THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL PROPHECY

We live in an age which has no shortage of prophets and seers of one type or another all claiming to believe the Bible, and each one spouting out his own visions of the meanings of the various prophecies that are found in the scriptures. Most of these latter day shamans have discovered that a well written book (or series of books) which can “explain” the mysteries hidden in the depths of obscure passages of scripture is a sure “cash cow”.

Those who are tossed about by every wind of doctrine are easily duped by these self-proclaimed experts who conjure up complex charts on the rise and fall of this or that nation and chronicle the unfolding of cataclysmic events in a neat chronological presentation. Whether they are identifying who is represented by the bear or lion or the significance of the number of the hairs on the horse’s tails in the book of the Revelation, they claim to hold in their hands the ability to unlock heretofore hidden secrets. All the while they are deciphering numbers and displaying their understanding of kingdoms of carnivorous animals.

I am no prophet or even the son of a prophet, so I claim no special “revelations” on the meanings of every scripture in the Revelation or the book of Daniel. Yet I can declare without a doubt who it is who is personally the fulfillment of all prophecy. HE is that same ONE who spoke to these dimwitted travelers on the Emmaus road. HE is the ONE of whom the writer of Hebrews spoke saying, “God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb 1:1-3)

JESUS CHRIST, the eternal SON of the living GOD, is that ONE who is the subject of every prophecy All that the FATHER would reveal to us is set forth in CHRIST JESUS. We look for no other and stand in amazement at some of the schemes and analysis of most of these who tell us that the purpose of the prophecies is to prepare us for coming events. The only noteworthy event that I know of that is prophesied in the scriptures that is yet to occur is the return of the LORD to gather HIS sheep and the final judgment of all the living and the dead.

Some can look at the book of the Revelation and become so embroiled in trying to figure out the metaphors and similes, that they seem to completely overlook the stated subject matter of the book which is in the first verse. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ." (Rev 1:1)

The Jews considered that the promises of GOD to HIS people were centered in this carnal world, and that they being the fleshly offspring of Abraham, were the objects of those promises. They had no clue that the promises were all made to JESUS CHRIST, and that those who are the objects of the benefits of HIS kingdom are those which were hidden in HIM before the foundation of the world. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Gal 3:16)

It is out of this notion of an earthly or carnal kingdom that most all the errors concerning the meanings of the prophecies of the scripture have arisen. This is the main reason that the Jews rejected CHRIST as the MESSIAH, because they were convinced that when CHRIST came HE would set up an earthly kingdom of which they would be the benefactors. The LORD plainly said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Whereas the Jews believed the LORD would establish a kingdom of flesh and blood when HE came the first time, the vast majority of present day prophets are looking for HIM to establish one, when HE returns.

HE upbraided the Jews about this matter when they confronted HIM on this very issue: “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.(or in your midst”) (Luke 17:20-21) I am totally baffled by those who think that HE could in some fashion be more of a KING at some future time than HE is at the present. HE came into this world as a KING, walked among men as a KING, was crucified as a KING, buried as a KING, and arose and ascended as a KING. HE does now presently rule over the kingdom which HE came to establish, which the scripture says, “will have no end” and all of HIS creation shall fulfill HIS desire. I cannot comprehend the meaning of reigning if that is not it.

The only time that the wicked men of this world shall be submissive to HIM is when HE puts HIS foot upon their necks and they are forced to recognize HIM as KING of kings and LORD of lords. HIS purpose for the creation of this world is as a stage upon which to display HIS own glory in the establishment of a kingdom which cannot be seen by natural eyes, but is manifested to those in whom HE delights to show mercy. The ultimate destruction of the wicked in the lake of fire is not a monument to HIS failure but to the certainty of HIS purpose.

The LORD does things according to a particular order. Paul said “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away”. (1Cor 13:10) CHRIST is the sole REVELATOR and REVELATION of all that GOD would show to men. This is illustrated in HIS conversation with Philip, when Philip said, “Show us the FATHER”. The LORD answered him, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” (John 14:9)

If CHRIST has once established HIS kingdom, which is spiritual in nature and without any flaw and serves HIS purpose of gathering HIS people from the four corners of the earth, then what kingdom do we yet wait for? Is this not the mystery which was hidden from the foundation of the world? “Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.” (Rom 16:25-27)