1 Corinthians 11:33-34
33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
1 Peter 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?
Let me start out by upsetting some peoples theology. God is not coming back so he can set up his Kingdom here on earth, he is setting up his Kingdom here on earth so he can come back.
Hey wait a minute, aren’t we getting things backwards here. Everyone agrees that Jesus will come back at the Second Coming, right? Well OK, so everyone doesn’t agree. But the Bible shows him coming back in Revelation 19 and in Revelation 20 it mentions the saints reigning with him a thousand years.
Revelation 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.
So that is when he sets up his kingdom. Right? No, that’s jumping to a conclusion. There are other scriptures to counter that view and we will look at some of them in this essay. The Bible says prove all things. We should question every traditional teaching we have ever had. See if what you believe is supported by scripture or if you are just accepting the teachings of men.
What about the Return of the Lord?
Anyway isn’t God all powerful and can do anything he wants, whenever? So why doesn’t he just come back now? Well because there are some scriptures that have to be fulfilled first. He says in his word just how he is going to do something, and he can’t just change his mind any old time and do something differently.
Here are two major things that stand in the way of the Second Coming.
A. The Gospel must go out to all the world producing a harvest.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
B. The Lord will not come back till the people of Jerusalem, the Jews, repent and call on his name.
Luke 13:34-35
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
The connection between these two is in Romans 11.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
So the way this works it that the Jews, can only call on the Lord if the blindness is removed. And the blindness can only be removed with the fullness of the Gentiles. And the fullness of the Gentiles can only come once the Gospel is preached to all the world. So the Lord’s primary objective is for the Gospel to be preached to all the world, and the rest will fall in line automatically. There are other ways these verses can be interpreted, but I believe this is what the Lord has shown me.
That leaves us with the question:
What is it going to take for the Gospel to be preached to all the world?
It’s going to take a people who are dead to self and willing to make whatever sacrifices it takes to win the lost. This means that the church of today must be purged, purified and empowered. We are told that judgment must begin at the house of God. We need to understand why this is so and what the result will be.
We also need to realize that this judgment is what it will take for God to accomplish his task and allow him to come again in clouds of glory.
And further we need to see that this act of judgment actually is God setting up his kingdom here on earth. That is why we said earlier that God is not coming back so he can set up his Kingdom here on earth, he is setting up his Kingdom here on earth so he can come back. So we want to show that Harvest follows Judgment and that this Judgment consists in God setting up his Kingdom here on earth.
The Faithful City, Corrupted and the Lord’s End Time Plan
This passage from Isaiah 1 lays out the issues God has with the church, and his end time plan for dealing with them.
Isaiah 1:21-28
21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
Isaiah 1:27 links judgment and harvest very directly.
Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
The same idea can be seen in Psalm 2. Here it shows the Kingdom being set up and this is happening while the heathen are raging not after Jesus has returned to destroy all opposition.
Psalms 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psalms 2:6-8
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
And right after the king is set on The Holy Hill of Zion, there is mention of the harvest of the heathen, i.e. the gentiles. Taking place in the utmost parts of the earth, where the gospel must be preached before the end.
Mount Zion
Let’s take a look at the meaning of Zion. First of all, Zion or Mount Zion is a literal place in the City of Jerusalem. You can go there today and visit it. Symbolically Zion stands for Jerusalem and by extension, all Israel. Those who do not see Israel as a type of the church stop there and think that Zion only means Israel or the people of Israel. Spiritually Zion speaks of the Church, and the place where God dwells. So Zion can mean all three.
The Tabernacle of David and Mount Zion
What is the Tabernacle of David and what does it have to do with Mount Zion?
The exact phrase Tabernacle of David is mentioned at least three times in the bible. Much of this is done in brilliant figurative language.
Amos 9:11-12
11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.
Acts 15:16-17
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
In both these quotes you find mention of the harvest of the heathen or gentiles following on after the restoration of this tabernacle. This tabernacle was a place inhabited by the Lord. Also David ordained 24 hour worship in this tabernacle. So the entire image is one of King Jesus coming to his place of rest, Mt. Zion, the City of the Great King. This is the setup of the Kingdom of God. It takes place before the harvest, not after Jesus returns.
Here are some more references.
This verse from Psalm 15 links the location of the tabernacle with image of the Holy Hill.
Psalms 15:1 <A Psalm of David.> LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
Isaiah 16 tells us that He [the lamb] shall sit on a throne in The Tabernacle of David and connects that right to Mount Zion.
Isaiah 16:1 Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
Isaiah 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
Psalm 132 informs us that The Lord intends to inhabit Zion and will dwell there forever. Verses 15 and 16 give details of the blessings to come there. We can’t forget the mention of blessings in Psalm 133 either.
Psalms 132:13-16
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
Origin And Meaning Of The Tabernacle Of David.
These next verses tell us that David pitched a tent or tabernacle for the Ark of the Covenant in somewhere in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
2 Chronicles 1:4 But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjathjearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.
This quote tells us that it was on Mount Zion.
2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
The big picture in all this is that restoration of the Tabernacle of David precedes a harvest, and that it involves the Kingdom of God being set up there on Mount Zion.
More on Zion
This quote here from Hebrews 12 ties together many important biblical themes. Here Mount Zion is identified with, the Heavenly Jerusalem, The Church, and the New Covenant among other things.
Hebrews 12:22-24
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Also there is this passage from Galatians 4 that identifies the heavenly Jerusalem with the New Covenant. So there is a contrast between the Old Covenant seen as Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Law, and the New Covenant seen as Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Great King.
Galatians 4:24-26
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.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Zion Redeemed by Judgment
Let’s look back at Isaiah 1.
Isaiah 1:21-28
21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
In this section from Isaiah 1 note the first three verses, 21-23 summarize the corruption found. Then the word therefore in verse 24 begins to list God’s responses. Then in verse 27 and 28 the responses are summarized. Briefly, because of all this corruption, God will bring judgment. So what is the purpose of Judgment but redemption? And isn’t Judgment one of the attributes of Jesus? We read of Judgments in the earth over in Isaiah 26.
Isaiah 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.
Here it seems the result of judgment is a blessing! Judgment is a good thing, not to be feared.
I Lay In Zion
The same pattern is repeated in Isaiah 28. There the first 15 verses are itemizing the different kinds of sin and corruption among God’s people. Then comes the Therefore verse.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
This verse is saying an exact equivalent of what God says in Psalm 2:6
Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
That is because the cornerstone spoken of is Jesus himself.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Not By Might, Nor By Power
Laying the foundation stone in Zion is in figurative language the same as setting the King on the Holy Hill. The same figure is seen in Zechariah 4.
Zechariah 4:6-7
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Here the headstone is the same as the Chief Cornerstone mentioned in Ephesians 2:20. The great mountain mentioned in verse 7 is Mount Zion and Zerubbabel is a type of Jesus; and the one bringing forth the headstone is the Father. Notice now that the text says this great mountain shall become a plain. This is a figure of the judgment on Zion mentioned in Micah 3.
Micah 3:12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
The mountain being made low is seen in Isaiah 40 preparing the way of the Lord.
Isaiah 40:3-4
3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
To tie all this together, Mt. Zion is judged and made level as a plain, or fallow ground being plowed, to prepare the way of the Lord. The Lord is the headstone, and he is the King being set in place on the Holy Hill. So the judgment coming is really a blessing because it is the Kingdom of God coming here on earth. He is the head of the body.
The Revelation Of Jesus Christ
Now this same pattern is found in Revelation. The central theme of the Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The major metaphor is the scroll sealed with the seven seals. Judgments come as the scroll is unsealed, so the Lord is revealed. Psalm 6 reminds the Lord is Known, i.e. revealed by judgments.
Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
In Revelation Chapter 11, an evaluation is taking place.
Revelation 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
There the prophet is instructed to measure, i.e. judge or evaluate the temple and the worshipers which are the church. Keep in mind that a measuring rod is an instrument of evaluation used by a carpenter. Then in Revelation 12 we find this statement about the setting up of the Kingdom of God.
Revelation 12:10-11
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
And looking farther on to chapter 14 we see the King set in place in the Holy Hill.
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
And with him are the 144 thousand, who will follow him wherever he leads.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
And here we find the answer to our question posed earlier.
What is it going to take for the Gospel to be preached to all the world? It will take a group of people dead to self, totally obedient to the Lord. Ones who will overcome the enemy by laying down their lives without fear. God is not looking for survivors, he’s looking for overcomers.
Psalms 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
An After Word
As I write this, we are seeing a great deal of strife, A Civil War In The Church because of the Healing Outpouring that began in Lakeland Florida. This passage from Joshua 5 provides an illustration of how the Lord will bring all this to an end.
Joshua 5:13-15
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
Here we see the Lord come into the camp of his own people with a drawn sword. This speaks of judgments being carried out on his people. The sword is the word and stands for Jesus who is the word. The idea that the sword is drawn and visible therefore speaks of The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Joshua’s question, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? makes a lot of sense in context of this civil war. And the Lord’s answer can be paraphrased like this. “I am not come to take sides. I am come to take over.”