Ken Blue Ministries

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A New Heaven and a New Earth #67

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”  (Revelation 21:1).

Peter states that the present earth and heavens will be burned up with a heat that melts the elements. Some see this to mean that the earth will be “baptized” in fire, but will be restored. That is, the things on the surface of the earth are removed; it will be changed from one condition to another, but its circumference remains the same. Others believe it will be totally annihilated and a new earth will be created. They contend that it could be as large as our largest planet in order to host the New Jerusalem and all the saved from the time of Adam.

 John says there was “no more sea.” Dr. Ruckman says this refers to the sea “above the firmament.” (Commentary on Revelation p.561.) Dake thinks it refers to the larger seas on our present earth. However, he believes that there will be smaller rivers and lakes called seas.  Others believe there will be a total absence of seas on the earth, and it will be watered by a mist or vapor. The true meaning will be clear at that day.

  “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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: for the former things are passed away.”  (Revelation 21:2-4).  

The city comes down from heaven because it was made by God and not by man. This is the city spoken of in prophecy. The writer of Hebrews says, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Abraham looked for such a city and so did a host of Old Testament saints, “For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” (Hebrews 11:14). The beauty of this city defies description. In order for the reader to get a visual, John says it is adorned like a bride on her wedding day.

It is uncertain if this city is suspended above the new earth, or if it actually descends and lands on earth. It matters not. Those who have a right will enter it. God’s throne will reside there and He will be their God. As God walked with Adam in the cool of the day; He will always be present for His people.

The God of all comfort will have removed everything that brought death, sorrow and tears. These will be a thing of the past and will exist no more. The former things of this life will be wiped from the minds of men and will be remembered no more. All will be new.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The God of all comfort will have removed everything that brought death, sorrow and tears. All will be new.[/pullquote]

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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 burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”  (Revelation 21:5-8).

In verse 6 we read the statement, “It is done.” When Christ died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” He was declaring that He had completed all that the Father had sent Him to do. Every detail was finished. The penalty for sin was paid. A perfect substitute was provided, and the Father was satisfied. However, much remained to be done and was completed at the Second Advent. The purpose of God is restored, and His original plan is reestablished.

Verse 7 says the overcomers inherit all things. The overcomers eat of the tree of life (Revelation 2:7). The overcomers will escape the second death (Revelation 2:11). Overcomers eat of the hidden manna. Overcomers receive a white stone, and a new name. Overcomers will have power over the nations (Revelation 2:26).  Overcomers will be clothed in white and will be confessed before the Father and the angels (Revelation 3:5). Overcomers will be a pillar in the temple and live in the New Jerusalem from heaven (Revelation 3:12). Overcomers will sit with Christ and rule with Him (Revelation 3:21).

Only the righteous who overcome in those terrible days are going to be saved (v. 8). Those who apostatize and give up the faith, the murderers and the immoral, the idolaters, and those who love the lie will be cast into the lake of fire. This judgment is called the second death.

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 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: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth 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. 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. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 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; 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. 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. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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.”  (Revelation 21:9-23).

One of the angels shows John the New Jerusalem as it descends from heaven. The city is called the bride, the Lamb’s wife. There is little agreement among scholars who the city represents. Some say it is the church, the body of Christ. Others believe it constitutes all believers from Adam to the end time.  Still others think it is Israel or a select group of Jews. Most likely, it is the same city. Just as Genesis chapter two gives a detailed account of the creation of Genesis chapter one, the above text is, no doubt, this is a more detailed account of that mentioned above.

Those who hold that the body of Christ is the bride must see this city as the dwelling place for the Church. However, we do not know of any Bible verse which says the church is the bride of Christ.

Everything about the city is Jewish. It is significant that verse 12 begins the series of twelve. Twelve is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government.  Here it speaks of the city from which God’s government will be dispensed:

1. There are twelve angels– verse 12.
2. There are twelve tribes of Israel-verse 12.
3. There are twelve gates– verse 12.
4. There are foundations with the names of the Twelve Apostles– verse 14. It is noteworthy that the Apostle Paul is absent. This is another proof that all is Jewish.
5. The city was twelve thousand furlongs -verse 16.
6. The wall was 144 cubits. That is 12×12-verse 17.

Also, one cannot help but see the connection between the stones and the breastplate of Israel’s High Priest. Two thirds of the stones are identical:

Although the city will be illuminated physically by the glory of God’s presence, this does not mean that the sun or moon will no longer exist.  Dake says, “This refers to no night in the city, but outside the city there will be day and night eternally (Gen. 1:14-18; 8:22; Jeremiah 31:35-36).”

 “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  (Revelation 21:24-27).

 The Gentile sheep nations will be on the new earth and will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. The light, no doubt, speaks of the righteousness of which the new, eternal government will consist.

There will be no need to shut the gates, for all that would or could defile it are forever banished. Only those who are saved and those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have access to it.

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  (Revelation 21:24-27).

 The Gentile sheep nations will be on the new earth and will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. The light, no doubt, speaks of the righteousness of which the new, eternal government will consist.

There will be no need to shut the gates, for all that would or could defile it are forever banished. Only those who are saved and those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have access to it.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

THE KINGDOM AND THE JUDGMENT OF THE UNSAVED #66

“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.”  (Revelation 20:7-10).  

One thousand years of peace on earth transpired between verse 6 and 7. Christ will rule the earth in righteousness during that time. Satan will be confined to his prison, and the nations will not be deceived during that period. Also, there will be no war during the 1000 years. Men and women will live to be several hundred years of age. (See Isaiah 65:20.)

As we have stated, after the 1000 years, Satan will be released for a little season. Satan cannot change his nature and immediately he goes forth to deceive the nations. The deceived nations, which follow Satan, will confederate and go up against Jerusalem with the purpose to conquer Jesus Christ and take the Kingdom from Him.  The purpose of Satan’s brief release is to prove that man is incurably wicked and is hopeless without God’s grace and mercy. Every dispensation ends with the failure of man and the judgment of God. After 1000 years, under the rule of Christ, millions will still rebel in heart, and their wickedness will be made manifest when satanic leadership is provided.

War will not be necessary. God will send fire down from heaven and destroy Satan and his armies. The Devil will be taken and cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are. This proves that there is a hell, and that those who go there are never annihilated.

Dake says,

1. When the 1,000 years are up it will be time for the separation and destruction of all rebels, including Satan and the renovation of the heavens and the earth by fire, which will result in the New Heaven and New Earth (2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 20:7-10; Rev. 21:1- Rev. 22:5).
2. Satan, his angels and demons will be loosed from the abyss (Rev. 20:7; Isa. 24:22).
3. Satan and his hosts will go throughout the earth to deceive the nations who have not wanted the reign of Christ and who, in their hearts, have longed for an opportunity to get rid of such strict laws and rigid suppression of their lusts (Rev. 20:8; Eph. 2:1-3).
4. The rebels will mobilize in the land of Gog and Magog, north of Palestine in Asia and ascend upon Jerusalem from the north (Rev. 20:8; cp. Ezek. 38 — Ezek. 39 which refers to the same part of the earth, but to an event before the Millennium).
5. The rebels from all parts of the earth will surround the camp of the saints and the capital, Jerusalem (Rev. 20:9).
6. Fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour every rebel (Rev. 20:9; 2Pet. 3:10-13).
7. The devil will be taken and cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev. 20:10). —Dake’s Study Notes

The Great White Throne Judgment

 “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.”  (Revelation 20: 11-15).  

This is the last of all judgments and it must consist of the wicked dead since the righteous were judged in the First Resurrection at the Second Advent. The present earth and the heavens will be burned at this time. (See 2 Peter 3:7.) This judgment may take place in outer space or on the earth just prior to its burning.  All wicked men from Adam to the end of the 1000 years will be judged there. Wicked angels will also be judged at this time.

The wicked will be judged according to their works. The Book of Life will be opened to show that they rejected light when it was offered to them. The purpose of this judgment is to show that their works demand hell, and that there was a time when they refused the Light offered to them. They loved darkness rather than light. They will bow to Him, not as their Lord, but as a conquering Sovereign. (See Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11.)

This ends the heavens and the earth, as we know them. It ends all wickedness and rebellion. Everything has now been judged according to righteousness. Heaven and earth are now purged and a new eternal order is about to be established. That order will be the new heaven and the new earth.

This last vision is of the people on the new earth, and takes us back to Genesis 1 where Adam and Eve inhabited the first new earth. One can see the parallel between the two states, and the Last Adam now regains that which was lost by the first Adam.

Although chapters 21 and 22 describe the wonderful events of the Post Tribulation period, we find that there are as many different interpretations of this section as there are interpreters. Some are sensible in their approach, while others seem bent on the sensational.

We must keep in mind that the Great White Throne judgment has taken place. The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom is passed, and Satan has been released for a brief season and then assigned to the lake of fire. The earth and the heavens have been destroyed. (See 2 Peter 3:10-13; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22-24.) All sin, sorrow, tears, death, and suffering are forever past and will never plague God’s creatures again.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

THE JUDGMENT OF SATAN, AND OF THE SAVED #65

The names given to Satan are to show who he is, and that he is a real person.

He is called Satan, which means adversary and accuser.

He is called the dragon, to show his ferociousness.

He is called a serpent, to show his subtlety.

He is called the Devil, to show his slander.

Each of these names is a metaphor to show the nature of this wicked angelic being.

The Devil is not only confined for the 1,000 years, but he is chained so he cannot escape.  The chain, regardless of its nature will restrains him.

Satan’s main weapon against men and the nations is deception. Thus, during the 1,000-years, Satan cannot deceive anyone. However, at the end of the 1,000 years he “must” be released for a little season. We will see why a little later.

The Judgment of the Righteous Dead

  “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”  (Revelation 20:4-6).

The reader should note that there is a 1,000-year gap between verse six and seven. Once Jesus has conquered all enemies, he will begin putting together His government for His righteous Kingdom. To do this, He must raise all the righteous from the dead. That event takes place at His Second Advent. It is called the first resurrection. (See verse 6.)  The thrones, or seats, will be for those who will assist Him in His choices and assignments. These thrones, or seats, are the same ones in Daniel 7:9-10, 27. We are told in the Gospels that it will be the Twelve Disciples who will sit on these thrones or judgment seats. (See Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:29-30; Psalm 122:5; Ezekiel 43:7 and Zechariah 6:13.)

The first resurrection will consist of all the righteous dead from Adam to the Second Advent. The exception will be members of the church, which is Christ’s body. The resurrection and Rapture of the church was a mystery, which was unknown until revealed to Paul. (See I Corinthians 15:51 and I Thessalonians 4:13-17.) The resurrection under consideration was not a mystery and was well known.

Those who refused the mark of the Beast during the Tribulation will qualify to serve as Kings and Priests in the 1,000-year kingdom. This was the promise given to the overcomers in Revelation 2:26-27. Satan will be released from prison after the 1,000-year kingdom.  The second resurrection will follow the 1,000-year Kingdom of Heaven.

  “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.”  (Revelation 20:7-10).  

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

THE SECOND ADVENT OF JESUS CHRIST # 64

 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.”  (Revelation 19:11-21).

The return of Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth (in the Holy Land) is the theme of the Old Testament and of the Jewish epistles in the New Testament. Genesis 3:15 points to this glorious day.

The battle of Armageddon will be won by Christ and His armies at His return. The birds of the air are invited to that scene to feed on the carcasses of the dead.  This feast is call a “supper.”

This, no doubt, is the greatest event of all time. At this event, Jesus will put down all rebellion; He will fulfill all the promises of God and the prophecies concerning Himself. He will establish a rule of righteousness on earth and rule with a rod of iron. (See Psalm 2.)

Satan will be assigned to the pit for 1000 years. The Beast and the False Prophet will be destroyed in the lake of fire. The Kingdom of Heaven will be established in the Promised Land and Israel will be the head of the nations. (“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them”  Deuteronomy 28:13.)

The saints, who return with Him, could be the angels of heaven as well as all believers of all dispensations. Christ’s glorious Kingdom will be established on earth, and that which Adam lost, Jesus will regain and restore. (See Isaiah 11:1-6.)

CHAPTER 20

This chapter is chronological and continues the judgment of the Antichrist, the false prophet, and their followers. (See verse 20-21 of the previous chapter.) At this point, the Lord Jesus has returned to earth and is assigning both the righteous and the wicked their reward.

Satan Is Bound For A Thousand Years

 “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”  (Revelation 20:1-3).

We are not told who the strong angel is, nor is it important. The point is, Satan is subdued and assigned to his new home for the next 1,000 years.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

This marriage is spoken of often in Scripture. It is the resumption of a former relationship between Israel and their God.

Isaiah 54:5-8 says, “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.”

      “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee” (Isaiah 62:4-5).

      “And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies” (Hosea 2:16-19).

      “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:” (Jeremiah 3:14).

Surly no Israelite thought these passages were about a Gentile church. They are clearly about the nation of Israel. The wedding is the nation of Israel being reunited to God the father and serving Him on earth (the Promised Land) for 1000 years. The redeemed of all ages are invited to witness the uniting of God with His people Israel in the land. The “virgins and her companions” are no doubt the 144,000 who were faithful over-comers.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com