THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH.

By Greg Laurie

According to Webster's dictionary, "tribulation" means "a state of great trouble or suffering." The Tribulation is a period of time set aside for two purposes; the judgment of a Christ-rejecting world and the national redemption of Israel.

I've searched the Scriptures on this particular topic and nowhere can I find a third purpose that could involve the Church.

The twenty-one judgments of Revelation are the culmination of the Edenic curse; there are environmental judgments against the earth and sea, judgments against animals and fish, and judgments against those whom the Apostle John says "dwell upon the earth."

Uniquely, Revelation uses this curious phrase "dwell upon the earth". John is carefully distinguishing those that "dwell upon the earth" from those that are 'dwelling' elsewhere.

The word "dwell" means 'to inhabit' in the sense of a physical home and came to Old English from the Middle Dutch word "dwellen" which means "to stun or perplex" according to the on-board dictionary that comes standard on a Mac.

(I'm not doing an ad for Mac here -- I want to be clear that my source here is an ordinary dictionary which has no point to make)

The phrase "they that dwell upon the earth" is used in Scripture exclusively within the framework of the Tribulation Period.

Revelation 3:10 draws a distinction between those who dwell upon the earth and those the Lord will keep from the trial specifically designed for them:

"Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."

I've heard every possible refutation of that verse as it pertains to the Church and the Rapture. However, one cannot explain away the fact the Lord is drawing a distinction -- those that dwell upon the earth will undergo a period of 'trial' whereas, somebody else will be kept from it.

In Revelation 6:10, the martyrs slain for the Word of God ". . . cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?"

Again, we have a distinction between the martyrs for Christ and those that dwell upon the earth. The phrase "them that dwell on the earth" is used to describe those responsible for shedding the blood of the martyrs.

They "that dwell upon the earth" are identified in Revelation 11:10 as rejoicing over the deaths of the two witnesses;

"And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth."

In Revelation 13:8 they are identified as the unsaved who will worship the antichrist:

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

The Scripture says specifically that 'they that dwell upon the earth' during the Tribulation are those against whom the Two Witnesses prophesied, which is why they that dwell upon the earth during the Tribulation will rejoice.

It also links "all that dwell upon the earth" to the antichrist and says that their names are NOT in the Book of Life.

In Revelation 13:14 John says the False Prophet:

". . .deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."

Those that dwell upon the earth will be universally deceived by the means of miracles and will worship the beast as a god.

Meanwhile, Revelation 14:6 further identifies they that dwell upon the earth as those in need of salvation . . .

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

Note also that while 'them that dwell upon the earth' are in need of the Gospel, there appears to be nobody around to preach it to them. That job has been assigned to an angel.

Revelation 17:8 provides further insight into both the Beast and who they that dwell upon the earth might be.

"The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is."

I believe John is identifying the Beast in all its forms, political, religious and systematic; Political Rome was, but then collapsed, went 'underground' so to speak, transferring power to the papacy temporarily -- until the political Beast reemerges as leader of the revived Roman Empire.

John identifies "they that dwell upon the earth" once again as being those whose names are not in the Book of Life and who will join the Beast 'in perdition'.

Assessment:

It is fairly obvious from these Scriptures that they that dwell upon the earth during the Tribulation Period are not Christians. Those who are Christians are pictured in heaven.

Those who get saved during the Tribulation, whether through the 144,000 evangelists of Revelation 7 or the angel of Revelation 14 cannot be included among those "that dwell upon the earth" because they will be executed.

". . . cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. " Revelation 13:15 says. That is another way of saying "all" -- although John gets more specific on that point in the next two verses.

"And he causeth ALL, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

And that NO man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:16-17)

That seems pretty inclusive. One can find within this structure those whose names are not written in the Book of Life, those who by taking the mark will have their names blotted out and those who are killed for refusing the mark.

But those who are killed are NOT those that 'dwell upon the earth' -- they are the ones dwelling with John in heaven.

In 2009, a crowd estimated at 1.7 million marched on Washington to protest the government plan to impose health care. Can you imagine the protest that would come if the millions of Christians in America were given the ultimatum of denying Christ and worshipping Obama?

However, if those millions suddenly vanished into thin air and Obama claimed credit for it, them 'that dwell upon the earth' would line up to get their mark as quickly as they lined up for Cash for Clunkers.

If one begins from the perspective that the Church is not uniquely exempt from judgment by virtue of being saved, then it isn't really too hard to find verses in Tribulation that might be interpreted as the Church. Tribulation saints easily become born-again Christians in this view.

But if one begins from the perspective that judgment for sin means sins both forgiven and unforgiven, then again, it might be possible to argue that the Church qualifies for the twenty-one judgments of the Tribulation.

But if one simply tries to figure out who John is referring to when he speaks of "them that dwell upon the earth" it is abundantly clear that the one thing they ALL have in common is that their names are not found in the Book of Life.

And according to the Scripture, they are the only ones dwelling here. The Church is present with John from the moment that John hears a voice from heaven saying "Come up hither" in Revelation 4:1.

It would be a simple matter to delve into Revelation and interpret a few verses a bit differently and build an argument for a pre-wrath or post trib Rapture -- I am anticipating getting a few in response to this column.

What is not so simple, however, is coming up with verses that suggest the indwelt Church is numbered among "they that dwell upon the earth" during this period.

And if the Church isn't among those dwelling upon the earth, then where is it dwelling? There is only one answer that fits both the Scriptures and the chronological and logical narrative presented by Revelation.

"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. . ." (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17)

". . . .And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming." (2nd Thessalonians 2:8)

The Tribulation is specifically set aside for "them that dwell upon the earth". "Them that dwell upon the earth" are specifically identified as the unsaved whose names are not in the Book of Life.

The Church is not there. The Church left, along with John in Revelation 4:1.

"Wherefore, comfort one another with these words."

EZEKIEL'S WAR SHAPING UP

By Daymond Duck

       

I have been saying that I think the battle of Gog and Magog (a great battle that will take place when Russia, Iran, Turkey and others attack Israel; Ezek. 38:8, 16) is getting close for about 40 years and it hasn't happened yet.

 

It is obvious that I don't know when this war will break out, but it is my honest opinion, and I am still going to say that I think it is getting close.

 

The reason for this is the fact that what the Bible says about that world changing battle is taking shape on the ground with each passing day (Ezek. 38-39).

 

The "land of Magog" (Ezek. 38:1, 15; Gen. 10:2) is clearly Russia.

 

"Gog" of the land of Magog (Ezek. 38:1) is the "dictator" over the land of Magog (Russia). Russia has a "dictator" (Pres. Vladimir Putin at this time). Russia has troops in Syria right now.

"Persia" (Ezek. 38:5) is definitely modern day Iran. The Iranians have troops in Syria right now.

"Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands; and many people with thee" (Ezek. 38:6) is definitely Turkey and others (perhaps Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan). Turkey has troops in Syria right now.

 

"Be thou prepared" (for this war; Ezek. 38:7) is clearly a God-given instruction for Russia's leader to prepare to attack Israel on the mountains of Israel (Ezek. 38:8; 39:2).

 

"Be thou a guard unto them" (Ezek. 38:7) is clearly a God-given instruction for Russia's leader to protect her allies (Iran, Turkey, Hezbollah, etc.).

 

"Thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land" (Ezek. 38:9) appears to be air power.

 

"Sheba and Dedan (cities in Saudi Arabia), and the merchants of Tarshish (probably Britain), with all of its young lions (probably the U.S. with perhaps Canada and Australia), will question Russia's motivation for this war (Ezek. 38:13).

 

I will "cause thee to come up from the north parts" (Ezek. 39:2) can only mean that God will cause Russia and her allies to pass through Lebanon or Syria or both on the way to Israel. Both nations share a border with Israel in the northern parts of Israel.

 

Concerning God's instruction to "be thou prepared" Russia has been moving troops and weapons into Syria since the fall of 2015. Iran, Turkey and Hezbollah (headquartered in Lebanon) also have troops and weapons in Syria.

 

On May 4, 2017, Russia, Iran, Turkey and Hezbollah prepared even more by agreeing to create four de-escalation zones (also called "safe zones" or "no-fly zones") in Syria. One of these "safe zones" is on Israel's border in the mountains of Israel. Russia and the others decided to have the "safe zones" monitored by Iranian troops.

 

Israel and the U.S. refused to accept Iranian troops near Israel's border on the mountains of Israel (Golan Heights) so Russia and her allies altered their preparations by deciding to place Russian troops instead of Iranian troops on Israel's border.

 

Israel and the U.S. also refused to accept a no-fly zone on Israel's border with Syria because that would prevent Israeli jets from attacking foreign troops that are assembling in the mountains of Israel (Golan Heights).

 

On May 14, 2017, troops from the U.S. (probably a young lion), Britain (probably the merchants of Tarshish) and Jordan entered Syria and took up positions along the border of Israel.

 

On May 16, 2017, Hezbollah moved 1,000 troops into position to block the advance of the U.S., British and Jordanian troops.

 

On May 18, 2017, a twenty-vehicle convoy of troops and weapons (probably Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah) got close to a U.S. base and the U.S. scrambled several jets to fly over the convoy as a warning. Fifteen vehicles stopped, but five continued to advance so the U.S. destroyed them.

 

On May 20, 2017, Syrian, Iranian and Hezbollah advanced again and actually took about 60 square kilometers of territory.

 

At the time this article was written, it was reported that U.S. jets will probably strike the attackers again.

 

Concerning Russia "being a guard" to her allies, Russia called the U.S. attack "absolutely unacceptable."

 

Concerning "like a cloud to cover the land," Russia and her allies have planes and helicopters in Syria and they can quickly increase the number that they have.

 

Concerning Sheba and Dedan (cities in Saudi Arabia) just questioning the motivation of these invaders, the Saudis will question it because they are enemies of Iran, but they won't help Israel because they would like to see Israel destroyed.

 

Pray for the tiny nation of Israel because she will suffer damage. But understand that this war will be the doing of the Holy One of Israel and many will acknowledge His existence when He reveals Himself by destroying Russia and her allies on the mountains of Israel.

 

Having written these things, and finally, this article is about the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38-39), but it could easily be preceded by the war between Israel and Syria that leads to the destruction of Damascus in one night (Isaiah 17:1).

 

A LITTLE LEAVEN SPOILS THE WHOLE LUMP

 

A believer moves through three stages in life: salvation (a one-time event), sanctification (a life-long event), and glorification (a permanent event). Satan actively attacks all three of these areas to either prevent a person from hearing the truth to become saved or by perverting the truth to keep a believer's growth in Christ stunted.

 

The best tactical strategy an adversary could ever have is to keep his enemy in a state of both confusion and disarray. We know that Satan (i.e., the adversary) has used this strategy of corruption generously over the course of human history. When he was not able to outright crush Israel or the Church, he chose a more subtle method. Corruption came in the form of idolatry, false religious practices, religiosity, pseudo, heretical, and apostate variations of the truth.

 

In reading the Old Testament (OT), we see that the Israelites struggled with these issues since the time of their deliverance during the Exodus. Likewise, the Church has had to deal with the following spiritual corruption over the past two thousand years via pseudo-Christian cults, heretical and apostate teachings, Judaizers, Eastern-Mysticism, Emergent movements, Seeker-Friendly, Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Prosperity and Social Gospels and so forth. But most of these error-laden movements are fairly obvious to anyone who actually reads their Bibles. These primarily impact issues surrounding salvation.

 

What is not so obvious are the stealth movements within orthodox Christianity. These are movements within Christendom that target born-again Christians already, and then seek to thwart or stunt their understanding of salvation, sanctification, and glorification. Some of these traditions and teachings were simply products of the times in which they lived. These are they which seem correct at a glance, but upon further review fall apart when put in context of the entirety of Scripture.

 

These are ones that tend to introduce ideas and teachings either exploiting gray areas within Scripture or misconstrue doctrines by over/under-emphasizing certain areas. By gray, I mean those areas that on the surface do not clarify positions with extreme clarity. These are Calvinism, Replacement Theology, Covenant Theology, Hebrew Roots, Lordship Salvation, and the eschatological positions of Amillennialism, Post-Millennialism, Historic Pre-Millennialism, Mid-Tribulation, Pre-Wrath Rapture, Dominionism, and Post-Tribulation Rapture.

 

All stealth movements find their strength in either teaching half-measures or by introducing non-biblically sourced creeds, opinions, theories, and dogmas (reinforcing the errors) to uninformed students. Half-measures would be teachings that are correct on certain points, but either questionable or incorrect in many others. Covenant theology, for example, theorizes that God had a work covenant with Adam in the Garden pre-fall. Yet, the word covenant is never used until Genesis 6 when God pronounced one with Noah and his family...some 1650 years after the Garden. Thus, Covenant theology inserts this non-existent idea into Scripture (eisegesis) to support its claim of validity.

 

The theological terms, Covenant of Works and Covenant of Grace, do not occur in Scripture.  If they are to be sustained it must be wholly apart from Biblical authority.  What is known as Covenant Theology builds its structure on these two covenants and is, at least, a recognition--though inadequate--of the truth that the creature has responsibility toward his Creator. Covenant Theology has Cocceius (1603-1669) as its chief exponent.  "He taught that before the Fall, as much as after it, the relation between God and man was a covenant.  The first was a Covenant of Works.  For this was substituted, after the Fall, the Covenant of Grace..."  Upon this human invention of two covenants, Reformed Theology has largely been constructed. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Volume IV (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Seminary Press, 1948) p. 156

If one wanted to support a Hebrew Roots position for example, then one must extensively twist Paul's teachings to attempt to force the Pauline Epistles to say what they clearly do not. Paul battled extensively with the Judaizers who were attempting to reintroduce the tenets of the Mosaic Law back into the Church. Galatians and Hebrews are books which speak extensively against adding the law back into faith. Yet, Hebrew Roots groups either dismiss Paul's writings, or they twist his teachings.

 

If one wanted to promote Five-Point Calvinism, then one over-emphasizes predestination while simultaneously downplaying free will. Thus, overemphasizing predestination as a foregone conclusion quells the spirit of evangelism for many. Worse still, the unnecessary Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate has divided the church for centuries. All of the aforementioned views, either recognizable or stealth, focus only on the parts and not the sum of Scripture.

 

Eschatology

 

Satan has been particularly effective in twisting Christian eschatology over the past three millennia, so much so, that the Jews did not even recognize their Messiah when He was standing in their midst (Matt. 16:1-4). First and foremost, a good general (or leader) does not lay out His battles plans clearly so that the enemy can anticipate them. This is why Christ's first coming was both explained, yet hidden within the passages of the Old Testament. We know in hindsight and with help by the Holy Spirit that Christ would:

 

• Be born of a virgin (Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 7:13-14)
• When He would come (Daniel 9:24-27)
• Be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
• Confound the wise (Psalm 78:2-4, Isaiah 6:9-10)
• Would be rejected by His people (Isaiah 53:3)
• Be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12-13)
• Become the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:5-12)
• Be crucified (at least 500 years before crucifixion was invented) (Psalm 22)
• Be crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12)
• His bones would not be broken (Exodus 12:46; Psalm 34:20)
• His hands and feet would be pierced (Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10)
• Would rise again (Job 19:25-27; Psalm 16:10, 49:15)

 

But even with all this laid out in the Old Testament, neither Satan nor the Jewish and Roman authorities of Christ's day could figure out what exactly had to transpire in order for Him to fulfill His role as the Messiah.

 

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory". 1 Cor. 2:6-8

 

Assessment

 

So knowing the overall picture, how do the aforementioned cults, pseudo-Christian and stealth movement's maneuver through Scripture to draw away converts unto themselves? In part, they do so by ignoring the whole by favoring particular parts. This is akin to snake-handling churches exclusively focusing on passages like Mark 16:17-18 and Acts 28:2-5, or churches that teach baptismal regeneration who primarily focus on Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:3 regardless of context and excluding what the rest of the Bible has to say about salvation. They also teach half-truths or add in extra-biblical doctrines, creeds, and dogmas that detract from the truth through the lens of men's opinions.

 

Some might posit why I included teachings like Calvinism or Amillennialism as stealth teachings and regard them in a negative light? Calvinism, like Roman Catholicism, has many devout believers under their umbrellas. It's not the believers I am attacking, but the system by which they promulgate. It is unnecessary and unbiblical.

 

As the Apostle Paul succinctly stated, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Cor. 5:6). Leaven, in context, is not the physical leaven which causes bread to rise, but false teachings that Jesus alluded to as the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:5-12). In regards to Christianity (post-death, burial, and resurrection), the aforementioned religions, sects, movements, and beliefs that either add to or take away from the simplicity of the Gospel, become in effect, no Gospel at all (Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Cor. 15:1-5).

 

So what did they teach? The Pharisees taught blind, external obedience to the Law of Moses, plus what they added in (i.e....traditions of men) as fences around the Law. The Sadducees denied the existence of angels, the spirit, and resurrection. Relatively speaking, both of these views could be seen as extremes on a spectrum of what constitutes a biblical faith.

 

On one end of the spectrum, you had a view that promoted militant obedience to the Law, missing the intent of the Law for the letter of it.

 

On the other end, you had almost a complete dismissal of the supernatural nature of our faith.

 

Pharisees

 

Is the Law of no effect to the Christian? Yes and no. Were it not for the Law, we would not know we need a Savior. At the same time, if one IS a born-again Christian, then the law is of no effect, neither saving nor perfecting what Christ has already completed through the perfect gift of eternal life through His sacrifice at Calvary. Thus keeping the law (post-salvation) is much like paying on a house you have already paid off. So any religion or belief system that states you must do X, Y, Z in order to be saved, BEYOND placing your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for Salvation, is NO Gospel at all. Don't take my word for it, what does the Bible say?

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16

 

..."that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". Romans 10:9-10

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Sadducees

 

Like the Sadducees of old, any religion that denies the supernatural nature of our faith, our Scripture, and our God, is a dead religion. It might be a moral one, and it might be beautiful in its observances and rituals, but it's as dead as the dinosaurs. If one denies the resurrection, then one could never be a Christian as Paul astutely observes (1 Cor. 15:12-14). We see this denial of a supernatural faith particularly evident in regards to eschatology. One might view an eschatological view as irrelevant to one's salvific state (to which I agree), but the wrong eschatological view can be very damaging to one's sanctification and one's discernment.

 

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves". Acts 20:27-30

 

..".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

 

..."Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy". Rev. 19:10

 

Conclusion

 

So why do I seemingly always harp on bad eschatology? Well, a false eschatology does one of three things to a believer: It promotes apathy (or lethargy), undue fear (fight or flight response), or false triumphalism (which ultimately leads to disillusionment). How can a Christian mature in the faith if one's view of how things end is clearly wrong and/or misguided? As we are now at the end of this age, it is harder and harder for believers to hold on to the truth, when that truth is continually painted as subjective or unknowable.

 

Why does it matter what my "eschatological" position is, or whether I am a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 Point Calvinist? Who cares if the Church replaces Israel? So what that certain well-known evangelist promotes Lordship Salvation? People today will say "why make major issues out of minor ones?" Shouldn't we as Augustine once stated, practice in essentials, unity, in doubtful matters, liberty?

 

You could hold to Augustine's philosophy if you never wanted to mature in the faith, or as a body of mature believers effectively working toward the same ends...which of course is the Great Commission. Churches divide over interpretations, and these interpretations are almost always unnecessary deviations from what the Bible actually teaches.

 

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

 

My argument isn't just about salvation, but sanctification. How do we grow IN Christ? What is the end state for the believer? Are we just to be content with milk and never move onto meat? Granted there are no perfect Biblical hermeneutics, theologies or theologians on this side of the veil (1 Cor. 13:12). That is not an excuse but a reality. But our imperfection and shortsightedness are not licensed to add or subtract from the totality of God's word.

 

Furthermore, how (like the parable of the sower and the seed) do we expect those who received salvation to become fruit-bearing believers beyond salvation if they can't grow deep roots? You grow them with solid, well-rounded, BIBLICAL teachings that do not hold back the whole counsel of God but teaches it in due measure as determined not by men, but by the Holy Spirit. Having a proper understanding of soteriology is as important for the believer as is a proper understanding of ecclesiology or eschatology. A little leaven in one doctrine soon comes to corrupt them all. All these doctrines (when properly understood) effectively balance and build upon each other to make a well-rounded, well-grounded, mature believer in Christ for the sole purpose of becoming who God intended us to become...

 

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ". Ephesians 4:11-15

DO YOU BELIEVE THE MILLENNIUM COULD BEGIN IN SEVEN YEARS?

By Joseph Chambers

Revelation 20

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.


The church world has had two thousand years to prepare a saintly people to rule this earth. The great godly men and women that gave up pleasures and riches of this world and have dedicated themselves to His church will soon be united to rule the earth. The King of Kings will sit on David's throne in Jerusalem and His glorified saints will be sent to every corner of the earth and they will take possession.

How has this last generation become so oblivious to this dream? Church people today want the biggest house and fastest car and the biggest payday. The great saints of the past generations did not focus on all of that. They were set for Jesus' coming, a new body, and the glory of a world ruled by righteousness. They lived with the world ruling their hearts. It is time for this new world of His reign and the reward of a sacrificial godly life. 

Post-millenniumism or dominionism is the most misconceived and dark doctrine destroying the hope of the rapture for millions. The new agers predicted a crystal kingdom to begin in this year of 2012 A.D. (Jose Argulles, it did not happen). Kingdom Dominion theorists are preaching a golden age in which the church takes dominion over the earth. In fact, they blame the Biblical doctrine of the Rapture as the culprit that has hindered the church from their ill-conceived idea. Instead of the present ministry of soul-winning, discipleship, salt and light influence, and the preparation of a Bride for the Son, they say we should be taking over the earth and establishing the literal kingdom. It is the same old lie Satan has told men repeatedly.

The One Thousand Years of Righteousness

1. Saints of God from six thousand years will be His kings and priests.
2. They will be glorified saints and nobody can resist them.
3. Every position of authority will be His and ours.
4. The storms of the past will be no more.
5. The earth will return to a Garden of Eden beauty.
6. Animals will be a joy with no viciousness.
7. Music and singing will fill the earth with an indescribable joy.
8. The angels of God will be our helpers and enjoyable companions.
9. Conversations with the great prophets and honored saints will be a delight.
10. The beauty of the earth will be ours to enjoy every day.
11. Jesus and His Father will visit their new world and bring happiness everywhere they appear.
12. The church will explode with Pentecostal Glory.
13. There will be no Canaanites in the House of the Lord of Host.

One great fact we should always remember is that there is only one antidote for error and that is truth. When error arises, we do not just cry out against the error. We rededicate ourselves to the wonderful "truths" of the Holy Scripture. John saw this "Golden Kingdom". "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them....... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."(Revelation 20: 4b-6) Our subject for this vision of John is one of those great Biblical concepts that very few ministers have ever touched. It is time to preach the "Biblical Golden Kingdom (Millennium)."

Abraham looked for this Golden Kingdom; why should we be ashamed to do the same? The Holy Scripture records, "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles (a tent or cloth hut) with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:9-10). His acquaintance with God and the revelations of truths, though much less than present, assured him that after the present age there was a celestial kingdom. He endured the tents and huts in grand anticipation of the golden future. Faith was his stay.

The First Covenant is filled with the hope of the future. Almost every prophet has some revelation of this great reality. Isaiah gave a vivid description in Isaiah 65:17-25, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD." (Is. 65:17-25)

Zechariah clearly placed this day as the day (revelation) of the Lord (Jesus Christ) when He would descend from the Father's right hand to take possession from our enemies. "Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle ..." "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one." "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 14:3, 9, 20-21)

"Righteousness will cover the earth as waters cover the sea, the lion and the lamb will lay down together, the sword and the spear will be beaten into harvesting instruments, the earth will learn war no more." The First Covenant literally abounds with these kinds of expressions as Holy Ghost inspired servants labored under pressure, but lived with spiritual eyes trained on the Golden Kingdom. They knew better than to even suggest this kingdom would be of their own doing. It was the "payday someday" that they lived to enjoy. Paul said, "(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise." (Hebrews 11:38-39) Believe me; they will yet receive the promise!

This hope of a golden age was so embedded in the Jewish mindset that the disciples of Jesus could not grasp His kingdom concepts. They wanted an earthly kingdom, but He was establishing a spiritual one. Even at His ascension in Acts, they were still asking the question, "... wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) The Messiah, as they supposed, was to fulfill all those golden promises. They finally saw the church age or dispensation as the interlude between Christ's death and the golden future. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they labored untiringly, always watching for Jesus to return to get them. His coming was their Biblical signal that it was time for the golden kingdom. We are still watching as they did for that event (the Rapture) and the beginning of "the consummation of all things."

Jude

14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

The Time Is At Hand

Every Biblical sign points to the completing of the church. Israel is in place in Palestine. Babylon is being readied for the Antichrist. A world religious alliance never before considered in history is almost complete. World government is being either demanded or considered by almost every leader of the world. The only groups of people in all societies that are losing their rights are Bible-believing fundamental Christians. We are becoming more than ever a despised minority.

Before the final judgment of the wicked one, called the Great Tribulation, Jesus will come for His Bride. Satan hates this great Biblical truth, but he cannot stop Him or us. We will rise. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."(John 14:1-3)

Following the seven (7) years of the Great Tribulation, Jesus and His Raptured saints will return to the earth to establish the Golden Kingdom."For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Matthew 24:21-22)

Theologically, it has been called the Millennium, which means "one thousand years." John spoke as the Holy Ghost gave him the utterance, "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4-6). These words are very plain and they are to be interpreted literally. Jesus alone can defeat the armies of Satan and He will do so.

Both the First and Second Covenant give great support to the role of the Messiah in His personal victory over our enemies. Daniel saw all of the man-made empires as a great image made of divers metals with a mixture of clay in her last stage. Then he saw the victor as the following, "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth" (Daniel 2:34-35). The little stone (our crucified Saviour) became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. This great kingdom will be the one-world government with Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Always remember that Satan's efforts are a duplication of the Father's plan. Lucifer's one-world government, headed by the Antichrist, is an ill-conceived effort to pre-empt the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It will fail miserably.

Daniel 7

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

The Celestial Kingdom

The glory of the Garden of Eden presents a foretaste of this grand time. Every distasteful result of human sin that has spoiled our planet will be removed. Earthly creatures will become as tame as a house kitten. The harsh atmospheric conditions will be changed to that which enhances our pleasure and comfort. From east to west and north to south, our world will be free of the curse. The only reminder of our former state will be the death of natural men who survived the tribulation and a withholding of earthly blessing from those of this same group who refuse the worship of the true creator, God.

Human government has been a dismal failure. Our nation of America has probably been the greatest success of all efforts to govern society. Even this nation will continue to disintegrate as we approach the end. Most governments have made life unbearable for its subjects. Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar elevated human control over the masses to an art form. Bureaucracies were established to create a system of domination. You should notice how the church has become an extension of this same design. The "Shepherding/Discipleship" disaster (still strong) was a striking example. Jesus will set up a government that is righteous and just.

The Bride of Christ who was raptured before the Tribulation and other orders of resurrected saints will reign with Christ over this golden kingdom. As soon as the Bride arrives in heaven a celebration commences."And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10). This heavenly event will end in the coronation of the King Himself and will then proceed to leave the heavenly city for the inauguration of the New King in the world capital, Jerusalem.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Rev. 19:11-16)

Matthew 25

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Isaiah the prophet spoke of this glorious day. Obedient believers have tasted a little of this joy as we have awaited the grand finale. "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isaiah 35:1-10). The center of this stream of earthly prosperity and sanctified government shall be Jerusalem and the throne of David. Righteousness will literally fill the earth.

The animal kingdom will become a joy to all mankind (Isaiah 11:6-9). Everything that our Father created was for His and our pleasure. It will be a worldwide zoo of uncaged creatures in their natural habitats. It will be a delight to experience their beauty. No animal slaughter will ever occur again. "And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely." (Hosea 2:18)

Glorified saints of the nations of the world will be His ruling elite. Governors, princes, mayors, and all governing individuals will be his faithful servants who have earned the right to rule by virtue of obedience to Him. It will be a world of justice, mercy, equality, and compassion. Every saint will be rewarded according to what they have done in the flesh. It will be a merit system instead of a caste system. We will have equal rights but individual rewards.

Multiple scriptural details describe the grandness of this hour. The return of this triumphant Redeemer riding His great white stallion will be too glorious to describe. His appearing in the air above the marching hordes of the Antichrist's army will strike paralyzing fear. The sword of His mouth is but His piercing words of judgment. The entire army of millions will be instantly defeated. The Battle of Armageddon will be months in organizing and moments in finalizing. The Word of God will take flaming vengeance on this diabolical mob.

With the same expression of eternal glory He will turn to the establishment of His earthly kingdom after the enemy is vanquished. This entire planet will become His parish and object of kingly favor. Not a detail will be forgotten. Every member of His Bride will be placed in proper authority. The resurrected saints who were guests of the Bride or the Groom will be given places of service. He will quickly establish a worldwide theocracy based on the holiness of His Person. With sin judged and adjudicated, the earth will be free of its curse. Even the beauty of a sunrise will be enhanced by the absence of a poisoned atmosphere. Every expression of our natural world will be a testimony of the Redeemer's created glory.

Every believer should live in grand anticipation of this Golden Kingdom. It is hard to imagine, but after this one thousand years of righteousness, an even greater period will follow. The New Jerusalem will descend from God out of heaven to be fixed over this planet, Earth. Then the Saints of Christ will enter into that "city without foundation," suspended in the mid-air above the earthly kingdom. John described this city as a Bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21 & 22) It is the final glory of His kingdom and eternity will begin. This glorious kingdom will be the everlasting abode of our eternal God and His glorified family. What a future an overcoming Christian can live to inherit.