Preparing the World
for a New Age

African slaves arrived in colonial Virginia in 1619—one year before the Mayflower. The Atlantic Slave Trade forced transportation of at least 10 million enslaved Africans from their homelands to destinations in Europe and the Americas. Two times that number also perished in the Atlantic’s "middle passage," their bodies thrown to the close following sharks. The hardy survivors were mostly pressed into labor on large plantations in the West Indies or in what became the US. Although some noble souls protested this practice, slavery lasted as a legal institution until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U S Constitution in 1865.

Slavery, in fact, was an institution throughout ancient history. But no other people in history owned as many slaves and depended on them so much as the Romans. These slaves were bought and sold in the slave markets. Some slaves were soldiers who had been captured in wars, while others were the children of slave parents. If they tried to run away, they were whipped, burned with iron, and sometimes even killed.

In the early Church, some slaves were being called to follow Christ. Nevertheless, Apostle Paul encouraged contentment with any status:

But the Scriptures clearly point forward to a time of freedom for all slaves—not just slaves to other people. But slavery to sin and death! Moses’ Law actually pointed forward to a time of the releasing of slaves and the restoration of the rights of each human being that ever lived. "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves" (Heb 10:1 NIV)

When the children of Israel came into the Promised Land, they were apportioned land tribe by tribe, family by family (Num. 34). But as can be expected, some by misfortune or mismanagement, went into debt and had to surrender their ancestral property (something like a home equity loan forfeited). But some even fell into deeper debt—so members of those families had to leave their homes and go into compulsory service as bond servants.

However, every fiftieth year the lost land had to be returned—and the enslaved family members returned to their families! It was called a "Jubilee" year.

Of course, at the beginning of the Jubilee year—when the shofar trumpet was blown (Lev. 25:9)—there must have been much confusion and clamor in sorting out who should own what! And it must have taken most of the year to settle things—even so imperfectly. But imagine the joy of families being reunited again!

Just as the yearly Passover lamb for the Jews pointed forward to the slain "Lamb of God" (John 1:29)—so the Jubilee law pointed forward to the time of earth’s great restoration. After all, Jesus came and died to save what man lost. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). All of Adam’s posterity die because Adam lost perfection—especially life itself. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor 15:22).

That is why the Scriptures say Jesus was to be sent by his Father to begin the "times of restitution" [KJV], a "period of restoration" [NAS]. This coming time, in fact, was the theme of all God’s holy prophets:

This is the Kingdom for which we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…" (Matt. 6:10) This Grand Jubilee restoration lasts not one year—but a thousand years! Faithful Christians will be Christ’s Bride in the Heavenly Kingdom. But their joy will be the great work of giving life to all families of the earth (Gal. 3:8). "All who are in the tombs" would then include those who will have an opportunity in this 1,000-year Judgment Day (2 Pet. 3:7,8). They will all have equal freedom to "pursue their full measure of happiness"—with a full individual trial for life during that Kingdom.

The new administration of the God’s Jubilee Kingdom will certainly accomplish unprecedented change. But it is gradual. Progress is slow resulting in frustration and shouting. First the "land rights" are demanded—including civil rights, handicap rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, patient rights, etc. Many noble advocates of the common man have good and sincere intentions to establish various social services such as, local food banks and the World Health Organization, etc. However, they lack enough wisdom and power to actually achieve the goals of all their wonderful vision. But God is allowing them to try—to see how far they can progress in spite of the selfish resistance.

Realistically, the crucial issue is the selfishness of the human heart. That is the root problem. Putting excellent laws, policies and programs into effect may help a little—for a little while. But God’s Kingdom will be built from the inside out. God will remove the sinful, selfish heart of people. Even as He promised to deal with Israel, God will work with all mankind: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (Ezek. 36:26).

But although Christians pray for God’s Kingdom administration—in the meantime they also pray for present rulers, yes, even while those governments are shaking or crumbling. Apostle Paul urged "that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Tim 2:1-2; Rev 7 1-3). As Christians, we must make use of every opportunity now to develop Christ-likeness by praying, studying the Scriptures, leaving false teachings behind, and assembling with other Christians—letting our light shine!

But just how close are we to the long promised new Kingdom’s administration? As Jesus is setting up God’s Kingdom "the nations are angry" (Rev. 11:15-18). They are certainly not happy!

President Obama said, We are in the time of "gathering clouds" and storms…soon coming." How true! Certainly, we see today "…dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world…" (Luke 21:25-27) But with our Scriptural panoramic view of the Kingdom, we can lift up our heads and rejoice. Why? Because we know that after the trouble there will be an eternity of true Peace on Earth as never before.

While we not only watch the beginnings of the fulfilling of prophecy—we look forward to God’s promise to every human being that ever lived. Every person will be a "king" adding their own glory to the glory of the "New Jerusalem" government (Rev. 21:24). The Jubilee Law is also a time prophecy which actually tells us how close we are to its full wonderful reality.

With the President, we would hope that all want to see the blessing and prosperity of future generations. However, we realize God’s commission to man was to "multiply and fill the earth" (Gen. 1:28). Nevertheless, whatever the limit—we can actually look forward to the Kingdom time when preceding generations will be reunited with their families now living.

This hope, indeed, overrides all our fears! Therefore, with full confidence we look to the God-given promise that all mankind will soon have equal opportunity in His Kingdom. All people will be able to have complete trust in this new government. But it also will be an "era of responsibility." Each person will be responsible for his own destiny—to love and obey God and bless his fellowman. Finally, this new era of peace and blessing will be not just for Americans—but for all the "families of the earth" (Gen. 12:3; 28:14).