STAND FIRM: Heaven is Better Than We Can Imagine (Part 7)

We’re returning to the details of Heaven after spending a few articles about overcoming “collapses” in our lives and those coming in the Last Days. We began discussing these details by looking at the stages of “Heaven” for the believer:

• Paradise — Believers who pass away now, though their bodies lay in the ground or ashes, their soul is in the presence of the Lord. It is as Jesus said to the thief — in paradise.

• Millennial Kingdom — Following the resurrection and rapture, then Jesus’ return, those who are saved return to earth in their new eternal bodies. They then live on earth for 1,000 years. This time is referred to as the Millennial Kingdom or the Messianic Kingdom. Jesus will physically rule on earth during this time.

• New Heavens and New Earth — After that, the earth and heavens are made new, and we dwell with God the Father in the New Jerusalem and Edenic Earth for eternity.

I’ve argued that the Bible has far more details about these future times than we give it credit for, and that’s being proved in that we are on part seven of this series and have only scratched the surface. I want to address this one more time but will take a break in the coming articles and share insight gained from a recent trip to Israel.

The following five passages are about the rule of Jesus during His kingdom. Of all the details about the age to come, the most chronicled detail is about the rule of Jesus. That is the focus of the prophets, which makes sense because it is through the rule of humankind that most of our problems stem. This has been the case throughout history and will be until the ultimate judge and ruler comes.

• The physical rule of Jesus has been a prominent part of the plan since the beginning. “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his” (Gen. 49:10 NIV). Back in the time of the patriarchs, God spoke through Jacob this promise to Judah and his descendants. The idea that the Promised One would physically rule on Earth has been in precedence since the beginning.

• The rule of Jesus will extend to all nations, but He will rule from Jerusalem. “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’ The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, ‘Rule in the midst of your enemies!’” (Psalm 110:1-2). Jesus will rule over all nations, including the ones that have been historic or new enemies of Israel. His throne, as it is said in many other places, will be on Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem.

• The wise rule of Jesus will cause people to seek Him from all over the globe. “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last daysthe mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in his paths…’” (Isa. 2:1-3).

In the founding prophecy in II Samuel 7 that helps us know that Jesus will be a continuation of the Davidic Kingdom ruling from Jerusalem, we also see a dual nature. David’s direct son, Solomon, partially fulfilled the promises from the reign of Jesus. Much of what we read of Solomon’s kingdom is a foreshadowing of the Messianic Kingdom. One of the hallmarks of Solomon’s rule was that people travel from all over the world to hear the wise and fair judgment and rule. This will also happen with Jesus.

• The rule of Jesus will bring world peace. “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isa. 2:4). This is an iconic verse on peace. The United Nations has a statue of this at its New York City headquarters. The idea is that they will bring such peace, but only under the rule of Jesus will that take place. This will be manifested in the Millennial Kingdom.

• The rule of Jesus brings absolute justice. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness… forever...” (Isa. 9:6-7). We often quote this verse at Christmas. You recognize it, but this will be completely fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom. One of the things most out of order in our world today is justice. It will be perfect in the age to come.

Don’t forget about the Last Days Overcomer Conference in Springdale on July 29. You get 25% off on registration with the code #IKNOWJAKE and the first 15 pastors are free with the code #BMAPASTOR. To register, go to lastdaysovercomer.org/events.

— Jake is the newest state missionary and would love to share about the work in Northwest Arkansas and encourage your church to stand firm. (standfirmministries.com)