Notice that the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of God and His Christ just as soon as God's witnesses have been raised from the dead, at the sounding of the last trumpet.

When the Lord comes He will bring His reward with Him. Every individual will receive the consequences of his or her behavior while living on the earth. The Lord Jesus will come as the Good Shepherd. He will look to the needs of His flock. He will carry the little lambs close to His heart and gently lead the nursing ewes.

The two witnesses of the last days, Christ and His Body, will preach the Good News of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth. They will command the nations of the earth to repent and be baptized in water, warning them of the destructive wrath of God resting upon all who reject His Son.

In addition, the witnesses will speak comfortably to the Lord's elect, both Jewish and Gentile. Numerous Jewish people will receive their Christ (which is happening even today). The bruised reed will not be broken and the smoldering wick will not be extinguished. The Lord will treat people righteously, and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be set free from Satan and filled with the Presence of the Lord.

The message of the coming of the Kingdom is good news for the righteous, for the meek of the earth. The message of the coming of the Kingdom is terrifying news for the arrogant, the proud, for those who destroy other people and their own environment as well.

It is obvious that the wealthy, democratic nations of our day are moving toward Divine judgment. The sexual perversions, the abuse of children, the abortion of the unborn, the rejection of God by the leaders and teachers, the worship of money, of lust, of drunkenness, of demons, of violence, are all calling for God to arise and refresh His earth with righteousness, peace, and sanity.

Meanwhile the Lord is calling out from the churches a holy remnant of people. He is judging them, requiring them to release their love of the world and trust in money, their bodily lusts, and their self-will and self-seeking. He is teaching them, asking them to open the door of their personality so He can enter and dine with them on His own body and blood.

The churches are continuing their various ministries, just as David installed the priesthood of the Tabernacle of the Congregation at the high place in Gibeon. But a holy remnant, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant in Zion, is being prepared for the work of bearing witness of the Kingdom of God to every nation on the earth.

When the witness, the second lampstand, has been prepared, the Lord Jesus, the first Lampstand, will enter His Body. The Lord will "roar out of Zion."

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

To be continued.