THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST - From Commencement to Completion (video series)- Chapter 6, Revealing the Annointed King Part 21
by Brett Jacobsen
The focus of this teaching is to promote the biblical truth that Christ’s Kingdom is active and increasing right now on this earth, in this age. Erroneous eschatology has detracted from this truth in many circles of the Christian faith.
All of the major eschatological (study of how things end) passages are covered but the end of the world is not the important issue and true eschatology is merely a means to an end- Christ Himself as King of kings. Though we will look at the glorious end of earthly history from time to time, we will more so continually use the scriptures to interpret the scriptures and arrive at the present victorious Kingdom of Christ.
For most Christians this teaching will challenge you deeply in your understanding of the New Covenant and Christ’s Kingdom as well as liberate you greatly in the truth of His Word.
Revelation chapter 21
Below are the notes from this teaching so you can read along:
Chapter 21:1
21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first [protos] heaven and the first [protos] earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Remember that this is a symbolic book- red dragon, beasts, sealed foreheads, whore & bride, etc. Why would we assume, as many do, that this heaven and earth are not symbolic?
Heaven and earth passing is the passing of the covenant from national Israel to spiritual Israel- the church. The changing of the covenant is nothing short of cataclysmic.
And so it is written, The first [protos] man Adam was made a living soul; the last [eschatos] Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Cor 15:45-47)
The pattern continues with this situation- natural Israel was first then spiritual Israel.
The song of Moses
30 And Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
32:1 Give ear, O you heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. (Deut 31:30-32:1)
The covenant people are referred to as “you heavens” and “O earth” because as far as God is concerned His covenant nation is the heavens and earth, all else is peripheral.
More of the song:
And he said, I will hide my face from them [Israel], I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. (Deut 32:20-24)
Heaven and earth passing
Think not that I am come to destroy [kataluo- demolish] the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil [pleroo- satisfy, execute, verify, complete]. 18 For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:17-19)
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail [pipto- fall]. (Luke 16:16-17)
It is easier for the covenant people to fail and pass than for God’s covenant (inc law and prophets) to fail.
Heaven and earth passing is synonymous with the generation between Jesus and great tribulation:
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putts forth leaves, you know that summer is near: 33 So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour [heaven and earth passing] knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matt 24:32-37)
The subject of this passage is clearly the great tribulation (66-70 AD). The ‘great tribulation’, “heaven and earth” passing, “this generation”, “that day and hour” and “the coming of the Son of man” are all part of the same process of covenantal exchange.
Chapter 21:2-4
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. [1]
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. [2]
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain [3]: for the former things are passed away. [4]
[1] The passing of heaven and earth (Old Covenant nation) now produces the bride- New/heavenly Jerusalem, which is the church:
For you are not come to the mount that might be touched [Sinai/Old Covenant/old Jerusalem], and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But you ARE COME to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel. 25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth [Moses], much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven [Jesus]: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made [first the natural], that those things which cannot be shaken [celestial] may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb 12:18-29)
Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to JERUSALEM which NOW IS, and IS IN BONDAGE WITH HER CHILDREN.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, You barren that bears not; break forth and cry, you that travails not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saiys the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Gal 4:21-31)
- “as a bride adorned for her husband” -
Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, says he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit. (1 Cor 6:15-17)
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Eph 5:28-33)
[2] “the tabernacle [skene] of God is with men, and he will dwell [skenoo- tabernacle over] with them” – This was true in the present for the 1st century Asiatic church and still is for us - Eph 2:19-22, 2 Cor 6:16, 1 Cor 6:19, 1 Cor 3:16-17.
- “they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” -
Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was an husband to them, says the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jer 31:31-33)
[3] This is Messianic age terminology. Christ has brought definitive victory over sorrow, death, pain, He has redeemed us –
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it. (Is 25:8)
[4] “former things are passed away” – Heaven and earth have passed (Old Covenant order has passed- Heb 12).
Chapter 21:5-8
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said to me, It is done [ginomai- become, brought to pass]. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. [1] I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. [2]
7 He that overcomes [nikao] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. [3]
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. [4]
[1] “all things new” – {New cloth/wineskin/wine Matt 9:16-17, new Testament Matt 26:28, new command John 13:34, new bread 1 Cor 5:7, new creation 2 Cor 5:17 & Gal 6:15, one new man (body) Eph 2:15, new covenant Heb 8:8 & 13, new and living way Heb 10:20, new heavens and earth (covenant reality) 2 Pet 3:13, new name Rev 2:17}
In fact - “all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17)
- “true and faithful” – Jesus is ‘faithful and true’ Rev 3:14, Rev 19:11
- “it is done. I am Alpha and Omega” – What is done? The NT is accomplished/ brought to pass. This ties chapter 21 back to the context chapter (chp 1) where Jesus first announces Himself as “Alpha and Omega”.
Also, it sounds like “It is finished [teleo- accomplish, perform]” when Jesus inaugurated the NT (John 19:30).
[2] The water of life was available to the Asiatic church in the 1st century:
Ho, every one that thirsts, come you to the waters, and he that has no money; come you, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Is 55:1)
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Is 12:2-3)
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jer 2:13)
If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water. (John 4:10)
He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears [7 churches + others] say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)
[3] It is the readers (7 Asiatic churches) who have already been implored to nikao- overcome. Here they are called sons of God if they overcome (the letter is for them).
[4] All who are not redeemed “sons” “have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” because they remain “fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars”- unredeemed.
Chapter 21:9-10
9 And there came to me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. [1]
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, [2]
[1] Probably the same angel which showed John the whore in Rev 17:1
We’ve already seen that we are the bride of Christ (specifically in this book it was the first century church)
[2] “he carried me away in the spirit” – “the Lamb’s wife”- “holy Jerusalem” is not a terrestrial city on earth but “in the spirit” on earth- the church.
- “a great and high mountain” – is where the Lamb’s wife holy Jerusalem is; just like in Heb 12 – Mt Sion/heavenly Jerusalem.
- “descending out of heaven from God” - sounds like how Jesus said to pray – “Our Father which are in heaven, […] Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:9-10)
Chapter 21:11-14
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; [1]
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. [2]
[1] - “Having the glory of God” –
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Cor 4:6-7)
- “clear as crystal” – chpt 4 sea like crystal, chpt 22 river “clear as crystal” – crystal clear represents Holy Spirit dwelling.
[2] ‘twelve gates/ tribes and twelve foundations/ apostles’ –
Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And ARE built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom you also ARE builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)
Chapter 21:15-17
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed [kalamos] to measure [metreo] the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. [1]
16 And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. [2]
[1] Measuring with a rod represents a role call of inclusion and exclusion like in chpt 11:
And there was given me a reed [kalamos] like to a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure [metreo] the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not [exclude them]; for it is given to the Gentiles… (Rev 11:1-2)
[2] Again we have symbolic numbers 12, thousand and 144 – the number 12 (and its multiple) for the church (both OT & NT) and the number 1000 for manyness. This shows that “holy”/ “heavenly”/ “new” “Jerusalem” is the church (12 & 144) which will be many (1000).
Chapter 21:18-21
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
- These natural precious objects all represent people/things of the spirit –
For we are labourers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor 3:9-16)
- the specific naming of the various stones seems to me to be the Lord speaking to us in language that will and has caused many to miss the simple yet profound truth. (see Mark 4:11-12)
Chapter 21:22-27
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. [1]
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. [2]
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk [peripateo] in the light of it: and the kings of the earth [ge – physical land] do bring their glory [doxa] and honour [time] into it. [3]
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. [4]
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. [5]
[1] There is no geographical exclusive place (temple) to go to worship when you are in the Holy Jerusalem because you are continually in the place of worship (temple) with the Lord wherever you and He are.
[2] There is no need of light as we know it (sun, moon etc) because the city is full of spiritual light. It is His celestial Kingdom here on earth.
- Also, Jesus said:
I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12 and 9:5)
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt 5:14)
[3] “the nations of them which are saved shall walk [peripateo] in the light of it” – the first century church was implored to WALK in the light of Holy Jerusalem:
For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk [peripateo] as children of light: (Eph 5:8)
- “the kings of the earth [ge – physical land] do bring” – the kings of the physical land are those who rule over earthly nations; they bring doxa and time to Jesus.
[4] “the gates of it shall not be shut” – There is always access into the Kingdom of Christ here on earth.
Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to you the forces [chayil- resources, army, wealth, men] of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. (Is 60:11-12)
- “no night there” – no matter what the physical illumination on earth at any time, we in the Kingdom are in the light- of the day perpetually:
You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thess 5:5-8)
[5] Remember this is not a physical city. Only those earth dwellers who are in Christ (and in the book) are permitted into the heavenly gathering of the saints- New Jerusalem. All else dwell in darkness while on earth… and after.
Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 Lift up youre eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to you: your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall see, and flow together, and your heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted to you, the forces of the Gentiles shall come to you. (Is 60:1-5)
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Thank you.