THE LAST AND EVERLASTING EMPIRE

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The last empire on earth is God’s own kingdom where righteousness reigns supreme. There will be no more deaths, atrocities, hunger, and other afflictions associated with life here on earth. It will be far different from worldly empire. Everybody needs to work toward being part of this wonderful coming kingdom, by repenting to serve the only true God Almighty.

BICYCLE MAN AND MANGO TREE
Once upon a time, a young man from a remote village, had a burning desire to own a bicycle.  He laboured to raise money to buy it. Little did he know he would be swindled of the bicycle, and God Almighty coming to his rescue instantly.

To own a bicycle (Whiteman’s Machine), in those days was a status symbol in rural community. He wanted to be reckoned among the well-to-do in the village by buying a cycle in its chassis. It should also boost his business, of transporting and selling palm fruits.

He laboured and saved for months to buy it. This man would render services to climb and cut palm fruits for people. As well, he offered hired labour in the farms, to raise money. The hardship he was passing through to gather funds, was overshadowed by the joy of owning a bicycle. He was excited about the prospect of being cycle owner.

He went and priced it from a local dealer. Every week, he would be getting closer to his target of purchasing the product. He deprived himself of certain habits and pleasures, in order to achieve his goal, as soon as possible. For instance, he stopped going to public places to drink; and avoided enticing women. He realized that indulging in evil habits drain the purse.

Once in a while, he would go and reprise the bicycle to reassure himself he was on course; and to take another good look at it. Also, he used to do recounting of the money from where he ‘holed’ it up, occasionally. This young man was always telling himself, he would one day become a proud bicycle owner.

At a stage, he decided to be tying the money on his waist, where he would be seeing it all the time: he was not ready to take chances by keeping it at home. This enterprising man wrapped the fund properly on a long piece of cloth. Then, he used it as belt to hold his knickers on his waist. Of course, the cloth served dual purpose of acting as belt and ‘coffer.’ The money was with him every time of the day. Wherever he went, the money was there: when climbing palm tree, or working in the farm. Even when bathing in the stream, he would pull off his clothes; and watch over his savings closely, as a dog watches over a bone. Banks were very far from the communities then.

Then came the ‘D day;’_ the day to pay and take possession of the bicycle! He went straight to the dealer; paid the price and zoomed off with the cycle. He didn’t suspect anything evil plan from the dealer. This wicked seller capitalized on his ignorance, and failed to issue him with receipt of payment.

As the young man was a considerable distance away, this wicked man raised false alarm that attracted a lot of people; that his bicycle had been stolen. The mob forthwith pursed after the cyclist, and apprehended him by the side of a mango tree. Later, Policemen were informed who rushed to the scene. The young man was accused of stealing a bicycle. He insisted he duly bought it from the seller. He was ridiculed.

The Police instructed him to produce the receipt, which he couldn’t. In fact he didn’t know what they meant by receipt. All his life, he was used to cash-and-carry business. That was the environment in which he grew up. There is no issuing of receipts in mammy markets and local stores. The young man was confused. Then, an idea came to his mind. He tore out part of the label used in wrapping the cycle, and showed it as his receipt. They shouted on him that it wasn’t the receipt.

The law-enforcement agents told him to produce his witness. He became more confused. The man asked them a number of questions. He said, “If you are going to work, do you take along a witness? If you are going to the stream to fetch water, do you go with a witness? If you are going to the bush to fetch firewood, do you go there with a witness?” In anger and frustration, he said, “Let this mango tree bear witness for me. Let the nearby tarred road bear witness for me. Let God Almighty bear witness for me.”

In response, the Policemen told him to bring the mango tree to come and testify. Let him bring the tarred road to bear witness. Finally, he was told to go and bring God he mentioned to testify that he bought the bicycle. In the absence of any witness, the Police told the dealer to go with the cycle; he was declared the rightful owner. The rogue cycle dealer mounted it and began to ride to his shop. But, he didn’t go far. As he was departing, the swindled man put his two hands on his head, and screamed for help.

As the rogue was about to connect to the tarred road, behold a vehicle that failed break, coming towards him in full speed. The motor hit him, and he died on the spot. Then, the bicycle made a dramatic “U” turn, and heated directly toward the mango tree, and rested by its side, as if packed by human being. People were astonished at what happened.

God Almighty used the tarred road and mango tree, to bear witness in a mysterious way, that the man duly paid for it; and was the rightful owner. Of course, He punished the wicked. For the scripture says, the wicked shall not go unpunished. The mob-turned jubilant crowd applauded what the invisible God did.

They returned the man’s new bicycle to him. As he was riding home, he was praising God, the creator of the whole universe. When he arrived home, his relatives, friends, and well wishers gathered in his compound, to celebrate with him and thank God. They were very grateful to God for restoring his hard-earned, stolen bicycle to him.

DEATH IS MERE TRANSITION
Our temporary life here on earth is preparatory ground. It is an opportunity for us to mend our ways; and turn a new leaf before God. Then, we will inherit everlasting life.

A certain rich man was living without God in the world. He had numerous exotic cars, and lived in a mansion. He had a wife, and many girlfriends, he rented flats for. He was living like overlord. He used to sack his girlfriends at the slightest provocation; only to replace them with new ones. Of course, he would quit them from the houses he rented for them.

The wife was highly afraid of him, due to his dictatorial tendencies. He belonged to a secret society, and was a drunkard. He had no regard for God, the Creator of the universe. He was always beating, and quarreling with his wife, for praying in his house, and attending church services. He was against anybody attempting to preach the gospel to him. He looked down on ministers of the gospel; and was prepared to warn any of them from going to ‘disturb’ him.

In his business empire, his workers feared him. He made himself inaccessible to poor people: even his relations. He was living as if he would never depart from this world. But one day, something happened to him. He fell very sick. He was rushed to the hospital. There he died hours later. The relations put his body in a mortuary. They made elaborate arrangements for his burial. They bought expensive coffin: hired chairs and canopies, among other things. They fixed date for the burial.

Actually, when he died his soul left the body. He was between hell and paradise, when an angel of God stopped him. He was about being cast into hell; but the Lord decided to give him a second chance, which is quite unusual; to go back to earth and repent. He suddenly woke up in the mortuary: and the attendants ran away. He went straight to a church, where he accepted Jesus as his lord and savour. Today, he is a born-again Christian.

At the beginning of creation, God allowed human beings to live for hundreds of years, before departing from this earth. Adam lived for 930 years and died. Noah lived for about 600 years. Methuselah lived 969 years. Late, God pegged the human life-span to about 120 years. He said, “My spirit shall not always strive with man. I will give 120 years to mend his ways.”

GOD’S GREATNESS AND LOVE
Almighty God, the Creator of the whole universe, is very compassionate and mighty in power. He has no beginning or ending. It took Him only six days to create the whole world, some thousands of years ago. Then, he gave human beings charge over the world, to replenish and subdue it.
The Psalmist said, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon, and the stars, which you have ordained: What is man that you are mindful of him? And the son of man that you visit him? For you have made him a little lower than an angel, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. You made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; You have put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beast of the field. The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! –Psalms 8:4-9.
The Lord created a lot of things: the galaxies, planets sun, firmament (stars) etc. There re hundreds of billions of galaxies in the universe, we are told. The earth is a very tiny part of the whole world; like a grain of sand in the seashore. Each of the stars in the sky is several times bigger than the earth. There are hundreds of millions of them. God the creator of everything is mighty.
The gift of eternal life to those who come to Him, underscores His great love for mankind. God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame, He remembers that we are dust.

His greatness is made manifest in the whole universe. He created them for His pleasure. Of course, He is responsible for the orderliness of His creation. Take for instance, the line of demarcation, where Mississippi river and Gulf of Mexico meet. The two distinct colours of the separate rivers, shows clearly the power and ingenuity of God. It is a beauty to behold.

“Fear you not me? said the LORD: will you not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound
of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can
they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?”– Jeremiah: 5-22.

We are in the last days. God is displaying signs and wonders on the earth, and in the sky, more than ever before. Strange hand writings and other features in the sky, are more prevalent nowadays. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring”– Luke 21-25.

One of such signs occurred on July 19th, 2017, in Costa Rica where a strange painting occurred in the sky. Whatever way anyone looks at it, it is abnormal. It signifies we are fast approaching the end of time.

IMAGE OF JESUS IN THE CLOUD

TEMPORARY EMPIRE OF THE BEAST
During the time of tribulation, Satan will designate a Beast to rule over the earth with an iron fist. But, God will only allow it for a while.

The beast shall arise from the sea with a deadly wound that was healed. But the scar will remain there. His evil empire will last for forty-two months—three and half years. This monster will lord over the inhabitants of the earth: those left behind after the rapture; as they fail short of God’s expectations. The LORD the period of tribulation to try those remaining on earth. The beast will speak blasphemies against God—

“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world– Revelation 13:6-8.

The agent of Satan, will force inhabitants of the earth to worship him. He will perform all manner of fake miracles, including causing fire to come down on earth. As well, he will cause people to receive marks on their right hands, or their foreheads the number- 666. Nobody will be allowed to buy or sell except he has the mark.

While the atrocities of this evil empire of the Beast will be going on, God will send His angel to preach the everlasting gospel. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.—Revelation 14:6-7.

Jehovah will also send two witnesses to preach and prophesy to people on earth, for forty-two months. They will have the power to command fire to consume their enemies, and those who will want to kill them, among other things.

When they complete their assignment, they will be killed by a beast that will fight against them. Their dead bodies will lie on the street for three and half days; and won’t be buried. Then, the spirit of God will enter them, and they will stand on their feet, to the consternation of people around.

“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were frightened, and gave glory to the God of heaven”– Revelation 11:12-13.

Later, there will be war between the beast, kings of the earth, and their armies on one side; and the heavenly army led by the son of David. The army from heaven will destroy the earthly army led by the Beast. The Beast will be captured along with his false prophet, and cast alive into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.

THE EVERLASTING REIGN
The ‘empire’ of son of David will be an everlasting one. It will be trillions upon trillions of years, along with all who reverence and obey God. Eternal life is a precious and priceless gift from God. Before the reign begins, God will display His awesome power on the universe, which includes the earth. He said everything will shake before Him.

He will make everything new. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up—Isaiah 65:17 & II Peter:3-10.

Also, He will send His angels to gather His elect. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”—Matthew 24: 29-31.

The earth will be desolate for one thousand years. During this period, there will be millennium rule headed by the son of David. His reign will be exceptional, compared with other earthly rule or kingdoms. It will be a peaceful, perfect, and blissful reign. That will just be the beginning. Satan will be bound and banished into the bottomless pit meanwhile.

Shortly after the millennium rule, there will be judgement. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”—Revelation 20: 11-15.

UNDIVIDED JERUSALEM
Jerusalem can never be divided or partitioned to other countries. Jerusalem will remain part and parcel of Israel for ever. God Almighty has chosen the city to be the most important city in Israel; to put His name there.

In the time past, Jehovah used the Jews to conquer the present day land of Israel, including Jerusalem from the original inhabitants. The latter were idol worshipers, and ungodly people. The LORD gave the conquered territory to Israelites for permanent possession. However, they didn’t drive out completely the heathen inhabitants from the land. Instead, they mingled with them. Those remnants and their generations, have now become thorns in the flesh of Jews. This is the genesis of unrest in parts of Israel, including Gaza and West Bank.

Only God’s intervention will bring final end to the conflict. Climax of the crisis will be the gathering of nations against Jerusalem, and laying siege on it. Initially, combined armies of the nations will gain entry into part of Jerusalem, and some other cities. They will be killing and ravishing women. Then, God will arise and destroy them in a fierce battle.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. In that day, said the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem”—Zechariah 12:2-4 &9.

Victory of God’s people will usher in everlasting kingdom that will end all wars. It will be a peaceful reign, where rule of law will reign supreme. The son of David will be the ruler of that everlasting empire.

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed”—Daniel 7:13-14.

In the upcoming everlasting empire (kingdom), God will make everything new; including creating New Jerusalem. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”—Revelation 21:1-4.

The New Jerusalem will of course, replace the existing one. It will be the world headquarters of God’s kingdom. Streets of the city will be made of pure gold. The walls and foundations will be built with precious stones. New Jerusalem shall have twelve gates with an angel manning each of them.

This the time for you to take a decision to worship the true God, the creator of heavens and earth, in spirit and in truth. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” As you come to Him with sincere heart, let Him manifest Himself to you. Amen and amen.

EVANGELIST JOSEPH U. AFUROBI (PUBLISHER)