That a law will be established, which shall go forth to the nations for their “instruction in righteousness,” resulting in the abolition of war to the ends of the earth; and the “filling of the earth with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.” Article XXVII
Part 1
“The Everlasting Gospel”
After the resurrection and immobilization of the faithful saints of all ages, Christ and his co-rulers will be enthroned on Mount Zion, from whence will go a proclamation to all nations to submit to his divine rule. This phase of the Kingdom of God is hieroglyphically set forth in the scene described by John while exiled to the Isles of Patmos: “And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.” (Rex. 14:1) Since John sees the King and his glorified saints enthroned on mount Sion, we know that it must take place after the destruction of Gog and his host. The time having now come for the manifestation of Christ to the nations of the earth, a divine proclamation preceeding his actual intervention in the affairs of men is sent forth: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (VV 6-7).
This “everlasting gospel” (from the Greek “AIONOS”) or gospel of that age is called such since it concerns the activities associated with the millennium. It is not the same as the “gospel of Jesus Christ,” which Paul declares to be “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). The glad tidings of the aion is actually a proclamation to the nations of the world, informing them that the day appointed by God in which Jesus Christ will judge the world in righteousness has arrived. They are to “worship Him who made” all things.
As in past manifestations, God first invites the peoples of the world to submit to the rule of his anointed whom he has placed upon his holy hill of Zion, before pouring out judgments upon those who refuse. The essence of this message is contained in the 2nd Psalm, where David foretells this very edict to the nations: “Be wise now therefore, 0 ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (VV 10-12).
Though there will be some who resist (these same nations are said to be “angry” when the time comes for “the kingdoms of this world” to “become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ”—Rev. 11:15-18), the vast majority will finally yield to his will, and reap the benefits which such compliance will bring upon them.
“Let us go. . . to Pray before the Lord”
After the initial resistance to his sovereign will is put down and after the overthrow of the latter day Babylon, along with those armies who choose to join forces with the beast of Revelation 17, a law goes forth into all regions of the earth. This law is designed for the education and salvation of the peoples who survive the judgments of God. Micah graphically describes the tremendous effect which God’s Word will have amongst the mortal inhabitants: “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (4 :1-3) .
There has never been a pre-disposition among the members of mankind to voluntarily put forth the effort to seek the LORD that they might learn of his ways and walk in his paths. This remarkable change of direction in the thinking of the masses is brought about through the instrumentality of the Kingdom of God. Only with the establishment of this divine order of things, and the very presence of Jesus Christ reigning in Mount Zion, will this prophecy find fulfillment. Only when the judgments of God are in the earth will “the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9). Zechariah similarly foretold this dramatic reversal in man’s thoughts which would result from the LORD dwelling in Zion. In chapter 8 and verse 3, the prophet speaks of the inauguration of God’s Kingdom: “Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of Truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.” In the verses that immediately follow, Zechariah paints a picture of peace, happiness and freedom from fear which shall be so characteristic of this divine institution. Later in the same chapter, he speaks of the desire of men of all nations to seek God: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities. And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD” (VV 20-22).
“The Residue of Men”
When the prophets speak of God being sought by the inhabitants of the world during the millennium, they mean in the ultimate sense. Those, through whom God is sought, are the glorified saints, who act as teachers and instructors of the future age. James alludes to this time when addressing the apostles concerning Gentile converts to the Truth: “Simeon hath declared how God did at the first visit to the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, faith the Lord, who doeth all these things” (Acts 15 : 14- 17). Here, James declares that the rebuilding of the tabernacles of David and the setting up of the ruins of his kingdom are for the benefit of the “residue of men;” i.e. this is one important aspect of God’s Kingdom. The “residue of men” literally means those left remaining, and refers to the Gentiles who survive the judgments of God after he has finished his work of taking out a people for his name. Now these are said to “seek after the Lord, AND all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called” or “who are called by my name” (R.S.V.) The Gentiles, called by the name of the Lord, are those of every age, having been now glorified, who will take an active part in the education of those mortals who live into the millennium. This agrees with the words of Micah and Zechariah, quoted above, concerning the enlightenment and conversion of vast numbers of people during the reign of Christ.
“Our Fathers have inherited Lies”
Presently the nations of the world, both in a political and religious sense are deceived (Rev. 18:23). But with the advent of Christ’s reign, a program of education will be commenced which will enlighten men and women concerning the purpose and will of God. Isaiah foretells this age of indoctrination in unmistakable terms: “And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations” (26:6-7). Although the reign of Christ will indeed provide an abundance of food for the inhabitants of the world, the words of the prophet carry a deeper significance in their figurative application. The world today, in their heedless disregard for the things of God, and their profound ignorance of the Truth are suffering in a spiritual drought. In these famine-stricken times, the Truth is hardly to be found. But when the LORD makes “a feast of fat things, etc.”, symbolic of the pastors and teachers of the future age, the present “covering cast over all people, and the veil (of ignorance) that is spread over all nations” will be destroyed.
Later in his prophecy, Isaiah speaks of the enlightenment which shall come upon those who formerly languished in spiritual darkness: “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment . . . And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. The heart also of of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall he ready to speak plainly” (32:1, 3-4). Thus, those who had been blinded to the word will, at last, through that word be given sight: “And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isa. 29:18).
Jeremiah, likewise prophesied of the time when God would give the people pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding” (3:15). This is to take place when “they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD” (V 17). The Gentiles, coming within the scope of Christ’s teaching will be compelled to confess, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies. vanities, and things wherein there is no profit” (Jer. 16:19).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One