The Work of God's Hands

Satan and his raging coalition of rebel sons of God and fallen angels are working hard to keep you asleep from waking up to the knowledge of mankind’s incredible calling, to keep you deceived and drowning in sin and preoccupied with physical life giving little thought to life eternal.

Despite our sin-ridden world, God Almighty remains hard at work molding people into righteous and humble servants fit for His God-family—His holy, royal, ruling kingdom. It was planned before the foundation of the world that a Saviour would redeem a broken creation and this creation would receive God’s own Holy Spirit so that they could overcome and by their own choice, worship—revering their Creator in love eternal.

Special to this second creation is the relationship that unfolds when sinners come to feel the despair and fear when they see how deep they have fallen, living in the darkness of sin and when all seems impossible, a hand shines through and a voice pleads, “Take my hand; I will help you.”

King David said, “When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet: all sheep and oxen, and even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3-9)

King David sang of mankind’s royal, ruling crown in the God-family and he marveled at the Creator’s love for this fallen creation that is still destined to become eternal members.

This, so very great calling and precious hope of eternal life, is not to be given to mere subjects rather royal, ruling members of the God-family. This promise is peppered throughout the Bible. It was planned long ago that the Son of God would fulfill an important role that would encapsulate mankind into his care forever. God’s hands remain at work to this day.

The Apostle Paul quoted Psalm 8:5 in Hebrews 2:6-8 and provided additional understanding by which mankind can overcome and be coronated prince with God. “For it is not to angels that He has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking” (Hebrews 2:5).

The world to come is God Almighty’s eternal kingdom. A battle for rulership has been raging in heaven for a long time. But, all who pursued the ultimate reign failed. God Almighty pronounced judgment “in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom” (Daniel 7:22). This rulership given to the saints was made possible through Jesus Christ. 

Daniel recorded the breaking news. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Rulership over that kingdom has not been awarded to the angels in heaven, but to the saints and to Jesus Christ—King over all kings and Lord [high priest] over all lords. King David knew that creation on earth was predestined to receive a crown in God’s holy, royal, ruling eternal kingdom. He marveled over Almighty God placing such importance on the mortal, second creation who appear to have fallen into spiritual death and living on a dying planet.

The Apostle Paul knew the details hidden from the rebel rulers, principalities and powers of Ephesians 6:12. “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:8-9). The role the Son of God holds is woven into the lives of the second creation on earth so that when God is finished the two will operate as one. Both, the Son and creation on earth, will rise to rule in righteousness for all eternity having been tested and tried, suffered and perfected; they became overcomers.

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.’ And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, he says, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me’” (Hebrews 2:10-13).

Jesus, the Son of God, the one who through the power of the Father, Almighty God created life in both heaven and earth—that Jesus, is working to complete God’s work to humble creation on earth, bring them into repentance, turn them to know the Almighty God, receive His Holy Spirit so that they can overcome through the guiding help of the Son of God, Jesus, who has been tested and made perfect. Though he had not sinned, having been made mortal, perfected his knowledge and understanding and provided the wisdom to remain sinless during trying temptations, painful persecutions and the excruciating death on the cross.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants” (Hebrews 2:14-16). It is Abraham’s descendants who Jesus is helping. Christ has redeemed all of mankind. But, to those who repent and accept his sacrifice, regardless of the nation from where they were born, they are descendants of Abraham and equal members of the body of Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:8-9).

Jesus Christ is elevating repentant God-fearing and God-serving mankind to an equal status as a brother to him. While some cultures value one gender over another, Christ will raise all members of his body to the highest level, valuing them equally. He is the oldest brother. The members of his body will be resurrected at different times and become siblings forming a birth order.

The Son of God was born mortal for a time to complete many tasks. One task was to experience the weaknesses of being mortal and becoming perfect choosing right choices and not succumbing to sin. Having experienced mortality, Christ became part of the second creation and qualified as intercessor for mankind. “For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:8-17).

Creation on earth was made to become a complete body of holy, righteous priests in service to Almighty God. Christ having been made mortal, as well, and made perfect through suffering, qualified to secure the office of high priest.

God’s people both in ancient times and into the present were told of their heritage of being a kingdom of holy, royal priests.

“And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites” (Exodus 19:6).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

This calling has been opened up to include everyone from every tribe, language, people and nation. “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).

Jesus Christ is the high priest in God’s temple and repentant mankind will all serve under him. Having become experts in righteousness, they will fill one of only two core, essential roles in God’s law-abiding and righteous-living kingdom. God’s righteous theological body will be glorious.

This incredible calling is a classic oxymoron. Sinners serving Righteousness. Having lived in sin and suffered intensely under the rule of the prince of darkness, mankind will all awaken before the end and see the light. The gospel will go out to all the world. The repentant will find rest in righteousness and God’s Holy Spirit will transform them so that they can see clearly and live righteously. Their heart will be changed forever. No dark force will ever cause them to return to the nightmare endured for so long. Satan will not be able to convert these people because, like Jesus, they will hate wickedness and love righteousness (Hebrews 1:9). They will be eternally grateful that they took a firm grip of the helping hand of the One who put his life on the line for them, while they were dying, stuck in the depths of darkness.

God’s family will grow and blossom like flowers, trees and bear fruit teaching God’s word, giving understanding and sharing God’s wisdom. Those in the first resurrection will have exceptional qualities unmatched and unrivaled. Some will be to God like a great cedar tree. These are the most spectacular trees on earth. They have the unique qualities that mirror the great leaders in God’s headquarters. These tall and grand trees are dimensionally stable with a built-in thermal insulator. With oils that act as natural preservatives, these trees are resistant to bacteria and fungus. To top it off, they release a fresh aroma that deters pests. God created sons in heaven with all of these eternal qualities and superior strength to lead His kingdom in truth, understanding and wisdom of His law and His way. God gave the name of His headquarters in heaven, ‘Lebanon’ to mirror on earth His stately and regal leaders—His pride and joy.

Some will be like exotic lilies that emit a rich and lasting fragrance, mirroring the prayers of the saints dressed in white linen, a covering of righteousness. Others will have the desirable abilities of teaching effectively and thoroughly. Like fruit trees that feed multitudes from a single tree. The work of God’s hands will not be thwarted. His family, called Eden, will grow into a fully complete body of eternal beings from heaven and earth. 

God’s law and His theology will be enforced through perfect leaders in heaven and on earth. Jesus Christ will reign supreme being King over all kings and Lord over all lords. Under the leadership of Jesus Christ and his Bride, two creations will work as one when law and religion marry into one holy, ruling body. God’s image mirrored in the male and female is law and religion implemented through kings and priests.

You are the work of God’s hands destined to become holy, invited as children of Almighty God into His royal, ruling family. Nothing on earth is more important than to grow spiritually in God’s word, discover and delight in the deep things of God, forge an unbreakable relationship with our Father in heaven, kneel before our Saviour in eternal gratitude and run this race to the end.

A prince is a son of a royal, ruling family. In spiritual terms, a prince is a spiritual being who is a member of God’s eternal, holy, royal, ruling family. The first creation in heaven are specialists in God’s law and have received rulership by God over vast dominions in heaven. Some have been given rulership both in heaven and over nations on earth. The authority to rule nations on earth was given at a time the people began wandering back into sin.

It was at the time of Babel. God divided the people into nations and gave them heavenly rulers over them to guide them back onto the path of righteousness.

God, Himself, participated in the rulership over the nations and He gave Himself kingship over the descendants of Jacob—“His allotted inheritance.” 

“When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court. But the LORD’s portion is His people, Jacob His allotted inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:8-9).

Unfortunately, all of these rulers turned against Almighty God and allied with Satan. They led the nations of the world deeper and deeper into sin. As it was done on the earth before the flood, it was done again (Genesis 6:4). The holy ones in heaven are making mistakes. “God puts no trust in His holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in His eyes, how much less man who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!” (Job 15:15) and “God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error” (Job 4:18).

Satan has a pyramidal style of leadership with his all-seeing eye at the top. Close to the bottom are the demons who have a prince ruling over them. The Pharisees understood the structure, but they tried to accuse Jesus as being a prince ruling over demons using their faulty logic. “But the Pharisees said, ‘It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons’” (Matthew 9:34).

Rebel princes in God’s family in heaven have not all been dealt with. God is using these rebels to test, purge and refine creation both in heaven and on earth. God responded to the bragging triumphs of the rebel prince given kingship over Assyria, “Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble” (Isaiah 37:26). 

This rebel heavenly prince trumpeted his plan, “With my many chariots [the spiritual means to move up into the higher levels of God’s government] I have ascended the heights of the mountains [governments], the utmost heights of Lebanon [location of God’s heavenly court]. I have cut down the tallest cedars [caused the great sons of God to fall into sin], the choicest of its pines [respected and honoured sons of God in heaven]. I have reached the remotest heights [heavenly leaders that were considered untouchable due to their superior level of knowledge, wisdom and understanding], the finest of its forests [the masses of heavenly leaders of whom God has poured out His Holy Spirit]. I have dug wells in foreign lands and drunk the water there. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of Egypt” (Isaiah 37:24b). This rebel has successfully destroyed once honoured and great leaders in heaven and walked all over them.

There are many princes in God’s family each having a different level of authority.  Gabriel, a prince in God’s kingdom, was sent to Daniel with answers to his prayer. He was delayed 21 days because an evil prince in heaven, ruling over the kingdom of Persia, apprehended him indefinitely. It took the powerful chief prince, Michael, to rescue Gabriel and set him free to complete his task.

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).

Gabriel went to Daniel as he was instructed, but had to leave quickly. Battles are raging in the heavens unknown to mankind then and today. Then Gabriel said Daniel, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so, I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince” (Daniel 10:20-21).

The heavenly prince ruling over Greece is allied with the prince over Persia warring against Almighty God. These princes are not the physical kings of Greece or Persia; they are rebel princes in heaven.

Michael is one of the chief princes in heaven. “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. 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” (Daniel 12:1).

Michael is not the only chief prince spoken of in the Bible. 

“Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2-3). His kingdom is located in the “far north” (Ezekiel 38:15), which is in the same location as God’s throne. Satan knows the exact location of God’s throne in heaven.  “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north” (Isaiah 14:13).

King David sang about the greatness of Almighty God and the location of His government. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the Great King” (Psalm 48:1-2). King David knew where God’s federal government, His centre is located in the far north.

God’s movement releases a storm of power. “I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north – an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light” (Ezekiel 1:4). Ezekiel, in a vision, saw Almighty God. When he saw the brilliance of His glory, he fell face down (Ezekiel 1:28b).

God’s courts and legal structure is located northward and continuing northward all the way into the third heaven.

The rebel chief prince, Gog of Magog, like the prince of Persia and Greece is warring against Almighty God during ancient times and into the present. The overthrow of Gog will take place under Christ’s rule at the end of the Millennium. Satan will be released and together with Gog, they will stir up the nations against God’s people. God uses wickedness to test, purge and purify creation both on earth and in heaven. God will, this time, test mankind again and show them that He is supreme; His power cannot be challenged by other spiritual beings. “O Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I show myself holy through you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 38: 16b). The nations on earth are learning who is the Great God and LORD among the heavenly princes. Likely, Satan will again declare himself as supreme creator and Gog may declare himself as mankind’s saviour. We shall see how they will establish themselves. Unfortunately, they will successfully sway some of the people in the nations on earth to their side.

Satan lurks around like a raging lion putting up stumbling blocks for all of mankind. He works to lead them deeper and deeper into sin, hoping for no recovery. “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

The Apostle Paul warned Christians, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Satan’s plan is to destroy all creation in heaven and on earth. His motto: if he is to be destroyed; all of creation goes down with him. Satan and chief prince, Gog will blaspheme God’s holy name.

This is the final battle for all time. “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains [government] of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you” (Ezekiel 39:1b-4). 

God will end the profanity on earth caused by Satan and Gog. “I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel” (Ezekiel 39:7). God is not singling out any one nation in this final battle.

The people from among the nations on earth who choose to join the final rogue heavenly coalition, will be destroyed in an instant. The remaining nations of the world will witness the unsurpassable power of the Almighty God who will destroy these rebel gods in an instant. The nations will know that the Supreme and Holy God—the only God to worship, is the God of Israel.

From the foundation of the world, God formulated a saving plan for mankind. He foreknew the fall of man and wove into mankind’s spiritual growth hard and painful lessons that would bring an eternal and unrelenting passion for righteousness, keeping God’s law and living His ways.

The Son’s redemptive sacrifice was planned at the foundation of the world. He successfully redeemed mankind, but this only became known to the princes ruling over the earth after Jesus, the Christ, was resurrected.

“Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8). These princes that the Apostle Paul is referring to are not mortal princes, for they do not have the power to thwart God’s saving plan for mankind. However, heavenly princes could have ensured that Jesus live a full life as a mortal and die in old age, thwarting God’s redemptive plan. Christ’s successful redemptive sacrifice has overthrown Satan’s rule over mankind. “Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31).

Jesus Christ won the rulership from the fallen princes given authority over the nations at the time of Babel and the rulership Satan had. He will bring mankind rest from oppression, deceit, pain and all sorts of corruption. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus Christ has not yet taken his kingship and lordship over the nations of earth. It was foretold that there would be “many days” before he would return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Hosea understood God’s mirroring of the ten tribes of Israel in his life. He knew after they would be redeemed through Christ, they would live for many years no longer living as pagans but also, not living in the pure word of God. He said, “For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar and without ephod or household idols” (Hosea 3:4).

• Without king or prince = Christ is not ruling as their king nor are the rebel heavenly princes ruling over them.
• Without sacrifice or sacred pillar = Sacrifices are not being performed as a means to cover sins nor are pagan sacred stones erected where covenants were made and allegiances fortified.
• Without ephod or household idols = the Hebrew high priest wore an ephod, which is a display of twelve gems pointing to the twelve gates described in Revelation into God’s kingdom. Household idols in the home and gifts left at shrines in the streets promoted the worship of fallen gods for help and salvation.

The Judeo-Christians are in a state of limbo, neither worshipping God properly or living in pagan sin worshipping fallen gods.

God’s use of titles is careful and specific to their role. He does not reference any mortal on earth as a “chief prince”.  However, the title of “prince” is used to identify sons of kings and leaders on earth who are highly respected and honoured. When used to acknowledge a righteous leader, it is to acknowledge a mortal as a genuine son of God.

Abraham is a good example. He was considered by the Hittites living near him as a “prince’. Abraham sought to buy a cave to bury Sarah who had just passed away. He approached the Hittites humbly asking to buy a burial place. He said, “I am an alien and a stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead” (Genesis 23:4). The Hittites responded with deep respect and great honour, “Hear us, my lord, you are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our graves; none of us will refuse you his grave for burying your dead” (Genesis 23:6).

Abraham came before the Hittites not only as a rich man with many servants and riches, but a honoured member among them who they considered a royal leader.

King David understood the spiritual conations of using the term “prince’. When Abner was murdered in revenge, King David said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? (II Samuel 3:38). Abner was not born from a royal family, but King David elevated him to royalty because of his loyalty to the royal family of King Saul. The trigger to David’s disgust and sadness was Abner’s death, a rash execution of revenge. David did not take the kingship from the family of Saul, rather, God gave the kingship to David. The newly anointed king knew there would be confusion and sorrow as the transition took place. He wanted peace, but it took a long time before the battle between the supporters of King Saul submitted to God’s anointing of David as the chosen king over the whole kingdom of Israel.

King David recognized the potential of all the men and women of Israel to become holy, royal, ruling children of God. He sang with hope in his heart when God inspired the song about Jesus, our Saviour, “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever…” The Apostle Paul quoted from this psalm in Hebrews, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” King David concluded, “you will make them [that is the righteous] princes throughout the land” (Psalm 45:2-7, 16b).

King David loved righteousness; he loved God’s law and His ways. God loved him, too and promised him kingship over Israel forever. “And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David will be prince among them; I the Lord have spoken” (Ezekiel 34:24).

The houses of Judah and Israel will re-unite forever and David will be king over them after they return to the land of their fathers. “They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons’ sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever” (Ezekiel 37:25).

Most rulers over the two houses: Judah and Israel were not like King David. Most did not lead righteously. In ancient times, the people of Israel asked for a physical king, rejecting Almighty God as their king. God warned the people of the oppression and corruption that would follow, but they wanted to be like the nations around them. However, change is coming.

“Thus says the Lord God, ‘Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from My people,’ declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 45:8-9).

Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron. Leaders will learn to serve. Justice will prevail and corruption will be eradicated. “This shall be his land for a possession in Israel; so My princes shall no longer oppress My people, but they shall give the rest of the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes” (Ezekiel 45:8).

King David sang of still a future event when God’s procession comes into view, “the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel. There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah’s princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali” (Psalm 68:24-27).

This wonderful and glorious event highlights four tribes: Benjamin, Judah, Zebulun and Naphtali. These four tribes image four very special groups of humble, God-fearing and God-serving people.

Benjamin was the second and last son born from Rachel. He is the only blood-brother of Joseph. The little family of Jacob, Rachel and their two sons unveils a very big picture. In moments of history, God unveils the spiritual story. God is love and God is law-abiding. His love for righteousness is mirrored in Jacob’s love for Rachel. They waited a long time before Rachel conceived and gave birth to a son. God has waited until two-thirds of mankind’s history had elapsed before Jesus came to earth, died and redeemed mankind. His life was mirrored in Joseph, the first-born of Jacob and Rachel. Little Benjamin was born never knowing his mother as she died in child birth. Rachel mirrors the righteous and faithful prophets. Benjamin mirrors the saints who did not live during the time of the faithful prophets, but they learned from them and they hold to the pure word of God. They are a theological body of men and women, overcoming and devoted to living righteously. This group of men and women will lead the procession when God Almighty comes down to earth to reside in His temple.

The reference to the great throng of princes from the tribe of Judah is due to their guardianship of God’s law. Order, justice and love are the fundamental components of God’s legal structure. The house of Judah has prioritized God’s law into their culture. The image of a great throng of Judah’s princes is an image of a great throng of law-keepers, loving God’s law and His ways. These may not all be from the house of Judah, rather all people respecting and holding fast to keeping and enforcing God’s law.

Following little Benjamin and the princes of Judah are two tribes of Israel: Zebulun and Naphtali. The territory of Zebulun and Naphtali was devastated during the invasion of the Assyrian army that captured the northern house of Israel. This type of distress was not limited to the invasion by Assyria, but it echoed throughout the history of the 10 tribes of Israel. These two tribes mirror a very special large group of people who experience the devastation and humility of ancient Zebulun and Naphtali. In the future, the people mirrored in Zebulun and Naphtali will experience the light—the glory to come will be great and correspond to the depth of disgrace they endured. Past distress will never touch these humbled people again. They will surrender their lives to God and will be joined, through the work of Jesus Christ, with people living beyond the territory of ancient Israel, Gentiles from the nations.

“Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:13-16).

“In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future, He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations” (Isaiah 9:1b).

Jesus Christ has redeemed mankind. No more destruction. Christ will usher in peace and prosperity. The light will go out to all the world. Christ’s kingdom will grow to cover the whole earth.

Princes will be anointed kings, princesses will come forward from behind and be anointed queens and they will rule in Almighty God’s holy, royal, ruling, eternal family.

The Bible speaks very little about the appearance of princesses because His use of “sons” is to mirror spiritual beings those ruling already in heaven. Creation in heaven and earth were made in the image of God: male and female, king and lord. Creation on earth is imaged in the female gender, the church; she will rule with Christ. She will be anointed Queen after being transformed into her eternal body and she will be glorious.

“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” (Revelation 21:9-11).

This image is a picture of the body of men and women, eternalized into glorious bodies that form a multi-layered structure of righteous strength, the New Jerusalem, no longer a physical structure of wood and clay, but a spiritual body of law keepers and righteous theological experts filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

God wins!

A surface reading of Job 42:15 would appear that in ancient times, it takes having exceptional physical beauty before women were valued equal to sons where an inheritance was given. The penmanship of Almighty God triggers curiosity, drives critical thinking and demands exploration.

To understand Job 42:15, a simple read of Job 1:1-5 and Job 42:12-17, which are the beginning and ending verses of the book, will generate an echo of Job’s words, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5).

The story of Job most studied is Satan’s attack that caused intense suffering for Job and his incredible spiritual growth that brought him to see God. But, casually written in the introduction and the conclusion is another story that is a direct result of Job’s spiritual condition.

Job was a devout God-fearing and God-serving man. Each year, his seven sons held a celebration that some Bible translations state were birthday parties. They invited their sisters, though their sisters did not have annual celebrations of their own. They did not invite their parents. Their father, Job, was concerned about possible sinful behaviour at these annual celebrations and would offer the next day early in the morning, a sacrifice to God for each of them to bring atonement should any of his children have sinned or cursed God in their hearts.

The focus of the introduction of the book of Job is on his sons who are giving honour to themselves in their annual celebrations. Job had concerns with this activity and settled his worries through a burnt offering to God.

One day, Satan came with the righteous angels to present themselves to God and God took the occasion to recognize the blameless and upright behaviour of Job before Satan. God foresaw the opportunity to take Job to a high point so that he could understand God and His work through a special lens. As anticipated, Satan mocked Job and accredited his loyalty and righteousness to be a result of the blessings God had bestowed upon him. God removed the hedge He placed around Job and allowed Satan to inflict him.  The suffering, at the hands of Satan, did not cause Job to stumble rather it brought him higher into God’s world. He acquired knowledge beyond the grasp of humanity and came into understanding of the deep things of God. This spiritual growth in Job brought a change visible in the conclusion of the book of Job where the focus unexpectedly moved away from his seven sons to his three daughters.

“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters” (Job 42:12-15).

The conclusion of Job’s story provides a bridge into the great spiritual future of God’s people. Job was blessed with a double portion of what he had before his infliction. He received the first-born blessing. God is pointing to the people who are part of the first resurrection. They will receive the first-born blessing of wealth in God’s word, His understanding and His wisdom. The first men and women to be resurrected and transformed into eternal beings will also nurture and produce a world-renown body of exceptional religious leaders.

The sons in Job’s story were unnamed in the introduction and the conclusion of the book because they were never the focus of the story. Their annual celebrations were the reason for their mention. The important change that resulted from Job’s spiritual growth was that the sons born after his affliction did not have annual celebrations for themselves leaving Job to worry. The mirror of learning God uses, provides reflections. The sons born to families on earth image the creation in heaven who rule already over vast dominions. This kingship in heaven is mirrored by God’s design through the inheritance sons of families on earth receive automatically. God has provided a mirror for mankind to learn about His view of the two creations, their complementary roles and their future together in His holy, royal ruling family.

Like the sons, the names of the daughters prior to Job’s trial are not mentioned. But, after his infliction, the three daughters born are named and declared to be the most beautiful in all the land. God’s primary focus is to teach His people spiritual matters. The creation of the male and female gender was an intentional design to demonstrate two different and complementary roles. The female gender came into being after the male gender. It was intended from the very beginning to introduce within a second creation, people who form a religious body of men and women who are teachers, religious leaders and the congregation that follow the instructions of God. The first creation are national leaders—kings and princes in heaven; the second creation are religious leaders—high priests and priests, lords on earth. The two different types of leadership roles will be fully in effect and bound to operate as one during the reign of Christ in the Millennium.

The Apostle Paul understood the mystery of God’s mirroring within the genders. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).

In the faithful marriage relationship, Christ mirrors the man and the church mirrors the woman. Christ is a King from heaven. The church is a religious body from earth.

Naming is very important to God. Names are mentioned when people hold a significant role valued by God. The daughters of Job image three churches known to God from ancient times. He is teaching His people about the change that will take place after the first resurrection where righteous, God-fearing and God-serving men and women are resurrected and transformed into their glorious bodies. They will receive the first-born blessing—a double portion of riches. Through their leadership, guidance and instruction, the three religious centres will blossom in God’s word, His law and love. 

Jerusalem is the oldest of the three and is the centre of the kingdom of ancient Israel. Jerusalem, into the 21st century, remains an important centre for Israel. In ancient times, it became a city of debauchery.  “Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices…” (Ezekiel 16:1) “You, adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!” (Ezekiel 16:32)

Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing” (Matthew 23:37).

In ancient times, both the national leaders and the priesthood became corrupt and in total rebellion against God. God refused to acknowledge the names of Job’s sons and daughters because they imaged the badly behaving leaders of ancient Israel where even blameless and upright Job felt the need to atone for them.

A change is still to come. The resurrection and transformation of the first-born and their rulership with Jesus Christ will bring the necessary conversion that will amaze the world. Jerusalem will be re-born and her beauty will be breath-taking. Jemimah means “dove” a symbol of peace. Jerusalem, in the Millennium, will be the law-abiding centre living God’s law of love and at peace with God and mankind. Finally, God will rest from the rebellion of His people.

Jerusalem had two sisters; the churches of the house of Israel and the house of Judah. “Like mother, like daughter… Your older sister was Samaria [the name of the kingdom of Israel of the ten tribes], who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lived to the south of you with her daughters, was Sodom [God is identifying the kingdom of Judah to be no different from the deplorable Sodomites]. [God continued] You [Jerusalem] not only walked in their ways [the ways of Samaria and Judah] and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved than they… Samaria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done” (Ezekiel 16:44, 46-47, 51).

What lured these three churches: Jerusalem, Samaria and Judah to enter into the worship of fallen angels and practice their detestable rituals is difficult to understand. Carnal nature is a significantly limiting spirit that struggles to reach any level of holiness.

History houses many lessons for 21st century believers. The first, those who lived in ancient times who were given much of God’s word and witnessed His great miracles, will be last to be resurrected and transformed. It will be the last, those in the 21st century, who will be first.

A change will come. The second oldest daughter’s name is Keziah. Another spelling of the word is cassia. Cassia oil is like frankincense oil. It has an unmistakable fragrance and calming aromatic properties. It is similar to one of the gifts given to Jesus at his birth. It is expensive, rare, and beautiful.

Cassia bark oil is one of the oldest known spices derived from steam distillation of the cassia bark, leaves and twigs. It has a highly prized aroma very similar to cinnamon bark in both fragrance and in chemistry. It is like frankincense with healing properties. Re-born Christians will learn God’s healing ways and become a living model of compassion, enduring patience, eternal love and genuine care for all of mankind. Their beauty will exude the warmth of God’s love and His eternal grace.

The third daughter’s name is Keren-Happuch, which means the horn of adornment is a reference to the outward beauty that comes from inward character through the keeping of God’s laws perfectly. The church of the house of Judah, will in the near future, be a synagogue of experts keeping God’s law, freed from the old traditions of the elders. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you’” (Zechariah 8:23).

They touch the hem of the Jew’s robe because that is where the reminder of keeping God’s law has been placed. Also, it is by no coincidence that God has ten people from all languages and nations because the number ten is also a reminder of God’s ten commandments.

The house of Judah, known into the 21st century as the Jews, have a history of honouring God’s law, however over time, they added the traditions of the elders which eventually replaced the law of God. Jesus tried to correct their mistake. “So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, ‘Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.’ Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me [God] in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men. For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.’ He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition” (Mark 7:5-9).

The symbolism of a “horn” is having authority. Job’s third daughter will be adorned with authority. Her name identifies the royal authority of the keepers and protectors of God’s law that the future Jewish synagogues will reflect the glistening beauty of a crown that will attract the world’s attention.

God provided reminders for His people to remember His plan for them and all of mankind. Included in these reminders, was a daily reminder to keep His commandments. He instructed the every-day Israelites to hem their outer garment with a blue panel of tassels. It was symbolic of God’s law and a reminder that every Israelites from every tribe had the responsibility to obey God’s commandments. The colour blue and type of fabric reminded every man and woman of their royal calling to be a nation of holy priests.

“Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God” (Numbers 15:37–40).

Job’s three daughters image the transformation of the wayward kingdom of ancient Israel who will, still in the future, transform their three religious centres into three God-fearing, God-serving, God-loving churches. Their beauty will be seen all around the world. They will be a holy kingdom living God’s way and a kingdom of royal priests modeling for all to see the way of God.

With the sacrifice of Christ and the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit, a new birth is forecasted in the story of Job: the rebirth of Jerusalem, Israel—the Christians, and Judah—the Messianic Jews all walking in the ways of God. They will fulfill their calling. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession” (I Peter 2:9).

These daughters who image the three religious centres of the future kingdom of Israel will receive an inheritance (Job 42:15b). Traditionally, the family inheritance was given to the sons with a double-portion blessing going to the oldest. In ancient Israel, daughters received an inheritance only when there wasn’t a son to receive it. In the case of Job, he gave his daughters an inheritance along with his seven sons.

God’s holy, royal family, now in the making, is a ruling kingdom. Job’s three daughters received an inheritance—rulership. So, as Job’s story reveals, God will give an inheritance—rulership to the three religious centres of the future re-united kingdom of Israel. God will move the focus of honour away from the national leaders of countries to three religious centres. Their names will be renown throughout all creation because of their spiritual beauty: their devoted righteousness, their gracious love, and their keeping and protecting of God’s law.

Job’s story is simple. It is all about the transformation of God’s first-born men and women into eternal life and the three religious centres they produce. God will elevate them to take centre stage and the nations of the world will marvel.