Scott, I have a question I'd like to ask so I can know how you see this.
How does this age end? How does the age of the eternal state of righteousness begin? Do you know what I'm asking? I talk about a return of Christ, gathering of Israel, 1000 year kingdom, then dissolution of this world, this age, resurrection and judgment, and a new creation, where there is only righteousness.
What do you see? That transistions from a corrupt creation to a new creation?
Much love!
To understand...the scriptures must be
rightly divided between
what is of this world...and...
what is of the kingdom. The kingdom "
is not of this world", but much of the New Testament is.
We should also consider, that all those things of prophecy somewhat appear to overlay the times of the gentiles--meaning they are seemingly spread out over or have a "gap" between where things left off with Jesus' first coming, and His second coming. That, again, is only a "gap" in understanding. But the issue of it all being spread out over the times of the gentiles, is indeed a stumbling block clouding the affairs of Israel and her promises from God, with every other nation on earth and that "
other fold" (involving the gentiles) that Christ "
must also bring."
But it would appear that you are asking about what I see as a timeline regarding the end. That is one perspective (that of this world), and yes, we live here, so it is not a non-issue. It is just that those things that are not on that timeline, but of the kingdom of God and are timeless, and must be clearly divided from those things of this world, including much of the times of the gentiles.
Okay.
Jesus is "
the Beginning and the End." In this application, He is the Beginning of those born again of the spirit of God. He is "
the firstfruits" of the Spirit of God, the first of "
many sons." He is also the End of the chosen of Israel. That makes up the two separate groups or "
folds" which Christ "
must bring" to God the Father. These are those "
in Christ" whom He delivers to the Father: Israel, whom died before the cross and the payment was made for the sins of the world, also referred to in the scriptures as "
the dead in Christ." Also included "
in Christ" are "
the living in Christ" whom the apostle Paul referred to as "
those who are alive and remain", meaning alive by the spirit of God having been born again, but remaining in the world to be brought to the Father after the times of the gentiles are fulfilled/completed. There is much more that could be said regarding all that pertains to these, even now--because it is written. But only after the end will we be able to look back on these times as we do the times of Israel, about which many are still confused.
This dividing line between Israel and the gentiles (which must be clearly divided in the scriptures), Jesus also spoke of, saying, "
But many who are first [Israel]
will be last, and the last [the gentiles]
first." Meaning, Israel came first, but would be born of the Spirit last, while the gentiles who come last, would be first to be born of the Spirit. This is the dividing line between the two narratives given in the gospel, all prophecies, and all of scripture: "
However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual."
Christ, therefore, is that dividing line, and the apex of all that is written. Thus He said, "
the kingdom of God has come upon you."
As this pertains to your questions: Christ is the End, the end of Israel and "the dead in Christ",
as well as the End of all who are born [again] of the Spirit, which Paul clarifies, saying, "
Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies." So then, Israel died in their sins in the flesh, but those born first of the spirit of God, die--but die to sin and death, but are "
alive to God." Therefore it is written that Christ died "
once for all." Properly divided, this is to say, "It is finished" with God, even though it is not finished with the times of the gentiles. Just as all of Israel did not enter the world together, but "
each in his own order", they were saved together "
in Christ." Likewise, but in reverse order, all gentiles do not come into the world together, nor do they leave or does Christ come to them together, but "
each in his own order", "
in Christ." Meaning, all who are born of the Spirit, "
were" saved and raised up "
first" with Christ. All of which is not exactly according to the times of this world, but to God.
In other words, that
was the End, but it comes to each of the gentiles born again of the Spirit "
each in his own order", until the times of the gentiles is fulfilled. In keeping with those things, those events which are not so much of this world, but of God...God
has already gathered together Israel, and Christ
has over come the world--this is that thousand year reign. But remember as Peter gently, but not fully eluded to, a thousand years is not so to God, nor is it even "
a day" as men think of a day--but is
forever, having
one evening and
one morning, after which there is "
no shadow of turning."
Then comes the end regarding the old earth, and the coming of the new heavens and new earth. Such is the end of the age.
As for the second coming of Christ, as it is written--only this: "
To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Meaning (apart from sin)
only in the spirit born again of God--this is salvation..."
each in his own order."
