When the fall of the Jewish nation was complete, God transferred the right of government to the Gentiles, but with this difference: This right was separated from the calling and the promise of God. In Israel the two things were united — the calling of God and government upon the earth. These became distinct things from the moment that Israel was put aside. In Noah and Abraham they were distinct; government in the one, calling in the other.
Israel failed and ceased to be capable of manifesting the principle of the government of God, because God in Israel acted in righteousness. Unrighteous Israel could no longer be the depository of the power of God.
The Earthly Calling of Israel
Notwithstanding this, as to the earthly calling, Israel continued to be the called people, “for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:2929For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)). There are indeed the called from among the nations, but it is for the heavens they are called. The calling of God for the earth is never transferred to the nations; it remains with the Jews. From the instant that the church loses sight of its heavenly calling, humanly speaking, it loses all.
What has happened to the nations by their having had government given over to them? They have become “beasts” (Dan. 7), the oppressors of the people of God. The fourth monarchy, Rome, consummated its crime at the same instant that the Jews consummated theirs, by killing Him who was both the Son of God and the King of Israel. Gentile power is in a fallen state, even as are the called people, the Jews. Man has failed in handling both power and calling, and judgment is written upon both, in man’s hand.
The Jews, the called people, have become rebellious. The nations are become equally rebellious, but government abides there, though in a state of ruin. But the patience of God is always there, until the church goes to join the Lord in the heavenly places. The government of the fourth monarchy will be then still in existence, but under the influence and direction of its last head, and the Jews will unite themselves to him, in a state of rebellion, to make war with the Lamb.
The Church Taken to Heaven
But God will, at the close, when the church is gathered and called up on high, take things into His own hand. He will begin to act in restoring everything to its proper order. Accordingly, as soon as the church shall be received to Christ, there will follow a battle in heaven, in order that the seat of government may be purged of Satan, the active agent of the ills of humanity and of all creation. Satan will be expelled from heaven and be cast down to earth. Thenceforth power will be established in heaven according to the intention of God.
But on the earth it will be quite otherwise, for when Satan is driven from heaven, he will excite the whole earth and will raise up, in particular, the apostate part of it, which has revolted against the power of Christ coming from heaven. Then, the created heavens will be occupied by Christ and His church, and Satan, in great wrath upon the earth, will have but a short time. Under the conduct of Antichrist, the fourth monarchy will become the sphere upon which the activity of Satan will then be displayed, who will unite the Jews with the apostate empire against heaven. Jesus Christ will destroy the power of Satan in that government, which, we have seen, was confided to the Gentiles. Both the Roman beast and the Antichrist will be destroyed by the coming of the Lord of lords and King of kings, and Christ will occupy this chief seat of government in Jerusalem, which will become the place of the throne of God on the earth.
Israel Reestablished in the Land
The Lord will then purify His land of all the wicked. It will be done by the power of Christ in favor of His people reestablished by His goodness. The people are put into security in the land, and then Christ will show Himself, not as the Christ from heaven, but as the Messiah of the Jews.
Blessing to the Gentiles will be the consequence of the restoration of the Jews and of the presence of the Lord. The church will have been blessed; the apostasy of the fourth monarchy will no longer have existence. The lawless one will be cut off, as well as the unbelieving Jews, and the land of Israel will be at peace.
Afterward there will be the world to come, prepared and introduced by these judgments and by the presence of the Lord, who will take the place of the lawless one. All the promises of God being accomplished and the throne of God being established at Jerusalem, this throne will become to the whole earth the source of happiness.
Government in the Heavens
At this time Satan will be bound. Instead of the adversary and his government in the heavenly places, Christ and His church will be there, the source and instrument of blessing. Government in the heavenly places will be the security, and not the hindrance, of the goodness of God. The glorified church will fill the heavenly places with its joy, and in its service will constitute the happiness of the world, towards which it will be the instrument of the grace which it shall be richly enjoying.
Meanwhile, upon the earth is the earthly Jerusalem, the center of government and of the reign of the righteousness of Jehovah her God. She will be the place of His throne, the center of the exercise of justice. In that state of terrestrial glory, this city will be the witness of the character of Jehovah, as the church is of that of the Father. God also will realize the full force of that name — “The Most High God, Possessor of heavens and earth” (Gen. 14:1919And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (Genesis 14:19) JND). Christ will fulfill all the functions of High Priest, after the order of Melchizedec, who, after the victory gained over the enemies of God’s people, blessed their God on the part of the people and the people on the part of God (Gen. 14:18-2018And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:18‑20)). True separation from the world ought to be the fruit of the understanding of all these prophecies!
J. N. Darby (adapted)