Today was Week 99 of Rightly Dividing the Word of truth…our study / overview of Paul’s epistles to believers in this dispensation of the grace of God. Paul is the only apostle to speak directly about the Day of Christ – Philippians 1:6,10, the rapture of the Church Age saints, because he is our apostle, the apostle to the Gentiles.
The Four Gospels transition the Bible from the Old Testament to the New Testament, which begins with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even though they were written decades after the resurrection of Christ, they explain the purpose of his coming to this sin cursed earth – to call Israel to repentance and redeem humanity through his sinless sacrifice,
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
2 Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Matthew was written to the Jews to reveal Jesus as the King of the Jews offering the physical kingdom of heaven (on earth) to the nation. His genealogy reveals him as the son of David, the son of Abraham. Even the physical kingdom is subordinate to the spiritual kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33.
Mark was written to the Roman world, revealing Christ as the servant / sacrifice. No genealogy is given, because the focus the works of Christ, revealing the kingdom of God – Mark 10:44-45.
Luke was written to the Greek culture in the Roman world, revealing the humanity of Christ as the Son of Man. The genealogy in Luke takes the lineage of Jesus all the way back to Adam. Luke increases our understanding concerning the kingdom of God, that it is not something that comes with observation, but is within the hearts of those who believe – Luke 17:20-21.
John was written to reveal Jesus as the Son of God in human flesh, the Savior of the world. His genealogy begins in eternity past – “In the beginning was the word.” Jesus reveals how we can enter the spiritual kingdom of God, by being born again – John 3:1-8.
The three great days revealed in the Bible that are yet in our future:
- The Day of Christ, also known as the Rapture of all church age believers. This is the next great event on God’s celestial calendar of events. It ushers in the seven year tribulation period. Paul mentions this mystery at least 18 times in his letters. Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 3:13, 5:5, *15:50-54*, 2 Corinthians 1:14, Philippians 1:6,10, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Timothy 1:12, 4:1,8, 1 John 2:28, 3:1-3
2 Timothy 1:12,18: For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (Context is the Day of Christ / rapture of the Church Age saints, and the subsequent Bema judgment, but it occurs while the 2nd Advent related “That Day” is happening on the earth in the tribulation). The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
2 Timothy 4:1,7-8: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (the spirituallly alive – Ephesians 2:1) and the dead (the spiritually dead) at his appearing (the day of Christ – the rapture) and his kingdom (the 2nd Advent, the physical return of Messiah King Jesus) ; I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (the day of Christ – the rapture).
Remember – Things different are not alike. Things different are not the same. Christ’s appearing and Christ’s kingdom are separated by the seven year tribulation period.
- The Day of the Lord, also known as the 2nd Advent, the literal, physical return of Messiah King Jesus to establish his everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7) beginning with the 1,000 year millennium. He will purge the world of all wickedness, beginning with the battle of Armageddon and ending with the judgment of the nations – Matthew 25:31-46. Every book from Isaiah to Malachi, except Daniel, specifically mentions the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is mentioned 24 times, and “that day”, a synonymous phrase , is mentioned 107 times from Isaiah to Malachi. Malachi 4:1-6, Matthew 3:1-3, 11:10-14, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 24:36, Luke 10:12, Luke 17:31, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 19:11-16, 16:16 (Ezekiel 39), 17:12-14, Daniel 2:42-45
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2 Peter 3:10: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; (the semicolon contains the whole of the 1,000 year millennium. Everything that follows is a description of the Day of God.) in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
- The Day of God, that moment in eternity future, after the millennial kingdom is finished, and the Great White Throne Judgment is in progress, or completed, when God destroys this world, and creates new heavens and a new earth, as pure as original creation completely without the curse of sin. 2 Peter 3:10-14, Revelation 21:1-2: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Isaiah 65:17: For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isaiah 66:22: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. (The nation of Israel will once again be the head of all the nations in eternity future!)
All the righteous people who live through the end of the millennium will go into eternity future in their flesh and blood bodies. They will repopulate the nations on the regenerated earth, and will come to the new Jerusalem, being led by the 12 tribes of Israel, each tribe will come once a year in their given month. They will eat of the tree of life, and the leaves will be for their continual healing to live forever. Revelation 21 & 22 gives us insight into what eternity will be like, after God has made the new heavens and the new earth, Amen & Amen