brookkidron
05-08-2008, 10:20 AM
The 20th century would be remembered for the amazing changes it produced in every facet of our lives. Within the space of a hundred years, we witnessed the dramatic reordering of the world political power equation, we made giant strides in science and technology, we witnessed the creation of some really great artistic works, we beheld the emergence or mega corporations that revolutionised the global industrial landscape, and, in the process of all this, we bread a broad, new range of heroes and icons who became the role models of the emerging generation.
After a thorough examination of the most outstanding players of the century, the editors of Time magazine finally declared Albert Einstein, “the epitome of pure intellect,” as Person of the Century – “the one who, for better or for worse, personified our times and will be remembered by history as having the most lasting significance.” Writing about the works of Einstein and his ilk in the arena of intellectual knowledge, they observed: “This is the century that split the atom, probed the psyche, spliced genes and cloned a sheep. It invented plastic, radar and the silicon chip. It built airplanes, rockets, satellites, televisions, computers and atom bombs. It overthrew our inherited ideas about logic, language, learning, mathematics, economics and even space and time. And behind each of these great ideas, great discoveries and great inventions is, in most cases, one extraordinary human mind.”
The point is, going by the judgement of the editors of Time, all the great and multifaceted achievements of the 20th century can be whittled down and summed up in the extraordinary workings of the human mind – the outworking of the inner knowledge and understanding we came into possession of. This would not only stand the test of careful scrutiny, but I dare say that the whole exercise of the editors of Time was providential, even prophetic.
Keepers of Time
I have always felt that the very name of Time magazine is significant. The Lord said of the signs of the times that wind up the present world order and usher in the thousand-year dispensation of the earthly kingdom over which He will reign (see Revelation 11:15; 20:4), “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for [the time of] your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). How would I at one end of the earth be aware of a sign that appears on the other end if not by the ministry of those who have been saddled with publishing such – news reporters? They are the keepers of time. And as the saying goes, understanding comes with time. It is what it takes to understand the purposes and plans of God as revealed in His Word and followed up in several ways, including the “secular,” and especially the written.
Talking about time, the Genesis account tells us that God created the heavens and the earth in six days and entered a seventh day Sabbath. Whether these were seven literal days or seven days of a thousand years each – as some believe, and for which the Scriptures allow (see II Peter 3:8) – is a matter to be debated. There, however, appears to be an agreement, that in as many “days” as it took God to finish that creation, in so many thousand years will He redeem His saints from its product and usher in another thousand-year day of ‘rest,’ the Millennium of His Anointed One’s earthly reign.
That commonly accepted time for the present world has expired. The six thousand-year “regulation time” ran out with the “twentieth century.” From the Creation to the Flood of Noah’s day was two thousand years. From the Flood to Christ was two thousand years. And from Christ to the turn of the century was another two thousand years. So it appears that we are now living in “added time.” Like a football game with a “Sudden Death” rule, the final whistle, the “last trump” (I Corinthians 15:52), could sound “any time.” And as I said earlier, and we are primarily interested in here, Time’s association of the final century of this “appointed” time with the explosion of knowledge it witnessed is significant. Yes, I consider it prophetic of greater things to some – the next wave!
The Knowledge of the Lord
It is predicted of the coming Millennium during which the Lord Jesus Christ will reign and satisfy “the desire of all nations,” “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). It is going to be a time during which the world will experience a deluge of true, pure and perfect knowledge, in the broadest, deepest and most comprehensive sense of the word, like it has never done. It is called the knowledge of God, the fountain of all wisdom and understanding! And as I am saying, this coming explosion of knowledge will be perfect, devoid of the many inaccuracies, blank spots, vulnerability and “side effects” that tainted the giant strides of the 20th century.
King Solomon was not only a down payment on the true Covenant Son of David that will reign during this expected Golden Age, he was also one who gave us a glimpse, albeit of limited scope, of the kind of knowledge, wisdom and understanding that the Bible envisions for it. He wrote, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Proverbs 4:7-9). Can you see how he says the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God confers honour, grace and glorious dominion? Watch and see how it works. And should you have any misgivings about the use of the threesome words of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, you must understand that they are essentially three dimensions of the same thing. This is confirmed by the words of the wise king: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea [in other words, “yes, this is what I am saying”], if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her [singular her, not plural them] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:1-5). That’s it.
I also want to confirm that the “knowledge of the Lord” that will fill the earth during the Millennium is not just about a greater awareness of God, although that will be an essential part of it. It includes, and is perhaps more about, what is being said. This is evident from the context of the Scripture verse we read about the promise. For instance, it says of Christ the King, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears” (Isaiah 11:1-3). So we see that it is about the inspired operation, or ministry, that comes with knowing God – much like the operation of the spiritual gifts that accompany our present relationship with Him.
Blessed Mediums
The question now is: how exactly would this explosion of knowledge come about? Is it the present crop of “leaders,” “masters,” “captains” and “geniuses” in the various facets of society that would be given greater insights and opportunities to make bigger breakthroughs? No. They have had their day, and while we really appreciate the great advancements and betterment of our lives that they have brought about, it appears that they are becoming confused and beginning to work at cross-purposes with each other. Not to talk of the diverse “hazards” – real and imagined – of their many ideas and activities that are being hyped in some quarters.
The answer to the question can be found in “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1). The Lord gives the promise to the believer: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26,27). Can you see how this compares with the words of King Solomon, about how the knowledge of God confers earthly dominion? This promised power brokerage of the overcomers over the nations of the earth is indeed a very big picture. It is not limited to political power, as might be supposed from a superficial reading of the promise. No, the “movers and shakers” of the present world are evenly spread over the different arrears where the 20th century witnessed its giant strides, and so will it be with the overcomers that will dominate the new world order of the Millennium!
They are more vividly revealed further on in the Revelation: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne…And round about the throne were four and twenty seats [or lesser thrones]: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold...and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle…And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (see the whole of Revelation 4 and 5).
Did you hear the testimony of the crowned Elders and four Beasts? “For thou [Christ] was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Here, in symbolic form, are the redeemed saints of all time, the faithful believers that Christ promised power over the nations. They are the ones that will dominate the new world order of the Millennium! The key is in their identity as “kings and priests.”
The riddle is: who is a priest? In simple Bible context, he is a mediator, or an intermediary, of a covenant between God and man. No other covenant is apparent here than that of the promised thousand-year reign of Christ and His redeemed saints, which goes back to the covenant made with Abraham (see Genesis 12:3). And what did Isaiah say about this “golden future time”? “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” That’s it. Those faithful believers are going to dominate the global society of the Millennium by mediating the incomparable knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God that will flood the earth in that time. They will be the blessed mediums of the promised outpouring from Heaven – the next wave of knowledge!
The Power of Knowledge
It is no coincidence that the arena of knowledge was the first target of the devil’s diabolical crusade into the affairs of men at the very beginning of the six thousand-year regulation time of the present world. It was in Eden where he enticed the bride of the “first Adam” to eat of the fruit of the Tree that imparts knowledge – an offer of wisdom apart from the divine program.
That the devil went for the realm of knowledge proves that he knew something all along! Knowledge, or know-how (that’s the key to really grasping what we are talking about), is at the root and foundation of all human activity. If you would conquer the world, as we often hear being said – and for very good instruction – you only have to be competent at something. And if you are good enough, know how to exploit it, and have divine favour, you can bring the world to your feet. Many have done it and are still doing it, and it’s going to be done like never before! This can only help you better appreciate why Solomon exalted knowledge, wisdom and understanding the way he did. It is truly “the principal thing.” And that’s why the mediators of its coming explosion are going to “reign on the earth”! “A crown of glory shall she deliver” to them, for “length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” (Proverbs 3:16).
Paradise Lost and Regained
I want you to notice the bait of the devil when he enticed Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in Eden. He said, “Ye shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:1-5). Did he lie? No, God confirmed it and counselled Heaven that something be speedily done! (See Genesis 3:22-24). For if Adam, a natural son of God, was left to do his own thing in God’s provided and anointed territory, with the kind of wisdom he had got his hands on through the devil’s plot, then, I’m afraid, God’s supremacy on earth might have been threatened. The emergency antidote was his banishment from the Garden of Eden. And despite that, we are witnesses of the giant strides of his children in the arena of knowledge.
But, glory to God, we are on the way back to regain the “paradise lost” – complete with divine access to the fountain of perfect and reliable knowledge, wisdom and understanding! We shall conquer and dominate the world for our God. We shall reign! And it is noteworthy that it was “the bride of the first Adam” that the devil deceived, for these saints on their way back to repossess the lost heritage are actually the Bride of the “last [or substitute] Adam”! (I Corinthians 15:45.) It’s going to be more glorious than anything you have ever thought of! That’s why the apostle said, “Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the hearts of men, what the Lord hath prepared for them that love him.” But he added, “But God hath revealed it to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (II Corinthians 2:6). It is by diligently searching the Scriptures and prayerfully meditating on it’s testimony that we begin to glimpse the wonders that are in store for us. This glorious hope of the saints is also the reason why, when the Lord taught us how to pray, the first request He mentioned was for the hastening of the kingdom. He said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:9,10a).
Yes, it is as we search the Scriptures that we receive insight into the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him. This gives us reason to take another look at the record of that heavenly scene in which the redeemed saints are represented. Not only does the testimony of the characters reveal that they will be the mediums of the coming deluge of perfect know-how in the kingdom, but those five representations (the Elders as a group, and the four Beasts) are indeed remarkable symbols of the five major areas in which they would operate. What more? As I bear out in detail in my book, We Shall Reign: The Promise of the Millennial Kingdom, these areas are exactly the same five major fields of human endeavour projected by the editors of Time in their review of the most outstanding personalities of our time, in the build-up to selecting the Person of the 20th Century!
That’s why I described their effort as prophetic. It was indeed a great witness – call it a celebration of the celebrities of the present world order in unwitting expectation of the emerging heroes of another! That’s true, for as the apostle wrote, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).
A Quick Glimpse
As I said, the revelation is explained in detail in my book, We Shall Reign. But we would conclude our discussion here with a quick look at these five major fields in which the redeemed saints would demonstrate their divine know-how in the kingdom. The crowned Elders of the heavenly scene are symbolic of the “political leaders” among the saints in the kingdom – the millennial counterparts of present day powerbrokers that the editors of Time tagged “leaders and revolutionaries.” The workaholic Ox is symbolic of the “creators of wealth and funds,” – “[industrial] builders and titans” in the words of Time magazine. The intelligent Man is symbolic of the “bearers of intellectual wisdom and understanding,” – the “egg heads” that the keepers of time tagged “thinkers and tinkerers.” The majestic Eagle represents the “possessors of inspired perception and ability” – they are called “artists and entertainers” in the century-end witness of the keepers of time. And finally, the roaring Lion depicts the “disseminators of the word of influence and instruction,” represented by Time’s 20th century “heroes and icons” – a couch language that I decode and strip to unveil a category of the redeemed saints that includes the mass media specialists, clergies, educationists and legal experts. Has the mass media not been credited with the making of heroes? It is the lives and values of those same heroes and icons that directly or indirectly “shape our lives” – to use the words of the keepers of time – through diverse forums, including our religious, educational and legal institutions!
As we can see, the saints are indeed poised to take over and dominate every facet of society. That‘s exactly what the prophet Daniel saw in vision: “And judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom…And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, were given to the people of the saints of the most High” (Daniel 7:22,27). Amen.
After a thorough examination of the most outstanding players of the century, the editors of Time magazine finally declared Albert Einstein, “the epitome of pure intellect,” as Person of the Century – “the one who, for better or for worse, personified our times and will be remembered by history as having the most lasting significance.” Writing about the works of Einstein and his ilk in the arena of intellectual knowledge, they observed: “This is the century that split the atom, probed the psyche, spliced genes and cloned a sheep. It invented plastic, radar and the silicon chip. It built airplanes, rockets, satellites, televisions, computers and atom bombs. It overthrew our inherited ideas about logic, language, learning, mathematics, economics and even space and time. And behind each of these great ideas, great discoveries and great inventions is, in most cases, one extraordinary human mind.”
The point is, going by the judgement of the editors of Time, all the great and multifaceted achievements of the 20th century can be whittled down and summed up in the extraordinary workings of the human mind – the outworking of the inner knowledge and understanding we came into possession of. This would not only stand the test of careful scrutiny, but I dare say that the whole exercise of the editors of Time was providential, even prophetic.
Keepers of Time
I have always felt that the very name of Time magazine is significant. The Lord said of the signs of the times that wind up the present world order and usher in the thousand-year dispensation of the earthly kingdom over which He will reign (see Revelation 11:15; 20:4), “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for [the time of] your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). How would I at one end of the earth be aware of a sign that appears on the other end if not by the ministry of those who have been saddled with publishing such – news reporters? They are the keepers of time. And as the saying goes, understanding comes with time. It is what it takes to understand the purposes and plans of God as revealed in His Word and followed up in several ways, including the “secular,” and especially the written.
Talking about time, the Genesis account tells us that God created the heavens and the earth in six days and entered a seventh day Sabbath. Whether these were seven literal days or seven days of a thousand years each – as some believe, and for which the Scriptures allow (see II Peter 3:8) – is a matter to be debated. There, however, appears to be an agreement, that in as many “days” as it took God to finish that creation, in so many thousand years will He redeem His saints from its product and usher in another thousand-year day of ‘rest,’ the Millennium of His Anointed One’s earthly reign.
That commonly accepted time for the present world has expired. The six thousand-year “regulation time” ran out with the “twentieth century.” From the Creation to the Flood of Noah’s day was two thousand years. From the Flood to Christ was two thousand years. And from Christ to the turn of the century was another two thousand years. So it appears that we are now living in “added time.” Like a football game with a “Sudden Death” rule, the final whistle, the “last trump” (I Corinthians 15:52), could sound “any time.” And as I said earlier, and we are primarily interested in here, Time’s association of the final century of this “appointed” time with the explosion of knowledge it witnessed is significant. Yes, I consider it prophetic of greater things to some – the next wave!
The Knowledge of the Lord
It is predicted of the coming Millennium during which the Lord Jesus Christ will reign and satisfy “the desire of all nations,” “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). It is going to be a time during which the world will experience a deluge of true, pure and perfect knowledge, in the broadest, deepest and most comprehensive sense of the word, like it has never done. It is called the knowledge of God, the fountain of all wisdom and understanding! And as I am saying, this coming explosion of knowledge will be perfect, devoid of the many inaccuracies, blank spots, vulnerability and “side effects” that tainted the giant strides of the 20th century.
King Solomon was not only a down payment on the true Covenant Son of David that will reign during this expected Golden Age, he was also one who gave us a glimpse, albeit of limited scope, of the kind of knowledge, wisdom and understanding that the Bible envisions for it. He wrote, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Proverbs 4:7-9). Can you see how he says the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God confers honour, grace and glorious dominion? Watch and see how it works. And should you have any misgivings about the use of the threesome words of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, you must understand that they are essentially three dimensions of the same thing. This is confirmed by the words of the wise king: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea [in other words, “yes, this is what I am saying”], if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her [singular her, not plural them] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:1-5). That’s it.
I also want to confirm that the “knowledge of the Lord” that will fill the earth during the Millennium is not just about a greater awareness of God, although that will be an essential part of it. It includes, and is perhaps more about, what is being said. This is evident from the context of the Scripture verse we read about the promise. For instance, it says of Christ the King, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears” (Isaiah 11:1-3). So we see that it is about the inspired operation, or ministry, that comes with knowing God – much like the operation of the spiritual gifts that accompany our present relationship with Him.
Blessed Mediums
The question now is: how exactly would this explosion of knowledge come about? Is it the present crop of “leaders,” “masters,” “captains” and “geniuses” in the various facets of society that would be given greater insights and opportunities to make bigger breakthroughs? No. They have had their day, and while we really appreciate the great advancements and betterment of our lives that they have brought about, it appears that they are becoming confused and beginning to work at cross-purposes with each other. Not to talk of the diverse “hazards” – real and imagined – of their many ideas and activities that are being hyped in some quarters.
The answer to the question can be found in “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass” (Revelation 1:1). The Lord gives the promise to the believer: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26,27). Can you see how this compares with the words of King Solomon, about how the knowledge of God confers earthly dominion? This promised power brokerage of the overcomers over the nations of the earth is indeed a very big picture. It is not limited to political power, as might be supposed from a superficial reading of the promise. No, the “movers and shakers” of the present world are evenly spread over the different arrears where the 20th century witnessed its giant strides, and so will it be with the overcomers that will dominate the new world order of the Millennium!
They are more vividly revealed further on in the Revelation: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne…And round about the throne were four and twenty seats [or lesser thrones]: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold...and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle…And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (see the whole of Revelation 4 and 5).
Did you hear the testimony of the crowned Elders and four Beasts? “For thou [Christ] was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Here, in symbolic form, are the redeemed saints of all time, the faithful believers that Christ promised power over the nations. They are the ones that will dominate the new world order of the Millennium! The key is in their identity as “kings and priests.”
The riddle is: who is a priest? In simple Bible context, he is a mediator, or an intermediary, of a covenant between God and man. No other covenant is apparent here than that of the promised thousand-year reign of Christ and His redeemed saints, which goes back to the covenant made with Abraham (see Genesis 12:3). And what did Isaiah say about this “golden future time”? “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” That’s it. Those faithful believers are going to dominate the global society of the Millennium by mediating the incomparable knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God that will flood the earth in that time. They will be the blessed mediums of the promised outpouring from Heaven – the next wave of knowledge!
The Power of Knowledge
It is no coincidence that the arena of knowledge was the first target of the devil’s diabolical crusade into the affairs of men at the very beginning of the six thousand-year regulation time of the present world. It was in Eden where he enticed the bride of the “first Adam” to eat of the fruit of the Tree that imparts knowledge – an offer of wisdom apart from the divine program.
That the devil went for the realm of knowledge proves that he knew something all along! Knowledge, or know-how (that’s the key to really grasping what we are talking about), is at the root and foundation of all human activity. If you would conquer the world, as we often hear being said – and for very good instruction – you only have to be competent at something. And if you are good enough, know how to exploit it, and have divine favour, you can bring the world to your feet. Many have done it and are still doing it, and it’s going to be done like never before! This can only help you better appreciate why Solomon exalted knowledge, wisdom and understanding the way he did. It is truly “the principal thing.” And that’s why the mediators of its coming explosion are going to “reign on the earth”! “A crown of glory shall she deliver” to them, for “length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour” (Proverbs 3:16).
Paradise Lost and Regained
I want you to notice the bait of the devil when he enticed Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in Eden. He said, “Ye shall be as gods” (Genesis 3:1-5). Did he lie? No, God confirmed it and counselled Heaven that something be speedily done! (See Genesis 3:22-24). For if Adam, a natural son of God, was left to do his own thing in God’s provided and anointed territory, with the kind of wisdom he had got his hands on through the devil’s plot, then, I’m afraid, God’s supremacy on earth might have been threatened. The emergency antidote was his banishment from the Garden of Eden. And despite that, we are witnesses of the giant strides of his children in the arena of knowledge.
But, glory to God, we are on the way back to regain the “paradise lost” – complete with divine access to the fountain of perfect and reliable knowledge, wisdom and understanding! We shall conquer and dominate the world for our God. We shall reign! And it is noteworthy that it was “the bride of the first Adam” that the devil deceived, for these saints on their way back to repossess the lost heritage are actually the Bride of the “last [or substitute] Adam”! (I Corinthians 15:45.) It’s going to be more glorious than anything you have ever thought of! That’s why the apostle said, “Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the hearts of men, what the Lord hath prepared for them that love him.” But he added, “But God hath revealed it to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (II Corinthians 2:6). It is by diligently searching the Scriptures and prayerfully meditating on it’s testimony that we begin to glimpse the wonders that are in store for us. This glorious hope of the saints is also the reason why, when the Lord taught us how to pray, the first request He mentioned was for the hastening of the kingdom. He said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:9,10a).
Yes, it is as we search the Scriptures that we receive insight into the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him. This gives us reason to take another look at the record of that heavenly scene in which the redeemed saints are represented. Not only does the testimony of the characters reveal that they will be the mediums of the coming deluge of perfect know-how in the kingdom, but those five representations (the Elders as a group, and the four Beasts) are indeed remarkable symbols of the five major areas in which they would operate. What more? As I bear out in detail in my book, We Shall Reign: The Promise of the Millennial Kingdom, these areas are exactly the same five major fields of human endeavour projected by the editors of Time in their review of the most outstanding personalities of our time, in the build-up to selecting the Person of the 20th Century!
That’s why I described their effort as prophetic. It was indeed a great witness – call it a celebration of the celebrities of the present world order in unwitting expectation of the emerging heroes of another! That’s true, for as the apostle wrote, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:19-21).
A Quick Glimpse
As I said, the revelation is explained in detail in my book, We Shall Reign. But we would conclude our discussion here with a quick look at these five major fields in which the redeemed saints would demonstrate their divine know-how in the kingdom. The crowned Elders of the heavenly scene are symbolic of the “political leaders” among the saints in the kingdom – the millennial counterparts of present day powerbrokers that the editors of Time tagged “leaders and revolutionaries.” The workaholic Ox is symbolic of the “creators of wealth and funds,” – “[industrial] builders and titans” in the words of Time magazine. The intelligent Man is symbolic of the “bearers of intellectual wisdom and understanding,” – the “egg heads” that the keepers of time tagged “thinkers and tinkerers.” The majestic Eagle represents the “possessors of inspired perception and ability” – they are called “artists and entertainers” in the century-end witness of the keepers of time. And finally, the roaring Lion depicts the “disseminators of the word of influence and instruction,” represented by Time’s 20th century “heroes and icons” – a couch language that I decode and strip to unveil a category of the redeemed saints that includes the mass media specialists, clergies, educationists and legal experts. Has the mass media not been credited with the making of heroes? It is the lives and values of those same heroes and icons that directly or indirectly “shape our lives” – to use the words of the keepers of time – through diverse forums, including our religious, educational and legal institutions!
As we can see, the saints are indeed poised to take over and dominate every facet of society. That‘s exactly what the prophet Daniel saw in vision: “And judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom…And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, were given to the people of the saints of the most High” (Daniel 7:22,27). Amen.