Introduction
In order to reduce confusion, a simple sketch of the overall
prophetic picture follows.
We are near to ending "the age of the gentiles"
initiated by Jesus and elaborated by Christians over the last 2,000 years. Before the "age of the gentiles
(Christians)” we had the "age of the Hebrews" which also had lasted
for approximately 2,000 years. After
the War of Rome in 70 AD, the Jewish peoples and nation went backstage, and on
hold for 2,000 years as the Christians had their turn in the leading role as
"God’s people." According to
prophecy, we are now entering the consummation of these two ages of man. We are about to begin the trial period that
comes before the arrival of the Messiah of Old
Testament description. Therefore,
this upcoming period is referred to as the messianic period. During this upcoming messianic period both
the ages of Christian and Jew are unified and brought to a single, joint
consummation. Prophetic scripture of
the Old Testament era has much to say
about how and why this messianic consummation will proceed. This book is an interpretation,
presentation, and synthesis of those prophetic scriptures as they have been
illuminated by the recently acquired Urantia
Book, and the newly discovered Dead
Sea Scrolls (both around 1950).
Throughout the history of our world, a
recurring general theme is evident.
Humankind and its leadership first flourish through God’s grace. They then subsequently become self-satisfied
and fall away from His precepts. Having
become separated from God, we are also separated from the source of all
wisdom. The result is the downfall of
whatever was built and accomplished.
This is the underlying theme behind the fall of ancient Israel, the fall
of Adam and Eve, and the collapse of the tower of Babel. This will also be the theme of the
unraveling of America in specific and modern civilization in general. The elements of the story are always the
same. The Prophets tell us that the
leaders become progressively blinded by power and pride, and thus become
mis-leaders – progressively lawless, deceitful, self-serving, and unwise. The majority of "the people" are
passive, blind, deaf, and dumb. They
follow their mis-leaders into chaos and catastrophe. God sends his prophets/messengers to warn and correct, but to no
avail, except for the very few whose hearts and minds are set right and who are
able to be led to safety. These
remaining few become the remnant, the survivors and progenitors of the next
cycle. However, this time the cycle is
different. This time, nuclear weapons
have entered the scene. If there had
been nuclear weapons when Rome fell, we wouldn’t be here today to discuss the
matter. The presence of nuclear weapons
changes God’s evolutionary, remnant plan into no-plan. It changes the remnant into no-remnant. Man has never before been able to achieve
stability and avoid the abuse of power and the downfall of empire. Are we more mature now? Are our leaders different from prior
leaders? Are we wiser? Have we stopped straying from God’s laws and
ways? The presence of thousands of
nuclear weapons changes man’s next fall into his last fall. The tower of Babel now has a bomb on the top
of it. However, God will not allow the
many good and decent people of our world to be annihilated. This is why the Messiah comes; this is why
God will choose to enter human history directly. Since the death of Adam and Eve, our world has been without
direct divine leadership. The age of
strictly human sovereignty will be terminated shortly, and the World Messiah so
long awaited by faithful Jews, will enter the scene to stay. Our world will never again be without direct
divine leadership. Today’s upside down
world becomes tomorrow’s right side up world.
But first, there is a story to tell.
(The remnant of this cycle has unique characteristics and activities to perform. They are made wise by special books; they stand up for God and His way in the midst of persecution; they receive divine protection through their following of God’s will; and they teach God’s true way: the message of Jesus, the Kingdom of Heaven within. God Himself names this remnant through His prophets and servants. They are the elect, and are those who elect God’s will at the end of the age. This book is dedicated to all those who so elect.)