The Consummation of the Ages — Albert Leckie

Christ's Appearing and the First-Begotten Son

The epistle to the Hebrews, chapter 1. Hebrews, chapter 1, verse 6. And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him. Tonight I want to give a comprehensive view of our Lord's appearing and his kingdom, as it will affect God, as it will affect God's Son, as it will affect the Holy Spirit of God, the church, Israel, the nations, the earth, and the devil himself.

Here we have a most interesting verse in Hebrews, chapter 1. Our authorized version says, and again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him.

A better and perhaps more accurate rendering is, and when again he bringeth in his first begotten into the world. This verse relates not to Bethlehem. This relates to that time that is yet to be, when God shall bring his first begotten Son into the habitable earth again.

A brief consideration of the verse makes it clear that this must be the case. When God sent his Son into the world by way of Bethlehem's manger, God gave him as his only begotten, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.

But when God brings his Son again into the habitable world, he shall not bring him in as the only begotten, he shall bring him in as the first begotten. And why? The corn of wheat has fallen into the ground and died, and brought forth much fruit, and is not now just the only begotten, he is the first begotten.

When God sent his Son into the world by way of Bethlehem's manger, angels did not then worship him. The angelic beings, they worshipped and they praised God. Our Savior was worshipped by the wise men, but not by the angels.

The angels addressed their praise and worship to God. Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, goodwill toward man. But when, in a day that is yet future, God shall bring his Son into the habitable world, God shall say to all the angels, now address your worship to him.

Address your worship to my first begotten Son. Now this glorious future reign of our Lord Jesus Christ is dealt with frequently throughout the New Testament scriptures. It is designated in a variety of ways, and we cannot tonight take time to suggest what these various designations mean.

But let me just direct your attention to some of the designations given to it in the Word of God. In Matthew chapter 19, the Lord Jesus speaks of it as the regeneration. You remember how he says to the twelve, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, ye shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Thus that coming kingdom is spoken of by the Lord as the regeneration. In the epistle to the Hebrews, from which we have read tonight, it is spoken of as the world to come. And what is meant by the expression the world to come?

The word for world, of course, is the habitable earth to come. And Hebrews chapter 2 reminds us that God hath not put the habitable earth to come in subjection to angelic beings. That God will put the habitable earth to come in subjection to Jesus.

The habitable earth to come. Much can be said in that. There are other references to it in the Word of God, but time doesn't permit. In the epistle to the Colossians and chapter 1, the apostle there speaks of it as the reconciliation of all things, having made peace by the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, things in heaven and things in earth.

Now I know that there are those who tell us that this verse would teach universal salvation, but that is due to a wrong conception of the significance of this verse. All things in the scriptures never means all things without exception.

It's the context that determines what is meant by all things. I know that sometimes we hear it said from Romans chapter 8, we know that all things work together for good, and this refers to our bronchitis and our rheumatisms and that kind of thing, but that of course is not the truth.

The context indicates what is meant by all things. We know that all things work together for good to them who love God, for whom he did foreknow. Then did he also predestinate to be conformed with the image of his son.

These are the all things connected with divine purpose that are working together for good to them who love God. The expression in Colossians chapter 1 is the same as we have in Ephesians chapter 1. Not all things, but the all things.

The definite article is implied. Thus it does not refer to everything without exception, but the all things in heaven and earth that come within the circumference of God's purpose. These shall be reconciled unto the fullness of the Godhead and that in the coming kingdom.

Thus it is spoken of in Colossians 1 as the reconciliation of the all things. Peter speaks of it in Acts chapter 3 as the restitution of all things. For there Peter speaks of our Lord Jesus Christ in that address to the nation of Israel whom the heavens must receive unto the times of the restitution of all things.

In that connection it is also spoken of by Paul in Ephesians chapter 1 as the heading up in one of the all things in Christ. That in a dispensation of the fullness of times he might head up in one the all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are in earth even in him.

Thus the subject of this coming kingdom has a large place not only in Old Testament but in New Testament scriptures. What do we think to begin with tonight of how this appearing and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ will affect God.

God's Glory Revealed in the Millennial Kingdom

It will be the occasion for God to display to this world his glory. My dear brethren what a thought the Lord's appearing and in his kingdom God shall display to the wondering eyes of men and women in this world his glory.

I'm sure the apostle has something of that in mind when he writes in Romans chapter 5 that for being justified by faith we have peace with God and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. I hope during the evenings of next week to deal with the marriage of the lamb the marriage supper of the lamb to deal with the holy city Jerusalem during the millennial reign of Christ and to finish up on the note of the eternal state and when we come to consider the holy city Jerusalem during the millennial reign of Christ we discover that this city has and radiates the glory of God.

Thus we read in Revelation chapter 21 those lovely words concerning that holy city having the glory of God and her light the word is her radiance or her light giving was like unto a stone most precious and the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it.

My dear brethren we're going to see and by the help of the spirit of God that during the millennial reign of Christ the holy city Jerusalem will occupy the position up there in the heavens now occupied by the devil and his angels and from that place in the heavens there shall be radiated to the earth the glory of God and the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it.

Here we have the essential difference between this day and the world to come in this day God is displaying through the church down here on the earth to the principalities and powers up there in the heavens his manifold wisdom that's the teaching of Ephesians chapter 3 to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Thus here we have the church on earth and God through it is revealing to the angelic beings in the heavenly places his very varied wisdom. But in that coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ the church will not be in the earth the church will be up there in the heavens.

And what shall God then do through the church up there in the heavens he shall reveal to men and women on the earth his glory is not the language of Ephesians chapter 3 in this connection most delightful unto God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all ages world without end.

Thus dear brethren that coming kingdom will be an occasion I suggest when God shall reveal to wandering eyes of men and women in this world his glory. But how shall this affect the son of God. It shall be the occasion of his manifestation.

Christ Manifested in Glory and Judgment

Let us observe what characterizes our savior today. Colossians chapter 2 tells us he is hid in God ye have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. And when the apostle there speaks of our life being hid with Christ in God he is not there referring to the eternal security of the believer he's referring to Christ.

The words which follow make that clear. Ye have died and your life is hid with Christ in God. But when he who is your life God's son who is now hid when he shall be made manifest then shall ye be made manifest with him in glory.

And thus God's son who is now the life of the believer hid in God in heaven itself. In that day he's going to be made manifest but today he's hid from the eyes of the world. Acts chapter 1 we read these words.

This same Jesus which is taken up from you or rather the verse preceding. And a cloud received him out of their sight. And that's the truth with regard to our savior today he's not only hidden heaven but he is out of sight unseen to the physical eye.

Hebrews chapter 6 tells us that he has entered into that within the veil. He is today within the veil hidden and out of sight. But now my dear brethren at his appearing and his kingdom he shall no longer be hidden no longer be out of sight no longer within the veil.

He's going to be manifested. When Christ who is your life shall appear then shall you appear with him in glory. But when he is manifested he shall be manifested in two ways. He shall be manifested in glory and he shall be manifested in judgment.

Colossians chapter 3 when he was your life shall appear then shall you appear with him in glory. The appearing of the glory of our great God and savior Paul speaks of in Titus chapter 2. My dear brethren let's remind our hearts of this the glass glimpse that this impenitent world had of our savior was hanging in shame upon a cruel cross.

The next glimpse the impenitent world shall have of him when he appears in glory. Matthew Mark Revelation chapter 1 speaking of that event tells us that the son of man shall come in the clouds and on the clouds and with the clouds.

And what are these clouds. These are the clouds of glory clouds underneath him clouds all around him as God manifests his son in glory to the wandering eyes of this world. One would almost be tempted a little more than that.

But we must proceed. Not only shall he be manifested in glory he shall be revealed in judgment. How solemn are the words of second Thessalonians chapter 1 when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that have not obeyed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with everlasting destruction away from the presence of God and the glory of his might.

Yes men and women in Warrington they'll be able to stand at the very streets of this town look up into heaven and see God's son coming in flaming fire to execute the judgment of God. He's going to be manifested not only in glory he's going to be manifested in judgment and every eye shall see him.

But we've already seen from Hebrews chapter 1 that it only shall be manifested in glory and manifested in judgment. On that occasion he's going to be worshipped in a most remarkable way. Let all the angels of God worship him.

And I believe I mentioned at the conference the fact that there are more angels than the human mind could count. Hebrews chapter 12 the writer speaks of an innumerable company of angels and God shall say to them all worship my first begotten son.

And at his appearing God's first begotten son shall become the object of the worship of all the angels of God. But my dear brother not only shall he be worshipped he shall be admired. Where do we find that again.

2 Thessalonians chapter 1. When the Lord shall come to be admired in his saints and to be glorified in all them that believe. Yes he was put to shame an object of condemn to the cruel death of a cross a torturous death a felon death.

But when God brings him into the world again he's going to be admired and he's going to be glorified. But notice the language admired in them that believe and glorified in his saints. Not admired by them not glorified by them but admired and glorified in them.

And how shall our savior be admired and glorified in them. He shall have been conformed to his image. He shall take his place as the firstborn amongst many brethren. Each of them made light to him. All gazes upon God's people made light to God's son.

God's son shall be admired and glorified in them. But not only shall he be worshipped and admired he's coming to reign. Men said we will not have this man to reign over us. But here's the divine decree.

Christ's Reign and Redemption of His Purchased Possession

1 Corinthians chapter 15. He must reign. Men say he won't reign. But God says he must reign. And my dear brethren reign. He will. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. If we have died with him we shall also live with him.

If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him. Acts chapter 17. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained. My dear brethren this verse spoken by Paul strictly speaking relates not to the great white throne.

Again the expression is the habitable earth. God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the habitable earth in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained. And for the first time the world will end will be ruled and judged by a man who rules and judges in righteousness.

And he's appearing to that very thing. Did we not see from Revelation chapter 20 that those who share in the first resurrection they're going to live and reign with Christ a thousand years. Have we not already seen from Zechariah chapter 6 that he shall sit a priest upon his throne.

A king priest. My dear brethren I love the difference between Revelation chapter 1 and Revelation chapter 19. In Revelation chapter 1 we see our savior as the prince of the kings of the earth. That's what he is today.

He sits at God's right hand the prince of the kings of the earth invested with all authority to reign one day. But Revelation chapter 19 anticipates his appearing. And he comes forth from heaven not as the prince of the kings of the earth but as the king of kings and lord of lords and is going to reign as king of kings and lord of lords.

When he comes from heaven he's going to be worshipped and admired. He's going to reign but he's going to do more. He's going to redeem his purchased possession. Ephesians chapter 1. Thomas speaking there of the Holy Spirit answers this which is the earnest of our inheritance unto the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of his glory.

Now what is his purchased possession. My brother my sister the world is his purchased possession. The world belongs to Christ tonight not just creatively but he has purchased it. Hebrews chapter 2. He tasted death for everything.

Matthew chapter 13. He has purchased the whole field and the whole field of the world but it's not yet redeemed. But at his appearing he shall redeem by power the possession he purchased by blood at Calvary.

And somewhat of that redemption by power we might see later. But my dear brother never lets forget this. The world belongs to Christ. He has purchased it by his blood and at his appearing he'll redeem it by power and reign over it Holy Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Manifestation of Believers

You remember on that day of Pentecost the apostle Peter he quotes from Joel chapter 2. And makes it clear that what happened on the day of Pentecost was but a miniature fulfillment of Joel chapter 2. For the prophecy in Joel chapter 2 is this.

And it shall come to pass in the last days saith God I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh. What a day this is going to be in the world when God shall pour out of his spirit on all flesh and all shall know the Lord.

And the spirit shall have been poured upon all flesh. But now we think of the church in relation to this appearing. First of all we learn as we've seen that we're going to be with him. Colossians chapter 2 you have died.

Your life is hid with Christ in God. But when he who is your life shall appear then shall you appear in glory with him. I wonder if I could pause this a little word on this important verse says the apostle.

Ye have died died to what. Romans chapter 6 we have died to sin. But in Colossians chapters 2 and 3 it's not death to sin it's death to the world. We have died to the world. I wonder my brother my sister if you appreciate that tonight not just that Christ has died for me but I have died with him and I've died with him to this world.

And your life is hid with Christ in God. The one who is the incentive and object of your life down here he's hidden heaven at the right hand of God but he's not always going to be hid. One day he's going to be made manifest and we shall be made manifest with him.

You've died to this world and because of that you are an enigma to the men and women of the world. You can't understand they can't understand why you're not interested in their pleasures in their pop music in their sport in their politics this and that and the other thing.

They don't realize what is meant by this that we have died with Christ to the world but we have at God's right hand one who is the incentive and object of our life down here that's the son of God. But he's not always going to be hid.

He's going to be manifest. And when he's manifest we shall be made manifest in glory with him. Some of you have no doubt heard say this before. But i repeat it again tonight. It gives an illustration of what i have in my mind.

I started to work the age of 14 and a half in a solicitor's office. These were the days when there was no work to be had and i had to work to help the family. I have no regrets about that. Of course the chief clerk in the office said to me after i'd worked a day or two albert do you smoke.

I said no. Do you drink. I said no. You go to the dancing. I said no. Go to the football. I said no. He said do you eat grass. I said no. Well i said you're neither company for man or beast. And oftentimes the world thinks of us in that way that we're neither company for men or beast.

But the world doesn't know that we've died with christ to the world. The one who is the incentive and object for our life in this world he's hidden god. And today we might become an object of reproach.

That reproach will be ended when we shall appear in glory with our savior to the wandering eyes of men and women in the world. Yes this is how that appearing shall affect you and me. We're going to appear in glory with our savior.

And if you do not see from romans chapter 8 we're going to be manifested as the sons of god. The whole creation grown up and traveled together in pain together until now waiting for the manifestation of the sons of god.

Let me repeat what he said in a former evening in connection with this delightful verse. Creation was delivered into its bondage of corruption not willingly but by reason of man's sin. God had to deliver creation into this bondage of corruption because man had sinned for it would have been an intolerable situation to have had a fallen head in the midst of an unfallen creation.

Man in sin and bondage and creation in liberty that would have been intolerable. Thus god found it necessary because of man's sin to deliver creation into a bondage of corruption. But the day is coming when man redeemed not only in soul but in body shall be manifested to creation with christ as the sons of god.

And then creation will be delivered from its bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of god. Yes will be manifested to creation as the sons of god. And not only shall we be manifested with him.

We've already seen from second thessalonians chapter two that christ shall be admired in us. I might not be admired in us today. But he'll be admired in us then and more we shall reign with him. Have we not quoted from second timothy chapter two.

If we suffer with him we shall reign together with him. Now notice the language of this verse. Paul does not say if we suffer for him. If we suffer with him we shall reign together with him. And every genuine child of god suffers with the savior.

We might not be bold enough on occasions to suffer for him. But if we believe in him and we belong to him we'll suffer all that grieves him suffering with him. And then we shall reign together with him.

Believers Judging the World and Angels

Why says paul to the saints at corinth in one corinthians chapter six. Dear any of you having a matter against another go to the law before the unjust and not before the saints. Paul says you're taking your brethren to court.

You're taking your brethren to law before the unjust. He says. Don't you know. You're going to judge the world. Don't know. It is coming when you're going to judge the angels. When shall this take place.

This shall take place during our lord's coming kingdom. We shall judge with christ a habitable act. And we shall judge with christ the angels. This is not the fallen angels. I believe the significance of that expression is just this.

And more of this we shall see at the beginning of the week that angels shall be the executors of the righteous judgments of christ and the saints as they're in over there in that coming kingdom we're going to reign with him.

The crowning day is coming by and by brethren. This is not our time for reigning. This isn't our time for interfering in politics or governments either. And for reigning is yet to be in association with christ.

Thus we shall reign with him. But then we think of it as it shall affect israel and as shall affect the nations. And we can't have much time to speak of this tonight. In fact i've dealt fairly extensively with it my dear brethren at his appearing as we've already seen the lord shall come to fulfill the abrahamic and the davidic covenants.

Israel, the Nations, and the Covenants

Which covenants were unconditional. What were these covenants that were unconditional. God promised to abraham in genesis chapter 12. A seed and a land. God promised to david unconditionally a dynasty a throne to abraham.

God said i will make of thee a great nation. I will make of thee a great nation. Unto thy seed will i give this land unconditional. The promise to abraham. What was the promise to david. Second samuel chapter 7.

Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee. Thy throne shall be established forever. And i believe their brethren what god says there. He means established forever. In psalm 89 ethan the israelite speaks of the sure mercies of david on this wise.

In fact he represents god as saying my mercy will i keep for him forevermore. And my covenant shall stand fast with him. My covenant will i not break the whole to the thing that is good out of my mouth.

God will keep his covenant to abraham of a seed and a land. God shall keep and never break his covenant to david of a throne and a dynasty. And our lord shall come. And these unconditional covenants shall be fulfilled.

Somewhat of what is involved in this we've seen in former meetings. God shall finish the transgression of the nation of israel. God shall make an end of its iniquity. God shall bring an everlasting righteousness.

God shall anoint the most holy of the millennial temple with his own presence. And our lord's appearing as we saw in one of the nights this week. The nation shall be born in a day. The account of its new birth brought before us in ezekiel chapter 36 and chapter 37.

But we must not stay there. Then what of the nations are we learn that they're going to be gentile nations saved. The nations of them that have saved shall walk in the light of the holy city jerusalem.

We've already observed the three main powers on the earth during the millennial reign of christ. And we've noted some of the conditions in which the nation shall live during his millennial reign. They shall go up to jerusalem once a year to worship the lord and to celebrate the feast of tabernacles.

And the nation shall serve the nation of israel. And the nations that will not serve the nation of israel they shall perish and much more beside then we've seen how that the appearing of our lord jesus christ will affect the earth.

The Earth's Restoration and the Devil's Defeat

God shall bless the earth with eden conditions again. Ezekiel chapter 36. This land that was desolate is become like the garden of eden. The earth shall become fertile and fruitful. The desert shall blossom as the road arose.

An abundance of corn on the top of the mountain. The dead sea is going to be healed and effect animal creation again. The wolf shall lie down with the lion. The lion shall eat stalag the ox and other things beside.

My dear brethren let me remind you of the of this. The earth was cursed not willingly but because of man's sin curse. It is therefore thy sake. Animal became wild not willingly but because of man's fall.

And god will not only redeem man back to himself but deliver creation from the effects of man's sin blessing the earth within again peace and tranquility reaching out to the animal kingdom. A beautiful picture of this in noah in the ark in the book of genesis that will not stay to speak.

Then we have the devil. He's bound and banished during this thousand years reign into the bottomless pit. You remember the career of the devil. He was the anointed chair of the cup of the throne. By reason of his the pride of his heart.

He was cast out of that exalted position into the heavens where he is today. Revelation chapter 12. In the middle of daniel's 70th week he's going to be cast out of the heavens onto the earth. Revelation chapter 20 is cast from the earth into the bottomless pit.

Revelation chapter 20. Again he meets his final doom cast into the lake of fire for the beast and the false prophet are. But during the millennial reign of christ the devil is bound and banished for a thousand years now.

The Seven Ages and the Fullness of Time

Let me just mention this for the benefit of the younger people here tonight. Ephesians chapter one speaks of this coming millennial reign of our lord jesus christ as the dispensation of the fullness of times.

That simply means that god has divided the history of this world into various times or ages. Now the apostle speaks of their fullness when each time or age has run its course and serve the purpose for which god has given it.

Then we reach their fullness. And what is the fullness of the times. It's the coming millennial reign of our lord jesus christ. Let me remind you that this in fact shall be the seventh age the fullness of the times.

What are the various ages. The first was the age of innocence ending with a fall. The second age was the age of lawlessness. Some have spoken of it as the age of conscience when god left man to himself for 1650 years god left man to himself left him to his own conscience.

What was the result of it. Man filled the earth with violence and corruption and god found it necessary to send the flood. The next age was the age of promise from the call of abraham down to moses a period of 430 years when abram was called by the god of glory to be a stranger on the earth and man was put on the ground of promise.

It was the age of promise. How did the age of promise end. It ended with a people in bondage down in egypt. The next age was the age of law extending over a period of 1491 years that is from moses up to christ.

What happened during the age of law. As we've seen on a former evening government was transferred from the nation of israel to the gentile nations. How did that end. It ended with the cross of our lord jesus christ when both jew and gentile condemned the son of god from heaven to death by crucifixion.

Thus the age of innocence of lawlessness of government. Perhaps i didn't mention government. This is contained in only three chapters genesis chapter 9 10 and 11. From the flood to the call of a period of 427 years.

What happened during that period. Civil government was introduced but not only was civil government introduced. A idolatry was introduced by men after the age of government age of promise then the age of law.

Today we're living in the age of grace from christ to the rapture when god is calling out of the nations of people for his name. How shall that end with christ having to spew out an empty profession. After the age of grace there will be the fullness of the times the millennial reign of christ which shall be the age of glory.

Reasons for the Future Millennial Reign

Now let me close by referring you to reasons why i believe that there must be this future millennial reign of our lord jesus christ. Reason number one i've already referred to this. It will be the fulfillment of god's oath and promise to david the fulfillment of the prophecy given by gabriel to daniel in daniel chapter 9 when israel's wandering shall be over her transgression finished her sins ended iniquity atoned for and the righteous of the ages introduced.

God must fulfill the covenant given to david. And there must be this fulfillment of daniel chapter 9. Secondly this millennial age this fullness of the times will be man's final test. In what sense shall it be man's final test.