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As God would have it in His prophetic Word, the triumphant possession of and reign by the saints under Christ over this present earth restored is not the end of the matter glorious as this is.1 Their reign is temporary; limited to a millennium by the continuing presence of sin in mortal man and God’s planned eternal order restoration with new cosmic and earth designs. It is sin in mortals that requires the use of a “rod of iron” in the mix of methods the Lord and the saints use to rule during the millennium (Psalm 2:6-9; Revelation 2:26-27, 12:5, 19:15, NKJV).2 Even so, God said long ago “My Spirit shall not strive with” sinful mortal “man forever,” (Genesis 6:3; Isaiah 57:15-16, NKJV).
Under the just and peaceful reign of Christ and the saints mortals will experience unparalleled blessings from God. Not the least of these blessings will be free, universal healthcare since naturally occurring mental torments, diseases and sicknesses will not be present except as permitted for punitive purposes on sinning individuals. They will not be demonically initiated because Satan and his hordes will be confined to the “bottomless pit” under the earth (Revelation 20:1-3, NKJV). The perfect health of mortals will be as God promised Israel for obedience in the Promised Land and when Christ came to them in the first century A.D. (Exodus 23:20-26; Matthew 15:29-31).
Truly, it is in critical part for Israel’s sake and the covenants God made with their fathers and especially king David that the intermediary millennium earth reign of Christ with the saints over mortal sinners takes place! David had presided over Israel as king before God at its pinnacle; ushering forth a covenant from God with him to seat a descendant on his throne as an everlasting kingdom which Christ fulfills (2 Samuel 7:8-17; Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:26-33; John 18:33-38, 19:17-22). Righteous Jews and His disciples had been waiting for the Kingdom which after His resurrection, the Lord Jesus indirectly affirmed would come in God’s timing (Luke 23:50-24:12; 36-49; Acts 1:4-11).3
Now, at His return finally, the Kingdom comes to earth and Israel! The elect remnant of mortal Israel and surviving Gentiles live long in prosperity and peace under the rule of Christ and the saints (Isaiah 65:20-25). After a millennium of no birth control, miscarriages, abortions and limited death from natural, purposeful or accidental causes, the earth is filled with humanity from all nations. All is well until in the sovereign God’s perfect timing and will, Satan and his hordes are released from their prison. They waste no time deceiving and stirring up vast numbers from the Gentile nations to rebel and amass for suicidal war against Christ, the saints and Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-17; Revelation 20:7-8).4
However, no war takes place. As soon as the legions of demons and deceived mortals are positioned around Jerusalem, “city of the great King” and royal home base of the saints (Psalm 48:1-3), the Father rains down holy fire from Heaven upon them (Revelation 20:9). It is a consuming fire like, but exceedingly greater than that which consumed Sodom and Gomorrah, Nadab and Abihu and the offering of Elijah in days of old (Genesis 19:24-25; Leviticus 10:1-3; 1 Kings 18:30-39)! For not only will this fire from God consume every single assembled rebel mortal where they stand, but the whole physical universe and earth right down to microscopic particles and invisible elements. Indeed, for this cause sinful mortals have been on notice until now (Hebrews 12:25-29; 2 Peter 3:10-12).
In the divine initiated conflagration, Satan and his kingdom of fallen angels will be thrown into the eternally burning “lake of fire,” originally “prepared” just “for” them (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10, NKJV). Moments before His holy fire consumes every vestige of this present creation tainted by sin, God will transform elect Jews and noncombatants from mortal to immortal as protection and cause them to stand before the “throne” and “Judgment seat of Christ” with all raised from the dead for that purpose (Isaiah 66:22; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:24-30; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 50-51; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Revelation 20:11-13, 15). For the Lord Jesus “must reign” until every enemy of God’s Kingdom is eternally put down (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 20:14, NKJV)!
Standing with the Lord Jesus Christ and the holy angels in the eternal spiritual environment of divine righteousness, all written in His Book of Life will witness the amazing power of God as the promised new heavens and earth are brought forth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). There is no sun or moon and a newly designed earth is without oceans. Out of Heaven God places His built “holy city, New Jerusalem” on the earth as the apostle John was shown. Then he heard this loudly spoken: ‘“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself (the Father) will be with them and be their God’” to the joy of His eternally reigning sons who will inherit it all (Isaiah 65:18-19, 66:24; Revelation 21:2-22:5, NKJV).5
1 This post is the final of a total of three presenting and exploring the Lord’s promise that The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth posted on July 12, 2020 under the categories,
Black History and Encouragement. It was followed by the July 19, 2020 post, Ruling The Earth Under Christ, under the category, Bible prophecy.
2 Shepherds have used a wooden rod with sheep to guide, coral or redirect the wayward back into the fold and as a weapon to repel predators from ancient times (Exo-
dus 3:1, 4:1-2). Whether understood literally or figuratively, the “rod of iron” wielded by Christ and the saints is surely intended to convey firmness in righteous gover-
nance and severity of retribution upon rebels.
3 Read the January 28, 2014 two-part post, Jesus: The Jewish Messiah, under the category, Holidays. Also, see the December 20, 2015 re-post, Reigning With Christ
On Earth and The Day Of Israel’s Comfort posted on June 12, 2016 both under the category Bible Prophecy.
4 Clearly, the Lord demonstrates His infinite knowledge, wisdom and righteousness in allowing us to see for a millennium the amazing difference for good a world without
the kingdom of darkness holding sway makes. Tragically, we also see as He foreknew how susceptible imperfect mortal mankind as sinners are to the deceiving work
of the deceiver and his demon minions upon their return from below the earth! Finally too, between the first coming and return of Christ we understand why God re-
quired fallen mortals to “be born again” so, they might receive a new nature (John 3:1-8, NKJV)!
5 To learn about aspiring strong men and great women of God in the image of Jesus Christ as eternal sons, get my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. A
print copy or digital download of the book is available at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You
can also purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store. From the book as the Lord led, I also wrote a 2013 blog re-posted on June 19, 2016 you can read entitled, E-
ternal Sons Of God, under the category, Instruction.
One day soon, the Kingdom of the Babe born over 2,000 years ago as foretold in Bethlehem, Israel will be the only one on earth left standing (Psalm 47; Micah 5:2-5). I joyfully explore this prophetic truth in this edited 2013 blog repost. Merry Christmas indeed for those that are waiting for Christ to come again as it is written in God’s Word of truth (Psalm 119:41-44; Hebrews 10:37-38)!
Originally Posted June 9, 2013
Flying up through the clouds “to meet the Lord in the air” is not only our first exciting experience as immortals in new spiritual bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:17, NKJV), but the event also serves to glorify us before and remove us from the world that is about to endure the full outpouring of God’s wrath brought immediately thereafter by Christ and finished at Armageddon (Revelation 6:12-17, 14:14-16, 16:12-21, 19:11-16). From our vantage point in the sky, we will watch the cataclysmic convulsions and upheaval of the earth that destroys all of its cities except Jerusalem; bringing forth new mountains where there were valleys and valleys where there are now mountains (Isaiah 40:3-5).
Then the Lord will give the command sending forth His angelic armies to battle at Armageddon thoroughly defeating the evil, immortal pretender to His world throne and Satan along with their armies (Revelation 14:17-20, 19:17-21). So, what is next? We would have no idea if it were not for the revelation of God through Israel’s prophets, our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles written in Scripture. According to the prophet Zechariah, at the end of that first day of the Lord, Christ will stand victorious on “the Mount of Olives” in Jerusalem ready to fulfill all that has been foretold concerning His Kingdom reign and work of restoration (Zechariah 14:1-11, NKJV).
With us as His co-laborers, the curse of sin and death will be lifted from the earth and the universe which is the major reason the physical creation is waiting for the liberation of God’s eternal sons first from the same curse (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:19-22). Then the Lord by the Word of His power will begin to restore the earth and all of creation (Isaiah 35:1-2, 49:8, 65:25). Even now, we mortals in Christ are enjoying “the firstfruits of the Spirit” as part of this future creation wide restoration (Romans 8:23, NKJV). And we shall reign with Him on the earth! The eternal sons of God will rule and have supernatural strength like the angels to enforce the Lord’s righteous program as each is assigned (2 Kings 19:35; Psalm 149:5-9; Luke 22:29-30; Revelation 2:26-27, 5:9-10).
Why does God debut His Kingdom on the destructive ashes of His wrath poured out with very few survivors? Why not destroy everything as will be eventually done and bring on the brand new eternal creation right then? The intermediary step of restoring the earth and all creation in the aftermath of God’s wrath at the Second Coming of Christ is about vindication, rewards and promises! The Lord vindicates the suffering of His saints that waited millennia for His overthrow of the earth’s wicked oppressors as well as His righteous Word and wisdom (Psalm 37:7-10; Romans 12:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10).
He also rewards His saints that served Him faithfully during their mortal lives with possession of this present earth liberated from the wicked (Psalm 37:11, Matthew 5:5). Finally, the Lord’s return to and restoration of the earth is tied directly to fulfilling the divine promises made to Israel for the restoration of the nation and kingdom under the rule of the Davidic dynasty which He does as a descendant in the royal line (Matthew 1:1-2:12, 21:1-11, 27:11, 37; Luke 3:23-38). To reject that Christ returns as Israel’s long awaited King-Deliverer to keep God’s promises to restore the nation and the glory of the Davidic kingdom is to willfully reject huge portions of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation including Isaiah 11:10-16, 35:3-10, 44:21-23, 49:1-26, Zechariah 12-13, Acts 1:6-7, 3:11-21, 13:13-41, Romans 9:1-11:36, Revelation 1:7 and 7:1-8.
This is in fact, what a small group of professing Christians called amillennialists do that not only reject God yet has any literal future dealings with ethnic Israel or a reign on earth, but also the express revelation given to the apostle John that presents the time period for the reign of Christ and the saints over Israel and this current earth as “a thousand years,” (Revelation 20:4-6, NKJV). Another group called post-millennialists rejects the literal millennial reign of Christ and His saints preferring instead to believe the present churches will make the world better and the Lord will come after this. Are you kidding me? On both accounts this is what happens when men start outside of and reject God’s Word!
With application to all Scripture but in context, God’s prophetic Word, the apostle Peter writes, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,” (2 Peter 1:20-21, NKJV). Since God does not intend for us to have private interpretations of His prophetic Word that confuse and divide His people (everybody with divergent interpretations cannot be right), all professing believers need to purposely stick with the interpretation the Holy Spirit will give if we start humbly in the Word, not outside of it (1 Corinthians 1:4-10; Ephesians 4:4-6).
Scripture is consistent and unequivocal; God still has plans for His people, the Jews, and our resurrection to immortal glory as eternal sons at Christ’s return are part of them (Jeremiah 3:14-18). And while according to His Word we will spend the first thousand years of our immortality reigning with Christ on this present earth restored, know that our ultimate goal is not Heaven separated from earth, but a new, eternal Heaven on a new earth God will create before our very eyes (Isaiah 65:17-19; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-22:7).
The millennium reign of Jesus Christ as the first part of God’s eternal day fulfills His promise of comfort and restoration to Israel beyond Jewish imagination after suffering His punishment under the tyranny of the Gentiles so long.1 For as the Gentiles had their “times” in this present world and age, the Jews in the millennium reign of Christ will have theirs as part of God’s eternal day (Deuteronomy 28:58-68; Hosea 6:1-3; Zechariah 8:11-23; Luke 21:20-24, NKJV).2 Truly, all of the surviving nations on earth will bountifully benefit from the Kingdom rule of Christ and His glorified immortal saints since there will be peace, justice, fairness and prosperity (Psalm 99:1-5; Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:1-9, 25:6-9).3
Even so, this first part of God’s planned eternal day is limited to only a millennium by design because one of His major objectives is the restoration of holiness to all of His Kingdom forever! This necessitates an end to the first part of His eternal day and bringing in of a second which follows His complete crushing of Satan, sin and death. For this cause Satan and his demonic hordes were only temporarily incarcerated under the earth, while mortals still as sinners are present on it during the millennium. It is amazing how without the instigating efforts of evil, but with the fear of the Lord the sinful deeds of mortal mankind are curtailed during the millennium (Micah 4:3; Malachi 3:4-5)!
Satan must be crushed because in the second part of God’s eternal day He will no longer tolerate His fallen angel as a continuing futile rival and instigator of rebellion and opposition against Him (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-16; Romans 16:20). Hence, an '“everlasting fire'” away from God was long ago '“prepared for the devil and his angels'” in which men only join them because of refusing to repent from their evil works of sin and turn to Christ in faith for salvation (Matthew 25:41, NKJV). Indeed, because of their evil works of sin not forgiven, mortal human sinners cannot enter the Kingdom of God and eternally dwell in His presence for three important reasons.
God is holy as the first reason (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:1-5; Revelation 4:8-11)! Because God is holy, He is absolutely offended by sin and reflexively condemns its source. God loves man, but when our forefather, Adam, sinned, God followed through with His forewarned consequence of death (separation) both spiritual and physical upon him and us his progeny (Genesis 2:15-17, 3:17-19, 22-24, 5:1-5). Sin in our bodies then, separates us from the presence of God Most Holy (Isaiah 59:1-8) who would instantly breakout upon and destroy the unholy sinner that dares approach Him (Exodus 19:10-15) or transgress in His face as happened to two sinning priests of Israel (Leviticus 10:1-3)!4
This leads to the second reason mortal men “cannot inherit the Kingdom of God:” His natural realm is spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:50, NKJV). Finally, the body, spirit or soul could not endure nor will God keep His anger toward sinners forever (Genesis 6:3; Isaiah 57:15-16). This is why He never considered such a thing. But from eternity as God planned for the creation of man it was purposed that his first form be mortal to suffer death for his foreknown sin and after, become immortal; Christ preeminently unveiling and making the metamorphosis possible through His experience in the Gospel proclaimed to the world we Christians await (1 Corinthians 15:35-49, 51-57; 2 Timothy 1:8-12)!5
Therefore, in accord with the foreknowledge and infinite wisdom of God, Satan is released from his prison at the end of the millennium reign of Christ and His glorified immortal saints and the first part of God’s planned eternal day. He immediately instigates a rebellion against the Lord by the mortal Gentile nations and gathers them to Jerusalem to also attack Israel (Ezekiel 38:1-17; Revelation 20:7-8). However, God the Father from Heaven intervenes to destroy all of the rebels and the entire physical creation with holy fire, while Satan is thrown into the “lake of fire,” (Ezekiel 39:5-6; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:9-10, NKJV).6 This is followed by Christ resurrecting and judging the unsaved dead; casting them with “Death and Hades” into the fire too (Revelation 20:11-15, NKJV).
Then, the Father as foretold creates “a new heaven and a new earth” and brings down “the holy city, New Jerusalem;” launching the second part of His plan from eternity that He should dwell up close and Personal with His redeemed creatures (Revelation 21:1-3, NKJV). In this ‘“new’” and final part of His eternal day, God eliminates every vestige of relational separation, grief and hurts from the ‘“former’” mortal ages and again certifies His actions with ‘“It is done!’”7 He assures the overcoming saint he ‘“shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son,’” (Revelation 21:4-8, NKJV). We will live together with, learn from and serve God and Christ in the indescribably glorious and beautifully Jewish accented New Jerusalem “forever and ever,” (Revelation 21:9-22:5, NKJV)!8
1 Read the August 13, 2023 post, There Is A New Beginning!, under the category, Bible Prophecy.
2 See the June 12, 2016 post, The Day Of Israel’s Comfort, under the category, Bible Prophecy.
3 See the September 24, 2017 post, Christ To Restore All Things, under the categories Bible Prophecy and The Cause.
4 Professed Christians practicing sin in the face of Christ are assured of His chastening in Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:23-32; Revelation 3:19). This being so, He calls for His wayward sheep in the pews and pulpits to turn back to Him in this Ministry’s latest Strong Man Of God Online Rally, Return To The Lord, on YouTube. Isn’t your life worth thirty minutes?
5 The Lord led me to write on the topic of His design of man to be mortal as a first stage, then, immortal as a second in posts that run from July 3, 2016 through August 14, 2016.
6 For more on these events read the December 27, 2015 post, People And Guns, under the category, Biblical Worldview and the one on November 13, 2022, Jesus Christ: God’s Perfect King, under the category, Glory To God!
7 Read the August 6, 2023 post, The Last Day Of The End, under the category, Bible Prophecy.
8 Being eternal sons, disciples and servants is the destiny of every aspiring strong man and great woman of God in the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) as He leads me to unflinchingly write about in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. It is available in the Hard or Soft Cover or E-Book Editions along with the companion Strong Man Of God Men’s Group Study and Great Woman Of God Women’s Group Study in the Strong Man Store, among internet booksellers and brick and mortar bookstores.
As the Lord leads this week, I continue exploring His promise rooted in Bible prophecy that “The meek shall inherit the earth,” (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5, NKJV).1 The Lord Jesus not only affirmed God’s promise made through king David, He made it possible by His atoning death for our sins, burial and resurrection from the dead! All who humble themselves to repent of their sins, believe on Him and receive the Holy Spirit to be born again are the meek as well as “saints” before God (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, NKJV); enjoying all of the eternal spiritual rights, privileges and benefits of the Kingdom of Heaven now, while waiting on its full display at Christ’s Second Coming.
After having declared it “at hand” and showing its superior might, “the kingdom of heaven” and its inheritors were what the Lord Jesus sat down to teach His disciples and the multitudes about that had gathered to Him on a mountain in the Galilee region (Matthew 4:17, 23-5:1, NKJV). As I wrote previously, He taught all who are “the poor in spirit” and outside of the Kingdom were “Blessed” (happy) because entering in now, it would and does belong to them by divine bestowal (Luke 12:32)! Likewise, those “who mourn” over the world’s sins and their own were blessed because they would “be comforted” leading to the promise of inheriting the earth He affirms (Matthew 5:2-5, NKJV).
God’s comfort for sin is His forgiveness now, and eventual complete liberation and removal from its presence (Luke 24:46-47; Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 2 Peter 3:10-13). But the Lord does not stop here. He teaches that the yearning among lost humanity for “righteousness” which is ultimately God’s righteousness will cause the meek to be blessed as it is fulfilled in them. Completely His disciples, He further instructs they are blessed by being “merciful,” “pure in heart,” “peacemakers” and “persecuted for righteousness’ sake” because respectively, they will “obtain mercy,” “see God,” “be called sons of God” and again, receive the Kingdom (Matthew 5:6-10, NKJV).
It should be clear at this point that the Lord’s emphasis on receiving the Kingdom is not only intertwined with what His disciples each inherit as personal blessings for following Him, but importantly too, what they inherit corporately including the promise of the earth as a possession. However, as the Lord goes on to teach, the Kingdom and its blessings will not come without suffering fueled by persecution as the prophets and His apostles also warn (Daniel 7:21-27; Matthew 5:11-12; Acts 14:19-22). Persecution is the direct result of being Christ’s disciple--preaching the Gospel and modeling His Word to an evil, hostile world of sinners (Matthew 5:13-48; Philippians 1:27-30).2
Nevertheless, the Lord taught us who follow Him as disciples to pray specifically to our Father petitioning for His Kingdom to come to earth and His will to be done here “as it is in heaven,” (Matthew 6:9-10, NKJV). So, faithful saints pray; longing, suffering and waiting for the Day of the Lord and His reversal in our favor that launches with Christ’s return, the resurrection of those that have died and translation of those still alive that remain before God pours out His full wrath upon the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; Revelation 16:15-21).3 On that Day, we will watch the vengeance of the Lord from the sky as He takes down those and the ruler of this world that have persecuted His saints and attacked Israel (Isaiah 34:1-4, 8; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12; Revelation 6:12-17, 19:11-20:3).
Immediately following Christ’s victory in the final war of the ages, He and the saints will take possession and control of the whole earth--in our hands as promised (Psalms 2:6-12, 37:9, 97).4 And we will reign with Him as king-priests forever (2 Timothy 2:11-13; Revelation 1:4-6, 5:8-10)! Indeed, the Kingdom rule of Christ and the saints extends beyond the earth to include all of the created universe as originally planned for man by God, but delayed by sin which Christ moved out of the way through His cross (Hebrews 2:5-13). On earth, the saints will rule in the image of Christ the King who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Romans 8:29-30; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:2) and His likeness (Isaiah 11:2-5, 42:1-4; Malachi 2:7, 3:5; Revelation 19:16, NKJV).
Under Christ the King, the saints with their rods of iron will decisively and justly judge mortal mankind among the nations in every realm of governance He wills and angels (Psalm 149:5-9; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; Revelation 3:26-27, 20:4-6). While Scripture makes no specific statement about how the rule of the saints will be organized in the earth and universe, there is no need to depart from what it already shows are the approved divine patterns to have a sound idea (Exodus 18:13-27; Mark 3:13-19, 10:35-40; Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 14:1-5). The Lord will take all of the hard, God alone issues to His Father, but delegate judgment to the saints to dispense from what is His already written sound, transcendent knowledge and wisdom with instantaneous guidance from Him through the Holy Spirit.
Tolerated no more ever again will be corrupt and inept governance, political strife, fear of wanton mortal violence, murder, war, theft, oppressions, abuse of women or children, family disorder, poverty or homelessness as widespread, intractable problems, injustice, discrimination based on ethnicity, race or nationality, exploitation, drug abuse, adultery, sexual immorality, abortion, lying, religious deceit, confusion or idolatry, any other standing forms of evil, incurable disease or sickness. For “knowledge of the Lord” the “King” and peace will fill “the earth” and He alone exalted “in that day,” (Isaiah 11:6-9; Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 4:1-3, NKJV). Stubborn sinners and rebel nations will visibly suffer the consequences (Isaiah 65:20; Zechariah 14:16-19). O glorious day; bring it Lord!
1 See the July 12, 2020 post, The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth, under the categories Black History and Encouragement.
2 This is the heart of every aspiring strong man and great woman of God in the image of Jesus Christ I give instruction about and to as the Lord leads in my book, The
Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. Get a print copy or digital download of the book at major internet booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
ChristianBooks.com and Apple (digital only). You can also purchase a print copy in the Strong Man Store.
3 This scenario is biblically consistent with all of the previous ways God has done in history right down to the very small number of persons ever translated (Genesis 5:
24; 2 Kings 2:11) or moved out of the way of His cataclysmic and destructive wrath (Genesis 7:13-24; 19:15-29). There is no biblical precedent for God effecting a
mass removal of millions of people to avoid tribulation (suffering) He has allowed save Israel after many years in Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:7-8; Deuteronomy 4:
32-35). But now, even of Israel God will deliver only a remnant as foretold (Isaiah 1:9, 10:20-23).
4 Read the December 20, 2015 re-post, Reigning With Christ On Earth, under the category, Bible Prophecy, along with the September 17, 2017 post, God’s Kingdom
Restored To Earth! followed by Christ To Restore All Things, on September 24, 2017 both under the categories Bible Prophecy and The Cause.
As the Lord leads, in this post for now, I wrap up talking about His Father’s planned eternal day very near; that day He has prepared for those He has saved from His just wrath against sinners by grace through faith in Christ which launches it.1 Professed Christians have been the first audience for the posts discussing His eternal day as the culmination of those the Lord led me to write July 2-23, 2023. Depending on whether or not the professed Christian reader was truly saved and faithful, the posts I pray were hope inspiring! If not, then, the Lord made clear His call to return lest you miss out on God’s eternal day.2 As always, unsaved sinners were an important second audience for the posts.
For the sake of the unsaved sinner, as the Holy Spirit gives words and power I humbly yet again declare the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ; that out of God’s love He came into the world to die on the cross for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. All who repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ’s atoning work announced in the Gospel will be forgiven and saved from eternal condemnation and God’s approaching just wrath against sinners. Too, the believer is brought to spiritual birth and eternal life by the Holy Spirit who also marks him out for God’s eternal day (John 3:16-21, 36; Acts 2:36-40; Romans 10:11-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-14).
Beyond superficial intellectual assent to the Gospel announcement as belief in its content, the Lord instructs that the one truly saved came to it and Him with the heart of a humble little child. He said, ‘“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,’” (Matthew 18:1-4, NKJV). To be converted is to experience a real change of heart first toward one’s sins from calloused acceptance to grief they exist with appeal for rescue granted (Matthew 5:2-6)!3 Second, it is to appreciate from the heart what God has done in Christ to deliver us from our sin guilt through unmerited forgiveness (Romans 3:9-4:8, 5:6-11, 6:23).
The Holy Spirit would have me also review what is at stake for the unsaved sinner as one who never accepts the Gospel or one of the many impostors that proliferate within professing Christianity at this hour. If you never receive the Gospel and become converted before dying, at your death you will be sent to Hades under the earth to await the judgment of your works. And not being found in the “Book of Life,” you will be excluded from God’s eternal day in Hell forever (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15, NKJV)! Concerning religious folk as impostors in and outside of the churches that even in His ‘“name’” do astounding works, the Lord is clear the same fate is yours (Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV).4
The same fate also awaits ‘“anyone’” who ‘“worships the beast (Antichrist) and his image, and receives his mark…’” or who remains hardened to the Gospel up until God in wrath launches His eternal day (Revelation 14:9-11, 16:1-21, NKJV). If it is all like that for unfaithful Christians, the unsaved and religious impostors, how could it be those that abandon the faith as apostates have a place in God’s eternal day? They don’t (John 15:6; Hebrews 3:7-19, 6:4-8, 10:37-39)!5 The Word of the Lord as it is written could not be plainer: ‘“But he who endures to the end will be saved,’” (Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:19, NKJV). We then, who are by faith truly saved must faithfully endure in it with all perseverance to the end to enjoy God’s eternal day (Hebrews 10:35-36)!6
(I am taking Labor Day off next Sunday, September 3rd with thanks to God for the privilege to labor in His Kingdom causes! He willing, my next post appears September 10th. Enjoy your Labor Day.)
1 Read the following posts: July 30, 2023, There Is An End!, August 13, 2023, There Is A New Beginning! and August 20, 2023, God’s Eternal Day Firmly Established, all un- der the category, Bible Prophecy.
2 As it is referenced in each of the posts noted in the above footnote and now, this one, the Lord is calling His dull of hearing sheep among others as well to turn back to Him with a whole heart through this Ministry’s Strong Man Of God Online Rally, Return To The Lord, featured on its dedicated YouTube Channel.
3 Indeed, the transformation of heart in biblical conversion is so thorough, the person saved is described as “a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). If that is not you in heart, then, you are not saved!
4 Read the September 4, 2016 post, Christianity The Religion American Style and the related two-part post that begins September 11, 2016, American Culture’s Religion, both under the category, Call To Repent to consider the truth that Christianity as a religion of human invention and practice does not impress God nor can it save!
5 Let every professed Christian and any self-anointed “good person” claiming a spot in God’s eternal day and holy city carefully consider who is excluded by Him and Christ (Revelation 21:8, 27, 22:12-17)!
6 This is most certainly the aim of every aspiring strong man and great woman of God I write about in my book, The Strong Man Of God: Back To Basics. Pick up your Hard or Soft Cover or E-Book Edition in the Strong Man Store, among internet booksellers and brick and mortar bookstores.
Far from the supposedly hope quenching gloom and doom view of Bible prophecy foretelling the apocalyptic end of this present world as we have known it even many professed Christians hold, is the gloriously bright reality captured in the phrase, “the Lord reigns,” (Psalms 93:1, 96:10-12, 97:1-9, 99:1-3; Revelation 19:6, NKJV)! These three words are exclaimed on the earth and in every other realm of existence after the victory of Jesus Christ at Jerusalem!1 Indeed, elect, mortal Israel and surviving Gentiles of His grace are urged to join the glorified immortal saints in joyful celebration of the King; singing His praises with awe and jubilation (Psalms 47, 98, 100, 150:1-4; Isaiah 12)!
As the faithful reflect from this mortal vantage point prior to the coming Day of the Lord, it is beyond tragically sad that all of humanity does not accept God’s free offer of salvation and restoration through repentance and faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! For knowing the end from the beginning, salvation and restoration has been in God’s heart from eternity when He saw that man would sin. Giving His creature free will, God also saw that many would exercise it and reject His gracious offer of pardon with immortal glory. For this reason, any sadness we have now should move the faithful to proclaim the Gospel and witness Christ to unsaved fellow humanity with all the more zeal!
For truly, we of all people have known from God’s Word that deliverance from and an end to this present evil age governed by fallen angels was finally going to come. Rule over the earth or any part of physical creation was not intended for them, but man under the sovereign and righteous reign of God (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8). However, Adam rejected God’s rule (Genesis 2:16-17, 3:1-6)! Nevertheless, the Day of the Lord was telegraphed in His foretelling of Satan’s defeat by the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15)! Patient and longsuffering over the millennia, God first celebrates restoration of His Kingdom rule through Christ outside 1st century Jerusalem (Colossians 2:11-15).
Doing my assigned Kingdom work with many tears for the lost and disobedient professed Christians along the way, I gladly leave it behind for a moment and in God’s will come to the foretold second celebration of His rule restored by Christ at Jerusalem! With His prophetic Word, faith and Kingdom vision causing me to be in attendance, I join in the celebration--shouting, clapping, dancing and singing praises to King Jesus; yes, in unrestrained joy shouting with all of my voice “the Lord reigns, He reigns forever and ever!” “All glory, praises and honor be unto Him!” Then, like David, with total abandon I dance before the “King of glory,” (2 Samuel 6:12-15; Psalm 24, NKJV)!
Subsequently, I realize again I and all of the saints around me are shining with God’s glory and explode in fresh inexpressible joy--yet, I am expressing it fully (Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 13:41-43; 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, 54-57; 1 Peter 1:3-9)!2 My slave forefathers may have truthfully sung “nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” On this Day, though, everyone under, on and positioned over the earth knows my joy in the Lord with all of the saints for His victory; vindicating our faith, hope and suffering in Him (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)!3 “Glory to God; glory to the ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’ who reigns and alone is worshipped forever more” (Zechariah 14:9, 16-19; Revelation 11:16, NKJV)!
As foretold, the King One with the Holy Spirit will reign in the reverence of His Father in truth, righteous judgment, unimpeachable justice that punishes wicked mortals in accord with what their sins deserve, divine wisdom, knowledge, strength, perfect fairness, impartiality and tenderness toward the meek (Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Psalm 99:4-5; Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-5; Matthew 5:5). Men will be taught the ways of the Lord and from Jerusalem His law will go forth throughout all the earth. In consequence, under His rule a real, thorough and lasting peace will prevail on the earth. Men will turn their weapons into tools and study war no more forever. The ferocity and carnivorous behavior of related plants and animals will cease (Isaiah 2:1-4; 11: 6-10; 65:24-25; Micah 4:1-3)!
The King will rule over mortal men with a “rod of iron” from His glorious throne at Jerusalem; elevated in height and beauty by Him (Psalm 2:8-9; Zechariah 14:8, 10-11; Revelation 19:15, NKJV). And we, His saints, shall reign on the earth with Him in all of the same character qualities and governance as He (Psalm 150:5-9; Daniel 7:26-27; Revelation 1:4-6, 2:26-29, 5:9-10, 20:4-6)! “Glory, glory to God for His awesome vindication of His faithful; of those that endured to the end proclaiming the Gospel to restore men and standing firm on His Word!”4 If only all professed Christians today could truly believe that what is unfolding in the world--great evil, a creation in labor pains and His coming wrath--is heading toward the exceedingly better Day of God’s Kingdom restored to earth!
1 I acknowledge that I with many other prophecy teachers and authors have conveniently named earth’s final war, “Armageddon” as is the case in my December 20, 2015 re-post, Reigning With Christ On Earth, under the category, Bible Prophecy that I recommend be read along with this present post. Technically, though, Armageddon is the hill or tel of Megiddo in northern Israel overlooking plains easily corresponding to the prophet Joel’s “Valley of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:1-2, NKJV). It serves as the ma- jor assembly area, staging ground and launch point of the world’s armies with Antichrist for war against Israel and Jerusalem. Christ descends upon the Mount Of Olives immediately in front of Jerusalem on the east and engages the enemy there delivering it while also overseeing His swift victory in the war actually raging all over Israel in- cluding Armageddon and around it (Isaiah 63:1-6). Then my Lord the King will enter Jerusalem to great acclamation as before, but this time on a white horse and with all knowing in absolute certainty who He is (Matthew 21:1-11, 23:37-39; Revelation 19:11)!
2 See the July 31, 2016 blog, The Immortal Bodies Of God’s Eternal Sons, under the category, God’s Creatures to learn more about the glorious immortal bodies of the saints!
3 Read the November 29, 2015 blog, When The Glory Comes, under the category, Glory To God!
4 Check out the Give Page on our Web Site to see how you can support the ongoing work of Strong Man Ministries to restore men.
As a follow up to the just concluded three part formerly published Commentary series, “Raised To Immortal Glory” and especially part three, the Lord has led me to repost this edited June 2013 blog that originally posted in the same month as the series. All are now in this same blog category, God’s Creatures. This repost seeks to extract more details from Scripture about the glorious, immortal spiritual bodies God is to provide His eternal sons after the likeness of Christ’s.
Originally Posted June 2, 2013
The bodies of the dead in Christ are raised up and those of the living remnant are transformed in less than the blink of an eye at His coming according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. The form and function of their bodies will be like Christ’s own glorious, immortal spiritual body which is equipped for God’s purposes through the endless ages of eternity (Philippians 3:20-21)! And while John in His epistle is clear we on this side of glory will not have a precise picture of what we as glorified immortals will look like until Christ is revealed, he too assures us that we will be like Him (1 John 3:2).
Based on the revelation of the glorified Christ John later saw (Revelation 1:10-17), there are some similarities between the natural body we now have and the glorified spiritual body in the masculine likeness of Christ we will receive at the resurrection. There will also be some tremendous qualitative differences with a few new (to us) features included! With all praises to our God, we do not have to guess or fill in the blanks with a lot of wacky speculation about the immortal spiritual bodies He has prepared for His eternal sons; what He wants known now is in His Word! My mission is to only briefly examine what God’s Word says about our future glorious, immortal spiritual bodies to inspire our further study, reflection, excitement and praise to God!
Scripture gives three sources of knowledge about the future immortal spiritual bodies of the eternal sons of God: our present natural bodies, Christ and the angels. From our natural bodies and Christ’s glorified likeness seen by John, we understand that along with a head featuring hair, a chest, arms, hands, legs and feet, the general frame and form characteristic of the natural human body are to be preserved as will ethnicity (Revelation 21:22-26) in our spiritual bodies. Also, we will retain the five senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching with all of the corresponding body parts to include teeth. Raised in His immortal spiritual body that had not yet been glorified, our Lord interacted with His disciples normally using the senses.
He used His and invited His disciples to use their senses and associated natural body parts in His company (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:24-29). In a third post-resurrection meeting with His disciples recorded in John 21:1-14, notice in verse 9 how smell would have played a role in the experience of everyone present including the Lord who cooked breakfast. Indeed, the prophets and the Lord speak of eating and drinking as a fixture in the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 25:6; Luke 22:14-18, 28-30). Of the fruit eaten will be that of the “tree of life,” (Revelation 2:7, NKJV). Now, consider how superior your sensory abilities and experiences will be in perfect spiritual bodies where every sense and body part functions perfectly!
It was our Lord that taught in the resurrection to immortal glory the sons of God will be “equal to the angels,” (Luke 20:34-36, NKJ). In likeness to the eternal existence of God’s spirit creatures, angels, the sons of God will never again marry, procreate or die. Unlike in their previous natural, mortal bodies, there will be no more hormones or bodily features that arouse sexual desire leading to proper sex or that which in sin leads to evil seduction, promiscuity or perversions (Hebrews 13:4). However, this will not be the end to pleasure. By divine design, in immortal spiritual bodies with form and functions fitted to a new, eternal creation, the righteous in Christ will experience new kinds of pleasure in the presence of our holy God forever (Psalm 16:11, 36:7-9; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17)!
As with the holy angels too, the new spiritual bodies of God’s sons will be indestructible as well as impervious to physical pain, sickness, disease and calamity (Revelation 21:4). Like our Lord and angels, the sons of God will be able to appear and disappear (Judges 13:1-14; Luke 24:28-31). We will also be able to fly without wings (Psalm 104:1-3; Isaiah 60:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) as well as travel back and forth between the spiritual and physical dimensions (Judges 13:15-21; Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 11:11-12). We will travel between two dimensions only until the day our God makes the two dimensions, one (2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-3)!
The Lord Jesus instructs it is the divine intent that the Holy Spirit should be with the sons of God forever (John 14:16-17)! For faithful Christians, then, the same Holy Spirit who has been our Companion in this life will be with us when these natural bodies die and forever! At the moment of death, whatever have been limits to the Holy Spirit’s display of the eternal divine life and power in the inner man of our mortal experience (Ephesians 3:14-16; Hebrews 6:4-5) are removed. We will henceforth enjoy the overflowing outpour of His life into us up through our embodiment into immortal spiritual bodies and evermore (John 3:34, 6:63, 7:37-39, 10:10; Revelation 21:6, 22:1)!
We will also have direct access, be perfectly attuned to, enjoy and express the inexhaustible riches of God’s knowledge and wisdom. And as we had to be equipped by the Holy Spirit with enabling power in spiritual gifts on this side of glory to do God’s will, in the day of our immortal glory we will also be outfitted by Him with supernatural abilities to carry out the purposes, assignments and work of God for eternity (Ephesians 3:20-21)! Too, well beyond the limitations of the mortal body in sin, doubt and fear, we will routinely do things like walk on water as Peter did and as our Lord showed, exercise the power of God to move mountains in accord with His purposes (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 11:20-24).
Finally, because of the indwelling presence of God in us, like our Lord the glory of God will shine out from our immortal spiritual bodies as His eternal sons and with even new names, we shall reign with Christ forever (Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 13:43; 2 Timothy 2:10-13; Revelation 2:17, 3:12-13, 21-22, 21:5, 22:3-5)! The risen, living Christ continues His cry among American churches, "Who is on the Lord's side?"
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