Messianic Eschatology Part 2

Messianic Eschatology Part 2 Next we'll cover the Judgment. Math.25: 31 - 34 " When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." A few points. One group is the blessed ones on the right hand that inherit the kingdom of God. The bad ones, we read later on in verses 41 - 46 which I won't type in here to save space, go into everlasting punishment. How could this judgment possibly occur at the onset of the millennium. We know Jesus doesn't leave the right hand of his Father until the restitution of all things which occurs at the resurrection, which is on the last day. But asides from this also consider who would be left to go through the millennium if this judgment occurred at the onset of the millennium, which it doesn't. The ones on the right hand inherit the kingdom and eternal life (vs.46) and the ones on the left go to eternal punishment. Who's left. No one. This judgment, the judgment, is the only judgment and it occurs after the resurrection. The word "Millennium" is a word that does not occur in the Bible. It is used to mean the 1000 year period during which Satan is bound. Some of you have been taught that there are multiple judgment days, which isn't true. We read in different places in the Bible of the judgment and some depictions of it are from a different view or perspective so it gets twisted by those so inclined to twist scriptures. Acts 17:31 " Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." Note he "appointed a day", not several different days for different judgments. John 12:48 " He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." Again we read the judgment is "in the last day." Only one judgment. 2Pet.3:7 " But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Again, the earth is kept in store until "the day of judgment" at which time it is destroyed. There is only one judgment day. The next one is even stronger. 2Tim.4: " I charge the therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom."

Here we read that the judgment will occur at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom. This scripture contradicts the doctrine of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus being an earthly kingdom, since we now know that there is only one judgment and it occurs on the last day which is the end of the world (age). So again we see the timing of all these end time events. Also remember 1Jn.3:2 " Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him like he is." So when Jesus returns the believers will become like him, this is the last day. This refutes doctrines which have multiple Second Comings of the Lord. He only comes back once. Math16:28 " Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." We clearly see Jesus depicted as coming in his kingdom which agrees with 2Pet.3:12, 13. It is a fairly dramatic event to say the least, with things like the earth and the heavens burning up taking place, not a secret slipping in and out. The coming as a thief pertains to The Lord returning when you may not be looking for him to return. This is also found in the parable of the virgins with their lamps found in Math. 25:1 - 13. In Math.24:23 - 27 Jesus warns us about people deceiving us regarding his return: " Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chamber; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." This is a dramatic event, not a secret. So on the last day we have learned the rapture occurs and the judgment occurs and the kingdom of the Lord appears. It is also the time of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and when he appears we shall be like him. Folks don't believe loose interpretations of scripture that contradict direct statements made by The Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles. Just believe your Bible. Now, I need to explain who it is that is going to be walking through the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem and goes into the Temple at the onset of the millennium, because we know from these scriptures this isn't Jesus although many teach that it is and build their false doctrines on this false presumption. So who is it? Well why not let the scriptures speak for themselves. We'll go to Ezek. 43:1, 4: " And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory."

Now to vs. 4: " And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east." All we needed to do was read and believe what we read. I'll show you more about the Glory of God in the New Testament but do remember it is the Glory of the God of Israel. Remember the God of Israel. Now the Glory of God wasn't a Mosaic concept to be forgotten about although some would like you to think so. They would also have us believe Jesus is what the scriptures is referencing, when the term the Glory of God is used but the scriptures contradict such a theory. Rom.6:4: " Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." So we read that the Glory of the Father raised up Jesus. Doesn't sound like the scriptures treat Jesus and the Glory as the same. Let's go to Rom.9:4: " Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;" So now we read that the Glory belongs to the Israelites, and we're reading it in the New Testament coming from an Apostle. This is an important point that we need to get into our thinking along with all the other things mentioned in this passage that belong to the Israelites. Now let's go to Acts 7:55 which is the stoning of Stephen: " But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." This is a scripture you'll do well to study. We see that in heaven Stephen saw God the Father, Jesus, and the Glory of God. When Stephen saw this he was full of the Holy Spirit so we know the Holy Spirit was on earth at the time (see John16:7) so the Glory of God is not the Holy Spirit. So we now have read of God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory of God and the Holy Spirit all in one passage. You see the glory of God will again be on earth and you should start to study the Glory of God. Go to Is.4:4 - 6: " When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement, and by the spirit of burning. And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and rain." This is a passage dealing with restored Israel and those of you familiar with the Old

Testament will recognize the Glory of the God of Israel performing this protective covering for Israel. Let me quote you Ex. 13:21 - 22: " And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of the cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and by night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." Is.40:5 " And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." This passage speaks of a restored Israel. Is.66:18: " For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory." Once the God of Israel, always the God of Israel. The entire series and much more on www.messianic.biz