The Plan of God in This Eon

How Close Are We to the Return of Jesus Christ?

 

This is a message of hope and encouragement, to show how history and prophesy play out to bring about a renewal of Eden here upon the earth. God designed the most perfect and wonderful environment in which his imagers were to live, and through mankind fell into sin and was removed from that environment, he is prophesied to return some day to that awesome Edenic world.

Let us see what that Eden was like.

Genesis 2:8-9. “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Here are the promises for a renewal of that Eden in the coming age.

Isaiah 66:22. “For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me, says the Lord, so shall your descendants and your name remain.”

Acts 3:19-21. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

Romans 8:18-23. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that but we also who have the firstfruits of the spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

I Corinthians 2:9-10. “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His spirit, for the spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God.”

The study of God’s word is a continuing revelation as we grow in truth over the years. Perhaps we believe we understand the full scope of God’s plan for mankind through the millennia, since it has been taught for centuries by learned men of Scripture and secular history, but perhaps there is more to it than we have thought. Perhaps buried within the language of ancient Hebrew and Aramaic there are truths that can unveil a more complete understanding of this great plan God is working out here below amongst his “imagers”—those made in His image, with a destiny far beyond anything we can imagine.

Signs of the End

Jesus Christ did not mince words when He told His disciples what would be the sign of His coming, and of the end of the age. He stated,

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For may will come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (who ever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. ‘For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect form the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn this parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to ber broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:4-44; see also Luke 21:8-20).

Notice some things Jesus said here.

1. There will be many that come claiming to be “Christ”, or the “Anointed One”.
2. There will be wars and rumors of wars.
3. There will be famines, disease epidemics, earthquakes, and signs in the heavens.
4. There will be persecutions against God’s people.
5. The love of many for others will grow cold.
6. The good news of the coming government of God will be preached as a witness to all nations. (the two witnesses? This could be during the 3.5 years going right up to the resurrection; Revelation 11:3-12).
7. The Abomination of Desolation will be set up in the temple in Jerusalem.
8. The Great Tribulation wil be in force.
9. After the Tribulation the atmosphere will become darkened, and the sign of Christ will appear in heaven.
10. The resurrection will occur.
11. We will not know the day or the hour of the resurrection, but we can know the season:

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things know that it is near—at the door!” (Matthew 24:32-33).

12. Things in society will be moving along just like in the days orf Noah: eating and drinking, marrying, etc.

Note especially Matthew 24:42-44. This says that if the master of the house had known what time the thief was going to come, he would have been ready and waiting and not allowed him to break in. Does this not mean that those of us who are wise will be watching for when Christ returns, and will not be caught flat-footed? Yes, God’s people will be watching and waiting, for they will know the season is upon them for the fig tree’s budding. Daniel 12:8-10 says,

“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, ‘My lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ And he said, ‘Go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.’”

Daniel had the same questions we have today: when will the end of this age be? He was told that the words were to be shut up and sealed until the time of the end. As the fig tree shoots out its leaves, we know the season of Christ’s return is near; we just do not know the day or the hour.

What We See Today

All around us today we see signs that the age is approaching the conditions that Jesus said would signal His return. Here is a partial list of those conditions, and I am sure many more could be listed.

1. Wars and conflicts are occurring in many places, and the potential for wars (“rumors of war”), especially in the Middle East. See the sheets.

2.Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are increasing, especially in unusual places. Oklahoma and Texas (from fracking?), but also along the New Madrid Fault

3. Major political leaders are openly pushing for a one-world government based upon socialistic and communistic principles.

Agenda 21, and now the 2030 Agenda; depopulation plans

NAFTA, the TPP, etc.

The United Nations as the template for a one world government

Leaders are pushing for a one-world religion with a single head.

4. Open borders is being blatantly promoted throughout the Western world.

Germany, U.S., and many countries

This directly contravenes God’s direction of having boundaries for nations (Acts 17:26).

5. Knowledge has increased dramatically concerning Scripture (Daniel 12;4). See the translations.

6. Drug usage is rampant. See the document.

7. Sexual deviations are increasing, and are even approved of by government and education leaders.

       Homosexuality is openly approved by governments (many leaders are homosexuals).

       Less than 4% of the population is perverted, but these deviates wield power far beyond their numbers.

       Adultery and fornication are rampant. Over 60% of mates are unfaithful, and living together before marriage is the “new norm.”

8. Materialism is the focus of life for many.

       Materialism brings greater unhappiness

       Materialism is fueled by insecurity, and insecurity comes from not knowing and obeying God.

9. War machines and delivery systems have the potential to destroy life from the planet (Matthew 24:21-22). Nuclear, chemical, and biological

10. Families are disintegrating across the globe, especially in Western nations. See the article.

11. Food and water supplies are being processed and adulterated as never before.

       Refined flour, sugar, high fructose corn syrup … more addictive than cocaine and heroin.

       Flavor compounds to mimic flavors of wholesome foods.

       Feedlot-raised beef with low levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

       Coloring agents, emulsifiers, preservatives, etc., etc.

       Stale foods with long shelf life.

       People not growing their own food, relying on supermarkets for their sustenance

       Obesity is epidemic.

       We need to eat like Adam and Eve did in Eden; very simple!

The Jubilee Years and What They Tell

 Let us take a look at the timeline of history from the creation of Adam and Eve up to the present day, and then project that time line into the future following the prophecies as revealed in God’s word. Notice the major events of history over a period of 140 Jubilee cycles, each cycle having 50 years (Leviticus 25:8-11). Three series of 40 Jubilee cycles divide the 6,000 years of man’s reign on the earth into three 2,000-year segments. The number 40 is significant in that it represents a period of probation, trial, and chastisement. Forty is the product of 5 and 8, or grace (5) leading to and ending in revival and renewal (8). Now, when there are three forties consecutively, then we are referring to what is complete, solid, real, substantial, and entire. This 6,000 years divided into three 40-Jubilee cycles thus pictures the total period of trial and chastisement of mankind, in a world directed by Satan the devil, with this race of man saved by grace (Jesus Christ’s sacrifice) and ending in renewal in the new age. The number 50 in a Jubilee cycle points to deliverance and rest resulting from the perfect consummation of time. These numbers themselves tell the story of man’s deliverance from depravity and death.

1. The first 40-Jubilee cycle.

Creation of Adam and Eve in 3974 B.C. (Archbishop Ussher says 4004 B.C.)

Thrust out of the Garden of Eden

Growth of mankind outside the Garden of Eden

Sons of God took human women and gave rise to the Nephelium

Violence fills the earth, with genetics of the Nephelium infiltrating all but Noah and family

Building of the ark

The Great Flood in 2348 B.C.

Families grow from Shem, Ham, and Japheth

Gathering of all families (70; Table of Nations in Genesis 10) of men at Babel, under Nimrod’s rule

Confusing of the languages at Babel, and dispersion of the nations

The nations consigned to evil sons of Elohim (Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 82; etc.)

2. The Second 40-Jubilee cycle.

Abraham born in 1996 B.C.

Calling of Abraham to begin the salvation process, in 1974 B.C. (Bullinger says 1946 B.C.)

Abraham travels to Canaan in 1921 B.C.

Joseph sold into Egypt in 1727 B.C.

Jacob and family move to Egypt in 1706 B.C.

Moses is brought up in Pharoah’s court

Moses flees to Midian in 1531 B.C.

Moses returns to Egypt, and Pharaoh lets the people go in 1491 B.C.

Israel flees Egypt, and Pharaoh’s army is destroyed in 1491 B.C.

Meeting Yahweh at Mt. Sinai, and the Ten Commandments are given

Forty year’s wandering in the wilderness: 1491 to 1452 B.C.

Israel enters Canaan and defeats many tribes on 1452 B.C.

Period of the judges: 1434 B.C. (at Joshua’s death) to 1000 B.C. (Saul)

Period of the Kings (l000 B.C. to 611 B.C. for Israel and 477 B.C. for Judah)

Captivity of Israel, and later Judah (611 B.C. and 477 B.C.)

Return of captives to Jerusalem in 426 B.C.

Intertestamental period

3. The third 40-Jubilee cycle

Jesus Christ is born in 4 B.C. Bullinger states that this was the Jubilee Year.

Jesus Christ begins His ministry in 27 A.D., at about age 30.

Jesus Christ is crucified in 30 A.D.

New Testament ecclesia begins after 30 A.C.

Apostacy within the ecclesia, and the Roman Catholic Church arises

Middle Ages: about 400 to 1500 A.D.

Reformation: about 1500 to the present (Luther’s 95 Thesis in 1517)

Inquisition: the Roman Catholics’ effort to stamp out the Reformation, about 1150 to 1830

Modern church era

Rise of the Beast and False Prophet

Resurrection and return of Jesus Christ

Defeat of the Beast and False Prophet

1,000 years of the rule of Jesus Christ and the saints

Eden restored to the entire earth

What Are We to Do?

When we see these things happening around us, Jesus said, “…know that the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 21:31). While we are instructed to watch for these signs of the end of the age surrounding us (Luke 21:36), Christ tells us to “… look up and lift up your heads, because your salvation draws near” (Luke 21:28). People in the world will be fearfully watching all of these great events unfolding and will know that their lives are in jeopardy, for “… on the earth [there will be] distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26). Immediately after this will be the resurrection at Christ’s return.

We are told how to act in these difficult times ahead.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain” (James 5:7).

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evil-doers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (I Peter 3:15-16).

“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for a hastening of the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens wil be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you” (II Peter 3:11-15).

Notice that the instructions of our Elder Brother is to have patience in the sight of all these calamities we see around us, and to cast out fear from our lives (see also II Timothy 1:7), as we look forward to our lives as kings and priests in building Eden here upon the earth. We must be looking forward towards this coming age, as Paul said so succinctly as our basic perspective on life every day:

“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward to goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:8-14).

We must keep on keeping on with God’s way of life. Be patient, for in due course we will reap what we are sowing, and that is the full-grown seeds of eternal life.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:7-9).

Keep going, and keep growing!