Does studding Eschatology for yourself really Matter?

Why is the study of eschatology important? First, the Bible is given to us that we might know God’s love for us and how God redeemed us to bring us back unto His very presence.

Anything God has chosen to reveal to us is certainly worth studying. It seems odd, therefore, that Christians would opt to downplay certain parts of God's revelation as irrelevant.

Second, while eschatology may not be among the essential doctrines of the faith, neither is it unimportant. Eschatology deals with God's plan in human history. The Bible also tells us about God in eschatological passages. How can anyone say that God's plan for the human race has no effect on one's life?

In general, I find those who claim that eschatology has no effect on one's lifestyle to be those with a pessimistic view of the future. Eschatology affects one's perseverance. Eschatology has a very profound effect on one's life. You better believe eschatology matters. As a man thinks, so is he (Prov. 23:7). In my last article we say how the church became greatly influenced by gentile thinking and how their ideas of the last day’s are totally alien to Judaism and Old Testament scripture.

But did this influence creep in on other parts of the Bible like the nature of the "Parousia of Christ that was to happen in the last days as will. Now Listen to these suggestions by Kurt Aland....as we discover a decisive turning point in the second half of the second century a watershed decisive for the development of the Christian church. Think deeply on these things.

It was the definite conviction not only of Paul, but of all Christians of that time, that they themselves would experience the return of the Lord; The Apocalypse expresses the fervent waiting for the end withing the circles in which the writer lived-not an expectation that will happen at some unknown point x in time, but one in the immediate present. If we browse through the writings of that period we observe that this expectation of the end continued. In fact, we also find ti the writing of the first half of the second century sufficient evidence to indicate that the expectation of the Parousia was by no means at an end then.

At the end of the Didache ("the teaching of the twelve apostles"), from the time shortly after 100, there is, for example, an apocalyptic chapter which corresponds completely in its outline to the Synoptic apocalypse in Mark 13 (and the parallel chapters in the other Synoptic Gospels.); here we can only very cautiously say that it used the same words, but that its content is imperceptibly in the process of change. It quite similar to the Epistle of Barnabas which was written a little later that the Didache, where we read: (The day is near in which everything will perish together with the evil. The Lord ans his recompense are near.

Again and again the old expressions echo. They echo apparently almost unchanged, but ("doubt about the imminence of the Lord’s return is increasingly mixed with them until around the middle of the second century when the Shepherd of Hermas thinks he has found a solution and expresses it with great thoroughness and emphaisi: the Parousia-the Lord’s return-has been postponed for the sake of Christians them selves. The building of the tower has not been stopped,) it is only temporarily suspended. Therefore and this is the warning of the Shepherd of Hermas, on account of which the entire work was really written do good works for your purification, for if you delay too long, the construction of the tower may be finished and you will not be included as stones built into it.

The thought of a postponement of the Parousia appears all through 2 Clement but here it is expressly mentioned for the first time. Thus, about the middle of the second century, a decisive turning point occurs one which can be compared in significance to all other great turning points, including the Reformation. Obviously, we cannot fix this turning point precisely at the year 150, for it took a while until the though caught hold everywhere. But a development does begin with the Shepherd of Hermas which could not be stopped-a development at the end of which we stand today. As soon as the thought of a postponement of the Parousia was uttered once and indeed not only incidentally, but thoroughly presented in an entire writing-it developed its (own life and power).

At first, people looked at it as only a brief postponement, as the Shepherd of Hermas clearly expresses. But soon, as the end of the world did not occur, it was conceived of as a longer and longer period, until finally-this is today’s situation nothing but the thought of a postponement exists in people’s consciousness. (Kurt Aland. A History of Christianity. (2 vols.) Fortress Press: 1985. Vol. 1,pp.89-102

Above we have heard from a well-known students of Church history who pointed the middle of the second century as the time when a paradigm shift in eschatological concepts occurred. Did all these statements of history just come out of the thin air? These are pretty powerful statements, and they're coming from someone who knows a decisive turning point" when he sees one.

These and other statements made by other students of Church history are not hided in the dark all it takes is a little research to learn the truth of the matter. Does studding Eschatology for yourself really Matter?

The last days.

After the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 a great number of Jews’s were killed or taken captive and sold as slaves. Concerning Jerusalem Moses said, in Deuteronomy 28:68 "And the LORD will take (you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you), 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves), but no one will buy you." (emphasis added)

The tallest and most beautiful of the young men were saved for the triumphal procession; everyone else over the age of seventeen was sent in bonds to work the Egyptian mines. A great number were also sent into the provinces to provide amusement in the theaters. (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230)

At the rise of Christianity anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews began to creep into the church toward Jews just because they are Jewish. The church became greatly influenced by gentile thinking such as the Church, was God’s plan B after the Jews reject their Messiah. However the birth of the early first century Church was brought about from within the womb of Judaism. The Church was thoroughly Jewish from its earliest days (since there were no Gentiles in it from 32 to 42). When the Gentiles did begin coming into church it was at the council in Jerusalem. ( Acts 15)

Along with the gentile influence came the idea of the last days on the New Covenant. However in order to determine whether we are in the last days, we should determine how the phrase was originally used in the Hebrew Scriptures. This will help us in regards to our interpretation of the New Testament usage of the term "last days."

First, I would like to consider the first usage of the phrase "last days" and consider those who are primarily addressed:
Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. So, it is clear that Israel is the subject of Jacob ‘s swan song about the last days and the last days concern the Jews.
Moses confirms that in the latter days the Jews would be ultimate scattered among the nations. Deuteronomy 4:27 And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. Deuteronomy 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice.

Moses says, the Jews would be scattered among the nations in a (time of tribulation that will come upon them in the latter days). There is no reference to Gentiles being the subject of these latter days.

Was the nation of Israel ultimate scattered among the nations in a time of tribulation? You bet they were many were taken back to Egypt in ships, to work the Egyptian mines. (Deuteronomy 28:68 concerning Jerusalem) "And the LORD will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, 'You shall never see it again.' And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you." (emphasis added) (Josephus 37:B.C A.D. 70 p. 230)

Moses continues this omen toward the end of the book. Deuteronomy 31:29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. Moses was speaking to a nation of Jews, who evil will befall in the latter days; because they did evil in the sight of the LORD,

Ezekiel identifies Israel also concerning its doom under the nations in the latter days. Ezekiel 38:16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. Nowhere in these passages are referring to the last days of the physical planet but, rather, the last days of Judah and Jerusalem.

Isaiah predicts these last days as well. Isaiah 2:1-2 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. The vision was concerning Judah and Jerusalem not the physical planet.

Throughout the Old Testament God predicts when these latter days come the people of God will understand what He will do to the nation of Israel in destroying it and punishing it for its wickedness.

Along with the punishment of the fleshly nation of Israel for its wickedness, the elect remnant of national Israel would be saved in the latter days. Hosea 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

The fear here is one of reverence in those who worship and serve the God. In the Old Testament, “reverence” occurs as the translation of two Hebrew words: Yare’ (pronounced yaw-ray’), which carries the meaning of “fear.” This word is used to express the attitude toward God Himself. “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him (Psalm 89:7). The thought being one of fear, awe and respect.

Certainly the writers of the New Testament were very aware of those passages we have studied involving the last days of Judah and Jerusalem. Therefore it is safe and logical to say Paul believed they were living in the end of the Jewish age as well:1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age are come.

Paul was describing the history of the Jews and their rebellion against God in the wilderness. We should not ignore the fact that Paul, is discussing the ancient rebellion of Israel which took place in the wilderness before entering into the earthly promised land, was describing the rebellion taking place during the 40-year period in which he was living the period between the giving of the New Testament and the entering into the heavenly Promised Land.

It is evident that national Israel is the main subject involved in these last days. However one might try to argue that the last days concerned the spiritual Israel of God. One would be hard pressed to find scripture were God bringing such evil upon His beautiful bride.

Consider the statement of Daniel about an everlasting kingdom. How great are His signs, And how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3

Daniel 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed..

Daniel 7:27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the wholes heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.'

Hebrew 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Of course you cannot place last days on a everlasting covenant.

The point is most if not all the disciples were dead not long after the start of the early Church. And their understand about the last days from the Old Testament scripture died with them. As the gentiles began to come into the Church they gave birth to a last days totally alien to Judaism and Old Testament scripture.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

It has been generally believed that Peter here is saying there will be a new physical heavens and earth after the old earth and solar system are destroyed. At first glance, it looks as though Peter was saying just that. But are the physical world and universe what Peter had in mind? There is a lot more to this statement of Peter that meets the eye.

In order to understand what Peter is trying to convey about the “new heaven and earth” we need to think like an Israelite who was familiar with the flood of Noah. The Jews had another understand of the heaven and earth then our modern literal understanding.

Let go back to 2 Peter 3:5-7 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of “old,” and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Notice the context of what Peter writes in these verses 5. The “old” heavens and earth (that then existed) are the same heavens and earth that rain destroyed in Genesis. And rain fell upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis7:12)

So, the post flood heavens and earth that then existed are the “old” heaven and earth when Peter was writing. The reason the “old” heaven and earth were destroyed in the days of Noah was because of ungodly men who were thoroughly corrupt upon the earth in God's sight. Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

The “heavens and earth” that existed after the flood, Peter calls the “now “ heaven and earth in (2 Peter 3:7). Peter also says the reason for the destruction of the current heavens and earth was ungodly men. Peter continually links the two events together. The difference between the two events are the method of judgment. The heavens and earth of Noah’s day were destroyed by water and the heavens and earth Peter refers to are destroyed by fire. Some, who take the literalistic interpretation approach to all prophecy, apply this to the end of the world's history. But prophecies like this actually applied to spiritual things the passing away of the old, order and the transformation of things into newness of life.

Here are two dilemmas with our old modern interpretation that the heaven and earth Peter is refers to are the material world, and universe that will be burned up. Why should we think that fire will destroy (the Glob and Universe) when Peter uses the example of the “old” heavens and earth (that existed) were destroyed in Noah’s flood? We need not. The flood did not destroy the literal heavens and earth, as Peter refers to its destruction in. (2 Peter 3:5) The people came under judgment by water. The literal heavens and earth were not destroyed. Peter explains the earth was standing out of water and in water.

The second dilemma. Have you ever thought to yourself if the literal heaven and earth were destroyed in the days of Noah's flood were did the “now” heaven and earth that Peter mentions will be destroyed by fire come from? Its obvious that Peter had something else in mind other then the literal planet and universe burning up.

ISRAEL was the heavens and the earth that God had formed, and some day that same heavens and earth would pass away as described in (2 Peter 3). In Isaiah 51:13 God said that He had "stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth" Once again, is God speaking here of the literal heavens and earth?

Read on in this same passage to verse 16: "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people."

This could not be talking of the formation of the literal heavens and earth, for that had taken place more than 3,000 years before! The verse explains itself. He is talking about "Zion." He is talking about "my people Israel" In other words, He is talking about the formation of Israel or the creation of Israel.

In Jeremiah 22:29 God says, "0 earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord." And in verse 1 (along with verses 11, 18 and 24) we read that the words were for the people of Judah, concerning the time when they would be taken "into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans" (vs. 25). It was not the whole physical earth God was talking to, but the people.

The new heavens and earth that Peter mentions where righteousness dwells are based upon "GOD’S PROMISE" The only prophecies "promise" that Peter referred to are in the Old Testament that specifically mention the new heavens and new earth are found in Isaiah 65:17 and Isaiah 66:22.

These are the only two places in the Old Testament where this promise of a new heavens and a new earth can be found, and neither of these speak of a literal heavens and earth passing away. Nor do they speak of a literal new heavens and new earth.

The heaven and earth, in which Peter is refers to in Genesis and 2 Peter 3 are Bible language referring to change or transformation, from a old order and making into a new thing, of God's people.

The Old Covenant was obsolete and growing old and ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13) In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The elements will melt with fervent heat.

Most people are naturally prone to accept without question the teaching from a person or organization they hold in high regard, never considering or presuming that they could be teaching something based upon an assumption or preconceived notion they were taught. It may be that many of us have come to understand these verses based on prior traditional assumptions.

We need to examine the meaning of this word "elements", which is the same word used several other times in the New Testament. The Greek word for "elements" is "stoicheion" and means "something orderly in arrangement - element, principle, rudiment."

The word itself can refer to the parts of which our universe. It can also have another meaning it can refer to the rudimentary things of religion as well as other things too, of course. Perhaps we should consider what other scriptures may have to say on this matter of “the elements” and how the word is used? At this point in our study will look at the symbolic meaning of the passing away of the heavens and the earth, in connection with the "elements.” The elements would be the dong away with the things related to Israel’s religion which would be abolished.

We find this word first in Galatians 4:3 where Paul said, "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage, under the elements "stoicheion"of the world." Here Paul was saying that the Jewish people before Christ and salvation were living under the worldly ceremonies and ordinances of the old covenant, though now they no longer needed the law as a schoolmaster as they had graduated to Christ by faith. The elements "stoicheion" were no longer needed. When they were under the Mosaic, law before Christ they were in bondage, under the elements "stoicheion"of the world."

The Jewish leader believed just because they were fleshly descendants of Abraham that they had never been under this bondage. However Jesus pointed out whoever commits sin is a slave of sin and bondage. (John 8:33-34)

Then in Galatians 4:9 the word is used again. "But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements where unto you desire again to be in bondage?" Paul follows this by saying that because "You observe days, and months, and times, and years;" verse10. He was afraid he had bestowed his labor upon them in vain. Paul used the term in his stinging rebuke to the Galatians Christians who were tempted to forsake the freedom of the New Covenant for an Old Covenant "elementary" style legalist religious system. The things of that legalist system would shortly be "burned up."

In Colossians 2:8 Paul encourages the Colossian Christians not to go back into these elementary things of the old law. He uses the same word for "elements" ("stoicheion") though here translated "principles" "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." The spiritual lives of these Christians could be spoiled if they listened to those Judaizers who tried to get them to return to the old way. These things would soon go up in smoke.

Then in the same chapter, Colossians 2:20, Paul said, "Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the elements ("stoicheion") of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances ... " These ordinances would soon "perish" (be destroyed) he said (vss. 22).

The writer to the Hebrews says, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elements (stoicheion) of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews. 5:12). In context, the writer to the Hebrews is clearly speaking of Old Covenant truths particularly since he connects it with the term oracles of God, an expression used elsewhere in the New Testament for the provisional.

These words are a complaint, which the apostle makes of a certain defect in the Christian Hebrews, to whom he wrote. What is the defect? The apostle complains was they had not made that progress in their acquaintance with the things of the law or things taught in the oracles of God, which they should have made by then. They should have been moving behind the knowledge of elementary things and teachers spiritual things in Christ. Yet they were still in need of the milk of the word and not solid food.

If these other five places are using the word "elements"(stoicheion) in terms of the old legalist religious system why would we think the meaning in 2 Peter 3:10 would not mean the same thing as in these other places?

When Peter said "the elements shall melt with fervent heat" in II Peter 3:12 the Greek word for "melt" there is "teko which means "to liquefy" But interestingly, in verse 10 where those same identical words (in English in the King James version) are used: "the elements shall melt with fervent heat", the Greek work for "melt" is different. It is "luo", which means "break up, destroy, dissolve, loose, melt, put off." In actuality, this is what happened to those "elements" of the old Jewish religion - they were broken up, destroyed, dissolved, loosened and put off. This is how the elements melted in that day of the Lord when the heavens and the earth felt the judgment of God.

Until we learn to set aside our modern gentile traditional understand of these things and think like a first century Jew who was familiar with this stile of figurative language out understanding of the Bible will forever be on the milk of the word and not solid food.

With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8) In order to truly understand any context of scripture it must be understood in it original historical setting. The main principal design of this chapter is to demonstrate, an objection to the scoffers, that the Lord Jesus had not returned.

We will start with 2 Peter 3:2-4 which reads, that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that “scoffers will come in the last days,” walking according to their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

Jude 1:18 says there would be "mockers in the last time of the old Covenant. Scoffers is the same Greek word rendered mockers. Now those days of Jude prophecy were being fulfilled.

These scoffers Peter mentioned, are Judaizers and unbelieving Jews that abandon God’s gracious gift of salvation and were trying to get Hebrew Christians to abandon the promise of Christ return. These Judaizers were mocking the Hebrew Christians by saying. "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." These "mockers" were Jews familiar with Jesus promise to return. (Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28; 26:62-65).

These scoffers were also very familiar with the events of the Old Testament. The argument of Peter, in reply to this is strong Peter began his scathing rebuttal to these mockers. He refers to the destruction of the old world by the flood--a fact that cannot be argued. Peter said that those scoffers knew very well what happened in the days of Noah, how the earth was standing out of the water and in the water. Verse 5 for this is unobserved by them willingly. However, they were willing to cast aside that knowledge and ignore it, as they made mockery of Jesus’ promise to come and destroy the then present “heavens and earth,” which was “reserved for fire, on the day of judgment of ungodly men” (verse 7).

In verse 8 we find a statement that has been quoted over and over again but “not like it was originally written.” In 2 Peter 3:8 we find the statement about "one day being as a thousand years," etc. Please note the verse (does not say one day IS a thousand years with the Lord). But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Peter was defending the promises of God’s word, especially the promises, against those scoffers who jeer and mock God's faithfulness. He was not in agreement with them. Peter wanted to assure his brethren not to fall prey to the words and claims of those evil scoffers that Christ had not returning as promised. They could count on it! Peter ministers to the household of faith as he strengthens them. He says, if God promises to do a certain thing in a day, the promise is sure, and it will come on time. If God promises to do a certain thing in a thousand years, the promise is sure, and it will come on time. It makes no difference to God if the time is a day or a thousand years; God is faithful, to do what he promised. Verse 8 strengthens the sureness of the time statements made by Jesus in Scripture, they not opposing them. Peter was defending the promises of God not agreeing with the scoffers.

Peter's thoughts are rooted in the Psalms: For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 This verse amplifies the teaching, saying that no matter how long time is from man’s perspective, it’s like a twinkling of an eye from God’s eternal perspective. Peter draws on these eternal truths to bring home the point that God is certain to keep his promises on time. Apostle Peter’s readers should not lose heart because God keeps his promise on time.

What are the things that were continuing from the beginning of creation that the scoffers jeered and mocked the household of faith about? (2 Peter 3:4) The system of Moses with its priests hood, and animal sacrifices and the Temple. All these things were continuing when Peter wrote these words.

In fact these may have been the very same scoffers who were bring false witnesses to testified against Stephen. There we read, Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

They presented false witnesses who testified, "This man never stops saying things against (this holy place) and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us." (Acts 6:9-14 New American Bible)

The real purpose of this whole episode, is to introduce Stephen as one who comes against the Temple and the Mosaic law that was handed down to them. The Temple is the holy place mentioned in verse 13. Notice these people were claim that Stephen said Jesus will destroy this place (the Temple ) and change the customs (the laws) that Moses handed down to us." This statement was made long after Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father.

The scoffers Peter writes about were jeer and mocking about the faithfulness to this promise. But what was the reason Jesus had not yet come? The answer to that question is found in a verse that has long been forgotten and completely removed from the context of verse 8 Peter said, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward YOU; not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

The word translated "slow" (Greek "braduno") means just that. Another beautiful truth that is expressed here is that Peter, reminded them once again of the patience and long-suffering of God. The delay should be regarded as a proof of God forbearance, and of his desire that men should be saved.

God wanted 40 years for his old covenant people, to come to repentance, and not reject the salvation, of which Peter and Paul and others spoke of. After those 40 years of patience were over Jesus fulfilled his promise and the things that the scoffers were bragging that were continuing were destroyed including the scoffers.

The concept of the Marriage Supper is also better understood in light of the wedding customs in scripture.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a magnificent occasion. It stands out. It is alluded to in the Hebrew prophetic poetry. It is time of voicing great joy and gladness. The words of the wedding ceremony are from Psalm and Isaiah…as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall Elohim rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5 Psalms 19:5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Psalm 30:11-12 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

At the Marriage Supper the bride and bridegroom are elaborately clothed. Passages of scripture also allude to this practice. They would act and be treated like a king and a queen, even being adorned with crowns. Song of Solomon. 3:11 "Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of his gladness of heart."

Isaiah 61:10 For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Ezekiel 16:8-13 When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD. “Then I washed you in water; yes, I thoroughly washed off your blood, and I anointed you with oil. I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of badger skin; I clothed you with fine linen and covered you with silk. I adorned you with ornaments, put bracelets on your wrists, and a chain on your neck. And I put a jewel in your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown on your head. Thus you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth.

If you wanted people to think of the most joyous special celebration they could think of, you would pick the wedding feast. Especially in that ancient Near Eastern culture. People really knew how to do it up big when it came to wedding feasts. The celebration might last for days or weeks. They pulled out all the stops richest of foods and the finest of wines, freely flowing. (John 2:1-12) It is a glorious celebration of all who had faith in God and since they are in a spiritual state there no need for food or drink! Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

The wedding feast to which the saints are invited includes not only the first century saints as the bride of Christ, but others were invited to the wedding feast as well. The "others" include all the Old Testament saints who die in faith like Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob.

In Luke 13, Jesus talked about Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets of Israel–as well as a multitude of people from the east and west and north and south. All of them “reclining at a table in the kingdom of God.” “Reclining at table” That’s the image of an ancient Near Eastern feast, which Jesus uses to describe the kingdom of God.

This are the ones invited. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). The man purpose of the wedding feast is “ worship and praising God” for all that He has done. Jeremiah 33:11 'the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say: "Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever" and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,' says the LORD

In his vision in John saw and heard the heavenly multitudes praising God because the wedding feast of the Lamb the "marriage supper"—was about to begin. Revelation. 19:6-9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he said to me, "Write, `Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" And he said to me, "These are the true words of God."

There is another very important point that is often over looked about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. There are three phases to the marriage supper itself. First, a marriage contract between the parents of the bride and the bridegroom. The bridegroom would pay a dowry to the parents of the bride. This was called the betrothal period, what we would today call the engagement.

The second step usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride at midnight with a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would be ready with her maidens, and they would join the parade that would end up at the bridegroom's home.

The third phase was the Marriage Supper of the Lamb itself, as illustrated Revelation. 19:6-9 What John visioned the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its “ third phase, the implication is the first two phases leading up to the Marriage Supper had already taken place.” So there no way Revelation was written after AD 70 when bridegroom came for his bride.

Christ and his beloved bride.

This was a time unlike any other time in history. In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul affirms that the Son of God came to this earth at just the right time in the divine scheme of things. He expresses the thought like this: “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law.” (Galatians 4:4) For centuries this time had been in preparation.

Paul also tell us that Jesus came to fulfill all the promises made unto the fathers. Romans 15:8 I SV For I tell you that the Messiah became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God's truth in order to confirm the promises given to our ancestors.

The problem was during Jesus' time the Jews were under Roman domination. Many of the Jews were hoping the Messiah would be more like a political Savior, a King the Messiah who would free them from the Roman yoke.

In response to this hope, a huge crowd set up a virtual parade for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. They laid down palm branches across the road as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (also prophesied regarding the Messiah). And they called out, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." Even Jesus' disciples enthusiastically asked him, "Is this when you will set up your kingdom?"

In short, Jesus did not fit who they expected the Messiah to be. In fact, most of what Jesus did ran contrary to their view of a Messiah. The Old Testament Scriptures do contain a multitude of prophecies about the Messiah who will come as ruling, triumphant King and set up his kingdom. In addition to this portrayal of the Messiah as King, there are hundreds of other Old Testament prophecies clearly refer to the Messiah as a Savior form sin. (Isaiah 53:5)

They thought if Jesus was the Messiah, he should think and behave more like themselves. As time went on many of the Jews were going apostasy from the church 1John 2:19; Act 15:24 and became the primary enemies of Christians in the early years. Paul said, “Five time I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes” (2 Corinthians 11:24) as well as in ‘dangers from my countrymen’ (11:26). Then at Lystra,’...Jews came from Antioch and Iconiun, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to dead’ (Acts 14:19) Of course, when the unbelieving Jews instigated the Gentiles, they also joined in persecuting Christians. (Acts 14:2) It shows how passionate the Judaizers hatred was against the Christians. Acts recording in 23:14 how the chief priests and elders has made a great oath to even kill Paul.

They were extremely bitter toward believers and inflicted much tribulation. One of the main purposes of Revelation was to encourage the “bride” in the midst of severe persecutions and tribulation they were undergo. John calls himself their brother and companion in the tribulation. Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

As time progressed things became worst and Nero began his assault on the Church. This began a great persecution of the Church for 3 ½ years from A.D 64 till A.D 67, These early churches, staggering from both persecution and apostasy. Rather than stand up for Jesus and die many of the Jews went apostasy. It was a rugged time for the infant churches.

The first collective persecution of the Christians took place at Rome under Nero, towards the close of the year 64, very soon after sentence had been passed on Paul.
Nero came up with some most extraordinary ways to tortures Christians. Nero performed the worst atrocities upon his victims he did not won’t to just kill Christians, he wanted to make them suffer first. Nero enjoyed dipping Christians in tar, or oil or resin, and nailed them on pine poles were lighted and burned as torches for the amusement of the mob; while Nero, in fantastical dress, figured in a horse race, and displayed his art as charioteer. Burning alive was the ordinary punishment of incendiaries; but only the cruel ingenuity of this imperial monster, under the inspiration of the devil, could invent such a horrible system of illumination.

Around his palace, were also Christians torches that illumined the night while he yelled: "Now you truly are the light of the world." Nero also performed many other kinds of torture, often killing them in the Amphitheater in front of large crowds of spectators where he did some of his most gruesome murders. The ghastly way in which some of the victims aroused were put to death was to wrap Christians up in animal skins and throw them to lions, or wild dogs to be ripped apart. Many others men and woman were tied between two oxen or horses tearing these men and women apart in front of thousands of entertained spectators.

At other times he would crucify them, and after the crowd would get bored, he would set the Christians on fire. Nero falsely accused and executed Christians, who were infamous for their faith in Christ. Ultimately Christians were executed not for the public good or any criminal acts but on the account that they were believers in Christ.

These are the ones who John said came through that great tribulation in Revelation 7:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. The bride’s is clean and bright, denoting her sinlessness before God. The clean and bright linen which the bride wears also corresponds to the clothing promised to the over comers in the church at Sardis (Rev. 3:4-5).

These Christians had not been defiled by the “harlot woman” and are “virgins to the Lamb of God.” Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These saints were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. Pentecost, the Feast of Firstfruits, represents the first part of God's spiritual harvest.

Notice how the New International Version interprets this verse. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were (purchased from among men) and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4) [emphasis added] The purchase here is the betrothed or bride-price for the virgin. We first see this concept of a bride-price in. (Exodus 22:16-17)

Revelation 14:4 states unequivocally that these first century saints are the virgin to the Lamb Christ. The Bible also unequivocally states these number of them which were sealed are from the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:4-10) The 144,000 are called "virgins." Isaiah tells us how God loving delights, over this virgin. “For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)

Revelation tell us the bride has made herself ready and the fine linen is identified as the righteous acts of the saints. Revelation 19:7-9 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His “ wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." [emphasis added]

The characteristics describing the bride, making herself ready, and being “arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright,”the righteous acts of the saints” identify those who have been redeemed. In Isaiah 61:10 the saints are joyful to be clothed with the garments of salvation, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah. 61:10)

The chapter begins with a prophecy of Jesus Christ: Isaiah. 61:1-3 Uses the imagery of marriage pictures God's supreme gift. Jesus righteousness, is presented to the saints as a costly robe of righteousness adorning His bride. Just as the bridegroom is adorned with a beautiful robe on his marriage day, so is the bride decked out or adorned with her jewels.

The Bride Of Christ.

The bride of Christ. Paul tell us that there was a remnant who remained faithful to Yahweh. Romans 9:26-27. Before we start to tie all this in together we need to back up a bit and take a quick look at another historical setting of Israel. Elijah marked a time of awful apostasy in Israel. After Jeroboam died, there were many kings of Israel, but none so wicked as Ahab. He married a heathen woman, named Jezebel, and worshiped gods and built temples for them which provoked the anger of the Lord against Ahab more so than against all the kings of Israel that were before him. So bad was it that Elijah felt he was the only true Israelite left.

Elijah had been true to the Lord, and under God had done his best to fight the idolatry that covered the nation. In God's power he had challenged the prophets of Baal on mount Carmel. God had wonderfully proved himself to be the one true God by answering Elijah's prayer and sending fire down from heaven to consume Elijah's offering, when all the crying of the prophets of Baal to their god had been in vain.

The prophets of Baal had been killed, and the people had bowed down and cried 'The Lord he is God'. Then the Lord had sent rain on Israel and ended the drought, but all seemed in vain. Jezebel still dominated over Ahab, and Elijah found himself having fly for his life. In this situation Elijah cried out to God in despair. In his flight from Jezebel God asks Elijah what he is doing. Elijah replies I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.
The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down you altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me. Elijah was in despair, yet after God had dealt with him in earthquake and fire and thunder and a great stillness, God points out to Elijah that his assessment of the situation was wrong. God tells Elijah "Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." For the entire story, read all of 1 Kings 16-19.

Paul goes into the history of the Jews, and for this he chooses a spectacular example in the history of Elijah the prophet. "I ask then: Did God reject his people? by no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: 'Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me?' And what was God's answer to him? 'I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.' So to, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace then it is no longer by works; if it were grace would no longer be grace." (Romans 11:1-6)

Paul asks the question as to whether God has rejected his people. This seems to be so because the nation of the Jews had been rejected by God, and the understanding prevalent at the time was that the whole nation of the Jews constituted the chosen people of God. Much like some believe today.

Paul's answer to his own question is a plain rejection of such an idea. Has God rejected his people? By no means! Paul then proves his point by two illustrations. The first one is concerning himself, and second is found in the history of the Jewish nation.

Paul argues that to say God had rejected his people, and had gone back on his word, was proved wrong straight away because of his own experience. Paul then describes briefly his Jewish pedigree. He was a true Jew. He could trace his ancestry back to Abraham, and to the fact he belonged directly to the tribe of Benjamin. What Paul is arguing is that here was a true Jew, of the nation of the Jews, and this true Jews was accepted by God.

Paul plainly had in mind the fact of his conversion. As a Jew he was angrily opposed to Christians, and to the Gospel. He went out of his way to exterminate the followers of Jesus. Never in his wildest dreams do he think of becoming a Christian and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Yet in spite of this God stopped him in his tracks and in his virulent attack of the church of Christ, and made him one of Christ's disciples. Paul had no desire to become a Christian yet he was owned by God, and made by God one of God's own people. Paul saw this as a very powerful argument that God had not rejected his people. If God had rejected his people he would not have gone out of his way to save and accept Paul who was a true Jew.
Paul then is tells the truth. God foreknew Paul, and it was because he was foreknown by God before the foundation of the world, that God accepted him in Christ's death, and numbered him amongst the members of the true Israel of God.

What Paul is arguing, therefore, is that God had not rejected the people of the Jews altogether. The nation of Israel had been rejected, but there was still the remnant whom God had chosen before the foundation of the world, and these were being saved all the time.

Paul tell us about this remnant in Romans 9:26-27 "And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God." Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: " Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth.

Paul argues that this was and is the pattern of the work of God since the days of Elijah. Just as in the past God preserved a remnant chosen by grace all down the history of the Jews, so now and in the future he was doing the same, as in the time of Baal.
What was true of Paul in this respect was all the apostles, and many other Jews, the 3000 converted on the day of Pentecost, and indeed many thousand souls were added (Act 2:41) God had not forgotten his promise to Abraham. There were on Gentiles in the early Hebrew Christian Church from 32 to 42. He was accepting all the true children of Abraham by faith. Paul himself, happened to be one of those Jews, that God had not forgotten.

The Gentiles did not start coming into the Hebrew Christian Church until the council at Jerusalem in the 60's. Starting from Pentecost, the infant Church was being trained and prepared as a pure virgin to take on the role of a wife and fitting bride for her mate.
Here is one prime example from the words of Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 NIV I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. “I promised you to one husband, to Christ, “ so that I might “present you” as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (emphasis added)

It should not be over looked here that Paul says he promised the Church of Corinth to one husband, to Christ as a pure virgin. The church was already promised to Christ as a radiant, blameless bride. This is the period of time that she is observed for her purity. It is with this remnant of Spiritual Israel that Yahweh make his bride.

Old covenant Israel the treacherous wife of Yahweh.

In Exodus 19 Yahweh comes down to the Israelites to sign the wedding covenant agreement with the people. Moses now brings the proposal of Yahweh to the elders and the people. Israel promised to be faithful in all things. Exodus 19:6-8 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

The proposal was accepted. "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." Now the bride, the children of Israel, had to be prepared for the wedding. Exodus 19: 10 "Then Yahweh said to Moses, 'Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes. 11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day Yahweh will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people'."

Later, Yahweh gave the bride the contract or agreement for the marriage. The terms of the Covenant contract between Yahweh and Israel contained Ten Commandments. The main condition of this marriage contract was that the Wife (the congregation of Israel -PSALM 135: 4), would not become an adulteress women.

Let's have a look at a few of the clauses of this marriage contract found in the Book of -EXODUS "You shall have no other Gods before Me"... -EXODUS 20: 3. ."You shall not commit adultery"... -EXODUS 20: 14.

Now readers, what finally happened in this relationship between Israel and Yahweh is that, the congregation of the “Nation of Israel” (the Wife of Yahweh) became an adulteress women. Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: "Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. Finely Yahweh call her a harlot. (Hosea 9:1)

As a wife treacherously departed from her husband so does the Nation of Israel treacherously departed from her husband. Jeremiah 3:20 Surely, as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, So have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel," says the LORD. The children of Israel are a stiff necked lot for the marriage had only just begun when they went astray.

God would punish them and they would cry out for help. He would help them and they would obey for a time and disobey again. Judges 2:11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook Yahweh God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked Yahweh to anger. 13 They forsook Yahweh and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 And the anger of Yahweh was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.

Now, because Israel breached the marriage contract by committing adultery, Yahweh then made judgment on her according to the terms set forth in the marriage contract, which started at (Mount. Sinai) and gave her a bill of divorce. In Jeremiah 3:8 Yahweh gives Israel a bill of divorce for her adultery. The Greek word apoluo, translated as “divorce in this passage, means to let loose from, let go free.

Unlike marriage, divorce was not instituted by God. In His comments on divorce, Jesus explained that divorce represents a change in God’s order because "from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8). He further observed that it was because of the "hardness" of the human heart that Moses "allowed" divorce (Matt 19:8) Yahweh determines to override the law for the sake of a future divorce from His partner National Israel. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)

Israel has left her husband, Yahweh, and committing spiritual adultery “with another” (Baal) and worshiped wooden images. (1 Kings 16:31). Then Ezekiel writes "How degenerate is your heart!" says the Lord GOD, "seeing you do all these things, the deeds of a brazen harlot. (Ezekiel 16:32)

This deeds entitled Yahweh to divorce his wife National Israel. In terms of the divorce law, Yahweh cannot remarry the former wife (Israel), and the unfaithful wife cannot return to her husband. Such action would pollute the land even more severely. Jeremiah 3:1 "They say, 'If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man's, May he return to her again?' Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me," says the LORD.

Also according to the law once at women has become a harlot she could not be taken as a wife. Leviticus 21:7 'They shall not take a wife who is a harlot or a defiled woman, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband; for the priest is holy to his God. If Yahweh asked the priest to do something that was just right and holy would He not do the same? Under just these two sets of circumstances Yahweh could not remarry His old bride. So, if one is to obey the law, no renewal of the relationship between God and National Israel was possible.

While Yahweh could not remarry His old harlot bride He also could not comply walk away from her because through her the Messiah would be born. (Isaiah 9) So Yahweh waited until Jesus the Messiah was born then He judged the harlot according to the terms of the marriage contract. Ezekiel 16:38 "And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy. This judgment was done when the harlot was completely destroyed in A.D. 70.

This left the way open for Yahweh to take a “virgin as wife.” Leviticus 21:13-14 'And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 'A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot these he shall not marry; but he shall take a virgin of his own people as wife.

Israel the vineyard: of the Lord.

The application of the vine goes back to the time the nation of Israel left Egypt. David. Speaking of God, said, “You brought a vine out of Egypt: you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.....You vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at you rebuke your people perish.” (Psalms 80:8-9, 16)

Isaiah later continues this figurative language about the house of Israel to which he says; Isaiah 5:1-7 I will sing for the One I love a song about His vineyard: My Loved One had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it, and cut out a winepress as well. Then He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. 3Now you dwellers in Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge between Me and My vineyard. 4What more could have been done for My vineyard than what I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? 5Now I will tell you what I am going to do with My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed. I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. 6 I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briars and thorns will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it. 7The vineyard of the LORD Almighty is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden of His delight. And He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.What did God want to communicate to the people of Judah in the Song of the Vineyard? It’s obvious that the Song is actually a true story. In the story God planted a vineyard and it’s clear it. He chose fertile soil on a hillside where there would be plenty of sunshine and rainfall. He cleared away the stones—which is no small task in the land of Israel!

The Lord planted His “choicest vine” of Abrahams descendants in the vineyard. For protection and security, He planted a hedge and built a wall around the vineyard, and built a watchtower in the center. In addition, He made a winepress in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. Then He looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit.

God gave His people every advantage and opportunity to produce good fruit. However, Israel produced nothing but the worthless fruit of wild grapes. In sorrow and disappointment, the vineyard keeper decided to turn away from His vineyard and allow it to go to waste. He would no longer cultivate and protect it, and it would become overgrown with briars and thorns. God would remove His hand of protection from the nation, and would literally allow it to be destroyed verse 5.

There are several other “vineyard passages” in the Old Testament. Israel is likened to a vine or vineyard in Jeremiah 2:21 and 12:10, Ezekiel 15 and Hosea 10:1. In every one of these passages God’s people were expected to produce fruit. In fact, Ezekiel belabors the point that producing fruit is the only purpose for a vine! It’s good only for producing fruit—and it’s expected to bear good fruit!

The good fruit here is related to the fact that Israel was to be the light of God unto the gentiles. However Jesus said when they win one over they made him twice as much a son of hell as themselfs. ( Matthew 23:15)

What more can the Lord do for them? In Isaiah’s Song, God’s vineyard willfully produced only wild, worthless, unusable fruit—in spite of the fact that God did everything that could possibly be done to assist it to produce a glorious harvest.

John’s original Jewish audience know these metaphors were drawing no the spiritual truths and historical realities of the nation of Israel. The language had a specific purpose to remind Israel of her long history.

As a result John writes in Revelation14 about the subject of God’s divine wrath poured out upon the vine. This is done by way of the picture of a harvest by which God reaps the earth. Revelation 14:14-20 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped. Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the “vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

One may note some key elements in these verses: (a) The Reapers are. The Son of Man (is the Lord Jesus Christ) with His holy angels (vss. 14-14-20) This stresses the source. It is an act of God.

The “vine of the earth, are fully ripe." The words “are ripe” represent the Greek akmazw which means “to be in its prime, be at its peak of ripeness.” A peak of ripeness THEN not over 2.000 years later.

Israel is the only nation in the Bible call the vine. Jeremiah 2: 20 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?

Then to this, John adds the word “grapes.” John’s original Jewish audience know these metaphors were drawing no Isaiah. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. (Isaiah 5:2)

The vine of the earth, in the land of Israel, is thrown into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Isaiah 5:2 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone, And from the peoples no one was with Me. For I have trodden them in My anger, And trampled them in My fury; Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments, And I have stained all My robes. For the day of vengeance is in My heart, And the year of My redeemed has come.

The term “earth” is often used in our translations of the book of Revelation. The Greek word ym would often be better translated “land.” Its definition is given by various Greek Lexicons as land, earth, soil, or dirt. Our modern definition of the word “earth” makes many passages appear to be world-wide when the context indicates a localized action or condition. Note how it is normally translated “land” as in Matthew 10:15 and Mark 11:24.

The Results of the Reaping, a harvest would be bloody carnage occurring particularly in Palestine. This will result in the bloodiest battle and carnage of human flesh that Israel has ever known. From this battle blood will flow up to the horse’s bridle. Revelation 14:20 . And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

The blood flowing as high as the horses’ would portray the gravity of this judgment. The distance of 1600 stadia (about 180 miles) just happens to be the approximate length of the land of Palestine.