Speculations of a More Distant Future

By Isaiah-Steven Paul

Either God’s people believe His promises, or they don’t; either they will hold to God’s promises, or they won’t. In order to believe and hold to those promises, a believer first has to know and understand what those promises are. Isaiah-Steven has taken on that task in this study which searches for a glimpse of the more distant future.

It is written that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what God has in store for us in the more distant future. But nowhere does it say that we are not to search for that understanding. Think on this: if God really does offer mankind substance which fulfills the Hope that every believer holds, wouldn’t He in some way reveal that to us? If we are expected to meditate on that Hope through Faith, praising Him for His abundant goodness, then shouldn’t God reveal those spiritual realities?

God, in fact, does share many of those secrets through His Holy Spirit, and they can be found throughout the entire Bible and in plain sight. Those revelations may be considered prophetic in nature, because they speak of something that has not yet occurred. Finding those secrets and understanding those mysteries becomes the start of an exciting journey. That start can be found in Speculations of a More Distant Future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664206977

Isaiah-Steven Paul

Born in 1952, Isaiah-Steven Paul grew up in a middle-class America, becoming a true follower of Christ after surrendering his life to the Savior on New Year’s Eve in 1973. As with most believers today, during the 50 years since receiving the Holy Spirit, his time has been filled with raising a family and building a career as an educator. Through those experiences, he came to believe that the best and most reliable source of truth is God’s word. More recently, with the alarming changes in our world culture and in people’s approach to faith, Isaiah-Steven began searching biblical prophecy to understand what is transpiring in this world, and to anticipate what God’s plan for His people might be. Have you seen it? Have you seen the increased hostilities between nations and growing unrest, even in our own country? Have you seen how this world’s changing environment and catastrophic events challenge efforts to feed the eight billion inhabitants of this planet? Does hearing about new, unknown diseases unnerve you, even a bit? Does any of this get you thinking that something ominous might be approaching? The fact that these events are unfolding together right now is not a coincidence. Biblical prophecy discusses all of this, and more, as pieces of an incredibly important puzzle. If true, shouldn’t this world become familiar with the picture that those pieces are communicating? As a follower of Christ, Isaiah-Steven Paul has collected the meaning of these events as described in biblical prophecy. As a Bible scholar, he has collated those into an understandable and compelling sequence of events. As an educator, he has communicated what can be found in those prophecies through the pages of “This Growing Tribulation: a discussion of biblical prophecy”. His hope is to initiate valuable discussions within Christian and church communities.

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Copyright © 2020 Isaiah-Steven Paul.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-0695-3 (sc)

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-0697-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020918689

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/01/2020

Contents

An Introduction

Section One

Chapters of Introduction

Chapter 1 Are You A Butterfly or a Moth?

Chapter 2 Funny, Four Eyes and Four Ears!

Chapter 3 The Boy and the Believer

Chapter 4 Way Out and Far Beyond

Chapter 5 The Substance of our Hope

Section Two

Facts about the Distant Future

Chapter 6 A Proper Perspective

Chapter 7 A Royal Priest

Chapter 8 Two Houses

Chapter 9 Training for the Race

Chapter 10 Getting Dressed

Chapter 11 The Crowns

Chapter 12 Transparency

Chapter 13 Pick Up Your Cross

Chapter 14 God’s Calling

Chapter 15 Two Promises, One Reality

Chapter 16 An Open Door

Chapter 17 Home Base

Section Three

What We Carry Into Eternity

Chapter 18 Responsibility and Reward

Chapter 19 Mature and Complete Faith

Chapter 20 Be a Doer, Not a Hearer Only

Chapter 21 I am the Greatest!

Chapter 22 The Stained Tablecloth

Chapter 23 Practicing Perseverance

Chapter 24 The Persistent Overcomer

Chapter 25 Growing Faith

Chapter 26 Talking about Love

Chapter 27 Never Going Back

Section Four

The Mission

Chapter 28 The Teacher and Mentor

Chapter 29 The Mission Clarified

Chapter 30 A Royal Reason for Experience

Chapter 31 The Priestly Source of Light

Chapter 32 Different Then, yet Similar

Chapter 33 Greater Things than These

Chapter 34 The Dynamic Element

Section Five

Understanding by Example

Chapter 35 Evidence of Eternal History

Chapter 36 Some Entertain Angels

Chapter 37 One Specific Mission Delivered

Chapter 38 Sent by God

Chapter 39 Going and Coming

Chapter 40 Twenty-Four

Chapter 41 Where Are They From?

Chapter 42 They’re Different

Chapter 43 A Population, Not of Our Own

Chapter 44 Future Creation Prophesied

Section Six

Stepping Out of the Present and Into the Future

Chapter 45 God’s Messengers: Our First Mission

Chapter 46 Extended Life Cycle

Chapter 47 Appointed to Die Once

Chapter 48 But the Rapture!

Chapter 49 A Second Mission for Some

Chapter 50 The Doorway

Section Seven

Moving Forward by Design

Chapter 51 Of Close Relationship

Chapter 52 Too Close to Forget

Chapter 53 Who’s Counting?

Chapter 54 Many and a Few

Chapter 55 Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin

Chapter 56 Waiting on our Future Missions

Chapter 57 Returning to God’s Promise

Chapter 58 A Final Word

Chapter 59 By Design

Notes

An Introduction

This study is easy reading; nothing too difficult. Brief vignettes introduce each chapter’s discussion. A cluster of thought-questions and concluding reflection are provided at the end of each chapter. The chapters are brief enough to be very consumable. That is the consistent package throughout the entire book.

The reader will find that what seemingly begins as a light-hearted approach to Biblical principles soon applies commonly accepted Christian beliefs to the more distant future and establishes some unique perspectives concerning eternity.

Readers may also find themselves questioning some of those applications, but hang on! As a more detailed picture of eternal life unfolds, deeper meaning and greater understanding of this present physical life are established and enhanced. The image being built, the correlation being drawn between the physical and spiritual realms, clarifies the undeniable. The truth of what is presented will challenge your thinking in a good way. But then again, isn’t that the purpose of a Bible study?

The hope is, by the end of this book, each believer will find themselves encouraged toward living a life which will prepare them to function in that more distant future and for all eternity.

It is an amazing journey! Have fun.

Section One

Chapters of Introduction

There are times when thinking beyond the normal or typical boundaries of thought will enhance our understanding of life. Those thoughts are important because they broaden our horizons. They give us something that we did not previously have. That something is called insight.

Insight into this immediate and physical life has always been a good thing. But perhaps our attempts to understanding our full environment should go beyond this physical realm. Spiritual insight into the things which God has placed before us is even a better thing.

The distant future, eternity, is one of those things which God has clearly placed in front of all who aspire to it. There is a certainty of that eternal future in the life of every believer. How interesting is it that on occasion, this physical realm can lead us to think more deeply about that spiritual realm?

chapter 1

Are You A Butterfly or a Moth?

A high school science teacher stood in front of his class. He was explaining genetics and their application to evolution. He spoke kindly, People are a part of the primate family. We can say that because we kind of look like monkeys. He joked, And we all know that some of us act like monkeys; not all of us, but a good number. The class laughed. After a brief pause, he added, In no way was that statement intended to offend any monkeys.

There is so much evidence concerning evolution that scientists must be correct about the assumptions made in that theory; and this teacher began the job of discussing all of that. Humans simply hang from a very high and extended branch of that huge family tree.

***

The information presented in this introductory story is the general consensus of many educated people in our culture, but I don’t think so! I think that humans are more akin to common moths and butterflies. Really, I have thought through this relationship. There are so many commonalities. When you listen to those ideas and think a bit, I know that you just might agree.

Both butterflies and moths are creatures that capture our attention and our imaginations; their sleek bodies, lifted into flight on delicate, beautiful wings. They catch invisible breezes, often traveling hundreds of miles during their lifetime. When I see them flitting around so carefree, I wish that they would come and land in my hand or on my shoulder to visit a while. If only a flock of them would come and land on me, I too could be adorned with their brilliant colors for those few moments at least, before they take off again for parts unknown.

I know that description does not sound much like our human condition, at least at this point. Even though people are fearfully and wonderfully made¹, we don’t share the unrestrained peace which is manifested so magnificently in the life of a butterfly. Truly, it is as though they understand something about God’s handiwork that we seem to be missing. What could that be?

As Job of the Bible found himself devastated and alone, his valued possessions all gone; he said, Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart². We come into this world, we eat, we grow fat and old, and then we die. That is the way that God planned it, and that is the way that it should be! This is not an uplifting picture; but it is true.

Well, here is the reality: Butterflies and moths are enjoying a different phase of life than what you and I are enduring in this earthly existence. This is our caterpillar phase. It was not designed to be a thing of beauty; however, it is filled with purpose. That purpose, as with the caterpillar, is not to seek beauty and decorate our outward appearance. This phase of our lives has been ordained that we nourish ourselves with that which will benefit us through and after a transition.

Truly, the purpose of this life is to grow fat in our understanding and wisdom concerning our Creator. We need to know that it is God who has ordained all of our days before we lived even one of them³. If we could only realize that it is God who knows every word which will fall from our mouths even before we speak them⁴. It does not matter where life takes us during our earthly wanderings, our Creator will be there. Whether to distant lands, or high in the heavens, and then eventually into the depths of the grave: we need to realize and experience God’s guiding hand⁵.

Do you have a sense that God is maintaining intimate contact with you, even in your caterpillar stage? You do understand that He does, right? He cares about our anxious thoughts. He has laid His hand upon us, providing comfort⁶. When we believe that life is becoming insurmountable, He holds us fast in His right hand⁷. Isn’t it reassuring to know that His thoughts of us are innumerable? How precious those thoughts are for something so unlovely.

Have you ever wondered why God, who is so powerful and yet so intimately caring about our welfare, would allow life to become so difficult? The answer: it is a test of our readiness⁸. Concerning that test, God wishes us to become bold and stouthearted in our response⁹. God desires that because it is our response that will drive a determination which will extend far into the future. Our responses will determine what each of us will be throughout eternity: either a moth or a butterfly. Have you thought of that?

Oh, whether you want to believe it or not, we are all caterpillars now. Soon enough, we will be entering that dormant phase, cloaked in our cocoon and chrysalis coffins. In our dormancy, as we will rest there in the dust¹⁰, the magic of existence happens.

One day, in the spring season of eternity, all creation will be awakened. All of those who have slept will wake up to find themselves in their most beautiful form. Not as we exist now, but in a more glorious form, like our winged moth and butterfly friends.

We, who awake, will be brought into the presence of our Almighty God. All of us will be collected in front of His great white throne. At that time, everyone will know that He who sits on the throne, also sustained us in our caterpillar existence. That will be indisputable. Soon, whether we are butterflies or moths, we will understand that we are there for the purpose of classification. It will be at that moment that the judge of mankind, Jesus Christ, will separate all of the butterflies to his right and all of the moths to his left.

I must admit something to you. In that part of the explanation, I have taken some liberties with Biblical text. Matthew 25 describes those standing before God as sheep and goats. Here I have altered that description into this chapter’s metaphor, butterflies and moths. Hope you won’t mind!

We are told that some will not even recognize the reason for their appearance. They will be unaware that the decisions they made as caterpillars determined that they would be a moth or a butterfly for all eternity. But oh, that lack of awareness, it will grow to mean so much more! After the butterflies have been separated from the moths, then the reality of those decisions will come to bear.

All of the butterflies will be instructed to enter into God’s kingdom prepared for them since the creation of the world. Will this be a beautiful park filled with flowers for each and every butterfly? I am sure that God has so much more in store for us!

But, what of the moths? They will be ordered into a future which fulfills the age old adage, like a moth to the flame. God Almighty will tell these to leave him, for they are cursed. These will be sent into the same eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Incredibly, the moths by their own choices made during their caterpillar stage will be destined to an eternity separated from God’s light, the same light which illuminated their way throughout all of their caterpillar days. You see, due to the fact that they ignored His hand of blessing then, He will withdraw His presence and comfort from them for the rest of eternity.

Is that clear? Do you see how our lives parallel the life cycle of butterflies and moths so closely? We must be related. The foundational development of the caterpillar stage; the transitional changes that take place during the phase of dormancy; and finally, the time of realization of one’s own design and potential.

Oh, there is one difference between humans and these winged creatures. Both moths and butterflies are simply born to their genetic line; humans are not. We have the opportunity to determine which species we will be a part of throughout eternity.

chapter 2

Funny, Four Eyes and Four Ears!

Oh, now I see! said the blind man.

You mean that you ‘understand’, his friend laughed with the correction.

No, I see. I once was blind, but now I see.

Quizzically, his friend turned and looked into the blind man’s eyes. Little had changed. Waving his hand in front of his friend’s face, he saw no reaction. What was he ever talking about the friend thought to himself.

***

I have an acquaintance. During a discussion about spiritual gifts, she indicated that among her spiritual gifts was the gift of Prophecy. I believe that she was not speaking of prophesying as in preaching or sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe her reference to prophecy spoke more to an interest in future Biblical events. Apparently, she felt sufficiently familiar with those prophetic utterances so as to see herself as an authority. Now, she may well have been an authority. Our conversation did not continue so far as to give me any basis for judgment, but there is one thing that I do know. To claim the gift of Prophecy, a person has to have four eyes and four ears. Sound a bit goofy? Let me explain.

As Jesus spoke with his disciples about future events, they would necessarily need the gift of prophecy to understand what he was telling them. He told them that he would be leaving them soon; and while he was gone, he would be preparing a place for each of them in his Father’s house. Because all of those events were in their future, that information did qualify as a prophetic utterance.

As Jesus taught his disciples, he said, Do not let your hearts be troubled¹. He reasoned with them that if they trusted God, they could also trust him. He explained them that if what he was telling them were not true, he would have told them. He reassured them by telling them that if he did go, he would come back and take them to where he was. He concluded by saying, You know the way and the place I am going².

It was at that point that Thomas spoke up. And as he began to discuss what he had just heard with his two ears, he spoke for everyone with only two eyes. Thomas said, We don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?³. At that moment, his question was valid.

Jesus responded to Thomas saying, I am the way and the truth and the life and that no one can come to God the Father except through me⁴. It was then that Philip spoke up. He did not understand what Jesus was saying when he said, If you really knew me, you would know the Father as well⁵.

Philip just wasn’t seeing it; he wanted some clarification. Lord, just show us the Father and that will be good enough for us⁶. Philip truly wanted to see the connection that Jesus was making, but that vision was beyond his ability. This was a case of seeing with two eyes and hearing with two ears, and in that, never understanding the truth. Thomas and Philip were typical. They had been born with physical eyes and physical ears; two of each and that was it. The problem was not theirs.

You see, Jesus had not yet been crucified. God had not yet raised him from the dead. The Son of God had not yet ascended into heaven. Because those things had not come to pass, the Holy Spirit, the comforter and teacher, had not yet been sent. The disciples had not experienced what was to occur during the next Pentecost observance. No excuses there, just the truth.

But things would change. It would be the Holy Spirit who would be gifting us with that extra set of eyes and ears. Those additional sets of eyes and ears were not to be physical, we cannot see them; but are spiritual, and powerful. Apostle Paul experienced that difference on the road to Damascus. Blinded physically, he began to rely on something else. He was endowed with spiritual vision and understanding sufficient enough to plant a thousand churches, and more. He saw and understood what Jesus was telling the disciples. Not only did his spiritual eyes and ears allow him to understand the spiritual meaning of what had been said, but Paul understood it so clearly that he wrote much of the New Testament detailing that spiritual vision. What that blinded man saw and trusted was life altering.

To those who believe, to those with authentic faith, those spiritual eyes and ears are evident. They are real. But here is the deal: it is the believer who has to decide to open those eyes and listen with those ears. God will not intervene; He will not scream. He has sent the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit for us to hear. He sent his son to light the path. The sad truth is that some have the ability but not the desire to use their second set of eyes and ears. Do you believe that? Do you understand what is being said?

Jesus spoke of fields, describing them as being ready for harvest. He told believers to open their eyes and look at the fields. The application of that instruction is purely spiritual. Everyone knows that, but there is more. Jesus encouraged the seven churches of Revelation. He said, He who has ears, let him hear⁷. Some must have allowed their spiritual ears to become unlistening. What they should be hearing would make a spiritual difference both in the present and on Judgment Day. Though our physical eyes are most often open and our ears ever hearing, there are those among us who are content to live with our spiritual eyes closed and their spiritual ears muffled.

Here is my belief based on the application of this material. If any among us claims the gift of Prophecy, they need to be exercising both pairs of the eyes and both sets of ears. First, see what is happening in this world around you. Determine where you are standing in time and history. We seem to be approaching the end. Second, become involved with those prophecies which introduce and discuss the events which are yet in our future, reading them and thinking about them.

In light of that encouragement, here is an important warning: Personal involvement in this activity cannot be replaced, eliminated, or excluded simply by listening to speakers present their ideas or reading what other people present. That behavior can only be described as using your physical eyes and physical ears, and is as counterproductive for our attempts to understand prophecy as it was for the disciples.

If the woman who claimed the gift of prophecy takes these steps: If she opens her spiritual eyes to see what is presented in God’s word, and if she opens her spiritual ears and listens to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, then she may well have the gift of Prophecy. If her definition is simply remembering and regurgitating what other people have presented, then I am not sure her claim to that gift is authentic. In that case, she might be as a blind man walking in the spiritual realm.

chapter 3

The Boy and the Believer

A little boy leaves a vacation cabin carrying a fishing pole and his tackle box. He stumbles down the path, leading to the lake. Once on the sandy shore, he does not stop there. He extends his fishing advantage as he walks to the end of the wooden dock. He understands that this dock allows him closer access to his intended prize. He sits down and carefully prepares his line with weights, bait, and a bobber. When he is finished, he stands, feet wide apart in a steady stance, and then launches his line far out over the lake’s surface. He watches the red and white bobber as it sails through the air, finding pleasure in his efforts. Once it lands and his line has settled, he sits and contemplates his efforts: the hour of the day and the position of his equipment to determine his likelihood for success and to inform his future attempts.

***

Let me ask you a question. Is this little boy acting any differently than the believer who is studying Bible prophecy? Or perhaps the better question: should the believer studying Bible prophecy act as this little boy? You do know that Jesus said, unless we change and become like little children, we will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!¹

Thinking about where we stand, projecting our thinking into the future, has always been encouraged by the Creator. Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees, When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’, and in the morning ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky². Jesus also told his disciples, Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know summer is near³. There is nothing extraordinary about looking at our current surroundings to anticipate the future. That skill is recognized and encouraged.

The little boy was like this. He left the security of the vacation cabin, because he knew the lake was only a short walk down the wooded path. He knew his surroundings and accurately predicted what his day would hold. As adult believers, we are no different than the rest of the world in that respect. Look at what is happening around you, the events and the condition of this planet. Realize that we are not where we were only a short time ago; history is on the move and us along with it. Determine this and then judge for yourself