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The Most High Ruleth By Arlen L. Chitwood
Chapter Two In the Kingdom of Men
This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17)
The book of Daniel, in its overall scope, concerns itself with one major subject — the complete history of the kingdom of this world, with its center located in Babylon. “The times of the Gentiles” began during Daniel’s day, with Gentile world power centered in Babylon; and it will end in the immediate future, with Gentile world power once again centered in Babylon. In this respect, Babylon is the only center that Scripture recognizes for Gentile world power throughout “the times of the Gentiles.”
Within this framework, Gentile world power is looked upon after a dual fashion in Scripture. It is spoken of as emanating from many kingdoms (“. . . all the kingdoms of the world” [Matthew 4:8]), and it is also spoken of as emanating from one kingdom (“The kingdom of the world” [Revelation 11:15, ASV]). The former is the manner in which Scripture views Gentile world power apart from Babylon, and the latter is the manner in which Scripture views Gentile world power in association with Babylon.
At the time of the events in Matthew 4:8 (Satan showing Christ “all the kingdoms of the world”), Gentile government was not centered in Babylon (as it was several hundred years prior to that time), for Babylon, as a power among the nations, had ceased to exist. And, accordingly, Scripture referred to the nations after an individual fashion — apart from a center — though Rome was the central power among the nations at that time. But, at the time of the fulfillment of Revelation 11:15 (when “The kingdom of the world” becomes “the kingdom of our Lord, and his Christ,” ASV), Gentile world power will once again be centered in Babylon.
Gentile world power, in that future day, will be under one man — Antichrist. He will rule the world through a ten-kingdom confederacy (viewed as one world kingdom under one man), with its governmental center once again located in Babylon.
“The times of the Gentiles” began in Babylon, and this period will also end in Babylon — the same Babylon where it began. That’s what the book of Daniel is about. This book covers the complete history of that depicted by the image in chapter two, or that depicted by the four great beasts in chapter seven. It covers that time that begins with Nebuchadnezzar and ends approximately 2,600 years later with Antichrist (though the center of Gentile world power does not exist in Babylon throughout this period, only for several hundred years at the beginning and immediately prior to the end).
And the time when the prophecies relating to the end-time form of this Gentile world kingdom will be fulfilled is near at hand. We are living very near the end of man’s allotted 6,000 years, Man’s Day; and it is certainly no mere coincidence that, in the Middle East, during particularly about the past fifteen years, certain events have occurred (and continue to occur) that bring (and continue to bring) things in perfect alignment with the way the prophets said that they would exist in the end time.
Recent events in the Middle East have caused the attention of the world to become focused on the Persian Gulf area in general and upon Iraq in particular. And, in the light of biblical prophecy, the reason is easy to understand. A rebuilt city of Babylon on the Euphrates in the country of Iraq is destined to shortly become, once again, the center of Gentile world power. The unfulfilled biblical prophecies relating to this city are about to be fulfilled; and they will be fulfilled, in the immediate future, over a very short period of time (the seven years of Daniel’s unfulfilled Seventieth Week [Daniel 9:26, 27]).
(Note that the kingdom of Babylon included more than just a city. It was a city-state. Sometimes the city alone was referred to by the name “Babylon,” and other times the country itself was referred to by this name.
And this is apparently the manner in which conditions will exist in the final form of the Babylonian kingdom. A literal city will exist, but there will apparently also be a city-state comprising the whole of the kingdom, existing within the confines of the original city-state.)
With these things in mind, the present unfolding of the entire Middle East scenario, in one sense, is really quite easy to understand. These events are as distant hoof-beats (Revelation 6:1ff), growing louder with each passing day, which portend the soon fulfillment of the numerous unfulfilled prophecies in Daniel.
Though biblical prophecy is not presently being fulfilled through different events transpiring in the Middle East, the stage is rapidly being set for its fulfillment. Biblical prophecy relating to the Middle East in general and Babylon in particular will begin to be fulfilled only when the clock begins marking time in Daniel’s Seventy-Week prophecy once again; and during (and immediately following) this final seven years of Man’s Day, innumerable prophecies — throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation — will be rapidly fulfilled.
This is where attention is focused in the book of Daniel; and since this book has to do with the beginning and the end of Gentile world power during Man’s Day, God has seen fit to reveal certain behind-the-scenes things relative to this power. God has seen fit to reveal certain things concerning how He sovereignly governs the earth as a province in His kingdom, though a rebel provincial ruler (Satan) holds the scepter, and fallen man exercises power under this ruler.
Present Government of the Earth
The manner in which the present government of the earth has been established is really quite simple in its overall scope, but within that scope specific matters become quite complex. In its simplicity, God rules over all, Satan (with his angels) rules under God, and man rules under Satan (and his angels). The matter then becomes quite complex within the framework of God’s sovereign control of matters through both a rebel provincial ruler and fallen man.
With one exception, the manner in which the government of the earth is presently carried out has not changed since the beginning. In the beginning, following the creation of the heavens and the earth, God placed Satan (in his unfallen state) in the position of provincial ruler over the earth, along with a great host of angels occupying various positions of power and authority under him (Genesis 1:1; Ezekiel 28:14, 15; cf. Matthew 25:41; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:4). But, at a point in time following Satan’s fall and disqualification (which would be following the accompanying ruin and subsequent restoration of the earth, recorded in Genesis 1:2-25), another provincial ruler was brought on the scene to replace the incumbent ruler. But the earth’s second provincial ruler was not of the angelic creation. Rather, an individual created in the image and likeness of God was brought on the scene to take the reins of government (Genesis 1:26-28).
This is the one exception to the past and present form of the government of the earth. In the beginning (Genesis 1:1; Ezekiel 28:14, 15), man did not fit into the equation. But for the past 6,000 years, matters have been different (Genesis 1:26ff). Though Satan and his angels continue to rule, man now has a part in the government, but not in the manner for which he was created. Man was created to take the reins of government held by Satan; but, because of his fall, man presently rules on the earth, among his own kind, under the incumbent ruler, i.e., under Satan, with his angels.
That is the manner in which Scripture presents the present structure of the earth’s government — a government in disarray, both within the ranks of the first and second provincial rulers.
The first provincial ruler, Satan, is not only presently holding the scepter in a rebellious fashion, but his kingdom can only be in disarray. Two thirds of the original contingent of angels, which God appointed in the beginning to rule with Satan (Revelation 11:4), refused to go along with him in his vain efforts to exalt his throne. Thus, the remaining one-third can only fall far short of the number of angels that God had originally decreed necessary to properly rule the earth.
Man was created to rule in the stead of Satan and his angels. But man, because of his fall, finds himself occupying a position alien to that for which he was created. He can now only rule under the one he was created to replace.
Thus, certain things within the present structure of the earth’s government are completely out of place, and they will remain out of place until the end of the present age. At that time, Satan and his angels will be put down, Christ and His co-heirs will take the kingdom, and a God-ordained number of rulers will once again occupy positions of power and authority.
1. Heavenly Princes, Earthly Princes
The manner in which the earth is presently governed is clearly set forth in Daniel chapters four and ten. But for purposes of this part of the study, first note that which is revealed in Daniel chapter ten.
In this chapter, Daniel had been “mourning” (to walk with the head down, to lament) for three full weeks. At the end of this time, Daniel saw a vision (vv. 5-7); and this was followed by the appearance of a heavenly messenger to make known the things in the vision (vv. 10ff), which corresponded to the things within Daniel’s thoughts. The vision had to do with the things that would befall Daniel’s “people in the latter days” (v. 14), which concerned mainly the future day of Antichrist and the ultimate deliverance of the Jewish people (chapters 11, 12).
(By way of passing, note that Daniel 10:14 makes it very clear that events in chapter 11 [also chapter 12] have to do with “the latter days,” not with events surrounding Antiochus Epiphanes, over 2,200 years ago as many attempt to teach. Rather, events in this chapter [beyond v. 4] have to do with the future day of Antichrist and the deliverance of the Jewish people at the time Antichrist is put down [11:45-12:3]. In this respect, Daniel 11:2-4 corresponds to events prophesied in Daniel 8:3-8, and events in Daniel 11:5ff correspond to events in Daniel 8:9ff.)
However, for purposes of the subject at hand — the government of the earth — another matter other than this fourth and final vision shown to Daniel needs to be considered. The heavenly messenger sent to Daniel, who made known things occurring during his three weeks of mourning (corresponding to things in the vision), had been dispatched at the very beginning of his time of mourning, but detained at a point in-route. He had been detained in the heavens for twenty-one days by “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” (10:13).
This prince was so powerful that Michael, “one of the chief princes,” had to be dispatched from that part of the heavens where God dwells in order to effect the deliverance of this messenger. And during this time the heavenly messenger who had originally been sent to Daniel remained in the heavens with “the kings of Persia” (v. 13).
Comparing this verse with verse twenty, where “the prince of Persia” is again mentioned, along with “the prince of Greece,” an individual can arrive at only one conclusion. Earthly rulers in the human realm have counterparts within Satan’s kingdom in the heavenly realm — powerful angels ruling within a chain of command under Satan. And since “the heavens do rule” (Daniel 4:26) — beginning with the most High God, with Satan still holding the earth’s scepter, under God — it can only be further concluded that any rule by man would have to be under Satan and his angels (who rule from the heavens) within this chain of command. And man ruling after this fashion, because of his disqualification to assume the scepter in Eden, continues to hold a position during the present time described as “a little lower than the angels” (Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2:7, 8 [note that these verses are set within a context having to do with governmental rule]).
(But, as will be shown, this rule from the heavens [a rule from Satan’s domain in the heavens through men upon the earth] has to do with the Gentile nations alone, not with Israel.)
Satan is the provincial ruler, the ruler over all the Gentile nations. Then under Satan, within his heavenly kingdom, there are lesser (but powerful) rulers governing various individual nations. Then under these angelic rulers, still within the heavenly kingdom, there is a further breakdown of powers and authorities (note “the kings of Persia,” which could only be a division of rulers under “the prince of Persia”). Then “the prince of Greece” is mentioned (in a prophetic frame of reference) because he ruled, from the heavens, over the earthly kingdom that would eventually succeed the kingdom of Babylon under the Medes and Persians.
As seen in Daniel chapter ten, among the Gentile nations on earth, all existing government is structured after a parallel fashion to an existing government in the heavens. There is a breakdown of powers under the earthly rulers that corresponds to a breakdown of powers under the heavenly rulers. And, accordingly, there is no such thing as Gentile rulers occupying positions of power and authority during the present time apart from occupying these positions directly under a breakdown of powers within the kingdom of Satan.
Thus, (1) God sovereignly rules over all, (2) Satan rules under God, (3) angels within the kingdom of Satan rule under him (occupying various positions of power and authority), and (4) man then rules under these angels (holding various counterpart/parallel positions on earth to those held by angels ruling under Satan in the heavens). And since both fallen angels and fallen men are involved in the government of the earth, numerous things would be done outside the will of God; but nothing would be done outside God’s sovereign control of matters.
Exactly to what extent earthly rulers are influenced and moved to act on the basis of decrees and determinations rendered by their counterparts in the heavens could only be open to speculation. There are fallen creatures ruling in the ranks of both, and Satan’s kingdom itself is presently in disarray (note again that two-thirds of the angels formerly ruling under Satan refused to have a part in his rebellion [Revelation 12:4]). Suffice it to say though that possibly far more acts by world leaders than we may realize conceivably have their origin in prior decrees and determinations rendered by powerful fallen angels in Satan’s kingdom in the heavens.
But, there is one exception to the preceding type rulership among men on earth and angels in Satan’s kingdom. The nation of Israel is not to be “reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9; cf. Deuteronomy 7:6). Scripture reveals that Michael is the “prince” among heavenly angelic beings over Israel (Daniel 10:21), and Michael is not part of Satan’s present kingdom.
Thus, there is the major governmental distinction between Israel and the Gentile nations which would have allowed God to place Israel at the head of the nations within a theocracy during Old Testament days, out from under Satan’s governmental control. Israel could have ruled the nations, within a theocracy, apart from Satan’s kingdom (Exodus 19:5, 6). But no Gentile nation has ever occupied or ever will occupy a governmental position of the nature occupied and held by Israel.
(Refer to the author’s book, God’s Firstborn Sons, chapter 2, for more information along the preceding lines.)
2. Watchers and Holy Ones
Daniel chapter four, along with showing God’s sovereign control over the entire matter, reveals another behind-the-scenes facet of the earth’s government. This chapter deals with “watchers” and “holy ones” who are operative within God’s government of the earth (vv. 17, 23-26, 32).
Nebuchadnezzar was the first king of Babylon within the framework of that period covered by the book of Daniel — “the times of the Gentiles,” beginning with that period depicted by the head of gold on the image in chapter two and ending with that period depicted by the feet part of iron and part of clay on the same image (vv. 37-45). God had given Nebuchadnezzar a kingdom and had established him as the ruler. And along with the kingdom and position of power; God had given him strength, glory, majesty, and honor (cf. 2:37, 38; 4:17, 25, 32; 5:18).
Nebuchadnezzar though looked upon the matter after a different fashion. Nebuchadnezzar looked at his kingdom, his position, and all that he possessed, and said,
Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty? (Daniel 4:30)
And because Nebuchadnezzar had failed to recognize that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will” (vv. 17, 25, 32), all that he possessed was taken from him. He was suddenly stripped of his power, strength, glory, majesty, and honor; and he was driven into the field to eat grass as the oxen for seven years. And he was forced to remain in this position until he recognized the truth about the origin of all that he possessed as king of Babylon (4:32ff).
The matter of Nebuchadnezzar’s attitude and his removal from power is where the “watchers” and “holy ones” enter into the picture. They are revealed as the ones who acted on the Lord’s behalf through watching affairs within the kingdom, issuing decrees, demanding that certain action be taken, and then themselves carrying out that action. And that which they did, acting after this fashion under what could only have been fixed laws previously established by God, was looked upon as having been done by the Lord Himself (cf. 4:17, 23-32; 5:18-20).
Within this same light, since the watchers and holy ones were the individuals who actually removed Nebuchadnezzar from power and stripped him of all that he possessed, it would logically appear correct to view the watchers and holy ones as having also previously acted on the Lord’s behalf after this same fashion in establishing Nebuchadnezzar in his position of power, at the beginning. And, in this same respect, they were apparently also the ones who reestablished Nebuchadnezzar in the kingdom after he had spent seven years in the fields, removed from the kingdom.
The Lord uses angels after this and related fashions in numerous facets of everything which He does. Note for example that the law was given through “the disposition of angels [‘the direction of angels’ — God sovereignly acting through angels],” though the Lord Himself was present (Exodus 19:3; 24:16-18; Acts 7:38, 53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2). Then note how angels will be very instrumental in bringing matters to pass during the coming seven-year Tribulation, as revealed in the book of Revelation (cf. 7:1; 8:2; 10:1; 14:6; 15:1; 16:1; 17:1; 18:1; 19:14). And, during the present time, angels are very instrumental in the Holy Spirit’s mission to acquire a bride for God’s Son, though the Holy Spirit Himself is present (cf. Hebrews 1:13, 14; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14).
Events surrounding the destruction of the cities of the plain during Abraham’s day provide an example of activity within the angelic world similar to that seen in Daniel chapter four. In this case a report had been presented to the Lord concerning activity in the cities of the plain; and the Lord, in the company of two angels, went down to see for Himself whether or not they had done “altogether according to the cry of it.” But even going down to see for Himself (though, in His omniscience, God already knew everything about that which He had come down to see), the two accompanying angels were the ones who actually went on down into Sodom to see and act on the Lord’s behalf. The Lord remained with Abraham in the high country, removed from the cities in the plain (Genesis 18:20-22; 19:1ff).
The two angels, acting on the Lord’s behalf after this fashion (acting under fixed laws, previously established by God), conducted matters after such a manner that the Lord Himself was looked upon as the One doing these things. For example, the two angels brought about the destruction of the cities of the plain, but the Lord Himself was said to be the One Who destroyed these cities (Genesis 19:13, 24).
And that’s the fashion after which the present government of the earth has been established and is being carried out. God is sovereign, and He so rules. Nothing escapes His attention; nor is anything done apart from His sovereign control of matters. He is the One who establishes and removes rulers, along with bestowing upon these rulers all that they possess; and He carries out all things within His kingdom through angels who hold various assigned positions and act on His behalf.
(Also note man acting in a similar capacity [1 Samuel 15:1, 17], though angels undoubtedly had a prior part in the matter.)
Satan and his angels are still in power (acting on the Lord’s behalf, though in a rebel capacity) and will remain in this position until the end of the Tribulation. And man throughout the Gentile nations, occupying positions of power and authority today, must, of necessity, occupy these positions directly under Satan and his angels.
There is no alternate form under which any present government among the Gentiles nations can find itself established today.
3. Earthly Rulers
All rulers on earth today are like Nebuchadnezzar in the sense that they have received everything that they possess from the Lord (their positions of power, glory, honor, etc.). The Lord is the One who, through the direction of angels, placed them in their respective positions of power and bestowed upon them all that they possess. And, in this capacity, they are as Cyrus, King of Persia during Daniel’s day, or Saul, King of Israel during David’s day — “the Lord’s anointed” (cf. 1 Samuel 15:17; Isaiah 45:1).
And within a Scriptural framework, it is very wrong to do that which is being done on a massive scale today — bring accusations against the Lord’s anointed. Such accusations can only reflect, after a negative fashion, upon the Lord Himself, the One previously placing these individuals in their respective positions.
Note that those under Moses who rebelled against his divinely appointed leadership were, in reality, rebelling against the One who appointed him. They were rebelling against God Himself (cf. Numbers 14:2, 9).
This is why David had such respect for the Lord’s anointed, Saul, even though Saul was a rebel king (typifying Satan within the overall framework of the type). Saul had been placed in his position by God, and this had to be recognized and dealt with accordingly (1 Samuel 15:1, 17). David refused to stretch forth his hand against Saul during the time he was in exile (1 Samuel 24:6). Then he later had one of his men slay the Amalekite who had previously slain Saul; and this was for a reason that went far beyond God’s command to slay Amalek and all that he had (cf. Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:3). This particular Amalekite had “slain the Lord’s anointed” (cf. 1 Samuel 26:9-11; 31:3-6; 2 Samuel 1:14-16).
Even Michael, when contending with Satan about the body of Moses, wouldn’t bring “a railing accusation” against him for the simple reason that Satan was (and remains today) the Lord’s anointed. Michael simply said, “The Lord rebuke you” (cf. Ezekiel 28:14; Jude 9).
There was a case during David’s day where a man cursed the Lord’s anointed and cast stones at him. And the question was later asked, “Shall not Shimei [the guilty party] be put to death for this…?” (2 Samuel 16:5-7; 19:21). Though Shimei received mercy at the hands of David (19:22, 23), his previous actions had been such that the death penalty was brought into consideration.
4. Christians and Politics
All of the preceding, for Christians, insofar as earthly rulers are concerned, should really be neither here nor there. Christians really should not find themselves involved in the politics of this present world system after any fashion, for Scripture clearly reveals that their political involvement with the government of the earth lies in an entirely different realm.
Scripture states,
For our citizenship is in heaven [lit., presently exists in (the) heavens]; from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
The word, “citizenship,” is a translation of the Greek word, politeuma, and is a form of the Greek word from which we derive our English word “politics” (from politikos). Accordingly, the thought within “citizenship” as a translation of politeuma would have to do with “politics.” That stated in the Greek text of this verse, in this respect, could perhaps best be conveyed in English by translating, “For our political sphere of activity presently exists in the heavens . . . .”
This heavenly political sphere of activity during the present time would center itself on the heavenly warfare (Ephesians 6:10ff), with a view to Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom. Satan and his angels still occupy their appointed positions in the heavens. Thus, Christians cannot rule from a heavenly sphere today.
The objective though is to overcome in the present warfare in view of one day being accorded a position in the kingdom of the heavens after Christ takes the kingdom and Satan and his angels have been put down. In this respect, Christ is to replace Satan, and Christians are to replace the incumbent rulers presently holding positions of power under Satan (cf. 2 Samuel 1:10; 2:4; 5:3; Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 20:23; Revelation 2:26, 27; 3:21; 11:15; 19:11ff).
(Refer to the appendix for additional information concerning Christ replacing Satan and Christians replacing angels ruling under Satan in the coming kingdom.)
With these things in mind, it’s a simple matter to understand how a Christian would be completely out of place involving himself in the political activities of this present world system. His present political sphere of activity is in an entirely different realm — both as to time and place. His outlook, politically, is to be heavenly and future, not earthly and present. It is to encompass the same time and place that the goal of the race in which he is presently involved lies. And while running this race he is not to look around; rather he is to keep his eyes fixed on the goal and not be distracted by the things of this present world system (Hebrews 12:1, 2).
Should a Christian though choose to involve himself within the present system, he would only be involving himself in a system lying under the governing control of the god of this age. And should he aspire to hold a political office in the present system, he would only be seeking to hold a position of power under a fallen angel in the kingdom of Satan.
It would be impossible for a Christian to involve himself in the present world system and, at the same time, keep his eyes fixed on the goal out ahead. These two realms of involvement are completely incongruous; they are totally at odds with one another.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:4, 5)
In short, this is not the day in which Christians are to have a part in the governmental affairs of the earth. That day for them, as it does for Christ, lies in the future (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1-8).
Future Government of the Earth
The future government of the earth is destined to be administered by man. Man was brought into existence for this purpose, and, according to Romans 11:29, “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance [‘without a change of mind’].” God will not change His mind concerning the reason He called man into existence.
The world to come will not be ruled by angels, but by man (Hebrews 2:5). This is really the message of the whole of Scripture. This is the manner in which Scripture both opens and closes; and the central reason for the fall and purpose surrounding redemption must be understood within this same framework.
But, prior to the purpose for redemption being realized, Satan is going to engineer his final thrust to thwart God’s plans and purposes. He is going to bring his man upon the scene, the seed of the serpent — Antichrist (Genesis 3:15). We’re told though, in this same section of Scripture, at the very beginning, 6,000 years before it actually occurs that the Seed of the woman will have the final word in the matter. He will be the Victor in that day (cf. Genesis 3:15; Daniel 7:11; 11:36-45; Revelation 19:11ff), and then God’s purpose for bringing man into existence will begin to be realized.
1. Day of Antichrist
Satan is to one day give “his power, his throne, and great authority” to the final ruler of the kingdom of Babylon (Revelation 13:2). This is the power, position, and authority that was given to him, by God, in the beginning; and he can, in turn, give it “to whomsoever” he wishes (Ezekiel 28:14; Luke 4:5, 6), which is exactly what he will do in the middle of the coming Tribulation.
Satan will give unto Antichrist the same thing that he offered to Christ in the temptation account (Luke 4:5, 6). Antichrist, unlike Christ, will accept the offer, and this man will then rule the earth in this capacity for three and one-half years, resulting in troublous times of such a nature that no parallel will have existed throughout man’s past 6,000-year history. Scripture states,
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21, 22)
The elect is a reference to “Israel.” For Israel’s sake, those days will be shortened. Then, through Christ’s return at the end of this period, God will bring an end to the earth’s present existing governmental system. The “times of the Gentiles” will be brought to an end by a final and fatal blow at the center of Gentile world power — the Stone smiting the image at its feet, the final form of Gentile world power (Daniel 2:34, 35, 44, 45). Babylon will be destroyed, Antichrist and those ruling with him will be put down, and Satan will be bound in the abyss for 1,000 years (Revelation 18:1-20:2). “Man’s Day” will, through this sequence of events, be brought to a close; and then Christ and His co-heirs will move in and take over the government.
2. Day of Christ
In that coming day when Christ and His co-heirs ascend the throne together and jointly exercise power over the earth, Israel will have been reestablished back in her proper place at the head of the nations. And man, in that day, will rule both from the heavens and on the earth.
The Church will be established as the ruling nation in the heavens, exercising power with Christ from His own throne (cf. Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9, 10; Revelation 3:21); and Israel will be established as the ruling nation on earth, with Christ reigning from David’s throne in the nation’s midst (cf. Joel 2:27-32; Luke 1:31-33). Rulership will emanate from Jerusalem above and from Jerusalem below, through the seed of Abraham (Christ, Israel, and the Church). And the Gentile nations will, in turn, be blessed through the seed of Abraham, fulfilling verses such as Genesis 12:3; 22:17, 18.
That will be the day in which man will come into a full realization of his very existence. And when that future day is ushered in, there will be a 1,000-year period, to be followed by an eternity of endless ages, in which man will occupy positions in God’s government over not only this earth but ultimately out in the universe as well. |