Monday, July 2, 2012

       NOTE: To hear the meeting of our group when it considered this material, 
                    here is a recording that contains the first section: 
                    https://soundcloud.11-feb-2024

I received a question from one of my Bible Students, and have decided to write an article in case anyone else would like to know what the Bible says about the Kingdom representatives during the Kingdom, and where they will be as they do their work.
She asked:
"Who is coming to earth during the kingdom? Is Yhvh and Jesus also going to be physically with mankind, along with the 144000? (in light of Ezek.37:27 and Rev.21:3)
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I have decided it would be best to take one at a time.

First, will the 144,000 come to earth during the eternal Kingdom of God?
First. let's establish a few Bible facts.

1Peter2:5 reads:
 "yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

Eph.2:21,22 reads:

in whom all [the] building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord;
in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in [the] Spirit.

Rev.21:2,3 reads:
 "And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With that I heard a loud voice out of the heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall tabernacle with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God."

These three and other scriptures make clear, that the "temple/tent/habitat of God" (His "spiritual house"), is comprised of the chosen priests (1Pet.2:5,9,10; Eph.2:20,21,22). Each anointed priest is a "living stone", the collection of which stones, makes up that Temple which God himself is building 
(Acts 7:48; Mark 14:58; Heb.9:11; 8:2; 11:10; 2Cor.5:1). 
God's purpose for building this "Temple" is that he may occupy it by means of His spirit (1Cor.6:19; 3:16; John14:23). This is so that, through this Temple, God may be accessible to mankind through the service of that Priesthood (Rev.22:3; John1:51). These things are clearly discerned by a careful examination of the above scriptures.
(https://jacobsladder-obadiah.blogspot.com/)
(pearl-holycity.blogspot.com)

That presence of God (Rev.21:3) on earth (Rev.5:10; 22:2), is by means of that Tent/Temple, which IS the holy priesthood of resurrected 144,000 (Rev.20:6; Rom.8:19) which we are told WILL come down, OUT of heaven" (Rev.21:2; 3:12). It has been said that this is a "turning attention to" the earth. This is not in harmony with the context of the Bible's other prophecies, nor what these words say (Rev.22:18,19). 
It has been said that the 144000 cannot materialize during the Kingdom, because "no man can see God and yet live" (Exo.33:20). This is the stated reason why the 144000 will not return to earth, as offered in the "Reasoning Book", page 115 par.2 (as of this date). There it equates the 144000 with Yhwh (Isa.40:25; 46:9). It is inferred that no one can see the 144000 and yet live.

Are the 144000 greater than Christ? I ask this, because this only-begotten god and Spokesman "The Word", "emptied himself and took a slaves form, and came to be in the likeness of men" Phil.2:6,7,8. (see also John1:14; Col.2:9) The result to all sorts of men, was not death; but life and truth (1Tim.2:3,4,5,6).
How much more so, in the "restoration of all things"! (Jer.27:22; Dan.9:25; Mark9:12; Acts1:6; Ezra9:9; Matt.17:11; Rev.21:5) when all Christ's brothers, do works even greater than he did! (John14:12) 
Like Christ, his "New Creation" has had two natural births...one in flesh and one in spirit 
(Col.2:9; 1Pet.1:3; Rom.6:5; 8:29; 2Pet.1:4; Ps.82:6; Gal.3:26; John10:34-35; 1Pet.1:23; John3:3). 
They are totally and naturally at home in either realm. The pattern for how this glorious arrangement will operate, has been given us in the Temple representation that Moses constructed on earth (Hebrews8:5). The formal operations of the Levitical Priesthood, is a pattern of that which is to come.
I will write more about this in the future.

For more scriptural evidence regarding the materialization of the new creation of 144000 on earth during God's Kingdom, please consider:
https://jacobsladder-obadiah.blogspot.com/
and
https://pearl-holycity.blogspot.com
                       -------------------------------------------------
         [Second section recording: ( https://soundcloud.com/18-feb-2024 )]

Second...Will Jesus Christ come to earth during the eternal Kingdom of God?

Do you see Jesus as lording it over his brothers? I formally did believe that. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet please consider this...
"Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them,“Do you know what I’ve done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am.  I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them." John13:3,4,5,12,13,16

Jesus was teaching that greatness is not gauged by being served above others...but as serving others.
Heb.2:17:
 "Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way. This was so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, in order to wipe away the sins of the people."
(John5:27,22)
Although Heb.2:17 speaks of Christ's understanding of suffering and the empathy that this experience affords him; it also speaks volumes about his humility and his lack of desire to "lord it over", his brothers. In his goodness, he would not violate the very command he laid upon these ones (Mark10:42,43). No one had greater love than what Christ did for his friends (John15:13,14,15). He said that the greatest among these would be the one who served the most (Matt.20:26).

With this disposition of Christ in mind, consider these two scriptures...
Heb.1:2,6
"but in these final days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom he also created the material universe.  When He again brings His firstborn into the world, He says, And all God’s messengers/angels must worship Him." 
(see parallel John1:51)
The Greek of Heb.1:6 speaks of the future, when the "firstborn" will again be in the earth. The Greek word for  "firstborn" is singular. This may be because it is referring to Jesus Christ; or perhaps because the firstborn son, is always singular. We know that all 144000 are considered firstborn sons to Yhvh and the "Lamb" (Rev.14:4; Num.3:13; Exo.12:12,13,22,23; 1Cor.5:7), by means of coming to life first (Rev.20:6; Titus 2:14; Mal.3:3; 1Pet.2:9; Eph.2:10; 5:25; 2Cor.11:2; Rev.19:8). 
But they were not sent into the earth before, like Jesus was (John1:9,14; 3:17). Heb.1:6 says that God will again send his firstborn into the earth. [And that at that time, the "angels" will worship "HIM" --singular (John1:51; Rev.1:20)]

So Heb.1:6 is likely referring to Jesus himself.
When does the Bible say that this will happen?
 Notice what Acts3:20,21 says...
" that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive *until* the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago."

Yes, the restoration of all things as spoken through the prophets (Ps.37:11,29; see "restoration" scriptures above in Part I ).
Acts 3:20,21 tells us that Jesus himself has been received into heaven, until he is "sent" for the "restoration".
Will Jesus humbly accompany his brothers, and join them in their Kingdom work on earth? Will the priests be in the company of their high-priest?
It would seem that this idea, according to the Bible, would seem to be a possibility (Matt.26:29).

(Acts 1:9,11; Rev.1:7; Heb.12:1) 
(Luke 21:27; Rev.14:14,15,16; Matt.24:30; 26:64; 1Thess.4:17; Rev.11:12; 19:14,7,8)

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            [Third meeting recording: 

ANTI-CHRIST
The anti-christ is said to deny Jesus as having come in the flesh (2John1:7; 1John4:2).
If he could do it once, he can do it again (John1:14). He was seen, in the flesh,  after his resurrection into spirit (1Pet.3:18NIV ; 1Cor.15:6). The 144,000 are assured by God, that they will obtain the same "likeness" as the resurrected Christ (Rom.6:5; 2Pet.1:4).            
If we insist that it is impossible for the 144,000 who once had a natural birth as human beings...to be capable of materializing during the Kingdom, or to be on earth as perfected full human beings; then we are denying that the "Word" (John1:1) was able to (John1:14) do that same thing (Col.2:9; 1:19) by the power of God (Matt.19:26).
Anyone who teaches that the New Creation will not materialize during God's Kingdom, is as good as denying that Jesus was able to return to visit his disciples in the flesh (1Cor.15:5-6). This teaching identifies the Anti-Christ. 
Can you see this?
The doctrine which states that it is impossible for a spirit being to become fully human (Heb.13:2; Gen.18:2,8,17,21,22), is identified as a teaching of the Anti-Christ; the Man of Lawlessness/Wild Beast. Any who deny this demonstrated arrangement of God, deny God's power and Word, and associate themselves with that identity.
The Heavenly Father has already demonstrated His will to send forth his Firstborn into the earth, to the benefit and salvation of physical Creation (Gal.4:4,5; Rom.8:9,19). That was the essence, of the human Life of Jesus Christ. He was fully human (Son of man John8:28)...and at the same time, like Adam, a perfect  Son of God (Matt.16:15,16,17; Luke 3:38)(John3:34; Rom.8:14). To deny that he was both flesh and spirit after his resurrection (1Pet.3:18NIV ; John20:27; 1Cor.15:6), is to deny the Truth about him and the potential of the faithful anointed as a "new creation" (Col.2:9; Gal.6:15,16).
Jesus has a unity with his body members (John17:21; 1Cor.12:12; 6:17) so much so, that he can be present in spirit, through his body members (John13:20; Matt.25:40). Christ's body members represent him in the earth (2Cor.5:16-17,18-19,20; John20:21-22). They become one spirit with him, because in their new birth, they are spirit (Rom.8:9). Through Christ's Body members who are present in the flesh; the spirit of Christ is present in the flesh.
There are some spiritual leaders today, who do not recognize the presence of the spirit of Christ, through his anointed Body members. They too deny that Christ is come in the flesh... the trait of the anti-Christ.

The spirit "Word", was sent to the earth with a purpose. (Gal.4:4; 1Tim.1:15; John3:16,17; 1John2:22,23; 1John4:14,15,16,17). As to the full accomplishment of that restoration purpose (which is not yet Rom.8:22,21,20), we can not annul Heb.1:6 and Acts 3:20-21. 
(Rom.8:19,18; Rev.21:2; 22:2; John1:51; Gen.22:17,18; 28:12,13,14) 
*(Rom.4:13; 8:17; Gal.3:29)*

Note: "Anti-Christ" literally mean; against the Anointed. It IS against all the anointed (1John2:20,27; 2Cor.1:21), to deny their place in God's purpose, and their present unity with the Lord.

                  ----------------------------------------------------
           [Fourth meeting recording: (CLICK HERE)]

Here we now traverse onto different ground...
Will Yhwh God ever come to the earth as a physical being?

The unchanging essence of Yhwh God, is spirit (John4:24).
When the Word was transformed to be fully human; that form was defined as "a slaves form" (Phil.2:6,7) and that he "emptied himself" to accomplish the transition.
We are told of Yhwh, "From everlasting to everlasting, you are God." (Psalm90:2). This tells us that Yhwh will always be "God"...never a slave. (see Mal.3:6) James1:17 tells us, that God remains the same, and does not vary at all in who He is. He will never "change" to become "emptied". In His constant form, He is King of Eternity (1Tim.1:17; Psalm119:90).

Jesus declared the home of the Father, as being in heaven (Matt.6:9). Earth is merely His footstool; and A physical structure is not capable of holding God's limitless Almighty spirit form (Acts 7:49). John1:18 declares that "no one has ever seen God". Why? Because to see Him as He is, is to die (Exo.33:20). Why? 1Tim.6:16 tells us, that the "light" emanating from Him, is impossible for flesh to approach. Only spiritual beings can approach Him 
(Dan.7:13; Job 1:6; Heb.1:3; Matt.5:8) (Rom.8:9; Matt.5:8; Rev.22:4; Matt.18:10; 22:30; Eph.2:6). 
He is the most high, over all the earth (Psalm 83:18).
The inability of flesh to approach the person of Yhwh, is confirmed by the fact that we need a mediator between He and us (1Tim.2:5; John1:18). Yhwh is not ever equated with the form of man (Num.23:19; Isa.55:8; Isa.40:18,22) A mediator would not be necessary, if it were righteous for the Heavenly Father to materialize and deal directly with His earthly children. Neither would an "administration" of 144,000 kings be needed, to dispense the future provisions of Eternal Life (Eph.1:10; Rev.14:1; 5:10; 20:6). Yet when the sons of God are born of spirit (John3:5-7; Gal.4:28-29,6), they can also approach God (John16:23,26-27; Rev.7:9,10,11,15; 4:10-11; 11:16) and mediate for Him in the earth (Mal.2:7; Rev.5:10).

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        [Fifth meeting recording: (https://soundcloud.com/17-mar-2024-08-41-16-edt-17ulqs9laz1x)]

What then, do the scriptures mean, when they speak of Yhwh as being "with men"? There even seem to be many examples in the Hebrew scriptures, where Yhwh seemed to be in human form, and/or spoke directly to men (Gen.12:7; 18:1,2,10,23; Rev.21:3; Eze.37:27; Exo.3:2).
Remember that the person of pre-Jesus Christ, was the "Word" (John1:1). He was God's spokesman and representative. In fact...in speaking of his incarnation, it was prophesied,  "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Isa.7:14; Matt.1:23). Can you see that the presence of God's Son, was the same as the presence of God...through his Son? (John14:9; 17:6; Heb.1:3)

Remember when we spoke of the materialization of the 144,000 above; we saw in scripture that God himself is constructing a spiritual Temple, in which to dwell by His spirit; just as God's spirit dwelt in Christ (Col.1:19; 2:9). It is also prophesied that the 144000 will be and are, the same (Eph.3:16,17,18,19,20,21; 1Cor.3:16,17; Rom.8:9,11,14,16,17; John17:21,23,26). Just as Jesus' role was "Emmanuel" ("God with us"); so too will the role of the "tent of God" be (Rev.21:2,3; 22:3) and God's priests represent and serve Him, for the healing of all Creation (Rev.5:10; 21:2; 22:2; Rom.8:19,21) during the "restoration of all things" (Acts3:21; Matt.17:11; Mal.4:5) which will begin according to the pattern of John the Baptist....in preparation of the arrival of the Kingdom (Matt.17:12-13). 

So as you can see, the Bible examples of Yhwh "being with mankind", always was and always will be, through his representatives. The only way this presence can fully happen in the Kingdom, is for those representatives to be perfected and made spirit (Rom.8:9; Eph.2:6).
No man can see God and yet live (Exo.33:20).
Yet for those pure in heart and resurrected...these will see God's face (Matt.5:8; 18:10; Rom.8:9; Matt.22:30; Rev.1:20; 22:4).
They will learn directly from Yhwh and Jesus in heaven (Rev.22:1,2,3,4), and bring that living water to the earth.
In this way (just as in the past), God will be "with men" (Rev.21:3; Matt.1:23). God will not have to materialize, nor become human to do this. But He will send forth his perfected firstborn Sons to earth, in whom, God dwells in spirit.
 ( https://jacobsladder-obadiah.blogspot.com/ )
 -- ( https://pearl-holycity.blogspot.com )
For more information about the spiritual birth of the anointed priests, please consider:
*The spiritual birth of those not anointed, is discussed here:

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