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Songs and Teachings of the Bible
Songs and Teachings of the Bible
THE SEVEN MILLENNIAL DAYS OF HUMAN HISTORY
CHAPTER THREE
The Third Millennial Day
On the third day of creation God caused the dry land to appear. On the Third Millennial Day God promised all the land of the earth to Abraham and his descendants.
In this crucial phase of His Plan God laid the foundation for the Kingdom of God to be established on earth (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15). He caused Abraham's family to grow into a mighty nation and brought them to the Promised Land. He revealed to them the Laws by which all nations shall be governed in the World Tomorrow (Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Isaiah 2:2-4; Malachi 4:4; Hebrews 2:5). The kingdom of Israel was the prototype of the Kingdom of God.
In this crucial phase of His Plan God laid the foundation for the Kingdom of God to be established on earth (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 11:15). He caused Abraham's family to grow into a mighty nation and brought them to the Promised Land. He revealed to them the Laws by which all nations shall be governed in the World Tomorrow (Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Isaiah 2:2-4; Malachi 4:4; Hebrews 2:5). The kingdom of Israel was the prototype of the Kingdom of God.
The Third Day -- Land
The Third Millennial Day is the story of Israel and the Promised Land -- the initial fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham (Joshua 21:43-45; Psalm 105:6-11). The Promised Land was a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8, 17).
The Third Millennial Day is the story of Israel and the Promised Land -- the initial fulfillment of the promises God made to Abraham (Joshua 21:43-45; Psalm 105:6-11). The Promised Land was a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8, 17).
"For the land which you go to possess . . . is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year."
(Deuteronomy 11:10-12)
At the climax of the story God delivered His people Israel from Egyptian bondage by parting the waters of the Red Sea and causing the people to walk through the midst of the sea on dry ground as they started their journey to the Promised Land. Forty years later God restrained the waters of the Jordan River to enable Israel to walk on dry ground again as they entered the Promised Land. These miracles were foreshadowed by God's act of parting the waters and causing the dry land to appear on the third day of creation.
"Then God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear'; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth'; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day."
(Genesis 1:9-13)
The glorious land which God brought forth on the third day of creation pictured the bounteous land which He promised to Abraham and his descendants on the Third Millennial Day.
"Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. The place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there. . . .
"Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel . . . and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: 'We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.' "
(Numbers 13:23-24, 26-27)
On the second day of creation the earth was covered with water (Genesis 1:6-8). On the third day God parted the waters to bring forth the land (Genesis 1:9-13). At that time the continents were full of fruit trees, grass and vegetation -- the whole earth was a paradise like the garden of Eden. That was the perfect world into which God placed Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-31).
In this age God blesses -- or curses -- the land according to the righteousness -- or lack thereof -- of the people who live on it (Psalm 107:33-43). The whole earth was placed under a curse after Adam and Eve sinned (turning from God to Satan), until the time of Noah (Genesis 3:17; 5:29; II Peter 3:5-6). After the flood God blessed Noah, his family and all the earth (Genesis 8:21-22; 9:1). But, as will be explained below, curses returned to the earth after the flood.
God required Israel to keep His commandments in the Promised Land in order to retain the rich blessings which He bestowed upon it (Deuteronomy 11:13-17; 28:1-24). The first and foremost of the Ten Commandments was, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) -- the first principle of true religion is to make sure you are following God, not Satan. God set before Israel life and death, blessing and cursing (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 30:15-20). The First Millennial Day -- The Basic Questions -- Deuteronomy 28
The Promised Land of Moses' and Joshua's day pictured the extraordinarily beautiful conditions which will fill the earth in the world to come -- the Seventh Millennial Day of human history (Hebrews 2:5; 4:4, 8-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
In this age God blesses -- or curses -- the land according to the righteousness -- or lack thereof -- of the people who live on it (Psalm 107:33-43). The whole earth was placed under a curse after Adam and Eve sinned (turning from God to Satan), until the time of Noah (Genesis 3:17; 5:29; II Peter 3:5-6). After the flood God blessed Noah, his family and all the earth (Genesis 8:21-22; 9:1). But, as will be explained below, curses returned to the earth after the flood.
God required Israel to keep His commandments in the Promised Land in order to retain the rich blessings which He bestowed upon it (Deuteronomy 11:13-17; 28:1-24). The first and foremost of the Ten Commandments was, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) -- the first principle of true religion is to make sure you are following God, not Satan. God set before Israel life and death, blessing and cursing (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 30:15-20). The First Millennial Day -- The Basic Questions -- Deuteronomy 28
The Promised Land of Moses' and Joshua's day pictured the extraordinarily beautiful conditions which will fill the earth in the world to come -- the Seventh Millennial Day of human history (Hebrews 2:5; 4:4, 8-9). The Seventh Millennial Day
"He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. . . ."
"For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: 'And God rested on the seventh day from all His works'. . . .
"For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. . . .
"Let us therefore be diligent" [labor - KJV] "to enter that rest. . . ."
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on . . . that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
(Hebrews 2:5; 4:4, 8-9, 11; Revelation 14:13)
God Promised Abraham Land -- the Whole Earth
The first two thousand years of human history are contained in just a few opening chapters of the Bible. However, an intricate story begins in the twelfth chapter of Genesis which the Bible covers in great detail. The Third Millennial Day is part of that tremendous story. We have space for only a brief summary of the highlights here.
After the flood the earth was divided into nations according to the three sons of Noah -- Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 10). As mentioned in the previous chapter, Noah blessed the descendants of Shem and Japheth but not the descendants of Ham (Genesis 9:18-27). Ham was the father of Canaan (verses 18, 22). Canaan was cursed (verses 25-27). Ham "saw the nakedness of his father," but Shem and Japheth "did not see their father's nakedness" (verses 22-23). The implication of this story is that one-third of the earth's population was placed under a curse after the flood.
Curses occur when human beings yield to Satan, demonism, sin, depravity and immorality -- behavior contrary to the will of God (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Romans 1:24-32; 8:5-9; I Corinthians 10:20-21; Galatians 5:19-23). Blessings occur when people turn away from their iniquities seeking a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:11-19; Acts 3:25-26; 26:18; Galatians 3:14, 29; Ephesians 2:1-5). In the World Tomorrow God will pour out His Spirit on all human beings (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:16-18). That is the time when God's promises to Abraham will be ultimately fulfilled -- when all nations shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3, Deuteronomy 30:1-10).
The Canaanites were destined to become scattered throughout the earth, servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth (Genesis 9:25-27; 10:18). Under the leadership of Nimrod, Ham's descendants defied the curse placed upon them and attempted to build the city and tower of Babel (headquarters of a one-world government apart from God), "lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4; 10:8-10). God thwarted their plans and confused the languages of the nations in order to prevent evil from spreading rapidly throughout the earth (Genesis 11:5-9; 10:25, 32).
God started a program which would, in due time, remove all curses from the earth and cause all nations to be blessed -- through Abraham (originally named Abram) and his descendant Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 9:5; Galatians 3:8, 14, 16).
Abraham lived originally in the land allotted to Shem and his descendants (Genesis 11:10-26; 10:21-31). God told Abraham to leave his homeland and move to the land of Canaan which he and his descendants would later inherit (Genesis 12:5, 7).
The first two thousand years of human history are contained in just a few opening chapters of the Bible. However, an intricate story begins in the twelfth chapter of Genesis which the Bible covers in great detail. The Third Millennial Day is part of that tremendous story. We have space for only a brief summary of the highlights here.
After the flood the earth was divided into nations according to the three sons of Noah -- Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Genesis 10). As mentioned in the previous chapter, Noah blessed the descendants of Shem and Japheth but not the descendants of Ham (Genesis 9:18-27). Ham was the father of Canaan (verses 18, 22). Canaan was cursed (verses 25-27). Ham "saw the nakedness of his father," but Shem and Japheth "did not see their father's nakedness" (verses 22-23). The implication of this story is that one-third of the earth's population was placed under a curse after the flood.
Curses occur when human beings yield to Satan, demonism, sin, depravity and immorality -- behavior contrary to the will of God (Genesis 19; Leviticus 18; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Romans 1:24-32; 8:5-9; I Corinthians 10:20-21; Galatians 5:19-23). Blessings occur when people turn away from their iniquities seeking a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 18:30-32; 33:11-19; Acts 3:25-26; 26:18; Galatians 3:14, 29; Ephesians 2:1-5). In the World Tomorrow God will pour out His Spirit on all human beings (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:16-18). That is the time when God's promises to Abraham will be ultimately fulfilled -- when all nations shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3, Deuteronomy 30:1-10).
The Canaanites were destined to become scattered throughout the earth, servants to the descendants of Shem and Japheth (Genesis 9:25-27; 10:18). Under the leadership of Nimrod, Ham's descendants defied the curse placed upon them and attempted to build the city and tower of Babel (headquarters of a one-world government apart from God), "lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth" (Genesis 11:4; 10:8-10). God thwarted their plans and confused the languages of the nations in order to prevent evil from spreading rapidly throughout the earth (Genesis 11:5-9; 10:25, 32).
God started a program which would, in due time, remove all curses from the earth and cause all nations to be blessed -- through Abraham (originally named Abram) and his descendant Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Genesis 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Acts 3:25-26; Romans 9:5; Galatians 3:8, 14, 16).
Abraham lived originally in the land allotted to Shem and his descendants (Genesis 11:10-26; 10:21-31). God told Abraham to leave his homeland and move to the land of Canaan which he and his descendants would later inherit (Genesis 12:5, 7).
"Now the Lord had said to Abram:
" 'Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father's house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' "
(Genesis 12:1-3)
Abraham obeyed God and became a "stranger in a foreign land" (Hebrews 11:8-10). He trusted God and believed God's promises (Romans 4:3, 16-22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). He lived and died in faith (Genesis 15:12-16; John 8:56; Hebrews 11:13). As mentioned above, all of God's promises to Abraham will be fulfilled in the world to come (Hebrews 2:5; 13:14; Ezekiel 47:13-14; 48:35; Micah 7:20). Abraham and his spiritual descendants will be rewarded in a resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ. God's purpose in this age has been to prepare the Saints for eternal life. They will assist Christ in governing the nations during the Seventh Millennial Day and beyond (Matthew 22:31-32; Luke 13:28; 14:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; Acts 1:6-7; 3:21; 24:14-15; 26:6-8; Galatians 3:29; Revelation 2:26-27; 20:4-6; 22:5). Doctrine Three -- God's Plan of Salvation for Mankind
Chapters twelve through twenty-five of Genesis describe the trials and tests which God allowed Abraham to face during his human lifetime in order to prepare him for eternal life. After Abraham passed the supreme test which God had placed upon him, God made His promises absolutely unconditional (Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 6:12-15; 11:17-19). Those promises apply also to Abraham's descendants, and are an "anchor of the soul" to all who believe them (Hebrews 2:5; 4:1-11; 6:12-19; 11:10, 16; 12:22; 13:14).
Chapters twelve through twenty-five of Genesis describe the trials and tests which God allowed Abraham to face during his human lifetime in order to prepare him for eternal life. After Abraham passed the supreme test which God had placed upon him, God made His promises absolutely unconditional (Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 6:12-15; 11:17-19). Those promises apply also to Abraham's descendants, and are an "anchor of the soul" to all who believe them (Hebrews 2:5; 4:1-11; 6:12-19; 11:10, 16; 12:22; 13:14).
"Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are -- northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever."
(Genesis 13:14-15)
"I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you." [This is speaking of 1) the nations which will exist in the World Tomorrow, and 2) the resurrected Saints who will assist Christ in governing those nations.] "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."
(Genesis 17:6-8)
"Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
(Genesis 28:14)
Abraham was promised much more than the land of Canaan. He was promised the whole world -- the entire earth, as the Apostle Paul stated,
"For the promise that he would be the heir of the world" [note the expression, 'heir of the world'] "was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."
(Romans 4:13)
The Promises Unfold
The first seven books of the Bible describe the unfolding of God's promises to Abraham:
The first seven books of the Bible describe the unfolding of God's promises to Abraham:
Genesis
The book of Genesis relates the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah, who were blessed with a son named Isaac in their old age. This was the son through whom God's promises would be fulfilled (Romans 9:7-9; Hebrews 11:17-18). Isaac and Rebecca, in turn, had a son named Jacob (Romans 9:10-13; Hebrews 11:20) whom God renamed Israel, meaning "man of God." This grandson of Abraham was the progenitor of the twelve tribes of Israel. The promise of chief rulership was placed in the tribe of Judah, while the blessings of supreme national wealth and power were bestowed upon the descendants of Joseph (Genesis 48-49; I Chronicles 5:2; 28:4-5; Hebrews 11:21). The book of Genesis identifies which of Noah's descendants would become the greatest nations on earth. Where are Israel and Judah Today?
Exodus
The book of Exodus picks up the story with Moses, who was commissioned by God to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery and bring them to the Promised Land (Exodus 3). God revealed His foundational Law in the days of Moses (Malachi 4:4). He bound His relationship with Israel through a marriage covenant (Jeremiah 3:14; 31:32; Hosea 2:19-20), and revealed plans for a tabernacle in which He would dwell among them (Leviticus 26:11-12). God personally wrote the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone, and instructed Moses to place them inside the ark of the covenant in the most holy part of the tabernacle. The Ten Commandments were -- and continue to be -- the heart of the agreement between God and His people (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Jeremiah 31:31-34).
Leviticus
The book of Leviticus contains many meaningful laws and rituals which were intended to be observed in the Promised Land. Some of them have been discontinued today while others still remain (II Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 10:9). The book of Hebrews (particularly chapters 7 through 10) explains that there were two kinds of laws given in the Old Testament: 1) those which are to be written on our hearts and in our minds today (8:10; 10:16), and 2) those which were temporary and have been changed under the New Covenant (7:12; 9:10). The first kind of law identified sin (Romans 7:7); the second told Israel what to do after sin had been committed (e.g., Leviticus 5:5-10). Scripture makes it clear that God is against sin today (Hebrews 10:26; I John 3:4-10; Romans 6:1-23), while Jesus Christ's sacrifice and modern-day priesthood render the previous system of dealing with sin (the animal sacrifices, temple rituals and Levitical priesthood) obsolete (Hebrews 8:13; Galatians 3:19-25). Christ Upheld the Law of God -- The Apostles Upheld the Law of God -- Which OT Laws are Done Away in the NT? -- Introduction to the Book of Doctrines
Numbers
The book of Numbers records the forty-year journey of the children of Israel to the Promised Land. During this period Israel's stubbornness, faithlessness and rebellion were purged (Numbers 11-14; 16-17; 26:63-65; Deuteronomy 1:19-46; Psalm 95:7-11). This journey typifies the Christian life after baptism and contains important lessons for the Church of God today (I Corinthians 10:1-13; Hebrews 3:7-4:11; Jude 5). It also pictures the future transition period which Israel and the rest of humanity will undergo after having been "held captive" by Satan for almost 6,000 years and being freed from that captivity -- the transition period between the Sixth and Seventh Millennial Days. At that time all of the carnal-minded stubbornness of humanity will be rooted out and replaced by a different Spirit (Ezekiel 20:33-44; Zechariah 14:16-19; Joel 2:28-29). The Days of Trumpets and Atonement -- The Fifth Millennial Day
Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy contains the last words of Moses, spoken to the children of Israel on the doorstep of the Promised Land.
Joshua
The book of Joshua records Israel's entry into the Promised Land and the distribution of the land amongst the twelve tribes.
Judges
The book of Judges records the history of Israel after they entered the Promised Land, prior to the time of Samuel and David.
Summary
This entire story -- from the time of Abraham through the Judges Period -- lasted a thousand years and took place upon the Third Millennial Day (an overview of this period may be found in Joshua 24, Judges 2 and 3:1-7; see also Joshua 9 and Deuteronomy 7:1-5 for the reason Israel went off-track during the Judges Period). It is the story of God's promises to Abraham which concern every nation on earth today (Galatians 3:8, 29; Romans 2:9-11; Isaiah 19:24-25). It is the story of the birth of Israel, a nation intended by God to be a light to all other nations (Deuteronomy 4:5-20, 32-40; 7:6; Amos 3:1-2; Ezekiel 5:5; 36:20-23; Romans 2:24). It is the foundation of the Kingdom of God which will fill the world in the Seventh Millennial Day and forever after. The Seventh Millennial Day
The culture of the World Tomorrow will be based on the Laws which God revealed to Israel in the days of Moses (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:1-2; 9:4; 11:16). This will be in marked contrast to the pagan culture which originated with the descendants of Ham after the flood, spread through all nations after Babel and has dominated ancient, medieval and modern history through its Satan-inspired mythology, religion, literature, architecture, legal system, astronomy and calendar.
The descendants of Abraham are on the earth today in global proportions (Amos 9:8-9; Leviticus 26:44-45; Revelation 7). Bible prophecy concerns the twelve tribes of Israel, and all other nations in "the last days" (meaning the end of the Sixth Millennial Day and beyond). God will form the nations of the World Tomorrow from today's nations after refining their present moral character (Isaiah 60:21-22; 65:18-19; book of Ezekiel).
On the First Millennial Day Satan began "holding the world captive" in a mental prison of spiritual darkness and deception (Isaiah 42:7; 61:1; Luke 4:18). On the Second Millennial Day God put an end to humanity's sins and cleansed the world by water, but evil re-appeared on earth after the flood. On the Third Millennial Day God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage in order to picture humanity's ultimate deliverance from Satan at, or near the end of the Sixth Millennial Day. The plagues which God sent on Egypt in Moses' day represented the final and total destruction of "Great Babylon" -- the world held captive by Satan today (Revelation 14-19). God executed judgment on the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4). There will be a second Exodus (Isaiah 11:10-16; 35:8-10; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:7-8; Ezekiel 20:33-44). The Seventh Millennial Day will be the ultimate Promised Land which God guaranteed He would give to Abraham and his descendants.
This entire story -- from the time of Abraham through the Judges Period -- lasted a thousand years and took place upon the Third Millennial Day (an overview of this period may be found in Joshua 24, Judges 2 and 3:1-7; see also Joshua 9 and Deuteronomy 7:1-5 for the reason Israel went off-track during the Judges Period). It is the story of God's promises to Abraham which concern every nation on earth today (Galatians 3:8, 29; Romans 2:9-11; Isaiah 19:24-25). It is the story of the birth of Israel, a nation intended by God to be a light to all other nations (Deuteronomy 4:5-20, 32-40; 7:6; Amos 3:1-2; Ezekiel 5:5; 36:20-23; Romans 2:24). It is the foundation of the Kingdom of God which will fill the world in the Seventh Millennial Day and forever after. The Seventh Millennial Day
The culture of the World Tomorrow will be based on the Laws which God revealed to Israel in the days of Moses (Deuteronomy 30:1-10; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 5:17-19; Romans 3:1-2; 9:4; 11:16). This will be in marked contrast to the pagan culture which originated with the descendants of Ham after the flood, spread through all nations after Babel and has dominated ancient, medieval and modern history through its Satan-inspired mythology, religion, literature, architecture, legal system, astronomy and calendar.
The descendants of Abraham are on the earth today in global proportions (Amos 9:8-9; Leviticus 26:44-45; Revelation 7). Bible prophecy concerns the twelve tribes of Israel, and all other nations in "the last days" (meaning the end of the Sixth Millennial Day and beyond). God will form the nations of the World Tomorrow from today's nations after refining their present moral character (Isaiah 60:21-22; 65:18-19; book of Ezekiel).
On the First Millennial Day Satan began "holding the world captive" in a mental prison of spiritual darkness and deception (Isaiah 42:7; 61:1; Luke 4:18). On the Second Millennial Day God put an end to humanity's sins and cleansed the world by water, but evil re-appeared on earth after the flood. On the Third Millennial Day God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage in order to picture humanity's ultimate deliverance from Satan at, or near the end of the Sixth Millennial Day. The plagues which God sent on Egypt in Moses' day represented the final and total destruction of "Great Babylon" -- the world held captive by Satan today (Revelation 14-19). God executed judgment on the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4). There will be a second Exodus (Isaiah 11:10-16; 35:8-10; Jeremiah 16:14-15; 23:7-8; Ezekiel 20:33-44). The Seventh Millennial Day will be the ultimate Promised Land which God guaranteed He would give to Abraham and his descendants.
Land and Seed
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