సాక్ష్యం 6. Other large items-1,000 But the total they gave is 5,400 which is different from the above mentioned number of items.
Cyrus the great brought to an end the seventy year old exile as fulfilment of Jeremiah’s prophecy. He also ordered for rebuilding of the Temple. In this connection, the readers may get some doubt, whether God asked Cyrus to build a house for Him in Jerusalem. We have no authentic information either from the scripture or from Cyrus that he got a vision where in God asked him to build His Temple. Actually about 190 years earlier God declared in the scripture “Cyrus, He is my shepherd and shall perform all my pleasure even saying to Jerusalem; Thou shalt be built; and to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be laid” (Isaiah 44:28). The prophecy of Isaiah was nothing but the command of God which Cyrus mentioned in his decree. Cyrus really did not know God, personally. But God knows Cyrus and used him as an instrument for His purpose like liberating the captives from Babylon.
Scripture is more than history of religious commentary, whereas Bible is God’s message to mankind. Cyrus was aware of prophecy of Isaiah in the scripture, which he was commanded with his name to rebuild the God’s Temple. Then Cyrus proclaimed by honouring the prophecy of Isaiah in the scripture as it was the Word of God. The main idea of the prophecy was that he should build a house for God in Jerusalem. Though Cyrus permitted the Jews to go to their native land only ten percent of them wanted to go, and the others wished to remain in Babylon itself with their properties etc.
The desired Jews started to go back to Judah or Zion in the spring season of 538 BC The Percian king officially sanctioned the province of Yehud or Judah for their settlement. They were led by Zerubbabel as their leader. He was, also
The Everlasting Kingdom of God background Zerubbabel was appointed as Percian governor to Judah. He lost the chance to become the king because of his grandfather Jehoiachin or Jeconia . Zerubbabel was also called with the Percian name “Sheshbazzar”. It is said the treasures of the Temple were also sent through him because he came to Judah in the capacity of the governor.
The emperor Cyrus gave power to Zerubbabel even to lay the foundation for the second Temple. Joshua Ben, the high priest and spiritual leader assessed him to reach Zion. The lineage of Joshua Ben was continued from Zadok, the first high priest of Solomon’s Temple. As the captives returned after 70 years of gap, the condition of the houses and the land was really heartbreaking, because the total destruction took place in 586 BC. The ruins of the Temple mount also gave the impression as if it was beyond any repair. They had no houses to reside and the land was unfit for cultivation. Such hardships, they had to face after they returned from captivity.
Even the location of the Temple became beyond recognition because of the unwanted plants that grew there. It is said even the jackals made their dens in the rubbles. Prophet Jeremiah happened to see that in its extreme desolation and mourned. The hearts of returned captives were melted at the scene and moved to give a sacrificial offering of gold and silver that they had in order to begin the construction work immediately. They thought first of all it would take months just to clean the debris from the inner court around the altar.
Zerubbabel and Joshua called the nation to gather in Jerusalem in the seventh month to celebrate the final feasts of the Hebrew year the feast of Trumpets the feast of yon Kippur or the feast of atonement and the feast of Tabernacle. According to Hebrew calendar these three festivals would come in the seventh month called “Tishri.” So on the first day of the month Tishri they would build altar on the exact location and permit the priests to restart the sacrifices. Then the Temple construction was started on the same foundations with the money granted by the king Cyrus. The foundation was laid in 537 BC in the second month called “Iyyar” and that comes during (April-May) in our calendar.
Soon after the competition of the foundations, the Temple priests with their garments conducted the sacrifices and they were happy. But some elder people wept in despair as they found no farmer beauty in appearance like the first Temple. Then a strong apposition came from the people of hill country North of Jerusalem for the continuation of the construction. About two centuries
The Everlasting Kingdom of God before this, in 721 BC the northern kingdom Israel fell into the hands of Assyrians. At that time most of the Israel were deported to different places and some foreigners occupied their important place called Samaria. The remaining Israelites happened to inter marry the settled foreigners and their offspring’s were called Samaritans and these cross bread Samaritans practised both Judaism and idolatry. They came to know the Jews were rebuilding the Holy Temple and tried to join them. They requested Zerubbabel Let us build with you for we seek your God as ye do and we do sacrifices unto Him since the days of “Esarhaddon” king of Assur which brought us up hither (EZRA 4:2) However, they practised a perverted form of worship. They made sacrifices in the pattern of idol worship on the altars the mountains. Their priesthood was not from Levite families, which was against the law of God. So they were almost enemies to Jews in the pattern of worship and they wanted their own method of worship in the rebuilt of the Temple.
Having understood the crooked plan of the Samaritans, Zerubbabel and Joshua bluntly refused their assistance in any manner. They also told the Samaritans that they were rebuilding the Temple on the command of the king Cyrus. Later the Samaritans built their own Temple on Mount ‘Gerezim’ according to history. Since they were rejected by the Jews to take part in the construction, they planned to take revenge by hook or by crook. With the pretext of loyal citizens they wrote a letter to the king, where in they did not say anything about the Temple, but they accused the Jews by saying that they were fortifying Jerusalem for their safety and then rebel against Persia as they did previously against Babylon. At that time Artaxerxes, the son of Cyrus, was the king. They wanted to stop the construction by any means. As the king was not aware of this issue, he gave orders for the immediate stop of the construction of any type in Jerusalem. The Samaritans went even to Jerusalem to stop any progress on the order of the king. As a result the Temple remained with foundation for seventeen years. So, all the returned Jews became restless and helpless. In addition to this the land became unfit for cultivation because of seventy years gap. They had no houses to live in. They had no weapons to defend themselves from enemies like the Samaritans.
When Darius 1 became the king of Persia in 520 BC, there were some rapid changes. God raised some of His prophets like “Haggai” and “Zechariah.” The time had come for the people to trust in God and do the necessary help to resume the work of the Temple. The name “Haggai” means ‘festive’ this reference shows that he must have born in one of the festivals of Israel. He also wished
The Everlasting Kingdom of God his people to enjoy the holiday in the Temple with the command of God. Haggai was the first Hebrew prophet. He prophesised only when he came to Zion and nobody knew anything about his family background. But among his people Jews he showed himself as the Lord’s messenger (Haggai 1:1, 1:13). He did not know anything about the first Temple, as he was born in the captivity in Babylon.
Haggai’s prophecy is preserved in two chapters in the Bible, the second shortest book of Hebrew scripture and the first one is “Obadiah.” He was a minor prophet. His book contained only four messages. The first message he gave on “Rosh Hodesh.” The first day of the sixth month in Hebrew calendar in 520 BC. The second after one month the third and the fourth after one month. He felt very much for the delay of the Temple construction. He commented that people were living comfortably in their wooden houses, but neglected the House of God which was ruined beyond recognition. Haggai finally said God commanded the nation to ascend the Temple mount to bring in cedar timbers and to resume the suspended construction of His House. As a result “I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified saith the Lord” (Haggai 1:8).
Zechariah was a priest as well as a prophet. He was the son of Berachiah and grandson of Iddo. After sometime he became the chief priest to Iddo’s elan. He was also born in Babylonian captivity like Haggai. The meaning of his name was “the Lord remembers.” It is a wonderful testimony to the nation that God would never forget His people. He brought them back to rebuild His Temple. He started his prophetic ministry in the eighth month of the Hebrews in 520 BC. It was just after two months of the commencement of his fellow prophet Haggai and Just after one month the construction of the Temple was renewed. These two prophets prophesised together in Jerusalem.
Though the construction was started again, they worked with lurking fear that massive massacre might take place at any moment. But the Lord’s encouragement to Zerubbabel and Joshua was there. “I am with you saith the Lord” (Haggai 1-13). They should have faith in such a situation that God would provide them anything and everything. Anyway the work was commenced with the inspiring words of God only three and a half weeks after the prophetic message of Haggai.
They continued the work with the hope their success was assured by the Lord. He said, “I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies, my house shall be built in it.” The construction of the Temple would be accomplished by the
The Everlasting Kingdom of God power of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) when the construction work was in full swing the news of the progress reached the regional governor Tatnai suddenly, because such construction generally required prior approval. Tatnai did not know anything about that issue. So, he paid an official visit to Jerusalem, in order to get the first hand information. The Jewish leaders told him that the Percian king Cyrus the great gave a proclamation regarding the Temple construction, but it could not be completed due to some reason and at that time Darius 1 the great was the king of Persia and that matter was referred to him. Then a through search was made in the offices for the decree of the king Cyrus and it was found with that scroll king Darius confirmed the claims of the Jewish leaders.
Darius also endorsed the decree of king Cyrus and gave his order for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple with full speed and added that funds would be sanctioned from the tribute money. Darius warned the regional authorities through another decree. “Let the work of this House of God, alone, let the governor of Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in His place (EZRA 6:7). He explained in detail if anybody apposed the construction they would be slain and their property destroyed. The decrees of both Cyrus the great and Darius the great gave strong support to the building of God’s Temple and carried the highest international authority in the ancient world. Both of them thought and confirmed Jerusalem and the Temple mount would be an unattainable and unalterable possessions of the Jewish people and they should not be transferred to any foreigner that settled around their nation Israel.
Finally the construction of the Temple was over in 516 BC. This happy result was four years after the construction renewed, twenty one years after the foundation laid and 91 years after the first Temple was destroyed. Since we call the Temple as King Solomon’s Temple, we can call the second one as Zerubbabel’s Temple because under his guidance only that could be done. This rebuilt Temple was dedicated with many sacrifices and in great joy. Then the duties of the priests were regularized. In the first month of Hebrew calendar called “Nisan” (that comes in March-April in our calendar), the Jewish people observed their most important festival called the “Passover” on 14th, then the feast of unleavened
th bread on 15 of the same month in that rebuilt Temple for the first time.
We have to remember two significant points in this context. The first point is God’s Temple was rebuilt only in Jerusalem, but not in Babylon or in
The Everlasting Kingdom of God the Temple site remained barren for decades God did not forsake the mount Zion because it is eternal and divinely chosen place. God’s house could never be built at any place except in that location. The second point is that God’s Temple was rebuilt with lesser glory. It was built on the same old location. On the same foundations and with the same local material like limestone and with the cedar timbers from Lebanon. Yet, it was not looked as beautiful as the first Temple. It might be due to short time and limited funds.
But Haggai, encouraged people not to be discouraged for the present Temple’s lesser glory. He prophesised that the beauty and glory of the first Temple over shadowed the second Temple, but the future glory of the Messianic Temple would eclipse the glory of the first Temple. That is to say, the glory of the Messianic Temple would be incomparable and unsurpassed prophet Haggai, revealed some more details about the future Messianic Temple. He said it would be preceded by God’s terrible catastrophic shaking of the whole universe (Haggai 2:6-7; Isaiah 13:13, 34:4, revelation 16:18-20). Then comes Messiah who is wanted by all nations. As soon as he comes He will destroy the enemy and establish His Messianic kingdom and build His Temple on the mount Zion and make it the most glorious with unbelievable quantity of gold and silver. And from this most glorious House in Jerusalem the Lord will bring the universal peace and harmony of His Messianic kingdom(Haggai 2:7-9). The Everlasting Kingdom of GodCHAPTER -9
JESUS THE REDEEMER OF THE EARTH
Among the books in the Bible the “Book of Revelation” is placed as the last one. There are two specific reasons for keeping it as the last one in the inspired cannon of the scripture –
1.It was written by Apostle John in the year 95 AD about 65 years after the
death of Jesus Christ. So this date made to add that as the last book and the
other books were written at least 25 years earlier than this Revelation.
2.The second reason is more important because it gave full details of return of
the son of God at the end of the age. Therefore these two reasons the date
of writing and the prophetic events in the book made the canonical
authorities to keep this book of Revelation at the end.
The Holy Bible comprises of 66 books and among them this one is unique because of the contents. It revealed everything about Christ. It is directly given by the son of God Himself. Jesus Christ is the real source of the book and the object. Therefore no other book in the Bible can claim about Jesus as far as the authentic information is concerned. It might be the desire of heavenly father that His son should give Himself to humanity the account of His ultimate victory at the end of the age. So the book of Revelation is concerned to the last days of history and its main source is the son of God whose major work only to redeem the planet earth at the end of the age. At every stage of history this book reminds us as a disciplined and magnificent sentinel informing men that at the end truth will defeat error light will defeat darkness, life will defeat death, Christ will defeat antichrist and God will defeat Satan. The important understanding of this book is dramatically heightened when we approach it. This book appears to be the final end of the age. The prominent and incomparable event of history is the second coming of the Lord Jesus.’
This is really a sensational news when the trumpets of Revelation are blown and the bowls poured out the impact. It will be like a worldwide tsunami a hundred thousand fold more powerful than anything humankind has ever
The Everlasting Kingdom of God experienced. And the outcome of such dreadful experience will be far greater than mortal minds can comprehend. In such conditions it is no wonder if men tried to hide themselves in dens and caves and cry out for the rocks to fall and hide them from the wrath of the lamb. (Revelation 6:15-16). In such a position the reality is God’s judgment, the cosmos will be for good, then purging of the earth has defiled it since the fall of Adam and Eve. It has become an essential part of the process leading to the regeneration (rebirth) of all things. The purpose of the coming of the son of God is not to turn the world upside down but to turn it right side up. Tragically the book of Revelation has been fictionalized and distorted by the world. It is made little important and no relevance to life. To tell the truth it is more ignored and less understood by the believers. The book of revelation by its own testimony unveiled events surrounding the son of God at the end of the age. Along with birth death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ there is no other important subject in this book. Yet it is really paradoxical as it became a closed book to majority of Christian community.
For some people this book is deep dark and heavy. It is also associated with horror which causes some Christians even not to open it and read freely. But the truth is those who rejected the grace of God in Christ the events mentioned in the book would be their worst nightmare and the people of such nature can never find pleasure in reality. To the true believers it is a different story. There is no doubt some people would have severe persecution by the antichrist and some believers become martyrs. For these believers God will provide a special crown. Some people might have adverse impression about the book of revelation though it is giving us full details of the king of glory at His second coming in conflict with the powers of darkness and coming away from the conflict with the greatest of all victories.
When Jesus comes again He will resurrect those who died in Him and also rapture the living Christians but the believer does not want such things to happen when Jesus comes again He will defeat Satan, the antichrist and the false prophets but the believer does not want. When Jesus comes again He will defeat false religions but the believer does not want it. When Jesus comes for the second time He will defeat the corrupt government but the believer does not like it. When the son of God comes again He will redeem the earth from the curse of sin but the believer does not want it. When Jesus comes again He will make all things new but the believer does not want it. And finally when Jesus comes for the second time He will establish a glorious kingdom on the planet earth. Unfortunately the believer does not want this also.
The Everlasting Kingdom of God
If we look into the Bible carefully there is no other book better than the book of Revelation as it is giving greater reason for rejoicing and praising of God. In fact this is the book of king’s ultimate glorious victory and we as true believers are the sons and daughters of that king. So the book of revelation is not to be afraid of but to read with devotion and try to understand it correctly. Anyway let us not worry about the impressions of different people but let us try to understand the wonderful events depicted by Apostle John who was also called “Beloved disciple” by Jesus Christ. In the fourth chapter of this book we come across a most spectacular seen which no other person from the Bible would have witnessed. The writer John got a vision and he described the vision in his wonderful book what he has seen from the open door of heaven. He heard some voice like a trumpet calling him through the open door. Then what he has seen in heaven provides us the clue for things which are going to happen on the earth. He has seen the stage for ultimate deliverance of believers through resurrection or rapture.
John has seen some gathering together and immediately followed by the out pouring of God’s wrath during the “Day of the Lord.” Again it was followed by the usuring of glorious messianic age upon the earth. Then John saw God the father seated upon His throne which looked with the colors of Jasper (translucent white) and sardine (blood red). These two colors were emanating from the throne and the throne was encircled with emerald rainbow and then followed a sea of glass which looked like Noahic flood. God set His rainbow as a reminder as He would never again destroy the world with flood. At the same time God revealed the world would be judged by fire in the last days and that judgment has to be started soon. John also saw the 24 elders seated on throne around the central throne on which God Almighty was sitting. They were with white raiment’s and gold crown on their heads. Their true identity was discussed for a longtime but concluded with different opinions. Some commentators identified them as human and representatives of raptured church in heaven. Some suggested they were the representatives of the 24 courses of the Old Testament priesthood. The third group suggested as 12 of them were the 12 tribes of Israel and the other 12 were the New Testament apostles but the most widely accepted opinion was that the 24 elders were it seems no other than in high order of the angelic beings and this opinion appears to be more authentic than the other three.
Lightening and thunder appeared from the throne which suggested the throne is judicial in nature. The religions made through Jesus would be delivered
The Everlasting Kingdom of God and those who rejected Christ have to be judged. Then John saw seven spirits before the throne of God who were the representatives of the Holy Spirit. God knows everything and nothing can be hidden from Him because all men one day must give an account. Next John’s attention was drawn towards four living creatures who appeared to have enveloped the four sights of the throne of God. Each creature seemed to have six wings and full of eyes and they resembled the Seraphin angels which prophet Isaiah described (Isaiah 6: 1-3) and also Ezekiel’s description of the cherubim (Ezekiel 1:4-14) these four creatures were no other than a high order of angelic beings. They were the servants of God and their primary duty was concerned to the holiness of God. By remaining around the throne they would be singing always in praise of God as “Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty”. (Revelation 4:8).
By proclaiming Holy Holy Holy these four living creatures were calling to the infinite holiness of one who was sitting on the throne. As the fourth chapter comes to an end these four living creature and 24 elders as John saw fell down before the Lord God and proclaimed “Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory honor and power for thou has created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). The 24 elders and the four living creatures in their word of praise remind us the world was created for Himself. God is the center of all things. As we know the earth moves around the sun but not the sun moves around the earth. In the same way God created man to glorify Him but not God is a jolly benevolent (santaclause) for man. Apostle Paul writing to the church at Rome said “For of him through him and to him are all things to whom to be glory forever.” (Romans 11:36). All things are of Him – He is the creator – all things are through Him – he is the designer and the sustainer. All things are to Him – He is the consummator – all things have their origin movement and completion in Him.
So the outcome of fourth chapter of revelation is God the father created all things and the result of His creation to ascribe to Him glory, honor and power. As the creator He deserves all from His creation. The most wonderful seen John witnessed in heaven in the fourth chapter overflowed into the fifth chapter. And in this chapter we find a scroll in the right hand of God the father who created all things. Then John wrote the following lines “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written and on the backside sealed with “Seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1). John saw in his vision a scroll written inside and back. In those days many scrolls were made of animal skins which could be cleaned and smoothed on one side. They sometimes sewing together
The Everlasting Kingdom of God as a writing surface. The length of those skins was sometimes 18 inches from top to bottom. Those scrolls were made in different lengths depending on how many skins had to be put together. It is said the anti-lope skins were more popular in those days. So they were made clean on both sides and used for writing what the Bible calls the inside and the back. The scroll of the right hand of God was the symbolic of the place of His power. Unfortunately most of the people could not read or write during Biblical times. The seal was generally comprised of a piece of twine wrapped round the scroll and then secured to the scroll at one point with hot wax. While the wax was still hot it imprinted with a signet ring or written message to protect and secure the contents and to guarantee the integrity of the writing.
Sometimes a soft clay that could be quickly hardened was used for the seal. The seal with an imprint or writing on it would not be broken and then recalled without detection. It was no doubt a simple but effective way of keeping the contents of the documents in those days. Even in the roman empire military messages, wills and land or slaves ownership records were often contained in sealed scrolls. John reminded us how the scroll was sealed with seven seals. The number seven is the Biblical reference for completion and perfection. In the book of Revelation the number seven is used more than 50 times because the book brings some historical facts. The book speaks of seven lampstands, seven spirits, seven seals, seven bowls, seven trumpets, seven angels, seven thunders, etc. only a few examples are mentioned here. It is really unusual to find a scroll with seven seals. The Jerusalem museum which housed the famous and controversial “Dead Sea Scrolls” also had an excellent exhibit of ancient scrolls. Among such hundreds of scrolls in the museum one a Samaritan scroll was found with seven seals dated about 200 BC.
The seals trumpets and bowls in the book do not run concurrently (side by side) but they run consecutively (one after another). John continued to say what he has seen in his vision. “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice who is worthy to open the book and loose the seals thereof.” And no man in heaven nor in the earth nor under the earth was able to open the scroll by breaking the seven seals. The most important in this context is searching for a worthy “Man”. Now Apostle John described briefly the account of seven seals – as he said the first seal of the scroll indicates a white horse and its rider is “False Christ”. The second seal depicts the red horse and the rider of war. The third seal represents black horse and the rider tells about famine. The fourth seal speaks about a pale horse and the rider points out disease which finally
The Everlasting Kingdom of God leads to death. The fifth seals depicts martyrs who have been slain because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ and to His world. It is this seal at the midpoint of
th Daniel’s 70 week (Daniel 9:27) which triggers great tribulation. The sixth seal suggest cosmic disturbance which indicates something will happen to the sun, moon and stars. This seal is also tells about the “Day of the Lord” that is about to commence. It is the same seal which will cut short the great tribulation contrary to popular opinion nowhere in the Bible. It is ever taught the great tribulation is three and half years in duration. The seventh seal tells about seven trumpet judgments that the seventh seal contained.
Any man who wants to call himself worthy to open the seal must possess authority and power to break all seven seals and have control over the events which each seal depicts. So searching for such a man became a universal in scope but this also became a failure as no man was found worthy. As John did not find a worthy man to open the seal he began to weep in his vision but one of the elders consoled him and said the lion of the tribe of Judah the root of David would be able to loose the seven seals and open the book. John understood the scroll was written on both sides and sealed with seven seals. It was kept on the right hand side of God Almighty. It was no other than the title deed of the planet earth. If the scroll could not be opened the purging and regeneration of the earth from the defilement of sin through the trumpet and bowl judgment might not occur. If the scroll could not be opened righteousness and justice lie mortally wounded never to rise again. If the scroll could not be opened all of Johns fellow apostles who had been by now martyred for their faith would become vain or lie in vain. If the scroll could not be opened Abraham’s search for a city which had foundations, whose builders and maker is God Himself (Hebrew 4:10) was a vain search. If the scroll could not be opened men are not “Pilgrims to progress”, to a better land. If the scroll could not be opened Christ cannot return. If the scroll could not be opened the day when wolf will dwell with the lamb that we cannot see and also when the earth opens her full bounty with the weapons of war-fare will be made into the weapons of farming and every man will sit under his own fig tree satisfied and fulfilled will never come to function. If the scroll could not be opened God is not a covenant keeping God and Satan will win when Christ looses and man will die in his sins.
It is really wonderful as the New Testament opens with a proclamation of the book of generation of Jesus Christ son of David and son of Abraham. Apostle John continued to look at the throne of God and described the situation
The Everlasting Kingdom of God in the following manner. When Jesus had taken the book (scroll) the four beasts and 24 elders fell down before the lamb. Everyone of them was harping and the golden vials full of odors were prayers of saints. They began to sing a new song with the following words. “Thou art worthy to take the book and open the seal thereof.” He was slain but redeemed us to God by His blood with all the sacrifice He would bring authority to man to rule the earth. As a result of lamb’s actions false religions will be judged and wicked men put to death. Antichrist will be destroyed and Satan vanquished. Death will be defeated and curse lifted. The earth will be made a new righteousness and justice becomes a reality on the earth. The most significant event in this context is Jesus Christ’s taking of the scroll from His father, God and bring that title deed to the planet earth. Then He will go to war to redeem the planet earth from Satan who usurped the man’s position. So the church prays to God our father which art in heaven – Mathew 6 chapter.
This has been a regular prayer in the church for 2000 year and the same prayer Jesus taught to His disciples. Finally this has become almost a pattern prayer to every Christian. With all this the only hope for this planet is the kingly relief from the son of God. So people continued to pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” The son of God took the title deed from His Father to bring to the earth. Then those four living creatures and 24 elders began to sing a song which they never sang before. They sang this wonderful song because Jesus had taken the scroll and about to break it. This particular song was called the song of the “Kinsman’s redeemer.” This redeemer was called in ancient Israel as “Go’el” which means literally “Coming to the help or rescue of another”. The responsibility of “Go’el” is beautifully depicted in the book of “Ruth”. All the Bible readers know the story of Elimelich and his wife Naomi they lived in a small village at that time called Bethlehem. Bethlehem means “House of bread” and Jerusalem means “House of peace” but today Bethlehem is under the control of Palestine government. Though Bethlehem was called the house of bread there was no bread at that time as God cursed the land and so Naomi with her husband and two sons had to go to a strange heathen land called Moab in search of food. In course of time their two sons married Moabite heathen women but Gods curse was upon them still and Naomi lost her husband and her two sons. In the meantime Naomi came to know God blessed her land. So she wanted to return to her homeland Bethlehem with her second daughter-in-law Ruth who wished to follow Naomi to this land. Ruth while coming with her mother-in-law said she would leave her own people and go with her. She would like to live with her only. She added Naomi’s
The Everlasting Kingdom of God God would be her God and Naomi’s people her people. She finally said only death would separate them. What a wonderful statement Ruth gave? But there is truth in it. It appears even the angels in heaven rejoiced exceedingly at the wonderful statement of that gentile woman Ruth. These heroic words of Ruth became a talk among men for many centuries. The book of Ruth has only four chapter and 85 verses. Yet her story became very popular among the Bible readers.
Naomi was in desperate condition as she lost her husband and her two sons without grand children to keep the family lineage. She lost all hope of her future also. But God gave Israel the law of Go’el or kinsman redeemer to avoid such catastrophic situation. When Ruth said “Your God is my God” it is not an ordinary statement. Ruth finally married a Jewish man by name Boaz a distant relative to Naomi. Boaz was born to Salmon and Rachab (or Rahab) a gentile harlot in Jericho who helped three spices. That must be the reason for Boaz to have a tender heart towards Ruth who was also a gentile woman like his mother. In this context it is reasonable to assume that Ruth must have some knowledge of the law of Goel. So when Naomi, a Jewish woman said “She lost all hopes” Ruth, a gentile woman, replied “There is still hope.” Actually the law of Goel would reveal three things
1.The redeemer must be a kinsman.
2.He must have the redemption price.
3.He must be willing to redeem even if his own family inheritance was marred
in the process.
As a matter of fact, it was the law of Goel or kinsman redeemer that the Sadducees used in trying to entrap and discredit Jesus in the New Testament. They did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus also. The central point for the entire discussion between the Lord and Sadducees was based on the Old Testament law of Goel. Boaz liked Ruth very much. Everything went their favor and finally they married. In a short time they got a son also by name “Obed”. This Obed begat Jessie and Jessie begat king David. It means Boaz and gentile woman Ruth were the great grand parents to king David. Above all because of Ruth’s faith and Boaz’s godliness who wished to be a kinsman redeemer became the royal lineage of Jesus Christ. As we see in Revelation 5th chapter a search was made for a man worthy to break open the seal of the scroll that contained the title deed of the earth. The strong angel also looked for a man who was a kinsman who had the redemption price and who was willing to redeem. God
The Everlasting Kingdom of God created man to be the king on earth but he lost that right when he surrendered himself to Satan in the Garden of Eden. And now the major issue is whether there is any man to recapture the lost destiny of man as king of the earth. As a result Jesus became that man to mans kinsman redeemer. He is of bonelike our bone and of flesh like our flesh. Apostle Paul said in this connection that Jesus Christ redeemed us with His precious blood as a lamb without blemish and without spot or remark.
Jesus wanted to redeem us willingly and whole heartedly. So He said of Himself “The son of man came not to be ministered but to minister and to give His life as a ransom for many people rather for all sinners.” The four living creatures and the 24 elders are now singing a different song. They are singing for the redemption of the church and for the bride of Christ. However, the authorized version at this point is misleading. The later part of verse 9 is translated as for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred tongue people and nation. According to authorized translation the four living creatures and 24 elders are speaking of themselves by using the pronoun “Us” but this pronoun us seemed to have been translated in “New International Version” as “Men”. Therefore this portion of verses must be said for thou art slain and hast redeemed (men) to God by thy blood out of every kindred tongue people and nation. All were singing the song. It is the church called royal priesthood. It is the church that shall reign on the earth. It is because of the work of the kinsman redeemer. Jesus Christ the Goel the one who has come to help and rescue all people who believed Him. Apostle John again heard the singing in his vision. At this time the song was sung by not only the four beasts and 24 elders but also ten thousand times of ten thousands and thousands and thousands of angels all shouted in one voice as the slain lamb was worthy to receive the power riches wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. With this the four beasts said “Amen” and the 24 elders fell down and worshipped Him that liveth forever and ever.
Then Jesus Christ takes the scroll and the title deed to the planet earth and brakes its seals the trumpet blows judgment and this would follow and depict the kinsman redeemer at work. According to His plan He is driving away false religion, corrupt government, wicked men, the antichrist, the false prophet and the Satan from the planet earth. Then He would purge the planet earth, the ravage of sin in order to make it New. Jesus wants the planet a perfect one and a redeemed one for the redeemed people Amen. The Everlasting Kingdom of GodCHAPTER -10
WALKING WITH CHRIST
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The cosmos created by God is infinite though the scientists with all their intelligence tried to measure it for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. They felt it highly impossible. They came to a conclusion that it is immeasurable the more they thought of its boundaries the more it has become boundless. The more they tried to comprehend, it, they realized, it has become incomprehensible. As we all know some years ago rockets were sent into the space; with their help also with the help of Astronomical Telescope, the scientists were able to acquire enormous knowledge of heavenly bodies especially regarding terrestrial heaven. They never thought of this wonderful achievement and getting of valuable information prior to these experiments.
But this new knowledge posed a threat and caused more questions, which have become unanswerable. Yet scientists are able to know many secret things from the creation of God. It is really God’s gift to them. The truth is “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Man does not find this truth either in the distant stars of the Milky Way galaxy or in another planet. As we all know God created animal world on earth. Then with His own hands, He shaped man on this earth with dust and then breathed into his nostrils breath of life and thereby became a living soul. It is on this same earth, God gave man a dominion and authority to rule over as king. It is on this earth, God wished to keep His name and His glory.
For all the wonderful things of God’s creation even the angels from heaven seemed to have some lurking desire to have a glance of this terrestrial ball because God wished to work among the fallen men and implement His redemption plan. So, if we consider earth as an important one in the Milky Way galaxy then we must consider Israel as an important place on this earth. And to this planet the son of God would like to come and establish His kingdom. He wanted to walk on this land only. Therefore, the main point is, if we want to walk with Jesus in every point of view, we must walk in the land of Israel, as Jesus walked in order to sanctify ourselves.
Now, let us have a brief look at Bethlehem, the birth place of David and his genealogy and the background of Jesus Christ in that place. Bethlehem was a small village where David was born and also Jesus was the lineage of David of the same place. Just at the time of the birth of Jesus, God used “Augustus
The Everlasting Kingdom of God Caesar” the Roman Emperor at that time, who was also supposed to look into the affairs of the state, proclaimed a decree stating that all people must go to their respective ancestral native places, for the purpose of census. At that time Joseph and Miriam (Mary) parents of Jesus were residing in Nazareth and Mary was in her days of delivery. Both of them were the descendents of David and they had to come to Bethlehem for the purpose of census and the distance between the two places is about 72 miles. Anyway they took 7 days to reach Bethlehem on a donkey. As the village was fully crowded with the people who came for census, found only a cave like place for their shelter at the back of an inn. According to historical information there were three caves in a row at the back of that inn.
One cave was occupied by Joseph and Mary for the purpose of her delivery at any movement. The second one was named after saint Jeremo, who translated the Bible into Latin language and the third cave was named after about two hundred baby boys who were mercilessly butchered by king Herod, in connection with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Those boys were just two years old and even less. With the delivery of Mary, God visited this planet and Bethlehem village which remained obscure for many centuries now became world famous because of the birth of Jesus in that village of Bethlehem, just five miles away from Jerusalem. To the North of Bethlehem there are two most important Biblical cities, namely Hebron and Beersheba at that time. The route was popularly known as the patriarchal high way.
Why it is called so because Abraham, Isaac and Jacob travelled on that way. The rain water would flow down to the West of Bethlehem and go into the Mediterranean Sea. And the rain water fall at the eastern side of Bethlehem would finally go into the “Dead Sea.” Geographically, Bethlehem is located within the boundaries of the two tribes called Judean. The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin were called Jews who were originally separated from the twelve tribes of Jacob and formed their own state as the Southern kingdom of Judah with Jerusalem as their capital after the death of King Solomon.
According to Biblical history only these two tribes remained loyal to “Yehweh” the God of their forefathers, even after they were separated. The separation of ten tribes as the Northern kingdom of Israel and with two tribes as the Southern Kingdom of Judah took place in 922 BC because of the sins committed by king Solomon. But the Israelites forgot their Yehweh completely. They mixed and mingled with the surrounding heathens and finally lost their
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The word Bethlehem is derived from two Hebrew words “Beth” and “Lehem” which means “House of bread.” The land around Bethlehem was a farm land. The people of the surrounding places would bring their erop to Bethlehem for transaction. So, it was also called farmers market. As men had done their business with crops, women did their grocery shopping in that village. That must be the reason why it is called the house of bread.
It was in these hills around Bethlehem the gallant and Godly Boaz commanded his workers to go beyond the rules of law and allow Moabites woman “Ruth” to glean in the fields to pick up that which reapers had left behind them Boaz commanded that “handfuls be deliberately left behind to provide for Ruth and Noamie”( Ruth 2:15-17) we have this wonderful story of Ruth in the Bible with only four chapters and 85 verses. Where in we see how this heathen woman had abundant faith in our God and finally became the legal wife of Boaz.
It was from that Bethlehem the house of bread produced, the son of God, who was also called “the bread of life.” It was from that village Jesus came into this world to satisfy one and all who wished to take part in His faithful life. Nazareth was also a small village at that time. This village lies in between the Sea of Galilee on the Eastern side and Mediterranean Sea, on the western side. This Nazareth is located about 1230 feet above the sea level in the hilly region of lower Galilee. It is on the major trade centre from Egypt in the South, to Syria in the North West and beyond. Added to that the popular mountains which have Biblical importance like Mount Carmel Mount Tabor and Mount Gilbou encompass Nazareth.
There is a valley in a short distance which was called by “Napoleon Bonaparte” as the best natural battlefield in the world. And that place is called “Armageddon” in the Bible in the book of Revelation. God must have planned this place for the future battle that would take place between God Himself and the Antichrist. The result must be God would crush those heathens in that battle, and establish His kingdom. The Lord commanded about Nathaniel, “Behold and Israelite in deed in whom is no guile”(John 1:47). And Nathaniel, one of the disciples of Jesus enquired “can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”(John 1:46).
There is Biblical prophecy about this Armageddon that some memorable events would take place in that ground at the end of the time through battle, then as described there was no good reputation for Nazareth; during the first
The Everlasting Kingdom of God century still Jesus spent His early days by helping His foster father, in the carpentry work. It is also said Jesus did some miracles even as a boy.
Jesus started His preaching and His first sermon was in Nazareth in a synagogue on a Sabbath day to Jewish people. With that He tried to identify Himself that He was the son of God sent by Him to preach the Word of God to the poor and to heal the sick of all kinds of diseases. It was the acceptable year of the Lord, Jesus wanted to preach. This acceptable year is a reference to the Jewish jubilee year, which would come once in every fifty years. It was extended according to Jewish law, that it would remind them the time of deliverance and setting free of all captives and waiving out of all debts of the people. The fiftieth day can also be remembered for one more thing that is God sent the Holy Spirit on the fiftieth day to His disciples who were gathered in the upper house.
Jesus wanted to heal those who were sick spiritually and lagging behind. He was the promised Messiah to Jews, but he was not accepted by them. He was also what people had in their minds. So he said unto them, “ye will surely say unto me this proverb - physician heal thyself.” Perhaps they might want to say, “take care of yourself, don’t worry about us we can take care of ourselves and our own needs” and finally Jesus understood that the people of Nazareth bluntly rejected Him and His preaching. He felt very sad as He could not command respect from His own people. As it is mentioned in the Bible, He left that place, once and for all and never returned to Nazareth again.
It is really more tragic and unfortunate such a great physician, who could heal any kind of disease just with a word from His mouth, was not cared for their foolishness and pride must have prompted them to reject such a great physician who was sent by God. They did not realize the fact that pride is the greatest sin and leads one to his own down fall. In their own ego, they must have thought individually “I am the captain of my ship, I don’t need any body’s help (physician). Having understood the mental set up of His own people, Jesus, with firm decision, left that place and went to Galilee, where He selected some disciples who were fishermen in the sea of Galilee. This Galilee lay between Golam Heights and Galilean mountain ranges.
Like Jerusalem and Bethlehem the city of Galilee had also some Biblical importance because Jesus spent some time now and then around Galilee with His disciples. This must be the reason for He was also called Galilean.
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The length of the sea of Galilee is thirteen miles and the width seven and a half miles. And the circumference is about thirty two miles. It is situated in a valley, almost seven hundred feet below the sea level and two hundred feet deep. A famous historian Josephus called the sea of Galilee as “the Ambition of Nature.” Another Rabbie called her Jehovah had created seven seas, but the sea of Galilee is His delight. The people of Galilee are so fond of that sea and called her with the following names.
1)Chinnerth or chinneroth (Numbers 34:11) Joshua 12:3.
2)Gennes aret (Luke 5:1).
3)Kennert.
4)Sea of Teberias (John 6:1, 21:1)
5)The Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18, Mark 1:16)
Jesus happened to perform some miracles in the waters of the Sea of Galilee and around the city. They are :
1)Jesus helped the disciples from the drought of fish.
2)He controlled the storm of wind and waves on the sea.
3)Jesus walked on the waters of the sea of Galilee, which surprised everybody,
and Peter also tried to walk but he could not as he had no faith on himself.
4)Jesus healed the demoniac and the swine plunged to death.
5)He promised His disciples after His resurrection.
The city of Tiberius is on the western side of the Sea shore. It is called so because the Roman authorities built it for themselves. It was named after Tiberias Caesar who was Roman Emperor at that time. But it is not mentioned in any gospel whether Jesus had visited that city any time or on any occasion. Some commentators were of the opinion that Jesus might not have shown any interest towards that city because the Roman authorities were persecuting Jews and Christians at that time.
Geographically the city of Tiberius was built by the Romans, there on one reason. That area became famous for natural hot springs and they liked the hot springs. So they made hot bath houses in that place. Many people believed that those hot springs had the great therapeutic value and this blind belief still in existence in that area. So, the result of that blind belief made many infirmed people from long distances go to that place and take bath in that hot health giving waters. But after Jesus came, people understood Him. He had divine healing power they stopped going to that hot springs and turned towards Jesus
The Everlasting Kingdom of God Christ for their healing of any disease and nmany more people who became sick of sin came to Jesus for the healing of their souls.
At a little distance towards North there was a small village called “Magdala” and today it is called “Migdal.” It is said Mary Magdalene one of the disciples of Jesus came from that village. And if we go still further, we can see the plains of Gennes eret. It was a traditional site where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Next the village of Capernaum is located on the North west coast of the sea of Galilee and in this village the Lord Jesus Christ made His head quarters after He left Nazareth. It is two and half miles from where the Jordan river enters the sea of Galilee. Capernaum is also called God’s own town. It is situated along the trade route from Damascus to Mediterranean coast and Egypt. It is said that tolls were collected by the Roman Government and in the same place Jesus called Matthew one of His disciples. During the time of Jesus Capernaum was a great military centre for Romans and the population at that time was 10,000 only. This place is famous for two things.
1.There is one orthodox Chapel and
2.The house of St. Peter was also there. In Capernaum Jesus did some miracles. They are :
1)Jesus asked St. Peter to pay to tribute money from the mouth of a fish.
2)Jesus healed the centurion’s servant.
3)St. Peter’s mother-in-law was healed.
4)A great number of sick were brought to Jesus for healing.
5)A woman with an issue of blood was healed here.
6)Two blind men were healed.