Tag: series

By Alfred Bouter

Prophecy Is Reliable And Precise
Some researchers list hundreds of specific prophecies about Christ in the Bible, many of which have been fulfilled, and others are still to be fulfilled. There are no mistakes in these prophecies, even though we cannot always understand and explain all their facets.

The statistical impossibility, according to the mathematical laws of probability, that all these prophecies in connection with one and the same Person be fulfilled by chance, confirm in an indirect way that God is the Author and Executor of them. Recognizing this leads us to worship Him (Rom. 11:36; Rev. 4:11), which is proper in view of His greatness.

Mathematical Probability And Messianic Prophecy 
Prophecy clearly indicates the divine authorship of the Scriptures and testifies to the trustworthiness of its message. Anyone can make predictions, which is quite simple to do. However, writing detailed prophecies and having them fulfilled is vastly different. In fact, the more statements made about the future and more details given reduce the chances of a precise fulfillment. For instance, what is the probability of a person about 3,000 years ago being able to predict the exact city in which the birth of a future leader would take place? This is what the prophet Micah did 700 years before the Messiah was born. What is the likelihood of predicting the precise manner of death that a new, unknown religious leader would experience a thousand years from now, a manner of death presently unknown and to remain unknown for hundreds of years? Yet, this is indeed what David did in about 1000 BC in Psalm 22. Again, what is the probability of predicting the specific date of the appearance of some great future leader hundreds of years in advance? This is what Daniel did over 500 years before Christ came.

If one were to picture 50 specific prophecies about a person in the future, one he never met, just what is the likelihood that this person would fulfill all 50 of the predictions? How much less would this possibility be if 25 of these predictions were about what other people would do to him, and were completely beyond his control?

For example, how does someone “arrange” to be born in a specific family? How does one “arrange” to be born in a certain city – and that in which his parents do not actually live? How does one “arrange” his own death – specifically by crucifixion with two others – and then “arrange” to have his executioners gamble for his clothing? How does one “arrange” to be betrayed in advance? How does one “arrange” to have the executioners carry out the regular practice of breaking the legs of the two victims on either side, but not his own? Finally, how does one “arrange” to be God? How does one escape from a grave and appear to people after having been killed?

Indeed, it may be possible for someone to fake one or two of the Messianic prophecies, but it would be impossible for any one person to arrange and fulfill all of these prophecies. How true it must be that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah since 456 identifying characteristics about Him were mentioned well in advance and He fulfilled them all!

What does the science of probability make of this? It attempts to determine the chance that a given event will occur. The value and accuracy of the science of probability has been well established and can be summarized as follows: Anyone rejecting Christ as the Son of God rejects a fact proven perhaps more absolutely than any other in the world.

Interpreting The Biblical Prophecies 
We may discern four groups of prophecies about Messiah’s coming: 

1. The first coming only (such as Mic. 5:2);
2. The second coming only (seen in Isa. 63:1-6);
3. Both the first and second coming (consider Zech. 9:9-10; Isa. 11, 61); and
4. His whole career: both comings and His glorious reign (an example in Ps. 110). 

The Lord Himself is the great Interpreter of prophecy, as we see in His discussion with the two disciples who were on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-35). Our risen Lord Jesus showed them from the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible (the Tenach) the things concerning Himself (24:27,44-46). He quoted from Moses’ writings (the Torah), from the early and latter prophets (the Naviim) and from the Writings (the Chetuvim). The word Tenach refers to the complete Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) and is composed from these three terms (TeNaCh). Jesus presented the Scriptures, showing these disciples God’s program:

• Messiah’s first coming and His sufferings; and
• Messiah’s coming in glory – “the glories to follow” (Lk. 24:26; 1 Pet. 1:11).

The Lord opened the understanding of the disciples (Lk. 24:45). As exalted, He still does so through His Spirit (1 Cor. 2:10-16) whom He sent from heaven. The Holy Spirit has dwelt in the believers since the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2), and He will teach and guide us in all truth, now and forever (Jn. 14-16; Rom. 8). 

The Dispensation Of The Fullness Of The Times 
God’s purpose (Eph. 1:10) implies that He has a plan for the Lord Jesus and His Church (Assembly) – a plan already revealed in mystery form in Genesis 1-2 with Adam and Eve (Eph. 5:31-32). It is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under the leadership of Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who is the Son of Man and Ancient of Days (Ps. 8, 80; Dan. 7). He is the God-Man whose wondrous Person will remain a mystery, as we learn from the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:16; Jn. 1:14). These and other passages present to us the blessed wonders of Christ’s person, as God found fit to reveal them (see for example Jn. 1:1-18, 20:31; Eph. 1:10-23; Col. 1:1-2:6; Heb. 1:2-3; Rev. 1:1-18, 4:1-5:14). Still, His Person – God and Man in One – remains forever a mystery beyond our understanding, as is true also of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The term “fullness of the times” (Eph. 1:10) refers to Christ’s soon-coming public reign when all things will be subjected to Him – not only in principle as is the case now (Mt. 28:18), but also in the actual display of His power and blessings. He will reign as the promised Messiah (Ps. 2) and as the King of the nations from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth (Ps. 72; Isa. 2:2, 9:6-7, 11:1-9, 65-66; Zech. 14). The various dispensations¹ before that glorious reign, despite man’s failures, already contain elements that point to this wonderful rule. The fact that God could give such foreshadows is in itself an amazing thing.

Psalm 8 succinctly summarizes the Messiah’s rule of the world to come. Part of the psalm is quoted in Hebrews 2, emphasizing the present glories of Christ as the Son of Man in heaven, yet linked with the believers on earth (Heb. 2:8-17). The psalm is also quoted in Ephesians 1 to show that the Church will not be put under Messiah’s feet (Eph. 1:20-23), but that He, glorified at God’s right hand, is given to the Church already, before His glorious reign starts. We also find that Paul quoted Psalm 8 in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 to indicate that, even though Christ will reign over the universe, the Son² Himself will be subject to God who has subjected everything to Him (1 Cor. 15:27). Therefore, in the eternal state God will be all in all³ (v.28).

Praise God!

ENDNOTES 
1. This term is derived from the Greek compound word oikonomia (Eph. 1:10), which literally means “law [or rule] of the house.” A dispensation refers to a period of time during which God puts man to the test in respect to obedience of God’s revealed will. A good translation of the term oikonomia, as related to the world to come, is “administration” (Eph. 1:10 JND) signifying the coming millennial reign of the Messiah over heaven and earth. 
2. As to the Son, it is not possible for us to fully distinguish between His divinity and humanity (see the beginning of Mt. 11:27). 
3. Today, the eternal state is morally displayed in those who belong to the new creation while living in the context of the old, in a fallen world (Col. 3:10-11). This is a great privilege and a great challenge.

By Alfred Bouter

Introductory Remarks On Prophetic Events
When the Church is raptured (Jn. 14:1-3) and introduced into heaven as John’s experience recorded in Revelation (4:1-2), the unbelievers, including the “Christians” who took that identity without faith, will remain on earth. Ultimately those who ignore or refuse God’s offer of salvation will perish, for they will be thrown into the lake of fire right after the great white throne judgment, in eternal damnation (20:11-15). How terrible!

In studying prophecy we must understand that important links exist between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6-16, as well as with the book of Daniel. We should therefore familiarize ourselves with these and other Scriptures that will help us to better understand God’s plans for Israel.¹

When the prophet Daniel confessed the sins of his people as his own (Dan. 9:1-19), he thought that the time had come for the kingdom to be restored to Israel (v.2). Since this was not going to happen at that time, God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel a detailed outline of what was to occur in the future, including specifics related to the two comings of the Messiah. The predicted events that would follow His death (vv.25-26) are now history. Because the predictions about the Messiah’s first coming and death occurred as foretold, we can be sure that the many details God gave as to what would take place before Christ’s second coming in glory and His reign of peace will also happen with complete accuracy.

What Is Prophecy’s Goal? 
Prophecy introduces Christ either morally or publicly. Consider Revelation 1:1-3 and 19:11, 1 Peter 1:10-12 and 2 Peter 1:16-21. These passages refer to the person of Christ, the Messiah, and show that prophecy is not just a list of events. Rather, prophecy implies many moral lessons linked to Christ in connection with the announced events.

God’s ways lead to the fulfilment of His plan, namely the administration of the fullness of times when Christ will be Head over all things, which will be placed under His feet (Ps. 8; Eph. 1:10,22). There is one exception: the Church (the Assembly). Why? Because it is God’s plan to give Christ, as Head over all things, to the Church as His greatest Gift to her. Even though Christ is the Head in relation to the Church, she is at His side – not under His feet.

The apostle Paul loved Christ’s appearing (2 Tim. 4:8), as do we, looking forward to when He will be honored in the same world that dishonored Him (2 Th. 1:10). These and other Scriptures, especially 2 Peter 1, while speaking about His coming also indicate important principles for the interpretation of God’s Word.

“A prophetic word” for our days, spoken about in 1 Corinthians 14:24-34, Romans 12:6 and 1 Peter 4:11, emphasizes the moral aspects of prophecy. But such utterances do not have the same authority as the written Word. Although drawn from Scripture – given by God to exhort, instruct or admonish His people – and with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, “a prophetic word” does not have the same value as the speaking and writing prophets of the Old and New Testaments. The messages of those prophets were inspired by God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16), a matter of divine revelation (Dt. 29:29; Amos 3:7) as given by His Spirit and Word. They are not the product of man’s mind.

What Is A Prophet? 
The Hebrew word nabi (prophet) refers to one who speaks on behalf of someone else – in this case on God’s behalf, making the prophet God’s spokesperson. A prophet is a forth-teller of what is in God’s heart and a fore-teller when speaking about things to come (Gen. 20:7; Ex. 7:1-2; 1 Sam. 3). Also, a prophet introduces God’s Anointed One, who is Himself the true Prophet speaking as sent by God and as Moses predicted (Dt. 18:18). A beautiful example is how Samuel the prophet was led by God to anoint the young shepherd David, a remarkable type of the Messiah (1 Sam. 16:5-13). We usually see God sending a prophet to His people when there is a departure from Him and His Word – a form of failure – in order to bring His people back to Himself. God’s Anointed One will be publicly introduced (Mal. 4:5-6) as John the Baptist did in the days of the Lord’s first coming and as was acted out by Samuel the prophet (consider Acts 3:20-24, 13:20).

Prophecy’s Perspective 
Prophecy introduces God’s Anointed among His own. Now, in the day of grace, Christ is introduced and represented by His disciples in the kingdom of God, in testimony and moral power. In a soon-coming day God will usher Christ into this world publicly. All will acknowledge, confess and honor Him, submitting to Him. Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is the very Center of prophecy as He is of all God’s truth. A great variety of aspects of its central Theme is found in many historic events, types, feasts, psalms and the books of the prophets.

God’s main objective with prophecy is restoration, in many different ways and settings, to bring His people back to Himself. A right understanding of this divine principle will lead us to praise and worship Him.

Prophecy Is Linked With This Earth 
Prophecy relates to this earth, according to God’s counsel, or plan, from the foundation of the world. This needs to be distinguished from His eternal purpose, which is from before the world’s foundation (Eph. 3:10-11).² More precisely, prophecy relates to Israel, which is the center of God’s ways with the earth, and the nations as seen in relation to Israel (Dt. 32:8).

Prophecy is sometimes linked with the Church in so far as it is seen as associated with this earth, but not from the perspective of God’s eternal counsel. The calling, formation and rapture of the Church are therefore not part of prophecy. Note that the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:52, referring to the rapture, has nothing to do with the last trumpet in Revelation 11, which is related to Israel and this world. Even though the same expression is used, the context shows the difference. Also, the expression “Lord’s Day” (Rev. 1:10 NKJV) literally means a “Lordy³ day,” which is an adjective form of Lord as in the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20), and it is obviously linked to the Lord’s Table. The first day of the week, Christ’s day of resurrection, is not the prophetic “day of the LORD” or “day of Jehovah.” In order to understand prophetic events we must see and respect the differences in position and calling between Israel (from the world’s foundation) and the Church (before the world’s foundation) according to God’s eternal purpose.

Today’s events on the world scene could be compared with the pieces being put together on a chessboard, whereas the “game” itself will be “played” after the rapture (1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Th. 4:14-18). The future events are described in Revelation 6-16 and will be under God’s complete control, even though man is fully responsible for his part (see Dan. 10; Rev. 13 and other Scriptures).

God’s Ways Lead To The Fulfillment Of His Purpose 
God’s ways lead to the fulfilment of His desires, whether linked to Israel, to this earth, to the nations or in connection with the Church. As an example, think of how God used World War I to give part of His land back to the Jews, even though it was only a very small part when compared with Israel’s millennial realm (Gen. 15:18; Ezek. 48). World War II caused numerous Jews to return to their country, but many are still outside their land – some not wanting to return there.

Events in our days may lead to the reconstruction of the temple, which eventually will become the temple of the Antichrist (2 Th. 2:4). After the rapture of the believers, the professing but unbelieving Church will continue on earth in an apostate, or rebellious, form until its judgment (Rev. 18).

The definite and complete fulfilment of prophecy will only take place after the Church will be taken out of this world. This does not mean that there will be no believers on earth after the rapture, for God will form various distinct companies of believers from among those who had not yet completely rejected Him. However, many professing “Christians,” along with others in Judaism, will have hardened themselves to the point that they will follow a counterfeit god, an imposter (see 2 Th. 2:6; 1 Jn. 2:22). Obviously, these individuals will not be part of those new companies of believers that will be formed after the rapture of the Church. Today, in the day of grace however, all believers are together in Christ and form the one body of Christ.

In view of the horrible end for all who hear God’s warnings yet refuse to take heed and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) – despite maybe calling oneself “Christian” – we close this part with one more appeal. Admit that you are a sinner and accept God’s gift to meet your need. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

ENDNOTES 
1. Besides this, it is good to remind ourselves that God speaks to us even through passages that are not directly addressed to us. In other words, God speaks to us through His Word, including Scriptures that deal with topics related to Israel (consider 2 Tim. 3:16-17). 
2. This expression “before the world’s foundation” occurs three times (Jn. 17:24; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20) before time and space. Seven times the preposition “from” precedes the term “the world’s foundation,” and it clearly refers to something that started at or after creation (Mt. 13:35, 25:34; Lk. 11:50; Heb. 4:3, 9:26; Rev. 13:8, 17:8). 
3. The word “church” has been derived from this term “Lordy” (Gr. kuriake). Some believe that “Lord’s Day” is an invention of the Roman Church and therefore reject this term. But understanding what Scripture teaches we can use such a term even though we realize that it has been abused. Many biblical terms have been wrongly used, but this does not mean that we should discard them.

Part -1

By Alfred Bouter

Our great Creator is the God and Author of the Bible. He is the One who from the beginning knew and told the future (Isa. 40:21, 41:4,26, 46:10) long before the events happened or will still happen. He recorded many prophecies that have been fulfilled already, guaranteeing that those which have not yet happened will surely come to pass just as He has indicated.

God’s Amazing Creation Shows The God Of Prophecy 
In one second our sun emits more energy than mankind has used since creation. Though only an average-size star, it is unique. Many stars in our galaxy are much bigger, including Canis Majoris, which is about 2,200 times bigger than our sun, and the Pistol Star, which produces one million times the energy of our sun and has 100 times its mass. Our sun and its solar system are just a pinpoint, a small speck, in our Milky Way galaxy; and the entire Milky Way is just a small dot in the universe even though it possibly contains 200 billion stars – maybe even 300 billion!

While estimates continue to rise, our galaxy is just one of between 100 and 200 billion galaxies in the universe, many of which contain 200 billion or more stars. How much time would it take to count them? The distance from one end to the other of the known universe is estimated to be over 100 billion light years. A light year is the distance light travels in one year. Since light travels approximately 186,000 miles per second, even just one light year is an astounding distance! Who can grasp this?

Quasars, at the extreme edge of the known universe, are about 1,000 times brighter than our Milky Way galaxy and emit as much energy every second as our sun could in 10 million years. Many astronomers believe that the total number of stars in space surpasses the total number of grains of sand on all the seashores of our earth. In most cases, stars are separated by trillions of miles!

On a much smaller scale, there are about 100 trillion cells in the human body and the complexity of the activities inside each cell is beyond our grasp. Science has concluded that it would take at least 3,000 super-computers to imitate the operations taking place in the human brain at any one given point in time. Processes taking place in each human cell are awesome and mind-boggling!

Our God created and maintains this vast universe, even to the smallest part (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17). He is involved in His creation as its Sustainer and as the Leader of the human race and its history – past, present and future. To those who reject Him as Creator, Redeemer and Possessor, He is Judge.

Important Principles 
When we study prophecy, God’s Word gives us some important principles to keep in mind:

• Key-distinctions exist between Israel and the Church – in their callings, functions and destinies. The Church has not replaced Israel, but God has diverse plans for both.
• There are various dispensations – periods of time in which God tests people according to the light (privileges) He has given them. Privilege implies responsibility, for which every human must give an account. Because of Adam and Eve’s fall (Gen. 3) all are guilty (Rom. 1:18-32, 2:1-11, 3:19).
• Great differences exist between God’s plans and man’s objectives. Since man’s fall a war has been going on between “the god of this age,” who blinds the mind of the unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4 NKJV), and the Creator God, who is the Redeemer and the ultimate Judge (Acts 17:21-31).

God’s Agenda Or Man’s Ideas 
Our great God has a program for this world (Eph. 1:10), for Israel (Rom. 11:26-29), and for the Church – His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:8-11). For these plans to be carried out the Prince of Peace had to come into this world and set things right. At His first coming, when the Word became flesh (Jn. 1:14), Jews and Gentiles rejected Him as was foretold by God (Isa. 49:4, 50:2; Mt. 11:25-27). Christ fulfilled many prophecies, and many more will have a future fulfillment. Together, these prophecies can be called “the foreshadows of the Messiah.”

Our Lord is coming again, for sure, and every knee will bow to Him as He fulfills the prophetic Word regarding His two comings (Phil. 2:6-10) and other predictions. We live in a world in turmoil which will get worse before these prophecies are fulfilled and the Prince of Peace will reign. Yet, the soul in communion with God may live in peace now, in a close relationship with the Prince of Peace (Isa. 26:3). God’s agenda in this day of grace is for us to promote His interests in His way, as Saul/Paul did after his prayer, “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10). He submitted to Him, to do His will – an example for us today.

God’s Plan As Summarized By Paul 
“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith … according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Tim. 1:5,11). We need “a spirit … of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7) to carry out God’s agenda for the period of grace.

This is completely different from what the “Christianized world” follows. Why? Emperor Constantine ruled in the early part of the fourth century AD. After ten major persecutions (consider Rev. 2:10), he made of Christianity – which implies a relationship with the true and living God (1 Th. 1:9-10) – the main religion of the Roman Empire, placing it beside and above the pagan religions. As Emperor he was the Pontifex Maximus (high priest) of all these religions, even though he professed to be a believing Christian.¹ Constantine’s policy was not in tune with God’s thoughts, but it was allowed by Him as it relieved the Christians from persecution. Satan, at the same time, showed himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

God’s plans are also different from the present Zionists’ – even though we sympathize with the nation of Israel and their many sufferings throughout the ages.² God’s thoughts, of course, also differ from all other religions as well as the many “one-world government” promoters, new-agers and environmentalists of our days. All these efforts are counterfeits of God’s unique plan for Israel and this world, for their agendas are basically controlled by “the god of this age” (4:4), who is “the prince of this world” (Jn. 12:31 JND). Yet our God is and remains in complete control,³ and He will fulfill His plans!

Completely different from man’s ideas, God’s agenda for the near future is to introduce His “new age” of a thousand years’ reign of peace under the rule of His Son, who is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7). Notice that the Lord’s two comings are found in the same passage: the Child born, in the past, and the Son given, in the future. We intend to consider this matter more, later.

The Enemy Plans A Counterfeit New Age 
Soon after Noah’s flood, Satan introduced “the great city” of Babel. It was a system of idolatry (Gen. 10-11) to lead people away from the true God who had revealed Himself as Creator and Judge (Rom. 1:18-23). Satan did this before God presented His plan – “the city which has foundations” – to Abraham, who became the father of all believers (Gen. 12:1-3; Heb. 11:8-10). Today the enemy is busy introducing a counterfeit “new age,” and he is using “the great Babylon” as his goal (Rev. 17).

In contrast to this, since the days of Acts 2, all true believers form a unified company, called and acquired by God from among Jews and Gentiles. Soon they will be taken away suddenly (literally, “snatched away”) from this scene in an event called “the rapture” (1 Th. 4:16-18). After this the apostate, or rebellious, church will continue on earth under Satan’s leadership and connect with apostate Israel and the nations of this world, similar to the situation in the Roman Empire in past days.

God’s Remnant 
While this development takes place God will have a remnant among Israel (Rev. 7:1-8) and a great harvest among the nations (vv.9-17). There is now – and ultimately will be – a battle between God and His enemy, Satan. If the Evil One could destroy all the Jews, then God would not be able to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham. Satan tried to defeat the Prince of Peace when He came in humiliation (Phil. 2:5-8). Christ, however, always had the victory: during the temptations in the wilderness (Lk. 4:1-13), on the cross (Col. 2:15) and in His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54). Soon He will have the final victory (Rom. 16:20), public and lasting, when all the Jews and Gentiles will be brought to His feet (Phil. 2:9-10). Then, after the “times of the Gentiles” will have run their course as foreshadowed in Daniel 2:44, the Lord will usher in a new world of righteousness and peace.

Today’s Challenges 
Christians have the privilege of being in God’s kingdom (Rom. 14:17). This kingdom is now in testimony, as it is to honor God and the Lord Jesus in a world that still rejects Him. In other words, the kingdom of God today represents a moral preview of Christ’s coming reign in glory, similar to what a few disciples saw on the Mount of Transfiguration. Recorded in the Gospels and witnessed by Peter, John and James, it implies a challenge, namely that God and Christ be reflected in our daily lives. This remarkable event with Moses and Elijah visiting was a foretaste of Christ’s public reign and also a confirmation of the prophecies about it (Mt. 17:1-9; 2 Pet. 1:16-21). It confirmed how God, when His time has come, will publicly introduce His “new age” into this world.

We should not try to enforce with human means or methods what God Himself will realize in the world to come under Christ’s rule. Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:10-20) and we should not use carnal weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5) or try to imitate situations of the past. The enemy’s tactics of opposition include methods of imitation (2 Tim. 3:8), transforming himself into an angel of light for his purposes.

Satan is a master of deception and was a counterfeiter “from the beginning,” for he is the father of the lie and the murderer. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20). Already Isaiah’s days were marked by deception and delusion, and likewise are our days with “another Jesus, false apostles, deceitful workers” (please read 2 Cor. 11:4,13-15; 1 Jn. 2:18; 2 Th. 2:3; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Mt. 24:4-5,11,24; Lk. 18:8; 1 Th. 5:3; Jn. 5:39-43).

In His moral government (Rom. 1:28) God allows and even sends such blindness. The God of Truth will send a special energy of error, a delusion, that people may believe the lie (2 Th. 2:7-12). But true believers are warned to not be deceived (Gal. 6:7; 1 Cor 6:9, 15:33; Jas. 1:16)!

God’s Plans Will Be Fulfilled 
Zechariah 12:2-4 (KJV) predicts that God will make Jerusalem “a cup of trembling” (for intoxication) and “a burdensome stone for all people” (as an unsupportable burden). In His governmental dealings with this world, in particular the Western world, God will send blindness, of which our days witness foreshadows.

Israel is the apple of God’s eye (Dt. 32:10; Zech. 2:8), even though in His moral government God calls them “Lo-Ammi” or “not My people” (Hos. 1:9 NKJV). Everyone who attacks Israel attacks God Himself. God told Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). God’s plans will be fulfilled, and we need to understand that His ways will lead to the fulfilment of these plans (see Rom. 9-11). God’s plans and ways both are the subjects of prophecy.

As Christians we expect the rapture to occur at any moment, without any signs; and we live in that expectancy (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Th. 1:9-10, 4:16-18; Ti. 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2 Pet. 3:11-14; 1 Jn. 3:3; Rev. 22:17,20). These details belong to the blessed hope of the Church, but not part of prophecy. In this we notice a distinction, for the many events that the Lord predicted in His messages to the seven churches (Rev. 2-3) are part of prophecy as they relate to man’s responsibility on earth. But the hope of the Church is linked with Christ in heaven.

ENDNOTES 
1. This arrangement put Christianity on the same level with this world’s religions, even though the Emperor gave preference to Christendom. Today’s movement towards a one-world religion is similar in essence and it is anti-biblical (Jn. 8:23, 18:36). 
2. Realizing that in God’s ways He uses all these things, we must distinguish this from His true purpose. 
3. Throughout history we notice this control. Just two examples: the First World War, often called “the Great War,” led to a homeland for Israel; the Second World War led to many Jews going back to their country, even though mainly in unbelief and distinct from the fulfillment of prophecy when all will go back.

Part Eight 

---

By A. J. Pollack

The Word
This is a title of our blessed Lord. In the majestic opening of John’s Gospel we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (Jn. 1:1-2 NKJV).

Why should “the Word” [Greek: Logos] be used to indicate a divine Person? an illustration will help here. I have often been in foreign lands whose languages were unfamiliar to me, sometimes sitting in a room alone with another Christian for considerable time. The two of us were intelligent and mannered, yet there we sat looking at each other, unable to know each other’s minds all for the lack of a spoken word which was understandable by us both – all for the lack of a medium of conveying our thoughts one to the other. How amazing that when the God of infinite love wished to make His mind known to His creature for his eternal blessing, He should give to man a living Word – a Person, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.

As we closely examine John 1:1-2, it becomes more and more wonderful. Note the following.

• The Word was in the beginning – from all eternity. 
• The Word was with God – a distinct personality.
• The Word was God – deity is claimed for the Word. 
• The Word was with God in the beginning – eternally a distinct personality.

As we study these claims of Scripture we begin to see who the Lord is from all eternity.

For the sake of clarity writers sometimes speak of “God absolute” and “God relative.” What is meant by these terms? When we think of God as Father and Son and Spirit, one God, God in all His fullness, we mean God absolute [unqualified, complete]. When we read of the Word’s being with God we think of God relative [in respect to the absolute]. We learn that the Word is relative to God. When we speak of the Father and the Son, then we have God the Father relative to the Son; and the Son (or Word), who is God, relative to the Father. This is a great mystery, and we only gather these thoughts as revealed in God’s Holy Word.

We are told in Scripture that God absolute dwells in unapproachable light, that no one has seen Him nor can see Him – and that will be true for all eternity (1 Tim. 6:16). Yet, thank God, He has been pleased to reveal Himself in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is Himself God as the Father is God and the Holy Spirit is God. We gladly sing:

The higher mysteries of Thy fame  The creature’s grasp transcend;  The Father only, Thy blest name  Of Son can comprehend. —Josiah Conder (1789-1855)

There has been an attempt by a certain religious group to belittle the person of our Lord on this point. They claim that the literal Greek of John 1:1 says that the Lord Jesus was only a god, an inferior god, created as the head of the God’s creation – a creature with power to create all else. They deceive the uninformed. In the Greek language, from which the new Testament was translated, there is a definite article [the], but there is no indefinite article [a/an]. So it is not right to speak of the Word as “a god.” Furthermore, the passage goes on to say, “all things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (Jn. 1:3). This completely refutes the idea that our Lord was created, while it asserts that He is the Creator of everything without a single exception.

When John 1:1 says that “The Word was with God,” it means God absolute: Father, Son and Spirit, one God, the fullness of the Trinity. If it had gone on to say that the Word was “the God,” it would have indicated that our Lord was Father, Son and Spirit, which would not have been true. But when it says, “The Word was God,” without putting in the definite article, we see deity claimed for the Word – God relative. Thus carefully did the inspired Word of God put the definite article where it is needed, and left it out when its insertion would not have conveyed the truth of the relative position of our Lord in the Godhead.

Then further we read: “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14). Is it not wonderful that the Son, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Word, chosen of the Father to reveal God to man, should stoop to man’s estate [rank] and dwell among men?

The Eternal Life 
Our Lord came into this world to manifest a life which was with the Father from all eternity. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 Jn. 1:1-3).

The two words “eternal life” taken at their face value in this connection indicate nothing less than deity. Eternal life means life without a beginning or ending. no one has inherent life but God alone, and no one has eternal life inherently except God. So we read: “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 Jn. 5:20). So here we have the true God coupled with the title, Eternal Life – a description only attributable to a divine Person.

Was it not wonderful that this life which was with the Father was seen when our Lord was here on earth, a life perfectly pleasing to the Father? And is it not blessed beyond words that the life that was inherent in our Lord is conferred by God as a gift (Rom. 6:23) upon all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as Savior? This does not raise man to the level of deity, but a divine life is conferred and in receiving it believers become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). They share the moral features of the life of God. This is purchased for them by the atoning sufferings of the Son of God (1 Jn. 4:9).

Look for the continuation of this Series next month.

Part Seven 

---

By A. J. Pollack

Divine Titles In The New TestamentSon
Scripture clearly claims eternal Sonship and Godhead glory for our Lord Jesus Christ. The phrase “Eternal Son” is not found in Scripture but the truth these words convey is found throughout the Bible, sometimes stated and often inferred. Scripture acclaims Him as the Son in eternity before time began (Jn. 17:5; 1 Jn. 1:2) and as born into this world as Man (Heb. 1:5). Hebrews tells us that in these last days God has spoken by His Son (Heb. 1:2). When the prophets spoke, God was speaking through them. But when the Son spoke, God spoke. He is described as the brightness of God’s glory, the express image of His Person in its fullness (Heb. 1:3). Who could answer to this description? Only One, and He must be God Himself. 

Hebrews 1:8 is very emphatic: “To the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom’” (NKJV). The Son is here addressed as God. What more testimony do we want? If God is eternal, what is the Son but eternal?

We quote another striking Scripture: “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (Jn. 17:5). These are the words of the blessed Lord. To our great delight and instruction, this prayer has been recorded for our worshipful meditation. The Son speaks to His Father of a glory that He had with the Father before the world began. This relationship then was in eternity before time – a glory clearly eternal, the glory of the Son. We have presented here two Persons, the Father and the Son, seen in eternity before the world began, eternal in their being and relationship, and reciprocative [mutual] in fullest measure.

Our Lord said, “All should honor the Son just as they honor the Father” (Jn. 5:23). This is blasphemy if not true. Thank God it is most blessedly true! What a claim our Lord made – and none could make such a claim, but God. “You believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn. 14:1). Our Lord never refused worship offered to Him, for as God He was always rightly the Object of worship.

Related thoughts shared by Walter Scott 
(adapted from The Bible Handbook)
Son Of God 
“Son of God” occurs but once in the Old Testament (Dan. 3:25). The title applies to Adam in Luke 3:38 as the expression of his place and dignity in creation. The angels too are styled “sons of God” (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7), but no angel is ever termed “Son of God,” much less “the Son of God.” “Son” is a title belonging to Christ by inherent right; and it becomes ours only by adoption.
“Son of God,” occurring nearly 50 times in Scripture, is the expression of Christ’s personal dignity and glory. “Son of the Father” (2 Jn. 3) intimates the blessed relationship eternally existing between the Father and the Son. “Only begotten Son … in the bosom of the Father” (Jn. 1:18) is the declaration to us of the depth and tenderness of the love in which the Son ever abode with His Father. Dignity, relationship and love are unfolded in these divine and exquisitely beautiful titles.
Luke connects Sonship with the incarnation of our Lord (1:35), Matthew with the calling out from Egypt (2:15) and Mark with the commencement of the Lord’s ministry (1:1). But John traces the Sonship of Jesus Christ before time began: “In the beginning was the Word” (Jn. 1:1). “From the beginning (1 Jn. 1:1) refers to a specific event – the appearing of Christ as Man in the world. “In the beginning was the Word” has no reference to either date or epoch. It is a truly remarkable phrase. Eternity, Personality, Deity, Co-equality and Creatorship are ascribed to Him who is the “Word” and the “Son,” and that within 42 words (Jn. 1:1-3).
The Church is built on the glory of Christ’s person divinely revealed: “Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:16). The Divine glory of that name and person formed the ground of heavenly glory of the “Son” and is needed for Church foundation, blessing and glory – and is also the basis, solid and imperishable, on which our individual salvation most surely rests.

Look for the continuation of this Series next month.

Part Six 

---

By A. J. Pollack

Divine Titles In The New TestamentWhen we come to the New Testament we breathe an atmosphere different from that of the Old Testament. Then it was a time of shadows, when the wonderful prophecies of the coming Christ were heard. Now we have the light of God fully revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know of His actual entrance into this world, of His wondrous testimony to and revelation of God, of His wonderful life, of His atoning death and resurrection and glorification. How glorious that He who came into this world has brought the light of the love of God to sinful man – “love” which a writer describes as “infinite in measure, everlasting in duration, omnipotent in power, unchanging in character, all pervading in its presence, and passing knowledge.”

God 
Unlike the Old Testament where there are several names of God in His essential Being, the New Testament has only one name, the translation of the Greek word Theos. The various names of God in the New Testament designate relative position, such as the Father in relation to the Son. God is:

• a Spirit (Jn. 4:24),
• the living God (1 Tim. 3:15), 
• the true God (1 Th. 1:9),
• able (2 Cor. 9:8),
• faithful (1 Cor. 1:9),
• the God of hope, peace, all comfort, patience and consolation (Rom. 15:13; Heb. 13:20; 2 Cor. 1:3; Rom. 15:5; 2 Th. 2:16), and
• love (1 Jn. 4:16).

“To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 25).

This name of God (Theos) occurs over 1,200 times in the New Testament. Eight times it is employed to designate the gods of the heathen world or distinguished people. For example, John 10:34 speaks of “gods,” quoting from Psalm 82:6-7 where God is seen among the mighty, but telling them they would die like men, for they were but men. Otherwise, God (Theos) is invariably translated God. 

God is presented in two ways: (1) acting in grace, “the acceptable year of the LORD” (Isa. 61:2) or (2) acting in government, “the day of vengeance of our God” (Isa. 61:2). Note the acceptable year of the Lord, the long stretched-out days of gracious waiting on man for his blessing, is compared with “the day of vengeance of our God,” the short hours in which judgment will be rendered to every man. “The acceptable year of the LORD” has already lasted 2,000 years and still God lingers in grace over a godless world. But the day of judgment must come, and signs are telling us that day is not far off. “The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (Ps. 145:8).

Father 
This is a most unspeakable name of God. In a most unique way it stands in relation to the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a relationship He shares with none. There ever was the Father and the Son, the “only begotten” [Greek: monogenes] Son of God (Jn. 3:16). One has said, “Life – the Father from all eternity gives it; the Son from all eternity receives it.” And, there ever was the Holy Spirit. The three share their Godhead glory with none other.

But how wonderful that believers on the Lord Jesus Christ are children of God and can call Him Father. What joy must have filled the heart of the blessed Lord when risen and triumphant He sent the message by Mary Magdalene to His disciples saying, “Go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God’” (Jn. 20:17).

What a glorious message! We believers are seen in a relationship with God as Father in association with our blessed Lord. Divine life has been communicated to us, made possible by the atoning work of our Lord on the cross. We read: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 Jn. 4:9).

We have been made partakers of the divine nature, but not as being lifted to the level of deity for that could never be. We are not omnipotent, omniscient or omnipresent [all-powerful, all-knowing or everywhere present]. Yet we share the moral qualities of the divine life, such as love, purity, compassion, holiness and righteousness; all while we possess a nature that can commune with God.

Note from John 20:17 that our Lord, in sending this marvelous message to His brethren is careful to indicate, by the very phrasing of the message, His preeminence which we all gladly recognize. He did not say “our Father,” but He carefully distinguished between “My” and “your.” He is not ashamed to call us brethren, but remembering who He is and what He has done for our eternal blessing it would be quite out of place to call Him “our elder Brother.” Let us keep to the phrasing of Scripture and exercise that deep reverence that becomes us, while rejoicing in the wondrous relationship we are called to enjoy. How wondrous that God sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts that we might with the confidence of children cry, “Abba Father” (Gal. 4:6). [Abba is a word in Aramaic for father used by infants and might be reverently translated “Daddy.”]

We read: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17).

Related thoughts shared by Walter Scott 
(adapted from The Bible Handbook)
Father 
The divine revelation to the Patriarchs was as “God Almighty,” to Israel as “Jehovah,” while to Christians it is “Father”– the distinguishing New Testament title. The name occurs by itself or in conjunction with other titles about 300 times in the New Testament Scriptures. It is worthy of notice that Jesus only once directly addressed “God” as such (Mt. 27:46); He often spoke of God, but with that one exception, He always directly addressed the “Father.” Of the many divine names and titles there is none more full of comfort or more touching to the heart than that of “Father.” To the Christian it is the expression of that peculiar relationship and measure of blessed nearness, which every believer occupies, founded on accomplished redemption. A Jew, however godly, could not directly address Jehovah as his “Father.” “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” (Ps. 103:13)
“Father” is the language of the babe in Christ (1 Jn. 2:13), the cry of the Spirit in the believer (Rom. 8:15) and a name which speaks of a love and relationship only known and enjoyed by the practically [how he behaves] separated saint (1 Jn. 2:15-16). In those loved chapters of John 13-17, containing the dying instructions of Christ and in which His mind is given us for comfort and profit during the whole period of this present interval of grace, the name “Father” with its pronouns occurs upwards of 100 times.

The prayer of glory is addressed to the God of Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:17-23); while the prayer of love to the Father of Jesus Christ (Eph. 3:14-21). “Our Father” is not the language of Jesus and His disciples as some have supposed, but of the latter only. “My Father” was solely spoken by Jesus. “My Father” and “Your Father” (Jn. 20:17), while maintaining the special blessedness of the believer, distinctly marks off the pre-eminent place of Jesus.

All disciplinary dealing (Heb. 12:9-10), conduct and life (1 Pet. 1:14-17), fellowship (1 Jn. 1) and restoration of soul (1 Jn. 2:1) are referred to the “Father.” It is also the Father’s care (Lk. 12:30), love (Jn. 16:27), grace (Mt. 5:45-48), goodness (Mt. 7:11), words (Jn. 17:8) and testimony (Jn. 17:14) that forms, stays and comforts the soul of the saint in his daily life.
But while “Father” is the name which, perhaps above all others, stirs the feelings and awakens the tenderest emotions of the heart, it must be kept in mind that the name was only fully declared after redemption had been accomplished, after the wrath of God had spent itself on Jesus on the cross.

Part Five 

---

By A. J. Pollack

Prophecies Concerning The Coming Christ
These prophecies are most illuminating and precise. How could writers, centuries apart in different countries and generally ignorant of what each other wrote or would write, give us one complete prophecy with the utmost precision? This indicates a divine power was controlling and guiding their pens – a Master Mind energizing each writer. The Bible is the only book in all the literature of the world which presents this unique and unanswerable testimony to divine inspiration.

A most striking prophecy followed man’s sin in the Garden of Eden. Enmity was put between the serpent and the seed of the woman. That seed was Christ. Satan crushed His heel [something painful] when he led men to crucify the Lord of Glory. But Satan’s apparent victory was actually his utter defeat. That will be seen in the future day when Satan will meet his final doom in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10), thus fulfilling that first prophecy that Satan’s head would be crushed [will be fatal] (Gen. 3:15 JND).

A later prophecy shed more light as to who Christ would be. We read, “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14 NKJV). Immanuel means “God with us” (Mt. 1:23) and is another name for God. Isaiah wrote that Christ would be the Child of the virgin, but He would Himself be God. 

The prophet throws still more light on the subject of the coming Christ, which historically did not come to pass for over seven centuries. “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Would any uninspired writer in his wildest dreams pen this verse? It sounds apparently contradictory to speak of the same Person as a Child of days and “the Father of eternity” (JND). How could both statements be true? And yet we know from Scripture that the Child of the virgin, begotten by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, was God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16). God as well as Man, yet one blessed Person – the Son of God – a mystery utterly beyond man’s comprehension! Our Lord Himself told His disciples, “No one knows the Son except the Father” (Mt. 11:27 NKJV).

It is an incomprehensible mystery to us, like the following Scripture: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2). Here, in a seeming contradiction, is a Baby born in a defined place, Bethlehem, and yet we are told that the One so born was from everlasting. In taking up Manhood our Lord had a beginning at Bethlehem, but the One who had that beginning is God from everlasting, the eternal Son who never had a beginning. The Son was given, not born (Isa. 9:6).

As a last example from Scripture we read: “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there [there AM I, JND – the assertion of deity]: and now the Lord GOD and His Spirit have sent Me” (Isa. 48:16). We have here the three Persons of the Godhead in fullest concert for the blessing of man. Marvelous truth! The Word sent stands in great prominence in this Scripture. Was this not wonderfully fulfilled when our Lord, as recorded in John, announced 14 times that He was the Sent One of the Father?

To those in the temple who doubted He was the Christ He said, “You both know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me” (Jn. 7:28-29). The circle is complete. The Lord plainly linked Himself up with the Sent One of Isaiah 48:16.

This forms a suitable finish to our study of the names of God in the Old Testament and affords a pleasing introduction to our study of divine titles in the New Testament. It is in the Person of our Lord that the Old and New Testaments join hands.

Part Four: We continue this month by considering several more divine titles of the Old Testament.

---

By A. J. Pollack

Jah: Contraction Of Jehovah
This is a contraction of Jehovah, occurring 43 times in the Old Testament and always translated “LORD” in most translations. With 5 exceptions, these all occur in the Psalms, the first being Psalm 77:11. The last is in Psalm 150:6, twice repeating this sacred name in the psalm’s closing verse, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD [Jah]. Praise the LORD [Jah].”

Adon: Lord, Master 
This name as referring to God occurs first in Exodus 23:17 and is the singular of Adonai. It occurs 300 times in the Old Testament under the names “lord” or “master.” It refers far more often to earthly masters, kings, rulers and great men than to God. It is easily seen by the context whether the name applies to God or to an earthly master.

Eloah: God, An Object For Worship 
This name for God is the singular of Elohim and means “God, the Object of worship.” Its first occurrence is found in Deuteronomy 32:15, “But Jeshurun [a poetical name for the children of Israel] grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, you grew thick, you are obese! Then he forsook God [Eloah] who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.”

This name occurs over 50 times in the Old Testament, 41 times in Job. Seeing that Job gives us the story of the conflict between God and Job, it is understandable that this name for God should find a large place there. Job not only learned himself in the presence of God but he was likewise blessed in the true knowledge of God, from which flows the only true happiness.

The Lord (Adon) Of All The Earth 
This title of God, consisting of six words, sets forth His wide dominion. It only occurs three times in the Old Testament – in Joshua 3:11,13 and Zechariah 6:5. The verses in Joshua bring before us the striking scene of the ark (typical of Christ in resurrection) being carried over the Jordan River by the priests, thus preparing the way for the Israelites to pass over to take possession of the land of Canaan. How cheering to them that the Lord of All the Earth should give them a possession where they could live – prophetic of the time when the Son of Man shall take possession of the whole earth and “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

The portion in Zechariah brings before us the fact that the Lord of All the Earth has agencies everywhere, ready to carry out His will in relation to mankind. We read, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth” (Zech. 6:5).

The vision here teaches that behind all man’s apparent arranging and planning, God is directing earthly affairs for His own wise purposes and glory in the government of this world. In these four spirits is seen prophetically the rise and fall of the four great world-empires, first indicated in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image made of gold, silver, brass and iron – the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. We await the revival of this last empire in these closing days [which we undoubtedly are seeing being formed in the current European Union].

Elah: An Object Of Worship 
This name for God occurs 89 times and, with one exception (Jer. 11:11), is found only in Ezra and Daniel. The name means “an object of worship.” Occasionally it is applied to man-made gods, but otherwise to the only One to whom the word rightly belongs. In Ezra it occurs 43 times and always in connection with the building of the temple in the time of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and the verses that follow. While building the temple, surrounded by cruel and fanatical foes and with little strength of their own, we can understand how they turned to God again and again during their difficulties. 

Elah occurs 45 times in Daniel. In that book it is strikingly connected with the expression, the God of Heaven, which occurs 5 times. How naturally Daniel and his companions would turn to the God of Heaven when in a land of idols and captive in a strange country. What a resource is God to His people in all similar times and circumstances! GT

Related thoughts shared by Walter Scott
(adapted from The Bible Handbook)
God: Eloah
Israel, as a nation, was placed in the midst of an idolatrous world as a testimony against the gross idolatry and corruption of those not believing in God. It was also a witness to the unity of Jehovah – to Him who is alone and one in power, wisdom and goodness; in contrast to the numerous gods and deities of the world. An integral [necessary, basic] part of all divine testimony since the days of Abram is that “our God is one Lord” (Mk. 12:29; 1 Tim. 2:5 KJV). Thus where the idolatry of Jew or Gentile with their many gods and lords is in question, Eloah is generally used as being the name and expression of the only living and true God, the object of all testimony and worship.
To the unbelieving and idolatrous people, God sent a message in their own language that their gods (elohim) shall certainly perish from the earth and from under heaven (Jer. 10:11). This threat will be executed in the day of Jehovah’s anger, as Isaiah 2:18 solemnly tells us: “The idols He shall utterly abolish.”

Lord Of All The Earth
In taking possession of “all the earth,” of which Canaan was an example of what is to come and Joshua a type of the Lord in the taking of the inheritance, God selected this easily understood and fitting title. Under it the people crossed the Jordan and undertook the conquest of the land. When, however, the highly favored people would dare to connect God’s blessed name and presence with their evil and idolatry, God could but leave the earth, no longer having a home or throne in it. Thus, Ezekiel witnesses the glory (the divine majesty and divine presence) slowly moving away from Jerusalem and going toward its native home (Ezek. 1-11). To have remained in the defiled temple (Ezek. 8) or sanctioned [shown approval for] the iniquity of the throne would have been to lower His character, deny Himself and tarnish His glory as God. Governmental power, therefore, passed over from Jerusalem to Babylon, and from that important moment we date “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24; Dan. 2). God could not sanction iniquity by His presence – although governmentally He might bless the power conferred upon the Gentiles – so long as His people were held in captivity by these powers and the cities of Judah laid waste. Hence, when the cause of Israel is again taken up the title will be re-asserted (Rev. 11:4, compare with Zechariah 4 and 6:5).

Nebuchadnezzer lauded the God of Heaven but not the Lord of All the Earth – that title only being taken up when Israel’s place of supremacy in the earth and amongst the nations is being made good. The central part of Revelation is God’s assertion of His right and title to the earth; the consequence being days of wrath and terror upon man – especially upon apostate Judaism and Christendom. These judgments will inspire such fear in the wicked that they will haste to give glory to the “God of heaven” (Rev. 11:13). But that is not the title expressive of the character of these awful days and times. Men will cheerfully own God’s title to heaven, His right to dwell and govern there, for, after all, that keeps God and man at a distance. However, when He announces His settled purpose to again take up this earth, to wrest it from the power and grasp of Satan, men will sternly refuse to own the title “God of the earth.” So the storm of divine judgment will roll on: the seals broken, the trumpets blown and the vials poured out. The thick black clouds will break and burst until the guilty world is thoroughly swept by the broom of destruction. Then the song from heaven will break upon a joyous and redeemed creation: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

This, then, is a title which God asserted at the conquest of Canaan and will establish by power in judgment after the day of grace is closed, introducing the setting up of His kingdom on earth.

God Of Heaven
We have about 20 instances of this interesting title in the Scriptures. It is only found twice in the New Testament (in Revelation), but it occurs eight times in the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra details the religious state of the returned remnant from Babylon. God most graciously permitted a considerable number of His people to return to the city and land of Immanuel, but they did so under Gentile permission and protection. When returned they got blessing from God, but not the presence of God. In the five post-captivity books – Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi – the remnant is not once termed “My people,” except in distinct reference to the future. In earlier times this was the favorite expression of the prophets and was found abundantly in their books. But now after the captivity, although all the rituals may have been practiced, the presence of GOD – of Jehovah – was absent. The glory was departed from Israel. Their temple – beautiful and glorious – had no ark, no golden mercy seat, no golden cherubim and no Urim and Thummin. Where was the cloud of glory, the well-known symbol of Jehovah’s majesty and presence? It had vacated its place and retired into heaven. But it will yet return and occupy the magnificent millennial temple, filling it with glory (Ezek. 43). Those sunny days and times are not far distant.

Thus we account for the frequency of this title in the book of Ezra. God was indeed caring for and watching over the remnant of His people, but He did so secretly and providentially. The glory had left the house, hence the appropriateness of the title “God of Heaven.” God acts in and from heaven, not on earth, yet He directs and controls all for the blessing of His own. When He begins to act publicly on behalf of Israel, He will do so under His Joshua-title, “Lord of All the Earth.”

The point now for faith to recognize is that God is acting and directing. What a comfort in the presence of evil and evil men: “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). The book of Esther, in which the name of God does not once occur, shows the secret acts of God, exercised through the Persian monarchy. There we see that His people are watched over and protected by God Himself.

The expression “kingdom of heaven,” which occurs only in the gospel of Matthew, about 30 times, has its root in Daniel 6. It is an important phrase in connection with the title “God of Heaven.” This divine, and to us exceedingly important title, covers all the period of time from the scattering of Judah by the first imperial power until God again takes up the cause of the Jew.

Look for the continuation of this Series next month.