Five Essential Bible Truths – Part 3
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Last, when God gave the covenant to Abraham, Ishmael was his only living son. Isaac had not yet been born yet. Understandably, Abraham did not love an unborn Isaac as much as Ishmael and he pleaded with God to make Ishmael the son through whom the promises would be fulfilled. (Genesis 17:18) However, God chose Isaac, and by this choice, He demonstrated that His covenant would be perpetuated through children of faith, not of human works. Notice that God did not reject Ishmael because he was inferior to the unborn Isaac – not at all. Instead, god wanted to make it radiantly clear that His covenant with man, through Abraham, was contingent on faith. The essential element of faith were renewed and reviewed with the offspring of Jacob. (Israel) from time to time as centuries passed. (Leviticus 26:14,15; Deut. 28; Joshua 24:15)

So how do these three points demonstrate the difference between the New and Old Testament Israel? All that God promised Abraham will certainly come to pass. We will see the covenant fulfilled when the people from all nations (the new Israel) enter the eternal Promised Land (the new Earth) as a result of placing their faith in Christ.

Reason # 3 Jesus will Create a Perfect Kingdom on the New Earth

The third reason for separating Old Testament Israel from New Testament Israel is based on Jesus’ promises to His disciples. As written earlier, Jesus confirmed the presence of a new kingdom when He was upon Earth. Immigration into Christ’s Kingdom is based on the work of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14; Hebrews 12:22,23; John 3) If a person responds to the Holy Spirit and lives by faith, the Holy Spirit completely transforms that individual. Your biological lineage will be of no value (even if your father and grandfather were great preachers). (Ezekiel 14:20)

The process works like this. If we are willing to live by faith, The Holy Spirit will create a clean heart and renew a right attitude within us. (Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26-29) during the Great Tribulation each person’s faith will be tested. If we are faithful, the righteousness of Christ will be imparted (the sealing is the restoration of Adam’s nature before the fall). When Jesus returns to earth, He will change our old bodies into a new creation so we can inhabit the new kingdom! Notice these texts:

John 18:36, “Jesus said [to Pilate], “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

Who will live in my house [or Kingdom] of Christ? Jesus said, “For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50) Again, Jesus assured His disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)

When the faith-full from all nations finally arrive at their new Heavenly home there will be a period of adjustment! Just because two people are faith-full does not mean they will see everything eye-to-eye! Remember the divisive problem that separated Paul and Mark? (Acts 15: 37, 38) So, consider the text: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:1-2) Did you notice that last sentence? What is “the healing of the nations” that comes from the leaves of the tree of life? Do these leaves produce herbal tonic? This would be unnecessary with perfect bodies and perfect fruit. Instead, I believe this language points forward to the time when “Abraham children” from all nations, languages and cultures will gather each month to eat from the tree of life. When they get the fruit, they will sit under the shady leaves of the Tree of Life, learning to know and love each other. Love brings healing and a person cannot love someone he or she does not know. It is easier to love someone we do not know. However, true love requires a personal relationship. I anticipate that meeting at the Tree of Life and eating the fruit will be a wonderful experience in days to come. The end result will be a new kingdom of one family with millions and millions of new brothers and sisters!

All Israel will be Saved

Paul concludes that at the end of time, true Israel will be saved because God’s promise to Abraham will be fulfilled. “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “the deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.” (Romans 11:25,26) Some Christians manipulate this verse and interpret it to mean something entirely differently from what it says. Some people believe this text to mean that when a certain number of Gentiles are converted to Christianity, the nation of Israel will repent from its rejection of Christ. At first glance, it is easy to see why some people believe this happens the day after the rapture occurs. However, a deeper analysis reveals that this is not the meaning of this verse.

Notice two things: first, Paul states that all believers in Christ are grafted into the root of God’s promise to Abraham. This proves that the promises to Abraham are only passed on to those who live by faith. Paul says: “If some of the branches [Jews] have been broken off, and you [Gentiles], though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others [believing Jews] and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those  [dead or abandoned] branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Grafted [most of Israel has failed]. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you [too, may only] stand in faith [in Christ]. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural [biological] branches [of Abraham], he will not spare you either.” (Romans 11: 17-21)

Therefore, what does Paul mean in this verse? “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brother, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” In plain language, Paul is saying to the Gentile believers in Rome: Understand how God has transformed a lemon into lemonade. God took Israel’s rejection of Christ and used it to glorify Christ. Even though Israel rejected Him as Messiah, God will accomplish all that He intended to do from the beginning. When the full number of Gentile believers has been reached that God is waiting for, the end will come. Thus, a multinational Israel will be saved.

Note: Incidentally, the description of the twelve tribes in revelation 7 (the 144,000) further proves this point. The 144,000 will be people from every nation, kindred, tongue and people. They will be the leaders of spiritual Israel during the Great Tribulation. They are the first fruits of a worldwide harvest.

Two Israel’s

The ability to distinguish between the two nations of Israel is very important. This subject is widely distorted among Christians. If we ignore all that Paul writes on the subject of the two nations, we will anticipate things the Bible does not predict at all. Since this is actually happening today, a great delusion is forthcoming. The devil will appear on Earth personating Christ and he will attempt to fulfill the things people erroneously believe are Biblical. The devil’s deception will be complete!

The Baker’s Dozen

The easiest way to summarize the issues surrounding the millennium is to answer nine commonly asked questions. Hopefully, the answers will prompt further study.

1. Where are the saints during the 1,000 years and what will they be doing?

They will reign with Christ in Heaven. This conclusion is based on four concepts: First, when Christ appears at the Second coming, His brilliance kills all the wicked. (Revelation 19: 15-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:8) Second, the righteous people who have died and the righteous people who are still alive will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Important Point: Christ does not walk upon the Earth at the Second Coming, rather He calls the saints up to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4: 16,17) Third, the saints will have the responsibility to determine the appropriate punishment for the wicked people and Satan’s angels. (1 Corinthians. 6:1-3) Last, the saints descend from Heaven to Earth in the Holy city at the end of the 1,000 years. (Revelation 21:2-22:5)

2. Where are the wicked during the 1,000 years and what will they be doing?

The wicked are in a sleep-like state of death. They are waiting for the second resurrection and the white throne judgment scene. (Revelation 20:5; 20:12,13) The devil is returned to the Abyss for 1,000 years so he cannot deceive anyone. The Abyss is the spirit realm from which Satan was released during the fifth trumpet. During the 1,000 years, the saints are in Heaven, the wicked are sleeping in the grave, and there is no one for the devil to deceive. Furthermore, he is “chained” to his Earthy prison and he cannot go anywhere else to tempt the inhabitants of the universe. (Revelation 20:1-3) Daily, they will reflect on the non-sense of rebellion against God and will churn with anxiety over their coming destruction – especially the restitution phase.

3. Did God specifically predecree a precise period of 1,000 Earth-years or should this time-period be interpreted as a general statement?

 If God wanted to say “about” 1,000 years, He could have done so. I do not believe the time-period to be more or less than 1,000 years. (Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8)

4. Does the millennium occur before or after Christ sets up His kingdom on Earth?

Based on the material presented in this study, I am confident that Jesus will return at the beginning of the millennium. Then, during the 1,000 years, He allows the saints to conduct the business of determining restitution. At the end of the 1,000 years, the Holy City and the saints descend to Earth. At that time, the wicked are resurrected to see the reality of salvation and why He could not save them. Then, punishment begins and ultimately, the Earth is cleansed of every impurity. Hallelujah! After 7,000 years of sin, a new Heaven and a new Earth are created. Finally, we can say, the kingdom of God is fully established on Earth.

5. What event marks the beginning of the 1,000 years?
   

The Second Coming.

6. What event marks the end of the 1,000 years?
   

The descent of the Holy City and the resurrection of the wicked.

7. Will the 1,000 years of Revelation 20 be the seventh millennium since sin began, in effect, a sabbatical rest for Earth?

Yes. I find it interesting how God worked six days to create this world and He rested on the seventh day. (Genesis 2) Consider the parallel: Sin works its evil for six millennial days (1,000 year periods), but God has declared a temporary rest for one millennial day so that Earth can be put back into proper “working” order for the beginning of eternity (the 8^th day)! (2 Peter 3:8) Therefore, I believe the millennium will be 1,000 literal years.

8. What is God’s overall purpose for the 1,000 years?

In addition to the purpose stated in Question 7, it is a time-period for the saints to investigate all that God has done and why. In addition, it is a time when the saints can assure themselves that God’s character and government is righteous before He destroys any loved one.

9. Even though the 1,000 years are only mentioned in Revelation 20, do other Bible writers indirectly speak on this time-period?

Some people believe that Jeremiah 4:23-27 contains veiled language about the millennium. However, I do not think any details of the millennium were revealed to Old Testament prophets. God’s original plan was to rescue Earth from sin through Israel’s efforts. The original plan did not require a 1,000 years respite from sin. I believe the millennium demonstrates how God takes the failures of man and makes them beautiful.

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