The History of The Next 25 Years

       The Kingdom of God has been the focal purpose of God since “before the foundation of the world” [Eph. 1: 4-5].  That focal purpose is to create mankind with the potential, through His process of conversion, to be born into His very family, and be eternal sons and daughters of God, over all things.

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Yet the understanding of the concept of the Kingdom of God has been a mystery or hidden from most of mankind throughout history.  God is, in this present age, calling and bringing to conversion the Firstfruit harvest of saints for the facilitating of calling all others according to His timeframe and plan.  The understanding of the Kingdom is something that must be given by God. 

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[Matthew 13:10-15] “And the disciples came, and said unto him, ‘Why do you speak unto them in parables?’  11. He answered and said unto them, ‘Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”  It is not yet in God's plan and purpose to call everyone now.

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[Luke 8:10] “And he said, ‘Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand.”’

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There will be no End

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The millennial rule of Christ and the Firstfruits is only the beginning of the Kingdom of God. [Isaiah 9:6-7] “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  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.”   

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God is not showing favoritism or partiality by calling Firstfruits now.  As Peter says in [II Peter 3:9] “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

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His plan goes forward to the second resurrection in which all have opportunity to be given understanding, repent, and choose life in His Kingdom.  Then the New Heavens and New Earth and all eternity!   For further information the reader is referred to "Is This the only Day of Salvation"  provided free of charge by the Living Church of God.

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The beginning of the concept of the Kingdom of God is introduced in the Psalms: [Psalm 22:27-28] “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before you.  28. For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.”  This Psalm prophesies many events of Christ's crucifixion and that is the event "all the ends of the world shall remember. . ."  This was written a thousand years before the event of the crucifixion!   Notice "13. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.  14.  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.  15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death.  16. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.  17. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.  18. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture."

 

[Psalm 45:6-7] “Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a right scepter.  7. You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”

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[Psalm 103:19] “The LORD has prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rules over all.”

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[Psalm 145:10-13].  “All your works shall praise you, O LORD; and your saints shall bless you.  11. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and talk of your power; 12. To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.  13. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

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The Kingdom of God is described in [Daniel 2:44] as, “And in the days of these kings (The ten kings at the end time) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

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In [Daniel 7:24-27] we are told “And the ten horns out of this kingdom (the final world empire of man) 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.  (the three and a half years of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord) 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.”

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Primary Focus

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It is with the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ that the shift to the announcement of the Kingdom of God takes front stage.  As is stated in [Luke 16:16] "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it."  Yes, God has a time order to bring about His purpose by steps.

 

This announcement of the Kingdom of God is called in scripture ‘the gospel’, which means ‘good news’, and is the revealing of the destiny of mankind.  It is not the ‘gospel’ generally accepted by professing Christians of this age.  The ‘Christianity’ generally accepted by this world is almost entirely opposite the original teachings of Christ and the doctrines of the original first century church under the Apostles.  For more understanding on this subject the reader can request the free booklet “Restoring Original Christianity” and provided without charge by the Living Church of God.  

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John the Baptist began his ministry saying, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Matt. 3:2] Jesus began His ministry with, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel.” [Mark 1:15].  So, we can understand that repentance is the initial step any person takes toward the Kingdom of God.  (Link to: What is repentance?)

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Jesus tells us in [Matthew 6:33] “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness…”   The Kingdom of God should be our highest priority as it is the very purpose of our existence and our ultimate destiny.  "Your Ultimate Destiny"

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Opposing Views?

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At the time of Christ’s ministry, the most common concept among the Jews was that the Kingdom of God would be the re-establishment of the kingdom of Israel.  The view was an imminent, literal kingdom, set up by a conquering messiah, releasing them from Roman rule.  Even the disciples asked Christ after His resurrection whether He would, “at this time, restore again the kingdom to Israel?” [Acts 1:6] The first century church certainly had (as evidenced by scripture and history) a literal expectation of the Kingdom of God being established on the earth at Christ’s return. 

 

As false and paganized Christianity suppressed the truth, the concept that the Kingdom of God is only allegorical; set up in the hearts of men; and that the forces of good within man will ultimately prevail and bring about the Kingdom, became the accepted understanding.  Those concepts are false and are not at all validated by God’s Word.

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The understanding that is presented in God’s Word is definitely a literal Kingdom, established at the return of Christ at the last trumpet: [Dan. 2:44] “And in the days of these kings (The ten kings at the end time) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”  [Rev. 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.”

 

Reigning on the earth for 1,000 years: [Rev. 20:6] “Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.”  [Rev. 2:26-27]  “And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”  [Rev. 5: 9-10] “And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And have made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

 

The Kingdom will continue forever over all things: [Isaiah 9:6-7] “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  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 forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

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[Heb. 2:8] “You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

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Elements of the Kingdom

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It has been said that any kingdom has four elements: A King, Laws, Subjects, and Territory.  Though this list may well apply to the failing kingdoms of this world, it is lacking the foremost crucial element of the Kingdom of God that is revealed in God’s Word.

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The creation of man was central to God’s focal purpose of the Kingdom of God. [Eph. 1:3-5] “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4. According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.  7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8. Wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself: 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”

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God predestined that those who respond to the calling to be children, “should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”  Note that what was predestined was that those who attained to the giving of eternal life and become His children should possess His very character.

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Peter puts it, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, …” [II Pet. 1:4]

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God (Elohim) succinctly gives this concept at the very creation of man, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: …”  [Gen. 1:26]   This phrase indicates the character or divine nature that God possesses.  That part of God's creation of man is still ongoing and is accomplished through His process of conversion.  The missing element is God’s Divine Nature.

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The Coming of the Kingdom

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There is a teaching of Jesus Christ [Luke 17:20-21] that warrants a much closer look than has been given it.  Granted, this is the scripture that false Christianity uses to back the doctrine that the kingdom of God is allegorical, and not literal, and set up in the hearts of men, but that idea would put this teaching at odds with other of Jesus’ own teachings, in which He taught a literal kingdom. So, let’s examine this teaching.

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[Luke 17:20-21] “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them “The kingdom of God comes not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

 

Did Jesus simply avoid a straight answer?  Was He simply avoiding explaining His second coming at the seventh trumpet?  Was His answer meant only to convey ‘the Kingdom of God is represented by Me, its future king, standing right here and you can’t recognize it’?  Let’s examine.

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In His answer Jesus states, “The kingdom of God comes not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” What does He mean by this statement?

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It is obvious that Jesus’ intention was not that the Kingdom of God was at that time within the Pharisees He was speaking to. 

    

How does Jesus’s answer square with what He says in [Matthew 24:27] “For as the lightening comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.”   A study of [Revelation 11:15-19; Rev. 16:17-21; Rev. 19: 11-16] and many more scriptures shows that the time of Christ’s second coming and the literal establishment and revealing of the kingdom of God will be extremely observable to all men.

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The Answer by God’s Word

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So just what is the intent of Jesus’s answer?  As always God’s Word will give proper understanding.

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Christ was the only one present that exemplified the kingdom.  So, how, at that moment, did Christ represent the kingdom of God?

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We are told by scripture that Jesus was (at that point of history) the only begotten son of God.  He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and called the Son of God from birth. [Luke 1:35]   As such, He was Heir to the kingdom (not yet inheritor).  He had and was growing in the Divine Nature.  He was in the process of overcoming the world, qualifying to be king and savior, and doing His Father’s work.  In those things He, in fact represented the kingdom of God even while standing there in flesh and blood. (see [I Cor. 15:50] “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”)  Were those things observable?  Could the Pharisees see the Holy Spirit?  Could they see that He was the Son of God?  Could they see the Divine Nature inside Him? Could they see that He was Heir to the Kingdom?  No!  Certainly, the fruits were evident, but these attributes are not visible.

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The Unobservable Phase

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Since that time many truly converted Christians have been begotten of God with His Holy Spirit.  In most cases this begettal of the Holy Spirit is not observable (except Pentecost 31 AD and the conversion of Cornelius and family).  You cannot look at a person and see the Holy Spirit.  The repentance, conversion, and growing in the Divine Nature, is only observable by character and fruits.  And yet it is the Kingdom of God in embryo and the absolutely vital first step for the actual birth and inheritance. 

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[Matt. 7: 16] “You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  17. Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.  18. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  19. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.  20. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.”

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[Galatians 5: 22] “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

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Paul taught in [Phil.3:20] that our citizenship is now in heaven. “20. For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

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Also [Col. 1: 12-15] states that true Christians have already been translated into the “kingdom of His Dear Son”: “12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.”  If there is a firstborn the implication is that more will also be born!

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[Romans 8:14] States “for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”  [And verse 17] “And if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

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This is also given in [I John 3:2] “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

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Many more scriptures exemplify that the truly converted and growing Christian is definitely a begotten son of God, joint-heir with Christ, growing in the Divine Nature of God and so, in the same sense that the Kingdom of God applied to Christ, this applies to truly converted, begotten sons of God now.  Yet they could walk in a crowd in this world and those things would not be observable.

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The Very Observable Phase

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When the fullness of the Kingdom comes, at the return of Jesus Christ, and these are born of the resurrection, are given eternal spiritual life, receive power and glory with Christ, and rule with Him on this earth, those things will be very observable. Jesus says in [Matthew 24:27] “For as the lightening comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.”   Also: [Revelation 11:15-19; Rev. 16:17-21; Rev. 19: 11-16; and Zechariah 14] to name a few. 

 

Christ’s intent with this teaching is to include the unobservable repentance, conversion, begettal, and growing in the Divine Nature process as the embryonic development (or the coming of Kingdom of God from within), with the revealing of the Sons of God and final inheritance at the time of the return of Christ, or thereafter offered to all who will repent and obey during the second resurrection.

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There are two things tied into the concept that Christ taught concerning the Kingdom: First, the repentance and conversion phase, which is from within, and the future inheritance phase of reward (for the works done during the conversion phase) at the return of Christ or according to the order called. [Rev. 22: 20] “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

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(Note:  Write or link more about what repentance and conversion is.)

 

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The Millennial Rule of The Kingdom of God

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The reader should come to know the difference between the Kingdom of God, and the initial Millennial rule of that Kingdom on the Earth.

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The Kingdom of God is the Family of God who will rule over all things of His Creation, in other words, the universe, in His time order.  God’s primary focus with the creation of mankind is to create a family, unified by His very nature and character through His Holy Spirit, born eternal sons and daughters by the resurrection and changed to eternal spirit bodies at the Seventh Trumpet or during the second resurrection period of Judgement. 

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The millennium is the first 1000 years of Jesus Christ’s and the resurrected saint’s rule over the earth.  The purpose for the millennium is to re-establish the rule of God and His way of peace over this world and mankind in particular.  That purpose is shown in [I Corinthians 15:22-28] “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.  24. Then comes 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.  25. For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.  26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  27. For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

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A very well composed work that shows the conditions during the Millennial rule of the Kingdom in depth is "The World Ahead: What Will it be Like"  It would serve the reader well to click on that link and read the work and begin to comprehend the amazing transformation the world will soon experience under the rule of God's Kingdom!

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The resurrection of the saints takes place at the seventh trumpet: [Revelation 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.”  18. “And the nations were angry, and your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward unto your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth.  19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thundering, and an earthquake, and great hail.” 

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This describes a series of events that take place over a period of time.  For information on the sequence of events between the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty the reader is referred to (From Trumpets to Atonement) by Wallace G. Smith. 

The resurrection of the saints takes place immediately at the seventh trumpet sounding, [I Cor. 15:50-52] “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.  51. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

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The Beginning State of the World

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For the purpose of this chapter we will begin with the day of the Battle.

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During the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty, Jesus Christ will take charge of all the kingdoms of this world.   [Revelation 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.’” 

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He will intervene at the very moment in time necessary to prevent mankind from totally annihilating all life on Earth.  [Matthew 24: 21] “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.”

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The ‘elect’ spoken of in this verse are the returned 144,000 of Israel and the great multitude from other ethnic origins that repented during the Great Tribulation period as was shown in Chapters 8 of this writing. Remember that the entire purpose of God in allowing the end time events is to produce a repentant core of people that is useable to establish the rule of God’s kingdom on earth.  Repentance is the individual’s initial key to the kingdom and the blessings and protection of God in this life!  (Link ‘The Keys to the Kingdom’)

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Speaking of the armies that assemble at Armageddon against the returned remnant of Israel, God says: [Ezekiel 38: 8-12]  "After many days you shall be visited: in the latter years you shall come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.  9.  You shall ascend and come like a storm, you shall be like a cloud to cover the land, you, and all your bands, and many people with you.  10.  Thus says the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into your mind, and you shall think an evil thought:  11.  And you shall say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,  12.  To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn your hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land."

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This returned repentant remnant of Israel will now be under the protection of God.  They have just harvested an abundant yield of food from their first plantings since their return.  [Psalm 126]  “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD has done great things for them.  3. The LORD has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.  4. Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.  5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  6. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

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Food by this time will be in extreme short supply in the world and these remaining strong armies will be coming to take this almost last supply.  The result if left unchecked by God would be total destruction of human life.

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[Zech. 14: 3-5] “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.  4.  And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.  5. And you shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yes, you shall flee, like you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with him.”

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Notice that someone is there being protected and provided a way to flee from the armies.  This is the returned 144,000 of Israel.  Also notice that the resurrected saints, now immortal, are with Christ.  They will have no need to flee.

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[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 does judge and make war. 12. 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. 13. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14. And the armies which were in heaven (the saints) followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (From Trumpets to Atonement)

15. And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 

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[Zech. 14:14] The tribe of Judah will also fight with Christ in the battle; “And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem;”

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[Zech. 12: 2-9] “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.  3. 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.  4. In that day, says the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah; and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.  5. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, ‘The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.’ 6. In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.  7. The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, (Link, Jesus Christ, Elijah, and The 12,000 Valiant of Judah) that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.  8. In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.  9. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”

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The remaining armies of the world will be decimated in the battle.  The main purpose of Christ though is to bring about the repentance of the world.  Not everyone in the armies will be killed.  [Ezek. 39:2] "And I will turn you (the armies) back, and leave but the sixth part of you, and will cause you to come up from the north parts, and will bring you upon the mountains of Israel:”

 

What is the purpose for leaving a sixth part of the armies alive?  [Isaiah 66:18-19] “For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see my glory. 19. And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.” 

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[Ezekiel 39: 21] “And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.”

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Rod of Iron

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Many may get the wrong concept of Christ when they read [Rev. 19:15]  “And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

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Christ will not be an oppressive dictator or warlord as this world knows.  Notice [Rev. 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 does judge and make war.”  What judgement or criteria will Christ have for making war? 

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[Isaiah 27:2] “In that day sing unto her (the re-established Israel), A vineyard of red wine.  3. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.  4. Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them; I would burn them together.  5. Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.  6. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud and fill the face of the world with fruit.”

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Christ will be a fierce defender of the righteous, and repentant people.  If any will attack the righteous; they will suffer the rebuke of God.  If they instead make peace, they will share in the blessings of God.  Christ will not initiate aggressive war.  There is a different administrative method of His government that will bring about peace.  That method is blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience.  More will be said of this enforcement method later in this chapter.

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The Day after the Battle

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The glory of God will be overwhelmingly evident in the Battle.  There will be no doubt that Jesus Christ is on the Earth in real time. 

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The 12,000 of the tribe of Judah will be overwhelmed by the full realization of the culture of rejection their tribe, especially, has had against the very Savior they looked for and His mercy toward them. [Zech. 12:10] “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

 

It will also mark the timing when deep and lasting repentance and humility is finally come to by all the tribes of Israel.  [Ezekiel 39: 22] “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.”

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This repentance is illustrated in the Psalms of Degrees: [Psalm 130] “1. Out of the depths have I cried unto you, O LORD.  2. Lord, hear my voice: let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.  3. If you, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?  4. But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared.  5. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word do I hope.  6. My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.  7. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.  8. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

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[Psalm 131:1-3] “LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.  2. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.  3. Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever."

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[Ezekiel 39:23-29] “And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.  24. According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them and hid my face from them.  25. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again (those of) the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; 26. After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.  27. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;  28. Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them anymore there.  29. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord GOD.”

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Cleansing the Land for Seven Months

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As the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty ends, about 200 million dead corpses will litter the battle zone.  The world will be a catastrophic mess.  What measures will Christ take to change the world?

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[Ezekiel 39:11-16] “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog. 12. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.  13. Yes, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, says the Lord GOD. 14. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search.  15. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any sees a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamon-gog.  16. And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah. Thus shall they cleanse the land.” 

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Some may have visited the American burial memorials in Normandy, France.  This grave memorial site of the armies that fight Christ will be in the land of Israel and will be for a continual reminder of what happens to those who oppose His rule.  It will also be a reminder of the great mercy of God as even these opposing armies will be resurrected and given a chance for repentance in the future second resurrection mentioned in [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.  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."  For further information about the second resurrection you can request "Is This the Only Day of Salvation" and provided free by the Living Church of God.

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At the present time, before the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, this burial of the millions of dead bodies may seem to be an extremely gross job, however at the time after those events during which about six billion human beings were killed, dealing with dead bodies will not be unfamiliar to Israel, and will be a very necessary need of cleansing the land.

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God will cause the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field to aid in this process.  [Ezekiel 39: 4] “You shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, you, and all your bands, and the people that are with you: I will give you unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.”  [Ezekiel 39: 17-20]  “And, you son of man, thus says the Lord GOD; ‘Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh, and drink blood.  18. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.  19. And you shall eat fat till you are full, and drink blood till you are drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.  20. Thus you shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, says the Lord GOD.”  See also [Rev. 19: 17] “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18. That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.”

 

Spoils of War

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An interesting part of prophecy about the war is that the armies of the ten kings will bring with them much of the wealth that they have gathered as they stripped the wealth of the world during their tenure, and it will be gathered for the use of the holy people (the 144,000 returned remnant).

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[Ezekiel 39: 9] “And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the hand-staves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:  10. So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, says the Lord GOD.”

 

This gathering of the spoils of war is also mentioned in [Zechariah 14: 14]  “And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.”

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In another prophecy in which this gathering of the spoils of war is mentioned there is also a lot of other detail given regarding timing and the accumulation of these goods in the first place.  This particular prophecy can be cross-referenced to many scriptures, including those just mentioned, for a clearer picture.  This prophecy is found in [Isaiah 23].    The chapter starts with prophecies against ancient Tyre, which was the chief merchandising city of the world at that time, and also the center of the false religion of Baalism that Israel became steeped in.  It transitions, however in [verse 15] with the phrase, “And it shall come to pass in that day…”  God consistently uses this phrase to denote a prophecy of the end time.  From this verse the chapter uses Tyre as a type of the Great Harlot which commits fornication and exerts control over all the kingdoms of the world, and is the Great City exerting control of the merchandising and shipping operations fueled by the stripping and spoiling of the Israel descended nations during the Great Tribulation.  Notice the comparison of the following prophecies:

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[Isaiah 23: 11] He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD has given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.”

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[Rev. 18: 9] “And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is your judgment come.  11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise anymore:  12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13. And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.  14. And the fruits that your soul lusted after are departed from you, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from you, and you shalt find them no more at all. 15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,  16. And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!  17.  For in one hour so great riches is come to nothing. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!  19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.”

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In [Revelation 17: 18] “And the woman which you saw is that great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth” the identity of this great city is clearly identified as the Great Harlot mentioned in [Rev. 17:1-5]

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So, let’s continue in [Isaiah 23:] 

15. And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king”  The Hebrew word translated into the English word ‘king’ here can mean royal, king, sovereign, or queen.  It means sovereign royal and not necessarily of male gender. 

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The Royal line referenced in the Bible is of the linage of King David.  This throne is, in present day, filled by the British throne with the reign of Queen Elizabeth.  It is less than one year to the 70-year mark of her reign.  There has not been any other king or Queen of Israel or the throne in England in history that has reigned for seventy years, and especially at this time nearing the end of the age.  The time of reign of seventy years is a time marker and indicator given by God.

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There is no living sovereign of any other nation who is close to reigning seventy years.  So, as this is an end time prophecy, we are left with two outcomes: either this refers to Queen Elizabeth’s tenure of reign, or we must wait until some other sovereign reigns for seventy years.  Given the state of affairs of the world, the later outcome does not seem to be possible.  Seventy years of reign of Queen Elizabeth would span from February 6, 1952 – February 6, 2022. 

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So, in this prophecy God gives us an indication of a specific time for when the Great Harlot Church begins her influence to all the kingdoms of the world for the seventh and final time.  This timing marker should give us pause to consider how imminent the end time events are to our present time!

 

This in no way disparages Queen Elisabeth's reign.  She has reigned with respect for the throne she occupies.  This is a timing marker given by God of when an event will take place. 

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Continuing in [Isaiah 23:15] “… after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as a harlot.  16. Take a harp, go about the city, you harlot that has been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.  17. And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.” 

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Compare with [Revelation 17: 1] “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come here; I will show unto you the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters:  2. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

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Now, back again in [Isaiah 23:18] it can be seen how this ties to the topic at hand: the spoils of war gleaned from the armies that come against Jerusalem and Christ.  “18. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.”  Compare this with [Zechariah 14:14] “And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.”

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God causes, through their own greed and suspicion, the armies who come to the Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty to bring with them the accumulated wealth that they have stripped from the world while under the influence of the Great Harlot Church, and those goods are then available for “those who dwell before the Lord”.

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One further tie of [Isaiah 23:18 and Zechariah 14:20] is the use of the phrase ‘Holiness unto the Lord’: “In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD;” 

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Satan Restrained

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During the Great Tribulation and until the day of the Battle, Satan the Great Adversary of God has been chief influencer of the evil rule of the Beast and False Prophet.  At the end of the Battle, he will be restrained and not allowed to influence mankind for the entire millennium.

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[Rev. 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. 2. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 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 a little season.”

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It will be an amazing enlightenment for the world to come to the realization of the extent of the influence that Satan has had on this world! 

 

[Revelation 12:9] Describes him as: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

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In [II Corinthians 4:4] Paul describes him as: "In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."  Notice Satan is referred to as the god of this world (small god). 

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Satan has had a tactic of offering and promulgating counterfeits for the truth and thereby has managed to deceive the whole world.  For more information you may request "Satan's Counterfeit Christianity" offered free of charge by the Living Church of God.  

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Satan will be isolated away from influencing mankind for the entirety of the Millennium.  Along with that will be an end of all false religion.  

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Law goes forth from Jerusalem

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[Isaiah 2:2]  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  3. And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  4. And he shall judge among the nations and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

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This does not say that the nations will immediately be converted or comply with God’s law.  In fact, the scriptures indicate strong resistance from some nations for perhaps as long as a generation. 

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The Law that will go forth and will be the law that is enforced is the Law of God given in His Word including the Ten Commandments, the Statutes, and the Judgements.

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As is stated in the prophecy of the Elijah work: [Malachi 4:4] “Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”  Consider that this prophecy is for the time just prior to “before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:”

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It is an ironic consideration to understand the state of the tribes of Israel in this modern day:  The tribe of Judah still acknowledges the Law of God, yet they deny the very Lord and Savior that gave it.  The people of the ‘lost 10 tribes’, who are the Caucasian peoples of the United States and of the nations of the former British Empire, and have largely considered themselves ‘Christian’ supposedly acknowledge the Savior, but teach the Law is done away and no longer applicable today.  What does God’s Word teach?

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[Rev. 22: 14] “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.”  This is in the very concluding chapter of God’s Word!

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Jesus, Himself taught: [Matthew 5:17-] “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  18. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.  19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”   That is very clear!  However, some teach that Christ fulfilled the law for us so we are not required to keep it.  That is definitely not what God's Word teaches!  You might look around you and notice that heaven and earth have not passed!

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[Matthew 19:16-19] “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17. And he said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.  18. He said unto him, Which? Jesus said, You shalt do no murder, You shalt not commit adultery, You shalt not steal, You shalt not bear false witness, 19. Honor your father and your mother: and, You shalt love your neighbor as yourself.”  Jesus quotes from the Ten Commandments and the second great commandment of the Law.

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[I John 2: 3-4] “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  4. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

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[I John 2:6] “He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

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There are many more scriptures that show the Law of God is still in force.  "Link: Is the law done away?"

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The point is: The Law that goes forth from Jerusalem is the Ten Commandments, the Statutes, and the Judgements that are given in God’s Word.

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The most resisted of those laws today is the Law of the Sabbath and the Statutes of the Holy Days of God.  God gives scriptures that these Holy Days of His will be kept in the millennium.  They give the picture and understanding of God’s plan of salvation to mankind.  They are filled with meaning and understanding in stark contrast to the commercialism, lies, and meaningless confusion of the holidays extant in the world today.   For more information the reader is referred to: "Which Day is the Christian Sabbath?" ; "The Holy Days: God's Master Plan" ; "Is Christmas Christian?" ; "Easter: The Untold Story" ;

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A listing of God’s Holy Days is given in [Leviticus 23].  You should notice that God says these are His Holy Days.  They are not the Jew's Holy Days.   [Leviticus 23:2]  "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts."

 

God specifically says that these Holy Days of His will be kept in the millennium! 

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[Isaiah 66: 23] “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, says the LORD.”

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An amazing example of the keeping of the Holy Days and the enforcement of doing such is given in [Zechariah 14: 16-19] “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.  17. 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.  18. 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.  19. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles."

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The Holy Days of God are certainly not done away, and will be enforced in the millennial rule of God’s Kingdom!  This is also a great example of the administrative method of enforcement that Jesus Christ will use to bring about obedience to the Law of God.  That administrative method is Blessing for Obedience and Cursing for Disobedience. God will not force obedience.  It is a choice.  Yet God will bring about the consequence or reward of those choices.  That is the same administrative method that God has always used.  [Deuteronomy 30:15-16] "See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil;  16. In that I command you this day to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that you may live and multiply: and the LORD your God shall bless you in the land were you go to possess it."

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[Deuteronomy 30:19-20] "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live: 20. That you may love the LORD your God, and that you may obey his voice, and that you may cleave unto him: for he is your life, and the length of your days:"

 

[Deuteronomy 30:1-3] "And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shalt call them to mind among all the nations, where the LORD your God has driven you, 2. And shall return unto the LORD your God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; 3. That then the LORD your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, where the LORD your God has scattered you."  It should be noted that this is a prophecy that will occur at the beginning of the millennium, and God requires that Israel return to God, and obey His voice according to all He commanded in the giving of the Law.  This is still a future event.

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God's Law is the way of Peace.  It is the Family rules that will operate throughout eternity over the entire creation.  It is the way of Love toward God and Love toward Neighbor.  

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A well written publication that  describes the Millennial rule of the Kingdom of God is available by clicking the link: "The World Ahead: What it will be Like".  The Kingdom of God will last forever and expand as the ruling Family of God over all His Creation. God's purpose has always been to build His family; eternal sons and daughters living in His perfect way of Peace and unity.  

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God has set before us Eternal Life; living productive, interesting, creative, and joyful lives forever if we choose His way of life, His Nature and His Kingdom.  

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