Random Eschatology Considerations

1.         A few fundamental considerations should apply with regard to eschatology:

a.         Prophecy Demonstrates the Sovereignty of God. In performing miracles, God demonstrates His sovereignty over matter and energy; in providing prophecies, God demonstrates His sovereignty over space and time--collectively, His creation.

b.         Consider Prior Fulfilled Prophecies. Within Scripture we see numerous examples of prophecies made and fulfilled, giving us confidence in the reliability of the prophecies involving our future. 

Example: Joseph prophesies, from the pharaoh's dream, that a famine was coming to Egypt, and the famine came (Genesis 41-47).

Example: Daniel's prophecies regarding Alexander the Great and Antiochus Epiphanes proved so accurate that secular/liberal scholars believe the passages to have been written after the fact.

c.         See the Celestials as Signs. God uses the sun, moon and stars to mark appointed times (Gen. 1:14). 

Example: The Day of the Lord is marked by substantial celestial events.  See Matthew 24:29-31.

d.         Be Like the Magi. Just as the Magi observed the stars and studied Scripture to conclude that a king had arrived in Israel (Matthew 2:1-12), so we can perhaps observe celestial occurrences and assess the likelihood of the occurrence of key events.

e.         Get a Reward.  A crown of righteousness is promised for those who love the appearing of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 3:12); those who look for His appearing will likely love it more.

f.          Focus on Our Next Big Event. The next major prophetic event for which we are watching is the 2nd Coming of the Messiah, and the events surrounding that event.

g.         Avoid Extremes. Don't say that everything remains the same (2 Peter 3:4), and don't pick dates (Matthew 24:36).

2.         A key starting point of analysis regarding the 2nd Coming of the Messiah is Daniel 9:24-27; the prophecy is significant:

a.         The prophecy given verbally by Gabriel directly to Daniel.

b.         Daniel was recognized by the Babylonian and Persian rulers as a seer, blessed by God with wisdom. (See Daniel 5:10-12.)

c.         The book of Daniel contains a number of prophecies regarding our end times. (See Daniel 7.)

d.         The prophecy was given at a moment when Daniel was praying and fasting, after he had been considering a prophecy given to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10) regarding the period of 70 years during which the Jews would remain in captivity in Babylon.

e.         The prophecy concerns the end times, Jews, Jerusalem, the Messiah, the antichrist, desolations and a special 7 year period.

3.         September 2015 seems to be a marker for something significant.

a.          A tetrad, 4 consecutive blood moons, has appeared, beginning with Passover 2014 and concluding September 28, 2015.

b.         The moon's turning to blood in Scripture (Joel 2:31, Revelation 6:11-13) portends the "Day of the Lord."

c.          A total of 5 tetrads have occurred since Jesus that have coincided with the feasts of Passover and Sukkot.

1.         162-163 - marker for worst persecution of Jews/Christians in Roman Empire

2.         1493-1494 - marker for the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492

3.         1949-1950 - marker for the first official government office of Israel in 1949

4.         1967-1968 - marker for Israel's 6-Day War--Israel's control of Jerusalem.

5.         2014-2015 - marker for ?

d.         A total of 10 tetrads since Jesus have occurred on Shemitah years

e.          Only 1 tetrad has occurred in Shemitah year & Passover/Sukkot: 2014-2015

f.          The paradigm of days = millenia coincides with 6,000 years being concluded on September 23, 2015; see analysis on blog entry: Is the Rapture around the Corner?

g.         The current Shemitah ends on September 13, 2015; it may well mark the beginning of the 7th Shemitah of the 70th Jubilee.

1.         Jews entered Canaan in 1407 b.c. (See Brantley, Garry K. "The Conquest of Canaan: How and When?" apologeticspress.com. 1994. Accessed 8/26/2015:"According to 1 Kings 6:1, 480 years transpired between the Exodus and the fourth year of Solomon’s reign—the year in which he began to build the temple. We can date Solomon’s reign with reasonable confidence at 971-931 B.C., which places his fourth regnal year at 967 B.C. These figures, therefore, suggest that the Exodus occurred about 1447 B.C.Allowing for the 40-year wandering prior to the Israelites’ invasion of Canaan, the initial stages of the conquest occurred around 1407 B.C."

2.         Seventy x 49 = 3430; 3430 - 1407 = 2023; 2023 - 7 = 2016; nearest Shemitah to 2016 is September 13, 2015; particularly interesting, considering that it would make sense that a Jubilee be proclaimed when Jesus arrives.

h.         In addition to the Jewish holidays and the culmination of this latest tetrad, a number of interesting events are scheduled for September:

1.         Pope coming to the U.S.; meeting with President Obama on September 23--Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

2.         49 360-day "prophetic" years from June 7, 1967, is September 23; reading Daniel's prophecy regarding the restoration of Jerusalem to the coming of the anointed one is 7 periods of 7 years.

3.         UN Meeting in NYC; the pope to address the UN on September 25.

4.         15 September 2015 is the 70th Session of the UN.

5.         Events in Syria, including the mass exodus of its population and the conflicting military involvement by Russia and the U.S.

4.         Other considerations suggest that something significant may be imminent:

a.         Parable of the fig tree: Luke 21:29-32 - when the fig tree buds, end is near; Jerusalem may be the fig tree; Jesus said, "This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place." Life expectancy worldwide is 71 years (10 years longer in Israel). 1948 + 71 = 2019.

b.         A Jewish sense: "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a leading authority in mainstream Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, has been giving clear and unequivocal messages recently that the coming of the Messiah is imminent. He is urging Jews to make Aliyah as soon as possible. Aliyah, the Hebrew verb for “going up”, refers to immigrating to Israel, which is seen as higher spiritual action that can help herald in the coming of the Messiah." Berkowitz, Adam. "Leading Rabbi Says the Arrival of the Messiah Is Imminent." 3 July 2015.  http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/44534/leading-israeli-rabbi-messiah-imminent-jewish-world/#6cb1v3pWeddPwmfB.97. Accessed 29 August 2015.

c.         An Islamic sense: "Based on our numerical analysis of the Quran and Hadith, the official beginning of the End of Time and the coming of the Imam Mahdi will most likely be in 2015 (or 2016)  and Jesus Christ (p) will come down from Heaven to Earth in 2022, in-sha Allah (if Allah is willing)." Discoveringislam.org. "End of Time Prophecies, Apocalypse & Eschatology." Accessed 29 August 2015. http://www.discoveringislam.org/end_of_time.htm


Mark Absher
California



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Has Jesus Christ Already Come to Earth?

Some people believe that Christ has already come and that He is here in the form of either us as Christians or as the general goodness that exists in the world.  Such a belief cannot be reconciled with either Scripture or history.

I.    Note, first, the following excerpt from Matthew 24.  In this passage, Christ is responding to the disciples’ question regarding when Christ will rule.  Christ explains that his rule is preceded by certain definitive events that will most certainly make a mark on history.  Some of the critical events are highlighted.

"So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.

How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.  For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. [Keep in mind that the great flood occurred prior to this statement.]  If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

At that time if anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or, `There he is!' do not believe it.  For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.  See, I have told you ahead of time.  "So if anyone tells you, `There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, `Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

"Immediately after the distress of those days "`the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'  "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather [what--so that they can simply be placed back on Earth?] his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken [to where?] and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

II.  Second, if Christ has already come and he is here, then we have to conclude that Zion is everywhere--which doesn't comport with Scripture.  Note the following verses, which are prophecies of Christ’s rule on earth—which we understand to follow his 2nd Coming.  The verses indicate that he will actually be ruling physically from Zion in Israel.  Assuming these verses are true, and recognizing that nowhere in history do we see evidence that Christ has actually ruled from Zion, it is reasonable to conclude only that Christ has not yet come.

Psalm 2:6-7 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.

Psalm 14:7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 48: 1-2 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.

Psalm 50:2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 53:6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 76:2 His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

Psalm 84:7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 99:2 Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.

Psalm 102:16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.

Psalm 110:2 The LORD will extend your mighty scepter from Zion; you will rule in the midst of your enemies.

Isaiah 1:27 Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

Isaiah 2:3 Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 4:5 Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy.

Isaiah 18:7 At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers-- the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.

Isaiah 33:24 No one living in Zion will say, "I am ill"; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.

Isaiah 35:10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 51:3 The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Isaiah 51:11 The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 52:8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.

Isaiah 59:20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.

Isaiah 60:14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 62:11 The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, `See, your Savior comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.'"

Jeremiah 31:6 There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, `Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.'"

Jeremiah 31:12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD-- the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.

Jeremiah 50:5 They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

Joel 3:16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Joel 3:17 `Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.

Obadiah 1:17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.

Obadiah 1:21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD's.

Micah 4:2 Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:7 I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever.

Micah 4:8 As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem."

Zechariah 1:17 "Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: `My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.'"

Zechariah 2:10 "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD.

Zechariah 8:3 This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."

Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.


Mark Absher 
California


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Kingdom of God

Summary: It appears the Kingdom of God is a spiritual realm/reign/authority/domain[1] into which we are drawn when we are born of the Spirit.[2] We are born of the Spirit when we, recognizing our spiritual deficiency,[3] acknowledge/believe/trust[4] in Jesus Christ[5] as the God Man[6] who surrendered His earthly life[7] so that we could be forgiven of our sins[8] and have eternal life.  In this spiritual realm, we are given the right to become children of God,[9] inheriting eternal life[10] with God, and receiving forgiveness of our sins.[11]  This spiritual realm will be made visibly and physically manifest and imposed upon the earth when Jesus Christ returns in glory for His Millennial reign.[12]  Jesus Christ is the Sovereign of the Kingdom of God,[13] and He will, at the end of His Millennial reign, transfer the sovereignty thereof to the Father.[14]

With this summary in mind, various passages of Scripture can be grouped by certain concepts associated with the idea of the Kingdom of God:

As Either Heaven or the Millenium

Mark 14:25 I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God."

Luke 22:15-18 Then He said to them, "I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God."  Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves.  For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."

As Evident at the Millennial Reign of Christ

Luke 21:20-31 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, because these are days of vengeance to fulfill all the things that are written. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!" Then He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they put out [leaves] you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.

Revelation 5:8-10 When He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.  And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll    and to open its seals; because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed [people] for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth.

As A Door That Will Close at the Conclusion of the Millennial Reign

Luke 13:22-30 He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem. "Lord," someone asked Him, "are there few being saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, 'I don't know you or where you're from.' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!' But He will say, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you're from. Get away from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness!' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but yourselves thrown out. They will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the table in the kingdom of God. Note this: some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

As Something That Appears

Luke 19:11 As they were listening to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.

As Something That Is Seekable

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

As Something That Has Already Been Seen By Some

Mark 9:1 Then He said to them, "I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power."

Luke 9:27 “I tell you the truth: there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."

(Could include John, in connection with his Revelation, and Paul, who was caught up into a “third heaven”—2 Cor. 12:1-7.)

As Distinct from the Kingdom of Darkness

Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Ephesians 2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient.

As Having Been Taken From the Jews

Matt. 21:43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing its fruit.

Those In the Kingdom of God

John 3:3-6 Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "But how can anyone be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked Him. "Can he enter his mother's womb a second time and be born?" Jesus answered, " I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Those Having No Inheritance

1 Cor. 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: no sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom. Some of you were like this; but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Cor. 15:50 Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:3-6 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints.  And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things God's wrath is coming on the disobedient.

(See also similar concepts in Colossians 3:1-10: So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his practices and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of his Creator.)

(See also collateral concepts in Revelation 21:6-8: And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift.  The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.  But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.")

(See also collateral concepts in Revelation 22:14-15: Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.)

More Readily Accessible by the Poor Than by the Rich

Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"

Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

Luke 6:20 Then looking up at His disciples, He said: “Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God is yours.”

Accessible by the Spiritually Humble (Those Who Recognize Their Spiritual Deficiency)

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

Matthew 21:31 "Which of the two did his father's will?" "The first," they said. Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you!

Difficult to Enter

Mark 10:24 But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

Accessible by Attitude of Child

Mark 10:14-15 When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me. Don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Alternative is Hell

Mark 9:47 And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.

As Within or Among Those Who Believe

Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come, He answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, 'Look here!' or 'There!' For you see, the kingdom of God is among you."

See Col. 1:27 God wanted to make known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

As Distinct from the Kingdom of the Antichrist

Daniel 7:16-27 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever. ' "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. [I also wanted to know] about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. As I was watching, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom. This is what he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever. The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.'

As a Place the Entry to Which Is Confirmed by Our Works

2 Peter 1:3-11 For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.  For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.

Matthew 25:1-13 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.  Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn't take oil with them. But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.   "In the middle of the night there was a shout: 'Here's the groom! Come out to meet him.'  "Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.  But the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'  "The sensible ones answered, 'No, there won't be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.'  "When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.  "Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, 'Master, master, open up for us!'  "But he replied, ' I assure you: I do not know you!' "Therefore be alert, because you don't know either the day or the hour.

As an Entitlement That Is Fruitless, Could Be Lost or Was Never Had?

Matthew 13:18-23 "You, then, listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some 100, some 60, some 30 times [what was sown]."

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!”

See also:

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, having escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and, "a sow, after washing itself, wallows in the mud."

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. If anyone disregards Moses' law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know the One who has said, Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

1 John 2:3-6 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.

---

[1]               Colossians 1:12-14

[2]               John 3:3-6

[3]               Matthew 5:3, Matthew 21:31; Mark 10:14-15

[4]             John 3:14-16 (“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.)

[5]               John 6:28-29 ("What can we do to perform the works of God?" they asked. Jesus replied, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the One He has sent."); John 6:40 (For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."); 1 John 5:1 (“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God ....”)

[6]               1 John 5:5 (And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?); Romans 1:2-4 (Which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures— concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh and was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.)

[7]               I Cor. 15:1-4 (Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed to no purpose. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.)

[8]               Colossians 1:12-14

[9]               John 1:12 (But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.); Romans 8:16 (The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children.)

[10]             Romans 6:23 (For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.); Titus 3:7 (So that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.); 1 John 2:25 (And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.); 1 John 5:11 (And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.); John 5:24 ("I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.)

[11]             Colossians 1:12-14

[12]             Luke 21:20-31; Mark 14:25, Daniel 7:16-27

[13]             John 17:2 (For You gave Him authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him.

[14]             I Cor 15:24-28 (Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. For He has put everything under His feet. But when it says "everything" is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception. And when everything is subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.)

Mark Absher
California
 

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Being Careful to Bless Israel

People and nations that speak and act inimically towards Israel do so at their peril. The peril derives not necessarily from the possible retribution of the nation or of individual Jewish people; it derives, rather, from the natural consequences attendant to defying the Word of God.

Note the following considerations in this regard:

1.        The Word of God is fundamental inasmuch as all things, including us, exist by the power of the Word of God (which is Jesus Christ).

a.         Deuteronomy 32:46-47a - [H]e [Moses] said to them, “Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. [All quoted Scripture is from the NASB.]

b.         John 1:1-3 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

c.         2 Peter 3:5b - It escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

2.         The Word of God is alive and active.

a.         Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

b.         1 Thessalonians 2:13 - For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

3.         We benefit from observing the Word of God.

a.         Psalm 1:1-2 - How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

b.         Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

c.         Joshua 1:8 - This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

d.         Luke 11:28 - But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

4.         We are harmed when we reject the Word of God.

a.         Numbers 15:31 - Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.

b.         2 Chronicles 36:16 - But they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy.

c.         Psalm 107:10-11 - There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, Because they had rebelled against the words of God And spurned the counsel of the Most High.

d.         Isaiah 5:24 - Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble And dry grass collapses into the flame, So their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away as dust; For they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts And despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

e.         Isaiah 30:12-13 - Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, Therefore this iniquity will be to you Like a breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant.”

5.         God wants us to enjoy the blessing associated with believing His Word.

a.         Isaiah 30:18 - Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.

b.         Ezekiel 18:32 - “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”

c.         John 3:17 - For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

d.         1 Timothy 2:3-4 - This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

e.         2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

6.         It was God’s plan to deliver His Word to mankind via people. In accordance with His divine purpose, He selected Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be the line of persons entrusted with His message:

a.         Romans 3:1-2 - “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.”

b.         Psalm 147:19-20 - He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation; And as for His ordinances, they have not known them. Praise the Lord!

c.         Romans 9:4 - Who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises.

d.         Deuteronomy 4:8 - Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?

e.         Acts 7:38 - This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.

7.         As the couriers of the glorious message of God to mankind, Israel was favored by God with a special covering of blessing:

a.         Genesis 12:1-3 records the original promise given by God to Abraham, the father of Israel, then known as Abram:

“Now the Lord said to Abram,

‘Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
² And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
³ And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’”

b.         Genesis 17 records God’s reiteration of that promise to Abraham as well as a further promise regarding Abraham’s yet-to-be-born son, Isaac:

¹⁵”Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. ¹⁶ I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.’ ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’ ¹⁸ And Abraham said to God, ‘Oh that Ishmael might live before You!’ ¹⁹ But God said, ‘No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. ²⁰ As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. ²¹ But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.’”

c.         Genesis 22 records God’s response to Abraham’s willingness to offer his son, Isaac, on an altar to God:

¹⁵”Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, ¹⁶ and said, ‘By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, ¹⁷ indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. ¹⁸ In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’” 

d.         Genesis 25 records the fact that Isaac had 2 twin sons: Jacob and Esau (vs 24-26). Though Esau was the first to be born (v. 25), Esau sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob (later renamed “Israel” by God—see Genesis 32:38), for a bowl of stew:

²⁹ When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; ³⁰ and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. ³¹ But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” ³² Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” ³³ And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

e.          Jacob later deceitfully receives from his father, Isaac, the blessing that Isaac had intended to bestow upon his firstborn son, Esau:

¹⁸ Then he came to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” ¹⁹ Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me.” ²⁰ Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me.” ²¹ Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” ²² So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” ²³ He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. ²⁴ And he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” And he said, “I am.” ²⁵ So he said, “Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you.” And he brought it to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine and he drank. ²⁶ Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me, my son.” ²⁷ So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
Is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed;
²⁸ Now may God give you of the dew of heaven,
And of the fatness of the earth,
And an abundance of grain and new wine;
²⁹ May peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you;
Be master of your brothers,
And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Cursed be those who curse you,
And blessed be those who bless you.” (Genesis 27:18-29)

f.         Balak, a king of Moab, urges a prophet, Balaam, to curse Israel. As Balaam attempts to honor Balak’s request, he instead utters a blessing upon Israel:

² ”And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe; and the Spirit of God came upon him. ³ He took up his discourse and said …

‘Blessed is everyone who blesses you,
And cursed is everyone who curses you.’” (Numbers 24:2, 9b)

8.         Therefore, considering the power of the Word of God along with the blessings of observing it and the peril of rejecting it, and considering the blessing associated with blessing the people and nation of Israel and the curse associated with curing the people and nation of Israel, it would behoove everyone to (and I hereby accordingly) respond to the people and nation of Israel in accordance with the blessing by which God directed Aaron to convey to the people and nation of Israel:

“The Lord bless you, and keep you;

 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;

 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Mark Absher
California




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