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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
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) became the realms of the sun and moon (fourth day); waters and sky (second day) provided the domains for fish and fowl (fifth day); land and vegetation (third day) supported 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)*
* The "two great lights" were made not only to give light, but also for signs pertaining to the calendar (Genesis 1:14). The ideal, or prophetic calendar as originally created contained 12 months and 360 days per year (Genesis 7:11, 24; 8:3-4). 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 (Revelation 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). End Time Countdown
Recall that, as covered in previous chapters, the world had fallen into in a state of sin and confusion after the flood. Noah cursed the descendants of Ham because of their mounting wickedness; evil spread through all nations after Nimrod and the tower of Babel; God confused the languages of all nations in order to slow down the spread of evil; human lifespan was dramatically shortened; movements of the heavenly bodies were apparently altered to signify a time of Babylonian dominion over the earth as reflected in the calendar.
God raised up Abraham and his descendants to counteract Satan's influence and the spread of evil throughout the world. The children of Israel were intended to be a light to all other nations. Israel was God's only nation on earth (Amos 3:1-2; Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
Israel obeyed God all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived Joshua (Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7), but went "off track" during the Judges Period (Judges 2:10-23) until the time of David and Solomon.
God raised up Abraham and his descendants to counteract Satan's influence and the spread of evil throughout the world. The children of Israel were intended to be a light to all other nations. Israel was God's only nation on earth (Amos 3:1-2; Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
Israel obeyed God all the days of Joshua and the elders who outlived Joshua (Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7), but went "off track" during the Judges Period (Judges 2:10-23) until the time of David and Solomon.
"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
(Judges 21:25; see also 17:6; 18:1; 19:1)
Through King David God put Israel "back on track" and established the kind of righteous government which will fill the whole world after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 1:21, 26; 2:1-4; 9:6-7). The Seventh Millennial Day
First we will give a brief summary of the Fourth Millennial Day. It will be followed by a more detailed explanation.
It is important to note that God made "the greater light" first -- before He made "the lesser light" -- on the fourth day of Creation.
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 of David to sit on the throne, the united kingdom split into two separate nations. The northern kingdom (House of Israel), not governed by the house of David, quickly proceeded to forsake God completely. The southern kingdom (House of Judah) continued to be governed by David's throne and dynasty, where God’s light resided (I Kings 11:36; 15:4; II Kings 8:19; II Chronicles 21:7). The 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
Evidently the ideal calendar (12 months per year) was in effect during the reign of King David (I Chronicles 23-27). The Hebrew Calendar in use today (based on a 19-year time cycle which includes special intercalary months and years) is the result of the present movements of the heavenly bodies.
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). God cast His people out of the Promised Land (the diaspora) and gave dominion over the earth to a succession of powerful Gentile kingdoms led by Satan the devil (Daniel 2; 7; 8; Revelation 13; 17; note especially Revelation 13:2 and Luke 4:5-7). This entire combined system of Gentile kingdoms ("Babylon the Great") overshadowed David's kingdom, changed God's times and laws (Daniel 7:25), ruled the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day and continued to exert tremendous influence throughout history (Revelation 17:8-14) until the British Commonwealth of Nations and the United States of America came on the world scene. A World in Confusion -- Where are Israel and Judah Today?
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 the earth as a human being (Luke 1:30-33; 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 on earth from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:14; Zechariah 14:9; Luke 1:30-33; Revelation 11:15; 22:16). Jesus fulfilled some of the biblical prophecies at His First Coming, but not all of them (Matthew 26:54-56; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4). He will fulfill the rest of the prophecies in conjunction with 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 of David to sit on the throne, the united kingdom split into two separate nations. The northern kingdom (House of Israel), not governed by the house of David, quickly proceeded to forsake God completely. The southern kingdom (House of Judah) continued to be governed by David's throne and dynasty, where God’s light resided (I Kings 11:36; 15:4; II Kings 8:19; II Chronicles 21:7). The 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
Evidently the ideal calendar (12 months per year) was in effect during the reign of King David (I Chronicles 23-27). The Hebrew Calendar in use today (based on a 19-year time cycle which includes special intercalary months and years) is the result of the present movements of the heavenly bodies.
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). God cast His people out of the Promised Land (the diaspora) and gave dominion over the earth to a succession of powerful Gentile kingdoms led by Satan the devil (Daniel 2; 7; 8; Revelation 13; 17; note especially Revelation 13:2 and Luke 4:5-7). This entire combined system of Gentile kingdoms ("Babylon the Great") overshadowed David's kingdom, changed God's times and laws (Daniel 7:25), ruled the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day and continued to exert tremendous influence throughout history (Revelation 17:8-14) until the British Commonwealth of Nations and the United States of America came on the world scene. A World in Confusion -- Where are Israel and Judah Today?
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 the earth as a human being (Luke 1:30-33; 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 on earth from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:14; Zechariah 14:9; Luke 1:30-33; Revelation 11:15; 22:16). Jesus fulfilled some of the biblical prophecies at His First Coming, but not all of them (Matthew 26:54-56; Luke 24:44-48; Acts 3:18; I Corinthians 15:3-4). He will fulfill the rest of the prophecies in conjunction with 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 explanation follows.
The Davidic Covenant
The original King of Israel was God (I Samuel 12:12; Hosea 13:10-11), 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; Hosea 13:10-11), 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 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). There is more written about David in the Bible than anyone else. The story of Saul's gradual decline and David's simultaneous rise is prophetic of events to occur at the close of this age (there is a duality of history, just as the Genesis Creation Account is dual). After firmly establishing David's kingship, God made the following astounding promise to him:
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). There is more written about David in the Bible than anyone else. The story of Saul's gradual decline and David's simultaneous rise is prophetic of events to occur at the close of this age (there is a duality of history, just as the Genesis Creation Account is dual). After firmly establishing David's kingship, God made the following astounding promise to him:
"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, 11-16)
First Half of 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; I Chronicles 29:25; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 2:9, 12), which typified the Seventh Millennial Day when Christ's Kingdom will bring utopian conditions of peace and prosperity to the earth. God gave Solomon unparalleled wisdom and understanding (I Kings 3:5-28; 4:29-34; 10:1-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
Unfortunately, Solomon made great mistakes near the end of his life and had to be chastened by God as a result (II Samuel 7:14; I Kings 11:14-39; Nehemiah 13:26; Proverbs 3:11-12; Deuteronomy 8:5). God took away ten tribes from Solomon's son; Israel became divided into two separate kingdoms -- the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Under King Jeroboam (first king of the northern kingdom) the House of Israel went off-track almost immediately and, over the course of more than 2½ centuries, remained off-track (II Kings 17:21-23). The House of Judah also went off-track under King Rehoboam (first king of the southern kingdom) but found its way back to God under such righteous kings as Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat and Josiah. The 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; 29:16-28; 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 the calamities about to befall them (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.*
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; I Chronicles 29:25; Ecclesiastes 1:16; 2:9, 12), which typified the Seventh Millennial Day when Christ's Kingdom will bring utopian conditions of peace and prosperity to the earth. God gave Solomon unparalleled wisdom and understanding (I Kings 3:5-28; 4:29-34; 10:1-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
Unfortunately, Solomon made great mistakes near the end of his life and had to be chastened by God as a result (II Samuel 7:14; I Kings 11:14-39; Nehemiah 13:26; Proverbs 3:11-12; Deuteronomy 8:5). God took away ten tribes from Solomon's son; Israel became divided into two separate kingdoms -- the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Under King Jeroboam (first king of the northern kingdom) the House of Israel went off-track almost immediately and, over the course of more than 2½ centuries, remained off-track (II Kings 17:21-23). The House of Judah also went off-track under King Rehoboam (first king of the southern kingdom) but found its way back to God under such righteous kings as Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat and Josiah. The 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; 29:16-28; 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 the calamities about to befall them (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.*
* Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel (the major prophets) were like "television cameramen" who aimed their cameras from three different angles at the same event -- the fall of Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesied over a hundred years before the destruction of Jerusalem occurred, Jeremiah for forty years leading up to and including that event, and Ezekiel during and after it happened. God told Ezekiel to make a model of Jerusalem and demonstrate that what happened to it was symbolic of what would occur to all Israel at the close of this age.
Ezekiel
The curses pronounced by God through Moses and the prophets came upon ancient Israel and Judah approximately 2,500 years ago, halfway through the Fourth Millennial Day (Hosea 6:2; II Peter 3:8). The events of that period represent similar ones to occur to modern Israel and Judah in the future. The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
Latter Half of 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 was taken captive by Assyria (II Kings 17). Later, the southern kingdom was destroyed by Babylon (II Kings 25). The fall of Judah included the destruction of its capital city -- Jerusalem -- and God's holy temple (II Kings 25; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 39; 52). The House of Judah lasted 133 years longer than the House of Israel because of a national repentance launched by King Hezekiah, who heeded the warnings of the prophet Isaiah (II Chronicles 30-32; Isaiah 36-38; II Kings 18-19).
The midpoint of the Fourth Millennial Day has been called "the axial period" of human history. God used the prophet Jeremiah to warn all nations that they must submit to the king of Babylon who would be given dominion over the entire earth (Jeremiah 1:10; chapters 25 and 46-51). God said,
God caused the people of Israel and Judah to be deported from the Promised Land (Jeremiah 50:17). First, the northern kingdom was taken captive by Assyria (II Kings 17). Later, the southern kingdom was destroyed by Babylon (II Kings 25). The fall of Judah included the destruction of its capital city -- Jerusalem -- and God's holy temple (II Kings 25; II Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 39; 52). The House of Judah lasted 133 years longer than the House of Israel because of a national repentance launched by King Hezekiah, who heeded the warnings of the prophet Isaiah (II Chronicles 30-32; Isaiah 36-38; II Kings 18-19).
The midpoint of the Fourth Millennial Day has been called "the axial period" of human history. God used the prophet Jeremiah to warn all nations that they must submit to the king of Babylon who would be given dominion over the entire earth (Jeremiah 1:10; chapters 25 and 46-51). 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)
The world had already been in a "Babylonian" condition -- a state of confusion -- since the time shortly after the flood. All nations on earth (the descendants of Noah) had become cut off from God. God had called Abraham out of the world, raised up Israel to be His one and only nation on earth -- His special, chosen and holy people -- and established the throne of David forever. But by the middle of the Fourth Millennial Day God's people had forsaken Him completely.
Previously, after the flood, Nimrod had attempted to create a one-world government intended to rule over all nations, but was prevented by God from doing so (Genesis 10:8-12; 11:1-9). But at the beginning of the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day God established Nebuchadnezzar as the "lesser light to rule the night" -- the first "king of Babylon" allowed to rule over all nations.
God's purpose since the time of Adam and Eve has been to place "enmity" between the human race and Satan the devil (Genesis 3:15) -- to teach His future offspring why the Government of God is necessary to be over them in order to produce and maintain what every sound-minded child of God really desires -- the qualities of happiness, contentment, joy, peace and permanent stability. He has allowed 6,000 years of human experience to illustrate this lesson. In order to contrast this period of misery and woe, during the Seventh Millennial Day the Government of God will be in place -- one-world government led by Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:10). The First Millennial Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
Previously, after the flood, Nimrod had attempted to create a one-world government intended to rule over all nations, but was prevented by God from doing so (Genesis 10:8-12; 11:1-9). But at the beginning of the dark half of the Fourth Millennial Day God established Nebuchadnezzar as the "lesser light to rule the night" -- the first "king of Babylon" allowed to rule over all nations.
God's purpose since the time of Adam and Eve has been to place "enmity" between the human race and Satan the devil (Genesis 3:15) -- to teach His future offspring why the Government of God is necessary to be over them in order to produce and maintain what every sound-minded child of God really desires -- the qualities of happiness, contentment, joy, peace and permanent stability. He has allowed 6,000 years of human experience to illustrate this lesson. In order to contrast this period of misery and woe, during the Seventh Millennial Day the Government of God will be in place -- one-world government led by Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:10). The First Millennial Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
"A perfect world is coming and this troubled world will end!"
-- song, Good News
-- song, Good News
Good News
Bible Man
Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the Jerusalem temple symbolized God's presence being removed from the earth in a profound way. The Gentile nations were already cut off from God, but during the time of Nebuchadnezzar's reign even the people of Judah lost their connection with God (Leviticus 16; Psalm 89; Lamentations 5:19-22; Hosea 1:8; 5:15). God had temporarily "divorced His wife" -- the people of Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1-2) -- and was allowing a period of great darkness to come upon the world (Matthew 4:16; John 1:4-11). He used the prophet Daniel to inform Nebuchadnezzar that Babylon's dominion over all nations was ordained by God (Daniel 2:37-38; 4:17, 25, 32; see Romans 13:1). God was "changing the times and seasons, removing kings and setting up kings" (Daniel 2:21), causing a new era of history to appear. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom 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 huge statue which reached up to the sky. The statue toppled over and perished when a stone sent from heaven struck its base and became a great mountain which filled the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-45). This signified that the Kingdom of God will cause Great Babylon to fall, and will replace its dominion over the earth at the Second Coming of 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 huge statue which reached up to the sky. The statue toppled over and perished when a stone sent from heaven struck its base and became a great mountain which filled the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-45). This signified that the Kingdom of God will cause Great Babylon to fall, and will replace its dominion over the earth at the Second Coming of Christ (verses 34-35, 44-45; Revelation 11:15; 16:19; 18:2; 19:19-21; Daniel 7:11).
"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever."
(Daniel 2:44)
Jesus taught, at His First Coming, that the Kingdom of God would begin as a tiny grain of mustard seed which would grow slowly until it filled the whole world (Matthew 13:31-32; Luke 10:8-11; 13:18-19: 17:20-25; 19:11-27). This helps explain Daniel 2:44, quoted above. John the Baptist, Jesus and the original apostles who were taught directly by Jesus (John 17:14-18) were that "grain of mustard seed" (Matthew 11:10, 14; 12:28; 17:12-13; Mark 1:1-4, 14-15; Luke 10:9, 11; 11:20; 17:20-21). The one and only true Church of God has been, and is today "the Kingdom of God in embryo" (Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28). It is not to be confused with the false Christianity which became the official religion of the Roman Empire (Revelation 13; 17). A World in Confusion -- The Bible is the Foundation of the Church
The Son of David
God determined that Babylon, the "head of gold" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, would last seventy years (Daniel 2:38; 9:2; Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). During those seventy years Judah was held captive, and Jerusalem lay desolate (II Chronicles 36:21; Leviticus 26:32-35). Both 1) the fall of ancient Judah, and 2) its restoration after seventy years foreshadowed major events yet to come in God's Plan (Luke 2:34; 3:16-17; 12:49; 19:41-44; 21:20-28; 23:27-31; book of Revelation).
The restored Jewish community during the Persian era began with King Cyrus' decree and continued through "troublesome times" (Daniel 9:25; II Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4), as reflected in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Persia was merely the second of the four world-ruling empires. The prophets predicted a yet-future time when Israel will be fully restored to glory, when her people begin to seek God with all their heart (Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 30:1-10; Isaiah 40:1-2; Jeremiah 29:12-14; 30:22; 31:10). The ultimate restoration of Israel (Acts 1:6-7; James 1:1; Micah 4:1-8; Zechariah 1:17; 2:4-5, 10-12, 8:3) 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 under the Government of God through Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Messiah (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:10-14; John 18:33-37). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement -- The Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
God determined that Babylon, the "head of gold" in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, would last seventy years (Daniel 2:38; 9:2; Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). During those seventy years Judah was held captive, and Jerusalem lay desolate (II Chronicles 36:21; Leviticus 26:32-35). Both 1) the fall of ancient Judah, and 2) its restoration after seventy years foreshadowed major events yet to come in God's Plan (Luke 2:34; 3:16-17; 12:49; 19:41-44; 21:20-28; 23:27-31; book of Revelation).
The restored Jewish community during the Persian era began with King Cyrus' decree and continued through "troublesome times" (Daniel 9:25; II Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4), as reflected in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Persia was merely the second of the four world-ruling empires. The prophets predicted a yet-future time when Israel will be fully restored to glory, when her people begin to seek God with all their heart (Leviticus 26:40-42; Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 30:1-10; Isaiah 40:1-2; Jeremiah 29:12-14; 30:22; 31:10). The ultimate restoration of Israel (Acts 1:6-7; James 1:1; Micah 4:1-8; Zechariah 1:17; 2:4-5, 10-12, 8:3) 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 under the Government of God through Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Messiah (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:10-14; John 18:33-37). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement -- The Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day -- The Seventh Millennial Day
The Lord's Anointed King
(Psalm 2)
(Psalm 2)
Jesus Christ, Son of David
"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, was born approximately thirty years before the end of the Fourth Millennial Day (Matthew 1-2; Luke 1-2; 3:23). ELM on Chronology
He will inherit the throne of David, as the angel Gabriel informed His mother, Mary, before He was born:
He will inherit the throne of David, as the angel Gabriel informed His mother, Mary, before He was born:
" '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; Revelation 22:16). Through Him God will fulfill the promises of rulership He made to King 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 by all the resurrected Saints who will have been fully trained to become kings and priests (administrators and teachers) under Him in the World Tomorrow (Luke 19:11-19; I Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 2:5; Revelation 1:6; 2:26-27; 3:21; 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; Hosea 1:10-11). Christians are correct in believing the New Testament which portrays Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel (Matthew 2; John 7:42). However, both groups tend to see just half of the picture, for it is only by putting the Old and New Testaments together that we can 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. Rather, the book of Revelation confirms the message of Israel's prophets and directs our attention toward 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; Hosea 1:10-11). Christians are correct in believing the New Testament which portrays Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel (Matthew 2; John 7:42). However, both groups tend to see just half of the picture, for it is only by putting the Old and New Testaments together that we can 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. Rather, the book of Revelation confirms the message of Israel's prophets and directs our attention toward 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 Jesus came 1) to uphold the Law, and 2) to fulfill Bible prophecy. Jesus Upheld the Law -- The Prophets Upheld the Law
The New Testament teaches that Jesus has fulfilled only part of biblical prophecy thus far, and that the rest will be fulfilled in conjunction with His Second Coming:
The New Testament teaches that Jesus has fulfilled only part of biblical prophecy thus far, and that the rest will be fulfilled in conjunction with His Second Coming:
"But those things, which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled." [e.g., Isaiah 53:3-8; Psalm 22; Daniel 9:26; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 8:30-35] "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)
"Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow." [Note the two periods of time mentioned in this verse: 1) "the sufferings of Christ," and 2) "the glories that would follow."] "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven -- things which angels desire to look into."
(I Peter 1:10-12)
"Then He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?' And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself . . . .
"And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?'. . . .
"Then He said to them, 'These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.' And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."
(Luke 24:25-27, 32, 44-45)
"Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come -- that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
(Acts 26:22-23)
The Scriptures quoted above are given to demonstrate that Jesus partially fulfilled biblical prophecy (perhaps about 10% of it) at His First Coming, and shall fulfill the remaining 90% in conjunction with His Second Coming. These periods of time are represented by God's annual spring and fall Holy Days. God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind
Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of God today, at the headquarters of the universe, until His Second Coming when all of His enemies will be "made His footstool" and "put under His feet" (Psalm 110:1; I Corinthians 15:25-28; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 2:8; 10:12-13). He is the living, active Head of the one true Church. What He has been doing for the last 2,000 years is vividly described in the Hebrews radio broadcasts of Herbert W. Armstrong, which may be heard on this website: Herbert W. Armstrong Radio Broadcasts and Articles
God brought Israel to the Promised Land halfway through the Third Millennial Day, cast them out of it a thousand years later (turning the world over to Babylon the Great) in the midst of the Fourth Millennial Day, and raised up the British Commonwealth of Nations and the United States of America halfway through the Sixth Millennial Day, fulfilling promises of national greatness made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in the book of Genesis (Hosea 6:2; II Peter 3:8). The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
God is continuing to send His Message to the people of today.
Let us follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ -- the Great Light to Rule the Day -- and come out of the darkness of this present evil world, which is still under the influence of Babylon the Great and heading for a mighty fall (Revelation 18:2-4; II Corinthians 6:17).
Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of God today, at the headquarters of the universe, until His Second Coming when all of His enemies will be "made His footstool" and "put under His feet" (Psalm 110:1; I Corinthians 15:25-28; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 2:8; 10:12-13). He is the living, active Head of the one true Church. What He has been doing for the last 2,000 years is vividly described in the Hebrews radio broadcasts of Herbert W. Armstrong, which may be heard on this website: Herbert W. Armstrong Radio Broadcasts and Articles
God brought Israel to the Promised Land halfway through the Third Millennial Day, cast them out of it a thousand years later (turning the world over to Babylon the Great) in the midst of the Fourth Millennial Day, and raised up the British Commonwealth of Nations and the United States of America halfway through the Sixth Millennial Day, fulfilling promises of national greatness made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in the book of Genesis (Hosea 6:2; II Peter 3:8). The Prophets Upheld the Law of God
God is continuing to send His Message to the people of today.
Let us follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ -- the Great Light to Rule the Day -- and come out of the darkness of this present evil world, which is still under the influence of Babylon the Great and heading for a mighty fall (Revelation 18:2-4; II Corinthians 6:17).
"Now these are the last words of David.
"Thus says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
" 'The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
"He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God.
And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain." ' "
(II Samuel 23:1-4)
Lesson in the Sky
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