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Songs and Teachings of the Bible
Songs and Teachings of the Bible
THE SEVEN MILLENNIAL DAYS OF HUMAN HISTORY
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FOUR
The Fourth Millennial Day
The Genesis creation account is dual. The first, second and third days form a pattern which the fourth, fifth and sixth days follow with artistic symmetry. Light and darkness (first day) become the realms of the sun and moon (fourth day); waters and sky (second day) provide domains for fish and fowl (fifth day); land and vegetation (third day) support humans and animals (sixth day).
Thus, God divided light from darkness on the first day, and on the fourth day He created a "greater light to rule the day" and a "lesser light to rule the night." The theme of the Fourth Millennial Day is rulership.
Thus, God divided light from darkness on the first day, and on the fourth day He created a "greater light to rule the day" and a "lesser light to rule the night." The theme of the Fourth Millennial Day is rulership.
"Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. . . . God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness."
(Genesis 1:16-18)*
It is important to note that God made "the greater light" first -- before He made "the lesser light" -- on the fourth day of creation.
First we will give a brief summary of the Fourth Millennial Day. It will be followed by a more detailed explanation.
The Fourth Day -- RULERS of Light and Darkness
At the beginning of the Fourth Millennial Day God established the "greater light to rule the day" by making an eternal covenant with King David -- a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) -- promising that David's throne and dynasty would continue forever (II Samuel 7:12-16; I Chronicles 17:11-14). After the glorious reign of King Solomon, the first son to sit on that throne, the united kingdom split into two separate nations. The northern kingdom (House of Israel) forsook God completely. The southern kingdom (House of Judah) continued to be governed by David's throne and dynasty, where God’s light remained (I Kings 11:36; 15:4; II Kings 8:19; II Chronicles 21:7). The biblical books of Kings and Chronicles detail the history of these two kingdoms during the first half of the Fourth Millennial Day.
David and Solomon ruled in the fear of the Lord (Psalms 1; 2; 72; II Samuel 23:1-4; Isaiah 1:21, 26) and were used by God to write significant portions of the Bible filled with wisdom and inspiration. Songs of David
The "lesser light to rule the night" appeared halfway through the Fourth Millennial Day -- the midpoint of God's 7,000-Year Plan -- as God caused a major historical transition to occur (Jeremiah 1:10; Daniel 2:21). Both Israel and Judah had forsaken God completely by this time (II Kings 17:18-20; Jeremiah 50:17; Ezekiel 5:5-9; Daniel 9:7-12), so God cast His people out of the Promised Land (the diaspora) and gave dominion over the earth to Babylon the Great (Revelation 16:19; 17:5; 18:2) -- a succession of powerful Gentile kingdoms led by Satan the devil (Daniel 2; 7; 8; Revelation 13; 17; note Revelation 13:2 and Luke 4:5-7). "Great Babylon" overshadowed David's kingdom, changed God's times and laws (Daniel 7:25), ruled the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day and has continued to exert influence over the world during "medieval" and "modern" history (Revelation 17:8-14). It was an extension of Nimrod's post-flood kingdom. A World in Confusion
The highlight of the Fourth Millennial Day occurred at its close as Jesus -- the Messiah, the second member of the Godhead -- came down from heaven to live on earth as a human being (John 3:13; Ephesians 4:8-10). He was the Light of the world (Matthew 4:16; John 1:4-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:35-36, 46), the Son of David destined to rule all nations from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:14; Luke 1:31-33; Revelation 11:15). Jesus fulfilled some biblical prophecies at His First Coming (Matthew 26:54-56; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4) and will fulfill the rest at His Second Coming (Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 21:22; Acts 3:19-21; I Corinthians 15:24-28).
At the beginning of the Fourth Millennial Day God established the "greater light to rule the day" by making an eternal covenant with King David -- a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) -- promising that David's throne and dynasty would continue forever (II Samuel 7:12-16; I Chronicles 17:11-14). After the glorious reign of King Solomon, the first son to sit on that throne, the united kingdom split into two separate nations. The northern kingdom (House of Israel) forsook God completely. The southern kingdom (House of Judah) continued to be governed by David's throne and dynasty, where God’s light remained (I Kings 11:36; 15:4; II Kings 8:19; II Chronicles 21:7). The biblical books of Kings and Chronicles detail the history of these two kingdoms during the first half of the Fourth Millennial Day.
David and Solomon ruled in the fear of the Lord (Psalms 1; 2; 72; II Samuel 23:1-4; Isaiah 1:21, 26) and were used by God to write significant portions of the Bible filled with wisdom and inspiration. Songs of David
The "lesser light to rule the night" appeared halfway through the Fourth Millennial Day -- the midpoint of God's 7,000-Year Plan -- as God caused a major historical transition to occur (Jeremiah 1:10; Daniel 2:21). Both Israel and Judah had forsaken God completely by this time (II Kings 17:18-20; Jeremiah 50:17; Ezekiel 5:5-9; Daniel 9:7-12), so God cast His people out of the Promised Land (the diaspora) and gave dominion over the earth to Babylon the Great (Revelation 16:19; 17:5; 18:2) -- a succession of powerful Gentile kingdoms led by Satan the devil (Daniel 2; 7; 8; Revelation 13; 17; note Revelation 13:2 and Luke 4:5-7). "Great Babylon" overshadowed David's kingdom, changed God's times and laws (Daniel 7:25), ruled the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day and has continued to exert influence over the world during "medieval" and "modern" history (Revelation 17:8-14). It was an extension of Nimrod's post-flood kingdom. A World in Confusion
The highlight of the Fourth Millennial Day occurred at its close as Jesus -- the Messiah, the second member of the Godhead -- came down from heaven to live on earth as a human being (John 3:13; Ephesians 4:8-10). He was the Light of the world (Matthew 4:16; John 1:4-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 12:35-36, 46), the Son of David destined to rule all nations from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:14; Luke 1:31-33; Revelation 11:15). Jesus fulfilled some biblical prophecies at His First Coming (Matthew 26:54-56; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4) and will fulfill the rest at His Second Coming (Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 21:22; Acts 3:19-21; I Corinthians 15:24-28).
That concludes our brief summary of the Fourth Millennial Day. A more detailed and in-depth explanation follows:
The Davidic Covenant
The original King of Israel was God (I Samuel 12:12), but Israel rejected God's rulership during the Judges Period (latter half of the Third Millennial Day).
The original King of Israel was God (I Samuel 12:12), but Israel rejected God's rulership during the Judges Period (latter half of the Third Millennial Day).
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
(Judges 21:25; see also Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1)
Having rejected God as their king, the Israelites desired a human king in order to be like all other nations (I Samuel 8:5-7). On the Fourth Millennial Day God laid a foundation to restore His government over Israel and all other nations through King David and through Jesus Christ -- the Messiah, the Son of David (Isaiah 1:21, 26; 2:1-4; 28:16; Matthew 1:1; 2:1-6; 22:41-45; Luke 1:31-33; John 18:33, 36-37; I Peter 2:6).
Saul became Israel's first human king. He failed to administer God's government properly, so God rejected him (I Samuel 15:10-23) and chose David to replace him (I Samuel 16:1-13). David was a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). The story of Saul's gradual decline and David's simultaneous rise is prophetic of events to occur at the close of this age. After firmly establishing his kingship, God made David the following astounding promise:
Saul became Israel's first human king. He failed to administer God's government properly, so God rejected him (I Samuel 15:10-23) and chose David to replace him (I Samuel 16:1-13). David was a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). The story of Saul's gradual decline and David's simultaneous rise is prophetic of events to occur at the close of this age. After firmly establishing his kingship, God made David the following astounding promise:
"I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. . . .
Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house" [dynasty]. "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he shall be My son. . . .
And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."
(II Samuel 7:8-9, 11-14, 16)
First Half of the Fourth Millennial Day
King David reigned at the beginning of the Fourth Millennial Day. His son Solomon succeeded him on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord (I Chronicles 28:4-5; 29:23). Solomon reigned during the most glorious era of Israel's history (I Kings 4:20-25; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 2:9, 12), typifying the Seventh Millennial Day when Christ's Kingdom will bring utopian conditions of peace and prosperity on earth. God gave Solomon unparalleled wisdom and understanding (I Kings 3:5-28; 4:29-34; 10:4-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
Solomon made great mistakes near the end of his life and was chastened by God as a result (II Samuel 7:14; I Kings 11:14-39; Nehemiah 13:26; Proverbs 3:11-12). God took away ten tribes from his son; Israel became divided into two separate kingdoms -- the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Under King Jeroboam the House of Israel went off-track immediately and, over the course of over two-and-a-half centuries, remained continually off-track (II Kings 17:21-23). The House of Judah also went off-track under King Rehoboam, but found its way back to God under such righteous kings as Hezekiah and Josiah. The biblical books of Kings and Chronicles cover this period of history.
God warned Israel that He would chasten them severely if they turned away from His commandments and followed other gods (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; I Kings 9:1-9). He said that if Israel forsook Him, then He would forsake them as well (Deuteronomy 31:16-17; Isaiah 1:4). God raised up the prophets to warn Israel and Judah of their impending calamities (II Kings 17:13-15; II Chronicles 36:15-16; Daniel 9:1-19). The writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the twelve minor prophets are filled with such warnings. The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
The curses pronounced by God through Moses and the prophets came upon Israel and Judah approximately halfway through the Fourth Millennial Day.
King David reigned at the beginning of the Fourth Millennial Day. His son Solomon succeeded him on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord (I Chronicles 28:4-5; 29:23). Solomon reigned during the most glorious era of Israel's history (I Kings 4:20-25; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 2:9, 12), typifying the Seventh Millennial Day when Christ's Kingdom will bring utopian conditions of peace and prosperity on earth. God gave Solomon unparalleled wisdom and understanding (I Kings 3:5-28; 4:29-34; 10:4-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
Solomon made great mistakes near the end of his life and was chastened by God as a result (II Samuel 7:14; I Kings 11:14-39; Nehemiah 13:26; Proverbs 3:11-12). God took away ten tribes from his son; Israel became divided into two separate kingdoms -- the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Under King Jeroboam the House of Israel went off-track immediately and, over the course of over two-and-a-half centuries, remained continually off-track (II Kings 17:21-23). The House of Judah also went off-track under King Rehoboam, but found its way back to God under such righteous kings as Hezekiah and Josiah. The biblical books of Kings and Chronicles cover this period of history.
God warned Israel that He would chasten them severely if they turned away from His commandments and followed other gods (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; I Kings 9:1-9). He said that if Israel forsook Him, then He would forsake them as well (Deuteronomy 31:16-17; Isaiah 1:4). God raised up the prophets to warn Israel and Judah of their impending calamities (II Kings 17:13-15; II Chronicles 36:15-16; Daniel 9:1-19). The writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the twelve minor prophets are filled with such warnings. The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
The curses pronounced by God through Moses and the prophets came upon Israel and Judah approximately halfway through the Fourth Millennial Day.
Latter Half of the Fourth Millennial Day
God caused the people of Israel and Judah to be deported from the Promised Land (Jeremiah 50:17). First, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Assyria (II Kings 17). The House of Judah outlasted the House of Israel by over a century because of the national repentance launched by king Hezekiah who believed Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 36-37; II Kings 18-19; II Chronicles 30-32). The southern kingdom of Judah, which included God's temple and the capital city of Jerusalem, was destroyed by Babylon (II Kings 25; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 39; 52).
The midway point of the Fourth Millennial Day has been called "the axial period" of history. God used the prophet Jeremiah to warn all nations that they would have to submit to the rulership of Babylon (Jeremiah 1:10; chapter 25). God said,
God caused the people of Israel and Judah to be deported from the Promised Land (Jeremiah 50:17). First, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken captive by Assyria (II Kings 17). The House of Judah outlasted the House of Israel by over a century because of the national repentance launched by king Hezekiah who believed Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 36-37; II Kings 18-19; II Chronicles 30-32). The southern kingdom of Judah, which included God's temple and the capital city of Jerusalem, was destroyed by Babylon (II Kings 25; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 39; 52).
The midway point of the Fourth Millennial Day has been called "the axial period" of history. God used the prophet Jeremiah to warn all nations that they would have to submit to the rulership of Babylon (Jeremiah 1:10; chapter 25). God said,
"I have made the earth . . . and have given it to whom it seemed proper to Me. And now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant. . . . So all nations shall serve him. . . . And it shall be, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, . . . that nation I will punish . . . by his hand."
(Jeremiah 27:5-8)
God was using Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as the "lesser light to rule the night." Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the Jerusalem temple symbolized God's presence being removed from the earth. God was allowing a period of darkness to come upon the world (Matthew 4:16; John 1:4-11). He used the prophet Daniel to inform Nebuchadnezzar that his dominion over the nations was ordained by God (Daniel 2:37-38; 4:17, 25, 32). God was "changing the times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings" (Daniel 2:21), causing a new era of history to appear. Babylon would be the first in a succession of four world-ruling empires which would dominate the latter half of the Fourth Millennial Day -- the period between the Old and New Testaments (Daniel 2; 7; 8).
From God's perspective, the four world-ruling empires were all one system. God pictured that system by giving Nebuchadnezzar a dream in which he saw a great statue which reached up to the sky. The great statue toppled over and perished when a stone sent from heaven struck it upon its base (Daniel 2:31-45). The stone then became a great mountain which filled the whole earth. The dream signified that the Kingdom of God will cause Great Babylon to fall, and will assume dominion over the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (verses 34-35, 44-45; Revelation 11:15; 16:19; 18:2; 19:19-21; Daniel 7:11).
From God's perspective, the four world-ruling empires were all one system. God pictured that system by giving Nebuchadnezzar a dream in which he saw a great statue which reached up to the sky. The great statue toppled over and perished when a stone sent from heaven struck it upon its base (Daniel 2:31-45). The stone then became a great mountain which filled the whole earth. The dream signified that the Kingdom of God will cause Great Babylon to fall, and will assume dominion over the earth at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (verses 34-35, 44-45; Revelation 11:15; 16:19; 18:2; 19:19-21; Daniel 7:11).
The Son of David
The prophets predicted a time when Israel will be restored to glory, after its people have been punished for their sins and begin to seek God with all their heart (Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Jeremiah 30:22; 31:10). The ultimate restoration of Israel (Acts 1:6-7; James 1:1; Zechariah 1:12) will follow the Great Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Daniel 9:24; 12:1; Zechariah 13:8-9; 14:1-4, 9; Matthew 24:21-22; Isaiah 65:8-25). At that time there will be world peace for all nations on earth (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Luke 2:10-14) under the government of the Son of David, the Messiah (Matthew 2:1-6; John 18:33-37). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement -- The Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day
The prophets predicted a time when Israel will be restored to glory, after its people have been punished for their sins and begin to seek God with all their heart (Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Jeremiah 30:22; 31:10). The ultimate restoration of Israel (Acts 1:6-7; James 1:1; Zechariah 1:12) will follow the Great Tribulation and Second Coming of Christ (Acts 3:19-21; Daniel 9:24; 12:1; Zechariah 13:8-9; 14:1-4, 9; Matthew 24:21-22; Isaiah 65:8-25). At that time there will be world peace for all nations on earth (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Luke 2:10-14) under the government of the Son of David, the Messiah (Matthew 2:1-6; John 18:33-37). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement -- The Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day
"For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder. . . .
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
"'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord,
'That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper,
And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell safely. . . .'"
(Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Jesus, the Messiah, appeared at the end of the Fourth Millennial Day. He will inherit the throne of David, as the angel Gabriel said to His mother Mary,
"'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 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 forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.'"
(Luke 1:30-33)
The New Testament declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of David whom the prophets foretold (Matthew 1:1; John 1:45; 4:25-26; Acts 2:25-36; 13:30-37; Romans 1:1-4). Through Him God will fulfill the promises He made to David at the beginning of the Fourth Millennial Day (Acts 1:6-7; 3:18-21). He will be assisted by the twelve apostles who will govern the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Revelation 21:12, 14) and the true members of the true Church who will be kings and priests (administrators and teachers) in The World Tomorrow (Luke 19:11-19; I Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 2:5; Revelation 1:6; 2:26-27; 5:10; 19:16; 20:4-6). The Basic Questions -- Doctrine Three
Jesus Christ is the Great Light to Rule the Day:
Jesus Christ is the Great Light to Rule the Day:
"I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(John 8:12)
All Biblical Prophecy Will Be Fulfilled
Christianity does not oppose Judaism. Jews are correct in believing the Hebrew Scriptures and all that they stand for, including the prophecies of a restored kingdom of Israel with all twelve tribes governed by a Son of David (Ezekiel 37:15-28). Christians are correct in believing the New Testament which portrays Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel (Matthew 2). However, both groups tend to see only half the picture, for it is by putting the Old and New Testaments together that we see how God is working out a different phase of His Master Plan on each millennial day of history.
The New Testament never claimed to witness the total fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The book of Revelation confirms the message of Israel's prophets and directs our attention to the time of future fulfillment. Jesus said,
Christianity does not oppose Judaism. Jews are correct in believing the Hebrew Scriptures and all that they stand for, including the prophecies of a restored kingdom of Israel with all twelve tribes governed by a Son of David (Ezekiel 37:15-28). Christians are correct in believing the New Testament which portrays Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel (Matthew 2). However, both groups tend to see only half the picture, for it is by putting the Old and New Testaments together that we see how God is working out a different phase of His Master Plan on each millennial day of history.
The New Testament never claimed to witness the total fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The book of Revelation confirms the message of Israel's prophets and directs our attention to the time of future fulfillment. Jesus said,
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
(Matthew 5:17-18)
Notice in the Scripture quoted above that 1) Jesus upheld the Law and 2) came to fulfill Bible prophecy. Jesus Upheld the Law -- The Prophets Upheld the Law
The New Testament teaches that Jesus has fulfilled only part of Bible prophecy thus far, and that the rest will be fulfilled at His Second Coming:
The New Testament teaches that Jesus has fulfilled only part of Bible prophecy thus far, and that the rest will be fulfilled at His Second Coming:
"But those things, which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer" [e.g., Isaiah 53:3-8; Psalm 22; Daniel 9:26; Acts 8:30-35] "He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ . . . whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
(Acts 3:18-21)
Let us follow the example and teaching of Jesus Christ -- the Great Light to Rule the Day -- and come out of the darkness of this world which is still under the influence of Babylon the Great and heading for a mighty fall (Revelation 18:2-4).
*The "two great lights" were made not only to give light, but also for signs relating to the calendar (Genesis 1:14). The ideal, or prophetic calendar contains 12 months and 360 days per year. The present calendar and current movement of the heavenly bodies signify a time of Babylonian dominion over earth. The ideal calendar will be restored as the Seventh Millennial Day draws near.
© Copyright 1974, 1993, 2013 Matthew Kalliman