This Revelation Timeline Decoded Bible study focuses the spiritual kingdom of Messiah, which is called Heavenly Jerusalem. It’s not focused on physical Jerusalem in modern-day Israel.
The Jewish leaders rejected Messiah in part because they wanted a political leader who would overthrow the Roman oppressors and help them establish a worldwide kingdom.
Messiah proclaimed that His kingdom is not of this world. It’s not based in physical Jerusalem. It’s spiritual.
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36
Jesus saith unto the Samaritan woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:21, 23-24
The citizens of His kingdom, which is made up of believing Jews and Gentiles is called Holy Jerusalem in Revelation, are spread around the world.
Abraham looked for a spiritual kingdom, not a piece of land in the desert. The seed of Abraham is made up of those who have a covenant relationship with the Father through faith in the atoning work of His Son.
For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16
The city of Elohim is no longer the physical city of Jerusalem, but the heavenly Jerusalem, which is populated by His set-apart people.
But, ye came to Mount Zion, and to a city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of messengers, to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to a mediator of the renewed covenant–Jesus, and to blood of sprinkling, speaking better things than that of Abel! Hebrews 12:22-24
Wherefore, also Jesus–that he might sanctify through his own blood the people–without the gate did suffer; now, then, may we go forth unto him without the camp, his reproach bearing; For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:12-14
The enemy has caused people to focus on the Khazar Jews in Israel, who have established a physical political kingdom, from which they wish to rule over the world and the Gentiles.
Per Galatians 4:22-31, the Jews in modern-day Israel are spiritually Hagar, the bondwoman.
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
The true Israelites, called Holy Jerusalem, are the believing Jews and Gentiles who are spread around the world.
WAKE UP OH SLEEPERS! THE ENEMY HAS BEWITCHED YOU WITH JEWISH FABLES, SO THAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHO IS A TRUE ISRAELITE!
I’ve written many studies in the last few weeks about the Jews in Israel, as this topic is forefront in the news.
NEW STUDY: The Edomites Control The Holy Land
NEW STUDY: Is Israel God’s Time Clock?
NEW POST: Will The 2023 Israeli Palestinian War Lead To World War Three?
NEW STUDY: The Truth About The October 2023 Israeli Palestinian Conflict Narrative
NEW STUDY: The Jews Right To The Land Of Israel
NEW STUDY: Palestine Never Existed Reasoning From Zionist Christians Refuted
NEW STUDY: What Do Jews Say About Zionist Israel?
NEW STUDY: Are The Jews God’s Chosen People?
I know this is off the topic but it is about Revelation Chapter 20 and it’s really been bothering me lately. Most Christians seem to think that dead Christians are currently in Heaven living a glorious life. Is that correct? Revelation 20:4 talks about the resurrection of Christians that takes place right after Satan is cast into the bottomless pit. Why would they need resurrected if they were already living with Jesus? Also, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Why would the living need comforted about their dead loved ones if they were already living in Heaven with Jesus? Wouldn’t that of been a great place for Paul to write something like, “Don’t worry they are living with Jesus right now”? I know the Bible says the Christian dead are with Christ, but doesn’t give any details. Some say it’s a conscious existence with a temporary body. But again, why the need for a resurrection?
Tim, you cite some great verses. I think that Scripture points to the dead rising at the end, so I don’t believe that they are in heaven. I don’t believe that the saints will live in heaven, but on a restored earth.
Just keep in mind that for people who have died, it will seem like an instant later they will be alive again with Messiah.
Those who die are with the Lord in spirit but their new glorified bodies come later when Jesus returns. When the dead rise from the graves and those still alive , all taken up to the Lord. 1Thessalonians
I agree David. I think people are getting exposed to near death experiences and are jumping to wrong conclusions. The best article I’ve found about this is https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/309454. I just think something as important as this should be understood clearly by all Christians. I’m guessing over 90% are confused about this and maybe don’t even realize it. Most pastors today are getting this wrong in my opinion.