The Subjects of the Kingdom and Those Who Take Their Seats in the Kingdom of Heaven

 Matthew 8:11-12 prophesies that there will be subjects of the kingdom who will be driven out and others who will come from the east and the west to take their seats in the kingdom of heaven. Both groups are believers with hope in heaven, but one is cast outside into darkness while the other is seated in heaven. Understanding this content is crucial for us as believers.

Let’s read Matthew 8:11-12 together: "I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

These verses highlight a critical teaching: the subjects of the kingdom are the sons of the devil, born at the time of harvest from the devil’s seed, and are not harvested. In contrast, those who take their seats in the kingdom of heaven are the sons of God, born of God’s seed, and harvested. The reality of these entities is confirmed in Revelation, which describes the judgment and casting out of the sun, moon, and stars of spiritual Israel, symbolizing the corrupted traditional churches.

In Revelation 7, the kingdom of God is recreated through the 12 tribes born of God’s seed, harvested, and sealed, becoming the reality of those seated in the kingdom of heaven. God judges the corrupted churches because of their lack of true faith and recreates a new kingdom. It is essential to examine whether we are the subjects of the kingdom who disappear or those who take their seats in heaven, whether we face judgment or salvation.

Let's deepen our understanding by reading Revelation 6:12-14: "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place."

In Revelation 6, it is written that the sun, moon, and stars will darken and fall. What is the true meaning and reality of the sun, moon, and stars in this parable?

In Genesis 37:9-11, within Jacob's family, the father is figuratively referred to as the sun, the mother as the moon, and the twelve sons as the stars. Therefore, Jacob's household was like the heavens containing the sun, moon, and stars. Furthermore, Jacob became Israel as one who was victorious, and Israel became an expression symbolizing God’s chosen people.

Likewise, at the first coming, Jesus also overcame and became spiritual Israel. Thus, in other words, the sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 6 also refer to the family of God belonging to the heavens, and thus they are spiritual Israel.

Who are the Sun and Stars of Spiritual Israel in Revelation 6, and What Does It Mean that They Darkened and Fell?

According to Revelation 1:20, the seven stars are the seven messengers. Historically, just as John the Baptist prepared the way like a lamp at the first coming about 2000 years ago, the seven stars and seven messengers at the second coming represent the last church of spiritual Israel. They started by making a covenant with Jesus but ended up forsaking the covenant and walking on the path of betrayal. This is why Jesus sent letters through John calling for their repentance in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, telling them to fight and overcome the Nicolaitans of Satan.

If these verses call for fighting and overcoming, doesn't it imply a war?

The War Between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan

In Matthew 24, a prophecy about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and the signs of the end of the age is given. One of the signs is a war between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan, taking place in the temple of Jerusalem. In this war, the kingdom of God is defeated, and in verses 15-16, it is written that the abomination that causes desolation stands in the holy place (God's kingdom, Jerusalem). This destruction is what it means in Matthew 24:29 when it says that the sun, moon, and stars have darkened and fallen. The reason behind this darkening and falling is because the kingdom of God lost the war against the kingdom of Satan.

The War in Revelation Chapter 13

There is a war in heaven, which is in the tabernacle, between the tabernacle of God's kingdom and the army of the dragon (the kingdom of Satan). In this battle, the beast with seven heads and ten horns (the group of the dragon) wins, and Satan takes control of the tabernacle of heaven, the spiritual temple of Jerusalem. They fed food sacrificed to idols to God's chosen people, and had them receive the mark of the beast and worship the devil. This event signifies the end of spiritual Israel, the churches of tradition that have become corrupt.

The End of Spiritual Israel and the Churches of Tradition

The seven messengers of the tabernacle of heaven, the subjects of the kingdom, were cast out of heaven. This is the event of the end of spiritual Israel, the Jerusalem destroyed in Matthew 24, those marked by the beast in Revelation 13, and those who ate food sacrificed to idols in Revelation 2 and 3. This is not only applicable to the tabernacle of heaven but also to the general faith of the congregation and pastors of the world.

Who Will Be Seated in Heaven at the Second Coming of the Lord?

In Revelation 7, it is written that those born of God’s seed, harvested, and sealed to become the 12 tribes of new spiritual Israel will be seated in heaven. Revelation 7:1 states "After this," referring to after the events in Revelation 6, when the chosen people who betray are judged, marking the end of the corrupted churches of tradition and spiritual Israel.

The Creation of God's Kingdom

According to Matthew 13:24-30, just as prophesied in Jeremiah 31, two types of seeds are planted in the same field: the good seed planted by Jesus and the weeds planted by Satan. The good seed is the word of God, and those born of Satan's false doctrines become children of the devil. Jesus allowed both to grow together until the time of harvest. At the end of the age, the weeds are gathered and burned, while the wheat is harvested and taken into the barn. Therefore, at the time of harvest, the weeds (who are not harvested) will be expelled, while those born of God's seed and harvested will take their seats in the kingdom of heaven.

The Importance of Recognizing the Time of Harvest

As believers, it is extremely important to recognize the time of harvest and the signs of the end of age. Jesus spoke about the second coming of the Lord and the signs of the end of age in Matthew 24. The collapse of the temple of Jerusalem signifies the end of spiritual Israel and the churches of tradition that started with Jesus at the first coming. This event is the end of the age.

The Gathering of God's Elect

In Matthew 24:29-31, after these things occur, Jesus will return with his angels with a loud trumpet call and gather his elect from the four winds. This event is the work of harvest. Revelation 14:14-16 describes an angel sitting on a cloud with a sharp sickle, a harvester angel with the word of harvest.

The First Fruits and the Sealed

Revelation 14:1-5 describes the 144,000 standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion, known as the first fruits, harvested and sealed with the names of God and the Lamb on their foreheads. They are the ones who take their seats in the kingdom of heaven where God's throne dwells.

Understanding these prophecies and their fulfillment helps us recognize the importance of being born of God’s seed, harvested, and sealed to become part of the new spiritual Israel, seated in the kingdom of heaven. Let us strive to be among those who take their seats in the kingdom of heaven.

  1. Interpretation of Symbols:

    • The sun, moon, and stars in Revelation 6 are interpreted symbolically. Drawing from Genesis 37:9-11, where Jacob's family (father, mother, and twelve sons) are represented by the sun, moon, and stars, these symbols in Revelation represent God's chosen people, Spiritual Israel.
    • Their darkening and falling indicate the failure and judgment of the existing spiritual leaders and churches who have deviated from their covenant with God.

  2. Spiritual Warfare and Judgment:

    • Revelation 13 and Matthew 24 describe a spiritual war between God's kingdom and the kingdom of Satan. The defeat of God's kingdom leads to the judgment and end of the current spiritual Israel.
    • The signs of this judgment include the fall of the sun, moon, and stars, representing the fall of the current spiritual leaders.

  3. Creation of a New Spiritual Israel:

    • Revelation 7 discusses the sealing of 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel, representing the new spiritual Israel. These individuals are those who have been faithful and sealed with God's word.
    • This new creation is necessary because the previous spiritual Israel failed to keep the covenant.

  4. Process of Harvesting:

    • Matthew 13 and Revelation 14 depict the process of harvesting, where the good seed (believers who have remained faithful) are separated from the weeds (those who have followed false doctrines).
    • The harvested believers are gathered to Mount Zion, representing the gathering of the new spiritual Israel.

  5. Qualifying for the Kingdom of Heaven:

    • Believers must be born of God's seed, harvested, and sealed. They must also be prepared with righteous acts and the proper understanding of the prophecies and their fulfillment.
    • The wedding banquet parable in Matthew 22 and the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 emphasize the need for readiness and righteousness to enter the kingdom of heaven.

  6. Role of the Overcomer:

    • Revelation 12 introduces an overcomer who defeats the dragon (Satan) and leads the establishment of the new spiritual Israel. This overcomer is promised the kingdom of heaven and God's presence.

  7. Final Exhortation:

    • Believers are encouraged to remain faithful, understand the prophecies, and be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ. Those who are prepared will take part in the new spiritual Israel and the kingdom of heaven.

Conclusion:

The interpretation emphasizes the symbolic nature of the prophecies in Revelation and the need for spiritual readiness and righteousness. It highlights the transition from a corrupt spiritual Israel to a new, faithful spiritual Israel, led by an overcomer, and stresses the importance of understanding and keeping the covenant with God to participate in the kingdom of heaven. This teaching encourages believers to strive for spiritual purity and preparedness for the fulfillment of these prophecies.

🍃 Matthew 8:11-12

"Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

These verses highlight a profound truth about the kingdom of heaven. They reveal a separation between those who are faithful and those who are not. The subjects of the kingdom, originally intended to inherit the kingdom, are cast out due to their unfaithfulness and betrayal. Meanwhile, those who come from the east and the west, representing faithful believers from all nations, take their rightful places in the kingdom.

This prophecy warns us of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the importance of remaining true to God's word. It emphasizes the need to recognize the time of harvest and to be among those who are born of God's seed, harvested, and sealed. As we await the second coming of our Lord, let us strive to be vigilant, faithful, and prepared, so that we may be among those who take their places in the kingdom of heaven.

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