Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Part 1 of my study on the book of Revelation and the Historicist view of eschatology In this study we will look at the bible prophecy concerning the last days which began during the first advent of Jehoshua. The purpose of this study will be to identify the fourth beast kingdom, the anti-Messiah, false prophet, mystery Babylon, the harlots, the mark of the beast, the seal of God and the details of the millennial reign of The Son of God. Also, we will identify the timing of the rapture and where the saints go after they are caught up. There will be other items I discuss in this study such as who are the 144,000, 70 weeks of Daniel etc. To have a proper understanding of the above subjects we must determine when the events of the book of Revelation began or begin to take place. Let's let the bible speak for itself: Revelation 1:1-3 (KJV) 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. In verse one, we see that the things seen in vision in this book are said to shortly come to pass. It is reasonable to believe that this is a literal statement and there is no need to posit a 2,000 year gap as futurists do. This means that either in John's time or shortly after these things mentioned in the vision would begin to take place. Again, this is key in properly understanding bible prophecy. If you get this foundational statement (shortly come to pass) wrong then everything else you study in bible prophecy will be off. This is why futurists cannot identify the anti-Messiah because they don't take this statement literally that these things are to shortly come to pass. Verse 3 echoes verse 1 in that these things seen in the Revelation are at hand. Again, this is a clear scripture that the events seen here by John are about to take place, either in his time or shortly after. Hebrews 1:1-2, Acts 2 and 1 Peter 1:18-21 all state that the last days began during the first advent of Jehoshua Messiah. This is also important to understand concerning bible prophecy because it refutes the futurist idea that the last days refers to a literal 7 year period. Also, important to remember that Jehoshua has already made us kings and priests by what He did on the cross: Revelation 1:5-7 (KJV) 5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. This is a present tense statement by John in that Jehoshua hath made us kings and priests by washing us from our sins in His blood which is a reference to the cross. This is also important to understand as futurists deny this and speak of this as being fulfilled in a future earthly millennium by the tribe of Levi. Here John is speaking to the 7 churches which are made up of Gentiles and Jews. These 7 churches also represent all believers in the new covenant Church age. In 1 Peter 2:9, Peter addresses Christians/Messianic's as a royal priesthood applying Israelite covenant language to the new covenant Church. Revelation 5:9-10 also identifies people from all tongues, people and nations as being made kings and priests unto God the Father by what the Son of God did on the cross: 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. We have established that we as believers are kings and priests in the present and have been so since the Son of God's resurrection and ascension. In order to be kings priests we must have a kingdom to be kings and priests of. Again, lets go to scripture to prove that the Kingdom of Jehoshua has already begun and is not just a future hope: Revelation 1:9 9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. John clearly says that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah is already a present reality and that the churches he is writing to are also in that Kingdom as his companions. The identifying marks of those in this Kingdom are that they suffer tribulation and have the fruit of patience. These are the Kingdom economics where those who desire to be the greatest must be the least and the servant of all: Matthew 20:25-28 (KJV) 25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. These statements by the Son of God were in response to the mother of James and John request that her sons sit on the left and right hand of Jehoshua when His Kingdom is consumated. Jehoshua then gave His brief dissertation of His Kingdom's economics. In Jehoshua's Kingdom, it is those who serve others that are the greatest. Those who try and lord their authority over others have no place in His Kingdom and hence they are unclean Gentiles. Even the Son of God, who was born to be the King of Israel and was anointed as such at His baptism, did not come to be served but rather to serve others. Kings and priests in Jehoshua's follow their King and serve others and seek not to be the greatest but rather they seek to be the least. Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV) 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Paul says that we once were in Satan's kingdom, but now have been translated (transferred) into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. You cannot be transferred into something that doesn't exist so this verse shows clearly that we are already in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah and that this Kingdom was a present reality in Paul's day. Right after Jehoshua's baptism He was confessed as being the King of Israel by Nathanael who had no guile: John 1:49 49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Hebrews 1 details the ascension of the Messiah into heaven and Him being enthroned as the King of Israel: 5For 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?6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Verses 5, 8 and 9 are quotations from Psalm 2:7 and Psalm 45:5-6 respectively as those are both royal coronation hymm's for the anointing/enthronement of an Israelite King. If these verses are being used in connection with Jehoshua being installed on the right hand of God on His throne, then it's clear that Jehoshua is indeed being coronated as the King of Israel on the throne of David upon His ascension into heaven. Acts chapter 2 proves that present Kingship of Jehoshua as well: Acts 2:29-36 (ASV) 29Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day.30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set [one] upon his throne;31he foreseeing [this] spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.32This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.34For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.36Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Peter clearly says that by way of the resurrection of the Messiah that the covenant made with David was fulfilled meaning Jehoshua was raised up (resurrection and ascension) and set on the throne of David. So we have established two things here, which are that the events of the book of Revelation were to happen shortly after John was taken in vision. Also, that the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah has already begun and that we are priests and kings in that Kingdom. With understanding those two things we can have a better grasp of the book of Revelation. Chapters 2 and 3 cover the letters written to the 7 churches. It is important to note that these were actual literal churches that existed at the time of the vision. The idea that these 7 churches represent church ages is unbiblical which is what futurist dispensaltionalists teach and other futurists as well, including Hebrews roots folks. Surely the warnings and promises in these letters are for all believers of the new covenant Church age, however the letters are written to specific churches in the time of John which is another proof that the events of the book of Revelation were already unfolding before John was given the vision. There are things written in these letters to the 7 churches that are key in understanding what the hope of the saints is. These truths determine what the inheritance of the saints is subsequent to the second advent of Jehoshua and whether or not the saints inherit a future earthly millennium with earthly Jerusalem as its capital or whether they inherit the new heavens and new earth with New Jerusalem as its capital city. These bits of truth reveal the nature of how and where life will be after the Messiah's return. They also help us understand Revelation 20 in terms of what the millennium is and where and when it will be. So lets look at these truths that many overlook: Revelation 2:7 (ASV) 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God. This is an exhortation by the Son of God to the church at Ephesus. Notice that He doesn't promise them life in an earthly millennium with earthly Jerusalem as it's capital if they overcome but rather He promises them access to the tree of life which is the Paradise of God. Do we really want to say that Jehoshua forgot about mentioning the 1,000 earthly millennium to the church? Would that make any sense for Him not to mention it if that is indeed what we are going to inherit subsequent to His return? All it takes is for one to go to Revelation 22 to see exactly where the tree of life and paradise of God are located: Revelation 22:14 14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. This is parallel with Jehoshua's exhortation to the church at Ephesus but now this exhortation is given to all believers. The reward for keeping the commandments of God is to eat of the tree of life which is located within the gates of the city. Which city is Jehoshua talking about? The same city that He mentioned in Revelation 2:7. The city is the Paradise of God. Is this paradise in earthly Jerusalem or New Jerusalem? Again, let's let scripture interpret scripture: Revelation 22:1-3 (KJV) 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. By the time Jehoshua said what He said in Revelation 22:14 in relation to the tree of life and gates of the city, New Jerusalem was seen in vision as coming down out of heaven from God and is called the tabernacle of God. This cosmic city lands on the new heavens and new earth not the old one and not on earthly Jerusalem. The city will likely land on where old Jerusalem was but it will be on a renewed earth. In Revelation 21, the city of New Jerusalem is described as having 12 gates which also confirms the city described as the saints inheritance in Revelation 22:14 is indeed New Jerusalem. Revelation 22 also confirms that the tree of life is in New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem: Revelation 22:1-3 (KJV) 1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: The tree of life is said to be in the midst of the street of New Jerusalem in which a pure river of crystal proceeds from the throne of Jehovah God and His Son Jehoshua. We know that the throne of Jehovah God is in heaven not on earth. What is being described in Revelation 21 and 22 is the Paradise of God which is New Jerusalem that has 12 gates and the tree of life within the midst of those gates. Hebrews 12 also confirms that the city of the living God is in heaven not on earth. 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, The true mount Zion is in heaven and the city of the living God is New Jerusalem which is heavenly not earthly. Lets go back to the book of Revelation, let's look at another verse that supports the truth that upon overcoming the saints will inherit heavenly New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem. Revelation 3:12 (KJV) 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Again, take note that Jehoshua is not promising the overcoming brethren an earthly Jerusalem in a future earthly millennium but rather He is promising them New Jerusalem which comes down to earth out of heaven. Also, there are a couple verses that should shed light on how we are to view the modern Geo political Israel: Revelation 2:9 9I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Jehoshua identified people who called themselves Jews but were not as the synagogue of Satan. These would Jews who reject the Son of God and persecute those who believe in Him. This is exactly the state of affairs we find ourselves in today with the modern Geo political Israel as they God's Son and persecute believers in the Messiah. Romans 2:28-29 identifies those who are true Jews: Romans 2:28-29 (KJV) 28For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. True Jews are those who are in Messiah regardless of the flesh (Jew or Gentile). There are even some questions as to the validity of the claim of modern Jews legitimate lineage in terms of being Abraham's descendants. However, that is niether here nor there as a true Jew is defined by one who is born from above by the Spirit of Jehovah. Jehoshua echoes the sentiment expressed in Revelation 2:9 in chapter 3: 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. At the end the Messiah rejecting Jews will bow at the feet of true Israel which is the church of the firstborn Son. This truth about who and what the synagogue of Satan constitutes is key understanding eschatology as many today are deceived into the idea that modern Geo political Israel are God's chosen people. This has the resulting effect of the hope being transferred from heavenly Jerusalem to earthly Jerusalem and the concept of a rebuilt physical temple in Jerusalem. It also supports the idea of going back to the law of Moses for some believers. It results in the teaching of a future poltical anti-Messiah rather than a historic one. There are many promises given to the overcoming church in the seven letters but I just want to focus on one more. Revelation 2:26-27 (KJV) 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father The overcoming saints are promised to be given power over the nations and to rule them. Does this mean they rule over them in terms of governing them in a poltical kingdom? No it doesn't as verse 27 says these nations will be broken to shivers (pieces). In other words, as a result of us having power over them they will be broken and brought to ruin. Broken to shivers doesn't envison these nations continuing to exist but rather to be destroyed. Our ruling over them and having power over them is in terms of us judging them. 1 Corinthians chapter 6 supports that we will judge the unbelieving world: 2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? Verses 9-10 of 1 Corinthians identify those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God and these are those in the world whom we have been given power over. The result of our judgment over them is they will not inherit the Kingdom of God and being broken to shivers in the lake of fire. Our judgment of those in the world does not result in us ruling over them in a poltical kingdom as they cannot inherit the Kingdom of God according to verses 9 and 10 of 1 Corinthians 6. Revelation 3:21 (KJV) 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Those who overcome are granted the right to judge from the Son of God's throne of glory i.e. His white throne in which He will judge the small and the great (Revelation 20). This judgment is after the second advent not a future earthly millennium. Matthew 25 supports this: 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: This passage refers to the second advent and notice that judgment of the nations follows right after not a thousand years later. Verse 34 also further proves that no unbeliever will inherit the Kingdom of God but only those whom the Father has prepared it for which is clearly those who have been predestined for salvation as verse 34 indicates. Paul the apostle confirms this in Ephesians chapter 1: 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4According 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:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, This passages knocks it out of the park for those who would try and say that unbelievers will enter into the Kingdom of God albiet under the rulership of the saints. This passage in Ephesians goes perfectly with the Matthew 25 quotation. In Matthew it is said by Jehoshua that the Father has prepared the Kingdom before the foundation of the world for the sheep. Ask yourself this, are unbelievers sheep? What does scripture say: John 10:27-28 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:28and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.29My Father, who hath given [them] unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father`s hand. Those who are sheep are those who hear the voice of the Son of God Jehoshua. They are given eternal life and no one can snatch them out of the hand of the Father and Son. Doesn't sound like we can say that unbelievers are sheep, which is what you have to believe in the premillennial doctrine which needs to have unbelievers enter into the millennial kingdom. Who are those that receive eternal life? John 3:16-18 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.17For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.18He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. Eternal life is only for those who believe on the only begotten Son. Those who are sheep have eternal life because they believe on Jehoshua. They are not judged. Those who don't believe don't have eternal life because they are not sheep hence they do not hear the voice of the Son of God. See, when we compare scripture with scripture it makes absolutely no sense that unbelievers in any form or fashion can be classified as sheep. If this is the case then it severely hurts the premillennial doctrine which needs the sheep in the judgment of the nations to be unbelievers or at least some of them.
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