The Destiny of the Israel of God
By Gerry Watts
During the past four years, the Spirit of the Lord has been gradually revealing to me, with earth-shattering consequences, that the system of interpretation that I have largely used to study the Bible for the past 20 years or so is essentially false and incorrect (mainly in relation to prophecy or Eschatology). There are many who will read this who will agree with me, yet there will be those who will be offended by what I have to say, who will totally disagree. Nevertheless, my aim and purpose is to seek out truth, no matter what the cost may be. Paul tells us that the materials we use to build the Temple of God, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, will be tested by the fire of God when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 3:10-17). This is especially true for those who are called to be teachers of the Word. Yet I would rather burn up the wood, hay and straw NOW before that Day arrives, wouldn't you?
Only the Holy Spirit can illuminate our minds and hearts and guide us into ALL truth, bringing revelation, knowledge and spiritual understanding. This takes time. It is a journey of discovery - and with nearly two thousand years of Church history and doctrine behind us, there's a lot of unnecessary baggage that we need to throw away as we progress on our travels.
The system of interpretation I'm referring to is Dispensationalism or Futurism. In recent weeks I've seen the last remnants of this system crumble before my very eyes, in spirit, even though I was beginning to see things differently four years ago, and I was already making the necessary adjustments in my writings. I had always been puzzled about a number of things which are commonly taught in this system, wondering if it was really true, because certain things just weren't making sense in my spirit, even though I had believed them for so long. These included a Pre-tribulation Rapture, a literal Antichrist still to come, rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, mark of the Beast, a final 7 years or 3 and a half years, etc. I was also asking the question about natural Israel's place in all this and the city of Jerusalem, and other details about the Day of the Lord and the coming Millennial kingdom, and the Messianic Temple, etc, etc.
The biggest shock of all to me was - wait for it......this is going to be a real shocker to most - My conclusions have led me to believe that there isn't going to be a literal 1000 year Reign of Jesus from earthly Jerusalem, because we're in the SYMBOLIC Millennium NOW! What is just ahead of us is a New Heavens and a New Earth - a New World Order of the Kingdom of God, in which the spiritual Israel of God, the Bride/Body of Christ, the Overcoming Sons of God, will rule the nations of ALL MANKIND on the New Earth. This will be the great Age of Tabernacles and the great Jubilee of all creation.
It's taken me a while to gradually see that ALL the numbers in the vision of Revelation are SYMBOLIC - including the 1000 years of chapter 20. This has greatly helped my understanding of prophecy. I've also been taking a lot more time to do historical study and research, particularly the writings of the Jewish historian, Josephus. This has really enlightened me and has helped me to understand more accurately the prophecies of Daniel and Jesus. I've also come to accept that the Historicist interpretation (or historical parallelism) of the book of Revelation is a valid way of viewing this incredible vision, for it shows the amazing accuracy of God's Word and brings to light the present reign of Christ Jesus from the heavens during this Church Era.
In fact, I would say that the majority of the Book of Revelation has already been fulfilled in Church History, yet there are a number of levels of truth in which the vision is being, has been and will be fulfilled! I explain all these things in more detail, along with various acknowledgements of those who have helped me in my quest for truth, in the Introduction to my Prophetic Studies.
To put it simply, I believe that the basic foundations of the system of Pre-Millennial Dispensationalism is incorrect, as well as the system of Preterism (all past fulfillment). Although I have gleaned some good things from teachers within both these systems, I nevertheless believe that these systems of interpretation fall far short of the truth. This is not to say that I would reject a follower of Christ for believing something different than me, for it is only by grace that any of us are saved and enlightened, yet I am always willing to discuss these things in love, while standing by my own convictions.
It is always humbling when God illuminates our understanding bringing correction, yet it is also an exciting journey as more and more treasure is unveiled. I want to be a diligent student and an unashamed worker who is qualified before God, one who seeks only truth. Therefore, if truth clearly presents itself in the Scriptures, then, whether I like it or not, even if it alters what I may have believed for so long, I nevertheless need to accept the truth and make adjustments accordingly. This may not be popular but truth rarely is. Those of you who are truth seekers will realise that I'm not just changing my mind because I feel like it - it's part of the Path of Truth that I'm walking on. And the Light is increasing not decreasing, leading to much more confirmation of truth already accepted! I hope others are shaken in this area of their beliefs, that they may seriously examine the Scriptures daily to see if what I'm saying is true.
Anyhow, due to this adjustment, mainly in the area of prophecy, a few of my articles will need re-writing, while others will need a little revision note. My present views are being laid out more fully in the section The Great Prophetic Plan Revealed, as well as new articles. There are some articles which I began publishing a little too hastily recently, when I hadn't finished my studies and research, and I wasn't fully happy with them - so I've had to pull them offline and revise them! Thank you for your patience - the wait will be worth it.
I am revising this article below (originally written in 2003) to explain what my present convictions are in a simple, and yet somewhat brief, way, as an overview really, and I hope that it may be of some help to those who are interested in understanding God's plan for us all. This article is primarily for those who are familiar with these Biblical subjects, and particularly the content of my writings.
Gerry Watts
September 2007
The Old and the New
The Bible reveals that God has a plan for His creation, particularly the earth. Humanity is at the centre of this plan, although the spirit beings among the celestials or heavens are also included in this. At the core of this plan is the establishing of a righteous rule upon this earth whereby mankind is to have dominion over this primitive fleshly creation, with God as Father and King (Genesis 1:26-28). The only Channel whereby God can achieve this goal is through His Son, Jesus the Messiah and Lord, the Mediator of God and mankind, as well as through many other sons of God who are called by faith to be His channels (Hebrews 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:3-5; Acts 4:12).
Due to the entrance of sin and death, passed on through the first man, Adam, as head of the race, this primitive or old creation, which is fleshly and soulish, is destined to be destroyed and then replaced by a New Creation (Romans 5:12-15; 1 Corinthians 5:16-17; 2 Peter 3:10-13). The ultimate purpose of God is to gradually bring ALL of humanity and the spirit beings into this New Creation by reconciling all things to Himself through Christ (Colossians 1:19-20). Only humans with spiritual bodies can truly belong to, and enjoy, this New Creation; that is, bodies that are made of flesh and bone, but not of flesh and blood as humanity is presently constituted (1 Corinthians 15:50).
Our present flesh is inherently corrupted by sin and death, resulting in the aging process or mortality. So there has to be a fundamental change in the inherent structure of the human body. This means that a New Humanity needs to be created in the likeness of the Second and Last Adam, Jesus Christ, the only One to have conquered sin and death, having paid the full price for humanity's offences in His Sacrifice on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 42-49). This is the Good News or Gospel.
This opens the way not only for the whole Creation to be liberated from its bondage to corruption by being cleansed, restored and regenerated, with all humanity's debts (sins or offences) toward God now having been paid, but more importantly, it opens the way for a New Creation to be established, whereby the material and the spiritual, those on the earth and those in the heavens, the visible and the invisible, shall be reconciled together in a universal merger - a New Heavens and a New Earth (2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Colossians 2:13-15; Ephesians 1:9-10).
The blood of Christ (symbolising His Sacrifice) and the power of God will transform not only all of humanity, but the wicked spirits in the heavens as well. This has to be the case, for even spirits (sinning angels) are sinners and enemies of God, and therefore they need saving and reconciling. Eventually, ALL shall be cleansed, justified and reconciled to God (Hebrews 9:22-26; Colossians 1:18-20; Romans 5:18-19). But the soulish (or carnal) has to come first, then the spiritual, in God's Divine order (1 Corinthians 15:46).
Christ Jesus is not only the Head of the original Old Creation by right of Ownership because He created it all, He is also the Firstborn Head of the New Creation by right of His redemptive death and subsequent resurrection (Colossians 1:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22). This new order of humanity, of which Christ is the Head, is spiritual and immortal, incapable of sin and death. This New Creation is especially the destiny of ALL the chosen ones of God in Christ from throughout history who have been granted eonian life (Colossians 2:9-12; 3:9-11). These chosen (or elect) ones are the true saints (or holy ones) of God, the true believers who endure to the end and continue in the Faith, those who are Overcomers (or Conquerors) of the world, those who abide in Christ, those who are sealed for the day of deliverance and have the expectation (or sure hope) of salvation (Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 11:39-40).
This special chosen portion of humanity shall also co-rule with Christ in the ages to come, being a part of the celestial city, the New Jerusalem. This will ultimately be played out in the final Age of the ages of time (the Eon of the eons), the Holy of Holies of the New Creation (Revelation 20:4-6; 22:3-5). Nevertheless, there is still an important role for this primitive creation to fulfill during this present age, of which the majority of prophetic scripture is concerned with. God will be glorified in this Old Creation as well as the New, in the heavens and the earth of both creations, the soulish first, and then the spiritual.
Israel and the Return of Christ
Throughout Scripture, it is clear that the nation of Israel was to be God's chosen channel in the earth, to not only bring forth the Messiah and King, the promised Seed of the woman and Son of David, according to His flesh, but to also be at the head of the nations as the royal-priestly nation under Christ, bringing guidance and blessing to the other nations (Romans 9:3-5; 15:8-12; Luke 1:31-33). During this present age, Israel as a nation under the Old Covenant has failed to accomplish this call and even murdered their Messiah, so they have been cast aside (Acts 7:51-53; Romans 11:7-10). God had previously divorced Israel and Judah for her unfaithfulness (Jeremiah 3:7-11), yet in His mercy and grace, He restored the whole nation of Israel under the banner of Judah in the years following the Babylonian captivity, which led to the times of the Messiah and His kingdom, and the establishing of the New Covenant (Ezekiel 37:15-28; Isaiah 11:10-12; Jeremiah 31).
Nevertheless, due to God's mercy, grace and unfailing love, an era of grace under the New Covenant was established. Only a chosen remnant of grace from a partially hardened Israel are now the true Israel of God, those who have been grafted back into their own olive tree in Christ Jesus (Romans 9:6-8; 11:1-32). During this era of grace (or Church Era), particularly at the beginning (in the First Century AD) and near the end (the present and near future), God is saving a spiritual remnant of Israel (or Jews) while the rest of the physical nation are hardened. Paul refers to this as grafting them back in to their own Olive Tree, as mentioned previously (Romans 11:11-29).
All prophecy relating to the fleshly nation of Israel can be shown to have already been fulfilled, nevertheless, every letter, word and stroke of the pen contained in the Law and the Prophets shall have its fulfillment in relation to this present earth before it passes away at Christ's Return. Every promise and covenant given to Israel has been fulfilled, either literally in the past or spiritually in the Ecclesia of God, the spiritual Israel of God, via the New Covenant, for God does not lie and He is faithful (Matthew 5:17-18). God has NOT completely discarded fleshly Israel or destroyed them, because He is still calling out a Jewish remnant from among them to belong to the Ecclesia of God, the true Israel of God.
The coming age of the fullness of Messianic glory shall commence after Christ returns to this earth with power, glory, and much wrath, to cleanse the earth with fire and to judge its wicked inhabitants, particularly His enemies who have destroyed His people (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Luke 19:27). This is the ultimate Day of Yahweh spoken of by the Hebrew prophets, the Day of Vengeance. Many details of prophecy shall be fulfilled during this Day and Hour. The climactic day of Christ's return (or Second Advent), which the New Testament writers call the Day of the Lord Jesus, shall be a unique day that shall arrive like a thief in the night, while people are saying "peace and safety," while the world is wrapped up in its wicked ways, unaware of what's coming, just like the era before the Flood. Then Christ will proceed to deal out vengeance to all the wicked. This will be the day of His indignation and fury. Many things shall occur on this long, unique Day (Luke 17:26-37; Revelation 19:11-21; 6:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).
And just like the Deluge of old, this Day of Indignation shall engulf the whole world as Christ returns to the atmosphere of this earth, as King of kings, as He rises once more to shake the heavens and the earth, to cleanse the whole earth with fire instead of water at His glorious Presence and Unveiling (2 Peter 3:3-13; Matthew 24:30-31, 36-42; Luke 21:25-36). This is the promised Second Advent, the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Day of His Presence (or Coming), the Day of His Unveiling (or Revelation or Manifestation).
The spiritual Israel of God (the Bride/Body of Christ, the Wife of the Lamb, the Ecclesia of God) will then be granted the special privilege of co-ruling with Christ in the ages to come (Hebrews 12:22-24; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 21:9-14; 22:3-5). Yet what about all the individual Gentiles (those of the nations) who have accepted Christ? What about the resurrection and judgment of all mankind? What about the Second Death, symbolically called the Lake of Fire? Who will Christ and His Bride rule over as shepherds with a club of iron on the New Earth? Let us take a look at this in a little more detail.
The Bride and the Body
This Body/Bride Ecclesia shall also include God's chosen ones who have previously died in faith, going back to the very beginnings of humanity, who shall be resurrected to immortality and receive their place in the kingdom at the special out-resurrection from among the dead, known as the First (or Former) Resurrection, which shall be a prior resurrection, coming before all others (Hebrews 11:35, 39-40; Philippians 3:10-11, 20-21; Ephesians 1:11-14; 2:19-22; Revelation 20:5-6). This Bride shall also include a huge remnant from amongst the nations, who will essentially be an extension and complement of this Israel Bride (Romans 11:5, 25; Philippians 3:3; Ephesians 3:18-19).
The whole group connected together is called the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22; 5:25-32; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). This Bride/Body, consisting of the true Israel of God chosen by grace, and the complement (or fullness) from among the nations (or Gentiles) chosen by grace, are figured as the Good Figs; the Fruitful Wheat; the Fruitful Branches of the Vine; the Good Fruit Tree; the Good Fish; the Wise Servants; the Wise Virgins; the Little Flock; the Overcomers; the sons of God, as well as others.
In the same way as Christ appeared amongst His disciples after His resurrection, looking as though He were a normal man, with the glory of His immortality dimmed somewhat; and in the same way as celestial messengers (angels) can appear as men; so those of this Body, the New Humanity, will be able to appear as normal humans on the earth amongst the rest of humanity (Luke 24:36-43; 20:34-36). The Twelve Apostles have already been given a special place of authority ruling as judges over the restored twelve tribes of Israel when they were alive in the first century AD, as well as through the writings of the New Testament, and there will also be other levels of authority and power within the kingdom of God on this earth in the coming age (Matthew 19:28-29; Luke 19:11-19).
Yet the saints of the Bride/Body of Christ shall occupy the highest positions in the universe, co-ruling with Christ in the heavens (the spiritual dimension) as well as on the earth (Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 1:17-23). The saints shall be judging the world and life's affairs, as well as judging celestial messengers (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). Each position shall be filled by those who are co-rulers with Christ, chosen by grace in accordance with the will of God. Each one shall be rewarded accordingly for the good and faithful service done while on earth in this present wicked age, resulting in various levels of authority and power amongst the Body of Christ in the ages to come (Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Yet be warned: this does not include everyone who calls him or herself a Christian. Only those who are Overcomers, who follow Christ to the end and bear the right fruit as His true Disciples and Servants, will be reigning with Him (Revelation 2-3; 2 Timothy 2:11-13). Others, including Bible teachers and 'pastors,' will forfeit their reward (or wages) and be subjected to the fire of the Second Death, though they will eventually be saved - as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
Every letter and word of the prophets shall be fulfilled before this present heaven and earth shall pass away, when it shall go out with a bang, an atomic combustion - or maybe an atomic shift - either way, the heavens and the earth are stored with fire, and the elements of the universe will melt in the heat (2 Peter 3:7-13)! Yet the Scriptures also reveal that the ultimate destiny of the Israel of God is to dwell in the New Jerusalem on the New Earth of the New Creation. This celestial city of God is the ultimate goal for all the chosen believers in God and His Messiah, the Sons of God who have already been tried by fire either in this life or at the Dais of Christ, as judgment begins from the House of God (Galatians 3:26-29; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:17; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Hebrews 11:16; 12:22-23).
Paul's Ministry
Now the apostle Paul revealed much more in his message to the nations. His letters contain a progressive revelation of new truth (or secrets) that were primarily, but not solely, for the nations. His calling and evangel were unique, and his teachings contain things that not even Peter and the other apostles were given to proclaim. This does not mean that Peter, John and the others of the Circumcision didn't understand Paul's teaching, or that none of it applied to them as well, only that it wasn't for them to proclaim it. They were set apart for the Circumcision believers, while Paul was set apart for the nations (Galatians 2:8-10).
Peter says that Paul had written to the dispersed Jewish believers in Asia Minor (the letter to the Galatians was probably the one) and Peter admits that Paul's letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which the unlearned and unstable are twisting, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). The Circumcision apostles were not among these unlearned ones, so they therefore understood most of what Paul was talking about, if not all of it.
Nevertheless, Paul reveals things that are only found in his letters, and these revelations were given to him through personal appearances of Christ. These secrets and his additional details of prophecy, along with specific instructions for believers of the nations, were an extension of what Jesus and the Twelve had previously revealed, and was not something separate from them. The primary secret that Paul revealed was the Administration of Grace (Ephesians 3:2), which would occur during Israel's national rejection and partial blindness, in which God is calling out a people from all nations to complement the remnant of Israel chosen by grace to rule with Christ in the future ages (Romans 11). This 'Body of Christ' is a Firstfruit of the ultimate destiny of ALL humanity, the ecclesia of the Firstborn (James 1:18; Romans 8:23; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 14:4).
The glorious truth of the New Humanity and God's attitude of conciliation towards mankind is a foretaste of the ultimate goal and purpose of Universal Reconciliation. Paul also reveals in his letter to the Ephesians, that this Body of Christ, called out of Israel and the nations, has a distinct calling among the celestial beings, both now and in the ages to come. He reveals plainly that this Body called out from the nations is an extension of Israel. We are the circumcision in spirit, fellow-citizens of the saints, Sons of God, and we shall also be co-rulers with Christ - if we endure to the end as Overcomers. In spirit we are joint-enjoyers of an allotment from God, a joint-body, and joint-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. In the past, Christ initially came only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but now, He is among the nations as well, calling out a people for His Name to join with those of Israel and all the saints from the past to rule with Christ as Kings and Priests after the order of Melchisedek.
This resurrected, immortal class of believers from Israel and the nations, the Bride/Body, shall have authority in the heavens and the earth. We shall be able to visit the celestials (the spiritual dimension) and the earth as we reign with Christ. It is truly a celestial calling. Flesh and blood cannot enjoy the spiritual allotment of the heavenly kingdom of God (that is, the New Humanity), which is the true age-abiding Life promised to believers, therefore, the whole Ecclesia needs to be resurrected and changed into the immortal life of the New Humanity. Only then can we enjoy the full heavenly spiritual life of the kingdom of God in the same way as Christ Himself. Christ is the Stairway to Heaven on which the messengers of God shall ascend and descend in the coming age -and this shall include all those in the New Humanity as well (John 1:51; Genesis 28:10-17).
In the meantime, while we are in our mortal bodies of flesh and blood, we are partaking of the spiritual New Birth effected by the Holy Spirit within us, which regenerates our spirit, renewing our thought processes and actions in accordance with the New Humanity in Christ (Romans 12:2; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:3, 23; Ephesians 4:20-24). This is a blessing of the New Covenant given to us through the promise of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:4-11), but it is not the fullness of the Spirit. It is only a deposit or earnest of the Spirit as a seal guaranteeing what is to come (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:5). We shall receive and enjoy the fullness of the Spirit when we are delivered, transformed into, and glorified as the Sons of God at Christ's return. This is the full Adoption as Sons (Romans 8:23-30). Yet like Paul, we should continue to pursue the prize of this high calling, being led by the Spirit and becoming more and more like a mature son of God (Philippians 3:10-15; Romans 8:14; Ephesians 4:13-16).
God has also given spiritual gifts to His Body, as well as various callings and positions of authority, and like the human body, not all have the same function (1 Corinthians 12:27-31; Ephesians 4:7-12). In spirit, in Christ, there is equality amongst all of God's people (Galatians 3:27-28), yet in the Lord, in our service, there are distinctions. At the present time we are being trained to rule in the ages to come and we shall all have to give an account of ourselves to God at the Dais (or judgment seat) of Christ and be rewarded accordingly for our obedience (2 Corinthians 5:10). Those in positions of authority, who have been given knowledge and understanding, such as prophets, teachers and pastors, shall be judged more severely (James 3:1; Luke 12:47-48). The heavens and the earth shall be filled with the people of God in the age to come as God has ordained each his place in His kingdom. His purpose is to bless not just the earth, but the heavens as well! In the meantime, the world is growing darker and the power of lawlessness is increasing, but rest assured, the gates of Hades will not prevail against Christ's Ecclesia.
During the Acts period, while the kingdom was still being offered to Israel, and while the nations were being prepared for the kingdom, there were great signs and miracles being displayed through the apostles as well as other believers. These were the spring rains. These powers faded as the kingdom faded, as the apostles gradually died, while the Administration of Grace was being introduced. Yet in these present days these powers are being revived as the kingdom draws near again, and the gospel of the kingdom is continuing to be proclaimed during an era of apostasy. These are the autumn rains. During this era the focus is returning to Israel again, just like it was almost 2000 years ago, and the fires of God are bringing enlightenment to many while protecting His people from the final deception of Satan. Nevertheless, while the world is heading for an unprecedented period of peace, security and prosperity, a counterfeit kingdom, if you like, the Day of Wrath is close at hand, which will arrive like a thief in the night - that is, suddenly without warning! Yet believers in the Body of Christ are not appointed to this wrath or indignation of God upon the world that shall be unveiled in the Day of the Lord Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).
During the time of religious apostasy (which truly began during the era of Constantine and the rebirth of the Roman Empire as a Christian Empire), there will be false believers, false teachers and prophets, who shall be disqualified as to the Faith. They wish to have their ears tickled and their flesh satisfied, while glorying in themselves, void of the power of God, full of greed and wickedness (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13; 2 Peter 2:1-3). Some will use false miracles, signs and healings, trickery and deceit, to withstand the truth and lead people astray, in the same manner as did the Egyptian magicians, Jannes and Jambres, who sought to copy the signs of God being done through Moses in the court of Pharaoh. Yet there will come a time when they shall not progress with their deceit any further, for, in the same way as Moses shamed Jannes and Jambres, these imposters shall be exposed as the tricksters that they are by the true prophets and followers of God, who shall perform the real stuff, like Jesus Himself (2 Timothy 3:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). This shall fully fulfill the prophecy of Joel, which was also fulfilled at Pentecost, when the Spirit shall be poured out on all flesh before the great Day of the Lord (Acts 2:1-21).
The First Resurrection
Paul's two letters to the Thessalonian believers contain some very important information in relation to Christ's Coming or Presence, the Day that all true believers should be yearning for. He speaks of the apostasy, the unveiling of the man of lawlessness, and the Day of the Lord itself. Now Paul reveals that the believers in the Body of Christ who shall be surviving at the time of Christ's coming shall be supernaturally snatched away (or 'raptured') and gathered into Christ's presence in the air before the Lord begins pouring out His indignation upon the world. This snatching away shall include the living and the dead in Christ, the chosen ones who shall be gathered together by the messengers while Christ is in the air preparing to pour out His wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This supernatural gathering at Christ's return wasn't a secret though, as Jesus Himself had mentioned it (Matthew 24:30-31).
The secret element that Paul revealed was this, which was also revealed in his letters to the Corinthians: Both groups, the living and the dead in Christ, shall be changed into immortal, incorruptible humans so that they can immediately receive their celestial allotment and blessing, and return with Christ as His Bride, who has made herself ready. They will be counted amongst the armies in heaven, the clouds of holy ones, that will return with Him to execute judgment in the New Earth (1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4; Revelation 19:6-8, 14).
This is the First Resurrection, the out-resurrection from among the dead of the Anointed Firstfruits, fulfilling the prior-expectancy of believers, when we shall be transformed and shall appear like Him (Revelation 20:4-5; Philippians 3:11, 20-21; 1 John 3:2-3). This is when the Sons of God shall be unveiled (or manifested) and shall fully begin to rule and reign with Christ for the ages to come. This snatching away into the air or atmosphere is both physical and spiritual; a moving out (or transference) and a transformation (or transfiguration). It is foreshadowed in the snatching away of Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11-12) as well as in the ascension of Christ Himself (Acts 1:9-12; Revelation 12:5). Two other types or figures of this event are the deliverance of Noah and his family from the Flood, being raised above it in the ark, and Lot and his family being delivered from the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-37).
We shall be like the messengers in heaven, having no need to marry, as we are the Lord's Bride, His Wife. We shall be the many Sons of God that have been brought into glory, created in the image of Christ. Our sphere or realm of rule will primarily be on this earth in the ages to come, where Christ shall be, but it will also extend to the heavens as well. Yet even now, in spirit by faith, all believers are one in Christ in the New Humanity. We all serve the One God and Father, and the One Lord; we all partake of the One Spirit, and we all belong to the One Faith. Ultimately, we are all united in One Body with One spiritual Baptism; and we all have the One Expectation, that is, ruling with Christ at His return as the Anointed Firstfruits of a New Humanity.
Those of the royal-priestly nation are the Sons of God, who shall be unveiled to the world and all creation at the return of Christ. We are all co-rulers with Christ in His kingdom in the ages to come, no matter what the gifting or ranking in accordance with God's will. We must endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit with the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; Romans 8:18-23, 29). And even NOW, we can begin to partake of the First Resurrection among the heavenlies, through Christ Jesus, Who is ruling the whole universe from the throne of God, with all authority in heaven and earth having been given to Him (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 1:19-23; 6:10-18; Colossians 3:1-4).
The New Creation
In the final age of the New Creation, also referred to as 'the ages of the ages,' in the time when Christ shall head up the universe in an Administration that shall complement all previous eras (Ephesians 1:10-12), the spiritual, celestial city of the New Jerusalem, the New Mount Zion, shall be the home of the Bride/Body of Christ for the remainder of that holiest of all ages (Hebrews 12:22-24; Revelation 3:12; 14:1-5; 21:1-2). First and foremost, this is a figurative spiritual city, which IS the New Humanity, the heavenly Israel of God. The New Creation shall merge the earth and the heavens as one, spirit and flesh, as even the chosen celestial messengers (or angels) of God are dwelling in the New Jerusalem with a spiritual New Humanity of flesh and bone (Revelation 21:12; Luke 24:38-39). This City is mother of us all (Galatians 4:26). But who shall we be ruling and reigning over, seeing as Christ must rule for the ages until He has put all of His enemies under His feet? (1 Corinthians 15:25)
There shall be another resurrection, a Second or Latter Resurrection. This will be the general resurrection and judgment of all humanity which shall take place at the Great White Throne, after this present earth has passed away via atomic combustion, and a New Earth has come forth. Everyone shall be judged in accordance with their acts. Those who are found written in the Book of Life, that is, those who fear God, whom Christ judges as being righteous amongst humanity and are therefore written on His heart, shall also be given immortality and granted access to the New Jerusalem, the kingdom of God (Revelation 20:11-15; Romans 2:5-10, 14-16; Matthew 12:36-37, 41-42; 25:31-46; Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Timothy 4:1).
On the outside are the rest of humanity, the peoples and nations on the New Earth, as well as the Adversary and his messengers, for whom the eonian fire was initially prepared for (Matthew 25:41). They will be experiencing the Lake of Fire, which is the Second Death, the Gehenna of fire, where they shall be salted with the fire of God (Mark 9:47-49; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). This is the best way, metaphorically speaking, to describe the chastening judging of unbelievers and hypocrites in that final age (Matthew 25:46; Daniel 12:2). There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in this place of outer darkness, as all the tribes of the earth shall grieve and lament, for the people shall be face to face with themselves before God in flesh and blood bodies - and justice will be done (Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13). This is the ultimate treading of the winepress of God's wrath, the ultimate Great Affliction (or Tribulation) (Revelation 14:17-20; 2:21-23; Romans 2:5-9).
They shall receive graded chastening in accordance with their acts in this life, in accordance with the Divine Law of God at the Great White Throne, which shall bring affliction and torment to their souls as they undergo the fiery justice of God until they also learn obedience to the King (Matthew 11:22, 24; 18:34-35; Romans 2:9). Christ and His saints, the kings of the earth, shall reign over them till all His enemies are under His authority, bringing healing to those who are injured by the Second Death (Revelation 2:26-28; 3:21; 22:2-5). This is the beginning of the Restoration (or Renewal) of all things (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 8:18-21).
Then, at the consummation of the ages, the last enemy, Death, shall be completely abolished and ALL those who have been experiencing the Second Death shall be given immortality also, and shall be reconciled to God as Father, so that God may be ALL in ALL (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:19-20). ALL creation shall bow before, and acclaim, Jesus Christ as Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 5:13). Then Christ shall hand over the perfected kingdom to His Father.
The New Jerusalem, the Bride and Wife of the Lamb, the Kingdom of God, wherein is Eonian (or age-abiding) Life and where righteousness shall dwell, the home of the New Humanity, is the special celestial destiny for ALL the saved and chosen ones of God, who are the Bride/Body Ecclesia (or Church) of Christ. They are the 144,000 of heavenly Israel, Christ's new royal-priestly nation, the faithful celibates who follow the Lamb (Revelation 7:3-8; 14:1-5), Christ's chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2), who are sealed by the Spirit of God, who are clean and flawless, and who are identified with this celestial City in the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles of the Lamb. Yet they are also represented in the 24 Elders who surround the heavenly throne, crowned with golden wreaths, which are the rewards of those who have proven themselves to be qualified by the Lord to rule as Sons of God (Revelation 4:4, 10-11; 5:8-10; 1 Peter 5:4; James 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Through Christ and His Wife, as the many sons of God, the whole world will experience God's justice and righteousness as a shepherd's club of iron crushing pottery, or as grapes being trodden in the winepress of God's wrath. This New Age, this New World Order, this New Creation, will eventually restore and reconcile ALL men to God, while teaching everyone the truth about God and His ways, while bringing justice - and love - to all.
What a glorious end - and it will truly last 'forever.' Who could have thought up such a wonderful plan full of love, wisdom, justice, mercy, righteousness and abundant grace, revealed in an ancient book written via numerous men over many centuries? There is only One: The Creator and Father of ALL, seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all (Romans 11:33-36). Nevertheless, this old earth has an important destiny to fulfill before it gives way to the glorious day of the New Creation. What a destiny for all those who truly believe and obey - a destiny that shall one day reach ALL creation.
Copyright © G Watts 2003, Revised 2007