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Excerpt #5 from the book, Bible Prophecy, by Pastor Ken Garrison (Excerpt #1, Excerpt #2, Excerpt #3, Excerpt #4)

(Note: in order for this article to be effective, the reader needs to read the listed Scripture references. The full text of the Scriptures have been removed for copyright and space concerns.)

One way to understand God's redemptive purpose is to realize that God is restoring all things in the earth to a situation like that which existed in the Garden of Eden before the fall of man. In this "New Creation" there will be no manifestation of evil. God's name (authority) will be the only authority. God's wisdom, knowledge, and power will be exercised through man. All offending souls will have been isolated in the "Lake of Fire" with Satan and the host of spiritual beings (demons) who are under his authority and in alliance with him. This state will be eternal or timeless.

We call this final state the "New Creation". Isaiah introduced the concept of a New Heaven and a New Earth. John, in the book or Revelation, developed this theme further. We will outline here some key concepts concerning the "New Creation".
The final period just preceding the “New Creation” age may have been prophesied by the weekly shabbat. God continued His creating activities for six days and rested on the seventh day. We may consider this prophetic of six “days”, (one day = 1000 years) of the transgression of man on earth and one day (shabbat) under Messianic rule.

MESSIANIC KINGDOM

As people of faith we look forward to the return of Messiah Jesus. We believe that He will reign here on the earth for a period of 1,000 years. The period is referred to as the "period of restoration of all things".

(Acts 3:20-21)

Messiah shall reign for a period of 1000 years. We assume that the scar resulting from man's dominion under satanic influence will be removed during this era. Perhaps it is necessary to restore the creation back to its original state before the "New Creation" is introduced.

Hence, the purpose of this period is the restoration of all things.

(Revelation 20:4a and c)

In the days of Messiah's reign, Israel will be blessed.

(Isaiah 30:16-26)

And,

(Isaiah 32:15-18)

It is most likely that it is during this 1000 year reign that God will cut a "New Covenant" with Israel (See Jeremiah 31:31-34) and will dwell in the midst of His people. God will establish holiness in Israel.

(Isaiah 35:8-10)

Micah foresaw a period when Israel would be dispersed in power. In the past Israel has been dispersed but only as a judgment for their sin. Micah speaks of a dispersion in blessing. Perhaps Israel will function as a part of God's government spread throughout the earth in that day.

(Micah 5:7-15)

The governments of the nations will be crushed and their function will be carried out by Messiah. Isaiah prophesied that "the government would rest on His shoulders" (Isaiah 9:6). According to John, the last of a sequence of judgments upon the nations will be the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom - the seventh trumpet.

(Revelation 11:15)

In the prophecies of Daniel, he recorded the same thing. In Daniel 2, he spoke of a "stone cut out of a mountain without hand". This, we believe, refers to the Messiah and His Kingdom.

(Daniel 2:44-45)

In Daniel 7, he spoke of "One like a Son of Man" receiving a kingdom from the "Ancient of Days". Again we believe this refers to Messiah.

(Daniel 7:13-14, 27)

John prophesied that the Messianic reign would last for 1,000 years.

(Revelation 20:6)

All nations will serve the Holy One of Israel during this era. Israel will be uniquely blessed by God.

(Isaiah 60:1-22)

Zechariah saw many nations being joined to the Lord in that day. This may refer to the hosts that has been joined to Messiah Jesus from every tribe, tongue, people and nation (Revelation 5:9). It may, however, simply refer to the multitudes of the nations who come to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.

(Zechariah 8:20-23)

Indeed, if they fail to come up to Jerusalem and worship, God will judge them by bringing a drought in their land.

(Zechariah 14:16-21)

At the end of the period of the Messianic reign, Satan will be loosed for a short time. He will inspire a general rebellion in the nations. Once again, the armies of the nations will be gathered against God's people. God will intervene and bring the rebellion to an end. Satan will forever be isolated in the "Lake of Fire".

(Revelation 20:7-10)

Following this final rebellion, the situation will finally be prepared for the "New Creation". It would appear that during the era of the Messianic reign, the governments of the world will be replaced by Messianic rule, universal worship will be instituted in Jerusalem in the midst of Israel, a restoration of the earth will occur. This restoration will remove the scar left on creation by man’s rule under satanic domination. The wisdom and justice of Godly rule will be demonstrated. All that remains after this time will be God's judgment of every soul that has ever lived. This will be the final activity ushering in the eternal New Creation.