Chapter 22
Religious
ads placed on this site by Freewebs or Google do not reflect the views
of Geoffrey R. Neilson,
nor of America's greatest prophet, Herbert W
Armstrong.
God's Wonderful World Tomorrow:
Heaven on Earth!
Most
people claiming to be Christian believe they are destined to go to
Heaven
when
they die. The plain truth is, the Bible
shows
the exact opposite will happen: The Kingdom of God is coming
to
Earth. Here's a glimpse of The Wonderful World Tomorrow
which
God will soon establish on our planet, based on Herbert W Armstrong's
inspired understanding of Holy Scripture.
summarized by Geoffrey R. Neilson
Imagine
a world where peace prevails. A world without war. Imagine a world
where national defense forces and weapons of mass destruction, are
not needed, not wanted, and not available. Imagine a world filled
with abundant happiness, love, and respect for others. Imagine
a world without gigantic or numerous prisons.
A
world without murder, rape, burglary, deceit, or crime and perversion
of any sort.
Imagine
a world filled with happy marriages and families.
A
world without illegitmate and unwanted children or abortion; a world
where divorce is unknown.
Imagine
a world where everyone is radiantly healthy.
A
scenic world without environmental and food pollution, a world with
no poverty, no famine, no sickness, no starvation, no lingering or
sudden deaths.
A
world that has no necessity for costly medical-aid schemes,
pharmaceutical research, mammoth hospitals, mental health centers,
frail care institutions, or specialists for every malady that
presently plagues mankind.
Envisage
a world where every family owns their own house and arable piece of
land.
Imagine
a beautiful world that's as perfect as you can picture.
That
sounds like an impossible dream. But its arrival is as certain as
the rising of tomorrow's sun, God promises in his infallible Word,
the Holy Bible.
This
Wonderful World Tomorrow has been predicted by all God's true
prophets since the beginning of the world (Acts 3:19-21).
It's
only a matter of time before it is a reality.
God
sends out his invitation to you to be a part of that New World Order.
Will you accept?
God's
Kingdom will materialize with the arrival of the Messiah. Jesus
Christ will install his Father's world government, the Kingdom of God
on Earth--with headquarters at Jerusalem. He will dramatically solve
all of humanity's biggest problems!
Impossible?
With
men yes. But with God, all things are possible.
In
that world, not only will all crime be outlawed, but transgressors
will be dealt with swiftly, justly, and decisively.
Murder,
rape, burglary, war, poverty, famine, illiteracy, disease,
starvation, and war will be stopped--and stamped out.
After
being rescued from captivity and near annihilation by the Messiah, in
the greatest Exodus of all times, the grateful resettled remnant of
the 12 Tribes of Israel in the Promised Land, (see Chapter 2 for
their modern identity), will appreciate their law-abiding, diligent,
kind, loving, and happy society--which only God
has the power to bring about (Jeremiah 16:14-15; Isaiah 27:12-13;
Isaiah 12:1-6).
The
re-gathered 12 Tribes of New Israel will be a thankful and content
nation of people shaped by God's love, law, joy, mercy, justice,
power, peace, prosperity, and divine purpose. The nation will be
unified and in awe of, and obedient to, their all-wise Creator; and
show love to, and outgoing concern for, their local and global
neighbors.
Initially
some nations will be envious of Israel's new found wealth and
happiness--hoping their own science, traditions and/or 'gods' will
bring them similar status. Some nations will attempt to attack
Israel's seemingly defenseless position, but be thoroughly defeated
by the invisible power of God's army of angelic and
Spirit Beings (Ezekiel 38).
Eventually
all nations will learn that the only way they can survive is to
follow Israel's example, and submit to the unconquerable King of
kings and Lord of lords, Jesus the Son of God. Not just because of
his superior power, but because God's way of life is unbeatable for
producing the highest quality of life.
In
the 1000 years of Christ's reign, the Earth will become as full of
the knowledge of the true God, as the sea now covers this planet
(Habakkuk 2:14).
THE
MESSIAH'S ARRIVAL
To
establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, Jesus Christ will arrive in
Jerusalem from Heaven, in more spectacular fashion than he first left
(Acts 1:11). As lightning comes out of the east, and shines to the
west; so shall Christ's Second Coming be (Matthew 24:27). Every eye
shall see him (Revelation 1:7).
Christ's
arrival as a glorious immortal Spirit Being, will be preceded by
great signs in the heavens, including the unscrolling of the sky to
reveal the King of kings, and Lord or lords, sitting on his throne in
Heaven (Matthew 24:27-31; 26:64; Revelation 6:12-17).
The
earth-shattering blast of the 7th Trumpet, blown by a mighty angel of
God, will signal the literal return of the Messiah, and the
transformation of 144,000 saints from all ages to immortal beings.
Jesus
revealed "...no man has ascended up to heaven, but he [himself]
that came down from heaven..." (John 3:13). Those still alive
on Earth at Christ's Second Coming will be changed--made eternal.
The deceased saints have to be resurrected back to life and given
immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). They are not now alive in
Heaven. The dead are completely dead--they know nothing (Ecclesiastes
9:5).
The
entire assembly of saints consists of Abraham, Moses, Jacob, King
David, the other Old Testament prophets and righteous individuals,
the New Testament Apostles and their converted disciples; and members
of the remainder of the seven stages of the true Church--including
the endtime Elijah, and his converts (1 Corinthians
15:52; Revelation 14:1-5; Hebrews 11; Malachi 4:4-6). They will
constitute the immortal personnel of the new administration governed
by the glorified King Jesus, under the authority of his Father in
Heaven.
"And
it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the great trumpet shall be
blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of
Assyria, and the outcasts [of Israel] in the land of Egypt, and shall
worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem" (Isaiah 27:13).
To
emphasize Christ's coming, the light of the Sun, Moon, and stars will
be darkened (Zechariah 14:1-7; Matthew 24:29). God will ensure every
eye will be focused on his Son's arrival.
No
sight in human history has ever been greater.
Despite
this, armies of all non-Israelitish nations will gather at Armageddon
to fight the returning Christ at Jerusalem (Revelation 16:14-16).
They will have been deceived by the Adversary of God that the Messiah
is their enemy: the Antichrist or an alien from space. Jesus Christ
will totally defeat their armies with
his supernatural power.
The
remnant of Israel will welcome Christ's return to save them--and the
remainder of mankind--from global destruction. It will be a time of
immense relief and joy. There will be no rebels left amongst the
children of Israel's 12 Tribes. They will not be allowed to enter
the Promised Land (Ezekiel 20:38). At that point it will be
understood that God means what he says.
GOD'S
NEW WORLD GOVERNMENT
How
will God's New World Government--the Kingdom of God--bring utopia to
this dying world?
To
start with, God has planned his Government on Earth from before the
world was created (Ephesians 1:4-5).
During
the 6000 years that God has allowed man to rule himself, he has
prepared for his own Millennium--or 1000-year civilization (and
beyond). These 7000 years are symbolized by the week,
ending with the Sabbath rest which pictures God's peaceful
Millennium.
God
began actively forming his new Government with Abraham.
In
his day, Abraham was the only one on earth both strong in character
and totally obedient to God and his Laws and commands.
God
also trained other men under Abraham for top positions of authority
in his coming World Government, the Kingdom of God.
Abraham
lived in the most modern and exclusive society of his day: Babylon.
It was also about the least godly place to be.
God
told Abraham, "Get...out of your country, and from your family
and your father's house, to a land I will show you" (Genesis
12:1-4).
Abraham
never argued.
He
simply obeyed God.
God
put Abraham through rigorous tests. After his death, God indicated
he passed them with flying colors, saying: "Abraham obeyed my
voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and
my laws" (Genesis 26:5).
Abraham
believed in, and was obedient and loyal to God's Government, thus
qualifying to be part of its administration in the Millennium.
Abraham
is the recipient of the promises on which the salvation of every
person, through Christ, is based. He is the human Father of the
faithful (Galatians 3:7).
God
blessed Abraham's obedience allowing him to become very wealthy, and
experienced in the wise administration of vast wealth, and in
directing a large number of subordinates.
Isaac
was trained by his God-fearing father Abraham, in obedience to God's
Government. He qualified to be joint-heir with his father, and
trained others.
Jacob
(later renamed Israel) was taught by his father Isaac and grandfather
Abraham. He also prospered greatly.
Israel
prevailed with God. He never ceased developing character and
leadership. He fathered twelve sons who generated the 12 Tribes of
Israel, which will form the greatest nation in the soon-coming
Millennium.
Like
every government, God's Government will have a leader who governs,
over people occupying territory, by enforceable laws.
The
leader of God's Government on Earth during the 1000-year Millennium
will be the Messiah, the resurrected immortal Son of God, Jesus
Christ--the LORD of lords and King of kings. He will be
assisted
by a cabinet of 144,000 officials, the first group of humans born
again as immortal children of God, known as the Firstfruits
(Revelation 14:1-5). They will be qualified, literally born again as
spirit-composed beings, and co-heirs with Christ of all things
(Romans 8:17).
The
Government of God will be located in Jerusalem, initially ruling over
the regathered remnant of the 12 Tribes of Israel. The Bible
predicts its dominion will spread worldwide.
This
global government will be regulated by the Laws of God summarized by
the 10 Commandments, which involve showing unselfish love to God and
other people.
God's
Kingdom and Government will protect its people by supernatural power:
it won't be left to humans to govern other humans. Humanity has
proved utterly incapable of ruling itself.
God's
divine Government will be government from the top down. Humans will
have no votes or say in who is appointed.
There
will therefore be no election campaigns, nor fund-raising for them.
No political parties or politicians.
Humans
will hold no government office. Those in government in God's New
World Order, will be mortals resurrected as divine Spirit
Beings,
in the Kingdom of God. They will be literally born again as immortal
members of the God Family.
All
officials will be appointed by Christ, the divine Spirit Being who
reads and knows men's hearts, inner character, and abilities. He is
the Word of God, who is God, and was with God from the beginning, who
became flesh, who is Creator of all things (John 1:1-5,14).
Christ's
insight of human hearts is described in Isaiah 11:2-4:
"And
the spirit of the [Eternal] shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom
and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of
knowledge and of the fear of the [Eternal]; and shall make him of
quick understanding...and he shall not judge after the sight of his
eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears [by hearsay]: but
with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity
for the meek of the earth..."
God
is Supreme in love and power. He governs with outgoing concern for
the ruled, considering their best interests. He has labored to bring
the most capable, the most law abiding, the most suited for office,
to a point where they can be resurrected to receive positions of
responsibility in his Kingdom.
Humans
will be ruled by Christ and those individuals made divine. These
resurrected saints will rule over literal cities and their
inhabitants (Luke 19:17-19).
GOD'S
RULING CABINET
God
hasn't explained who will manage every portfolio in his coming super
World Government. The Bible states the positions of some top
executives and we can deduce some others.
God
the Father--The Almighty God in Heaven--is the Supreme Lawgiver, and
Head over Christ, and everyone and everything everywhere.
Christ
will be Supreme Monarch (under his Father in Heaven), over both state
and church, united through him, starting in Jerusalem and spreading
his dominion worldwide.
As
a government organized from the top down, there'll be a definite
chain of authority instituted by God the Father and his firstborn
Son.
Abraham,
the Father of the faithful will be next in line, over all Israelites
and converts from other nations.
The
Bible often uses the phrase, "Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,"
grouping them together as a team called "The Fathers"--because
the promises to Abraham were inherited by his descendants Isaac and Jacob
(renamed Israel).
Abraham,
Isaac and Israel, will function as an executive board chaired by
Abraham, under Christ in the Millennium (Luke 13:28).
Under
them will be the resurrected King David of ancient Israel, who will
be king over the descendants of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Jeremiah
30:8-9).
Jesus
himself said the 12 Apostles will be crowned as kings, each ruling
one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, in the Kingdom of God (Matthew
19:28).
CHURCH
AND STATE IN ISRAEL
Church
and State will be united under Christ in the New Israel. That system
will rapidly spread to all nations who will be compelled to renounce
false gods and idols--or cease to exist.
For
nations to renounce their religious traditions is going to require
enormous repentance and humility--an absolute revolution in their
thinking and practice--and the breaking of all idols.
There
is only one Supreme God--who will tolerate only his one Church and
faith--one educational program--one social order. As in the original
pattern which God implemented in ancient Israel, Church
and State will be united.
Peter,
James and John, of the original 12 Apostles saw a vision of what it's
like in the Kingdom of God, when they saw Jesus glorified with Moses
and Elijah (Matthew 17:9).
Moses
and Elijah represent the offices of Church and State under Christ in
God's Kingdom. They both qualified in their human lifetime
for very high positions in the Kingdom of God.
Moses,
through Christ (the LORD of the Old Testament, as many scriptures
show), gave the laws and statutes for governing the nation Israel.
He was brought up as a son of a leading Pharaoh of Egypt, but his
training and experience was also with and over his fellow Israelites.
Elijah,
in Scripture represents the prophet who restored the worship of the
true God--and obedience to his Commandments--after there had been a
falling away from Truth. The original Elijah ordered King Ahab to
gather "all Israel" on Mount Carmel (I Kings 18:19-21) with
the prophets of Baal and of Asherah (or Ishtar, pronounced
"Easter"): "How long halt you between two opinions? If
the [Eternal] be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him...."
he demanded (verse 21).
When
Elijah's short prayer ended (verses 36-37), fire came miraculously
from Heaven proving Elijah was God's servant. The people immediately
acknowledged "The [Eternal], he is the God; the [Eternal], he is
the God" (verse 39).
The
true Gospel and religion is spiritual education.
Significantly
both the original and the endtime Elijah operated three schools or
colleges each (II Kings 2:3, 5;4:38) teaching
God's Truth in a world corrupted by false pagan education.
The
lives of some outstanding women are also honored in the Bible, such
as Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Ruth, Rahab, Deborah, Esther, Hannah, the
mother of Moses, his sister Miriam, Mary the mother of Jesus, Martha,
Martha's sister Mary, Mary Magdalene, Phoebe and Priscilla.
All
these women will be part of the 144,000 Firstfruits in God's future
Government. But there is no certainty what their specific portfolio
will be. There is no doubt they will be an example to all mortal
women who live in the Millennium.
In
the Kingdom, there will be no marriage between men and women (Matthew
22:30). Whether the two sexes will retain any gender identity is not
specifically revealed.
Sarah
is the mother of all righteous women (I Peter 3:6). The prophetess
Deborah once led Israel to victory. Esther was a Queen of the
world's only superpower in her day.
In
that Wonderful World Tomorrow, descendants of the two Tribes of
Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph's descendants)--the Anglo-Saxon English
and Americans of today--will be the two leading people's of the world
(Jeremiah 30:16-18; 31:4-11, 18-20; Isaiah 14:1-2; Deuteronomy
28:13). Most of the leading Kings including Christ will, however, be
from the Tribe of Judah.
Such
Old Testament personalities as Abel, Enoch, Gideon, Barak, Samson,
Jephthae, and Samuel (mentioned in Hebrews 11 as men of faith and
righteousness) will also be resurrected into God's Kingdom.
THE
OTHER NATIONS
There
are indications that the Prophet Daniel will be made king over all
non-Israelite nations, directly under Moses.
God
had him trained as a government official of the highest credentials
in the world's very first world empire, Babylon.
Daniel
refused to follow its pagan ways and customs, while serving under
King Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, gaining experience and wisdom
in properly governing nations.
God
named Daniel one of the three most righteous men ever.
The
other two were Noah and Job (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). God promised Daniel
he would be resurrected in the Kingdom of God (Daniel 12:13).
Daniel's three colleagues Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are likely
to serve as royal officials under him.
The
Apostle Paul's vast experience in taking the Gospel to people outside
Israel's heritage, indicates he will also work with Daniel in the
Millennium. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, and it appears he
will assist Daniel in ruling them in the World Tomorrow, when they
are both resurrected to immortality. As experts
in God's Law for Israel, Daniel and Paul will certainly liase with
Jerusalem Headquarters to standardize policies.
Lesser
kings will be appointed by Christ over every nation outside the orbit
of Israel. State, county, and city rulers will serve under them.
Some of them are likely to be those Apostles and Evangelists who
worked with and under Paul--like Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus,
Luke, Mark, Philemon, and other saints from that
period.
WORLDWIDE
TRANSFORMATION
Christ
will install programs of huge importance to produce the Wonderful
World Tomorrow.
All
people this side of the Flood are descended from Noah. He lived in a
day--which Christ likened to our generation--a world filled with
chaotic world conditions, racial problems, and violence.
Despite
the views of humans who want to remove them, the Creator God set
boundaries where he intended nations and races to live. "...the
most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated
the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the
number of the children of Israel" (Deuteronomy 32:8). God
"...has made of one blood all nations of men...to dwell
on...earth, and has determined...the bounds of their habitation"
(Acts 17:26).
Humanity
refused to remain in the lands where God assigned them. The
intermingling of different peoples inevitably caused friction. It
still does. It was a direct cause of the violence that caused God to
end that age with the Flood. For 120 years Noah preached God's way
of life to the people of his generation, but they
wouldn't listen.
Then,
as now, the world faced a population explosion. "Men began to
multiply on the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:1). Jesus said of
the time just before he returns "...as it was in the days of Noe
[Noah], so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man" (Luke
17:26).
Today,
ethnic problems are among the world's biggest social dilemmas. This
is another indication that Christ's return cannot be too far away.
Noah
only preached to people in his human lifetime. When resurrected and
immortal, with supernatural power and glory, he will also enforce
God's will regarding where nations live.
This
will necessitate a vast relocation program, moving nations, within
the boundaries God has determined. The first nation to be relocated
will be the geographically "Lost" 12 Tribes of Israel.
(Their whereabouts are not unknown to God, or to those who understand
their identity in Bible prophecy, as Chapter 2 shows).
Joseph,
the gifted son of Israel and great-grandson of Abraham, will have a
major role in God's World Tomorrow.
God
organized it so that Joseph became food administrator of Egypt, the
greatest nation on earth then. His name was synonymous with
prosperity: "...the [Eternal God] was with Joseph, and he was a
prosperous man; ...the [Eternal] made all that he did to prosper..."
(Genesis 39:2-3).
Pharaoh
placed Joseph over everyone except himself (Genesis 41:44). Joseph
used his expertise to create economic prosperity God's way.
Joseph
will evidently be made director of New Israel's--and ultimately, the
world's--economy, agriculture, industry, technology, commerce, money
and single monetary system. A uniform system will be implemented
worldwide, based on the Jerusalem headquarters standard--as it will
be with all the Messiah's programs.
Undoubtedly
Joseph will develop a large and perfectly efficient organization of
those of the 144,000 Firstfruits who will work under him in his
administration. They will aid Christ in eliminating famine,
starvation, and poverty. Destitute slums will be eradicated.
Prosperity will spread worldwide, because individuals
and nations will practice God's Laws of economic and social success.
GLOBAL
RECONSTRUCTION
One
necessary giant program of worldwide proportions will be rebuilding
the waste places devastated by the coming World War 3, and the
massive destruction of the Day of the LORD.
The
positive aspect of that destruction is that it will clear the world
of mankind's imperfect cities, making room for the inspiring,
well-planned cities which God has in mind.
The
New Temple building and reconstruction of Jerusalem, (described in
Ezekiel 40-48), and whatever other architecture and major structures
Christ will commission for his capital and nation, will require great
expertise.
"And
they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former
desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations
of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4).
The
most prominent builder who will be resurrected as part of the 144,000
is probably the wealthiest and greatest righteous man of the East in
ancient times, the patriarch Job. See Job 1:1-3; and compare Job
3:13-14 with God's challenge in Job 38:4-6, which obviously revolved
around Job's great--but compared to God, insignificant--building
skills.
Job
was so upright and perfect, God invited Satan to find a flaw in his
character. There was a terrible sin in Job's life of
self-righteousness. Satan, with the same problem, didn't notice
that--but God led Job to see and overcome his own fault (Job chapters
38-42).
After
this man, of great self-control--who was more naturally righteous
than anyone--saw he was nothing compared to God--he repented, and God
granted him his Holy Spirit. Without this spiritual seed from God,
and without it been continually nourished so that it grows, no-one
can be born again as a Spirit Being in the resurrection
(John 3:1-8).
There
is some evidence that Job was the architect employed to build the
Great Pyramid of Egypt, which has lasted longer than any building.
If so, no man who ever lived could equal him as an engineer of vast,
yet precision built, major world class projects.
Job
seems destined to be the Director under Christ of worldwide urban
renewal; rebuilding the waste places and the destroyed cities, not as
they are now, but according to God's organized pattern; including
whatever giant engineering projects Christ authorizes.
One
man who will probably assist him is Zerubbabel the builder, (see the
Book of Haggai, and Zechariah 4).
THE
POPULATION BOMB DEFUSED
By
the time the Messiah starts his Millennium, literally BILLIONS of
people will have been killed by the New Holocaust of World War
3--against all the Tribes of Israel, and others--and due to Christ
defeating those who oppose him.
That
is a shocking almost unbelievable statement, but one clearly
predicted by the Bible.
Three
specific prophecies give an indication of the huge and shocking scale
of death to occur globally in the endtime:
- The
12 Tribes of Israel--which today consist of at least 400,000,000
Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and Jewish people--will be reduced one third by
disease and famine; one third by war; a third will be scattered into
captivity with many dying. (See Ezekiel 5:1-5,9-12). Overall, at
most one tenth will survive (Isaiah 6:8-13;
Amos 5:3), meaning about 40,000,000. In other words, at least
360,000,000 of the nations of Israel mentioned at the end of Chapter
2, will be killed before the Millennium starts.
- A
200,000,000 man army from the East will shortly afterwards kill a
third of the remainder of mankind (Revelation 9:15-19), or close to
2,000,000,000 (two billion) people!
- The
200,000,000 man army will itself be destroyed by Christ along with
all the other armies of the world which gather at Armageddon to
attack Jerusalem (Revelation 16:12-16; 19:17-21; Zechariah 14:12).
Compare
that with the global shock when about 3000 were killed in the 9/11
attack on America in 2001--or even with the (combined) about
75,000,000 killed in both World War I and II--and you can see the
world is headed for an unprecedented time of trouble, as the prophets
Jeremiah, Daniel and Jesus predicted (Jeremiah 30:1-9); Daniel 12:1;
Matthew 24:21-22).
These
events alone--and they don't include the unnatural deaths of numerous
others who will perish before the Millennium starts--will reduce the
world's population by at least 2,000,000,000 people.
But
the situation will be far worse:
"Behold,
the LORD maketh the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it
upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof...The land
shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD has
spoken this word...The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants
thereof; because they have transgressed the
laws,
changed the ordinance, broken [God's] everlasting covenant.
Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and they that dwell
therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are
burned, and FEW MEN [ARE] LEFT" (Isaiah 24:1-6 extracts).
This
sounds like 5 billion, or perhaps close to 6 billion, people may die
before the Kingdom of God is established.
Therefore,
the Millennium will start in a devastated world, but one where the
chief rebels and the world's armies are no longer around to cause
trouble.
God
promises huge improvements in the millennial utopia he'll bring
about. The New Israel will be born in one day (Isaiah 66:8). This
will happen because the 144,000 saints will be made enormously
powerful immortal beings instantly, at the sound of the 7th
Trumpet; and the returning Christ will rescue the remnant of mortal
Israelites on that day.
The
Messiah will resolve the biggest and most critical problems facing
humanity first.
One
of the largest problems today is the population explosion, which will
be initially solved because of the above factors.
Populations
will expand fast once the Millennium gets under way, as people are
again fruitful and multiply.
Today
the areas of the greatest population increase are the poorest
nations, compounded by the problem of illiteracy, disease and
superstition. Less than 10 percent of the earth's surface is farm
land--but world population doubles in increasingly short periods.
God's
solution then, will include making most of the earth able to bear
fruit and vegetation, and sustain livestock.
God
will reduce the amount of barren, snow-laden, and impassable
mountains. He'll elevate some of the deep, dry deserts, changing the
world's weather patterns. Deserts like the Kalahari, the Lake Chad
basin and the Sahara in Africa, the Gobi Desert in Asia, and the
large American deserts, will flourish with food, forests,
and colorful flowers. The vast wastes of Mongolia, Siberia, Saudi
Arabia will likewise become green with plant life.
God
will melt the ice, snow, permafrost and tundra of the immense tracts
of Antarctica, North America, Greenland, Northern Europe and Siberia.
He'll level the awesome Pamir Knot, and towering mountains of the
Himalayas, the Atlas, Taurus, Pyrenees, Rockies, Sierras and Hindu
Kush. He'll reduce the immense height of the Andes, and all the
other virtually unliveable mountains on Earth, to increase the
available land for human habitation and sustenance.
God
will provide good, gentle rainfall, in right balance, precisely at
the right season his Creation needs.
Many
millions of acres of unbelievably fertile, productive, wonderful
farmland will suddenly become available--just waiting to be newly
discovered, and pioneered in The Wonderful World Tomorrow.
Humans
are incapable of bringing about such widespread and universally
beneficial improvements.
With
God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
God
promises the descendants of Israel superior Heaven-designed farm
equipment:
"I
will help you, says the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of
Israel...I will make you a new sharp threshing instrument having
teeth...[to] thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and...make
the hills as chaff..."
"When
the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue
fails for thirst, I the [Eternal] will hear them, I the God of Israel
will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and
fountains [artesian wells] in the midst of the valleys: I will make
the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land
springs of water".
"I
will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the [acacia] tree, and the
myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and
the pine, and the box tree [or cypress] together: That they may see,
and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the
[Eternal] has done this, and the Holy One of Israel
has created it." (Isaiah 41:14-20).
This
will all start with the geographical change to Israel when Christ
arrives and the Mount of Olives splits in two, connecting the
Mediterranean Sea to the Dead Sea, which will overflow with fresh
water and fish (Zechariah 14:3-9).
Overnight
Jerusalem will become the capital of God's new world order.
PURE
WATER AND DESERTS THAT BLOSSOM
Visualize
this fabulous scene: Starting in Israel, the deserts and general
landscape are transformed into a veritable Garden of Eden. Beautiful
trees, flowers, streams, and attractive residences house happy and
fulfilled families on large tracts of fertile land, in well-planned
communities. Once proud mountains are lowered for human habitation.
Animals are no longer wild, carniverous, or dangerous, because God
will change their nature, so that even little children can play with
them (Isaiah 11:6-10).
God
predicts these coming changes in various parts of the Bible.
"Then
shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing:
for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the
desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty
land springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where each lay,
shall be grass with reeds and rushes" (Isaiah
35:6-7, see entire chapter).
God
says, "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for
them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall
blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing..." (verses
1-2).
God
caused the mountains to be formed. He has the power to rearrange
them however he wants (Amos 4:13; Psalm 90:2).
The
Bible predicts huge earthquakes to come will rehabilitate large
surfaces of land. (See Revelation 16:18; Zechariah 14:4).
Mountains
will quake in God's presence, and hills melt (Nahum 1:5).
God
is going to re-arrange the geography of the world, vastly increase
its agricultural potential and moderate its weather patterns.
THE
SEA REDUCED
Much
of the wealth of the world lies beneath the sea. Oil, gold, silver,
and many minerals are untapped deep under the vast oceans. Seawater
itself contains a lot of gold, and most gold is under the oceans.
Many
areas of the earth are ravaged by the endless surf gradually
devouring the land. The Netherlands is the chief example of land
reclaimed from the sea today.
God
will make multiple millions of additional land available to mankind
when some of the world's oceans are reduced in size.
"And
the [Eternal] shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea
[the Nile River delta]; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his
hand over the river [Nile], and shall smite it in the seven streams,
and make men go over dryshod" (Isaiah 11:15).
Today,
water shortages are becoming critical even in America. Water wasted
by huge industrial consumption, by pollution, and by enormous amounts
drained away by individuals every day, make the ominous
day of widely scarce water inevitable.
As
a result, more huge dams are planned, and very costly seawater
conversion plants are considered.
UNIVERSAL
GOOD HEALTH
One
inevitable consequence of the present population explosion is
increasing malnutrition and starvation, which precede widespread
disease epidemics. Jesus predicted there would be vast famines and
disease epidemics (Matthew 24:7). Cholera, typhoid, tuberculosis,
flu, bubonic plague, and AIDS will still take countless millions of
lives before Christ returns. They will all be eradicated in God's
millennial Kingdom.
Vast
medical and pharmaceutical companies today strive to heal the sick,
too often by ignoring the cause but treating the effect. Such as
with AIDS.
The
human tendency is to transgress the laws of nature--which God made to
regulate the human body--and then attempt to avoid the penalty for
violating them.
When
God's Kingdom reigns, the Messiah will teach people to obey God's
natural laws which prevent sickness and disease.
God
defines sin as transgression of his Laws (I John 3:4). Transgressing
God's Laws governing physical health results in sickness--and if the
violation is serious enough--ultimately in death. Transgressing
God's Laws governing spiritual health (summarized by the 10
Commandements), results in spiritual maladies
and
ultimately in eternal death--unless cured by God in response to one's
repentance (Romans 6:23). God condemns sinners who don't repent to
eternal death.
God
reveals a great result of the increased productivity of the land, and
the abundance of right and good foods--together with right knowledge
and education in health laws--will be good health for all.
In
God's new World Tomorrow if there is a place for physicians, it will
be primarily teaching people to keep well, by avoiding the causes of
disease. That will require an entirely new type of health education.
The
World Tomorrow will be a utopia of universal good health because God
will remove the cause of disease.
First,
through education about the Laws of radiant health, which God
designed to keep the human physical body healthy: proper
diet, sanitation and hygiene, required amounts of sleep, pure water,
fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.
And
secondly, if people despite this education get sick they can be
cured--God's way, by him supernaturally healing them, after they
acknowledge their transgression.
Upon
repentance and faith, God forgives the sin, and removes the penalty.
Jesus himself "took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses"
(Matthew 8:16-17). The Apostle Peter explained that by the
"stripes"--which Christ suffered in our stead--we are
"healed" physically (I Peter 2:24).
Before
Jesus was put to death--paying the death penalty for spiritual sin in
our stead (Romans 6:23)--he was severely lashed with stripes. That
physical punishment paid the debt for our violation of God's physical
health laws.
Physical
sickness--which we can see--leads to death unless cured. It
illustrates what spiritual sin--which is invisible--is like; which
leads to eternal death if not cured.
Christ
paid the penalty for our sins, physical and spiritual.
Jesus
said, observing the faith of friends of a paralyzed man "Son,
your sins [are] forgiven..." (Mark 2:5). Christ's healing
constitutes forgiveness of sin.
When
people didn't understand this, Christ asked whether it is easier to
say to the sick "Your sins are forgiven"--or to say,
"Arise, and take up your bed, and walk"? To show he had
power on Earth to forgive sins, Jesus showed if he said either, the
man was physically healed (Mark 2:8-10).
When
Jesus Christ becomes the great Ruler of this earth, he will use that
great power to heal many.
At
that time the angels will praise God and say: "We give you
thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and is to come; because
you have taken to yourself your great power, and have reigned"
(Revelation 11:17).
"And
the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell
therein shall be forgiven their sins" (Isaiah 33:21-22, 24).
"Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall
be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue
of the dumb sing..." (Isaiah 35:3-6).
Notice
Isaiah 58:8: "Then shall your light break forth as the morning,
and your health shall spring forth speedily..."
Such
blessings were offered to Israel from her beginning--if she obeyed: "Blessed
shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.
Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your
ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your cattle,
and the flocks of your sheep. Blessed shall be your basket and your
store" (Deuteronomy 28:1-5).
We
don't obtain these wonderful blessings today because we are reaping
the automatic curse for disobeying God's Laws!
Our
cities are stench filled sewers, clanging with the cacophony of
psychologically pressured drivers, protests, racial resentments,
murders and misdemeanors, public and private impropriety, and
desperate people striving for more money to buy their temporary or
permanent escape from a maddening metroplis, or
pollution producing factory.
America's
farms--and even residential areas now--are cursed with weather
turmoil: droughts, floods, hurricanes, insect devastation and
disease--and humanly concocted chemical and other curses.
The
leading nation of Israelitish origin in post World War 2 times,
America, has breadbaskets and food supplies that are cursed.
They're
dissipated by massive donations to feed often ungrateful nations; and
are devitalized by farming practices contrary to God's instructions.
The
day is soon coming, however, when Almighty God will compel all his
people to experience the blessings that come from obedience to him.
WORLDWIDE
POPULATION RE-DISTRIBUTION
About
15% of Earth's surface is currently habitable.
Less
than 10% can be used for farming. When the Creator intervenes, he'll
make major changes to the geography and weather patterns of our
planet and its ocean currents, wind patterns, mountain ranges and
continents.
God
says of the remnant of the descendants of the 12 Tribes of Israel:
"...I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes
shall be built...This land that was desolate is become like the
garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are
become fenced, and are inhabited" (Ezekiel 36:33,35).
As
the other nations submit to the Government of God, they will also be
blessed:
"In
that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria [many of
whose people anciently moved to Europe, and their descendants today
are known as the inhabitants of Germany and Austria], and the
Assyrian [Germanic people] shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian
into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with
the
Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with
Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: whom the [Eternal]
of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria
[the Germans], the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance"
(Isaiah 19:23-25).
That
utopian prophecy will come to pass!
Egypt
and Germany are predicted to overcome their longheld animosities with
Jews--Americans, the British, the French--and the rest of the Tribes
of Israel, and work as partners.
The
roadmap to that peace process only the Messiah can successfully
negotiate.
The
Bible lists 70 core nations in Genesis 10. Their descendants
populate Earth today. Their remnant will live where God wants them
to in The World Tomorrow, and then thrive as they never have.
INTERNATIONAL RE-EDUCATION
The
New Covenant which Christ will usher in, will bring Earth great joy,
peace, prosperity, and universal justice.
Many
have been falsely led to believe The New Covenant does away with
God's Law. The precise opposite is true:
"For
this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the Lord; I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND,
and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a
God, and they shall be to me a people" (Hebrews 8:10).
Note
that this is a New Testament confirmation of the prophecy in Jeremiah
31:31-34. This is New Testament, (or "New Covenant"),
teaching.
The
endtime Elijah--prophesied to come near the end of the Church's New
Covenant period--was to "Remember...the Law of Moses" given
at Mount Sinai, which revolves around The Ten Commandments:
including
the seventh day of the week Sabbath, which symbolizes the Millennium.
Only
when God's Law inhabits our hearts--only when we have Godly love, can
human nature be controlled. Giving in to the lusts and weaknesses
people naturally have, robs them of happiness, tranquility,
prosperity, and mental and physical good health!
The
humans who live over into the Millennium, will still have human
nature--but Christ and the government under him, will establish a
utopian world by two essential means:
1.
All war, criminal activity, and organized rebellion will be put down
by divine supernatural force.
2.
Christ will then proceed to save (or convert the world religiously),
through re-education.
Social
and religious traditions will be transformed by divine decree backed
up with force if necessary.
God
gave Israel seven annual Festivals and Holy Days which he intended
all mankind to observe. They symbolically portray God's Master Plan
for humanity. The righteous men of the Bible kept them: Moses and
the prophets, Jesus, his Apostles, the New Testament
Church--including converted Gentiles (Leviticus 23; Acts 18:21, 20:6,
16; I Cor. 5:8, 16:8).
Very
few other people have observed God's Holydays, and kept them with
understanding.
God's
instruction through Moses is: "You shall not do...every man
whatsoever is right in his own eyes" (Deuteronomy 12:8). "Take
heed to yourself that you [are] not snared by following...[heathen
religious customs]...and that you enquire not after their gods
saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do
likewise. You shall not do so to the [Eternal] your God: for every
abomination to the [Eternal], which he hates, have they done to their
gods ..." (Deuteronomy 12:30-31).
Today
the majority of people claiming to be Christian don't even know about
some of God's Holy Days--let alone keep them! Instead they relish
the pagan days of Christmas, New Year, Easter, and others--"which
God hates"!
Many
who assert they are Christian, admit these are idolatrous
celebrations--but excuse themselves claiming they're not worshipping
pagan gods, but using their customs to adore Christ and the true God.
This
way "seems right" to many sincere people. At best, They
are deceived. Unaware they are wrong, they think they are right.
Ignorance of God's Law is no excuse for Christians. God finds such
worship unacceptable. He says it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12;
16:25).
Those
deceived, will be enlightened when Christ rules the remnant of
mortals still alive when he comes.
GOD'S
FESTIVALS UNIVERSALLY KEPT
"And
it shall come to pass, that every one that is left [alive] of all the
nations which came against Jerusalem even go up from year to year to
worship the King, the [Eternal] of hosts, and to keep the Feast of
Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:16).
The
Feast of Tabernacles is one of the seven annual Festivals God
commanded his people to observe. Like the weekly Sabbath, it
portrays the Millennium.
Ancient
Israel rejected God's Festivals, and turned to pagan festivals, which
their descendants still observe. The Jewish Tribe, after Ezra and
Nehemiah, did observe them, though that is not true of many Jews
today.
Misinformed
"Christian" ministers spread the heresy that God's
Festivals were part of an outdated Mosaic system.
The
Endtime Elijah restored the observance of these Feasts worldwide, in
the true Church. There has since been the prophesied Falling Away by
many.
Christ
is returning to Earth to restore their observance and God's Way of
Life which they picture.
"And
it shall be, that whoever will not come up of all the families of the
earth [including Gentile nations] to Jerusalem to worship the King,
the [Eternal] of hosts...upon them shall be no rain. And if the
family of Egypt...come not, that have no rain; there shall be the
plague, wherewith the [Eternal] will smite the
heathen
that come not up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the
punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not
up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles" (Zechariah 14:17-19).
All
nations will, therefore and thereby, be compelled to keep God's
Feasts if they are to survive.
God's
Master Plan starts with a 7,000 year cycle. It was typified by the
seven literal days of Creation. In the first six days God created
the physical world, including physical Man (Adam and Eve and the
process through which all other humans have been born). On the
seventh day of that first week, God rested, starting a
procedure for creating spiritual Man.
God
created his Sabbath that day, setting it apart for holy use. On that
day God informed Adam and Eve--who were literally the first man and
woman--despite all the evolutionary theories of 'science'--of
fundamental spiritual truths. In effect God preached the Gospel to
them.
God
revealed the nature of, and freely offered humanity's oldest
ancestors, his unique gift of eternal life--which was symbolized by
the "tree of life" in the Garden of Eden. God also
explained that the penalty for sin--which is rebellion against his
Law or Government--is death. That was symbolized by the "tree
of the
knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:9).
"One
day is as 1000 years, and 1000 years is as one day" to God (II
Peter 3:8). The Almighty has allowed mankind in the first six
thousand years to choose between the divine Way of Life, or live his
own way--which results in being influenced, deceived and swayed by
Satan--to prove by 6,000 years of accumulating suffering and evil,
that only God's Way results in the blessings everyone wants.
Those
6000 years could be called "The Working Week of Man."
The
first 6000 years also allowed Satan to labor at his work of deceiving
the world. In the 1000-year Sabbath that follows, (God's millennial
day), Satan will not be permitted to do his work of "deception;
nor will man be allowed to do Satan's work.
This
shows how symbolically important the seventh day Sabbath (Friday
sunset to Saturday sunset) is to God today.
OTHER
INTERCONTINENTAL CHANGES
After
Noah's Flood, organized rebellion against God was initiated by Nimrod
who was behind the building of the Tower of Babel. God scattered the
people from there by given them new languages, which they took
worldwide with their version of Babylonian religion (Genesis 11:1-9).
To
further distance the nations from the influence of 6000 years of
myths, human traditions and satanic deception, Christ will give to
all nations a new and pure language: "For then will I turn to
the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of
the [Eternal], to serve him with one consent" (Zephaniah 3:9).
God
miraculously gave mankind's early post-Flood ancestors at the Tower
of Babel, numerous new languages to divide them. God will probably
provide a uniform language free from false religion, pseudo-science,
sin and depravity of any kind--to unite the nations under him--in a
similarly miraculous fashion.
The
plain truth of God will be explained to all nations and indivduals.
Satan's deceptions will be exposed and banished. The Earth shall be
as full of the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah
11:9).
Christ
will save all Israel (verse 11; also see Romans 11:25-26). The
Gentile nations will abandon their idols and seek the genuine Christ
(Isaiah 11:10).
This
work of worldwide evangelism--of saving the world spiritually--will
entail simultaneously re-educating the world. About half of Earth's
inhabitants today are illiterate. They are so uneducated they could
not undertsand the basic knowledge to be saved.
RE-EDUCATING
THE EDUCATED
In
the more widely educated and science orientated nations, like
America, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, this world's
paganized, agnostic, education bears the hallmarks of decadence.
The
academic system was founded by the pagan philosopher Plato, and has
always remained pagan. In more recent times, godless German
rationalism, and the atheistic theory of evolution have corrupted it
further.
Evolution
is the atheist's illogical explanation of a Creation without a
Creator. It is the basic theory on which modern education has been
built. An unholy brew of science, pseudo-science, and rebellion
against God.
Like
everyone, the educated of this world started, at birth, knowing
nothing. Worldy education involves knowledge memorized from
textbooks. Students are expected to accept and believe, not to
question.
Errors
are frequently based on an assumed premise or hypothesis, which is
not true nor questioned, but which makes Truth appear to be fable.
Such is the Theory of Evolution. Professing themselves to be wise,
teachers of evolution have become fools, is God's viewpoint. (See
Romans 1:22 and its context).
In
the Millennium, all knowledge taught will have revelation from God as
its basis. It will be like turning the light on after 6000 years of
darkness. God's inspired Word, the Holy Bible, is the foundation of
knowledge but not widely understood today. Then, the personified
Word of God, Jesus Christ, will be literally present to explain God's
Plan, aided by the 144,000 immortal saints.
THE
JERUSALEM HEADQUARTERS CHURCH
In
the last days ending man's rule, the Government of God will be
established as the head of the nations, and all nations shall flow to
it", the prophet Micah predicted in symbolic language (Micah
4:1).
"And
many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the
mountain of the [Eternal], and to the house of the God of Jacob [that
is, Israel]; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in
his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion [the true Church] and
the Word of the [Eternal] from Jerusalem. And he [Christ] shall
judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they
shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into
pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more" (verses 2-3).
This
knowledge with understanding of God's Law--will go forth from the
Church--and from Jerusalem, the new world capital.
Jerusalem
was the Headquarters Church in the early true Church, and will be
again when Christ returns. (See Acts 15).
Stationed
there with Christ, under the immediate direction of Elijah, will be
those immortals chosen by Christ to constitute the Headquarters
Church. Revelation 3:12 indicates those of the "Philadelphia"
Era will be pillars in that Headquarters Church. [That indicates to
this author, that the Elijah who raised the Philadelphia
Era--Herbert W Armstrong--is the one the Bible means; probably
asssited by the two other Elijah's, the original one and John the
Baptist].
Most
ministers and their congregations have assumed now is the only day of
salvation, because of a mistranslation in I Corinthians 6:2 which
should read "a day of salvation", as it's a quote from
Isaiah 49:8.
If
Christ was trying to "save" the world, he would long ago
have saved it. God doesn't use a babylon of confused, disagreeing
religious organizations, divided into hundreds of different concepts
of theological doctrine, as his instrument.
Genuine
world evangelism will be conducted by his Jerusalem Headquarters
Church, composed of resurrected immortals, under direct personal
supervision of Christ himself.
There
will be no doctrinal committee of "intellectual scholars"
to decide whether Christ's teachings are correct.
Organizationally
this Headquarters Church will direct all churches worldwide. Neither
Rome nor any other city will have this privilege. Only the Church of
God will be allowed. The true Church is composed of
converts--begotten of God by receiving his Holy Spirit--though still
mortal. Of course, their children--yet to be baptized as consenting
adults--will also attend.
In
the same way converted Christians today have to live a life of
continual overcoming and spiritual growth, so will they in God's
Kingdom (2 Peter 3:18). They won't be faced with the temptations of
Satan during the Millennium. At the end of the 1000 years however,
the Devil will be released for a short time to test the character of
the nations (Revelation 20:7-10).
The
one true Church will spread worldwide with congregations in every
town, city, and rural area. There will be district superintendents
over areas, and Pastors, Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses in every
local church. And doubtless visting Evangelists and Apostles from
Jerusalem Headquarters, from time to time. And sometimes Messiah
himself might appear.
We
don't know what system of normal regional and international
communication will exist then. It may be nothing like what we know.
We do know in principle that huge industries producing artificial
'foods'; godless entertainment; pharmaceuticals; vanity products;
deceptive advertizing; and low grade merchandise and junk in
general--to name a few--will have no place in The Wonderful World
Tomorrow.
DIVINE
POWER NEEDED
Many
global leaders today conclude that man's only hope of surviving--even
one more generation--depends on establishing an omnipotent, single
World Government. Some also admit that nations are utterly unable to
achieve this.
Sir
Winston Churchill once said: "The creation of an authoritative
all-powerful world order is the ultimate aim toward which we must
strive. Unless some effective world super government can be brought
quickly into action, the proposals for peace and human progress are
dark and doubtful".
The
Bible shows that the closest humanity will ever get to achieving that
goal by itself is going to result in an unprecedented catastrophe
(Matthew 24:21-22; Revelation 13).
A
former British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, said: "The world
needs...world organization through world law if civilization is to
survive!"
He
also said, "We have not an awful lot of time. There is too much
dangerous stuff in the world, and there are too many fools about,
trigger-happy idiots and the like."
Such
quotes from world leaders, past and present, could be quoted for many
pages.
We
have even less time now, and even more dangerous weapons and
trigger-happy maniacs.
Although
man is utterly incapable of bringing about such a solution, every now
and then someone tries. Such as Hitler; and such as the Beast and
False Prophet, prophesied still to come under Satan's sway, will
attempt (Revelation 13; and 19:19-20).
Would
America willingly relinquish all her sovereignty, and allow Russia,
China, France, Egypt, or even Britain, to rule her? Or vice versa?
Most
nations won't accept American type democracy as the form of
world government, and the United States will accept nothing else.
Even
when Almighty God, the Creator and Ruler over the entire universe,
does supernaturally intervene to set up his perfect world
Government--the nations will be angry, not wanting God to rule over
them, at first.
That's
why Christ will come with all the power and glory of God's
supernatural force. That's why he will rule with a rod of iron. Man
won't submit to God's way unless forced to!
PLANNED BEFORE EARTH EXISTED
God
Almighty is working out a divine purpose which he has meticulously
planned from before the Earth was created.
He
promised Abraham this planet as an everlasting inheritance for him
and his descendants--and that through Abraham all nations would be
blessed.
The
Creator is interested in people having a right heart--or attitude.
That was his criterion in choosing David to be king over Israel (I
Samuel 16:6-7, 11-12). That is what he looks for in you, and me.
The
people God used were trained in submission to himself and those over
them in authority--harmoniously working together as a team. They
were also trained in God's true values.
Besides
that, they were instructed in the wise management of people and
resources, without letting it corrupt them.
All
the 144,000 immortals who will be crowned as kings or priests in the
coming Kingdom of God, will have been trained in these essentials
(Revelation 1:5-6). They will all acknowledge the power, authority,
wisdom, love, holiness and perfection of Almighty God. All will
acknowledge the rightness of God's Laws and Government.
The
Eternal God has prepared for his Kingdom by choosing some people of
special ability, and some ordinary folk (1 Corinthians 1:26), who
would all submit fully to him, inculcating into their innermost being
those principles and characteristics that form the seven basic laws
for success in life:
1.
The right goal: To enter God's Kingdom. This spiritual goal must
inspire and motivate one to achieve that end result.
2.
The right education. Every true saint has been freed from the
shackles of pagan teachings and customs, tradition, erroneous
knowledge, and Satan's false values. Every one is experienced in
God's Way, regulated by God's Law, and its principles. They are law
abiding citizens of the Kingdom of God in embryo. Some have become
skilled in teaching others and/or administering the letter and spirit
of God's Commandments, laws, statutes and judgments.
3.
They are trained in the development of good health--avoiding the
causes of ailments, diseases, and maladies. They are trained in
maintaining perceptive, crystal-clear, vigilant, balanced, and sound
minds.
4.
Every one is trained in developing drive--always propelling
themselves to achieve more and work harder in the right
direction--avoiding selfishness, lusts, covetous impulses, and
illicit temptations. (As humans, they sometimes err--occasionally
very seriously. If they repent, they learn from the mistake, and overcame
the problem).
5.
These people are schooled through a lifetime to be resourceful. God
allows numerous problems, difficulties, and hurdles to confront them,
to test their mettle. They learn how to confront and solve
difficulties--not be destroyed by them.
6.
These people endure. They endeavor to always keep their eyes on the
goal. When things are so tough that despite their ingenuity they
fail to find a solution, and they appear utterly and hopelessly
defeated, they do not give up. They never quit! They endure
regardless. They persist to the end. Their endurance is based
on faith in God that they will enter his Kingdom if they persevere.
7.
Besides such traits, these people depend on the guidance and the
assistance of God. They walk with God. They talk to God. They
listen to God: today, through the endtime Elijah whom God sent to
clarify what Holy Scripture reveals; through the instructional
material he left; and through the remnant of faithful ministers he
taught to teach God's Truth. These people seek God's wisdom from his
Word, the Bible. They request God's protection, and seek his aid in
everything, reverencing and obeying him above all.
FAR
SUPERIOR TO TODAY'S SYSTEM
Think
about how wonderful God's World Tomorrow will be!
He
has chosen exceptional people who've lived a life truly dedicated to
his way of morality and accomplishment. Given immortality the
144,000 saints will be made perfect.
All
their talents and potential will be magnified incredibly above what
they were when human. They will become literal Spirit Beings imbued
with the power and radiance of God, born again as his immortal
children. Co-heirs of the Universe (Romans 8:17).
These
will be the primary executives working under Christ, administering
God's Wonderful World Tomorrow.
Contrast
that with the conniving, compromising, self-centered politicians
active in so many governments and other organizations today.
Close
your eyes and think for a while about the wonderful world which God's
Government will produce.
It
should make you shout for joy, that God is going to make this
incredible civilization a reality.
It
ought to make you pour your heart into enthusiastically praying,
"Please God--may your Kingdom come soon! Your will be done on
Earth, as it is in Heaven!"
THE
KINGS and PRIESTS of THE KINGDOM OF GOD
This
list is based on Herbert W Armstrong's view (with some additions in
the same spirit), This summary gives an idea of what the Government
of God will look like in the Messiah's Millennium.
In
his overview of the best art and artists in history, the noted
British historian cites Elbert Hubbard, whom Herbert W Armstrong met
several times in his early years, as leader of the most successful
human utopian society:
"Arts
and crafts centres soon flourished in the United States too, where
utopian communities had always been welcome. The most successful,
lasting from 1895 to 1938, was Roycroft in New York State, founded
by…Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915). "ART: A New History"
777 pages (ISBN 0 297 82928 9), see page 543-544.
Mr
Armstrong later understood and proclaimed the ultimate future society
which only God can bring about, "The Wonderful World
Tomorrow". No doubt, the two men will compare the two ways
of life when they meet again in the resurrection.
JESUS
CHRIST: King of kings and LORD of lords--the glorified firstborn
Son of God, ruling the Earth from renovated Jerusalem, on behalf of
God his Father, and according to his Divine Law.
Under
him are the 144,000 immortal saints, resurrected from all ages,
including:
ABRAHAM:
King and Chief Royal patriarch of many nations, and father of all
humans who have proved faithful to God. Supported by his sons ISAAC
and Jacob (renamed ISRAEL). They are the leading executive team
working with Christ, helping him see that the policies of God the
Father are implemented worldwide.
KING
DAVID: King over all the 12 Tribes of Israel. He may be
assisted by his best friend, JONATHAN, the son of Israel's first
King, Saul.
-
PETER,
JAMES (son of Zebedee) and his brother JOHN: the three
leading Kings under King David. Therefore, they are probably Kings
over the important Tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh), Judah, and
Benjamin (see Ezekiel 48:31-32). The Temple will be located between
Judah's and Benjamin's borders. (See Ezekiel 48:8-23).
Since
Peter was the leading Apostle, he may be King over the leading Tribe
of Joseph (forefather of the Anglo-Saxon English and Anglo-Saxon
Americans). James could be over the important Tribe of Judah (the
Jews). John, who is best known for being loved by Christ, and for
his own love, may be over the Tribe most associated with love,
Benjamin. [Benjamin was greatly loved by his father and his brother
Joseph. The Benjamite, Jonathan, also exhibited extraordinary love
for David. "[And] of Benjamin [Moses prophesied], The beloved
of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; [and the LORD] shall cover
him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders"
(Deuteronomy 33:12].
Peter,
James, and John, will also liase with Moses and Elijah to co-ordinate
Christ's policies (Matthew 17:1-4).
-
ANDREW,
PHILIP, THOMAS, BARTHOLOMEW (Nathanael), MATTHEW, JAMES (son
of Alpheus), SIMON THE ZEALOT, THADDAEUS (Lebbaeus), and
MATTHIAS: Will be Kings over the rest of the 12 Tribes of
Israel: Simeon, Issachar, Gad, Reuben, Levi, Asher, Zebulon,
Naphtali, and Dan
(not necessarily in that order).
While
Dan is prophesied to wait for his salvation (Genesis 49:16-18), the
division of Israel in the Millennium nevertheless reserves "one
gate [not two] for Joseph...and one gate for Dan", and one each
for the other Tribes (Ezekiel 48:30-34).
In
the endtime, 144,000 physical Israelites from each of the Tribes will
enter the Promised Land at the start of the Millennium (Revelation
7)--excluding Dan--but with Joseph having a double portion, as the
Tribe worthy of the firstborn's blessing.
These
144,000 are not to be confused with the 144,000 "firstfruits"--the
first to be resurrected to eternal life--from all ages, described in
Revelation 14, which includes Samson who is of the Tribe of Dan
(Judges 13:1-25; Hebrews 11:32). Danites will be generally converted
later than the rest of Israel because they have
embraced Babylonian religion more tenaciously.
MOSES:
Israel and Worldwide Royal Administrator of God's Religious and
Civil Law. Possibly assisted by his brother AARON as the leading
Priest under Christ the High Priest--and/or ZADOK the faithful
priest--and EZRA, who was an expert in the Law of God which Moses
taught (Ezra 7:6,10). The other priests and Levites of Zadok's
lineage belong to this department (Eze 44:15-16).
THE
THREE ELIJAH'S (The original ELIJAH, JOHN the Baptist, and
HERBERT W ARMSTRONG): A Royal team spearheading worldwide religious
and academic re-education, so that it uniformly conforms to God's
unique and high standard. Of the three, Mr Armstrong is the pioneer
in worldwide communication and education.
-
THE
PROPHETS: The true Church is "built upon the foundation of
the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the Chief
Corner [Stone]" (Ephesians 2:20). While some of the other
names in this list
(such as Abraham, Moses, and the three Elijah's, are also prophets,
additional ones are: ENOCH (who first prophesied of the 144,000 (Jude
14-15); and SAMUEL, ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, HOSEA,
JOEL,
AMOS, MICAH, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARAIAH, AND
MALACHI, who all went to either Judah or Israel, or both, and
may work most closely with the 12 Tribes in The World Tomorrow.
These prophets could fall under Moses the leading prophet other than
Messiah. If their job is to prophesy in the future, they may also
remind Israel and the world of human history. JONAH and NAHUM
were prophets to the Assyrians (ancestors of the Germanic
people). OBADIAH addressed Edom or Esau (Turkey)--the not
always friendly brother of Israel. These prophets may fall directly
under Daniel the prophet, dealing with non-Israelites.
PHILADELPHIA
ERA MEMBERS of God's Church, having been Co-Workers with Mr
Armstrong and his media organization in this life, will be pillars
at Jerusalem in the Millennium. They will also be in the New
Jerusalem when God the Father makes his home on Earth after the
Millennium (Revelation 3:7-13). They will be in the business of
helping Mr Armstrong re-educate the world.
LAODICEA
ERA MEMBERS: those repentant and resurrected are likely to work
under Mr Armstrong as well, after acknowledging he is The Endtime
Elijah whom God promised to send (Revelation 3:14,21; Malachi
4:4-6).
-
THE
SEVENTY whom Jesus commissioned: Will probably be assistants to
the 12 Apostles, then Kings over Israel (Luke 10:1), because they
were Co-Workers in their era. Other first century MEMBERS and MINISTERS--especially
of Israelitish stock--in the true Church seem destined to be part of
this team under these 12 Kings of Israel.
-
MEMBERS
of THE REMAINING 5 ERAS of the Church, will probably work as
teams directly under the leadership they knew in their lifetime, who
themselves will fall under one of the better known personalities
in this list.
-
THE
RIGHTEOUS KINGS, of ancient Judah, who had God's Spirit and
remained faithful, are obvious candidates to hold high office in
God's Kingdom. These include the Kings JOSIAH, HEZEKIAH, ASA,
JEHOSPHAT, UZZIAH, JOTHAM, and the repentant King MANASSEH.
Other than David, who was over all the Tribes, no King of Israel was
particuarly righteous. Even wise King Solomon of Israel ended his
days in disfavor with God (1 Kings 11:4,9). [This author is of the
view
that Solomon was given human wisdom, but not God's Spirit, since in
the Book of Ecclesiastes he knows nothing of an afterlife (which his
father David did)--and therefore, that it may never have been God's
intention that Solomon be in the First Resurrection of 144,000. He
certainly isn't mentioned in Hebrews 11. Like Adam who sinned, he
will probably only be resurrected after the Millennium, to see how
things should have been done].
JOSEPH:
Israel and Worldwide Royal Administrator of Economy (including
agriculture, industry, technology, commerce, and monetary policy).
-
BENJAMIN
was the only child of Israel born when he was converted, and may
himself have been converted, since he loved Joseph, whereas his
other brothers didn't. (See also Deuteronomy 33:12; and Genesis
43:34 and 45:24--which may be prophetic of the Tribe's future
blessings). If so, Benjamin is likely to work with his brother
Joseph.
JOB:
Israel and Worldwide Chief Royal Architect, Builder, and Engineer
under Christ. May be assisted by the builders Zerubbabel, and
Nehemiah.
-
THE
APOSTLE PAUL: King under Daniel over the non-Israelite nations,
of whom he has much experience. As both Daniel and Paul are experts
in God's Law, they will also liase with Jerusalem headquarters
to maintain standard policies.
-
THE
ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH (Acts 8:26-39) is most likely to be a King
under Daniel, dealing with African nations. EBEDMELECH the
Ethiopian, who helped Jeremiah and trusted God, could be in this department
as well (Jeremiah 39:16-18).
-
THE
RIGHTEOUS WOMEN: SARAH, REBEKAH, RACHEL, RUTH, RAHAB,
DEBORAH, QUEEN
ESTHER, HANNAH, the MOTHER of MOSES, MARY the mother of Jesus,
Peter's MOTHER, MARTHA, Martha's sister MARY, MARY MAGDALENE, PHOEBE,
PRISCILLA, and ALL RESURRECTED WOMEN will hold high, but so far
specifically undisclosed office. Probably some will
team up with the high profile husband they had in their human life.
However, whatever the nature of their individual appointments, they
will also be natural role models and educators of all women and
children in the Millennium.
BARAK,
GIDEON, JEPHTHAH, and SAMSON, were Judges in Israel, and may
have a similar position in the Kingdom of God.
Christ
and his government of 144,000 immortal saints, will start their rule
over the remnant of 144,000 still physical Israelites, and the Great
Multitude of other people from Israel and other nations, mentioned in
Revelation 7.
The
specialized lines of governmental authority above, demonstrate that
Mr Armstrong was correct to prepare the Philadelphian Era of the
Church to fit into the coming Kingdom of God administration.
In
direct contrast to the time of democracy described in the last verse
of the Book of Judges, in the days to come, the King of Kings will be
in Israel: and everyone will do what is right in God's eyes. The
144,000 immortal saints won't be independently doing their own thing.
Nor will humans. All will be subject to
the
Messiah and his appointed officials. It will be a highly organized
society, doing the will of God.
The
Endtime Elijah, Herbert W Armstrong, was inspired to give the
clearest vision, in our generation immediately before its
establishment, of the coming Kingdom and Government of God.
While
it's impossible to present a complete breakdown of the 144,000
resurrected saints who will work under Christ in the Millennium, even
this partial list shows that it will be the best government the world
has ever known.
No
wonder Jesus Christ taught his disciples to pray:
"Our
Father in Heaven...your Kingdom come. Your will be done on Earth as
it is in Heaven."
----------------
