Changes and the Knowledge Revolution
Commentary for March 1, 2006 — We Will Take Part
We will participate in changes that are coming to the world. They may occur more slowly than any of us wish, but they are coming — incessantly and inexorably. In God’s view the changes will be good, because they will inform the world about the truth of God, the nature of man, and the nature of reality in God’s creation. All this will occur from God’s own actions to inform humanity about Himself through His Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the Jews and Savior of the world.
Read the ASK “Newsletter for March 2006,” which will direct you to this month’s article “The Coming Revolution in Knowledge.” Also dealing with the same subject are three other articles which give even more biblical information about these important topics and the individuals who will play their parts. Two are Dr. Martin’s articles “The Two Witnesses – Who Are They?” and “Increased Knowledge at the Time of the End.” The other is an article of mine “The Restitution of All Things – What to Expect.”
After you put all this biblical material together you will better understand Revelation 11:1–14 and its implications. Not all questions will be answered, but you will understand enough to know what will take place as preparations take place, and you will be able to teach others.
One aspect of the coming revolution in knowledge needs to be mentioned. It is important and may confuse some people, especially new Christians. New readers of ASK material may also misunderstand some terminology used in the Bible about future events.
In Acts chapter 3, after the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah and after Pentecost, the apostle Peter speaks to the Jewish crowd from Solomon’s Porch in the outer Temple area:
“And he [God] shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”• Acts 3:20–21
The apostle Paul writes later about something that may seem similar at first glance, but is entirely different in its process and result:
“For it pleased the Father that in him [Jesus the Messiah] should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”• Colossians 1:19–20
The “all things” in both passages could cause some people to mix and confuse the two explanations of future events into a jumble of seemingly meaningless words. It is important to distinguish the “restitution of all things” from God’s actions “to reconcile all things.” The two “all things” refer to entirely different contexts, processes and results.
God’s acts to bring about “restitution” is contained within the larger scheme of God’s “reconciliation” of all things to Himself. God’s reconciliation of all things through Christ has been actively occurring since Christ’s resurrection from the dead (although it was God’s plan to do so from before creation). The “restitution of all things” is a series of events involving a return to true knowledge and understanding in all areas of human experience and knowledge, just before the Second Coming of Christ back to this earth.
The “restitution of all things” was thought by Peter to begin in the 1st century C.E. It will actually occur in our time period and in the near future to us, in Dr. Martin’s view (I certainly concur with his biblical analysis).
The restitution has to do with events before Christ’s Second Advent. It involves measures by which God makes Himself known to the world and the truths about God shall be known in all areas of human endeavor, including religion. As part of those events the Bible will be validated as truthful and a reliable guide for human conduct. The biblical histories will be shown to be the basis of a skeletal outline of human history, and science will begin to see God’s handiwork throughout creation.
God will be widely acknowledged throughout the world as Creator and seen as Someone whose Word to mankind must be heeded. Mankind will know about God, His Word, and will acknowledge His existence. God will then judge mankind on how they deal with that knowledge.
Mankind will fail. God will be glorified.
The reconciliation has to do with the entire salvation process, although the process begins to “speed up” and be known to all participants after Christ’s Second Advent. This reconciliation begins with Christ, then proceeds with the Ekklesia (us included, of course), and then extends to all humanity throughout history. During the last two stages it will proceed to all creation (Colossians 1:20, above).
“And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.”• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20
It is important to note that when Paul says that Christ “has committed unto us the word of reconciliation” he means not just those traveling with Paul, but all those in all Ekklesias.
Still later Paul came to understand through the revelation of the Mystery that you and I, and many of us who understand the Mystery of God, will work for that reconciliation in the heavens, among the stars (See my “Newsletter for January 2004” which deals with our active participation and role in making that reconciliation a reality.). This will involve giving “the word of reconciliation” to spirit entities, principalities, and powers around the universe whose power Christ spoiled through His resurrection from the dead (Colossians 1:16, 2:15). In this process Christ will put down (through us) all opposition to His rule, reconciling all creatures to Himself, and to God the Father. The Old Testament saints of Israel and the New Covenant Ekklesias will participate in the glorious reconciliation of mankind on earth during the Millennium and the age that follows.
Once this full reconciliation of earth and the heavens is accomplished Christ Jesus shall give up the Kingdom to the Father:
“For he [Christ] must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”God will succeed. God and mankind together will be glorified.• 1 Corinthians 15:25–28
David Sielaff
david@askelm.com
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