The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Eternal Purpose of God, #12

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. (Ezekiel 47:8)

As soon as God has brought forth the firstfruits of His people, the living waters will flow into the sea of mankind and it will live. Ezekiel 47:8-12 describes the Kingdom revival, the time when the Glory of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea—when the waters of eternal life will flow from the personalities of those who have become the Throne of God and of the Lamb. The Spirit of God will come from the saints who have become part of the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles and will cover the dead sea of mankind with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord.

God has divided the development of the Kingdom of God into three ages: the Church Age, the Kingdom Age, and the Eternal Age.

The Church Age commenced with the resurrection of Christ and will terminate with the return of the Lord to the earth.

The Kingdom Age will commence with the return of the Lord to the earth and will terminate with the destruction of the present earth and heaven.

The Eternal Age will commence with the creation of the new heaven and earth and will never terminate.

Each of the three ages has a purpose.

The purpose of the Church Age is to call forth from among the ranks of mankind the members of the Church and to begin the work of perfecting them. Also, during the Church Age, the members of the Church are to bear witness to the world of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth.

The purpose of the Kingdom Age is to complete the perfecting of the Church, the Body of Christ, and to bring the life of God to the "sea" of mankind on the earth. The Kingdom Age is the period of worldwide revival.

During the Church Age there have been and yet will be revivals, but they are not to be compared in power and holiness with the Presence of the Spirit of God that will be on the earth during the Kingdom Age.

The main purpose of the Church Age is the development of the Body of Christ, not the reviving to any great extent of the dead sea of mankind. However, the witness that is to be borne to the nations during the Church Age is important in the plan of God because God requires a basis on which to judge the nations.

The purpose of the Eternal Age is to bring peace and joy to God and to His creatures forever.

For two thousand years the Christian churches, not understanding the plan of God, have striven to accomplish the work of the Kingdom Age during the Church Age. Ambitious men have taken the things of Christ and have attempted to build their own little kingdoms from among the members of the nations.

To be continued.