In our last post, we talked about how Elijah and Moses are archetypes of those who will enter Christ’s future Promised Kingdom. If you haven’t read it, you can access it here: The Hope Given Us Through Moses.

In that post, I raised two important questions: (1) Why are these examples important? and (2) Why were these acts achievable by these and not by others?

While I guess there are many proposed answers one could give, I think there are four that we should consider so we can understand this better.

1.      God had to overcome what mankind thought was the natural order of things.

Experience is not always the test of how things are supposed to be. People were living under a system they did not know was not the intended system for them. They had come to accept the world system for how they experienced it.

2.      But the world was not as it was supposed to be. Something changed.

Mankind was now operating under Satan’s rule and not under Adam’s. God had originally offered Adam a theocracy: an earthly rule with God leading Adam in his rule. Why was that not what was being experienced?

3.       God had to get mankind’s attention.

God needed to provide examples for mankind to ponder so they would recognize how their proper relationship was to be with Him. When things go against the norm, it makes one pause and ponder. Was it just a fluke, an abnormality, or is there something greater, something deeper, to consider?

4.      They reveal that the power of God is needed to restore what was lost.

These examples match with other scriptures to what God had planned for mankind’s future. As stated previously, these were examples of hope and as time went on, God provided more Scripture that further supported and substantiated what he had demonstrated through these examples.

So, if the world was not as it was to be, what caused it to change? For that, we need to go back to the beginning. In Genesis chapter 3, we find that Adam disobeyed God. Yet, the implication is that the act was more than just disobedience. Scripture tells us Adam actually rebelled against God. How do we know this? Consider these two verses:

As at Adam, they [Israel] have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there (Ho 6:7, NIV). God was saying Israel had rebelled against him just as Adam had rebelled.

And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner (1Ti 2:14). Some say this puts the responsibility of mankind’s consequences on Eve, but actually, Paul is implying just the opposite. He is saying Eve was deceived but Adam was not. He was there and did not stop her. He was in rebellion.

What was the consequence of rebellion brought onto the kingdom Adam was to receive? It seems mankind lost its dominion and power to Satan because Adam turned his dominion over to Satan by his act of rebellion. How do we know this? Consider the following Scripture references:

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only,’” (Mt 4:8-10, NIV). Christ did not tell Satan he did not have that authority. If he did not have that authority, it is very likely Christ would have called him out on that fact. So, for Christ not to do that, it means Satan really had the authority to offer this to Christ.

In addition, if Satan did not have this authority, then this would not have been a temptation to Christ. Satan was telling Christ he did not need to go to the cross and suffer so horrifically. He had the solution: he would give these earthly kingdoms to Christ and he could rule right then and there. Would that have been something to ponder? No suffering but still get an earthly kingdom. Christ did not even ponder this offer because it would mean utter ruin as Christ, the second person of the Godhead, would be subservient to Satan, a created being! No, that would never have worked and achieved what Christ came to accomplish. So, Christ’s answer was appropriate. Satan would not get worshipped. Christ is the one whom Satan should worship.

We then have this somewhat strange conversation in Job chapter 1: Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied, ”Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has in in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord (Jb 1:8-19, NIV).

It was only God’s hedge of protection that prevented Satan from doing as he pleased. What did Satan now have the power to do?

1.           Satan had the Sabeans attack and steal Job’s donkeys and oxen.

2.           Satan had fires destroy Job’s sheep and servants.

3.           Satan had the Chaldeans steal Job’s camels and kill his servants.

4.           Satan had a mighty wind collapse the house on Job’s sons and daughters where they were banqueting together.

This would indicate that Satan had the power to kill and destroy like any monarch of a kingdom would have the power to do. This lets us know Adam gave up quite a lot by his act of rebellion.

So, was all hope now gone? Oh, no. Of course not. That is not how God is or how he operates. In the midst of gloom, he always provides hope. Join me next week when we will see what amazing hope God provided. Until then. God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Elijah was a prophet for about 35 years during the reign of the wicked kings Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram of Israel, and we have most of what he did in the books of first and second Kings. He prophesied a drought in their land which lasted for three years, confronted the priests of Baal and destroyed them, prayed and the rain returned, prophesied accurately the deaths of both Ahab and his wife Jezebel, as well as the accurate death of their son, and later king, Azariah.

In addition, Elijah was translated to heaven without dying by being taking to heaven in a chariot of fire in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11). This was not by his own will, but by the aid of God. Elijah was translated by God even when God’s work in Israel was not complete and at the height of his ministry. If his ministry lasted for 35 years as stated above, this would likely have made him about 65 or 70 years of age at this time. This event parallels the future time when our work (i.e., that of the Church) will be complete even though God’s work on this earth is not.

Elijah serves as an archetype of how God will provide a way from future judgment for his followers from the Tribulation via the Receiving of his Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture, meaning “caught up”) for those alive at his coming.

Paul tells us of this: We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them [the dead in Christ] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1Th 4:17, NIV).

These are those who will become part of his future Promised Kingdom in which they will receive glorified bodies without having to experience physical death. Paul describes this as being changed in the twinkling of an eye (1Co 15:52).

Isn’t it wonderful how God has thought of everything and every contingency for us? We can always rest in his faithfulness (La 3:23).

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In our last post, I talked about four strange versus of hope. In that post, we looked at what the Bible said about Enoch. Today, I want us to look at what God did for Noah: I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you (Gn 6:17, 18, NIV).

God provided a way for Noah and his family to escape the consequence of his flood judgment. Yet, this was not a type of judgment like we think. It was actually him expressing his love for mankind, his creation. Satan was trying to reshape mankind into his image rather than remaining in God’s image. Genesis chapter 6 alludes to this with how the Nephilim were created and infiltrated the human genome. Only Noah and his family maintained a pure genome during this time (Gn 6:9). Without God instituting the flood, humankind would have ceased to exist. God was not going to allow that.

However, God did not judge quickly. He gave time for repentance. He could have restored them into perfect health if they had believed. Yet, they did not repent despite Noah speaking to them to do so for 120 years (Gn 6:3). God started over with Noah because of his faithfulness to him.

So the ark Noah built is an archetype of how God will provide a way from future judgment via the Receiving of his Bride, the Church (also called the Rapture [caught up], 1Th 4:16, 17.). Even this future judgment is not a normal judgment as its main purpose is to drive Jews and Israelites back to their homeland (Jr 23:3).

There are two individuals that fit into this archetype of the ark. These are Moses and Elijah. These we will discuss next time. I hope you join me. Solomon told us in Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun (Ec 1:9), and Paul tells us that what things occurred in the Old Testament were for examples and warnings to us (1Co 10:11).

God is so great by giving us examples of hope that can increase our faith and increase our hope because we know what he tells us will come to pass. So, be encouraged. We have a wonderful future to look forward to if we trust in him. I hope you have. If not, there is no time like the present. Until next time. God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

During the last post, we were exploring what heaven was like before Christ’s first coming. We discovered that something different happened for Enoch, Moses, and Elijah than for other humans. The Bible seems to imply that these three went to heaven and not to Sheol as did others at that time. Yet, there are some who believe that was not the case. Their argument is based almost entirely on a New Testament verse. Let’s explore that further.

Some quote, “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man” (Jn 3:13). Yet, we first must take this verse in its context – Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus how to receive eternal life. Only the one who came from heaven, died, is resurrected, and ascends back to heaven can provide that. This verse is referring to volitionally doing so. Only Jesus had the means and power to do so on his own accord. Enoch, Moses, and Elijah did not volitionally ascend into heaven. God took them. They had no power on their own accord to do so. Therefore, this verse does not preclude these three from also being in heaven. We also do not need to fabricate how these three were placed in another location until God used them again.

Then, there are others who claim Elijah was back on earth after he was supposedly taken to heaven. They refer to a verse in 2nd Chronicles: “Jehoram [son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah] received a letter from Elijah the prophet . . .” (2Ch 21:12). This event occurred after the death of Jehoshaphat, yet Elijah was translated before the death of Jehoshaphat. Is there a rational explanation? I think there is. The word translated ‘letter’ is usually translated ‘writing’ in most other places. Therefore, Jehoram received a writing from Elijah (likely delivered by Elisha or another prophet). This is a simple, yet plausible, explanation and would not be inconsistent with the delivery of prophecy. Elijah made sure it was delivered at the specified time after he was taken away. This would ensure the delivery would have its maximum effect upon the king. Unfortunately, the king was un-phased even with such a prophetic delivery.

It is interesting that we find these three Old Testament individuals also represent how people will enter Christ’s earthly Promised Kingdom once he returns. The following table shows this:

So, what is the purpose of these three individuals receiving such special treatment? It is two-fold. First, these individuals provided hope and a promise to those who lived prior to Christ’s first coming that whoever would put their faith in the coming Messiah would eventually be with him. And second, it showed Old Testament saints, and even us today, the type of people who will be part of the Messiah’s future kingdom.

Why were only Moses & Elijah transfigured with Christ? Jesus would be building his church and his future bride would be composed of those who would be resurrected and those who would be translated.

Does this have anything to do with the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation (Rv 11)? The actions of these two are reminiscent of actions and miracles of Moses and Elijah. Since Moses and Elijah already have glorified bodies, the two witnesses may not be them specifically, but may represent, or be prototypes, of the types of individuals these two witnesses will be.

Okay, let’s summarize. Prior to Christ’s first coming, only the Trinity and angels had access to heaven. None of the righteous (those placing their faith in the coming Messiah), with three exceptions, were in Heaven prior to Christ’s first coming. Enoch, Moses, and Elijah gave hope to Israel they would one day be with their Messiah. These three are prophetic of the type of people who will make up Christ’s future earthly kingdom: those who will be alive at the time of Christ’s second coming (represented by Enoch), those who were part of the Rapture prior to Christ’s second coming (represented by Elijah), and those who will be resurrected either at the Rapture or at the time of Christ’s second coming (represented by Moses). These examples also demonstrate to us today that the Old Testament is proof of the prophecy to be fulfilled in the New Testament. What hasn’t been fulfilled yet will still be fulfilled in our future. We can trust God is faithful to bring to pass what his Word says.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

When we think of the word ‘heaven,’ there are three places the Bible describes using the same word. Here are a few examples.

1. First Heaven – Sky. Isaiah spoke of this: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater . . . (Is 55:10).

2. Second Heaven – Outer Space. Moses spoke of this: And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon, and the stars – all the heavenly array – do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under the heaven (Dt 4:19).

3. Third Heaven – Where God is. Paul spoke of this: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven (2Co 12:2). The psalmist spoke of this: The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne . . . (Ps 11:4). And Solomon spoke of this: But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you . . . (2Ch 6:18).

It’s the third heaven we want to concentrate on for this post. So, who occupies this third heaven? Based upon a previous post, we know that changed over the course of earth’s history. Let’s focus on its occupancy before Christ came to earth the first time. Here are the occupants the Bible speaks of and some of the supporting verses:

1.      First Person of Trinity (God the Father). We find God in the beginning: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gn 1:1). He also revealed himself to the Israelites at Mount Sinai after they were rescued from Egypt: Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire (Ex 19:18a).

2.      Second Person of Trinity (God the Son – Jesus Christ). The Bible tells us he was there with God in the beginning: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image…” (Gn 1:26). Also, after God appeared to the Israelites in the smoke and fire on Mount Sinai, this second person of the Godhead appeared to their leaders: Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank (Ex 24:9-11). I find this awe inspiring because right after God gave the command to stay off the mountain because they were not holy, he met with them to show his grace.

3.      Third Person of Trinity (God the Holy Spirit). Even the Holy Spirit was with God in the beginning: Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Gn 1:2). The Holy Spirit was also given to many of the Israelite leaders: Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders (Nu 11:25a).

4.      Angels. The Bible speaks of both righteous angels and unrighteous angels, or demons, who followed Lucifer (also called the devil, the Adversary, or Satan).

Let’s now focus on these angels for a few minutes. The word ‘angel’ simply means ‘messenger.’ It is humans who have genericized what angels look like and what they do. The Bible actually gives us a look into these creatures whom God created. They are not all the same and they do not all have the same occupation or the same rank. Yet, they all are messengers who carry out the will of God:

1.      Cherubim (Ek 1:5-24; 10:1-22) – These are the highest rank of angels with the closest relationship to God, and a major part of God’s moving chariot throne

2.      Seraphim (Is 6:1-7) - They cover the unique presence of God and his throne.

3.      Four Living Beings (Rv 4:6-9) - They exalt God day and night.

4.      Archangel (1Th 4:16; Ju 1:9) - Chief Messenger and ruling angel.

5.      Angels – (Mt 24:36; 25:31; Hb 1:6; Ro 8:38; 1Pt 3:22) - These are messengers who carry out the message God wants delivered.

6.      Satan – (Jb 1:6; Rv 12:10) – Satan himself is an angel, a created being, who is submissive to God. He does not have equal billing or influence. The Bible does state he has access to heaven and to God, at least at certain times. Scriptures also tells us that one day his access will be revoked, and he will no longer be granted such access.

7.      Demons - (Ro 8:38; 1Co 15:24; Ep 1:21, 2:22, 3:10, 6:12; Cl 1:16, 2:10, 15; 1Pt 3:22) – These are under Satan and his authority. They may or may not have access to heaven. They also have ranks and are described as principalities, might, powers, dominions, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places, authorities, rulers, and thrones.

The Second Person of the Godhead (who later became known as Jesus Christ) has always been the part of the Trinity who has reached out to humans and revealed attributes of God to them. There are many examples of this, and theologians have termed these Old Testament visits, or pre-incarnate visits, as Christophanies: Adam & Eve (Gn 3:8-9), Abraham (Gn 18:1), Children of Israel (Ex 23:20-21), Moses, Aaron, and elders (Ex 24:9-11), Joshua (Js 5:13-15), and Manoah and his wife (Jd 13:2-23). While this is not an exhaustive list, it does help us see and understand God was in constant communication with humans even before the Holy Spirit was given to all Christians.

There are some other individuals we must consider. There are three humans who the Bible state were taken to heaven before Christ’s first coming. Let’s take a look at them and see what that implies.

Enoch. The Bible states, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Gn 5:24). Later, we read, “by faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God” (Hb 11:5). And we find he was a prophet in his day: Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “see, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Ju 1:14). Therefore, Enoch preached of the Messiah coming to set up his earthly kingdom. How he entered heaven is how many will enter Christ’s kingdom. They, too, will not die but still be alive when Christ returns to earth again to set up his kingdom. They will literally, walk into his kingdom.

Moses. God told the children of Israel their promised coming Messiah would be recognizable because he would come as a prophet like Moses: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him” (Dt 18:15). When Moses died, God, himself buried him: “And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is” (Dt 34:5-6). Yet, Moses did not stay buried. We read of this unusual event in Jude: “But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘the Lord rebuke you’” (Ju 1:9)! The reason we believe he did not stay dead is because he appeared with Christ and three of his disciples: “Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus” (Lk 9:30-31). Therefore, the disputed body may have been over Moses’ glorified body. If Moses was resurrected, Satan may have argued over Moses not staying in Sheol. Christ had not yet come and defeated death and Sheol, so Satan may have argued this was premature of God to raise Moses at this time. This would be consistent with the similarity between Moses and Jesus.

Elijah. He was another that did not face death in this life: “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind” (2Ki 2:11). This was a testimony to the message Elijah had constantly wanted his people to realize and understand about God: God is alive, and they can put their trust in him. Recall what he told the Israelites: “Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him’” (1Ki 18:21). This became a promise to Israel in that they would one day be with God if they remained faithful to their belief in their Messiah. Elijah also appeared along with Moses to Christ and three of his disciples: “Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus” (Lk 9:30-31).

There are some controversies around what I just presented. Next time, we’ll explore this further and see what the likely purpose of why these three individuals received special treatment. It may not be what you expect. Stay turned and find out. Until then, God bless.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens