What is meant, 'until the fullness of the Gentiles'?

In this THINK ABOUT THIS… let’s talk about what the apostle Paul meant, “until the fullness of the Gentiles.” – Romans 11:25. What did he mean?

To help us better understand, let’s begin in verse 1.

“I say then, has God cast away His people? …” Speaking of the Israelites. “2) … do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he [made intercession] with God against Israel, saying, 3) ‘LORD [this being a prayer that the prophet Elijah gave to the LORD God], ‘they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.’”

Truly, let me tell you──since about the year 2011──several times I have felt just like that. But, ‘the LORD God has not cast away His people who He foreknew.’ In other words, ‘Do you not know what God’s living word says concerning Elijah?’ He said that he only remained. And, like I said, there have been times in my life that I feel that exact way. I’ve discussed this with my sister as well as Minister LaMar before. I also typed up an article entitled, ‘You’re Not Welcome Here’ in which I relate how a sycophant leader of a church was going to bring me in front of their ‘synagogue, rulers, and authorities.’

Verse 4 – “But what does the divine response [of the LORD God] say to [the prophet Elijah]?” The LORD God said: ‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’

So, certainly, at that time they didn’t have the Holy Spirit, they weren’t promised eternal salvation, but they HAD NOT bowed their knee in front of a false god or a false goddess. The children of Israel that came out of Egypt, were 600,000 who journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. And, on average about 600,000 women – Exodus 12:37-38.

That’s about one million, two hundred thousand!

In the time of the prophet Elijah, there must have been five, six, or even seven million. So, seven thousand men out of about one million, two hundred thousand people is a small amount.

Throughout the generations from that time, we have had a great deal more than seven thousand that HAVE NOT bowed their knee in front of a false god or a false goddess – or even a different Jesus.

But there is a remnant, as the apostle Paul continues, “Even so then, at [the] present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.”

What the apostle Paul is saying is that there is a small proportion of Israel that has been converted. And, remember, at the time that he wrote this, the TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL ── not one of them had any promise of salvation. We often call them the “lost ten tribes.” Interestingly enough, the Jews of his day referred to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as ‘the dispersed.’ They had gone into places like Western Europe and Britain. Those that were there in Judea, and in Rome – the world in that area at that time – were those that were known as Jews. In other words from the tribe of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi.

Keep in mind, that the LORD God did not offer ancient Israel the glorious Holy Spirit or eternal salvation. But now, the apostle Paul is speaking about, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has come and eternal salvation has been offered. 

Let’s go on and continue this ── to me, this is very exciting! Learning and growing in spiritual knowledge and understanding!

Verse 6 – “And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; [or rather, ‘of rituals’] otherwise … otherwise work is no more work. 7) WHAT THEN? …”

Meaning, what does that refer to, or what does that mean?

“ … Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but THE ELECT have obtained it, …”

Now, the true elect of God are those that DO HAVE GRACE, regardless of whether they are Jew or Gentile.

“ … THE ELECT have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.”

So, the overall majority of the modern nations of Israel were blinded, and the overall majority of the Gentiles have been cut off from the LORD God ──and they do not know that they have been blinded. Truly, they don’t know anything concerning the LORD God, and they can’t know. Take as an example: China. Think of the ancient Xia Dynasty. They certainly didn’t know anything about the LORD God. And, the oldest religion one can find ──Hinduism. They believe in one single all-powerful god but this single god often referred to as Brahman is accompanied by a whole host of other gods who all focus on one aspect of the human experience. There are 33 core gods within Hinduism with other lesser gods that play their part as well.

So, “the rest were blinded.”

Verse 8 – “Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, TO THIS VERY DAY.’”

So, the LORD God has given them this stupor ── this blindness. It’s not their fault. The LORD God is the responsible party, and therefore the LORD God must do something about it.

The ‘Great White Throne’ Judgment

Back in 2020, I had asked in an article, ‘Do you understand Ezekiel 37?’ This great and awesome prophecy has not been fulfilled by the Jews which has gone back to the nation called Israel in the Middle East.

Truly, this awesome prophecy in Ezekiel 37 is what the LORD God is going to do as far as Israel is concerned. The LORD God is going to bring them back in the ‘Great White Throne’ resurrection! At that time all Israel is going to be offered and given a chance for eternal salvation.

But, continuing ── ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, …’ And, he’s talking about Israel – or rather the modern nations of Israel.

Verse 9 – “And David says: …” So, he goes all the way back to what King David said concerning Israel in his generation. “ … ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. 10) Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.’”

So, understand, that was what King David had said. But, the apostle Paul continues.

Verse 11 – “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? CERTAINLY NOT! …’”

And, we’re going to see that the LORD God is going to save them yet ── but it hasn’t happened yet.

“ … But through their fall, to provoke them [the Israelites] to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12) Now if their fall [speaking of the original Israelites] [be the] riches for the world, …”

And, of course, they didn’t come to the Gentiles until after our Lord Jesus ── it wasn’t during Old Testament times.

“ … Now if their fall be the riches for the world, and their failure [be the] riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!”

So, he’s saying that salvation is yet going to come to them.

Verse 13 – “For I speak to you Gentiles; …”

The apostle Paul is addressing the Gentile Christians there in Rome.

“ … inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14) if by any means [that] I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and save some of them. 15) For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be …?”

They are going to be received back! The LORD God cast them away, as is spoken of in the Old Testament, i.e. Hosea 1:10 – “’ You are not My people.’” So, the LORD God has not accepted them back ──yet.

“ … what will their acceptance be but LIFE FROM THE DEAD?”

And it certainly will be ‘life from the dead’ because this will happen in the ‘Great White Throne’ Judgment.

Verse 16 – “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

The apostle Paul is speaking about a tree and the root of a tree. Along with the branches of a tree.

Beginning in verse 17, he actually begins talking about an olive tree.

Verse 17 – “And if some of the branches were broken off [speaking of Israel], and you, being a wild olive tree [a carnal olive tree], …”

‘Some of the branches being broken off.’ That’s through their unbelief. And, ‘and you, being a wild olive tree.’ He’s talking to the Gentiles, they are the branches on a wild olive tree.

“ … and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree.”

So, the branches of the wild olive tree are cut off from the wild olive tree ── which means their Gentile ancestry. And are grafted, contrary to nature, onto the good olive tree to be converted and to become a true Christian.

Verse 18 – “do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you [the LORD God is truly the root and our Lord Jesus Christ is the trunk of the tree, and we are the branches].”

Verse 19 – “You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’” And, this is what a Gentile might say.

Verse 20 – “Well said. Because of unbelief, they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.”

In other words – don’t get too self-righteous about it because you have been grafted in ── because the gift of the offer of salvation has come to you. ‘Do not be haughty, but fear.’

Verse 21 – “For if God did not spare the NATURAL BRANCHES, He may not spare you either. 22) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on [them] who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.”

Again ── and we certainly can’t reiterate this enough ── within the Old Testament, the LORD God did not offer the children of Israel the Holy Spirit or the gift of eternal salvation. Yet, there was the government of God. There was the Law of God. He gave them God’s Way of life ── even though they would not live accordingly. They had the letter of the Law. And, without the glorious Holy Spirit, they couldn’t keep God’s Law spiritually. However, they wouldn’t even keep it literally, to the letter of the Law.

Verse 23 – “And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, WILL BE grafted in, …”

Yes! Praise always our mighty merciful CREATOR GOD! They have been cut off, but they too are going to be grafted right back onto that tree again!

“ … ‘for God is able to graft them in again.”

Verse 24 – “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature [speaking of Gentiles from a wild olive tree], and were grafted contrary to nature into a [good] olive tree [which is Israel], how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?”

Now, we come to the question ── ‘until the fullness of the Gentiles’?

How do Gentiles get in? Truly, if you REPENT, and are properly baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus, and had hands laid upon you, receiving the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit ── are converted ── you are a converted Israelite. ALL the promises pertain to the children of Israel. You’ve got to become an Israelite (cf. Galatians 3:7, 14-16). The glorious promises and the New Covenant ── if you’re going to accept the New Covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ, it is with “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” – Galatians 3:29. You are no longer a Gentile.

Verse 25 – “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, THAT BLINDNESS IN PART HAS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL …”

Meaning, the overall majority of the modern nations of Israel. All but a few have been blinded.

“… until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.”

Or rather, “but this will last only until all of you Gentiles have come to Christ.” ── as the Living Bible translates it. Or the number of Gentiles to be converted becomes complete.

Verse 26 – “And so all Israel will be [so, ALL ISRAEL will be] saved, …”

Now, this expression, “ALL ISRAEL” is used in a great many places throughout God’s living word. And it doesn’t mean every single person in the house of Israel, but it does mean the house of Israel as a whole. They, as a whole, are going to be saved.

The Deliverer Is Coming!

So, he’s speaking about the whole of Israel being saved when… “as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion [the city of God in the new age], And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; …’”

Truly speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming! He will reign for the first thousand years on the Earth, and all of those still living at that time will be called. I just spoke of this in a new A Morning Bible Study ── What Will God’s Kingdom Be Like?

So, what about the Old Testament children of Israel?

They are going to remain in their graves. After the first thousand years, He will call them out of their graves and they will be resurrected ── and then in that ‘Great White Throne’ Judgment they will be offered eternal salvation.

Verse 27 – “’ For this is My covenant [an agreement] with them. When I take away their sins.’”

Verse 28 – “Concerning the gospel they are …”

He’s speaking about his own generation at that time.

“ … concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, …” – because the majority of the Jews rejected our Lord Jesus Christ. “ … but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30) For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience [their unbelief], 31) even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32) For God has committed them all to disobedience [or rather, unbelief], that He might have mercy on all.”

And then he praises God’s riches, the wisdom, and the knowledge of God! How wonderful are His judgments and Way!

Verse 34 – “’ For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?’

Verse 35 – “’ Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?’”

Verse 36 – “For of Him, and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

Truly, one of the most wonderful chapters of God’s living word is the eleventh chapter of Romans. That our Lord and Savior is coming! And, He won’t come until, ‘the fullness of the Gentiles’! □

'Least in the KINGDOM FROM HEAVEN'

Acropolis - Pergamon - Turkey. The ruins of the "Great Altar" were probably dedicated to Zeus and Athena. The Apostle John wrote the third letter in the Book of Revealing to the Church of God that was in this once-flourishing city - Pergamos.

by Leonard V Johnson

In prayer, I was asking our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus about a person that I know── a man that does have great knowledge in the living word of God; who is a marvelous teacher of the glorious New Covenant of our Lord Jesus── a man that I love. Yet, is narcissistic and is slipping in many areas concerning the precepts of the LORD God, and the fruits of God’s Spirit are beginning to wane in their illumination. “What,” I asked our Lord Jesus, “will become of him?” As soon as I asked this question – the Spirit reminded me of our Lord Jesus’ words – “’ Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom [from] heaven; …’” – Matthew 5:19.

Last July I did a sermon entitled “You Were Born To Rule!” There is a second part also. And often, brethren, we are allowed to be placed in situations with people── because we need to learn how to handle the situation the LORD God’s Way ── like a future ruler would. I’d like to expound in this article why.

Have you ever thought about what your job or position might be in the glorious kingdom of God? About what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ── the King of kings and the Lord of lords── will have you be doing in His Millennial Reign!? And, how you must qualify for that responsibility?

First and foremost let me say that salvation is a gift from the LORD God── it is a free gift and we can never earn it.

But you can lose it.

As I spoke directly to this man who does have great biblical knowledge recently in a sermon, I said, “You speak of others who grieve the Holy Spirit. Please look at yourself in the mirror, my dear brother! Adhering to the LORD God’s commands, precepts, and teachings is extremely important!” And they are indeed!

So, since eternal salvation is something you can lose, then logically the LORD God has set rules and laws, as well as conditions, that we must adhere to to receive the glorious gift of eternal salvation. Do you know what those rules, laws, and conditions are?

Unfortunately, I mentioned this not long ago when I was speaking about the Nicolaitans, and how it became apparent to me that “the Nicolaitans were the greater Body of Christ that actually was disbanded from our Lord Jesus Christ’s “little flock.” That in fact there was (and are) a great many people being thrust out of the Body of Christ. Our Lord Jesus says of those who perish – “’ … from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30) And cast the UNPROFITABLE SERVANT into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 25:29-30.

What is this ‘outer darkness’ that our Lord Jesus is speaking? In an ethical sense – people thus face a choice of whether to yield allegiance to the LORD God OR TO DARKNESS, meaning ignorance, of the LORD God and of God’s Way.

We need to ask ourselves── what made this servant unprofitable? Wherein had this servant failed?

The very answer begins in verse 21 – “’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” And He repeats it in verse 23.

The unprofitable servant was not faithful in carrying out the few duties that were given to him in this life. He had not learned to master his human nature, had not learned how to properly treat others – like a future ruler would – even though he knew better!

Truly, all the unprofitable servant will be able to say to his Lord is, “Lord, I knew You to be a hard Man, reaping where You have not sown, and gathering where You have not scattered seed. And I was afraid and went and hid Your talent in the ground. Look, there You have what is Yours!’ – see verses 24-25.

In other words, the unprofitable servant might think that it is profitable for him to try and proselytize or spiritually influence a young man that in fact the LORD God isn’t even calling out of this present evil age yet. Becoming obsessed and fixated on this one idea.

This unprofitable servant ── as an example ── might be narcissistic. And he lives with an inflated sense of self-importance and an insatiable drive to be liked and to be at the center of attention. Satan will capitalize on these traits and tempt him to compromise his morals and values. This unprofitable servant became careless about his responsibilities as being an ambassador for Christ ── above reproach. And sadly, this unprofitable servant will be judged – “’ You wicked and lazy servant, …’” – vs. 26.

Different Levels of Responsibility

Just like the responsibilities we hold today within the Body of Christ ── as in “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,” we don’t all hold the same rule or authority. There will be different levels of responsibilities in the kingdom of God. As an example: we will not be rulers of the tribes of Israel (Revelation 21:12), this rulership will go to “the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (See also Matthew 19:28). We will not be the ruler of the reunified House of Israel, that will be the resurrected King David (Jeremiah 30:9). We will not all have the same office. We will not all face the same duties.

Have you considered that our Lord Jesus Christ is speaking to HIS CHURCH – He is speaking to you, brethren!?

Let us notice briefly the letters our Lord Jesus wrote to His Church ── through His servant John ── in the 2nd and 3rd chapters of the Book of Revelation. And, notice at the end of each of the seven churches there is a definite promise for the whole of the Body of Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is saying here, in this Book of prophecy – the Book of Revelation is a Book of prophecy – Notice verse 1 of chapter 1: “The Revelation [the unveiling] of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place.” – talking about the end-time! The Book of Revelation is a Book which was only to be understood in the end-time. And now that we’re in, or rather near, the end-time, it’s starting to be understood. And chapters 2 & 3 – although He’s talking about an earlier group of people, the former. It’s also a prophecy about the latter. About the latter days. This is an end-time prophecy.

Let’s go through them –

“’ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. …’” – now the LORD God said to the prophet Ezekiel, ‘those that will hear, let them hear, and those that refuse let them refuse.’ Once again, we see that principle. “ … ‘To him who OVERCOMES I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’” – Revelation 2:7.

He talks about another group, Smyrna, verse 10 – “’ Do no fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to THROW SOME OF YOU INTO PRISON, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days [years], BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH, and I will give you the crown of life. 11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who OVERCOMES shall not be hurt by the second death.’”

In verse 12 He begins speaking to another group ── Pergamos. “ …’ These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword …’” – that’s the very words of Jesus Christ! “’ I know your works [‘I know what you’ve gone through, I know what I have assigned you to be doing in this lifetime’], and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. …’” – in other words, our Lord Jesus knows that His servants dwell on the Earth (where Satan’s throne is) !

“ … ‘And you hold fast to My name [‘you’ve not denied My name’], and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’”

Our Lord Jesus is saying, in essence, ‘I acknowledge and understand that you ── My faithful servants ── are having to live in a world that is falling apart! You’re in a tough place to be called Christian,’ however … “…’ I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, …’”

And Balaam, to make a long story short, it’s the concept of covetousness or greediness. He is saying, ‘There are some among you that are greedy!’

Verse 15 – again, dictatorial power over the laity! Well, look up the word Nicolaitans, in your Bible study help’s. Wycliffe Bible Dictionary on the name NICOLAS states, “The name, meaning ‘conqueror of the people.’”

It says in Verse 16 – “ ’Repent, [CHANGE - get out of there while you still can] or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.’” – again, He will fight against those unprofitable servants with His very words!

Please let this sink in, brethren!

Verse 17 – “’ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit [is attempting to say] to the churches. …’”

Verse 18 talks about another church group ── Thyatira. “ … ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass …’” – turn back to the first chapter, and you see more of how He’s described.

He says in Verse 19 – “’ I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.’”

In other words, with some of His servants ── they have more patience, faith, and service, than love.

“’ Nevertheless,’” Verse 20 – “…’ I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.’”

Verse 21 – “…’ And I gave her time to repent …’” – ‘I gave her a chance to change.’ “…’ of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.’” – ‘she wouldn’t change her ways.’

Verse 22 – “’ Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, …’” – remember, the word adultery, in the Bible – adultery, whoredom, whoring around – if you look at the whole context, 90-95% of the time it’s not talking about physical sexual practices against the Way of God, most of the time, it’s referring to spiritual adultery. The worship of false gods and goddesses.

Chapter 3:1 – “’ And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has seven Spirits of God and the seven stars …’” – meaning the seven angels looking after those churches. “…’ I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.’” – spiritually dead.

Verse 2 – “’ Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, …’” – strengthen whatever capacity God’s Spirit to be within you. “…’ that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.’”

Verse 3 – “’ Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.’”

Sadly, it has come to my understanding that this man who does have great knowledge of the living word of God; who is a marvelous teacher of the glorious New Covenant of our Lord Jesus, that every chance he gets he degrades and verbally berates the Church leaders from whom he originally ‘received and heard’! And just as sad ── he does not accept criticism, even when it is constructive and well-intentioned. He becomes defensive, reacts angrily, and refuses to accept any blame.

Verse 5 – “’ He who OVERCOMES shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.’”

He talks about another group ── Philadelphia. “ … ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true,’ ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.’” – the key of David refers to Jesus Christ and His authority over His kingdom!

Verse 8 – “’ I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.’”

We are a group that has not denied His name! And we have but a little strength, a pretty small group, but we have kept HIS WORD!

Verse 12 – “’ He who OVERCOMES, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, …’” – like an integral part of the internal leadership of the Kingdom of God. “…’ and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven …’”

And then we come to Laodicea. “… ’These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:’”

Verse 15 – “’ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.’” – it would be easier for Jesus to know what to do with you.

Verse 16 – “’ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit [‘I will spew you, I will reject you from My face!’] you out of My mouth.’”

Verse 21 – “’ To him who OVERCOMES I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.’”

And the last part of this WARNING!

Verse 22 – “’ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the [members of the churches of God].’”

Let us notice that the only ones who have the right to these promises are OVERCOMERS! Those who through the glorious power of God, overcome themselves, overcome this world, and overcome the temptations of wicked spirits in high places.

‘A kingdom of kings and priests to our God’

Our Lord Jesus’ parable in Luke 19 is certainly dual. The “ten servants” represent the TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL. The “citizens” here represent the HOUSE OF JUDAH – who expressly repudiated our Lord Jesus’ announcement and said, ‘We have no king but Caesar’ – John 19:15. But, this parable has a dual meaning ── true Christians are also now bondservants of our Lord Jesus. Some OVERCOME some things – and others OVERCOME many things. Some develop their spiritual gifts more than others. So, in our Lord Jesus’ Millennial Rule, some will be given rule over many cities, while others will have qualified to rule only over a few – or perhaps only one.

Who exactly will rule over the cities in the Millennium? It will not be His prophets or the apostles. And it won’t be the 144,000. The answer is plain.

The responsibility to guide, control, and develop cities on earth during the Millennium will be those who have not been called to other duties. The glorious responsibility ── the office ── will be open to all those who OVERCOME!

Some of us, brethren, will have grown spiritually (even unto death) immensely ── learning how to properly rule God’s Way. Some us not so much. IT DEPENDS ON YOU! It depends on whether you are willing to let the LORD God make you ‘into His image and likeness’ – or whether you are a ‘wicked and lazy servant’ – and you resist His corrections.

Truly, not every disciple called became an apostle and was an OVERCOMER ── Judas Iscariot departed from the faith. And, sadly, not every one of us will succeed. Yet, the LORD God’s promises stand firm. We CAN ── if we OVERCOME ── stand together in the glorious Kingdom of God! □

What is the TRUE GOSPEL?

Just what is the true Gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ preached? Did the apostle Paul preach a different gospel to the Gentiles? Here, made plain, is the truth about – what Gospel.

by Leonard V Johnson

During His ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ explained to His disciples (Luke 19:11-27) that He (this ‘certain nobleman’ in His parable) “ … ‘went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom …’” But that He would first have to return to God the Father in the upper heavenly realms – “ … ‘and to return.’”

Now, in the Book of Daniel, the 7th chapter is a vision that describes this coronation –

“I watched in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [God the Father], And they brought Him near before Him, 14) Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” – Daniel 7:13-15.

In the upper heavenly realm, He will be given, officially, this Kingship; and there will supervise the Work of God in preparing and training brethren for His kingdom – to be co-rulers in His Government.

Jesus Christ’s Ministry

In the Book of Mark chapter 1 we read –

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” And, this beginning began with the work of John the Baptist. He prepared the Way for Jesus Christ’s ministry, or mission, of which God the Father had given Him.

“As it is written in the Prophets …” – as in the Book of Isaiah.

“ … ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 3) ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the Way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’”

Then follows the very beginning of Jesus Christ’s ministry –

Verse 14 – “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15) and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in [obey] the gospel.’”

But, repent from what!? Repent of sin! In the 1st Book of John, we learn just what sin is –

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” - 1 John 3:4.

Lawlessness against the Government of God!

Let us notice that our Lord Jesus Christ says that it is necessary that one repents! He also says that it is necessary for one to believe! Not only to believe in and on Him – but also to believe the gospel message.

What Gospel?

Back in the spring of 2018, a man on Facebook tried to tell me “the gospel that should be preached now is the Gospel of grace of God.” He also went on to say, “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached again after the rapture to Israel before the second coming. We cannot preach the gospel of the kingdom now because that was meant for the lost sheep of the house of Israel only.”

But, is this correct!? No.

Today, as it was so long ago (cf. Galatians 1:6-9), many preach a different gospel – “which is not another.” Some call what they preach, “the gospel of salvation,” “the gospel of the grace of God,” or even “the gospel of Proven Principles and of Winning Formulas,” “the gospel of Church and Christian Ministry,” along with “the gospel of the Great Man,” “the gospel of reincarnation,” “the gospel of political ideology.” Or even the Seventh-day Adventists’ “the gospel of the Three Angels”! Then, there’s the gospel, or rather the message, about going off to heaven. Then there are those who preach about Christ only – about His title. Now, they may call it the gospel of Christ – but none of these are the gospel that JESUS CHRIST taught and preached!

On the Internet it is replete with church organizations, of all kinds, falsely proclaiming “the fact that there are different gospels”! Which truly flies in the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as all the original apostles! One particular blasphemous site’s tagline reads – “Rightly dividing our walk!”

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear concerning just what gospel to believe and obey – “ … ‘the kingdom of God …’” The gospel of the kingdom of God! Our Lord Jesus Christ preached the gospel – the good news – of the soon-coming kingdom of God. The very Government of God which will be implemented upon the earth!

This is how we state just what gospel our Lord Jesus Christ brought and taught from God the Father –

“The very word “gospel” means good news. The Gospel is the wonderful, good news Message of God’s Master Plan of salvation for all mankind through the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ – “the Christ, the Son of the living God” – cf. Matt. 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20.

The New Testament calls this Message the Gospel of grace. The Gospel of grace is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Savior – the Messiah – of the world and that through His blood all who repent and believe on Him may have their sins forgiven and may enter into the family of God. The Gospel is also a Message about the soon-coming kingdom of God on EARTH.

It is the glorious, good news that when Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will set up His kingdom – His government. He will rule all nations as King of kings and Lord of lords. The saints who are given eternal life at the first resurrection – who are changed from mortal to immortal – will be co-heirs with Christ and will be given authority to rule His kingdom as kings and priests alongside Jesus Christ. Through preaching the Gospel, God is preparing saints for His kingdom by calling those whom He chooses to repentance and conversion.”

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you rightly understand, clearly, just WHAT gospel our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought from God the Father! Also, just WHAT gospel was sent unto the Gentiles. In the spring of 1981, I came to rightly understand that this world’s “traditional Christianity” teaches and preaches different gospels! Certainly, this is something each individual has to prove to themselves! And, your Bible says that Satan the devil has ‘deceived the whole world!’ – Revelation 12:9.

Now, our Lord Jesus Christ said of Himself –

“ … ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, …’” – John 5:19a. And, “’ I can of Myself do nothing’” – vs. 30. Along with, “ … ‘The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works’” – John 14:10b. And, continuing He says, “’ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; …’” – and speaking mostly of the end-time prophets He adds, 2 “ … ‘and greater works than these he will do, …’”

“’ the Spirit of truth, [which] the world cannot receive, … for [It] dwells with you and will be IN you’” – John 14:12, 17.

So, at the very beginning of His WORK OF GOD, our Lord Jesus Christ taught His twelve disciples, which God the Father had called unto Him (cf. John 17:24) the very Message given to Him by His Father concerning the soon-coming Kingdom of God.

Then, after 3 ½ years, our Lord Jesus finished that initial phase of the Work of God, which Father had given Him to do. In His final prayer to Father, He says, “’ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do’” – John 17:4.

Note: Daniel 9:27, a two-fold prophecy, speaks of a remaining 3 ½ years of an end-time work. I briefly mention this in the article “Satan’s World” section ‘Satan’s sign and lying wonders’. Minister Garrett also writes concerning this –

“Daniel 9 gives us a clue: Contains what is often referred to as the SEVENTY WEEKS PROPHECY. Verse 27 – Remember, verse 25 we see the word “Messiah.” That’s who we’re talking about here in verse 27. The “he,” who – JESUS CHRIST – “he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;”

Which in Bible parlance, one day for a year – this is SEVEN YEARS. “But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Now, who was the ultimate sacrifice!? Jesus Christ. When did He die!? When was He executed!? He was executed on a WEDNESDAY, in the middle of the week. And, His human life ended after 3½ years of His public ministry. It was SEVEN YEARS He was supposed to have a very special dispensation. And He lived upon this earth for 3½ years, it begs the question: What became of the other 3½ years!? Well, the other 3½ years will be fulfilled in those events upon His return and for 3½ years the Millennium doesn’t really start, UNTIL AFTER 3½ years. Because Jesus Christ for 3½ years, is, as it were, remolding and reshaping the Earth – the people of the Earth. He’s getting the attitudes right. We are told “as a Rod of Iron.” And, Jesus Christ WILL wield that club, and we as members of the resurrected Family of GOD WILL in part wield that club, and here’s a part of the story – God uses the physical people of Israel as a part of His club. That’s a part of the story which has NEVER been told.” 

(Garrett, M.C. Notes Concerning the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, 28 Sept. 2019, pgs. 16-17).

However, just prior to our Lord Jesus Christ finishing that initial phase of the Work of God, He had said to His disciples, “’ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [the Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send [It] to you’” – John 16:7.

So, after our Savior, Lord, and Master – Elder Brother – ascended to the very THRONE OF GOD, the very seat of the Government of the entire universe, He sent His Spirit. 3 And, about fifty days later – “when the Day of Pentecost had fully come” the Spirit of God was sent! And then His disciples became apostles!

Then, “having been built on the FOUNDATION of the apostles and prophets [of the Old Testament], Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20) He built His Church. “In whom the WHOLE BUILDING, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (vs. 21) – which is composed of those called and begotten children of God who have received, and in who is dwelling, God’s Holy Spirit – they are the spiritual temple of God.

Now, the head of Jesus Christ’s Church is not – and never has been – any man, but it’s always been the living Jesus Christ!

Why the Church?

Notice that the Church is called “His Body” – “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23) which IS HIS BODY, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” – Ephesians 1:22-23.

Just why is His Church called “the Body of Christ”!? – see also Ephesians 4:12; 5:30; Colossians 1:24; 1st Corinthians 10:17; 12:27; Romans 12:5.

Well, because it is the SAME POWER that had worked mightily in our Lord Jesus Christ’s human physical body which then entered the collective body of His Church. The Church, led by JESUS CHRIST from the upper heavenly realm after His resurrection unto glory – which was led by the apostles who had been taught and trained directly from Jesus Christ, becoming the COLLECTIVE BODY empowered by God’s Spirit – is today still being led by JESUS CHRIST from the upper heavenly realm – CARRYING ON THE LIVING WORK OF GOD!

And, that work, initially, was the divine commission. Notice this –

“ … ‘Go into ALL THE WORLD and preach the gospel to every creature’” – Mark 16:15. The word “creature” in Greek is ktisis, meaning, “creation or governmental institution.” Along with, “’ Go therefore and make disciples of [meaning, teach] all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; …’” – Matthew 28:19, 20.

Minister Guy C. LaMar has given a very informative sermon entitled “The Goal Of The Church” which certainly speaks volumes of God’s living truth! We are reminded that since God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), His divine commission for His Church has not changed.

Many within this world’s “traditional Christianity” falsely teach that our Lord Jesus Christ turned over the Church to the apostle Peter (cf. Matthew 16:17-19) – to a human successor as voted by men. But God’s living word distinctly says, “And He is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, …” – Colossians 1:18. See also Ephesians 4:15; 5:23.

Just what is the purpose of Jesus Christ’s Church – even in this 21st-century world!? Well, in a nutshell – it is the same as it was in the 1st century! –

“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the BODY OF CHRIST, 13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” – Ephesians 4:12-13.

And, again, just what gospel did the original apostles proclaim!? It was – and is – the gospel of the Kingdom of God! Let’s go through some of the Scriptures that prove this –

“These TWELVE Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6) But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7) And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom [from] heaven is at hand’” – Matthew 10:5-6.

Minister Michael C. Garrett teaches an enlightening truth regarding “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” –

“This is an end-time prophecy! Even though the story started out in about 30 AD, the story became a prophecy for the end-time. … Now, think about that phrase, ‘lost sheep.’ Jesus said, ‘feed My sheep.’ Now in one sense, the physical people of Israel are the ‘lost sheep.’ But in an even more spiritual, more heightened, more intense meaning, I think Jesus Christ might very well be saying, ‘Go to the lost Church members.’ ‘Go to those people who thought they were in a good organization, they didn’t realize their leaders were corrupt and their doctrines were impure – or highly compromised.’ ‘Go to those lost sheep!’ I think it has a double meaning!” 

(Garrett, M.C. The Day of Atonement Prophetically the Day of the Lord, 2019, pg. 38).

“He sent them to preach the kingdom of God …” – Luke 9:2.

“ … ‘and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” – Luke 10:9b.

“ … and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” – Acts 1:3b.

“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, …” – Acts 8:12.

“And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God” – Acts 19:8.

“ … among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, …” – Acts 20:25.

“ … and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, …” – Acts 28:23.

“preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ …” – Acts 28:31.

“for the kingdom of God is not …” – Romans 14:17.

“For the kingdom of God is not …” – 1 Corinthians 4:20a.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” – 1 Corinthians 6:9. See also verse 10.

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; …” – 1 Corinthians 15:50.

“ … those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” – Galatians 5:21b.

“For this you know, that no fornicator [whoremonger, meaning “pornos – one who is sexually immoral], unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” – Ephesians 5:5.

“ … These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God …” – Colossians 4:11b.

“ … that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, …” – 2 Thessalonians 1:5.

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God [God the Father], and the power of His Christ [Jesus the Christ] have come, …” – Revelation 12:10.

And, let us always be reminded, that the apostle Paul WARNED that a DOUBLE CURSE would be pronounced on anyone preaching any different gospel – Galatians 1:8-9.

We – built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone – continue to bring you the great and awesome message of God - which is based upon the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the Plan of God. Our mission and our purpose is to follow the admonition of Jesus Christ, when He said, “’ FEED MY SHEEP!’” We do the will of God the Father and Jesus Christ - to preach the Gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ, of His forgiveness, of His atoning sacrifice, of the opportunity for all of us, to have Jesus Christ as our great High Priest and to live under the promises of the New Covenant, and to someday be a part of the glorious Kingdom of God! □

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What Is the Kingdom of God?

by Leonard Johnson

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COJCOM · What Is the Kingdom of God? Audio Article

Multiple millions of people believe that the Church is the Kingdom of God. Then there are others who believe the Kingdom is an emotional feeling inside your heart. Here is the true answer from God’s living word – the Holy Bible.

This subject excites us like no other! But, in this world, it creates more confusion like no other. The “Kingdom of God.”

A plethora of ideas are being taught around the world concerning the glorious Kingdom of God. As an example Microsoft Bing – when asked the question “What is the Kingdom of God?” lists first – “The Kingdom of God is the realm where God reigns supreme, and Jesus Christ is King. It is not a physical or political territory, but a spiritual and moral domain.” Got Questions isn’t any better – with their “reviewed” answer, they vaguely and broadly answer (reviewed for biblical and theological accuracy by their staff) – “Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe.” Have you heard these types of answers!?

You probably have, because these vague, spiritually sounding ideas about the Kingdom of God are worldwide.

Truly, is the Kingdom of God something you can understand? Is it a mystery? Or is it something that like the false doctrine of the Trinity — cannot be understood logically!?

ARE YOU ABLE TO LEARN WHAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD TRULY IS!?

The apostle Peter exhorts everyone who earnestly desires the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” – 2 Peter 3:18. The apostle Jude wrote – under divine inspiration of our living God – “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS” – Jude 1:3.

Do you truly know what God’s living word says concerning the Kingdom of God, or have you, like the multiple millions worldwide, just taken for granted what your preacher or priest is teaching today!? As I pointed out in the examples, sadly the majority of our peoples have been hearing a syrupy, vague, false gospel – which actually DENIES the Message of our Lord Jesus Christ from Father God concerning the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God!

Let’s search God’s living word and “prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21, NET.

Definition of a Kingdom

Back in December 1998, I bought my wife a Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition – which states that the definition of a kingdom is “1 archaic: KINGSHIP. 2: a politically organized community or major TERRITORIAL unit having a monarchial form of GOVERNMENT headed by a king or queen.” 1

Surely, the same people who just fatally and glibly spout off their ideas about what they think the Kingdom of God is KNOW THIS TRUE DEFINITION! A kingdom. We might immediately think of the United Kingdom. A literal and actual “territorial unit having a monarchial form of government headed by” King Charles III. Is the United Kingdom physical? Is the United Kingdom political? Or, is it something that is just “set up in the hearts of men”!?

In fact, going back to the fatal Got Questions – and I use the word fatal because they (whom they call “dedicated and trained servants”) are leading our peoples astray and are causing great confusion give this very answer to the question - What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)?

“The kingdom would not be inaugurated with spectacle or splendor; … God was ruling in the hearts of some people, and the King Himself was standing among them, … There are three popular interpretations of Jesus’ words … 1) the kingdom of God is essentially inward, within man’s heart; 2) the kingdom is within your reach if you make the right choices; and 3) the kingdom of God is in your midst in the person and presence of Jesus.” 2

At the end of the article, they appease everyone and actually give an answer close to the truth. So, they cover all their bases – they certainly wouldn’t want to offend anyone.

There are four things necessary for a KINGDOM: 1) territory. A specific location and definite boundary lines. 2) A Monarch. A supreme ruler or government agent. 3) Subjects or citizens within the territory. 4) LAW for the kingdom. If we leave out any of these vital requisites, we cannot have and cannot believe, the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s go through these four points, proving the truth of God from the living word of God.

Territory of the Kingdom of God

Any kingdom must occupy a certain given TERRITORY! The kingdom must govern subjects within a marked territory.

Sadly, the majority of our peoples are trying to spiritualize away the true meaning of the Kingdom of God. And, the “kingdom of God” is used as a catch-all phrase (much like the phrase Armageddon) to define their idealism of what men hope to attain someday through their own efforts. Then there are those who believe and teach that the churches will someday “evangelize” the entire world and will unite into a common church – the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the church exists to evangelize. The Catholics are completely confused – they don’t appear to know what to think. “The Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is he. [sic] On this interpretation, the term ‘Kingdom of God’ is itself a veiled Christology. … The Kingdom of God resides in the heart of man. … the kingdom of God is in the here and now, present in and through the Church.” 3

IT'S SAD TO SEE SUCH CONFUSION!

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself says, “’ The law and the prophets [the Old Testament] were until John [John the Baptist]. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.’” – Luke 16:16. The very gospel that our Lord Jesus Christ brought from God the Father was the Message of the soon-coming Kingdom (a ruling government) of God!

“’ He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me’” – John 14:24.

WHERE did our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ say the Kingdom of God would be?

It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you rightly understand, clearly, just WHAT gospel our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought from God the Father!

Also, just WHAT gospel was sent unto the Gentiles. In the spring of 1981, I came to rightly understand that this world’s “traditional Christianity” teaches and preaches different gospels! Certainly, this is something each individual has to prove to themselves! And, your Bible says that Satan the devil has ‘deceived the whole world!’ – Revelation 12:9.

During His ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ explained to His disciples (Luke 19:11-27) that He (this ‘certain nobleman’ in His parable) “ … ‘went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom …’” But that He would first have to return to God the Father in the upper heavenly realms – “ … ‘and to return.’”

Now, in the Book of Daniel, the 7th chapter is a vision that describes this coronation –

“I watched in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days [God the Father], And they brought Him near before Him, 14) Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” – Daniel 7:13-15.

In the upper heavenly realm, He will be given, officially, this Kingship; and there will supervise the Work of God in preparing and training brethren for His kingdom – to be co-rulers in His Government.

Where is our Lord Jesus going to be!? Notice Acts 1:10-11 – “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven [the atmosphere] as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11) who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? THIS SAME JESUS, who was taken up from you into heaven, WILL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER as you saw Him go into heaven [the atmosphere].’”

Just as plain as day! He’s coming back to the Earth, His residence is on the Earth, He’s gonna live on the Earth for all eternity and we’re gonna be with Him! It’s just amazing!

In the Book of Daniel the 2nd chapter – and in fact we have a series of free no-obligation online booklets written by Minister Michael C. Garrett which covers the Book of Daniel in great detail. Be sure to check those three booklets out! But, here, I just want to briefly go over this. I want to cover what an incredible dream that King Nebuchadnezzar II had – and the prophet Daniel was invited to come and interpret it. King Nebuchadnezzar II saw in his dream this great image – with ‘a head of gold, the breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.’ Speaking about FOUR successive world-dominating kingdoms down through history. Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay were represented as the last world-ruling kingdom to exist before the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ. Verse 34 – “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35) … And the stone that struck the image became A GREAT MOUNTAIN and filled the whole earth” – Daniel 2:31-35.

The LORD God speaks of a kingdom as a MOUNTAIN – Prophet Micah was inspired to record the following:

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days [the Millennial Reign of Christ, see also Isaiah 2:1-4] That the Mountain of the LORD’s House [speaking of the kingdom of God] Shall be established on the top of the mountains [speaking of human governments], And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2) Many nations [minus “Gog and Magog” – which today is known as Russia and its provinces – see “Ezekiel 38- Gog and Magog” along with our article “Gog and Magog In Prophecy”; Revelation 20:7-9] and China and its provinces along with the likes of Siberia and numerous other Gentile allies] shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go to the Mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His Ways, And we shall walk in His paths.’” – Micah 4:1-2.

On EARTH As It Is In Heaven

The Old Testament also teaches of the glorious and powerful return of Jesus Christ TO THE EARTH! Turn with me to the Book of Proverbs, chapter 24, verse 20 –

“For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.” – there won’t be a reward for the evil man.

Surely that means there will be a reward for a righteous man – and what is this reward!? How does one receive this reward!? Do you receive this reward – now!? No, it’s not while you’re alive in this physical body.

Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 10 –

“Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. 11) He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them to His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”

So, the reward is coming with Him. And, the reward is simply what God’s going to give to each individual for the work (see: cf. Acts 26:20 – “do works befitting repentance”) they’ve done while in service to God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Isaiah, chapter 62, and verse 11 –

“Indeed the LORD has proclaimed To the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; Behold His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.’”

Notice from the New Testament – “For the Lord Himself will DESCEND FROM HEAVEN {which means come down out of the atmosphere} with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet {THE SEVENTH TRUMPET; THE RESURRECTION TRUMPET} of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. …” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Clouds. Again Webster’s Dictionary – “1: a visible mass of particles of condensed vapor (as water or ice) suspended in the atmosphere of a planet (as the earth) or moon.” 4

And, your Bible tells us what takes place immediately after our Master, Elder Brother, and Savior gathers His saints – “Then the LORD will go forth And fight against those nations, {be sure to read and study A Morning Bible Study - Just What Is Armageddon? PDF} As He fights in the day of battle. 4) And in that day [the prophesied Day of the LORD] His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east.” – Zechariah 14:3-4.

Our Lord Jesus stated to the disciples and to all of us brethren “’ Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘WHERE I AM GOING, YOU CANNOT COME, … 2) … I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and receive you to Myself; that where I am, [ON THE EARTH] there you may be also.’” – John 13:33; 14:2-3.

That’s the greatest promise in the Bible!! In fact, nothing comes close to that promise, and yet, many churches – so-called Christian churches – don’t even talk about this, don’t even think about it. It’s not even a part of their doctrine. But here He says, ‘I will come again!’ And there are some church groups that believe that Jesus Christ will return. Again, there’s a lot of confusion about when, where, and how. “…’ and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.’” – those are very encouraging Words, but He said, ‘I WILL COME AGAIN!’ Jesus Christ, someday, in the not-too-distant future, is going to return to this Earth, and when He does – or just before He does and as He does – there will be the Day of the Lord. It is a date in future history where Jesus Christ directly confronts rebellious evil sinful mankind and will punish this present evil age, and quite literally, break it down, and then He will start over! Building a society which is often called the Millennium, the World Tomorrow, it will be the millennial reign of Jesus Christ!

Sadly, very few who profess Jesus Christ actually believe in a Millennial Reign of Christ – even though His living word teaches it (cf. Revelation 20:4-6; see also A Book of the Past – And The Future). The majority who are looking for Jesus believe that He will be a “sweet” Jesus. As in “looks like a lamb” - cf. Revelation 13:11. But in fact, He will not be so sweet ─

For “’ He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’”! – Revelation 2:27.

What about the Roman Catholics – with an estimated 1.2 billion worldwide, according to the Vatican figures!?

Well, officially, they do not believe in a Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ – in spite of the fact that many of their “saints” taught the millennium. The Vatican strongly condemns this doctrine of the Church of God as blasphemous!

“676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the ‘intrinsically perverse’ political form of a secular messianism.”

(https://www.olmca.org/ourpages/users/evillasenor/CatechismCatholicChurch2ndEdition.pdf). 

Notice Revelation 5:10 – “’ And He will make us [a kingdom] and priests to our God; And we shall reign ON THE EARTH.’” – NET.

This EARTH is the TERRITORY that the Kingdom of God will be established!

A Kingdom Requires A Ruler

Jesus Christ comes back and RULES from the throne of the earth – of which Satan the Devil is currently residing on (cf. John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9) – just as the angel told Mary, “’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob [a united kingdom of Israel as well as all other kingdoms of the world] forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’” – cf. Luke 1:32-33.

He's coming back to make war – “Now I [the apostle John] saw heaven [again, the atmosphere] opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and IN RIGHTEOUSNESS He judges and makes war. 12) His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written than no one knew except Himself. 13) He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called THE WORD OF GOD. … 16) And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” – Revelation 19:11-16.

“Then the SEVENTH ANGEL sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [Jesus the Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!’” – Revelation 11:15.

Our Lord and Savior ANNOUNCED – “’ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” – Matthew 28:19. Yet, He also said, “’ My kingdom is not of this world. …’” – John 18:36. In other words, of this time, of this age. He was born to be a King. And He said that if we overcome, we would co-rule with Him upon His throne, even as He also overcame and sat down with His Father on His throne.

Just WHERE will He establish His headquarters on earth!?

In New Jerusalem! Notice: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven [the atmosphere], prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” – Revelation 21:2.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain [which represents the kingdom of God], and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem [the New Jerusalem], descending out of heaven from God. … 22:3 the throne of God [God the Father] and of the Lamb [our Lord Jesus Christ] shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.” – Revelation 21:10; 22:3.

“’ At that time [the Millennium Reign of Christ] Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations [all the leaders of these nations] shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.’” – Jeremiah 3:17.

The Kingdom’s People

Perhaps no other question garners more controversy and argument than the IDENTITY of those who will be in the Kingdom of God. I remember asking a girlfriend’s grandmother this question once back in the ‘80s (she was a devout Mormon). She gave their standard answer, “the church itself is the kingdom of God on the earth.” She certainly didn’t like what I had to say concerning the living truth of God on this subject.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “’ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’” – John 10:27. Also, “’ If you love Me, keep My commandments.’” – John 14:15; 15:10.

The apostle Paul under inspiration – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are [children] of God” – Romans 8:14.

And, God’s divine word tells us who will be in the glorious kingdom of God – and who will not!

Notice – Revelation 22:14-15 – “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city [the City of New Jerusalem; the Headquarters of the Kingdom of God]. 15) But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

To Note: Mormons (LDS Church or Mormon Church) keep the Day of the Sun as a day of rest. So, the Mormons are not the begotten children of God – cf. Exodus 20:8-10. Be sure to read Mr. LaMar’s article “Saturday Sabbath with Jews and Sunday with Gentiles?” along with “The Day of the Sun” PDF version.

Unless You Are Born Again

In the Book of John, the 3rd chapter here we read the response that Jesus gave to a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus who was curious in regards as to whether Jesus was really who He said He was. So, here was, in all accounts, an upstanding man in his society who came to Jesus at night – because he didn’t want his neighbors or religious associates to discover that he was conversing with Jesus Christ. Indeed it says in verse 2 – “This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs [these miracles] that You do unless God is with him.’” It’s amazing – here it was that he understood that Jesus was someone of extreme importance and that His ability to perform these miracles – he knew that the Man came from God, yet here he was out at night – incognito – so that no one saw him. It reminds us of religious people today. They claim to be Christian but are very afraid to truly keep the commandments of God and have and defend the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Our Lord Jesus went on to explain, verse 3 – “ … ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

And Nicodemus said in bewilderment – verse 4 – “ …’ How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’”

Notice our Lord Jesus’ response. He says, verse 5 – “ …’ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”

There is a vast number of people today who believe that they have eternal life as a result of some sort of religious experience. I recall once while my wife and I were driving around one Sunday looking for garage sales, we pulled into a place called the Holy Ground in Hudson, FL. – a homeless shelter for men only. They were having a rather large garage sale. And as we pulled up, off to our right a man was flopping around on the ground like a fish out of water. We must have had shock written on our faces, because suddenly another man came running over to the car and shouted, “It’s alright! He’s got the Holy Ghost in him! He’s just been born again!” We quickly pulled back out of the driveway and left. Also – a dear friend of mine, whom we lost to cancer on April 19th, 2020, swore up and down that Asa A. Allen, the 1950s tent revivalist, literally cast the devil out of a man possessed. “I gave my heart to the Lard!” they claim.

What they actually mean is they had a moving experience. It was brought about by the excitement of the occasion – perhaps the music which lifted their spirit. Whether it was the religious fervor of being in a crowd at the time, or the preacher having an ‘altar call’ perhaps while the choir was singing – Just As I Am, Lord! Or an emotional stir by a charismatic preacher – as you can see erupting out of those Allen revival meetings. They say that after Asa A. Allen attended a tent revival hosted by Oral Roberts in 1949, he wanted to open his own revival meeting. And, like Simon Magus, he established a large following. In ’55 he purchased a large tent, and soon many people were saying, “this man is the great power of God!” So many of this world’s preachers say – the only way that you have God’s Holy Spirit – or proof of God’s Holy Spirit – is by this idea of speaking in tongues. Now, people are sincere when they have these experiences of being “saved” – of ‘giving their heart to the Lord.’ They believe that they are saved.

But, it couldn’t be any plainer what our Lord Jesus said – before anyone may enter the Kingdom of God, they must be REBORN OF THE SPIRIT! And, only one being has been born again of the Spirit at this time – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Verse 6 – “’ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”

Our Lord Jesus is the firstborn of many brethren! (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18; 1st Corinthians 15:20).

These multiple millions of people who believe they have been “born again” can certainly do a simple test to prove whether or not they have been REBORN OF THE SPIRIT! Are they able to be seen by others? Are they VISIBLE!? Do they still have blood flowing in their veins!?

OF COURSE!

Then they are not “born again”!

Remember the living word of our Master, Savior, and Elder Brother – “’ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’”

He goes on and explains, verse 8 – “’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”

This friends is the plain teaching of the LORD our God! So, this new birth is not defined as just an emotional experience as so many are erroneously assuming. It is a literal BIRTH!

When you are “born again” – meaning, born of the Holy Spirit of God, you will be “like Him [Jesus Christ], for we shall see Him as He is.” You will not be seen by mortal eyes (unless you choose to manifest yourself), and you will be able to move like the wind.

Truly, our Lord Jesus says we must be “born again” – changed into wholly spiritual beings – born of the Spirit of God as divine children in the God family!

The Church of God is NOT the Kingdom of God! No physical nation, province, country, or kingdom is the Kingdom of God!

The apostle Paul explains, “’ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” – 1st Corinthians 15:50.

All physical nations, provinces, countries, and kingdoms on this Earth are all composed of flesh and blood people. The Church of God is currently composed of flesh and blood people – therefore has not inherited the glorious Kingdom of God.

Those who will be BORN OF GOD, who will be changed – “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet [the SEVENTH TRUMPET, the RESURRECTION TRUMPET]. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead [the dead in Christ] will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” – 1st Corinthians 15:52 – will be a part of the actual government of the LORD God – co-rulers with Jesus Christ, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

The physical people – those being governed – will be physical, carnal nations on Earth! Again, let’s notice Zechariah 14. The LORD God will send drought to punish those physical nations in the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ who do not want to OBEY and keep the commanded Feast of Tabernacles.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 17) And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, on them there will be no rain. 18) If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the LORD strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. 19) This shall be the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” – Zechariah 14:16-19.

“’ Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. … 5) The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant. 6) THEREFORE the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, AND FEW MEN ARE LEFT.’” – Isaiah 24:1, 5-6.

One of the great meanings of the Feast of Tabernacles is that God will someday ‘TABERNACLE’ in His tabernacle on the earth for all eternity! GOD THE FATHER is going to tabernacle with men! The Seventh-Day Adventists’ prophetess Ellen G. White was horribly wrong when she taught that the earth was going to be melted down like liquid glass! She actually DID NOT finish quoting the living eternal word of God! 5

Again already quoted, Micah chapter 4 shows us that the glorious Kingdom of God will be composed of those who will be BORN OF GOD – actually co-ruling over “the kingdom of this world” who are physical human beings! “Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up the mountain of the LORD [the Kingdom of God], To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we will walk in His paths.’ …” – Micah 4:2.

Our Eternal LORD God shows us that the inhabitants, the physical people of the earth shall be scattered abroad, and, although the LORD God is punishing the inhabitants of the earth for their transgressions, there will be a FEW MEN LEFT to repopulate the Earth in the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ!

A Job To Be Done!

When our Sovereign Lord returns He will put down any opposition against the Kingdom of God! But WOE to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, [the atmosphere] ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God [God the Father], and the power of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ] have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down” – Revelation 12:10.

Notice chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation as well –

“And the stars [here, Satan and his demons] of heaven [the atmosphere] fell to earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.”

Eventually, Satan the Devil along with his minions will be bound for a thousand years so that he cannot continue to deceive the whole world –

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven [again, the atmosphere], having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2) He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3) and cast him into the bottomless pit [the abyss; prison], and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. …” – Revelation 20:1-3.

Major violence and hate will subside. Military weaponry will be a thing of the past. Military weapons will be converted into peaceful and productive implements –

“Now it shall come to pass IN THE LATTER DAYS That the mountain of the LORD’s house [the headquarters of the kingdom of God; New Jerusalem] Shall be established on the top of the mountains [Kingdoms or Governments], And shall be exalted above the hills [smaller nations]; and all nations shall flow to it. 4) He [the Lord our God] shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore” – Isaiah 2:2,4.

When the LORD God’s literal Kingdom is established upon the Earth, those who are co-rulers with Jesus Christ will be instrumental in teaching all physical nations, provinces, countries, and kingdoms God’s Way to live.

This is part of the glorious message from Father God that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought almost 2,000 years ago. Yet, this present evil world as a whole has rejected this message.

We and our affiliated churches ANNOUNCE THIS MESSAGE!

Law For the Kingdom

The glorious Kingdom of God will be a WORLD-RULING KINGDOM. Again, Revelation 11:15 – “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven [the atmosphere], saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord [God the Father] and of His Christ [our Lord Jesus Christ], and He shall reign forever and ever!’” There is no ambiguity in that statement! The LORD God’s GOVERNMENT is accomplished through LAW – the LAW OF GOD! And God alone is LAWGIVER – cf. James 4:12.

The LORD God’s immutable and relevant Law is summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS.

“The works of His hands are verity and justice [judgment]; All His precepts [His commands or principles intended esp. as a general rule of action 6] are sure. 8) They stand fast forever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness.” – Psalm 111:7-8.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was and is a living EXAMPLE of the Law of God – and taught mankind to “’ not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4.

“For this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, LEAVING US AN EXAMPLE, that you should follow His steps: 22) ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.’” – 1 Peter 2:21-22.

For our Lord Jesus teaches us – “ … ‘If you want to enter into life [eternal life], KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS’” – Matthew 19:17.

As our upper heavenly Elder Brother, High Priest, and Savior explains to us in the likes of the Book of Matthew chapter 5, we are to DO and TEACH the commandments of God, and that our righteousness (and it’s not our own righteousness, but a righteousness which is through faith in Christ, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH – cf. Philippians 3:9) should exceed ‘the righteousness’ of the scribes and Pharisees.

Our Lord Jesus goes on in this chapter to actually mention some of His commandments that were given at Mount Sinai – about murder, about stealing, about adultery. Speaking of the letter of the commandments. Our righteousness (and again, not our own righteousness - THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS FROM GOD BY FAITH) is to exceed the uber-religious of our day – of those who want to be JEWISH and Christian. Or, the term Judeo-Christian. And to this day – within the Church of God – there are people throughout all of these congregations who believe that they want to become followers of Jewish tradition, and that somehow that will make them more righteous. Of this, our Lord Jesus tells us – “’ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness [the righteousness which is from God by faith] exceeds the righteousness [the righteousness from their trying to keep all the extremely physically oriented ritualistic laws] of the scribes and Pharisees, you WILL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE KINGDOM [FROM] HEAVEN’” – Matthew 5:20.

So, since our Lord JESUS CHRIST “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” He will be KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS within you and within me just as He kept them within the apostle Paul. “I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me. For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith—that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20.

Anyone who does NOT obey and DOES NOT keep God’s commandments are NOT His! Thus, they DO NOT have the Holy Spirit of God. They have their own idea of just what the Holy Spirit actually is – but they truly are NOT His!

God does not bend His rules to fit people’s imaginations of what their religiosity or tradition claims.

The Holy Spirit is only within those who are TRULY OBEDIENT TO GOD and forsake their own lives for Jesus Christ and who OBEY GOD’S COMMANDMENTS – summed up with the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

The apostle Paul – under divine inspiration – also teaches us that God’s Law is spiritual – Romans 7:14. So, with our mind we serve the Law of God – verse 25.

WHAT GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS!

The LORD God – the Family of God which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ – are going to soon step in. They are going to intervene in Their great and awesome POWER AND STRENGTH to save mankind from their wretchedness, poverty, crime, and imprisonment! The Kingdom of God will be established upon this EARTH!

A JOYOUS, HAPPY, WORLD TOMORROW will be established! May the eternal God grant you the blessing to strive with all your heart and soul to qualify to be a part of the family of God within the glorious soon-coming Kingdom of God! □

Bibliography:

1 Webster, M. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Tenth Edition, Merriam-Webster’s Incorporated, 1996, pg. 643.

2 What did Jesus mean when He said, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21, KJV)? Got Questions.org. Retrieved 22 Nov. 2023.

3 Fradd, M. What is the Kingdom of God? Catholic Answers, 11 June 2013.

4 Ibid. 217.

5 White, E.G., The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911, pg. 657.

6 Webster’s pg. 916.