HISTORY OF MANKIND

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INTRODUCTION:
History of mankind can be a formable and voluminous task -- and it is, if you try to detail every civilization, nation and era. However, considering history based on God our Creator's overview, called the Bible, the figure you may see below is the result.

The graphical view of the history of mankind includes the future history revealed in the Book of Revelation. We find there are 7 epochs in the "sojourn" of man on this earth.

The 7 epochs of history may be summarized in three phases: the creation and gift of the inhabited earth, the deception and control of Satan (we are there now), and the return of man's rightful inheritance.

On earth, with the four directions, two things are constant in all of the history of mankind -- the family and God's righteousness! Then, a third constant, life and death (fruits of), is dependent on the family and God's righteousness.

The fourth constant in history is the ebb and flow (cycle of ups and downs) of man's experience (slavery, prosperity, wars, famine.). God longs for us to learn righteousness from His allowed judgments (Isa 26:9). God longs for us to return to Him and recover that inheritance we had in the beginning (Lk 15:11-32).

In the figure below, click the numbered buttons to read the explanatory text. Without the figure, click the numbers below the figure.

1. In The Beginning. At Last! (Gen 1:1;The Good News! The foundations of the earth have been set into place. Life is revealed! God establishes the "work of His hands" -- the earth -- as the habitation for man. Man hears the voice of God in the cool of the day! Man walks with God.

As man surveyed, examined, and improved on the wonder of his environment (Gen 2:15-17), it became evident that it was not good for him to be alone Gen 2:18-23). God gave him a fit helper -- a co-equal helper -- woman (Gen 2:24-25).

God revealed His intentions for mankind (Gen 1:26-27). He blessed man (male and female) and said:

"Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Gen 1:28)

Then, it makes sense when the body of Christ, the church, is called the bride of Christ (Eph 4:11-13; 5:22-33). This is a mystery (Eph 5:31-32), but it shows how God thinks! The inalienable rights of man (from God) is first in the individual of the family, the household -- of all mankind -- not the dictation of the oligarchical few.

But, in this beginning of mankind on earth, there was adversity in the midst of the garden that was planted eastward. What was the purpose of that adversity -- the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? In our present understanding (but with God's wisdom, our understanding will grow) we can only simply say, "Adversity was to demonstrate God's righteousness."

2. The Righteousness of God The righteousness of God -- the doing right by God -- is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting! But, in what way is His righteousness demonstrated or shown, especially in the history of mankind?

The righteousness of God is in everything; the creation, the dying of man, and whether peace or war, plenty or famine; and the salvation of mankind -- in everything! Of course, this is so inclusive it almost means nothing to our present muddled thinking, but summarized with reference to the figure, we find in three major phases of our history:

In the Beginning. God used wisdom "as a workman" at His side to create the heavens and earth (Prv 8:20-31) that led "in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment."

We will examine the triad of wisdom, righteousness, and judgment a little while later (Jer 9:24). Do I understand all of this? No, but I would have liked to have been there seeing, by the eyes of wisdom, the construction of the "work of His fingers" and the "work of His hands." (Ps 8)

It appears that from the very first, the righteousness of God has a physical manifestation -- the heavens and the earth. We sometimes call this manifestation, the glory of God (Ps 8:1).

The Present Time. In this present age, after man was driven from access to the Tree of Life (Gen 3:22-24), we are in the morass of the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen 2:15-17). We, as man, have been dying ever since; ever since we thought that, with the knowledge of good and evil, we could do everything ourselves without the Spirit of God.

In the records that are extant, historians say that there have been some 21 civilizations that have come and gone. Why hasn't mankind gotten the message yet!? The partial answer is that we don't know our history from one generation to the next! Or, we ignorantly say what is past is not important.

We are still being deceived by Satan the adversary who deceived woman in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1-15). Satan assumed the authority, power (strength), and the glory (Mt 4:8-10; Lk 4:5-8) that was the property of mankind in the beginning.

However, in this fallen state -- being separated from a face-to-face relationship with God -- God has been faithful to us.

Thanks be to God, He has continued his righteousness on the earth. But, because of the fall of man, He added two other endeavors, lovingkindness (KJV) and judgment, to demonstrate His love for mankind (Jer 9:24, 25).

We can brag about our knowing the Lord God Almight and understanding that He both performs and delights in:

Lovingkindness (His great love) -- This grand and enjoyable task is defined for us in Ps 107. The last verse of Ps 107 sums it up:

"Whoever is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord (NKJ)."

The things are the Lord God Almighty's goodness and wonderful works He has done for the children of men! Those things include leading peoples to new lands and restoration of peoples who have repented and "cried to the Lord in their trouble." Read all of Ps 107.

Judgment (justice of God) -- It is hard for us to imagine that God "delights" in judgment (often destruction). Yes, in justice maybe. But, God our Father, has the big picture. Isaiah said to God:

"My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness (Isa 26:9)."

The flood was a severe judgment on the earth. God, loving man, performed that judgment. After the flood, how was God to disrupt the condition:

"The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil all the time." (Gen 6:5)

God promised there would never be another flood to destroy the earth (Gen 9:12-16; 2 Pt 3:5-7). Therefore, here we see two profound purposes for nations. The first was to seek and find God (Acts 17:24-28) and apparently the other was to inflict judgment on the evil nation (Amos 9:7, 8).

God will destroy the evil nation (if they do not repent). But, He gave a promise not to completely destroy Israel from which Jesus the Christ would be born! What was the Gulf War for?

Righteousness -- God's plan. Before the fall of man, God's path of righteousness was shown to us in the creation of the heavens and earth (the stars and the ground we stand on). Then before the flood, Noah built the ark from God's instructions. God's fit helper finished the details from the overall plan that God gave him.

God's righteousness is manifest in a physical way to accomplish a purpose. Isaiah alludes to the messiah here but brings out judgment and righteousness in terms of a constructive purpose, where the Sovereign LORD says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousmess the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place." (Isa 26:16-17)

Often in the scripture, righteousness expresses a plan to be fulfilled, to do what is right for a even a greater purpose. For instance, John the baptizer told Jesus, whom he knew was the messiah, that Jesus should baptize him (John), but Jesus said,

"Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this (baptize Jesus) to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented (Mt 3:18).

Now, in this time of history under the influence of "the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil" (at the top of the figure), we see the righteousness of God being demonstrated in science and technological advancement. This advancement enabled the blessings we were given in Gen 1:26-28, despite the distraction of Babylonish control.

 The surge forward of the population of man on the earth started during the reign of Louis XI of France (started a commonwealth), and especially technological advancement when the independence of the United States gave a nation that declared themselves under the "Great God our King!"

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Pet 3:13).

By itself, Ps 8:6 would tend to limit man strictly to the earth (works of God's hands). However, Jesus now has all authority in heaven and earth (Mt 28:18) and then in Heb 2: 7-12, we read:

"'You made him (man) a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.' (quoting Ps 8:5, 6)

 "In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he migh taste death for everyone.

"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says,

"I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises (Ps 22:22)."

More on the righteousness of God can be found in item 14, New Heavens and New Earth!. Apparently some of the things we have been shown in nation-state building will be used in that new heaven and earth!

3. In the Middle of Eden -- Life and Death. We have an historical heritage that goes back to the Garden of Eden (Gen 2 and 3). In the midst of the garden -- in the midst doesen't have to mean in the middle -- we had two systems (the trees) of life and death.

We must consider that just as the Book of Revelation is revealed by symbols, so we have a picture of the Garden of Eden revealed in symbols. There is a reality and actually behind the symbols of the "fruit" of the tree of Life and the "fruit" of the knowledge of good and evil. No, the woman (later Eve, the mother of all the living) did not literally eat an apple!

Mankind -- before there was both male and female -- had very clear guidelines given by God:

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'

The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" (Gen 2:15-18)

Historically, the Bible does not give us a complete record of the development of the system of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil." We know that Satan (reptillian race?) and Nephilim (giants in those early years) (Gen 6:1-4) did exist apparently in parallel to the system of the "tree of Life" in which man, made from the dust with the breath of God (Spirit) in him, also began to multiply.

In Satan's system -- "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" -- we see diversity. Sons of God, be wise and watchful (1 Pt 5:8-9)!History does repeat itself.

The same system that existed before the fall of man, but was not in control, is in control today shouting the so called virtues of "diversity." Diversity does not maintain the sovereignity of a nation-state republic (Gen 11:9; Acts 17:24-27).

In my thinking, this brings us back to the question, "Why was man created in the first place?" In the broad overview, it appears that man became God's fit helper, a being after God's own heart, not only to replenish and subdue the earth (Gen 1:26-28) but to walk on every "work of God's hands (Ps 8; Heb 2)."

Was it possible that diversity in the system of "the tree of knowledge of good and evil" was not working out? Therefore, God created a race of man in His own image, to accomplish what "diversity" or "free will" could not do. This gives us a glimpse of what "the rod of the mouth" means when we confront the adversary, our enemies.

Historically we see in the future when Babylon is destroyed and then a time when methods of the Beast, the False Prophet, and Satan (Rev19:19-21;20:10), are all thrown into the lake of fire. No, not a literal fire, but separation from the presence of God! (2 Thes 1:4-9)

4. The Fall of Man

The acceptance of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil by woman (Eve) caused a paradign shift that created a "vortex" that enveloped man (Adam) as well. Man was not deceived, but he followed the dictum, "...man shall leave his father and mother and clive (stick) to his wife and they shall be one flesh." (Gen 2:?)

The creator of heaven and earth -- Elohim (Hebrew), as man knew him then -- drove man from the garden of Eden when he accepted the "fruit of the knowledge of good and evil." Then, since man was separated from the "fruit of the tree of life," he began to die as Elohim had warned (Gen 2:?).

Certainly God had a plan and it appears that Satan had a plan. Men as families, even simply groups of families were most vunerable.

5. Anarchy Before the Flood

In the beginning reasonable order existed with the family groups. Then man experimented with diversity. Debauchry reached an intensity and time duration run a course. The flood that destroyed the earth finished that course -- judgment! The city state appears to have been the largest community of organization by man.

This is a time when families as groups of people prevailed on the earth. Some family groups, such as Cain the first recorded slayer of man, built ciities. Two major leaders of men appear, Enoch and Noah. There is no record of national organization of man before the fall.

Enoch, who walked with God and was translated to heaven, surely had influence up on his family and other families. The New Testament book of Jude contains at least a snipet of Enoch's writings. For a period of 300 years Enoch appears to be a stablization factor in an earth population gone wild experimenting with good and evil.

6. Building of Nations -- After the Flood

Before the flood, in the system of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, mankind was vunerable to the wiles of Satanic influence in the world of diversity. Therefore, for the first time we see evidence of nations first in Genesis chapter 10.

Then Nimrod, the "mighty hunter (of men) before the Lord," built a mighty "global" city in the plains of Shinar (Gen 11) with a tall tower that would make an exhalted name for Nimrod's subjects. While building the tower, God confused their communications to prevent their intent.

In this early time, nations were created according to language to ensure the filling of the earth (Gen 11:10, 11).

Thus, God formulated nation states where the people of one language were protected from diversity -- anarchy. The purpose of nations is further defined in Acts 17:24-28.

From this time on, all of history is replete with the continuous warfare between the sovereign nation-state under God and the oligarchial utilization of people (families) by the elite or ruling few.

The deception of Satan creates an ebb and flow in the prosperity and population of peoples of the earth until Satan is "chained" as recorded in Rev 20:1-2.

7. The Evil Empire -- Babylon

What evil was intented by the ancient city Babylon in making a name for itself? Babylon, meaning confusion, so named because here was were the one language of man was confused. Separate groups of people (families), speaking one language went their way over the face of the earth.

Babylon was the first record given to us of a direct contradiction against God's blessing in Gen1:28. Mankind's (male and female) blessing (his happiness) was dependent on all of the earth being "under his feet."

The ruins of the physical city of Babylon are in the plains of Shinar in Iraq. Sadam Huissen has managed to repair about 10-percent of the old city. But there is an evil spiritual city of Babylon -- an evil group of people -- depicted in the book of Revelation (Rev 18: ).

The language of symbols in the book of Revelation tell us that a city is a group of people. The city New Jerusalem is a group of people, the bride of Christ -- the saints, not a physical place (Rev 20: ).

Since the New Jerusalem is not a physical city, neither is Babylon described as:

"...(the) city that deceives all the kings of the earth." (Rev 18: )

8. Israel -- God's Inheritance -- Example for the World System

How do you grow a nation? By the proliferation from one family, God had a plan. First, Abram, later called Abraham, was called out of the Ur of Chaldees by God. Within some 400 years the Israelites came out of Eqyptian slavery numbering probably well over 3 million persons.

Why would God want a group of unrulely former slaves as the key to his plan? From biblical and secular history we are shown:

(1) A people submitted themselves to conditions that allowed them to survive. (2) They were enslaved by those few who forgot where these industrious people came from. (3) After four generations (400 years by the Bible) these slaves were led to a promised land. (4) This people struggled through "wilderness wanderings" before a obedient generation went into the promised land. (5) In the promised land, this people conquered degenerate "famlies" who had forgotten God, but worshipped nature in degenerate ways. (6) Israel prospered cyclically for 350 years as a theocratic republic. (7) Israel ask for a king like other nations to lead them in battle. They were carried into captivity in about 300 years. History had repeated itself.

The example of the little nation of Israel is absolutely unique! Israel is the example for all nations on this earth. God will bless and curse any nation according to their goodness and evil. Generation after generation God stuck it out with Israel even saying,

"Behold, the eyes of the LORD GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jocob, saith the LORD." (Amos 9:8)

God had a very long range intention -- to destroy the authority of Satan -- and restore the rightful place of mankind (the original inheritance) upon the earth and upon all the works of God's hands (Heb 2:4-10).

It appears that a nation was necessary to nurture one individual, the son of the living God, to destroy death (2 Tim 1:9-10). Also one Messiah-believing nation will lead all the earth (God's people) out of Babylon (Rev 17:18; Rev 18:4,8-9,24).

9. The Messiah Triumphs -- Authority of Satan Destroyed

The people of Israel were looking for the Messiah, one that even Moses had spoke about some 1400 years before. They were looking for someone to lead them in battle (as they had about 1000 years before) and free them from the Roman domination.

But, when Jesus of Nazereth manifested himself, most did not believe in him. The religious leaders "knew" that such a man could not be the promised Messiah. He was not born of nobility nor had any political power. The people (a lot of them) "knew" Jesus was not the Messiah - he did not let them make him KING.

Jesus had a mission that even his closest of disciples did not understand. He was to die and be resurrected. Jesus was to destroy death! His fight was a spiritual warfare -- to bruse the head of Satan.

Jesus did not stay on earth after his triumph over death. He is a king, but not a king as men think a king should be. But this is how we find him:

1. He is reigning in heaven, with authority in heaven and on earth. 2. He shall be reigning until He has put down all authority, power and might. 3. All things shall be put under His feet. 4. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 5. Then Jesus will give His kingdom to God the Father, so that God will be all in all (1 Cor 15:22-28).

A physical king is a form of idolatry -- rejection of God as king (1 Sam 8:7; 1 Sam 12:12).

It was a great wickedness for Israel to ask for a king (1 Sam 12:17). Despite their wickedness, God still only wanted Israel to follow Him with all of their heart (1 Sam 12:20-25). If not, God would destroy the people and the king.

We must grow past the idea of Jesus Christ as a king -- it is a limitation. The kingdom of God is a family (Eph 3:14, 15)-- or a marriage (Gen 2:24, 25). God (the husband) sticks with the wife (mankind) face-to-face, without shame. God gave us this picture in the beginning, but we didn't know what to do with it! Thank You, Father. In Jesus' name, amen!

Therefore, in these latter days, we see in the New Testament that Jesus Christ is the groom -- more than a king. He is head of the body, the bride (wife) (Rev 19:7-8; 21:9-10--17:18), the Church -- the sons of God; the sanctified (Eph 5:22-32).

The sons of God are "fit helpers" with Jesus Christ, the "husband." What picture do we see from the beginning now that we begin to understand the end?

It was not good for God to be alone in the universe! He needed some fit helpers (made in His image) to destroy the "fruit of the knowledge of good and evil." God had "had it up to here." It was time to remove Satan!

Now it makes sense for God to tell man to "watch" as implied in keeping the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15).

We (as man) didn't keep our initial watch as we should have. Therefore, Satan was able to deceive Woman and though Adam not was deceived, he stuck with Eve (Gen 2:24) his fit helper (even as Jesus sticks with the body of Christ).

Jesus has received all authority in both heaven and earth (Mt 28:18-20). The head of Satan has been brused -- he no longer has any authority upon the earth. Yes, Satan has occupancy, like a renter who has not paid his rent. He must be evicted!

10. Reconquering Earth -- The Sons of God

In the beginning God created the earth. It was His. Wisdom, as a workman at His side, expressed the following:

"Then I was by Him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and my delights were with the sons of men." (Prv 8:30-31, KJV)

In Rev 4:11 we are told that God created "all things" and for His pleasure "they are and were created." This is includes people and the earth and the rest of the creation. Initially God gave the earth to the "children of men" (Ps 115:15-16), although the heaven of heavens are His.

Therefore, people--sons of God, children of men, sons of men--are the most important thing. But this does not leave out all other works of Gods hands in which God takes pleasure (Jer 9:23-24).

We were given the Great Commission -- Mt 28:28-30 -- to take the good news as we go into all the world. What does this mean? This is the means whereby we retake the earth for the kingdom of God. Just as Israel fought to take the promised land as an inheritance, so must we retake the earth both spiritually and physically for our inheritance.

This is a spiritual battle in which Paul sums up by saying,

"Finally, my brethern, be strong in the Lord, and in the power (authority) of his might (strength). Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness (of this world), against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph 6:10-13)

The wonder is that the whole armor of God is not just "hardware" (belt, brestplate, shoes, shield, helment and sword), but requires praying on all occasions in the Spirit with perserverant watchfulnes (Eph 6:18)!

Those with the whole armor of God are surely fighting with Jesus against the 10 powers described in Rev 17:14:

"These (the 10 powers) shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."

Now comes a challenge for us today. Father, we seek your wisdom and understanding -- in Jesus' name, amen!

In Revelation chapters 17 through 19, before the chaining of Satan at the beginning of Chapter 20, we have the record of history which this generation must implement. Or must there be another generation that will have the guts to do it?

There are paradoxes and metaphors we must face and accomplish with the Spirit of God as we are led in battle by Jesus our Lord.

We are that generation that must know previous history and the word of God in order to provide the leadership in the earth to accomplish the following (Rev 17-19 summary):

1. Defeat the 10 powers 2. Come out of Babylon 3. Defeat the armies of the kings of the earth and the Beast 4. Take the Beast and False Prophet and cast them into the lake of fire 5. Slay the remnant with the sword that comes out of the mouth of the "Word of God."

Many things need to be said, but simply -- the above is the outline of what God has put into our hands to accomplish as we are led in Jesus Christ. I am repeating myself! Yes, in this generation it will be done -- by the will of God our Father and Jesus Christ! Jesus the Christ is the Judge (Rev 19:11) that leads in this mighty battle!

The righteousness of God will not allow the above work to be done by Himself. We as the fit helpers in Jesus Christ were chosen from the foundations of the earth (Eph 2:10; 2Tim 2:9) -- with Jesus Christ -- to acomplish the chaining of Satan.

11. Satan Chained -- Satan's Strength Overcome

Had we not been led by Jesus in subduing the 10 powers and the other enemies, we would not be spiritually qualified to follow Jesus in the binding or chaining of Satan. (Rev 20:1)

Our beloved Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves (1 Cor 13:11-12). We are far more capable than we sometimes think -- we are made in the image of God -- we are His offspring! Think how we nurture our children from one level of responsibility to the next.

We have been in a process of coming out of the system of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil for some several thousand years. Two thousand years ago, finally, Jesus Christ destroyed death (2 Tim 1:10).

It is only in the last 220 years have we come back to the understanding how a nation-state (Constitutional Republic) under God must be structured (Acts 17:12-24). Israel was the first Theocratic repubic which lasted 350 years. Then they renounced God's leadership and insisted on having a physical king to lead them in battle (1 Sam 8:1-7).

Our soul salvation is a process as shown by:

"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace." (2 Thess 2:13-16, KJV)

Even the final destruction of death is a process. In 2 Tim 1:10 we are told that "...by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ" death has been abolished and He has brought to light or revealed life and immortality through the gospel. And, then only is death destroyed as the last enemy in the decription of the reign of Jesus on the righthand of God our Father.

"Then cometh the end when He (Jesus) shall have delivered the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He (Jesus) must reign, till He hath put all enemies under his feet (Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:6). The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For He (God) hath put all things under His (Jesus) feet....And when all things shall be subdued unto him (Jesus), then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." (1 Cor 15:24-28)

Indeed at this very moment I may not be certain of all the aspects of chaining Satan, but I trust that God in Jesus Christ will show us, at the proper time, how to chain Satan!

Therefore, what ever the process in chaining Satan, this opens the time for the First Resurrection. Yes, who shall setup the thrones? Who will do the judging?

Signifcantly, we will understand what the "mark of the Beast" on the hand and forehead is by our previous experience in taking the Beast and False Prophet and throwing them into the lake of fire.

HALLELUJAH! What will we be doing during the symbolic 1000 years in which Satan is chained? This is almost like, "What will we be doing in Heaven?" But we, as the sons of God --priests and kings (judges) -- will know then what to do with the leading of Jesus Christ! (Rev 20:8)

Do you think that the saints (priests and "kings") will leave it up to secular understanding how nation-states, technology, and population growth should be handled? We (the religious world) are doing that largely now, saying there is a separation of church and state. The leadership of Jesus Christ will be such as the leadership of Jehovah in Israel during the "reign" of the judges; we will be completing the subduing of the earth. (Gen 1:26-28)

But why, how, and surely WHO releases Satan at the end of the 1000 years?

12. Last Great Deception -- The Great Battle

"For God so loved the world that he gave is only begotten son...." also applied to Satan. Surely, God the Father also loved Satan -- the wisest creature that God ever created. At the end of the millennium period, so called, we will better understand the whole picture. My opinion is that the love of God is consumated in these words of wisdom in proverbs:

"All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing forward or perverse in them... I lead in the way of righteousness in the midst of the paths of judgment:...I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." (Prov 8:8, 20, 23) Read all of Prov 8.

In summary, the deception of Satan and the last great battle is decribed as:

"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." (Rev 20:7-12, KJV)

Father, in the name of Jeus Christ, bless us with wisdom and understanding concerning this time in history. It may be that many things that appear in prophecy may apply to this period of time rather than an earlier or "immediate" Armageddon (Rev 16:16) event. Thank you, beloved Father!

This may be a repetition of history. We were shown one time how to chain Satan and seal him away from the influence on nations. We can do only what the Father in Jesus Christ has shown us to do. Now with the leading of Jesus Christ, Satan is seized and thrown into the lake of fire -- the final judgment for Satan.

Now comes the final judgment for the balance of human souls that were not in the first resurrection.

13. Final Judgment -- The Great White Throne

Is this great white throne judgment a process that allows the introduction of the new heavens and earth?! Let us fall to our knees! We can only carry the "Ark of the Testimony" according the pattern given to us by God All Mighty(1 Chr 15:12-15).

Beloved Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, lead us in your wisdom and understanding to gain an insight to this "period" of history! Let me not be arrogant to think that I can be given any more than a "touch of the garment" view of Your intentions at this time. I trust You in Jesus Christ with all my heart (Ps 3:5-6) and in the Testimony of the Spirit I have this confidence that,

"by the power that is within me (via the Holy Spirit in the inner man), Your are able to do far more abundantly above what I think or imagine!" (Eph 3:13-21)

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:11-15, KJV)

I will express an opinion here, but only on the basis of two other scriptures, perhaps allowing us to better understand the Great White Throne judgment process.

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.Rev 12:7-8, KJV)v/nobr>

"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."(Dan 2:34-35, KJV)

The throne of judgment is shown as white or pure (Rev 20:11)and no one could stand before the face of that judge. Bless me, Father. I need your wisdom! The great white throne is different from all other thrones since nothing is hidden (your leading Father!) The only other time this condition existed was in the Garden of Eden when it was exclaimed, "...they were naked and not ashamed."(Gen 3:19)

One time Jesus said that he would not Judge any man but His word would (Jn12:?). Another place we find that the disobedient would be banished from the presence of God (Ref?).

14. New Heavens and New Earth!

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess 4:16-17, KJV) The words above in first Thessalonians may not be so much a paradox, but the understanding when "the trump of God" will sound is not yet clear. God, in Jesus Christ, will not do anything that we as "fit helpers" can do with the leadership of Jesus our "husband."

The history of the family of God in the new heavens and new earth is based on what the Father originally showed the Son and told the Son. The new heavens and earth, hereafter called the heavenly realm, is that prepared place for a prepared people.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, this wonder rests with me until another appropriate time. Praised be the name of ELOHIM! Amen and Amen!

The start of the History of Mankind foot notes.

Babylonish control This refers to that evil city started by Nimrod in the plain of Shinar (Gen 11:1-9) and that evil system, depicted as a city, in the Book of Revelation (Rev 17:1-3; 18:1-20). As described in Revelation, this is an international maritime-financial oligarchical system that has deceived the whole world.

The "city of Babylon" will be described in a little more detail in item 7, The Evil Empire, and item 11, Satan Chained.

method of thinking I claim no special revelation in consideration of what the Bible tells me. But, I do have the attitude of David and the men who brought the Ark of Testimony (covenent) from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:6-13). I pray and then move forward in writing for "6 steps," before I pray again.

I must rely on the leading of the Spirit (Rm 8:12-17; Eph 3:14-20). I can only do what God has told me (the Bible) and only what He has shown (history and my experience) me. This emulates Jesus the Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen!

History does repeat itself. Because history does repeat itself, we know that in certain aspects ever "current event" is the result of what has happened in the past and certainly reflects our thinking that may not have changed for the better.

"Thinking in the small is non-linear!" This is an understanding that one man had which contradicted the scientific community in his day and does so even today. With only three observation points, this man -- Gauss -- was able to determine the accurate orbit of a comet, whereas his peers and contemporary superiors could not.

Even though we have very little information from past and future history, let us think on these things in a "non-linear" manner with wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God, our creator and Father. We will advance beyond our peers and superiors (Ps 100s?) -- since we follow His laws.

confront the adversary When we confront our enemies, it must be done with the pressure of accountibility.

For instance, when the angel Michael and Satan were contending over the body of Moses, Michael simply said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you!" Michael did not bring a railing acquisition against Satan (Jude 12).

In the like manner when we as a nation are chastising another (the Gulf war, the attacks on Serbia, etc.) we must remember to have mercy and speak kindly (ref). God punished Babylon and (ref) when they were cruel to the nation-state they were to punish (ref).