Christ Is the Land

from Google Images

In a number of previous studies I have been involved in showing that the nature of the Kingdom of God is spiritual by comparing Ezekiel 37 with some of Paul’s epistles, especially 2Corinthians chapters three through six. I’ve been discussing how Ezekiel prophesied the restoration of the twelve tribes of Israel, that is, reunifying Judah, the southern kingdom, with Israel, the northern kingdom. Nevertheless, this prophecy isn’t exclusive to Ezekiel 37. Another prophecy that mentions the salvation of the whole House of Israel is Isaiah 49. Notice what he says:

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House of God Is Spiritual

from Google Images

According to all three futurist eschatologies—amillennialism, postmillennialism and premillennialism, with some exceptions within the groups—we can expect the establishment of a physical Kingdom at the future return of Jesus to this earth, and Jesus will be visible, i.e. in a physical body and rule out of literal, physical Jerusalem. Historical premillennialists (but not all) and dispensational premillennialists believe the physical Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and animal sacrifices will be restored.

 

The New Kingdom

from Google Images

The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of the Messianic Kingdom or the Kingdom of God. All three popular eschatological views of the Second Coming, although some admit to its spiritual presence today, conclude that the Kingdom of God will be a physical Kingdom at a presumed future coming of the Lord. However, I have been repudiating that point of view for quite some time in these studies of mine, which concern the Lord’ parousia or coming (Matthew 24:3, 30), which I conclude was fulfilled in 70 AD.

 

The New Creation

from Google Images

I’m presently involved in a study about the nature of the Kingdom of God, have been for quite some time now. Many futurists, namely those who look for Christ to come to the earth sometime in our future, believe that, when Jesus comes, he will set up a physical Kingdom on earth and reign from physical Jerusalem. Some believe this will take place at or initiate the Millennium, while others conclude Jesus will arrive after the Millennium. Many of these futurists also believe Christ will renovate or destroy and then recreate the heavens and the earth, and will then reign in an Eden type or utopian Kingdom. But does this fit what the Bible says about Jesus’ return?

 

The New Covenant

from Google Images

The predominant view of futurist eschatology is that Jesus absolutely must return to this earth and set up or establish a physical Kingdom of God, wherein he will reign as the Messiah in a visible, physical body on a physical throne from physical Jerusalem. I have been in recent months repudiating that point of view, saying that Jesus has already returned and has already established his Kingdom in 70 AD, when he came in the clouds, as he said he would (Matthew 26:64). At that time he judged Jerusalem and destroyed its Temple in the person of the Roman general, Titus, and his armies. Of course, such a ‘Second Coming’ was not visible with one’s eyes, but it was perceived, in that, the destruction of Jerusalem was the sign of Christ’s presence in heaven (Matthew 24:3, 30).

 

The Gospel v/s Dispensationalism

from Google Images

According to dispensationalists, the prophecy of the union of the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel, symbolized by uniting the two sticks in Ezekiel 37, and the New Covenant, as described in Jeremiah 31:31-34, has not been fulfilled, but will be fulfilled in the millennium. During that time, there would be a physical Temple in literal Jerusalem, and physical Temple worship, which includes animal sacrifices, would be in place. Physical circumcision would be commanded, and gentile nations would need to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem during the annual Feast Days (according to Zechariah 14). In fact, this would represent two different redemptive plans: one for Israel and the other for gentiles who believed the Gospel during the Gospel age, which by the time of the millennium, the Gospel age and apparently the Gospel, itself, would cease to exist:

 

Uniting the Whole House of Israel

In several of my previous studies, I had been examining Ezekiel 37 and how this prophecy relates to, predicts, if you will, the Messianic Kingdom. Nevertheless, Ezekiel also prophesied that David the King (i.e. the Messiah) would arise. He also predicted the resurrection of the dead and that God would make a covenant of peace with the **whole** House of Israel. That is, God would restore the kingdoms of Judah and Israel and make them one kingdom again. Then he would make a ‘covenant of peace’ with them. Finally, Ezekiel predicted the Messianic Temple or Tabernacle would be built and God would dwell with his people forever.