Two Roles in a Future Drama

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.—Jeremiah 3:15

Michael Brann

If we were to think of God’s divine plan of the ages as a theatrical play, we would place events which are to shortly come to pass as some of the final scenes in the last act. That last act is the complete establishment of God’s kingdom, including both heavenly and earthly aspects. Two very important roles within that last act are played by the patriarchs of old and the nation of Israel.

A great deal of proper planning and organizing will be necessary for God’s kingdom to not only resuscitate all the dead of mankind, but to organize, educate, inspire, and evaluate each of the conservatively estimated 20 billion people then inhabiting the planet. In early developmental and functional stages, God’s kingdom on earth may operate much like the organizational and structural framework upon which earthly governments do today. God may use leaders who are of proper authority to organize, lead, guide, counsel, and direct them in the ways pleasing to him and in harmony with the divine rule of that day, namely, love and justice towards all.

Just as there are presidents, prime ministers, and other top ranking officers of government, so there must be those who will be chief rulers then too. We need not worry about such power being concentrated in the hands of a few individuals as we need to today, for that power will not lead to gross misuse or abuse, nor to a greedy spirit nor to one of despotic control over the people. One major difference between governmental leaders of today and those of God’s kingdom will be the character of these individuals. Those leaders in God’s kingdom will have been tried and tested by the Lord. These will not be elected by a majority vote from amongst mankind, nor will they inherit any such office handed down from family members. No, these special individual government officials will have been individually hand picked by the Lord!

Let us examine the scriptures on the patriarchs and prophets of old, often styled "Ancient Worthies," and the nation of Israel, to see what roles each will play in the drama of God’s plan as it is about to unfold on the world’s stage.

The Role of the Ancient Worthies

According to our understanding, at the closing scenes of Armageddon, just after the completion of the church and when the nation of Israel is about to face total annihilation, their prayers of desperation will be answered by the Lord (Heb. 11:39-40; Zech. 12:9-10; Ezek. 38, 39). Their prayers will be answered in the form of several of these faithful men of old returning from their graves to lead Israel out of her distress and into victory over her enemies. A partial list of these patriarchs and prophets are listed for us found in Hebrews 11. The list includes Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Joseph, David, and Samuel. These men and women will serve as the Lord’s representatives upon the earth and will serve as a link between the heavenly phase and the earthly phase of the kingdom.

In Isaiah 1:26, these worthies are described as "judges" and "counselors." "And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city."

These judges will govern in three distinct ways. First, they will communicate to mankind the exact requirements the heavenly ruler specifies. This will be only fair that all know the rules and regulations, such as Isaiah 65:25 states: "none shall hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain." This lesson is pictured for usin the book of Ezra at the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity when Ezra was given this divine commission, "And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not" (Ezra 7:25).

Second, they will judge or give decisions when certain controversies may arise. Their decisions will be perfect and in accord with the lines of love, justice, and wisdom. Just as Moses, as Israel’s lawgiver, was to decide the most difficult of controversies if the elders could not render a decision, so these tried and tested judges will be completely qualified to render correct and wise judgments for the most difficult kind of quarrels or controversies as they may arise (Deut. 1:9-17).

Third, they will execute the judgments given. As opposed to verdicts and judicial decisions in our society today, which often go unheeded, these ancient worthies will have the divine power behind their decisions, which will enable them to see that any decisions are properly adhered to from the least to the greatest of mankind. Anyone found not in accordance to the Lord’s will, will be punished accordingly. Jeremiah 30:20, 21 states this by saying, "Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me."

The prophet Zechariah gives another aspect of the role played by these ancient worthies. In chapter 12:6, he says, "In that day [when ‘all nations are gathered together’ against Israel] will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem." As before mentioned, this scene appears to take place at the time of the closing scenes of Armageddon when Israel is on the precipice of total destruction. Imagine these faithful "men of old" arising on the scene at the last moment to save the day for Israel! Israel’s enemies will be destroyed like a fire would consume a dry sheaf (Obad. 18). They will quickly turn the tide from destruction to victory! This picture suggests that these ancient worthies will serve as protectors of those whom the Lord holds dear to himself. At first this will apply especially to Israel, but most likely will be true for any nation or people who in the future place themselves willingly under the jurisdiction of this special class of people.

Micah 5:5-8 gives us a further glimpse into the kingdom work associated with the ancient worthies. "And this [manner] shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver."

The "seven shepherds" are, we believe, a reference to the church, while the "eight principal men" may be a reference to the ancient worthies. The seven shepherds are then ruling from heaven beyond the veil, while the eight principal men are God’s special representatives serving on the earth and visible to mankind. The number eight is not to be taken literally, just as the seven is not literal. Seven suggests a spiritually complete or perfect number. Eight suggests a new beginning, a fresh start of another cycle; in this case, the beginning of a new development in the earth having to do with the Lord’s kingdom.

The Fenton translation reads "eight who shall organize men." This brings forth the concept that one obvious need for the billions of mankind roaming the earth will be the need for organization. Otherwise, chaos and anarchy would ensue, much as it does now wherever there is no leadership or structure. Throughout the Scriptures we have examples of the necessity for large groups of people to be arranged into smaller groups in order to accomplish certain tasks or be dealt with effectively. (See Exod. 18:21; 1 Sam. 8:12; Luke 9:14.) Theancient worthies will be given this herculean task of arranging mankind into proper groups in order to facilitate and advance the individual and collective goals of God’s kingdom. Some may have special needs which require special assistance. Certain educational facilities could be set up where various kinds of problems could be dealt with in a more focused manner. Organization may be necessary to use those who have unique talents such as teaching, training, sympathizing, caring, etc.

Although verses seven and eight may have more to do with the blessing which the nation of Israel will be amongst the masses of resurrected mankind, it would not be incorrect to think that the very leaders of that nation will have these same characteristics as here specified. "Dew" and "showers on the grass" are forms of water (representing truth) coming early in the millennial morning after the night of sin and death is passing away This water is designed to assist and bless the willing and obedient of mankind in their growth and development of character pleasing to the Lord. As for those who are disobedient in that day, the "remnant of Israel" with their "princes" shall be their enemy, as "a lion among the beasts." Their word and judgments will be the final authority in matters of any rebellion or disobedience whenever it may occur. Since God himself is and always will be an enemy of sin and disobedience, so too will be his earthly representatives.

The Role of the Nation of Israel

Oftentimes, the question arises as to the scope and nature which the nation of Israel will have in God’s earthly kingdom. Although there may be a "purging" of rebellious elements (Ezek. 20:33-38; Amos 9:9, 10), the Bible clearly indicates that Israel will play a very prominent role in the kingdom.

One of the earliest promises recorded in the Scriptures relates to the nation of Israel—before it was even a nation! It specifies that they will be a "blessing" to the remainder of all mankind. This promise is found in Genesis 12:2, 3. It was first given to Abram, then to his immediate posterity, Isaac and Jacob. "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel by the LORD, fathered twelve sons who came to be the progenitors of the nation of Israel. This nation is to serve as special agents of the Lord, his instruments to "bless all the families of the earth."

Other scriptures in support of Israel’s future role to bless mankind are as follows:

Zechariah 10:6-9. Here, after discussing their regathering, we are told that the LORD will "sow them among the people: and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again." The Lord will use them as seed to teach and instruct the people of the nations in the ways of the Lord. This is indeed quite a privilege of "blessing" all the families of the earth.

A comparison of Amos 9:11, 12 and Acts 15:14-17 also agree that Israel will play an important role in this kingdom, that of being an example and leader of the gentile nations. One way in which they may lead as perhaps suggested in these texts is that they will be able to show how faith in the Lord and in his promises will lead any who choose to likewise be "raised up" from their own personal and private "ruins." What an example Israel will be unto all who likewise put their faith and trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel)!

Zechariah 8:13. "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong." The prophet makes a proportional comparison which is telling us that to the extent that Israel has been cursed, vilified, and mistreated amongst the nations they have been scattered into (see Jer. 24:9), so shall they be a blessing! To the degree in which they have been accursed (worldwide), so shall be their degree of blessing (worldwide). This opportunity to bless all the nations is thus shown to have a very large scope, because the history of the Jews is alarmingly full of documented details verifying mistreatment by their host countries. Everywhere the Jew has gone he has suffered. So, the Lord says through Zechariah that the Jews, once they are enlightened, will themselves be a light of blessing to all nations.

Isaiah 49:6 supports this conclusion—"I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." Zephaniah 3:20 adds: "At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD."

Isaiah 19:24, 25. "In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance."