We Are Well Into The Seventh Millennium and the Lord Jesus Christ is still at the Father’s right hand, waiting for the Father to send him to raise the dead, and begin the grand process of establishing on earth his Father’s kingdom Why hasn’t he come?
Israel is ready
Jewish people have gathered to the mountains of Israel from all over the world, they have established their own nation-state and Israel controls Jerusalem They yet face a time of “Jacob’s trouble” but “the times of the Gentiles” are fulfilled (Luke 21 24)
The nation is a prosperous one, by far the leading hi-tech nation of their entire area of the world and coveted as a treasure ready to be seized by powerful antagonists to the north (Ezk 38 13-15)
After tenacious missionary effort, there is even a growing remnant of faithful ones who are diligently seeking to turn the hearts of the people to their origins in the covenants of Abraham (Mal 4 4-6)
True, the Jewish nation is not a land at peace, living in unwalled villages, dwelling in “the midst” of the land But that condition could change in a month With present circumstances in the area, Israel is able to attack bases in Syria without reprisal because of the massive shield of coalition forces in Iraq
Israel can be ready for the return any time now
The nations aligned
Several times over the past 60 years, we could look at the power and association of nations and say that it’s perfect for the fulfilling of prophecy. There was a great power to the north of Israel, hostile to forces who dominated areas in Egypt and Arabia, south of the holy land. There was a confederacy of 10 European nations organized under the Treaty of Rome.
Over the years, however, conditions have been fluid, with the European Union growing far beyond 10 and the great northern power seeming to fade into the background. At one point, Iraq looked as if it was the king of the north, throwing its missiles at Israel. But that power collapsed before an onslaught from the south.
Yet now, something that seemed beyond the scope of what would ever happen again, the United States and Britain are firmly ensconced in the Middle East with the very finest of their military assets. And a great northern association stretching from the western shores of Europe to the steppes of Mongolia is growing in power, influence and cohesion. The natural synergy of the resources of Russia with the markets of Europe is breaking down centuries-old barriers so that we can look at the world stage and see the great image risen again to its feet to coalesce east and west.
A world filled with violence
For many years, brethren have noted that latter-day conditions have echoed the days before the flood when: “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence” (Gen. 6:11).
There is a certain irony regarding violence in the earth today. In the heart of Europe and Africa, we have seen the unbelievable horrors of “ethnic cleansing.” In the far reaches of Asia and Indonesia, we see perpetual civil war between factions seeking control. Throughout the Middle East and the northern parts of South America we see unrelenting terrorism inspired by religious fanaticism or the scourge of narcotics. And in areas of Asia, North America and northern Europe where there is less actual violence, there is a pervasive spread of violence in video games, movies and TV shows designed to “shatter the boundaries of network television.” The earth is filled with violence, either real or make-believe.
Of course, there is also the fear of violence following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. More than ever, the word of the Lord rings true to our times: “Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity …men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:25-27).
The world is ready for the return.
Prophetic time periods
To those studying Bible time periods, perhaps the greatest anticipation was aroused by the end of the millennium and the completion of jubilee cycles in 1996-7. As many have noted from the dates in their Bible margins, our dating seems to be off by four years, so that 1996 marked the end of 6,000 years since creation as anticipated in Genesis one. Surely this would mean the return of Christ! If not, then the year 2,000 must be it. Obviously that has not happened.
We should not despair in this regard, however, as those making a study of such matters realize there is a certain flexibility in how to read these details of scripture. Even the Lord could not work out the day or the hour (Mk. 13:32). Yet this much is clear, the time periods have been fulfilled several times in different ways and are now close enough so that Bible prophecy is ready for the return.
Gospel to all the world
In the Olivet prophecy, the Lord said: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:24). Some have taken this to mean that the truth must come to every nation in these last days before the Lord will return. That’s almost, if not wholly, literally true today, as the past 15 years have seen a remarkable spread of true teaching, even in the face of dire persecution.
Certainly if Paul could say that in his day the gospel “was preached to every creature which is under heaven” (Col. 1:23), we can say it today. For in Paul’s time the gospel was only reaching the outer boundaries of the Roman empire and had not yet penetrated vast reaches of the earth. Today, the gospel is reaching a much higher percentage of nations than in the first century. Thus we feel it is fully safe to say that the Lord is not waiting for us to preach further afield before he returns. That goal is satisfied more than it was in New Testament times.
The longsuffering of God
We feel the only reasonable answer to the Lord’s delay is the longsuffering of God. For the Father is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Pet. 3:9).
In this regard, the concern of the Father can hardly be with the world as a whole, for His word shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea in the kingdom. The world is much better served by Christ coming sooner than later. The Father’s concern cannot be with our children, for they will be much better off finishing their growing up in the atmosphere of the kingdom.
Who is He waiting to come to repentance?
There is a class of person that exactly fits the answer. Those who have been baptized into Christ but have for the time being fallen away. They may be people who have been delivered to Satan (disfellowshipped) “for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (I Cor. 5:5). If the Lord gives them time, they may respond to ecclesial discipline and shortly be ready for the Lord. But if the Lord came today, they would not be. So in His longsuffering the Father waits.
They may be people who have not been disfellowshipped but have fallen from the joy of salvation. Ezekiel 18 describes the case where “a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does.” If Christ comes while he is in such a state will he live? No, “he will die.” But if, in the longsuffering of God, such a person “turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live” (Ezk. 18:21-24 NIV).
In His mercy, the Father may be delaying the Son for just such persons.
Is it I?
Who is holding up the return? Each of us needs to ask ourselves, as the 12 did at the last supper, “Is it I?” “Am I the one who needs to come to repentance that the Father might send the Son to usher in that glorious age upon the earth?”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One