The prophet Daniel also knew of the coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. He, too, was inspired to write of the future reality of the Kingdom: "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the [Israelite] people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him" (Daniel 7:27, New International Version).

However, even though the gospel originated at the foundation of the world and was proclaimed through the ages, few understood it until Yeshua the Messiah and the apostles declared it to the world of Israel.

But why? Ancient Israel, as noted earlier, lacked the belief and faith to understand and act on it (Hebrews 3:19; 4:2). In addition, the Old Testament scriptures did not connect all the pieces of the puzzle. They provided tantalizing glimpses of the Kingdom, but greater understanding had to wait until the coming of the Messiah, the revealer of "the mysteries of the kingdom" (Matthew 13:11).

When the Messiah began preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, he built on the foundation already planned by YEHOVAH the Father from the beginning and revealed by the earlier prophets. As the messenger of the Kingdom, he revealed vital truths that were not understood from the Old Testament prophecies.

Many believe that the fantastic truth that the Israelite followers of Yeshua the Messiah will enjoy eternal life in an eternal Kingdom renders any need of a literal earthly reign over physical human beings totally unnecessary.

But what does the Bible say? Let's put aside all preconceived ideas and believe the plain teachings of YEHOVAH's Word.

Most often called the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, occasionally other terms are used in describing the Kingdom.

Although most often called the "Kingdom of God," occasionally other terms are used in describing the Kingdom. Three of the writers of the Gospels -- Mark, Luke and John -- use the term "Kingdom of God" to refer to the Kingdom by name.

"Kingdom of heaven" is a term used exclusively by Matthew, with 32 references in his account of the Messiah. However, he uses the terms "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" interchangeably. In Matthew 19:23, 24, he uses the terms in consecutive verses, clearly implying that they were synonymous. Often he calls it simply "the Kingdom."

Why did Matthew call it "the kingdom of heaven"? Because heaven is where YEHOVAH presently is, as the Messiah made plain (Matthew 5:34, 45, 48). Matthew makes it clear that the Kingdom was not, at that time, an earthly monarchy like the kingdoms around them. However, he understood that it was a kingdom to come, for which the Messiah's followers are to pray (Matthew 6:10).

The apostle Paul usually refers to it as "the kingdom of God." However, acknowledging the role of YEHOVAH God as the Ruler of that Kingdom and the Messiah as the way by which we enter that Kingdom, he also calls it "the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5). He also expresses the deep, loving relationship between YEHOVAH God the Father and Yeshua the Messiah by calling it "the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13).

The apostle Peter, also acknowledging the centrality of YEHOVAH's role in the Kingdom, refers to it as "the everlasting kingdom of our LORD [YEHOVAH] and of the Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11). YEHOVAH God is our LORD and will become King over the entire earth, while the Messiah will reign over Israel in the coming Kingdom (Revelation 11:15; Isaiah 24:1, 14-15, 21-23). As Savior of mankind and High Priest to YEHOVAH God, the Messiah is "the door" and "the way" by which we have access to YEHOVAH God the Father and salvation in YEHOVAH's Kingdom (John 10:9; 14:6).

These passages speak of "good news." This is, indeed, the true Biblical gospel -- the good news of the coming reign of YEHOVAH God, the "gospel of the Kingdom of God." The message includes, of course, the agency of the Messiah, as we know from other passages. However, its essential focus and emphasis, as these passages show, is NOT on the Messiah, but on YEHOVAH God Himself and His reign when He returns.

The term "gospel of God" simply shows it originated with YEHOVAH God. YEHOVAH God delivered the message to earth through His servants. Peter tells us the gospel was "sent" from YEHOVAH God through the agency of the Messiah. Notice Acts 10:36-38: "He [YEHOVAH God] sent out the word to the sons of Israel to declare to them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ: this One [YEHOVAH God] is LORD of all [others]. You know the subject that was talked about throughout the whole of Judea, starting from Galilee after the baptism that John preached, namely, Jesus who was from Nazareth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him"

The gospel of YEHOVAH God is YEHOVAH's good news about the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. The gospel of Yeshua the Messiah is the good news that the Messiah taught as YEHOVAH's agent. All are the same gospel; all are part of the wonderful news of what YEHOVAH God has in store for His people Israel. In a similar manner, Paul sometimes used the term "my gospel" (Romans 2:16; 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8). This does not mean the message originated with Paul, nor was it a gospel about Paul. It was a message he received directly from the Messiah. "...The gospel which was preached by me...came through the revelation of Jesus Christ," he said (Galatians 1:11, 12). Paul's use of the term "my gospel" is proper because he was the one who proclaimed it.

The good news is also called "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). From the beginning we are called by grace, justified by grace and saved by grace (Galatians 1:6, 15; Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8). The "gospel of grace" is another appropriate term that focuses on a different aspect of the same gospel the Messiah preached: YEHOVAH's enormous love for us, expressed by His grace toward His people Israel. This message is also called "the gospel of your salvation" (Ephesians 1:13). Since our entrance, as Israelites, into the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is synonymous with our salvation, there is no conflict in these terms for the gospel. Each complements and strengthens the other.

"The gospel of peace" is also used to describe the good news (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15). The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will bring peace to the earth -- an important result of our believing in and acting on the gospel of the Kingdom. Prophesying of YEHOVAH's Kingdom, Isaiah said, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).

All these terms describe the same gospel. They simply emphasize different aspects of the same wonderful message. Yeshua the Messiah preached the gospel of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God (Mark 1:14, 15), taught his disciples to preach the same message (Matthew 10:7) and continued to preach it when he appeared to the disciples after his crucifixion (Acts 1:3). After the Messiah rose from the dead, the apostles preached the same gospel, but with the added understanding of the meaning of the Messiah's sacrifice and resurrection. Although the terms that describe it may vary, the message is always the same.

Yeshua the Messiah and the apostles preached the gospel, the good news of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. But exactly what is that Kingdom?

We have seen that the Messiah and the apostles preached the gospel -- the good news -- of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. But exactly what is that Kingdom?

There are many ideas about the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Some think it is the church. Others believe it is an ethereal concept that resides in the hearts of Christians. Some think it is the collective good of humanity.

What does the Bible say? What is the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God?

The word translated "kingdom" throughout the New Testament is the Greek word basileia, which denotes "sovereignty, royal power, [and] dominion" (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "Kingdom"). A careful examination of the Bible reveals that the next phase of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is nothing short of a world-ruling monarchy that YEHOVAH God will establish on this earth with the assistance of the Messiah!

The fourth kingdom is characterized as especially cruel. History records that the Persian Empire was succeeded by the Islamic Empire founded by Muhammed. This kingdom is shown here as challenging the very authority of YEHOVAH God and persecuting His saints (Daniel 7:25). It has 10 horns (verse 7), which are 10 kings or nations of the fourth great world-ruling empire (verse 24). This fourth kingdom continued through history to our day, and is depicted as existing at YEHOVAH's return (verses 8-14).

Human governments replaced by YEHOVAH God

It is in the days of this fourth kingdom that YEHOVAH God will replace these earthly kingdoms with His Kingdom. "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Daniel 2:44). We see that the fourth kingdom continues to rule until YEHOVAH God returns to establish His Kingdom on earth.

YEHOVAH's Kingdom -- foretold repeatedly in Daniel -- is the same Kingdom about which the Messiah preached. There can be no mistake about the nature of this Kingdom. The four kingdoms described in Daniel 2, 7 and 8 ruled over people and lands. They were great world empires with dominion and power to rule, warring against and conquering other nations. They had kings, governments, laws and subjects. They were literal kingdoms, whose ruins (except for the last one) are visible to this day.

So, too, will the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God be a literal kingdom ruling over the whole earth. Daniel 7:27, speaking of the establishment of this Kingdom, adds: "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the [Israelite] people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him" (NIV).

The wonderful news of the coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is the heart and core of the Messiah's message for humanity. The Messiah will appear on earth (Revelation 10:1-3) and help establish this Kingdom. He will be king over Israel and YEHOVAH God will be the Ruler of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Notice this prophecy of YEHOVAH's return: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our LORD [YEHOVAH] and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15). YEHOVAH God Himself will assume rulership over literal kingdoms on earth.

The governments of mankind, with their inherent inability to solve human problems that are rooted in humanity's inability to choose the right way to live (Proverbs 16:25), will be replaced by a form of government that can at last solve those problems. YEHOVAH God Himself will rule the nations of the earth!

This is the gospel -- the good news -- that the Messiah taught. The focus of the Messiah's message was the announcement of a coming world government (Luke 21:31). This government will not be ruled by selfishly motivated humans but by YEHOVAH God Himself, with the Messiah as High Priest and ruler of Israel under the direction of Almighty God!

Daniel was not the only prophet to speak of this time. Micah 4:1-3 also describes this time of unprecedented peace: "Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it.

"Many nations shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

As described in this passage, when YEHOVAH God establishes His government, the nations of the world will begin to recognize the blessings that come from obedience to YEHOVAH's ways and laws and will stream to Him to learn that way of life. YEHOVAH God will settle disputes between peoples and will have to "rebuke strong nations" that reject His direction and authority.

Prophecies of YEHOVAH God's rulership

Isaiah, speaking of the future reign of YEHOVAH God, describes what kind of ruler He will be: "Then Justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people [Israel] will dwell in a peaceful habitation, secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places..." (Isaiah 32:16-18).

"Justice" and "righteousness" will be hallmarks of YEHOVAH God's coming rulership, in contrast to the injustice, short-sightedness and oppression that all too often characterize the governments of the world. Peace will break out throughout the world -- in marriages, families, communities and nations. As prophesied, "there will be no end" to peace under YEHOVAH's reign. The King of the Universe will bring calm and goodwill to a world that has never known true peace.

Under YEHOVAH God's righteous rulership, mankind will at last learn YEHOVAH's ways and experience this wonderful peace. Educational institutions will teach people how to live, not just how to make a living. Biblical principles for healthy and lasting relationships will be thoroughly explained. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). The multiple millions of people who have never known YEHOVAH's laws or ways will at last have access to that wonderful, saving knowledge.

Human government has not succeeded because, in the final analysis, humanity simply does not know how to live. Through the prophet Jeremiah, YEHOVAH warns that "it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).

YEHOVAH's ways are different from man's. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (Isaiah 55:8, 9).

YEHOVAH God will intervene to save humanity

Left to itself, mankind would annihilate all life from earth. Does this sound shocking? It is. But Yeshua the Messiah himself said it is so! Describing the time immediately before he and his Father return to earth, he said: "It will be a time of great distress; there has never been such a time from the beginning of the world until now, and will never be again. If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God's chosen [of Israel] it will be cut short" (Matthew 24:21, 22, New English Bible).

The Messiah will precede YEHOVAH God. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29, 30).

Yeshua the Messiah will usher in His Father's literal kingdom, the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, on earth. But this is not the end of the story. Notice Revelation 11:15: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our LORD and of His Christ, and He [YEHOVAH God] shall reign forever and ever!'"

We have seen that YEHOVAH God will establish His reign over the nations in a literal kingdom. This kingdom is depicted in Revelation 20:3-7 as lasting 1,000 years. Yet, in the verse quoted just above, we are told that "He shall reign forever and ever." In other words, the thousand-year reign (commonly called the Millennium, Latin for "thousand years") is just the beginning of YEHOVAH God's eternal reign on the earth.

Indeed, the millennial reign that YEHOVAH God will share with the Messiah and the resurrected saints of Israel -- to whom the Kingdom will be given -- will take place for the very purpose of offering entry into the eternal Kingdom of YEHOVAH God to all of Israel. Millions of physical descendants of Israel alive at the return of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah will live into the Millennium, and in turn many generations of Israelites will be born and live during that time. They will all be given an opportunity to be changed from this physical life and body to spirit, to be granted eternal life and to enter into the eternal Kingdom of YEHOVAH God.

The truth that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is ultimately an eternal kingdom, not just a thousand-year period, is made plain by the Messiah In Matthew 19:16. We read of a wealthy young man of Israel who asked the Messiah the fundamental question: "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" Yeshua went on to explain what the young man must do. When it became clear that he was not willing to do what the Messiah commanded, Yeshua the Messiah went on to say in verse 24 that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Here, entry into the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is equated with eternal life.

Yes, the millennial reign of YEHOVAH God will open the door for millions of Israelites, then already being ruled by the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, to be saved and actually enter into the eternal Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. The Millennium, a time of unparalleled peace, happiness and prosperity, will be just a foretaste of the even greater eternal Kingdom!

Eternal life as children of YEHOVAH God awaits those Israelites who enter His Kingdom.

The Messiah made it plain that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God was not here yet.

He told his disciples that, after these events, people "will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory...When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near" (verses 27, 31). The Messiah clearly said that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will not be established on earth until after His Father's triumphant return in power and great glory. The Messiah also made this plain on other occasions. How many of us have recited the LORD's Prayer without recognizing the plain meaning of the words as we said them? These familiar words were given by the Messiah in response to the disciples' request of him to teach them how to pray. "In this manner, therefore, pray," the Messiah told them. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come" (Matthew 6:9, 10). The most common prayer in Christendom acknowledges that YEHOVAH's Kingdom is not here yet and that true Christians are to fervently pray for its arrival!

Near the end of his life, while being questioned by Pilate before his crucifixion, the Messiah clearly stated: "My Kingdom [over Israel] is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36). Pilate then demanded to know if the Messiah were a king. Yeshua replied: "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world..." (verse 37). Hebrews 11 describes the faith of YEHOVAH's servant Israelites through the millennia. Summing up their history and experiences, verses 13-16 tell us:

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Even Abraham, the father of the faithful, "waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Although YEHOVAH's people today experience a foretaste of YEHOVAH's coming Kingdom in their lives, many scriptures make it clear that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God has not arrived, but will be established on earth in the future.

Many people believe that the Messiah taught that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is something that exists only in the hearts and minds of believers. Such assumptions are incorrect for several reasons. They base this on Luke 17:20, 21, which says: "Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'"

The Greek word entos, translated "within," is better translated "in the midst of" (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "Within"). Several translations, including the Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible, make this clear. The Messiah could not have been telling the Pharisees here that YEHOVAH's Kingdom was something that existed within their hearts or minds -- after all, they wanted to destroy him (Matthew 12:14, Mark 3:6).

Rather than telling the Pharisees that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God was something in their hearts, the Messiah warned them that they were so spiritually blind they couldn't recognize the very personification of that Kingdom in him. There is no basis in this passage for believing the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God resides in one's heart.

Some think the Church is the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Although there is a connection between the two, they are not identical. The Messiah is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22), which is the body of Israelite believers called by YEHOVAH God to proclaim the coming Kingdom.

The Bible, however, never uses the term "kingdom" to apply directly to the Church. Instead, it refers to YEHOVAH's prophesied world-ruling government.

Colossians 1:13 describes physical saints of Israel as already having been translated into the Kingdom.

As such, this passage seems to imply that Christian Israelites are now in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. However, this clearly isn't the case, since 1 Corinthians 15:50 tells us that "flesh and blood [physical bodies] cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

This passage in Colossians shows that YEHOVAH God's sovereignty and power begin in the life of the Christian Israelite at conversion. The New International Version Study Bible explains that in this verse the word kingdom "does not here refer to a territory but to the authority, rule or sovereign power of a king. Here it means that the Christian Israelite is no longer under the dominion of evil (darkness) but under the benevolent rule of God's Son" and thereby under the rule of YEHOVAH God.

Yeshua the Messiah, coming ruler of Israel and High Priest to YEHOVAH God, is the Lord and Master of Christians now (Philippians 2:9-11). He rules the lives of converted Israelite Christians who voluntarily obey YEHOVAH God and His laws. They submit themselves to YEHOVAH's basileia -- His royal sovereignty and power. They individually are part of the Church, the Body of the Messiah, which YEHOVAH God also rules. But the Church collectively looks to YEHOVAH's coming world rule when the basileia will be fully established.

Verse 13 of Colossians 1 continues this theme, adding that those of Israel qualified as heirs, those whose status had changed from non-heirs to heirs, were also "translated," or transferred, from the power of darkness to the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God.

Those of us of Israel, as modern-day saints, also exchange systems of government when we are converted. We now give our allegiance and obedience to the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, even though that Kingdom has not yet fully come.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul uses a different comparison to help us understand this, calling us "ambassadors." An ambassador is one who represents a kingdom or other government, but resides in a different land. Christians Israelites are thus ambassadors for YEHOVAH's Kingdom, representing His way of life in our current earthly situation and age in which we reside. We are not yet in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God.

The Messiah's message was that YEHOVAH's people Israel should repent, believe the good news that he announced and put that message into action, changing their lives to reflect their belief and commitment.

The Bible in Basic English, the New International Version and Today's English Version recognize this distinction, translating the phrase in Mark 1:15 as "the kingdom of God is near."

Other translations, including the New Revised Standard Version, Modern King James Version and Green's Literal Translation, state that this Kingdom "draws near" or "has come near." They make it clear that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God has not arrived, but that it is near.

What the Messiah was saying had to do with the message of the Kingdom, as well as the availability of YEHOVAH God as the King of that Kingdom. The Kingdom in that sense was very near to them, even though it would not arrive in the literal way YEHOVAH had revealed it to Daniel for quite some time.

Yeshua the Messiah was the personification of the message of the Kingdom. He was its representative -- its agent and mediator --  the one through whom the people of Israel would be able to enter the Kingdom.

His message was that the people of Israel should repent, believe the good news that he proclaimed and put that message into action, changing their lives to reflect their belief and commitment.

The sad fact remains that this is not YEHOVAH's world.

YEHOVAH's Kingdom is still not of this world -- this present age -- as the Messiah made clear in John 18:36. It is even more tragic that another being is ruler of this world, right here and right now --Satan the devil.

Satan spiritually influences humanity to reject YEHOVAH God and YEHOVAH's law. Under Satan's influence, "the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can [it] be" (Romans 8:7).

Separated from YEHOVAH God, man chooses to go his own way, with devastating and tragic results. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

Satan's influence is so great that he "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9). The entire world "lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19). Under Satan's influence, humanity has rejected YEHOVAH's revelation and guidance and built societies and civilizations on a wrong foundation.

When YEHOVAH God and the Messiah return, "the kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our LORD [YEHOVAH] and of His Christ, and He [YEHOVAH] shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15). Satan's world, built on a foundation of lies and deception, will come crashing down, replaced by the Kingdom of truth and light.

What kind of future does YEHOVAH God have in store for planet earth? Through His prophets YEHOVAH reveals many specific details of how this world will be transformed in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Notice a few prophecies about the marvelous world YEHOVAH has planned for us:

Nations will learn YEHOVAH's ways

YEHOVAH God will rule the world

"Then YEHOVAH will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east...Then YEHOVAH my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!...And YEHOVAH WILL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH; in that day YEHOVAH will be the only One, and His name the only One. Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations that went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, YEHOVAH of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths" (Zechariah 14, selected verses).

Eternal life in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God was made possible by the Messiah's sacrifice.

We have seen that Yeshua the Messiah preached "the gospel of the Kingdom" and that he sent his disciples out to proclaim his message before his crucifixion. However, after the Messiah's death and resurrection, another emphasis appeared in the message preached by the apostles, one that had not been possible before the Messiah's death -- Yeshua the Messiah had paid the penalty for our sins! In doing so, he had become the Savior of all those of Israel who would accept his sacrifice and live the Christian life.

After the Day of Pentecost, the apostles continued to proclaim the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God just as they had done when the Messiah walked the earth, but now they understood and spoke another dimension: Eternal life in that Kingdom was now possible through the sacrifice of the Messiah as Savior of Israel and through his continuing role as our High Priest before YEHOVAH God.

Today, some view the biblical terms "gospel of the Kingdom" and "gospel of Christ" as though they were different messages. In reality, however, they are one and the same. The gospel of the Kingdom is the message that the Messiah announced and proclaimed. The gospel of the Messiah is also the message the Messiah preached, along with the message regarding his life, death and sacrifice on our behalf, which makes possible eternal life in that Kingdom. The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is attained only through the Messiah's central role as the personal Savior of all those of Israel who would enter that Kingdom.

The apostles' enhanced understanding becomes more evident in their epistles and other messages after the Messiah's death and resurrection. The people of Yeshua's day expected a conquering Messiah who would throw off the yoke of the Roman rulers of Judea and establish a new kingdom. Yeshua's disciples recognized him as that Messiah and called him "Christ" (Matthew 16:16), which in Greek means anointed -- the same as the Hebrew word "Messiah" (John 1:41; 4:25). The term anointed signified the one who had been chosen to be King of that Messianic Kingdom.

Judahite believers of the early Church would have understood the phrase "the gospel of Christ" as a message encompassing far more than just the person of the Messiah. Since the word Christ means "Messiah," they understood the apostles' message as "the gospel of the Messiah" -- the good news of the King of the coming Kingdom of Israel. To them, the good news was not just that the Messiah had died for the sins of Israel, but that the Messiah had been among them and would return -- along with YEHOVAH God -- establishing his Kingdom over Israel and with YEHOVAH God ruling over the entire world, thus fulfilling the many prophecies of their glorious reign.

The concept of a Kingdom ushered in by the Messiah and ruled over by YEHOVAH God was not new to the Messiah's followers. Scripture records that "they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately" (Luke 19:11). When the Messiah appeared to them again after his resurrection, the disciples asked, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6).

What the disciples failed to grasp during the Messiah's lifetime was that the Messiah, whom they expected would arrive as a conquering king, would first have to die to pay the penalty for the sins of YEHOVAH's people Israel. Even when the Messiah revealed this truth to the disciples, they refused to accept it. Not long before his death, "Jesus began to show to his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!'" (Matthew 16:21, 22). Not only did they not understand this aspect of Messiah's mission, but they flatly refused to believe it. It is understandable, then, that the disciples were shocked when their Leader, whom they expected to overthrow the ruling Roman occupational government, was arrested. "Then all the disciples forsook him and fled" (Matthew 26:56). Confused and devastated by this unexpected turn of events, they scattered as the Messiah was tried, condemned and executed as a criminal.

Peter had to focus the minds of the Israelites of his day on the Messiah's atoning sacrifice and role as a personal rescuer, or Savior, rather than only as a national leader: "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact...Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:32, 36, NIV). When those who were convicted asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter answered, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37, 38, NIV). Thousands of Israelites responded to this call to repentance -- a changed life -- and were baptized.

Peter helped them to see that YEHOVAH's promises regarding the holy spirit and salvation (verses 17, 18, 21, 33, 40) were possible only because of the sacrifice and resurrection of Yeshua, the prophesied Messiah (verses 24, 30-33, 36). Those to whom Peter spoke had not understood the need for the Messiah's sacrifice for their personal sins, nor had they realized that the one they had just condemned to death was in fact the Messiah for whom they all longed. The apostles labored to correct these misunderstandings.

This magnificent message, which moved thousands more of Israel to believe, illustrates the way the gospel had been preached since the beginning, how it involved Yeshua as the suffering Messiah and how it was a message of the "restoration of all things" -- the wonderful hope of YEHOVAH's return as King of a yet future Kingdom.

Where the Messiah's sacrifice leads

The Messiah's sacrificing of his life in our place is certainly good news. His paying the death penalty for those of us of Israel is wonderful news!

Earlier we read of the Messiah's rule as king of Israel in that coming Kingdom. But notice that his assuming power as king is preceded by the resurrection of "those [of Israel] who are Christ's at His coming"!

Throughout this chapter, Paul explains this wonderful aspect of the gospel message he taught. In verses 50-53 he explained when and how we of Israel can enter the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God: "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We [of Israel] shall not all sleep [in death], but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."

This is the awe-inspiring purpose for the Messiah's birth, life, death and resurrection -- the resurrection of many, many more of Israel to eternal life to "inherit the kingdom of God"! (verse 50). The Messiah's Israelite followers are to "inherit," or enter, the Kingdom "at the last trumpet" (verse 52), the great blast that signals YEHOVAH God's return to rule the earth forever (Revelation 11:15).

We see that immortal life in YEHOVAH's kingdom is made possible by Yeshua the Messiah, "who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10).

Was Yeshua the Messiah?

What was Yeshua's purpose? Why was he chosen by YEHOVAH God? Why will he come again?

Messiah is a Hebrew word meaning "Anointed One." Anointing was used, among other things, to signify that kings had been chosen by YEHOVAH God (1 Samuel 15:1; 16:12-13; 1 Kings 1:34). Christ means "Anointed One" in Greek, the language in which the New Testament has been preserved for us -- the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. The two terms mean the same thing (John 1:41; 4:25).

The Hebrews understood that their Scriptures contained many prophecies of a divinely appointed ruler who would restore the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of Israel. For example, Isaiah 9:6-7 says: "...The government will be upon his shoulder...Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever..."

Jeremiah 23:5 adds: "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the LORD [YEHOVAH], 'That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a king shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth" (more properly, "land").

After the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were taken into captivity by Assyria and Babylon, respectively, the Israelite people looked to these promises for a deliverer. In Yeshua's day, the descendants of the Judahites and Benjamites who had returned to their homeland from Babylon several centuries earlier were dominated by the Roman Empire. In their oppression they prayed and hoped for the promised Messiah, a conquering king who would deliver them from their Roman overlords and restore Israel to greatness.

Yeshua confirms he is the Messiah

Their understanding was limited. They didn't realize that the Messiah must first be born to suffer and die for the sins of Israel and only later would come as the conquering king they expected.

Even after Yeshua appeared to them again, they still didn't understand. They still hoped the Messiah would establish the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God then. Notice Acts 1:6- 8: "Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, saying, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And he said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'"

Yeshua explained that the timing of that kingdom should not be their primary concern; indeed they would not know when it would be established. Their focus, the Messiah said, should be on the work he had assigned them. The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God would be established in due time.

Finally they understood. Yeshua of Nazareth was indeed the promised Messiah, but first he had to suffer and die for their sins. Later he would come as a conquering king to rule over Israel and help establish the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God over all of the earth.

The dozens of prophecies recorded by the prophets about a Messiah -- prophecies fulfilled by Yeshua the Messiah -- are among the strongest proofs that the Bible is the inspired Word of YEHOVAH God. The four Gospels recall the Old Testament prophecies and show how Yeshua the Messiah fulfilled them.

The Gospels also speak of his resurrection and ultimate return to earth as a conquering king. That is the message of the Gospels -- that Yeshua was the Messiah who is prophesied throughout the Old Testament.

Do you know how to enter the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God?

The salvation of Israel through the Messiah's life, death and resurrection is central to the gospel message. Yeshua the Messiah died, was buried and was resurrected for a reason: so we of Israel could inherit everlasting life in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God (John 3:16). This astounding part of the gospel -- the entering into the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- is the aspect so few understand. It is synonymous with salvation. Without understanding this part of the gospel, one cannot understand what salvation is. Do you know how to enter this Kingdom, to attain the salvation of which the Bible speaks?

Entering the very family of YEHOVAH God!

What will salvation -- eternal life in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- really mean to those of Israel who receive it? We have seen that salvation is the transformation from a fleshly, mortal human to an immortal son of YEHOVAH God. Notice how the book of Hebrews expresses it: "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy [repentant and converted Israelites] are of the same family" (Hebrews 2:10, 11, NIV).

That the Messiah is not ashamed to regard them as his own brothers (and sisters) shows just how personal this family relationship is. Those who enter the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will share even YEHOVAH's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) for all eternity.

Yes, those of Israel who enter the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will be given the glorious honor of being like the resurrected, glorified Messiah. "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16, 17, King James Version).

This is the awesome potential of all those of Israel who receive eternal life as members of the family YEHOVAH God is creating!

The true gospel reveals that the saints of Israel -- the faithful followers of the Messiah resurrected to eternal life at YEHOVAH's return -- will be actively involved in ruling with YEHOVAH God and the Messiah in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God when it is established (Revelation 5:10). Prophecies in the book of Isaiah reveal that YEHOVAH God will begin working with the human beings left alive after His return to teach them His ways. The resurrected saints will assist YEHOVAH in bringing about complete spiritual and physical healing of the nations (Isaiah 30:20, 21; 35:1, 5, 6).

When we hear and understand the gospel of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, Yeshua expects those of us of Israel to repent and believe the good news about this Kingdom (Mark 1:14, 15). YEHOVAH's Kingdom is something we must enter (Mark 10:23, 25).

The Messiah warned of obstacles that can prevent our entrance into the Kingdom (Matthew 5:20; 19:23-25; Mark 9:47; Luke 18:17; John 3:5). To enter the Kingdom, we must gain a proper outlook -- a humble, teachable, childlike attitude -- accompanied by real repentance, baptism and the receiving of YEHOVAH's holy spirit (Matthew 18:3; John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38).

Seeking YEHOVAH's Kingdom must become every Israelite's highest priority, no matter what the difficulties. Paul said, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Yeshua encourages us to overcome these difficulties by keeping the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God as our primary goal (Matthew 6:33). He urges us to pray for YEHOVAH's Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).

When our lives are devoted to seeking YEHOVAH's Kingdom, our outlook will be like that of the patriarchs as recorded in Hebrews 11. Notice these inspiring words about their orientation: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth...Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (verses 13, 16). The patriarchs considered themselves "strangers and pilgrims" because they looked forward to the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Their lives were centered on that Kingdom, not on their physical, material life.

The Christian Israelites road map for the Kingdom

One way Christian Israelites can enhance their vision of the coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is by understanding the meaning of YEHOVAH's seven annual Holy Days. Although most people think of them as only Jewish observances, YEHOVAH made it clear that they are, in reality, His festivals and Holy Days (Leviticus 23:2, 4). YEHOVAH gave these special observances to help those of us of Israel understand the Messiah's part in our salvation and how the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will be established on earth.

In Colossians 2:16, 17, Paul referred to these festivals as "a shadow of things to come." Paul and the early Church kept them as reminders of the coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. Even though others criticized the Colossians for the way they observed these days, Paul and the Israelite saints at Colosse grasped the connection between the purpose of these days and the gospel.

Understanding the meaning of these annual sacred assemblies can help us understand the wonderful message the Messiah taught -- YEHOVAH God's plan for His coming Kingdom and eternal life.

YEHOVAH reveals His wonderful truth to those of Israel He is calling now (John 6:44). The Messiah said YEHOVAH's message would be preached at the end time before His second coming. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations [of Israel], and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

The message the Messiah proclaimed is called, appropriately, the good news -- the gospel -- of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. And it really is good news, the most wonderful news imaginable to the modern nations of Israel. The Messiah is asking you to believe that good news and "seek first the kingdom of YEHOVAH God" (Matthew 6:33). If you do, says Yeshua in Luke 12:32, it will be YEHOVAH's pleasure to give you the Kingdom!

Why Don't People Understand the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God?

The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God was a central part of the Messiah's message and thus a major theme of the Bible. So why is it so rarely understood, and why isn't it commonly taught today?

About one billion people profess Christianity. True Christianity traces its origin and its beliefs to the teachings of Yeshua the Messiah, who lived almost 2,000 years ago.

Yet it is a paradox that today many of the adherents to "Christianity" are not aware of the Messiah's central teaching. As a result, it is rarely proclaimed.

The heart and core of the Messiah's message was that the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God would be established on earth. This theme is to be found throughout the four Gospels. As historian Michael Grant puts it, "every thought and saying of Jesus was directed and subordinated to one single thing ...,the realization of the Kingdom of God upon the earth," and "this one phrase [Kingdom of God] sums up his whole ministry and his whole life's work" (Jesus: An Historian's Review of the Gospels, 1995, pp. 10-11).

So why do we hear so little about the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- as proclaimed in the Bible -- in modern "Christianity"?

The disciples of the Messiah obviously understood his message. References to the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God -- or the Kingdom of Heaven, as the Gospel of Matthew usually refers to it -- appear many times in their writings. Matthew alone contains 37 references. Together the four Gospels specifically mention YEHOVAH's Kingdom 86 times in addition to other, oblique, references to it. The remainder of the New Testament, from Acts through Revelation, mentions YEHOVAH's Kingdom many times.

The disciples recognized with crystal clarity that, when the Messiah spoke of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, he spoke in terms of a real government -- a structured, organized entity with the very authority of YEHOVAH God behind it. Certain rulers who heard the Messiah's message recognized the political implications and viewed his words as a threat to their own power. This became a factor in the Messiah's eventual crucifixion (Luke 23:2; John 19:12).

To Yeshua and his disciples, the term Kingdom of YEHOVAH God meant a government that would be established on earth. They anticipated that its arrival would amount to nothing less than a sweeping, overwhelming change in the world order.

In teaching the message of this Kingdom, the Messiah was simply extending the central theme of the Old Testament. The Hebrew prophets had earlier stressed the reality of this Kingdom. Referring to the Bible, John Bright wrote: "Had we to give that book a title, we might with justice call it 'The Book of the Coming Kingdom of God.' That is, indeed, its central theme everywhere. Old Testament and New Testament thus stand together as the two acts of a single drama" (The Kingdom of God, 1981, p. 197).

Over time, historians began referring to this kingdom to come as the Millennium. This is because in Revelation 20 the apostle John wrote that the saints of Israel would reign with the Messiah (under YEHOVAH God) for 1,000 years: "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them...And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4).

The word millennium is a derivation of the Latin words mille for "thousand" and annum for "year." Most reference works address the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God teaching under the category of "Millennium."

Later church leaders put a different interpretation on the Bible's millennial teachings. They differed from the teachings of the Messiah and his apostles in that they said it should not be understood literally, that the concept was only an allegory. The third-century theologian Origen was the first person on record to promote the allegorical explanation.

Since Christianity by then was accepted as the religion of the Roman Empire, Augustine taught that the church in this present world is the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, and "the thousand years stand for all the years of the Christian era." Augustine stated this idea in The City of God, Book 20, Chapter 7. The church then "officially adopted Augustine's view that the biblical descriptions of the millennium were allegorical" (Encyclopedia Americana, 1998, "Millennium").

This teaching, however, cannot be reconciled with the many Bible prophecies of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. The Bible shows that when the Kingdom comes the returning YEHOVAH God will take His place as divine ruler of the earth (Revelation 11:15).

The Hebrew prophets showed that the arrival of YEHOVAH's Kingdom on earth would bring worldwide peace, physical abundance and divine righteousness (Isaiah 2:4; Amos 9:13). In contrast, history shows that the "Christian era" Augustine equated with YEHOVAH's Kingdom is usually a time of violence, war, starvation and widespread lawlessness.

Disputes over the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God concept have enlivened religious discussions for centuries. The issue has not been what the Bible says. Scholars and theologians know that the teaching of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is in the Bible. The issue of debate has been what does the Bible mean when it speaks of the Kingdom. The majority of theologians have lost faith in the Bible as it is written.

How should we view the prophesied millennial rule of YEHOVAH God, the Messiah and the saints of Israel? Should we take it literally or allegorically? Even some who disagree with a literal Millennium admit that the Bible describes a literal kingdom: "The figurative interpretation...cannot be made exegetically good even in its most plausible applications...This remarkable paragraph in John's Apocalypse [Revelation] speaks of a real millennial reign of Christ on earth together with certain of His saints..." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. III, 1986, "Millennium").

The return of YEHOVAH God to reign over the earth in a literal kingdom is a plain teaching of the Bible. Generally speaking, those who hold a strong belief in the divine inspiration of the Bible believe that YEHOVAH God will literally return and reign on earth. The Scriptures also teach that true Israelite Christians experience a foretaste of the world to come (Hebrews 6:5) and are the advance emissaries of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. They are "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Over the last few centuries a new definition of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God has surfaced. This idea does not deny the teaching outright but applies to it a twist of reasoning. This new view began in Europe. "In the 1700s, European intellectuals revamped the millennium-old system for discerning truth: instead of grounding all knowledge in biblical revelation, they tried to build on the foundation of human reason" (Christian History, issue No. 55, p. 20).

Theologians who adopted this approach became known as the liberal school. What did they conclude about the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God? They came to believe that "Western civilization was establishing Christ's earthly rule" (ibid., p. 24).

This secular kind of theology is rooted in the idea that human nature is improving. This view, however, is contradicted by both the Bible and secular history. Man's many wars and atrocities -- especially those in this bloodstained 20th century -- challenge this view.

Even though its members learned that they should set good examples of Christian living, the New Testament church received no commission whatsoever to politically reform the present world's society. Abuses in the Roman Empire of that day were many. Yet "the early church had no hope of reforming the state or of bringing it into conformity to the Kingdom of God" (Bright, p. 235). Instead, church members heard from their leaders that they should hope and pray for YEHOVAH's Kingdom to come. The New Testament closes with a plea for this very thing: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).

The early Church believed that YEHOVAH God would return to rule over the nations and that the Messiah would also come to rule over Israel. True Christians proclaimed this message faithfully. They believed it completely. They prayed for it fervently. It was on their minds always. At one point during the Messiah's ministry, the apostles asked him, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3).

After the Messiah's death and resurrection, and just before his ascension to heaven, they again wanted to know, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). Yeshua told them it was not YEHOVAH's intent that they should know exactly when this would happen. He told them they should concern themselves with proclaiming his message to the Israelite world (verses 7-8).

Their response from that day was to preach the message of YEHOVAH's Kingdom. They crisscrossed the Roman Empire in the process. As they did so, they held firmly to the belief that YEHOVAH God would return soon to establish His Kingdom. Late in his life the apostle Peter believed the end was imminent. He wrote that "the end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7). And John wrote, "Little children, it is the last hour..." (1 John 2:18). Paul's early letters (1 and 2 Thessalonians) show that he also believed that YEHOVAH's Kingdom would arrive during his lifetime.

The prophets of the Old Testament, under YEHOVAH's inspiration, envisioned the everlasting Kingdom of YEHOVAH God (Isaiah 9:7; Psalm 145:13; Daniel 7:27). The Messiah confirmed it, saying, "...It is your Father's good pleasure to give you [those of Israel] the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Peter, who had expected to see the Kingdom while he lived, wrote before he died that "an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and of the Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11).

Though Peter did not live to see YEHOVAH's Kingdom, he did not lose heart. True Christians must continue to believe in the sure promise of the Kingdom. We of Israel must faithfully serve YEHOVAH God while we wait for it.

The belief and hope that the coming of the Messiah is near has intrigued Bible readers from the apostles' time to our own. With many people through the centuries anticipating the early arrival of their Lord, some lost heart when it didn't occur when they expected. Some gave up in disappointment. The epistle to the Hebrews, written several decades after the Messiah's ascension to heaven, exhorts Christians to continue to believe and not lose confidence in YEHOVAH's return (which is preceded by the coming of the Messiah -- Hebrews 10:35). It reminds them of a statement from the Hebrew prophet Habakkuk: "For yet a little while, and He [YEHOVAH] who is coming will come and will not tarry" (verse 37; Habakkuk 2:3).

The epistle to the Hebrews did not promise that YEHOVAH God would return by a particular time. It does, however, assure Christians that He will surely come, and they must continue to believe. The quote from Habakkuk is most appropriate. The prophet Habakkuk lived in the nation of Judah six centuries before the Christian era, in a time of societal disintegration. Because of the sins of the nation, YEHOVAH God was about to allow the people of Judah to be overrun by the mighty empire of Babylon.

Habakkuk despaired at the thought of this. He knew that YEHOVAH had chosen his nation centuries earlier to accomplish a special mission. He didn't understand, in light of this, why YEHOVAH God would allow catastrophe to occur to Judah. YEHOVAH assured Habakkuk that He would accomplish His purpose with Judah but that it would be at a later time. YEHOVAH also told the prophet that he must wait for the time of YEHOVAH's choosing to bring it to pass. YEHOVAH reminded Habakkuk that "the just shall live by His faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

Hebrews 10:38 quotes from Habakkuk 2:4. The lesson is that YEHOVAH's timetable may differ from man's. YEHOVAH does not allow His people Israel to foresee the chronological details of His plan of salvation, but the outcome is certain. YEHOVAH will do what He has promised. This was the crucial lesson for Christian Israelites in the early decades of the Church, and it remains a essential lesson for the people of YEHOVAH God in every age. We must retain our faith in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. YEHOVAH will do what He has promised. He will send the Messiah, and He Himself will return to earth in triumph.

The prophets of the Old Testament, under YEHOVAH's inspiration, envisioned His everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:7; Psalms 145:13; Daniel 7:27). The Messiah confirmed its longevity, adding that "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you [of Israel] the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Peter, who had expected to see YEHOVAH's Kingdom while he lived, wrote before he died that "an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our LORD and of the Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11).

Life brings many disappointments and trials, testing our faith in YEHOVAH's promises. In the parable of the sower, in Matthew 13, the Messiah identified three areas of temptation his people Israel would encounter: the work of the devil, the temptation to covet material possessions, and personal trials.

A Christian Israelite confronts all of these at times. All tempt us and distract us from what should be our primary focus in life -- to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

The apostle Paul exhorted converts of his time saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). Those of Israel who remain faithful will look beyond their distresses and put their confidence in YEHOVAH God. These are they who will inherit YEHOVAH's Kingdom.

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Proclaiming the Good News of the Soon-Coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God On This Earth!

Hope of Israel Ministries P.O. Box 853 Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A. www.hope-of-israel.org

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