Romans – God’s Timeline XXIV: The Purpose of the Eons – Birth Pangs into the Kingdom (Part 8)

 

The Tenth Administration

With the fulfillment of the ninth administration, that is, the complement of the nations which have entered, the tenth administration picks up where the Pentecostal administration left off.  This is the end of eon 3 (2 Thess. 2:1-12.) This is an intense, seven-year ordeal which will commence with the unparalleled indignation, and righteous judgment, of God.

These final seven years of the eon are prophesied beforehand in the book of Daniel, as part of seventy groups of seven years. The prophecy itself claims that, upon the fulfillment of these “seventy heptads,” the promised kingdom will finally be unveiled to Israel.

Of course, scoffers have, since then, done that infamous scoffing of theirs. They reason that “The Bible is false, because seventy heptads is 490 years, and far more than 490 years make up Israel’s history. Those ‘believer’ dudes don’t know what they’re talking about!” However, upon a close inspection of the Daniel 9:25-27 passage which briefly summarizes this chronology, Daniel makes it a point to split these groups of seven years into groups. There are 62 groups of seven years, 7 groups of seven years, and 1 final group of seven years.

Why does he split the groups like this? Because when these groups are finished, God clicks His “stopwatch” with Israel. Yes – pauses His direct affiliation with the nation.

In this case, the 69 prior heptads are past. When Israel murdered their own Messiah (bold strategy, Cotton,) God’s stopwatch was clicked, and Israel was placed in apostasy once again. The period we live in now (this ninth administration) is coming to a close. When it ends, God will pick up with Israel again (2 Thess. 2:3-14,) unveiling indignation on the world during the final seven years, or the seventieth heptad.

By the time this administration is unveiled, God’s point(s) concerning man’s irreverence will have been completely proven. Man showed, during the second eon, what they were capable of without the death penalty. Their wars into the third and fourth administration showed, in the first act of the third eon, what they were capable of with the death penalty (Gen. 9:6.) The Israelites showed, in the second act of the third eon, that they were incapable of righteousness under law, and envious – not adoring – the One Who was capable of fulfilling it (Matt. 27:18.) And humanity as a whole once again showed, in the final act of this eon, that they do not respect the bountiful grace which God is unveiling through Paul, but rather hoard for themselves indignation in the day of indignation (Rom. 2:5.)

This is why this administration is titled “Indignation” on the Divine Calendar. Righteous anger is dispensed to the world. Let there be no mistake: this indignation is sorely needed. It is not founded on incredulity at man, for it has been prophesied to occur beforehand, even as Christ’s sacrifice was prophesied before His entrance into Eden (1 Pet. 1:19-20.) The purpose for God’s indignation in these final seven years is presented in Rom. 1:18-32, as we covered at the beginning of this Romans study.

Christ is the only Rescuer from this coming Indignation (1 Thess. 1:9-10.) No, God is not using the coming indignation as some “incentive” for you to believe at present; that would be “manipulation,” and a strawman of God’s position on the matter. The indignation has been proven as a necessity (Rom. 1:18-32, 1:27,) not a fallback. Further, the indignation is followed by corrective measures on God’s end (Rom. 2:1-16,) not eternal torture or separation from Him. You have done nothing which would warrant the eternal rejection of God, Who made you, or Christ, Who died for you.

The indignation is a temporary affair – seven years, no more. Jesus likens this period of time to “birth pangs” (Matt. 24:8, Mk. 13:8-9.) As we know from Greys Anatomy, “birth pangs” are temporary periods of some of the most unbearable pain that the human body endures – yet this is followed by “new life.” The following, final two administrations, corresponding with the final two eons and worlds, will be glorious (Rom. 1:25,) celebratory, and peaceful. Without this indignation, God couldn’t unveil the new without creation inevitably failing to appreciate it. Please, keep the end goal and the purpose in view with the administration of indignation, before presuming that it’s “just God being a big meanie,” because it ignores the bulk of divine revelation.

This is the era of lawlessness, for the man of lawlessness will be unveiled on the earth (often called the “anti-christ” today. In Greek, this is, literally, “INSTEAD-of-ANOINTED.”) This one will be “opposing and lifting himself up over everyone termed a god or an object of veneration, so that he is seated in the temple of God, demonstrating that he himself is God” (2 Thess. 2:4.) In Old Testament revelation, he is called the “abomination of desolation” (Dan. 9:27, Matt. 24:15.) He can only arrive when the body of Christ departs from the earth (2 Thess. 2:3.) We are called the “present detainers” of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7,) which can only refer to our keeping this lawlessness at bay.

This will be the greatest tribulation ever to come upon this second earth; it will has seen no cataclysm as great as this – nor will there be another cataclysm as terrible. It’s called a “season of distress” in Jer. 30:7, and this name hardly does the full unfolding justice. Observe, if you will, Is. 63:1-6, which aptly summarizes the nature of this judgment–

Who is this coming from humanity, with wine-dyed garments from the vintage? This is One effulgent in His clothing, Marching in His great vigor: It is I, speaking in righteousness, abundant to save! For what reason is there red on Your clothing? And Your garments are like those of one treading in a winetrough?

The winepress I have trod by Myself, and from the peoples there was no man with Me; I tread them in My anger and tramp them down in My fury, and their lifeblood spatters on My garments, and all My clothing I have sullied.

For the day of vengeance came on them, and the year of My redeemed has come. When I look, there is no helper; when I am appalled, there is no supporter, Yet My own arm is saving for Me, and My own fury, it supports Me! And I trample peoples in My anger, and make them drunk in My fury, and I bring down to the earth their lifeblood.

This is, arguably, one of the darkest passages I’ve ever read in Holy Writ, but it is no less critical to the narrative. The vengeance of God is not the vengeance of man – His vengeance gets the point across, and is not self-centered, but with a view to establishing His people on the earth. Sure enough, after the fallout (parallel passage in Rev. 19:11-21,) we read, in Zechariah’s prophetic statement (Zech. 14:3-4)–

Then Yahweh will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights in a day of attack. And His feet will stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, Which is adjoining Jerusalem on the east.

Thus the present wicked eon will come to a close with the same divine indignation which incited it. The flood washed the ancient world away – yet the vengeance of God forges the nation of Israel in fire. In relation to judgment, the end of the second eon and the end of the third eon juxtapose perfectly (as it was in the days of Noah, thus shall be the presence of the Son of Mankind.) The flood wiped out the second world’s irreverence, from a place of grief. This time, however, the bowls which consummate the fury of God will be unfolded methodically, and carefully – that mankind will be unable to believe that anything other than God is specifically afflicting them. This will not drive one to repentance, for anger does not often drive another to repent (Rev. 9:20-21.)     

The End of the Eon

As with the seventh, eighth, and ninth administrations, this tenth administration has its own reflective symmetry with the corresponding third administration. Man, in corrupted flesh, will attempt to establish itself on the earth, erecting monuments to glorify itself and its accomplishments. At the beginning of the eon, this was called Babel. The term “Babel,” in Hebrew, is Bbl. There is one word in ancient Hebrew which is spelled in the exact same way: our modern day Babylon.

Even as the rebellious men at Babel sought to follow in the way of Cain once again and establish one primary form of government, so in the final seven-year tribulation, the man of lawlessness will create one governmental power, under the “beast,” and rule with unprecedented power over the entire earth, with a view to glorify the fleshy, unrighteous mankind – called Babylon, by God, in Revelation. Like “Babel,” its Hebrew counterpart, it will fall. Yet unlike Babel, which gave way to a promise of the millennial kingdom, the fall of Babylon will give way to the establishment of the millennial kingdom, beginning the restoration of all which the circumcision apostles so dearly expected (Acts 3:19-21.)

This beautifully rounds out the themes of the eon. Through the removal of the corrupt, confused constructs which have corroded our consciences, snaring us in the Adversary’s clutches, the way will be paved for that sweet, and ever-so-necessary millennial kingdom, which will finally establish a proper, righteous rule, with willing, righteous subjects, at the center of the land.

The Eleventh Administration

This takes us to the thousand-year kingdom, which is “the eleventh administration,” taking place over the course of the fourth eon. This is the millennial kingdom which we have been considering throughout this series, concerning the restoration of all. At this point in the divine calendar, everything clicks into place. The Son of Mankind is finally seated on His throne in glory (Matt. 25:31,) and all is set right in the earth.

As we have considered the fourth eon’s place in detail by this point, we may now ask of its purpose, in relation to the other eons. It is easy to state that the restoration of all occurs at this point, as God directly says it (Acts 3:21,) but what, exactly, does this include?

For starters, the paradise initially unveiled to Adam is mostly restored. No one will deny that the millennial kingdom should be far more blissful than Eden ever was. There is both implicit and explicit reason to believe this. Explicitly, many passages in the Old Testament describe the beauty of this upcoming kingdom, which are well worth the time to explore. Notably, Is. 2:2-4 shows us that peace will rule – that war will be absent from the earth, as it was in Eden. Animals and humans will once again be at peace with each other, as the Adamic days (Is. 11:6-9.) Lifespans will be extraordinarily long (Is. 65:20, 25, John 3:16, Rev. 20:5.) Desolate or destroyed land (for example, land that has been paved over with cement fifteen times over,) will become fertile again (Ez. 36:34-36.)

The curse inflicted at Eden, which the men in the second administration suffered for, will be lifted. Man will no longer have to toil the ground for their food, for the trees will again freely produce food each month – nor will a fruit tree be used up (Ez. 47:7-12.) The disabilities and ailments brought to the human race by sin will thankfully be removed yet again (Is. 35:6-7.)

The administration of authority finds its complement in Christ’s kingdom. The nations of the earth had followed in the way of Cain by building cities for their own personal glorification and shelter. By the time Abram rolled around, some of the largest nations had rallied into massive wars (Gen. 14.) In contrast to this violent warfare, Christ will shepherd the nations with an iron club (Rev. 2:27.) It is through Abram’s Seed that all the nations will be subjected and blessed (Gen. 12:3, 18:18, 22:18.) Apart from Christ, this is an impossibility. Thus the third administration will find its fulfillment in Christ. As with Abraham and Melchizedek in Gen. 14:14-16, Christ will sweep the warfare of the nations away (Zech. 14:1-4,) and establish His blessing, through the Melchizedek priesthood referred to in Hebrews 6-7!

This further fulfills the fourth administrational plot point. No longer does Abraham’s offspring faithfully wait for their kingdom, but it is presented to them! As the millennial kingdom progresses, the promises made to Abraham are graciously fulfilled, and Israel finally rests at the center of the earth, ruling in peace.

This is, in part, because those who are a part of the “former resurrection” (Rev. 20:6, recall article 13) will have the law written in their hearts (Jer. 31:33,) enabling Christ’s subjects to act righteously. That they are able to effect the law is evidence to the fulfillment of the fifth administration. In this administration, specifically, actual righteousness is dispensed to terrestrial Israel for the first time. In this, all the nations are finally subject to God through His Mediator, Christ, and His national mediator, Israel.

This is further compounded by the grace and truth which return with Christ (as He promised during His ministry.) This, too, fulfills the sixth administration, for the great commission (which, as we covered in article 13, is not concerned with the present eon, but the following eon,) is now able to be effected. The sons of Israel disciple all the nations during this millennial reign – wholly achieving that which Christendom has unabashedly failed to accomplish.

Of course, we cannot forget the power of the holy spirit which absolutely dominated the seventh administration (that whole “speaking other languages” thing was epic, to say the least.) The aforementioned gifts and abilities mentioned which took place during this administration will be commonplace during the kingdom eon (Joel 2:2,) but this is merely the beginning. Keep in mind that, during this present administration, there is no difference between the Jew or Greek believer (Eph. 3:6-7.) Yet during the next eon, such a difference is fundamental for the restoration of the earth (if the Jew and gentile are considered equals in the coming eon, then Christ is not fulfilling the Melchizedek priesthood, as there are no nations which require His services as Mediator!)

Thus at that time, salvation will once again be of the Jews (John 4:22, Ps. 18:48-49, Is. 11:10.) The nations will be inquiring of the King of the Jews, and the sons of Israel will praise Him thanks to the allotment He has given to true, faithful Israel (Rom. 11:26.) This will ultimately be done by blessing all nations, as God promised to Abraham. The nations, which will be subordinate to Israel, will come to Israel, desiring to meet the true El Who Suffices (Gen. 22:15-18, Zech. 8:20-23, Rom. 15:9-10.)

At this time, the eighth and ninth administrations will no longer be in effect. At this point in time, those who believed Paul’s evangel during these two administrations will be ruling and reigning this kingdom with Christ. Let us recall Paul’s words earlier in Rom. 5:17–

For if, by the offense of the one, death reigns through the one, much rather, those obtaining the superabundance of grace and the gratuity of righteousness shall be reigning in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Those who obtain both the justification and the conciliation are ruling during this eon! You could, I guess, argue that the eighth and ninth administrations are “in effect,” but only in the sense that the blessings themselves are being fulfilled at this time. The grace that we are given, again, is the source of the righteousness which will be dispensed during this eon (Rom. 5:21!)

Restored, Not Resolved

We have, therein, meditated on the purpose of the kingdom – to restore that which went wrong in this eon, relieve men of being blinded by the weaker conscience (see the studies on Rom. 2:14-16,) and establish comparatively greater conditions than that which God presented in Eden. In this, the earth is forged with righteousness, and sin is practically dispelled for the vast majority of the eon. Righteousness is due, and it will have its day.

As with the prior administrations, this administration, too, is subject to the structural reflective symmetry of the eons, separated by the cross. The righteousness that is dispensed in this administration directly contrasts the irreverence dispensed with the imperfect conscience. As this is the case, the indignation which concluded the second eon – flooding the entire earth to wash away sin from the earth – will not play a role. Evil will be debarred, as Satan will be locked up during this 1,000 year period (Rev. 20:1-3.)

However, it must be noted that the fourth eon does not resolve the various “evils” which are brought about in the second and third eons. If I steal from the bank, and then become righteous, so as to never do it again, this does not resolve the actual theft. It deters future thievery, sure! In this sense, the world which was originally created to restore the problems established by the disruption is, literally, restored to its former glory.

Hence a new heaven and earth is still needed. “Locked up” does not mean “done away with.” There are, indeed, many who learn their lesson after being locked up! But there are far more who are embittered by this experience, and believe themselves to be in the right (see chapter one of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie; his quote by Al Capone is very telling.) Such is the case with Satan, who learned little from his locking up (a detainment correlated exactly with righteousness being unfolded on mankind,) and instead will choose to rally up the nations in an effort to, once again, overthrow God’s government and destroy the citadel (Rev. 20:7-9.)

It has been asked many times, “Why must Satan be loosed at the end of the eon?” We may first note that Satan is not loosed because “God couldn’t control Him.” Revelation is prophetic, so the acknowledgment from God that He will loose Satan at a later point in time is already foreknown.

In truth, the critical lesson of the cross is that evil must be present in order for peace to become apparent. The death of Christ is the greatest evil to be inflicted on someone. Yet this death is simultaneously the greatest blessing to be unfolded on everyone. A dispensation of righteousness leads to an experience of great peace! But an experience of evil is the only manner by which a permanent peace may be established and kept. While the tenth administration is filled with relative evils, these are judgments meant to correct – not calls to peace. The only peace toward all is conveyed with the crucifixion of His Son at Golgotha (Rom. 5:10.)

In fact, if there were ever a clearer example that God utilizes evil to effect a greater outcome, it’s here, in his loosing of Satan. God has demonstrated numerous times that it is not His goodness which gains our hearts. It gains our repentance, sure (Rom. 2:4) – and this will be the disposition of the nations during this millennial kingdom (various interpretations to the contrary will be refuted when we consider Revelation, but both A.E. Knoch and Martin Zender have sufficiently discussed this enough in their exhortations on this point.) But only His grace is enough to win the heart of the greatest sinners, as Paul himself attests to in his letters, and Luke verifies.

As soon as Satan has an opportunity to rally the nations, these repentant individuals will backslide, and it will be revealed that many of mankind, even during the millennium, have not yet accepted that Christ is their Savior. The sin of the old humanity will still be working in them. This is because the judgment of all, which, as we have meditated on during Rom. 2:1-16, is the ultimate corrective measure by God, will not occurred quite yet.

Thus, all is restored – but all is not resolved. If all were resolved, then both humanity and Satan would have no reason to rebel against the system. The correction of all must undeniably still occur at the great white throne, during the Day of Judgment. It is then – and only then – that this creation of God’s may be perfected, and God’s universal goal finally fulfilled.

- GerudoKing