I am therefore seeking, with God’s help to produce some simplified summaries of helpful articles, papers and ministry, presented in a way that is more intelligible to Christians in the 21st century, and accessible using current technology, and above all free of sectarianism, the ministry being for the whole Church of God. I seek humbly to keep to the essential message, and cover it adequately without introducing my own ideas and thoughts. The site is in its early stages www.adayofsmallthings.com. Please have a look at it.
Sosthenes
Dear brother or sister in the Lord
Having retired I have been seeking direction from God as to how to use my time, abilities and resources to His glory, whilst recognising limitations, both physical and above all spiritual.
As some may know I have done some translation work on JND’s letters, so his ministry has been opened up to me more freshly. For many years I had regarded it as beyond me in many ways, and I would still say that it is as Peter said of Paul ‘hard to be understood’.
If that is true of me, what of my fellow believers, most of whom have not enjoyed the privileges I have had of being under teaching, and able to participate in reading meetings where this ministry, and that of others, were valued and generally felt to be of the Spirit of God.
I am therefore seeking, with God’s help to produce some simplified summaries of helpful articles, papers and ministry, presented in a way that is more intelligible to Christians in the 21st century, and accessible using current technology, and above all free of sectarianism, the ministry being for the whole Church of God. I seek humbly to keep to the essential message, and cover it adequately without introducing my own ideas and thoughts. The site is in its early stages www.adayofsmallthings.com. Please have a look at it.
In order not to draw attention to myself, I am using a pseudonym, Sosthenes (he just wanted to be a brother). Sosthenes Hoadelphos on Facebook; @BroSosthenes on Twitter.
The ministry itself, of course, is not infallible: and my simplified summaries are certainly not. Without getting into arguments I would value the comments as to content or style by any who feel I have not explained things well, or have missed the point. Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness Psalm 141:5.
I look forward to your comments, either by e-mail (Sosthenes@adoss.co.uk) or by making comments on the site.
Detaching us from the world.
Making us intelligent of the character of God, and of His ways towards us.
Satan opposes the truth, and that must include prophecy
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.1 – The Importance of Prophecy
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
A summary of the 11th Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘Summing Up, and Conclusion’
To make us intelligent of the character of God, and His ways towards us.
Satan opposes the truth, and that must include prophecy. He says,
‘Follow morality, not doctrine; otherwise you might be freed from his power’. Or
‘Neglect prophecy, because in it is found the judgment of this world’, (of which he is the prince.)
Prophecy throws light upon the dispensations of God; so that we understand the freedom of our souls towards Him. Dispensational error confounds the law and the gospel, and past economies or dispensations with the present one.
If we judge ourselves according to the law, we cannot find peace. Many Christians are troubled through not fully understanding the difference between the position of the saints of the old (law) dispensation and the saints of the current dispensation of grace. The study of prophecy clears things up such points and enlightens the faithful as to their walk and manner of life. For, while it always maintains free salvation by the death of Jesus, prophecy enables us to understand the difference between the standing of the saints now under grace and those of a former time under law and promise.
Hope acts upon our hearts and affections. As we become more intelligent as to the future, our enjoyment of Christianity must increase. If we ignore prophecy, our thoughts do not go beyond the present. God in His word has given us what His intentions are for the future. Prophecy outlines things to come; it is the scriptural mirror. If we refuse to study what God has revealed as to the future, we inevitably fall back on our own ideas.
Some cite the scripture, ‘I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified’ (1 Corinthians 2:2) to justify our ignoring prophecy. Paul doubtless wished to set himself at variance with the know-all ‘kings’ in that city. We are not to limit ourselves to the knowledge of Jesus Christ crucified. We must also know Jesus Christ glorified, Jesus Christ at the right hand of God; we must know Him as High Priest; as Advocate with the Father. We ought to know Jesus Christ as much as possible. ‘Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,let us go on unto perfection.[1]’ (Hebrews 6:1).
God has a perfect plan for the future: the more we enter into their minute details; the more perfection appears[2].
How God has revealed Himself in Prophecy.
Revelation 12 gives us final combat between Christ, the last Adam, and Satan. The fight was either for the earthly object (the Jews) or the heavenly object (the Church).
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun… and she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (v. 1,4)
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon… and the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan… And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. (v. 7,9-10)
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (v. 17)
For the crisis of the combat between Satan and the last Adam to be understood, scripture had to develop the history of the first Adam – hence so much of scripture concerns man’s failings. We, Christians with the life-giving Spirit and living during the church-time period separating the first coming of the Lord from the second, are to have a better understanding of the eternal counsels of God. The Church is being gathered by the action of the Holy Spirit to have part in the glory of Christ at His return. Then, at the Rapture, the Church is taken from out of all nations, and united to Him.
Christ found the first Adam in a state of ruin – entirely lost. The whole state of man, before and after the deluge, under the law, under the prophets, only served as a clear attestation that man was lost. He had failed altogether, under every possible circumstance, until, God having sent His Son, the servants said, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him’ (Luke 20:14). Sin abounded, but the grace of God over-abounded (See Romans 5:21).
Prophecy in the Old Testament
When Israel had transgressed in every possible way and circumstance, under Ahaz in the family of David, prophecy commences in all its details, having these two features:
The manifestation of the glory of Christ, showing that the people had failed under the law.
The manifestation of the coming glory of Christ, to be the support of the faith of those who desired to keep the law.
The word of God, predicting that the Messiah was to come and suffer should have touched their conscience. Isaiah 53 is still a stumbling-block for them. It ought not to be so with us.
Prophecy and the Church
Prophecy applies itself properly to the earth: its object is not heaven. Through not seeing this, Christians have been misled, thinking that they can enjoy earthly blessings, whereas we are called to heavenly blessings. For the want of taking hold of this exhilarating truth, the church has become so weak.
The church is a kind of heavenly economy, during the period of the rejection of God’s earthly people, it has its joy in heavenly places. The Lord, having been rejected by the Jewish people, is become wholly a heavenly Person. This is Paul’s doctrine. It is no longer the Messiah of the Jews, but Christ exalted and glorified.
It was necessary that Christ should buy the church: the price was His blood. We see that Boaz, a type of Christ, bought the inheritance by taking Ruth (strictly speaking a type of the Remnant of Israel brought in by grace) as wife. See Ruth 4:5
The Church, has no title to the inheritance, because until we are in the glory we can have nothing, possess nothing, except only ‘the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.’ (Ephesians 1:13-14). We see the church glorified, even though the Lord Jesus has not abandoned any of His rights upon the earth.
As to the saints of the church, in the patience of God, the children of God are gathered together. The Lord will come at any time to call His ransomed people. The church will then go immediately to meet the Lord, and the marriage of the Lamb can then take place.
Until that time Satan is the prince of this world, by usurpation.
Calling and Government
Having considered the rights of Christ and of the church, let us consider how Christ will make them good. In the Jews, the calling of God and the government upon the earth were united. But Israel failed, and God transfers government, according to His will, to the Gentiles. However, Israel continued to be God’s chosen people: for the ‘gifts and calling of God are without repentance’. (Romans 11:29) The calling of God for the earth is never transferred to the nations; it remains with the Jews. If I want an earthly religion, I ought to be a Jew.
Once the government is transferred to the Gentiles, they become beasts, the oppressors of the people of God: first, the Babylonians; secondly, the Medes and Persians; thirdly, the Greeks; then, the Romans. The fourth monarchy consummated its crime at the same instant that the Jews consummated theirs, being accessory to killing the Son of God and King of Israel. Gentile power is in a fallen state, just as the Jews, are. Judgment is written upon both government and calling, as they are in man’s hand.
At the time of the Rapture, the government of the fourth monarchy will be still in existence. It will then come under the influence and direction of Antichrist; and the Jews will unite themselves to him, in a state of rebellion, to make war with the Lamb.
The Battle in Heaven
At the appropriate time, Satan, who up till now has been in heaven, will be dispossessed and expelled and cast down to earth. He will not yet be bound.[3] He will excite the whole earth and will raise the apostate part of it, that which will have revolted against the power of Christ coming from heaven. Satan will unite the Jews with this apostate prince against heaven, along with both secular and spiritual heads of both the Gentiles and the Jews. The Wicked One, having joined himself to the Jews, and placed himself at the centre of government of the earth in Jerusalem, will be defeated at the coming of the Lord of lords and King of kings. Although the Lord will have come to the earth, and the power of Satan in Antichrist destroyed, the earth will not yet be brought under His rule. Therefore, the Saviour must clear the land so that its inhabitants may enjoy the blessings of His reign without interruption. Satan will be bound until ‘he is loosed for a short season’ (Revelation 20:3).
The Lord will purify His land from the Nile to the Euphrates. The people will come into security in the land. Before the end of the seven-year period, another enemy namely Gog, will come up, but only for destruction.
The Lord’s Return
We now discover a much more calm and intimate relationship between the Lord Jesus and the Jews. This is what will take place when ‘his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives’ (Zechariah 14:3) It is the same Jesus: not as the Christ from heaven, but as the Messiah of the Jews.
The world to come will follow the judgments. The Lord’s glory will be manifested in Jerusalem, the report of which will be announced to the other nations. These will submit themselves to Christ; they will confess the Jews to be God’s blessed people. Blessing will extend from Jerusalem to wherever there are men to enjoy its effects. The throne of God, established at Jerusalem, will become the source of happiness to the whole earth.
The blessing will be without interruption because the government in heaven will be the security of the goodness of God. Darby writes ‘Behold the heavenly Jerusalem, witness in glory of the grace which has placed her so high! In the midst of her shall flow the river of water of life… Meanwhile, upon the earth, is the earthly Jerusalem, the centre of the government, and of the reign of the righteousness of Jehovah her God; will be the place of His throne – the centre of the exercise of justice’.
The glorified church will fill the heavenly places with its joy. In the midst of her flows the ‘river of water of life, … and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, … and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations’ (Revelation 22:1-2) . ‘The nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish’ (Isaiah 60:12). Christ will fulfil all the functions of High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Conclusion
Darby acknowledged that he had not covered many aspects of prophecy in these lectures, for example, the persecution of the Jews. He felt he had covered the larger features of prophecy, especially making the distinction between the dispensations, very clear, also conveying something of God’s character and perfect work. If we see God’s works in their minute details, the more does perfection appear.
He concludes: ‘May God perfect in us, and in all His children, in separation from the world. This ought to be, before God, the fruit of the expectation of the church. May we know more these of its expected heavenly blessings, and be aware of the terrible judgments which await all that which keeps man bound to this lower world; for judgment will come upon all these earthly things. May God also perfect the desires of our hearts, and the witness of the Holy Spirit!’
[1] The word τελειότης/teleiotés/Strong-5047 suggests the combination of truths (stages of spiritual growth), the culmination of which also supports future consummation. (Strong’s definition).
[2] I am very conscious of having left out many ‘minute details’ that JND covered in his lectures and other papers. This book is no substitute for the 1,529 pages of the four ‘Prophetic’ volumes of J N Darby’s Collected Writings edited by William Kelly, plus his other notes and the Synopsis.
[3] In his lecture Darby stated that as soon as the Rapture had taken place battles would commence and Satan would be cast out of heaven. This would undoubtedly be the case if the period between the Rapture and the Appearing was only 3½ years. As stated in the Prophetic Timeline (Section 1) it is the author’s position and that of the majority of premillennialists that this period will be seven years and Satan will be cast out halfway through. See ‘Are there Two Half Weeks in the Apocalypse?’ JND Collected Writings vol 11 (Prophetic 4), page 168.’
The gospel does not occupy itself with the earthly blessings of the Jews. This is matter for the Old Testament prophecies. Our blessings flow from the presence of Christ, the Son of David, a consequence of the new covenant. Whereas we know God as Father, through Grace, the Jews know Him as Jehovah the King – through His righteous judgments.
In the history of the Jews, we see Jehovah’s glory. The Jews are the people by whom, and in whom, God sustains His Name of Jehovah, and His character of judgment and righteousness. The remnant will be brought to the Lord of hosts, ”to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion.” (Isaiah 18:7).
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.10 – The Remnant of Israel
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
A summary of the 10th Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘Same subject as the preceding and Manner of its Accomplishment.’
In Jewish history, we see Jehovah’s glory
The Old Testament prophecies are occupied with the earthly blessings of the Jews; the gospel is not occupied with earthly blessings at all. Our blessings flow from the presence of Christ, the Son of David, a consequence of the new covenant. Whereas we know God as Father through grace, the Jews know Him as Jehovah the King – through His righteous judgments.
God acting in Grace
To the Jews, it is the character of Jehovah the King – known by His judgments – by the exercise of His power on the earth. Their affairs are very dear to our God and Father.
To the church, it is the character of Father, revealed to our souls by the gospel, by the spirit of adoption.
The gospel is a system of pure grace – a system which teaches us to act towards others as we have been acted on by the Father: ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48). The people of Christ, now the children of God, ought to follow the example of the Saviour (that is, not to expect or wish judgment now, but to be gentle and humbly suffer wrong).
God’s faithfulness, changeableness, His almighty power, and His government of the whole earth are all revealed in His relationship towards Israel. The history of Israel gives us an insight into the character of Jehovah. God would reason with His earthly people: ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness’(Isaiah 1:18-20).
God acting in Judgment
Jehovah will bless the nations; but the character of His kingdom is, that ‘judgment shall return unto righteousness’ (Psalm 94:15). At the first coming of Jesus Christ, judgment was with Pilate, but righteousness with Jesus; but when Jesus returns, judgment will be united to righteousness. On the other hand, Jehovah will console His people by acting in righteousness in their favour ‘By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God’ (Psalm 65:5), and He will re-establish them in earthly glory. The Jews will be the people by whom, and in whom, God sustains both His name (Jehovah) and His character in judgment and righteousness.
After the church has been Raptured, the first to be gathered will be those who had rejected Jesus and were guilty of His death. As unbelievers, they will find an alternative to their true Messiah, and become subject to the Antichrist. The Israelites (two tribes) may be returning to their land (far more so now than in JND’s time), but God takes no notice of them[1].
The Remnant
Now Israel is buried as a nation among the Gentiles. In its revival, God will stand up for His people in their time of distress and deliver a remnant.
There will be an uninterrupted chain of blessings from Jehovah. Jehovah will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. This will be the case when the judgment of God falls upon the nations.
‘Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her… And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt … And I will betroth thee unto me for ever … And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.’ (Hosea 2:14-23).
‘Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days … after that they shall seek Jehovah and David – the well-beloved, or Christ.’ (Hosea 3:4, 5) ‘And I will bring again the captivity of my people . . . and I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up.’ (Amos 9:14, 15.)
This is of course yet to come, and the words, ‘in that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen,’ (Amos 9:11) are quoted in Acts 15:16, to prove that God always had determined to have a people (a Jewish residue) from among the Gentiles.
God is said to be ‘silent in his love’ (Zephaniah 3:17). He lavishes all this on the Remnant. A few verses earlier the prophet said, ‘The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid’ (v.13). The spirit of grace and supplication shall be poured out upon the Remnant of Israel – ‘ all the families that remain’; (v14) and ‘they shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn.’ (Zechariah 12:10).
Nevertheless, the Remnant shall ‘be brought to the Lord of hosts, from a people rent and torn in pieces … to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion’ (Isaiah 18:7).
This prediction, delivered by Jesus Himself, gives us the assurance that Christ will restore Israel here, and reign in her midst: ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, … your house is left unto you desolate …till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.’ (Matthew 23:37-39.). Israel will see Jesus, ‘The stone, which the builders refused, is become the head stone of the corner.’ (Psalm 118:22)
When the Lord entered Jerusalem there was only a partial fulfilment of the prophecy ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee’’ (Zechariah 9:9 and John 12:15). In John, the Holy Spirit omits, ‘He is just, and having salvation’. Far from saving Himself, He saved us.
The Ten Tribes
However, the first to be gathered are those who rejected Jesus, those who were guilty of His death. (The ten tribes were not guilty of this crime.) Those who rejected Christ will be subjected to the Antichrist; they will make ‘a covenant with death, and an agreement with hell’ (Isaiah 28:15), but their covenant will shatter all their hopes. Having united themselves to Antichrist, they will suffer the consequences of this alliance, and at last, will be destroyed.
The two tribes are representative of all twelve. Given the above, the two tribes will also be lost and will need to be born in a day. Darby does not go into a nation born in a day – the coming together of the 10 tribes.
After His appearance, (therefore just before the Millennium – the Day of the Lord), the Lord will gather together the elect of the Jewish nation, from among the Gentiles. This will be a time of great happiness. (See Matthew 24 31; compare Isaiah 27:12-13, and Isa. 11:10, 12.) – especially the latter (See Chapter 4.9, above).
[1] A strong statement but those are JND’s words. He goes on, Israel is abandoned to the nations,
The restoration of the Jews is founded upon the unconditional promises that God made to Abraham. However, their fall is a result of their having undertaken to obey God in their own strength. After God had exercised His patience in every possible way “until there was no remedy,” (2 Chron. 36:16) judgment came upon them only after extraordinary patience. But God keeps His promises.
We have a similar history. No sooner does God place us in a position than we fail. But behind our failure there is strength, that is to say, the revelation of the counsels of God, and consequentially His unconditional promises.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.9– What God in His Goodness will yet do for Israel – and what it Means for us
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
A summary of the Ninth Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled Israel’s Failure and Dispersion; Promises of Restoration.
The Restoration of the Jews and God’s Promises to Israel
Ezekiel 37 shows us forcibly what God in His goodness will yet do in Israel’s favour.
‘Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live … and ye shall know that I am the LORD. … Take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. … So shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them’.
The restoration of the Jews is founded upon the unconditional promises that God made to Abraham. But we have also seen how Israel undertook to obey in their own strength, taking on the promises under the covenant made in the wilderness. Notwithstanding their miserable failure, thanks to the mediation of Moses, God was able to bless the people. Israel again failed after they had been given the land. He raised prophets to convict them of the sin into which they had fallen, bearing with His people ‘until there was no remedy’ (2 Chron. 36:16). Thence severe judgment came upon them. God executed judgment only after extraordinary patience.
The prophets also showed the faithful ones that the counsels of God towards Israel would not be put aside. God would accomplish everything that He had spoken about through the Messiah. It was when Israel failed, that the promises of their re-establishment became precious to the faithful remnant of the people since the unfaithful majority would come under judgment.
The History of Israel
Joshua had said to the people, ‘Ye cannot serve the Lord’, but the people insisted, ‘Nay, but we will serve the Lord’ (Joshua 24:19,21) They had been led into the land of promise, enjoyed the fruits of grace, and now they were undertaking to obey the Lord in their strength.
Judges 2 summarises their complete failure. The children of Israel made alliances with the people of the land, so God said, ‘I will not drive out your enemies from before you, but they shall be as thorns in your sides. Then the cycle started:
The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. . . they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. (v. 11,13)
The anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, . . . and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. (v. 14)
Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. (v 15)
They would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: (v 16)
When the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. (v 18)
When the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way (v 19)
So the cycle continued: always the same – kindness on the part of God, ingratitude on the part of man. This constant distaste of man’s heart for God is an unhappy subject to dwell on.
Eli was the high priest, the judge and head of Israel. However, the glory of Israel had been cast down to the ground: ‘The ark of God taken, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.’ Eli himself died, and his dying daughter-in-law named her child, Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory is departed from Israel’ (1 Samuel 4:11,21)
Samuel was raised up of God. When the people said they wanted a king like the rest of the nations, God showed that He had been rejected: 1 Sam. 8:6, 7. ‘And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.’ Saul failed: Israel had failed under prophet, priest and king,
David and Solomon – God gave David, a type of Christ to Israel, as he is the father of Christ according to the flesh. Under Solomon, Israel becomes rich and glorious. But the people transgressed under both these two princes. ‘The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel.’ (1 Kings 11:9). Royalty, raised up by God Himself, failed and judgment passed upon it – though it was not executed until the reign of Zedekiah
Ahaz andManasseh – The ten tribes were unfaithful. In the apostasy of Ahaz, who took the heathen altar from Damascus to Jerusalem, the hope of Israel failed. Only God’s promises remained.
‘And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers… but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy’ (2 Chron. 36:15, 16). That was the end of their existence in the land of Canaan. The name of Lo-ammi (not my people – see Hosea 1:9) is at last written upon them, and they were deported to Babylon. These tribes were lost – at least as far as their identity is concerned.
The Promises which sustained a faithful Remnant
This is the promise: ‘I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more as beforetime … I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son.’ (2 Samuel 7:10,13). In Hebrews 1:5, these words apply to Christ – ‘For unto which of the angels said he … I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?’ All the promises made to Abraham and to his seed are placed in the safekeeping, and gathered together in the Person, of Jesus, the Son of David.
‘In that day (time of great trouble) shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.’ (Isaiah 4:2-4). Judah and Israel will be reunited, and the nations will be assembled to the throne of God. Isaiah gives so many references to Christ and the blessings of Israel from its Messiah.
Happy Times for Israel
Happy times for Israel have not yet been realised. They certainly were not realised at the time of the return from Babylon, or since[1].
Ezekiel 37 gives the future re-establishment of Israel – the joining together of the two parts of the nation and their return into the land. This is yet to come. God is their God; their King is present, and the nations knowing that Israel’s God is Jehovah. His sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. God will never hide His face from his people again.
There is a touching passage as to the thoughts of the Lord concerning His people in Jeremiah 32:37-42. Having given them the promises of blessing in grace, and assured them that He would be their God, the Lord says, ‘And I will plant them in this land assuredly, with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them’.
God gives a new heart to the Remnant, the nucleus of the future nation.
Israel must be renewed in heart to receive the promises of Canaan.
Israel must be born again to enjoy those terrestrial promises which belong to her. God must cause them to walk in His statutes by giving them a new heart, and then, but only then, they will enjoy the blessings foretold for them.
The Lord spoke to Nicodemus about the need of being born anew[2] – of water and of the Spirit in order to enter into the kingdom of God. He was speaking of the Jews, and Nicodemus should have known what God had said through Ezekiel: ‘A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh’ (ch 36:26).
That is why He says, ‘If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?’ (John3:12) – about the glory of Christ exalted in heaven, and the church, His companion.
Is Zion the Church?
These scriptures apply to Israel. Some misapply them to the Church, particularly in Ezekiel 35 onwards. They assert that in these chapters, Zion refers to the church. But this is impossible. We read, ‘Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me.’ (Isaiah 48:14). The Church will be with Christ. Were Zion the church, how could it be forsaken?
When it says, ‘All the nations shall be gathered unto it.’ it does not refer to the return from Babylon, because it goes on, ‘In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together . . . to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.’ (Jeremiah 3:17-18). This scripture cannot refer to the Church, nor to the present time when the ten tribes are not found.
‘Who is it that the Lord has broken down, thrown down, and destroyed? The same that He will build and plant.’ (Jeremiah 31:28). It seems it has been asserted, that in these chapters Zion refers to the Church. It would be unreasonable to apply all the judgments to Israel, and all the blessings concerning the same persons to the Church!
We have the Holy Spirit; Israel will have the Branch. The word of God never presents the Holy Spirit as the Branch of David.
Our Blessings
We participate in the blessings of the good olive-tree, but our joy has not dispossessed the Jew (the natural branch) of that which belongs to him. We have been grafted into Christ. If we are Christ’s, we are Abraham’s children, and partake of all that is spiritual. The church has only one Father, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Moses was the mediator for Israel (the type), we have the mediation and the presence of Jesus. In Him, the promises are accomplished.
‘Now all these things happened to them as types, and have been written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.’ (1 Corinthians 10:11 Darby) On one hand, the heart of man always fails, and on the other hand, there is the faithfulness of God who never fails. He will fulfil all His promises, providing strength to surmount all the power of Satan and the wickedness of man.
We have seen the history Israel sinning under the law: but we can see the same in every one of our hearts. No sooner does God place us in a position of responsibility than we fail. But behind our failure, there is strength in the revelation of the counsels of God, and in His unconditional promises. If we place ourselves before God, we recognise that it is only His grace that sustains us and relieves us from the situation we find ourselves in because of sin.
As to us Gentiles, the execution of God’s judgment has been suspended for about 2,000 years. God is still drawing upon all the eternal resources of His grace to find those who will listen to His testimony of salvation.
In all this, we see the revelation of the character of Jehovah. Israel is the theatre upon which God has displayed His perfect character. Though these things have happened (or will happen) to Israel, they are for our benefit. We should think not only of the failure of Israel but also of the goodness of God – our God. Were God to fail in His gifts towards Israel, He could fail in His contributions towards us.
Conclusion
JND Concludes, ‘Admirable patience! Infinite grace of Him who interests Himself in us, even after our rebellion and iniquity! To Him be all the glory!’
In all this, we see the revelation of the character of Jehovah. Israel is the theatre upon which God has displayed His perfect character. Though these things have happened (or will happen) to Israel, they are for our benefit. God in His goodness will never fail in His gifts towards Israel: He will not fail us either.
[1] It is important to note that even if Jews have repopulated the land and the Israeli state established in 1948 (though not the area of the land, which was a subject of the six-day war in 1967 and remains a contentious issue now. A Jew who understands God’s thoughts (though he/she may be in unbelief as regards their Messiah, cannot countenance the ‘West Bank’ as part of a ‘Palestinian (Philistine) state. A true Christian however can leave it all in God’s hands. God will see to it that Israel gets the full land (a bit extended for the Millennium), and that sites needed – especially that currently occupied by the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque – the site of the temple, the threshing floor of Oman (or Araunah).
[2] Again, a frequent misapplication. ‘New birth’ applies to the whole nation of Israel and is contained in prophesy. Here it does not relate to the sovereign work of the Spirit of God in the soul.
In Romans 9 Paul explains how God has acted towards both the Jews and the Gentiles; (vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles – v23-24). Now chapter 11 starts with the question, “Hath God cast away his people?”
As we study the history of both the church and the four beasts, we see that the Jews are put aside. The gospel has appeared in the world to save sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, in order to reveal the hidden mystery of a heavenly people. Hence, “unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known, by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” (Ephesians 3:10)
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.8 – God’s Promises to Israel
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
A summary of the Eighth Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘Israel’s First Entry into the Land was the Result of Promise’
After dealing with God’s relationships with men in the first eight chapters of Romans, Paul, a Jew, turns his attention in the next three chapters to Israel. He asks the question, ‘Hath God cast away his people?’ The answer ‘God forbid’ (Romans 11:1)[1]
In Romans 9 Paul explained how God acted towards both the Jews and the Gentiles; (vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles – v23-24).
As we study the history of the church and also the four Gentile empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome), typified in the four beasts of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (see Daniel 2), we see that the Jews are set aside nationally. The gospel has appeared in the world to save sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, to reveal the hidden mystery of a heavenly people. Hence, ‘unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known, by the church the manifold wisdom of God.’ (Ephesians 3:10)
Although the Jews are enemies as to the gospel, the nation remains God’s people according to the flesh, and beloved on account of the fathers. (See Romans 11:28). God has not rejected His people. ‘The gifts and calling of God are without repentance’. (v.29)
Israel and the Church
In the present dispensation, we have the calling of a heavenly people. Consequentially, God puts aside His earthly people, the Jews. The Jewish nation never enters into the church, though of course, many individual Jewish people do so. Indeed, ‘Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in’ (v.25). This will be until the addition to the Church of the last of the children of God.
Replacement Theology or Supersessionism
Many Christian denominations espouse what has come to be called ‘replacement theology’. That is the teaching:[2]
That the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan.
The many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church, not in Israel.
The restoration of Israel to the Promised Land is not physical, but spiritualised or allegorised promises of God’s blessing for the church.
The New Covenant through Jesus Christ supersedes the Old Covenant, which was made exclusively with the Jewish people, and that the New Covenant applies to the Church.
This lecture countered this erroneous teaching.
Adam and Noah
God chose Abraham and his family according to the flesh. Among Abraham’s descendants, Israel serves as the depositary of God’s promises demonstrating God’s choice. Nevertheless, to understand the root of the promises, we must look at the preceding dispensations.
Adam – Man left to himself after the fall. The world was full of violence and corruption, and
Noah – God makes a covenant with Noah and with the creation; and gives the rainbow as a witness. ‘The Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground’ (Gen. 8:21). This covenant was given immediately after Noah’s sacrifice – typically the sacrifice of Christ. But Noah failed when he became drunk.
Every dispensation has ended in the failure of man. What is lost through human folly is recovered at the end in Christ, whether it be blessing to the earth, prosperity to the Jews, or the glory of the church.
Idolatry and the Call of Abraham
Satan presents himself as God and makes himself the god of this earth. It is written, ‘The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God’ (Deuteronomy 32:17). The Lord reminded the Israelites, ’Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the river in old time . . . and they served other gods.’ (Joshua 24:2 Darby and others). This is the first time that we find God marking the existence of idolatry.
However, the true God separated a people to preserve the truth. All the ways of God towards men turn upon God’s calling of Abraham and his posterity to be the depositary of this one great truth: ‘There are none other gods but one’ (Deuteronomy 4:35).
Promises to Abraham and Israel
The promises that God made to Abraham were without condition. In Genesis 12 and 15, Abraham received both earthly and spiritual blessings. He received an unconditional covenant, an absolute gift of the land.
We are told, ‘Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed’ Genesis 12:1-3.
God reconfirmed it in chapter 15.
God told Abraham that he was going to have a numerous posterity: ‘Look now toward the heavens, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them. And he said to him, So shall thy seed be!’ (v. 5). He was even given the exact limits of the country. Abraham believed God. God renewed His promise in Chapter 17, and re-confirmed it to Isaac (Genesis 26:3) and Jacob (Genesis 35:12).
Thus, God made Himself ‘the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob’, (Exodus 3:15), and His people became the heirs of the promises, pilgrims upon the earth, but God’s boast. The faithful in Israel were to find their confidence in that.
Israel’s Relationship with God
Until Exodus 19 the promise had been unconditional. However, Israel placed themselves in relationship with God in the opposite way, that is based on their own righteousness on the principle of the law. They acknowledged obedience to God and undertook to obey the law in their own strength. Therefore, the covenant at Sinai was founded on the principle of obedience.
In this covenant, we have an ‘If…’. ‘If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation’ (Exodus 19:6).
The Israelites should have said instead, ‘It is true, most gracious God, we ought to obey Thee; but we have failed so often, that we dare not receive the promises under such a condition.’ Instead of this, they said ‘All the words that the Lord hath said, will we do.’ (Exodus 19:8). They rashly bound themselves to fulfil everything that Jehovah had commanded they received the promises under the condition of perfect obedience. We all know what happened: The Children of Israel had made the golden calf before Moses had even come down from the mount.
Like Israel, we fail at the first hurdle, and we realise that we are lost because we have violated the covenant. If as sinners, we engage ourselves to obey God, we forfeit the blessing if we fail. Our answer should always be, ‘We are lost’. That is the answer that grace expects. That is why Paul said, ‘A mediator is not a mediator of one.’ (Galatians 3:20-21). If there is a mediator, there must be two parties – God and man. Moses mediated in the wilderness; Christ is our Mediator now. We see the sovereignty of grace. Had God not been sovereign, He would have to have destroyed the people.
Law and the Promises to Abraham
The law did NOT annul the promises made to Abraham (Gen 12-15) and confirmed to Isaac (Gen 26) and Jacob (Gen 35).
Numerous posterity.
The land.
Earthly blessings to Israel.
Blessing to the nations.
In Exodus 32:13, we see how the promises made before the law were never repealed. Aaron and the people had made the golden calf. Moses interceded with ‘Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.’
In Leviticus 26:27-31, there is the threat of all the chastisements which were to follow the unfaithfulness of Israel. ‘And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. And I will make your cities waste . . . (v. 27-31). However, in v. 42: ‘Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham; . . . and I will remember the land.’. God returns to His promises made unconditionally long before the law.
God’s promises here have never changed: they are valid now (despite Israel being set aside), and will continue to the last days.
The Promised Land
Thus, we get the principle on which they entered into the land of Canaan. Before the law, God had unconditionally promised the land to Israel for a perpetual possession. God promised, Moses mediated, Israel was spared and at last enjoyed the land.
Israel failed in the promised land and ultimately fell. First, the ten tribes were taken into captivity and lost. Then Judah[3] was taken captive seventy years, but in God’s providential ways, their identity was preserved.
We now await the re-establishment of all the promises made to Abraham. Although the people had failed in every possible way towards God, the prophets show us clearly that God promised to re-establish them in their land, under the Lord Jesus Christ as their King. Every promise made in the prophets will be fulfilled. Knowing this, it is small wonder that the disciples asked the Lord following His resurrection, ‘Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?’ (Acts 1:6).
[1] In the Greek the answer is ‘μὴ γένοιτο/me genoito’ – ‘Never may it be!’ – (Strong’s translation).
[2] The Wikipedia article on ‘Supersessionism’ gives the position of various denominations on this subject.
[3] With the tribe Benjamin and the Levites who were among them.
Evil reaches its height in the eighth head of the beast, which goes down to destruction in the apostasy of the civil power of the fourth monarchy. He goes along with the false prophet, who, having seduced the world to do homage to the beast and to take his mark, is destroyed with him.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.7 – The Judgment of the Nations
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
A summary of the Seventh Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled The Judgment of the Nations, which become the Inheritance of Christ and of the Church
Evil will reach its height in the eighth head of the beast, the fourth (Rome) monarchy. It will go to destruction along with the false prophet who seduced the world to do homage to the beast and take his mark.
The scene is now extended. God will have judged the Antichristian beast and the evil nations, making His power felt: it is the moment of His wrath.
All that is high and lifted up will be brought low by the power and glory of God, so that God, in full blessing, may enjoy the kingdom, and may have the inheritance of all nations – ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
The Judge
At the birth of Christ, Herod showed his fury at the least thing that could challenge his royalty. He tried to get rid of Him by slaying the infants in Bethlehem. Thirty-three years later, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the true King over the whole earth, was presented to the Gentiles (in the person of Pontius Pilate), and to the Jews (in the person of the High Priest Caiaphas). Both rejected Him.
Now we have the Son anointed, King upon Zion, God’s holy hill. Zion is His throne; the (heathen) nations are His inheritance. ‘Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession’ (Psalm 2:8).
Will the nations then, at last, listen to the invitation made to them to submit themselves? No! – So God can, and will, judge them.
His Judgment
Christ will be Judge, but this is not the last or general judgment (or the Great White Throne, or judgment of the dead). Everybody existing on the earth at the end of this time (seven years) will be either subject to Christ, and therefore saved and sent to life eternal, or in rebellion and condemned to eternal punishment. It is the judgment of the living nations on this earth: those who will people the earth during the Millennium. The dead will be raised for judgment after Christ’s millennial reign. ‘Before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.’ (Matthew 25:32). The judgment of the living (or ‘quick’ -as in KJV) is as certain as that of the dead.
How God deals with the nations is entirely different from the gospel: ‘Thou shalt break them with a sceptre of iron’ (Psalm 2:9 – Darby). In the gospel, the sceptre of Christ is a rod of goodness and love, sweet and powerful. The gospel is not a sceptre of iron.
‘The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands’ (Psalm 9:16). This is not the language of the gospel; it is the righteous demand for justice. Christians who do not understand the difference between the dispensations often find these scriptures challenging. In the gospel, the grace of God is presented to the wicked, and God calls for repentance. Once the gospel has run its course, Christ will demand righteous judgment[1].
Christ invites the kings of the earth to submit themselves to Him. However, they follow their own ways; their policy settled according to the wisdom of man. Hence, if God were not to execute judgment, evil would only grow worse and worse without any consolation for the faithful. It is the time of judgment, and Christ is the Judge. ‘The Lord is King for ever and ever; the heathen are perished out of his land.’ (Psalm 10:15, 16) and Thou hast rebuked the heathen; thou hast destroyed the wicked; thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.’ (v.5). JND notes that the ‘wicked’ refers to the Antichrist.
God will assemble the nations, and pour upon them His indignation: ‘Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine indignation’ (Zephaniah 3:8). The Lord will manifest Himself in this act of power in Israel[2].
The next verse (verse 9) tells us ‘For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD’. This blessing, when the earth will be full of the knowledge of God, will come to pass only after He has executed judgment and put away the evildoers. This passage is a very explicit revelation. It is judgment, not grace.
The Lord’s Rule
Having accomplished this, Jesus sits down at the right hand of God the Father: ‘The LORD (Jehovah) said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ (Psalm 110:1). After that come the words, ‘Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.’ (v.2) The Lord will now start to exercise His power on earth. This, of course, begins the Millennium.
[1]Christians are sheltered from the approaching storm. The church’s place is with Christ, accompanying Him. The church has the privilege and glory of union with the Lord Jesus Christ. It comprises a single body of both Jews and Gentiles. It was not revealed in the Old Testament. Hence, it is not in Zion that we are to look for the church because the church has the same portion as Christ, being His body: if we seek it, we will find Christ Himself.
The church’s place is not in the midst of the nations that are to be broken in pieces, but to be united to Christ, enjoying the same privileges as Christ. There is nothing true, as regards Christ, in the glory which He has taken as Man, which is not also true of the church. It is a precious thing for us to understand our place, that of joint-heirs with Christ. And the more we think of this, the more our strength will be increased, and the more our minds will be detached from this world, which is under judgment. The world comes under judgment because it has rejected Christ, The Saviour. ’Righteous Father, the world hath not known thee’ (John 17:25). Just as unbelief separates men entirely for all eternity from Christ, grace by faith has united us wholly and forever to Him; and we ought to bless God for it.
It is at Jerusalem principally that all this disaster will take place; secondly, God has named in His word all the nations who will participate in it. We shall see all the descendants of Noah, of whom we have the catalogue in Genesis 10, reappear on the scene at the moment of this judgment of God
We shall find nearly all of them under the beast or under Gog (See Ezekiel 38) – essentially, they are the children of Japheth.
Darby drew on William Hale’s Analysis of Chronology, republished 2012 by Nabu Press, available from Amazon
.These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. … Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.6 Ecclesiastical and Civil Apostasy
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
Beast, Antichrist and False Prophet
A summary of the First Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘The Two Characters of Evil: Ecclesiastical Apostasy, and Civil Apostasy‘
There are two characters in the evil which manifests itself on the earth:
Ecclesiastical apostasy, that of the Church
Civil apostasy, that of human government and organisation.
The angel gave Daniel the interpretation of the vision of the four beasts
The lion Babylon
The bear Persia
The leopard Greece
The ‘dreadful and terrible beast’ Rome
‘These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. … Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings’ (Daniel 7:16-27).
The principal subject of the above scripture is fourth great beast. This represents the Roman Empire who exalts and elevates itself against the Most High God.
The Beast
The civil power will rise against Christ, whom God will establish King over the earth because all government belongs to Him.
‘I … saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. … And I saw one of the heads, as it were wounded to death.’ (Revelation 13:1-3). Although the imperial form of the Roman Empire collapsed centuries ago, the wound has been healed. The governing institutions the Roman empire can be re-established.[1]. The imperial beast will reappear, and the European ‘kings’ (whether monarchs or presidents) will willingly hand over their power to the beast.
The Antichrist
The course of Christianity takes place during the time of the fourth beast, Rome. At the same time, there is moral rebellion. The ecclesiastical power assumes the position of God. It takes away faith, putting aside natural religion, corrupting and perverting the revelation of God, so that men should have no other objects than themselves.
However, the ecclesiastical power will itself fall victim to the violence of the human will. By its pretensions to religion, it will openly serve Satan. It will provoke crimes which the the civil power will execute.
The corruption of the church is the worst of all corruptions. The Antichrist will deny that Jesus is the Christ; he will ‘deny the Father and the Son’ (1 John 2:22). Satan will work directly by him. It will be a sort of satanic imitation of what God has done.
In the way that the Father has given the heavenly throne to the Son; the dragon (Satan) will confer the throne in the evil world to the beast.
The Spirit acts in the church, according to the power of the Son before Him; similarly, the second beast, the Antichrist will exercise all the power of this last beast (civil authority) before him. ‘And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed’ (Revelation 13:12).
Christendom is practically apostate. Darby said this in 1840 – what is its state now?
The False Prophet
There is also another beast (not the Roman Empire) which exercises all the power of the first beast before him.
‘I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; … And he doeth great wonders, … and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth’ (Revelation 13:11-14). This second beast, the false prophet, will seduce the inhabitants of the earth (the Jews accepting a Satanic form of Christianity[2]). This has the appearance of Christ’s power, but it is Satan’s. The false prophet, who will have lost secular power, will cause them to follow the first beast, that is the civil power of the Roman Empire.
Satan, having been cast out of heaven, will come down to the earth in great wrath. Then, under his influence, the beast (the Roman Empire, the civil power) will resume his strength and form. Instead of being in submission to God, it will take on the character of Satan in open revolt against the power of God. Instead of replacing it, ten kings ‘shall give their strength and power unto the beast’. (Revelation 17:13). ‘Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women[3], nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all’ (Dan 11:37).
There will be the eighth king, yet to come. In essence, this will be the beast himself, the imperial head under a new form. He will re-unite ten kings, who will give him their power. The kingdoms will continue in existence but as a confederation. After dealing in an idolatrous and apostate way in Jerusalem, he will find his end with that first beast – they will go down to destruction. (See Revelation 13, Daniel 11:36-45).
The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast
We get the woman clothed with scarlet (the whore). She represents the ecclesiastical power. She is mounted on the beast, which is the civil power. After that, ‘the ten horns[4] which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to … give their kingdom to the beast.’ (Revelation 17:12-13)
The civil power turns on the ecclesiastical, resulting in the evident destruction of the latter
‘I will tell thee the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is not[5];and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is[6]’. (v. 7-8)
Ecclesiastical Wickedness is always the Worst
The ecclesiastical power will no longer be wielding the secular arm, riding on the beast, and ruling it. It will take on a more mysterious and dangerous form. Its occult influence will continue, deprived of its outward splendour. The church’s revolt begins when, instead of being subject to Christ, it gives itself over to the will and power of man, leans upon man for aid, and renounces truth to follow error. When the church is not guided by the Holy Spirit, it is not subject to Christ, Christendom becomes completely apostate.
Because the ecclesiastical power is no longer a political power with the ability to depose kings and presidents, there is a temptation to suppose that it has disappeared. However, its moral influence survives. It seduces the inhabitants of the earth so that they acknowledge and worship the beast, at the same time urging the civil power to revolt against God. This will lead to its ultimate destruction (see below).
Civil apostasy will have its time of manifestation
Scripture teaches us that civil power is of God. ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God’ (Romans 13:1) – also 1 Peter 2:13-18.
Now, in the same way that the church will rebel against God, the civil government will be found in a state of revolt and apostasy. Instead of confessing allegiance to God, the source of its authority, it sets itself up against Him.
At the end of the present dispensation, the civil power will be found in this same state of revolt as the church. In the civil power, apostasy will be more manifest and prominent than it is in the church. This will take place in the bosom of Christendom, and ecclesiastical wickedness will be its motivating power.[7]
Those who will have revolted ought to have instructed the church and represented the wisdom of God, reminding governments of their duty towards God. They will conceal the truth, seduce the world, and lead the civil power to depart from God[8].
Relationship with the Jews
The beast, or the civil power of the fourth monarchy, sets himself in revolt against God. But this monarchy will establish a relationship with the Jews. This re-introduces the history of God’s people.
The unconverted Jews will have returned to their own land, though without being converted[9]. The Jews will find themselves in a relationship with the fourth beast who exalts himself against God, putting himself in direct opposition to Christ. Indeed, he will assume the rights that rightly belong to Christ, namely those of being the King of the Jews.
Persecution of the Jews
If we consider the history of the Roman beast comprehensively, both in its pagan form under the Roman emperors such as Tiberias Caesar, or in the form of the corrupted Christianity of the Middle Ages, we see there have always been persecutions against the faithful Christian saints. ‘And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth,’ (Revelation 18:24).
However, after the Rapture of the church and the breaking of the Antichrist’s covenant with the Jews, the civil power will revolt openly, and persecutions will fall on God’s earthly people, the Jews. Remember, Christ remains King of the Jews. Of course, the church will be entirely out of the scene at the time of these persecutions.
The War in Heaven
The Word of God puts in contrast
The world and the Father,
The flesh and the Spirit,
Satan and the Son of God.
Satan is now in heaven accusing the children of God. He aims to destroy Christ, and in doing so, destroy the church. However, Satan has no power over our consciences, his accusing power being rendered null by virtue of the blood and work of Jesus Christ. However, half-way through the seven years between the Rapture and the Appearing, there will be a battle in heaven – see Revelation 12:7-9. Michael will prevail; Satan will be cast out into the earth but will not yet be chained to the bottomless pit. It is said, ‘the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.’ (v.12)
Having been cast down to the earth, Satan will act through the terrestrial agency of the Roman Empire, though he will unite all the characters of the three previous beasts.
The authority of the dragon (Satan) becomes established in the Roman Empire. It is seen in the beast with seven heads and ten horns.
Armageddon
At Armageddon, the false prophet falls along with the beast. From the beginning to the end, there is always a beast, and with the beast a false prophet. It is the one or the other who guides the rebellion. But in the end, the beast takes the lead, as being able to act more directly and freely: thus, it is the beast that becomes the direct object of judgment.
Christ will finally exercise His rights as King of the Jews. He will come down from heaven, destroy the fourth beast together with the Antichrist.
A Word to the Believer
In the short time there, Paul had spoken a good deal about what was coming to the saints in Thessalonica. He had taught them to expect the Lord’s coming. After his departure, Satan tried to terrify them, by telling them that the day of the Lord had already arrived. So Paul said, ‘Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind’ (2 Thessalonians 2:1)
Those who love the truth will not be deceived by Satan’s activities. When the Lord calls His own, they will be caught up into the air. In time, the false prophet, (the second beast), will be thrown into the lake of fire along with the first. Then all those who have ‘not received the love of the truth’ (2:Thessalonians 2:10) will be judged. We need to warn people: may some be led to consider the word of God.
We may ask the question as to why all this is announced to us, the children of God, who thankfully, will see none of these things. It must surely serve to wean us from involvement with, and the influence of, what will come under judgment. May we be separate from all that drags men on to destruction!
May God make us attentive both to the character and the end of man’s pride! May God’s name of grace and glory be eternally blessed; and may He engrave these things upon our hearts! He will preserve His church from all these evils which menace the world for His church is united to Him.
[1] One can see that this would be quite easy when erstwhile sovereign states have already ceded much power to the European Union (established by the Treaty of Rome). However, let us not mix current affairs with prophecy – they are NOT the same. Darby likened Napoleon’s efforts to the Roman empire and that fell apart.
[2] I ask – what about the Muslims too? – Darby makes the point that the false prophet could not be Mohammed.
[3] An interesting question – what is meant by the desire of women?
[5] i.e the Roman civil power. The bottomless pit is the positive power of Satan.
[6] Darby reads ‘shall be present’, a better translation of the Greek παρέσται/parestai/Strong 3918 meaning present or near.
[7]When Darby says ‘the end of this dispensation’ it can be confusing as to the period he is referring to. Whereas most would see this dispensation ending at the Rapture, and the seven years either another dispensation or a transitional period, Darby considers this dispensation (as Savage did – see Chapter 1.3) to ending till the Lord’s coming to reign. That is why he refers to the ultimate apostasy of the professing church as belonging to this time.
[8] This is what Darby described when living in in Victorian England. How much more apt are these things now when ‘alternative lifestyles’ are promoted and offered to young children, homosexual marriage, abortion and divorce on demand have all gone in the face of God’s thoughts for mankind. And the church acquiesces to all of this.
[9] It is easy to regard the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948 as the fulfilment of prophecy. Whilst you could say that it was laying the scene for what is to come, there is no reason why this event along with the revival of the ten lost tribes could not be have been fulfilled after the Rapture. After all, the nation is in unbelief as to Christ, is secular in constitution and comprises only two of the twelve tribes.
e must expect evil to increase in the world, particularly in Christendom, both secularly and religiously.
However evil does not come under judgment until the end of this age; that is, of the dispensation closed by the coming of Christ.
The knowledge of God will then fill the earth. How? By the judgment of God, which must begin at the house of God.
Three sorts of apostasy are brought together typified by Cain, Balaam and Korah. The beast will exalt himself above all that is called God. This must happen before the day of the Lord comes.
‘After These Things’ Chapter 4.5 – The Judgment of Evil
From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE
Evil on the Earth Increases
A summary of the Fifth Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 entitled ‘The Progress of Evil on the Earth’
4.5 The Judgment of Evil
A summary of the 5th Lecture by J N Darby on the Present Hope of the Church – Geneva 1840 – entitled The Progress of Evil on the Earth
We must expect evil to increase in the world, particularly in Christendom, both secularly and religiously. However, evil does not come under judgment until the return of Christ at His Appearing. The knowledge of God will then fill the earth. How? By the judgment of God, which must begin at the house of God.
As evil increases, Christians see the proximity of judgment, piety increases and Christians withdraw from evil. They preach the gospel, but there is little result.
Evil increases, especially in Christendom
The notion that things will continually improve is totally contrary to what we are taught in scripture. We are deluded if we think that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord before He exercises judgment. Instead of hoping that good will continue to progress in the world and the church, we must expect evil increase. We are to expect increasing evil until it becomes so flagrant that it will be necessary for the Lord to judge it. Sadly, this is the received wisdom in much of Christendom at large and in secular society.[1]
This is the character which this wickedness will take, as an external, secular power:
Evil will go on increasing until the end.
Satan will urge it on until the Lord destroys his power.
The apostasy will take place in Christendom.
The Antichrist will fall and be ruined.
The Wheat and the Tares
We should draw on the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). Satan had put evil in the field where the good seed of the word had been sown. This will remain there and ripen. Christians will not enjoy the result of its removal, because the evil is to remain until the day of judgment: ’Let both grow together until the harvest.’ The harvest is at the end of this age; that is, of the dispensation closed by the coming of Christ.
The tares are evil things such as heresy or the corruption of the truth. The enemy sows these after Jesus Christ had sown the good seed. But the Lord says it should remain until the harvest. The evil which Satan has produced by a corrupted religion will exist until the end. Our efforts ought to be directed – not to pluck out the tares but to gather in the children of God – to assemble the co-heirs of Jesus Christ.
It is worth remarking that the tares were already sown in the days of the apostles; and in one sense it is a happy thing for us since we have both the warning and the evidence in scripture.
Now, in God’s dealings, we have to do with grace and not with judgment. It is not for us to judge the world.
The Apostasy
Apostasy will be fully developed in the ‘last time’; when the Antichrist also will have been revealed. (See 1 John 2:18). This development will be after the departure of the Church and the restraint of the Holy Spirit.
God says:
‘The Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy … .’( 1 Timothy 4:1).
‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come … .’( 2 Timothy 3:1-5).
In Timothy. ‘Men shall be lovers of their own selves,’ etc. These are not pagans; they are nominal Christians. It is written about them, ‘Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. … They shall wax worse and worse.’ (2 Timothy 3:5,13)
‘For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.’ Compare these words with Acts 20:29-31: ‘I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock; also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.’ 1 Peter 4:17. This state of things began during the lifetime of the apostles.
Jude’s epistle is a treatise on the apostasy. We get three sorts of apostasy brought together upon which last judgment will fall. We are told of those who have ‘crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ’ (v.4). These have brought in (v.11):
Natural apostasy – the character of Cain – hatred and unrighteousness.
Ecclesiastical apostasy – e.g. Balaam – teaching wrong things for reward.
Open revolt – g. Korah, who set himself up against the rights of the priesthood (Aaron) and of royalty (Moses).
The great whore (the ecclesiastical system) will rule the beast whose self-will and blaspheming character will be fully manifested in the last apostasy. Meanwhile, Christians desire the destruction of the whore’s influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 it says, ‘That day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God.’
All this must happen before the day of the Lord comes.
Darby points out that it is evil – not the gospel – that will unite the characters of wickedness which have appeared from the beginning:
Man has always wanted to have his own will.
He has exalted himself against God.
He has put himself under the guidance of Satan
The Beasts or Gentile Empires
There are four successive beasts in Daniel 7.
The empire of Babylon (lion with eagle’s wings).
The empire of the Persians (bear).
The empire of the Greeks, or Alexander in particular (leopard – split into four heads).
The Roman Empire (a dreadful and terrible beast with marks altogether peculiar to itself).
Following the destruction of the last king of the Jews (Zedekiah in BC599), earthly dominion passed to the Gentiles in the person of Nebuchadnezzar. He began by establishing a false religion by force. He made a statue that all the world was to worship, and he became lifted up in heart and ravaged the world to satisfy his will. So, he was made to become like a beast for seven years.
The Rejection of Christ
The chief priests, who were in God’s view, the representatives of religion upon earth, and Pontius Pilate, the representative of earthly power, joined in league together to reject and put to death the Son of God. Thus, the fourth monarchy became guilty of rejecting the Messiah.
The Jews are set aside. If God permits the Jews to return to their country for a short time, it is that His Son might appear at the re-commencement of the fourth monarchy.
But as to that which concerns the church on earth, we have seen it marred by the seed of the wicked one, and the apostasy which resulted from it; (Dan. 7:9,11), ‘I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the Ancient of days did sit…. I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld, even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning’. The Roman Empire has continued; it has even become ‘Christian’.
The Lord coming to Judge
Daniel 7:13-14: ‘I saw … one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.’
The kingdom is given to the Son of man when the fourth beast is destroyed. The judgment and destruction of the fourth monarchy have not yet taken place, as we know from Daniel 2:34-35: ‘Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and day, and brake them to pieces…. and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.’
It is after the total destruction of the statue that the stone begins to grow; which signifies that the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, which is to fill the whole earth, will not begin to spread until after the fourth beast has been judged and destroyed.
‘The beast that thou sawest was, and is not’ (Revelation 7:8): is the Roman Empire.[2] As an empire, it no longer exits. However, it will come out of the pit, with a diabolical character; it will be a full expression of the power of Satan. This king will assume all the rights and privileges of Christ, arrogating them to himself: ‘I will ascend into heaven’ – what Christ only has done; ‘I will exalt myself above the stars of God.’ (Isaiah 14:13-14). Even the Jewish nation will receive him who comes in his own name.
Little Result from Preaching the Gospel
The church’s task was to proclaim the glory of Christ everywhere. Many evangelical Christians, therefore, hope that, through better evangelical endeavour, the gospel will spread itself all over the world during this dispensation. However, in these times, we can only expect poor results. There will be blessing, but there will be those who slip away
God told Noah that He was going to destroy the world. Did this prevent his preaching to his fellow mortals? This animated him, so that he might gain those who had ears to hear. And the result – eight, just his family.
Yet we preach the gospel – the only means of causing men to escape the righteous judgments which threaten them. God gives, at the same time, the power to the testimony that would separate the good from that which is under judgment. I believe this to be God’s usual mode of procedure.
When we see evil increasing, and God drawing away believers from that evil, it may be taken as a sign that the judgment of God is nigh.
Signs of the Times
There are two signs of the proximity of judgment:
Piety increases
Christians withdraw from evil
In the word of God, we see that the present economy will have an end. Evil will progress to a greater and greater height until the wicked one is destroyed by the coming of Christ.
Let us conclude with the warning which the Saviour gives us: ‘Behold, therefore, the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.’ (Romans 11:22.)
Darby’s Conclusion
‘Has the church kept itself in the goodness of God? Christendom has become completely corrupted; the dispensation of the Gentiles has been found unfaithful, with no hope of restoration. As the Jewish dispensation was cut off, the Christian dispensation will be cut off too. May God give us the grace to continue steadfast in our hope, and to rest upon His faithfulness.
[1] Darby wrote in the 19th century – he saw the trend. Now we in the 21st century see the prevalent religious view that we should labour to build the kingdom of God here. Apart from being futile, it sets aside what Christ has done. It is depicted in that rousing , popular (at least in Britain) but doctrinally perverse song by William Blake, ‘Jerusalem’.
In secular society progress has been regarded in the throwing aside of moral values promoting ‘alternative lifestyles, indiscriminate abortion, sexual perversion to the point where Christians can be criminalised for doing or teaching what is right, and much of the public church supports it.
[2] One cannot escape thinking of the liberal, Godless view of the European Union. Satan will take control of this institution.
