2Ki 24:1-20  “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth” – (Mat 23:35)

[Study Aired May 4, 2023]

2Ki 24:1  In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. 
2Ki 24:2  And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
2Ki 24:3  Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; 
2Ki 24:4  And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon. 
2Ki 24:5  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 
2Ki 24:6  So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. 
2Ki 24:7  And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt. 
2Ki 24:8  Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
2Ki 24:9  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. 
2Ki 24:10  At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 
2Ki 24:11  And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
2Ki 24:12  And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
2Ki 24:13  And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. 
2Ki 24:14  And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. 
2Ki 24:15  And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 
2Ki 24:16  And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon. 
2Ki 24:17  And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. 
2Ki 24:18  Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
2Ki 24:19  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 
2Ki 24:20  For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

This chapter of 2 Kings discusses how Judah is taken into captivity, and it typifies for God’s elect the severity of God’s wrath upon our Adamic nature (Rom 11:21-22) that is identified by Christ as being guilty of “all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” (Mat 23:35). It is through God’s goodness we are being judged and led to repentance (Rom 2:4), and it takes these seven plagues poured out upon us today, spoken of in Revelation 15:8, to have Christ enter our temple (1Co 3:16, Col 1:27). It is cleansed through a sanctification process (Joh 17:17) that washes us from our sins and iniquities by the flesh and blood of Christ (Joh 6:55) making it possible for us to go on to perfection on the third day (Luk 13:32). Christ never sinned but identifies with this process of overcoming and is the author and finisher of it in each member of the body of Christ (Heb 12:1-2, Rom 12:1-2, Rom 5:10).

Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Rom 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, [2Co 3:18] and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled [“his goodness“].

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The final destruction of all flesh with Gog and Magog is the physical natural event that precedes the final destruction of all carnal thinking in the lake of fire, which is the time when those “seven plagues” will be poured out on all of humanity (Rom 1:20). The spiritually carnal minds of humanity will reason in glorified bodies (1Co 15:40) that they have done many wonderful works (Mat 7:22) and are not worthy of a judgment unto condemnation. Like all yet unconverted minds it is impossible to behold “the goodness and severity of God” and equate that goodness with a good work which requires God’s “forbearance and longsuffering” until we go through the process of judgment being accomplished by grace through faith (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9, Eph 2:8). That relationship of knowing Him in the spirit (Act 9:5) and no longer after the flesh comes at a miraculous appointed time (Joh 14:20), each man in his own order (1Co 15:23-24).

The main and hope-filled message to be taken from this chapter in 2 Kings is that if we are bound to the altar (Psa 118:27), God will receive His sons and cleanse our temples with a forbearing and longsuffering spirit that will do whatever it takes to wipe away the refuge of lies in our heavens (Heb 12:26-29, Rom 5:10). God sees clearly where we are in our spiritual growth and knows those things that are yet binding us to the earth. He has the power to destroy those things (Heb 12:27) and keep us bound to the altar (Joh 8:36).

Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

We are admonished to not despise this process of overcoming this marred vessel that is being made anew as we die daily (Jer 18:4), which process is very graphically typified for us with the nation of Judah with all its failing kings and backsliding spirit that ultimately brings God’s great wrath upon the nation. When we seek the kingdom of God first and His righteousness (Mat 6:33), we are tried by our Father who is a consuming fire, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom [by seeking it first (Mat 6:33)] which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.” God sets the stage for all our battles in life and provides the strength we need through Christ to go through the fiery trials, which is the grace [favor upon His children] that produces a new vessel which can “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Num 14:9). We need only acknowledge our sins in that process (Psa 32:5, Jer 3:13-14).

Psa 32:5  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Jer 3:13  Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD. 
Jer 3:14  Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:  

Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Num 14:9  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

We are blessed to progressively come to understand the depth of the guiltiness that is in all flesh revealed in what we do, or have done, in our life “between the temple and the altar” knowing that it is only Christ who can give us the power to overcome our wretchedness (Rom 7:24) to then turn back and see how we have been dragged to Him through the power of God’s holy spirit (Rev 1:12). That increase in our walk only comes through suffering with the body of Christ as we learn to bear each other’s burdens in this life (1Co 10:16, Gal 6:2) and gain a deeper and more profound respect for the recompence of the reward obtained through that communion into which we have been called (1Co 10:16). The question is how is this all done and accomplished, and the answer is by His faith that must be tried (1Pe 1:7, Rom 3:27) in order that we may endure to the end through Christ, typified by Moses in the wilderness of his day who esteemed “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward [Paul’s version of the same point (Php 3:8)]”  (1Pe 4:17, 1Co 11:32, Joh 6:44, 1Co 3:6, Heb 11:26-27). The reward of eternal life is what gives us such great incentive in this life as we lose our adamic life for His name’s sake, knowing that our fear of God is essential if we are going to be saved and heard in this life (Heb 5:7, Luk 12:5, Heb 11:7).

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Heb 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Those who are raised in the second resurrection will go through a process of judgment, typified by what society will physically experience during the thousand-year reign of God’s saints, and every soul will come to that Gog and Magog moment in their hearts (Rev 20:8) where once the truth is known, the carnal knee-jerk reaction will be to contend with God, as we all did, and say “Why have you formed me this way, why am I guilty to this degree?” “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar” [Mat 23:35, Rom 9:20].

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Rom 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 
Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 

Mat 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

2Ki 24:1  In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. 
2Ki 24:2  And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
2Ki 24:3  Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; 
2Ki 24:4  And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon. 
2Ki 24:5  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 

In this opening verse we read, “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up” and  Jehoiakim “became his servant three years” representing how we must go through a process of judgment in the earth in Babylon, where we are of our father the devil, typified by Nebuchadnezzar whom we serve and who is God’s servant (Jer 27:6). When we come to our senses, we do what Jehoiakim did, “he turned and rebelled against him“, which is what the Israelites did when they forsook Egypt. We are witnessing with these verses an event that typifies for us how Christ in us gives us the ability to break out of the bondage of sin (Heb 11:27, Joh 8:36). This is only the start of that process for Judah whose rebellion against their taskmaster “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon” is a short-lived victory as “the LORD sent against him [Jehoiakim] bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.“

God is intent on making the point to us that what we sow we are going to reap (Gal 6:7), which is why we read, “Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did“, and this is the section of our study where the title is based (Mat 23:35) which verse reads “And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.” Filling Jerusalem with the innocent blood that the LORD would not pardon is telling us that the Lord gives our old man no quarter as it cannot inherit the kingdom of God. However, if we are blessed to acknowledge that we are the man who is guilty of all, chief of sinners, then this captivity Judah is about to go into can be seen as a positive event for the new man that will be born out of all that suffering (2Ti 2:12). Filling Jerusalem with innocent blood is the same as what is being said in (Mat 23:35).

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 

Mat 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

2Ki 24:6  So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. 
2Ki 24:7  And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt. 

These verses demonstrate the hold the devil has on this world (2Co 4:4). Jehoiakim is dead, and spiritual death continues to reign through his son Jehoiachin. Satan has gained dominion over the land, which land typifies our bodies as expressed with this verse 7: “And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.” Taking control of the rivers is symbolic of taking control of what can bring life, and in the negative sense Satan can bring forth life and do signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible he would deceive the very elect (Mat 24:24).

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

2Ki 24:8  Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta^H5179, the daughter of Elnathan^H494 of Jerusalem.
2Ki 24:9  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. 

The death of Jehoiakim is not a deadly wound (Rev 13:3) as evidenced by the same spirit and ideology becoming manifest in: “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months” (vs 8). It is in Jerusalem where he reigns, which represents where God’s people come from and from where all these events are unfolding. God is showing us that we are beasts (Ecc 3:18, Jer 10:14) and that the best we can give God is copper [Nehushta^H5179 [2Ki 18:4)] regarding our process of judgment at that time in the court symbolized by the “three months” Jehoiachin reigned in Jerusalem. We judge in the court while we are in the court, symbolized by the age of Jehoiachin when he began to reign. However, that judgment proves to not be just in the end because we don’t yet see that we are ‘the man’ and bring nothing to the altar (1+8=9) (Joh 7:24, Joh 5:30, 2Sa 12:5-7).

2Ki 18:4  He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan^H5180.

Joh 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

2Sa 12:5  And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 
2Sa 12:6  And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. [David’s judgements that are just and good in and of themselves]
2Sa 12:7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 

H5179 nechûshtâ’ nekh-oosh-taw’

From H5178; copper; Nechushta, an Israelitess: – Nehushta.

H5178 nechôsheth nekh-o’-sheth

For H5154; copper; hence, something made of that metal, that is, coin, a fetter; figuratively base (as compared with gold or silver): – brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel.

2Ki 24:10  At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 
2Ki 24:11  And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.

In order to learn to judge justly, we must go through heavy trials, fiery trials (1Pe 4:12) which perfect the mind of Christ in us, giving us the ability to discern good and evil (Heb 5:14). So the judgment that has taken place thus far in life of Jehoiachin has not produced good fruit, good judgment, and God has caused Jehoiachin to err, and the sins of the fathers are now visiting the nation of Judah as God proclaims these words: “At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.” It is typifying the fiery trials we must go through in order to enter into the temple of God (Rev 15:8).

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. 

2Ki 24:12  And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
2Ki 24:13  And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

All these details of the nation of Judah going into captivity are symbolized by these verses in the book of Revelation (Rev 18:11-18) and remind us that God is talking about what we have experienced, or are experiencing, and enduring through the grace and faith of Jesus Christ who is saving us through taking us into captivity out of which He will ultimately bring us. Being taken  “in the eighth year of his reign” into captivity is how the new man is formed, which is what the number eight symbolizes. It is the riches of the temple taken away that represent the word of God which must be purified within us through our trials for a season (1Pe 1:6-7, 2Co 4:8-12, Rev 2:10).

Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 
Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
Rev 18:13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Rev 18:14  And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
Rev 18:15  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
Rev 18:16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
Rev 18:17  For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 
Rev 18:18  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

1Pe 1:6  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 
1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 
2Co 4:11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2Co 4:12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

2Ki 24:14  And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
2Ki 24:15  And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
2Ki 24:16  And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

The word “all” is repeated over and over, 6 times [the number of man], to remind us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and the “ten thousand captives” represent that flesh which has to be put off before we can inherit eternal life.

What has to go is all that is corrupt within us

“all Jerusalem” meaning all false doctrine, and false religion that God’s people leave.
“all the princes” those things and people that we have trusted in our flesh (Mic 7:5).
“all the mighty men of valour” the vanity of our flesh that is passing and those who we would trust in the flesh.
“all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained” coming behind in no gift and being yet carnal (1Co 1:7, 1Co 3:3-4) was the time when we trusted in all the “craftsmen and smiths” within us. None of that can remain and must go into captivity as well to be purified.
“all the men of might” represents the strength of our flesh God tells us is passing and vain. Moses’ natural strength was with him even at 120 years of age, and typifies for us the only strength that we should desire and that is the life of Christ through whom we can endure all things [12×10] as He gives us the power to put off our carnal hearts (Deu 34:7, Rom 2:29).
“all that were strong and apt for war” This group represents any pursuit in the flesh that is put before God. So if we labor to be rich instead of seeking the kingdom of God first (Mat 6:33), we are demonstrating a spirit that is “apt for war” explained this way in the book of James, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (Jas 4:1-4).

Finally when we read “And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon” we are reminded of Christ’s words that tell us unless you are willing to give up all of these relationships, including your own life, ‘you are not worthy to be My disciples’ (Luk 14:26-27). God takes away our dependance on the natural little by little (Exo 23:29-30) until we become confident that there really is nothing that can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:36-39). That painful process takes a lifetime, but God is faithful to start and finish this work in us through Jesus Christ (Heb 12:2, Php 1:6).

Exo 23:29  I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
Exo 23:30  By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.

Luk 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

This statement, “And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon” tells us that there is no power in the earth that can save us except Christ in whom we are accepted and trust (Rom 5:10, Act 4:12). Those powers and principalities in our heavens are represented by “all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war” of which God will use via the king of Babylon, who represents Satan, to buffet those powers that represent our own self-righteous sins of iniquity which will chasten us (Jer 2:19) so that we are humbled under God’s mighty hand in this age (2Co 12:7, 1Co 5:5, 1Pe 5:6). Christ is far higher than those powers and principalities and uses them to humble us in this life (Eph 1:21).

2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 

1Co 5:5  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

There is a hope-filled verse tucked in the midst of all this destruction and death which reads, “none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land” (2Ki 24:14), and is repeated in 2 Kings 25:12, both groups representing the elect of God who are saved and remain at the expense of losing our lives, typified by the captivity of Judah. In chapter 25 of 2 Kings, the death of Zedekiah typifies our man of sin who must be destroyed. We lose our lives for each other by becoming vinedressers and husbandmen, symbols that reflect God the father who is the husbandman and Christ who is the vine and God’s elect who are the vinedressers (Joh 14:20). By God’s grace we become of a poor and contrite spirit (Isa 66:2) “the poorest sort of the people of the land” so that we can ‘occupy until He comes’ (Luk 19:13).

2Ki 25:12  But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.

Luk 19:13  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

2Ki 24:17  And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah. 
2Ki 24:18  Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 
2Ki 24:19  And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 
2Ki 24:20  For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Notice who is calling the shots once again and that is “the king of Babylon” who typifies the god of this world, and what he is doing is positioning the basest of men in rulership which is what God has given him to do (Dan 4:17). The “king of Babylon” is in charge however all the things that he has accomplished has been “through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence“

Mattaniah whose name was changed by the king of Babylon to Zedekiah is the negative example of being given a new name as opposed to the new name God gives the elect and that is hidden from the world (Rev 2:17, Rev 3:12).

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Zedekiah being age “twenty one” and the amount of time that he ruled “eleven years” and his mother’s name “Hamutal^H2537” are all significant details that reveal that this king represents our transient flesh which is passing and unable to establish proper governance without Christ as our head. Because we know the demise of Zedekiah is coming, the two and the one in this case witness to the fact that the day of the Lord, in type and shadow, is coming upon this evil king who represents the man of perdition in our own hearts and minds. The eleven years [“The Ruin and Disintegration of the Perfection of the Flesh”] tells us no foundation [12] in Christ was going to be established with this king whose life, like ours, is like a vapor or dew that passes in the morning which is what Hamutal’s name means.

H2537 chămûṭal    chămı̂yṭal kham-oo-tal’, kham-ee-tal’

From H2524 and H2919; father in law of dew; Chamutal or Chamital, an Israelitess: – Hamutal.

Jas 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

This last verse sets the stage for the last chapter of the book of kings revealing how God’s anger is a righteous anger that is against sin and always ready and wakeful over His word (Jer 1:12) to carry out His judgments upon our sinful condition that He created marred this way for His purpose of bringing us to see our need for a relationship with Him and Christ.

Jer 1:12  Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.

We are told, “That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth” to encourage us to know that God can take our marred condition and make something new and great via this process of judgment, “For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.”

Hebrews 12:2 The Joy that is set Before Us

[Study Aired February 1, 2021]

Introduction – What is the meaning of this joy set before us?

This joy as unveiled by Christ.

How do we obtain this joy that is set before us?

Introduction

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The question is, “What is the joy that was set before Him?”

That is the question we seek to answer in this message.

What is this joy set before us?

The joy set before us is the reward we will receive if we run this race of life successfully. This reward is given to those who overcome.

What do we have to overcome?

We have to overcome our fleshly human desires!! In other words, the old man within each one of us must die giving way to the new man who is after the image of Christ.

We of ourselves cannot die!!  It is the work of God, and He does it through our judgment.

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

In any endeavor, the reward is the focus. In the field of sports, participants are aware of the reward they will receive if they win.

In the business arena, the shareholders of a business communicates to employees through management the reward system of a firm if they are able to accomplish their targets.

A good military commander will explain to his army the reward they will receive if they become successful in a war they are waging. Jesus, being our supreme commander, has also taken His time to reveal to us the reward we will receive if we run the race successfully.

Why is it important to know about reward? Knowing the reward in any endeavor we engage in is what motivates people to excel.

From Hebrews 12:2, we can see that Jesus was motivated to endure whatever comes His way because of the reward He would receive (the joy that was set before Him).

We also need to be motivated to endure whatever comes our way because of the reward that Jesus has unveiled to us.

Facts about reward

The size of the reward in any endeavor depends on the level of difficulty of that endeavor.

All the reward system here on this earth are transient. In other words, they last for a very short time. Paul alluded to this by saying the following:

1Co 9:24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
1Co 9:25  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (ESV)

Jesus Christ has unveiled to us the ultimate of all rewards. What this means is that it is extremely difficult to win this ultimate prize or reward.

However, with man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible!!

Many are called, but few are chosen

The difficult nature of this race of life means that only a few can win the ultimate prize.

The truth is that many run the race, but only a few win the prize. Why? It is because the many depend on their own strength by what they believe to be their own choices and will.

The few chosen know they are helpless and can only depend on God to run this race of life for them.

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

The Complete Reward System of God

The Rewards

All the rewards for the overcomers are given to us by Christ in Revelation Chapter 2 and 3. There are seven rewards in all. The number seven signifies completeness. So what is in Revelation 2 and 3 is the complete reward system for the overcomers.

These rewards are spoken of in many parts of the word of God. It is here in Revelation that they all come together.

The rewards are given to us as a deposit guarantee. What we need to know about this reward is that it is only given to us in this life as a deposit guarantee.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The reward is the same for all who overcome. All the rewards that we are talking about are given to the overcomers.

The Bible never said that some will receive higher rewards than others as is done here on earth. We therefore have to be mature Christians in order to win the prize!!

To be a mature Christian means we have to put the flesh to death so that we are not dominated by the flesh.

Reward One: Eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Note: Both the tree of life and the paradise of God is Christ.

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The tree of life

Rev 22:2  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

The paradise of God

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Luk 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Reward Two: Not hurt by the second death

Rev 2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

What is the second death? Let’s hear what the scripture says:

Any time we see the words “He that hath and ear” we are being reminded by the spirit that these words will be understood by very few people (Mat 13:9-13).

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The meaning of ‘second death’

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

So the second death is to be cast into the lake of fire to be judged!!

Why will the second death not hurt the overcomers? Because they have already been judged while they lived on earth!!

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Reward Three: Being given to eat of the hidden manna and a white stone

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

For us to understand this reward, we need to look at the following terminologies:

Hidden Manna
White Stone

What is hidden according to scriptures?

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Christ is that “hidden man of the spirit” with “the hidden wisdom,” which is the “hidden manna,” which is promised to “him that overcometh.”

Christ tells us He is the bread that came down from heaven which if a man eats he will live forever.

The hidden manna

What, then, is “the hidden manna”? This phrase comes from the manna which Moses was instructed to place within the ark of the covenant.

Exo 16:32  And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
Exo 16:33  And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
Exo 16:34  As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.

The white stone

White is primarily associated with Christ as shown in the following scriptures:

Mat 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Rev 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Rev 3:4  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

The stone is also Christ

Dan 2:34  Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

So the white stone is Christ, and in the Stone a new name is written.

What is this “new name” which is written in this “white stone?” Is there any doubt what name is given to Christ’s elect?

Mat 18:5  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it

While there are billions of people who claim the name of Christ, there are very few who know that name.

The name of Christ is, for the most part, “blasphemed among the heathen through those who claim that name.

Rom 2:24  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

We all have blasphemed the name of God in our walk with God.

1Ti 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

Reward Four: Power over the nations

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.
Rev 2:29  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rulership

Do you know that the overcomers will rule the whole world for a period of a “thousand” years if we are able to overcome?

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

A good example of rulership is the life of Joseph. When will the rulership be?

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The thousand year reign

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rev 20:1  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
Rev 20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Rev 20:3  And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

The style of rulership:

Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Ruling with a rod of iron means every disobedience will be met with immediate punishment just as the Israelites were in the wilderness.

Yet nobody will be saved during this period. Why not? Because there is no devil to overcome!! He has been bound.

Who is the morning star?

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

The ultimate prize to have is having Jesus!! In this case what is His also belongs to you!!

How is it possible for the world to surrender their power to the elect? The question that may be lingering in our minds is how is it going to happen?

What we need to know is that what has been is what will be!!

Ecc 1:9  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

The story of Joseph attests to how God’s elect will assume rulership of the world (Gen 41). With God all things are possible.

Reward Five: Clothed in white raiment

Rev 3:5  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:6  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Being clothed in white raiment means our righteousness shall shine forth!!

Reward Six: Being made a pillar in the temple of God

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The scriptures showing the pillars in the temple of God are as follows:

Exo 26:32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

Exo 26:37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

What does it mean to be a pillar in God’s temple? The four pillars of Exodus 26:32 are the pillars which hold the veil between the holy place and the holy of holies. The five pillars of verse 37 are the pillars at the door of the tabernacle.

It is through these pillars that we must all enter as we seek to come to God. There is no other way to get into the presence of God but through these pillars.

It is only through these five pillars at the door of the tabernacle and through the four pillars at the door of the holy of holies that any man will receive God’s mercy and come into the presence of God.

Being made a pillar in the temple of God is the same as being made the door or the channel through which all men will be brought to God, and there can be no higher blessing bestowed upon any man!!

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Reward Seven: To sit on thrones

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

What does it mean to sit on thrones?

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

So to sit on thrones means to judge the human race.

How do we obtain the Prize?

We should not get entangled in the affairs of this world!

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
2Ti 2:5  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

2Ti 2:9  Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
2Ti 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

So run that you may obtain the prize!

1Co 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Press on toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Download Discussion

Isa 56:1-8 For Mine House Shall Be Called an House of Prayer for All People.

[Study Aired March 15, 2020]

Isa 56:1  Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 
Isa 56:2  Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 
Isa 56:3  Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 
Isa 56:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 
Isa 56:5  Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 
Isa 56:6  Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 
Isa 56:7  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. 
Isa 56:8  The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

In our last study we were told:

Isa 55:6  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Isa 55:7  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

“While He is near” indicates that a time is coming when He may not be found, or as Jesus put it:

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

It is this sense of urgency that should motivate us to whom the Lord is giving eyes that see and ears that hear, to work out our own salvation while acknowledging that, in reality, it is God who is working in us both to will and to do of His God own good pleasure:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The fact that there are only two resurrections, the first being the “resurrection to life” and the second being “the resurrection to judgment”, tells us that the thousand years of this earth being ruled with a rod of iron is not an age in which mankind will be given to seek the Lord as we can in this age. There will be no forgiveness given “in the age to come”, the thousand years of the dominion of the Lord and His Christ:

Notice what the Lord reveals to us:

Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world [Greek: G165, ‘aion’, age], neither in the world to come.

Christ is not speaking of the great white throne judgment/lake of fire/second death, because at that time, repentance and forgiveness will be accomplished in all men of all time (1Ti 2:4).

Here is the ACV version of this verse:

Mat 12:32  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in the present age, nor in the one that is coming.

The thousand-year reign of the Lord and His Christ over the nations of this world is an ‘age’ unto itself. The thousand-year reign is not of this age because the elect are not ruling the nations of this world in this present age. It is not of the age of the great white throne judgment, because the world is being judged in that age. It is this age, which is given to the adversary the devil, as these two verses demonstrate:

Luk 4:5  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 
Luk 4:6  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. 
Luk 4:7  If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

This was no hollow offer. The scriptures verify that Satan really is “the god of this age”:

2Co 4:4  in whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, in order for the light of the good-news of the glory of the Christ (who is a likeness of God) not to shine forth to them. (ACV)

The Lord uses Satan to keep the Truth from being understood by the masses of mankind who come to Him (Mat 13:9-15). No one before Christ could even hope to know Christ because He had never been revealed and had not yet come and died so we could know Him and His Father:

Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (ACV)

Luk 10:22  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. (ACV)

Joh 17:3  And this is eternal life, that they should know thee the only TRUE God, and Jesus Christ whom thou sent. (ACV)

Giving Satan the title of “the god of this age” (2Co 4:4) informs us that as long as this world is under the influence of the adversary, he will continue to be “the god of this age”, this eon, “the god of this world”. Therefore, the hegemony of “the god of this world” extends from the time of “the first man Adam” (1Co 15:45) to the appearing of Christ at the time of “the first… blessed and holy… resurrection”. At that point, Satan’s rule, what is called “this present age”, comes to an abrupt end. “This present age” ends at the moment of the appearing of our Lord to rule over the kingdoms of this world at the time of “the last trump… [which is] the first resurrection”. 

Here is what Paul tells us of this great portentous, phenomenal, impending, prophetic event: 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent [Greek: phthanō, ‘precede’] them which are asleep. 
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

There is not one word in scripture indicating that the Lord’s elect “meet the Lord in the air” and then stay there in the air, neither do they go off to some far away planet called ‘heaven’.

When Christ says:

Mat 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world [Greek: G165, ‘aion’, age], neither in the world to come.

Mat 12:32  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it will be forgiven him, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in the present age, nor in the one that is coming. (ACV)

‘The age to come’ begins when “the Lord and His Christ place Satan in the “abussos… the bottomless pit”, immediately upon His appearing, and then “the Lord and His Christ” will simultaneously begin to rule the kingdoms of this world for a thousand years with a rod of iron:

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.

Anyone who “overcomes and keeps [Christ’s] works unto the end will do so only because they have Christ, “the Morning Star” within them:

Rev 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Let’s now pose the question, “What is the age to come?”

We have at least two verses of scripture which reveal to us that not one person before the death and resurrection of Christ, not one person mentioned in scripture from Adam to Christ, will be raised up to have part in “the kingdom of God”, which Christ also called “the age to come”:

Mat 11:11  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Joh 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

“Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ” telling us that all the scriptures to that point simply served as a prophecy of, and a figure of, the “Grace and Truth… which should follow… [and which] came by Jesus Christ”. We are even told salvation was not yet come to the righteous men and prophets of the Old Testament, because it was never promised to them in that age. It is only promised to us in this age. Here are the words of Christ and Peter as they bear on this fact:

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Peter confirms for us that “many prophets and righteous men” include “the prophets”, meaning Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, all the prophets of the Old Testament. They one and all desired to know about our salvation and when that time would come, yet they never saw them, and they never heard them:

1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 
1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 
1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 
1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Here we are being told “Not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister… [to the] salvation [by] grace that should come to [us]”, and here now is Isaiah telling us that exact same Truth:

Isa 56:1  Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

What Isaiah is telling us is that Christ “is near to come”, and Christ’s “righteousness… is near… to be revealed”.

Speaking “not unto [himself] but unto us” Isaiah continues:

Isa 56:2  Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Christ’s life demonstrated He has laid claim on all seven of our weekly days and not just the seventh day. 

Joh 5:12  Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 
Joh 5:13  And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 
Joh 5:14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 
Joh 5:15  The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 
Joh 5:16  And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 
Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto [on the sabbath], and I work. 
Joh 5:18  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

“Sin no more” is not a commandment to perfection in a body of sinful flesh and blood. It is a commandment that “sin shall not have dominion over [us]… in this present age”:

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Sin ‘no longer holding dominion over us’ means we are now free from the strength of sin which keeps us from being obedient to our heavenly Father every day of the week, and we are now free to “do good” every day of the week.

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 
Rom 6:18  Being [aorist tense] then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 
Rom 6:19  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

“Being… made free from sin” is an aorist tense because it is an ongoing daily process of dying to our old man:

Rom 6:20  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 
Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22  But now being [aorist] made free from sin, and become servants to God [aorist], ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. [We are in the process of “being made free from sin”, and we are “becom(ing) the servants of God”]
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This epistle to the Romans is an epistle which Paul is hoping will bring forth fruit among them as “among other Gentiles”, such as the “other Gentile” Ephesians:

Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

It is right here in the very next chapter of Romans (Rom 2:28-29) that Paul reveals the fulfillment of this prophecy here in Isaiah 56:

Isa 56:3  Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 

“The son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the Lord” is a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, of whom Paul now reveals this to us:

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

“The son of the stranger that joins himself to the Lord” of Isa 56:3 and “the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths and choose the things that please me and take hold of my covenant” of verse 4, are one and the same:

Isa 56:4  For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

Both “the son of the stranger” and “the eunuchs” are those who are considered by the self-righteous Babylonian religions of the world to be unproductive outsiders unworthy of being considered the Lord’s children.

However, the Lord does not look on the outward appearances. He looks on the heart, and He shows mercy to whom He chooses to show mercy:

1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 
Rom 9:17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 
Rom 9:18  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

This is the mind of God on whom is now to be “counted for [Abraham’s] seed”:

Rom 9:8  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

If we have the mind of the Father and of His Son, if we think as they think, then we will be the possessors of life eternal:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

To “know… the only true God and Jesus Christ” is life eternal, and if we “know the only true God, then we will believing and doing His doctrines and His teachings and living according to His rules, and we will think as He thinks. 

This is His mindset on whom is His seed:

Gal 6:15  Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation. 
Gal 6:16  Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. (GWV)

Here is this same doctrine found right here is this 56^th chapter of Isaiah:

Isa 56:5  Even unto them [the sons of strangers] will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

The “name” the Lord gives to the stranger who joins himself to the Lord to serve Him and to take hold of His covenant is the same as the name the Lord gives Himself when He turns the thorn into a fir tree and the brier into a myrtle tree in the last verse of the previous chapter:

Isa 55:13  Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

The Lord’s name is His reputation as a “great”, loving, merciful and faithful heavenly Father:

1Ch 17:21  And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of Egypt? 

Neh 9:10  And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.

As we come “to know God and Jesus whom [He] has sent” (Joh 17:3), we begin to think more as the Lord thinks, and we begin to take on His “name of greatness”, and for us it is “a new name”. 

Once again, the inspired words of Isaiah are the foundation for the inspired words of the New Testament:

Isa 62:2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 

Isaiah is the inspiration for these inspiring words of comfort in the New Testament:

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

“New Jerusalem” is the name of the bride of Christ:

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

“The name of my God, and the name of the city of my God… New Jerusalem”, and “a new name”, are one and all the same “good name… of the greatness” which the Lord has given Himself for driving our old man out of His temple and replacing him with the “new man” whose “new name” is “Jesus of Nazareth”:

Ecc 7:1  A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

It is only after we begin dying daily that we are given “a good name… a new name”, the name of “Jesus of Nazareth” (Act 22:8):

Act 22:7  And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 
Act 22:8  And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

Christ is the husband of His own bride, New Jerusalem, as Saul of Tarsus was informed on the road to Damascus.

As any ‘son’ bears his father’s name, we all first bear the name “of [our] father the devil… sons of Belial” before we are dragged by the Lord to Himself, crushed to powder by the “white… Stone the builders rejected”, and before we have all the “wood, hay, and stubble” of the kingdom of our old man burned out of us (1Co 3:13-15).

When the Lord places His hand to accomplish that then, and not until then, we will begin to take on “a new name, which no one knows but those to whom it is given”.

Let’s look again at what is our “new name”:

Isa 62:2  And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

The “White Stone” is Christ. The “new name… the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God… New Jerusalem, are one and all the Lord and His dwelling place, “the Lord and His Christ”:

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The masses of Christendom, and the masses of all religions of men, who think of themselves as the Lord’s people, are in the Lord’s eyes nothing more that “the son of the bondwoman… Jerusalem which now is and is in bondage with her children” and have “gathered together against the Lord and His Christ”.

These words are not the mind of the world of Christendom. These words express the mind of “the Lord and His Christ”:

Gal 4:22  For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 
Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 
Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  [All the religions of mankind, are by an allegory to be found at mount Sinai]
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 
Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 
Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 
Gal 4:29  But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 
Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son [the established religions of this world]: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 
Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Not one Christian in a thousand believes that the covenant from Mount Sinai ‘genders to bondage’ and typifies Hagar! Not one Christian minister in a thousand believes that “Jerusalem which now is… is Agar… and is in bondage with her children”!

Isaiah continues with this same theme of “the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord…”, spiritually replacing the physical descendants of Abraham and “as Isaac was, [we spiritually] are the children of promise”:

Isa 56:6  Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 

This is how we now ‘keep the sabbath from polluting it’:

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

“Overcoming the wicked one” and all the temptations of our corruptible flesh is how we “cease from [our] own works… and enter into His rest”. When we begin to “cease from [our] own works” is when we begin to qualify to lay claim upon this blessed promise:

Isa 56:7  Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Isa 56:8  The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.

“The mountain of the Lord… the house of the God of Jacob” is the Lord’s kingdom. As is always the case, “My holy mountain… my altar, [and] my house of prayer for all people” are all one and the same, and this is where they are all to be found:

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

The kingdom of God is not to be found in anyone’s genealogy. Neither will it be found in church buildings built with men’s hands:

Psa 11:4  The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Isa 66:1  Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look [as “the place of my rest”], even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

‘Agar’ and ‘the son of the bondwoman’ is teaching the lie of free moral agency and the literal physical torment of most of mankind in literal physical flames of literal fire. The Truth is that Christ is within us, dying daily to our old man, while He Himself is increasing daily within us. We are therefore the only “house of prayer for all men”.

That is our study for today and these are our verses for our next study:

Isa 56:9  All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 
Isa 56:10  His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 
Isa 56:11  Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 
Isa 56:12  Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.