Getting The Big Picture

How Science, History, Israel, the Bible and the Church All Fit Together

 

 

Gloria in Excelsis Deo, “Glory be to God on high.” 

 

By

  

Jim Gerrish

 

Bible Versions Used or Mentioned 

 

ESV English Standard Version

NAS The New American Standard Bible

NET The NET Bible

NIV The New International Version

NKJ The New King James Version

NRS New Revised Standard Version

RSV Revised Standard Version of the Bible

 

 

Light of Israel Publications
Colorado Springs, CO
wordofgodtoday.com 

 

 

Copyright © 2022 Jim Gerrish 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

HOW DID THE WORLD AND UNIVERSE BEGIN?

 HOW DID HUMANKIND BEGIN?

 WHAT WAS HUMANITY’S PURPOSE?

 WHAT WENT WRONG?

 HOW DO WE LIVE IN THIS FALLEN WORLD?

 WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE WORLD?

THE COMING OF CHRIST WITH HIS SAINTS

THE MILLENNIAL PERIOD

THE CONSUMMATION 

 

 

HOW DID THE WORLD AND UNIVERSE BEGIN? 

 

In Genesis 1:1, the Hebrew Bible opens with these words, Bre-sheet ba-ra Elohim et ha-she-ma-yim ve et ha-aretz (In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth). This is a simple but profound statement of the beginning of the universe and of the earth. However, the ancient Greeks believed that the universe was static, that it had always been and would continue to be. In fact, this was believed even by scientists far into the twentieth century.

As that century began, the physicists Albert Einstein was the first to seriously disprove this idea.  Researcher Lee Strobel says of him: “When Albert Einstein developed his general theory of relativity in 1915 and started applying it to the universe as a whole, he was shocked to discover it didn’t allow for a static universe…he had to fudge his equations by putting in a factor that would hold the universe steady.” ¹ Although Einstein was Jewish, he could not accept the long-held Jewish understanding that the universe had a beginning. He therefore denied the validity of his own great discovery. Later he called this the biggest mistake of his life.

As the century progressed, several other scientists began to confirm Einstein’s discovery. Edwin Hubble of the US and Georges Henri Lemaitre of Belgium, both twentieth-century physicists, developed what is called Hubble’s Law or the Hubble-Lemaitre Law that galaxies are moving away from earth at speeds proportional to their distance. They discovered for certain that the universe was expanding. In 1964, at the Bell Telephone lab in New Jersey, physicist, Arno Penzias and astronomer Robert Wilson, made an accidental discovery of the radiation afterglow that was constant in all directions. This cosmic microwave background radiation was proof positive of an expanding universe.

The Orthodox Jewish physicist Gerald Schroeder says: “From the time of Aristotle, 2,300 years ago, scientific theory held the universe to be eternal…Through the early 1960s in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary, two thirds of leading U.S. scientists surveyed believed it.  For 3,300 years, since the revelation on Sinai, the Bible denied it, steadfastly claiming there was a beginning to our universe.” ²

With all these discoveries, scientists were forced to come up with what is called the Big Bang Theory of the universe’s origin.  This theory is now widely accepted. However, the immediate problem with the Big Bang is how it began. The metaphysical premise, dating back to the time of the Greek Parmenides states that “From nothing, only nothing comes.” ³ We cannot imagine the vast power and energy it must have taken to create the universe.  Simply, if the universe began, something or someone had to start it.

Modern physicists have no answer for this dilemma and refer to this cause as a “singularity,” some mysterious something or perhaps someone outside the universe itself.  Frank Tipler, American mathematical physicist and cosmologist says, “The word singularity in fact means ‘where physical quantities become infinite.’  Such an entity is outside of space and time.” ⁴ Israeli physicist Max Jammer in his book on Einstein says: “It cannot be doubted that, psychologically speaking, the Big Bang theory lends some support to the theistic doctrine of the creation by divine fiat.” ⁵

The Bible gives us the answer to this singularity. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  The Bible further claims that it was specifically the Son of God or Jesus who created everything. In John’s gospel we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.  The Word was with God in the beginning. All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created” (Jn. 1:1-3 NET).

So, we can say for certain that Jesus, the Son of God and the Word of God made the heavens and earth.  He did it through his spoken word or the Greek logos. Jesus spoke the world and universe into existence. Through that word he also continues to sustain the universe.  Colossians 1:17 says: “He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him” (NET).  We see the same thing in Hebrews 1:3. Can we really expect anyone to believe this in today’s world? Most people would probably consider it a fairy tale. However, this provides great assurance for Christians. If Jesus can sustain the whole universe by his word, he can surely sustain us by his word until the end of our journeys. How powerful is the word of God!

Let us try to understand how Jesus can create and sustain the whole universe by his spoken word.  The renowned American theoretical physicist, J. A. Wheeler says: “When I first started studying, I saw the world as composed of particles. Looking more deeply I discovered waves.  Now after a lifetime of study, it appears that all existence is the expression of information.” ⁶  

 Other famous physicists, mathematicians and scientists have said similar things. James Jeans saw the universe as a “thought.”  Werner Heisenberg likened it to an “idea” while Nobel Laurate George Wald observed it as “mind.” ⁷ All these statements from famous scientists come very close to the “Word” of John 1:1. We mentioned Nobel Laureate Arno Penzias, co-discoverer of the radiation afterglow.  Penzias later said: “Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing and delicately balanced to provide exactly the conditions required to support life.” ⁸

So, Jesus the Son of God spoke the complex mathematical formulas along with the involved algorithms, the DNA languages and unknown millions of other instructions to create and keep the vast universe and world functioning. The Bible says “…The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world…”  (Psa. 19:1-4 ESV).

I like to observe the heavens and especially the sun and moon.  I often try to get up in time to see the sunrise and just praise the Lord for his miracle-working faithfulness.  The earth has a circumference of almost 25,000 miles (approx. 40,233 km.). Imagine, the earth makes a complete turn on its axis and arrives with accuracy of a minute or two for the sunrise!  In fact, the sunrise can be predicted many months in advance, and it will still be right on time.

Today a lot of scientists are taking note of what is called the anthropic principle.  Basically, this principle states that the physical structure of the universe is exactly what it has to be to support life on earth, particularly life of humankind.  Researchers Geisler & Turek point out several of these principles.  For instance, oxygen comprises 21 percent of earth’s atmosphere.  That precise figure is an anthropic constant that makes life on earth possible.  If oxygen were 25 percent, fires would erupt spontaneously; if it were 15 percent, human beings would suffocate.

If our Carbon Dioxide Level was a bit higher than it is now, a runaway greenhouse effect would develop, and we would burn up.  If the level was a bit lower than it is, plants would not be able to maintain adequate photosynthesis. Then there is the matter of atmospheric transparency.  Geisler and Turek state that if the atmosphere was less transparent, there would not be enough solar radiation on the earth’s surface.  If it were more transparent, we would be bombarded with far too much solar radiation.

The Moon-Earth Gravitational Interaction also illustrates another of these anthropic principles. If the interaction were greater, effects on earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and rotational period would be too severe.  If it were less, orbital changes would cause instabilities in earth’s climate.^.  There are 122 of these anthropic constants that all point to intelligent design.⁹

There is something truly amazing about all this.  In the earth and solar system there is the law of entropy. It means everything that is set in motion eventually runs down.  If we spin a top, it will soon begin to wobble and then to stop.  Gerald Schroeder says, “The trend in the universe is toward chaos, not toward cosmos.” ¹⁰ The earth has now been spinning on its axis for thousands of years and it has never stopped or even slowed down. Some scientists think it is actually speeding up a tiny bit.  Incredible! William Lane Craig, PhD, ThD says: “The Big Bang was not a chaotic, disorderly event.  Instead, it appears to have been fine-tuned for the existence of intelligent life with a complexity and precision that literally defies human comprehension.” ¹¹

 

HOW DID HUMANKIND BEGIN?

 

The Bible states: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27 NIV).  This simple account has been believed by Jews and Christians for thousands of years. However, soon after the mid-nineteenth century, Charles Darwin brought the greatest of all challenges to this view.  Darwin, who first studied for the ministry, later became interested in natural history and in the end wrote his On the Origin of Species in 1859. This book is still looked upon as a foundation of evolutionary biology. What is called Darwinism today would state: “…that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.” ¹² This system is commonly referred to as natural selection or just simply as the theory of evolution.

This means that all life evolved from lower forms without the help of a Creator. Today this view almost completely permeates our culture.  For scientists, other academics, writers, broadcasters or anyone else to question this view makes them subject to ridicule or even dismissal from their posts. Researcher Nancy Pearcey says of Darwinism that “…it is too corrosive to be contained.  It spreads through every field of study, corroding away all traces of transcendent purpose or morality.” ¹³ Writers Norman Geisler & Frank Turek say of the Darwinists: “Their ‘science’ is not tentative or open to correction; it’s more closed-minded than the most dogmatic church doctrine the Darwinists are so apt to criticize.” ¹⁴

So, in the field of ethics we are now experiencing Darwinian ethics, where people are considered only as piles of protoplasm and can be abused at will.  In psychology, the field is saturated with this Darwinian concept of personhood. Darwinism has permeated our educational systems from bottom to top, from early grades through college and university.  British-American biochemist Michael Denton now says: “Today it is perhaps the Darwinian view of nature more than any other that is responsible for the agnostic and skeptical outlook of the twentieth century.  What was once a deduction from materialism has today become its foundation.” ¹⁵ Henry Morris, PhD, president of the Institute of Creation Research, says: “Evolution is not merely a biological theory of little significance.  It is a world view – the world view diametrically opposing the Christian world view.” ¹⁶

However, it now appears that Darwin made several erroneous speculations. These have been disproven in the succeeding generations.  He established the framework for what would later be called the primeval soup theory.  This is the theory that earth’s original gases produced a broth of organic molecules when exposed to light and heat, that eventually formed the building blocks of life.  Denton says: “Evidence from the earliest sedimentary rocks gives no indication of a supposed primeval soup.” ¹⁷

According to Darwin, change and adaptation of living creatures occurred gradually over the millions of years.  The links from lower creatures to the more advanced should be found in the various strata of rocks. The search for these “missing links” still goes on and on.  Denton says: “Since Darwin’s time the search for missing links in the fossil record has continued on an ever-increasing scale.

So vast has been the expansion of paleontological activity over the past one hundred years that probably 99.9% of all paleontological work has been carried out since 1860…But virtually all the new fossil species discovered since Darwin’s time have either been closely related to known forms or, like the Poganophoras, strange unique types of unknown affinity.” ¹⁸ In short, after over 150 years, scientists are still left searching for the missing link. “The world-famous paleontologist of the American Museum of Natural History, Dr. Niles Eldridge, unequivocally declared, ‘The pattern that we were told to find for the last one hundred and twenty years does not exist.’” ¹⁹

Christian apologists Norman Geisler and Frank Turek say of Darwin: “He did recognize that the fossil record posed a big problem for his theory because it didn’t show gradualism.  That’s why he wrote, ‘Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links?  Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graduated organic chain, and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory.’”  ²⁰

These writers go on to reveal an additional serious roadblock to Darwin’s plan.  They say, “Another problem that plagues the plausibility of natural selection creating new life forms is the fact that transitional forms could not survive.” ²¹ This is the problem of the nonviability of transitional forms. For instance, if an animal suddenly began to grow an additional appendage, that animal’s chances of survival would be greatly diminished.

In his On the Origin of Species, Darwin stated: “If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down.” ²²

Another problem for Darwin’s theory of natural selection is the fact that over many generations, breeding experiments with domestic animals have revealed that there is a distinct limit to the changes that can be made in an animal or other creature.  Beyond that limit no further change is possible.²³

In our modern and postmodern eras many other problems for Darwin have popped up. Rather than new forms appearing gradually over the many years, it now appears that most new kinds of organisms have appeared abruptly.²⁴ A great example of this is the so-called Cambrian Explosion.  This event marked the appearance of between 20 and 35 major phyla that represent many of our modern animals. In geologic time the Cambrian Explosion happened suddenly.  Scientists date this development millions of years ago.²⁵

The great mysteries of life as seen in a common cell is a colossal problem for Darwin. Associate Professor of Biochemistry Michael Behe has revealed many new and amazing things about the cell.  Darwin never probed into a cell with an electron microscope and even the thought of the human eye’s complexity gave him cold shivers.  Had he seen inside the cell he might have had a complete nervous breakdown.

Behe says: “As strange as it may seem, modern biochemistry has shown that the cell is operated by machines – literally, molecular machines…Therefore a typical cell contains thousands and thousands of different kinds of proteins to perform the many tasks of life…In summary, as biochemists have begun to examine apparently simple structures like cilia and flagella, they have discovered staggering complexity, with dozens or even hundreds of precisely tailored parts.” ²⁶

Behe sees that blood coagulation is a process of immense complexity and it is present even in simple bodily processes.  Another thing that presents Darwin with insurmountable problems is how the body gains tolerance to its own tissues.  This system had to be present from the development of the immune system.²⁷ Behe says, scientists have no answers to these questions. He says, “A curious, embarrassed silence surrounds the stark complexity of the cell.” ²⁸

Behe also brings up the problem of irreducibly complex systems. He says, “By irreducibly complex I mean a single system composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning.” ²⁹ He gives us an example of a mousetrap.  If any component is missing it will not function and catch mice. All components have to be present at the same time for operation.  Geisler and Turek conclude: “Irreducible complexity means that new life cannot come into existence by the Darwinian method of slight, successive changes over a long period of time.” ³⁰

In Darwin’s time there was no knowledge of DNA and how it works in the cells.  Denton says: “The capacity of DNA to store information vastly exceeds that of any other known system; it is so efficient that all the information needed to specify an organism as complex as man weighs less than a few thousand millionths of a gram.” ³¹ Denton continues: “The complexity of the simplest known type of cell is so great that it is impossible to accept that such an object could have been thrown together suddenly by some kind of freakish, vastly improbable, event.  Such an occurrence would be indistinguishable from a miracle.” ³²

There are a lot more questions that can now be asked of the Darwinian system.  Medical doctor Raymond Tallis asks, “How did a mindless process create beings with minds?  How did a purposeless process create beings with purpose?…Isn’t there a problem in explaining how an undesigned process could produce ‘one species that is indeed a designer?’” ³³

It seems that Darwin himself had a few questions about his program. The Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer reports a statement made by Darwin in his letters near the end of his life: “I cannot believe with my mind that all this was produced by chance.” ³⁴

Today numerous scientists have come out to stand against the Darwinian system. Many of these are part of the “Intelligent Design” movement. Strobel quotes Larry Hatfield in Science Digest who says: “Scientists who utterly reject evolution may be one of our fastest-growing controversial minorities…Many of the scientists supporting this position hold impressive credentials in science.” ³⁵

Robert Spitzer says: “In the absence of natural explanation for this highly improbable occurrence, many physicists have concluded that our universe was influenced by a supernatural designing intelligence.” ³⁶ Jonathan Wells who holds a doctorate in molecular and cell biology says of Darwinism: “It’s becoming clearer and clearer to me that this is a materialistic philosophy masquerading as empirical science.” ³⁷ Denton adds: “If biologists cannot substantiate the fundamental claims of Darwinism, upon which rests so much of the fabric of twentieth-century thought, then clearly the intellectual and philosophical implications are immense.” ³⁸

Many scientists in our day say otherwise and still cling to Darwinism.  But even great scientists can be wrong, and they can be wrong for long periods of time. Medical doctor and researcher Carl Werner in his book Evolution: The Grand Experiment, notes how the concept of Spontaneous Generation was believed by the scientific community for 2,100 years.  It was generally believed and was an article of faith until Louis Pasteur proved it wrong in 1859. This theory held that life began with maggots that came from rotting meat or from bacteria that originated in pond scum. It is significant that Werner and his photographer wife interviewed scores of leading scholars in scientific museums and institutions all over the US and in various parts of the world. With their many interviews and pictures, they exposed a good number of the scientific frauds upon which the theory of evolution has been built.³⁹

Then there is the vast and mysterious area of consciousness and the soul’s existence.  Some very troubling things for humanists and evolutionists are the emerging tale-tale signs that humans may have an existence apart from the natural mind and body.

In an article presented to the California Institute of Technology in 2001, the results of a year-long British study were revealed.  This study declared that there remains an evidence of consciousness after the human brain has stopped functioning and after an individual has been declared clinically dead.  Previously, when Roger Sperry and his team studied the differences between the brain’s right and left hemispheres, they made a surprising discovery.  It became clear that the mind has a power independent of the brain’s activities.  This discovery led Sperry to conclude that materialism was false.⁴⁰ The eminent neurophysiologist and Nobel laureate, John C. Eccles states: “I am constrained…to believe that there is what we might call a supernatural origin of my unique self-conscious mind or my unique selfhood or soul.” ⁴¹

So, how do we define human consciousness and how to we account for it?  J. P. Moreland, PHD and Professor Talbot School of Theology defines it this way: “In short, consciousness consists of sensations, thoughts, emotions, desires, beliefs, and free choices that make us alive and aware.” ⁴² Moreland goes on to tie consciousness to the soul’s existence, connecting the soul to the “I,” the “ego” and the “self” that contains consciousness.

The whole area of the soul and human consciousness is just too mysterious for science to unravel.  The laws of physics and chemistry simply cannot explain this realm. Physicist Steven Weinberg has said that scientists may have to bypass these problems entirely because “it may just be too hard for us.” ⁴³

Then there is the matter of having a purpose in life.  Humans cannot really live without purpose.  Many in our postmodern era are trying to do so but are not succeeding very well.  This lack of purpose probably accounts for some of the rapidly rising suicide rates, even among young people.

When we look back to the Bible, we see this purpose clearly spelled out.  Charles Colson reminds us of The Westminster Shorter Catechism in relation to humanity’s purpose.⁴⁴ The catechism asks: “What is the chief end of man?”   The answer is this: “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.”  When we consider our wonderful God and his wonderful creation, we want to sing out in the words of the hymn by Sandford Pierpoint (1864):

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.

Refrain:
Christ, our Lord, to you we raise
this, our hymn of grateful praise.⁴⁵

What can we conclude about Darwin and his system of evolution?  Denton says: “It is the sheer universality of perfection, the fact that everywhere we look, to whatever depth we look, we find an elegance and ingenuity of an absolutely transcending quality, which so mitigates against the idea of chance.” ⁴⁶ Owen Gingrich, Harvard Astronomy professor & senior astronomer at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory states: “A common sense and satisfying interpretation of our world suggests the designing hand of a superintelligence.” ⁴⁷ Denton concludes: “Ultimately the Darwinian theory of evolution is no more nor less than the great cosmogenic myth of the twentieth century…One might have expected that a theory of such cardinal importance, a theory that literally changed the world, would have been something more than metaphysics, something more than a myth…” ⁴⁸

 

WHAT WAS HUMANITY’S PURPOSE?

 

Well, after Darwin we are left with the age-old biblical idea that God created the heavens, the earth and humankind. Only life produces life. We humans are made in the image of God and that changes everything.  We have almost lost this concept through Darwinism, but we must now reclaim it.

Since it was God who created humans, what was his purpose in doing so?  We are fortunate today that the True God is different than the many false gods of history. They manifested every evil tendency found in humanity.  They were tyrannical, hateful, lustful monsters.  They were also just blocks of wood, metal and stone. What good fortune it is for us that our God is living, forgiving, eternal, loving, holy, faithful, kind, true, considerate with many other wonderful attributes. God in his love desired the company of humans so he created them to praise him, to fellowship with him, to serve him and to even become like him through his Son Jesus.

Let us look more at God’s biblical purpose in creating humanity.  God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.  So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Gen. 1:26-28 NIV).  Most of us like to grow flowers, plant trees, and keep our little part of the world looking nice. Most people care for animals even if they are only pet dogs and cats.  All this is a small part of our calling.

Let us look at several things in this important passage.  We humans are made in the image of God and in his likeness.  That gives every human being an inestimable value. Even the worst examples of fallen humanity are still made in God’s image.  Scottish Bible scholar William Barclay tells this story: “Muretus was a wandering scholar of the Middle Ages. He was poor. In an Italian town he took ill and was taken to a hospital for waifs and strays. The doctors were discussing his case in Latin, never dreaming he could understand. They suggested that since he was such a worthless wanderer, they might use him for medical experiments. He looked up and answered them in their own learned tongue, ‘Call no man worthless for whom Christ died!’” ⁴⁹

We need to think about the image of God and ponder it.  Of course, the wise and woke ones of this age almost laugh at this concept. The great Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “I see no reason for attributing to man a significance different in kind from that which belongs to a baboon or a grain of sand…” ⁵⁰ More recently, Princeton professor and Darwinist Peter Singer asserted “that the life of a newborn is of less value than the life of a pig, a dog, or a chimpanzee.” ⁵¹ The Finnish Green Party activist Pentti Linkola goes so far as to say that he has more sympathy for threatened insect species than for children dying of hunger in Africa.⁵² According to Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, “A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy.” ⁵³ Such is the “wisdom” of this age.

Derek Prince, an international Bible teacher and author of over 100 books, has written on the subject of God’s image.  Prince was British and was educated as a scholar of Greek and Latin at Eton College and Cambridge University.  He also lived in Israel for many years, absorbing its Hebrew culture and language as well as studying Hebrew and Aramaic. He says of man: “He was made in God’s image (tselem) and second, he was made in God’s likeness (dmut).  The word image (tselem) describes external form.  It is the normal Hebrew word for shadow and is translated ‘shade’ or ‘shadow’ many times in the Old Testament…Through more than 3,500 years, the Hebrew language has always used this word to refer to outward visible form.” ⁵⁴

He continues: “Now let us examine dmut, the other Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:26 to describe man’s resemblance to God.  Dmut is a more general term than tselem.  It does not refer primarily to outward appearance, but to man’s whole person.” ⁵⁵ Man was made from dust but also in the image of God. Fritz Rothschild makes an interesting remark: “Together image and dust express the polarity of the nature of man.  He is formed of the most inferior stuff in the most superior image.⁵⁶

Humans are different than all other creatures. They are made in God’s image and likeness and unlike other creatures they can commune with God.  They really have a need to talk with God. Philosopher John Gray (who is an atheist) confesses: “The need for religion appears to be hard-wired in the human animal.” ⁵⁷ Thankfully, today any person on earth can cry out to God in sincerity and truth and be heard by him.

Author Mike Mason says: “People are the consciousness of God in the world, the closest thing to him in the physical realm, and a more vivid reminder than anything else in creation of his existence, his mystery, and his creative power.  If man really is fashioned, more than anything else, in the image of God, then clearly it follows that there is nothing on earth so near to God as a human being.  The conclusion is inescapable, that to be in the presence of even the meanest, lowest, most repulsive specimen of humanity in the world is still to be closer to God than when looking up into a starry sky or at a beautiful sunset.” ⁵⁸

We have to leave it to scriptural hints and our imagination to realize God’s many attributes which are reflected in humanity.  I live close to the landing pattern of commercial jet planes.  Almost every time one of them comes close, I stop, look up, and praise the Lord for the wisdom and ingenuity of the people who designed them. Man is not only a designer but he can resemble God in many other ways: his compassion, his kindness, his helpfulness, his intelligence, as well as his creative ability.  There are many other ways that we could think about concerning human resemblance to the Creator.

Let us see what else is in this important verse. It tells us that we are made to rule over all of God’s creatures: “Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them, and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankind honor and majesty; you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!” (Psa. 8:4-9 NET).

We see this same idea in Hebrews 2:8, which affirms that God put everything under human control. Man was established as a sort of vice-regent on earth to administer everything for God. It would be good for us, through Christ’s power, to start immediately reigning over our desires and temptations while we live in this evil age (Rom. 5:17). Mankind has the purpose to serve God in his creation and give glory to him.

How tragic it is that the earth and earthly things are now ruling over many people. I think of godless earthly passions that hold many in bondage and I think of hallucinogenic drugs in particular. God made humans to rule over the earth but instead we see the things of earth ruling over humans. The ever-popular marijuana is obtained from the cannabis plant, while cocaine is obtained from coca plant. At least five of our popular hallucinogenic drugs are derived from plants. Of course, tobacco and alcohol are also derived from plants. We were given authority by God to rule over the earth and everything in it, plants of the field included.

There is something else that God did for humans.  He made them male and female.  He said to them: “‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Gen. 1:28 NIV).  God made them male and female.  It is interesting that rebellious humans are now trying to obliterate the distinctions of male and female through homosexuality and transgenderism. They do not realize that these actions go directly against the purpose and intent of the Creator.

God wants us to affirm our gender, to marry, to have increase in the number of children and to be fruitful in other ways. God is unabashedly pro family. Then he wants us to rule over the earth. We need to understand the folly of the teachings that are going on in the pagan world around us. Homosexuality, homosexual marriages, transgenderism, abortion, and anti-marriage teaching are designed to eventually do away with humanity.  We know from past Bible history that God will not put up with such things but will swiftly judge these teachings and the people who hold them.

It is amazing and astounding to hear what some people are saying today: “In her influential book Gender Trouble, Judith Butler argues that gender is not a fixed attribute but a fluid, free-floating variable that shifts according to personal preference.” ⁵⁹ Nancy Pearcey says: “They deny that gender identity is rooted in biology. Their argument is that gender is completely independent of the body.” ⁶⁰ I understand that there are now over fifty gender types that have been invented. Are we now living in a world that has gone completely mad?  However, the scientists tell us the stubborn fact that male chromosomes are of the x and y pattern while females have a pattern of two x chromosomes.  Obviously, every cell in the body would have to be altered in order to bring about a true gender change. Anything else is pure make believe.

 

WHAT WENT WRONG?

 

Hebrews 2:8 restates God’s great purpose for humanity and says, “‘You put all things under his control.’  For when he put all things under his control, he left nothing outside of his control. At present we do not yet see all things under his control…” (NET).  The writer in his compassion must be making a great merciful understatement here.  Of course, we do not yet see all things under mankind’s control.  In fact, we see very few things that are really under human control in this age.  However, the writer of Hebrews does not stop here.  He goes on with verse 9 saying: “but we see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone” (Heb. 2:9 NET). Thank God for the words, “But we see Jesus.” Thank God that Jesus took upon himself the death and destruction that we all deserved!

We must ask “What went wrong?”  God initially made mankind very good (Gen. 1:31). Unfortunately, humanity fell from its glorious position.  The picture of Genesis chapter three perfectly describes the Fall of humanity. God made for them a beautiful and fruitful garden.  He instructed them that they could eat of all the luscious fruit except one.  They could even eat of the Tree of Life, but they could not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  In other words, they were not allowed to make their own decisions about what was good and what was evil. That was exactly what people did and are still doing even to this day.

In the garden, Satan was already present, pictured in the form of a serpent. He was the first to rebel against God and along with him he took about a third of the angelic hosts (Rev. 12:3-4). Satan through the serpent beguiled Eve and then Adam. With their decision to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, humanity fell.  They ate from the wrong tree!  The sad part is that today people by the millions and probably billions are still eating from this tree and bragging about how good it is.  This is the “I think tree,” the “I have my truth tree,” and the “I’ll do it my way tree.” They could have eaten from Jesus who is the Tree of Life, but instead they ate from the Tree of Death. Humanity has been in a fallen state ever since that early time.

We need to be perfectly clear that human beings are now fallen creatures.  Sin is almost in our genetic makeup. There is also plenty of proof around today that people are sinners. The Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23 NIV).  It says of humans: “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psa. 14:3 NAS: cf. Psa. 143:2).  The Bible adds, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23 NAS).

It is only by believing in Jesus and receiving him as Savior and Lord that we humans can be saved eternally from our lost condition.  How does that happen?  It is very simple.  In the Book of Romans, we read how we can be saved: “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10 NAS).  The Bible goes on to present this great salvation to everyone. The scripture promises, “for ‘Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved’” (Rom. 10:13 NAS).  That means you and it means me.  It means everyone who calls. This is the simple gospel message (good news) that the church has proclaimed for two thousand years.

The rebellion of mankind brought a curse upon the earth. The Bible says that because Adam and his wife ate of the tree, the ground became cursed for their sake. From that point, humanity would have to live with the curse and endure painful toil and sweat for their food. Thorns and thistles would spring up to trouble them. Man and woman would end their sojourn in physical death. Then they would return to the ground from whence they came (Gen. 3:17-19).

Schaeffer says: “Francis Bacon, who could be called the major prophet of the Scientific Revolution, took the Bible seriously, including the historic Fall, the revolt of man in history.  He said in Novum Organum Scientiarum (1620), ‘Man by the Fall fell at the same time from his state of innocence and from his dominion over creation.’” ⁶¹

Thus, we see that it was a double tragedy.  Mankind lost its purity and its position of rulership over the earth.  The scripture seems to make clear that Satan then was able to take over that enviable position.  He is now called the “prince of this world.” In the end, Satan will lose his position. John’s gospel states: “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (Jn. 12:31 NIV).

So, Satan became the prince of the world and of this evil age.  From the beginning he made a terrible mess of trying to rule the world.  Thank God, the Lord’s glory can still be seen in the heavens and on the earth, even during Satan’s reign.  So often people blame God for the mess Satan has made and for death itself. The good news is that when Christ was crucified, he began to bring about the end of Satan’s kingdom. He also brought the renewal of mankind’s ability to rule once again.  That rule could only come through Jesus and not through human effort.

It is greatly important that we get an understanding of God’s plan concerning the Fall of mankind and its recovery. God’s recovery program has been going on for a long time.  In fact, his recovery plan was made from the very foundation of the world. In Revelation 13:8, we learn that Jesus the Lamb of God was slain for our sins in God’s heart even as the world was created. Now we need to simply believe this great biblical truth.

The whole program of salvation has been a long one.  God first began with a man of faith and his name was Abraham. Abraham believed God (Rom. 4:3). God then moved to create a faith family through Abraham and his children – the Jews.  Then he moved to create a faith nation in Israel, Abraham’s faith descendants. Through that faith nation, the Messiah Jesus was born. Through that faith nation, the saving gospel was preached to all nations. In a very real sense, those who receive the gospel become children of Abraham by faith (Gal. 3:29).  They become grafted into the faith nation of Israel and become part of it (Rom. 11:17). Along with Israel they make up the glorious holy temple that God is building (Eph. 2:11-22; 3:6). They become truly saved. We must be careful not to distrust or despise Israel because the nation has been God’s saving vehicle through the many ages, since salvation comes from the Jews (Jn. 4:22). The Bible assures us that the consummation of all human history will take place in Israel.

 

HOW DO WE LIVE IN THIS FALLEN WORLD?

 

It is clear from scripture that we now live in what is called “the present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). Some have taught that because of the gospel, this age will get better and better until the Lord Jesus appears.  However, the harsh truth of the Bible is that this evil age will get worse and worse until the Lord appears.  Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV): “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”  It seems that we are almost there already!  Most of humanity will become so vile and wicked that people will quickly follow the Antichrist or the lawless one when he finally appears.

We must realize that Christianity and the church are salt or preservatives for this rotten world (Matt. 5:13).  In all likelihood, the present evil age would self-destruct were it not for the gospel with its saving, purifying and preserving influence. We should note that the gospel is preached only as a witness to the nations before the end comes (Matt. 24:14). We think about how the gospel was preached to Europe.  Although it made great changes and preserved Europe to the present day, still the whole continent has mostly turned away from God and the Bible.  We see that same process now playing out in America.

It is clear from the Bible that the world will only be changed with the coming of Christ.  Even then, it likely will be changed gradually through the millennial period.  Even at the end of that wonderful time, there will still be one final rebellion against the Lord in the war of Gog and Magog (Ezek. Chs. 38 & 39; Rev. 20:7-10). All this does not mean that we should cease working in the church to bring the lost to Christ and through him to improve the world where we can.  Christians across the centuries have fed the poor and cared for the sick.  In every century they have worked diligently to make life better for millions in this fallen and cursed world.

What are some essentials if Christians are to prevail in this fallen world?  We would have to start with prayer and fellowship with God. This assumes that we have now become believers and followers of Christ. If we have not, we need to ask Jesus to save us right now. Then we need to be baptized and join the local church. Because of what Jesus has done for us we can then come boldly before the throne of God as we fellowship with him and make our requests known (Heb. 4:16).  We should pray every day for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth (Matt. 6:10). That will certainly happen in the end. We should pray every day that the earth be filled with the knowledge of God’s glory as waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14; Isa.11:9).  We should pray every day, “Come Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20). Of course, we should praise him and also pray for our daily bread, for guidance and forgiveness of our sins as Jesus has taught.

God has always been seeking people who would walk and talk with him.  We think of Enoch long ago who walked with God (Gen. 5:22-24). Abraham also walked and talked with God (Gen. 17:15-22). He was called the friend of God (Jam. 2:23). Through Jesus we have that blessed opportunity today if we but acknowledge and use it.  Oswald Chambers once noted: “We hear it said that a person’s life will suffer if he doesn’t pray, but I question that. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer…” ⁶²

To pray and bless the Lord is something we can do at all times (Psa. 34:1). We can even whisper a prayer and praise as we work at our jobs or while doing housework at home. We can pray silently in our spirits. Also, we must get into the practice of praying with other believers when the opportunity permits.  The Lord has promised, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20 NIV). We must not be discouraged but persist in prayer.  Derek Prince says: “In order to ascend from earth to the throne of God’s authority, our prayers may have to pass through a territory occupied by our enemy.” ⁶³

Along with prayer we need the filling of God’s Holy Spirit. We even have a command about this: “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,” (Eph. 5:18-19 NRS). Along with the Holy Spirit’s filling we need to ask God for spiritual gifts.  Paul says: “Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1 NRS). This Holy Spirit power is available for all who want it and for all who ask (Matt. 7:7).  The whole church needs more of this power.

The next area for our consideration is Bible reading. We have Bibles all around us today in the Western World, with many copies in our homes, on our computers and even on our cell phones.  Unfortunately, we are not reading our Bibles carefully and our biblical knowledge as postmodern Christians has become abysmal.

The Bible’s earliest parts are some 3,400 years old, and the Bible is full of stories of how people have lived victoriously through the ages. If God did not exist, the Bible would still be a treasure with a great supply of advice for successful living.  But God does exist, and the Bible contains his careful instruction for our successful living. While we live in a world of change, it is heartening to know that the Bible’s truth does not change. Isaiah says: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isa. 40:8 NIV). We can confidently build our lives upon the ancient truths of the Bible.

While the level of Bible reading among Christians has remained rather steady through the decades, the level of comprehension seems to have declined drastically. The pastor and evangelist Ray Stedman says: “Everywhere I go, I am saddened and depressed by the biblical ignorance of church members. There is a terrible biblical illiteracy across the face of this apparently Christianized nation. People have only the most superficial knowledge of the Scriptures… One man said, ‘I thought Dan and Beersheba were husband and wife, like Sodom and Gomorrah.’” ⁶⁴

Michael Holmes reports on polls conducted by Gallup and Barna.  “Only half of the Christians polled identified Jesus correctly as the person who delivered the Sermon on the Mount; barely three of five could recall the names of the first four books of the New Testament.  When asked to quote a Bible verse, the most frequent response was ‘God helps those who help themselves’ – a line written by Benjamin Franklin.” ⁶⁵

An unknown writer asked: “I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like our cell phone? We would carry it everywhere we go, flip through it throughout the day. We would go home to get it if we forgot it. We would receive messages from the text. We couldn’t live without it. Parents would give it to their kids as gifts. It would be available for all emergencies and any and all conversations. One more thing, it would never be disconnected, as Jesus has already paid the bill in full.”

The modern disciple, Smith Wigglesworth, is reported never to have gone more than fifteen minutes without reading the Word of God, regardless of where he was or in whose company he found himself.  He read the word during meals, usually after each course.  An author tells of a brother who was driving Wigglesworth one day.  After they had been on the journey about 10 minutes, Wigglesworth shouted “Stop!”  The brother stopped the vehicle thinking that something was wrong.  Wigglesworth instead bowed his head and prayed, “Lord, I am sorry.  We have talked about everything but Thee and Thy Word, and the souls of men.  Please forgive us.” ⁶⁶ We can dismiss this as someone going to the extreme, but Wigglesworth was a powerful minister of God who healed the sick, worked miracles and even on some occasions raised the dead.

There is something very important that should go along with Bible reading and that is biblical meditation.  Generally, Christians have shied away from this subject probably because of the prevalence of eastern transcendental meditation. However, the Psalms speak of a righteous person, “…whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers” (Psa. 1:2-3 NIV). We should note that the righteous persons are meditating on the word of God and not on their belly buttons.

It is recorded in the Bible that many of the great people of God meditated.  Isaac went out into the field to meditate (Gen. 24:63). The Psalmist certainly meditated even in the night watches (63:6).  He meditated on God’s precepts and ways (119:15), on his statutes (119:23) and on the mighty works of God (143:5).

Even Joshua, the great military leader, spoke of the values of meditation.  In Joshua 1:8 he advises: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (NKJV). A similar thought is expressed in the New Testament as Paul advises young Timothy: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Tim. 4:15 NKJV).

Now, what exactly is meditation?  When we meditate, we muse, contemplate and reflect on the things of God.  One of the Hebrew words used for “meditation” is the word ha-gah, which means to “murmur” or “groan.”  This is almost like talking out loud to oneself, however, the murmuring or groaning reaches the ears of God. To meditate is a little like a cow chewing her cud.  We first eat the word, then we bring it up and “chew” on it some more. When we do, we get extra nourishment and understanding. Biblical things begin to fit together much better and mysteries begin to be revealed.

I have been a Christian for over seventy-five years.  I can say without a doubt that most things I have learned from the Lord during that time have come through meditation in his word.  For many years I diligently kept a notebook of these meditations.  Even today when I write articles, I sometimes refer to this old notebook.  Often, I am surprised at the things I learned from the Lord so long ago.

Many years ago, my wife and I lived on the southern edge of Jerusalem.  It was my custom to go for prayer to one of the ancient, wooded terraces overlooking Bethlehem and Beit Jala.  One day while there I was watching some Arab farmers gather olives from their trees.  They were on the opposite side of the very deep valley.  As I thought on the olive tree the Lord spoke to me in my inner being.  He said, “This is the tree of light.”  I have never forgotten this word and it has ministered so much to me over the years.

In Bible times a person did not simply flip a switch to turn on the light.  Rather, that person got some olive oil, placed it in a little clay lamp, added a wick and fire and there was light.  Olive oil was the main source of light in biblical times and various oils continued to light lamps far into the twentieth century.  I can remember clearly when the electric lights came on in our rural area and we finally retired the old kerosene lamps.

The olive tree with its oil represents God’s revelation, his healing and his anointing. As we meditate on this biblical subject, we can realize that we Christians are grafted into the old olive tree of Israel (Rom. 11:17) – the light tree, the revelation tree, the healing tree, the anointing tree. What an exceedingly rich and wonderful heritage we have!

Then there is the matter of attending church and getting together with other Christians. A disturbing trend in church attendance was noted as far back as the mid-nineties. In that period Wade Clark Roof found that 54 percent of evangelicals said, “to be alone and meditate” was more important than “to worship with others.” Roof concluded that “the real story of American religious life in this half-century is the rise of a new sovereign self that defines and sets limits on the very meaning of the divine.” ⁶⁷

There has been a notable change in church attendance in the new century. Barna & Kinnaman say: “Two decades ago a ‘regular church-goer’ was a person who attended at least three weekends per month and often several times per week.  But today a regular churchgoer shows up for worship once every four to six weeks.” ⁶⁸ Studies of the Barna organization conclude: “In actual numbers, 36 percent fewer Americans attended church weekly in 2020 than in 1993.” ⁶⁹

According to the New Testament, we Christians must see to it that we are “not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25 NET). We need each other.  Over the many years I have learned lots of things from other Christians.  Sometimes in five minutes we can learn a lesson from another Christian that would take us five years to learn on our own.  We are a flock and a body and we must be together and work together.  Together we make up a holy temple to God (1 Cor. 3:16). We cannot do that by ourselves.

Members of the Lord’s church are very much like glowing coals in a hot fire.  When they are together, they bring forth much light and heat.  Such a blazing fire is useful for many purposes.  However, if a glowing coal is removed, it begins to cool down immediately and it soon loses its glow.  After some time, that piece of charcoal becomes completely cold.  No longer does it give heat and light, but it has become a dirty thing that causes all who touch it to be defiled.  So it is when a church member withdraws from the fellowship of God’s people.

When we first moved our family to Israel in 1982, our youngest son was in his teens.  He was diabetic and suddenly he came down with hepatitis as well.  He was a very sick boy and our regular doctor refused to treat him but insisted that he be hospitalized immediately. To admit him to the hospital was financially impossible for us since our insurance coverage was valid only in the US. I have to admit that I was in a panic. My first response was to try and send my wife and sick son back to the US while our two other children and I would remain in Israel.  The family was in great turmoil since none of them wanted to leave Israel.  At this point, a loving church lady came to our rescue.  She knew a doctor who lived near us and that doctor agreed to attend to our son.  He gave him exactly the medicine he needed. In a few days, he was well. We really need the church and the church really needs us.

We not only need to go to church but we need to walk out our faith in everyday life.  The New Testament gives us lots of practical advice about this.  For instance, in the first three chapters of the Book of Ephesians we see some of the highest theology in the Bible.  But the last three chapters deal with the practical working out of this theology in everyday life.  The Jewish people call this ha-lak-hah. This is taken from the Hebrew word ha-lak, which means “walk.”  There is also a Christian ha-lak-hah, or a Christian walk, and all of us need to be involved in it (1 Jn. 1:6-7). Let us take just a few examples of the Christian walk.

As this present evil age moves on, we draw nearer to the last days and to the rise of Antichrist. As we move to the end times, we need to put on our spiritual armor found in Ephesians chapter 6. It is amazing how many Christians are operating without their armor!

Let us consider the helmet of salvation for instance (Eph. 6:17).  This is a real mind protector.  Writer Michael Reagan says: “The most recent studies available suggest that one out of every two people – that’s fifty percent of the people sitting in our pews – are looking at and/or could be addicted to Internet pornography.” ⁷⁰ Writer Austin Ruse says: “Porn is the most searched topic on the Internet.  It is utterly mainstream, accessible everywhere, even at the playground and on public library computers, where the librarians refuse to do anything about it.” ⁷¹ Porn is devastating to marriage, even Christian marriage.  As early as the turn of the century the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers noted that internet porn already played a significant role in 62 percent of the divorce cases they handled.⁷² How easily this could be avoided by Christian men and women putting on the helmet of salvation and gaining the pure mind of Christ. We need to just tell Satan, “I am not watching your dirty old filmstrips anymore!”

Let us think of the belt of truth (Eph. 6:14).  This is the first item we put on as we prepare for spiritual warfare.  The big problem in this age is that our pagan philosophers have mostly stolen away the concept of truth. Pearcey says: “The very meaning of the word true has been distorted.  It no longer means that a statement matches what really exists in the world but only that it matches my inner experience.” ⁷³ That is why it is popular for young people to say, “I have my truth and you have your truth.”  Robert Ringer says: “People say they love truth, but, instead, they try to make true that which they love.” ⁷⁴ In the US, 65 percent of all age groups no longer believe that there is such a thing as a universal standard of truth.⁷⁵

In such a society the belt of truth is desperately needed.  We cannot mimic what the world is saying.  We know that…the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” (Psa. 117:2 NKJ). We also know that Jesus is the Truth (Jn. 14:6).  If we do not have the belt of truth firmly in place, our sword of the word will probably fall off and our breeches may even fall down and leave us totally exposed in the day of battle.

It would be good for us to look at all the other pieces of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6 and see if we have them in place.  Already the cries of battle are being heard.  The trumpets are sounding.

 

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE WORLD?

 

Today evil human beings are monkeying with this present world and will surely help bring about its demise.  It was the Creator’s wish that humanity would be fruitful and multiply, but today we have millions of folks working feverishly against his plan.  I am speaking of homosexuals, those who abort babies, transgenders, the women’s movements with their anti-marriage teaching.  There are many more areas where godless people are working against the Creator and his plan. We are to love all these folks for sure, but it is still permitted for us to hate what they do.

It is clear in the Bible that the present rot will continue and civilization will spiral downward until the Day of the Lord comes.  The only things that can prolong this spiral are God’s mercies shown in periodic spiritual revivals and awakenings.  Before the Lord returns, we know that Israel will have a mighty spiritual awakening.  God says: “And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced [Jesus], they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zech. 12:10 NRS).  The Lord promises Israel: “On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (Zech. 13:1 NRS).  Surely this great end day revival in Israel will affect other nations as well.

There is a great mystery here.  Because of Israel’s initial rejection of Jesus, God in his great mercy opened the gospel up to the Gentiles.  He did this to make Israel jealous.  In Romans 11:11, Paul tells us about this: “So I ask, have they stumbled so as to fall? By no means! But through their stumbling salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous” (NRS).  Paul expounds further saying: “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead!” (Rom. 11:15 NRS). Great things are in store!

For the most part, man has had his day; Satan has also had his day; but soon the Lord will have his day. It is often called the Day of the Lord in scripture (Joel 1:15; 2:1; Zep. 1:7; Acts 2:20). There seems to be no good reason for us to separate the concepts of “the Day of the Lord,” “the Day of Christ,” “the Day,” and “that Day” as they are used in the Bible.  All these speak of the same event.  The entire book of Revelation likewise speaks in detail of this day.  It is sometimes confusing because we are attempting to peek into a time frame that is partially hidden from us.  In other words: “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12 NIV).  It is much like a prehistoric man trying to glimpse the wonders of the electronic age in which we now live.  It simply was not revealed to him.  Electronic wonders for him were limited to occasional flashes of lightning.

Prophetic fulfillment is often a strange and puzzling thing.  The word of God can be partially fulfilled on more than one occasion leading up to the final fulfillment.  Sometimes we see prophecy related to the partial and final fulfillments woven tightly together as in Matthew 24.  In this chapter, it is almost impossible to separate events relating to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, from events concerning the end of the age.  Both are in fact “Days of the Lord.” ⁷⁶ Thus we can see that the Day of the Lord was coming in Joel’s day and also in Jesus’ day.  It was partially fulfilled at least two times, in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC and by the Romans in AD 70. At the present time, the Day of the Lord is still coming.

There are two clear aspects to the Day of the Lord.⁷⁷ The first one, which is most obvious in the Old Testament, is the aspect of judgment upon the wicked.  The prophets see that the Day of the Lord will bring down the proud and lofty.  Isaiah says, “The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Isa. 2:11 NIV).  It is a day of disaster and destruction upon the ungodly (Isa. 13:6).  We see this also pictured in Revelation 6:17: “For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (NIV).  

God will shake the earth terribly (Isa. 2:19 NIV).  As is said in Job 38:13, God’s plan is to shake the wicked out of the earth.  Then the people will cast their idols of gold and silver to the moles and bats (Isa. 2:20). Earth’s great and mighty ones will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the returning Lord (Rev. 6:15-16). The cry of that day will be bitter (Zep. 1:14-17). The heavenly bodies will no longer give their light (Isa. 13:10).  A devouring fire will break out on the earth as the Lord comes.  In Malachi 4:1, the prophet says: “‘Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘Not a root or a branch will be left to them’” (Mal. 4:1 NIV).

While the day of the Lord will be an unmitigated disaster for the ungodly, we see that it ultimately will be a day of blessing for the righteous. However, there will be some difficult times to pass through. The prophet Malachi says that the righteous will finally go forth leaping like calves released from a stall.  In Malachi 4:3 he says: “Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things…(NIV).”

We who love and serve the Lord will be able to lift up our heads as the Day of the Lord approaches (Lk. 21:28). We will have great confidence and boldness in that day (2 Tim. 1:12; 1 Jn. 4:17).  Finally, when Jesus appears we will appear with him in glory (Col. 3:4) and be like him (1 Jn. 3:2-3).  In 2 Thessalonians 1:10 (NIV), we see that he will come “…to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed…” On that blessed day, Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thess. 3:13).  Even those who sleep in Jesus will be raised and brought in that great triumphal procession.  For the saints of the Lord, the Day of the Lord has nothing for us to fear.  It is a day of blessing and glory.

Thus, we see God’s people will be involved in the final Day of the Lord as they have also been involved in every preceding Day of the Lord. After the disasters of that day, God’s people will stand.  In Proverbs 10:25 we read: “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever” (NIV).”  In verse 29 we also read: “The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.”

How can we prepare for the Day of the Lord that we ourselves might stand?  We need to put on the whole armor of God as we have mentioned. We need to make sure our faith is not misplaced and that it is very strong.  In Philippians 1:6 the Apostle says: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (NIV).” 

We must be very careful about deception regarding the Day of the Lord and the period leading up to it.  In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, we are told that those who refuse to believe the truth will be sent a powerful delusion that they should believe a lie.

The fervent desire of the early Christians was that they would be kept strong to the end and be found blameless in the Day of the Lord (1 Cor. 1:8).  To this purpose, it is God’s plan to seal his servants in their foreheads (Rev. 7:3).  This is likely a picture of a mind totally protected by the Spirit against all influences of the final evil age.  We know in the end-days that there will be a great falling away from God and at last, the Lawless One will himself appear.  In spite of all the evil influences of the last day, Daniel saw a people there who would be strong and instruct many (Dan. 11:32-33).

When we consider the last days we surely need to see what Jesus said about them directly. We should thus be familiar with what has been called the Little Apocalypse, found in the gospels.  This section is also known as the Olivet Discourse and is found in Matthew 24:4-36; Mark 13:5-37 and Luke 21:8-36. This important section of scripture is from the Master’s own lips and gives us many details of the last days. For our benefit here, we will briefly summarize this section from all three synoptic gospels. We will necessarily repeat some of his information.

The section begins with a warning that we should not be led astray about the end-days.  We are told that as the time approaches, many will come claiming to be Christ and will lead multitudes astray.  We are warned not to go after them.  We will hear of wars and rumors of wars and are told not to be alarmed because the end will not immediately come.  Nations will rise against each other and there will be famines and earthquakes. All these things are called only “the beginning of sufferings” or “birth pains.”

After these things, awful persecution will break out against the saints.  They will be persecuted in synagogues and brought before governors and kings. This is their grand opportunity to testify about Jesus, even to proclaim the gospel to all nations.  God’s chosen ones are not to be nervous when all this happens, but they must depend upon the Holy Spirit for their words.  God will give his elect a mouth of wisdom.

In the afflictions of these times, brothers will deliver up brothers, and fathers will deliver up children and have them put to death.  Children will rise up against their parents. God’s elect will be hated of all people on the face of the earth because of Jesus.  At this time, many false prophets will arise and lead numerous people astray.  There will be a great falling away from the faith and a betrayal of one another.  In all this, God’s people will be protected.

During this turbulent period, wickedness will so abound that the love of many Christians will grow cold.  Yet, Jesus promises that those who endure to the end will be saved.  Again, in spite of the difficulty, it will be a great time for the spread of the gospel, as people of all nations will eagerly receive the saving word.  Then the end will come.

In the midst of these difficult days, there will be a repeat of the desolating sacrilege that Daniel spoke of (Dan. 9:27). Jesus desires that we gain understanding about this. When this happens, it will be urgent that believers in Jerusalem once more escape the city in haste, without even turning back for forgotten items.  In those days there will be great tribulation and distress unlike any that has ever been in the history of the world.  No flesh would be able to survive, except that for the elect’s sake, the days will be shortened.  Jesus expresses pity for nursing mothers and those with small children.  He bids us pray that the time will not come on the Sabbath or in the harsh Jerusalem winter.

The end-days will be a great time of deception.  False Christs will be everywhere.  People will be saying, “Here is Christ” or “there he is!”  God’s people are warned not to believe such tales.  Some of these false messiahs will be able to work great and impressive signs and wonders, to the extent that they could deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

In those days, if these false prophets say, “He is in the wilderness,” we should not go out there.  If they say, “he is in the secret chambers,” we should not go there looking. The Master assures us that when he does come, it will be like the lightning appearing from the east and shining to the west.

Immediately after this tribulation, there will be signs in the heavenly bodies.  The sun will be darkened and the moon’s light will fail.  The stars will begin falling from heaven and there will be distress and perplexity of nations.  The sea will roar and men will faint with fear and foreboding as they consider what is coming upon the earth.

Then the powers of heaven will be shaken and the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the heavens.  With this sight, all the tribes of the earth will mourn.  They will see the Son of Man coming with great power and glory.  He will then send out his angels with a loud trumpet call to gather his elect from the corners of the earth and from the ends of heaven.  When we see these things begin to come to pass, we believers should look up, because our redemption is near.

The coming of the end of the age will be like the blossoming of a fig tree. We should learn a lesson from this. When its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, we can know that summer is near.  Likewise, when we see all these things taking place, we can know that the kingdom of God is near, even at the gate.

Jesus then speaks these mysterious words to his listeners; that their generation would not pass away before all these things would take place.  Heaven and earth might pass away but his words would never pass away.  Although the time is about to come, no one knows the day and the hour, not even the angels of heaven, or the Son during his earthly sojourn, but only the Father.

His servants must take heed and watch because they do not know when the time will come.  The approaching end of the age will be like a man going on a long journey to receive kingly power and then returning.  Before leaving, he puts his servants in charge, entrusting to them his property.  He gives to each one according to his ability and outlines the work for him.  He commands the doorkeeper to watch because no one knows when he will return. He could come in the evening, or at midnight, or even when the cock is crowing.  He could also come in the morning.  They must watch lest they be found sleeping. What the Master says to them, he says to all – Watch!  Jesus says that those servants will be blessed who keep watch.

The writer Luke ends this section of scripture with an additional warning.  In Luke 21:34-36 Jesus says: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.  For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (NIV).

It is clear that as the end approaches, we will see a great rise in lawlessness and then the lawless one (Antichrist) will come on the scene.  Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction (NIV).”  Before Antichrist appears, the rebellion or apostasy must take place (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 2 Pet. 3:3-6; Jude 1:18-19).

Beginning in the 1960s and 70s in North America, there arose a mighty rebellion against the Judeo-Christian heritage.  The rebellion continues to rage after more than half a century, and it grows, showing no signs of abating. During this time, many of the foundations of Christianity and orderly society were washed away by this awful tidal wave of ungodliness and lawlessness.

John is the only biblical writer who mentions the Antichrist by name.  Paul calls him the “lawless one” (2 Thess. 2:8-9) as we have seen, and in other places he is referred to as the Beast (Daniel 7:5-23 and Revelation chapters 11-20).  We can now glimpse the fact that law must first be taken out of the way before the lawless one can arise.

Paul tells us that the Antichrist will exalt himself: “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thess. 2:4 NIV). The prophetic scriptures indicate that his total reign will be about seven years.  In that time, he will gather a large following of nations (Rev. 19:19).  He will institute a covenant with Israel and apparently will be involved in building the Jews a temple (Dan. 9:27).  Unfortunately, after three and a half years the Antichrist will begin a reign of terror on earth unlike any ever seen before.  He will break his covenant with Israel and seat himself in the new temple, proclaiming himself as God (Dan. 9:24-27).  This will be known as the abomination that causes desolation (Mk. 13:14).

Tragically, the whole earth will worship him (Rev. 13:11-12). A time of great worldwide distress will follow, but for the sake of the elect this awful time will be shortened (Matt. 24:15, 21-22; 29-31; Rev. 13:14-15).  We see by this that the elect will still be on the earth during these dreadful events, but they will be sealed in hearts and minds against this evil one (Rev. 7:2-3; 9:4).

The Bible makes plain that something is restraining the Antichrist.  Paul says: “Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time” (2 Thess. 2:5-6 NIV). We can only guess at who or what the restraining power is, which even now prevents Antichrist from coming.  Through the centuries, many ideas have been put forth.  Several of the early church fathers, such as Tertullian, Chrysostom and Lactantius were certain that the restraining power was the Roman Empire.⁷⁸ This makes some sense, as we shall see.  In addition to this, biblical law is also a mighty restraining force and it is now rapidly being taken out of the way.

We might say that this idea of the Roman Empire and its law as the restrainer is now the most popular idea among commentators.⁷⁹ Some commentators such as Morris, Pfeiffer and Harrison have favored this option but have sighed that the Roman Empire is no more.⁸⁰ They really do not need to sigh, because the Bible makes plain that the Roman Empire is still with us.  Daniel is clear that when the sovereign theocracy of Israel fell in 586 BC, God brought about four world governments that would last and guard society until the end of the age.  In fact, they would all fall at the same time (Dan. 2:35), at the advent of Antichrist.  These world governments were Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome.  All these governments still greatly affect us.

It should be of special concern today that we may be living in the very time Daniel spoke of, when the Roman power, authority and law would wane and even begin collapsing.  The same would be the case with the Greek and the other two cultures that were so important to civilization.  Paul says, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7 NIV).

Just a few generations ago it was customary for educated people to know the Roman and Greek classics.  I can even remember when Latin was a popular subject in secular schools. All that has now passed away.  On every hand we are now seeing lawlessness arise.

The Antichrist seems to be focused on Israel.  Not only will he take his seat in the very temple of God at Jerusalem, but he will draw all nations into an awful war against Israel. There will be a great time of suffering for Jews and for Gentiles alike as this begins to take place. Then all the earth will hear a trumpet call and one on a white horse will be seen in the heavens (Rev. 19:11).

 

THE COMING OF CHRIST WITH HIS SAINTS

 

There are said to be over three hundred scriptures in the Bible that refer to Christ’s return to the earth. In the Book of Acts, at Jesus’s ascension, the disciples saw angels and heard their message: “And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:10-11 ESV).

Jesus had spoken often of his return.  In Matthew 24:30, he said: “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (ESV).

The return of Christ will be very public and will be witnessed by all humanity: “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:27 ESV). “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen” (Rev. 1:7 ESV). As we can see from this verse, the coming of Christ will cause a great wail to go up from the ungodly world.  They will immediately understand the folly of their rebellious, sinful ways and realize that there is no longer any hope for their salvation.

The coming seems to have two immediate purposes. He is coming first to save those who eagerly wait for him (Heb. 9:28). The salvation of the righteous will be a most spectacular thing. For the righteous living and dead, we have this wonderful scripture: “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51-52 ESV: cf. 1 Thess. 4:16-17; Col. 3:4).

We have a very deep mystery here and one that is poorly understood in the church today.  Let us try to understand it. Our evil age will end with the sounding of the trumpet.  When that trumpet sounds the dead saints will immediately receive resurrected and glorified bodies as we have said, and they will be gathered to meet the Lord in the First Resurrection (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The living saints will immediately have glorified bodies and they too will be taken up to meet Christ. This has astounding implications for us and means that our service to Christ from this point on in the Millennial Age will be with glorified and resurrected bodies.  Apparently, we will even appear at the great judgment with glorified bodies. These bodies will be eternal.

Early Christians were watching and waiting for the Lord’s return. There was also a great urgency among the earliest Christians to live blameless lives so that they might be ready for the coming of Jesus (1 Tim. 6:14; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Jn. 3:2-3).  There does not seem to be the same concern in the church today.

The coming of Christ will bring forth cataclysmic events in heaven and earth. Matthew 24:29 (ESV) says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (cf.  Rev 6:12-17; 11:13). There will be massive earth movements as we see in Zechariah 14:4 (ESV): “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.” The prophet Micah says, “The mountains will disintegrate beneath him, and the valleys will be split in two.  The mountains will melt like wax in a fire, the rocks will slide down like water cascading down a steep slope” (Mic. 1:4 NET).

In Rev. 22:12, we are told that he is also coming to repay the wicked.  The angels will gather the wicked, but they will gather them for their destruction. They will be plucked out of God’s kingdom (Matt. 13:41-42). Paul says: “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek” (Rom. 2:6-10 ESV).  The Lord will surprise the wicked and come to them like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2-3).

Zechariah gives us a view of the military conflict that will take place on that day: “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city” (Zech. 14:2 NIV).  We need to understand that all nations on the earth will be involved in this war.  It is probably the pent-up antisemitism of the ages that is at last being released.  We should also note that it is in the final analysis it is God himself who draws the nations to Israel for their judgment and punishment.  In Joel 3:2 (NIV), God says: “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.”  All nations will be judged largely because of their treatment of Israel and the Jewish people over the centuries.

What we have described here is one aspect of the Battle of Armageddon, some of which will be fought in the Kidron Valley next to Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.  It is also called the Valley of Jehoshaphat or the valley where God judges.  Armageddon and Jerusalem are scarcely over fifty air miles apart (80 km.) and such a large battle will cover both, even all the tiny nation of Israel. It is unthinkable that a worldwide battle involving all nations against Israel will not cover and saturate the whole country in war.

We notice that half the city will go into exile. A similar thing happened in the 1948 War of Independence.  Old Jerusalem was captured and its people were taken to exile in Jordan.  This was likely another Day of the Lord in miniature form.  We read that the houses of Jerusalem will be ransacked and the women raped.  Rape was often a hallmark of Moslem victories in the past.  Surely, the surrounding Moslem nations will gladly join in with the international forces to vent their ancient rage once more against Israel.  We must ask, “Where are you God?”  It often seems that God gets there only a minute before total disaster, after everyone but the faithful have given up.  The prophet points out that the whole city will not be conquered.  Apparently, a remnant of the population will be left.  Yes, God always works with a remnant. Daniel 12:7b tells us that the power of God’s people will be broken before the Lord at last appears.

We might ask “Why Jerusalem?”  “Why does the Holy City finally get overrun by its enemies?” “How could two-thirds of the Jewish people be destroyed as the prophet says (Zech. 13:8)?” We ask again, “Where is God?”  Baldwin answers these questions by saying: “Judgment begins with them (Jer. 25:29; Ezek. 9:6; 1 Pet. 4:17).” ⁸¹

In line with his judgment, the Lord will bring a decree upon the Antichrist. He will be found there with his vast international army and will already be in the process of trying to conquer Jerusalem and the whole of Israel. The Bible says: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming (2 Thess. 2:8 NIV; cf. Zech. 14:3, 12, 13).” From what we see in scripture, the defeat of the Antichrist and his army will be almost instantaneous. Jesus will deliver a swift judgment not only to the Antichrist but to the False Prophet. Both will immediately be thrown into hell (Rev. 19:20). Then the wrath of Jesus will turn upon the devil.  We read of the Lord’s angel: “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (Rev. 20:2 NIV).” The earth is about to enter into a totally new and wonderful era without temptation and without the devil.

 

THE MILLENNIAL PERIOD

 

With the coming of Christ to assume all authority over the earth, we will see monumental changes in many areas.  The Bible notes just a few of these alterations.  There will be changes in light, darkness, warmth and cold (Isa. 13:10; 60:19-20; Joel 2:31; 3:15; Matt. 24:29).  At last, we will have a real “climate change” that so many talk about.  Since Jesus is the Light of the World, we will have constant and blessed light even without sun and moon.  As we remember, in the creation there was light before the heavenly bodies were ever made (Gen. 1:4-5, 14, 16).

Zechariah says: “It will be a unique day – a day known only to the LORD – with no distinction between day and night. When evening comes, there will be light” (Zech. 14:7 NIV).  In Revelation 22:5 (NIV) we read: “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”  We notice that it is the saints of God who will be reigning for Christ on earth. Through Jesus, they will be doing what Adam was supposed to have done. This is astounding information that has mostly eluded the church for almost two thousand years.

Zechariah continues: “On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter” (Zech. 14:8 NIV). Well-known Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe comments: “Jerusalem is the only great city of antiquity that wasn’t built near a large river…” ⁸² However, the prophet Ezekiel saw that a mighty river would eventually flow from the throne of God down to the Dead Sea area bringing life and vitality to that dry wilderness (Ezek. 47:1-12; cf. Joel 3:18). In verse 8 above we learn that a river will also flow to the west. English commentator Peter Pett says, “…This glorious river, like the apocalyptic Jerusalem itself, is symbolic of the truth of God going out to the nations bringing life wherever it goes.” ⁸³ British New Testament scholar Donald Guthrie adds: “Living waters picture the river of God in paradise regained (cf. Gen. 2:10 with Ezek. 47:8 and
Rev. 22:1).” ⁸⁴

I remember on one occasion there was some excitement among the Christians in Jerusalem because water had begun to flow from one of the ancient walls.  Alas, we soon discovered that it was only a broken water pipe in the Old City.

Jerusalem has always had a problem with its water supply.  In ancient times the main source was the Gihon Spring.  It was the spring which King Hezekiah blocked and diverted into the City of David for fear of an Assyrian invasion (2 Ki. 20:20).  I have walked through this long, dark water tunnel on several occasions.  The cold water gets up to one’s knees or thighs, but it is indeed a slow-moving stream and certainly does not produce enough water for a growing population. With the coming of the Messiah, Jerusalem’s water problems will be over forever (Isa. 35:6-7; Rev. 22:1-2).

Zechariah says: “The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name” (Zech 14:9 NIV).  The plague of idolatry has been with the human family almost since its beginning.  Even in our enlightened age, we are still prone to idolatry of various sophisticated sorts.  After the Lord appears, this problem will vanish and everyone on earth will know that there is only one God.  During the Millennium we will see all nations worshipping the true God.

The Millennium is probably one of the most confusing subjects for Bible students. It is presently understood in three different manners: premillennialism, postmillennialism and amillennialism.  Of course, the premillennialists believe that Jesus will come back before the Millennium.  This today is the predominant view.  The postmillennialists believe he will come after the Millennium.  The amillennialists do not believe in a literal thousand years of the reign of Christ and the righteous on the earth. They feel that the thousand years is symbolic and can refer even to the past and present history and victory of the church. All this has made a subject that was once exciting, extremely drab and confusing.  We have lost something very, very precious.

It appears that the Millennium is a necessary transition period between the old earth and the new earth.  When we read 2 Peter 3:10, it sounds like the world will be burned up and totally destroyed (KJV).  However, as Randy Alcorn says, “…the word translated ‘burned up’ does not appear in the oldest Greek manuscripts, which contain a word that means ‘found’ or ‘shown.’ The NIV translates it ‘laid bare,’ and the English standard version renders it ‘exposed.’” ⁸⁵ The Bible is clear that the earth will never be destroyed (Psa. 78:69; 93:1; 96:10; 104:5; Eccl. 1:4).

The earth will be totally renewed (2 Pet. 3:13). Several ancient writers have spoken about this. “Jerome often said that heaven and earth would not be annihilated but would be transformed into something better. Augustine wrote similarly, as did Gregory the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and many medieval theologians.” ⁸⁶ Alcorn shows how the Greek word kainos (new) means new in quality.  It is the very same word that Paul uses when he talks about us becoming new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). We are still the same physical people but we have been renewed in Christ.⁸⁷

For much of my life, I wondered why we do not see Jesus seated on his Jerusalem throne during the Millennium.  Now I liken all this to a person buying an old wreck of a house.  We can imagine that the roof leaks, the plumbing does not work.  It is dirty and infested with mice and termites.  The person has bought the house and holds the title, but he certainly will not move in immediately.  He will spend a lot of time repairing and refurbishing the house before moving in.

It seems that Christ will come to earth and publicly take over its ownership, but he will not fully move in for a thousand years (cf. Rev. 21:3).  It appears that overcoming, resurrected and glorified Christians will rule for Christ during this time. Psalm 149:6-9 tells us a lot about what we will be doing. We will also be administering the earth for Christ like Adam should have done. With Christ’s help, we will be pulling down the high places and demolishing the remaining strongholds or arguments against God (2 Cor. 10:5-6). The Bible talks about the victorious saints ruling over cities (Lk. 19:17). Do we wonder why Paul exhorts us to practice reigning over evil while we still live in this present age (Rom. 5:17)?  After all, the Bible does say that we are laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9). We are also joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Our work on the earth as it is being renewed will not be boring. How can rulership over cities or over nations be boring (Rev. 2:26)? How can the resurrected and glorified life be boring?

We see something happening in the Millennium that has never happened before.  In Zechariah 14:16 (NIV) we read: “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.”  This has already started. Since 1980, thousands of evangelical Christians have gone up each year to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) with the Jews.  However, that has been the exception and not the rule among Christians.  We detect here an entirely new attitude in the nations of the earth.  People will no longer hate and persecute Israel, but they will be joining Israel in worship.  This picture is seen clearly in Isaiah 2:2-3 (NIV):

In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.  Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,  to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

We notice that the Millennium is not a perfect world although it is on the way to perfection.  Zechariah 14:17 (NIV) says: “If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain.”  Here we see something very interesting.  Dissent and rebellion of peoples, to some small degree, will still be present but will not be tolerated in the Millennial Period. Wiersbe comments: “Remember, though the Millennium is a time of peace and blessing, it is also a time when Jesus will reign over all the earth ‘with a rod of iron’ and will judge disobedience (Ps. 2:9; Rev: 2:27; 19:15).  Not to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles would be tantamount to despising the blessings of the Lord, and this is a serious transgression.” ⁸⁸ We do need to remember that the peaceful Millennium will end with one last battle, that of Gog and Magog (Rev. 20:7-8).  It will be the earth’s final war and the large invading army will be totally destroyed by the fire of God.

Although we see this period through a glass darkly, this scripture concerning the victorious saints in Revelation is very clear: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10 NIV).  This has to be one of the least read and understood verses in the Bible.  Simply, victorious saints will reign for Christ on earth, almost certainly in the Millennium (Rev. 20:4).  We learn that victorious saints will exercise rule with Christ over peoples and nations.  They will also rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 12:5).  They will be glorified and resurrected saints, but there will be fleshly people still living on the earth, for some will grow old and even die during this time (Isa. 65:20; cf. Zech. 8:4-5).  The risen saints will be celebrating the glorious first resurrection. We see more about our warfare in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV): “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

God has given the earth to victorious humans.  Jesus promises: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5 NIV).  Psalm 115:16 (NIV) says, “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind.” We read: “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6 NIV).

As we rule for him, we can help execute his benevolent care.  We can think God’s thoughts and do God’s perfect will without being hindered by flesh or sin. Just one example of thinking God’s thoughts:  A grain of sand is a very common and disinteresting thing, but someone meditated on that grain of sand and discovered silicon.  With that discovery, the Cyber Age was born.  Just think of what all remains for our discovery!

Probably because of our Greek understandings the church has focused on an ethereal old heaven and has neglected the concepts that God is making a new heaven and a new earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1, 4).  Since Adam fell, the earth is a disaster because Satan is now acting as its prince (Jn. 12:31).  The Bible tells us that God will reverse all this since he has given the earth to mankind. He will cause humankind to reign once more through Jesus and the meek will inherit the earth as we have said (Matt. 5:5; cf. Dan. 7:27; Rev. 22:5).  It seems certain that the resurrected saints of God will reign with Christ through the Millennium.  We will join in God’s great restoration program with humanity being restored from the Fall as well as the restoration of all the natural world. The trees of the field will clap their hands (Isa. 55:12).

This aspect of the Millennium is truly interesting and should help us to rediscover some of the excitement and joy concerning the Resurrection.  Early Christians had that abundant and amazing excitement and joy.  It is just like God to finish what he began.  He began by creating humans and then by giving them authority to rule the earth for him (Psa. 8:3-9; Heb. 2:8). In the end he will totally restore the authority that was lost in Adam. God will not only restore humanity, but he will restore all nature and deliver it from the curse caused by Adam’s failure.

As the earth is renewed, we will see Christ change all of nature. Probably beginning in the Millennium, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isa. 11:6 NIV). A young child could play around a cobra and not be harmed in the least (v. 8). God will make a covenant with the beasts of the field (Hos. 2:18). Simply, the ancient curse will be removed from the earth.  We will see long-contested Jerusalem become the world’s capital and all nations will flow to it seeking to learn about God’s law (Isa. 2:1-4;
Mic. 4:1-2).

The Millennium will be a near-perfect earth, but it is interesting that there still will be some rebellion present.  We see that a perfect society will not produce perfect people.  Only Jesus can do that. We not only see stubborn Egyptians refusing to come and worship but at the end of the Millennium, there is mentioned a final battle of Gog and Magog against God and Israel. That last rebellion will be quickly terminated by God, with Israel spending seven months just burying the dead (Ezek. 39:12).  We are assured by this that there will still be some rebellious flesh on earth. Apparently, God will destroy this very large army before it has a chance to attack his beloved Jerusalem.

 

THE CONSUMMATION

 

Many changes in the earth and heavens that have begun in the Millennium will likely continue to be completed in the new heaven and new earth. We must keep in mind that we are still seeing through the glass darkly about this whole era.  God has not revealed it all to us, but he has revealed some of it. The scripture says: “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever…” (Deut. 29:29 NIV).

The average Christian would look at the period of consummation as their going to heaven forever.  It might surprise a lot of Christians today to learn that they have a mostly Greek concept of heaven. To Greek philosophers, the “spiritual” realm became of primary importance while the flesh and earthly things were spurned and looked down upon. To the Greeks, it was important to get rid of the body. Then they could ascend to that perfectly spiritual state where they could lounge in those Elysian Fields, somewhere in the heavenlies. That sounds a little like those who think they will sit on a cloud and strum their harps forever. There was no place for a bodily resurrection or renewed earth in Greek thinking. Unfortunately, most of our early church leaders were either Greeks, Greek speakers or Greek thinkers.

The popular theologian N. T. Wright sums it up by saying: “…in much Western piety, at least since the Middle Ages, the influence of Greek philosophy has been very marked, resulting in a future expectation that bears far more resemblance to Plato’s vision of souls entering into disembodied bliss than to the biblical picture of new heavens and new
earth.” ⁸⁹

A lot of Christians are not too excited about heaven. Many Bible scholars simply ignore the subject.  Alcorn says: “Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote an in-depth two-volume set titled The Nature and Destiny of Man. Remarkably, he had nothing to say about heaven. William Shedd’s three-volume Dogmatic Theology contains eighty-seven pages on eternal punishment, but only two on heaven. In his nine-hundred-page theology, Great Doctrines of the Bible, Martyn Lloyd-Jones devotes less than two pages to the eternal state and the New Earth.” ⁹⁰

It seems that a lot of Christians are almost bored with the subject. God made us from earth and he has given us millions of pictures of the earth but very few pictures of the present heaven.  Alcorn tells the story of a little fish who was bound for fish heaven: “When you die, you’ll go to fish heaven and – Isn’t this great? – there will be no water! You won’t have fins, and you won’t swim. And you won’t eat because you won’t need food. I’ll bet you can’t wait to get there!” ⁹¹

Some folks might say, “Wait a minute.  Didn’t Jesus promise us mansions in heaven?” It is unfortunate that the King James Version translated it as “mansions” in John 14:2. Modern versions translate this as “rooms” (NIV, RSV & ESV) or “dwelling places” (NAS, NRS & NET). Wright clears this up saying: “The word for ‘dwelling places’ here, monai, is regularly used in ancient Greek not for a final resting place but for a temporary halt on a journey that will take you somewhere else in the long run.” ⁹² Those saints now waiting with Jesus in the old heaven will soon be on their way with him to the new heaven and the new earth.

Then there is the popular idea that Christ will appear and rescue the saints, taking them to the old heaven shortly before the tribulation.  There they will celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb.  This whole idea is based upon a misunderstanding of another Greek word. The word apantēsis or “to meet” (1 Thess. 4:17) is derived from a particular political practice in the Greco-Roman world.  When a king or dignitary visited a city the leaders and many citizens of the city went out to meet him and to accompany him back to their community.⁹³ The obvious implication of this word is that the newly resurrected and glorified saints will go up to greet the coming Lord and accompany him back to the earth. It is clear that Jesus is coming to take over the earth, not just to remove his defeated saints before the coming battle.

We need to remember that the Bible is very earth centered.  “Erets [Heb. earth] is the fourth most frequently used noun in the Old Testament, appearing more than 2,500 times.” ⁹⁴ In Revelation 21:1-4, we learn “…that the glorified church will not remain in a heaven far off in space but will spend eternity on the new earth.  From verse 3 we learn that the dwelling place of God will no longer be away from the earth but on the earth…heaven and earth will no longer be separated, as they are now, but will be merged.” ⁹⁵ Alcorn says “If God were to end history and reign forever in a distant heaven, earth would be remembered as a graveyard of sin and failure.  Instead, Earth will be redeemed and resurrected.” ⁹⁶

In much theology today it is the righteous who will be removed and supposedly taken to heaven.  However, the Bible says: “The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (Psa. 37:29-31 NIV). In Proverbs 2:21-22, the author states: “For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.”  In Proverbs 10:30, it is stated bluntly: “The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land” (NIV).  We surely remember that in the parables of Jesus it is the wicked who are removed. God will so remove the wicked from the earth that not a trace of them can be found anywhere
(Mal. 4:1).

The genius of God’s plan is to unite things in heaven and things on earth together under the headship of Christ (Eph. 1:10). We Christians have all things going up while the Bible has all things coming down. Jesus instructed us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10 NIV). We should pray that prayer every day as we have said and ask for the kingdom to come to earth.

God has always instructed us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa. 122:6).  There is a reason for this instruction.  Jerusalem is the center of God’s redemptive activity on earth.  It is the spiritual capital of the earth and will soon be the political center as well.  We can assume that resurrected David will rule over all Israel (Ezek. 34:24; 37:25) and that resurrected disciples will rule over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). Jerusalem will become a very busy center.  We can understand why the devil and evil nations have tried for thousands of years to destroy Jerusalem.

Like the new earth, there will be a New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is described in Revelation 21. It will come down after the Millennium and its description is naturally and spiritually astounding. Alcorn says: “The ground level of the city will be nearly two million square miles. This is forty times bigger than England and fifteen thousand times bigger than London.” ⁹⁷ It is amazing, but the city is as high as it is wide and long (Rev. 21:16).

The city will be filled with incredibly precious things.  The tree of life will be restored and the river of life will flow from the city as we have said. Nothing impure will ever enter there but the saints of God will come to Zion with singing and eternal praise on their lips.

The righteous will be ruling for Christ on earth as Adam should have done. The many godless rulers will then be displaced. That alone should bring joy to millions. The Bible says that the whole creation has been groaning in pain awaiting this (Rom. 8:22). As we have mentioned, in Revelation 2:26, we see that overcoming Christians will be given authority over nations.

After the earth is finally cleansed and Satan himself is permanently removed, we will see some astonishing changes in Jerusalem, Israel and in the whole world. The world and Jerusalem will be filled with unbelievable beauty and glory. When the creation is at last brought into God’s order, we will see the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven and God finally making his dwelling place on earth. We will see heaven and earth becoming one: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Rev. 21:3 NIV). The new heaven will then be joined to the New Earth forever. The millions of pictures we have seen on earth, the flowers, the trees, the rivers, etc. will all take on astounding beauty. There will be no more sickness, death, tears, sorrow or sighing (Isa. 35:10; 51:11; 65:19; Rev. 21:4). All these former things will be gone forever.

We will see the tree of life once more available to God’s saints. People will no longer eat from the forbidden tree of human knowledge.  Remember, this is the “I think” tree, the “I’ll do it my way,” tree or the “I have my truth” tree.  They will eat from the tree of life and drink from the water of life (Jesus).

Israel and Jerusalem will have a beauty that defies imagination. Isaiah says: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God” (Isa. 35:1-2 ESV). “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water…” (Joel 3:18 NIV). The land will become like the Garden of Eden (Ez. 36:35-36).

Jerusalem will also become a very holy place. Isaiah says, “And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isa. 35:8-10 ESV).

Zechariah says: “On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the LORD’s house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar” (Zech. 14:20 NIV). We cannot miss the fact that this dedication “Holy to the Lord” was inscribed on the headpiece of Israel’s high priest (Exo. 28:36).  Now, “Holy to the Lord” will be inscribed on the bells of the horses and even on common pots.  Jamieson and company comment: “This implies that all things, even the most common, shall be sacred to Jehovah, and not merely the things which under the law had peculiar sanctity attached to them. The ‘bells’ were metal plates hanging from the necks of horses and camels as ornaments, which tinkled (as the Hebrew root means) by striking against each other. Bells attached to horses were found represented on the walls of Sennacherib‘s palace…” ⁹⁸

At this time the cooking pots will be like the sacred bowls at the altar. It is clear that in this era there will be no distinction between the sacred and secular.  Everything will be sacred to the Lord.  The pots in the temple were very base objects but they will be considered as sacred as the silver and golden bowls used to catch the blood at the altar.⁹⁹ This reminds us of Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (NIV).

There will no longer be a Canaanite in the temple of God.  Commentators are pretty uniform in translating Canaanite as “trafficker” or “merchant.” ¹⁰⁰ We can probably remember how Jesus had a great conflict with the merchants in God’s temple (Matt. 21:13; Mk. 11:15-17; Lk. 19:45-46; Jn. 2:13-22). He had no patience with them and even took a whip to them.  We might wonder if we still have some Canaanites around.  Coffman boldly states: “Preachers who are primarily purveyors of the word of God for money are the true Canaanites of this current era; and the suspicion is fully justified that there are many who fall into this category.” ¹⁰¹

In this sparkling new world, Jesus will take his holy and eternal bride, the true church. The long-awaited marriage of the Lamb will finally occur (Hos. 2:18; Rev. 19:7; 21:2-3). God will come to live forever with his people in Israel and Jerusalem. Heaven and earth will become one as we have said. The prophet Daniel tells us something really incredible: “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Dan. 7:27 NIV). Revelation near its end (22:5 NIV) has this happy note about God’s saints,“…And they will reign for ever and ever.”

 

END NOTES

 

1  Lee Strobel, The Case For A Creator (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), p. 106.

2  Gerald Schroeder, The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom  (NY: The Free Press, 1997), p. 22.

3  Robert J. Spitzer, New Proofs For The Existence Of God, Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), p. 45.

4  Frank J. Tipler, The Physics of Christianity (NY: Doubleday, 2007), p. 92.

5  Max Jammer, Einstein and Religion, (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999), p. 256.

6  Quoted in Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity (Wheaton IL: Crossway Books, 2004), p. 156.

7  Schroeder, The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom, p. 202. 

8  Norman L. Geisler & Frank Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2004), p.106.

9  Ibid., pp. 98, 100, 101, & 106.

10  Gerald L. Schroeder, Ph.D., Genesis and the Big Bang, The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern Science and the Bible (New York: Bantam Books, 1990),  p. 100.

11 Quoted in Strobel,  The Case For A Creator, p. 106.

12  Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Darwinism

13  Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, p. 156.

14  Geisler & Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist, p. 158.

15  Michael Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (Bethesda, MD: Adler, & Adler, Publishers, Inc., 1985), pp. 358-359.

16  Henry M. Morris,  The Long War Against God: The story and impact of the Creation/Evolution Conflict (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989), p. 23.

17  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, p. 352.

18  Ibid., pp. 160-161.

19  Schroeder, Genesis and the Big Bang, The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern Science and the Bible, p. 25.

20  Quoted in Geisler & Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist, pp. 151-152.

21  Ibid., p. 148.

22  Quoted in Rice Broocks, God’s Not Dead, Evidence For God In An Age Of Uncertainty (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2013), p. 88.

23  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, p. 103.

24  Ibid., p. 165.

25  Brittanica.com. https://www.britannica.com/science/Cambrian-explosion

26  Michael J. Behe, Darwin’s Black Box (New York: The Free Press, 1996), pp. 51, 52, 73.

27  Ibid., pp. 9, 138-139.

28  Ibid., p. 233.

29 Ibid., p. 39.

30  Geisler & Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist, p. 146.

31  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, p. 334.

32  Ibid., p. 264.

33  Quoted in Nancy Pearcey, Finding Truth (Colorado Springs: David Cook, 2015), pp. 232-233.

34  Francis A. Schaeffer, Death In The City (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1969), p. 101. 

35  Quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case For A Creator, p. 31. 

36  Robert J. Spitzer, New Proofs For The Existence Of God, Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy, p. 59.

37  Quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case For A Creator, p. 41.

38  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, pp. 15-16.

39  Carl Werner, Evolution The Grand Experiment (Green Forest, AR: New Leaf Press, 2007), pp. 12-22.

Dr. Werner now has a second volume entitled Evolution: The Grand Experiment: Vol. 2 – Living Fossils. Werner also has an ongoing video series to accompany his great books.

40  Lee Strobel, The Case For A Creator, pp. 250, 258.

41  Ibid., p. 250.

42  Ibid., p. 254.

43  Ibid., p. 269.

44  Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live?, (Wheaton IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.), 1999, p. 135.

45  Hymnary Organization. https://hymnary.org/text/for_the_beauty_of_the_earth

46  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, p. 342.

47  Lee Strobel, The Case For A Creator, p. 128. 

48  Denton, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, pp. 358-359.

49  William Barclay, Luke’s Commentary, Ch. 1, vs. 46-56. Bible Portal.
https://bibleportal.com/commentary/chapter/william-barclay/luke/1

50  Colson and Pearcey, How Now Shall We live?, p. 117.

51  Geisler & Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist, p. 190.

52  Josh McDowell & Bob Hostetler, The New Tolerance: How a cultural movement threatens to destroy you, your faith, and your children (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1998), p. 65.

53  Ibid.

54  Derek Prince, War in Heaven (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2003), p. 82.

55  Ibid., p. 84.

56  Fritz A. Rothschild, Between God and Man, An Interpretation of Judaism, from the writings of Abraham J. Heschel (NY: The Free Press, NY, 1959), p. 235.

57  Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, p. 42.

58  Mike Mason, The Mystery of Marriage (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Press, 1985), p. 50.

59  Nancy Pearcey, Saving Leonardo, A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, & Meaning (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2010), p. 64.

60  Nancy R. Pearcey, Love Thy Body, Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2018),  p. 31.

61  Francis A. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?  The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture (Wheaton IL: Crossway Books, 1976), p. 134.

62  Oswald Chambers, The Purpose of Prayer (for Aug. 28) My Utmost For His Highest.

63  Derek Prince, War in Heaven, p. 111.

64  Ray Stedman, Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1-9. http://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy

65  Michael W. Holmes, The NIV Application Commentary 1 And 2 Thessalonians (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), p. 207.

66  Albert Hilbert, Smith Wigglesworth, The Secret of His Power (Tulsa OK: Harrison House, 1982), pp. 30-31.

67  Pearcey, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, p. 293.

68  George Barna & David Kinnaman, eds., Churchless (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2014), p. 110.

69  Barna Group. https://www.barna.com/research/changing-state-of-the-church/

70  Michael Reagan with Jim Denney, Twice Adopted (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2004), p. 210.

71  Austin Ruse, Fake Science; Exposing the Left’s Skewed Statistics, fuzzy facts, and dodgy data (Washington: Regnery, 2017), p. 101.

72  Ibid.

73  Pearcey, Saving Leonardo, A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, & Meaning, p. 30.

74  Robert Ringer, Restoring the American Dream (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2010), p. xxi.

75  McDowell & Hostetler, The New Tolerance: How a cultural movement threatens to destroy you, your faith, and your children, p. 25.

76  Renald E. Showers, The Biblical Concept of the Day of the Lord, https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-biblical-concept-of-the-day-of-the-lord/

77  Ibid.

78  Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson, eds., The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 3 (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956), pp. 42-43.

Tertullian says: “We know that a mighty cataclysm hangs over the whole earth.  In fact, the very end of all things threatens dreadful woes.  And this is only held back by the continued existence of the Roman empire.”

79  James Burton Coffman, Commentary on 2 Thessalonians, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament Testament (Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian University Press, 1983-1999), Ch. 1:1. and 2:6.  http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/view.cgi?bk=51&ch=3

80  Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 1364.

81  Joyce G. Baldwin, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1972), p. 200.

82  Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 1521. 

83  Peter Pett, Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Zechariah, Ch. 14:7.  https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/pet/zechariah-14.html

84  D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer, A.M. Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman, The New Bible Commentary: Revised (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 802.

85  Randy Alcorn, Heaven (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2004), pp. 154-155.

86  Ibid., p. 155.

87  Ibid.

88  Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 1521.

89  N. T. Wright, Surprised By Hope, Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church (New York: Harper, Collins, 2008), p. 80.

90  Alcorn, Heaven, p. 8.

91  Ibid., p. 266.

92  Wright, Surprised By Hope, Rethinking Heaven, he Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, p. 150.

93  Jacob W. Elias, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Believers Church Bible Commentary (Scottsdale, PA & Waterloo, ONT: The Herald Press, 1995), p. 179.

94  Alcorn, Heaven, p. 211.

95  Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible And The Future (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1979), p. 285.

96  Alcorn, Heaven, p. 143.

97  Ibid., p. 250.

98  Robert Jamieson, A. R. Faussett & David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Commentary on Zechariah, 1871-8, Ch. 14, verse 20. https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/zechariah-14.html.

99  Charles L. Feinberg, The Minor Prophets (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1952), p. 344.

100  Pett, Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, Zechariah, Ch. 14, verses 20-21.

101  James Burton Coffman, Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament Testament, Commentary on Zechariah, Ch. 14, verse 21.   https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/zechariah-14

 

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