The Grand Banquet

The Grand Banquet

by Seah Greenhorn

(Poem with Copyright)

This is what I saw:

First, the river red flowing up to their bridles, the horses, snorting; no longer cavorting, or under extreme duress. The stress felt from victims put to eternal rest. As 1,600 furlongs or 300 kilometers or 180 English miles of blood receded, as the winds abated and the calvary retreated,  the #Grand #Banquet around the earth began.

I saw gathered some unlikely flocks, to feed on the flesh of men and horse stock. As manure on earth's surface spread the world over, the stench invited birds the heavens did cover.

I saw eagles and owls and vultures galore, dressed in their finest to dine and to gorge.  #Harpy, Phillipine, Golden, African Crowned and #Bearded #Vulture,  Lapped Faced Vulture and #Eurasia Eagle Owl too, flapping and landing on heaps upon heaps,  happily they squawked and chattered and leaped

from one mound to another.

Darkness added atmosphere to their humongous feast. Their beaks ripping greedily at hands and feet of commanders and strong men and freeman and slave. Of small men and great ones not to be buried in graves. Do not bewail, to gather as clutter. "The Harvest is great!" the vultures will mutter.

This day is not designed for the usual meat: fish, little birds, guinea fowl, baby sheep. This one time smorgasbord of God's enemies to eat, put to shame, disgraced, perished forever. The host and protected loyal survivors now worldwide will endlessly Honor His name.

Written in a style similar to #Juan #Felipe #Herrera in This Is My Last Report

Based upon 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jer. 25:32, 33; Isa. 63:3-6; 66:15, 16; Joel 3:12-14; Dan. 2:34, 44; Ps. 83:17, 18; Rev. 14:18-20.

The Last Covenant ... that we will be discussing for now :-)

So here we are, probably needing a bit if a repeat...right?

I need a refresher.

We talked about the Abrahamic covenant, which our Creator made with Abraham because of his obedience. This ensuring that the seed/offspring of the woman, representing God's heavenly organization of faithful angels, would come through Abraham's line. This separating Abraham's family as God's chosen people.

Then came the David ice covenant, promising David that the Messiah would be a descendant of his. This was a kingly line. And it would be established forever because Jesus and his throne will exist forever.

Got it?

However, in order for all mankind to fully benefit, the offspring would need to be more than just a king. They would also need to be a priest.

While the Abrahamic and Davidic covenant makes sure that the offspring of the woman would have a kingly function, for all the nations to be truly blessed, freedom from their sinful state was needed before being brought into Jehovah's universal family. This required that the offspring would also serve in a priestly capacity.

You'll understand why :-)

Our wise Creator provided another legal arrangement, the covenant for a priest like Melchizedek.

Jehovah revealed through David that he would make a personal covenant with Jesus with a two-fold objective: to have Jesus "sit at God's right hand" until he subdues his enemies and for him to be a "priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek."

Why "in the manner of Melchizedek"?

Because, long before any descendants of Abraham inherited the Promised Land, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, served as "priest of the Most High God." Heb. 7:1-3. He was directly appointed by Jehovah to do so. He is the only one mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures who served as both a king and a priest.

This was highly unusual.

And since he was without a recorded predecessor or successor, it was as if he held this position forever. Why he can be called "a priest for all time."

The tie-in?

Jesus is directly appointed to be a priest by means of this personal covenant that Jehovah made with him, and he will remain "a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek," Heb. 5:4-6.

This clearly shows Jehovah has legally bound himself to use the Messianic Kingdom, for which we pray, to accomplish his original purpose concerning humans on earth.

Are you not uplifted?  ... A brand new day is on the horizon!

King David ... Where Does He Fit In God's Purpose?

So is your head spinning around in covenants? Shall I throw another one in?

Sure ... you can handle it. Watch!

Remember, the questions are:

Will the Messianic Kingdom ever become corrupt?
Will this Kingdom government need to be replaced?

The simple answer is "no".

Why not?

Because Jehovah God made another covenant to insure that this won't happen.

The Messiah’s rule will never become corrupt, and the benefits that come from his rule will be/last forever because Christ's death and ransom provided that security.

But before this took place, Jehovah made a promise to King David of ancient Israel called the Davidic covenant. 2 Samuel 7:12, 16.

Jehovah promised that the Messiah would be one of David's descendants. Luke 1:30-33.

In this way, Jehovah gave more specific information about the family line of the Messiah. He said that this descendant of David would have "legal right" to be King of the Messianic Kingdom.  Ezekiel 21:25-27.

David’s kingship will rule forever because Jesus, the descendant of David, "will endure forever; his throne will endure like the sun." Psalm 89:34-37.

Do you see the sun going anywhere?

So we can be confident that the Messiah’s rule will never become corrupt and that the benefits that result from it will last forever!

How do you feel about that? ... Talk about a secure future.

Okay, so again ... the Abrahamic covenant and the Davidic covenant guarantee that the offspring of the woman would rule as a king.

But in order for all mankind to fully benefit, the offspring would need to be more than just a king. The offspring would also need to be a priest.

Do you want to know why? ... Well, I'll tell you Monday anyway :-)

How Does A #Covenant With #Abraham Affect Us?

So, yesterday we discussed that faithful Abraham was the reason the Jews were once chosen as God's favored people. 

But while the Abrahamic covenant was literally fulfilled by his descendants when they inherited the Promised Land, the Scriptures showed that there would also be a spiritual fulfillment. Gal. 4:22-25.

In this greater fulfillment,  the Apostle Paul under inspiration explained: The primary part of the offspring (seed) of Abraham is Christ and the secondary part refers to 144,000 spirit-anointed Christians chosen to rule with him. Gal. 3:16, 29; Rev. 5:9, 10; 14:1, 4.

Awww, come on now ... you know it makes sense!

How many times have you complained against your congressmen or senators, or leaders of any government because of their lack of understanding or compassion?

Jesus learned a lot while here on earth. The scriptures said "he learned obedience from the things he suffered." Heb. 5:8, 9.

However, are you not comforted by the fact that these individuals are chosen from all walks of life? 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

When judged during the 1,000 years wouldn't you want sympathetic representatives to speak up in your behalf as you work towards perfection?

Not that Jehovah and Jesus would be unfair, by any means! It's just our nature to want to know that another human--or a spirit creature once a human being, understands us. Will vouch for us.

You know you agree:-)

So let's back up. As a reminder, the woman of Gen. 3:15 producing the offspring is none other than "the Jerusalem above"--the heavenly part of God's organization, made up of loyal spirit creatures. Gal. 4:26, 31. And as the Abrahamic covenant promised ... all mankind will be blessed.

It, the covenant, points to the King and his corulers in God's Kingdom, and it forms a legal foundation of the Kingdom of the heavens. This was Jehovah's sworn oath with Abraham that it would come through his line. It's a kingly covenant. Heb. 6:13-18.

How long will this covenant stay in effect?

It is "an everlasting covenant." Gen 17:7. It remains in effect until the Messianic Kingdom destroys God's enemies and all the families of the earth have been blessed. 1 Cor. 15:23-26.

No elections every four years since the rulers are crowned with immortality. Rev. 20:6; 1 Cor. 15:50-54.

However, those who will then live on earth will benefit in an everlasting way. God's covenant with Abraham shows that Jehovah is determined to fulfill his purpose that righteous humans 'fill the earth"! Gen. 1:28.

But you may wonder ... will the Messianic government ever become corrupt and then have to be eliminated? 

That takes us into another covenant.

Shall we discuss that Friday?

Why God Chose One Nation Over Another

So, back to Eden and the Edenic promise.

Wasn't ìt awesome how Our Creator showed his immense love for us as future offspring of the now imperfect Adam by making provisions for our salvation immediately? ... Gen. 3:15.

And ... the Messianic Kingdom with Christ Jesus as its established King would be/is solidly based on God's righteous standards. Ps. 89:14.

Are these not reasons enough to find out more about this kingdom government?

Okay, then let's continue.

If you ever wondered why God chose one nation over another here is the Biblical reason why.

2,000 years after passing sentence on Satan, Jehovah commanded the patriarch Abraham to leave Ur, his hometown in Mesopotamia to go the land of Canaan. Acts 7:2, 3. Jehovah said to him:

"Go out from your land and away from your relatives and from the house of your father to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will make your name great, and you will become a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who calls down evil on you, and all the families of the ground will certainly be blessed by means of you." Gen. 12:1-3.

Sounds familiar? 

This is the earliest recorded account of the Abrahamic covenant--the covenant that Jehovah made with Abraham. We don't know exactly when this covenant was first made known to Abraham. But we do know that it went into effect in 1943 B.C.E., when Abraham left Haran and crosses the Euphrates River ... at the age of 75 years!

Now, how many of us think that we want to relocate from all that we know based upon a promise that seems a bit unbelievable? ... To live in tents! ... And when was this to take place? ... He was already getting up in years.

Were those his thoughts?

Well ... Jehovah restated his promise to Abraham many times, adding further details. Gen. 13:15-17; 17:1-8, 16.

So Jehovah was considerate even if Abraham didn't voice his concerns. Although, maybe Sarah did. Or maybe not. . . Maybe you can ask them when they are resurrected back to earth.

Imagine them finally getting a chance to literally see the fulfillment of that covenant. Not just through the eyes of faith. Their faith will be realized right before their eyes...all nations serving Jehovah unitedly on a cleansed earth. Ps. 37:10, 11, 29; Rev. 21:3, 4.

Sorry, where was I ...

That's right ... Abraham showed a willingness to offer up his only son--as a foregleam of Jehovah's willingness to offer up his only-begotten Jesus in our behalf ... so the deal was sealed!

Jehovah reinforced the covenant with an unconditional promise stated in Genesis 22:15-18; Hebrews 11:17, 18.

After the covenant went into effect, Jehovah gradually revealed important details about the offspring of the woman: It would descend from Abraham, would be many in number,  would have a kingly function, would destroy all enemies, and would be a blessing for many others.

So you understand why the Jews were chosen over other nations?

Abraham, God's faithful friend, with whom he made a covenant was a Jew. And Jehovah is loyal to his friends. So the Jewish nation, for awhile because of him, held a special position with God.

But remember, all nations would be blessed by means of Abraham's seed.

And before we move on from this covenant, ...

While the Abrahamic covenant had a literal fulfillment for the descendents of Abraham when they inherited the Promised Land, the Scriptures show that there also was a spiritual fulfillment.

This affects us even today.

Shall we discuss that tomorrow?

Should We Allow The World To Mold Us?

Should We Allow The World To Mold Us?

What do you think about this question?

Many would say why not? ... Whereas others may already be aware of the dangers in doing this.

So, instead of continuing with the blogs about the Edenic Promise and Why God Chose One Nation Over Others, today let's temporarily divert.

The reason?

Read a Bible commentary today and so enjoyed the topic, thought I'd share. Especially because many find it difficult not to follow the crowd.

It may start in the family. The more dominant or vocal member drowns out any of the others until they are flooded out mentally and emotionally.  So then they bob, non-to-merrily, along.

They figure why fight it?

Then, in school the same thing happens. After that the workplace. And it has been happening for centuries.

So again you may ask: why fight it?

Every answer is personal. I would just like to share something I've learned.

That is this:

That prophecies in the Bible regarding the end usually have two fulfillments. The first, because of Israel's rejecting and eventual killing of God's Son, Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.

Why Jesus said in Matthew 23:37-39:

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the killer of the prophets and stoner of those sent to her--how often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you did not want it. Look! Your house is abandoned to you. For I say to you, you will by no means see me from now until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in Jehovah's name!"

The Disciples were not told the date of this destruction. But they were given a sign about when to flee Jerusalem.  Many Jews saw that sign four years before the end.

The Roman armies surrounded the city, then amazingly withdrew without any apparent explanation, allowing all believers to exit quickly. Their faith further tested in their living/waiting for this to happen in the mountains without their creature comforts. Some eased back into the city and were caught in its demise.

Further details of this are found in The War of the Jewish by Flavius Josephus.

(However, there is no evidence that he--Josephus, was himself a Christian, or even that he was familiar with Jesus' prophecies.)

And the Second fulfillment is in regards to Our Day.

We are admonished:

"Be transformed by making your mind over." Romans 12:2.

What does that mean?

Here is what the commentary stated:

"The "mind" relates to our thinking faculties. But as used in the Bible, it includes our mental inclination, attitude, and power of reason. Earlier in his letter to the Romans, Paul described people who reflected a "disapproved mental state."

Such ones were given to "unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, badness, being full of envy, murder, strife, deceit," and other hurtful things. Romans 1:28-31.

Sadly, we are surrounded by people in the world who fit Paul's description. For us not to be fashioned, or molded, by the world any longer, we need to make an honest appraisal of our innermost attitudes and feelings, our goals, and our values.

Such things may be hidden from public view. Others may tell us that we are doing well. Yet, we alone know if we really have allowed what we have learned from the Bible to transform us in these critical areas. James 1:23-25."

Although this quote was not written for the world in general, I felt that some of you may enjoy this reminder that just like in Jesus' day, Jehovah has a time frame in mind. The final end was not prophecied for Jesus' day. Jehovah has given humankind an additional 2,000 years to demonstrate their ability to rule themselves, really under Satan's direction.

How are they doing?

Do you think that anyone can rule better than Jesus, under Jehovah's direction when they have sacrificed so much already in our behalf?

And when he lovingly choses humans--starting with his disciples, to rule with him, because they that can relate to us better than angels, does this not show us their further concern for our future development? Rev. 5:9, 10; 7:4.

Can anyone show greater love for us than they have? 

So, when Our Creator says that he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth" should we not be happy and try to comply with his standards for the new earth? Revelation 11:18; 2 Peter 3:13.

Is this not something worth considering?

Part V ... Who Do They Represent?

So we are to discuss the identity of the serpent and his seed and the woman and her seed mentioned in Genesis 3:15. Before we do let's recap...

Our beautiful planet was prepared for human habitation and the Creator issued three decrees regarding humans:

God would create mankind in his image

Humans were to expand Paradise globally, filling it with perfect righteous offspring

And ... Humans were prohibited from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. Gen. 1:26, 28; 2:16, 17.

Was anything else needed? ... Food, a home, and work ... check!

So after God created man in his image, all Adam and Eve needed to do was fulfill the other two decrees to have God's purpose accomplished.

Well, we've discussed the outcome.

Yet, what if God had just destroyed them right off the bat? You know, started over?

Destroying the rebels, Satan included, would have ended the #rebellion, but God's expressed purpose
to have the earth filled with obedient descendants of Adam and Eve would go unfulfilled.

So our wise Creator responded with the profound prophecy of Genesis 3:15. He saw the need for a new #government over mankind. So the Edenic promise was issued to indicate how this would be accomplished and to ensure that every detail of his word would come true.

By means of this promise, Jehovah passed judgement on the serpent and its offspring representing ... Satan the Devil and all those who would take his side on the issue on God's right to rule or of God's #sovereignty.

The true God gave to the offspring of his heavenly woman the authority to destroy Satan and reverse the ill effects of his actions by means of the woman and her offspring.

Who is this #heavenly #woman and her offspring?

Since her offspring was to crush the serpent's head, or to "bring to nothing" the spirit creature Satan the Devil, the "#seed" would have to be a spirit person. Heb. 2:14.

So, the woman giving birth to the offspring would also have to be of a spiritual nature too?

Yes. She is not an earthly woman. Satan has not had any special hatred toward any human female that we know of.

Rather, this is a symbolic woman identified in Revelation. She is described as being "adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head."

She, "The woman brought a male child into the world, the son who was to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre, and the child was taken straight up to God and to his throne." #Revelation 12:1-5, The Jerusalem Bible.

Learning the identity of the "male child" will help us identity her.

Is the child literal?

Couldn't be; just as the woman is not a real human female.

Remember the scripture says the male child would do what?

"Rule all the nations." Not possible from a human standpoint.

So the child represents God's government with Jesus Christ ruling as king.

Therefore, "the woman," represents God's organization of faithful heavenly creatures.
Just as the "male child" came forth from "#the #woman," so the king, Jesus, came forth from the heavenly organization, the body of loyal spirit creatures in heaven that work together to carry out God's purpose.

You recall that Jesus was the "first-born of all creation," "Image of the invisible God," "by means of him all other things were made to exist," ... right? Col. 1:13-20. (Any questions, please ask.)

Okay ... so we will continue

Galatians 4:26 calls this organization "the #Jerusalem above. "

So then, when Adam and Eve first rebelled against God's rulership, Jehovah made this arrangement for a Kingdom government that would serve as #hope for lovers of righteousness.

As, Satan's "seed" or offspring increased, the identity of the woman and her offspring stayed a mystery for almost 4,000 years after Jehovah gave this Edenic promise.

Meanwhile,  Jehovah made several covenants that identify the offspring and assured His servants that this offspring would undo the damage done to the human family by Satan.

We will discuss those covenants later... give our brains a rest.