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Month: November 2018

The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #96 ~

This present church age and the future kingdom age are two distinct time periods in the history of mankind. Ephesians 1:21 tells us, “… not only in this age, but also in the one to come…” Now we live in the church age, but it won’t be long before Jesus Christ returns to rapture the church, and shortly thereafter, sets up His kingdom on earth. But what will this kingdom age be like? One way to find out is to compare these two ages, and see how they are alike and how they are different. Let’s look at some areas so you can better understand the fantastic future God has for you and for all believers:

Who is the ruler? The devil is the ruler of the world during this present church age, but Jesus Christ is the ruler of the world during the kingdom age. John 12:31, 1 John 5:19, Zechariah 14:9, Revelation 11:15

How long are the ages? No one knows precisely how long this present church age will last, but we do know that the kingdom age will last for exactly 1000 years, which is why it is often called the millennial kingdom. Matthew 24:36, Revelation 20:1-7

How long will people live? People will live a lot longer during the millennial kingdom age than during this present church age. At this time, on average, people live to be about 80 years or so, but during the next age, a person who lives only to be 100 years “will be thought accursed.” Isaiah 65:20, Psalm 90:10

The kings versus the King: During this church age, Jesus Christ is in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God, while kings on earth are taking their stand against Him, counseling together, and contending with Him. But during the millennial kingdom, these kings will be powerless, for Christ will be the only true King, sitting on His throne in Jerusalem, and ruling over the earth. Psalm 2, Zechariah 14:9, Matthew 26:64

The evil age and the good age: This present age is an evil age, and a big reason is because the devil is the ruler of the world. The coming millennial kingdom age will be a good age, for Jesus Christ will be perfectly ruling the world. But this 1000-year kingdom age won’t be a perfect age, and that’s because sin and death will still exist on this earth. Galatians 1:4, Psalm 72:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:25-26, Revelation 21:4

Injustice or justice: During this present age, there’s a great deal of injustice and unrighteousness on earth. Wickedness is flourishing at this time, but not so during the millennial kingdom, for then Christ will rule with a rod of iron, bringing justice, mercy, and peace to this world. Psalm 2:9, Psalm 37, Psalm 72, Philippians 2:10-11

Satan’s influence: Satan continually tempts people to sin during this church age. But he will be imprisoned and incapacitated during the millennial kingdom, and therefore, unable to tempt anyone, believer or unbeliever. His only evil influence will come at the very end of this kingdom age, when he will be let loose for a short time, and gather unbelievers to fight against God, but unsuccessfully so. Revelation 20:1-10

Judging the sinners: God will deal decisively with unbelievers at the end of this present age, and at the end of the age to come. He will punish the unbelievers living on earth (except those Jews chosen to be saved) at the end of this church age, during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 8-9, 16). At the end of the millennial kingdom age, Jesus Christ, sitting on His great white throne, will judge all unbelievers, all the ungodly, and then cast them into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

The earth’s physical condition: During this church age, the earth is in a corrupted state, but it will be renovated at the start of the millennial kingdom, and therefore, greatly improved. Only after this 1000-year kingdom age, during the eternal kingdom age, will the earth be completely brand new, perfectly holy in every way, entirely and forever free from sin, death, and the devil. Romans 8:18-24, Isaiah 65:17-25, Revelation 21:1-4

God’s kingdom is growing: The kingdom of God continues to grow in size during the church age and the millennial kingdom age, for people will be getting saved during both time periods. Numerically speaking, God’s kingdom will be fully grown at the end of the millennial kingdom. Matthew 13:30-33

Spiritual and physical growth of the kingdom: During the church age, Christ’s focus is on the spiritual growth of God’s kingdom. People are being born again, and are being transferred from the domain of the devil to the kingdom of God. During the next age, Christ’s focus is on both the spiritual and physical growth of God’s kingdom, on both her internal and external growth. Matthew 16:18, Colossians 1:13; Luke 17:21; Psalm 47, Psalm 67

Glorified or not? During this church age, all believers, those now in heaven and those still on earth, are not yet glorified. But at the coming of Christ and the rapture of the church, they will be glorified, and remain glorified during the millennial kingdom age, and forevermore. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

Well known or not? During this church age, our lives are hidden with Christ, meaning we are not well known in the world. But in the millennial kingdom, we will be revealed with Christ and be reigning with Him, and it will be obvious to all that we are God’s children, and are very special to Him. 1 Corinthians 4:8-13, Colossians 3:3-4, Revelation 1:6

Greater glory for God: More glory will be given to God during the millennial kingdom than during this present age. That’s because: a) More of God’s glory will be evident in the world, thereby resulting in more glory being given to Him. b) There will be a greater number of believers living during the millennial kingdom than at any other time in history, resulting in more people giving glory to God. c) All the believers who have lived during this present age will be glorified, and therefore are able to give God much more glory. Habakkuk 2:14, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Revelation 19:1-6

Peace on earth: During this present church age, there are many conflicts between people, many wars between nations, and there is not peace on earth. During the millennial kingdom, there will, in general, be peace on earth. Psalm 72:3, Isaiah 9:6

What a blessing to be living for Jesus Christ during this church age! Now is our time to be using our gifts and talents to serve Him. But I must say, I am really looking forward to Christ’s return and the rapture of the church, and shortly after that, being with Him on earth during the millennial kingdom age. What an incredible time that will be, for we will be fully saved, glorified and perfect, and fully able to love our Savior and King, and live for Him like never before! Hallelujah!!! “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:10

P. S. Here are two short and encouraging posts that go along with what you have just read:  Everything on this Earth is Going to Change, and More on the Glory of God, the Most Important Thing of All.

God’s Kingdom Work

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #95 ~

God’s primary work is kingdom work! It’s what He’s been doing since the creation of the world. Starting with Adam and Eve, then through the Jews, now through the church, and then during the next age, God has been, is, and will be, building His kingdom.

To understand the history of God’s most important work, we have to go back to the Old Testament, where we find many prophecies and promises that God gave to the Jews about the coming King and His kingdom. Zechariah 14:9 tells us, “The Lord will be King over the earth.” In 2 Samuel 7:8-17, David is told, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever.” Daniel 7:27 says, “His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom.” Isaiah 9:6-7 predicts, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom… from then on and forevermore.” Psalm 2:6 clearly states, “But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.” Psalm 47 tells us the truth, “For God is the King of all the earth… God reigns over the nations.” Psalm 98:6 exhorts us, “Shout joyfully before the King, the Lord.”

God also promised the Jews, “You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). You see, God wanted the Jews to be members of His kingdom, and part of the process in establishing this kingdom, both spiritually and physically. Some of the Jews were righteous and serving Him, but for the most part, they were rebellious. The majority of them were looking at things outwardly and worshiping idols they had made, but weren’t loving God, the One who had made them. In spite of all their sins, God was very gracious, for many Jews, and Gentiles too, repented and received God’s mercy, thereby becoming members of His glorious and growing kingdom.

God’s kingdom work continued, wonderfully and dramatically so, when His Son, the King, came to earth. It was about 2,000 years ago that Jesus entered this world as a little baby, then grew up and became a man. Jesus was perfect, the most loving person, an incredible teacher, and a healer of diseases, but the Jews still rejected Him. They didn’t see their need for Jesus to save them from their sins. Their rejection of Him as their Savior led to their rejection of Him as their King. Yet, Jesus assured His disciples that He would come back and set up His kingdom on earth. In fact, right before He ascended into heaven, He was talking to His apostles about the kingdom, “… appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of things concerning the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Jesus’ disciples were excited about the coming physical kingdom, but they knew it had to be spiritual at its core, for Jesus first needed to be King in their hearts. He had already told them, “Behold, the kingdom of God is in you.” Luke 17:21

Since that time, Christ has been building His church, and God’s kingdom is continuing to grow, for a great number of people are being born again, and are entering into His kingdom (John 3:5). Millions, if not billions, have been delivered from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). 1 Peter 2:9 also speaks of this kingdom, telling us that the church is a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” language reminding us of God’s promises and plans for the Jews.

During this church age, God has commanded us to work with Him, to seek His kingdom, to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). We know it won’t be long before Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth. That’s because the Jews are back in their land, a clear indicator from God that we are living in the end-times. Ezekiel 37; Daniel 12:4, 9

This church age is now drawing to a close, and Jesus Christ will be coming back soon. He will return as a Savior to rapture the believers, as a Judge to punish the unbelievers, as a Redeemer to save a Jewish remnant, and as a King to set up His kingdom on earth. At the end of Daniel’s 70th week, it will be said, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). What a momentous time that will be, for Christ will take control of the world, and finally, be her King! Then for the next thousand years, we and all believers will be working with our King, helping Him rule and guide the nations. Multitudes more will be saved, and God’s kingdom will continue to grow during the entirety of Christ’s glorious reign on earth.

It is during this time that God’s millennial promise will be true for all believers, “God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him.” Our prayer will be, “Let all the peoples praise You, O God, let all the peoples praise You” (Psalm 67:5, 7). People all over the world will be praising our King. “O clap your hands, all you people; shout to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:1-2). “Then (after 1000 years) comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father.” 1 Corinthians 15:24

P.S. Here is a good article to read, one that will help you to more clearly understand this post: A Summary of the Prophetic Work of God, from the Time of Abraham to Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #94 ~

Matthew 4: 23

What was the main message preached by Jesus and the apostles in the first century? It was the gospel! This gospel, this good news, explains that people are sinners, but that Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of man, died on the cross to pay for peoples’ sins, and all those who repent and believe in Him, are justified, forgiven, and will go to heaven (Romans 1:18-32, 3:21-25, 4:4-8, 5:6-10, 6:23, 10:9-13). But it wasn’t just the gospel they preached, it was the gospel of the kingdom of God! Now I am not saying that you need to do more than repent of your sins and trust in Jesus Christ to be saved. What I am saying is that believing the gospel results in being forgiven of your sins and going to heaven, and also becoming a member of the kingdom of God!

Look at all these verses that talk about the gospel and the kingdom of God:
* Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee… proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom.”
* Matthew 24:14 – “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
* Mark 1:14-15 – “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
* Luke 4:43 – “But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.’”
* John 3:5 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
* Acts 8:12 – “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized.”
* Acts 19:8 – “He continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”
* Acts 20:24-25 – “to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God… I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.”
* Acts 28:23 – “He was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus…” Acts 28:31
* Colossians 1:13 – “He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

What was being preached in the first century? It was the gospel of the kingdom of God! Clearly, the emphasis of gospel preaching is being saved, and becoming a member, not just of the church, but also of the kingdom of God. And this kingdom goes on forever, including all future ages, as well as incredible blessings and benefits. When we talk to people about Jesus Christ and salvation, we need to also share with them God’s kingdom perspective, for God wants them to see the big picture. People need to know that once they are born again, they enter into God’s kingdom, a spiritual kingdom, where Christ inwardly rules in their hearts. (Luke 17:21). Then when Christ returns, He will rapture the believers, pour out His wrath, redeem a remnant of Jews, and set up His physical kingdom on earth, at which time He will still be ruling in believers’ lives, but also, outwardly ruling over the entire world.

But now, close to 2000 years after Christ’s first coming, I sense that many believers think this church age will just keep going, failing to realize that it will soon come to an end, and that the next phase of God’s kingdom will then be established on earth. That’s why it’s critical to understand what God’s word is telling us about the kingdom of God. At this time, we are living in the church age, what I call, Phase one. At the end of this age, there’s a short transition time (Revelation 7-10, 15-19), then there’s Phase two, when we will reign with Christ for 1000 years (Revelation 20). “Then comes the end (of the millennial kingdom), when He (Christ) hands over the kingdom to God the Father” (1 Corinthians 15:24), which begins Phase three, the eternal kingdom. Revelation 21-22

I hope you are beginning to understand God’s kingdom plans, that He’s faithfully carrying them out, that He is now leading you, together with the entire world, to that point when He will send His Son back to establish His kingdom on earth. So what does God want you to do?
– You are to be praying: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
– You are to be “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.” Matthew 4:23, 24:14
– You are to serve Him: “Do business with this until I come back.” Luke 19:11-27
– You are to preach rightly: “In view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). To have real purpose and power in your preaching, you need to connect it to Christ’s return and His coming kingdom on earth.

I must say, I get very excited and encouraged when I think of who God has made us to be, and what He has in store for us: “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10). In conclusion, “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (church age). When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (kingdom ages). Colossians 3:3-4

P.S.  Being Thankful – The Character of a Christian. Thanksgiving Day will be here soon, but as you know, we are to be thankful every day of the year. Here is an article that I believe  will help you to see the value and blessing of being thankful.

Kingdom Instructions for the Church

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #93 ~

You need to understand the kingdom of God to fully grasp what it means to be a Christian, to really know how you are to live on earth, and to be genuinely excited about the future God has for you. Jesus came to this earth as Savior, Lord and King. He told the Jews, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). But how could they be a part of His kingdom? Jesus told them how, for He was “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23). The key to the kingdom is the gospel, for it is the salvation message, the means by which people can enter God’s kingdom. But a person needs to see his sin, and his need for Jesus to be his Savior. He needs to “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15), this good news that Jesus died on a cross to pay for his sins, and then was raised from the dead.

Yes, some of the Jews repented and believed in Jesus. But most of them didn’t repent; they didn’t want Jesus to be King in their hearts; they just wanted Him to be King over their country. For their rejection of Him, Jesus had no choice but to reject them. He couldn’t be their King, at least at that time, and consequently, His Father’s plans for the Jews were suspended and put on hold. But Jesus gave His disciples hope about His coming kingdom. At the Passover meal, He told them, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes… I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom.” Luke 22:18, 28-30

Jesus had already told the disciples, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). The church would be God’s new plan to build His kingdom on earth, and for the past 2000 years, that’s exactly what has been happening. People are spiritually being born again, and are entering into the kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). But God’s kingdom during this church age is not physical and external, but spiritual and internal, that which exists in the hearts of those who belong to Christ the King.

What is the purpose of the Christian on earth? To work with Christ and the church, and build the kingdom of God, the most important, noble, and satisfying work in the world. But what specifically are you to do?

1. You are to seek the kingdom of God. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). This is to be your work, your purpose, your ambition, your life. You are not to be seeking what you want, building your own little kingdom, and worrying about what you will eat, drink or wear. You are to spend your time, energy and money, seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness, doing that which builds His church, and therefore, that which builds His kingdom.

2. You are to preach the gospel of the kingdom. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Christ preached the gospel of the kingdom. Paul preached the gospel of the kingdom, for he “declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:23, 31). You, too, are to preach the gospel of the kingdom. It’s important for you to see that your life is not just about building the church – it’s much bigger than that, for you are to work with Jesus in building God’s kingdom, a kingdom that started way back with Adam and Eve, continues now, and goes on forever and ever.

 3. You are to preach the word: “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Yes, this is for pastors, but in a larger sense, it applies to all of us. In view of the fact that Christ will appear and rapture the church, judge the unbelievers, and then set up His kingdom on earth, we are to preach the word of God. We must see that God’s word needs to be preached in the context of Christ’s coming. Proper and powerful preaching must be connected and related to the fact that our Savior and King is returning to establish His kingdom on earth.

 4. You are to pray: “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10). You are to pray for Christ’s kingdom to come, for Christ to come back and physically and spiritually rule over His kingdom on earth. Of course, you should pray for people to be saved, for the church to grow, but it’s more than that – it’s seeing the connection between the growth of the church and the return of Christ to set up His kingdom on earth. You don’t want to be short-sighted, you need to see the church in the context of the entire kingdom of God, and that the church age leads to Christ’s coming and the millennial kingdom age.

Just think, you are a royal priesthood, a kingdom and priests to our God! (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 5:10). Understanding who you are, and knowing the real truth about the kingdom of God, and your part in it, will motivate you to live for the King, and to look forward to that time when you will see Him, and say, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13

The King in Your Heart, and His Kingdom on Earth

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #92 ~

What’s most important to you, the right king to rule over your country, or the real King to rule in your heart? Both questions are valid, and both are answered in the Bible. But what is first, and foundational, is being right in your heart with God. For many people, their religion is outward, visible, and temporal, and oftentimes, is governmental and political. But real religion, being forgiven of your sins, possessing eternal life, and knowing Jesus as your Savior and King, needs to start in your heart. Romans 10:9-13

Back in the Old Testament days, most Jews knew the prophesies about the coming King and His kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Psalm 47, Isaiah 9:6-7, Ezekiel 37:21-22; Micah 5:2-4, etc.). Year after year they went to the synagogue and heard about this Messiah, this coming King. What most Jews really wanted was for this King to rule over their country, defeat their enemies, and bring peace to their land. But they were looking at things outwardly and physically, and not inwardly and spiritually.

Then, in the fullness of time, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she’d be the mother of this Messiah, this Jesus. She learned that her son “will be called the Son of the Most High… and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33). Mary, being a righteous Jew, knew that God, spiritually speaking, was her Savior (Luke 1:46-47). But she also understood Gabriel’s message, that her son would physically reign as the King over Israel and the entire world.

Thirty years later, John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, was proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Not long after that, Jesus, the Messiah, came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The kingdom was at hand, for the King was at hand. Right away, Jesus showed that He was more than just a man, for He was healing people, casting out demons, raising the dead, and feeding the multitudes. Not only that, but He was the best teacher they had ever heard. But many Jews weren’t satisfied with Jesus, for they really wanted Him to conquer the Romans, and establish Himself as their King. They rightly believed that God would keep His promise about the Messiah being the King, but they were missing a foundational and prerequisite truth.

The Jews didn’t see their sin and their need for a Savior. They didn’t understand and believe in the gospel. They didn’t understand Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, which vividly describes Jesus’ death, physically and spiritually speaking. They didn’t realize that the only way to be forgiven and be made right with God, was for Jesus to die on the cross to pay for their sins. They didn’t realize the need to be saved, of Jesus, the Savior, dying for them, and Jesus, the Lord, living in their hearts.  They wanted a King to rule over them, not a King to rule in them.

For three years, Jesus perfectly carried out the work of His Father, people were being forgiven, and lives were being changed. But in spite of all that Jesus was doing, most Jews still rejected Him as their Savior, and therefore rejected Him as their King. John 1:8 sums up this sad reality, “Jesus came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” But God was sovereign, for the Jews’ rejection of Jesus resulted in Christ’s death and resurrection, in His payment for peoples’ sins, and in a person’s salvation, that is, for all those who would repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

When the Jews rejected Christ, God had to reject them, at least for a while. He repeatedly warned them that they’d be judged. (Luke 19:41-44, Luke 21:20-24, Luke 23:27-31). He told them that the Jews would “fall by the edge of the sword, and… be led captive into all the nations” which took place in the 1st century (Luke 21:24). Yet God would keep His Word, His Old Testament promises to the Jews; and in fact, Jesus went on to say that the Jews would “be led captive into all the nations… until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Many other times, Jesus reminded the Jews that God’s promise about a future and physical kingdom would be fulfilled. (Luke 13:34-35, Luke 22:28-30, Acts 1:6-7). Then in Luke 21:28, Jesus tells us, “your redemption is drawing near,” a promise to the church about being raptured at His return. In Luke 21:31, Jesus goes on to say, “the kingdom of God is near,” which is His promise to both the Jews and the church about His coming visible kingdom, which would begin shortly after the rapture. This will be Christ’s 1000-year kingdom, that time when believing Jews and Gentiles will together reign with Him over this world. Luke 22:28-30

Now we are living in the last years of this church age, and these promises from Jesus will soon be fulfilled. I hope you see that the King is coming, and that “the kingdom of God is near.” What should you do? How are you to live? 1) You are to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). 2) You are to proclaim the “gospel of the kingdom… and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). 3) You are to pray, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

P.S. If you have regularly been reading these posts, you can see that we are on a “kingdom” theme. It is important for you to see the big picture, that you are a member of God’s kingdom, that you are royalty, and that God will continue to build His kingdom, this age, and then in the next age. For the next two weeks, we will continue on this relevant subject.