Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Part 7 of my book Revelation study from a historicist perspective
This is not the only pasaage that speaks of God's law being bound on our hand and forehead. Exodus 13:9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Jehovah's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath Jehovah brought thee out of Egypt. This verse is talking about the passover meal as it was to be a sign upon the hand and forehead of the Israelites. The Catholic Church replaced this passover with "good friday/easter" in the second half of the second century. In the new covenant the passover is to be kept in honor of Jehoshua's death. While the Church loves to boast that they are in the new covenant and no longer have to keep God's law, the very language of the new covenant refutes this antinomian doctrine. Jeremiah 31:31-34 31Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith Jehovah.33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:34and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Jehovah; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith Jehovah: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more This passage is quoted twice in the book of Hebrews and is applied to the Church age. The essential evidence of being in the new covenant is that you have Jehovah's law written on your heart and inward parts. The heart is likened to the mind as the heart is just an organ that pumps blood but the mind is where our emotions and thoughts come from. So if someone wants to dismiss Deuteronomy as being old covenant they will then have to deal with similar language used of the new covenant in that we are to have Jehovah's law bound between the frontlets of our eyes i.e. forehead (mind, heart). The mainstream Church has replaced Jehovah's law with man made traditions such as sunday, Xmas, trinity, easter and even saying Jehoshua's teachings are for Jews only. This is the mark of the beast not some computer chip. Now back to the book of Revelation chapter 13 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Again, this is where modern Christians miss the mark. They think this refers to not accepting a chip thereby the inability to buy and sell. It's another distraction to get them away from the fact that the real issue is the breaking of God's commandments. Those who keep God's commandments will be marginalized and often excluded from the economy. This took place with the 1st century Christians in both Jersusalem and Rome. It also took place with the Christians during the first few centuries of the Church within the Roman empire. All throughout the dark ages of the Roman Catholic rule over Europe separatist groups were brutally persecuted and often cut off from economic oppurtunites. Notably the Waldenses and Anabaptists were victims of economic exclusion by the powers that be in the mainstream Church system. Even today Christians all throughout the world are being persecuted which has a natural outcome of economic exclusion. The same is and will be true in our times. This has nothing to do with refusing to get a computer chip in your body but rather refusing to break God's commandments. Verse 17 talks about having the mark, name or number of the beast. Let's discuss this for a minute. Just as the seal of God is keeping the commandments, the mark of the beast is breaking them and also keeping Church traditions that are contrary to God's word. Name of the beast, this refers to believing in the authority of the beast. It also refers to those placing themselves under the authority of the beast. Number of the beast, this has been speculated on throughout the ages. Some say Nero's name when calculated came out to 666. The Pope's tiara has written "Vicar of the Son of God" which in Latin comes out to 666 when converted to numbers. Revelation 13:18 "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Apparently we can figure out the number of the beast. If the Papacy is the beast then the phrase "Vicar of the Son of God" translated to 666 seems to fit perfectly. This title is a title of blasphemy as the Papacy claims that they are the voice of the Son of God on earth. That is blasphemous because it is the Holy Spirit that is the voice of the Son of God on earth as Jehoshua states in John chapter 16: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us and guides us into all truth not any man including the Papacy. By the Pope's claiming this title they attempt to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The Holy Spirit being the voice of the Son of God is evident all throughout the new testament. The Holy Spirit's function is to glorify the Son of God and to show the Church things which are Jehoshua's and declare it unto the Church. The papacy has historically glorified themselves and their man made doctrines. Some of the Popes have even spoken wicked things concerning our Lord. Those who look to and/or acknowledge the Papacy as the vicar of the Son of God have the number of the beast. Now let's look at Revelation 14: 1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. This is one of the most important verses in the book of Revelation as it shows us clearly what the seal of God contains. The seal of the living God as mentioned in Revelation 7, given to the 144,000 (God's Church), is the Father's name. This shows that the living God is the Father alone as Jehoshua nor the holy Spirit are mentioned here. The living God is a single person who Jehoshua said is the Father alone (John 17:3). To have the seal of the living God is to worship the Father in spirit and in truth as Jehoshua said true worshippers would do (John 4:23-24). Worshipping the living God as three persons violates true worship as Jehoshua said we need to have true worship for the Father. Jehoshua never called the nation of Israel to worship a triune god. Worshipping a triune god risks not being sealed with the Father's name as the trinitarian god takes glory away from the Father as the only true God and gives to two other co-eternal, co-eqaul persons. This doctrine has caused many Christians to all but push the Father aside in their prayers and worship and even preaching. If God was a trinity then the seal of the living God would also contain the other two persons of the supposed triune god. Deuteronomy 6:4 shows that we are to have the understanding of Jehovah God being one sealed in our forehead and hand; Deuteronomy 6:4-8 4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:5 and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart;7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. Those who love Jehovah God with all their heart, soul and might are those who know He is one. Jehovah God being one is to be written on our hearts which is where the law of God is to be written. This agrees with the first commandment to have no other gods before Jehovah. Verse 8 of Deuteronomy 6 says that Jehovah God being one is to be bound upon our hand and forehead. This is noteworthy since the mark of the beast is also to be on the hand and forehead of the unsaved. If the knowledge that Jehovah God is one is to be written on our heart and forehead and the seal of the living God is the Father's name (Revelation 7 and Revelation 14:1) then we know that the Father is Jehovah God alone. Note that these ones who have the Father's name are the 144,000 which is a symbolic number representing the saved of all ages. These are they that worship the Father in spirit and in truth and recognize Him as the only true God. They stand on Mount Zion. Some falsely teach that this is earthly Zion but the context of this passage obviously shows it to he heavenly Zion which is the city of the living God (Hebrews 12). This passage corresponds with chapter 7 of Revelation which showed the 144,000 (great multitude) before the throne room of Jehovah God in heaven having been redeemed and given white robes having come out of the great tribulation. As we proceed further in this study, the truth of the saints going to New Jerusalem after the resurrection/translation is solidied even more than it already is. Verses 2 and 3 of Revelation 14: 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. More proof that the 144,000 (great multitude) are in heaven not earth as they are in heaven before the throne learning a new song. The 144,000 were redeemed from the earth showing that they cannot be in earthly Zion but rather the heavenly Zion. You can't be in the same place you were redeemed from. The ASV says "they that had been purchased out of the earth". Verse 4 of Revelation 14: "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb" A woman in bible prophecy is a church. The 144,000 were not defiled with false churches i.e.the churches that teach false doctrine. These redeemed ones kept themselves as spiritual virgins not being polluted with the false doctrines of mainstream Christendom such as the trinity, immortal soul doctrine, Sunday Sabbath etc. The great multitude (144,000) were purchased out of the earth from among men (unbelievers). Again, this clearly shows that this scene in the first few verses of Revelation 14 takes place in heaven not earth. They are first fruits of God and of the Lamb Jehoshua Messiah. The term "first fruits" is a reference to the resurrection. Jehoshua Himself was resurrected on the feast of first fruits as the firstborn from the dead. The 144,000 are the many brethren that follow Him in the resurrection. Verse 5 of Revelation 14: "And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" These 144,000 (great multitude) kept the commandments of God and the faith and testimony of His Son Jehoshua, hence they are blameless before the throne of Jehovah God. This is why they are granted access to the presence of Jehovah God because they are holy and without holiness no one will see Jehovah (Hebrews 12:14). As noted in Revelation 12, God's true church keeps His commandments. The lie from mainstream Christendom that we don't have to keep God's commandments will lead many to the lake of fire because they will not be without guile and without holiness in order to stand before Jehovah God. Verse 6 of Revelation 14: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" This is the beginning of the three angels message. Adventists teach that this message was starting to be preached right before 1844 and the great Millerite disappointment. The bible says this is the everlasting gospel message, meaning that this is the gospel message for the whole new covenant Church age. This is the message that the Church was supposed to preach since the day of Pentecost. The three angels message is a rebuke to the Churches of Christendom who has poisoned the world with the their intoxicating wine (false doctrine). As verse 6 says this gospel is to be preached throughout all the earth. The three angels message is good news not bad news. Verse 7 of Revelation 14: "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" This is the first angels message and it starts off with the call to fear God and give glory to Him. This is a crucial verse to understand because whenever we hear the phrase "fear God" it is eqauted to keeping His commandments: Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" The words of Solomon the King sum up man's responsibility which is to fear God and keep His commandments. You cannot separate the fear of Jehovah God from keeping His commandments. You also cannot separate the love of God from keeping His commandments: 1 John 5:2-3 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Unlike the lies heard from the pulpits of Christendom, the evidence that someone fears God and loves God is that they keep His commandments. Any other definition of the love and fear of Jehovah is a lie from Satan. This first angels message is not just for unbelievers but also the apostate churches of Christendom. A proper understanding of the law of God is gleaned from reading Psalm 119. Many other verses eqaute the fear of Jehovah God with keeping His commandments. The three angels message exalt the law of God. The first angel brings the banner that God's judgment has come. God is currently judging the unbelieving world as His courtroom is in session. The call for repentance is seen here so that those who are in unbelief can repent and escape the guilty verdict that awaits all unrepentant sinners. The sentence for these guilty ones is the second death in the lake of fire. The message of the first angel is a call to worship the creator God and give glory to Him with all one's life (Deuteronomy 6:4). There is a key ingredient in the first angel's message that is missed by most of Christendom and that is the Sabbath language used in this verse, it's almost verbatim. Let's go to the fourth commandment of the decalogue: Exodus 20:8-11 8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.9Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 10but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:11for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Verse 11 mirrors the last part of verse 7 of Revelation 12. Both have the phrase "heaven, earth, the sea and all that in them is" or "the fountains of waters". Verse 8 of Revelation 14 "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" The second angels message announces the fall of Babylon. This is prophetic, meaning at the time of the message Babylon is still intact. The fallen (sinful) nature of Babylon is also inferred here as she is a fornicatior and whoremonger which means an idolater. Babylon is an idolatrous system that ultimately worships Satan with it's myriad of false religious systems and it's principles that violate God's law. Verses 9 and 10 of Revelation 14: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. 10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. The third angel warns people not to take the mark of the beast otherwise they will be cast into the lake of fire. The mark of the beast is antithesis of the seal of God. As Deuteronomy says, we are to have Jehovah's law sealed on our forehead (frontlets) and hand. If the law of Jehovah is His seal then the mark of the beast must be the opposite which is the breaking of His (Jah) law. This would be those who keep church traditions over God's commandments or just general breaker of the commandments. Verse 12 of Revelation 14: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jehoshua." This verse as well as the overall context of chapter 14 shows that God's law is at the center of controversy during the new covenant Church age and especially the time before the Messiah comes back. Whereas those in Babylon have the mark of the beast i.e. the breaking of God's commandments, the saints are described as keeping the commandments and having the faith of Jehoshua. This undoubtedly shows that the commandments were never done away with. The language in verse 6 which is Sabbath language shows that the 10 commandments are primarily in view here. The phrase "faith of Jehoshua" is also revealing. Rather than saying "faith IN Jehoshua" it says the "faith OF Jehoshua". These mean two different things, to have faith IN is more about what Jehoshua did or does. To have the faith OF is about our personal walk and how we follow Him. Jehoshua's faith was in His Father as the one true God (John 17:3) and we are to have that faith which is we believe that the Father is the only true God and no one else. Jehoshua is our model in how we walk out our faith. Verse 13 of Revelation 14: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." Those saints who die in the Church age will rest in their graves until the resurrection. Their works following them refers to the rewards they will receive at the judgment on the last day. Verse 14 of Revelation 14 "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." This verse alludes to the second advent and Revelation 19 in which Jehoshua comes back wearing a majestic crown. Also, as Acts 1 says He will return coming on a cloud. Revelation 14:15-16 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. This passage speaks of the catching away (rapture) of the saints, both the dead and the living. They will meet the Son of God in the clouds. Revelation 14:17-18 17And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Now we have the destruction of the wicked, notice that this takes place once the saints are reaped from the earth to be with the Messiah in the clouds. The saints do not experience God's outpouring of wrath. Also, notice that the angel who gives the proclamation to the other angel to thrust in his sickle has authority over the altar of incense in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary. This is significant because in Revelation 6 the fifth seal, the martyrs cry out for Jehovah to judge those on the earth who shed their blood. The souls of these martyrs were said to be under the altar of incense in God's temple. This is metaphorical as these martyrs are dead and asleep but their prayers are stored up in the altar of incense and their blood cries out from the ground just like abel's. The fact that the altar of incense is featured in the context of Jehovah pouring out His wrath on the wicked shows that it is the prayers of the saints that moves Him to execute vengeance on those in the world. The grapes are the unbelievers hence the phrase "grapes of wrath". Revelation 14:19-20 19And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.20And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. "Trodden without the city" This clearly shows that the wrath of God is for the grapes of wrath (unbelievers) who are cast into the winepress which takes place outside the city i.e. God's covenant people. The Church will not experience the wrath of God as they will have been caught up to the clouds to be with the Messiah. Now let's go to Revelation 15 and start with verses 1 and 2: 1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God This shows that indeed the book of Revelation works in cycles as chapter 15 starts with the seven last plagues of the wrath of God. In verse 2 we see the saints on the sea of glass and singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. This is the song of their deliverance. This again shows clearly that the saints are not subject to the wrath of God but are rather caught up in the clouds. It appears that by them being on the sea of glass prior to the plagues being poured out on earth that they go to New Jerusalem upon their catching up. This would mean that they go to New Jerusalem before it actually comes down from heaven. Another view could be that this heavenly vision of worship is a vision which in real time takes place after the plagues are poured out and the final judgment takes place and New Jerusalem comes down from out of heaven. The context here would seem to indicate that the saints do indeed go to New Jerusalem briefly before it actually comes down from heaven and before the seven last plagues are poured out. "And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened" This is a key verse not picked up on by most of Christendom. The bible teaches that the testimony is the 10 commandments which was placed in the ark in the holy of holies in the earthly tabernacle. The book of Hebrews says the heavenly sanctuary is the original sanctuary and the earthly merely a pattern of it . So if the 10 commandments i.e. the testimony were in the ark of the pattern then the same is true of the original heavenly one. What is key about this verse is it's proximity to the pouring out of the 7 last plagues. This is the exact same patter seen in Revelation 11:15-19 in which the ark of the testimony is seen in connection with Jehoshua's second advent and destroying those who destroy the earth. It also matches the reason Jehovah makes the earth reel back and forth like a drunkard in Isaiah 24. Revelation 15:6-7 6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. Again we have an allusion to the altar of incense (vials). These vials are the prayers of the saints and it is the saints prayers that move on behalf of Jehovah God to execute His wrath on the world. Revelation 15:8 "And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled." Again, the heavenly sanctuary is in view in regards to the judgment of Jehovah God being poured out on the world. This is because the way of God is in the sanctuary and the great whore has chosen it's own way of salvation independent of the sanctuary.
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The Doctrine of antichrist, the epistles of John the beloved
Contrary to much of Christendom, the antichrist is not just one person but it’s actually a spirit and whoever has that spirit is an antichrist. This does not eliminate a prophetic antichrist that the bible identifies as the beast, little horn, son of perdition, man of sin and false prophet, however we must understand that the identity of antichrist is not limited to the above figure/figures. This is key in understanding because the antichrist may be the sweet old lady who lives next door to you or the hard working father of three that works two jobs just to keep food on his family’s table. You don’t often hear this study in church because it is a study that deeply offends people because it exposes so called “good” people as who they truly are which is antichrist. It also exposes the modern Christ rejecting Jews and their religion of Judaism as antichrist which then exposes Hebrew Roots, many Unitarians, dispensationalists and many American evangelicals as supporting a nation and religion that at its very core is antichrist. Much of the American evangelical church has to steer clear of these epistles and the true understanding of what antichrist is in order to continue to deceive the people that they need to support Geo-Political Israel because God commands it. This study will expose that lie from the pit of hell as well as the false idea that there are so called “good” people apart from Christ. May the Son of God Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father get the glory for this study and may the Synagogue of Satan (Christ rejecting Judaism) perish with their father the Devil. 1 John :1-10 (KJV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. We are starting from the first chapter to get the overall context of what John is telling the brethren. John refers to the beginning of Jesus ministry which was when He was baptized as that is precisely when him and the other apostles began to see, behold and handle him. John says that Jesus was the manifestation of eternal life and that He was with the Father since the start of His prophetic ministry. Jesus received the fullness of the Spirit of Jehovah God at His baptism and this is when the eternal life which was in the Father started to well in Jesus. John says that him and the apostles bear witness of the Son of God’s earthly ministry in which eternal life dwelt in Him hence Jesus was Himself eternal life manifested to the apostles. John is writing this to the church so that his and their joy may be full. The love of John for his Lord and savior is evident as we see later in his epistles he has no sympathy for those who deny His Lord as being the Son and Christ of God. John says that church’s fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. John is clearly speaking of a real and personal Father-Son relationship between Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. The various Christologies that confuse this relationship are foreign to John as he posits the relationship between Jesus and God as a real Father-Son relationship. John’s epistle warrants no modern Trinitarian or binitarian doctrine, no Tri Theist doctrine nor any type of modalism but simple a Father who is God and His Son. Jesus came to reveal the Father’s character and that in the Father there was no darkness but rather only light. Unlike many today in Christendom that teach that Jesus came on His own initiative and make the gospel all about Him, John says that the Son came to glorify the Father. Again, John has a very clear gospel here and that it centers on the Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and Jesus. John says that if we walk in the light of God’s commandments then the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. Again, for John there is God and there is God’s Son who is Jesus Christ. There is no trinity in John’s gospel or his epistles, no modalist oneness confusion of persons or merging of persons. The Son of God’s blood atones for those who walk in the love of God’s commandments. The arrogant claim they have no sin or have had no sin and make God a liar. The bible says that all have sinned. Unbelievers are in perpetual sin as they are outside God’s covenant which is centered in His Son. If they repent and believe on the name of His Son, they will be cleansed by His precious atoning blood. For those of us in the faith, we may fall at times but if we confess our sins He (God) is Faithful to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Son of God sits at the Father’s right hand as our mediator and His blood shed on the cross is sufficient to be applied anytime we go to the Father and confess our sins. 1 John 2:1-29(KJV) 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.6He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.7Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.8Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.13I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.14I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.21I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.24Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.26These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.28And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.29If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Here in chapter 2, John starts by talking about the medatorial function of God’s Son. John exhorts the brethren not to sin but also says that if they do sin they have an advocate (comforter) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. There is so much precious truth in this one verse (verse 1) that we would be amiss in just glossing over it. Jesus is our advocate which means “comforter”, this speaks not only to His priestly functions on our behalf as that is in view here but also to His coming to us via His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also said to be our comforter, hence when we have the Holy Spirit we have the very Spirit of Jesus dwelling in us. Jesus coming to His church by His Spirit is an essential component of Christianity. This is how Jesus is with us until the end of the age. Next, we have John identifying Jesus as the Christ which means “anointed one”. Many modern Christians often forget that this is what “Christ” means and that it means that Jesus is the anointed one of God rather than being God Himself which the mainstream churches teach. Also, the affirmation by John of Jesus being the Christ shows that He believed indeed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the coming Davidic King who would be God’s Christ and Son fulfilling the Davidic covenant. For John, the buck stopped with Jesus in terms of looking and hoping for the long awaited Davidic Christ of God. We need to understand this to see where John is coming from as we progress through this study. The next identity of Jesus here in the first verse of 1 John 2 is that God is His Father. John continues to pound away at the truth that Jesus and Jehovah share an intimate covenant Father-Son relationship. This truth has been severely minimized and sometimes forgotten altogether in the mainstream churches. For John there is no plurality in the Godhead or confusing the Father and Son into the same person (oneness, modalism) or being (trinitarianism) but rather a simple but beautiful Father-Son relationship. In verse 2, John says that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation means “mercy seat” showing that Jesus blood was poured out on the heavenly mercy seat in the holy of holies in heaven upon His ascension. Essential to the identity of Jesus is having faith that He fulfilled the day of atonement, which was a day when the high priest of Israel would sprinkle the blood of the atonement sacrifice on the mercy seat in the most holy place. Any denial that the blood of Jesus is all sufficient and that He completely fulfilled the day of atonement is antichrist. The talk that in the future the animal sacrifices will be reinstituted is antichrist and tramples on the blood of the Son of God denying that He was the once and for all sacrifice for sins. The Synagogue of Satan has been instrumental in deceiving professed Christians into believing that a reinstitution of the law of Moses will happen during an earthly millennium. Verses 3-6 state that we know that we are in Christ if we keep His commandments. These commandments are those given on the sermon on the mount which are identified as the doctrine of Christ. 2nd John 9-11 says that those who bring not this doctrine (sermon on the mount) are not to be welcomed in your house or bidden godspeed. In fact, John says that these who abide not in the doctrine of Christ have not God. Those who teach that you do not have to obey the teachings of Jesus are by definition antichrist. Those who say His teachings were not 100 percent given to Him by God are also antichrist. The religion of Judaism is antichrist as they deny that Jesus was a true prophet of God that spoke God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 18). In that chapter 18 of Deuteronomy, Moses said that those who do not hearken unto that prophet (Jesus) will be required (investigated) by Jehovah why they didn’t heed His prophet’s words. The Christ ejecting Jews were held to account by Jehovah God and their city and temple were destroyed in AD 70. Even today the Christ rejecting Jews will face Jehovah’s judgment for not hearkening to the words of His Son. John the beloved says the same thing in John chapter 3: 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. Clearly God’s wrath is abiding on anyone who does not hearken to the words of Jesus Christ and that includes the Jews reject Him as the Christ and Son of God. Now we fast forward to verses 18 and 19 of 1 John 2: 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. The teaching that there is only one antichrist which is a future political leader is false to the scripture and is not biblical. The bible teaches that there are many antichrists and they were around during the time of John the apostle in the 1st century. These antichrists are even in the church and eventually leave, manifesting themselves as antichrists so that the church can know exactly who they are and stay away from them. Often times, when people leave the church due to their “new found” rejection of Christ those in the church lament “the supposed losing of a brother or sister” but instead we should actually thank God that He exposed them as antichrists. In John 2:9-11, the beloved apostle of Jesus Christ commands us to not even bless or let these antichrists in our house. These antichrists were never part of the Church, they were never true converts for if they had been true converts they would have continued in the church. Verses 20-21 of 1 John 2: 20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. The truth is found in the church as we have an unction from God and know all things. Too many Christians are sucking at the tit of the synagogues and trying glean biblical truth from so called Jewish rabbi’s that reject Christ. Scripture tells that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth and is the house of the living God ( 1 Timothy 3:15). We are to go to the Church for truth not those who reject are King. The synagogues are desolate and have no truth and are of Satan. John the apostle says that we as Christians have the Holy Spirit and know the truth. Christ rejecting Jews have the spirit of their father the devil. Now we get to the nitty gritty of what constitutes antichrist. Verses 22 and 23 1 John chapter 2: 22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, meaning the anointed one of God, are liars and antichrists. Too many times we as believers focus on some future political antichrist which has become a boogeyman of sorts within the Church, yet John says there are many antichrists and the only thing they need to qualify for is to deny that Jesus is the Christ of God. This means that everyone from your local school teacher, police officer, cashier at a fast food place, janitor or CEO of a major corporation are liars and antichrists if they deny that Jesus is the Christ of God. John calls them liars. There is little tolerance among the early apostolic Church for those who deny the Kingship of Jesus. Being the Christ of God includes Jesus being of the seed of David hence the rightful King of Israel which is the new covenant Church. Even Jesus said that when He returns those that refused Him to reign over them as King will be killed by the sword: Luke 19:27 “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me” This will be the fate of all those who deny that Jesus is the Davidic Christ King. These will be the words of Jesus to all the liars that deny His Kingship. They will be killed with the second death upon Jesus return. Of course all professing Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ, however even denial of the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah is by definition antichrist. This of course includes the aforementioned liars that deny that Jesus is the Christ because if they deny that He is the Christ they automatically deny His Sonship. The religion of Judaism claims that they worship the God of Israel but John calls them antichrist liars because they deny the Sonship of Christ and that he is indeed the Christ thereby denying the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah. What about professing Christians? Can they fit this category of antichrist which denies the Father and Son? The answer is absolutely! There are Christians who believe in oneness Pentecostalism or modalism. This doctrine teaches that the Father and Son are the same person in different modes. This doctrine effectively tries destroy the Father-Son relationship of Jesus and Jehovah by consolidating them into one person. It also denies the authority, supremacy and sovereignty of the Father by replacing Him with Jesus. It takes away also the identity if Jesus as the only begotten Son of God and God’s Messianic Davidic King. This is an idolatrous antichrist doctrine. It attempts to destroy the real Father-Son relationship between Jehovah and His Davidic King by removing any distinction between the two thereby nullifying the relationship and the Davidic covenant. Another danger that we see in Christendom that is antichrist is the modern Trinitarian doctrine that also borderlines on modalism as increasingly the evangelical Churches are pushing the Father aside as the one true God and the God of Jesus in favor of Jesus Himself being the Almighty God and even independent of the Father in terms of His deity. The traditional Trinitarian view gave the Father His place as the almighty God and source of the trinity and that Jesus was dependent on the Father for His deity. In the Western Churches that has been lost and increasingly Jesus is replacing the Father in terms of ultimate worship and being called the Almighty God with almost no references to Him being the Son of God even though scripture calls Him the Son of God almost 100 times. It is safe to say that most of the American Church has the spirit of antichrist as they less and less preach Jesus being the Son of God and more and more preach that He is the one true God. This also effectively attempts to destroy the real Father-Son relationship between Jesus and Jehovah by confusing their positions and their headship. Jesus made it clear that the foundation of the Church is the fact that He is the Christ of God and the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-20). Jesus said that the gates of hell would never prevail against His church which is built on that foundation (Christship and Sonship). Verses 22 and 23 also perfectly describe the Christ rejecting Jews and Judaism as a religion. Many Christians falsely believe that although many Jews reject Jesus as the Christ that they still worship God the Father and hence worship the same God we do. This is absolutely false as anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ of God is by definition antichrist. This means that Christ rejecting Jews and any of the various forms of Judaism are antichrists. It’s hard to imagine an antichrist worshipping God or having a relationship with Him. In essence the Christ rejecting Jews have another god, a false one. Remember in John chapter 4 Jesus said this: 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Jesus here is speaking of worship being given to the Father in spirit and in truth. This shows that God the Father is the ultimate object of worship for true Christians. However, true worship of the Father is to honor His Son as we honor the Father: John 5:23 “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him” This verse above absolutely destroys the false teaching that even though Judaism rejects Jesus that at least they still worship the Father. Jesus said it clearly that all those who don’t honor Him don’t honor the Father and thereby don’t have any kind of relationship with the true God of the bible. In effect Judaism worships a false god and are under the wrath of the true and living God Jehovah as they do not believe on His Son: John 3:36 ”He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” The wrath of God abides on Christ rejecting Jews and their Satanic synagogues and their wicked religion of Judaism. Verse 23 of 1 John 2 says it clearly enough that even a child can understand: “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” Judaism is antichrist as those individual Jews who deny the Son of God. If you don’t confess the Son you absolutely don’t have the Father and hence you worship a false god, which Judaism does. Verse 24 of 1 John chapter 2: “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father” What is it that the Church heard from the beginning? In context, it is the very the opposite of what the lying anti-christ’s teach. The apostle’s doctrine is that Jesus is indeed the Christ of God and Son of God and that He is the propitiation for our sins and that His blood cleanses us from all sin. If we abide in this foundational apostolic teaching, then we will abide in the vine (Son of God) and in the Father (vine dresser). Those who depart from this no longer abide in the Father and Son. Those who reject this also don’t abide in the Father and Son. Those who claim to have a relationship with God yet deny His Son and the sufficiency of His Son’s blood do not have God at all and He rejects them as anti-christ’s. This includes those Jews who reject Christ, they can keep all the Sabbaths they want and eat kosher all they want but if they reject Christ they are anti-christ and rejected by God as children of the devil. Verses 25 and 26 of 1 John 2: 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. If we abide in the apostolic teaching that Jesus is God’s Christ and Son and that His blood is the mercy-seat for our sins then we will have eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. Anyone who rejects any of those three things will have an appointment in the lake of fire and yes that includes any Jew who denies any of those three things. In verse 26 John gives us the purpose of him writing these things to the Church which is to make the brethren aware of these seducing anti-Christ’s. John says these anti-christ’s are seducers so they come into the Church with stealth and supposed good intentions. They masquerade as Christians or so called Messianics and Hebrew Roots, but as John said they were never of us in the first place as they only had an outward profession but were never truly converted. They seduce those Christians who have an itching ear to “return to the Jewish roots of the faith” so called. These anti-christ’s will call themselves Rabbi and call their churches synagogues and try to emulate the Christ rejecting synagogues of Judaism. They will even talk about “Yeshua” and bewitch these unstable Christians that we are not in the new covenant yet and that we need to return to the law of Moses. These unstable Christians are those who put the Jews of the flesh on a pedestal as God’s chosen people all the while ignoring tons of scripture that says the flesh profits nothing and that we must be begotten from above to see the Kingdom of God. These unstable Christians get impressed by outward appearances of Jewishness. The end result is often a denial of Jesus as the ultimate law giver, the sufficiency of His blood an od the need to one day return to animal sacrifices in some future earthly rebuilt temple thereby denying the blood of Christ which inaugurated the new covenant through the death of the cross. These unstable ones end up trading in the cross for a supposed star of David. Verse 27 of 1 John 2 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” We as Christians have received the Holy Spirit from Jesus and it abides in us as the Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Christ. Colossians 1:27 says that Christ in us is the hope of glory and Paul elsewhere says that the word of Christ dwells in us richly. The function of the Holy Spirit is to teach us all things and bring to remembrance the things Christ taught us. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth as it leads us into all truth. Verse 28 and 29 of 1 John 2 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. John exhorts the brethren to abide (remain) in Messiah, this is done by keeping the commandments given by the Messiah: John15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” To abide in the Son of God is to keep the commandments He gave on the sermon on the mount. If we keep the commandments of Messiah (remain in Him) then we will not be ashamed at His coming and enter into the Marriage supper of the land. Matthew 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” In context, the wise virgins are those who had their lamps trimmed with oil, meaning they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel 36 says that those who are given the Holy Spirit keep the commandments of God. These wise virgins are those who obey the teachings of Jehoshua. John exhorts the brethren to keep the commandments (remain in Jehoshua) so that when He comes you will be brought into the Kingdom. Jehoshua is righteous and John says that the evidence of being born of God is that one does righteousness which in this context is keeping the commandments of the Son of God. The false doctrine that we are sinners and can’t stop sinning even after being saved is unbiblical. A King has a throne and a kingdom!
Dispensationalist premillennialists believe Jehoshua is a king without a throne or kingdom. The throne of David is a key prophecy in 2 Sam 7:14. Both Solomon and Jehoshua Messiah were to sit on David's throne. Jehoshua was seated on David's Throne on Pentecost! King Jehoshua sits on the Throne of David now! Introduction: 1. No Old Testament prophecy is so easily seen to be fulfilled at Pentecost as the fact that Jehoshua is sitting upon the throne of David now. 2. "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. "I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. "Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:13-16) 3. "There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. " (Isaiah 9:7) 4. "A throne will even be established in lovingkindness, And a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of David; Moreover, he will seek justice And be prompt in righteousness. " (Isaiah 16:5) 5. "Then say to him, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the Lord. "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the Lord, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices." (Zechariah 6:12-13) 6. "I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever And build up your throne to all generations." (Psalm 89:3-4) 7. ""Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." ' "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:29-36) A. Jehoshua cannot sit on David's throne in earthly Jerusalem: Jer 22:29-30 + Mt 1:12 1. Earthly throne extinct: a. "Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered jar? Or is he an undesirable vessel? Why have he and his descendants been hurled out And cast into a land that they had not known? "O land, land, land, Hear the word of the LORD! "Thus says the LORD, 'Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah.' " (Jeremiah 22:28-30) b. "After the deportation to Babylon: Jeconiah became the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. " (Matthew 1:12) 2. Notice that Jeremiah prophesied that no descendant of Jeconiah (aka Coniah) can ever sit on the throne of David in Judah. 3. Jesus Christ is a literal descendant of Coniah, proving the throne of David is forever in New Jerusalem which is in Heaven and will eventually descend to the New Earth B. Jehoshua must sit on David's throne now until the second coming: 1. Notice Jesus must reign until his enemies are defeated. The last enemy is death, which will be abolished at the resurrection: a. "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." ' "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified." " (Acts 2:34-36) b. "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. " (1 Corinthians 15:25-26) c. "And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high ... But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom" ... But to which of the angels has He ever said, "Sit at My right hand, Until I make Your enemies A footstool for Your feet." (Hebrews 1:3,8,13) d. "Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. " (Hebrews 10:11-13) e. "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:21) 2. Christ is reigning NOW and will give up the throne to the father at the second coming. 3. It becomes crystal clear that Jehoshua is seated on the throne of David right now until the resurrection at the second coming. C. Jehoshua hands the Kingdom over to the Father at the second coming, (Dispensational Premillennialists say Jehoshua receives the kingdom): 1. "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. " (1 Corinthians 15:22-28) 2. Did you notice that? At the second coming, Jesus hands over the kingdom to God which he has ruled since the resurrection. 3. This is exactly opposite to what pre-tribulation rapture false teachers premillennialists say. They have Christ sitting on the throne of David for the first time at the second coming, but the Bible says he has already been on the throne of David and gives it up to God, so God can be all in all. D. Jehoshua, the branch of David, is a priest on the throne at the same time: Zech 6:12-13 1. Christ will be a priest and king at the same time: a. "Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. "Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices." (Zechariah 6:12-13) 2. Christ has built his temple, the church, which is the kingdom: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. " (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) 3. Jesus is on the throne of David now: a. "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ" (Acts 2:30-31) b. "But of the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, And the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. " (Hebrews 1:8) 4. If Christ were on earth, he could not be a priest of any kind. Only in heaven can he be a priest, and then only after the order of Melchizedek. a. "Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; " (Hebrews 8:4) b. "just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." " (Hebrews 5:6) 5. So it is clear, that Jehoshua is a king now and a priest now, and all this in heaven. 6. Jehoshua cannot be a king or priest on earth because he is a descendant of Jeconiah, and he is not a Levite. E. The earthly throne of David was apostasy that angered God from the time of Saul! 1. Dispensationalist Premillennialists have never considered that the entire concept of an earthly throne is an apostasy that angered God from the time of the first king Saul to the last king before the Babylonian captivity. 2. Originally God was Israel's king and he reigned on his throne in heaven. But Israel asked for a king on earth, which was an apostasy and angered God so much he wiped out their crops. It is clear that God realized that he was being rejected and in a symbolic way, God allowed his throne to come down to earth and have men sit and rule in his place: a. "But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the Lord. The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. " (1 Samuel 8:6-7) b. ""Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the Lord, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the Lord by asking for yourselves a king." " (1 Samuel 12:17) c. ""When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' although the Lord your God was your king. "Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the Lord has set a king over you. " (1 Samuel 12:12-13) 3. Nothing could be clearer in that the earthly throne was in fact a symbol of God's throne in heaven. Notice the earthly throne of David and Solomon is called "the throne of God", The throne of the Kingdom of God". a. "Of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons), He has chosen my son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel." (1 Chronicles 28:5) d. "Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father; and he prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. " (1 Chronicles 29:23) b. "Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you, setting you on His throne as king for the Lord your God; because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness." " (2 Chronicles 9:8) c. "So now you intend to resist the kingdom of the Lord through the sons of David, being a great multitude and having with you the golden calves which Jeroboam made for gods for you. " (2 Chronicles 13:8) 4. The next king to sit on the throne of God was David and God promised in a rare double prophecy that two of his seed would sit on his throne: Solomon on earth and Christ in heaven at the resurrection: a. "When your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up one of your descendants after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. "He shall build for Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. "I will be his father and he shall be My son; and I will not take My lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. "But I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever."(1 Chronicles 17:11-14) b. Notice that just as Solomon was king when he built the physical temple on earth, that Christ was the king who would build the church temple in heaven. c. Christ had to be a king to build the temple. We are the temple of God, the church, our bodies! d. Jehoshua must be sitting on the throne of David in order to build the church temple! 5. The next physical king to sit on the throne of God was Solomon a. "And Solomon sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established. " (1 Kings 2:12) b. "Besides, Solomon has even taken his seat on the throne of the kingdom. "Moreover, the king's servants came to bless our lord King David, saying, 'May your God make the name of Solomon better than your name and his throne greater than your throne!' And the king bowed himself on the bed. "The king has also said thus, 'Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has granted one to sit on my throne today while my own eyes see it.' " " (1 Kings 1:46-48) 6. God was so angered by the disobedient paganism of the kings that sat on God's throne, that God removed the throne from the earth and brought it back to heaven till Jehoshua, the descendant of David would sit on it. a. "It is your destruction, O Israel, That you are against Me, against your help. Where now is your king That he may save you in all your cities, And your judges of whom you requested, "Give me a king and princes"? I gave you a king in My anger And took him away in My wrath. " (Hosea 13:9-11) 7. Today Jehoshua Messiah shares the throne with the Father, just as David shared the throne with God. Notice the kingdom is co-owned by God and Christ NOW: a. "For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. " (Ephesians 5:5) b. "'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." (Revelation 3:21) 8. So you might say that the throne of God experienced a little early sightseeing tour because it left heaven, came to earth and stayed from Saul to the Babylonian captivity, and was then taken back to heaven to wait for Christ to die on the cross and sit on the throne of David, which was God's throne in heaven, where it always was, forever. 9. The entire notion of an earthly throne in Jerusalem for 1000 year not only has no support, it is an insult to God because the throne rightfully has always belonged in heaven. 10. A restored earthly throne as proposed by Dispensationalists premillennialists would again anger God: "I gave you a king in My anger And took him away in My wrath. " (Hosea 13:9-11) F. Messiah has built the "temple of David" in the church which replaced the physical temple of David. 1. Passages: a. "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name," Declares the LORD who does this. " (Amos 9:11-12) b. "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. "With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 'After these things I will return, And I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,' Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago. "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, " (Acts 15:14-19) 2. It is clear that the booth or tabernacle or temple of David has been built by Christ and is our body and the church, the kingdom. 3. Notice that if the "booth of David" is not rebuilt, then the gentiles cannot be saved. 4. This was precisely the argument that James used to prove the Gentiles could be saved without circumcision in the Jerusalem council. 5. Premillennialists dispensationalists all fail to see that the idea of Christ coming back to earth to rebuild the physical "booth of David" in Jerusalem is ridiculous considering James says it is already built by Christ. 6. The sign Jehoshua gave to the Jews was that he would tear down the physical temple of David and REBUILD it in three days after he raised from the dead. 7. The idea of Jehoshua returning to build a stone temple is heresy and denies the gospel and the blood sacrifice of Christ for the church on the cross. G. No reason to bring Messiah back to earth as an earthly King as his work is finished here: 1. His mission of redemption is complete: Eph 1:7-10; Col 1:13-14 2. His revelation is complete: Eph 3:1-10; Jude 3 3. His authority is complete: Matthew 28:18; Eph 1:20-21 4. Hi kingdom is complete: Col 1:13; Heb 12:28 5. His throne is Complete: Heb 4:13 Rev 3:21 6. His name is complete: Eph 1:22; Col 3:17; Phil 2:9-10 7. His glory is complete: Lk 24:25; 1 Pe 1:20-21 (God's Prophetic word, Foy E. Wallace, p 193, 1945) Conclusion: 1. Jehoshua is seated upon the throne of David right now, and has been since Pentecost. 2. Messiah is ruling in his Kingdom, the church, right now and will do so until the second coming. 3. At the second coming, Jehoshua will give up the throne to God so that the Father may be all in all. "For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. " (1 Corinthians 15:25-28) 4. Rapture teaches the false doctrine that at the second coming Jesus starts to rule in his kingdom, and Jehoshua is a King without a kingdom now. The Bible teaches the opposite! 5. Dispensationalists do not understand that Jehoshua cannot be a king or priest on earth in Jerusalem EVER, because he is a descendant of Jeconiah, and he is not a Levite. 6. The earthly throne of David is now extinct forever. A restored earthly Jerusalem throne as proposed by dispensationalists premillennialists would again anger God: "I gave you a king in My anger And took him away in My wrath." (Hosea 13:9-11) 7. Pre-tribulation Rapture Premillennialists are in error about a restored throne in earthly Jerusalem. 8. The truth that Jesus has been seated on the throne of David, the throne of God, in heaven since the resurrection where he was given all rule and authority on heaven and earth. Mt 28:18-29 The Kingdom of Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14 is the church established on Pentecost. The Kingdom of Old Testament prophecy is the church that began on Pentecost. Introduction: 1. All the prophecies of the Kingdom have been fulfilled in the church on the day of Pentecost. 2. The kingdom of Old Testament prophecy is the church. 3. All these prophecies were fulfilled on Pentecost when the church began during the time of the Roman Empire. A. Master Summary of Kingdom prophecies fulfilled in the church on Pentecost: 1. Daniel 2:44 shows that the kingdom was established on Pentecost, during the days of the Roman Empire. The time prophecy cannot be fulfilled after 397 AD when Rome fell. Dispensational Premillennialists fail to comprehend that after 397 AD it is impossible to fulfill Dan 2:44. They twist the Bible by seeing 10 additional kingdoms in the “toes”, rather than the four in the context. They literally twist the text and dream up “kingdom toes”. “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed [fulfilled in Eph 3:21 and Heb 12:28], and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. ” (Daniel 2:44) a. Ephesians 3:21 fulfills Dan 2:44 because the church will last forever just like the Kingdom. For the Rapture false teachers who view the church as a temporary “parenthesis”, this verse refutes them and proves the kingdom is the church: “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ” (Ephesians 3:21) b. Hebrews 12:28 proves the kingdom has been established on Pentecost. Notice the kingdom cannot be shaken just like Jesus said in Mt 16:18 “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ” (Hebrews 12:28) c. Matthew 16:18 fulfills Isa 2:2-4 because it shows the church shares the quality of being eternal, and not going extinct at the rapture or in 1988 AD as false teacher Harold Camping once taught before his end of the world prophecy failed for May 21, 2011 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ” (Matthew 16:18) 2. Isaiah 2:1-4 “The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it [gentiles: fulfilled on Pentecost Acts 2:39 “far off”, Eph 2:13]. And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem [fulfilled on Pentecost Acts 2:1]. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. [fulfilled in the peace between nations in Christ Eph 2:11-16] ” (Isaiah 2:1-4) a. Luke 24:45-49 is a direct fulfillment of Isa 2:2-4 “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures [Isa 2:2-4], and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations [gentiles: fulfilled on Pentecost Acts 2:39 “far off”, Eph 2:13], beginning from Jerusalem [fulfilled on Pentecost Acts 2:1]. “You are witnesses of these things. “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:45-49) b. Ephesians 2:11-16 is a direct fulfillment of Isa 2:2-4. It shows two fulfillments in that the gentiles are saved and the gentiles and the Jews are at peace in Christ: “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. ” (Ephesians 2:11-16) c. Acts 1:8 fulfills Isa 2:2-4 because the gospel started in Jerusalem and went global: “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) 3. Ascension prophecies: Jesus received the kingdom at the ascension: a. Daniel 7:13-14 is a prophecy that Jesus received the kingdom at the ascension when he “came to God from earth”, not at the second coming when he leaves God to spend 1000 years on earth. “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. ” (Daniel 7:13-14) b. Luke 19:11-15 shows that Jesus received the kingdom at the ascension and returns at the second coming to judge. “While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country [ascension] to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return [at the second coming]. “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ “When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. ” (Luke 19:11–15) i. Acts 1:9 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ” (Acts 1:9) ii. Revelation 5:4-10 directly fulfills Dan 7:13-14 because it shows the time immediately following the ascension where Jesus is presented before God. Notice the Kingdom is referred to as having already been set up by Christ: “Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:4-10) 4. Mark 9:1 states that Jesus disciples will live to see the kingdom of prophecy established on earth when it comes with power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. “And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1) a. Luke 24:49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) b. Acts 1:8 “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) c. Acts 1:4–5 “Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4–5) d. Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. ” (Acts 2:1–4) 5. Mark 1:15 is the final proof that the kingdom of Old Testament prophecy began on Pentecost: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) a. Colossians 1:13 “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ” (Colossians 1:13) b. Hebrews 12:28 “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ” (Hebrews 12:28) c. Revelation 1:6 “and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ” (Revelation 1:6) d. Revelation 1:9 “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ” (Revelation 1:9) e. Revelation 5:10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:10) B. The Kingdom was established on Pentecost: 1. Jehoshua announced “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand”: a. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) b. “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ” (Matthew 12:28) c. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) d. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) 2. Jehoshua promised his disciples that they would see the Kingdom established in their lifetime: a. “And Jehoshua was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not die until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” (Mark 9:1) b. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) 3. Jehoshua said the Kingdom was so near that at the last supper, he said the next time they would have the Lord’s Supper, they would be in the Kingdom. a. “And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. “Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14:24–25) c. Communion means a sharing with one another and with Messiah. d. Every time we break bread, we are fulfilling Jehoshua’s words in type as His Kingdom is here, the antitype will be in the New Earth: “I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” C. Every passage after Pentecost speaks of the Kingdom as being established: 1. The Christian in Colossae were IN THE KINGDOM: Col 1:13 a. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ” (Colossians 1:13–14) b. Notice that we have been DELIVERED from Satan and TRANSFERRED into the kingdom. c. If we are not in the kingdom now, then we are not saved but are still under the bondage of Satan. 2. The Hebrews were in the Kingdom: Heb 12:28 a. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28) b. Notice that the tense of the verse for “receiving” is active present tense. This is exactly correct because the kingdom is the church and every time a new soul believes and is baptized into Christ’s body (the church) the kingdom gets larger! c. Think of the receiving a TV signal on your antennae. You are currently watching the kingdom in a live, ongoing active way. d. The key, is that this verse does not say that we will receive the kingdom some time in the future. Rather we receive it now, and in an ongoing way. e. Notice also that the kingdom we receive “cannot be shaken” which exactly fulfills the Kingdom prophecy of Dan 2:44, “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed”. f. This also agrees with what Jesus said of the church: “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18–19) g. So Heb 12:28 is a direct fulfillment of Dan 2:44 3. The Christians in the seven churches of Asia were in the Kingdom: Rev 1:6-9 a. “He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father-to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ” (Revelation 1:5–6) b. John flatly stated that Christians are the kingdom or the church. c. How much plainer do Rapturists need the Bible to be? d. It also says that every Christian is a priest. 4. Apostle John was in the kingdom: Rev 1:9 a. “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. ” (Revelation 1:9) b. John was a partaker in the Kingdom. The word “partake” means “sharer” meaning that both he and the seven churches of Revelation (which were real churches in Asia) were in the kingdom and enjoyed its privileges. D. Summary of Time sensitive prophecies: 1. Time sensitive prophecies must be fulfilled according to the time clock. You cannot stop a time prophecy clock, yet pre-tribulation Rapture false teachers have stopped the clock on not one, but 5 different time prophecies! 2. We know the kingdom was established last days also known as the end times that began during Jehoshua’s ministry on earth: a. “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. ” (Hebrews 1:2) b. “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you ” (1 Peter 1:20) c. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND” (Acts 2:15–17) i. “It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. ” (Joel 2:28) d. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! ” (James 5:1–3) 3. The prophecy is in Daniel 2 where a great image of a statue was seen by the King of Babylon. Daniel interpreted the vision with God's help and told him that there would be a series of four kingdoms that would rise and fall. Daniel identified the head of gold on the statue as being the Babylonian kingdom (606-539 BC) The chest of silver was the Medo-Persia kingdom (539-331 BC) The thighs of bronze represented the kingdom of Greece (331-30BC). The fourth and final kingdom of Rome was represented by the legs and feet of iron and clay (30BC-397AD) Then Daniel made that fantastic prophecy about God's kingdom, Dan 2:44, "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever." This is a crystal clear time prophecy that God's kingdom would be established sometime during the Roman empire! Is it just random chance that Pentecost in Acts 2 was during the Roman empire? (Luke 2:1) No way! God is able to bring his will to pass! God established the kingdom on the day of Pentecost! If the kingdom is not yet established, then the prophecy fails and God is a liar, for Rome has been gone for over 1500 years! 4. At the very beginning of Jesus' ministry our Divine Savior said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15 Yet, there are those who say that Jesus didn't mean what he said about the kingdom being "at hand". For them "at hand" has been 2000 years and still counting! Again Pentecost is a prefect fulfillment. 5. In the middle of Jehoshua’s ministry He said, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death (die physically) until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power." Mark 9:1 What could be more clear? Jehoshua promised that the kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament would come during the lifetime of those standing before Him. But Jesus even gave us an additional detail by saying that the "kingdom would come with power" Amazingly, Jehoshua told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for this power. Jesus said, "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city (Jerusalem) until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49. Again Pentecost is a perfect fulfillment since it was only about 2 years later when God, the Father, sent the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit upon them. (Acts 2:1-4) E. The kingdom is the Church: 1. The Same Beginning: Pentecost 2. The Same Duration: Forever a. “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. ” (Daniel 2:44) b. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ” (Matthew 16:18) c. “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; ” (Hebrews 12:28) d. “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. ” (Ephesians 3:21) 3. The Same Ownership: God and Christ a. “For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ” (Ephesians 5:5) 4. The same historical period: During Roman empire a. “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. ” (Luke 2:1) b. “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. ” (Acts 2:1) c. “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ” (Colossians 1:13) 5. The same eschatological beginning: In the “Last Days” or “end times” a. “in these last days [1st century] has spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:2) b. “Christ appeared in these last times [1st century] for the sake of you ” (1 Peter 1:20) c. Joel prophesied that “it shall be in the last days [1st century, Pentecost] that i will pour forth of my spirit on all mankind” (Acts 2:15–17) d. “Come now, you rich … It is in the last days [1st century] that you have stored up your treasure! ” (James 5:1–3) 6. Kingdom and church used interchangeably: a. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18) Conclusion: 1. Pre-tribulation Rapture Premillennialists are a system of infidelity that take all the spiritual promises in Christ and make them into fleshly carnal physical promises on earth and reject the idea that the church is the kingdom. 2. They actually teach the church was an afterthought invented by God as a stop gap measure after the Jews rejected Jesus as their earthly king. This surprised God and he needed to invent the church as a temporary “parentheses” until God was able to give his plan a second try. This is the reason why dispensationalists really believe Israel needed to become a nation in 1948. 3. Rapture false teachers believe the church is not the subject of Old Testament prophecy, and will come to an end at their “rapture”. They are wrong on both counts. The church fulfills all the Old Testament prophecies being the cornerstone of our salvation and will endure forever and ever, even after the second coming. 4. Every single passage in the Bible fits perfectly with the truth that the Kingdom is the church which was established on Pentecost. Those who promote pre-tribulation Rapture must either ignore these passages or come up with bizarre explanations. 5. The only reason pre-tribulation Rapture false teachers can promote their doctrines, is because they claim special and direct revelation from God and their followers believe this and do not take the Bible as a primary source. The true Church of Jehovah teaches that the kingdom began at Pentecost, being identical with the church. Part 5 of my study of the gospel in Acts
Acts 5:42 "And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jehoshua as the Messiah." The apostles continually preached Jehoshua as the Messiah. Messiah means "anointed one" of God. Notice that they did not preach that Jehoshua was the second member of some trinity god or God Himself but they preached that He was the Davidic Messianic King i.e. the fufillment of the Davidic covenant as mentioned in Acts 2:29-36. They preached in the temple and in houses. There was no such thing in the apostolic church as a once a week service. Church was every day for the apostles and their disciples. The KJV renders the above verse as such: "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" Not only did they preach Jehoshua as Messiah but preached His doctrine as He commanded in Matthew 28:19-20: 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in my name:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. This is exactly what the apostles were doing in the temple and homes of the believers, they were preaching the things Jehoshua commanded that they (the apostles) were taught by Him (Jehoshua). The sermon on the mount was the central message of Jehoshua's Kingdom and it was referred to as His doctrine (Matthew 7:28). To preach Jehoshua is not to just preach His death, burial and resurrection, although those are central essentials, but also to preach what He taught. Infact, we are told to reject anyone who comes not with His (Jehoshua's) doctrine (2 John 9-11). Let's now go to the next sermon recorded in the book of Acts. Acts 7:55-56 55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jehoshua standing on the right hand of God,56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. This is actually after Stephen's long sermon basically covering the history of Israel. This passage above alludes to the common theme of the new testament which is that Jehoshua in His resurrected state is on the right hand of God in the holy of holies. This again alludes to Psalm 110 which is about the fufillment of the Davidic covenant where Jehoshua is enthroned as the King of Israel: Psalm 110:1 "Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool" Acts 8:5 "And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Messiah" Phillip preached the Messiah to the Samaritans and certainly this means that the things Peter had preached about Jehoshua is exactly what Phillip preached. Peter preached that Jehoshua was a man approved of God and that He was of the fruit of David's loins and the fufillment of the Davidic covenant. Peter preached that God raised up Jehoshua from the dead and exalted Him to heaven on the throne of David and made Him King and Messiah. Acts 8:12 "But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women" After Simon had been bewitching the Samaritans, Phiilp arrived preaching the good tidings of the Kingdom. We have to remember that ultimately the gospel is good news as stated by Jehoshua when He quoted Isaiah 61 on the Sabbath day. The good news of the Kingdom includes the following from Isaiah 61: 1 The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening [of the prison] to them that are bound;2to proclaim the year of Jehovah`s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;3to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified. 4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. The good news of the Kingdom gospel is that Jehovah is sending His anointed ones to the meek (humble) to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to those who are captive to sin. To give beauty and joy to those who are mourning. To give Jehovah's rest to those who are in heaviness. To proclaim the day of Jehovah's salvation succouring (inviting) people to His Kingdom so that they be trees of righteousness planted by Jehovah God. In verse 4 of Isaiah 61we see Isaiah chapter 58 verse 12 alluded to. This is a reference to safeguarding the Sabbath day. Essential to the good news of the gospel is restoring true Sabbath worship which includes acts of mercy to the afflicted, the hungry, the poor, the naked. The gospel is rooted in Jehovah's justice as is connected with the Sabbath day. Phillip preached the name of Jehoshua Messiah. This means He preached in the authority of Jehoshua and likely the very same things Peter and Stephen preached concerning Him. Acts 8:25 "They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans" The apostles (Peter and John) testified the word of Jehovah in Samaria. The word of Jehovah is another name for the "gospel of the Kingdom". Peter and John bascially confirmed what Phillip had already preached in addition to laying hands on the Samaritan believers that they might recieve the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:30-34 30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.32The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? This is Phillip preaching the gospel to the Ethiopion eunch. Here Phillip approaches the Ethiopion as he is reading Isaiah 53 specifically verses 7-8. Phillip clearly attributed this passage to Jehoshua as the suffering servant. The suffering of the Son of God leading to His death was a central aspect of the early church's preaching the gospel. Acts 8:36-37 36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jehoshua Messiah is the Son of God. Notice that baptism is administered right away after a profession of faith and is not to be prolonged after a several month period of instruction. The profession of faith was in Jehoshua's Messiahship and Sonship. This is consistent with the rest of scripture. Nowwhere in scripture is anyone required to believe in a trinity or that Jehoshua is God in order to be baptized. The gospel preached in Acts witnesses that Jehoshua is a man anointed by God as His King. The titles Messiah and Son of God eqaute to being the King of Israel. Acts 9:17-20 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jehoshua, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.19And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.20And straightway he preached Messiah in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. This is one of the famous Damascus road account of Paul's conversion. Notice the process here of his conversion. He had previously responded in obedient faith at the Lord's command to go into the city (verse 6). He was then given sight to see, this was literal but it also had a spiritual parallel as Paul received the Holy Spirit and the scales came off his eyes. He was then baptized and the text says that he straightway (right away) preached that Jehoshua is the Son of God. This is significant as it shows that Jehoshua being the Son of God is absolutely essential to the doctrine of the apostolic church. Nowhere do they use the phrase "God the Son". Jehoshua is consistently preached as being God's Son throughout the whole new testament. There is absolutely no mention of Him being a second member of a trinity god. Acts 9:22 "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Messiah" Two verses later we see that Paul was defeating the Jews by way of the Holy Spirit in proving that Jehoshua was indeed the very Messiah that was the long expectation of the nation of Israel. The emphasis, concerning the identity, of Jehoshua in the apostolic church was that He was Jehovah's anointed one (Messiah). Again, the titles "Messiah" and "Son of God" denote Him being the King of Israel not some second member of a trinity god. Over and over again, the apostolic church preaches that Jehoshua is God's Son and Messiah not that He is God Himself or some preexistent angel. Acts 9:27-29 27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jehoshua.28And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.29And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jehoshua, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Here again we see the phrase "in the name of Jehoshua". Paul spoke in the name of Jehoshua Messiah in Damascus and in Jerusalem against the Greek speaking Jews. The phrase "in the name of Jehoshua" denotes authority, in that the apostles spoke in the authority of the Son of God. The apostles and all believers preach as representatives of the Son of God. They speak in His authority and proclaim all things concerning Him and His gospel. This is what it means when it is said they spake in the name of Jehoshua. It also means to speak about His character (express image of God) and His identity as God's Messianic Davidic King. Acts 10 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Here in Acts 10, Peter is sent to Cornelius a God fearing Gentile to preach the gospel. This is significant in that Peter was shown a vision that a man is not unclean just because he is a Gentile. It is also significant in that the same gospel that was preached to the Jews throughout the book of Acts is also preached to the Gentiles just as it was also preached to the Samaritans (mixed race) and the Ethiopion (african). Cornelius, the Roman centurion, does not get a different version of the gospel than does the Jews but gets the exact same version of the gospel as they do. Verse 36, Jehovah God sent His word (gospel of the Kingdom) by Jehoshua His Son. The gospel is a gospel of peace and they are good tidings. Again, the core of the gospel of the Kingdom is found in Isaiah 61. This shows that the "word" was not a preexistent being but rather God the Father's gospel which He anointed Jehoshua with who then went preaching it to the nation of Israel. Petet then says He (Jehoshua) is Lord of all. This refers not to Jehoshua being God as the Father is acknowledged over and over again as the God of the bible. This Lordship of all things is referring to Jehoshua's Davidic Kingship. 1st Corinthians 15:24-28 shows us that Jehoshua is ruler over all things excepting the Father. Verses 37 and 38, Apparently Cornelius had heard about the gospel being published. Note how Petet attributes the beginning of the "word" to John the baptist's ministry which led to Jehoshua being anointed with the Holy Spirit and power. This again shows the "word" not to being a preexistent being but rather God's Kingdom gospel. This word then became flesh when Jehoshua was anointed with it. It was only after Jehoshua's baptism that He performed miracles. Peter says that God was with Jehoshua in doing these good and miraculous works. This proves that Jehoshua was not doing these things by His own power but rather that God was doing it through Him. Many Christians today have all but pushed God the Father aside and teach that Jehoshua was doing these things because He Himself is the Almighty God. Peter is reiterating what all those in the early Church taught in that it was God the Father empowering Jehoshua. Verse 39, Peter mentions Jehoshua's death on the cross which is a crucial feature of the gospel of the Kingdom. Verse 40, Peter follows with Jehoshua's resurrection from the dead and clearly says that God raised up Jehoshua. Many Christians today say that Jehoshua raised up Himself again denying and casting the Father aside as a bystander. The death and resurrection of Jehoshua are central elements of the apostolic doctrine. Verse 41, Peter and the brethren were witnesses of the resurrection of the Messiah even eating and drinking with them. The cross and the resurrection are center points of the gospel. Verse 42, Peter now alludes to the great commission and says that Jehoshua was ordained by God to judge the living and the dead. Again, Peter acknowledges the Father to have given Jehoshua all things which He posesses. This is the consistent theme of the gospel in that the Father is God and has anointed and exalted His Son to inherit all things and also made Him King, Priest, Messiah and judge. This is an attack on the false co eqaul, co eternal trinity doctrine. Verse 43, Jehoshua was the fufillment of what the prophets of the old testament foretold. The gospel teaches that faith in the name of Jehoshua brings forgiveness of sins. This faith in the Son of God's name isn't merely a mental ascent in knowledge of who Jehoshua is in identity but rather also believing everything He taught and then practicing it. "Name" represents identity, character and authority. Identity = Son of God, King of Israel, eternal Davidic Messianic King Character = fully righteous by keeping Jehovah's law and teach others to do so Authority = empowered by Jehovah God to judge all things and to rule over dominions, powers and principalities Let's now go to the next sermon in Acts where the gospel is being preached: Acts 11:20-21 20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the King Jehoshua.21And the hand of Jehovah was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto Jehovah. What does it mean that they peached "the King Jehoshua"? Did they simply tell people to accept Jehoshua into their heart as today's evangelist preach? Of course not! You will not see that in scripture. When it says they preached "Jehoshua" we have to understand it in terms of what has already been previously preached about Him throughout the book of Acts. This means that "preaching Jehoshua" is saying that He is the seed of David and the fufillment of the Davidic covenant. That His sits on the throne of David on the right hand of God in New Jerusalem. This means preaching His persecution at the hands of Pontius Pilate and Herod. His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. This means preaching that He is the Son of God, which is the foundation of the Church (Matthew 16:13-20). Son of God is to be understood within the context of the Davidic covenant as Jehovah adopted the royal seed of David in 2 Samuel 7. Also, note that those who believed in Jehoshua were turned to the LORD (Jehovah). The ultimate purpose of preaching Jehoshua was to bring people back in covenant with the God of Israel which is the Father alone (John 17:3). In other words, Jehoshua Messiah is conduit unto which we turn back to the God of the bible. Acts 13:14--16 14But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.16And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken: This is the most centrally located semon in the book of Acts which contains 28 chapters. It is also arguably the most powerful. This is sermon is placed perfectly in this book pretty much in the middle. It is the 2nd longest sermon after Stephen's discourse. Paul nails this sermon and perfectly shows us what the foundation of the gospel is. First off, take note that Paul was still keeping the Sabbath day. Many will try to say that he just kept it to be a Jew to the Jews but there is no evidence that he was keeping the Sabbath for that reason only. The bible elsewhere says it was his custom to keep the Sabbath day. They will say that he kept it because he was Jewish or he was just using it as an evangelism tool although there is no evidence for either of these assumptions. The reading of the law and the prophets was customary on the Sabbath day. These are the scriptures that the early Church had. They did not have anything called a new testament. This means that the law and the prophets are part of the gospel. It would be strange for the Church to have a gospel message based on the law and the prophets if the law was abolished at the cross. This means the reading of the law would be an empty exercise and that the gospel they preached had no foundational writings to support it. As we continue this sermon we will see how the gospel is rooted in the old testament and specifically in the Davidic covenant and Jehoshua being the very fufillment of it. Acts 13:21-24 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.22And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will.23Of this man`s seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus;24when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. David comes into the picture as Jehovah's chosen King, being anointed for that office in 1 Samuel 16:13. On that very day Jehovah rent the Kingdom from Saul. David was a man after God's own heart and did whatever Jehovah commanded him. The Israelite kings were supposed to be Jehovah's earthly representatives. In verse 23 Paul says of David's seed (sperm) has God raised up, according to the Davidic covenant promise, a Saviour. The Saviour of the world Jehoshua's identity is in being the promised seed of David. The Saviour of the world is not a preexistent angel or Spirit being but rather a human being of the lineage of king David. Also, the Saviour of the world was not be a miraculous virgin born with no human father Messiah but rather a descendant, through male sperm, of David. Jehoshua was raised up by Jehovah God to be the Savior of Israel. This is key to remember as Israel is the focus of Jehovah's salvation program. Paul says that Gentiles who believe on the Son of God are grafted into the olive tree of Israel and are fellow citizens in the commonwealth of Israel. Jehoshua was not raised up by Jehovah God to start a new religion, nor the Catholic Church nor it's daughter Protestant churches. Jehoshua came to bring salvation to Israel as well as bring Gentiles into the Israelite fold with believing Jews of the flesh. Jehoshua came to bring Israel under a new covenant not start a separate Gentile sect or religion. The scriptures plainly teach that the new covenant is only made with Israel and no one else. This includes Judah and the lost tribes. Gentiles who call on the name of Jehovah are brought into the faith of Israel. So when exactly was Jehoshua raised up by Jehovah to be a Savior unto Israel? Most Christians identify the virgin birth as the time but that's not what Paul says in verse 24. Paul says that it was at the baptism of John that Jehoshua was raised up as Israel's Savior. This is a problem for the mainstream church as they minimize the baptism of Jehoshua and emphasize His birth. Here Paul identifies the baptism of Jehoshua as precisely the time that Jehovah God raised Him up as Israel's Savior. In fact, Paul describes Jehoshua's baptism as "His coming". He explicitly says that John was preaching the message of repentance before Jehoshua's coming (advent). According to Paul the first advent of Jehoshua was not His birth but rather His baptism. This is important to remember as we proceed with this sermon in Acts 13. Acts 13:25-27 25And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not [he]. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.26Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.27For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled [them] by condemning [him]. John the Baptist was not the Messiah. In verse 26 Paul labels the gospel as "the word of salvation" and connects the timing of "the word of salvation" being sent forth with John baptizing the Messiah. This helps us understand John 1:14 better and keeps us from coming to a pagan interpretation. This clearly shows us that the "word" is not Jehoshua per se as a 1 to 1 identifier but rather the "word" is the actual salvation message of Jehovah God. The "word" (God's salvation program) did not get sent forth to Israel until Jehoshua was baptized i.e. anointed with the Holy Spirit. That was the whole point of Jehoshua's baptism was that He would be imparted with the "word" of Jehovah God and then take it to the nation of Israel. So where John 1:14 says the word became flesh it refers to His baptism, as that is precisely the event that Paul identifies as the raising up of Jehoshua to take the word of salvation to Israel. The "word" came from Jehovah God above in heaven and was sent to Jehoshua at the Jordan river via the Holy Spirit. The word (God's salvation program) became flesh in the teachings and life of Jehoshua as He was that prophet that Moses spoke of whom God would put (His) words in. Acts 13:28-31 (ASV) 28And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.29And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.30But God raised him from the dead:31and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. Paul says that the things that the Jews and Gentiles did to Jehoshua fufilled what was foretold in the prophets. Paul here references the crucifixion, burial and then in verse 30, the resurrection of the Messiah. The resurrection of the Messiah is the centerpoint of the gospel, it's the very reason we have hope. Paul also confirms that there witnesses of the risen Messiah. 1 Peter 1:18-21 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you The Son of God was foreordained or predetermined to be the Passover lamb that would take away the sins of the world. This election took place before the foundation of the world. This does not mean that Jehoshua existed as a literal person before the foundation of the world but rather was predestined and foreordained by God the Father in His plan of salvation to shed his blood for the remission of sins. Understanding this is important because it sheds light on the nature of the Son of God’s preexistence. Jehoshua existing before His birth in Bethlehem is assumed by a large portion of Christianity but surprisingly the biblical proof for this is shallow. Verse 20 also says that Jehoshua was manifest in the last days for the sake of the church. Manifest means to make evident or clear, to show oneself publicly. This is a reference to the baptism of Jehoshua which is when he began His ministry. Being predestined and foreordained before something does not depend on literally existing before that something but rather to be thought of or planned before that something. We see this being true of the saints as Paul says in Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Messiah: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jehoshua Messiah to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. This is the exact same concept that Peter talks about in 1 Peter 1:18-21. Like Jehoshua, the saints have been predestined before the foundation of the world. Whereas Jehoshua was predestined to be the Messiah, the saints were predestined to be in covenant with Him. God chose us before the world began to be adopted as His sons and daughters through Jehoshua Messiah. Obviously, we didn’t literally exist before the foundation of the world and it wasn’t until we repented and were baptized that fulfilled what God had predestined us for. Just as we didn’t literally exist before the world began and yet were foreordained unto the adoption, the same is true for Jehoshua. Jehoshua was foreordained to be the firsborn Son whereas we were foreordained to be sons and daughters of God through His covenant Sonship. The order goes like this, there is a foreordaining (eternal decree0 and the there is a manifestation (realization of that decree). Let’s go to Galatians 4: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons While much of the church reads this passage of God sending forth His Son in terms of sending His Son from heaven to earth to be incarnated, the actual meaning of this passage is that when the appointed time arrived for God’s plan of salvation to go forward, He sent forth His Son and made Him manifest (evident) to Israel as their Messiah. When we compare scripture with scripture this is a clear reference to Jehoshua’s baptism, which is when He is identified as being raised up unto Israel as their savior (Acts 13). The predestination of the Messiah posits a type of preexistence that doesn’t necessitate that He literally existed personally before He was born. Because Jehoshua was foreordained and predestined before the world began to be the final sacrifice for sins and the eternal Davidic King, God could plan everything out with Him in view as the culmination of all the works of God. Again, this planning out of creation and all its works with Jehoshua being the culmination thereof does not necessitate Him literally existing before all these things but rather Him being birthed in the mind of God. Let’s look at Hebrews chapter 1: 1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; This passage shows us that God did not speak to the fathers of Israel through His Son Jehoshua back in the Old Testament times but only spoke to us through Him in the last days. According to scripture the last days began once Jehoshua was baptized as that is precisely when God started speaking through Jehoshua to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. The appointment of the Son of God to be heir of all things is referring to the election of the Son to be the eternal Messianic King of Israel. The phrase “through whom also he made the worlds” would lead one to believe that the Son of God was involved in the creation of all things, however this is not so as we will see. The passage is better rendered as “through whom also he designed the ages”. The word used for ‘worlds” actually means “ages” not the actual physical earth. The former age of the old covenant and now this age (new covenant) and the age to come were all designed with the Messiah in mind. The old covenant worship system was a precursor to the new covenant, in which Jehoshua was foreshadowed in types (old covenant). The new covenant was inaugurated by the shedding of the Messiah’s blood and is the covenant of the millennial Kingdom age which began at Pentecost. The age to come will be brought about the second advent of the Son of God with New Jerusalem coming to down to earth as its capital city. Let’s look at a passage that is commonly taught as a preexistence passage. John 17:5 (ASV) 5 And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. Many Christians cite this verse as a proof of the Messiah’s preexistence and also a proof of the trinity. The trinity claim falls apart two verses earlier as Jehoshua confesses that eternal life is in knowing that the Father is the one true God (John 17:3). Let’s look at the claim of preexistence in terms of whether this verse is teaching it. It is clear that Jehoshua had glory with the Father before the world began. What type of glory was this? Was it that Jehoshua literally existed with the Father before the world began? Was it a type of glory that was reserved in heaven since the foundation of the world that the Messiah would receive upon His resurrection and subsequent ascension into heaven? Most Christians would got for answer number 1 in that the Messiah existed with the Father before the foundation of the world. However, when we search the scriptures we find that answer number 2 is actually more plausible. First let’s look at exactly the glory that Jehoshua received when He ascended up to heaven: Hebrews 1:8-9 American Standard Version (ASV)8 but of the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; And the sceptre of uprightness is the sceptre of ]thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee With the oil of gladness above thy fellows. The glory that the Messiah received when He ascended up to heaven was the throne of David. The above passage is a quotation from Psalms 45:7-8 and is a coronation hymn of an Israelite King. Likely, Solomon was the one Psalm 45 was referring to since it is connection with a royal wedding. The passage ultimately points to Jehoshua as the final and eternal Davidic King. The throne, crown and Kingdom of David were the glory that Jehoshua received upon His ascension into heaven. This is evident all over the new testament as Paul in Colossians 1:13-14 says that we are already translated (past tense) into the Kingdom of the Son of God and James also attributed the bringing in of the Gentiles into the Church as a fulfillment of prophecy that the Davidic Kingdom was being rebuilt and set up (Acts 15). Since Jehoshua is the eternal David, He is the King of the new covenant Davidic Kingdom. Paul says that at Jehoshua’s resurrection He received the sure mercies of David: Acts 13:34 “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” The sure mercies of David are described in Isaiah 55: 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. The sure mercies of David are the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant which is the throne, crown and Kingdom of David all of which Jehoshua received upon His ascension into heaven according to Paul the apostle. This glory that Jehoshua received was the glory that He had with the Father before the foundation of the world and He received it at His ascension. We know that the throne, crown and Kingdom of David didn’t literally exist in heaven before the world began but of course it was in God’s plan which was revealed to David back in the old testament (2 Samuel 7) just as Jehoshua being slain on the cross was in His plan before the world began (1 Peter 1:18-21). Of course we know that Jehoshua wasn’t literally slain before the foundation of the world as that didn’t become a reality until His earthly life. The Messiah’s being slain on the cross was predestined and did not require that He literally existed before the world began. The Messiah being appointed the eternal heir to David’s throne did not require that He existed before the world began to receive that glory but only that He receive it once David was asleep as 2 Samuel 7 states. If the throne of David was indeed the glory that Jehoshua was given by the Father upon His ascension then this must be the glory that He was praying for in John 17:5. If that glory was the sure blessings of David then the Jehoshua isn’t talking about literal preexistence in John 175 but rather predestined glory that the Messiah was elected for. This is because the throne of David did not literally come into existence until David actually sat on it. This eliminates the glory that Jehoshua is speaking of in John 17:5 from being a literal preexistence. Let’s confirm this in Hebrews by revisiting the first few verses: 1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds; 3 who being the effulgence of his glory, and the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had made purification of sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; The Father appointed the Son to be heir of all things, this could not be true if the Son always had all things and existed with the Father all the way back in eternity. To be appointed something means you didn’t always possess it. In the context of Hebrews 1, what did the Son become heir of? Let’s see: 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? Here the author of Hebrews says that Jehoshua obtained a name by inheritance that is more excellent than the angels. If Jehoshua obtained this name then that means He didn’t always possess it. What name is this? Many mistakenly think this name is the name “Jehoshua” (Jesus) but that is not what the above verses state. The name Jehoshua (Yeshua) was not a unique name as it was somewhat a common name in the Hebrew culture. Verse 5 gives us the answer to the name that was obtained by inheritance. That name is the “begotten Son of God”. You might ask How did Jehoshua obtain this name if He is indeed the Son of God. That’s because this name does not denote ontological relationship but rather it is a title reserved for the Davidic King as it comes from Psalm 2;7 which is a coronation hymn of an Israelite King. The phrase “Thou art my Son, this day have I have begotten thee” is a declaration of kingship being pronounced upon the royal seed of David as he is anointed by Jehovah God. The royal seed of David is at once being anointed as King of Israel and being adopted as God’s covenant Son. The word “begotten’ in Hebrew (yalad) also means “to declare pedigree’s”. |
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