“THE UNTOLD STORY OF JESUS” OCTOBER 2017 PART 2

As Israel’s 70-year captivity drew close to its end, the prophet Daniel, who lived through it from his teenage years, saw something beautiful, and wrote that after the four world kingdoms rose and fell, a new unfolding of God’s kingdom would arrive on the scene. He wrote as a major part of world history: “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. And the kingdom and DOMINION, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Daniel 7: 18, 27.

Based  on O.T. scriptures, God’s ultimate intentions, spoken by Gabriel, both to Daniel and to Mary will be fulfilled in a people. To this end, Jesus offered the parable of a certain good man who called his servants together, gave them money and told them: “OCCUPY TILL I COME.” This is the primary reason for Jesus to be born within the lineage of David, thus inheriting the right to David’s throne. Thus, we read: “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus who ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ (and we can add King.) Acts 2: 32, 34-36. 

Watch how these different elements of truth fall into place, even though at times they seem to be contradictory: but in reality, they accentuate the same truth. We are given the following account of the baby boy, soon to be born to Mary. “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1: 32-33. In this, and many other instances, Jesus is called the son of David. Of course, in reality Mary was told: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also, that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Indeed, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us: and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

According to the angel Gabriel, Mary was told that her son, Jesus, would be given the throne of David his father, and his kingdom will be forever. In the previous letter, we noticed that David in spirit called Jesus “Lord” and in that light, Jesus argued that if David was indeed his father, he would not have called Jesus Lord. If we search the scriptures carefully, we will notice that Jesus being included in the lineage of David, gave him the legal right to his place upon David’s throne. But in our study of these important concepts that relate to The Branch, The Restoration of Israel, and other truths as outlined in Old Testament scriptures, all of them seem to end with the close of the Book of Revelation. As the life and ministries of the original apostles faded into oblivion, very little concerning all of the major prophecies concerning Christ, the overcoming church, and the rule of Christ upon the earth seem to have gotten lost, or forgotten since the time of the Dark Ages. 

As we broke out of those dark periods, and the Holy Ghost began to be poured out again upon people across the world, new interest in all of those prophecies spoken thousands of years ago, began to catch our attention, and at least triggered new interest in thousands of believers in Christ. The question that we can legitimately ask is: “What happened to the bulk of ancient prophecies pertaining to Christ and his kingdom here upon the earth? We can also ask what happened to the message that Gabriel brought to Mary concerning her son, who would sit upon the throne of his father David, and that he would reign over a kingdom that would last forever? Yes! Many accept the spiritual aspect of the kingdom—and so do I; but the literal aspect as taught by the apostles and Christ himself remains a future event for which the whole creation is waiting for in travail including we ourselves. 

In the previous letter, we shared how long it took for the seed of the woman to bruise the serpent’s head. We noted that Isaiah spoke of a son to be born and a child to be given, some 800 years before Christ was born. Here are some old testament prophecies that promised the continuation of the Davidic rule over Israel. The Lord spoke in Jeremiah 33: 15, 17. “In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. For thus saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel.” (It should be noted that today, and for centuries, Israel has had no king and no throne.) “And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.” 2^nd Chronicles 7: 17, 18. As positive and tangible as these promises were, (or sounded) history tells a different story. Before long, Israel was divided into two kingdoms and not long there-after, both kingdoms went into captivity.

Thus, we look at the period between Malachi and Matthew in which there was no open vision, and heaven seemed to have pulled the shutters down and erect a sign that said: “Closed until further notice.” But look at the expression and certainty in the prophecy given by the prophet Daniel with which we opened this study. How can we explain the fact that the saints are to take the kingdom and the dominion under the whole heaven and rule forever, even forever? None of the wonderful things that were to happen upon the arrival of Christ in Israel, and his predicted reign upon the throne of his father David. In a short time, Jesus was killed, and in a matter of a few decades (20, 30, and at the most 40 years after Christ died, all of his original apostles also died; mostly under severe persecution. 

Seemingly, we as believers in Christ who are steadfastly looking for the fulfillment of these prophecies, are left wondering, somewhat befuddled, as we see the worldly conflicts with death and destruction abounding all over the globe. So far, there is a multitude of prophecies on the books that are yet to be fulfilled: so, what should our mindset be? Here is Peter’s advice to us, as we await the glorious fulfilling of those promises. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2^nd Peter 1: 19-21. Thus, my friends, when we embrace all the prophecies of God, we are well within the context of the scriptures. However, the problem that exist within Christendom at large, is learning to understand the time frame allocated for each event to occur. 

We are not alone in our struggle and determination to get the timing right: otherwise we are living out of sync with God’s schedule. The prophets of old had the same problem that seemingly, left them seeking for more explanation concerning the prophecies they themselves spoke. (Note carefully) “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us did they minister, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. But in truth, when was this glory to be revealed, and to whom? Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1^st Peter 1: 10-13.

This revelation (not the coming as being taught) of Jesus Christ does not necessarily mean a physical appearance…Revelations are usually linked to the work of the Holy Spirit. When Peter gave the correct answer as to who Jesus really is, Jesus replied that “flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. Actually, as we take a closer look at what Peter wrote, we quickly note that he himself missed what the prophets signified: because the glory is due to be seen and appropriated by us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This underlines the issue at stake in this study. Putting together as in a single package, all of the Old Testament prophecies concerning David’s throne, his kingdom, not failing to have a man to sit on his throne:  

We can also add the prophecy of the angel Gabriel to Mary. As we take a look at church history, it doesn’t take long for us to realize that the bulk of prophecies, especially those concerning Christ (The Branch, and the Prince of Peace) and his impact upon the entire world, up to this point in time has not yet been fulfilled. (It is by our changing into glorious bodies like that of Christ himself, shall he be able to subdue all things unto himself.)” Phil.3:21. 

Since Martin Luther broke from the Catholic Church with the new concept that the just shall live by faith, and moving in time to the birth of the Protestant Movement: we have been silent about all that was not fulfilled up to the death and resurrection of Christ. Within thirty-seven years or so, after the death of Christ, the roof caved in upon the Jews, and in A.D.70, Jerusalem, the temple, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem were totally decimated. Long before this event back in the old testament, Israel had no king, and along the way, the priesthood and temple worship became an exercise in futility; bluntly criticized and even condemned by Jesus Christ.  

From our vantage point, looking at world events and the silence of the church concerning all of the unfulfilled prophecies, we can easily wonder aloud: “What hope have we got? And where do we go from here? Jesus died within three and one half years of his earthly ministry. Within less than one hundred years the original apostles died, and the ministry that followed, quickly abandoned the precepts and faith of the early Apostolic Church. Even while Paul was alive, he perceived the harbinger of things that were already lurking just over the horizon. He solemnly exhorted his elders with strong words of warning by saying to them: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost (Not the Presiding Bishop nor the Ordination Committee) hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20: 28-30.

Jude found it necessary to write a stern letter to the church! “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3. Thus, we see how quickly the faith and strength of the early church dissipated, and by the dark ages, the light of the gospel was almost totally extinguished. Like in the days of old Eli, the light burned dimly in the temple.  

Having said all of the above, we are posed with the question” What can we anticipate and live in earnest expectation of? Have the many wonderful prophecies spoken by holy men of God, and confirmed by the mouth and voices of many, remain in obscurity like ancient treasures on the bottom of the ocean? Is there any way for us to connect—or reconnect, with God’s predestinated will and purpose for his people and his creation? Paul wrote: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8: 24, 25.  

As it pertains to unfilled prophecies involving David, Daniel, Jesus Christ and the church at large, what is our hope based upon? Let us reach back in time to about the year B.C.1452; there we see a prophet who begged God to give him permission to work with Balak. In assuring the prophet of his divine will concerning Israel the Lord put this word in Balaam’s mouth for him to speak to Balak. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: (change his mind) hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23: 19. Sometimes I have said in sermons that God promised that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head. But when it came time for this to happen, he could not find a man worthy of that task, so he made himself a man and called him Jesus of whom it was written: “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation; and my fury, it upheld me.” Isaiah 63: 5. 

So God will keep his promises to a thousand generations, based up the principle set by the Lord himself (who cannot deny himself.) We are hereby given a broad and decisive word. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11. Do you still have doubts about God’s will and plans for the earth and his sons and daughters?  He will perform all of his good will in his creation predicated upon his divine purpose IN HIMSELF.

Royce O. Kennedy

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