WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

In looking forward to the return of Jesus, there is a general order in which the Christian world expects certain events to take place.

In a broad overview of the major points commonly held, the righteous dead and living are caught up together with Christ for a 1000 years. At that time the wicked are slain by the brightness of His coming. After the millennium (1,000 years) Christ returns with the saved. The wicked are raised for judgment, at which point the wicked are deceived by Satan, and God rains down fire from heaven and burns up the wicked. This is based on the currently held interpretation of Rev. 20:9 and related texts.

If you expect Jesus to come back as a conquering King, to slay the wicked, setting the world free from sin, you are in good company. As a matter of fact, that is basically the same set of results that John the Baptist and the disciples expected Jesus to accomplish. That is why John the Baptist sent a messenger to Jesus, asking Him, "Are you the One who should come or not?" They had a very hard time accepting the fact that Jesus came to SAVE the world, not to condemn it, for the world is already condemned. (John 3:17).

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John the Baptist and the disciples were greatly disappointed when Christ did not take the throne and rid Israel of their Roman captors. They wanted Jesus to take up the sword that the world lives and dies by and deliver them from the hand of their enemies and set them up as kings of the earth.

If we wish to be children of Christ's, kingdom, we need to use Christ's definitions for His word. The SWORD of Christ is His WORD, and His ten commandment law is a big part of His sword. Jesus is and was always the conquering King, whether any part of the world recognized it or not. The Jews also looked for a Messiah that would set them free from their Roman oppressors, who had not only taken away their sovereign right to rule themselves but were taxing them to death. The Messiah's promised reign was prophesied and they quoted it with hope and joy, expecting their Mighty King to come and set them free. (Micah 5:2) "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting."

So, before Jesus Christ came, the religious leaders, the Jews, the poor and oppressed to the rich and affluent, even the Magi, anyone with knowledge of the God of Jacob, had some expectation of a coming conquering king. A king who would take the throne of David, to set the children of Jacob free from their galling captivity and oppression, and sit on David's throne as king whose reign would never end. And this is exactly what Christ came to do! There was only one problem. They expected this freedom in the new kingdom to take place using their "definitions" in this world. So, when Jesus came He not only refused to be their king but declared that His Kingdom is not of this world. We should always use God's definitions of His word. The world is still the evil place it was when Jesus first came. We also must remember that God's time table and the way He does things is completely different than the way we do things. The ways of the world are declared to be "foolishness" in the eyes of our Creator.

God changes not, which we always need to keep in mind. Psalm 89:34; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Heb. 13:8. So, what has changed in those generalized groups, which have some knowledge of God?

NOTHING. They are still expecting Christ to slay the wicked taking vengeance on them for their ungodly deeds, setting the children of God free from sin. Some of the world's definitions of God's words, are different from God's definitions as shown by His physical fulfillment of that word. Also, the world's definitions are many times different from the definition God gives us in His word.

(Isa. 55:8) "For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD." As a whole, our expectations are NO different than the Jews and religious leaders when Christ first came. We are headed for the same disappointments of the disciples and the Jews when Jesus did not kill with violence, to set His children free. What is so amazing, is that this belief is so deeply entrenched that the world accepts it, regardless of which camp they believe themselves to be in, the camp of the saved or the lost.

If we do not wish to be disappointed, we need to exchange the world's definitions for God's. We need to look at God's character (His commandments) and what He has done in the past in similar circumstances. A good example of man's definitions, is in Luke 22:35-38. "And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, 'It is enough.'" The Living Bible correctly paraphrases this: "ENOUGH!" In other words, "enough of this conversation. It is time to go." He knew their minds were not open to anything He was trying to say so there was nothing left to do at this point but to go on to Gethsamane and plead with the Father to let the cup pass from Him because neither the nation nor his own precious disciples were ready for what was about to happen. But in spite of His eloquent and mournful, tearful plea the Father's answer was, "No." But He sent an angel to strengthen him or he would have died in the Garden.

When Jesus told the disciples to take a sword to spread the gospel, this physical example He used went against God's definition, His character, and what He taught us in word and by example. It only makes sense that when anyone spreads the gospel, they would use the word of God, which is His sword. Of course. We all know that from Paul's writings in Hebrews 4:12; Eph. 6:17. "The sword of the Spirit is the word of God." So, when the disciples said they had TWO swords, Jesus said IT is enough. These TWO, which God joined together when He referred to them as ONE in that little word IT, are the Old and New Testaments. That was prophetic as the New Testament had not been written yet. (Matt. 19:6) "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." What comes to mind is John 1:14, "And the word was made flesh,"

So when Jesus said, (John 6:54) "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life;", most of His disciples left Him because they used the wrong definitions. Jesus Christ is the word of God, the manna, the bread of life, without which, we have no life. Also, we are reminded of Prov. 23:23. "Buy the truth, and sell [ it ] not;" I no longer find it strange that Jesus would tell the disciples to buy a sword to spread His word, the gospel.

Jesus's teachings were radically different from what the religious world believed and looked for. GOD CHANGES NOT. Mala. 3:6, "For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." The world as a whole, is expecting or anticipating the same iron sword wheeling, tooth for a tooth god that Israel hoped Jesus would be. Israel desired to be set free from Rome and we desire to be set free from sin. If you're looking for a blood bath with Jesus slaying the wicked and taking vengeance on them for every injustice, you're looking for the wrong god! God's people are headed for the same disappointment.

Those who think they serve the Father best, desiring the banishment and destruction of the wicked, will find themselves outside the kingdom with the prodigal son's elder BROTHER, who represents the Pharisees.

The prodigal son received a ring (his inheritance), the best robe (Christ righteousness), and shoes (showing he was not a servant). The ring also represented full restoration to the family fortune because in that ring was a seal which gave him full authority to sign all the family checks. As the prodigal son's brother was outside the fathers' house, because he was so angry that his wicked brother had been accepted back into the fathers house with a celebration, so will all those be that love not their enemies. Luke 6:35-36, "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." The hasty and quick to judge, say "you are condoning sin." God does not condone sin, nor does He ask us to condone sin.

Both brothers are children of the father. Both brothers have an invitation to a resurrection celebration. Luke 15:24, "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." Both have fallen short of the Glory of God, for all have sinned. Rom. 3:23. But, the one with anger for his younger brother and the father, will miss that part of the celebration, which appears to be 1000 years. This will be a tremendous loss that cannot be imagined until the time of the resurrection. That is why there will be such wailing and gnashing of teeth and a desire to take the city and destroy the inhabitants therein. But the Lord has a different plan for them that they do not know about.

This is where the elder brother with anger in his heart, needs to make amends with his little brother and his Father as well, for His sin against God. Matt. 5:23-24, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." The gift and sacrifice God requires is a soft and contrite heart, a broken spirit, a living sacrifice.

The pagan nations required a dead sacrifice, but God wants a LIVING sacrifice. Rom. 12:1. To be a living sacrifice, is a contradiction to the world. God does require a freely given life from each of us, the first born in each of us, our sinful nature. We are all born into bondage, born into sin. As the first born in Egypt had to die before Israel could leave bondage, so must our sinful nature die before we are free from sin. At that point, God has a clean vessel to inhabit, not the partial cohabitation or space rental that we have all given God in the past.

The prodigal son's brother will enter the Father's house, for the Almighty Counselor went out to bring him in. To think that God could fail to accomplish His will, would show a great lack of faith on God's part.

The prodigal son's brother spoke against his father's mercy and forgiveness of the wicked son. For, the "good" or elder brother had served his father many years and not transgressed his commandment. At least in His own eyes. But what about his attitude and Spirit? "Now, if any may have not the Spirit of Christ He is none of His." Rom. 8:9.

You will hear the same questions today. What is the point of keeping Gods commandments, if He is going to save all the wicked anyway? Why would anyone turn to Jesus now, if you can squander this life and still received God's forgiveness after the 1,000 years anyway?

The questions lack LOVE for God as well as MERCY for our fellow man. The Lord answers these same questions to possibly the same people in Malachi 3:13-18. "Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee? 14 Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered. 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."

We should be dwelling upon Gods' holiness, righteousness, forgiveness, longsuffering, and mercy, and who He benefits by His Goodness, is His decision. (Exod.33:19), "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy."

In these days you will see strong objections, and calls of "HERESY" to any suggestion that God should save a son, our brother, who will return from the dead with a humble and changed heart, who desires to serve his Creator. By Webster's definition, God saving the entire world is heresy. Paul was labeled a heretic for believing Jesus and not the religious leaders of his day. It WAS heresy to say or believe that the earth is round, but that never changed the truth. This anger over an undeserved gift, is prophesied. Jesus spoke of it also in the parable of the workmen who served all day in the field and received the same wage as those who showed up in the last hour. So, think it not strange when you see the anger, deep concern, and anguish, over the possibility that God could be that merciful and forgiving of those that have made a wrong choice. Also remember ultimately, it was the father and the owner of the field with whom they were angry.

God's ability to save all the inhabitants of this planet is not recognized by the world, even though Jesus said He came to save the whole world. And that if He were "lifted up" (a clear reference to His coming crucifixion) He would "draw all men" to Himself. John 12. Pilate asked Jesus, "what is truth" while standing face to face with the TRUTH. Many will not see God's true character until He is pleading with them. (Isa.66:16) "For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many." By the world's definitions, God would be burning and slaying the wicked. Using God's definitions, He pleads with all flesh by "The Holy Spirit" and by "His Word." (Rev.19:21) "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth:"

So, just as the saved are to put to death their first born nature in this life, that sinful nature, the "old man of sin," so will the wicked suffer a death in the Lake of Fire, which will be caused by God convicting their hearts of their ungodly deeds when He reveals the entire history of the world in a great panoramic slide show in the heavens. Psalm 7:6-9 predicts this even and GC 666 elaborates and expands on it. This will bring all the wicked lost out side the city to their knees in confession that Jesus Christ truly is Lord of all. Phil 2:6-11. Vs. 11 says this bowing down and confessing will "bring glory to God the Father." Therefore, this will be a true and genuine conversion experience, not forced or faked, otherwise, it would not "bring glory to God the Father." In addition to that we also have this text: "And no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." I Cor. 12:3.

So, as the result of this, the Bible predicts that in that day, "The slain of the LORD" shall be many, just as we now choose Jesus Christ and lose our life for Him. Jesus said, (John 12:32), "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [ men ] unto me." God "pleads with" and "draws" all flesh unto Him self. (2 Cor.5:19) "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." (Rev.22:21), "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen."

Written by an Deacon of the Church who wishes to remain anonymous. March 17, 2002.