The Glorious
Kingdom of Christ
Part Four
Continued from Part Three

                                                                                            By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                            April 15, 2017
     "After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
     Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,"
                                                                                          Matthew 6:9-10.

Introduction
     Part Three of this series of studies was brought to a close with Christ Jesus entering the glorious millennial Temple as envisioned by Ezekiel in Ezekiel 43:1-7.  This study will resume where the previous study left off.......
God's Kingdom on Earth
     Christ Jesus entering the Millennial Temple, approximately seven years after the end of the Tribulation period,  will perhaps be the most glorious event in human history since the resurrection of the Lord. This event will usher in the Kingdom of Christ on earth, the most wonderful kingdom which will have ever existed on earth in all the history of mankind.  And it will be the Lord's answer to the longing in the hearts of His own Jewish people throughout the centuries, and the longing and prayers of New Covenant believers in this present dispensation, for God's Kingdom and will to be "done in earth, as it is in heaven," Matthew 6:9-10.  Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!
     For the first time in human history, there will be a government over mankind that will be totally righteous and incorruptible.  The government will be Christ Jesus Himself as King, ruling over all of mankind upon the earth,  then serving under Christ in every position of authority on earth, will be a true New Covenant believer, one who was once saved by grace, born-again" of the Holy Spirit, resurrected and glorified, and who will therefore be sinless and incorruptible, Daniel 4:3; 7:13-14; 7:18; 7:22; 7:27; Zechariah 14:5; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 15:51-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 4:4; 5:8-10; 19:13-15; 20:6; 22:3-5.   Glory to God!  
     Mankind on the earth will finally have a righteous and just government ruling over them, not for just a "term of office," but for all eternity.  Praise the Lord!    
     Dear readers, this will guarantee that the corruption that has inevitably slipped into even the best of human governments in the past,  will never happen again in all of the eternal ages to come.  Glory to God!
     The "time element" when Christ will enter the Millennial Temple and begin His reign, will be seven years after the end of the Tribulation period, likely at the beginning of the 8th year.  At that time the earth will have been totally cleansed of every wicked and incorrigible unbeliever [Psalm 37:9-10], of every dead body and bone, and of every man made item that might entice anyone still in their natural body into sin, causing them to turn away from serving the Lord, Matthew 13:41-42.  
     In essence, what happened to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, causing them to disobey the Lord and bringing the curse of sin upon mankind, will never happen again in all of the eternal ages to come.   From the time the Lord Jesus Christ enters the Millennial Temple to begin His reign, He will be ruling over all earthly kingdoms in absolute righteousness and peace.  Glory to God!
      And how will this effect the entire earth and those living upon it?  Let's go to God's Word and see.......
GREAT EARTH CHANGES
     Topography and Geography.....The land masses of the earth will no longer appear as they do today.  The inspired Word is quite clear that during the Tribulation period, the high towering, snow capped, mountain ranges that we see on the earth today will be shaken down, Psalm 46:2-3; Isaiah 2:12-14; 2:19-21; 41:15; 42:15; 54:10; Jeremiah 4:24; Ezekiel 38:20; Micah 1:4; Nahum 1:5; Habakkuk 3:6.  During this shaking, islands and mountains, and perhaps entire continents, will be moved, Revelation 6:14; 16:20,  This does not mean that there will no longer be any mountains, for there will always be mountains on the earth, but not the extremely high and jagged mountains that we see today.  The debris from the high mountains being shaken down, will literally fill up the deep gashes, canyons, and valleys that are on the earth today, Isaiah 40:4; Luke 3:5.  The surface of the earth will then be mostly gentle rolling hills, absolutely lovely to behold, and just right for the growth of abundant trees, grass, and other vegetation, and for farming and producing the food that redeemed mankind on the earth will need during "the ages to come," Ephesians 2:7.  The prophetic Scriptures clearly state that the whole earth is going to experience vast changes in topography, geography, and climatic conditions, and become like "the garden of the Lord." Glory to God!   
     It appears that the highest mountain left on the earth will then be "the mountain of the Lord's house," Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Psalm 2:6; 68:15-16; Isaiah 2:2-3; Micah 4:1-2;  Zechariah 14:10.  
      Fertility.....The Lord will be preparing the surface of the earth to grow abundant crops to feed those of mankind on the earth still living in their natural bodies.  Oh yes, there will be some redeemed survivors of the Tribulation period, still living on the earth.  Therefore the Lord God will remove the curse that was placed upon the earth after Adam's sin [Genesis 3:17-18], causing the earth to bring forth abundantly
     During the Tribulation period, every volcano on earth will be spewing forth volcanic ash clouds, making terrible living conditions for those left behind on the earth following the rapture.  But Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible, and the Lord does all things well.  
     Have our readers ever considered that volcanic ash is likely the very best natural fertilizer ever discovered by mankind?  For a year or more after Mt. St. Helens erupted in the state of Washington in 1980, the Washington apples were the largest, sweetest, and juiciest, they had been in years.  I know, for I was pastoring a church there at the time.  
     Dear readers, we look at the land of Israel today, and it is a dry, arid, desert country, with only a small portion of the land suitable for farming and raising crops.  Even the portion of the land which is farmed today, has to be irrigated in order for the land to produce.  But it was not always this way.  
     When the Israelites entered the promised land under the leadership of Joshua, it was a land "flowing with milk and honey," Exodus 3:8; 3:17.  The entire land was covered with trees and abundant vegetation, and the rivers and streams all ran with abundant water.
      Probably most of our readers have read the account in Numbers 13,  of Moses sending out men to spy out the land, before the children of Israel entered it.  The inspired Word clearly states that two men cut down "one cluster of grapes," which was so large and heavy that they had to carry it on a staff between them, 13:23.  That is an example of how fertile the holy land was at that time. But look at it today!  What happened?  
     The Lord God plainly warned Israel, that if they did not love and serve and obey Him, He would withhold the rains.  Read it for yourself in Deuteronomy 11:16-17.  Israel went into apostasy, and ignored the Lord's warning, nevertheless the Lord did what He said He would do, 2 Samuel 1:21; 1 Kings 8:35; 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.  It is a historical truth that for centuries, Israel received only enough rain to keep the cactus and other desert plants barely alive.  But it is also a truth, that since the re-establishment of Israel as a nation in 1948, the rainfall in Israel has been steadily increasing with the passing years.  Oh, glory to God!  Praise the Lord!
     Water.....During the kingdom of Christ, the Lord God will "....cleave the earth with rivers," Habakkuk 3:9.
     "And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall," Isaiah 30:25.  Every presently dry stream and river bed in Israel will once again flow with water; abundant water for producing the crops the people will need for their ever increasing population.  Read Isaiah 33:21, and 35:6.  Glory to God!
     And what will be.....
The Earth's Response to Such Blessings?  
    REST....."The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing," Isaiah 14:3-7.  
     When the Lord Jesus Christ sets up His Kingdom on earth, there will be no more wars, no fighting, no rioting, no rebellion and no wickedness allowed to be practiced, and the earth itself will no longer be used to grow noxious plants, from which wicked men produce alcohol and drugs, which cause men today to cheat and lie and fight and make war.  The earth itself will literally be at rest from the sins of mankind.  And this living earth will respond in rejoicing and singing, Isaiah 35:1-2.  
     PEACE....."And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many peoples: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3.  
     "For ye [Israel] shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands," Isaiah 55:12.
     Fallen mankind's solution to every major disagreement between nations and peoples has always been to go to war.  But that kind of reasoning will cease forever as Christ Jesus establishes His Kingdom upon the earth.  Immediate correction to any problem between nations and peoples will be the Lord's solution, for the Scriptures are quite explicit that He will rule "with a rod of iron," Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15.  Christ Jesus will only have to speak the Word, and the problem will be solved immediately and peacefully.  
     VEGETATION....."The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.  
     It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God," Isaiah 35:1-2.  
     "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off," Isaiah 55:13.  
     Today there are vast areas of the earth's surface which are nothing but desert, unfit for producing food for mankind, animals, or birds, and mostly worthless.  But when Christ establishes His Kingdom all of this will change.  Streams will break forth in the deserts, and the deserts will become fertile and productive, as they begin to produce vegetation and food for the benefit of mankind and all living creatures.   
     WATER....."And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall," Isaiah 30:25.
     "Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall the waters break out. and streams in the desert," Isaiah 35:6.  
     Fresh water is absolutely necessary to the survival and health of mankind, and all other living creatures.  As I write today, there is great concern among the governments of the world about the depletion and pollution of fresh water sources on the earth.  
      There is no need for concern about this problem, by those who are true believers in Christ.  Our Lord God knows exactly where the water sources are, and how, and when, to provide the needed water, and He will!  The Scripture reference in Isaiah 30:25 appears to be referring to the time when the battle of Armageddon occurs and all man-made structures on earth are destroyed, at or near the end of the Tribulation period.  If this is correct, then the Lord is going to begin restoring the earth back to prime condition, immediately upon the defeat and destruction of the armies of the anti-christ, and of the incorrigible wicked.  How great is our God and Savior!   Glory to God!  
     PHYSICAL HEALTH....."And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity," Isaiah 33:24.  
     Don't fail to notice that sickness in this Scripture,  is clearly related to the "iniquity" of the people of Israel [33:20-22].  When the Lord God forgives their "iniquity," then they will no longer experience sickness.   
     "And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more," Ezekiel 34:29.
     "And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat [food], whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat [food],  and the leaf thereof for medicine [healing; health], Ezekiel 47:12.  
     A careful study of the context in which this latter Scripture occurs will reveal that a stream of "living water" [47:9] will begin flowing from beneath the Millennial Temple; that it will become a great river, and that on each side or bank of the river, "the tree of life," [Genesis 2:9] will once again be planted by the Lord, and caused to grow and produce fruit.  These trees will bear fruit every month, providing an abundance of extremely nutritious food for the people, and the leaves of the trees will be used for medicine [healing; health].  
     This will guarantee perfect physical health [and more] for every person who eats the fruit from those trees and drinks the water from that river, but it will also bring them.....      
     SPIRITUAL HEALTH....."The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid," Zephaniah 3:13.
     "But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
     For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion," Joel 3:20-21.  
     Dear readers, even many true believers have never given much thought to how we humans acquired a "sin nature."  Every human being is presently born with such a "sin nature," whether they are willing to believe it or not, Psalm 58:3; 14:2-3; 53:3;  Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 7:18.  But how did we get this "sin nature?"   The inspired Word clearly indicates that we living today inherited it from our parents, and they from their parents, etc., all the way back to Adam himself, Romans 5:12.
     Folks, when Adam ate of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil," [Genesis 2:16-17], in disobedience to the Lord God,  he received physical and spiritual blood poisoning.  Yes, I said "blood poisoning!"   Sin is real, and it is in the blood stream of mankind, passed on in the birth process from father to child,  Romans 5:12.  
      Our readers should notice, that immediately after Adam had ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, the Lord God took measures to prevent him from having access to "the tree of life," Genesis 3:22-24.  Notice also that the Lord God Himself clearly stated that eating the fruit from "the tree of life" would cause Adam to "live for ever," 3:22.  
     So what does all of this have to do with our "sin nature"?  Everything!  
     When the Lord Jesus Christ sets up His Kingdom on the earth, the "tree of life" will be restored to the earth, and to access by the survivors of the Tribulation period.  These survivors will be redeemed people still in their natural bodies.  
     These "trees of life" will first be caused to grow again in the land of Israel, at the foot of the mount on which the Millennial Temple will be built, Ezekiel 47.  So it will be the redeemed of Israel who first have access to eat the fruit from these trees.  God's principle at work, Romans 1:16.
     However, the Scriptures state quite clearly that the Gentile peoples of the earth will be required to come to Israel every year to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, Zechariah 14:16-21.  Therefore, they too will have access to eat the fruit from these "trees of life," and drink the "living water" from the river flowing from the Millennial Temple.
     And what will be the result of eating the fruit from these trees?  The blood stream of both Jew and Gentile will be cleansed, as stated about Judah in Joel 3:20-21.  The "sin nature;" the tendency to sin, presently in the blood stream of mankind, will be cleansed from the blood and flesh of mankind "for ever."  Therefore there will be no more sin and no more sickness among mankind on the earth.   Glory to God!  Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!
Conclusion
     Dear readers, there is more; much more, about the coming glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ that I want to share with His people, and with lost seeking souls.  What a glorious future the Lord God is preparing for redeemed mankind in "the ages to come," Ephesians 2:4-7.  And unless the reader is a true believer, saved by faith through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, they will miss it all!  Take heed!     
      The Lord permitting, I want to write and send out at least one more study in this series.  But I am not physically well!  Like the Apostle of old, I feel in my body that my time of departure is drawing near.  I certainly need the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank each of you so much.  I do hope and pray that our Lord Jesus comes for us all, before anymore of us have to meet the angel of death.  
     May our gracious Lord add His blessings to this Bible study.
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TO BE CONTINUED AS THE LORD PERMITS
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
     Thank you again dear readers, for your prayers for me and for this ministry, and for your gifts from time to time to help in sending out these studies.   Both are appreciated so very much.   
     Please address all comments, questions, and correspondence to:  Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 County Road 8120, Rolla, Missouri 65401.  
     If you have called, desiring to speak with me personally, and have not been able to get through, please forgive me.  My old cell phone wasn't that great when new, and now it needs replaced badly.  Due to circumstances, I just haven't felt that I could replace it right now.  Keep trying!  Sometimes it does work and folks get through.  573-201-0491.  
     God bless you all!
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