This Olivet Discourse Deception study shows you how Messiah desolated the city of Jerusalem, the temple and the Jewish leadership system; and then He setup His own kingdom on earth.
The Jewish leaders wanted their messiah to overthrow the Romans, so that they could reign in power. So they rejected the true Messiah and delivered Him up to the Romans to be killed. The irony is that Messiah then turned the tables on the Jewish leaders; and used the Roman army to desolate them, and remove them from power.
Matthew 27:25 records the Jews curse upon themselves, “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” And indeed it was.
When the 1,335 days of Daniel 12 ended in 70 A.D., Jerusalem laid in ruins, the temple was destroyed, the Jewish High Priest and leadership system was cast down from power, and there were 1.1 million dead Jews in and around the city of Jerusalem.
In Matthew 23, Messiah had just cast woe upon woe on the Jewish leaders. He condemned them and proclaimed that all of the righteous blood of the martyred prophets would be poured out on them. The proper context of Matthew 24:29 is the end of the Jewish leadership system, which ended in 70 A.D.
- The sun represented the High Priest.
- The moon represented the Jewish council.
- The stars the many Rabbi’s.
The physical types pointed to Messiah, they pointed to the true fulfillment that was the grand design all along.
Here’s the Messiah Set Up His Father’s Kingdom video.
With the physical system gone, Messiah then setup His kingdom:
- In His heavenly Jerusalem, which in Revelation, John calls His bride.
- In His temple, of which He is the cornerstone, the apostles the foundation, and the saints are the stones that make up the walls.
- With Messiah as the High Priest who intercedes for the saints before the Father.
- And with His priests, the saints, serving the kingdom and offering spiritual sacrifices.
Daniel 2:44 foretold that Elohim would setup His kingdom, not at the end when Messiah returns, but during the days of the kings.
“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.“
Daniel 7:13-14 foretold that the Son of Man would come in the clouds of heaven!
“I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days (high priests?), And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”
Messiah proclaimed in His Olivet Discourse, that after the events that He just described took place, then He would setup His Father’s kingdom.
“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:31
Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible says, After the destruction of the Jewish state, the doctrine of Christ crucified shall be preached every where, and every where prevail.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible says, Know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand: a more visible and glorious display of the kingdom of the Messiah, in the destruction of his enemies, the Jews
John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible says, The destruction of the Jewish city, temple, and religion, to make way for the advancement of my kingdom.
Stephen was accused of teaching that Messiah would destroy the temple and remove the sacrificial system, which is exactly what happened.
“And set up false witnesses, which said, This (Stephen) man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” Acts 6:13-14
Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible on Acts 6:14
Shall change. Shall abolish them; or shall introduce others in their place.
The customs. The ceremonial rites and observations of sacrifices, festivals, etc. appointed by Moses.
John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible on Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say, The Ethiopic version adds, “besides”; but rather these words are a reason, giving evidence to, and supporting the general charge: that this Jesus of Nazareth; Stephen spoke of, and whom they so called by way of contempt: shall destroy this place; meaning the temple, as the Ethiopic version renders it; and is the same charge, the false witnesses at Christ’s examination brought against him: and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us; that is, the rites, ceremonies, institutions, and appointments of the Mosaic dispensation.
Messiah setup His kingdom in the first century during the reign of the Satan-empowered Roman Empire.
The end of the Jewish age was the beginning of the kingdom of Elohim through His Son; where the true Israelites, the true Jews, those who believe by faith, would reign in His kingdom.
In the Parable of the Vineyard Owner, Messiah points to the judgment of the Jews who delivered Him up to be killed.
They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Matthew 21:41
This was fulfilled during the Jewish-Roman War of 66-70 AD, when Jerusalem, the temple and the unbelieving Jewish nation was destroyed.
In Matthew 21:42-43, Messiah proclaimed to the unbelieving Jews,
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
That kingdom was setup with the Jews who believed in Him as their promised Messiah, with people of the House of Israel who had returned to Galilee, and with people from the gentile nations who were grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel.
There is no such thing as ‘replacement theology‘ as the spiritual kingdom has always been made up of those who believe by faith.
We must take Messiah at His word, that some of the people that He was talking to, would see Him come into His Kingdom.
“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:27-28
“And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” Mark 9:1
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Luke 9:27
Many of the disciples had been killed by 70 A.D., but not all of them, such as John; who witnessed these things.
Theologian John Wesley comments, “And as an emblem of this, there are some here who shall live to see the Messiah coming to set up his mediatorial kingdom, with great power and glory, by the increase of his Church, and the destruction of the temple, city, and polity of the Jews.”
To understand prophecy fulfillment, we simply must believe the clear statements of Messiah, who clearly told the High Priest who condemned Him to death, that he would see Messiah be glorified and coming in the clouds.
“Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 14:61-62
The Father had worked through the physical city of Jerusalem, the temple and the High Priests; but now that Messiah had ratified the everlasting covenant with His blood as the Passover Lamb; the old type had to be ended, so that the new type, the perfect type of Elohim, could be setup.
In referring to what Messiah talked to the disciples about after he rose again, it says that He spoke of things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
“To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” Acts 1:3
Messiah came to fulfill the plan of Elohim to redeem the set-apart saints.
Hebrews 9:1 shows that the first covenant of Sinai was based around the physical temple.
“Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”
Hebrews 9:11-12 shows that Messiah created the new temple, made without hands.
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.“
Hebrews 10:9-10 shows that the physical covenant was replaced by Messiah.
“Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.“
The law was written on stone tablets. Now the law is written on your heart, and the Spirit enables you to obey it.
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;” Hebrews 10:16
When you read the book of Revelation you see that the bride of Messiah is symbolically called Heavenly Jerusalem.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:2-3
John proclaims that the bride of Messiah is the holy city, the new Jerusalem:
“Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” Revelation 21:9-10
The city of Elohim is no longer the physical city of Jerusalem, but the heavenly Jerusalem, which is populated by His set-apart people.
“But, ye came to Mount Zion, and to a city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of messengers, to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to a mediator of the renewed covenant–Jesus, and to blood of sprinkling, speaking better things than that of Abel!” Hebrews 12:22-24
“Wherefore, also Jesus–that he might sanctify through his own blood the people–without the gate did suffer; now, then, may we go forth unto him without the camp, his reproach bearing; For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:12-14
Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible Hebrews 13:14
For here have we no continuing city – Here is an elegant and forcible allusion to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem. The Jerusalem that was below was about to be burnt with fire, and erased to the ground; the Jerusalem that was from above was that alone which could be considered to be permanent. The words seem to say: “Arise, and depart; for this is not your rest: it is polluted:” About seven or eight years after this, Jerusalem was wholly destroyed.
Abraham was not focused on earthly Jerusalem as being his inheritance, but rather the heavenly Jerusalem.
“For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10
The writer of Hebrews recalled the belief of Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah; and then proclaimed:
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16
Hebrews 13:12 tells us that Messiah did not die in the city of Jerusalem, rather He died outside of the city.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible on Hebrews 13:12
That he might sanctify the people – That he might consecrate them to God, and make an atonement for their sins, he suffered without the gate at Jerusalem, as the sin-offering was consumed without the camp when the tabernacle abode in the wilderness. Perhaps all this was typical of the abolition of the Jewish sacrifices, and the termination of the whole Levitical system of worship. He left the city, denounced its final destruction, and abandoned it to its fate; and suffered without the gate to bring the Gentiles to God.
Hebrews 13:13 tells us that we are not to seek out or pray for the physical city of Jerusalem, for it has been condemned.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible on Hebrews 13:13
Let us go forth therefore unto him – Let us leave this city and system, devoted to destruction, and take refuge in Jesus alone, bearing his reproach-being willing to be accounted the refuse of all things, and the worst of men, for his sake who bore the contradiction of sinners against himself, and was put to death as a malefactor.
Hebrews 13:14 declares that the physical city of Jerusalem is not the city that we should seek after.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Coke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible on Hebrews 13:14
For here we have no continuing city,— When the apostle said, Let us go forth unto him without the camp, he speaks as if we were in our wilderness state, travelling toward the place of our rest. In the wilderness the Jews were obliged to dwell in tents, and had no fixed place of abode; we who believe in Christ, are but strangers here, travelling to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Heavenly Jerusalem has always been the destination of the hearts of Elohim’s people.
Messiah and the saints form the temple, which Elohim indwells.
The Father does not dwell in a temple made with hands.
“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?” Acts 7:48-49
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;” Acts 17:24
The true temple is made by His hands.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
The followers of Messiah are the stones which build up the walls.
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” 1 Peter 2:4-7
The walls of the Holy City of Jerusalem are made up of Jasper, clear as crystal.
“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;” Revelation 21:11
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.” Revelation 21:18
The light of the Father and Son illuminate the temple from within, so that their light shines through the clear walls, through the saints, to illuminate all that is around it.
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” Revelation 21:23
The true tabernacle was made by the Father, not man.
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Hebrews 8:1
Messiah became the High Priest of His temple.
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;” Hebrews 8:1
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:11-12
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” Hebrews 9:24
The saints are the priests of Messiah’s kingdom.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9
And indeed, the early believers were rewarded for their faithful service, even unto death:
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Revelation 1:6
Lest you think that I am teaching dispensationalism or replacement theology, I am simply declaring that the true fulfillment of Elohim’s plans began in the 1st century; when the true High Priest (Messiah) setup the true kingdom of heavenly Jerusalem, the true temple of Elohim and the true priests.
Many Jews believed in Messiah and were saved, and they played a huge role in the Early Church. But many rejected Him and delivered Him up to be killed, and they were desolated and removed from power.
Romans 2:28-29 tells us that a Jew is one inwardly, whose heart is circumcised.
“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.”
Romans 9:6-8 declares that Abraham’s fleshly descendants ARE NOT the children of Elohim.
“For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are NOT the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.”
Galatians 3:7 tells us that ONLY those who are of faith are the children of Elohim.
“Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”
Galatians 3:16 tells us that the seed of Abraham is Messiah.
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “and to your Seed,” who is Christ.”
Galatians 3:28-29 tells us that followers of Messiah (Jew and Gentile) are Abraham’s seed who receive the promises made to Abraham.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Paul is clearly telling us that true Israel, true Jews, believe by faith, and so inherit the promises made to father Abraham.
Everyone who believes in Messiah by faith, are the Chosen People of God. They will inherit Holy Jerusalem when Messiah returns.
David Nikao Wilcoxson
Source: The Seventy Weeks and the Great Tribulation by Philip Mauro
Next Olivet Discourse Study: The Witness Of Josephus
Here’s some images that you can save and share about Dispensationalism / Replacement Theology.
Excellent article!
Thank you Louise! It is one of my favorites!
Is there not a difference between being chosen/elect as to being a servant?
2 Kings 23:27. And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
Isaiah 45:4. For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
Isaiah 65:9. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
15. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
A chosen vessel for what end?
Romans 9:21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Once again, I’m not seeing how those verses disprove any of my explanations about the fulfillment of the Olivet Discourse.
Maybe you should focus on Messiah’s clear words, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Thomas, I’m not really seeing how that applies to Messiah’s Olivet Discourse. He said that the elect who endured to the end (of the siege by the Roman army) would be saved. He was talking to His disciples, the elect.
God’s Kingdom
Luke 17:20 ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Look here! or, look there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
When did Matthew 25:31-32 happen?
31 ¶ When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
You do great work David. I will say I’m not sure I’m in agreement about Messiah setting up his kingdom in the 1st century though. This is an Amillennial view. I have a Premillennial view. I’m in agreement with everything else. The RCC and the Jesuits support the Amillennial view as it allows them to be justified in their rule on earth. The reformers adopted this from Rome and never protested that viewpoint. Something to consider and look at. It’s just the study of the millennium and the 1000 year reign. The Amillennial and Postmillenial views can have consequences just like Preterist and Futurist views have consequences. Besides, the root of Amillennialism is Rome. That should give pause to the doctrine. Messiah setting up his kingdom in the 1st century has to be read into the text. There is much more scriptural support for the kingdom of God to be established on earth after his 2nd coming. Have you given much thought on this?
Thank you for your comment Clint! This study shows that indeed I have given much thought to the subject. 🙂
I have not said that Messiah returned, so I’m not implying that the millennium has started. That’s a false association.
Daniel 2:44 foretold that Elohim would setup His kingdom, not at the end when Messiah returns, but during the days of the kings.
“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.“
If the kingdom was setup when Messiah returns, Daniel wouldn’t have pointed out that it will never be destroyed, as that’s obvious.
Instead Daniel was saying the Messiah would setup His kingdom DURING the time of the beast kingdoms.
Messiah repeatedly said that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Was He pointing to it being setup 2,000+ years later? I don’t think so.
When Paul points out that the saints are a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, is he not pointing to the Kingdom of Elohim?
When Messiah returns, who is going to rule and reign with him during the millennium? All of the saints who made up His kingdom during the last 2,000 years.
So although the kingdom is setup in the earth, it is not yet the ruling power until the king comes to rule over the established kingdom that hasn’t yet began its rule? Then the millennium begins? I think I could maybe go with that…just trying to piece it all together.
Yeah, that’s how I see it. I think that the mountain that is referred to in Daniel 2:35 is the kingdom of saints, which started with Messiah and His 12 disciples, and has grown into a great mountain of people.
“Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
I pray that a great mountain of end times saints rises up against the antichrist beast Popes and their harlot church, to expose their many deceptions, which removes their power over people to set the captives free, and leads to their destruction.
Thank you for this comment because it makes clear to me that the millennium is as I have been taught. You do have a way of making an explanation in concise and understandable terms.
unrelated to the article above but I come to you as a trusted source, I love all your work and appreciate it very much, I have learned a ton from you and your sources.
my question is what happens when we die, from scripture it seams clear our spirit goes back to God, our flesh returns to dust, and it also says we are asleep waiting on the lord. Lazarus and the rich man speak of the place of comfort and of torment’s so is this the spirit? and the soul is asleep waiting on the lord and judgement day?
The narrative of Lazarus and the rich man is a metaphor, so we should not look to it as proof of where people go when they die. And for the state of the soul, I haven’t studied it enough to say. It’s just not really a concern of mine, as I believe that if I die, when I awake I will be with the Father and Messiah. 🙂
Mark, David, Lynn, and Cathie,
Something to consider:
In this temporal life we are restricted by both time and space.
God has no such restrictions, and never has, and never will.
We are finite beings; we had a beginning.
When we are born again we become ‘eternal’ beings; though we had a beginning, when our life began, we become beings that will never die.
God, on the other hand is an ‘infinite’ being; no beginning and no end.
When we leave this world; when we enter into ‘eternity,’ we are no longer bound by either time or space. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Paul wrote: “2 Corinthians 5:8 Nevertheless, we are of good comfort – and yet would rather be away from the body, and be present with the Lord. Paul again: “Philippians 1:22 If it happens that I live in the flesh, it means fruitful work for me, and what to choose I do not know. 23 I am constrained by two things: I desire to be released and to be with Christ, which thing is best of all. 24 Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. Read 1 Cor. !5, especially verses 35 and following. 40 There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies. …. The body is sown in corruption, and rises again in incorruption. ….1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sown a natural body, and rises a spiritual body. …..1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy. And the second man is the Lord from heaven. AND FINALLY: 1 Corinthians 15: 51 Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 and that in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet will blow, and the dead will rise incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Twinkling of an eye: consider this as that ‘twinkling’: the moment we pass to the “other side,” the first thing we shall all hear is the “last trump.” The “mystery”: All the children of God will “arrive” in paradise at the same time (so to speak).
From a limited perspective of time and space we may consider those saints who have died before us as “asleep,” or in some other “time suspension.”
This in part why Peter wrote: 2 Peter 3:8 “Dearly beloved be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day.”
Mark, I do not have all the answers but John 3:13 says that no man has ascended into heaven. Many references in the OT use the term “sleep”. Matthew 5:5 says the meek will inherit the earth (also see Psalm 25:17, 37:9 & 11). People cannot be sentenced to “hell” or “heaven” before being judged, so it seems that when people die the soul waits (sleeps) to be judged on Judgement Day. After judgment the only two possibilities for spending eternity are the lake of fire and the earth (renewed/New Jerusalem). I do find interesting 2 Esdras 7:75–101, which makes the story of Lazarus seem more actual than symbolic.
I am thinking like you are about what happens after we die; however, reading this I just saw this…
Hebrews 12:22-23 KJV
[22] But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, [23] To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
… And to the SPIRITS of just men made perfect…
Hmmmm. Spirits? That caused me to pause for sure.
Cathie, about Hebrews 12:23, Matthew Poole’s Commentary on the Holy Bible says, And to the spirits of just men made perfect: the perfect state to which the gospel covenant leadeth is promoting holiness, for they have an access to the same lot, and are come into the same way of being perfected in holiness, which the spirits of the righteous, separated from their bodies, enjoy in heaven; and have a right unto, and shall have the certain enjoyment of, the same privilege, which carrieth through all difficulties in the pursuit of it, expecting themselves by death to be put in possession with them of the same state.
That’s a bit hard to follow (for me). I would love for it to be true that our spirits (whatever that is) will be in the heavenly Jerusalem at death. But It’s just very difficult to discover if that’s true or if we “sleep” until the resurrection. I feel scripture is rather silent about it. I saw you said somewhere that you weren’t sure, but you do know that at death, the next thing we know is the presence of Christ. And that I believe is true.
I don’t believe that when we die we are immediately with Messiah and the Heavenly Father, as Scripture points to the dead rising first at Messiah’s return. That said, for the dead, the next instance of awareness is that of being with Messiah.