Revolution

Revolution

The times in which we are living are revolutionary times, but they all start off in the wrong direction. Therefore they end up wrong. Jesus began the greatest revolution, which has still not come to an end. A tremendous upheaval will take place when it ends. Jesus is called “Prince of Peace.” “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.” Ps. 46:9.

All revolutions begin by dealing with external circumstances for the purpose of overthrowing the prevailing situation; but they end in unrest, coercion, and revenge. Jesus began a revolution within, in His own body. When this revolution comes to an end outwardly, the result will be peace.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil . . . .” “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Heb. 2:14, 18.

Paul says, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells . . . .” Rom. 7:18. All mankind has the same flesh. It is called: “The flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal. 5:24. In other words, nothing good dwells in that flesh. Jesus partook of this flesh. Terrible things happen in the world, and all of them have their source in the flesh with its passions and desires. Jas. 4:1. That is where Jesus started His revolution. “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13. Jesus consecrated this way—the way of putting to death the deeds of the body. He suffered, being tempted. He could be tempted by everything that dwelt in the flesh. Jas. 1:14. Through death He destroyed him who had the power of death. He who had the power of death had power over mankind through their passions and desires. When God sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, sin was condemned in the flesh. Rom. 8:3.

This was a tremendous revolution that occurred in Jesus’ body. All the desires that lived in the flesh were to be put to death so that Jesus was without sin in temptation. Heb. 4:15. This death is called the dying of Jesus. 2 Cor. 4:10-11. Through this dying He destroyed him who had the power of death. Thus the devil lost his contact with the flesh and his power to put to death.

It cost Jesus enormous sufferings in the flesh in order not to sin in temptation. 1 Pet. 4:1. This is described in the following manner in Hebrews 5:7-9. “Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek, being translated, is first of all “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace.” Ch. 7:2. The prophet describes this revolution in Isaiah 63:1-8, and in Chapter 53:7 we read, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” This was a thorough training which the Son of Man received in order to become the Prince of Peace. At one point He manifested this revolution in His own body in order to raise it as a temple for God, by making a whip of cords to cleanse the temple. The disciples understood this only after His resurrection. John 2:15-22. It was written about Him: “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Ps. 69:9.

Jesus is not to be alone in making this revolution. He will have 144,000 with Him about whom it is written, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Gal. 5:24. Now is the time of their training, bearing Jesus’ dying in their bodies and being without sin in temptations. To this end all of us can receive help from the throne of grace. Heb. 4:16. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21. When all of them have also received their training as princes of peace, they will be gathered to Him in the clouds. 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 15:23. They stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion while God’s judgment is being executed over Babylon, the great harlot. Rev. 14:1-8.

After the wedding, Jesus will return together with all the saints. Only then will this revolution occur outwardly. Rev. 19:7-21. As a result, the beast and the false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, and Satan will be bound for a thousand years. What a glorious revolution this is that results in a kingdom of peace where they shall learn war no more. Micah 4:3.