The Clearing Podcast - Where Eagles Fly

Jerusalem!

When Jesus said to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world,” He didn’t mean that it was “in heaven.” He meant that it was not a “power and might kingdom,” like Rome. The prophets had all said that the King would return to the earth to rule from Jerusalem (Zion). These same prophets were amazingly accurate in predicting future earthly kingdoms, and the Kingdom of Jesus takes its place among those prophecies. There is no reason to think that the prophecies of Isaiah or Zechariah are to be regarded as allegories of the Church. We must, today, try to come to an understanding of God’s unique plan for the city of Jerusalem, so that we can pray according to His will.

Transformed Hearts

Peter’s second sermon is the most concise presentation of the timeline of the advance of the Kingdom of God on earth (Acts 3:19-21). In the present age we will experience “times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” In the next, Jesus comes back “to restore all things.” These are two parts of the same story—the advance of the Kingdom of God on earth. The key element in all of this is: transformation. The Gospel is not a Gospel of escape (to heaven), but of transformation, God writing His laws on our hearts, and complete remaking human societies. My “Glory through Time” teaching gives a glimpse into the track record of the promised “times of refreshing.” In addition, it is promised that “all Israel will be saved.” At the end, they will say of Him, “Blessed be He who comes in the name of the Lord.” All this reflects God’s power to transform hearts.

The Second Advent. A look at I Thess. 4:16-18, which pictures five events closely associated with the return of Jesus.

• 1) A loud command or roar (announcing the Day of the Lord);
• 2) the voice of the archangel giving the command of judgment against those in rebellion against God;
• 3) the trumpet (shofar) call of God;
• 4) the dead in Christ rising with resurrection bodies for the purpose of continuous service on earth;
• 5) the rapture of the Church, who meet Jesus in the air, to usher Him and His holy ones back to earth in triumph (the meaning of the word, apanteisis).

Vision Six. (Rev. 17-19) Subject: God’s Judgment over the World System.

In light of the inevitable destruction of the world system with all its sin industries, we should pay attention how we invest our time, carefully evaluating which works are destined to be “burned up.” The world system consists of a matrix of deceptive ideas and mind-sets, combined with a vortex of power, pulling people to their destruction. Elements portrayed: a spiritual power center, a secular government, kings, and humanly contrived religion. God’s command: “Come out from them, my people.” Trying to be well-adjusted in this world is a big mistake. Jesus warns us specifically to be on our guard against deception. We have no way of evaluating which of our thoughts are deceptive except by comparing with the word of God.

Vision Five. (Rev. 15, 16) Subject: God’s Judgment over Sin.

As in the time of the Exodus, God will provide refuge for His people as He judges the earth. He will keep His people in safe “Goshens” as He calls them to be a house of prayer for all nations. It is increasingly incumbent on the Church to reclaim its original prayer calling. A great earthquake is the last of the prophesied judgments, possibly initiated when Jesus touches His foot on the Mount of Olives. God’s people will be protected during all these painful and frightening judgments, just as the people of Israel were at Goshen.