The Bible is written in language that is hard to understand. Its words often appear to conflict. Its parables are seemingly open to many interpretations. Prophecies appear in both literal and symbolic terms. Great religious scholars cannot agree with each other on its true meaning.

So how does one study the Bible and have it make sense?

One key is topical bible study. Take al the scriptures that bear on one subject and see how they form a beautiful mosaic. Bible truths appear, almost miraculously, as scripture

is lined up with scripture.

A tremendous help to topical bible study is a good textbook that will bring together the

various verses for you. The Divine Plan of the Ages is just such a textbook. Elaborately

and clearly, it illuminates some 16 different bible subjects, such as:

• The Day of Judgment
• Ransom and Restitution
• Our Lord’s Return
• And many others!

You can have a magazine edition of this popular book absolutely FREE, or you can

purchase a bound copy for your very own library ($1.00) by writing to the following

address:

Bible Students Publications

900 Brentwood Drive

Bensenville, IL 60106

As the years passed Nassar again begins to speak of still another war with Israel. Then in 1967 the Egyptian leader blockaded the Gulf of Aquaba to Israeli shipping and declared “we are ready for war.”

At Dawn the 5th of June, 1967 the war broke out. The well trained Israeli Air Force quickly silenced the Egyptian air fields together with their aircraft. At the same time the Navy took to the seas. The Israeli Armed divisions roared into Sinai. The attacking Egyptian armies were quickly overrun by the well trained and disciplined Israeli forces. Isarel faced an enemy of 14 Arab states whose population and armaments outnumbered Israel nearly a hundred to one and yet what has been proclaimed a modern day miracle, the tiny nation of Israel crushed their enemy in just six short days!

Thus history records the struggle for the rebirth of a new nation. Looking back on those dramatic days, we might be inclined to attribute Israel’s rebirth and survival as a nation to her great determination and resourcefulness as people.

But is it that alone?

You recall that Israel has been called God’s chosen people which carries with it the thought that somehow at sometime they will serve a special purpose and destiny in God’s plan.

What is that destiny? To find the answer we need to go to the book that records Israel’s past, present and even her future. And as we do we will see that Israel was reborn – not by mere chance or cunning or determination alone – no, but because an Almighty God promised this would happen and then directed it to take place.

Let’s look at some of the prophecies regarding Israel.

And in verses 5 and 6 we are told — “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 an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.”

Then even the animal kingdom will rejoice — for the Scriptures tell us that the lion and the lamb will feed together and be led by a little child.

It will be a time when their will be no more scenes such as this — for we read in Rev. 21:4 that in that Kingdom — God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Oh, what a Kingdom that will be — I think you’ll agree with me — truly this type of plan is one that is harmonious with the God of Love that we would expect our Creator to be!

But when will that Kingdom come you ask? Millenniums away? No, it will be in our generation — for prophecies indicate that it will be during the life span of the people living when God would regather the people of Israel from all countries of the world — and re-establish them as a nation.

That was back in 1948. Thus we are on the very brink of the fulfillment of one of the greatest promise ever made to man — The Kingdom of God on earth.

At the end of this 1000 year period of perfection — man will again be put to the test on an individual basis. man having thus first experienced the consequences of evil in this present life — and then its opposite — the glorious results of obedience in that Kingdom — man will truly have something to compare.

Having experienced both the effects of good and evil — there is little doubt that the vast majority will have been rightly exercised — will pass their trial and will go on to live forever in a kingdom of righteousness and perfection here upon the earth.

Well, you say that sounds almost too good to be true. Do you have any Scriptures to prove there is going to be such a kingdom on earth — to which man will be brought back? Let’s trace thru a few of the promises of God regarding this kingdom.

This Kingdom is what is referred to in our Lord’s prayer — “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Although this prayer has been repeated perhaps billions of times — many overlook the meaning of its words — “Thy kingdom come, they will be done in earth” — notice “in earth” as it is in heaven.

Most Christians believe in a heavenly salvation and resurrection for the footstep followers of our Lord — which the scriptures clearly teach, — but many overlook the fact that God has promised in addition an earthly resurrection for all the remainder of mankind.

Notice Jesus’ reference to the resurrection for all in John 5:28 — “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.”

Notice — all — all in their graves will come forth. yes, they will come forth to God’s Kingdom here on earth.

Never once in all the Bible is the term “immortal soul” ever mentioned — but rather the Bible clearly says — in Ezek. 18:20 — “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

Yes, if the soul that sins can die — it is not immortal.

And in Psalms 22:29 we read — “None can keep alive his own soul.”

Well, some one might say — at least this makes a little more sense — that the idea that our great Creator would torment someone’s body or soul in hell.

But if he is so great and powerful — why has he permitted man to have to suffer pain and heartache and finally death for these thousands of years.

When god first planned man’s creation — he no doubt thought of the best way to bring about man’s obedience willingly. God didn’t wand to create robots who had to obey — but rather he desired intelligent beings who would obey him thru their own free choice.

The Plan God adopted to ultimately bless all mankind and to bring about their willing obedience was one not of coercion — but of education based largely on experience.
God tried man representatively in adam — full well knowing man would fail the test because of lack of knowledge and experience. Because of his fall — for the past 6,000 years man has learned the terrible consequences of disobedience to Divine Law.

However, God had not planned for man to remain forever dead — but rather just as all mankind came under the death sentence thru heredity — because of the sin of one perfect man — adam — so likewise the death sentence will be removed because another perfect man — Christ Jesus — was willing to give his perfect life as a ransom to redeem Adam.

Thus we see how the scales of divine justice will be balanced. One perfect life given to redeem the one perfect life which sinned.

Perhaps you feel this way — do you find it impossible to believe in such a great being –who could create all this universe — and yet the best plan he could come up with is one that if you don’t believe in Him — you will be tortured for billions of years of eternity in a hell that he has created!

Well, if this was God’s Plan, I couldn’t believe it either, and I could appreciate why many would refuse to believe in such a being — because when they see the beauty — the harmony — the wonder of nature — and the preciousness of life — it’s beyond them how this same being would then bring into existence such a condition as Hell of torment.

But is this a scriptural teaching of the bible? is this what this great Intelligent Creator brought into being? No, far from it — but rather we find that this is a teaching that has come to us as a result of mistranslations and traditions from far back in the Dark Ages — and it is no where — I repeat — no where — taught in the bible.

The word hell in our english king James Bible is translated from the Hebrew word “Sheol.” Notice how this word was translated three different ways in the English King James Bible.

Grave — 31 times

Hell — 31 times

Pit — 3 times

So first of all we notice that it is inconsistent — but even more important for us to note is when was it translated grave — and when was it translated hell? Whenever the King James Bible translated this word “sheol” in regards to the death of one who was righteous — the word was translated grave. But if the man happened to be wickedly inclined — it was translated into English that he went into hell.

But in the hebrew they both went into the same place. both the good and the bad go into “Sheol” which literally means nothing more that the condition of death — oblivion.

Let’s note Eccl. 9:10 that describes what the condition of Sheol really is.

Now this is the Revised Standard Version which leaves “Sheol” untranslated — “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Notice here how “sheol” is described as a condition not of pain or torment — but rather one where there is no work — no knowledge — no wisdom — not even thought — and notice again the last line — it is a condition to which all of mankind go into — the condition of death.

In the Book of Job we have a Prophet of God — a righteous man — actually praying to go to “Sheol” because he was very sick — and was in a tremendous amount of pain.

Job 14:13 (Revised Std. Version) — “Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest conceal me until thy wrath be past.”

Notice Job actually prays to go the Sheol. Was he praying to go to a place of torture? No, he just wanted to die and be at rest!

But you know in this regard i believe that there are many honest, sincere people who have difficulty believing the Bible who have more or less come to the conclusion that there is no God — only because the concepts that they have heard regarding this God are difficult for them to accept.

One of the reason being that they have been told that the Bible teaches that if you do not believe in God and His Son, you will be tortured for billions of years of eternity in a Hell of fire he has created. This thought has troubled many, perhaps yourself.

For as we examine the Bible, we find it teaches our Creator is a God of Love, of sympathy and compassion. How then could He design a Plan that would include a place of eternal torment. Our society abhors the idea of torturing even the worst criminal. Thus it’s easy to understand why some would have difficulty in believing in such a being.

Perhaps you feel this way — do you find it impossible to believe in such a great being –who could create all this universe — and yet the best plan he could come up with is one that if you don’t believe in Him — you will be tortured for billions of years of eternity in a hell that he has created!

How far can you and I travel without maps and compasses before we get lost? Yet these tiny brains have the memory to guide many birds 40,000 miles without a map. How did this tremendous capability come about? Was it coincidence? Or was it intricately planned and then created?

Going on to the most complex creature in all the animal kingdom we find the theory of Evolution proposes that man evolved from a primate to become modern man. But again it is common knowledge that Paleoanthropologists will readily admit — they have yet to find the missing link from Anthropoid Ape to Man.

Let’s consider some of the skeletal remains that have been found — which are a little different — and are therefore supposedly indicators of Evolution. How many of these could have been the result of disease — or deformities caused by mutations — even as this Medical Text Book shows advanced society.

Would they be a missing link for the evolving man — No, far from it!
Other times primitive implements — like stone tools are found with skeletons and used to substantiate the Evolutionary Theory of a prehistoric Cave Man that lived a million years ago. Yet today, in this modern so called highly civilized age, we still find in odd corners of the earth people on all levels of culture, so extremely primitive. Some from complete nudity — some in the royal dress of Kings.Some who use only simple tools –while others send rockets and men to the Moon. And some who live in mere leaf wind breaks — while others live in giant Hotels.

No—cultural sequence is no proof of evolution!

But rather we believe that the marvelous miracle of life could only have been brought into being by a living source –a Master Chemist, a Master Physicist, a Master Biologist, a Master Law Giver! Everywhere we turn about us we find laws that govern our Universe — Magnetism — Gravity — Physics — Chemistry — Biology.
The elements — the very building blocks of our Universe are all governed by fixed unalterable Laws.Why are there fixed laws that govern every Science about us? Why isn’t there ever random behavior when all these laws are supposedly to have been brought into existence by mere blind coincidence?

The next aspect of our study we’d like to consider is the book that claims to be written by the inspiration of the Intelligent Creator that brought into being our vast Universe.

With that in mind — does it seem logical that the complex organisms that we see about us have evolved because of mutations to become such beautiful masterpieces of engineering, beauty and design. Can this — the most marvelous miracle of life be the result of mistakes or errors that took place in the genetic code transfer of the original single cell algae.

Let’s look into it a little deeper.

Let’s consider the mutations that would have taken place to evolve from sea dwelling amphibians which laid their eggs in water to land dwelling reptiles which laid their eggs on dry ground.

This simple change of the form of an egg will illustrate we believe the unreasonableness of mutations being able to bring it about. As the egg changes from one in water to one laid on dry ground — it still needed to have water or else it would dry up long before it was hatched. It also needed a lot of food.

So the reptilian egg had to be provided with a large mass of yolk for food — and also albumen — the white of the egg to provide the water. Moreover, the egg white needed a vessel to contain it — so there had to be a shell made of a hard limey material.

However, this caused another problem.

The original amphibian embryo which was in the sea could easily get rid of its waste products thru its soft outer covering. But now with the hard shell of the new reptilian egg — it was impossible to pass waste products thru the shell. So it had to be provided with a kind of bladder — it is called the allantoids and is in some respects similar to the mammalian placenta. But this problem having been solved, the embryo would still remain trapped inside its tough shell.

Now it had to evolve. It needed a tool to get out. Thus snakes and lizards have a tooth transformed into a kind of shell opener while birds have a carbuncle — a hard outgrowth near the tip of their beaks which serves the same purpose.

Now as we consider just this one aspect of the possible evolution of reptiles — let’s observe how each factor is essential.

The liquid store in this egg would make no sense without the shell. The shell in turn would prove to be fatal without the bladder and the shell opener. In other words, they are all interdependent one upon another — and would have to occur simultaneously.

You couldn’t for instance have just one mutation occurring by itself to produce the shell — then preserve it by natural selection — while you wait a few thousand years until the second mutation produces the albumen — and the 3rd the bladder –and so on to the fourth and fifth.

Each mutation occurring alone would be useless and would be wiped out long before it could be combined with the others to form the new reptilian egg. The theory that their coming together was due to a series of blind coincidences truly is contrary to the basic principles of scientific explanation.

Let’s go on now to consider other marvels of what we believe are the Creative work of an Intelligent Being.

But then suddenly that entire world perished. the dinosaurs were exterminated by a world-wide catastrophe. Fossil bones of all these Reptilian animals are found intermingled — young and old alike throughout the world — showing the Reptilian Age came to a cataclysmic end. But that which is even the greatest mystery is that which supplanted this form of life.

The fossils in the very next strata of rock indicate a complete new form of animal life came into being — the Mammal creation of animals as we have today. In addition there where varied types of feathered birds — of all colors, sizes and shapes. And a complete new form of vegetation — that of flowering and seed bearing plants.

Think of that for a moment.

Suddenly we have these gigantic reptiles becoming extinct in a world-wide catastrophe and then — just as suddenly with no gradual or intermediate forms of life whatsoever — in the very next rock layer a complete new form of animal, bird and vegetable life comes into being.

It would seem that this would be evidence of rather than a gradual slow process of evolution there was an instantaneous creation of a new form of life — in a new age — by an Intelligent Creator.
The next aspect of our study we would like to consider has to do with mutations.

That’s what would have been required to bring about the spontaneous forming of the simplest form of life. You must admit — the probability is not very great! which perhaps explains why that even with relentless experimentation — live has never been formed in a test tube from non-living matter.

But let us go on now to consider the fossils of the earliest living organisms. In the Pre-Cambrian Rock Strata — where we have the first evidence of life — the only fossil evidence contained is — that of single celled Algae — which we see here greatly magnified.
But now let us note carefully the gigantic leap that takes place in this next rock layer — the Cambrian rock strata. We jump from single celled Algae in on rock layer — to highly complex animal organisms in the next. As a matter of fact, every major invertebrate form of animal life is found in the Cambrian rock strata –455 different species.
Now the point we especially want to note is there are no intermediate forms whatsoever to show a gradual evolving from one specie to another — but rather all 455 species are completely different.

Let’s go on to consider another unanswerable problem that confronts our Paleontologists — that of the sudden extinction of the Reptilian form of life.

And then, in the last book of the Bible… “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor  crying, neither shall there be any more PAIN for the former things are passed away.” Rev 21:4

Yes, mankind is experiencing a travail of evil. Just as Apostle John said, “Whenever a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come;

“. . .but when she gives birth to the child, she remembers the anguish no more …for joy that a child has been born into the world.”

That joy is very near—when our loved ones will be reunited again. Yes, now we know where God was. He was working out the completion of His Grand Divine Plan. Man with free will had to learn by experience the consequences of sin.

But we know the time is near when Jesus Christ with his Church—his Bride,—will bless the poor groaning, waiting and Ransomed creation. When GOD’S Plan is completed, all the pain will be swallowed up in the joys of eternity.

Unlike those who say that they don’t know why, but still “trust God,” we trust God but also now know why God permits evil.  When everyone finally compares their past bitter experiences with the joys of living in Christ’s      Kingdom on earth—they will choose to learn God’s righteous principles and live forever. All people will then know where God was.  He was waiting to bless them.

Amen!

Today we can see with our own eyes that God is restoring His People to His Land.  We believe that God is preparing Israel—even though it be in travail & trouble past. . .  and present. The Bible promised the resurrection of Israel, a scattered and dead nation.  The Bible also promised the awakening of all who have ever died. Yes, the children of Israel have suffered for thousands of years. And yes, the whole world has also suffered through past millennia.

But God has suffered longer—just as parents do watching their children suffer.

Friends, the suffering and evil are about to stop! Instead of Israel & Jerusalem being considered an “international problem”— the Bible says that God will use Israel to bless the whole world.  “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they [those nations] walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.” Jeremiah 3:17

No, God did not intend the terrorist attacks on USA — Man did. Neither did God intend wars—Man did.  Nor man’s inhumanity to man such as genocides like the Holocaust. . . Man          did! However, our God, who is all-powerful, all-loving—who can control the stars in their orbits—can work out the wrath of man to His glory—and to man’s blessing.

“Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” Psalm 76:10 Having tasted of the consequences of sin (inherited as well as personal)—the vast majority of earth’s billions will choose God’s ways and righteousness in His Kingdom.

The Bible says that all peoples will come up to Jerusalem to learn about God from the ancient righteous men like Noah, Abraham, Job, Daniel. “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isa 2:3-4

No more war…no more jihads…no need of war against terrorism!

The Bible doesn’t exaggerate when it says, “a ransom for ALL.” The angel announcing Jesus’ birth didn’t exaggerate when he said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy,      which shall be to ALL people.” Luke 2:10 But don’t most people in the world (you know, those who don’t know Christ) just go to “hell” to suffer, as many teach?

No! No! No!  What the Bible does say is that ALL will have an opportunity to progress up a “highway of holiness” which Isaiah also spoke of… But what of those who have lived evil lives? Will they come back too?  Is this a “second chance?” It’s no second chance!  No one gets away with evil. . . Evil people will have a hard time on the “highway of holiness” undoing the damage done to their character. All evil will be accounted for . . . Isaiah refers to Satan in a metaphor saying “…no lion shall be there. . .”

And that is just what the New Testament says too: Jesus Christ will bind Satan for a 1000 years so the world can learn righteousness, truly Love God and live forever. In the Peaceable Kingdom Satan will not be able to deceive those who have lived evil lives or even good people who didn’t know Jesus.  It will be their first real chance!!

Most or all of us have prayed: “Thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  That means the Ransom IS for ALL! Yes, all mankind will have a chance to reform and gain eternal life in God’s Peaceable Kingdom.

Remember righteous Job?  He asked to be hidden in the grave         the Bible “hell,”— to rest from all his sufferings. . .         Jesus compared death to sleep. He said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. . . But Jesus spoke of his death. The Disciples thought he spoke of natural sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”

Death, you see, is sleep awaiting resurrection.  So each person, each soul, that dies must await resurrection. What Job did not know about was the “new and living way”— the Christian way opened to us 2,000 years ago. But, that was about 2,000 years ago. What are we waiting for?  Apostle Paul explains the world is waiting for the sons of God, the Christian Church, to be completed and ready to bless them:

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Rom 8:19 (NAS) Now God had originally selected Israel as His chosen people. When they rejected Jesus, God turned to the Gentiles to call out sons, as a “people for his name.”

God’s whole plan is captured in a nutshell in the Apostle’s words: “God at first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for Himself,” the Church of Christ. “After these things, I will return and I will rebuild David’s fallen tabernacle.  Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it. In order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name.”

All the Gentiles will also be blessed!!

As a matter of fact it does! The Apostle Peter summarizes the        plan and purpose of God for man in the expression, “the times (or years) of restitution.”  Friends, there is real hope promised in the Bible.

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”

“Restitution” means RESTORATION.  You see, the object of Jesus Christ’s return has always been the restitution of ALL things.  Not destruction. But restoration to what?  The Apostles asked Jesus before he ascended to heaven if he would at that time restore the Kingdom to Israel.   And later Apostle Peter would also speak of the restitution of “All things”? Not just Israel!

And Apostle Peter said that restitution was “spoken by the mouth of ALL the holy prophets” of the Bible!! The earth will be restored—not burned up! Remember that Adam was created perfect.  And he could have had perfect children.  Instead we received a legacy of suffering and death because he sinned.

But because of Adam’s sin Jesus Christ came: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was LOST.” Matt. 18:11 What was “LOST”? Well — Life, health, happiness…and his fellowship with God, his Creator. In its place man has inherited a legacy of tragedies.

Hear the words of one of God’s holy prophets of “restitution”—

“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 deer. . . for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. . . .And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isa 35:5-6)

Has seeing and hearing about worldwide suffering made your heart ache as mine does. . . OR, have you ever been overwhelmed with a personal tragedy—and cried out like Job of the Bible? Job’s life is a microcosm of man’s history and suffering. But, as with Job there is the final glorious destiny for all of us.

The curtain opens on the life Job describing a beautifully happy family. They were rich in land and cattle. But Satan soon entered the scene, with God’s permission, and trouble began, lots of trouble. Job’s devoted servants were slain. His camels and cattle were carried away by thieves.

A tornado struck the house where his children were all gathered and they were all killed. If that wasn’t enough, he was smitten with a despicable leprosy like disease, and his wife told him to just “curse God and die.” Then three of Job’s friends came to comfort him. They sat with him silently for seven days and seven nights. Imagine their concern—sitting with him for a whole week!

When they finally began to speak…all they did was make Job more miserable and defensive. Now Job really wanted to die.  He asked to be hidden (as the Hebrew says). . .in “sheol” the grave. “Oh that YOU would hide me in Sheol, that YOU would conceal me until YOUR wrath returns to YOU, that YOU would set a limit for me. . .and remember me!” Job 14:13

Interesting, did you know that in the Bible the Hebrew word “Sheol” is translated “hell” as often as it is translated “grave”?  That’s because they are the          same! Of course Job actually wanted relief—rest—rest in the sleep of death that Jesus spoke of.  You see, Bible translators have selectively translated        the same word —sheol—as hell or grave depending on whether the person was a bad guy or a good guy.

Really, we as Bible Students, are very thankful that Billy Graham—and even Pope John Paul—have of late downplayed the fires of a burning hell.  Sadly, others have not. Friends, be assured, the Bible does not teach a burning hell.  Not even a literal “lake of fire.” Yes, it is a fact that the Bible “hell” is really just the “grave.”

Well, finally, God speaks to Job. Although God has actually allowed Satan to cause turmoil on Job and mankind. God doesn’t explain, “Now listen, Job, I am letting Satan reek all this havoc on you for awhile. You didn’t bring it on yourself.  Don’t worry it will work out.”

No, instead, God points out some of His phenomenal creations — the stars of the universe—as well as such details as wings of peacocks and the strength of an ostrich egg. But, then He asks Job to just simply trust Him. You see my care for the details of the earth—as well as my power in the control of the universe—trust me!

God asked Job 3 questions about the stars of heaven to demonstrate His power and wisdom in the universe: “Can you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?. . . .or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:31, 32

Astronomers today can tell us that the Pleiades are a unique cluster of 250 blazing stars flying through the universe in symmetrical beauty. . . By contrast, the bands of Orion are being “loosed” because three principal stars of Orion’s belt are traveling at different speeds and directions — as if three ships on the ocean passing in line briefly, but later sailing to different ports in the world.

Also, God asked Job if he could “guide” Arcturus         with his sons. No wonder!  Arcturus is like a runaway star. It’s over 20 times the size of our sun, and traveling so fast it seems out of control. The obvious answers to God’s questions is: No, Job can’t manage the stars…but God can bind the Pleiades, loose Orion and guide Arcturus and his sons. If God can guide that runaway star—he can also control the runaway effect of Satan’s blinding influence and seemingly devastating and permanent damage to mankind.

God was telling Job. . .  “Trust Me.” In fact, that’s pretty much the conclusion of Rabbi Kushner in his book When Bad Things Happen To Good People. He says, “I don’t know exactly why—but I trust God.”

BUT since Job’s time, Students of the Bible have gained a much better comprehension of the Bible’s answer  to Why God permits evil.  Sadly though, not many understand. Eventually, by the way, all Job’s property was restored —two-fold!  Again he had sons and beautiful daughters.  We said that Job pictured humanity.  So, does that mean mankind will have everything restored to them, and better than ever?

Yet Moses, the Prophets, Jesus and the Apostles all accepted Adam’s history as fact. (And so do we.)

The Bible says that God warned Adam and said:  “…in the day that you eat from it, you shall surely die.” But is that fair to condemn a man to death—       just because he ate some fruit? It was a simple test of obedience that God placed on Adam . . .

After all, Adam was a perfect man — in God’s image.  He had no weaknesses; he knew what he was doing. Adam learned by experience that choice has consequences. He was sent from the garden… Apostle Paul said, “. . . by one man’s disobedience, many were made sinners. . .”           Rom 5:19

But is it fair to pass on such a legacy of suffering and dying — just because we are father Adam’s children? Through the millennia of man’s torturous history, seemingly innocent people have suffered—children, fathers, mothers. Why should WE suffer for Adam eating some forbidden fruit?  Where is God’s justice?  Where is God’s love?

The Apostle Paul answers us: “As in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22

Here is God’s justice — here is God’s love: Apostle Paul said that God planned this redemption so “…that He [God] might be just, AND the justifier of those who believe in Jesus.” Rom 3:26 Yes, God had to be just—but then out of love He gave his only begotten Son to pay the price of sin. “For as thru the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so thru the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” Rom. 5:19 (NAS)

While God is the Just Judge who condemned Adam and his posterity to the curse, “dying thou shalt die”—He  is also the Judge who gave Hisis Son to take Adam’s penalty! But if we were each on trial for life individually—then every one of us who sinned would need our own individual Savior!   “Ransom”—antilitron— (in the Greek) means “a corresponding price.” Adam’s ransom was Jesus; One perfect man for one perfect man.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Tim 2:5-6 Let me repeat that. . .“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1 Tim 2:5-6

Only an equivalent “price” could redeem Adam with his whole posterity condemned with him. Justice required a perfect man to take Adam’s    place in death to release him from the penalty of death.

“None of them [except Jesus] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Ps 49:7 What an incredibly efficient and powerful plan! But Jesus provided a ransom price almost 2,000 years ago. . .Why are we all still suffering and dying?

“Just look at the mess!”  Of course not.  Just so, dear friends, we should not judge God by His unfinished Plan for man! We just might see a beautiful drawing posted on the fence—or a model somewhere—showing us what the finished building will look like eventually. In fact, Friends, we have a beautiful “drawing” of the      destiny of man written in the Bible.  The Bible traces of the origins of suffering back to sin — its consequences — and its eternal benefit to mankind.

After all the smoke and dust have settled, we will see what our loving Heavenly Father has planned for us, His children. . . How many of us are parents?  This perspective may help us see     what our God—our Heavenly Father—has been permitting. . .  We try to teach our children to make right choices. . . But sometimes they need to feel the consequences of some wrong choices. . . And yet we would like to protect them from severe consequences that could not be reversed.

In the 70’s many of us invested in woodstoves and taught our children the dangers of the hot stove—by touching their hands quickly to the stove (when it wasn’t too hot to burn them). Raising children to noble, honorable adults is no easy task. . .  But, would we have preferred a stuffed animal—or a robot which would do everything we wanted?  (That would be easier!!)  No of course not! That’s why God created man — with free will — able to make choices. . . The BIBLE says that because of Adam’s disobedience — suffering and evil resulted.

In order to understand the answer to this question of the       centuries—we have to understand what the Bible really says. When we can grasp and understand God’s Plan in the Bible. . . . it’s past, present and future —then hopefully, we will understand God’s character…and know what He was doing on 9/11. Of course, the Bible was first written by and for the Hebrews—the Jewish people.

The Bible reveals what kind of God we have — by His dealings with Israel, the ancient people of the Book.  Now Israel has been a picture or type of the whole world.  In all the suffering history of His people Israel—God was right there with them in their affliction — while He carried them: As a loving parent would swoop up a child in danger — so God carried His people through all their trouble.

The Scriptures tell us that: “In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9) In fact, we know God is also “distressed” by the sorrows and afflictions of all people.  God sees more sorrow than we ever will; He suffers more keenly than we ever will.

Each heart has its sadness, but God knows our sadness. He knows the sadness of every heart. So we see that the LORD God suffers with us as a parent would suffer with their child’s suffering. God also faced a parent’s pain of when Jesus was suffered and died. Jesus himself is also “touched with the feeling” of our “infirmities”—“a man of sorrows, acquainted with           grief”. . . But God’s suffering is not the result of failure on his part.

Tragedy does not happen to us because God is not       powerful enough to prevent catastrophe. . .God is all         powerful! . . . not because He is not wise enough to plan ahead for us. . .because, in fact, He is all wise! . . . not because He is not fair and just with us and all people…He is thoroughly just! . . . and certainly not because He is not loving enough to care. . . He is not indifferent. God is Love!

So why then didn’t God just protect His ancient people Israel (and us too) from all trouble? Well, as we know from the Bible, Israel’s problems came as a consequence of their failure to keep God’s covenant with them. They did not keep their promise to Him. Jeremiah, often called a prophet of doom, said: “For he [God] does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” (Lam. 3:33 –NIV)

People were calling it “holy ground” because those people who died there were sacrificed on a plane that was heading for our Nation’s capital. How could someone inspire such evil deeds as Osama Bin Laden has? What motivates anyone to cause horrific disasters?
Remember those translated clips of the interviews with Bin Laden? He seemed mostly to blame the need for his jihad on the US for two basic reasons: 1st—because of American presence on Arabian soil 2nd—because of our support of Israel.

Was he motivated by words he found in Islam’s Holy Book—the Koran—which actually says, “Choose martyrs…Annihilate the infidels. . .” (Sura 3:140, 141)
The Arabic, “Salam” like Shalom means peace, but “Islam” actually means “surrender”— surrender to the will of Allah. Of course, there are Moslems who are peaceful people. And the Koran claims to be the words of God.

Actually it teaches a harsh 7th Century Arabic culture, a culture of conquest. Yes, Christian nations have conquered, but neither Jesus nor the Apostles ever taught Christians to conquer. Nevertheless, evil is not limited to the Al-Qaeda and other Moslem extremists. And we know that such horrible catastrophes are not limited to our country, nor to our lifetime.

Where is God now—we might ask—in other parts of the world? Trouble and suffering today is worldwide. According to TIME Magazine, 1/3 of the world is in danger of starving. That includes 300 million children. We shudder to think back to Stalin, Hitler & Mao Zedong who killed their tens of millions. In the last century, 185 million people died at the hands of governments.

And what about centuries past? We’ve all heard about the Bubonic Plague of the 14th century – a disease carried by flees on rats throughout Europe. It killed 25 million people! How many Christians died as they were thrown to lions—just to entertain the crowds?

The atomic age was born in the 20th Century. Recently the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the minute hand of their “Doomsday clock” to 7 min. to midnight. They are saying that the risk of nuclear war has not been this close since the end of the Cold War.

The Bible sums it up by saying, “The whole creation groans and suffers . . . waiting. . .” (ROM. 8:22, NAS) Waiting for what? Why does God permit evil, and why for so long? What is God waiting for? No complete answers seem forthcoming from the ministers of God. Two years ago, on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance in Washington, D.C., Billy Graham addressed the nation, and the world.

“Where was God on September 11th?”. . . .

As Christians we ask, What does the Bible say? Asking this question should reveal that we do believe that God exists. . . By asking where was God, we’re not trying to judge God. Rather, we hope to share with each of you the satisfying answers we have found in the Bible.

In this tragedy, the questions came: “Why?” “Why did God let this happen? “Did He know what was going to happen?” Did He hear the cries of the victims? Or their families who ask, “Lord, why didn’t you stop it?” “Why Lord, Why?”

Some have suggested that God was desperately trying to keep as many people as possible off those planes and out of those buildings. I don’t thinks so…If he were he failed….Some—or many—of you may have known a victim who died on September 11th. Many noble people and heroic firemen and policemen died that day—but were all of them Christians? Certainly, we don’t think that those who died on that day did something wrong to deserve to die that day. . . . Nor do we think that those who were spared were in some way better and more deserving of life.

the rock. A great stone was rolled against the sepulcher sealing it. But how grateful we

are that this was not the end, it was in reality just the beginning. Because of his

faithfulness, Jesus was resurrected by God and raised as a spirit being to glory, honor and

immortality.

When Mary came on the morning of the third day and found an empty tomb, an angel

told her, “He is risen.” Her heart leaped for joy at these words, and so we too rejoice

because through his resurrection, we ha ve an assurance that we too shall live again! Not

only us, but also everyone who has ever lived!

There will be the heavenly reward for those who are now willing to be faithful followers

of Jesus, and there will be bountiful blessings awaiting the willing and obedient in the

earthly phase of that kingdom.

Listen to the prophet Isaiah describe what that kingdom will be like, and see if fulfills the

desire of all nations and the desire of all our hearts for life, health, peace and happiness:

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall

rejoice, and blossom as the rose…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 deer, 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. And

an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the

unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools,

shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon,

it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the

Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they

shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

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“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,

neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things

are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

their hands upon him and led him to the house of Caip has the High Priest, where false

witnesses were brought to speak against him.

Below Caiphas’ house is a dungeon prison. Perhaps Jesus was kept there through the

night, being lowered down this small hole, his arms shackled between these two stone

pillars.

In the morning, Jesus was marched down these steps to be tried by Pontius Pilate. As

Jesus stood before him, Pilate washed his hands saying, I am innocent of this blood.”

Then Pilate had Jesus scourged. The soldiers clothed him in a royal robe and laid a

crown of thorns on his head. Then they spat upon him and mocked him saying, “Hail,

King of the Jews.”

He was again presented to Pilate, where under the arch called “Ecco Homo,” Pilate was

to have uttered the words, “Behold the Man.” Yes, Pilate recognized something special

in Jesus, for Jesus was a perfect man.

But the people cried for his blood, shouting “Crucify him, crucify him,” the most

shameful and excruciating death known.

Jesus was led with his cross to the place of the skull, which is called in the Hebrew

tongue, “Golgotha.” As you look at it, it does resemble a skull. Here they nailed him to

the cross and crucified him between two thieves.

He gave his life as a ransom so that we might live! A perfect life for a perfect life, his

life was sacrificed as a corresponding price for Adam, to remove the penalty of sin and

death brought about by Adam’s fall.

And thus ended the life of Jesus here on earth.

pray and meditate. He went on alone to pray, he knew he would soon die, and his heart

was heavy lest he had failed to do perfectly everything required of him under the Law.

The burden of this was so great he said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto

death.” (Matthew 26:38)

He realized that if he had failed, the cause for which he desired to give his life would be

lost.

As he prayed earnestly, he was heard, and God sent an angel to comfort him. Being

assured he had obeyed perfectly to that time, he had peace of heart. He returned to his

disciples and found them sleeping. As he spoke to them, a multitude came into the

Garden led by Judas.

Some of the knarled olive trees in the garden are the very ones that echoed the words of

Judas, when he betrayed Jesus with a kiss…betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver!

disciples. It is believed that here in this large upper room on the night he was betrayed,

Jesus partook with his twelve apostles the last supper. When they had finished, they sang

a hymn and went over the brook Kidron to the Garden of Gethsemane.

around Jerusalem. Five days before his crucifixion, Jesus and his disciples approached

the city of Bethpage. Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt on which he would ride into

Jerusalem, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9 : “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold thy King

cometh, sitting on an ass’ colt.”

As he rode on the colt and came around the Mount of Olives, the multitudes cried out,

“Hosanna to the Son of David” and cast palm branches before him. Jesus beheld the city

he loved so much, and we are told, “he wept over it.” He then proceeded to the temple

and cast out those who were buying and selling in the temple. “It is written, My house

shall be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

Jesus spent the night in Bethany. On his return the next morning, he looked over the city

saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which

are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen

gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left

unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37, 38)

“Behold the fig tree and all the trees. When they shoot forth, know we that the kingdom

of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:29-31) Notice he adds, “and ALL the trees…when

THEY shoot forth.” If the fig tree pictures Israel, “all the trees” would refer to other

nations. So Luke is telling us that together with Israel putting forth leaves (springing into

life) many other nations would be putting forth leaves – sprouting into existence.

What does history tell us? It ties in exactly with Israel becoming a nation. Up until 1945

the number of independent nations in the world had remained relatively constant. At that

time a total of 70 were in existence. But since the ending of the Second World War in

1945, more than 80 new independent nations have emerged. On the continent of Africa

alone there were only 4 independent nations in 1945. Today there are over 50 and this

number is constantly increasing.

Yes, Israel simultaneously with other nations has put forth leaves! And we are the

generation that has witnessed this striking fulfillment of prophecy. What an

encouragement to us, as we again consider the words of Jesus, “Behold the fig tree and

ALL the trees. When they shoot forth, know ye that the KINGDOM OF GOD IS

NIGH AT HAND.”

Why Does the Trouble Continue

But if the kingdom of God is so near, why all the continued trouble? This, too, is in

fulfillment of prophecy, for just as a contractor must remove an old structure from a

building site before he can build a new skyscraper, so with God.

Listen to the words of Daniel 2:44: “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven

set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. And that kingdom shall not be left to

other people but it (God’s kingdom) shall break in pieces and consume all these

kingdoms and it will stand forever.”

Again in Haggai 2:7, “For thus saith the Lord of hosts: I will shake ALL NATIONS.”

The nations are certainly being shaken, are they not? But Haggai continues, “and the

desire of ALL nations shall come.” When the nations have been shaken sufficiently that

they are willing to learn the ways of righteousness, God will say, “Peace, be still.”

This is the cause for which Jesus was to give his life, that through his sacrifice the desire

of ALL nations could be accomplished. Through him, the Abrahamic seed, all the

families of the earth would be blessed.

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender and putteth

forth leaves ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these

things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily, I say unto you, This

generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” (Matthew 24:32-34)

In scriptural usage the fig tree always represents the nation of Israel. Leaves sprouting on

a tree are a sign that the tree has sprung to life after a dormant winter. So Jesus was

actually telling us that when you see the nation of Israel come alive, then you know that

God’s Kingdom is right at the door.

Has Israel put forth leaves?

As we recall the past, we see how Israel, as a people, was dispersed among all

nations…persecuted bitterly; forced to live in ghettos; hunted and exterminated as

undesirables. As a forceful reminder of this, there is a memorial in Israel to the 6 million

Jews who perished under Nazi Germany.

An eternal flame burns in the Memorial Chapel, whose floor is made of 6 million pieces

of tile; each representing a life snuffed out in those never-to-be forgotten gas chambers –

Auschwitz, Dachau and others. Most people leave with tears, as they see man’s

inhumanity to man!

Yet Israel’s hope was strong in God’s promises of a return to their homeland. We recall

the words uttered so often by Jewish people, “Next year in Jerusalem.”

A symbol of this hope is found in the Wailing Wall. It is sobering to stand beside it, to

touch it, and realize how much of the history of Israel has unfolded here. It was here on

what is now called the Temple Mount that the glorious temple of King Solomon stood.

Some of the base stones of this temple still stand as part of the wailing wall.

The wall became a sacred place, and remains so to this day. It is a reminder to Israel of

the past, when evidence of God’s favor was upon them, and with the reminder of the

hope of again being a nation chosen of God!

This hope was fulfilled in one of the most astounding miracles of our day…ISRAEL, the

fig tree Jesus told us to watch, put forth leaves when in May 1948 she became a nation.

Not only could all the world see it, they helped create it!

By all military standards, Israel should not be in existence. In war after war,

outnumbered 100 to one, the tiny Israeli forces could not be overpowered. And so it has

continued to this day because God’s time clock had struck to for Israel to return to their

land! The fig tree blossomed!

Remember, this was a sign Jesus gave to show the nearness of the kingdom. In fact, he

said when this happened, his kingdom was so close that the generation that witnessed

these things would not pass away until all be fulfilled.

Can we grasp the impact of this?

The fig tree blossomed in 1948. The generation that saw this actually happen would not

pass away until that promised kingdom was set up in full power and glory. What a thrill

to our hearts to realize that we are on the brink of the greatest event in all human history,

the establishment of God’s Kingdom!

The increase of knowledge made possible the next sign Daniel gave us, the time when

many would “run to and fro.”

This is graphically portrayed and impressed on our minds, when we realize that less than

100 years ago man’s common transportation was a horse and buggy. Sir Isaac Newton

was scorned by his colleagues, when he predicated man would someday travel at speeds

of up to 50 miles per hour! Little did they realize that man would fly across the ocean at

1,300 miles per hour and travel through space at 25,000 miles per hour.

Who would have ever believed that within the first 30 years of space technology, man

would be walking on the moon and communicating with the other side of the world via

satellite.

“Many shall run to and fro” is certainly describing our day! It is another evidence that

we are on the very brink of the establishment of God’s Kingdom.

as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. And

except those days be shortened, there should be no flesh saved.”

Sounds like our day, doesn’t it? We have witnessed two World Wars, the Korean

outbreak, the cold war, Vietnam and many other wars, with the ever-present fear of

another world war.

There are riots, man clamoring for his rights, revolutions, famine, earthquakes, drug

abuse, pollution, the energy crisis, and the list goes on and on.

Luke’s record of this account describes this time as “Men’s hearts failing them for fear,

and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” (Luke 21:26) But

someone could say that there has always been trouble. What makes the trouble that

would mark Jesus’ presence and the end of the age so differently from the rest? The key

lies in the words of Jesus, “And except those days be shortened, there should no flesh

be saved.”

Never before did we have the tools to annihilate our entire civilization – atomic and

hydrogen bombs, nuclear radiation, intercontinental ballistic missiles, neutron bombs,

germ warfare.

In fact, man’s capability of destruction has reached such proportions that there is enough

weaponry to destroy the earth 13 times over.

To help us know where we are in the stream of time, God gave us additional signs

through the prophet Daniel. Speaking of this same period in Daniel 12:1, he mentions

this great time of trouble “such as never was” and adds two other signs: “Knowledge

shall be increased,” and “Many shall run to and fro.”

Kingdom be established? The disciples asked Jesus this very same question in the 24th

chapter of Matthew: “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of

thy presence and the end of the age?”* (Matthew 24:3)

(Footnote) *The Greek words translated “coming” and “world” in this verse of the King

James translation are here correctly translated “presence” and “age.” See Strong’s

Exhaustive Concordance and Young’s Analytical Concordance.

Notice that the disciples associated the kingdom with Christ’s second presence and the

end of the age. Jesus proceeded to outline evidences that would enable those who were

watching to recognize when this time would be.

unusual way. The Jordan River together with its lakes were carved out of the promised

land of Israel by God in a peculiar way that illustrates the death and resurrection of

mankind.

The Jordan is the most unique river in all the world in that it is almost entirely beneath

sea level. Its winding crooked path is eventually swallowed up by the Dead Sea – the

lowest and deadest spot on the face of the earth – a sea from which there is no outlet.

The source of water for the beginning of the River Jordan is the majestic Mount Hermon.

Its name means “prominent,” a fitting name, since it is the highest spot in Israel, silently

keeping watch over all the land of Israel from its northern border.

Mount Herman pictures God, for He is above all, omnipotent, the source of all creation

and life. The fact that Mount Herman is a scriptural symbol of God is shown in Psalms

133. There it speaks of the Holy Spirit of God as, “the dew of Hermon that descends

upon Zion from God.”

The melting snows and springs of Mount Hermon form four small streams: Hasbani,

Leddan, Bannias and Bareighit. When they unite, they become a very tranquil and

beautiful site, the beginning of the River Jordan. The name “Jordan” is significant. It

means “descender,” describing its downward course, as it descends from Mount Herman

to 1,300 feet below sea level at the Dead Sea. In addition, we will see how the name

Descender aptly describes mankind’s sinful downward descent that ends in death,

pictured by the Dead Sea. As the River starts its path, we find it forms its first lake,

called Lake Huleh, at sea level. The lake now for the most part has been drained. Only

small fishpond hatcheries remain, as the water is being used to irrigate a very productive

valley.

In Old Testament times, Lake Huleh was called Merom, meaning elevated. How well

this pictures Adam. He was elevated by being given dominion over all things on earth.

He was created perfect, pictured by sea level.

After leaving Lake Huleh, the Jordan plunges rapidly below sea level, picturing the fact

that when Adam fell, man started his downward course of sin towards death. Its rapid

downward course from Huleh is stopped briefly at the Sea of Galilee. The waters of

Jordan enter Galilee very muddy, but they are clear and clean when they exit Galilee.

As Galilee slowed the descent of Jordan, so we find the great flood of Noah slowed

man’s downward course. By destroying the violent condition of society and removing

the influence of the angelic “giants” (see Genesis 6) it had a purifying effect upon the

human race. But even this purification was temporary. Soon the human race was swiftly

degenerating again. This is clearly pictured by the fact that as the Jordan leaves Galilee,

it again rapidly plunges downward. It follows a crooked and winding course for 65 miles

until it ends in the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is a sea with no outlet. It is the lowest spot on the face of the earth – 1,300

feet below sea level – you cannot go any lower on earth! The Dead Sea pictures Adamic

death, the death into which all mankind is descending.

It is the only sea on earth that is completely dead. No living substance – fish, animal, or

vegetation – can survive its 25% salt content, five times more salt than the oceans. Thus

man traveling the crooked path of sin and depravity cannot survive, but ends up in death,

pictured by the Dead Sea.

The Jordan River pours 6 million tons of water into the Dead Sea daily, yet it does not

overflow even though there is no outlet. How well this depic ts the tomb of death into

which millions flow, no one escapes the “grim reaper,” death.

It was God who carved out this oddity of nature. But how thankful we are the picture

doesn’t end with all mankind just going into death and remaining there. There is a silver

lining to our story! God promises us in Ezekiel 47 that the Dead Sea will be brought

back to life, a picture of man receiving life again through the resurrection taught by Jesus.

Briefly, Ezekiel in this 47th chapter prophesied of a river of water of life that will come

out of the “temple.” (Temple here being a picture of the Heavenly seed, Jesus and his

Church. See John 2:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; Revelation 3:12) This river would go

out of the East gate, then flow to the Jordan and the Dead Sea.

Everything the river touched would receive life, and the Dead Sea would come alive, as

even its bitter waters are sweetened. “…At last it will reach that sea whose waters are

foul, and they will be sweetened. When anyone of the living creatures that swarm upon

the earth comes where the torrent flows, it shall draw life from it. The fish shall be

innumerable.” (Ezekiel 47:8, 9 New English Translation)

Yes, the waters that were once foul shall be sweetened. There shall be abundance of life

to all mankind. “The prison house of death shall be opened…” “He will swallow up

death in victory…” “The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness…”

“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely…” (Isaiah 42:7; 25:8; 26:9;

Revelation 22:17)

But now notice verse 11 of Ezekiel 47 – not all waters will be healed. “But the miry

places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.”

(Ezekiel 47:12)

Marshes refer to stagnant waters and would so aptly apply to those few of mankind, who

after being resurrected from the dead will consistently refuse to make any progress

toward perfection even after every possible assistance is given to them by Jesus and the

Church. (See Acts 3:19-23)

So this Bible picture in Ezekiel shows us that the vast majority of mankind, after being

resurrected, will gradually have their characters developed – uplifted – until bit by bit

they reach perfection, they will be healed. But those who will not respond to the

influences of God’s kingdom will be “given over to salt” again, picturing second death –

total extinction – a death from which there will be no resurrection.

When the last of mankind reaches perfection, God’s promise through Isaiah will be

fulfilled, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth (notice

the EARTH, the earthly “seed of Abraham”)“shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as

the waters cover the sea.”

This is the great cause for which Jesus came – that through the ransom sacrifice of his

life, man could be brought back into harmony with their Creator, to enjoy the blessings

God originally intended for every man, woman and child who has every lived.

Mount of Beatitudes on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. Some of these stones that are still

standing once echoed the voice of Jesus and witnessed his miracles. Jesus often taught in

the synagogue of Capernaum, and in this city were more of Christ’s miracles performed

than in any other.

Capernaum was also the home of Peter. Excavations have found an ancient inscription

noting this as Peter’s house.

Peter’s mother- in-law was healed in Capernaum, as well as the Centurion’s servant, the

boy with unclean spirits, and the nobleman’s son. Jairus’ daughter was raised from the

dead, two blind men were made to see, and great multitudes were brought to be healed of

their diseases.

And so Jesus used his miraculous power to picture the work he and his Church – the

Heavenly seed – would do in his kingdom.

to the waters of the Pool of Siloam, you can feel the excitement of the healing of the man

who was blind from birth.

Jesus spat upon the ground, made clay and put it on the eyes of the blind man. He told

him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. And because of his faith his eyes were opened,

“Once I was blind, but now I can see.” (John 7:25)

The Pool of Siloam now lies outside the walls of Jerusalem, but back in the Old

Testament days of King Hezekiah, it was within the city walls. Anticipating a siege by

the Assyrians, King Hezekiah constructed a tunnel connecting the Pool of Siloam with

the underground spring of Gihon, which was outside the walls. This guaranteed

Jerusalem a water supply.

Hezekiah’s tunnel, 1,750 feet long, can be traversed by foot today. It is a remarkable

engineering feat, dating from about the year 725 B.C. We say remarkable because it was

dug by two crews of workmen starting at opposite ends – taking the winding course

illustrated on the map in the back of this booklet – and yet the workmen managed to meet

in the middle within four feet of each other. By listening to their voices, they were able

to complete the tunnel.

To commemorate this occasion, an inscription was carved into the rock wall. Written in

classical Hebrew, it remains one of the oldest Hebrew writings yet found, dating back to

the period prior to 700 B.C.

This tablet of Hezekiah, together with countless other artifacts discovered by

archeologists, provide us with confirmation of the accuracy of biblical history. Ancient

ruins silent for tho usands of years speak volumes, as they authenticate the inspired word

of God. As archeologists continue to confirm biblical history, our faith is strengthened,

and we therefore anticipate the certain fulfillment of all that God has promised.

“Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

There are many more Scriptures and assurances of the blessings of this kingdom than we have had time to elaborate on.

For a more detailed study of God’s promised Kingdom, write for your free copy of the booklet “The Kingdom of God.”

It covers in great detail such topics as:

.. Prophecies of the Kingdom on Earth and in Heaven !

.. The signs that show the nearness of God’s Kingdom !

.. Why the Permission of Evil ?

.. The First Resurrection !

.. The General Resurrection !

.. The Day of Judgment !

.. Why the long delay in setting up this Kingdom ?

.. Purpose of the Kingdom !

.. How man will obtain everlasting life and happiness !

.. No More Death !

.. As well as many other subjects.

Write for your FREE copy of “The Kingdom of God.”

Or if your prefer Call Toll Free 1-800-234-DAWN.

Ask for the “Kingdom” booklet.

The number again 1-800-234-DAWN.

We recall that a favorite stopping-off place of our Lord was in the town of Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem, just beyond the Mount of Olives. Bethany was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. As he walked the road to Bethany, we could imagine it would be with keen anticipation, for the home of his friends was an oasis of warmth and hospitality. It was here that Jesus often came for rest and fellowship. On one occasion, as Jesus was ministering in the north, he received word that his friend Lazarus was ill. Lazarus was a very good friend of his, but Jesus did not go immediately to see him, as we might think he would. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Ourfriend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go that I may awaken him out of sleep.” (John 11:11) The disciples were puzzled, even as we would have been. They answered, “Lord, if he sleeps, he doth well.” In other words, if he was ill, it was good that he was sleeping. It would be better not to disturb him. Our Lord then replied, this time very plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”Jesus had likened death to a sleep. When we sleep, we do not know anything, even as we are told in Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10. “The dead know not anything…for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest.” This helps us to understand why Jesus could say that Lazarus was sleeping.The disciples and Jesus proceed to Bethany. When they arrived, Lazarus had already been dead four days. Mary and Martha were glad to see Jesus, but Martha expressed disappointment, “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would not have died.” “Martha, thy brother shall rise again.”Martha’s reply was very meaningful and significant to us, “Yes, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection in the last day.” He shall rise again in the resurrection…we recognize in Martha’s answer the reflection of Jesus’ teachings to them, that of a resurrection. By faith, Martha knew that Lazarus would live again in Christ’s kingdom.Jesus asked to be taken to Lazarus’ tomb. He was so touched by the sorrow of death that we are told, “Jesus wept.” He instructed the stone to be rolled away, and lifted his eyes to heaven and prayed. He then cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, Come forth!” “And he that was dead came forth.” (John 11:43, 44) Can you imagine the joy of family and friends, as they saw Lazarus brought back to life?It is this same joy that will be experienced by all the world, as they are reunited with their loved ones, when they are brought back from the grave to a kingdom to be established here on earth. Every human being who has ever lived will be awakened from the sleep of death. Jesus told us this in John 5:28, 29: “The hour is coming in which all (notice ALL) that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” All these families of the earth will be raised from the dead by Jesus and His Church. As they are resurrected, they will be given an opportunity to know the Lord, for at that time Isaiah tells us, “the earth (notice EARTH) shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9)Jeremiah confirms this, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother saying, Know the Lord, for they shall ALL know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34) This will be the earthly seed of Abraham, resurrected from the dead to a kingdom here on earth, and given an opportunity for life.The blessing of ALL the families of earth…good tidings of great joy to ALL people…this is THE CAUSE for which our Lord came! The joys and blessings of that kingdom will be endless. Jesus gave us a glimpse of what it will be like, as he healed the sick, made dumb men speak and crippled men walk, and restored sight to the blind.

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;  and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

It has been only since the early 1800′s that Bible societies were established in Europe and the United States for the sole purpose of distributing the Scriptures all over the world. Today the Bible continues to be a best seller, and has been translated into more than 1000 languages.

Now, once again, hear the word of the Lord:

“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:31)

We are living in a day when man has the potential to destroy all flesh.

We are living in a day when knowledge has been increased and many run to and fro.

We are living in a day when the rebirth of Israel in her ancient homeland is a fact.

We are living in a day when the Gospel–the Bible–is being published throughout the world.

Therefore we are living in a day when the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” And there was a great calm. Jesus then rebuked his Apostles saying, “Why are ye so fearful, oh ye of little faith.”

Even as the Apostles needed to learn to exercise trust and faith in the Lord, so do his footstep followers now. Our lives are subject to the raging storms of life. Be confident that the same Master of ocean, earth and sea “will give strength unto his people. The Lord will bless his people with peace.” (Psalms 29:11)

Those who thus develop this Christ- like character will be as the “stars of heaven,” blessing the remainder of the world – those likened to the “sand of the sea,” the earthly phase of Christ’s kingdom.

***

But how will this kingdom on earth come to be? Jesus forcefully illustrated this to us in one of his miracles.

“My people of Israel . . . shall build the waste cities and inhabit them . . . and I will plant them upon their land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.” (Amos 9:14, 15)

In a modern miracle of the past century a people, wandering homeless for 2000 years, have returned to their ancient homeland. Despite numerous onslaughts by overpowering numbers of enemies, they have endured and stand strong today among the family of nations.

symbolic stories, or parables. The disciples questioned him one day, “Why do you speak

unto them in parables?” Jesus’ reply was full of meaning, “That seeing they may see

and not perceive; and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest at any time

they should be converted.” (Matthew 132:10; Mark 4:12)

“Lest at any time they should be converted.” Quite an unexpected reply! Why wouldn’t

Jesus want them to be converted? Wasn’t that the very object of his ministry? From

Jesus’ answer we see he must have had another purpose in mind.

Everyone heard the same message, but only those who were willing to become dedicated

followers – to study and search diligently for the meaning – would be able to understand.

Jesus was first seeking and inviting a special class to share with him in his heavenly

kingdom – the spiritual seed of Abraham!

Our Lord is still seeking and inviting this special class. They would be the

instrumentality to share with him in blessing all the families of the earth. Notice how this

is brought out in Acts 15:14-17.

First there would be the selection of his Church: “God at the first did visit the Gentiles,

to take out of them a people for his name.” But now notice in addition to God selecting

the Church, note the following verses that show what the purpose was of God’s selecting

this Church Class, and what will follow after: “After this, (that is, after first selecting the

Church) I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen

down…that the residue of men might seek after the Lord.”

In the earthly phase of God’s kingdom, all the remainder of men, that is, everyone other

than the Church Class, will be raised from the dead and given an opportunity to know of

God in all his fullness. And so his main purpose now is NOT to convert the whole world.

That will take place in his future kingdom.

Now we see why Jesus spoke in difficult to understand parables. They were not meant to

be understood easily by everyone, only by those willing to dedicate their lives to know

and serve him supremely.

In order to become a member of this heavenly Church Class, we must be willing to give

up completely our own aims, hopes and ambitions. Paul tells us to “set your affections

on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)

We must also develop certain qualities of character; to be Christ- like. Jesus said, “Unless

you humble yourselves and become as little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of

heaven.” (Matthew 18:3, 4)

It was in the children that Jesus saw the beauty of humility, trust and the ability to be

taught. How Jesus loved the little children. They eagerly came to listen to his stories.

As we grow older, we tend to become hardened and self-reliant. Children manifest a

humility and trust, which is essential in following Jesus. Trust – a small word – but trust

and faith are so necessary in a Christian’s character.

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)

With the introduction of compulsory education, and the widespread availability of printed material, knowledge has been exploding– doubling every five to eight years.

This in turn has brought about a gigantic leap in rapid transportation. The world today is truly running to and fro. We forget that our ancestors of only 150 years ago were restricted to the speed of a horse, and most died without travelling more than a few miles from their homes.

In our day we have witnessed both of these added signs. The printing press, especially

with the invention of the Linotype machine in 1884, marked the beginning of what is

known as the Brain Age. Modern printing has made it possible to accumulate and

circulate the studies of other people rapidly, and more recently the computer has

skyrocketed man’s quest for knowledge.

The increase of knowledge has covered every avenue of life, including farming,

medicine, industry, labor-saving devices in the home, research and communication.

Truly we have an “information explosion.” All the knowledge acquired by man from the

beginning of history to the year 1750 doubled by 1900. Notice it took 150 years for this

knowledge to double then…it is staggering to find that we have now reached the point

where the total accumulated knowledge of the world is doubling every six years!

an earthly kingdom, as well as one in heaven. Where did the promise of a kingdom on

earth, as well as in heaven come from?

We can trace this promise all they way back to Abraham. God had told him “in thy seed

shall all the families of the earth be blessed…In blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying

I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven…and as the sand upon the seashore.”

(Genesis 12:3; 22:17) The Gospel, which God preached to Abraham (Galatians 3:8) was

about a kingdom which has two parts: one likened to the sand, that is, a kingdom on

earth, and one likened to the stars, a kingdom in heaven.

Jesus had come to begin the fulfillment of that promise, for he was the promised “seed”

of Abraham. Jesus invited his disciples to become part of the seed of Abraham – the

Kingdom in heaven. And so Paul also tells us that, “if ye be Christ’s then are ye

Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) It is this

heavenly seed that will bless all the families of the earth.

How will we know?

Prophecy indicates the Kingdom is very near!

The Bible contains abundant signs of changes that would take place in world conditions introducing that kingdom. Many of these are found in a sermon by Jesus in Matthew, chapter 24, based on a prophecy in the book of Daniel, chapter 12.

We have time to look briefly at just four of these:

FIRST: A TIME OF TROUBLE THREATENING TO DESTROY ALL FLESH:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days be shortened, no flesh will be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21, 22)

Not until World War Two unleashed the age of nuclear warfare has man had this ability to destroy all flesh. Today the dreaded word overkill heightens this dread with the ability to destroy all flesh many times over.

the beautiful Sea of Galilee. It was here on this tranquil hill that Jesus preached his

touching sermon on the mount. “Blessed are the humble minded: for theirs is the

Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the me ek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do

hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the

merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall

see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

(Matthew 5:3-9)

Shortly after the Sermon on the Mount, one of Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them to

pray. He answered, “When ye pray, say, ‘Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed

be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.’”

(Matthew 6:9,10)

Thus the words of Jeremiah the Prophet echoing through the corridors of time reached its fruition. Worn and weary, persecuted beyond all human belief — a people drive by sheer desperation sought a new home in a new land. A land where they could be free. Free from persecution, tyranny and prejudice. A home to forget the past and begin life anew.

But that long cherished hope of setting foot on the promised land was to be denied. The British have been ordered to turn them all back. With tears of desperation they fight and plead to remain. But instead the children of Israel who endured so much are turned away in this hour of greatest need.

They came so close to the promised land but now all hope is left behind. The refusal of the British to admit these exiles became the last straw for the Haganah underground movement. Terrorist activities increased in tempo until finally the problem is turned over to the UN assembly.

After a long and stormy discussion, the UN finally agreed to take a vote as to whether or not to partition Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state. On Palestine on the day of the vote there’s a curious silence in the street. It is a day of waiting and of prayer. For this day meant that Israel could once again have a home.

Afghanistan – No.

Argentina – Abstention

Australia –

The UN session is being transmitted to Palestine where huddled over their radios, they are following the count.

The resolution is adopted. At last there will be a Jewish State. On may 14, 1948 David Ben Gurion read the Declaration of Independence for the new state of Israel.

However at that very moment Israel was surrounded. At midnight Arab League troops struck! The Arabs vowed the total annihilation of the infant nation. Israel stood alone. One nation against six. But the young countries love of freedom was great. Her people who only wanted peace took up the weapons of war.

Israel came under siege but struck back. The astonished world saw the Arabs defeated on all sides. Israel became victorious gaining one third more land than was allocated by the UN partition.

Now as we think of the origin of life – let’s consider the simplest form of living matter today. Scientists speculate that it contains 6,500 units – or ladder steps in its DNA Molecule. Bearing this in mind — and assuming the ancient seas were crammed with the base units of which DNA is composed — what would be the probabilities of all these units aligning themselves in the exact relationship of one to another to spontaneously form the simplest living organism?

and nights he meditated and was instructed of God as to the full scope of his ministry.

After 40 days, worn and weary, he hungered. Then Satan came to him to tempt him. He

suggested that Jesus command these stones to become bread. In reply, Jesus quoted from

Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that

proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

Next, Jesus was transported in vision to the Temple area in Jerusalem. Satan caused him

to look from the highest point of the Temple mount, called the pinnacle, into the Kidron

Valley below. He urged Jesus to cast himself down, for surely the angels who had charge

over him would save him. Jesus refused Satan’s proposal… “It is written, Thou shalt

not tempt the Lord they God.” (Matthew 4:7)

In his cunning, Satan then took Jesus to an exceeding high mountain. He showed Jesus

all the kingdoms of this world and their glory. He offered them to Jesus right then, if he

would bow down and worship him. But Jesus again wielded the sword of the

Spirit…“Get thee behind me Satan…for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord

they God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10)

So Satan departed having found Jesus unmovable. Jesus left the wilderness and came to

Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom.

Jesus Begins his Ministry

Along the way, Jesus called his disciples to come and follow him. “If any man will

follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me .” (Matthew

16:24)

Follow me…deny himself…take up his cross daily. What did this mean? What does it

mean for you and me? Jesus here introduced the meaning of being a true Christian.

It is a consecrated life of doing God’s will instead of our own in everything…a life of

sacrifice, a denying of self in the interest of others. It is not an easy task, but nevertheless

it is filled with blessings! This is the task to which Jesus called his disciples, when he

said, “follow me.”

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Tim. 2:12)

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6)

It is the selection of this class and their training which has occupied the centuries since the death of Christ to the present. These will be with their Lord in heaven:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

Thus we see three reasons for the long delay in establishing God’s Kingdom.

First, the filling of the earth.

Second the permission of man to experience evil and its consequences.

Third, time for the selection of the Church class to be co-workers with Christ in the kingdom.

Jesus came to be baptized by John. As he approached, John knew through God’s direction that he was The Christ (Messiah). He proclaimed to the people, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

John then reluctantly baptized our Lord, feeling rather that he needed to be baptized of Jesus. Following Jesus’ baptism the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove upon him. He heard a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Why was Jesus baptized? He had committed no sin. The Lord used the symbol of baptism in water as an example for his believers to follow. Being lowered backward beneath the water pictured the going into death of self-will. Being raised out of the water pictured the raising to walk in newness of life.

Man’s experiences on the earth have been hard ones. Not only has he had to earn his living by the sweat of his brow, but natural disasters–floods, earthquakes, famines, volcanic eruptions–have added to the misery of the human scene. In addition man’s inhumanity to man has filled all decent men with revulsion. -

? Does man really want to live forever in such conditions? If there is a God, why has he permitted such suffering.

There is a purpose to all of this evil. Listen to the words of King Solomon:

“And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be EXERCISED therewith.” (Ecclesiastes 1:13)

Sin was introduced on this earth through the intervention of an evil personality–Satan. His influence has made such evil epidemic. Every being who has ever lived can well identify with the words of David of old:

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)

One of the reasons for the success of the kingdom of God is based on a simple process. This evil influence will be restrained–Satan will be bound.

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)

With Satan bound while man is educated in the laws of God and righteousness, human beings will have the wonderful opportunity to compare two life styles–sin, with its consequences of misery, sickness and death of this lifen;

and righteousness, with its consequences of happiness, health and life of the Kingdom. Is there any question which they will choose.

Yes, as the wise man said, “this sore travail has God given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.” (Eccl. 1:13)

Comparing the brief span of man’s present life under sin and evil with an eternity of life under kingdom conditions, all will echo the sentiments of the Apostle Paul:

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”  1 Cor. 2:9

rolling hills of Jerusalem. They went a day’s journey and realized Jesus was missing.

Frantically they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days, they found him

in the temple, talking with the Rabbis.

Even at this early age, the perfect mind of the boy Jesus knew much about his Heavenly

Father’s plans. This is evident in his answer to his parents, “Knew ye not that I must be

about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) Jesus then returned to Nazareth with his

parents, where he “increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”

(Luke 2:52)

But is this truly so? The Bible indicates that man has been on this planet for a little over 6000 years. The total population from creation to the present has been estimated at between thirty and fifty billions. That’s a lot of people!

Yet the earth is a big place. Fifty billion people could each have 60 square feet of space on the islands of New Zealand alone. But that’s not much space, you say! True! But New Zealand is not a great part of the earth, either!

Not only does man need more space to live on, large amounts of land are required to grow the necessary food for man’s sustenance. This, too, has been provided for in God’s plan.

Notice, once again, the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“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:” (Isaiah 35:1, 2)

The desert shall blossom as a rose. Thousands and thousands of square miles today are filled with desert–the Sahara, the Gobi, America’s great Southwest Desert, the outback of Australia. Countless more miles are unproductive wilderness area and scrubland.  Think of all of these blossoming as a rose. Think of the productivity of the world’s breadbaskets–the Ukraine, the prairie provinces of Canada, the great plains of the United States–think of these joined by the vast areas of today’s deserts! Yes, there is room–room for even more.

And God’s commission was fill the earth. This filling is one of the reasons for the great delay in ushering in that kingdom for which we pray.

and dwelt in a city called Nazareth (some 70 miles north of Bethlehem) that it might be

fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew

2:23) The town has not changed much since Jesus’ day. It was here on these hills that

Jesus spent his early years.

At the age of twelve, Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem. The first sight of

Jerusalem after coming over a ridge must have sent shivers down his spine, as he beheld

the walls of this sacred, ancient city. Even to this day, it is a thrilling sight!

As Jesus walked the streets, he would have passed scenes like these. He would walk

these streets many times and one day weep over the city.

Jerusalem means “city of peace,” however, its history has been anything but peaceful. It

has been besieged more than 50 times, conquered 26 times and destroyed 10 times.

Though for cent uries lacking peace, Bible prophecies assure us Jerusalem will yet be a

city of peace.

Isaiah, speaking of God’s kingdom, tells us, (Isaiah 2:3 ) “out of Zion shall go forth the

law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Notice the capital of the earthly

kingdom will be Jerusalem.) Isaiah continues, “Nation shall not lift up sword against

nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

What a prospect – a world without war!

Second, instruct them in the rules of God–so that they might keep them– and thereby maintain the life they have been given.

That is God’s plan!

That’s the beauty of the kingdom!

That’s the promise of the Bible!?But isn’t that giving man a second chance? Indeed it would be if sin and evil had caught God by surprise. But they did not because God permitted sin and evil for a purpose. Life from the dead for all is not a second chance, but merely the completion of what God had originally planned for man.

Before we continue, we would like to mention that at the end of this program, we will tell you how you can obtain a free copy of the booklet “The Kingdom of God.”

It covers the topic of God’s Kingdom in great detail.

Coming back to our subject:

Some may question, if God’s kingdom is so wonderful why the long delay? Jesus died nearly 2000 years ago and there is still no kingdom. Instead of improving, many feel that world conditions have gotten worse. So our question again, why the long delay?

The Bible outlines three reasons for the delay–FIRST, to fully populate the earth; SECOND, to let man have a thorough experience with sin and its consequences; and THIRD, to develop a class of individuals to help Christ in the uplift of the human race to life, perfection and happiness.

When God first made man and placed him in the Garden of Eden he gave him a commission.

“And God blessed them, and God said to them, `Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:28 RSV)

the Sinai is hot, rocky, sandy, and barren. Centuries earlier Israel had wandered 40 years

in the same desolate country.

It was in the southern part of Sinai that Moses was given the Ten Commandments. At the

same time, he was given very detailed instructions for building of the Tabernacle. In this

simple structure, through the priests and animal sacrifices, Israel worshipped their God.

However, the significance of the Tabernacle arrangement was not limited to Israel. The

Apostle Paul assures us in Hebrews 10:1 that the Tabernacle with its sacrifices was a

shadow (or picture) of things to come.

God, being the architect of this Tabernacle, was very specific as to size, colors, material,

location, furniture, etc. Israel had to follow these instructions in minute detail. Why?

What was so important about all this?

Because God used this Tabernacle arrangement to again point to the “promised seed of

Abraham” – the Messiah, the Ransom. Each detailed element was part of a beautiful

picture of the sacrifice of Jesus, and showing the path of a Christian.

Briefly, the Tabernacle was a rectangular building placed within a large fenced courtyard.

The building was separated into two compartments: The Holy and Most Holy.

Within the Holy, or larger compartment, were three pieces of furniture: Candlestick,

Table of Shewbread, and Golden Incense Alter. The Most Holy contained one piece of

furniture, a Golden Ark, with a lid or cover called the “mercy seat.”

In the courtyard was a laver, or container, for water and a large altar. It was on this altar

that the vital parts of the animal sacrifices were burned.

Each year Israel, who pictured all mankind, had a Day of Atonement. One of the

sacrifices on this day was an unblemished bullock, which typically cleansed them from

sin. The unblemished bullock represents Jesus the perfect man, who would suffer and die

to provide a ransom for Adam.

To cancel the death sentence, God’s law of Justice required a ransom, or corresponding

price – an exact equivalent for the one perfect man Adam, who sinned.

The High Priest sprinkling the blood of the bullock on the mercy seat in the form of a

cross pictured the satisfaction of God’s justice through the shed blood of Jesus.

This same lesson was taught by Paul, when he said, “For in Adam all die, even so in

Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22) Jesus became a ransom for Adam

to satisfy Justice and thus cancel the death sentence that passed down through Adam to

all mankind.

***

And so Joseph, Mary and Jesus found their way through the bleak wilderness of Sinai,

they passed the scene where our Lord’s sacrifice had been portrayed many centuries

before.

Two phrases in Paul’s words to Timothy must be examined to solve this puzzle.

FIRST, let us look at the phrase: to be saved. Saved from what? What does it mean to be saved?

The answers come readily. Saved from death! Saved from sin! And these answers are correct answers–but they only reveal half of the real truth behind these words: “all men to be saved.”

The Bible is a complex book. But its central theme is simple. It is the story of redemption. It begins with man created perfect and placed in a perfect garden home–Eden. It soon sees the original couple–Adam and Eve sin, and plunge the entire race into the consequences of sin–death.

The Bible closes with man restored to perfection in a perfect earth, free from the defilements of sin–including death itself.

In between it weaves a story of promise and fulfillment, of despair and of hope, of prediction and reality, of man being redeemed by one man–Jesus.

The Apostle Paul summarized the whole of the Bible message into one short phrase:

“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  (1 Corinthians 15:21, 22)

A simple balance scale illustrates it well. Adam sinned and brought upon himself and his posterity the merited penalty of death. The scales of justice demanded it. Christ died as a corresponding price–a perfect man for a perfect man–to offset the sin and bring the scales back into balance. Simple! Scriptural! True!

It was from this death sentence on the human race, then, that all men are to be saved. This salvation is guaranteed to all men–the good and the bad, by the death of Christ.

But it is one thing to receive salvation; it is yet another to maintain that salvation. While the death of Jesus promises life from the grave for all, it does not promise that that life will be maintained forever.

Adam and Eve were given life in the Garden of Eden. It was a gift. It was God’s grace. They could have possessed that life forever. They did not because they sinned.

In this same manner all men will receive life in God’s kingdom. They do nothing to earn it. It is a gift of God’s grace. They too could maintain that life forever. But will they?

This is where the second phrase of Paul’s statement to Timothy needs to be examined.

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

Notice the order! God will first have all men to be saved, and, second, come to a knowledge of the truth. Wouldn’t you expect that order to be reversed? That men must first know the truth–know Jesus–before they are saved? That would seem logical. But that is not what the Bible says.

Joseph and Mary were previously warned by an angel of the Lord to flee into Egypt.

Following the route to Egypt, we find a little distance from Bethlehem, the pools of

Solomon. Perhaps Joseph and Mary stopped here to be refreshed from their journey. We

read of these pools in Ecclesiastes 2, where we are told Solomon made great works. He

made gardens and orchards, and pools of water, a truly beautiful and refreshing sight in a

land where water is scarce.

As Joseph and Mary with Jesus continued south, they would have passed through the

town of Hebron. It is a most sacred city, being the burial place of Father Abraham, Isaac,

Jacob and their wives.

One of the earliest hopes of a deliverer, or Messiah, was given to Father Abraham in the

promise – “In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

Yes, Messiah would, first of all, come from the seed of Abraham; and second, he would

bless not only Israel, but ALL the families of the earth. Again notice the promise was to

bless ALL even as the angel mentioned at Jesus’ birth – good tidings of great joy to ALL

people.

The promised seed had now come – but had to flee for his life to Egypt.

It will be for the Christian! (Acts 16:31)

It will be for the Jew! (Ezek. 16:55)

It will be for the pagan of Sodom and Gomorrah! (Matt. 10:15)

It will be for the heathen of Tyre and Sidon! (Matt. 11:22)

In fact . . . it will be for ALL people!

For Jesus clearly said:

“For the hour is coming when ALL who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth.”  (John 5:28, 29 RSV)

ALL who are in their tombs!

The Jew and the Arab!

The Christian and the Atheist!

The Catholic and the Protestant!

The saint and the sinner!

The priest and the master of voodoo!

ALL!

? But how could that be ?   For the Bible clearly states in speaking of Jesus:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Yes! Christ is the only way of salvation now as well as in the Kingdom. Yet the Bible just as clearly states that the wicked men of Sodom and of Gomorroh, of Tyre and of Sidon, will be there. Can both be true? Yes! Both are true because both are in the Bible. And the Bible is inspired by God!

The harmony between these seeming conflicting statements is in a simple statement of the will of God concerning man by the Apostle Paul:

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”  (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

God will have all men to be saved! Jesus Christ gave himself a ransom for all! How more plainly can it be stated! ALL–Jew and Gentile . . . saint and sinner . . . Christian and Jew and pagan–ALL!

The prophets foresaw a kingdom of health:

“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 an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:5, 6)

They foresaw a kingdom with harmony between man and animal:

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”

They foresaw a kingdom of universal instruction:

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”  (Isa. 11:6-9)

They foresaw a kingdom of peace:

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)

They foresaw a kingdom of total economic security:

“And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” (Isaiah 65:21, 22)

The New Testament apostles add their voice.

They foresaw a kingdom in which even death would be done away:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

And it was for THIS CAUSE – the redemption of man and his ultimate blessing – that Jesus came into the world.

“Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

No desire has been more eagerly expressed . . .

No wish has been more sincerely wished . . .

No need has been more earnestly felt . . .

Than for a kingdom of peace, joy and happiness to replace present conditions on planet earth.

Christians center their beliefs . . . their very lives . . . around Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus centered his life . . . and his teachings . . . around this theme of a coming kingdom.

He taught about it in his words:

“Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.”  (Matt. 9:35)

He illustrated it in his parables:

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)

He demonstrated its power in countless miracles:

He gave sight to the blind . . .

He made the lame to walk . . .

He even raised the dead!

This was the kingdom he promised.

This was the kingdom he preached.

This was the kingdom he died to achieve!

“In the beginning…”

“The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
When there were no depths I was brought forth:
When there were no fountains abounding with water,

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields,
Nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
When He established the clouds above:

When He strengthened the fountains of the deep:
When He gave to the seas His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment:
When He appointed the foundations of the earth:
When He prepared the heavens, I was there:
When He set a compass upon the face of the depth:

Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and
I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him,
Rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth.”

(Proverbs 8: 22-31)

And it was in the tranquil beauty of a garden planted eastward in Eden MAN was brought into being. God said to His Son: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26)

***

God in His eternal plan for man provided a test of perfect obedience:

“Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16,17)