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BCC Index
Bible Correspondence Course Lesson 4
The Coming Utopia... Wonderful World Ahead
For ages men have dreamed of a utopian paradise on earth.
Nations have struggled and millions have died in its quest. But utopia
has eluded all the efforts of men. Why? Is utopia really possible? Are
world peace and prosperity coming soon? Here are the surprising answers
from your Bible! Five years after the close of World War II, Winston Churchill
declared in a speech in Copenhagen, "Unless some effective world super-government
can be brought quickly into action, the proposals for peace and human progress
are dark and doubtful."
In the early 1960s, noted nuclear physicist Edward Teller, who helped
develop the hydrogen bomb, warned that "We must work for the establishment
of a world authority sustained by moral and physical force--a world government
capable of enforcing worldwide law."
In 1970, U Thant, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, called
for the establishment of a global authority with broad powers to deal with
worldwide environmental problems. He remarked, "We need something new--and
we need it speedily--a global authority with the support and agreement of
governments and of other power interests, which can pull together all the
piecemeal efforts now being made."
Many voices have been raised calling for a world government to be established.
Serious-minded scientists and world leaders know that world peace is possible
only if all the nations are brought together in a supreme world government!
Is World Government Possible?
Yet declares A. F. K. Organski in the book World Politics, "World government
is still a long way off.... The creation of a world government through
the voluntary agreement of existing nations is so unlikely that we can
say flatly that it will never happen"(emphasis ours throughout lesson).
And Hans J. Morgenthau in his book Politics Among Nations, asserted: "There
is no shirking the conclusion that international peace cannot, be permanent
without a world state, and that a world state cannot be established under
the present moral, social, and political conditions of the world."
What a paradox! World leaders admit the most urgently needed fact today
is WORLD GOVERNMENT. Yet others admit that such a government is still a
long way off--that it is a TOTAL IMPOSSIBILITY under present world conditions!
Viewing the history of mankind, anyone can plainly see that men have
utterly failed to bring about world peace and prosperity. Fears, diseases,
poverty, hate, oppression and injustice have been rampant throughout history.
What about it? Is world government impossible--an idle pipe dream of
unrealistic optimists? Is the idea of a soon-coming UTOPIA on earth a hallucinatory
fantasy--an absurd myth?
If our only hope lies in the efforts of men, then a utopia is NOT possible
and there is no hope for the human race!
God’s World Government
People today fail to recognize there is any power other than their own
that can bring about a literal utopia on earth. What great power can, and
will, do this?
GOD ALMIGHTY! He has the power and the wisdom to make utopia reality!
This is the very message God sent Jesus Christ to proclaim to the world.
It is the "Gospel"--the GOOD NEWS--that Christ will return with the power
of God to give us universal peace and prosperity at last! Few today understand
that God has allotted mankind six thousand years in which to rule himself.
During this time, He has kept hands off the affairs of men. He has allowed
man to pursue the course that seems right to him (Prov. 16:25). God has
given man the opportunity to prove, by experience, the basic inadequacies
of any form of human government--be it communism, fascism, socialism, or
even democracy.
God is allowing the human race to prove to itself that NO human form
of government can bring us world peace!
When Jesus Christ returns, He will establish the government of God on
earth. Obedience to the laws of God will be taught throughout the world.
And Christ’s government will possess the power and the wisdom to enforce
His laws. It will prevent the strong from enslaving the weak--true justice
will be received by all.
Your Bible shows a literal UTOPIA is ahead! It will be a time of spiritual
and physical rejuvenation--one thousand years of boundless peace and prosperity!
And with the help of this lesson, God has made it possible for you to peer
into the future through His prophecies so you can know what that wonderful
world tomorrow will be like!
LESSON 4
THE WORLD AHEAD AT LAST
The Bible tells us that under the leadership of Jesus Christ, God’s
government will produce a UTOPIAN PARADISE on earth. Beginning with the
descendants of the children of Jacob, and using them as a model and example,
God will rebuild and bless ALL nations! Let’s study this exciting truth.
1. In the Bible, what does God specifically say regarding the descendants
of Jacob? Isa. 27:6; Ezek. 36:8-11; Zech. 8:7-8. Also read Amos 9:7-12.
COMMENT: After His return, Jesus Christ will lead the descendants of
ancient Israel out of great tribulation and into the Holy Land where they
will be resettled.
2. Will the devastated cities be rebuilt? Amos 9:14-15; Ezek. 36:33-35.
(Be sure to read all of chapter 36. Notice that when this regathering and
rebuilding occurs, Israel will never again practice heathen ways, or be
removed or be in trouble or captivity again.) Will there be happiness in
these cities? Jer. 33:10-14; Zech. 8:4-5.
COMMENT: Today’s vast pollution-laden, overpopulated metropolises are
rampant, with racial tentions and every kind of evil. These conditions
will not exist in tomorrow’s cities. Cities in the Millennium will be decentralized.
They will be small enough to promote healthy, happy family life, yet large
enough for a proper balance between industry and those essentials which
promote joyous living.
3. Will Christ make Jerusalem the capital of the earth--the world head-quarters
of His government? Zech. 8:3; Jer. 3:17. Will it be an example to the entire
world? Isa. 62:1-2, 7.
COMMENT: Being near the geographical center of the land surface of the
earth, Jerusalem is the ideal focal point for world control. It will be
rebuilt to absolute perfection. It will become the future MODEL CITY--the
pattern for cities throughout the world tomorrow.
4. Will the descendants of ancient Israel dwell in safety in their ownland?Ezek.
28:25-26. Will there be world peace? Isa. 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-4.
5. Will God cause the laws of nature to function for the benefit of
His people? Deut. 28:12; Isa. 41:18.
COMMENT: God originally promised to bestow great blessings upon ancient
Israel if they would only obey Him (Lev. 26; Deut. 28). The Bible shows
they disobeyed and were PUNISHED. In the Millennium, the descendants of
ancient Israel will obey God and therefore will receive these tremendous
blessings!
6. The Middle East is now a relatively barren region. Prophecies show,
however, that after Christ returns it will see the most dramatic change
of any land. Will the waste places become fertile, and will beautiful forests
spread in the Millennium? Isa. 41:14-20; 35:1-2, 7.
COMMENT; Can you imagine such a fabulous scene? Deserts becoming green,
fertile gardens of trees, shrubs, bubbling springs and brooks; mountains
brought low and made inhabitable.
Forests interspersed with cultivated fields will also cause the climate
to become more healthful and invigorating. Lumber, becoming scarce
today due to man’s exploitation, will again increase as the population
increases, making it possible for all to have beautiful homes and furniture.
7. Will God transform "Zion" and the surrounding area into a place resembling
the Garden of Eden? Isa. 51:3.
COMMENT: Zion is a hill within the city of Jerusalem. It is the original
area of the city--called the "city of David." Since it will be the location
of the capital city, "Zion" here represents the entire land of all the
tribes of Israel.
WILL All Nations to Be Blessed?
Prophecies show that the rest of the earth will share in the great prosperity
Christ will bring to Jerusalem and the descendants of Jacob. The whole
earth will undergo remarkable changes. 1. Will all nations become submissive--obedient--to
Christ? Isa. 2:1-3.
2. Since the Gentiles will obey Christ in the Millennium, will they
belong to Him--be His subjects and servants? Rom. 6:16.
3. Will the Gentiles therefore become Abraham’s "children," spiritually
speaking? Gal. 3:29. And what was promised to Abraham’s physical descendants?
Read both Leviticus 26:1-13 and Deuteronomy 28:1-14. COMMENT: Ancient Israel
was never able to claim all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus
26 over long periods of time because the people were not faithful in their
obedience to God. But with Christ ruling in the Millennium, all nations
will be obedient and therefore will also partake of the tremendous blessings
originally promised to the tribes of Israel.
Language, Liberty and Superabundance
One of the major barriers to mutual understanding and cooperation between
peoples has been the language barrier. When men cannot understand one another,
they can’t freely exchange ideas, philosophies, concepts or opinions. Misunderstandings
often lead to conflict.
Can you imagine what a world of ONE LANGUAGE would be like? Think what
a huge step forward it would be if people everywhere were liberated from
the language barrier--spoke and read and wrote the same language--werebound
together in common understanding for the first time since the tower of
Babel! 1. Will God give all the world ONE pure language so all can serve
and worship Him with one accord? Zeph. 3:9.
COMMENT: Man was once bound together by a common tongue. But he used
his knowledge for EVIL--for an attempt to begin the very civilization that
would have ended by DESTROYING ITSELF! (See Genesis 11.) When God divided
the languages at the tower of Babel, He was merely forestalling that eventual
time of world chaos which even now threatens the annihilation of humanity!
In the Millennium, with Christ as the supreme, all-powerful ruler, this
danger will be eliminated. And so Jesus Christ will usher in an era of
total literacy and total education by giving the world one pure language!
2. There will be a tremendous amount of reconstruction to be done in
the Millennium. But how hard will this work seem after people are delivered
from the suffering, sorrow and hard bondage of today’s evil world? Isa.
11:10; 14:3. Will submission to Christ and His laws bring the blessing
of liberty and rest to the minds and bodies of mankind? Matt. 11:28-30.
COMMENT: God will make life enjoyable, comfortable and satisfying for
people in the Millennium--as long as they continue to obey His laws. God’s
way of life truly is the way of LIBERTY--the way of FREEDOM from the drudgery
and toil of the ways of this world. But mankind today is not convinced
that it is. God is now letting man find out, by experience, how difficult
his own ways really are!
3. Much is said today against private ownership of property. Communists
and socialists are particularly against it, partly because men have abused
it. Does God think private ownership of property is wrong? Micah 4:4; Isa.62:8-9.
COMMENT: People will own their property in the Millennium. They will
be liberated from governments which deprive them of the righteous rewards
of their own toil! And God will not allow private ownership to be abused.
4. What about health in tomorrow’s world? Will God also liberate man
from sickness and disease? Isa. 33:21-24; Jer. 30:17; Isa. 35:3-6; 58:8.
COMMENT: The combined force of right education about true health and
instant HEALING of all sickness will mean PERFECT HEALTH for everyone!
5. The agricultural wealth of a nation is generally the greatest physical
asset it can possess. Today, most of the earth is unproductive--only about
ten percent of the land surface is actually tillable. There are many deserts,
mountainous regions and wildernesses. The exact opposite will be true in
the utopia of tomorrow as God begins to bless the entire world! Will He
cause the rains to fall at the right time? Ezek. 34:26; Isa. 30:23.
COMMENT: Farmers have had to gamble with the weather throughout the
centuries. About the most thrilling news they could hear is that their
work would always be successful--as long as they obey God:
6. Will there be great rejoicing over the abundance of crops God will
bestow in the wonderful world tomorrow? Jer. 31:12. Will there actually
be a superabundance of food? Amos 9:13.
The Great River
1. What will happen when the feet of the returning Christ touch the Mount
of Olives? Zech. 14:4.
2. Will the great valley thus formed become the channel of a mighty
riverwhich will arise in Jerusalem? Verse 8. Will one half of this mighty
river flow eastward toward the Dead Sea, and the other half flow westward
toward the Mediterranean Sea? Same verse.
3. Is the eastern channel of this river--in which "living waters" flow
into the Dead Sea--the same as the river described in Ezekiel 47:1-12? Does
verse 8 show that when the fresh or "healing" water from this life-giving
river begins to flow through the desert into the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea
will then be able to support LIFE, thus being "healed"? Will it contain
a great multitude of fish? Verse 9. Will this river also give life to the
barren places through which it flows? Verse 12.
COMMENT: The Dead Sea, 1286 feet below sea level, is the lowest spot
on earth. Look at any map of the Holy Land and notice that the Jordan River
constantly empties into the northern extremity of the Dead Sea. Even though
the Dead Sea has no outlet, the water level remains fairly constant. This
is because hot weather causes the waters to evaporate at about the same
rate water flows into the Dead Sea.
The water in this sea is so salty that no plant or marine life can survive
in it. But when this new river--the river of "living waters"--begins to empty
into the Dead Sea, its waters will rise until they overflow southward through
the desert. The overflow will probably carry into the Gulf of Aqaba. Everywhere
along the overflow area (except for certain salt swamps and marshes which
shall be formed--verse 11) plant and fish life will multiply.
4. Does this river of "living waters" proceed from the spot where God’s
Temple will stand--from Christ’s very throne? Ezek. 47:1, and latter part
of verse 12; Joel 3:18, last part. Is the Holy Spirit compared to "living
waters"? John 4:10; 7:37-39. Then isn’t this river clearly a physical counterpart
of God’s Holy Spirit?
COMMENT: The Holy Spirit, like the physical river, will go forth from
Jerusalem and will "heal" the mental and spiritual problems of mankind!
Clearly, the world tomorrow will be a utopian-paradise of peace, prosperity,
and beauty! All nations will share in the great blessings of God. The whole
world will be at peace. During that Millennial age, most of the earth’s
land surface will be cultivable. Beautiful forests, agricultural areas,
fish-filled lakes and streams will be found all over the world--with no
more barren tundras, polluted rivers, ravaged landscapes, hostile deserts
or waste places.
But how will such a world be ushered in? Exactly how will such vast
changes come about?
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about the way utopia will come,
and who will be involved. Believe it or not, you can have a part in bringing
about that wonderful world tomorrow!
The Coronation of THE KING IN THE WORLD AHEAD
Consider for a moment what the angelic messenger said to Mary, the mother
of Jesus: "Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great... and the Lord God shall
give unto him the THRONE Of his father David: and he shall REIGN over the
house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke
1:31-33).
Notice also the account in John 18:37: "Pilate therefore said unto him,
Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To
this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world...."
Jesus was born to rule and reign as King over all nations of the earth.
Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus qualified to become this world’s ruler by
conquering Satan the devil (Matt. 4:1-11). But He did not remove and replace
Satan at that time. He was not crowned King while a human being(John 18:36).
He was CRUCIFIED! Jesus was not to assume the responsibilities of His new
office as world ruler at that time.
When Jesus’ disciples assumed the Kingdom of God would be set up in
their day, He gave them a parable to explain when He would begin ruling
the world. 1. According to this parable in Luke 19:12-17, where did Jesus
go after His death to obtain the office of King and to receive the Kingdom?
Did He go to Caesar at Rome? Did He go to the people to have them induct
Him into office? Verse 12. Who only has the authority to make Jesus the
"King of kings"? Rom. 13:1.
COMMENT: Jesus was showing His disciples He would have to ascend to
His Father in heaven (the "far country" in the parable of Luke 19) to receive
authority to rule the nations.
2. After Jesus ascended to heaven and had been there for approximately
sixty years, He revealed Himself to the Apostle John. Was there a crown
on Jesus’ head when John saw Him? Rev. 1:12-18. Doesn’t this indicate Jesus
may not yet have been crowned after His arrival in heaven? What has Jesus
been "crowned" with thus far? Heb. 2:9
3. But will Jesus have been crowned by the time He returns? Rev. 14:14.
What scripture describes Jesus’ actual receiving of the Kingdom which He
went to heaven to obtain? Dan. 7:13-14.
COMMENT: Here is depicted the actual coronation of Jesus Christ. The
"Ancient of Days" is the heavenly Father. The title "Father" was not, used
because Jesus had not yet been begotten as a human being when Daniel saw
this vision.
Notice also that "one like the Son" appeared before the "Ancient of
days" to receive the Kingdom. The Logos or "Word" (John 1:1) was like the
Son of man. He was not yet born as a son, but since He would later become
a son of man, He was, in Daniel’s day, "like the Son of man"--the Jesus
who was to be born of a human mother.
Crowned "KING of Kings"
1. How many great crowns will Jesus have? Rev 14:14. But what about
the "many crowns" mentioned in Rev. 19:12?
COMMENT: Jesus will have only one great golden crown. That crown will
designate Him as Supreme King over all nations--over all the world. The
proper translation of Revelation 19:12 is: "And on his head are many diadems."
A diadem is a small crown or headband signifying royal office. The smaller
crowns or diadems symbolize the lesser royal offices Jesus will hold.
2. What will Christ’s official title be when He returns? Rev. 19:16.
But who are these other "kings"? Let’s understand.
3. Are Christians also to receive everlasting crowns--if they overcome?
I Cor. 9:25. Will those who qualify in this life rule over the nations
as KINGS with Christ? Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4; Dan. 7:22, 27.
4. When do the "saints"--Christians--receive the reward of crowns and
offices of rulership? II Tim. 4:8. Compare also Revelation 11:15, 18; 22:12
with Isaiah 40:10.
COMMENT: Jesus went to heaven to be crowned by the Father. but one of
the reasons Jesus will return to earth is to bring rewards of rulership
to His resurrected saints!
5. What did Christ say would be the reward of those who manage wisely
theabilities God has given them now? Luke 19:16-19.
6. Will the resurrected saints also be priests? Rev. 5:10; 20:6. And
judges? Verse 4.
COMMENT: Resurrected Christians will be kings and priests, and will
judge among the peoples of the earth during the Millennium.
Perfect, Powerful Government
Christ’s government will begin at Jerusalem, where His headquarters
will be located (Jer. 3:17). As His rule spreads over the whole earth,
all rebellious nations will be brought into line. 1. How will Christ deal
with those nations which refuse to come to Jerusalem to worship God the
way he commands? Zech. 14:16-19.
2. What will be Christ’s general policy for governing the nations? Rev.12:5;
19:15. Note the words "rod of iron." COMMENT: When God set His hand to
save mankind, He will use a "rod of iron," symbolizing absolute authority.
He will rule with power, and He will not hesitate to use it when necessary!
Man, influenced by his old habits and attitudes formed in this present
evil world, must be held under control until he learns his lesson and comes
to see that God’s way of living is best for all.
Jesus Christ will be in absolute control of the earth, but He will rule
with perfect justice and mercy, having once been human Himself(Heb. 2:9-10;
4:15). He will at first literally have to FORCE men to be happy! He will
impose His merciful rule on rebellious stiff-necked mankind, and bring
the world COMPULSORY JOY!
Although God will rule with power and authority, He does not intend
to "cram His religion" down the throats of people. He will not force anyone
to accept His truth in the sense of spiritual conversion--repentance, baptism,
etc.
God is not a stern, cruel monster as some agnostics have falsely implied.
God wants man at all times to be really happy! But God knows the only way
to lasting happiness is obedience to His laws!
Gradually, as men obey God’s laws they will wake up to the wisdom and
justice of God’s rule and will submit gladly to His authority, and a "rod
of iron" will no longer be necessary.
Re-education in the Millennium
Speaking of the Millennial rule of Christ, the Bible declares: "The
earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea" (Isa. 11:9).
During the Millennium God will TEACH mankind the laws that produce happiness.
He will give each individual the CHOICE, after learning His laws and seeing
the happiness they produce, of whether to obey God’s laws or not. The vast
majority of mankind will see God’s way is truly best and will voluntarily
choose to OBEY Him.
But before men can really choose they must clearly see the alternatives.
They must be RE-EDUCATED so they can see through old prejudices and discern
true values.
Education will play a vitally important role in the Millennium. A Gallup
Poll once revealed that only two percent of Americans thought education
is their most vital concern. But in the world tomorrow it will receive
TOP PRIORITY! Exactly why is education so important? Let’s understand.
1. Is faulty education, which has befogged the world’s understanding,
likea veil that hides the mind from truth? Isa. 25:7.
2. Who is fundamentally responsible for deceiving the whole world? Rev.12:9.
Doesn’t that make him the real author of wrong education? John 8:44.Will
the devil be allowed to deceive the nations when Christ commences to re-educate
the world? Rev. 20:1-3. 3. Has the devil deceived the nations largely by
means of false religion--including false religions that PROFESS Christ,
but DENY Him by their works? II Cor. 11:13-15; Titus 1:16.
4. What kind of knowledge is most lacking in the world today? Is it
spiritual knowledge? Hosea 4:6. What is the tragic result of this dearth
of spiritual knowledge? Same verse.
What Is True Education?
1. What does God think of the wisdom of the world? I Cor. 3:19. Where does
this world’s wisdom lead? Prov. 14:12.
2. But what is truth? John 17:17. What will truth do for people in the
world tomorrow? John 8:31-32.
COMMENT: A common, but false, concept in the world today is that education
should have nothing to do with a "way of life." Many believe education
should teach you only how to earn a living, but NOT how to live! Not so
at Ambassador College. Here students are also taught to "recapture true
values" from the FOUNDATION of knowledge--the Bible!
3. Do we have a written record that the true apostolic church preached
God’s "way" of life? Acts 19:9, 23. Does the world approve of God’s "way"?
Acts 24:14.
COMMENT: God’s way of life is the result of right education. It is based
upon the bedrock of TRUTH. But God’s truth has been totally rejected by
this world. The Bible has been completely disregarded by modern education!
4. The world is fast approaching a smashing climax which will shock
people into a realization that something is radically wrong with our modern
way of life. What will people then acknowledge? Jer. 16:19. Would they
desire to learn another way if their present way were better?
COMMENT: The people of this world have inherited lies from birth--profitless
ideas that have been funneled into their unquestioning minds. As adults
they continue accepting fallacies learned in childhood, and build their
lives around biases and prejudices.
When Christ rescues the world from annihilation, people will acknowledge
their ignorance--their lack of sound education. This confession of error
is actually the first step toward "repentance"!
5. What does repentance really involve? Isa. 55:6-9. Isn’t it clearly
turning from the wrong way one has been living? Verse 7.
COMMENT: Repentance clearly involves the forsaking of all wrong concepts
about life we have always taken for granted without proof, and turning
to God’s truth!
6. Will re-education in the Millennium necessarily remold man’s methods
of doing business? II Cor. 8:21. Will it remold the social order? I Peter
4:3-4. And all other phases of life in general? I Cor. 10:31.
God’s System for Re-education
The evils in the world today can be laid at the doorstep of false education.
Many educators are finaly waking up to the fact that our great universities
have FAILED! They have been hotbeds of discontent, strife, revolt and sedition.
This system of education obviously needs to be changed! What kind of system
will replace it?
1. In addition to ruling as supreme King over all the nations, will
Christ also be the supreme teacher? Isa. 2:3; Ps. 25:8-10.
COMMENT: Christ will unite these two functions in Himself. How plain
that in God’s pattern for world rule, religion and government are not separate!
2. Under Christ, who will rule over the modern descendants of Jacob?
Jer.30:7-9. What did Jeremiah mean by "raise up"? I Cor. 6:14. Will David
be a prince over Israel? Ezek. 34:23-24.
COMMENT: David will be resurrected to rule over the physical descendants
of ancient Israel. His office will include the responsibility of TEACHING
the people the laws of God.
3. Will the twelve apostles be placed over each of the twelve tribes
of Israel? Matt. 19:28. Will each apostle have a throne? Luke 22:29-30.
Will they then TEACH the individual tribes of Israel God’s TRUTH? Matt.
28:19-20.
COMMENT: The apostles preached the gospel to the nations 1900 years
ago, and God’s Church is preaching it to the nations today. But think how
much more all the nations and the whole earth will hear God’s truth proclaimed
during the Millennium!
4. Who else will rule and teach in the world tomorrow? Rev. 2:26; 5:10.
COMMENT: The resurrected Christians mentioned in Revelation 5:10 are
to be "priests" as well as kings. And the true function of a priest is
to teach. (Mal. 2:7).
When God intervenes in human affairs, it will not be left up to the
people to vote in their own rulers or choose their own teachers. In the
world tomorrow GOD will appoint His resurrected saints as the rulers and
educators, and not lobbyists or other pressure groups will be able to corrupt
them. They will teach the people all His laws and His statutes which are
the way to peace, prosperity and happiness!
5. Will the resurrected saints be able to appear in a material body
at will? Isa. 30:20-21. What will they do? Verse 21.
COMMENT: In the world tomorrow. those now qualifying to rule under Christ
will be ever-present and ever-ready to speak or act, both to teach and
to nip in the bud any attempted act of disobedience.
Because they will be composed of spirit, they will be able to come and
go as necessary, to pass through walls, or simply disappear, just as Christ
was able to after His resurrection (John 20:17, 19, 25-27; Luke 24:31).
Results of sweeping Education
1. Will people come to see eye to eye as they learn of God and His way?Isa.
52:7-8. Will the whole world come to know His truth? Hab. 2:14; Isa.11:9;
Jer. 31:34. Will even those who grumbled against God learn His truth? Isa.
29:24. 2. Will the Egyptians "know the Lord" in that day? Isa. 19:21. How
will the Egyptians, as well as all other people, really come to know God?
Isa. 55:6-7; I John 2:3-4. Will Ethiopia also seek to gain the benefits
of an obedient relationship with Christ? Ps. 68:31.
COMMENT: The nations near Israel spoken of in the Bible are types of
all nations in the world tomorrow. All the nations of the world will learn
that true Christianity really pays!
3. Will Gentile rulers bring presents to Christ in acknowledgment of
His educational and material benefits? Ps. 68:29. Upon what conditions
has God always promised to shower great material prosperity? Mal. 3:10-12.
COMMENT: Obedience to God’s laws is what will produce universal prosperity,
peace and happiness in the world tomorrow! Isn’t it plain that the basis
of right education is the knowledge of God and His laws?
Will there be New Natures?
1. Will God change the natures of animals in the Millennium? Isa. 11:6-8;Hosea
2:18. Will all creatures be peaceful? Ezek. 34:25.
2. In the Bible God speaks of the heart of man as being symbolic of
his mind. What is man’s heart--his mind--really like today? Jer. 17:9. Is
man’s mind naturally submissive to God and His law? Rom. 8:7.
3. What does God say He will add to the minds of people in the Millennium
to CHANGE the basic attitude of man? Ezek. 36:26-27; Jer. 31:33.
COMMENT: As God is going to change the lion’s inborn desire for flesh
food to an appetite for vegetation and is going to give peaceful natures
to all other creatures, so He will make a truly marvelous and miraculous
CHANGE in man’s hostile mind. This change in the mind will be brought about
by repentance and the receiving of God’s HOLY Spirit! This is what will
actually make the wonderful world tomorrow a literal UTOPIA! By a
miracle, God will place His very own nature of outgoing love within mankind
(Rom. 5:5). True love will thus be manifested in human beings through the
Holy Spirit of God. People will then love their fellowmen and strive to
make them happy!
It would require a thick book to begin to describe the wonderful conditions
which could prevail on this earth--and which will finally prevail when the
human heart is HUMBLED, CONVERTED by the Holy Spirit--given the very nature
of God! (II Peter 1:4.)
God’s Way BEST After All!
Do you grasp the significance of what you have studied in your Bible
with this lesson? God prophesied long ago of a time when He would cause
this earth’s inhabitants to possess magnificent abundance. It is then that
the world will wake up to a great truth--that GOD’S WAY IS BEST AFTER ALL!
The time is almost here when "The LORD of hosts [shall] make unto all
people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things
full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy
in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the
vail that is spread over all nations"--their spiritual blindness (Isa. 25:6-7).
God will soon halt this world’s mad plunge toward nuclear cosmocide.
He will send Jesus Christ to intervene in world affairs and put down all
rebellion. Then He and His saints will begin teaching the nations God’s
truth and His laws, His ways that bring blessings, prosperity, peace and
happiness.
The utopian paradise which mankind has always longed for will finally
be ushered in. Men will at long last WAKE UP! He will finally see through
the veil of prejudices which have prevented he him from following the WAY
which would bring them all of their true desires.
No one in that wonderful world tomorrow will be deceived as the vast
majority of mankind today! There will be no devil around to lead people
astray. ALL will know the TRUTH! There will be no more religious confusion.Eyes
will be Opened to God’s revealed truth. Humans will become TEACHABLE. People
will start living God’s WAY--the way of outgoing concern for others--the
way of TRUE VALUES--the way of PEACE, of HAPPINESS Of WELL-BEING, of JOY!
Crime, sickness, disease, and suffering will be GONE! Poverty and ignorance
will be banished. SMILES will enlighten human faces--countenances will radiate
with sparkling JOY! Wild animals will be tame. Air pollution, water pollution,
soil pollution will be no more! There will be crystal-pure water to drink;
clean, crisp, pure air to breathe; rich fertile soil producing full-flavored
foods where deserts once existed, producing full-flavored foods; and fantastic
BEAUTY in flowers, shrubs, trees.
The millennial world will be filled with HAPPY people guided, helped,
protected and ruled by Christ and the saints--and all human beings will
learn that they, too, are called by God to inherit EVERLASTING LIFE in
supreme happiness and thrilling Joy!
WHAT A FABULOUS WORLD THAT WILL BE!
Although a utopian paradise is indeed impossible by the hands of men--although
none of this world’s governments can bring us true peace, prosperity and
abundance--your Bible shows THE GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH CAN AND WILL
PRODUCE UTOPIA ON EARTH... SOON! May God speed that glorious day!
TEST YOUR MEMORY
This quiz is designed to help you remember the important facts you learned
in the lesson. You simply circle, or underline each correct answer. After
you’ve finished, check your choices with the correct answers listed at
the end of the test, and then rate yourself.
1. How will a "utopia" of world peace and prosperity finally become
reality? A. By a worldwide revival in all churches. B. Through a strengthened
NATO and UN. C. Only by the rule of a divine world government. D. By men
learning to control the weather and the population explosion.
2. The wonderful world tomorrow will A. have no cities. B. become reforested
on a grand scale. C. not be very prosperous, except in God’s model nation.
D. lack rainfall in desert areas.
3. The life-giving stream which will flow east and west from Jerusalem
A. symbolizes the tears Jesus shed over Jerusalem. B. will not literally
exist. C. will quickly be swallowed up and lost in the southern desert.
D. symbolizes the "healing" of the nations by God’s Holy Spirit.
4. Jesus’ actual coronation A. took place when He ascended to heaven.
B. will take place before His second coming. C. takes place after He conquers
all nations. D. took place when He conquered the devil.
5. As "King of kings," how many great crowns will Jesus have? A. Three:
for heaven, hell and earth. B. Seven. C. One. D. Many.
6. When will the "saints" receive their crowns? A. After they prove
their ability to rule the nations. B. At the "rapture." C. After Jesus
has conquered, completely reorganized and rebuilt this world, and solved
its problems. D. At Christ’s return.
7. David will A. remain dead in his grave during the Millennium B. rule
as king over the descendants of Jacob in the Millennium. C. rule over theGentiles.
D. have less authority over Israel than the twelve apostles.
8. In the Millennium, Christ will A. govern gently at all times. B.
never deal severely with the rebellious C. not be concerned about education.
D. teach mankind God’s way of life.
9. The goal of Christ’s re-education program will primarily be to A.
reform the economic system. B. teach man how to fulfill his democratic
responsibility. C. remold the social life of the community. D. develop
the whole character of man--perfect his physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual life.
10. The most important change destined to occur in tomorrow’s world
will be in A. man’s hostile attitude. B. the nature of animals. C. the
weather. D. the languages.
TRUE OR FALSE
11. The one problem today that will continue on over into the world
tomorrow will be the multiplicity and corruption of languages and dialects.T
F 12. In the Millennium, work will seem like rest compared to the suffering,
sorrow and hard bondage of this world’s ways. T F
13. Resurrected "saints"--Christians--will be "priests," as well as "kings"
under Christ. T F
14. False education is an unfortunate curse, but thankfully it does
not enslave mankind. T F
15. The Millennium will become a literal utopia because man’s efforts
will finally make it so. T F
Draw a line from each numbered phrase to the correctly related
lettered phrase.
| 16. Utopia |
A. Myth |
|
B. An impossibility |
| 17. God's law |
C. Changes man's attitude |
|
D. Never rebuilt |
| 18. Great river |
E. Future world capital |
|
F. Way to blessings |
| 19. Jerusalem |
G.The Nile |
|
H. "Heals" the Dead Sea |
| 20. The Holy Spirit |
I. Comng soon on earth |
|
J. Produced by science |
ANSWERS TO QUIZ Rate Yourself
1-C 5-C 9-D 13-T 17-F 19-20 correct - - - excellent
2-B 6-D 10-A 14-F 18-H 16-18 correct - - - good
3-D 7-B 11-F 15-F 19-E 13-15 correct - - - fair
4-B 8-D 12-T 16-I 20-C
|