1. Acts of the Infant Church – Preparing for Glory

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Hymns: RHC 445 O Master Let Me Walk with Thee, The Last, Last Hour, Our Loved Ones 

Acts 1:1-11 (KJV)

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts of the Infant Church – Preparing for Glory

OUTLINE

  • Gather to Pray (v1-7)
  • Go as the Holy Spirit Leads (v8)
  • Graze for the Return of Christ (v9-11)

INTRODUCTION

This is the story of the infant church that was assembled together in a corporate prayer meeting by the instruction of their Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, who appeared to them after His resurrection, three days after His crucifixion. 

The redemption work of Christ has been inaugurated when He entered human history in the fullness of them in His first advent and will culminate in His Second Coming (v11). 

It fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The government of Christ is fulfilled through the church in the preaching of the gospel energized by the Holy Spirit to convert hearts and save souls. Men and women who submit to the headship of Christ in their lives.

The government of Christ is fulfilled also His sovereign rule over the universe through His creative and sustaining power (Hebrews 1:2b-3).

Hebrews 1:1-2 (KJV) God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3 (KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Christ’s return to the Mount of Olives where He ascended to heaven will be a pivotal event to fulfil literally His rule on earth physically upon the throne of David from Jerusalem – Zechariah 14:9 (KJV) And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

It will be the time when the kingdom of Israel will be restored with the Jews saved and Jerusalem, the capital of the world.

Christ will return to save Israel and defeat the army of the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16, 19:-21).

These are events the prophet Zechariah already revealed concerning the future in Zechariah 14:1-4 (KJV) Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

This event is special because Jude tells us, according to Enoch’s prophecy, that the raptured church would then be in heaven and returning together with Christ to inaugurate His rule on earth for a thousand years.

Jude 14-15 (KJV) And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

It will be a momentous event as the Apostle John reveals to us in Revelation 1:7 (KJV) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The Book of Acts gives the acts of Christ from heaven through the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, empowering the church to fulfil the redemption of God to save sinful men from eternal destruction and judgment.

And this plan could be coming to an end soon as we survey the scene in the world today – Matthew 24:14 (KJV) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Today, there is a capability of launching what is called global sermons that reaches the world in the language of the people though we may be speaking in English or Mandarin. It can be translated and brought forth in the language of the people so that the outreach of the gospel can be effectively multiplied to reach different people groups. 

Truly, we are in the last of the last days, the last, last hour of human history!

And all who serve Christ today will receive reward from the Lord – Revelation 22:12 (KJV) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (KJV) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Acts of the Apostles Chapter 1:1-11 – “Acts of the Infant Church – Preparing for Glory” is this first message as we begin this new series.

James Hastings his series of commentaries “The Great Text of the Bible” on the books of Acts and Romans observed well, “The Book of Acts takes up the thread of the story just before the point at which the Gospel had dropped it and marked the transition from the earthly Ministry (“all that Jesus began to do and to teach”) to the Ministry of the Holy Spirit which was to follow Christ’s Ascension.” 

Another perspective observed another writer is that “Acts is not an account of the earthly deeds of an earthly Jesus, but rather the earthly activity of the heavenly Jesus.”

Jesus is not out of sight and out of influence. He is the Bible tells us ascended to heaven and seated at the right hand, the place of authority by the Father, superintending the salvation plan that He began during His earthly ministry. 

We seek in our study to glean the principles for church growth and missions. We will see, as one pastor puts it, the infant church has nothing going for it. It had no money, proven leaders, no technological tools for propagating the gospel. And it face enormous obstacles. It was utterly new. It taught truths that were incredulous to the unregenerate world. It was subject to the most intense hatreds and persecutions. Yet, as the writer Luke records its growth in this document (Acts), it spread from Jerusalem, which was an obscure corner of the world, to Rome, the world’s capital, all within the lifetime of the first generation of believers.” We shall bring you on this exciting journey to see the amazing growth of the early church. That it may energize you to be a part of this glorious gospel enterprise. A worthy cause for your life, if you are young for the next 30 years of your life if the Lord tarries!

You may ask what has it got to do with me? I submit to you that you in the local church are the very ones God has called to bring glory to His name by participating heart and soul in the gospel endeavour, to bring souls out of the judgment of hell to the blessings of heaven. 

It affects you because someone in your circle of influence may be drifting into a Christ-less eternity and you may be the only one who could have made an influence to bring him or her to Christ. This person can be a friend, a loved one or a colleague. For the students here, it may be your classmates, the friends you spend much time in your CCA. It concerns you! Isn’t it sad to cultivate a friend only for this life and it is cut off by a permanent separation when eternity begins.

Therefore, these principles on which church growth and missions are founded are the very heartthrob for the life and death of a church and its mission outreaches for it is by the principles that practices are derived. We shall trace from this historical book the beginnings of the infant church after Christ’s Ascension and the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit energizing Christ’s witnesses to proclaim the glory of God in the salvation of lost souls!

Three thoughts: (1) Gather to Pray (v1-7) (2) Go as the Holy Spirit Leads (v8) (3) Gaze for the Return of Christ (v9-11).

I observe a parallel in these opening statements with the Great Commission. Recall, in this last message on the Gospel according to Matthew in 2016 during our Worship Service, Jesus gave the marching orders to the church, we spoke of the ABC of the Great Commission: A for Christ’s Authority – all power is given unto in heaven and in earth and B for Christ’s Building Plan for His Kingdom – go to All nations and teach them All things which Christ’s has taught them, and C – Christ’s Company – Lo, I am with you Alway – All the Way. 

Recall for some of you the study of the Acts of the Apostles in 2016 entitled “Principles for Church Growth and Missions” with three thoughts: (1) Authority (v1-7) (2) Action (8) (3) Accountability (v9-11).

The first two thoughts are similar: the Authority and the Action may I develop it further: Supreme Authority and Sanctified Action.

One additional thought to bringing to our attention is that Christ’s Ascension is not the end of story of the disciples’ relationship with their Master. It is given here in our text from verses 9-11 that Christ’s who has ascended to heaven will likewise return. What do you understand by this announcement of the angels that Christ is return to earth again physically? 

For the unbelieving world, it will be a time of judgment. And we believe the time is near. For the believers, it will be a time of reward and reign with Christ. We, the resurrected and raptured saints, will reign with Christ as He defeats the Antichrist and established His earthly rule from Jerusalem for 1000 years. It will also be a time of loss of reward for the believers if they are not aware of Christ’s kingdom plan and will not participate in it. So, it is not out of mind, out of sight, no more links and no accountability. 

  • Gather to Pray (v1-7)

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 

The writer of the book of Acts is Luke, Paul’s companion mentioned Acts 16 during his second missionary journey. Being a physician, he carried his careful eye into the writing of this record. He is the only gospel writer who is not a Jew. 

This records the continuing work of a carefully investigated and written proof of the life of Jesus Christ of all that He did and teach.

And yet, his writing of both the gospel of Luke and its sequel exceeds the Apostle Paul’s epistles in length if the book of Hebrews is excluded. I calculated by the number of pages in my bible – 107 versus 101 pages.

The Acts of the Apostles considers the extension of the Church rather than the internal affairs of the church which is mostly found in the epistles. Without the Acts of the Apostle providing the historical framework of how the early Christian churches were founded, the epistles would have been disconnected accounts of internal affairs of the churches. The Acts of the Apostles provided the framework and blueprint for understanding much of the New Testament. 

Without being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit by following and correctly interpreting the divine blueprint for church growth and missions found in The Acts of the Apostles, every endeavour for church growth and missions would fail, being founded on man’s wisdom. The irresistible power of the Holy Spirit is manifested where rulers and kings, the sea and its tempest are all powerless before the march of the gospel, giving the triumphant progress of the Church of God just like the book of Joshua, as God led Israel in the conquest of the Promised Land. The incarnate Christ was the leader, providing the blueprint and wisdom for the conquest.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If the church is to prosper and to have good success, the Book of Acts must be carefully studied by every member, it provided you the wherewithal to reach out to your loved ones and friends.

We want us to notice in the opening statements of our text the authentication of Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the world by His death and His resurrection from the dead. This is that time period the 40 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was there with His disciples during those 40 days. They saw Him, touched Him. They ate with Him, received instructions from Him as to their mission on earth.

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 

Sign or evidence that removes doubt giving clear or convincing proof.

In the gospels, the Person of Jesus is authenticated. He is God Himself, the exact representation of God to help sinful men find the way to be reconciled with their Maker.

Christ authenticated His authority by His life and by His death and resurrection from the dead, conquering sin and death opening the way to heaven for lost sinners destined for judgement in hell fire. 

In this text, we see also that Jesus is also the God of heaven, as we witness His ascension to heaven. He has all authority in the spiritual realm – the angels and demons, all spiritual creatures are under His authority. 

He sent the angels to roll the grave stone in which He laid to show that the empty tomb. It was a heaven and earth-shaking proof by the angel and the earthquake at the burial site of Christ. The angels told the grieving women folk at the tomb, that He is not here for He is risen! You shall see Him again, go ahead to Galilee! Jesus came to them at Galilee and gave them the Great Commission, this was what we saw last week.

In other words, Jesus is saying to you that if God is for us, who can be against us? Jesus is in charge. He will fulfill His plan of redemption for mankind and carry it to its fruition. 

You are under orders from the Maker Himself to receive this Commission. Jesus is saying these words to every member of the local church. This is Jesus’ First Command to the Church. He is telling His church that God chose to glorify Himself through the redemption of sinful men and all who participate in this plan most glorify God.

This is the number one objective of this church – to save souls. This is the text giving Christ’s commission to you. It is an authoritative mandate. You have the backing of the All-Mighty God as you carry out this plan. It means there’s no power that can resist Him and stand against Him. 

You recall Jesus asked Peter in this place called Caesarea Philippi, whom say ye that I am and Peter answered Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God indeed, Jesus is the Rock upon which His church will be built and He declared, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 

Verse 4-5 is a description of the congregation or gathering of the disciples of Christ in Jerusalem for prayer awaiting the instruction through the guiding energy of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit is received by concerted corporate and personal prayer. The disciples were told to be waiting upon the Lord in believing prayer!

We see here the process of rounding the flock of God and keeping them together. Jesus was in the midst of them. 

The word for the phrase “being assembled together” is the opposite of the word “to scatter”. 

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The Apostles whom Jesus had chosen and trained during His time on earth, met their Lord in His resurrection body, instructed them to gather the sheep together. The “passive nature of the sheep is conveyed here, they had to be gathered and they had to be instructed not to depart, wander off, but held together by prayer.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church, the Great Shepherd of the sheep gathered the core leadership of His flock at the Mount of Olives to witness His ascension, the nucleus of the infant church, were assembled together, where Jesus presented Himself amidst His disciples attesting to His resurrection life to give them the Great Commission (Acts 1:8).

There was an appointed season of united prayer to receive divine directions from the throne of grace where our Lord is, seated at the right hand of God. Surely, the disciples were at a loss with the ascension of their leader to heaven but their Lord, the Holy One of Israel, did not leave them without instruction for their guidance, they were to wait in prayer, as the prophet Isaiah aptly recorded in

Isaiah 48:14, 17 All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear…Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I amthe LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18 that “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. This power is mine, Jesus said and I will give you that power by being with you in Matthew 28:20, “and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

So, the co-labouring with God began with prayer. It is the promise taught in Acts 1:4.  

David prayed, the LORD led him, encourage us to yield to Him and follow his example – Psalm 32:8-9, 11 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee…11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Members of the infant church persevered in prayer, seeking the Lord’s will, receiving His guidance and blessing to move.

Gather to Pray – Go

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 

The disciples were still looking for Christ to establish an earthly kingdom. Israel was a vessel state of Rome. That’s what they mean when they used the word “restore” as one pastor observed well, they were expecting a political and territorial kingdom. They were expecting a national kingdom. 

Recall the Jews thought that Jesus the King will free them from being a vessel state of Rome and Israel will once again be strong again as a nation. When they saw that this was not happening, by Thursday night, the Jewish establishment turned upon Jesus, put Him on trial overnight and by early Friday morning Pilate had sentenced Him for crucifixion for proclaiming that He is the Saviour of the world.

This is the greatest truth that we want to impress on your mind today. In His first coming, Jesus entered human history, came from heaven, to live a perfect life, fulfilled all the laws of God on our behalf and to be betrayed to die on the cross, to take the penalty for our sin!

Jesus said to them that it was not for them to know the times or periods which the Father has placed by His own authority.

The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an accomplished fact. 

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian today is commanded to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, but we’re all commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 

And, Ephesians 5, verse 18, says, “… Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). And, when we’re filled with the Spirit of God, we’re filled with the Spirit of power. And, the Holy Spirit of God is Christ in the Christian.

You need Christ the Holy Spirit. Let me give you a good definition of the Holy Spirit: “Christ in the Christian.” 

Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18), when He was talking about the Holy Spirit.[1]

(2) Go as the Holy Spirit Leads (v8)

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Acts 1:8 clearly stated the disciples will receive power that comes from the Holy Spirit. The root word for “power” means to be able, being able, capable, achieving power” is imparted of the Holy Spirit, divine power.

You shall receive power and ye shall be my witnesses. Quoting a Grammarian friend, “The future tense given here describes action planned for the future but it differs from the English future in that it is usually expresses undefined action or one time action in the future time but it speaks here authoritatively about the future – not merely what is planned but what shall actually come to pass. This where the Apostles were filled with the mighty Holy Spirit with boldness to declare the gospel! They were filled with spiritual power as testified in the rest of the book.” 

This is the same predictive future tense used in verse 11 to emphasized the future certainty of Christ’s second coming.

Acts 1:8 provided the geographical principle for fulfilling the Great Commission. “Ye shall be witness unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The word “witness” is one who testified to ascertainable facts, one who testifies to something, one who declares facts directly known to himself that is from first-hand knowledge or from first first-hand experience and one who tells what he believes, even though it results in his being killed for it.

Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

The persecution was of the saints “the ones who kept themselves pure.” And the martyrs – witnesses who have faithfully preached the gospel of Jesus, the woman called Babylon the Great (Rev. 17:5) stand for the world’s idolatrous practices throughout history with the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 as the forerunner, whom Christians are called to witness even unto death.

The first Christian martyr is Stephen, the deacon appointed by the apostles in Acts 6:5 who was stoned to death bearing testimony of Christ.

Acts 7:59-60 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

(3) Gaze for Return of Christ (v9-11)

 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

The word gaze means “to look”, to look in the face, fix the eyes upon, stare at. In the sense of to look at or upon, meaning to contemplate, consider. With expectancy, awaiting Christ’s return.

Matthew 24:42-51 (KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The ascension of Christ recorded here is a continuation of the gospel of Mark.

Mark 16:19-20 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The promise of the Spirit in Acts 1:7-8 is a continuation from Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

The Second Coming in Acts 1:11 is a continuation of 

John 21:22-23 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?

The Second coming of Christ “in like manner” is given to prophet Daniel in

Daniel 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

And in Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Christ’s Second coming will not be as the Lamb of God but as the Lion from the tribe of Judah to destroy the Antichrist and his armies in a War that will end all wars (Rev. 16:12-14, Rev. 19:11-21).

Revelation 19:11-19 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head weremany crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 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: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

In Zechariah 12 and 13, we have studied the future deliverance and conversion of Israel. This Zechariah 14 continues the second oracle and concludes it with the Messiah coming to establish His Kingdom in Jerusalem. It is climactic. The earth is God’s focus in His creative work of the universe. Israel is God’s focus among the nations of the earth. Israel is a great nation because she is God’s chosen vessel to receive His Special Revelation. Israel sits at the centre of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. The Lord Himself says so in Eze 5:5, “Thus saith the Lord GOD; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.” The Bible-Presbyterian Church at her inception in 1937 imbibed from the dispensationalist the doctrine of the pre-millennium. Christ will return to rule physically on earth from Jerusalem for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1- 6). This is even before the establishment of the nation of Israel on 14th May 1948. We praise God for this spiritual heritage that gives to us the proper biblical perspective to view this decaying world. The belief in Israel’s Restoration in Christ’s Second Coming and her preeminent role during His Millennial Reign is a most blessed one. This doctrine is called Covenant Pre-millennialism. God has not forsaken Israel, although Israel has rejected her Christ. All references to Israel being restored to head the nations of the world in Christ’s millennial reign mean exactly and literally as we see in this last chapter of Zechariah. The nations of the world gather themselves together against Israel (v1-2), our Lord Jesus returns to save Israel from certain destruction (v 3). This is vividly revealed to us in Revelation 19. Our Lord Jesus Christ, He that is Faithful and True, will ride on a white horse with the heavenly army to judge and make war against the nations, “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” (Rev 19:15a).

Revelation 22:12-16 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, andthe bright and morning star.

2 Corinthians 5:10-11 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this isthe whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

CONCLUSION

Gather to Gather to Pray – Go as the Holy Spirit Leads – Graze for the Return of Christ! Amen.

[1] The Adrian Rogers Legacy Collection – The Adrian Rogers Legacy Collection – Sermons.