A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 22
In the Old Testament, King Solomon took all of the materials provided for him by His father, David, and built the temple of God. It took seven years to complete, but once it was finished, it was perfect, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
“Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it was finished. So the house of the Lord was perfected.”—2 Chronicles 8:16 (KJV)
Solomon’s temple is just a symbolic representation of the spiritual house of God that is being built now, and you and I are part of that house!
“You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.”—1 Peter 2:5 (AMP)
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering], and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory]”—Hebrews 12:22-23 (AMP)
At the end of this age, God’s house will be perfected when He also restores His chosen people of Israel through a remnant of Jewish believers that Paul described in Romans 9-11. Then the Jewish believers together with the Gentile believers will come together to complete the perfect house of God!
“Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].”—Hebrews 11:40 (AMPC)
“Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, who are called ‘Uncircumcision’ by those who called themselves ‘Circumcision,’ [itself a mere mark] which is made in the flesh by human hands—remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God. But now [at this very moment] in Christ Jesus you who once were [so very] far away [from God] have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
**“**For He Himself is our peace and our bond of unity. He who made both groups—[Jews and Gentiles]—into one body and broke down the barrier, the dividing wall [of spiritual antagonism between us], by abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the hostility caused by the Law with its commandments contained in ordinances [which He satisfied]; **so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, **thereby establishing peace. And [that He] might reconcile them both [Jew and Gentile, united] in one body to God through the cross, thereby putting to death the hostility. And He came and preached the good news of peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away, and peace to those [Jews] who were near. For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, in whom **the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord **[a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord]. In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”—Ephesians 2:11-22 (AMP)
As Jesus prayed to His Father:
“I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.”—John 17:23 (AMP)
The Lifespan of Humankind
“Therefore let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about the Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness”—Hebrews 6:1 (AMP)
Since the time of Adam, God has been at work to bring the Jews and the Gentiles together to form one complete, perfect, mature body in Christ. We together are becoming His Temple. The Jews could not be complete without the Gentiles, and the Gentile believers cannot be made complete without the remnant of Jewish believers.
As Dan Cummins points out on page 16 of his book, Until the Harvest, there have been about 6,000 years of human history since the time of Adam. And 2 Peter 3:8 tells us that, “To the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day” (2 Peter 3:8 ICB). That is very important because that tells us that in the eyes of God, the entire lifespan of humankind will only last one week—seven 1,000-year “days.”
- Day 1 = 1,000 years from Adam to Noah
- Day 2 = 1,000 years from Noah to Abraham
- Day 3 = 1,000 years from Abraham to David
- Day 4 = 1,000 years from David to Christ
- Day 5 = 1,000 years from Christ to the Reformation
- Day 6 = 1,000 years from the Reformation to Christ’s return
- Sabbath Day 7 = 1,000 years of Christ’s Millennial reign on earth
This has been God’s pattern from the beginning. It took six days in the beginning for Creation to be made perfect and complete, and then all of creation entered into God’s seventh day of Sabbath rest.
“So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”—Genesis 2:1-3 (NLT)
We are told in Hebrews chapter 4 about this Sabbath rest that is promised to the believers, just like the Promised Land was made available to the children of Israel, but many fell short and never entered into it.
“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:
“So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’”
although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”;** **and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”
“Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said:
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”
“For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”—Hebrews 4:1-11 (NKJV)
There are six elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ that are foundational in leading us to perfect completeness and spiritual maturity. The writer of Hebrews urges us to keep moving on from these principles to achieve full maturity in Christ.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, **let us go on to perfection, **not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”—Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV)
We can see each of these six principles in the six 1,000-year “days” in the lifespan of humankind:
- Day 1 = 1,000 years from Adam to Noah (Repentance from Dead Works after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden)
- Day 2 = 1,000 years from Noah to Abraham (Faith toward God as exemplified in the lives of Noah and Abraham, who is called the “Father of all those who believe”)
- Day 3 = 1,000 years from Abraham to David (The Doctrine of Baptisms as seen in the covenants God made with Abraham, Moses, and David)
- Day 4 = 1,000 years from David to Christ (Laying on of Hands during the time of the Temple priesthood)
- Day 5 = 1,000 years from Christ to the Reformation (Resurrection of the Dead as seen in the life of Christ and the Reformation of the Church)
- Day 6 = 1,000 years from the Reformation to Christ’s return (Eternal Judgment seen in the end-time judgments of God)
- Sabbath Day 7 = 1,000 years of Christ’s Millennial reign on earth (Perfection)
“As for God, His way is perfect”—Psalm 18:30 (NKJV)
“God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.” —2 Samuel 22:33 (NKJV)
“It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.” —Psalm 18:32 (NKJV)
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me”—Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)
“But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.”—Proverbs 4:18 (AMP)
God Tests Us to Bring Us to Perfect Maturity
Perfection of character and maturity cannot be achieved without suffering and trials. Even Jesus had to endure these things.
“For it was fitting for God [that is, an act worthy of His divine nature] that He, for whose sake are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the author and founder of their salvation perfect through suffering [bringing to maturity the human experience necessary for Him to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest].”—Hebrews 2:10 (AMP)
And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’—Luke 13:32 (NKJV)
“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”—Hebrews 5:9 (ESV)
God tests us as part of His process to bring us to perfect maturity, just like Jesus tested the rich young ruler:
Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”—Matthew 19:21 (AMP)
God called Abraham to perfect maturity; and God tested Abraham along the way.
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”—Genesis 17:1 (KJV)
The whole experience of obeying God’s command to take Isaac to Moriah to sacrifice him was a test. It was all part of God’s process to bring Abraham to maturity.
“And Abraham stretched forth his hand and took hold of the knife to slay his son.
“But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! He answered, Here I am.
“And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son.”—Genesis 22:10-12 (AMPC)
James gives us valuable insight to let us know that the tests and trials that we experience are all working on our behalf to bring us to complete, perfect maturity in Christ.
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”—James 1:2-4 (AMP)
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”—1 Pet 5:10 (NASB)
How Do We Know When We Have Reached Perfect Maturity?
“The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.”—Luke 6:40 (KJV)
The goal is to become like Christ. Perfect maturity is achieved when we have been transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. He is the standard of perfection.
We are transformed into His image by looking to Him; by keeping our focus upon Him. He is our role model and our goal.
“None of our faces are covered with a veil. All of us can see the Lord’s glory and think deeply about it. So we are being changed to become more like him so that we have more and more glory. And this glory comes from the Lord, who is the Holy Spirit.”—2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIRV)
As we keep our focus on Jesus and meditate on His character and His words that are given to us in the Bible, our souls are cleansed and transformed into His image.
“So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.”—James 1:21 (AMPC)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God’s will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect.”—Romans 12:2 (ISV)
As we are transformed more and more into the image of Christ, our words will give indication of the purity of our hearts. When we no longer offend people unnecessarily with our words, then our hearts are pure and we have reached perfect maturity.
“For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.”—James 3:2 (AMPC)
The words that a person speaks are a direct indication of the character and spiritual maturity of the person because the words that a person speaks come directly from the heart of a person.
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”—Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)
When we have reached perfect maturity, we will continually keep and obey the Word of God.
“But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.”—1 John 2:5-6 (AMP)
Our obedience to God will be best demonstrated by genuine love for others.
“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us. If we love each other, God’s love has reached its goal. It is made perfect in us.”—1 John 4:12 (ICB)
“God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. In this [union and fellowship with Him], **love is completed and perfected with us, **so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.”—1 John 4:17 (AMP)
“There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].”—1 John 4:18 (AMPC)
“All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you.”—Philippians 3:15 (AMP)
“Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.”—2 Corinthians 13:11 (AMPC)
