The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar laid his first siege of Jerusalem in 605/606B.C. A group of Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. Amongst them was a young nobleman named Daniel. He showed no compromise in the midst of persecution, remained faithful to the Almighty God and to the administration of three kings - Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius.
In a dream one night, Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a huge statue in human form with different type of metals, albeit of descending quality. The image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly partly of iron and partly of clay (Daniel 2: 32-33). Obviously shaken, Nebuchadnezzar seek the help of his wise men for answers.
After a time of 'prayer and praise' with his friends, God reveals the secret to Daniel in a vision, the dream and its intrepretation (Dan 2:19). Daniel gave glory to the God of Heaven who alone gave the dream and the meaning thereof. He intrepreted the dream as of different world empires to follow after the Babylonian Empire.
1. The head of gold was the Babylonian Empire (606-538 B.C.)
2. The chest and arms of silver was the Medo-Persian Empire (538 -333 B.C.)
3. The belly and thighs of bronze was the Greek Empire, bursting forth under Alexander the Great (333 B.C.-63 A.D.)
4. The legs of iron was the Roman Empire and the feet partly of iron and partly of clay was the revived Roman Empire (63 A.D. onwards).
Subsequent to these empires, after the times of the end (of which we are currently living in the midst of it), God will raise up His Kingdom under the rule of His chosen One -the Lord Jesus Christ. The God of Heaven would shatter all earthly kingdoms on earth with the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven through the ROCK (the Lord Jesus Christ) as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Because of the disobedience and rebellion of God's chosen people against His commandments, the Almighty God allowed the sovereignty of the world to be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles, to be known in theological term as the 'times of the Gentiles' (Luke 21:24). After when this had been fulfilled (in 1948/1967), the epoch is then known as the 'times of the end', of which we are currently in.
The dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the vision of Daniel in chapter 7 seems to be similar. What Nebuchadnezzar saw in the natural, Daniel visualised in the spiritual. Though the mighty fourth beast in Daniel 7 with its ten horns (verse 7) matches with the ten toes (Dan 2:42), there is a subtle difference. There is a 'little horn' coming up from among the ten horns which plucked out the roots of the first three horns (Dan 7:8). The image of a man with proud eyes and wagging tongue projects an image of the Antichrist. This is affirmed in Daniel 7:25 when this 'little horn' shall speak pompous words against the Most High and persecute His saints.
Looking at history, the ruthless dictator Adolf Hitler subdued three countries in Europe - Austria, France and Italy - during World War II. He also massacred six million innocent Jews without any good cause other than their ethnicity. Could the coming Antichrist rise up from within Europe - the ten horns of the revived Roman Empire? It remains to be seem, as we wait with bated breath.
Whatever the interpretation, it looks like the emergence of the Antichrist whose pride and power derived from Satan himself, will one day with his followings attack the nation of Israel at Megiddo. It will be the battleground for Armageddon which finally usher in the Second Return of Christ with His saints to save Israel and mother earth from destruction. Subsequently, the government of God -The Millennial Kingdom of Heaven - will then commence to rule for one thousand years on planet earth!
Adrian Fah is the author of the book The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Prophecy of Daniel's Seventy Weeks
The Old Testament prophet Daniel was a young man - probably of royal descent - when he was taken into captivity by the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar. A younger contemporary of prophet Jeremiah, Daniel read and understood the writings of Jeremaih that the Jews of the southern state of Judah would be exiled in Babylon for seventy years as God had revealed to Jeremiah.
God, however, had given Daniel a prophecy of a different kind - one of 'seventy weeks of years' and the fulfillment thereof right up to the time of tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27). Bible scholars and theologians are generally agreed on the 'one day equals one year' principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). Base on this principle, Daniel's seventy weeks is actually referring to a time period totalling 490 years, divided into three epochs of 7, 62 and 1 week (total 70) known as the 'Jewish Age' - as they revolve around God's dealing with the Israelites.
The prophetic clock starts from 444 BC when King Artaxerxes 1 issued a decree allowing Nehemiah (his cupbearer) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). The first epoch ends 49 Hebrew years (7 weeks) later when the Old Testament canon was sealed in 396 BC with the last book of Malachi. The second epoch of 62 weeks is 434 (62 x 7) Hebrew years. The total of these two epochs is 483 (49 + 434) Hebrew years which is 476 solar years (360/365.25) from 444 BC to 32 AD when the Messiah Jesus Christ was crucified.
The third epoch of 1 week is the seven-year tribulation which has yet to be fulfilled. This seven year tribulation is the time of Jacob's trouble when God will judge the unbeliving world and the remnant nation of Israel. All born again believers would have been raptured earlier at the beginning of the tribulation to face the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The tribulation will be a time of great sufferings and catastrophe as judgments came upon the earth in unprecedented measure.
Daniel 9:24 was largely fulfilled with the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. He came to earth to 'finish the transgrsssion', 'make an end of sins' and 'make reconciliation for iniquity' with His atoning Blood. In 396 BC with the closing of the Old Testament, the vision and prophecy was sealed up. The church age is the beginning of the time of righteousness which will consummate in the One Thousand Year reign of Christ during the Millennial Age.
Interestingly, bible scholars have discovered that the Ark of the Covenant - the holy place where the glory of God dwells in the Old Testament days - was hidden inside a cave right under the cross where Jesus was crucified. His Blood flowed through the fissures on the ground right into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat was, hence 'anointing the Most Holy' (Daniel 9:24).
Consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-4, Daniel 9:27 refers to the Antichrist making peace treaty with Israel at the start of the seven year tribulation but only to break it in the middle of the tribulation. There could probably be some desecration of the holy temple worship by the Antichrist which is sacrilegious to the Jews.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
For Some Useful Resource to Transform Lives, click the link below:
Teach The Bible To Change Lives.
God, however, had given Daniel a prophecy of a different kind - one of 'seventy weeks of years' and the fulfillment thereof right up to the time of tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27). Bible scholars and theologians are generally agreed on the 'one day equals one year' principle (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). Base on this principle, Daniel's seventy weeks is actually referring to a time period totalling 490 years, divided into three epochs of 7, 62 and 1 week (total 70) known as the 'Jewish Age' - as they revolve around God's dealing with the Israelites.
The prophetic clock starts from 444 BC when King Artaxerxes 1 issued a decree allowing Nehemiah (his cupbearer) to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). The first epoch ends 49 Hebrew years (7 weeks) later when the Old Testament canon was sealed in 396 BC with the last book of Malachi. The second epoch of 62 weeks is 434 (62 x 7) Hebrew years. The total of these two epochs is 483 (49 + 434) Hebrew years which is 476 solar years (360/365.25) from 444 BC to 32 AD when the Messiah Jesus Christ was crucified.
The third epoch of 1 week is the seven-year tribulation which has yet to be fulfilled. This seven year tribulation is the time of Jacob's trouble when God will judge the unbeliving world and the remnant nation of Israel. All born again believers would have been raptured earlier at the beginning of the tribulation to face the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The tribulation will be a time of great sufferings and catastrophe as judgments came upon the earth in unprecedented measure.
Daniel 9:24 was largely fulfilled with the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross. He came to earth to 'finish the transgrsssion', 'make an end of sins' and 'make reconciliation for iniquity' with His atoning Blood. In 396 BC with the closing of the Old Testament, the vision and prophecy was sealed up. The church age is the beginning of the time of righteousness which will consummate in the One Thousand Year reign of Christ during the Millennial Age.
Interestingly, bible scholars have discovered that the Ark of the Covenant - the holy place where the glory of God dwells in the Old Testament days - was hidden inside a cave right under the cross where Jesus was crucified. His Blood flowed through the fissures on the ground right into the Holy of Holies where the mercy seat was, hence 'anointing the Most Holy' (Daniel 9:24).
Consistent with 2 Thessalonians 2: 2-4, Daniel 9:27 refers to the Antichrist making peace treaty with Israel at the start of the seven year tribulation but only to break it in the middle of the tribulation. There could probably be some desecration of the holy temple worship by the Antichrist which is sacrilegious to the Jews.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
For Some Useful Resource to Transform Lives, click the link below:
Teach The Bible To Change Lives.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Who Will Go Up In The Rapture?
The Battle of Armageddon will take place towards the close of the Great Tribulation. This will be the decisive battle between the forces of good and evil, when the Antichrist will rally forces from many nations to attack Israel. The battlezone will be set at Megiddo, between Mt Carmel and Mt Gilboa south of the Kishon River.
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be spared the bloodshed as His blood had already been shed for them, so theirs would not have to flow.
Rapture is the time when the Lord comes for His saints but the world shall not see Him. In fact, most of the world don't even know what happened after rapture had occurred. Some may even conclude that aliens had descended upon earth and snatched some poor souls away!
When the first seal of the title deed of the earth is opened, believers will hear the trumpet of God and be 'snatched away' to heaven, leaving behind all their personal belongings, even the very clothes they are wearing! Those who are 'asleep' in Christ will rise first, followed by those believers who are living at the time of the rapture to meet the Lord in the clouds.
All those who have missed the rapture will be given a 'second chance' to call upon the name of the Lord for help. Those who are saved during the tribulation - known as tribulation saints - will be delivered from condemnation (Daniel 12:1), every one whose name is found written in the Book of Life.
Some writers are of the view that only overcoming Christians belonging to the Philadelphia church will be in the rapture, while the lukewarm and backslidden kind found in the Laodicean church will be left behind , as they are lukewarm and indifferent to the things of God (Revelation 3:7,14). However, I am of the view that all born again believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity, will be raptured up into the heavens to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Those who are found faithful and had put their faith and trust in the Lord will yield good fruits that will attract reward to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennial Age (2 Timothy 2:12). These are the saints who will return with the Lord at His Second Coming (1 Thess 3:13). This Second Coming will occur towards the close of the tribulation.
Believers who failed to earn any reward will lose the privilege and honor of inheriting the kingdom of heaven during the Millennial Age. The Millenial Age is the one thousand year reign of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nevertheless, they are saved as their salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, they will face the grim prospect of life in chastisement at the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) so that we will not be found wanting and ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Those who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be spared the bloodshed as His blood had already been shed for them, so theirs would not have to flow.
Rapture is the time when the Lord comes for His saints but the world shall not see Him. In fact, most of the world don't even know what happened after rapture had occurred. Some may even conclude that aliens had descended upon earth and snatched some poor souls away!
When the first seal of the title deed of the earth is opened, believers will hear the trumpet of God and be 'snatched away' to heaven, leaving behind all their personal belongings, even the very clothes they are wearing! Those who are 'asleep' in Christ will rise first, followed by those believers who are living at the time of the rapture to meet the Lord in the clouds.
All those who have missed the rapture will be given a 'second chance' to call upon the name of the Lord for help. Those who are saved during the tribulation - known as tribulation saints - will be delivered from condemnation (Daniel 12:1), every one whose name is found written in the Book of Life.
Some writers are of the view that only overcoming Christians belonging to the Philadelphia church will be in the rapture, while the lukewarm and backslidden kind found in the Laodicean church will be left behind , as they are lukewarm and indifferent to the things of God (Revelation 3:7,14). However, I am of the view that all born again believers, regardless of their spiritual maturity, will be raptured up into the heavens to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). Those who are found faithful and had put their faith and trust in the Lord will yield good fruits that will attract reward to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennial Age (2 Timothy 2:12). These are the saints who will return with the Lord at His Second Coming (1 Thess 3:13). This Second Coming will occur towards the close of the tribulation.
Believers who failed to earn any reward will lose the privilege and honor of inheriting the kingdom of heaven during the Millennial Age. The Millenial Age is the one thousand year reign of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nevertheless, they are saved as their salvation is based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. However, they will face the grim prospect of life in chastisement at the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:13).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) so that we will not be found wanting and ashamed at His coming (1 John 2:28).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The End-Time Roadmap
Every now and then, we read and hear of news about wars and rumors of wars, strife, plagues. famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Crimes and lawlessness abound with terrorist acts occurring so frequent these days that they are no longer worthy of the headline news.
The world has gone mad with all kinds of weirdos appearing on the world's stage! Satan knows that his time on earth is short and he is trying all means to extract maximum damage to mankind and planet earth before his destimy is shut hell-bound and later the lake of fire.
As Christians we should not be alarmed or disheartened because the Word of God prophesied that all these things must come to pass before restoration comes. The concluding end-time story is one of restoration - for mankind and for planet earth. Man lost the ownership of the earth due to sin. However, through the events of the Tribulation and Armageddon, God will return planet earth to the rule of man with the return of Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Planet earth could well be restored to its perpendicular axis with freak and extreme weather patterns assigned to history.
As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, man lost control of three main areas of his life.
* his spirit and soul are alienated from the Almighty God
* his body is subject to decay and death
* his dominion of the earth is lost to Satan by default
However, through the mercy and grace of God, His plan of redemption and restoration can be summarised in three areas.
* Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13). Hence, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord will have his spirit and soul redeemed from the demands of the law, whose penalty for sin is death.
* Man's physical body will be transformed at the point of rapture. Romans 8:23 tells us that we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. One day, all born again believers will be raptured with a brand new glorified body that will neither decay nor die.
* Christ will return to repossess the earth which is currently under Satan's control. Man is the rightful heir who will one day hold the title deed of the earth under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The valley of Megiddo is the assembly area where the Antichrist will gather his forces to wage war against the nation of Israel. The army of the Antichrist will march south heading towards Jerusalem. It will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat that the Battle of Armageddon will take place.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He paid the full price to redeemer us from all our sin as well as to repossess our inheritance of the earth. But before He can reclaim possession of the earth, He has to break open the seals to the title deed of the earth. Revelation 5 tells us that Christ receives the title deed of the earth. Following that in Revelation chapters 6 to 11, He opens all the seven seals and hence has the mandate to evict Satan from the face of the earth. This event will happen at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:14, 16). Satan is then cast into the pit of hell for a thousand years during the Millennial Age. He is subsequently released for a season before having his destiny sealed forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
The Battle of Armageddon will be devastating as it culminates in the wrath of God upon the sin of this world. However, God in His mercy and grace will save those will are His, who have placed their faith and trust in His Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him during the tribulation will also be saved from condemnation, just like those who believe during the church age. So be prepared and be counted as those who are His - and secured your destiny well ahead of time!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
The world has gone mad with all kinds of weirdos appearing on the world's stage! Satan knows that his time on earth is short and he is trying all means to extract maximum damage to mankind and planet earth before his destimy is shut hell-bound and later the lake of fire.
As Christians we should not be alarmed or disheartened because the Word of God prophesied that all these things must come to pass before restoration comes. The concluding end-time story is one of restoration - for mankind and for planet earth. Man lost the ownership of the earth due to sin. However, through the events of the Tribulation and Armageddon, God will return planet earth to the rule of man with the return of Jesus Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords. Planet earth could well be restored to its perpendicular axis with freak and extreme weather patterns assigned to history.
As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, man lost control of three main areas of his life.
* his spirit and soul are alienated from the Almighty God
* his body is subject to decay and death
* his dominion of the earth is lost to Satan by default
However, through the mercy and grace of God, His plan of redemption and restoration can be summarised in three areas.
* Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law having become a curse for us. (Galatians 3:13). Hence, anyone who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord will have his spirit and soul redeemed from the demands of the law, whose penalty for sin is death.
* Man's physical body will be transformed at the point of rapture. Romans 8:23 tells us that we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. One day, all born again believers will be raptured with a brand new glorified body that will neither decay nor die.
* Christ will return to repossess the earth which is currently under Satan's control. Man is the rightful heir who will one day hold the title deed of the earth under the kingship of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The valley of Megiddo is the assembly area where the Antichrist will gather his forces to wage war against the nation of Israel. The army of the Antichrist will march south heading towards Jerusalem. It will be in the Valley of Jehoshaphat that the Battle of Armageddon will take place.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Kinsman-Redeemer. He paid the full price to redeemer us from all our sin as well as to repossess our inheritance of the earth. But before He can reclaim possession of the earth, He has to break open the seals to the title deed of the earth. Revelation 5 tells us that Christ receives the title deed of the earth. Following that in Revelation chapters 6 to 11, He opens all the seven seals and hence has the mandate to evict Satan from the face of the earth. This event will happen at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:14, 16). Satan is then cast into the pit of hell for a thousand years during the Millennial Age. He is subsequently released for a season before having his destiny sealed forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
The Battle of Armageddon will be devastating as it culminates in the wrath of God upon the sin of this world. However, God in His mercy and grace will save those will are His, who have placed their faith and trust in His Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him during the tribulation will also be saved from condemnation, just like those who believe during the church age. So be prepared and be counted as those who are His - and secured your destiny well ahead of time!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Major Prophetic Events To Come
As time marches on towards the calamitous close of the church age, the scripture reveals a series of events that will unfold from the rapture through to the new heavens and the new earth. Even though Satan will attempt to thwart the order of these events, however, the plan and purposes of God will prevail.
Hebrews chapter 11 reveals in typological terms, the order of events to come for Christians in regard to the consummation of the age. Let the truth be known that these events will affect everyone regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliations or status in life.
1. Crucufixion of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel (son of Adam) who offered up the blood sacrifice to God. This signifies the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for all who would place their faith and trust in Him. Hence, the beginning of the age of grace was born.
2. Rapture of the Saints
The next prophetic event that affects Christians to take place will be the rapture of the saints to heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, follow by those born-again Christians who are still living at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The translation of Enoch (Hebrew 11:5) typifies this event for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
3. God's Judgment Upon the World
After Enoch comes Noah (Hebrews 11:7), a time of flood that brought destruction to the whole world. This signifies that after rapture comes the tribulation - the time of God's judgment upon the whole world. It is a time when the age of grace is over and God is dealing with His chosen people - the nation of Israel - and the world who had rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
4. Judgment Seat of Christ
The first thing to happen to believers who are raised and translated (Christians being given new bodies) will be to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every Christians will be required to give an account of their lives to Jesus Christ from the time of their initial salvation to the time of death or rapture (Ecclesiastes12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13)
There will be crowns of rewards, honor and inheritances to positions of privileges and prestige for the faithful stewards of the Lord. For those who failed to earn any reward, there could be shame and even temporary punishment for the unfaithful believers.
5. Marriage Supper of the Lamb
After the Judgment Seat of Christ, those who are found faithful and obedient to the commandments of the Lord will form the Bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 stipulates that only those with righteous good deeds will form the Bride of Christ. Note that the marriage of the Lamb is only for the New Testament saints of the church age. The marriage of the Lamb is followed by a wedding feast. All those who are invited to the feast are blessed (Revelation 19:9).
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth probably at the time of the battle of Armageddon to save the remnant of the Jews from destruction (Rev 19: 11-16; Zechariah 13:6-9).
He will then gather all the Gentiles before Him and divide them into two groups - the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-34). The sheep are those who received the gospel of the kingdom that was preached by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the time of tribulation as prophesied in Revelation chapter 7. The goats are those Gentiles who rejected the gospel of the kingdom. The sheep had demonstrated good deeds by their kind treatment of the Israelites (the Lord's brethren - Matthew 25:35-40). These sheep who are saved will then enter the Millennial Kingdom of Christ as God's earthly people.
The New Testament saints and some of the faithful saints of the Old Testament era are God's heavenly people who will dwell in the New Jerusalem located in the heavens during the Millennial Age. During this period of one thousand years Satan will be bound in hell and unable to deceive the nations in the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20:1-3).
At the end of the Millennial Age, God will gather all the unsaved and the fallen angels to be judged at the Great White Throne, with their final destiny in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
When all these are over, the old heaven and old earth will passed away to be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21:1). Therein will dwell three groups of God's people - the New Testament saints, the redeemed nation of Israel and the redeemed Gentile nations - in perfect harmony for eternity!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Hebrews chapter 11 reveals in typological terms, the order of events to come for Christians in regard to the consummation of the age. Let the truth be known that these events will affect everyone regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliations or status in life.
1. Crucufixion of Jesus Christ
Hebrews 11:4 speaks of Abel (son of Adam) who offered up the blood sacrifice to God. This signifies the atoning blood of Jesus Christ on the cross for all who would place their faith and trust in Him. Hence, the beginning of the age of grace was born.
2. Rapture of the Saints
The next prophetic event that affects Christians to take place will be the rapture of the saints to heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, follow by those born-again Christians who are still living at the time of the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The translation of Enoch (Hebrew 11:5) typifies this event for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
3. God's Judgment Upon the World
After Enoch comes Noah (Hebrews 11:7), a time of flood that brought destruction to the whole world. This signifies that after rapture comes the tribulation - the time of God's judgment upon the whole world. It is a time when the age of grace is over and God is dealing with His chosen people - the nation of Israel - and the world who had rejected His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!
4. Judgment Seat of Christ
The first thing to happen to believers who are raised and translated (Christians being given new bodies) will be to appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Every Christians will be required to give an account of their lives to Jesus Christ from the time of their initial salvation to the time of death or rapture (Ecclesiastes12:14; Jeremiah 17:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13)
There will be crowns of rewards, honor and inheritances to positions of privileges and prestige for the faithful stewards of the Lord. For those who failed to earn any reward, there could be shame and even temporary punishment for the unfaithful believers.
5. Marriage Supper of the Lamb
After the Judgment Seat of Christ, those who are found faithful and obedient to the commandments of the Lord will form the Bride of Christ. Revelation 19:7-8 stipulates that only those with righteous good deeds will form the Bride of Christ. Note that the marriage of the Lamb is only for the New Testament saints of the church age. The marriage of the Lamb is followed by a wedding feast. All those who are invited to the feast are blessed (Revelation 19:9).
The Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth probably at the time of the battle of Armageddon to save the remnant of the Jews from destruction (Rev 19: 11-16; Zechariah 13:6-9).
He will then gather all the Gentiles before Him and divide them into two groups - the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-34). The sheep are those who received the gospel of the kingdom that was preached by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the time of tribulation as prophesied in Revelation chapter 7. The goats are those Gentiles who rejected the gospel of the kingdom. The sheep had demonstrated good deeds by their kind treatment of the Israelites (the Lord's brethren - Matthew 25:35-40). These sheep who are saved will then enter the Millennial Kingdom of Christ as God's earthly people.
The New Testament saints and some of the faithful saints of the Old Testament era are God's heavenly people who will dwell in the New Jerusalem located in the heavens during the Millennial Age. During this period of one thousand years Satan will be bound in hell and unable to deceive the nations in the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20:1-3).
At the end of the Millennial Age, God will gather all the unsaved and the fallen angels to be judged at the Great White Throne, with their final destiny in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).
When all these are over, the old heaven and old earth will passed away to be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21:1). Therein will dwell three groups of God's people - the New Testament saints, the redeemed nation of Israel and the redeemed Gentile nations - in perfect harmony for eternity!
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Blessings and Curses of Our Times
In this blog, I am going to share with the readers what I observed are three major trends that seem to grip THREE major groups of people and are being fulfilled according to end-time prophecy. Generally speaking, it may seem that one group has distinct advantages over the other two groups, but from God's perspective, this is not necessarily so.
1. The Haves vs The Haves-Not
The past couple of decades had seen the shift towards globalisation, where the world has become a global village. Such trend has resulted in unprecedented wealth creation in the history of mankind. Those with the capital - the investors/capitalists - and those with the required skills - the professionals - have greater mobility to move their funds in various capital markets and their choice of employment worldwide. However, those without the capital and or required skills are often being left behind as the world passes them by. Hence, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in relative terms.
Such dichotomy between labor (the haves-not) and the capital (the haves) is a recipe for tensions and conflicts in this divided world. James 5:1-8 warns those who are rich in this world not to heap up riches at the expense of the poor - in these last days.
"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned, you have murdered the just, he does not resist you.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (Jas 5:1-8).
2. Moral Decadence
The rich of this world are often less willing to share their riches with the poor and needy. Instead, they would rather spend their wealth on the pleasures and the material trappings of this world. That is why billions are spent on marketing campaigns targetting at the well-heeled and famous. Little wonder that businesses that cater to purchases of luxurious penthouses, branded marques, exquisite watches and exotic vacations are doing extremely well, especially in major cities of the world where the wealthy congregate.
Such observation is consistent with 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where it warns of the things to come in the last days.
" But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such peoepele turn away."
3. Mark of the Beast
In the end-time scenario prophesised in Revelation 13:15-17, there is a group of people who are under the 'spirit of domination' in almost every aspects of their lives. They lose all personal rights and civil liberties, and are being dominated by a system with the mark of the beast, with the number being 666. This could refer to a current religious system that dominates the lives of over one billion people of the earth's population.
It will rise up to challenge the democratic freedom of modern civilisation as most of the world's population is currently living under.
To have a strong Christian family foundation, check out the following link:
Save Your Christian Marriage.
1. The Haves vs The Haves-Not
The past couple of decades had seen the shift towards globalisation, where the world has become a global village. Such trend has resulted in unprecedented wealth creation in the history of mankind. Those with the capital - the investors/capitalists - and those with the required skills - the professionals - have greater mobility to move their funds in various capital markets and their choice of employment worldwide. However, those without the capital and or required skills are often being left behind as the world passes them by. Hence, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer in relative terms.
Such dichotomy between labor (the haves-not) and the capital (the haves) is a recipe for tensions and conflicts in this divided world. James 5:1-8 warns those who are rich in this world not to heap up riches at the expense of the poor - in these last days.
"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
Your riches are corrupted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.
Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned, you have murdered the just, he does not resist you.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (Jas 5:1-8).
2. Moral Decadence
The rich of this world are often less willing to share their riches with the poor and needy. Instead, they would rather spend their wealth on the pleasures and the material trappings of this world. That is why billions are spent on marketing campaigns targetting at the well-heeled and famous. Little wonder that businesses that cater to purchases of luxurious penthouses, branded marques, exquisite watches and exotic vacations are doing extremely well, especially in major cities of the world where the wealthy congregate.
Such observation is consistent with 2 Timothy 3:1-5 where it warns of the things to come in the last days.
" But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such peoepele turn away."
3. Mark of the Beast
In the end-time scenario prophesised in Revelation 13:15-17, there is a group of people who are under the 'spirit of domination' in almost every aspects of their lives. They lose all personal rights and civil liberties, and are being dominated by a system with the mark of the beast, with the number being 666. This could refer to a current religious system that dominates the lives of over one billion people of the earth's population.
It will rise up to challenge the democratic freedom of modern civilisation as most of the world's population is currently living under.
To have a strong Christian family foundation, check out the following link:
Save Your Christian Marriage.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Gospel of Grace vs Gospel of the Kingdom
And the gospel of the kingdom wll be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
Many Christians believe that the gospel of grace must be preached in all the world to all nations before the second coming of Christ will materialise. A careful reading of Matthew 24:14 will reveal two crucial facts that are often misunderstood.
1. It is the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven that must be preached and not the gospel of grace before the consumation of the end.
2. The preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is set forth as the end and not the second coming of Christ.
The 'end' as used in Matthew 24:14 comes from the Greek word 'telos' which means the final comsummate end of all things. And this only happens after the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth (known as the Millennial Kingdom). This word differs from the word 'end' used in Matthew 24:3 which is a Greek word 'sunteleios' in reference to the accomplishment of certain events before the close of the present church age.
According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthins 15:3-4, the gospel of grace refers to the good news pertaining to the grace of God. 'That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.'
The gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is the good news pertaining to the establishment on earth of a corporeal kingdom which will rule and reign for one thousand years in fulfillment of God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Paramount to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is the call upon the nation of Israel to REPENT of her disobedience to the commandments of God. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the nation was called to REPENT of their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah.
Central to the gospel of grace, individuals are called upon to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation of their spirit (Acts 19:43; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; John 3:16).
Under the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, signs, wonders and miracles were manifested to authenticate the messengers and the messages (Mark 16:16-20). While the preaching of the gospel of grace is to be accompanied by the Word of God from Scriptures, illuminated by the Holy Spirit and those who hear are to accept by faith.
In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus focused on the end of the world, rather than the end of the church age. The preaching of the kingdom will come during the millennial age to all the nations of the world before the consummation of the end of the world.
Therefore, this end of the world will not come until after the return of Christ to earth, ruled and reigned for one thousand years and put all enemies under His subjection, including death, before delivering all things to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
As Christians, our task is to preach the gospel of grace to all people. The return of the Lord Jesus is not solely dependent upon the success of the churches and missions organisations to fulfill this prophecy, though it is their mandate to disciple the nations (Matthew 28: 19-20). The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the second coming of Christ is the prerogative of God alone.
The time of our Lord's return has been set by God as given to us in Acts 15:14 and Romans 11:25, when the number of the Gentiles together with the remnant of Israel are fulfilled according to the election of grace to form the Body of Christ. When that prophecy has been fulfilled, then our Lord will return.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Many Christians believe that the gospel of grace must be preached in all the world to all nations before the second coming of Christ will materialise. A careful reading of Matthew 24:14 will reveal two crucial facts that are often misunderstood.
1. It is the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven that must be preached and not the gospel of grace before the consumation of the end.
2. The preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is set forth as the end and not the second coming of Christ.
The 'end' as used in Matthew 24:14 comes from the Greek word 'telos' which means the final comsummate end of all things. And this only happens after the one thousand year reign of Christ on earth (known as the Millennial Kingdom). This word differs from the word 'end' used in Matthew 24:3 which is a Greek word 'sunteleios' in reference to the accomplishment of certain events before the close of the present church age.
According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthins 15:3-4, the gospel of grace refers to the good news pertaining to the grace of God. 'That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.'
The gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven is the good news pertaining to the establishment on earth of a corporeal kingdom which will rule and reign for one thousand years in fulfillment of God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:8-16).
Paramount to the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom is the call upon the nation of Israel to REPENT of her disobedience to the commandments of God. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, the nation was called to REPENT of their rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah.
Central to the gospel of grace, individuals are called upon to BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation of their spirit (Acts 19:43; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16; John 3:16).
Under the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom, signs, wonders and miracles were manifested to authenticate the messengers and the messages (Mark 16:16-20). While the preaching of the gospel of grace is to be accompanied by the Word of God from Scriptures, illuminated by the Holy Spirit and those who hear are to accept by faith.
In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus focused on the end of the world, rather than the end of the church age. The preaching of the kingdom will come during the millennial age to all the nations of the world before the consummation of the end of the world.
Therefore, this end of the world will not come until after the return of Christ to earth, ruled and reigned for one thousand years and put all enemies under His subjection, including death, before delivering all things to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
As Christians, our task is to preach the gospel of grace to all people. The return of the Lord Jesus is not solely dependent upon the success of the churches and missions organisations to fulfill this prophecy, though it is their mandate to disciple the nations (Matthew 28: 19-20). The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the second coming of Christ is the prerogative of God alone.
The time of our Lord's return has been set by God as given to us in Acts 15:14 and Romans 11:25, when the number of the Gentiles together with the remnant of Israel are fulfilled according to the election of grace to form the Body of Christ. When that prophecy has been fulfilled, then our Lord will return.
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
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