Individual Preparation For His Coming Kingdom

by Sang Chul (David) Kim

Chapter Seven - Doctrine of the Last Days

I. Re-Creation by the Word of God

II Meaning of "The Last Days"

1. Noah's Day
2. Jesus' Day
3. Second Coming

III. Phenomena of the Last Days

1. Destruction of the Earth
2. Fire Judgment
3. Resurrection of Living and Dead
4. Falling of Sun, Moon, and Stars
5. Catching Up of Saints In the Clouds
6. Pouring Out of God's Spirit On All Flesh On This Earth

IV. Restoration of the Tree of Life

V. Outward Signs of the Last Days in this World Today

1. All Mankind Seeking Liberty from Suppression
2. Demand By Women for Equality with Men
3. Protection of Human Rights
4. Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

VI. Separation of Good from Evil

1. Democracy Versus Communism
2. Crossng Point of Good and Evil

VII. Direction of Human History in Terms of Science


I. Re-Creation by the Word of God

God is going to re-create, by His Word, all things since the fall of man. Re-creation by the Word must take place in three orderly stages in order to reach the stage of perfection. At the time of the Second Coming, through the Ministry of the Second Coming, man will for the first time reach perfection in spirit and body.

Since the fall of man, this world has been an Earthly Hell instead of an Ideal World or Earthly Kingdom of God. Because of the fall God's original plan was nullified. The fall of man means that man lost the Word of God. Man disobeyed God's will by violating God's (Word) Commandment. God's Word was entirely lost by Adam and Eve; but, God again gave His Word to man for the providence of salvation which is the Restoration Providence. God is restoring this world to His Original Ideal World through His Word. God's final target is a perfect Kingdom filled with perfect individuals who will be the perfect Temple of God.

I Cor. 3:16 ... "Ye are the temple of God ..."

The fundamental Christian teaching on Eschatology says neither the individual Christian nor the Christian Church as a whole attains its destined perfection in this life. This perfection is reached in the world to come. They use the following scripture verses: Romans 8:24 and I Cor. 13:10. Also fundamentalists believe certain events are to take place in preparing the way for the Kingdom of God in its completeness, such as 1.) Death 2.) Christ's Second Coming, 3.) The Resurrection of the body, and 4.) The Last Judgment.

II. Meaning of "The Last Days"

What is the significance of the Last Days? It is the time from whence the Earthly Hell is passing away and, at the same time, the Earthly Kingdom, is being restored and established upon the earth: the time when the sovereignty of evil is being changed into the sovereignty of good.

There are three periods of time which are referred to as the Last Days. First is Noah's Day, second is the coming of Jesus Christ, and third is the Second Coming.

1. Noah's Day

First, in Noah's Day the time was called the "Last Days". In Genesis 6:13 it says, "the earth is filled with violence through men. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth."

The corruption and evil that began with the fall of man had filled the world for some 1,600 years. God wanted to finish the sinful history of man on earth at the time of Noah. God said he would destroy the earth, but he did not mean this literally. That which He destroyed was the people and other evil elements in the world. God will never literally destroy the earth, only the evil elements on the earth.

2. Jesus' Day

Second, in Jesus' Day the time was also called the Last Days. Jesus was to be the judge; to judge evil and establish righteousness.

John 5:22 "For the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."
John 9:39 "For judgment I am come into the world."

The great and dreadful day of the judgment of the Lord was to be the Last Days which would erase all wickedness and evil from the earth, not literally destroy the earth.

The judgment by fire was expected at the Lord's Coming as stated in:

Malachi 4:1 "For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."
Ecc. 1:4 "One generation passeth away and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever."

This shows clearly that the earth will never be destroyed literally by fire. Fire symbolizes cleansing, to purge or cleanse. This is spiritual fire, not literal fire. Children of evil people are the root and branches to be destroyed. The earth is not mentioned, only people and their evil deeds. (This scripture is symbolic and was not literally fulfilled in Jesus' Day.) Because of the crucifixion, judgment did not come but will come with the Second Coming.

3. The Second Coming

The Second Coming is the third period of time which is called the Last Days. There are many signs in the Bible referring to the Last Days as the time of the Second Coming, as in Chapter 24 of the book of Matthew.

III. Phenomena of the Last Days

The following phenomena shall take place at the time of the Second Coming:

1. Destruction of earth.
2. Fire judgment.
3. Resurrection of living and dead.
4. Falling of sun, moon, and stars.
5. Catching up of saints in the clouds.
6. Pouring out of the power of God's spirit on all flesh on this earth.

We know all scripture cannot be interpreted literally. Many visions and revelations should be explained according to deeper spiritual interpretation. The Bible consists of parables, allegories, and symbolic spiritual experiences which should be applied in the spiritual symbolic sense in which they were received.

1. Destruction of the Earth

The first phenomena of the Last Days is the destruction of the earth. According to II Peter it is the fire judgment which will come and destroy the earth.

II Peter 3:10 "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

This is not literal as the Orthodox doctrine teaches. It means the passing away of the evil elements, or forces in Heaven, and evil elements on the earth; the change of the sovereignty of evil to the sovereignty of good. All sin and wickedness will melt and pass away. This is obviously symbolic of a drastic change or transformation of mind and spirit within the individual, and it means the passing away of evil, or a complete cleansing.

Romans 12:2 Paul says be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." (spirit)

Just as in Noah's Day, the earth did not disappear, God did not literally destroy the earth. God erased the evil and wickedness of men, the evil powers which existed on the earth. We find another symbolic revelation in:

Matt. 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, the powers of the heavens shall be shaken."

God will not destroy His glorious creations, the planets, the sun, the moon, and stars, because of evil men. Powers of the Heavens are symbols of evil spiritual forces of Satan which will be broken. The spiritual wickedness in high places is spoken of in:

Eph. 6:12 "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

These verses symbolize the change of sovereignty from Satan and the evil forces, to the sovereignty of the spirit and power of Christ and the sovereignty of God.

2. Fire Judgment

The second phenomena is the fire judgment. The literal interpretation on the judgment by fire, which would destroy the entire earth, can not be accepted, for there is deep spiritual meaning here. Fire judgment means the judgment by the Word of God! God created all things by speaking His Word. God wants to re-create all things by the Word. Scriptures which prove fire judgment is by speaking of God's Word, are:

James 3:6 "The tongue is a fire."
Isaiah 11:4 "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."
Isaiah 66:15-16 "For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the Lord plead with all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many."
Isaiah 30:27 "Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a Fire."

Judgment will come from the Word of God spoken out of His mouth, not with a literal sword or literal fire. The two-edged sword is a scriptural symbol of the Word of God.

Rev. 1:16 ..."and out of his mouth went a two edged sword"
Rev. 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:"
II Thess. 2:8 states "The Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."

The power of the Word shall destroy evil. With His mouth there will be Word judgment. Holy Fire from the Word will bring cleansing.

John 12:48 "He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

3. Resurrection of the Living and the Dead

The third phenomenon is the descent of the spirit-saints to the earth. It mans resurrection of the spirit-saints who have left their fleshly body (died) and whose spirits now live in the spirit-world. (The resurrection of spirit-saints is explained thoroughly in Chapter Six - Principle of Resurrection.)

John 5:28-20 "All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto resurrection of damnation."
I Thess. 4:16-17 states "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

According to Jude 1:12 and other scriptures, clouds symbolize people. The trump of God and the vision of angels blowing trumpets are symbolic expressions of the spiritual resurrection in the spirit-world, not the actual, literal, physical resurrection with the bodies flying into the clouds.

Matt. 27:52-53 we see, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many."

This was not literally fulfilled in Jesus' Day. It was the resurrection of Old Testament saints who had left their physical bodies, but whose spirits were in the spirit-world. In other words, after Jesus' resurrection this was a spiritual revelation showing advancement in the spirit-world. Those who had spiritual gifts could see the spiritual bodies of the saints as they progressed from the Old Testament Form Spirit Stage to Paradise with Christ. Christians who followed the resurrected Christ and preached this resurrection were persecuted and killed by the thousands simply because this testimony and witness could not be accepted by the public. This means that the Resurrection Phenomenon was a spiritual resurrection, not a physical resurrection.

4. The Falling of Sun, Moon, and Stars

The fourth phenomena will be the falling of the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Matt. 24:29, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken."

This will not be literally fulfilled. Considering the earth is one of the smallest of Heavenly bodies, it would be impossible for the sun, the moon, and the stars to fall on the earth. God will not destroy the obvious heavenly creations because of wicked man. If the sun, moon, and stars fell, the entire heavenly galaxies would be corrupted and destroyed. If this literally happened, the earth and life upon the earth could no longer exist. The Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter one, verse four states that the earth will abide forever.

Ecc. 1:4 "One generation pasaeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever."

The following verses are symbolic:

Isaiah 60:19 "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee but the, Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory,"
Isaiah 13:10 "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine."

These signs in the Last Days Should be interpreted as follows:

His -- the sun represents Jesus
Her -- the moon represents the Holy Spirit
Their -- the stars represents people, saints on earth

Stars were used to symbolize persons, even back in Joseph's dream:

Gen. 37:9-10 11 "Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. (10) And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?"

We find Matt. 24:29 also uses stars to symbolize persons. Since the stars represent persons as saints, why do the saints fall in the last days? Luke 18:8 says "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" When the Second Coming Ministry begins, many will oppose and scoff until He is truly revealed. He shall come in an unexpected way; therefore, many saints on earth can not follow Him and will not have faith in Him.

When He comes again, the ministry of Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit shall end. Their function will be finished. So the sun, the symbol of Jesus Christ, will not shine; the moon, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, will not give her light. Their brightness will be darkened because His Second Coming will bring a far greater Light into the world.

5. Catching Up of the Saints in the Clouds

The fifth phenomenon concerning the Last Days at the time of the Second Coming is the catching up of the saints in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

I Thess. 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with then in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air."

In the book of Revelation, in Hebrews 12:1, in the twelfth verse of Jude, and in II Peter 2:17-19, clouds represent people. Therefore, to be caught up in the clouds is a symbol of the regenerated people who will gather together on earth to receive the Lord. It means a spiritual resurrection from the present Earthly Hell to the Earthly Kingdom; the promotion from the present spiritual stage to a higher stage of spiritual growth in order to attain the perfection of spirit and body on earth at His Coming. Details are given in Chapter Six - Principle of Resurrection.

6. Pouring Out of God's Spirit Upon All Flesh on the Earth

The sixth phenomenon of the Last Days at the time of the Second Coming is the pouring out of God's spirit upon all flesh on the earth.

Acts 2:17-18 "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my hand-maidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."

The pouring out of His Spirit in the Last Days on all flesh will bring a great new spiritual age; thus, a now age will begin.

IV. Restoration of the Tree of Life

The Last Days is also the time of restoration of the Tree of Life. The first Adam should have become a perfect man.

Gen. 2:9 states "And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; (and two peculiar trees with peculiar names) the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil."

The last two trees mentioned in this verse were different from those which give food. The Tree of Life is the symbol of the perfect Adam who was to be the first perfect man in the sight of God. Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, became the first perfect man and attained the Tree of Life spiritually, while the first Adam failed.

Rev. 22:14 "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

They signifies there will be many who will attain the Tree of Life, the perfection at the time of the Second Coming. We can say the Tree of Life will be fulfilled by the Ministry of the Second Coming. (See Chapter Five for details on the Tree of Life.)

V. Outward Signs of the Last Days in This World Today

There are four definite symptoms of these Last Days in this present chaotic world situation:

1. All Mankind Is Seeking Liberty from Suppression

Mankind craves peace and unity, and the goal for which men strive today is peace in a united world. It is God's Will that all men should be free, but man must follow the Law and Principle established by God. The freedom which God gave to Adam and his descendants in the beginning was lost by man on earth through the Fall, and must be restored by man on earth. All mankind desires liberation from the yoke of sin and oppression in this Earthly Hell under Satan's bondage. This entire world is in chaos and confusion, leaving no corner or part of the world untouched.

2. Demand by Women for Equality with Men

The second sign in the world today is the demand by woman for equality with men. This must come before woman's original beauty and position beside Adam, can be restored. This claim of equality by women is actually their demand for freedom from subjection and oppression. It is the reflection of their desire to have the position and freedom which Eve had before the fall. All campaigns for woman suffrage, for equal rights, for equal social privileges, reflect the desire of women for their proper position and freedom from subjection. Today women hold prominent roles in politics, medicine, science, and many other fields.

3. Protection of Human Rights

The third outward sign of these last days is the deep desire of all men and women today for the protection of human rights. Each person, in the sight of God, has a unique part in pleasing God. Each person is of priceless value to God. This is why each person desires the innate value and rights that were lost by man and woman as a result of the fall. The time is nearing when each person can, and will, attain the promise of perfection. Many organizations around the world have common motives and functions: to protect the individual and his rights, to liberate the individual, country, colony or province from all oppression, to eliminate disease, starvation, poverty, and ignorance in the entire world. The unrest of all peoples and their world wide advanced efforts for change and equal rights shows a time of struggle: the transition from an old age into a new age.

4. Spiritual Hunger and Thirst

Mankind desires a deeper faith and there are over four hundred denominations of Christianity seeking God plus the many other religions around the world. Through the United Church movement and the World Council of Churches we see the drive within religion for unification and oneness. Mankind is hungering for the love of God even though they do not understand God's love or His ways. Throughout the world God stirs the hearts of men who are plagued by wars, suffering, starvation, sin, and all manner of evil. Mankind desperately desires the deeper truth and understanding which will bring liberation for a struggling world. Mankind is seeking for a united religion which will unite all men under God in brotherhood and peace. The slogan of One World shows this desire of mankind for a United World. The time is near when all men will be united in one faith and one love under God.

The United Nations and International Movements all point to the unity of all humankind. This world is on the horizon of a great new spiritual age, the age when these last days of struggle, war, and suffering will fade away completely. This old world order will pass into a new world order; the former things will pass away and be replaced by a united world, united religion, and oneness with God. Thus, the power of God's Kingdom will be established in God's New Earth.

VI. Separation of Good From Evil

For the past six thousand years the direction of human history has centered on God's Restoration Providence. Social conditions have been following the Heavenly program for the purpose of restoring mankind to God and the Earthly Kingdom.

God has been separating the sovereignty of good from the sovereignty of evil throughout human history. After the fall of Adam and Eve the forces of evil came into this world. In Adam's family God began a process to restore mankind and separate evil from man. Two sons were born to Adam and Eve. The first son, Cain, should have loved the second son, Abel. They should have united in peace under God's love. Instead, Cain slew Abel and good and evil have been-divided since that time. From the time of Cain and Abel to the present day there has been the struggle between good and evil in every facet of life. We can explain this statement by a simple diagram:

1. Democracy Versus Communism

Democracy has regard for the existence, of God, human rights, and the freedom to worship God. Generally speaking, free nations are Christian; therefore, the ideology of Democracy stems from Christianity. In the sight of God, Democratic nations are in Abels position. Even though there is sin and evil in Democratic nations they uphold the rights of the individual and the freedom of man.

Beginning with an individual, righteousness developed (1) to a clan (2) to a tribe (3) to a race (4) to a nation (5) to the world, and (6) into Democracy.

Evil developed in the sane manner. From an individual (1) to a clan (2) to a tribe (3) to a race (4) to a nation (5) to the world, and (6) into Communism.

The ideology of evil in the world is symbolized by Communion, which is atheistic; a government which is completely anti-God, anti-Christ. Therefore, even though it is not entirely evil, the purpose of Communism, is to rule the entire world and completely swallow every nation and culture, disregarding God. The effort of Communism to destroy religion, shows the world-wide threat to all religions. The slaughter of Christians in every country that Communist nations have fully conquered is evidence enough.

Abel must have a better ideology than Cain. Through Christianity at the time of the Second Coming and by the new revelation which God will give, Christ will bring a new ideology which will have the power to unite all mankind centering in God. Communism must surrender to God through the channel which God will set up at the time of the Second Coming.

2. Crossing Point of Good and Evil

A historical crossing point of good and evil will emerge -- a new history, a righteous world will begin at this point. The two alternating powers, the evil and good sovereignties, will bring the world to the climax of this present day (evil) world history.

Historical chaos and confusion will reign until the final peace is accomplished by God through the mission of the Second Coming.

The diverse position of God and Satan will be changed -- God will reign supreme. Satan, the prince of this world, will be subdued and stopped and expelled from the earth. Satan and all his angels and subordinates must surrender to Christ; then the New Kingdom will be established. The mission of the Second Coming will complete the present course of history in the sight of God. Then love, joy, peace, harmony, and beauty will fill the earth. It will be a world of circling give and take under God's direct love and care.

The previous diagram shows the main course of the Restoration Providence. Also this diagram shows the three periods: the crossing points of good and evil in the Bible, which are called "The Last Days." Thus, the Second Coming is the final crossing point of good and evil, and the Last Days of the sovereignty of evil.

VII. Direction of Human History in Terms of Science

When we look at the general direction of human history in terms of advanced science, we can see in the vast change in cultural and scientific fields, a possibility for unity. In the cultural field mankind is directing toward a united culture. There have been from twenty-one to twenty-six cultural circles since the beginning of human history. The strong cultures swallowed the weak cultures and, broadly speaking, there are only four cultural fields in existence today.

These cultures, (1) Judeo-Christian culture ... east and west, (2) Mohammedan culture, (3) Indian culture, (4) Chinese and Far Eastern cultures, will be united in the now ideology given by God for this New Age.

The advanced development of modern science is the preparation for the fulfillment of the Ideal World to come. This development was delayed because of the fall of man. If there had been no fall, this scientific age would have come at a very early period after the creation, growth and perfection of mankind. Scientific advancement without God brings man fear and devastation.

This new age of science will be an age of genius, for in these last Days men will return to the original Ideal World. Supreme accomplishment by the Divine Will of God will bring the perfected mind and body; and men who have accomplished this liberation in mind and body will unite the minds and hearts of all men guided by the Divine Will of God. Man, for the first time in human history, will work in unity for the highest supreme, accomplishment in all fields of culture and science. These men will accomplish the completed restoration of the Original Ideal World. The evil sovereignty will be removed from the earth.

The Consummation of Human History will be accomplished by the coming Lord. It will be the fulfillment for man and all things on this earth according to the Original Ideal of God.

Summary

1. God is going to re-create by His Word, all things since the fall of man. Since the fall of man, this world has been an Earthly Hell. The "Last Days" is the time from whence the Earthly Hell is passing away, and at the same time the Earthly Kingdom. is being restored and re-established upon the earth. The three periods of time which have been referred to as the Last Days are (1) Noah's Day, (2) Jesus' Day, and (3) The Second Coming.

2. The phenomena of the Last Days shall consist of the following: (1) Destruction of the evil elements of the earth. (2) Fire judgment (judgment by the Word of God). (3) Resurrection of the living and dead (resurrection of spirit-saints who have died and whose spirits now live in the spirit-world). (4) Falling of the sun, the moon, and the stars. This will not be fulfilled literally as can be seen in Ecc. 1:40 ... "the earth abideth forever". It can also be seen that the sun, moon, and stars represent Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the saints on earth, respectively. (5) Catching up of saints in the clouds. Since clouds symbolize or represent people, this will be the gathering together of regenerated people on earth to receive the Lord. (6) Pouring out of God's Spirit on all flesh will bring a new age.

3. The restoration of the Tree of Life will be accomplished by the Ministry of the Second Coming.

4. There are four definite signs of the Last Days: (1) All mankind is seeking liberty. (2) Women are demanding equality throughout the earth. (3) Protection of human rights. (4) Spiritual hunger and thirst throughout the world today.

5. There will be a separation of good from evil. The crossing point of good and evil will be at the Second Coming. We can see in the vast change of cultural and scientific fields a possibility for unity. The amazing development of modern science is for the age of the Ideal World to come which God originally planned in the beginning.

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