Revelator taught that he was living in "the last time" -- with no
time on this earth to follow the last time which had already come. Therefore, to interpret Rev. 20,
which he later wrote, in contradiction to what he wrote in 1 John 2:18 is a mistake. John did not
anticipate another "time" lasting 1,000 years to succeed "the LAST TIME," which he said had
already arrived!

I need not be redundant with passage after passage from the New Testament showing that
repeatedly New Testament writers set forth "NOW" -- THIS TIME, THIS AGE -- AS THE
LAST TIME, THE LAST AGE that this world shall know, and that it shall be succeeded, not
with another time on this planet, but by Eternity in "the world to come."

St. Paul wrote that we are they "upon whom the ENDS [TELOS = TERMINATION] of
the world are come" (1 Cor. 10:11).

Along with all other inspired writers in the New Testament, Paul sets forth "NOW" --
THIS TIME -- as the time of salvation, with no other time to follow: "For he saith, I have heard
thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the
accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). NOW, in "the last time," is the
only "day of salvation" remaining for mankind in this world, and I believe that to say people will
be saved during a total period of 1,007 years AFTER the last time is a sad error!

Make your interpretation of Revelation 20 bow to the overwhelming testimony of the rest
of the entire Bible, which declares this time to be the last time, with none to follow, and you will
get it straight! No 1,000 year period of time shall succeed this time, for "it is the LAST TIME,"
and you have John the Revelator's own words stating this! -- words that GOD INSPIRED HIM
TO WRITE, just as much as he was inspired to write the book of Revelation.

Yes, Hebrews 9:26 has it right: "in the END [SUNTELEIA = FULL END, ENTIRE
COMPLETION] of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." No
other age or time in this world shall succeed this SUNTELEIA-END-TIME in which we now
live! It shall be succeeded only by Eternity in the "the world to come."

* * *
B -- A REVEALING COMPARISON IN HEBREWS 9:27-28

Heb. 9:27 -- "AS (a) it is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but (b) AFTER THIS THE
JUDGMENT:"

Heb. 9:28 -- "SO (a) CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED to bear the sins of many; and (b)
unto them that look for him SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME without sin unto
salvation."

Do you get the picture of "AS" compared with "SO"? Portion (a) in Hebrews 9:27
compares with portion (a) in Hebrews 9:28, and likewise, portion (b) in Hebrews 9:27 compares
with portion (b) in Hebrews 9:28:

(a) "As" men are "appointed once to die" even so Christ was "once offered" -- man's
appointment to DIE ONCE compares with Christ's appointment to DIE ONCE for man's sin.

(b) "So" AFTER MAN'S DEATH COMES THE JUDGMENT and AFTER CHRIST'S
DEATH COMES HIS SECOND APPEARANCE -- for what? -- THE JUDGMENT!

This, I say, is the logic connected with this comparison of "AS and "SO" in these verses.
Just as "The Judgment" succeeds man's death, even so shall "The Judgment" succeed the death of
Christ when He shall "appear the second time."

But that this is the message of this comparison can be seen by yet another truth found in
Hebrews 9:28, which brings me to my next point:

* * *

C -- CHRIST SHALL RETURN "WITHOUT A SIN OFFERING"

The KJV of Hebrews 9:28 reads: "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time WITHOUT SIN unto salvation."

Before I expostulate further as to the meaning of the words "without sin" in this verse, let
me present the verse from two other translations, capitalizing their equivalent in those
translations:

NIV -- Heb. 9:28 "So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;
and he will appear a second time, NOT TO BEAR SIN, but to bring salvation to those who are
waiting for him."

RSV -- Heb. 9:28 "So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will
appear a second time, NOT TO DEAL WITH SIN but to save those who are eagerly waiting for
him."
 Now, please consider Adam Clarke's comment on Hebrews 9:28 -- So Christ was once
offered] "He shall die no more; he has borne away the sins of many, and what he has done once
shall stand good for ever. Yet he will appear a second time without sin, [the Greek words for
"without sin" were here shown by Clarke, and defined as meaning:] "WITHOUT A
SIN-OFFERING; THAT he has already made."

Next, let us consider John Wesley's Notes on Hebrews 9:28, which are as follows:

" 'Christ having once died to bear the sins' -- The punishment due to them.

" 'Of many' -- Even as many as are born into the world.

" 'Will appear the second time' --When he comes to judgment.

" 'Without sin' -- Not as he did before, bearing on himself the sins of many, but to bestow
everlasting salvation."

In the preceding, I have presented several translations of Hebrews 9:28 along with the
comments of Clarke and Wesley. What, then, should we take to be the meaning of "without sin"
in this verse?

The Greek words are "choris" -- meaning "at a space from, separate from, apart from" --
and "hamartia" = "sin".

I think that nearly all fundamentalists would agree here that "without sin" here means that
at Christ's Second Appearance He will not come as our "Sin Offering," and I like both the NIV
and the RSV translations of "choris hamartia": "NOT TO BEAR SIN" and "NOT TO DEAL
WITH SIN."

At the time of Christ's First Appearance, God "... made him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor. 5:21). It was then that he
"bare our sins in his own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24). It was THEN THAT HE DEALT
WITH SIN so as to "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Heb. 9:26).

But Christ's Second Appearance shall not be to "put away sin" by His sacrificial death,
but to "put away sin" by His ETERNAL JUDGMENT.

Christ's Second Appearance shall not be "to be made sin for us," but rather to bring
eternal salvation unto "all them that look for Him," and to bring eternal Judgment and damnation
unto all who are not then washed in His blood.

THIS, I believe, is the message of Hebrews 9:26-28:--

(a) Heb. 9:26 -- "ONCE" AND FOREVER IN THE LAST TIME OF THIS EARTH,
CHRIST FIRST "APPEARED AND PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF."
 (b) Heb. 9:27 -- "BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT" IS APPOINTED UNTO ALL
MEN AT THE TIME OF HIS SECOND COMING.

(c) Heb. 9:28 -- HE SHALL APPEAR THE SECOND TIME, NOT AS A SACRIFICE
FOR SIN, BUT AS THE JUDGE OF SIN -- and thereby He shall -- BRING SALVATION
UNTO ALL THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM AND DAMNATION UNTO ALL THOSE WHO
ARE NOT WASHED IN HIS BLOOD.

One might argue: "Well, I believe that these verses only teach that Christ shall not appear
again as our Sin Offering, but He will still be our Mediatorial Priest, and for 1,000 years more
people shall be saved during an earthly millennium."

Believe that if you will -- that is NOT the way I understand these verses. I believe when
the New Testament repeatedly tells us that we are living in the "Last Time" -- it is just that -- the
"LAST Time."

Further, I believe that "NOW" -- "THE LAST TIME" -- "IS THE ACCEPTED TIME"
for one to be saved, for it is the ONLY TIME yet remaining in man's probation in this world.

As I see it, schemes of prophetic interpretation that allow for the possibility of men to be
saved during an additional 7 + 1000 years AFTER Christ's Second Coming, are not only in
contradiction to the whole of Bible prophecy, but such interpretations offer what God does not --
a time following "the last time" in which to be saved and sanctified!

Therefore, while eschatological teachings are indeed peripheral to the doctrine of heart
holiness, I DO BELIEVE THAT ERRONEOUS PROPHETIC TEACHINGS CAN OFFER
FALSE HOPES THAT ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE WORD OF GOD -- and THAT, is a
serious matter, demanding that every student and preacher of Bible prophecy, therewith do his
utmost to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Selah.

* * * * * * *

18 -- A PRIEST FOREVER -- BUT NEVER, ON EARTH

Psalms 110:4 "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art A PRIEST FOR
EVER after the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 8:4 For IF HE WERE ON EARTH, HE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIEST, seeing

that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law."

In addition to Psalms 110:4 above, the fact that Christ is "a Priest forever after the order
of Melchizedek" is echoed 4 more times in the book of Hebrews: Hebrews 5:6, 6:20, 7:17, and
7:21.

However, in Hebrews 8:4 we see that Christ's Eternal Priesthood shall never be
performed upon this earth. He is "a Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the True Tabernacle, which
the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8:2), and thus the functions of His Priesthood are confined
to the location of the True Tabernacle in Heaven, though the benefits of that Priesthood now
extend to souls on earth.

It should be clear to all that Christ Jesus will NEVER function as God's High Priest in
any earthly Temple, rebuilt by men. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us" (Heb. 9:24).

I confess that it escapes me how any intelligent, sanctified Christian could read the
following passage and STILL BELIEVE THAT THERE SHALL BE A RE-INSTITUTION OF
TEMPLE WORSHIP, ANIMAL SACRIFICES, AND JEWISH RITUALISM DURING A
SUPPOSED COMING MILLENNIUM:

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the
comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the
worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices
there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of
bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith,
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings
and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the
book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and
burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are
offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. HE TAKETH AWAY THE
FIRST, THAT HE MAY ESTABLISH THE SECOND" (Heb. 10:1-9).

Friends, God has forever TAKEN AWAY the earthly temple as the place of Divine
Priesthood; He has forever TAKEN AWAY the figurative, Jewish worship under the law, with
all of its animal sacrifices and "shadows of the good things," the realities of which are now
available in Christ!

Hebrews 7:19 tells us that "the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better
hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

Now, please follow this scriptural logic: Heb. 10:1-2 asks that IF THE SACRIFICES OF
THE LAW HAD MADE "THE COMERS THEREUNTO PERFECT.. THEN WOULD THEN
NOT HAVE CEASED TO BE OFFERED?"

Now, dear friends, CHRIST'S SACRIFICE DOES MAKE THE COMERS

THEREUNTO PERFECT -- THEREFORE, AS SANCTIONED BY GOD, JEWISH
SACRIFICES HAVE FOREVER "CEASED TO BE OFFERED"!!!! PERIOD... END OF
DEBATE!
 Hebrews 7:11 says: "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it
the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the
order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"

Now, SINCE PERFECTION THROUGH CHRIST HAS COME THERE IS "NO

FURTHER NEED" FOR THE JEWISH PRIESTHOOD AND JEWISH SACRIFICES -- and
God never uses that for which there is no need!

Therefore, prophetic scriptures such as the following must be taken to have their
fulfillment spiritually in Christ, and in the Holy City, and not in a rebuilt earthly temple in the
earthly Jerusalem:

Zech. 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which
came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of
hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the
families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall
be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be
the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of
tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come
not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses,
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls
before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of
hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day
there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 14:16-21).

"For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the
heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire
of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts" (Hag.
2:6-7).

How can any thinking, Bible-believing, sanctified saint of God accept the concept of a
restored Jewish, Ritualistic Worship in the earthly Jerusalem when it is exceedingly clear that
ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE THEIR SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT IN CHRIST, and in the
"True Tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man"?? The very idea is so diametrically
opposed to New Testament Truth that it seem ludicrous, yet sad, that Christian prophetic
interpreters feel compelled to place literal interpretations on such scriptures as the above.

Acts 13:27 tells us that because the Jews of Jesus' day failed to discern the spiritual,
versus literal "voices of the prophets," they "knew not" Christ, and fulfilled the spiritual "voices
of the prophets.. in condemning him." HOW SAD THAT EVEN MANY HOLINESS FOLKS
TODAY ARE STILL FAILING TO SEE THAT MUCH OF PROPHECY HAS HAD, IS
HAVING, AND SHALL HAVE -- NOT A LITERAL FULFILLMENT ON THIS EARTH, BUT
-- A SPIRITUAL AND HEAVENLY FULFILLMENT IN CHRIST!

Hyper-literalism blinded the Jews of Jesus day to the spiritual fulfillments in the spiritual
Kingdom of Christ. Sad -- is it not? -- that this same hyper-literalism is still blinding some
modern-day, Spirit-filled students of prophecy. In their minds, the yet unfulfilled portions of
Messianic prophecy in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (particularly in the Book
of Revelation) ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE A LITERAL, EARTHLY FULFILLMENT, OR
NONE AT ALL!

Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, the writer to the Hebrews wrote: "And every priest
STANDETH daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right
hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" (Heb. 10:11-12).

But in 70 A.D. the Jewish form of worship that was "ready to vanish away" (Heb. 8:13),
did vanish away -- never to be restored by God. Yes, the Jewish temple "shall be built again, and
the wall, even in troublous times" (Dan. 9:29), but Christ shall never perform any of His High
Priestly duties therein, "For IF HE WERE ON EARTH, HE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIEST"
(Heb. 8:4), AND SHALL NOT BE A PRIEST IN THAT RESTORED JEWISH TEMPLE.

While He "ever liveth to make intercession" that Priestly function shall continue only
from heaven where He "sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his
enemies be made his footstool."

When He ariseth to return, it shall not be to perform the functions of His Priesthood. He
first came is Prophet, He now acts as Priest, but He shall return as KING of kings! to vanquish
his foes, bring all to Judgment, send each to his or her eternal abode, and to Reign forever with
His Saints in the Holy City.

Let me first present again Haggai 2:6-7, a passage the Pre-Millennialists insist shall have
an earthly fulfillment in the rebuilt Jewish Temple:

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the
heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire
of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts."

NOW -- PLEASE NOTE HOW Hebrews 12:26-29 interprets the above verse:

"Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, YET ONCE
MORE I SHAKE NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN. And THIS WORD, YET
ONCE MORE, SIGNIFIETH THE REMOVING OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE SHAKEN,
AS OF THINGS THAT ARE MADE, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire."

Haggai 2:6-7 shall not have an earthly fulfillment in a rebuilt Jewish Temple!!!

Christ is now seated at the right hand of God performing His High Priestly function, but
when He arises, it shall be the time when "He ariseth to shake terribly the earth" (Isa. 2:21). And,
He is going to shake both the heavens and the earth -- so powerfully that "things that are made"
-- including the rebuilt Jewish Temple -- shall be utterly shaken down and eternally removed
"that those things which cannot be shaken may remain"!!!

Why are so many good, sensible, spiritual, and sanctified students of prophecy unable to
comprehend this!!!!!!!

God has eternally done away with the Jewish, earthly worship system. The rebuilt Jewish
Temple wherein anti-Christ boasted himself to be God, shall be shaken down and removed with
the earth and the universe as they now are! -- and that total shake-down and removal shall occur
AT THE RETURN OF CHRIST -- "WHEN HE ARISETH" FROM HIS MEDIATORIAL
THRONE -- AND NOT 1,000 YEARS LATER.

At Christ's Return -- not 1,000 years later -- all shall be judged -- the saints shall receive
an eternal "Kingdom which cannot be moved"! and -- the wicked shall "go away into everlasting
punishment" -- into a place also which "cannot be moved" -- WORLD WITHOUT END.

* * * * * * *

19 -- SHALL THESE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURES BE IN A COMING MILLENNIUM?

"... neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:42).

* * *

CONTENTS

Introduction

A -- The Unbiblical Mixture Of Corruption With Incorruption

B -- The Unbiblical Mixture Of Darkness With Light
C -- The Unbiblical Mixture Of The Unchanged With The Changed
D -- The Unbiblical Mixture Of The Earthy With The Heavenly
E -- The Unbiblical Mixture Of The Mortal With The Immortal

* * *

INTRODUCTION

It really is too bad that often there is more HEAT than LIGHT in people's prophetic
views and writings. However, as strongly as I believe as I do, it is hoped that these prophetic
articles will spread Scriptural Light by which some, at least, will be enabled to see more clearly
the truth concerning Second Coming prophecy. At the same time, it is my hope that the HEAT of
personal emotion and prejudice will not be unduly aroused by them. Heated debate seldom does
much more than solidify people in the views they already held before the debate began, but
sometimes a cool, calm, and collected consideration of Biblical facts can help even the most
prejudiced adherent of a false teaching to see the light on the matter, abandon his error, and
embrace the truth.

With such in mind, I offer this brief article.

It is my belief that if those who have for long years felt duty-bound to place a literal
interpretation on Revelation 20 could somehow be helped to see that such an interpretation of
this chapter is not only unnecessary, but also unlikely -- then it is that they can also be helped to
see how totally contradictory with the rest of the Bible are some of the things taught about a
supposed Millennium after Christ's Return.

SOME OF THOSE CONTRADICTIONS INVOLVE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURES --

mixtures that should obviously be seen as unScriptural, but mixtures which are accepted as
necessary to the alleged, coming Millennial Kingdom of Christ for 1,000 years following His
Return. In the following, let us look at several of these unBiblical mixtures that Millennialists
assert shall exist in the supposed coming Millennial Reign of Christ on this earth.

* * *

A -- THE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURE OF CORRUPTION WITH INCORRUPTION

1 Peter 1:3-4 reads: -- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ from the dead, TO AN INHERITANCE INCORRUPTIBLE, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved IN HEAVEN for you."

This verse alone should be enough to raise ominous doubts in the minds of those who
espouse Millennial views. Christians are begotten again unto AN HEAVENLY INHERITANCE,
not unto an earthly inheritance, and unto AN INHERITANCE THAT IS INCORRUPTIBLE, and
thus UNDEFILED.

The supposed mixture on earth for 1,000 long years of CORRUPT AND
CORRUPTIBLE BEINGS WITH INCORRUPT AND INCORRUPTIBLE BEINGS is one of the
most striking contradictions of Biblical truth made by Millennialists!

Listen to the apostle Paul on the subject:

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in

incorruption... Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor 15:42, 50).

How much plainer need the Bible be!? -- CORRUPTIBLE BEINGS -- FLESH AND
BLOOD BEINGS -- not only SHALL NOT, but CANNOT -- CANNOT INHERIT THE
KINGDOM OF GOD!
 How many Kingdoms does the reader think Christ has? Apart from the misinterpretation
from Revelation 20 of a supposed, coming Millennial Kingdom, THERE IS NOT ONE SINGLE
VERSE IN THE BIBLE STATING THAT THERE IS SUCH! Furthermore, to insist that there
not only shall be such a kingdom, but that it shall be populated with an incompatible,
inharmonious, and impossible mixture of CORRUPT AND CORRUPTIBLE BEINGS among
INCORRUPT AND INCORRUPTIBLE BEINGS is to contradict the plain statements of God's
Word! Why, oh why? are holiness people, who are exceedingly strict about the separation of
God's people from the world, so slow, so reluctant, to see this truth!?

Friends, when Jesus comes back, He is NOT going to set up that kind of Kingdom --
anywhere -- period! -- not for 1 second, let alone for 1,000 years!

* * *

B -- THE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURE OF DARKNESS WITH LIGHT

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH
DARKNESS? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Cor. 6:14-17).

According to the teachings of Millennialists, Christ is going to set up an earthly kingdom

which for 1,000 long years shall be composed of the fleshly servants of DARKNESS mingled in
with and among the glorified SAINTS OF LIGHT!

When St. Paul exultantly declared to the saints in Colossians 1:12 -- "Giving thanks unto
the Father, which hath MADE US MEET TO BE PARTAKERS OF THE INHERITANCE OF
THE SAINTS IN LIGHT," who dares to suppose that he was speaking of an "inheritance of the
saints in LIGHT" that was to be occupied for 1,000 years by Satan's servants of DARKNESS!
The very idea is so palpably contradictory to the true picture of Christ's Coming Kingdom
painted in the Bible that it should make believers shudder to even think of believing such a
thing!

Yet, because many Christians are LITERALLY BOUND in their interpretation of

Revelation 20 -- they feel that they MUST SWALLOW SUCH CONTRADICTIONS -- even
though many professed Millennialists themselves are shaking their heads, wondering how such
mixtures could ever be. Unable, either by Scripture or Logic, to explain these things, they just
SWALLOW THEM WHOLE AS SOMETHING THEY FEEL THEY MOST DO -- while
relegating these inconsistencies to the "bone-pile" of things they consider to be inexplicable,
Divine mysteries!

As I see it, THESE UNBIBLICAL AND CONTRADICTORY MIXTURES IN A

SUPPOSED MILLENNIAL KINGDOM SHOULD BE DEALT WITH -- HEAD ON! -- and if
the honest Biblical interpreter cannot reconcile them by comparing Scripture with Scripture, then
they should be discarded as untrue, -- and the honest student of prophecy should seek to interpret
Revelation 20 differently, for it is this being LITERALLY BOUND in the interpretation of Rev.
20 that gives birth to all of these palpable contradictions!

* * *

C -- THE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURE OF THE UNCHANGED WITH THE CHANGED

"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall ALL be CHANGED,
1 Cor 15:52 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" (1 Cor 15:51-52).

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

When a person is saved there is a great CHANGE; when a person is sanctified wholly
there is a greater, inward CHANGE; and when the saints are glorified completely -- there shall
come the greatest CHANGE EVER SEEN -- WORLD WITHOUT END!

Those who are not "changed" into New, Holy, and Glorified Creatures by God's Spirit
shall never inhabit any part of Christ's Messianic Kingdom -- ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! Mark
it down!

Jesus made it exceedingly clear that "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God" (John 3:3), and yet Pre-Millennial interpreters insist that spiritually
"unchanged" individuals -- those not born again, those not sanctified wholly, and those not
glorified completely shall not only occupy places in a supposed Millennial Kingdom, but shall
rise up and rebel against Christ, seeking to destroy Him, His People, and His Kingdom at its
close! THERE IS NOT ONE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE TO SUPPORT THESE ASSERTIONS!

Repeatedly, the New Testament portrays the Second Coming as that eternally climactic
event which shall FOREVER "SEVER THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST" (Matt.
13:49) -- not an event that will usher in their mingling together for even one second!

* * *

D -- THE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURE OF THE EARTHY WITH THE HEAVENLY

"As is THE EARTHY, such are they also that are earthy: and as is THE HEAVENLY,
such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of THE EARTHY, we
shall also bear the image of THE HEAVENLY" (1 Cor. 15:48-49).

Nowhere, apart from the interpretations of Millennialists, do we find even one hint that
Christ's Coming Messianic Kingdom is "EARTHY" in its make-up or location!
 Paul confidently said in 2 Timothy 4:18 -- "And THE LORD SHALL deliver me from
every evil work, and will PRESERVE ME UNTO HIS HEAVENLY KINGDOM: to whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Paul did not say that the Lord would preserve him unto "His Millennial Kingdom On
Earth"! Rightly so, Paul anticipated his entry next into Christ's "HEAVENLY KINGDOM"!

And, it should be clear to any and every honest interpreter of prophecy that the true
essence of Christ's Coming Kingdom is "HEAVENLY" not "EARTHY"! The dominion of the
First Adam, at its beginning, was a Paradise, or "Heavenly" and then became "Earthy" after the
Fall. Shall we believe that the dominion of the Unfallen, Second Adam shall be first "Earthy"
and then "Heavenly"?

I trow not. All those in Christ's Coming Messianic Kingdom will "bear the image of the
Heavenly," and there will be none in it, and nothing in it, that does not totally bear that
"Heavenly Image" -- forever!

* * *

E -- THE UNBIBLICAL MIXTURE OF THE MORTAL WITH THE IMMORTAL

"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this MORTAL MUST PUT ON
IMMORTALITY. 1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
MORTAL shall have put on IMMORTALITY, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Cor. 15:53-54).

Speaking of the saints' entry into Heaven, the Hymn, "When They Ring Those Golden
Bells" has words something as follows:

"One by one we pass the Portals,

There to dwell with the Immortals..."

I declare that THE ONLY PORTALS one can ever enter so as "THERE TO DWELL
WITH GOD'S IMMORTALS" -- ARE THE PORTALS OF THE NEW JERUSALEM!

Friends, after the Return of Christ, ALL SOULS shall pass through ETERNAL
PORTALS -- THERE TO DWELL FOREVER -- EITHER WITH SATAN'S "IMMORALS" OR
GOD'S "IMMORTALS". As this writer sees it, the supposed mingling together of two such
antipodes -- two such diametrically opposed opposites -- for 1,000 years would be a
contradiction of both the Bible and the Holy Nature and Purpose of God. Selah.

* * * * * * *

20 -- TO WHOM, AND WHERE, THIS SCRIPTURE SHALL BE FULFILLED

 "Also I WILL ORDAIN A PLACE FOR MY PEOPLE ISRAEL, and will plant them,
and THEY SHALL DWELL IN THEIR PLACE, AND SHALL BE MOVED NO MORE;
neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning" (1 Chron.
17:9).

* * *

Unsatisfied that God's Presence and Ark dwelt "under curtains" while he, as Israel's King,
dwelt in an house of cedar, David purposed to build a fitting place -- a stately temple appropriate
for the habitation of Jehovah -- and, the prophet Nathan gave him leave so to do -- (1 Chron.
17:1-2).

But, the Lord overruled Nathan's well-intentioned, but wrongly-given permission with a
message directly from heaven, part of which conveyed the fact that GOD WAS GOING TO
BUILD DAVID AN HOUSE INSTEAD -- and "stablish" the throne of David's son "forever" (1
Chron. 17:11-12).

The fulfillment of this part of God's message to David through Nathan was NOT fulfilled
under Solomon. Informed Bible students know that King David's House and Throne are now
established forever in the Divine Person of the Greater Son of David, Jesus Christ.

But a second part of God's message to David through Nathan is found in our text above, 1
Chron. 17:9 stating that God would "ORDAIN A PLACE" FOR HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL -- A
PLACE WHEREIN THEY WOULD BE ETERNALLY PLANTED AND THERE DWELL
FOREVERMORE. Further, this fixed and eternal place of Israel's abode would be one where
"the children of wickedness" would never again harm nor "waste them any more" (1 Chron.
17:9).

Now, let us consider below, both the People to whom this promise was made, and the
Place in which it shall be fulfilled:

* * *

A -- THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE

At first blush, God's promises to King David appeared to be only to himself and to his
son, Solomon. But, time and inspired Scripture has revealed that the primary Person to Whom
the promise was made was Jesus Christ, the Greater David and the Greater Than Solomon.

At first blush likewise, the promise seems to be to flesh and blood Israel -- to the subjects
of David, Solomon, and to the subjects of their successors on the earthly throne. But, once again,
time and inspired Scriptures have revealed that the primary People to whom the promise of a
planted, secure, and eternal abode was made are -- not flesh and blood Israel, but -- the Spiritual
Israel of God, the subjects of the Greater David and Greater Than Solomon, Jesus Christ.
 MANY THINGS in the unfulfilled prophecies to Israel shall have their fulfillment -- not
to earthly Israel -- but to "the Israel of God," (Gal. 6:16) -- to those who" in time past were not a
people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy" (1 Pet. 2:10).

Promises which many insist shall have a fulfillment to Earthly Israel in the realm of
TIME and involving things MATERIAL during a supposed future Millennium, shall, in fact,
have their fulfillment to Spiritual Israel in the realm of ETERNITY and involving things
SPIRITUAL, AND THINGS MADE OF THAT "BETTER AND ENDURING SUBSTANCE"
of the New Heavens, New Earth, and New Jerusalem.

It is a mistake, therefore, to insist upon earthly fulfillments to flesh and blood Israel of
many Messianic prophecies. Is God through with the Jews? No! But, the final remnant of earthly
Israel shall be saved, sanctified, and incorporated into the Spiritual "Israel of God" in order to
receive the fulfillment of the promise in our text as well as the fulfillment of various other
Messianic promises.

In Galatians 3:28 and Col. 3:11, St. Paul makes it clear that in the Spiritual Israel of God,
there is neither male nor female, Greek nor Jew, Scythian, slave (bond) nor free -- all being
Divinely amalgamated and homogenized by the new-birth into "one nation, under God" and in
Christ Jesus -- "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision,
but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy,
and upon the Israel of God" (Gal. 6:15-16). God's Israel consists of those who "were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13). Paul declared:
"If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).

It should be clear to any discerning student of prophecy, then, that it is the Church to
whom shall be fulfilled the promise of our text as well as the fulfillment of many other Messianic
promises. "For he is not a Jew [a part of God's Israel], which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men,
but of God" (Rom. 2:28-29).

* * *

B -- THE PLACE IN WHICH THE PROMISE SHALL BE FULFILLED

The truth here is so obvious that little, or no, comment should be necessary. God has
"ordained" HEAVEN as THE PLACE where his people shall dwell forever, never to move again
-- and never again to be threatened by "the children of wickedness."

Now comes the question: Shall God ever locate His People ANYWHERE other than in
THE PLACE WHICH HE HAS ORDAINED?

Obviously, in this present world, following the Great Commission Jesus has sent His
People throughout the globe -- ergo, the PLACE ordained for His people, mentioned in my text,
has not yet had its fulfillment -- but shall it EVER have its fulfillment in any way ON THIS
EARTH?

No! It shall not. After their rejection of Christ, the Jews were scattered throughout the
globe, but, no doubt when many of the orthodox Jews returned to Palestine when the nation of
earthly Israel was reconstituted in 1948, some of those Jews still hoped that God would fulfill to
them 1 Chronicles 17:9 -- in that land.

IT SHALL NOT BE! Israel has returned to Palestine, but they have not (as a people)
returned to God. Are they now secure? Are they now in that ORDAINED PLACE from whence
they shall never again move, and wherein they are secure and safe from all attacks from "the
children of wickedness"?

Your daily newspaper in August, 2002 will give you part of that answer: THEY
CERTAINLY ARE NOT SECURE AND FREE FROM ATTACK in Palestine -- and, I
confidently declare that the promise of 1 Chron. 17:9 shall neither have its fulfillment to the
nation of Israel as now constituted, nor shall it ever have its fulfillment in earthly Palestine -- not
for so much as 1 day, let alone for 1,000 years!

Has God "given" Palestine to the Jews? Yes, but not as His Ordained, Eternal Place for
His true Israel. And, concerning Palestine as a Divine gift to the Jews, the following Scripture
definitely applies: "..the things that I have given them shall pass away from them" (Jer. 8:13).

1 Chronicles 17:9 shall have its true and eternal fulfillment in conjunction with Jesus'
promise in John 14:2-3 -- "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. And IF I GO AND PREPARE A
PLACE for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may
be also."

THE PLACE to which Jesus shall take, and then PLANT, HIS PEOPLE FOREVER --
the place from whence they shall never move -- is none other than THE HOLY CITY, NEW
JERUSALEM -- that eternally secure abode where there shall be no more threat from "the
children of wickedness," nor from their father, the devil -- for, shut forever "without are dogs,
and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and
maketh a lie," and within "there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb
shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him" (Rev. 22:15, 3) -- world without end!

* * * * * * *

21 -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN...

"But I say unto you, That in this place is ONE GREATER THAN..." (Matt. 12:6).

* * *

INTRODUCTION
 In addition to declaring Christ's Omnipotence, the New Testament also repeatedly says
that He is GREATER than this and that particular thing. In this article, I shall present some
verses of Scripture wherein Christ is said to be Greater than a thing, and I will focus upon some
specific results of Christ being greater than the thing mentioned, using the introductory clause,
"Because Christ Is Greater Than..." in each case.

Only some of this article touches upon prophecy. It is my hope that some who have no
interest in my prophetic views will at least read those parts that do no pertain to eschatology.

* * *

CONTENTS

A -- Because Christ Is Greater Than The Temple...

B -- Because Christ is Greater Than Jonah...
C -- Because Christ is Greater Than Solomon...
D -- Because Christ is Greater Than Jacob...
E -- Because Christ is Greater Than Abraham...
F -- Because Christ is Greater Than Our Hearts...
G -- Because Christ is Greater Than The Strong Man...

* * *

A -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE, -- THERE SHALL BE NO

TEMPLE IN HIS MESSIANIC KINGDOM.

"But I say unto you, That in this place is one GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE." (Matt.
12:6).

It was a great honor for Jewish priests to enter into the tabernacle and temple of
Solomon. They could only do so through the shed blood of animal sacrifices. It is a much greater
honor to enter into Christ, even into the very Holy of Holies in Christ. This too, can only be done
only through shed blood -- not the shed blood of animals, but the shed blood of Christ Himself,
the Lamb of God. Through the blood of Jesus, the saved can enter into the sanctifying, Holy of
Holies in Christ, "By a new and living way... through the veil, that is to say, His flesh" (Heb.
10:20).

Why shall there be no temple in the Holy City? BECAUSE CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE
TEMPLE THERE, GREATER THAN ANY TEMPLE MAN CAN BUILD: Rev. 21:22 -- "And
I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

Friends, only God can put a Greater into a Lesser: Thus, He Who is the Greater Temple
CAN dwell in the temple of man's body, but even THIS lesser temple is one that Christ made.
However, He Who is Greater than any earthly temple shall not occupy any lesser, earthly temple
made by man. The Greater Temple, Christ Himself, does not fit nor belong in any temple made
by man. Herein, we see vividly illustrated one of the mistakes of Millennialism: i. e. that Christ
shall come and occupy a Jewish, man-made temple in the earthly Jerusalem for 1,000 years after
His return.

In Acts 7:48-49 tells us: -- "Howbeit THE MOST HIGH DWELLETH NOT IN
TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my
footstool: WHAT HOUSE WILL YE BUILD ME? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my
rest?

This same truth is reiterated in Acts 17:24:-- "GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD and all
things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES
MADE WITH HANDS."

How much plainer need the Bible be on this matter? Of Christ, John writes: "All things
were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).
CHRIST IS "GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD," and He shall never dwell in a temple made
with hands, nor shall he reign while sitting on "earth" His "footstool" -- rather, He shall reign
sitting in "Heaven" His "Throne"!

There shall be no disappointed Millennialists in Christ's Messianic Kingdom, even when

they see "no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Rev.
21:22), and I am sure that they will be very happy with the arrangement, just as Christ made it.

What need will there be for a temple in Christ's Messianic Kingdom when all who dwell
therein will be IN CHRIST HIMSELF, THE GREATER TEMPLE? -- NONE, ABSOLUTELY
NONE!

* * *

02 -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN JONAH, -- THE RESULTS OF IGNORING

OR OBEYING HIS MESSAGE ARE IMMEASURABLY GREATER.

"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see
a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh
after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 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. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold,
A GREATER THAN JONAS IS HERE" (Matt. 12:38-41).

Without having seen any miraculous sign, the Ninevites repented at the preaching of
Jonah. Contrary to this, the Jews of Jesus' earthly days wanted some miraculous sign that would
prove to their satisfaction that He was one to whom they should give heed. Jesus alluded to the
facts: (a) that there was a "miraculous sign" connected with Jonah's preaching which the
Ninevites did not see, and did not demand:-- viz., Jonah's miraculous resurrection from the belly
of the whale -- and, (b) that there would be another great and miraculous sign in connection with
His own preaching which THEY would not believe, even though it occurred in their midst:-- i.
e., His miraculous resurrection from death. However, Christ's inference seems to be this: If the
Ninevites believed Jonah, having seen no sign, then how much more must they believe His
preaching, without seeing signs and wonders -- and if they did not, they would not escape
destruction, as did the Ninevites, and they would be condemned at the Judgment. Unlike Jonah,
Jesus' warnings were neither believed nor heeded, and in 70 A.D. destruction fell on Jerusalem.

But the import and impact of Christ's statements in Matt. 12:38-41 do not end with the
destruction of Jerusalem. Every succeeding generation of every nation on earth that disbelieves
and ignores the message of Christ shall receive a much great punishment from Christ than the
threatened destruction of Nineveh -- for a Greater than Jonah has been crying out for nearly
2,000 years: "O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord! ... "The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Jer. 22:29; Mark 1:15).

On the other hand, He Who is Greater than Jonah offers a much greater mercy than that
of escaping the first death, and a much greater salvation than that of escaping the negative
consequences of the second death:-- the greater salvation of the Greater than Jonah provides the
penitent believer with deliverance from all sin and delight in the glories of Heaven, forever!

* * *

C -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN SOLOMON, -- A GREATER COMING TO

HIM IS REQUIRED AND A GREATER PERSUASION AWAITS THE COMER.

"The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall
condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and, behold, A GREATER THAN SOLOMON IS HERE" (Matt. 12:42).

In 1 Kings 10:7, the queen of Sheba said to Solomon: "Howbeit I believed not the words,
until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and
prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard."

The journey of the queen of Sheba, or "queen of the south," was a long one for her day,
and, compared with our modes of travel today, it was probably quite arduous, time-consuming,
and difficult -- but, in spite of the obstacles and difficulties, "SHE CAME" to hear Solomon's
wisdom.

In Matt. 12:42, Jesus apparently alludes to the fact that none can really KNOW HIM who
do not make a definite effort to COME TO HIM. The queen of Sheba could only KNOW THE
REALITY OF SOLOMON'S GLORY BY COMING TO HIM, -- and those who settle for an
easy, "take it by faith" acceptance of Christ NEVER REALLY KNOW HIS GLORY! They may
be professedly convinced about Christ, but they KNOW NOTHING OF HIS GLORIOUS
SALVATION, for it is revealed only to those who have taken the spiritual journey of repentance,
restitution, and humbling necessary in coming to Christ -- a spiritual trek which most consider to
be too arduous, and too costly. It is easy to profess faith in Christ -- it is quite another thing to
travel down the rugged road of Biblical repentance to the very end of that trail, and there
discover and receive the glorious knowledge of full salvation. Christ will give the "knowledge of
salvation" (Luke 1:77) only to those who make this trip.

* * *

D -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN JACOB, -- HIS OFFSPRING ARE THE TRUE
ISRAEL, AND HIS WELL IS MORE SATISFYING.

"Art thou GREATER THAN our father JACOB, which gave us the well, and drank
thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?" (John 4:12).

Jacob begat 12 sons from whom sprang earthly Israel. Jesus begat 12 spiritual sons
(excluding Judas and including Paul) from whom sprang spiritual Israel. Jacob's offspring drank
from his earthly well and thirsted again. Jesus' spiritual offspring drink from His spiritual well,
and thirst no more: "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the
water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life"
(John 4:13-14).

In John 7:37, we read that "Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come
unto me, and drink." Those in the Spiritual Israel who have come to Him and who have quaffed
their spiritual thirst from Him, drinking in His water of Life, can truly sing with the songwriter:

"Lo, I have found it, the Crystal Fountain,

Where all my soul's deep needs have been supplied--
So freely flowing, from Calvary's Mountain,
And now my soul is fully satisfied."

* * *

E -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN ABRAHAM, -- HE EVER LIVETH!

"Art thou GREATER THAN our father ABRAHAM, which is dead? and the prophets are
dead: whom makest thou thyself?" (John 8:53).

Now here is SHOUTING GROUND! Abraham died and "is dead" still physically
(although, he liveth unto God) -- but Christ died, and NOW LIVES AGAIN, proclaiming to
three worlds in Revelation 1:18 -- "I AM HE THAT LIVETH, AND WAS DEAD; AND,
BEHOLD, I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

YES, IN THAT HE LIVETH, CHRIST IS GREATER THAN ABRAHAM, AND to His

faithful people He also says in John 14:19 -- "Because I live, ye shall live also." No wonder then,
that the saints are singing:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;

Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know Who holds the future,
My life is worth the living,
Just BECAUSE HE LIVES!"

* * *

F -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN OUR HEARTS, -- HE KNOWS THEM

PERFECTLY AND CAN CLEANSE THEM ENTIRELY.

"For if our heart condemn us, GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART, and knoweth
all things" (1 John 3:20).

John 2:25 tells us that Jesus "knew what was in man." He knew what was in Nathanael,
and without ever having met him in the flesh, when "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him" He
could say knowingly, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (John 1:47).
Conversely, before ever it occurred, Jesus knew what was in Peter and foretold him: "Verily I
say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice" (Matthew 26:34).

But of what use to fallen men would be such Divine knowledge about their hearts, if
Christ was unable to purge and cleanse the human heart from all sin?

If Christ KNEW what is in man's heart and WOULD NOT CLEANSE THEM, then we
might have grounds for doubting His Love. But if Christ KNEW the awful state of man's fallen
heart and WOULD CLEANSE THEM, BUT COULD NOT DO SO, then He would not be God!

The glorious truth is: Christ is Greater than Man's Heart in every way. There is nothing
hidden in the human heart that He does not KNOW, and there is nothing therein that He cannot
and will not purge! -- TODAY -- IN THIS PRESENT LIFE. Christ is Greater than our hearts:
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him" (Heb.
7:25).

* * *

G -- BECAUSE CHRIST IS GREATER THAN THE STRONG MAN, -- SATAN IS BOUND,

AND GLORIOUS FREEDOM IS AVAILABLE!

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because GREATER IS HE
THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD" (1 John 4:4).

There was a time when Satan, The Strong Man of Hell, kept his goods securely,
unspoiled by any liberator, because there was none on earth stronger than he. Speaking of this
state of things, Jesus said in Luke 11:21 -- "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his
goods are in peace."

Before Christ came, there was none on earth able to dispossess and spoil Satan's goods,
but JESUS CAME -- HE WHO IS GREATER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD -- and
JESUS OVERCAME THE STRONG MAN AND BEGAN SPOILING HIS GOODS! Luke
11:22 -- "But when A STRONGER THAN HE SHALL COME upon him, and overcome him, he
taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils." DO I HEAR
SOMEONE SHOUT, "HALLELUJAH!"?

But -- JESUS DID NOT SIMPLY OVERCOME THE DEVIL -- HE BOUND HIM!!

"Or else HOW CAN ONE enter into a strong man's house, and SPOIL HIS GOODS,
EXCEPT HE FIRST BIND THE STRONG MAN? and then he will spoil his house" (Matt.
12:29).

"NO MAN CAN enter into a strong man's house, and SPOIL HIS GOODS, EXCEPT HE
WILL FIRST BIND THE STRONG MAN; and then he will spoil his house" (Mark 3:27).

Reader -- student of both Salvation and Prophecy -- do you get the picture?

Christ is GREATER THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD, and, He that is in the world,
Satan, the Strong Man, has been bound by Christ -- and this was done at Calvary!

Of Jesus' sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, the Word tells us that "having
spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it"
(Col. 2:15).

For nearly 2,000 years, Jesus has been spoiling Satan's house! He is Greater than he that
is in the world -- he has triumphed over him, bound him, and has been liberating Satan's captives
around the globe wherever, and whenever, they cry out in repentance and faith for deliverance.

When Jesus "ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men"
(Eph. 4:8) -- gifts of deliverance and freedom -- BECAUSE HE BOUND THE STRONG MAN!

Thus it is, that the sanctified can sing from the heart:

"Once I was bound by sin's galling fetters,

Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain,
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain!

"Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!

No more in chains of sin I repine;
Jesus, the Glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever, He shall be mine!"

Why, then, is it that so many Holiness folks declare that Satan is not bound? If Satan was
not bound, then every man on earth WOULD BE BOUND! -- in the galling chains of sin. But,
One Greater than Satan came upon him, overcame him at Calvary, bound him, and has been
emancipating Satan's goods -- his stolen slaves -- for nearly 2,000 years! I say HALLELUJAH!
 Concerning "the angels that sinned," 1 Peter 2:4 tells us that "GOD... DELIVERED
THEM INTO CHAINS of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." Now please don't tell me
that fallen Lucifer was not among those sinning angels that were "delivered into chains," for
Lucifer was the first angel who sinned!

Furthermore, Jude 1:6 tells us that "the angels which kept not their first estate, but left
their own habitation, He [GOD] HATH RESERVED IN EVERLASTING CHAINS under
darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

Again -- it was Jesus (God Incarnate) who bound Lucifer and all of his imps, and He did
it at Calvary!

Those Holiness folks who insist that Satan's binding shall only occur AFTER CHRIST'S
SECOND COMING, too frequently overlook the glorious fact that CHRIST BOUND SATAN
AT HIS FIRST COMING, NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO -- and -- THAT IS WHY CHRIST'S
SANCTIFIED SAINTS HAVE GLORIOUS FREEDOM NOW!

* * * * * * *

22 -- THE LAST GENTILE AND JEW -- SAVED BEFORE THE REVELATION

CONTENTS

A -- My Text
B -- The Purpose And Logic Of The Article
C -- The Order I Perceive For Coming Events
D -- The Two Reapings = The Two Resurrections In Rapid Succession
E -- What I Hope The Reader Can Clearly See
F -- What I Believe To Be Both Erroneous And Sad
G -- In Conclusion -- Selah

* * *

A -- MY TEXT

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be
wise in your own conceits; that BLINDNESS IN PART IS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL, UNTIL
THE FULLNESS OF THE GENTILES BE COME IN. AND SO ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE
SAVED: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob" (Rom. 11:25-26).

* * *

B -- THE PURPOSE AND LOGIC OF THE ARTICLE

 It is the purpose of this brief article to persuade the reader that "the last Gentile and Jew
shall be saved before the Revelation of Christ" -- and that therefore, none will be saved
thereafter. And, in presenting this thesis, I beg the reader's close attention to the following
Scriptural Logic:

(1) This writer, along with Pre-Tribulationists and Pre-Millennialists, believes that a final
remnant of flesh and blood Israel shall be converted on the Day of the Lord -- the Day of Christ's
Revelation-Return -- no disagreement here.

(2) However, Pre-Millennialists say that AFTER Christ's Return, Gentiles shall be saved
during a 1,000-year extended period of time. I declare that ROMANS 11:25-26 SHOWS THAT
THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE.

(3) Romans 11:25-26 says that THE REMNANT FROM EARTHLY ISRAEL SHALL
BE SAVED ONLY AFTER THE LAST GENTILE IS SAVED -- AFTER "THE FULLNESS
OF THE GENTILES BE COME IN." The logic here is very simple: (a) Before Christ's Return,
the Last Gentile will be saved; (b) Then, shall come the glorious conversion and sanctification of
the final Remnant; (c) AFTER WHICH NO MORE GENTILES SHALL BE SAVED --
MEANING: NO GENTILES COULD POSSIBLY BE SAVED IN A SUPPOSED,
MILLENNIUM AFTER CHRIST'S RETURN.

* * *

C -- THE ORDER I PERCEIVE FOR COMING EVENTS

This writer perceives the unfolding of future eschatological events as follows:

(1) The Church will pass through, not be raptured away from, the 7-year Tribulation.
Many Scriptures verify this fact, among them: 1 Peter 1:13 -- "Wherefore gird up the loins of
your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT UNTO
YOU AT THE REVELATION of Jesus Christ." It should be clear to all, Peter says here that the
grace of glorification shall be brought unto the saints "AT THE REVELATION" of Christ -- the
Greek word here for "revelation" being "apokalupsis," which word Pre-Tribulationists say refers
to Christ's Revelation AFTER the Tribulation. I agree, it DOES, but Peter says here that it is
THEN that the grace of glorification shall be brought unto the saints, and NOT at a supposed,
secret Rapture 7 years earlier.

(2) Near the close of the final three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation, out of
great anguish, a final Remnant of Flesh and Blood Israel will repent, believe on Christ and be
both gloriously saved and sanctified: Isaiah 66:8 -- "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen
such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once?
for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Zechariah 13:1 -- "In that day there
shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and
for uncleanness." Out of their great travail shall come this miraculous conversion and cleansing
of the final Remnant of earthly Israel -- wherewith, they shall become a part of the Spiritual
"Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16).
 (3) Shortly after this dramatic conversion and cleansing of the Final Remnant of earthly
Israel, Jesus will split the Eastern Sky -- His Glorious Revelation shall occur.

(4) While still on earth, Jesus told earthly Israel in Luke 13:35:-- "Behold, your house is
left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, YE SHALL NOT SEE ME, UNTIL the time
come when YE SHALL SAY, BLESSED IS HE THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE
LORD."

(5) With the Last Gentile saved, and the Last Jew converted, Jesus will appear in all of
His Splendor and Great Glory! The Entire Church (including the Last Gentile saved and the last
Jew saved) will look up and SEE JESUS COMING -- AND SHOUT: "BLESSED IS HE THAT
COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD"!!! -- Hallelujah! Is not this something you should
shout about!

(6) Then, The Last Trump shall sound and Jesus "shall.. send his angels, and shall gather
together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part
of heaven" (Mark 13:27). The dead in Christ shall be raised, those which are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord (including that final, converted Remnant), "shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air," thenceforth and forever to "be with
the Lord" (1 Thess 4:17). Even "SO ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED: as it is written" (Rom.
11:25). THE ENTIRE ISRAEL OF GOD THAT EVER SHALL BE SAVED WILL THEN BE
SAVED -- NO MORE TO BE ADDED TO IT, the time having then been fulfilled when the
Church has "come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13).

(7) Whereupon, with His Raptured Church, Christ shall destroy the wicked "in flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints" (2 Thess. 2:8-10).

Then, echoing the same, shall come the fulfillment of Mal 4:1-3 -- "For, behold, the day
cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be
stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave
them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness
arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye
shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I
shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts."*

[*The "ruling" of the saints and Christ at His Second Coming will NOT be a "ruling" that
lasts 1,000 more earthly years, over a kow-towing, boot-licking, but inwardly unregenerate and
hostile world. It will, rather, be that which is pictured in Psalm 2:9:-- "Thou shalt BREAK
THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON; thou shalt DASH THEM IN PIECES like a potter's vessel."
THIS, is how Christ and His saints shall rule over the wicked nations with a "rod of iron" at his
Return -- BREAKING THEM, DASHING THEM TO PIECES -- and, as Malachi put it --
TREADING DOWN THE WICKED TO ASHES UNDER THE SOLES OF THEIR FEET! I It
is a "ruling" that metes out sudden and total destruction upon a wicked world -- not a subduing
and suppression of evil for 10 Centuries!! I could elaborate much more on this, but now I forbear
-- perhaps more on this at another time.]

(8) The Last Gentile that ever shall be saved will have already been saved; the last Jew
that ever shall be saved will have already been saved; then Christ and the raptured Israel of God
will utterly destroy anti-Christ and all of the wicked, leaving them "neither root nor branch" on
earth. Whereupon, all of the wicked dead shall be resurrected, and see Christ coming with His
saints in the clouds.* [See Point 04 Below] Then, as Christ's feet have stand upon the Mount of
Olives (Zech. 14:4), the earth and the universe, as they now exist, will be burned up: "the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10). Then -- all shall be
gathered to the Great White Throne Judgment.

* * *

D -- THE TWO REAPINGS = THE TWO RESURRECTIONS IN RAPID SUCCESSION

The fact that the resurrection of the wicked follows fast on the heels of the resurrection of
the righteous can be seen in the two reapings of Revelation 14:12-20:

FIRST REAPING -- RESURRECTION-RAPTURE OF THE RIGHTEOUS PICTURED

IN REV. 14:12-16 -- "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me,
Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. And I looked, and behold a
white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden
crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a
loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for
thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle
on the earth; and THE EARTH WAS REAPED. [Here has been pictured the resurrection-rapture
of those saints who have "died in the Lord" and those are alive and remain unto Christ's Second
Coming] -- Then, fast on the heels of that Reaping-Resurrection and Rapture of the Righteous
we read:

SECOND REAPING -- RESURRECTION-GATHERING OF THE WICKED

PICTURED IN REV. 14:17-20 -- "And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven,
he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over
fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle,
and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust
in his sickle into the earth, and GATHERED THE VINE OF THE EARTH [Here is the reaping
and resurrection of wicked], and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the
winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the
horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."
 The unity of this passage cannot be divided:-- it speaks of two dramatic events, the one
following rapidly on the heels of the other: -- (a) the Resurrection and Rapture of the saints, and
(b) the Resurrection, Gathering together to judgment and eternal destruction of the wicked --
both also pictured as occurring, if you please, at the time the Great Harvester, The Son of Man, is
seen in the clouds -- which time will be at His Revelation. Again, we see both the resurrection of
the righteous and that of the wicked occurring at the time Christ Returns in the clouds -- not the
former occurring then, and the latter 1,000 years later. Thus it is, that the wicked Caiaphas will
see Christ "coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matt. 26:64).

* * *

E -- WHAT I HOPE THE READER CAN CLEARLY SEE

It is hoped through the preceding that the reader can clearly see:

(1) The Last Gentile will be saved before Christ's Return.

(2) The Last Jew will be saved before Christ's Return.

(3) The united, "Perfect Man" in Christ, when seeing the Glorious Revelation of Christ
coming in the clouds will shout in exultation: "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the
Lord," and then be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.

(4) Then shall come the slaughter of the wicked, their resurrection, so that with wicked
Caiaphas they shall see Christ coming in the clouds of heaven, bringing with Him bring both HIS
SAINTS and THEIR ETERNAL DOOM.

(5) With the touch down of Christ and His saints on the earth "all the host of heaven shall
be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll [including the earth]: and all
their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig
tree." (The slaughter of all the wicked, their resurrection, and the dissolution of the earth and the
universe as they now exist are repeatedly shown in the scriptures as taking place at the same
climactic time -- at Christ's Return. Thus, the precise sequence of the resurrection of the wicked,
and the dissolution of the universe matters little -- they shall occur very close together if not
exactly together.)

(6) Then, in short order all shall be ushered to the General Judgment, being the Judgment
described both in Matthew 25-31-46 and also in Revelation 20:11-15 -- "And I saw a great white
throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was
found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and
they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake
of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire."
 (7) It should be clear to all that WHEN CHRIST RETURNS -- EVERYTHING
RELATED TO TIME ENDS -- THE JUDGMENT OF ALL OCCURS -- ETERNITY BEGINS,
WITH EACH BEING BROUGHT OR SENT TO HIS "LONG HOME" (Eccl. 12:5) FOREVER!

Friends, when the Church is Raptured at the Revelation, A-DOUBLE-L -- "ALL Israel
shall be saved" -- none to ever be added or diminished from that "Perfect Man" from henceforth,
even forevermore!

* * *

F -- WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE BOTH ERRONEOUS AND SAD

As I read and believe the Bible, the idea that people will be saved during extended
periods of 7+1,000 years following the Rapture of Christ is both erroneous -- and sad! --
erroneous, in that men shall not have TIME in which to be saved after "the fullness of the
Gentiles" has "come in" just before the Revelation-Rapture; and sad because some are even now
duped into thinking that even if they miss the Rapture, somehow they might just possibly live
years and years longer, and be saved either during the 7 year Tribulation or some time on into
another 1,000 years after that!

I believe that enough prophetic scripture may already be historically and otherwise
fulfilled, so that Christ could split the Eastern Sky today! Further, I believe that ANY teaching
that asserts "beyond all doubt" that (a) there shall MUST BE 7 MORE YEARS BEFORE THE
RAPTURE, or (b) that there SHALL BE 1,000 OR 1,007 YEARS AFTER THE RAPTURE,
during which times men shall be saved -- ANY SUCH TEACHING, I SAY, IS OFFERING
WHAT NO HUMAN BEING CAN GUARANTEE.

The fact is, in effect, Post-Trib-Pre-Millennialists say that THERE SHALL BE 1,000
YEARS AFTER THE RAPTURE IN WHICH PEOPLE WILL BE SAVED! -- and, in effect
Pre-Trib-Pre-Millennialists teach that THERE SHALL BE 1,007 YEARS AFTER THE
RAPTURE DURING WHICH PEOPLE WILL BE SAVED! [The years after the Rapture during
which a Mid-Trib-Pre-Millennialist believes folks will be saved would number one thousand
three and one-half.]

Such teachings, I believe, are erroneous, sad, and even dangerous! Though not intended,
they could "strengthen.. the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way,
by promising him life" (Ezekiel 13:22) during a future time of grace that shall never come. If a
Pre-Millennialist (being a Pre- Mid- or Post-Tribulationists) had no other reason for studying his
doctrine open-minded and thoroughly, in the effort to "preach the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth," THIS IS REASON ENOUGH.

* * *

G -- IN CONCLUSION -- SELAH
 I assert, with what I believe is the uniform authority of the Bible behind me, that Jesus
gave climactic warnings relative to His Revelation and Return BECAUSE THERE SHALL BE
NO TIME, AND NO CHANCE FOR SALVATION AFTER THAT OCCURS!

Are you still a Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib Pre-Millennialist? A sanctified saint of

God can go to heaven believing any of these teachings. However, if I am right, and you are
wrong -- some people to whom you teach one of these doctrines may be emboldened to presume
the possibility of salvation 1,000 to 1,007 years beyond the time when the last chance to be
saved is forever gone, and in so presuming be eternally lost. Selah.

* * * * * * *

23 -- WHERE ON EARTH WILL YOU LIVE FOR 1,000 YEARS? Or, THE SAINTS' NEXT
ABODE

"For we know that if our EARTHLY HOUSE of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE
HEAVENS" (2 Cor. 5:1).

"When I stand in my mansion for the first time,

With the loved ones I'm longing to see.
Then, to know its all real -- I'm in heaven,
Oh, what glory that moment will be."

--Robert M. Batton

* * *

"Tho often tempted tormented and tested

And like the prophet, my pillow a stone;
And tho' I find here, no permanent dwelling,
I know He'll give me a mansion my own.

"I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold

"Don't think me poor or deserted or lonely,

I'm not discouraged, I'm heaven bound;
I'm just a pilgrim in search of a city,
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown.

"I've got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we'll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold."

--Stuart Hamblin

* * *

When a devout Christian dies and we say: "He made it in," or "She made it in," what do
we mean?:-- he or she "made it into the Millennium"? or he or she "made it into their 1,000-year
abode, somewhere on earth during the Millennium"?

NO! -- not at all -- we always mean: he or she "made it into HEAVEN" -- "made it into
THE HOLY CITY"! -- that's what we mean. Why do we say that? Why do we mean that? Yet
another query:

Saint of God, WHERE ON EARTH WILL YOU LIVE FOR 1,000 YEARS? Do you
say? "Nowhere! I am going to my "house eternal in the heavens!"

Wait a minute! If you believe in a millennium following Christ's Return, would it not be
more appropriate to consider where on earth you will next live?

After all, do not Millennialists teach that Christ Himself is going to live and reign on
earth for 1,000 years after His return? And, according to Millennialists there will be a "camp of
the saints" (Rev. 20:9) on this earth during the Millennium after the Second Coming.

Do you say, "Well, that is only going to be the "CAMP of the saints" -- the place where
they lodge when they visit the earth occasionally during the Millennium -- their HOME being in
the New Jerusalem."

I say that all such constructions and interpretations placed upon Revelation 20 are not
only preposterous, but sadly and greatly unScriptural! Expressing the true, Scriptural anticipation
of the saints of God, Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 5:2 "For in this [earthly house] we groan, earnestly
desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven."

Saint of God, your prayers, your hopes, your longings, your heart-cries, your inward
groans, and your Spirit-induced anticipations are:-- that your next house shall be only and
eternally IN HEAVEN! -- for that is precisely the true case!

I firmly assert that the reason why, in their heart of hearts, the saints of God always
FORGET ALL ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM when considering their next home IS BECAUSE
HEAVEN, -- AND NO "CAMP" OR PLACE ON EARTH -- SHALL BE THEIR NEXT
ADDRESS!

Over, and over, and over again in the Bible, in both the Old and the New Testaments --
WE SEE ETERNITY, HEAVEN AND HELL, FOLLOWING CHRIST'S RETURN -- NOT A
SUPPOSED 1,000-YEAR EXTENSION OF TIME ON THIS PLANET.
 Over against the saints' "EARTHLY HOUSE" Paul juxta positioned their "HOUSE NOT
MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS" (2 Cor. 5:1). He made no mention
whatsoever of their dwelling ever again -- even part-time or temporarily -- in any "camp of the
saints" on this planet -- as it now is, or supposedly shall be for 1,000 years:-- partly patched-up!

Is this not passing strange? If there really IS going to be such an earthly abode and
address for the saints following Christ's Return, then WHY IS IT ENTIRELY PASSED OVER
in all other New Testament passages besides its supposed mention in Revelation 20?

IF -- AS I BELIEVE -- THERE IS NO COMING MILLENNIUM ON EARTH FOR

THE SAINTS -- WHO WILL MISS IT? Quite apparently, none of the saints would miss it, for
they have not set their affection upon this earth nor upon a return to some "camp" on this planet
after they die. They know that St. Paul has admonished them to "Set [their] affection on things
above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:2). Paul says that when their earthly "tent" has been
folded, they shall NEXT have "an HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE
HEAVENS" (2 Cor. 5:1) -- and -- deep, deep down inside -- this is what they really believe --
even while professing to believe, and paying homage to, what they feel they must:-- a literal and
futuristic interpretation of Revelation 20.

People give no serious consideration to what they doubt or to what they know is untrue or
mythical. Genuine Christians especially, compare realities with fictions and then believe, act,
and react, accordingly. For example: when comparing the Resurrected Christ vis-a-vis the
mythical Easter Bunny; when considering Christ the Great Giver vis-a-vis the mythical Santa
Claus; when thinking of the Omnipotent Christ vis-a-vis the fictional Superman; when reading of
Christ the Miracle Worker vis-a-vis clever fake magicians like "Harry Houdini" and his ilk;
when comparing God the Father vis-a-vis the so-called "Father Divine" and his ilk; when
anticipating the real and Holy Heaven vis-a-vis a Heaven for almost anyone -- when making all
such comparisons, true Christians always accept the former and utterly reject the latter as worthy
of no more serious consideration than they would give to "The Big-Rock Candy Mountain."

They know there "Ain't no Big Rock Candy Mountain" and that the other things
mentioned are false and thus unworthy of being trumpeted as facts. Across the board, when true
Christians are convinced in their heart of hearts that a thing is true, often they trumpet it far and
wide, and when they doubt a thing or know it to be false, they are noticeably mum on the
subject, except perhaps to confess their doubt about the matter or to reveal its falsehood.

Thus, I say: the very fact that the saints of God are so mum about another earthly address
-- the fact that they never give any serious consideration to another earthly address is
indicative:-- THEY SHALL HAVE NONE. When considering their next HOME as HEAVEN
vis-a-vis ANOTHER EARTHLY ABODE for 1,000 years after their resurrection and rapture --
in their heart of hearts, the saints accept the former and quite completely dismiss the latter from
their consideration and mention.

I assert that all of this business about glorified saints flying back and forth between the
Holy City and their "camp" on this planet, or their dwelling in a "camp of the saints" on this
partially patch-up earth for 1,000 years, has no more substance in fact than do many of the other
"incredible" teachings of Pre-Millennialists. This, I say, is why the saints of God say little or
nothing about their supposed, coming earthly abode -- an abode in which they would live
hundreds of years longer than they have lived anywhere else on this planet in this life! They say
nothing about it, because in their heart of hearts they are not convinced of its reality -- and their
heart doubts are well-founded! -- they shall have no such abode.

Friends, I say this carefully, but seriously:-- As I see it, there is scarcely to be found
anywhere, any more mixed-up, jumbled-together, mistakenly-contrived hodge-podge of
Scriptural contradictions and misinterpretations than we find in the teachings of
Pre-Millennialists. It is their insistence upon a literal and future fulfillment of Revelation 20,
instead of accepting its spiritual and present fulfillment, that opens that Pandora's Box of
"literally incredible" teachings -- and the irony of it is:-- WHILE THEY TEACH THESE
THINGS, THEIR HEARTS, THEIR RAPTUROUS SONGS AND SHOUTS, AND THEIR
DYING TESTIMONIES -- ALL COMPLETELY PASS OVER ANY THOUGHT OR
MENTION OF LIVING ON EARTH FOR 1,000 MORE YEARS -- AND FOCUS QUITE
ENTIRELY UPON HEAVEN AS THEIR NEXT AND ETERNAL PLACE OF ABODE. --
Again I say: THIS IS INDICATIVE!

McCartney told of an old Southern doctor who had his office over a drugstore. In front of
the drugstore was a sign reading: "Dr. Riley is upstairs." When the old doctor died, after a long
life of day and night service for mankind, he left no money even for his burial, and across
account after account on his books they found the entry "Paid off". When he was buried, his
friends wanted to put up some memorial or stone on his grave. They had no money for an
expensive stone or marker, so they set up over his grave the sign that was in front of the
drugstore, and that was his beautiful epitaph: "Dr. Riley is upstairs."

Whether Dr. Riley went "upstairs" or not is beside my point, which is:-- (the so-called
Jehovah's Witnesses and their ilk not taken into account), there has been for centuries, and still
is, a widespread and deeply ingrained concept in the minds of Bible-believing people that
"upstairs" in Heaven shall be the next abode of those whom God eternally accepts as His -- and
there is virtually no thought or mention among the same of any future abode for the righteous
"downstairs" on this earth -- partially patched-up, or otherwise. Why? Again I assert:-- because
the saints' next home IS, and IS ONLY, "upstairs" in heaven.

In his song, "This Old House," Stuart Hamblin seems to have been thinking of the saints'
"earthly house" vis-a-vis their "house eternal in the heavens":

"Ain't gonna need this house no longer

Ain't gonna need this house no more.
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor.
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Or to mend the window pane
Ain't gonna need this house no longer,
I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints."
 Also, in verse 3 and the chorus of his beautiful song, "When I Pass Through The Gates,"
Robert M. Batton has expressed the true anticipation and expectation of the sanctified saints of
God:

"When I stand in my mansion for the first time,

With the loved ones I'm longing to see.
Then, to know its all real -- I'm in heaven,
Oh, what glory that moment will be.

"All the things of this world will just fade away,

And my burdens will never be known--
The tears will all dry, and we'll never more die.
Oh, what glory that moment will be."

Like so many, many others, Robert Batton anticipates and expects HEAVEN -- not
another dwelling on this earth -- to be his next, his eternal home. Regardless of his prophetic
beliefs, it is easy to see that this is true.

Echoing similar sentiments years earlier, Arthur F. Ingler wrote in his hymn "The Pearly
White City":

"There's a holy and beautiful city

Whose Builder and Ruler is God;
John saw it descending from heaven,
When Patmos in exile he trod.
Its high, massive wall is of jasper;
The City itself is pure gold,
AND WHEN MY FRAIL TENT HERE IS FOLDED,
MINE EYES SHALL ITS GLORY BEHOLD."

The songs are so numerous, the poems are so multitudinous, the writings are so
voluminous, -- which express the saints' anticipation of Heaven as their next and eternal abode
that, were I able so to do, I could make this brief article countless thousands of pages long by
quoting them all. But, here, I forbear, except to ask and answer:-- WHY ALL THIS
ANTICIPATION OF HEAVEN, WITH AN ALMOST UNIVERSAL AND TOTAL
OVERLOOKING OF ANOTHER ABODE FOR THE SAINTS "DOWNSTAIRS" ON THIS
EARTH? I say again:-- The reason for this is explained by the fact of the matter -- at the Return
of Christ, HEAVEN SHALL BE the next, the only, and the eternal, abode of the saints. Selah.

* * * * * * *

24 -- NO SUCH THING AS A VISIBLE, HOPELESS SALVATION

Ephesians 2:8 -- "For by grace are ye SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God."
 Romans 8:24-25 -- "For we are SAVED BY HOPE: BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS
NOT HOPE: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see
not, then do we with patience wait for it."

* * *

The muddled views of Pre-Millennialism involve so many scriptural contradictions that it

seem rather incredible to me that more sincere students of prophecy have not already seen it to
be what I sincerely believe that it is: an ancient error -- one that insists upon a futuristic, literal
interpretation or Rev. 20:5, but which in so doing runs amok with all of the rest of the Bible.

However, the Biblical contradictions of Pre-Millennialism are not the most amiss when
they contradict prophetic scriptures -- the most egregious and flagrant inconsistencies of
Pre-Millennialism are seen relative to the doctrines of salvation -- among which is the
PRE-MILLENNIALIST CONTRADICTION OF THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION BY
FAITH AND HOPE.

According to the muddled views of Pre-Millennialism, during the supposed, coming

millennium on this earth (patched up for 1,000 years) following Christ's Return, PEOPLE WILL
BE SAVED!!! -- AND SAVED (AT LEAST IN PART) BY SIGHT -- AND NOT ENTIRELY
BY FAITH AND BY HOPE!!

The New Testament teaches ONLY ONE, TRUE SALVATION, and that salvation is BY
FAITH in Christ -- apart from sight. Paul said to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 5:7 -- "(For we
walk by faith, not by sight:)." Furthermore, he wrote to the Galatians in Galatians 3:11 -- "The
just shall live by faith." And, to one Whom He had healed, Jesus said in Luke 18:42 "Receive thy
SIGHT: thy FAITH hath SAVED THEE."

In THIS world all Christians are saved by faith, and must walk and live by faith. Nothing
is said in the Bible about anyone ever being saved in this world BY SIGHT! As with the man
Jesus healed, IN THIS WORLD, A MAN MIGHT RECEIVE HIS SIGHT BY FAITH, BUT HE
SHALL NEVER RECEIVE HIS FAITH BY SIGHT!!! But, in effect, if there is a future 1,000
years in this world when people will SEE JESUS, then they would be saved, at least in part, by
BY SIGHT.

If one should argue, well, the disciples SAW Jesus and they were saved by faith, I
answer: When Jesus was on earth during His first coming, He appeared in the lowly form of a
servant, very much as a common, everyday, ordinary man, and thus faith in Him was still
necessary, but when He comes again, ALL SHALL SEE HIM IN HIS BLAZING, AUGUST
GLORY! -- and SO OVERWHELMING SHALL BE HIS VISIBLE PRESENCE THAT IT
WILL LITERALLY "CONVINCE ALL THAT ARE UNGODLY among them of all their
ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which
ungodly sinners have spoken against Him" (Jude 1:15)! Were people to be allowed an
opportunity to then be saved, after such a CONVINCING SIGHT, it would contradict the fact
that salvation must, and always shall in this world, come BY FAITH, AND NOT BY SIGHT.
 Furthermore, the Bible teaches that people are "SAVED BY HOPE: BUT HOPE THAT
IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE" (Romans 8:24-25). Do you not see the great contradiction between this
statement and the teaching of Pre-Millennialism???

IF A MAN SEES CHRIST IN HIS GLORIFIED SPLENDOR; IF A MAN SEES THE

GLORIFIED SAINTS IN ALL OF THEIR BRILLIANCE -- THEN IT WOULD BE
IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO BE SAVED BY HOPE -- FOR HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT
HOPE!!!

But -- this is what would be involved if the error of Pre-Millennialism was true -- 1,000
long years, in which people could SEE all of this, and then supposedly be saved, just as the Bible
teaches that people must be saved -- by faith and by hope!

Friends, THIS SHALL NOT BE! -- it is both unscriptural and impossible. Hope that is
seen is not hope, and the Bible teaches that one is saved by hope.

When Jesus comes the Second Time, for the saints, faith will turn to sight -- and for the
unsaved and ungodly, SIGHT WILL TURN TO FRIGHT, and AND YES, THEY WILL BE
"CONVINCED... of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed," BUT THEY
WILL NOT BE CONVERTED!!!

Away with this unscriptural notion that somehow, people will be saved AFTER JESUS'
REVELATION! Only the saved and sanctified saints of God, thus become BEFORE His August
Return, shall be "partaker(s) of the glory that shall be REVEALED" then (1 Pet. 5:1). But,
forever -- for all of the unsaved -- "when the Lord Jesus shall be REVEALED from heaven with
His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (2 Thess.
1:7-8) -- yea, forever, for all such, Christ's Revelation shall be a "REVELATION OF THE
RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD" ( Romans 2:5)!!! -- BRINGING THEM ETERNAL
DAMNATION, NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF SALVATION FOR 1,000 MORE YEARS!!

Friends, uniformly, the New Testament portrays the Second Coming as CLIMACTIC --
NOT ANTI-CLIMACTIC! IT SPELLS THE END OF TIME -- NOT THE BEGINNING OF
1,000 MORE YEARS OF TIME. I firmly aver that when Jesus splits the Eastern Sky, ALL
POSSIBILITY OF BEING LOST SHALL THEN COME TO THE SAINTS, AND ALL
POSSIBILITY OF BEING SAVED SHALL THEN COME TO ALL OTHER UNSAVED
MANKIND -- WORLD WITHOUT END! -- and this is exactly how the New Testament always
paints the picture. Selah.

If the uniform teaching of the New Testament regarding when and how one must be
saved is true (and, it IS!), then there shall be NO SUCH THING AS A VISIBLE, HOPELESS
SALVATION during a supposed, coming 1,000 years on this planet after Christ's
Revelation-Return.

* * * * * * *

25 -- THE CHURCH-AGE BINDING AND LOOSING OF SATAN

 "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a
great chain in his hand. And he LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON, that old serpent, which is the
Devil, and Satan, AND BOUND HIM A THOUSAND YEARS... and set a seal upon him, that
he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: AND AFTER
THAT HE MUST BE LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON" (Rev. 20:1-3).

"COME, MY PEOPLE, ENTER THOU INTO THY CHAMBERS, and shut thy doors
about thee: hide thyself as it were FOR A LITTLE MOMENT, UNTIL THE INDIGNATION
BE OVERPAST. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the
earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain"
(Isaiah 26:20-21).

* * *

CONTENTS

A -- The Figurative Number Denoting The Time Of Satan's Binding

B -- The Fact That Satan Is Now Bound!
C -- The Loosing Of Satan For 7 Years
D -- The Elect In The Tribulation -- Their Identity And Perception
E -- The Rapture Of The Saints Just Before The Indignation

* * *

A -- THE FIGURATIVE NUMBER DENOTING THE TIME OF SATAN'S BINDING

Everything in Revelation 20, when interpreted correctly, corresponds exactly with what
took place at Calvary, is now transpiring, and which shall be culminated with the loosing of
Satan near the end of the Church Age for 7 years. I invite the reader to study carefully, Chapter 8
of my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," for a detailed exposition of Revelation 20, verse
by verse.

None can deny that the book of Revelation is an highly symbolic and figurative book,
and to insist that everything in it must be interpreted both chronologically in the order in which
its events are related, and to insist that Revelation must be interpreted literally is to misinterpret
the book in ways that not only contradict the rest of the Bible, -- it is also to misinterpret it in
such a way as to MISS SEEING SOME OF ITS SOBERING AND GLORIOUS TRUTHS
RELATIVE TO SALVATION!

Indeed, the entire Bible is replete with figurative and symbolic truth, and those figures,
symbols, and similitudes must be understood as such, or some gross misinterpretations can
result. For example: Rom. 5:14 states that Adam "is the figure of Him that was to come." It
would be ridiculous to insist that everything in this figure must be literally duplicated in Christ,
the Second Adam -- and every sensible interpreter knows that. Again, Hebrews 9:9 tells us that
the earthly tabernacle "was a figure for the time then present" of the heavenly tabernacle. It
would be foolish to say that the dimensions of the heavenly Tabernacle must be precisely the
same as those of the type!? "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which
are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,
(Heb. 9:24) -- and the dimensions, grandeur, and substance of the heavenly far surpass the
figures! Biblical types, such as the number 1,000 in Revelation 20, need not, and often should
not, be taken literally.

God declares in Hosea 12:10 -- "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have
multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets." And, one of those
prophets through whom God spoke in "visions" and "similitudes" was John the Revelator.
Therefore, to be "HUNG-UP" on the interpretation of Revelation BY THE MISGUIDED
NOTION THAT IN ORDER TO LET THE BOOK MEAN WHAT IT SAYS, WE MUST
INTERPRET REVELATION, AND ESPECIALLY REVELATION 20, AND THE
"THOUSAND YEARS" LITERALLY, is to BIND one's method of interpreting this highly
symbolic book with truth-shading shackles that I say need not, and should not, handcuff the
interpreter.

Sadly, IN INTERPRETING THE BINDING OF SATAN FOR 1,000 YEARS -- IT IS

THE PRE-MILLENNIAL INTERPRETERS THEMSELVES WHO ARE BOUND --
duty-bound, they feel, to interpret the number 1,000 to be exactly 1,000! Contrary to this
"duty-bound" method of literally interpreting the 1,000 in Revelation 20, I interpret that number
figuratively.

In addition to the number's use in Revelation 20, the term "a thousand" or "thousand"
elsewhere in the Bible has been used to denote a large, but indefinite, amount of a thing: Deut.
1:11 -- "The Lord God of your fathers make you A THOUSAND times so many more as ye are."
Deut. 7:9 -- "God... keepeth covenant.. with them that love Him and keep His commandments to
A THOUSAND generations." Deut. 32:30 -- "How should one of you chase A THOUSAND."
Ps. 84:10 -- "A day in Thy courts is better than A THOUSAND." Ps. 90:4 -- "For A
THOUSAND years in Thy sight are but as yesterday." 2 Pet. 3:8 -- "One day is with the Lord as
A THOUSAND years, and A THOUSAND years as one day." Ps. 91:7 -- "A THOUSAND shall
fall at thy side, and TEN THOUSAND at thy right hand." Isa. 60:22 -- "A little one shall become
A THOUSAND, and a small one a strong nation." 1 Cor. 14:19 -- "I had rather speak five words
with my understanding.. than TEN THOUSAND words in an unknown tongue." Eccl. 6:3, 6 --
"If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years.. Yea, though he live A THOUSAND
years twice told, yet he hath seen no good."

From the above, it should be clear that while the term "a thousand" is never used loosely
in the Bible, it is often used figuratively, instead of literally, to denote "many" or a large, but
indefinite, amount of a thing. Therefore, with the support of the above evidence, I interpret the
"thousand years" of Rev. 20 to be the long period of time from Calvary to 7 years before the
close of the church age during which Satan is bound by Christ, and which shall be followed at
the close of the Church Age by the "little season" when Satan will be "loosed" and the great
tribulation shall take place. I shall elaborate upon the fact of Satan's binding in the next point.

* * *
B -- THE FACT THAT SATAN IS NOW BOUND

Pre-Millennial interpreters insist that the binding of Satan is yet to come. I assert that this
binding has already taken place -- nearly 2,000 years ago -- the binding having taken place at
Calvary, and the long period of time denoted by the 1,000 years equating with the Church Age
up to the "little season" -- a long, long time of indefinite length, so far as human knowledge is
concerned.

But, immediately responds the Pre-Millennialist, Peter said, "Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour"! How could Satan be bound and still be walking about seeking whom he could devour?!

I see no problem here whatsoever:-- Did you ever see a ferocious beast on a chain
walking about, lunging to the full length of his chain so vigorously and viciously that you feared
he might snap the chain and get you! -- or that he might break his neck trying?

SATAN IS BOUND -- AND SHORTLY I SHALL PROVE THAT -- meantime, my

answer to the above query is: SATAN CAN DEVOUR NOW -- BUT HE IS BOUND TO A
CERTAIN PERIMETER IN SO DOING: viz., he can devour only those who willingly choose to
live in sin, and even then he can slay only those whom God permits him finally to have.

But remember -- Satan is a spirit, and the "chain" is a "spiritual chain" somewhat like the
"chain" that bound the lions from devouring Daniel. At any given moment, anytime, anywhere,
Satan may, or may not, be allowed to devour a sinner -- depending entirely on the will of the
Omnipotent Christ Who BOUND HIM AT CALVARY.

The length of Satan's "chain" never extends so far at to reach those who are walking in
the pathway of holiness: "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The
way of holiness... No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not
be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there" (Isa. 35:8-9).

BUT TO THE PROOF THAT SATAN IS NOW BOUND: -- Let me prove this to you by
next appending a portion of my verse by verse interpretation of Revelation 20 with proof texts.
In doing this I shall make a few helpful alterations and additions to the verse by verse text as
given in Chapter 8 of hdm0124, my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom":

(1) "And he laid hold on the dragon.. the Devil," Christ, none of His angels, is stronger
than the Devil: "When a strong man (Satan) armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
but when a stronger than he (Christ) shall come upon him he taketh from him all his armour
wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Lu. 11:21-22). Isaiah 53 brings out that because
Christ "poured out His soul unto death," therefore "He shall divide the spoil.." It was at Calvary,
and as the result of Calvary, that Jesus bound the devil so as to be able to begin spoiling Satan's
goods -- something Christ has been doing for nearly 2,000 years now, as of August, 2,002.
 (2) "and bound him" It was necessary that Christ first bind Satan by His death at Calvary
before He began the centuries long process of spoiling Satan's house: "How can one (Christ)
enter into a strong man's house (Satan's house) and spoil his goods, except he (Christ) first bind
(Satan) the strong man? And then he will spoil his house" (Matt. 12:29).

Reader, do you not see the logic here? IT WAS NECESSARY FOR CHRIST TO FIRST
BIND SATAN, THE STRONG MAN, BEFORE THE SPOILING OF HIS GOODS BEGAN.
Has the spoiling begun? Yes indeed it has! Christ began the spoiling of Satan's house
immediately following His death and resurrection, for the Bible says so: "And having spoiled
principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Col.
2:15 How much plainer need it to be? None. Therefore, since the spoiling began immediately
after Christ's death and resurrection, the conclusion should be obvious: Christ bound Satan at
Calvary!

(3) "and shut him up, and set a seal upon him" Satan is presently bound, along with all of
the other angels that sinned: "GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED, but cast
them down to hell, and DELIVERED THEM INTO CHAINS OF DARKNESS, to be reserved
unto judgment" (2 Pet. 2:4). "And THE ANGELS WHICH KEPT NOT THEIR FIRST
ESTATE.. HE HATH RESERVED IN EVERLASTING CHAINS under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). Among the bound "angels that sinned," of necessity is THE
ANGEL WHO FIRST SINNED, FALLEN LUCIFER, THE DEVIL.

When Christ "came down from heaven, having.. a great chain in His hand," He bound
Satan through His death on the cross. Satan's power to destroy is limited to the perimeter within
the length of his chain. Thus, he walketh about, to the full length of his restraint, like a chained,
but ferocious, lion, "seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Whom may Satan devour? Only
those who sin willfully so as to place themselves, by their own choice and actions, within the
perimeter of his chain -- and even then, he may only devour those whom Christ gives him leave
have.

Reader, IF YOU DENY THAT SATAN IS NOW BOUND, YOU DENY THE
IRREFUTABLE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE.

* * *

C -- THE LOOSING OF SATAN FOR 7 YEARS

I assert that the striking similarity between the events of the Church Age and the events
depicted in Revelation 20 are more than a coincidence -- the events of Rev. 20 symbolically
typify what HAS OCCURRED during the Church Age -- the binding of Satan and the lengthy
time in which his goods have been spoiled; and they typify what SHALL OCCUR at the very
close of the Church Age -- Satan's loosing for "a little season" -- more precisely, for 7 years. In
expounding this truth, let me continue to present portions from "His Appearing and His
Kingdom," Chapter 8, with such alterations and additions as I think may help:
 (4) "that he should deceive the nations no more" Satan's power to deceive is removed by
Jesus' sacrificial death: "And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over
all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations" (Isa. 25:7). Only unbelievers are blindly
deceived by Satan: "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.. should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4:4). "Nevertheless
when it (unbelieving Israel, or any unbeliever) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken
away" (2 Cor. 3:16).

(5) "till the thousand years should be fulfilled" -- the time from when Satan was first
bound at Calvary until the "little season" of final tribulation near the close of the church age:
"For these be the days.. that all things which are written may be fulfilled" (Lu. 21:22). I say here
that the "fulfillment" of the 1,000 years involves more than the expiration of an exact length of
time. It has to do with the "fulfillment" of all things that are ordained to take place during the
Church Age up to 7 Years before its close.

(6) "and after that he must be loosed for a little season" -- 7 years before the close of the
Church Age, Satan's deceptive power will be "loosed" and the anti-Christ will use that power to
deceive an unbelieving world as never before: "And ye know what withholdeth (presently binds
Satan's deceptive power) that he (anti-Christ) may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of
iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth (bindeth Satan's power to deceive) will let
(continue to restrain that power) until He be taken out of the way."

THE LOOSING OF SATAN mentioned in Rev. 20:3, and the TAKING OUT OF THE
WAY of the restraining power of the Holy Spirit on earth mentioned in 2 Thess. 2:7 ARE NO
COINCIDENCE -- THEY SPEAK OF THE VERY SAME THING -- that awful time, seven
years prior to the close of the Church Age, during which the restraining power of the Holy Spirit
on Satan's deceptive power will be removed on earth to such an extent that only those in whom
the Spirit dwells -- The Elect -- will escape the devil's delusions! This leads me to my next point.

* * *

D -- THE ELECT IN THE TRIBULATION -- THEIR IDENTITY AND PERCEPTION

The fact that Jesus Himself said that those days would be shortened for "the elect's sake,"
(Matt. 24:22) proves irrefutably that "THE ELECT" WILL BE IN THE GREAT
TRIBULATION.

WHO ARE THE ELECT? -- Jesus and Peter identify them.

In His parable of Matthew 14:2-14, Jesus tells us that THE ELECT ARE THOSE WHO
HAVE ON THE WEDDING GARMENT:

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
Mat 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding... And when
the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which HAD NOT ON A WEDDING
GARMENT: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding
garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot,
and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth. For many are called, but few are CHOSEN. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him
hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and
gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are CHOSEN."

The Greek word for CHOSEN here is EKLEKTOS -- and thus we can see that those who
will be at the Wedding Supper are the CHOSEN -- THE ELECT.

Strange! is in not? -- that Pre-Tribulationists teach us that the Wedding Supper will be
taking place during The Great Tribulation -- when JESUS SAID "THE ELECT" -- THOSE
HAVING ON THE WEDDING GARMENT -- WOULD BE IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION!
The fact is: the RAPTURE AND WEDDING SUPPER CANNOT OCCUR BEFORE THE 7
YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD ENDS -- BECAUSE THE ELECT (THOSE HAVING ON
THE WEDDING GARMENT) ARE SEEN IN THE GREAT TRIBULATION!

FURTHER, PETER TELLS US THAT THE ELECT ARE THE SANCTIFIED: -- 1

Peter 1:2 -- "ELECT [eklektos] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, THROUGH
SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT..."

Those who have no prophetic "ax to grind" should be able to see clearly: (1) The Elect
will be in the Great Tribulation; (2) The Elect in the Tribulation are Those Wearing The
Wedding Garment, and therefore the Rapture and Wedding Supper shall not take place until
AFTER the Great Tribulation; (3) The Elect are ALL of the Sanctified of the Church -- not alone
that saved and sanctified remnant of Jews brought into the Church near the close of the Great
Tribulation.

Further, it is the inward possession of the Sanctifying Guide Into All Truth -- The Holy
Ghost -- Who shall preserve the Elect from deception during the "Little Season" during which
restraint against Satanic delusions in an unbelieving world has been removed.

"THEN shall that Wicked be revealed.. even him, whose coming is after the working of
Satan with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish... But we are bound to give
thanks alway to God for you, brethren.. because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth" (2 Thess. 2:6-13).

During the "little season" of great deception under anti-Christ, "them that perish" will be
deceived, while the elect, who have on the wedding garment of "sanctification of the Spirit," will
"believe the truth" unto their final salvation. However, so strong will be the deceptions of those
days that "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24).

* * *

E -- THE RAPTURE OF THE SAINTS JUST BEFORE THE INDIGNATION

 "COME, MY PEOPLE, ENTER THOU INTO THY CHAMBERS, and shut thy doors
about thee: hide thyself as it were FOR A LITTLE MOMENT, UNTIL THE INDIGNATION
BE OVERPAST. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the
earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain"
(Isaiah 26:20-21).

Friends, as I see it, THE CHURCH SHALL GO THROUGH -- NOT ESCAPE FROM --
THE GREAT TRIBULATION -- and it is going to take a holy heart, entire sanctification, to
escape the awful delusions and deceptions of that time!

But you say, I thought Jesus said in Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man."?

That HE DID, but the word for ESCAPE here is EKPHEUGO and the phrase could just
as easily have been translated "ESCAPE OUT FROM AMONG THESE THINGS."

Ekpheugo is the same word translated "fled" in Acts 16:27 relative to the imprisonment
of Paul and Silas. When the jailor feared that they had "fled" -- had "escaped" -- he did not fear
that they had NEVER BEEN IN the prison; he feared rather that they had "FLED OUT FROM
THE MIDST OF the prison" -- quite a difference. The Sanctified Elect shall not escape from
being IN the Great Tribulation any more than Paul and Silas escaped from being IN the prison
for a season. The Church on earth shall be IN the Tribulation, however, the Church shall "escape
out from the midst of it" just before its dramatic end!

I maintain, and explain in my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," that it is the
INDIGNATION, not the TRIBULATION, that the Church shall escape -- and THE
INDIGNATION SHALL BE POURED OUT AT THE TIME OF THE 7TH VIAL. Directly
before that outpouring, the Elect will ESCAPE OUT FROM THE MIDST OF THOSE upon
whom the 7th Vial shall be poured, and rise to meet the Lord in the air!

Further, I would point out that in Isaiah 26:20-21, the People of God are shown as being
hidden but for "A LITTLE MOMENT" -- not for 7 years. I admit that it could be argued that "a
little moment" here should not be taken any more literally than the "thousand years," but in this
case, I believe that the outpouring of THE INDIGNATION literally will take a very brief time.
Just as Christ resurrected and raptured His Church "in the twinkling of an eye," even so He will
make short work of destroying a wicked world and then resurrecting the wicked also, in their
damnation bodies, to face Him at the Judgment -- "because a short work will the Lord make
upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28).

Jesus has not promised the Laodicean Church deliverance from the fire: rather, He has
said to the Last Day Church in Revelation 3:18 -- "I counsel thee to buy of me gold TRIED IN
THE FIRE, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the
shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see."
 It is not surprising that the majority of the Calvinistic, World-Loving, Ease-Loving,
portion of the Laodicean Church has almost entirely bought into the idea of total ESCAPE
FROM THE FIERY TRIALS OF THE COMING GREAT TRIBULATION. That sort of
philosophy, from that sort of crowd, is to be expected.

What is sad is that EVEN HOLINESS FOLKS HAVE LARGELY BOUGHT INTO THE
IDEA that GOD IS GOING TO PAMPER THE LAODICEAN CHURCH WITH AN
EXEMPTION NOT GIVEN TO HIS SUFFERING SAINTS IN ANY OTHER AGE!!!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were saved OUT FROM THE MIDST OF THE
FURNACE -- NOT FROM EVER GOING INTO IT! Daniel was saved out from the midst of the
den of lions, not from ever going into it!

And, writing to the Jewish portion of the Church, the writer to the Hebrews said: "others
had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They
were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was
not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having
provided some better thing for us..." (Heb. 11:36-40).

I can imagine some frothy, easy-believe-ism professor in the Laodicean Church reading,
"God having provided some BETTER THING FOR US," and thinking "Yes, and part of that
BETTER THING PROVIDED FOR US is going to be escape from the awful tribulations that
fell upon those in past ages, and that shall fall upon those who miss the Rapture! They won't
strike ME! -- 'When the Tribulation enters, I'LL BE GONE'! Great, world-wide persecutions
coming? No problem! 'When the Tribulation enters, I'LL BE GONE! -- and -- ONLY 'WHEN
THE TRIBULATION'S OVER, I'LL BE BACK'!"

This seems to be the inward attitude of many in the professed Church today. Such
anticipations all sound so convenient, so sweet and cozy! -- AND EASY! -- ALMOST TOO
GOOD TO BE TRUE. And, if I read my Bible right -- THEY ARE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!
-- actually too bad to be true -- a bad prescription for the ease-loving, Laodicean Church that is
quite the opposite from what Christ has actually written!

Friends, my Bible says that the Church "must THROUGH MUCH TRIBULATION enter
into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), and that has held true for the Church of EVERY AGE.
In the first centuries, Christians entered into the eternal kingdom of God THROUGH
MARTYRDOMS so gory, so grisly, so bloody and painful, that their recitation or reading alone
is enough to send chills down one's spine and nauseate the stomach.

You know WHAT I THINK WILL MORE LIKELY PROVE TO BE ONE OF THOSE
"BETTER THINGS" FOR THE LAODICEAN CHURCH -- better than it now knows or
experiences:-- THE BUYING (AT A HIGH PRICE OF SUFFERING) SPIRITUAL "GOLD"
FROM CHRIST, "TRIED IN THE FIRE" OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION -- for THIS, I
SAY, IS WHAT HE HAS PRESCRIBED!
 The spiritual character of a professed Church often determines its particular beliefs.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the doctrine of escape from coming suffering is popular today
-- in the pain-avoiding, pleasure-loving, Laodicean Church! Is it not time for every member of
the Laodicean Church to ask himself, or herself:

"Must I be carried to the skies,

On flowery beds of ease?
When others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?"

Saints of God -- instead of anticipating a flowery, "magic carpet ride" away from the
coming "Little Season" of "Great Tribulation" you had best prepare to go through it -- therein,
escaping its delusions by the inward, sanctifying guidance of the Holy Ghost, and therefrom,
escaping out from its midst just before the 7th Vial is poured out at the close of that awful time
that is even now hastening upon the world.

* * * * * * *

26 -- THE THINGS PREPARED FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

INTRODUCTION

In this little 3-page treatise, I shall refer to 6 verses in the Bible that speak of those things
that are "prepared" for the people of God. In the following I shall present each of these verses,
along with other scriptures and my observations and comments.

* * *

The things prepared for God's people are...

A -- THINGS IMPERCEPTIBLE TO THE PHYSICAL SENSES

In Isaiah 64:4 we read: -- "For since the beginning of the world MEN HAVE NOT
HEARD, NOR PERCEIVED by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, WHAT
HE HATH PREPARED for him that waiteth for him."

St. Paul, quotes the above verse thus in 1 Cor. 2:9:-- "But as it is written, EYE HATH
NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, neither have entered into the heart of man, THE THINGS
WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED for them that love him."

We can see, then, from these verses that THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED
FOR HIS PEOPLE ARE SPIRITUAL THINGS, THINGS WHICH DO NOT, AND CANNOT
PERTAIN TO THIS WORLD AND UNIVERSE. In this world and universe everything
pertaining to it can be seen, heard, touched, and known by the physical senses. Therefore, the
things which God has prepared for His people could not belong to this world -- and do not.
 Paul goes on to say that God has revealed these prepared things to Christians "by His
Spirit" (1 Cor. 2:10) -- and obviously he meant, in part at least, the SPIRITUAL SALVATION
of which Isaiah had long before prophesied.

During O. T. times, everything was physically known -- salvation consisting of political

deliverance and salvation from outward enemies -- sacrifices and offerings that were seen, heard,
and touched -- witnesses from God that were also seen, heard, and felt by the physical senses --
an exodus from a physical Egyptian bondage and material Egypt into a political freedom and
inheritance in a material land of Canaan.

Through the prophet Isaiah, then, in Isaiah 64:4, God spoke of a time when His Salvation
would be OF A DIFFERENT SORT -- a salvation consisting of spiritual deliverance from
spiritual and inward foes -- a Sacrifice presented in an unseen Tabernacle in Heaven --
deliverance from a Spiritual Egyptian bondage into a Spiritual Canaan -- a Spiritual Salvation,
the witness of which would not be seen, heard, touched, nor known by the physical senses, but
rather a salvation the witness of which is "revealed" to the inner man "by the Spirit."

Therefore, the true Witness to both regeneration and entire sanctification has nothing
whatsoever to do with that which can be known by what one sees (such as cloven tongues of
fire), what one hears (such as the sound of a rushing, mighty wind or audiblized tongues), nor
what one touches or feels physically. During the Transitional Times of Jesus' earthly ministry
and even at Pentecost and shortly thereafter, there were physically perceptible signs, but these
were given only temporarily -- and that, to help the faith of those who had been accustomed to
the outward signs of the O. T. times.

The ONLY true witness to salvation and entire sanctification is that which is "revealed
by the Spirit" to the inner, spiritual senses -- completely apart from all other physically known
things: 1 John 5:10 "He that believeth on the Son of God hath THE WITNESS IN HIMSELF: he
that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of
his Son."

Jesus declared that it was "An evil and adulterous generation" that "seeketh after a sign"
(Matt. 12:39), and He declared that His true ministers were not to "say, Lo here! or, lo there! for,
behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).

But let's go further, I believe that the things which God has prepared for His people at the
time of Christ's Return are:

* * *

B -- THINGS IN THE NEW WORLD TO COME, NOT THINGS IN THIS WORLD!

One of the greatest "things that God hath prepared for them that love Him" is the
"PLACE" he has prepared for them to dwell.
 It has been frequently said, "HEAVEN is a prepared place for a prepared people" -- the
emphasis being placed on the fact that only those prepared to meet the Lord are going there. Less
often will you here it emphasized that HEAVEN, and not this earth after Christ's Return, is the
place that God has prepared for His people.

In John 14:2-3, Jesus said:-- "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. And if I go and PREPARE A
PLACE FOR YOU, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; THAT WHERE I AM,
THERE YE MAY BE ALSO."

Just WHERE IS THAT PREPARED PLACE?? -- according to the teaching of

Pre-Millennialists, the first place that Jesus is going to prepare for His people is a place on this
earth for 1,000 years of extended time on this planet after His Return. This, I assert is utterly
wrong! Jesus spoke of going to prepare "a place" for His people, not "places" for them -- one
being somewhere on this earth during 1,000 more earthly years, and another being in heaven!

The obvious meaning of John 14:2-3 is: Jesus said He was going away to dwell with His
Father in Heaven, then come again to receive and take His people back to heaven to occupy one
of the "many mansions" in Heaven! He was not saying that when He returned He was going to
take His people to some spot on this earth for 1,000 years -- not even to some spot on this earth
temporarily patched up! Rather, He obviously meant that He would take them to the "many
mansions" of Heaven. The meaning here, it seems to me, is so simple that an eight-year-old
could understand it.

Also, Hebrews 11:16 CLEARLY REVEALS THAT THE PLACE GOD HAS
PREPARED FOR HIS PEOPLE IS IN HEAVEN:-- "But now they desire a better country, that
is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath
PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY."

Furthermore, we should be able to easily see from John the Revelator's prophecy in
Revelation 21:2 that it is "THE HOLY CITY" THAT CHRIST HAS PREPARED FOR THEM
THAT LOVE HIM: "And I John saw THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, coming down
from God out of heaven, PREPARED as a bride adorned for her husband."

"The things that God hath prepared for them that love Him" are both OF A DIFFERENT
SORT than can be known by the physical senses of this world, and TO A DIFFERENT PLACE
THAN IS LOCATED IN THIS WORLD!

Therefore, AT THE TIME OF HIS RETURN -- not after locating them temporarily on
this planet for 1,000 more years -- "THEN shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
COME, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU
from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).

"Heaven IS the prepared place for a prepared people." Thus, directly after the Judgment,
following Christ's Return -- HEAVEN shall be the first, last, and eternal place of abode for God's
people -- world without end -- and no other world in between!
* * * * * * *

27 -- SHALL THE SHADOWS SUPPLANT THE SUBSTANCE?

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again
to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? YE OBSERVE
DAYS, AND MONTHS, AND TIMES, AND YEARS. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed
upon you labour in vain" (Gal. 4:9-11).

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of

the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: WHICH ARE A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME; but
the body is of Christ" (Col 2:16-17).

* * *

Another error into which the hyperliteral interpretation of Second Coming prophecy
leads is that which says that various SHADOWS of the Law shall overshadow and supplant the
SUBSTANCE found in Christ.

The New Testament clearly teaches that all of the Offerings and Feasts of the Jewish
Levitical System were THE SHADOW, which shadow was done away with the arrival of the
great SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE OF SALVATION IN CHRIST.

Yet, according to Pre-Millennial interpreters, during the supposed Millennial Reign of

Christ, various Jewish and Levitical practices will be restored. They interpret literally the
following passage as taking place during the supposed Millennium:

"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came
against Jerusalem shall even GO UP FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO WORSHIP THE KING, THE
LORD OF HOSTS, AND TO KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. And it shall be, that
whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the
Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come
not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen that
come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the
punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles" (Zech 14:16-19).

In their hyperliteral interpretation of this prophecy, they envision some sort of mass
pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year -- not by individuals, but by entire "nations" -- in order to
"worship" Christ the King.

Question:-- Since when did Christ ever accept OUTWARD HOMAGE from NATIONS,
many of the individuals among which would be only kow-towing outwardly, with no real inward
affection for him!?
 Dear heart, Paul said of true Christians: "For we are the circumcision, which WORSHIP
GOD IN THE SPIRIT, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh"
(Philippians 3:3 )!!

Furthermore, JESUS HIMSELF SAID in John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and THEY THAT
WORSHIP HIM -- MUST -- WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT and in TRUTH."

Do you mean to tell me that Christ, Who is God Incarnate, is going to sit on an earthly
throne in the earthly Jerusalem and ALLOW AN OUTWARD KOWTOWING TO HIM OF
UNREGENERATE, UNHOLY PEOPLE TO PASS OFF AS "WORSHIP"?! God Forbid! Away
with such a dangerous notion!

If the Pre-Millennial teaching is true, then unregenerate and carnal individuals who are
hostile to Christ will rise up at the close of the supposed millennium and start the greatest
anti-Christian war that the world has ever known. Furthermore, if this is true, then there are
bound to be such individuals among the nations supposedly going up to Jerusalem the LAST
year before the battle of Gog and Magog occurs -- and doubtless the same sort of individuals
would be going up EVERY year during the supposed millennium to pay what would be only an
hypocritical and outward homage to Christ -- SOMETHING FAR FROM WHAT THE NEW
TESTAMENT SAYS CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WORSHIP ACCEPTED BY GOD!!!

Friends, THIS SHALL NEVER BE! Christ would never accept such false worship, nor
would He ever force anyone to bow to His rule with a rod of iron. Look at the Scriptural context
of the "rod of iron" passages in the Bible and you will see that the "rod of iron" rulership of
Christ is one that "dashes in pieces" -- and forces obeisance only once: at the General Judgment
of all. The idea of a prolonged, forced subjection to Christ is foreign the entire message of the
New Testament and such a method smacks more of Islam than of true Christianity. Virtually
every Second Coming passage in the New Testament points to a rapid and climactic closure of
Christ's work when He returns: "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Romans 9:28) -- not to a prolonged,
forced subjection of inwardly hostile people for 1,000 years!

But some Pre-Millennial interpreter may quote the following N. T. Passage, asserting that
Jesus' Time to show himself at a Jewish Feast of Tabernacles had not yet come, BUT WILL
COME DURING THE MILLENNIUM:

"Now the Jews' FEAST OF TABERNACLES was at hand. His brethren therefore said
unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou
doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known
openly. If thou do these things, SHOW THYSELF TO THE WORLD. For neither did his
brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, MY TIME IS NOT YET COME: but your
time is alway ready" (John 7:2-6).

My reply would be that such interpretation of that passage does not hold water, for in
John 7:8 Jesus made it clear that HE MEANT HE WAS GOING UP TO THE FEAST LATER:
"Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come."
 Furthermore, the only times that Jesus is going to "show himself to the world" is when
He appears at His awesome Revelation and at the Great White Throne Judgment -- and that will
indeed be to "convince" the wicked of who He is, but not to "convert" them. Those appearances
will be to mete out Divine Judgment.

On the last day of the above "feast of tabernacles," Jesus "stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that
believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not
yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39).

Here we see what is now, and what always shall be, Christ's method of converting
people: BY INVITATION AND BY GIVING THEM HIS SPIRIT when they respond from the
heart. Furthermore, the N. T. is replete with verses that show clearly that only those who are
born again shall see His Kingdom! In His true Messianic Kingdom (which is both spiritual and
eternal) there shall not be one hypocrite -- not one soul who would even WANT to rebel against
Him, ever -- nor even kow-tow to him out of servile fear.

Zechariah 14:21, and every such passage shall, therefore, have a spiritual and eternal
fulfillment: "Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts:
and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there
shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts."

"No more Canaanite in the house of the Lord of House" equates with what is said
regarding the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem: "And there shall in no wise enter into it any
thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are
written in the Lamb's book of life" (Rev. 21:27).

Is it not sad that many Pre-Millennial speakers interpret "the voices of the prophets"
(Acts 13:27) spiritually in much of their preaching on salvation and holiness, but FAIL TO SEE
THE SPIRITUAL "VOICES OF THE PROPHETS" RELATIVE TO 2ND COMING
PROPHECY.

St. Paul was "afraid" of those who went back to the observation of "DAYS, AND
MONTHS, AND TIMES, AND YEARS" -- things which pertain to THE SHADOW and not
THE SUBSTANCE of real salvation. And, as I see it, Pre-Millennial interpretations are to be
both feared and rejected wherein they suggest a future supplanting or overshadowing of the great
spiritual substance of Christ's Salvation by the earthly shadows of those things.

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can NEVER [NOT EVEN IN A THOUSAND YEARS].. make the comers thereunto
perfect" (Heb. 10:1).

"For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Heb. 10:37).
Once the climactic events of Christ's Return begin unfolding they will occur in rapid succession,
"For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord
make upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28).

Christ can both save and sanctify "in the twinkling of an eye" and that is how He shall
Return, rapture His saints, rupture the balloon of a wicked world's pride, destroy and resurrect
the wicked and bring all into Judgment. Then, in short order, the Eternal, Perfect Day shall dawn
for the righteous wherein ALL "SHADOWS FLEE AWAY" (S.S. 2:17; 4:6) -- including all of
the Shadows of the Glorious and Shining, Spiritual-Substance of Eternal Salvation in the New
Heavens, New Earth, and New Jerusalem!

SHALL THE SHADOWS SUPPLANT THE SUBSTANCE? -- not at all, not even for
one second, let alone for one thousand years!

* * * * * * *

28 -- NOT TWO EARTHLY SOJOURNS -- JUST ONE

1 Peter 1:17 "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth
according to every man's work, pass THE TIME OF YOUR SOJOURNING HERE in fear."

Over and over again, the homing instinct of the saints of God who believe in a coming
earthly millennium belies their professed belief in such. Prophetically, they claim to believe in a
second earthly sojourn for the saints -- one in this present world, followed by another sojourn of
1,000 years on this planet, partially patched-up -- but their hearts always get the better of them,
and they talk about, sing about, envision, and on their death-beds testify to, going to HEAVEN --
not to another sojourn on this planet. Why? Because their hearts are right, and their heads are
mixed up -- because their spirits instinctively know THERE IS ONLY ONE EARTHLY
SOJOURN FOR THE SAINTS -- NOT TWO!

The following words reveal what they truly believe, deep down in their heart of hearts:

"This world is NOT my home,

I'm just a-passing through;
My treasures are laid up,
Somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me,
From HEAVEN'S open door,
AND I CAN'T FEEL AT HOME,
IN THIS WORLD ANY MORE!"

In Hebrews 11:8-10, we read:

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith HE
SOJOURNED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For HE LOOKED FOR A CITY
which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Shall Abraham sojourn twice in the earthly Canaan? I tell you, NAY, even though this is
the professed, but muddled, earthly belief of some saints. Abraham finally came to understand
that his dwelling in earthly Canaan was NOT the real fulfillment of God's promise. Indeed, God
"GAVE HIM NONE INHERITANCE IN IT, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he
promised that he would give it to him for a possession" (Acts 7:5).

Abraham came to understand that GOD'S PROMISE THAT HE WOULD INHERIT

CANAAN WAS TO HAVE AN HEAVENLY, NOT AN EARTHLY FULFILLMENT, and thus
it was that "He looked for a City.. whose builder and maker is God." He stopped looking for a
city in this earth -- one that is built by man, and, though God did not give him one foot of
Palestine, Abraham knew that He HAD INHERITED A FAR BETTER LAND!

And, in Abraham's track, other O. T. saints realized the same, glorious truth: HEAVEN,
NOT AN INHERITANCE IN THIS WORLD, WAS THEIR IN REAL INHERITANCE:

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,
and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were STRANGERS
AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. For they that say such things declare plainly that THEY
SEEK A COUNTRY. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they
came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now THEY DESIRE A
BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY" (Heb. 11:13-15).

Dear mixed up, but heaven-ready saint -- GOD IS NOT GOING TO DRAG ABRAHAM
AND ALL OF THE REST OF HIS SAINTS, INCLUDING YOU, BACK TO A SECOND
SOJOURN ON THIS PLANET! Peter spoke of "THE TIME of your sojourning here," NOT "the
TIMES of your sojourning here"!

The City and Land promised to God's saints ARE HEAVENLY, not earthly, even for
1,000 future years of time -- and in their heart of hearts, all of God's people know that this is so.
THAT IS WHY THE SAINTS PRAY, SING, TESTIFY, AND SHOUT -- ABOUT GOING TO
HEAVEN.

How many of the heaven-blessed saints in a campmeeting do you ever hear rapturously
shouting: "Hallelujah! I'm headed for my second home on earth!"??

NONE! -- EVER! -- and this is significant! -- because it reveals what the real fact is:--
the saints are not headed for a second sojourn on this earth, but for their eternal dwellingplace in
Heaven!

"THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God

is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY" (Heb.
11:13-15) -- The New Jerusalem.
 In 1 Chronicles 29:15, the inspired writer said of God's people: "For we are strangers
before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and
there is none abiding."

The time of the saints' present sojourn on earth, "ARE AS A SHADOW" -- fleeing away
-- ARE AS "A SHADOW OF THE GOOD THINGS TO COME" (Heb. 10:1) -- good things to
come to them in the New Heavens and New Earth, not during a second sojourn on this planet!

Saint of God, LISTEN TO YOUR HEART. Then, Selah (which means: "Pause"), and
think about it. Why is it, that you "can't feel at home in this world ANY MORE"? It is because
after you depart, you shall never dwell on this earth ANY MORE. Selah. Frankly, I doubt if
there is even one professed Pre-Millennialist saint who hopes for another earthly home and
sojourn, or who shall regret not having the "opportunity to return" (Heb. 11:15).

* * * * * * *

29 -- WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME

CONTENTS

A -- Scriptures
B -- The Day Of Total Perfection Is Coming For The Saints
C -- The Day Of Total Perfection Is Coming Upon The Wicked
D -- When It Is That The Perfect Day Shall Come
E -- All Imperfection Shall Be Done Away When Christ Returns

* * *

A -- SCRIPTURES

1 Corinthians 13:10 "But WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, then that
which is in part shall be done away."

Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto THE PERFECT DAY."

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

* * * * * * *

B -- THE DAY OF TOTAL PERFECTION IS COMING FOR THE SAINTS

"The Perfect Day" is approaching. It shall be a day of perfect light. Now, the saints of
God, at best, "see through a glass darkly," perceiving only part of what they shall see clearly on
"the perfect day." Now, the saints experience perfect hearts, but their minds and bodies are far
from perfect. But, the day approaches when God's people shall be in every way perfect. Now,
their race is not totally perfect. While he was still on his journey, Paul wrote: "Not as though I
had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12). His heart was perfect, but
his race was imperfect in that it was not complete. Nevertheless, Paul perfected his race, and the
day fast approaches when every saint shall have perfected his journey -- on "the perfect day."

The Body of Christ is still imperfect, in that it has not been totally completed, but on "the
perfect day" all who ever shall be saved will be saved, and the Body of Christ shall have "come
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Yes, that "Perfect Day" of Total Perfection
hastens, and shall soon be here. WHAT A DAY, GLORIOUS DAY, THAT SHALL BE FOR
THE SAINTS!

* * *

C -- THE DAY OF TOTAL PERFECTION IS COMING UPON THE WICKED

As I see it, "the perfect day" shall be the day of Eternal Polarization:-- the day when ALL
THAT IS EVIL SHALL BE FOREVER REMOVED FROM THAT WHICH IS GOOD. Thus,
on "the perfect day" not only will all evil beings be removed from among all holy beings into
their respective abodes in Hell and Heaven -- ALL GOOD WILL BE EXTRACTED FROM
THE BEING OF THOSE WHO ARE EVIL!

1 Kings 14:13 tells us of the wicked Jeroboam and his house, "And all Israel shall mourn
for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because IN HIM
THERE IS FOUND SOME GOOD THING toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of
Jeroboam." In this world, there is a mixture of "some good" and evil, in even the most wicked
sinners. The vilest sinner has some good characteristics; the most heinous criminal and tyrant has
at least a smidgen of that which is good in his person -- he may be heartless and cruel to nearly
all others, and still be tender and kind to his mother, or his wife, or his children. When Gotti, the
notorious mobster died of cancer recently, certain good things about him were mentioned, and I
believe at least one or two good things could be said about the worst person who ever occupied
this globe.

BUT... when "the perfect day" comes -- I suspect that ALL GOOD WILL BE FOREVER
EXTRACTED FROM ALL BEINGS WHO ARE THEN UNSAVED, and the fate of all such
shall be eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. Further, in that place of unimaginable and
unmitigated horrors, EVERY BEING WILL BE THE ENEMY OF ALL OTHER BEINGS
THERE.

I have heard of wicked people saying, "I want to go to hell, because that is where all my
friends will be." If I am not mistaken, NOBODY IN HELL WILL BE A FRIEND TO ANYONE
ELSE THERE. All will be gnashing, cursing, and inflicting more pain on every other being there
-- all compassion, all sympathy, and all good having been extracted from every inhabitant of that
awful and eternal place of suffering.

Related to this is another of my thoughts: In 2 Cor. 12:9, we read of how God's "strength
is made perfect" in the saint. On "the perfect day" the strength of the saints will be increased and
perfected eternally. They shall have an empowerment that is perhaps greater than the might of
the mightiest angels in glory. However, conversely, I suspect that while the strength of the saints
shall be perfected on "the perfect day," THE WEAKNESS OF THE WICKED SHALL BE
MADE PERFECT ON THE PERFECT DAY. And, perhaps He who was the strongest in evil,
shall be the weakest in hell.

If that is the case, in hell there shall be an inverted pyramid -- Satan being the weakest of
all and on the bottom of that pyramid -- or pecking order of suffering. Those "beaten with few
stripes" will be on the broader top of the inverted pyramid, stronger, and able to inflict more pain
on all others beneath them, and so forth from inverted top to the bottom occupied by Satan --
who will be kicked around and abused by all others above him, as the weakest "whipping boy" in
hell. In other words, the stronger the evil being was in Time, the weaker he shall be in the Lake
of Fire -- he who had the most power on earth being the weakest in the Lake of Fire. If I am
right, Satan will thus suffer the most, and suffer the most from all others, in the Lake of Fire.
Sometimes preachers picture the damned as being the continued victims of a ferocious and
powerful Satan in hell, but if I am right, it is HE who will be the greatest victim of suffering and
abuse from all others in the regions of the damned.

"The Perfect Day" -- For the wicked, and especially for Satan, what a day, horrible day,
shall be! Think of it! The Hitlers, the Stalins, the Saddam Husseins, the heartless and murderous
rulers and oppressors of earth -- being only slightly above Satan and his imps in that awful,
inverted pyramid of suffering, being gnashed upon, beaten, and bullied there by all others above
them! From the bottom to the top of such an inverted pyramid of suffering, the total perfection of
evil in the inhabitants of outer darkness shall amount to an endless experience more painful and
horrible than the human mind can now comprehend.

* * *

D -- WHEN IT IS THAT THE PERFECT DAY SHALL COME

I believe the following verses pinpoint the time WHEN "the perfect day" shall come:

"But WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, then that which is in part shall be
done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:
but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly;
but THEN FACE TO FACE: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known" (1 Cor. 13:10-12).

Quite obviously, St. Paul spoke of "THAT WHICH IS PERFECT" coming at the time
WHEN THE CHRISTIANS SHALL SEE JESUS "FACE TO FACE." That being the case, "THE
PERFECT DAY" SHALL ARRIVE WHEN JESUS ARRIVES -- i. e., on the Day of the Lord, at
the time of His glorious Revelation. "When the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven"
(2 Thess. 1:7), then it is that the wicked will with fear see His face, crying out for the mountains
and rocks to hide His face from them; and -- then it is that Christians shall, face to face, "see the
King in his Beauty" (Isaiah 33:17) and "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet.
1:8). So, "THE PERFECT DAY" IS THE DAY OF CHRIST'S RETURN. But this leads me to
the final, and PARTICULAR POINT OF THIS BRIEF ARTICLE:

* * *

E -- ALL IMPERFECTION SHALL BE DONE AWAY WHEN CHRIST RETURNS

"But WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, then THAT WHICH IS IN PART
SHALL BE DONE AWAY" (1 Cor. 13:10).

Now -- to apply this truth:

After Christ is seen "face to face" on "The Perfect Day," the day of His Revelation,
THERE WILL BE NO PARTIAL RESTORATION OF THE EARTH, LASTING ONLY 1,000
YEARS. Why? Because TOTAL PERFECTION SHALL ARRIVE WHEN CHRIST ARRIVES.
All of the human imperfections of the saints will be removed -- "that which is in part" relative to
their salvation "shall be done away" and their salvation shall be made perfect in every way:-- to
their perfect hearts shall be added perfection of body and mind, and they shall be removed from
a very imperfect world into the total perfection of Heaven.

When the saints see Jesus, "face to face," God is not going to sit them down for 1,000
more years in a world that is, in part, purged and glorified. No! not at all -- He will take his
totally perfected people to a totally and eternally perfect home -- Heaven!

Further, with "that which is in part done away," Christ is not going to rule over a people
who are partly saved and partly-lost -- who are partly holy and partly unholy -- who are partly
glorified and partly in the flesh -- who are partly His own, and partly children of the devil!

I once read a story something like this:-- A man who was not a Christian was dying, but
refused to believe that hell must be his lot and the proud, unconverted man said to the one who
was endeavoring to help him get saved: "There must be some better place for a man of my
respectability." I used this story in an article titled: "Ya Can't Get To Hellven From Here,"
emphasizing that there is no place called "Hellven," -- half-way, or somewhere, between Hell
and Heaven -- for those who think themselves too good to go to hell, but who are not qualified
for heaven.

There is no Purgatory and no Hellven. Christ has no such "Half-way House" and no
Kingdom somewhere in between this earth and Heaven. However, in effect, Millennialists say
that Christ has 3 Kingdoms -- the second of which is sort of a mixture between the earthly and
the heavenly: (a) His Spiritual Kingdom now, consisting of only those who are born again and
sanctified wholly; (b) Second, an Interim Kingdom for 1,000 Years on earth which shall be
partially inhabited by unregenerate people "of respectability" who do not belong in heaven, but
who outwardly kow-tow to His rule; and (c) an Eternal Kingdom in Heaven, inhabited once
again by only the saved and the holy.

I firmly aver that CHRIST HAS NOT NOW, NOR EVER SHALL HAVE, A
KINGDOM WHICH SHALL BE INHABITED PARTLY BY SAINTS AND PARTLY BY
SINNERS -- "RESPECTABLE" OR OTHERWISE!

Friends, WHEN HE WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, THEN THAT WHICH IS IN

PART SHALL BE FOREVER DONE AWAY! In this world, the professed Church is now partly
genuine, partly false and hypocritical, but when Jesus Returns -- not 1,000 years later -- "The
Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that
offend, and them which do iniquity" (Matthew 13:41). THAT MEANS, IN PLAIN ENGLISH:
NOBODY WHO IS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD, BOTH IN HEART AND LIFE, WILL EVER
OCCUPY A PLACE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST -- ANY TIME, ANYWHERE! --
WORLD WITHOUT END.

Dear Holiness Preacher and Saint, what kind of a teaching is it that would even insinuate
that Christ shall allow unholy people to dwell in His Kingdom????????? THIS SHALL NEVER
BE, and frankly, I think it reflects on the integrity of Christ to suggest that He will ever allow
such! Yet, this is the very thing that Pre-Millennialism teaches. How a Holiness person,
preacher, or group could teach such a thing without seeing the glaring inconsistency in that
teaching with everything in the doctrine of heart holiness is beyond me! Selah.

No, dear friends, at Christ's Return, that which is partly perfected in holiness shall
become totally and eternally perfected therein and go to dwell in the total perfection of the Holy
City, world without end! And conversely, that which is partly perfected in evil will become
totally and eternally perfected therein, and be sent to dwell in the total perfection of all evil,
suffering forever the undiluted perfection of suffering in the Lake of Fire -- world without end.

This, I believe, is what shall happen WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME IN
THE PERSON OF CHRIST AT THE TIME OF HIS SECOND COMING -- not 1,000 partially
perfected years later. And THIS, I believe, is also in perfect harmony with the Perfect Word of
God from cover to cover.

* * * * * * *

30 -- THE TRIBULATION SAINTS ARE THE CHURCH

"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the
fine linen is the righteousness of SAINTS" (Rev. 19:8 ).

"And it was given unto him to MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev. 13:7).

"But THE SAINTS of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom
for ever, even for ever and ever... I beheld, and the same horn MADE WAR WITH THE
SAINTS, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given
to the saints of the most High; and the time came that THE SAINTS possessed the kingdom...
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall WEAR OUT THE SAINTS of
the most High... And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the
whole heaven, shall be given to the people of THE SAINTS of the most High, Whose kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom.." (Dan. 7:18, 21-22, 25, 27).

* * *

CONTENTS

Introduction

A -- Christ's Coming Both FOR And WITH His Saints

B -- All Saints In The Apocalypse Are The Church
C -- Saints In The Book Of Daniel Are Christians
D -- The Complacent, Laodicean Church Shall Be Shocked!

* * *

INTRODUCTION

"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the
fine linen is the righteousness of SAINTS" (Rev. 19:8 ).

Probably millions of times, Christian preachers (and particularly Holiness Preachers)

have been blessed and anointed in preaching on the above text -- and quite invariably the term
"saints" in the text is taken correctly to mean those who are "the Church, Christ's Bride."

The term "saint" or "saints" (Greek = Hagios) is found 62 times in the New Testament,
and I assert that IN ALL INSTANCES "THE SAINTS" MENTIONED IN THE NEW
TESTAMENT ARE NONE OTHER THAN "THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
Furthermore, as related to end-time prophecy, the term "saints" throughout the entire Bible
applies to the blood-washed members of the Body of Christ.

It is true that in the Old Testament the term "saints" is used in reference to the holy ones
under the Law, but the whole concept of there being Raptured Saints vs. Tribulation Saints prior
to the Second Coming of Christ is without Scriptural support. Both context and consistency in
our interpretation demands that we uniformly interpret the term "saint" or "saints" in the New
Testament to mean the Church.

THIRTEEN (13) of the REFERENCES TO "SAINTS" in the New Testament ARE

FOUND IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION -- and I assert that ALL THIRTEEN APPLY TO
THE SAINTS OF CHRIST'S CHURCH -- and none apply to a supposed group of "Tribulation
Saints" who shall not go up in the Rapture. ALL of God's "saints," both of the Old and New
Testament, shall be raised in one "Perfect Man" to meet Christ in the air -- at His Revelation, for
that is when the Rapture shall occur -- AFTER the Great Tribulation.

In the following point, I shall take up what one threw my way day before yesterday (with
what struck me as an attitude of "smug cleverness") as what he supposed was a proof that the
Church could not possibly be in the Tribulation just prior to Christ's Revelation. His reasoning,
however, was sophistic, and without the support of the Bible, or the original Greek text.

* * *

A -- CHRIST'S COMING BOTH FOR -- AND WITH -- HIS SAINTS

"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord
cometh WITH ten thousands of his saints" (Jude 1:14).

The argument thrown at me by my detractor is one that is frequently put forth by

Pre-Tribulationists:-- i. e., that Christ could not possibly come WITH his saints at the time of His
Revelation unless he had previously come FOR them -- and, they assert that this coming FOR
His saints shall have occurred 7 years before he comes WITH them. I could have refuted this
sophistic reasoning of my detractor by sending him the following, but, I did not, and shall not.
"A man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still."

Pre-Tribulational interpreters insist that the Greek word "Parousia" is used in reference to
Christ's coming FOR his people, and they frequently quote 1 Thess. 4:15-17 as the time when
Christ comes FOR his people at a Pre-Tribulation Rapture -- 7 years BEFORE the Revelation:

"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain
unto the COMING [Parousia] of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which 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."

They are absolutely correct in saying that this passage describes the Rapture of the saints,
but they are absolutely wrong in saying that it occurs 7 years BEFORE the Revelation. There are
3 Greek words used in the N.T. to describe the Second Coming: "Parousia" -- "Epiphany" -- and
"Apokalupsis" -- and Pre-Trib interpreters insist that "Parousia" applies to the Rapture BEFORE
the Tribulation and "Apokalupsis" applies to the Revelation AFTER the Tribulation.

THIS ASSERTION IS WITHOUT ONE IOTA OF SCRIPTURAL BASIS! -- BEYOND

QUESTION, ALL THREE WORDS ARE USED REPEATEDLY AND INTERCHANGEABLY
IN REFERENCE TO THE SAME COMING OF CHRIST -- AFTER THE TRIBULATION! For
further elucidation and confirmation of this, see Chapter 5 of hdm0124, "His Appearing and His
Kingdom," entitled: "What The Greek Words Indicate."
 Regarding how Christ shall come both FOR and WITH his saints at the same time, I shall
append below several portions from my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," hdm0124.
These excerpts will show both from the original Greek, as well as from sound logic, how Christ's
coming FOR and WITH His saints at His Post-Tribulational Revelation can, and shall, occur:

* * *

How Christ Shall Come Both For and With His People

From 1 Thess. 4:16, "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,"
concerning the word "descend," Gundry states: "Other things being equal, the word 'descend'
(katabaino) indicates a complete, uninterrupted descent." In other words, when Christ descends
from heaven at the rapture, the saints will rise to meet Him in the air, but after that meeting
Christ will continue His descent with them to the earth.

In support of this idea being conveyed generally in the word katabaino, Gundry gave the
following references: Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22: and John 1:32, 33; 3:13; 6:33, 38, 41,
42, 50, 51, 58. He said further: "Where a reversal from downward to upward motion comes into
view, a specific statement to that effect appears, as in Acts 10:11, 16... In absence of a statement
indicating a halt or sudden reversal of direction, we naturally infer a complete descent to the
earth, such as will take place only at the Post-Tribulational advent."

The Greek word for "shout" in this verse [1 Thess. 4:16] is a form of "keleusma" which is
interpreted as "a call, a summons, a shout of command, a signal shout." Alford says, "the word
primarily signifies not only 'the shout of battle,'... but it is used of any signal given by the
voice.." From this, then, it appears that the word "shout" used in this verse could have the
significance of a "cry of command, a war-cry, commander-in-chief's order" as Arthur D.
Katterjohn interprets it.

If this is the significance of the word "shout" in 1 Thess. 4:16, it would seem to indicate
that this "shout" will be that of our Commander-In-Chief as He raises, raptures, and rallies His
troops with Him to the battle of Armageddon [the same as the battle of Gog and Magog].

* * *

How A Commander Came Both For And With His People

In support of the interpretation that Christ will both come for and with His people on the
same day, in his book, "The Approaching Advent Of Christ," Alexander Reese wrote:

"During the Balkan War of 1912 an incident took place that illustrates, in a measure what
will take place at the return of Christ.

"When the Serbian commander and his troops were approaching an ancient Serbian town
in the hands of the enemy, they could be seen wending their way down the hill overlooking the
city below; the inhabitants of the town were electrified by the sight: the Serbian descendants
with joy, the Turks with fear and trembling. As the Commander and his troops came nearer, the
officials and loyal citizens went forth to meet the man whom they were hailing as their deliverer.

"A scene of delirious enthusiasm and exultation followed, and then the assembled
multitude, having met him, turned and accompanied the commander and his troops on the way
back to the city. The Turkish flag was hauled down and the Serbian one hoisted in its place. He
had come FOR and WITH his rescued people on the same day.

"Now, at the parousia in triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ, His faithful people, as they see
Him coming, will be caught up to meet Him in the air: they go forth to meet Him, and then
return with Him to earth to share His triumph in the kingdom... Christ has come FOR His saints,
and With them at the same crisis.."

* * *

1 Thess. 4:17 says: "Then we which 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." The
Greek word for "to meet" here is a form of APANTESIS.

Concerning this word W. E. Vine says: "It is used in the papyri of a newly arriving
magistrate." Moulton Greek Test. Gram. says: "It seems that the special idea of the word was the
official welcome of a newly arrived dignitary." Alford says concerning this word: "To meet
occurs twice more in the New Test. and each time implies meeting one who was approaching,
not merely 'meeting with' a person."

F. F. Bruce said: "When a dignitary paid an official visit or parousia to a city in

Hellenistic times, the action of the leading citizens in going out to meet him and escorting him
on the final stage of his journey was called the apantesis." Such an apantesis, or meeting of the
Lord in the air to accompany Him back to earth in triumph, could only occur at His
Post-Tribulational revelation.

The same Greek word for "to meet" (apantesis, exact form apantesin) is used in Matt.
25:6 and Acts 28:15. The reader is invited to study the word in these verses. Acts 28:15 tells of a
group of brethren at Rome who went out from Rome "to meet" the apostle Paul and his
entourage, and who then accompanied Paul as he continued his journey to Rome.

* * *

Any reasonable man with no prophetic "ax to grind" should be able to see that Christ's
coming both FOR and WITH his saints at His Revelation is not only possible, but scriptural. But,
I have no desire to argue the point with any who will not listen to reason and who wish only to
debate. Paul said in 1 Cor. 14:38 -- "But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant." One can go
to heaven being mistaken on this point, but it might be tragic for some, who, through sophistic
reasoning, have been led into the false hope of escape from coming blood-baths in a
Pre-Tribulational Rapture that shall not occur. Selah.
* * *

B -- ALL SAINTS IN THE APOCALYPSE ARE THE CHURCH

As earlier stated, the term "saint" or "saints" is found 62 times in the New Testament, and
13 times in the book of Revelation. Pre-Tribulationists are wont to apply the term "saints" in
Rev. 19:8 to "the Church," while applying the term elsewhere in the book to a group which they
call "Tribulation Saints" -- saints that did not go up in the Rapture. Again, I say: such an
assertion is without Scriptural support. Please consider the following excerpt from my book,
"His Appearing and His Kingdom," hdm0124:

* * *

The Saints Of Revelation Are Christians

The writer has already endeavored to demonstrate... that "the elect" who shall pass
through the great tribulation are the sanctified of the church, those having on the wedding
garment. But what about the "saints" mentioned repeatedly in the Book of Revelation by the
apostle John? As a Christian, did John think of people as being "saints" apart from being washed
in the blood of the Lamb? Or, did John think of "saints" as being those who constitute the
Church, the Bride of Christ?

From Rev. 19:7-8 we can see that quite obviously the apostle John thought of the "saints"
in this latter sense: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be
arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."

John thought of the "saints" as the "wife," or bride of Christ. None, then, should presume
to interpret that when the "saints" are mentioned elsewhere in Revelation they are not part of the
Church, Christ's Bride. And, since John shows in Revelation that the "saints" will suffer during
the reign of anti-Christ, it should be obvious to those who read this prophecy that the Church will
pass through the Great Tribulation.

I maintain that indeed all of the references to the "saints" in Revelation speak of those
who comprise the Church, including the following reference:

Rev. 13:4-10 -- "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and
they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with
him? (5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and
power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (6) And he opened his mouth in
blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven. (7) And it was given unto him to MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (8) And all that
dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (9) IF ANY MAN HAVE AN EAR, LET HIM
HEAR. (10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword
must be killed with the sword. HERE IS THE PATIENCE and THE FAITH OF THE SAINTS."

In Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13 and 3:22, the statement "HE THAT HATH AN EAR,
LET HIM HEAR" always concerns "WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH unto THE CHURCHES."
When, therefore, Christ makes a strikingly similar statement in Rev. 13:9-10 (see above) to
"THE SAINTS," is it not inconsistently presumptuous to interpret that His statement there is not
also directed to "the churches"? I suggest that it is. Furthermore, who can show that the
following references to the "SAINTS" in Revelation do not apply to "THE CHURCH"?:

Rev. 14:11-12 -- "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and
they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth
the mark of his name. (12) Here is the patience of THE SAINTS: here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Rev. 16:6 -- "For they have shed the blood of SAINTS and prophets, and thou hast given
them blood to drink; for they are worthy. Rev. 17:5-6 And upon her forehead was a name
written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of THE
SAINTS, and with the blood of THE MARTYRS OF JESUS: and when I saw her, I wondered
with great admiration."

Rev. 18:24 "And in her was found THE BLOOD of prophets, and OF SAINTS, and of all
that were slain upon the earth."

Both John's concept of "saints" and the contexts in which the term appears, make it
probable that every reference to the "saints" in Revelation applies to none other than to the
Church of Jesus Christ, His blood-washed Bride. That probability being so, the Book of
Revelation provides overwhelming proof that Christians will pass through, rather than be
raptured out of, the Great Tribulation. (see also Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4; 11:18; 15:3; and 20:9)

* * *

C -- SAINTS IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL ARE CHRISTIANS

The following is also excerpted from hdm0124, "His Appearing And His Kingdom":

The prophetic statements about the "saints" in the book of Daniel, then, should also be
interpreted in the light of the book of Revelation. For, while perhaps the prophet Daniel himself
did not envision "saints" as those comprising "the church" of Christ, the Spirit Who inspired his
prophecy did. Therefore, the following statements from Daniel are seen by this writer as
applying to the Church:

Dan 7:18-27 -- "But THE SAINTS of the most High (Christians) shall take the kingdom,
and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.. (21) I beheld, and THE SAME HORN
MADE WAR WITH (CHRISTIANS) THE SAINTS, and prevailed against them; (22) Until the
Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to THE SAINTS of the most High; and the time
came that THE SAINTS POSSESSED THE KINGDOM.. (25) And he shall speak great words
against the most High, and shall WEAR OUT (CHRISTIANS) THE SAINTS of the most High,
and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times
and the dividing of time. (26) But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion,
to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (27) And the kingdom and dominion, and the
greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE
SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH, (THE PEOPLE OF CHRIST) Whose kingdom is an everlasting
kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."

The "saints" and "holy people" in the book of Daniel are seen to be identical to the
sanctified church of Christ. This taken to be so, consider also the following quotations from
Daniel:

Dan. 8:23-25 -- "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come
to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (24)
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: (by Satan's power) and he shall
destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and SHALL DESTROY (THE SAINTS OF
THE CHURCH) THE MIGHTY AND THE HOLY PEOPLE. (25) And through his policy also
he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by
peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; (Christ) but he
shall be broken without hand."

Dan. 12:4-7 -- "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time
of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (5) Then I Daniel
looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the
other on that side of the bank of the river. (6) And one said to the man clothed in linen, which
was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? (7) And I
heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right
hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a
time, times, and an half; (3 1/2 lunar years) and when he shall have accomplished to SCATTER
THE POWER OF (THE CHURCH) THE HOLY PEOPLE, all these things shall be finished."

* * *

D -- THE COMPLACENT, LAODICEAN CHURCH SHALL BE SHOCKED!

A rude awakening -- an overwhelming shock -- shall strike the complacent, Laodicean

Church when it awakens to find itself IN -- not rapturously wafted away from -- THE GREAT
TRIBULATION!

The Book of Daniel, in correlation with both the Olivet Discourse and the Book of
Revelation, is seen to demonstrate the fact that THE "SAINTS" OF CHRIST'S CHURCH WILL
PASS THROUGH "THE LITTLE SEASON" OF TRIBULATION at the end of the age,
including the final 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation.
 Quoting Jeremiah 30:7, Pre-Tribulationist interpreters declare that the suffering of the
coming Great Tribulation shall be exclusively "the time of Jacob's (Israel's) trouble" -- a time
when they only suffer who have been left behind AFTER the Rapture. I declare that this is a
misinterpretation that is unsupported by the Bible, which shows quite the contrary:-- that the
Great Tribulation shall be a time of world-wide trouble, affecting and afflicting ALL, including
the SAINTS OF GOD, who shall NOT ESCAPE FROM BEING IN IT, BUT WHO SHALL,
RATHER, ESCAPE OUT FROM THE MIDST OF IT JUST BEFORE THE INDIGNATION
OCCURS WITH THE OUTPOURING OF THE SEVENTH VIAL.

Thus, while I agree with the words of the song below that "There's a time of awful
anguish coming on" -- I DO NOT AGREE WITH THOSE WORDS OF THE SONG THAT
DECLARE FOR THE SAINT: "WHEN THE TRIBULATION ENTERS, I'LL BE GONE" -- nor
do I agree with any part of the song that suggests a Pre-Tribulational Escape for the SAINTS OF
GOD, who are repeatedly seen in the Bible as sufferers IN that coming time of anguish!

This old world begins to rock,

Infidels and skeptics mock,
There's a time of awful anguish coming on;
O what groans of bitter pain,
When the Anti-Christ shall reign!
When the Tribulation enters I'll be gone.

In the twinkling of an eye,

You will hear the midnight cry,
All the dead who sleep in Jesus then shall rise;
We who live and here remain,
Shall be caught up just the same,
Christ and all the loved ones, meet up in the sky.

Then the Anti-Christ shall reign.

All must have his mark or name,
For without it you can neither sell nor buy;
Signs and wonders he shall do,
Call down fire from heaven too;
It is either worship him or you shall die.

I'll be gone, I'll be gone,

When the Tribulation enters I'll be gone,
Soon the trumpet loud shall sound,
With a shout I'll leave the ground,
When the tribulation enters I'll be gone."

-- From An Article by Spencer Johnson (Song-Author not Given)

 Although he was a quite avid teacher of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I shall next quote a
saying of William Moses Tidwell regarding the theory set forth in the above song: "MAKES
GOOD PREACHING -- JUST ISN'T SO!"

Phil Ledger, Missionary to the Orient emailed me today, telling me of the surprise of
Chinese Christians, after recent martyrdoms and persecution have struck them. THEY HAD
BEEN INDOCTRINATED TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD BE RAPTURED AWAY
FROM SUCH!

How long shall it be till the laid-back, ease-loving, pain-shunning, Laodicean Church
awakens to its impending peril! I say that a Church that thinks it has "need of nothing" -- a
Church that thinks it is "sitting pretty" and just waiting for its sweet ascension into the skies
before the Great Tribulation -- yet a Church for whom Christ has prescribed the "buying (at the
high price of suffering) gold TRIED IN THE FIRE" -- SUCH A CHURCH SHALL
EXPERIENCE A SHOCK TEN MILLION TIMES GREATER THAN THAT WHICH
STRUCK AMERICA ON BLACK-TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001 -- WHEN IT
WAKES UP "IN" -- NOT DELIVERED FROM -- THE GREAT TRIBULATION!

Professed, and genuine, Christians today who have been brainwashed and "conditioned"
into thinking "When the Tribulation enters, I'll be gone," are not going to be in any "condition"
to withstand such a shock -- unless some drastic changes take place before the Laodicean Church
finds itself in the midst of that "TIME OF AWFUL ANGUISH COMING ON." Selah.

* * * * * * *

31 -- THE REIGN OF JESUS-ISRAEL AND HIS 12 SPIRITUAL SONS

Matthew 19:27-28 -- "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken
all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto
you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL
SIT IN THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY, YE ALSO SHALL SIT UPON TWELVE THRONES,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

* * *

A -- Jesus-Israel The Fulfillment Of Jacob-Israel

I have presented the following explanation in at least two other portions of my writings,
but I present it again here to the reader who might not yet have read it elsewhere, and by way of
introducing this article to all.

ISRAEL IS GOD'S SON:-- This is seen in Hosea 11:1 "When ISRAEL was a child, then
I loved him, and called MY SON out of Egypt."

JESUS, GOD'S SON, IS ISRAEL:-- Matt. 2:14-15 "Then he arose, he took the young
child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod:
THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, OUT
OF EGYPT HAVE I CALLED MY SON." In Hosea 11:1 we see that "ISRAEL = GOD SON"
and in Matt. 24:14-15 we see that THE FULFILLMENT of Jacab-Israel's calling out of Egypt is
JESUS-ISRAEL'S CALLING OUT OF EGYPT. The logical conclusion is quite apparent:
Jacob-Israel foreshadowed Jesus-Israel, God's Son.

When Jacob wrestled with the pre-incarnate Christ at Peniel, Jacob was given one of the
names of God's Son: ISRAEL. In the Hebrew, it is YISRAEL, which means: "HE WILL RULE
AS GOD." WHO "will rule as God"? -- Answer: JESUS, GOD'S SON! SO -- THE NAME
"ISRAEL" PRIMARILY AND PROPERLY IS A NAME OF GOD'S SON, JESUS!

When Jacob inquired of the name of the Divine One Who wrestled with him at Peniel,
Jacob was asked in reply: "Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name?" (Gen. 32:29).
Since the Pre-Incarnate Christ had just bestowed upon Jacob one of His Own Names, the
question might be understood thus: WHY DO YOU ASK MY NAME? I JUST GAVE IT TO
YOU AS "YOUR" NAME!

Jacob-Israel had 12 flesh-and-blood sons who became the earthly nation Israel, and
Jesus-Israel had 12 spiritual apostolic sons (subtracting Judas and counting Paul) who became
the spiritual, "Israel of God" mentioned in Galatians 6:16.

* * *

B -- The Israel Of God Over Which Jesus And The Twelve Shall Reign

When Jesus told His 12 apostolic sons that they would "sit upon twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel," WHICH NATION OF ISRAEL DID HE MEAN?-- The Earthly,
flesh-and-blood, Jewish-Nation, Israel? -- or -- The Spiritual Nation Israel?

I assert that it is THE LATTER, and not the former, over whom Jesus and His 12
Apostolic Sons shall reign. Both the earthly Jerusalem and flesh-and-blood Israel are cast out:
Galatians 4:30 -- "Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman [Hagar, who
typifies the earthly Jerusalem] and her son [Ishmael, who typifies flesh-and-blood Israel]: for the
son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son [Isaac, who typifies Spiritual Israel] of the
freewoman [Sarah, who typifies the Heavenly Jerusalem].

ONE OF THE GREAT ERRORS OF MILLENNIALISM IS ITS LITERAL,

MISINTERPRETATION OF "THE VOICES OF THE PROPHETS." Why did the Jews of Jesus'
time crucify Him? Peter gave two of the reasons: "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their
rulers, because (1) THEY KNEW HIM NOT, (2) NOR YET THE VOICES OF THE
PROPHETS which are read every Sabbath day, THEY HAVE FULFILLED THEM IN
CONDEMNING HIM" (Acts 13:27). Very often, one must move away from an hyperliteral
interpretation of Messianic Prophecy in order to hit upon its true interpretation!

Looking for hyperliteral interpretations concerning the coming of their expected Messiah,
and not seeing such in Jesus of Nazareth, THE JEWS FULFILLED THE TRUE MEANING IN
VARIOUS MESSIANIC PROPHECIES BY CONDEMNING CHRIST at the time of His First
Coming. Likewise, looking for hyperliteral interpretations of Second Coming Messianic
Prophecy, Millennialists make the same error. No, they intend no evil toward Christ, but -- I
assert -- they teach Christians to expect what shall never come! -- a this-earthly fulfillment of
things that belong only to the New Heavens and the New Earth.

Prior to Pentecost, Peter was anxious to see the earthly fulfillment of Messianic prophecy
-- ready to build temples for such on the Mount of Transfiguration, ready to lop off the ears (or
heads) of those who threatened Christ's reign on this earth, and even quick to deny Christ when
he thought the expected earthly fulfillments failed through Him. However, after his fiery
Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Peter saw that everything he had hoped to see fulfilled during Time
and on this earth, was to be fulfilled in Eternity and in Heaven.

It was with this Pentecost-Received, Sanctified Insight, that Peter declared the Jewish
rulers had failed to correctly perceive "the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath
day." However, when he concluded by saying, "they have fulfilled them in condemning him,"
Peter was no doubt keenly aware that he too had long misinterpreted "the voices of the
prophets."

When Peter had told Jesus, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee" and asked
Him, "what shall we have therefore?", no doubt he had been ardently hoping for something "on
this earth" in return for all he had forsaken "on this earth," -- and, when Jesus replied: "WHEN
THE SON OF MAN SHALL SIT IN THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY, YE ALSO SHALL SIT
UPON TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel," Peter probably envisioned a
this-earthly fulfillment of all of this.

However, after his Pentecostal Baptism, Peter finally saw that the real fulfillment of
Messiah's promises were to take place in "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith
unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:4-5).

In short, Peter came to realize what many Millennialists still deny:-- THAT HEAVEN
(THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH) HOLD THE FULFILLMENT OF THAT
PROMISED REIGN WITH CHRIST WITH HIS 12 APOSTOLIC SONS -- NOT THIS
WORLD! Furthermore, the promise shall have its fulfillment to Spiritual Israel in the New
Jerusalem, not to flesh-and-blood Israel in the earthly Jerusalem!

Sadly, while numbers of Holiness preachers place the true, spiritual meaning upon "the
voices of the prophets" when interpreting their Salvation prophecies, they err by placing a literal,
earthly interpretation upon "the voices of the prophets" when interpreting their Second Coming
prophecies! Of all students of prophecy, it seems to me that the most spiritual among them
(sanctified, Second Blessing Holiness scholars) should be the first to see that the true fulfillment
of eschatology lies in the realms of the spiritual and the eternal, and not in the realms of the
earthly and temporal -- but alas! many Holiness folks also look for a this-earthly fulfillment of
Messianic Prophecy!
* * *

C -- The Twelve Thrones In The Eternal Regeneration

When Christ "Regenerates" a person or thing, it does not take him 1,000 years to do it --
it is instantaneous! Furthermore, He never regenerates Gradually, Partially, or Temporarily! --
Mark that down! And, when Jesus told Spiritual Israel, His 12 Apostolic Sons, that they would
sit upon twelve thrones "in The Regeneration" He was not speaking of a gradual regeneration,
begun at His Return and consummated 1,000 years later. Neither did He speak of a partial or
temporary regeneration at the time of His Return that would be followed 1,000 years later by the
collapse of the earth and universe and its final, eternal Regeneration.

There shall be ONLY ONE REGENERATION OF THE CREATION -- and it shall be

brought about SUDDENLY, NOT GRADUALLY OVER 1,000 YEARS; furthermore it shall be
A TOTAL, NOT PARTIAL, REGENERATION, and its existence shall be PERMANENT AND
ETERNAL, NOT TEMPORARY, LASTING ONLY 1,000 YEARS.

According to Strong's, the Greek word for "Regeneration" in Matthew 19:28 and in Titus
3:5 is "Paliggenesia," pronounced, "pal-ing-ghen-es-ee'-ah," and means: "(spiritual) rebirth (the
state or the act), i.e. (fig.) spiritual renovation; spec. Messianic restoration:--regeneration."

However, while the word "Paliggenesia" is used twice in the Bible, it is only in the latter
instance (that of Titus 3:5) that it applies to the First Work of Grace known also as "the New
Birth." The word "Regeneration" in Matthew 19:28 refers only to that state of total Renewal that
shall be brought into existence when Jesus Returns.

Again I assert:-- CHRIST NEVER REGENERATES ANYTHING GRADUALLY,

PARTIALLY OR TEMPORARILY! He does not gradually, partially, or temporarily regenerate
the penitent sinner -- taking years to accomplish it and planning to destroy him and regenerate
him again later -- and, He shall not gradually, partially, or temporarily regenerate the creation.

Furthermore, according to Romans 8:21-23 THIS TOTAL AND ETERNAL

REGENERATION SHALL OCCUR AT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN -- NOT 1,000
YEARS LATER. In that passage, we read:-- "Because the creature [or creation] itself also shall
be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For
we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only
they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."

All should see clearly from the above scripture that THE CREATION SHALL BE
REGENERATED AT THE SAME TIME THE SAINTS ARE GLORIFIED -- i. e., when they
receive their bodily redemption, or resurrection. THE GLORIFICATION OF THE SAINTS'
BODIES SHALL BE A PERMANENT WORK, AND THE REGENERATION OF THE
EARTH FOLLOWING RAPIDLY THEREAFTER SHALL ALSO BE PERMANENT!
 At Jesus' Second Coming, the Israel of God shall rise to meet Him in the air; all of
Christ's foes will be destroyed; the wicked will be raised; the Judgment will sit; each will be
ushered to his eternal abode; and IN THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH JESUS AND
HIS 12 SPIRITUAL SONS WILL FOREVER REIGN OVER THE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL OF
GOD! -- WORLD WITHOUT END!

We can only speculate upon the arrangement of the thrones: Perhaps CHRIST'S
THRONE will be situated in the middle, with 6 Apostolic Thrones on His Right and 6 on His
Left. But regardless of the arrangement, CHRIST'S THRONE WILL BE SUPREME!

"And HE that sat upon THE THRONE said, Behold, I make ALL things new. And he
said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Revelation 21:5).

"In the Regeneration" ALL things shall be made new -- not SOME things! -- and ALL
things shall be made new FOREVER -- not for 1,000 years, only to be destroyed again, and
regenerated the second time.

About any way that one looks at the supposed Millennial Messianic Reign, it amounts to
a very anti-climactic thing, and a partial, temporary "fix" which -- I assert -- is contrary to the
very nature of the way God does things:-- fully and forever.

Concerning Christ, God says in Psalms 89:29: -- "His seed also will I make to endure for
ever, and HIS THRONE AS THE DAYS OF HEAVEN." THE DAYS OF HEAVEN DO NOT
END AFTER 1,000 YEARS!

As I see it, if we interpret "The Regeneration" of Matthew 19:28 the way it SHALL be
fulfilled, once Christ's Throne and the 12 Thrones of His Apostolic Sons are set up "in the
regeneration," they shall remain therein forever! And "Of the increase of His government and
peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of
hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).

* * * * * * *

32 -- CHRIST'S EVERLASTING, MESSIANIC KINGDOM

2 Peter 1:11 -- "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into THE
EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

* * *

Contents

A -- Christ's Messianic Kingdom Is Eternal, Not Millennial

B -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear Directly After The Tribulation
C -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear Directly After A Proud World Is Humbled
D -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear With His Revelation
E -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear When The Saints Possess The Kingdom

The Conclusion

* * *

A -- Christ's Messianic Kingdom Is Eternal, Not Millennial

Psalms 145:1, 13 -- "I will extol thee, my GOD, O KING; and I will bless thy name for
ever and ever... THY KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM..."

The Psalmist said that the Kingdom of God the King is Everlasting, and -- Christ is both
GOD-Incarnate and KING of kings. Therefore, His Messianic Kingdom can be nothing less than
"THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM" to which Peter referred in our text, 2 Peter 1:11. As I see it,
attempting to encompass Christ's Messianic Kingdom into a supposed Millennium following His
Return is no more possible than pouring all of the water in earth's oceans into a thimble!

Do I hear one answer: "Quite so, but just as one can put a thimble-full of ocean into a
thimble, even so 1,000 years of Christ's Messianic Kingdom shall fit into a coming Millennium,
and then be followed by the immeasurable immensity of Eternity!"

"Yes," I say, "that would be possible IF THE THIMBLE EXISTED, but outside of a
literal (and I think mistaken) interpretation of Rev. 20:5-6, there is no sign in the Bible of a
Millennial Thimble into which to fit any part of Christ's coming Messianic Kingdom --
everywhere, throughout the entire Bible it is spoken of as ETERNAL, AND NOT
MILLENNIAL."

Years and years ago, there was a radio program called "Queen For A Day." The selected
woman was showered with what seemed like fabulous gifts and honored with title, "Queen For A
Day." But -- "the day" of every one of those "Queens" quickly passed and their honor is long
gone, having been an ever-so brief and fleeting honor that never did measure up, even to the
honor of being a real, earthly Queen for a lifetime.

No such fleeting honor shall come to Christ at His Return. He shall not be Messianic
"King For A Day," nor even Messianic "King For 365,000-plus Days" -- HE SHALL REIGN AS
MESSIAH THE KING, FOREVER! -- WORLD WITHOUT END!

At His Revelation, the assembled universe shall know that the once despised and rejected
Jesus of Nazareth is "the King ETERNAL, immortal, invisible, the only wise God," (1 Tim.
1:17), and when He takes The Throne, "OF the increase of HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE
THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and WITH JUSTICE FROM HENCEFORTH EVEN FOR EVER.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).
 Did you get that? Once Christ takes His Throne there shall be "NO END OF THE
PEACE IN HIS KINGDOM"! -- there shall be no war of rebellion after He has been on the
throne for 1,000 years; yea, there shall be no interruption to the peace in His Kingdom forever! --
for, all of His foes shall be destroyed at His Second Coming -- not 1,000 years later.

On the other hand, the merciful and marvelous truth is: while ALL of Christ's foes shall
be vanquished at His Return, and many shall miss His Everlasting Kingdom, to "a great
multitude, which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues"
(Rev. 7:9), an abundant entrance shall be ministered into THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM OF
JESUS CHRIST -- and there they shall dwell with Messiah the King forevermore!

* * *

B -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear Directly After The Tribulation

King Nebuchadnezzar had created a "666" situation in his heathen kingdom. There was:

(a) A Golden Image 60 cubits high = the first "6"

(b) The Image was 6 cubits broad = the second "6"
(c) Six types of Instruments were specified to be played before it = the third ""6"

In Daniel 3:5, the instruments are given as the: (1) cornet, (2) flute, (3) harp, (4) sackbut,
(4) psaltery, (5) dulcimer, and (6) all kinds of music (this last being a general group, but
constituting the 6th specification concerning the types of instruments to be played before
Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image.

So, here we see a "666" situation, and soon was to come the number 7 onto the scene:

God's brave children, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the
"666" Image (sound like anything else you can think of related to End Times?) -- AND -- as a
result, to receive these unbowed Children of God, Nebuchadnezzar commanded his burning,
fiery furnace to be heated "SEVEN TIMES more than it was wont to be heated" (Dan. 3:19).

Here we have the interesting combination in the book of Daniel of an Image, related to
which is thrice seen the number 6 = 666 -- and God's Brave Children faced with a furnace 7
TIMES hotter (a TIME often being symbolic of 1 YEAR).

Is not the conjunction here of the 3-Six factor (number 666) and the 7 factor more than
coincidental? Do we not see here a prophetic allusion to the coming time of the anti-Christ (666)
with the 7 Years of the Tribulation?

NOW -- I WOULD MAKE TWO APPLICATIONS:

(a) CHRIST SHALL WALK WITH HIS CHURCH THROUGH THE TRIBULATION:--
As the 3 Hebrew Children went "into the midst of the burning fiery furnace" (Dan. 3:23), even
so, The Church shall "go into the midst of" The Coming Tribulation; and as "Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, "came forth of the midst of the fire" (Dan. 3:26), even so, the Church
shall "escape (out from the midst of) all these things" (Lu. 21:26) coming in the Tribulation --
just before the outpouring of the Great Indignation with the 7th Vial. Christ walked with His
Children in Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, and then delivered them out of it, and He shall also walk
with His Children in the coming 7-year Tribulation, and deliver them out of it, just before its
close.

(b) CHRIST'S EVERLASTING KINGDOM SHALL APPEAR RIGHT AFTER THE

TRIBULATION:-- Directly after God's Faithful and Brave Children were delivered out of the
furnace, Nebuchadnezzar declared of the Lord in Daniel 4:3 -- "How great are his signs! and
how mighty are his wonders! HIS KINGDOM IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM, and his
dominion is from generation to generation." And, I assert that THE EVERLASTING
KINGDOM SHALL APPEAR WHEN CHRIST APPEARS -- NOT A SUPPOSED, 1,000
YEAR KINGDOM! The sequence of the symbolism here dovetails perfectly with the rest of
Second Coming prophecy, correctly interpreted.

* * * * * * *

C -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear Directly After A Proud World Is Humbled

The coming 7-Year Tribulation will both serve to purge a worldly church and to humble
a proud world under the mighty hand of God.

After the carnally proud Nebuchadnezzar boasted in Daniel 4:30, "Is not this great
Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the
honour of my majesty?," came the Divine edict to him: "The kingdom is departed from thee...
and SEVEN TIMES (7 Years) shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in
the kingdom of men" (Dan. 4:31-32). You know "the rest of the story" -- this proud monarch lost
his reason and was humbled to the level of the beasts of the field. And, the coming 7 Years that
shall "pass over" a proud world shall demonstrate what the humbled Nebuchadnezzar declared in
Daniel 4:37 -- "Those that walk in pride he is able to abase"!

AFTER HIS HUMBLING, Nebuchadnezzar also "praised and honoured HIM THAT
LIVETH FOR EVER, WHOSE DOMINION IS AN EVERLASTING DOMINION, and his
kingdom is from generation to generation" (Dan. 4:34).

Here, I would not try to make the parable "walk on all-fours" -- a wicked world shall be
humbled when the coming "Seven Times" passes over it, but they only shall praise and honor
Christ afterwards who are saved out of those years. The point I would make here, then, is only
this: FOLLOWING THE HUMBLING 7 TIMES THAT SHALL PASS OVER A PROUD
WORLD, CHRIST SHALL BE ETERNALLY EXALTED! -- NOT EXALTED FOR 1,000
YEARS AND THEN AFFRONTED ONCE AGAIN BY A WICKED WORLD AND THE
DEVIL!

* * *
D -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear With His Revelation

Dan 7:13-14 -- "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN
CAME WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought
him near before him. AND THERE WAS GIVEN HIM dominion, and glory, and A KINGDOM,
that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, WHICH SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed."

Immediately following Christ's Revelation and Coming in the clouds of heaven, shall
come about those things which shall, with dispatch, usher in His Everlasting Kingdom. THIS is
what is pictured in the preceding verse -- not the picture of "The Son of Man" being given a
Millennial Kingdom that shall "pass away" after 1,000 years! Selah.

* * *

E -- Christ's Everlasting Kingdom Shall Appear When The Saints Possess The Kingdom

Daniel 7:21-28 -- "I beheld, and THE SAME HORN MADE WAR WITH THE SAINTS,
and prevailed against them; 22 UNTIL THE ANCIENT OF DAYS CAME, and judgment was
given to the saints of the most High; and THE TIME CAME THAT THE SAINTS POSSESSED
THE KINGDOM. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth,
which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it
down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise:
and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three
kings. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of
the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a
time and times and the dividing of time. 26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away
his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And THE KINGDOM AND
DOMINION, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, SHALL BE GIVEN TO
THE PEOPLE OF THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH, WHOSE KINGDOM IS AN
EVERLASTING KINGDOM, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. 28 HITHERTO IS
THE END OF THE MATTER."

Saints of God, DO NOT PLAN ON AN ESCAPE FROM GOING INTO THE COMING
TRIBULATION -- PLAN RATHER TO ESCAPE OUT FROM ITS MIDST just before the 7th
Vial is outpoured, baptizing anti-Christ and a wicked world with the pent-up Indignation of
Almighty God and utterly destroying Christ's enemies -- forever!

When Christ, THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, shall come again -- then it is that HIS SAINTS
SHALL POSSESS THE KINGDOM WITH HIM -- and -- the Kingdom that He and they shall
then possess "IS AN EVERLASTING KINGDOM." Furthermore, the Bible says that "Hitherto
is THE END OF THE MATTER" -- not the commencement of 1,000 years after which "the
matter" of Christ's Sovereignty shall again be challenged by Satan and by wicked men!
 You had better believe it! WHEN GOD SAYS THAT THIS "IS THE END OF
MATTER" HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS!

* * *

The Conclusion

I think that the preceding scriptures, being in perfect accord with all of the rest of Second
Coming prophecy, indicate that: (a) The Church shall pass through the fire of the 7 Times
constituting the Coming Tribulation, but that the courageous and faithful saints will be "saved
out of it" (Jer. 30:7); and (b) Christ's Everlasting Kingdom shall follow His Revelation at the
close of the Tribulation, with very little earthly time betwixt the two.

In 1 Peter 1:11, the apostle wrote:-- "the Spirit... testified beforehand THE SUFFERINGS
of Christ, and THE GLORY THAT SHOULD FOLLOW." First "The Sufferings" and next "The
Glory That Should Follow" -- and I assert that "The Glory That SHALL FOLLOW" at Christ's
Return is HIS ETERNAL GLORY.

St. Paul said, in 2 Timothy 2:10 -- "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that
they may also obtain THE SALVATION which is in Christ Jesus WITH ETERNAL GLORY."
He did not say that he was first looking forward to a "salvation with Millennial glory"!

The apostle Peter also declared to the Church: "GOD... HATH CALLED US UNTO HIS
ETERNAL GLORY by Christ Jesus..." (1 Peter 5:10).

Why is it? that THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE WE SEE CHRIST'S EVERLASTING

KINGDOM MENTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH HIS SECOND COMING? The answer
should be too obvious to require explanation: THAT is when it shall appear -- and not 1,000
thereafter.

* * * * * * *

33 -- FIRST THE SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION -- THEN THE BODILY RESURRECTION

First, The Spiritual Resurrection:-- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, THE HOUR is
coming, and NOW IS, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear
shall live" (John 5:25).

Second, The Bodily Resurrection:-- "Marvel not at this: for THE HOUR IS COMING, in
the which ALL that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and SHALL COME FORTH; they that
have done good, UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE; and they that have done evil, unto
the RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION" (John 5:28-29).

* * *

Contents
Introduction

A -- First, The Spiritual Resurrection Of Some -- "The First Resurrection"

B -- Second, The Bodily Resurrection Of All -- At One, Coming Hour

In That Great Gettin' Up Morning

* * *

Introduction

As seen by this writer, the New Testament sets forth only two resurrections: First, the
Spiritual Resurrection of Some, and Second, the Bodily Resurrection of All.

Revelation 19:10 tells us that "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." In His
Olivet Discourse, and elsewhere during His earthly ministry, Jesus set forth coming events in a
simple, straightforward manner -- so simply that a child can follow them, if not confused by
conflicting prophetic interpretations.

In the above Scripture, Jesus spoke of TWO RESURRECTIONS:

(a) FIRST, THE SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION -- In John 5:25 Jesus spoke of a

resurrection time that "now is" when those who are spiritually dead "hear" His Voice (audibly
through Himself and His preachers), and they that so "hear" His voice (understandably and
heedingly) shall and do "live" (spiritually).

(b) SECOND, THE BODILY RESURRECTION -- In John 5:28-29 Jesus spoke of an

hour that "is coming" (He did not say, "now is") -- in which ALL in the graves shall hear His
voice and come forth -- some unto the "resurrection of life," and the rest unto the "resurrection of
damnation."

Unencumbered and unconfused by other prophetic interpretations, one must admit that
these verses make it sound like "the first resurrection" is a spiritual resurrection and that
following the first, spiritual resurrection is coming a single time in which ALL shall be
resurrected bodily -- and, I assert that this is precisely the case! In the following, let us examine
the matter in more detail.

* * *

A -- First, The Spiritual Resurrection Of Some -- "The First Resurrection"

Repeatedly in the New Testament, we find mention of the First, Spiritual Resurrection of
SOME -- hearers and heeders of the Gospel who have been raised into "newness of life" (Rom.
6:4) -- BEFORE the coming time of the Bodily Resurrection of ALL:
 Again, "The First Resurrection" described by Jesus in John 5:25 is the Spiritual
Resurrection, and Jesus' words describing it indicate that NOT ALL shall experience it. They
only, experience this First Resurrection who, beyond hearing Christ's Word audibly, also hear it
understandingly and heedingly, and are thus spiritually resurrected and "live" in Christ "now".

The apostle Paul also speaks of this First, Spiritual Resurrection in Ephesians 2:4-6. Here
he said to the redeemed at Ephesus: "BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, for his great love
wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;) and HATH RAISED US UP together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Obviously, both Jesus and Paul speak of a Spiritual
Resurrection that has come, and always shall come, FIRST -- before the coming time when all
shall be resurrected bodily.

Paul also speaks of the First, Spiritual Resurrection in Colossians 2:12-13, where he
declares that Christians are "BURIED WITH HIM [CHRIST] in baptism, wherein ALSO YE
ARE RISEN WITH HIM through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from
the dead. AND YOU, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, HATH HE
QUICKENED together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses."

Furthermore, when Paul speaks of Christians as being "quickened" in this life his thought
is of the First, Spiritual Resurrection: Ephesians 2:1, 5 -- "And you hath he quickened [spiritually
resurrected], who were dead in trespasses and sins.. Even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened [spiritually resurrected] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)."

Again, Jesus refers to this First, Spiritual Resurrection in Luke 15:24, 32 when he related
the following concerning the penitent return and reception of the Prodigal Son: "For this my son
WAS DEAD, and IS ALIVE AGAIN; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry... It
was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother WAS DEAD, and IS
ALIVE AGAIN; and was lost, and is found."

Once again, The First, Spiritual Resurrection is seen in Romans 6:4 -- "Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like AS CHRIST WAS RAISED UP FROM THE
DEAD by the glory of the Father, even so WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF
LIFE."

Finally, the First, Spiritual Resurrection is also seen in Romans 6:13 -- "Neither yield ye
your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as
THOSE THAT ARE ALIVE FROM THE DEAD, and your members as instruments of
righteousness unto God."

Thus, we are not without a Scriptural foundation for asserting that "The First
Resurrection" mentioned in Rev. 20:5-6 should be interpreted as "The Spiritual Resurrection." It
is "on such" as those who are spiritually resurrected that "the second death hath no power".
 The "blessed and holy" Spiritual Life of some is juxta positioned against the power of
"the second death" over all others. In Revelation 20:5-6 we see "The First Resurrection"
(Spiritual & Eternal) versus "The Second Death" (Spiritual & Eternal).

The primarily important truth of Rev. 20:5-6 is NOT THE PRECEDENCE of an earlier
bodily resurrection vs. a later bodily resurrection so much as it is THE SPIRITUAL
CHARACTER of those mentioned:-- The "Some" who have part in "The First Resurrection"
have a blessed and holy spiritual life within them that makes them immune to the power of the
second death, while "The Second Death" hath power over all others who have not within them
THE LIFE OF THE FIRST RESURRECTION. This, I say, is what we should see in these verses
-- and not that the resurrection of the righteous shall literally precede that of the wicked by one
thousand years.

I repeat again, Jesus' statement to the wicked Caiaphas in Matthew 26:64 -- "Jesus saith
unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, HEREAFTER SHALL YE SEE THE
SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of power, and COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF
HEAVEN."

It would be utterly impossible for the wicked Caiaphas to see Jesus "coming in the clouds
of heaven" if he (Caiaphas) was resurrected 1,000 years AFTER Jesus' Second "Coming in the
clouds of heaven"!

While this is probably the most striking example of how Pre-Millennial interpretations
contradict the true sequence of events in Second Coming prophecy, there are numerous other
verses that can be cited, many of which this writer has quoted in other articles. I shall not repeat
them here, but simply say that MUCH IN THE BIBLE WEIGHS IN FAVOR OF
INTERPRETING "THE FIRST RESURRECTION" OF REV. 20:5-6 TO BE THE SAME
SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION TO WHICH REFERENCE IS REPEATEDLY MADE
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

* * *

B -- Second, The Bodily Resurrection Of All -- At One, Coming Hour

Relative to "The First Resurrection," Jesus said in John 5:25 that the hour for it was both
"now" and "is coming" -- i. e., the hour for "The First Resurrection" was occurring even then,
and would continue to be "coming" throughout the Church Age to the Suntelia, Complete End,
of Man's Earthly Probation.

Relative to "The Second Resurrection" -- The Bodily Resurrection of All -- Jesus simply
said that it "IS COMING" -- and, it still "IS COMING," but shall arrive for all at the Divinely
appointed "hour" on the Day of the Lord.

However, the point I would here make is: JESUS PORTRAYED ONE BODILY
RESURRECTION UNTO TWO EXTREMELY DIFFERENT FATES (not two bodily
resurrections at two extremely different times!)
 Please read it again: "Marvel not at this: for THE HOUR IS COMING, in the which ALL
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and SHALL COME FORTH; they that have done
good, UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE; and they that have done evil, unto the
RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION" (John 5:28-29).

While indeed the resurrection of the righteous shall precede that of the wicked, ALL
SHALL BE RAISED AT ONE HOUR! -- not 1,000 or more years apart! Indeed, so soon shall
the resurrection of the wicked occur after that of the righteous that the wicked Caiaphas shall
"see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven" with His saints, whom He has just
resurrected, changed and raptured.

ONE TIME OF BODILY RESURRECTION FOR ALL -- UNTO TWO EXTREMELY

DIFFERENT FATES -- This is what Jesus described in John 5:28-29 -- and THIS, I declare, is
what shall occur. Once the Last Trump sounds, things will be wrapped up so rapidly that it will
leave the world with its head spinning! "For He [the Triumphant and Returning Christ] will
finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon
the earth" (Rom. 9:28).

Fast on the heels of the saints' resurrection and rapture shall come the Indignation in
which the wicked shall be destroyed and then, ere Jesus' feet stand upon the Mount of Olives, the
wicked will be resurrected to see Him coming. Whereupon (perhaps directly after Jesus' feet
stand upon the Mount of Olives), this universe shall "depart as a scroll" (Rev. 6:14), all shall be
ushered to the General Judgment, and thereafter each shall go to his or her "long home" forever
-- world without end!

Daniel 12:1-2, correctly understood, presents this same picture:

Daniel 12:1-2 -- "And at that time... thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be
found written in the book. And MANY of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, and SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING
CONTEMPT."

Here, I think the NIV may help cast the meaning of this Scripture into a somewhat better
light: Daniel 12:1-2 -- "At that time... everyone whose name is found written in the book -- will
be delivered. MULTITUDES who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting
life, others to shame and everlasting contempt."

Daniel 12:1-2 does not split the time of the bodily resurrection of the wicked from that of
the righteous -- it merely states that "at that time" the vast "multitudes" sleeping in the dust of the
earth shall awake; the righteous, or those who are "found written in the book," shall "be
delivered" and raised unto "everlasting life," while the wicked "at that time" shall be raised unto
the "shame and everlasting contempt" of "damnation".

* * *
In That Great Gettin' Up Morning

The old Spiritual song, "IN THAT GREAT, GETTIN' UP MORNING," uniquely, and
aptly, describes Biblical events related to THAT GREAT, "COMING HOUR" WHEN ALL
SHALL BE RESURRECTED. The message of this old song tells of that solemn time at His
Second Coming when Christ shall split the Eastern Sky like a fork of Lightning, the Last Trump
shall sound, the Last Sinner shall have been converted, ALL shall experience the Bodily
Resurrection, ALL shall be brought to the Judgment, and ALL shall go to their eternal dwelling
place. No, it is not a sophisticated song -- just a simple, straightforward recitation of things that
Jesus said would occur at the time of His Second Coming -- but I say that it is Biblically accurate
in locating the single time at which both the righteous and the wicked shall be bodily raised:--
"In That Great Gettin' Up Morning" when the Trumpet blows, and Christ Returns.

* *

The Song: In That Great Gettin' Up Morning

[There was no punctuation at the end of the lines in the copy I found online, and thus I
present it without such below.]:

I'm gonna tell you 'bout the coming of the Judgment

Fare thee well, fare thee well
I'm gonna tell you 'bout the coming of the Judgment
Fare thee well, fare thee well.

There's a better Day a coming, fare thee well, fare thee well
Yes there's a better Day a coming, fare thee well, fare thee well

IN THAT GREAT GETTIN' UP MORNING, fare thee well, fare thee well
IN THAT GREAT GETTIN' UP MORNING, fare thee well, fare thee well
IN THAT GREAT GETTIN' UP MORNING, fare thee well, fare thee well
IN THAT GREAT GETTIN' UP MORNING, fare thee well, fare thee well
Oh preacher fold your Bible, fare thee well, fare thee well
Oh preacher fold your Bible, fare thee well, fare thee well
For the last soul is converted, fare thee well, fare thee well
Yes, for the last soul is converted, fare thee well, fare thee well

Blow your trumpet Gabriel, fare thee well, fare thee well
Blow your trumpet Gabriel, fare thee well, fare thee well
Lord, how loud shall I blow it? -- fare thee well, fare thee well
Blow it right and calm and easy, fare thee well, fare thee well
Do not 'larm all my people, fare thee well, fare thee well
Tell them all come to the Judgment, fare thee well, fare thee well

Then you see that fork of lightening, fare thee well, fare thee well
Then you hear that rumbling thunder, fare thee well, fare thee well
Then you see dem stars a falling, fare thee well, fare thee well
Then you see the world on fire, fare thee well, fare thee well
Then you see dem sinners rising, fare thee well, fare thee well
See 'em [the saints] marching home for heaven, fare thee well, fare thee well
Farewell poor sinners, fare thee well, fare thee well
Farewell poor sinners, fare thee well, fare thee well

* * * * * * *

34 -- REVELATION 20 VERSE BY VERSE

INTRODUCTION

In previous writings I have endeavored to show that it is a mistake to interpret that there
will be two second comings of Christ, one before the tribulation and another after the tribulation.
I further state here that it is equally a mistake to interpret that there will two kingdoms of Christ,
the first of those kingdoms being in time, during which He will reign from an earthly Jerusalem
over a "mixed multitude" of wicked, fleshly people and holy, glorified people, and the second
being in eternity, during which He will reign in the New Jerusalem over a people wholly
sanctified, glorified, and forever separated from the wicked.

Consistently, throughout the scripture, the kingdom of Christ is spoken of as singular and
separate from evil, and His Messianic reign is shown to be eternal in duration, not simply "a
thousand years" in length. Should we not, therefore, look for an interpretation of Revelation
Chapter 20 which places it in line with the all of the other scriptural testimony in these matters,
instead of fixedly fastening upon it a line of interpretation which contradicts that testimony and
actually creates more interpretative problems than it resolves? I assert that we should look for a
different interpretation of this passage than that which is put forth by pre-millennial teachers.

This article will present an interpretation of Revelation 20 which I believe harmonizes it

with the rest of eschatological prophecy which shows that Christ's Second Coming will bring
about quickly the CLIMACTIC "END OF ALL THINGS" pertaining to this earth, and NOT AN
ANTICLIMACTIC EXTENSION OF TIME FOR ANOTHER ONE THOUSAND YEARS. As I
interpret the Book of Revelation, the millennium is now occurring in the Church Age and shall
END, rather than BEGIN at the Return of Christ.

The reader of this article will quickly see that my interpretation of Revelation 20 is
spiritual, rather than literal. I make no apology for this, for I believe that "the voices of the
prophets" (Acts 13:27), when correctly discerned, speak of one Spiritual and Eternal Salvation
through Christ and of one Spiritual and Eternal Kingdom of Christ. Therefore, as I see it, a
spiritual, versus an hyper-literal, interpretation of Christ's Revelation to St. John is not only
permissible, but necessary to its correct interpretation.

* * *

REVELATION CHAPTER 20 VERSE BY VERSE

(REVELATION 20:1) -- "And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand."

"AN ANGEL" -- The pre-incarnate Christ was referred to as "an Angel" in Ex. 23:20-21.
Who then, can say that the above reference does not also apply to Him?

"CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN" -- In John 6:38 Jesus said: "I came down from
heaven," and John 3:13 speaks of Him as "He that came down from heaven."

"HAVING THE KEY" -- In Rev. 3:18 Jesus said: "I have the keys.."

"OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT" -- The Greek word is abussos, the infernal "abyss," "the
deep," "Many devils.. besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep"
(Luke 8:31). Jesus controls the door of "the deep," "the bottomless pit."

"AND A GREAT CHAIN IN HIS HAND" -- More will be presented about the "chain"
involved here under verse 3. In Whose "hand" is the power to chain "the dragon"? Jesus said:
"All power is given unto me in heaven and in the earth" (Matt. 28:18). It is with this power that
"whatsoever (is) bound on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever (is) loosed on earth
shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 17:19).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:2) -- "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,
and Satan, and bound him a thousand years."

"AND HE LAID HOLD ON THE DRAGON.. THE DEVIL," Christ alone, none of His
angels, is stronger than the Devil: "When a strong man (Satan) armed keepeth his palace, his
goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he (Christ) shall come upon him he taketh from him
all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils" (Luke 11:21-22). Isaiah 53 brings out
that because Christ "poured out His soul unto death," therefore "He shall divide the spoil.." It
was at Calvary, and as the result of Calvary, that Jesus bound the devil.

"AND BOUND HIM" -- It was necessary that Christ first bind Satan by His death at
Calvary before He began the centuries long process of spoiling Satan's house: "How can one
(Christ) enter into a strong man's house (Satan's house) and spoil his goods, except he (Christ)
first bind (Satan) the strong man? And then he will spoil his house" (Matt. 12:29).

READER, PLEASE TAKE NOTE: -- Christ DID indeed begin the spoiling of Satan's
house immediately following His death and resurrection, for the Bible says so: "And having
spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it"
(Col. 2:15). How much plainer need it to be? None. Therefore, since the spoiling began
immediately after Christ's death and resurrection, the conclusion should be obvious: Christ
bound Satan at Calvary.
 "A THOUSAND YEARS" -- The term "a thousand" or "thousand" elsewhere in the Bible
has been used to denote a large, but indefinite, amount of a thing: -- "The Lord God of your
fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are" (Deut. 1:11). "God... keepeth
covenant.. with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations"
(Deut. 7:9). "How should one of you chase a thousand" (Deut. 32:30). "A day in Thy courts is
better than a thousand" (Ps. 84:10). "For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday" (Ps.
90:4). "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Pet.
3:8). "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand" (Ps. 91:7). "A little
one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation" (Isa. 60:22). "I had rather speak
five words with my understanding.. than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue" (1 Cor.
14:19) "If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years.. Yea, though he live a thousand
years twice told, yet he hath seen no good" (Eccl.. 6:3, 6).

While the term "a thousand" is never used loosely in the Bible, it is often used
figuratively, instead of literally, to denote "many" or a large, but indefinite, amount of a thing.
Therefore, with the support of the above evidence, the "thousand years" of Rev. 20 is interpreted
to be the long period of time from Calvary to near the close of the church age during which Satan
is bound by Christ, and which shall be followed by the "little season" when Satan will be
"loosed" and the great tribulation shall take place.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:3) -- "And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal
upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:
and after that he must be loosed for a little season."

"AND CAST HIM" -- "Now (at Calvary) shall the prince of this world be cast out" (John
12:31).

"INTO THE BOTTOMLESS PIT" -- Satan is the king of the bottomless pit: "And they
had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew
tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon" (Destroyer, Rev. 9:11).
Does not Jesus refer to Satan in John 10:10 as one who "cometh not, but for to kill, and to
destroy?" Satan is Abaddon, or Apollyon, the Destroyer.

"AND SHUT HIM UP, AND SET A SEAL UPON HIM" -- Satan IS PRESENTLY
BOUND, along with all of the other angels that sinned: "God spared not the angels that sinned,
but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto
judgment" (2 Pet. 2:4). "And the angels which kept not their first estate.. He hath reserved in
everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). When Christ
"came down from heaven, having.. a great chain in His hand," He bound Satan through His death
on the cross. Satan's power to destroy is limited to the perimeter within the length of his chain.
Thus, he walketh about, to the full length of his restraint, like a chained, yet ferocious, lion,
"seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Whom may Satan devour? Only those who sin
willfully so as to place themselves, by their own choice and actions, within the perimeter of his
chain.
 "THAT HE SHOULD DECEIVE THE NATIONS NO MORE" -- Satan's power to
deceive is removed by Jesus sacrificial death: "And He will destroy in this mountain the face: of
the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations" (Isa. 25:7). Only
unbelievers are blindly deceived by Satan: "The god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ.. should shine unto them"
(2 Cor. 4:4). "Nevertheless when it (unbelieving Israel, or any unbeliever) shall turn to the Lord,
the vail shall be taken away" (2 Cor. 3:16).

"TILL THE THOUSAND YEARS SHOULD BE FULFILLED" -- From the time when
Satan was first bound at Calvary until the "little season" of final tribulation near the close of the
church age: "For these be the days.. that all things which are written may be FULFILLED"
(Luke 21:22).

"AND AFTER THAT HE MUST BE LOOSED FOR A LITTLE SEASON" -- Near the
close of the church age, Satan's deceptive power will be "loosed" and the anti-Christ will use that
power to deceive an unbelieving world as never before: "And ye know what withholdeth
(presently binds Satan's deceptive power) that he (anti-Christ) may be revealed in his time. For
the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth (bindeth Satan's power to
deceive) will let (will continue to restrain that power) until He be taken out of the way. And then
shall that Wicked be revealed.. even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.. But we are bound to give thanks alway to
God for you, brethren.. because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth" (2 Thess. 2:6-13).

We see here that during the "little season" of great deception under anti-Christ "them that
perish" will be deceived while the elect, who have on the wedding garment of "sanctification of
the Spirit," will "believe the truth" unto their final salvation. However, so strong will be the
deception of those days that "if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt. 24:24).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:4) -- "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given
unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the
word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received
his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years."

"I SAW THE SOULS OF THEM" -- 100 out of 105 times in the new testament, when
souls are mentioned, it refers to the spirits of men apart from their bodies.

"AND THEY LIVED" -- The dead in Christ still live: "Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and
whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26).
After a Christian dies, his or her "life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3), but the individual
continues to live still in God's presence.
 "AND I SAW THRONES, AND THEY SAT UPON THEM.. AND REIGNED WITH
CHRIST" --Christ now sits on the throne, and Christians are now reigning with Him, including
the dead in Christ: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I
also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Rev. 3:21). "God.. hath raised us
up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4, 6). "They
which receive abundance of grace.. reign in life by one, Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:17).

"AND JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN UNTO THEM" -- With Christ, the saints will judge
the world: "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?.. know ye not that we shall
judge angels?" (1 Cor. 6:2, 3). This judgment will be given when Jesus comes again, and it will
be a rulership that both judges and destroys the evil ones: "But that which ye have already hold
fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall
they be broken to shivers.." (Rev. 2:25-27).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:5) -- "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection."

"THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION" -- In John 5:25, 28, 29 we can see that Jesus
told of two different resurrections: "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live" ( verse 25). Obviously, the first
resurrection which Jesus mentioned is the spiritual resurrection. "The hour is coming, in the
which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.." (verses 28, 29). Quite
plainly, the second resurrection which Jesus mentioned is the bodily resurrection. Therefore,
using this as a basis, the "first resurrection" spoken of in the above verse is interpreted to be the
spiritual resurrection.

"BUT THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND
YEARS WERE FINISHED."-- If we are born again, we NOW live again unto God, we see the
kingdom of God and are living in a consciousness of His presence. Thus, during the "thousand
years," or millennium in the church age, men may NOW "live again" spiritually and then die
physically in the Lord, but "the rest of the dead" (those both physically and spiritually dead) will
not "live again" in any sense until the "mystery of God.. is finished" (Rev. 10:6-7) and all men
are resurrected at the second, and bodily, resurrection.

AN IMPORTANT OBSERVATION: -- That there will not be 1000 years between the
bodily resurrection of the righteous and the bodily resurrection of the wicked is seen to be
proven by Matthew 26:64:

Speaking to the wicked Caiaphas, Jesus said: "I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see the
Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven" (Matt.
26:64). Since Jesus will be seen "coming in the clouds of heaven" at His Revelation, just after
the close of the great tribulation, must we not conclude from this verse that either?:
 (a) Caiaphas was (or would become) a righteous man, and Jesus was telling him that he
would be resurrected with the righteous and thus see the Son of man coming with all of the other
righteous; or,

(b) Caiaphas was a wicked man, and this verse shows us that the wicked will also be
resurrected at Jesus' Second Coming so close following the resurrection of the righteous as to be
able to actually see Jesus "coming in the clouds of heaven."

I interpret the latter to be true, and that the statement in Rev. 20 which says that "the rest
of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished" should not, therefore, be
interpreted to mean that there will be 1000 years between the two bodily resurrections.

If Caiaphas were to be resurrected with the wicked 1,000 years after Christ came "in the
clouds of heaven," how then could he see Christ "coming in the clouds of heaven" when the
event was already one millennium in the past?

Matt. 26:64 presents a dilemma for those who insist that 1,000 or more years will
separate the bodily resurrection of the wicked from that of the righteous. However, Matt. 26:64
does harmonize perfectly with a number of other scriptures which locate the bodily resurrection
of both the righteous and the wicked at the time of Jesus' Second Coming.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:6) -- "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such
the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign
with him a thousand years."

"BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE THAT HATH PART IN THE FIRST

RESURRECTION" -- The spiritual resurrection is characterized by both happiness and holiness.
Those who have part in it are not only made "alive unto God through Jesus Christ," but
conversely they are to reckon themselves "dead indeed unto sin" (Rom. 6:11). Having "part in
the first resurrection" involves all 3 works of grace: justification, entire sanctification, and bodily
glorification. While both the righteous and the wicked shall be resurrected on the day of the
Lord, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," as the recipients of both God's heavenly blessing and
God's holy nature.

"ON SUCH THE SECOND DEATH HATH NO POWER" -- "Truly God is good.. to
such as are of a clean heart" (Ps. 73:1). The 3 Hebrew children who refused to bow to
Nebuchadnezzar's golden image were "men, upon whose bodies the fire" of his furnace "had no
power" (Dan. 3:27). Even thus, the flames of the lake of fire will have "no power" to harm those
whose hearts are pure, not just because of where they will be be, in heaven, but also because of
what they will be, glorified beings "upon whose bodies" the fire of that lake could inflict "no
hurt" (Dan. 3:25, 27). God's goodness to His eternal children will make this so.
 "BUT THEY SHALL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST" -- "And hath made us
kings and priests unto God and his Father.." (Rev. 1:6). "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood.." (1 Pet. 2:9).

"AND SHALL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS" -- See the comments on
verse 4: Christians are NOW reigning with Christ, and that reign will not only span the
Millennium in the Church Age, or the time from Calvary to the "little season," but it will
continue forever in the Eternal, Messianic Kingdom of Christ: "they shall reign for ever and
ever" (Rev. 22:5).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:7) -- "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of
his prison.."

"SATAN SHALL BE LOOSED" -- This statement is seen to mark the end of the time
during which Satan's deceptive power is restrained and the commencement of the "little season"
of great deception and then great tribulation. See the comments on verses 1-3. Satan's "prison" in
this verse is the Greek word "phulake," which Strong's Concordance defines in part as: "a
guarding". God will guard, or restrain Satan from exercising certain of his deceptive powers until
that final, fateful "little season" (Rev. 20:3). Then the "man of sin" will "be revealed in his time"
(2 Thess. 2:3-12).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:8) -- "And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters
of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the
sea."

"AND SHALL GO OUT TO DECEIVE THE NATIONS.. IN THE FOUR QUARTERS

OF THE EARTH" -- This statement compares with conditions which the apostle Paul said would
be in the world during the time of anti-Christ: "And now ye know what withholdeth that he
might be revealed in his time.. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all
power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this
cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they might all be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But.. brethren, beloved
of the Lord.. God hath.. chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of
the truth" (2 Thess. 2:6, 9-13). During the "little season" when Satan is loosed by God to send
"strong delusion" to "the four quarters" of this wicked, pleasure loving world, "they" will
"believe a lie" and "be damned," but through the Spirit, the sanctified elect will be enabled to
"believe the truth" unto their final salvation.

"GOG AND MAGOG, TO GATHER THEM TOGETHER TO BATTLE: THE

NUMBER OF WHOM IS AS THE SAND OF THE SEA." -- Notice the similarities between all
of verse 8, including this portion, and an earlier reference to the battle of Armageddon: "For they
are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the
whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.. And he gathered
them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Rev. 16:14, 16). Thus the
"little season" is taken to be identical with the reign of anti-Christ, and the battle of Gog and
Magog to be identical with the battle of Armageddon.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:9) -- "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp
of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and
devoured them."

"AND THEY WENT UP ON THE BREADTH OF THE EARTH, AND COMPASSED

THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS ABOUT, AND THE BELOVED CITY." -- Once again, notice
the similarity between the above portion of verse 9 and a statement of Jesus, as recorded in
Luke's version of the Olivet Discourse: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem COMPASSED
ABOUT with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.. And there shall be signs in
the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars.. for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then
shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" (Luke 21:20, 25,
26, 27). Who would say that the scene in Luke was not the compassing about of Jerusalem just
before Armageddon and the Lord's Return? The striking similarity between the passage in Luke
and the above portion of Rev. 20:9 is taken as more than a coincidence, and as another indication
that the battle of Gog and Magog, as recorded in Revelation chapter 20, and the battle of
Armageddon are one and the same battle.

"AND FIRE CAME DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, AND DEVOURED
THEM." -- Again, notice the similarity between how the enemies are destroyed at the battle of
Gog and Magog and how they are destroyed at Christ's return, a similarity which is taken as yet
further evidence that the battles of "Armageddon" and "Gog and Magog" are one and the same
battle: "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire
taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.. who shall be
punished with everlasting destruction.." (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

* * *

(REVELATION 20:10) -- "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for
ever and ever."

"WHERE THE BEAST AND THE FALSE PROPHET ARE" -- On Chart #2

accompanying this file, I have endeavored to show that the first 7 literary divisions of Revelation
all conclude at the same point. Accordingly, the last part of division #6, Rev. 19:11-21, is seen to
end with the battle of Armageddon on the day of the Lord. And, likewise, Rev. 20:10, in division
#7 is seen to have brought us to that same point. Thus, while the statement that the beast and the
false prophet "are" in the lake of fire, may seem to some as proof that Rev. 20:10 has brought us
to a later time than that of Rev. 19:20, I interpret that such is not the case. As related to the
literary sequence, which presents John's visions as a continued story with one vision following
another, Rev. 20:10 does indeed follow Rev. 19:20. But, as related to the chronological sequence
in which they shall be fulfilled, Rev. 19:20 and Rev. 20:10 are taken to be fulfilled in the same
period of time.

We might liken this to a 7-Act drama in which each act relates a different aspect of the
same story and brings the story to the same point in time at its conclusion. Let us say that Act #6
tells of how two notorious criminals are brought to justice, and concludes with their being cast
into prison. Then, from a different perspective of the same story, Act #7 tells of how their boss is
brought to justice, and concludes with his being cast into prison at the same time that his two
accomplices were imprisoned.

In the presentation of such a drama, the two criminals "are" in prison before their boss
only inasmuch as the end of Act #6 precedes the end of Act #7. If we grasp the actual
chronology of the drama correctly, we understand that the boss and his two criminal accomplices
were imprisoned at the same time.

This, I interpret, is the way the beast and the false prophet "are" in the lake of fire before
Satan himself is cast therein. They may indeed land in the lake of fire somewhat before Satan is
cast therein, but Satan shall be cast into the lake of fire with them during the same climactic time
frame at the end of the age, and not 1000 years later.

"AND THE DEVIL THAT DECEIVED THEM WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE.. AND SHALL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOR EVER
AND EVER." Luke 12:47-48 makes it clear that the wicked will suffer varying degrees of divine
punishment from the Lord: "That servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself,
neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did
commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be much required.." According to this rule, it would appear that the one who
will be tormented the most, and who will suffer the most, in the lake of fire will be Satan
himself, and that forever!

* * *

(REVELATION 20:11) -- "And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."

"AND I SAW A GREAT WHITE THRONE, AND HIM THAT SAT ON IT" -- This is
the same judgment which Jesus portrayed in Matt. 25:31-46 at the close of the Olivet Discourse:
"When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then (on the
day of the Lord) shall He sit upon the throne of His glory.." (Matt. 25:31). Thus, with this
judgment being identical with that mentioned in Matt. 25:31-46, the final scenes of Revelation
20 are seen to conclude on the day of the Lord. More will be mentioned at verse 12 about the
judgment in Matt. 25:31-46.

"FROM WHOSE FACE THE EARTH AND THE HEAVEN FLED AWAY"
 AN IMPORTANT OBSERVATION: -- The fleeing away of the present earth and
heavens will take place at Christ's Second Coming on The Day Of The Lord, and not 1,000 years
later. This is seen in 2 Peter 3:3-13: "There shall come.. scoffers.. saying, Where is the promise
of his coming?.. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away.. the earth also.. shall be burned up." Again, Rev. 20 is seen to conclude
on the day of the Lord, and not 1,000 years later.

"AND THERE WAS NO PLACE FOUND FOR THEM" -- No place will be found for
this present universe at the great Judgment scene. The heaven and earth, as we now know them,
will vanish on the day of the Lord. At the opening of the 6th seal we read: "the heaven departed
as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places"
(Rev. 6:14).

In Heb 1:10-12 we read: "..the earth; and the heaven.. shall perish.. And as a vesture shalt
thou fold them up, and they shall be changed..." We can establish the time in which these
dramatic changes will occur by reading an earlier portion of the first chapter of Hebrews: "When
He bringeth again the Firstbegotten into the world.." (Heb. 1:6, marginal alternative KJV). Also,
as has been earlier pointed out, seals 6 and 7 have brought us to the day of the Lord. Thus, we
again see that the removal and regeneration of the material universe will occur on the day of the
Lord, and not 1,000 years thereafter.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:12) -- "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged
out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

"AND I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BEFORE GOD" -- This is
the general judgment. Every man, woman, boy, and girl who ever lived will be there, without
exception. This same, general judgment scene is spoken of in different terms in Matt. 25:31-33:
"Then shall He sit upon the throne.. and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall
separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall set
the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left." This will not be a judgment of nations as
groups. Rather, it will be a judgment of all nations as individuals, every individual from every
nation. When Jesus said: "Go ye therefore and teach all nations," He meant that we should teach
all individuals everywhere.

The view of the judgment in Matt. 25:31-46 to be an earlier judgment of "nations" as

various world groups is a misinterpretation of the term "nations". Jesus pictured the Judgment in
Matt. 25 to be like when a shepherd "shall separate" the sheep and the goats "one from another,"
a one- by-one discerning and dividing. Therefore, the two crowds and the two judgments
recorded in Matt. 25:31-46 and Rev. 20:11-15 are the same. While the two passages employ
different descriptions, they both tell of the general and final judgment by Christ of every human
being.
 "AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED.. ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS" -- "It is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). Indeed, all will not die,
according to 1 Cor. 15:51, but we shall all be changed, and "we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ.." (2 Cor. 5:10). As pictured in Matt. 25:33-40, it will be first the sheep
who will be judged "according to their works," and then second the goats will be judged
"according to their works". Matt. 25:41-46 This agrees with the statement in 1 Pet. 4:17 which
says that "judgment must begin at the house of God."

* * *

(REVELATION 20:13) -- "And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their
works."

"AND THEY WERE JUDGED EVERY MAN" -- None shall escape from being brought
to the judgment. "Every man" will be there! "There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where
the workers of iniquity may hide themselves" (Job 34:22). Men may have their bodies cremated
and their ashes scattered across a vast expanse of ocean in the attempt to avoid the resurrection
and final judgment, and yet God will see to it that "every man," without exception, will be there
on Judgment Day.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:14) -- "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second
death."

"THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION... THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH" -- These

two brief statements, written in similar form, seem to present to the reader two emphatic
opposites: The first resurrection, bringing spiritual and eternal life; and the second death,
bringing spiritual and eternal death. Those resurrected twice (spiritually and bodily) will die
once, bodily -- while those resurrected once, bodily, will die twice, bodily, and eternally.

* * *

(REVELATION 20:15) -- "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire."

"AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE" --

This statement provides another confirmation that all will be at this judgment as the general, and
final judgment of every human being. Many at this General Judgment shall be found in the Book
of Life.

"WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE." -- Millions not found written in the Book of
Life shall be cast into The Lake of Fire, which is the second death.
 Thus, we see that Revelation chapter 20 concludes at the same, awesome final judgment
as that portrayed in Matthew chapter 25, where those not found written in the book of life "shall
go away into everlasting punishment," and where "the righteous," whose names are found
written in the book of life, shall go "into life eternal" (Matt. 25:46). The judgment portrayed in
Revelation chapter 20, is identical to the judgment portrayed in Matthew chapter 25, and it will
occur on the day of the Lord, and not 1,000 years later.

Reader, consider how many proofs are found in Revelation 20 which point out to us that
the conclusion of the chapter shall come, not one millennium beyond the return of Christ, but
rather at Christ's Second Coming on The Day Of The Lord. When the "thousand years" and
"little season" of Revelation chapter 20 are interpreted as in the church age, and spanning the
time from Calvary to the day of the Lord, then the time of the final judgment of all, Rev.
20:11-15, is seen to occur at exactly the same time that all other scriptures locate its occurrence:
on Judgment Day, The Day Of The Lord. (See Acts 17:31 and Romans 2:5.)

* * * * * * *

35 -- THE KINGDOM FULFILLMENTS OF REVELATION 21-22

Yes, the following is prophetic truth, but it contains some of the most marvelous facts in
the Bible about THE HOLY CITY and THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF CHRIST. And, yes,
the following paragraphs do show that much of what Millennialists think will occur on this earth
will actually take place in the New Heavens and New Earth. But still, this little article should
bless the heart of any saint who is "Going to a City where the roses never fade."

When we repeatedly find described in Revelation chapters 21 and 22 the fulfillment of

Messianic prophesies, things which some interpret to take place during a millennium in this
world, should we not see clearly that the Messianic reign will take place in the eternal state and
in the new heaven and earth? I say that we should.

Below is a comparison of Old Testament prophetic portions with their corresponding

portions found in Revelation 21 and 22. I maintain that the striking similarity between the things
described in these Old Testament portions and the things described in Revelation 21 and 22
should convince us that the Messianic kingdom will take place in the Eternal State, and not
during any millennium on this present earth. Below, please note: (a) that which is prophesied to
be in the Messianic Age -- Compared with -- (b) its corresponding fulfillment shown to be in the
Eternal State.

* * *

New Heavens And New Earth, Former Things Passed Away

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 65:16-17 ...because the former troubles
are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. (17) For, behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
 (b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:1,4 And I saw a new heaven and a
new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.. (4) ..the former things are
passed away.

* * *

Eternal Bliss, With No Sorrow Or Tears

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 65:18-19 But be ye glad and rejoice for
ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. (19)
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more
heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes.. and there shall be no more.. sorrow, nor crying..

* * *

Nothing Hurtful Or Painful

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed
together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and... They shall not hurt nor destroy in all
my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:4 ..neither shall there be any more
pain..

* * *

Long Life, No Death

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 65:22 ..for as the days of a tree are the
days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:4 ..and there shall be no more
death..

* * *

No More Curse, But Instead Blessing

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor
bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD..

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:3 And there shall be no more
curse..
* * *

Jerusalem The Prominent City, Honored By Nations

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Micah 4:1-2 But in the last days it shall come
to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the
mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (2) And many
nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.. and we will
walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
(see also Isa. 2:2-3)

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:2,10,24,26 And I John saw the
holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.. (1o) And he carried me away
in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem..
(24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it.. (26) And they shall
bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

* * *

Jerusalem Become The Dominant City

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Micah 4:8 And thou, O tower of the flock,
the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the
kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. Isa. 60:11-12 Therefore thy gates shall be
open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of
the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. (12) For the nation and kingdom that will not
serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:24,26 ..and the kings of the earth
do bring their glory and honour into it. (26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the
nations into it.

* * *

Jerusalem's Gates Be Continually Open

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 60:11 Therefore thy gates shall be open
continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the
Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:25-26 And the gates of it shall not
be shut at all by day.. (26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

* * *
Jerusalem's Dimensions Be Foursquare

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Ezek. 48:20 ..ye shall offer the holy oblation
foursquare, with the possession of the city.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare,
and the length is as large as the breadth.. The length and the breadth and the height of it are
equal.

* * *

Jerusalem's Wall Foundations Garnished With Precious Stones

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 54:11-12 ..I will lay thy stones with fair
colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. (12) And I will make thy windows of agates,
and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of
the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones..

* * *

Jerusalem's Gates Named After The 12 Tribes Of Israel

Ezek. 48:31 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel..

Rev. 21:12 ..twelve gates.. and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve
tribes of the children of Israel.

* * *

Jerusalem Divinely Lighted

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 60:1-3 Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. (2) For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen
upon thee. (3) And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:23-24 And the city had no need of
the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is
the light thereof. (24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and
the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

* * *

Jerusalem Experience Endless Day

 (a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 60:19-20 The sun shall be no more thy
light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be
unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. (20) Thy sun shall no more go down;
neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the
days of thy mourning shall be ended.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:5 And there shall be no night
there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and
they shall reign for ever and ever.

* * *

Jerusalem Adorned As A Bride

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 52:1 ..put on thy beautiful garments, O
Jerusalem, the holy city..

(b) Shown to be in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

* * *

Jerusalem Pure And Holy

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 52:1 ..put on thy beautiful garments, O
Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised
and the unclean. Zech. 14:20-21 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses,
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls
before the altar. (21) Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD
of hosts.. and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Isa. 60:21 Thy people also shall be all righteous.. that I may be glorified.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:27 And there shall in no wise
enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.. 2
Pet. 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.

* * *

Eternal Damnation To Those Without The City

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 66:22,24 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. (24) And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have
transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and
they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:15 For without are dogs, and
sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a
lie. (8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire
and brimstone: which is the second death.

* * *

The Tabernacle Of God With Men

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Ezek. 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with
them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:3,22 And I heard a great voice out
of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and
they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.. (22) And I saw
no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

* * *

The Water Of Life And Tree Of Life

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Ezek. 47:1,9,12 Afterward he brought me

again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the
house eastward.. (9) And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth,
whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live.. and every thing shall live whither the river
cometh.. (12) And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all
trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall
bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the
sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Zech. 14:8,11
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem.. (11) And men shall
dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:1-2 And he showed me a pure
river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (2)
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which
bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were
for the healing of the nations.

* * *

Jerusalem The Place Of God's Throne

 (a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Jer. 3:17 At that time they shall call
Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of
the LORD, to Jerusalem..

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:3 ..the throne of God and of the
Lamb shall be in it..

* * *

The Eternal Presence Of Christ

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Ezek. 48:35 It was round about eighteen
thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:3 ..the Lamb shall be in it..

* * *

Christ Reigning Over All The Earth From Jerusalem

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Zech. 14:9,16 And the LORD shall be king
over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.. (16) ..all the nations..
shall even go up .. (to Jerusalem) to worship the King, the LORD of hosts..

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:3 And there shall be no more
curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (New Jerusalem); and his servants
shall serve him.

* * *

Jesus Reigning Forever, Endless Increase, Peace, And Order

(a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Isa. 9:7 Of the increase of his government
and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. Isa. 66:10,12
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all
ye that mourn for her.. (12) For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a
river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream..

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 22:3,5 And there shall be no more
curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.. (5)
..for ever and ever.

* * *

Jerusalem Filled With God's Glory

 (a) Prophesied to be in The Messianic Age: Ps. 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee,
O city of God. Selah. Isa. 60:13 ..I will make the place of my feet glorious.

(b) Shown to be fulfilled in The Eternal State: Rev. 21:10-11 And he carried me away in
the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God, (11) Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a
stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

* * *

In Conclusion

Surely all of these marvelous things shall have their fulfillment, not in the Jerusalem
which now is, nor during a millennium of time, but rather in the New Jerusalem of the eternal
state. Beloved, let us not look for the realization of Messianic kingdom promises within the
feeble framework of time and matter here below, but rather in the "city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God." Heb. 11:10

Heb. 12:18,22 tells us: For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched.. (22)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem..
That which is touchable and visible often appeals more to the human mind than that which is
spiritual and invisible, but should not the above quotations from Hebrews reveal to us that our
hope is not to come to the touchable Jerusalem on this earth, but rather our hope and purpose
should be to enter in through the gates into "the heavenly Jerusalem." Nowhere in the Bible is
the Christian pointed to this present earth as the location where God's promises shall be fulfilled
to Christ's Church. Why, then, after the return of Christ, should we expect to re-inhabit, for even
a thousand years, this old earth and the Jerusalem which now is?

This writer asserts that, along with numerous other scriptures, the comparisons of
scripture with scripture presented in this chapter should convince us that the Jesus' Messianic
reign will take place in the eternal state within the New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New
Jerusalem. Further, I suggest that since Revelation 21 and 22 speak primarily of the bliss which
Christ will share with His Church, we should also be able to see from the comparisons presented
in this chapter that the Messianic kingdom will not be a fulfillment of "this-earthly" promises to
flesh and blood Israel, but will instead be a fulfillment of "the world to come" promises to the
entire, spiritual "Israel of God," Christ's Church.

At His return, Christ will shake down, utterly consume, and remove from His sight all
material things. I maintain that this "consumption" will eliminate the possibility of a Messianic
reign on this earth.

Heb. 12:26-29 ..now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only,
but also heaven. (27) And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that
are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
(28) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we
may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (29) For our God is a consuming fire.

Saint of God, why is it that you anticipate, sing, and rejoice over going to THE NEW
JERUSALEM after you die? If you were going to a refurbished, earthly Jerusalem, or some
other spot on a patched up version of this earth for a thousand years, why do you never think
about it, sing about it, or rejoice over it? I'll tell you why: -- Because THE NEW JERUSALEM
IS GOING TO BE YOUR NEXT HOME! The song writer declared:

When the toils of life are over and we lay our armor down
And we bid FAREWELL TO EARTH with all its cares,
We shall meet and greet our loved ones, and our Christ we then shall crown
IN THE NEW JERUSALEM.

There'll be singing, there'll be shouting, when the saints come marching home,
In Jerusalem, In Jerusalem;
Waving palms with loud hosannas as the King shall take His throne,
IN THE NEW JERUSALEM!

* * * * * * *

36 -- CAIAPHAS AND THE REVELATION OF THE INVISIBLE KING

Herewith, I shall make a very brief commentary on the above-titled subject. Let me first
present three scriptures:

"Now unto THE KING eternal, immortal, INVISIBLE, the only wise God, be honour and
glory for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Timothy 1:17).

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM, and they also
which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen"
(Revelation 1:7 ).

"And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to CAIAPHAS the high priest, where
the scribes and the elders were assembled... JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM.. HEREAFTER SHALL
YE SEE THE SON OF MAN sitting on the right hand of power, and COMING IN THE
CLOUDS OF HEAVEN" (Matt. 26:57, 64).

Now, my brief commentary: -- A number of times, I have made the following point: --
Jesus' statement to the wicked Caiaphas in Matthew 26:64 proves that the resurrection of the
wicked shall occur at the time of Christ's Revelation -- not one thousand years later -- as the
teachers of Chiliasm, or Pre-Millennialism, would have us believe.

Further, I have explained that this is true because Jesus said that the wicked Caiaphas
would "see the Son of Man.. coming in the clouds of heaven" -- something that would be utterly
impossible if Caiaphas was resurrected 1000 years AFTER Christ's "coming in the clouds of
heaven."

Christ now is "The Invisible King" -- but, at His Revelation "every eye shall see Him" --
including the eyes of Caiaphas. Further, since the Revelation of Christ shall occur at the time of
His Second Coming -- not 1000 years AFTER His Second coming -- it should be clear to any
honest and logically reasoning student of the subject that CAIAPHAS (A WICKED MAN)
WILL BE RESURRECTED AT THE TIME OF CHRIST'S SECOND COMING -- NOT 1000
YEARS LATER.

This conclusion could only be nullified if one of two following things was the case:--

(a) If Caiaphas was a righteous person, or Jesus saw that he would become a righteous
person before his death, and thus be resurrected with the righteous dead. Obviously, Caiaphas
was NOT a righteous person at the time Jesus made to him the statement in Matthew 26:64. And,
personally, I think it highly unlikely that Jesus was foreseeing that Caiaphas would become
righteous, and thus be resurrected with the righteous, so as to see Christ "coming in the clouds of
heaven" at the time of His Second Coming Revelation. It seems quite clear to me that Jesus was
telling the wicked Caiaphas that as one of the wicked dead, hereafter he would be resurrected
with the wicked dead (right after the resurrection and rapture of the righteous) in time to "see the
Son of Man... coming in the clouds of heaven."

(b) If Caiaphas, and all of the rest of the dead (righteous and wicked) see Christ while
still being unresurrected in the intermediate state. If ALL of the dead see Christ in the
intermediate state, this might be construed to be the way the wicked Caiaphas could "see the Son
of Man.. coming in the clouds of heaven" though still not having been resurrected.

In answer to point (b) above, I would reply that 1 Timothy 6:16 tells us that prior to His
Second Coming Revelation Christ is "DWELLING IN THE LIGHT which no man can approach
unto; WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE.."

Thus, it seems quite clear to me that while the pure in heart "see God" spiritually before
and after their earthly demise, and while the wicked, rich man lifted up his eyes in hell and
beheld Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham, JESUS' STATEMENT TO CAIAPHAS REFERRED
TO THE "SEEING OF CHRIST" IN A WAY WHICH NONE DO NOW SEE HIM, NOR CAN
SEE HIM, PRIOR TO THEIR RESURRECTION. Even the righteous shall not "see Him as He
is" (1 John 3:2) until His Second Coming Revelation -- and -- I very much doubt that the wicked
dead ever have, or ever shall, see Christ in any way while they are in the intermediate state -- viz.
at any time prior to Christ's Second Coming Revelation.

IN CONCLUSION: -- I believe that an honest and logical interpretation of Jesus'

statement to the wicked Caiaphas in Matthew 26:64 demands that we interpret it to mean that
Caiaphas will be resurrected among the wicked dead at the time of Christ's Second Coming
Revelation -- and not 1000 years later. The glorified Jesus is not only "dwelling in" the "invisible
Light of Heaven" -- He is PART OF that invisible Light -- being "the King eternal, immortal,
invisible."
 UNTIL the Second Coming Revelation of Christ, Jesus shall remain "The Invisible
King" that "no man" (living or dead) "hath seen, nor can see" (1 Timothy 1:17). BUT AT THE
TIME OF Christ's Second Coming Revelation, all shall be resurrected, so that the wicked dead,
and "every eye" will "see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven.

This, I believe, is the correct interpretation of Matthew 26:64 -- only one of the scriptures
which show that the resurrection of wicked shall occur in rapid succession after that of the
righteous -- at the time of Christ's Second Coming -- and not 1000 years later.

* * * * * * *

37 -- PERTAINING TO THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD

"..the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19).

INTRODUCTION

A correct understanding of this particular aspect of Christ's Second Coming sheds much
light upon the entire subject. While we cannot say that it is the paramount part of Jesus' Return,
it IS a part of that event from which, like one piece of a jig-saw puzzle placed properly, all other
aspects of the Second Coming can also be seen correctly. In other words: Get the picture right
about "the manifestation of the sons of God," and it is then possible to see all other aspects of
Christ's Return in their proper place and view the entire Biblical Mosaic of this climactic
occurrence in clear focus.

One could say the same for any of the other parts of the eschatological puzzle: Get any
one of them right, and you can then fit around it all of the other parts and of the Second Coming
and get "The Big Picture" correct, with all of its correlated and conjoined pieces creating a clear
and beautiful picture of the whole.

This is not to say that one can always easily and quickly do so. Second Coming
prophecy is not an enigma -- a dark and confusing puzzle which can never be seen clearly or
correctly, but IT DOES TAKE STUDY AND TIME to fit the pieces together correctly. The
reason why many people never attempt or never finish a jig-saw puzzle is because they will not
exercise the patience and invest the time it takes to "get the picture" right and to get it completed.

Perhaps another reason why some jig-saws have not been fit together rightly and
completely is because a would-be helper keeps suggesting the wrong thing. Here, let me assert
that often the only way one can get the Second Coming, prophetic picture right is to first
"shoo-off" all human helpers and all prejudiced and preconceived notions on the subject, and
then with a completely honest and open mind, ask GOD to make it clear from His Word. Even
then, however, one should not expect to suddenly see it all, with no effort, no time invested, and
no study. Nevertheless, with Divine inspiration and assistance, accompanied by honest and
earnest study, I believe it is possible for a Christian to reach the point where, like one who peers
into a kaleidoscope and turns it just right, EVERYTHING WILL FALL INTO PLACE, and the
beautiful, symmetrical, and correct picture of Christ's Second Coming will be seen.

I do not infer that a correct grasp of Second Coming Prophecy will enable the student to
pinpoint the precise time and every detail relative to that awesome event, but I DO believe that
the correct structure and picture of the main things relative to that occurrence can be clearly
perceived.

Now, back to the one piece of that puzzle upon which I shall expound, and around which
I shall build the general picture: -- "THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD."

* * *

FIRST -- WHAT IS THE "MANIFESTATION" IN ROMANS 8:19?

The Greek word here for "manifestation" is "apokalupsis" -- and we could correctly
translate this phrase: -- "the REVELATION of the sons of God." The Greek word translated as
"manifestation" here is the same Greek word that is translated as "revelation" in 1 Peter 1:13 --
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to
be brought unto you at the REVELATION of Jesus Christ."

Before discussing the "when" of "the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God," let me
relate some additional scriptures concerning "what" it is.

In Romans 8:18 Paul writes of "the glory that shall be REVEALED in us." In this verse
the Greek word for "revealed" is also "apokalupsis" and obviously "the glory REVEALED" in
the saints is synonymous with "the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God" mentioned in the
next verse.

Daniel 12:3 also prophesies of "the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God" thus: -- "And
they that be wise shall SHINE AS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE FIRMAMENT; and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

In reference to this same "MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD," Jesus said in

Matthew 13:43 -- "Then shall the righteous SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of
their Father."

By way of contrast now, the following Scriptures do NOT refer to the "manifestation of
the sons of God" mentioned in Romans 8:19:

In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said to His disciples: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that
is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a
candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
 Again, Philippians 2:15 instructs: -- "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom YE SHINE
AS LIGHTS in the world.

So, while it is clear from a number of New Testament scriptures that there IS a
"manifestation of the sons of God" while they remain on this earth, it is equally clear that the
manifestation mentioned in Romans 8:19 is a manifestation that has not yet occurred. The entire
verse says: "For the earnest expectation of the creature WAITETH FOR THE
MANIFESTATION of the sons of God." It is an event that is yet to come.

Naturally, this leads us to my next point:

* * *

SECOND -- WHEN SHALL THE MANIFESTATION OF ROMANS 8:19 OCCUR?

St. Paul answered that question in Colossians 3:4 -- " WHEN CHRIST, who is our life,
SHALL APPEAR, THEN shall ye also appear with him in glory."

"The manifestation of the sons of God" awaits the time of Christ's Appearance, and
though the Greek word used for "appear" in Colossians 3:4 is "phaneroo" and not "apokalupsis"
it should be clear to any honest student of the Word that it refers to one and the same
double-event: viz., THE REVELATION OF CHRIST IN GLORY -- and -- THE
REVELATION OF HIS SAINTS with Him in the heavens.

Regardless of one's belief concerning the details preceding Christ's Return, all must agree
that the "manifestation" or "revelation" of the sons of God shall occur at the time of Christ's
Second Coming, Revelation in Glory. When HE is revealed, THEN shall His Saints "also be
revealed with him" in the skies. The Apokalupsis of Christ and The Apokalupsis of His People
shall be seen at the same time by an evil, but awe-struck world -- AND WHAT A GLORIOUS
DOUBLE-REVELATION THAT SHALL BE!

Since even before His ignominious Crucifixion and Death, Jesus has been despised and
rejected by "this present evil world," and, since before the martyrdom of Stephen, His true
followers have also been despised and rejected with Him.

In John 15:20-21 Jesus said to His disciples: -- "Remember the word that I said unto you,
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you..
all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent
me."

But -- the Hour is fast approaching when "this present evil world" which has spit upon,
rejected, and blasphemed Christ, shall "see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and
GREAT GLORY" (Lu. 21:27 ). And, I think probably most have greatly underestimated THE
MAGNITUDE OF THAT HEAVENLY REVELATION.
 By way of comparison, consider the following concerning Jesus' earthly revelation of His
Glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. Luke 9:29 tells us that "His countenance was altered,
and his raiment was white and glistering." Speaking of that same earthly revelation, Matthew
17:2 says that Jesus "was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his
raiment was white as the light." Mark 9:3 says, "His raiment became shining, exceeding white as
snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them."

Further, 2 Chronicles 7:2 says that "the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord,
because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house."

If earthly revelations of Christ's Glory have been so awesome and overpowering, dear
reader, consider how much GREATER shall be THE REVELATION OF CHRIST'S GLORY IN
HEAVEN AT HIS SECOND COMING!

And, if at "the manifestation of the sons of God" with Him in glory they shall "shine as
the brightness of the firmament" (Daniel 12:3), and "shine forth as the sun" (Matthew 13:43),
just imagine, if you can, THE TREMENDOUS MAGNITUDE AND RADIANCE OF
CHRIST'S OWN HEAVENLY REVELATION! ITS RADIANCE AND GLORY WILL BE
INCONCEIVABLY OVERPOWERING by itself -- without even taking into consideration the
exceeding brilliance of the saints with Him. Add these two revelations together, and the
combined magnitude of that Heavenly Spectacle both now staggers the mortal imagination and
shall then stagger in horror the evil who behold it from below.

Consider the following Old Testament picture: -- As the army of Abimelech approached
Shechem, "Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land,
and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim." The evil Gaal had despised and
rejected the Abimelech, his army, and his rulership. But, after Gaal espied Abimelech coming
with his army, "Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who
is Abimelech, that we should serve him? IS NOT THIS THE PEOPLE THAT THOU HAST
DESPISED? go out, I pray now, and fight with them" (Judges 9:37-38)

When "the MANIFESTATION of the sons of God" occurs at "the REVELATION" of

Christ coming in the clouds -- Too late, a Christ-Rejecting, Christian-Despising world will then
discover that THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THEY DESPISED -- now shining as the brightness of
the firmament -- and THIS JESUS, Whom they have rejected and blasphemed IS THAT even
more indescribably AWESOME ONE WITH WHOM HIS DESPISED SAINTS COME!

Revelation 19:11-16 describes that event which shall occur on "THAT GREAT AND
TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD" (Joel 2:31): -- "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a
white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and
he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven
followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth
goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of
iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on
his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

I need not have gone into so much detail, but along with a glimpse of the magnitude of
that Heavenly Spectacle, the preceding should fix in the mind of the reader that "the
manifestation of the sons of God" shall occur at the same time of the awesome Revelation of
Christ.

Now to my next point on this subject:

* * *

THIRD -- THE REGENERATION DIRECTLY FOLLOWS THE REVELATION

"The manifestation of the sons of God" shall occur at the time of Christ's Revelation, and
in quick succession following this shall come what Jesus called "The Regeneration" in Matthew
19:28.

Before presenting scriptural proof of that The Regeneration directly follows The
Revelation, let me first define the term. The word "regeneration" used in Matthew 19:28 is
"paliggenesia" and it means: "rebirth (the state or the act), i.e. (fig.) spiritual renovation; spec.
Messianic restoration:--regeneration." It is a compound of "palin," which can be interpreted
"anew" or "once more" and "genesis". (See Strong's Greek Dictionary #3824, #3825, #1078)

We can see from the definition of this word that "the regeneration" to which the Lord
referred in Matthew 19:28 will be the time of the "anew-genesis," the time when all things will
be "made new". It will be the time when "once more" there is a "genesis," a new beginning with
all things renovated and restored by the Messiah into their proper, glorified, and eternal state.

Romans 8:19-23 should make it clear to any thoughtful and honest student of Second
Coming Prophecy that "The Paliggenesia" -- "The Regeneration" does not await the passing of
1,000 Years of additional Time after Christ's Revelation, but that THE REGENERATION
AWAITS ONLY THE TIME OF THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD -- WHICH
MANIFESTATION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE REVELATION OF CHRIST!

"For the earnest expectation of the creature [kitisis, creation ] WAITETH FOR THE
MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD. For the creature [kitisis, creation] was made
subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Because the creature [kitisis, creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation
[kitisis] groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they [God's creatures
and His creation], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans
8:19-23).
 This passage alone should convince any honest interpreter of prophecy that THE
CREATION WILL BE REGENERATED RIGHT AFTER THE REVELATION OF CHRIST
AND "THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD"! It awaits only that
Double-Revelation.

Furthermore -- St. Paul here connects "The REGENERATION" with the time of "the
REDEMPTION" of the saints' bodies! "The Redemption" of the saints' bodies is synonymous
with the Resurrection of the dead in Christ and the "Change" into glorified their glorified bodies
of all Christ's People, both dead and living at The Revelation. In rapid succession following "the
manifestation of the sons of God" with Christ at His Revelation, shall come the Destruction and
Resurrection of the wicked, the Judgment, and The Regeneration. Were it not for what I deem to
be the sadly erroneous interpretation and doctrine of one thousand years to follow Christ's
Return, and if Revelation 20 was instead interpreted in harmony with the rest of the Bible on this
subject, many might more easily and readily see this truth.

I invite my reader to read more fully my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom,"
(hdm0124) for a complete treatment of the subject. Repeatedly in Second Coming Prophecy, the
destruction of the earth as it now exists and "The Paliggenesia" -- "The Regeneration" are seen to
take place in direct connection with Christ's Return -- and certainly NOT ONE THOUSAND
YEARS THEREAFTER.

In 2 Peter 3:11-13 the apostle says to Christ's followers: "Seeing then that all these things
shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire
shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to
his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

Peter didn't leave anything out here. He says that the saints must be "Looking for the
coming of the day of God," which, if not confused by Millennialistic teaching, can be easily seen
as synonymous with "Looking for the Second Coming of Christ" on the Day of the Lord. Then,
without saying one thing about "Looking for any supposed One Thousand Year extension of
Time," Peter says that along with looking for that "Coming of the Day of God," the saints "look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

Again, in direct connection with the fearful and awesome Revelation of Christ -- "Him
that sitteth upon the Throne" (Rev. 6:16) -- we read in Rev. 6:13-14 that "the stars of heaven fell
unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island
were moved out of their places."

And, in Revelation 21:5, "He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things
new." Dear Saint of God, as I understand God's word on this subject, THE REGENERATION
AWAITS ONLY "THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD" AT THE
REVELATION OF CHRIST!
 Jesus Second Coming is CLIMACTIC -- NOT ANTI-CLIMACTIC! Away with this
notion that His Second Coming shall bring about only a partial destruction of evil and a partial
renewal of this earth for a paltry one thousand years! He is going to "MAKE ALL THINGS
NEW" -- AND THAT, MIGHTY QUICK AND FOREVER AT THE TIME OF "THE
MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD" AND HIS REVELATION WITH THEM IN
GLORY!

If we interpret the prophecy of John the Revelator correctly, it will harmonize beautifully
with all of the rest of Second Coming Prophecy -- which negates the idea 1,000 more years of
time after Christ's Return. Jesus' Olivet Discourse -- if not bent out of shape -- also negates the
idea of a thousand years of time following His Return, as do the scriptures of all other inspired
writers, including, of course, the apostle Peter, who wrote in 2 Peter 3:10,13 -- "But the day of
the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great
noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein
shall be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

In the above, there is no mention by Peter of a Millennium on a patched up version of this

earth after Christ's Return. Why? I assert BECAUSE THERE SHALL BE NONE! Christian,
why don't you ever consider where you are going to live for a thousand years on this patched up
earth after Christ's Return? Why is it, instead, that you always think and sing about your Eternal
Home in THE REGENERATED, NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH? I'll tell you why: --
Because that shall BE your next home, and because that's what comes, promptly after "the
restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21) at Christ's Return!

* * *

FOURTH -- THE RESTITUTION FOLLOWS THE MANIFESTATION

Put more fully, my subtitle here would say: -- "The Restitution of All Things" promptly
follows "The Manifestation of the Sons of God."

Another term used in the Bible concerning the Resurrection and Change of the innocent
and redeemed creation is "restitution": In Acts 3:20-21 we read: "And he shall send Jesus
Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of
restitution of all things.." The Greek word for "restitution" in verse 21 is "apokatastasis," and
means "reconstitution". See Strong's Greek Dictionary #605.

At the time of Christ's ascension, "He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right
hand of God" (Mark 16:19). According to Acts 3:21, "The heaven must receive" Christ "until"
the time arrives for the "restitution of all things." Thus, until this very hour, Heaven has
"Received" and "Retained" His presence, but, at His Revelation, Him Who now sits upon the
Throne shall be unveiled, shall arise, shall leave Heaven, shall resurrect, change, and rapture His
saints to be manifested with Him in the air, and in rapid succession He shall destroy the wicked,
destroy the earth as it now exists, shall resurrect the wicked and bring all to the Judgment, and
shall bring about "THE RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS."
 Further, as I understand God's Word, the re-created order described by the Bible terms
"changed," "restitution of all things," "make all things new," and "the regeneration" cannot be
seen as a transitory condition, but rather these terms speak of a state that shall be eternal, a state
which once brought about shall never be reversed or undone.

Thus, when Jesus spoke of "the regeneration" as the time and state during which He
would sit in the Messianic "throne of His glory," He spoke of a Messianic Reign, not lasting
1000 years, but which would continue forever. This, I maintain, is the true, Biblical concept of
Jesus' Messianic reign. Part of "the restitution of all things" shall be this Eternal "Regeneration"
of all things, and both shall follow fast on the heels of "the manifestation of the sons of God" at
Christ's Revelation.

* * *

FIFTH -- GOD'S UNACCOUNTABLE CREATURES SHALL BE IN THE REGENERATION

Romans 8:20-21 declare that "the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but
by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," and "the creature itself also shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

I think it highly likely that "creature" (kitisis) in these verses refers to virtually all of
God's Creation -- animate and inanimate -- which was made subject vanity (or mortality, death)
through no willful sin or rebellion. Neither inanimate Matter nor any unaccountable Creature
were capable of sin -- and they shall therefore, after being destroyed as they now exist, be
regenerated "into the glorious liberty of the sons of God," and shall eternally exist and live in
their glorified state as, and in, "the new heavens and the new earth."

As things are now, "all the foundations of the earth are out of course" (Psalm 82:5). The
Material Universe is "out of whack". And, through no fault of their own, the animals were cursed
with a bloodthirsty ferocity after Man's Fall. There is discord and decay everywhere, and "the
whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Rom. 8:22 ). But, "in the
Regeneration" when Christ "makes all things new," Matter will be transformed into a "better and
more enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34) -- indeed it will be changed into an Eternal Substance.
And, every "creature" that is now mortal and ferocious will be transformed into eternal and
docile creatures.

Millennialists think that the docile behavior of God's animals shall come about during a
paltry one thousand years, after which they will be burned up. I reject such teaching as both
unScriptural and senseless. The prophesied docility of God's creatures shall take place in the
Eternal New Earth.

In that New Earth, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie
down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall
lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the
lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the
weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my
holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea" (Isaiah 11:6-9 ).

Again, Isaiah 65:25 describes God's Creatures in the Eternal Regeneration: -- "The wolf
and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be
the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord."

Yes, there is some figurative language in the preceding verses, but nevertheless, they
speak of the Eternal, Glorified state of God's Creatures in The New Earth.

* * *

FINALLY -- IN SUMMATION

I believe that when one rightly perceives "the manifestation of the sons of God" -- What
it is, When it shall occur, and those Awesome, Wonderful and Eternal Things that shall follow --
there is seen a profound and poignant, Prophetic Picture of that which shall "surely come to
pass" (1 Kings 13:32) and of "the things which must SHORTLY be done" (Rev. 22:6).

Jesus did not tell John that things would wrap up SOON -- although these things may
occur now, much, much SOONER than millions imagine. The word "shortly" in Rev. 22:6 is
"tachos" and might also be translated (according to Strong's Concordance): "in haste, quickly,
speedily."

Contrary to the teaching of Millennialists, who say that following Christ's Return there
shall come a thousand-year-long, drawn out completion of "the restitution of all things," I
believe the Bible both TEACHES and WARNS, that while Christ, "The Husbandman waiteth for
the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it," (James 5:7) -- ONCE HE BEGINS
THE HARVEST AT THE TIME OF HIS REVELATION, "He will finish the work" QUICKLY
"and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth"
(Romans 9:28)!

The word "short" here in "short work" is "suntemno" and means to "do concisely,
speedily, and cut short"!

"The Manifestation of The Sons of God" shall occur at The Last Trump: -- "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" (1 Corinthians 15:52 ).

That Last Trump is synonymous with the Seventh Trumpet of Revelation 10:5-7 -- "And
the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And
sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are,
and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that
there should be TIME NO LONGER: But in the days of THE VOICE OF THE SEVENTH
ANGEL, WHEN HE SHALL BEGIN TO SOUND, THE MYSTERY OF GOD SHOULD BE
FINISHED, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

Do they not greatly err, who mistakenly teach people that AFTER THE RAPTURE of the
saints shall come another seven years in which some shall be saved? Do they not even more
greatly err who teach that AFTER THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD shall
come another one thousand years during which some shall be saved?

I assert that such teachings both confuse the Facts of Second Coming Prophecy and
encourage many to believe what is NOT SO! There shall be no chance to be saved after The
Last Trump blows and "The Manifestation of the Sons of God" occurs! Nay, when that Last
Trump blows, there shall "be TIME NO LONGER" -- Christ's Revelation shall occur, the saints
will be Resurrected, Raptured and Manifested with Him in the air, the wicked shall be defeated
and utterly destroyed, the earth and the works therein (along with the entire universe) shall be
burned up and destroyed as they now exist, the wicked will be resurrected and changed into their
never-but-ever-dying damnation bodies, every human being who ever lived will be brought to
the Judgment, all will be sent to their respective Eternal Abodes -- the wicked into the Lake of
Fire, and the righteous into the New Heavens and New Earth.

All of this shall occur IN SHORT ORDER, for once Christ, the Great Husbandman has
put in His sickle, "He will finish the work" QUICKLY "and cut it short in righteousness: because
a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Romans 9:28)! And all who suppose otherwise
had better take another long, sober, and honest look at what the Bible says on the subject.

* * * * * * *

38 -- NO MUNDANE MESSIANIC KINGDOM SHALL COME

INTRODUCTION

In this article, I shall discuss the following three points:

A -- The Jewish Nation Wrongly Expected A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom

B -- The Pre-Pentecostal Disciples Wrongly Expected A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom
C -- Post-Pentecostal Millennialists Wrongly Expect A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom

I expect that perhaps many will heartily disagree with me, who receive and read this
article by email or later from an HDM disc. That is the prerogative of any and all who choose so
to do. However, I shall not respond to those who wish to refute what I teach on this subject. It is
my hope that many will take the time necessary to read and study this article, and that at least
some will be persuaded to accept as true what I have written. Whatever the case, without any
debate on the matter, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5).

*I have appended to the end of this corrected edition of this article an interesting
response from Dr. George Lyons of Northwest Nazarene University.
* * *

A -- The Jewish Nation Wrongly Expected A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom

When Jesus "came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11), one reason
for that rejection was the Jews' mistaken notion that when their Messiah came He would set up a
Mundane, Earthly, Kingdom -- in "this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4).

Under the leadership of such men as Ezra and Nehemiah, Zerubbabel and Haggai, their
nation had been restored after the Babylonian Captivity. But a restored existence alone did not
fulfill their Messianic hope. As prophesied by Micah, they expected their coming Messiah to
bring the nation into world-wide dominion -- as the chief of all nations: -- "And thou, O tower of
the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first
dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem" (Micah 4:8).

But alas! the Jewish Nation fell under foreign dominion, including that of the Greeks and
next the Romans. "The first dominion" was nowhere in sight, and once again they were not only
not the Supreme Nation on earth, they were in subjection.

And, when Zechariah 9:9 prophesied: -- "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation," they
expected him to come as a Mundane, Earthly Savior, and even though the remainder of the verse
prophesied that He would come, "lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an
ass," they fancied that He would ride majestically on a White Horse, deliver them from
subjection to Rome and elevate their nation as the Supreme Power on Earth!

The Psalmist had prophesied of their Great Coming King: -- "Gird thy sword upon thy
thigh, O Most Mighty, with thy glory and Thy Majesty. And in Thy majesty ride prosperously
because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible
things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people [Israel's
foes shall] fall under Thee" (Psalm 45:3-5).

They expected their Messianic King to utterly overthrow all of the foes of the Jewish
Nation, and raise them into a Mundane, This-Earthly, Dominion, Prominence, and Glory that
would far exceed even the Kingdom of Solomon -- the first king-son of David.

But Jesus, the Greater Son of David was not recognized as such. To the eyes of many
around Christ, nothing about Him sparkled like Solomon, the first king-son of David. The
ancient prophecy of Isaiah relating how Israel's Messiah would have "no form nor comeliness;
and.. no beauty that we should desire him" was forgotten by most, and Jesus did not fit their
preconceived picture of the long expected "King of the Jews."

Born in a manger, raised in the relative obscurity of the little town of Nazareth, He took
up Joseph's trade and became known as just "the carpenter's son"! Why! Solomon, the first king-
son of David was no carpenter!!! He employed thousands of them to build the Temple and his
own glorious Palace, but he was no menial laborer. Surely this rude and callus-handed menial
laborer was not the Greater Son of David for whom they looked: -- "Is not this the carpenter's
son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they
were offended in him" (Luke 13:55-57).

Yes, Jesus wrought many miracles, but He shunned the spotlight in spite of them. And,
because the lowly carpenter, turned miracle-worker, refused to manifest his August Majesty to
the world, "neither did his [own] brethren believe in him." In that incredulity, they chastised Him
thus: "For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known
openly. IF thou do these things, shew thyself to the world" (John 7:4-5). At that point, they even
doubted His power to perform miracles, and His refusal to make an outward show convinced
them that this, their older brother, one who had dwelt with them in the same house, was NOT the
Messiah.

In John 7:31 we read: -- "And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ
cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?" Indeed Jesus' miracles
were in part meant to convince those to whom He ministered, but He never performed them to
awe and convince the Jewish Rulers nor many other unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, that He
really was the Messiah. Thus it was, "When Herod saw Jesus, he.. hoped to have seen some
miracle done by him" (Luke 23:8 ), but he saw none.

Here Jesus was, proclaiming that He was the Messiah, but because neither His
appearance nor his proffered "salvation" was visible, mundane and earthly, He was rejected as an
impostor: -- "Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man
whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is" (John 7:26-27).

Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah? Impossible! they thought. He did not advocate the
overthrowing of Roman rule and the setting up of an earthly kingdom that would elevate the
Jewish Nation! He did not even allow Peter to kill one of the crowd that came to arrest Him.
And, when brought before Pilate "Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the
Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36).

Contrary to the expectation of most of the Jews, Jesus did not come the first time to set
up a kingdom in "this present evil world." Millennialists emphasize "NOW is my kingdom not
from hence" as meaning "LATER my kingdom shall be in this world." But, the fact is, neither is
Jesus coming the second time to set up a kingdom in "this present evil world"! -- not even in a
temporarily patched-up version of "this present evil world"!

"When He was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, He
answered them and said, the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they
say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).

Plain and simple, Christ's kingdom "is not of this world," period! It exists invisibly now
in the hearts of His born-again followers, and shall exist later visibly, eternally, and only in "the
New Heavens and New Earth, and never in this world, not even in a supposedly, temporary,
patched-up version of this world for a thousand years.

Seeing no outward sign that Jesus of Nazareth fit the preconceived picture of their
Messiah, and seeing no indication that He would, or could, set up an earthly kingdom that would
throw off Roman Rule and elevate the Jewish Nation to world-wide prominence and dominion,
therefore, unbelieving Jews, with the acquiescence of Pontius Pilate, nailed him to the Cross of
Calvary, where He died with the mocking "accusation set up over his head, THIS IS JESUS THE
KING OF THE JEWS" (Matt. 27:37 ).

And why did God allow this? Because Christ's Salvation is spiritual, not political, and
because His Kingdom was never intended to exist in this present evil world, and it never shall
exist therein.

The New Testament, and especially the Book of Hebrews, is replete with scriptures
which clearly state that Christ's Salvation is spiritual, His People are spiritual Israel, His Visible
Kingdom shall exist in "the new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness," and
that it shall endure forever. And all of this, when "the voices of the prophets" are correctly
discerned, was also prophesied in The Old Testament.

For example, when "the voice of the prophet" Daniel in Daniel 7:27 is correctly
discerned, its fulfillment is seen to speak of the everlasting Kingdom of Christ with His People
in the New Heavens and New Earth: -- "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the
kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High,
whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."

* * *

B -- The Pre-Pentecostal Disciples Wrongly Expected A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom

It was no doubt partly because of Peter's utter disappointment in Christ's refusal to defend
Himself, or to allow others to defend Him, that he denied Christ. He too, along with all of the
disciples before their Spirit-Baptism at Pentecost, believed that Messiah's Kingdom was to have
been "in this present evil world." Thus, earlier, when Jesus began "to shew unto his disciples,
how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and
scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to
rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee" And, no doubt Peter
was stung by Jesus' response, when "He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan:
thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of
men" (Matthew 16:21-23).

Later, at the time of Jesus' arrest, Peter was still persuaded that if Christ really WAS the
Messiah, He should defend Himself, or at least allow him (Peter) to wield such defense. How
could the Jewish Messiah's Glorious Kingdom come on this earth, if he was slain. So, you know
the story, Peter wielded that sword, and Jesus again contradicted his zealous disciple's violent
action: -- "Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father
hath given me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11).

Playing on Peter's misconception of the nature of Christ's Kingdom, Satan probably

tempted Peter with thoughts such as the following: -- "How could Jesus really be the Messiah,
and allow Himself to be slain? Did not the Psalmist prophesy of Israel's Conquering Messiah,
'Gird Thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty!' (Psalm 45:3).
But Jesus was not girding on a sword. He could not truly be the King of the Jews!"

Overcome by these dark, Satanically injected thoughts, Peter "began to curse and to
swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the
word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he
went out, and wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:74-75).

Satan had temporarily robbed him of his faith -- and I think it was partly because of
Peter's nagging, This-Earthly Concept of Messiah's Kingdom.

But apparently all of Jesus' disciples had this same misconception. He whom they had
supposed was the glorious Messiah, must not really be such -- "And they all forsook him, and
fled" (Mark 14:50).

It had all started with such bright promise when "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.. first
[found] his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being
interpreted, the Christ!" (John 1:40-41). But, sans evidence of the establishment of an earthly
Kingdom, in spite of Jesus' miracles they had seen, doubts had crept in. Even the stalwart John
the Baptist had asked Jesus, before his execution, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look
for another?" (Matt. 11:3). And then, with the arrest and ignominious death of Him whom they
thought would "restore again the kingdom to Israel," all looked exceedingly dark!

Then, on the third day after Jesus' crucifixion, word got out that Jesus had risen from the
dead! Could it be? Indeed it was so! But when the risen Christ drew nigh and questioned the
two forlorn disciples on the road to Emmaus, their This-Earthly-Concept of the Kingdom can be
seen in their response: -- "We trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and
beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21 21). Please
allow me to phrase this differently: -- "We thought that Jesus was going to save Israel from
Roman dominion, but he was crucified. Yet we recall that He said He would rise from the dead
on the third day -- and this is the third day."

You know how that later, while they were eating with the resurrected Christ, "it came to
pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and He vanished out of their sight." (Luke
24:30-31)

Yes, their eyes "were" opened -- to the fact that Jesus was risen, and their hearts burned
within them during that time -- But -- their eyes were not yet fully opened to the fact that the
Messianic Kingdom of the risen Christ was not going to be in this world.
 And, even after Jesus had "shewed himself alive" to his happy disciples "being seen of
them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3), they
still clung to a This-Earthly-Concept of Messiah's Kingdom. And even just before Christ's
ascension, "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou
at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).

It took the purging, spiritually-clarifying, Baptism of the Holy Ghost on Pentecost to

show Peter, and the other 119 or so in the Upper Room what "the voices of the prophets" were
really saying about the nature of Messiah's Salvation and Messiah's Kingdom.

After His Pentecost, Peter saw that Christ's Kingdom is not of this present evil world, but
in a "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13).

Then, filled with the Holy Ghost, Peter declared: -- "Men and brethren, children of the
stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation
sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the
voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning
him" (Acts 13:26-27).

After his Pentecostal Baptism, Peter saw that he, his fellow disciples, and those who had
crucified Jesus, had failed to correctly discern "the voices of the prophets" about "Who" their
Messiah was, and about "What The Real Nature Of His Salvation And His Kingdom Is"! At last,
Peter had discerned that Christ did not come to save from the bondage of Rome -- He came to
save from the bondage of sin. And, He did not come to set up a Kingdom in This Present Evil
World, but a Kingdom in "The New Heavens And New Earth Wherein Dwelleth Righteousness"
-- and a Kingdom that would endure forever!

For a detailed study of this subject, I refer the reader to Section II of my book, "His
Appearing and His Kingdom" (hdm0124), which is published both on CDs and DVDs in the
HDM Digital Library.

* * *

C -- Post-Pentecostal Millennialists Wrongly Expect A Mundane, Messianic Kingdom

Ironically, and mistakenly -- many Spirit-Filled Christians since Pentecost have fallen
into the same erroneous interpretation of the Messianic Kingdom: -- viz., that it shall exist in this
present world -- albeit, a thousand-year, temporarily patched-up version of this present world.

The primary reason for this, I believe, is because their general interpretation of the entire
Book of Revelation is mistaken, and because they feel compelled to interpret Revelation Chapter
20 literally.

Again I refer my reader to Section II of my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," and
particularly to the portion in Chapter 8 thereof entitled "Revelation Chapter 20 Verse By Verse,"
where I give a spiritual interpretation of Revelation 20 which brings its meaning into harmony
with the rest of the Scriptures which reveal that Christ's coming Kingdom shall exist eternally in
"the New Heavens and New Earth, and not in a thousand-year, patched-up version of this present
world.

What many sincere Millennial interpreters have failed to recognize and/or address is that
their insistence upon a Post-Second Coming, Literal interpretation of Revelation 20 opens up a
Pandora's Box of preposterous absurdities and outright contradictions of the majority of
Scriptures in the Bible which teach that Christ's coming Kingdom shall exist only in "the new
heavens and new earth," and that never (not even for a thousand years) shall it exist visibly in
this present evil world!

By the way, one could not correctly characterize the supposed "Millennial World" as
anything but a "Mixed Bag" of Evil with Good, and Sinfulness with Holiness -- a supposed
world in which Christ is presented as "Suppressing" and not totally "Eradicating" evil!

Dear Heart, Christ never has practiced "suppression" in His Kingdom -- anytime,
anywhere, and if I understand my Bible aright, He will never ever do so!

But Millennialist are forced into such contradictions by their misinterpretation of

Revelation 20. Take, for example, their teaching about Zechariah 14:19 as taking place in the
supposed Millennial, Messianic Kingdom: -- "This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the
punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."

According to their interpretation, we shall have a glorified Christ along with His glorified
saints reigning in a patched-up version of this earth in the Jerusalem on this earth. And, in this
supposed Millennial Kingdom there shall be sanctified-glorified servants of Christ mixed with
unregenerate-flesh-and-blood, outward servants of Christ, whose evil must be suppressed and
punished for not "coming up to the feast of tabernacles."

Such contradictions and absurdities ought to make it clear to every perceptive student of
Second Coming prophecy that it is a mistaken interpretation -- particularly, this should be clear
to those who believe in Hebrews 12:14, that "without [inward and outward] holiness, no man
shall see the Lord."

But there is another absurd contradiction here also: -- i.e., that the Jewish Feasts shall be
re-instituted in the supposed Millennial Kingdom! -- which things were long ago, "done away in
Christ" (2 Corinthians 3:14)!!

It is pathetic that the profuse and palpable contradictions of Millennialism have not been,
long ago, seen for the erroneous interpretations that they really are. But because Millennialism
is ancient, and because it seems (mistakenly so) to harmonize with other scriptures that must be
interpreted literally, many devout and sincere students of the Bible have felt compelled to stick
with it.
 Down across the centuries, and especially since the time of Wesley, spiritual people have
seen correctly the spiritual meaning in such O. T. passages as Zechariah 13:1 -- "In that day there
shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and
for uncleanness."

Godly preachers have clearly shown that numerous O.T. passages speak of a spiritual
salvation. For example, the "fountain opened in the house of David.. for sin and uncleanness"
has been long and correctly shown as fulfilled in the shed blood of Christ on Calvary.

Just as correctly, holy men of God have, across the centuries, insisted that one must be
"born again" to ever "see the kingdom of God."

Is it not sad, then, that many of those same preachers have insisted that there is coming a
"Mixed Bag" Millennial Kingdom in which unregenerate and unholy subjects of Christ shall
dwell -- many of whom shall rise up in rebellion against Him at its close!!

I believe that the Bible not only teaches that Christ's Salvation is Spiritual and Eternal,
but that His Kingdom is also Spiritual and Eternal -- and that it shall never exist visibly, even for
a thousand years in "this present evil world." It will be visible in "the New Heavens and New
Earth," but NEVER violated -- any time, any place -- by the presence of unregenerate, unholy,
flesh-and-blood subjects who shall rise up in rebellion against King Jesus! "And there shall in no
wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a
lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life " (Rev. 21:27).

In Christ's one-and only, coming Kingdom, Spiritual "Israel shall be saved in the Lord
with an everlasting salvation" and they "shall not be ashamed nor confounded WORLD
WITHOUT END" (Isaiah 45:17).

This, I believe, is the correct interpretation of Christ's soon-coming, and Eternal,

Messianic Kingdom. Readers who wish to further examine my views on the entire subject are
invited to read my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom" (hdm0124).

* * *

APPENDED FROM DR. GEORGE LYONS OF NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

From: "George Lyons" <[email protected]>

To: "'DUANE MAXEY'" <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: NO MUNDANE MESSIANIC KINGDOM SHALL COME -- By Duane V. Maxey

The evidence in church history is strongly in your favor. After months of extensive
research on the subject in the AnteNicene and Nicene fathers about a decade ago I discovered
this interesting bit of trivia on this subject.

There were some Christians who expected a mundane messianic kingdom (a literal
millennial reign on earth). But they also expected that believers who died "slept" until the final
resurrection. Those Christians who looked forward to an intermediate kingdom had no room in
their eschatology for an intermediate state for the dead. These Christians were a clear minority.

Most Christians in first millennium believed that Christians who died entered
immediately into the presence of the Lord. They understood this intermediate state to be the
symbolic meaning of the millennial reign in Revelation 20. They expected no intermediate
kingdom following the second coming.

It was sometime after the Reformation before any Christian confused and combined the
two different eschatological expectations as is commonly done today. They either expected an
intermediate place or an intermediate state, but not both.

George

* * * * * * *

39 -- GALATIANS 4:30 CORRECTLY INTERPRETED

"Nevertheless what saith the scripture? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER
SON: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman" (Gal. 4:30).

Holiness writers often overlook and miss the primary meaning of this verse. In Galatians
4:22-31 St. Paul likens SARAH ("the freewoman") to "JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE"
(Gal. 4:26) -- and HAGAR ("the bondwoman") "answereth to JERUSALEM WHICH NOW
IS."

Further, in this same passage ISAAC is compared to SPIRITUAL ISRAEL, "BORN

AFTER THE SPIRIT" -- while ISHMAEL is compared to FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL,
"BORN AFTER THE FLESH" (Gal. 4:29).

Now get this -- for it is very important to a correct understanding and interpretation of
Galatians 4:30:

Paul says in this verse that BOTH EARTHLY JERUSALEM AND EARTHLY ISRAEL
ARE "CAST OUT"!!!! "CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN (EARTHLY JERUSALEM) AND
HER SON (FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL)!

Why cast them out?

(a) Because they constitute part of the Old Covenant "from the mount Sinai, which
gendereth to bondage" (Gal. 4:24).

(b) Because The Earthly Jerusalem was only a foreshadow of the New, Heavenly
Jerusalem above, and because Flesh and Blood Israel "shall not be heir" -- shall not inherit the
promises of, and the kingdom of, God with Spiritual Israel.
 What does all of this mean?

(a) It means that Christ will never reign in "the Jerusalem that now is" -- earthly
Jerusalem.

(b) It means that the final remnant of earthly Israel can only become "heirs" to the
kingdom of God by being born again -- which they shall be, just before the Last Trump on the
Day of the Lord.

(c) It means that CHILIASM or PRE-MILLENNIAL DOCTRINE IS IN ERROR! --

There shall be no Mundane Messianic Kingdom with Christ reigning for a thousand years in "the
Jerusalem that now is" -- and, in case you didn't know it, Duane V. Maxey is far from being
alone in discarding Chiliasm -- DANIEL STEELE IS ANOTHER OF THOSE WHO HAVE
DEBUNKED THIS TEACHING: -- He writes in hdm2028, "Antinomianism Revived":

"The universal Church of Christ, from the beginning to the present hour, has never
formulated premillennialism in its creed statements of Christian truth. They all speak of Christ as
coming "to judge the quick and dead," but never to set up an outward and visible kingdom 'with
Jerusalem for the center of worship and of blessing.' Examine that summary of Christian faith,
the Apostles' creed, so-called, not because it was made by them, but because it is a compound of
their doctrines, and you will find no trace of Chiliasm contained therein. The judicious Bishop
Pearson, in his Exposition of the Creed, says, 'That the end for which He shall come, and the
action which He shall perform when He cometh, is to judge all those which shall then be alive,
and all which ever lived.'

"The Nicene Creed, better known and more generally recognized than any other, except
the Apostles', teaches exactly the same doctrine with respect to the purpose of Christ's second
advent, 'to judge the quick and the dead.' There is even a verbal agreement.

"The next most important symbol of the early church, the Athanasian Creed, has these
words: 'Whence He shall come to judge the quick and dead. At whose coming all men shall rise
again with their bodies, and shall give account of their works.'

"All these three great creeds agree in four points:

"1. That Christ will come again.

"2. The object of His advent will be 'to judge the quick and the dead.' This they testify
with one voice, and as preliminary, all confess the resurrection of the dead, meaning all the dead.

"3. All imply what the Athanasian distinctly states, that this resurrection and judgment
will be at His coming.

"4. All are silent about any premillennial coming, or personal reign, or any of the peculiar
tenets of millennarians. Now these creeds universally received, in ancient and modern times, by
Roman, Greek, and Protestant churches, must be presumed to accord with the Divine Word."
 Chiliasm (Pre-Millennialism) does have some ancient roots, but all must agree that the
antiquity of a teaching does not prove its validity. Arianism, for example, was but one of the
various ancient errors in the Early Church -- and even Roman Catholicism has ancient roots.
Who would presume to say that any of the afore-mentioned teachings is true because it is
ancient? None should, and I assert (along with many others) that while Chiliasm is old, it is an
old error, and not an old truth.

When the apostle Peter declared in 1 Peter 4:7 that ""The END of all things IS AT
HAND," I do not accept that he meant with Christ's coming "A THOUSAND-YEAR-LONG
EXTENSION OF TIME IS AT HAND"! He meant what he said. With the Second Coming of
Christ "THE END OF ALL THINGS" relative to this world shall occur in rapid succession! --
with no chance thereafter for any to repent and be saved.

Just prior to that climactic, "END OF ALL THINGS" an impostor shall indeed sit upon a
throne in earthly Jerusalem -- but he will be "the antiChrist" and NOT THE CHRIST! Then,
immediately prior to the outpouring of "THE INDIGNATION" a remnant in Israel will perceive
the Truth as it is in Jesus and "be born-again in a day" -- and, they will be caught up with all of
Christ's saints to meet the Lord in the air.

But Earthly Jerusalem and impenitent Flesh and Blood Israel (and all of the wicked) shall
forever perish under the wrath of the Lamb. At Christ's Return, this earth and this universe as
now constituted will forever pass away, all will be ushered to the General Judgment, and all shall
next enter their Eternal Abode -- the wicked into the Lake of Fire, and the righteous into the
Heavenly "JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE" (Gal. 4:26).

Such an abrupt and eternal "END OF ALL THINGS" may not suit the fancy, nor fit the
interpretation, of millions, but all had better believe it when God says in Romans 9:28 that "a
short work will the Lord make upon the earth" and that "he will finish the work, and cut it short
in righteousness"! Selah.

* * * * * * *

40 -- WHEN THE TARES SHALL BE GATHERED OUT

TEXT: MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43

24 -- Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened
unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 -- But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went
his way.
26 -- But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares
also.
27 -- So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow
good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
 28 -- He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou
then that we go and gather them up?
29 -- But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with
them.
30 -- Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the
wheat into my barn.
36 -- Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came
unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37 -- He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 -- The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares
are the children of the wicked one;
39 -- The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the
reapers are the angels.
40 -- As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of
this world.
41-- The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom
all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 -- And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth.
43 -- Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who
hath ears to hear, let him hear.

* * *

INTRODUCTION

It is true that in "this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4) there is a mixture of Tares
among the Wheat -- both professed Christians who are actually "the children of the wicked one"
intermingled among other professed Christians who really are "the children of the kingdom."

But, shall this intermingling be carried on and even expanded AFTER Christ's Return --
so that for another, long, drawn-out period of one thousand years there shall be, not only a
commingling of Born Again servants of Jesus with Unregenerate Subjects who merely bow to
Him outwardly, but also the intermixture of Glorified Beings (Christ and His Glorified Saints)
with Flesh and Blood Human Beings?

I TROW NOT!! -- There shall be no Millennial Reign of Christ that is made us of such
totally contradictory elements. And, there are a number of plain Scriptures that should make this
apparent to any honest, thoughtful, and perceptive student of the Bible. Let us examine several
of those palpable contradictions to such an absurd concept, and conclude with locating precisely
WHEN THE TARES SHALL BE GATHER OUT OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.

* * *

(A) ALL MUST BE SAVED BY FAITH, AND NOT BY SIGHT

 Jesus chastised doubting Thomas for his faith, which came only after he saw: -- "Jesus
saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that
have not seen, and yet have believed." It is absurd to think that AFTER His Return Christ is
going to LOWER THE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING SAVED AND
BEING IN HIS KINGDOM. Even though His 11 faithful disciples SAW Christ with their
physical eye, after His Ascension they were all compelled to "walk by faith and not by sight" (2
Corinthian 5:7). And, after the stunning revelation of Christ from heaven on the Damascus Road,
St. Paul also had to walk by faith.

For two thousands years, those brought into Christ's Kingdom have entered it by faith,
and not by sight, and they have walked by faith, and not by sight:

Ephesians 2:8 -- "For by grace are ye saved through faith."

Galatians 3:26 -- For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:24 -- For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a
man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?"

To assert that AFTER Christ's Return He is going to LOWER THE BAR, and allow flesh
and blood people to be BORN AGAIN BY SIGHT, and to WALK BY THE SIGHT of their
physical eyes: -- beholding the Glorified Christ, Glorified Saints, and perhaps even Glorified
Angels -- is such a contradiction of everything taught in the New Testament that it boggles my
mind how anyone could believe it!

* * *

(B) THERE SHALL BE ONLY ONE "PRESENT EVIL WORLD" -- THIS "PRESENT EVIL
WORLD -- NOT ANOTHER EVIL WORLD, WITH HOLY AND EVIL OCCUPANTS!

Galatians 1:4 says that Christ "Gave Himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from
THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD, according to the will of God and our Father."

Don't try to convince me that there is going to be ANOTHER EVIL WORLD in a future,
a supposed Millennium composed of Sanctified and Glorified Saints along with some
Unregenerate, Unsanctified, and Unchanged, Flesh and Blood inhabitants!! IT SHALL NEVER
BE!

Does someone say: -- "Well, it WILL BE A HOLY WORLD, because CHRIST WILL
FORCE OUTWARD OBEDIENCE AND PURITY!

SINCE WHEN HAS CHRIST EVER ADVOCATED "SUPPRESSION" INSTEAD OF

THE "ERADICATION" OF EVIL IN HIS KINGDOM!!?? WHEN!!?? NEVERRRRRRR!!!!!
Yet here we have Holiness Folks who, on the one hand preach that "Without Holiness no man
shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14), and who, on the other hand teach that in a supposed,
coming Millennium Christ is going to "SUPPRESS" rather than "GATHER OUT OF HIS
KINGDOM" (Matt. 13:41) ALL EVIL! It is hard to think of a more preposterous notion! Nay,
my dear reader, if it takes a holy heart to "SEE the Lord" then it will take a holy heart to BE in
His Messianic Kingdom -- a Kingdom that shall last FOREVER, and not for a paltry one
thousand years!

* * *

(C) FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT -- EVER -- INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD

1 Corinthians 15:50 -- "Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT
INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! -- shall it be possible for "corruption" to "inherit

incorruption" -- Mortal Human Beings (subject to bodily death) shall NEVER live in any
Kingdom of Christ on this earth. God's Word here declares that it is IMPOSSIBLE! Read the
BOOK! -- and believe it!

The palpably foolish notion put forth by Millennialists that Corruptible, Flesh and Blood
Human Beings are going to inherit Christ's Messianic Kingdom along with Glorified Beings is
not only preposterous -- it is utterly UNSCRIPTURAL!

Therefore, it should be clear from this fact alone that both everything evil and everything
corruptible will be gathered out of Christ's Messianic Kingdom, and that it shall be an Eternal
Kingdom, inhabited only by Immortals!

* * *

(D) THE GATHERING OUT OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM SHALL OCCUR RIGHT AFTER
"THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD"!

If you will, please follow with me now: -- In my last article on the Second Coming, I
clearly showed that "The manifestation of the sons of God" shall occur AT THE REVELATION
OF CHRIST.

In Colossians 3:4 "WHEN CHRIST, who is our life, SHALL APPEAR, THEN SHALL
YE ALSO APPEAR with him in glory."

In Matthew 13:30 Jesus says that there shall be an intermixture and intermingling of "the
children of the wicked one" with "the children of the kingdom" only "until the harvest."

Then in Matthew 13:41-43, Jesus explains WHEN THAT HARVEST SHALL OCCUR:
-- "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they SHALL GATHER OUT OF HIS
KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, AND THEM WHICH DO INIQUITY;
42 -- And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth.
 43 -- THEN SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN IN THE
KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Notice here: -- Jesus CLOSELY CONNECTED THE PURGING OF ALL UNHOLY

BEINGS FROM HIS KINGDOM WHEN.... WHEN... WHEN "THE RIGHTEOUS SHINE
FORTH AS THE SUN" -- AND, AND, AND, -- THAT "MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS
OF GOD SHALL OCCUR AT THE REVELATION OF CHRIST AT HIS SECOND COMING
-- NOT 1000 YEARS THEREAFTER!!!

* * *

IN CONCLUSION

Why preach such prophetic things on a Sunday Evening? What do they have to do with
what really matters?

Let me tell you:

First, because I believe that the Pre-Trib Rapture theory (never heard of on earth until
1830) is not only wrong, but fallaciously encourages many to think that AFTER that event there
shall be 7 years more wherein some shall be saved.

Second, because I believe that the Pre-Millennial theory (ancient, but mistaken)
encourages people to believe that there shall be 1007 years after the Rapture and 1000 years after
the Revelation during which some shall be saved.

Third, because I believe that through the Historical fulfillment of Second Coming
prophecy, it is entirely possible that nothing remains to be fulfilled but the Last Trump. It
MIGHT blow tonight!

Fourth, because I believe that NO TIME SHALL REMAIN FOR MEN TO REPENT
AND BE SAVED AFTER THAT TRUMPET BLOWS -- not 7 more years, and most assuredly
not 1007 more years!

Dear Reader, Christ is not going to fiddle around with evil after His Return -- again, not
for 7 years, and not for 1007 years! Away with such false notions about the Second Coming of
Christ! -- His Return shall be CLIMACTIC -- NOT ANTI-CLIMACTIC!!!

After the Last Trump sounds, "He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Romans 9:28) -- "A SHORT WORK"
-- NOT A WORK LASTING 1007 YEARS! -- and all who doubt this should awaken to that
awesome fact!

* * * * * * *

41 -- DR. DANIEL STEELE OPPOSED PREMILLENNIALISM

CONTENTS

Introduction

A -- From Antinomianism Revived -- hdm2028 -- Chapters 14-15

B -- From Antinomianism Revived -- hdm2028 -- Chapter 10
C -- From Half-Hours With St. John's Epistles -- hdm1865
D -- From Jesus Exultant -- hdm1895

In Conclusion

* * * * * * *

INTRODUCTION

CHILIASM is the doctrine teaching that Christ shall literally reign for one thousand
years on this earth. PREMILLENNIALISM is a form of Chiliasm which declares that this
supposed millennial reign of Christ shall occur during a one-thousand-year extension of Time,
following Christ's Second Coming. I consider it unfortunate that so many Holiness folks today
think that one cannot be a Fundamental Christian without endorsing the doctrine of
Premillennialism.

Dr. George Lyons of NNU recently wrote: "... After months of extensive research on the
subject in the AnteNicene and Nicene fathers about a decade ago I discovered.. There were some
Christians who expected a mundane messianic kingdom (a literal millennial reign on earth). But..
These Christians were a clear minority. Most Christians in the first millennium believed that
Christians who died entered immediately into the presence of the Lord. They understood this
intermediate state to be the symbolic meaning of the millennial reign in Revelation 20. They
expected no intermediate kingdom following the second coming."

Dr. Lyons has agreed to share with me a copy of the book that he co-authored relative to
Chiliasm, or Premillennialism -- and, in the near future I hope to present more details on the
History of Chiliasm from that book and from various other sources as well.

However, one thing that I would have all Conservative Holiness readers know even now
is: -- Not all Holiness Advocates have believed in Premillennialism. Dr. Adam Clarke is one
such -- a fact that can easily be seen from his comments on Revelation 20:4 -- "Reigned with
Christ a thousand years.] I am satisfied that this period should not be taken literally."

Subsequent to this article, I want to present the views of other Holiness Advocates who
were not Premillennialists. In this article I shall present the views of Dr. Daniel Steele, who not
only disbelieved Premillennialism, but actually opposed it.

Relative to Steele's opposition of Premillennialism, A. M. Hills (another Holiness

Advocate who was not a Premillennialist) wrote: -- "Dr. Daniel Steele offered a prize to any one
who would point out one text that declared that there would be another conversion after Jesus
comes the next time. Nobody has named the text." (Fundamental Christian Theology -- Volume
II, By Aaron Merritt Hills)

One might take from the above that Daniel Steele's opposition to Premillennialism was
somewhat light-hearted -- but it was far from that! Steele believed that Premillennialism was a
dangerous doctrine -- one that threatened other essential, fundamental truths -- including the
doctrine of entire sanctification.

In the following, I shall present excerpts from several of Daniel Steele's books, in which
his opposition to Premillennialism can be clearly seen. The excerpts will not be enclosed with
quotation marks, and for emphasis, I will put into ALL CAPS certain portions of those excerpts.
My own comments will be enclosed in brackets.

* * * * * * *

A -- FROM ANTINOMIANISM REVIVED -- HDM2028 -- CHAPTERS 14-15

Chapter 14 -- Difficulties In The Thousand Years

WE OBJECT TO THE MILLENARIAN SCHEME, BECAUSE IT IS GROUNDED

CHIEFLY ON THOSE PORTIONS OF THE BIBLE WHICH ARE SYMBOLIC, AND
ENIGMATIC, AND DIFFICULT TO BE UNDERSTOOD. The personal reign of Christ a
thousand years is not found in the Gospels, nor in the Acts of the Apostles, nor in the Epistles of
Paul, Peter, James or John, but only in the Apocalypse, which is the darkest book in the New
Testament. Its striking symbols and gorgeous imagery impress the imagination and awaken the
feelings. The visitor in London will find in one library a thousand commentaries on this book,
all professing to unfold its mysteries, all differing, so that only one of them can be true. These
writers have tried to interpret the apocalyptic numbers, and they have signally failed. From
Bengel's date of the binding of Satan in 1886 down to the present time, the years fixed for the
coining of Christ have passed away, and the expositors who have survived their disappointment
have courageously tried again, by shifting their ground into the safer future. There are three great
schools of interpreters of the Revelation: (1) The Praeterist, or those who teach that the whole, or
by far the greater part, has been fulfilled. Some of the most eminent German expositors, as
Ewala, De Wette, Lucke, and Dusterdieck, belong to this school; also Dr. Davidson in England,
and Moses Stuart in America. (2) The Historicals, who hold that the Revelation embraces the
whole history of the Church to the end of the world. (3) The Futurists, who insist that this book,
after the third chapter, relates entirely to future events. Some include the first three chapters, and
assert that they refer to the future also.

This is the grand outline of opinions held by men equally learned and honest; yet on a
book whose interpretation is in so great dispute, the doctrine of a thousand years' personal reign
of Christ on the earth before the last judgment is grounded by those who would interpret the
plain and the literal teachings respecting the last things by the symbolic and typical, thus
inverting an acknowledged canon of interpretation. The twentieth chapter of the Revelation is the
basis of premillenarianism Let us now examine this chapter, and see what is not proved by its
testimony.

1. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST BEFORE THE

THOUSAND YEARS. The chapter opens with the vision of an angel descending from heaven
with a chain in his hand. This angel can never be proved to be Christ. Says Alford: "Angelos, in
this book, is an angel; never our Lord." Thus far in the Apocalypse there is not the slightest
intimation that Ho has made His second advent in visible form. In chapter 19:11-21, He wars
against the beast, and the kings of 'the earth and their armies; but the assumption that this is a
literal battle fought on the earth by Jesus in person, riding on a white horse with a sharp sword
going out of His mouth, is a literalism which cannot be endured, besides being a begging of the
very question in dispute. John saw the things in the opened heaven, and he saw "the armies
which were in heaven." The Scriptures are unanimous in making heaven the fixed abode of
Christ, until He shall come to judge mankind at the last day.

2. JOHN SAW ONLY THE SOULS OF THE MARTYRS. He makes no mention of

their' bodies. There is a grave doubt whether a bodily resurrection is here intended; but we are
inclined to the literal resurrection of these martyrs.. In John v.25, we have a resurrection of souls,
followed in verse 28 by a bodily resurrection. This, in the opinion of many, explains the first
and the second resurrections in this chapter. The passage is obscure, admitting of different
interpretations.

3. There is here no proof of the resurrection of all the righteous dead, but only of the
beheaded martyrs; so that allowing the literal resurrection of these does not prove that all the
saints rise at this time. Every man is to rise in his own order. Some arose at the resurrection of
Christ, and doubtless were His convoy to heaven. It may be that a special honor and blessedness
await the beheaded martyrs in the fact of their resurrection and translation to heaven before the
rest of the 'dead saints: "for one star differeth from another star in glory." This does not preclude
these from standing with Enoch and Elijah, in holy boldness, before the judgment seat of Christ
in the last day. This may explain Paul's aim at a martyr's death and the resurrection of the
beheaded (Phil. 3:10, 11). "On such the second death hath no power." The dying of these
martyrs, in a manner so heroic, utterly vanquished the mighty enemy. An early restoration from
the dominion of death, suffered prematurely for Christ, is an eminently appropriate reward:
"Holy and blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection."

4. THERE IS IN THIS CHAPTER A TOTAL ABSENCE OF PROOF THAT THESE

RAISED MARTYRS REIGNED WITH CHRIST ON THE EARTH. The visions thus far have
been located in heaven. Consistency with the whole context requires that they should reign with
Christ in heaven, and not that Christ should reign with them on earth. Bengel, Wesley, Moses
Stuart, and many others, say, "in heaven and not on the earth."

5. There is no evidence here that a single millennium is spoken of. The best scholars, and
among them Bengel, Wesley, and Dr. Owen, assert that there are two distinct periods of a
thousand years spoken of in verses 1-7. The Greek article sustains this view. The first period
extends through the repression of Satan which, Bengel says, indicates the great prosperity of the
Church. The second is the reign of martyrs. Both of these periods are before the second coming
of Christ. Thus Bengel and Wesley, instead of being premillenarians, were, in fact, what most
modern Methodists are, postmillenarians. Bengel styles those who confound these two distinct
millennial periods, "pseudo-Chiliasts." The Prophetic Conference thus falls under Bengel's
censure as pseudos. He says: "Whilst Satan is loosed from his imprisonment of a thousand years,
the martyrs live and reign, not on the earth, but with Christ; then the coming of Christ in glory at
length takes place at the last day; then, next, there is the new heaven, the new earth, and the new
Jerusalem." Thus the coming of Christ is two thousand years plus a little season after the
binding of Satan. A harmless sort of Chiliasm is this. Says Bengel: "The confounding of the
two millennial periods has long ago produced many errors, and has made the name of Chiliasm
hateful and suspected."

6. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT FOR THE MILLENARIAN TO PROVE,

THAT THE JUDGMENT OF THE DEAD BEFORE THE GREAT WHITE THRONE IS THAT
OF THE WICKED DEAD ONLY. But this chapter does not prove this vital point. In fact, the
bringing forth of the Book of Life and the casting into the lake of fire of those whose names are
not written therein, imply that some were found inscribed. Dr. Brooks' declaration that this Book
of Life is a blank book, is a baseless assumption. This is not proved by the words, "the rest of
the dead lived not," etc. Says so eminent a Greek scholar as Dr. Owen: " Yet as the words here
stand, we cannot, without great violence, make 'the rest' (in Greek) embrace any other than the
class of the pious dead, from which the martyr saints have been previously taken to participate in
the first resurrection." We quote Dr. Owen, not to endorse him, but to show the difficulty of
proving that this is a judgment of de wicked dead alone.

We believe that it is the general judgment of the race described in Matt. 25:31-46, and
that "the rest of the dead" include all the human dead, both righteous and wicked, except the
martyr saints, and that the good and the bad will be raised in the general resurrection and
sentenced in the general judgment.

7. LOOK IN VAIN, IN THIS ACCOUNT OF THE MILLENNIUM, OR

MILLENNIUMS, FOR ANY REFERENCE TO THE JEWS AS BEING GATHERED TO
JERUSALEM. THE REVELATION STRANGELY OMITS TO ASSOCIATE THEM WITH
EITHER OF THESE CHILIADS. In chapter seven, the angels seal exactly twelve thousand of
each of the twelve tribes, but there is no hint of the restoration of the Hebrew nation to their own
land. After the day of general doom, the last great day, there descends a new Jerusalem into the
new earth which has no more sea. Even then "the tabernacle of God is with men," not with the
Jews.

Considering the fact that the old Testament prophecies are constantly quoted by the
millenarians in proof of the personal reign of Christ on earth, with the Jews as His most loyal
supporters, it is to us an insuperable objection to the doctrine that the book of Revelation omits
to place the restored Hebrew nation in any such relation to Christ, either in the old or the new
Jerusalem.

If there is to be a personal reign of Christ on the earth, during a thousand years, to subdue
the nations, as a substitute for the conquest now being made by the Holy Spirit, it is remarkable
that these seven essential facts should be absent from the only account in the whole Bible where
the millennial period is spoken of.

These important items are culled from dark prophecies, often violently wrenched from
the context, and are fitted together on the pedestal of this chapter of a book which has been an
inexplicable enigma to the scholarship of all the Christian ages. This style of interpretation may
be satisfactory and convincing to those who accept imagery for doctrine, symbol for substance,
and rhetoric for logic; but there are Christian minds which have an unconquerable aversion to
stitching together selections from the symbolism of the prophets, literalizing the whole
patchwork, and holding it up to the world as God's truth. Yet this is what the premillenarians are
perpetually doing. They opened their recent Conference with the disclaimer that they had not
brought their ascension robes with them. But such is the perilous fascination of their method of
prophetic studies, that they will soon be attracted to an interpretation of the apocalyptic numbers
and a determination of the year and day when, in the language of Mr. Barbour, "Christ is due," as
we say of an express train. History always repeats itself. This has been the outcome of every
great millenarian movement. The leaders may keep their own intellectual balance quite well, but
by deluging Christendom with their literature, they will soon shake the minds of Christians of
less steadiness who will insist on bringing to the next Prophetic Conference their arithmetical
charts of Daniel's animals, if not their ascension robes. We who survived 1843 know the sequel.

* * *

Chapter 15 -- The Church Not The Kingdom

WE OBJECT TO THE PREMILLENARIAN THEORY BECAUSE ITS DEFINITION

OF THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST MAKES IT AN INSTITUTION ALTOGETHER
DIFFERENT FROM THE CHURCH, AND ENTIRELY IN THE FUTURE. A glance at the
diagram will show the church as coming to an end on the earth before the kingdom is set up.
The Chiliast represents the kingdom as coming only at the descent of the King in person, and as
then set up suddenly by almightiness without the aid of human agency. But when we look into
the New Testament, we find no such difference in the use of the terms "Church" and " kingdom."
They seem to be used interchangeably. The kingdom is to be established by preaching, and it is
to develop gradually till its ultimate triumph. The generation to whom John the Baptist and
Christ preached, were urged to repent because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. We fail to see
the cogency of this motive if the kingdom was not to be set up till after 1,800 or 18,000 years. St.
Paul writes a thanksgiving epistle to the Colossians in which he expresses his gratitude to the
Father "who bath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Christ himself spoke of the
kingdom of God as within, or among, His hearers. The disciples were taught to pray for its
complete triumph of the earth. Parables illustrative of its slow progress, but ultimate universality,
were spoken. The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which becomes a tree so
great that the birds lodge in the branches. The astonishing development of Christ's kingdom from
small beginnings through long ages is here plainly taught. It is perfectly puerile to assume that
these birds are foul birds of prey, symbolizing the gigantic corruptions of the Christian Church
Yet we have again and again met with this exegesis in the writings of modern millenarians.
 In Christ's comparison of the kingdom to leaven deposited in the meal, He intended to
teach the gradual diffusion, the pervasive and assimilative power, and the universal prevalence
of the kingdom of heaven. Every unprejudiced reader, even in the infant Sunday school,. sees
this meaning in the parable. How do the Chiliasts dispose of this parable? The wise ones do as
the Scotch preacher did with a passage that he could not harmonize with predestination: "My
brethren, let us look this verse square in the face and pass on." But some millenarians are not
wise enough to follow so good an example, but confidently expound it thus: " Leaven is always
used in the Bible to represent evil or corruption." Hence in the language of Rev. H. M. Parsons:
"The parable of the leaven represents the results which will be manifested in the same kingdom
during the age from the corruptions introduced by those who are within the Church. The meal
will be leavened with heresies and perversions during all this dispensation."

Well may Dean Alford say: "It will be seen that such an interpretation cannot for a
moment stand, on its own ground; but much less when we connect it with the parable of the
mustard seed. The two are intimately related. The latter was of the inherent, self-developing
power of the kingdom of heaven as a seed containing in itself the principle of expansion; the
former (the leaven) represents the power which it possesses of penetrating and assimilating a
foreign mass, till all be taken up Into it. This gifted annotator, a strong Chiliast, but not run mad
with millenarian vagaries, proceeds at length to show the power of the Gospel leaven (1) to
penetrate the whole mass of humanity, and (2) the transforming power of the "new leaven" on
the whole being of individuals. Says Trench: "In fact, the parable does nothing less than set
forth. to us the mystery of regeneration, both in its first act, which can be but once, as the leaven
is but once hidden; and also in the consequent renewal of the Holy Spirit, which, as the ulterior
working of the leaven, is continual and progressive." Thus we array these scholarly and sober
expositors against the strange and erroneous exegesis of millenarians so intent on removing a
difficult text out of their way that they foist upon it a meaning never intended by Christ, in order
to make Him teach their doleful doctrine, that the church is becoming more and more corrupt,
the world is hopelessly shipwrecked, and the Pentecostal dispensation is a stupendous failure.
From such a dismal view of Christianity, and from such a misinterpretation of a plain parable,
giving a hopeful view of the expansion and universal prevalence of the kingdom of heaven
established by Christ, we beg to be delivered.

We believe with Neander that the relation of the Church to the kingdom is that of a
species to a genus, or of a part to a whole. The Church is the kingdom begun.

THE MILLENARIAN CONCEPTION OF THE EARTHLY KINGDOM OF CHRIST,

ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FROM HIS PRESENT SPIRITUAL REIGN IN THE CHURCH, IS
STRIKINGLY LIKE THE JEWISH IDEA OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM, FOUNDED ON
A LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPHECIES. If their gross literalism is at last to
be realized in an earthly and visible kingdom, we do not see the culpability of the Jews in
rejecting the Nazarene, who failed to exhibit those signs of Messiahship which their own
prophets had taught them to expect when His kingdom should be set up. For it has been well said
that there is no perspective in prophecy. Hence it was absolutely impossible for the Jews to
discriminate between Christ's first coining to found His Church, and His second advent to found
His kingdom. The brightness of the earthly kingdom so entirely eclipsed the colorless, spiritual
kingdom, or Church, that the Hebrew nation seems to be justified in discarding the spiritual
kingship of Jesus Christ, who was attended by no such signs of worldwide temporal dominion as
the millenarians now find in the Old Testament prophecies. But there is no such vindication of
the Jews possible, because their culpability lies in the fact that while there is but one kingdom of
Christ on earth, and that is spiritual, they were, as a nation, not dwelling in those spiritual
altitudes which would have enabled them to view the Star of Bethlehem in its true character,
undimmed by the clouds of sensuality and worldliness, Hence, on the commonly received view
that the Church is the spiritual kingdom of Christ, and the only kingdom which He will establish
on earth, the ancient and modern Jews have no excuse. On the theory of the Chiliast, they have
an excuse for rejecting Him who came to them without the prophetic insignia of a king.

* * *

No Motive For A Jew To Believe In Christ

Another very curious fact in the millenarian scheme is that the nearer the Second Advent,
the less influential is it to induce in the Jew submission to Christ. Let me amplify this point: My
commission is to preach the Gospel to every creature. This includes the Jews. Let me suppose
that I have a congregation of Hebrews whom I wish to lead to Christ. My first effort would be to
gain an intellectual assent to the proposition that Jesus is the true Messiah, by reasoning with
them in Pauline style out of the Scriptures. Having produced an intellectual conviction, I should
next proceed to sway their wills to an immediate acceptance of the Nazarene as their personal
Saviour. What would be my great argument? "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven,
with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and that
obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." My Israelites, in terror, ask me
if this is a final and irreversible sentence for disobedience to Christ. I tell them, with tears, that it
is oven so. Under the power of the Spirit attending the Word, some are constrained to bow the
knee to Christ crucified who had been a stumbling block to them all their lives, Knowing the
terrors of the Lord, I have saved some. But suppose I had called in a millenarian to do this
critical work of presenting motives to sway their stubborn Jewish wills? His course of argument
would be thus: Repent of your sins, and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord because He is
soon coming to set up a kingdom, gathering the Jews, at least a third of them, to Jerusalem,
where they will all be suddenly converted and be the chief promoters of His kingdom among the
Gentiles. "How long," ask they, "before this great event?" "It may occur today; all the signs
indicate that it is near," is the answer. "If this is so, we think that we will not put ourselves to the
inconvenience and suffering of the persecution of our brethren for embracing Jesus. We will wait
and take our chances of being alive and of being converted en masse when Jesus comes. This
will be easier, and will be attended by no persecution by a stubborn remainder." Thus the nearer
the Second Advent, the less is its motive power for the Jew to believe in Christ.

Can such a system of doctrine be true which thus weakens the grand motive to
evangelical faith? The common, or orthodox view of the second coining of Christ to pass final
sentence upon the race, affords just as great inducements to repent to the Jew as to the Gentile,
and the motive in both cases is intensified by the near approach of the Judge eternal.

* * * * * * *
B -- FROM ANTINOMIANISM REVIVED -- HDM2028 -- CHAPTERS 10

The Prophetic Conference of 1878 in New York -- Reviewed

The Conference was for the purpose of advocating the doctrine that the second coming of
Christ is not, as is commonly believed, to raise the dead, judge the living and the dead, and wind
up the history of the human race on the earth, but to raise the righteous dead, to set up a visible
kingdom, and to reign in person on the earth during a thousand years. This is called Chiliasm,
from the Greek, and Millenarianism, from the Latin, word for a thousand. But the more exact
term is premillennialism -- a term which describes the second advent as occurring before the
thousand years. It may be interesting, before discussing its teachings, to look for a moment at the
denominational complexion of the Prophetic Conference, which was composed of ministers and
laymen, the former greatly preponderating; one Lutheran, one Dutch Reformed, one Reformed,
ten Congregational, fifteen Episcopal, twenty-seven Baptist, forty-three Presbyterian, seven
Methodist, and ten undenominational...

In nearly every paper and address there was a declaration that the world will never be
conquered by the agencies now in the field; not because of any failure on the part of the Church
to co-work with the Spirit, but because Christ never designed that the present dispensation
should enthrone Him over the world. This is a merely preparatory dispensation to the future
kingdom. The Church is not the kingdom; but a temporary institution for the training of a people
whom Christ is taking out of the Gentiles for Himself. The kingdom cannot exist till the King is
present in person, destroying pagan powers by force, and converting the people by the
wholesale, by the majesty of His glorious presence. Yet this presence is to be localized at
Jerusalem; the Jews are to rally around His uplifted standard, and to be converted immediately
after His mounting the throne of David, and they, with all the zeal of young converts, are to go
forth and preach Christ to the Gentiles with marvelous success. One of the speakers in the
Conference assures us that everybody will then be converted...

We cannot see why moral freedom in this scheme is not to be crushed out by
almightiness, and converts to Christ are not to be made by sheer power, as the Pope converted
tribes in northern Europe on the alternative of the sword or baptism. To our Arminian eye we
see no difference. In the present dispensation men are converted by the suasion of the truth under
the gentle and resistible influences of the Spirit. But in the future glorious regeneration of the
earth, the Spirit, we are left to suppose, will drop the sword of the truth which failed before, and
will come down upon the sinner with the trip-hammer of Omnipotence, crushing him into the die
of sainthood in a twinkling.

But here comes the greatest wonder of all; why cannot a power, which irresistibly and
infallibly converts, infallibly keep the soul in a gracious state? Dr. Imbrie insists that everybody
will be converted in the millennium, or world's regeneration, but admits that when Satan is
unchained, a countless host of these converts will so thoroughly backslide that Satan will deceive
them into enlisting in a war against Christ in numbers "as the sand of the sea,'' going up on the
breadth of the earth and compassing the camp of the saints about, and fire will come down from
God out of heaven and devour them (Rev. 10:7-9). So there will be a possibility of total
apostasy under the glorious reign of the Person of King Jesus, while there is, according to Dr.
Imbrie's Calvinism, no such possibility under the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. This is a
wonder, indeed. But to us it is no surprise that machine-made Christians should fail when once
the hand of almighty coercive power is removed from them. Converts made by force must be
kept by force; those made by the suasion of truth may be kept by the same means, though Satan
constantly roars along their path. Hence we believe that the present dispensation is the most
favorable for the development and growth of virtue which this world will ever see, and that the
future dispensation which exists in the dreams of Chiliasts -- the personal reign of Christ in
bodily form on the earth, cowing the wicked into subjection by the awe of His majestic and
glorious presence -- will not afford the conditions requisite to a fair probation. When free agency
is overpowered by some motive of overwhelming weight, as in deathbed repentances, we are
always on the lookout for spurious conversions. It is exceedingly difficult to make a virtuous
choice under such a preponderance of terror. Hence we all exhort sinners not to defer submission
to Christ till the hour of death.

Now, the second Coming of Christ is always represented as a thousandfold more awful
than death. He will be revealed in flaming fire, with the holy angels, on the throne of His glory.
If He sets up that throne, not as a judgment tribunal for the day of doom, but as a permanent
government for a thousand years, He will have destroyed the very genius and spirit of the
Gospel, which is the sway of human hearts by truth and love, and He will have inaugurated the
reign of force instead. This will be stripping Christianity of its essential glory, the "grace and
truth by Jesus Christ," and going back to the iron system of law which came by Moses. It will
put the mount that; quaked and burned with fire in the foreground, completely hiding Calvary
from the sinner's eye. It will be a public confession that a fallen world cannot be restored by the
spirit.

* * * * * * *

C -- FROM HALF-HOURS WITH ST. JOHN'S EPISTLES -- HDM1865

BEWARE OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ACQUIRING MORAL

PURITY AFTER THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. Holiness is never in the Holy
Scriptures an object of hope, for the good reason that its present possession by the believer is
always assumed...

Our fourth allusion to the atonement is found in John's sudden transition from sin to
Satan's agency in its origin: "The Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of
the devil." THE PAST TENSE, "WAS MANIFESTED," RENDERS IT CERTAIN THAT
JOHN IS NOT SPEAKING OF THE DESTRUCTION OF SIN AT AND AFTER HIS SECOND
COMING, AS SOME ERRONEOUSLY TEACH. Here in our earthly sphere, and now in our
probation, while contending against these three battalions of enemies to holiness, the world, the
flesh and the devil, the usurping prince of this world, is the scene of the most glorious victory of
the Son of God over His antagonist taking place on the very ground of Satan's first apparent
triumph in the fall of Adam, the progenitor of a race bearing his image marred and scarred by sin
through his evil agency. The works of the devil in this world are found only in the human heart.
* * *

"All the Divine purposes, words and judgments have for their aim to oppose sin, either to
prevent its commission or to destroy it." (Bengel.)

We now raise this pertinent question, "IS THE GOD OF THE BIBLE AIMING AT AN
END WHICH IS PRACTICABLE, OR AT AN IDEAL IMPOSSIBLE TO BE REALIZED IN
THIS WORLD?" IF WE SAY THAT HE IS AIMING AT AN IDEAL WHICH HE KNOWS
CANNOT BE REALIZED, WE REFLECT ON HIS WISDOM AND THE EFFICACY OF HIS
REMEDY IN THE BLOOD OF HIS SON AND THE GIFT OF HIS SPIRIT. Both are failures if
they are insufficient either to prevent the commission of sin by a believing soul, or to destroy it,
root and branch, as a principle within. The only escape from this is either probation extended
beyond death where the blood of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit will have a higher
efficacy -- FOR WHICH DOCTRINE WE MUST HAVE ANOTHER BIBLE -- OR A
PROBATION AFTER CHRIST'S SECOND ADVENT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BE
SUPERSEDED BY A MORE SUCCESSFUL AGENCY, the visible presence of our glorified
Lord Jesus overwhelming sinners with His awful majesty, and sanctifying believers and keeping
them pure by the very resplendence of His glory. BUT WE HAVE YE TO FIND THE TEXT IN
THE NEW TESTAMENT IN PROOF THAT ONE SINNER WILL BE REGENERATED OR
ONE BELIEVER WILL BE ENTIRELY SANCTIFIED AFTER JESUS SHALL COME WITH
ALL HIS HOLY ANGELS TO JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD. This theory is as
baseless as that of probation beyond the grave, so far as revelation is concerned.

Hence we are shut up to this alternative, either the whole plan of salvation in the Bible is
a stupendous failure, or it is possible [IN THIS PRESENT, EVIL WORLD] for the provisions of
grace to destroy sin in a believing soul, and to prevent its subsequent commission.

* * * * * * *

D -- FROM JESUS EXULTANT -- HDM1895

Wesley Expectant

When John Wesley took for his motto, "The world is my parish," he was impelled by the
expectation that the whole world would he evangelized and Christ's kingdom would be
completed before his coming to judge the whole human family. But he is claimed by those who
insist that Christ's second coming will be to begin his kingdom, and to complete it by his visible
reign during a thousand years. This brings us to the question, Was Wesley a premillennialist?

We answer yes, and no. There is a great variety of Chiliasts -- a term preferable for
brevity. Hardly any two agree in their speculations. But one question divides them all into two
distinct and antagonistic groups: "Is Christ's kingdom completed before his second advent?" The
first group answers, "Yes;" the second says, "go, the kingdom is set up after Christ's descent and
is completed by the conversion of the Jews first and the ingathering of hosts of Gentiles through
the preaching of Christian Jews. The present dispensation was not designed to disciple all
nations, but to preach the gospel for a witness, and to gather Christ's bride, an elect number who
are to be associate judges and joint rulers with him a thousand years on the earth. The world is
rapidly sinking into moral ruin which the church, even when filled with the Holy Spirit, is unable
to save. The spectacular descent and coronation of Christ on David's throne in Jerusalem, a
human form encompassed by the splendors of divine majesty, chaining and imprisoning Satan
and awing wicked men, is the only hope of the church." The second group includes nearly all the
modern Chiliasts, who are further characterized by denial of the simultaneous resurrection and
the general judgment of mankind, the righteous and the wicked together. Our first group insists
that the world is growing better under the spread of the gospel at home and in pagan lands,
gradually leavening human, society with the spirit of the pure, meek and holy Christ; and is
heroically planning for the conquest of the world through missionary agencies endowed with the
Holy Ghost.

To which of these groups did Wesley belong? You can easily classify him by asking the
following questions: Did he preach the gospel for a witness merely, or for the conversion of the
world of lost sinners? Did he believe in unconditional election, who spent his life on one long
battle against the five points of Calvinism, and altered Bishop Ken's doxology and taught his
people to sing:

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him, all creatures here below,
Who would not lose one sinner lost;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost"

Was Wesley a pessimist? Did he despair of the present dispensation? Was Methodism
born, of pessimism? Did Wesley believe and teach that one sinner would be forgiven after Jesus
ceased his mediatorial intercessions and mounted the judgment throne at his second coming?
All persons who have any knowledge of the life and writings of John Wesley will say "No" to
every one of these questions.

Let us examine his "Notes on the New Testament," issued in 1754 and revised in 1787,
four years before his death. Turn to his note on Acts iii. 21 -- "until the times of restitution of all
things." "The apostle here comprises at once the whole course of the times of the New Testament
between our Lord's ascension and his coming in glory. The most eminent of these are the
apostolic age, and that of the spotless church, which will consist of all the Jews and Gentiles
united, after all persecutions and apostasies are at an end.' Mark! This is before Christ's "coming
in glory." This is in exact accord with the exegesis of Meyer: "Christ's reception into heaven
continues until the moral corruption of the people of God is removed." There is no place for
pessimism here. IF WESLEY MUST BE CALLED A CHILIAST, AS TYERMAN, HIS
BIOGRAPHER, SAYS, HE CANNOT BE CLASSED WITH THE MODERN
PREMILLENARIANS who insist that the devil is engineering both the church and the world on
the down grade with no brake on the wheel and an open drawbridge just ahead, and the only
rescue is the visible descent and coronation of Christ.

TURN, NOW, TO REV. XX., THE ONLY MILLENARIAN CHAPTER IN THE

BIBLE, and that, too, in its most symbolic and enigmatic book. Wesley follows Bengel quite
closely. The angel descending with the chain is not Christ. "The binding and loosing, the
beginning and ending of the thousand" years will not be known to men upon earth; the saints'
will reign with Christ a thousand years in heaven" -- not on the earth, after Satan has been bound
another thousand years. From the invisible binding of Satan to the first visible appearance of
Christ on the great white throne is two thousand years plus "a little season." We infer from the
dreadful massacres of 100,000 men in Armenia that Satan in the form of organized public
hostility to Christ has not up to date been bound and put under lock and key, though the gospel's
advance has greatly diminished his power. According to Wesley's exegesis we are living more
than two thousand years before the time when Christ will visibly appear on the earth. Why
Wesley is called a premillennialist is a conundrum too hard for the student of Wesley's Notes. If
his earlier writings, sermons and hymns contain any teaching which would be called chiliasm, it
certainly cannot be of the modern sort which regards the present dispensation insufficient for the
conquest of the world and extends human probation at least a thousand years after Christ's
second coming. EVEN TYERMAN, WHILE CALLING WESLEY "A MILLENARIAN,"
ADMITS IN REFERENCE TO HIS "NOTES ON REV. XX." AND HIS SERMONS ON "THE
GREAT ASSIZE," "THE GENERAL DELIVERANCE," "THE GENERAL SPREAD OF THE
GOSPEL" AND "THE NEW CREATION," THAT "THERE MAY BE FOUND IN SOME OF
THEM STATEMENTS SCARCELY HARMONIZING WITH THE MILLENARIAN
THEORY."

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, THE GENERAL RESURRECTION, THE

GENERAL JUDGMENT AND THE CONFLAGRATION OF THE WORLD ARE ALL SO
CLOSELY CONNECTED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WEDGE IN THE PERSONAL
REIGN OF CHRIST DURING A MILLENNIUM. Hence even our first group have insuperable
difficulties in harmonizing their theory with the Bible; while the second, in teaching the
salvation of sinners after the coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead, maintain the
following paradoxes: Repentance, without the chief motive, the appointed day of future
judgment, and repentance unto salvation after the intercession of Christ, the giver of repentance,
has ceased; conviction of sin after the Divine Reprover has withdrawn from the world; the new
birth after "the ascent of the Holy Ghost" (Dr. A. J. Gordon); assurance of sonship to God
without the Spirit of adoption; public committal to Christ without water baptism and the teaching
of his commands, both of which terminate at his second coming; growth in grace without its
chief appointed means, the holy Eucharist "showing forth the Lord's death till he some,"'
Christian maturity attainable by the study of an outgrown and exhausted Bible whose incentives
to purity, hope, fidelity, watchfulness and patience are all in view of "the coming of the Lord;"
and, finally, salvation by sight, not by faith.

IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE THAT WESLEY EVER ENDORSED SUCH A

JUMBLE OF CONTRADICTIONS. We do not hesitate to say that were he living today he
would earnestly oppose the distracting theories of the modern premillenarians, fitly represented
by Dr. A. B. Simpson -- in a recent sermon: "Millions are giving and working today to get the
world converted instead of working intelligently with Christ to gather out a people for his name,
and to hasten his return and the inauguration of that day which. will accomplish more for the
conversion of the world than all the centuries of our ignorance and failure." The inference is
natural that Congregationalists should cease to support the American Board in its divinely
inspired purpose "to get the world converted," that the Baptists should cease to prosecute the
work begun by Dr. Judson, and that Methodists should abandon the glorious missionary scheme
inspired by Wesley and initiated by Dr. Coke, and all quit their "ignorance and failure" to
disciple all nations because of following these blind leaders, and should begin "to work
intelligently" under the guidance of modern millennialism "to gather out a people for his name,
to hasten Christ's return to accomplish more" by one stroke of his omnipotence for the
conversion of the world than all the prayers, team, toils and sacrifices of all the preceding
centuries!

* * * * * * *

IN CONCLUSION

Obviously, from all of the above writings of Dr. Daniel Steele, it is clear that he both
disallowed and opposed the doctrine of Premillennialism. And, it should be just as obvious to all
who read his books that he was a staunch Advocate of Second Blessing Holiness.

Was he less intelligent than many more-modern Holiness writers who advocate
Premillennialism? NO! Was he less informed than they? NO! Was he less spiritual than they? A
THOUSAND TIMES, NO!

The fact is: -- THE WHOLESALE ADOPTION OF THE DOCTRINE OF

PREMILLENNIALISM BY MOST CONSERVATIVE HOLINESS ADVOCATES HAS
DEVELOPED ONLY SINCE ABOUT 1850-1900! -- the same time-frame during which
Pre-Trib teachings were adopted by many following the "revelation" to Scottish "Tongues"
lassie, Margaret McDonald in 1830.

Therefore, PREMILLENNIALISM SHOULD NOT BE MADE A CRITERION BY

WHICH HOLINESS FOLKS JUDGE A PERSON TO BE A FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIAN,
OR NOT!

Yes, many men like William Baxter Godbey and Martin Wells Knapp did adopt both
Premillennial and Pre-Tribulational views -- but not all early church leaders during that time did
so.

FOR EXAMPLE, P. F. BRESEE WAS NEUTRAL ON MILLENNIALISM. In his

biography, "Phineas F. Bresee -- A Prince In Israel" (hdm0091), E. A. Girvin wrote:

"He [Bresee] was not led to give especial attention to the dispensational aspects of the
Bible, or the almost innumerable questions that are involved in the study of eschatology. He
belonged to no particular school of prophetic thought. HE WAS NEITHER A
PREMILLENNIALIST, NOR A POSTMILLENNIALIST and, while he told me at different
times that he was inclined to believe that premillennialists were right in their general
conclusions, he humbly admitted that he did not know enough about the subject to be dogmatic
regarding it. Feeling thus, however, he had no criticism for those of his brethren who made
special investigations in this department of scriptural truth.
 "All that he demanded was that the great fundamental doctrines which are essential to
regeneration, sanctification, growth in grace, usefulness in the kingdom of God, and a final and
glorious triumph over all the power of the enemy, be kept well to the front. He knew full well
that his especial and divine call was to experience, preach, and push holiness in life and doctrine.
He found this subject such a vast one that it afforded full scope for the constant and most
strenuous exercise of all his powers. His conception of holiness was not that of those who stop at
its portals, and feel that they have done their whole duty when they have led a soul into the
experience, but he had a burning desire to enter himself, and to lead others into all the vast
ranges and limitless vistas of the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. He was in favor
of every belief that would melt into holiness, as he put it, and opposed to every teaching which
would not thus mingle and harmonize with it."

I have never insisted that my views on the Second Coming were of primary importance.
One can make it into the City Foursquare without being Premillennial, Post-millennial, or
A-millennial. "Holiness Unto The Lord" must be "kept to the front" in one's publication of truth
imperative to all who would inhabit the New Jerusalem with Christ. And those who examine the
massive contents of the HDM Library will find that it does that very thing!

Nevertheless, I do not believe that Second Coming Prophesy is a part of the Gospel that
should be ignored, and as did Dr. Daniel Steele, I believe that my own views on eschatology
"mingle and harmonize" better with the essential doctrines of Salvation than do those of
Premillennialism.

That said, without heated or hostile debate, as much as is possible and wise on this
subject, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5).

* * * * * * *

42 -- THE HIDDEN SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NAME ISRAEL

According to Strong's Hebrew-Chaldee Concordance, the name Israel is Yisrael in the

Hebrew, and is pronounced Yis-raw-ale, being derived from two other words: (1) "sarah,"
pronounced "saw-raw"--meaning "to prevail, have power-as a prince"; and (2) "el," pronounced
"ale"--meaning "strength, mighty, especially the Almighty-God". The name Israel, according to
Strong's means: "He will rule as God".

Is there not hidden, or veiled, significance in this name? The reader is invited to examine
the following interpretations in light of the scriptures and to decide whether they be so:

* * *

ISRAEL IS THE NAME OF THE LORD HIMSELF

Consider the following quotations: "And they shall put My name upon the children of
Israel; and I will bless them." Nu. 6:27 "My people... are called by My name.." 2 Chr. 6:14 "Thy
people are called by Thy name. " Dan. 9:19 "Thou (Israel) art called by the name of the Lord."
Deut. 28:10 If "Israel" has been given the name of the Lord, then it would seem that "Israel" is
one of the names of the Lord Himself. According to Strong's meaning of the name, "Israel"
seems to be a name which best fits the Lord above all others, for preeminently "He will rule as
God".

* * *

JACOB WAS GIVEN THE NAME OF THE PRE-INCARNATE CHRIST

The reader will recall the night during which Jacob wrestled with the Lord and was given
the name "Israel". Gen. 32:24-28 Immediately after receiving the name "Israel," Jacob requested
of the Lord what His name was, and the Lord replied: "Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after
My name?" Then, "He blessed him there." Gen. 32:29 I suggest that part of the blessing which
Jacob received that night was the honour of being named by the name of the Pre-incarnate Christ
Himself. In the following quotations notice the apparent connection between receiving the Lord's
blessing and receiving, simultaneously, the Lord's name: "And they shall put My name upon the
children of Israel; and I will bless them." -- Nu. 6:27 "God appeared unto Jacob again.. and
blessed him. And God said.. thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy
name.." -- Gen. 35:9-10 Is it not so, that He Who wrestled with Jacob that night needed not to
tell Jacob His name, for He had immediately before bestowed upon him that name, His Own
Name--Israel?

* * *

ISRAEL IS ANOTHER NAME OF GOD'S SON

In support of this, consider the following: "Israel is My son" -- Ex. 4:22 "When Israel
was a child, then I called My son out of Egypt." -- Hosea 44:1 May we not see in these two
verses a veiled revelation that Jesus, God's Son, is "Israel" in the fullest sense and most perfect
fulfillment of that name? Matthew 2:14-15 relates that the fulfillment Hosea 11:1 came during
the childhood of Jesus, God's Son: "When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by
night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My son." In
both instances it was "My son" who was called out of Egypt. In the first instance "My son" was
"Israel," and in the second instance "My son" was "Jesus". Conclusion: Jesus, God's Son, is
"Israel," God's Son, in the most perfect fulfillment of the name. I suggest that the statement in
Hosea was fulfilled historically when Israel, God's national son came out of Egypt under Moses,
but was fulfilled prophetically and perfectly when ISRAEL, GOD'S DIVINE SON came out of
Egypt in the Person of JESUS.

* * *

JESUS-ISRAEL FULFILLS THE TYPE OF JACOB-ISRAEL

I suggest the following thought: The first Israel and his offspring typified the Second
Israel and His offspring. And, while Jacob-Israel begat 12 flesh and blood sons who became
earthly Israel, JESUS-ISRAEL begat 12 spiritual sons who became the spiritual "Israel of God,"
and they and their spiritual posterity, upon reaching their final perfection, shall be the heavenly
"Israel of God". "He is not a Jew, which is (merely) one outwardly," and "they are not all
(spiritual) Israel, which are of (fleshly) Israel" according to Paul in Romans 2:28 and 9:6. Paul
perceived that there were 2 Israels nationally, the latter transcending the former and fulfilling the
shadow of the former. Does it not follow then that there are 2 Israels individually, the Latter
greatly transcending the former and fulfilling to the utmost the type of the former? Beyond
question, it is true that in order to be part of God's holy nation, we must be the spiritual offspring
of Christ. In this spiritual, kingdom nation, fleshly ancestry and rituals do not avail. Every
Israelite in Christ's kingdom has become "a new creature. And as many as walk according to this
rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." -- Gal. 6:16

* * *

THE KINGDOM WILL REMAIN WITH JESUS-ISRAEL

"The Kingdom is the Lord's." Ps. 22:4 I suggest that the kingdom will not be restored to
flesh and blood Israel because it never did belong to them. It is the Lord's. If the interpretation of
Jesus as "The Israel of God" is so, then when the disciples asked Christ just before His ascension
whether He would at that time "restore the kingdom to Israel," they were, in fact, asking that
question of "Israel" Himself, the Owner of the kingdom! While God's dealings with earthly Israel
are yet to be completed, should we not look for a restoration of this Israel to the kingdom, rather
than looking for a restoration of the kingdom to this Israel? On the Day of the Lord, "all Israel
shall be saved," according to the scriptures. Rom. 11:26 However, earlier Paul quoted Isa. 10:22
thus: "Though the number of the children be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved."
Rom. 10:27 I suggest that what may here seem like a contradiction to some may be easily
explained: The remnant of earthly Israel who are restored to the kingdom by Jesus' saving grace
on that Day will complete the final number of those comprising spiritual Israel so that in that
hour all who are included in the spiritual "Israel of God" shall be saved. It is spiritual Israel shall
inherit "The kingdom which was prepared for (them) before the foundation of the world." -- Mt.
25:34 Under "The Israel Of God," Christ Jesus, "there shall be holiness" forevermore in the
Heavenly City and those who comprise spiritual Israel shall "possess their possessions" eternally
in that Kingdom. -- Obadiah 17 Hallelujah!

In closing, this writer is content to let his readers seek the illumination of God's Spirit and
then decide for themselves as to the accuracy of the preceding interpretations. God tells us in
Jeremiah 31:9--"I am a Father to Israel." However, and to whatever extent, one may interpret
that, He is the "Father of our Lord Jesus". Also, He is the Father of all of us who are "begotten..
again unto a lively hope by.. Jesus Christ.. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and
that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven.." -- 1 Pet. 1:3-4 How blessed shall be the hour for "the
Israel of God" triumphant at the Father's ingathering of His heavenly nation in the rapture! Then,
the spiritual offspring of Christ will be "gather(ed) together in one." In this light, consider these
words from Isaiah 43:5-7: "I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I
will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring My sons from far, and My
daughters from the ends of the earth; Even everyone that is called by My Name." I plan to be
among them, don't you?
* * * * * * *

43 -- THREE IMPLAUSIBLE MILLENNIAL IMPLICATIONS

CONTENTS

Introduction

A -- An Implausible Implication From A Song

B -- An Implausible Implication With Millennial, Flesh And Blood People
C -- An Implausible Implication With The Final Millennial Rebellion

Conclusion

* * * * * * *

INTRODUCTION

One meaning of the word "implicate" is: "To have as a consequence."

By insisting upon a literal translation of the "Thousand Years" of Revelation 20, the
Premillennial interpreter opens up a Pandora's Box of "Implications" which are "Implausible"
and so illogical and unreasonable as to border upon the absurd! -- and all of this in addition to
the plain contradictions of much Salvation Truth and All other Second Coming Truth in the
Bible!

When one insists upon interpreting "The Thousand Years" both literally and
futuristically, instead of spiritually and correctly, he paints himself into a corner, with no way out
of his self-made dilemma than to try to explain-away the unScriptural, implausible, illogical,
unreasonable, and absurd implications stemming from his mistaken interpretation!

God IS the God of the MIRACULOUS. God IS the Thinker of Thoughts and Doer of
Deeds that transcend human logic. This, none can deny. However, I assert that God is never the
God of that which repeatedly contradicts His Own Word, and God is NOT the God of the
IMPLAUSIBLE, or the ABSURD!

For the sake of space here -- not because I could not present such -- I shall forbear setting
forth the numerous and obvious contradictions of God's Word that Premillennialism creates. I
refer my readers to my book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom" (hdm0124), for a study of the
Scriptural contradictions resulting from this doctrine. I shall, in this article, set forth three,
among a number of the "Implausible Implications" resulting from adopting the Premillennial
doctrine.

* * * * * * *
A -- AN IMPLAUSIBLE IMPLICATION FROM A SONG

The fact that God blesses His people does not mean they are doctrinally accurate on
everything, and -- the fact that some people get shouting happy when singing a Premillennial
song does not mean that the things of which they sing come to pass. God often blesses His
people, simply because their hearts are right -- while their "heads are very, very mistaken"!

"Our Lord's Return To Earth Again" is one Premillennial song that often gets folks
praising, clapping, tapping, and even shouting. It is loaded with thoughts related to the great bliss
that the saints of God shall enjoy when Jesus Returns -- and that is all very good! However,
along with many others, I disagree with its eschatology.

Part of the Chorus says:

"Satan will be bound a thousand years;

We'll have no tempter then,
After Jesus shall come back to earth again."

Let me first note a Scriptural contradiction before focusing upon the Implausible
Implication from those words: -- The song puts the binding of Satan at the time of Christ's
Second Coming, whereas the New Testament teaches us that this binding occurred at the First
Coming of Christ by His Sacrificial Death and Victorious Resurrection.

In Luke 11:21-22, Jesus said: -- "When a strong man (Satan) armed keepeth his palace,
his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he (Christ) shall come upon him he taketh from
him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils." Isaiah 53 brings out that because
Christ "poured out His soul unto death," therefore "He shall divide the spoil.." It was at Calvary,
and as the result of Calvary, that Jesus bound the devil.

Do I hear someone say: -- "I don't buy that! Satan is not now bound!"

Let me ask you: -- "Is Satan one of the fallen angels?"

"Well, of course," you say -- "He is the chief of the fallen angels!"

All right, read 2 Peter 2:4 -- "God spared not THE ANGELS THAT SINNED, but cast
them down to hell, and DELIVERED THEM INTO CHAINS of darkness, to be reserved unto
judgment."

Read also Jude 6 -- "AND THE ANGELS WHICH KEPT NOT THEIR FIRST ESTATE,
but left their own habitation, HE HATH RESERVED IN EVERLASTING CHAINS under
darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

It was Christ's Death and Victory that BOUND THE DEVIL -- AT HIS FIRST
COMING!
 In Matthew 12:29, Jesus asked "How can one (Christ) enter into a strong man's house
(Satan's house) and spoil his goods, except he (Christ) first bind (Satan) the strong man? And
then he will spoil his house?"

Ever since Christ bound Satan by His Death and Resurrection, He has been entering into
the Satanic Strong Man's House and spoiling it. The binding of Satan unleashed the Power of
Christ through His Gospel to bring "Glorious Freedom" to countless thousands since that time!

Colossians 2:14-15 speak of that victorious spoiling that has resulted from the Binding of
Satan, the evil, Strong Man: -- "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; AND HAVING
SPOILED PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, HE MADE A SHEW OF THEM OPENLY,
TRIUMPHING OVER THEM IN IT."

So, dear heart -- the Church should not be singing, "Satan WILL BE bound" for he WAS
BOUND NEARLY 2,000 YEARS AGO with the death and resurrection of Jesus! See my book,
"His Appearing and His Kingdom," Chapter 8, "The Millennium In The Church Age" for more
on this subject.

But I have digressed from my main point: -- "An Implausible Implication" in the words
quoted from the song, "Our Lord's Return To Earth Again." Let me now take that up. I shall
place in ALL CAPS below that which I will dwell upon.

"Satan will be bound a thousand years,

WE'LL HAVE NO TEMPTER THEN,
After Jesus shall come back to earth again.

I fully agree that "After Jesus shall come back to earth again" the saints of God will have
NO TEMPTER. However, I disagree that the THE TEMPTER will ever again tempt ANYONE
"After Jesus shall come back to earth again."

Everywhere in the Scripture, it is exceedingly clear that THE PROBATION OF THE

SAINTS WILL END at the time of their resurrection and rapture to meet the Lord in the air.
Therefore, it is a gross under-statement to sing that song with the thought in mind that God's
People shall only be free from temptation for "a thousand years" following Jesus Return. They
shall NEVER BE TEMPTED EVER AGAIN FOLLOWING JESUS' SECOND COMING.

"Ah, but you are forgetting!" says the Premillennialist -- "There will be flesh and blood
Israelites and flesh and blood Gentiles who shall enter the Millennium!"

If such were the case, let me ask you: -- SHALL IT BE POSSIBLE? -- during the
supposed Millennium on earth following Christ's Return -- FOR PEOPLE TO BE SAVED,
SANCTIFIED, AND DIE -- NEVER ONCE HAVING BEEN TEMPTED???!!!

Yes, the thief on the cross was saved and went to heaven, probably never having been
tempted from the time of his pronounced salvation to the time of his death. And, Yes, millions of
infants, unaccountable children, and those mentally retarded shall be saved and in Heaven, never
having been tempted in such a way as to endanger their salvation, because of their mental
inability to sin.

However, I assert that the Bible is TEE-TOTALLY SILENT about any period of Time --
for even ONE YEAR, to say nothing of NEARLY ONE THOUSAND YEARS -- during which
accountable, flesh and blood people shall be saved, sanctified, and die, headed for heaven
WITHOUT ONCE EVER BEING TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL!!!

THIS, alone, dear heart -- ought to give any thinking, logical, and spiritual child of God
pause -- before buying into the mistaken, Premillennial Theory! IT IS AN IMPLAUSIBLE
IMPLICATION if one accepts that doctrine as fact!

According to Premillennialists, we must believe that Isaiah 65:20 shall be fulfilled during
the supposed, coming Millennium following Jesus' Return: -- "There shall be no more thence an
infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred
years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed."

Tell me, Where in the Book does it say that accountable adults, who have lived for
hundreds of years (as Premillennialists say shall be the case during a coming Millennium), shall
live and die WITHOUT ONCE BEING TEMPTED OF THE DEVIL!!!???

I confidently assert that THIS SHALL NEVER BE!!!

Old Daniel told us, "Many shall be PURIFIED, AND MADE WHITE, AND TRIED"
(Dan. 12:10 ); but I challenge anyone to show me one verse in God's Book where He says that
anyone will be ever be born, live to adulthood and thereafter any amount of time, be saved, be
sanctified, and die, never having once been tempted of the devil!

Let me use St. James' words, that such a state of "things ought not so to be" (Jas. 3:10) --
but let me go even farther and say: "SUCH A STATE OF THINGS NEVER SHALL BE!" Over,
and over, and over, God's Word states and gives examples of how GOD'S PEOPLE ALWAYS
HAVE BEEN tried by temptations originating with the devil -- and I assert that this will
ALWAYS be the case until all possibility of salvation ends, and man's probation ends -- which
things shall occur AT Christ's Return, not one thousand years thereafter!

Shall the supposed Millennial, flesh and blood people

"Be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?!"

I trow not! St. James wrote: -- "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for WHEN
HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him" (Jas. 1:12). This shall always be the case as long as Time endures, and as
long as any human being CAN BE "purified and made white" through Jesus' blood. THAT, I
assert negates a supposed Millennial time when people will be saved, sanctified, and then die --
headed for Heaven without once having been tempted of the devil!

"But," objects the Premillennialist, "you forget that those born during the Millennium
will have the Adamic Nature, and even though Satan is bound their sinful hearts will tempt
them."

My answer to that is: -- If one could be saved and sanctified (purged from the carnal
nature) -- during the supposed Millennium, then they would be in a state that was more
advantageous than that of Adam and Eve! Our first parents had pure hearts, WITH the possibility
of being tempted by the devil. One purged of the Adamic Nature during the Millennium would
have a pure heart WITHOUT the possibility of being tempted of the devil!

"But," says the Premillennialist, "the devil WILL be turned loose near the close of the
Millennium, and will tempt everyone!"

Do you claim, then, that everyone saved and sanctified during the Millennium will live to
that time -- near the close of the Millennium? To me, such reasoning is only adding absurdity to
the implausibility of the whole mistaken doctrine!

The fact IS -- when Christ Returns, ALL TIME SHALL END, ALL PROBATION
SHALL END, AND ALL POSSIBILITY OF SALVATION SHALL END! Read the Book
carefully! THIS is what the Bible teaches! -- not an "overtime" period during which men and
women shall be saved, and then live and die, never having been tempted!

* * * * * * *

B -- AN IMPLAUSIBLE IMPLICATION WITH MILLENNIAL, FLESH AND BLOOD

PEOPLE

Beyond the fact that Gods Word plainly declares in 1 Corinthians 15:50 "that flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption," there are
"Implausible Implications" in any supposed kingdom of God in which there would be a mixture
of glorified beings with flesh and blood beings. The GLORY of the Returned Christ would make
this utterly impossible. Here I shall insert much from Chapter 36 of my book, "His Appearing
and His Kingdom" -- entitled: "THE KINGDOM GLORY (MAGNITUDE AND CHANGE)."

Ps. 138:5 ...GREAT is the GLORY of the LORD.

Matt. 24:30 ..they shall see the Son of man coming.. with power and GREAT GLORY.

Heb. 7:12 ..there is made of necessity A CHANGE..

2 Cor. 3:18 ..we all.. beholding.. THE GLORY of the Lord, are CHANGED into the
same image from glory to glory..
 Philip. 3:21 Who shall CHANGE our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto HIS
GLORIOUS BODY..

Heb. 1:10,12 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of THE
EARTH; AND THE HEAVENS are the works of thine hands.. as a vesture shalt thou fold them
up, and they SHALL BE CHANGED..

Wherever the presence of Christ's glory comes, "there is made of necessity a change." At
His first coming, it was necessary to change both the priesthood and the Law: Heb. 7:12 "For the
priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." While spiritually
beholding the glory of the Lord, there is made of necessity a change in believer's hearts: 2 Cor.
3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into
the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." When Jesus "manifested
forth His glory" at the wedding in Cana He changed the water into wine. It was the glory of God
that changed Christ's mortal body into "His glorious body": Rom. 6:4 "Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father.."

Those who have been given "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" should best
estimate the magnitude of Christ's glory, and they should better understand the necessity of
change occurring whenever His glory is manifested. 2 Cor. 4:6 However, the writer is convinced
that many who have a spiritual knowledge of Christ's glory still under-estimate the magnitude of
Christ's second-coming glory and do not rightly understand the changes which will become an
immediate necessity when that glory is revealed.

The Great Magnitude Of Christ's Second-Coming Glory

Four times the scriptures mention the greatness of Christ's glory, and the last three are all
in reference to that glory which shall be manifested at His return: Ps. 138:5; Matt. 24:30; Mark
13:26 -- "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with GREAT power and
GLORY." Luke 21:27 -- "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power
and GREAT GLORY." We should not under-estimate THE EXCEEDING MAGNITUDE of that
manifestation:

It will be both awesome and overpowering. It will cover the heavens around the entire
world:

Hab. 3:3 God came.. His glory covered the heavens.

It will strike terror in the hearts of those who are unprepared to meet Him:

Luke 2:9 ..the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Rev. 6:15-16 ..men.. hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks.. And said to the
mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and
from the wrath of the Lamb!
 The wicked around the world will be pushed into destruction by its Almighty force:

Deut. 33:17 His glory is like.. the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people
together to the ends of the earth..

Christ is this very moment "dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto;
Whom no man hath seen, nor can see.." He is "the brightness of His glory, and the express image
of His Person." 1 Tim. 6:16; Heb. 1:3 FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT ENDURE, OR
CONTINUE TO LIVE, UNDER THE FULL MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST'S GLORY.

Because of this, Moses was not allowed to see the Lord's face: "And he said, I beseech
thee, show me thy glory... And He said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see
me, and live... thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen." Ex. 33:18,20,23

Heretofore, all manifestations of Christ's glory have been limited because of the inability
of man's flesh to endure the full, unrestrained brilliance of that glory. Even after limited
manifestations of Christ's glory to him, "the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance." 1 Cor. 3:7 Among those who are unprepared to
meet Him, then, "who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth"
in all of His omnipotent, overwhelming radiance? Mal 3:2 None!

Even partial manifestations of Christ's glory have prevented the approach of flesh and
blood and prostrated those who came into that presence: Ex. 40:35 -- "And Moses was not able
to enter into the tent of the congregation, because.. the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 1
Kings 8:11 -- "So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory
of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD." 2 Chr. 5:14 -- "So that the priests could not
stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
2 Chr. 7:2 -- "And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of
the LORD had filled the LORD'S house."

Saul of Tarsus was both prostrated and blinded by the magnitude and brilliance of
Christ's glory on the Damascus road: Acts 26:13,14 "At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light
from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed
with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying
in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" Acts 22:11 "And when I could not
see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into
Damascus."

Later, when Paul mentioned to the Corinthians the "eternal weight of glory," and to the
Colossians the "glorious power" of Christ, he knew well of that which he wrote. He had been
utterly prostrated and humbled into the dust by that "weight of glory" and "glorious power". 2
Cor. 4:17; Col. 1:11

Christ's Glory Will Slay The Wicked At His Appearing

 Should not many cease to under-estimate the magnitude and power of Christ's
second-coming glory? Wicked men will not be simply subdued by Christ's glory. They will be
slain by His glory!: "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with
the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." 2 Thess. 2:8

All of the wicked will be felled and consumed by the fiery radiance of Him Who is "the
brightness" of God's glory: "For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and
the slain of the LORD shall be many." Isa. 66:16 "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as
an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that
cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor
branch." Mal. 4:1

Flesh And Blood Residents In Christ's Glory Impossible

Christ's glory will make it utterly impossible for wicked flesh and blood to even survive
His coming, let alone exist with Him in on this earth in a supposed servile surrender for a
thousand years. Indeed, were Christ to sit upon a throne in the earthly Jerusalem in all of the
radiance of "His glorious body," no flesh and blood would even be able to look upon Him and
still live. This fact eliminates the possibility of an earthly Messianic reign which is supposed to
contain both glorified and flesh and blood servants of Christ.

At Christ's return, even the glorified saints "shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament" and "as the stars"! Beloved, there are stars in our universe countless numbers of
times greater than our sun. Yet scientists are now concerned about too much radiation reaching
the earth through an opening in the shielding ozone layer above our planet. How, then, would the
strongest flesh and blood person be able to endure the radiance of the smallest of Christ's
glorified saints, not to mention the blazing splendor of Him Who is "the Sun of Righteousness"?!
Dan. 12:3; Mal. 4:2

While the writer realizes that all things are possible with God, He asserts that the true,
Biblical description of the population of the Messianic kingdom does not include a mixture of
glorified beings and flesh and blood beings. However, this conclusion is not based upon the
perceived incongruity, incompatibility, and impossibility of such a mixture, but is based rather
upon the preponderance and weight of scriptural evidence which shows that such an
interpretation of the kingdom is mistaken.

Christ is NOW "DWELLING IN THE LIGHT WHICH NO MAN CAN APPROACH

UNTO; WHOM NO MAN HATH SEEN, NOR CAN SEE" (1 Timothy 6:16). If, when Moses
came down from an earthly manifestation of God's Glory on Mt. Sinai, he had to veil his face
from flesh and blood Israel -- make no mistake about -- when Christ Returns, the magnitude and
radiance of His glory, and that of His glorified saints, will make it impossible for flesh and blood
beings to even LIVE, let alone, DWELL for a thousand years in that Glory!

"Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the coming kingdom of God"! -- anytime, anywhere!
And, the "Implication" that they shall, during a supposed Millennium after Christ's Return is
both "Improbable" and altogether "Implausible"!
* * * * * * *

C -- AN IMPLAUSIBLE IMPLICATION WITH THE FINAL MILLENNIAL REBELLION

Revelation 20:7-9 reads: -- "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be
loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of
the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand
of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints
about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

I assert that the "Thousand Years" are figurative for the Church Age, and that near the
end of the Church Age, Satan, who is now bound, will be loosed for the "Little Season" of 7
years and will THEN "deceive the nations" -- gather them to battle against Christ and His People
-- and that Satan and his deceived followers will THEN be destroyed by fire from heaven from
the Returning Christ. Thus, I see the battle of Armageddon and Gog and Magog to be the same
battle, described in different places, but designating the same, climactic event at Christ's Return.

But, suppose Premillennial Theory was right. What shall have been the situation leading
up to that supposed, rebellious close of the Millennium?

For nearly 1,000 years, flesh and blood people shall have visibly SEEN the glorified
Christ -- seen Him walk through walls, fly through the air, and do anything He wished,
unimpeded by anything material or spiritual. Further, for nearly 1,000 years the entire world
shall have known that when Christ Returned, no material weapon could harm Him, His Angels,
nor His glorified saints! In spite of every weapon that anti-Christ and his great army could
muster, no nuclear weapon, no material weapon, no spiritual weapon even slightly fazed the
GLORIOUS, OMNIPOTENT CHRIST, nor any of His Glorious Angels or Glorified Saints.

Now tell me: -- Knowing all of this, and having seen all of this for nearly 1,000 years,
what sinner in his right mind would be so stupid as to attempt to raise arms and go to war against
THE OMNIPOTENT, INVULNERABLE CHRIST, HIS INVULNERABLE ANGELS, AND
HIS INVULNERABLE SAINTS??!!

Yes, I confess that such a thing MIGHT BE possible. However, I think the whole
scenario is so unlikely, so "Improbable" -- so "Implausible" that this "Implication" at the close of
a supposed Millennium after Christ's Return is one more reason why we should reject this
doctrine. I assert that when the Book of Revelation, (including Chapter 20), is given its correct
figurative and spiritual interpretation, it both agrees with, and reinforces all of the rest of Second
Coming Prophecy which shows that at Christ's Return -- promptly, Time shall forever end,
Probation shall forever end, the Resurrection of all the dead shall occur, the Judgment of All
shall immediately follow, and All Devils, Angels, and Men shall be ushered into their Eternal
Abodes! -- the devil and the wicked into the Lake of Fire, and the Saints and Angels with Christ
into that everlasting "New Heavens and New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter
3:13).
* * * * * * *

CONCLUSION

The songwriter stated well the longings that shall be fulfilled AT Christ's Return -- NOT
a thousand years thereafter:

"I'm kind of homesick for a country

To which I've never been before;
No sad good-byes will there be spoken,
For Time won't matter anymore.

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,

And some day on thee I'll stand;
THERE my Home shall be Eternal,
Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah Land!

Dear Saint of God, -- Let your beliefs about Christ's Second Coming FOLLOW YOUR
HEART! Everything you envision, everything for which you hope, nearly everything about
which you sing, and everything in your expectation with your resurrection and rapture -- SKIPS
CLEAR BEYOND a supposed additional 1,000 years of Time on this earth following Christ's
Second Coming -- and leaps straight out of "this present, evil world" into that "world without
end" which is to come! Why? BECAUSE THAT IS THE LOCATION OF CHRIST'S TRUE,
MESSIANIC KINGDOM, AND THERE IS THE HOME YOU SHALL NEXT INHABIT!

* * * * * * *

44 -- THREE MILLENNIAL CONSIDERATIONS

(1) MOST CHRISTIANS BEFORE A.D. 1000 WERE NOT PREMILLENNIALISTS

Dr. George Lyons of NNU recently wrote: "... After months of extensive research on the
subject in the AnteNicene and Nicene fathers about a decade ago I discovered.. There were
SOME CHRISTIANS who EXPECTED a mundane messianic kingdom (A LITERAL
MILLENNIAL REIGN ON EARTH). BUT.. THESE CHRISTIANS WERE A CLEAR
MINORITY. MOST CHRISTIANS in the first millennium believed that Christians who died
entered immediately into the presence of the Lord. They understood this intermediate state to be
the symbolic meaning of the millennial reign in Revelation 20. They EXPECTED NO
INTERMEDIATE KINGDOM FOLLOWING THE SECOND COMING." (Caps Mine).

Further, in Dr. Lyons' "Eschatology In The Early Church, Part 2, The Millennium," he
states: -- " The earliest millenarian was Cerinthus, a Jewish-Christian Gnostic leader who
was active in Asia Minor at the end of the first century."

Cerinthus and the Gnostics, were heretics. According to Irenaeus Cerinthus' concept of
Christ was: -- "Jesus was not born of the virgin, but rather he was the son of Joseph and Mary,
just like all other men, but more powerful in righteousness, intelligence and wisdom. After the
baptism Christ descended upon him from the authority which is above all in the form of a dove
and thereafter proclaimed the unknown Father and accomplished wonders. But at the end Christ
again departed from Jesus and (only) Jesus suffered, and rose again; Christ however remained
impassable, since he has a spiritual being." (Gnosis, p165)

Such heresy certainly does not speak well of the credibility of Cerinthus as "the earliest
millenarian"! Cerinthus WAS a contemporary of St. John, but was a Gnostic Ebionite -- and the
Ebionite sects were infected with Judaistic errors.

Although Cerinthus was contemporary with St. John, according to some he was "the
arch-enemy" of St. John. One writer goes so far as to declare: -- "Cerinthus was, according to the
apostle John's definition, antiChrist. He denied that Jesus was the Christ."

Perhaps St. John DID consider Cerinthus to be "an antiChrist" -- but I doubt that he
considered him to be THE Anti-Christ. Maybe St. John DID direct the following declaration, in
part, toward Cerinthus:

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antiChrist, that denieth
the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22).

Whatever the case may be about this, it seems to me that Cerinthus certainly is an
unreliable source as the correct interpreter of the Revelation given to St. John on the Isle of
Patmos! And, it seems more likely to me that John the Revelator's "arch-enemy" -- Cerinthus --
as "the earliest millenarian" -- did NOT interpret the millennium as God intended that it be
understood, nor as John the Revelator himself understood it!

Concerning the rejection of Millennialism by most in the Church prior to A.D. 1,000, Dr.
George Lyons in his work named above goes on to say: "Despite the primitive origins of
millennialism, from the fourth century onward official Church spokesmen openly rejected it
[millennialism] as incredible, potentially destructive, and even heretical -- but without much
success, since millennial speculations continue to thrive even to our day."

Finally, from Dr. Lyons' research, we read: " During the early centuries of the Church,
millennialism was one, but only one, of several viable eschatological views. Some writers, like
Augustine, who acknowledged that they once held millenarian views report their change of mind
on the matter."

Early Church History, then, cannot be used as an argument that one must hold
Premillennial views in order to be a fundamental, Bible-believing Christian. No doubt across the
centuries many, like Augustine "once held millenarian views" but changed their minds after a
closer scrutiny of Second Coming prophecy convinced them that interpreting "the thousand
years" of Revelation 20 as occurring AFTER Christ's Return contradicts virtually all other
declarations about that Climactic Event!

* * * * * * *
(2) THERE WILL BE NO ANTICLIMACTIC, ONE-THOUSAND-YEAR OVERTIME!

I use the term "overtime" guardedly, because it is greatly associated with modern-day
sports contests. However, it aptly describes the point I wish to make here. So I will use it.

When neither side has prevailed at the end of the total time allotted to a contest, in
various sports such as football and basketball -- they compete for an extended period of time
called "overtime". And, in some contests, if no winner prevails in the "first overtime" they will
compete for a second, or even third "overtime". The "overtime" -- the extended period of time
beyond "regulation" is used so that there will be a decisive winner, versus a deadlock, or
tie-game.

To compete for X amount of time, only to end in a deadlock would be considered

anticlimactic! -- the victor not having yet appeared, and the vanquished not yet having been
defeated. And, for Christ to Return after 2 Millennia, only to usher in an additional Thousand
Years of Overtime, beyond his Second Coming would be ANTICLIMACTIC!

Dear Heart, -- This shall not be the case when Christ returns! It will not be an
anticlimactic occurrence! -- followed by a 1,000-Year-Overtime before Christ, The Victor has
finally and totally prevailed and the vile, old Devil is Vanquished and cast into the Lake of Fire!
No sir! The Second Coming is CLIMACTIC! -- "At his coming, THEN cometh the end"! (1 Cor.
15:23-24) -- not one-thousand years after His Return!

Read the Book! -- over, and over, and over again, God's Word describes Christ's Second
Coming as that all-decisive event which forever defeats all foes of Christ, ends all time, judges
all men, ushers in eternity! -- and escorts all devils, men, and angels into their everlasting
abodes!

"The Lord Jesus Christ.. SHALL JUDGE the quick and the dead AT HIS APPEARING"
(not 1,000 years AFTER His appearing) and His kingdom" (2 Tim 4:1) shall consist eternally,
and only of those who are then ready to "give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and
the dead" (1 Pet. 4:5) AT HIS APPEARING!

So sudden, and so climactic shall be Christ's Second Coming that millions will be
shocked to learn that IT'S ALL OVER! THERE'S NO OVERTIME! May I use a tennis term? --
it will be "GAME, SET, AND MATCH"!

Professional baseball player Yogi Berra said that one reason he liked the game was: --
"It ain't OVER till it's OVER." But when Christ Returns -- LOOK OUT! -- "IT'S OVER"! -- NO
EXTRA INNINGS! -- NO OVERTIME! -- NO MORE TIME, PERIOD!

The Great Lumberman of Heaven, Christ Jesus, will -- at His Second Coming -- hew
down ALL the trees of the forest: -- some will then fall toward heaven, and some will then fall
toward hell -- but "WHERE THE TREE FALLETH, THERE IT SHALL BE" (Eccl. 11:3) --
FOREVER!
 At Christ's Second Coming -- not 1,000 years later! -- it shall be pronounced by God: --
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that
is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still" (Rev. 22:11).

Jesus' Second Coming shall be CLIMACTIC -- ETERNALLY CLIMACTIC!!!

* * * * * * *

(3) THERE SHALL NOT BE FOUR WORLDS -- ONLY THREE!

(A) The Bible speaks of the world before The Flood: -- 2 Peter 3:6 -- "Whereby THE
WORLD THAT THEN WAS, being overflowed with water, perished."

(B) The Bible speaks of the world that now is, after The Flood: -- "Who gave himself for
our sins, that he might deliver us from THIS PRESENT EVIL WORLD, according to the will of
God and our Father."

(C) The Bible speaks of the THE ONE, AND ONLY, COMING WORLD -- [Christ is
now] "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only IN THIS WORLD, but also IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME" (Eph. 1:21).

Between THIS WORLD and THAT WORLD "WHICH IS TO COME" -- the Bible is
totally silent about the supposed Millennial World -- described by Chiliasts!

Why? -- I'll tell you WHY! -- The world "which is to come" at Christ's Second Coming
shall NOT be the fancied Millennial World of a thousand years! Nay, ten thousand times nay!
The World "which is to come" is that "WORLD WITHOUT END" mentioned in both Isaiah
45:17 and Ephesians 3:21.

"But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be
ashamed nor confounded WORLD WITHOUT END" (Isa. 45:17).

"Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, WORLD
WITHOUT END. Amen" (Eph. 3:21 ).

At Christ's Return ALL of God's Spiritual Israel (including the final remnant) shall be
saved with "an everlasting salvation" in that one, and only, coming "WORLD WITHOUT
END"!

Herbert W. Armstrong used to head a false sect, misnamed "The World-Wide Church of
God" -- quite similar in beliefs with the so-called Jehovah's Witnesses. When I was a young
man, Armstrong's son, Garner Ted Armstrong, used to come on the radio with their broadcast,
announcing ebulliently, "The Good, Good News, of THE WORLD TOMORROW." He was
quite a talker and probably convinced numbers to believe their heresy -- but, down the line,
charges of immorality were made against Garner Ted, and suddenly he was off the air, and old
Herbert W. Armstrong took over once again.

But let me tell you what the REAL "GOOD, GOOD NEWS, ABOUT THE WORLD
TOMORROW" IS: -- It's not going to have any playboy Teds or playboy Bills in it! It's not
going to be the mundane world preached by Herbert W. Armstrong; its not going to be the
kingdom-hall world preached by the so-called Jehovah's Witnesses -- and, it is not even going to
be the One-Thousand-Year-World in extended Time preached by holy and well-meaning
Premillennialists. It is going to be that totally sinless, totally devil-less, totally holy, and totally
heavenly -- NEW "WORLD WITHOUT END"!

Saint of God -- your next home will be in that SINLESS AND GLORIOUS "WORLD
WITHOUT END" -- and, even if you HAVE mistakenly believed in an earthly millennium
following Christ's Return, I am sure you will say, when you are ushered into your quarters in that
endless world -- just what St. Paul wrote at the end of Ephesians 3:21, right after he mentioned
it: -- "AMEN"!

You'll have no problem with that! -- I'm sure.

* * * * * * *

45 -- FACTS ABOUT ISRAEL FROM ROMANS 9-11

CONTENTS

Introduction

(1) God's Israel Consists Only Of Those Who Are New Creatures In Christ
(2) Flesh And Blood Israel Is Cast Away -- But God's Israel, Is Not Cast Away
(3) A Remnant Of Earthly Israel Will Yet Be Brought Into Spiritual Israel
(4) Earthly Israel's Remnant Will Be Received Just Before The Resurrection
(5) The Messianic Kingdom For Israel Will Be Eternal -- Not 1,000 Years!

* * * * * * *

INTRODUCTION

I thought about pasting in the entire text of Romans Chapter 9 through Romans Chapter
11 into this file. However, given the easy access that computer users have to Bible programs, it
should not be too difficult for many to quickly call up that text for themselves. Also, many
readers will be quite familiar with the contents of those chapters. So, I forbear adding that text in
with this file. Nevertheless, it might be helpful in understanding that which I expound below to
have Romans 9-11 readily at hand when you read this article. Please bear in mind when reading
this article that my references to "Israel" are to "Israel as God's People, and not to Jesus, Who
Himself IS ISRAEL, the Greater, and Who gave His name to Jacob, Israel the lesser, who
typified Him. Again, my references in this article refer to "Israel" the People of God who have
His name.

* * *

(1) GOD'S ISRAEL CONSISTS ONLY OF THOSE WHO ARE NEW CREATURES IN
CHRIST

In Romans 9:6-8 we read: -- "6 For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither,
because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the
children of the promise are counted for the seed."

It should be clear as the noon-day sun in Romans 9:6 above that those who are flesh and
blood Israelites only are NOT part of God's Israel -- NOT part of that Holy Nation God now
recognizes as Israel: -- "For they are not all Israel, which are Israel."

In Romans 9:7-8 above, Paul shows that those born of the Spirit constitute God's Israel
today: -- "In Isaac shall thy seed be called... these are the children of God..." It is the same figure
he employs in Galatians 4:21-31 wherein Paul likens Isaac to Spiritual Israel and Ishmael to
Flesh and Blood Israel.

Galatians 6:15-16 clearly declares the same thing: -- that in order to be a part of that
nation which God now recognizes as His Israel one much become "a new creature in Christ
Jesus." -- "15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision,
but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy,
and upon The Israel of God."

Indeed, it is "Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the
covenants.. and the promises" (Rom. 9:4) -- but -- Paul makes it clear that the Israelites through
whom God's covenants and promises are fulfilled are Spiritual Israelites! -- not Flesh and Blood
Israel.

Further, the rejection of Christ by most fleshly Israelites has not negated God's
fulfillment of covenants and promises to "Israel" -- because those fulfillments shall come only to
and through those who become part of Spiritual Israel: -- "Not as though the word of God hath
taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel" (Romans 9:6)

* * *

(2) FLESH AND BLOOD ISRAEL IS CAST AWAY -- BUT GOD'S ISRAEL, IS NOT CAST
AWAY

Bear with me now... in Romans 11:15 (in reference to Flesh and Blood Israel) Paul
speaks of "THE CASTING AWAY OF THEM"! Nothing could be plainer -- Flesh and Blood
Israel, as the People of God, as God's Israel -- has been CAST AWAY! This statement
corresponds exactly with what Paul declares in Galatians 4:28-30 below. Isaac typifies those
who are born of the Spirit, while Hagar typifies the Jerusalem that now is (earthly Jerusalem),
and Ishmael typifies Flesh and Blood Israel. And, says St. Paul, both Earthly Jerusalem (Hagar,
the bondwoman) and Flesh and Blood Israel (Ishmael, her son) have been CAST OUT!!!

"28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that
was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN and HER SON: for the
son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman" (Gal. 4:28-30).

But -- amazing as it may seem to some -- in the casting away, or casting out, of Flesh and
Blood Israel, God has not cast away his people, which he foreknew!

How could this be???? I'll tell you how: -- When God cast away and cast out Flesh and
Blood Israel, he was NOT casting out the Israel He foreknew -- for the Israel God foreknew was
NOT Fleshly Israel -- it was Spiritual Israel!!

And THIS is the meaning of Paul's statement in Romans 11:1-2 below:

"I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the
seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he
foreknew."

Furthermore, says Paul, even though Earthly Israel had been cast out as God's Israel, a
remnant of Flesh and Blood had become part of Spiritual Israel:

Romans 11:5 -- "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace."

Understand here: -- in the above verse, Paul is not speaking of the future remnant that
shall be saved, but of a remnant of Flesh and Blood Israel which had already been incorporated
into the Spiritual Israel of God -- "according to the election of grace." God's Israel, which He
foreknew, consists only of those (both Jews and Gentiles) who become a part of that Holy Nation
through the Grace of Jesus Christ!!

The truth of Romans 11:5 corresponds exactly with what he says everywhere else: -- viz.,
that God's Elect, God's Israel, whom He foreknew, are only those who are born of His Spirit: --
Roman 2:28-29 -- "For he is not a Jew, (he is not part of God's Israel) which is one outwardly;
neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, (He is one of God's
Israelites) which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in
the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

* * *

(3) A REMNANT OF EARTHLY ISRAEL WILL YET BE BROUGHT INTO SPIRITUAL

ISRAEL
 This is clearly stated in Romans 11:11-15 below:

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through
their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 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 fullness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the
Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are
my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the CASTING AWAY OF THEM be the
reconciling of the world, what shall THE RECEIVING OF THEM BE, but life from the dead?

While the apostle Paul clearly states that Flesh and Blood Israel, (through their unbelief
and rejection of Christ), have been cast out as God's Israel, God is not through with Earthly
Israel, and a remnant thereof shall be saved on The Day of The Lord. See Romans 11:23-27
below:

"And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to
graff them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert
graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the
natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye
should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in
part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall
be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their
sins."

Furthermore, Romans 11:17-21 warns that Gentile Christians who are now part of God's
Spiritual Israel must not boast against Flesh and Blood Israel:

"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast
not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou
wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20 Well; because of
unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if
God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee."

It was the apostle Paul's fervent desire that Fleshly Israel be saved: -- "Brethren, my
heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved" (Rom. 10:1). Indeed, so
strong was that passion that he said: -- "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ
for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Romans 9:3).

Down across the centuries some Flesh and Blood Israelites have been saved -- but to a
large extent, "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears
that they should not hear;) unto this day" (Rom. 11:8).
 But, I believe there shall come a Great Spiritual Awakening of a Remnant of Flesh and
Blood Israel on The Day of the Lord which shall result in their repentance, their faith in Christ's
blood, and "their receiving" into Spiritual Israel.

* * *

(4) EARTHLY ISRAEL'S REMNANT WILL BE RECEIVED JUST BEFORE THE

RESURRECTION

"For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the
RECEIVING OF THEM be, but LIFE FROM THE DEAD?" (Romans 11:15).

Notice the close connection between the RECEIVING of the final remnant of Earthly
Israel into Spiritual Israel and "LIFE FROM THE DEAD." I believe Paul's statement here is a
prophetic hint: -- viz., that it shall occur directly before the Resurrection and Rapture of the
saints.

Let me sketch the scenario briefly -- those who wish to read more in detail, I refer to my
book, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," hdm0124:

Contrary to the teaching of Pre-Tribulationists, both the Church and Earthly Israel shall
pass through all 7 years of the coming Tribulation. During that time, Earthly Israel will (along
with millions of others) accept as the Messiah, he who is, in fact anti-Christ. But, the ruthless
Man of Sin will break his covenant with Earthly Israel and many of them too will become
victims of his bloodthirsty wrath during what is known as "Jacob's Trouble":

"Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble;
but he shall be saved out of it" (Jeremiah 30:7).

During the midst of that horrible, final persecution of the Jewish Nation, many of the
Orthodox Jews will begin to wail and cry out for their Messiah to save them. This spirit of prayer
for deliverance and salvation will be from God:

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the
spirit of grace and of supplications.." This seeking after their Savior may continue for some days,
weeks, or months, but finally, and suddenly, while in the midst of those prayers for forgiveness
and salvation, Christ will reveal Himself to them from Heaven -- to convince them that He is
their Living Lord and Savior -- even as he convinced their prototype, doubting Thomas: -- "and
they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth
for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn"
(Zech. 12:10).

In that Heavenly Revelation, the penitent Remnant of Earthly Israel will see the wounds
in Jesus' Hands, "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he
shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech. 13:6).
 Then, out of the midst of their great anguish, and following that special Revelation from
Heaven, they will believe on their Lord, Jesus Christ, and "In that day there shall be a fountain
opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness"
(Zech. 13:1).

Suddenly shall come the fulfillment of Isaiah 66:8 -- "Who hath heard such a thing? who
hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be
born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."

Yes, suddenly the repentant, believing Remnant will be BORN AGAIN! -- "AT ONCE"!!
-- just as suddenly as all penitent sinners are saved when they exercise saving faith in Christ's
blood!

Unless I err, the praying, Penitent Remnant of Earthly Israel will be given a preview of
Christ in Heaven shortly before His Revelation to the entire world as He comes in the clouds of
Heaven.

The suddenly saved Remnant of Earthly Israel will have become part of Spiritual Israel,
the Church. Then, though not spared from the Tribulation, the entire Church will be resurrected,
glorified, and rise to meet the Lord in the air -- spared from THE INDIGNATION which shall be
poured upon anti-Christ and all of the wicked:

"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide
thyself as it were for a little moment, until THE INDIGNATION be overpast" (Isaiah 26:20 ). It
is The Indignation, not the Tribulation, from which the Church shall be saved.

Even "so all Israel shall be saved" (Rom 11:26 ) -- including the final remnant brought
into Spiritual Israel, the Church -- just before the "Life from the Dead" resurrection and rapture
of the saints.

* * *

(5) THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM FOR ISRAEL WILL BE ETERNAL -- NOT 1,000 YEARS!

However, the salvation of all Israel (including the final remnant of earthly Israel) will not
include being placed back on this earth -- patched up for a thousand years, here to dwell with
flesh and blood people, some of whom (we are told by Millennialists) will rise up against Christ
at the end of that time!

No sir! Following the salvation of the final remnant of Earthly Israel and their rapture
with all of the saints to meet the Lord in the air, "the END of ALL THINGS" (1 Pet. 4:7) as now
constituted shall next occur. The living wicked will be slain, then all of the wicked dead will be
resurrected, changed into their damnation bodies, and quickly ushered to the General Judgment
-- after which all shall enter their Eternal abode.
 Then to "All Spiritual Israel" shall come the fulfillment of Isaiah 33:17, 20 -- "Thine eyes
shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. (20) Look upon
Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle
that shall not be taken down; NOT ONE OF THE STAKES THEREOF SHALL EVER BE
REMOVED, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken."

Isaiah 33:20 above refers to that, one and the same, UNMOVEABLE CITY AND
KINGDOM spoken of in the following New Testament passage:

Heb. 12:26-29 -- "Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying,
Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (27) And this word, Yet once more,
signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those
things which cannot be shaken may remain. (28) Wherefore we receiving A KINGDOM
WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear: (29) For our God is a consuming fire."

Dear Christian -- can't you see? Many, many unfulfilled promises which Millennialists
say shall have their fulfillment to Flesh and Blood Israel, on this planet, shall actually have their
fulfillment to All of Spiritual Israel in the New Heavens and New Earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness, "world without end" (Isa. 45:17; Eph. 3:21).

It is only when we see THIS that we correctly discern "the voices of the prophets" (Acts
13:27) concerning that which shall be fulfilled to God's Israel at the Second Coming of Christ.

* * * * * * *

46 -- THE TWO APPEARANCES OF CHRIST CONTRASTED

Verses 26-27 of Hebrews 9 speak of THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF CHRIST to this

world -- an appearance in which God sent "His own Son... [to die sacrificially] FOR SIN" (Rom.
8:3) -- an appearance during which God actually "MADE HIM TO BE SIN for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor. 5:21).

Christ's First Appearance was the fulfillment of Moses' prophetic lifting up of the Brazen
Serpent. Jesus Himself declared in John 3:14 -- "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up." Moses lifting up of a brazen serpent on a
pole depicted how Christ was to be "MADE SIN for us" -- how Christ on the Cross was, before
God, to epitomize the Serpent-devil himself ensconced within depraved Mankind, and how that
making Christ to be sin for us was to provide instant mercy and healing for those looking to the
Crucified One: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth" (Isa. 45:22).

In short, the First Appearance of Christ was to be an appearance that was very much
"WITH SIN" -- not with sin as Himself being a sinner, but with sin in that He dwelt among
sinners, with sin in that He was made sin for us, and with sin in that he died for sinners on the
Cross.
 Conversely, Hebrews 9:28 speaks of THE SECOND APPEARANCE OF CHRIST to this
world -- an appearance that shall be "WITHOUT SIN" -- and it is important to catch the real
meaning of those words in the Greek, which are: "choris hamartia".

"Choris" means: "separately" or "apart from" -- and, reflecting this sense of the word,
Young's Literal Translation sets forth Hebrews 9:28 as follows:

"So also the Christ, once having been offered to bear the sins of many, a second time,
apart from a sin-offering, shall appear, to those waiting for him--to salvation!"

Did you get that? When Christ appears the Second Time, He shall appear "APART
FROM A SIN OFFERING!" At His First Appearance He came "AS A SIN OFFERING" but at
His Second Appearing He shall appear, not to save, but to Judge -- Mercy's door having been
forever shut, He shall appear "Without Sin" -- Without A Sin Offering" for even one soul!

The first part of Hebrew 9:28 speaks in harmony with Isaiah 53:6 how that at Christ's
First Appearance "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all: "So Christ was once offered
to BEAR THE SINS of many.." but the conclusion of the verse speaks of His Second
Appearance as one in which He will be so "apart from sin" that He will bear no burden of sin for
any, but will, instead bear the sword of Judgment against the impenitent, which sword will bring
salvation to His own.

Following, is the Twentieth Century New Testament rendition of Hebrews 9:28 -- "So it
is with the Christ. He was offered up once and for all, to 'bear away the sins of many'; and the
second time he will appear--but without any burden of sin--to those who are waiting for him, to
bring Salvation."

Young's Literal Translation has "without sin" in Hebrews 9:28 as "apart from a sin
offering" -- and -- the Twentieth Century New Testament has it "without any burden of sin".

Also, the Revised Standard Version translates it: "not to deal with sin" -- The American
Standard Version has it: "apart from sin" -- and Weymouth's New Testament renders it:
"separated from sin."

I believe that the correct understanding of "without sin" in Hebrews 9:28 is that
CHRIST'S SECOND APPEARANCE WILL BE AN APPEARANCE COMPLETELY APART
FROM ANY SIN OFFERING -- a Second Coming that is completely void of any further dealing
with sinners so as to bring them to repentance -- and a coming during which Christ shall not
then, nor ever again, vicariously bear the burden of any sinner -- Mercy's door then being forever
shut!

* * *

A VERY SIGNIFICANT EXTRAPOLATION AND CONCLUSION

 If it is correct that Hebrews 9:28 tells us that Mercy's Door is forever shut at Christ's
Second Appearance then we MUST EXTRAPOLATE THEREFROM THAT, FOLLOWING
THAT SECOND APPEARANCE NONE WILL BE SAVED DURING A SUPPOSED
MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST ON THIS EARTH.

Do I hear some Millennialist say, "Well, yes, during the precise time of Christ's Second
Appearing none will be saved, mercy's door being then temporarily shut, but thereafter,
throughout 1,000 years more folks will be saved."

My reply is: -- I firmly believe that this is a supposition that contradicts the true meaning
of those words in Hebrews 9:28. When Jesus appears the Second Time, it will be "without sin"
-- i. e., "without a sin offering" wherewith anyone can be saved beyond that awesome hour of
His Revelation.

Therefore, I believe that the true meaning of the words "without sin" in Hebrews 9:28
provide yet one more of many scriptural proofs which show clearly that their shall be no
Thousand Year Reign of Christ on THIS earth following his Second Appearance -- Mercy's Door
being then forever shut, with both the Resurrection and Judgment of all following rapidly
thereafter, as well as the departure of all into their Eternal Abode -- in either Hell or Heaven.

I have endeavored to show many other reasons why there shall be no Thousand Year
Reign of Christ on THIS earth following His Second Coming in my book, "His Appearing and
His Kingdom" -- hdm0124. This book is found in the HDM Digital Library, both on CDs and on
DVDs.

* * * * * * *

47 -- ON THE PERFECT DAY -- EVERYTHING IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY

"The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto THE
PERFECT DAY" (Proverbs 4:18).

"NOT AS THOUGH I had already attained, either WERE ALREADY PERFECT.."

(Philippians 3:12 ).

"But WHEN THAT WHICH IS PERFECT IS COME, then THAT WHICH IS IN PART
SHALL BE DONE AWAY.. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but THEN FACE TO
FACE: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Cor. 13:10, 12).

* * *

CONTENTS

A -- The Perfect Day Begins When Christ Is Seen Face To Face

B -- No Growing Unto Perfection On The Perfect Day
C -- No In-Part Destruction Of The Wicked On The Perfect Day
D -- No In-Part Resurrection Or Changes On The Perfect Day
E -- No In-Part-Jewish, In-Part-Gentile, Kingdom On The Perfect Day
F -- No In-Part Judgments On The Perfect Day
G -- No In-Part Restoration Of The Universe On The Perfect Day

* * *

A -- THE PERFECT DAY BEGINS WHEN CHRIST IS BE SEEN FACE TO FACE

While in the flesh, the apostle Paul considered himself to be but perfect, "in part": --
perfect in heart, but not yet perfect as one who had finished his race, and not yet perfect in body.
But, we can see from the above verses that Paul knew he would be totally perfect -- as perfect as
all saints shall be eternally -- when he saw Christ "face to face"! -- that being the time when
everything "in part" shall be eternally done away. Thus, "The Perfect Day" is equivalent to, and
identical to, "The Day of the Lord" -- the time when the raptured saints of God shall see Jesus
"face to face"!

The wicked shall also see Jesus "face to face" on "The Perfect Day of the Lord" and cry
out: -- "HIDE US FROM THE FACE OF HIM that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of
the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:16).

"The Perfect Day" shall be the time when everyone comes "face to face" with Christ --
for better or for worse -- and the time when "that which is perfect HAS come" -- everything "in
part" then being forever "done away"!

* * *

B -- NO GROWING UNTO PERFECTION ON THE PERFECT DAY

"The Perfect Day" shall not be a thousand-year, long-drawn-out prolongation of Time,

during which suppressed evil in men's hearts shall continue to exist on earth, and during which,
for a millennium, God's grace shall gradually spread among earthlings. Instead, "The Perfect
Day" shall usher in the instantaneous destruction and end of all evil and the instantaneous
commencement of Christ's Eternal Messianic Kingdom.

Holiness Christians believe in instantaneous works of grace in this life: -- they believe in
"going on unto" the moment when Christian "perfection" is obtained instantaneously as the
second work of grace (Heb. 6:1) -- rather than foolishly trying to "grow" into perfection over a
long period of time. You can't "grow" a stump out of the ground, but you can "blow" it out
instantaneously with a stick of dynamite! And, Holiness Christians rightly teach that when Christ
told His disciples in Acts 1:8 -- "Ye shall receive power [dunamis, dynamite], after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you," he was promising an instantaneous eradication of the carnal nature
from the hearts of believers by the spiritual "dunamis" or "dynamite" of the Holy Ghost!

Is it not passing strange, then, that many of these same, Holiness Christians believe that
upon Christ's Return there shall be a thousand-year, gradual "growing unto the Perfect Day"?
and that Christ will take a millennium after His Return to finally "do away with that which is in
part"!? Spiritually, they believe in the instantaneous works of Christ, but Prophetically they
insist that he shall "grow things" toward "The Perfect Day" for a millennium before it finally
arrives!

Nay, dear hearts! While it is true that during Time "the path of the just is as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the Perfect Day" (Prov. 4:18) it is also true that WHEN
THAT PERFECT DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME, HE WILL INSTANTANEOUSLY
DO AWAY WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS IN PART!

Christ waits long before He does some things, but He warns all in 1 Samuel 3:2 --
"WHEN I BEGIN, I will also make AN END." And in Roman 9:28 we are warned that when
Jesus Returns, "He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work
will the Lord make upon the earth." EVERYTHING IN PART SHALL BE
INSTANTANEOUSLY DONE AWAY AT HIS RETURN!

Let us next look at some specific things which shall not be "in part" on "The Perfect
Day":

* * *

C -- NO IN-PART DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED ON THE PERFECT DAY

On The Perfect Day, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall
GATHER OUT of his kingdom ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, and them which do iniquity"
(Matthew 13:41).

"That which is in part" having been eternally "done away" at Christ's Second Coming,
"all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn
them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch" (Mal. 4:1).

Away with this foolish notion that God is going to leave some of the wicked alive "when
the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ"!
St. Paul goes on to say that at this time the wicked ''shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when He shall come
to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thess. 1:7-10). There
is absolutely NOTHING here to indicate that any of the wicked will survive that outpouring of
Christ's Indignation at His Return!

Repeatedly in the Scriptures, we see the total destruction of the wicked directly
connected with the Second Coming of Christ! Jesus Himself said that His Return would be as it
was "in the days of Noe" and as it was "in the days of Lot" -- and in both instances total
destruction reigned down upon the wicked -- not partial destruction! -- the only ones escaping
that wrathful destruction being the few righteous, who typify the rapture of the redeemed.
* * *

D -- NO IN-PART RESURRECTION OR CHANGES ON THE PERFECT DAY

"Marvel not at this: for THE HOUR is coming, IN THE WHICH ALL THAT ARE IN
THE GRAVES shall hear his voice, and SHALL COME FORTH; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation"
(John 5:28-29).

Did you read that? A perfect, total resurrection of ALL -- that's A-double-L -- ALL of
the dead shall occur in one short "hour" -- no part of that General Resurrection being separated
from the other by one thousand years! The plain statement of Jesus on this MUST dictate how
Revelation 20 is interpreted, not vice versa, for "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy"
(Revelation 19:10).

Furthermore, beyond the fact that all of the righteous shall be first resurrected and/or
changed and raptured with eternally perfect, glorified bodies, at Christ's Return -- all of the
wicked shall next (in very short order) be slain, then resurrected and changed into their eternal,
damnation bodies. This fact is bolstered by St. Paul's statement in 1 Cor. 15:50 -- "flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Cor.
15:50). Period, end of statement! All shall be resurrected and changed -- instantaneously -- in
one "hour" at Christ's Second Advent.

* * *

E -- NO IN-PART-JEWISH, IN-PART-GENTILE, KINGDOM ON THE PERFECT DAY

All of the above renders it impossible that there could be a partially Jewish, partially
Gentile, Millennial Kingdom after Christ's Return.

Acts 14:4 speaks of an occasion when "the multitude of the city was divided: and PART
HELD WITH THE JEWS, and PART WITH THE APOSTLES."

And, according to the unscriptural teaching of Premillennialists, during a supposed

thousand-year addition of Time beyond Jesus' Second Coming He will reign over a Messianic
Kingdom made up partly of flesh and blood Jews and partly of glorified Christian Saints!

Such a concept is not only utterly ridiculous! -- it is an absolute contradiction of the plain
statement in God's Word which declares: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond
nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). And
again, Ephesians 2:14 declares that "the middle wall of partition" between Jewish and Gentile
servants of Christ has been "broken down"!

The insistence upon a literal and post-Second-Advent interpretation of the thousand years
in Revelation 20 by Premillennialists has led them into many contradictions of very, very clear
truths in the Bible -- one those truths being that NO PARTITION EXISTS NOW, NOR EVER
SHALL, BETWEEN JEWS AND GENTILES IN CHRIST!

The final remnant of the Jews shall be saved just before the Lord's Return, and they will
be "caught up together with" all of the rest of Christ's Church "to meet the Lord in the air" (1
Thess. 4:17) -- at His Revelation.

The notion that THERE SHALL, IN EFFECT, BE A PARTITION in a supposed, coming

millennium which shall SEPARATE FLESH AND BLOOD JEWS AND OTHERS ON EARTH
from GLORIFIED SAINTS ON EARTH is more than preposterous -- it is tee-totally unBiblical!
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that flesh and blood beings shall co-exist in Christ's Messianic
Kingdom with glorified beings! -- the former "partitioned" as it were apart from the latter by the
great difference in their bodily substance! -- the former being not yet "perfected" and the latter
already "perfected"!

In Galatians 2:18, the apostle Paul wrote: "For if I build again the things which I
destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." And I assert that when Premillennialists "build again"
a partition between Flesh And Blood Israel -- and -- Spiritual Israel, they may not be
transgressors in so doing, but they are in great error! GOD HAS ONLY ONE PEOPLE --
Spiritual Israel. A final remnant of the Jews shall be saved and brought into Spiritual Israel just
before the Last Trump sounds -- but after Jesus Comes Again, there shall not be an Earthly Israel
and a Glorified Israel -- separated by a partition dividing a supposed flesh and blood People of
God -- from -- the Glorified People of God!

In Heb. 11:13, 39-40 we read of how the Old Testament Saints shall be made perfect with
the New Testament Saints: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they
were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.. And these all, having obtained a good report through
faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, THAT THEY
WITHOUT US SHOULD NOT BE MADE PERFECT."

None of God's Saints shall be "made perfect" (i. e., receive their glorified bodies)
"WITHOUT" ALL OTHERS BEING "MADE PERFECT" WITH THEM. It is a totally
unScriptural notion that some flesh and blood people will live on after Christ's Return and be
"made perfect" at some later time.

It is at the time of Jesus' Second Advent that all of God's people shall have come "in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13), and it is at that Second Coming -- not later --
that the assembled universe shall see God's saints, "every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col.
1:28).

And, it is at Christ's Return -- not one thousand years later -- that ALL of God's saints
shall come "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,
and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb. 12:23).
* * *

F -- NO IN-PART JUDGMENTS ON THE PERFECT DAY

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then
shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered ALL NATIONS: and
he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats"
(Matthew 25:31-32).

"Go ye therefore, and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19).

Premillennialists teach that the "all nations" in Matthew 25:21-32 above tells of a
supposed "Judgment of Nations" at Christ's Second Coming that it is NOT a judgment of
individuals. But, such an interpretation does not square with the rest of the Bible, nor even with
Matthew 28:19 where Jesus, in His Great Commission, commanded Christians to "Go.. and teach
ALL NATIONS" -- the "all nations" here obviously meaning "all individuals".

But the "ALL NATIONS" in BOTH scriptures means "ALL INDIVIDUALS"! Yes, the
saints will be judged first, but they will be judged at the same Judgment during which the wicked
shall next be judged -- all of the wicked then going "away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal" (Matthew 25:46).

THE JUDGMENT -- is a singular event at which "all nations" -- i. e., "all individuals"
shall be judged. What an awesome scene it shall be at the Judgment when God's angels shall
"come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just" (Matthew 13:49) -- after which the
saints will be judged for varying degrees of eternal reward in heaven and then next the wicked
shall be judged for varying degrees of eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. The Great White
Throne Judgment described in Revelation 20:11-15 is identical to The Judgment of Nations,
described Matthew 25:31-46 -- and that judgment shall occur "When the Son of man shall come
in his glory" -- not one thousand years thereafter.

"How shall God judge the world?" (Rom. 3:6) -- not "in parts" separated by one thousand
years, but "in whole" at the one General Judgment of All, at His Return on "The Perfect Day."

* * *

G -- NO IN-PART RESTORATION OF THE UNIVERSE ON THE PERFECT DAY

Christ shall remain in heaven until "The Perfect Day" -- when He shall return and
"Restitute" (i. e., Reconstitute, Restore) ALL THINGS -- not just some things: -- "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" (KJV Acts 3:21). "He must
remain in heaven until the time comes for God to RESTORE EVERYTHING, as he promised
long ago through his holy prophets" (NIV -- Acts 3:21).
 Christ makes it clear in Matthew 19:28 that His Messianic Reign shall occur "IN THE
REGENERATION when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory.." The Greek word
for "regeneration" here is "paliggenesia" and means the "anew-genesis".

If Christ created the heavens and earth in six days, why should we suppose He will take a
thousand years to "make all things new" after His Return? If when He created the universe "He
spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast" (Psalm 33:9), why should we believe
He shall make some things partially new at His Return and then finish the job one thousand
years later?

The obvious answer to both questions is: -- WE SHOULDN'T!

"The Perfect Day" of the Lord "will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also
and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10). Regarding this earth and heaven,
Revelation 20:11 says that "there was found no place for them" before Him that sat on the
Throne.

On "The Perfect Day," suddenly, the present universe shall be destroyed, and just as
suddenly He who said, "Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21:5) shall bring forth, at once, the
"New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:13).

When He Who is absolutely Perfect is COME AGAIN, then everything "which is perfect
shall come" with Him, and "THAT WHICH IS IN PART SHALL BE DONE AWAY" --
promptly, totally, and eternally! Selah.

* * * * * * *

48 -- CLIMACTIC EVENTS -- AT CHRIST'S RETURN -- NOT 1,000 YEARS LATER

CONTENTS

Introduction

A -- All Of The Dead Shall Be Resurrected At Christ's Return

B -- All Shall Be Judged At Christ's Return
C -- The Harvest And Separation Of All Shall Occur At Christ's Return
D -- All The Righteous Saved, All The Wicked Destroyed, At Christ's Return
E -- Old Things Shall Pass Away, All Things Be Made New, At Christ's Return

* * *

INTRODUCTION

This article contains numerous scriptures relative to things which shall occur when Jesus
Comes again -- showing that they shall happen then, and not 1,000 years later. At the end of each
scripture reference I have appended a "Notice Here" with my own comments and observations.
The article is not one that you will be able to breeze or browse through quickly without much
thought and consideration, if you want to learn what I have to say on the subject. For that
purpose, I suggest that it be read and digested with some slow and deliberate study when the
reader has time for such. I pray that it will be a source of enlightenment on the subject and
blessing to all who take time to absorb and weigh what I have herein set forth.

* * *

A -- ALL OF THE DEAD SHALL BE RESURRECTED AT CHRIST'S RETURN

SEEN IN ISAIAH 26:20-21 -- "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut
thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their
iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." Notice Here:
-- When God's People are raptured into their "secret chambers" it is then that "the earth.. shall no
more cover her slain"! Thus, the resurrection of the wicked is shown to follow immediately after
the resurrection of the righteous -- not one thousand years later.

SEEN IN MATTHEW 26:64 -- "Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say
unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in
the clouds of heaven." Notice Here: -- Jesus was speaking to the wicked Caiaphas. If he were to
be resurrected among the wicked dead one thousand years after Christ's Return, it would be
utterly impossible for him to see Christ coming in the clouds at His Second Coming! -- unless we
interpret that all of the dead will see Christ Coming though not yet reunited with their bodies --
something that I seriously doubt.

SEEN IN JOHN 5:28-29 -- "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto
the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." Notice
Here: -- Jesus said that in the same "hour.. all that are in the graves.. shall come forth" -- all of
the righteous "unto the resurrection of life" and all of the evil-doers "unto the resurrection of
damnation"! Nothing could be plainer than Jesus statement in these verses, and were there no
other scriptures in the Bible to verify it, these verses alone should convince the reader that there
will be one "hour" (not one millennium) in which "all" of the dead shall be resurrected!

SEEN IN REVELATION 11:18 -- "... Thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast
reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they
should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the
saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy
the earth." Notice Here: -- The time at which Christ takes unto Himself his "Great Power"
(obviously at His Second Coming) is "the time of the dead" -- i. e., the time at which all of the
dead shall be raised, and judged -- which takes me to my second point:

* * *
B -- ALL SHALL BE JUDGED AT CHRIST'S RETURN

SEEN IN 1 Chronicles 16:33 -- "Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence
of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth." SEEN IN PSALM 96:12-13 -- "Let the field
be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: for
he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the
people with his truth. SEEN IN PSALM 98:8-9 "Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be
joyful together Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he
judge the world, and the people with equity." Notice Here: -- These O.T. verses speak of Christ's
Second Coming, which shall be "to judge the earth" -- not to save it. In John 12:47, Jesus said
regarding His First Coming: "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." Regarding
the nature of His Second Coming, He could reverse that statement: -- "I came not to save the
world, but to judge the world."

SEEN IN MATTHEW 16:27 -- "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father
with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Notice Here: -- It is
when the Son of Man comes in His glory that he shall "reward every man according to his
works" -- not one thousand years after He comes in His glory!

SEEN IN MATTHEW 25:31-46 -- "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all
the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be
gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his
sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then
shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... Then shall he say also unto them
on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his
angels.. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal"
(Verses 31-34, 41, 46). Notice Here Again: -- "When the Son of man shall come in His glory" it
is then that all of the sheep will be divided from all of the goats; and, it is then that the wicked
shall "go away into everlasting punishment" and the righteous "into eternal life" -- not one
thousand years after the Son of Man comes in His glory!

SEEN IN MATTHEW 25:14-30 -- "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into
a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods... After a long
time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them... And cast ye the unprofitable
servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Verses 14, 19, 30).
Notice Here: -- "After a long time" of being away from this world, "the Lord.. cometh" -- and it
is then, not one thousand years later -- that the righteous and the wicked shall be judged and the
wicked cast "into outer darkness"!

SEEN IN LUKE 19:11-27 -- "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having
received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had
given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading... And he saith
unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant... But those mine
enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me"
(Verses 15, 22, 27). Notice Here: -- It is when Christ returns, "having received the kingdom,"
that good servants will be judged commendable and receive their reward, while wicked servants
and all of the enemies of Christ shall be "slain" -- not one thousand years after Christ has
"returned"!

SEEN IN ACTS 17:31 -- "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge
the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance
unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (KJV) "Seeing that He has appointed a
day on which, before long, He will judge the world in righteousness, through the instrumentality
of a man whom He has pre-destined to this work, and has made the fact certain to every one by
raising Him from the dead." (WNT) Notice Here Again: -- The judgment of the whole world is
said to occur on an "appointed day" -- not during a supposed millennial day lasting one thousand
years. When the apostle Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:8-10 -- "Beloved, be not ignorant of this one
thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day," he
was warning folks that though Christ tarried long, "the Lord is not slack concerning his promise"
to Return, and that "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." He was not saying that
after Christ returns He will take one thousand years to complete the judgment of all. Many of
those who presume this to be so will be shocked to learn that Christ's Judgment of all will occur
promptly after his Return, "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because
a short work will the Lord make upon the earth" (Romans 9:28 ).

SEEN IN ROMANS 2:5 -- "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up
unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
Notice Here Again: -- The judgment is seen to occur on the "day" of Christ's "wrath and
revelation"! Judgment Day will be the day Christ is revealed -- not one thousand years later!

SEEN IN ROMANS 2:16 -- "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by
Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Notice Here Again: -- It is a "day" when God shall judge
all men -- not Christians at the beginning of a supposed millennium of Time after Christ's
Return, and the wicked at the close of that protracted millennium!

SEEN IN FIRST TIMOTHY 4:8 -- "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of

righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love his appearing." Notice Here: -- Judgment is directly connected
with Christ's "Appearing" -- and none should conclude from this verse that it is only "them that
love His appearing" that shall be judged at "His Appearing"! That is writing into this verse what
it does not teach. See the next item.

SEEN IN SECOND TIMOTHY 4:1 -- "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom." Notice
Here: -- All of "the quick" (those living when Christ Returns) along with all of "the dead" shall
be judged "at His Appearing" -- none of them one thousand years after His Appearing!

SEEN IN JAMES 5:8-9 -- "Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the
Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the
judge standeth before the door." Notice Here: -- "The Judge (Christ Jesus) standedth before the
door" as "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh"! And all "shall give account to Him that is ready
to judge the quick and the dead" (1 Peter 4:5) -- none of them one thousand years after "the
coming of the Lord."

SEEN IN JUDE 14-15 -- "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these,
saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all,
and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have
ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against
him." Notice Here: -- Jude says that "the Lord cometh.. to execute judgment upon all" -- and that
coming and that judgment are not separated by a one-thousand-year extension of Time for any!

SEEN IN REVELATION 19:11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and
make war." -- Notice Here: -- The time at which heaven is "opened" for Christ's Return, He shall
return, not just to make war, but to "judge" -- and that means everybody, and that means
promptly following the opening of heaven and His Return -- not over a mistakenly supposed,
long, drawn-out extension of Time following that triumphant and climactic Return of Christ!

SEEN IN REVELATION 22:12 -- "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Notice Here: -- Christ shall quickly
Return and quickly Reward "every man"! -- not reward Christians at His Second Coming and
reward the wicked one thousand years later. Such an interpretation, I assert, may seem to
concord with an hyperliteral interpretation of Revelation 20, but it completely contradicts
scripture after scripture after scripture that place The Judgment of All at the time of Christ's
Return.

* * *

C -- THE HARVEST AND SEPARATION OF ALL SHALL OCCUR AT CHRIST'S RETURN

SEEN IN MATTHEW 3:11-12 -- "... He that cometh.. Whose fan is in his hand, and He
will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff
with unquenchable fire." -- Notice Here: -- The coming of Christ is associated with the
"thorough purging of his floor" -- the gathering of Christ's People (the wheat) into His Heavenly
Garner, and the burning up of the wicked (the chaff) with "unquenchable fire". It is a mistake to
say that the purging connected with Christ's Second Coming shall be that which merely separates
true Christians from false, professed Christians. Job 21:17-18 says: -- "How oft is the candle of
the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in
his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away." In the
above verses, it was John the Baptist speaking at the time of Christ's First Coming, and perhaps
John expected this purging and separating to occur then. It didn't, but it shall occur at the time of
Jesus' Second Coming -- not over an extended period of one thousand years, but promptly at the
time when "He that shall come will come, and will not tarry" in doing the job! (Heb. 10:37).

SEEN IN MATTHEW 13:24-30; 36-43 -- "Let both grow together until the harvest: and
in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in
bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.. The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do
iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to
hear, let him hear" (Verses 30, 41-43). Notice Here: -- At the time Christ gathers His Children
(the wheat) to Himself and into the Heavenly Barn, then it is that the wicked (the tares) shall be
separated from them, bound in bundles and burned with everlasting destruction! -- not one
thousand years after the gathering of the wheat! It will not do to say that this is a judgment of
Christians only -- for if Premillennialists were correct in saying that the wicked shall not be
resurrected until one thousand years after Christ's return, then NONE of the wicked would be
resurrected then, including those who professed to be Christians! Whatever the primary
application of this parable is, it teaches us that upon Christ's Return, ALL wicked individuals
shall be "gathered out" of Christ's "kingdom"! He never has, and never shall, reign over such.

SEEN IN MATTHEW 13:47-50 -- "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that
was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore,
and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end
of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall
cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Notice Here: --
Again, those who insist that this separating of the good from the bad is limited to a judgment of
the Church are overlooking the fact that Christ is speaking of the casting of the "bad away" from
His Kingdom. This parable speaks of one time when both good and bad are gathered -- viz., at
the Resurrection of All -- and, Yes, it will be then that the bad are cast out of Christ's Kingdom --
but ALL of the bad will then be cast out of Christ's Kingdom -- forever! -- those who professed
Christianity, along with those who made no such profession! NO BAD individuals shall enter
Christ's Messianic Kingdom. Christians drawn to shore at the General Resurrection will be
gathered into their Heavenly and Eternal Vessels, and ALL OF THE BAD shall also be drawn
out of the grave at the same time -- including wicked, professed Christians, and then cast out of
Christ's Kingdom. Therefore there shall be no such thing as a millennial, mixed-multitude,
Messianic Kingdom for one thousand years after Christ's Return, containing both Good and Bad!

SEEN IN EPHESIANS 5:5-6 -- "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and
of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath
of God upon the children of disobedience." Notice Here: -- No whoremongers, no unclean
persons, no covetous nor idolatrous individuals shall have "ANY inheritance in the Kingdom of
Christ and of God"! At no time, at no place, and in no way, shall wicked people dwell in a
supposed Kingdom of Christ! Period! That completely destroys the notion that such individuals
shall dwell in a supposed Millennial Kingdom of Christ on this earth after His Return! Away
with this reflection upon the Purity of Christ and His Kingdom!!! It will not do to say that Christ
will suppress all such lusts and evils. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 -- "But I say unto you, That
whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his
heart." And of course He meant it both ways: "She that looketh upon a man (like Potiphar's wife
lusted after Joseph) hath already committed adultery with him in her heart." To suppose for one
moment that Christ will allow anyone, any time, anywhere to dwell in His Messianic Kingdom
with such evil in his or her heart, though suppressed, is more than a reflection on His Purity -- it
is a complete contradiction of His Word! -- (Comments on this are continued in the next two
items.)

SEEN IN 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10 -- "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit
the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards,
nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." -- and that means both those
who do such things, and those who have it in their heart to do them. Ibid. the above comments!

SEEN IN GALATIANS 5:21 "Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like:
of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Ibid. the above comments! What an horrendous slander it
is to the Holy Character of Christ to assert that those with evil in their hearts shall enter His
Messianic Kingdom -- "for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7) Christ will not have any in His
Messianic Kingdom with suppressed evil in their hearts for, He is "of purer eyes than to behold
evil, and canst not look on iniquity" (Hab 1:13) -- ether outwardly or inwardly in His Kingdom.
And, He shall not! -- It will all be separated from His Kingdom when He Returns!

SEEN IN REVELATION 14:14-20 -- "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon
the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a
sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat
on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest
of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth
was reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp
sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a
loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the
clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle
into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath
of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress,
even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." Notice Here:
-- One Return of Christ, the Heavenly Reaper -- but TWO REAPINGS, ONE RIGHT AFTER
THE OTHER! -- the First Reaping gathering in Christians (the harvest of the earth), followed
quickly by the Second Reaping gathering in the Wicked (the vine of the earth). They do greatly
err who suppose these reapings do not include ALL men. They DO! -- and the punishment
includes their being "trodden without the city" -- What City? Answer: "New Jerusalem" -- where
"without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and
whosoever loveth and maketh a lie" (Rev 22:15).

* * *

D -- ALL THE RIGHTEOUS SAVED, ALL THE WICKED DESTROYED, AT CHRIST'S

RETURN

SEEN IN ISAIAH 13:9 -- "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath
and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For
the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be
darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the
world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud
to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. Notice Here: -- This is a prophetic
picture of the chaos in the universe just before its final collapse -- at the time of Christ's Return --
at which time the wicked "shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of
the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thess 1:9). Matthew 24:29-31 shows us that this
collapse of the universe and everlasting destruction of the wicked shall occur immediately after
the Tribulation, and that it shall be then also that Christ's Elect shall be raptured to meet Him in
the air: -- "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the
moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens
shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all
the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and
they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

SEEN IN MALACHI 3:2; 4:1-3 "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who
shall stand when he appeareth?... For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all
the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn
them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you
that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go
forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be
ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts." Notice
Here: -- At Christ's Return, neither root nor branch shall be left of the wicked on "The Day of
His (Christ's) Coming." Therefore, no flesh and blood individuals shall live through the Second
Coming. The righteous dead will be resurrected into their glorified bodies, the righteous living
changed into their glorified bodies, the wicked living slain, and then all of the wicked dead
resurrected into their damnation bodies -- all of which leaves ZERO POSSIBILITY of the
supposed Millennial Reign on this earth, populated by flesh and blood people! -- to say nothing
of the fact that the Bible clearly tells us that "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God"
(1 Cor. 15:50).

SEEN IN MATTHEW 24:37-39 -- "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming
of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until
the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Notice
Here: -- Those lifted up with Noah in the Ark typify the Rapture of the Church at Christ's Return.
The entire earth drowned with water typifies the coming flood of fire at Christ's Second Coming
which shall completely slay all of the wicked -- leaving none alive, but those in the Ark! -- and,
once again, leaving no flesh and blood people to enter the supposed, earthly millennium after
Christ's Return and the Rapture of the Church!

SEEN IN LUKE 17:26-30 "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the
days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they
planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone
from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is
revealed." Notice Here: -- Ibid., the total destruction of all in Sodom and Gomorrah, only Lot
and his two daughters finally (sans his slain wife) who escaped. Nobody was left to repopulate
Sodom and Gomorrah, just as no flesh and blood people shall be left alive to enter a supposed
millennium after Christ's Second Advent.

SEEN IN 2 THESSALONIANS 1:7-10 -- And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the
glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all
them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." Notice Here: --
It is "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels" that
"everlasting destruction from His presence" of all of the wicked shall occur -- not one thousand
years later!

SEEN IN COLOSSIANS 3:4, 6 -- "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
ye also appear with him in glory.. the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience."
Notice Here: -- The Children of Christ appear with Him in glory, and The Wrath of God falls
upon "The Children of Disobedience." That wrath of God shall destroy the wicked living at His
Return. Then, after their prompt resurrection with all of the other wicked dead, "The same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his
indignation" in the Lake of Fire forever (Rev 14:10)!

* * *

E -- OLD THINGS SHALL PASS AWAY, ALL THINGS BE MADE NEW, AT CHRIST'S
RETURN

SEEN IN LUKE 21:27, 33 -- "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory.. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass
away." Here Notice: -- The Second Coming of Christ and the passing away of this heaven and
earth are part of the same chain of events that shall occur when it is time for the Restitution of all
Things, and the Regeneration.

SEEN IN 2 PETER 3:4, 10-13 -- "And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for
since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation...
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass
away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and
hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." -- Notice Here Again: -- "His
Coming" is seen directly connected with the passing away of "Old Things" and the "Making of
All Things New" at Christ's Second Coming.

SEEN IN HEBREWS 12:18, 22-29 -- "For ye are not come unto the mount that might be
touched... But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men
made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that
speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they
escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn
away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath
promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet
once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made,
that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which
cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and
godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire." -- Here Notice: -- The Old Matter "that might be
touched" is going to be "shaken" down and disappear at Christ's Return, to be replaced by "a
better and an enduring substance " (Heb. 10:34) -- one that is a spiritual substance that "cannot
be moved" forever, "world without end"! Do I hear someone saying, "Hallelujah!"?

SEEN IN DANIEL 7:25-27 -- "And he shall speak great words against the most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall
be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit,
and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the
kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given
to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all
dominions shall serve and obey him." -- Notice Here: -- At His Second Coming, Christ shall
destroy the kingdom of antiChrist -- and He shall begin THEN -- not one thousand years later --
to reign in His "everlasting Kingdom" with His saints -- in the ETERNAL REGENERATION!
And, it was this "everlasting Kingdom" which the apostle Peter foresaw as the next kingdom into
which Christ's Church shall enter at His Return: -- "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For
so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:10-11).

* * * * * * *

49 -- EARTHLY CANAAN -- A STRANGE COUNTRY TO ABRAHAM

8 By faith ABRAHAM, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he
SOJOURNED in the land of promise, as IN A STRANGE COUNTRY, dwelling in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10).
 Commenting on verses 9-10 above, Dr. Adam Clarke says: -- "It is remarkable that
Abraham did not acquire any right in Canaan, except that of a burying place; nor did he build
any house in it; his faith showed him that it was only a type and pledge of a better country, and
he kept that better country continually in view: he, with Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs of the
same promise, were contented to dwell in tents, without any fixed habitation. He knew that earth
could afford no permanent residence for an immortal mind, and he looked for that heavenly
building of which God is the architect and owner; in a word, he lost sight of earth, that he might
keep heaven in view. And all who are partakers of his faith possess the same spirit, walk by the
same rule, and mind the same thing."

Just before Stephen was martyred, he also mentioned that Abraham never received one
foot of land in earthly Canaan: "And He [God] gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much
as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his
seed after him, when as yet he had no child" (Acts 7:5 ).

ABRAHAM knew that he did not inherit Earthly Canaan. STEPHEN knew that. ADAM
CLARKE knew that.

However most in Earthly Israel did not recognize that. To the contrary, EARTHLY
ISRAEL thought that Abraham DID inherit earthly Canaan: -- "Son of man, they that inhabit
those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, ABRAHAM was one, and he INHERITED THE
LAND: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance" (Ezekiel 33:24).

Abraham saw something that most in earthly Israel have never seen: -- viz., EARTHLY
CANAAN IS ONLY THE FORESHADOW OF HEAVENLY CANAAN, THE INHERITANCE
OF GOD'S TRUE AND ONLY PEOPLE -- SPIRITUAL ISRAEL.

It seems ironic to me that both the present-day, earthly Israel and many present-day
Christians INSIST THAT GOD MUST FULFILL ALL OF THE UNFULFILLED PROMISES
TO EARTHLY ISRAEL IN THE EARTHLY CANAAN!

It is bad enough that flesh and blood Israel, nearly all of whom are spiritually blind,
should think this, but it is even worse when born-again Christians insist upon this-earthly
fulfillments in this-earthly Canaan, to this-earthly Israel!

Abraham saw that earthly Canaan was only a foreshadow, a type, a similitude, for the
true, Heavenly Canaan. Therefore, instead of looking for the fulfillment of God's promise to him
here, in this present, evil world, "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God."

THOSE OF EARTHLY ISRAEL ARE NOT THE CHILDREN OF GOD! -- "That is,
They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the
promise are counted for the seed" (Romans 9:8). "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).
 Commenting on Gal. 3:29, Dr. Adam Clarke says: "If ye have all received justification
through his blood, and the mind that was in him, then are ye Abraham's seed; ye are that real,
spiritual posterity of Abraham, that other seed, to whom the promises were made; and then heirs,
according to that promise, being fitted for the rest that remains for the people of God, that
heavenly inheritance which was typified by the earthly Canaan, even to the Jews."

Though they be real in material and bodily existence and substance, Earthly Canaan and
Earthly Israel, "serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things" (Heb. 8:5). And, it is
imperative to understand that, as such, the "shadow of good things to come" are NOT "the very
image of the things" themselves. (Heb 10:1)!

SHADOWS ARE ALWAYS BELOW "THE VERY IMAGE" ITSELF! Earthly Canaan
is the shadow below "The Very Image" of Heavenly Canaan above -- and God does not fulfill
His Heavenly Promises in the "shadows" below, but in the "realities" or "very images" above!

It is a pity that many, many Christians can see the spiritual salvation in the types and
shadows of the Old Testament -- only up to the point of the final fulfillments of prophecy to
Israel. At this point, they declare that once again, fulfillments must come in the earthly shadow
below, and not in the heavenly realities above!

No, God is NOT done with flesh and blood Israel. But, the final fulfillments to them
shall come only when, on the Day of the Lord, a final remnant of them is brought out of the
shadows into the spiritual reality of being part of the true, Spiritual "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16).

Earthly Canaan and Earthly Israel "are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of
Christ" (Col. 2:17). God is NOT going to fulfill his promises in the earthly shadows, but rather in
the HEAVENLY REALITIES THEMSELVES!

Abraham considered Earthly Canaan to be "A STRANGE COUNTRY" -- not the one in
which God would fulfill His promises to him. Stephen saw this before his martyrdom. Countless
numbers of discerning saints have also seen this down across the centuries.

I assert that YOU TOO should see this and cease "looking for a city that hath NOT
foundations, whose builder and maker is MEN" to be the capital city of Christ's Messianic
Kingdom.

Look away, dear heart, from the earthly, fleeting shadow of things to come, and look
above the shadow unto the real, eternal, realities of Heavenly things to come at Christ's Return!

Like the "stranger and pilgrim" that he was, Abraham could easily have joined in singing
the sentiments of the following song:

"This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
"They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know.
My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go.
I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and poor.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

"Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally.

The Saints on every hand are shouting victory.
Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Chorus
"O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

What an Extension of Time for a millennium shall not, and could not, fulfill, God shall
fulfill with the End of Time and the commencement of "the very image of good things to come"
in Eternity!

"For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on
the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding" (1 Chronicles 29:15).

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (Heb. 13:14 ) -- not "one
to come" on this earth, but "The Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of
heaven" (Rev. 21:2).

THIS is the city Abraham "looked for"! THIS ALSO, should be the city that you "look
for" when Jesus Returns -- for it is the only city "to come" when He begins His Messianic Reign.

* * * * * * *

50 -- THE COMING RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS

"He was RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark
16:19).

"And he shall send 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" (KJV --
Acts 3:20-21).

"HE MUST REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL THE TIME COMES FOR GOD TO
RESTORE EVERYTHING, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (NIV -- Acts
3:21).
* * *

CONTENTS

A -- Why The Restitution Is Necessary

B -- What The Restitution Is
C -- When The Restitution Shall Occur
D -- How Rapidly The Restitution Shall Occur
E -- The Restitution's Purity, Stability, and Eternity

* * *

A -- WHY THE RESTITUTION IS NECESSARY

Throughout the Word of God we see that things, as they are now constituted, in this
world and this universe are warped -- and not as they should be. Psalm 82:5 declares that men
with sin-darkened hearts "know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness" and
"ALL THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH ARE OUT OF COURSE."

Satan is primarily responsible for the warped state of things in the material universe and
in this present evil world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 identifies Satan as "the god of this world," and thrice
Jesus called him "the prince of this world" -- John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11. And Ephesians 2:2 labels
Satan as "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience."

Just precisely what the condition of the world was before Fallen Lucifer was cast out of
heaven down to the earth, we are not told. However, it is clear that when Satan was cast from
heaven, he landed on earth: In Luke 10:18 Jesus said, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
heaven." And Rev. 12:4 says that "his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast
them to the earth.."

The material universe and the world may still have been in their pristine perfection,
beauty, and order, even after Satan was cast down from heaven to the earth. But, after the
creation of our first parents, Fallen Lucifer and the many fallen angels cast down with him,
determined to bring about the Fall of Adam and Eve -- whom God had placed in the idyllic
beauty of the Garden of Eden.

In Ezekiel 28:13-15 we read of Satan: -- "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God;
every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx,
and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy
tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the
anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God;
thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways
from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
 God created Lucifer as the most beautiful of all of his angels, and even in his fallen state
he could "turn on the charm"! 2 Corinthians 11:3 says that he "beguiled Eve through his
subtilty"! "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to
the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and
gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Gen. 3:6).

Thus, Fallen Lucifer successfully produced Fallen Man! -- and the result was God's
curse: -- "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in
sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule
over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and
hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the
ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles
shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt
thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art,
and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:16-19).

Though the fall and casting down of Lucifer and his imps to earth put evil inhabitants and
powers into the material Creation it was evidently the Fall of Man that necessitated the Creator's
curse upon it all. After Man's Fall, the entire creation was thrown out of kilter into a state of
discord, decay, and eventual destruction -- including guilty mankind, along with the innocent
animals, plants, and elements. The hearts of men were warped and depraved. The plant kingdom
began to produce noxious weeds, thistles, and thorns. Ferocity and a wild-brute nature turned the
formerly docile animals into fearful beasts. And, things went "out of whack" in the elements of
our universe, shifting the stars and planets "out of" their original, orderly arrangement and
"course" into a "collision course" which shall finally result in cosmic chaos and the collapse and
dissolution of the entire material creation on The Day of the Lord.

Concerning the present state of things in this world and universe, Romans 8:22 tells us
that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." And, as they are
now constituted, Jesus said, "Heaven and Earth shall pass away" (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31;
Luke 21:33).

Isaiah 24:19-20 pictures the death-throes of the earth, just before the entire universe
expires: -- "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved
exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage;
and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again."

The apostle Peter makes it clear that the approaching dissolution shall include both the
earth and the heavens -- the entire universe: -- "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in
the night; in the which THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY WITH A GREAT NOISE, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, THE EARTH ALSO and the works that are therein
shall be burned up... Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein THE
HEAVENS BEING ON FIRE SHALL BE DISSOLVED, and the elements shall melt with
fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:10, 12).
 Hebrews 12:26-29 also makes it clear that the coming dissolution shall be universal: --
"Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake
NOT THE EARTH ONLY, BUT ALSO HEAVEN. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the
removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which
cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us
have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God
is a consuming fire."

And, Isaiah 24:20 makes it clear that the coming collapse of creation, as it is now
constituted, will be final and eternal. As it now exists, "it shall fall, and not rise again"!

However, while sin, God's curse, and the resultant discord throughout the universe, are
part of the reason why "The Restitution of All Things" is necessary, they are not the entire
reason.

Another reason why the coming "Restitution of all Things" must occur is that God never
has intended that His Creation be annihilated. Psalm 102:26 tells us that the present heaven and
earth "shall perish" but before the end of the verse we can see that this "perishing" as they now
exist does not mean their annihilation, for the end of the verse says, "as a vesture shalt thou
change them, and they shall be changed" -- and this same truth is repeated in Hebrews 1:11-12

Psalm 104:5 tells us that God "laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be
removed for ever." And Ecclesiastes 1:4 says, "One generation passeth away, and another
generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever." And Psalm 72:7 says that in Christ's "days
shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." Finally,
Psalm 37:29 says: "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever."

The earth and heavens, along with everyone and everything therein shall perish as they
now exist -- not into annihilation, but -- into a changed and eternal state of existence.

For the Christian, that "change" shall be not only ETERNAL, but SUPERNAL (viz.,
HEAVENLY) in its peace and joy. Anticipating this, the apostle John wrote: -- "The world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John
2:17). And the apostle Paul described the saints' coming bliss this way: -- "For we know that if
our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1).

* * *

B -- WHAT THE RESTITUTION IS

Thus, though the present heavens and earth shall pass away, there is coming a
"Restitution of all Things" following their apocalyptic demise. But, it is important to understand
"What The Restitution Is."
 The Greek word for "restitution" in Acts 3:21 is "apokatastasis" -- and from the meaning
of the Greek word it could just as accurately have been translated "reconstitution": -- "Whom the
heaven must receive until the times of RECONSTITUTION of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

Again, the NIV translated it: -- "He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God
to RESTORE everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (NIV -- Acts
3:21).

THE RESTITUTION DEFINED: -- It is that time, following the dissolution of the

present Creation, when Christ shall RECONSTITUTE all things which were destroyed in the
universal dissolution and the time when Christ shall RESTORE all things back into their purged,
pure, and eternal state under Himself -- and completely void of all devils, all sinners, and all sin.

"The Restitution of All Things" is NOT a temporary, 1,000-Year, partial patch-up of the
world and universe as they now exist -- it is their complete and eternal "Reconstitution" and
"Restoration"!

Further, "THE RESTITUTION of All Things" shall usher in "THE REGENERATION"

spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 19:28 -- "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That
ye which have followed me, IN THE REGENERATION when the Son of man shall sit in the
throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

The word "regeneration" used in Matt. 19:28 is "paliggenesia," and according Strong's
Concordance it means: "rebirth (the state or the act), i.e.(fig.) spiritual renovation; spec.
Messianic restoration:--regeneration." It is a compound of "palin," which can be interpreted
"anew" or "once more" and "genesis". (See Strong's Greek Dictionary #3824, #3825, #1078)

Jesus' Messianic Reign shall occur IN THE REGENERATION -- the "anew genesis"
which results from His RESTITUTION (or Reconstitution and Restoration) OF ALL THINGS --
FOREVER!
Devils will be gone, sinners will be gone, sin will be gone, death and pain will be gone, and in
the New Heavens and New Earth brought into existence through the "Restitution" and
Regeneration" no one and no thing will be there that is not perfectly and eternally holy. All
matter shall have been transformed into a "better and more enduring substance" (Heb. 10:34) --
indeed it will be changed into an Eternal Substance. And, in that blissful New Heaven and New
Earth "the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious
liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:21) -- all animals that are now mortal and ferocious
will be transformed into eternal and docile creatures.

IN SUMMATION ABOUT WHAT "THE RESTITUTION IS": -- It is that

"Reconstitution" and "Restoration" of all things by Christ into the "NEW HEAVENS AND
NEW EARTH" spoken of in the following verses:

Isaiah 65:17 -- "For, behold, I create NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH: and the
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind."
 Isaiah 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.

2 Peter 3:10-13 -- "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which
the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the
earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that ALL THESE
THINGS SHALL BE DISSOLVED, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
NEVERTHELESS WE, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE, LOOK FOR NEW HEAVENS
AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS.

* * *

C -- WHEN THE RESTITUTION SHALL OCCUR

(1) -- "The Restitution Of All Things" Shall Not Occur Until Christ Leaves Heaven:

"He WAS RECEIVED UP into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19).
There Christ has remained for nearly 2,000 years -- and He must remain in Heaven UNTIL He
comes again to Reconstitute and Restore all things and reign in the Regenerated, New Heavens
and New Earth:

"And he shall send 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" (KJV --
Acts 3:20-21).

"HE MUST REMAIN IN HEAVEN UNTIL THE TIME COMES FOR GOD TO
RESTORE EVERYTHING, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (NIV -- Acts
3:21).

(2) -- The Restitution Of All Things Shall Occur WHEN Christ Returns! -- Not 1000
Years Later! -- The "UNTIL" in Acts 3:21 tells us that "WHEN" Jesus Returns He shall
immediately destroy the heavens and earth as they now exist along with the wicked, and then
"Reconstitute" and "Restore" all things into their "New Heavens and New Earth" state.

Further, Matthew 24:29-30 shows us that the dissolution of the present heavens and earth
shall occur immediately after the Tribulation -- not 1000 years later -- "Immediately AFTER
THE TRIBULATION of those days SHALL THE SUN BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON
SHALL NOT GIVE HER LIGHT, AND THE STARS SHALL FALL FROM HEAVEN, and the
powers of the heavens shall be shaken: AND THEN SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE
SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, AND THEY
SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING] in the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory."
 Right AFTER the Tribulation, but right BEFORE the Indignation which shall destroy the
wicked and the universe, the saints shall be raptured. Then, following rapidly after that Rapture
and "Manifestation of the Sons of God" with Christ in the sky, the entire Creation will be
"Restituted" (Reconstituted) into the New Heavens and New Earth: -- Romans 8:19-21 -- "For
the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF
GOD. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope, Because THE CREATURE ITSELF ALSO SHALL BE
DELIVERED FROM THE BONDAGE OF CORRUPTION into the glorious liberty of the
children of God."

Every scripture related to the subject shows us that "UNTIL" Christ leaves Heaven, "The
Restitution of All Things" shall not occur -- but IMMEDIATELY AFTER He leaves Heaven it
SHALL OCCUR!

* * *

D -- HOW RAPIDLY THE RESTITUTION SHALL OCCUR

Furthermore, who can show that this complete "restitution-reconstitution" of all things
shall transpire over a 1000 year period of time! If Christ created the entire universe in 6 days, do
you think he is going to take 1000 years to recreate it!? Don't you believe in "instantaneous"
works of grace? God does not need, nor will he take, 1000 years to "make all things new"! He of
Whom it is said concerning the present creation, "he spake, and it was done" (Psa. 33:9), is going
to "make all things new" with the same instantaneousness he uses to spiritually create new
creatures in Christ Jesus! In the twinkling of an eye at His Return, "the heavens shall pass away
with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that
are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10). And then, "POOF," all things shall be "made new"
in that same twinkling of an eye. In fact, long ago, both the Lake of Fire and the Holy City were
created by the One who has "prepared a place" for both the evil and the righteous. At His return,
in quite short order all shall be reconstituted -- the General Judgment shall take place, and all
shall be set in order -- all evil beings and things being separated from God into the Lake of Fire
forever, and all righteous beings and things being brought into His Presence forever with a
newness that shall never wax old.

I see nothing in the Bible, rightly interpreted, supporting the idea that following Christ's
Return, things are going to drag on for 1000 years in a protracted, half-way, patched up state
prior to the complete "restitution-reconstitution" of all things! Nay, Paul said in Romans 9:28
"For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because A SHORT WORK WILL
THE LORD MAKE UPON THE EARTH." -- MUCH, MUCH SHORTER, I ASSERT, THAN
PREMILLENNIALISTS IMAGINE!

Premillennialists teach that "all things shall be made new" AFTER the millennium. They
are right! -- but, since Christ shall remain in heaven until the time when all things are made new,
then obviously, we must interpret that the millennium shall have taken place BEFORE Christ
Returns. In hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom," I have gone into detail to show how
that the 1000 years of Revelation 20 can be scripturally interpreted as synonymous with that
long, indefinite-in-length, period of time known as The Church Age, which ENDS at the Return
of Christ. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the
Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Corinthians 15:24)
-- the restitution and reconstitution of all things having been accomplished.

* * *

E -- THE RESTITUTION'S PURITY, STABILITY, AND ETERNITY

1 Chronicles 16:29-33 -- "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an
offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Fear before
him, all the earth: THE WORLD ALSO SHALL BE STABLE, THAT IT BE NOT MOVED. Let
the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord
reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of THE LORD, because he COMETH
TO JUDGE THE EARTH.

It is "the beauty of holiness" that shall shine forth after "The Restitution of All Things"
and their "Regeneration" into the "New Heavens and New Earth wherein dwelleth
righteousness." All evil and all evil-doers shall have been forever purged from "The
Regeneration" in which Christ shall reign with His Holy Angels and His Holy People in His
Holy City, New Jerusalem!

When Christ sits upon His Messianic Throne, He shall not be reigning over any
suppressed men or devils that will rise up and rebel against Him -- for all such shall have been
forever cast into the Lake of Fire BEFORE He commences that Messianic reign. They do greatly
err who suppose that Christ shall rule over such, only to have them rise up in terrible rebellion
against Him 1,000 years after He began His Messianic Reign! CHRIST NEVER HAS reigned
over a "mixt multitude that.. fell a lusting" (Numbers 11:4), and -- HE NEVER SHALL!!!

Following "The Restitution of All Things" and "The Regeneration" the NEW HEAVENS
AND NEW "WORLD SHALL BE STABLE, THAT [THEY] BE NOT MOVED" -- FOREVER!

Dear Child of God, THIS is what shall occur directly after Christ's Return -- NOT the
paltry, thousand-year-long, mixt-multitude, Mundane-Messianic Reign taught by many
well-intentioned, but mistaken, Premillennialists!

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were
passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a
great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell
with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. And he said unto
me, Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Rev. 21:1-5).

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be NO END, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from
henceforth even FOR EVER. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform THIS" (Isaiah 9:7).

"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be
NO END" (Luke 1:33).

* * * * * * *

51 -- WHERE THE SAINTS' AFFECTION IS SET -- AND WHY

"If ye then be risen with Christ, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT
ON THINGS ON THE EARTH" (Colossians 3:1-2).

Beyond the many, many Scriptural proofs that there shall be no Mundane Messianic
Kingdom after Christ's Return is the fact that THE AFFECTION OF THE SAINTS IS SET
UPON HEAVEN -- AND NOT UPON ANOTHER SUPPOSED, EARTHLY KINGDOM
existing for a thousand-year extension of time after the Second Coming.

Why is this the case?

It is not merely because God's Word COMMANDS that Christians "seek those things
which are above" -- nor because God's People are duty-bound to "set their affection on things
above" and "not on things on the earth." It is, rather, BECAUSE IN THEIR HEART OF
HEARTS CHRISTIANS REALLY BELIEVE THAT HEAVEN SHALL BE THEIR NEXT
HOME. This Heavenly Hope has been instinctively instilled in their hearts when they were born
again -- and especially after they were sanctified wholly.

The deepest desire and expectation of the saint of God is expressed thus by the apostle
Paul: -- "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me UNTO HIS
HEAVENLY KINGDOM: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Tim. 4:18). And,
when anticipating what shall come next, the saint's heart skips clear beyond the supposed
millennium in Time and leaps directly into the Heavenly and Eternal Kingdom of Christ!

Again, Why is this so? -- BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE SAINTS SHALL NEXT
RESIDE, AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE TIME AND NO MORE EARTH, BUT THE
NEW EARTH, AFTER JESUS COMES AGAIN!

Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO" (John 14:3).
 And WHERE IS JESUS NOW? -- Answer: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD"
(Colossians 3:1).

Christ ascended into Heaven, and sits "on the right hand of God," and what He was
saying to the disciples was: -- "I will come again and receive you unto Myself, THAT WHERE I
AM (IN HEAVEN) THERE (IN HEAVEN) YE MAY BE ALSO."

He was NOT saying: "that where I am REIGNING ON A PARTIALLY AND

TEMPORARILY, PATCHED-UP EARTH FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, THERE YE MAY
BE ALSO.

Nor was He saying: "that where I am, reigning part of the time in the New Jerusalem and
part of the time in the patched-up earth, there ye may be also for a thousand years!

Dear Heart, can you not see that the insistence upon an hyperliteral interpretation of
Revelation 20 injects into the picture of "things to come" that which both contradicts the Bible
and that which the hearts of the saints instinctively omit as non-existent? On the other hand,
when the proper spiritual, figurative, and sequential interpretation is given to Revelation 20 --
one which correctly eliminates further Time after Christ's Return -- then this chapter harmonizes
both with the rest of Bible Eschatology and with what the saints inwardly expect and know shall
be their next residence -- The Eternal, Heavenly Kingdom of Christ.

It is not WRONG to thus interpret Revelation 20 -- it is WRONG NOT TO SO

INTERPRET IT!

Acts 7:5 tells us that God "gave [Abraham] none inheritance in [earthly Canaan], no, not
so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and
to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."

Did Abraham expect God to fulfill His promise by settling him in earthly Canaan during
the supposed Millennium? NAY!

"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in

tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For HE LOOKED
FOR A CITY WHICH HATH FOUNDATIONS, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews
11:9-10).

Abraham finally understood that the Canaan God was going to give him was The
Heavenly Canaan -- and that he would dwell in The New Jerusalem, in the New Heavens, and in
the New Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness!

Why is it, then, that so many sincere, but mistaken, Premillennialists expect something
short of that first? Abraham's heart leaped clear beyond "things on the earth" and both his faith
and his expectation was for "things above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."
 Shall God disappoint Abraham, by placing him back upon a patched-up, earthly
Canaan?!

Nay! NEVER IN A THOUSAND YEARS -- Nay! NEVER, FOREVER! -- Abraham's

expectation shall be fulfilled only, and forever, in the New Heavens, in the New Jerusalem, and
in the New Earth.

And this also shall be the only, the next, and the eternal, dwelling place of all those "who
also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham" (Romans 4:12).

And what about all of the Old Testament Saints who "all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced
them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13)?

Did they anticipate again being "on the earth" in the supposed Millennial Kingdom?

Nay! -- "For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly,
if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had
opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a City"
(Hebrews 11:14-15).

The "country from which they came out" was "this present evil world" -- and they had no
desire to return to such, even in a temporarily, patched-up state for a thousand years.

They desire "a better country, that is, an "heavenly" country! -- AND THAT, DEAR
HEART, IS THE NEXT, AND ONLY, COUNTRY GOD SHALL GIVE THEM -- AND YOU
TOO, IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST.

Philippians 3:20 in the KJV says: "Our CONVERSATION is in heaven." The ASV
renders it, "Our CITIZENSHIP is in heaven." And Weymouth's renders it: "Our CITIZENSHIP
is in the heavens."

Shall the glorified saint of God, whose citizenship is in Heaven, emulate the prodigal of
Luke 15:15 who "joined himself to a citizen of that country" away from his homeland? Shall the
citizens of Heaven, including Christ Himself, ever visit and intermingle with the citizens of this
earth?

I trow not! After Christ's Return, Heavenly Citizens will never stray from the Heavenly
Kingdom, and shall never again have anything to do with this present world -- in any way, shape,
form, or time!

There shall be no supposed, Millennial Kingdom on this earth, for "the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and
the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be
burned up." This very moment, we should be "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the
day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat" -- while at the same time looking "for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness" (2 Peter 3:10, 12-13).

When God, through the prophet Isaiah wrote: -- "I create new heavens and a new earth:
and THE FORMER SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED, NOR COME INTO MIND" (Isaiah
65:17 ), I believe He was stating a condition of mind that occurs, even now in His People: --
When the saints anticipate their future (even if they are Premillennialists), they forget all about
anything further to do with this world -- and, as they are about to pass away, not one thought
"comes to mind" about the supposed Millennium! -- their entire focus is on ETERNITY, AND
HEAVEN! This, and this alone, is both the object of their affection and their joyous anticipation!

Saint of God, your affection, and your earnest expectation is no doubt expressed in the
words of the following song. Your HEART tells you that HEAVEN IS NEXT -- and not another
thousand-year extension of Time. Your heart is right! -- for, your heart is telling you what the
Holy Spirit within you is saying.

"I'm kind of homesick for a country,

To which I've never been before;
No sad good-byes will there be spoken,
For Time won't matter any more.

"Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,

And some day on thee I'll stand;
There my Home shall be ETERNAL,
BEULAH LAND, SWEET BEULAH LAND.

"I'm looking now across the river,

To where my faith shall end in sight!
There's just a few more days here to labor,
Then I will take my Heavenly flight!

"Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,

And some day on thee I'll stand;
There my Home shall be ETERNAL,
BEULAH LAND, SWEET BEULAH LAND."

* * * * * * *

52 -- THE THIRD DAY THE LORD WILL COME -- (A Sermon Outline)

"And be ready against the third day: for THE THIRD DAY THE LORD WILL COME.."
(Exodus 19:11).

* * *
INTRODUCTION

While it is possible to write into isolated, or excerpted, portions of text that which God
never intended to convey, it is also true that sometimes tiny portions of Scripture do contain
MICROCOSMS of much larger and much greater truths. As in the above text, "The Third Day
The Lord Will Come" might well be a little CAMEO OF CHRIST'S SECOND COMING -- ON
THE THIRD DAY, prophetically speaking.

THE THREE DAYS ON GOD'S CALENDAR: -- "Jesus Christ the same YESTERDAY,
and TODAY, and FOREVER" (Heb. 13:8 ).

Eternity Past, and All Past Time = YESTERDAY -- DAY 1

This very day, this very hour, this very moment = TODAY -- DAY 2

Forever, after all time is gone = TOMORROW -- DAY 3

* * *

A -- YESTERDAY -- DAY 1

Yesterday cannot be shrugged off.

"God requireth that which is past" (Ecclesiastes 3:15).

The past -- the yesterday -- in every accountable soul's life must be dealt with. "God
requires that which is past" be either put under Christ's Blood, or punished under Christ's Wrath.

* * *

B -- TODAY -- DAY 2

The Day of Salvation: -- 2 Cor. 6:2 "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted,
and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now
is the day of salvation.)"

The Day of entire Sanctification: -- Heb. 3:7 "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,
TODAY if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works
forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their
heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into
my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in
departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called TODAY; lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, TODAY if
ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For some, when they had
heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he
grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Heb. 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, TODAY, after so long a time;
as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

* * *

C -- FOREVER -- TOMORROW -- DAY 3

TOMORROW -- "THE THIRD DAY THE LORD WILL COME"!

SANCTIFY YOURSELVES AGAINST THAT TOMORROW:

A. BY RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST: -- Nu. 11:17 "And I will come down
and talk with thee there: and I WILL TAKE OF THE SPIRIT which is upon thee, AND WILL
PUT IT UPON THEM; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it
not thyself alone."

B. BECAUSE WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD: --

Joshua 7:13 "Up, sanctify the people, and say, SANCTIFY YOURSELVES AGAINST TO
MORROW: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, THERE IS AN ACCURSED THING IN
THE MIDST OF THEE, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away
the accursed thing from among you."

C. BECAUSE TOMORROW ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE WILL PASS OVER

JORDAN INTO THE HEAVENLY CANAAN: -- Joshua 3:3 "And they commanded the people,
saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites
bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space
between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may
know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore. 5 And Joshua
said unto the people, SANCTIFY YOURSELVES: FOR TO MORROW THE LORD WILL DO
WONDERS AMONG YOU.

God did "wonders" in bringing Israel across Jordan into the Earthly Canaan. He
will do even greater wonders when He brings Spiritual Israel across the Jordan of Death into the
Heavenly Canaan.

* * *

EXHORTATION

"Be ready against the third day: for THE THIRD DAY THE LORD WILL COME.."
* * * * * * *

53 -- AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE
INTERPRETATION. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of
God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. " (2 Peter 1:19-21).

* * *

INTRODUCTION

It is not my intent to get into the precise meaning of "private interpretation" in the above
passage, but I shall use it once or more in this little article. My main thoughts shall center around
a single factor involved in prophetic interpretations -- one that should be honestly and seriously
considered by anyone who seeks to arrive at what he or she truly believes the Bible teaches on
Second Coming Prophecy.

You need not agree with any of my comments, but once again I shall not debate the
subject matter of this article with any. I do, however, invite ALL, whether they agree with me or
not, to read and consider what I shall present. And, I hope that it will cast more Light than Heat
on the matter in the minds of all who do read it. There are REASONS WHY we each interpret
Second Coming Prophecy as we do. This one factor that I shall discuss probably has more to do
with what most people believe regarding Second Coming Prophecy than does any other factor.

Without further exordium, I shall now present my subject:

* * *

HUMAN PREJUDICE IN PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION

Whether any of us wishes to admit it or not, it is likely that at some time, and to some
extent, we have interpreted Second Coming Prophecy with a bias toward one particular mode of
interpretation. We believe, or have believed, in that certain mode of prophetic interpretation,
very possibly because one of the following reasons: (a) Our Parents believed that way -- (b) Our
Denomination believed that way -- (c) Some Revered Christian Leader or Writer believed that
way -- or -- worst of all, (d) Because we are determined to place our own "private interpretation"
on Second Coming Prophecy, regardless of how much askew it is from squaring with the entire
Bible and a sound exegesis of God's Word. Probably some would say that Duane V. Maxey's
interpretations fit under point (d) above, but such has not been the case, and I assert that it has
been quite the contrary.

It is my belief that it is profitable to arrive at what one believes on this subject, but it is
also my belief that each of us should take heed lest we be so pig-headed on the subject as to
never, ever, consider what others have to say or think on the matter. I HAVE examined various
modes of interpretation -- as far back as around 1976 -- but more on this later in the article.

However, not being pig-headed about one's prophetic views does NOT mean the student
of prophecy MUST allow for, or engage in hostile, or heated debate with others on the subject.
As a matter of fact such exchanges often create more Heat than Light on the matter. It does mean
that an honest seeker for truth on the subject should study other modes of interpretation with an
open mind, being willing to change positions on one's interpretation of prophecy IF convinced
by the Word and God's Spirit that a differing view is the correct one. Again, this I have done, and
that -- years ago.

Probably FEW ever do approach the study of eschatology with a completely open mind,
and weigh the differing views of other honest, and fundamental Christian students of
eschatology. But, while doggedly adhering to one's prejudicial views, one may be RIGHT on the
interpretation, but VERY WRONG on the way in which that view was adopted.

The KJV rendering of 2 Peter 1:20 reads: -- "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any PRIVATE INTERPRETATION."

The Weymouth New Testament renders it: -- "But, above all, remember that no prophecy
in Scripture will be found to have COME FROM THE PROPHET'S OWN PROMPTING."

Present-day Scoffers of Bible-Believing Christians have often asserted that the entire
Word of God is a Book concocted by the imaginations and contrivings of men! But every
genuinely born-again Christian knows, beyond all doubt, that the Bible, en toto, "CAME NOT
IN OLD TIME BY THE WILL OF MAN: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by
the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 2:21 KJV). Weymouth put it thus: -- "For NEVER DID ANY
PROPHECY COME BY HUMAN WILL, but men sent by God spoke as they were impelled by
the Holy Spirit."

There is NO argument HERE among real Christians.

However, it is equally important to keep in mind that because Second Coming Prophecy
is part of the Plenary Inspiration of the Scriptures, WE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO CONCOCT
OUR OWN "INTERPRETATION" OF GOD'S WORD EITHER -- INCLUDING OUR OWN
INTERPRETATION OF SECOND COMING PROPHECY!

To repeat Weymouth's warning in 2 Peter 1:20 -- "ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER that NO

PROPHECY IN SCRIPTURE" CAME FROM "THE PROPHETS OWN PROMPTING," and
therefore, our own interpretation of that prophecy must not come from our "OWN
PROMPTING" -- from our own prejudice, whatever the source of that Human Prejudice. Apart
from all Human Prejudice, our interpretations should square with the Bible, as best we can
discern, and with what the Holy Spirit shows us is so -- as best we can discern.

Reader: -- Have you EVER laid aside what you have been taught was so on this subject,
and with an open mind sought to "know for yourself" what the Bible really says on the matter?
Or, have you believed as you now do because that's the way someone else taught you, or what
your denomination taught you, and that has been good enough for you?

In my own case, I was schooled in the Pre-Tribulational \ Premillennial mode of

interpreting Second Coming Prophecy -- and I both read after this line of interpretation and
taught it for nearly 15 years, and maybe longer. I was following my older brother, I. Parker
Maxey's line of interpretation in so doing -- I was following my Bible School training in so
doing; and, I was following my Denomination in so doing.

But I reached the point where I wanted to "learn for myself" what I "really" believed the
Bible taught -- regardless of what I had long been taught. Things about the Pre-Trib \ Pre-Mil
mode of interpretation kept bothering me.

So, laying aside the prejudices mentioned above, I embarked on an intensive, lengthy
study of the subject -- from the Bible. And, realizing that "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of
prophecy," I began to particularly study Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25. I honestly
felt that Jesus' very own chronology of Second Coming events had been set forth by Him in this
discourse in the exact order in which they shall occur, and that we must not rearrange that simple
outline given by Jesus.

When later study took me to the book of Revelation, I felt that THIS BOOK must be
interpreted chronologically in accordance with the straightforward chronology of Christ's Olivet
Discourse, and that the entire Book of Revelation must be interpreted thus -- rather than
rearranging the chronology of Jesus' Olivet Discourse to fit the chronology of Revelation as
interpreted by Pre-Tribulation \ Premillennial teachers.

Further, I felt that something was amiss with interpreting the four series of 7s in the Book
of Revelation as occurring one after the other. Instead, I saw harmony with The Olivet
Discourse when the 7th Church, 7th Seal, 7th Trumpet, and 7th Vial were interpreted as
occurring, virtually simultaneously -- at the End of the Tribulation and the Beginning of The Day
of the Lord.

We live in weeks of 7 days that follow one after the other thus: 1234567 -- 1234567 --
1234567 -- 1234567. Thus, it is quite natural for us to assume that the four series of 7s in
Revelation do likewise. I now began to think otherwise. I will try to create an arrangement below
that will demonstrate my interpretation. In print, the character schematic may appear much out of
alignment, but I hope that it will at least give the reader the gist of how I interpret these series of
7s.

1----2----3----4----5----6----7 -- Church
-----1---2---3---4---5---6----7 -- Seal
------------1--2--3--4--5--6--7 -- Trumpet
------------------------1234567 -- Vial

I interpreted the series all ending at one and the same, Grand Conclusion, but the
beginning of each succeeding series being closer to that Grand Finale. Could it be that my
interpretation of the series of 7s in Revelation was right? Was I the only one on the planet who
ever considered this? It took some library study to discover that I was not alone.

Following Biblical studies I visited the libraries of two theological seminaries in

Portland, Oregon, where I was then pastoring about 1975-76. Though perhaps both of
these seminaries taught the Pre-Trib \ Pre-Mil theory, I was happy to find a book in one of those
libraries wherein the author interpreted the series of Seals, Trumpets, and Vials quite exactly as I
had interpreted them before finding his book! This, of course, encouraged me to pursue my
studies even more.

For weeks I studied the subject intently. I visited and revisited one of those libraries
particularly. I bought a booklet that presented the various modes of interpreting Second Coming
Prophecy: -- Pre-Trib Rapture, Mid-Trib Rapture, Post-Trib Rapture, PreMillennial Advent,
Post-Millenial Advent, and Amillenial Advent.

I found that my study of the Word put me in the Post-Tribulational Rapture camp. I
purchased a number of books presenting this view which reinforced my own take on this part of
the subject -- and my studies continued at some length.

One book that I purchased traced the origin of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture Theory to
Margaret McDonald -- A Scottish, Tongues Lassie, who claimed that this interpretation was
given to her in a vision -- in 1830. Neither John Wesley nor any of the early, English Methodists
had ever heard of it! Indeed, the teaching had been unknown in Christendom prior to this
Tongues Girl's claimed revelation of it in 1830!

The book which traces the origin of the Pre-Trib Rapture Theory to Margaret McDonald
in 1830 was written by a Baptist man who was, himself, troubled with the theory and sought to
discover when it first began to be taught. Finding that it was unknown in the Church before
Margaret McDonald's claimed vision in 1830, he abandoned the teaching. Directly below is the
Title-Page and Publication Text of the book:

* * *

THE UNBELIEVABLE PRE-TRIB ORIGIN

The recent discovery of a well-known theory's beginning-and its incredible cover-up

By Dave MacPherson

Publishers:
Heart of America Bible Society Kansas City, Missouri
1973

Copyright 1973
By Dave MacPherson

Printed by Pedestal Press

Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the copyright owner, except brief quotations used in connection with
reviews in a magazine or newspaper.

Address all correspondence to:

Heart of America Bible Society, Inc.
5528 Lydia St., Kansas City, Mo. 64110

* * *

Since this book is under copyright, I may not share its contents with others, unless it be
for scholarly purposes. I have my own digital copy. I suggest that those interested in reading this
book for themselves see if they can still buy a hard-copy of it some way, somewhere. If not, I
might share my digital copy of the book with someone who really wants to study into it.

Thus, after long teaching, preaching, and writing, in accordance with the Pre-Tribulation
Rapture theory, I became an advocate of the Post-Tribulational Rapture of the Church -- and
wrote a home-made book on the subject. Still, however, I had not yet abandoned the
Pre-Millennial position. Many Post-Tribulationists are Pre-Millennial in their view on the
coming Messianic Kingdom.

Then, I left off the study of the subject for about 10 years. But, finally, while I was
pastoring in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho I took up the second aspect of the subject: -- The Millennium.
Suffice to say, I adopted my present views on the subject at that time, and wrote my book, "His
Appearing and His Kingdom" -- long before there was an HDM, and long before I ever owned a
computer.

I do not call myself an Amillennialist, for this term designates NO Millennium. My

teaching is that the Millennium is synonymous with The Church Age. Therefore, I call it "The
Millennium in the Church Age."

I had followed my brother's (I. Parker Maxey's) Pre-Trib \ Pre-Mil teachings for some
years, but after I sent him copies of my book, one day I heard back from him: -- "Almost thou
persuadest me to be an Amillennialist." And, unless I err, I think that before his Home-going, he
came to agree with much, if not all, that I teach in hdm0124, "His Appearing and His Kingdom."
Parker's son, Dr. Gary S. Maxey, was an "Amillennialist" before me -- and still holds to such
views.

My views on Second Coming Prophecy are those which I honestly believe most
accurately square with the Bible and the Holy Spirit's meaning in eschatological Scriptures. I
invite all who wish to examine my views to read both hdm0124, "His Appearing and His
Kingdom," and hdm2483 -- "Articles On Eschatology."
 If you have not ventured forth on your own odyssey to discover what you, yourself, really
believe the Bible teaches on the subject -- why not begin that trip today?

Pershaps many would say: -- "It doesn't really matter what you believe on that subject! It
will only really matter to those who will pass through the Tribulation." Christian, are you
REALLY SURE THE CHURCH WILL NOT DO SO? I believe it shall. But regardless, I
believe that the more accurate one's grasp of Second Coming Prophecy is, the more those views
will enhance all of the other fundamental teachings of Salvation. Selah

* * * * * * *

THE END