If you ask most Christians why Jesus died on the cross, they will most often quote John 3:16, affirming that, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” The idea is that the “good news” of the Bible is summarized in that Jesus died on the cross so that anyone who believes in Him can go to heaven after they die.
Of course, when Christians say these kind of things, they are not wrong. This is certainly part of the good news. But the gospel is far more than just John 3:16 and being saved from hell. The gospel, as it was proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles, is an extension of the good news that was proclaimed throughout the Old Testament. So what else beyond merely going to heaven after we die is entailed when we speak of God’s good news for mankind?
The simple answer to this question is found in the phrase, “the restoration of all things.” Shortly after Pentecost, when Peter preached God’s good news to the crowds, he specifically spoke of the “the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time” (Acts 3:21). What is this period, what were the prophets speaking of, and what exactly will be restored?
The period being spoken of is the age of the Messiah, after Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom. As to what will be restored, Jesus will not only restore the earth, but also the Kingdom of Israel. Within the grand unfolding plan of God are His many promises not only to restore Eden—a glorious garden-paradise, but also to restore the Jewish Kingdom to a glory far greater than during the days of King David or Solomon.
Let’s consider just a few of the passages that speak of these days. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we are told that during the messianic age, in partnership with Jesus, the righteous will actually renovate the earth: “Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations” (Isaiah 61:4). Elsewhere, the prophet Amos speaks of the days, “When the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; when the mountains will drip sweet wine.” Under the rule of Jesus, God’s people will, “plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit” (Amos 9:9-15). The prophet Zechariah says that “‘In that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and under his fig tree’” (Zechariah 3:10).
In speaking of those days, the prophet Ezekiel describes, a river that will run southward, out of Jerusalem, turning the Dead Sea into a fresh water lake, teeming with life:
It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. (Ezekiel 47:9-10)
When is the last time that any Christian you know declared the good news that in the age to come, after we die, we will be able to fish? I don’t know about you, but for me, this is truly good news!
The Scriptures also affirm that after Jesus returns, He will set in place a new global leadership structure. From God’s perspective, the primary purpose of every position of leadership is to serve others. Yet today, I think it is fair to say that many, if not most politicians, seek and maintain positions of authority not primarily for the purpose of truly serving others, but in order to secure greater wealth, power, and control. This is a problem that is common throughout the world. How will Jesus respond to this when He returns? Psalm 110 tells us that Jesus will literally kill unrighteous rulers and politicians throughout the earth: “The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country” (Psalm 110:5,6).
Not only will Jesus’ return be accompanied by his execution of a host of wicked, self-serving politicians and dictators throughout the earth, but He will also replace them with those who have proven themselves to be faithful and humble leaders: “Well done, my good servant! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities,” He will declare (Luke 19:17). When I think of how many throughout the earth groan under the weight of oppressive government, I rejoice at this profoundly good news. Genuinely humble servant leaders will assist Jesus in governing the new world. Hallelujah!
Yet as wonderful and glorious as these descriptions of a restored earth are, they are only part of the picture. Beyond a restored and glorified garden paradise, the Scriptures also speak of a glorified, restored Kingdom of Israel. If we neglect to proclaim either of these two dimensions of the coming messianic age, we are simply not proclaiming the complete gospel message that was declared by God’s “holy prophets from ancient time.”
After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples asked Him about the time that He would restore the glory of the Jewish kingdom, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6-7). In no way did Jesus rebuke his disciples for their question. Instead, He assured them that at the proper time, according to the time set by the Father, He will return and restore the Kingdom of Israel. The Scriptures are brimming with references that testify to this reality. At the every onset of the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that the son she would bear would forever reign on the restored throne of David:
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:31-33 emphasis mine)
The throne of David, we must understand is not a vague reference to the rule of Jesus. This is the restored Jewish royal monarchy.
Later, as Jesus spoke to His disciples, He told them of the time after He returns when they would assist him in judging the twelve tribes of Israel:
“Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28-29).
The restoration of all twelve tribes in the age to come shows that indeed we are looking forward to a fully restored Kingdom of Israel. Though few Christians discuss this aspect of the Bible, the Scriptures in both the Old and New testaments are brimming with descriptions of the coming kingdom of God.
When we take a real hard look at the way that the Christian Church has related to the Jewish community throughout most of Church history, it is no surprise that a failure to recognize this critical aspect of the good news—namely the coming restoration of the Kingdom of Israel—often accompanied the horrific mistreatment of the Jewish people by Christians. In my most recent book, When a Jew Rules the World, I carefully lay out the case for why the Christian Church must reclaim the fullness of the gospel as it was proclaimed by Jesus and the apostles. In doing so, we will accomplish much. First, we will proclaim a message that most Jews—those who are far more Old Testament literate than many Christians—will relate to, understand, and receive far more naturally. Second, we will be much better equipped to avoid the great errors and sins of our forefathers with the long history of Christian persecution of the Jewish people. And finally, we will prepare our hearts to receive Jesus at His return with hearts full of joy and understanding as we all together exclaim with fullness of joy: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!” (John 12:13)
42 Responses
That is the Good News!!! Thank you for proclaiming it with so much clarity! It is our Hope that will not disappoint . Jesus the only solution. The only one able to take the scroll and deliver us from this fallen age. We must declare “Come to the wedding”. Thank you so much for being a faithful witness!
Wonderful words, Joel. In the worldviews class I teach, I talk about the importance of showing the unsaved listener the bad news before we give them the good news. Then I ask them this question, “Was it good news or bad news when Jesus said to Nicodemus ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God?'” After a bit of debating with the other students, it dawns on them that it was bad news for him. The good news is that there is a coming kingdom, which I’m sure Nicodemus thought was a done deal for him, being such a “righteous man.” But Jesus delivered to him some terrifying words…that Nicodemus was not going to see it unless he was born again.
Exactly. Its only good news for those who repent. Good word bro.
Joel: What do you think will happen in eternity after the thousand year messianic kingdom? Does the Bible give us any clue about this?
Excellent word Joel. I read “When a Jew Rules the World” and seen you teach this in videos, so I was familiar with the message. I love telling my financee’, who leans liberal, all things will be restored and renewed. That you will not have to worry about oil spills and dirty air. She use to be a believer and is an agnostic now. No worries though, the coming miracles and signs will show those who have fallen away their God does exist and still loves them. Thank you again Joel for your ministry.
Hi Joel, I appreciate your emphasis on the millennial reign of Christ. It will be a glorious day! But I always understood our salvation to be completed with the new heaven and new earth, after the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. How do you see the passages of Rev. 21 and 2 Peter 3:10ff? And is not going to be with Jesus after we die a legitimate hope? Where are those who die before His return? Are they not with Christ who is at the right hand of the Father in heaven? I would like to hear your views on these things.
Hi Lynn,
After a believer dies, their spirit is with Christ. I do not believe the Bible teaches soul sleep. But being in the spirit in heaven is not our hope. Our hope is the resurrection unto immortality.
2 Peter uses metaphoric language that in fuller context (v.13) is seen to be speaking of the destruction of the governing rulers of this present system. His judgments will burn up the wicked rulers, both on the earth and in the heavens. But He is not literally going to burn up the entire earth and the universe and just from scratch. Was it not good when He created it? God is faithful to His creation, and He will redeem it.
The eternal state after the millennium is the completion of what begins in the millennium. But for those who re in Christ, we are fully saved at the onset of the millennium. Once one has their immortal resurrection body, they are saved. But the majority of the passages in the Bible that speak of our hope describe the millennium, not the eternal state. At times, it looks forward to both and blends them together. The Bible actually speaks very little about the eternal state.
A truly amazing testimony,He is the same yesterday,today and for ever.
Im enjoying your programs. Very glad for this one. This site and the ones it links, have been a real blessing to me. There is indeed a real teaching drought where i am, but i have really enjoyed ‘daring’ to put aside the books(which mainly confused me any way) and spending time with the Word, and finding that i am generally in tune with such as your self. It is indeed essential that we spend much time in the Word. Truly if God can help me to understand, then he can and will do the same for anyone. WE may not all agree on every dotted i, but we are all rowing the same boat.
I kind of feel sad for new Christians today, without good leadership, which is greatly lacking, with all the social media they enter a real battle ground
of theology and opinions. It used to be so simple. More than ever as you stated His word has to be our compass.
Looking forward to the next shows.
If we read the Old Testament, we see time and time again where God says He is going to regather Ephraim (the people who became “not my people”, the 10 tribes of the House of Israel) and join them together again with the House of Judah (the 2 tribes of Judah and Benjamin). And once again they will all be “My people”.
In Amos we read this about the House of Israel: “For lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth” (Amos 9:9).
The House of Israel became as gentiles to God. He even says they will forget who they are, forget the sabbath, forget the feast days.
If you want to know what the Mystery of the Gentiles really is, this is it. Even the rabbis today wonder how God is going to bring the House of Israel back.
Why?
Because God Himself said that He divorced Israel. He gave them a writ of divorce (Jeremiah 3:8).
God gave the House of Israel a divorce because she became an adulteress, whoring after other gods.
If you know God’s Law regarding marriage and divorce, then you know that God could NOT take the House of Israel back. He could NOT marry her again. And Israel was not free to marry again.
Satan was probably extremely giddy at this thinking that God had boxed Himself into a corner. He promised Abraham that ALL Israel would be saved. But now God had cast aside 10 of the tribes of Israel.So how was God going to keep His promise. He can’t break His own Law and take Israel (His wife) back!
If you want to know why some rabbis have accepted Yeshua as Messiah, this is the reason why.
What’s the answer to the riddle of how God could fix this great mystery.
The answer resides in God’s own Law.
God’s Law states that if either of the prior spouses DIES, then the other is free to wed again.
Remember when Jesus said that no greater love hath a man than to lay down his life for his friends?
Jesus laid down His life for His bride!
By His death, the House of Israel is free to marry again. And she will, when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns to regather His Bride from the four corners of the earth and rejoins her with the House of Judah in the land that he promised to Abraham.
Amos ends with this:
14 And I will bring again the captivity of MY PEOPLE of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
15 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.
Israel shall no longer be called “not my people”, but will be called “my people”.
Many Christians tend to spiritualize this concept of salvation away as Joel mentions in his article. But this concept of salvation is VERY REAL, and it is a very real PHYSICAL fulfillment of the promises that God made to Abraham that all Israel would be saved and would receive a very real kingdom led by a very real King (Messiah).
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not saying that these promises are only for the direct descendants of the nation of Israel. God has provided a way for all mankind to be forgiven for their sins and receive the promises through the Messiah.
But we do need to understand why He had to die, and how His death provided that path to restoration that Joel mentions above. It’s far more than most Christians realize.
Joel,
I have long enjoyed your explanations and presentations.
I have a question, and I don’t know if there is an clear explanation you can give, or if you can refer me to a webpage or book that gives an clear explanation.
I’ll set up the question. I gather that if I say that I believe in Jesus Christ as God, that he died for my sins and was resurrected, and I repent, then I can be certain of my salvation.
Part of my question is, how do I know I have repented adequately to be sure of my salvation? Also, when I say I “believe” in Jesus Christ, how do I know my belief is strong enough or deep enough that I can be sure I will be saved? I often hear Christians saying they can be sure of salvation. But how does one really know one has repented and believed deeply enough or thoroughly enough? Doesn’t one have to keep repenting all one’s life, since one continues to be a sinner to some extent? Does repenting mean one seeks to stop sinning? How can one ever do that sufficiently? Is there some invisible line in one’s being where the majority of one’s being, at least 51%, must be devoted to God, or one will be lost? Scott Peck once suggested some invisible boundary sort of like that. Does one only know one is saved if Jesus himself tells you, and when you hear his voice, something about it directly shows you that it is not your own subjective fantasy, nor the devil but that it can only be Jesus and God?
Again, if you can answer this easily, or point me somewhere with answers to these question, I’d be much obliged. Thanks again for your fascinating presentations.
Ed –
You don’t have to make it so complicated.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.
Joel, thank you for speaking about the messianic era- it is so uplifting, especially knowing that HE is standing at the door! Hallelujah! I’ve read your recent book and i must say I have never read anything more moving, horrifying, and yet inspiring – despite of it’s horrific, breath-taking details. To me it was the best and the most important book I have ever read. I cried my eyes for days, and told all my friends about it.
Boy, if you need some help carrying these crowns after our judgement, just call:-)))
respectfully and thankfully
Eva
Thanks so much Eva.
It really blesses me that the book was edifying and encouraging to you.
Many Blessings!
Joel
Joel,
You said>> “The gospel, as it was proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles, is an extension of the good news that was proclaimed throughout the Old Testament.”
AMEN!! I TOTALLY agree that the Gospel (good message) that Paul preached came out of the Old Testament Scriptures.
I was wondering WHERE in the OT it teaches that the hope of the righteous after death is to ascend into the heavens? The OT teaches that the dead are NOT conscious AFTER death and that the resurrection is the ONLY hope for conscious life after death.
Hey Ben,
I edited your comments. I stopped letting folks post here if it is something I strongly disagree with. It’s true that the issue of life after death is somewhat ambiguous throughout much of the OT, but in several passages in the NT, in my opinion it is beyond clear. Jesus and the Apostles rejected the doctrine of soul sleep. Nor do I ascribe to annihiliationism. I have gone through Tim’s whole teaching passage by passage on this. But in the end, I was not at all convinced. I know you love to dig in and debate, but I have to choose which issues to spend time on. If I engage this issue with you, it will only mushroom. And I just really do not have the time. Maybe someday.
Bless ya
Well I had to try 🙂 For what it’s worth though the issue of life after death is NOT ambiguous throughout the OT. The Hebrew hope for life after death was resurrection. I know you affirm the principle of progressive revelation. So you need to ask yourself if Jesus and the Apostles affirmed the prophets or the Greek philosophers because the concept that man is really just a ghost in a flesh suit destined to ascend into the heavens after the flesh suit perishes comes from Platonism and NOT the Hebrew perspective. I STRONGLY encourage you to take a deeper look into this topic.
Totally agreed that churches and christians must understand the big picture of the Gospel (Good News) and be on guard against any deception that contradicting with the Word of God. About the past history, it’s very unfortunate people using the name of God and Bible to satisfy their own flesh.
Many blessing to you, Joel & your family.
Thanks for understanding Ben. By and large, I agree with what you are saying. The prophets were largely just expounding on the Covenants. The Apostles were largely just expounding on what came before them. But occasionally, there is of course entirely new revelation. Daniel being a major example. And so many others. In the New, issues like the False Prophet or Mystery babylon are big issues that are in many ways, new.
The thing with the Greek worldview versus the Biblical worldview, this is a matter that we need to be really careful with. Because while I totally agree that Jesus and the Apostles did not agree with or validate the Greek worldview, sometimes the two views are presented as polar opposites. But this is certainly not the case.
But in light of your suggestion that I “need to ask [my]self if Jesus and the Apostles affirmed the prophets or the Greek philosophers” I 100% agree with you. They would not. This is exactly one of the very reasons I believe in the intermediary state. I am simply not at all convinced by Tim’s explanation or others of the story of Lazarus and the rich man as having no basis whatsoever in truth. Tim essentially says that Jesus was just somewhat tipping his hat to the erroneous Greek world view, because so many embraced it in His day. Nor do I believe Paul would suggest that his visit to the third heaven may have been out of the body if this is impossible to the Biblical worldview. Unless you think that understand the Greek worldview better than Paul?
While Tim’s discussion on several passages are solid, on that passage and a few other key texts, his explanations just didn’t work for me at all.
But so long as we proclaim that our Hope is not any intermediary state, but rather the Resurrection, and the Day of the Lord, we can agree that the main issue of the Gospel.
Bless ya
Joel>> “But so long as we proclaim that our Hope is not any intermediary state, but rather the Resurrection, and the Day of the Lord, we can agree that the main issue of the Gospel.”
Yes, if there was a prime opportunity for Paul to comfort the brethren with the popular “Christian” teaching that you go to be with Christ as a ghost when you die he would have certainly done so with the Thessalonians:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope”
BUT instead he proclaims to them the hope of the resurrection.
As far as Tim’s teaching on the Rich man and Lazarus is concerned in that you think Tim
“essentially says that Jesus was just somewhat tipping his hat to the erroneous Greek world view”
This is NOT at all what Tim teaches about this PARABLE. Jesus was NOT commenting on the Greek world view at all. I would encourage you to look at this more carefully.
http://oasischristianchurch.org/bbi_notes/Lazarus.pdf
I would also be interested to know what other passages you think Tim’s teaching on this subject did not “work” for you.
When I said they didn’t work, I just mean I didn’t find them at all convincing. If anything, they only reinforced my convictions. Jesus and Paul both affirmed life outside the body. Tim’s primary argument revolves around the assumption of the idea that the Greek worldview is the polar opposite of the Hebrew worldview. So when he lacks solid evidence, he basically just says something like, “But we know it doesn’t mean this, because we know the Paul (or whoever) would never affirm a Greek worldview.” Its entirely circular. And as I said, he assumes that he knows the Greek worldview better than Paul and Jesus. If someone today said they were out of the body, you always say, thats impossible. The Biblical worldview doesn’t allow for that. Yet Paul said it. I would care to argue that Paul knew the Greek and Biblical worldviews and their distinctions just fine.
I’ve read this bit about Lazaraus as a parable of Jesus, but if I am to be honest, it was just really an odd stretch to me. But I’m speaking of the audio file, where he is teaching on it.
I also wasn’t at all convinced by his explanation of the souls under the altar, the thief on the cross, or Paul’s other comments. To be absent from the body etc.
Hi Joel,
So you’ve got the Kingdom of God on my mind and heart. Woo!
I have a question about Rev. 20:4-6
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Do you have any insight? For instance, is it only the believers who were beheaded in opposition to the AC who will experience the millennial reign?
Anyone and all who are in Christ will arise to the first resurrection.
Death is compared to sleep throughout the Bible, so I lean toward the idea that we die and await a resurrection. That’s why our change seems like the “twinkling of an eye”. It’s just like falling asleep and then waking up. It seems as if no time has passed at all.
I know many people disagree with this view, but it’s one of those topics that doesn’t determine ones salvation.
Shabbat Shalom.
Hello Joel,
20 years ago I knew a man from Kansas City Missouri who died and went to Hell. His name was John Fischer, he told me the entire experience which took him about three hours to explain. He said, if he could put a time on how long he was there it would be around five hours, even though he was only dead for a matter of seconds.
There were three things He said that stood out to me the most, the first one was that when you die you don’t really die you are the same person you just don’t have a body. The second one was you understand eternity and you know you are never getting out. And the third one was he was in complete darkness, he was the only person there and that the anxiety was so incredibly intense you cannot escape the pressure.
The first thing John did when he came back into his body was sit straight up in his hospital bed and except Jesus as Lord and Savior while the doctors were still working on him. He said, he was so afraid he was going to die again and have to go back he could not wait one second.
The second thing John did was contact me and apologize for being so critical of my walk with the Lord. You talk about fruit of repentance, that man changed overnight and never looked back.
The reason I am telling this story is to say when a person dies he is not asleep he is very much alive and totally aware of his surroundings.
I agree.
Susan:
I think you may be misleading Ed by simplifying salvation to just a verbal confession of Romans 10-9. You can repent like Judas after he betrayed Christ, or confess like demons that Christ is Lord and God and not be forgiven by God. I know there is a controversy on this topic, but I am convinced that that the parable of seed also shows that the 2 seeds that fell in thorny and rocky road also repented half heartlessly and were joyful of hearing the good news, however soon whatever growth they had was short lived and the fruits of being born again was not displayed in their lives and they resorted back to their original state of being.
A repentance of heart demands,requires and follows a genuine Desire to stop sinning. When short tax collector Zacheas admitted to Christ his sins of theft and a genuine desire to return everything he had stolen, then Jesus told Zacheas that salvation has come to this house. Repentance requires death to the old flesh and a genuine desire of not wanting to continue in the sins of your past life. As Christ said, you would literally prefer to cut your hand, in order not to resort back to your old self of sinning.
Ed: Hopefully Joel has responded to you offline, but I think Susan’s explanation can be misleading, and this is were most self proclaiming Christians go wrong and will hear from Christ the famous words, ” I never knew you”.
Yes we are saved by proclaiming our faith through the Grace of Christ on the cross and not with our self-righteous acts, but if our faith and heart does not hate sinning, then we are only accepting a cheap version of Grace, which is not the true Gospel of Salvation.
A true repentance is followed with a true regeneration from sinful habits to genuinely loving our neighbor and God and a he artful desire to live a holy life. You gradually will see yourself transforming and showing only Fruit of Spirit in your day to day lifestyle.
Hopefully Joel will agree with me and allow this post to show up in the comment section.
I would like to know what the Lord meant in John 14:3 when he says AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM. I do believe in post tribulation rapture and now i’m finding it difficult to understand what the Lord was saying here. Thank you
The verse should be read as such: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again (to the earth) and receive you to Myself (rapture, physical resurrection into the kingdom here on the earth), that where I am, there you may be also.”
Thank you so much Joel, it makes a lot of sense now.
“The gospel, as it was proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles, is an extension of the good news that was proclaimed throughout the Old Testament.”
Jesus _is_ the Gospel. As the eternal “Gospel of God,” He proclaimed Himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6),” and, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).” He. therefore, is never portrayed as an “extension[?]” of Old Testament “good news.” He is (as prophesied in the OT) the Hope, the King, the Saviour and the Great High Priest of Israel. He, alone, has fulfilled, once and for all, God’s eternal plan for His people. He’s not “an extension.”
BA Gridd,
With all due respect, to twist what I have written as you do is simply religious mumbo jumbo. Such comments may have the sound of piety, but do not in fact reflect the witness of the Apostles and even Jesus Himself. Of course it is all about Jesus. But even Jesus and the Apostles elaborated on the numerous details of all that Jesus as the returning King, Priest and Judge involves. We should do the same.
Joel,
I agree and enjoy reading your writing on the coming restoration of the kingdom of Israel. Although I think you should have included some reference to Isaiah as it is a powerful book of the Bible on this subject.
Joel,
My apology, I see that you did include one text Isaiah 64:1 but the whole book of Isaiah is a blessing to read on this subject.
This is just a very brief article. Certainly not comprehensive in any way.
Joel,
I’ve been reading your book, ‘When A Jew Rules the World’, and I’m at the chapter about the coming kingdom of God. I was wondering if you thought starting a business in this current age (especially since I’ve gotten spiritual confirmation about a particular product idea after prayer and committing it to God) is a wise decision, seeing as how a for-profit consumer product business could tend to be materialistic, worldly, etc. I don’t want the business to be those things, but I know there are certain things that business do to be successful. I plan on capping my personal income from the business so that any extra goes right out to kingdom missions, etc.
However, I do find that doing good work in and of itself can be honoring to God – I’ve read the book ‘Business for the Common Good’ by Rae and Wong which had a profound effect on the way I view these things. Also, Tim Keller’s ‘Every Good Endeavor’ impacted me as well. In particular, I think what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 really resonates with me, because I used to have this dissonance where I would feel bad about working a secular job and going to church, like maybe I would be better off as a “full time minister” or something. I’ve since grown from that view, because though I think those who’s vocation is Gospel preaching, ministering, etc. should be held in high regard, I don’t think it’s required of every believer to abandon all other work. I know Oaul is also an example of someone who chose to do ‘secular’ work to support himself, though he indicated that Gosiel workers have the right to be paid.
That all being said, social enterprise seems to be growing as a method of doing business, and I think this could have profound implications for the Christian entrepreneur. If you think of companies like Tom’s and Warby Parker, I wonder what could be done as well given the current crisis in the Middle East by socially-conscious businesses, as well as just even the basic ‘what it means to know God’ principles of looking after the poor, etc.
Anyways, for me, I’d love for a business to provide me and my family with just enough (Proverbs 30:8-9), but also give me the financial capability to massively help others. Also, I know that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, so I shouldn’t expect that my entire vision might not be realized in this age.
Thanks so much in advance for any insight you have on this.
Blessings,
Jimmy
Some corrections:
“I don’t want the business to be those things, but I know there are certain things that businesses do to be successful.”
“I know Paul is also an example of someone who chose to do ‘secular’ work to support himself, though he indicated that Gospel workers have the right to be paid.”
“Also, I know that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, so I shouldn’t expect that my entire vision will be fully realized in this age.”
Jimmy,
I have been in business for the past 20 years. Its an entirely necessary part of this present age. Someone has to fund the going forth of the Gospel. Seeing in the business world is absolutely just as important as seeing in ministry. Be blessed.
Joel, have you done, or have you thought of doing, an in depth video study on what you believe the Bible says about various topics like what happens immediately after we die, when do we get judged, do we get judged in heaven or earth, when do we get our immortal bodies, the different resurrections, the 144,000 and the great multitude, what does the new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem mean exactly, who returns with Jesus at Armageddon…I could go on, but I think that is a pretty long list already! I have tried to research these these things on my own, but I always seem to get overwhelmed by all the different theories and opinions. I respect your work and I think you do a thorough job with your research. It would be great to hear your opinion on what all these things mean and how all these things fit together. Or, can you recommend a book or video that you believe does a good job on explaining this? Part of my confusion on this comes from my mom who is a Jehovah’s Witness and makes things even more complicated. So I, for one, would welcome a teaching from you that could give some insight into these things.
That would be great. Perhaps in time. Thanks for the suggestion.
This is what I’m most excited for. I hate the gnostic dogma of Christianity. I love building and gardening. Eating drinking etc. I don’t mind if I’m not appointed over cities. If I am I trust God chose it right. But just give me family and jesus eating at my table swimming rope swings. All of it. He will restore all things he made fully and more! I do not wish to further israel under zionism christ haters. I want jesus to lead not these leaders
Hi Joel,
Let me preface by saying that I learned so much from your material and have purchased some of your resources as well as resources you recommended, in particular Rapture: Case closed? and Kurshner’s Prewrath rapture book. I really admire your exhaustive research and uncompromising work, because the truth is uncompromising. I could sleep soundly knowing that I got a brother who is such a diligent watchman who does his best (with God’s help) to guide the flock during such a time, placed by Christ Himself in the last days.
Having said that, I was looking for a way to reconcile 2 Peter 3:7-13 with the premillenial, prewrath view. After reading your response to Lynne, I am still unsatisfied because why must it be interpreted as a metaphor? Is the “heaven will pass away with a roar” the celestial disturbance, i.e. stars falling and sky rolls back like a scroll, and the elements destroyed by intense heat from the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls? Because His Wrath did not destroy absolutely Everything.
Just from first reading, my mind automatically connected these verses to post millennial events, i.e. fire coming down from heaven, the Great White Throne Judgement, old heaven and earth fleeing away from God’s presence, new heaven and new earth etc. Please address 2 Peter because it is one of the verses that preterists use to discredit the coming millennium, and TBH my core was a little shaken by these verses. Thanks, Joel.
Gary,
It’s possible that the entire created order will be physically rendered at the end of the millennium, though I maintain that a metaphorical explanation here is best understood. If there is a physical renewal, then we are simply dealing with a truncation of the concept of the Day of the Lord. In order words, yes it would be at the end of the millennium. Certainly not at the beginning. No need to let your heart be shaken. Preterism is not even close to being a viable option.
Blessings!