The Kingdoms of this World

     During the present age while the Kingdom of God is spiritual and invisible, the kingdoms of the world are very visible and active, deceiving and enticing.  During this age God has given over the rule of the kingdoms of the world to Satan.

     The Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world once again define the two distinct divisions of all mankind. 

     “Do not love the world or the things in the world…For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.”  1 John 2:15-16

     At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry Satan tempted Him to avoid the cross by accepting the kingdoms of the world over the Kingdom of God.

     “Then the devil… showed Him all the kingdoms of the world…And…said to Him, ‘All this authority I will give You…for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.  Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.’”  Luke 4:5-7

     Satan was allowed to tempt (test) Jesus.  The Greek base for ‘test’ in this context means to try one’s virtue or to solicit to sin.  Of course Jesus replied that only the LORD your God should be worshipped.

     Notice that the authority Satan offered Jesus was first delivered (given) to him as part of God’s master plan.  Any authority or power exercised by Satan or his puppets, the anti-Christ and the false prophet, has been committed to them by God and subject to His sovereign rule.

     Jesus acknowledged Satan’s delegated authority.  He also acknowledged that Satan would soon be judged and lose his position to the conquering Christ.

     “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.”  John 12:31

     Therefore, Jesus is the king of the invisible spiritual kingdom during the church age, while Satan has been given authority over the physical kingdoms of the world during this age.

     During the tribulation period Satan will be extremely active as will his two major emissaries.

     “Then I (John) stood on the sand of the sea.  And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crown, and on his heads a blasphemous name…The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”  Revelation 13:1-2

     The beast described is the final world kingdom consisting of ten member nations represented and ruled by the anti-Christ having received his authority from Satan.  Then another beast also receiving his power from Satan is allowed to appear to assist the first beast.

     “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast…and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast…”  Revelation 13:11-12   

     Satan’s purpose hasn’t changed over the ages.  He and his accomplices blaspheme God and make desperate attempts to deceive and tempt all mankind who are still on the earth.

     At the end of the tribulation period Christ returns and utterly defeats the two beasts.

     “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet…These two were cast alive into the lake of fire…”  Revelation 19:19-20

     At that time Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit for a thousand years and the kingdoms of the world become the Kingdom of the Lord.

     “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven…he laid hold of the dragon…and bound him for a thousand year; and he cast him into the bottomless pit…”  Revelation 20:1-3

     At the end of the thousand years Satan is released from the bottomless pit only to be quickly defeated after one final attempt to deceive those on the earth.

     “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire…where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:10

     Thus ends the author of evil who attempted to deceive the whole world.

    

    

Many Kingdoms Will Become a Single Kingdom

     The term ‘kingdom’ in both Old and New Testaments implies sovereign rule, reign, or dominion over a people by a single monarch, i.e. a king. 

     In the prophecy of Daniel the rise and fall of various world kingdoms is described.  King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which troubled him but he wouldn’t reveal the dream to his magicians, astrologers, or sorcerers.  His thinking was that if he revealed his dream they would devise their private interpretation just to pacify him.

      The young Hebrew lad Daniel, however, not only revealed the dream but also interpreted it for the king.  The dream described the rise of the Babylonian kingdom and the other world kingdoms that would follow through the ages.  The dream ended with the total destruction of these kingdoms and the inauguration of God’s Kingdom.

     “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed…it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever…The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”  Daniel 2:44-45

     Several centuries earlier the prophet Isaiah had announced the King who would fulfill Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

     “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder… upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever…”  Isaiah 9:6-7

     During the early days of His earthly ministry Jesus taught His disciples to pray that God’s kingdom would come to earth in due time.

          “In this manner, therefore, pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”  Matthew 6:9-10

     However, the Jews thought that He would establish His prophesied kingdom while He was presently on earth.  They didn’t realize that the ‘kingdom’ over which Christ would reign would be a Spiritual kingdom to begin with, but would become physical and visible at a later time.  The kingdom that Jesus ushered in during His lifetime is referred to in the Bible as the Kingdom of Heaven, or the Kingdom of God.

     “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He…said, ‘the kingdom of God does not come with observation…For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.’”   Luke 17:20-21

     When Pilate interrogated Jesus as to whether He was King of the Jews Jesus did in fact acknowledge that He was a King but He further stated that His kingdom was presently not of this world.

     “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world... now My kingdom is not from here’.  Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’  Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world…’”  John 18:36-37

     He was subsequently rejected by the Jewish leaders and crucified.  Peter described Jesus as the ‘Rock’ and he described his followers as living stones in a spiritual house.

     “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house…”  1 Peter 2:4-5

     Peter’s statement exemplified a statement Jesus made to Peter in the gospel records.

     “And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros, a small stone) and on this rock (Petra, immovable boulder) I will build My church…”  Matthew 16:18

     At the return of Christ to end the great tribulation, the kingdoms of the world will be defeated by Christ and His physical kingdom will be established to fulfill Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Isaiah’s prophecy.

     The Apostle John vividly describes the scene in the final book of the Bible.

     “Then the seventh angel sounded…saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”  Revelation 11:15

     Recall Daniel’s words spoken 600 year before the birth of Christ, i.e. ‘the dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.’

    

    

    

    

Three Reasons to 'Talk Turkey'

     Numerous times this column has discussed the nation of Turkey relative to the future of the Middle East as it relates to both Israel and America.  Turkey’s rich history includes its geographical position in the eastern leg of the Roman Empire and its capital Constantinople named after Constantine.  Constantinople was later renamed Istanbul.  Istanbul subsequently became the capital of the Ottoman Turkish Empire in 1453 AD.  The Ottoman Turks sided with Germany in WWI and both were defeated by allied forces.  The previous home of the Islamic Caliphate became the Republic of Turkey, as it is today.

     Now, the first reason to ‘talk Turkey’ today is found in Islamic literature.  Islam firmly believes that Turkey and Istanbul will once again be the home of the revived Islamic Caliphate.

     Renowned Islamic author Adnan Oktar sums up numerous Islamic hadiths with the following words:

     “The establishment of the Turkish-Islamic Union will be the salvation of everyone, of people of all faiths, all nations and all opinions, not just of the Islamic world.  This union will bring love, brotherhood, friendship plenty and abundance to the world.  The Turkish-Islamic Union to be established under Turkish leadership will be instrumental in the world attaining an entirely new beauty…and in the construction of a powerful and deep-rooted civilization.  By Allah’s leave, the establishment of the Turkish-Islamic Union is an absolute certainty.  This is the destiny ordained by Allah.  One of the main proofs that the Turkish Nation will fulfill this historic responsibility is the way that the hadith…makes particular reference to Istanbul and to Turkey.  As revealed by the Prophet…Hazrat Mahdi will be active in Istanbul, will construct the Turkish-Islamic Union by bringing the dispersed Turkic states back together…”

     The second reason to ‘talk turkey’ today is summarized by author and Middle East expert Daniel Pipes.  Pipes has studied Turkey and the Middle East for more than four decades and written twelve books of the subject.  He has visited Turkey numerous times; his most recent visit was in December, 2012 and he summarized his finding in an interview with the Turkish press.

     Pipes noted that major changes have taken place in Turkey during the 40 years of his study and visits.  During the early years of the Republic of Turkey religion was not a primary factor, however, now he sees religion and the acceptance of sharia law slowly gaining a foothold.  When asked about whether Turkey is seen as a power player in the future of the Middle East, he replied:

     “Turkey absolutely is the best candidate right now for Middle East leadership.  Given its population, the ruling party’s vision, its economic strength, and its intellectual capacity, Turkey is the country closest to leading the Middle East.”

     When asked to compare Islam with the other major religions in the Middle East, namely Christianity and Judaism, Pipes responded:

     “I do not see Islamism is comparable to anything in Judaism or Christianity…I see it comparable to Communism and Fascism.  I see Islamism as far more a bigger threat than Jewish nationalism or a fundamentalist Christianity.  You can criticize Jews and Judaism, Christians and Christianity without facing danger.  However, you risk your life criticizing Islam.”

     Pipes notes also that the Republic of Turkey is gradually leaving Western values in favor of Islamism and sharia law.  Recall further that Turkey’s present Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Muslim, raised eyebrows recently when he stated that the term ‘moderate Islam’ is offensive and that ‘Islam is Islam’.

     The third reason to ‘talk Turkey’ today is found in Biblical prophecy.  Ezekiel was told to prophesy against Israel’s future enemies.

      “Thus says the LORD GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you…Meshech, and Tubal…Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah…’” Ezekiel 38:1-6

     These enemies of Israel are all part of modern Turkey.  Those mentioned will be joined by Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya and according to the Bible will suffer profound defeat when they attack Israel.

    Numerous times this column has suggested that America and Israel keep their eyes on Turkey.  Being informed is invaluable in understanding the future.

     Two great resources for objective information in addition to the Bible can be found at http://www.danielpipes.org and http://meforum.org

    

    

Reconciling God's Sovereign Election with Man's Free Will

     One of the major doctrines in the Bible is election whereby God beforehand chose those who would spend eternity with Him.  Perhaps the clearest Scripture relative to election is found in the Epistle to the church at Ephesus.

     “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself…In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will...”  Ephesians 1:3-13

     The Apostle Paul also explained this great truth to young Timothy.

     “…share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us…Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”  2 Timothy 1:8-9

     Therefore, the doctrine of election is presented very clearly in the Scriptures.  Does the doctrine of election override man’s freedom to choose his own destiny?

     “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

     There is no conflict with these Scriptures.  In fact, they complement each other.

     The salvation process begins before the foundation of the world with God’s election of individuals and writing their names in His Book of Life.

     Then when Jesus began His earthly ministry He knew His mission included paying the sin debt for all whose names the Father had chosen at the foundation of the world.

     “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”  John 6:44

     “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”  John 6:37

     Jesus then proclaimed that every one whose name is written in the Book of Life would indeed come to Him and could subsequently never lose their promise of eternal life.

     “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

     Another wonderful aspect of God’s gift of salvation is the method God uses to get a person’s attention so they would realize their lost condition and cry out for God’s mercy.  This is done through the Holy Spirit, who quickens, or makes alive lost sinners and unites them with Christ.

     “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”  Ephesians 2:6

     Two subtle but key words in the above passage are ‘with’ and ‘together.’  The Greek basis for these words means a close connection, in union with, and in like manner.

     The Apostle Paul didn’t know who the elect were; therefore, he labored tirelessly to present the gospel to all men.

     “Therefore, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus…”  2 Timothy 2:10

     Thus the salvation process is accomplished in three steps, i.e. God in His absolute sovereignty chose those who would inherit eternal life before the foundation of the world.  Then the Holy Spirit quickened (made alive) the spirit of all those who God chose and initiated in them a spiritual rebirth.  Jesus then paid the sin debt for all those who God chose, or elected.

     Each individual then exercises their free will to choose life but only after the Holy Spirit prompted them of their condition and need.

     Therefore, while God’s election and man’s free choice of his destiny are totally compatible, salvation always begins with God lest anyone should boast.