We have many different days to look forward to if we are children of the Living God. We look forward to the day we meet Christ face to face. We look forward to the day we meet with our departed loved ones again. We look forward to the harpazo which is the day that the living and dead in Christ rise to heaven. We look forward to the day that Christ will reign from Israel. Those are all special days ahead, but there is another day we look forward to as well; the day that Christ is crowned King. It is a day the ancients looked forward to and told us about, and a day that Jesus himself tried to explain to the disciples while on the earth. What the disciples didn’t quite understand was the timing.
There are several related mysteries that were not revealed regarding this time frame. They have since been revealed, but they could not be revealed until after Jesus ascended. The ruler of this world was not privy to this information, but has since muddied the waters so that we misunderstand this knowledge. However, the time of the end, when knowledge is to be revealed, is here.
In the Book of Revelation, we have an angel sounding the seventh trumpet. As soon as the trumpet sounds there are a great many voices in heaven saying the same thing. This is an announcement that we should memorize and remind ourselves of often. It is our future hope. Before the millennial reign starts, before the Day of the Lord begins, Christ must take over rulership of the kingdom of this world.
Revelation 11:15 (KJV)
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15 G2532 And G3588 the G1442 seventh G32 angel G4537 trumped. G2532 And G1096 there were G5456 [2voices G3173 1great] G1722 in G3588 the G3772 heaven, G3004 saying, G1096 [5is become G3588 1The G932 2kingdom G3588 3of the G2889 4world] G3588 G2962 of our Lord, G1473 G2532 and G3588 G5547 of his Christ, G1473 G2532 and G936 he shall reign G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons.
5456
φωνή
phōnē fo-nay' Probably akin to G5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication an address (for any purpose), saying or language KJV Usage: noise, sound, voice.
3173
μέγας
megas meg'-as Including the prolonged forms, femine μεγάλη megalē , plural μέγάλοι megaloi , etc.; compare also G3176, G3187], big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) KJV Usage: (+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
3004
λέγω
legō leg'-o A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean KJV Usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
We have looked at all of these words before, but as a reminder, there are sounds, mega-sounds, and they break the silence in a discourse. The voices all say the same thing. If we remember, John was not allowed to tell us what the thunders were saying. In a round about way he will tell us soon, but in response to what happened when the thunders spoke, a great many voices are saying something. What they are saying is important. Our translation is lacking in the intensity of what this announcement says.
1096Dodson:γίνομαι I come into being, am born I come into being, am born, become, come about, happen.
Thayer:
1) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being
2) to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen
2a) of events
3) to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage
3a) of men appearing in public
4) to be made, finished
4a) of miracles, to be performed, wrought
5) to become, be made
γίνομαι
ginomai ghin'-om-ahee A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen” -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.) KJV Usage: arise be assembled, be (come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, be done, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
932 LSJ Gloss:βασιλεία a kingdom, dominion
Dodson:βασιλεία kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, kingdom
kingship, sovereignty, authority, rule, especially of God, both in the world, and in the hearts of men; hence: kingdom, in the concrete sense.
Thayer:
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
βασιλεία
basileia bas-il-i'-ah From G935; properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)KJV Usage: kingdom, + reign.
2889 LSJ Gloss:κόσμος order
Dodson:κόσμος the world, universe the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.
Thayer:
1) an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
2) ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens.
1 Pet. 3:3 3) the world, the universe
4) the circle of the earth, the earth
5) the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
7a) the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
8) any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
8a) the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom.
11:12 etc)
8b) of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19
κόσμος
kosmos kos'-mos Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]) KJV Usage: adorning, world.
2962 LSJ Gloss:κύριος having power a lord, master
Dodson:κύριος lord, Lord, master, sir lord, master, sir; the Lord.
Thayer:
1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord
1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing
1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master
1a2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor
1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master
1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah
For Synonyms see entry G5830
κύριος
kurios koo'-ree-os From κῦρος kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller; by implication Mr . (as a respectful title) KJV Usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
5547 Dodson:Χριστός anointed, the Messiah, the Christ anointed; the Messiah, the Christ.
Thayer:
1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God
2) anointed
Literal: Christ = "anointed"
Χριστός
Christos khris-tos' From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus KJV Usage: Christ.
936 LSJ Gloss:βασιλεύω to be king, to rule, reign
Dodson:βασιλεύω I rule, reign, reign over (a) I rule, reign, (b) I reign over.
Thayer:
1) to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign
1a) of the governor of a province
1b) of the rule of the Messiah
1c) of the reign of Christians in the millennium
2) metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control
βασιλεύω
basileuō bas-il-yoo'-o From G935; to rule (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: king, reign.
The kingdom of the cosmos is birthed to the supreme authority of Christos and the Kings’ reign is age to age. The kingdom of the cosmos will be under the King’s rule. Not just the earth, or the air above the earth, but the cosmos, the universe, is under the Lord Christ the King. Do you understand what day this is? This is the day all humanity has been either hoping for or dreading. The Day Jesus is crowned King of the cosmos.
Remember that satan is the prince or ruler of this world, archōn, not a basileuō of a basileia. In other words the satan has never been a king, he has been a lower ruler, but never crowned king.
John 12:31 (KJV)
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince [758] of this world be cast out.
John 14:30 (KJV)
30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince [758] of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
John 16:11 (KJV)
11 Of judgment, because the prince [758] of this world is judged.
758 LSJ Gloss:ἄρχων a ruler, commander, chief, captain
Dodson:ἄρχων a ruler, prince, leader a ruler, governor, leader, leading man; with the Jews, an official member (a member of the executive) of the assembly of elders.
Thayer:
1) a ruler, commander, chief, leader
ἄρχων
archōn ar'-khone Present participle of G757; a first (in rank or power) KJV Usage: chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler.
It is inferior to worship an under ruler, but many people do, not understanding that the satan was not a creator or a Lord, but an usurper of the adam’s (אדם ‘âdâm) authority. The satan has the authority that the ‘âdâm was given in the garden. Another misunderstanding is the way that Paul’s words were translated in 2 Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 4:4 G1722 in G3739 which G3588 the G2316 god G3588 G165 of this eon G3778 G5186 blinded G3588 the G3540 thoughts G3588 of the G571 unbelieving, G1519 so as G3588 G3361 to not G826 shine forth G1473 to them G3588 the G5462 illumination G3588 of the G2098 good news G3588 of the G1391 glory G3588 of the G5547 Christ, G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G1504 image G3588 of the G517 unseen G2316 of God.
The satan is the elohim/theos of this age, not of the cosmos. And the reign of Christ the King is eternal, from eon to eon, not simply one earth age. If we understand these points we can see a huge difference in Jesus’ Lordship. The Christ’s reign is forever, the satan’s reign is for an age. The Christ’s Lordship is of the cosmos, as a King of the kingdom of the cosmos. The satan’s rulership is as a governor over the kingdom of the cosmos. By Jesus’ death, the satan’s judgment was finalized. On the day the kingdom of the cosmos’ age is up, the satan loses his governorship. Notice what the satan says to Jesus.
Matthew 4:8 G3825 Again G3880 [3takes G1473 4him G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1519 unto G3735 [3mountain G5308 2high G3029 1an exceedingly], G2532 and G1166 shows G1473 to him G3956 all G3588 the G932 kingdoms G3588 of the G2889 world, G2532 and G3588 G1391 their glory. G1473
9 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to him, G3778 All these G3956 G1473 I will give to you, G1325 G1437 if G4098 falling down G4352 you should do obeisance G1473 to me.
10 G5119 Then G3004 [2says G1473 3to him G3588 G* 1Jesus], G5217 Go G3694 behind G1473 me G* Satan! G1125 For it is written, G1063 G2962 [2 the Lord G3588 G2316 3your God G1473 G4352 1You shall do obeisance to], G2532 and G1473 to him G3441 alone G3000 you shall serve.
How many times do you think the satan has said this to other spiritual beings? Plenty. He made deals with all the fallen angels. The satan promises to give authority over the kingdoms within the cosmos to Jesus. This is why today we fight against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places, because these fallen beings took the deal. Jesus did not. But notice this deal is only good for one earth age. Technically, one earth age is about 8 thousand years, but rulership of the man, the 'âdâm , was for six thousand years. This is not a deal that lasts eon into eon, only for one earth age of man’s rule. That is what the 'âdâm was given rulership over. The satan cannot give what he does not have, but interestingly we see how limited he truly is. While the satan himself may have known how limited his time was, he may not have disclosed that information to the fallen sons of God.
Now we must consider what it is that we are hearing about in Revelation 11:15. Jesus is now taking ruling authority over the entire kingdom of the cosmos. Jesus is now announced as the King of the Kingdom. If we truly think about this we know what it means, it means the satan has lost his rulership. This also gives us clues to what the thunders said, although we will explore this at a later time. The announcement made by many voices in heaven at the time of the seventh trumpet sounding tells us that the current judge of mankind, the satan, has been impeached. The satan will no longer have the right to punish men/mankind for doing wrongful deeds. The satan will no longer accuse us before the throne of God day and night as he will no longer be allowed access to the heavens.
As we meditate on this subject, we should not forget the timing. The world will have been through three and one half years of tribulation at this point. The two witnesses have spent three and one half years on the earth and have been murdered in the street; but then have risen for all the world to see. Everything that has been done, all the seals and trumpets, as well as all the time it has taken since the death of Jesus on the cross, has been carried out in justice, fairness, and equity. All of the plans of the Father and the Son to save humankind have been impartial and legal. The satan stole the right to judge humans and the Living God has to allow it until the age of the 'âdâm's rule is finished. Therefore we should keep in mind who is the ruler of this age, the governor of the cosmos. We should not blame the Living God for the deeds of an unjust magistrate. While the satan is mostly bound to the legal system, we have to recognize that hiding the knowledge of the true Creator, and hiding the knowledge of the true Messiah is an unfair game the satan has played on humanity. Without full knowledge of all the facts of the rulers of the cosmos, humans cannot make informed choices as to who to worship. That is unjust. It shows bias and cruelty on the part of the ruler of this cosmos. But there have always been people throughout history trying to inform the masses. Notice David’s words.
Psalm 22:27-28 (KJV)
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.
David tells us that the kingdom is Kurios’ but not yet. If we read this entire Psalm in the Septuagint, we will see what David is talking about is a prophecy of Jesus the Messiah murdered on the cross, and then David looks ahead to the time this kingdom becomes Christs’.
Psalm 45:6-7 (KJV)
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Your throne Theos/Elohim is forever. Jesus’ throne is forever.
Psalm 145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful in his words, and holy in all his works. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Psalms/index.htm
John the Baptist came calling for repentance because the kingdom of heaven was at hand. The kingdom of heaven is what we are seeing in heaven ever since the harpazo, when the living and dead were called up in Revelation 4. Remember the harpazo was a mystery, hidden until revealed by Paul. The kingdom of heaven also includes the New Heaven and New Earth. The people of this time knew that there would be a day that heaven and earth would pass away and a new heaven and earth would come down, the New Jerusalem. This is the kingdom Jesus and John are preaching about. Once Jesus died he took back the keys to death and hades, making the kingdom of heaven open to all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Messiah. If the devil knew what that meant, he would not have crucified Jesus. If the devil understood Jesus and John were not only talking about a New Heaven and New Earth at the end of the eight thousandth year, but of a kingdom established when the harpazo occurs; and that Jesus would take back rulership of death and hades. Jesus would still be alive and the righteous dead would still be in Abraham’s Bay. From the time of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Jesus started preaching about the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 4:17 (KJV)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Jesus did not preach that he would be crowned King of the kingdom of the cosmos for ever. Jesus simply preached the good news, that people would not have to stay in the grave forever. The hope of the kingdom of heaven was that the righteous would be partakers, but instead of that time starting at the end of the eight thousandth year, it starts at the end of the six thousandth year. Isn’t that what David also said? Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:27.
Matthew 4:23-24 (KJV)
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Notice Jesus’ fame went throughout all Syria. Who lived in Syria? The Damascus Community, the Essenes/ Nazarenes/Therapeutaes/Prophets/Zedeks/Zadok-iets. They heard about Jesus. They had been the only ones who expected the Messiah, and they now knew he was here on earth.
The satan may have thought that only those who believed on Jesus at that time would be allowed into the kingdom of heaven. The satan did not know that Jesus would free all the righteous dead. Jesus did give us a qualification though, we must do the will of His Father.
Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
If we remember back to the church at Sardis, whose works were not perfect before the Father, we understand it is not the works of the flesh that are the will of the Father, but the confession of Jesus as Lord before men. When we confess Jesus, Jesus confesses us before the Father. With that perspective in mind, not everyone who says Lord Lord has confessed Jesus as their Lord. People can call out to the Lord without making Him Lord of their lives. This tells us that one can be one’s own lord, even though that one appears to serve Jesus. Sometimes people serve the Lord with their own self directed works.
We see Peter openly answers Jesus saying that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. But Jesus tells his disciples not to tell anyone he is the Messiah. Instead of telling people what to believe, Jesus wanted people to come to that conclusion themselves. Notice how Jesus says that flesh and blood did not reveal it to Peter, but the Father did. That is the answer as to why they were not to tell anyone about Jesus being the Messiah yet.
Matthew 16:15-20 (KJV)
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
What is the rock? The knowledge that Jesus is Messiah. Upon that rock, that knowledge, that Jesus is the Christ, he, Jesus, will build his ekklēsia, his church. Then Jesus says, ‘here are the keys’. Everything seems great, but then Jesus starts telling them that he must die in Jerusalem.
Matthew 16:21-23 (KJV)
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Just a few verses prior, Peter is confessing that Jesus is the son of the Living God and then Jesus is calling him satan. What Peter did not understand and what we seldom recognize is that Jesus’ death was necessary to set the righteous captives free and for Jesus to legally take the keys to death and hades. This is not the end of the story. Some of the people Jesus was speaking to would perceive Jesus as the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
Matthew 16:27-28 (KJV)
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Matthew 16:28 G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G1510.2.6 there are G5100 some G3588 of the ones G5602 here G2476 standing, G3748 the ones who G3766.2 in no way G1089 shall taste G2288 death, G2193 until G302 whenever G1492 they should behold G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G2064 coming G1722 in G3588 G932 his kingdom.
There were some people standing there, who would not experience death until they perceive with their internal eyes, eidō, Jesus coming, erchomai in His Kingdom. Let’s think about this. Jesus was talking to his disciples, not just the twelve. He was pointing out that they all needed to lose their life in order to save it. Some of those people would not die until they perceived Jesus as the son of man coming in His kingdom. Some of those people would experience his resurrection and be there when he ascended. Some of those people would not taste death in Abraham’s Bay because Jesus took back the keys and opened the way to paradise. They would not taste death. They would pass from life to paradise. Some of those people, there that day, would perceive Jesus Christ as Supreme Lord and King of the Kingdom of the cosmos. They would get it. They would understand it. They would see the bigger picture which is Jesus taking authority over the cosmos, deposing the satan of his position.
Today, we wonder when will this take place; can’t we hurry this up? As we have recently studied, there is a number, a measure, and that is what we are waiting for. Once the number of humans from the nations have become children of the Living God, the day of redemption will take place. But another question for a further time period is when will the kingdom be restored to Israel?
The disciples asked Jesus just before he ascended if this was the time that he would restore the kingdom to Israel. They knew a son of David would sit on the throne forever, so their question is not unreasonable. They simply did not understand that there is a number of people that must enter the kingdom before the harpazo occurs and that after the tribulation the millennial reign will begin.
Acts 1:6 G3588 They G3303 indeed G3767 then G4905 having come together, G1905 asked G1473 him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G1487 is it G1722 in G3588 G5550 this time G3778 G600 you restore G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 G* to Israel?
5550 LSJ Gloss:χρόνος time
Dodson:χρόνος time, a particular time, season.
Thayer:
1) time either long or short
For Synonyms see entry G5853
χρόνος
chronos khron'-os Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay KJV Usage: + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.
600 LSJ Gloss:ἀποκαθίστημι to re-establish, restore, reinstate
Dodson:ἀποκαθίστημι I restore, give backI set up again, restore to its original position or condition; hence: I restore, give back.
Thayer:
1) to restore to its former state
2) to be in its former state
ἀποκαθίστημι
apokathistēmi ap-ok-ath-is'-tay-mee From G575 and G2525; to reconstitute (in health, home or organization) KJV Usage: restore (again).
The disciples were asking about reinstating the kingdom of Israel on the earth in this time/season. Jesus said it was not for them to know the time or the measure. They asked about the chronos, time or season. Jesus answered by saying chronos or kairos, the time or the occasion.
Acts 1:7 G2036 And he said G1161 G4314 to G1473 them, G3756 [2not G1473 3for you G1510.2.3 1It is] G1097 to know G5550 times G2228 or G2540 seasons G3739 which G3588 the G3962 father G5087 put G1722 in G3588 his own G2398 G1849 authority.
2540 LSJ Gloss:καιρός due measure, proportion, fitness
Dodson:καιρός fitting season, opportunity, time fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time.
Thayer:
1) due measure
2) a measure of time, a larger or smaller portion of time, hence:
2a) a fixed and definite time, the time when things are brought to crisis, the decisive epoch waited for
2b) opportune or seasonable time
2c) the right time
2d) a limited period of time
2e) to what time brings, the state of the times, the things and events of time
For Synonyms see entry G5853
καιρός
kairos kahee-ros' Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, that is, set or proper time KJV Usage: X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.
1849 LSJ Gloss:ἐξουσία power
Dodson:ἐξουσία power, authority, weight (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.
Thayer:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
1a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privi
ἐξουσία
exousia ex-oo-see'-ah From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence KJV Usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
The disciples were not going to be told the time, the season, the measure, or the occasion as to when Israel would become a reconstituted kingdom (Just for perspective, it wasn’t for the satan to know the time or occasion either). Instead, the disciples would receive something else, the Holy Spirit. Then they would become witnesses. They could tell people that Jesus is the Messiah once they had the Holy Spirit in them.
Acts 1:8 G235 But G2983 you shall receive G1411 power G1904 [4coming G3588 1of the G39 2holy G4151 3spirit] G1909 upon G1473 you. G2532 And G1510.8.5 you will be G1473 to me G3144 witnesses G1722 in G5037 both G* Jerusalem, G2532 and G1722 in G3956 all G3588 G* Judea G2532 and G* Samaria, G2532 and G2193 unto G2078 the end G3588 of the G1093 earth.
2983LSJ Gloss:λαμβάνωto take
Dodson:λαμβάνωI receive, take (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.
Thayer:
1) to take
1a) to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it
1a1) to take up a thing to be carried
1a2) to take upon one's self
1b) to take in order to carry away
1b1) without the notion of violence, i,e to remove, take away 1
λαμβάνω
lambanō lam-ban'-o A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively [probably objective or active, to get hold of; whereas G1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while G138 is more violent, to seize or remove ]) KJV Usage: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
1411 LSJ Gloss:δύναμις power, might, strength
Dodson:δύναμις might, power, marvelous works (a) physical power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur: powerful deeds, deeds showing (physical) power, marvelous works.
Thayer:
1) strength power, ability
1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
1b) power for performing miracles
1c) moral power and excellence of soul
1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
1e) power and resources arising from numbers
1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
For Synonyms see entry G5820
δύναμις
dunamis doo'-nam-is From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) KJV Usage: ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
3144 LSJ Gloss:μάρτυς a witness
Dodson:μάρτυς a witness a witness; an eye- or ear-witness.
Thayer:
1) a witness
1a) in a legal sense
1b) an historical sense
1b1) one who is a spectator of anything, e.g. of a contest
1c) in an ethical sense
1c1) those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death
μάρτυς
martus mar'-toos Of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally [judicially] or figuratively [generally]); by analogy a “martyr” KJV Usage: martyr, record, witness.
The apostles and disciples are legal witnesses of Christ the Messiah. Most all of the first and second century believers were martyred for their faith. Today, we still have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. This is our witness. We did not live on the earth when Jesus came healing people and speaking about the good news. But with the Holy Spirit inside of us we have a witness that everything that was spoken of, by Jesus himself, is true. The Holy Spirit also bears witness that everything written by the prophets is also true. The Holy Spirit is our witness as to all those things that will take place in the future as spoken and written by the prophets, that they will indeed take place.
Acts 1:9-11 (KJV)
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
The angels told us that just as Jesus went up into the cloud, he would come back in a cloud. Technically, Jesus will first call from the clouds, the harpazo, just like the memorial of the visitation of meeting with the children of Israel at Sinai. Then he will come back with his saints in the clouds to the earth to depose all spiritual and human beings from their positions. He will then rule and reign from Israel.
This day, in heaven, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, is the day that all believers in the Messiah have longed for. The day that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God takes his reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. Paul charges us all.
1 Timothy 6:12-16 (AMP)
12 Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.
13 In the presence of God, Who preserves alive all living things, and of Christ Jesus, Who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I [solemnly] charge you
14 To keep all His precepts unsullied and flawless, irreproachable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One),
15 Which [appearing] will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords,
16 Who alone has immortality [in the sense of exemption from every kind of death] and lives in unapproachable light, Whom no man has ever seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion. Amen (so be it).
There are certain things that could not be revealed until the proper time; the harpazo, the New Heaven and Earth, the setting free of the captives from hades, and restoring the kingdom to Israel. These are things that were/are shown forth in their proper time. In this wisdom, we see the satan is not privy to information regarding the future. Again, the satan is only a governor of the cosmos, or an elohim of the age, which was the position of the man, the ‘âdâm.
Deposing the seated ruler over humanity is not a simple task. The governor of this age will put up a fight. However, it will only last three and one half years and then Jesus will rule and reign from Israel. This announcement is a big deal. The kingdom of the cosmos is now birthed to the sovereign authority of Christ the King and He shall reign into the eons of eons.
Let’s close with a song from the Essenes, which will give us insight as to what they understood from the time of the first century.
HYMN 10 (FORMERLY 5) I thank Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast redeemed my soul from the Pit, and from the hell of Abaddon Thou hast raised me up to everlasting height. 20 I walk on limitless level ground, and I know there is hope for him whom Thou hast shaped from dust for the everlasting Council. Thou hast cleansed a perverse spirit of great sin that it may stand with the host of the Holy Ones, and that it may enter into community with the congregation of the Sons of Heaven. Thou hast allotted to man an everlasting destiny amidst the spirits of knowledge, that he may praise Thy Name in a common rejoicing and recount Thy marvels before all Thy works. And yet I, a creature of clay, what am I? Kneaded with water, what is my worth and my might? For I have stood in the realm of wickedness and my lot was with the damned; 25 the soul of the poor one was carried away in the midst of great tribulation. Miseries of torment dogged my steps while all the snares of the Pit were opened and the lures of wickedness were set up and the nets of the damned (were spread) on the waters; while all the arrows of the Pit flew out without cease, and, striking, left no hope; while the rope beat down in judgement and a destiny of wrath (fell) upon the abandoned and a venting of fury upon the cunning. It was a time of the wrath of all Belial and the bonds of death tightened without any escape. The torrents of Belial shall reach to all sides of the world. In all their channels a consuming fire shall destroy every tree, green and barren, on their banks; 30 unto the end of their courses it shall scourge with flames of fire, and shall consume the foundations of the earth and the expanse of dry land. The bases of the mountains shall blaze and the roots of the rocks shall turn to torrents of pitch; it shall devour as far as the great Abyss. The torrents of Belial shall break into Abaddon, and the deeps of the Abyss shall groan amid the roar of heaving mud. The land shall cry out because of the calamity fallen upon the world, and all its deeps shall howl. And all those upon it shall rave and shall perish amid the great misfortune. For God shall sound His mighty voice, and His holy abode shall thunder with the truth of His glory. 35 The heavenly hosts shall cry out and the world’s foundations shall stagger and sway. The war of the heavenly warriors shall scourge the earth; and it shall not end before the appointed destruction which shall be for ever and without compare.
The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (7th Edition) (Penguin Classics) (pp. 267-268). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.
