Foreword

In this exposition we shall deal with important information concerning Heaven and Earth. From the beginning, human beings pondered about their destiny. We trust that this booklet will not only illuminate the background of the great tragedy, which is not yet overcome, but that it will also successfully show forth the solution of this ancient problem and serve as a guidepost.

The first human beings saw the light of this world about six thousand years ago. On 12 th October, 1999, according to United Nations statistics the world population reached the six billion mark. In the year 2000 the question is appropriate, whether great events, which are predicted in the Holy Scripture, will take place in the foreseeable future. The expectations are running quite high in every respect. Two cities on Earth are in the spotlight, namely Jerusalem and Rome. Jerusalem is looked upon as the birthplace of the three world religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, although Mohammed founded his religion in the year 632 in Mecca and Medina in Arabia, not in Jerusalem. Rome has been polished and prepared for the “Holy Year 2000”. In view of the “Holy Year” the golden gate in the Vatican was opened by Pope John Paul II, whereas the Golden Gate in the city wall of Jerusalem remains closed for the time being. However, our concern lies not with religious activities undertaken by men, it is to know what God, the only Holy One, is doing within human history.

Over the course of the past centuries, men and women have predicted special events for certain years. Due to its “uniqueness”, the year 2000 has now become the focal point of interest. But it is just like any other year, and things predicted by self-appointed prophets and prophetesses will not occur. The extraordinary only happens when God Himself does it. Indeed, we are at a historical turning point, and can expect things to happen. Now every year could be “the great year of jubilee”. Of course, no one can set a date, but the signs of the time do point with increasing clarity towards it. From Adam, 2000 years passed and God made a significant covenant with Abraham, based upon the promises. Following another 2000 years, God made a new beginning by fulfilling the promises, establishing the New Testament covenant. In between were the time periods of the law and the prophets. The law with its many commandments was given to convict the fallen humanity of their transgressions. The prophets had the task to announce the events that would take place in the course of the Plan of Salvation right until the completion.

We have now reached the end of this 2000-year period of the time of grace. Most certainly we can count on great events which are shown forth in God’s Plan to happen. “For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isa. 14: 27). The seventh millennium in the history of mankind not only can, but will and must be the thousand-year reign of Christ. In God’s Word we have the promises for it, as we see specifically in Rev. 20: 6, “ Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” If a certain prophetic time period is spoken of, the scripture applies: “one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet. 3: 8). God will complete His work of redemption with the seventh millennium, as He completed His creation work on the seventh day and rested from all His labour (Gen. 2: 1-3).

At the very end of time, the just verdict will be pronounced at the white throne (Rev. 20: 11-15) and everyone will reach his final destination. All will be in the place of their own choice. We know the saying, “The wider the choice, the greater the trouble.” With a view towards eternity, we can say, Whoever makes the right choice will avoid the trouble. After the last judgement, time will run out and merge into eternity. A new beginning with unknown bliss and never-ending heavenly harmony will set in. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isa. 65: 17). “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Pt. 3: 13). “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away …” (Rev. 21: 1).

Bible believing Christians do not wait for an apocalyptic doomsday, they expect the promised return of Jesus Christ. They do not create an attitude of panic with the “Armageddon-inferno”. Since the days of the apostles, all of God’s children have waited to be taken home, as promised by their Saviour Jesus Christ in John 14: 1-3. Of course, it remains as it is written, that only God knows the day and the hour. Jesus and the apostles were not mistaken when they announced the return of Christ. The Apostle Peter predicted that at the end of days the scoffers would especially ridicule this point in saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? ... all things continue as they were from the beginning ...” (2. Pet. 3: 4). Until the actual fulfilment, it remains true as it is written, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... but is longsuffering toward us …” (2 Pet. 3: 9). The Divine longsuffering will finally end, as it did at the time of Noah (Mt. 24: 39), and this could be the case at any moment.

The events pertaining to the Plan of Salvation always happen when the time is fulfilled, according to the counsel and time Plan of God. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (Rom. 9: 28).