Part 5

 PART 5 

THE COVENANT MADE WITH DAVID 

“‘It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the desolation of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation to the ends of the earth’ (Isaiah 49:1-3, 5, 6, 8). The Lord Jesus, the servant of YAHWEH, then, is in reserve at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, for the purpose of a future manifestation, not to destroy the earth and to burn up the wicked, but to fulfil the covenants of promise; in putting an end to the desolation of Canaan, restoring the tribes to their native land, re-establishing the commonweaIth of Israel, enlightening the nations, regenerating society, filling the earth with the glory of the Lord, establishing his sovereignty in the world, and in rewarding the saints. All this is to be accomplished when the Lord comes. The God of the fathers will then remember the covenants which he began to fulfil when he called Israel out of Egypt under Moses; and when he called Jesus out of Egypt in the days of Archelaus. These were but earnests of the good things to come, in the manifestation of which the promises will be perfected in every jot and tittle of the word…”.

“If Jew or Gentile aspire to this glorious station in the Age to come, ‘the prize’ is attainable on the simple condition of believing the things concerning the kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, and of being baptized; and thenceforth walking as becomes men, who are to be, not only the rulers, but the companions of Christ, and examples to the nations in righteousness, equity, and faith. The time, however, for collecting together the nobility of the kingdom is almost elapsed. It has been continuous with the desolation of Jerusalem. She was to be ‘trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled’ (Luke 21:24). These times are almost accomplished. Only a few more years remain, and then ‘the accepted time and day of salvation’ will have passed. The door into the kingdom will be shut, and no more can obtain a right to enter in. Men who may survive the worse than Egyptian plagues coming upon them, may live in the future age in hope of immortality when the age has passed away; but in the glory and honor of Shiloh's ‘everlasting dominion’, they will have neither part nor lot in the matter.” (Elpis Israel Part 2 chapter 5, ‘Things concerning the Name of Jesus Christ’ pg. 318 – 311).

118. Who did Yahweh appoint to replace Saul and what sort of man was Saul’s replacement?

David, the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, was a man after Yahweh’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22; 1 Kings 15:5).

Did David ever sin?

Yes. Principally in the matter of Uriah’s wife but David sincerely repented of this and humbly submitted to Yahweh’s correcting hand. (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51 & 32).   

David knew that there was no provision in the Law of Moses, which could redeem him from his great sin but he implicitly believed Yahweh was able to go beyond law in the manifestation of His grace and forgive. What principle does this speak to us of?

The righteousness of faith, which is imputed to us when we are baptized into Christ through Whom our iniquities are forgiven and our sins covered if like David we manifest his belief and repentance. (Romans 4:5-8).

119. What was the covenant Yahweh made to David concerning the everlasting nature of his kingdom and throne?

Yahweh through the prophet Nathan said to David, “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son. Even in suffering for iniquity I will chasten Him with the rod of men, and with the stripes due to the children of Adam. But my mercy shall not depart away from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:11-16; Adam Clarke’s Translation quoted by Dr. Thomas – Elpis Israel Part 2 chapter 5 ‘The Priesthood of Shiloh’ pg. 310 & 320).

What was the substance of this promise referred to in Isaiah as “an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3)

This covenant which has reference to the throne and kingdom of God was all David’s desire and his hope of salvation because it promised him a resurrection to eternal life. David was given this assurance of eternal life by being promised that his house, kingdom, throne and king, who would sit upon his throne, would be God’s son as well as David’s descendant and all this would be established in David’s presence, forever ( Psalm 89:3, 4,19-28, 34-37).

How did Yahweh say this was to be accomplished?

Though this son of promise was to be raised up in the condemned line of Abraham and David, the covenant states that this Son was also to be begotten of God – Emanuel, ‘God with us’. This gave him a predisposition to the mind of God that he might do His Father’s will, and thereby set forth that He was truly God’s Son. He obtained a title to resurrection by perfect obedience – his faith made perfect through suffering, and by the sacrificial death required to declare the righteousness of God, abolished the law of condemnation for himself, and all who like David, believe and obey God’s word. David was therefore promised that by this exalted son, his house and kingdom would be established for ever before him (2 Samuel 23:5; Psalm 132:11, 89:3-4, 24 & 37; Isaiah 53:4,5; Refer Clauses 7-10 of the Statement of the Faith; Elpis Israel Part 2 Chapter 5 pg. 309-323).

These promises are referred to as “an everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David,”(11 Samuel 23:3-5) because of the eternal nature of its blessing and the fact David was and will be the recipient of Yahweh’s grace, righteousness being imputed to him in the way earlier discussed. Who is the Seed referred to in the covenant through whom this blessedness will be eternally realized to David?

The Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 1:1; Acts 2:29-36; Romans 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-5; Revelation 22:16).

Wasn’t the covenant made with David fulfilled in Solomon?

It was typically fulfilled in Solomon. Its real fulfillment is to be in Christ who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh that “sin in the flesh,” might be condemned. Christ would be declared Son of God and heir to David’s throne by His resurrection from the dead. Solomon could not have been the seed of promise, for David speaking of the “everlasting covenant,” which was his “salvation” and all his “desire,” saw Solomon sit upon his throne over Israel before he died. Nevertheless, David said concerning the promise that “He (Yahweh) make it not to grow (in his lifetime).” (1 Kings 8:20; Acts 2:29-30; Luke 1:32; Romans 1:2-4; 2 Samuel 23:3-5).

120. What is implied by the words of the promise when Yahweh speaking to David says, “Thy house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee”?

The everlasting establishment of David’s throne and kingdom has not been realized from the death of David to the present day because the promise is that it must exist perpetually “before” or in the presence of David. The Apostle Peter said, “David is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us until this day.” “He is not ascended into the heavens.” Therefore the covenants of promise remain unfulfilled. David was, like Abraham, promised a resurrection from the dead and a change of nature to immortality. (2 Samuel 7:16; Acts 2:29 & 34; Hebrews 11:32 & 39-40; 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 & 17-23).

How can we be assured this will occur and when will it happen?

These things have been assuredly established by the resurrection of Christ, which gave assurance to all men that Yahweh has appointed Christ as the Holy One of Israel, to rule the tribes of Israel as His kingdom and the world in righteousness, as His kingdom’s empire. This will occur at Christ’s second appearing. (Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 33:15, 6 & 3:17; Isaiah 24:23 & 2:3; Daniel 7:14; Acts 17: 31; Matthew 25:31).

There are, as we have seen, two everlasting covenants of promise upon which the kingdom of God is based - the one made with Abraham and the other with David. The Abrahamic Covenant gives the land of Canaan to their Seed (that is Christ) forever. The Davidic Covenant promises that the kingdom and throne established upon it will be established forever in the presence of a resurrected immortal David. They are called David’s because his family or house alone can possess the kingdom.

121. How do we become a part of David’s house and heirs according to the Davidic Covenant?

By belief in the Gospel preached to Abraham and David and by being baptized into their Seed, the Lord Jesus Christ. By this means we become part of Abraham’s seed and “heirs of the kingdom.” At Christ’s return He will, says the prophet Amos and Apostle James, “set up” David’s kingdom, which will then be in “ruins” and all Gentiles will seek after Yahweh, “upon Whom My Name is called.” The people for the Lord’s Name are the saints (Jew and Gentile) who are the “heirs of the kingdom.” (Galatians 3:26-29; Matt.1:1; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:14-17; James 2:5; Revelation 5:9-10; Isaiah 49:1-3, 5-6 & 8; Elpis Israel pg. 304 - 311).

 The kingdom and throne of David does not exist beyond the skies in heaven as the churches teach, it must then once have existed and is not just a matter of promise?

As previously stated the kingdom Christ comes to “set up” is the “building again,” “restore again,” “the tabernacle of David,” “the kingdom of Israel,” which was “the kingdom of God.” (Psalm 22:28, 114:1-2; 2 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 29:23; Acts 15:16 & 1:6).

 THE HISTORY OF THE KINGDOMS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL

122. What happened to the kingdom of God after the death of King David?

Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Yahweh blessed him but he married many strange wives, who in his old age caused him to depart from worshipping Yahweh in the way David had done with singleness of heart. After the death of Solomon, as a punishment for his sins, ten tribes revolted from the government of David’s house and set up a king of their own, Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who established a separate kingdom in the Northern part of Palestine. (1 Kings 4:1, 11:11-13 & 12:1-9).

What was the new kingdom of the ten tribes in the north called?

The kingdom of Israel was frequently spoken of by the prophets as “Ephraim,” from the leading tribe of the ten. (The Books of Kings, Hosea etc.).

Was the new kingdom of the ten tribes ruled by the Law of Moses as when David and Solomon reigned over them?

No. Jeroboam abandoned the Law of Moses and led the ten tribes into idolatry, from which they never departed. (1 Kings 12:26-30).

123. Israel had a total of 19 kings including Jeroboam. Did they have any good kings?

No.

What happened to the kingdom of Ephraim?

It was overthrown by the Assyrians and carried away into captivity, scattered among the nations in approximately 721 BC from which scattering the ten tribes have not as yet been re-gathered.

Of what tribes did the kingdom of David consist after the revolt of the ten under the leadership of Jeroboam?

The kingdom of David consisted of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. (2 Chronicles 11:12).

124. By what name were the kingdom of David’s successors known, and how many kings did it have?

The kingdom of David was known as the kingdom of Judah. It lasted 393 years after the revolt of the ten tribes. It had 19 kings some of whom like Hezekiah and Josiah were good but after the death of Josiah it had a succession of wicked kings who brought the nation to ruin. (The Books of Chronicles).

125. Who was Judah’s last king and what did Yahweh say to this wicked prince?

Zedekiah was the last king and Yahweh through the prophet Ezekiel said to him,

“Thou profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem; and take off the crown: this (Zedekiah) shall not be the same (Son of David spoken of in the covenant), exalt him that is low (Christ), and abase him that is high (dethrone Zedekiah). I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him.” (Ezekiel 21:25-27).

Whose coming is contemplated here, and whose right to David’s throne is it?

Shiloh which when translated means “He whose it is,”― the Lord Jesus Christ. (‘Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon’; Genesis 49:10; Isaiah 11:10-12; Revelation 22:16-20).

The above passage describes three over turnings in relation to the Jews occupying Jerusalem as the place of the throne of David. To what do they refer?

The first overthrow was by Yahweh’s hand providentially directing Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He took Jerusalem, destroyed Solomon’s Temple and carried the people away in a series of deportations into Babylon where they remained for 70 years. After this period there was a restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah in consequence of a decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, who by Yahweh’s hand had conquered Babylon. Though Judah’s commonwealth was established, the kingdom of David was never restored. This commonwealth of Judah was ruled by governors and later by the family of the Macabees but never again by the descendants of David. The establishment of Judah’s commonwealth prepared the ground for the coming of Christ born in Bethlehem about 540 years after the return of the exiles from Babylonian captivity. The second overthrow is that which Christ sent against Jerusalem because of her sins in AD70 when the Romans broke up the Jewish State. Since that time in fulfillment of Christ’s words of the Mount Olivet Prophecy, the Jewish State and in particular Jerusalem, has been “trodden down of the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” This down-treading concluded in 1967 when after the six-day war the Jewish State for the first time in 1900 years occupied Jerusalem again. The establishment of the Jewish State in these latter days is necessary that prophecy might be fulfilled. For the third overturning is to be executed by Gog (Russian/European Confederacy joined by other nations), which will invade the Middle East in our near future and take Jerusalem. At this crisis the Lord Jesus will come with His immortal saints and destroy this great host in the Battle of Armageddon and set up God’s kingdom on earth, once again reigning from Jerusalem. (Chronicles; Ezra; Nehemiah; Matthew 24; Luke 21; Ezekiel 38 & 39; Revelation 16:14-16; Isaiah 2:2-3).

 WHAT CHRIST TAUGHT CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD

126. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, what does the Gospel Record state He went from city to city preaching?

The things concerning the kingdom of God. (Luke 4:43 & 8:1; Matthew 6:33).

What is the kingdom of God?

As other earthly kingdoms it will have a king, a territory (the first dominion i.e. the land covenanted to Abraham), and a secondary dominion or empire which will encompass the whole earth, an aristocracy and subjects. As stated in Daniel chapter 2, the stone power (Christ and the immortal Saints) “shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever”. This stone power that smites Nebuchadnezzar’s image (the kingdom of men) shall become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. (Daniel 2:44 & 7:13-14; Micah 4:8; Haggai 2:22; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15).

For what purpose will Yahweh send Jesus Christ personally to the earth, at the close of the times of the Gentiles?

Christ will come to set up Yahweh’s kingdom on the earth. (Acts 3:20-21; Psalm 102:16 & 21; 2 Timothy 4:1; Acts 1:6, 11; Daniel 7:13-14).

Where will the kingdom of God be set up?

It shall be established on the territory covenanted to Abraham and his Seed (the Christ) as an everlasting possession – the land of Canaan. (Genesis 13:14-17, 15:18; Ezekiel 36:34-36; Isaiah 60:14-15, 61:4-5 & 62:1-4).

127. Does the kingdom of God as taught by the Lord Jesus have any relation to the ancient kingdom of Israel?

As mentioned earlier with regard to the Promises made to David, the kingdom of God set up in the earth in the “latter days,” will be the kingdom of Israel restored. (Micah 4:6-8; Amos 9:11 & 15; Ezekiel 37:21-22; Jeremiah 23:3; Matthew 19:28; Acts 1:6).

We know that the Lord Jesus Christ will be its king (Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 5:12-14) but when does scripture say this kingdom will be established?

In the “latter days,” at Christ’s second appearing when “every eye shall see Him,” as real as when He was on the earth before. (Daniel 2:28 & 44; 2 Timothy 4:1; Acts 1:11 & 3:21; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 1:7).

What will be the capital of this kingdom?

Jerusalem (Micah 4:2; Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 2:1-4, 11:9-10, 24:23 & 32:1 & 16).

128. Will Christ reign alone in the kingdom of God or will others reign with Him?

The immortal saints will comprise the aristocracy and governing body of the kingdom of God and will reign with Christ. (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:9-10; Isaiah 32:1; Matthew 25:34; Daniel 7:18; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Psalm 149:7-9).

Who are the immortal saints?

They are those who believed and obeyed the Gospel of all generations, developed by resurrection, found worthy at the judgment seat of Christ and subsequently changed - this corruptible putting on incorruption and this mortal putting on immortality. With Christ as their head they constitute the collective “seed of Abraham,” in whom all nations will be blessed, and comprise “Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets,” as well as all in their age of like faithfulness. (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 15: 53; Ephesians 1:1 & 13; Daniel 12:2; Luke 13:28; Revelation 11:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; John 5:28-29 & 6:39-40; Luke 14:14; Matthew 25:34 & 46).

129. Will the kingdom be composed of the same nation that it formerly consisted of, namely the Jews – the twelve tribes – both Judah (Jews in the land at Christ’s return) and Israel (those Jews scattered among the nations of the earth)?

Yes. The restoration of the kingdom again to Israel will involve the saving and purifying of the remnant of Judah after the battle of Armageddon and the ingathering and purging of God’s people Israel or the ten tribes from all nations of the earth. The purpose being that they might be reinstated in the land of their fathers and be constituted a holy and righteous nation. (Isaiah 11:12 & 24:23; Jeremiah 31:10; Zechariah 8:7-8; Ezekiel 36:34-36 & 37:34-36; Isaiah 51:3, 60:15 & 62:4; Jeremiah 3:17; Micah 4:7-8; Joel 3:17; Romans 11:12-15 & 25-26).

Bro Thomas in Elpis Israel under the subsection “Abraham the heir of the world” (Romans 4:13) asks a most important question in relation to that time when Abraham and Christ will jointly possess the land of Caanan, “what will be their relation to the world at large?” He answers “It is written of Christ, ‘He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They (the Arabs) that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish, and of the isles, shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM. His name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed IN HIM; all nations shall call him blessed.’ (Psalm 72:6-11, 17).”

“According to this testimony, it is proved that the nations, or families, of the earth will become the people of God as well as Israel, who will have the pre-eminence among them as the inheritance of the Lord; and so Israel and the nations will constitute a kingdom and empire, which will then compose ‘the World,’ and be blessed in him and Abraham; whose subjects will reciprocate the benefits bestowed upon them, and serve their god-like rulers with heart-felt loyalty, and blessings upon his name for ever.” (Elpis Israel Part 2, chapter 2 “Abraham the heir of the world” pg. 248)

Thus in forty years the little kingdom of Judea will have become “a great mountain,” or empire filling the whole earth….The ‘Economy of the Fullness of Times’ will now have fairly commenced, and the Day of Christ in all the glory of the Sun of Righteousness have opened in all its blessedness upon the nations of the earth. The gospel preached to Abraham, saying ‘In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed,’ will be a reality. (Elpis Israel Part 3 pg. 466).

 THE SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST, THE RESURRECTION, RESPONSIBILITY AND JUDGEMENT

130. You have spoken of the return of Christ to the earth, where is He now?

He is in heaven at the right side of the Majesty on high. (John 3:13; Ephesians 1:20-23 & 4:8-10; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3).

What is He doing?

He makes intercession for the saints and providentially works in their lives that they may be given every opportunity to be conformed to His Image, that they who have been “called” may be “justified” and at last “glorified.” Yahweh has also given all power into the hands of the Lord Jesus that through the work of the angelic host, which Christ now commands, world events may be providentially arranged to at last bring the earth to the climax of the ages as described in the Apocalypse. (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26-34; Revelation).

Have we any proof that Jesus will return?

The Apostle Peter said, “We have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” This sure prophetic word has revealed many things, which indicate the Lord’s near return. (2 Peter 1:19).

Are there any signs that His return is near?

Yes, the partial restoration of Israel to the land of promise after the Second World War and their retaking of Jerusalem in 1967. The European Union slowly reverting to what once existed under the Holy Roman Empire and the fall of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe. In the Middle East we have witnessed what the world media has providentially called “The Arab Spring”, and the counter revolutions that have taken place which have led to Russia’s military presence in Syria, north of Israel. Recently we have witnessed the exit of Britain from the EU which must, according to Ezekiel 38, oppose Russia and its confederacy which includes Germany and France when it invades Israel at “the time of the end”. The moral deterioration and violence of the world in general, the pride of man, his God-denying religion and sciences all point to Christ’s near return. (Ezekiel 38:11-12; Zechariah 14:2; Luke 21:29-32; Revelation 16:13-14; Luke 17:26-27).

131. What will be the first work Christ does when He returns prior to the establishment of the kingdom?

At the appearing of Christ before the establishment of the kingdom, Christ will order the angels to assemble all those who are responsible to judgment, living or dead. The dead He will bring from their graves; the living He will gather from many parts of the earth so that all must appear before His judgment seat that they may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Timothy 4:1; Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10-12).

132. Will all be raised from the dead?

No. Only those who know the revealed will of God as set forth in the Gospel. Those who by their knowledge are responsible, whether they are obedient to the Gospel call or disobedient will be summoned before the judgment seat. (Mark 16:15-16; Ephesians 4:17-18; Psalm 49:19; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16; Romans 2:2, 8-9 & 16; John 3:19 & 12:48).

The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians of the hopeless position of the nations because of the “futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them” (Ephesians 4:17-18).

If having understood the Gospel and one refused baptism, could such a one avoid being raised for judgment?

No. It is the “light” of God’s word that makes one responsible not baptism, which is the first act of obedience in responding to the Gospel call. Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 9:41; Psalm 49:20; Romans 5:13; John 15:22 & 12:47-48; John 3:19; James 4:17).

133. What nature will those raised for the purpose of judgment possess when they come forth from the grave?

The responsible dead are raised mortal so that they with those who remain until the coming of Christ might be judged at one and the same time, Christ separating the sheep from the goats. The worthy are changed receiving the gift of God, “this mortal must put on immortality,” and again Christ “shall change our vile body.” (2 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Matthew 25:31-34; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:2-4)

What will happen to these two classes, the sheep and the goats?

The unfaithful (goats) will be consigned to shame to suffer accordingly, as the Judge shall think they deserve and at last will be devoured by “the second death.” The faithful (sheep) will be invested with immortality, and exalted to reign with Jesus as joint heirs of the kingdom, co-possessors of the earth, and joint administrators of God’s authority among men in everything. (Matthew 25:41; Luke 13:28; Daniel 12:2; Luke 12:47-48; Revelation 20:15 & 21:8; Galatians 6:8; Romans 6:21, 2:7 & 8:11; Revelation 5:10; Psalm 49:7-9; Luke 22:29-30)

134. What becomes of those who are not responsible?

Yahweh’s purpose does not require all of mankind. They constitute the material and building blocks from which He selects what will be ultimately used in his spiritual house. He nevertheless sends his blessings on both the just and unjust; those who are not responsible die, having inherited the same sentence of death common to all the children of Adam; and pass out of memory as if they had never been. (Matthew 5:45; Psalm 49:19-20; Jeremiah 51:57; Isaiah 26:14; Psalm 88:5; Romans 5:12; Ephesians 4:18)

 CONCERNING CHRIST AS THE VANQUISHER OF THE GENTILES AND THE RESTORER OF ISRAEL

 135. How does the plan and purpose of Yahweh with Israel and the earth develop after the judgment seat of Christ?

• After the resurrection and judgment (Dan.12:2-3; 2 Tim.4:1) of all the responsible, the immortal saints with Christ as their head will engage in a series of confrontations with the Gogian forces (Russia /European Confederacy Eze.38; 39) in those regions south of Jerusalem and in Egypt (Isa.34:6, 8; 63:1-3; Dan.11:40-45).
• This will culminate in the battle of Armageddon (Rev.16: 12-16), which takes place in the vicinity of Jerusalem (Zech.14:2; Joel 3).
• Coinciding with Armageddon is a mighty earthquake (Eze.38:19), which completely alters the geography of Jerusalem and much of Israel (Zech.14:4-5), clearing and preparing the area around Mount Zion for the construction of Yahweh’s House of Prayer for all nations Eze.40-48).
• After the miraculous destruction of Gog’s mighty host by which “the tents of Judah” are saved first (Zech.12:7) the land of Israel over a period of seven years will be cleansed of all its implements of war (Eze.39:9).
• The building of the House of Prayer for all nations will commence and the Aionian Gospel (or the Gospel of the kingdom age) will be preached in which the ten tribes (all Jews living outside of Jerusalem) are commanded to return to the Promised Land (Rev.18:4; Matt.24:31; Eze.36:24-28; Eze.37:21-22; Jer.31:8-11; Isa.11:12).
• The nations are also warned to submit utterly to the dictates of Israel’s Messiah who has come not only to set up God’s kingdom in Israel but to rule all of the earth with its territories to be ruled by those He will appoint over them (Psa.2:6-12; Rev.14:6-7).
• The Roman Catholic Church will oppose the reign of Christ. Rome (Babylon the Great) will come into remembrance before Yahweh and will be totally destroyed as a warning to all the nations (Rev.14:8-10; Rev.16:17-21; Rev.18:1-3).
• The European nations will not submit and will rise up through the instigation of the Papacy to destroy the Jews and overthrow their king. Christ will then in a series of catastrophic judgments destroy these European powers (Rev.19:19-20; Eze.20:38; 39:21-25; Micah 7:15-17).
• At last the ten tribes, which will be purged of all rebels by many judgments, after the type of when Israel came out of Egypt under Moses, will be reunited with Judah in the land of promise.
• All opposition around the world will be subdued to the righteous reign of Christ Who will sit upon the throne of David in Jerusalem (Micah 4:6-8; Acts 3:19-21; Luke 1:32-33), His twelve Apostles judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt.19:28; Luke 22:30) and His Immortal Saints will be rulers over all the earth (Dan.7:19, 28; Luke 22:30).

For further reading refer to “Mystery of the Covenant of the Holy Land explained” by bro. Thomas.

Will the Jews be a righteous nation in the day of their restoration?

Yes. A new covenant will be made with them under which all their sins will be forgiven. The law of God will be written in their hearts and minds and all will know and love God from the least to the greatest. (Isaiah 60:21; Jeremiah 31:31-34).

136. The kingdom of God thus divinely constituted will continue for how long and what will be the nature of Earth’s inhabitants during this blessed time?

The kingdom of God will continue one thousand years during which sin and death will still exist among the earth’s subject inhabitants. It will however, be in a much milder degree than is now our experience, for the curse, which came upon the earth as a result of man’s initial rebellion against Yahweh, will be lifted to a great extent. Life expectancy will be greatly prolonged and the world will be in a blessed and happy state. (Revelation 20:4-9 & 11:15; Isaiah 65:20; Ezekiel 44:22 & 25; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

137. What will Yahweh require of the nations during this one thousand-year reign of Christ?

The nations will be required to come up yearly to Jerusalem to worship and be judged at God’s House of Prayer, such a temple as has never been seen upon the earth for size and magnificence. The land of Israel will be turned into a paradise and the temple will stand in the centre of the land in a section of that glorious country, which will be dedicated wholly to Yahweh. A law will be established, which shall go forth to the nations for their “instruction in righteousness,” resulting in the abolition of war to the ends of the earth, and the “filling of the earth with knowledge of the glory of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea.” (Zechariah 14:16-19; Ezekiel 40-48; Haggai 2:9; Isaiah 60:7 & 13; Micah 4:1-3; Isaiah 42:4, 11:1-10 & 2:4; Habakkuk 2:14). 

In what relation will the nations of the earth stand to Israel and their glorious king?

The nations of the earth will all be subject to Christ and give honour to the Jews of whose blessedness they will share. (Isaiah 60:9-18; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Zechariah 8:23).

 YAHWEH’S PURPOSE DEVELOPED DURING THE MILLENNIUM

Bro. Thomas in Elpis Israel shows the purpose of the first 6,000 years of God’s plan is to furnish His kingdom and empire of nations with its king and an adequate number of immortal rulers. The purpose of the millennium is to people the globe when under its eternal and incorruptible constitution with sufficient immortals to at last fill the earth with His glory. “The revealed mystery of God's will, which He has purposed in His own mind, is first to found a kingdom and empire of nations, which He will bestow on the crucified and resurrected King of the Jews, and upon all those who believe the doctrine, or word, concerning it, and become obedient to the faith; and secondly, at the end of 7,000 years from the foundation of the world, to renovate the globe, and to people it with immortal men ‘equal to the angels’, who shall all have attained to the eternal state and to the possession of all its transcendent glories, on the principle of believing His ‘exceeding great and precious promises’, and of lovingly and voluntarily obeying His laws.” (Elpis Israel Part 1 pg. 184).

138. What is Yahweh’s purpose with this millennial reign of Christ?

The mission of the kingdom age will be to subdue all enemies and finally death itself, by opening the way of life to the nations, which they will enter by faith during the thousand years, and (in reality) at their close. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 21:4 & 20:12-15; Isaiah 25:6-8).

139. What happens at the end of the millennium?

Paul tells us that Christ “must reign till he has put all his enemies under his feet”. The scriptures prophesy that there will be a general rebellion led by a Satan (adversary) who no doubt is envious of the King of Glory. This devil goes forth to Gogue’s magogian people and falsely accuses the king and his saints. In deceiving them he raises an innumerable army to try to re-establish the kingdom of man or Satan’s kingdom as it had existed one thousand years previously as the sole authority of all the earth. But at the moment when they think they have the victory “encompassing the camp of the saints and the beloved city” Yahweh will deliver His king; for “fire shall come down from God out of heaven, and shall devour them.” After this, at the close of one thousand years, there will be a general resurrection and judgment for those mortals who lived during this period. The result of this second resurrection and judgment at the end of Christ’s one thousand-year reign will be the final extinction of the wicked, and the immortalization of those who have come into harmony with the Divine mind during Christ’s reign. Only immortals will then inhabit the earth for all those out of harmony with Yahweh will have been destroyed. (Revelation 20 & 21:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28).

Will the kingdom then come to an end?

The kingdom will never end but it undergoes a change at the close of the millennium. This will be after death has been abolished from the earth. It is at this remarkable epoch that Christ will deliver up the kingdom to the Father, that God may be all and in all. (Luke 1:33; 1 Corinthians 15:28 & 26; Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25).

140. Do you agree that Yahweh’s great purpose at the end of the millennium is to at last destroy the law of sin and death, the “devil” or “sin in the flesh,” from the earth?

Yes. All those who please God during their lives through this period of one thousand years will enter into life eternal, just as those who enter into life eternal at Christ’s second appearing before the kingdom age commences. Any of this class who die during the kingdom age will then be raised and glorified. If they are alive when the millennium comes to a close then after the second judgment they will be changed. Their number will be much greater than the number of those who become immortal at the beginning of the thousand years. They will be the harvest, while those accepted at the second appearing of Christ will be the first fruits. (1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 14:4).

Bro. Thomas states in Elpis Israel “When sin is eradicated from the world there will be no more death; for death and sin are boon companions; as it is written, ‘The wages of sin is death’. The abolition of death presupposes the extinction of sin in the flesh; and consequently that the animal nature of man has been transformed (not evaporated, but changed) into the spiritual nature of the Elohim…Religion begins in the third chapter of Genesis, and finds the record of its end in the last two chapters of the Revelation. Its abolition is expressed in these words: ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them as their God. And he shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be NO MORE DEATH, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And there shall be NO MORE CURSE’. (Rev. 21:3-5; 22:3) Then will the victory be complete. The Sin-power and all its works will be finally abolished; and an eternal jubilee gladden the hearts of men, in whom God will be all and in all. (1 Cor. 15:28)” (Elpis Israel Part 1 chapter 5 “The Way to the Tree of Life” pg. 168-169)

When death is thus abolished from the earth, will the earth be destroyed?

No. The earth will endure forever, filled with the glory of God and His deathless, rejoicing people. (Revelation 22:3-5; Habakkuk 2:14; Psalm 78:69, 2:8 & 37:18; Revelation 11:15)

Bro. Thomas concludes Elpis Israel with these stirring words: “Such is ‘the end, when the Son shall deliver up the Kingdom to the Father that God may be all and in all’ (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 21:3). The separation between God and Man began with the transgression of the first Adam; it continues till the end of the 7000 years, when sin and death are utterly eradicated, and harmony again established in this orb of his glorious universe. Earth will have been delivered from moral and physical evil by his power administered and displayed through the Lord Jesus Christ, who, though ‘subjected to the Father,’ will have the pre-eminence over all ‘his brethren’ through the endless duration of ages. The last resurrection, which is implied in the development of ‘the end’ (Rev. 20:6), will bring up from the dust the sleeping dead of the previous thousand years. Those who are accounted worthy of eternal life will receive it, and be added to the saints of the ‘first resurrection.’ Thus a population will have been provided for the earth, which, instead of being destroyed, will be renovated, and all things belonging to it made new (Rev. 21:5). The earth and its inhabitants will be incorruptible, undefiled and unfading. God, according to his word, will have made ‘a full end of all nations,’ except that of Israel; which will be the sole occupant of the globe, and every Israelite, ‘an Israelite indeed,’ ‘equal to the Elohim,’ and crowned with glory and honor throughout all ages. During, the thousand years their nation will consist of three classes, Christ and the saints, righteous Israelites in the flesh, and those who ‘die accursed,’ but when perfection comes, there will be but one class, and all will be immortal. The purpose of God, in the formation of the earth, will be accomplished; and ‘the headstone of the creation will be brought forth with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. (Zechariah 4:7)’” (Elpis Israel Part 3 ‘The Second Exodus’ pg. 470).