ISAIAH’S END-TIME TIMELINE
Isaiah’s End-time Timeline Chapter 43
THE INVESTITURE OF JESUS CHRIST
Genesis 22:17, Zechariah 12:10, Daniel 2, Revelation 4-5, 12
ISAIAH 43:1 “But NOW….”…. refers to the fury of God brought out in Chapter 42 and directly back to verses 24 & 25. Which answers to, or has in view, the last of the Tribulation or last of Jacob’s Trouble. In that then, the “…fullness of the Gentiles be come in.…” Which is to be comprehended as to be fulfilled in Revelation 14. Let’s pick up in verse 14: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with aloud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe [1st Corinthians 15 & 1Thessalonians 4]; And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
Now immediately following the great Harvest of Gentiles, comes the climactic fury of His Anger upon the earth. This is seen in the continuing on in Revelation 14:17, “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of thousand and six hundred furlongs.”
Now picking back up with Isaiah 43:1, it is to this future time God speaks these assuring Words to His promised seed of Abraham. “….Fear not: for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” God continues speaking in terms of endearment to the people of Israel as He says, “….I have redeemed thee…I gave Egypt for your ransom…and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.” There is an illusion to a natural man’s blood being shed that has a ransoming effect, that God may have a covenant people established on the earth. Additionally, of course we see shadowed in the Words, the life for life / Blood for blood redemption of Jesus Christ. As it took the Blood of a Heavenly Man to purchase the realm of the spirit in the heavens. That is to say the Blood of Son of God/Son of man that transcends the earth into the heavenly realms. (Thus the Woman of Revelation 12 is depicted as both in heavens and earth).
But expanding on the past great ransoming works, He goes on to span a time in the future, and mentions the end-time Greater Redemption than that out of Egypt, in Isaiah 43 verse 18. “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth: shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. ….I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself: they shall shew forth my praise.” In the greater part, He here alludes to the end time persecuted elect of Israel supernaturally delivered in the desert from the chasing forces of the Anti-Christ. [Revelation 12:14-16] And in the unveiling of the Messiah to surviving Israel, 3 ½ years later. [Zechariah 12:10] Jesus Christ’s sinless Blood has the merit and right to Redeem and answers to both the earth and the heavenly realm associated with the earth, to which the “New Man” exclusively through Him has gained an entrance.
In that the Jews who have pursued their righteousness under and according to the Old Covenant in the rejecting of Jesus Christ as their Messiah, they have but the hope of an earthly inheritance under the blood Covenant of God who ransomed/kept them according to these descriptive Scriptures of Isaiah 43. And once seeing Jesus Christ, at His 2nd Coming, they receive Him, and become participants in that New Covenant which has to do with them specifically. And participants of that promised latter day outpouring of the Holy Spirit associated with Jesus Christ, their Messiah’s Atonement. And in the fellowship of that granted power, they become preeminent in the Earth, becoming as Abraham’s seed. Being, finally, the promised blessing to the Gentiles on the Millennial earth.
Wherein these two groups and their perspective inheritances we find the Scriptural understanding of the blessings of Abraham in both seeds. One being His direct progeny and the other indirectly in the Seed/Jesus the Christ, alluded to in Genesis 22:17. “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.…”
And in the 43rd chapter.… After the fullness of the Gentiles come in, and after the great winepress of the wrath of God, we have the descriptive Words of verses 5-7, of the Messiah’s Millennial Earthly Kingdom call of fulfilled promise to the elect earthly seed of Abraham. In that He will, “….bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” See also Ezekiel 36.
Isaiah 43 verse 9 puts forth the challenge to all the nations. “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare the meanings of these things…” That is to say who, of all these wise pagan idol worshipers can give the meanings of those words of the past dealings with Israel, His witness in the earth and the end of these mystic things here declared?
THE “MEANINGS OF THESE THINGS”
THE RELEVANCE and meanings of these things is found in THE FUTURE INVESTITURE OF JESUS CHRIST, laid out for our view in the book of Revelation chapters 4 & 5. Wherein we have the continuing Word to John; having written about those things which are, in the first 3 chapters, that is the Church in the Age of Grace and Mercy. Chapter 4 presents the future scene as it relates to the proceedings of Jesus Christ’s homage and investiture as King of Kings. “…things which must be here-after. And immediately I was in the spirit and behold, a throne was (being) set in heaven(s), and one sat on the throne” (This setting up of the Throne of Justice and Judgment, with its accompanying heavenly Beings, is much like the temporary setting up of the Judgment Throne seen in Ezekiel chapters 1-10 regarding Israel of that day.)
Revelation 5:1 begins to discover unto us the transitional change in dispensations from the calling out of the Gentiles, a people, to now the promised part of the New Covenant with united and restored Israel. The moving into that next dispensation; the Millennial Kingdom of Justice. (To be followed by the completeness of the New Covenant, that includes the restoration of all things and the eternal Age following.)
All these, the entire NEW COVENANT, is to be realized in the Investiture of Jesus Christ. “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” It is the book of THE NEW Covenant, based upon the Blood of Jesus Christ, as opposed to those Covenants made with mere man. It’s God’s secret purposes; it is the book of the Kingdom of God realized; and encompasses the ‘New Covenant’ with Israel. [Hebrews 8:8-12] Revelation 5 Verse 2: “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals?” This future proclamation was in view with the question in Isaiah 43:9 & 44:7.… “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things?……..and the things that are coming…..And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me…. and shall come, let them show unto them.”
Verse 3 “And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book neither to look thereon.”
Verse 4 “And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the and to read the book, neither to look thereon.”
Verse 5 “And one of the elders saith unto me, weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David…” (These titles tie Him to ancient prophesies of Israel. In these names He now will stand, aligned with Israel, as their avenger and Ruler. As the enemies of Israel are His enemies, thus the judgments associated with the book should be understood from an Old Covenant perspective.) “…..hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” (Jesus’ victory over satan and world had the heavenly calling to the Overcomer in view as well as the opening of this book.)”
Verse 6 “And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (It is in the character of the Lamb He now presently stands in association with the Church of the new man, in which He will also stand as He begins to open the seals. But He shall shortly begin to manifest also this Kingly part of this His Investiture.)”
Verse 7 “And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.” (The Lamb’s worthiness alone qualified Him to receive the book of the New Covenant.)
Verse 8 “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints.” (In the seeing of God’s Will, now the Angels follow by willingly acknowledging the Lamb as the only worthy Mediator of God and His appointed Bride, Replacing them in the priestly ministry, these Angels own the right of Jesus and His people to rule. Connected with this is the resistance of those satanic angels who will resist the elevation of the Bride to rule with Christ in that heavenly realm. But they will not prevail and will be overthrown and cast out of that realm.)
Verse 9 “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us (them) to God by they blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…”
Verse 10 “And hast made us (them) unto our God kings and priests: and we (they) shall reign on (over) the earth. (Here then the reasons for the Investiture; the fulfilling through His willing death all the demands of the previous dispensations. This is the Woman’s Seed, Abel’s offering, Noah’s better sacrifice for Peace, Abraham’s Seed Sacrifice…better than Isaac, the better Passover Lamb. It is the Lamb of God, slain to take away the sin of the entire universe, Whose Blood is the basis, both for the redemption and kingly priestly authority in which He and the Bride will now Rule.)
Verses 11-14 “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels roundabout the throne and the beasts and the elder: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousand; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, an glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever an ever An the four beast said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever an ever.” Jesus receives the kingdom from the Father and Christ’s redeemed receive it from Christ. In that, “to him that overcomes will I give power over the nations…..” The resignation of the elders are comprehended in this scene. They are reigning, offering incense as priests and seated on thrones. The rule of Christ’s Bride is appointed in the Millennial Kingdom and the Angels will be excluded. (See Hebrews 2.) All these things are comprehended in the Book.
For clearer understanding of what God is declaring, let us look at the Type: Nebuchadnezzar and his dream lost answers to the sealed book of Revelation 5, in that God is the Anti-type of King Nebuchadnezzar. “If ye shew the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards, and great honor; therefore show me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.” All the magicians and the astrologers, and sorcerers, and Chaldeans, were summoned. But they are unable to restore the knowledge of the vision to the King. They ask for him to tell them the dream, and they will give him the interpretation of it. He replies, “Tell me the dream and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof.”
So it is we see in Revelation chapter 5 two things are required: To take the book, and to open its seals. But none can see the book, much less break the seals. The failure of the wise men of Babylon brings Daniel on the scene in front of the King. Daniel says to him, “The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, show unto the king. But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king what shall be in the latter days.” As soon as the matter was revealed, the king fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel…and commanded that they should offer an oblation, and sweet odours unto him.
This is much like the elders who fell before Jesus when He receives the book, which discloses the fullness of the Kingdom of God. Immediately, Daniel is made ruler over all the province of Babylon and made chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. As thus Jesus is exalted above the elders, who had occupied the thrones of government under God. What can also be seen is that as Daniel (and Joseph) were foreigners, but yet exalted over the existing powers. So Jesus, as the Son of Man created a little lower than Angels, is raised above them. Then Daniel requested of the King and set his fellows over the affairs of Babylon. The worthiness or merit of Daniel in the king’s eyes opens the door for his fellows to have dominion and favor as himself. And to this do the Angels declare in the Worthiness of Jesus Christ, that He has redeemed some of every nation, and made them kings and priests to God; and they were about to reign over the earth.
ANOTHER TYPE of the Investiture and the significance of the ‘two groups’ understanding. Jacob, who is Jesus Christ faced with Esau/Edom above, in the heavenly real, and below, on the earth. When Jacob was left alone when he wrestled, so was Jesus. And Jacob wrestled with that mysterious man, and his hip was put out of joint, yet he was declared an overcomer. “as a prince thou hast power with God and with man, and hast prevailed” So Jesus wrestled in the day of His agony, in the cause and case of man and satan. Jacob wrestled unto lameness, and receives the blessing. Jesus resisted unto Blood. Jesus willingly Crucified, then Resurrected to “Peniel”, (face to face with God) He wins the Prize set before Him. Whereas the Jews do not partake of the sinew, Christ’s disciples drink the Atonement Blood.
The “weep and sorrow not” for Jacob is seen in, “Thou hast power with men and with God, and hast prevailed.” And has in view the Words of Revelation 5: “Weep not; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David hath prevailed.” And the Words, “Thy name shall be no more called Jacob, but Israel. (Prince of God or Prince ruling with God) So Jesus, no longer the manifest Man of Sorrows, but here in Revelation at His Investiture, now stands in the office of High Priest and King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Now as it relates to the Risen Lord’s end time Tribulation confrontations with the serpent and Anti-Christ, He, like Jacob in the type, divides His family into two groups; the one set in harm’s way, and the other set apart, more precious in sight.
It is just here again that we find the shadows of the realities of the Investiture of Jesus Christ and the two groups within His Church set apart for the Millennial Kingdom of the heavens above and the earth below.
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