For unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given

And Yahweh God said to the serpent, "... and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel." Genesis 3:14-15

All the way back in Genesis, the very first book of the Bible, Moses records a conversation between God and the serpent which represents Satan himself. God states “I will put enmity (being actively opposed or hostile to another) between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you on the head, and you will bruise Him on the heel.” This is the very first reference we have in the Bible of the “seed of a woman” being given, a “Son”, who will defeat Satan. God is making a pronouncement of fact and a promise that Satan will have his head bruised, while noting that the Son will be “bruised on the heel” Himself. This is the first mention of the “Gospel of Good News” in the bible (the Proto-Euangelion as it is called), and the first promise of a Son, the “seed of a woman”, that will be “given” to us and for us.

The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them. Then he speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath: "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will declare the LORD's decree. He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; you will shatter them like pottery." So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son or he will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for his anger may ignite at any moment. All who take refuge in him are happy. Psalms 2:4-12

In the Psalms, we have an interesting statement from God to the Nations that David records. God speaks of His “Son”, and not just once but twice, and identifies Himself as the Son’s Father. It is clear by the tone and the wording used that the “Son” this chapter refers to is Jesus the Messiah. This Son is prophesied to rule the world from Jerusalem with “an iron scepter” and “shatter them like pottery.” In the book of Revelation, Jesus is described twice (Rev. 12:5 and Rev. 19:15) as ruling with “an iron rod.” Also, in Revelation 2:27, Jesus Himself quotes this verse in referring to His millennial kingdom reign from Jerusalem. It's not just the New Testament that discusses the “Son of God” (Jesus); the Old Testament also includes references to the “Son of God” for those who look closely.

Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son -- if you know? Proverbs 30:4

In the Proverbs of Solomon, we find in chapter thirty a reference again to God and to His “Son.” The entire chapter, attributed to “Agur son of Jakeh”, provides little nuggets of wisdom. Verse four asks a series of rhetorical questions about who the “Holy One” in verse three refers to, and verses five and six provide the answer: “God.” Who has gone up to heaven and come down? John 3:13 provides the answer: "No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven -- the Son of Man.” Who gathered the wind in His hands? The prophet Amos describes the Creator of the wind: “He is here: the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, the one who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. The LORD, the God of Armies, is his name.” (Amos 4:13). And, in Mark we see that the Lord Jesus controls the wind: “He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Silence! Be still!’ The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39). Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Moses in the creation account in Genesis describes the “gathering up” of waters by the Creator: Then God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:9). Also, Solomon in Proverbs describes the Creator setting a boundary for the waters: “When He set a boundary for the sea So that the water would not violate His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth.” (Proverbs 8:29). Who established all the ends of the earth? Again, the answer is the Creator, and Isaiah describes Him as such: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28). The answer is God, and His Son’s name is Jesus. Another Old Testament reference to God’s Son.

For a child will be born for us, a Son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Here again is another Old Testament verse from the prophet Isaiah prophesying the coming Son of God who would reign forever and ever. This is the classic Christmas verse quoted in songs, cards, and plays. Handel’s Messiah uses this verse as its basis, and is often heard at Christmas time. Isaiah wrote this prophetic passage nearly six hundred years before the birth of Jesus, detailing that the “Son given to us” is indeed the “seed of woman” promised all the way back in Genesis chapter three. Just one more Old Testament reference to Jesus, the Son of God. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. At Christmas we celebrate the child being born, and recognize the significance of this. This child will be “given” to us, in order to save us from our sins and reconcile us back to God. This Child…”God with us.”

But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us’." Matthew 1:20-23

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

How many "resurrections" are mentioned in the Bible?

How many "resurrections" are mentioned in the Bible? And when I say “resurrections” I mean those that are permanent in nature and not temporary, eventually resulting in natural death once again. There are several examples in both the Old and New Testaments of individuals being raised from death, only to eventually die a natural death again later. Both Elijah and Elisha were connected to resurrections in the Old Testament (1 Kings 17:17–22, 2 Kings 4:18–37, and 2 Kings 13:20). The New Testament is filled with examples of Jesus and His disciples raising people from the dead as well, Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus for example (Mark 5:41 and John 11:38–44). But, as mentioned, these individuals all eventually died once again after a period of time. There is also a specific mention of a mass resurrection of “saints” in the Jerusalem area after Jesus’ death and resurrection. “The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.” Mt. 27:52-53. As discussed previously, these individuals were resurrected, but then died once again after a period of time.


“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice,and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment." John 5:28-29

"I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15

First, it is important to point out that everyone will be resurrected. What does the word resurrection mean exactly? The Greek word for resurrection (anastasis) literally means “stand up”. As in, those who are dead and lying in their graves will “stand up” once again. This is what the Bible teaches, everyone, both the righteous and unrighteous, experiences a resurrection from death. The difference is that some will experience a “resurrection of life” and others will experience a “resurrection of judgment”.


“But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power.” I Cor. 15:20-24.

“Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection.” Rom. 6:4-5

The first resurrection we will discuss is the one which makes all others possible: the resurrection of Jesus Christ after His crucifixion. Jesus is called the “firstfruits” because He is the first to resurrect from the dead. We who call Him Lord will also experience resurrection, similar to His. We then become “like Him” and will be the fruit that follows. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He did not faint, He did not die “spiritually” or “figuratively”, He died physically. He was then resurrected to life again, and inhabited a “glorified” body, one that is physical as we know it, but is not bound by the limitations of the dimensions of this world (time and space). We too will experience resurrection, and be given a glorified body as He was. We will be “made like Him.” “Dear friends, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2.


"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." I Thess. 4:13-18

“But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power.” I Cor. 15:20-24.

“...What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Cor. 15:50-57.

The next resurrection to discuss is of those who are Christ Followers, the “Bride of Christ” known also as the “Church.” Paul reassures the Thessalonian Christians that just as Jesus died and rose again, so would they. Those that had already "fallen asleep" (died), Jesus will bring (their soul) with him at the rapture. Paul goes on further to explain that those still alive at the time of the Lord's coming (the rapture) will have no advantage over them that have fallen asleep. He says the "dead in Christ" will rise first, and at the Archangel's shout will be reunited with their body. Then, those alive at His return will be "caught up" (raptured) to meet Him in the clouds. Both groups, Christ Followers who died prior to the rapture, and those Christians alive at the time of the rapture, will rise to meet the Lord in the air and will be in their glorified bodies as Christ was after His resurrection.

Many people believe that the souls of fellow believers and loved ones who have already passed away are in Heaven with the Lord right now. However, in my opinion, this is unbiblical. I cannot find anywhere in scripture where the souls of believers, without their glorified bodies, are in heaven now with Jesus. Note that Paul says "and so we will always be with the Lord," which seems to imply that the souls of the believers who died prior to the rapture were not already with the Lord. The New Testament clearly indicates that the Body of Christ will all go to Heaven to be with Jesus forever, all as one at one time, and after the rapture occurs. The church is referred to as the “Bride of Christ” and there are numerous references to a wedding throughout the New Testament. Does it make sense for part of the Bride of Christ to go to heaven to be with the Groom before the rest of the Bride’s body goes during the rapture? No it doesn’t! The Bride must go all together at one time to meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever more.

Consider Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples at His ascension into Heaven. “Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3. Did Jesus tell us, His followers, “I am going away. When you die, you will come to where I am, and angels will carry you to heaven where you will stand before St. Peter at a big gate.” Nope, not hardly. He clearly said I will come back again and get you, and take you to where I am so that you will live with me forever.

The only mention of Jesus coming back is at the point of the rapture, when He comes back in the air to call us home with Him. When He returns to this world at His “second coming” at the end of the tribulation, the Bible clearly states that we are with Him returning to the Earth. “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and with justice he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. The armies that were in heaven followed him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. A sharp sword came from his mouth, so that he might strike the nations with it. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. And he has a name written on his robe and on his thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Rev. 19:11-16.


“But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.” Job 19:25-27

“And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:1-2

“Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." John 11:24-26

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:4

After the resurrection at the time of the rapture, the next resurrections to discuss are those of the tribulation period saints and Old Testament period saints at the end of the tribulation period. References to the tribulation saints in heaven during the tribulation period describe them as “souls” only without a glorified body (Rev. 6:9 and 20:4). At this time, just prior to the start of the millennial kingdom, that one-thousand year literal reign of Jesus from Jerusalem, the tribulation saints will be resurrected physically into glorified bodies and enter into the millennial kingdom.

Much of Old Testament prophecy actually looks forward to the millennial kingdom, as it is for the Jews a time of restoration. Jerusalem will be the world’s capital from where Jesus will rule, and temple worship will be re-instituted along with some of the Feasts of the Lord. Here are just some of the Old Testament passages: Isaiah 4:3-6, Isaiah 11:11-16, Ezekiel 36:22-38, Ezekiel 37:15-28, Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 7:27, Micah 5:2-4, and Zechariah 2:10-13.

Ezekiel chapter 37 references Old Testament period saints and describes them as being resurrected in the end times, being placed in the land originally set out for Israel to inhabit, and that David will be their king, and Jesus will be their Lord. “He said to me, "Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ... Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.' Therefore, prophesy and say to them, 'This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:4-14.


“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:5-6

“Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

The final resurrection to discuss is the “second” or “last” resurrection, the resurrection unto death of all those who have rejected Jesus as Lord. All the previous resurrections we have discussed so far are considered a part of the “first” resurrection. These are all resurrections unto life and are resurrections of believers in Jesus Christ. But, what exactly is the difference between the first resurrection and the second resurrection? We are told in Revelation 20:4-6 that those participating in the first resurrection are called “blessed and holy”. This is speaking directly about those who put their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. They experience the “first resurrection” and rule with Jesus during the millennial kingdom. Of course, Jesus Himself was the very first (the “firstfruits”) of those who would experience the first resurrection.

So then, if all those who belong to Jesus are part of the first resurrection, who then will experience the “second resurrection”, or maybe more accurately we should call it the “last” resurrection. Revelation 20:4-6 tells us that “the rest of the dead” did not come back to life (resurrect) until after the one-thousand year long millennial kingdom period was completed. At that time, all the dead will be brought back to life as part of the “second” or “last” resurrection in order to face judgment at the great white throne. All those before the Lord God on His throne of judgment who are not found written in the Lamb’s book of life will be judged according to their works, not by grace, and found guilty. They will be sentenced and thrown into the lake of fire. There they will experience the “second death.” This is the final resurrection, the second death.


"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die…" John 11:24-26

The two thousand year “Church Age”

“In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.”  Hebrews 1:2

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”  I Peter 4:7

In my opinion, we are in the last days.  As Christians we are told to be watching and ready, prepared for the rapture, tribulation period, and millennial reign of the Lord (“Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you.  For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.  While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" Then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let's not sleep as others do, but let's be alert and sober. ... For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thess. 5;1-6,9).  But when did the “last days” actually begin?  

"And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”  Acts 2:17

Peter quotes from the book of Joel while speaking to the crowds gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost and connects the “last days” events prophesied by Joel as occurring at that moment, when the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost.  This marked the start of the Church, and the “church age” as it is known.  So technically, the “last days” have been in effect since the start of the church age nearly two-thousand years ago.  Is it laid out in the Bible just how long the “last days” period of the church age will last?  Let’s look at few verses that I believe hint at a two-thousand (2000) year period in which the church age lasts during the last days.

"He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.”  Hosea 6:2

This verse in Hosea is a prophetic verse that speaks about the deliverance and “raising up” of Israel as a nation. This occurs at the end of the seven-year tribulation period, and at the start of the Millennial Kingdom, the literal one-thousand-year earthly kingdom where Lord Jesus reigns as King over the entire earth from Jerusalem and the Jewish people are His people.  2 Peter 3:8 says “...With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.”  The verse from Hosea could therefore be understood to be saying that after two days (2000 years) which equates to the church age, the next (third day) one-thousand year period of the millennial kingdom will be the time when God restores Israel as a nation and they dwell in His presence once again as “God’s chosen people” among all those on the earth. 

“He said to them, "Go tell that fox, 'Look, I'm driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.'”  Yet it is necessary that I travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.  "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See, your house is abandoned to you. I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord'! "  Luke 13:32-35

After Jesus is warned by the Pharisees that Herod Antipas wants to kill Him, Jesus tells them to report back and tell Herod He is driving out demons and performing healings for two days, and then  “on the third day I will complete my work”, or as some versions say “finish my task” or “accomplish my goal.”  This can be taken as a reference to the ministry that will be carried out in Jesus’ name for two-thousand years of the Church Age, with Jesus completing His task and accomplishing His goal during the following one-thousand year millennial kingdom rule “on the third day”.

“… there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”  Hebrews 4:9

We see this day equals a thousand year analogy in several places in the Bible. For instance, the one-thousand-year Millennial Kingdom is compared to the Sabbath Day itself as a type in Hebrews chapter four.  Additionally, the Jewish calendar system acknowledges that we are presently in the year 5784.  The Jewish calendar calculates the beginning from the creation of Adam and Eve, which equates to nearly 6000 years of human time on earth so far.  If we accept the 6000 years calculation, that would mean that the final 7000 year period would be the millennial kingdom 1000-year period.  Man’s total time on earth would be 7000 years, just like the six days of creation with a seventh day of rest known as the Sabbath day.  Likewise, the Bible refers to the millennial kingdom's final one-thousand year period as a day of Sabbath rest.  The preceding two-thousand year period would then be the “two days” of the church age.

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.  He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light.  Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.”  Matthew 17:1-3

Another similar verse describes the transfiguration of Jesus at the top of a mountain, and the appearance of both Moses and Elijah with whom He discusses His soon to occur death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.  It is interesting that the passage is introduced with the phrase “after six days”, which as we have seen, could be a reference to after six-thousand years.  The transfiguration passage points directly to the tribulation period, with Moses and Elijah acting as witnesses to the nation of Israel, as described in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation.  The two witnesses, who I believe to be Moses and Elijah, attest to the truth of Jesus Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father’s right hand.  This of course happens after the two-thousand year church age, after six-thousand years of human history.

“The length of the court shall be a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty everywhere, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.”  Exodus 27:18

The Tabernacle that Moses was given specific plans to build from God Himself included very precise directions and materials to use.  It is clear from a study of the Tabernacle that it is a type of Christ and His redeeming work He would perform for all of mankind.  But it is also possible that the precise measurements of the Tabernacle (given in cubits) reveal information about the length of the church age.  The outer courtyard of the Tabernacle was surrounded by a partition which measured 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide, and the partition was 5 cubits high.  If you add up the total area of the partition you end up with 1500 square cubits.   The Holy Place of the Tabernacle was 20 cubits long by 10 cubits wide by 10 cubits high. If you add up the total cubic area (cubic area since it is an enclosed volume of space) of the Holy Place you end up with 2000 cubic cubits.  The Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle was 10 cubits long by 10 cubits wide by 10 cubits high, a perfect cube.  If you add up the total cubic area (again cubic area since it is an enclosed volume of space) of the Holy of Holies you end up with 1000 cubic cubits.  

I know, math (ughhh!), but stay with me here…the Holy of Holies is the place where God dwells with man and a High Priest makes sacrificial atonement for sin.  This equates to the Millennial Kingdom period which lasts 1000 years (1000 cubic cubits) and the Lord as High Priest reigns from Jerusalem with the sacrificial system being reinstituted in the temple.  The courtyard of the Tabernacle was where the sacrificial system took place.  Priests received the Israelites sacrificial offerings throughout the year, performed the sacrifice, and offered up the burnt offering sacrifice on the bronze altar.  The courtyard also included the bronze laver where ceremonial washing occurred prior to entering into the Holy Place.  Bronze symbolizes judgment and sacrifice in the bible. This equates to the 1500 years (100 + 100 + 50 + 50 x 5 = 1500) of the period of the Law where the sacrificial system was in place.  Finally, the Holy Place was where Priests prepared to enter into the presence of God through a veil.  In the Holy Place was the golden altar of incense, the golden table of the showbread, and the golden lampstand (the Menorah).  The incense is symbolic of the prayer, both of God’s people and Christ’s continual intercession on our behalf.  The showbread is symbolic of Christ and Him being the bread of life.  The lampstand is symbolic of Christ as light of the world. Everything in the Holy Place was wood covered with gold, symbolizing Christ Himself as fully God and fully man at the same time. The Holy Place in general represents the church age and us Christians (as Priests) performing service centered around Christ as savior of all mankind.  We enter into the Holy of Holies (God’s Kingdom) through the veil which is Christ Himself (Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh… Hebrews 10:19-20).  The 2000 cubic cubits measurement for the Holy Place would then equal 2000 years of the church age period.

"...When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God carried by the Levitical priests, you are to break camp and follow it.  But keep a distance of two thousand cubits between yourselves and the ark. Don't go near it, so that you can see the way to go, for you haven't traveled this way before.  Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, because the LORD will do wonders among you tomorrow."”  Joshua 3:3-5

Here we have another reference to two-thousand cubits, which again can be a symbol of 2000 years in meaning.  Joshua has instructed the people to fall in line behind the ark of the covenant when they see it pass by, as the Children of Israel cross over the Jordan River and pass over into the promised land to possess it as the Lord promised them they would.  The Children of Israel will enter into the Kingdom of God during the millennial kingdom here on earth, the ultimate promised land they will possess.  However, they are instructed to follow behind the ark of the covenant, a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ, by two-thousand years.  The Church Age must occur prior to Israel obtaining the kingdom and calling Jesus “Lord”.

“Jesus took up the question and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.”  Luke 10:30

Luke tells the parable of the Good Samaritan in his gospel account.  The parable is a good moral story illustrating the answer to the question “just who exactly is my neighbor?”  But, it is also prophetic concerning end times.  The Good Samaritan (half Jew and half Gentile) is a type of Jesus (half God and half man).  The man who is beaten by robbers is all of mankind.  We are going from Jerusalem (the high city) to Jericho (the lowest city) on our fall from grace in the garden of Eden.  The thief (Satan) robs the man and leaves him half-dead (we are dead in our trespasses of sin).  The Samaritan heals the man with oil and wine (symbolic in the Bible of the Holy Spirit and the Lord’s own sacrificial blood shed for us) and places the man on His own beast (of His own sacrificial action) and takes him to an inn.  It is noted in the story that a priest and Levite encountered the half-dead man but were unable or unwilling to help him.  The priest is symbolic of the Jewish system of atonement for sin by continual sacrifice of animals.  The Levite is symbolic of the Jewish Tabernacle and Temple system of laws and observances to keep in good-standing with God.  Both systems were unable or unwilling to help the man beaten by the thief and left half-dead, only Christ the Messiah was willing and able to help the man (us) and make us alive fully again.  Christ symbolized by the Good Samaritan takes the man to the inn and tells the innkeeper (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) to care for the man.  He gives the innkeeper two denarii, which is equal to two-days wages.  The two denarii represent two-days, or two-thousand years of the church age where the Holy Spirit cares for the man (the church) until the Good Samaritan returns.

“And ordering the crowds to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked up toward heaven. He blessed the food and breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.”  Matthew 14:19

All four of the gospels include the story of Jesus feeding the five-thousand people using only five loaves of barley bread and two small fish.  This miracle recorded in the Bible is also I believe prophetic as well.  Barley in the Bible always is symbolic, a type, of Israel.  In Matthew 13 and John 21, Jesus uses “fish” to represent those who are gathered by the disciples into the kingdom of God, the “ecclesia” or the “church” in other words.  After the people are fed, the disciples gather the leftovers which fill twelve baskets.  The story can be understood I believe as foretelling that there will be five-thousand years (barley loaves) that deal with Israel, and two-thousand years that deal with the church (fish).  Note at the end of the meal there are no fish leftovers mentioned, only leftover broken pieces of barley loaves.  This relates to the church being absent from the leftovers, the tribulation period, but “twelve baskets” of barley loaf pieces will be leftover, referring I believe to the twelve Tribes of Israel who will be the focus of the tribulation period.  The two-thousand year church age will end just prior to the start of the tribulation period.

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