End-Time Insights

Jesus proclaimed a unique political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of this present age . Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” The Kingdom promised by God was arriving in Christ’s life and ministry. He was the Messiah and King of Israel who summoned all men to turn from their wicked ways and submit to his lordship before the Judgment when it would be too late.

Salvation includes the resurrection of believers and the New Creation, both of which will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven . Central to the doctrine of salvation is  redemption . God will not abandon what He first created. The term ‘redemption’ signifies the recovery of that which was lost. The universe has been enslaved and condemned to decay and death by sin. In God’s redemptive plan, however, the end state of the things and creatures rescued by Him will not simply be restored. They will be vastly superior to their original state, and this is epitomized by the promised bodily resurrection.

The Inhabitants of the Earth refuse to follow the Lamb, choosing instead to swear allegiance to the Dragon and his Beast . In the  Book of Revelation,  there are no geographic restrictions on the reign of the “ Beast .” All the “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” take the Beast’s “ Mark ” or “ Number ” and venerate its image. No national government resists the monster from the Sea, for it is granted “ authority over every tribe, people, tongue and nation .” There are no exceptions.

Jesus Christ fulfills God’s promise to bless all nations through His Covenant with Abraham. He is the Light and source of Salvation for the nations . Foundational to the biblical doctrine of redemption is the Covenant that God made with Abraham, and with his “ seed ” after him, including the promises to bless all nations and to grant the Patriarch innumerable descendants. But how and when are the nations blessed? And who is Abaham’s “ seed ” destined to inherit the promises?

Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life “unto death” for others – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, he did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God ,” but he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.