by Seeley Kinne
This earth, and its lordly master (Adam), were created in the heavenly realm; to be occupied in his pursuits: operating in the highest kinds of production; even to the giving forth of the creating Word of God.
Yet Divine Wisdom saw that this lavish environment needed to be tested. All moral beings have to be tried. Satan struck at Divine veracity. If he could break the faith of man in the Word of God, how could man speak it? Through deception, Satan became the prince of this world.
Jehovah laid out a program of seven thousand years. In these years the Lord, Satan, and men, would have opportunity to exhibit and work out their character and works. Satan having hold of mankind, individually and collectively, has clearly shown his intention to wreck and destroy all he possibly could. His last great act is through the antichrist, in attempting to put the Almighty and His Son out of the world – in which he is bound and put in the bottomless pit.
Jehovah has worked plan after plan for the salvation of men at infinite cost, with great patience. Central to His program, is the obtaining of a company to fulfill His original purpose of speaking His Word with authority. This company He has by the working of His redeeming power, snatched from all earthly control, amid Satan’s most malicious workings. This is a great triumph over Satan.
This brings us to the opening of the seventh thousand year (Millennium), during which time Jesus will be accompanied by His wife (those who are conformed to His image) to reign over all on the earth. There will be abundant opportunity to observe a world that is redeemed and freed from temptation.
“Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever….” Isaiah 9:7
The Millennial Kingdom in its character, conduct and purposes, depends upon Jesus Christ the King, and the highest order of saints, who sit in His throne, and rule with Him, and take the Kingdom. These are known by several names, starting with Sons of God, and as overcomers, they finally become the manchild and the Lamb’s wife: royal priests, which define the Melchisedec priesthood.
Here in Christ’s Kingdom, will be the permanent union of Church and state, so called, a government, holy and heavenly, with no unrighteous therein. Bribery, favoritism, unfair concessions, class legislation, and the like will be unknown. Every legitimate enterprise will be fostered. Services of worship and praise to Jehovah and the King will have their proper place.
In order to understand the conduct of the Kingdom in the Millennium, it is necessary to know that its officials are men who have passed through the vicissitudes of an earth career, and overcome all things. They are redeemed men, conformed to the image of His Son. This only will be the ruling class.
Instead of evil powers that haunted men, they have been cast out and every incentive to do and be right will have taken their place.
There are different levels, or realms of the redeemed. They may properly be named, “The Court of the King.” In Revelation, Chapter seven, they are in twelve divisions as tribes. In Revelation, Chapters two and three, are seven kinds of overcomers. In Revelation, Chapter 19, the white horse army, and in Revelation 14:14, a white cloud. There are those who are called to function in government, such as executive, legislative, judges, etc. There are intercessors, and those who will function in the higher realms of Holy Spirit enabling. It will be the most illustrious Court ever known.
To hold a portfolio under this King Jesus is an indescribable privilege.
To shepherdize the nations is one of the chief occupations of the Kingdom in the Millennium. In Revelation 2:27; and 12:5, the overcomers and manchild are said to “rule all nations with a rod of iron.” In the eleventh Chapter of Isaiah, we are told, “a rod out of the stem of Jesse, a Branch, an Ensign of the people (nations); to it shall the Gentiles seek.”
“But with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:4
The word “rod” means the curved stick which is the shepherd’s principal instrument. It is called a “rod of iron,” because of its firm unbreakable rule. It is the Kingdom of David, the son of Jesse: the rod of Jesse. It is here explained to be the “rod of His mouth” – the Word.
By the prophetic Word of the Lord in the mouth of the Lord, and in the mouth of the Manchild, which is His rod, the wicked will be slain, and the nations shepherdized: that is, cared for, comforted, controlled, directed, led, brought into righteousness, fed and developed into God fearing nations.
To have a share in this great recreation is a high honor from the King.
Opportunity is nigh you
But will soon pass by you!
Engage while you may,
Ere failure be to pay.
“Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and forever.”
Amen and amen!